Effect of N-acetylcysteine on blood and tissue lipid peroxidation in lipopolysaccharide-induced obstructive jaundice.

In obstructive jaundice, free radical production is increased and antioxidative activity is reduced. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) has a beneficial effect with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, acting as a free radical scavenger. NAC inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase, suppresses cytokine expression/release, and inhibits adhesion molecule expression and nuclear factor kappa B. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of NAC on liver/renal tissue and serum lipid peroxidation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced obstructive jaundice. We randomized 60 rats into 6 groups: group 1, Sham; group 2, obstructive jaundice (OJ) induced after bile-duct ligation; group 3, OJ + NAC (100 mg kg- 1 subcutaneously); group 4, OJ + LPS (10 mg kg-1); group 5, OJ + NAC + LPS; and group 6, OJ + LPS + NAC. For each group, the biochemical markers of lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant products were measured in serum and liver/renal tissue after sacrifice. Almost all lipid peroxidation products levels were increased and antioxidant products levels were decreased in groups who received LPS (groups 4, 5, and 6), but the effect was less remarkable when NAC was administered before LPS (group 5). The same trend was seen for groups with OJ +/- LPS who did not received NAC or received it after induced toxemia (groups 2, 4, and 6) as compared to groups 1 and 3. Moreover, in the case of OJ + LPS, rats treated with NAC before LPS (group 5) had lower lipid peroxidation products levels and higher antioxidant products levels as compared to those who did not received NAC (group 4). This phenomenon was not reproducible with NAC administered after LPS (group 6). Thus, results of this study showed that NAC prevents the deleterious effects of LPS in obstructive jaundice by reducing lipid peroxidation in serum and liver/renal tissue if administered before LPS. Nonetheless, NAC failed to prevent the lipid peroxidation in the case of established endotoxemia in obstructive jaundice.     

Dependence of Genotoxicity of Benzo[a]pyrene Suspensions in Mutatox Test on Dissolved Concentration and S9 Addition

The Mutatox test is a novel genotoxicity test measuring the ability of a test chemical to restore the luminescent state in dark mutants ofVibrio fischeri.Chemicals can be tested with or without rat hepatic S9 enzymes for metabolic activity, so that promutagenic agents can be detected as well. In theMicrobics Mutatox Manual(1993, Microbics Corp., Carlsbad, CA), benzo[a]pyrene is recommended as positive control for S9 medium at a nominal concentration of 10 mg/liter with 2% DMSO as carrier solvent. The concentration of benzo[a]pyrene dissolved in this test suspension without addition of S9 was determined by GC–MS. It was significantly lower than the nominal concentration and did not reveal a genotoxic effect in the Mutatox test with S9. The analytical concentration of benzo[a]pyrene in the supernatant of the test suspension in S9 medium was significantly higher and induced the luminescence of bacteria. Therefore, S9 microsomes seem, apart from metabolizing benzo[a]pyrene to its genotoxic epoxide, to increase transfer of benzo[a]pyrene intoV. fischeriin such a way that the genotoxic effect is produced. This suggests that sparingly soluble compounds might have different ecotoxicological effects as suspensions than as solutions. Therefore, the possible uptake of suspended particles by organisms without being completely dissolved before should be considered in ecotoxicological tests.     

Complications of laser-assisted angioplasty: definition and classification of perforations

Although laser-assisted angioplasty is becoming increasingly common, there has been no definitive report, drawing its data from a significant patient population, regarding the complications of this technique. To define and enumerate such adverse results, we collected data on 664 peripheral laser procedures performed in 349 patients over a 15-month period (February 1987 through April 1988). The complications proved similar to those of standard angioplasty: hematoma formation, 100 cases (15.0%); perforation/dissection, 38 cases (5.7%); acute thrombosis, 23 cases (3.5%); false aneurysm formation at the puncture site, 7 cases (1.1%); vascular spasm, 5 cases (0.8%); and embolism, 1 case (0.2%). Because perforation was the most significant complication during angioplasty, we devised a system for uniform documentation and reporting of perforations, based on both the arterial condition responsible for the laser probe's deviation and the clinical consequences of the aberration. According to this system, Class-I perforations are dissections that do not penetrate the adventitia; Class-II perforations are adventitial wall ruptures (true perforations) that do not require treatment; and Class-III perforations are adventitial wall ruptures with hemorrhage. In our series, we had no Class-III perforation, but had 21 Class-I (3.1%) and 17 Class-II (2.6%) perforations. Because prudent treatment of an evolving complication often can salvage the procedure, we discuss appropriate therapies, as well as preventive measures.     

The effect on the middle-ear cavity of an absorbable gelatine sponge alone and with corticosteroids

The objectives of this study were to establish whether there is an obvious difference between intact mucosa and abraded mucosa of the middle-ear cavity in respect to the potential side effects from the application of absorbable gelatine sponge (Gelfoam) and to investigate if Gelfoam combined with corticosteroid ointment (cortimycine, sterile 1% hydrocortisone acetate) can reduce the occurrence of these effects. Twenty Albino rats were used in the study. These animals were divided into four groups, with ten ears in each group. In group A, the middle-ear mucosa was kept intact, and Gelfoam was inserted into the middle-ear cavity. In group B, the middle-ear mucosa was abraded, and Gelfoam was inserted. In group C, Gelfoam with corticosteroid was implanted over the intact mucosa, and in group D, the mucosa was abraded prior to the insertion of Gelfoam with corticosteroid. The changes were evaluated 8 weeks postoperatively. In group A, there was a minimal increase in fibroblastic activity, vascular proliferation with mild to moderate fibrosis and all but two tympanic membranes were perfectly normal. However, in group B, we encountered a significant increase in fibroblastic activity, vascular proliferation and fibrosis, and we observed that all tympanic membranes were moderately to severely thickened. These histopathologic changes related to Gelfoam were noted to be decreased in group C and especially in group D. As previously reported in the literature, Gelfoam was found to promote the formation of connective tissue in the middle-ear cavity regardless of the status of the mucosa. The unwanted effects of this material may be decreased if it is combined with corticosteroids in the middle-ear cavity.     

The Factors Contributing to Death Anxiety in Cancer Patients

Suffering comes in many ways for patients confronting cancer. One of these is an unspecifiable fear about death, which is an existential issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between death anxiety and its correlates in cancer patients. Seventy cancer patients were assessed using SCID-I, Templer's Death Anxiety Scale, the Hospital Anxiety (A) and Depression (D) Scale, the Distress Thermometer, the Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), the Global Assessment of Functioning, and Glock and Stark's Dimensions of Religious Commitment scales, and these assessments were compared between cancer patients with and without death anxiety. Multiple regression analysis was conducted after correlation analysis between death anxiety and sociodemographic and clinical variables. Axis I psychiatric diagnosis, pain scores, and negative believes about what will happen after death were found to be higher in patients having death anxiety than patients not having death anxiety. Also life expectancy was perceived as shortened in patients with death anxiety. Death anxiety was associated with anxiety, depressive symptoms, and beliefs about what will happen after death. In conclusion, death anxiety could not be regarded as a natural consequence of having cancer; it is associated with the unresolved psychological and physical distress.     

Lp(a) lipoprotein levels as a predictor of risk for thrombogenic events in patients with Beh?et's disease.

OBJECTIVES--To investigate whether plasma levels of Lp(a) lipoprotein (Lp(a)) are predictors of defective fibrinolytic activity, leading to thrombosis, in patients with Behçet's disease. METHODS--Plasma Lp(a) was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, lipids and lipoproteins by enzymatic methods, and apolipoproteins A-I and B, fibrinogen (turbidimetric method), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and D-dimer levels by enzyme immunoassay. Their levels and interactions were evaluated in 33 patients with Behçet's disease (including five with thrombotic complications) and 30 healthy control subjects. RESULTS--Plasma Lp(a) concentration was significantly greater in the patients than in controls. Nine patients (27%) had levels > 0.30 microgram. There was no correlation between Lp(a) and other lipids and lipoproteins apart from apolipoprotein B. Lp(a) showed inverse correlation with t-PA (r = -0.34, p < 0.05) and D-dimer (r = 0.35, p < 0.05). Patients with thrombotic complications had significantly greater Lp(a) and PAI-1, and lower D-dimer concentrations than control subjects. CONCLUSIONS--Measurement of plasma Lp(a) levels in patients with Behçet's disease may provide useful information regarding the potential development of thrombotic events, because of its possible role in defective fibrinolysis.