Diuretic activity and toxicity study of the aqueous extract of Cola nitida seed on markers of renal function and electrolytes in rats.

BackgroundCola nitida is a plant, conventionally used in Africa in the treatment of various ailments such as migraine, morning sickness and indigestion. The aim of the present study was to explore the diuretic activity of the aqueous extract of C. nitida seed (AECONS) and alteration caused by its subchronic administration on the structure and function of the kidney of male Wistar rats. MethodsThe study was divided into diuretic and subchronic studies. Twenty-five male Wistar rats weighing between 140 and 180 g were divided into five groups of five rats each. The first 24 h of this study investigated the possible diuretic activity of C. nitida seed. Group I (the control) received 25 mL/kg of normal saline. Group II (the standard) received 20 mg/kg/day of furosemide. Groups III, IV, V received 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg/day of AECONS, respectively, and orally. Urine volume, pH, specific gravity and electrolytes were estimated in the samples of urine collected after 6 h of the study. From the second day onward and up to a period of 4 weeks, the rats in each group were given normal saline, furosemide and AECONS once daily as was done on the first day. At the end of the 4-week treatment period, blood and urine samples were collected for the determination of creatinine, urea, Na+, K+ and Cl- concentrations. Results The results of the diuretic study showed that the AECONS at all doses used and furosemide produced a significant increase in urine output with respect to the control group. AECONS also induced a significant increase in the urine concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl- in the experimental and standard groups when compared with the control group, except for group III which showed no significant variation in K+ concentration. In the subchronic study, AECONS caused a significant increase in the urine levels of Na+, K+, Cl- in the experimental and standard groups when compared with the control rats. The plasma Na+ concentration of groups IV and V was significantly lower than that of the control group. Photomicrographs of the kidneys of the experimental and standard groups revealed no significant alterations in the histology of their kidney tissues. Conclusions It is concluded that AECONS induced diuresis which is associated with increased Na+, K+ and Cl- loss in rats without any significant alteration in the structure of their kidneys.

Diuretic and anti-diuretic activities of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of Alismatis rhizoma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Alismatis rhizoma or Alisma orientale (Zexie in Chinese), the dried rhizome of Alisma orientale Juzepzuk (Alismataceae), is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and is used as an agent for diuresis and for excreting dampness in Asia and Europe. In this paper, we report the diuretic activities of the ethanol extract (EE) and the aqueous extract (AE) of A. rhizoma (AR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The EE and AE were orally administered to rats. The urinary excretion rate and pH, and electrolyte excretion were measured in the urine of saline-loaded rats. RESULTS: The results showed that EE could increase the urine output at 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg doses but decrease the urine output at 20, 40 and 80mg/kg doses compared with the control group. The 5 and 10mg/kg doses of EE increased the urine electrolyte excretion, but the effects on Na(+)/K(+) values were too weak to reach statistical significance. The Na(+) excretion and Cl(-) excretion were markedly decreased with the 20, 40 and 80mg/kg doses of EE, but the effect on K(+) excretion was notably slight. All of the tested doses of AE produced an increase in urinary excretion, but the increase did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified that EE but not AE presents a notable diuretic effect, and EE had diuretic and anti-diuretic effects, which appears to be related to the sodium-chloride co-transporter in the renal distal convoluting tubule. This study demonstrated for the first time that the EE of AR has a dual effect on renal function, including promotion of diuretic activity at lower doses and inhibiting diuretic activity at higher doses, and the AR dose should be given more attention in clinical applications. This study will play a critical and guiding role in the dosing of AR as a diuretic drug in clinical applications.

Quantitative evaluation of renal function in healthy Beagle puppies and mature dogs.

Daily urinary collection and assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow were performed in ten 2-month-old Beagle puppies and ten 6-9 year-old Beagle dogs to identify age-associated differences in renal function. The most striking differences in puppies compared to mature dogs were a higher daily urinary volume (+65%), GFR (+87%), free water reabsorption (+159%), a lower daily protein excretion (-88%), and fractional excretion of phosphorus (-35%). Renal function in Beagle puppies, but not mature dogs, was also quite different compared to data published in younger adult dogs.

Quantitative urinalysis in healthy Beagle puppies from 9 to 27 weeks of age.

UNLABELLED: To evaluate indices of renal function in healthy, growing Beagle puppies from 9 to 27 weeks of age and to determine whether indices change with age during this period. Animals-6 healthy Beagle puppies. PROCEDURE: Urine collections were performed at 2-week intervals in puppies 9 to 27 weeks old. Daily excretion of urinary creatinine, protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, and calcium were determined, as were quantitative urinalyses including endogenous creatinine clearance, urine protein-to-creatinine ratios (UPr/C), and fractional clearances of sodium (FNa), potassium (FK), chloride (FCI), calcium (FCa), and phosphorus (FP). RESULTS: Significant differences among age groups were detected for endogenous creatinine clearance, and daily urinary protein, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus excretion. Significant differences also existed among age groups for UPr/C, FNa, FK, FCI and FP. Age-related effects fit a linear regression model for FNa, UPr/C, daily phosphorus excretion, and daily protein excretion. Quadratic regression models were judged most appropriate for endogenous creatinine clearance, FK, daily chloride excretion, and daily potassium excretion. Endogenous creatinine clearance measurements higher than adult reference ranges were observed from 9 to 21 weeks of age. The FNa, FK, FCI, FCa, and FP were slightly higher than those reported for adult dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Selected results of quantitative urinalyses in healthy 9- to 27-week-old Beagle puppies differ with age and differ from those measured in adult dogs. Diagnostic measurements performed in puppies of this age range should be compared with age-matched results when possible.

The effect of combined oestrogen and progesterone replacement on the renal responses to oxytocin and vasopressin in ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: Renal responsiveness to the neurohypophyseal hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, has been shown in the rat to vary during pregnancy and lactation. A study was performed to determine whether ovarian steroids could contribute to the observed changes. DESIGN: Using a previously validated method, fluid excretion during infusion of oxytocin or vasopressin was monitored in ovariectomized animals with and without chronic administration of oestrogen and progesterone. METHODS: After 14 days treatment with vehicle or 12.5 mg hydroxyprogesterone caproate and 0.25 mg oestradiol valerate injected every 3 days, rats were infused with 0.077 mol/l NaCl for an equilibration period of approximately 2.5h. Timed urine collections for the determination of volume and electrolytes were then made during a control period of at least 45 min and for 60 min while the infusate was supplemented with vasopressin (40 fmol/min) or oxytocin (50 fmol/min). Further observations were made for a final 90 min of hypotonic saline infusion. In control infusions saline alone was given. RESULTS: Treatment with ovarian steroids did not affect the volume of urine excreted during hormone infusion. Electrolyte excretion, however, was affected with lower concentrations of sodium and chloride on oxytocin infusion being seen in the steroid-treated animals. During vasopressin infusion, peak electrolyte concentrations were also achieved later in this group of animals. CONCLUSION: The increased circulating concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone seen during pregnancy could contribute to variations in the natriuretic response to neurohypophyseal hormones observed in the rat.

Comportamiento endocrino-metabólico de las fracturas de tercio medio facial / Endocrine and metabolic behavior of the fractures of the medial facial third

Se valoran los resultados del comportamiento endocrino-metabólico en 40 pacientes con fracturas del tercio medio facial: 10 nasales, 20 maxilomalares, 2 Lefort I, 4 Lefort II y 4 Lefort III. Según el sexo, 34 pacientes correspondieron al sexo masculino y 6 al femenino. Cuantificamos en orina (muestras de 24 horas): cloruro, sodio, potasio, urea y creatinina; en el ionograma en sangre: cloro, sodio, y potasio; en la química sanguínea: glucosa, clacio, fósforo, urea y creatinina y hemograma con diferencial. Estas muestras se cuantificaron al llegar el paciente, a las 72 horas y a las 24 horas del posoperatorio inmediato. En todos los pacientes estudiados se mantuvo la estabilidad endocrino-metabólica, con excepción de aquéllos portadores de Lefort I, II y III, los cuales en la última muestra tomada presentaron alteraciones del sodio y potasio en el ionograma de orina y sangre (AU)

Comportamiento endocrino-metabólico de las fracturas de tercio medio facial / Endocrine and metabolic behavior of the fractures of the medial facial third

Se valoran los resultados del comportamiento endocrino-metabólico en 40 pacientes con fracturas del tercio medio facial: 10 nasales, 20 maxilomalares, 2 Lefort I, 4 Lefort II y 4 Lefort III. Según el sexo, 34 pacientes correspondieron al sexo masculino y 6 al femenino. Cuantificamos en orina (muestras de 24 horas): cloruro, sodio, potasio, urea y creatinina; en el ionograma en sangre: cloro, sodio, y potasio; en la química sanguínea: glucosa, clacio, fósforo, urea y creatinina y hemograma con diferencial. Estas muestras se cuantificaron al llegar el paciente, a las 72 horas y a las 24 horas del posoperatorio inmediato. En todos los pacientes estudiados se mantuvo la estabilidad endocrino-metabólica, con excepción de aquéllos portadores de Lefort I, II y III, los cuales en la última muestra tomada presentaron alteraciones del sodio y potasio en el ionograma de orina y sangre

Urinary indices of horses after intravenous administration of crystalloid solutions.

Saline or glucose solution was infused for approximately 4 hours into six healthy mares in two separate experiments to determine the effect of infusion of crystalloid solutions on fractional excretion (FE) of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P), ratio of urinary creatinine to serum creatinine (UCr/SCr), and ratio of urinary osmolality to serum osmolality (Uosm/Sosm). After intravenous infusion of either saline or glucose solution, FENa, FECl and FEP were significantly increased, whereas UCr/SCr and Uosm/Sosm were significantly decreased. In addition, FEK was significantly increased after infusion of glucose solution. It was concluded that urinary indices were altered by intravenous infusion of crystalloid solutions in healthy mares and that fluid therapy may interfere with the use of these indices for diagnostic purposes.

Role of endogenous atrial natriuretic factor in the regulation of fetal cardiovascular and renal function.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether endogenous atrial natriuretic factor participates in the maintenance of normal vascular pressure and renal function in ovine fetuses at 128 to 130 days' gestation. Circulating atrial natriuretic factor in the fetus was immunoneutralized by an intravenous bolus injection of an atrial natriuretic factor antiserum at a dilution of 1:2000 (low dose, n = 7) or 1:400 (high dose, n = 6). In the high-dose group, plasma atrial natriuretic factor concentration was significantly reduced by 65 +/- 14 pg/ml from basal levels of 165 +/- 12 pg/ml within 10 minutes and remained reduced for the 90-minute period after the injection. Fetal arterial pressure acutely and transiently decreased, but at 50 minutes arterial pressure increased and was elevated for the remainder of the experiment. Urine flow and urinary excretion rates of sodium, potassium, and chloride were reduced within 10 minutes after the injection. Urine flow rate was suppressed for as long as plasma atrial natriuretic factor concentrations were reduced. Fetuses in the low-dose and control groups showed no significant change in cardiovascular or renal function. In response to atrial natriuretic factor antiserum injection, plasma angiotensin II concentrations were increased, whereas plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations were unchanged. These results suggest that endogenous atrial natriuretic factor is involved in the maintenance of arterial pressure and urinary excretion in the ovine fetus.

[Study of two goitrous endemic areas in Niger: Belley-Koira and Tiguey-Tallawal]. / Etude de deux foyers d'endémie goitreuse au Niger: Belley-Koira et Tiguey-Tallawal.

The present work reports the clinical and laboratory findings in two endemic areas in Niger: Tiguey-Tallawal and Belley-Koira. The goitrous subjects (n = 293), mainly children and adolescents, have clinical evidence of euthyroidism but with biological criteria of hypothyroidism in 25% of cases as shown by the decrease of the total serum T4 and the increase of serum TSH. Iodine deficiency intake evaluated by the determination of urinary iodine in single urine specimens is the permissive and main factor for goiter endemicity = 14 +/- 7 micrograms/l in Belley-Koira (n = 99), 26 +/- 23 micrograms/l in Tiguey (n = 155) and 25 +/- 19 micrograms/l in Tallawal (n = 95). The single intramuscular injection of iodized oil (240 mg of iodine) constitutes an extremely effective way of correcting iodine deficiency: decrease of volume or disappearance of goiter among 291 subjects out of 362 i.e. 80%, twelve months after the injection. The diffuse goiter, more numerous (n = 270) than nodular goiter (n = 92) are corrected with more efficiency (85% versus 50%). We also noted that non goitrous subjects living in these two endemic areas show a severe iodine deficiency (urinary iodine: 33 +/- 18 mu/l; n = 70 = 76) while those living in non endemic areas present a moderate or a low iodine deficiency, respectively in Niamey (urinary iodine: 48 +/- 36 micrograms/l; n = 200) and in Tamou (urinary iodine: 80 +/- 29 micrograms/l; n = 69). Severe, moderate and low iodine deficiency seem to be correlated with nutritional habits: mil in endemic areas, mil and meat in Niamey and mil, meat, milk and fish in Tamou. The nutriments eaten in Niger have a low iodine level except ewe milk: salt (270 to 7100 micrograms/kg), woman milk (40 +/- 21 micrograms/l) cow milk (22 micrograms/l) goat milk (50 micrograms/l), ewe milk (294 micrograms/l). Salt consumption, evaluated by the determination of urinary chloride, is adequate. Prophylaxis by iodinated salt should be well accepted. No other factors than iodine deficiency in the etiology of endemic goiter, mainly nutritional (goitrogens or protein-calorie malnutrition) can be evoked to explain clinical and biochemical discrepancies between subjects living in the same morbid territory.

[Nutritional status during different regimens of consuming an emergency carbohydrate ration]. / Pishchevoi status pri razlichnykh rezhimakh ispol'zovaniia avariinogo uglevodnogo ratsiona.

Healthy male test subjects were allowed to consume a small-size contingency diet (300 g caramel) during 5 days of survival in a moderate climate in two modes: 1) unifrom intake during 5 days or 2) consumption during the first 3 days and fasting during the remaining 2 days. The first mode proved more advantageous. This conclusion was drawn from evaluations of the general health status, body weight losses, carbohydrate, nitrogen, and mineral metabolism, ECG, and dynamometry.