BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a sterile initiator of systemic inflammation that can trigger multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In the acute phase of AP, the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism plays an important role in the genesis of AP-MODS in experimental animal models, but it is unknown whether the pathway is activated in human AP. Human data are required to support the rationale for kynurenine 3- monooxygenase (KMO) inhibition as a treatment for AP-MODS and reinforce the translational potential. Additionally, as respiratory dysfunction is frequent in severe AP, the role of lung ultrasonography in severity stratification deserves investigation. Furthermore, the effect of AP-MODS on long-term survival is unknown. OBJECTIVES: My objectives were to: 1) Define the temporal and quantitative relationship of kynurenine metabolites with the onset and severity of APMODS, 2) Investigate the value of lung ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction in human AP-MODS, and 3) Examine whether early AP-MODS impacts on long-term survival. METHODS: 1) A prospective, observational, clinical experimental medicine study titled “Inflammation, Metabolism, and Organ Failure in Acute Pancreatitis” (IMOFAP) was performed. For 90 days, consecutive patients with a potential diagnosis of AP were recruited and venous blood was sampled at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours post-recruitment. Kynurenine metabolite concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and analysed in the context of clinical data, disease severity indices, and cytokine profiles. 2) In a nested cohort within IMOFAP, 41 participants underwent lung ultrasonography to evaluate whether this imaging modality can detect respiratory dysfunction in AP. 3) Survival data for a prospectively maintained database of patients with AP was analysed after accounting for in-hospital deaths. RESULTS: 1) During the IMOFAP study, 79 patients were recruited with an elevated serum amylase, of which 57 patients met the diagnostic criteria for AP; 9 had severe disease. Temporal profiling revealed early tryptophan depletion and contemporaneous elevation of plasma concentrations of 3- hydroxykynurenine, which paralleled systemic inflammation and AP severity. 2) Lung ultrasonography findings correlated with respiratory dysfunction. 3) 694 patients were followed up for a median of 8.8 years. AP-MODS conferred a deleterious effect on overall survival which persisted after the exclusion of inhospital deaths (10.0 years, 95% C.I. = 9.4-10.6 years) compared to AP without MODS (11.6 years, 95% C.I. = 11.2-11.9 years; P = 0.001). This effect was independent of age. CONCLUSIONS: In the acute phase of AP, metabolic flux through KMO is elevated and proportionate to AP severity. Lung ultrasonography may be a useful technique for evaluating AP-MODS. AP-MODS is an independent predictor of long-term mortality. Together, this work reinforces the rationale for investigating early phase KMO inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in humans.

No description available.

Abstract Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is an insidious and increasingly recognized complication of critical illness, whose pathogenesis is poorly understood and clinical picture obscure. Diagnosis is difficult and there is no consensus on treatment. The medical records of all ICU patients who had undergone open cholecystectomy due to AAC during the years 2000–2001 and 2003–2004 were examined for clinical and organ failure data. The indication for open cholecystectomy was a suspicion of AAC based on clinical signs and symptoms of sepsis or deteriorating multiple organ dysfunction without other obvious foci and/or radiological (computed tomography or ultrasound) findings indicative of cholecystitis. A total of 73 patients had operatively treated AAC during the study periods, giving an incidence of 0.9% of all admissions (73/8184) and an incidence of 6.7% among the long-stayers (ICUstay >5 days). The hospital mortality of these patients was 43%. Infection was the most common admission diagnosis followed by cardiovascular surgery. The patients were severely ill, the mean (SD) APACHE II score being 25.5 (6.4) and the mean (SD) SOFA score 10.2 (3.5) on admission. In those patients who had AAC as the only intra-abdominal complication of multiple organ dysfunction, cholecystectomy was followed by a remarkable improvement of individual and total SOFA scores by the seventh postoperative day. The AAC gallbladders were histologically and immunohistologically compared to normal gallbladders and to gallbladders of patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC). The ACC patients were admitted into hospital because of primary acute gallbladder disease, were treated on a normal ward and did not have severe sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction. The typical histopathological features of AAC (34 cases) in the gallbladder wall were bile infiltration, lymphatic dilatation and leucocyte margination of blood vessels, while epithelial degeneration and defects, widespread occurrence of inflammatory cells and extensive and deep muscle layer necrosis were typical features of ACC (28 cases). Tight junction proteins (claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, occludin, ZO-1 and E-cadherin) were uniformly expressed in normal gallbladder epithelium, with the exception of claudin-2, which was present in less than half of the cells. In AAC, the expression of cytoplasmic occludin and claudin-1 was decreased compared to control group. In ACC, the expression of claudin-2 was increased, but the expression of claudin-1, -3 and -4, occludin and ZO-1 was decreased compared to normal or AAC gallbladders. In conclusion, AAC is associated with severe illness, infection, long intensive care unit stay and deteriorating multiple organ dysfunction. Open cholecystectomy is one important contributing factor to reverse the course of multiple organ dysfunction in these patients. Histological and immunohistological studies suggest that AAC is a manifestation of systemic inflammatory disease, while ACC is a local inflammatory and often infectious disease.

Le pronostic à court terme des patients d'oncohématologie admis en réanimation s'est notablement amélioré au cours des deux dernières décennies. Ces progrès sont le fait d'une diversification importante de l'arsenal thérapeutique relatif à l'oncologie et l'hématologie mais aussi d'une meilleure prise en charge de ces patients au sein des réanimations. Notre travail de recherche s'est centré sur la devenir de ces malades et les facteurs associés à celui-ci.Dans ce cadre, nous avons conduit plusieurs études observationnelles pronostiques portant sur des patients neutropéniques admis en réanimation. Nous avons montré que les facteurs indépendamment associés à la mortalité hospitalière étaient une allogreffe de moelle, le recours à la ventilation mécanique invasive, le recours à l'épuration extra-rénale ainsi qu'une documentation microbiologique positive. De plus, chez les patients neutropéniques admis en réanimation pour sepsis sévère/choc septique, les facteurs indépendamment associés à la mortalité en réanimation étaient une antibiothérapie initiale inappropriée, un délai d'initiation de l'antibiothérapie en réanimation > 1h, une documentation microbiologique positive à bacille gram négatif non fermentant et à un score SOFA élevé dès l'admission en réanimation. La désescalade du traitement antibiotique initial, réalisable dans 44% des cas,était sans répercussion significative sur le pronostic à court et long-terme. Enfin, chez les patients neutropéniques admis en réanimation pour détresse respiratoire aiguë, le seul facteur indépendant associé à la mortalité hospitalière était le recours à la ventilation mécanique alors que l'utilisation de corticostéroïdes les jours précédant l'admission en réanimation et l'une admission dans un contexte de sortie d'aplasie étaient protecteurs.Finalement, nous avons montré dans une récente revue de la littérature que le pronostic du patient d'oncohématologie admis en réanimation s'était amélioré au cours du temps et que la neutropénie ne semblait pas être un facteur pronostique dans ce contexte.En conclusion, nous avons montré que le patient neutropénique est à haut risque de complications sévères infectieuses, respiratoires et immunologiques. Ces complications impactent le pronostic des patients de manière significative. Nos résultats vont donner lieu à plusieurs essais randomisés chez le patient neutropénique admis en réanimation notamment autour de la désescalade antibiotique au cours du sepsis et des stratégies d'oxygénothérapie en cas de détresse respiratoire. / The short-term prognosis of patients with onco-hematological diseases and neutropenia admitted to intensive care has significantly improved over the last two decades. This progress is the fact of a significant diversification of the armamentarium on oncology and hematology but also a better management of these patients in the ICUs. Our research has focused on the outcome of these patients and its prognostic factors. In this context, we have conducted several prognostic observational studies of neutropenic patients admitted to intensive care units. We showed that factors independently associated with hospital mortality were the bone marrow transplantation, the use of invasive mechanical ventilation, the use of renal replacement therapy and a positive microbiological documentation. Moreover, in neutropenic patients admitted to intensive care for severe sepsis / septic shock, factors independently associated with ICU mortality were inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy, a delay of antibiotic treatment > 1h, a positive microbiological documentation with non-fermenting gram negative bacilli, a high SOFA score on admission in ICU. The de-escalation of initial antibiotic treatment feasible in 44% of cases had no significant impact on the short and long-term outcomes. Otherwise, in neutropenic patients admitted to intensive care for acute respiratory failure, the only independent factor associated with hospital mortality was the need for mechanical ventilation, while the use of corticosteroids in the days before ICU admission and a admission during neutropenia recovery period were protective. Finally, we have shown in a recent review of the literature that the outcome of hematology-oncology patient admitted to intensive care had improved over time and that neutropenia did not seem to be a prognostic factor in this context. In conclusion, we have shown that the neutropenic patient is at high risk of severe infectious,respiratory and immunological complications. These complications significantly impact the outcome of these patients. Our results could lead to the planning of several randomized trials in neutropenic patients admitted to intensive care in particular about the escalation antibiotic in sepsis and oxygentherapy strategies for respiratory distress.

L’hypoalbuminémie est une trouvaille fréquente chez le patient brulé mais sa relation avec la morbidité et mortalité n’a pas été bien établie. Objectif : Déterminer si l’hypoalbuminémie dans les premières 24 heures suivant l’admission est associée avec la dysfonction d’organes (mesurée avec le score SOFA) chez les patients présentant des brûlures graves. Méthodologie : Nous avons révisé les dossiers médicaux des patients adultes avec de brûlures de 20% ou plus de surface corporelle admis pendant les premières 24 heures à l’unité de grands brulés du CHUM entre les années 2008 et 2009. Nous avons utilisé un modèle de régression linéaire multivariée pour déterminer si l’hypoalbuminémie était un prédicteur indépendant de la dysfonction d’organes. Résultats : 56 sujets ont été analysés. L’analyse de régression linéaire multiple a montré qu’en contrôlant pour l’âge, le sexe, la surface corporelle brûlée et les brûlures par inhalation, l’hypoalbuminémie pendant les premières 24 heures suivant l’admission est un prédicteur indépendant de la dysfonction d’organes. Une concentration d’albumine ≤30g/L est aussi associée à une augmentation de la dysfonction d’organes [score SOFA au jour 0 (p = 0.005), jour 1 (p = 0.005), moyenne de la première semaine (p = 0.004)], mais n’est pas associée avec la mortalité (p = 0.061). Conclusions : L’hypoalbuminémie est associée avec la dysfonction d’organes chez les patients brulés. À la différence de facteurs non modifiables comme l’âge, le sexe, la surface corporelle brûlée et la présence de brûlures par inhalation, la correction de l’hypoalbuminémie peut être un objectif intéressant pour un futur essai clinique. / Hypoalbuminemia is a common finding in burn patients, but its association with increased morbidity and mortality has not been well established. Objective: We have assessed if hypoalbuminemia in the first 24 hours of admission is associated with organ dysfunction in patients with severe burns. Methods: For a two year period (2008-2009), we reviewed the chart of burn adult patients with a total body surface area ≥ 20% admitted in our unit in the first 24 hours following the burn injury. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess hypoalbuminemia as an independent predictor of organ dysfunction. Results: 56 patients were analyzed. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hypoalbuminemia in the first 24 hours of admission was an independent predictor of organ dysfunction. Serum albumin concentration ≤ 30 g/L was associated with a two-fold increased in organ dysfunction [SOFA scores at day 0 (p = 0.005), day 1 (p = 0.005) and first week mean values (p = 0.004), but not with mortality (p = 0.061). Conclusion: Hypoalbuminemia is associated with organ dysfunction in burn patients. Unlike unmodifiable predictors such as age, burn surface and inhalation burn, correction of hypoalbuminemia might represent a goal for a future trial in burn patients.

Sepse é uma resposta sistêmica e deletéria do indivíduo a uma infecção, sendo um importante problema de saúde pública. Pacientes diabéticos são bastante afetados representando cerca de 22% de todos os pacientes sépticos. A suscetibilidade para o desenvolvimento de sepse no diabetes, bem como a ação da insulina em modular alguns parâmetros imunológicos necessitam de maiores esclarecimentos O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do tratamento com insulina em um modelo murino de diabetes e sepse. Camundongos C57BL/6 foram tornados diabéticos por administração de aloxana. Os seguintes parâmetros foram analisados vinte e quatro horas após a ligadura cecal e punção (CLP): (a) interleukine (IL)-6, IL-10, chemokine (C -C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) e tumor necrosis fator (TNF ) -α no soro; (b) os níveis de IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-&#945, IL-10, chemokine (C -X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)-1 e CXCL2 no lavado peritoneal (LPe) e broncoalveolar (LBA), bem como nos rins e fígado; (c) contagens celulares totais e diferenciais em LPe e LBA; (d) capacidade endocítica de neutrófilos e produção de espécies reactivas de oxigénio (ERO); (e) níveis de apoptose e necrose no baço e níveis relativos de células CD4+ e CD8+; (f) resultados histopatológicos de pulmão, rim e fígado; e (g) níveis de translocação nuclear de NF-κB p65. Camundongos diabéticos-CLP exibiram concentrações séricas aumentadas de TNF-α, IL-6, CCL2, IL-1, IL-6, CXCL1, CXCL2 e IL-10 e contagens de neutrófilos em LPe. A capacidade endocítica dos neutrófilos e a produção de ERO apresentavam-se reduzidas em animais CLP-diabéticos e os níveis de IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL1 e CXCL2 em LBA e IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL1 e CXCL2 nos homogenados renais aumentaram diabéticos -CLP. O tratamento destes com insulina reduziu os nívies de citocinas séricas, aumentou a concentração de citocinas e a migração celular para o Lpe, restaurou a capacidade endocítica e a produção de ERO e reduziu a translocação nuclear NF-κB p65 no tecido renal. Estes dados sugerem que a insulina modula a produção/libertação de citocinas, regula a migração celular, a apoptose, a necrose e a translocação nuclear de NF-κB p65 na sepse induzida por CLP em camundongos diabéticos. / Sepsis is a systemic and harmful response of the individual to infection and is an important public health problem. Diabetic patients are greatly affected representing about 22% of all septic patients. The susceptibility to sepsis development in diabetic individuals and insulin action in modulating some immunological parameters require further clarification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of insulin treatment in a mouse model of diabetes and sepsis. C57BL/6 mice were rendered diabetic by alloxan administration. The following parameters were analyzed twenty-four hours after a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP): (a) interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - α levels in serum; (b) IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)1 and CXCL2 levels in peritoneal lavage (PeL) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, as well as in the kidneys and liver; (c) total and differential cell counts in PeL and BAL fluid; (d) neutrophil endocytic capacity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production; (e) spleen cell apoptosis and necrosis levels and relative CD4+ and CD8+ T cell levels; (f) lung, kidney, and liver histopathological results; and (g) NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation levels. Diabetic-CLP mice exhibited increased serum TNF-α, IL-6, CCL2, IL-1, IL-6, CXCL1, CXCL2 and IL-10 concentrations and neutrophil counts in PeL fluid. Neutrophil endocytic capacity and ROS production were decreased in diabetic-CLP mice, and IL-6, TNF- α, CXCL1 and CXCL2 leves in BAL fluid and IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL1 and CXCL2 levels in kidney homogenates were increased in diabetic-CLP mice. Treatment of these mice with insulin reduced serum cytokine levels increased cytokine and cell migration into PeL fluid, and restored neutrophil endocytic capacity and ROS production and NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation in the kidney. These data suggest that insulin modulates cytokine production/release, regulates cellular migration, apoptosis, necrosis and NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation in CLP-induced sepsis in diabetic mice.

Sepse é uma resposta sistêmica e deletéria do indivíduo a uma infecção, sendo um importante problema de saúde pública. Pacientes diabéticos são bastante afetados representando cerca de 22% de todos os pacientes sépticos. A suscetibilidade para o desenvolvimento de sepse no diabetes, bem como a ação da insulina em modular alguns parâmetros imunológicos necessitam de maiores esclarecimentos O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do tratamento com insulina em um modelo murino de diabetes e sepse. Camundongos C57BL/6 foram tornados diabéticos por administração de aloxana. Os seguintes parâmetros foram analisados vinte e quatro horas após a ligadura cecal e punção (CLP): (a) interleukine (IL)-6, IL-10, chemokine (C -C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) e tumor necrosis fator (TNF ) -α no soro; (b) os níveis de IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-&#945, IL-10, chemokine (C -X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)-1 e CXCL2 no lavado peritoneal (LPe) e broncoalveolar (LBA), bem como nos rins e fígado; (c) contagens celulares totais e diferenciais em LPe e LBA; (d) capacidade endocítica de neutrófilos e produção de espécies reactivas de oxigénio (ERO); (e) níveis de apoptose e necrose no baço e níveis relativos de células CD4+ e CD8+; (f) resultados histopatológicos de pulmão, rim e fígado; e (g) níveis de translocação nuclear de NF-κB p65. Camundongos diabéticos-CLP exibiram concentrações séricas aumentadas de TNF-α, IL-6, CCL2, IL-1, IL-6, CXCL1, CXCL2 e IL-10 e contagens de neutrófilos em LPe. A capacidade endocítica dos neutrófilos e a produção de ERO apresentavam-se reduzidas em animais CLP-diabéticos e os níveis de IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL1 e CXCL2 em LBA e IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL1 e CXCL2 nos homogenados renais aumentaram diabéticos -CLP. O tratamento destes com insulina reduziu os nívies de citocinas séricas, aumentou a concentração de citocinas e a migração celular para o Lpe, restaurou a capacidade endocítica e a produção de ERO e reduziu a translocação nuclear NF-κB p65 no tecido renal. Estes dados sugerem que a insulina modula a produção/libertação de citocinas, regula a migração celular, a apoptose, a necrose e a translocação nuclear de NF-κB p65 na sepse induzida por CLP em camundongos diabéticos. / Sepsis is a systemic and harmful response of the individual to infection and is an important public health problem. Diabetic patients are greatly affected representing about 22% of all septic patients. The susceptibility to sepsis development in diabetic individuals and insulin action in modulating some immunological parameters require further clarification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of insulin treatment in a mouse model of diabetes and sepsis. C57BL/6 mice were rendered diabetic by alloxan administration. The following parameters were analyzed twenty-four hours after a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP): (a) interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - α levels in serum; (b) IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)1 and CXCL2 levels in peritoneal lavage (PeL) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, as well as in the kidneys and liver; (c) total and differential cell counts in PeL and BAL fluid; (d) neutrophil endocytic capacity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production; (e) spleen cell apoptosis and necrosis levels and relative CD4+ and CD8+ T cell levels; (f) lung, kidney, and liver histopathological results; and (g) NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation levels. Diabetic-CLP mice exhibited increased serum TNF-α, IL-6, CCL2, IL-1, IL-6, CXCL1, CXCL2 and IL-10 concentrations and neutrophil counts in PeL fluid. Neutrophil endocytic capacity and ROS production were decreased in diabetic-CLP mice, and IL-6, TNF- α, CXCL1 and CXCL2 leves in BAL fluid and IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL1 and CXCL2 levels in kidney homogenates were increased in diabetic-CLP mice. Treatment of these mice with insulin reduced serum cytokine levels increased cytokine and cell migration into PeL fluid, and restored neutrophil endocytic capacity and ROS production and NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation in the kidney. These data suggest that insulin modulates cytokine production/release, regulates cellular migration, apoptosis, necrosis and NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation in CLP-induced sepsis in diabetic mice.

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Dans ce travail, la variabilité de la composition phénolique et des activités antioxydantes de 5 espèces extrêmophiles tunisiennes (T. gallica, L.guyonianum, M. edule, P. equisetiforme et P. laevigata) a été étudiée. Les résultats ont montré que T. gallica est la plus riche en polyphénols totaux et que M. edule possède le contenu les plus élevé en flavonoïdes. En outre, la plus forte teneur en tanins condensés est trouvée chez P. equisetiforme. L. guyonianum s’est distinguée par son potentiel antioxydant puissant. L’analyse par CLHP a dévoilé la présence de l’acide rosmarinique, et des 2 flavonoïdes catéchine et isorhamnétine-3-O-rutinoside dans l’extrait de T. gallica. Les flavonoïdes majoritaires identifiés chez L.guyonianum sont la quercétine, la catéchine et l’isorhamnétine-3-O-rutinoside. L’étude a également montré que les extraits de T. gallica (TGE) et de L. guyonianum (LGE) exercent un effet cytoprotecteur sur les cellules IEC-6 stimulées par le H2O2. Le prétraitement avec TGE ou LGE à 0,25 μg.ml-1 a entrainé la restauration de la morphologie normale des IEC-6 et l'amplification de leur prolifération. En présence deTGE, l'activité CAT a été normalisée et la teneur en MDA a diminué. Alors qu’en présence de LGE, l’activité SODT a été améliorée et le pool cellulaire en GSH a augmenté. En outre, TGE et LGE ont induit la déphosphorylation de la JNK-MAPK pour réduire la mort cellulaire. D’un autre côté, l’effet préventif de l’administration de TGE et de LGE sur les dommages oxydatifs induits par le sepsis a été démontré. Dans les groupes de rats prétraités avec TGE et LGE, la perte de poids a diminué et le taux de survie a augmenté.Dans le groupe T30, l'activité SODT des EDL et des SOL a été significativement plus élevée que celle du groupe septique. Dans le même groupe T30, l’activité Mn-SOD des EDL et des SOL a été supérieure par rapport à l'isoforme SODT. Dans les groupes L300 et L30, l’activité CAT des EDL, des DIA et des SOL a été supérieure à celle du groupe septique. Les taux de GSH plasmatique ont augmenté dans les groupes T300 et L30. Dans les groupes L300 et T30, les activités AST et ALT ont diminué par comparaison au groupe S. En conclusion, l’administration des extraits de T. gallica et de L. guyonianum améliorent les capacités antioxydantes des muscles squelettiques et respiratoires, et préviennent les lésions hépatiques chez les rats septiques. / In this work, the variability of phenolic composition and antioxidant activities of 5 Tunisian extremophilic species (T. gallica, L. guyonianum, M. edule, P. equisetiforme and P. laevigata) was studied. Main results showed that T. gallica was the richest in total polyphenols. M. edule had the highest flavonoids content. In addition, the highest condensed tanins content was found in P. equisetiform.L. guyonianum was distinguished by its powerful antioxidant potential. HPLC analysis showed that T. gallica contained essentially rosmarinic acid, and the 2 flavonoids catechin and isorhamnetin-3-Orutinoside.The major flavonoids identified in L. guyonianum are quercetin, catechin, and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside. The study showed that extracts of T. gallica (TGE) and L. guyonianum (LGE) exerted a cytoprotective effect on H2O2-stimulated IEC-6 cells. Pretreatment with TGE or LGE at 0.25 μg.ml-1 resulted in the re-establishment of normal cell morphology and the amplification of cell proliferation. In the presence of TGE, CAT activity was normalized and MDA content decreased. In the presence of LGE, SODT activity was improved and the GSH content increased. TGE and LGE induced JNK dephosphorylation to reduce cell death. In addition, the preventive effect of TGE and LGE administration on sepsis-induced oxidative damage was demonstrated. In TGE and LGE pretreated groups, weight loss decreased and survival rate increased. In T30 group, SODT activity of EDL and SOL was higher than those of the septic group. In the same group T30, Mn-SOD activities of EDL and SOL were higher than SODT. In L300 and L30 groups, CAT activities of EDL, DIA and SOL were higher than those of the septic group.Plasma GSH levels increased in the T300 and L30 groups. AST and ALT activities decreased in L300 and T30 groups. Altogether, the administration of T. gallica and L. guyonianum extracts improves the antioxidant capacities of skeletal and respiratory muscles and prevents hepatic injury in septic rats.

Le niveau d’hémoglobine (Hb) d’un nouveau-né diminue dans les premiers mois de vie. Cette anémie dite physiologique est plus sévère chez les nourrissons admis aux soins intensifs néonataux (SIN), et ceux-ci nécessitent souvent une transfusion sanguine. En néonatalogie, les indications de transfuser sont controversées et les pratiques transfusionnelles sont très variables. Pour mieux comprendre ces pratiques, nous avons mené l’étude prospective «Epidemiology and determinants of red blood cells transfusion in a neonatal intensive care unit: a cohort study». 13.4% des patients consécutifs admis aux SIN pendant l’étude ont reçu au moins une transfusion sanguine. Les prématurés nés à moins de 28 semaines d’âge gestationnel ont reçu la majorité des transfusions (62.2%) mais les nourrissons à terme admis aux SIN sont aussi fréquemment transfusés (4.9% des transfusions). Les principales justifications évoquées par les cliniciens prescrivant des transfusions sont un niveau bas d’Hb, la maladie de base et le désir d’améliorer l’oxygénation des organes. Notre étude a confirmé une grande variabilité du seuil d’Hb justifiant une transfusion, s’étendant de 62 à 137 g/L. Le syndrome de défaillance multiviscérale (SDMV), défini par l’observation simultanée d’au moins deux dysfonctions d’organes, est un facteur important de mortalité-morbidité chez les enfants traités en soins intensifs pédiatriques. L’association entre SDMV et transfusions est bien décrite dans cette population. Deux listes de critères diagnostiques du SDMV pédiatrique sont utilisées dans la littérature médicale : celles de Proulx et de Goldstein. Nous avons entrepris l’étude de cohorte prospective «Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in critically ill children : clinical value of two lists of diagnostic criteria» dans le but de valider et de comparer leur valeur diagnostique respective. Nos résultats ont démontré que l’épidémiologie du SDMV varie selon la définition utilisée : l’incidence était de 21.4% vs. 37.3% selon les critères de Proulx et de Goldstein respectivement. Les deux listes de critères diagnostiques ont une bonne reproductibilité inter- et intra-observateur; celle de Proulx est cependant associée à une plus haute mortalité à 90 jours (17.8% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.038). Le SDMV a été décrit chez les nouveau-nés en SIN en utilisant le NEOMOD, un score adapté à cette population. Avec une meilleure caractérisation, le SDMV deviendrait un critère de jugement intéressant pour les essais cliniques randomisés en médecine transfusionnelle en néonatologie. / In the first few months of life, the level of hemoglobin (Hb) in the newborn normally decreases. This physiological anemia is more severe in neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), who frequently require a red blood cells (RBC) transfusion. In neonatal medicine, the indications for transfusion are controversial and practices are highly variable. To better understand those practices, we conducted the prospective study: «Epidemiology and determinants of red blood cells transfusion in a neonatal intensive care unit: a cohort study». Among the patients consecutively admitted to NICU during the study period, 13.4% received at least one RBC transfusion. Although premature babies born at less than 28 weeks gestation received the majority of transfusions (62.2%), term neonates admitted to NICU were also frequently transfused (4.9% of transfusions). The main justifications for giving a RBC transfusion were: low Hb level, underlying illness and to improve oxygen delivery. We also observed a wide range of Hb thresholds that triggered a decision to transfuse (from 62 to 137 g/L). The multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), which is defined as the simultaneous dysfunction of at least two organs or systems, is highly associated with mortality and morbidity in critically ill children. The association between MODS and transfusions is also well described in this population. Two sets of criteria of pediatric MODS are currently used in the medical literature: one by Proulx, and another by Goldstein. We did the prospective cohort study «Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in critically ill children : clinical value of two lists of diagnostic criteria» to validate and compare the diagnostic value of those two definitions of MODS. We observed that the epidemiology of MODS varies according to which list of criteria is used: the incidence was 21.4% vs. 37.3% with Proulx and Goldstein criteria, respectively. Both sets of criteria have a good inter- and intra-rater reproducibility. The diagnostic of MODS according to Proulx criteria is associated with higher 90-days mortality (17.8% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.038). MODS is also described in neonates, using a score adapted to this population, the NEOMOD. Neonatal MODS represents an interesting outcome measure in clinical trials in neonatal transfusion medicine. However, prior to that, it needs to be better characterized.