In vivo effect of quercetin flavonoid on hepatic gene expression and enzyme activity levels in old rats

Quercetin, one of the major flavonoids present in the human diet, has been associated with a wide range of biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenie actions. The antioxidant action is considered as the most likely mechanism for the beneficial effects of quercetin. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the in vivo effects of quercetin on mRNA and activity levels of hepatic glutathione-S Transferase [GSTa2] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] in aged rats. Quercetin treatment resulted in significant increase in relative hepatic mRNA levels for glutathione peroxidase, liver GPx enzyme activity and hepatic glutathione concentrations. On the other hand, it significantly decreased relative hepatic mRNA levels for Gsta2 and hepatic GST enzyme activity. No significant difference was found in BMI or in plasma concentration of ox-LDL between the two groups of aged rats. The present study may elucidate the molecular basis of the actions played by quercetin in vivo by increasing gene expression and enzymatic activities of the antioxidant GPx and by decreasing gene expression and enzymatic activities of GSTa2 in aged rats

Acute lupus peritonitis associated with massive ascites

Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is an autoimmune disease with multiple organ involvements and abdominal pain as the most common gastrointestinal symptom. Herein, we describe a case of SLE presented with abdominal pain and massive ascites that had a good response to the high dose of prednisolone

Febrile seizures: Factors affecting risk of recurrence in Pakistani children presenting the Aga Khan University Hospital

To [a] describe the effect of temperature rise on seizure recurrence in the ER [b] investigate the effect of age, gender, family and developmental history, type, duration and multiple seizures, past history and number of seizures and treatment given [either late or early] on seizure recurrence in the ER and [c] explore prognostic indicators for seizure recurrence. Data from 352 children [ages 3 - 84 months; 220 males [62.5%] 132 females [37.5%]] was taken using chart reviews for the years January 1998 - August 2000 inclusive, from the Pediatric department of the Aga Khan University Hospital. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Discriminant Analysis were used. Of the 52 [16%] cases that had seizure recurrence in the ER, majority [36.5%] occurred in >38.5o < 39.5oC temperature range. The percentage declined to 15% at higher temperatures. Bivariate tests showed that age, family and developmental history, type of seizure and treatment given did not affect seizure recurrence in the ER. Past history number of seizures [p =.006], duration of seizure [p <0.001], past history of seizures [p=0.004] and multiple seizure [p=0.024] were factors significantly associated with seizure recurrence in the ER at the bivariate level of analysis. Duration of seizure was the most important prognostic indicator for FS recurrence in the ER at the multivariate level with b =0.79. Duration of seizure [>5 minutes] was the most important prognostic factor for FS recurrence. Early treatment did not affect recurrence,suggesting timely anti-pyretic vs. anti-leptic medication use