ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the cognitive function, prevalence, and risk factors associated with cognitive decline and dementia in people above 65 years of age in Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador. Methods This is a cross-sectional observational study that was carried out in adults over 65 years of age in Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and ascertain dementia eight-item informant questionnaire (AD8)-validated Ecuador Spanish versions were used to assess cognition. Results There were a total of 80 participants, 55 (67%) women and 25 (31.2%) men. The majority of participants were Mestizos (85.3%), with the remainder classified as White (4.8%), Afro-Ecuadorians (2.4%), or Indigenous (3.6%). The prevalence of cognitive impairment is 30.0%-43.7%. The MMSE results showed that older age and lack of education are risk factors for cognitive decline (p < 0.01). There was high correlation between MMSE and AD8 scores. The AD8 showed that older age, widowhood, and living in Santa Rosa were risk factors for cognitive decline (p < 0.01). According to the AD8, the group with the highest education (six years or more) had the lowest risk of cognitive decline and dementia (p < 0.01). Conclusions The main risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia in individuals above 65 years old in Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador are increased age, lack of education, and widowhood. The prevalence of cognitive impairment is similar to previous studies in Ecuador.
ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia in individuals greater than 65 years of age in Cumbayá, Quito, Ecuador. Methods This is a cross-sectional observational study that was carried out in adults over age 65. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Ascertain Dementia Eight-Item Informant Questionnaire (AD8), and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) were used to assess the cognitive status and nutritional habits of this population. Results A total of 144 patients (mean age 75.3 years, 77.1% female) participated in this study. Forty percent of patients had AD8 and MMSE scores consistent with cognitive impairment and possible dementia. Age (p < 0.01), lower educational level (p < 0.01), history of stroke (p < 0.01), history of intracerebral hemorrhage (p < 0.01), diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01), and malnutrition (p < 0.01) were statistically significant risk factors for cognitive impairment. Exercise was found to be protective against cognitive decline in our study group (p < 0.03). Gender, ethnicity, location, head trauma, Parkinson disease, hypercholesterolemia, myocardial infarction, thyroid disease, depression, anxiety, and family history of dementia were not found to be associated with cognitive decline in this population. Conclusions The prevalence of cognitive impairment and possible dementia is 18-21% at age 65 and 54-60% at age 85 in Cumbayá, Quito, Ecuador. The major risk factors for cognitive impairment in this population are age, low educational level, malnutrition, prior stroke, prior intracerebral hemorrhage, and diabetes. Protective factors for cognitive decline include exercise and possibly modest consumption of alcohol.
ABSTRACT
A therapeutic essay was done to determine the effects of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), Methionine (MET) and the NAC + MET combination on the lead (Pb) blood levels, the malondialdehide (MDA) and catalase activity (CAT) in cerebellum of rats treated with 0.5 and 2 microg/g of Pb acetate. One hundred ninety eight male Wistar rats with an average weight of 240 g were subjected to a test, divided into five groups. Group 1 was the control group where basal levels were determined; Group 2 was the treated group; the rest of the groups once treated received the following: Group 3 NAC, Group 4 MET, Group 5 NAC + MET. The results showed that NAC lowers blood lead levels by 35% and 38% with intoxication doses of 0.5 microg/g and 2 microg/g of Pb acetate respectively. This decrease was not statistically significant; however, there was a 56% decrease of MDA in the cerebellum with a dose of 0.5 microg/g of Pb and of 75% with 2 microg/g; CAT activity increased in the cerebellum by 62% and 71% with the studied Pb doses, making this a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) in relation to the intoxication group. MET has a similar effect to NAC, even though it was less strong; anyhow, when NAC + MET are combined a quelant effect is shown, with a statistically significant 45% and 51% reduction in the Pb levels with the doses administered (p < 0.001); MDA decreased and CAT activity increased in the cerebellum. In this research we can conclude that NAC+MET when combined, have a beneficial effect on the studied parameters during acute Pb treatment.
Subject(s)
Acetylcysteine/therapeutic use , Cerebellum/drug effects , Lead Poisoning/drug therapy , Methionine/therapeutic use , Acetylcysteine/pharmacology , Animals , Lead/blood , Lead Poisoning/blood , Male , Methionine/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Se realizó un ensayo terapéutico para determinar los efectos de la N-Acetilcisteína (NAC), Metionina (MET) y la combinación NAC + MET sobre los niveles sanguíneos de Plomo (Pb), los niveles de malondialdehido(MDA) y actividad de catalasas (CAT) en el cerebelo de ratas intoxicadas con 0,5 y 2 µg/g de acetato de Pb. Se sometieron a prueba 198 ratas Wistar macho con peso promedio de 240 g divididas en cinco grupos. En el Grupo 1 Control, se determinaron niveles basales, el Grupo 2 corresponde a las ratas intoxicadas, los grupos restantes una vez intoxicados recibieron tratamiento de la forma siguiente Grupo 3 NAC, Grupo 4 MET, Grupo 5 NAC + MET. Los resultados mostraron que la NAC disminuye los niveles de plomo en sangre en un 35 por ciento y 38 por ciento con dosis de intoxicación de 0,5 µg/g y 2 µg/g de acetato de Pb respectivamente. Esta disminución no fue estadísticamente significativa; sin embargo, hubo una disminución del MDA en cerebelo en 56 por ciento con la dosis de 0, 5µg/g de Pb y de 75 por ciento con la dosis de 2µg/g. La CAT en cerebelo aumentó su actividad en 62 por ciento y 71 por ciento con las dosis de Pb estudiadas, siendo esta diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,0001) en relación al grupo intoxicado. La MET tuvo un efecto similar a la NAC aunque fue menor, no obstante cuando se combinan la NAC + MET mostraron un efecto quelante significativo observándose 45 por ciento y 51 por ciento de disminución de los niveles de Pb con las dosis de intoxicación administradas (p < 0,001) así como disminución del MDA y aumento de la actividad de CAT en el cerebelo de ratas expuestas al Pb. En esta investigación se puede concluir que la combinación de NAC + MET tiene efectos beneficiosos sobre los parámetros aquí estudiados en intoxicación aguda por Pb.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Acetylcysteine , Cerebellum/injuries , Malondialdehyde , Methionine , Poisoning , Lead/adverse effects , Pharmacology , Toxicology , VenezuelaABSTRACT
El acetaminofén es un analgésico y antipirético; por su relativa inocuidad se utiliza en el tratamiento sintomático de niños desnutridos y mujeres embarazadas. Se justifica investigar la influencia de la desnutrición sobre la farmacocinética del acetaminofén, por cuanto la desnutrición afecta el metabolismo medicamentoso. En la presente investigación se evaluó el efecto de una dosis terapéutica de acetaminofén de 100mg/kg en ratas con desnutrición aguda. Se observó un descenso estadísticamente significativo en los niveles plasmáticos de glucosa (p<0.001), ácido glucorónico (p<0.05) y glucurónido de acetaminofén (p<0.005), y un aumento significativo del acetaminofén plasmático (p<0.05) en los animales desnutridos tratados. La desnutrición afectó el metabolismo, el volumen de distribución y el clearance de una dosis terapéutica de acetaminofén en el modelo experimental utilizado.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Male , Rats , Female , Child , Pregnancy , Acetaminophen , Metabolism , Nutrition Disorders , Nutritional Sciences , VenezuelaABSTRACT
Se evaluaron dos diferentes preparados comerciales de Aspirina y se determinó su biodisponibilidad relativa. La evaluación "in vivo" se llevó a efecto en cinco sujetos, mediante determinaciones de niveles de droga en orina, usando un diseño cruzado completo. La vida media de eliminación fue de 4,84; 6,47 y 6,03 horas. La biodisponobilidad relativa con respecto al patrón fue de 89 y 100% para los preparados A y B respectivamente. La cantidad de salicilato en orina, para cada preparado, fue evaluada estadísticamente. Al comparar los datos se concluye a cerca de la importancia de agregar la cantidad exacta de miliequivalentes de hidróxido de Magnesio-Aluminio a los preparados de Aspirina para obtener una mejor y más regular absorción
