Local Bone Marrow Renin-Angiotensin System and Atherosclerosis

Local hematopoietic bone marrow (BM) renin-angiotensin system (RAS) affects the growth, production, proliferation differentiation, and function of hematopoietic cells. Angiotensin II (Ang II), the dominant effector peptide of the RAS, regulates cellular growth in a wide variety of tissues in pathobiological states. RAS, especially Ang II and Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R), has considerable proinflammatory and proatherogenic effects on the vessel wall, causing progression of atherosclerosis. Recent investigations, by analyzing several BM chimeric mice whose BM cells were positive or negative for AT1R, disclosed that AT1R in BM cells participates in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Therefore, AT1R blocking not only in vascular cells but also in the BM could be an important therapeutic approach to prevent atherosclerosis. The aim of this paper is to review the function of local BM RAS in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Mean platelet volume could be a promising biomarker to monitor dietary compliance in celiac disease

Background. Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease that develops in patients with a genetic predisposition, incurring a susceptibility to gluten-containing foods such as barley, wheat, and rye. The elimination of gluten from the diet is the main therapeutic approach and usually leads to clinical and laboratory improvement. There are no ideal markers that objectively assess dietary compliance in CD patients. Materials and methods. Sixty newly diagnosed CD patients (male/female: 43/17) and 40 healthy subjects (male/female: 23/17) were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of CD was established by both histological findings of duodenum biopsy (total villous atrophy and lymphocytic infiltration) and positive antibodies against endomysium or gliadin. Results. A significantly higher mean platelet volume (MPV) was observed in the CD group compared with healthy subjects (8.45 +/- 0.96 fL versus 7.93 +/- 0.63 fL; p = 0.004). After introduction of a gluten-free diet, the MPV of CD patients in the dietary adherent group was significantly lower than that of the non-adherent group (8.09 +/- 0.6 fL versus 8.9 +/- 1.08 fL; p = 0.001). Overall dietary adherence rate was 71.6% (43/60 CD patients). In the dietary compliant group, initiation of gluten-free diet was associated with a significant decrease in MPV from base-line values (8.56 fL versus 8.25 fL; p = 0.008). In the non-adherent group, MPV on 3-month follow-up was higher than at base-line (8.05 fL versus 8.91 fL; p = 0.001). Conclusion. MPV could be a promising and easily available biomarker for monitoring of dietary adherence in CD patients at a low cost in comparison with other modalities.WoSScopu

Local bone marrow renin-angiotensin system and atherosclerosis.

Abstract The locally active ligand peptides, mediators, receptors and signalling pathways of the haematopoietic BM (bone marrow) autocrine/paracrine RAS (renin-angiotensin system) affect the essential steps of definitive blood cell production. Haematopoiesis, erythropoiesis, myelopoiesis, formation of monocytic and lymphocytic lineages, thrombopoiesis and other stromal cellular elements are regulated by the local BM RAS. The local BM RAS is present and active even in primitive embryonic haematopoiesis. ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) is expressed on the surface of the first endothelial and haematopoietic cells, forming the marrow cavity in the embryo. ACE marks early haematopoietic precursor cells and long-term blood-forming CD34 + BM cells. The local autocrine tissue BM RAS may also be active in neoplastic haematopoiesis. Critical RAS mediators such as renin, ACE, AngII (angiotensin II) and angiotensinogen have been identified in leukaemic blast cells. The local tissue RAS influences tumour growth and metastases in an autocrine and paracrine fashion via the modulation of numerous carcinogenic events, such as angiogenesis, apoptosis, cellular proliferation, immune responses, cell signalling and extracellular matrix formation. The aim of the present review is to outline the known functions of the local BM RAS within the context of primitive, definitive and neoplastic haematopoiesis. Targeting the actions of local RAS molecules could represent a valuable therapeutic option for the management of neoplastic disorders

Spiramycin-associated Acute Pancreatitis: Cause or Coincidence?

So far, spiramycin-associated acute pancreatitis has not been reported in literature. In this letter, it was presented that A 63-year-old female subject was experienced acute pancreatitis 4 days after taking spiramycin for therapy of dental infection, as an unusual approach. She was prescribed spiramycin tablet for dental infection, and in 4th day, she admitted to emergency service with severe epigastric pain with radiation to the flank and back. Her magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography and upper abdominal MR imaging revealed acute edematous pancreatitis without any gallstone. As a macrolide antibiotic, clinicians should be aware of potential side effects of spiramycin including acute pancreatitis. [Med-Science 2015; 4(2.000): 2352-5

Retrospective Analysis of demographic and laboratory characteristics of patients with liver cirrhosis: A single center experience

Liver cirrhosis is a progressive, irreversible disease constituted by a decrease in normal hepatocytes, diffuse fibrosis, and regeneration nodules due to liver damage developed by the chronic inflammation process. This study aims to evaluate patients with liver cirrhosis who applied to Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University (COMU) Hospital and met the criteria in terms of demographic, etiological, and laboratory values. Patient data were recorded from the hospital data recording system that was admitted to COMU hospital between January 1, 2013, and January 01, 2022. A total of 199 patients with liver cirrhosis were included in the study. Of these patients, 38.2% were female, and 61.8% were male. Their mean age was 63.43±10.73 years. When the patients were evaluated with regard to etiological distribution, the top three etiological causes of cirrhosis were cryptogenic, alcohol-induced, and HBV in 27.6%, 27.1%, and 25.1% of patients, respectively. In terms of complications, ascites were detected in 43.2% of the patients, esophageal varices in 56.3%, splenomegaly in 69.3% and hepatic encephalopathy in 7%. Over the years, the number of patients with cirrhosis due to viral hepatitis has decreased due to an increase in viral hepatitis vaccination campaigns and the spread of antiviral treatments. However, due to the rise in chronic alcohol use, alcohol appears more frequently as a significant risk factor for the etiology of liver cirrhosis. [Med-Science 2023; 12(2.000): 484-9

Successful Management of an Esophageal Foreign Body with a Rigid Bronchoscopy

Ingestion of a sharp foreign object can lead to esophageal hemorrhage and perforation, which is related to high morbidity and mortality. To avoid such complications, early and adequate therapeutic management of these cases is crucial. Herein, we would like to present two cases of esophageal foreign bodies that were successfully managed with rigid bronchoscopy after failed attempts with upper gastrointestinal endoscopic intervention. [Med-Science 2015; 4(2.000): 2340-3