Split Cord Malformation Combined with Tethered Cord Syndrome in an Adult

Split cord malformations (SCMs) usually present in childhood, and are rarely reported in adults. And also, a cervicothoracic SCM associated with tethered cord syndrome has very rarely been reported in the literature. We report a case of SCM associated with tethered cord and spina bifida in an adult. This report describes the case of a 34-year-old woman who presented for evaluation of neck pain, back pain, and intermittent paraparesis of several months duration. The MRI and CT showed a SCM at the cervicothoracic level and a fibrous septum at the thoracic level. She underwent surgery for the SCM and tethered cord syndrome, and was followed for 7 years. Patient presented complete recovery in the follow-up. The authors discuss this unusual lesion and describe the anatomical relationship of the level of cord duplication and fibrous septum.

Effect of Lutein on L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats

We investigated the antihypertensive effect of lutein on NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. Daily oral administration of L-NAME (40 mg/kg)-induced a rapid progressive increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP). L-NAME significantly increased MAP from the first week compared to that in the control and reached 193.3+/-9.6 mmHg at the end of treatment. MAP in the lutein groups was dose-dependently lower than that in the L-NAME group. Similar results were observed for systolic and diastolic blood pressure of L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. The control group showed little change in heart rate for 3 weeks, whereas L-NAME significantly reduced heart rate from 434+/-26 to 376+/-33 beats/min. Lutein (2 mg/kg) significantly prevented the reduced heart rate induced by L-NAME. L-NAME caused hypertrophy of heart and kidney, and increased plasma lipid peroxidation four-fold but significantly reduced plasma nitrite and glutathione concentrations, which were significantly prevented by lutein in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that lutein affords significant antihypertensive and antioxidant effects against L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats.