Preventive Effect of L-Carnitine on Scar Formation During Acute Pyelonephritis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis are clinical problems that frequently occur in children. Several factors are responsible for renal tissue injury, morbidity, and renal scarring after pyelonephritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of L-carnitine on renal scarring in acute pyelonephritis. METHODS: A randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 65 children aged 6 months to 10 years. Patients were randomized into 2 groups to receive 7-day treatment with only antibiotics without L-carnitine (control group; n = 32) and 7-day treatment with L-carnitine (case group; n = 33) during the acute phase of infection. Technetium-99m-labeled dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy was performed for all children during the acute phase (in 2-7 days of hospitalization) and late phase. P-value less than 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: We recruited 65 participants in the study: 32 children in control group and 33 children in case group. Three children in the control group and 2 children in the case group refused to perform the second DMSA scan. Overall, data analysis at the end of the study was done on 60 patients. Age distribution of girl patients with upper urinary infection was 6.5% in girl children aged between 6 months and 12 months, 41.1% aged between 1 and 5 years, 33.3% aged between 5 and 10 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between 2 groups in age and sex. There was no significant difference between 2 groups in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, the lab data including urine white blood cells and serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and antibiogram profiles. Voiding dysfunction was detected in 10% of the participants. The baseline DMSA was not significantly difference in 2 groups, but worsening of kidney lesions was significantly higher in control group after 6 months (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that L-carnitine significantly decreased renal scarring because of acute pyelonephritis.

Opium Addiction and Ischemic Stroke in Isfahan, Iran: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of opium addiction (OA) on cerebrovascular disease is controversial. The aim of this study was to clarify this relationship in Iranian patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: In a case-control study, 672 patients with ischemic stroke and 293 controls without a previous history of cerebrovascular or cardiovascular diseases were compared. OA as well as other risk factors such as diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemia, tobacco smoking (TS) were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: OA percentage, TS, TS amount (pack/year), HTN and DM history were significantly higher in the case group compared to controls (p < 0.05). After regression analysis between risk factors, a significant difference remained between 2 groups with regards to HTN (OR 4.21, 95% CI 3.05-5.81, p < 0.001), TS (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.51-3.59, p < 0.001), and OA (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.16-4.85, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Our study showed OA is a risk factor for stroke. However, a follow-up study with a larger cohort is required to confirm the results.

Coffee consumption and risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer: a dose-response meta-analysis.

Several epidemiological studies have evaluated the associations between coffee consumption and the risk of skin cancer; however, the results were not conclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis of the cohort and case-control studies was carried out to determine the association between coffee intake and the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Studies were identified by searching the PubMed and MEDLINE databases (to November 2015). Study-specific risk estimates were pooled under the random-effects model. We separately estimated the relative risk of the three conditions, for exposure to different doses of coffee consumption, kind of study design, and analysis restricted to the basal cell carcinoma type. The summary relative risks for nonmelanoma skin cancer were 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92-0.99] for one cup of coffee, 0.92 (95% CI: 0.88-0.97) for one to two cups of coffee, 0.89 (95% CI: 0.86-0.93) for two to three cups of coffee, and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77-0.85) for more than three cups of coffee per day, respectively. This meta-analysis suggested that caffeinated coffee might have chemopreventive effects against basal cell carcinoma dose dependently. However, other prospective studies are warranted to confirm these effects.

Association of expression of selenoprotein P in mRNA and protein levels with metabolic syndrome in subjects with cardiovascular disease: Results of the Selenegene study.

BACKGROUND: Selenoprotein P (SeP) is involved in transporting selenium from the liver to target tissues. Because SeP confers protection against disease by reducing chronic oxidative stress, the present study aimed to assess the level of SeP in the serum of patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 63 and 71 subjects with and without MetS in the presence of documented CVD. All demographic, anthropometric and cardiometabolic variables (lipids, blood glucose, blood pressure) were assessed. Lifestyle-related factors and personal history and familial CVD risk factors were recorded. The expression of SELP in mRNA and protein levels in the serum was measured, and MetS was determined using ATPIII criteria. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated MetS and SeP to be dependent and independent variables, respectively. RESULTS: Mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, body mass index and waist circumference were higher among subjects with MetS (p = 0.05). The mean of selenium was higher among subjects with MetS, whereas the mean of SeP was lower among subjects with MetS (p < 0.001). In the unadjusted model, the SeP had decreased odds for MetS [odds ratio (OR) = 0.995; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.989-1.00] (p < 0.04). Furthermore, the association between MetS and SeP levels remained marginally significant even after adjusting for potential confounders such as age, gender, family history, smoking status and nutrition. SeP and waist circumference show a significant relationship (OR =0.995; 95% CI = 0.990-1.00) (p < 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a significant decrease in circulating SeP levels according to MetS status in patients with documented cardiovascular disease.

Cytoprotective Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Pinus eldarica Bark against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Endothelial Cells.

BACKGROUND: Pinus eldarica is a widely growing pine in Iran consisting of biologically active constituents with antioxidant properties. This study investigates the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of P. eldarica bark against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: The total phenolic content of P. eldarica extract was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method. The cytotoxicity of P. eldarica extract (25-1000 µg/ml) on HUVECs was assessed using 3-(4,5- Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Cytoprotective effect of P. eldarica extract (25-500 µg/ml) on H2O2-induced oxidative stress was also evaluated by MTT assay. The intra- and extra-cellular hydroperoxides concentration and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured in pretreated cells. RESULTS: The total phenolic content of P. eldarica extract was estimated as 37.04±1.8% gallic acid equivalent. P. eldarica extract (25-1000 µg/ml) had no cytotoxic effect on HUVECs viability. The pretreatment of HUVECs with P. eldarica extract at the concentrations of 50-500 µg/ml significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of H2O2. P. eldarica extract decreased hydroperoxides concentration and increased FRAP value in intra-cellular fluid at the concentration range of 100-500 µg/ml and in extra-cellular fluid at the concentration range of 25-500 µg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of P. eldarica extract against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs. Concerning the high content of phenolic compounds in P. eldarica, more research is needed to evaluate its clinical value in endothelial dysfunction and in other oxidative conditions.

The Effect of Protocatechuic Acid on Blood Pressure and Oxidative Stress in Glucocorticoid-induced Hypertension in Rat.

Oxidative stress is one of the important mechanisms involved in Dexamethasone (Dex)-induced hypertension. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a natural compound with high antioxidant capacity. In this investigation, the effect of pretreatment with PCA was studied in Dex-induced hypertensive male Wistar rats. For induction of hypertension, Dex was injected subcutaneously for 14 days. PCA (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was started from 4 days before Dex administration and continued during the test period. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded using tail-cuff method. Measurement of thymus weight was done as a marker of glucocorticoid activity. The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined in plasma samples. Significant increase in SBP and plasma H2O2 concentration and decrease in FRAP value and in the body and thymus weights were observed in Dex-induced hypertensive rats. PCA dose-dependently prevented hypertension and body weight loss, and reduced plasma H2O2 concentration and increased FRAP values. These results suggest the antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of PCA against Dex-induced hypertension.

Cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of Echium amoenum anthocyanin-rich extract in human endothelial cells (HUVECs).

OBJECTIVE: Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. is used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine. This plant is a major source of anthocyanins with beneficial cardiovascular properties such as anti-atherosclerotic and antihypertensive effects. In the present study, the protective and antioxidant effects of anthocyanin-rich E. amoenum extract were evaluated on human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) under oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell viability and oxidative status were assessed on H2O2-induced oxidative stress (0.5 mM H2O2 for 2 h) in HUVECs pretreated by anthocyanin-rich extract from the petals of E. amoenum (25-1000 µg/ml). Cytoprotective effect of the extract was evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The hydroperoxides concentration and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were assessed in intra- and extra-cellular fluid of pretreated cells. RESULTS: Pretreatment of HUVECs with E. amoenum extract at the concentrations of 100-1000 µg/ml reduced the cell death resulted from the exposure to H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. E. amoenum extract decreased hydroperoxides concentration and increased FRAP value in both intra- and extra-cellular fluid at different concentration ranges. Moreover, it did not show cytotoxic effects at the concentration range of 25-1000 µg/ml. CONCLUSION: These results suggest antioxidant and protective effect of anthocyanin-rich extract of the petals of E. amoenum against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs. However, further investigations are needed for understanding the detailed mechanisms of cytoprotective effects of this traditional herbal medicine.

The effect of chronic hyperthyroidism and restored euthyroid state by methimazole therapy in rat small mesenteric arteries.

Not much has been reported about the effects of hyperthyroidism and its correction on resistance vessels, and just two inconsistent studies have investigated the impacts of restored euthyroidism on vascular reactivity. In this regard, we designed the current study to evaluate the vascular reactivity of the mesenteric arteries of hyperthyroid and restore euthyroid rats. Hyperthyroidism was induced by administration of triiodothyronine (T3; 300µg/kg, i.p., for 12 weeks in T3 group). Euthyroidism was restored by administration of T3 for 8 weeks and then T3+Methimazole (0.003% in drinking water) for 4 weeks (T3+MMI group). According to the McGregor method, vascular relaxation and contractility response were measured in response to acetylcholine or phenylephrine respectively. We found that maximal contractility response (Emax) to phenylephrine in the T3 group was significantly decreased (P<0.001), and Emax to acetylcholine was significantly increased compared with the saline group (P<0.05). When N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 3×10(-4)M) was used, Emax to acetylcholine in the T3 group was still higher than the saline group (P<0.05). However, decrease in maximal response of the T3 group was significantly greater than the saline group (P<0.01). We also showed that when euthyroidism is restored by methimazole therapy, enhanced acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation and impaired contractility response to phenylephrine were normalized, as there was no significant difference in Emax of the T3+MMI group versus the saline group (P>0.05). In conclusion, synthesis of both nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in mesenteric arteries significantly increased as a consequence of hyperthyroidism, and this abnormal vascular reactivity is corrected by methimazole therapy.