Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome characterised by catecholamine-induced oxidative tissue damage. Punica granatum, a fruit-bearing tree, is known to have high polyphenolic content and has been proven to be a potent antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) pre-treatment on isoprenaline-induced takotsubo-like myocardial injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomised into four groups. Animals in the PoPEx(P) and PoPEx + isoprenaline group (P + I) were pre-treated for 7 days with 100 mg/kg/day of PoPEx. On the sixth and the seventh day, TTS-like syndrome was induced in rats from the isoprenaline(I) and P + I groups by administering 85 mg/kg/day of isoprenaline. PoPEx pre-treatment led to the elevation of superoxide dismutase and catalase (p < 0.05), reduced glutathione (p < 0.001) levels, decreased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (p < 0.001), H2O2, O2− (p < 0.05), and NO2− (p < 0.001), in the P + I group, when compared to the I group. In addition, a significant reduction in the levels of cardiac damage markers, as well as a reduction in the extent of cardiac damage, was found. In conclusion, PoPEx pre-treatment significantly attenuated the isoprenaline-induced myocardial damage, primarily via the preservation of endogenous antioxidant capacity in the rat model of takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy.

Introduction. Placental dysfunction is underlying cause in most of the intrauterine growth restriction and the pregnancy complications where the fetus does not achieve its genetically determined potential for growth. The critical process for the development of the placenta is angiogenesis. CD31 is an important endothelial adhesion protein that enables angiogenesis. The study aimed to analyze the CD31 expression and vascular parameters in normal placentas and IUGR placentas. Methods. Thirty placental samples, fifteen IUGR placentas, and fifteen term normal placental samples were analyzed. The hematoxylin-eosin method and immunohistochemical method with anti CD31 antibody were used for the staining of the tissue sections. The analyzed vascular parameters were: capillary number density (CND), capillary area density (CAD), and capillary surface density (CSD). Results. Between normal placentas and IUGR placentas there was no determined difference in CD31 expression. Positive intensive staining of CD31 was found in the endothelium of all blood vessels and no staining was observed in cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells. In IUGR placentas, CND of 2.55 capillary/1000 µm2 villous area was significantly decreased compared to normal placentas of 3.49 capillary/1000 µm2 villous area. CAD in IUGR placentas of 30.49 % was significantly decreased compared to normal placentas of 52.80 % villous area. CSD in IUGR placentas (92.81 µm/1000µm2) was significantly reduced compared to CSD in normal placentas (145.51 µm/1000µm2). Conclusion. The localization and intensity of CD31 expression were not different between the IUGR and normal placentas. Histological vascular parameters of placental villi are decreased in the IUGR placenta. In case of intrauterine growth restriction, there is a reduced vascularization of the terminal villi of the placenta.

Background/Aim: Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation that provokes the desire to scratch. It is one of the most common reasons why patients consult a dermatologist. Aim of this study was to determine the association of chronic pruritus with skin and systemic diseases, as well as the age and sex distribution in the studied population. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 120 patients of both sexes who, in the period from January 2017 to January 2021, received outpatient and inpatient treatment at the Skin and Venereal Diseases Clinic of the University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska diagnosed with pruritus. Through the Clinical Information System insight was gained into the medical history and other documentation of the subjects from which data were taken on the age and sex of the subjects, onset, course and duration of pruritus, daily or seasonal variations in intensity, as well as the presence of associated skin and systemic diseases. Results: Out of a total of 120 subjects, a larger number (53.3 %) of subjects with chronic pruritus were male, and 46.7 % were female, the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The analysis of the distribution of subjects according to their age revealed that the largest number of subjects (62.6 %) was over 65 years of age, while 38.4 % of subjects were under 65 years of age. The difference in the age structure was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In subjects older than 65 years pruritus was most frequently (47.3 %) associated with diabetes and in subjects under 65 years of age with skin diseases and conditions. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In people aged over 65 years, pruritus was most frequently associated with systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus) and in people aged under 65 years with dermatological diseases (Dermatitis atopica).

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Introduction. The amniotic membrane is used in transplant surgery, ophthalmology and dermatology. Various methods have been developed to preserve amniotic membrane: hypothermic storage, cryopreservation, lyophilization. Transplantation of fresh amniotic membrane showed low inflammatory response. The efficient antibiotic solutions are carefully chosen for the hypothermic storage of amniotic membranes. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two antibiotic solutions for the hypothermic amniotic membrane preservation and the structure of the amniotic membrane after the preservation process. Methods. Fifteen amniotic membranes were prepared and hypothermically stored in penicillin solution in BSS (2000 IU/ml) while the remaining fifteen in an antibiotic solution containing: benzylpenicillin (50 µg/ml), gentamicin (100 µg/ml), ciprofloxacin (200 µg/ml) and fluconazole (100 µg/ml). All amniotic membranes were microbiologically tested after preparation and after hypothermic storage for two weeks. Histological analysis of thirty amniotic membranes was performed after the process of preservation. Results. Fifteen amniotic membranes were sterile after hypothermic preservation in the penicillin solution. Also, fifteen amniotic membranes were sterile after hypothermic preservation in the solution of antibacterial agents (penicillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin) and antifungal agent fluconazole. The amniotic membrane had a normal structure and thickness of 35.33±11.03 mm. Conclusion. Both antibiotic solutions, one that contains only penicillin and one that contains multiple antibacterial agents and fluconazole, provide sterility of fresh hypothermically stored amniotic membranes for two weeks. In the preparation of fresh hypothermically stored amniotic membrane, a solution with multiple antibiotics is preferred. The normal tissue structure of the amniotic membrane was histologically confirmed after the process of preservation.