Serum reactive oxygen species and apoptosis markers in septic patients

Background: Oxidative stress is one of the pathophysiological processes that occur during sepsis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production causes lipid peroxidation and protein and DNA damage. ROS and DNA damage triggers apoptosis. Several studies have shown that organ failure in sepsis is mediated by apoptosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of serum ROS and serum caspase-3 in septic patients and healthy volunteers, and their correlation. Methods: Serum samples were taken within the first 12 hours of ICU stay. The dichlorofluorescein technique was used to determine serum ROS levels, and the ELISA technique was used to quantify serum caspase-3 in septic patients and healthy volunteers. Results: There was no difference in serum ROS levels between healthy volunteers and septic patients (P = 0.26), and there was a significant difference in serum caspase-3 levels between healthy volunteers and septic patients (P < 0.001). There was no difference between patients who lived and died in the intensive care unit (ICU) in serum ROS (P = 0.089) and serum caspase-3 (P = 0.18). There was no correlation between both markers (R =-0.0013, P = 0.98). Conclusions: We conclude that there is no correlation between serum ROS and caspase-3; therefore, both processes might not be associated during the first hours of ICU stay.Fil: Chapela, Sebastián Pablo. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Burgos, Hilda Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Schiel, Amalia. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Alonso, Manuel. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Stella, Carlos Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; Argentin

Revisión: ¿Qué hacer con un test positivo para anticuerpos antinucleares en Pediatría?

La presencia de anticuerpos antinucleares (ANA) es el denominador común de muchas enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas. Su presencia puede ser indicativa de una enfermedad reumática; sin embargo, estos autoanticuerpos también pueden estar presentes en individuos sanos o con infecciones. El objetivo del presente trabajo es presentar un paciente con dolor musculoesquelético y ANA positivos. En ausencia de una sintomatología que haga sospechar una enfermedad reumática, la positividad de los ANA no tiene significado diagnóstico

Expression of uPAR in Urinary Podocytes of Patients with Fabry Disease

Background. Despite enzyme replacement therapy, Fabry nephropathy still progresses. Podocyturia is an irreversible event that antedates proteinuria and leads to chronic renal failure. We evaluated a potential mechanism of podocyte detachment via the expression of the urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) in urinary podocytes of Fabry patients. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that included controls (n=20) and Fabry patients (n=44) either untreated (n=23) or treated with agalsidase-β (n=21). Variables. Variables are estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary protein : creatinine ratio, and urinary uPAR+ podocyte : creatinine ratio. uPAR mRNA expression in response to lyso-Gb3, a bioactive glycolipid accumulated in Fabry disease, was studied in cultured human podocytes. Results. Controls and Fabry patients had similar age, gender, and renal function. Urinary uPAR+ podocytes were higher in patients than in controls. Untreated patients were significantly younger; had more females, and presented lower urinary protein : creatinine ratios and significantly higher urinary uPAR+ podocytes than treated subjects. In treated patients, urinary uPAR+ podocytes correlated with urinary protein : creatinine ratio (ρ=0.5; p=0.02). Lyso-Gb3 at concentrations found in the circulation of Fabry patients increased uPAR expression in cultured podocytes. Conclusions. Urinary podocytes expressing uPAR are increased in Fabry patients, especially in untreated patients. The potential contribution of uPAR expression to podocyte detachment merits further studies