Cellular and Molecular Activities of IP6 in Disease Prevention and Therapy.

IP6 (phytic acid) is a naturally occurring compound in plant seeds and grains. It is a poly-phosphorylated inositol derivative that has been shown to exhibit many biological activities that accrue benefits in health and diseases (cancer, diabetes, renal lithiasis, cardiovascular diseases, etc.). IP6 has been shown to have several cellular and molecular activities associated with its potential role in disease prevention. These activities include anti-oxidant properties, chelation of metal ions, inhibition of inflammation, modulation of cell signaling pathways, and modulation of the activities of enzymes and hormones that are involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Studies have shown that IP6 has anti-oxidant properties and can scavenge free radicals known to cause cellular damage and contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases, as well as diabetes mellitus. It has also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties that may modulate immune responses geared towards the prevention of inflammatory conditions. Moreover, IP6 exhibits anti-cancer properties through the induction of cell cycle arrest, promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cancer cell growth. Additionally, it has been shown to have anti-mutagenic properties, which reduce the risk of malignancies by preventing DNA damage and mutations. IP6 has also been reported to have a potential role in bone health. It inhibits bone resorption and promotes bone formation, which may help in the prevention of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Overall, IP6's cellular and molecular activities make it a promising candidate for disease prevention. As reported in many studies, its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties support its inclusion as a dietary supplement that may protect against the development of chronic diseases. However, further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of action of this dynamic molecule and its derivatives and determine the optimal doses and appropriate delivery methods for effective therapeutic use.

Effect of Annona squamosa leaf extract on human promyelocytic leukemia cells subjected to oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES: Annona squamosa has beneficial properties. However, its cytotoxicity and antioxidative effects on human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL60) deserve investigation. Therefore, the efficacy of its crude extracts in offsetting damage in HL60 cells subjected to oxidative stress was studied. METHODS: Crude extracts at different concentrations were incubated with HL60 cells. The beneficial properties of the plant extract against oxidative damage were evaluated post-induction of oxidative stress utilizing hydrogen peroxide. RESULTS: Extracts at concentrations 600 and 800 µg/mL were most effective at increasing the viability of damaged cells compared to the control group after 48 h of incubation. Significant increases in lipid peroxidation were observed in exposed cells treated with 600 µg/mL extract after 72 h of incubation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities significantly increased in exposed cells after 24 h of incubation at all extract concentrations. Exposed cells treated with 600 and 1,000 µg/dL of the extract showed significantly increased catalase activity after 48 h, and a similar profile was maintained after 72 h of exposure. SOD activity in exposed cells remained significantly increased at all treatment concentrations after 48 and 72 h of incubation. Treatment with 400, 600, and 800 µg/mL of the extract resulted in significantly increased reduced glutathione levels compared to the other groups after 24 and 72 h of incubation. However, after 48 h of incubation, significant increases were noted in glutathione levels in exposed cells incubated with either 400, 800, or 1,000 µg/mL extract. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that A. squamosa might effectively protect against oxidative damage in a time and extract concentration-dependent manner.

The Utilization and Benefits of Telehealth Services by Health Care Professionals Managing Breast Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Telehealth is the delivery of many health care services and technologies to individuals at different geographical areas and is categorized as asynchronously or synchronously. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused major disruptions in health care delivery to breast cancer (BCa) patients and there is increasing demand for telehealth services. Globally, telehealth has become an essential means of communication between patient and health care provider. The application of telehealth to the treatment of BCa patients is evolving and increasingly research has demonstrated its feasibility and effectiveness in improving clinical, psychological and social outcomes. Two areas of telehealth that have significantly grown in the past decade and particularly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic are telerehabilitation and teleoncology. These two technological systems provide opportunities at every stage of the cancer care continuum for BCa patients. We conducted a literature review that examined the use of telehealth services via its various modes of delivery among BCa patients particularly in areas of screening, diagnosis, treatment modalities, as well as satisfaction among patients and health care professionals. The advantages of telehealth models of service and delivery challenges to patients in remote areas are discussed.

Prospective Comparison of 24-Hour Urine Creatinine Clearance with Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates in Chronic Renal Disease Patients of African Descent.

BACKGROUND: The 24-hour (24-h) creatinine clearance (CrCl) is the most common method for measuring GFR in clinical laboratories. However, the limitations of CrCl have resulted in the widespread acceptance of mathematically derived estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using Cockcroft-Gault (CG), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations in predicting eGFR. The aim of the study was to compare 24-h CrCl with eGFR derived from these formulae and to identify which could be the best alternative. METHOD: A prospective study was conducted involving 140 CKD patients. Creatinine and cystatin C concentrations were determined using the cobas 6000 analyzer. The eGFR was calculated using the CG formula, 4-variable MDRD and CKD-EPI equations, and Bland-Alman plots bias was determined. RESULTS: The CG and MDRD formulas had mean eGFR values similar to CrCl and correlation coefficients (r) were highest for CG (0.906) and lowest for MDRD (0.799). The CG equation was in agreement with 24-h CrCl in all but stage V CKD while the MDRD equation compared well in all except Stage IV CKD. The CG equation was positively biased (0.9857) while the MDRD had a negative bias (-0.05). CONCLUSION: The Cockcroft-Gault formula provides a more accurate assessment of GFR than 24-h CrCl and would be recommended as a substitute to provide the best estimate of GFR in our population.

Abnormal Liver Biochemistry Tests and Acute Liver Injury in COVID-19 Patients: Current Evidence and Potential Pathogenesis.

Globally, millions of persons have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over the past several months, resulting in significant mortality. Health care systems are negatively impacted including the care of individuals with cancers and other chronic diseases such as chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There are various probable pathogenic mechanisms that have been presented to account for liver injury in COVID-19 patients such as hepatotoxicity cause by therapeutic drugs, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection of the bile duct cells and hepatocytes, hypoxia and systemic inflammatory response. Liver biochemistry tests such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are deranged in COVID-19 patients with liver injury. Hepatocellular damage results in the elevation of serum AST and ALT levels in early onset disease while a cholestatic pattern that develops as the disease progress causes higher levels of ALP, GGT, direct and total bilirubin. These liver biochemistry tests are prognostic markers of disease severity and should be carefully monitored in COVID-19 patients. We conducted a systematic review of abnormal liver biochemistry tests in COVID-19 and the possible pathogenesis involved. Significant findings regarding the severity, hepatocellular pattern, incidence and related clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients are highlighted.

Diabetes Mellitus and Its Metabolic Complications: The Role of Adipose Tissues.

Many approaches have been used in the effective management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A recent paradigm shift has focused on the role of adipose tissues in the development and treatment of the disease. Brown adipose tissues (BAT) and white adipose tissues (WAT) are the two main types of adipose tissues with beige subsets more recently identified. They play key roles in communication and insulin sensitivity. However, WAT has been shown to contribute significantly to endocrine function. WAT produces hormones and cytokines, collectively called adipocytokines, such as leptin and adiponectin. These adipocytokines have been proven to vary in conditions, such as metabolic dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, or inflammation. The regulation of fat storage, energy metabolism, satiety, and insulin release are all features of adipose tissues. As such, they are indicators that may provide insights on the development of metabolic dysfunction or type 2 diabetes and can be considered routes for therapeutic considerations. The essential roles of adipocytokines vis-a-vis satiety, appetite, regulation of fat storage and energy, glucose tolerance, and insulin release, solidifies adipose tissue role in the development and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and the complications associated with the disease.

Evidence That Sleep Is an Indicator of Overtraining during the Competition Phase of Adolescent Sprinters.

Although sleep disturbance is a common complaint in overtrained athletes, the role of sleep in the overtraining process is not clear. This study aimed (i) to compare sleep efficiency/quantity at the start of a competition phase in elite adolescent sprinters who adapted to prior training with that in those who maladapt and (ii) to examine the influence of prior training, fatigue, and sleep on performance through a moderated mediation model. Fatigue (via Profile of Mood State) and internal training load (via session rating of perceived exertion and duration of training as volume) were measured in 20 sprinters (mean age: 15.9 ± 1.7 years) across 4 mesocycles (baseline (T1); preparatory (T2); precompetitive (T3); and competitive (T4) phases), over 26 weeks. Performances were assessed during the competitive period (T3, T4), while sleep was monitored (via actigraphy) for a week during T4. It was inferred that sprinters who had increasingly greater fatigue and concomitant decrements in performance (35%) were maladapted to training and the remaining sprinters who improved fatigue and performance (65%) were adapted to training. Sleep efficiency (91 ± 3% vs. 82 ± 3%, p < 0.001) and quantity (425 ± 33 min vs. 394 ± 20 min, p < 0.001) at the start of T4 were significantly greater in sprinters who adapted. Moreover, higher prior training volume (mean of T1 to T3 training volume) was associated with lower sleep efficiency at the start of T4 (R 2 = 0.55, p < 0.001) which was associated with poorer performance (R 2 = 0.82, p < 0.001). Fatigue moderated the indirect effect of prior training volume on performance through its moderation of the effect of sleep efficiency on performance (R 2 = 0.89, p < 0.001). Impaired sleep as a result of greater prior training volume may be related to performance decrements through fatigue. Athletes should improve sleep during periods of higher training volume to reduce fatigue for better adaptation to training.

Evidence that variations in pretraining hydration status are related to the frequency of endurance training in elite adolescent sprinters.

BACKGROUND: Although the effect of dehydration on performance is widely studied, limited data concerning the levels of risk training types pose to hydration status exists. This study sought to determine: 1) pretraining hydration status in adolescent sprinters relative to non-athletes; 2) changes in hydration markers across a season of adolescent sprinters relative to non-athletes; and 3) if frequency of training type explains unique variance in hydration. METHODS: Hydration (via pretraining urine osmolality [UOsm] and thirst perception [TP]), daily water intake (TWI) (via 24-h food/fluid diaries) and frequencies of resistance, endurance and sprint training types (via training regime questionnaires) were assessed in 26 sprinters (age: 15.6±1.9 years) and 26 non-athletes (age: 16.0±1.6 years), during 4 mesocycles (general [T1] and specific [T2] preparation; precompetitive [T3] and peaking [T4] phases), over 26 weeks. RESULTS: Most athletes (62-81%) and non-athletes (73-92%) were underhydrated (UOsm>700 mOsmol/kg) pretraining across the season, despite a low TP. There were significant time (P=0.042) and group (P=0.006) effects, and a main group by time interaction for UOsm (P=0.006) but not TP across the season, after controlling for TWI. Greater UOsm (in mOsmol/kg) were observed during T1 (906.3±250.1) and T2 (934.5±257.0) compared to T3 (852.1±268.8) and T4 (854.2±218.8). There was no significant change across the season for non-athletes. Frequencies of endurance training were positively associated with UOsm and explained unique variances across the season (R2 range from 7%-16%). CONCLUSIONS: Underhydration is high in the adolescent population. Training type may be related to the variations in hydration throughout a season, which may help to inform hydration practices of sprint athletes.

Cystatin C, Vitamin D and Thyroid Function Test Profile in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

BACKGROUND: The progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is concomitant with complications, including thyroid dysfunction, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to determine serum cystatin C levels, and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and thyroid dysfunction in CKD patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 140 CKD patients (stages 1-5) that were referred to a renal clinic. Demographic data was collected and thyroid function tests, serum 25-OH-vitamin D, cystatin C levels, and routine biochemistry tests were determined using cobas 6000 analyzer. RESULTS: 129 (92.1%) of CKD patients had elevated serum cystatin C levels and there was a stepwise increase from stage 1-5. Overt hypothyroidism was present in one patient and nine had subclinical hypothyroidism. There was a stepwise reduction in serum 25-OH-vitamin D levels from stage 2-5, 31 (22.1%) had vitamin D insufficiency and 31 (22.1%) presented with deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: 25-OH-vitamin D deficiency and thyroid disorders are exhibited in chronic kidney disease patients and the severity of the former rises with disease progression, as indicated by elevated cystatin C levels. Routine screening and timely intervention is recommended so as to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

New Frontiers for the Use of IP6 and Inositol Combination in Treating Diabetes Mellitus: A Review.

Inositol, or myo-inositol, and associated analog molecules, including myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, are known to possess beneficial biomedical properties and are now being widely studied. The impact of these compounds in improving diabetic indices is significant, especially in light of the high cost of treating diabetes mellitus and associated disorders globally. It is theorized that, within ten years, the global population of people with the disease will reach 578 million individuals, with the cost of care projected to be approximately 2.5 trillion dollars. Natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals are being sought, and this has led to studies involving inositol, and myo-inositol-hexakisphosphate, also referred to as IP6. It has been reported that IP6 can improve diabetic indices and regulate the activities of some metabolic enzymes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Current research activities have been focusing on the mechanisms of action of inositol and IP6 in the amelioration of the indices of diabetes mellitus. We demonstrated that an IP6 and inositol combination supplement may regulate insulin secretion, modulate serum leptin concentrations, food intake, and associated weight gain, which may be beneficial in both prediabetic and diabetic states. The supplement attenuates vascular damage by reducing red cell distribution width. Serum HDL is increased while serum triglycerides tend to decrease with consumption of the combination supplement, perhaps due to the modulation of lipogenesis involving reduced serum lipase activity. We also noted increased fecal lipid output following combination supplement consumption. Importantly, liver function was found to be preserved. Concurrently, serum reactive oxygen species production was reduced, indicating that inositol and IP6 supplement consumption may reduce free radical damage to tissues and organs as well as serum lipids and blood glucose by preserving liver function. This review provides an overview of the findings associated with inositol and IP6 supplementation in the effective treatment of diabetes with a view to proposing the potential mechanisms of action.

Effects of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on Human Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells Subjected to Oxidative Stress.

Oxidative stress is initiated by reactive oxygen species, the primary factor in many chronic diseases. Moringa oleifera possesses strong antioxidant properties due to the presence of various phytochemicals. In this study, we investigated the effect of M. oleifera leaf extract on markers of oxidative stress in HL60 cells exposed to oxidative stress. HL60 cells were incubated with different concentrations of M. oleifera leaf extract, and cells were harvested for viability assays on days 1, 2, and 3. Antioxidant indexes (malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) were measured on days 1, 2, and 3. Supplementation with the moringa leaf extract at all concentrations resulted in significant reductions in lipid peroxidation in cells that were or were not incubated in an environment with excess oxidative stress. The most significant reduction in this parameter occurred after 24 h of incubation. The results show that reductions seen in this parameter may be due to the modulation of the endogenous antioxidant defense system by extract supplementation. Cell viability was also improved in cells incubated in moringa leaf extract at concentrations of 800 and 1000 µg/mL. This finding, however, did not corroborate with lipid peroxidation results at 1000 µg/mL extract supplementation. Further investigations are needed to clarify the underlying mechanism responsible for increased cell viability at this concentration. We can, therefore, conclude that the moringa leaf extract offered added protection from oxidative stress within the first 24 h, as well as increasing cell viability at certain concentrations.

Contextual factors and sporting success: The relationship between birth date and place of early development on the progression of Jamaican track and field athletes from junior to senior level.

Understanding determinants associated with dropout from sport is important for talent development. This study aimed (i) to determine dropout rates for Jamaican track and field athletes and (ii) to examine contextual factors (i.e., relative age effect and place of development) as potential determinants of junior athletes progressing to the senior level. A sample of 1552 track and field athletes (mean age 18.57±0.41 years) who were finalists at the national high school (junior) championships in Jamaica between 2000 and 2017 were evaluated from the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association database. The database provided birth date, school attendance and performance results. A retrospective analysis was completed to investigate the relationship between junior and senior successes and dropout rates. Chi-square analyses were conducted to examine the distribution of birth date quartiles based on the selection year. Using the Jamaican census information, the population size of regions where participants attended school were categorized and used as a proxy for athletes' place of development. Results showed that the majority of the participants did not progress to senior levels (81%). The relative age effect was evident for athletes who progressed to the senior level but was not evident for athletes who did not progress. There was a bias towards participants who attended school in regions with a population size between 5000-29 999. This study illuminates some of the contextual factors that may influence the likelihood of progressing from junior to senior levels which may help to inform talent identification, selection and development in the sport of track and field.

Combined Inositol Hexakisphosphate and Inositol Supplement Consumption Improves Serum Alpha-Amylase Activity and Hematological Parameters in Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

This study evaluated the effect of combined inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) and inositol supplement on organ weight, intestinal ATPase activities, complete blood count, and serum analytes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic rats. High-fat diet and a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg body weight) were used to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in Sprague-Dawley rats. The diabetic groups were then treated with either combined IP6 and inositol supplement or glibenclamide for four weeks. Organ weights, intestinal ATPase activities, complete blood count, serum α-amylase, total protein, albumin, and globulin content were determined. Pancreatic weight was significantly reduced while relative kidney and liver weights were elevated in the group treated with combined IP6 and inositol supplement compared to the nondiabetic control. Serum α-amylase activity for the glibenclamide and combination treated groups was significantly improved compared to that of the untreated diabetic group. Red cell distribution width percentage was significantly lower in the combination treated group compared to that in the untreated diabetic group, while intestinal ATPase activities were unaffected by the treatment regime. Combined IP6 and inositol supplement consumption may protect people with diabetes from increased risk of cardiovascular diseases due to the supplement's ability to maintain red cell distribution width percentage towards the normal control group.

Pre-analytical Errors at the Chemical Pathology Laboratory of a Teaching Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The Chemical Pathology Laboratory at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) processes specimens received from inpatients, the outpatient department and other medical facilities in Jamaica. Specific rejection criteria are used to determine samples unsuitable for analysis. It has been noted that despite efforts to reduce the number of unacceptable samples received in the laboratory, the problem persists. AIM: The study seeks to provide empirical evidence of the inadequacies from which improvements can be formulated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Errors recorded in the rejection log in the Chemical Pathology laboratory at the University Hospital of the West Indies for the period were assessed. The types and frequency of errors were determined manually. The yearly rejection ratios over a four-year period were evaluated. RESULTS: The most common causes for rejection were unlabelled samples (37%), incorrectly labelled specimens (23%), samples submitted in an inappropriate tube (14%) and incomplete or inaccurately completed requisition forms (14%). The rejection ratio for 2015-2016 was 2.1%. CONCLUSION: The laboratory must initiate programmes directed at improving the preanalytical process in order to ensure patient safety.

Pancreatic and renal function in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats administered combined inositol hexakisphosphate and inositol supplement.

Diabetes mellitus, as a result of microvascular and macrovascular injury, causes organ dysfunction in a wide variety of tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of combined inositol hexakisphosphate and inositol supplement on renal and pancreatic integrity in type 2 diabetic rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n=6 per group). Type 2 diabetes was induced in three groups using high-fat diet combined with a single dose of streptozotocin (35mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Two of the diabetic groups were treated with combined IP6 and inositol or glibenclamide. Serum biochemical markers of kidney damage kidney, antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation were measured. Histomorphological and morphometric examinations of the H&E stained pancreas were also carried out. The administration of combined IP6 and inositol supplement resulted in 64% and 27% increase in CAT activities and GSH levels respectively and a 25% decrease in lipid peroxidation level compared to the diabetic control. Serum uric acid, creatinine and BUN levels in the combination treated group was comparable to the normal control. Examination of H&E stained pancreatic sections showed a significant increase (107%) in the number of islets in the combined IP6 and inositol treated group compared to the untreated diabetic group. Overall, the treatment of type 2 diabetic rats with combined IP6 and inositol supplement resulted in the improvement of renal and pancreatic function.

Effects of combined inositol hexakisphosphate and inositol supplement on antioxidant activity and metabolic enzymes in the liver of streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with elevated reactive oxygen species, lipid abnormalities, reduced antioxidant activity and organ damage. This study examines the effects of combined inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) and inositol supplement on antioxidant levels and other biochemical parameters in the liver of type 2 diabetic rats. Five groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Six rats were fed normal diet (non-diabetic control), while 24 rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks. Diabetes was induced in 18 of the rats fed HFD by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were separated into three groups namely: combined IP6 and inositol, glibenclamide and diabetic control. The non-diabetic group fed high-fat diet was classified as a high-fat control group. For the final four weeks of the experiment, all rats were fed normal diet and given their respective treatment regimes. Hepatic antioxidant status, metabolic enzyme activity, lipid profile, peroxidative damage and liver histology, as well as, serum aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, and total bilirubin concentration were assessed. Treatment with combined IP6 and inositol supplement significantly increased liver reduced glutathione and high-density lipoprotein levels while liver triglyceride levels and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly reduced by 27%, 50%, 38.5%, and 69.2% respectively compared to the diabetic control. Hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were significantly upregulated by 55%, 26% and 53% respectively in the diabetic rats treated with combined IP6 and inositol compared to the diabetic control. Combined IP6 and inositol treatment resulted in the preservation of liver cell integrity and improved antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic rats.

The effect of combined inositol hexakisphosphate and inositol supplement in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats.

Inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) and inositol both regulate insulin secretion, but their combined use in the management of diabetes deserves investigation. The combined effects of IP6 and inositol supplementation were investigated in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats. The following groups of rats were studied for 8 weeks: non-diabetic control, non-diabetic high-fat diet control, diabetic untreated, diabetic rats treated with the combination of IP6 and inositol (650 mg/kg bw) and diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide (10 mg/kg bw). High-fat diet and streptozotocin were used to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in Sprague-Dawley rats. Body weight, blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, insulin, serum leptin, HOMA-insulin resistance scores, intestinal amylase activity, serum and faecal lipids and food and fluid consumption were measured. Treatment with the combination significantly reduced blood glucose (306 ± 53 mg/dl) and insulin resistance score (1.93 ± 0.45) compared with diabetic controls (522 ± 24 mg/dl and 5.1 ± 0.69 respectively). Serum leptin (2.8 ± 0.6 ng/dl) and faecal triglycerides (108 ± 8 mg/dl) were significantly increased in rats treated with the combination compared with the diabetic control (1.8 ± 0.06 ng/dl and 86 ± 4 mg/dl). Serum triglyceride (47 ± 5.1 mg/dl), total cholesterol (98 ± 3.2 mg/dl) and food intake (26 ± 0.3 g) were significantly reduced by 45%, 25% and 25%, respectively, in rats treated with the combination compared with the diabetic control. Inositol and IP6 combined supplementation may be effective in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and related metabolic disorders by regulating some aspects of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

Identification of Pre-examination Errors in the Chemical Pathology Laboratory at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

This study evaluated the types and frequencies of pre-examination errors recorded in the chemical pathology laboratory at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica. This was a retrospective analysis of errors recorded over a three year period. Data analysis was done on an average of 519,084 samples collected and tested per year. Samples included blood, urine, stool and other fluids. Pre-examination errors were identified and recorded following visual inspection of the samples and corresponding request forms by laboratory staff, then subsequently by the Senior Medical Technologist. Errors were generally classified as inappropriate sample (58 %), inappropriate form (23.4 %), inappropriate sample volume (9.3 %) and inappropriate sample tube (9.3 %). Over 90 % of recorded pre-examination errors were related to blood samples while urine samples accounted for 6.8 % error. Pre-examination errors were lower at this study location than elsewhere. Measures aimed at reducing instances of these errors are recommended for improved laboratory quality output.

Citrus peel polymethoxylated flavones extract modulates liver and heart function parameters in diet induced hypercholesterolemic rats.

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ortanique peel polymethoxylated flavones extract (PMF(ort)) on organ function parameters in the serum of hypercholesterolemic and normal rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high cholesterol diets supplemented with 1.5% PMF(ort) and niacin respectively for 49days. Hypercholesterolemic rats fed PMF(ort) had significant reductions in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase (69.12±3.34 and 87.22±8.42U/L respectively) compared to the untreated hypercholesterolemic group (118.61±4.85 and 132.62±10.62U/L respectively, p<0.05). Supplementation of the diet with niacin or PMF(ort) resulted in no significant differences in the serum levels of creatinine or urea in any of the groups. Total bilirubin was highest in the untreated hypercholesterolemic group. Supplementation of the diets of hypercholesterolemic rats with PMF(ort) resulted in significant reductions in the activities of serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase (119.3±25.3; 222.5±50.3U/L, p<0.05) respectively relative to the untreated hypercholesterolemic group (257.2±48.3; 648.8±103U/L, p<0.05). The results would suggest that PMF(ort) modulates hypercholesterolemia-associated organ injury in rats. PMF(ort) could therefore be a suitable candidate for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of hypercholesterolemia-associated organ injury.

Bone and faecal minerals and scanning electron microscopic assessments of femur in rats fed phytic acid extract from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas).

Phytic acid was extracted from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and fed to Wistar rats with or without zinc for 3 weeks. Animals were then sacrificed and bone and faecal minerals were assessed. The ultra-structure of the bones was examined via scanning electron microscopy. Phytic acid extract or commercial phytic acid supplemented diets (D + Zn + PE or D + PE) displayed reduced bone calcium levels (101.27 +/- 59.11 and 119.27 +/- 45.36 g/kg) compared to the other test groups. Similarly, reduced calcium were observed in the control groups (D + Zn and D) fed formulated diets with or without zinc supplementation (213.14 +/- 15.31 and 210 +/- 6.88 g/kg) compared to the other test groups. The group fed supplemented commercial phytic acid diet (D + CP) demonstrated the lowest femur magnesium (3.72 +/- 0.13 g/kg) while the group fed phytic acid extract supplementation (D + PE) recorded the highest level (4.84 +/- 0.26 g/kg) amongst the groups. Femur iron was highest in the group fed commercial phytic acid supplemented diet (D + CP -115.74 +/- 2.41 g/kg) compared to the other groups. Faecal magnesium levels were significantly higher in the two test groups fed phytic acid extract with or without zinc (D + Zn + PE or D + PE) compared to all other groups. All the groups which had phytic acid supplemented diets had significantly thinner bone in the trabecular region, compared to the groups fed formulated diet or zinc supplemented formulated diet (D or D + Zn). These observations suggest that the consumption of foods high in phytic acid may contribute to a reduction in the minerals available for essential metabolic processes in rats.