Peripheral glutamate and TNF-α levels in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage: Their prognostic values and interactions toward the formation of the edemal volume

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic values, contribution and interactions of the peripheral blood plasma glutamate and tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels toward the formation of the perifocal edema in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Ghrelin signalling in guinea-pig femoral artery smooth muscle cells

Aim: Our aim was to study the new signalling pathway of ghrelin in the guinea‐pig femoral artery using the outward I_K as a sensor. Methods: Whole‐cell patch‐clamp experiments were performed on single smooth muscle cells, freshly isolated from the guinea‐pig femoral artery. The contractile force of isometric preparations of the same artery was measured using a wire‐myograph. Results: In a Ca²⁺‐ and nicardipine‐containing external solution, 1 mmol L^?1 tetraethylammonium reduced the net I_K by 49 ± 7%. This effect was similar and not additive to the effect of the specific BK_Ca channel inhibitor iberiotoxin. Ghrelin (10^?7 mol L^?1) quickly and significantly reduced the amplitudes of tetraethylammonium‐ and iberiotoxin‐sensitive currents through BK_Ca channels. The application of 5 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 desacyl ghrelin did not affect the amplitude of the control I_K but it successfully prevented the ghrelin‐induced I_K decrease. The effect of ghrelin on I_K was insensitive to selective inhibitors of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase, soluble guanylyl cyclase, cGMP‐dependent protein kinase or a calmodulin antagonist, but was effectively antagonized by blockers of BK_Ca channels, phosphatidylinositol‐phospholipase C, phosphatidylcholine‐phospholipase C, protein kinase C, SERCA, IP₃‐induced Ca²⁺ release and by pertussis toxin. The ghrelin‐induced increase in the force of contractions was blocked when iberiotoxin (10^?7 mol L^?1) was present in the bath solution. Conclusions: Ghrelin reduces I_K(Ca) in femoral artery myocytes by a mechanism that requires activation of Gα_i/o‐proteins, phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C, phosphatidylcholine phospholipase C, protein kinase C and IP₃‐induced Ca²⁺ release.     

The effect of low-level diode laser on COX-2 gene expression in chronic periodontitis patients

Adjunctive treatments to scaling and root planing (SRP) such as lasers, have been utilized in the treatment of chronic periodontitis, mainly aiming to suppress and eliminate the bacteria, as well as enhancing the healing response. Eighty gingival papilla biopsy samples were obtained from 60 patients diagnosed with chronic advanced periodontitis; randomly assigned to three treatment groups (n = 20), as well as 20 subjects with no periodontal disease [group A]. Group B received SRP on a single quadrant/day for four consecutive days. On day 5, all quadrants were rescaled. Groups C and D received the same treatment as group B plus laser application with the low-level diode laser (630-670 nm, 1.875 J/cm2) for five and ten consecutive days, respectively. Papilla biopsies were obtained from subjects and evaluated by RT-PCR for expression of COX-2. The values in the control group were 0.028 0.014 and baseline values for the examined groups were 0.16 0.18. Significantly decreased level of COX-2 expression for groups C and D was found after treatment, while lowest average expression was found in the group that had the 10 laser treatments supplemental to SRP (0,035 0,014). The results of this study show suppression of COX-2 in gingival tissue after low-level laser treatment as adjunct to SRP.     

In vivo effects of geranylgeraniol on the development of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws

Background

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is a complication of the bisphosphonate (BP) treatment and its pathopysiology is still not fully understood. The existing preventive and treatment options require updates and more attention. Geranylgeraniol (GGOH) so far demonstrated an increased activity and viability of the cells previously treated with zoledronic acid (ZA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of GGOH on the development of BRONJ.

Effect of laser on TNF-alpha expression in inflamed human gingival tissue

This study sought to evaluate the effect of low-level laser treatment combined with scaling and root planing (SRP) on gingival tissue levels of TNF-alpha in subjects with periodontal disease. Eighty gingival papilla biopsy samples were obtained from 60 patients diagnosed with chronic advanced periodontitis; randomly assigned to three treatment groups (n = 20), as well as 20 subjects with no periodontal disease (group A). Group B received SRP on a single quadrant/day for four consecutive days. On day 5, all quadrants were rescaled. Groups C and D received the same treatment as group B plus laser application with the low-level diode laser (630–670 nm, 1.875 J/cm²) for five and ten consecutive days, respectively. Papilla biopsies were obtained from subjects and evaluated by ELISA for levels of TNF-alpha. The values in the control group were 5.2 ± 3.21 pg/mg and baseline values for the examined groups were 46.01 ± 16.69. Significantly decreased level of TNF-alpha for groups C and D was found after treatment, while group B demonstrated reduction of TNF-alpha of 31.34%. The results of this study show suppression of TNF-alpha in gingival tissue after low-level laser treatment as adjunct to SRP. Data may suggest beneficial anti-inflammatory effects of the laser treatment when used as adjunctive periodontal treatment.     

Pencil excitation with interleaved fourier velocity encoding: NMR measurement of aortic distensibility

A technique is presented for rapidly and noninvasively determining aortic distensibiltty, by NMR measurement of pulse-wave velocrty in the aorta. A cylinder of magnetization is excited along the aorta, wtth Fourier-veloctty encoding and readout gradients applied along the cylinder axis. Cardiac gating and data interleaving improve the effective time resolution to as high as 3 ms. Wave velocities are determined from the position of the f oot of the flow wave in the velocity profiles. Evidence of helical flow distal to the aortic arch can be seen in normal subjects, while disturbed flow patterns are visible in patients with aneurysms and dissections.     

Hepatoprotective effect of the ethyl acetate extract of Teucrium polium L. against carbontetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in rats

Hepatoprotective activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Teucrium polium L. was investigated using rats with CCl4-induced liver damage. Specific biochemical parameters (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and total antioxidative status) were estimated in blood and in liver homogenate. Lipid peroxidation in CCl4-intoxicated rats was evidenced by a marked increment in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Histopatological examinations of the liver were undertaken to monitor the liver status. Silymarin was used as a standard to compare the hepatoprotective activity of the extract. Some biochemical parameters in groups treated with the Teucrium polium extract at a dose of 25 mg kg(-1), showed significantly different values than that of the CCl4--treated group. The liver biopsy of all experimental rat groups treated with the Teucrium polium ethyl acetate extract showed significant restoration of the normal histomorphological pattern of liver cells. The study substantiates the potential hepatoprotective activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Teucrium polium L.     

Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in intracerebral hemorrhage: Relevance as prognostic markers for quantification of the edema volume

We aimed to analyze the inflammatory and oxidative stress (OS) markers after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and their temporal changes, interaction effects, and prognostic values as biomarkers for the prediction of the edema volume. Our prospective, longitudinal study included a cohort group of 73 conservatively treated patients with ICH, without hematoma expansion or intraventricular bleeding, which were initialized with the same treatment and provided with the same in-hospital care during the disease course. Study procedures included multilevel comprehensive analyses of clinical and neuroimaging data, aligned with the exploration of 19 inflammatory and five OS markers. White blood cells (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophilia, and lymphopenia peaked 3 days post-ICH, and they showed much stronger correlations with clinical and neuroimaging variables, when compared to the admission values. An intricate interplay among inflammatory (WBC, CRP, neutrophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10) and OS mechanisms (catalase activity and advanced oxidation protein products [AOPP]) was detected operating 3-days post-ICH, being assessed as relevant for prediction of the edema. The overall results suggested complex pathology of formation of post-ICH edema, via: (A) Not additive, but statistically significant synergistic interactions between CRP-ESR, neutrophils-CRP, and neutrophils-IL-6 as drivers for the edema formation; (B) Significant antagonistic effect of high protein oxidation on the CRP-edema dependence, suggesting a mechanism of potential OS-CRP negative feedback loop and redox inactivation of CRP. The final multiple regression model separated the third-day variables NLR, CRP × AOPP, and WBC, as significant prognostic biomarkers for the prediction of the edema volume, with NLR being associated with the highest effect size. Our developed mathematical equation with 3D modeling for prediction and quantification of the edema volume might be beneficial for taking timely adequate strategies for prevention of delayed neurological deteriorations.