Correlation Between Blood Levels of Cysteine Protease Caspase-1 (Casp1) and Pain Scores (NRS) Post-surgery: A Prospective Randomized Study of Patients With Cholelithiasis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cysteine protease caspase-1 (Casp1) plays a crucial role in the conversion of pro-cytokines to active cytokines (CYTs). The purpose of this work was to determine Casp1 blood levels in a cohort of 114 cholecystectomy patients and assess their association with other CYTs and numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores, postoperatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood levels of Casp1 and seven CYTs (IL-18, IL-18BP, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ß, and IL-8) were measured at three time points; before operation, immediately after operation, and six hours after operation in 114 patients with cholelithiasis (Chole). RESULTS: Casp1 blood levels correlated with NRS pain scores at 24 h following surgery (p=0.016). In addition, Casp1 blood levels correlated significantly to IL-18 blood levels (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first report to evaluate Casp1 blood levels in Chole patients in correlation with other CYTs. The findings confirm a significant correlation between Casp1 blood levels and NRS pain scores. Moreover, this study provides initial evidence suggesting that inhibition of the activity of Casp1 may reduce postsurgical acute phase immune response possibly through the Casp1/pro-Il-18 pathway.

TyG index is positively associated with HOMA-IR in cholelithiasis patients with insulin resistance: Based on a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Cholelithiasis is a common disease but pose significant global health and financial burdens. Mechanisms of the disease are associated with insulin resistance (IR), obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is commonly observed in cholelithiasis patients. More recently, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been proposed as an alternative marker of insulin resistance. In our study we aimed to understand whether the TyG index is correlated with HOMA-IR in cholelithiasis patients. And also we aimed the predict a cutoff value for determining insulin resistance in cholelithiasis patients. METHODS: A total of 184 cholelithiasis patients were matched in terms of age, gender, and BMI. They were divided into two groups based on their Homa IR levels (IR and Non-IR group). This study was a retrospective, observational study and clinical data was obtained from electronic medical records. Cutoff value for Tyg index was established through ROC Analysis. Binary Logistic Regression was used to identify factors affecting insulin resistance. RESULTS: A significant cutoff value was found for the TyG index in determining the presence of insulin resistance. Having a TyG index of ≥8.71 indicates the presence of insulin resistance. The sensitivity was 68.48%, the specificity was 58.70%. Binary Logistic Regression analyses showed that an increase in Tyg Index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio values increases the risk of insulin resistance by 2.705 (p = 0.001), 1.032 (p = 0.029), and 334.057 (p = 0.012) times respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that TyG index is positively correlated with HOMA-IR. TyG index was found as a risk factor for insulin resistance.

Comparative analysis of immunological profiles in women undergoing conventional and single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy / Perfil imunológico de mulheres submetidas à colecistectomia laparoscópica convencional e por portal único

ABSTRACT Background: Surgical trauma triggers an important postoperative stress response characterized by significantly elevated levels of cytokines, an event that can favor the emergence of immune disorders which lead to disturbances in the patient's body defense. The magnitude of postoperative stress is related to the degree of surgical trauma. Aim: To evaluate the expression of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-17) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4) cytokines in patients submitted to conventional and single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy before and 24 h after surgery. Methods: Forty women with symptomatic cholelithiasis, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years, participated in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: 21 submitted to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 19 to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results: Evaluation of the immune response showed no significant difference in IFN-γ and IL-1β levels between the groups or time points analyzed. With respect to TNF-α and IL-4, serum levels below the detection limit (10 pg/ml) were observed in the two groups and at the time points analyzed. Significantly higher postoperative expression of IL-17A was detected in patients submitted to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared to preoperative levels (p=0.0094). Conclusions: Significant postoperative expression of IL-17 was observed in the group submitted to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared to preoperative levels, indicating that surgical stress in this group was higher compared to the conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

RESUMO Racional: O trauma cirúrgico induz resposta de estresse pós-operatório significativo, evidenciado pelos níveis elevados de citocinas, podendo favorecer o surgimento de distúrbios imunológicos. A magnitude de estresse está relacionada ao grau do trauma cirúrgico. Objetivos: Avaliar a expressão das citocinas pró-inflamatórias (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-17) e da anti-inflamatória (IL-4) no pré e pós-operatório de pacientes submetidas à colecistectomia laparoscópica por dois métodos: convencional e por portal único. Métodos: Quarenta mulheres com colecistolitíase sintomática foram operadas, sendo 21 por procedimento laparoscópico convencional e 19 por portal único. As citocinas TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, e IL-17 presentes no plasma foram quantificadas pelo método de ELISA em dois momentos: no pré-operatório e após 24 h da operação. Resultados: A avaliação da resposta imune não mostrou diferença estatisticamente significante das citocinas IFN-γ e IL-1β na comparação entre os grupos e tempos analisados. Em relação às citocinas TNF-α e IL-4 os níveis séricos estavam abaixo dos níveis de detecção (10 pg/ml) em ambos os grupos e tempos analisados. Observou-se que as operadas por portal único apresentaram expressão significativa da IL-17A do período pré para o pós-operatório (p=0,0094). Conclusões: A expressão aumentada da IL-17A no pós-operatório do grupo de portal único pode indicar que o estresse cirúrgico foi maior em comparação ao da colecistectomia laparoscópica convencional.

Fatores preditivos de colelitíase em obesos mórbidos após astroplastia em Y de Roux / Predictive factors for cholelithiasis in morbidly obese submitted to Y de Roux gastroplasty

OBJETIVO: Avaliar fatores preditivos de colelitíase em obesos mórbidos submetidos a gastroplastia com reconstrução em Y de Roux. MÉTODOS: Estudou-se um grupo de pacientes obesos inscritos no programa para tratamento cirúrgico da obesidade mórbida do Departamento de Cirurgia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo. Os critérios de exclusão foram: pacientes colecistectomizados previamente, pacientes com diagnóstico de colelitíase no pré-operatório e casos em que a ultra-sonografia era duvidosa em relação à presença de cálculos biliares. Foram operados 160 pacientes, sendo 29 com colecistectomia prévia, 23 com litíase biliar pré-peratória, 5 com ultrassonografia duvidosa e 103 com vesícula biliar normal ao ultra-som de abdome. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que 48 (46,6 por cento) pacientes desenvolveram colelitíase, sendo 22 sintomáticos. Quando comparamos os pacientes com e sem colelitíase, não observamos diferenças significativas em relação à idade, sexo e peso pré-operatório. O índice de massa corpórea, os níveis séricos de triglicérides, o colesterol total e suas frações VLDL-colesterol e LDL-colesterol foram superiores no grupo que desenvolveu colelitíase em relação aos pacientes sem cálculos, sendo esta diferença estatisticamente significativa. A porcentagem de perda de peso no 6° e 12° mês pós-operatório foi significativamente superior nos pacientes que desenvolveram cálculos biliares. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo permite concluir que índice de massa corpórea, os níveis de triglicérides, colesterol total e suas frações LDL e VLDL são fatores preditivos de colelitíase após gastroplastia com reconstrução em Y de Roux.

OBJECTIVE: This study intended to evaluate predictive factors for cholelithiasis in morbidly obese submitted to gastroplasty with "Y" de Roux reconstruction. METHODS: The population under study was a group of obese patients enrolled in a program of surgical procedure for morbid obesity at the Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo. The exclusion criteria were: patients previously cholecystectomized, patients with diagnosis of pre-operative cholelithiasis and patients with a questionable ultrasonography about existence of billiary stones. A total of 160 patients were operated, 29 with prior cholecystectomy, 23 with pre-operative biliar lithiasis , 5 with questionable ultrasonography about billiary stones and 103 with normal gallbladders at abdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Results showed that (46.6 percent) of patients developed cholelithiasis, 22 of them symptomatic. When patients with or without cholelithiasis were compared, no significant difference related to age, gender and preoperative weight was observed. The body mass index, the triglycerides serum levels, total cholesterol and the fractions HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were higher in the group who developed cholelithiasis compared to patients without gallstones and this difference was statistically significant. The percentage of weight loss in the 6th and 12th postoperative month was significantly higher in patients who developed billiary stones. CONCLUSION: The study leads to conclude that body mass index, levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and the fractions LDL and VLDL are predictive factors for cholelithiasis post-gastroplasty with the "Y" de Roux reconstruction.

Inverse association between plasma cholesterol and gallstone disease

Background. The association between gallstone disease (gallstones or cholecystectomy) and plasma lipids was evaluated in 2,089 subject who attended a private health care facility in Mexico city from august 1991 to August 1992. Methods. All participants provided data on their sociodemographic status, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus diagnoses, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits; women also gave data regarding their obstetric-gynecologic histories. Ultrasounds of the liver and biliary tract were performed. Cholesterol levels, high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, and triglyceride plasma concentration were determined. Results. This study shows a strong inverse association between gallstone disease and plasma cholesterol concentration, with OR = 0.61 (95 percent CI = 0.42-0.89) in the category of 181-239 mg/dL, and OR = 0.49 (95 percent CI 0.32-0.77) in the group of 240 mg/dL or more, when compared to 180 mg/dL or less, after adjusting for the following risk factors; gender, age, and body mass index. Conclusions. These results suggest an increment in the catabolic pool of cholesterol, reflected in lower levels of plasm cholesterol in subjects with gallstone disease