Antimicrobial compounds from Pimpinella species growing in Turkey

A new, 4-(2-propenyl)-phenyl angelate ( 1) and four known phenylpropanoids ( 2 - 5), were isolated from Pimpinella isaurica, a species endemic in Turkey. One new sesquiterpene, 1-methyl-4-(5-methyl-1-methylenehex-4-enyl)-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane ( 6) was obtained from P. aurea and two known phenylpropanoids were isolated ( 7, 8), from P. corymbosa. The structure elucidation of the new compounds 1 and 6 was achieved by a combination of one- ( (1)H, and (13)C) and two-dimensional NMR techniques (G-DQF-COSY, G-HMQC, and G-HMBC) and LC-ESI-FTMS. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 have been evaluated for their antimalarial and antimicrobial activities. Compound 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 had antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium intracellulare with IC (50) values of 7.0, 15.0, 2.5, 10.0 and 1.5 microg/mL, respectively.     

Effects of tibolone on plasma homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of tibolone on levels of plasma homocysteine, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Postmenopausal healthy women. INTERVENTION(S): Tibolone (2.5 mg/d) or calcium (1250 mg/d) and conjugated equine estrogens (0.625 mg/d) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (5 mg/d) were administered orally for 6 months. Blood samples were collected at the start and the end of therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Plasma homocysteine levels. RESULT(S): Administration of tibolone and calcium caused only a 4% decrease in plasma homocysteine levels compared with initial levels. In contrast, conjugated equine estrogens plus medroxyprogesterone acetate caused a 29% decrease in plasma homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION(S): Despite the reported beneficial effect of tibolone on the serum lipid profile, tibolone had no statistically significant effect on serum homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women. The possible cardiovascular protective role of tibolone might be unrelated to its effects on homocysteine levels.     

Effects of erythromycin on pregnancy duration and birth weight in lipopolysaccharide-induced preterm labor in pregnant rats

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of erythromycin on pregnancy duration and on live birth weight in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced preterm labor model in rats. STUDY DESIGN: Total of 60 pregnant rats on day 16 of gestation was intraperitoneally injected with 25 microg/kg LPS. Animals were randomly divided into six groups and 20mg/kg (n=10), 40 mg/kg (n=10), 60 mg/kg (n=10), 80 mg/kg (n=10), and 100mg/kg (n=10) erythromycin and equal volume of physiological saline (n=10) were given intraperitoneally. Injection of LPS-to-vaginal bleeding interval, vaginal bleeding-to-delivery interval, LPS injection-to-delivery interval was monitored and live birth weight of neonates was determined. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal injection of erythromycin to LPS-administered rats caused significant increase in latent period, labor period, total period and live birth weight in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These data shows that erythromycin causes prolongation of pregnancy period and increases live birth weight in LPS-induced preterm labor of pregnant rats.     

Cerebral abscesses in Behcet's disease: a case report

Beh?et's disease is a multisystem relapsing inflammatory disorder of unknown cause. Neurological involvement is one of the most serious causes of long-term morbidity and mortality in Beh?et's disease. Cerebral abscess is very rare in literature. A 45-yr-old man with Beh?et's disease manifesting focal epileptic seizure and multiple cerebral abscesses is reported in the case. He was diagnosed with cerebral abscess and was treated with antibiotics but no improvement occurred. Excisional biopsy was performed and the lesions were consistent with abscess. The clinical state of the patient gradually improved. The patient had no further complications. The etiology, and clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings are discussed.