Preventive effects of curcumin on different aspiration material-induced lung injury in rats

Purpose  We have studied whether curcumin protects different pulmonary aspiration material-induced lung injury in rats. Materials and methods  The experiments were designed in 60 Sprague–Dawley rats, randomly allotted into one of six groups (n = 10): normal saline (NS, control), enteral formula (Biosorb Energy Plus, BIO), hydrochloric acid (HCl), NS + curcumin-treated, BIO + curcumin-treated, and HCl + curcumin-treated. NS, BIO, HCl were injected in to the lungs. The rats received curcumin twice daily only for 7 days. Seven days later, both lungs in all groups were examined histopathologically, immunohistochemically, and biochemically. Histopathologic examination was performed according to the presence of peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar septal infiltration, alveolar edema, alveolar exudate, alveolar histiocytes, interstitial fibrosis, granuloma, and necrosis formation. Immunohistochemical assessments were examined for the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the expression of surfactant protein D (SP-D). Malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroxyproline (HP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were measured in the lung tissue. Results  Our findings show that curcumin inhibits the inflammatory response reducing significantly (P < 0.05) all histopathological parameters in different pulmonary aspiration models. Pulmonary aspiration significantly increased the tissue HP content, MDA levels and decreased the antioxidant enzyme (SOD, GSH-Px) activities. Curcumin treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue HP content, and MDA levels and prevented inhibition of SOD, and GSH-Px enzymes in the tissues. Furthermore, our data suggest that there is a significant reduction in the activity of iNOS and a rise in the expression of SP-D in lung tissue of different pulmonary aspiration models with curcumin therapy. Conclusion  Our findings support the use of curcumin as a potential therapeutic agent in acute lung injury.     

Formoterol provides long-lasting protection against exercise-induced bronchospasm.

BACKGROUND: Patients with exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) may benefit from a prophylactic beta2-adrenergic agonist that combines rapid onset with long duration of action. OBJECTIVE: To compare the protective effect against EIB of a single inhaled dose of formoterol powder delivered via the Aerolizer inhaler (Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ) with the effect of placebo and albuterol. METHODS: Eighteen patients with EIB were randomized to treatment in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-way, crossover study. Seventeen patients completed all four crossover periods. Each patient received in random sequence a single dose of formoterol (12 or 24 microg), albuterol (180 microg), or placebo at intervals of 5 +/- 2 days. Pulmonary function measurements were taken before and after exercise challenge tests (ECTs) at 15 minutes postdosing and at 4, 8, and 12 hours postdosing. RESULTS: Both doses of formoterol produced significantly greater protection against EIB, compared with placebo, at all timepoints (P < or = 0.016). The two doses of formoterol were not significantly different from one another at any time. Protection against EIB with albuterol was clinically significant only for the 15-minute ECT and was statistically superior to placebo for the 15-minute and 4-hour ECTs. Although formoterol and albuterol exhibited a rapid onset of action, formoterol provided longer-lasting protection over the 12-hour observation period. Rescue medication was used substantially less with either dose of formoterol, compared with albuterol or placebo. All treatments were well tolerated. Two-hour postdosing electrocardiograms and vital signs were unremarkable for all study treatments. CONCLUSION: A single dose of formoterol (12 or 24 microg) provides protection against EIB within 15 minutes of dosing and persists for up to 12 hours. Formoterol is safe and well tolerated.     

Deletion of RBM and DAZ in azoospermia: Evaluation by PRINS

Molecular and cytogenetic studies from infertile men have shown that one or more genes controlling spermatogenesis are located in proximal Yq11.2 in interval 6 of the Y chromosome. Microdeletions within the azoospermia factor region (AZF) are often associated with azoospermia and severe oligospermia in men with idiopathic infertility. We evaluated cells from a normal‐appearing 27‐year‐old man with infertility and initial karyotype of 45,der(X)t(X;Y)(p22.3;p11.2)[8]/46,t(X;Y)(p22.3;p11.2)[12]. By fluorescence in situ hybridization with dual‐color whole chromosome paint probes for X and Y chromosomes, we confirmed the Xp‐Yp interchange. By primed in situ labeling, we identified translocation of the SRY gene from its original location on Yp to the patient's X chromosome at band Xp22. We also obtained evidence that the apparent marker was a der(Y) (possibly a ring) containing X and Y domains, and observed that the patient's genome was deleted for RBM and DAZ, two candidate genes for AZF. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Removal of hydrosalpinges increases endometrial leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) expression at the time of the implantation window

BACKGROUND: The presence of hydrosalpinges is associated with lower implantation and pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF-embryo transfer, while salpingectomy improves these parameters. Although the mechanism by which hydrosalpinges affects fertility is not entirely understood, an adverse effect on endometrial receptivity has been postulated. In this study, we hypothesized that the adverse effects of hydrosalpinges on fertility may be in part mediated by inappropriate endometrial expression of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a cytokine implicated in implantation. METHODS: In order to test our hypothesis, we prospectively examined the expression of LIF during the window of implantation in the endometrium of infertile women (n = 10) with hydrosalpinges prior to and following salpingectomy and of fertile controls (n = 10) by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: LIF expression was significantly lower in infertile women with hydrosalpinges compared with fertile controls (P < 0.05). Salpingectomy resulted in an increase in LIF expression in eight out of 10 women with hydrosalpinges. LIF levels were increased by 231 +/-49% (mean +/- SEM) following salpingectomy. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the Western blot findings. The increased LIF immunoreactivity was predominantly localized to luminal and glandular epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that observed benefit from salpingectomy in infertile women with hydrosalpinges may be in part mediated by the up-regulation of endometrial LIF expression.     

Inhibition of chemokines prevents intraperitoneal adhesions in mice

BACKGROUND: The present study evaluates the efficacy of a broad-spectrumchemokine inhibitor, NR58-3.14.3, in the prevention of adhesionformation after i.p. surgery in mice. METHODS: A total of 110eight week old female Balb/c mice underwent laparotomy. Fortyanimals were randomly assigned to receive daily i.p. injectionsof either vehicle (control) or NR58-3.14.3. Time-course of adhesionformation was assessed. A titration of NR58-3.14.3 was conductedfor i.p. and s.c. administrations. The effectiveness of a singleintra-operative dose of NR58-3.14.3 was evaluated. Number, extent,location and type of adhesions were recorded. Immunohistochemistryof adhesions was done with leukocyte common antigen, CD45. RESULTS:Adhesion scores peaked on post-operative days 6–8. Onboth days 6 and 8, there were smaller adhesion size and lowercumulative adhesion scores in NR58-3.14.3-treated group. Moreover,on day 8, there were significantly fewer adhesions in NR58-3.14.3-treatedgroup compared to controls. The least effective dose for i.p.administration of NR58-3.14.3 was 0.45 mg/animal. Subcutaneousand single intra-operative i.p. administrations were also effectivein the prevention of i.p. adhesions. Although NR58-3.14.3 decreasedthe number of CD45⁺ inflammatory cells in the adhesions by 22.5%compared to control group, this was not significant. CONCLUSIONS:Our results show that this broad-spectrum chemokine inhibitorprevents post-operative adhesions in mice and may have a potentialclinical use.     

Low level of Nesfatin-1 is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurs in ～10–25% of pregnancies. Nesfatin-1, plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism by inhibiting glucagon secretion, besides has a glucose-dependent insulinotropic effect. Explanation of the GDM pathogenesis is important due to preventing gestational complications. We aimed to investigate relationship between GDM and Nesfatin-1.

Material and methods: Seventy-nine pregnant subjects were randomly allocated to either GDM group (GDG, n?=?38) or control group (CG, n?=?41). For GDM diagnosis, 50 and 100?g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were used. Nesfatin-1, insulin and other parameters were measured for all subjects. The homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated.

Results: Nesfatin-1 was found lower and insulin was found higher in GDG than CG. Negative correlation has been founded between Nesfatin-1 with weight, BMI, fasting glucose, serum glucose level at first hour of the 50?g OGTT and HOMA-IR.

Conclusion: In this study, patients with GDM had lower Nesfatin-1 levels than without GDM. Therefore, when the Nesfatin-1 effects on the GDM pathogenesis is clear, it may be contributed to diagnosis and treatment of the GDM.     

Evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in pregnant women with chronic disease

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disease which is estimated to be undiagnosed to a large extent. Hence, the prevalence of OSAS in pregnant women is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in pregnant women with chronic diseases.

Methods: In the study, 97 pregnant women with chronic diseases and 160 healthy pregnant women were included. A form questioning socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy characteristics, Epworth scale and the Berlin questionnaire to evaluate the risk of OSAS were applied to participants.

Results: It has been determined that 10–12.5% of healthy pregnant women, 34–45.4% of pregnants with chronic diseases and 20.6–23.3% of all pregnant women had a high risk of OSAS, the pregnants with chronic disease compared to healthy pregnant women had statistically significant higher risk of OSAS. The risk of OSAS was found to be significantly higher especially in pregnant women with hypertension and diabetes.

Conclusions: OSAS can lead to the adverse consequences in pregnancy, should be questioned for all pregnants especially those with chronic diseases. Pregnant women with OSAS should be monitored more carefully in terms of diabetes and hypertension in antenatal care.     

Comparative effects of risedronate,atorvastatin, estrogen and SERMs on bone mass and strength in ovariectomized rats

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate bone protective effects of risedronate, atorvastatin, raloxifene and clomiphene citrate in ovariectomized rats.

Methods

Our study was conducted on 63 rats at Experimental Research Center of Celal Bayar University. Six-month-old rats were divided into seven groups. There were five drug administered ovariectomized groups, one ovariectomized control group without drug administration and one non-ovariectomized control group without drug administration. Eight weeks postovariectomy, rats were treated with the bisphosphonate risedronate sodium, the statin atorvastatin, the estrogen 17β-estradiol and the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) raloxifene hydrochloride and clomiphene citrate by gavage daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, rats were killed under anesthesia. For densitometric evaluation, left femurs and tibiae were removed. Left femurs were also used to measure bone volume. Right femurs were used for three-point bending test.

Results

Compared to ovariectomized group, femur cortex volume increased significantly in non-ovariectomized group (p = 0.016). Compared to non-ovariectomized group, distal femoral metaphyseal and femur midshaft bone mineral density values were significantly lower in ovariectomized group (p = 0.047). In ovariectomy + atorvastatin group, whole femur and femur midshaft bone mineral density and three-point bending test maximal load values were significantly higher than ovariectomized group (p = 0.049, 0.05, and 0.018). When compared to the ovariectomized group, no significant difference was found with respect to femoral maximum load values in groups treated with risedronate, estrogen, raloxifene and clomiphene (p = 0.602, 0.602, 0.75, and 0.927). In ovariectomy + risedronate group, femur midshaft bone mineral density values were significantly higher than the values in ovariectomized group (p = 0.023). When compared to ovariectomized group, no significant difference was found with respect to femur midshaft bone mineral density values in groups treated with estrogen, raloxifene and clomiphene (p = 0.306, 0.808, and 0.095).

Conclusions

While risedronate sodium prevented the decrease in bone mineral density in ovariectomized rats, atorvastatin maintained mechanical characteristics of bone and also prevented the decrease in bone mineral density as risedronate sodium.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Demodex folliculorum</Emphasis> in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and density of Demodex folliculorum in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Forty-one patients with RA and twenty-seven age and sex matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) was used for the assessment of disease activity. Out of 41 patients, 33 were females and 8 males. The mean disease duration was 10.9 ± 8.2 years. The mean DAS 28 was 3.8 ± 1.2. No statistically significant differences in the incidence and density of Demodex mites were found between patients with RA and controls. Although immunosuppression is thought to be a risk factor for the D. folliculorum infestation no such correlations could be found in the 41 immunosuppressed patients with RA, therefore, further studies with larger groups are needed.     

A Kalman filter-based approach to reduce the effects of geometric errors and the measurement noise in the inverse ECG problem

In this article, we aimed to reduce the effects of geometric errors and measurement noise on the inverse problem of Electrocardiography (ECG) solutions. We used the Kalman filter to solve the inverse problem in terms of epicardial potential distributions. The geometric errors were introduced into the problem via wrong determination of the size and location of the heart in simulations. An error model, which is called the enhanced error model (EEM), was modified to be used in inverse problem of ECG to compensate for the geometric errors. In this model, the geometric errors are modeled as additive Gaussian noise and their noise variance is added to the measurement noise variance. The Kalman filter method includes a process noise component, whose variance should also be estimated along with the measurement noise. To estimate these two noise variances, two different algorithms were used: (1) an algorithm based on residuals, (2) expectation maximization algorithm. The results showed that it is important to use the correct noise variances to obtain accurate results. The geometric errors, if ignored in the inverse solution procedure, yielded incorrect epicardial potential distributions. However, even with a noise model as simple as the EEM, the solutions could be significantly improved.