Enhancing effects of Thai edible plants on 2-amino-3, 8-dimethylimidazo(4,5-f)quinoxaline-hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat medium-term bioassay

Boesenbergia pandurata (Zingiberaceae), Languas galanga (Zingiberaceae) and Citrus hystrix (Rutaceae) are edible plants that are commonly used as flavors or condiments in various Thai food dishes. They are known to exert strong anti-promoting activity in a test of tumor promoter-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation. In the present study their effects on hepatocarcinogenesis were investigated in a medium-term bioassay using F344 male rats. C. hystrix significantly enhanced 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo(4, 5-f)quinoxaline-associated preneoplastic liver cell focus development while B. pandurata and L. galanga had borderline effects. The results suggest that C. hystrix as well as B. pandurata and L. galanga may contain agents augmenting the hepatocarcinogenicity of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo(4,5-f)quinoxaline.     

Effects of pursed-lip breathing and forward trunk lean postures on total and compartmental lung volumes and ventilation in patients with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An observational study

This study identified the effects of pursed-lip breathing (PLB), forward trunk lean posture (FTLP), and combined PLB and FTLP on total and compartmental lung volumes, and ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sixteen patients with mild to moderate COPD performed 2 breathing patterns of quiet breathing (QB) and PLB during FTLP and upright posture (UP). The total and compartmental lung volumes and ventilation of these 4 tasks (QB-UP, PLB-UP, QB-FTLP, PLB-FTLP) were evaluated using optoelectronic plethysmography. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to identify the effect of PLB, FTLP, and combined strategies on total and compartmental lung volumes and ventilation. End-expiratory lung volume of ribcage compartment was significantly lower in PLB-UP than QB-UP and those with FTLP (P < .05). End-inspiratory lung volume (EILV) and end-inspiratory lung volume of ribcage compartment were significantly greater during PLB-FTLP and PLB-UP than those of QB (P < .05). PLB significantly and positively changed end-expiratory lung volume of abdominal compartment (EELV_AB ) end-expiratory lung volume, EILV_AB, tidal volume of pulmonary ribcage, tidal volume of abdomen, and ventilation than QB (P < .05). UP significantly increased tidal volume of pulmonary ribcage, tidal volume of abdomen, and ventilation and decreased EELV_AB, end-expiratory lung volume, and EILV_AB than FTLP (P < .05). In conclusion, combined PLB with UP or FTLP demonstrates a positive change in total and compartmental lung volumes in patients with mild to moderate COPD.     

Efficacy and tolerability of acarbose in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with diet and sulfonylureas

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of acarbose in the improvement of glycemic control in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by diet and sulfonylureas. A 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter group comparison study was conducted. Patients were randomized to receive acarbose titrated up to 100-mg tid (n=36) or matching placebo (n=33). Concomitant sulfonylurea treatment remained unchanged throughout the study. The primary efficacy parameter was the change in HbA(1c) from baseline to double-blind endpoint. Secondary efficacy variables consisted of the change from baseline to endpoint in blood glucose (fasting and 1-h postprandial), serum insulin (fasting and 1-h postprandial), and urinary glucose. In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, acarbose treatment was associated with significantly greater reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) (-0.91% vs. placebo 0.13%, P=.0018) and 1-h postprandial blood glucose levels (-2.84 mmol/l vs. placebo -0.28 mmol/l, P=.002) compared to placebo. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups regarding changes in fasting blood glucose, fasting or 1-h postprandial serum insulin, urinary glucose, or body weight. Adverse events occurred with similar frequency in both treatment arms except for drug-related gastrointestinal side-effects associated with acarbose (acarbose 48.5% and placebo 12.5%). This study has shown that the use of acarbose in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by diet and sulfonylureas is efficacious in improving metabolic control and that acarbose is safe and well tolerated.     

Promotion of rat hepatocarcinogenesis by praziquantel.

Praziquantel, the widely used anti-helminthic agent, was investigated for hepatocarcinogenesis-promoting potential using a medium-term liver bioassay system for carcinogens. F344 male rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg) and then starting 2 weeks later, received praziquantel in the diet at concentrations of 1.5 or 0.5%, or intragastrically at a dose of 1,500 mg/kg once a week for 6 weeks. Control groups received DEN or praziquantel alone. All rats were subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy at week 3 and killed at week 8. Development of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci in the liver was significantly increased in terms of both number and area with the 1.5% dose, while only area was affected by the 0.5% dose. The results thus indicate that praziquantel at high dose has promoting potential in rat hepatocytic tumorigenesis.     

Sodium citrate: a promoter of bladder carcinogenesis

Dietary administration of 5% sodium citrate to male F344 rats clearly promoted the induction of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the bladder initiated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine. Enhancement of tumorigenesis by sodium citrate was associated with changes in a number of urinary parameters: apparent elevation of pH; increase of sodium ion concentration; increase of crystalline MgNH4PO4. These results show that sodium citrate promotes bladder carcinogenesis.     

Cadmium induced renal dysfunction among residents of rice farming area downstream from a zinc-mineralized belt in Thailand

High levels of cadmium (Cd) in paddy soil and rice, and a concurrent increase in urinary Cd of inhabitants in the Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand first emerged in 2003. Risk factors such as occupation, sources of staple food and drinking water as well as biomarkers of adverse renal effects of the increased body burden of Cd were investigated in 795 residents, 30 years or older, whose urinary Cd levels were between 0.02 and 106 μg/g creatinine. Farmers who consumed their own rice and residents who sourced drinking water from wells and/or the river demonstrated increased urinary Cd. Age-adjusted mean urinary cadmium for male and female subjects who consumed well water was 5.7 μg/g vs. 6.1 μg/g creatinine while the corresponding value for male and female subjects who did not consume well water was 3.7 μg/g vs. 4.8 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Increased urinary levels of β₂-microglobulin and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase were observed with the increase in urinary Cd, indicating tubular dysfunction and renal damage associated with increase in Cd body burden. Consumption of well water and rice grown in the contaminated area increase the body burden of Cd. Cessation of exposure is essential to prevent and possibly recover from Cd toxicity, especially among the residents whose kidney damage and malfunction may be reversible.     

Short report: Melioidosis in Myanmar: forgotten but not gone?

A serologic survey of adults resident in Myanmar was conducted to define the presence of antibodies to Burkholderia pseudomallei, the cause of melioidosis. Antibodies were detectable by indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) in 757 (78%) of 968 adults, of whom 69 (7%) had an IHA titer > or =1:160.     

Enhancement of DEN-induced hepatocellular nodule development by Opisthorchis viverrini infection in Syrian golden hamsters

The influence of Opisthorchis viverrini liver fluke infectionon development of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellularnodules was investigated in Syrian golden hamsters. Infectionwith 60 metacercariae, 4 weeks prior to administration of DENfor 12 weeks in the drinking water at dose levels of 10, 20and 40 p.p.m., resulted in a significantly increased yield ofnodular lesions as compared with the group receiving carcinogentreatment alone. The results indicate an importance for parasite-associatedliver injury and compensatory regeneration in hepatocarcinogenesisand suggest a possible role for Opisthorchis infestation inthe generation of hepatocellular tumours in man.