Resveratrol and Cancer

Resveratrol is a stilbene substance, belonging to the superfamily of phytoalexins, which are compounds synthesized by plants when stress occurs, usually an infection. It is abundant in red wine, red grapes, blueberries, peanuts and pistachios. Resveratrol induces p53-dependent apoptosis. A novel resveratrol analogue, HS-1793, has recently been demonstrated to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human prostate cancer cells. Pterostilbene, an analog of resveratrol, has been demonstrated to exert both autophagy and apoptosis in human bladder and breast cancer cell lines. It has also been found to cause accumulation of autophagic vacuoles as well as promote cell death via a mechanism involving lysosomal membrane permeabilization in human melanoma, colon, lung and breast cancer cell lines. Identification of a receptor site for resveratrol in cancer cells, supports the potential of this compound as a therapeutic agent. The receptor could also serve as a vehicle for studies of future resveratrol analogues. Resveratrol has also been documented to overcome chemo-resistance by inhibiting NF-κB and STAT3 pathway. Resveratrol has shown much promise in preclinical trials and because of its good safety profile it may be an ideal chemo-preventive and chemotherapeutic agent

The Impact of Demographic Characteristics and Lifestyle in the Distribution of Cystatin C Values in a Healthy Greek Adult Population

Background. The aim of the present study was to examine sources of variation for serum cystatin C in a healthy Greek population. Methods. Cystatin C together with basic clinical chemistry tests was measured in a total of 490 adults (46 ± 16 yrs, 40% males) who underwent an annual health check. Demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle characteristics were recorded. Results. Higher values of cystatin C were observed among males (P = .04), participants aged over 65 years (P < .001), current smokers (P = .001) and overweight/obese participants (P = .03). On the contrary, alcohol consumption and physical activity seemed to have no influence on cystatin C levels (P = .61; P = .95, resp.). Conclusions. In interpreting serum cystatin C values in a healthy adult population, age, gender, Body Mass Index, and cigarette smoking need to be considered, and determination of reference ranges among distinct subpopulations seem to be prudent

Influence of Protein Intake from Haem and Non-haem Animals and Plant Origin on Inflammatory Biomarkers among Apparently-healthy Adults in Greece

Intake of different types of protein may be associated with differences in biomarkers among various populations. This work investigated the influence of protein intake from haem and non-haem animals as well as protein from plants on haematological and biochemical parameters in inflammation among apparentlyhealthy adults living in Greece, a Mediterranean country. Four hundred and ninety apparently-healthy subjects (46\ub116 years, 40% men), who consecutively visited Polykliniki General Hospital for routine examinations, voluntarily agreed to participate in the study (participation rate 85%). Demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics were recorded. Participants completed a valid, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Protein intake was classified into three sources: protein from haem animals, protein from non-haem animals, and protein from plant origin. Fasting blood samples were taken from all participants; uric acid, creatinine, lipids, cystatin C, haptoglobin, haemoglobin, haematocrit, iron, ferritin, white blood cells, monocytes, platelets, and C-reactive protein were measured. Protein intake from only haem animals was associated with increased haemoglobin and haematocrit levels (p&lt;0.05) whereas intake of protein from non-haem animals and plant origin was not associated with the investigated haematological and biochemical markers of low-grade chronic inflammation when lifestyle factors and overall dietary habits were taken into account. Intake of protein from only haem animals seems to be consistently associated with haematological markers. The confounding role of dietary habits and lifestyle variables on the tested parameters deserves further attention in future research

Vertebral osteomyelitis and native valve endocarditis due to Staphylococcus simulans: a case report

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Αξιολόγηση μεθόδων μοριακής βιολογίας στη διάγνωση της αμοιβάδωσης

Following a lot of research the accumulation of epidemiological, biochemical, immunological and genetic data led, in 1993, to the redescription of E. histolytica as complex of two morphologically identical species: one pathogenic for which the name E. histolytica was maintained and a non-pathogenic for which the name E. dispar was given. The aim of the present study was to develop a molecular biology technique for the detection and differentiation of these parasites. The protocol we developed is a nested, multiplex PCR with suitable primers which allow species identification within a single reaction. Using spiked material, we estimated the sensitivity of the assay. The detection limit is 200 trophozoites of E. dispar or 1000 trophozoites of E. histolytica per g of stool sample. The sensitivity of the assay remains practically unchanged even in the presence of 20000 trophozoites of the other species per g of stool sample. Thus, this technique may also easily reveal mixed infections without the danger of misdiagnosis by one strain displacing the other in culture. On a second level, we conducted a large epidemiological study in Greece, including various subpopulations of interest. Each sample was processed simultaneously with all three available techniques: Microscopic examination, ELISA and PCR. The results of the present as well as those of ongoing studies suggest that the diagnosis should be species specific, which can be achieved only by modern technologies such as PCR or ELISA. The importance of microscopy shouldn’t be ignored, but we should bear in mind the need for expert microscopist and the inability -apart from the case of hematophagoustrophozoites - to distinguish these species. In case of positive result by microscopy, this should be reported as E. histolytica/ E. dispar complex. It is the first time in Greece that the species E. histolytica and E. dispar can be specifically identified. The results of our study are quite reassuring and indicate that the majority of individuals, previously reported as E.histolytica carriers, are in fact infected with E. dispar. Emphasis should be paid in alerting the clinicians as well as the lab personnel for the possibility and significance of distinction of the two species. In case of diarrhoea E. histolytica should be specifically identified (by ELISA or PCR) and if not present then other causes should be sought. According W.H.0 in non-endemic areas treatment should be administrated even in asymptomatic carriers of E. histolytica in order to minimize the risk of invasive disease as well as the risk of transmission of parasite to the close associates of the carrier. E. dispar infection is always asymptomatic and therefore treatment is unnecessary.Μετά από αρκετή έρευνα και συσσώρευση επιδημιολογικών, βιοχημικών, ανοσολογικών και γενετικών δεδομένων, το 1993 το είδος Ε. histolytica επαναπροσδιορίζεται ως σύμπλεγμα δύο μορφολογικά ταυτόσημων ειδών: το ένα παθογόνο για το οποίο και διατηρήθηκε η ονομασία Ε. histolytica και το άλλο μη παθογόνο στο οποίο δόθηκε η ονομασία Ε. dispar. Σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής ήταν η ανάπτυξη μιας τεχνικής μοριακής βιολογίας για την ανίχνευση και τη διαφοροποίηση αυτών των παρασίτων. Η τεχνική την οποία αναπτύξαμε βασίζεται στην αλυσιδωτή αντίδραση πολυμεράσης και στη χρήση εκκινητικών μορίων με τέτοιες ιδιότητες που επιτρέπουν την ανίχνευση και διαφοροποίηση των δύο ειδών σε μια μόνο αντίδραση (multiplex PCR). Κατόπινκαλλιέργειας των παρασίτων και εμβολιασμό δειγμάτων κοπράνων η τεχνική αποδείχθηκε εξαιρετικά ευαίσθητη καθώς επιτρέπει την ανίχνευση 200 τροφοζωιτών Ε. dispar ή 1000 τροφοζωιτών Ε. histolytica ανά γραμμάριο δείγματος κοπράνων και πολύ ειδική ενώ η ευαισθησία παραμένει ουσιαστικά αμετάβλητη ακόμα και παρουσία 20000 τροφοζωιτών του άλλου είδους ανά γραμμάριο κοπράνων. Έτσι ανιχνεύονται εύκολα ακόμα και μικτές μολύνσεις χωρίς τον κίνδυνο λάθους στη διάγνωση που ελλοχεύει στις καλλιέργειες από την υπερβολική ανάπτυξη ενός είδους και τον παραγκωνισμό του άλλου. Παράλληλα προχωρήσαμε στην αξιολόγηση των πρόσφατα ανεπτυχθέντων ανοσοενζυμικών δοκιμασιών για την ανίχνευση αυτών των παρασίτων στα κόπρανα και στη διεξαγωγή μιας μεγάλης επιδημιολογικής έρευνας στον Ελλαδικό χώρο με τη χρήση PCR, ELISA και μικροσκόπησης. Τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας μελέτης αλλά και άλλων ερευνών δείχνουν ότι η διάγνωση για την ύπαρξη Ε. histolytica ή Ε. dispar θα πρέπει να γίνεται κατά πρώτο και κύριο λόγο στο επίπεδο είδους με τη χρήση σύγχρονων μεθοδολογιών (PCR ή ELISA), χωρίς φυσικά να παραγνωρίζουμε την αξία της μικροσκόπησης που όμως απαιτεί εξειδικευμένο και έμπειρο προσωπικό και - εκτός από την περίπτωση ανεύρεσης αιματοφάγων τροφοζωιτών - δεν μπορεί να επιτύχει διάκριση των δύο ειδών και τυχόν θετικό αποτέλεσμα θα πρέπει να αναφέρεται ως σύμπλεγμα Ε. histolytica/E. dispar. Για πρώτη φορά στην Ελλάδα, ανιχνεύεται και χαρακτηρίζεται ειδικά το είδος Ε. dispar. Τα δεδομένα της επιδημιολογικής μελέτης είναι αρκετά καθησυχαστικά αφού η συντριπτική πλειοψηφία των ατόμων που είναι μολυσμένα με το σύμπλεγμα Ε. histolytica/E. dispar είναι στην πραγματικότητα φορείς Ε. dispar. Πρέπει να δοθεί ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στην ενημέρωση κλινικών και εργαστηριακών ιατρών για τη δυνατότητα και τη σημασία της διάκρισης των δύο ειδών. Στην περίπτωση βλεννοαιματηρών κενώσεων αν με τη μικροσκόπηση ανιχνεύουμε το σύμπλεγμα Ε. histolytica/E. dispar αλλά με την ELISA ή την PCR ανιχνεύουμε μόνο το είδος Ε. dispar τότε θα πρέπει αναζητούμε αλλού την αιτιολογία της διάρροιας. Επίσης, η Π.Ο.Υ συνιστά, στις μη ενδημικές περιοχές, τη χορήγηση θεραπείας ακόμα και στους ασυμπτωματικούς φορείς του παρασίτου Ε. histolytica για την ελαχιστοποίηση του κινδύνου ανάπτυξης διεισδυτικής νόσου και μετάδοσης του παρασίτου στους στενούς συγγενείς του φορέα. Μόλυνση με Ε. dispar είναι πάντα ασυμπτωματική και η χορήγηση θεραπείας είναι άσκοπη

Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy presents a major public health problem. It is defined by the symptoms and signs of peripheral nerve dysfunction in diabetic patients, in whom other causes of neuropathy have been excluded. Pathogenetic mechanisms that have been implicated in diabetic neuropathy are: a) increased flux through the polyol pathway, leading to accumulation of sorbitol, a reduction in myo-inositol, and an associated reduced Na+-K+-ATPase activity, and b) endoneurial microvascular damage and hypoxia due to nitric oxide inactivation by increased oxygen free radical activity. Alpha-lipoic acid seems to delay or reverse peripheral diabetic neuropathy through its multiple antioxidant properties. Treatment with alpha-lipoic acid increases reduced glutathione, an important endogenous antioxidant. In clinical trials, 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to improve neuropathic deficits. This review focuses on the relationship of alpha-lipoic acid and auto-oxidative glycosylation. It discusses the impact of alpha-lipoic acid on hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, and examines the role of alpha-lipoic acid in preventing glycation process and nerve hypoxia