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The overall aim of this study was to determine if adrenomedullin (AM) protects against myocardial ischaemia (MI)-induced arrhythmias via nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite.In sham-operated rats, the effects of in vivo administration of a bolus dose of AM (1 nmol kg−1) was assessed on arterial blood pressure (BP), ex vivo leukocyte reactive oxygen species generation and nitrotyrosine deposition (a marker for peroxynitrite formation) in the coronary endothelium.In pentobarbitone-anaesthetized rats subjected to ligation of the left main coronary artery for 30 min, the effects of a bolus dose of AM (1 nmol kg−1, i.v.; n=19) or saline (n=18) given 5 min pre-occlusion were assessed on the number and incidence of cardiac arrhythmias. In a further series of experiments, some animals received infusions of the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (LNNA) (0.5 mg kg−1 min−1) or the peroxynitrite scavenger N-mercaptopropionyl-glycine (MPG) (20 mg kg−1 h−1) before AM.AM treatment significantly reduced mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and increased ex vivo chemiluminescence (CL) generation from leukocytes in sham-operated animals. AM also enhanced the staining for nitrotyrosine in the endothelium of coronary arteries.AM significantly reduced the number of total ventricular ectopic beats that occurred during ischaemia (from 1185±101 to 520±74; P<0.05) and the incidences of ventricular fibrillation (from 61 to 26%; P<0.05). AM also induced a significant fall in MABP prior to occlusion. AM-induced cardioprotection was abrogated in animals treated with the NO synthase inhibitor LNNA and the peroxynitrite scavenger MPG.This study has shown that AM exhibits an antiarrhythmic effect through a mechanism that may involve generation of NO and peroxynitrite.British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 599–609. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706771; published online 22 May 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinke's edema is a benign lesion of the vocal folds affecting the subepithelial space. As part of a study of the management of Reinke's edema, we aimed to determine the prevalence of dysplasia and malignancy in histologically proven Reinke's edema. A retrospective analysis of all laryngeal biopsies performed in north Glasgow, United Kingdom, between 2001 and 2010 was carried out. Clinical and pathological data from patients with histologically confirmed Reinke's edema were recorded with specific respect to the reporting of dysplasia and malignancy. From the 10-year cohort, a total of 3902 laryngeal biopsies were performed. In total, 189 patients (18 males and 171 females) had histologically proven Reinke's edema. Of this cohort, 170 (90%) had no dysplasia, 16 (8%) had mild dysplasia, 2 (1%) had moderate dysplasia, and 1 (<1%) had severe dysplasia. There was no malignancy reported. In our predominantly female smoking population, the epithelium appears to differentiate to benign Reinke's edema rather than malignancy. Patients can be reassured with regard to the low risk of malignancy in classic Reinke's edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Laryngeal biopsies are frequently performed in current ENT head and neck practice. Over the past decade, we have observed an escalating trend in the biopsies performed. The aim of this study is to quantify the rate of laryngeal biopsies and to record the indications from 2001‐2010 in North Glasgow, Scotland. Method: A retrospective analysis of laryngeal biopsies performed in North Glasgow, Scotland, between 2001 and 2010 was carried out through the North Glasgow Pathology Database. Data pertaining to the site and histopathological diagnoses were collected and analyzed for each biopsy incident. The diagnoses of the biopsies are categorized under 8 classifications. Results: From 2001 to 2010, 3902 laryngeal biopsy episodes were identified with 888 (23%) diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 705 (18%) as dysplasia, 831 (21%) as no tumor, and the remaining 1478 (38%) as benign pathology. Between 2001 and 2003, approximately 300 biopsies were performed annually. From 2004‐2010, over 400 biopsies were performed annually (χ2 = 115.0, P <. 01). Approximately 120 benign biopsy episodes and 90 SCC diagnostic biopsy episodes occurred annually. From 2004, there has been significant increase in dysplasia biopsy episodes and those for surveillance of SCC. The latter has increased 2‐ to 3‐fold and has remained constant (χ2 = 71.78, P <. 01). Conclusion: There has been an increase in biopsy episodes after 2004 with the incidence of SCC remaining relatively constant. It is hypothesized that organ preservation strategies, endoscopic resection in early laryngeal cancer, and chemoradiotherapy in advanced head and neck cancer are responsible for the increase in overall biopsy episodes from 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]