Role of Zinc in Chronic Gastritis

Oxidative stress occurs in inflammation of gastric mucosa. The role of zinc in modulating oxidative stress has recently been recognized. Zn deficiency results in an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and have a higher risk of musoca damage in inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine wheather chronic inflammation affects on the concentration of Zn2+ ions in gastric mucosa of patients with chronic gastritis. Forthy-three patients with chronic gastitis were enrolled. Patients were endoscoped. Histology and scoring of gastritis was performed following the guidelines of the updated Sydney system. Endoscopic finding of mucosa were scored according to a Lanza scoring system. The diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, histopathologic changes, intensity of inflammation and zinc concentration were determined from biopsies of gastric mucosa. The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine tissue concentrations of zinc. Twenty of 43 patients with chronic gastritis were uninfected by H. pylori. There was no statistically significant difference in tissue concentrations of zinc between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative patients. From those infected patients 53.3% had chronic active gastritis. There was no statistically significant difference in tissue concentrations of zinc between patients with chronic active gastritis and patients with chronic inactive gastritis (p=0.966). Zn in antrum showed positive correlation with density of H. pylori in antrum (Spearman’ rho =0.481, p=0.020), negative correlation with density of H. pylori in corpus (Spearman’ rho = –0.492, p=0.017) and with zinc in corpus (Spearman’ rho = 0.631, p=0.001). Tissue concentration of zinc was not affected by chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa in patients with chronic gastritis

Role of Zinc in Chronic Gastritis

Oxidative stress occurs in inflammation of gastric mucosa. The role of zinc in modulating oxidative stress has recently been recognized. Zn deficiency results in an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and have a higher risk of musoca damage in inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine wheather chronic inflammation affects on the concentration of Zn2+ ions in gastric mucosa of patients with chronic gastritis. Forthy-three patients with chronic gastitis were enrolled. Patients were endoscoped. Histology and scoring of gastritis was performed following the guidelines of the updated Sydney system. Endoscopic finding of mucosa were scored according to a Lanza scoring system. The diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, histopathologic changes, intensity of inflammation and zinc concentration were determined from biopsies of gastric mucosa. The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine tissue concentrations of zinc. Twenty of 43 patients with chronic gastritis were uninfected by H. pylori. There was no statistically significant difference in tissue concentrations of zinc between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative patients. From those infected patients 53.3% had chronic active gastritis. There was no statistically significant difference in tissue concentrations of zinc between patients with chronic active gastritis and patients with chronic inactive gastritis (p=0.966). Zn in antrum showed positive correlation with density of H. pylori in antrum (Spearman’ rho =0.481, p=0.020), negative correlation with density of H. pylori in corpus (Spearman’ rho = –0.492, p=0.017) and with zinc in corpus (Spearman’ rho = 0.631, p=0.001). Tissue concentration of zinc was not affected by chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa in patients with chronic gastritis

Ultrasound Evaluation of Extracranial Carotid Artery Lesions in Parkinsonian Patients

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the atherosclerotic changes in patients with vascular parkinsonism and in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, in order to evaluate the possible influence of the extracranial pathology of carotid arteries in developing lacunar cerebral infarcts. Degree of stenosis and plaque morphology of the extracranial part of carotids in both group of patients were evaluated by color Doppler flow imaging ultrasound investigation and the results were compared. We selected two matched groups of patients with parkinsonism: 22 patients with vascular parkinsonism, and 28 with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.The atherosclerotic changes found in patients with Parkinson’s disease showed mild carotid lesions with mostly stable calcified plaques and lesser risk for embolic cerebral intravascular events contrary to the higher degree of carotid stenosis found in patients with vascular parkinsonism with mostly mixed plaques prone to embolization. Therefore, we suggest performing ultrasonographic examination of the extracranial part of carotid arteries in all patients with parkinsonism to assess risk of vascular accidents originating from carotid lesions. That would enable adequate treatment of parkinsonism and prevent further occurrence of intracranial vascular changes

Secondary Hypertension due to Isolated Interrupted Aortic Arch in a 60-Year-Old Person – One-Year Follow up

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a congenital defect characterized by loss of luminal continuity between the ascending and descending aorta1. It is a rare malformation with an estimated incidence of perinatally diagnosed cases of 3 per million live births3. The condition is considered extremely rare in adults. However, its true prevalence in this population is unknown. We have found 30 case reports of IAA in adults in literature, 5 of whom were older than 50 years. Four of them had type A IAA. Arterial hypertension is a typical co-morbidity. In this report we describe a 60-year-old male patient who had a type A asymptomatic IAA. Although we initially suspected the aortic coarctation, further invasive procedures revealed complete interruption of the aortic arch just distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. The patient underwent surgical repair, followed by full recovery and near-normalization of blood pressure

Fulminant Meningococcal Sepsis in a Young Child – A Case Report

We are presenting a case of isolated fulminant meningococcal sepsis with two and a half year old child. Initial symptoms were obscure and common to many medical conditions, but also previously described as symptoms of meningococcal sepsis. Unrecognizing the seriousness of the condition child died at home, within few hours after examination and discharge from the hospital. Autopsy and microbiological findings unquestionably proved that the child died from septic shock caused by fulminant meningococcal sepsis

Endothelial function – functional indicator of cardiovascular risk fact

Endotel je važan organ koji oblaže čitav krvožilni sustav, a njegove su najznačajnije funkcije: kontrola vaskularnoga tonusa, inhibicija agregacije trombocita, modulacija migracije leukocita, regulacija proliferacije glatkih mišićnih stanica i moduliranje propusnosti vaskularne stijenke. Endotelna disfunkcija termin je koji opisuje stanje oštećenoga endotela i njegove poremećene funkcije koju karakterizira proupalni, protrombotski i vazokonstrikcijski fenotip. Patofiziološki faktori koji dovode do nastanka endotelne disfunkcije su važni rizični čimbenici za nastanak, razvoj i progresiju kardiovaskularnih bolesti. Kako je jedna od temeljnih značajki endotelne disfunkcije reverzibilnost, procjenu endotelne funkcije treba uzeti kao univerzalnu metodu za procjenu kardiovaskularnoga rizika te primarnu i sekundarnu prevenciju kardiovaskularnih incidenata.Endothelium is a dynamic organ which lines the entire vascular system. Endothelial cells control vascular function by responding to various hormones, neurotransmitters and vasoactive factors which affect vasomotion, thrombosis, platelet aggregation and inflammation. These functions are compromised in endothelial dysfunction, a systemic disorder that is characterized by a proinflammatory, proliferative, procoagulatory and vasoconstrictive milieu that favors all stages of atherogenesis. The pathophysiological factors leading to endothelial dysfunction are key risk factors for development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Endothelium dysfunction is reversible so it seems attractive to consider integrating endothelial function testing as a universal tool for cardiovascular risk stratification in primary and secondary prevention

Fulminant Meningococcal Sepsis in a Young Child – A Case Report

We are presenting a case of isolated fulminant meningococcal sepsis with two and a half year old child. Initial symptoms were obscure and common to many medical conditions, but also previously described as symptoms of meningococcal sepsis. Unrecognizing the seriousness of the condition child died at home, within few hours after examination and discharge from the hospital. Autopsy and microbiological findings unquestionably proved that the child died from septic shock caused by fulminant meningococcal sepsis

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Spondyloarthritides and HLA-B27 Positive Antigen

The aim of this study was to present our experiences in diagnosing spondyloarthritides (SpA), and to list the most common clinical features of HLA-B 27 positive patients.The study included 65 HLA-B 27 positive patients with confirmed diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis(AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who were analyzed between 2009 and 2010 in Clinic of Internal Medicine in Osijek. The diagnosis of seronegative spondyloarthritides was based on the ASAS (Assessment in AS Working Group) classification criteria for axial and then supplemented with ASAS criteria for peripheral SpA and was confirmed by radiological techniques. For diagnosing the ankylosing spondylitis (AS), there have been applied the modified New York criteria. Radiological criteria for definite sacroiliitis according to the modified New York criteria is bilateral sacroiliitis, grade 2–4 (2) or unilateral sacroiliitis, grade 3–4. For diagnosing the psoriatic arthritis (PsA), there were used CASPAR diagnostic criteria. Other features of SpA are defined within the existing classification criteria. HLA-B27 antigen was determined by direct immune-fluorescence technique using flow cytometer. The average age of patients was 50.34 years, of whom 27 female (41.53%), 38 male (58.46%). Duration of illness was 15.79 years on average.With 75.38% of patients, there had been determined the diagnosis of AS; 24.62% of patients had the diagnosis of PsA. The most common clinical characteristics that patients had were: inflammatory back pain (pain Inflammation along the lumbosacral spine), peripheral arthritis, intermittent pain in the gluteus, sacroiliitis, enthesitis, uveitis, dactilitis

Role of zinc in chronic gastritis [Uloga cinka u kroničnom gastritisu]

Oxidative stress occurs in inflammation of gastric mucosa. The role of zinc in modulating oxidative stress has recently been recognized. Zn deficiency results in an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and have a higher risk of musoca damage in inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine wheather chronic inflammation affects on the concentration of Zn2+ ions in gastric mucosa of patients with chronic gastritis. Forthy-three patients with chronic gastitis were enrolled. Patients were endoscoped. Histology and scoring of gastritis was performed following the guidelines of the updated Sydney system. Endoscopic finding of mucosa were scored according to a Lanza scoring system. The diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, histopathologic changes, intensity of inflammation and zinc concentration were determined from biopsies of gastric mucosa. The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine tissue concentrations of zinc. Twenty of 43 patients with chronic gastritis were uninfected by H. pylori. There was no statistically significant difference in tissue concentrations of zinc between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative patients. From those infected patients 53.3% had chronic active gastritis. There was no statistically significant difference in tissue concentrations of zinc between patients with chronic active gastritis and patients with chronic inactive gastritis (p = 0.966). Zn in antrum showed positive correlation with density of H. pylori in antrum (Spearman' rho = 0.481, p = 0.020), negative correlation with density of H. pylori in corpus (Spearman' rho = -0.492, p = 0.017) and with zinc in corpus (Spearman' rho = 0.631, p =0.001). Tissue concentration of zinc was not affected by chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa in patients with chronic gastritis

Blood Pressure Reduction is Associated with the Changes in Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Activation in Hypertension, Regardless of Antihypertensive Therapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hypertensive patients present with increased oxidative stress and frequently receive angiotensin II (ANGII) receptor type I blockers (ARB) for blood pressure (BP) reduction. Recent studies revealed an important role of ANGII in maintaining vascular oxidative homeostasis, including sustaining normal sodium dismutase activity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of antihypertensive therapy and also vitamin C/E supplementation on BP, oxidative stress and endothelial activation in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: Newly discovered patients received ARB/olmesartan or the Ca2+-channel blocker (CCB)/amlodipine, and additionally vitamin C/E or placebo throughout weeks 9-16. ELISA was used to determine 8-iso-prostaglendin F2-alpha (8iPGF2α) and endothelial activation markers. RESULTS: In both groups BP was normalized during first 8 weeks of therapy. Vitamins C/E had no additional BP-lowering effect. The vitamins C/E supplementation was not effective in reducing absolute values of 8iPGF2α; however; the magnitude of 8iPGF2α reduction was significantly greater in patients taking vitamins C/E in the CCB group. Although plasma 8iPGF2α positively correlated to BP, a significant decrease occurred during an additional 8 weeks of treatment. There were no changes in endothelial activation markers related to the specific action of ARB or CCB. CONCLUSIONS: Present study suggests that observed oxidative stress is a consequence of hypertension. BP reduction is associated with the observed decrease in oxidative stress and changes in endothelial activation regardless of antihypertensive therapy