Preparation of 99mTc-carnosine and 99mTcO-[V]-DMSA complexes, biological distribution, and estimation of their gene anti- polymorphisms induced by gamma-irradiation

Two chelating agents [Carnosine and DMSA] were used to study their labeling conditions with technetium-99m followed by biological distribution investigation. Molecular studies were done via PCR/RFLP analysis of angiotensin II subtype II receptor gene for monitoring their antioxidant activity through free iron chelation leading to inhibition of Fenton reaction. Carnosine was labeled by mixing 4 mg with 30 mg glucose and 25 micro g SnCl2.2H2O, followed by pertechnetate and stand at room temperature for 60 minutes. Minor modification was done to prepare 99mTc[V]-DMSA tracer in one step, by adding pertechnetate solution to the lyophilized kit contains 1mg DMSA, 0.1 mg SnCl2.2H2O, and 30 mg glucose at pH 9. The biodistribution of the two tracers in normal and tumor-induced mice. The molecular investigation of the anti-oxidant activity of both carnosine and DMSA in 6 Gy gamma-irradiated rats using the anti-inflammatory angiotensin II subtype II receptor gene [AT2RG] as indicator. Carnosine and DMSA were labeled with Technetium-99m yielding 85% and 97%, respectively the ability of both tracers to localize in tumor sites but the priority to the 99mTc [V]-DMSA. Molecular studies showed strong antioxidant activity of carnosine but not enough to block radiation induced oxidative stress and Moderate antioxidant activity of DMSA was achieved by chelating free iron and iron released through oxidative stress. Maximum protection was achieved through the dual action of both DMSA and carnosine. moderate and high labeling yield were achieved for both 99mTc[V]DMSA and 99mTc-canosine respectively with higher selectivity of the former to tumor sites and maximum protection were achieved by the dual action of both chelating agents

Improved procoagulant activity and dyslipidemia in obese patients post bariatric surgery

Obesity is an increasing health problem worldwide. Obesity has characteristics of a prothrombotic state along with other endocrine and metabolic disturbances. We focused on the pathophysiological substrate of hypercoagulability and the potential consequences of weight loss post bariatric surgery on biochemical markers of procoagulant activity and dyslipidemia. A total 24 morbidly obese patients [18 women, 6 men] of mean age 32.96 +/- 5.9 and mean BMI 44.25 +/- 2.8 kg/m2 underwent restrictive gastric surgery [vertical banded gastroplasty,VBG]. Body mass index, blood pressure, lipid profile, plasma fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were monitored at baseline, 6 and 12 months post surgery. A significant weight loss was observed in all patients during the one year follow-up period. Mean body mass index was 44.25 +/- 2.8 kg/m2 before surgery, and significantly decreased to 37.79 +/- 2.60 kg/m2 at 6 month [p<0.001] and to 35.62 +/- 2.69 kg/m2 at 12 [P<0.001] months post bariatric surgery. After the dramatic weight reduction, a significant reduction in TC [p<0.01], LDL-C [p<0.01] and TG [p<0.001], plasma fibrinogen [p<0.001] and PAI - l [p<0.001] levels were observed throughout 12-month follow-up, with a significant rise in HDL-C[p<0.001]. Bariatric surgery could optimize cardiovascular risk profile and exert beneficial effects on thrombosis and the hemostasis axis in obesity. Weight loss resulted in improved metabolic parameters, suggesting a lowered atherogenic risk

Post-stroke depression

This study was done on 45 stroke patients [25 males and 20 females with ages ranged from 40 to 65 years] within the first three months following stroke. Every patient was subjected to full history, thorough general and neurological examinations, routine laboratory investigations, computed tomography [CT] of the brain, mini mental state examination [MMSE] and Barthel ADL scale. Depression was diagnosed according to DSMIV criteria. Fifteen patients were depressed. Post-stroke depression was found to be more common in patients above 50 years, with positive family and past histories of depression and with left anterior hemispheric lesions being cortical more than subcortical ones. Scores of Barthel ADL scale showed no significant difference between post-stroke depressed and non depressed patients. It was advisable to manage early the post-stroke depression in order to improve the outcome of stroke

Copper and zinc concentrations in patients with beta - thalassemia major receiving iron chelator therapy

Fifteen patients with B-thalassemia major [10 males and 5 females] receiving desferoxanine [DFX] as iron chelating drug were included in this study. The patients were compared with 10 normal control subjects [7 males and 3 females]. Serum ferritin, cupper and zinc, as well as, 24 hour urinary excretion of cupper and zinc were estimated before receiving DFX and 13 months after. Serum ferritin was decreased significantly after treatment [p < 0.001]. No significant change were detected in 24 h urinary excretion of cupper as well as in serum cupper. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in 24 h urinary zinc excretion [p<0.02] and a significant decrease in serum - zinc [p < 0.05] after administration of DFX. However, symptoms attributed to zinc deficiency appeared only in two patients. So, in thalassmic patients with iron overload need chelation, a balanced dietary intake is being normally sufficient to prevent development of zinc deficiency and measurement of serum zinc is recommended