trans-4,4'-Dihydroxystilbene (DHS) protects PC12 cells from oxidative damage but induces reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis in SHSY-5Y cell line.

Polyphenols can exert both, antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties, depending on cell types as well as their concentrations. Hence, it was of interest to examine if the naturally occurring resveratrol analog, trans-4,4'-dihydroxystilbene (DHS) also exert both these activities in a biphasic or cell-specific manner. In this study, we established the cytoprotective action of DHS against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptotic death of the PC12 cells. DHS reduced mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and deactivated reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated caspase-3 activation in the H2O2-treated PC12 cells. However, it induced apoptosis in the human neuroblastoma SHSY-5Y cell line by destabilizing mitochondrial membrane, augmenting ROS and activating caspapse-3. DHS showed better activity than resveratrol in both the chosen models.

Profile of tuberculous meningitis with or without HIV infection and the predicators of adverse outcome / Perfil de la meningitis tuberculosa con o sin infección por VIH y predictores de la evolución clínica adversa

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical, radiological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings, at hospital admission, among adult patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) with or without HIV infection and to identify the factors that predict adverse outcome at six months. METHODS: A total of 82 adult patients with TBM were included (40 HIV-positive and 42 HIV-negative). Several clinical (duration of illness, Glasgow Coma Scale score, presence of high temperature, headache, cranial nerve or sphincter abnormality, seizures and endocrine dysfunction), radiological (presence of hydrocephalus, cerebral infarction and oedema, meningeal enhancement, granuloma) and cerebrospinal fluid parameters (glucose, protein, lactate, lymphocytes, neutrophils and adenosine deaminase values) were recorded along with CD4 count in the peripheral blood. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. Individual variables were evaluated as prognostic factors for adverse outcome in both groups by calculating the relative risk of association for each. RESULTS: Temperature more than 38.33ºC was more common in the HIV-negative group while seizures, hydrocephalus, cerebral infarction and low CD4 count occurred significantly more commonly in the HIV-positive group. Hydrocephalus had strong association with severe neurological deficit and seizure with death in both the groups. CONCLUSION: Several clinical and laboratory features of TBM in patients who are HIV-positive are distinctly different from those without HIV infection; some of these have an association with the probability of adverse outcome.

OBJETIVOS: Comparar los hallazgos clínicos, radiológicos y del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) entre pacientes adultos con meningitis tuberculosa (MTB) con o sin infección de VIH en su ingreso al hospital, e identificar los factores que predicen la evolución clínica adversa en seis meses. MÉTODOS: Un total de 82 pacientes adultos con MTB fueron incluidos (40 VIH positivos y 42 VIH negativos). Se registraron varios parámetros: clínicos (duración de la enfermedad, puntuación de la Escala de Coma de Glasgow, presencia de alta temperatura, dolor de cabeza, anormalidad del esfínter o nervio craneal, o anormalidad del esfínter, convulsiones y disfunción endocrina); radiológicos (la presencia de hidrocefalia, infarto cerebral, edema, realce meníngeo, granuloma); y del líquido (glucosa, proteína, lactato, linfocitos, neutrófilos, y valores de adenosina deaminasa), junto con un conteo de CD4 en la sangre periférica. Se realizó un análisis estadístico usando la prueba de chi-cuadrado. La variable individual se evaluó como factor pronóstico de la evolución clínica en ambos, calculando el riesgo relativo de asociación para cada uno. RESULTADOS: Una temperatura de más de 38.33ºC fue más común en el grupo VIH negativo, mientras que convulsiones, hidrocefalia, infarto cerebral, y bajo conteo de CD4 ocurrieron significativamente más normalmente en el grupo VIH positivo. La hidrocefalia estuvo fuertemente asociada con un déficit neurológico severo y la convulsión con la muerte en ambos grupos. CONCLUSIÓN: Varias características clínicas y de laboratorio del MTB en pacientes que son VIH positivos, difieren claramente de aquellos con infección por VIH. Algunas de estas características se hallan asociadas con la probabilidad de una evolución clínica adversa.