ABSTRACT
Lithium has been used for the last five decades to treat bipolar disorder, but the molecular basis of its therapeutic effect is unknown. Phosphoglucomutase is a key enzyme in the metabolism of glycogen. In yeast, rabbit and human HEK293 cells, it is inhibited by lithium in the therapeutic concentration range. We measured the phosphoglucomutase activity in erythrocytes and the inhibitor constant for lithium in a population of healthy subjects and compared them to those of bipolar patients treated with lithium or carbamazepine. The specific activity of phosphoglucomutase measured in vitro in erythrocytes from control subjects presented a normal distribution, with the difference between the lowest and the highest activity being approximately 2-fold (0.53-1.10 nmol mg Hb-1 min-1). Comparison of phosphoglucomutase activity in untreated bipolar patients and control subjects showed no significant difference, whereas comparison between bipolar patients treated with carbamazepine or lithium revealed significantly lower mean values in patients treated with carbamazepine (747.3 +/- 27.6 vs 879.5 +/- 35.9 pmol mg Hb-1 min-1, respectively). When we studied the concentration of lithium needed to inhibit phosphoglucomutase activity by 50%, a bimodal distribution among the population tested was obtained. The concentration of LiCl needed to inhibit phosphoglucomutase activity by 50% was 0.35 to 1.8 mM in one group of subjects and in the other it was 3 to 4 mM. These results suggest that phosphoglucomutase activity may be significant in patients with bipolar disorder treated with lithium and carbamazepine.
Subject(s)
Antimanic Agents/therapeutic use , Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy , Carbamazepine/therapeutic use , Erythrocytes/enzymology , Lithium Compounds/therapeutic use , Phosphoglucomutase/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Antimanic Agents/pharmacology , Bipolar Disorder/enzymology , Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale , Carbamazepine/pharmacology , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Lithium Compounds/pharmacology , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The postoperative complications of Chagasic megaesophagus were studied in 250 Chagasic patients referred to the Gastroenterology Clinic of Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The treatment was balloon dilatation in 45 (18.0%), myotomy and cardioplasty in 63 (25.2%), Merendino's surgery in 139 (55.6%), esophagogastroplasty in 2 (0.8%) and esophagocoloplasty in 1 (0.4%). There were 125 (50%) early and 30 (12%) late postoperative complications, and in 65 patients (26%) recurrent dysphagia was noted: nineteen (7.6%) after myotomy and cardioplasty, 9 (3.6%) after Merendino's operation and 37 (14.8%) after balloon dilatation. Eighty-five patients (34%) needed reoperations either to correct recurrent dysphagia (56 patients, 22.4%) or to treat other complications (29 patients, 11.6%). The reoperations to correct the 19 recurrences after myotomy and cardioplasty were Merendino's operation (12 patients, 4.8%), forceful dilatation (1 patient, 0.4%), forceful dilatation followed by Merendino's (2 patients, 0.8%), another myotomy (2 patients, 0.8%), myotomy followed by Merendino and balloon dilatation (1 patient, 0.4%) or esophagogastroplasty (1 patient, 0.4%). The recurrences after dilatation were treated by myotomy (15 cases, 6%), Merendino's operation (12 cases, 4.8%) and myotomy followed by Merendino's (3 cases, 1.2%). After Merendino seven reoperations (2.8%) were done: reduction of interposed loop (6 cases, 2.4%) and esophagocoloplasty (1 case, 0.4%). The time elapsed between the first operation and reoperation or dilatation varied from a few weeks to 18 years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Subject(s)
Chagas Disease/complications , Esophageal Achalasia/etiology , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Brazil/epidemiology , Catheterization/statistics & numerical data , Chagas Disease/epidemiology , Chagas Disease/mortality , Chagas Disease/surgery , Esophageal Achalasia/epidemiology , Esophageal Achalasia/mortality , Esophageal Achalasia/surgery , Esophagus/surgery , Humans , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Postoperative Complications/mortality , Recurrence , Time FactorsABSTRACT
There are very few reports on the microbiota of the digestive tract of sand flies, an important omission considering that blood is not the only meal ingested. Male and female sand flies obtain sugar meals from several sources, thereby increasing their chance of infection with microorganisms. Chances of contamination are higher when insects are bred in the laboratory, and this may affect the development of Leishmania spp. From the digestive tract of 300 sand fly females separated in two groups we isolated 10 species of bacteria in group 1 and 8 species in group 2. In group 1, Enterobacteriaceae of the following genera were identified: Serratia, Enterobacter, and Yokenella and the non-fermenters: Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Stenotrophomonas. In group 2, the Enterobacteriaceae Enterobacter and Serratia were identified as well as the non-fermenters Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Burkolderia, and Pseudomonas.
Subject(s)
Digestive System/microbiology , Malpighian Tubules/microbiology , Psychodidae/microbiology , Animals , Blood , Carbohydrates , Female , FoodABSTRACT
RESUMO A espécie Solidago chilensis Meyen, Asteraceae é conhecida como erva-lanceta ou arnica-brasileira, sendo utilizada popularmente como antimicrobiana e para o tratamento de inflamações tópicas. No entanto, estudos fitoquímicos e farmacológicos para as partes aéreas são escassos. Neste trabalho, realizou-se a determinação de flavonoides por espectrofotometria de UV/Vis, prospecção fitoquímica da fração acetato de etila visando o isolamento do constituinte químico majoritário e validação analítica por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). O teor de flavonoides totais foi de 5,42%, representados como hiperosídeo. O fracionamento químico utilizando métodos cromatográficos (cromatografia líquida em coluna gel de sílica; CHCl3:EtOH; 8:2 v/v) e espectroscópicos (1H RMN,13C RMN e ESI-MS) revelou o isolamento de quercetina-3-O-α-L-ramnosídeo(quercitrina). A sensibilidade e a linearidade (r = 0,999) da validação analítica, utilizando a quercitrina isolada do extrato hidroalcoólico da planta, revelaram um rendimento de 5,29% do analito em relação à droga vegetal. Precisão, recuperação e robustez, além dos valores estabelecidos para os limites de detecção (LOD) e de quantificação (LOQ), poderão ser utilizados como parâmetros de qualidade para extratos à base de S. chilensis.
ABSTRACT The species Solidago chilensis Meyen Asteraceae, known as “erva-lanceta” or “Brazilian arnica”, is popularly used as an antimicrobial and topical treatment for inflammations. However, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of its aerial parts are scarce. In this study, flavonoids were determined by UV/Vis spectrophotometry and phytochemical screening of the ethyl acetate fraction with the goal of isolating the major chemical constituent and analytically validating it through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total flavonoid content was 5.42%, represented as hyperoside. Chemical fractionation using chromatographic (liquid chromatography in column of silica gel, CHCl3:EtOH, 8:2 v/v) and spectroscopic methods (1H RMN, 13C RMN, and ESI-MS) revealed the isolation of quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (quercitrin). The sensitivity and linearity (r = 0.999) using the isolated quercitrin of the hydroalcoholic extract of the plant revealed a yield of 5.29% of analyte in relation to the plant. Precision, recovery, and robustness, as well as values set for the limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) can be used as quality parameters for extracts based on S. chilensis.
Subject(s)
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Validation Study , Solidago/classification , FlavonoidsABSTRACT
RESUMO As úlceras pépticas são decorrentes de um desequilíbrio entre os agentes agressores endógenos, exógenos e agentes protetores. Neste estudo avaliou-se a atividade antiulcerogênica in vivo para o extrato aquoso de Salviaofficinalis (EAS). Após os tratamentos (n = 6; v.o) com o controle (C) água; pantoprazol (30 mg/kg) e EAS (100, 250 e 400 mg/kg, respectivamente) os ratos receberam uma solução de HCl 0,3 M em etanol 60% (v.o) e realizaram-se avaliações morfológicas dos estômagos por meio de uma tabela de escores de lesão (ANOVA; one way e Tukey). EAS (400 mg/kg) apresentou atividade antiulcerogênica (31,47%) semelhante ao pantoprazol (33,83%) em comparação (p<0,0001) com o grupo C. A análise fitoquímica por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência revelou uma elevada concentração de ácido rosmarínico (3,53%) para EAS. Os flavonoides (0,25%) e os fenóis totais (309,0 EAG) foram quantificados por espectrofotometria de UV/Vis. EAS e ácido rosmarínico apresentaram elevadas atividades antioxidantes por DPPH (Concentração Efetiva 50%-CE50 9,2 e 0,7 mg/mL, respectivamente) justificando pelo menos em parte, o efeito antiulcerogênico do extrato.
ABSTRACT Peptic ulcers are caused by an unbalance among endogenous, exogenous damaging agents and protective agents. In this study we evaluated the in vivo antiulcerogenic activity for the aqueous extract of Salvia officinalis (EAS). After treatments (n = 6; v.o) with control (C) water; pantoprazole (30 mg/kg) and EAS (100, 250 and 400 mg/kg, respectively) the rats received a 0.3 M HCl solution in ethanol 60% (v.o) and it were performed morphological evaluations of the stomachs through the use of a table of injury scores (ANOVA, one way and Tukey). The EAS (400 mg/kg) showed an antiulcerogenic activity (32.53%). Similar to the pantoprazole (29.91%), in comparison with (p<0.0001) the group C. The phytochemical analysis through high performance liquid chromatography revealed high acid rosmarinic (3.53%) for the EAS. The flavonoids (0.25%) and the total phenolics (GAE 309.0) were quantified by spectrophotometry UV/Vis. The EAS and the rosmarinic acid exhibited elevated antioxidant activities by DPPH (Effective Concentration 50% -EC50 9.2 and 0.7 mg/mL, respectively,) at least partially explaining the antiulcerogenic effect of the extract.
Subject(s)
Ulcer/complications , Plant Extracts/analysis , Salvia/metabolism , Polyphenols/pharmacokinetics , Antioxidants/classificationABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: With the advent of surfactant, prenatal corticosteroids (PNC) and advances in technology, the survival rate of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants has improved dramatically. Rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) vary widely among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and many studies using multiple interventions have shown some improvement in BPD rates. Implementing potentially better practices to reduce BPD has been an effort made over the last few decades. AIM: To compare five Portuguese NICUs in terms of clinical practices in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, in order to develop better practices to prevent BPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 256 preterm neonates, gestational age (GA) <30 weeks and/or birthweight (BW) <1250g admitted to five Portuguese NICUs (centers 1 to 5) between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2006, were studied. VLBW infants with major malformations, grade IV intraventricular haemorrhage in the first week of life and metabolic or neuromuscular disease were excluded. BPD was defined as oxygen dependency at 36 weeks of postconceptional age. We considered a practice to be improved as clinically significant whenever a decrease greater than 10% in the prevalence of BPD adjusted for the practice, GA and BW was achieved compared to BPD prevalence adjusted only for GA and BW. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of BPD was 12.9%. Our results revealed that PNC use should be improved in centers 4 and 5; fluid policy in center 4; oxygen therapy and sepsis prevention in centers 1 and 2. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treatment should be improved in center 2. CONCLUSION: The implementation of potentially better practices to reduce lung injury in neonates in Portuguese NICUs, according to each NICU, must be addressed to increase the prescription of PNC, to use a lower FiO2, to be careful with fluid administration in the first weeks of life and to prevent PDA and sepsis. It is necessary to follow guidelines, recommendations or protocols to improve quality in the prevention of BPD.
Subject(s)
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/prevention & control , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Very Low Birth Weight , Male , PortugalABSTRACT
The appearance of the superficial liposuction technique has permitted the surgeon to advance in his indications for treating localized lipodystrophy, without skin resection. With the cutaneous retraction phenomenon that follows superficial liposuction, pendulous abdomen, which was once treated by classical dermolipectomies, can now be treated with liposuction alone, obtaining satisfactory results. The authors recommend this form of treatment for patients with pendulous abdomen and with good skin quality, with few or no stretch marks, and with little or no diastasis of the rectoabdominal musculature.
Subject(s)
Abdominal Muscles/surgery , Lipectomy/methods , Lipodystrophy/surgery , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Lithium has been used for the last five decades to treat bipolar disorder, but the molecular basis of its therapeutic effect is unknown. Phosphoglucomutase is a key enzyme in the metabolism of glycogen. In yeast, rabbit and human HEK293 cells, it is inhibited by lithium in the therapeutic concentration range. We measured the phosphoglucomutase activity in erythrocytes and the inhibitor constant for lithium in a population of healthy subjects and compared them to those of bipolar patients treated with lithium or carbamazepine. The specific activity of phosphoglucomutase measured in vitro in erythrocytes from control subjects presented a normal distribution, with the difference between the lowest and the highest activity being approximately 2-fold (0.53-1.10 nmol mg Hb-1 min-1). Comparison of phosphoglucomutase activity in untreated bipolar patients and control subjects showed no significant difference, whereas comparison between bipolar patients treated with carbamazepine or lithium revealed significantly lower mean values in patients treated with carbamazepine (747.3 ± 27.6 vs 879.5 ± 35.9 pmol mg Hb-1 min-1, respectively). When we studied the concentration of lithium needed to inhibit phosphoglucomutase activity by 50 percent, a bimodal distribution among the population tested was obtained. The concentration of LiCl needed to inhibit phosphoglucomutase activity by 50 percent was 0.35 to 1.8 mM in one group of subjects and in the other it was 3 to 4 mM. These results suggest that phosphoglucomutase activity may be significant in patients with bipolar disorder treated with lithium and carbamazepine.