Hepatoprotective activity of Dypsis lutescens against D-galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and its phytoconstituents

Objective: To isolate and identify the polyphenolic constituents of Dypsis lutescens, and evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of Dypsis lutescens leaves. Methods: Hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of two doses of Dypsis lutescens ethanolic leaf extract were investigated in five groups of six rats each administered with the ethanolic extract of Dypsis lutescens leaves. Liver function parameters were assessed, histopathological study was carried out, the anti-inflammatory mediators and the antioxidant potential in the liver tissues were evaluated. In addition, the total ethanolic extract of Dypsis lutescens leaves was subjected to different chromatographic separation techniques to yield ten phenolic compounds. The isolated compounds structures were spectroscopically elucidated. Results: Hepatoprotective activity of Dypsis lutescens ethanolic extract was estimated for the first time and showed significant activity against histopathological changes induced by D-galactosamine in liver. The extract improved the liver functions. Compared to the D-galactosamine group, the architecture of the liver in the treated groups was improved in the histopathological examination. These results proved the hepatoprotective activity of Dypsis lutescens and its ability in attenuating liver oxidative damage and inflammation. Phytochemical investigations of the total extract afforded ten compounds from the genus Dypsis. Conclusions: The alcoholic extract of Dypsis lutescens exerted potential hepatoprotective action, maintaining liver health and functions.

Coenzyme Q10 and pro-inflammatory markers in children with Down syndrome: clinical and biochemical aspects / Coenzima Q10 e marcadores pró-inflamatórios em crianças com síndrome de Down: aspectos clínicos e bioquímicos

Abstract: Objective: Evidence of oxidative stress was reported in individuals with Down syndrome. There is a growing interest in the contribution of the immune system in Down syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the coenzyme Q10 and selected pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α in children with Down syndrome. Methods: Eighty-six children (5-8 years of age) were enrolled in this case-control study from two public institutions. At the time of sampling, the patients and controls suffered from no acute or chronic illnesses and received no therapies or supplements. The levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, coenzyme Q10, fasting blood glucose, and intelligence quotient were measured. Results: Forty-three young Down syndrome children and forty-three controls were included over a period of eight months (January-August 2014). Compared with the control group, the Down syndrome patients showed significant increase in interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α (p = 0.002), while coenzyme Q10 was significantly decreased (p = 0.002). Also, body mass index and fasting blood glucose were significantly increased in patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between coenzyme Q10 and intelligence quotient levels, as well as between interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α. Conclusion: Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels in young children with Down syndrome may be used as biomarkers reflecting the neurodegenerative process in them. Coenzyme Q10 might have a role as a good supplement in young children with Down syndrome to ameliorate the neurological symptoms.

Resumo: Objetivo: Foram relatadas evidências de estresse oxidativo em indivíduos com a síndrome de Down. Há um interesse cada vez maior na contribuição do sistema imunológico na síndrome de Down. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a coenzima Q10 e marcadores pró-inflamatórios selecionados, como interleucina 6 e o fator de necrose tumoral α, em crianças com a síndrome de Down. Métodos: Foram inscritas neste estudo de caso-controle 86 crianças (5-8 anos) de duas instituições públicas. No momento da amostragem, os pacientes e os controles não sofriam de doença aguda ou crônica e não recebiam terapia ou suplementos. Foram medidos os níveis de interleucina 6, fator de necrose tumoral α, coenzima Q10, glicemia de jejum e quociente de inteligência. Resultados: Foram incluídas em oito meses (janeiro-agosto 2014) 43 crianças com síndrome de Down e 43 controles. Em comparação com o grupo de controle, os pacientes com síndrome de Down mostraram aumento significativo na interleucina 6 e no fator de necrose tumoral α (p = 0,002), ao passo que a coenzima Q10 apresentou significativa redução (p = 0,002). Além disso, o índice de massa corporal e a glicemia de jejum eram significativamente maiores nos pacientes. Houve uma correlação significativamente positiva entre os níveis de coenzima Q10 e do quociente de inteligência, bem como entre a interleucina 6 e o fator de necrose tumoral α. Conclusão: Os níveis de interleucina 6 e o fator de necrose tumoral α em crianças mais novas com síndrome de Down podem ser usados como biomarcadores, refletem o processo neurodegenerativo neles. A coenzima Q10 pode ter um papel como bom suplemento em crianças com síndrome de Down para melhorar os sintomas neurológicos.

Identification, Isolation and Characterization of IGF Binding Proteins as a Secretable Proteins of Human Endometrial Stromal Cell Culture.

IGF-1, a high potent mitogenic factor with a dual function is believed to participate with female steroids and other growth factors to prepare endometrium receptivity for successful embryo implantation and further development. Stromal cells forms the functional receptive layer of endometrium structure. Analysis of the conditioned/defined medium of pure cultured human endometrial stromal cells have revealed that stromal cells in a monolayer culture secrete and produce three different types of proteins in a varying amounts. These proteins exhibit a high specificity as well as a high binding affinity for the radiolabeled IGF-1 peptide. The molecular weights of these proteins have been determined by SDS-Page electrophoresis after cross-linking with the radiolegand IGF-1 and then detected with autoradiography. By comparison to the migration of high molecular weights protein markers, these proteins have been identified to correspond to the IGFBP-1 (31 KDa), IGFBP-2 (36 KDa) and IGFBP-3 (45 KDa). The secretion of these binding proteins (IGFBP-1, -2, -3) by endometrial stromal cells may support the view of their biological importance in controlling the delivery and bioavailability of the high mitogen IGF-1 peptide to their nominative type-1 IGF-receptor on cell surface, thereby modulating its action. It seems likely that these IGFBPs may play a key role in switching on/off IGF-1 peptide action , thereby avoiding the uncontrolled proliferation effect of the IGF-1 that favor endometrium cancer development.

Green Tea Attenuates Experimental Hepatitis in Context of Oxidative Stress.

Food derived antioxidants have a strong potential for long term use as chemo-preventive agents in disease states involving oxidative stress such as tea. This study was done to clarify the potential effect of green tea extract in protecting the liver from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatitis in D-galactosamine (D-GalN) sensitized rats. Forty male albino rats weighing 180 - 200 g were divided into four groups; group I: healthy rats received vehicle only, group II: healthy rats received green tea (GT) extract orally for thirty days, Group III: healthy rats received vehicle only before induction of hepatitis. Group IV: healthy rats received green tea extract orally for thirty days before induction of hepatitis. After the experimental period, serum liver enzymes and liver oxidant /antioxidant profile were determined. Liver coenzymeQ10 (CoQ10) was estimated by HPLC method using C18 column and UV detector at 275 nm. The current date appeared the effective role of green tea extract in protecting the liver against the injury induced by D-GalN/LPS which may be attributed to polyphenolic compounds that scavenge a wide range of free radicals and increasing the antioxidant enzymes.

Estimation of serum level of interleukin-17 and interleukin-4 in leprosy, towards more understanding of leprosy immunopathogenesis.

Background: Combating Mycobacterium leprae is known to be via T-helper1 response. However, other T-helper effector cells; T-helper17 and T-helper2; play a role, particularly in the context of disease type. Aims: We aimed to evaluate serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17 (T-helper17 cytokine) and IL-4 (T-helper2 cytokine) in untreated patients with different types of leprosy, compared to controls. Methods: Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum IL-17 and IL-4 levels were estimated in 43 leprotic patients and 43 controls. Patients were divided into six groups; tuberculoid, borderline cases, lepromatous, erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), type 1 reactional leprosy, and pure neural leprosy. Patients were also categorized according to bacillary load and the presence or absence of reactions. Results: Serum IL-17 was signifi cantly lower in cases (4-61.5 pg/mL; median 19), compared to controls (26-55 pg/mL; median 36) (P < 0.001), and was signifi cantly lower in each type of leprosy compared to controls, with the lowest level in lepromatous leprosy (4-61.5 pg/mL; median 12.5). Signifi cantly elevated serum IL-4 was found in patients (1.31-122.4 pg/mL; median 2.31) compared to controls (1.45-5.72 pg/mL; median 2.02) (P = 0.008), with the highest level among lepromatous leprosy patients (2-87.2 pg/mL; median 28.9), and the lowest in type 1 reactional leprosy (1.4-2.5 pg/mL; median 1.87) (P = 0.006). Conclusion: Defective secretion of IL-17 is related to disease acquisition as well as progression toward lepromatous pole in leprosy patients. The overproduction of IL-4 in patients with lepromatous leprosy may infer their liability to develop ENL. Nevertheless, the small number of the studied population is a limitation.

Therapeutic Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Brain Injury during Experimental Diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a complex disease associated with peripheral and central complications; these complications include retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Antioxidant therapies may be useful in decreasing the risk of diabetic complications. This study carried out to investigate the role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in decreasing oxidative stress as well as attenuating brain injury in diabetic rats. Sixty male albino rats were used in this study and classified into four groups (fifteen rats in each group) including; control, CoQ10, diabetic and treated groups. Fasting blood sugar was determined. Brain malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated by colorimetric methods. In addition brain CoQ10 was estimated by HPLC method using C18 column and UV detector at 275 nm. Brain oxidant parameters were significantly increased in diabetic group concomitant with a reduction in brain antioxidants, while CoQ10 supplementation in treated group attenuated them. We concluded that oral CoQ10 may be a viable antioxidant strategy for neurodegenerative disease in diabetes mellitus.