ABSTRACT
Background: Discriminating latent tuberculosis infection [LTBI] from active TBI may be challenging. The objective of this study was to produce the recombinant L-alanine dehydrogenase [AlaDH] antigen and evaluate individuals with LTBI, those with active TBI, and uninfected individuals by enzyme-linked immunospot assay [ELISPOT] in order to distinguish LTBI from active TBI
Methods: This exploratory study was performed in the Iranian city of Shiraz from 2014 to 2015. The study population [N=99] was divided into 3 groups: individuals with newly diagnosed active TBI [n=33], their household contacts [n=33], and controls [n=33]. AlaDH was produced through PCR and cloning methods. The diagnostic characteristics of AlaDH vs. ESAT-6/ CFP-10 were evaluated in responses to interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] and interleukin-2 [IL-2] with ELISPOT. Differences between the groups were assessed with the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann- Whitney tests for nonparametric data analysis. The statistical analyses were performed with SPSS, version 16
Results: IFN-gamma responses to both ESAT-6/CFP-10 [P=0.81] and AlaDH [P=0.18] revealed that there were no significant differences between the individuals with LTBI and those with active TBI. The same results were determined for IL-2 responses to ESAT-6/CFP-10 between the 2 groups, while significantly higher IL-2 responses to AlaDH were observed in LTBI than in active TBI. According to the ROC curve analysis, a cutoff value of 275 SFC showed sensitivity of 75.8% and specificity of 78.8% for distinguishing LTBI from active TBI by IL-2 responses to AlaDH
Conclusion: The current study suggests that it may be possible to discriminate LTBI from active TBI by IL-2 responses to AlaDH
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Due to the effects of herbs in the prevention of kidney stones, the present study aimed at assessing the effect of aqueous eryngium campestre on the prevention of pathologic alterations caused by calcium oxalate crystals induced by ethylene glycol in the cortex and medulla of rats'kidneys
Materials and Methods: To conduct the study 40 male Wistar rats, weighing 200 - 250 gr were randomly divided into 5 equal groups; i.e. the healthy control group that just received water, the negative control group receiving water with 1% ethylene glycol, the prevention groups, which in addition to 1% ethylene glycol in water were daily gavaged with 100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of the plant extract. After 30 days all rats were killed and slides from each one's kidneys were prepared. The slides were stained applying H/E method and the number of their calcium oxalate crystals was checked
Results: It was found that there was a significant difference between the number of their calcium oxalate crystals in the control health and negative groups [P<0.05]. But, in the prevention group gavaged 100 mg/kg there was no significant difference with the negative group, [P>0.05]. However, in the 200mg/kg prevention group compared to the negative control one there was a significant difference in reducing the number of the crystals [P<0.05]. But in 400mg/kg the prevention group there was no significant difference with the negative control group [P>0.05]
Conclusion: It was discovered that aqueous extract of eryngium campestre is effective in preventing the accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidney
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Calcium Oxalate , Rats, Wistar , Ethylene Glycol , Kidney , Kidney Cortex , Kidney Medulla , Plant Extracts , Phytotherapy , Plants, Medicinal , Kidney Calculi/therapyABSTRACT
One of the most common disorders of the endocrine system is diabetes mellitus. This disease is associated with dyslipidemia. Adiponectin is a protein hormone that secreted by adipocytes and has an important role in regulating of glucose and fatty acid metabolic pathways. This study was designed to investigate the changes in serum level of adiponectin in diabetic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extracts of three medicinal plants; jujube [Ziziphus jujuba], barberry [Berberis vulgaris] and saffron [Crocus sativus] in comparison with quercetin. Streptozotocin -induced diabetic male rats were gavaged with specified doses of the extracts [25 and 100mg/kg] for two weeks. At the end of treatment period, fasting blood specimens were collected. The levels of adiponectin, fasting blood sugar [FBS], total Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C and LDL-C were measured. Statistical analysis showed that serum levels of triglyceride and VLDL decreased significantly [P<0.05] in all treated groups. FBS level in all treated groups, decreased significantly and reach to normoglycemic level [P<0.05]. Except Jujube, other plant extracts had no effect on cholesterol. Jujube in two doses [25 and 100mg/kg] could increased significantly HDL-C [P<0.05] with no effect on total cholesterol and LDL-C. Serum adiponectin level increased in all treated groups. These beneficial effects of C. sativus, B. vulgaris and Z. jujube extracts and quercetin in diabetic rats may be associated with increase in adiponectin level
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease that is associated with impaired glucose and lipid metabolism. Adiponectin is a specific secretory protein from adipose tissue, having an impact on some factors predisposing to diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to explore adiponectin level in diabetic rats treated with aqueous extracts of Berberis vulgaris
Materials and Methods: In this interventional study, 25 of streptozocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats were treated with aqueous extracts of barberry specified doses [25 and 100 mg/kg body weight] for two weeks. At the end, their serum adiponectin levels were measured using ELISA kit and their respective fasting blood sugar [FBS], triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C were also calculated using colometric measures
Results: Data analysis showed that treatment with barberry extract, created a significant decrease in serum triglycerides, FBS, and VLDL [P=0.012]. Additionally, barberry could significantly increase serum level of adiponectin [P=0.014]
Conclusion: Oral administration of aqueous extract of barberry is effective in reducing triglyceride and FBS. An increased level of adiponectin due to using barberry extract can play a role in the regulation of lipid profile in diabetes