Radioprotective Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil on Heart Tissues of Rats Exposed to Irradition

Abstract Background Various studies are ongoing related to the radioprotective agents. Herbal preparations are currently becoming popular because of their beneficial effects with fewer side effects compared to the synthetic/semi-synthetic medicines, and Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is only one of them. Objective To investigate NSO for its antioxidant effects on the heart tissue of rats exposed to ionizing radiation (IR). Methods Thirty six male albino Wistar rats, divided into four groups, were designated to group I (IR plus NSO group) that received both 5 Gray of gamma IR to total cranium and NSO; group II (IR alone group) that received IR plus saline, group III (control group of NSO) that received saline and did not receive NSO or IR; group IV (control group) that received only sham IR. Alterations in Total antioxidant status (TAS) and Total oxidant status (TOS), Oxidative stres index (OSI), Sulhydryl group (SH), Lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), Paraoxonase (PON) levels, Arylesterase (ARE) and Ceruloplasmin (CER) activities in homogenized heart tissue of rats were measured by biochemical methods. Results In heart tissue of the rats in the IR alone group (group II) LOOH, TOS and OSI levels were found to be higher, ARE activity and TAS level were found to be lower than all of the other groups (p < 0.01). These results also support that IR increases oxidative stress and NSO's protective effect. Conclusion NSO would reduce the oxidative damage in the irradiated heart tissue in the experimental rat model.

Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease: From Basic Concepts to Clinical Application

Abstract Although low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is central to the development and progression of atherosclerosis, the role of inflammation in the atherosclerotic process is becoming better understood and appreciated. Chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, HIV infection, and inflammatory bowel disease have all been shown to be associated with an increased blood levels of inflammatory biomarkers and increased risk of cardiovascular events. Evidence from observational studies suggests that anti-inflammatory therapy decreases this risk in these conditions. Clinical trials of anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with coronary disease have yielded mixed results. Drugs that have failed in recent trials include the P38 MAP kinase inhibitor losmapimod, the phospholipase A2 inhibitors darapladib and varespladib, and methotrexate. Canakinumab, an interleukin-1β inhibitor, reduced cardiovascular events in patients with coronary disease in the Canakinumab Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcome Study (CANTOS). Canakinumab increased the rate of fatal infections in CANTOS and is very expensive; it is thus unlikely to be widely used for risk reduction in cardiology. On the other hand, colchicine is a safe and inexpensive anti-inflammatory drug. In the Colchicine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial (COLCOT), where patients within 30 days of a myocardial infarction were randomized to low-dose colchicine or placebo and followed for a median of almost 2 years, colchicine treatment was associated with a 23% reduction (p=0.02) in cardiovascular events. Newer studies with anti-inflammatory drugs have the potential to improve outcomes of patients with atherosclerosis, just as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering drugs have done over the past two decades.

Impact of long-term treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators on lung function in a patient with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans / Impacto do tratamento de longo prazo com corticosteroides e broncodilatadores inalatórios na função pulmonar em um paciente com bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa

ABSTRACT Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a small airways disease characterized by fixed airflow limitation. Therefore, inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids are not recommended as maintenance therapy options. The management of PIBO currently consists only of close monitoring of affected patients, aimed at the prevention and early treatment of pulmonary infections. In recent years, there has been an increase in the incidence of PIBO in the pediatric population. Patients with PIBO are characterized by a progressive decline in lung function, accompanied by a decrease in overall functional capacity. Here, we report the case of a relatively young man diagnosed with PIBO and followed for three years. After short- and long-term therapy with an inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting 2 agonist combination, together with an inhaled long-acting antimuscarinic, the patient showed relevant improvement of airway obstruction that had been irreversible at the time of the bronchodilator test. The lung function of the patient worsened when he interrupted the triple inhaled therapy. In addition, a 3-week pulmonary rehabilitation program markedly improved his physical performance.

RESUMO A bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa (BOPI) é uma doença das pequenas vias aéreas caracterizada por limitação fixa do fluxo aéreo. Portanto, os broncodilatadores e os corticosteroides inalatórios não são recomendados como opções de terapia de manutenção. Atualmente, o manejo da BOPI consiste apenas de um acompanhamento rigoroso dos pacientes afetados, visando à prevenção e ao tratamento precoce de infecções pulmonares. A incidência de BOPI tem aumentado na população pediátrica nos últimos anos. Os pacientes com BOPI caracterizam-se por um declínio progressivo da função pulmonar, associado a uma diminuição da capacidade funcional global. Relatamos aqui o caso de um homem relativamente jovem diagnosticado com BOPI, acompanhado por três anos. Após terapia de curto e de longo prazo com uma combinação de corticosteroide/2-agonista de longa duração inalatórios, associada a um agente antimuscarínico de longa duração inalatório, o paciente apresentou uma melhora relevante da obstrução das vias aéreas, a qual fora irreversível durante o teste de broncodilatação. A função pulmonar do paciente piorou quando ele interrompeu a terapia inalatória tripla. Além disso, um programa de reabilitação pulmonar de três semanas significativamente melhorou seu desempenho físico.

Clinical comparison between brachytherapy of 0.5 ％ loteprednol etabonate eye drops and long-term therapy of 0.1％ fluorometholone eye drops after LASEK / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Conventional corticosteroid therapy after laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) is topical application of 0.1％ fluorometholone eye drops for 4 months,but this therapy increases the ocular hypertension risk and leads to poor compliance in patients.It is necessary to explore a safe and effective brachytherapeutic drug.Objective This study was to compare the clinical outcomes between the brachytherapy of 0.5％ loteprednol etabonate eye drops and the long-term therapy of 0.1％ fluorometholone eye drops after LASEK.Methods Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed from 208 right eyes in 208 mild and moderate myopia patients who received LASEK at Peking University Third Hospital from 2009 to 2013.The eye drops of 0.5％ loteprednol etabonate was used 6 times daily since operation day until postoperative day 5,and 4 times daily for a week,and then tapered for three consecutive weeks in 104 eyes of the loteprednol group after LASEK,and 0.1％ fluorometholone eye drops was applied topically 4 times daily for initial one month and then tapered for three consecutive months in another 104 eyes in the fluorometholone group after LASEK.Corneal epithelial healing time was compared between the two groups by recording the wearing duration of corneal contact lens.Noncontact intraocular pressure (lOP) was detected and corrected 5 days,2 weeks,1 month and 3,6 months after LASEK.Haze was scored based on the criteria of Cheng under the slit lamp microscope and apparently optometry was performed 1 month and 3,6 months after LASEK.Results The number of eyes removed corneal contact lens in 5,6 and 7 days after LASEK was not significantly different between the loteprednol group and the fluorometholone group (x2 =1.180,P =0.554).No considerable differences were seen in the eye numbers with the equivalent spherical lens (absolute value) ≤0.5 D in 1 month,3months and 6 months after LASEK (Z=-1.028,P=0.304;Z=-0.398,P=0.691;Z=-0.445,P=0.656).In the fifth days after surgery,the median corrected IOP was 13.52 mmHg and 13.12 mmHg in the loteprednol group and the fluorometholone group,respectively,showing a significant difference between them (Z =-1.985,P =0.047),but no significant differences were found in IOP in 2 weeks,1 month and 3 months,6 months after surgery between the two groups (all at P＞0.05).IOP elevated (postoperative IOP-preoperative IOP ≥ 5 mmHg) after LASEK in 5 eyes in the loteprednol group and 4 eyes in the fluorometholone group (x2 =0.116,P =0.733).In 1 month after surgery,the number of eyes in different grades of haze was significantly decreased in the loteprednol group compared with the fluorometholone group (x2=13.506,P=0.009),however,there was no significant differences in haze grading in postoperative 3 months and 6 months between the two groups (x2 =2.199,P =0.699;x2 =1.154,P =0.562).Conclusions Brachytherapy of 0.5％ loteprednol etabonate eye drops appears to have a similar effect in antiinflammation and inhibition of haze to the long-term therapy of 0.1％ fluorometholone eye drops after LASEK.Furthermore,topical application of 0.5％ loteprednol etabonate eye drops dose not increase the risk of ocular hypertension.