Effects of Curcumin on Serum Vitamin E Concentrations in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

Vitamin E is an important lipid‐soluble antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on serum vitamin E levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 120 subjects aged 18–65 years old with MetS were recruited in this study according to the International Diabetic Federation Criteria. Included subjects were randomized into three groups: subjects receiving lecithinized curcumin (1 g/day equivalent to 200‐mg pure curcumin per day) for a period of 6 weeks )n = 40), patients receiving unformulated curcumin (1 g/day) for a period of 6 weeks )n = 40) and a control group receiving placebo for the same period (n = 40). Vitamin E was determined in all patients before and after the intervention using high‐performance liquid chromatography method. Results showed that curcumin has no improving effect on serum levels of vitamin E (p > 0.05). There were significant differences between pre‐trial and post‐trial levels of vitamin E/low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (p < 0.05), vitamin E/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (p < 0.05), vitamin E/total cholesterol ratio (p < 0.01) and vitamin E/triglyceride ratio (p < 0.05) between the three groups of the study. Results of the present study did not suggest any improving effect of curcumin supplementation on serum vitamin E concentrations in subjects with MetS. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pseudoaneurysm of inferior epigastric artery complicating ileostomy construction

Pseudoaneurysm of the inferior epigastric artery complicating ileostomy construction is described in a 25-year-old woman. She underwent total abdominal perineal proctocolectomy with a permanent ileostomy constructed through the right rectus muscle. 15 days later, she abruptly developed significant bleeding through the ileostomy that recurred two more times. Endoscopy performed through the ileostomy stoma revealed a small ulcer 8 cm from the stomal opening. The distal segment of ileum containing the bleeding site was resected, and on-table examination of the lesion revealed an underlying tear in the inferior epigastric artery wall. The patient recovered after the operation.     

Limbal stem cell deficiency in the context of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy

PURPOSE: To report two sisters with bilateral progressive visual loss and photophobia secondary to stem cell deficiency due to multiple endocrine deficiency. METHODS: Case reports and review of medical literature. RESULTS: The younger sister had severe photophobia and decreased visual acuity since May 2000. Despite multiple outpatient visits no definite cause was found and conservative treatments failed. On slit lamp examination severe meibomian gland dysfunction, loss of eyelashes, decreased tear meniscus, diffuse corneal vascularization, and delayed punctate fluorescein staining of corneal epithelium were detected. She also had episodes of hypotension, oral candidiasis, and seizures. Her systemic workup revealed multiple endocrine deficiency (Addison's disease and hypoparathyroidism). Hormone replacement therapy with fludrocortisone and oral calcium accompanied by punctual occlusion led to significant clinical recovery .The older sister showed a similar pattern but interestingly the onset was later and the signs and symptoms were milder. CONCLUSIONS: In the pediatric age group with diffuse corneal vascularization and no definite cause, systemic workup should be done to rule out multiple endocrine deficiencies. The therapy consists of hormone replacement therapy and management of dry eye.     

Effects of stress on exacerbation of diabetes mellitus, serum glucose and cortisol levels and body weight in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of stress on the serum glucose, serum cortisol levels and body weight were investigated to clarify the possible link between the stress and diabetes. METHODS: The experiments were performed on nondiabetic and streptozotocin diabetic rats divided to control, sham and stressed groups. Water immersion was used as stressor. After the experiment, blood samples were collected. The serum glucose level (SGL) was measured by the glucose oxidase method and serum cortisol level (SCL) was determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Stress caused a significant increase in glucose level in both nondiabetic and diabetic rats. In diabetes rats, a significant increase in SCL was observed. Stress did not cause, however, significant increases in SCL. A significant weight loss took place in rats exposed to stress and that was much greater in diabetic animals. CONCLUSION: The stress with mainly psychic component exacerbated the diabetes in streptozotocin treated rats and the glucose levels increased significantly also in nondiabetic controls, but no glucose was detected in their urine.     

The effect of various morphine weaning regimens on the sequelae of opioid tolerance involving physical dependency,anxiety and hippocampus cell neurodegeneration in rats

Chronic consumption of morphine induces physical dependency, anxiety, and neurodegeneration. In this study, morphine on its own has been used for the management of morphine‐induced dependency, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Forty‐eight male rats were randomly divided into six groups. Rats in groups 1 – 5 were made morphine dependent by an increasing manner of morphine for 7 days (15 – 45 mg/kg). For the next 14 days, morphine was administered using the following regimen: (i) once daily 45 mg/kg (positive controls), (ii) the same dose at additional intervals (6 h longer than the previous intervals each time), (iii) 45 mg/kg of morphine at irregular intervals like of 12, 24, 36 h, (iv) decreasing dose once daily (every time 2.5 mg/kg less than the former dosage). Group 5 received 45 mg/kg of morphine and 10 mg/kg of SOD mimetic agent (M40401) injection per day. Group 6 (negative control) received saline solution only. On day 22, all animals received naloxone (3 mg/kg) and their Total Withdrawal Index (TWI) and blood cortisol levels were measured. After drug treatment, hippocampus cells were isolated, and oxidative, antioxidative, and apoptotic factors were evaluated. Various regimens of morphine reduced TWI, cortisol levels, Bax activity, caspase‐3, caspase‐9, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β and lipid peroxidation. In all treatment groups, GSH level, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and Bcl‐2 activity were significantly increased . Furthermore, SOD mimetic agent c diminished morphine effect on SOD activity. Thus, varying the dosage regimen of morphine can reduce the severity of morphine‐induced dependency and neurodegeneration.