Efficacy of garlic based treatments against monogenean parasites infecting the guppy (Poecilia reticulata (Peters)).

Monogenean infections of commercially farmed fishes are responsible for significant economic losses. Garlic (Allium sativum) is a well-known spice which also possesses anti-microbial and anti-parasitical properties. The current work aimed to test the efficacy of garlic-based treatments against infection with monogenean sp. in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Clipped sections of tail fins of guppies heavily infected with Gyrodactylus turnbulli were exposed to aqueous garlic extract (7.5 to 30 mL L(-1)) and visually observed under a dissecting microscope. Results revealed that exposure to garlic caused detachment of parasite and cessation of movement indicating death. A positive correlation was seen between garlic concentration and time to detachment and death of parasites, which, at the highest concentration of 30 mL L(-1), occurred at 4.1 and 8.6 min, respectively. Bathing in aqueous garlic extract (7.5 and 12.5 mL L(-1)) was tested in guppies infected with G. turnbulli. Prior acute toxicity tests revealed the maximum tolerance levels of guppies to garlic extract to be 12.5 mL L(-1) for 1h. Bathing of infected fish in garlic extract (7.5 and 12.5 mL L(-1)) significantly (p<0.05) reduced infection prevalence and intensity as compared to the control. Oral treatments using dry garlic powder-supplemented diet were tested on guppies infected with G. turnbulli and Dactylogyrus sp. Fish were fed with food containing 10% and 20% dry garlic powder for 14 days. Groups fed with garlic supplemented diets showed significantly reduced (p<0.05) mean prevalence and mean intensity of parasites as compared to the control. Dietary application of garlic did not appear to affect palatability. Fresh crushed garlic was added at a level of 1 gL(-1) and applied as an indefinite bath for 14 days. This treatment was seen to significantly reduce (p<0.05) parasite prevalence and mean intensity as compared to the control. Histopathology revealed elevated muscular dystrophy in the 20% garlic-fed group, as compared to control. These findings demonstrate the potential of garlic as a natural alternative to currently used chemical treatments for monogenean sp. infection in the guppy.

A histone deacetylase inhibitory prodrug - butyroyloxymethyl diethyl phosphate - protects the heart and cardiomyocytes against ischemia injury.

Butyroyloxymethyl diethylphosphate (AN-7) is a prodrug of butyric acid effective in reducing cardiotoxicity caused by chemotherapy. In this study, we tested whether AN-7 protects the heart and cardiomyocytes against ischemia injury. A single oral dose of AN-7 was given to mice or rats. Animals were sacrificed 1.5 or 24 h later and the hearts were subjected to ischemia and reperfusion ex-vivo (Langendorff). The mechanical performance was recorded throughout and the infarct size was measured at the end of reperfusion. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were subjected to 24-48 h hypoxia (1% O(2)) in the absence or presence of AN-7 and mitochondria damage and cell death were assessed. Proteins were analyzed by Western immunoblotting. In the two rodents, a single dose of AN-7 given in vivo preconditioned the hearts for improved functional recovery from ischemia and reperfusion performed ex-vivo. Both 1.5 h and 24 h treatments improved the pressure-related parameters whereas the coronary flow was ameliorated in the 24 h treatment only. Infarct size was smaller in the AN-7 treated hearts. In cardiomyocytes, AN-7 diminished the hypoxia induced dissipation of mitochondria membrane potential and cell death. Compared with untreated controls, AN-7-treated hearts recovering from global ischemia and cardiomyocytes undergoing hypoxia, displayed significantly higher levels of the cytoprotective heme oxygenase-1. Our findings indicate that AN-7 imparts cardioprotection against ischemia both in vivo and in vitro and emerges as a potential treatment modality for cardiac injury.

"Functional food" for acceleration of growth in short children born small for gestational age.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of nutritional supplementation on growth in short children born small for gestational age (SGA). PATIENTS: Fifty four short but otherwise healthy children (26 boys), 6.4 +/- 1.8 years of age, were referred for growth retardation. METHODS: Following a 6 month observation period the participants were randomly allocated to receive growth hormone therapy (GH) 1.26 IU/kg/day (0.042 mg/kg/day) or nutritional program (NUT) or passive observation (OBS). Patients in the nutritional program received 10 mg/day iron, 11 mg zinc-three times a week and 10000 IU/week of vitamin A. The following parameters were obtained 3 monthly: height, weight, dietary intake and serum IGF-1. RESULTS: Six months of nutritional supplement induced growth acceleration somewhat lower than that seen in the growth hormone treated children, but significantly greater than noted in the observation group (OBS 4.6 +/- 1.3, NUT 7.9 +/- 1.7, GH 9.1 +/- 1.8 cm/yr, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Six months of vitamin A, iron and zinc supplementation induces growth acceleration in short children born SGA with subnormal nutrients intake similar to growth hormone therapy.

Vitamin A and iron supplementation is as efficient as hormonal therapy in constitutionally delayed children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of nutritional supplementation on growth and puberty in constitutionally delayed children. PATIENTS: One hundred and two boys, 13.6-15.5 years of age, who were referred because of short stature and delayed puberty. METHODS: The boys were randomly allocated to one of the following treatment groups: oxandrolone therapy, 5 mg/day for 6 months (n = 15), testosterone depot, 100 mg monthly for 3 months (n = 15) or for 6 months (n = 20), nutritional programme (n = 17), oxandrolone and nutritional programme (n = 15) or passive observation (n = 20). Boys in the nutritional programmes received 12 mg/day iron and 6000 IU/week of vitamin A. Outcome measurements were of height, weight, pubertal signs, dietary intake, serum vitamin A, iron, GH and IGF-1. RESULTS: Six months of vitamin A supplementation induced growth acceleration similar to that seen in the oxandrolone- and testosterone-treated children, and significantly greater than in the observation group (9.3 +/- 2.9 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.9 crn/yr, P < 0.001). Whereas in the vitamin A-supplemented group, puberty (increase in testicular volume >/= 12 ml) was induced within 12 months. In all testosterone-treated patients, pubic hair was noted within 3 months and a testicular volume of >/= 12 ml was observed 9-12 months after the initiation of therapy. No pubertal signs were noted in the observation group during this time. CONCLUSIONS: Subnormal vitamin A intake is one of the aetiological factors in delayed pubertal maturation. Supplementation of both vitamin A and iron to normal constitutionally delayed children with subnormal vitamin A intake is as efficacious as hormonal therapy in the induction of growth and puberty.

Sexual function in women attending a urogynecology clinic.

The study prospectively evaluated the relationship between sexual dysfunction and urodynamic diagnoses in 100 consecutive female patients referred for urogynecologic evaluation. Sexual function was evaluated by a detailed questionnaire that addressed four phases of the sexual cycle: desire, arousal, orgasm and satisfaction. Each phase of the sexual cycle was assessed separately using a score of 1-4. Total sexual function (TSF) score was calculated by combining the scores of the four examined parameters (range 4-16). Analysis revealed statistically significant (P < 0.05) lower TSF scores in patients with detrusor instability (DI) than in those with genuine stress incontinence, sensory urge or mixed urodynamic diagnoses (8.65 +/- 4 versus 12.22 + 3.6, 10.25 +/- 4.1 and 11.47 +/- 4.1, respectively). Three per cent of the elderly women (>60 years) compared to 29% of the younger women (< or = 60 years) reported urinary incontinence during sexual activity. Sexual function should therefore be routinely evaluated in women presenting with urinary symptoms.