RESUMO
Introduction Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is crucial in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus through angiotensin II which regulates vascular tone and endothelial functions. Objectives To study the frequency of ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism in Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus and its possible relation to the renal pathology in cases with lupus nephritis. Subjects and methods The frequency of ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism genotypes was determined in 78 Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus and compared to a matched group of 140 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction. Results The DD genotype of the ACE gene was higher in systemic lupus erythematosus patients when compared to controls ( P<0.0001; odds ratio (OR) 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-3.3) and the D allele was more frequent than the I allele in systemic lupus erythematosus patients in comparison to controls ( P < 0.0001; OR = 2.2; 95% CI = (1.6-3.1). In the lupus nephritis group, the DD genotype was significantly higher in those with proliferative lupus nephritis when compared to those with non-proliferative lupus nephritis ( P = 0.02; OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.4-1.6). Also, patients with proliferative lupus nephritis showed a higher frequency of the D allele ( P < 0.001; OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.3-2.9). Conclusion The D allele and DD genotype of the ACE gene appear to be a risk factor for the susceptibility of systemic lupus erythematosus and occurrence of proliferative nephritis in Egyptian children.
Assuntos
Predisposição Genética para Doença , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/genética , Nefrite Lúpica/genética , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/genética , Adolescente , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Transversais , Egito , Feminino , Deleção de Genes , Frequência do Gene , Genótipo , Humanos , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/complicações , Nefrite Lúpica/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Mutagênese Insercional , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Polimorfismo Genético , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Different extracts of both fresh and dry leaves of Aloe eru A. Berger, A. vera L. Webb & Berth and A. arborescens Mill. were screened for their antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum and Fusarium moniliforme. The toxicity of the isolated pure components were evaluated on the tested fungi. A comparative chromatographic study was performed to differentiate between natural components existing in various fractions and extracts of Aloe species and specific spray reagents were used for the detection of anthraquinones in the isolated components.
Assuntos
Aloe/química , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Plantas Medicinais , Antifúngicos/química , Butanóis , Cromatografia em Camada Fina , Etanol , Fungos/efeitos dos fármacos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Solventes , Espectrofotometria Ultravioleta , ÁguaRESUMO
Isolation and structure elucidation was carried out of flavonoid constituents found in fractionated extracts of the seeds and green leaves of Daucus carota L. var. boissieri (Apiaceae). The flavonoids are mainly apigenin, luteolin, their glycosidic precursors and 2,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde. Fatty acids, hydrocarbons and sterols were identified by GLC. The effect of various carrot extracts on the immune responses of Schistosoma mansoni infected mice was studied. The rate of reduction in worm infestation in mice injected with some fractions indicated a strong protection. Some extracts induced humoral immune response through raising the IgG level at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post-infection as compared with infected control. The phenotypic analysis of the cellular immune response in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes was accomplished by direct immunofluorescence. The data showed that some extracts stimulated the blastogenesis of CD4(+)-T splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node cells.
