Uptake and kinetic properties of choline and ethanolamine in Plasmodium falciparum

Purpose: The asexual proliferation of Plasmodium; inside the erythrocyte; is accompanied by the synthesis of huge quantities of phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and phospha- tidylethanolamine (PtdEtn). These needful phospholipids for the cytoplasmic membrane of the merozoites are provided by the precursors choline and ethanolamine. PtdCho and PtdEtn are synthesized by the parasite because the erythrocyte is unable to do it. In order to assess the dynamism of the phospholipid pathways; we aimed to inves- tigate the respective shape of the uptake of choline and ethanolamine by Plasmodium falciparum. Method: Time-course experiments and kinetic assays were performed respectively with fixed and ranged concentrations of radioactively-labelled choline and ethanolamine. The labelled-precursors were added in the culture of P. falciparum infected-erythrocytes and the incorporated molecules in phospholipids were measured with a scintigraph counter. Result: The results showed that the incorpo- ration of precursors in the infected-erythrocyte occurred with a Michaelis-Menten's kinetic shape. According to the maximum rate (Vmax); the pathway of ethanolamine incorpo- ration was faster than that of choline. Similarly; affinity for ethanolamine was greater than that of choline. Conclusion: Although PtdCho is the major phospholipid in the membrane; this study rules out that the influx of ethanolamine in the infected-erythrocyte; in vivo conditions; is more dynamic than choline

[Lipids and apolipoproteins A1 and B alterations in stroke]. / Lipides et apolipoprotéines A1 et B dans les accidents vasculaires cérébraux.

The purpose of this case-control study was to determine the variations of lipoproteins during stroke in adults from Ivory Coast. The survey included 72 subjects presenting with hemorrhagic stroke and 58 of ischemic stroke, aged of 25 at 93 years. Lipids parameters have been measured by a colorimetric enzymatic method. Apolipoproteins have been determined by immunoturbidimetry. Results showed significant decrease of HDL-cholesterol and apoprotein A1 in patients by comparison with control subjects. More over, an increase of the atherogenicity index expressed as total/HDL-cholesterol or apolipoprotein B /apolipoprotein A1, of the triglycerides and apolipoprotein B has been observed.

[Biochemical profile of Buruli ulcer in Côte-d'Ivoire]. / Profil biochimique de l'ulcère de Buruli en Côte-d'Ivoire.

Our survey concerned seventy seven (77) patients suffering from Buruli ulcer and who have been classified according to two clinical situations: native ulcer, cleaned and clean ulcer The biochemical survey including about thirteen (13) parameters mainly conducted in clinic didn't show meaningful disturbance, apart from the CRP that proved to be positive in patients carrier of a native ulcer.

[Disturbances of electrolytes in severe thermal burns]. / Intérêt du ionogramme chez le brûlé thermique grave.

Thermal burns result in severe electrolytes disturbances which are life-threatening when the percentage of burnt body surface area (BSA) is above 20% in adults and 10% in children. If electrolytes disturbances are often mentioned in the physiopathology of burns, they are less documented in the daily practice of the follow up. The objective of this work was to describe variation of blood and urine electrolytes concentrations in severe burns. The survey concerned 30 patients hospitalized in the Burn Centre of Abidjan. The patients have been followed during the first three days after the burn, including the initial phase of shock resuscitation. The results showed, in accordance with data of the literature, the incidence of hypophosphoremia, hypoprotidemia and hypocalcemia. The hypoprotidemia and the hypocalcemia were correlated with the importance of the BSA. An elevation of potassium and a decrease of sodium have been also observed, but, in contrast to data of the literature, they were not significant. Moderate variations of chloride and magnesium have been noted. All urinary parameters were decreased. The present results suggest the necessity of proteins, phosphore and calcium administration in the therapeutic protocols.

Evaluation of the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in hypertensive Ivoirian subjects--preliminary results.

Experimental data on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in black Africans are very limited. In this study we set up our own values (plasma renin and aldosterone) in a group of normotensive Ivoirian male and female (N = 43) subjects and compared our results with those published for the white population. The values were approximately the same. A parallel study was carried out in a black population (N = 48 men and women) consulting a doctor for the first time for hypertension in different regions of Côte d'Ivoire. The mean values of plasma renin and aldosterone were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the hypertensive compared with the control group.