OBJECTIVES: New bone formation is one of the hallmark characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis, which is thereby associated with syndesmophytes. Fetuin-A is a molecule that is abundantly found in calcified tissues and it shows high affinity for calcium phosphate minerals and related compounds. Considering the role of fetuin-A in the regulation of calcified matrix metabolism, we compared the fetuin-A levels in ankylosing spondylitis patients with syndesmophytes with those in patients without syndesmophytes and in healthy controls. We also studied other biomarkers that are thought to be related to syndesmophytes. METHODS: Ninety-four patients (49 patients without syndesmophytes, 67.3% male, 40.7±8.7 years; 45 patients with syndesmophytes, 71.1% M, 43.9±9.9 years) and 68 healthy controls (44.2±10.6 years and 70.6% male) were included in this study. Syndesmophytes were assessed on the lateral radiographs of the cervical and lumbar spine. The serum levels of fetuin-A, dickkopf-1, sclerostin, IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and bone morphogenetic protein-7 were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Patients with syndesmophytes had significantly higher levels of fetuin-A compared with patients without syndesmophytes and controls (1.16±0.13, 1.05±0.09 and 1.08±0.13 mg/ml, respectively). However, fetuin-A was not different between the patients without syndesmophytes and controls. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 was significantly lower; dickkopf-1 was significantly higher in patients with ankylosing spondylitis compared with controls. The sclerostin concentrations were not different between the groups. In regression analysis, fetuin-A was an independent, significant predictor of syndesmophytes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that fetuin-A may a role in the pathogenesis of bony proliferation in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJETIVO: Em face de suas características físico-químicas, o Tecnécio-99m (99mTc) é um radiofármaco amplamente utilizado na Medicina Nuclear. Todavia, o dicloreto de estanho (SnCl2) tem sido largamente aplicado como um agente redutor no procedimento farmacêutico de marcação com radionuclídeos. Constatou-se que o SnCl2 apresenta efeitos genotóxicos e citotóxicos nos sistemas biológicos. Em estudos prévios, foi demonstrado que alguns extratos de ervas podem reduzir tais efeitos. O estudo atual objetivou avaliar os efeitos do extrato de brócolis na sobrevida da cepa E. coli ATCC 25922, exposta ao efeito tóxico do SnCl2. MÉTODOS: O extrato de brócolis foi obtido mediante extração com metanol. Analises com HPLC e TLC foram efetuadas. Avaliou-se a antitoxicidade e realizou-se um ensaio dose-resposta para uma cepa de bactérias. RESULTADOS: O extrato de brócolis mostrou um efeito protetor dose dependente para os efeitos tóxicos do SnCl2 sobre a E. coli. CONCLUSÕES: O consumo de brócolis pode alterar a toxicidade do dicloreto de estanho. O extrato de brócolis pode ser utilizado como uma nova estratégia para proteção de pacientes contra os efeitos tóxicos do SnCl2, nos quais foi administrado o radiofármaco Tecnécio-99m.

PURPOSE: Since Technetium-99m (99mTc) has favorable physical and chemical characteristics, it is widely used radioisotope in Nuclear Medicine. However, stannous dichloride (SnCl2) has been widely used as a reducing agent in labeling procedure of pharmaceutical with radionuclide, it has been realized that SnCl2 have genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on biological systems. In previous studies, it has been shown that some herbal extract can reduce genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of SnCl2. In the present study, it is aimed to evaluate the effect of the broccoli extract on the survival of E. coli ATCC 25922 strain against to toxic effects of SnCl2. METHODS: Broccoli was extracted with methanol extraction. HPLC and TLC analysis of broccoli extract were performed. Then antitoxicity and dose response assays were performed on bacterial strain. RESULTS: The broccoli extract had dose dependent protective effect against SnCl2 toxic effect on E. coli. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of broccoli may alter the stannous dichloride toxicity. Broccoli extract may use as a new protective strategies against the toxic effect of SnCl2 on patients who were taken 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals.