Preparation and characterisation of liposomes containing mannosylated phospholipids capable of targetting drugs to macrophages.

We have prepared liposomes from mannosylated phosphatidylmyo-inositol, derived from mycobacteria, and cholesterol. The size of the particles so formed could be controlled by membrane filtration. The vesicles encapsulated a significant amount of aqueous phase (about 8 microliter per mg phospholipid). Markers of the liposomal membrane and aqueous phase rapidly associated with mouse peritoneal macrophages and, more slowly, with rat alveolar macrophages. The uptake was saturable at high liposome concentrations, although phagocytosis of latex particles of the same mean diameter was not saturable at these concentrations. An excess of unlabelled liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine, which were also taken up readily by macrophages, did not inhibit the uptake of mannosylated liposomes. The uptake of fluorescent mannosylated bovine serum albumin was inhibited by these liposomes, suggesting a specific interaction with the macrophage mannose-fucose receptor. We conclude that this type of liposome would be useful for the delivery of immunomodulators to reticuloendothelial cells.

[Intestinal parasites, haematological profile and anthropometric status of schoolchildren in Cotê d'Ivoire]. / Parasites intestinaux, profil hématologique et statut anthropométrique de l'enfant scolarisé en Côte d'Ivoire.

In West Africa intestinal parasites diseases and lack of food are quoted among the main causes of childhood morbidity. This study aimed to assess both the frequency and the relationships between anthropometric values and haemogramme troubles among children living in a West tropical forest area. A cross-sectional survey was tested on a sample of 262 children drawn at two levels. The parameters studied were the weight, height, age, sex, percentiles at height per age and weight per height ratios, haemogramme and intestinal parasites. The results revealed that microcyte hypochrome anemia is generally dominant in the haematological profile. The intestinal parasites carriage has a frequency higher than 68%, but has no influence on either the haematological profile or the anthropometric status. However, the haematological troubles found during that experience revealed a strong association with weight-height ratio troubles. Furthermore, malnutrition signs were observed.

A novel muramyl peptide derivative stimulates tumoricidal activity of macrophages and antibody production by B cells.

A novel analog of MDP, the 3'-iodo-4'-azido-L-phenylalanine methyl ester derivative of N-acetyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine, has been prepared. This compound is capable of activating macrophages to the tumoricidal state and increasing the specific immune response of B cells. It thus appears to exhibit similar biological activities to MDP. Moreover, this compound is of potential interest for receptor photolabelling studies.

In vitro antimalarial activity of vegetal extracts used in West African traditional medicine.

Among strategies for the development of new antimalarials, a study of plants traditionally used in Africa against malaria has been pursued. Extracts obtained from the plants Azadirachta indica, Cinnamonum camphora, Lippia multiflora, Vernonia colorata, Guiera senegalensis, Combretum micranthum, and Ximenia americana, commonly used in Cote d'Ivoire by native healers for the treatment of malaria, were tested on two strains of Plasmodium falciparum: FcB1-Colombia (chloroquine-resistant) and F32-Tanzania (chloroquine-sensitive). Extracts were obtained after infusion and decoction, both techniques being used by most native healers. The antimalarial activities of the extracts were tested first by parasite 3H-hypoxanthine incorporation and second by visual evaluation of the activities of plant extracts on thin blood smears, which also permitted the determination of parasitic stages and parasite alteration. Among the seven plants tested, some had an apparent inhibitory effect on P. falciparum growth in vitro, while other seemed to be less efficient.

Proteinuria in sickle cell trait and disease: an electrophoretic analysis.

Using ultrafiltration and SDS-PAGE, abnormal urinary protein excretion was found in 25.4% of 189 persons with sickle cell disease and trait, but none of 72 controls. Based upon molecular weight of urinary proteins, underlying renal lesions were classified as glomerular, tubular, or both. Altered protein excretion appeared at an early age, was more abnormal in older subjects, and was related to the severity of sickle cell disease (SS greater than SC = S/beta Thal greater than AS). Since none of the subjects had yet developed clinically significant renal disease, SDS-PAGE may permit early detection of patients who require careful follow-up or aggressive therapy.

[Application of adsorption chromatography to the colorimetric determination of urinary estrogens in late pregnancy (author's transl)]. / Application de la chromatographie d'adsorption sur XAD-2 au dosage colorimétrique des estrogènes urinaires de fin de grossesse.

A new extraction procedure of urinary estrogens, based upon adsorption chromatography on Amberlite XAD-2, was deviced for a selective and complete extraction of these components. Estrogens were then quantified, without preliminar hydrolysis, by the colorimetric Kober reaction, modified by Ittrich. The reliability of this method has been established by comparison with four other methods.

[Clinical value of C-reactive protein, alpha 1-glycoprotein acid and transferrin assay in homozygous sickle cell disease]. / Intérêt clinique du dosage de la protéine C-réactive, de l'alpha 1-glycoprotéine acide et de la transferrine au cours de la drépanocytose homozygote.

Two acute phase reactants (C-reactive protein: CRP and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein: alpha 1-AGP) and transferrin (Tf) levels change were measured in order to evaluate their clinical or prognostic value during the vaso-occlusive crisis. Measurements were performed in normal controls, painful crisis with or without treatment and during steady state. Immunochemical determinations indicate that markedly acute inflammation occurred in sickle cell painful crisis, as revealed CRP and alpha 1-AGP levels. Compared to controls, during periods of steady state in the absence of any intercurrent condition, a lesser but significative increase of alpha 1-GPA was observed. Transferrin level remained lower and did not sufficient to discriminate between crisis and steady state. Compared to the vasodilatator drug effect, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug showed more efficiency in the sickle cell disease inflammatory process. Taken together, these findings indicate that serial determinations of CRP, alpha 1-GPA and Tf may be helpful in monitoring the course of sickle cell disease and response to treatment. Then, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs appear necessary to reduce the length of the sickle cell crisis.

[Inflammatory reaction markers and nutritional markers in HIV infection]. / Marqueurs de la réaction inflammatoire et marqueurs nutritionnels au cours de l'infection à VIH.

A protein profile has been monitored during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The investigation concerned 60 patients suffering from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), 24 asymptomatic HIV-antibody seropositive subjects and 22 healthy HIV-antibody seronegative, individuals voluntary blood donors. Data show that retinol-binding protein, thyroxin-binding prealbumin and beta 2-microglobulin are already modified in HIV infection (p less than 0.05) whereas the other protein alteration becomes apparent during AIDS. These studies demonstrate that severe, but progressive malnutrition occurs in patients with AIDS. On the other hand nutritional abnormalities can be shown to have a deleterious effect upon the disease course as revealed by increasing alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and C-reactive protein levels for 60 to 70% of patients.

[Blood levels of protein markers of inflammation and nutrition in the meningo-encephalitis phase of human African trypanosomiasis]. / Valeurs sériques des marqueurs protéiques de l'inflammation et de la nutrition dans la phase méningo-encéphalitique de la trypanosomose humaine africaine.

Two acute phase proteins; C-reactive protein and acid alpha 1-glycoprotein and three nutritional markers; prealbumin, retinol binding protein and transferrin have been evaluated in 8 patients suffering from trypanosomiasis in meningoencephalitic state and compared to those obtained from 15 normal control subjects. Findings show a markly decrease of nutritional markers without change of sera acute phase proteins. We concluded that in meningo-encephalitic state of human african trypanosomiasis, denutrition was a major biological or clinical feature in association with lymphoid cells stimulation as revealed by beta 2-M levels.

Lipid, apolipoprotein AI and B levels in Ivorian patients with sickle cell anaemia.

Plasma apolipoprotein AI, apolipoprotein B, cholesterol and triglycerides in 114 Ivorian patients with homozygous sickle cell anaemia (HbSS) were compared to 40, age and sex matched controls with normal haemoglobin (HbAA). Except for plasma triglycerides, lipid and apolipoprotein levels were found to be lower in patients with sickle cell anaemia as compared to normal control subjects. The differences between the two groups were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05 Student's t test). In addition, a highly significant decrease of plasma apolipoprotein AI (p < 0.01) was observed during painful crisis as compared to the steady state (0.78 g.L-1 versus 1.01 g.L-1), whereas triglyceride levels were found to be higher (1.02 g.L-1 versus 0.78 g.L-1). Although the metabolism of lipoproteins is being altered, the results of this cross-sectional study do not suggest that patients with sickle cell anaemia are at higher risk of developing coronary artery disease.

[Protein profile in malnutrition states of the Ivory Coast child]. / Profil protétique dans les états de malnutrition de l'enfant Ivoirien.

Prospectively assessment of nutritional status, besides anthropometric parameters measurements, included determination of the following plasma proteins: albumin, transferrin, retinol-binding protein and thyroxine-binding prealbumin, usually regarded as useful indices of protein depletion states. Patients' inflammatory or infectious diseases were investigated by measuring the two most reliable acute-phase reactants (orosomucoid and c-reactive protein). This study was conducted on a group of 56 pediatric patients malnourished and 54 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects as controls. Data showed a higher prevalence of inflammatory process during the course of malnutrition as revealed progressive but severe alteration of the Prognostic Inflammatory and Nutritional Index (PINI) or CRP x a1-GPA/Alb x TBPA. On the other hand, kwashiorkor and marasmus seemed to be a precipitating cause of infectious or/and inflammatory process. We, therefore, conclude that the PINI scoring system should be for the pediatricians, a sensitive and precious tool allowing the correct follow-up of inflammatory pole in nutritional disorders in developing countries.

[Evaluation of the inflammatory process in hepatic disorders: immunochemistry of C alpha-reactive protein and of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein]. / Evaluation du processus inflammatoire dans les atteintes hépatiques: dosage immunochimique de la protéine C alpha-réactive et de l'alpha 1-glycoprotéine acide.

C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-GPA) two acute phase reactants, have both been monitored in patients suffering from hepatocellular diseases, compared with healthy subjects. Immunochemical findings, in hepatic amebiasis, revealed a higher incidence of increased alpha 1-GPA levels (86% of patients, as compared to 46% for CRP), whereas during liver primitive cancer and cirrhosis inverse pattern occurs. In viral chronic hepatitis, lesser perturbations were observed. In contrast, a simultaneous increase of both proteins is strong supporting evidence for the severity of disease with an unfavourable prognostic.

[Evaluation of atherogenic risk in homozygous sickle cell disease: study of lipid and apolipoprotein AI and B plasma levels]. / Evaluation du risque athérogène chez le drépanocytaire homozygote: étude des taux plasmatiques des lipides et apolipoprotéines AI et B.

The main clinical use of measurements of Apo Al and Apo B is to determine a patient's risk status for the development of ischemic heart disease. Apo B is generally accepted as a contributory cause of coronary artery disease, while Apo Al apparently has a protective effect. The present study reports the plasma change of Apo Al and B in sickle cell anaemic subjects. Immunochemical findings revealed that Apo Al and B levels were found to be lower in sickle cell patients as compared with normal subjects (HbAA). The atherogenicity index given by Apo B/Apo Al remained in the normal range during periods of steady state (0.64 +/- 0.28), while subjects in painful crisis had high index values (0.95 +/- 0.35). Therefore, we concluded that epidemiological studies on a large sample of patients are needed to confirm this relationship between painful crisis and risk of developing coronary artery disease.

[Cellulitis, Haemophilus meningitis and measles. Apropos of a case report]. / Cellulite, méningite à Haemophilus et rougeole. A propos d'une observation.

We report in a 13 months old child, with measles, a case of cellulitis, otitis and meningitis due to ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae Two facts are emphasized: the promoting aspect of measles/malnutrition and the empirical treatment of meningitis in resistant Haemophilus influenzae in tropical areas.

Antidiarrhoeal activity of an ethanol extract of the stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum (Caesalpiniaceae) in rats.

Piliostigma reticulatum (Caesalpiniaceae) is used in Africa as a traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis and diarrhoea. We investigated the antidiarrhoeal properties of a crude ethanol extract from the stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum (EEPR) in Wistar albino rats to substantiate its traditional use and to determine its phytochemical constituents. The antidiarrhoeal activity of the plant extract was evaluated in a castor oil-induced diarrhoea model in rats and compared with loperamide. The effect of the extract on gastrointestinal motility was also determined by the oral administration of charcoal meal and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling). EEPR showed remarkable dose-dependent antidiarrhoeal activity evidenced by a reduction of defecation frequency and change in consistency. Extracts at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced diarrhoeal faeces. EEPR also significantly inhibited gastrointestinal motility and castor oil-induced enteropooling at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, similar to the inhibition obtained in control rats treated by atropine. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols and reducing sugars in the stem bark of P. reticulatum. No mortality or visible signs of general weakness were observed in the rats following administration of the crude extract in doses up to 6000 mg/kg body weight in an acute toxicity study. Our results show that the stem bark of P. reticulatum possesses antidiarrhoeal activity and strongly suggest that its use in traditional medicine practice could be justified.