Can We Really Predict Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury after Aortic Surgery? Diagnostic Accuracy of Risk Scores Using Gray Zone Approach.

Background Several risk scores have been developed to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery. We evaluated the accuracy of eight prediction models using the gray zone approach in patients who underwent aortic surgery. Patients and Methods We retrospectively applied the risk scores of Palomba, Wijeysundera, Mehta, Thakar, Brown, Aronson, Fortescue, and Rhamanian to 375 consecutive adult patients undergoing aortic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and gray zone approach were used to evaluate the accuracy of the eight models for prediction of AKI, as defined by the RIFLE criteria. Results The incidence of AKI was 29% (109/375). The AUC for predicting AKI requiring dialysis ranged from 0.66 to 0.84, excluding the score described by Brown et al (0.50). The AUC for predicting the RIFLE criteria of risk and higher ranged from 0.57 to 0.68. The application of gray zone approach resulted in more than half of the patients falling in the gray zone: 275 patients (73%) for Palomba, 221 (59%) for Wijeysundera, 292 (78%) for Mehta, 311 (83%) for Thakar, 329 (88%) for Brown, 291 (78%) for Aronson, 205 (54%) for Fortescue, and 308 (82%) for Rhamanian. Conclusion More than half of the patients in our study sample were in the gray zone of eight scoring models for AKI prediction. The two cutoffs of the gray zone can be used when using risk models. A surgery-specific and more accurate prediction model with a smaller gray zone is required for patients undergoing aortic surgery.

Anti-neuroinflammatory activity of a novel cannabinoid derivative by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV-2 microglial cells.

Microglial-mediated neuroinflammation has recently been implicated as one of the important mechanisms responsible for the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Activated microglia cells produce various neurotoxic factors that are harmful to neurons. Therefore, suppression of the inflammatory response elicited by activated microglia is considered a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. The cannabinoid (CB) system is widespread in the central nervous system and is very crucial for modulating a spectrum of neurophysiological functions such as pain, appetite, and cognition. In the present study, we synthesized and investigated a novel CB derivative (CD-101) for its ability to suppress lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated activation of BV-2 microglial cells and subsequent release of various inflammatory mediators. CD-101 significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory markers such as nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, and interleukin-6. The anti-neuroinflammatory effect of this novel cannabinoid derivative occurred by inhibiting p38MAPK phosphorylation and by decreasing nuclear translocation of p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa-B in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. These results suggest that the use of the cannabinoid derivative CD-101 might be a potential therapeutic target against neuroinflammatory disorders.

The role of free radicals in the aging brain and Parkinson's Disease: convergence and parallelism.

Free radical production and their targeted action on biomolecules have roles in aging and age-related disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). There is an age-associated increase in oxidative damage to the brain, and aging is considered a risk factor for PD. Dopaminergic neurons show linear fallout of 5-10% per decade with aging; however, the rate and intensity of neuronal loss in patients with PD is more marked than that of aging. Here, we enumerate the common link between aging and PD at the cellular level with special reference to oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative damage includes mitochondrial dysfunction, dopamine auto-oxidation, α-synuclein aggregation, glial cell activation, alterations in calcium signaling, and excess free iron. Moreover, neurons encounter more oxidative stress as a counteracting mechanism with advancing age does not function properly. Alterations in transcriptional activity of various pathways, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, glycogen synthase kinase 3ß, mitogen activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, and reduced activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione with aging might be correlated with the increased incidence of PD.

Recent updates in redox regulation and free radical scavenging effects by herbal products in experimental models of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex multifactorial disease marked by extensive neuropathology in the brain with selective yet prominent and progressive loss of mid-brain dopaminergic neurons. The etiological factors involved in the development of PD are still elusive, but oxidative stress arising when reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceed amounts required for normal redox signaling is considered one of the major factors. ROS cause oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA and are one of the most prominent factors related to neurodegeneration. Pre-clinical and clinical studies clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of PD. Therefore, regulation of redox signaling and inhibiting excess ROS would contribute greatly not only to extend longevity but also to ameliorate the progression of dopaminergic cell death seen in patients with PD. Several herbal products are beneficial for maintaining nerve cell function and for treating various neurodegenerative disorders by reducing oxidative stress. Here, we summarize the recent knowledge concerning promising herbs that have shown significant beneficial effects based on regulation of redox status and ROS inhibition in toxin-induced PD models.

Anti-neuroinflammatory activity of Kamebakaurin from Isodon japonicus via inhibition of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in activated microglial cells.

Compelling evidence supports the notion that the majority of neurodegenerative diseases are associated with microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Therefore, quelling of microglial activation may lead to neuronal cell survival. The present study investigated the effects of Kamebakaurin (KMBK), a kaurane diterpene isolated from Isodon japonicus HARA (Labiatae), on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytotoxicity in rat primary microglial cultures and the BV-2 cell line. KMBK significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in a concentration-dependent fashion in activated microglial cells. The mRNA and protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxycenase-2 (COX-2) were also decreased dose-dependently. Furthermore KMBK inhibited the JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Considering the results obtained, the present study authenticated the potential benefits of KMBK as a therapeutic target in ameliorating microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory diseases.

Effect of Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection: Analysis According to the Neck Pain Patterns and MRI Findings.

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that cervical interlaminar steroid injection (CIESI) is more effective in treating radicular pain than axial neck pain, but without direct comparison. And the differences of effect after CIESI according to MRI findings are inconsistent. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the therapeutic response of CIESI according to pain sites, durations, MRI findings, and other predictive factors altogether, unlike previous studies, which evaluated them separately. METHODS: The medical records of 128 patients who received fluoroscopy guided CIESI were analyzed. We evaluated the therapeutic response (more than a 50% reduction on the visual analog scale [VAS] by their second visit) after CIESI by (1) pain site; neck pain without radicular pain/radicular pain with or without neck pain, (2) pain duration; acute/chronic (more than 6 month), and (3) findings of MRI; herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD)/spinal stenosis, respectively and altogether. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients (68%) responded to CIESI, and there were no significant differences in demographic data, initial VAS score, or laboratory findings. And there were no significant differences in the response rate relating to pain site, pain duration, or MRI findings, respectively. In additional analysis, acute radicular pain with HIVD patients showed significantly better response than chronic neck pain with spinal stenosis (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We cannot find any sole predictive factor of therapeutic response to the CIESI. But the patients having acute radicular pain with HIVD showed the best response, and those having other chronic neck pain showed the worst response to CIESI.

Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of DPTP, a novel synthetic clovamide derivative in in vitro and in vivo model of neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation is one of the critical pathological mechanisms influencing various neurodegenerative disorders. Most of the neurodegenerative diseases involve over-activation of microglial cells contributing to the demise of neurons. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of novel synthetic clovamide derivative on the suppression of microglial activation in an in vitro and in vivo model of neuroinflammation. We have used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response in murine BV-2 microglial cells. Molecular tools like immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting were used to study the activity of novel synthetic clovamide derivative to inhibit inflammation induced by LPS in microglial cells. In in vivo experiments, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) intoxicated mouse model of neuroinflammation was developed to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of DPTP [3-(3,4-Dihydroxy-phenyl)-2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-but-2-enoylamino]-propionic acid methyl ester]. DPTP was observed to reduce the proinflammatory response in BV-2 cells induced by LPS. Further investigation revealed that DPTP attenuated phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which was accompanied by a decrease in nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in LPS-treated BV2 microglia. Moreover, prophylactic treatment with DPTP (20mg/kg) for 7 days suppressed MPTP induced glial activation and behavioral impairment. Overall, our findings suggested that, DPTP exerts anti-neuroinflammatory effects against activated microglia in an in vitro and in vivo model and hence might be a promising therapeutic agent for alleviating the evolvement of neurodegenerative diseases associated with microglial activation.

Obesity is independently associated with spinal anesthesia outcomes: a prospective observational study.

The influence of body-mass index (BMI) on spinal anesthesia is still controversial, with discrepant results reported in previous studies. To compare spinal anesthesia in obese and non-obese subjects, the anesthesia profiles in patients who underwent spinal anesthesia using intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine were compared. A total of 209 patients undergoing elective total knee replacement arthroplasty (TKRA) surgery under spinal anesthesia were divided into an NO (non-obese) group (BMI < 30 kg/m2, n = 141) and an O (obese) group (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, n = 68). Anesthesia was deemed successful if a bilateral T12 sensory block occurred within 15 minutes of intrathecal drug administration, and if the level of sensory block was higher than T12 when the surgery ended. Logistic regression analysis with multiple variables known to influence spinal anesthesia was performed to identify which parameters independently determined the spinal anesthesia outcome. Similar doses of bupivacaine were administered to the NO and O groups. The incidence of anesthesia failure was significantly lower in the O group [n = 43 (30.5%) in the NO group vs. n = 10 (18.9%) in the O group, p = 0.014]. The independent predictors for successful anesthesia in all patients were dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine [odds ratio (OR) 2.12, 95% CI: 1.64-2.73] and obese status (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, OR 2.86, 95% CI: 1.25-6.52). Time to first report of postoperative pain and time to first self-void were significantly longer in the O group. These results suggest that the duration of block with hyperbaric bupivacaine is prolonged in obese patients and obesity is independently associated with spinal anesthesia outcomes, as is bupivacaine dosage. A further study enrolling patients with morbid obesity and using a fixed bupivacaine dosage is required to confirm the effect of obesity on spinal anesthesia.

ß-Asarone (cis-2,4,5-trimethoxy-1-allyl phenyl), attenuates pro-inflammatory mediators by inhibiting NF-κB signaling and the JNK pathway in LPS activated BV-2 microglia cells.

Acorus species contains diverse pharmacologically active phytochemicals including α-asarone, ß-asarone, and eugenol. We determined if ß-asarone isolated from Acorus gramineus (AG) Solander would be efficacious in protecting BV-2 microglia cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced stress signaling. BV-2 microglial cells were pretreated with an AG ethanol extract (1, 10, and 100 µg/mL) or ß-asarone (10, 50, and 100 µM) prior to exposure to LPS (100 ng/mL). AG and ß-asarone inhibited LPS-induced production of nitric oxide in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA and protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 also decreased dose dependently following AG and ß-asarone treatments. Immunostaining and immunoblot studies revealed that ß-asarone also suppressed nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation by blocking IkB degradation. Further mechanistic studies revealed that ß-asarone acted through the JNK/MAPK pathway. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that ß-asarone exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators through NF-κB signaling and the JNK pathways in activated microglial cells and might be developed as a promising candidate to treat various neuroinflammatory diseases.

Modulation of LPS-stimulated neuroinflammation in BV-2 microglia by Gastrodia elata: 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol is the bioactive candidate.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gastrodia elata Blume (Orchidaceae, GE) a traditional plant in Oriental countries is known for its enormous benefits to treat headaches, dizziness, vertigo and convulsive illnesses. In the present study, the ethnopharmacological role of GE in neuroinflammation mediated by activated microglia and the mechanisms underlying were reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BV-2 microglia activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was employed and the effects of GE on corresponding neuroinflammatory parameters were assessed. RESULTS: GE extract inhibited LPS-stimulated production of inflammatory cytokines and down regulated the c-Jun NH(2)-Terminal Kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways, which are known to be involved in neuroinflammation. Further, inhibition of NO and iNOS by 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4-HBA), one of the active constituent of GE in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells suggest that 4-HBA might be the bioactive candidate. CONCLUSION: GE extract and its active constituent 4-HBA could be further exploited to mitigate microglial activation and may be developed as a new therapeutic remedy in treating various neuroinflammatory diseases.