[Correlation between serum level magnesium and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] was one of prevalent problems in general population. It was the most common cause of abnormal liver function tests and may lead to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. The role of many factors has been known in NAFLD. In this study, we investigated the correlation of serum magnesium level and NAFLD after minimizing the role of major confounding factors. This was a cross-sectional study in the referral patients to the internal medicine clinic. We grouped study patients in two; patients with and without NAFLD. Then, serum level of magnesium was measured, and its relation was studied between both groups. Within patients enrolled into study, 55 had NAFLD, and 33 were without NAFLD. Both groups were matched for main confounding factors, including: gender, diabetes and metabolic syndrome [p>0.05]. Mean serum magnesium level was 2.26 +/- 0.35, 2.25 +/- 0.39 and 2.08 +/- 0.41 in patients without NAFLD, grade one and two NAFLD, respectively [p=0.06].However it was shown that with each unit increase in serum level of magnesium, risk of fatty liver disease would decrease 50 percent. [OR=0.516, CI=95%, 0.147-1.806]. In the current study, we evaluated the relation between serum magnesium level and NAFLD. We showed that patients with a lower serum level of magnesium have 50% more chance to get NAFLD, and it is correlated with higher degrees of fatty liver disease

Effects of stem cells and granulocyte colony stimulating factor in reperfusion injury

Bone marrow-derived stem cells have a potential capacity to differentiate and accelerate recovery in injured sites of body. Also, factors like granulocyte colony stimulating factor [GCSF] can promote their mobilization to the injured sites. We aimed to investigate the role of GCSF as an alternative therapeutic option instead of mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] in reperfusion injury. Twenty-nine rats with induced reperfusion injury were divided into 3 groups to receive MSC, GCSF, or nothing [control]. Kidney function was assessed by blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels. Histological grading was performed to evaluate the extent of tubular injury and the rate of recovery. All the rats reached recovery after 14 days. Rats in the MSC group reached early functional and histological recovery compared to the controls on the 7th day of the study [P = .01 and P = .02, respectively]. Compared to the control group, the GCSF group showed a more significant histological recovery on the 7th day [P = .04], but kidney function was ameliorated on the 14th day [P = .04]. Both the GCSF and control groups had a significant number of CD34+ cells, which were detected by flow cytometry on the 7th day after reperfusion injury. We found therapeutic effects following administration of both MSC and GCSF which was more evident with MSC in the setting of reperfusion injury. More investigation is required to find optimal time, dose, and route of administration as well as other possible contributing factors