Near-infrared heat lamp therapeutic effect on paraoxonase 1 and myeloperoxidase as potential biomarkers of redox state changes induced by γ-irradiation in albino rats

The influence of near-infrared therapy on arteriovenous fistula patency in haemodialysis patients: A multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD). AVF malfunction remains a major clinical problem and is a significant independent risk factor for death. Although far-infrared (FIR) therapy has been shown to reduce complications and improve the patency rate of AVFs in various studies, it has been cautiously recommended by the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines for AVF care due to insufficient evidence. Therefore, it is necessary to identify more effective methods for preventing AVF dysfunction. Many in vitro studies and few clinical studies have examined the effects of near-infrared (NIR) therapy on the vasculature. This study will examine the effects of NIR therapy on AVF.

METHODS

A randomised, controlled, open-label, multicentre trial will compare the effect of NIR on AVF patency after 1 year of therapy with that of a control group of patients with existing AVF. One group of patients received NIR treatment above their AVFs, whereas the control group received regular care. The primary outcome is the primary fistula patency rate within 12 months. In addition, acute changes in inflammatory, vasodilatory and haemodynamic parameters after a single treatment in the first 40 participants will be examined. This study was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2300071305) at https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/.

DISCUSSIONS

This study will explore the long-term and acute effects of NIR on AVFs. The study findings will provide information that can be used to develop new technical support for the prevention of AVF dysfunction in patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Ameliorative effect of kefir against γ-irradiation induced liver injury in male rats: impact on oxidative stress and inflammation

Ionizing radiation is a double-edged sword because of its benefits and risks to human health. Therefore, protecting human organs from harmful effects of radiation is an important concern of researchers. Kefir, as a good source of probiotics, received growing interest in protective medicine owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Thus, this study was planned to investigate the protective role of kefir against γ-radiation-induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty-two male rats were distributed in four groups: (I) control, (II) received Kefir orally (5 ml/kg body weight) for 28 days, (III) exposed to whole body γ-irradiation (6.5 Gy) to induce hepatotoxicity, and (IV) was pretreated with kefir for 21 days then exposed to γ-irradiation followed by 7 days of kefir treatment. At the end of the experiment, complete blood picture (CBC), liver function, and lipid profile were estimated. Furthermore, levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide content, and endogenous antioxidants, in addition to concentrations of copper, iron, and calcium were measured in liver tissue. Furthermore, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and relative gene expression of nuclear factor kappa (NF-κB) were assessed. The results revealed that oral administration of kefir significantly reduced the radiation-induced hepatic histological alterations, hepatic function impairment, and dyslipidemia. Moreover, kefir notably ameliorated the state of oxidative stress and appeared to inhibit the induced inflammation. This study provides a possible counteracting role of kefir against hepatotoxicity induced γ-radiation. This can focus the benefit of kefir application as a prophylactic treatment to limit hepatic inflammation during radiotherapy.