Correlation between Amitriptyline-Induced Cardiotoxic Effects and Cardiac S100b Protein in Isolated Rat Hearts

Serum Copeptin in Cardiooncology Practice: Review of Pathophysiological and Clinical Implications

In cardiooncology practice, "early cardiotoxicity" refers to an emerging subclinical myocardial dysfunction/injury in response to certain chemotherapeutic regimens. This condition can progress to overt cardiotoxicity in time and hence warrants proper and timely diagnostic and preventive strategies. Current diagnostic strategies for "early cardiotoxicity" are largely based on conventional biomarkers and certain echocardiographic indices. However, a significant gap still exists in this setting, warranting further strategies to improve diagnosis and overall prognosis in cancer survivors. Copeptin (surrogate marker of the arginine vasopressine axis) might serve as a promising adjunctive guide for the timely detection, risk stratification, and management of early cardiotoxicity on top of conventional strategies largely due to its multifaceted pathophysiological implications in the clinical setting. This work aims to focus on serum copeptin as a marker of "early cardiotoxicity" and its general clinical implications in patients with cancer.

Parathyroidectomy May Cause Remission of Uraemic Tumoral Calcinosis in Haemodialysis Patients

Few cases of uraemic tumoral calcinosis (UTC) have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of parathyroidectomy for UTC. Historical clinical data of patients with end-stage renal disease and UTC who underwent parathyroidectomy were analysed. Absorption of metastatic calcification was compared before and after operation. Changes in intact parathyroid hormone, serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase levels were analysed before parathyroidectomy and at 1 week and 3, 6, and 12 months after parathyroidectomy. Eight patients met the enrolment criteria (men, 6; mean age, 38.6 SD 10.9 years). Uraemic tumoral calcinosis, which developed 2–8 years after dialysis began, was caused by secondary hyperparathyroidism. Massive calcium deposition was found in the shoulder (n = 6), hip (n = 3), and elbow (n = 2). Four patients had > 2 joints affected, and a single joint was involved for four patients. Seven patients had rapid remission (< 6 months) of the masses after parathyroidectomy. In one patient, the mass remained unabsorbed until 6 months postoperatively. Hypocalcaemia occurred in all patients where parathyroidectomy was successful, and calcium supplementation was required 1 year postoperatively. Serum intact parathyroid hormone levels on day 7 and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively decreased significantly from baseline and remained low 1 year postoperatively (22.015 SD33.134 pg/mL). Postoperative phosphorus levels were significantly lower than preoperative levels (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in alkaline phosphatase levels (p > 0.05). Parathyroidectomy has promising efficacy for UTC treatment and regulation of serum intact parathyroid hormone and phosphorus. Hypocalcaemia is a common complication after parathyroidectomy. Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR2000041311, date of registration: Dec. 23, 2020.

IGF-1 Protects Neurons in the Cortex and Subventricular Zone in a Periventricular Leucomalacia Model

BACKGROUND/AIM

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion affects early and mature neurons in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and cerebral cortex. Herein, we investigated the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a neurogenesis-promoting agent, on neurons in these regions in periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) model rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following right carotid artery ligation, the rats were placed in a hypoxia chamber and injected with recombinant IGF-1 (0.1 and 1 μg/μl). Their brain sections were immunohistochemically analysed using anti-nestin and anti-NeuN antibodies.

RESULTS

The numbers of early-neuronal cells in the SVZ and mature neurons in the cerebral cortex were higher and lower, respectively, in the PVL group than in the control group. The number of NeuN-positive cells was significantly higher in the IGF-treated group than in the PVL group.

CONCLUSION

PVL increased the number of early neuronal cells in the SVZ, reducing the survival of mature neurons in the cerebral cortex; IGF-1 reversed these effects.