ABSTRACT
Superoxide dismutase, ascorbic acid, glutathione and uric acid levels were decreased and xanthine oxidase, glutathione-s-transferase activities were increased in alcohol treated (2 g/kg body weight, once daily for 30 days) group. However, treatment with ethanolic extract of ginger (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg body weight, po, once daily for 30 days) these parameters came to normalcy showing the antioxidant effect of ginger. The antioxidant compounds of ginger may modulate the oxidative stress parameters. The biochemical findings were supplemented by histopathological examination of the kidney. Severe congestion and degenerative changes in tubules in alcohol treated rats were restored by ginger extract treatment. The results confirm the renal protective effect of ginger in alcohol treated rats.
Subject(s)
Ethanol/pharmacology , Kidney/drug effects , Kidney/pathology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Zingiber officinale/chemistry , Animals , Ethanol/toxicity , Glutathione/metabolism , Glutathione Transferase/metabolism , Humans , Kidney/metabolism , Male , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Xanthine Oxidase/metabolismABSTRACT
Diabetes is a major threat to global public health, and the number of diabetic patients is rapidly increasing worldwide. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications and alcoholic diseases. The aim of this study is to find out the impact of alcohol on lipid metabolic profiles in kidney tissue under streptozotocin induced diabetic condition. No study has been reported so far on the effect of alcohol on diabetic condition and also with reference to lipid metabolic profiles. Hence, the present study has been designed to elucidate the impact of alcoholism on diabetic condition. Male wistar strain albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (saline treated) NC, alcohol-treated (At), diabetic control (DC), and alcohol-treated diabetic rats (D+At). In alcohol-treated diabetic rats, we observed high levels of MDA, total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and also high levels of blood glucose than other groups. Moreover, degenerative changes of renal cells in alcohol-treated diabetic group were maximized by administration of alcohol as evinced by histopathological examination. This study suggests that alcohol consumption could be an aggravation factor which contributes for the formation of free radicals in diabetic condition. Therefore, consumption of alcohol during diabetic condition is harmful.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To assess the efficacy of peginterferon alpha 2b at doses of 50 microg weekly and 80 microg weekly (based on body weight) plus ribavirin in HCV genotype 2 and genotype 3 chronic hepatitis C patients. METHODS: During the study period of Jan 2002 to Dec 2003, all patients diagnosed as chronic hepatitis C or HCV related compensated cirrhosis were treated with peginterferon alpha 2b 50 microg S/C weekly (body weight < 60 kg) or 80 microg S/C weekly (body weight > 60 kg) plus ribavirin 800 mg/d for 24 wk. RESULTS: Overall 28 patients, 14 patients in each group (based on body weight) were treated during the period. Out of 28 patients, 75% were genotype 3, 18% were genotype 2 and 7% were genotype 1. The mean dose of peginterferon alpha 2b was 0.91 microg/kg in group 1 and 1.23 microg/kg in group 2 respectively. The end of treatment and sustained virologic response rates were 82% and 78% respectively. Serious adverse effects were seen in 3.5% patients. CONCLUSION: Low dose peginterferon alpha 2b in combination with ribavirin for 24 wk is effective in HCV genotype 2 and 3 chronic hepatitis C patients.
