Antioxidant and renoprotective effects of paricalcitol on experimental contrast-induced nephropathy model

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of paricalcitol on the experimental contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) model. We hypothesised that paricalcitol may prevent CIN. Methods: 32 Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n=8 each): control group, paricalcitol group, CIN group and paricalcitol plus CIN group. Paricalcitol (0.4 mu g kg(-1) day(-1)) was given intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days prior to induction of CIN. CIN was induced at day 4 by intravenous injection of indometacin (10 mg kg(-1)), N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg kg(-1)) and meglumine amidotrizoate (6 ml kg(-1)). Renal function parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, histopathological findings and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoexpression were evaluated. Results: The paricalcitol plus CIN group had lower mean serum creatinine levels (p=0.034) as well as higher creatinine clearance (p=0.042) than the CIN group. Serum malondialdehyde and kidney thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances levels were significantly lower in the paricalcitol plus CIN group than in the CIN group (p=0.024 and p=0.042, respectively). The mean scores of tubular necrosis (p=0.024), proteinaceous casts (p=0.038), medullary congestion (p=0.035) and VEGF immunoexpression (p=0.018) in the paricalcitol plus CIN group were also significantly lower. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the protective effect of paricalcitol in the prevention of CIN in an experimental model

Interstitial pneumonitis associated with pegylated interferon-alpha 2a and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C infection: a case report

Interstitial pneumonitis is a rare but potentially fatal side effect occurring from 2 weeks to 16 weeks after the initiation of treatment with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.Herein, we present a 68-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who developed interstitial pneumonitis association with pegylated interferon after 36 weeks initiation of pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy. He did not recover after discontinuation of pegylated interferon/ribavirin and improved by steroid therapy

Investigation of Eating Habits in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia

Background: Nutritional habits of patients with functional dyspepsia can affect the progression of functional dyspepsia. We aimed to determine the foods and dietary habits that may cause symptoms of postprandial fullness, early satiety, epigastric pain, and epigastric burning in functional dyspepsia patients. Methods: Sixty functional dyspepsia patients, who were diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria in the endoscopy unit of a gastroenterology institute, were included in the study. Data on the demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits, and food consumption frequency questionnaire of functional dyspepsia patients were collected. Results: Postprandial fullness was found more common in those who preferred roasting as a cooking method. There was no significant difference between symptoms and meal frequency. Epigastric burning and pain were found to be more pronounced in women, and alcohol consumption was less in patients who experienced more epigastric pain. In non-smoker participants, the complaint of early satiety was lower. It was found that broccoli, radish, celery, green olives, and olive oil consumption was less in participants who experienced excessive postprandial fullness. Patients with stomach pain consumed less dry fruits, green olives, butter, alcohol, and fast food. It was found that patients with stomach burning consumed less alcohol and fast food. Conclusion: In conclusion, functional dyspepsia patients should avoid or reduce consuming broccoli, radish, celery, green olives, olive oil, dry fruits, and butter which may trigger symptoms. Reducing consumption of these foods, abandoning unhealthy cooking methods such as roasting, reducing smoking, and reducing consumption of alcohol and fast food might be beneficial for relieving symptoms

Circulating Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Its Soluble Receptor in Patients with Biopsy-proven Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background and Aims. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) is a multifunctional cytokine affecting angiogenesis and vascular function. The biological activity of VEGF is modulated by its soluble receptor VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1). We explored the associations of VEGF and sVEGFR-1 concentrations with liver histology in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods. The study was comprised of 99 patients with NAFLD and 75 healthy controls. Serum VEGF and sVEGFR-1 concentrations were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results. Serum VEGF levels did not differ in patients with NAFLD (1882 +/- 942 pg/mL) compared with healthy controls (1985 +/- 945 pg/mL, p = 0.42). However, compared with healthy subjects, levels of sVEGFR-1 were significantly lower in patients with NAFLD (1.59 +/- 0.58 ng/mL vs. 1.16 +/- 0.34 ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.001). After allowance for potential confounders, serum sVEGFR-1 levels retained their independent significance as a predictor of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD (beta = -0.19; t = -1.81, p < 0.05). Conclusions. Our results show that patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD have a significant reduction in serum sVEGFR-1 concentrations that predict the degree of liver fibrosis, independent of potential confounders. (C) 2011 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc

Serum levels of omentin, chemerin and adipsin in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective. The novel adipokines omentin, chemerin, and adipsin are associated with insulin resistance and the components of the metabolic syndrome. We assayed circulating levels of these molecules and examined their association with clinical, biochemical, and histological phenotypes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Material and methods. Serum levels of omentin, chemerin, and adipsin were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 99 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 75 control subjects. We analyzed associations between adipokines and the characteristics of patients with NAFLD using multivariable linear regression models. Results. Adipsin levels did not differ between patients and controls, whereas both omentin and chemerin levels were significantly higher in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD than in controls (both p values <0.001). Serum omentin levels were significantly associated with C-reactive protein (r = 0.29, p < 0.01) and the degree of hepatocyte ballooning (r = 0.27, p < 0.01), whereas chemerin showed a modest association with liver fibrosis (r = 0.22, p = 0.04). After stepwise linear regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders, serum omentin levels retained their independent significance as a predictor of hepatocyte ballooning in patients with NAFLD (beta = 1.42; t = 2.79, p < 0.01). Conclusions. Our results suggest that serum omentin levels are raised in patients with NAFLD regardless of potential confounders and represent an independent predictor of hepatocyte ballooning

Circulating vaspin levels and epicardial adipose tissue thickness are associated with impaired coronary flow reserve in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background: Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a reduced coronary flow reserve (CFR) and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The fat cells that surround coronary arteries may play a central and underrecognized role in development of cardiovascular disease through the systemic secretion of adipokines. We therefore evaluated the relation of epicardial fat thickness, serum levels of epicardial fat-related adipokines (chemerin and vaspin), and CFR in patients with NAFLD. Methods: We investigated 54 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 56 age- and sex-matched controls. CFR and epicardial fat thickness (EFT) were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Serum levels of chemerin and vaspin were measured by ELISA. Results: EFT was significantly higher (0.64 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.10 cm, P < 0.001) and CFR significantly lower (2.11 +/- 0.45 vs. 2.52 +/- 0.62, P < 0.001) in patients with NAFLD than in controls. Serum levels of vaspin and chemerin were both significantly increased in patients with NAFLD compared with controls. Stepwise regression analysis showed that EFT (beta = -0.53, t = -3.7, P < 0.001), serum vaspin levels (beta = -0.30, t = -2.5, P = 0.014), and liver fibrosis (beta = -0.31, t = -2.11, P = 0.041), in the order they entered into the model, were independent predictors of CFR in NAFLD patients. Conclusion: Our data suggest the presence of a complex interplay between EFT, serum vaspin, and liver histology in promoting an impaired hyperemic stimulation of coronary blood flow in patients with NAFLD. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Effect of the Direct Renin Inhibitor Aliskiren in the Prevention of Experimental Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in the Rat

Background: Renal vasoconstriction, activated by the reninangiotensin system, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, for the prophylaxis of experimental CIN in the rat. Methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups of 8 rats each, namely the control (C), aliskiren (A), contrast media (CM) and aliskiren plus contrast media (ACM) groups. Aliskiren was given orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day once daily for 5 consecutive days. CIN was induced by intravenous administration of indomethacin, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and high-osmolar contrast medium meglumine amidotrizoate. Renal function parameters, kidney histology and tubular expression of vascular endothelial growth factor were determined. Results: Mean serum creatinine was significantly lower (p < 0.001) and mean creatinine clearance was higher (p < 0.001) in the ACM group compared with the CM group. However, there were no differences between the ACM and CM groups in terms of tubular necrosis, proteinaceous casts, medullary congestion and vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Conclusion: Our preliminary data seem to suggest a potential role of aliskiren for the prophylaxis of CIN in an experimental rat model. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base