Antidiarrhoeal activity of an ethanol extract of the stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum (Caesalpiniaceae) in rats.

Piliostigma reticulatum (Caesalpiniaceae) is used in Africa as a traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis and diarrhoea. We investigated the antidiarrhoeal properties of a crude ethanol extract from the stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum (EEPR) in Wistar albino rats to substantiate its traditional use and to determine its phytochemical constituents. The antidiarrhoeal activity of the plant extract was evaluated in a castor oil-induced diarrhoea model in rats and compared with loperamide. The effect of the extract on gastrointestinal motility was also determined by the oral administration of charcoal meal and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling). EEPR showed remarkable dose-dependent antidiarrhoeal activity evidenced by a reduction of defecation frequency and change in consistency. Extracts at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced diarrhoeal faeces. EEPR also significantly inhibited gastrointestinal motility and castor oil-induced enteropooling at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, similar to the inhibition obtained in control rats treated by atropine. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols and reducing sugars in the stem bark of P. reticulatum. No mortality or visible signs of general weakness were observed in the rats following administration of the crude extract in doses up to 6000 mg/kg body weight in an acute toxicity study. Our results show that the stem bark of P. reticulatum possesses antidiarrhoeal activity and strongly suggest that its use in traditional medicine practice could be justified.

Immunosuppression reversible; marqueurs du foie; des reins et metabolisme phosphocalcique chez le lapin sain

But : Le but de cette etude a ete de determiner la ou les doses de Methylprednisolone qui induit une immunodepression reversible dans un temps long sans perturber les marqueurs du foie; des reins et du metabolisme phosphocalcique chez le lapin sain. Materiel et methodes : Cette etude a ete effectuee chez quinze lapins. Ils ont constitue cinq lots selon l'administration de Nacl et du Methylpredmisolone. Lot control (Nacl 0; 9); Lot I (2;5mg/kg MP); Lot II (5mg/kg MP); Lot III (10mg/kg MP) et Lot IV (15 mg/kg MP). Les marqueurs biochimiques ont ete doses par des methodes chimique et enzymatique. Resultats : Les resultats ont montre une immunodepression pendant 7 jours avec les doses de 10 et 15 mg/kg de MP (P0;05). Les perturbations biochimiques ont ete observees avec 15 mg/kg ou le calcium a ete abaisse a J15 et la TGO augmentee a J3 par rapport a J0 (P0;05). Conclusion : Cette etude a montre que les doses qui induisent une longue immunodepression (7 jours) sont 10 et 15 mg/kg de MP. Elle suggere que la dose qui ne perturbe pas les parametres biochimiques induisant une immunodepression longue reversible est 10 mg /kg de MP

Effet des malnutritions mineure et moderee sur les proteines immunitaires; inflammatoires et nutritionnelles chez l'enfant en Cote d'Ivoire

But : le but de cette etude a ete de determiner les perturbations des proteines immunitaire; inflammatoires et nutritionnelles chez 142 enfants dont 42 ont presente une malnutrition (30 malnutris mineurs et 12 moderes). Materiel et methodes : Cette etude a ete realisee en Cote d'Ivoire chez les enfants de 5 a 15 ans. L'etat nutritionnel ou l'etat de malnutrition a ete apprecie par le rapport Poids/Taille qui est de loin le plus utilise. Les proteines immunitaires; inflammatoires et nutritionnelles ont ete dosees par immunodiffusion radiale de Mancini. Resultats : Les resultats de cette etude ont montre que l'Albumine a ete abaissee (p0;05) au cours de la malnutrition moderee et mineure en comparaison aux sujets normonutris. En revanche; il a ete observe une elevation de la CRP dans les deux formes de malnutrition (p0;01). De meme ; l'index pronostique nutritionnel et inflammatoire qui permet d'apprecier simultanement l'etat inflammatoire et nutritionnel (PNI) a ete augmente dans la malnutrition moderee par rapport a la malnutrition mineure (p0;05) et aux sujets normonutris (p0;01). Par ailleurs; les proteines immunitaires restent inchangees dans les deux formes de malnutrition en comparaison aux sujet normonutris (p0;05). Conclusion : Cette etude a montre que les malnutritions moderee et mineure chez les enfants de plus de 5 ans sont accompagnes toujours de processus inflammatoire et d'une consommation proteique notamment l'Albumine. Enfin; ces observations suggerent que la determination du statut nutritionnel avec les parametres anthropometriques (Poids/Taille) necessite l'utilisation des examens biologiques

Effet des malnutritions mineure et moderee sur les proteines immunitaires; Inflammatoire et nutritionnelles chez l'enfant en Cote d'Ivoire

But : le but de cette etude a ete de determiner les perturbations des proteines immunitaire; inflammatoires et nutritionnelles chez 142 enfants dont 42 ont presente une malnutrition (30 malnutris mineurs et 12 moderes). Materiel et methodes : Cette etude a ete realisee en Cote d'Ivoire chez les enfants de 5 a 15 ans. L'etat nutritionnel ou l'etat de malnutrition a ete apprecie par le rapport Poids/Taille qui est de loin le plus utilise. Les proteines immunitaires; inflammatoires et nutritionnelles ont ete dosees par immuno- diffusion radiale de Mancini. Resultats : Les resultats de cette etude ont montre que l'Albumine a ete abaissee (p0;05) au cours de la malnutrition moderee et mineure en comparaison aux sujets normonutris. En revanche; il a ete observe une elevation de la CRP dans les deux formes de malnutrition (p0;01). De meme ; l'index pronostique nutritionnel et inflammatoire qui permet d'apprecier simultanement l'etat inflammatoire et nutritionnel (PNI) a ete augmente dans la malnutrition moderee par rapport a la malnutrition mineure (p0;05) et aux sujets normonutris (p0;01). Par ailleurs; les proteines immunitaires restent inchangees dans les deux formes de malnutrition en comparaison aux sujet normonutris (p0;05). Conclusion : Cette etude a montre que les malnutritions moderee et mineure chez les enfants de plus de 5 ans sont accompagnes toujours de processus inflammatoire et d'une consommation proteique notamment l'Albumine. Enfin; ces observations suggerent que la determination du statut nutritionnel avec les parametres anthropometriques (Poids/Taille) necessite l'utilisation des examens biologiques

[Intestinal parasites, haematological profile and anthropometric status of schoolchildren in Cotê d'Ivoire]. / Parasites intestinaux, profil hématologique et statut anthropométrique de l'enfant scolarisé en Côte d'Ivoire.

In West Africa intestinal parasites diseases and lack of food are quoted among the main causes of childhood morbidity. This study aimed to assess both the frequency and the relationships between anthropometric values and haemogramme troubles among children living in a West tropical forest area. A cross-sectional survey was tested on a sample of 262 children drawn at two levels. The parameters studied were the weight, height, age, sex, percentiles at height per age and weight per height ratios, haemogramme and intestinal parasites. The results revealed that microcyte hypochrome anemia is generally dominant in the haematological profile. The intestinal parasites carriage has a frequency higher than 68%, but has no influence on either the haematological profile or the anthropometric status. However, the haematological troubles found during that experience revealed a strong association with weight-height ratio troubles. Furthermore, malnutrition signs were observed.

Evaluation of the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in hypertensive Ivoirian subjects--preliminary results.

Experimental data on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in black Africans are very limited. In this study we set up our own values (plasma renin and aldosterone) in a group of normotensive Ivoirian male and female (N = 43) subjects and compared our results with those published for the white population. The values were approximately the same. A parallel study was carried out in a black population (N = 48 men and women) consulting a doctor for the first time for hypertension in different regions of Côte d'Ivoire. The mean values of plasma renin and aldosterone were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the hypertensive compared with the control group.

HbF in the adult: could its composition discriminate normal from abnormal foetal globin gene expression?

The relative proportions of the two gamma chain species (G gamma and A gamma) have been reinvestigated in newborns, during the physiological switch from foetal to adult haemoglobin, and in adults with some persistent expression of HbF. In newborns, with about 80% HbF, the G gamma percentage was close to 70% while in adult RBC, with less than 0.5% HbF, the G gamma chain was almost non-detectable and may reflect the completion of the foetal to adult switch. Conversely, in adult patients with HbF above 0.6%, usually accompanying some degree of marrow stimulation, the relative ratio of G gamma varied between 40 and 60%, independently of HbF level. This ratio corresponds to what has been described in the literature as being the adult type of HbF. In all the cases where we found higher levels of G gamma, the results could be explained by the presence of a specific genetic background such as the Senegalese haplotype in sickle cell disease.

[Blood levels of protein markers of inflammation and nutrition in the meningo-encephalitis phase of human African trypanosomiasis]. / Valeurs sériques des marqueurs protéiques de l'inflammation et de la nutrition dans la phase méningo-encéphalitique de la trypanosomose humaine africaine.

Two acute phase proteins; C-reactive protein and acid alpha 1-glycoprotein and three nutritional markers; prealbumin, retinol binding protein and transferrin have been evaluated in 8 patients suffering from trypanosomiasis in meningoencephalitic state and compared to those obtained from 15 normal control subjects. Findings show a markly decrease of nutritional markers without change of sera acute phase proteins. We concluded that in meningo-encephalitic state of human african trypanosomiasis, denutrition was a major biological or clinical feature in association with lymphoid cells stimulation as revealed by beta 2-M levels.

Valeur predictive du dosage simultane de la beta2 - microglobuline et de la ferritine seriques au cours de l'infection a VIH

L'Etude a porte sur le dosage serique de la beta2-microglobiline (B2-m) et de la ferritine (Ft) chez 60 patients souffrant du syndrome d'immuno deficience acquise (SIDA) repartis en fonction des affections associees. Les resultats obtenus montrent que la B2-m est precocement augmentee dans l'infection a VIH alors que l'elevation de la Ft n'apparait que dans le SIDA maladie. Ceci suggere que ces deux parametres biologiques devraient faire partie du bilan biologique de l'infection a VIH et constitueraient ainsi un mini-profil proteique de la surveillance des sujets asymptomatiques seropositifs aux anticorps anti-VIH

In vitro antimalarial activity of vegetal extracts used in West African traditional medicine.

Among strategies for the development of new antimalarials, a study of plants traditionally used in Africa against malaria has been pursued. Extracts obtained from the plants Azadirachta indica, Cinnamonum camphora, Lippia multiflora, Vernonia colorata, Guiera senegalensis, Combretum micranthum, and Ximenia americana, commonly used in Cote d'Ivoire by native healers for the treatment of malaria, were tested on two strains of Plasmodium falciparum: FcB1-Colombia (chloroquine-resistant) and F32-Tanzania (chloroquine-sensitive). Extracts were obtained after infusion and decoction, both techniques being used by most native healers. The antimalarial activities of the extracts were tested first by parasite 3H-hypoxanthine incorporation and second by visual evaluation of the activities of plant extracts on thin blood smears, which also permitted the determination of parasitic stages and parasite alteration. Among the seven plants tested, some had an apparent inhibitory effect on P. falciparum growth in vitro, while other seemed to be less efficient.

Lipid, apolipoprotein AI and B levels in Ivorian patients with sickle cell anaemia.

Plasma apolipoprotein AI, apolipoprotein B, cholesterol and triglycerides in 114 Ivorian patients with homozygous sickle cell anaemia (HbSS) were compared to 40, age and sex matched controls with normal haemoglobin (HbAA). Except for plasma triglycerides, lipid and apolipoprotein levels were found to be lower in patients with sickle cell anaemia as compared to normal control subjects. The differences between the two groups were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05 Student's t test). In addition, a highly significant decrease of plasma apolipoprotein AI (p < 0.01) was observed during painful crisis as compared to the steady state (0.78 g.L-1 versus 1.01 g.L-1), whereas triglyceride levels were found to be higher (1.02 g.L-1 versus 0.78 g.L-1). Although the metabolism of lipoproteins is being altered, the results of this cross-sectional study do not suggest that patients with sickle cell anaemia are at higher risk of developing coronary artery disease.

[Evaluation of atherogenic risk in homozygous sickle cell disease: study of lipid and apolipoprotein AI and B plasma levels]. / Evaluation du risque athérogène chez le drépanocytaire homozygote: étude des taux plasmatiques des lipides et apolipoprotéines AI et B.

The main clinical use of measurements of Apo Al and Apo B is to determine a patient's risk status for the development of ischemic heart disease. Apo B is generally accepted as a contributory cause of coronary artery disease, while Apo Al apparently has a protective effect. The present study reports the plasma change of Apo Al and B in sickle cell anaemic subjects. Immunochemical findings revealed that Apo Al and B levels were found to be lower in sickle cell patients as compared with normal subjects (HbAA). The atherogenicity index given by Apo B/Apo Al remained in the normal range during periods of steady state (0.64 +/- 0.28), while subjects in painful crisis had high index values (0.95 +/- 0.35). Therefore, we concluded that epidemiological studies on a large sample of patients are needed to confirm this relationship between painful crisis and risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Phosphatidylinositolmannoside-based liposomes induce no synthase in primed mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Liposomes prepared from phosphatidylinositolmannosides (extracted from BCG) and cholesterol are efficiently endocytosed by macrophages. Phagocytosis of particles or microbes modifies macrophage metabolism and in some cases, delivers potent stimulating signals to macrophages. We examined the effect of phosphatidylinositolmannoside-based liposomes on three macrophage functions especially important for host defenses: nitric oxide production, oxidative burst and TNF-alpha secretion. Phosphatidylinositolmannoside-based liposomes, added as empty vesicles, induced a strong NO synthase activity in mouse peritoneal macrophages primed either by interferon-gamma or by trehalose dimycolate. They also induced a moderate production of TNF-alpha. Phosphatidylinositolmannosides conferred activating properties to pH-sensitive liposomes. In contrast, liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine were unable to activate primed macrophages.

[Protein profile in malnutrition states of the Ivory Coast child]. / Profil protétique dans les états de malnutrition de l'enfant Ivoirien.

Prospectively assessment of nutritional status, besides anthropometric parameters measurements, included determination of the following plasma proteins: albumin, transferrin, retinol-binding protein and thyroxine-binding prealbumin, usually regarded as useful indices of protein depletion states. Patients' inflammatory or infectious diseases were investigated by measuring the two most reliable acute-phase reactants (orosomucoid and c-reactive protein). This study was conducted on a group of 56 pediatric patients malnourished and 54 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects as controls. Data showed a higher prevalence of inflammatory process during the course of malnutrition as revealed progressive but severe alteration of the Prognostic Inflammatory and Nutritional Index (PINI) or CRP x a1-GPA/Alb x TBPA. On the other hand, kwashiorkor and marasmus seemed to be a precipitating cause of infectious or/and inflammatory process. We, therefore, conclude that the PINI scoring system should be for the pediatricians, a sensitive and precious tool allowing the correct follow-up of inflammatory pole in nutritional disorders in developing countries.