Oxidative Stress in Tunisian Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Its Involvement in Leukemic Relapse.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the oxidative status and antioxidant defense and its involvement in the relapse of ALL. The plasmatic levels of malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation of protein products and reduced glutathione (GSH), and the plasmatic activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase were determined in 34 patients who were newly diagnosed with ALL and compared with 92 healthy individuals. The plasmatic concentrations of malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation of protein products were higher in ALL patients than in controls and increased during chemotherapy. A decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity and an increase in catalase and SOD activities and GSH plasma levels were observed in ALL patients, as compared with sex-matched controls. Moreover, SOD activity and GSH levels were significantly correlated with the relapse of ALL patients. These data suggest the involvement of oxidative stress in acute lymphoid leukemias and leukemic relapse.

Antioxidant and androgenic effects of dietary ginger on reproductive function of male diabetic rats.

This study evaluated the antioxidant and androgenic properties of ginger roots on the reproductive function of male diabetic rats. Animals were divided into three groups; the control (Control), diabetic (Diab) and diabetic fed with dietary ginger for 30 d (Diab + Z). Thereafter, blood samples were collected and reproductive organs (testis, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicle) were removed for determination of sperm parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate and lactate aminotransferase (AST and ALT) activities. Dietary ginger decreased blood glucose and MDA level, increased reproductive organ weights and testosterone level, improved semen quantity and motility, and ameliorated the SOD, CAT and GPx activities as well as testis AST, ALT, LDH and ALP activities. Intake of ginger roots improves the antioxidant and androgenic reproductive function of male diabetic rats in addition to its antidiabetic property.

[Adverse effects of sulfasalazine: discussion of mechanism and role of sulfonamide structure]. / Effets indésirables de la sulfasalazine : discussion de leur mécanisme et du rôle de la composante sulfamidée.

Sulfasalazine is widely used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and certain rheumatic diseases. However, its use is associated with a high rate of adverse effects (AEs) which can be cutaneous, hematological, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal or neurological. The aim of our study was to collect all cases of AEs suspected to be associated with the use of sulfasalazine in patients hospitalized in the department of Gastroenterology from the Hospital Hedi Chaker of Sfax (Tunisia) for a period of 5 years and to search the incriminated fraction (sulfonamide or salicylate). Our study population included 69 patients who received sulfasalazine for the treatment of IBD. We collected, in 23 patients (33%), 25 AEs suspected to be related to sulfasalazine. Cutaneous and hematological reactions are the most common. The subsequent administration of mesalazine was performed in 15 patients. It was well tolerated in 14 patients. So we were suspecting probably the responsibility of sulfonamide fraction in these cases. The mechanism of sulfasalazine induced AEs may be toxic or immunoallergic with the possibility of a cross-reaction with the other antimicroacterial sulfonamides.

Acute caffeine ingestion improves 3-km run performance, cognitive function, and psychological state of young recreational runners.

The current study aimed to assess the effects of caffeine administration on performance time, cognition, psychomotor state, and blood levels of oxidative stress markers following a 3-km run competition. Thirteen recreational runners performed two test sessions in a double-blind randomized order after placebo or 3 mg/kg of body mass of caffeine. At each session, subjects completed a 3-km running competition around a 400 m outdoor athletics track. Cognitive tasks (attention and reaction time), psychological tests (Feeling scale and Hooper), and blood collection were carried out before and after the run. In comparison with placebo, caffeine ingestion enhanced the 3-km performance time by 1.1% (p < 0.001) (10.13 ± 0.69 min versus 10.25 ± 0.72 min), improved attention by 15.6% (p < 0.001) and reaction-time by 5.9% (p < 0.05), increased good-feeling by 15.7% (p < 0.01), and lowered stress-feeling by 17.6% (p < 0.01) and pain-sensation by 11.3% (p < 0.05). However, no significant effects of caffeine were observed on oxidative stress markers. Only exercise resulted in increased levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (12.2%, 8.8%) (p < 0.05), reduced glutathione (GSH) (17.6%, 10.1%) (p < 0.05), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (7.6%, 6.5%) (p < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (10.3%, 9.6%) (p < 0.05), for both the placebo and caffeine groups respectively. In conclusion, our study highlighted that the consumption of 3 mg/kg caffeine could be an improving agent for the physical, cognitive, and psychological states without affecting the oxidative stress state during such a running competition.

Hydroxychloroquine-induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: a series of seven patients and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is poorly described in the literature. The aim of our study was to characterize the clinical, laboratory, allergological, and genetic features of HCQ-induced AGEP. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with HCQ-induced AGEP diagnosed between 2011 and 2019. We performed molecular analysis to identify variations in the IL36RN gene. We also reviewed similar cases reported between 1991 and March 2020. RESULTS: Seven female patients were included. The mean age was 47 years old, and the average time from HCQ start to onset of symptoms was 40 days. All patients received topical steroids with a full resolution of the rash within an average of 39 days after HCQ withdrawal. Patch tests were performed for three patients with positive results in one case. Genetic analyses were performed for three patients, and no mutation in the IL36RN gene was identified. CONCLUSION: The latent period and the duration for resolution of HCQ-induced AGEP may be longer than with other drugs due to the metabolic characteristics of HCQ. Mutations in the IL36RN gene were not identified in our patients.

Globularia alypum methanolic extract improves burn wound healing process and inflammation in rats and possesses antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

Burns are known as one of the most common and destructive forms of injury with a vast spectrum of consequences. Despite the discovery of various antibacterial and antiseptic agents, burn wound healing still has remained a challenge to modern medicine. Plants have been considered as potential agents for prevention and treatment of disorders in recent years. Globularia alypum L. (GA) is widely used in folk medicine against skin diseases and abscesses, however there is no scientific evidence justifying its use. This study aimed to evaluate the wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect, the antibacterial and antioxidant activities, as well as the chemical compositions of GA methanolic extract (GAME). Chemical compounds of GAME were examined by GC-MS. Wound healing effect was assessed by second-degree burn wounds in rats, anti-inflammatory activity was studied by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, antioxidant activity was estimated by the DPPH, reducing power and ß-carotene tests and antimicrobial activity was tested against 6 bacteria. A total of 17 compounds were identified. GAME-treated rats showed an improvement in healing process and carrageenan-induced hind paws edema as assessed by histological and biochemical investigations, compared to the control. A significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities were also observed in GAME-treated rats. GAME revealed a burn wound healing activity probably due to the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of its phytochemical contents. Thus, this study confirms its traditional use, however further more precise studies are needed for future clinical application.

Autoimmune hepatitis as an adverse effect of long-term methotrexate therapy.

Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most commonly used medicines in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. The drug can produce steatosis and cirrhosis. Autoimmune hepatitis is a rare and serious adverse effect. We describe the case of a 53-year-old woman who developed autoimmune hepatitis after a long-term use of MTX for psoriatic arthritis. Hepatitis was completely resolved 4 months after stopping this drug. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of a drug-induced autoimmunity are unclear and complex. This report confirms the need to monitor liver enzymes carefully in patients using long-term treatment with MTX for psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Effects of morning caffeine' ingestion on mood States, simple reaction time, and short-term maximal performance on elite judoists.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ergogenic effect of caffeine ingestion on mood state, simple reaction time, and muscle power during the Wingate test recorded in the morning on elite Judoists. METHODS: TWELVE ELITE JUDOISTS (AGE: 21.08 ± 1.16 years, body mass: 83.75 ± 20.2 kg, height: 1.76 ±6.57 m) participated in this study. Mood states, simple reaction time, and muscle power during the Wingate test were measured during two test sessions at 07:00 h and after placebo or caffeine ingestion (i.e. 5 mg/kg). Plasma concentrations of caffeine were measured before (T0) and 1-h after caffeine' ingestion (T1) and after the Wingate test (T3). RESULTS: Our results revealed an increase of the anxiety and the vigor (P<0.01), a reduction of the simple reaction time (P<0.001) and an improvement of the peak and mean powers during the Wingate test. However, the fatigue index during this test was unaffected by the caffeine ingestion. In addition, plasma concentration of caffeine was significantly higher at T1 in comparison with T0. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that morning caffeine ingestion has ergogenic properties with the potential to benefit performance, increase anxiety and vigor, and decrease the simple reaction time.

Ageusia as a side effect of clopidogrel treatment.

Clopidogrel is prescribed in cardiac and extracardiac vascular diseases. It is generally well tolerated; however, few cases of taste disorders have been reported. We present a case of clopidogrel-induced ageusia notified in Sfax pharmacovigilance center on March 13, 2009. A 46-year-old patient developed ageusia with decreased appetite five weeks after starting clopidogrel. Other etiologies including ear nose throat (ENT) examination were ruled out. Five months after reduction of clopidogrel dose, ageusia partially decreased. Clopidogrel was strongly suspected as a causal drug. According to the French imputation method, score of imputability was considered as plausible (C2S2) I2. Physiopathology of this side effect is not yet understood. However, it seems to be a reversible and dose-related event. Although it is not life-threatening, loss of taste can have significant effect on the quality of life of patients.