Antiinflammatory activity and biochemical parameters of the ethanol extract of Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck (Cactaceae)

We evaluated the antiinflammatory activity of ethanol 70 % extract of Nopalea cochenillifera in a model of induction of granulomatous tissue and the kidney and liver toxicity through serum dosage in rats. During 7 days were administered orally 1.5 ml, 3 times a day, of the ethanol extract of cladodes of N. cochenillifera. We used nimesulide 5 mg/kg/day as positive control and 20 % propylene glycol as a negative control. After the treatment period, we assessed the formation of granulomas and the serum levels of AST, ALT, albumin, creatinine and urea in all groups, noting that the animals treated with the extract showed 53.5 % inhibition formation of granulomatous tissue while the positive control group showed 58.5 %, confirming a significant antiinflammatory activity. There was not a significant elevation of biochemical markers in relation to negative control.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Urinary myeloid IgA Fc alpha receptor (CD89) and transglutaminase-2 as new biomarkers for active IgA nephropathy and henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) are glomerular diseases that share a common and central pathogenic mechanism. The formation of immune complexes containing IgA1, myeloid IgA Fc alpha receptor (FcαRI/CD89) and transglutaminase-2 (TG2) is observed in both conditions. Therefore, urinary CD89 and TG2 could be potential biomarkers to identify active IgAN/HSPN. Methods: In this multicenter study, 160 patients with IgAN or HSPN were enrolled. Urinary concentrations of CD89 and TG2, as well as some other biochemical parameters, were measured. Results: Urinary CD89 and TG2 were lower in patients with active IgAN/HSPN compared to IgAN/HSPN patients in complete remission (P < 0.001). The CD89xTG2 formula had a high ability to discriminate active from inactive IgAN/HSPN in both situations. : CD89xTG2/proteinuria ratio (AUC: 0.84, P < 0.001, sensitivity: 76%, specificity: 74%) and CD89xTG2/urinary creatinine ratio (AUC: 0.82, P < 0.001, sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 74%). Significant correlations between urinary CD89 and TG2 (r = 0.711, P < 0.001), proteinuria and urinary CD89 (r = -0.585, P < 0.001), and proteinuria and urinary TG2 (r = -0.620, P < 0.001) were observed. Conclusions: Determination of CD89 and TG2 in urine samples can be useful to identify patients with active IgAN/HSPN

Actividad de acetilcolinesterasa y niveles totales de antioxidantes en perros con tumores de mama antes y después de la extirpación quirúrgica

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate AChE activity in total blood and the FRAP levels in samples from dogs with mammary tumors before and after surgery, as well as the relationship between these variables with immunohistochemical markers of tumor (E-caderina, ki-67, COX-2). Materials and methods. In this study, 13 dogs with mammary tumors were divided into two groups (A and B). The group A was formed by dogs with tumors smaller than 3 cm of diameter, and the group B was formed by dogs with tumor of 3 cm of diameter or larger. The AChE activity and FRAP levels were evaluated before and after surgery and the immunohistochemistry were performed at the tumors. Results. The AChE activity was significantly increased (p<0.05) in dogs with mammary cancer compared to control animals, and neither surgery or tumor size affected the AChE activity (p>0.05). FRAP levels before surgery were significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to control animals. Also, FRAP levels increased significantly after surgery in animals of the group A compared to data before surgery, a fact not observed in dogs from the group B. E-cadherin showed low significant positive correlation with FRAP levels (r=0.37, P-value=0.05); COX-2 showed a moderate significant positive correlation to FRAP (r=0.55, P-value<0.05); and COX-2 showed a low significant positive correlation to AChE (r=0.32, P-value=0.01). Conclusions. AChE and antioxidant levels are modified in dogs with mammary cancer. These variables are involved in various physiological functions, and thus, they might be related to disease pathogenesis.Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la actividad de la AChE en sangre total y los niveles de FRAP en muestras de perros con tumores mamarios antes y después de la cirugía, así como la relación entre estas variables con marcadores inmunohistoquímicos de tumores (E-caderina, ki-67 , COX - 2). Materiales y métodos. En este estudio, 13 perros con tumores mamarios se dividieron en dos grupos (A y B). El grupo A estaba formado por perros con tumores menores de 3 cm de diámetro y el grupo B estaba formado por perros con tumor de 3 cm de diámetro o más. La actividad de AChE y los niveles de FRAP se evaluaron antes y después de la cirugía y la inmunohistoquímica se realizó en los tumores. Resultados. La actividad de la AChE aumentó significativamente (p <0,05) en perros con cáncer mamario en comparación con los animales control, y ni la cirugía ni el tamaño tumoral afectaron la actividad de la AChE (p> 0,05). Los niveles de FRAP antes de la cirugía fueron significativamente más bajos (p <0,05) en comparación con los animales control. Además, los niveles de FRAP aumentaron significativamente después de la cirugía en animales del grupo A en comparación con los datos antes de la cirugía, hecho que no se observó en perros del grupo B. La E-cadherina mostró correlación positiva baja con los niveles de FRAP (r = 0,37, valor P = 0,05); COX-2 mostró una moderada correlación positiva significativa con FRAP (r = 0,55, P-valor <0,05); Y la COX-2 mostró una correlación positiva de baja significación con la AChE (r = 0.32, P-valor = 0.01). Conclusiones. AChE y los niveles de antioxidantes se modifican en perros con cáncer de mama. Estas variables están implicadas en diversas funciones fisiológicas, y por lo tanto, pueden estar relacionadas con la patogénesis de la enfermedad

Level of reactivity of IgM anticardiolipin antibodies in preeclampsia: a likely early serologic marker

The purpose of this study was to measure the level of anticardiolipin antibodies in preeclamptic pregnant women to verify a possible association between the presence of these antibodies and the development of the syndrome. A total of 36 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 19 women with normal pregnancy were evaluated. Anticardiolipin antibodies were determined by enzyme immunoassay. The reactivity level of anticardiolipin antibodies was significantly higher in the preeclamptic group, with a significance level of 95%. The results can mean the participation of anticardiolipin antibodies in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Future studies may confirm this parameter as an early marker for the development of this disease