Alleviation of ascorbic acid-induced gastric high acidity by calcium ascorbate in vitro and in vivo

Ascorbic acid is one of the most well-known nutritional supplement and antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables. Calcium ascorbate has been developed to mitigate the gastric irritation caused by the acidity of ascorbic acid. The aim of this study was to compare calcium ascorbate and ascorbic acid, focusing on their antioxidant activity and effects on gastric juice pH, total acid output, and pepsin secretion in an in vivo rat model, as well as pharmacokinetic parameters. Calcium ascorbate and ascorbic acid had similar antioxidant activity. However, the gastric fluid pH was increased by calcium ascorbate, whereas total acid output was increased by ascorbic acid. In the rat pylorus ligation-induced ulcer model, calcium ascorbate increased the gastric fluid pH without changing the total acid output. Administration of calcium ascorbate to rats given a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg as ascorbic acid resulted in higher plasma concentrations than that from ascorbic acid alone. The area under the curve (AUC) values of calcium ascorbate were 1.5-fold higher than those of ascorbic acid, and the C(max) value of calcium ascorbate (91.0 ng/ml) was higher than that of ascorbic acid (74.8 ng/ml). However, their T(max) values were similar. Thus, although calcium ascorbate showed equivalent antioxidant activity to ascorbic acid, it could attenuate the gastric high acidity caused by ascorbic acid, making it suitable for consideration of use to improve the side effects of ascorbic acid. Furthermore, calcium ascorbate could be an appropriate antioxidant substrate, with increased oral bioavailability, for patients with gastrointestinal disorders.

Muscular Injury of Iliacus and Gluteus Maximus after Mountain Climbing / 대한스포츠의학회지

Iliacus muscle is the strongest hip flexor of gluteal region that acts with psoas muscle, whereas gluteus maximus muscle is the largest muscle engaged in extension and external rotation of the hip. Mountaineering requires strong contractile force of both flexor and extensor around the hip. A 57-year-old man presented to our hospital with severe pain in left groin after mountaineering for 5 hours without a break. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed incomplete rupture of iliacus muscle and strain of gluteus maximus muscle. Conservative treatment was done. At 3 months of follow-up, he returned to normal life. If we are going to climb mountain, it is important to start warming up with some stretches, take a break while climbing, and use climbing sticks. There have been no report about athletic injury of both iliacus and gluteus maximus after mountaineering. So we report this case with a review of the literature.

Pseudogout of the Knee after Intraarticular Injection of Hyaluronic Acid / 대한정형외과학회잡지

An 82-year-old woman underwent surgery for the left intertrochanteric fracture. However, during hospitalization, she complained of pain on the right knee. Radiographs showed moderately degenerative arthritis and intrameniscal calcification. Hyaluronic acid was administered by intraarticular injection. After injection, arthritic symptoms improved. Five days after injection, she complained of severe pain, swelling, and heating sensation in the right knee with chills and fever. Blood test showed elevated white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein. WBC in synovial fluid increased to 47,250/mm3. Antimicrobial therapy was administered under the impression of acute pyogenic arthritis by adverse reaction of hyaluronic acid injection. Polarization microscope showed calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals. Synovial fluid culture was negative. Finally, she was diagnosed as pseudogout. The symptoms improved within one week. To our knowledge, there has been no report of pseudogout following intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid in Korea. Therefore, we report this case with a review of the literature.

Analysis of Treatment Results of Unstable Distal Clavicle Fractures Using Hook Plate / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the treatment results and complications in unstable distal clavicle fractures which were treated with a Hook plate, and, in particular, to compare the functional results before and after removal of the Hook plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 20 cases in 20 patients who underwent removal of Hook plates after bony union was obtained in an unstable fracture of the distal clavicle (Neer type II) from March 2009 to December 2012. The average follow-up period after initial surgery was 12 months (8-20 months). Plates were removed at 18 weeks (ranged from 10-36 weeks) after initial fixation. University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Korean Shoulder Scoring System (KSS) scores were used for clinical functional evaluation, and plain radiographs were used for radiological evaluation. RESULTS: In radiological evaluation, bony union was obtained at an average of 11.4 weeks (ranged from 8-14 weeks) in all of the 20 patients. All of the 20 patients showed limited range of motion, mild pain, and discomfort of the shoulder before removal of the Hook plate, and all of the 20 patients showed better results in UCLA and KSS score after removal of the plate, when compared to before removal. Stress fracture as a major complication, was united completely with a 'figure of 8' bandage and deep wound infection was resolved after repeated debridement and antibiotic treatment with satisfactory functional results. CONCLUSION: Hook plate in treatment of unstable fracture of the distal clavicle is considered to be a useful method because rigid fixation can be obtained. However, there are some complications, such as limited range of motion, pain, and discomfort of the shoulder joint, before removal of the Hook plate. Therefore, we think that removal of the Hook plate as soon as possible if bony union is obtained would be desirable.