The molecular and clinical significance of the Tie/angiopoietin system in leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis and factors affecting it are one of the most critical elements in vascular proliferation. Although they are essential in generating new vessels, their potential to generate solid tumors is accepted as a pathological condition. Leukemia can be an appropriate example of this condition. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the Tie/angiopoietin system effect in Leukemia. METHODS: Leukemia is a pathological condition in which the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells occurs in the bone marrow or lymphatic system. RESULTS: Based on severity and speed of development, many different types of Leukemia have been discovered through years of studying. Acute lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid Leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and chronic myeloid Leukemia (CML) are the four main types of Leukemia. CONCLUSION: Leukemia's function, effects, and medication have been a great concern over the years. Angiogenic factors such as angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), angiopoietin-4 (Ang4), a combination of them and their receptors and their effect on Leukemia are the main purposes discussed in this article.

Effect of hemodialysis on oxidants and antioxidant factors in chronic renal failure.

The current study was conducted to assess the effect of hemodialysis (HD) on the status of plasma oxidants and antioxidants among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). These parameters can have an influence on the HD process and can also be useful for follow-up of these patients. The participants of this cross-sectional study comprised 91 patients with a mean age of 51.1 ± 8.2 years on chronic HD with kt/v between 1.2 and 1.4. The etiology of ESRD in these patients was as follows: diabetes mellitus in 39, hypertension in 35, and glomerulonephritis in 17 patients. All patients were on maintenance treatment with phosphate binder, 1,25 Vitamin D, iron, and erythropoietin therapy as per the K/DOQI guidelines. They were selected by random method from Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Karaj, Iran. The height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure were measured according to standardized protocols, and blood samples were obtained before and after HD. Blood samples were checked for advanced glycation end products, advanced oxidation protein product, malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), and ferritin reducing ability of plasma, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The means of MDA, BUN, advanced glycation end product (AGE), and ox-LDL plasma level postdialysis significantly decreased compared to the predialysis level. The mean of plasma catalase, GPx, and SOD increased significantly postdialysis compared to the predia- lysis level in these patients. Factors including age, body mass index, WC, and diastolic blood pressure affected changes in levels of oxidants and antioxidants after HD. Our study results revealed that the status of antioxidants and oxidants tends to improve after HD.

Alpha-lipoic acid loaded in chitosan conduit enhances sciatic nerve regeneration in rat.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of topical administration of alpha-lipoic acid into chitosan conduit on peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups randomly. A 10-mm gap of sciatic nerve was bridged with a chitosan conduit following surgical preparation and anesthesia. In treatment group, the conduit was filled with 30 µl alpha-lipoic acid (10 mg/kg/bw).It was filled with 30 µl phosphate buffered saline solution in control group. In Sham group sciatic nerve was just exposed. RESULTS: The recovery of nerve function was faster in treatment group than in control, at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery (P-value<0.05). Conduction velocity was better in treatment group than in control group at 4 and 12 weeks (P-value<0.05). Recovery index was higher in treatment group than the control group, 8 weeks after surgery (P-value <0.05). Greater nerve fiber diameter, axon diameter, and myelin sheath thickness were observed in treatment group compared to control group at 8 and 12 weeks after surgery (P-value<0.05). The immunoreactivity of regenerated axons and myelin sheath in treatment group were far more similar to sham group. CONCLUSION: Alpha-lipoic acid when loaded in a chitosan conduit could improve transected sciatic nerve regeneration in rat.