Extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha and Rosmarinus officinalis Attenuate Ischemic Myocardial Damage by Decreasing Oxidative Stress and Regulating the Production of Cardiac Vasoactive Agents.

Numerous studies have supported a role for oxidative stress in the development of ischemic damage and endothelial dysfunction. Crataegus oxyacantha (Co) and Rosmarinus officinalis (Ro) extracts are polyphenolic-rich compounds that have proven to be efficient in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We studied the effect of extracts from Co and Ro on the myocardial damage associated with the oxidative status and to the production of different vasoactive agents. Rats were assigned to the following groups: (a) sham; (b) vehicle-treated myocardial infarction (MI) (MI-V); (c) Ro extract-treated myocardial infarction (MI-Ro); (d) Co extract-treated myocardial infarction (MI-Co); or (e) Ro+Co-treated myocardial infarction (MI-Ro+Co). Ro and Co treatments increased total antioxidant capacity, the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-Cu2+/Zn2+, SOD-Mn2+, and catalase, with the subsequent decline of malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels. The extracts diminished vasoconstrictor peptide levels (angiotensin II and endothelin-1), increased vasodilators agents (angiotensin 1-7 and bradikinin) and improved nitric oxide metabolism. Polyphenol treatment restored the left intraventricular pressure and cardiac mechanical work. We conclude that Ro and Co treatment attenuate morphological and functional ischemic-related changes by both an oxidant load reduction and improvement of the balance between vasoconstrictors and vasodilators.

[Oxidative stress level and placental histological changes during preeclampsia]. / Grado de estrés oxidativo y cambios histológicos placentarios durante la preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been related to several conditions during pregnancy (preeclampsia, abortions and premature rupture of membranes); it causes higher sensitivity of the endothelial blood vessel constriction and aggravates the endothelium dependent vasodilatación. OBJECTIVE: To determine the oxidative stress level and histological changes in preeclamptic women's placenta. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Longitudinal and comparative study. There were included 25 patients referred from second level health units (IMSS, ISSSTE and Hospital General de Zacatecas). To evaluate oxidative stress level, a sample of blood and placenta were obtained during delivery and a second sample was taken during mediate puerperium (10 days). RESULTS: In control group, total lipidic peroxide levels in serum were 135.6 +/- 7.3 nmol of MDA/mL of serum, compared with the group of moderate hypertension, which registered 222.0 +/- 35.15 nmol MDA/mL. Total lipidic peroxides in serum during puerperium for control group were 150.4 +/- 30.8 and 183.3 +/- 18.51 nmol MDA/mL for the group of moderate hypertension. Placental lipoperoxidation for control group was 0.40 +/- 0.03 microg MDNg, and of 0.32 +/- 0.03 microg MDN/g for the group of mild hypertension. Patients of moderate hypertension group showed an increase at 34% on placental lipoperoxidation over control group. Placental histological alterations where characterized by vascular remodeling loss, deposits of proteinaceous material and macrophagic process. CONCLUSION: Total lipidic peroxide levels in serum increases during preeclampsia. Histological changes refer uterus-placental ischemia that, probably, induces the oxidative stress.

COX-2 Inhibitors in Dental Pain Management / Inhibidores de la COX-2 en el Tratamiento del Dolor Dental

ABSTRACT: Pain is a major symptom in many dental procedures. Studies show consistently that pain, including dental pain, is not effectively treated; management of pain is a critical and challenging component in dentistry. Improvement and efficacy on the treatment depends on knowing which treatments are the most effective. Knowing how well an analgesic works and its associated adverse effects is fundamental to clinical decision. The aim of this review is to provide information to the dentistry field on the treatment of dental pain specifically with COX-2 inhibitors providing a useful guide to dentist on controlling pain. Therefore, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly prescribed analgesic agents in surgical outpatients. Major limitations of NSAIDs are their gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (perforation, ulceration, and bleeding), impairment of hemostatic function, and renal failure (with long-term therapy). A new class of NSAIDs, COX2 selective inhibitors (Coxibs), have been developed with the aim of reducing the GI adverse events of traditional NSAIDs while maintaining their effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

RESUMEN: El dolor es un síntoma principal en muchos procedimientos dentales. Los estudios demuestran consistentemente que el dolor, incluido el dolor dental, no se trata de manera efectiva; el manejo del dolor es un componente crítico y desafiante en odontología. La mejora y la eficacia en el tratamiento depende de saber qué tratamientos son los más efectivos. Saber qué tan bien funciona un analgésico y sus efectos adversos asociados es fundamental para la decisión clínica. El objetivo de esta revisión es proporcionar información al campo de la odontología sobre el tratamiento del dolor dental específicamente con los inhibidores de la COX-2, proporcionando una guía útil para el control del dolor por parte del dentista. Por lo tanto, los fármacos antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINE) son los agentes analgésicos más comúnmente prescritos en pacientes ambulatorios quirúrgicos. Las principales limitaciones de los AINE son los eventos adversos gastrointestinales (perforación, ulceración y hemorragia), deterioro de la función hemostática e insuficiencia renal (con terapia a largo plazo). Una nueva clase de AINE, los inhibidores selectivos de la COX-2 (Coxibs), se han desarrollado con el objetivo de reducir los eventos adversos gastrointestinales de los AINE tradicionales mientras se mantienen sus propiedades antiinflamatorias y analgésicas efectivas.