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Objectives: Nutrition plays a critical role in the brain's function and development. Vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) is required for the biosynthesis of several neurotransmitters. As vitamin B6 is not endogenously synthesized, the availability of dietary sources becomes imperative. Due to its contribution to neurological functions, severe vitamin B6 deficiency leads to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, dementia, and neurodevelopmental disorders. This study aimed to establish a vitamin B6-deficient model in experimental animals and assess the neurodevelopmental effects in their offspring. Methods: Two- to three-month-old female C57BL/6J mice were used in the study. They were randomly divided into control and vitamin B6-deficient groups. The control group was fed a regular diet containing 6 mg vitamin B6/kg and the vitamin B6-deficient group was fed a customized diet containing 0 mg vitamin B6/kg, for 5 weeks (n = 6). After 5 weeks, plasma PLP was assessed. The animals were bred to generate offspring. The dams were killed following weaning, and the hippocampal neurons were quantified using cresyl violet staining. The offspring were assigned the respective diet post-weaning up to 2 months of age. Learning and memory were assessed using the Morris water maze test. Results: The plasma PLP levels confirmed the deficiency in the deficient group compared to the control group. The viable pyramidal neurons in the cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) region of the hippocampus showed a significant difference between the control and deficient groups. Offspring born to deficient dams showed a substantial increase in latency to reach the target quadrant during the probe trial compared to the controls. Conclusion: Vitamin B6 deficiency reduces memory in dams and their offspring, suggesting the importance of vitamin B6 for both brain function and development.
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BACKGROUND: Manuka honey has attracted the attention of the scientific community for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The active compounds of manuka honey to which its myeloperoxidase activity inhibition is owed are methyl syringate (MSYR) and leptosin (a novel glycoside of MSYR). The non-peroxide antibacterial activity is attributed to glyoxal, 3-deoxyglucosulose, and methylglyoxal. These properties make it an inexpensive and effective topical treatment in wound management. This study has focused on the evaluation of the effect of manuka honey and acacia honey on wound healing in nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on a total of 42 rats (six rats in each group) and respective drug/substance was topically applied once daily on the excision wound for 21 days. Induction of diabetes was carried out in rats in groups IV, V, VI, and VII only. Measurement of wound contraction was carried out on days 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 after operation. Time taken for the complete epithelization was recorded along with a histopathological examination of the healed wound bed. RESULTS: Topical application of manuka honey achieved ≥80% wound contraction on day 9 after operation in both the nondiabetic and diabetic group. Complete epithelization was achieved 2 days earlier than the normal epithelization time in the manuka group. Histopathological examination showed well-formed keratinized squamous epithelium with normal collagen tissue surrounding hair follicles. CONCLUSION: This study provides good outcome with respect to wound healing (especially in diabetic condition) when manuka honey was compared to acacia honey and standard treatment.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone as a prophylactic antiemetic for patients receiving fractionated radiotherapy to the upper abdomen in a randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-four patients planned to receive fractionated radiotherapy to fields involving the upper abdomen (minimum total dose, 20 Gy; minimum number of fractions, five) were randomized to receive prophylactic dexamethasone (2 mg orally three times a day [tid], starting in the morning of first treatment and continuing until after their fifth treatment) or placebo. The primary end point of the study was the proportion of patients free from emesis during the study period. Secondary end points included a quality-of-life assessment using the core questionnaire of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and side effects of dexamethasone therapy in this population of patients. RESULTS: Fifty-four (70%) out of 75 patients receiving dexamethasone had complete protection versus 37 (49%) out of 75 patients on placebo (P = .025). Most emetic episodes occurred during the initial phase of treatment. Although there was no difference in global quality of life between the two sets of patients, patients receiving dexamethasone had less nausea and vomiting and less loss of appetite but more insomnia. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone 2 mg tid seems to be an effective prophylactic antiemetic in this situation. Side effects were acceptable, but there seemed to be no overall effect on global quality of life.
