Hyperkalemia Research Articles

Review on K-Feldspar Mineral Processing for Extracting Metallic Potassium as a Fertilizer Resource

The K-feldspar mineral is an insoluble potassium resource with a high potassium content and the most extensive and abundant reserves. To address the insufficient supply of soluble potassium fertilizers in China, the application of appropriate processing methods to extract potassium from K-feldspar and transform it into a soluble potassium fertilizer is of great significance. To date, various techniques have been developed to extract potassium from K-feldspar and produce a soluble potassium fertilizer. This review summarizes the main methods, i.e., the hydrothermal, high-temperature pyrolysis, microbial decomposition, and low-temperature methods, for potassium extraction from K-feldspar. The mechanisms, efficiencies, impact parameters, and research progress of each potassium extraction method are comprehensively discussed. This study also compares the merits and drawbacks of the individual methods in terms of potassium extraction efficiency and practical operating conditions. The species of additives, reaction temperature, reaction time, particle size of K-feldspar, and dosage of additives significantly affected the potassium extraction efficiency. Moreover, the combination of different methods was very effective in improving the potassium extraction efficiency. This review elaborates the research prospects and potential strategies for the efficient utilization of the K-feldspar mineral as a fertilizer resource.

Investigating nutritional strategies during a rest period to improve health, growth, and behavioral outcomes of transported surplus dairy calves

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding surplus dairy calves a milk replacer (MR) or one of 2 different oral rehydration solutions (ORS) during a mid-transportation rest period on metabolic and clinical health indicators, growth, and behavioral outcomes after arrival to a calf-raising facility. Surplus dairy calves (n = 128) were transported in 4 cohorts from February to July 2022 for 12 h to a holding facility, rested for 8 h, then transported for an additional 6 h to a calf-raising facility. Upon arrival to the holding facility, calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: MR (n = 43), a high sodium ORS developed for diarrhea (ORS-D; n = 43), or a high potassium ORS developed for transportation (ORS-T; n = 42). The exact age of calves at transportation was unknown, however all calves were under 14 d of age. Calf body weight at enrollment was 43.9 ± 5.9 kg, 43.7 ± 6.5 kg, and 45.0 ± 4.5 kg for calves fed MR, ORS-D, and ORS-T, respectively. Calves were fed 2.0 L of their treatment twice, once upon arrival and once before leaving the holding facility. At unloading and reloading at the holding facility, calves were weighed and blood sampled. Calves were also health scored at unloading at the holding facility. After arrival at the calf-raising facility, calves were weighed, health scored, and blood sampled. Blood samples were collected at 24 and 48 h and body weight (BW) was recorded at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 5 d, 7 d, 14 d, and at 8 wks after arrival to the calf-raising facility. Calves were also health scored daily for 14 d, which included fecal consistency scoring and evaluating the presence or absence of respiratory disease. Lying time, lying bouts, and activity index were measured during transportation and from 3 d relative to transportation using accelerometers. At arrival to the calf-raiser, calves fed ORS-D had higher concentrations of NEFA and BHB than calves fed MR. Furthermore, calves fed ORS-T had higher concentrations of BHB at arrival to the calf raiser compared with calves fed MR. In the 14 d after arrival to the calf-raiser, there was evidence that calves fed ORS-T had a higher proportion of days with diarrhea and respiratory disease compared with those fed MR. During transportation, calves fed ORS-T had a lower activity index than calves fed MR, suggesting that ORS-T calves had lower overall activity. Additionally, on the day of transportation (d 0), ORS-T and ORS-D calves had a lower activity index than calves fed MR. There were no treatment effects on growth outcomes. The results of this study suggest that feeding MR rather than an ORS during a mid-transportation rest period could minimize fat mobilization and can potentially improve diarrhea and respiratory disease but does not affect growth outcomes after arrival to calf-raisers.

High Potassium Diet Rich in Spices and Herbs-Salt Substitution (HPSH-SS) for Blood Pressure Reduction in Older Adults: Protocol for Diet Concept and Randomized Controlled Trial.

Hypertension increases with age, often due to high sodium (Na) and low potassium (K) intake. Reducing salt and increasing K intake is challenging, especially for older adults due to taste preferences. Culinary herbs and spices, rich in K, offer a potential solution. The High Potassium Diet Rich in Spices and Herbs-Salt Substitution (HPSH-SS) diet has not yet been studied for its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure. This study aims to create an HPSH-SS diet, analyze its effects on blood pressure in older adults, and study the molecular mechanism occurring in the kidneys and blood vessels influenced by this diet. This study consists of 2 phases. The first phase involved formulating and assessing the HPSH-SS diet tailored for older adults. The intervention group (IG) received a diet of 1800 kcal/day, with 3500 mg K and 1500 mg Na, while the control group (CG) received 1500 mg K and 2000 mg Na. The diet was administered for 14 days and standardized using the NutriSurvey program and biochemistry analysis by atomic absorbance spectrophotometry (AAS). The second phase was a 14-day parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) with the older adult participants divided into IG and CG. Primary outcomes included blood pressure; serum potassium; aldosterone; F2 isoprostane; nitric oxide plasma levels; and urine analysis of Na, K, and the Na/K ratio. Confounding variables were controlled through randomization and stratified analysis. The menu formulation and organoleptic assessment of the HPSH-SS diet began in mid-2022 and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Public Health at Universitas Airlangga (78/EA/KEPK/2022) on May 11, 2022. The diet was standardized to achieve daily nutritional values of 1800 kcal energy, 3500 mg K, and 1500 mg Na. K and Na contents were analyzed using AAS from several participants' spice diet menus. Recruitment for the RCT started in March 2023, with approval from the Health Research Ethics Committee Universitas Airlangga School of Medicine, Surabaya (35/EC/KEPK/FKUA/2023). The study was registered from February 9, 2023, to February 9, 2024. Between March and June 2023, 64 participants were recruited, with 32 participants in the IG and CG. The intervention and data collection will take place over 1 year. Data management is in progress, and data analysis is yet to be performed. This RCT protocol hypothesizes that the diet will increase serum K, plasma aldosterone, and nitric oxide levels; decrease plasma F2 isoprostane; increase urinary Na and K levels; lower the urinary Na/K ratio; and reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. If effective, it will offer valuable insights into dietary strategies for blood pressure regulation in older adults. DERR1-10.2196/56869.

Activation of A1 reactive astrocytes in the medullary dorsal horn of rats participates in the chronification of trigeminal neuralgia.

The activation of astrocytes is an important process in the formation of chronic pain. This study aims to observe the activation of A1 reactive astrocytes in the medullary dorsal horn in the rat model of trigeminal neuralgia, and to explore the mechanism of central sensitization caused by A1 reactive astrocyte. The adult male rats were randomly divided into a sham group and a chronic constriction injury of infraorbital nerve (ION-CCI) group. The facial mechanical pain threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were measured before the operation and on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, and 14th day after the operation. After pain behavior observation, the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the medullary dorsal horn was observed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence colocalization of GFAP, complement 3 (C3)/S100A10, and 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) was analyzed. Primary astrocytes were cultured and randomly divided into a naive group and a DHK group. The DHK group was treated with 1 mmol/L of astrocyte activation inhibitor dihydrokainic acid (DHK). Fura-2/AM was used to stain the astrocytes and the calcium wave of the 2 groups under the stimulation of high potassium was recorded and compared. The expression of C3 was detected by Western blotting. The facial mechanical pain threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of the ION-CCI group were significantly lower than those of the sham group (both P<0.05). There were a large number of GFAP positive astrocytes in the medullary dorsal horn of the ION-CCI group. The fluorescence intensity of GFAP in the ION-CCI group was higher than that in the sham group (P<0.05). GFAP and C3/S100A10 were co-expressed in astrocytes. Compared with the sham group, the fluorescence intensity of C3 and the protein expression of C3 in the ION-CCI group were increased (both P<0.05). The expression of C3 in ION-CCI group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the naive group, the C3 protein expression was significantly decreased in the DHK group (P<0.05). The intensity of calcium fluorescence was increased after high potassium stimulation in both groups. Furthermore, the peak and increase amplitude of calcium fluorescence in the naive group were much higher than those in the DHK group (both P<0.05). A1 reactive astrocytes in the medullary dorsal horn of trigeminal neuralgia model rats are increased significantly, which may participate in central sensitization of trigeminal neuralgia by impacting astrocyte calcium wave.

Optimizing Cardioplegic Solutions: A Focus on Pharmaco-Cold Strategies

This study investigates the impact of crystalloid cardioplegic solutions (CCS) on electrophysiological mechanisms and the contractile system during the diastolic phase. Extracellular solutions, categorized by ion concentration, demonstrate efficacy in inducing cardiac arrest through moderately elevated potassium or potassium-magnesium combinations, aligning with normal or slightly reduced sodium and calcium levels. Notably, the ease of equilibration with myocardial tissue enhances the protective effect, correlating with infusion volume and duration of action. However, drawbacks such as low buffering capacity and the need for reinfusion after 15-20 minutes are identified. This research sheds light on the dynamic relationship between solution composition, duration of action, and protective efficacy, providing valuable insights for refining cardioplegic protocols in cardiac surgeries. Highlights: Intracellular vs. Extracellular Impact: Explore ion concentration's influence on crystalloid cardioplegic solutions, emphasizing the choice between intracellular and extracellular formulations. Equilibration Dynamics: Investigate the direct correlation between infusion volume, duration of action, and the protective effect, emphasizing equilibration with myocardial tissue. Refining Cardioplegic Protocols: Identify limitations like low buffering capacity, necessitating reinfusion, and offer insights into strategies for enhancing cardioplegic protocols in cardiac surgeries. Keywords: Cardioplegia, Intracellular Solutions, Calcium paradox, Protective Efficacy, Cellular Metabolism

Low-strain and ultra-long cycle stability large-diameter soft carbon microsphere potassium ion anode

Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) with high potassium abundance, low redox potential of K/K+ and similar energy storage mechanism to lithium-ion batteries are potential candidates for large-scale energy storage in the future. However, due to the large size of K+ (1.38 Å), PIBs exhibit poor kinetics in existing commercial graphite anode materials system. Additionally, they can degrade the material structure and induce significant volume effects, leading to material fragmentation and pulverization in the process of long cycling. It is not straightforward to achieve compatibility with existing potassium anode systems, which forces us to develop new high-performance, low-strain anode materials with outstanding structural stability. Hence, nitrogen doping low-strain and large diameter soft carbon microspheres (NDCS) anodes were successfully developed to meet the demands of high-performance PIBs. Due to its large diameter and low strain characteristics, the Coulomb efficiency is as high as 98.7 %, and the capacity retention is close to 70 % after 4000 cycles at a current density of 1 A/g. Furthermore, we employed advanced computed tomography (CT) techniques to enhance the comprehension of electrochemically driven reactions from the surface to the bulk. This work provides a promising and viable technical solution for exploring PIBs anode materials with low strain and long cycling capabilities to meet the requirements of various application scenarios.

The improvement of antioxidant contents and fruit quality of Sukkary date cultivar using various Potassium levels and Irrigation interval

Sukkary date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) were treated with three levels of potassium fertilizer combined with three irrigation intervals regime, five replicates were allocated per treatment, to enhance better date peel color; decrease loose crust, and subsequently, improve high market ability. Potassium sulfate (49% K2O) was applied annually at a rate of 490 g (as common fertilization applied in the farm in which this experiment was carried out, therefore, it was considered as a control treatment), 735 g, or 980 g K2O per palm tree, each level was divided into three equal doses. The first dose was added one month after pollination; the other two doses were added at two month interval, whereas the irrigation treatments were as follows: 24 hrs (as common irrigation application in the farm used for this study, and it was considered as a control treatment), 48 hrs, or 72 hrs. The results showed a great decrease in the loose crust dates at harvesting time. An inverse proportional relationship between irrigation intervals and loose crust of dates was observed. The High potassium fertilizer treatment accompanied with 72 hrs irrigation interval treatment produced a significantly higher date quality regarding with bright yellow color, less darkening, and loose crust. High potassium fertilizer treatments (735, or 980 g K2O per palm) increased total yield, improved date weight, size, and color. Moreover, increasing potassium level affected significantly the date total antioxidant. This study showed that, a potential means to control peel darkening and loose date crust and improve quality of cv. Sukkary dates, which ultimately improves its market ability, through implementing appropriate potassium and irrigation regimes.

Hydroxyl-Decorated Carbon Cloth with High Potassium Affinity Enables Stable Potassium Metal Anodes.

Highly anticipated potassium metal batteries possess abundant potassium reserves and high theoretical capacity but currently suffer from poor cycling stability as a result of dendritic growth and volume expansion. Here, carbon cloths modified with different functional groups treated with ethylene glycol, ethanolamine, and ethylenediamine are designed as 3D hosts, exhibiting different wettability to molten potassium. Among them, the hydroxyl-decorated carbon cloth with a high affinity for potassium can achieve molten potassium perfusion (K@EG-CC) within 3s. By efficiently inducing the uniform deposition of metal potassium, buffing its volume expansion, and lowering local current density, the developed K@EG-CC anode alleviates the dendrite growth issue. The K@EG-CC||K@EG-CC symmetric battery can be cycled stably for 2100h and has only a small voltage hysteresis of ≈93 mV at 0.5 mAcm-2 . Moreover, the high-voltage plateau, high energy density, and long cycle life of K metal full batteries can be realized with a low-cost KFeSO4 F@carbon nanotube cathode. This study provides a simple strategy to promote the commercial applications of potassium metal batteries.

Derivation and Internal Validation of a Mortality Prognostication Machine Learning Model in Ebola Virus Disease Based on Iterative Point-of-Care Biomarkers.

Although multiple prognostic models exist for Ebola virus disease mortality, few incorporate biomarkers, and none has used longitudinal point-of-care serum testing throughout Ebola treatment center care. This retrospective study evaluated adult patients with Ebola virus disease during the 10th outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ebola virus cycle threshold (Ct; based on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) and point-of-care serum biomarker values were collected throughout Ebola treatment center care. Four iterative machine learning models were created for prognosis of mortality. The base model used age and admission Ct as predictors. Ct and biomarkers from treatment days 1 and 2, days 3 and 4, and days 5 and 6 associated with mortality were iteratively added to the model to yield mortality risk estimates. Receiver operating characteristic curves for each iteration provided period-specific areas under curve with 95% CIs. Of 310 cases positive for Ebola virus disease, mortality occurred in 46.5%. Biomarkers predictive of mortality were elevated creatinine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase, and potassium; low albumin during days 1 and 2; elevated C-reactive protein, BUN, and potassium during days 3 and 4; and elevated C-reactive protein and BUN during days 5 and 6. The area under curve substantially improved with each iteration: base model, 0.74 (95% CI, .69-.80); days 1 and 2, 0.84 (95% CI, .73-.94); days 3 and 4, 0.94 (95% CI, .88-1.0); and days 5 and 6, 0.96 (95% CI, .90-1.0). This is the first study to utilize iterative point-of-care biomarkers to derive dynamic prognostic mortality models. This novel approach demonstrates that utilizing biomarkers drastically improved prognostication up to 6 days into patient care.

A Chinese Multi-Specialty Delphi Consensus to Optimize RAASi Usage and Hyperkalaemia Management in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Heart Failure

ObjectiveVariations are present in common clinical practices regarding best practice in managing hyperkalaemia (HK), there is therefore a need to establish a multi-specialty approach to optimal rennin-angiotension-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) usage and HK management in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) & heart failure (HF). This study aimed to establish a multi-speciality approach to the optimal use of RAASi and the management of HK in patients with CKD and HF. MethodsA steering expert group of cardiology and nephrology experts across China were convened to discuss challenges to HK management through a nominal group technique. The group then created a list of 41 statements for a consensus questionnaire, which was distributed for a further survey in extended panel group of cardiologists and nephrologists across China. Consensus was assessed using a modified Delphi technique, with agreement defined as “strong” (≥75% and <90%) and “very strong” (≥90%). The steering group, data collection, and analysis were aided by an independent facilitator. ResultsA total of 150 responses from 21 provinces across China were recruited in the survey. Respondents were comprised of an even split (n=75, 50%) between cardiologists and nephrologists. All 41 statements achieved the 75% consensus agreement threshold, of which 27 statements attained very strong consensus (≥90% agreement) and 14 attained strong consensus (agreement between 75% and 90%). ConclusionBased on the agreement levels from respondents, the steering group agreed a set of recommendations intended to improve patient outcomes in the use of RAASi therapy and HK management in China.

First Report of Penicillium cellarum Causing Rot Disease on Dioscorea polystachya in China.

Dioscorea polystachya (Chinese yam) is a kind of medicine and food homologous crop, the tubers as its main production organ, with high potassium, low fiber, high protein and rich nutrition characteristics. In 2022, at the Chinese herbal medicine planting experimental site in Anguo, Baoding City, Hebei Province, China, we found the symptoms of Chinese yam decay during the storage, with an incidence of 15%~25%. The diseased part of Chinese yam tuber rots expands from the outside to the inside and sags, with a brown or dark brown discoloration, and the surface covered with a thick grayish green mold. The diseased tissue was first rinsed with clean water to remove dirts from the surface. Thereafter, 3 to 4 mm Chinese yam pieces were picked from rotting edge with a sterilized forceps, sterilized with 75% alcohol for 30 s followed by 0.1% mercuric chloride solution for 1min, and then rinsed three times with sterile water. The sterilized pieces were cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA). One isolated fungus was obtained, and conidia were observed after incubation for 5 days at 26°C. Pure cultures were isolated by single-spore isolation. Conidia were single spore, round or oval, colorless. Conidiophores produce several rounds of symmetric or asymmetric small stems after multiple branches, which were shaped like brooms. The length and width of 100 conidia were measured, and size ranged from 3 to 4×3 to 4 μm. On the basis of morphological characteristics, the isolate was identified as Penicillium spp. (Uy et al. 2022). To further assess the identity of isolated species, the genomic DNA of the fungal isolate (SYRF1) was extracted by CTAB protocol. The ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the ribosomal large subunit (LSU) were amplified and sequenced with primers ITS1/4, LR5/LROR respectively (White et al. 1990, Xu et al. 2010). The obtained ITS-rDNA region and LSU sequences (GenBank accession OQ707937 and OQ704185) of the isolate were more than 99% identity to the corresponding sequences of Penicillium cellarum in GenBank (KM249068 and MG714818). Phylogenetic results based on a maximum-likelihood analysis revealed that SYRF1 was grouped with P. cellarum. To determine the pathogenicity of the isolated fungi, tests were carried out by aseptic inoculation of fresh and healthy tubers. Before the experiment, the healthy tubers were washed, surface disinfected and dried. The tubers were then wounded with sterile inoculation needles, and the conidium-bearing hyphal discs (5 mm) were inoculated on the surface of the wounded tubers and covered with wet sterile cotton. Three tubers were inoculated repeatedly each time as the experimental group.Inoculate sterile PDA with three tubers as the control group. Each tuber was inoculated with four mycelium disks, and the pathogenicity test was repeated four times. The inoculated tubers were incubated at 26°C for 14 days with sterile PDA as control. After ten days, the inoculated points showed symptoms similar to those of the initial infection, whereas controls remained symptomless. The reisolated fungus matched SYRF1 based on morphological and sequence analyses, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Penicillium cellarum as causative agent of postharvest rot of Chinese yam tubers in China. This finding will help inform the prevention and management of postharvest diseases of Chinese yam tubers.

Impact of High Concentration Potassium Application on Lycopene Concentration in Tomato Fruit during Maturation and Ripening

Impact of High Concentration Potassium Application on Lycopene Concentration in Tomato Fruit during Maturation and Ripening

The Association between Urinary Sodium-Potassium Ratio, Kidney Function, and Blood Pressure in a Cohort from the General Population

Introduction: Subclinical kidney dysfunction may contribute to salt-sensitive hypertension. We assessed the association between the urinary sodium-potassium ratio (Na/K ratio) and blood pressure (BP) in a general population cohort without diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or treated hypertension. We investigated whether any such association was mediated by the kidney function markers measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR), urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), and urinary epidermal growth factor-creatinine ratio (EGF-Cr). Methods: The Tromsø Study is a population-based study of inhabitants of the municipality of Tromsø, Northern Norway. Participants aged 50–62 years, without diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease, were invited to the substudy Renal Iohexol Clearance Survey in Tromsø 6 (RENIS-T6; 2007–09). For the present study, we excluded participants reporting the use of 1 or more antihypertensive agents, leaving 1,311 RENIS-T6 participants for a cross-sectional analysis. We measured office BP, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), and mGFR using iohexol clearance. Na/K ratio, ACR, and EGF-Cr were measured in morning urine samples. Results: Urinary Na/K ratio was significantly associated with systolic office BP and ABP independently of cardiovascular risk factors and kidney function markers. A one-standard deviation unit increase in the Na/K ratio was associated with increased systolic ABP by 1.0 (0.3–1.6) mm Hg. Urinary Na/K ratio showed a stronger association with office BP than ABP. EGF-Cr, ACR, and mGFR did not mediate the relationship between urinary Na/K ratio and systolic BP. Conclusions: In a representative sample of the middle-aged North-European population without diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or treated hypertension, there was a consistent association between urinary Na/K ratio and BP. The association with BP was not mediated through kidney function measures, suggesting a relationship between a diet with high sodium and low potassium and higher BP regardless of kidney function.

Kalemia – safety aspects of patients hospitalized in Department of Internal, Autoimmune and Metabolic Diseases of Medical University of Silesia in Katowice Clinical Center in the year 2020

Aim: The aim of the study was to present the issue of kalemia compartment disorders in patients hospitalized in a hospital clinical ward who came to the hospital from various areas of pre-hospital care. Material and Methods: Relying on data of patients hospitalized in the Department of Internal, Autoimmune and Metabolic Diseases of Medical University of Silesia in Katowice Clinical Center in 2020 a retrospective research regarding patients with potassium management disorders has been conducted. Medical documentation of patients admitted with hypo- or hyperkalemia has been reviewed. Range of 3,5–5,0 mmol/l (mEq/l) has been considered a variable identifying high and low potassium concentration. Total number of patients with potassium level disorders was 172 (19,5%) out of 883 patients hospitalized. Results: Hyperkalemia has been diagnosed in case of 67 patients, hypokalemia in case of 105. The majority of patients with potassium level disorders were aged between 61 and 80. Patients with hyperkalemia were most frequently redirected to hospital from Primary Healthcare facilities. Patients with hypokalemia were most frequently handed over by Emergency Medical Service rescue team. The most common ailments among each age group were weakness and shortness of breath. Main comorbidities among patients with potassium management disorders were renal failure and high blood pressure. Conclusions: Electrolyte imbalance is common among hospitalized patients. Individuals aged 61-80 are at particularly high risk of potassium management disorders. Renal failure, heart failure and high blood pressure are conditions which most frequently coexisted with potassium management disorders

Anestésicos isoflurano e CO2 utilizados na coleta de tecido cerebral e impactos eletrolíticos

ABSTRACT The use of gaseous inhalation agents for animal euthanasia offers rapid action due to easy access to the arterial circulation. The neuroprotective property of postmortem brain tissue collection was investigated using isoflurane and carbon dioxide (CO2) on the serum bioindicators of sodium and potassium. Serum samples were collected from 3 groups of animals (n=8) and donated to this study, previously approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals (CEUA 173/2020). The serum groups analyzed were named isoflurane, CO2 and cannabidiol (CBD/CO2). The results demonstrated that the three groups had elevated potassium levels compared to the control group (*, p&lt;0.05), indicating hyperkalemia, while no difference was observed in serum sodium. Furthermore, the CO2 and CBD/CO2 groups differed significantly from the isoflurane group (#, p&lt;0.05), which had the highest level of hyperkalemia. These findings contribute to our understanding of the physiological effects of different euthanasia methods on the biochemical profiles of animals. In conclusion, the use of CO2 is recommended as a euthanasia method for collecting brain tissue due to the lowest impact on potassium levels.

Relaxant Effects of Piperine and Piperlongumine from Piper longum Fruits on Porcine Coronary Artery.

Since ancient times, Piper longum Linn. fruits have been recognized for exhibiting various effects, including the diaphoretic effects linked to enhanced blood flow. Piperine and piperlongumine coexist in Piper longum Linn. fruits, although the cardiovascular effects of both compounds remain elusive. We investigated their action of piperine and piperlongumine in porcine coronary arteries, comparing them to the Ca2+ channel antagonist diltiazem. Piperlongumine, unlike piperine or diltiazem, concentration-dependently inhibited basal contractile tone in endothelium-denuded coronary arteries. All three compounds inhibit tonic contractions induced by high potassium chloride (KCl) concentrations. The order of relaxation potency indexed by the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) were as follows: diltiazem > piperlongumine > piperine. These effects were not different between endothelium-intact and -denuded preparations. In endothelial-denuded preparations, pretreatment with these compounds not only inhibited KCl-induced tonic contractions attenuated calcium chloride (CaCl2)-induced ones in a Ca2+-free medium. Histamine-induced phasic contractions in a Ca2+-free medium containing intracellular Ca2+ chelator was completely suppressed by selective inositol trisphosphate receptor antagonist and piperlongumine, whereas piperine or diltiazem do not have the same effect. These findings suggest that piperine and piperlongumine similar to diltiazem cause vasorelaxation by inhibiting both KCl- and CaCl2-induced contractions in coronary arteries, possibly through the inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Piperlongumine inhibits histamine-induced contractions in a Ca2+-free medium, which is associated with the intracellular Ca2+ signaling pathway, suggesting that the relaxant effect of piperlongumine differs from that of piperine.

Prophylactic Effects of Coriander Aqueous Extract on

A broad spectrum carbamate fungicide called carbendazim (Carb) that is very crucial for preventing plant diseases. and is one of the most pervasive environmental pollutants with serious implications for both human and animal health. In the current study, the role of Coriandrum sativum seeds extract (CSE) on carbendazim induced rats renal toxicity. Carb induced significant elevation in serum creatinine, urea, potassium, kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), renal injury, PCNA and significant depletion in serum sodium, calcium, renal glutathione (GSH). Treatments of Carb with CSE (CSE+Carb and/or Carb+CSE) improved these parameters and reduced renal toxicity with best results for Carb+CSE than CSE+Carb. Serum phosphorus revealed no significant changes between different groups. The above findings support the hypothesis that the antioxidant characteristics of one or more of CSE constituents can reduce the testicular toxicity of Carb.

Assessment of IL-6, MDA, GSH and Serum Electrolytes in Diabetic Patients

Background: The public health community has been paying a lot of attention to metabolic syndrome, sometimes known as diabetes mellitus (DM). In many cases for the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus characterized by an uncontrolled rise in blood sugar (hyperglycemia) brought on by an inability of the body's cells (such as muscles) to detect and utilize the circulating insulin, a condition known as insulin sensitivity or insulin resistance, or by an insulin deficiency. (caused by pancreatic beta cell damage or decreased insulin release). These cases are accompanied by systematic inflammation in the long term, and as a result of the immune effect, there will be an increase in the levels of lipids peroxidation and thus a decrease in the levels of antioxidants. Objective: The study includes an evaluation of inflammatory levels and oxidative stress through an assay of IL-6, malondialdehyde, glutathione, and serum electrolyte levels in the patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with the control. Methods: The case-control study, where ablood sample collections from patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus and control apparently healthy. The samples were analyzed by ELISA, spectrophotometers, and electro-analyzer apparatus. Results: It was found that patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes have lower-grade inflammation, which is the reason for the significant increase in interleukin-6 (215±13 Pg/mL) compared with healthy (50±10 Pg/mL). Also, the high levels of free radicals and peroxides can be expressed by the increase in malondialdehyde, as well as a significant reduction in the levels of glutathione value. Patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes suffer from electrolyte disturbances due to excessive urine caused by high osmolality and metabolic acidosis due to high ketone bodies and consequently high potassium levels (hyperkalemia) (6.7±0.59 mmol/L). Conclusion: Uncontrolled high diabetes in type 2 patients leads to high inflammatory levels in the body, and this is the reason for increase interleukin 6 levels. Inflammations caused by the immune effect resulting from diabetes lead to the synthesis of higher levels of free radicals, leading to the oxidation of lipids and a decrease of glutathione concentration.

Plasma kallistatin levels in patients with COVID-19

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate kallistatin levels in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and compare them with healthy controls.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and 45 healthy controls were included in the study. The patient group was divided into 2 groups: patients treated in the service (n:20) and patients treated in the intensive care unit (n:20). Kallistatin levels were measured using the ELISA method.&#x0D; Results: There was a significant difference in kallistatin levels between the patient group (n:40) and the control group (n:45). There was no significant difference in kallistatin between COVID-19 patients treated in the service and those treated in the intensive care unit. We found that the AUC for kallistatin was 0.856 in the ROC analysis performed between the patient and control groups. When comparing service and ICU patients in terms of laboratory parameters, there was a significant difference between the groups due to elevated potassium, AST, creatinine, ferritin, HGB and LDH in ICU patients.&#x0D; Conclusion: As a result, kallistatin levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. Comprehensive studies with more patients are needed to understand whether kallistatin is elevated in COVID-19 patients due to the effects of COVID-19 or to eliminate oxidative stress.

Oral curcumin phytosome supplementation improves anthropometric measures of adiposity and enhances endothelial function in rats on a high-fat-diet regimen

Objectives: Curcumin has a protective role in endothelial function and nitric oxide (NO) production in animal models of different diseases; however, the role of curcumin on aortic reactivity in rats placed on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether oral curcumin phytosome supplementation can reduce adiposity and enhance endothelial function. Materials and Methods: Rats were assigned to one of three groups: normal diet (ND), HFD for 20 weeks, and HFD supplemented with curcumin phytosome (HFD + Curcumin). Anthropometric measures were recorded weekly for the three groups, until the end of the feeding regimen. After 20 weeks of feeding on HFD, myographic investigations were conducted on thoracic aortic rings dissected from HFD and HFD + Curcumin rats. The response to high potassium chloride (KCl), incremental doses of phenylephrine (Phe) before and after L-NAME treatment, acetylcholine (ACh), or sodium nitroprusside (SNP), was evaluated. ACh-induced relaxation was also assessed in HFD + Curcumin rats, after preincubation with chromium III-mesoporhyrin. Results: HFD rats exhibited increased adiposity measures, some of which were negatively correlated with vasorelaxation response to ACh. HFD + Curcumin rats had reduced anthropometric measures, compared to HFD rats. Aortic rings from HFD and HFD + Curcumin rats exhibited comparable contractile responses to KCl and Phe. The difference in contractile response to Phe before and after L-NAME incubation was greater for HFD + Curcumin rats. ACh induced greater vasorelaxant responses in HFD + Curcumin rats. There was no group difference in the relaxant response to SNP. In HD + Curcumin rats, chromium III mesoporphyrin significantly reduced ACh-induced relaxations. Conclusion: Oral curcumin phytosome supplementation could reduce adiposity in rats placed on an HFD and may have enhanced basal and stimulated NO release from the endothelium, and heme oxygenase-1 may partly mediate this curcumin protective role. This study provides evidence that this curcumin formulation, taken as a daily supplement, may be effective in providing some protection against adiposity-associated adverse cardiovascular disorders.