Allergic-like Hypersensitivity Reactions to Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents: An 8-year Cohort Study of 154 539 Patients.

Background With the widespread use of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), the incidence of allergic-like hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to GBCAs is increasing. Research on the incidence and risk factors for HSRs to GBCAs is needed for their safe use. Purpose To determine the incidence of acute and delayed reactions to GBCAs and to discuss the risk factors and strategies for the prevention of HSRs to GBCAs. Materials and Methods All cases of HSRs to contrast media that occurred at the Seoul National University Hospital from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2020, were assessed. Information including age, sex, GBCA type, onset, and severity of HSRs was retrospectively analyzed. Results Among the 331070 cases of GBCA exposure in 154539 patients, 1304 cases of HSRs (0.4%) were reported. Acute HSRs accounted for 1178 cases (0.4%), while 126 cases (0.04%) were delayed HSRs. While both premedication (odds ratio [OR] = 0.7, P = .041) and changing the type of GBCA (OR = 0.2, P < .001) showed preventative effects in patients with a history of acute HSRs, only premedication (OR = 0.2, P = .016) significantly reduced the incidence of HSRs in patients with a history of delayed reactions. The risk of an HSR to GBCA was higher in those with a history of an HSR to iodinated contrast media (OR = 4.6, P < .001). Conclusion The rate of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) was 0.4%. The absence of premedication, repeated exposures to the culprit GBCA, and a history of HSRs to iodinated contrast media and GBCAs were risk factors for HSRs to GBCAs. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Kallmes and McDonald in this issue.

Anti-Diabetic Obesity Effects of Wasabia Japonica Matsum Leaf Extract on 45% Kcal High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice.

The present study examined the effects of Wasabi leaf (WL) on 45% Kcal high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mild diabetic obese mice. In particular, the hepatoprotective (i.e., liver weight, histopathology of liver, serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase) effects of 12 weeks of continuous oral administration of 250 mg/kg metformin, and 200, 100, or 50 mg/kg WL were investigated. In addition, the hypolipidemic (i.e., serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels), hypoglycemic (i.e., glycated hemoglobin, blood glucose and insulin levels, pancreatic weight, and immunohistochemical-histopathological analysis of the pancreas), and anti-obesity effects (i.e., body weight, mean food consumption, total and abdominal body fat mass, periovarian fat weight, and histopathology of the periovarian and abdominal wall adipocytes) were monitored. The liver and general antioxidant defense systems were also assessed by lipid metabolism-related gene expression. All diabetes manifestations and related complications, including obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), were dose-dependently reduced after 84 days of oral treatment with metformin or each of the three dosages of WL. In particular, 50 mg/kg WL showed effective suppression effects against HFD-induced diabetes and related complications of obesity, NAFLD, and hyperlipidemia, comparable to the effects of metformin.

Berberine Ameliorates Allodynia Induced by Chronic Constriction Injury of the Sciatic Nerve in Rats.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether berberine could ameliorate allodynia induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in rats. After inducement of CCI, significant increases in the number of paw lifts from a cold plate test (cold allodynia) and decreased paw withdrawal threshold in the von Frey hair stimulation test (mechanical allodynia) were observed. However, these cold and mechanical allodynia were markedly alleviated by berberine administration in a dose-dependent manner. Sciatic nerve myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde activities were also attenuated by berberine administration. Continuous injection for 7 days induced no development of tolerance. The antiallodynic effect of 20 mg/kg berberine was comparable to that of amitriptyline 10 mg/kg. This study demonstrated that berberine could mitigate allodynia induced by CCI, a neuropathic pain model, and it suggested that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of berberine contributed to the antiallodynic effect in the CCI model.

Berberine ameliorates cold and mechanical allodynia in a rat model of diabetic neuropathy.

This study evaluated the antiallodynic properties of berberine on cold and mechanical allodynia after streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes using a rat model. Diabetic neuropathy was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. To measure cold and mechanical allodynia, a 4°C plate and von Frey filament were used, respectively. Cold and mechanical allodynia induced by diabetes were significantly decreased by single and repeated intraperitoneal treatment of amitriptyline at 10 mg/kg, and berberine at 10 and 20 mg/kg. The hepatic malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly increased in diabetic rats as compared with those in intact rats; however, in amitriptyline- and berberine-treated rats, they were significantly decreased as compared to the STZ control. The overall effects of berberine 20 mg/kg on cold and mechanical allodynia were quite similar to those of amitriptyline 10 mg/kg, and berberine exhibited similar antioxidant effects as the same dosage of amitriptyline. In conclusion, berberine (10 and 20 mg/kg) was observed to have antiallodynic effects against diabetes, which are presumed to be associated with antioxidative effects. It can be considered that the anti-inflammatory or antidepressant capacity of berberine could contribute to the antiallonynic effects shown in this study.