Synthetic organic hard capsule colouring agents: in vitro effect on human true and pseudo-cholinesterases

Hard capsules are made of pure gelatin and small quantities of additives, including colouring agents permitted for use in food. In this study, the effects of three colouring agents (sunset yellow, quinoline yellow and erythrosine) on true and pseudo-cholinesterases (ChE) are assessed in erythrocytes and plasma, respectively. Results indicated that the synthetic compounds affected both true and pseudo ChE activity. The concentration of sunset yellow which caused 50% inhibition (IC50) of true ChE was about 64% that of pseudo-ChE; for erythrosine, IC50 was approximately the same for both true and pseudo-ChE; and for quinoline yellow, IC50 for true ChE was 25% of pseudo-ChE, although its effect on both true and pseudo-ChE was greater than seen with the other two dyes. Inhibitions of both true and pseudo-ChE were of mixed type (competitive and non-competitive). The enzyme-inhibitor dissociation constant (Ki) indicated that quinoline yellow was most potent and erythrosine was least potent out of the three compounds. Inhibition of both true and pseudo-ChE by each of the three dyes was abolished by dialysis, indicating that the effects were reversible.     

Papillary-cystic tumor of the pancreas

A case of papillary cystic tumor (PCT) of the pancreas in a 40-yr-old woman is reported. This rare neoplasm was discovered fortuitously by a CT-scan examination for a palpable abdominal uterine leiomyoma. Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the pancreatic mass was performed under CT-scan guidance. Cytologic examination of the material gave the diagnosis of PCT, which was confirmed by histologic examination of the resected tumor. Immunohistochemical staining showed a high degree of positivity to wide-spectrum anticytokeratin and anticytokeratin 20, and a weak positivity to anti-NSE antibody. In addition, the tumor cells were highly reactive for progesterone antibody, while they were negative for estrogen. These findings suggest a ductal origin for PCT, and also suggest that sex hormones may play a role in its growth, but not in its genesis. We emphasize the value of FNA cytologic features in the diagnosis of these rare tumors. Diagn Cytopathol 1996;15:398–402. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Liver regeneration after major hepatectomy. Evaluation of dogs hepatectomy

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to evaluate anatomic regeneration and metabolic derangement of the liver after major resection in dogs. METHODS: This is an experimental study on 9 dogs; we divided the dogs in two groups: the first group (5 dogs) underwent at one go major hepatectomy (90% of the liver).The second group (4 dogs) underwent successively a resection of 75% of the liver and a second resection of 90% of the restored liver six months later. All dogs underwent a metabolic and morphologic studies of the liver and of their kidney function. RESULTS: In the first group; all dogs which underwent 90% hepatic resection died 48 hours after the surgical resection of hepatic insufficiency. The ultra microscopic study showed the role of portal hypertension in hepatic degeneration on the first group. In the second group, the dogs survived the first resection, and our study shows a regeneration of the liver after resection and sub normal hepatic function. CONCLUSION: The liver is able to regenerate after minimally resection but major resection must be done by successively resection to avoid hepatic dysfunction, but the time between resection must be evaluate later.     

The inhibitory effects on adult male reproductive functions of crude garlic (Allium sativum) feeding.

AIM: to investigate the effects of crude garlic on adult male rat reproductive functions. METHODS: Thirty male rats were divided into five groups: group 1 (untreated) and groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed for 30 days with 5%, 10%, 15% and 30% crude garlic, respectively. Testes and accessory organs were weighed and some markers were assessed. Light and electron microscopy observations were also performed. RESULTS: A significant decrease was observed in the body weight of groups 4 (14%; P < 0.01) and 5 (20%; P < 0.01); of the prostate weight in group 5 (29.1%; P < 0.05) and of seminal vesicle weight in groups 3 (14.4%; P < 0.01), 4 (18.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (27.3%; P < 0.01). In contrast, testis and epididymis weights were unchanged. In epididymis tissue, the alpha glucosidase activity and the spermatozoa density were unchanged. The treatment resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone serum levels in groups 3 (77.3%; P < 0.01), 4 (77.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (90.9%; P < 0.01), associated with a significant increase in LH serum levels (P < 0.01). Testicular histology showed a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of empty seminiferous tubules. Moreover, testicular function was affected; a significant decrease in phosphatase acid activity (P < 0.01) and testosterone (P < 0.05) contents were observed. CONCLUSION: Crude garlic consumption during 1 month reduced testosterone secretion and altered spermatogenesis at 10%, 15% and 30% doses.     

Electron microscopic analysis of in vitro replication products ofors 8, a mammalian origin enriched sequence

Electron microscopy was used to map the initiation site of ors 8 DNA replication in vitro in a system that is capable of initiating and supporting one round of semiconservative replication of cloned mammalian DNA origin-enriched sequences (ors). Using unique restriction sites in ors 8 plasmid DNA, we have mapped the replication bubble within the monkey DNA sequence. In addition to site-specific initiation within the ors, the results also indicate bidirectional replication.     

Erythropoietin in cancer patients with anemia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the endogenous erythropoietin production in cancer patients with anemia. METHODS: Our prospective study interested 99 cancer patients with anemia from 17 to 80 years old, during the period going from March 2002 to December 2004, and 31 healthy individuals with anemia caused by iron deficiency. A blood sample was collected from each patient, as well as healthy individuals to measure serum erythropoietin, C reactive protein and ferritin. RESULTS: The increase of serum erythropoietin was significantly lower in patients than in healthy individuals (P < 0.05). 25.2% of our cancer patients have inflammatory anemia and 74.7% presented microcytic anemia associated with increase of serum ferririn and CRP. These values were significantly higher than in healthy individuals (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Anemia in cancer patients results from activation of inflammatory system, which inhibit erythropoietin production. Apart from etiologic treatments, anemia can be treated with recombinant human erythropoietin.     

Association Between C-Reactive Protein and Type 2 Diabetes in a Tunisian Population

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of CRP levels with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its related variables in a sample of the Tunisian population. Our sample included 129 patients with T2D and 187 control subjects. Body mass index (BMI), plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, and CRP concentrations were measured for each participant. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. T2D was defined as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level ≥ 7.0 mmol/L, the use of anti-diabetic drugs, or both. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 11.5. A significant difference in mean values of BMI, plasma lipids, FPG, insulin, and HOMA-IR was observed between subjects with and without T2D. CRP level was significantly higher in subjects with T2D than those without (p = 0.023), and this result persisted even after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption. In both diabetes statuses, log CRP was significantly associated with FPG, insulin, and HOMA-IR. Subjects with elevated CRP levels (>5 mg/L) had an increased risk of T2D (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.18–3.46, p = 0.010) than those whose CRP levels were less or equal to 5 mg/L. Even after adjustment for potentially confounding factors, the risk of T2D was still increased in subjects with elevated CRP levels (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.08–3.36, p = 0.025). These results suggest that elevated CRP levels are independently associated with T2D.