Favipiravir Protects Enterocytes From Cell Death After Inflammatory Storm

Over the past years, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment has become more targeted, anticipating the use of immune-modifying therapies at an earlier stage. During the treatment process prevention and management of viral infections hold significant importance. The protective role of favipiravir on enterocytes which are affected by inflammation is still unknown. We aim to analyze the effects of favipiravir on enterocytes after an inflammatory condition. We conducted a 2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to assess the cytotoxicity of favipiravir on intestinal epithelioid cells (IEC-6). To mimic the inflammation model in cell culture conditions, we exposed IEC-6 cells to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The cells were categorized into four groups: control, inflammation model, application of favipiravir before inflammation (prophylactic), and application of favipiravir after inflammation (treatment). We assessed the presence and distribution of caspase 1, caspase 3, interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 8 (IL8), mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), and TNF-α using indirect immunoperoxidase staining. TNF-α and IL8 levels were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a culture medium. Caspase 1 was observed to be strong (+++) in the treatment group and weak (+) in the prophylactic group compared to the inflammation group. Caspase 3 was weak (+) in the inflammation group, and it was strong (+++) in the prophylactic and treatment group, the increase in the treatment group was significant. Therefore administering favipiravir before inducing inflammation appears to control the inflammatory caspase pathway in intestinal enterocytes, protecting them from inflammatory responses, while the caspase 3-dependent apoptotic pathway may not be active in enterocytes during inflammation. IL6 and IL8 were negative (-) in control, IL6 was weak (+) in inflammation and favipiravir treated groups; IL8 increased significantly in favipiravir groups compared to control and inflammation groups. Consequently, favipiravir may trigger IL6 release, initiating the inflammatory pathway and potentially enhancing IL8 interactions with other cytokines. TNF-α immunoreactivity was strong (+++) in the inflammation group, while it was moderate (++) in favipiravir-administered groups. MLKL immunoreactivity was strong (+++) in all groups, RIPK1 was weak (+) in control, strong (+++) in the inflammation and treatment group, moderate (++) in the prophylactic group, and the increase in inflammation and treatment group was significant compared to control. Our findings suggest that in the treatment group, necroptosis was triggered by increased MLKL and RIPK1, key players in inflammation and cell death. After immunocytochemical evaluation, our findings suggest that, after the onset of inflammation, favipiravir may play a role in cell death by increasing necroptosis rather than apoptosis.

The effects of an epidural infusion of ropivacaine versus saline on sensory block after spinal anesthesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Several investigators have described the effect of bolus injections on sensory block during combined spinal epidural anesthesia. This study investigates the effects of the immediate epidural infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine versus 0.9% saline on spinal anesthesia.

METHODS

Forty-four patients undergoing partial hip replacement were randomly assigned to 2 groups, receiving epidural infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine 10 mL/h (group R, n = 22) or 0.9% NaCl 10 mL/h (group S, n = 22), immediately after spinal anesthesia with 7.5 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Postoperative analgesia was provided in both groups using a ropivacaine patient-controlled epidural analgesia technique. Sensory block, motor block, postoperative pain scores, ropivacaine consumption, and patient satisfaction were recorded.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the 2 groups in the characteristics of the sensory block. The duration of motor block was prolonged in group R (312 +/- 95 minutes vs 198 +/- 78 minutes; P < .001). Postoperative pain scores and 24-hour ropivacaine consumption were similar among groups. Demand/delivery ratio was 1.6 in group R and 3.5 in group S (P = .048). A significantly higher number of patients in group R described their satisfaction as excellent (20 patients vs 6 patients; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Epidural infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% initiated immediately after spinal anesthesia prolonged the regression of motor block but not the regression of sensory block when compared with saline infusion.

Reversal of prilocaine epidural anesthesia using epidural saline or ringer's lactate washout

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Several investigators have described the phenomena of epidural saline washout using bolus injections. This study was designed to determine whether epidural block could be reversed more effectively by infusion of crystalloid solutions via the epidural catheter.

METHODS

One hundred male patients scheduled for outpatient surgery were enrolled in this study. After 30 min of 2% prilocaine epidural anesthesia, patients were randomly assigned to receive 45 mL of study solution as follows: (1) normal saline bolus (group NSB); (2) Ringer's lactate bolus (group RLB); (3) normal saline infusion (group NSI); (4) Ringer's lactate infusion (group RLI). Patients in the control group received no washout fluid. Motor, sensory blockade and side effects were compared among 5 groups. Ambulation time is defined as the recovery time.

RESULTS

In the control group, ambulation time (139 +/- 15 min) was significantly longer than in the washout groups (NSB 90 +/- 10, RLB 88 +/- 10, NSI 85 +/- 8, RLI 91 +/- 6 minutes) (P < .001). Two-segment sensory regression time in the control group (86 +/- 15 min) was significantly longer than in groups NSB, RLB, NSI and RLI (55 +/- 8, 51 +/- 4, 58 +/- 8, and 53 +/- 10 minutes, respectively) (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that a more rapid recovery of motor and sensory blockade in patients undergoing epidural anesthesia may be achieved by the use of an epidural washout with either bolus or infusion of 45 mL normal saline or Ringer's lactate.