Effect of antioxidant potential on severity of cirrhosis in humans / Efecto del potencial antioxidante para las complicaciones de la cirrosis en los seres humanos

Background/Aims: to examine the relationship between the antioxidant potential and severity parameters of cirrhosis in humans. Methods: fifteen patients with hepatic cirrhosis (nine subjects - Child group B, and six subjects - Child group C) and nine control subjects were enrolled in the study. The main criteria taken into account to characterize the diagnosis of cirrhosis and its complications were the AST: ALT ratio, AST to platelet ratio index, Bonacini score, Meld score and Child classification. Those parameters were determined based on laboratory results and patient’s clinical records. Se, Zn, ascorbic acid (AA) levels and oxidative stress parameters were measured in blood samples of cirrhotic patients. Results: the analysis of plasma levels of Se and AA showed low concentrations in cirrhotic patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.05). Though, there was a positive correlation between plasma of Se and severity parameters of cirrhosis in patients of Child group B and C. In the activity of the antioxidant enzymes only catalase was lower in patients of Child group C compared with control group. Conclusion: we found low plasma levels of Se and AA among cirrhotic patients. However, is not clear why selenium levels tend to increase with the severity of liver cirrhosis (AU)

Introducción/Objetivos: examinar la relación entre los potenciales antioxidantes y los parámetros de gravedad de la cirrosis en los seres humanos. Métodos: quince pacientes con cirrosis hepática (nueve sujetos - grupo Child B, y seis sujetos - grupo Child C) y nueve sujetos control fueron incluidos en el estudio. Los principales criterios que se tuvieron en cuenta para caracterizar el diagnóstico de la cirrosis y sus complicaciones fueron la AST: relación de ALT, AST índice de la relación de plaquetas, clasificación Bonacini, clasificación MELD y clasificación de Child. Estos parámetros fueron determinados con base en los resultados de laboratorio y los registros clínicos del paciente. Se midieron los niveles de Zn, ácido ascórbico (AA) y los parámetros de estrés oxidativo en muestras de sangre de pacientes cirróticos. Resultados: el análisis de los niveles plasmáticos de Se y AA mostraron bajas concentraciones en los pacientes cirróticos en comparación con los sujetos control (P < 0,05); sin embargo, hubo una correlación positiva entre el plasma de Se y los parámetros de gravedad de la cirrosis en pacientes del grupo Child B y C. En la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes catalasa solamente fue menor en los pacientes del grupo Child C, en comparación con el grupo control. Conclusión: se encontraron niveles bajos en plasma de Se y AA en pacientes cirróticos. Sin embargo, no está claro por qué los niveles de selenio tienden a aumentar con la gravedad de la cirrosis hepática (AU)

Peptic ulcer frequency differences related to h. Pylori or aines.

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer etiology has been changing because of H. pylori decline. OBJECTIVES: To estimate peptic ulcer prevalence in 10 years-interval and compare the association with H. pylori and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Methods Records assessment in two periods: A (1997-2000) and B (2007-2010), searching for peptic ulcer, H. pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use. RESULTS: Peptic ulcer occurred in 30.35% in A and in 20.19% in B. H. pylori infection occurred in 73.3% cases in A and in 46.4% in B. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use was 3.5% in A and 13.3% in B. Neither condition occurred in 10.4% and 20.5% in A and B respectively. Comparing both periods, we observed reduction of peptic ulcer associated to H. pylori (P=0.000), increase of peptic ulcer related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (P=0.000) and idiopathic peptic ulcer (P=0.002). The concurrent association of H. pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was also higher in B (P=0.002). Rates of gastric ulcer were higher and duodenal ulcer lower in the second period. CONCLUSIONS: After 10 years, the prevalence of peptic ulcer decreased, as well as ulcers related to H. pylori whereas ulcers associated to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increased. There was an inversion in the pattern of gastric and duodenal ulcer and a rise of idiopathic peptic ulcer.

Peptic ulcer frqquency differences related to h. pylori or aines / Diferentes frequências da úlcera péptica relacionadas com H. pylori ou AINES

Background Peptic ulcer etiology has been changing because of H. pylori decline. Objectives To estimate peptic ulcer prevalence in 10 years-interval and compare the association with H. pylori and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Methods Records assessment in two periods: A (1997-2000) and B (2007-2010), searching for peptic ulcer, H. pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use. Results Peptic ulcer occurred in 30.35% in A and in 20.19% in B. H. pylori infection occurred in 73.3% cases in A and in 46.4% in B. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use was 3.5% in A and 13.3% in B. Neither condition occurred in 10.4% and 20.5% in A and B respectively. Comparing both periods, we observed reduction of peptic ulcer associated to H. pylori (P=0.000), increase of peptic ulcer related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (P=0.000) and idiopathic peptic ulcer (P=0.002). The concurrent association of H. pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was also higher in B (P=0.002). Rates of gastric ulcer were higher and duodenal ulcer lower in the second period. Conclusions After 10 years, the prevalence of peptic ulcer decreased, as well as ulcers related to H. pylori whereas ulcers associated to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increased. There was an inversion in the pattern of gastric and duodenal ulcer and a rise of idiopathic peptic ulcer. .

Contexto A etiologia da úcera péptica vem apresentando mudanças devido à redução da infecção pelo H. pylori. Objetivos Estimar a prevalência da úlcera péptica em dois períodos com intervalo de 10 anos e comparar a associação com a infecção pelo H. pylori com o uso de anti-inflamatórios não esteroides. Métodos Revisão de prontuários em dois períodos: A (1997-2000) e B (2007-2010), com busca por úlcera péptica, H. pylori e uso de anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINE). Resultados Úcera péptica apresentou frequência de 30,35% em A e 20,19% em B. Infecção por H. pylori ocorreu em 73,3% em A e em 46,4% em B. Uso de anti-inflamatórios não esteroides ocorreu em 3,5% em A e em 13,3% em B. Nenhuma dessas condições esteve associada em 10,4% e 20,5% das úlceras em A e B, respectivamente. Comparando os dois períodos, houve redução da úlcera péptica associada à H. pylori (P=0,000), aumento das úlceras associadas ao uso de anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (P=0,000) e aumento de úlceras idiopáticas (P=0,002). A associação concomitante de H. pylori e anti-inflamatórios não esteroides foi também mais alta em B (P=0,002). Úlceras gástricas aumentaram e úlceras duodenais diminuíram em B. Conclusões No intervalo de 10 anos, a prevalência de úlcera péptica diminuiu assim como as úlceras relacionadas com H. pylori e houve um aumento das úlceras associadas ao uso de anti-inflamatórios não esteroides. Houve inversão na frequência das lesões gástricas e duodenais e aumento da prevalência da úlcera idiopática. .

Carcinoma adrenocortical apresentando-se como massa abdominal / Adrenocortical carcinoma presenting as abdominal mass

O câncer adrenocortical (CAC) é um tumor raro com um prognóstico reservado. O CAC pode ser diagnosticado pela investigação de síndromes endócrinas, de sintomas devido ao crescimento tumoral ou de incidentaloma adrenal. A investigação hormonal demonstra na maioria dos CACs uma hipersecreção esteroidal, mas a característica dominante é uma co-secreção de cortisol e de andrógenos. A TC mostra um tumor heterogêneo e grande. Os tumores restritos à glândula adrenal têm uma evolução melhor do que tumores invasivos e metastáticos. A remoção completa do tumor é o tratamento de escolha. Nos pacientes com doença metastática ou progressiva, o tratamento com mitotano deve ser iniciado. Este relato de caso tem o intuito de demonstrar a importância do correto diagnóstico de lesões tumorais, pois têm grande influência no tratamento e prognóstico dos pacientes

Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare malign tumor with a poor prognosis. ACC can be diagnosed by the investigation of endocrine syndromes, signs and symptoms due to tumor growth or an adrenal incidentaloma. Hormonal investigations demonstrate in most ACC steroid oversecretion, but dominant characteristic being a co-secretion of cortisol and androgens. The CT shows a large heterogeneous tumor. Tumors localized to the adrenal gland have a better outcome than invasive and metastatic tumors. The complete tumor removal is the treatment of choice. In patients with metastatic or progressive disease, the treatment with mitotano must be initiated. This case has intention to demonstrate the importance of the correct diagnosis of tumors, therefore it has great influence in the treatment and prognosis of the patients