Search results for "Inflammation."
showing 10 items of 2627 documents
CT enterography as a powerful tool for the evaluation of inflammatory activity in Crohn’s disease: relationship of CT findings with CDAI and acute-ph…
2014
Few studies have correlated computed tomography enterography (CTE) findings with Crohn’s disease (CD) clinical and biochemical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations between CTE findings with CD activity. The CTE datasets from 62 patients were retrospectively reviewed for different parameters: bowel wall thickening and hyperenhancement, mesenteric alterations, abdominal free fluid and complications related to the disease (fistulas, strictures, abscesses). Activity was assessed using the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and some biochemical markers (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, alpha 2-globulins, fibrinogen, platelets, haemoglobin). Correlati…
Kinetics of plasma biomarkers of inflammation and lung injury in surgical patients with or without postoperative pulmonary complications
2017
Background Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are common after major abdominal surgery. The kinetics of plasma biomarkers could improve identification of patients developing PPCs, but the kinetics may depend on intraoperative ventilator settings. Objective To test whether the kinetics of plasma biomarkers are capable of identifying patients who will develop PPCs, and whether the kinetics depend on the intraoperative level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Design A preplanned substudy of a randomised controlled trial. Setting Operation room of five centres. Patients Two hundred and forty-two adult patients scheduled for abdominal surgery at risk of developing PPCs. Interv…
Lack of genetic association of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
2010
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that is characterized by severe pain and exaggerated neurogenic inflammation, which may develop after injury or surgery. Neurogenic inflammation is mediated by neuropeptides, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) that are released from nociceptors. Genetic factors may play a role in CRPS as was suggested by the occurrence of familial cases and several genetic association studies investigating mainly the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. Here we investigated the role of neutral endopeptidase (NEP), a key enzyme in neuropeptide catabolism. NEP dysfunction resulting in reduced inactivation of neuropeptides m…
High liver RBP4 protein content is associated with histological features in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C and with nonalcoholic steato…
2011
Abstract Background and aim To investigate the hepatic expression of retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients, and its association with biochemical and histological patterns of liver damage. Materials and methods Sixty-six genotype 1 CHC and 32 NASH patients were tested for hepatic RBP4 expression. Liver expression at immunostaining was scored as 0 (slight), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (intense). In addition, the mRNA and the quantitative protein expressions of RBP4 were tested by PCR and by western blot, respectively, in 12 NASH and 28 CHC patients. Twelve subjects undergoing elective cholecystectomy served as controls…
The relationship between the dietary inflammatory index (DII®) and incident depressive symptoms: A longitudinal cohort study
2018
Abstract Background Diet is a common source of inflammation, and inflammation is associated with depression. We examined the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII®), a validated measure of inflammatory potential of the diet, and risk of depression in a cohort of older North American adults. Methods This longitudinal study, with a follow-up of 8 years, included 3648 participants (1577 males, 2071 females; mean age: 60.6 years) with/at risk of knee osteoarthritis. DII® scores were calculated using the validated Block Brief 2000 Food-Frequency Questionnaire. Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression-20 scale was used to define depressive symptoms. The relationship between…
Inhibition of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) facilitates neurogenic inflammation
2005
Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) are involved in neuropeptide degradation and may modulate neurogenic inflammation. We therefore explored the effect of specific blockers of NEP and ACE on the intensity of neurogenic inflammation. We investigated eight subjects on three occasions. Two pairs of microdialysis fibers equipped with intraluminal wires were inserted intracutaneously into the volar forearms and electrical stimuli were delivered via the intraluminal electrodes. The microdialysis fibers were perfused either with normal saline, phosphoramidon (NEP inhibitor), or captopril (ACE inhibitor). CGRP release was assessed in the microdialysis eluate via a sp…
Substance-P-induced protein extravasation is bilaterally increased in complex regional pain syndrome.
2003
Pain, mechanical hyperalgesia, edema, increased skin temperature, and skin reddening are characteristic symptoms of acute complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). We have recently demonstrated facilitated neurogenic inflammation on the affected limb. To further elucidate the underlying mechanisms, exogenous substance P (SP) in ascending concentrations (10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6) M) was intradermally applied to the affected and the unaffected limbs, respectively, in two groups of 11 CRPS patients each using the microdialysis technique. Fourteen healthy volunteers served as controls for SP application, and 9 volunteers and 10 patients served as controls for saline perfusion. Dialysate prote…
Abortion induces reactivation of inflammation in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
2018
ObjectiveTo investigate clinical and radiological outcomes of women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) undergoing abortion.MethodsAn independent, multicentre retrospective study was conducted collecting data from eight Italian MS centres. We compared the preconception and postabortion annualised relapse rate (ARR) and number of Gadolinium enhancing (Gd+) lesions, by analyses of covariance. Variables associated with postabortion clinical and MRI activity were investigated using Poisson regression models; each abortion was considered as a statistical unit.ResultsFrom 1995 to 2017, we observed 188 abortions (17 elective) in 153 women with RRMS. Abortions occurred after a mean t…
Botulinum Toxin A reduces neurogenic flare but has almost no effect on pain and hyperalgesia in human skin.
2003
Botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) has been used therapeutically to treat muscular hypercontractions and sudomotor hyperactivity. There is increasing evidence that BoNT/A might also have analgesic properties, in particular in headache. In the present investigation we tested the often cited hypothesis that BoNT/A-induced analgesia can be attributed to inhibition of neuropeptide release from nociceptive nerve fibers. In 15 healthy volunteers BoNT/A (5, 10, 20 mouse units BOTOX) or saline (contralateral side) was injected intracutaneously on the volar forearm. On day zero, the day of injection, no further tests were performed. We repeatedly elicited pain, mechanical hyperalgesia and neurogenic flare b…
Environmental conditions, air pollutants, and airway cells in runners: a longitudinal field study
2009
Runners have increased numbers of neutrophils in the airways at rest and after exercise compared with sedentary individuals. The aim of this study was to determine whether Mediterranean seasonal changes in temperature, humidity or airborne pollutants affect the airway cells of runners training outdoors in an urban environment. In nine male amateur runners, cell composition, apoptosis, and inflammatory mediators were measured in induced sputum collected at rest (baseline) and the morning after races held in the fall (21 km), winter (12 km), and summer (10 km). Concentrations of air pollutants were below the alert threshold at all times. Neutrophil differential counts tended to increase after…