Vitamin K status in cystic fibrosis

Appearance of PIVKA-II (protein induced by vitamin K absence-II) in serum is a biochemical sign of insufficient vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of prothrombin. Plasma concentrations of PIVKA-II and vitamin K1 were determined in 24 children with cystic fibrosis. Eight were supplemented with vitamin K1. The purpose of the study was to determine the occurrence of vitamin K deficiency in cystic fibrosis and to evaluate the effect of vitamin K supplementation. PIVKA-II was detectable in only one unsupplemented child. In this patient, the concentration of vitamin K1 was below the limit of detection of 60 ng/l. Vitamin K1 levels in the other unsupplemented children were normal (mean 476 ng/l = 1 mmol/l). The supplemented patients showed extremely high levels of vitamin K1 (mean 22445 ng/l = 50 nmol/l). In conclusion, vitamin K deficiency occurs infrequently in cystic fibrosis. Checking the coagulation system is advised, but routine vitamin K supplementation is not recommended. If additional vitamin K is needed, the starting dose should not exceed 1 mg daily.     

Role of nitric oxide and beta-adrenoceptors of the central nervous system on the salivary flow induced by pilocarpine injection into the lateral ventricle

Our studies have focused on the effect of L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and L-arginine, the substrate of NOS, on salivary secretion induced by the administration of pilocarpine into the lateral cerebral ventricle (LV) of rats. The present study has also investigated the role of the beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonist injected into LV on the salivary secretion elicited by the injection of pilocarpine into LV. Male Holtzman rats with a stainless-steel cannula implanted into the LV were used. The amount of salivary secretion was studied over a 7-min period after injection of pilocarpine, isoproterenol, propranolol, salbutamol, salmeterol, L-NAME and L-arginine. The injection of pilocarpine (10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 microg/microl) into LV produced a dose-dependent increase in salivary secretion. The injection of L-NAME (40 microg/microl) into LV alone produced an increase in salivary secretion. The injection of L-NAME into LV previous to the injection of pilocarpine produced an increase in salivary secretion. L-Arginine (30 microg/microl) injected alone into LV produced no change in salivary secretion. L-Arginine injected into LV attenuated pilocarpine-induced salivary secretion. The isoproterenol (40 nmol/microl) injected into LV increased the salivary secretion. When injected previous to pilocarpine at a dose of 20 and 40 microg/microl, isoproterenol produced an additive effect on pilocarpine-induced salivary secretion. The 40-nmol/microl dose of propranolol injected alone or previous to pilocarpine into LV attenuated the pilocarpine-induced salivary secretion. The injection of salbutamol (40 nmol/microl), a specific beta-2 agonist, injected alone into LV produced no change in salivary secretion and when injected previous to pilocarpine produced an increase in salivary secretion. The 40-nmol/microl dose of salmeterol, a long-acting beta-2 agonist, injected into LV alone or previous to pilocarpine produced no change in salivary secretion. The results have shown that central injections of L-NAME and L-arginine interfere with the salivary secretion, which implies that might participate in pilocarpine-induced salivary secretion. The interaction between cholinergic and beta-adrenergic receptors of the central nervous system (CNS) for the control of salivary secretion can also be postulated.     

Antinociceptive action of captopril and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in Mus musculus mice

1. In the present study, the antinociceptive action of captopril was investigated, as well as its association with transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), in mice under nociceptive stimulation. 2. The modulation of abdominal contortions (writhes) produced by acetic acid was observed in order to evaluate captopril pain stimuli blockade. 3. The administration of captopril produced a significant reduction of nociception, which was further reduced when captopril was associated with TENS. 4. Apparently this increase in the inhibition of nociception was produced by an indirect mechanism, involving opioid liberation by TENS and an enzymatic inhibition induced by captopril and this may lead to clinical applications of captopril and TENS association in pain relief.     

Pulmonary valve lipoma presenting as syncope

We report a case of a pulmonary valve lipoma presenting as syncope in a 28-year-old woman. Surgical excision of the mass was performed in urgency and the patient was discharged uneventfully.     

Role of the orphan nuclear receptor ROR alpha in the control of the metastatic behavior of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells

Orphan nuclear receptors constitute a subgroup of the superfamily of steroid/thyroid/retinoid receptors for which no endogenous ligand has been identified. The orphan nuclear receptor ROR alpha has been shown to be involved in the control of cell growth and differentiation. We have previously shown that, in DU 145 androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, ROR alpha activation brings about a significant decrease of cell proliferation and affects cell cycle progression through the modulation of cell cycle-related genes. The experiments here described have been performed to clarify whether ROR alpha might also be involved in the control of the metastatic behavior of DU 145 cells. We have shown that the thiazolidinedione derivative CGP 52608, the specific ROR alpha ligand and activator, reduces the ability of DU 145 cells to invade a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel). CGP 52608 also significantly decreased the capacity of prostate cancer cells to migrate towards a chemotactic stimulus (fibronectin), when plated in the upper compartment of a Boyden's chamber. Moreover, ROR alpha activation resulted in a decreased expression of alpha v beta 3 integrin and an increased level of expression of beta 4 integrin subunit. These findings indicate that the activation of the orphan nuclear receptor ROR alpha reduces the invasive and migratory capacities of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, at least partially, by affecting integrin expression.