Decreased small dense LDL levels in Gilbert's syndrome

Objective

To investigate the role of small dense low density lipoprotein cholesterol (sd-LDL-C) in the mechanism of decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease in Gilbert's syndrome (GS).

Design and methods

sd-LDL-C, ox-LDL, and high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were investigated in subjects with GS (n = 42) and compared to healthy controls (n = 52).

Results

Age, gender and body mass index (BMI) distributions were similar between the two groups. sd-LDL-C, ox-LDL and hs-CRP levels were lower in GS than the healthy controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Unconjugated bilirubin was negatively correlated with sd-LDL-C, ox-LDL and hs-CRP (r = −0.594, p < 0.001; r = −0.249, p = 0.016 and r = − 0.373, p < 0.001 respectively). In addition, sd-LDL-C was positively correlated with ox-LDL (r = 0.307, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The findings of this preliminary study suggest that reduced sd-LDL-C, ox-LDL and hs-CRP levels may have a role in preventing atherosclerosis in subjects with GS.     

肝脏疾病患者血清酶活性与凝血四项的变化规律及辅助诊断价值研究

通过对ALT、AST、ALP、GGT、CHE和凝血四项的检测,探讨其在肝病鉴别诊断中的临床价值.用罗氏Modular全自动生化分析仪检测患者ALT 、AST 、ALP、GGT,应用强生干化学分析仪检测CHE,应用Stago检测凝血四项,经病理学和影像学确诊的35例肝炎患者、32例肝硬化患者、80例肝癌患者及50例健康体...     

Are liver function tests,pancreatitis and cholecystitis predictors of common bile duct stones? Results of a prospective,population-based,cohort study of 1171 patients undergoing cholecystectomy

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the accuracy of elevated liver function values, age, gender, pancreatitis and cholecystitis as predictors of common bile duct stones (CBDS).MethodsAll patients operated on for gallstone disease over a period of 3 years in a Swedish county of 302 564 citizens were registered prospectively. Intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) was used to detect CBDS.ResultsA total of 1171 patients were registered; 95% of these patients underwent IOC. Common bile duct stones were found in 42% of patients with elevated liver function values, 20% of patients with a history of pancreatitis and 9% of patients with cholecystitis. The presence of CBDS was significantly predicted by elevated liver function values, but not by age, gender, history of acute pancreatitis or cholecystitis. A total of 93% of patients with normal liver function tests had a normal IOC. The best agreement between elevated liver function values and CBDS was seen in patients undergoing elective surgery without a history of acute pancreatitis or cholecystitis.ConclusionsAlthough alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin levels represented the most reliable predictors of CBDS, false positive and false negative values were common, especially in patients with a history of cholecystitis or pancreatitis, which indicates that other mechanisms were responsible for elevated liver function values in these patients.A large cohort study in 1171 patients undergoing cholecystectomy and intraoperative cholangiogram, questioning value of abnormal preoperative liver function tests in predicting presence of choledocholithiasis     

肿瘤坏死因子α干预小鼠成骨细胞cbfa1/runx2基因的表达*

背景：肿瘤坏死因子α可降低牙周膜纤维细胞碱性磷酸酶的活性,抑制牙周膜纤维细胞向成骨细胞的功能转化。 目的：观察肿瘤坏死因子α对小鼠成骨细胞生长及cbfa1/runx2基因表达的影响。 方法：取生长良好的小鼠成骨细胞系MC3T3/E1细胞,分别以20,40,60,80 μg/L的肿瘤坏死因子α进行干预,以正常培养的细胞作为对照。采用RT-PCR法检测MC3T3/E1细胞cbfa1/runx2 mRNA的表达;PNPP法测定碱性磷酸酶活性;MTT法检测细胞活力。 结果与结论：正常培养的MC3T3/E1细胞cbfa1/runx2 mRNA呈阳性表达,随着肿瘤坏死因子α浓度的增高,其表达水平逐渐下降。同时MC3T3/E1细胞活力和碱性磷酸酶活性也随肿瘤坏死因子α浓度的增高而下降。提示肿瘤坏死因子α可抑制MC3T3/E1细胞生长,而cbfa1/runx2可能参与了成骨细胞的分化过程。     

雌激素和来曲唑对鸡胚额骨成骨细胞影响的差异比较

背景：雌激素对哺乳动物成骨细胞影响研究较多,但其对禽类成骨细胞的影响还未见报道;来曲唑对骨代谢的不良反应报道较多,但其对成骨细胞的影响还未见报道。 目的：实验创新性为通过观察雌激素、来曲唑对体外培养鸡胚成骨细胞增殖、周期及雌激素受体mRNA 表达和碱性磷酸酶活性的影响,以阐明蛋鸡髓质骨的代谢机制。 方法：取15日龄SPF鸡胚,酶消化法获取鸡胚额骨成骨细胞,分别采用不同质量浓度雌激素(0,5,10,20,100,200,400,800,2 000,20 000 ng/L)和来曲唑(0,5,10,25,50,100,250,500,1 000,5 000 μg /L)处理。以四甲基偶氮唑盐法测定细胞增殖率,以pNPP法测定碱性磷酸酶活性,以流式细胞术测定细胞周期情况,以用实时荧光定量PCR法测定雌激素受体mRNA的表达。 结果与结论：雌激素可促进鸡胚成骨细胞增殖,且具有浓度和时间依赖性,雌激素能诱导成骨细胞雌激素受体mRNA表达,推动细胞周期进程,提高鸡胚成骨细胞碱性磷酸酶活性。来曲唑可促进成骨细胞增殖,推动细胞周期进程,抑制成骨细胞雌激素受体mRNA表达,但来曲唑对碱性磷酸酶的合成与分泌没有明显影响。     

Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. leaves in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The leaves of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. have been utilized traditionally for the cure of diabetes.

Aim of the study

The present study was aimed to assess the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of T. asiatica leaves in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

The phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, HPLC analysis, acute toxicity study and oral glucose tolerance test were carried out. Glucose lowering effect of the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of T. asiatica leaves was studied in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic and antioxidant activities were studied for the ethyl acetate extract. The effects of extracts on blood glucose, body weight, plasma insulin, total protein, liver glycogen, plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx were analyzed.

Results

T. asiatica leaves ethyl acetate extract (TALEe) showed highly significant blood glucose lowering effect. Phytochemical evaluation of TALEe showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, cumarins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content of TALEe was 126 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g extract. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of flindersine and ulopterol. Acute toxicity study of TALEe revealed no death or toxicity. The oral glucose tolerance test showed lowered area under curve (AUC_glucose) values in TALEe treated rats. After treatment with TALEe (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 28 days there was a significant decrease in blood glucose, plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and significant increase in body weight, total protein, serum insulin and liver glycogen levels in treated diabetic rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx were reversed to near normal in treated diabetic rats. Histopathology of pancreas in TALEe treated groups showed regeneration of β-cells.

Conclusion

The results of the experiments showed that TALEe exerted significant antidiabetic and antioxidant effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats justifying its traditional use.     

Rheum australe D. Don: a review of its botany, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Rheum australe D. Don (Polygonaceae) has been commonly used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments related to the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, respiratory and skeletal systems as well as to infectious diseases.

Aim of the review

To provide the up-to-date information that is available on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Rheum australe. Additionally, to highlight the possible uses of this species to treat different diseases and to provide a basis for future research.

Materials and methods

The present review covers the literature available from 1980 to 2011. The information was collected from scientific journals, books, theses and reports via a library and electronic search (Google Scholar, Web of Science and ScienceDirect).

Results

Ethnomedical uses of Rheum australe have been recorded from China, India, Nepal and Pakistan for 57 different types of ailments. The phytochemical studies have shown the presence of many secondary metabolites belonging to anthraquinones, stilbenes, anthrones, oxantrone ethers and esters, chromones, flavonoids, carbohydrate, lignans, phenols and sterols. Crude extracts and isolated compounds from Rheum australe show a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective and immune-enhancing activities, as well as a usefulness for improving renal function.

Conclusion

Rheum australe has been widely used source of medicine for years without any adverse effects. Many studies have provided evidence for various traditional uses. However, there is a need for additional studies of the isolated compounds to validate the traditional uses in human models. The present review on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and toxicity has provided preliminary information for further studies and commercial exploitations of the plant.     

Hepatoprotective potential of Tecomella undulata stem bark is partially due to the presence of betulinic acid

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Tecomella undulata (TU;` Family Bignoniaceae) is used in Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine for treating various diseases including hepatic ailments. It is also incorporated in various marketed hepatoprotective polyherbal formulations.

Aim

The present study was aimed at evaluating possible hepatoprotective role of isolated compounds from TU stem bark (TSB) using in vitro and in vivo experimental models.

Methods

In vitro cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective potential of various extract, fractions and isolated compounds from TU stem bark were evaluated using HepG2 cells. Rats were pre-treated with TU methanolic extract (TSB-7) or betulinic acid (MS-2) or silymarin for 7 days followed by a single dose of CCl₄ (0.5 ml/kg, i.p.). Plasma markers of hepatic damage, hepatic antioxidants and indices of lipid peroxidation along with microscopic evaluation of liver were assessed in control and treatment groups.

Results

TSB-2 and MS-1 accounted for significant cell death whereas; TSB-1, TBS-7, TSB-9, TSB-10 and, MS-2 did not register significant cytotoxicity. Further, non-cytotoxic components exhibited ascending grade of hepatoprotection in vitro (TSB-10<TSB-1<TSB-7<TSB-9<MS-2). Pre-treatment of TSB-7 or MS-2 to CCl₄ treated rats prevented hepatocyte damage as evidenced by biochemical and histopathological observations.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that, hepatoprotective potential of Tecomella undulata stem bark is partially due to the presence of betulinic acid.     

原发性肝癌患者血清酶类指标变化的临床价值

目的:探讨血清a-L-岩藻糖苷酶(AFU)、γ-谷氨酰转移酶(GGT)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和胆碱酯酶(CHE)对原发性肝癌(primary hepatocarcinoma,PHC)的诊断价值.方法:使用全自动生化分析仪对107例原发性肝癌患者血清中AFU、GGT、ALP和CHE进行检测.结果:原发性肝癌患者血清AFU、GGT、ALP和CHE水平及阳性率均明显高于正常对照组及良性肝病组(P＜0.01);联合检测的敏感性和诊断准确性均比单项检测高.结论:联合检测血清中AFU 、GGT、ALP和CHE对原发性肝癌诊断具有重要临床价值.     

Hepatoprotective action of Orthosiphon diffusus (Benth.) methanol active fraction through antioxidant mechanisms: An in vivo and in vitro evaluation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Preparations of Orthosiphon diffusus (Benth.) have been used by folk medicinal practitioners in the Western Ghats of India for treating inflammation, hepatitis and jaundice for many years and their effectiveness is widely acclaimed among the tribal communities.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the mechanisms behind the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of Orthosiphon diffusus methanol active fraction (MAF) using in vivo (rat) and in vitro (cell culture) models.

Materials and methods

Neutralization of CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity by MAF was evaluated in rats. Towards this, serum levels of hepatic injury markers (lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase), antioxidant enzymes in the liver homogenates, and histological examination were performed. In in vitro studies, mechanisms of neutralization of H₂O₂-induced toxicity by MAF using MTT, Comet assay and up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes at genetic level (RT-PCR) was performed in HepG2 cells.

Results

Rats pre-treated with Orthosiphon diffusus MAF demonstrated significantly reduced levels of serum LDH (1.3-fold, p<0.05) and ALP (1.6-fold, p<0.05). Similarly, multiple dose MAF administration demonstrated significantly enhanced levels (p<0.05) of antioxidant enzymes in the liver homogenates. Histological analysis revealed complete neutralization of CCl₄-induced liver injury by the extract. The in vitro studies demonstrated that, pre-treatment of MAF effectively prevented H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity and significantly enhanced (~6-fold, p<0.01) expression of genes for antioxidant enzymes.

Conclusions

Orthosiphon diffusus MAF demonstrated significant hepatoprotection against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity by antioxidant mechanisms comparable to silymarin. H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress was completely neutralized by MAF through enhanced expression of genes for antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, this study validates the use of Orthosiphon diffusus by folk medicinal practitioners in India. Further, MAF of Orthosiphon diffusus can serve as a strong candidate for the development of herbal hepatoprotective agents.