Therapeutic efficacy of Nigella sativa Linn. seed extract against CCl4 induced hepatic injury in wistar rats.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intake damages liver. We evaluated therapeutic potential of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds against CCl4 induced liver damage in rats. The hepatic damage induced by CCl4 @ 1.5 mL/kg, ip was evidenced by a significant increase in the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, protein and urea lipid peroxidation (LPO) as well as reduction in hepatic antioxidant system e.g. reduced glutathione. Hepatic total protein and glucose-6-phosphatase activity were found decreased. Histological studies substantiated the above biochemical findings. However, after 48 h of administration of aqueous extract of N. sativa seeds (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg, po) it not only detoxified the toxicity but also reversed LPO, GSH, AST, ALT and serum protein changes at all the three doses. Both higher doses of extract were found effective in monitoring urea, albumin, total protein and G-6-Pase activity. However, on the basis of percent protection highest dose i.e., 750 mg/kg proved better. The result suggests that the aqueous extract of N. sativa seeds can be used as a hepatoprotective agent.

Discomfort and unease of the subject in the interpretation movement of a Tuberculosis questionnaire / O desconforto e inquietação do sujeito em seu movimento de interpretação de um questionário sobre a tuberculose / Malestar e inquietud del sujeto en su movimiento de interpretación de un cuestionario sobre la Tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE: to propose a discussion about traces of the derivation of meanings, the subjects' discomfort and resistance when they are called upon to signify a questionnaire on the transfer of the Directly Observed Treatment of Tuberculosis policy, in order to reveal the limitations of closed questionnaires in the subject's interpretation process. METHOD: health professionals from a Primary Health Care Unit in Porto Alegre/RS were interviewed and some excerpts from the interviews were investigated in the light of French Discourse Analysis. RESULTS: resistance, discomfort, slips, silencing and the derivation of meanings were observed in the subjects' interpretation. CONCLUSION: the interpretation process has multiple meanings and varies from subject to subject. The questionnaire, as a prototype of the logically stabilized universe, fails when the purpose is to control the interpretation. Its isolated use in health research can entail inexactness or incompleteness of the collected data. Therefore, its use associated with qualitative research techniques is ideal. .

OBJETIVO: propor uma discussão a respeito de vestígios da derivação de sentidos, do desconforto e resistência dos sujeitos, quando convocados a significar um questionário referente à transferência da política do tratamento diretamente observado da tuberculose, de modo a revelar as limitações de questionários fechados, quando se trata do processo interpretativo do sujeito. MÉTODO: profissionais de saúde de uma Unidade de Atenção Primária de Saúde de Porto Alegre, RS, foram entrevistados e alguns recortes das entrevistas examinados à luz da Análise de Discurso de linha francesa. RESULTADOS: observou-se a resistência, o incômodo, o deslizamento, o silenciamento e a derivação dos sentidos no ato de interpretação dos sujeitos. CONCLUSÃO: o processo de interpretação é polissêmico e varia de sujeito para sujeito. O questionário, enquanto um protótipo do universo logicamente estabilizado, falha quando o propósito é o de controlar a interpretação. O seu uso de forma isolada, em pesquisas em saúde, pode incorrer em inexatidão ou incompletude dos dados obtidos, sendo ideal a sua utilização associada a técnicas qualitativas de pesquisa. .

OBJETIVO: proponer una discusión respecto a vestigios de la derivación de sentidos, del malestar y resistencia de los sujetos cuando convocados a significar un cuestionario respecto a la trasferencia de la política del Tratamiento Directamente Observado de la Tuberculosis, de manera a revelar las limitaciones de cuestionarios cerrados cuando se trata del proceso interpretativo del sujeto. MÉTODO: profesionales de salud de una Unidad de Atención Primaria de Salud de Porto Alegre/RS fueron entrevistados y algunos recortes de las entrevistas examinados a la luz del Análisis de Discurso de línea Francesa. RESULTADOS: fueron observados la resistencia, la molestia, el deslizamiento, el silenciamiento y la derivación de los sentidos en el acto de interpretación de los sujetos. CONCLUSIÓN: el proceso de interpretación es polisémico y varia de sujeto a sujeto. El cuestionario como un prototipo del universo lógicamente estabilizado falla cuando el objetivo es el de controlar la interpretación. Su uso de forma aislada en investigaciones en salud puede llevar a datos inexactos o incompletos, siendo ideal su utilización asociada a técnicas cualitativas de investigación. .

Cell cycle inhibitory activity of Piper longum against A549 cell line and its protective effect against metal-induced toxicity in rats.

Anticancer potential of Piper longum fruit against human cancer cell lines (DU-145 prostate, A549 lung, THP-1 leukemia, IGR-OVI-1 ovary and MCF-7 breast) as well as its in vitro and in vivo biochemical efficacy in AlCl3-induced hepatotoxicity were evaluated in the rats. Dried samples were extracted with several solvents using soxhlet apparatus. Flavonoid content in chloroform, benzene, ethyl alcohol and aqueous extracts of fruit was 19, 14, 12 and 11 μg quercetin equivalent/mg of sample, respectively. Hexane extracts exhibited 90-92% cytotoxicity against most of the test cell lines (A549, THP-1, IGR-OVI-1 and MCF-7), while benzene extract displayed 84-87% cytotoxicity against MCF-7, IGR-OV-1 and THP-1 cell lines. Among extracts, hexane, benzene and acetone extracts demonstrated considerable cytotoxicity (91-95%) against A549 (lung cancer) cell line in Sulforhodamine B dye (SRB) assay. Cell cycle analysis revealed that hexane, benzene and acetone extracts produced 41, 63 and 43% sub-G1 DNA fraction, demonstrating cell cycle inhibitory potential of these extracts against A549 cell line. Chloroform, ethyl alcohol and aqueous extracts displayed 71, 64 and 65% membrane protective activity, respectively in lipid peroxidation inhibition assay. P. longum fruit extracts also ameliorated AlCl3-induced hepatotoxicity, as indicated by alterations observed in serum enzymes ALP, SGOT and SGPT activity, as well as creatinine and bilirubin contents. In conclusion, study established the cytotoxic and hepatoprotective activity in P. longum extracts.

Edaravone protects endotoxin-induced liver injury by inhibiting apoptosis and reducing proinflammatory cytokines

Studies have shown that edaravone may prevent liver injury. This study aimed to investigate the effects of edaravone on the liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in female BALB/c mice. Edaravone was injected into mice 30 min before and 4 h after GalN/LPS injection. The survival rate was determined within the first 24 h. Animals were killed 8 h after GalN/LPS injection, and liver injury was biochemically and histologically assessed. Hepatocyte apoptosis was measured by TUNEL staining; proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] in the liver were assayed by ELISA; expression of caspase-8 and caspase-3 proteins was detected by Western blot assay; and caspase-3 activity was also determined. Results showed that GalN/LPS induced marked elevations in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Edaravone significantly inhibited elevation of serum AST and ALT, accompanied by an improvement in histological findings. Edaravone lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells. In addition, 24 h after edaravone treatment, caspase-3 activity and mortality were reduced. Edaravone may effectively ameliorate GalN/LPS-induced liver injury in mice by reducing proinflammatory cytokines and inhibiting apoptosis.

Hepatotoxicidad por drogas: reporte de un caso y revisión de literatura / Drug-induced liver injury: a case report and literature review

La Hepatotoxicidad por drogas se define como una lesión hepática asociada a deterioro de la función de éste órgano, secundaria a exposición a una droga u otro agente no infeccioso. Es un cuadro infrecuente, pero puede determinar graves lesiones hepáticas y una mortalidad considerable si no se detecta a tiempo. Es labor del clínico mantener un alto Índice de sospecha al enfrentarse a un paciente con alteraciones hepáticas de reciente comienzo y uso concomitante de medicamentos. En el presente articulo se expone el caso clínico de un paciente masculino, 48 años de edad, con Depresión Severa en tratamiento con Sertralina, Clonazepam, Risperidona, Lamotrigna y Acido Valproico. Ingresó al Hospital de Talca con diagnostico de Síndrome Colestásico cuyo estudio demostró serología para VHB y VHC negativa y ecotomografía abdominal normal. Presentó buena respuesta clínica y de laboratorio a la suspensión de las drogas. El cuadro fue compatible con Hepatotoxicidad por drogas.

Tratamiento de intoxicaciones por compuestos hepatotóxicos: uso de la N-acetilcisteína y las carboximetilcisteína: [revisión] / Treatment of intoxications by hepatotoxic compounds: use of N-acetylcystein and S-carboxymetylcystein: [review]

La N-acetilcisteina (NAC) es un fármaco con propiedades antidóticas útiles en la intoxicación por compuestos hepatotóxicos, como paraquat, acetaminofen y fósforo inorgánico. No se encuentra fácilmente disponible en Venezuela a pesar que la frecuencia y severidad de este tipo de intoxicación son significativas. Se discuten ciertas características fármacocinéticas y fármacodinámicas de la NAC y de la S-carboximetilcisteina (SCMC), presente en el mercado farmacéutico venezolano. Además se presenta una revisión de las experiencias clínicas y experimentales con la SCMC en intoxicaciones por compuestos hepatototóxicos.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a drug with antidotal properties useful in poisoning by hepatotoxic compounds such as paraquat, acetaminophen and inorganic phosphorus. Although the frequency and severity of this type of poisoning are significant, NAC is not readily available in Venezuela. Certain pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of NAC and S-carboxymetylcisteine (SCMC), available in venezuelan pharmaceutical market are discussed. In addition, a review of the clinical and experimental experiences with SCMC in poisoning for hepatotoxic compounds is presented.

Hepatotoxicidad por amoxicilina/ácido clavulánico: caso clínico / Hepatotoxixity associated to the use of amoxicillin clavulanic acid

We report a 72 years old diabetic male that, after the use of combined amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, developed pruritus and jaundice. Liver function tests showed serum total bilirubin of 4.3 mg/dL aspartate aminotransferase 140 U/l (normal <35 U/L), alanine aminotransferase 470 U/L (normal <40) and alkaline phosphatases of 400 U/L (normal <100). Serology for hepatitis A, B and C viruses was negative, ERCP showed a normal biliary tree and liver biopsy disclosed a cholestatic hepatitis. Ursodeoxycholic was started to relieve pruritus. Liver function tests improved shortly thereafter, suggesting that this drug may be useful in the treatment of drug induced cholestasis

Investigacion sobre toxicidad hepatica de medicacion antituberculosa / Study of the hepatic toxicity of antituberculouis drugs treatment

El presente trabajo fue realizado en el hospital San Gabriel entre enero a marzo de 1990, con 47 pacientes que fueron estudiados durante su tratamiento en diferentes etapas, y muestra el grado de tolerancia hepatica a medicamentos que deben ser utilizados por largo tiempo y que de acuerdo a reaccion individual es imprevisible el grado de toxicidad que pueda esperarse. Los resultados son alentadores porque no se tuvieron que lamentar grados extremos de toxicidad y solo en tres casos, la suspension temporal del tratamiento

Skin and liver toxicity in experimental Lantana camara poisoning in albino rats.

Dried alcoholic extract of fresh Lantana camara leaves (LE), on oral administration to albino rats of both sexes, induced photodermatitis during exposure to clear sunlight for 1 hr. Its severity was related to the dose of LE and was maximal in rats exposed to sunlight from 4 to 14 hr after feeding LE and gradually declined over 40 hr. Wavelengths of light about 540 to 570 mu only were effective. In control study, the alcoholic extract of edible spinach leaves was only 1/3 in potency and its effect lasted for less than 20 hr. LE did not raise serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT or cause liver injury as assessed by light microscopy. However, like CCL4 but unlike spinach extract, LE impaired excretion of BSP by liver, proportionate to the dose and also maximal at 5.5 hr declining thereafter over 40 hr.