Genotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by cadmium and zinc in the planarian, Dugesia dorotocephala

This study sought to determine the DNA damage, and the lipoperoxidative effect, as well as changes in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities induced by CdSO4 (Cd), and ZnSO4 (Zn), in addition to two different mixtures of the metals. Planarian Dugesia dorotocephala collected in the Ignacio Ramirez reservoir, México, adapted to laboratory conditions, and exposed to the metals in a controlled system was used. Initially, LC50 at 96 h of exposure was determined and the result obtained were 0.69 mg/L for Cd, 11.99 mg/L for Zn, 10.28 mg/L for mix 1, and 8.11 mg/L for mix 2. Then, the comet assay showed a DNA damage increase induced by Cd (0.13 and 0.2 mg/L) as high as 94% over the control level; the effect by Zn (from 0.2 to 2.7 mg/L) was clearly lower, although statistically significant with the high concentrations tested. As regards the two mixtures, we observed a concentration dependent increase. Similarly, in respect to lipoperoxidation, we found a strong effect by Cd, a slight effect by Zn, and a concentration dependent effect induced by the mixtures. Finally, the activity of the tested enzymes was modified by the metals in relation to the concentration applied.Keywords: Zinc, cadmium, planarian, DNA damage, oxidative stressAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(25), pp. 4028-403

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory capacity of beta-sitosterol in rodent assays

Background: Beta-sitosterol (BS) is a compound discovered to be present in numerous plants. A number of interesting biomedical properties have been attributed to BS, including immuno-modulating and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, the aim of this report was to evaluate its anti-inflammatory capacity by applying various rodent experimental tests.Methods. To carry out the objective of the study we applied the methods indicated here. Two of the adopted methods were based on the passive reverse Arthus reaction: the rat paw edema test and the rat pleurisy assay. We also applied two methods related with the non-specific acute inflammation: the mouse ear edema test, and the mouse mieloperoxidase activity assay.Results. The results obtained in all tests established a significant anti-inflammatory potential of BS. In the rat paw edema test we found an inhibitory effect which goes from 50-70%; in the rat pleurisy assay our findings with respect to the volume of pleural exuded showed a reduction of 46%, as well as a 20% low amount of neutrophils in comparison with the level of the control group. In the mouse ear edema test we found a mean inflammatory inhibition of 75%, and with respect to mieloproxidase activity the results showed a significant inhibition induced by the three doses of BS.Conclusions. In the present study we determined a potent anti-inflammatory capacity of BS in specific and nonspecific types of acute inflammation in rodents.Keywords: Beta-sitosterol, anti-inflammatory assays, mouse, ra

[Associated factors for prediabetes in patients with human immunodeficiency virus]

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p><strong>Introduction</strong>: HIV disease was transformed from a fatal condition to one with metabolic complications. In Mexico City, the associated factors for prediabetes in this population are unknown; investigating it is relevant to improve their quality of life.</p><p><strong>Objective:</strong> To determine the risk association factors for prediabetes in people living with HIV.</p><p><strong>Material and methods:</strong> Cross-analytical, retrospective study. Records of patients living with HIV were reviewed, exposure factors and fasting glucose concentration were recorded. Patients from 18 to 65 years of age were included, on co-formulated antiretroviral treatment, without adjustment of antiretroviral treatment in the last two years, with a BMI of 18.5-40 kg/m2.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: 148 patients were included, 68 presented prediabetes. The factors with risk association that were identified are: age over 60 years (OR 9.48, 95% CI 1.68-40.13), treatment with Efavirenz/Tenofovir/Emtricitabine (OR 9.28, 95% CI 2.55-33.74) and treatment time antiretroviral older than 12 months (OR 2.53, 95% CI .912-7.041).</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: The prevalence of prediabetes in people living with HIV is 46%. The main associated factor was the consumption of Atripla. This study has clinical relevance since it will allow the implementation of prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies for prediabetes in order to reduce associated morbidity and mortality.</p><p><strong>Introducción:</strong> la enfermedad por VIH ha pasado de ser un padecimiento mortal a uno con complicaciones metabólicas. En la Ciudad de México se desconocen los factores asociados para prediabetes en esta población, investigarlo es relevante para mejorar su calidad de vida.</p><p><strong>Objetivo</strong>: determinar los factores con asociación de riesgo para prediabetes en personas que viven con VIH.</p><p><strong>Material y métodos</strong>: estudio transversal-analítico, retrospectivo. Se revisaron expedientes de pacientes que viven con VIH, registrándose los factores de exposición y la concentración de glucosa en ayuno. Se incluyeron pacientes de 18 a 65 años, en tratamiento antirretroviral coformulado, sin ajuste de tratamiento antirretroviral en los últimos dos años, con IMC de 18.5-40 kg/m2.</p><p><strong>Resultados: </strong>se incluyeron 148 pacientes, 68 presentaron prediabetes. Los factores con asociación de riesgo que se identificaron son: edad mayor de 60 años (OR: 9.48, IC95%: 1.68-40.13), tratamiento con Efavirenz/Tenofovir/Emtricitabina (OR: 9.28, IC95%: 2.55-33.74) y tiempo de tratamiento antirretroviral mayor de 12 meses (OR: 2.53, IC95%: 0.912-7.041).</p><p><strong>Conclusión:</strong></p><p> la prevalencia de prediabetes en personas que viven con VIH es del 46%. El principal factor asociado fue el consumo de Atripla. Este estudio tiene relevancia clínica ya que permitirá implementar estrategias de prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento de prediabetes con la finalidad de reducir la morbimortalidad asociada.</p&gt

Evaluation of Blueberry Juice in Mouse Azoxymethane-Induced Aberrant Crypts and Oxidative Damage

Blueberry is a plant with a number of nutritional and biomedical capabilities. In the present study we initially evaluated the capacity of its juice (BJ) to inhibit the number of aberrant crypts (AC) induced with azoxymethane (AOM) in mouse. BJ was administered daily by the oral route to three groups of animals during four weeks (1.6, 4.1, and 15.0 μL/g), respectively, while AOM (10 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to the mentioned groups, twice a week, in weeks two and three of the assay. We also included two control groups of mice, one administered distilled water and the other the high dose of BJ. A significant increase of AC was observed in the AOM treated animals, and a mean protection of 75.6% was determined with the two low doses of BJ tested; however, the high dose of the juice administered together with AOM increased the number of crypts more than four times the value observed in animals administered only AOM. Furthermore, we determined the antioxidant potential of BJ with an ex vivo DPPH assay and found a dose-dependent decrease with a mean of 19.5%. We also determined the DNA oxidation/antioxidation by identifying 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine adducts and found a mean decrease of 44.3% with the BJ administration with respect to the level induced by AOM. Our results show a complex differential effect of BJ related to the tested doses, opening the need to further evaluate a number of factors so as to determine the possibility of a cocarcinogenic potential

Phytochemicals and Their Usefulness in the Maintenance of Health

Inflammation is the immune system’s first biological response to infection, injury, or irritation. Evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by the regulation of various inflammatory cytokines, such as nitric oxide, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor alpha-α, interferon gamma-γ, as well as the non-cytokine mediator, prostaglandin E2. Currently, the mechanism of action and clinical usefulness of phytochemicals is known; their action on the activity of cytokines, free radicals, and oxidative stress. The latter are of great relevance in the development of diseases, such that the evidence collected demonstrates the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in maintaining health. Epidemiological evidence indicates that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to a low risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases

Efecto antimicrobiano de aditivos naturales en carne de cerdo cruda

An alternative to reduce microbial growth in meat products stored in refrigeration is the use of edible additives made from culinary spices, and green jamaica chalices and lemon juice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of three edible additives (additive 1: onion, cinnamon, coriander, lemon juice, cinnamon-clove mix; additive 2: onion, coriander, laure leaves, lemon juice, cinnamon-clove mix; additive 3: onion, coriander, black pepper, green chili, garlic, salt, green hibiscus calyx, lemon juice, cinnamon-clove mix), on the growth of Escherichia coli O157: H7 in raw pork burgers stored at 4 °C for 12 days. The experimental results indicate that additive 3 significantly reduced the growth of a high concentration of E. Coli (105 UFC/mL) in hamburgers, even at 50% of its original concentrationEste estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el efecto de tres aditivos comestibles, elaborados a base de especias culinarias (canela, clavo, cebolla, cilantro, pimienta negra, chile verde, ajo, orégano, hojas de laurel), así como cálices de jamaica verde y jugo de limón sobre la inhibición en el crecimiento de Escherichia coli O157:H7 en carne cruda de cerdo. Los resultados experimentales mostraron que en particular el aditivo 3 fue el que logró mostrar la mayor concentración de compuestos fenólicos totales así como el mejor efecto antibacteriano. Dicho efecto se puede atribuir a su alto contenido de compuestos fenólicos totales, los cuales han sido reportados que poseen actividad antimicrobiana. La eficacia de los compuestos polifenólicos podría atribuirse a su interacción con la membrana celular de los microorganismos, inhibiendo así actividades metabólicas básicas de las células bacterianas

ASSESSMENTS OF ANTIOXIDANT CONTENT AND THE ANTI-CARCINOGENIC EFFECT OF EXTRACTS OF SOLANUM ROSTRATUM DUNAL IN HUMAN CANCER CELLS

In Mexico, Solanum rostratum has been employed for the treatment of several diseases, including uterine cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic activity of extracts of Solanum rostratum Dunal on MDA and SiHa cell lines. The methanolic, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts of the aerial parts of Solanum rostratum were tested for phenols concentration, antioxidant activity, and anti-carcinogenic effect. The leaves extracts showed the highest content of phenols; however the flower-fruits extracts showed higher scavenging activity. On the other hand, ethyl acetate extracts exhibited the highest anti-carcinogenic effect, while methanolic extracts showed the least effect. The results of this work indicated that Solanum rostratum is a promising source of antioxidants, and the extracts exert a dose-dependent anti-carcinogenic effect on both cell lines