[Plasma levels of interleukin-10 and nitric oxide in response to two different desflurane anesthesia flow rates]

Exposure to microcrystallized cellulose affects the health of tadpoles and sheds light on the threat these materials pose to amphibians

The increasing use of cellulose-based materials (CBMs) has provided beneficial applications in different sectors. However, its release into environments may represent an ecological risk, therefore demanding that ecotoxicological studies be conducted to understand the risks (current and future) of CBM pollution. Thus, we evaluated the possible effects of microcrystalline cellulose (CMs) in Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles. After seven days of exposure to CMs (at 58.29 and 100 mg/L), the animals were subjected to behavioral evaluation, and different biomarkers (biometric and biochemical) were evaluated. Although our data do not point to a neurotoxic effect of CMs (inferred by the absence of behavioral changes and changes in AChE and BChE activity), animals exposed to CMs showed differences in body condition. Furthermore, we noticed an increase in the frequency of erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities and DNA damage, which were correlated with the ingestion of CMs. We noticed that the antioxidant activity of tadpoles exposed to CMs (inferred by SOD, CAT, and DPPH radical scavenging activity) was insufficient to control the increase in ROS and MDA production. Furthermore, exposure to CMs induced a predominant Th2-specific immune response, marked by suppressed IFN-γ and increased IL-10 levels, with a consequent reduction in NO levels. Principal component analysis and IBRv-2 indicate, in general, a primarily more toxic response to animals exposed to the highest CM concentration. Therefore, our study evidence that CMs affect the health of P. cuvieri tadpoles and sheds light on the threat these materials pose to amphibians.

Silent hyperlipidaemia modulated vascular endothelial markers

The aetiology of ischemic heart diseases is mainly based on atherosclerosis of coronary artery. Inflammation and oxidative reactions are initiating and aggravating the illness resulting in pathological remodelling of vasculaturze at site of injury. Endothelium lining of blood vessels participated in the reaction biochemically through releasing some proteins into circulatory system which further complicate the condition. The aim of this study was to determine early diagnosed hyperlipidaemia-associated changes of the plasma level of some of these endothelial biomolecules. Compared to healthy control, hyperlipidaemic patients have significantly increased arginase, metalloendopeptidase, peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, and peroxynitrite with concomitant reduction in arylesterase and nitric oxide. The present study concluded that hyperlipidaemia play a great role in modulation of certain plasma protein markers which might be directly related to patient pathological condition or could be used as a tool for diagnosis or patient follow up indicating the stage of vasculature remodelling, healing, inflammation or resolution.

Anesthesia-Related Carbon Monoxide Exposure: Toxicity and Potential Therapy

Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) during general anesthesia can result from volatile anesthetic degradation by carbon dioxide absorbents and rebreathing of endogenously produced CO. Although adherence to the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation guidelines reduces the risk of CO poisoning, patients may still experience subtoxic CO exposure during low-flow anesthesia. The consequences of such exposures are relatively unknown. In contrast to the widely recognized toxicity of high CO concentrations, the biologic activity of low concentration CO has recently been shown to be cytoprotective. As such, low-dose CO is being explored as a novel treatment for a variety of different diseases. Here, we review the concept of anesthesia-related CO exposure, identify the sources of production, detail the mechanisms of overt CO toxicity, highlight the cellular effects of low-dose CO, and discuss the potential therapeutic role for CO as part of routine anesthetic management.

Serum levels of nitric oxide and cytokines in smokers at the beginning and after 4months of treatment for smoking cessation

INTRODUCTION

Nitric oxide (NO) modulates inflammatory reactions, having beneficial or toxic effects depending on the concentration. Its elevation can cause proinflammatory effects amplifying the inflammatory process with the participation of cytokines. Smoking has a negative impact on health and is considered one of the risk factors that influence disease development facilitating inflammatory processes.

AIM

To compare the serum concentration of NO and cytokines in smokers at baseline and after 4months of abstinence treatment.

METHODS

Blood samples which were collected to obtain the serum, at baseline and after 4months, were stored at -80°C until analysis. NO was measured by the total dose of nitrite determined by the Greiss method. CBA was the used technique to determine the concentration of cytokines in supernatants serum. The initial and final results of NO, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12 that remained after 4months treatment were compared. Wilcoxon test was used to compare the data and Spearman test for correlations between NO and other variables. A significance level of p<0.05 was adopted.

RESULTS

The analysis of NO observed a significant reduction (p=0.001) of the initial median value of 18.80 (3.55-80.01) μmol/L to 8.10 (2.85-14.97) μmol/L after 4months of treatment. There were no significant differences in cytokines from baseline to the end of treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results may not mean harm to the body, but an adaptive process, decreasing the metabolism of abstinents due to the reduction of the use of nicotine.

Changes of Nitric Oxide and Peroxynitrite Serum Levels during Drug Therapy in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Objectives. Some studies have shown that increased nitric oxide (NO) concentrations may be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In a few animal researches, enhanced synthesis of NO had reversed the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The present study tries to find the effect of treatment with SSRIs on NO serum levels and its product peroxynitrite. Patients and Methods. Patients diagnosed with OCD who are candidates of receiving SSRIs entered this study. Two blood samples were taken from subjects, prior to drug therapy and after the patients had shown some improvements due to their regimen. Serum NO and peroxynitrite levels were measured and their correlation with SSRI use was assessed. Results. 31 patients completed this study. Mean concentrations of NO and peroxynitrite prior to drug therapy were 28.63 ± 16.9 and 5.73 ± 2.5 μmol/L, respectively. These values were 18.87 ± 7.55 and 2.15 ± 0.94 μmol/L at the second blood test. With p values < 0.05, these differences were considered significant. Conclusion. Patients, who showed improvement of OCD symptoms after a mean duration of SSRI monotherapy of 3.531 ± 0.64 months, had lower values of NO and peroxynitrite in their sera compared to their levels prior to therapy. Such results can be helpful in finding a predictive factor of response to therapy and augmentation therapy with future drugs that target NO synthesis.