Pharmacokinetics of isoflavones, daidzein and genistein, after ingestion of soy beverage compared with soy extract capsules in postmenopausal Thai women

BACKGROUND: Isoflavones from soybeans may provide some beneficial impacts on postmenopausal health. The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of plasma isoflavones (daidzein and genistein) after a single dose of orally administered soy beverage and soy extract capsules in postmenopausal Thai women. METHODS: We conducted a randomized two-phase crossover pharmacokinetic study in 12 postmenopausal Thai women. In the first phase, each subject randomly received either 2 soy extract capsules (containing daidzin : genistin = 7.79 : 22.57 mg), or soy beverage prepared from 15 g of soy flour (containing daidzin : genistin = 9.27 : 10.51 mg). In the second phase, the subjects received an alternative preparation in the same manner after a washout period of at least 1 week. Blood samples were collected immediately before and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24 and 32 h after administration of the soy preparation in each phase. Plasma daidzein and genistein concentrations were determined by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The pharmacokinetic parameters of daidzein and genistein, i.e. maximal plasma concentration (C(max)), time to maximal plasma concentration (T(max)), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and half-life (t(1/2)), were estimated using the TopFit version 2.0 software with noncompartmental model analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the mean values of C(max)/dose, AUC(0–32)/dose, AUC(0-∝)/dose, T(max), and t(1/2 )of genistein between both preparations. For pharmacokinetic parameters of daidzein, the mean values of C(max)/dose, T(max), and t(1/2 )did not significantly differ between both preparations. Nonetheless, the mean AUC(0–32)/dose and AUC(0-∝)/dose after administration of soy extract capsules were slightly (but significantly, p < 0.05) higher than those of soy beverage. CONCLUSION: The bioavailability of daidzein, which was adjusted for the administered dose (AUC/dose), following a single oral administration of soy beverage was slightly (but significantly) less than that of soy extract capsules, whereas, the bioavailability adjusted for administered dose of genistein from both soy preparations were comparable. The other pharmacokinetic parameters of daidzein and genistein, including C(max )adjusted for the dose, T(max )and t(1/2), were not different between both soy preparations

Chinese herbal recipe versus diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN70292892]

BACKGROUND: Duhuo Jisheng Wan (DJW) is perhaps the best known and most widely used Chinese herbal recipe for arthralgia, but the clinical study to verify its efficacy is lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of DJW versus diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. METHODS: This study was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, controlled trial. The 200 patients suffering from OA of the knee, were randomized into the DJW and diclofenac group. The patients were evaluated after a run-in period of one week (week 0) and then weekly during 4 weeks of treatment. The clinical assessments included visual analog scale (VAS) score that assessed pain and stiffness, Lequesne's functional index, time for climbing up 10 steps, as well as physician's and patients' overall opinions on improvement. RESULTS: Ninety four patients in each group completed the study. In the first few weeks of treatment, the mean changes in some variables (VAS, which assessed walking pain, standing pain and stiffness, as well as Lequesne's functional index) of the DJW group were significantly lower than those of the diclofenac group. Afterwards, these mean changes became no different throughout the study. Most of the physician's and patients' overall opinions on improvement at each time point did not significantly differ between the two groups. Approximately 30% of patients in both groups experienced mild adverse events. CONCLUSION: DJW demonstrates clinically comparable efficacy to diclofenac after 4 weeks of treatment. However, the slow onset of action as well as approximately equal rate of adverse events to diclofenac might limit its alternative role in treatment of OA of the knee

Stress and its influence on reproduction in pigs: a review

The manifestations of stress, defined as a biological response to an event that the individual perceives as a threat to its homeostasis, are commonly linked to enhanced activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the activation of the sympathetic adreno-medullary (SA) system. Activation of the HPA system results in the secretion of peptides from the hypothalamus, principally corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), which stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and beta-endorphin. ACTH induces the secretion of corticosteroids from the adrenal cortex, which can be seen in pigs exposed to acute physical and/or psychological stressors. The present paper is a review of studies on the influence of stressors on reproduction in pigs. The effects of stress on reproduction depend on the critical timing of stress, the genetic predisposition to stress, and the type of stress. The effect of stress on reproduction is also influenced by the duration of the responses induced by various stressors. Prolonged or chronic stress usually results in inhibition of reproduction, while the effects of transient or acute stress in certain cases is stimulatory (e.g. anoestrus), but in most cases is of impairment for reproduction. Most sensitive of the reproductive process are ovulation, expression of sexual behaviour and implantation of the embryo, since they are directly controlled by the neuroendocrine system

Maternal Malaria Induces a Procoagulant and Antifibrinolytic State That Is Embryotoxic but Responsive to Anticoagulant Therapy

Low birth weight and fetal loss are commonly attributed to malaria in endemic areas, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie these poor birth outcomes are incompletely understood. Increasing evidence suggests that dysregulated hemostasis is important in malaria pathogenesis, but its role in placental malaria (PM), characterized by intervillous sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum, proinflammatory responses, and excessive fibrin deposition is not known. To address this question, markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis were assessed in placentae from malaria-exposed primigravid women. PM was associated with significantly elevated placental monocyte and proinflammatory marker levels, enhanced perivillous fibrin deposition, and increased markers of activated coagulation and suppressed fibrinolysis in placental plasma. Submicroscopic PM was not proinflammatory but tended to be procoagulant and antifibrinolytic. Birth weight trended downward in association with placental parasitemia and high fibrin score. To directly assess the importance of coagulation in malaria-induced compromise of pregnancy, Plasmodium chabaudi AS-infected pregnant C57BL/6 mice were treated with the anticoagulant, low molecular weight heparin. Treatment rescued pregnancy at midgestation, with substantially decreased rates of active abortion and reduced placental and embryonic hemorrhage and necrosis relative to untreated animals. Together, the results suggest that dysregulated hemostasis may represent a novel therapeutic target in malaria-compromised pregnancies

Лапаротомия в системе лечения перитонитов

ПЕРИТОНИТ /ХИРБРЮШИНЫ БОЛЕЗНИ /ХИРЛАПАРОТОМИЯХИРУРГИЧЕСКИЕ ОПЕРАЦИИ /МЕТОДЫРЕЛАПАРОТОМИ

An integrative approach to elucidate and enhance hygienic practices in small-scale poultry slaughterhouses in northern Thailand

In Thailand small scale rural poultry production development can be challenged by food safety policies that limit economic development opportunities. This may limit incentives for improving sanitation and disease prevention. Therefore, the project funded by the International Development Research Centre and implemented by International Livestock Research Development was performed. In this study integrative research including a participatory approach was used to elucidate and enhance the hygienic practices in small scale poultry slaughterhouses in rural Northern Thailand. Initial steps included the identification of stakeholders associated with meat production chain, development of a research framework, and designing the methodology based on stakeholder consultations. The framework and methodology derived combined at least five issue areas corresponding to the following disciplines1) public health 2) socio-economic 3) policy 4) veterinary and 5) community and environment. Methods used were questionnaires, observation, focus groups, and in-depth interviews. In addition, a microbiological risk assessment approach was employed to identify hazards and critical factors of slaughtering process affecting food safety and emerging food born pathogen risk. Combining this with stakeholder knowledge and attitudes provided the basis for identifying feasible and sustainable interventions. This study revealed that there were complex factors affecting to the hygienic management of the slaughterhouse. The study also demonstrated the potential of an integrative, participatory approach for addressing a critical problem at the interface of rural development and public health. It may serve as a useful model as basis for study and intervention for other similar transdisciplinary challenges

Achieving food safety, the improvement of small-scale slaughterhouses through policy engagement

Food safety concerns are important to consumers and a focus of the Thai government. Applying food safety standards is often challenging for poultry production especially in rural area. Previous studies indicated that poultry meat and meat products were highly contaminated with food-borne pathogens including Salmonella and Campylobacter with poultry slaughterhouses as a major source for bacterial contamination. There is a lack of studies targeting effective interventions to improve poultry meat production and hygiene, particularly on policy that regulates such interventions. Using an EcoHealth approach, this study, aimed to develop feasible and cost effective guidelines for improvement of small-scale poultry slaughterhouses in Northern Thailand. Policy makers were involved from the early stage. Current laws and regulations for poultry slaughterhouses were reviewed, in depth interviews and focus group discussions with district and provincial authorities provided information on the enforcement of those regulations. Forty-one small-scale poultry slaughterhouses located in Chiang Mai were visited during July 2011-February 2013. Data on the current management and the need for improvement to address the current regulations were collected from slaughterhouse owners using structured questionnaires and checklists. The study revealed that despite the enforcement of slaughterhouse regulation since 1992 and GMP since 2006, none of the small-scale slaughterhouses in this study are able to meet the regulations and obtain license. The slaughterhouse owners reflected that current regulations and GMP are not feasible for small-scale slaughterhouses. Improper hygienic management was commonly practiced. The guideline for improving the slaughterhouse is developed and currently being implemented and evaluated through outcome mapping in selected slaughterhouses. Results of this study were discussed in a policy meeting with policy-level officers and will be reflected in a policy brief. Feedback from those discussions will be presented

Hygiene in small-scale poultry slaughterhouses in Thailand: An Ecohealth/One Health approach case study

Background and justification Thailand is the one of the world’s poultry meat production countries. However, small scale rural poultry production development can be challenged by food safety policies that can limit economic development opportunities for this sector. This may led to reduced incentives for improving sanitation and disease prevention along the poultry production chain. Furthermore, many cases of Salmonellosis in human are reported year by year. Previous reports revealed that slaughterhouses play a role of disease spreading sources. According to the Department of Livestock Development (DLD), most of the poultry slaughterhouses in Thailand are small scale and improper management was commonly observed. Objectives: To elucidate the sanitation and disease prevention practices and to develop the guideline for improving the feasible hygienic management for small scale poultry abattoirs in rural Northern Thailand by using Ecohealth/One health concep