The Protective Effect of Curcumin on a Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Model.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate the neurological, biochemical, and histopathologic effects of both the acute and maintenance treatment of curcumin on an experimental spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury model in rats. METHODS: The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups: (1) Sham, (2) ischemia-reperfusion (IR), (3) curcumin, and (4) solvent. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by clamping the aorta with minivascular clamps at a position just below the left renal artery and just proximal to the aortic bifurcation for 45 min. After 72 hr of reperfusion, neurological function was evaluated with a modified Tarlov score. In spinal cords, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were detected biochemically. Immunohistochemical staining was performed by antibodies against interleukin-6 (IL-6) and myeloperoxidase. Histopathologic changes were examined with hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: Although MDA tissue levels were elevated significantly in the IR group compared with the sham group, SOD and GPx levels decreased. After the administration of curcumin, MDA levels in the spinal cord decreased, and SOD and GPx levels increased. Those changes were statistically significant. There was no significance at NO levels. Among all groups, there was no difference in IL-6 and myeloperoxidase immunostaining. Histopathological analysis showed that histopathological changes in the IR group were improved by curcumin treatment. In the curcumin group, neurological outcome scores were significantly better statistically when compared with the IR group. CONCLUSION: We believe that curcumin possesses antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anticarcinogenic properties and may be an effective drug for the prevention of spinal cord IR injury in light of the neurologic, biochemical, and histopathological data of this study and published scientific literature.

Management of lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema is a common and progressive disease which causes deterioration of the quality of life of patients. It is divided into two groups: primary and secondary lymphoedema. Nowadays, the majority of patients with lymphoedema are associated with a malignancy or its treatment modalities, such as cancer surgery and radiation therapy. Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for alleviating the symptoms, preventing progression and reducing the potential risks of lymphoedema. This report provides an overview of the management of lymphoedema.

Early-Term Outcomes for Treatment of Saphenous Vein Insufficiency with N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate: A Novel, Non-Thermal, and Non-Tumescent Percutaneous Embolization Technique.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to present early-term outcomes of VariClose® Vein Sealing System, which is a novel, non-thermal, and non-tumescent percutaneous embolization technique for treatment of saphenous vein insufficiency. METHODS: Between March 2014 and July 2015, 189 saphenous veins in 141 patients were treated with Variclose Vein Sealing System containing n-butyl cyanoacrylate. Pre-, intra-, post-procedural, and follow-up data of patients were collected and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 42.5 ± 14.0 years, of which 53% were female. Technical success rate of intervention was 98.9%. Mean procedure time was 14.3 ± 7.5 minutes. Eighty-nine percent of patients (n = 126/141) were available at mean follow-up time of 6.7 months. Mean Venous Clinical Severity Score was significantly improved from 8.3 ± 2.2 at pre-procedure period to 3.3 ± 1.8 at follow-up. No complete recanalization was observed, but 2 patients were presented with partial recanalization during follow-up. The complete occlusion rate was 98.4%. No serious adverse event related to procedure was observed. CONCLUSION: Variclose Vein Sealing System appears to be safe and effective in treatment of saphenous vein insufficiency. Further randomized studies with long-term outcomes are required for determining optimal treatment modality in patients with saphenous vein insufficiency.

The role of asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine in acute deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to determine the importance of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA), and l-arginine levels which are influenced by the endothelial dysfunction in acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and compare their pretreatment and post-treatment levels. METHODS: A total of 34 cases (19 men and 15 women, age range 42 ± 14 years) diagnosed with acute DVT and 34 control subjects (22 men and 12 women, age range 45 ± 11 years) without any vascular disorders were included in the study. The patients were administered low-molecular-weight heparin subcutaneously. Blood samples were obtained to measure ADMA, SDMA, and arginine levels before treatment and during the treatment (on 10th day). ADMA, SDMA, and l-arginine levels were measured using high performance liquid chromatography method. RESULTS: The ADMA and SDMA levels were significantly higher in acute DVT patients when compared with the controls (P = 0.001). Post-treatment decrease of ADMA and SDMA levels when compared with the pretreatment levels were found as statistically significant (P = 0.001). Increase in l-arginine levels were not found significant when compared with the control group (P = 0.12) or post-treatment levels (P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that ADMA and SDMA levels can be used as parameters in clinical follow-up for determining the efficacy of treatment in acute DVT patients, and further studies are needed to further clarify the subject.

Is serotonin a valuable parameter in peripheral arterial disease?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship of serum serotonin levels, which are supposed to affect vascular function, to peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: This prospective study was performed in 70 patients (57 males, 13 females; mean age 67 ± 13 years) with peripheral arterial disease scheduled for surgery and 70 controls (52 males, 18 females; mean age 58 ± 12 years). RESULTS: The rates of diabetes mellitus and hypertension and the fasting glucose levels were significantly higher in the peripheral arterial disease group (p = 0.001). Total, low-density, and high-density cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and creatinine levels, and the smoking rate were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). The serotonin levels were significantly higher in patients with peripheral vascular disease scheduled for surgery compared to the control group (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: The plasma serotonin level is an important parameter in peripheral arterial disease.

Genetic polymorphisms in preoperative myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in patients with myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation before undergoing to coronary artery bypass grafting, and in patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. METHOD: Seventy patients with myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation, scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting, were included in the study group, and 70 patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting were included in the control group. Genetic polymorphisms were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction methods. RESULTS: Our data showed that there were no significant differences in plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C polymorphisms or allele frequencies between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were not associated risk factors in patients who had myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation and planned to have coronary artery bypass grafting.