Effects of Bauhinia forficata Link Tea on Lipid Profile in Diabetic Patients.

Twenty-five type 2 diabetic volunteer patients (mean age 62 years) were recruited in a quasi-experimental study without a control group to evaluate the effects of Bauhinia forficata Link tea on lipid profiles. Participants drank the tea of 0.4% B. forficata in 200 mL of water twice a day for 3 months. The clinical parameters evaluated were cholesterol and triglycerides (mg/dL), total cholesterol (mg/dL), weight (kg), postprandial glycemia (mg/dL), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). For the study period, statistically significant decreases in triglycerides and total cholesterol levels of 48 and 17 mg/dL, respectively, were observed. B. forficata tea as a complementary therapy in type 2 diabetic patients may help to reduce the levels of some lipid profile parameters. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the effect of the tea.

[Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodinamic (PK/PD) evaluation of a short course of oral administration of metronidazole for the management of infections caused by Bacteroides fragilis]. / Evaluación farmacocinética/farmacodinámica (PK/PD) de un esquema de administración oral de metronidazol en intervalo ampliado para el manejo de infecciones producidas por Bacteroides fragilis.

INTRODUCTION: Metronidazole is the antibiotic of choice for the management of infections caused by anaerobes. Its administration requires multiple daily doses causing increased medication errors. Due to its high post-antibiotic effect and rapid concentration-dependent bactericidal activity, administration of this antibiotic in an extended dosing interval would achieve PK/PD parameters effectively. OBJECTIVE: To assess the probability of achieving effective PK/PD relationship with the administration of 1,000 mg every 24 hours of metronidazole for Bacteroides fragilis infections. METHODS: A clinical trial was conducted in a group of volunteers who received a single oral dose of 500 or 1,000 mg of metronidazole. Determinations of values of Cmax, t max, and AUCC0-24 h. determined using the trapezoidal method, were obtained for a Markov simulation that would allow for determining the likelihood of achieving a AUC0-24 h/MIC ratio above 70 for infections caused by susceptible B. fragilis. RESULTS: Cmax (24,03 ± 6,89 mg/L) and t max (1,20 ± 0.80 hrs) and the value of AUC0-24 h (241.91 ± 48.14 mg * h/L) were determined. The probability of obtaining a AUC0-24 h/MIC ratio greater than 70 was greater than 99%. CONCLUSION: From a pharmacokinetic perspective, with the administration of a daily dose of 1,000 mg of metronidazole, it is possible to achieve a therapeutic goal of AUC0-24 h/MIC ratio above 70 for the treatment of anaerobic infections.

Evaluación farmacocinética/farmacodinámica (PK/PD) de un esquema de administración oral de metronidazol en intervalo ampliado para el manejo de infecciones producidas por Bacteroides fragilis / Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodinamic (PK/PD) evaluation of a short course of oral administration of metronidazole for the management of infections caused by Bacteroides fragilis

Introduction: Metronidazole is the antibiotic of choice for the management of infections caused by anaerobes. Its administration requires multiple daily doses causing increased medication errors. Due to its high post-antibiotic effect and rapid concentration-dependent bactericidal activity, administration of this antibiotic in an extended dosing interval would achieve PK/PD parameters effectively. Objective: To assess the probability of achieving effective PK/PD relationship with the administration of 1,000 mg every 24 hours of metronidazole for Bacteroides fragilis infections. Methods: A clinical trial was conducted in a group of volunteers who received a single oral dose of 500 or 1,000 mg of metronidazole. Determinations of values of Cmax, t max, and AUCC0-24 h. determined using the trapezoidal method, were obtained for a Markov simulation that would allow for determining the likelihood of achieving a AUC0-24 h/MIC ratio above 70 for infections caused by susceptible B. fragilis. Results: Cmax (24,03 ± 6,89 mg/L) and t max (1,20 ± 0.80 hrs) and the value of AUC0-24 h (241.91 ± 48.14 mg * h/L) were determined. The probability of obtaining a AUC0-24 h/MIC ratio greater than 70 was greater than 99%. Conclusion: From a pharmacokinetic perspective, with the administration of a daily dose of 1,000 mg of metronidazole, it is possible to achieve a therapeutic goal of AUC0-24 h/MIC ratio above 70 for the treatment of anaerobic infections.

Introducción: Metronidazol es el antimicrobiano de elección para el manejo de infecciones anaeróbicas. Su administración requiere de dosis múltiples provocando aumento en errores medicamentosos. Debido al efecto post-antibiótico y a la actividad bactericida concentración-dependiente, la administración de metronidazol en intervalos ampliados de administración permitiría alcanzar parámetros PK/PD efectivos. Objetivo: Evaluar la probabilidad de alcanzar una relación PK/PD efectiva con la administración de 1.000 mg cada 24 h de metronidazol para infecciones por Bacteroides fragilis. Método: Se realizó un ensayo clínico sobre un grupo de voluntarios a quienes se les administró una monodosis oral de 500 y 1.000 mg de metronidazol, respectivamente. Se establecieron parámetros farmacocinéticos empleando el método trapezoidal. Se realizó una simulación de Markov que permitiera establecer la probabilidad de alcanzar una relación AUC0-24 h/CIM > 70 en infecciones por B. fragilis. Resultados: Se determinaron los valores de Cmax (24,03 ± 6,89 mg/L), t max (1,20± 0,8h) y AUC0-24 h (241,91 ± 48,14 mg*h/L), con lo cual la probabilidad de alcanzar una relación AUC0-24 h/CIM > 70 con 1.000 mg de metronidazol fue superior a 99%. Conclusión: Con la administración de 1.000 mg cada 24 h sería posible alcanzar una relación PK/PD efectiva para el tratamiento de infecciones anaeróbicas.

Fitoaromaterapia como complemento para mejorar la salud laboral / Supplementary phytoaromatherapy in occupational health improvement

Introducción: la fitoaromaterapia es una terapia complementaria que utiliza los aceites esenciales contenidos en órganos especializados de las plantas. Uno de los efectos atribuibles a algunas esencias es el ansiolítico, presente en especies como la lavanda (Lavandula officinalis L., Labiateae), una de las más estudiadas a nivel mundial. No obstante, en Chile no existen registros de estudios que evalúen el efecto ansiolítico de esencias en poblaciones susceptibles. El estrés laboral se conceptualiza como el conjunto de fenómenos que suceden en el organismo del trabajador, con la participación de agentes estresantes lesivos derivados directamente del trabajo o que con motivo de este, pueden afectar la salud y el rendimiento del trabajador. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos ansiolíticos de la lavanda, como una terapia complementaria no invasiva en el tratamiento de la ansiedad y la percepción de afectividad y bienestar psicológico en trabajadores voluntarios de la Universidad de Concepción. Métodos: la esencia se obtuvo por hidrodestilación en aparato clavenger y su caracterización química se realizó por CG-MS. Para evaluar el efecto ansiolítico se utilizaron 3 instrumentos: beck anxiety inventory (BAI), escala de afectos positivos y negativos (PANAS) y psychological general well-being index (PGWB). Resultados: el análisis químico de la esencia evidenció presencia de compuestos con reconocida actividad ansiolítica, como el linalol y el acetato de linalilo. Con respecto a la percepción de los funcionarios, después de aplicar la intervención con lavanda, se observó una reducción de la ansiedad, al mismo tiempo hubo una mejoría en el bienestar psicológico general en relación con la ansiedad, salud general y vitalidad, y en la afectividad negativa; mientras que en la afectividad positiva no hubo cambios significativos. Conclusiones: la terapia sobre la base de aromas naturales, como el de la lavanda, constituye un método simple y barato de mejorar la calidad de vida de la población susceptible a desarrollar diversas enfermedades producto del estrés diario.

Introduction: phytoaromatherapy is a supplementary treatment using essential oils found in specific parts of plants. One of the effects attributable to certain types of essences such as lavender (Lavandula officinalis L., Labiateae), widely studied around the world, is the anti-ansiolytic impact. There are no studies in Chile of the anti anxiety effect of this essence in sensitive populations. Work-related stress has been defined as a series of events that occur in a worker's body in which work-related harmful stressing agents are involved and may affect health and work performance Objective: to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of Lavender as a non-invasive supplementary therapy in the treatment of anxiety and on the perception of affectivity, and general psychological well-being in voluntary group of workers from the University of Concepción. Methods: the essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation in Clavenger equipment and the chemical characterization was performed by CG-MS. To evaluate the anxiolytic effects, three instruments: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB Index) were used. Results: the chemical analysis of the essence evinced existence of recognized anxiolytic action compounds such as linalol and linalilo acetate. After applying the lavender, workers reported lower levels of anxiety, and improvement of their general psychological well-being in terms of anxiety, global health condition and strength and negative affect whereas no significant changes were seen in positive affect. Conclusions: the natural aroma-based therapy constitutes a simple and inexpensive method of increasing the quality of life of the population sensitive to several daily stress-derived diseases.