[Effects of stem cell factor on activity of glutathione stransferase and recovery from acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice]

Objective: Acetaminophen [APAP] overdose causes acute liver injuries. Studies show that stem cell factor [SCF] and its receptor, c-Kit, enhance liver recovery from APAPinduced injuries in mice. In this study we explore the effect of SCF on activity of glutathione S-transferase [GSTs] enzymes which are considered to be important in APAP metabolism

Methods: We divided 45 Balb/c mice into three groups. Within each group there were three sub-groups of five mice per subgroup. The groups included: 1. APAP [300 mg/kg B.W., i.p.]; 2. SCF [40 microg/kg B.W., i.p.] given.30 minutes after APAP [300 mg/kg B.W., i.p.], and 3.control mice treated with normal saline. The mice were sacrificed at 1, 12 and 24 hours, respectively. Hepatotoxicity was evaluated in the 24 hour group by histopathology and assessment of biochemical serum markers [ALT and AST]. We assessed the levels of SCF receptor [c-Kit] protein and GST enzyme activities in the liver tissues

Results: Hepatotoxicity was induced by APAP [300 mg/kg, B.W] as evident by both histopathological observations and a significant [p<0.05] increase in serum ALT and AST levels, which were reversed by SCF administered post-APAP. SCF administration after APAP administration significantly increased GSTs enzyme activity levels by 24 hours, however it led to a significant decrease in c-Kit protein level compared to the control and APAP groups

Conclusion: Our data suggest that SCF binding to its receptor [c-Kit] on liver cells may attenuate APAP-induced liver injuries by increasing GST activities in the livers of mice

Cementless hip arthroplasty in southern iran, midterm outcome and comparison of two designs

Background: Cementless hip prosthesis was designed to provide biologic fixation, without the use of cement. The second generation components have shown more reliable bone ingrowths and survival rates. We are reporting a midterm result of two designs of cementless prosthesis in a unique culture with different social habits and expectations

Methods: 52 primary cementless total hip arthroplasty in 42 patients with the mean age of 48.8 years were retrospectively studied. Two groups of prosthesis had been implanted: Harris-Galante II [HGII] in 15 and Versys-Trilogy [V-T] in 37 hips, both from Zimmer company. The patients were assessed clinically, radiographically and with Harris hip score, SF36, WOMAC, and MACTAR questionnaires, with 65 months [26-136] mean follow-up

Results: All the V-T prostheses had survived well. Eight of HG II were revised by the last follow-up in 19-102 months. All had undergone acetabular revision and 2 combined with femoral revision. Broken tines of HGII cups were seen in 4 radiographs. The 65 months overall survival was 96.2% for femoral and 84.6% for acetabular components. 90% had good or excellent Harris hip scores. The functional scores were poorer in the HG II group. Pain relief and improved walking were the two main patients' expectations fulfilled in 97.6% and 92.8%, respectively

Conclusions: The outcome of cementless total hip arthroplasty [THA] is satisfactory and comparable with the literature based on the results of function and survival of this small comparative group. The use of HGII acetabular component should be abandoned

Evaluation of brain and cervical MRI abnormality rates in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with or without neurological manifestations

Central nervous system [CNS] involvement has been observed in 14-80% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]. Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] is an appropriate method for evaluating CNS involvement in these patients. Clinical manifestations and MRI findings of CNS lupus should be differentiated from other mimicking diseases such as multiple sclerosis [MS]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and extent of brain and cervical cord MRI lesions of lupus patients. The relationship between neurological signs and symptoms and MRI findings were evaluated as well. Fifty SLE patients who had been referred to the rheumatology clinic of our hospital within 2009 were included in a cross sectional study. All patients fulfilled the revised 1981 American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria for SLE. We evaluated the neurological signs and symptoms and brain and cervical MRI findings in these patients. Forty-one patients [82%] were female and nine [18%] were male. The mean age was 30.1 +/- 9.3 years. Twenty eight [56%] patients had an abnormal brain MRI. No one showed any abnormality in the cervical MRI. The lesions in 20 patients were similar to demyelinative plaques. Seventeen patients with abnormal brain MRI were neurologically asymptomatic. There was only a significant relationship between neurological motor manifestations and brain MRI abnormal findings. Unlike the brain, cervical MRI abnormality and especially asymptomatic cord involvement in MRI is quite rare in SLE patients. This finding may be helpful to differentiate SLE from other CNS disorders such as MS