[Antifungal effect in selected natural compounds and probiotics and their possible use in prophylaxis of vulvovaginitis]. / Antifungální ucinek u vybraných prírodních látek a probiotik, jejich mozností pouzití v profylaxi vulvovaginitidy.

OBJECTIVE: a survey of effective natural compounds and probiotics with antifungal activity and their possible use in vulvovaginitis as a prophylactic or therapeutic drug. DESIGN: review of literature. SETTING: Charles University at Prague, Pharmaceutical Faculty at Hradec Kralove. METHODS: and review of literature and publications from medical data-bases. CONCLUSIONS: certain natural compounds were proved to exert antimycotic effects. The efficiency of garlic extract under in vitro conditions against yeast of C. albicans family becomes manifest within one hour. Essential oils present in the Cayenne pepper (Capsodum frutescens) exert considerable antifungal activity against C. albicans as well. Clove exerts lower antimycotic effects. The effects of Chinese leek are similar to garlic. Propolis also possesses antifungal properties, and sensitivity of the yeast strains decreases in the following order: C. albicans > C. tropicalis > C. crusei > C. guilliermondii. Its efficiency depends on the composition and place of origin. Tea trea oil (Melalauca alternifolia) is inhibiting strains of Candida family (genus) in minimal inhibiting concentration, higher concentrations are necessary for C. crusei and C. norvengensis. In the prophylaxis of vaginal candidoses, oral administration of the strains of Lactobacilus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14, B-54 may be recommended. Moreover there are suitable strains of L. brevis CD-2, L. salivarius FV-2, L. gasseri MB 335, L. plantarum, useful in the form of gel capsules (L. plantarum) or vaginal tablets (L. gasseri). The strains of L. acidophilus CRL 1294 and L. salivarius CRL 1328 display the capacity of self aggregation and co-aggregation with Candida. It should be pointed out that the probiotic strain of Lactobacillus (especially L. casei and L. rhamnosus) may, in exceptional cases, cause bacteriemia and sepsis, especially in immunodeficient patients and those who underwent surgery of alimentary tract. No protective effect against yeast infection was detected with vitamin E, any positive effect was not unequivocally confirmed with zinc, but adjusting zinc levels to normal may be recommended.

[Deficient intake of nutrients and the resulting health complications in vegetarians in the course of pregnancy and lactation]. / Deficitní príjem nutrientu a z neho vyplývající zdravotní komplikace u vegetariánek v období gravidity a laktace.

OBJECTIVE: A survey of present results about deficient intake of nutrients and resulting health complications in vegetarians in the course of pregnancy and lactation. DESIGN: A review of literature. SETTING: Charles University, Pharmaceutical Faculty, Hradec Králové. METHODS: Review of literature and publications from medical data bases. CONCLUSIONS: Deficient intake of nutrients and associated development of pathological conditions were described in vegetarians in the course of pregnancy and lactation. Deficient intake of certain amino acids, vitamin B12, calcium, iron, zinc and iodine, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and restriction of energy intake were demonstrated. The health complications included hypoproteinemia, edemas, abortion, the delivery of children of lower birth weight, megablastic and sideropenic anemia, spastic conditions, weak labor, atonic bleeding, mental retardation of the conceptus.

Effects of terguride treatment on glucose abnormalities induced by ischemic brain damage in SHR/N-cp lean Koletsky strain and in rats of Wistar strain.

BACKGROUND: Severe head injury is associated with a stress response that includes hyperglycemia, which has been shown in both experimental and clinical studies to exacerbate the severity of brain injury during ischemic conditions. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the possible protective effect of Terguride (trans-dihydrolisuride) on glucose metabolism against hyperglycemia. METHODS: The experiments were performed in male and female rats of Wistar and Koletsky strain. Glucose intolerance was induced in both strains by 4-hour-occlusion of both common carotid arteries followed by 44-hour reperfusion. RESULTS: Brain ischemia induced glucose intolerance in both rat strains. Basal glycemia was significantly increased by the brain ischemia in male and female Wistar rats, but not in Koletsky rats. The analysis of the effect of Terguride treatment of glucose abnormalities on the "area under the glucose tolerance curve" (AUC) has shown significant decrease of AUC in both sexes of Wistar strain and in females of Koletsky strain. Basal glycemia was significantly decreased only in males of Wistar strain. CONCLUSION: Terguride (trans-dihydrolisuride) decreases hyperglycemia in rats with ischemic brain damage. (Fig. 4, Ref. 29.)

[Importance of iodine intake during pregnancy--iodine supplementation and its risks]. / Význam príjmu jodu v období tehotenství--suplementace jodem a její mozná rizika.

Expressive deficiency of iodine (level of iodine in the urine is under 50 micrograms/l) is characteristic for 10% children and 20% adult. Low levels of iodine in the urine were described by women after the delivery and by newborns. In the article are described specificity physiology of the thyroid gland, consequences of low intake of iodine, importance and risk of supplementation of iodine in the pregnancy. Intake of dose 200 micrograms iodine per day for pregnant women is important as the prevention of pathophysiological changes in the pregnancy and for development of foetus.