Decreased plasma nociceptin/orphanin FQ levels after acute coronary syndromes

Foregoing researches made on the N/OFQ system brought up a possible role for this system in cardiovascular regulation. In this study we examined how N/OFQ levels of the blood plasma changed in acute cardiovascular diseases. Three cardiac patient groups were created: enzyme positive acute coronary syndrome (EPACS, n = 10), enzyme negative ACS (ENACS, n = 7) and ischemic heart disease (IHD, n = 11). We compared the patients to healthy control subjects (n = 31). We found significantly lower N/OFQ levels in the EPACS [6.86 (6.21–7.38) pg/ml], ENACS [6.97 (6.87–7.01) pg/ml and IHD groups [7.58 (7.23–8.20) pg/ml] compared to the control group [8.86 (7.27–9.83) pg/ml]. A significant correlation was detected between N/OFQ and white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT), creatine kinase (CK), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and cholesterol levels in the EPACS group.Decreased plasma N/OFQ is closely associated with the presence of acute cardiovascular disease, and the severity of symptoms has a significant negative correlation with the N/OFQ levels. We believe that the rate of N/OFQ depression is in association with the level of ischemic stress and the following inflammatory response. Further investigations are needed to clarify the relevance and elucidate the exact effects of the ischemic stress on the N/OFQ system

Kinetic assay for the determination of the oxidative stress biomarker, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in the human blood plasma

A number of human diseases and pathological conditions were found to be associated with increased oxidative stress. In the literature several techniques are available for the assessment of oxidative stress, but most of them are not applicable for a routine medical laboratory due to the complex methodology and/or financial reasons. We report here on a simple, inexpensive, kinetic assay for the determination of the oxidative stress biomarker, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in the human blood plasma. Methods: This study involved 70 patients (47M/23F; mean age: 64.6 y; range: 16–85) admitted to our Department with a wide range of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular diseases. Three critically ill patients were assigned for monitoring purposes. Plasma AOPP were simultaneously determined using an end-point assay as reference method and by a kinetic method developed in our laboratory. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was measured according to the Clauss method. Results: There was a highly significant correlation (r2=0.588; p <0.0001) between AOPP concentration (reference method) and AOPP reactivity (kinetic method). Both AOPP concentration and AOPP reactivity also significantly correlated with plasma fibrinogen concentration (r2=0.780; p <0.0001; r2=0.564; p <0.0001). The three representative cases presented appear to support the relevance of our novel method in the monitoring of critically ill patients. Conclusions: This simple and inexpensive kinetic assay can be widely used in any routine laboratory interested in oxidative stress research. It is especially recommended for monitoring critically ill or other patients

Congenital lymphovascular malformations with urological symptoms: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: To collect and review the diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for primary and congenital lymphovascular malformations leading to urological symptoms in childhood and also to find the most efficient therapeutic algorithms managing such conditions. METHODS: In our work, we assemble all the diagnostic and therapeutic tools for lymphovascular malformations with urological-urogenital symptoms and demonstrate the interventional therapeutic algorithms through two of our cases where surgery (laparoscopic intervention and clipping of the lymph vessel) had to be performed to stop lymphoid leakage and restore anatomy. RESULTS: In cases, where lymphovascular malformations and urological-urogenital symptoms are both present, therapeutical success is graded by Browse's scoring system. According to that, our choices of management achieved the best possible outcome in both cases below. CONCLUSIONS: Although conservative ways of therapy are known and widely used, in more advanced cases surgical help is often needed to reach long-term improvement. In situations where significant mass of chyle has accumulated causing severe complaints, conservative therapy should not to be started. Surgical solutions provide fast and lasting improvement for patients suffering from congenital lymphovascular malformations