ObjectiveTo explore significance of glucocorticoid for rat liver transplantation model. MethodsTwo hundred rats were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group rats were injected with sulfate atropine resulotion 0.1 mg/kg, cephazolin-Na 0.3 g/kg and hydrocortisone 5 mg/kg while the control group rats were injected with sulfate atropine resulotion 0.1 mg/kg, cephazolin-Na 0.3 g/kg and equal volume of normal saline with glucocorticoid at 30 min before operation. The donor surgery time, repairing liver time, recipient surgery time, anhepatic phase, and 1-day, 3-day and 7-day survival rates were compared between these two groups. ResultsThe donor surgery time, repairing liver time, recipient surgery time, and anhepatic phase had no significant differences between the experimental group and control group (P>0.05), while the 1-day, 3-day and 7-day survival rates of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group [96% (48/50) versus 80% (40/50), P<0.05; 92% (46/50) versus 72% (36/50), P<0.05; 90% (45/50) versus 54% (27/50), P<0.05]. ConclusionUsage of glucocorticoid might contribute to improve survival rate of rat liver transplantation model.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical characteristics and treatment prognosis of patients with ocular toxocariasis (OT). MethodsA retrospective clinical trial. From March 2018 to September 2021, 40 eyes of 40 OT patients diagnosed by ophthalmic examination in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included in the study. All patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) examination. Color Doppler ultrasound flow imaging (CDFI), fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed in 25, 26 and 26 eyes, respectively. Among the 40 patients, there were 23 males (57.5%, 23/40) and 17 females (42.5%, 17/40). All patients were monocular. Thirty patients (75.0%, 30/40) were younger than 18 years old, with the mean age of (9.60±0.60) years. Ten patients (25.0%, 10/40) were great than or equal to 18 years old, with the mean age of (34.60±4.52) years. Thirty-three patients (82.5%, 33/40) lived in rural areas for a long time. There were 27 patients (67.5%, 27/40) with a history of contact with dogs and cats. In 40 eyes, peripheral granuloma (peripheral type), posterior pole granuloma (posterior pole type), vitreous opacity similar to endophthalmitis (turbid type) and hybrid type were 18(45.0%, 18/40), 11(27.5%, 11/40), 6(15.0%, 6/40) ang 5(12.5%,5/40), respectively. All patients were treated with drugs and/or surgery after definite diagnosis. There were 28 eyes of peripheral type, posterior pole type and hybrid type, 17 eyes were treated with surgery and 11 eyes with drug treatment, respectively. Five eyes with turbid type were only treated with drugs. In 40 patients, 33 patients participated in follow-up. The follow-up time after treatment was (18.78±9.44) months. The improvement of BCVA was observed. The number of eyes with different BCVA before and after treatment was compared by χ2 test or Fisher's test. ResultsAt the first visit, the BCVA ranged from light perception to 0.6, including 20 eyes with BCVA ＜0.1, 13 eyes with BCVA 0.1-0.3, and 7 eyes with BCVA ＞0.3. The posterior vitreous anterior limiting membrane was thickened in 24 eyes (60.0%, 24/40). There were 27 eyes (67.5%, 27/40) with lamellar vitreous opacity and 22 eyes (55.0%, 22/40) with peripheral/posterior pole granulomas. Among 25 eyes examined by CDFI, 14 eyes (56.0%, 14/25) showed characteristic stratified or diffuse opacity in vitreous body. Of the 26 eyes examined by FFA, 15 eyes (57.7%, 15/26) had "fern-like" leakage of retinal capillaries, and the lesion had a patchy non-perfused area. In 26 eyes examined by OCT, epiretinal membrane, cystoid macular edema and vitreoretinal traction were 8 (30.8%, 8/26), 5 (19.2%, 5/26) and 2 (7.7%, 2/26) eyes, respectively. At the last follow-up, compared with before treatment, the BCVA of 5 eyes with turbid type increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). In 28 eyes with peripheral type, posterior pole type and hybrid type, 17 eyes with surgical treatment improved BCVA, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=6.258, P＜0.05). In 11 eyes only treated with drugs, BCVA remained unchanged, and the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=0.594, P＞0.05). ConclusionsOT patients are mostly children; retinal granulomas, gray-white hyperplastic membrane behind lens or vitreous stratified opacity are specific characteristics. OT is mainly treated by glucocorticoid drugs and vitrectomy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics, pathogenesis and treatment of steroid-induced diseases. MethodsThe clinical data of one patient with steroid-induced disease diagnosed and treated on October 20th, 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsThis patient was admitted to the hospital because of "20 years of pain in the left lower limb and 6 months after the recurrence of the muscle atrophy". After previous diagnosis of sciatica, the patient abused hormone therapy (triamcinolone), and had limb muscle weakness, atrophy, proximal limb muscle strength of grade 5-, creatine kinase 53 U/L, and electromyography suggested neurogenic damage of the limbs. We considered steroid myopathy, and required immediate stop of hormone. The patient's symptoms gradually improved. ConclusionSteroid myopathy and the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid abuse are closely related. Regulating the use of hormone, timely detection of complication of steroid myopathy and stopping the use of sugar cortical hormone are the most important measures to avoid the disease and improve the prognosis.
Abstract: Objective [WTBZ]To evaluate the longterm effects of preoperative glucocorticoid treatment on postoperative complications and survival rates for patients receiving cardiac surgery. Methods [WTBZ] We selected 57 patients including 22 males and 35 females at an average age of 52.3±11.2 years in the First Hospital of China Medical University who took steroids for a long time because of various combined diseases from September 2002 to August 2009 in the trial group, and we chose another 171 patients including 62 males and 109 females at an average age of 53.6±9.2 years who were hospitalized at the same time and had comparative basic features in the control group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in age, gender, and organ function. Different kinds of surgeries including coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valvuloplasty or valve replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting combined with heart valve replacement, and congenital heart disease surgery were performed on the patients. The proportion of surgeries carried out was similar in the two groups. Postoperative complications were compared between the two groups, and survival rates at the end of 6 months and one year followup were observed. Results [WTBZ]There was no statistical difference between the two groups in complications with respect to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (t=1.27, Pgt;0.05), reoperation for excessive postoperative bleeding (χ2=0.03, P=0.87), sternal and mediastinal infection (χ2=0.04, P=0.84), stroke (χ2=0.07, P=0.79), and gastrointestinal tract complications (χ2=2.89, P=0.09). The incidence of ventricular arrhythmia and requirement for intraaortic balloon pump in the trial group was higher, but no statistical difference was detected (χ2=2.24, P=0.13; χ2=2.20, P=0.14, respectively). Patients in the trial group were more likely to require prolonged ventilation (t=2.32, Plt;0.05), had higher rate of atrial fibrillation (χ2=4.09, P=0.04), and higher inhospital mortality (χ2=5.35, P=0.02). The sixmonth and oneyear survival rates were 0.79±0.10 and 0.73±0.12, respectively for the trial group, 0.94±0.09 and 0.86±0.10, respectively for the control group. Conclusion Longterm steroid treatment leads to higher atrial fibrillation incidence, longer ventilation time and increases the mortality rate following cardiac surgery.
ObjectiveTo analyze the phasic changes of bone mass, bone turnover markers, and estrogen levels at different time points after glucocorticoid (GC) intervention in rat and their correlation. MethodsThirty-four female 3-month-old Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following 3 groups:baseline group (n=6), dexamethasone (DXM) group (n=14), and control group (n=14). Rats were injected with DXM at the dose of 0.75 mg/kg, twice a week for 12 weeks in DXM group, with salt solution lavage in control group, and no treatment was given in baseline group. The body mass, adrenal weight, and uterus weight were measured. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone area (BA) of lumbar vertebral and femurs were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Meanwhile, the serum levels of N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX), and estrogen levels were determined by ELISA before experiment in baseline group and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after experiment in control and DXM groups. At last, the correlation was analyzed among body weight, BMD, PINP, β-CTX, estrogen levels, and GC intervention duration of DXM group. ResultsThe body mass, adrenal weight, and uterus weight in DXM group were significantly lower than those in baseline group and control group at all the time points (P<0.05). The levels of PINP and β-CTX elevated slowly in DXM group, significant difference was found at 12 weeks (P<0.05), but no significant difference at the 4 and 8 weeks (P>0.05) when compared with those in baseline group and control group. The estrogen level in DXM group was significantly lower than that in baseline group and control group at all the time points (P<0.05). BMD, BMC, and BA of lumbar vertebral and femurs in DXM group were significantly lower than those in control group at all the time points after GC intervention (P<0.05). Loss of bone mass of L2 and femoral trochanteric region in DXM group was the lowest of all ranges of interest (ROIs). BMC and BA of lumbar vertebrae and BA of femoral shaft in DXM group at 4 weeks were significantly lower than those in baseline group (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in BMD, BMC, and BA of other lumbar vertebrae and femurs' ROIs between DXM group and baseline group at all the time points (P>0.05). After GC intervention, BMD of lumbar vertebrae and femurs had negative correlation with PINP and β-CTX (P<0.05) and positive correlation with estrogen level (P<0.05). ConclusionThe bone mass decreases rapidly at the early stage after GC intervention and then maintains a low level with time, the levels of bone turnover markers show a progressive increase, and the estrogen levels show a decrease trend. In addition, body weight, the levels of bone turnover markers and estrogen are associated with the change of bone mass.
Objective To investigate the expression levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B l igand (RANKL) mRNAs in BMSCs in patients suffering glucocorticoid-induced necrosis of the femoral head (GNFH), and to discuss the relationshi p between OPG/RANKL system and GNFH. Methods The bone tissue and BMSCs of femoral head were collected from 35 patients suffering GNFH (experimental group) and from 21 patients suffering fracture of femoral neck (control group). The ratio of men to women was 4 ∶ 3 in two groups, aged 41 to 70 years (mean 55.34years in the experimental group and mean 55.33 years in the control group). The patients of experimental group received over 3 weeks’ glucocorticoid treatment or more than 1 week’s high-dose glucocorticoid therapy in recent 2 years, but patients of the control group did not receive more than 1 week’s hormone therapy. In 2 groups, the microstructure of bone tissue of femoral head was detected by HE staining. The BMSCs were isolated and cultured by adherent-wall method; the expression levels of OPG and RANKL mRNAs were examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and the ratio of OPG mRNA to RANKL mRNA was caculated. Results Bone trabeculae and bone units were replaced by interrupted bone fragments, which were surrounded by inflammation and granulation tissue and few osteocytes were seen in bone lacunae in the experimental group. In control group, bone trabeculae and bone units were made by complete lamellar bone which surrounded blood vessels and osteocytes were seen in lacunae. The expression levels of OPG mRNA in the experimental group (0.37 ± 0.12) was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.47 ± 0.13), and the levels of RANKL mRNA in the experimental group (1.12 ± 0.39) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.84 ± 0.24), showing statistically significant difference (P lt; 0.05). The ratio of OPG mRNA to RANKL mRNA in the experimental group (0.37 ± 0.17) was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.61 ± 0.26, P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The GNFH may be related to the expression levels of OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA in BMSCs.
Objective To investigate the expression levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-κB l igand (RANKL) mRNAs in bone tissues of the femoral head of the patients suffering glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosisof the femoral head (ONFH), and to discuss the relationship between OPG/RANKL and ONFH. Methods Between March2007 and March 2008, bone tissues of the femoral head were collected as the experimental material from 35 patients suffering ONFH (experimental group) and from 21 patients suffering fracture of femoral neck (control group). The ratio of men to women in both groups was 4 ∶ 3, whose age was 41-70 years old (55.34 on average in the experimental group and 55.33 on average in the control group). The experimental group received over 3 weeks’ glucocorticoid treatment or more than 1 week’ s high-dose glucocorticoid treatment in recent 2 years, while the control group never received more than 1 week’s hormone treatment. In the two groups, the microstructure of bone tissues of the femoral head was detected by HE staining and the bone tissue total RNA was extracted, and then the expression levels of OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA were examined by realtime quantitative PCR (RTQ-PCR) for each sample. Results HE staining: bone trabeculae and bone units were replaced by interrupted bone fragments, which were surrounded by many inflammatory granulation tissues and few osteocytes were seen in bone lacunae in the experimental group. In the control group, bone trabeculae and bone units were made by complete lamellar bones which surrounded blood vessels and osteocytes were seen in lacunae. RTQ-PCR testing: in the experimental group, OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA were 1.35 ± 0.42 and 4.36 ± 1.35, respectively, while in the control group they were 1.78 ± 0.63 and 3.49 ± 1.02, respectively. The expression level of OPG mRNA in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the expression level of RANKL mRNA of the former was significantly higher than the latter. The OPG mRNA/ RANKL mRNA ratio in the xperiment group (0.34 ± 0.16) was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.54 ± 0.20), and there was significant difference (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The glucocorticoid-induced ONFH may be related to the expression levels of OPG mRNA/RANKL mRNA in bone tissues.
Objective To observe the clinical characteristics of steroid-induced ocular hypertension (SIOH) in patients with uveitis, and explore the relationship between its clinical phenotype and gene polymorphism. Methods A retrospective case-control study. From July 2019 to December 2020, 576 patients with uveitis who were treated with glucocorticoid eye drops in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 175 confirmed glucocorticoid responders (SRs) and 401 glucocorticoid non-responders (NRs). Seventy cases of SRs (age ≥18 years) using 1% prednisone acetate eye drops were selected as the experiment group and 64 cases of NRs were selected as the control group. The polymorphism of rs2523864 and rs3873352 of human leukocyte antigen complex group (HCG) 22 gene were detected by Sanger sequencing. To observe the clinical characteristics of SIOH after the use of glucocorticoid eye drops, and the correlation between rs2523864 and rs3873352 and the occurrence of SIOH. Differences among groups were compared with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The correlation between the occurrence of SIOH and the range of intraocular pressure increases after glucocorticoid use and the rs2523864 and rs3873352 loci were compared using the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Results SIOH occurred in 175 (30.4%, 175/576) of 576 patients. Among them, there were 96 males (54.9%, 96/175) and 79 females (45.1%, 79/175); the average age was 33.64±17.40 years. Steroid high responders (HRs) and steroid moderate responders (MRs) were 58 (33.1%, 58/175) and 117 (66.9%, 117/175) cases. The medication time for the increase in intraocular pressure in MRs that was 33 (19, 56) days, and in HRs that was 28 (14, 36) days, the difference of which was significant (Z=－1.999, P=0.046). No differences were found in daily doses of ocular hypertension induced by 1% prednisone acetate eye drops between MRs which was 4.24 (3.46, 4.66) drops/day and HRs that was 4.32 (3.84, 5.36) drops/day (Z=－1.676, P=0.094). The genotype and allele frequency distribution of the rs3873352 locus in the case group and HRs group were significantly different from those in the control group (P＜0.05). The intraocular pressure with rs3873352 GG genotype after the medication was higher than that with GC and CC genotype (Z=2.855, 2.628; P=0.013, 0.026), whereas there was no significant difference between different genotypes of rs2523864 (Z=3.580, P＞0.05). Genetic model analysis revealed the risk of SIOH in rs3873352 G allele carriers (GG+GC) was 2.048 times that of non-G allele carriers (OR=2.048, 95%CI: 1.027-4.081, P=0.041). The genotype and allele frequency of rs2523864 locus showed no significant difference between different group (P＞0.05). Conclusions After the use of glucocorticoid eye drops, HRs have an earlier increase in intraocular pressure than MRs. HCG22-rs3873352 gene polymorphism is related to the occurrence of SIOH, GG genotype increases the risk of SIOH, and G allele is a risk gene for SIOH.
Glucocorticoids are the first-line therapy of many neurological disorders, with the treatment regimen varying across types and characteristics of neurological disorders. This article reviews the national and international guidelines and expert consensuses in the past decade on glucocorticoids treatment for neurological disorders, and summarizes recommendations from the latest Chinese guidelines and consensuses. In summary, the most frequently used pulse therapy of glucocorticoids in China is intravenous infusion of high-dose (usually 1000 mg/d) methylprednisolone in a short period (often <5 d), followed by gradual tapering, bridging with oral prednisone or direct discontinuation. The treatment regimen for children and juveniles is similar to that for adults but the dose is adjusted by body weight. Pharmacodynamics of glucocorticoids should be considered for the treatment of perinatal women. To provide appropriate glucocorticoids treatment for patients with neurological disorders, clinicians should fully understand features of each neurological disorder and clinical characteristics of individual patient.
Objective To observe the level of vitamin D in patients with steroid resistant (SR) asthma, and investigate the effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on JNK/AP-1 and glucocorticoid receptor of T lymphocytes in SR asthmatics. Methods Sixty-two outpatients and inpatients with asthma with acute exacerbation between 2014 and 2015 were recruited in the study, including 26 cases of steroid sensitive (SS) asthmatics and 36 cases of SR asthmatics. Meanwhile 25 healthy volunteers were recruited as control. Clinical data were collected and peripheral venous blood was sampled for measuring the level of 25-(OH)D and separating the T lymphocytes. T lymphocytes were assigned to six groups, ie. a healthy control group (Group A), a SS asthmatics control group (Group B), a SR asthmatics control group (Group C), a SR asthmatics with JNK inhibitor (SP600125)+1,25-(OH)2D3 group (Group D), a SR asthmatics with JNK inhibitor (SP600125) group (Group E), and a SR asthmatics with 1,25-(OH)2D3 group (Group F). T lymphocytes were cultured for 48 hours. By the end of culture, the expression of phospho-JNK (p-JNK) and phospho-glucocorticoid receptor (p-GR) of T lymphocytes were detected by Western blot method, and the expression of c-Jun mRNA was detected by RT-PCR method. Results The level of 25-(OH) D was lower in Group B and Group C than Group A (P<0.05), and lower in Group C than Group B (P<0.05). The level of p-JNK was higher in Group B and Group C than Group A (P<0.05), higher in Group C than Group B (P<0.05), lower in Group E and Group F than Group C (P<0.05), lower in Group D than Group F (P<0.05). The level of p-GR was lower in Group C than Group A and Group B (P<0.05), higher in Group E and Group F than Group C (P<0.05), higher in Group D than Group F (P<0.05). The level of c-Jun mRNA was higher in Group B and Group C than Group A (P<0.05), higher in Group C than Group B (P<0.05), lower in Group E and Group F than Group C (P<0.05), and lower in Group D than Group F (P<0.05). The 25-(OH) D level was negatively correlated with the expression of p-JNK and c-Jun mRNA in Group C (r=–0.69, r=–0.65, P<0.05). However, there was a positive correlation between the 25-(OH) D level and p-GR (r=0.72, P<0.05). Conclusions There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or lack in SR asthmatics. 1,25-(OH)2D3 can promote the expression of p-GR by inhibiting the JNK/AP-1 signaling pathway of T lymphocytes in SR asthmatics, which may be one of the mechanisms of vitamin D to improve glucocorticoid resistance in SR asthmatics.