The correlation between endothelin-1 levels and spirometry in dialysis patients compared to healthy subjects

Background and Aim. Several studies demonstrated a six-fold increase in plasma concentration of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in diaysis patients (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) compared to healthy control subjects. However, the effects of ET-1 on respiratory function in these patients are less known. The aim of this study was to determine the potential differences in spirometric values in relation to ET-1 levels. Methods. The study included 28 patients (15 male, 13 female, mean age 55.9±16. 2 years) with end stage renal diseases (ESRD) receiving regular hemodialysis (HD), 23 patients (10 males, 13 females, mean age 55.8±15.8 years) with ESRD treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) without any cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, and 30 healthy volunteers (14 male, 16 female, mean age 51.8±15.6 years) in control group. In each of the three groups the participants were divided into two additional sub-groups according to the serum levels of ET-1. The spirometry values were recorded before the onset of hemodialysis and prior to emptying the peritoneal cavity in CAPD patients. The results were analyzed using standard statistical methods (Student’s t-test). Results. Patients who were treated with HD or CAPD were found to have significant difference in values of most pulmonary function parameters between subjects with ET-1 levels lower than 6,6 pg/ml and subjects with ET-1 levels higher than 6,6 pg/ml. In the control group there was no difference in pulmonary function parameters in correlation with ET-1 levels. ET-1 values in patients of both dialysis groups were significantly higher compared to healthy subjects. Conclusions. Higher levels of ET-1 in dialysis patients over healthy subjects is associated with lower parameters of lung function tests. A possible pathophysiological mechanism for deterioration of pulmonary function might be explained by progression of inflammation, pulmonary oedema also known as “uraemic lung” or/and the progression of pulmonary hypertension

Prenatal Diagnosis of Oculocutaneous Albinism by Electron Microscopy of Fetal Skin

Oculocutaneous albinism was diagnosed prenatally by electron microscopic examination of fetal skin samples taken during fetoscopy at 20 weeks of gestation. Melanosome development in hair bulb melanocytes progressed no further than stage II, indicating a lack of melanin synthesis. In 4 age-matched control fetuses, numerous stage IV melanosomes, signifying active melanin synthesis, were identified. The diagnosis was confirmed after the pregnancy was terminated at 22 weeks. Examination of the fetal eye showed absence of pigment in the retinal epithelium and uvea at a stage when ocular melanogenesis would normally be active. This study shows that oculocutaneous albinism can be detected in the second trimester using similar techniques to those employed in the prenatal diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa and ichthyosis

Sea Buckthorn Oil-A valuable source for cosmeceuticals

© 2017 by the author. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elaeagnaceae.) is a thorny shrub that has small, yellow to dark orange, soft, juicy berries. Due to hydrophilic and lipophilic ingredients, berries have been used as food and medicine. Sea buckthorn (SB) oil derived from berries is a source of valuable ingredients for cosmeceuticals. The unique combination of SB oil ingredients, in qualitative and quantitative aspects, provides multiple benefits of SB oil for internal and external use. Externally, SB oil can be applied in both healthy and damaged skin (burns or skin damage of different etiology), as it has good wound healing properties. Due to the well-balanced content of fatty acids, carotenoids, and vitamins, SB oil may be incorporated in cosmeceuticals for dry, flaky, burned, irritated, or rapidly ageing skin. There have been more than 100 ingredients identified in SB oil, some of which are rare in the plant kingdom (e.g., the ratio of palmitoleic to -linolenic acid). This review discusses facts related to the origin and properties of SB oil that make it suitable for cosmeceutical formulation

Chemical and pharmacological characterization of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cyclamen hederifolium Ait. (Primulaceae) tuber

Background/Aim. Cyclamen hederifolium (C. hederifolium) Ait. belongs to the family Primulaceae, which includes 23 species of cyclamen, naturally distributed in the Central and Southern Europe, Western Asia and some parts of North Africa. This plant is considered highly poisonous and not suitable for human use. However, tuber extracts have been used in traditional medicine and homeopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate C. hederifolium growing naturally in Serbia for its metal content and biological activities (antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity). Methods. Content of metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. We used several different assays for assessment of antioxidant activity of both aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. hederifolium: 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,20-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, total reducing power assay (TRP) and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay. The disk diffusion assay was used to investigate sensitivity of laboratory bacterial and fungal control strains against investigated extracts. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. hederifolium were examined on 4 different tumoral cell lines by in vitro MTT bioassay. Results. The presence of Mn, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, K, Cu was confirmed in aqueous and ethanol extract, as well as in whole tubers and soil, while Cr, Ni, Pb and Cd were not detected. Both aqueous and ethanol extract of C. hederifolium tubers showed antioxidant activity, that positively correlated to content of phenols and flavonoids in it. Aqueous extract was slightly superior in these terms than ethanol one. None of the tested extracts showed antimicrobial activity. Both investigated extracts showed cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines 4T1, HCT116, CT26, LLC1, in the concentration range 15,625-2,000 μg/mL. Ethanol extract showed stronger cytotoxicity than aqueous extract. Conclusion. Seven metals were identified in the C. hederifolium tubers, extracts and soil. Both extracts exhibited antioxidant and cytotoxic activity

Biological activities of sanguisorba minor l. extracts ñ in vitro and in vivo evaluations

© 2020 Polish Pharmaceutical Society. All rights reserved. The literature data about Sanguisorba minor L. subsp. muricata Briq. (fam. Rosaceae) are limited. It has been used in folk medicine for its diuretic and digestive properties, or in the treatment of fever and diarrhea. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential of S. minor subsp. muricata root extracts (in vitro and in vivo). Methanol, ethanol and chloroform extracts were characterized by total phenolic and flavonoid content. Antioxidant activity was estimated by five different assays in vitro, and in vivo in the animal model of sepsis. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and one fungus by micro-well dilution assay. Cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition assessment of S. minor ethanol extract was performed in the presence of Indomethacin. Ethanol and methanol extracts did not differ significantly in the content of phenols and flavonoids, as well as in achieved antioxidant activity. Both of these extracts were superior to the chloroform extract. Ethanol and methanol extracts showed similar antimicrobial activity. Chloroform extract exhibited strong activity against all examined strains of bacteria, but moderate against Candida albicans. Ethanol extract induced 76% inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-1 in vitro. The same extract decreased the level of the oxidative stress parameters in an animal model of sepsis. All extracts exhibited considerable antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, while ethanol extract showed anti-inflammatory potential. Based on the effects achieved on oxidative stress parameters in sepsis, S. minor could be considered as a herbal adjuvant antioxidant therapy in systemic infectious treatment

Diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Serbia: An expert group position statement

© 2019 Vukoja et al. In recent years, several national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guidelines have been issued. In Serbia, the burden of COPD is high and most of the patients are diagnosed at late stages. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) strategy is poorly implemented in real-life practice, as many patients are still prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)-containing regimens and slow-release theophylline. In this document, we propose an algorithm for treating COPD patients in Serbia based on national experts’ opinion, taking into account global recommendations and recent findings from clinical trials that are tailored according to local needs. We identified four major components of COPD treatment based on country specifics: Active case finding and early diagnosis in high-risk population, therapeutic algorithm for initiation and escalation of therapy that is simple and easy to use in real-life practice, de-escalation of ICS in low-risk non-exacerbators, and individual choice of inhaler device based on patients' ability and preferences. With this approach we aim to facilitate implementation of the recommendation, initiate the treatment in early stages, improve cost-effectiveness, reduce possible side effects, and ensure efficient treatment