Aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. decelerates acetaminophen-induced acute liver damage by reducing cell death and oxidative stress in mouse experimental models.

BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen (AAP)-induced oxidative stress can cause cell death to induce liver damage. The antioxidant effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HS) was shown in previous studies. In this study the effect of HS extract (HSE) on AAP-induced liver injury in BALB/c mice was investigated. RESULTS: In vivo, BALB/c mice were fed orally with 200, 400 or 600 mg kg(-1) HSE for 2 weeks and then injected with 1000 mg kg(-1) AAP. Pretreatment with HSE decreased lipid peroxidation and increased catalase activity and glutathione level. It also decreased AAP-induced liver injury, accompanied by decreased expression of pJNK, Bax and tBid in the liver. Additionally, HSE protected BALB/c normal liver cells from AAP-induced damage in vitro. CONCLUSION: It has been demonstrated that HSE can protect the mouse liver from AAP-induced injury and that the protective mechanism might involve decreasing oxidative stress and reducing cell death.

Vertical skeletal and facial profile changes after surgical correction of mandibular prognathism.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular prognathism is often corrected by surgical orthodontics. Correction of the sagittal facial profile has received wide attention. However, vertical changes remained undefined and thus, were investigated. METHODS: Subjects included 18 patients with mandibular prognathism who had surgical correction (S group, mean age: 20.1 +/- 3.2 years) and 18 patients with Class I malocclusion (C group, mean age: 21.2 +/- 3.6 years). Cephalograms were taken at the initial visit (T1) for both the groups and one year after surgery (T2) for the S group and analyzed by standard protocols. The vertical differences between the S and C groups at T1 and within the S group at T1 and T2 were compared. Additionally, the C group at T1 and the S group at T2 were compared. RESULTS: Comparison between groups at T1 revealed no difference in the anterior and posterior upper facial heights (58 mm and 50 mm, respectively). However, the S group exhibited a longer anterior lower facial height and a shorter posterior lower facial height. Accordingly, any vertical measurements and comparisons related to the mandible revealed significant difference between groups. Surgical correction did not change the vertical chin position. Contrarily, the posterior ramus heights were reduced (from 54 to 50 mm). The vertical measurements and comparisons for soft tissues reflected those for hard tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that through surgical correction of mandibular prognathism, vertical facial heights can be maintained within normal physiological function.