Validating the Hypoglycaemic and Hypotensive Roles of Salvia serotina (Chicken Weed) in Normal Healthy Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disease and is characterized by hyperglycaemia. Salvia serotina L. (chicken weed) has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments including DM. Aqueous, hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol crude extracts of S. serotina L. were investigated for their anti-oxidant activities and hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects in normal, healthy Sprague-Dawley rats using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and the CODA noninvasive blood pressure system to determine systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR). The aqueous extract caused a free radical scavenging effect with an IC50 value of 10.2 ± 1.01 µg/mL versus vitamin C (9.42 ± 1.01 µg/mL). The extract lowered the blood glucose concentration at the 150 minute interval (5.00 ± 0.22 mM vs. 6.51 ± 0.33 mM; p = 0.004) and the 180 minute interval (4.77 ± 0.27 mM vs. 5.93 ± 0.0.30 mM; p = 0.015). The hexane extract gave significant hypoglycaemic activity at the 120 minute interval (4.54 ± 0.21 mmol/L vs. 5.50 ± 0.17 mmol/L; p = 0.005). The hexane extract also significantly lowered the SBP (132 ± 6 mm Hg; p = 0.014), DBP (106 ± 7 mm Hg; p = 0.034), and MAP (114 ± 7 mm Hg; p = 0.023) versus the controls SBP (156 ± 4 mm Hg), DBP (132 ± 8 mm Hg), and MAP (140 ± 6 mm Hg). Bioassay-directed purification of the hexane extract yielded 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol (1), 3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol (2), and 5,22-stigmastadien-3ß-ol (3) as active principles. Hence, S. serotina L. showed anti-oxidant, hypoglycaemic, and hypotensive effects in the rats and may have potential applications in the treatment of diabetes.

Challenges in the control of neglected insect vector diseases of human importance in the Anglo-Caribbean.

INTRODUCTION: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in developing countries like the Caribbean, negatively affect multiple income-generating sectors, including the tourism industry upon which island states are highly dependent. Insect-transmitted NTDs include, but are not limited to, malaria, dengue and lymphatic filariasis. Control measures for these disease, are often ignored because of the associated cost. Many of the developing country members are thus retained in a financially crippling cycle, balancing the cost of prophylactic measures with that of controlling an outbreak.The purpose of the paper is to bring awareness to NTDs transmitted by insects of importance to humans, and to assess factors affecting such control, in the English-speaking Caribbean. METHOD: Comprehensive literature review on reports pertaining to NTDs transmitted by insects in the Caribbean and Latin America was conducted. Data search was carried out on PubMed, and WHO and PAHO websites. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Potential risk factors for NTDs transmitted by arthropods in the English-speaking Caribbean are summarised. The mosquito appears to be the main insect-vector of human importance within the region of concern. Arthropod-vectors of diseases of veterinary importance are also relevant because they affect the livelihood of farmers, in highly agriculture based economies. Other NTDs may also be in circulation gauged by the presence of antibodies in Caribbean individuals. However, routine diagnostic tests for specific diseases are expensive and tests may not be conducted when diseases are not prevalent in the population. It appears that only a few English-speaking Caribbean countries have examined secondary reservoirs of pathogens or assessed the effectivity of their insect control methods. As such, disease risk assessment appears incomplete. Although continuous control is financially demanding, an integrated and multisectoral approach might help to deflect the cost. Such interventions are now being promoted by health agencies within the region and various countries are creating and exploring the use of novel tools to be incorporated in their insect-vector control programmes.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, clinically heterogeneous, and particularly complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by a decline in cognition. Over the last two decades, there has been significant growth in the investigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. This review presents current evidence from many clinical neurochemical studies, with findings that attest to the efficacy of existing core CSF biomarkers such as total tau, phosphorylated tau, and amyloid-ß (Aß42), which diagnose Alzheimer's disease in the early and dementia stages of the disorder. The heterogeneity of the pathophysiology of the late-onset disease warrants the growth of the Alzheimer's disease CSF biomarker toolbox; more biomarkers showing other aspects of the disease mechanism are needed. This review focuses on new biomarkers that track Alzheimer's disease pathology, such as those that assess neuronal injury (VILIP-1 and neurofilament light), neuroinflammation (sTREM2, YKL-40, osteopontin, GFAP, progranulin, and MCP-1), synaptic dysfunction (SNAP-25 and GAP-43), vascular dysregulation (hFABP), as well as CSF α-synuclein levels and TDP-43 pathology. Some of these biomarkers are promising candidates as they are specific and predict future rates of cognitive decline. Findings from the combinations of subclasses of new Alzheimer's disease biomarkers that improve their diagnostic efficacy in detecting associated pathological changes are also presented.

The Isolation of Hypoglycaemic Compounds from Desmodium canum and Their Synergistic Effect on Blood Glucose Levels in Euglycaemic Sprague Dawley Rats.

Desmodium canum (Strong back) commonly consumed as a tea or tonic is believed to possess hypoglycaemic activity. This paper sets out to isolate potential hypoglycaemic compounds present within the plant and investigate their synergistic effects on blood glucose levels in euglycaemic Sprague Dawley rats. The milled plant was sequentially extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The ethyl acetate extract was subjected to column chromatography yielding seven major fractions and were subsequently bioassayed using the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Further chromatographic separation and analysis using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy enabled the identification of two hypoglycaemic compounds, oleic acid (OA) and succinic acid (SA). These were bioassayed individually and as a cocktail to determine the synergistic effects using OGTT. Intravenous administration of these compounds individually indicated both are very potent in retarding blood glucose levels. However, the most significant activity was observed on synergistic administration. The cocktail (1 : 1) displayed significant hypoglycaemic activity throughout the entire study. It also significantly differed from OA at the 120 min interval (3.43 ± 0.22 mmol/L vs. 4.98 ± 0.19 mmol/L, resp., p=4.29 × 10-7) and significantly differed from SA at 30 min (3.95 ± 0.43 mmol/L vs. 5.17 ± 0.32 mmol/L, resp., p=0.003), 90 min (4.35 ± 0.36 mmol/L vs. 5.49 ± 0.69 mmol/L, resp., p=0.04), and 120 min intervals (3.43 ± 0.22 mmol/L vs. 4.94 ± 0.31, resp., p=1.54 × 10-5). Oral administration of the cocktail showed comparable potency to that of metformin (p > 0.05) throughout the OGTT curve. The synergistic effects of the naturally isolated compounds yielded higher potency levels than individual administration and when administered orally, the hypoglycaemic effect was similar to that of metformin. This may assist in paving a way to attempt a novel method in approaching antidiabetic therapy.

Hypotensive and antihypertensive effects of an aqueous extract from Guinep fruit (Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq) in rats.

Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq (Mb) has been reported to have cardiovascular modulatory effects. In this study, we evaluated the antihypertensive effects and mechanism of action of Mb on NG-Nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) and Deoxycorticosterone Acetate (DOCA) rat models. Aqueous extract of Mb fruit (100 mg/kg) was administered for 6 weeks to rats by gavage and blood pressure was recorded. Effects of the extract on vascular reactivity was evaluated using isolated organ baths, and tissues were collected for biochemical and histological analysis. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced with extract (100 mg/kg) administration and treatment compared to the hypertensive models. Mb (100 µg/mL) reduced the vascular contractility induced by phenylephrine (PE), and caused a dose-dependent relaxation of PE-induced contraction of aortic vascular rings. The vasorelaxation properties seemed to be endothelium dependent, as well as nitric oxide (NO) and guanylyl cyclase, but not prostaglandin dependent. Histomicrograph of transverse sections of the ventricles from the Mb group did not show abnormalities. The extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced an L-NAME induced elevation of cardiac output and Creatine Kinase Muscle-Brain (CKMB), but had no significant impact on the activities of arylamine N-acetyltransferase. In conclusion, Mb significantly decreased blood pressure in hypertensive models. The extract possesses the ability to induce endothelium dependent vasodilation, which is dependent on guanylyl cyclase but not prostaglandins.

Hypoglycemic effect of the fruit extracts of two varieties of Rubus rosifolius.

Oral glucose tolerance test on male Sprague-Dawley rats was done to determine the hypoglycemic effect of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol fruit extracts (50 mg/kg BW; oral administration) of two varieties of Rubus rosifolius. Metformin was used as a positive control (15 mg/kg BW; intravenous administration). The n-hexane extract was most potent and was investigated phytochemically to yield compound 1, a mixture of triacylglycerols. In its oxidized state compound 1 produced a significant hypoglycemic effect which was more effective than metformin for the first 30 min of the assay (p = .03) and not significantly different for up to 120 min. Mechanisms through which the oxidized triacylglycerol species could form were explored and presented. This is the first account of the hypoglycemic activity of R. rosifolius and it is also the first account of this activity being credited to compounds other than polyphenols and terpenes in Rubus plants. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: A significant percentage of the world's population is affected by diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses. One of the most popular antidiabetic drug on the market is metformin which is used to lower blood glucose concentrations. The findings of this study indicate that an oxidized mixture of triacylglycerols is more fast-acting than metformin for the first 30 min of an oral glucose tolerance test. This effect was also not significantly different from that of the popular drug up to 120 min. These results demonstrate the hypoglycemic activity of an oxidized R. rosifolius fruit extract and indicate its potential use in applications such as functional food product development and drug discovery. Therapeutic applications can also include the plant extract as a potential primary treatment or as adjunct therapy to conventional medications.

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.

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 effects of S-nitrosoglutathione and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D, L-penicillamine in a rat model of pre-eclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia (PE) complicates approximately 5-7% of all pregnancies. This study investigates the effects of S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) on the classical features of PE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On day 14 of gestation, female Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into five groups and treated intravenously for 7 days as follows: (i) 0.3 mL 0.9% saline (control, n = 11); (ii) 50 mg/kg Body Weight (BW) N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in 0.3 mL saline (n = 10); (iii) 50 mg/kg BW L-NAME and 8 mg/kg BW GSNO in 0.15 mL saline (n = 6); (iv) 50 mg/kg BW L-NAME in 0.15 mL saline and 8 mg/kg BW SNAP in 0.15 mL DMSO (n = 9); and (v) 0.15 mL DMSO and 0.15 mL saline (SNAP control, n = 7). Blood pressures were measured on day 14 through day 20, a 4-h urine sample was taken on day 20, and animals were sacrificed on day 21. Pups were counted and weighed individually. RESULTS: SNAP and GSNO significantly decreased systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures in PE-induced rats from day 14 through day 20 (P < 0.05). Pup weights in SNAP and GSNO groups were higher than in L-NAME group but lower than in controls (P ≤ 0.001). SNAP and GSNO partially reversed growth retardation. CONCLUSION: Elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, and intrauterine growth restriction associated with PE were induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using L-NAME. These were partially reversed with the use of GSNO and SNAP. The mechanism of action of these S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) should be further explored.

Prostate specific antigen and Gleason score in men with prostate cancer at a private diagnostic radiology centre in Western Jamaica.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumour in men and the second most common cause of male cancer death. The study examines the clinicopathological features of patients with prostate cancer consecutively diagnosed at a private Diagnostic Radiology Centre in Western Jamaica over a 6-year period. METHOD: The medical records, including the pathology reports of 423 consecutive patients who had transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) - guided prostate biopsy between January 2006 and December 2011 were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis of the 191 men with prostate adenocarcinoma was 68.5 ± 0.59 years with the majority in the 70 - 79 year age group (43.5%). Moderately differentiated carcinomas (Gleason score of 6) comprised the largest group with 72 cases (37.9%); poorly differentiated cancers with Gleason scores of 8 - 10 comprised 49 cases (25.8%). The PSA levels increased with Gleason score. The mean PSA levels for men with Gleason score of 6 was 50.1 ± 30.0 ng/mL compared with 136.5 ± 59.9 ng/mL in patients with Gleason score of 8 and 140.5 ± 31.8 ng/mL in patients with Gleason score of 9. Perineural invasion was present in 7.85% of the cases overall; high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) was present in 4.71% of the biopsies. CONCLUSION: Although the majority of patients had moderate, and moderate to poor differentiated carcinomas, the number with poorly differentiated carcinoma was high. This is a reflection of the patients' late clinical presentation at the time of diagnosis.

Health-Beneficial Phenolic Aldehyde in Antigonon leptopus Tea.

Tea prepared from the aerial parts of Antigonon leptopus is used as a remedy for cold and pain relief in many countries. In this study, A. leptopus tea, prepared from the dried aerial parts, was evaluated for lipid peroxidation (LPO) and cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzyme inhibitory activities. The tea as a dried extract inhibited LPO, COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes by 78%, 38% and 89%, respectively, at 100 µg/mL. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract yielded a selective COX-2 enzyme inhibitory phenolic aldehyde, 2,3,4-trihydroxy benzaldehyde. Also, it showed LPO inhibitory activity by 68.3% at 6.25 µg/mL. Therefore, we have studied other hydroxy benzaldehydes and their methoxy analogs for LPO, COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes inhibitory activities and found that compound 1 gave the highest COX-2 enzyme inhibitory activity as indicated by a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) at 9.7 µg/mL. The analogs showed only marginal LPO activity at 6.25 µg/mL. The hydroxy analogs 6, 7 and 9 showed 55%, 61% and 43% of COX-2 inhibition at 100 µg/mL. However, hydroxy benzaldehydes 3 and 12 showed selective COX-1 inhibition while compounds 4 and 10 gave little or no COX-2 enzyme inhibition at 100 µg/mL. At the same concentration, compounds 14, 21 and 22 inhibited COX-1 by 83, 85 and 70%, respectively. Similarly, compounds 18, 19 and 23 inhibited COX-2 by 68%, 72% and 70%, at 100 µg/mL. This is the first report on the isolation of compound 1 from A. leptopus tea with selective COX-2 enzyme and LPO inhibitory activities.

The microbial content of unexpired pasteurized milk from selected supermarkets in a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence and levels of microbes in unexpired pasteurized milk from randomly selected supermarkets in Kingston, Jamaica. METHODS: The quantitative study used a stratified random sampling technique in the selection of the 20 representative milk samples from six (6) supermarkets. Microbiological tests such as methylene blue reduction, standard plate count (SPC), coliform plate count (CPC), purity plate culture, gram staining and biochemical tests were performed to examine the microbes in purchased unexpired pasteurized milk. RESULTS: One sample (BCr016) had a pH of 4.0, a rancid odour and curdled appearance. It decolourized within one hour during the methylene blue reduction test and was classified as class 4 milk. Seven of the samples were sterile with no microbe growth on the plate count agar and violet red bile salt agar (VRBA). The milk samples that appeared to be safe for consumption were all 10, 11, 12 and 13 days before expiration. The VRBA sample BCr016, had a colony count of 13 400 CFU/ mL. There was the presence of Escherichia coli in sample LCr021 which had a standard plate count of 1 580 SPC/mL and a coliform count of 500 CFU/mL. Enterobacter sp. was present in colonies from BCr016 and all the other milk samples. CONCLUSIONS: Unacceptable levels of Enterobacter spp. and Escherichia coli were found in most of the samples. Effective measures to ensure safe milk for human consumption such as the phosphatase test and methylene blue reduction test should be routinely performed on each batch of milk processed by dairy plants.

The effect of nitric oxide inhibitors and Snitroso-Nacetylpenicillamine on glucose concentration in an animal model.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is becoming an increasingly important signaling molecule implicated in a growing number of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Research on the effect of NO donors on glucose metabolism in peripheral tissues have grown rapidly in the last decade. This study examined the effects of N(G)methyl-L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA) and N(G)methyl-L-arginine ester (L-NAME) on fasting and postprandial blood glucose concentrations. The study also investigated if L-NMMA and L-NAME decrease the hyperglycemic effect caused by the NO donor S-nitrosoN-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) in normoglycemic rats. RESULTS: L-NAME and L-NMMA significantly lowered the postprandial blood glucose concentrations. Mean postprandial blood glucose concentrations in rats treated with L-NAME were 5.04 ± 0.07 mmol/L at 120 min, 4.62 ± 0.19 mmol/L at 150 min and 4.36 ± 0.17 mmol/L at 180 min time points compared with 5.46 ± 0.14 (P = 0.029), 5.20 ± 0.17 mmol/L (P = 0.036), and 4.89 ± 0.14 mmol/L (P = 0.015) at the same time points respectively for saline control. Mean blood glucose concentrations in rats treated with L-NMMA were 4.35 ± 0.23 mmol/L (P = 0.0018) at 120 min, 4.60 ± 0.14 mmol/L (P = 0.090) at 150 min and 3.88 ± 0.16 mmol/L (P 0.001) at 180 min. There were significant differences in mean postprandial blood glucose concentrations in rats treated with SNAP, compared with those treated with L-NAME and SNAP at 90 min (P = 0.012), 180 min (P = 0.013) and 210 min (P < 0.0001). In addition, there were significant differences in mean postprandial blood glucose concentrations in rats treated with SNAP compared with those treated with L-NMMA and SNAP at 90 min (P = 0.0011), 180 min (P = 0.015) and 210 min (P = 0.0077). CONCLUSION: The nitric oxide synthase [NOS] inhibitors were effective in reducing postprandial blood glucose concentration in rats treated with SNAP. This suggests that although SNAP is an effective antihypertensive agent it decreases glucose tolerance which can be improved by the use of NOS inhibitors such as L-NMMA or L-NAME. These drugs could be beneficial in controlling blood glucose tolerance in rats administered with SNAP, and possibly in humans.

The microbial content of unexpired pasteurized milk from selected supermarkets in a developing country

Objective: To determine the presence and levels of microbes in unexpired pasteurized milk from randomly selected supermarkets in Kingston, Jamaica. Methods: The quantitative study used a stratified random sampling technique in the selection of the 20 representative milk samples from six (6) supermarkets. Microbiological tests such as methylene blue reduction, standard plate count (SPC), coliform plate count (CPC), purity plate culture, gram staining and biochemical tests were performed to examine the microbes in purchased unexpired pasteurized milk. Results: One sample (BCr016) had a pH of 4.0, a rancid odour and curdled appearance. It decolourized within one hour during the methylene blue reduction test and was classified as class 4 milk. Seven of the samples were sterile with no microbe growth on the plate count agar and violet red bile salt agar (VRBA). The milk samples that appeared to be safe for consumption were all 10, 11, 12 and 13 days before expiration. The VRBA sample BCr016, had a colony count of 13 400 CFU/ mL. There was the presence of Escherichia coli in sample LCr021 which had a standard plate count of 1 580 SPC/mL and a coliform count of 500 CFU/mL. Enterobacter sp. was present in colonies from BCr016 and all the other milk samples. Conclusions: Unacceptable levels of Enterobacter spp. and Escherichiacoli were found in most of the samples. Effective measures to ensure safe milk for human consumption such as the phosphatase test and methylene blue reduction test should be routinely performed on each batch of milk processed by dairy plants.

Prevalence of injuries and reporting of accidents among health care workers at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the knowledge, awareness and practices of health care workers towards universal precautions at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The study also examined the prevalence of injuries experienced by health care workers, as well as incidence of accidents and compliance with post-exposure prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted in September and October 2007. A 28-item self-administered questionnaire was provided to two hundred health care workers including medical doctors, medical technologists, nurses and porters to assess knowledge and practices regarding universal precautions, prevalence of injuries and incidence of accidents. RESULTS: Almost two-thirds (62.3%) of the respondents were aware of policies and procedures for reporting accidents while one-third (33.2%) were unsure. All nurses were aware of policies and procedures for reporting accidents, followed by medical doctors (88%) and medical technologists (61.2%). The majority (81.5%) of the respondents experienced splashes from bodily fluid. Over three-quarters of medical doctors (78%) and two-thirds of nurses (64%) reported having experienced needle stick injuries, while the incidence among medical technologists was remarkably lower (26%). The majority of the respondents (59%) experienced low accident incidence while just over one-tenth (14%) reported high incidence. Eighty four respondents reported needle stick injuries; just under two-thirds (59.5%) of this group received post-exposure treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that majority of health care workers were aware of policies and procedures for reporting accidents. Splashes from body fluids, needle stick injuries and cuts from other objects were quite prevalent among health care workers. There is a need for monitoring systems which would provide accurate information on the magnitude of needle stick injuries and trends over time, potential risk factors, emerging new problems, and the effectiveness of interventions at The University Hospital of the West Indies and other hospitals in Jamaica.

Effect of exercise therapy on lipid profile and oxidative stress indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Yoga has been shown to be a simple and economical therapeutic modality that may be considered as a beneficial adjuvant for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the impact of Hatha yoga and conventional physical training (PT) exercise regimens on biochemical, oxidative stress indicators and oxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This prospective randomized study consisted of 77 type 2 diabetic patients in the Hatha yoga exercise group that were matched with a similar number of type 2 diabetic patients in the conventional PT exercise and control groups. Biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined at baseline and at two consecutive three monthly intervals. The oxidative stress indicators (malondialdehyde - MDA, protein oxidation - POX, phospholipase A2 - PLA2 activity) and oxidative status [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities] were measured. RESULTS: The concentrations of FBG in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups after six months decreased by 29.48% and 27.43% respectively (P < 0.0001) and there was a significant reduction in serum TC in both groups (P < 0.0001). The concentrations of VLDL in the managed groups after six months differed significantly from baseline values (P = 0.036). Lipid peroxidation as indicated by MDA significantly decreased by 19.9% and 18.1% in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively (P < 0.0001); whilst the activity of SOD significantly increased by 24.08% and 20.18% respectively (P = 0.031). There was no significant difference in the baseline and 6 months activities of PLA2 and catalase after six months although the latter increased by 13.68% and 13.19% in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively (P = 0.144). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrate the efficacy of Hatha yoga exercise on fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes and suggest that Hatha yoga exercise and conventional PT exercise may have therapeutic preventative and protective effects on diabetes mellitus by decreasing oxidative stress and improving antioxidant status. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12608000217303.

Relative inhibition of lipid peroxidation, cyclooxygenase enzymes, and human tumor cell proliferation by natural food colors.

The most abundant water soluble natural food colors are betacyanins and anthocyanins. Similarly, lycopene, bixin, beta-carotene, and chlorophyll are water insoluble colors. Pure betanin, bixin, lycopene, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside were isolated from Beta vulgaris, Bixa orellana,Lycopersicum esculentum, Spinacia oleracea, Daucus carrota, and Prunus cerasus, respectively. These natural pigments, alone and in combination, were evaluated for their relative potencies against cyclooxygenase enzymes and tumor cell growth inhibition by using MCF-7 (breast), HCT-116 (colon), AGS (stomach), CNS (central nervous system), and NCI-H460 (lung) tumor cell lines. Among the colors tested, betanin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, lycopene, and beta-carotene inhibited lipid peroxidation. However, all pigments tested gave COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition and showed a dose-dependent growth inhibition against breast, colon, stomach, central nervous system, and lung tumor cells, respectively. The mixtures of these pigments were also evaluated for their synergistic effects and chemical interactions at various concentrations. The mixture of anthocyanin and betanin negated their efficacy in the cell growth inhibitory assay and did not enhance the COX enzyme inhibitory activity. This is the first report of a comparative evaluation and the impact on biological activities of these pigments alone and in combination.

Hypoglycaemic effect of stigmast-4-en-3-one and its corresponding alcohol from the bark of Anacardium occidentale (cashew).

Intravenous administration of the hexane extract of the bark of Anacardium occidentale (cashew) in normal, healthy dogs produced a significant lowering of the blood glucose levels. Pursuit of the hypoglycaemic principle(s) in the hexane extract resulted in the isolation and characterization of two compounds, stigmast-4-en-3-ol (1) and stigmast-4-en-3-one (2). These compounds were purified by chromatographic methods and the structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Both compounds produced significant hypoglycaemic activity after intravenous administration at a dose of 1.3 mg/kg body weight. The bark of the cashew plant, A. occidentale, exhibited a hypoglycaemic effect probably due to the presence of these compounds.