Influence of Antithymoglobulins on Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in perfused non-human primate tissues

Hintergrund: Der Ischämie-Reperfusionsschaden ist ein unspezifischer, Antigen unabhängiger pathophysiologischer Prozess, welcher bedeutenden Einfluß auf das Überleben transplantierter Organe hat. Antithymozyten-Globuline (ATGs) werden als Immunsuppressiva in der Therapie akuter Abstoßungsepisoden und zur Unterdrückung der Graft vs Host Disease sowie hämatologischer Funktionsstörungen eingesetzt. ATGs führen zu Apoptose und Komplement vermitteltem Zelltod, wobei die direkte Bindung an Adhäsionsmoleküle die Leukozyten-Adhäsion hemmt. Wir haben mittels Zytologie, Histologie und Immunhistochemie den Einfluß dreier verschiedener ATGs auf die Mikrozirkulation sowie die unterschiedlichen Zellsubpopulationen nach Ischämie/Reperfusion untersucht. Material und Methoden: Arterie und Vene der Extremitäten von Affen (M. fascicularis) wurden isoliert, mit 4 C° kalter Ringer-Laktatlösung gespült und nach einer Ischämiezeit von einer bzw. zwei Stunden über die femorale bzw. brachiale Arterie mit Blutgruppen-kompatiblen Humanblut reperfundiert. Dem mit Krebs-Henseleit-Puffer auf einen Hämatokrit von 30% verdünntem Blut wurden ATGs 20 Minuten vor der Reperfusion zugefügt. Die Perfusion wurde mit Hilfe eines Perfusionssystems rezirkulierend durchgeführt. Die Extremitäten (n=60) wurden entsprechend dem Versuchsansatz vier verschiedenen Gruppen zugeteilt: Biotest-ATG Gruppe (n=16), Fresenius-ATG Gruppe (n=16), Merieux-ATG Gruppe (n=12) und eine Kontroll-Gruppe (ohne ATG; n=16). Während der Perfusion wurde die Mikrozirkulation der perfundierten Muskulatur mittels Intravital-Mikroskopie untersucht. Neben der Bestimmung hämatologischer Parameter, wurden die Anzahl der Rot Blutzellen (RBZ), weiß Blutzellen (WBK), Thrombozyten sowie die Hämatokrit- und Hämoglobinspiegel im Perfusat zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten bestimmt. Zytologische Untersuchungen und zyto-immunologisches Monitoring (CIM) wurde in Blutproben, welche zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten (0,1,5,10,15,30,45,60 Min.) abgenommen wurden, durchgeführt. Nach den Versuchen wurden Biopsien von Muskelgewebe entnommen. Histologische und immunhistologische Techniken wurden angewandt, um den Einfluß der ATGs auf die Integrität des Gewebes und die Infiltration der weißen Blutzellen (WBZ) im vaskulären, perivaskulären und muskulären Gewebe semi-quantitativ zu analysieren. Ergebnisse und Folgerungen: • Die hämatologische Untersuchung ergab eine signifikante Reduktion der zirkulierenden WBZ in den behandelten Gruppen im Vergleich zu der Kontrolle. Die Anzahl der RBZ, sowie der Hämatokrit und der Hämoglobinspiegel waren im Vergleich zur Kontrolle signifikant erhöht. • Die Anzahl zirkulierender Thrombozyten in den ATG-Biotest und Merieux-ATG Gruppen war im Vergleich zu Fresenius ATG Gruppe und Kontrolle signifikant reduziert. • Die zytologische Untersuchung sowie das CIM zeigten signifikante Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Lymphzytotoxizität und der Depletion peripherer Lymphozyten in den ATG Gruppen im Vergleich zur Kontrolle. • Die histologische und immunhistochemische Analyse ergab eine reduzierte vaskuläre und perivaskuläre Infiltration, sowie eine Verminderung der Inflammation des muskulären Gewebes nach Behandlung mit ATG. • Die Expression von IL-4 war in den ATG Gruppen signifikant niedriger als in der Kontrolle

Daptomycin: a novel lipopeptide antibiotic against Gram-positive pathogens

The aim of this review is to summarize the historical background of drug resistance of Gram-positive pathogens as well as to describe in detail the novel lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin. Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic aspects are reviewed and the current clinical use of daptomycin is presented. Daptomycin seems to be a reliable drug in the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections, infective right-sided endocarditis, and bacteremia caused by Gram-positive agents. Its unique mechanism of action and its low resistance profile, together with its rapid bactericidal action make it a favorable alternative to vancomycin in multi-drug resistant cocci. The role of daptomycin in the treatment of prosthetic material infections, osteomyelitis, and urogenital infections needs to be evaluated in randomized clinical trials

Glucocorticoid-endocannabinoid interaction in cardiac surgical patients: relationship to early cognitive dysfunction and late depression

Background: Endocannabinoids (ECs) are rapidly acting immune-modulatory lipid-signaling molecules that are important for adaptation to stressful and aversive situations. They are known to interact with glucocorticoids and other stress-responsive systems. Maladaptation to acute or chronic stress represents a major risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders. In the present study, we administered stress doses of hydrocortisone in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study in patients undergoing cardiac surgery (CS) to examine the relationship between the use of glucocorticoids, plasma EC levels, and the occurrence of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (delirium) and of later development of depression. Methods: We determined plasma levels of the ECs anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in CS patients of the hydrocortisone (n=56) and the placebo group (n=55) preoperatively, at postoperative day (POD) 1, at intensive care unit discharge, and at 6 months after CS (n=68). Postoperative delirium was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association IVth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria, and depression was determined by validated questionnaires and a standardized psychological interview (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV). Results: Stress doses of hydrocortisone did not affect plasma EC levels and the occurrence of delirium or depression. However, patients who developed delirium on POD 1 had significantly lower preoperative 2-AG levels of the neuroprotective EC 2-AG (median values, 3.8 vs. 11.3 ng/ml; p=0.03). Preoperative 2-AG concentrations were predictive of postoperative delirium (sensitivity=0.70; specificity=0.69; cutoff value=4.9 ng/ml; receiver operating characteristic curve area=0.70; 95% confidence interval=0.54-0.85). Patients with depression at 6 months after CS (n=16) had significantly lower anandamide and 2-AG levels during the perioperative period. Conclusions: A low perioperative EC response may indicate an increased risk for early cognitive dysfunction and long-term depression in patients after CS. Glucocorticoids do not seem to influence this relationship

Gene polymorphisms in APOE, NOS3, and LIPC genes may be risk factors for cardiac adverse events after primary CABG

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Coronary artery disease progression after primary coronary artery bypass grafting may, beside classical atherosclerosis risk factors, be depending on genetic predisposition.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated 192 CABG patients (18% female, age: 60.9 ± 7.4 years). Clinically cardiac adverse events were defined as need for reoperation (n = 88; 46%), reintervention (n = 58; 30%), or angina (n = 89; 46%). Mean follow-up time measured 10.1 ± 5.1 years. Gene polymorphisms (<b><it>ApoE, NOS3, LIPC, CETP, SERPINE-1, Prothrombin</it></b>) were investigated separately and combined (gene risk profile).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among classical risk factors, arterial hypertension and hypercholesterinemia significantly influenced CAD progression. Single <b><it>ApoE, NOS3 </it></b>and <b><it>LIPC </it></b>polymorphisms provided limited information. Patients missing the most common <b><it>ApoE </it></b>ε3 allele (5,2%), showed recurrent symptoms (p = 0,077) and had more frequently reintervention (p = 0,001). <b><it>NOS3 </it></b>a allele was associated with a significant increase for reintervention (p = 0,041) and recurrent symptoms (p = 0,042).</p> <p>Homozygous <b><it>LIPC </it></b>patients had a higher reoperation rate (p = 0.049).</p> <p>A gene risk profile enabled us to discriminate between faster and slower occurrence of cardiac adverse events (p = 0.0012).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Single <b><it>APOE, LIPC </it></b>and <b><it>NOS3 </it></b>polymorphisms permitted limited prognosis of cardiac adverse events in patients after CABG. Risk profile, in contrast, allowed for risk stratification.</p

Minimizing cardiac surgery risks in a Hepatitis C patient: Changing surgical strategy after evaluation by modern imaging technologies

Minimizing operative risks for the surgical team in infectious patients is crucial. We report on a patient suffering from Hepatitis C undergoing re-operative aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement for aortic aneurysm and paravalvular leakage due to recurrent endocarditis of a Smeloff–Cutter aortic ball prosthesis. Preoperative multi-slice computed tomography and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography proved helpful in changing operative strategy by detecting a previously unknown aortic aneurysm, assessing its extent, and demonstrating the close proximity of the right coronary artery, right ventricle, and the aortic aneurysm to the sternum. Thus, cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted via the femoral vessels, instead of conventionally. Location, morphology, and extent of the paravalvular defect could also be assessed

A Novel Seeding and Conditioning Bioreactor for Vascular Tissue Engineering

Multiple efforts have been made to develop small-diameter tissue engineered vascular grafts using a great variety of bioreactor systems at different steps of processing. Nevertheless, there is still an extensive need for a compact all-in-one system providing multiple and simultaneous processing. The aim of this project was to develop a new device to fulfill the major requirements of an ideal system that allows simultaneous seeding, conditioning, and perfusion. The newly developed system can be actuated in a common incubator and consists of six components: a rotating cylinder, a pump, a pulse generator, a control unit, a mixer, and a reservoir. Components that are in direct contact with cell media, cells, and/or tissue allow sterile processing. Proof-of-concept experiments were performed with polyurethane tubes and collagen tubes. The scaffolds were seeded with fibroblasts and endothelial cells that were isolated from human saphenous vein segments. Scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry showed better seeding success of polyurethane scaffolds in comparison to collagen. Conditioning of polyurethane tubes with 100 dyn/cm2 resulted in cell detachments, whereas a moderate conditioning program with stepwise increase of shear stress from 10 to 40 dyn/cm2 induced a stable and confluent cell layer. The new bioreactor is a powerful tool for quick and easy testing of various scaffold materials for the development of tissue engineered vascular grafts. The combination of this bioreactor with native tissue allows testing of medical devices and medicinal substances under physiological conditions that is a good step towards reduction of animal testing. In the long run, the bioreactor could turn out to produce tissue engineered vascular grafts for human applications “at the bedside”

oxLDL Downregulates the Dendritic Cell Homing Factors CCR7 and CCL21

Introduction. Dendritic cells (DCs) and oxLDL play an important role in the atherosclerotic process with DCs accumulating in the plaques during plaque progression. Our aim was to investigate the role of oxLDL in the modulation of the DC homing-receptor CCR7 and endothelial-ligand CCL21. Methods and Results. The expression of the DC homing-receptor CCR7 and its endothelial-ligand CCL21 was examined on atherosclerotic carotic plaques of 47 patients via qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence. In vitro, we studied the expression of CCR7 on DCs and CCL21 on human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) in response to oxLDL. CCL21- and CCR7-mRNA levels were significantly downregulated in atherosclerotic plaques versus non-atherosclerotic controls [90% for CCL21 and 81% for CCR7 (P < 0.01)]. In vitro, oxLDL reduced CCR7 mRNA levels on DCs by 30% and protein levels by 46%. Furthermore, mRNA expression of CCL21 was significantly reduced by 50% (P < 0.05) and protein expression by 24% in HMECs by oxLDL (P < 0.05). Conclusions. The accumulation of DCs in atherosclerotic plaques appears to be related to a downregulation of chemokines and their ligands, which are known to regulate DC migration. oxLDL induces an in vitro downregulation of CCR7 and CCL21, which may play a role in the reduction of DC migration from the plaques

上海轉帳制度(劃頭制度)の推移

Background: Kidney transplantation is the gold standard of therapy in patients with terminal renal insufficiency. Living donor transplantation is a well-established option in this field. Enlarging the donor's pool implicates the acceptance of an increased rate of comorbidities. Among them, coronary artery disease is a growing problem. An increasing number of patients, undergoing living donation, receive antiplatelet therapies due to coronary disease. Case presentation: Here we report about the perioperative treatment with a drug-eluting balloon in a patient with major cardiac risk factors who underwent kidney transplantation. Conclusion: At the current time no recommendation can be given for the routine use of drug-eluting balloons