Vitamin C Enhances Phagocytosis of Necrotic Trophoblasts by Endothelial Cells and Protects the Phagocytosing Endothelial Cells from Activation

Novel risk prediction models for deep vein thrombosis after thoracotomy and thoracoscopic lung cancer resections, involving coagulation and immune function

The main focus of this study was to compare the predictive value of coagulation, fibrinolysis, thromboelastography, stress response, and immune function in predicting the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in lung cancer (LC) patients undergoing thoracoscopic LC resection vs thoracotomy LC resection. To do that, a prospective, single-center, case-control study involving 460 LC patients was conducted. The risk indicators affecting patients with DVT after LC resection in the testing cohort were determined using logistic regression and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses. One validation cohort was used to assess the risk prediction models. DVT incidence was higher in the thoracoscopic group (18.7%) than in the thoracotomy group (11.2%) in the testing cohort (χ ² = 4.116, P = 0.042). The final model to predict the incidence of DVT after thoracoscopic LC excision (1 day after surgery) was as follows: Logit(P) = 9.378 - 0.061(R-value) - 0.109(K value) + 0.374(α angle) + 0.403(MA) + 0.298(FIB) + 0.406(D-D) + 0.190(MDA) - 0.097(CD4⁺/CD8⁺). For thoracotomy LC resection, the final model (3 days after operation) was: Logit(P) = -2.463 - 0.026(R-value) - 0.143(K value) + 0.402(α angle) + 0.198(D-D) + 0.237(MDA) + 0.409(SOD). In the validation cohort, this risk prediction model continued to demonstrate good predictive performance. As a result, the predictive accuracy of postoperative DVT in patients who underwent thoracoscopic LC resection and thoracotomy LC resection was improved by risk prediction models.

Protective Effect of Vitamin C on Triptolide-induced Acute Hepatotoxicity in Mice through mitigation of oxidative stress

Triptolide, a purified diterpenoid from the herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f., was widely used to treat many diseases. However, the hepatotoxicity of triptolide limited its clinical use. Research showed oxidative stress played an important role in triptolide-induced liver injury. To investigate the effect of vitamin C, which was one of the most effective antioxidants, on triptolide-induced hepatotoxicity and its potential mechanism in mice. In the present study, acute liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of triptolide and vitamin C was orally administered. The results showed treatment with vitamin C prevented the triptolide-induced liver injury by reducing the levels of aspartate transaminase from 286.86 to 192.48 U/mL and alanine aminotransferase from 746.75 to 203.36 U/mL. Histopathological changes of liver corresponded to the same trend. Furthermore, vitamin C also protected the liver against triptolide-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting the generation of malondialdehyde (2.22 to 1.49 nmol/mgprot) and hydrogen peroxide (14.74 to 7.19 mmol/gprot) and restoring the level of total superoxide dismutase (24.32 to 42.55 U/mgprot) and glutathione (7.69 to 13.03 μg/mgprot). These results indicated that vitamin C could protect against triptolide-induced liver injury via reducing oxidative stress, and vitamin C may pose a significant health protection in the clinical use of triptolide.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 levels are altered in preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PROBLEM

Published reports testing the association between cytokine levels and preeclampsia are conflicting. This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at testing the association between preeclampsia and maternal circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10.

METHOD OF STUDY

A systematic literature search of studies reporting maternal circulating TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 in women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women was conducted yielding 41, 28, and 12 eligible reports, respectively.

RESULTS

Both mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia were associated with elevated TNF-α [mean difference (MD) = 7.34 pg/mL, 95% CI 5.02-9.66 and MD = 7.91 pg/mL, 95% CI 4.72-11.10, respectively] and IL-6 (MD = 61.01 pg/mL, 95% CI 14.24-107.77 and MD = 28.54 pg/mL, 95% CI 15.90-41.17, respectively) in the third trimester. Preeclampsia was also associated with elevated levels of IL-10 (MD = 5.54, 95% CI 0.69-10.38). The systematic review of studies reporting median data was in consensus with the parametric data.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis with accompanying summary of non-parametric data shows elevated maternal circulating TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels in preeclampsia.