Ketorolac and (-)-Epicatechin change retinal GFAP and NRF2 expression on hyperglycemic CD1 mice.

Our objective was to determine whether (-)-Epicatechin administered alone or simultaneously with topical Ketorolac decreased the relative expression of GFAP and modulated the response of Nrf2 in a mouse model with induced hyperglycemia. We found that GFAP and Nrf2 decreased in the groups that received treatments alone or simultaneous during 8 weeks; even when the effect on the Nrf2 was not pronounced, it showed a higher concentration when GFAP decreased. Our results suggest a protective effect of Ketorolac and (-) - Epicatechin, which seem to limit the preclinical retinal damage caused by inflammation in hyperglycemia.

Comparison of macular retinal sensitivity and its contribution to the foveal sensitivity between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with normal visual acuity / Comparación de la sensibilidad de la retina macular y su contribución a la sensibilidad de la fóvea entre pacientes diabéticos y no diabéticos con agudeza visual normal

Purpose: To compare the retinal sensitivity and evaluate its contribution to the foveal sensitivity in patients with and without diabetes who maintain normal visual acuity. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study in 20 subjects without diabetes (group 1) and 23 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (group 2) that had no ocular abnormalities. Retinal sensitivity was measured with the macular threshold test by the Humphrey's computerized perimeter. The mean sensitivity in each of the 16 points and the foveal sensitivity were compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney's U test; the correlation between retinal sensitivity and foveal sensitivity was analyzed by the Spearman's test and the contribution of each point to the foveal sensitivity was identified by multiple regression. Results: Sixty eyes were evaluated, 30 in group 1 and 30 in group 2; the mean foveal sensitivity was 34.77 ± 0.5dB in group 1 and 32.87 ± 0.6 in group 2. The highest sensitivity of the temporal visual field had an inferior paracentral location (point 3) in both groups. In the linear regression analysis, points which contributed to the foveal sensitivity were 1 in group 1 and points 7 and 15 in group 2. Conclusions: Subjects without diabetes have a significantly higher sensitivity in the temporal retina compared with those with diabetes; points with highest mean retinal sensitivity do not correspond to the central four. The reduced sensitivity in point 1 decreases the mean foveal sensitivity in subjects with diabetes, because this variable correlates with lower perimetry points

Objetivo: Comparar la sensibilidad de la retina y evaluar su contribución a la sensibilidad de la fóvea en pacientes con y sin diabetes con agudeza visual normal. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo en 20 sujetos no diabéticos (grupo 1) y 23 con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (grupo 2) sin anomalías oculares. La sensibilidad de la retina se midió mediante la prueba de cuantificación del umbral macular realizada con campimetría computarizada Humphrey. La sensibilidad media en cada uno de los 16 puntos y la sensibilidad de la fóvea se compararon entre grupos mediante la prueba U de Mann Whitney; la correlación entre la sensibilidad de la retina y la sensibilidad de la fóvea se analizó mediante la prueba de Spearman, y la contribución de cada punto a la sensibilidad de la fóvea se identificó mediante regresión múltiple. Resultados: Se evaluaron sesenta ojos: 30 en el grupo 1, y 30 en el grupo 2; la media de la sensibilidad de la fóvea fue de 34,77 ± 0,5 dB en el grupo 1, y de 32,87 ± 0,6 en el grupo 2. La mayor sensibilidad del campo visual temporal tuvo una localización paracentral inferior (punto 3) en ambos grupos. En el análisis de regresión lineal, los puntos que contribuyeron a la sensibilidad de la fóvea fueron el punto 1 en el grupo 1, y los puntos 7 y 15 en el grupo 2. Conclusiones: Los sujetos no diabéticos tienen una sensibilidad significativamente mayor en la retina temporal en comparación a los sujetos diabéticos; los puntos con mayor sensibilidad media de la retina no corresponden a los cuatro centrales. La sensibilidad reducida en el punto 1 disminuye la sensibilidad de la fóvea en sujetos diabéticos, ya que esta variable guarda relación con los puntos perimétricos inferiores

Comparison of macular retinal sensitivity and its contribution to the foveal sensitivity between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with normal visual acuity.

PURPOSE: To compare the retinal sensitivity and evaluate its contribution to the foveal sensitivity in patients with and without diabetes who maintain normal visual acuity. METHODS: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study in 20 subjects without diabetes (group 1) and 23 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (group 2) that had no ocular abnormalities. Retinal sensitivity was measured with the macular threshold test by the Humphrey's computerized perimeter. The mean sensitivity in each of the 16 points and the foveal sensitivity were compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney's U test; the correlation between retinal sensitivity and foveal sensitivity was analyzed by the Spearman's test and the contribution of each point to the foveal sensitivity was identified by multiple regression. RESULTS: Sixty eyes were evaluated, 30 in group 1 and 30 in group 2; the mean foveal sensitivity was 34.77±0.5dB in group 1 and 32.87±0.6 in group 2. The highest sensitivity of the temporal visual field had an inferior paracentral location (point 3) in both groups. In the linear regression analysis, points which contributed to the foveal sensitivity were 1 in group 1 and points 7 and 15 in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects without diabetes have a significantly higher sensitivity in the temporal retina compared with those with diabetes; points with highest mean retinal sensitivity do not correspond to the central four. The reduced sensitivity in point 1 decreases the mean foveal sensitivity in subjects with diabetes, because this variable correlates with lower perimetry points.

Inflammation and myocardial damage markers influence loss of residual renal function in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Residual renal function (RRF) has been identified as the most important component in dialysis adequacy and has a strong effect on clinical outcomes. This justifies any effort in understanding the mechanism behind the preservation or decline in RRF. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible association of components of cardio-renal syndrome with the rate of decline in RRF. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in a group of prevalent adult patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Patients were analyzed at baseline and after a 30-month follow-up. Evaluations included measurements of residual renal function, dialysis adequacy parameters, cardiovascular comorbidity, and measurements of biochemical markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and inflammation, as well as resting electrocardiography. RESULTS: We included 129 patients in the study who were divided into groups according to loss of RRF, considering the cut-off point as 100 mL/day of 24 h urine volume. At baseline, there were no differences between groups: patients who lost RRF showed low values of 24 h urine volume, higher levels of systolic blood pressure, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, and low values of serum albumin. In the multivariate analysis, age, albumin, CRP, and NT-proBNP were significant risk factors for the loss of RRF. CONCLUSIONS: Data indicate a close relationship between heart and kidney function where chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects and is an effect of, heart function, indicative of a bi-directional influence that leads to a vicious cycle, promoting deleterious effects on both systems.

Antioxidant supplementation has a positive effect on oxidative stress and hematological toxicity during oncology treatment in cervical cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hematological toxicity and oxidative stress are common in cancer patients. Antioxidant supplementation has been shown to decrease oxidative stress, but there is still controversy on this topic. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of antioxidant supplementation on oxidative stress, hematological toxicity, and quality of life (QoL) in cervical cancer patients. METHODS: Randomized, single-blinded controlled trial in women with cervical cancer treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy with cisplatin. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive antioxidant supplement or placebo supplement. Plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde, free carbonyls, and blood biometry were measured. EORTC quality of life questionnaire was applied before and after oncology treatment. Student's t test for independent samples and X (2) for categorical variables were performed. RESULTS: One hundred three patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with antioxidants 49 (48 %) or placebo 54 (52.40 %). At the end of the oncology treatment, hemoglobin levels were maintained, and global QoL was better only in the supplemented group (p < 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidant supplementation in patients treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy apparently decreased oxidative stress, maintained hemoglobin levels, and improved QoL; however, more studies are needed to study the long-term effect of this intervention.

The structures and inhibitory effects of Buame [N-(3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-17ß-yl)-butylamine] and Diebud [N,N'-bis-(3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-17ß-yl)-1,4-butanediamine] on platelet aggregation.

Compounds with estrogenic effects that also inhibit platelet aggregation might be useful in reducing thrombotic events associated with estrogenic therapy. In this study, two aminoestrogens, Buame [N-(3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-17ß-yl)-butylamine] and Diebud [N,N'-bis-(3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-17ß-yl)-1,4-butanediamine], were synthesized and characterized using common analytical methods and spectrophotometric analyses. The location and orientation of these molecules on the estrogenic receptor α (ERα) were also evaluated. Platelet inhibitory effects were elucidated ADP-induced platelet aggregation and ADP- and collagen-induced ATP release. Molecular docking demonstrated that Buame can reach and bind to the ERα in the ligand binding domain (LBD) similar to 17ß-estradiol (co-crystallized ligand). On the other hand, Diebud binds only to the surface of ERα due to its high molecular volume compared to 17ß-estradiol and Buame.