Silk fibroin nanoparticles constitute a vector for controlled release of resveratrol in an experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease in rats.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the intestinal anti-inflammatory properties of silk fibroin nanoparticles, around 100 nm in size, when loaded with the stilbene compound resveratrol, in an experimental model of rat colitis. METHODS: Nanoparticles were loaded with resveratrol by adsorption. The biological effects of the resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles were tested both in vitro, in a cell culture of RAW 264.7 cells (mouse macrophages), and in vivo, in the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid model of rat colitis, when administered intracolonically. RESULTS: The resveratrol liberation in 1× phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; pH 7.4) was characterized by fast liberation, reaching the solubility limit in 3 hours, which was maintained over a period of 80 hours. The in vitro assays revealed immunomodulatory properties exerted by these resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles since they promoted macrophage activity in basal conditions and inhibited this activity when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The in vivo experiments showed that after evaluation of the macroscopic symptoms, inflammatory markers, and intestinal barrier function, the fibroin nanoparticles loaded with resveratrol had a better effect than the single treatments, being similar to that produced by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: Silk fibroin nanoparticles constitute an attractive strategy for the controlled release of resveratrol, showing immunomodulatory properties and intestinal anti-inflammatory effects.

Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of the Serpylli herba extract in experimental models of rodent colitis.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, there is an increasing interest for alternative options in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) that combine efficacy and an adequate safety profile. METHODS: The intestinal anti-inflammatory effects of Serpylli herba, the officinal drug in the European Pharmacopeia composed by the aerial parts of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), were evaluated in the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced rat colitis and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse colitis, which are well characterized experimental models with some resemblance to human IBD. RESULTS: S. herba extract exerted an intestinal anti-inflammatory effect in both experimental models of colitis, as evidenced both histologically, since it facilitated the tissue recovery of the damaged colon, and biochemically as showed by the improvement of the different inflammatory markers evaluated, including myeloperoxidase activity, glutathione content, and leukotriene B4 levels as well as the expression of the inducible proteins iNOS and COX-2. This beneficial effect was associated with the reduction in the expression of different cytokines, like TNFα, IL-1ß, IFNγ, IL-6 and IL-17, the chemokine MCP-1, and the adhesion molecule ICAM-1, thus ameliorating the altered immune response associated with the colonic inflammation. CONCLUSION: S. herba extract displays an anti-inflammatory effect on different models of rodent colitis that could be attributed to its immunomodulatory properties.

Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of Phlomis purpurea L. and Phlomis lychnitis L. in the trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid model of rat colitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Different species from genus Phlomis, frequently native from the the eastern Mediterranean zone, have been used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory remedy. Among other constituents, they contain polyphenols that show antioxidant properties, which are interesting for the treatment of inflammatory pathologies associated with oxidative stress in humans, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal anti-inflammatoy effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Phlomis lychnitis and P. purpurea in the trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) model of rat colitis, a well characterized experimental model with some resemblance to human IBD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hydroalcoholic extracts of both plants were characterized by determining their polyphenolic content and then assayed in the TNBS model of rat colitis. For this purpose, female Wistar rats were assigned to seven groups (n=10): healthy control, untreated TNBS-colitis and five TNBS- colitis groups treated with Phlomis lychnitis (10 and 20mg/kg), P. purpurea (10 and 25mg/kg) and sulphasalazine (200mg/kg), as a positive control. Treatments started the same day of TNBS colitis induction, and rats were sacrificed one week later. Colonic inflammation was evaluated both histologically and biochemically. RESULTS: The histological (macroscopic and microscopic) analysis of colonic samples revealed that both extracts showed an anti-inflammatory effect, which was confirmed biochemically by a decreased colonic MPO activity, a maker of neutrophil infiltration, an increased colonic glutathione content, which counteracts the oxidative status associated with the inflammatory process, and a down-regulated iNOS expression. However, only the extract of P. purpurea reduced the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-17, the chemokines CINC-1 and MCP-1, as well as the adhesion molecule ICAM-1, ameliorating the altered immune response associated with the colonic inflammation. Furthermore, both P. lychnitis and P. purpurea extracts were able to significantly increase the expression of markers of epithelial integrity such as MUC-2, MUC-3 and villin, thus revealing an improvement in the altered colonic permeability that characterizes colonic inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Both extracts showed intestinal anti-inflammatory activity in the TNBS model of rat colitis, thus confirming their traditional use in digestive inflammatory complaints. In addition to their antioxidant properties, other mechanisms can contribute to this beneficial effect, like an improvement in the intestine epithelial barrier and a downregulation of the immune response.

The association of minocycline and the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 results in an additive beneficial effect in a DSS model of reactivated colitis in mice.

Antibiotics have been empirically used for human inflammatory bowel disease, being limited to short periods. Probiotics are able to attenuate intestinal inflammation due to its immunomodulatory properties, being considered as safe when chronically administered. The aim was to test the association of minocycline, a tetracycline with immunomodulatory properties, and the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) in a mouse model of reactivated colitis. For this purpose, female C57BL/6J mice were assigned to different groups: non-colitic and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-control groups (without treatment), minocycline (50 mg/kg/day; p.o.), EcN (5×10(8) CFU/day; p.o.), and minocycline plus EcN treated groups. Colitis was induced by adding DSS in the drinking water (3%) for 5 days; 2 weeks later, colitis was reactivated by subsequent exposure to DSS. The inflammatory status was evaluated daily by a disease activity index (DAI); colonic damage was assessed histologically and biochemically by evaluating mRNA relative expression of different mediators by qPCR. Finally, a microbiological analysis of the colonic contents was performed. Minocycline and EcN exerted intestinal anti-inflammatory effect and attenuated the reactivation of the colitis, as shown by the reduced DAI values, being these effects greater when combining both treatments. This was evidenced histologically and biochemically, by reduced expression of TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-2, MIP-2, MCP-1, ICAM-1, iNOS and MMP-9, together with increased MUC-3 and ZO-1 expression. Finally, the altered microbiota composition of colitic mice was partially restored after the different treatments. In conclusion, EcN supplementation to minocycline treatment improves the recovery of the intestinal damage and prevents the reactivation of experimental colitis.

Low serum zinc level as a predictive factor of delayed wound healing in total hip replacement.

Delayed wound healing after total arthroplasty puts the patient at risk for superficial and deep infection, with substantial economic and social consequences. The objective of this study was to assess serum zinc levels as a tool for predicting such a delay in patients with primary osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis secondary to avascular necrosis. We conducted a prospective study of 80 total hip arthroplasties, analyzing possible correlations between delayed healing and serum zinc, nutritional parameters, and other demographic and epidemiological variables. The predictive value of preoperative serum zinc levels and lymphocyte counts was confirmed; thus, an arthroplasty procedure could be timed to minimize risk.

Shoelace technique for gradual closure of fasciotomy wounds.

BACKGROUND: After emergency fasciotomy in acute compartment syndrome, skin graft techniques are usually necessary to cover the wound. METHODS: The shoelace technique for gradual skin closure was retrospectively analyzed after having been applied in 20 patients with acute compartment syndrome. RESULTS: With the application of this technique, none of the cases required new surgical interventions to close the wound. Closure was reached in an average time of 8.8 days, with an average hospital stay of 10 days and a low rate of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Gradual skin closure using the shoelace technique avoids the use of free skin grafts to close the dermotomy-fasciotomy wounds, reducing the need for anesthesia, nursing care, and hospital stays of patients, resulting in lower healthcare costs.

Serum zinc as a prognostic tool for wound healing in hip hemiarthroplasty.

Malnutrition in patients who had surgery leads to the risk of postoperative complications, especially impaired wound healing. Preoperative serum zinc levels and other nutritional parameters were analyzed to establish criteria that would enable delayed healing to be predicted. A prospective study of 97 patients who had hemiarthroplasty for hip fracture is reported. Univariate analysis established the relationship between serum zinc, nutritional parameters, and other demographic variables with delayed healing. Significant variables were included in a multivariate analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified a significant correlation between impaired wound healing and serum zinc levels. The logistic regression equation for probability of delay was: P = 1/[1 + e]. Serum zinc levels less than 95 microg/dL increased risk of delayed healing 11.76 times. Serum zinc levels were shown to have predictive value for delayed wound healing in patients who had hemiarthroplasty for hip fracture.

Preoperative hemoglobin levels and the need for transfusion after prosthetic hip and knee surgery: analysis of predictive factors.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have established a relationship between the preoperative hemoglobin level and the need for postoperative blood transfusion. We analyzed the relationship between preoperative hemoglobin levels, as well as other factors such as age, gender, weight, height, type and duration of the total joint replacement surgery, and the need for postoperative blood transfusion. METHODS: A retrospective study of 296 patients treated with 370 procedures (209 total hip arthroplasties [56.5%] and 161 total knee arthroplasties [43.5%]) from 1994 to 1998 was carried out. A univariate analysis was performed to establish the relationship between all independent variables and the need for postoperative transfusion. Variables that were determined to have a significant relationship were included in a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The univariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between the need for postoperative blood transfusion and preoperative hemoglobin levels (p = 0.0001), duration of surgery (p = 0.0001), weight (p = 0.002), height (p = 0.019), and gender (p = 0.0056). However, the multivariate analysis identified a significant relationship only between the need for transfusion and the preoperative hemoglobin level (p = 0.0001) and weight (p = 0.011); height (p = 0.776) and gender (p = 0.122) were discounted as significant factors. Patients with a preoperative hemoglobin level of <130 g/L had a four times greater risk of having a transfusion than did those with a hemoglobin level between 130 and 150 g/L and a 15.3 times greater risk than did those with a hemoglobin level of >150 g/L. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative hemoglobin level (p = 0.0001) and weight of the patient (p = 0.011) were shown to predict the need for blood transfusion after hip and knee replacement.

Transplantes autógenos de molares / Autogenous Transplante of molars

Un transplante autógeno es trasladar y reubicar una pieza dental de un alveolo a otro nuevo en la arcada dental del mismo paciente. El presente trabajo de investigación utilizó los terceros molares en buena o mala posición y en un estadío adecuado de desarrollo para transplantarlos en un nuevo alveolo, el cual puede estar ocupado por un diente que se va extraer por no poder ser rehabilitado, o a un espacio edéntulo en donde previamente se tendrá que crear quirúrgicamente un alveolo.