The effect of ethion on erythrocyte deformability.

Organophosphates cause increased oxidative susceptibility of erythrocytes and changes in erythrocyte deformability ability. We aim is to investigate the role of ethion (ETH) on erythrocyte deformability and to show whether vinpocetine (VIN) and carnosine (CAR) are protective against these changes. The study was performed on Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 220 ±â€¯40 g and 4-5 months old. Six experimental groups were composed of 10 rats per group. Hematological parameters, erythrocyte deformability, % hemolysis, 2.3bisphosphoglycerate, and methemoglobin values were measured in blood samples taken after 10 days of drug application. Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin amount, hematocrit value, serum potassium level, and erythrocyte deformability decreased in the ETH group. Leukocyte, platelet count, methemoglobin amount, and % hemolysis rates increased in the ETH group. The values of the ETH + CAR and ETH + VIN groups were found to be closer to the control group. In organophosphate poisoning such as ETH, the deformability ability of erythrocytes exposed to constant oxidative stress is changing, and therefore their ability to deliver oxygen to tissues is negatively affected. VIN and CAR may have improve on erythrocyte deformability in this type of intoxication.

The assessment of oxidative stress on patients with chronic renal failure at different stages and on dialysis patients receiving different hypertensive treatment.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the oxidative stress in predialysis, hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis patients and to test the effects of antihypertensive drugs and volume control on oxidative stress parameters. The study was composed of five groups as follows: control group (n = 30), predialysis group (n = 30), peritoneal dialysis group (n = 30), hemodialysis group, (normotensive with strict volume control, n = 30), hemodialysis group (normotensive with medication, n = 30). Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and routine biochemical parameters were studied in all patients. Hemodialysis patients with strict volume control (HDvc) had lower levels of MDA than other patient groups (p < 0.001), and CAT, SOD values had highest level other patient groups (p < 0.001). The treatment of hypertension with strict volume control in chronic renal failure patients causes less damage to the antioxidant capacity.

Gabapentin therapy for pruritus in haemodialysis patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Uraemic pruritus is a common and distressing symptom in patients on haemodialysis for chronic renal failure. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that alleviates neuropathic pain. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to assess its effectiveness against renal itch. METHODS: We enrolled in the trial 25 adult patients on haemodialysis who were asked to daily record the severity of their pruritus on a visual analogue scale. The patients were randomly assigned to receive gabapentin for 4 weeks followed by placebo for 4 weeks or the reverse sequence. Gabapentin or placebo were administered thrice weekly, at the end of haemodialysis sessions. RESULTS: The mean pruritus score of the cohort before the study was 8.4 +/- 0.94. After placebo intake, it decreased to 7.6 +/- 2.6 (P = 0.098). The score of four patients decreased by >50% following placebo. After gabapentin administration, the mean score decreased significantly, to 1.2 +/- 1.8 (P = 0.0001), although one patient's symptoms did not improve significantly. No patient dropped out of the study due to adverse effects from gabapentin. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that gabapentin is safe and effective for treating uraemic pruritus in haemodialysis patients. Our results also support the neuropathic hypothesis of uraemic pruritus.