Statins alter neutrophil migration by modulating cellular Rho activity--a potential mechanism for statins-mediated pleotropic effects?

The ability of neutrophils to sense and migrate toward damaged tissue is a vital component of the innate immune response. Paradoxically, this same migration serves as the hallmark of a number of inflammatory conditions, including ischemic reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, arthritis, and Crohn's disease. More recent evidence suggests that neutrophil infiltration into the cardiac allograft following transplantation is a contributing factor in allograft rejection. We have demonstrated previously a positive correlation between the degree of neutrophil migration and subsequent rejection grades in a cohort of cardiac transplant recipients. Intracellular signaling pathways that are intimately involved in neutrophil migration thus offer potential targets of manipulation in the treatment of such conditions. 3-hydroxy-3-methylyglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors or statins are emerging as potential anti-inflammatory agents and have a proven survival benefit in the transplant population. Yet, little is known about their ability to modulate neutrophil function and their subsequent mechanism of action. We demonstrate here that pravastatin, simvastatin, and atorvastatin significantly reduce neutrophil transendothelial migration toward the chemoattractant fMLP. This effect is independent of any change in neutrophil adhesion or adhesion molecule expression but is related to the ability of statins to reduce fMLP-induced Rho activity in neutrophils. This was confirmed by the ability of the Rho precursor geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to rescue the statin-mediated reduction in neutrophil transendothelial migration. Understanding the mechanisms of action of statins in the neutrophil allows for their use in targeting excessive migration in inappropriate inflammatory conditions.

Helicobacter pylori and Egyptian infantile colic.

Excessive infant crying is a common and often stress-inducing condition for parents that can ultimately result in infant abuse. Although the infantile colic is reported commonly and causes appreciable distress for both parents and pediatricians, its pathogenesis remains unclear, despite 40 years of research. This work studied the role of H. pylori in infantile colic. This study was conducted in a primary health care office in Sharkia Governorate. The study included 50 infants with infantile colic according to Wessel's criteria, along with age and sex matched 50 healthy controls. All-infants without apparent cause for their colic underwent full history taking, clinical examination and H. pylori antigen in their stools. This study supports the new evidence for the role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of infantile colic. H. pylori stool antigen was present in 31 (62%) of cases in contrast to 10 (20%) of controls (P<0.0001). Normal vaginal delivery, male, vomiting and breast feeding may be risk factors for H. pylori infection in this age period.