Atorvastatin affects the tissue concentration of hydrogen sulfide in mouse kidneys and other organs

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a crucial co-modulator of cardiovascular, nervous, digestive and excretory systems function. The pleiotropic action of atorvastatin exceeds simple 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibition and involves multiple biological mechanisms. This study assesses the influence of atorvastatin on the H2S tissue concentration in mouse brain, liver, heart and kidney. Twenty-four female CBA strain mice received an intraperitoneal injection. The mice were given one of the following solutions: 0.1 mg atorvastatin (5 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.)/day--group D1, n=8), 0.4 mg atorvastatin (20 mg/kg b.w./day--group D2, n=8) or a saline physiological control (0.2 ml--group C, n=8). A modified Siegel spectrophotometric method was used for the H2S tissue concentration measurements. There was a remarkable rise in the H2S concentration [μg/g] in the kidney (C: 5.26±0.09, D1: 5.77±0.11, p=0.0003; D2: 7.48±0.09, p<0.0001). There were also slight H2S tissue level changes in the brain (C: 1.61±0.01, D1: 1.75±0.03, p=0.0001; D2: 1.78±0.03, p<0.0001), the heart (C: 4.54±0.08, D1: 4.86±0.10, p=0.0027; D2: 4.56±0.07, p=0.6997) and the liver (C: 3.45±0.03, D1: 3.27±0.02, p=0.0001; D2: 3.31±0.02, p=0.0003). Our study supports the influence of atorvastatin on H2S tissue concentration in kidneys and other mouse organs.     

The presence of fungal floras in sinuses in chronic sinusitis patients with polyps

Several fungal species are known to cause severe respiratory and cutaneous diseases. The aim of this work was to analyze the fungal flora in maxillary sinuses in patients suffering from chronic sinusitis with polyps. Twenty five patients (11 woman, 14 man) who underwent endoscopic surgical procedures were included into the study. During the operation, the smear from the maxillary sinus were obtained for the incubation. In 6 persons fungal floras was present.     

Pachydermatous eosinophilic dermatitis

A case is presented of a female Caucasian patient with chronic peripheral blood eosinophilia and unusual skin manifestations. Within a couple of years, the patient developed multiple hyperkeratotic and hyperpigmented papules and plaques all over the body, palmoplantar keratoderma, pachydermia of acral parts of the body, and generalized pruritus. Generalized lymphadenopathy appeared. Other relevant symptoms were persistent peripheral blood hypereosinophilia and increased level of total IgE. The patient was diagnosed with a very rare condition, pachydermatous eosinophilic dermatitis, and was administered combined therapy with dapsone, oral methylprednisolone and fexophenadine. After one month of treatment, the skin changes markedly improved.     

Clinical effectiveness of betahistine in monotherapy of vertigo for different etiology

Vertigo is common symptom in clinical practice and among cerebrovascular and otological diseases. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the effect of betahistine dihydrochloride (Betaserc) on patients with long lasted dizziness. Enrolled in the study were 33 parients at the age between 32 and 80 years whom were treated 16 mg doses of betaserc three times daily et the time 12 weeks. The methods of following investigation was clinical examination, subjective and objective examination and carry out individual questionnaires once a four weeks. On the basis of experiment it was showed that a distinct clinical improvement in the group of 33 patients was in above 66% patients and medication is well tolerated and suitable for long-term treatment.