Assessment of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity in the cavernous tissues of sildenafil citrate-treated rats / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To assess heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity in the cavernous tissue of sildenafil citrate-treated rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and ninety-two Sprague-Dawley male rats, divided into four equal groups, were investigated. Group 1, the control group, received regular animal chow; group 2 received sildenafil citrate by intragastric tube; group 3 received sildenafil and HO inhibitor (zinc protoporphyrin, ZnPP); and group 4 received sildenafil and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Twelve rats from each group were killed after 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h of drug administration. Then HO-1 activity, cGMP levels and NOS enzymatic activity in the cavernous tissues were estimated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In cavernous tissue, HO-1 activity, NOS enzymatic activity and cGMP concentration increased significantly in sildenafil-treated rats compared to other groups throughout the experiment. Rats receiving either HO or NOS inhibitors showed a significant decrease in these parameters. HO-1 cavernous tissue activity and NOS enzymatic activity demonstrated a positive significant correlation with cGMP levels (r = 0.646, r = 0.612 respectively; P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The actions of PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil citrate in the cavernous tissue are partly mediated through the interdependent relationship between both HO-1 and NOS activities.</p>

Effects of some recent intramuscular analgesics on labour pain and maternal and fetal blood gases and pH

This study attempted to determine the analgesic properties of pentazocine hydrochloride, nalbuphine hydrochloride, butarphanol tartarate and tramadol hydrochloride given during labor and their potential effects on maternal and fetal blood gases and pH. Tramadol and butarphanol analgesics were superior to either nalbuphine or pentazocine in relieving labor pain. The studied analgesics caused maternal respiratory acidosis and fetal metabolic acidosis and these acidetic changes were marked with pentazocine, moderate with nalbuphine and minimal with butarphanol and tramadol analgesia

TNF-alpha and homocysteine levels in type 1 diabetes mellitus

The role of homocysteine as an independent risk factor for vascular endothelial damage, and the possible link between homocysteine and tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] as two synergistic risk factors for beta-cell apoptosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus was studied. Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly elevated in all diabetic patients compared with controls and diabetic patients with vascular complications showed higher elevations. Furthermore, homocysteine levels showed significant positive correlation with the degree of microalbuminuria. TNF-alpha levels were elevated in all diabetic patients compared with controls. These results may have therapeutic implications

Effect of interferon therapy on fatty acid saturation index in hepatitis C virus infection

The ratio of stearic to oleic acids, i.e. the fatty acid saturation index, in red blood cell membranes was assayed in 60 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection before and after interferon-alpha therapy. Results were compared with 20 healthy controls. Hepatitis C virus titre was also assayed before and after interferon-alpha therapy. Within 2-5 months following interferon-alpha therapy, a significant inverse correlation was observed between saturation index and hepatitis C virus load. We conclude that hepatitis C virus infection enhances the degree of desaturation of 18-carbon fatty acids and that interferon-alpha is involved in their metabolism by increasing the degree of saturation and subsequent decrease in membrane fluidity

Comparision between Toxoplasma gondii DNA and specific immunoglobulins during pregnancy

Early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women can be of great help in early intervention and prevention of congenital disorders that usually lead to fetal death. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate nested PCR amplification of the B1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii before and after treatment and in comparison to serological follow-up during treatment. The efficiency of treatment on the bases of PCR detection of T. gondii DNA was statistically significant, while it was insignificant when anti-toxoplasma specific IgM and IgG antibodies were used. PCR detection of T. gondii DNA when performed on whole blood is a rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic procedure and is a valuable tool for establishing the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in women before or during pregnancy

CSF and plasma amino acid levels in epilepsy and effects of antiepileptics on those levels

The CSF and plasma amino acid profile and the interplay between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids was studied in fifty-four Egyptian epileptic patients before and six months after initiation of drug therapy. Patients were classified into three groups according to the type of seizure [petit mal group n = 22, myoclonic group n = 9 and tonic-clonic group n = 23 patients]. The first two groups of patients were treated with sodium valproate, while the third group received carbamazepine. A significantly low mean gamma amino butyric acid [GABA] level was especially relevant to the petit mal group, while a significantly low mean glycine and taurine levels were especially relevant to the tonic-clonic group. On the other hand, a significantly higher aspartic acid level was especially relevant to the myoclonic group. Following treatment and seizure control, there was a significant increase in the inhibitory amino acid glycine and GABA and decrease in excitatory amino acid glutamic acid in the different epileptic groups whatever the drug used. Taurine was significantly increased in the tonic-clonic group and significantly decreased in the myoclonic group following seizure control. Also, a significant decrease in sulfur containing amino acids, branched chain amino acids together with histidine and arginine mean levels were found following drug therapy in the different groups. There is a disturbed balance between excitatory/inhibitory acid systems in epileptic patients. Different epileptic groups manifest with a special amino acid profile which may be of value in distinguishing between the three studied types of epilepsy. The mechanism of action of antiepileptic drugs aimed at regaining the balance between inhibitory/excitatory amino acids and impose a final common pathway in seizure control. The amino acid taurine is rather considered a neuromodulator than an inhibitory neurotransmitter

Effect of complete left bundle branch block on electrocardiographic diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

To test the reliability of various electrocardiographic criteria for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction [AMI] in the presence of complete left bundle branch block [LBBB], we evaluated the sensitivity, specificity and predictive accuracy of each criterion in 24 patients with AMI and 10 patients with acute anginal chest pain but without AMI as controls. Acute MI diagnosis was based on elevation of creatine kinase [CK] enzyme by more than two-fold of the base-line value. Primary T-wave change was the most sensitive criterion, but non-specific. The following criteria were highly specific, though less sensitive for AMI: [1] Primary ST change [2] Q-wave in [I, AVI, V[5] and V[6]], [2] Terminal S-wave in [V[5], V[6]] and [4] champman's sign

Minimal residual disease following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia

Fifteen patients with chronic myeloid leukemia [CML] were treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation [BMT] from an identical sibling in the period between February 1989 and October 1994 with a follow up period of 3-64 months. One patient was grafted in accelerated phase and died 6 months later. The other 14 patients are alive and well. All patients were Philadelphia chromosome positive pre- transplant by conventional karyotyping. Samples were obtained before BMT [whenever available] and post BMT at different intervals. A total of 41 samples were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT/PCR]. It was concluded that the results of the post BMT PCR assays for CML patients are in general agreement with the literature. This work emphasize the importance of giving DMCT in cases with a first round PCR assay or with 2nd round if there is any other evidence of possible impending relapse. The apparently high incidence of double splice b3a2/b2a2 in the cases needs further studies

Non-invasive assessment of pulmonary artery pressure in patients with isolated ventricular septal defect

Quantification of pulmonary artery pressure in patients with ventricular septal defect [VSD] is essential in clinical or surgical management. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure [SPAP] was estimated by 3 methods: Estimation of the pressure drop [DP] across VSD using continuous wave Doppler [CWD] guided by color flow mapping [CFM], pulmonary flow velocity curve, right ventricular isovolumic relaxation time [RVIT] using phonocardiography and tricuspid diastolic flow, then predicted SPAP is derived from Burstin's monogram. 35 patients aged 2-24 years [mean +/- SD 8.3 +/- 5.2] with VSD were studied by 2D echo-CWD/CFM within 72 hours of cardiac catheterization [CC]. The use of RVIT proved to be the best method to predict SPAP in the absence of severe TR. The other methods are effective when tricuspid regurgitation is severe

Echocardiographic study of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with chronic right ventricular enlargements

To determine whether abnormalities in left ventricular geometry due to right ventricular enlargement result in abnormalities in left ventricular diastolic filling pattern, the pulsed Doppler transmitral recording was obtained from 13 patients with right ventricular dilatation and right ventricular systolic pressure estimated to be <40 mmHg [group I], 22 patients with right ventricular dilatation and right ventricular systolic pressure >/40 mmHg [group II] and 8 normal subjects served as control group. Results were discussed in detail

Correlation between procollagen IIIP and microalbuminuria in diabetic patients with limited articular mobility syndrome before and after control of the diabetic state

This work studied the relationship between procollagen III peptide and micro-albuminuria in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with limited articular mobility syndrome before and after treatment. 52 patients [12 normal control] were selected; group I: 20 IDDM with hand stiffness [limited articular mobility syndrome] and group II: 20 IDDM without hand stiffness. All cases were subjected to complete history and clinical examination to exclude previous or presence of diseases and drug that may affect glucose tolerance. The results demonstrated that serum PIIIp level is raised in all diabetic patients with limited articular mobility syndrome [group I] than in nondiabetic. It was found that the role of urinary albumin excretion in both diabetic groups are significantly correlated with the duration of diabetes and it is related to poor metabolic control. From correlation study, there is a significant positive correlation between fasting blood sugar and both PIIIp and micro-albuminuria in diabetic patient [P <0.055]. There is no significant correlation between PIIIp and both micro-albuminuria and morning stiffness [p <0.05] in diabetic group

Functional evaluation of bronchiectasis patients

Twenty bronchiectasis patients compared with 10 normal persons were studied to achieve the subjective of this work. Both groups were comparable as regards age and sex. Bronchiectasis patients showed defects in the ventilatory functions with prominent obstructive element defect compared with normal persons as well as hypoxia with increased arteriovenous shunts. These defects are related to the extent of the disease as they depend on the number of bronchopulmonary segments affected

Fibronectin, procollagen III peptide, lipids and apolipoproteins in coronary artery disease

Collagen is an important major component of the blood vessel wall and is needed for the maintenance of the structural integrity of this tissue. Also, collagen forms a structural network for the attachment and alignment of heart muscle cells. The soluble plasma fibronectins are large adhesive glycoproteins with a variety of functions including roles in opsonization, cell adhesion, cell motility, tissue repair, coagulation and most important of all, maintenance of the integrity of the vascular endothelial lining. It is well established that hypercholesterolemia and/or increased low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol are major risk factors for coronary artery disease. Recently, it is reported that measuring the concentration of apolipoproteins is a superior index of coronary artery disease than does quantitating the amount of cholesterol carried on the lipoproteins. The aim of this work was to determine the feasibility of employing the levels of plasma fibronectins, serum procollagen III peptide, serum lipid and apolipoproteins in patients with CAD as a marker of atherosclerosis. The results in comparison with control group showed that values of serum PIIIP were higher in CAD patients. While, plasma fibronectin level showed significant increase in patients with CAD. Serum triglycerides levels were significantly higher in CAD patients, and serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels showed significant increase in patients with CAD. Serum HDL cholesterol and serum lipoprotein A levels were low in CAD patients. The mean value of serum apolipoprotein B was significantly higher in patients with CAD

Anabolic effect of lithium in rat brain as a side effect of a part of its psychotropic action

Administration of lithium to normal rats at two dose levels showed a significant decrease in brain contents of GABA tryptophane, tyrosine and histidine. On the other hand brain contents of glutamine and asparagine showed a significant increase, accompanied by a decrease in their precursors aspartic and glutamic acids, respectively. This observed anabolic effect of lithium in brain by increasing its glutamine and asparagine contents could give a substantial evidence for its psychotropic action in brain. The significant decrease in brain contents of tryptophane, tyrosine and histidine without an increase in brain dopamine and histamine supports our statement that lithium plays an anabolic role in brain

Changes in the levels of some proteins in tears contact lens wearers

This study included 53 subjects; 18 controls not wearing contact lenses, 15 non-complicated daily soft lens wearers and 20 complicated daily lens wearers. The tear contents of some proteins were quantitated by immunodiffusion plates. A significant increase in IgA and IgG levels was found in the complicated wearer group compared with the control cases and the non-complicated group. Albumin levels were not statistically different between the three groups. Ceruloplasmin was significantly higher in the control group compared with the non- complicated group. However, no significant difference was found between the complicated and control groups. The difference was highly significant between the complicated and non-complicated groups. There was no significant correlation between IgG and IgA in all the three groups and a insignificant correlation between IgG, albumin and ceruloplasmin was found in the complicated cases

Salivary caffeine as indicator for liver function

This study was carried on 15 patients and 6 normal controls matched as regard weight, age and sex., eight patients proved to be post hepatitis liver cirrhosis [4 males and 4 females] and seven patients was proved to be hepatic bilharzial fibrosis [4 females and 3 males]. After withdrawal of fasting blood samples for liver function, caffeine was given [3.5 mg/kg body weight] orally. Then, blood and salivary samples were taken 2h. and 4 hours for estimation of caffeine. The mean 2h salivary caffeine of bilharzial group was significantly higher than that of the control group but other serum and salivary caffeine levels showed insignificant changes. This can be explained by the opend porto-systemic collaterals which facilitate the absorbed caffeine to by-passes the liver

Clinical significance of esophageal groove-vasopressin induced-closure: 1-A new concept in the treatment of non specific diarrhoea in adult buffaloes

The effect of lysine-vasopressin on oesophageal groove closure was studied in adult buffaloes. Sixteen animals were allocated to 4 groups. Each group was tested for the effect of the dose rate 0.01, 0.03, 0.2 or 0.5 I.U/Kg IBW respectively. Both efficiency and period of closure were determined by indirect methods. Efficient and prolonged closure was achieved by the dose 0.5 I.U/Kg, a reliable effect by 0.2 I.U/Kg, while 0.03 was the least effective. Furthermore, 23 adult buffaloes suffered from non specific diarrhoea, were treated symptomatically with ADD-charcoal mixture given as a drench once daily for 3 successive days. Eight animals received the mixture alone, 10 animals received the mixture after premedication with lysine-vasopressin at the dose rate of 0.2 I.U/Kg IBW. The other animals remained without treatment as control. Animals premedicated with lysine-vasopressin showed rapid and high recovery with clinical improvement in feacal character, bodily condition, P.C.V.% and total proteins. The other animals showed no perceivable improvement

Bile acid and cholinesterase activity as an early liver function tests for detection of organic solvent hepatotoxicity

Forty-six workers exposed to different types of organic solvents and fourteen workers far from exposure were included in this study. The exposed workers were classified into 3 groups according to the nature of the work and the type of solvent; group A [acetone, n-hexane-exposed workers], group B [toluene, xylene-exposed workers] and group C [trichloroethylene, isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol exposed workers]. Routine liver function tests appear normal. Serum bile acid and serum cholinesteracse were estimated in all workers. The results showed a significant increase in serum bile acid in all exposed groups compared with the non-exposed group. Serum cholinesterase activity was significantly lower in the exposed groups than the non-exposed group. From these results we can conclude that, serum bile acid and serum cholinesterase represent an early and sensitive tests for detection of organic solvent hepatotoxicity

Plasma cortisol, T3, T4 and immunoglobulins in allergic rhinitis

This work was performed in an attempt to evaluate the thyroid and adrenal cortex functions in nasal allergy, with assessment of humoral immune status. The study comprised two groups: the control group included 17 subjects and the allergic group included 20 patients of both sexes. A diural variation is detected in both T[3] levels, and T[3]/T[4] ratio controls. The diurnal is also present in allergic patients T[4] level and T[3]/T[4] ratio but not in T[3] level. The T[3] afternoon level is significantly higher in allergic patient, than thatof control group. Such finding could explain the worsening of allergic rhinitis by night and early morning. The T[4] levels are, however, non significantly different from those of the control group, both in the morning and the evening samples. The T[3]/T[4] ratio is significantly higher in allergic patients than in controls, both in the morning and evening. These findings denote that allergic rhinitis patients could be considered on the hyperthyroid side, which may be a factor in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. Cortisol diurnal variation known to occur in normals is detected in both control and is preserved also, in allergic patients who show cortisol levels in the morning samples not significantly different from corresponding level in controls. However, the evening samples is significantly higher, which could be attributed to the state of stress and nervousness met with in the evening. The immunoglobulin changes in allergic rhinitis are variable. IgG and IgA mean levels show insignificant increase, while IgM and IgE mean levels show significant increase compared to controls