ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1) is a pleiotropic cytokine. Its relationship with atherosclerosis is debatable, protective or deleterious effects have been described. Alcoholics are at increased vascular risk. Although TGF-ß1 is increased in alcoholics, its role on vascular risk factors has not been analyzed. This is the objective of this study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 79 heavy alcoholics and 34 controls were included. Calcium deposition in the aortic arch was assessed in the plain thorax X-ray film. Ankle-brachial index was recorded in 48 patients. All the patients underwent complete laboratory evaluation, including serum levels of TGF-ß1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ).We analyzed the relationships between TGF-ß1 and vascular risk factors by both univariate (parametric or non parametric tests), or multivariate analysis to discern on which variables TGF-ß1 levels depend. RESULTS: Serum TGF-ß1 levels were higher among patients (t = 2.73; P = 0.008), but no differences exist among cirrhotics (17246 ± 11,021 pg/mL) and non-cirrhotics (21,340 ± 12,442 pg/mL). TGF-ß1 showed significant correlations with total cholesterol (r = 0.28; P = 0.017) and HDL- cholesterol (r = 0.25; P = 0.042), and inverse correlations with body mass index (BMI; ρ = -0.37; P = 0.004), IL-4 (ρ = -0.31; P = 0.009), INF-γ (ρ = -0.28; P = 0.001), and IL-6 (ρ = -0.38; P = 0.001). By multivariate analysis, only BMI, IL-6 and HDL-cholesterol showed independent relationships with TGF-ß1. No relationships were observed with ankle-brachial index or calcium in the aortic arch, hypertension, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy or atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION: TGF-ß1 levels are increased in alcoholics, but are unrelated to vessel wall calcification or arterial stiffness.
Subject(s)
Alcoholics , Alcoholism/blood , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/blood , Vascular Calcification/blood , Vascular Stiffness/physiology , Aged , Alcoholism/diagnosis , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism , Aorta, Thoracic/pathology , Biomarkers/blood , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Vascular Calcification/diagnosis , Vascular Calcification/epidemiologyABSTRACT
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Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Aged , Osteonecrosis/etiology , Shock, Septic/complications , Hip , Vasoconstrictor Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
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Subject(s)
Female , Adult , Humans , Abdominal Pain/complications , Abdominal Pain/diagnosis , Abdominal Pain/therapy , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/complications , Fluid Therapy/methods , Splenomegaly/complications , Splenomegaly/diagnosis , Lymphoproliferative Disorders/complications , Lymphoproliferative Disorders/diagnosis , Fluid Therapy/trends , Autoimmune Diseases/diagnosis , Autoimmune Diseases/therapy , Fluid Therapy , Lymphoproliferative Disorders/physiopathology , Lymphoproliferative Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
Diarrhoeic diseases caused by water and food contaminated by enteropathogens continue to be an important cause of morbidity in countries with a low level of development. Some 50,000 cases of diarrhoea in travellers are estimated in the world every day, and this is the main cause of consultation by travellers who return from undeveloped zones. The principal determinant of risk is the place of destination; there are significant differences between different regions with respect to risk and to the aetiology of the diarrhoea. The most frequent cause of diarrhoeas is of bacterial origin, which represents between 60 and 85% of the cases, while parasites represent 10% and some 5% are produced by viruses. Although it normally follows a benign course, complications can arise, with mortality being only exceptionally associated to this disease. Prevention is essentially based on strictly following elemental hygienic measures and avoiding the ingestion of foodstuffs and drinks with a risk of contamination. Prophylaxis with antibiotics is only advisable in journeys of short duration, in which the risk and/or seriousness of diarrhoeas, above all in immunosuppressed patients, are higher than the possible collateral effects. The treatment of diarrhoea in the traveller is based on adequate hydration, and the use of microbians is reserved for moderate and serious situations, with quinolones being the drug of choice. Rifaximine is a new drug approved for the treatment of diarrhoeas in the traveller, above all in areas with enteropathogens that are resistant to quinolones.
Subject(s)
Diarrhea , Travel , Diarrhea/diagnosis , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Diarrhea/etiology , Diarrhea/therapy , Humans , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Las enfermedades diarreicas causadas por la contaminación de agua y alimentos por enteropatógenos continúan siendo causa de importante morbilidad en los países con escaso nivel de desarrollo. Se estima alrededor de unos 50.000 casos diarios de diarreas del viajero en el mundo, siendo el principal motivo de consulta de los viajeros que regresan de zonas no desarrolladas. El principal determinante de riesgo es el lugar de destino, existiendo diferencias importantes entre las distintas regiones en cuanto al riesgo y la etiología de la diarrea. La causa más frecuente de diarreas es la bacteriana, que representa del 60 al 85% de los casos, los parásitos representan el 10% y un 5% están producidas por virus. Aunque habitualmente cursa de forma benigna, pueden aparecer complicaciones, siendo excepcional la mortalidad asociada esta enfermedad. La prevención se basa fundamentalmente en seguir estrictamente las medidas higiénicas elementales y evitar la ingesta de alimentos y bebidas con riesgo de contaminación. La profilaxis con antibióticos sólo se aconseja en viajes de corta duración, en los que el riesgo y/o gravedad de las diarreas, sobre todo en pacientes inmunosuprimidos, sean superiores a los posibles efectos colaterales. El tratamiento de la diarrea del viajero se basa en una adecuada hidratación y se reserva el uso de antimicrobianos para situaciones clínicas moderadas y graves, siendo las quinolonas el fármaco de elección. La rifaximina es un nuevo fármaco aprobado para el tratamiento de las diarreas del viajero, sobre todo en áreas con enteropatógenos resistentes a las quinolonas
Diarrhoeic diseases caused by water and food contaminated by enteropathogens continue to be an important cause of morbidity in countries with a low level of development. Some 50,000 cases of diarrhoea in travellers are estimated in the world every day, and this is the main cause of consultation by travellers who return from undeveloped zones. The principal determinant of risk is the place of destination; there are significant differences between different regions with respect to risk and to the aetiology of the diarrhoea. The most frequent cause of diarrhoeas is of bacterial origin, which represents between 60 and 85% of the cases, while parasites represent 10% and some 5% are produced by viruses. Although it normally follows a benign course, complications can arise, with mortality being only exceptionally associated to this disease. Prevention is essentially based on strictly following elemental hygienic measures and avoiding the ingestion of foodstuffs and drinks with a risk of contamination. Prophylaxis with antibiotics is only advisable in journeys of short duration, in which the risk and/or seriousness of diarrhoeas, above all in immunosuppressed patients, are higher than the possible collateral effects. The treatment of diarrhoea in the traveller is based on adequate hydration, and the use of microbians is reserved for moderate and serious situations, with quinolones being the drug of choice. Rifaximine is a new drug approved for the treatment of diarrhoeas in the traveller, above all in areas with enteropathogens that are resistant to quinolones
Subject(s)
Humans , Diarrhea/diagnosis , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Diarrhea/etiology , Diarrhea/therapy , Travel , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
No disponible
