Browsing by Author "Andjelkovic, Nebojsa (26422765200)"

AIM: To examine the effects of nitroglycerine on portal vein haemodynamics and oxidative stress in patients with portal hypertension. METHODS: Thirty healthy controls and 39 patients with clinically verified portal hypertension and increased vascular resistance participated in the study. Liver diameters, portal diameters and portal flow velocities were recorded using color flow imaging/pulsed Doppler detection. Cross-section area, portal flow and index of vascular resistance were calculated. In collected blood samples, superoxide anion radical (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), index of lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of endothelial response (measured as nitrite-NO2-) were determined. Time-dependent analysis was performed at basal state and in 10th and 15th min after nitroglycerine (sublingual 0.5 mg) administration. RESULTS: Oxidative stress parameters changed significantly during the study. H2O2 decreased at the end of study, probably via O2- mediated disassembling in Haber Weiss and Fenton reaction; O2-increased significantly probably due to increased diameter and tension and decreased shear rate level. Consequently O2- and H2O2 degradation products, like hydroxyl radical, initiated lipid peroxidation. Increased blood flow was to some extent lower in patients than in controls due to double paradoxes, flow velocity decreased, shear rate decreased significantly indicating non Newtonian characteristics of portal blood flow. CONCLUSION: This pilot study could be a starting point for further investigation and possible implementation of some antioxidants in the treatment of portal hypertension. © 2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved.

Purpose: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent lymphoma that responds well to rituximab+chemotherapy. We evaluated the prognosis and efficacy of immunochemotherapy in patients with previously untreated, advanced FL. Methods: REFLECT 1 is a multicentre, prospective study of 99 patients with previously untreated FL stage III-IV. All patients were treated with rituximab+chemotherapy x 6 cycles, plus 2 cycles of rituximab monotherapy. Clinical assessment was performed at baseline, after completion of the first 6 cycles of therapy and every 3 months from the end of immunochemotherapy to the end of the study period. Results: Eighty-nine out of 99 patients with complete documentation were included. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 61.6%, partial remission (PR) in 11.6% and progressive disease (PD) in 24.4% of the patients. Time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) after the 1st, 2 nd and 3 rd year were 89.9, 72.7, 57.8%, and 94.2, 92,6 and 92.6%, respectively. The probability of achieving CR was significantly lower in the high risk group according to Follicular Lymphoma Prognostic Index (FLIP1) score. Expression of CD43 antigen had a significant impact on the probability of 2-year TTP and OS, and ECOG performance status had a significant impact on OS. Conclusions: Treatment with rituximab plus chemotherapy is effective in advanced stages of FL. Significant prognostic factors are FLIPI score for induction therapy outcome, CD43 antigen expression for OS and TTP and ECOG performance status for OS.

Purpose: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent lymphoma that responds well to rituximab+chemotherapy. We evaluated the prognosis and efficacy of immunochemotherapy in patients with previously untreated, advanced FL. Methods: REFLECT 1 is a multicentre, prospective study of 99 patients with previously untreated FL stage III-IV. All patients were treated with rituximab+chemotherapy x 6 cycles, plus 2 cycles of rituximab monotherapy. Clinical assessment was performed at baseline, after completion of the first 6 cycles of therapy and every 3 months from the end of immunochemotherapy to the end of the study period. Results: Eighty-nine out of 99 patients with complete documentation were included. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 61.6%, partial remission (PR) in 11.6% and progressive disease (PD) in 24.4% of the patients. Time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) after the 1st, 2 nd and 3 rd year were 89.9, 72.7, 57.8%, and 94.2, 92,6 and 92.6%, respectively. The probability of achieving CR was significantly lower in the high risk group according to Follicular Lymphoma Prognostic Index (FLIP1) score. Expression of CD43 antigen had a significant impact on the probability of 2-year TTP and OS, and ECOG performance status had a significant impact on OS. Conclusions: Treatment with rituximab plus chemotherapy is effective in advanced stages of FL. Significant prognostic factors are FLIPI score for induction therapy outcome, CD43 antigen expression for OS and TTP and ECOG performance status for OS.