The liver injury following ischemia and reperfusion is worse in experimental knockout heterozygote mouse model for expression of connexin 43

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate that Connexin (Cx43) plays a role in lesions after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. Methods: We use Cx43 deficient model (heterozygotes mice) and compared to a wild group. The groups underwent 1 hour ischemia and 24 hours reperfusion. The heterozygote genotype was confirmed by PCR. We analyzed the hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT) and histology. Results: The mice with Cx43 deficiency showed an ALT mean value of 4166 vs. 307 in the control group (p<0.001); AST mean value of 7231 vs. 471 in the control group (p<0.001); GGT mean value of 9.4 vs. 1.7 in the control group (p=0.001); histology showed necrosis and inflammation in the knockout group. Conclusions: This research demonstrated that the deficiency of Cx43 worses the prognosis for liver injury. The topic is a promising target for therapeutics advancements in liver diseases and procedures.

Doença de Behçet / Behçet's disease

A síndrome de Behçet é uma desordem multissistêmica inflamatória crônica caracterizada por uma vasculitede vasos de grande (artéria pulmonar), médio (artérias cerebrais, veias superficiais) e pequeno calibre. Possui distribuição geográfica heterogênea, não sendo rara nos países do Mediterrâneo e no Japão, contrapondo-se à ínfima prevalência no norte da Europa e nas Américas. Não tem predileção por sexo, sendo a idade médio de início em torno de 20 a 35 anos; não se conhece a taxa de incidência anual. A etiologia e a patogenia continuam obscuras. Contudo, estão envolvidos fenômenos imunológicos, demonstrados pela presença de anticorpos contra células endoteliais a e mucosa oral. Dentre os possíveis fatores etiológicos ambientais, cita-se o Streptococcus sanguis, HSV-1, proteína de choque térmico bacteriana de 65kd. Parece haver ainda um componente genético, pois em certas populações há marcante relação entre o HLA-B51 e a doença. Possui características histopatológicas de vasculite, sem especificidade, sendo diagnosticada clínicamente, de acordo com os critérios elaborados pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos para Síndrome de Behçet. Cursa com manifestações mucocutâneas, com típicas exacerbações e recorrências, além de acometimento do SNC, TGI, musculoesquelético e, sobretudo, ocular. Sintomas inespecíficos, como cansaço, perda de peso e febre baixa, também estão presentes. Devem ser considerados no diagnóstico diferencial: doença de Crohn, Stevens-Johnson, Reiter, pênfigos, líquen plano, mielodisplasias e Aids. No que concerne ao tratamento observam-se dúvidas e desafios, seja pelo curso irregular, ora benigno, ora grave, seja pela polissintomatologia, que requer tratamentos distintos, ou pelo fato de que os muitos esquemas terapêuticos utilizados carecem de indicações precisas; pode-se lançar mão de corticoides tópicos e sistêmicos, imunossupressores, talidomida, metotrexato, colchicina, dentre outros.

Behçet’s disease is a chronic multissistemic inflammatory disorder, characterized by a vasculitides of large (pulmonary artery), medium (cerebral arteries, superficial veins) and small-calibre vases. It has a heterogeneous geographic distribution, not being occasional in Mediterranean countries and in Japan, which is the opposite of the undermost prevalence in North Europe and in the Americas. The illness doesn’t present a sex predilection, and the medium starting age is about 20 to 35 years old, the annual incidence rate is not known. The etiology and pathogeny are still obscure; however, immunologic phenomenons are involved, being demonstrated by the presence of antibodies against endothelial cells and oral mucosa; among the possible etiologic factors, can be mentioned the Streptococcus sanguis, HSV-1 and thermic shock bacterial protein of 65kd. The existence of a genetic component is probable, because there is a marking connection in some populations with HLA-B51 and the disease. Is owns histopathologic characteristics of vasculitides without specification, being clinical diagnose according to the criterions developed by International Studying Group for Behçet’s Disease. The syndrome course presents mucocutaneous manifestation, with typical exacerbations and recurrences, beyond central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal and above all, ocular compromising. Inespecific symptoms, as tiredness, weight loss and small fever are also present. Must be considered in the differential diagnose: Crohn disease, Stevens-Johnson, Reiter, pemphigus, plane lichen, mielodisplasias and Aids. Concerning the treatment, doubts and challenges are observed, considering the irregular course of the disease, sometimes benign, and sometimes grave; besides the multiple symptoms, which request distinct treatments, or for the fact that the multiple therapeutic schemes used lacks exact indications, being mostly based in personal self opinions and experiences...