SGLT2 expression in human vasculature and heart correlates with low-grade inflammation and causes eNOS-NO/ROS imbalance.

Aims: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) show a cardioprotective effect in heart failure and myocardial infarction, pathologies often associated with low-grade inflammation. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate whether low-grade inflammation regulates SGLT2 expression and function in human vasculature, heart, and endothelial cells (ECs).

Methods And Results: Human internal thoracic artery (ITA), left ventricle (LV) specimens, and cultured porcine coronary artery ECs were used.

COVID-19 promotes endothelial dysfunction and thrombogenicity: role of proinflammatory cytokines/SGLT2 prooxidant pathway.

Background: COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Although cytokines have a predominant role in endothelium damage, the precise molecular mechanisms are far from being elucidated.

Objectives: The present study hypothesized that inflammation in patients with COVID-19 contributes to endothelial dysfunction through redox-sensitive SGLT2 overexpression and investigated the protective effect of SGLT2 inhibition by empagliflozin.

Sexual dimorphism in acute myocardial infarction-induced acute kidney injury: cardiorenal deteriorating effects of ovariectomy in premenopausal female mice.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in both males and females, increasing mortality rate substantially. Premenopausal females appear to be more protected, suggesting a potential protective role of female sex hormones. Here, we tested the hypothesis that ovariectomy (OVX) eliminates the beneficial effect of female sex on renal protection following acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Empagliflozin prevents angiotensin II-induced hypertension related micro and macrovascular endothelial cell activation and diastolic dysfunction in rats despite persistent hypertension: Role of endothelial SGLT1 and 2.

SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) showed pronounced beneficial effects in patients with heart failure but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We evaluated the effect of empagliflozin, selective SGLT2i, on hypertension-induced cardiac and vascular dysfunction. Male Wistar rats received diet with or without empagliflozin (30 mg/kg/day).

Phosphorus Supplementation Mitigates Perivascular Adipose Inflammation-Induced Cardiovascular Consequences in Early Metabolic Impairment.

Background The complexity of the interaction between metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular complications has long been recognized to extend beyond simple perturbations of blood glucose levels. Yet, structured interventions targeting the root pathologies are not forthcoming. Growing evidence implicates the inflammatory changes occurring in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) as early instigators of cardiovascular deterioration.

[Mitral prolapse and sudden death. A case report].

The association between the mitral valve prolapse and the sudden Cardiac Death remains controversial, the high prevalence of this valvulopathy contrasting with the low incidence of sudden death in this population. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman admitted for a sudden cardiac death, revealing a bi-prolapse with low-grade leakage, leading to the implantation of a subcutaneous automatic defibrillator. Combined echocardiography and cardiac MRI can identify the mitral annular disjunction, the rolling motion of the posterior face of the mitral annulus towards the myocardium, and the myocardial fibrosis of the inferolateral wall induced by streching forces of the sub valvular apparatus, that may lead to ventricular arrhythmias.

Worsening baroreflex sensitivity on progression to type 2 diabetes: localized vs. systemic inflammation and role of antidiabetic therapy.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is an early cardiovascular manifestation of type 2 diabetes (T2D) that constitutes an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Nevertheless, its underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood. We recently showed that localized perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) inflammation underlies the incidence of parasympathetic CAN in prediabetes.

Sex-based differences in myocardial infarction-induced kidney damage following cigarette smoking exposure: more renal protection in premenopausal female mice.

The impact of cigarette smoking (CS) on kidney homeostasis in the presence of myocardial infarction (MI) in both males and females remains poorly elucidated. C57BL6/J mice were exposed to 2 weeks of CS prior to MI induction followed by 1 week of CS exposure in order to investigate the impact of CS on kidney damage in the presence of MI. Cardiac hemodynamic analysis revealed a significant decrease in ejection fraction (EF) in CS-exposed MI male mice when compared with the relative female subjects, whereas cardiac output (CO) comparably decreased in CS-exposed MI mice of both sexes.

Dysfunctional cerebrovascular tone contributes to cognitive impairment in a non-obese rat model of prediabetic challenge: Role of suppression of autophagy and modulation by anti-diabetic drugs.

Prediabetes is a highly prevalent stage of early metabolic dysfunction that poses a high risk for cardiovascular and cognitive impairment without a clear pathological mechanism. Here, we used a non-obese prediabetic rat model previously developed in our laboratory to examine this mechanism. These rats were subjected to a mild metabolic challenge leading to hyperinsulinemia without hyperglycemia or obesity.

Bilateral Renal Colic as an Initial Presentation of Erdheim-Chester Disease.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cells histiocytosis characterized by multiorgan involvement, with renal-ECD documented in over one-third of patients. Renal disease is generally asymptomatic, rarely causing hydronephrosis and kidney impairment. In addition, the diverse clinical picture of Erdheim-Chester disease arises slowly with sequential manifestations.

Impaired Endothelium-Dependent Hyperpolarization Underlies Endothelial Dysfunction during Early Metabolic Challenge: Increased ROS Generation and Possible Interference with NO Function.

Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of diabetic vasculopathies. Although hyperglycemia is believed to be the culprit causing endothelial damage, the mechanism underlying early endothelial insult in prediabetes remains obscure. We used a nonobese high-calorie (HC)-fed rat model with hyperinsulinemia, hypercholesterolemia, and delayed development of hyperglycemia to unravel this mechanism.

Amelioration of perivascular adipose inflammation reverses vascular dysfunction in a model of nonobese prediabetic metabolic challenge: potential role of antidiabetic drugs.

The onset of vascular impairment precedes that of diagnostic hyperglycemia in diabetic patients suggesting a vascular insult early in the course of metabolic dysfunction without a well-defined mechanism. Mounting evidence implicates adipose inflammation in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetes. It is not certain whether amelioration of adipose inflammation is sufficient to preclude vascular dysfunction in early stages of metabolic disease.

Impaired cross-talk between NO and hyperpolarization in myoendothelial feedback: a novel therapeutic target in early endothelial dysfunction of metabolic disease.

Over the past three decades, our view of the endothelium rapidly evolved from a static lining of the blood vessels to a dynamic determinant and regulator of vascular tone and homeostasis. It is now widely accepted that endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of almost every vascular pathology, either as a cause or a consequence. The tight association between the metabolic disease spectrum, ranging from mild alterations of blood lipids profile all the way to diabetes and morbid obesity; and vascular complications argues for a deleterious endothelial remodeling in these conditions.

Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy as a Result of Mild Hypercaloric Challenge in Absence of Signs of Diabetes: Modulation by Antidiabetic Drugs.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is an early cardiovascular complication of diabetes occurring before metabolic derangement is evident. The cause of CAN remains elusive and cannot be directly linked to hyperglycemia. Recent clinical data report cardioprotective effects of some antidiabetic drugs independent of their hypoglycemic action.

Stress-induced Worsening of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function as a Marker of Myocardial Ischemia.

Background: Echocardiography has been the subject of interest in diagnosing diastolic dysfunction and estimating left ventricular filling pressures (LVFPs). The present study is set to estimate the correlation between the worsening of diastolic parameters and the evidence of inducible ischemia during an exercise stress echocardiography (SE) in comparison with the results of coronary computed tomographic angiogram (CCTA).

Methods: A total of 191 consecutive patients from the executive screening program who underwent exercise SE followed by CCTA were evaluated.

Thrombus in Transit through Patent Foramen Ovale.

A thrombus in transit through a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with impending paradoxical embolism is an extremely rare event. Due to its transient nature, it is unable to identify the thrombus, and most of the cases have been reported at autopsy. We are reporting a case of thrombus straddling the foramen ovale which was diagnosed by echocardiography and treated surgically.

The consanguinity effect on QF-PCR diagnosis of autosomal anomalies.

Objectives: Quantitative Fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR) is a simpler and faster method of detecting common chromosomal abnormalities when compared to cytogenetic analysis. The aim of our study is to investigate the applicability of this methodology in a population where consanguineous marriages are common and to estimate the heterozygous frequency of the PCR markers used.

Methods: Four hundred and twenty-three DNA samples were extracted from uncultured amniocytes and amplified with 18 short tandem repeats (STR) markers specific to chromosomes 13, 18 and 21.

Prevalence of genital human papillomavirus among Lebanese women.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), and more specifically of HPV 16, in a group of Lebanese women.

Materials And Methods: Type-specific prevalence of cervical HPV and the presence of cytological abnormalities were determined in a cohort of Lebanese women. The population included 1,026 women, 18-76 years, seeking routine gynecological care at a tertiary care center.

Case report and review of literature: leptomeningeal relapse in epithelial ovarian cancer.

The diagnosis of leptomeningeal relapse in a patient with epithelial ovarian cancer was confirmed by the presence of malignant ovarian cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. There was no clinical evidence of tumor spread elsewhere. Therapy, including intrathecal methotrexate and whole-brain irradiation led to transient clinical improvement.

A pelvic retroperitoneal Schwannoma presenting as an adnexal mass.

Solitary nerve sheath tumors such as benign schwannomas arising in the pelvic retroperitoneum are infrequently reported. We report a case of a benign retroperitoneal pelvic schwannoma that presented with pelvic pain and an adnexal mass. Complete surgical excision was achieved only after transection of the S1 nerve root on the left side.

High-velocity penetrating wounds of the gravid uterus: review of 16 years of civil war.

Objective: To evaluate the value of selective laparotomy in pregnant women with penetrating abdominal injuries.

Methods: A retrospective survey was carried out at our center over 16 years of civil war, extending from 1975 to 1991. Fourteen pregnant women had uterine injuries secondary to high-velocity abdominal penetrating trauma.