Effect of aspirin on spinal cord injury: an experimental study

Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug, peroxyl radical scavenger, and antioxidant agent that inhibits phospholipases, nitric oxide synthetases, and cyclooxygenase enzymes. The existing literature contains no studies on the effects of various doses of aspirin on spinal cord injury [SCI]. Therefore, we sought to investigate the putative effects of aspirin on experimental SCI. The weight-drop injury model was used to produce SCI in 100 albino Wistar rats. The animals were allocated to five groups: a control group, where the rats did not undergo any surgical or medical intervention except for anesthesia; a sham-treated group, where laminectomy was performed without SCI and no further therapy was administered; and three other groups, where the rats with SCI received low-dose aspirin [20 mg/kg], high-dose aspirin [80 mg/kg], and a vehicle, respectively. Half of the rats were sacrificed 24 hours later, and their spinal cords were excised for biochemical studies. The other rats were subjected to Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan [BBB] locomotor rating scale scoring once a week for 6 consecutive weeks. Aspirin decreased lipid peroxidation following SCI as the mean [ +/- standard error] catalase level was significantly higher in the high-dose aspirin group [46.10 +/- 12.01] than in the sham-treated group [16.07 +/- 2.42] and the vehicle-treated group [15.31 +/- 3.20] [P<0.05; P<0.05, respectively]. Both of the groups treated with high-dose and low-dose aspirin demonstrated a higher mean BBB score than did the control group [P<0.001] and the sham-treated group [P<0.001]. Our data provide evidence in support of the potential effects of aspirin in biochemical and neurobehavioral recovery after SCI

[Evaluation of Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin A Levels in Diabetic patients and association with Oral and Dental Manifestations]

Objectives: Oral and dental manifestations in diabetic patients can arise due to numerous factors, including elevated salivary secretory immunoglobulin A [s-IgA] levels. This study aimed to evaluate s-IgA concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] and to investigate the association between s-IgA levels and oral and dental manifestations of T2DM

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between October 2011 and September 2012 in Kerman, Iran, and included 260 subjects [128 patients with T2DM and 132 healthy controls]. Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from all subjects and s-IgA levels were determined using the immunoturbidimetric method. The oral cavities and teeth of T2DM patients were evaluated for oral and dental manifestations

Results: Both diabetic and control subjects with higher concentrations of s-IgA had significantly higher numbers of decayed, missing or filled teeth [DMFT] and periodontal index [PDI] scores [P <0.050]. s-IgA levels were significantly higher in subjects with oral candidiasis [P <0.050]. Among diabetic patients, significantly higher s-IgA levels were concomitant with xerostomia and denture stomatitis [P

Conclusion: Individuals with a greater number of DMFT, a higher PDI score and oral candidiasis had significantly higher s-IgA levels. s-IgA levels were not significantly higher among diabetic patients in comparison to the control group. However, significantly higher s-IgA levels occurred with xerostomia and denture stomatitis in diabetic patients. In addition, s-IgA was significantly higher in patients with uncontrolled diabetes compared to those with controlled diabetes

Relationship between serum cystatin C and polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] causes an increased risk of metabolic cardiovascular syndrome. Also, cystatin C serum levels are associated with the risk of cardiovascular events in metabolic syndrome patients

Objective: to investigate the relationship between cystatin C in PCOS patients

Materials and Methods: 35 women with PCOS were compared to 35 women with healthy matched age and body mass index. They all underwent tests to determine plasma levels of C-reactive protein [CRP], cystatin C, lipid profile and apo-lipoprotein. Blood pressure and demographic variables of each subject were obtained

Results: systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in PCOS patients compared to control group. Triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were higher in PCOS; contrariwise, high-density lipoprotein was lower from that of healthy volunteers. Cystatin and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with PCOS in comparison with healthy subjects [p<0.0001]. Among measured determinants, only PCOS status was independently associated with cystatin C

Conclusion: cystatin C was positively correlated with PCOS status concentrations but not with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, or any of the lipid profile variables or demographic characteristics. Indeed, no correlation was found between cystatin C and CRP levels. Therefore, cystatin C might be related to PCOS beyond its use as a marker of the renal function