The effects of extraction methods on the contents of fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA in marine lipids

This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of trans-methylation methods in fish oil obtained using Soxhlet extraction method and Bligh and Dyer method and also to observe the effects of extraction methods on the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] in five marine species: sardine (Sardinella aurita), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), sea bream (Sparus aurata), brushtooth lizardfish (Saurida undosquamis) and chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus). The results showed that Bligh and Dyer extraction method was more efficient in extracting polar and non-polar lipids than Soxhlet method and also prevented losses of PUFAs by a reduction in the oxidation. The level of EPA showed fluctuations for the two extraction methods. However, Soxhlet method showed significant decrease (p?相似文献   

The effect of the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor L-NAME on amitriptyline-induced hypotension in rats

OBJECTIVE: Hypotension induced by tricyclic antidepressants is multifactorial. Previous animal experiments suggest a contribution from nitric oxide production. Our study aimed to evaluate the role of nitric oxide in amitriptyline-induced hypotension using N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, and 3-morpholino sydnonimine, a nitric oxide donor, in anesthetized rats. METHODS: Amitriptyline intoxication was induced by the continuous infusion of amitriptyline 0.625 mg/kg/min throughout the experiment in anesthetized rats. Fifteen and 25 minutes after amitriptyline infusion began, two bolus doses of 10 mg/kg of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (n = 8) or an equivalent volume of 5% dextrose solution (n = 8) was administered to each rat (Protocol 1). To investigate whether the effect of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on blood pressure is counteracted by 3-morpholino sydnonimine, after the same protocol of amitriptyline infusion and 5 minutes after an N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester bolus, a bolus of 3000 nmol/kg of 3-morpholino sydnonimine was administered (n = 8) to each rat (Protocol 2). To investigate the effect of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on 3-morpholino sydnonimine induced hypotension, a group of rats received a continuous infusion of 0.54 mg/kg/h of 3-morpholino sydnonimine until 50% reduction was observed in mean arterial blood pressure followed by a bolus dose of 10 mg/kg of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (n = 6) or 5% dextrose solution (n = 6) (Protocol 3). Outcome measures included mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and QRS duration in electrocardiogram. Student's t test and survival analysis were used for selected comparisons. RESULTS: For all parameters, the treatment groups were similar at baseline and at postamitriptyline periods before therapy was rendered. Amitriptyline infusion significantly reduced mean arterial blood pressure by 50.8 +/- 2.2% and prolonged QRS by 23.9 +/- 7.2% after 15 minutes. In Protocol 1, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester significantly increased mean arterial blood pressure compared to dextrose-treated control animals within 30 minutes (77.9 +/- 8.5% vs. 49.7 +/- 5.0% mmHg, p < 0.01, 95% CI 57.1-98.7%). QRS duration progressively increased during the amitriptyline infusion; however, there was no significant difference in QRS width between N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and control groups at any time point. N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester increased survival time compared to controls (33.4 +/- 4.1 vs. 19.9 +/- 2.7 minutes, p < 0.01, 95% CI 25.4-41.3) but did not affect mortality. In Protocol 2 of continuous infusion of amitriptyline, 3-morpholino sydnonimine counteracted the N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced increase in mean arterial blood pressure. In both protocols, heart rate decreased significantly during amitriptyline infusion but there was no difference between treatment and control groups. In Protocol 3, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester bolus reversed 3-morpholino sydnonimine-induced hypotension compared to dextrose bolus. (83.8 +/- 5.7% vs. 54.6 +/- 4.8%, p < 0.01, 95% CI 69.2-98.4). CONCLUSION: N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester is found to be effective in temporarily improving hypotension and prolonging survival time but does not affect overall mortality. Because this effect was antagonized by 3-morpholino sydnonimine, nitric oxide production appears to contribute to the pathophysiology of amitriptyline-induced hypotension.     

Disconnecting the DOTS: misconceptions about the therapeutic paradigm of tuberculosis patients at family healthcare centers in Istanbul

Purpose

There has been a major transformation in the Turkish healthcare system since 2003. The new paradigm introduced the family medicine model, which profoundly changed the structure of primary healthcare access and delivery. In the context of tuberculosis (TB) control, it led to transferring the responsibility for directly observed therapy (DOT) from anti-TB clinics to family healthcare centers. This change entailed daily interaction of the health staff of family healthcare centers with TB patients who had been treated solely in anti-TB clinics under the vertical system since the 1940s. These encounters resulted in erroneous DOT practices and inappropriate treatment of TB patients. In this study, we attempt to question the ways in which TB control has so far been and will possibly be affected by this change.

Methods

We collected our data through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with ten family physicians, ten nurses/midwives and ten TB experts in Istanbul between January and December 2012.

Results

Our interviews revealed that family physicians predominantly think that they are not well equipped to deal with TB patients in terms of infrastructure and time. Besides, it seems that most of them have misconceptions about DOT and the transmission route of TB.

Conclusion

Our research points out that the aim and rationale of DOT should be clarified for the healthcare staff of family healthcare centers. We also assume that if an inappropriate approach toward TB patients in primary healthcare settings prevails, this will negatively affect the help-seeking behavior of TB patients and hence the treatment success in the long run.

     

Adenosine-mediated cardiovascular toxicity in amitriptyline-poisoned rats

We investigated the contribution of endogenous adenosine to amitriptyline-induced cardiovascular toxicity in rats. A control group of rats was pretreated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) 5% dextrose and received intravenous 0.94?mg/kg/min of amitriptyline for 60 minutes. The second and third groups of rats pretreated with i.p. 10?mg/kg of erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA), an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, and i.p. 1?mg/kg of S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBTI), a facilitated adenosine transport inhibitor, received 5% dextrose and amitriptyline infusion, respectively. Outcome parameters were mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), QT and QRS durations, and plasma adenosine concentrations. Plasma adenosine concentrations were increased in all groups. In the control group, amitriptyline decreased MAP and HR and prolonged QT and QRS durations after 10 minutes of infusion. In EHNA/NBTI-pretreated rats, amitriptyline prolonged QRS duration at 10 and 20 minutes. In EHNA/NBTI pretreated rats, amitriptyline-induced MAP, HR reductions, and QRS prolongations were more significant than that of dextrose-infusion-induced changes. Our results indicate that amitriptyline augmented the cardiovascular effects of endogen adenosine by increasing plasma levels of adenosine in rats.     

Permeation studies and histological examination of sheep nasal mucosa following administration of different nasal formulations with or without absorption enhancers

This study was designed to investigate the possible histological effects of different intranasal (IN) formulations of indomethacin (IND) on nasal mucosa in sheep. For this purpose, oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion (E) and solution (S) formulations including 3 mg/mL of IND were prepared. Penetration enhancers such as polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP), citric acid (CA) and sodium taurocholate (NaT) were added to emulsion (1%) at the final step into the formulations. First, the effect of penetration enhancers on permeation of IND was evaluated by in vitro permeation studies in which sheep nasal mucosa was used. According to the permeation studies PVP showed the highest enhancing effect on the permeation rate of IND from sheep nasal mucosa. Furthermore, the IND permeation from E containing PVP (1.624 +/- 0.045 mg) was significantly higher than that obtained from E (0.234 +/- 0.012 mg) (p < 0.05). For the histological studies, white Karaman sheep of approximately 20 +/- 5 kg, aged 4 to 8 months were used. They were randomly divided into eight groups, each including three sheep. Five experimental groups received different formulations of IND emulsion without/ with penetration enhancers (E-PVP, E-CA, E-NaT, E) and IND solution (S), respectively. Parallel controls were composed of either untreated groups and were given blank emulsion or isotonic sodium chloride solution (0.31 mg/kg). 2 mL of each experimental formulation was applied to both nostrils of sheep, and 1/3 central and lower regions of the nose were dissected and prepared for light microscopy. Specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Gomori's trichrome were examined by light microscopy. No signs of inflammation or erosion were noticed in the nasal mucosa of the control groups. Widened epithelial intercellular spaces were noticed in E-CA, E-NaT, and E-PVP groups as well with the E-PVP group showing the largest intraepithelial separations. E-CA and E-NaT groups showed significant decrease in the amount of goblet cells, while hypoplasia was considerably moderate in the E-PVP group. Finally, intranasal administration of IND emulsion with PVP may be considered as an alternative to intravenous and per oral administrations of IND to overcome their adverse effects.     

Comparison of pathological features of gastric carcinoma in Turkey and Germany.

Environmental factors play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis and in the morphological features of gastric carcinomas. The aim of our study was to examine whether gastric carcinoma cases from Turkey and Germany differ in their topographical localization and in their histopathological and immunophenotypic profiles. We studied 80 gastric carcinoma cases from Turkey and 80 cases from Germany. The tumors were classified according to the Lauren, Goseki, and Carneiro classifications. We also determined the immunophenotype of the tumors on the basis of their mucin (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6) and adhesion molecule (E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin) expression patterns. In the German series a proximal localization prevailed (p<0.02). In the Goseki classification, Grade I tumors were more frequent in the Turkish series, while Grade IV carcinomas (all of which stained positively for MUC5AC) were more common in the German series (p<0.24).The differences in adhesion molecule expression in the two groups were not significant. In conclusion, gastric carcinomas from Turkey and Germany differ in their topographical localization and the frequency of gland-forming versus signet-ring cell carcinomas. These differences may indicate that the factors thought to contribute to the development of gastric carcinoma, such as dietary habits and Helicobacter pylori infection, have different impact in the two countries.     

Colitis cystica profunda: MRI appearance

Colitis cystica profunda (CCP) is an uncommon benign condition characterized by mucin-filled cysts located in the submucosa, frequently associated with the solitary ulcer and rectal prolapse syndromes. The diagnosis of this entity is important as it can mimic rectal cancer and therefore may result in unnecessary surgical resection. Endoscopic examination and barium enema findings are suggestive but not specific, neither are superficial biopsy findings. Transrectal ultrasound is helpful in the diagnosis by imaging the layers of the rectal wall. The authors report a 16-year-old male with a rectal lesion mimicking malignant mass on endoscopic examination. The lesion was defined as CCP, based on MR imaging findings which disclosed multiple noninfiltrating submucosal cysts, confirmed by histopathological examination. To our knowledge, this is the first case of CCP in the radiology literature describing MRI findings.     

Chronic heavy ethanol consumption is associated with decreased platelet aggregation in rats

Although moderate alcohol consumption seems to be protective against atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease rate increases with its higher doses. Platelet aggregation is an important process which contributes to the atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether heavy ethanol consumption stimulates or inhibits platelet aggregation. Fourteen adult male Wistar rats were used. Ethanol (7.2%, v/v) in a modified liquid diet was given to eight rats for 21 days, which mimicked characteristics similar to human chronic alcoholism. Six rats constituted the control group. Adenosine diphophate (ADP) and collagen-induced platelet aggregation was measured in whole blood. We found reduced ADP-induced mean maximal aggregation in the alcoholic rat group compared to the control group at dose of 5 microM (p < 0.005). We also found decreased platelet aggregation responses to collagen in the alcoholic group (p < 0.006 for 2 microg/ml collagen, and p < 0.05 for 5 microg/ml collagen). In conclusion, chronic heavy ethanol consumption results in the decreased platelet aggregation in a rat model of alcoholism. Therefore, increased mortality from coronary artery disease in chronic alcoholism may be explained by other factors such as dietary imbalances and coexisting conditions, which include hypertension and depression.