Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in obese adolescents with antibody against to adenovirus 36.

Obesity in adolescents has reached epidemic proportions and is associated with the inflammatory response and viral infections. The aim of this study was to understand the profile of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines associated with the inflammatory response and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in obese adolescents with positive serology for adenovirus 36 (ADV36). Thirty-six overweight, 36 obese, and 25 severe obesity adolescents aged 10 to 16 years were included in the study. The following variables were analyzed: sex, age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, glucose, serum cytokine concentrations, and ADV36 antibodies. Cytokines and chemokines were quantified by cytometry and ADV36 serology was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed higher levels of the cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-10 and of the chemokine interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) in severe obesity adolescents compared to the obese and overweight groups, as well as in the group with MetS compared to the group without this syndrome. The frequency of ADV36-positive individuals did not differ between groups. The findings revealed differences in BMI between the obese and severe obesity groups versus the overweight group in the presence of positivity for ADV36, suggesting an association with weight gain and possibly MetS installation.

Differential Behavior of Non-albicans Candida Species in the Central Nervous System of Immunocompetent and Immunosuppressed Mice.

The genus Candida includes commensal fungi that can cause local and systemic infections, frequently involving vital organs as the central nervous system (CNS). Candida spp. occupy the fourth place among infections that affect the CNS. Although the incidence of Candida albicans is decreasing among patients under immunosuppressive therapies, the incidence of non-albicans Candida is increasing. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the ability of non-albicans Candida species to spread to the CNS of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice. Adult female C57BL/6 mice were treated with prednisolone, intravenously infected with Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis yeasts and then evaluated at the 3rd and 14th days after infection. All Candida species disseminated to the brain from immunocompetent animals and induced local inflammation at the third day post-infection. The immunosuppression resulted in body weight loss, leukopenia and reduced IL-2 production by spleen cell cultures. Higher fungal loads were recovered from the CNS of immunosuppressed mice. Inflammatory infiltration associated to a Th1 subset profile was higher in brain samples from C. krusei immunosuppressed mice compared with immunocompetent ones. Additionally, C. krusei was able to transform into pseudohypha inside microglia in vitro infected cells and also to induce elevated nitric oxide production. Altogether, these results indicate that C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. parapsilosis are able to disseminate to the CNS and promote local inflammation in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice. C. krusei displayed a distinct behavior at the CNS triggering a local Th1 profile. The possible contribution of these non-albicans Candida species to other CNS pathologies as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases deserves further attention.

Influence of preoperative propranolol on cardiac index during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation / Influência do propranolol pré-operatório no índice cardíaco durante a fase anepática do transplante hepático / Influencia del propranolol preoperatorio en el índice cardíaco durante la fase anhepática del trasplante hepático

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation is the best therapeutic option for end-stage liver disease. Non-selective beta-blocker medications such as propranolol act directly on the cardiovascular system and are often used in the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from HP. The effects of propranolol on cardiovascular system of cirrhotic patients during liver transplantation are not known. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the influence of propranolol used preoperatively on cardiac index during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation. METHOD: 101 adult patients (73 male [72.2%]) who underwent cadaveric donor orthotopic liver transplantation by piggyback technique with preservation of the retrohepatic inferior vena cava performed at Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais were evaluated. There was no difference in severity between groups by the MELD system, p = 0.70. The preoperative use of propranolol and the cardiac index outcome were compared during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation in 5 groups (I: increased cardiac index, II: cardiac index reduction lower than 16%, III: cardiac index reduction equal to or greater than 16% and less than 31%, IV: cardiac index reduction equal to or greater than 31% and less than 46%, V: cardiac index reduction equal to or greater than 46%). RESULTS: Patients in group I (46.4%) who received propranolol preoperatively were statistically similar to groups II (60%), III (72.7%), IV (50%) and V (30.8%), p = 0.57. CONCLUSION: The use of propranolol before transplantation as prophylaxis for gastrointestinal bleeding may be considered safe, as it was not associated with worsening of cardiac index in anhepatic phase of liver transplantation. .

INTRODUÇÃO: O transplante hepático (TH) é a melhor opção terapêutica para doença hepática em estágio terminal (DHET). As medicações betabloqueadoras não seletivas, como o propranolol, atuam diretamente no sistema cardiovascular (SCV) e são frequentemente usadas na prevenção de hemorragia digestiva decorrente da HP. Os efeitos do propranolol no SCV de cirróticos durante o TH não são conhecidos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do uso pré-operatório do propranolol no índice cardíaco (IC) durante a fase anepática do TH. MÉTODO: Avaliaram-se 101 pacientes adultos (73 homens, 72,2%) submetidos a transplante ortotópico de fígado doador cadáver, pela técnica de piggyback com preservação da veia cava inferior retro-hepática, feito no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Não houve diferença de gravidade pelo sistema MELD entre os grupos, p = 0,70. Foram comparados o uso pré-operatório de propranolol com o desfecho do IC durante a fase anepática do TH em cinco grupos (I: aumento do IC; II: redução do IC inferior a 16%; III: redução do IC igual a ou maior do que 16% e menor do que 31%; IV: redução do IC igual a ou maior do que 31% e menor do que 46%;V: redução do IC igual a ou maior do que 46%). RESULTADOS: Pacientes que fizeram uso pré-operatório de propranolol no grupo I (46,4%) foram estatisticamente semelhantes aos dos grupos II (60%), III (72,7%), IV (50%) e V (30,8%), p = 0,57. CONCLUSÃO: O propranolol no pré-transplante, como profilaxia para hemorragia digestiva, pode ser considerado seguro, pois não se associou à pioria do IC na fase anepática do TH. .

INTRODUCCIÓN: El trasplante hepático (TH) es la mejor opción terapéutica para la enfermedad hepática en estado terminal. Los betabloqueantes no selectivos, como el propranolol, actúan directamente en el sistema cardiovascular y a menudo son usadas en la prevención de la hemorragia digestiva proveniente de la hipertensión portal. Los efectos del propranolol en el sistema cardiovascular de cirróticos durante el TH no se conocen. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la influencia del uso preoperatorio del propranolol en el índice cardíaco (IC) durante la fase anhepática del TH. MÉTODO: Se estudiaron 101 pacientes adultos (73 hombres [72,2%]) sometidos a trasplante ortotópico de hígado de donante cadáver, por la técnica de piggyback con preservación de la vena cava inferior retrohepática, en el Hospital das Clínicas de la Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais. No hubo diferencia respecto a la gravedad por el sistema Meld entre los grupos (p = 0,70). Se comparó el uso preoperatorio del propranolol con el resultado del IC durante la fase anhepática del TH en 5 grupos (i: aumento del IC; ii: reducción del IC < 16%; iii: reducción del IC ≥ 16% y < 31%; iv: reducción del IC ≥ 31% y < 46%;v: reducción del IC ≥ 46%). RESULTADOS: El número de pacientes que usaron el propranolol en el preoperatorio en el grupo i (46,4%) fue estadísticamente similar a los grupos ii (60%), iii (72,7%), iv (50%) y v (30,8%), p = 0,57. CONCLUSIÓN: El propranolol en el pretrasplante, como profilaxis para la hemorragia digestiva, puede ser considerado seguro porque no se asoció con el empeoramiento del IC en la fase anhepática del TH. .

Influence of preoperative propranolol on cardiac index during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation is the best therapeutic option for end-stage liver disease. Non-selective beta-blocker medications such as propranolol act directly on the cardiovascular system and are often used in the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from HP. The effects of propranolol on cardiovascular system of cirrhotic patients during liver transplantation are not known. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the influence of propranolol used preoperatively on cardiac index during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation. METHOD: 101 adult patients (73 male [72.2%]) who underwent cadaveric donor orthotopic liver transplantation by piggyback technique with preservation of the retrohepatic inferior vena cava performed at Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais were evaluated. There was no difference in severity between groups by the MELD system, p=0.70. The preoperative use of propranolol and the cardiac index outcome were compared during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation in 5 groups (I: increased cardiac index, II: cardiac index reduction lower than 16%, III: cardiac index reduction equal to or greater than 16% and less than 31%, IV: cardiac index reduction equal to or greater than 31% and less than 46%, V: cardiac index reduction equal to or greater than 46%). RESULTS: Patients in group I (46.4%) who received propranolol preoperatively were statistically similar to groups II (60%), III (72.7%), IV (50%) and V (30.8%), p=0.57. CONCLUSION: The use of propranolol before transplantation as prophylaxis for gastrointestinal bleeding may be considered safe, as it was not associated with worsening of cardiac index in anhepatic phase of liver transplantation.

[Influence of preoperative propranolol on cardiac index during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation]. / Influência do propranolol pré-operatório no índice cardíaco durante a fase anepática do transplante hepático.

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation (LT) is the best therapeutic option for end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Non-selective beta-blocker medications such as propranolol act directly on the cardiovascular system (CVS) and are often used in the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from HP. The effects of propranolol on CVS of cirrhotic patients during LT are not known. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the influence of propranolol used preoperatively on cardiac index (CI) during the anhepatic phase of LT. METHOD: 101 adult patients (73 male [72.2%]) who underwent cadaveric donor orthotopic liver transplantation by piggyback technique with preservation of the retrohepatic inferior vena cava performed at Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais were evaluated. There was no difference in severity between groups by the MELD system, p=0.70. The preoperative use of propranolol and the CI outcome were compared during the anhepatic phase of LT in 5 groups (I: increased CI, II: CI reduction lower than 16%, III: CI reduction equal to or greater than 16% and less than 31%, IV: CI reduction equal to or greater than 31% and less than 46%, V: CI reduction equal to or greater than 46%). RESULTS: Patients in group I (46.4%) who received propranolol preoperatively were statistically similar to groups II (60%), III (72.7%), IV (50%) and V (30.8%), p=0.57. CONCLUSION: The use of propranolol before transplantation as prophylaxis for gastrointestinal bleeding may be considered safe, as it was not associated with worsening of CI in anhepatic phase of LT.

Metabolic long-term follow-up of functioning simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation versus pancreas transplantation alone: insights and limitations.

BACKGROUND: Pancreas transplantation involves a set of procedures that, in some cases, lead to different complications and outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term effects of pancreas transplantation regarding carbohydrate and lipid metabolism parameters to determine differences between simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation and pancreas transplantation alone (PTA). METHODS: Sixty-four patients (46 SPK and 18 PTA), with an immunosuppression protocol based on tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone, were evaluated for at least 1 year after transplantation. No patient made use of any hypoglycemic or hypolipidemic drugs. Comparisons were performed between SPK and PTA patients using the chi-square test, Fischer's exact test, and unpaired Student's t test, as appropriate. RESULTS: Patients were 39.8+/-9.3 years old, predominantly male (60.9%), with a mean follow-up of 25.4+/-10.4 months after transplantation. The PTA group exhibited worse renal function and higher tacrolimus levels than the SPK group. Fasting glucose, 2 hr plasma glucose after overload, C-peptide, and HbA1C were within the normal range, with no statistically significant differences between the PTA and SPK groups. Insulin (INS) and the homeostasis model assessment of INS resistance index were above the normal range in both the groups. Lipids were also similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with long-term functioning pancreas transplant achieved good glucose control without use of exogenous INS or oral antidiabetic drugs, although they were hyperinsulinemic. There were no significant differences concerning glucose and lipid parameters between the SPK and PTA groups, even though the PTA patients exhibited higher tacrolimus levels and worse renal function.

The impact of functioning pancreas-kidney transplantation and pancreas alone transplantation on the lipid metabolism of statin-naïve diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the lipid profile (total cholesterol - TC, triglycerides - TG, high density lipoprotein cholesterol - HDL-c, low density lipoprotein cholesterol - LDL-c and non-HDL cholesterol - NHDL-c) of patients with functioning pancreas-kidney transplantation (PKT) or pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) after one (T1) and two yr (T2) following their pre-transplantation data (T0). METHODS: Fifty-three type 1 diabetic patients underwent pancreas transplantation (42 PKT and 11 PTA) remaining euglycemic after transplantation were evaluated before and one and two yr after the procedures. They were using predominantly tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil-based immunosuppression and low glucocorticoid dose with systemic venous drainage of the pancreatic graft. None of them used hypolipidemic agents for economical reasons. Lipids were reported as means +/- standard error of the mean. Data obtained in T0 were compared with T1 and T2 using ANOVA followed by Student's t-test. RESULTS: TC, LDL-c, NHDL-c and TG were lower in T1 and T2 when compared with T0 (p < 0.05) in PKT, while no change was observed for HDL-c (p > 0.05). PTA group showed no significant changes in lipids. CONCLUSION: In spite of the known side effects of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression to lipids, our study with a statin-naïve sample showed improvements (PKT) or stabilization (PTA) in the serum lipid profile after pancreas transplantation.

Tuberculosis in liver transplant recipients: a single Brazilian center experience.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an important opportunistic infection in transplant recipients worldwide. The frequency of Mycobacterium tuberculosis disease varies among different regions, but the incidence of TB in adult liver transplant (LT) recipients is largely unknown. The estimated frequency ranges from 0.7% to 2.3%, with mortality rate up to 30%. However, these data are based on individual case reports or series with small samples. In LT recipients, therapy is generally associated with significant hepatotoxicity and interactions with immunosuppressive drugs. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 319 patients who underwent LT at University Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between September 1994 and July 2007 and survived more than 1 month. Among these, TB was diagnosed in five patients. No patients received chemoprophylaxis before or after LT. RESULTS: All five patients were women, mean age 39.6+/-16.5 years. Two patients had disseminated TB, two pulmonary involvement, and one extrapulmonary disease. Cultures were positive in four patients. Overall, four patients received isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide for 6 to 12 months, with good tolerance, but one patient presented recurrence. Another patient presented raised hepatic enzymes levels after initiating therapy. All patients are alive and well. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, the TB frequency after liver transplantation was 1.57%, with no confirmed hepatotoxicity with conventional treatment and an excellent survival rate (100%).