The role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the role of oxidant/antioxidant status and protein oxidation in the development of age-related macular degeneration.

METHOD:

The activities of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the levels of serum malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, glutathione and vitamin C were measured in 25 patients with age-related macular degeneration and 25 control subjects without age-related macular degeneration.

RESULT:

The malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation protein product levels in the serum were significantly higher in the age-related macular degeneration patient group than in the control group (p<0.05). The superoxide dismutase activity in the serum was significantly lower in the age-related macular degeneration patient group than in the control group (p<0.05). The levels of vitamin C and glutathione and the activity of glutathione peroxidase in the serum were unchanged between groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION:

The results of the present study suggest that decreased effectiveness of the antioxidant defense system and increased oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.     

Increased Serum Cathepsin K in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Purpose

Cathepsin K is a potent collagenase implicated in human and animal atherosclerosis-based vascular remodeling. This study examined the hypothesis that serum CatK is associated with the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials and Methods

Between January 2011 and December 2012, 256 consecutive subjects were enrolled from among patients who underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention treatment. A total of 129 age-matched subjects served as controls.

Results

The subjects'' serum cathepsin K and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. The patients with CAD had significantly higher serum cathepsin K levels compared to the controls (130.8±25.5 ng/mL vs. 86.9±25.5 ng/mL, p<0.001), and the patients with acute coronary syndrome had significantly higher serum cathepsin K levels compared to those with stable angina pectoris (137.1±26.9 ng/mL vs. 102.6±12.9 ng/mL, p<0.001). A linear regression analysis showed that overall, the cathepsin K levels were inversely correlated with the high-density lipoprotein levels (r=-0.29, p<0.01) and positively with hs-CRP levels (r=0.32, p<0.01). Multiple logistic regression analyses shows that cathepsin K levels were independent predictors of CAD (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 1.56; p<0.01).

Conclusion

These data indicated that elevated levels of cathepsin K are closely associated with the presence of CAD and that circulating cathepsin K serves a useful biomarker for CAD.     

The preventive effects of natural adjuvants,G2 and G2F on tracheal responsiveness and serum IL-4 and IFN-γ (th1/th2 balance) in sensitized guinea pigs

OBJECTIVE:

The effects of natural adjuvants on lung inflammation and tracheal responsiveness were examined in sensitized guinea pigs.

METHODS:

The responses of guinea pig tracheal chains and the serum levels of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma were examined in control pigs and three other groups of guinea pigs: the sensitized group and two other sensitized groups treated with either adjuvant G2 or adjuvant G2F (n = 7 for each group). Sensitization of the animals was achieved by injection and inhalation of ovalbumin.

RESULTS:

The results showed that sensitized animals had increased tracheal responsiveness and increased serum levels of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma compared to controls (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Treatments with either G2 or G2F prevented the increase in tracheal responsiveness and serum interleukin-4 (p<0.01 to p<0.001). However, the serum levels of interferon-gamma and the interleukin-4-to-interferon-gamma ratio was increased in the treated groups (p<0.001 for all cases).

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate important preventive effects of two natural adjuvants, particularly G2, on the changes in tracheal responsiveness, serum cytokines and the interleukin-4-to-interferon-gamma ratio (T helper 1/T helper 2 balance) in sensitized guinea pigs.     

External Validation of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II in Korean Intensive Care Units

Purpose

This study was designed to validate the usefulness of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II for predicting hospital mortality of critically ill Korean patients.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed data on 826 patients who had been admitted to nine intensive care units and were included in the Fever and Antipyretics in Critical Illness Evaluation study cohort.

Results

Among the patients enrolled, 62% (512/826) were medical and 38% (314/826) were surgical patients. The median APACHE II score was 17 (11 to 23 interquartile range), and the hospital mortality rate was 19.5%. Age, underlying diseases, medical patients, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy were independently associated with hospital mortality. The calibration of APACHE II was poor (H=57.54, p<0.0001; C=55.99, p<0.0001), and the discrimination was modest [area under the receiver operating characteristic (aROC)=0.729]. Calibration was poor for both medical and surgical patients (H=63.56, p<0.0001; C=73.83, p<0.0001, and H=33.92, p<0.0001; C=33.34, p=0.0001, respectively), while discrimination was poor for medical patients (aROC=0.651) and modest for surgical patients (aROC=0.704). At the predicted risk of 50%, APACHE II had a sensitivity of 36.6% and a specificity of 87.4% for hospital mortality.

Conclusion

For Koreans, the APACHE II exhibits poor calibration and modest discrimination for hospital mortality. Therefore, a new model is needed to accurately predict mortality in critically ill Korean patients.     

A preliminary study on progesterone antioxidation in promoting learning and memory of young ovariectomized mice

Introduction

The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the effect of long-term progesterone (P4) treatment on structural and functional deficits associated with the hippocampus.

Material and methods

Mice served as sham controls or were bilaterally ovariectomized (Ovx), and a 90-day regimen of placebo or P4 was applied to the animal. After the administration, the acquisition and retrieval of mice in contextual fear conditioning (CFC) and a water maze were examined. Hippocampal tissues from some mice in each group were stained with cresyl violet, and the remainder were taken for determining the antioxidant power.

Results

Compared with placebo controls, the time spent on freezing was higher and the latencies were longer for mice given high-dose P4 (HP) (p < 0.05) in CFC, and the HP group also had longer searching time spent in the target quadrant (p < 0.05) in the water maze. Compared with placebo controls, the cell number of hippocampus CA1, CA3 and DG was significantly higher in the HP group (p < 0.05), and the thickness of the cell layer in CA1 and DG was also higher in the HP group (p < 0.05). All the oxidative stress biomarkers show that the antioxidative activity in hippocampus tissue from the HP and LP groups is higher than that in placebo controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Ovx impairs learning and memory of mice, which can be rescued by a long-term regimen of HP via its antioxidant effects.     

Obese elderly women exhibit low postural stability: a novel three-dimensional evaluation system

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the multisegmental static postural balance of active eutrophic and obese elderly women using a three-dimensional system under different sensory conditions.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 31 elderly women (16 eutrophic and 15 obese) aged 65 to 75 years. The following anthropometric measurements were obtained: weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and handgrip strength. The physical activity level was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body composition was measured using the deuterium oxide dilution technique. The Polhemus® Patriot (three-dimensional) equipment was used to measure the parameters of postural balance along the anteroposterior and laterolateral axes. The data acquisition involved one trial of 60 s to test the limit of stability and four trials of 90 s each under the following conditions: (1) eyes open, stable surface; (2) eyes closed, stable surface; (3) eyes open, unstable surface; and (4) eyes closed, unstable surface.

RESULTS:

For the limit of stability, significant differences were observed in the maximum anteroposterior and laterolateral displacement (p<0.01) and in the parameter maximum anteroposterior displacement in the eyes closed stable surface condition (p<0.01) and maximum anteroposterior and laterolateral displacement in the eyes open unstable surface (p<0.01 and p = 0.03) and eyes closed unstable surface (p<0.01 and p<0.01) conditions.

CONCLUSIONS:

Obese elderly women exhibited a lower stability limit (lower sway area) compared with eutrophic women, leaving them more vulnerable to falls.     

Correlation of Post Swim-Up Acrosome Index with in-vitro Fertilization Outcomes

Purpose

A prospective study was planned to determine the relationship between post swim-up acrosome index (AI) evaluation and fertilization outcomes in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.

Materials and Methods

Infertile couples who have applied to IVF were admitted into this study when the male partner''s sperm concentration was > 20×10⁶/mL and motility > 30%. Pre- and post swim-up semen quality parameters including concentration, motility, sperm morphology and AI were evaluated in a prospective, randomized and blinded fashion. The couples were divided prospectively into 2 groups. In group I (25 couples) 50 000 sperm per oocyte were used for insemination considering post swim-up acrosome index, and in group II (25 couples) 50 000 sperm per oocyte were used for insemination without considering post swim-up acrosome index.

Results

Pre- and post swim-up AI were 30.8 ± 3.4 and 17.8 ± 4.5 in group I, and 31.4 ± 3.6 and 16.3 ± 4.7 in group II (p > 0.05) respectively. The significant improvement in morphology and motility after double wash swim-up procedure has been observed. However, double wash swim-up procedure could not eliminate head and especially acrosomal defects which would directly effect fertilization capacity in conventional IVF program. In group I, 85.3% of oocytes were fertilized, with a 48% pregnancy rate; in group II, 71.0% of oocytes were fertilized, with a pregnancy rate of 20%. Fertilization and pregnancy rates were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the two groups.

Conclusion

We have concluded that it could be useful to consider post swim-up AI of sperm inseminated in conventional IVF cycles, which correlates with high fertilization and pregnancy rates.     

Resistance training improves body composition and increases matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity in biceps and gastrocnemius muscles of diet-induced obese rats

OBJECTIVE:

We investigated the influence of resistance training on body composition and matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity in skeletal muscles of rats fed a high-fat diet.

METHODS:

Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups (n = 8/each) according to diet and exercise status: Control (standard diet), Obese Control (high-fat diet), Resistance Training (standard diet) and Obese Resistance Training (high-fat diet) groups. Animals were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to promote excessive weight gain. Resistance Training groups performed 12 weeks of training periods after this period in a vertical ladder three times/week. Fat percentage, fat-free mass and fat mass were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity in biceps and gastrocnemius muscles was analyzed using zymography.

RESULTS:

Resistance training significantly reduced body and fat masses and fat percentages in both trained groups (p<0.05). The maximal carrying load between trained groups was not different, but relative force was higher in the Resistance Training group (p<0.05). Of note, increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity was noted in the tested muscles of both trained groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, altered body composition and muscle matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity promoted by excessive weight gain were positively modified by resistance training.     

Simultaneous transfer of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids to high-density lipoprotein in aging subjects with or without coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE:

To verify whether the capacity of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to simultaneously receive non-esterified cholesterol, triglycerides, cholesteryl esters, and phospholipids changes with aging and the presence of coronary artery disease.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional study with biochemical analyses.

SUBJECTS:

Eleven elderly patients with coronary artery disease (74±5 years) were compared with the following groups of non-coronary artery disease subjects (referred to as “healthy”): 25 young (25±5 years), 25 middle-aged (42±6 years), and 25 elderly subjects (75±8 years).

METHODS:

Plasma samples were incubated with a nanoemulsion labeled with radioactive lipids; the transfer of the lipids from the nanoemulsion to the HDL was measured in chemically precipitated HDL. HDL size and paraoxonase-1 activity were also determined.

RESULTS:

The transfer of cholesteryl esters and phospholipids to high-density lipoprotein was significantly greater (p<0.001) in healthy elderly subjects than in the middle-aged and younger subjects. Non-esterified cholesterol and triglyceride transfer was not different among these three groups. The HDL size was significantly greater (p<0.001) in healthy elderly subjects than in the middle-aged and younger subjects. The paraoxonase-1 activity was similar among the groups. Compared with healthy elderly subjects, coronary artery disease elderly subjects had significantly less (p<0.05) transfer of non-esterified cholesterol, triglycerides, and cholesteryl esters to the HDL and a significantly smaller (p<0.05) HDL size.

CONCLUSION:

Because lipid transfer is enhanced in healthy elderly subjects but not in those with coronary artery disease, increasing lipid transfer to HDL may be a protective mechanism against the disease.     

The prevalence of helicobacter pylori among dyspeptic patients in an earthquake-stricken area

OBJECTIVES:

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped, urease-producing bacterium with multiple unipolar flagella. Humans are a major reservoir for H. pylori; however, there are no data on the prevalence of H. pylori among dyspeptic patients who have experienced natural disasters. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of H. pylori in dyspeptic patients who survived a recent natural disaster and to compare the data between the pre-disaster and post-disaster periods.

METHODS:

Between December 2011 and February 2012 (∼ one month following an earthquake), 209 dyspeptic patients who underwent gastroscopy were included in the study. For microorganism identification, gastric biopsy materials from the 209 disaster survivors with dyspeptic complaints were tested for urease activity in a medium containing urea and a pH indicator. The obtained results were compared with pre-disaster data from dyspeptic patients in the same city during the corresponding period of the previous year. Furthermore, the current H. pylori prevalence was evaluated among 139 dyspeptic patients between January 2014 and May 2014.

RESULTS:

We found a significantly higher prevalence of H. pylori in disaster survivors with dyspepsia compared with dyspeptic patients in the pre-disaster period (p<0.005). Interestingly, the current H. pylori prevalence was found to be significantly higher than the prevalence in both the disaster and pre-disaster periods (p<0.005).

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that a recent earthquake could contribute to the development of H. pylori infection in subjects who live in the disaster-stricken area. These data also highlight the exceptionally high H. pylori prevalence in dyspeptic patients. Regional variations require further analyses.     

Presence of a Nail in the Medullary Canal; Is It Enough to Prevent Femoral Neck Shortening in Trochanteric Fracture?

Purpose

Presence of a cephalomedullary nail (CMN) in the medullary canal has been thought as advantageous in the control of femoral neck shortening (FNS) and lag screw sliding in trochanteric fracture compared to extramedullary fixation system. However, researches on the factors that influence the degree of FNS after cephalomedullary nailing are lacking.

Materials and Methods

We observed 95 patients (mean age, 75±2.8 years) with trochanteric fractures who were treated with a CMN, and evaluated the relationship between FNS and patient factors including age, gender, fracture type (AO/OTA), bone mineral density, medullary canal diameter, canal occupancy ratio (COR=nail size/canal diameter), and tip-apex distance using initial, immediate postoperative, and follow-up radiography.

Results

Univariate regression analyses revealed that the degree of FNS was significantly correlated with fracture type (A1 versus A3, p<0.001), medullary canal diameter (p<0.001), and COR (p<0.001). Multiple regression analyses revealed that FNS was strongly correlated with fracture type (p<0.001) and COR (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Presence of a CMN in the medullary canal could not effectively prevent FNS in patients with low COR and in A3 type fracture.     

Change in Electromyographic Activity of Wrist Extensor by Cylindrical Brace

Purpose

To verify the effect of a newly-developed cylindrical type forearm brace, which was designed to give focal counterforce perpendicularly on the muscle belly of the wrist extensor.

Materials and Methods

The dominant hands of 24 (12 males, 12 females) healthy subjects were tested. Two types of forearm braces (focal cylindrical type and broad pneumatic type) were examined. The braces were applied at the extensor carpi radialis brevis, 5 to 7 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle. Two surface electrodes were attached to the proximal and distal parts of the brace. By quantitative electromyography, the mean amplitudes of voluntary extensor carpi radialis brevis contraction before and after applying each brace were recorded and analyzed.

Results

The mean amplitudes of the focal cylindrical brace and broad pneumatic brace were reduced significantly compared to no brace (p<0.05), with a larger reduction for the cylindrical brace than the pneumatic brace (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the proximal and distal mean amplitudes with each brace.

Conclusion

A cylindrical type brace decreased electromyographic activity in the wrist extensor more effectively than did the pneumatic type brace.     

The Relationship between Gastric Juice Nitrate/Nitrite Concentrations and Gastric Mucosal Surface pH

Purpose

To investigate gastric juice nitrate/nitrite concentration according to mucosal surface pH extent (area) of gastric corpus intimately contacting the gastric juice.

Materials and Methods

We included ninety-nine patients with dyspepsia. To evaluate gastric mucosal surface pH and its extent, gastric chromosocpy was performed by spraying phenol red dye on the corpus mucosa and estimating the extent of area with color changed. Nitrate/nitrite concentrations and pH of gastric juice were measured by ELISA and pH meter, respectively. Silver staining was done to histologically confirm the presence of Helicobacter pylori.

Results

Intragastric nitrate/nitrite concentrations in patients, showing phenol red staining mucosa were higher than those of unstaining mucosa (p=0.001): the more extensive in the area of phenol red staining area of corpus, the higher gastric juice pH found (r=0.692, p<0.001). Furthermore, the intragastric nitrate/nitrite concentrations correlated positively with gastric juice pH (r=0.481, p<0.001).

Conclusion

The changes of mucosal surface pH and its extent in gastric corpus might affect either pH or nitrate/nitrite level of gastric juice.     

C677T (RS1801133 ) MTHFR gene polymorphism frequency in a colombian population

Introduction:

Abnormal levels of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are associated with an increased risk of both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and higher concentrations of homocysteine. Abnormal levels are also related to birth defects, pregnancy complications, cancer and toxicity to methotrexate (MTX). Polymorphisms of MTHFR affect the activity of the enzyme. Genetic associations have been related to treatment efficacy.

Objective:

To establish the frequency of the C> T polymorphism at nucleotide 677 of the MTHFR gene in a group of Colombian individuals.

Methods:

Data from pharmacogenetic microarrays that include MTX sensibility-associated polymorphisms were retrospectively collected (Pathway Genomics^®). The frequency of the C> T MTHFR rs1801133 marker polymorphism was analyzed.

Results:

Microarray data from 68 men and 84 women were analyzed. Comparisons of genotype C/C vs. C/T and T/T were statistically significantly different (p= 0.00, p= 0.026, respectively), as were C/T and T / T (p= 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Results for the C/C and C/T genotypes in a Colombian population are similar to other previously studied groups of healthy subjects. Subjects from our population might be at risk of developing diseases associated with MTHFR polymorphisms and might present toxicity and adverse effects if treated with MTX, which suggests the need to evaluate therapeutic alternatives based on individual pharmacogenetic studies.     

Serum adenosine deaminase,catalase and carbonic anhydrase activities in patients with bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES:

The relationship between adenosine deaminase and various cancers has been investigated in several studies. However, serum adenosine deaminase activity and carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities in patients with bladder cancer have not previously been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure serum adenosine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities in patients with bladder cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Forty patients with bladder cancer and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum adenosine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities were measured spectrophotometrically.

RESULTS:

Serum adenosine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities were significantly higher in patients with bladder cancer than controls (all significant, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

These markers might be a potentially important finding as an additional diagnostic biochemical tool for bladder cancer.     

Restricting sports activity in reducing the rate of varicocele and related infertility parameters in athletes

Introduction

The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that the cessation of sports training in young athletes reduces the prevalence of varicocele.

Material and methods

1,013 young males were divided into three age-matched groups based on their sport activity. The first group consisted of 305 athletically active boys in basketball, volleyball, handball, or football; the second of 44 active water-polo players, and the third of 664 sport-inactive controls. All participants had been initially examined for the presence of varicocele, and positive ones were submitted to orchidometry and seminal fluid analysis. Those with varicocele were then asked to cease all sport activity for the following six months, and the reassessing was performed.

Results

The results showed a significantly higher percentage of varicocele present in the first group than in the control group (p < 0.49), while the percentage of young males diagnosed with varicocele in the second proved to be even lower than that of the control group (9.09% vs. 12.35%). After the 6-month period of cessation and abstention from all sporting activity, every parameter of the seminal fluid analysis improved in the first group, wherein statistical significance for both sperm concentration (p < 0.001) and sperm motility (p < 0.023) was found. The testicular volume was found not to have increased significantly in either group (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The study shows that sport-associated varicocele has a positive prognosis when diagnosed early and upon the cessation of sports training.     

New social adaptability index predicts overall mortality

Introduction

Definitions of underprivileged status based on race, gender and geographic location are neither sensitive nor specific; instead we proposed and validated a composite index of social adaptability (SAI).

Material and methods

Index of social adaptability was calculated based on employment, education, income, marital status, and substance abuse, each factor contributing from 0 to 3 points. Index of social adaptability was validated in NHANES-3 by association with all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Results

Weighted analysis of 19,593 subjects demonstrated mean SAI of 8.29 (95% CI 8.17-8.40). Index of social adaptability was higher in Whites, followed by Mexican-Americans and then the African-American population (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The SAI was higher in subjects living in metropolitan compared to rural areas (T-test, p < 0.001), and was greater in men than in women (T-test, p < 0.001). In Cox models adjusted for age, comorbidity index, BMI, race, sex, geographic location, hemoglobin, serum creatinine, albumin, cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin levels, SAI was inversely associated with mortality (HR 0.87 per point, 95% CI 0.84-0.90, p < 0.001). This association was confirmed in subgroups.

Conclusions

We proposed and validated an indicator of social adaptability with a strong association with mortality, which can be used to identify underprivileged populations at risk of death.