Subclinic arterial and left ventricular systolic impairment in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease with preserved renal functions.

Subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events are common even in young normotensive patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Our aim was to examine the relationship between serum fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), arterial stiffness (AS), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with ADPKD with preserved kidney function. The relationship between albuminuria, AS, LV-GLS, CIMT, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement, and FGF-23 was examined in 52 normotensive and hypertensive patients with ADPKD and a matched control group of 35 subjects. AS was assesed with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, LV-GLS was measured with speckle-tracking echocardiography. FGF-23 was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The microalbumin/creatinine ratio was significantly higher in the ADPKD group than in the control group (p?

Post-operative Brugada electrocardiographic pattern, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and sudden death in a child after administration of propofol anaesthesia.

A 9-year-old African-American girl presented with sudden cardiac arrest a few hours after adenotonsillectomy. She received anaesthesia which included propofol during the procedure. Her electrocardiogram (EKG) showed type 1 Brugada pattern, and genetic testing revealed a variant of unknown significance in desmoplakin (DSP) gene. We discuss the association between propofol, Brugada EKG pattern, and malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

Gender and chronological age affect erythrocyte membrane oxidative indices in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-formula 1 (CPDA-1) blood bank storage condition.

It is well known that in vitro storage lesions lead to membrane dysfunction and decreased number of functional erythrocytes. As erythrocytes get older, in storage media as well as in peripheral circulation, they undergo a variety of biochemical changes. In our study, the erythrocytes with different age groups in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-formula 1 (CPDA-1) storage solution were used in order to investigate the possible effect of gender factor on oxidative damage. Oxidative damage biomarkers in erythrocyte membranes such as ferric reducing antioxidant power, pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance, protein-bound advance glycation end products, and sialic acid were analyzed. Current study reveals that change in membrane redox status during blood-bank storage condition also depends on both gender depended homeostatic factors and the presence of CPDA-1. During the storage period in CPDA-1, erythrocytes from the male donors are mostly affected by free radical-mediated oxidative stress but erythrocytes obtained from females are severely affected by glyoxidative stress.

The effects of fluoxetine on circulating oxidative damage parameters in rats exposed to aortic ischemia-reperfusion.

Oxidative stress and reperfusion injury may develop in different ischemia-reperfusion (IR) models. Growing evidence links altered lipid protein redox-homeostasis with IR. The effect of fluoxetine (FLX; N-methyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl) phenoxy] benzenepropanamine), on the lipid protein redox-homeostasis mechanisms in the rats exposed to aortic IR is unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of FLX on circulating protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation parameters, such as ischemia modified albumin (IMA), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), prooxidant antioxidant balance (PAB), erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), as potential IR biomarkers. Wistar rats were randomized into three groups (n=7/group): 1) Control (sham laparotomy); 2) IR without FLX, (60min ischemia and 120min reperfusion); 3) IR with FLX (FLX+IR) (FLX 20mg/kg/day, i.p. for three days before surgery). All of the aforementioned parameters (IMA, LOOH, PAB, GSH, CuZn-SOD, and FRAP) were measured spectrophotometrically. IMA, LOOH, and PAB levels in IR group were significantly higher than the control (P<0.01 respectively) and fluoxetine groups (P<0.01, P<0.01, and P<0.05 respectively), whereas CuZn-SOD activities, GSH and FRAP were significantly lower in IR groups. Fluoxetine group significantly reduced IMA when compared to IR group (P<0.001) and control group (P<0.01). With respect to IMA, LOOH and PAB, impaired redox homeostasis is substantially more prominent in aortic IR. The antidepressant FLX has profitable effects on circulating redox status in rats exposed to aortic IR. FLX administration before IR might decrease the surgery-enhanced free radical production; taken together, the antioxidant effects of FLX supplementation should be considered in future studies.

Age-related changes in rat prostate tissue; perspective of protein oxidation.

BACKGROUND: Increased systemic oxidative stress is considered as an important risk factor for prostate cancer occurrence; however, the relationship between impaired redox homeostasis of prostate tissue and aging remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: In our study, we hypothesized that age-related deterioration of redox homeostasis in prostate tissue may be considered as a predisposing factor for prostate cancer occurrence. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups as young control (5 months) and naturally aged (24 months). We investigated the levels of oxidant and antioxidant parameters in prostate tissue. RESULTS: Advanced oxidation protein products, protein carbonyl, non-protein thiol and lipid hydroperoxides levels of aged rats were significantly higher than in the young control rats (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). Additionally, antioxidant activity of Cu-Zn-superoxide dismutase in elderly group was significantly lower than young controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that increased non-protein thiol levels found in aged rats may prevent further dissemination of oxidative protein damage. We also propose that the increased levels of oxidative protein damage markers and decreased Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activity in aged prostate may be considered as a predisposing factor for prostate cancer. Further studies are warranted to clarify all these oxidative changes as initiation factors for prostate cancer in the association of aging with prostate cancer.

Fluoxetine ameliorates imbalance of redox homeostasis and inflammation in an acute kidney injury model

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) has been reported to be associated with augmented reactive oxygen radicals and cytokines. Currently, we aimed to examine the influence of fluoxetine, which is already used as a preoperative anxiolytic, in the context of IR induced by occlusion of infrarenal abdominal aorta (60 min of ischemia) and its effects on renal oxidative status, inflammation, renal function, and cellular integrity in reperfusion (120 min post-ischemia). Male rats were randomly assigned as control, IR, and pretreated groups. The pretreated group animals received fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 3 days. Renal tissue oxidative stress, myeloperoxidase activity, proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alfa, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6), histology, and function were assessed. As an anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10 was also assessed. IR led to a significant increase in lipid hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde, and pro-oxidant antioxidant balance and decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and ferric reducing/antioxidant power level (p < 0.05), but fluoxetine was able to restore these parameters. High concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alfa, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and myeloperoxidase activity caused by IR were significantly decreased in kidney tissue with fluoxetine. In addition, interleukin-10 levels were high in fluoxetine pretreated group. IR resulted in disrupted cellular integrity, infiltration of tissue with leukocytes, and decreased serum creatinine-urea levels (p < 0.05). Fluoxetine significantly restored impaired redox balance and inflammation parameters of rats subjected to IR to baseline values. This beneficial effect of fluoxetine on redox balance might be addressed to an improvement in renal function (AU)

Fluoxetine ameliorates imbalance of redox homeostasis and inflammation in an acute kidney injury model.

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) has been reported to be associated with augmented reactive oxygen radicals and cytokines. Currently, we aimed to examine the influence of fluoxetine, which is already used as a preoperative anxiolytic, in the context of IR induced by occlusion of infrarenal abdominal aorta (60 min of ischemia) and its effects on renal oxidative status, inflammation, renal function, and cellular integrity in reperfusion (120 min post-ischemia). Male rats were randomly assigned as control, IR, and pretreated groups. The pretreated group animals received fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 3 days. Renal tissue oxidative stress, myeloperoxidase activity, proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6), histology, and function were assessed. As an anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10 was also assessed. IR led to a significant increase in lipid hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde, and pro-oxidant antioxidant balance and decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and ferric reducing/antioxidant power level (p < 0.05), but fluoxetine was able to restore these parameters. High concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6, and myeloperoxidase activity caused by IR were significantly decreased in kidney tissue with fluoxetine. In addition, interleukin-10 levels were high in fluoxetine pretreated group. IR resulted in disrupted cellular integrity, infiltration of tissue with leukocytes, and decreased serum creatinine-urea levels (p < 0.05). Fluoxetine significantly restored impaired redox balance and inflammation parameters of rats subjected to IR to baseline values. This beneficial effect of fluoxetine on redox balance might be addressed to an improvement in renal function.

Robotic surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Open cervical parathyroidectomy is the standard of care for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP). However, in patients with a history of keloid or hypertrophic scar formation, the cosmetic result may sometimes be unsatisfactory. Furthermore, in the presence of mediastinal glands, a more morbid approach is sometimes necessary, involving a sternal split or thoracotomy. Robotic parathyroidectomy, either transaxillary or transthoracic, could be an alternative in both settings. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2013, 14 patients with PHP and a well-localized single adenoma underwent robotic transaxillary cervical (TAC) (n = 8) or transthoracic mediastinal (TTM) (n = 6) parathyroidectomy at an academic tertiary medical center and their outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: All 14 operations were completed successfully as planned. For TAC and TTM parathyroidectomies, mean operative time was 184 and 168 min, respectively. With the exception of one TTM patient, intraoperative PTH determination indicated a >50 % drop in all patients 10 min after excision and no patients presented with recurrent disease on follow-up. Average length of hospital stay was 1 day after TAC parathyroidectomy and 2.2 days after TTM. On a visual analog pain scale (0-10), average pain scores after TAC were 6/10 on postoperative day 1 and 1/10 on day 14, compared to 7.7/10 and 1.5/10, respectively, after TTM. Complications included development of seroma in 1 patient in the TAC group and pericardial and pleural effusion in 1 patient in the TTM cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This initial study shows that robotic TAC and TTM parathyroidectomy are feasible in selected PHP patients with preoperatively well-localized disease. Although the TAC approach offers a potential cosmetic benefit in patients with a history of keloid or hypertrophic scar formation, a more generalized use cannot be recommended based on current evidence. The robotic TTM approach presents a minimally invasive alternative to resections previously performed through thoracotomy and sternotomy.

The effect of fluoxetine on ischemia-reperfusion after aortic surgery in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Aortic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is an important factor in the development of postoperative acute lung injury after abdominal aortic surgery. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of fluoxetine (Flx), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor widely used as a preoperative anxiolytic, on lung injury induced by abdominal aortic IR in rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomized into three groups (n = 7 per group): (1) control (sham laparotomy); (2) IR without Flx (60-min ischemia and 120-min reperfusion); (3) IR with Flx (Flx + IR) (Flx 20 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneally for 3 d before surgery). Lung tissue samples and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were obtained for biochemical analysis of oxidative status. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level and protein concentrations in BAL and lung wet to dry weight ratios were determined. Histologic evaluation of the lung tissues was also performed. RESULTS: IR without Flx led to significant increase in lipid hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde, and pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance and decrease in superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and ferric reducing antioxidant power activities (P < 0.05 versus control), whereas Flx was able to restore these parameters (P > 0.05 versus control) and decrease IMA level (P < 0.01 versus control) and protein concentration (P < 0.05 versus control) in BAL and wet to dry lung weight ratio. Histologic evaluation showed that Flx attenuated the morphologic changes associated with lung injury. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that Flx confers protection against aortic IR-induced lung oxidative stress and cellular integrity. IMA levels in BAL may be used as a follow-up marker for the efficacy of treatment in lung injury.

Oxidative damage parameters in renal tissues of aged and young rats based on gender.

PURPOSE: Aging is characterized by a gradual functional decrease of all systems including the kidneys. Growing evidence links altered lipid protein redox-homeostasis with renal dysfunction. The effect of sexual dimorphism on the lipid protein redox-homeostasis mechanisms in the aging kidney is obscure. In the current study, we aimed to investigate redox homeostasis as it related to sexual dimorphism on protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation parameters, as protein carbonyl (PCO), total thiol (T-SH), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde, glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as potential aging biomarkers, which may contribute to an analysis of the free radical theory of aging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out with 16 naturally aged rats (24 months old; eight males and eight females) and their corresponding young rat groups as controls (6 months old; eight males and eight females). All of the aforementioned parameters (PCO, T-SH, AOPP, MDA, GSH, SOD) were measured manually instead of automated devices or ELISA kits. RESULTS: PCO, AOPP, and malondialdehyde levels in aged rats were significantly higher in the older rat group than in the younger rat group, whereas SOD activities were significantly lower in old rats. T-SH levels were not significantly different in male groups; however, T-SH levels were lower in the aged female group than in the young female control group. In addition, GSH levels were significantly different between the aged rat group and the corresponding young control group for both genders. CONCLUSION: With respect to PCO and AOPP, impaired redox homeostasis is substantially more prominent in males than females. The decrease of G-SH levels in male groups could be attributed to stabilizing the redox status of protein thiol groups by the depletion of the GSH groups. Considering the results, the renal tissue proteins and lipids in different genders may have different susceptibilities to oxidative damage.

The effect of chronic long-term intermittent hypobaric hypoxia on bone mineral density in rats: role of nitric oxide.

Intermittent hypoxia is the most common pattern of hypoxic exposure in humans. The effect of chronic long-term intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CLTIHH) on bone metabolism is not investigated. We examined the effect of CLTIHH on bone metabolism and the role of nitric oxide (NO) in this process. The rats were divided into three groups in this study. The animals in groups I and II have been exposed to CLTIHH. The animals in group II were also treated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. To obtain CLTIHH, rats were placed in a hypobaric chamber (430 mm Hg; 5 h/day, 5 days/week, 5 weeks). The group III (control) rats breathed room air in the same environment. At the begining of the experiments, bone mineral density (BMD) of the animals were measured, and blood samples were collected from the tail vein. After the 5-week CLTIHH period, the same measurements were repeated. Parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate, bone alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP), NO, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were determined. The cytokines, NO levels, and BMD in CLTIHH-induced rats were higher compared with baseline and control values. The cytokines, b-ALP, and BMD increased while NO levels decreased in the group II compared with baseline values. BMD values of group II were lower than group I but higher than control group. Our results suggested that CLTIHH has positive effects on bone density. Intermittent hypoxia protocols may be developed for treatment and prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

The effect of repeated administration of methotrexate (MTX) on rat ovary: measurement of serum antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible effect of methotrexate (MTX) on rat ovaries by measuring serum antimullerian hormone (AMH), the novel marker of the ovarian reserve. METHODS: Pretreatment serum AMH levels were measured in 15 Wistar albino rats. MTX was given in 1 mg/kg dose in days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Serum AMH levels were measured twenty-four hours after each MTX administration. Pre- and post-treatment serum AMH levels were compared. RESULTS: Pretreatment median serum AMH was 102.4 ng/mL (25%: 41.9; 75%: 179.8). The median serum AMH levels were 70.6 ng/mL (25%: 54.08; 75%: 125.5); 136.1 ng/mL (25%: 57.3; 75%: 223.09); 121.2 ng/mL (25%: 52.5; 75%: 151.5); and 104.7 ng/mL (25%: 65.8; 75%: 265.5) after the first, second, third, and fourth methotrexate administrations, respectively. The ratio of the final (eighth day) median serum AMH level to the pretreatment median AMH level was 1.27 (25%: 0.84 and 75%: 2.57). Wilcoxon related samples test showed that final AMH was significantly higher as compared to the second day AMH measurement (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: MTX administration did not cause a statistically significant change between pretreatment and final serum AMH levels in rats. There was no decrease in AMH levels indicating a decrease in ovarian reserve.

Chiral substituent containing perylene monoanhydride monoimide and its highly soluble symmetrical diimide: synthesis, photophysics and electrochemistry from dilute solution to solid state.

A new chiral perylene monoanhydride monoimide (1) with a sterically hindered chiral amine was successfully synthesized for further selective functionalization at terminal positions. At the same time, the chiral perylene diimide (2) with the same amine has been synthesized. The synthesized products were characterized using the data from NMR, IR, MS, UV-vis, DSC, TGA, elemental analysis and cyclic and square wave voltammetry. Compound 2 shows an excellent solubility of 200 mg mL(-1) in chloroform. The band gap energy (Eg), LUMO and HOMO energy values were 2.28, -3.77 and -6.05 eV for 2, respectively in chloroform. In solid state, the band gap energy (Eg), LUMO and HOMO energy values were 1.96, -4.22 and -6.18 eV for 1 and 1.92, -4.13 and -6.05 eV for 2, respectively. Whereas 1 (solid state: -0.58 and -0.69 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium couple) and 2 (in chloroform: -1.03 and -1.22 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium couple) show two reversible reduction steps, 2 exhibits only one reversible wave (solid state: -0.67 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium couple). The diffusion coefficients were determined as 1.91 x 10(-7) and 8.47 x 10(-7) cm2 s(-1) for 1 and 2 in solid state, respectively, and 1.27 x 10(-5) cm2 s(-1) for 2 in solution. The solid state emission ability of the chiral products ( is much more emissive than ) remains a challenge for photonic, electronic and sensor applications. 1 and 2 showed high thermal stability. Efficient prevention of intermolecular pi-pi contacts of fluorophores results in an excellent fluorescence emission in solid state and solubility for 2.

Novel naphthalene diimides and a cyclophane thereof: synthesis, characterization, photophysical and electrochemical properties.

Three novel naphthalene diimides (1-3) and a cyclophane (4) containing two naphthalene diimide moieties were synthesized and characterized. In contrast to the absorption spectra, the emission spectra were strongly dependent on the solvent polarity. The excimer-like emission and low fluorescence rate constant suggest the formation of ground state complexes in DMF. All the compounds have low fluorescence quantum yields (0.001-0.012). They undergo reversible electron reduction and oxidation while deltaEp values depend strongly on solvent polarity. The LUMO energy values of 1 (3.76 eV), 2 (3.69 eV), and 3 (3.66 eV) vary with the substituent pattern. The structurally relatively rigid cyclophane 4 exhibits excellent thermal stability, a high glass transition temperature (tg, 102 degrees C) and a low LUMO energy value (3.59 eV). Compound 2 is insoluble in DMF at room temperature, but begins to dissolve at 37 degrees C and could therefore potentially serve as a sensor in temperature-sensing devices.