Assessment of acid phosphatase enzyme and influence of potassium iodide on its production in the yeast form of Sporothrix schenckii

Background: Sporotrichosis is caused by a dimorphic fungal species, Sporothrix schenckii (S. schenckii). The enzyme acid phosphatase is pervasive among yeast and yeast like fungi. It has been studied in various fungi like Aspergillus oryzae, Candida albicans etc. but in S. schenckii little is known about enzyme acid phosphatase. The present study depicts the in-vitro influence of Potassium Iodide (KI) on the enzyme acid phosphatase produced by the S. schenckii (yeast form).Methods: A master culture was prepared by incorporating the standard strain of S. schenckii in YNB (Yeast Nitrogen Base) medium and was incubated at 37ºC. After preparing the increasing concentrations with KI in YNB medium, 1.0 mL suspension of master culture was inoculated into each bottle and incubated at 37ºC for different time period 6th, 12th, 18th day (early, mid, peak of log period) respectively. After centrifuging, a 5% homogenate was prepared, which was used for acid phosphatase enzyme assay.Results: The mean acid phosphatase level of control specimen was 20.9±2.01, 50.0±2.25, 45.0±5.10 μg and test specimens was ranged from 14.9±4.89 to 20.2±3.49, 10.2±4.19 to 40.0±6.39 and 10.0±1.81 to 34.7±6.08 μg on day 6, 12 and 18 respectively. The mean value was lower significantly for all the test concentrations as compared to control (p<0.05).Conclusions: The low activity of the enzyme acid phosphatase indicates that KI has inhibitory effect on the growth of S. schenckii that has led to decrease in the activity of the enzyme

Hormonal therapy increases arterial compliance in postmenopausal women

Objectives. This study investigated the effects of hormonal therapy on large arterial properties. Background. Arterial stiffness is an emerging risk marker for coronary heart disease and is potentially modifiable. Postmenopausal use of hormonal therapy is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. Methods. Total systemic arterial compliance (SAC) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were determined in 26 premenopausal and 53 postmenopausal women, 26 of whom were taking hormonal therapy. Results. Arterial compliance was greater in the premenopausal group (mean ± SEM 0.57 ± 0.04 arbitrary compliance units [ACU]) than in the postmenopausal group not taking hormonal therapy (0.26 ± 0.02 ACU, p = 0.001). Postmenopausal women taking hormonal therapy had a significantly increased total SAC compared with women not taking hormonal therapy (0.43 ± 0.02 vs. 0.26 ± 0.02 ACU, p = 0.001). PWV in the aortofemoral region in the premenopausal women was 6.0 ± 0.2 vs. 8.9 ± 0.3 m/s (p < 0.001) in untreated postanenopausal women. However, postmenopausal women taking hormonal therapy had a significantly lower PWV than those not taking hormonal therapy (7.9 ± 0.2 vs. 8.9 ± 0.3 m/s, p = 0.01). Eleven postmenopausal women had their hormone replacement therapy withdrawn for 4 weeks, resulting in a significant decrease in SAC and a significant increase in aortofemoral PWV. Conclusions. The increased SAC and decreased PWV in women receiving hormonal therapy suggest that such therapy may decrease stiffness of the aorta and large arteries in postmenopausal women, with potential benefit for age-related cardiovascular disorders. The reduction of arterial compliance with age appears to be altered with hormonal therapy