Search

Background and purposeHydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic gas for which no effective antidotes exist. It acts, at least in part, by binding to cytochrome c oxidase, causing cellular asphyxiation and anoxia. We investigated the effects of three different ligand forms of cobinamide, a vitamin B12 analog, to reverse sulfide (NaHS) toxicity.MethodsNew Zealand white rabbits received a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of NaHS (3 mg/min) until expiration or a maximum 270 mg dose. Animals received six different treatments, administered at the time when they developed signs of severe toxicity: Group 1-saline (placebo group, N = 9); Group 2--IV hydroxocobalamin (N = 7); Group 3--IV aquohydroxocobinamide (N = 6); Group 4--IV sulfitocobinamide (N = 6); Group 5--intramuscular (IM) sulfitocobinamide (N = 6); and Group 6-IM dinitrocobinamide (N = 8). Blood was sampled intermittently, and systemic blood pressure and deoxygenated and oxygenated hemoglobin were measured continuously in peripheral muscle and over the brain region; the latter were measured by diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) and continuous wave near infrared spectroscopy (CWNIRS).ResultsCompared with the saline controls, all cobinamide derivatives significantly increased survival time and the amount of NaHS that was tolerated. Aquohydroxocobinamide was most effective (261.5 ± 2.4 mg NaHS tolerated vs. 93.8 ± 6.2 mg in controls, p < 0.0001). Dinitrocobinamide was more effective than sulfitocobinamide. Hydroxocobalamin was not significantly more effective than the saline control.ConclusionsCobinamide is an effective agent for inhibiting lethal sulfide exposure in this rabbit model. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dose and form of cobinamide and route of administration.

Cystinuria is the most common genetic cause of recurrent kidney stones. As the result of a genetic defect in proximal tubular reabsorption of filtered cystine, increased urine levels of the poorly soluble amino acid result in recurrent cystine nephrolithiasis. Recurrent cystine stones not only adversely affect the quality of patients suffering from cystinuria but also may result in chronic kidney disease (CKD) from recurrent renal injury. Thus, the mainstay of medical management revolves around prevention of stones. Recently published consensus statements on guidelines for managing cystinuria were released from both the United States and Europe. The purpose of this review is to summarize guidelines for medical management of patients with cystinuria, to provide new insight into the utility and clinical significance of cystine capacity-an assay for monitoring cystinuria, and to discuss future directions for research on treatment of cystinuria. We discuss future directions, including the potential use of cystine mimetics, gene therapy, V2-receptor blockers, and SGLT2 inhibitors, topics which have not appeared in more recent reviews. It is notable that in the absence of randomized, controlled trials, the recommendations cited here and in the guidelines are based on our best understanding of the disorder's pathophysiology, observational studies, and clinical experience.

Context: CYP24A1 encodes 24-hydroxylase, which converts 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 to inactive metabolites. Loss-of-function variants in CYP24A1 are associated with 24-hydroxylase deficiency (24HD), characterized by hypercalcemia, nephrolithiasis, and nephrocalcinosis. We retrospectively reviewed laboratory, imaging, and clinical characteristics of patients with suspected or confirmed 24HD and patients with other vitamin D-mediated hypercalcemia disorders: sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and exogenous vitamin D toxicity (EVT)., Objective: To identify features that differentiate 24HD from other vitamin D-mediated hypercalcemia disorders., Methods: Patients seen at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) from January 1, 2008, to 31 December, 2016, with the following criteria were retrospectively identified: serum calcium ≥9.6 mg/dL, parathyroid hormone <30 pg/mL, and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 >40 pg/mL. Patients were considered to have 24HD if they had (1) confirmed CYP24A1 gene variant or (2) 25(OH)D 3 :24,25(OH) 2 D ratio ≥50. Patients with sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and EVT were also identified. Groups were compared using the Fisher exact test (categorical variables) or the Wilcoxon rank sum test (continuous variables)., Results: We identified 9 patients with 24HD and 28 with other vitamin D-mediated disorders. Patients with 24HD were younger at symptom onset (median 14 vs 63 years; P = .001) and had positive family history (88.9% vs 20.8%; P < .001), nephrocalcinosis (88.9% vs 6.3%; P < .001), lower lumbar spine Z-scores (median -0.50 vs 1.20; P = .01), higher peak serum phosphorus (% of peak reference range, median 107 vs 84; P = .01), and higher urinary calcium:creatinine ratios (median 0.24 vs 0.17; P = .047)., Conclusion: Patients with 24HD had clinical and laboratory findings that differed from other vitamin D-mediated hypercalcemia disorders. 24HD should be suspected in patients with hypercalcemia who present at younger age, have positive family history, and have nephrocalcinosis., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society.)