Fiber and phenolic compounds contribution to the hepatoprotective effects of mango diets in rats fed high cholesterol/sodium cholate.

The present study evaluated the contribution of mango fiber (MF) and mango phenolic compounds (MP) to the hepatoprotective effect of freeze-dried mango pulp (FDM) cultivar (cv.) "Ataulfo" diets in high cholesterol/sodium cholate (HCC)-fed rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with a HCC diet for 12 weeks, either untreated, or supplemented with MF, MP, FDM, or a control diet (no HCC; n = 6/group). All mango treatments significantly decreased hepatic cholesterol deposition and altered its fatty acid profile, whereas MF and MP mitigated adipose tissue hypertrophy. MF caused a lower level of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α/ß, IFN-γ, TNF-α) whereas FDM increased the anti-inflammatory ones (IL-4, 6, 10). Mango treatments increased catalase (CAT) activity and its mRNA expression; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was normalized by MF and FDM, but its activity was unrelated to its hepatic mRNA expression. Changes in CAT and SOD mRNA expression were unrelated to altered Nrf2 mRNA expression. Higher hepatic PPARα and LXRα mRNA levels were found in MP and MF. We concluded that MF and MP are highly bioactive, according to the documented hepatoprotection in HCC-fed rats; their mechanism of action appears to be related to modulating cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism as well as to stimulating the endogenous antioxidant system.

Eicosapentaenoic acid attenuates hepatic accumulation of cholesterol esters but aggravates liver injury and inflammation in mice fed a cholate-supplemented high-fat diet.

The administration of a sodium cholate-supplemented high-fat (CAHF) diet in mice induced the predominant accumulation of cholesterol esters (CE) in the liver and biochemical and histological features of liver injury. Cholesteryl oleate was the most abundant CE found in the liver of the mice fed the CAHF diet. We examined the effect of ethyl eicosapentaenoate (EPA) on hepatic CE accumulation and liver injury in the mice fed the CAHF diet. The EPA supplementation suppressed the elevation in the level of cholesteryl oleate in the liver. The expression levels of sterol O-acyltransferase-2 and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 mRNA in the liver were elevated in the mice fed the CAHF diet, but they were normalized by the EPA supplementation. However, the elevation in serum transaminase activity, the sign of inflammatory cell exudation and inflammatory gene responses in the liver of the mice fed the EPA-supplemented diet were enhanced compared with those of the mice fed the CAHF diet. We demonstrated that EPA supplementation attenuated CE accumulation but aggravated liver injury and liver inflammation in the mice fed the CAHF diet.

Safety and tolerability of the new contraceptive sponge Protectaid.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy, safety and acceptability of two different-dose regimens of the Protectaid contraceptive sponge. METHODS: The toxic effects of two forms of the new vaginal contraceptive sponge, Protectaid, in the cervical and vaginal tissues were studied. Both types were impregnated with F-5 gel containing different doses of nonoxynol-9 (NX9; 0.5% and 0.125%). The sponge was used by 35 women aged 20-35 years (mean 28.7 years) randomly allocated into two groups (Group A: 0.5% NX9, n = 20; Group B: 0.125% NX9, n = 15). RESULTS: During a 12-month period both regimens demonstrated a 91.4% overall contraceptive efficacy. Colposcopic examinations showed no significant cervical or vaginal lesions in either group, except for two cases at the 2-week and 3-month examinations in Group A women. In the former, inflammatory changes of little clinical significance were seen and the colposcopic appearance of the vagina was non-specific. In this case, the focal lesions were accompanied by dilated capillaries (hyperemia). In the second case, degenerative inflammatory changes, with the inflammatory foci varying in shape and distribution, were observed. Cervical cultures taken 6 months after the start of treatment showed the presence of Mycoplasma hominis and Candida albicans in one and two cases, respectively, in Group A. In Group B, cervical cultures taken at 3 months showed Gardnerella vaginalis and beta-hemolytic streptococci group B in one and two cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: The potent spermicidal and protective properties of this new contraceptive sponge may be of benefit to the sexually active female. Since the sponge was very well accepted by both the study participants and their sexual partners, it can be considered as a valuable barrier method.

A multinational evaluation of the efficacy, safety and acceptability of the Protectaid contraceptive sponge.

OBJECTIVE: The Protectaid sponge (Gefar Pharma, Switzerland) is a new feminine barrier contraceptive method containing three low-dose spermicidal agents. In order to evaluate its efficacy and safety profiles, an international, multicenter study has been conducted in four countries. METHODS: Healthy, presumably fertile and sexually active women were enrolled in this study and were followed at 15 days, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Contraceptive efficacy was assessed by a pregnancy test, while safety was evaluated by performing gynecological examinations as well as reporting adverse events. The 'acceptability' of the sponge by the women was assessed through a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 129 women were enrolled in the study, generating 1182 cycles of use of the sponge. The overall efficacy rate was 77%, with no significant influence of age or parity. Acceptability was high, with 85% of subjects being symptom- or problem-free while using the sponge. Finally, the safety profile was very good, with no clinically significant evidence of local or systemic adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: The new Protectaid sponge is a safe and effective non-hormonal contraceptive method for women.