ABSTRACT
Two new dimeric naphthoquinones, 5',8'-dihydroxy-6,6'-dimethyl-7,3'-binaphthyl-1,4,1',4'-tetraone (1; Di-naphthodiospyrol D) and 5',8'-dihydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-6,6'-dimethyl-7,3'-binaphthyl-1,4,1',4'-tetraone (2; Di-naphthodiospyrol E), along with known naphthoquinones diospyrin (3) and 8-hydroxy diospyrin (4) were isolated from the chloroform fraction of extract of Diospyros lotus roots. Their structures were elucidated by advanced spectroscopic analyses, including HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and J-resolved NMR experiments. The fractions and compounds 1-4 were evaluated for urease activity and phosphodiesterase-I, carbonic anhydrase-II and α-chymotrypsin enzyme inhibitory activities. Compounds 1 and 2 and their corresponding fractions showed significant and selective inhibitory effects on urease activities. The IC values of 1 and 2 were 260.4 ± 6.37 and 381.4 ± 4.80 µmol·L, respectively, using thiourea (IC = 21 ± 0.11 µmol·L) as the standard inhibitor. This was the first report demonstrating that the naphthoquinones class showed urease inhibition.
Subject(s)
Biological Assay , Diospyros , Chemistry , Enzyme Inhibitors , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Molecular Structure , Naphthoquinones , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Plant Extracts , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Plant Roots , UreaseABSTRACT
Objectives: The cytokine visfatin is increased in obesity and type 2 Diabetes; however, its role in the development of diabetes is still unsettled. The present study aimed to investigate the serum visfatin levels in prediabetic subjects
Methods: Seventeen subjects with Impaired Fasting Glucose [IFG], 44 Impaired Glucose Tolerant [IGT], 16 IFG-IGT and 51 healthy subjects were recruited. Fasting insulin and visfatin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] techniques. The Insulin sensitivity Homeostasis Model Assessment [HOMA%S] and B-cell secretory capacity [HOMA%B] were estimated using HOMA-CIGMA software
Results: HOMA%B was significantly lower in IFG [p = 0.0001] and IFG-IGT [p = 0.001] subjects. HOMA%S in IGT [p = 0.0001] and IFG-IGT [p = 0.001] subjects were significantly lower compared to controls. The fasting serum visfatin [ng/ml] level was significantly higher in IFG [5.08 +/- 2.16, p = 0.0001], IGT [4.75 +/- 2.81, p = 0.0001] and IFG-IGT subjects [4.33 +/- 2.68, p = 0.013] compared to controls [2.60 +/- 1.2]. In binary logistic regression analysis, visfatin has found significantly associated with IFG [B = 0.198, p = 0.040], IGT [B = 0.162, p = 0.043] and IFG-IGT [B = 0.188, p = 0.044]. Visfatin was also found significantly correlated with postprandial serum glucose and blood pressure in IGT subjects. Frequency of IFG, IGT and IFG-IGT subjects increased with increasing visfatin concentrations
Conclusions: Serum visfatin appear to be associated with IFG, IGT and IFG-IGT. Postprandial serum glucose and blood pressure are positively associated with visfatin levels in IGT subjects
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Hyperglycemia , Insulin Resistance , Prediabetic State , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2ABSTRACT
Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the antibody response of hepatitis B virus infection in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) by detecting different viral markers. Method: Study subjects comprised a total of 88 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients from Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Of them 63 patients on MHD and 25 predialysis patients served as cases and controls respectively. Clinical history was taken and serological markers for HBV (HBsAg, Anti-HBs, and Anti-HBc) were determined by using ELISA. Results: Hepatitis B virus was positive in 1.6% of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and in 16% of controls (p<0.02). Anti-HBc antibody was positive in 62% of dialysis patients and 72% of controls (p=NS) and the positivity was significantly associated in dialysis subjects with longer duration of dialysis (18 ± 22 vs. 10 ± 7, months, p<0.04), multiple units of blood transfusions (22 ± 29 vs. 10 ± 12, units, p<0.04) and more reuse of dialyzer (3 ± 1 vs. 2 ± 1, times, p<0.03) than the negative ones. Among MHD patients 84% were vaccinated against HBV with a schedule of 3 (79%) and 4 (21%) doses and protective antibody titer (>10 IU/L) was found in 57%. None of the controls were vaccinated but 66% had protective titer indicating post exposure natural immunity. Conclusions: Hepatitis B virus positivity was significantly higher among the predialysis subjects compared to dialysis group.
ABSTRACT
Methodology: Effect of pretreatment by crude and n-Hexane extract of Nigella (10mg/kg body wt./day for 21 days) on streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg body wt. single dose i.p.) administered rats were observed in the present study. Biochemical parameters (Serum glucose, serum TG, serum cholesterol, pancreatic GSH) were compiled together with pancreatic histology. Results: Both the crude and the n-Hexane extract of Nigella pre-treated diabetic rats had demonstrated significant (P<0.001) alleviation from the elevated serum glucose, lowered pancreatic reduced glutathione (P<0.01) and elevated serum TG concentrations (P<0.01). 72% β cells appeared to be damaged by STZ administration, while in the crude and the n-Hexane extract of Nigella pretreated diabetic groups this damage was 31% and 46% respectively, the crude Nigella pretreated group thus appeared to have better amelioration. Conclusions: Further studies are suggested to obtain the protective ingredient from the crude Nigella and to observe its effect upon the above mentioned parameters of diabetic rats in higher doses for prolonged periods.
ABSTRACT
Colonic malakoplakia in children is very rare, presenting no more than 1% - 2% of cases, with symptomatology similar to other inflammatory bowel diseases. We are reporting a case of colonic malakoplakia which presented to us as a diagnostic challenge, for the patient was initially diagnosed and treated as ulcerative colitis