The influence of Sacoglottis gabonensis stem bark extract and its isolate bergenin, Nigerian alcoholic beverage additives, on the metabolic and haematological side effects of 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine-induced tissue damage

This study was designed to study the influence of Sacoglottis gabonensis stem bark extract on the metabolic and cytotoxic side effects of 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (2,4-DNPH) on the brain and blood using male weaving rats as the experimental model. This was after the effect of the bark extract and bergenin, its isolate, on membrane lipid peroxidation and tissue natural antioxidant defences was reported. Lipid peroxidation was induced experimentally with a single intraperitoneal phenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) administration at the end of 3 days exposure to the bark extract or bergenin in drinking water. Three hours later, the brain, liver and red blood cells of the experimental animals were analysed for glucose level and the blood was analysed for selected key indices of oxidative stress: red blood cell (RBC) count haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and white blood cell (WBC) count (total and differential). The bark extract exhibited a protective action on brain glucose, significantly inhibiting the glucose-depleting action of both 2,4-DNPH and ethanol. It also inhibited the lowering action of DNPH and ethanol on PCV, RBC and Hb concentration of rat blood, but inhibited proliferation of white blood cells (total and differential). The data on the effect of bergenin, on the side effects of 2,4-DNPH experimental lipid peroxidation and on ethanol followed an essentially similar trend to those of the bark extract on brain glucose. Bergenin, similar to the bark extract, exerted a protective action on the brain tissue, though to a lesser extent, against the oxidants, 2,4-DNPH and ethanol. It is evident that aqueous ethanol extract of S. gabonensis stem bark has biological antioxidant properties against 2,4-DNPH and ethanol-induced tissue damage exerting its action on the haematological and metabolic side effects of the oxidants. By virtue of its essentially similar activity under the same conditions, bergenin appears to be the phytochemical constituent that is largely responsible for the observed action of the bark extract.     

Missed treatment opportunities, for pregnant and breast-feeding women, in onchocerciasis mass-treatment programmes in south-eastern Nigeria

During annual rounds of mass treatment against onchocerciasis, women who are pregnant or nursing neonates should not to be offered ivermectin. The aim of the present study was to determine how many women were not treated, as a result of this policy, in four villages in south-eastern Nigeria. Of the 1714 women of reproductive age present during the 2000 round of mass treatment, 599 (35%) were excluded because they were pregnant or nursing babies aged < 1 month. Most (56%) of the 599 excluded women were, however, treated individually later in the year. Of the 264 excluded women who did not receive a dose of ivermectin at all in 2000, 123 (47%) said they would have actively sought ivermectin treatment had they been made aware of the short duration of exclusion for nursing. If they had all known of the short duration of the exclusion and when and how to locate and receive treatment in their villages after the round of mass treatment, 91% of the women excluded from the round of mass treatment would probably have been treated later in the year. Better treatment systems, follow-up and health education, targeted at pregnant and lactating women, would improve treatment coverage of this group after parturition and early nursing.     

Effects of the gut-stimulating principle in Croton penduliflorus seed oil on the central nervous system

The gut-stimulating principle in Croton penduliflorus seed oil isolated as white crystals (CP crystals) significantly reduced pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice at doses of 3 and 6 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Indomethacin (4 mg/kg) and atropine (0.044 mg/kg) significantly reversed the action of CP crystals on pentobarbitone sleeping time with indomethacin having a profound reversal effect. CP crystals significantly reduced the mean onset of convulsions and the mean death time in mice treated with a surely convulsive dose of strychnine. CP crystals significantly reduced the intensity of morphine and pethidine analgesia and prolonged the duration of pethidine analgesia. Most actions of CP crystals suggest that it stimulates the CNS and reduces the intensity of opioids (except codeine) while prolonging their duration of analgesic action.     

Association between eotaxin (CCL11), C-reactive protein, and antimicrobial antibodies in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.

Eotaxin (CCL11) is a potent chemoattractant for eosinophils and lymphocytes. Apart from its functions in the eosinophilic system, eotaxin has been shown to be overexpressed in atherosclerosis. We therefore sought to determine whether chronic infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae or other infectious agents is correlated with concentrations of eotaxin or C-reactive protein since this mechanism could explain the finding that chronic infection stimulates smooth muscle cell migration and plaque development. Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome or stable angina were included in the study. Blood was drawn before PCI, at 6 weeks, and 6 and 12 months after coronary intervention. Eotaxin and C-reactive protein were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibodies against Candida, C. pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, Helicobacter pylori, and herpes simplex virus were measured by ELISA or immunofluorescence. Two hundred five consecutive patients undergoing PCI (stable angina, n = 136; acute coronary syndrome, n = 69) and 83 patients with normal coronary arteries were enrolled in the study. Eotaxin concentrations at inclusion were higher in patients with coronary artery disease than in control patients, p = .01, and comparable in patients with stable angina and those with acute coronary syndrome but did not correlate with C-reactive protein. Eotaxin concentrations at inclusion and during follow-up weakly correlated with concentrations of antibodies against C. pneumoniae, H. pylori, and herpes simplex virus but not with concentrations of antibodies against Candida or cytomegalovirus. Eotaxin concentrations and antibody titers against C. pneumoniae significantly increased following angioplasty and remained elevated thereafter. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that eotaxin concentrations are elevated independently from C-reactive protein in patients with coronary artery disease and correlate with antibodies against infectious agents known for chronic infection in humans.     

Immature teratoma of the tectum mesencephali with histopathological detection of rudimentary eye anlage in a 3‐year‐old boy: Report of a rare case

Intracranial teratoma is a rare neoplasm derived from omnipotent germinal cells that can contain mesoderm, endoderm and/or ectoderm layer tissue. Histologically teratomas are characterized by abnormal structures like teeth or bone that can be further subdivided into mature and immature according to the presence of incompletely differentiated tissue. Characteristic intracranial teratomas are space‐occupying lesions in the pineal region and often present with hydrocephalic symptoms due to aqueduct stenosis. A 3‐year‐old boy presented with a peracute hemiparesis, fatigue and speech deficit. MRI diagnostics showed a cystic, partially solid, inhomogeneous contrast‐enhancing formation at the top of the tectum mesencephali with consecutive aqueduct compression. The patient underwent a sub‐occipital craniotomy via a supracerebellar approach and complete resection was achieved. The histopathological examination mainly showed mature tissue of ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal origin. However, small areas of undifferentiated neuroectodermal tissue within an optic vesicle formation were detected, leading to the diagnosis of an immature teratoma. In due course, the patient was discharged in good health without neurological deficits. To our knowledge, optic vesicle‐containing intracranial germ cell tumors are extremely rare. Here we report a unique case with immature neuroectodermal tissue within an optic vesicle formation in an otherwise mature teratoma.