Changes in S100β protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid after thoracoabdominal aortic operations

AbstractJ Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;122:1019-2

Arterio-jugular Differences in Serum S-100β Proteins in Patients Receiving Selective Cerebral Perfusion

Purpose The early increase in serum S100β after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) seems to be derived from an extracerebral source. To exclude contamination, we investigated the arterio-jugular differences in S100β levels in patients receiving selective cerebral perfusion (SCP). We also evaluated the brain-protective effect of SCP by comparing the arterial S100β levels with those in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods We measured arterial and jugular venous levels of S100β in ten patients undergoing aortic arch repair with SCP for up to 12h postoperatively (SCP group). We also measured arterial levels of S100β in nine patients undergoing CABG (CPB group). Results There was no incidence of hospital death or stroke. The arterial levels of S100β in both groups were comparable and peaked just after the conclusion of CPB. The arterial and jugular venous levels of S100β were almost equivalent. The arterio-jugular differences in S100β levels were negligible, even in our SCP-group patient with postoperative delirium, who had a peak value three times higher than the other patients. Conclusions The arterio-jugular differences in S100β did not clarify the origin of their increase. Thus, measuring the jugular venous levels of S100β in patients without postoperative clinical neurological deterioration would be of little benefit. However, SCP seems to protect the brain against S100β release as effectively as conventional CPB

A semiquantitative analysis of reactive astrogliosis demonstrates its correlation with the number of intact motor neurons after transient spinal cord ischemia

ObjectiveWe evaluated the relationship between reactive astrogliosis and delayed motor neuron death after transient spinal cord ischemia in rabbits using a semiquantitative analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein expression.MethodsSpinal cord ischemia was induced by means of balloon occlusion of the infrarenal aorta for 15 minutes at 39°C in 18 New Zealand white rabbits. At 1, 3, and 7 days after reperfusion, 6 animals at each time point were killed, and the spinal cord was removed for histologic and immunohistochemical study. The variables analyzed were (1) neurologic function (Johnson score) at every 24 hours after reperfusion, (2) the number of intact motor neurons and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling–positive positive neurons, and (3) expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the gray and white matter, which was expressed as the percentage of stained area.ResultsAll animals presented delayed motor neuron death. The number of intact neurons decreased correlatively with neurologic function. No obvious terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling–positive cells were observed. Glial fibrillary acidic protein expression increased with time in both the gray and white matter, representing the development of reactive astrogliosis. Significant correlation was found between glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and the number of intact motor neurons on the third day in both the gray (r2 = 0.726, P = .031) and white (r2 = 0.927, P = .002) matter.ConclusionsReactive astrogliosis 3 days after transient spinal cord ischemia correlates with the number of intact motor neurons. Our method for semiquantitative analysis of reactive astrogliosis is simple and reproducible and seems useful for such experimental studies

Alanine with the Precipitate of Tomato Juice Administered to Rats Enhances the Reduction in Blood Ethanol Levels

Delay in gastric emptying (GE) lowers the blood ethanol concentration (BEC) after alcohol administration. We previously demonstrated that water-insoluble fractions, mainly comprising dietary fiber derived from many types of botanical foods, possessed the ability to absorb ethanol-containing aqueous solutions. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the absorption of ethanol and lowering of BEC because of delay in GE. Here we identified dietary nutrients that synergize with the water-insoluble fraction of tomatoes to lower BEC in rats. Consequently, unlike tomato juice without alanine, tomato juice with 5.0% alanine decreased BEC depending on the delay in GE and mediated the ethanol-induced decrease in the spontaneous motor activity (an indicator of drunkenness). Our findings indicate that the synergism between tomato juice and alanine to reduce the absorption of ethanol was attributable to the effect of alanine on precipitates such as the water-insoluble fraction of tomatoes

What does evaluating learners' reflections mean for teachers who aim for proactive learning ?

departmental bulletin pape

Effect of octanoic acid-rich formula on plasma ghrelin levels in cachectic patients with chronic respiratory disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>For cachectic patients with chronic respiratory disease (CRD), conventional enteral nutrition formula is an optional treatment to maintain energy balance. The molecular mechanisms by which enteral nutrition formula controls appetite and weight remain unknown. We examined whether enteral nutrition formula rich in octanoic acids would increase plasma levels of ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone produced in the stomach, in cachectic patients with CRD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Plasma ghrelin profiles in cachectic patients with CRD were assessed and compared with those in age- and sex-matched controls. Plasma levels of acyl-ghrelin, an active ghrelin modified by octanoic acids, and desacyl-ghrelin were measured separately. We examined changes in 24-h plasma ghrelin profiles before and after single administration of the formula. We also evaluated the effects of 2-week administration of the formula on plasma ghrelin levels and nutritional status in patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ratio of acyl-ghrelin to desacyl-ghrelin in plasma was lower in patients than in controls. Single administration of the formula did not change plasma desacyl-ghrelin levels, but induced an increase in acyl-ghrelin levels. Two-week treatment with the formula was effective in increasing weight and acyl-ghrelin, along with improving nutritional status in patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results show that the formula contributes to increased weight, which may be associated with induction of acyl-ghrelin production in cachectic patients with CRD.</p

Correlation between Hyperghrelinemia and Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Purpose: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by childhood-onset obesity and endocrine dysfunction that leads to cardiovascular disability. The objective of the study is to assess the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic risk factors. Materials and Methods: Twentyseven PWS children and 24 normal controls were enrolled. Correlations of IMT with atherosclerotic risk factors were assessed. Results: IMTs in the PWS group did not differ from those in the controls (p = 0.172), although total ghrelin levels were higher in the PWS children (p = 0.003). The multivariate analysis revealed positive correlations between total ghrelin levels ( = 0.489, p = 0.046) and IMT in the PWS group and between body mass indexstandard deviation score (BMI-SDS) ( = 0.697, p = 0.005) and IMT in the controls. Conclusion: Considering the positive correlation of IMT with total ghrelin levels and the high level of ghrelin in PWS children, a further study is warranted to evaluate the role of elevated ghrelin on atherosclerosis for PWS

Altered fasting and postprandial plasma ghrelin levels in patients with liver failure are normalized after liver transplantation

[Abstract] Context Anorexia is a problem of paramount importance in patients with advanced liver failure. Ghrelin has important actions on feeding and weight homeostasis. Experimental data exist, which suggest that ghrelin could protect hepatic tissue. Both fasting and post-oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) ghrelin concentrations are controversial in liver cirrhosis and are unknown after liver transplantation. Objective Our aim was to study fasting ghrelin concentrations and their response to an OGTT in liver failure patients before and after liver transplantation. Design and methods We included 21 patients with severe liver failure studied before (pretransplantation, PreT) and 6 months after liver transplantation (posttransplantation, PostT), and 10 age- and body mass index-matched healthy or overweight subjects as the control group (Cont). After an overnight fast, 75 g of oral glucose were administered; glucose, insulin, and ghrelin were obtained at baseline and at times 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Results Fasting ghrelin (median and range, pg/ml) levels were lower in PreT: 539 (309–1262) than in Cont: 643 (523–2163), P=0.045. Fasting ghrelin levels increased after liver transplantation, 539 (309–1262) vs 910 (426–3305), for PreT and PostT respectively, P=0.001. The area under the curve (AUC) of ghrelin (pg/ml min) was lower in PreT: 63 900 (37 260–148 410) than in Cont: 76 560 (56 160–206 385), P=0.027. The AUC of ghrelin increased in PostT, 63 900 (37 260–148 410) vs 107 595 (59 535–357 465), for PreT and PostT respectively, P=0.001. Fasting levels and the AUC of ghrelin were similar in PosT and Cont. Conclusions Decreased fasting and post-OGTT ghrelin levels in liver failure patients were normalized after liver transplantation.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI051024Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI070413Xunta de Galicia; PS07/12Galicia. Consellería de Innovación, Industria e Comercio; PGIDT05PXIC91605PNGalicia. Consellería de Economía e Industria; INCITE08ENA916110E