Burim Neziri

Arctigenin improves vascular tone and decreases inflammation in human saphenous vein

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to test the effects of bioactive phenylpropanoid dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan arctigenin (ATG) in vascular tone. Human bypass graft vessel, from a saphenous vein (SV), were set up in organ bath system and contracted with potassium chloride (KCl, 40 mM). Two concentration–response curves of noradrenaline (NE) (10 nM–100 &mgr;M) separated with an incubation period of 30 min without (Control) or with ATG (3–100 &mgr;M) were established. Inhibitors of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, K+ related channels or calcium influx were used to delineate the molecular mechanisms beyond ATG effects. To investigate anti‐inflammatory actions, SV were treated with 10 &mgr;M or 100 &mgr;M ATG and incubated for 18 h in the absence or presence of both interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1&bgr;) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic the physiological or inflamed tissue conditions. Proatherogenic and inflammatory mediators İnterleukine‐1 beta (IL‐1&bgr;), Monocyte Chemoattractant Proteine‐1 (MCP‐1), Tumor Necrosis Factor‐ &agr; (TNF‐&agr;), İnterleukine‐6 (IL‐6), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and İnterleukine‐8 (IL‐8) in the supernatant were measured. ATG significantly decreased vascular contractile response to NE. Moreover, it reduced contractions induced by KCl and cumulative addition of CaCl2. The mediators were significantly increased in inflammatory conditions compared to normal conditions, an effect which was inhibited by ATG (10 and 100 &mgr;M). ATG reduces contractions in SV and decreases the production of proinflammatory‐proatherogenic mediators, setting the stage for further evaluating the effect of ATG in cardiovascular diseases.

The Predictive Role of Procalcitonin On the Treatment of Intra-Abdominal Infections

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the algorithm of procalcitonin (PCT) and its role on the duration of antibiotics prescription for intra-abdominal infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a prospective controlled study that is conducted in groups of 50 hospitalised patients and 50 controlled group patients. RESULTS: The results indicated that the average duration of antibiotic delivery to the PCT group was -10.6 days (SD ± 6.6 days), while in the control group -13.2 days (SD ± 4.2 days). These data showed a significant difference in the duration of antibiotic therapy and the monitoring role of PCTs in the prediction success of antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic delivery was longer in the septic shock 17 (SD ± 11.7) that corresponds to high PCT values of 67.8 (SD ± 50.9). Recurrence of the infection after the cessation of antibiotics occurred in 2 cases (4%) in the standard group, while it occurred in 3 cases (6%) in the control group. CONCLUSION: The treatment of the intra-abdominal infections based on the PCT algorithm shortens the duration of antibiotic treatment and does not pose a risk for the recurrence of the infection.