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Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibodies have been shown to reduce liver damage in different models. We investigated the effects of infliximab (a TNF-α antibody) on liver damage in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Group 1 (n = 8) was the control group. In group 2 (n = 8), the TAA group, the rats received 300 mg/kg intraperitoneal (ip) TAA daily for 2 days. In group 3 (n = 8), the TAA + Infliximab (INF) group, infliximab (5 mg/kg ip daily) was administered 48 hours before the first dose of TAA daily for 2 days and was maintained for 4 consecutive days. In group 4 (n = 8), the INF group, the rats received only ip infliximab (5 mg/kg) daily. Livers were excised for histopathological and biochemical tests (thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances [TBARS], and myeloperoxidase [MPO]). Serum ammonia, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), TNF-α, liver TBARS and MPO levels, and liver necrosis and inflammation scores in the TAA group were significantly higher than in the control and INF groups (all p < 0.01). All parameters except AST were not significantly different between TAA and TAA + INF. In conclusion, our results suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in TAA-induced hepatotoxicity, and infliximab does not improve oxidative liver damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether or not P-wave dispersion (PWD) can be used as a good indicator of effective hemodialysis. Subjects andMethods: The study included 35 patients (20 males, 15 females, mean age 61 ± 10 years) who regularly received hemodialysis treatment for chronic renal failure. Following hemodialysis, the patients whose hemodynamic parameters were preserved and who reached dry body weight were included. Twelve-lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) at a speed of 25–50 mm/s, the value of total body fluid (TBF) and bioelectric impedance using bipedal bioelectric impedance equipment were obtained before and immediately after hemodialysis. Blood samples were also taken for the assessment of blood electrolytes, urea and creatinine. PWD was defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave duration calculated on a standard 12-lead ECG before and after dialysis. Results: The following parameters were obtained before and after hemodialysis: blood pressure 132 ± 21 vs. 130 ± 10 mm Hg (p > 0.05), TBF 33.9 ± 6 vs. 32 ± 5.6 liters (p = 0.001), impedance 499 ± 110 vs. 596 ± 136 Ω (p = 0.001), P-max 103.1 ± 8.9 vs. 106.3 ± 12.7 ms (p > 0.05), P-min 70.2 ± 11 vs. 72.5 ± 7.9 ms (p > 0.05), PWD 32.2 ± 11.9 vs. 33.8 ± 13.4 ms (p > 0.05). Although statistically significant decreases were observed in urea and creatinine levels after hemodialysis, no such changes were observed in blood electrolytes. Conclusion: The P-max and PWD did not change significantly after hemodialysis, hence these two parameters can be used as an indicator of effective hemodialysis. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most common valvular heart disease representing a generalized disease of connective tissue in the primary form. Elastic properties of the aorta with primary MVP may be expected to be increased. We aimed to determine the aortic elasticity in the primary form of MVP., Methods and Results: Twenty male patients with a primary form of MVP not having any sign of Marfan syndrome and joint hyperlaxity syndrome and twenty healthy individuals were included in the study. Aortic strain, aortic distensibility index and aortic stiffness index were calculated by using aortic diameters obtained by echocardiography and blood pressures measured by sphygmomanometer. When comparing the MVP group and the control group it was found that the aortic stiffness index was increased (P < 0.05) whereas the aortic distensibility and strain index were decreased (P < 0.05) in the MVP group. There was no significant difference between the characteristics of the groups (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: We concluded that the elastic properties of the aorta were decreased in the primary form of MVP, unexpectedly.Therefore, results of decreased aortic elasticity should also be followed up in patients with MVP.

Aim: The right atrium pressure load is increased in pulmonary stenosis (PS) that is a congenital anomaly and this changes the electrophysiological characteristics of the atria. However, there is not enough data on the issue of P wave dispersion (PWD) in PS., Methods: Forty-two patients diagnosed as having valvular PS with echocardiography and 33 completely healthy individuals as the control group were included in the study. P wave duration, p wave maximum (p max) and p minimum (p min) were calculated from resting electrocardiography (ECG) obtained at the rate of 50 mm/sec. P wave dispersion was derived by subtracting p min from p max. The mean pressure gradient (MPG) at the pulmonary valve, structure of the valve and diameters of the right and left atria were measured with echocardiography. The data from two groups were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test and correlation analysis was performed with the Pearson correlation technique., Results: There wasn't any statistically significance in the comparison of age, left atrial diameter and p min between two groups. While the MPG at the pulmonary valve was 43.11 +/- 18.8 mmHg in PS patients, it was 8.4 +/- 4.5 mmHg in the control group. While p max was 107.1 +/- 11.5 in PS group, it was 98.2 +/- 5.1 in control group (p=0.01), PWD was 40.4 +/- 1.2 in PS group, and 27.2 +/- 9.3 in the control group (p=0.01). Moreover, while the diameter of the right atrium in PS group was greater than that of the control group, (38.7 +/- 3.9 vs 30.2 +/- 2.5, p=0.02). We detected a correlation between PWD and pressure gradient in regression analysis., Conclusion: P wave dispersion and p max are increased in PS. While PWD was correlated with the pressure gradient that is the degree of narrowing, it was not correlated with the diameters of the right and left atria.