Changes in irisin levels in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare levels of serum irisin in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) patients to healthy gravidas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (Group 1) and 20 healthy pregnant women (Group 2) all of similar ages, body mass index, and all at similar pregnancy development comprised the study cohort. Fasting serum samples were obtained and measured for irisin levels. Comparisons between groups were done by Mann Whitney U (MWU) test and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: All the patients in groups 1 and 2 were primigravid and age, gestational week, and body mass index values were similar. No statistically significant difference were present among these parameters (p > 0.05, MWU test). The plasma irisin concentrations in group 1 were significantly higher (irisin (average ±S D): 116.9 ± 32.3 ng/ml vs. 87.7 ± 26.2 ng/ml) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a possible role of irisin, which might be involved in the pathology of HG.

Short-term levosimendan treatment protects rat testes against oxidative stress

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term levosimendan exposure on oxidant/antioxidant status and trace element levels in the testes of rats under physiological conditions. Twenty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two groups of 10 animals each. Group 1 was not exposed to levosimendan and served as control. Levosimendan (12 µg/kg) diluted in 10 mL 0.9% NaCl was administered intraperitoneally to group 2. Animals of both groups were sacrificed after 3 days and their testes were harvested for the determination of changes in tissue oxidant/antioxidant status and trace element levels. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly lower in the levosimendan group (P < 0.001) than in the untreated control group and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were significantly higher in the levosimendan group (P < 0.001). Carbonic anhydrase, catalase and GSH levels were not significantly different from controls. Mg and Zn levels of testes were significantly higher (P < 0.001) and Co, Pb, Cd, Mn, and Cu were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in group 2 compared to group 1. Fe levels were similar for the two groups (P = 0.94). These results suggest that 3-day exposure to levosimendan induced a significant decrease in tissue MDA level, which is a lipid peroxidation product and an indicator of oxidative stress, and a significant increase in the activity of an important number of the enzymes that protect against oxidative stress in rat testes.

Accuracy and safety of percutaneous US-guided needle biopsies in specific focal liver lesions: comparison of large and small needles in 1300 patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare small size aspiration needles with large size cutting needles in focal liver lesions for using small needles instead of large ones without on-site cytopathologist. METHODS: Percutaneous ultrasonography-guided liver biopsy was evaluated retrospectively in a biopsy cohort study of 1300 patients. In this series, 690 patients were biopsied with large size (<19G) cutting needles and 610 with small size (20G) aspiration needles. On-site cytopathologist was not present in the biopsy-room at any intervention. Needles were compared for diagnostic accuracy and safety for various focal liver diseases. RESULTS: We had diagnostic accuracy rate of 85.0% in small needle group vs. 96.9% in large needle group with metastasis (P<0.001). This rate was 85.5% in small needle group vs. 97.9% in large needle group with hepatocellular carcinoma (P=0.039). Accuracy rates of them were not different in hemangioma (P=0.277) and infection-inflammation (P=0.470). This rate was 75.0% in small needle group vs. 98.9% in large needle group with regenerative nodules (P=0.018). These rates were not different in focal steatosis (P=1.000). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 85.1%, 100%, and 89.2%, respectively. Only 2 (0.15%) major complications were found with small needles in uncooperative patients. Any major complication was not seen in hemangioma. CONCLUSION: In uncertain diagnosis with modern imaging, we propose that large size cutting needles should be used in suspected liver metastasis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and regenerative nodules if cytopathologist was not present. Small needles can be successfully used as well as large ones in focal steatosis, infection-inflammation, and hemangioma of liver in unclear diagnosis.

Short-term levosimendan treatment protects rat testes against oxidative stress.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term levosimendan exposure on oxidant/antioxidant status and trace element levels in the testes of rats under physiological conditions. Twenty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two groups of 10 animals each. Group 1 was not exposed to levosimendan and served as control. Levosimendan (12 µg/kg) diluted in 10 mL 0.9% NaCl was administered intraperitoneally to group 2. Animals of both groups were sacrificed after 3 days and their testes were harvested for the determination of changes in tissue oxidant/antioxidant status and trace element levels. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly lower in the levosimendan group (P < 0.001) than in the untreated control group and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were significantly higher in the levosimendan group (P < 0.001). Carbonic anhydrase, catalase and GSH levels were not significantly different from controls. Mg and Zn levels of testes were significantly higher (P < 0.001) and Co, Pb, Cd, Mn, and Cu were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in group 2 compared to group 1. Fe levels were similar for the two groups (P = 0.94). These results suggest that 3-day exposure to levosimendan induced a significant decrease in tissue MDA level, which is a lipid peroxidation product and an indicator of oxidative stress, and a significant increase in the activity of an important number of the enzymes that protect against oxidative stress in rat testes.

Remifentanil-induced mechanical responses and membrane potential changes in human umbilical arteries.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristic features of the mechanical responses and membrane potential changes induced by remifentanil in human umbilical arteries (HUAs). The ionic mechanisms underlying the electrophysiological responses were pharmacologically assessed using two K(+) channel blockers. METHODS: Thirty-eight HUAs were obtained. Contraction-relaxation, membrane potential changes and electrical responses of the HUAs were recorded. RESULTS: Remifentanil produced concentration-dependent relaxation in both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded HUA rings. Remifentanil produced a significantly greater relaxation response in intact than in denuded HUA rings. In endothelium-intact rings, pre-treatment with L-nitroarginine [N(w)-NITRO-(L)-ARGININE (L-NO-ARG)] or indomethacin decreased the degree of remifentanil-induced relaxation. Remifentanil (10(-9)-10(-6) mol/l) produced a transient concentration-dependent membrane hyperpolarization, which was not decreased by pre-treatment with L-NO-ARG or indomethacin. It also produced a small concentration-dependent hyperpolarization in the presence of charybdotoxin or tetraethylammonium. CONCLUSION: In both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded HUAs, remifentanil induces concentration-dependent vasorelaxation and simultaneously releases nitric oxide, prostaglandins and possibly an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. In addition, it produces hyperpolarization in a dose-dependent manner. Hyperpolarization induced by remifentanil involves the activation of Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent potassium channels regulated by intracellular Ca(2+).