The ratio of the blood urea nitrogen/creatinine index in patients with acute renal failure is decreased due to dextran or mannitol

High-fat western diet-consumption alters crystalline silica-induced serum adipokines, inflammatory cytokines and arterial blood flow in the F344 rat

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Silica reduced serum leptin and adiponectin, no effects on body or fat pad weight.

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HFWD-consumption altered pro-inflammatory cytokines in silica-exposed animals.

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Silica altered pulse frequency; HFWD increased mean blood flow; effects additive.

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HFWD affected silica-induced metabolic effects.

Adipose tissue (AT) plays a central role in the maintenance of whole-body energy homeostasis through release of adipokines. High-fat Western diet (HFWD)-consumption contributes to obesity, disruption of adipocyte metabolism, chronic systemic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction (MetDys). MetDys is associated with impaired lung function, pulmonary hypertension, and asthma. Thirty-five percent of adults in the U.S. have MetDys, yet the impact of MetDys on susceptibility to occupational hazards is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of HFWD-consumption to alter inhaled crystalline silica dust-induced metabolic responses. Six-wk old male F344 rats were fed a HFWD (45 kcal % fat, sucrose 22.2 % by weight) or standard rat chow (STD, controls), and exposed to silica-inhalation (6 h/d, 5 d/wk, 39 d; Min-U-Sil 5®, 15 mg/m³) or filtered air. Indices of MetDys and systemic inflammation were measured at 0, 4, and 8 wk following cessation of silica exposure. At 8 wk post-exposure, silica reduced serum leptin and adiponectin levels, and increased arterial pulse frequency. HFWD-consumption induced weight gain, altered adipokines, liver, kidney, and pancreatic function, and increased tail artery blood flow. At 8 wk in HFWD + SIL-treated animals, the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, CXCL-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13) were increased compared to STD + SIL but were less than HFWD + AIR-induced levels. In conclusion, consumption of a HFWD altered silica-induced metabolic responses and silica exposure disrupted AT endocrine function. These findings demonstrate previously unknown interactions between HFWD-consumption and occupational silica exposure.

Dextran deposition in reticuloendothelial organs in hemodialysis patients: A forgotten adverse effect of low-molecular weight dextran

We present two autopsy cases of refractory ascites/hydrothorax associated with systemic deposition of low-molecular weight dextran that had been used in hemodialysis over an extended period. The most striking autopsy findings in both cases were dense accumulation of dextran-laden macrophages in sinusoids of reticuloendothelial organs. These accumulated macrophages seemed to have disturbed blood and lymph flow. Based on these findings, we concluded that the persistent ascites and hydrothorax were attributable to systemic deposition of dextran, especially the accumulation of dextran-laden macrophages in the reticuloendothelial organs. We suggest that dextran solution should immediately be designated as contraindicated for hemodialysis patients.

Selenium supplementation restores the decreased albumin level of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Previously, it has been suggested that the phenotypic level of albumin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) decreased in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Concomitantly, the production of oxidative stresses was also elevated in the diabetic PBMC compared to that of normal control. These results suggest the close relationship between PBMC-albumin and its antioxidant roles. Here, we expanded the previous studies and investigated the effect of selenium supplementation as inorganic (sodium selenate) forms on the levels of albumin expression and oxidative stress in PBMC of STZ-induced diabetic mice. Selenium intake recovered the decreased albumin levels to those of normal mice and reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results support that selenium intake may alleviate the etiology and pathology of PBMC in type 1 diabetic mice by restoring the decrease in albumin contents and the production of ROS.

Decreased level of albumin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We investigated the phenotypic level of albumin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. A specific reduction of albumin was identified by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Decreased albumin content was also confirmed by immunoblotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Since albumin is a major and predominant antioxidant in plasma, the PBMC albumin may also contribute to their antioxidant activity. By measuring the amount of H₂O₂, lipid peroxidation and the redox form of glutathione, it was found that the production of the oxidative stress was elevated in STZ-diabetic rats compared to that of normal control. We suggest, therefore, that decreased albumin content may lead to the decreased antioxidant activity in the PBMC of type 1 diabetic rats.

Toxicological effects of cationic nanobubbles on the liver and kidneys: biomarkers for predicting the risk

Nanobubbles with acoustical activity are used as both diagnostic and therapeutic carriers for detecting and treating diseases. We aimed to prepare nanobubbles and assess toxic responses to them in the liver and kidneys. The cytotoxicity of nanobubbles was determined by examining the viability of liver (HepG2) and kidney (293T) cell lines after a 24-h treatment at various concentrations (0.01-2%). Toxic effects of different formulations were compared by determining functional markers such as γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) after intravenous administration of nanobubbles. Cationic nanobubbles caused concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against cultured cells with a more significant effect in the liver than in the kidneys. A significant reduction of viability was revealed at a concentration as low as 0.1%. Cational systems with soyaethyl morpholinium ethosulfate (SME) exhibited the greatest γ-GT level at 6-fold higher than the control. Immunohistochemistry detected liver fibrosis and inflammation with nanobubbles treatment, especially SME-containing ones at higher doses. According to plasma proteomic profiles, gelsolin and fetuin-B were significantly downregulated 3-fold in the high-dose SME-treated group. Transthyretin decreased by 6-fold in this group. The fibrinogen gamma chain expression was highly elevated. The results suggest that these protein biomarkers are sensitive for assessing the risk of nanobubble exposure. This study is the first to systematically evaluate the possible toxicity of nanobubbles in the liver and kidneys.