Increased P-wave dispersion in patients with newly diagnosed lichen planus

OBJECTIVE: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune mucocutaneous disease. Recent research has emphasized the strong association between inflammation and both P-wave dispersion and dyslipidemia. The difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave durations on an electrocardiogram is defined as P-wave dispersion. The prolongation of P-wave dispersion has been demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for developing atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to investigate P-wave dispersion in patients with lichen planus. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with lichen planus and 37 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in this study. We obtained electrocardiographic recordings from all participants and used them to calculate the P-wave variables. We also assessed the levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein, which is an inflammatory marker, and the lipid levels for each group. The results were reported as the means ± standard deviations and percentages. RESULTS: The P-wave dispersion was significantly higher in lichen planus patients than in the control group. Additionally, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in lichen planus patients compared to the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein and P-wave dispersion (r = 0.549,

Iloprost Pretreatment Before Unilateral Nephrectomy: An Experimental Study in Rats

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of iloprost administration before unilateral nephrectomy on postoperative interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO), and oxidant/antioxidant status.METHODSMalondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase were measured in the blood and remnant kidney of Adult male Wistar albino rats to asses oxidant and antioxidant status. The rats were divided into three experimental groups: sham group (S) (n = 12); unilateral nephrectomized group (N) (n = 12); an hour before unilateral nephrectomy iloprost (1 ng/mL/kg, intraperitoneal) administered group (IN) (n = 12).RESULTSIloprost administration before unilateral nephrectomy lowered oxidant parameters and IL-6 levels significantly. NO levels were increased in both N and IN groups.CONCLUSIONIloprost pretreatment before unilateral nephrectomy can reduce oxidative stress and IL-6, which increases due to anaesthesia and surgery and causes organ damage during surgery and in the short-term postoperative period

Donor heart preservation with iloprost supplemented St. Thomas Hospital cardioplegic solution in isolated rat hearts

This study was designed to assess the influence of St. Thomas Hospital cardioplegic solution (St. Th.) on heart preservation in rat hearts subjected to 6 h ischemia when supplemented with iloprost. In the control group (n = 8), nothing was added to St. Th., whereas 10 or 1000 nmol L(-1) iloprost was added in the second (n = 7) and third (n = 8) groups, respectively. Mechanical contraction parameters, cardiac tissue damage and oxidative stress markers were evaluated. The 10 nmol/L iloprost group peak systolic pressure (71.0+/-30.9 versus 41.0+/-9.4 mm Hg) and -dp/dt(max) (1103.8+/-94.3 versus 678.6+/-156.8 mm Hg s(-1)) were significantly higher than control group at 30 min of reperfusion (p<0.05). Iloprost supplemented groups had higher GSH and catalase levels of coronary perfusate at reperfusion, in comparison with initial values (p < 0.05). AST, CK, CK-MB values increased at 0 min of reperfusion and cTnI values at 45 min of reperfusion (p<0.05) in all groups with no difference between groups. According to our results, iloprost supplementation had mild but significant improvement in postischemic values in mechanical and oxidative stress parameters, resulting in better heart preservation. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Increased Risk of Atrial and Ventricular Arrhythmia in Long-Lasting Psoriasis Patients

Background. Several reports have demonstrated an association between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases. P wave dispersion (PWD) is the most important electrocardiographic (ECG) markers used to evaluate the risk of atrial arrhythmias. QT dispersion (QTD) can be used to assess homogeneity of cardiac repolarization and may be a risk for ventricular arrhythmias. Aim. To search PWD and QTD in patients with psoriasis. Methods. Ninety-four outpatient psoriasis patients and 51 healthy people were evaluated by physical examination, 12-lead ECG, and transthoracic echocardiography. Severity of the psoriasis was evaluated by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Results. Mean disease duration was 129.4±83.9 (range, 3–360) months and PASI ranged from 0 to 34.0 (mean ± SD; 7.6±6.7). Compared to control group, psoriatic patients had significantly shorter Pmax and Pmin durations, longer QTcmax, and greater PWD and QTcD. Transmitral deceleration time (DT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were significantly longer among psoriasis patients. QTcD and PWD were significantly correlated with disease duration (r=0.693, P<0.001, and r=0.368, P=0.003, resp.). Conclusions. In this study, we found that both PWD and QTcD are increased in psoriasis patients compared to healthy subjects. In addition, they had longer DT and IVRT

Effects of clinoptilolite treatment on oxidative stress after partial hepatectomy in rats

Background/Objective: Clinoptilolite is a natural zeolite crystal. Cytoprotective effects of clinoptilolite have been reported. However, so far there are no data about the effects of clinoptilolite treatment on oxidative stress after partial hepatectomy. In this experimental study, the effects of clinoptilolite treatment after partial hepatectomy on oxidative stress were evaluated. Methods: There were four experimental groups (n=8): Group S, the sham group; Group H, the hepatectomy group; Group HC, the clinoptilolite treatment after partial hepatectomy group; and Group CS, the clinoptilolite-treated sham group. A 70% partial hepatectomy was performed for Group H and HC. Clinoptilolite (5 mg/kg) was given to the rats orally (via gavage tube) twice a day for 10 days after hepatectomy. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Cu-Zn super oxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels were assessed to evaluate oxidative stress. Results: Plasma and liver tissue MDA levels of Group HC were significantly lower than the H group (p=0.018 and p=0.000, respectively). Liver tissue Cu-Zn SOD activity and GSH levels of Group HC were significantly higher than Group H (p=0.003, p=0.007, respectively). Conclusion: Clinoptilolite administration reduces oxidant activity and supports antioxidant response after partial hepatectomy

Effects Of Darbepoetin Alpha on Brain Tissue Oxidative Stress in Experimental Ethanol Administration

Objectives: The hyperglycosylated erythropoietin analogue darbepoetin alpha (alpha) has longer half-life and higher in vivo activity. There is no data about the effects of darbepoetin-alpha on ethanol-induced oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effects of darbepoetin-alpha on brain tissue oxidant/antioxidant status and nitric oxide levels in experimental ethanol administration

Wpływ terapii nebiwololem na zmniejszenie ryzyka komorowych zaburzeń rytmu u chorych ze zwolnionym przepływem wieńcowym

Background: Coronary slow-flow (CSF) is an angiographic phenomenon characterised by delayed opacification of vessels in the absence of any evidence of obstructive epicardial coronary disease. QT interval dispersion (QTD) reflects regional variations in ventricular repolarisation and cardiac electrical instability and has been reported to be longer in patients with CSF. Aim: To examine QT duration and dispersion in patients with CSF and the effects of nebivolol on these parameters. Methods: The study population included 67 patients with angiographically proven normal coronary arteries and CSF, and 38 patients with angiographically proven normal coronary arteries without associated CSF. The patients were evaluated with 12-lead electrocardiography, and echocardiography before and three months after treatment with nebivolol. Results: Compared to the control group QTcmax and QTcD were significantly longer in patients with CSF (p = 0.036, p = 0.019, respectively). QTcD significantly correlated with the presence of CSF (r = 0.496, p &lt; 0.001). QTcmax (p = 0.027), QTcD (p = 0.002), blood pressure (p = 0.001), and heart rate (p &lt; 0.001) values significantly decreased after treatment with nebivolol. Conclusions: Coronary slow flow is associated with increased QTD. Nebivolol reduced increased QTD in patients with CSF after three months.  Wstęp: Zwolniony przepływ wieńcowy (CSF) jest zjawiskiem angiograficzne cechującym się opóźnieniem opacyfikacji tętnic wieńcowych przy braku jakichkolwiek cech choroby wieńcowej w obrazie tętnic nasierdziowych. Dyspersja odstępu QT (QTD) odzwierciedla regionalne zróżnicowanie w zakresie repolaryzacji komór i elektryczną niestabilność miokardium. Doniesienia wskazują, że QTD przybiera większe wartości u chorych z CSF. Cel: Celem niniejszej pracy była ocena czasu trwania i dyspersji odstępu QT u chorych z CSF oraz wpływu nebiwololu na te parametry. Metody: Do analizy włączono 67 chorych, u których w badaniu angiograficznym potwierdzono prawidłową budowę tętnic wieńcowych i wykazano CSF, oraz 38 pacjentów, u których zarówno budowa tętnic wieńcowych, jak i przepływ wieńcowy zostały ocenione w angiografii jako prawidłowe. U wszystkich chorych przed rozpoczęciem leczenia nebiwololem i po 3 miesiącach stosowania leku wykonano 12-odprowadzeniowe badanie elektrokardiograficzne i badanie echokardiograficzne. Wyniki: U chorych z CSF czas trwania odstępów QTcmax i QTcD był istotnie dłuższy niż u osób z grupy kontrolnej (odpowiednio p = 0,036 i p = 0,019). Długość odstępu QTcD istotnie korelowała z obecnością CSF (r = 0,496; p &lt; 0,001). Po leczeniu nebiwololem stwierdzono znamienne skrócenie odstępów QTcmax (p = 0,027) i QTcD (p = 0,002) oraz zmniejszenie ciśnienia tętniczego (p = 0,001) i częstości rytmu serca (p &lt; 0,001). Wnioski: Zwolniony przepływ wieńcowy wiąże się ze zwiększoną QTD. Stosowanie nebiwololu spowodowało redukcję zwiększonej QTD u chorych z CSF po 3 miesiącach.

Effects of clinoptilolite treatment on oxidative stress after partial hepatectomy in rats

Clinoptilolite is a natural zeolite crystal. Cytoprotective effects of clinoptilolite have been reported. However, so far there are no data about the effects of clinoptilolite treatment on oxidative stress after partial hepatectomy. In this experimental study, the effects of clinoptilolite treatment after partial hepatectomy on oxidative stress were evaluated. There were four experimental groups (n = 8): Group S, the sham group, Group H, the hepatectomy group, Group HC, the clinoptilolite treatment after partial hepatectomy group, and Group CS, the clinoptilolite-treated sham group. A 70% partial hepatectomy was performed for Group H and HC. Clinoptilolite (5 mg/kg) was given to the rats orally (via gavage tube) twice a day for 10 days after hepatectomy. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Cu-Zn super oxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels were assessed to evaluate oxidative stress. Plasma and liver tissue MDA levels of Group HC were significantly lower than the H group (p = 0.018 and p = 0.000, respectively). Liver tissue Cu-Zn SOD activity and GSH levels of Group HC were significantly higher than Group H (p = 0.003, p = 0.007, respectively). Clinoptilolite administration reduces oxidant activity and supports antioxidant response after partial hepatectomy

Darbepoetin Alpha Ameliorates Neuronal Damage in a Rat Model of Acute Ethanol Intoxication

Objective: Acute ethanol intoxication has been shown to cause oxidative damage in many organ systems including the brain. Erythropoietin has antioxidant effects and prevents neuronal damage in the animal model of ischemic brain injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of darbepoetin alpha, an analog of erythropoietin with a longer half-life and higher in vivo activity, on ethanol-induced acute brain injury. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar albino rats were allocated to four groups. The first group received ethanol treatment (E), the second group was treated with ethanol and darbepoetin (ED), the third group received only saline treatment (S), and the fourth group received both saline and darbepoetin treatment (SD). Plasma S100-beta and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were measured. Histopathological evaluation of the brains was performed. Results: The plasma S100-beta and NSE levels were significantly lower in group ED compared with group E. In group E, we have observed focal red-neuron formation at the granular layer of the dentate gyrus. We did not observe any histopathological changes in the other groups (ED, S, and SD). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that darbepoetin alpha has neuroprotective effect in acute ethanol intoxication, possibly through its antioxidant effect