Obesity leads to higher risk of sperm DNA damage in infertile patients

There has been a growing interest over the past few years in the impact of male nutrition on fertility. Infertility has been linked to male overweight or obesity, and conventional semen parameter values seem to be altered in case of high body mass index （BMI）. A few studies assessing the impact of BMI on sperm DNA integrity have been published, but they did not lead to a strong consensus. Our objective was to explore further the relationship between sperm DNA integrity and BMI, through a 3-year multicentre study. Three hundred and thirty male partners in subfertile couples were included. Using the terminal uridine nick-end labelling （TUNEL） assay, we observed an increased rate of sDerm DNA damage in obese men （odds ratio （95% confidence interval）： 2.5 （1.2-5.1））.     

Extubation difficile imprévue

Complications at extubation remain an important risk factor in anaesthesia. Airway related complications at extubation are relatively frequent but are usually dealt with by simple basic measures. We report a new case of respiratory complications associated with tracheal extubation in a 59-year-old woman. Her medical history included obesity, no criteria difficult intubation and no adverse events during her previous anesthetic procedures. At the end of surgery, immediately after extubation, the patient developed respiratory distress requiring reintubation. A second extubation performed in postoperative recovery room was complicated by a new respiratory distress with reintubation. The patient was then admitted to the ICU. The examination on admission was unremarkable. Chest X-ray and a chest CT scan were performed in search of an etiology. Both tests showed a large thyroid “goitre plongeant” (plunging goiter) and compressive. In the suites, a thyroidectomy was performed with excision of a large cervical plunging goiter para- and retropharyngeal bilateral chest, allowing extubation successfully. The postoperative course was uneventful.     

The effect of gastric juice on interleukin-8 production by cystic fibrosis primary bronchial epithelial cells

CF patients are often treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce acidic gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and bronchial aspiration of duodeno-gastric contents is common in CF. We have previously demonstrated that gastric juice (GJ) from patients “on” PPI can induce interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by bronchial epithelial cells in culture. We hypothesized that such effect would be more pronounced in CF patients known to have high inflammatory susceptibility. We aimed to evaluate the effect of GJ on IL-8 production by primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC), derived from a CF patient and a healthy subject.MethodsPBEC obtained from one donor (normal PBEC) and one receptor (CF-PBEC) for lung transplantation were stimulated with GJ from patients “off” and “on” PPI. IL-8 levels were measured in the supernatant.ResultsGJ from patients “on” PPI provoked a significant higher IL-8 production compared to GJ from patients “off” PPI, both in normal PBEC [462 (200–1468) vs. 11 (4–28) pg/ml, p = 0.0001] as in CF-PBEC [1468 (841–2449) vs. 85 (26–131) pg/ml, p < 0.0001]. Exposure of the cells to GJ “off” PPI and “on” PPI provoked significantly higher IL-8 production in the CF-PBEC compared to the normal PBEC [“off” PPI 85 (26–131) vs. 11 (4–28) pg/ml, p = 0.01; “on” PPI 1468 (841–2449) vs. 462 (200–1468) pg/ml, p = 0.01]. Filtration (0.20 μm) of the GJ “on” PPI, to eliminate large particles and bacterial sub-products, resulted in a significant decrease of IL-8 production.ConclusionPatients with CF, treated with PPIs, have GJ with high pH and high endotoxin levels. These patients often have GER and bronchial aspiration. The aspirated material (GJ “on” PPI) has a significantly enhanced inflammatory effect on CF bronchial epithelial cells in culture. As chronic PPI treatment in CF may result in a paradoxically increased inflammatory effect in the airways, alternative anti-reflux therapies should be considered in CF.     

Lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis normalizes essential fatty acid profiles

BackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) can be a devastating disease. Disorders in essential fatty acid state are increasingly reported and various supplementation trials have been performed in an attempt to improve outcomes. However, the mechanisms leading to these disturbances remain elusive.We wanted to investigate the role of the diseased CF lung on fatty acid profiles.MethodsWe compared fatty acid profiles in patients with CF after lung transplantation (n = 11) to age-matched healthy controls and homozygous F508del patients (n = 22 each).ResultsCompared to healthy controls, in patients with CF, there are decreased levels of docosahexaenoic, linoleic and arachidonic acid and increased levels of mead acid. In patients that underwent a lung transplantation, levels of docosahexaenoic, linoleic and arachidonic acid were normal. Mead acid did not decrease significantly.ConclusionsThe diseased CFTR deficient lung is a major determinant in the disturbed fatty acid profile in CF.     

Insulin and IGF-1 induce different patterns of gene expression in mouse fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells: identification by cDNA microarray analysis

The IGF-1 receptor and the related insulin receptor are similar in structure and activate many of the same postreceptor signaling pathways, yet they mediate distinct biological functions. It is still not understood how the specificity of insulin vs. IGF-1 signaling is controlled. In this study, we have used cDNA microarrays to monitor the gene expression patterns that are regulated by insulin and IGF-1. Mouse fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells expressing either the wild-type human IGF receptor or the insulin receptor were stimulated with either IGF-1 or insulin, respectively. Thirty genes, 27 of which were not previously known to be IGF-1 responsive, were up-regulated by IGF-1 but not by insulin. Nine genes, none of which was previously known to be insulin responsive, were up-regulated by insulin but not by IGF-1. The IGF- and insulin-induced regulation of 10 of these genes was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. Interestingly, more than half of the genes up-regulated by IGF-1 are associated with mitogenesis and differentiation, whereas none of the genes specifically up-regulated by insulin are associated with these processes. Our results indicate that under the conditions used in this study, IGF-1 is a more potent activator of the mitogenic pathway than insulin in mouse fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells.