Background: In the absence of direct therapy for COVID-19, extracorporeal blood treatment (EBT) could represent an option for cytokine removal. Objective: This study aimed to describe and compare ...cytokine removal during intermittent haemodialysis (IHD) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in COVID-19 patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Methods: It was a cohort study that studied patients with COVID-19-related AKI according to KDIGO criteria and admitted at Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Blood samples were collected at the start and end of both IHD using high flux (HF) membranes (10 patients) and continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF:10 patients) in two sessions for measuring 13 different plasma interleukins and calculating the cytokine removal rate. Results: There was no difference between the two groups regarding mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drug, age or prognostic scores. Patients treated by CRRT presented higher levels of IL-2 and IL-8 than patients treated by IHD at dialysis start. Cytokine removal ranged from 9% to 78%. Patients treated by CRRT presented higher cytokine removal for IL-2, IL-6 IL-8, IP-10 and TNF. The removal rates of IL-4, IL-10, IL-17A, IFN, MCP-1 and TGF-B1 were similar in two groups. After one session of CVVHDF (24 h), IL-2 and IL-1beta levels did not vary significantly, whereas IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF, IFN, IP-10, MCP-1, IL-12p70 and TGF-B1 decreased by 33.8-76%, and this decrease was maintained over the next 24 h. In IHD groups, IL-2, IL-6, TNF, IP-10 and IL-1beta levels did not decrease significantly whereas IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, IFN, MCP-1, IL-12p70 and TGF-B1 decreased by 21.8-72%; however, cytokine levels returned to their initial values after 24 h. Conclusion: Cytokine removal is lower in IHD using HF membranes than in CVVHDF, and in IHD the removal is transient and selective, which can be associated with mortality during cytokines storm-related COVID-19. Keywords: cytokine storm, removal, EBP
To investigate the effects of cyclosporine A on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury during transient hyperglycemia in rats.
In a model of ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal injury and transiently ...induced hyperglycemia by intraperitoneal injection of glucose, 2.5 g.kg-1, Wistar rats were anesthetized with either isoflurane or propofol and received intravenous cyclosporine A, 5 mg.kg-1, five minutes before reperfusion. Comparison groups were isoflurane and propofol sham groups and isoflurane and propofol ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal injury. Renal tubular cell viability was quantitatively assessed by flow cytometry after cell culture and classified as early apoptosis, necrotic cells, and intact cells.
Early apoptosis was significantly higher in isoflurane and propofol anesthetized animals subjected to renal ischemia-reperfusion injury when compared to both cyclosporine A treated and sham groups. Necrosis percentage was significantly higher in propofol-anesthetized animals subjected to renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. The percentage of intact cells was lower in both, isoflurane and propofol anesthetized animals subjected to renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.
In a model of ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal injury, cyclosporine A, 5 m.kg-1, administered five minutes before renal reperfusion in rats with acute-induced hyperglycemia under either isoflurano or propofol anesthesia, attenuated early apoptosis and preserved viability in renal tubular cells, regardless of the anesthetic used.
Propolis is a bee-made product used for centuries due to its diverse biological properties, including its immunomodulatory action. This work aimed at investigating whether propolis may affect ...monocyte functions challenged with retinoic acid (RA), B subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (EtxB), human melanoma-associated antigen-1 (MAGE-1) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Monocytes from healthy donors were treated with the stimuli separately or in the presence of propolis. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay, cell marker expression was assessed by flow cytometry, cytokine production by ELISA, gene expression by RT-qPCR.
Propolis alone maintained TLR-2, TLR-4, HLA-DR, CD40 and CD80 expression in the monocytes; however, its combination with either MAGE-1 or LPS decreased CD40 expression triggered by the stimuli. Propolis maintained RA action on cell marker expression. Propolis inhibited TNF-α (with either EtxB or MAGE-1) and IL-6 (with either RA or MAGE-1), and increased IL-10 (with MAGE-1) production. Propolis downmodulated LC3 expression induced by LPS. It also induced a lower NF-kB expression than control cells and its combination with RA induced a higher expression than the stimulus alone.
Propolis potentially affected innate immunity by downmodulating the monocytes pro-inflammatory activity.
Aims: To evaluate the expressions of intracellular cytokines in CD4+ T lymphocytes and to investigate the correlation between biomarker expressions and clinical and functional characteristics of ...stable COPD patients. Patients and Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from 36 COPD patients, and the expression of cytokines (IL-8, IL-13, IL-17, IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-alpha) in T lymphocytes CD4+ was investigated. In addition, lung function, dyspnea symptoms, quality of life, vital signs, body composition, level of physical activity, peripheral muscle strength, and functional capacity were assessed. Results: Individuals with greater bronchial obstruction present a higher proportion of CD4+ IL-2 + lymphocytes compared to individuals with less severe bronchial obstruction. We found a positive correlation between the expression of the cytokines IL-13, IL-17, IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in CD4+ T lymphocytes. In addition, we found a positive correlation between CD4+ IL-10+ T lymphocytes and lower limb muscle strength and a negative correlation between CD4+ IL-8+ T lymphocytes and peripheral oxygen saturation and steps per day. Conclusion: Systemic CD4+IL-2+, IL-8+, and IL-10+ T lymphocytes presented a correlation with clinical characteristics and functional status in stable COPD. Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammation, phenotype, flow cytometry
Objectives
Propolis is a natural product with a complex chemical composition. Its isolated compounds exert biological activities; however, its synergistic effects are unknown. The involvement of ...phenolic acids (caffeic – Caf, dihydrocinnamic – Cin and p‐coumaric – Cou) alone or in combination was investigated in the action of propolis in human monocytes.
Methods
Cell viability was analysed by MTT assay; TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐10 production by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); cell markers expression by flow cytometry; colony‐forming units were counted to assess the microbicidal activity; and H2O2 production was analysed by colorimetric assay.
Key findings
Treatments did not affect monocytes viability. Propolis and combinations containing Caf enhanced TNF‐α production by resting cells. Propolis, Cin, Cou and Caf + Cin stimulated IL‐6 production. All treatments upregulated IL‐10. In LPS‐stimulated cells, treatments downregulated IL‐6 and maintained TNF‐α and IL‐10 production. A lower TLR‐2 expression was seen than propolis. Caf + Cin enhanced TLR‐4 expression. Propolis, Caf and Caf + Cin stimulated H2O2 production, whereas propolis, Cin, Cou, and Caf + Cin + Cou induced a higher fungicidal activity. Cin and Cin + Cou increased the bactericidal activity of human monocytes.
Conclusion
Propolis activated human monocytes, and acids were involved differently in propolis activity.
Ethanol (EtOH) alters many cellular processes in yeast. An integrated view of different EtOH-tolerant phenotypes and their long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is not yet available. Here, large-scale data ...integration showed the core EtOH-responsive pathways, lncRNAs, and triggers of higher (HT) and lower (LT) EtOH-tolerant phenotypes. LncRNAs act in a strain-specific manner in the EtOH stress response. Network and omics analyses revealed that cells prepare for stress relief by favoring activation of life-essential systems. Therefore, longevity, peroxisomal, energy, lipid, and RNA/protein metabolisms are the core processes that drive EtOH tolerance. By integrating omics, network analysis, and several other experiments, we showed how the HT and LT phenotypes may arise: (1) the divergence occurs after cell signaling reaches the longevity and peroxisomal pathways, with CTA1 and ROS playing key roles; (2) signals reaching essential ribosomal and RNA pathways via SUI2 enhance the divergence; (3) specific lipid metabolism pathways also act on phenotype-specific profiles; (4) HTs take greater advantage of degradation and membraneless structures to cope with EtOH stress; and (5) our EtOH stress-buffering model suggests that diauxic shift drives EtOH buffering through an energy burst, mainly in HTs. Finally, critical genes, pathways, and the first models including lncRNAs to describe nuances of EtOH tolerance are reported here.
Ethanol (EtOH) alters many cellular processes in yeast. An integrated view of different EtOH-tolerant phenotypes and their long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is not yet available. Here, large-scale data ...integration showed the core EtOH-responsive pathways, lncRNAs, and triggers of higher (HT) and lower (LT) EtOH-tolerant phenotypes. LncRNAs act in a strain-specific manner in the EtOH stress response. Network and omics analyses revealed that cells prepare for stress relief by favoring activation of life-essential systems. Therefore, longevity, peroxisomal, energy, lipid, and RNA/protein metabolisms are the core processes that drive EtOH tolerance. By integrating omics, network analysis, and several other experiments, we showed how the HT and LT phenotypes may arise: (1) the divergence occurs after cell signaling reaches the longevity and peroxisomal pathways, with CTA1 and ROS playing key roles; (2) signals reaching essential ribosomal and RNA pathways via SUI2 enhance the divergence; (3) specific lipid metabolism pathways also act on phenotype-specific profiles; (4) HTs take greater advantage of degradation and membraneless structures to cope with EtOH stress; and (5) our EtOH stress-buffering model suggests that diauxic shift drives EtOH buffering through an energy burst, mainly in HTs. Finally, critical genes, pathways, and the first models including lncRNAs to describe nuances of EtOH tolerance are reported here.
PURPOSE: To study the effect of isoflurane (Iso) or propofol (Prop) anesthesia on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) during transient hyperglycemia. METHODS: Thirty six rats were randomly ...assigned into six groups of six animals each: PHS (Sham-Prop=1mg.kg-1.min-1 + Hyperglycemia=2.5g.kg-1 of glucose solution administered intraperitoneally); HIS (Sham-Iso + Hyperglycemia); PHI (Prop + Hyperglycemia + Ischemia); IHI (Iso + Hyperglycemia + Ischemia); PI (Prop + Ischemia), and II (Iso + Ischemia). After 30 minutes of anesthesia induction, right nephrectomy was performed (all animals) and the left renal artery was clamped during 25 minutes (ischemia). The animals were sacrificed after 24 hours and blood collection (to dose creatinine) and left kidney removal were performed for histological analysis, and flow cytometry (FCM): percentage of initial apoptosis (APTi) and viable cells (VC). RESULTS: Serum creatinine (mg/dL) was statistically different in groups PHI (3.60±0.40) and IHI (3.23±1.08), p<0.05. Histological analysis was statistically different in groups PHI (4.04.0;5.0) and IHI (4.54.0;5.0), p<0.05. APTi percentage was statistically different in groups PHI (73.2±7.1), and IHI (48.1±14). VC percentage was statistically different in groups PHI (25.8±6.9) and IHI (38.5±9.2), p<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol and isoflurane showed the same level of protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury in the normoglycemic groups. Transient hyperglycemia is associated with an increase in IRI.
Background: The IMHA is a common cause of anemia in dogs and characterized by direct destruction or phagocytosis of erythrocytes opsonized by IgG, IgM and/or complement. The diagnosis is based on the ...identification of erythrocytes destruction in the presence of anti-erythrocyte antibodies, producing spherocytes, auto-agglutination, Coomb’s test or flow cytometry test positive, in addition to anemia and clinical signs of hemolysis. The renal biochemical profile and urinalysis may reveal important changes due to the severity of the kidney demage. The aim of this study were to evaluate the incidence of hematological and renal abnormalities, and the prevalence of immunoglobulin’s classes involved in IMHA.Materials, Methods & Results: In a total of 87 anemic dogs were selected and tested by Coomb’s test, flow cytometry (FC), and auto-agglutination, along with CBC, reticulocyte count, renal profile (ureia and creatinine), hemoparasite search in peripheral blood smears, and Ehrlichia sp. and leptospirosis tests. The results were analyzed by t test or Mann-Whitney with 5% of significance. Therefore, 61 dogs (70.11%) were positive for IMHA by FC, 31 (35.63%) by Coomb’s test, and 24 (27.58%) by auto-agglutination. There was not a predominance of IgG or IgM involvement. The hematological and clinical changes in dogs with IMHA included macrocytic, hypochromic regenerative anemia, and reticulocytosis, as well as icterus, fever, auto-agglutination, hyperglobulinemia and bilirrubinuria. Spherocytosis was found in 9.8% of dogs with IMHA, and 29.5% of dogs had leukocytosis, 39.6% neutrophilia, and 72.1% thrombocytopenia. Mostly of cases of IHMA (74.6%) were attributed to infectious diseases and associated with Ehrlichia sp. (secondary IMHA), 21.4% of dogs with IMHA had azotemia, and 51.8% had increased urine protein creatinine ratio.Discussion: The FC was confirmed as a more sensitive technique for the diagnosis of IMHA compared to auto-agglutination and Coomb’s tests. The auto-agglutination test was more specific than the Coomb’s test, however the last one was more sensitive. The similar prevalence of IgG and IgM in IMHA did not indicate which class of immunoglobulin would be a better choice for diagnosis by the FC technique. Antibodies are produced against normal red cells (primary or idiopathic IMHA) or to red cells that are antigenical changed by the action of drugs, neoplasia or infectious diseases (leptospirosis, babesiosis, canine ehrlichiosis), known as secondary IMHA. This study alerts for the high prevalence of IMHA in dogs, in most cases characterized by a regenerative anemia associated with intense thrombocytopenia and secondary to Ehrlichia sp. in areas endemic to this infectious disease. In Brazil, the presence of endemic areas for various infectious diseases may contribute to the high prevalence of secondary IMHA. Kidney damage may occurs because tissue hypoxia increases the risk of progressive injury, due to acute hematocrit decrease (below 22%), leading to renal tubular necrosis, whereas the deposition of immune complexes, mainly in the renal parenchyma, may aggravate the renal injury, further complicating the clinical state of the animal. Direct renal injury caused by crystallization of free hemoglobin in the renal tubules may result in renal azotemia. Hypoxia and nephrotoxicity caused by hemoglobinemia reflects increased liver enzymes and azotemia, respectively. Significant proteinuria and the increase in urine protein creatinine ratio revealed evidence of renal injury in dogs with IMHA.