Origanum vulgare essential oil affects pathogens causing vaginal infections.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the application of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil (EO) as an alternative antimicrobial agent against vaginal infections. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microdilution methods were applied for the detection of the minimal inhibitory (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal/fungicidal (MBC/MFC) concentration of 15 clinical strains originating from women with symptoms of vaginal infection. Optical density determination (OD) was used for detection of the Candida growth rate. Staining with DAPI was used to detect the influence of EO on nuclear condensation and fragmentation, while the brine shrimp bioassay was used to determine the toxicity of EO. Chemical composition analysis was done using GS-MS. According to the MIC and MBC/MFC values, the most susceptible strains to EO were: Escherichia coli 1, E. coli 2, Staphylococcus aureus 3 and Candida albicans 1-3. Inhibition of C. albicans filamentation was detected at 0·45 µl ml-1 . CONCLUSIONS: The obtained inhibition (%) from Candida growth curves points to a shorter period of time (24 h) for determining IC50 as MIC and IC99 as MFC value. These values could be recommended as valid parameters for the faster detection of the effectiveness of EO on Candida isolates. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Examination of potential of the O. vulgare EO as a main antimicrobial constituent within vaginalettes in gynaecological practice.

Prostaglandin E2, trace elements and levels of oxidative processes in spontaneous miscarriages.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the significance of prostaglandin (PG)E2, trace elements level, pro-oxidative and antioxidative parameters changes in spontaneous miscarriages. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the 125 first trimester pregnancies, 35 with complete spontaneous abortion (group S), 40 with missed abortion (M) and 50 healthy (H), PGE2 plasma concentrations were analysed by commercial ELISA kits, plasma trace elements colorimetrically, lipid peroxidation and the antioxidative enzyme activities in hemolysate by commercial sets. Student's t-test and ANOVA were applied. RESULTS: Average PGE2 plasma concentration in the group H was higher than in S and M (p < 0.05). The higher average plasma Cu concentration, glutathione peroxidase and catalase contents were in the group H than in groups S and M (p < 0.01). Significantly lower value of lipid peroxidation was in the group H than in the groups S and M (p < 0.01). The lowest superoxide dismutase (SOD) content was in the group H and the highest in group S (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with abortions significantly lower levels of plasma PGE2, plasma Cu and anti-oxidative enzymes, except SOD, and significantly higher level of lipid peroxidation products than in healthy pregnancies may be important for miscarriage etiology and prevention.

Alternative treatment of vaginal infections ­ in vitro antimicrobial and toxic effects of Coriandrum sativum L. and Thymus vulgaris L. essential oils.

AIMS: The aims of study were to examine the antibacterial potential of two commercial essential oils (EOs) from coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) against vaginal clinical strains of bacteria and yeast and their chemical composition. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antimicrobial activities of commercial essential oils were determined using macro-diffusion (disc, well) and micro-dilution method in 96-well micro plates against twelve clinical strains of bacteria: Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus sp., Staph. aureus ATCC 25923, ATCC 6538 and E. coli 25922 and two clinical Candida albicans strains, including ATTC 10231. Spectrophotometric method was used for determination on C. albicans growth. An antimicrobial effect of EOs was strain specific. Bactericidal activity was higher for coriander EO (minimal inhibitory concentration (MICs) 0·4-45·4 µl ml(-1)) against almost all tested bacteria, except multiple resistant strains of Eneterococcus sp. and Proteus sp. Thyme EO showed slightly better fungicidal activity reaching MIC at 0·11 mg ml(-1) for all C. albicans strains. The effect of EOs on biofilm-forming ability was tested for two strains of Staph. aureus and E. coli, as well as on C. albicans filamentation ability. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay revealed thymus oil total toxicity and coriander oil intoxicity (LC50 = 2·25 mg ml(-1)). The chemical composition of oils was analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry showing oxygenated monoterepenes as dominant constituents. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide in-vitro scientific support for the safety possible use of Coriander EO against E. coli, Staph. aureus and C. albicans vaginal infections in alternative gynaecological treatment. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: To examine EOs as possible constituent of naturally based antimicrobial agents in vaginaletes for safety gynaecological application.

Mid-pregnancy interleukins levels in serum and amniotic fluid as predictors of preterm delivery.

Abstract Objectives: To find out if determination of IL-4, IL-13 and IL-6 in amniotic fluid (AF) and serum in mid-pregnancy can be used as predictors of preterm delivery. Material and methods: The research has comprised 88 pregnant women at 16-24 weeks of gestation, who were subjected to early amniocentesis. Levels of interleukins were determined by ELISA tests. Pregnant women had been monitored untill termination of pregnancy and divided in two groups: 68 term and 20 preterm deliveries. Results: IL-13 was not detectable at all in serum and amniotic fluid samples. IL-4 was not detectable in serum samples of both groups of women and it was detectable only in small number (20 % - 27 %) of AF samples. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.665) in the mean values of AF IL-4 levels between the examined groups of women. Detectability for IL-6 was very low in serum specimens, while in AF it was detectable in 100% of cases and its levels was significantly higher (p<0.001) in preterm delivery group. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that the AF mid-pregnancy levels of IL-6 higher than 132 pg/ml may indicate preterm delivery.

[Pregnancy, delivery and acid-base status in twin pregnancy]. / Trudnoca, porodaj i acidobazni status u blizanackoj trudnoci.

INTRODUCTION: Twin pregnancy may be a burden both during pregnancy and delivery, thus it is necessary, apart from special supervision and determination of Apgar scores, to perform testing of fetal blood. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the incidence of twin pregnancies during the three-year period, associated pathologies during pregnancy and delivery, as well as acid-base status of the twins. METHODS: The investigation included a group of women with twin pregnancy who underwent either vaginal or cesarean delivery during the three-year period (1994-1996) with special attention paid to acid-base status. RESULTS: During 1994, there were 80 pairs of twins (1.31%) delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Novi Sad, in 1995--81 twins (1.22%) and in 1996, there were 70 pairs of twins (1.15%). The following associated pathologies have been recorded: PIH--7.98%, incompetent cervices--6.75%, cystitis--6.52%, pyelonephritis--0.61%. In 1994 term delivery was recorded in 60.71%, whereas preterm in 39.29%. In 1995 there were 61.67% term and 38.33% preterm deliveries and in 1996, there were 57.45% term and 42.55% preterm deliveries. Apgar score values were estimated at 1 and 5 minute and pH levels estimated for both twins as well as the values of PaCO2 (kPa), BE (mEq/l), BB (mEq/l), HCO3 (mEq/l), PaO2 (kPa). Satyr. O2 (%)-acid-base status. CONCLUSION: Twin pregnancy being a high risk pregnancy, requires intensive monitoring: of the course of pregnancy and labor, proper choice of completion of the delivery, particularly in cases of preterm labor in order to avoid hypoxia, trauma and metabolic disorders and consequent damage of organs and systems.

Flow cytometric analysis of T8 lymphocytes in patients with ovarian carcinoma in relation to clinical response.

The objective of this study was to examine variations of T8 lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with ovarian carcinoma after surgical treatment and chemotherapy in relation to clinical response. In a prospective randomized study 30 women with ovarian carcinoma were studied. In the control group 30 patients had benign tumors of ovary. We examined the distribution of T8 lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of women with ovarian carcinoma preoperatively, during chemotherapy and 1 and 3 months postoperatively as well as in the control group. Quantification of suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes in peripheral blood was performed using specific monoclonal antibody (anti-T8) and flow cytometry. Values of T8 lymphocytes in the group of patients with complete response, 1 month after operation, were higher (0.67 +/- 0.3) compared to the control group (0.53 +/- 0.24), but lower in patients with partial response (0.45 +/- 0.20) and no effect (0.35 +/- 0.1). Three months after the operation, we recorded a decreased number of peripheral T8 lymphocytes in all patients of the examined group, compared to the values after 1 month.

Ovarian carcinoma: modification of T4 lymphocytes after surgery and during chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the values of helper/inducer lymphocytes (T4), preoperatively, and during the chemotherapy, 1 and 3 months postoperatively in a prospective randomized study of women with cancer. The study included 30 surgically-treated patients with ovarian cancer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia. In the control group, 20 patients had no malignant ovarian tumor. Patients with ovarian cancer, besides surgical treatment, were treated with chemotherapy (CP protocol). Helper/inducer lymphocytes were defined by monoclonal antibody--CD4, conducted by laser flow cytometry. The average values of T4 lymphocytes in relation to control group (1.09 +/- 0.50), in IIIa, IIIb and IIIc stage of ovarian cancer decreased preoperatively (0.55 +/- 0.26), but increased in stages Ia and Ic (1.12 +/- 0.57) and in stage IV (0.31 +/- 0.51). Post surgery treatment (1 and 3 months) and during chemotherapy (CP protocol), the average values of T4 lymphocytes were lowered in relation to preoperative values.

Coulometric determination of some antiinflammatory compounds.

A method is presented for the chlorocoulometric assay of small amounts of piroxicam and tenoxicam. This assay is carried out directly by coulometrically titrating the investigated substances with electrogenerated chloride in the presence of methyl orange as indicator. Results are accurate and reproducible. The method can be applied for routine analysis of these substances.

Coulometric determination of some antiasthmatics.

A simple and rapid method for the assay of microquantities of fenoterol hydrobromide, orciprenaline sulphate and terbutaline sulphate in pure state and various pharmaceutical formulations, is presented. The method is based on the coulometric titration of the investigated compounds with electrogenerated chlorine in the presence of methyl orange as indicator. The method requires a simple apparatus and gives accurate and reproducible results.

Chlorocoulometric determination of hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone acetate.

A chlorocoulometric method for the determination of small amounts of hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone acetate is presented. The method is simple and rapid, the results obtained are accurate and reproducible. It can be successfully applied to the determination of hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone acetate in pharmaceutical formulations.