The evaluation of acute kidney injury due to ischemia by urinary neutrophil gelatinase-induced lipocalin (uNGAL) measurement in patients who underwent partial nephrectomy

International Urology and Nephrology - To investigate the role of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-induced lipocalin (uNGAL) measurement in the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury that may occur...     

Central Nervous System Effects of Ginkgo Biloba, a Plant Extract

Extracts of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) are among the most prescribed drugs in France and Germany. EGb is claimed to be effective in peripheral arterial disorders and in "cerebral insufficiency." The mechanism of action is not yet well understood. Three of the ingredients of the extract have been isolated and found to be pharmacologically active, but which one alone or in combination is responsible for clinical effects is unknown. The recommended daily dose (3 x 40 mg extract) is based more on empirical data than on clinical dose-findings studies. However, despite these, according to double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, EGb has therapeutic effects, at least, on the diagnostic entity of "cerebral insufficiency," which is used in Europe as synonymous with early dementia. To determine whether EGb has significant pharmacological effects on the human brain, a pharmacodynamic study was conducted using the Quantitative Pharmacoelectroencephalogram (QPEEG(R)) method. It was established that the pharmacological effects (based on a predetermined 7.5--13.0-Hz alpha frequency band in a computer-analyzed electroencephalogram = CEEG(R)) of EGb on the central nervous system (CNS) are significantly different than placebo, and the high and low doses could be discriminated from each other. The 120-mg, but particularly the 240-mg, single doses showed the most consistent CNS effects with an earlier onset (1 h) and longer duration (7 h). Furthermore, it was established that the electrophysiological effects of EGb in CNS are similar to those of well-known cognitive activators such as "nootropics" as well as tacrine, the only marketed "antidementia" drug currently available in the United States.     

Reactive oxygen species and chemokines： Are they elevated in the esophageal mucosa of children with gastroesophageal reflux disease？

AIM： To determine the role of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in childhood reflux esophagitis. METHODS： A total of 59 subjects who had complaints suggesting GERD underwent esophagogastroduoden oscopy. Endoscopic and histopathologic diagnosis of reflux esophagitis was established by Savary-Miller and Vandenplas grading systems, respectively. Esophageal biopsy specimens were taken from the esophagus 20% proximal above the esophagogastric junction for conventional histopathological examination and the measurements of ROS and cytokine levels. ROS were measured by chemiluminescence, whereas IL-8 and MCP-1 levels were determined with quantitative immunometric ELISA on esophageal tissue. Esophageal tissue ROS, IL-8 and MCP-1 levels were compared among groups with and without endoscopic/histo- pathologic esophagitis. RESULTS： Of 59 patients 28 （47.5%） had normal esophagus whereas 31 （52.5%） had endoscopic esophagitis. In histopathological evaluation, almost 73% of the cases had mild and 6.8% had moderate degree of esophagitis. When ROS and chemokine levels were compared among groups with and without endoscopic esophagitis, statistical difference could not be found between patients with and without esophagitis. Although the levels of ROS, IL-8 and MCP-1 were found to be higher in the group with histopathological reflux esophagitis, this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION： These results suggest that the grade of esophagitis is usually mild or moderate during childhood and factors apart from ROS, IL-8 and MCP-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis in children.     

A new therapeutic approach for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis: percutaneous albendazole sulphoxide injection without reaspiration

OBJECTIVE: In this experimental study, the effectiveness of intracystic injection of albendazole sulfoxide solution was investigated as a new approach to percutaneous treatment in liver hydatid disease. METHODS: Ten naturally infected sheep were selected and divided into two groups: a treatment group (n = 7), and a control group (n = 3). Intracystic injection of albendazole sulfoxide was performed in the first group, whereas the control group received intracystic distillated water injection instead. No reaspiration was performed in any group. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 6 months, serial sonographic examination revealed a significant decrease in the cyst size, progressive solidification, and complete separation of the germinal and the laminated membranes of hydatid cysts from the pericysts in the treatment group. In the control group, diameters and volumes of cysts were increased. All procedures were done without any complications. During the follow-up-period, liver function tests were normal. After 6 months, all sheep were killed and were examined for macroscopic and microscopic changes. Pathological examination showed pericyst hyalinization, inflammatory cells in the cyst wall, degeneration of laminated and germinal membranes, and necrotic material in the cyst cavity. No viable protoscoleces or daughter cysts were observed. CONCLUSION: Albendazole sulfoxide injection as a scolecidal agent in the percutaneous treatment of cystic echinococcosis seems to be effective in this animal model. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure in human subjects.     

Effectiveness of Palosuran in Bleomycin-Induced Experimental Scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease characterized by skin and internal organ involvement. There is progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix components in the skin and involved organs. Tissue fibrosis is the prominent reason for mortality, and still, there is no satisfactory treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of urotensin-II (U-II) antagonist palosuran in an animal model of scleroderma. We also planned to measure U-II, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels, as well as the association of these levels with dermal thickness. Twenty-four male mice were included in this study and they were divided into three groups—group 1: control group, group 2: fibrosis group, and group 3: fibrosis + palosuran treatment group. Fibrosis + palosuran treatment in group 3 reduced ET-1, U-II, and TGF-β1 levels. In total, the diminished values were statistically significant in the ET-1 and TGF-β1 levels (p?<?0.05). Dermal thickness was higher in the fibrosis group, when compared with the other groups. There was no significant relationship between dermal thickness and ET-1, U-II, or TGF-β1 levels (p?>?0.05). It is believed that U-II is an important mediator in SSc, and its antagonism with palosuran could be a new treatment choice in SSc.     

Urotensin Inhibition with Palosuran Could Be a Promising Alternative in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and a life-threatening disease with its high morbidity and mortality ratios. On searching for new shining targets in pathogenesis, we noticed, in our previous studies, urotensin-II (UII) in systemic sclerosis with potent angiogenic and pro-fibrotic features. Owing to the mimicking properties of UII with endothelin-1 (ET1), we attempted to investigate the effect of palosuran in a PAH rat model. Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups, with each group comprising 10 rats: group 1 (control group) received the vehicle subcutaneously, instead of monocrotaline (MCT) and vehicle; group 2 (MCT group) received subcutaneous MCT and vehicle; and group 3 (MCT + palosuran group) received subcutaneous MCT and palosuran. Serum UII, ET1, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels, pulmonary arteriolar pathology of different diameter vessels, and cardiac indices were evaluated. The ET1, TGF-β1, and UII levels were significantly diminished in the treatment group, similar to the controls (p?<?0.001). Right ventricular hypertrophy index and mean pulmonary arterial pressure scores were also significantly reduced in the treatment group (p?=?0.001). Finally, in the 50–125-μm diameter arterioles, in contrast to Groups 3 and 1, there was a statistically significant thickness (p?<?0.01) in the arteriolar walls of rats in Group 2. The treatment effect on arteries of more than 125-μm diameters was found to be valuable but not significant. Owing to its healing effect on hemodynamic, histological, and biochemical parameters of MCT-induced PAH, palosuran as an antagonist of UII might be an optional treatment alternative for PAH.