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AST-120 Improves Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Receiving Hemodialysis.
Ryu, JH, Yu, M, Lee, S, Ryu, DR, Kim, SJ, Kang, DH, Choi, KB
Yonsei medical journal. 2016;(4):942-9
Abstract
PURPOSE Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a pivotal phenomenon in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a known uremic toxin that induces ED in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AST-120, an absorbent of IS, improves microvascular or macrovascular ED in HD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a prospective, case-controlled trial. Fourteen patients each were enrolled in respective AST-120 and control groups. The subjects in the AST-120 group were treated with AST-120 (6 g/day) for 6 months. Microvascular function was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry using iontophoresis of acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at baseline and again at 3 and 6 months. Carotid arterial intima-media thickness (cIMT) and flow-mediated vasodilation were measured at baseline and 6 months. The Wilcoxon rank test was used to compare values before and after AST-120 treatment. RESULTS Ach-induced iontophoresis (endothelium-dependent response) was dramatically ameliorated at 3 months and 6 months in the AST-120 group. SNP-induced response showed delayed improvement only at 6 months in the AST-120 group. The IS level was decreased at 3 months in the AST-120 group, but remained stable thereafter. cIMT was significantly reduced after AST-120 treatment. No significant complications in patients taking AST-120 were reported. CONCLUSION AST-120 ameliorated microvascular ED and cIMT in HD patients. A randomized study including a larger population will be required to establish a definitive role of AST-120 as a preventive medication for CVD in HD patients.
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2.
Silver oxide ointment wound dressing in venous ulcerations: home, self-management.
Belcaro, G, Cesarone, MR, Errichi, BM, Ricci, A, Antelman, P, Dugall, M, Pellegrini, L, Ledda, A, Viscardi, G
Panminerva medica. 2011;(3 Suppl 1):29-33
Abstract
AIM: Venous ulcers are a common, chronic medical and social problem. These ulcers are difficult to heal in most patients with sustained venous hypertension. This pilot product evaluation registry study has evaluated the efficacy and safety of an antimicrobial silver oxide wound dressing ointment ("Silver Oxide Ointment") as part of the treatment of 'difficult' venous ulcerations. METHODS The study was conducted measuring the variations in the area of the ulceration and microcirculatory parameters. RESULTS After four weeks, treatment with the Silver Oxide Ointment proved more effective than the 'best management' used in controls. Transcutaneous PO2 was increased (improved); Laser Doppler skin flux and transcutaneous PCO2 were improved (decreased). Also in the silver oxide group a significantly higher number of venous ulcers were completely healed at four weeks. The silver oxide ointment improved both the microcirculation and the healing rate of their ulcers. No significant tolerability problems were observed. CONCLUSION In difficult venous ulcerations, local treatment with this Silver Oxide Ointment, as one component of the total wound dressing, improved microcirculation measurements and healing rate. Most of the treatments were done at home by the patients or by their tutors. This study indicates the important role of this type of treatment and indicates the need to plan larger and more prolonged studies.
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3.
Oral adsorbent AST-120 ameliorates tubular injury in chronic renal failure patients by reducing proteinuria and oxidative stress generation.
Nakamura, T, Sato, E, Fujiwara, N, Kawagoe, Y, Suzuki, T, Ueda, Y, Yamagishi, S
Metabolism: clinical and experimental. 2011;(2):260-4
Abstract
AST-120 is an oral adsorbent that attenuates the progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) and improves the prognosis of the patients under dialysis. Although tubulointerstitial injury is more important than glomerulopathy in terms of renal prognosis in patients with CRF, effect of AST-120 on tubular injury in CRF patients remains unknown. In this study, we examined whether and how AST-120 treatment could improve tubular damage in nondiabetic CRF patients. Fifty nondiabetic CRF patients were enrolled in the present study and divided into 2 groups: one was the AST-120-treated group (15 men and 10 women) and the other was the age-, sex-, and clinical variables-matched non-AST-120-treated control group. Patients were followed up for 12 months. We investigated the effects of AST-120 on serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), proteinuria, and urinary excretion levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and L-fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), markers of oxidative stress and tubular injury, respectively. AST-120 treatment (6 g/d), but not control treatment, for 12 months significantly reduced IL-6, proteinuria, and urinary excretion levels of L-FABP and 8-OHdG, and inhibited the increase in serum creatinine in CRF patients. In univariate analyses, L-FABP levels were correlated with age, proteinuria, 8-OHdG, and IL-6. In multiple stepwise regression analysis, proteinuria and urinary 8-OHdG levels were independently related to L-FABP levels (R² = 0.605). Our present study demonstrated for the first time that AST-120 improved tubular injury in nondiabetic CRF patients. AST-120 may exert beneficial effects in CRF patients by protecting tubular damage partly via reduction of proteinuria and oxidative stress generation.
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Clinical and radiographic evaluation of pulpotomies employing calcium hydroxide and trioxide mineral aggregate.
Percinoto, C, de Castro, AM, Pinto, LM
General dentistry. 2006;(4):258-61
Abstract
This study utilized clinical and radiographic examinations to compare the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide paste and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) for pulpotomies of primary molars in children. Ninety primary molars that showed clinical and radiographic indications for pulpotomy treatment were selected. The pulpotomies were performed in two sessions, using a corticosteroid/antibiotic solution as therapeutic dressing. The sample was divided into two groups of 45 teeth, in which the pulpal remains were protected with either calcium hydroxide paste (Group 1) or MTA (Group 2). Radiographs were taken immediately and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up appointments. Three teeth in Group 1 failed after three months, while two cases failed after six months and one more failed at one year. Two failures were found in Group 2 at the 12-month follow-up. These results indicate that both materials may be utilized for pulpotomies in primary teeth.
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5.
Effects of administration styles of arsenic trioxide on intracellular arsenic concentration, cell differentiation and apoptosis.
Zhou, J, Meng, R, Sui, X, Meng, L, Jia, J, Yang, B
Haematologica. 2005;(9):1277-9
Abstract
We studied the effects of varying and steady-state concentrations of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on apoptosis and differentiation of several cell lines in vitro. We also studied the same effects of fluctuating vs constant concentrations of As2O3 in vivo in patients treated with daily 3-hour fast infusions or daily slow, continuous infusions. Intracellular concentrations of arsenic and apoptosis rate were higher whereas differentiation was reduced in cells exposed to constant concentrations of As2O3.
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6.
Comparison of mineral trioxide aggregate and formocresol as pulp-capping agents in pulpotomized primary teeth.
Agamy, HA, Bakry, NS, Mounir, MM, Avery, DR
Pediatric dentistry. 2004;(4):302-9
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to use clinical, radiographic, and histologic examinations to compare the relative success of gray mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), white MTA, and formocresol as pulp dressings in pulpotomized primary teeth. METHODS Twenty-four children, each with at least 3 primary molars requiring pulpotomy, were selected for this study's clinical and radiographic portion. An additional 15 carious primary teeth planned for serial extraction were selected for this study's histologic portion. All selected teeth were evenly divided into 3 test groups and treated with pulpotomies. Gray MTA was used as the pulp dressing for one third of the teeth, white MTA was the dressing for one third, and the remaining one third were treated with formocresol. The treated teeth selected for the clinical and radiographic evaluations were monitored periodically for 12 months. The treated teeth selected for histologic study were monitored periodically and extracted 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS Four children with 12 pulpotomized teeth failed to return for any follow-up evaluations in the clinical and radiographic study. Of the remaining 60 teeth in 20 patients, 1 tooth (gray MTA) exfoliated normally and 6 teeth (4 white MTA and 2 formocresol) failed due to abscesses. The remaining 53 teeth appeared to be clinically and radiographically successful 12 months postoperatively. Pulp canal obliteration was a radiographic finding in 11 teeth treated with gray MTA and 1 tooth treated with white MTA. In the histologic study, both types of MTA successfully induced thick dentin bridge formation at the amputation sites, while formocresol induced thin, poorly calcified dentin. Teeth treated with gray MTA demonstrated pulp architecture nearest to normal pulp by preserving the odontoblastic layer and delicate fibrocellular matrix, yet few inflammatory cells or isolated calcified bodies were seen. Teeth treated with white MTA showed a denser fibrotic pattern, with more isolated calcifications in the pulp tissue along with secondary dentin formation. CONCLUSIONS Gray MTA appears to be superior to white MTA and formocresol as a pulp dressing for pulpotomized primary teeth.