Cardiovascular activity of the n-butanol fraction of the methanol extract of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb

We investigated the vascular responses and the blood pressure reducing effects of different fractions obtained from the methanol extract of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb. (F. Loranthaceae). By means of solvent-solvent extraction, L. ferrugineus methanol extract (LFME) was successively fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The ability of these LFME fractions to relax vascular smooth muscle against phenylephrine (PE)- and KCl-induced contractions in isolated rat aortic rings was determined. In another set of experiments, LFME fractions were tested for blood pressure lowering activity in anesthetized adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g, 14-18 weeks). The n-butanol fraction of LFME (NBF-LFME) produced a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of PE- and KCl-induced aortic ring contractions compared to other fractions. Moreover, NBF-LFME had a significantly higher relaxant effect against PE- than against high K+-induced contractions. In anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, NBF-LFME significantly lowered blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner and with a relatively longer duration of action compared to the other fractions. HPLC, UV and IR spectra suggested the presence of terpenoid constituents in both LFME and NBF-LFME. Accordingly, we conclude that NBF-LFME is the most potent fraction producing a concentration-dependent relaxation in vascular smooth muscle in vitro and a dose-dependent blood pressure lowering activity in vivo. The cardiovascular effects of NBF-LFME are most likely attributable to its terpenoid content.

Study of some risk factors of premature atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease in some Egyptian children

Coronary heart disease is a major health problem and one of the most important leading causes of adult deaths although it starts since childhood. Genetic predisposition of coronary heart diseases have been well established, so children of parents or grandparents with premature coronary heart diseases are more susceptible to develop the disease than others. Those with positive family history of premature coronary heart disease are more susceptible to lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities. Lipoprotein [a] is a strong predictor for premature coronary heart disease, together with total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Lipoprotein [a] is genetically determined and if it is elevated in a child, it predicts premature coronary heart disease. The effect of a high lipoprotein [a] increases if associated with high serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol or low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol. This study was done on two groups of children: The First Group: Included 50 children [age ranging from 5-15 years] of parents with a history of premature coronary heart disease or cerberovascular disease diagnosed clinically and through investigations. The Second Group: Included 25 children [age ranging from 5-15 years] of parents without coronary heart disease or cerberovascular disease. All these children were examined clinically and the following parameters were done and recorded: Anthropometric measurements [Height [Ht], Weight [Wt], Skin fold]. Body mass index [BMI]. Blood pressure [SBP, DBP]. Fasting blood glucose [FBG]. Uric acid level [UA]. C-reactive protein [CRP]. Lipid profile: Cholesterol [TC], Triglyerides [TG], High density lipoprotein [HDL], Low density lipoprotein [LDL], Lipoprotein [a] [LP[a]]. Anti hepatitis A virus [HAV] and anti Helicobacter pylori [H.P] antibodies. The Study Showed that: There was no significant difference between cases and controls in age, HT, WT, BMI, skin fold, SBP and DBP. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in TG. FBG and UA. There was a significant increase in cases than controls in TC and LDL. Also there was a high significant increases in cases than controls in LP[a], while there was a high significant increase in controls than cases in HDL. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in sex, HAV, HP or CRP. There was insignificant correlation between LP[a] and age, BMI, skin fold, SBP, BDP, LDL, FBG and UA. There was a significant correlation between LP[a] and TC. Also there was a high significant correlation between LP[a] and TG, HDL. We concluded that high serum TC is not enough for determination of the risk of atherosclerosis and CHD and that high TG alone is not a risk factor except if associated with low serum HDL and high serum LDL. We recommend screening of all children with a positive family history of premature CHD and/or hypercholesterolemia for lipids and lipoprotein abnormalities especially LP[a] which is a strong predictor for premature CHD and this enables early diagnosis and early successful management by following special dietetic measures with avoidance of excess saturated fatty acids, avoidance of obesity and smoking and practicing physical activities. Prevention and treatment of infections especially HAV and HP is encouraged. Genetic counseling and discouraging against marriage for heterozygotes for CHD and/or hypercholestrolemia as their children may be homozygotes for the disease

Characterization of collagen/chitosan films for skin regenerating scaffold

Various proportions of chitosan/collagen films (70/30% to 95/05%) w/w were prepared and evaluated for its suitability as skin regenerating scaffold. Interactions between chitosan and collagen were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Colorimetry (DSC). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the morphology of the blend. Mechanical properties were evaluated using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The chitosan/collagen films were found to swell proportionally with time until it reaches equilibrium. FTIR spectroscopy indicated no chemical interaction between the components of the blends. DSC data indicated only one peak proving that these two materials are compatible at all proportions investigated. SEM micrographs also indicated good homogeneity between these two materials.

Antioxidant status in minimal change nephrotic syndrome

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome [MCNS] accounts for about 75% of causes of NS in children. A still growing body of evidence has accumulated indicating that a disturbance of balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant defence mechanisms plays a major role in the pathomechanism of glomerular diseases. This study was carried out to evaluate the role of oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the pathogenesis of MCNS. The serum levels of some antioxidants [alpha -tocopherol, superoxide dismutase "SOD", selenium, zinc and copper] were estimated in 50 children, of ages ranging from 2 to 12 years, diagnosed as MCNS, and compared with that of 20 healthy age and sex- matched control children. Oxidant stress was evaluated as well in all subjected by estimating levels of serum and urinary malondialdhyde [MDA]. Levels of antioxidants, but vitamin E were significantly decreased in children suffering MCNS compared to control children. Meanwhile oxidative stress, measured by serum and urinary MDA was significantly increased in patients group. In addition, a significant positive correlation between SOD and both copper and zinc was reported. It was concluded that an oxidative stress, in. the face of defective antioxidant defence, does exist and may play a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. So it is recommended that nutritional antioxidants, especially vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and copper should be added in the diet of children and all risky groups

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for confirming thin layer chromatography (TLC) findings in inborn errors of metabolism children in Malaysia.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with phenylisothiocyanate (PITC) is recently used for confirming the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) especially amino acid disorders in Malaysian children. The method of HPLC used is a precolumn derivatization of amino acids with phenylisothiocyanate and is separated by reversed phase chromatography using 3.9 x 300 mm free amino acid columns and is detected by a UV/Vis detector. The samples are obtained from cases suspected of inborn errors of metabolism, especially of amino acid disorders, which are detected clinically by pediatricians. Initially, samples from patients suspected of inborn errors of metabolism, either urine or serum, are run on one-dimensional thin layer chromatography and supplementary chemical tests to detect the abnormal bands and associated abnormalities respectively. Positive samples are further run on HPLC to determine the specific amino acids abnormality. An examples of a case of maple syrup urine disease is discussed, based on the thin layer chromatography findings and HPLC findings.

The Malaysian experience in the typing of genetic variants of alpha-1-antitrypsin.

It is known that alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency is associated with emphysema in adults and liver cirrhosis in neonates. The phenotypes PiZZ and PiSZ are considered to be high risk groups. alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency is one of the most common lethal congenital disorders in Europe and the USA, occurring in approximately 1 in 2,000 caucasians of North European descent. Studies in Malaysia have found that the phenotypes PiZ and PiS are present in our population. Out of 950 samples analyzed, it was found that 10 samples were shown to be apparently Z homozygous phenotype. The phenotype is determined by high resolution isoelectrofocusing on an ultra-thin polyacrylamide gel embedded with narrow range Pi phamarlyte. The isoelectrofocused bands are confirmed by immunofixation and the plasma alpha1-antitrypsin levels determined by electroimmunoassay. The abnormal phenotypes are further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using allele specific oligonucleotides.