Inverse relationship between colonic (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and degree of mucosal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease

In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mucosal damage and loss of colonic function are regarded as major consequences of inflammation. Decreased colonic (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activities with diminished reabsorption of sodium and water have been found in active stages of ulcerative colitis. In this study, we report an inverse relationship between colonic (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity and the degree of mucosal inflammation in 19 patients with IBD of mild to moderate disease activity. Various macroscopic and histologic types of mucosal lesions were differently associated with the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activities. 5-nucleotidase activity was not associated with the degree of mucosal inflammation or the kind of macroscopic or histologic lesions. Our findings support the view that, in contrast to 5-nucleotidase, (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity may better reflect the severity of mucosal damage and the degree of inflammation in IBD.     

Lebenslange landwirtschaftliche Schwerarbeit und Arthroseentwicklung an der Hand – Eine kasuistische Untersuchung

Heavy physical work load is a known determinant of osteoarthritis of the hip, which may account for the high risk observed among farmers. On the other hand, the data on influence of heavy manual work in the pathogenesis of hand osteoarthritis are still controversial. We examined 25 retired farm laborers who strenuously worked for more than 50 years. The investigation included a history of professional activity, clinical and radiological examination of the hands, hips and knees, MRI of hand and laboratory evaluation of 4 participants. Interestingly, the farm laborers with osteoarthritis of the hands, hardly complained. In many of the proximal interphalangeal joints, a discrepancy was observed between the clinical hypertrophic changes and the radiological osteoarthritis which was weak or absent. This difference was less pronounced in the distal interphalangeal joints. Furthermore the distribution pattern of the osteoarthritis of the hand was striking with an over-proportional involvement of the metacarpophalangeal joints and less pronounced of the intercarpal joints. Most often both hands have been affected and the typical localization of the metacarphophalangeal joint osteoarthritis was the first, second and third finger. In all but one participant we found at least unilateral osteoarthritis of the hip and compared to the hands, complaints were more severe. Our findings support the hypothesis that the distribution of osteoarthritis in the hand is affected by lifelong farming. As shown by the data on proximal interphalangeal joints, the periarticular tissue can adapt to the mechanical load in the strength grip.     

Superoxide inhibition following different stimuli of respiratory burst and metabolism of aminosalicylates in neutrophils

Reactive oxygen species such as superoxide radicals have been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Some of the antiinflammatory actions of aminosalicylates have been ascribed to their capability to scavenge superoxide radicals directly or to inhibit its production in stimulated neutrophils. However, as a controversy still exists with regard to the precise mechanisms of inhibition and the metabolism within inflammatory cells, we compared scavenger properties of 5-aminosalicylic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid,N-acetyl aminosalicylic acid, olsalazine, and benzalazine in systems with defined superoxide radical generation such as the dimethyl sulfoxide-NaOH and the potassium superoxide system. We also studied possible inhibition of the superoxide production following different stimuli of the respiratory burst in neutrophils and investigated the uptake and potential metabolism (N-acetylation) of 5-aminosalicylic acid in lipopolysaccharide-primed and resting neutrophils. We found that 5-aminosalicylic acid and 4-aminosalicylic acid had defined scavenger properties in the dimethyl sulfoxide-NaOH or potassium superoxide systems, respectively, whereas compounds with a modified aminophenolic structure had no effects. At the cellular level, 5-aminosalicylic acid inhibited phorbol myristate acetate (100 ng/ml)-activated superoxide generation to 82.3±9.3%, the formylmethionyl leucyl peptide (10^–5 M) to 61.0±6.8%, and the NaF (20 mM) -stimulated production to 32.3±3.2% (X±sd,P<0.01). the=" actions=" of=" the=" other=" drugs=" were=" less=" pronounced.=" almost=" identical=" retention=" times=">R _t=11.2 min) of³H-labeled phorbol myristate acetate in the presence and absence of 5-aminosalicylic acid revealed noin vitro interactions. 5-Aminosalicylic acid permeates cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner; there was, however, no acetylation of 5-aminosalicylic acid regardless whether the cells had been stimulated or not with lipopolysaccharide. From our results we suggest that (1) the extra- (scavenger) and intracellular inhibition of superoxide radicals by 5-aminosalicylic acid may be an important mechanism of action, (2) an intact aminophenolic structure may be necessary for such actions, and (3) the inability of inflammatory neutrophils to acetylate and, therefore, inactivate 5-aminosalicylic acid could be an important determinant for its local actions.This work was supported by a grant from Kabi-Pharmacia GmbH, Erlangen, Germany.     

Tooth discoloration induced by endodontic materials: a laboratory study

Lenherr P, Allgayer N, Weiger R, Filippi A, Attin T, Krastl G. Tooth discoloration induced by endodontic materials: a laboratory study. International Endodontic Journal,?45, 942-949, 2012. ABSTRACT: Aim To investigate the discoloration potential of endodontic materials using a bovine tooth model. Methodology Two hundred and 10 dentine-enamel cuboid blocks (10?×?10?×?3.5?mm) were prepared out of the middle thirds of bovine tooth crowns. Standardized cavities were prepared in the walls of the pulp chamber leaving 2 mm of enamel and dentine on the labial wall of the crown. The specimens were randomly assigned to 14 groups (n?=?15). Endodontic materials were placed into the cavities as follows: group A: empty, group B: blood, group C: calcium hydroxide, group D: ApexCal, group E: Ultracal XS, group F: Ledermix, group G: triple antibiotic paste (3Mix), group H: grey MTA(GMTA), group I: GMTA?+?blood, group J: white MTA (WMTA), group K: WMTA?+?blood, group L: Portland cement (PC), group M: PC?+?blood and group N: AH Plus. The cavities were sealed with composite and stored in water. Standardized colour measurement (VITA Easyshade compact) was performed at the following intervals: prior to (T0) and after placement of the filling (T1), 1?week (T2), 1?month (T3), 3?months (T4), 6?months (T5) and after 1?year (T6). Colour change (ΔE) values were calculated. A two-way analysis of variance was used to assess significant differences between the endodontic materials. The mean values of all groups were compared using the Tukey multiple comparison test (α?=?0.05). Results Significant differences were detected amongst the experimental groups after 12?months (P?相似文献   

Comparison of different high resolution multifocal electroretinogram recordings in patients with age-related maculopathy

AIM: to compare two different resolutions of multifocal electroretinogram recordings (MF-ERG) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: in 20 eyes (14 patients) with early or late stages of AMD, MF-ERGs of 8 min duration were recorded using a low and a high resolution. The central 50 degrees of the retina were stimulated by 103 as well as by 241 stimulus elements. Results were compared with one another and with an age-matched control group. RESULTS: when response averages of equal eccentricity were analysed, amplitudes of the MF-ERG differed significantly from normal within the central 40 degrees. This held true for both low (103) and high (241) resolutions. Sixteen of 20 eyes also showed focal retinal dysfunction at both resolutions. In one case, the high resolution MF-ERGs could detect functional deficits that could not be seen with the lower resolution. However, due to a reduced signal-to-noise ratio three high resolution recordings could not be analysed. CONCLUSION: high resolution MF-ERG seems more sensitive than low resolution MF-ERG. However, the low resolution (103) MF-ERG is recommended for routine application in the clinic because of its better signal-to-noise ratio.