α-lipoic acid reduces postreperfusion syndrome in human liver transplantation - a pilot study.

A double-blind randomized controlled trial was performed to compare the safety and efficacy of α-lipoic acid (ALA) in liver transplantation (LT). The grafts were randomized to receive ALA or placebo before the cold ischemia time. Furthermore, patients transplanted with the ALA-perfused graft received 600 mg of intravenous ALA, while patients with the nonperfused graft received the placebo just before graft reperfusion. Hepatic biopsy was performed 2 h postreperfusion. Blood samples were collected before, during and 1 and 2 days after reperfusion. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was performed on biopsies to assess genes involved in the response to hypoxia, apoptosis, cell growth, survival and proliferation, cytokine production and tissue damage protection. Nine of 40 patients developed postreperfusion syndrome (PRS), but seven of them belonged to the control group. There was a decrease in PHD2 and an increase in alpha subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) and baculoviral IAP repeat containing 2 (Birc2) transcript levels in the biopsies from the ALA-treated versus the control group of patients. Additionally, plasma levels of alarmins were lower in ALA-treated patients than control patients, which suggests that ALA-treated grafts are less inflammatory than untreated grafts. These results showed that ALA is safe for use in LT, induces gene changes that protect against hypoxia and oxidative stress and reduces the appearance of PRS.

Neoplasia mucinosa apendicular / Appendiceal mucinous neoplasms

RESUMEN La neoplasia mucinosa apendicular es una entidad poco frecuente que representa el 0,2 al 0,7% de todas las apendicectomías. La forma de presentación más frecuente es el hallazgo incidental. También puede diagnosticarse du rante el estudio de un dolor abdominal crónico en el cuadrante inferior derecho o, de manera retros pectiva, por el hallazgo en la anatomía patológica en el marco de una apendicitis aguda. La apendicectomía es el tratamiento indicado; la técnica tiene como objeto impedir la perforación del apéndice para evitar el vuelco a la cavidad peritoneal de moco o células neoplásicas y de esa manera prevenir el desarrollo del pseudomixoma peritoneal.

ABSTRACT Appendiceal mucinous neoplasms are rare and represent 0.2-0.7% of all appendectomies. They usual present as an incidental finding. The diagnosis can be made during the evaluation of chronic abdomi nal pain in the right lower quadrant or may emerge in the pathology report in the setting of an acute appendicitis. Appendectomy is the treatment of choice and care must be taken to avoid perforation of the appendix with dissemination of neoplastic cells or mucus into the peritoneum and thus prevent the develop ment of pseudomyxoma peritonei.