Showing papers in "Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition in 2007"
TL;DR: This review focuses on Indian Herbal drugs and plants used in the treatment of diabetes, especially in India, and a list of medicinal plants with proven antidiabetic and related beneficial effects and of herbal drugs used in treatment of Diabetes is compiled.
Abstract: Traditional Medicines derived from medicinal plants are used by about 60% of the world's population. This review focuses on Indian Herbal drugs and plants used in the treatment of diabetes, especially in India. Diabetes is an important human ailment afflicting many from various walks of life in different countries. In India it is proving to be a major health problem, especially in the urban areas. Though there are various approaches to reduce the ill effects of diabetes and its secondary complications, herbal formulations are preferred due to lesser side effects and low cost. A list of medicinal plants with proven antidiabetic and related beneficial effects and of herbal drugs used in treatment of diabetes is compiled. These include, Allium sativum, Eugenia jambolana, Momordica charantia Ocimum sanctum, Phyllanthus amarus, Pterocarpus marsupium, Tinospora cordifolia, Trigonella foenum graecum and Withania somnifera. One of the etiologic factors implicated in the development of diabetes and its complications is the damage induced by free radicals and hence an antidiabetic compound with antioxidant properties would be more beneficial. Therefore information on antioxidant effects of these medicinal plants is also included.
819 citations
TL;DR: The present review deals with the mechanism of antioxidant property of FA and its possible role in therapeutic usage against various diseases.
Abstract: There has been considerable public and scientific interest in the use of phytochemicals derived from dietary components to combat human diseases. They are naturally occurring substances found in plants. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phytochemical commonly found in fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, sweet corn and rice bran. It arises from metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine by Shikimate pathway in plants. It exhibits a wide range of therapeutic effects against various diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative. A wide spectrum of beneficial activity for human health has been advocated for this phenolic compound, at least in part, because of its strong antioxidant activity. FA, a phenolic compound is a strong membrane antioxidant and known to positively affect human health. FA is an effective scavenger of free radicals and it has been approved in certain countries as food additive to prevent lipid peroxidation. It effectively scavenges superoxide anion radical and inhibits the lipid peroxidation. It possesses antioxidant property by virtue of its phenolic hydroxyl group in its structure. The hydroxy and phenoxy groups of FA donate electrons to quench the free radicals. The phenolic radical in turn forms a quinone methide intermediate, which is excreted via the bile. The past few decades have been devoted to intense research on antioxidant property of FA. So, the present review deals with the mechanism of antioxidant property of FA and its possible role in therapeutic usage against various diseases.
817 citations
TL;DR: The global knowledge about Ayurveda and Indian herbals will hopefully be enhanced by information on the evidence-base of these plants, which will yield rich dividends in the coming years.
Abstract: Herbal drugs constitute a major share of all the officially recognised systems of health in India viz. Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy and Naturopathy, except Allopathy. More than 70% of India’s 1.1 billion population still use these non-allopathic systems of medicine. Currently, there is no separate category of herbal drugs or dietary supplements, as per the Indian Drugs Act. However, there is a vast experiential-evidence base for many of the natural drugs. This offers immense opportunities for Observational Therapeutics and Reverse Pharmacology. Evidence-based herbals are widely used in the diverse systems and manufactured, as per the pharmacopoeial guidelines, by a well-organised industry. Significant basic and clinical research has been carried out on the medicinal plants and their formulations, with the state-of-the-art methods in a number of Institutes/Universities. There are some good examples. Indian medicinal plants also provide a rich source for antioxidants that are known to prevent/delay different diseased states. The antioxidant protection is observed at different levels. The medicinal plants also contain other beneficial compounds like ingredients for functional foods. Hence, the global knowledge about Ayurveda and Indian herbals will hopefully be enhanced by information on the evidence-base of these plants. This will yield rich dividends in the coming years.
237 citations
TL;DR: The results obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that several botanicals such as Gingko biloba, Centella asiatica, Hippophae rhamnoides, Ocimum sanctum, Panax ginseng and Podophyllum hexandrum protect against radiation-induced lethality, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage.
Abstract: Ionizing radiations produce deleterious effects in the living organisms and the rapid technological advancement has increased human exposure to ionizing radiations enormously. There is a need to protect humans against such effects of ionizing radiation. Attempts to protect against the deleterious effects of ionizing radiations by pharmacological intervention were made as early as 1949 and efforts are continued to search radioprotectors, which may be of great help for human application. This review mainly dwells on the radioprotective potential of plant and herbal extracts. The results obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that several botanicals such as Gingko biloba, Centella asiatica, Hippophae rhamnoides, Ocimum sanctum, Panax ginseng, Podophyllum hexandrum, Amaranthus paniculatus, Emblica officinalis, Phyllanthus amarus, Piper longum, Tinospora cordifoila, Mentha arvensis, Mentha piperita, Syzygium cumini, Zingiber officinale, Ageratum conyzoides, Aegle marmelos and Aphanamixis polystachya protect against radiation-induced lethality, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. The fractionation-guided evaluation may help to develop new radioprotectors of desired activities.
235 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors found that Indian medicinal mushrooms are potential sources of antioxidant and anticancer compounds, however, intensive and extensive investigations are needed to exploit their valuable therapeutic use, and they also revealed that they had significant antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities.
Abstract: Medicinal mushrooms occurring in South India namely Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus rimosus, Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus pulmonaris possessed profound antioxidant and antitumor activities. This indicated that these mushrooms would be valuable sources of antioxidant and antitumor compounds. Investigations also revealed that they had significant antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities. Thus, Indian medicinal mushrooms are potential sources of antioxidant and anticancer compounds. However, intensive and extensive investigations are needed to exploit their valuable therapeutic use.
184 citations
TL;DR: This review will try to put forth an overall idea about the plant as well as present a molecular perspective linking the common medicine to the most common metabolic disorders.
Abstract: Gymnema sylvestre is regarded as one of the plants with potent anti diabetic properties. This plant is also used for controlling obesity in the form of Gymnema tea. The active compound of the plant is a group of acids termed as gymnemic acids. It has been observed that there could be a possible link between obesity, Gymnemic acids and diabetes. This review will try to put forth an overall idea about the plant as well as present a molecular perspective linking the common medicine to the most common metabolic disorders.
165 citations
TL;DR: The Friedewald equation gave higher LDL-cholesterol levels than N-geneous assay in young Japanese females who had eaten a low-energy meal, and lower values when they had eat a high- energy meal, so it may be necessary to pay attention to energy of nigh meal prior to blood withdrawal.
Abstract: In most clinical laboratories, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is usually estimated indirectly with the Friedewald equation or directly with the N-geneous assay. We assessed LDL-cholesterol values obtained by both methods to find an appropriate fasting period and to assess the influence of the energy content of the last meal. Blood samples were taken from 28 healthy volunteers who had consumed a standard meal (107 g of carbohydrate, 658 kcal) followed by a fasting period of 12 and 18 h, or a high-energy meal (190 g of carbohydrate, 1011 kcal) with a fasting period of 12 h. Prolongation of the fasting period from 12 h to 18 h decreased glucose level, but did not decrease triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, or high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol levels measured with the N-geneous assay did not change (94.0 ± 21.5 to 96.3 ± 19.1 mg/dl). LDL-cholesterol levels calculated with the Friedewald equation were also similar after fasting periods of 12 h (98.5 ± 21.4 mg/dl) and 18 h (99.7 ± 20.2 mg/dl). The high-energy meal did not change the level of LDL-cholesterol measured with the N-geneous assay (96.1 ± 21.2 mg/dl), or the glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, or HDL-cholesterol level, but LDL-cholesterol levels evaluated from the Friedewald equation (92.6 ± 20.3 mg/dl) became significantly lower. A fasting time longer than 12 h is not necessary to obtain reasonable blood lipid levels. The Friedewald equation gave higher LDL-cholesterol levels than N-geneous assay in young Japanese females who had eaten a low-energy meal, and lower values when they had eaten a high-energy meal. Thus, it may be necessary to pay attention to energy of nigh meal prior to blood withdrawal.
163 citations
TL;DR: The role of oxidant stress in the mechanism of I/R injury and the use of antioxidant agents for its treatment is focused on.
Abstract: Exacerbation of hypoxic injury after reoxygenation is a crucial mechanism mediating organ injury in transplantation, and in myocardial, hepatic, gastrointestinal, cerebral, renal, and other ischemic syndromes The occlusion and reperfusion of the splanchnic artery is a useful animal model to elucidate the mechanism of gastrointestinal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) Although xanthine oxidase is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which plays an important role in the I/R-induced intestinal injury, there are many other sources of intracellular ROS Various treatment modalities have been successfully applied to attenuate the I/R injury in animal models This review focuses on the role of oxidant stress in the mechanism of I/R injury and the use of antioxidant agents for its treatment
154 citations
TL;DR: The results indicated that MO has an ameliorating effect for glucose intolerance, and the effect might be mediated by quercetin-3-glucoside and fiber contents in MO leaf powder.
Abstract: Medicinal plants constitute an important source of potential therapeutic agents for diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) Lam, Moringacea, on glucose tolerance in Wistar rats and Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, modeled type 2 diabetes. Major polyphenols in MO powder were quercetin glucosides, rutin, kaempferol glycosides and chlorogenic acids by HPLC analysis. As the results of glucose tolerance test, MO significantly decreased the blood glucose at 20, 30, 45and 60 min for GK rats and at 10, 30 and 45 min for Wistar rats (p<0.05) compared to the both controls after glucose administration. The area under the curve of changes in the blood glucose was significantly higher in the GK control group than in the GK plus MO group (p<0.05) in the periods 30-60 min and 60-120 min. Furthermore, MO significantly decreased stomach emptying in GK rats (p<0.05). The results indicated that MO has an ameliorating effect for glucose intolerance, and the effect might be mediated by quercetin-3-glucoside and fiber contents in MO leaf powder. The action of MO was greater in GK rats than in Wistar rats.
148 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that shallot and garlic extracts have a hypoglycemic influence on the fructose-induced insulin resistance animals and aqueous shallot extract is a stronger Hypoglycemic agent than the garlic extract.
Abstract: The present study has been carried out to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of shallot (Allium ascalonicum) and garlic (Allium satium) on the fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI) and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) of fructose-induced insulin resistance rats. Male albino Wistar rats were fed either normal or high-fructose diet for a period of eight weeks. Fasting blood glucose level, fasting blood triglyceride level, FIRI, and the area under the glucose tolerance curve were significantly elevated in fructose-fed animals. Fructose-induced insulin resistance rats treated by aqueous shallot or garlic extract (500 mg/kg body weight/day, i.p.) for duration of eight weeks. Control animals only received normal saline (0.9%). The results showed that neither shallot nor garlic extracts significantly altered the FIRI and the IPGTT at the fourth week after treatment. The fasting blood glucose in fructose-induced insulin resistance animals has been significantly decreased in 8-week treated animals by both shallot and garlic extracts. Shallot extract administration, but not garlic extract, for a period of eight weeks can significantly improve the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance and diminish the FIRI. These results indicate that shallot and garlic extracts have a hypoglycemic influence on the fructose-induced insulin resistance animals and aqueous shallot extract is a stronger hypoglycemic agent than the garlic extract.
103 citations
TL;DR: Current advances to define the role of neutrophils-dependent oxidative stress in UC are discussed and a novel granulocytes adsorptive apheresis therapy for UC is developed.
Abstract: Neutrophil accumulation within epithelial crypts and in the intestinal mucosa directly correlates with clinical disease activity and epithelial injury in ulcerative colitis (UC). Current advances have defined the mechanisms by which neutrophils are activated or migrate across mucosal epithelia. A better understanding of this process will likely provide new insights into novel treatment strategies for UC. Especially, activated neutrophils produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species within intestinal mucosa, which induce oxidative stress. In clinically, we have succeeded to develop a novel granulocytes adsorptive apheresis therapy for UC. In this article, we discuss current advances to define the role of neutrophils-dependent oxidative stress in UC.
TL;DR: Results suggested that ERS was induced in STZ-induced diabetic rats’ myocardium, and ERS-associated apoptosis took part in the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Abstract: Apoptosis plays critical role in diabetic cardiomyopathy and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is one of intrinsic apoptosis pathways. For previous studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum become swell in diabetic myocardium and ERS was involved in diabetes mellitus and heart failure, this study aimed to demonstrate whether ERS was induced in myocardium of streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. We established type 1 diabetic rat model with STZ intraperitoneal injection, used echocardiographic evaluation, hematoxylin-eosin staining and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated DNA nick-end labeling staining to identify the existence of diabetic cardiomyopathy and enhanced apoptosis in the diabetic heart. We performed immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real time PCR to analysis two hallmarks of ERS, glucose regulated protein78 (Grp78) and Caspase12. We found both Grp78 and Caspase12 had enhanced expression in protein and mRNA levels in diabetic myocardium than normal rat's, and Caspase12 was activated in diabetic heart. Those results suggested that ERS was induced in STZ-induced diabetic rats' myocardium, and ERS-associated apoptosis took part in the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
TL;DR: The development of new therapy with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects is expected to assist in the treatment of intractable NERD/GERD and the prevention of carcinogenesis.
Abstract: The etiology of esophageal mucosal injury is complex, since it may involve the reflux of gastric acid, bile acid, and pancreatic juice, external factors such as drugs and alcohol, or functional factors such as esophagogastric motility. The mechanism of esophageal mucosal injury has gradually been understood at the molecular biological level. It is particularly important that pro-inflammatory factors, such as inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and -8), leukocytes and oxidative stress, have been demonstrated to be involved in the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) including nonerosive reflux disease (NERD). In addition, nociceptors such as acid-sensitive vanilloid receptors, protease-activated receptors and substance P have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurogenic inflammation in NERD patients with esophageal hypersensitivity. The development of new therapy with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects is expected to assist in the treatment of intractable NERD/GERD and the prevention of carcinogenesis.
TL;DR: The excellent healing activity of the extracts of P. betel and E. officinalis indicated a major role of mucin protection and regeneration in the healing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs mediated stomach ulceration.
Abstract: The healing activity of the ethanol extracts of Piper betel, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia bellerica, and Terminalia chebula against the indomethacin-induced stomach ulceration has been studied and compared with that of misoprostol. Compared to autohealing, all the drugs accelerated the healing process, albeit to different extents. The relative healing activities of the extracts was P. betel>E. officinalis>T. bellerica~T. chebula, that correlated well with their in vivo antioxidant and mucin augmenting activities. The excellent healing activity of the extracts of P. betel and E. officinalis indicated a major role of mucin protection and regeneration in the healing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs mediated stomach ulceration.
TL;DR: It is concluded that serum levels of MDA, CRP and NT-proBNP were significantly increased in patients with AMI and these markers were strongly predictive in AMI.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of an oxidative stress, C-reactive protein (CRP) and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The study population contained 100 patients with AMI and 40 healthy subjects. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Total antioxidant status (TAC) was assayed with colorimetric method. CRP and NT-proBNP was quantitated by immunoassay. MDA, CRP and NT-proBNP levels were found significantly high in patients with AMI as compared to healthy controls (p<0.01). Patients were divided into six groups based on the presence of disease history before AMI. In patients with non-disease before AMI. MDA, CRP and NT-proBNP levels were lowest among the patient groups. MDA levels in patients with hyperlipidemia/ diabetes/renal disease were higher than the other groups. TAC levels in patients with hypertension were lower than as compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). CRP levels in hypertension + hyperlipidemia patients and NT-proBNP levels in cardiovascular + hypertension patients were found high as compared to other patient groups. It is concluded that serum levels of MDA, CRP and NT-proBNP were significantly increased in patients with AMI and these markers were strongly predictive in AMI.
TL;DR: Rebamipide prevented NSAID-induced peptic ulcer as effectively as misoprostol in patients on long-term NSAID therapy and may be a useful therapeutic option for the prevention of NSAIDs-induced gastrointestinal ulcer.
Abstract: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gastrointestinal side effects such as dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, hemorrhage, and perforation. Misoprostol and PPIs have been used to prevent NSAID-induced gastroduodenal injury. Rebamipide increases gastric mucus and stimulates the production of endogenous prostaglandins. The prophylactic effect of rebamipide on NSAID-induced gastrointestinal complications is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare NSAID-induced gastrointestinal complications in rebamipide- and misoprostol-treated groups. Patients were randomized to two groups and took a conventional NSAID plus rebamipide or misoprostol for 12 weeks. Gastric mucosal damage was evaluated by endoscopy at screening and the end of the study. The prevalences of active gastric ulcer were 7/176 (3.9%) in the rebamipide group and 3/156 (1.9%) in the misoprostol group. The prevalences of peptic ulcer were 8/176 (4.5%) in the rebamipide group and 7/156 (4.4%) in the misoprostol group. The cumulative incidences of peptic ulcer in the high-risk subgroup were 6/151 (4.0%) for rebamipide and 6/154 (3.9%) for misoprostol. In conclusion, rebamipide prevented NSAID-induced peptic ulcer as effectively as misoprostol in patients on long-term NSAID therapy. Rebamipide may be a useful therapeutic option for the prevention of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal ulcer because of its therapeutic effect and safety.
TL;DR: In this review, various Indian ancient Ayurvedic, Unani and Tibbi, as also some Chinese and Korean, herbals are explored for their potential to treat RA.
Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology and is mainly characterized by the progressive erosion of cartilage leading to chronic polyarthritis and joint distortion. Although the exact pathogenesis of the disease has yet not been elucidated, however, studies suggest that cellular proliferation of synoviocytes result in pannus formation which damages the cartilage and bone. Recent reports also support the role of free radicals in its pathogenesis. Apart from the conventional treatment strategies using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs and glucocorticoids, newer and safer drugs are continuously being searched, as long term usage of these drugs have resulted in adverse effects. Alternative medicine provides another approach for treatment of RA and currently a number of medicinal plants are under scientific evaluation to develop a novel drug. There is a dire need to investigate the complete therapeutic potential and adverse effects, if any, of these herbals for providing newer and safer treatment options with minimum side effects. In this review we have tried to explore various Indian ancient Ayurvedic, Unani and Tibbi, as also some Chinese and Korean, herbals for their potential to treat RA.
TL;DR: It is suggested that onion intake suppresses diabetes-induced oxidative stress more effectively than the intake of the same amount of quercetin aglycone alone.
Abstract: The protective effect of onion against oxidative stress in streptozotosin-induced diabetic rats was investigated in comparison with that of quercetin aglycone. We measured oxidative stress biomarkers involving the susceptibility of the plasma against copper ion-induced lipid peroxidation, which was estimated by the amounts of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides, and urine TBARS and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine contents. After the 12-week feeding period, plasma glucose levels and these biomarkers increased in diabetic rats compared to normal rats. In diabetic rats fed a 6.0% onion diet (quercetin equivalent: 0.023%), quercetin metabolites accumulated in the plasma at concentrations of approximately 35 microM. Onion intake decreased plasma glucose levels and lowered the oxidative stress biomarkers. On the other hand, quercetin metabolites in the plasma of rats fed a diet with 0.023% quercetin aglycone were found at lower concentrations (14.2 microM) than the rats fed the onion diet. Furthermore, oxidative stress biomarkers were higher in the quercetin diet group compared to the onion diet group. These results strongly suggest that onion intake suppresses diabetes-induced oxidative stress more effectively than the intake of the same amount of quercetin aglycone alone.
TL;DR: An attempt has been made to show the use of physico-chemical methods in the evaluation of antioxidant activity of some important medicinal plants commonly used in India and the subcontinent.
Abstract: Understanding of the efficacy and mechanism for the reaction of the biologically important radicals with natural and/or synthetic antioxidants is the first step towards the development of future therapeutic agents. The kinetic parameters e.g., formation and decay rate constants predict the efficacy of an antioxidant and its fate after reaction. These parameters also dictate the ease with which competing reactions would occur in a bio-environment. The spectroscopic parameters provide the clue to the site of free radical attack to these antioxidants. Here, in this article an attempt has been made to show the use of physico-chemical methods in the evaluation of antioxidant activity of some important medicinal plants commonly used in India and the subcontinent. The systems chosen here for discussions are herbal extracts as such, curcumin from turmeric, methoxy phenols from Indian spices, dehydrogingerdione from ginger and bakuchiol from Psoralea corylifolia. All the examples shown in this article illustrate the potential of the pulse radiolysis coupled with kinetic spectroscopy and other physicochemical techniques for the study of antioxidants either in the form of mixture as in herbal extract or as an isolated compound.
TL;DR: It is suggested that oral administration of simvastatin suppresses the biosynthesis of CoQ, which shares the same biosynthesis pathway as cholesterol up to farnesyl pyrophosphate, thus compromising the physiological function of reduced coenzyme Q, which possesses antioxidant activity.
Abstract: The effects of simvastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), on oxidative stress resistance and the protective effects of coenzyme Q (CoQ) were investigated. When simvastatin was administered orally to mice, the levels of oxidized and reduced CoQ9 and CoQ10 in serum, liver, and heart, decreased significantly when compared to those of control. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances induced by Fe2+-ascorbate in liver and heart mitochondria also increased significantly with simvastatin. Furthermore, cultured cardiac myocytes treated with simvastatin exhibited less resistance to oxidative stress, decreased time to the cessation of spontaneous beating in response to H2O2 addition, and decreased responsiveness to electrical field stimulation. These results suggested that oral administration of simvastatin suppresses the biosynthesis of CoQ, which shares the same biosynthesis pathway as cholesterol up to farnesyl pyrophosphate, thus compromising the physiological function of reduced CoQ, which possesses antioxidant activity. However, these undesirable effects induced by simvastatin were alleviated by coadministering CoQ10 with simvastatin to mice. Simvastatin also reduced the activity of NADPH-CoQ reductase, a biological enzyme that converts oxidized CoQ to the corresponding reduced CoQ, while CoQ10 administration improved it. These findings may also support the efficacy of coadministering CoQ10 with statins.
TL;DR: This study demonstrates that the Real-time Virtual Sonography system is capable of effectively and accurately treating tumors difficult to detect by conventional ultrasonography.
Abstract: Radiofrequency ablation has been applied to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, with favorable therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, practitioners have approached radiofrequency ablation with some reluctance due to the difficulty of identifying isoechoic tumors and recurrent tumors. The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of Real-time Virtual Sonography to treat hepatocellular carcinoma difficult to detect by conventional ultrasonography. Real-time Virtual Sonography is a system generating multiplanar reconstruction images in real-time using the Hitachi medico EUB-8500 equipped with a probe. The system included following components: 1) digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) data from dynamic CT, 2) a magnetic field generator to match the multiplanar reconstruction image on the monitor and the actual ultrasonography image, 3) the cross section with the tumor displayed as a multiplanar reconstruction image. Total twenty-five nodules of twenty-one patients underwent radiofrequency ablation monitored by Real-time Virtual Sonography. All nodules difficult to detect via conventional ultrasonography were clearly visualized in real-time. The average nodule diameter was 2.4 ± 1.6 cm, and punctures and coagulation were performed an average of 2.2 and 3 times per session. Dynamic CT after session confirmed effective coagulation of each nodule. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the present system is capable of effectively and accurately treating tumors difficult to detect by conventional ultrasonography.
TL;DR: Treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, lansoprazole reduces the mucosal levels of IL-8 mRNA and protein in GERD, including RE and NERD, implying that this cytokine is a key player in the development of GERD.
Abstract: The exact pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remain unclear. Recent studies have shown that mucosal immune and inflammatory responses, characterized by specific cytokine and chemokine profiles, may underlie the diverse esophageal phenotypes of GERD. Interleukin 8 (IL-8), a representative chemokine, mediates neutrophil trafficking via its receptors, mainly CXCR-1. The IL-8 mRNA and protein levels are increased in the esophageal mucosa, not only in reflux esophagitis (RE), but also in endoscopy-negative GERD (NERD), through activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), which is a pivotal transcription factor. Mucosal IL-8 concentrations have been found to parallel the endoscopic severity of RE, implying that this cytokine is a key player in the development of GERD. The mucosal levels of the C-C chemokines, macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and regulated on activation normal T-cell-expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES), which primarily attract monocytes and lymphocytes to the site of inflammation, respectively, are also elevated in RE. The secreted levels of IL-8 and IL-1β, a prototype of proinflammatory cytokine, are maximal at the proximal segment within Barrett esophagus (BE) tissue. The expression of the two pleiotrophic proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α, is enhanced in the intestinal epithelium of BE, which places this epithelium at a higher risk for developing malignancy. BE is characterized by a distinct Th-2 predominant cytokine profile (IL-4 and -10), compared to the proinflammatory nature of RE (interferone-γ). Treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, lansoprazole reduces the mucosal levels of IL-8 mRNA and protein in GERD, including RE and NERD. This may occur in part through an anti-inflammatory action of proton pump inhibitors beyond gastric acid inhibition.
TL;DR: In spite of the known antihypertensive, antioxidant activity, similarity in correcting endothelial dysfunction independently, giving the two drugs together and early introduction of vitamin C perhaps decreases oxidative stress and augments the antioxidant status.
Abstract: The etiology of essential hypertension includes increased oxidative stress. The role of antihypertensive drug amlodipine as an antioxidant and the benefit of addition of vitamin C, an antioxidant to antihypertensive therapy were studied. Forty male patients of essential hypertension were randomly divided into two groups and treated with 5 mg amlodipine. In addition one group also received 1000 mg vitamin C (as two 500 mg tablets) once daily for three months. Although blood pressure decreased in both groups, the systolic blood pressure in patients given vitamin C was less (126.4 ± 7.47) compared to the other group (130.9 ± 7.27). A decrease in malondialdehyde, an increase in erythrocyte sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+ K+ ATPase) and an increase in the superoxide dismutase levels were observed in both groups. The increase in SOD was statistically more in the patients given vitamin C in addition to amlodipine (0.1717 ± 0.0150 compared to 0.152 ± 0.0219 units/100 ml assay). In spite of the known antihypertensive, antioxidant activity, similarity in correcting endothelial dysfunction independently, giving the two drugs together and early introduction of vitamin C perhaps decreases oxidative stress and augments the antioxidant status. This may prevent further vascular damage due to oxidative stress, leading to a better prognosis in essential hypertension patients.
TL;DR: The cardioprotective effect of glutamine is probably related to a strengthening of the myocardial membrane by its membrane stabilizing action, or to its ability to maintain near to normal status the activities of free radical scavenging enzymes and the level of GSH, which protect myocardian membrane against oxidative damage by decreasing lipid peroxidation.
Abstract: Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms with a central role involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. The protective effect of glutamine on myocardial antioxidant defense system was investigated during isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction, an animal model of myocardial infarction of human beings. Levels of diagnostic marker enzymes in plasma, reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxides and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in heart tissue were determined. Injection of isoprenaline caused significant increases in the levels of diagnostic marker enzymes in plasma and lipid peroxidation in heart tissue. A parallel decline in the levels of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) and GSH and the activities of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes and antiperoxidative enzymes in heart tissue was also observed. Prior oral administration of glutamine significantly prevented isoprenaline-induced adverse effects and maintained myocardial antioxidant status at near normal status. The cardioprotective effect of glutamine is probably related to a strengthening of the myocardial membrane by its membrane stabilizing action, or to a counteraction of free radicals by its antioxidant property, or to its ability to maintain near to normal status the activities of free radical scavenging enzymes and the level of GSH, which protect myocardial membrane against oxidative damage by decreasing lipid peroxidation.
TL;DR: Increased serum levels of CML are associated with the development of IHD in Type 2 diabetes mellitus and the effect of both diabetes and oxidative stress on the higher levels of circulating CML is demonstrated.
Abstract: This study aims to determine the levels of N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) in patients with Type 2 diabetic patients with and without ischemic heart disease (IHD) and to find for a possible association between circulating CML and a number of clinical parameters including lipids, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in Type 2 diabetic IHD patients. Serum CML levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using polyclonal anti-CML antibodies. Serum levels of CML and MDA were assessed in 60 IHD patients with Type 2 diabetes, 43 IHD patients without Type 2 diabetes, 64 Type 2 diabetics without IHD, and 80 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. Correlations studies between CML levels and lipids, HbA1c, and lipid peroxidation were performed in Type 2 diabetes patients with and without IHD. A statistical significance was observed in the levels of serum glucose, lipids (triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol), MDA, HbA1c, CML and LDL-cholesterol (p 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the effect of both diabetes and oxidative stress on the higher levels of circulating CML. These results showed that increased serum levels of CML are associated with the development of IHD in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
TL;DR: It is suggested that citric acid reduces physiological stress and attenuates physical fatigue, whereas l-carnitine does not.
Abstract: We examined the effects of citric acid and l-carnitine administration on physical fatigue. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-way crossover study, 18 healthy volunteers were randomized to oral citric acid (2,700 mg/day), l-carnitine (1,000 mg/day), or placebo for 8 days. The fatigue-inducing physical task consisted of workload trials on a cycle ergometer at fixed workloads for 2 h on 2 occasions. Before the physical load, salivary chromogranin A, measured as a physiological stress marker, was lower in the group given citric acid than in the group given placebo. Also, after the physical load, the subjective feeling of fatigue assessed with a visual analogue scale was lower in the citric acid group than in the placebo group. In contrast, l-carnitine had no effect on chromogranin A or subjective fatigue. These results suggest that citric acid reduces physiological stress and attenuates physical fatigue, whereas l-carnitine does not.
TL;DR: In this paper, the trace element status in Crohn's disease (CD) patients receiving enteral nutrition, and evaluated the effects of trace element-rich supplementation, were investigated by atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Abstract: We investigated the trace element status in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients receiving enteral nutrition, and evaluated the effects of trace element-rich supplementation. Thirty-one patients with CD were enrolled in this study. All patients were placed on an enteral nutrition regimen with Elental® (Ajinomoto pharmaceutical. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). Serum selenium, zinc and copper concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Serum selenoprotein P levels were determined by an ELISA system. Average serum levels of albumin, selenium, zinc and copper were 4.1 ± 0.4 g/dl, 11.2 ± 2.8 µg/dl, 71.0 ± 14.8 µg/dl, and 112.0 ± 25.6 µg/dl, respectively. In 9 patients of 31 CD patients, serum albumin levels were lower than the lower limit of the normal range. Serum selenium, zinc and copper levels were lower than lower limits in 12 patients, 9 patients and 1 patient, respectively. Serum selenium levels significantly correlated with both serum selenoprotein P levels and glutathione peroxidase activity. Supplementation of selenium (100 µg/day) and zinc (10 mg/day) for 2 months significantly improved the trace element status in CD patients. In conclusion, serum selenium and zinc levels are lower in many CD patients on long-term enteral nutrition. In these patients, supplementation of selenium and zinc was effective in improving the trace element status.
TL;DR: Results indicate that curcumin has significant role in confronting the deleterious effect caused by arsenic, which could be an economic mode of arsenic mitigation among rural population in West Bengal, India.
Abstract: Chronic exposure of humans to high concentrations of arsenic in drinking water is associated with skin lesions, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, blackfoot disease and a high risk of cancer. Arsenic induces single strand breaks, DNA-protein crosslinks and apurinic sites in DNA, which are prerequisites for induction of cancer. Amelioration of such damages with natural compounds could be an effective strategy to combat arsenic toxicity. Curcumin is the active ingredient of turmeric, a common household spice, which is a rich source of polyphenols and this compound has been extensively studied as a chemopreventive agent against many types of cancer. The present study investigates whether curcumin could counteract the DNA damage caused by arsenic as assessed by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) using peripheral blood lymphocytes, from healthy donors. It was observed that DNA damage induced by arsenic could be efficiently reduced by curcumin and the effect was more pronounced when lymphocytes were pre-incubated with curcumin prior to arsenic insult. Arsenic caused DNA damage by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancement of lipid peroxidation levels. Curcumin counteracted the damage by quenching ROS, decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation and increasing the level of phase II detoxification enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Curcumin also enhanced the DNA repair activity against arsenic induced damage. The expression of polymerase, a repair enzyme, was found to be highly elevated when arsenite induced damaged cells were allowed to repair in presence of curcumin. Results indicate that curcumin has significant role in confronting the deleterious effect caused by arsenic, which could be an economic mode of arsenic mitigation among rural population in West Bengal, India.
TL;DR: Results suggest that diets containing 1.2 or 1.5% phosphorus plus 0.6% calcium have potentially adverse effects on phosphorus homeostasis in mature rat, and type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate transporter expression in Npt IIa is decreased.
Abstract: The amount of phosphorus contained in food as food additives is currently increasing and a high intake of phosphorus can cause various diseases. To determine the effects of a prolonged high phosphorus diet, here we investigated the phosphorus and calcium balance and expression of type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate transporter (Npt IIa) in mature rats. Wistar male rats (8-weeks old) were divided into five groups and fed diets containing 0.6% calcium plus 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 or 1.5% phosphorus for 4 weeks. Urinary and fecal phosphorus excretions were significantly increased by the high phosphorus diets (from 0.6 to 1.5%), dependent on the amount of dietary phosphorus. The net absorption of intestinal phosphorus was also significantly increased by high phosphorus diets. As a result, a negative phosphorus balance was observed in rats given the 1.2% or 1.5% phosphorus diets. Serum parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations were increased by high phosphorus diets. In addition, high phosphorus diets decreased the expression of Npt IIa mRNA and protein in the renal brush border membrane. Taken together, these results suggest that diets containing 1.2 or 1.5% phosphorus plus 0.6% calcium have potentially adverse effects on phosphorus homeostasis in mature rat.
TL;DR: Dietary agents or herbal anti-oxidants due to low toxicity and relative safety are promising chemopreventive agents, however, in clinical trials these compounds have met with limited success.
Abstract: Cancer chemoprevention is fast becoming a lucrative approach for controlling cancer. Carcinogenesis being a complex multi-step, multi-factorial process, a number of chemopreventive interventions can be employed. These strategies are generally directed against two broad events of carcinogenesis viz., initiation and promotion/progression. Anti-initiation interventions principally involve inhibition of carcinogen activation, scavenging of free radicals and reactive carcinogen metabolites along with enhanced detoxification of carcinogens by modulating cellular metabolism. Anti-promotion strategies involve attenuation of enhanced cellular proliferation along with induction of cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Dietary agents or herbal anti-oxidants due to low toxicity and relative safety are promising chemopreventive agents. These agents after emerging successful through a series of in vitro and in vivo assays enter clinical trials. Many dietary compounds have emerged as promising chemopreventive agents in empirical experiments. However, in clinical trials these compounds have met with limited success. This emphasizes the need for further detailed research on the mechanisms of observed chemoprevention and choice, dose, duration and bioavailability of chemopreventive agent used. Complex issues such as choice and nutritional status of target population, genetic variation, gene-environment interactions and relevance of biomarkers analyzed also warrant further research and analyses.