The antihypertensive and diuretic effect of crude root extract and saponins from Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., in L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., is used in Paraguayan folk medicine claiming antihypertensive and diuretic properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to determine the influence of chronic oral administration of the crude root extract and saponins obtained from S. sisymbriifolium Lam., on the blood pressure of male and female rats with hypertension induced by L-NAME, and its consequences on diuresis, the body weight, blood glucose, and level of serum parameters of liver and kidney functionality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven male, and seven female groups (8 animals each), which received as 6-week pretreatment, 0.9% saline solution (two groups; 0.1mL/10 g of b.w.), L-arginine (100.0 mg/kg/day), enalapril (15.0 mg/kg/day), crude extract (CESs 100.0 mg/kg/day), and saponin purified fraction (1.0, and 10.0 mg/kg/day), and treated with L-NAME (20 mg/kg/day/i.p.) twice, 1, and 6 h after pre-treatment. The animals' body weight, glycemia, and blood pressure were recorded weekly, while serum, hepatic, renal, and histological parameters were analyzed at the end of 6-week of treatment. RESULTS: A protective effect of CESs (100.0 mg/kg/day), and saponins (1.0, and 10.0 mg/kg/day) against hypertension induced by L-NAME was verified in the systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure values, which were significantly lower than the positive L-NAME-hypertensive control group (male and female) at the end of the 6-week treatment. Also, pretreatment with enalapril (15.0 mg/kg/day) induced an efficient protective activity, which validates the method used. Likewise, the volume of urine, creatinine, uric acid, urea, and electrolyte excretion was enhanced at the end of 6-week of treatment in concordance with the reduction in serum level of the same parameters, compatible with the improvement of the diuretic activity. The glycemia, body weight, heart rate, and functional hepato-renal parameters were not modified after a 6-week of treatment, in comparison to the control group, indicating relatively acceptable harmless properties of CESs and saponins. Interestingly, the HDL level in females was increased in contrast to male rats by chronic saponins treatment when compared with the negative control group. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that either the increment in blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and median) or cardiorenal remodeling effects in male and female rats submitted to L-NAME-induced hypertensive condition, were prevented and well-preserved without a significant variation during a period of 6-week of pretreatment with CESs and saponins pretreatments. Likewise, an important diuretic effect was revealed after this period of treatment.

No Evidence of Competition Between the Blacklegged Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) and American Dog Tick on the Rodent Host White-Footed Deermouse (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Southwestern Tennessee.

Investigations that analyze interspecific associations of vectors on their hosts are important for understanding community structure and implementing ways to comprehend mechanisms of pathogen transmission. We assessed the interspecific association of two tick species (Ixodes scapularis Say (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and Dermacentor variabilis Say (Ixodida: Ixodidae)) on the rodent host Peromyscus leucopus Rafinesque (Rodentia: Cricetidae) at the Hobart Ames Research and Education Center in southwestern Tennessee. Of the rodents captured, 95 (63%) had neither species of tick, 6 (4%) had both tick species, 25 (16%) had I. scapularis only, and 26 (17%) had D. variabilis only. A coefficient of association (C7 = -0.08) was calculated, which suggested there was competition between the two species of ectoparasites, but this value was not significant, indicating that there was a neutral relationship between the tick species on P. leucopus. The co-occurrence of both tick species on their host at the same time suggested that the two tick species can occupy the same host and use the same resources without competing.

Postanal repair--do the long-term results justify the procedure?

OBJECTIVE: Early outcomes after postanal repair (PAR) demonstrated excellent results but subsequent reports showed an ever declining success rate in maintaining continence. The aim of this study was to document long-term continence after PAR and relate this to patient satisfaction and quality of life. METHOD: Patients with neurogenic incontinence who underwent PAR from 1986 to 2002 were interviewed by telephone, utilizing a questionnaire which assessed continence, patient satisfaction, overall improvement, and quality of life. RESULTS: One-hundred one patients from four surgeons were identified. Fifty-four patients were excluded because of loss to follow-up. Three had a stoma (two for incontinence), four had undergone a graciloplasty, leaving 57 patients (F = 53), mean duration of follow-up of 9.1 years (2.2-18.7 years). Mean CCS was 11.7 (SD 7.4). 26% (n = 15) scored none to minimal incontinence (CCS 0-5), 26% moderate (CCS 6-12), and 48% (n = 27) severe incontinence (CCS 13-24). 79% (n = 45) were satisfied with the outcome. A low CCS significantly correlated with good patient satisfaction, and was influenced by high QOL score (P < 0.0001). A high CCS significantly correlated with high bowel frequency (P = 0.0007). A favourable CCS was associated with a good QOL, a shorter duration of follow-up, and being able to distinguish flatus and stool. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with neurogenic faecal incontinence selected following anorectal physiology studies, PAR remains a useful treatment. It is associated with low morbidity and results in a satisfactory long-term subjective outcome, despite the fact that many patients have a high incontinence score.

Small-mammal characteristics affect tick communities in southwestern Tennessee (USA).

Life histories can influence the degree of parasite infestations on a host. Pressures exerted on hosts based on age and sex convey varying degrees of parasite prevalence due to differences in host lifestyles, but it is not known how interactions between different host traits affect tick numbers. The objective of this study was to determine if host characteristics (e.g., age, sex, weight, and their interactions) affect the mean number of ticks found on small mammals regardless of host species or habitat. Sherman live traps were placed in forest and grass/forb habitats representative of the southeastern United States. After capture, host characteristics were recorded, and hosts were then searched for ticks. A total of 281 small mammals (148 Peromyscus leucopus, 34 P. maniculatus, 76 Sigmodon hispidus, 16 Microtus pinetorum, and 7 Ochrotomys nuttalli) and 610 ticks (488 Dermacentor variabilis, 114 Ixodes scapularis, 1 Amblyomma americanum, and 7 A. maculatum) were collected in this study. Host's age, sex, and weight affected the number of ticks collected from small mammals and significant interaction effects between host traits occurred (weight by sex, weight by age, and sex by age). For instance, female subadult rodents had significantly more ticks compared to female adults, male subadults had significantly fewer ticks compared to male adults, and the number of ticks on a host increased as host body mass increased. These results support the hypothesis that the number of ticks vary on rodent hosts based on life histories and trait interactions. Therefore, understanding the behavioral mechanisms of a host can aid in the management of parasites in the environment.

Metalloprotein and redox protein design.

Metalloprotein and redox protein design are rapidly advancing toward the chemical synthesis of novel proteins that have predictable structures and functions. Current data demonstrate a breadth of successful approaches to metallopeptide and metalloprotein design based on de novo, rational and combinatorial strategies. These sophisticated synthetic analogs of natural proteins constructively test our comprehension of metalloprotein structure/function relationships. Additionally, designed redox proteins provide novel constructs for examining the thermodynamics and kinetics of biological electron transfer.

The anxiolytic-like effects of Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) in mice.

The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the putative sedative and anxiolytic-like effects of a hydro-ethanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts of Aloysia polystachya (Verbenaceae) in male mice using several behavioural assays. Groups of male mice orally treated with doses of 1.0, 10.0 and 100.0 mg/kg of the extract did not show any significant alteration of their locomotor activity, body temperature or motor coordination. The same treatment increased the duration of the sleeping time induced by 30.0 mg/kg i.p. of sodium pentobarbital. However, the sleeping time induced by ethyl ether was not modified by the oral administration of the extract, not confirming the putative sedative effect of the plant. The ethanolic extract also significantly increased the percentage of both entries (1.0 and 100.0 mg/kg) and the time spent (10.0 and 100.0 mg/kg) into the open arms of the elevated plus maze (EPM). Nevertheless, the binding of (3)H-flunitrazepam ((3)H-FNZ) to the benzodiazepine binding site (BDZ-bs), in washed crude synaptosomal membranes from rat cerebral cortex, was not affected by the semi-purified components from Aloysia polystachya. These results indicate an anxiolytic-like profile of action for the extract of Aloysia polystachya without sedative side effect, being this activity probably mediated by other mechanism than BDZ-bs modulation at the GABA(A) receptors.

Antidepressant-like effect of Kyllinga brevifolia rhizomes in male mice and chemical characterization of the components of the active ethyl acetate fraction.

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Kyllinga brevifolia rhizomes (Cyperaceae) are used in Paraguayan traditional medicine as a refreshing beverage, and is claimed to own digestive, diuretic, sedative, tonic, antispasmodic and sudorific properties. We have previously reported that its hydro- ethanolic rhizome extract possess sedative, anxiolytic and anti-aggressive-like effects in mice. However, information on its potential for treatment of syndromes associated with mood disorders is scarce. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study is to characterize the putative antidepressant-like effects of the hydro-ethanolic extract (CEKb) and the ethyl acetate fraction (KbF-ethyl-ac) obtained from the rhizome of K. brevifolia (Rottb) on male mice exposed to forced swimming test. Also, chemical characterization of the components of the active ethyl acetate fraction was described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antidepressant-like effects of CEKb and KbF-ethyl-ac were measured using the forced swimming test (FST) performance of male mice in single (acute), short-term and chronic modalities. Treatments in all modalities were made 1h before swimming test. The KbF-ethyl-ac was analyzed by LC-DAD-ESI-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS in order to identify the active components. RESULTS: A single doses (1.0, 10.0 and 100.0mg/kg, p.o; p<0.05) of CEKb, in male mice provoked a significant reduction of the immobility time. Such effect was also observed with oral short-term treatment (7 days) with doses of 10.0 and 100.0mg/kg/day (p<0.05) of CEKb. Moreover, in the treatments during 14 days with doses of 1.0 (p<0.05), 10.0 (p<0.05), and 100.0 (p<0.001) mg/kg, p.o, of CEKb, a statistically significant reduction of the immobility time were induced. Additionally, in a different set of experiments acute dose of 1.0 (p<0.05) and 10.0 (p<0.01) mg/kg, p.o, of KbF-ethyl-ac in male mice, a significant reduction of the immobility time were provoked. Likewise, short-term treatment (7 days) with 1.0, and 10.0mg/kg (p<0.05); and after 14 days of treatment with 0.01 (p<0.01) 0.1 (p<0.001), 1.0 (p<0.001), and 10.0 (p<0.05) mg/kg of KbF-ethyl-ac in male mice, a statistically significant reduction of the immobility time, were observed. Imipramine 32mg/kg/days, i.p, induced a statistically significant reduction of immobility time and was used as positive control to validate the method employed. Moreover, it was noted important differences in the onset of the antidepressant-like effect in the FST, depending on the modality of treatment with CEKb or KbF-ethyl-ac (acute, short-term or chronic). Both, efficacy and potency were higher when repeated administration of CEKb was used, and surprisingly the efficacy of 1.0mg/kg of KbF-ethyl-ac (14 days) was similar to imipramine. The main constituents of the KbF-ethyl-ac were identified as catechins and their dimers by LC-DAD-ESI-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS, according to their UV and MS spectra, as compared with the literature data. These results indicate an important antidepressant-like profile of action for the CEKb and KbF-ethyl-ac; and meanwhile, this effect may partially reside on catechins and their dimers isolated from the KbF-ethyl-ac. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that K. brevifolia exerts antidepressant -like effects in mice and suggest its potential usefulness for the treatment of depression in humans and encourage us to pursue the isolation of the molecules associated to the effect observed in CEKb and KbF-ethyl-ac, and to determine the mechanism of antidepressant-like effect of Kyllinga brevifolia using adequate complementary test.

Chemosensitization of a multidrug-resistant Leishmania tropica line by new sesquiterpenes from Maytenus magellanica and Maytenus chubutensis.

Parasite resistance to drugs has emerged as a major problem in current medicine, and therefore, there is great clinical interest in developing compounds that overcome these resistances. In an intensive study of South American medicinal plants, herein we report the isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of dihydro-beta-agarofuran sesquiterpenes from the roots of Maytenus magellanica (1-14) and M. chubutensis (14-17). This type of natural products may be considered as privileged structures. The structures of 10 new compounds, 1, 3, 6-9, and12-15, were determined by means of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic studies, including homonuclear (COSY and ROESY) and heteronuclear correlation experiments (HMQC and HMBC). The absolute configurations of eight hetero- and homochromophoric compounds, 1, 3,6-9, 12, and 13, were determined by means of CD studies. Fourteen compounds, 1-3 and 6-16, have been tested on a multidrug-resistant Leishmania tropica line overexpressing a P-glycoprotein-like transporter to determine their ability to revert the resistance phenotype and to modulate intracellular drug accumulation. From this series, 1, 2, 3, 14, and 15 showed potent activity, 1 being the most active compound. The structure-activity relationships of the different compounds are discussed.

Interaction of 125I-labelled ceruloplasmin with human trophoblast cells in vitro.

In vitro binding, internalization and release of the plasma protein ceruloplasmin was investigated using primary cultures of human placental trophoblast cells. Binding of 125I-labelled ceruloplasmin at 4 degrees C reached equilibrium by 5-6 h; binding was linear throughout all concentrations tested (1 nM-3.3 microM). Addition of greater than 5-10 microM unlabelled ceruloplasmin or a variety of other proteins (albumin, transferrin, IgG) were equally effective in displacing bound ceruloplasmin in a concentration-dependent manner. When cells were incubated at 37 degrees C, the majority of surface-bound 125I-labelled ceruloplasmin was released directly to the extracellular medium. Trypsin-resistant radioactivity increased to 18 per cent of initially bound ceruloplasmin within 1 min, declining to 5 per cent by 2 h. The acquisition of trypsin-resistant radioactivity was unaffected by the addition of a variety of metabolic inhibitors and no evidence of intracellular degradation of ceruloplasmin was found. In summary, our results suggest that the majority of ceruloplasmin binding to trophoblast cells is nonspecific, of low affinity, and easily dissociable at 4 degrees C. Only a small amount of ceruloplasmin appeared to be internalized, by an as yet unknown mechanism.

Expression of transferrin receptors during differentiation of human placental trophoblast cells in vitro.

In most cell types, transferrin receptor expression is correlated with the proliferation rate, being increased by growth stimulation, or decreased by induction of terminal differentiation. In the human placenta the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast, in direct contact with maternal blood, is derived by differentiation from mononucleated cytotrophoblast. In this study we examined changes in transferrin receptor expression during in vitro differentiation of trophoblast. Cells cultured in Ham's/Waymouth's medium (HWM) remained primarily mononuclear throughout the study, whereas incubation in keratinocyte growth medium (KGM) led to formation of multinucleate masses within 2-3 days of culture. Cell surface binding of 125I-labelled transferrin increased fivefold between days 1-5 of culture in both media and surface receptors were saturated at 7-14 micrograms/ml (90-200 fM). At saturation, the amount of transferrin bound to syncytiotrophoblast was 37 per cent lower than in cytotrophoblast. Scatchard analysis revealed a reduction in the number of surface transferrin receptors in syncytiotrophoblast compared to cytotrophoblast. A corresponding 29 per cent reduction in the binding of transferrin to intracellular sites was observed in syncytiotrophoblast. Distribution of receptors between surface and intracellular sites was therefore similar in both cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast. The affinity of transferrin for transferrin receptors was 3.7-fold higher in syncytiotrophoblast when compared to cytotrophoblast. Observed differences between the two cell types were not due to the presence of growth factors or higher iron levels in KGM. Expression of a high number of surface transferrin receptors in syncytiotrophoblast (1.5 x 10(12)/mg protein), along with a high affinity of these receptors for iron-saturated transferrin, could help explain the efficient transport of large amounts of iron from mother to fetus.

Effect of iron on transferrin receptor expression by human placental syncytiotrophoblast cells.

Transferrin receptor expression has been examined in primary cultures of morphologically differentiated placental syncytiotrophoblast cells. More than 90% of the cells were multinucleated. Incubation of syncytiotrophoblast for 4 days in the presence of iron salts had no effect on receptor expression assessed by measuring the binding of 125I-labelled transferrin. However, incubation of cells in the presence of human diferric transferrin (10-100 microM) led to a 50% decrease in surface and intracellular receptor expression. This down-regulation was not accompanied by a significant decrease in receptor synthesis. In contrast to syncytiotrophoblast, expression of intracellular transferrin receptors in non-differentiated cytotrophoblast cells decreased when cells were cultured with iron salts; this was accompanied by decreased receptor synthesis. Addition of diferric transferrin to cytotrophoblast cells led to a 50% reduction in surface and intracellular receptor expression, similar to that seen in the syncytiotrophoblast. This reduction was accompanied by a decrease in receptor synthesis. In contrast to that of most cell types, the expression and distribution of trophoblast transferrin receptors were not altered by insulin, epidermal growth factor or hydrocortisone. These characteristics of syncytiotrophoblast transferrin receptor expression may assist in ensuring a supply of iron to the fetus regardless of the maternal iron status.

Helminth parasites of the coyote (Canis latrans) in Tennessee.

From 1980 to 1984, 267 coyotes (Canis latrans) from Tennessee were examined for helminth parasites. Hearts were examined for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis, diaphragms for Trichinella spiralis, and digestive tracts for other helminths. Six species were found including 5 nematodes (D. immitis, Physaloptera rara, Trichuris vulpis, Ancylostoma caninum, and Toxascaris leonina) and 1 cestode (Taenia pisiformis). Univariate and multivariate statistical techniques were used to assess parasite prevalence and intensity. For prevalence data, a matrix of correlation among characters was computed, and the first 3 principal components were extracted from the original distance matrix. These accounted for 93.7% of the variation in the character set. Three-dimensional projections of localities showed spatial variability on each component. Significant relationships were found between principal component I and longitude, component II and latitude and mean January temperature, and component III and mean July precipitation and mean January actual evapotranspiration. For intensity data, no spatial variability was determined.

Winter ecology of ectoparasites collected from hibernating Myotis velifer (Allen) in southwestern Oklahoma (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae.

During the winter of 1971-72, Trichobius major, T, corynorhini, Mydopsylla collinsi, Macronyssus crosbyi, M. unidens, Paraspinturnix globosus, Spinturnix carloshoffmani, Ornithodoros sp., Albeckia senase, Nycteriglyphus sp. A, and Olabidocarpus sp. were quantitatively collected from hibernating Myotis velifer, Plecotus townsendii, and Pipistrellus subflavus. Significantly greater numbers of S. carloshoffmani and M. crosbyi were found on female M. velifer, while greater numbers of P. globosus were found on males. With the exception of T. major and P. globosus which were radomly distributed, all ectoparasites exhibited a contagious distribution on M. velifer. Only T. major and S. carloshoffmani had a 1:1 sex ratio, the remaining species had significantly fewer males. M. unidens, M. crosbyi, and N. species A were positively associated, while M. collinsi was negatively associated with both Macronyssus; the remaining species were not signficantly associated. With the exception of T. major and P. globosus, ectoparasite densities decreased during the winter.

Geographic variation in helminth parasites from the digestive tract of Tennessee raccoons, Procyon lotor.

The stomachs and intestinal tracts of 253 raccoons, Procyon lotor, were examined for helminth parasites. Sixteen species of helminths were found including eight trematodes, two cestodes, five nematodes, and one acanthocephalan. Fourteen of these helminths are new geographic records for the state of Tennessee. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyze two-state and multistate character sets. Matrices of correlation among characters were computed and the first three principal components were extracted, accounting for 79.7% and 66.5% of the variation in the respective character sets. Three-dimensional projections of Tennessee's eight geographic localities onto two-state and multistate principal components demonstrated that raccoons in western localities were parasitized most heavily by Atriotaenia procyonis. Mesocestoides variabilis, Gnathostoma procyonis, and Pharyngostomoides procyonis. Parallelorchis diglossus, Euparyphium beaveri. Eurytrema procyonis, Euryhelmis squamala, Molineus barbatus, and Macracanthorhynchus ingens were most common to P. lotor from eastern areas.

Do patients assess rectal bleeding accurately?

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of a patient's assessment of the volume of blood passed per rectum is unknown. The aim of the present study was to compare subjective estimations with known amounts of blood. METHODS: Thirty subjects (10 patients, 10 nurses and 10 doctors) made a visual estimation of four volumes of blood (0.25 mL, 10 mL, 50 mL, 200 mL), each placed in a standardized way into a toilet bowl. Subjects gave their estimations in mL, and also by drawing a line on a cup at the level to which they estimated that the amount of blood would fill the cup. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student's t-test. Multiple comparisons were analysed by anova. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in their estimations of each of the four volumes. Each group made a statistically significant overestimation for the 0.25 mL, 10 mL and 50 mL volumes with cup marking, as well as with estimation in mL (except for patients with the 50 mL volume, where there was a non-significant overestimation). For the 200 mL volume, patients and doctors made statistically significant underestimations with cup marking, but for nurses the underestimation did not reach significance. For the 200 mL volume estimations in mL, both nurses and doctors made underestimations that were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Small to moderate amounts of blood in the toilet bowl are subjectively significantly overestimated, whereas larger volumes tend to be underestimated. This may have implications for the management of patients presenting with rectal bleeding.

Hematology, intestinal parasites, and selected disease antibodies from a population of bobcats (Felis rufus) in central Arkansas.

Eight bobcats with adjoining or overlapping home ranges were examined. Hematological values were within previously reported ranges. Six bobcats demonstrated antibody titers to Toxoplasma gondii. Isospora spp., Taenia taeniaeformis, Spirometra mansoides, Physoloptera rara, Toxocara cati, Strongyloides spp., Trichurus spp., Capillaria spp., and Ancyclostoma spp. were found also in the animals examined. The mean number of parasite species per host was 4.1. All bobcats tested negative for serum antibodies to Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii). Two bobcats had titers less than or equal to 1:20 for tularemia (Francisiella tularensis), and two were positive for leptospirosis (Leptospira spp.).

A comparison of nine WAIS-R short forms in individuals with mild to severe traumatic brain injury.

Scores from nine WAIS-R short forms were calculated for a sample of 75 adults with mild to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although all nine of the short forms were significantly correlated with the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ, three of the short forms (Vocabulary-Block Design; Vocabulary-Block Design-Arithmetic-Similarities; Vocabulary-Arithmetic-Picture Arrangement-Block Design) significantly overestimated the WAIS-R IQ and thus may be inappropriate to use with this population. The remaining six short forms did not differ significantly from the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ. Among these six, Ward s seven-subtest short form appeared to exhibit the least variability in predicting the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ. Information is presented and discussed regarding the absolute difference scores between short form IQ estimates and the WAIS-R as well as the proportion of short forms which significantly under- and overestimate the Full Scale IQ.

Antihypertensive effect of nuatigenin-3-O-ß-chacotriose from Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. (Solanaceae) (ñuatî pytâ) in experimentally hypertensive (ARH+DOCA) rats under chronic administration.

The aim of the study is to assess the hypotensive properties of the hydro-ethanolic crude root extract (CRE), the n-butanol fraction (F(BtOH)) and nuatigenin-3-O-ß-chacotriose, from Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., in adrenal regeneration hypertension+deoxycorticosterone acetate (ARH+DOCA) rats, following a chronic administration. The roots of S. sisymbriifolium Lam. (Solanaceae) were extracted by reflux with ethanol-water 7:3 and the active extract was fractionated by bioassay-guided liquid-liquid separation. Nuatigenin-3-O-ß-chacotriose (B(3-1)) was identified as the main hypotensive compound from the crude drug by spectroscopic methods. Immature Wistar rats of both sexes were submitted to both surgery and deoxycorticosterone acetate treatment to obtain adrenal regeneration hypertensive rats (ARH+DOCA). Different groups of experimentally induced hypertensive rats were randomly allotted and received during 16 weeks a daily oral administration of 1% saline solution (0.1 mL/100g body weigh), 100.0 mg/kg of CRE, 10.0, 30.0 and 50.0 mg/kg of F(BtOH), and 1.0 mg/kg of B(3-1), respectively. In addition, two groups of ARH+DOCA rats were randomly assigned to receive either B(3-1) (1.0 mg/kg/day) or 1% of saline solution (0.1 mL/100g body weight/day) for 7 weeks and then a cross over procedure was performed in order to complete the 16th-week treatment. After 16 weeks of oral administration of crude root extract (CRE), butanolic fraction (F(BtOH)) and nuatigenin-3-O-ß-chacotriose (B(3-1)) a significant reduction of blood pressure value was induced in hypertensive animals (ARH+DOCA) in comparison to the control group receiving 1% saline solution, at the end of experiment. Administration of B(3-1) (1.0 mg/kg/day p.o.) to ARH+DOCA rats provoked a significant reduction of blood pressure, observed gradually from 5th week (p<0.05) to the end of the 16th week period of treatment (p<0.01). Moreover, in a cross over design it was observed that the reduction of blood pressure to normotensive condition is associated to B(3-1). The latest demonstrated that the blood pressure-lowering effect, in clearly hypertensive animals, is reversible and depend upon administration of nuatigenin-3-O-ß-chacotriose (B(3-1)). Our results demonstrated that daily oral administration of CRE, F(BtOH) and nuatigenin-3-O-ß-chacotriose from S. sisymbriifolium for a 16-week period exhibits an antihypertensive effect in experimentally hypertensive (ARH+DOCA) rats.

The antidepressant-like effects of Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) in mice.

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the putative antidepressant-like effects of a hydro-ethanolic extract (CEAp) and their fractions from the aerial parts of Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) on the performance of male mice in the forced swimming test (FST). A single dose (100.0mg/kgp.o.) of CEAp, in male mice provoked a significant reduction of the immobility time (p<0.01). Such effect was also observed with short-term treatment (7 days) with single doses of 1.0 (p<0.01), 10.0 (p<0.05) and 100.0 (p<0.05)mg/kg/day of CEAp. Additionally, in a different set of experiments, repeated administration in a 24-h period (24, 18 and 1h before swimming test) with doses of 1.0 (p<0.05) and 10.0 (p<0.05)mg/kg p.o., of CEAp and 10.0mg/kgp.o., (p<0.05) of ethyl acetate fraction, provoked significant reduction of the immobility time of male mice in the FST. Moreover, it was noted important differences in the onset of the antidepressant-like effect in the FST, depending on the modality of treatment with CEAp (acute, short-term or repeated). Both, efficacy and potency were higher when repeated administration of CEAp was used, and surprisingly the dose of 10mg/kg (24, 18 and 1h before swimming test) was more effective than imipramine. In the same way, the short term administration (7 days) improved significantly efficacy and potency of the CEAp in comparison to a single dose treatment. The ethyl acetate fraction submitted to TLC demonstrated that main and minor components are phenolics and terpenes, respectively. In addition, this fraction gives a negative Shinoda's test for flavonoids. These results indicate an antidepressant-like profile of action for the hydro-ethanolic extract and the component(s) of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from A. polystachya, which deserve further investigation.

Sacral nerve stimulation induces pan-colonic propagating pressure waves and increases defecation frequency in patients with slow-transit constipation.

OBJECTIVE: Colonic propagating sequences are important for normal colonic transit and defecation. The frequency of these motor patterns is reduced in slow-transit constipation. Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a useful treatment for fecal and urinary incontinence. A high proportion of these patients have also reported altered bowel function. The effects of SNS on colonic propagating sequences in constipation are unknown. Our aims were to evaluate the effect of SNS on colonic pressure patterns and evaluate its therapeutic potential in severe constipation. METHOD: In eight patients with scintigraphically confirmed slow-transit constipation, a manometry catheter (16 recording sites at 7.5 cm intervals) was positioned colonoscopically and the tip fixed in the caecum. Temporary electrodes (Medtronic) were implanted in the S2 and S3 sacral nerve foramina under general anaesthesia. In the fasted state, 14 Hz stimulation was administered and four sets of parameters (pulse width 300 or 400 micros; S2 and S3) were tested in four 2-h epochs, in random order, over 2 days. Patients were then discharged home with the sacral wires in situ and a 3-week trial stimulation commenced during which patients completed a daily stool diary. RESULTS: When compared with basal activity, electrical stimulation to S3 significantly increased pan-colonic antegrade propagating sequence (PS) frequency (5.4 +/- 4.2 vs 11.3 +/- 6.6 PS/h; P=0.01). Stimulation at S2 significantly increased retrograde PSs (basal 2.6 +/- 1.8 vs SNS 5.6 +/- 4.8 PS/h; P=0.03). During the subsequent three-week trial (continuous stimulation), six of eight reported increased bowel frequency with a reduction in laxative usage. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that SNS induces pan-colonic propagating pressure waves and therefore shows promise as a potential therapy for severe refractory constipation.