Sex Differences in Pulmonary Eicosanoids and Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators in Response to Ozone Exposure

Ozone (O3) is a criteria air pollutant known to increase the morbidity and mortality of cardiopulmonary diseases. This occurs through a pulmonary inflammatory response characterized by increased recruitment of immune cells into the airspace, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and pro-inflammatory lipid mediators. Recent evidence has demonstrated sex-dependent differences in the O3-induced pulmonary inflammatory response. However, it is unknown if this dimorphic response is evident in pulmonary lipid mediator metabolism. We hypothesized that there are sex-dependent differences in lipid mediator production following acute O3 exposure. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 1 part per million O3 for 3 hours and were necropsied at 6 or 24 hours following exposure. Lung lavage was collected for cell differential and total protein analysis, and lung tissue was collected for mRNA analysis, metabololipidomics, and immunohistochemistry. Compared to males, O3-exposed female mice had increases in airspace neutrophilia, neutrophil chemokine mRNA, pro-inflammatory eicosanoids such as prostaglandin E2, and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) such as resolvin D5 in lung tissue. Likewise, precursor fatty acids (arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid; DHA) were increased in female lung tissue following O3 exposure compared to males. Experiments with ovariectomized females revealed that loss of ovarian hormones exacerbates pulmonary inflammation and injury. However, eicosanoid and SPM production were not altered by ovariectomy despite depleted pulmonary DHA concentrations. Taken together, these data indicate that O3 drives an increased pulmonary inflammatory and bioactive lipid mediator response in females. Furthermore, ovariectomy increases susceptibility to O3-induced pulmonary inflammation and injury, as well as decreases pulmonary DHA concentrations.

Amanitin Toxicosis in Two Cats with Acute Hepatic and Renal Failure

Amanitin is a toxic cyclopeptide present in several species of poisonous mushrooms. Amanitin toxicosis was diagnosed in 2 cats from separate premises. Both cats initially had lethargy and vomiting, and they rapidly developed depression and neurological signs over 24–48 hours. Marked elevation of alanine aminotransferase was the primary finding, with subsequent serum chemistry values compatible with hepatic and renal failure. Histopathological findings consisted of submassive to massive acute hepatic necrosis, renal proximal tubular epithelial necrosis, and foci of necrosis and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Amanitin exposure was confirmed postmortem by detection of α-amanitin in the kidney by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. A similar clinical course and pathological changes are reported in human and canine amanitin intoxication; however, gastrointestinal lesions are not typically described.

A new immunological marker of atherosclerotic injury of arterial wall

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The atherosclerotic arterial injuries lead to many life threatening vascular incidents. It has been well documented that inflammatory processes play an important role in atherogenesis. Intensive studies are undertaken to find a serum marker of inflammatory reaction correlated with arterial injuries.

METHODS

In our study we measured the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with dyslipidemia IIa and IIb biochemically confirmed. Control estimations were done in age-matched group. Arterial injuries were evaluated as a thickening of complex intima-media in common carotid arteries by means of Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Levels of IL-6 were significantly higher in both groups of patients with dyslipidemia as compared with the healthy control persons (IIa vs control p<0.001, IIb vs control p<0.001). The plasma level of IL-6 is significantly correlated to intima-media complex thickness (r=0.68, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that increase of serum concentration of IL-6 may be related to arterial wall injuries in the course of the most atherogenic lipid disorders.

Antihypertensive effect of amlodipine compared with nifedipine retard in patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension

OBJECTIVE

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of amlodipine for hypertension treatment in comparison with nifedipine retard.

METHODS

We examined 31 patients with arterial blood pressure approximately 155-165 mmHg/100-105 mm Hg at the beginning of the trial. It was a randomized double-blind, parallel-group trial including two groups of patients. Patients of the first group were given active amlodipine and nifedipine retard placebo during 6 weeks, while the second group was given active nifedipine retard and amlodipine placebo. Statistical analysis was made using the paired Student's t-test, chi-square test and ANOVA test.

RESULTS

At end point we observed significant decrease in arterial blood pressure after treatment of both drugs. The treatment with nifedipine retard increased the mean heart rate of patients. Amlodipine therapy in comparison to nifedipine retard did not change the heart rate in treated patients. Safety parameters: SGOT, SGTP, creatinine and others were in laboratory norms ranges.

CONCLUSION

Amlodipine proved to be an effective, more safe and better-tolerated therapeutical alternative for hypertension management than nifedipine retard.

[Doppler examination of portal venous flow in liver neoplasms]

An attempt was made to measure blood flow of portal system at various stages of neoplastic changes in the liver, which could be of some prognostic and therapeutic value. In the group of 80 studied persons, 20 patients had hepatic angioma, 6 patients hepatic cancer, 24 patients metastatic cancer affecting to the liver. Control group consisted of 50 healthy volunteers. No disturbances of blood flow in portal system in the group of patients with hepatic angioma were found. In the group with primary hepatic cancer decrease of TAV and TF in portal and splenic veins were noted, especially in 2 cases with numerous changes with relatively big sum of diameters, as compared with control method. In group with metastases of cancer to the liver slight decrease of blood flow in portal and splenic veins was observed as compared to the control group. Decrease in blood flow in the portal system was seen in cases with numerous and relatively big neoplastic focuses in the liver. Blood flow monitoring might be helpful in evaluation of the progress or regression of infiltrative changes in the liver.

[Epidemiology of cholelithiasis among professionally active persons in the Katowice province]

In the workplaces of the City of Katowice 2867 subjects in 5 age groups were studied by inquiry, physical examination and gallbladder ultrasonography. Calculi in the gallbladder were found in 344 subjects that is 11.99%. The prevalence of calculi was much higher in females, and in both sexes it increased with age. The study confirms the value of USG in the diagnosis of gallbladder calculi and the possibility of its use for screening of the general population.