Role of HIF-1α and CASPASE-3 in cystogenesis of odontogenic cysts and tumors

OBJECTIVES: Odontogenic cysts and tumors are the most relevant lesions that affect the gnathic bones. These lesions have in common the formation of cystic areas and this common feature may suggest involvement of similar mechanisms. The hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), a responsive protein to hypoxia and caspase-3, an irreversible apoptosis marker, may contribute to cyst formation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the immunoexpression of these proteins in odontogenic cysts and tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty cases of ameloblastoma, keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KOT) (n = 20), radicular cyst (RC) (n = 18), dentigerous cyst (DC) (n = 11), calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (n = 8), and dental follicle (DF) (n = 10) were used to investigate HIF-1α and caspase-3 expression in sequential serial cuts by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: HIF-1α was overexpressed in RC, DC, and ameloblastoma when compared with DF. The basal and sometimes the lower suprabasal layer showed no or very low expression in DC, KOT, and ameloblastoma, the last also showing strong expression in solid epithelial areas and initial cystic formation regions. Caspase-3 was found to be overexpressed in all lesions, with the highest expression in odontogenic cysts compared to tumors. HIF-1α and caspase-3 were localized in similar areas of the same lesions, especially in the epithelium surrounding cystic formations. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed distinct immunoexpression of HIF-1α and caspase-3 in odontogenic cyst and tumors, with higher expression observed in odontogenic cysts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings suggest a possible correlation between hypoxia, apoptosis, and cystogenesis, leading to understand the mechanisms responsible to cystic formation in odontogenic lesions

Intra-abdominal pressure in patients with abdominal trauma

Objetivos: Pacientes com trauma abdominal tratados cirurgicamente são muito suscetíveis ao desenvolvimento de hipertensão intra-abdominal e síndrome do compartimento abdominal, cujo diagnóstico é baseado na medição da pressão intraabdominal associada a parâmetros clínicos. Este estudo teve por objetivos avaliar prospectivamente o comportamento da pressão intra-abdominal de pacientes com trauma abdominal cirurgicamente tratados e identificar se há relação entre tal comportamento e parâmetros clínicos destes pacientes. Método: A técnica de Kron foi utilizada para medir a pressão intra-abdominal. A casuística foi composta por 17 homens e três mulheres com média de idade de 36,9 anos (D.P. 12,943). O mecanismo de trauma mais freqüente foi contusão abdominal 12 (60%) contra oito (40%) pacientes com ferimentos penetrantes. Os dados foram coletados em 6 e 18 horas de pós-operatório. Resultados: As médias de pressão intra-abdominal foram 10,4 cmH2O (D.P. 3,939) em 6 horas e 10,263 cmH2O (D.P. 3,445) em 18 horas de pós operatório. A análise dos resultados mostrou correlação estatisticamente significante entre o volume de colóides infundidos e a pressão intra-abdominal em 6 e 18 horas pós-operatórias (p = 0,0380 e p = 0,0033 respectivamente). É provável que tal correlação se deva ao edema visceral causado pelo extravasamento capilar de soluções, aumentando a pressão intra-abdominal. Conclusões: Os achados deste estudo ratificam a idéia de relação entre grandes volumes de infusão venosa, sobretudo colóides, e o aumento da pressão intra-abdominal e destacam a importância da avaliação da pressão intra-abdominal em pacientes com trauma abdominal submetidos a grandes reposições volêmicas, sobretudo as soluções coloidais. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: Bacjground: Patients with significant abdominal traumatism submitted to surgical treatment are susceptible to develop intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome. Those diagnosis are based on intra-abdominal pressure measurement associated with clinical parameters. The aims of this study were: to study prospectively the behavior of intra-abdominal pressure in patients with abdominal trauma submitted to surgical treatment; to identify if there is association between that behavior and clinical parameters. Methods: There were 17 males and three females with an average age of 36.9 years (S.D. 12.9). The data was collected in two times, six and 18 hours in the immediate postoperative period. The averages of intra-abdominal pressures found were 10.4 cmH2O (S.D. 3.9) in the first six hours and 10.3 cmH2O (S.D. 3.5) in 18 hours of postoperative period. Results: There was significant statistical correlation between the volume of infused colloids and intra-abdominal pressure at six and 18 hours of postoperative period (p = 0.0380 and p = 0.0033, respectively). These correlations are probably explained by visceral edema caused by the capillary leak of solutions, increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Conclusions: Our findings confirm the relationship between large volumes of fluid infusion, mainly colloid solutions, and the increase of intra-abdominal pressure and detach the importance of intraabdominal pressure monitorization in patients with abdominal trauma submitted to massive replacement of liquids, mainly when this replacement was done with colloids solutions