Pulmonary toxicity associated with sirolimus treatment in kidney transplantation

Clinical study of multifunctional laryngeal mask in airway interventional therapy

OBJECTIVE

This study is conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using multifunctional intubation laryngeal masks with normal frequency jet ventilation in airway interventional therapy.

METHODS

A total of 200 patients receiving airway interventional therapy were enrolled in this retrospective study and were divided into 2 groups (group M and group P) by doctors in our hospital to compare the effect of different laryngeal masks. Group M used common laryngeal masks and an anesthesia machine for positive pressure ventilation while group P took multifunctional intubation laryngeal masks and used a jet ventilator for normal frequency jet ventilation. The patients' mean arterial pressure, heart rate, arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) and arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2), and the operation time, recovery score and the patients' and doctors' satisfaction levels were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Both groups were hemodynamically stable, and their PaO2 levels were significantly higher before the operation than that during and after the operation (P < .05). Compared with group M, the PaCO2 level of group P was more stable both during and after the operation, and this difference was statistically significant (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the 2 group's operating time, recovery score, and patients' satisfaction levels (P > .05). However, the satisfaction levels of doctors in group P were higher than that in group M, and this difference was statistically significant (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

As statistics show, the intraoperative hemodynamics and PaO2 and PaCO2 levels were stable, and patients, surgeons and anesthesia operators were satisfied. Therefore, it is feasible to apply multifunctional intubation laryngeal masks with normal frequency jet ventilation in airway interventional therapy and it is a safe and ideal way to ensure ventilation.

Role of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomogram Scan in Sirolimus-Induced Lung Toxicity: A Rare Case Report

Lung toxicity is a rare but serious side effect of sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor used as an immunosuppressive agent in solid-organ transplant recipients. We report a case of 67-year-old man who had living-related renal transplant 12 years previously that was complicated by chronic allograft dysfunction. He presented with fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and his chest imaging showed bilateral patchy and ground glass opacities. Before symptoms of lung toxicity, the patient's sirolimus levels were in the range of high normal. Bronchoalveolar lavage ruled out infection, and a transbronchial biopsy was inconclusive. A fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomogram scan showed high uptake in the area of lung opacities with a standard uptake value of 4.7. His symptoms improved after he was switched from sirolimus to tacrolimus, and a thoracic computed tomography scan after 6 weeks showed complete resolution. Pulmonary toxicity should be considered in any patient on sirolimus with respiratory symptoms and opacities on chest imaging. The role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomogram scan in evaluation of sirolimus-induced lung toxicity has not been previously described, and this is the first report of this type of scan finding indicating intense inflammation in this condition.

The use of biologics in the treatment of autoimmune liver disease

Introduction: Autoimmune liver diseases include autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and juvenile autoimmune hepatitis (JAIH). The pathophysiologic features of each disease vary, but generally include presence of autoantibodies, cytokine abnormalities, and/or T and B cell autoreactivity.Areas covered: This article compares conventional therapy with newer biologics available for treatment of autoimmune liver diseases. Conventional therapy involves the use of immunosuppressive agents, or other treatment modalities for specific autoimmune liver diseases such as ursodeoxycholic acid and fibrates for PBC. Biologics were developed to target the production of autoantibodies by B cells, the presence of proinflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules or T and B cell activation.Expert opinion: Despite the promise of biologics being able to target specific cellular and humoral pathways, results have been generally poor, and safety has not been as expected. Cases of autoimmune hepatitis have also developed with the use of these biologicals. Reasons for the lack of success of biologics in treating autoimmune liver disease has led to a reevaluation of our understanding of underlying pathogenesis, demonstrating that while our knowledge of the immunity has improved over the past two decades, it is far from complete.

Metformin as a protective agent against natural or chemical toxicities: a comprehensive review on drug repositioning

BACKGROUND

Metformin is the first prescribed drug for hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mainly by activating AMPK pathway, this drug exerts various functions that among them protective effects are of the interest.

PURPOSE

Herein, we aimed to gather data about the protective impacts of metformin against various natural or chemical toxicities.

RESULTS

An extensive search among PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted by keywords related to protection, toxicity, natural and chemical toxins and, metformin. Our literature review showed metformin alongside its anti-hyperglycemic effect has a wide range of anti-toxic effects against anti-tumour and routine drugs, natural and chemical toxins, herbicides and, heavy metals.

CONCLUSION

It is evident that metformin is a potent drug against the toxicity of a broad spectrum of natural, chemical toxic agents which is proved by a vast number of studies. Metformin mainly through AMPK axis can protect different organs against toxicities. Moreover, metformin preserves DNA integrity and can be an option for adjuvant therapy to ameliorate side effect of other therapeutics.

Neuroprotective Effects of Temsirolimus in Animal Models of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disorder caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. At the moment, there is no cure. Recent studies have shown that autophagy may have a protective function against the advance of a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Temsirolimus is an analogue of rapamycin that induces autophagy by inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1. For this purpose, in the present study we investigated the neuroprotective effects of temsirolimus (5 mg/kg intraperitoneal) on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced (MPTP) neurotoxicity in in vivo model of PD. At the end of the experiment, brain tissues were processed for histological, immunohistochemical, Western blot, and immunofluorescent analysis. Treatment with temsirolimus significantly ameliorated behavioral deficits, increased the expression of specific markers of PD such as tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine transporter, as well as decreased the upregulation of α-synuclein in the substantia nigra after MPTP induction. Furthermore, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that temsirolimus administration significantly increased autophagy process. In fact, treatment with temsirolimus maintained high Beclin-1, p62, and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 expression and inhibited the p70S6K expression. In addition, we showed that temsirolimus has also anti-inflammatory properties as assessed by the significant inhibition of the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases such as p-JNK, p-p38, and p-ERK, and the restored levels of neurotrophic factor expression such as BDNF and NT-3. On the basis of this evidence, we clearly demonstrate that temsirolimus is able to modulate both the autophagic process and the neuroinflammatory pathway involved in PD, actions which may underlie its neuroprotective effect.

An unusual presentation of sirolimus associated cough in a renal transplant recipient

Sirolimus-associated pulmonary problems are rare but life threatening. Pulmonary problems due to sirolimus treatment are interstitial pneumonitis, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), and alveolar hemorrhage. We present a case of sirolimus-related cough in the absence of any pulmonary radiological findings. A 55-year-old man with a history of 4 years of hemodialysis therapy because of end-stage renal disease of unknown etiology underwent cadaveric renal transplantation in June 2006. Three days following the initiation of sirolimus therapy he complained of dry cough and fever. There were no clinical or laboratory findings compatible with specific pulmonary disease. After switching sirolimus to tacrolimus, the cough improved within 1-2 days and resolved in 5 days. Sirolimus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary problems in the early posttransplantation period even in the absence of radiological findings.