Retinopatía por descompresión, una complicación de la cirugía ocular / Decompression retinopathy, a complication of ocular surgery

La retinopatía por descompresión es una complicación infrecuente de la cirugía ocular. Aunque después de una trabeculectomía con o sin antimetabolitos se ha reportado la mayoría de los casos, también se ha comunicado en otros procederes oculares. La presión intraocular preoperatoria elevada y sus bruscas variaciones intra- y posoperatorias juegan un rol en su fisiopatología. Las hemorragias retinales son su signo distintivo y la oclusión de la vena central de la retina su diagnóstico diferencial más complejo. En la mayoría de los pacientes se resuelve el cuadro clínico en las primeras ocho semanas sin necesidad de intervención terapéutica. Para minimizar su riesgo, se recomienda una reducción gradual y controlada de la presión intraocular pre- e intraoperatoria. Para la actualización del conocimiento sobre retinopatía por descompresión se realizó una revisión de las publicaciones más relevantes relacionadas con el tema durante los últimos años, con el objetivo de profundizar y mejorar el entendimiento sobre retinopatía por descompresión(AU)

Decompression retinopathy is an infrequent complication of ocular surgery. Most cases have been reported after trabeculectomy with or without antimetabolites, but it has also been described in other ocular procedures. High preoperative intraocular pressure and its sudden intra- and postoperative variations play a role in its physiopathology. Retinal hemorrhage is its distinguishing sign, and central retinal vein occlusion its most complex differential diagnosis. In most patients the clinical picture is resolved within the first eight weeks without any therapeutic intervention. A gradual, controlled reduction in pre- and intraoperative intraocular pressure is recommended to minimize risk. With the purpose of updating knowledge about decompression retinopathy, a review was conducted of the most relevant studies about the topic published in recent years(AU)

Droga antimetabolítica en pacientes con enfermedad de células falciformes en el centro hematológico del hospital de capacitación de Kerbalaa / Antimetabolite drug in patients with sickle cell diseases in hematological center of Kerbalaa training hospital

Antecedentes: el fármaco antimetabolito aumenta el nivel de hemoglobina fetal y reduce la frecuencia de crisis en pacientes con anemia de células falciformes. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de los antimetabolitos (hidroxiurea) en casos con crisis falciforme frecuente de anemia de células falciformes y talasemia no dependiente de transfusiones en el hospital de formación de Karbala desde abril de 2016 hasta diciembre de 2020. Pacientes y métodos: de 81 pacientes realizados en este estudio de casos y controles, cuarenta recibieron hidroxiurea y los otros cuarenta y un pacientes no. Se realizaron monitoreos cada dos semanas en los primeros tres meses mediante el envío para análisis (Hb, WBC, recuento de plaquetas y urea en sangre y creatinina sérica) LA PRENSA MÉDICA ARGENTINA Antimetabolite drug in patients with sickle cell diseases in hematological center of kerbalaa training hospital 161 V.107/Nº 3 además de la evaluación de los efectos secundarios de los medicamentos. Los cuarenta y un pacientes restantes que rechazaron la terapia con medicamentos los consideramos un grupo de control. Resultado: el grupo de casos que recibió hidroxilurea tuvo crisis principalmente después de 12 semanas desde la última crisis, mientras que el grupo de control tuvo crisis principalmente cada 3 a 7 semanas con un valor P=0,0001. No hubo efectos secundarios en el 77,5% de los casos que recibieron hidroxiurea. El 22,5% restante de los casos tuvo efectos secundarios menores o inespecíficos. Conclusión: En pacientes con drepanocitosis que sufrieron episodios recurrentes de crisis, la terapia con Hidroxiurea disminuye significativamente la frecuencia de la crisis dolorosa, con un bajo nivel de efectos secundarios en comparación con el grupo control.

Background: the antimetabolite drug increase fetal hemoglobin level and reduce the frequency of crisis in sickle cell disease patients. Aim: To evaluate the effect of antimetabolites (hydroxyurea) in cases with frequent sickling crisis of sickle cell disease and non-transfusion dependent thalassemia in Karbala training hospital from APRIL 2016 till December 2020. Patient and methods: from eighty-one patients conducted in this case control study, forty were received hydroxyurea and the other forty-one patients were not. Monitoring every two weeks in the first three months by sending for investigations (Hb, WBC, platelet count and blood urea and serum creatinine) in addition to assessment of drug side effects. The remaining forty-one patients who refused drug therapy we consider them as a control group. Result: the case group who received hydroxylurea had crisis mostly after 12 weeks from last crisis, whereas the control group had crisis mostly each 3 to 7 weeks in P value 0.0001. There was no side effect in 77.5% of cases received hydroxyurea.The remaining 22.5% of cases had less or nonspecific side effects. Conclusion: In patient with sickle cell diseases who suffered from recurrent episodes of crisis, Hydroxyurea therapy significantly decreases the frequency of the painful crisis, with low level of side effects in comparison with control group

Tratamiento exitoso del pioderma grangrenoso con metotrexate en paciente con enfermedad de Crohn / Successful treatment of gangrenous pyoderma with methotrexate in a patient with Crohn's disease

El pioderma gangrenoso (PG), es una dermatosis neutrofílica, cutáneo-ulcerativa, no infecciosa, que ocurre hasta en un 2% de los pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn (EC). Su aparición suele ser independiente del curso clínico de la EC. Las terapias más utilizadas han sido los corticoides sistémicos, la ciclosporina y la terapia biológica, los cuales han mostrado buenos resultados. El Metotrexate (MTX) es un fármaco antimetabolito con actividad antiinflamatoriaque se caracteriza por una dosificación semanal, un inicio de acción más rápida, con buen perfil de seguridad relacionado con neoplasias malignas y sobretodo un menor costo. Posee eficacia en la inducción de la remisión en pacientes con EC, sin embargo su eficacia en el manejo de manifestaciones extraintestinales como el PG es incierta. Presentamos el caso de un varón joven que acude a urgencias por diarrea crónica, pérdida de peso, y fiebre acompañado de un nódulo doloroso, eritematoso, situado a nivel pretibial compatible con PG en el contexto de EC. Fue manejado inicialmente con corticoides sistémicos sin mejoría. De tal forma, se inició terapia concomitante con MTX con respuesta clínica y analítica favorable. En conclusión, la terapia concomitante de cortiocoides sistémicos y MTX en pacientes con EC con PG podría suponer un tratamiento alternativo al no contar con disponibilidad de ciclosporina o terapia biológica en nuestro medio.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic, cutaneous-ulcerative, non-infectious dermatosis that occurs in up to 2% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Its appearance is usually independent of the clinical course of CD. The most used therapies have been systemic corticosteroids, cyclosporine and biological therapy, which have shown good results. Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite drug with anti-inflammatory activity characterized by a weekly dosage, a faster onset of action, with a good safety profile related to malignant neoplasms and, above all, a lower cost. It is effective in the induction of remission in patients with CD, however its efficacy in the management of extraintestinal manifestations such as PG is uncertain. We present the case of a young man who comes to the emergency room with an history of chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and fever accompanied by a painful, erythematous nodule, located at the lower extremity compatible with PG in the context of CD. It was initially managed with systemic corticosteroids without improvement. Concomitant therapy with MTX was started with a favorable clinical outcome. In conclusion, the concomitant therapy of systemic corticosteroids and MTX in patients with CD with PG could be an alternative treatment in cases where cyclosporine or biological therapy is not available.

Optimization of culture conditions for antimetabolite production by a rare tea garden actinobacterial isolate, Amycolatopsis sp. ST-28

Background:Microbial metabolites are of great importance to the pharmaceutical industries. There is an urgent need of novel microbial metabolites in the present scenario to combat antimicrobial resistance. Selection and screening of potent microbial strains for production of antimicrobial metabolites as well as optimization of their culture conditions is of utmost importance in drug discovery. Therefore, the study was carried out to evaluate the effect of nutritional and cultural conditions on the production of bioactive metabolites by a rare tea garden actinobacterial strain Amycolatopsis sp. ST-28. Materials and methods:Submerged fermentation of the actinobacterial isolate was carried out on different culture media and different culture conditions such as carbon and nitrogen sources, inoculum volume, pH, fermentation period and agitation speed. The culture filtrate was assayed againstStaphylococcus aureus.Agar well diffusion method was employed to determine the maximum diameter of zone of inhibition (mm). The dried mycelial weight (mg) in a fixed volume of culture media was used for the determination of the total biomass produced.Results:Maximum bioactive metabolite and biomass production was observed when submerged fermentation was carried out with mannose and peptone respectively as a sole carbon and nitrogen source. Maintaining other environmental parameters viz. inoculum 11% (v/v), pH of 6.5, temperature of 32ºC and incubation period of 11 days at 150 rpm were found optimum for maximum antimicrobial activity. Conclusion:This study demonstrated optimized cultural conditions for improved production of antimicrobial compound by Amycolatopsis sp. ST-28

Consenso Mexicano para el Tratamiento de la Hepatitis C / The Mexican consensus on the treatment of Hepatitis C

El objetivo del Consenso Mexicano para el Tratamiento de la Hepatitis C fue el de desarrollar un documento como guía en la práctica clínica con aplicabilidad en México. Se tomó en cuenta la opinión de expertos en el tema con especialidad en: gastroenterología, infectología y hepatología. Se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía en MEDLINE, EMBASE y CENTRAL mediante palabras claves referentes al tratamiento de la hepatitis C. Posteriormente se evaluó la calidad de la evidencia mediante el sistema GRADE y se redactaron enunciados, los cuales fueron sometidos a voto mediante un sistema modificado Delphi, y posteriormente se realizó revisión y corrección de los enunciados por un panel de 34 votantes. Finalmente se clasificó el nivel de acuerdo para cada oración. Esta guía busca dar recomendaciones con énfasis en los nuevos antivirales de acción directa y de esta manera facilitar su uso en la práctica clínica. Cada caso debe ser individualizado según sus comorbilidades y el manejo de estos pacientes siempre debe ser multidisciplinario.

The aim of the Mexican Consensus on the Treatment of Hepatitis C was to develop clinical practice guidelines applicable to Mexico. The expert opinion of specialists in the following areas was taken into account: gastroenterology, infectious diseases, and hepatology. A search of the medical literature was carried out on the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases through keywords related to hepatitis C treatment. The quality of evidence was subsequently evaluated using the GRADE system and the consensus statements were formulated. The statements were then voted upon, using the modified Delphi system, and reviewed and corrected by a panel of 34 voting participants. Finally, the level of agreement was classified for each statement. The present guidelines provide recommendations with an emphasis on the new direct-acting antivirals, to facilitate their use in clinical practice. Each case must be individualized according to the comorbidities involved and patient management must always be multidisciplinary.

¿Es la mitomicina C superior al 5-fluorouracilo como antimetabolito en la trabeculectomía para el glaucoma? / Is mytomicyn better than 5-fluorouracil as antimetabolite in trabeculectomy for glaucoma?

INTRODUCCIÓN: La trabeculectomía es considerada la intervención de elección en pacientes con glaucoma con indicación de manejo quirúrgico. Dentro de los factores asociados al fracaso de este tratamiento se encuentra la cicatrización postoperatoria. Para disminuir este factor se han usado distintos antimetabolitos, en particular el 5-fluorouracilo y la mitomicina C. Si bien ambos se consideran efectivos, no está claro si existen diferencias entre ambos en relación al éxito de la trabeculectomía y los efectos adversos. MÉTODOS: Para responder esta pregunta utilizamos Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, reanalizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un metanálisis, preparamos tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Identificamos cuatro revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen 17 estudios primarios, de los cuales, 12 corresponden a ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que el uso de mitomicina C podría lograr una mayor disminución de la presión intraocular e incrementar la tasa de éxito calificado en comparación con el 5-fluorouracilo. Sin embargo, su uso podría asociarse a una mayor incidencia de complicaciones.

INTRODUCTION: Trabeculectomy is considered the standard for glaucoma surgery. Postoperative scarring is one the factors associated with surgery failure. Different antimetabolites have been used in order to reduce this risk, particularly 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C. Although both are considered effective, it is not clear if they are different in terms of success of trabeculectomy and adverse effects. METHODS: To answer this question we used Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified four systematic reviews including 17 studies overall, of which 12 were randomized trials. We concluded mitomycin C might be more effective in reducing intraocular pressure and increasing qualified success compared to 5-fluorouracil. However, its use might be associated to a higher risk of complications.

Conjunctival Necrosis following Ahmed Valve Implantation and Subtenon Triamcinolone Injection

PURPOSE: We report a case of conjunctival necrosis in a glaucoma patient who underwent Ahmed valve implantation and subtenon triamcinolone injection. CASE SUMMARY: subconjunctival injections of mitomycin C in her right eye. Ahmed valve implantation and subtenon triamcinolone injection were performed in the right eye. Four weeks later, conjunctival necrosis was observed. After debridement of necrotic tissue, an additional conjunctival autograft was needed because of recurrence of the conjunctival necrosis. After amniotic membrane transplantation was performed for one more recurrent conjunctival necrosis, conjunctival epithelialization was completed. CONCLUSIONS: Although conjunctival necrosis after periocular injection of triamcinolone is a rare complication, previous multiple usage of antimetabolites such as mitomycin C might be associated with a higher risk of developing conjunctival necrosis. In such cases, aggressive surgical intervention may be helpful in the reconstruction of the conjunctival epithelium.

The influence of allopurinol and post-conditioning on lung injuries induced by lower-limb ischemia and reperfusion in Wistar rats

Abstract Purpose: To analyze the effects of allopurinol and of post-conditioning on lung injuries induced by lower-limb ischemia and reperfusion. Methods: Thirty rats were used. They were divided in 5 groups: (1) group A: abdominal aortic dissection only, (2) group B: ischemia and reperfusion, (3) group C: administered allopurinol (100mg/Kg) a few hours before procedure, (4) group D: post-conditioned and (5) group E: administered allopurinol and post-conditioned. With the exception of group A, all groups were submitted to infrarenal aortic ischemia for 2 hours, and reperfusion for 72 hours. After euthanasia, lungs were removed for histological analysis. They were graded under two scores: pulmonary injury (neutrophil infiltration, interstitial edema, vascular congestion, and destruction of lung architecture) and lymphocytic score (neutrophil infiltration, lymphoid aggregate and secondary follicle). Results: On the pulmonary injury score, the degree of injury was smaller than in groups D and E, when compared to group B, p<0.05. Group C did not obtain the same result (p>0,05). On the lymphocytic score, there was no statistic difference among groups, p>0.05. Conclusion: Both post-conditioning and the combination of allopurinol and post-conditioning were effective in remote lung protection induced by lower-limbs I/R. When used in isolation, allopurinol showed no protective effect.

Evaluation of the effect of allopurinol as a protective factor in post ischemia and reperfusion inflammation in Wistar rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential protective effect of allopurinol on reperfusion injury by determining the inflammatory response through the measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). METHODS: Sixty rats were distributed into two groups: control and allopurinol and each group was divided into three subgroups, ischemia for two hours, ischemia for three hours and ischemia simulation. Allopurinol group rats received 100mg/kg dose of allopurinol, whereas control group rats received an equivalent dose of saline. Clamping of the infrarenal aorta was performed for two or three hours depending on the subgroup. Ischemia simulation subgroups did not suffer ischemia, just aortic dissection, and maintenance for three hours. After 72 hours of reperfusion, blood was collected by cardiac puncture for TNF-alpha measurement. RESULTS: Allopurinol reduced TNF-alpha significantly (p <0.001) when compared to the matching control subgroups (control X allopurinol in ischemia for two hours and for three hours). CONCLUSION: Allopurinol reduced the concentrations of serum TNF-alpha when used at different times of ischemia followed by reperfusion, which might indicate reduction of the inflammation provoked by the reperfusion injury.

Effect of allopurinol on the kidney function, histology and injury biomarker (NGAL, IL 18) levels in uninephrectomised rats subjected to ischaemia-reperfusion injury

PURPOSE: To investigate whether allopurinol exerts a protective effect on kidneys by measuring new kidney injury biomarkers (NGALp, NGALu, KIM 1 and IL 18) and analysing the renal function and histology in uninephrectomised rats subjected to ischaemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Thirty two Wistar rats were randomly allocated to four groups: Sham (S): laparotomy; Control (C): laparotomy and ischaemia-reperfusion in the left kidney; Control Allopurinol (CA): laparotomy and allopurinol at a dose of 100mg·kg 1·d 1; and Allopurinol (A): laparotomy ischaemia-reperfusion in the left kidney and allopurinol at a dose of 100mg·kg 1·d 1. The NGALp, NGALu, KIM 1, IL 18 and creatinine levels and the kidney histology were analysed. The significance level was established as p<0.05. RESULTS: Creatinine level increased in all the groups, with A ≈ C > S ≈ CA. The NGALp, NGALu and IL 18 levels exhibited similar behaviour in all the groups. KIM 1 was higher in group A than C and showed intermediate values in groups S and CA. Severity of injury in the left kidney was greater in groups C and A compared to S and CA. CONCLUSION: Allopurinol did not exert protective or damaging effects on the kidneys of rats subjected to ischaemia-reperfusion injury. .

Prevention of Comorbidity and Acute Attack of Gout by Uric Acid Lowering Therapy

The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of uric acid lowering therapy in reducing the new development of comorbidities and the frequency of acute attacks in gout patients. We retrospectively reviewed patients who were diagnosed to have gout with at least 3 yr of follow up. They were divided into 2 groups; 53 patients with mean serum uric acid level (sUA) or =6 mg/dL. Comorbidities of gout such as hypertension (HTN), type II diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and urolithiasis were compared in each group at baseline and at last follow-up visit. Frequency of acute gout attacks were also compared between the groups. During the mean follow up period of 7.6 yr, the yearly rate of acute attack and the new development of HTN, DM, CVD and urolithiasis was lower in the adequately treated group compared to the inadequately treated group. Tight control of uric acid decreases the incidence of acute gout attacks and comorbidities of gout such as HTN, DM, CVD and urolithiasis.

Uso de azatioprina en enfermedad de Crohn ¿En qué estamos? / Current state of the use of azathioprine in Crohn’s disease

Crohn´s disease (CD) is an intestinal pathology that may have a torpid and disabling course. One of the purposes of the pharmalogical therapy is to prevent progression of the disease and keep the patient in clinical remission. Thiopurines (azathioprine (AZT)/6-mercaptopurine (6-MP)) correspond to a group of drugs so far recommended in all current consensus for maintaining remission of the disease. Recent publications have questioned its effectiveness as a maintenance treatment. We reviewed the literature to date and the aforementioned publications trying to clarify the current status of the use of AZT/6-MP in CD. We emphasize the importance of thiopurine therapy guided by levels of its metabolites, 6-thioguanines and 6-metilmercaptopurines and usefulness of Allopurinol in selected cases. It is still pending to determine whether thiopurines have the potential to modify the disease at an early stage. Further studies are needed before conclusions can modify our clinical behavior to continue using AZT/6-MP in patients with CD.

La enfermedad de Crohn (EC) es una enfermedad intestinal que puede tener un curso tórpido e invalidan. Uno de los objetivos del tratamiento farmacológico es evitar la progresión de la enfermedad y mantener al paciente en remisión. Las tiopurinas (azatioprina (AZT)/6-mercaptopurina (6-MP) corresponden a un grupo de fármacos hasta ahora recomendados en todos los consensos para mantener la remisión de esta enfermedad. Publicaciones recientes han cuestionado su efectividad como tratamiento de mantención. Revisamos la literatura disponible hasta la fecha y las mencionadas publicaciones, intentando esclarecer el estatus actual del uso de AZT/6-MP en EC. Recalcamos la importancia de realizar la terapia con tiopurinas guiada según los niveles de sus metabolitos 6-tioguaninas y 6-metilmercaptopurinas y la utilidad del uso de alopurinol en casos seleccionados. Conclusión: Está pendiente determinar si las tiopurinas tienen el potencial de modificar la enfermedad tempranamente. Se requieren mayores estudios antes de sacar conclusiones que modifiquen nuestra conducta clínica en lo que respecta a seguir usando AZT/6-MP en pacientes con EC.

Estabilidade físico-química de medicamentos antimetabólitos e associados (folinato de cálcio, fluoruracila e metotrexato) / Physicochemical stability of antimetabolite and associate products (calcium folinate, fluorouracil and methotrexate)

A estabilidade físico-química de soluções injetáveis de folinato de cálcio (leucovorina cálcica), fluoruracila e metotrexato (Fauldleuco, Fauldfluor e Fauldmetro, respectivamente) mantidas nas suas embalagens primárias foram avaliadas após perfuração quanto ao aspecto das soluções, pH, identificação do fármaco, dosagem, material particulado e substâncias relacionadas. Os resultados demonstraram não haver alterações físico-químicas significativas após perfuração da embalagem primária quando armazenada à temperatura ambiente (20 a 25ºC) por 7 dias para as soluções injetáveis de fluoruracila e metotrexato e quando mantidas em geladeira (2 a 8ºC) por 7 dias para as soluções injetáveis de folinato de cálcio. Em todas as avaliações as amostras ficaram protegidas da luz...

Early transconjunctival needling revision with 5-fluorouracil versus medical treatment in encapsulated blebs: a 12-month prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of transconjunctival needling revision with 5-fluorouracil versus medical treatment in glaucomatous eyes with uncontrolled intraocular pressure due to encapsulated bleb after trabeculectomy. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, interventional study. A total of 40 eyes in 39 patients with elevated intraocular pressure and encapsulated blebs diagnosed at a maximum five months after primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were included. The eyes were randomized to either transconjunctival needling revision with 5- fluorouracil or medical treatment (hypotensive eyedrops). A maximum of two transconjunctival needling revisions per patient was allowed in the needling arm. All patients underwent follow-up for 12 months. Successful treatment was defined as an intraocular pressure ≤ 18 mmHg and a 20% reduction from baseline at the final follow-up. Clinicaltrial.gov: NCT01887223. RESULTS: Mean intraocular pressure at the final 12-month follow-up was lower in the transconjunctival needling revision group compared to the medical treatment group. Similar numbers of eyes reached the criteria for treatment success in both the transconjunctival needling revision group and the medical treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar success rates in eyes randomized to transconjunctival needling revision with 5-fluorouracil compared to eyes receiving medical treatment, there was a significantly lower mean intraocular pressure at 12 months after transconjunctival needling revision. .

prophylactic role of ginger on the pulmonary injury induced by azathioprine on adult male rats [light and scanning electron microscopic study]

Azathioprine is one of the most commonly prescribed immunosuppressive drugs. It is commonly used in the treatment of the immune-mediated diseases. Pulmonary toxicity has been reported as one of its side effects. Ginger [Zingiber officinal roscoe], is a well-known spice plant that has been used traditionally in a wide variety of diseases as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes mellitus and gastrointestinal health. A study of the possible protective role of ginger on the azathioprine induced pulmonary injury in the adult male albino rats using light and scanning electron microscopy. Thirty male adult albino rats were used in the study. They were subdivided into three groups. Each group includes 10 rats. First group was considered as a control, Second group was given azathioprine in a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight twice daily for two days. The third group was given ginger 250 mg orally per kg body weight daily for 5 consecutive days then given azathioprine drug orally for another two days in the same dose as the second group. At the end of the experiment the animals were anaethetized, sacrified and specimens of the lung tissues were extracted and processed to he examined with light and scanning electron microscopy. In group 11, there were thickness of interalveolar septa, lymphocytic cellular infiltration and narrowing of alveolar sacs by light microscopy while in scanning electron microscopy there was thickening of interalveolar septa with narrowing of alveolar sacs, loss of microvilli and laceration of type 11 pneumocytes, disorganized cilia of terminal bronchioles. In group 111 the effect of azathioprine was less than that of group 11 there was less narrowing of the alveolar spaces, less cellular infiltration both type 1 and type 11 pneumocytes and Clara cells were nearly similar to those of control. Administration of ginger prior to azathioprine therapy had a protective effect against the pulmonary injury induced by azathioprine on adult male rats

Thiopurine methyltransferase gene polymorphisms and activity in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with azathioprine / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The thiopurine drugs are well established in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, uncertainty regarding the risk for neutropenia and hepatotoxicity deters its using. Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) is the key enzyme in the metabolism of thiopurine. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of TPMT polymorphisms and activity with azathioprine (AZA)-related adverse events and clinical efficacy in Chinese Han patients with IBD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-two Han IBD patients treated with AZA were assessed for TPMT 2, 3A, 3B, and 3C, and for adverse events. Then, using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, TPMT activity was measured in 13 patients to analyze its correlation with AZA-related toxicity and clinical efficacy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 52 patients, five experienced myelotoxicity and one experienced hepatotoxicity during treatment. No TPMT 2, 3A, 3B or 3C polymorphisms were detected in any of the 52 patients. In the 13 patients with TPMT activity measurement, TPMT activity ranged from 7.2 to 28.8 U/ml packed red blood cells (pRBCs). Among the 5 patients who suffered from myelotoxicity, 3 were affected in the early stage of AZA therapy. In these 3 patients, TPMT levels were significantly lower than those in patients without myelotoxicity, which reached statistical significance ((9.3 ± 2.1) U/ml pRBC vs. (18.0 ± 6.2) U/ml pRBC; P = 0.046). One patient who had higher TPMT activity (28.8 U/ml pRBC) suffered from hepatotoxicity during AZA therapy. Patients who achieved a clinical response had lower TPMT activity than those failed to respond ((13.7 ± 3.5) U/ml pRBC vs. (22.0 ± 5.5) U/ml pRBC; P = 0.009).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TPMT variants do not completely account for the AZA-related myelotoxicity in Chinese Han IBD patients. However, measurement of TPMT activity may be helpful in reducing the risk of toxicity, and predicting the therapeutic efficacy.</p>

A Case of Primary Colon Amyloidosis Presenting as Hematochezia / 대한소화기학회지

Amyloidosis is characterized by a deposition of insoluble fibrils in various organs and tissues. Amyloid deposition, in the gastrointestinal track, provokes a dysfunction of the organ, due to an accumulation of fibrils, and causes a variety of clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings. Primary amyloidosis in the gastrointestinal tract is rarely reported in Korea. We experienced a case of recurrent intestinal bleeding, in a 59-year-old female patient with primary amyloidosis. A colonoscopy revealed the presence of multiple large circular ulcers. In the entire colon, diffuse nodular lesions with edema and bleeding were found. A colonoscopic biopsy established the diagnosis of amyloidosis, to the exclusion of other disease components. We concluded that the patient had localized amyloidosis. Though a definitive therapeutic strategy has not been established for localized gastrointestinal amyloidosis, the patient has been successfully treated with a high-dose of steroids and azathioprine.

Nódulos reumatoides: avaliação comparativa da resposta terapêutica com triancinolona e fluoruracil intralesional / Rheumatoid nodules: evaluation of the therapeutic response to intralesional fluorouracil and triamcinolone

Os nódulos reumatoides correspondem à manifestação extra-articular mais comum da artrite reumatoide, ocorrendo em cerca de 20-25 por cento dos pacientes. A etiologia é desconhecida. Apesar de os nódulos poderem apresentar remissão espontânea durante o tratamento, eles, em geral, representam um desafio terapêutico. Apresenta-se um caso no qual se avaliou a resposta dos nódulos reumatoides por meio de ultrassonografia após infiltração de triancinolona e 5-fluoruracil.

Rheumatoid nodules are the most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis and are present in around 20-25 percent of patients. Their etiology is unknown and although the nodules may undergo spontaneous remission during the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, they usually constitute a therapeutic challenge. The present paper describes a case in which the response of rheumatoid nodules was evaluated by ultrasound following infiltration of triamcinolone acetonide and 5-fluorouracil.