Role of anion gap and different electrolytes in hypertension during pregnancy (preeclampsia)

The present study was designed to determine the changes in serum sodium, anion gap, different antioxidants and free radicals in preeclamptic patients and control subjects. Serum sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, potassium and magnesium were estimated and anion gap was determined in 100 proteinuric hypertensive and 100 normotensive pregnant women. Mean serum sodium, chloride and bicarbonate level (133.26 ± 13.1, 104.97 ± 11.37, and 22.01 ± 4.66 mEq/l, respectively) were significantly higher in proteinuric hypertensive women as compared to controls (125.85 ± 10.4, 101.90 ± 6.3, 19.34 ± 3.21 mEq/l, respectively) whereas anion gap level (6.28 ± 16.147) was nonsignificantly higher in proteinuric hypertensive as compared to normotensive (4.61 ± 11.84). Total serum sodium concentration increases in preeclamptic subjects, the exact distribution of serum sodium in various compartments of the body are not clear and correlation of serum sodium and anion gap with proteinuria is also not known. The levels of different antioxidants were decreased in preeclamptic patients as compared to the controls while the level of free radicals elevated in preeclamptic subjects as compared to controls. In our study, anion gap level was found to be rather non-significantly higher in proteinuric hypertensive women as compared to normotensive women.     

Hormone Substitution after Gastric Bypass Surgery in Patients with Hypopituitarism Secondary to Craniopharyngioma

Objective: Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are benign brain tumors presenting frequently in childhood and are treated by surgery with or without radiotherapy. About 50% of cured patients suffer from eating disorders and obesity due to hypothalamic damage, as well as hypopituitarism, necessitating subsequent hormone substitution therapy. Gastric bypass surgery has been reported to be an efficient treatment strategy for morbid hypothalamic obesity. However, so far it is unknown whether oral hormone substitution is affected by impaired intestinal drug absorption, potentially leading to severe hypopituitarism or pituitary crisis.Methods: Four morbidly obese CP patients with panhypopituitarism treated by gastric bypass surgery were included in this retrospective analysis. Dosages of hormone substitution therapy, blood concentrations of hormones, potential complications of impaired drug absorption, and anthropometric characteristics were investigated pre- and postoperatively after 6 to 14 months and 13 to 65 months.Results: In all CP patients (3 female/1 male; baseline body mass index, 49 ± 7 kg/m²), gastric bypass resulted in distinct weight loss (-35 ± 27 kg). In follow-up examinations, mean daily dosage of thyroid hormone (levothyroxine_baseline 156 ± 44 μg/day versus levothyroxine_follow-up 150 ± 30 μg/day), hydrocortisone (hydrocortisone_baseline 29 ± 12 mg/day versus hydrocortisone_follow-up 26 ± 2 mg/day), growth-hormone (somatotropin_baseline 0.9 ± 0.5 mg/day versus somatotropin_follow-up 1.0 ± 0.4 mg/day), and desmopressin (desmopressin_baseline 222 ± 96 μg/day versus desmopressin_follow-up 222 ± 96 μg/day) substitution was unchanged. No patient developed adrenal insufficiency. Oral thyroid/hydrocortisone absorption testing performed in 1 patient indicated sufficient gastrointestinal drug absorption after bariatric surgery.Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that oral hormone substitution therapy is not impaired following gastric bypass operation in CP patients with morbid obesity, indicating that it might be a safe and effective treatment strategy.Abbreviations:BMI = body mass indexCP = craniopharyngiomafT4 = free thyroxineGH = growth hormoneIGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor 1     

Increase of serum potassium in the upright posture in selective hypoaldosteronism.

The effect of a 4 hr upright posture on serum potassium (SK) levels was investigated in a certain group of hospitalized renal patients with selective hypoaldosteronism and in healthy subjects. Significant (p less than 0.001) postural increase in SK (0.4 MMol/L) was found only in the 3 young patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and hypoaldosteronism who presented with hyperkalemia (5.84 +/- 0.13 mMol/L) as outpatients, but showed a marked improvement toward normokalemia (4.95 +/- 0.13 mMol/L; p less than 0.001) within the hospital without any specific treatment. In healthy persons in the fastqng condition the influence of the upright position of short duration (45 min) was also studied on SK and a very small but significant increase (0.15 mMol/L) was found. It was concluded: 1. the postural SK INCREASE MAY OFFER AN--AT LEAST PARTIAL--EXPLANTATION FOR THE "OUTPATIENT HYPERKALEMIA", 2. The normal activity of renin-angiotensinaldosterone system may play a role in the counteraction of the trend for SK rise in the upright posture.     

Mechanism for the increase in plasma renin activity by pentobarbital anesthesia

The mechanism by which pentobarbital anesthesia causes increases in plasma renin activity (PRA) was examined in dogs infused with either propranolol or indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase. Infusion of propranolol at 1 mg/kg, (I.V.) followed by 0.6–0.7 mg/kg/hr decreased PRA from 6.98±2.49 ng/m1/hr during control periods to 1.58±0.79 ng/m1/hr 30 minutes after the injection of propranolol (P<0.025). Subsequent induction of anesthesia with sodium pentobarbital caused PRA to rise to 3.87±0.93 ng/m1/hr in 30 minutes. (P<0.01). Plasma potassium concentration decreased from 4.6±0.2 mEq/L to reach 4.0±0.1 mEq/L 30 minutes after induction of anesthesia (P<0.005). Infusion of indomethacin at 5 mg/kg, (I.V.) followed by 1.5 ? 3.1 mg/kg/hr into conscious dogs did not decrease PRA. In contrast to the report by Montgomery et al (Fed. Proc. 36: 989, 1977), we found that the increase in PRA after pentobarbital anesthesia could not be blocked by indomethacin. PRA was 5.3±1.2 ng/m1/hr(M ± SEM) during control periods and was 4.7±1.4 ng/m1/hr 30 minutes after the infusion of indomethacin (P<0.1). PRA increased to 10.9±2.3 ng/m1/hr, 9.2±2.2 ng/m1/hr, and 7.7±1.7 ng/m1/hr at 5, 15 and 30 minutes, respectively, after the administration of pentobarbital (P<0.005, P<0.025, P<0.05). PRA declined to 4.2±1.3 ng/m1/hr 60 minutes after pentobarbital anesthesia (P<0.1). It is concluded that the mechanism by which pentobarbital causes increases in PRA is independent of prostaglandins.     

Anionic salts and dietary 25-hydroxyvitamin D stimulate calcium availability in steers

The influence of feeds containing varying dietary cation–anion differences (DCADs) with and without supplements of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) on urine pH and excretion of macro minerals was determined in fistulated crossbred steers (mean live weight 315 ± 45 kg). A basal forage diet comprising lucerne hay and wheat chaff was used, to which varying quantities of MgCl₂ or K₂CO₃ were added to achieve four levels of DCAD: −300, 50, 150 or 250 mEq/kg dry matter (DM). Steers were allocated to one of six treatments, one treatment for each diet and a further treatment for both the 50 and 150 mEq/kg DCAD diets, which were supplemented with 25(OH)D at a rate of 3 mg/steer per day. Urine pH from steers offered the diets comprising DCADs of 50, 150 and 250 mEq/kg ranging from 8.3 to 8.8. In treatments not containing 25(OH)D with DCADs of 50 to 250 mEq/kg, there were no significant differences in urine pH or Ca excretion. However, steers offered the diet with a DCAD of −300 mEq/kg DM produced urine with a significantly lower pH (6.5 to 7.5). Daily output of Ca in urine was also significantly higher from steers given this diet. Supplementation with 25(OH)D significantly increased urinary Ca excretion from steers offered diets of DCADs 50 and 150 mEq/kg DM. Estimates of daily urinary Ca excretion, calculated using the ratio of creatinine to Ca in ‘spot’ urine samples, were less variable than those based on total collection (residual mean square of 0.54 and 0.63, respectively).     

Effects of combined exenatide and pioglitazone therapy on hepatic fat content in type 2 diabetes

We examined the effects of combined pioglitazone (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) agonist) and exenatide (GLP‐1 receptor agonist) therapy on hepatic fat content and plasma adiponectin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Twenty‐one T2DM patients (age = 52 ± 3 years, BMI = 32.0 ± 1.5, hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) = 8.2 ± 0.4%) on diet and/or metformin received additional treatment with either pioglitazone 45 mg/day for 12 months (n = 10) or combined therapy with pioglitazone (45 mg/day) and exenatide (10 µg subcutaneously twice daily) for 12 months (n = 11). At baseline, hepatic fat content and plasma adiponectin levels were similar between the two treatment groups. Pioglitazone reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (P < 0.05), fasting free fatty acid (FFA) (P < 0.05), and HbA_1c (Δ = 1.0%, P < 0.01), while increasing plasma adiponectin concentration by 86% (P < 0.05). Hepatic fat (magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)) was significantly reduced following pioglitazone treatment (11.0 ± 3.1 to 6.5 ± 1.9%, P < 0.05). Plasma triglyceride concentration decreased by 14% (P < 0.05) and body weight increased significantly (Δ = 3.7 kg). Combined pioglitazone and exenatide therapy was associated with a significantly greater increase in plasma adiponectin (Δ = 193%) and a significantly greater decrease in hepatic fat (12.1 ± 1.7 to 4.7 ± 1.3%) and plasma triglyceride (38%) vs. pioglitazone therapy despite the lack of a significant change in body weight (Δ = 0.2 kg). Hepatic injury biomarkers aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly decreased by both treatments; however, the reduction in ALT was significantly greater following combined pioglitazone and exenatide therapy. We conclude that combined in patients with T2DM, pioglitazone and exenatide therapy is associated with a greater reduction in hepatic fat content as compared to the addition of pioglitazone therapy (Δ = 61% vs. 41%, P < 0.05).     

Potassium Depletion and Regulation of Angiotensin II Receptors in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract

Mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells were grown in culture media containing high, normal, or low concentrations of potassium to study the effects on angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor regulation. Cell growth was similar among cells grown in the different culture media. Cells grown in high potassium media (K=5.8 mEq/L) had an equilibrium dissociation constant, K_d, of 1.59 ± 0.2 nM, whereas those grown in normal potassium media (K=4.1 mEq/L) had a K_d of 1.79 ± 0.2 nM and those grown in a low potassium media (K=2.9 mEq/L) had a K_d of 1.19 ± 0.12 nM (not significantly different, NS). Binding capacity of smooth muscle cells grown in high potassium media was 81 ± 16.7 fmol/mg prot, 95.1 ± 12.4 fmol/mg prot in those grown in normal potassium media and those grown in low potassium media 86.4 ± 24.1 fmol/mg prot (NS). Binding of radiolabelled Ang II was reduced by approximately 70% in cells exposed to unlabelled Ang II for 30 or 60 minutes. However, this effect of exposure to Ang II to reduce subsequent binding of Ang II was identical in cells grown in high and low potassium medium. Therefore, we were unable to identify a direct effect of low potassium to induce changes in Ang II receptor binding affinity or binding capacity. Previously observed changes in these Ang II binding parameters in potassium-depleted rats was probably a consequence of other factors which were simultaneously altered by potassium deficiency.     

Hypercalcemia in association with a Leydig cell tumor in the rat: A model for tumor-induced hypercalcemia in man

The etiology of tumor-induced hypercalcemia was investigated in a transplantable Leydig cell tumor of the Fischer rat. In this model, serum calcium rose from a baseline of 10.4 ± 0.3 m mg/dl to 12.5 ± 0.4 mg/dl at day 10 and 16.4 ± 1.3 mg/dl (p<0.001) at day 13 post transplant. Urinary calcium also increased from 1.52 ± 0.17 mg/d to 3.52 ± 0.72 mg/d (Day 12, p<0.01). Serum phosphate decreased from a baseline of 7.5 ± 0.3 mg/dl to 5.5 ± 0.6 mg/dl at day 13 (p<0.05). At day 13 serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels fell 76% from baseline (p<0.01). Calcitonin increased from 59 ± 2 pg/ml to 88 ± 9 pg/ml (p<0.01). The plasma prostaglandin E metabolite, 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE₂ increased from 407 ± 103 pg/dl to 647 ± 62 pg/ml (p<0.05) and the active Vit D compound 1, 25(OH)₂D increased from 94.8 ± 5.2 pg/ml to 162.3 ± 11.8 pg/ml (p<0.01). Urinary cyclic AMP did not decrease in parallel with the parathyroid hormone level and, in fact, increased from 146 ± 3 nmol/d to 172 ± 27 nmol/d (NS). Administration of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (20 mg/Kg/d) or hydrocortisone (50 mg/Kg/d) did not prevent the development of hypercalcemia. This model is similar to many patients with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy who demonstrate suppression of parathyroid hormone with elevated urinary cyclic AMP excretion and may prove useful in the understanding of the responsible mechanisms.     

Administration-Time Differences in the Pharmacokinetics of Gentamicin Intravenously Delivered to Human Beings

Administration-time differences of gentamicin pharmacokinetics were studied by crossover design after a single intravenous administration of gentamicin (80 mg) to 10 human subjects at 09:00 (morning time) and 22:00 (nighttime). The profiles of serum gentamicin concentration showed a significant statistical difference between 09:00 and 22:00, suggesting circadian variations of pharmacokinetic behaviors. A significant circadian rhythm of pharmacokinetic parameters as a function of time of day was noted in human subjects, showing lower total body clearance Cl_t and higher serum area under the curve (AUC) when given at nighttime. The half-life t_1/2 was shorter in the morning (2.82h ± 0.43h) when compared to the nighttime (2.97h ± 0.36h), but the difference was not statistically significant. The AUC was significantly greater in the morning (23.4 ± 3.84 μg-h/mL) than that in the nighttime (26.3 ± 5.79 μg-h/mL) (p<. 05), most likely because the Cl_t, was significantly higher when gentamicin was given in the morning (3.51 ± 0.57 L/h) versus in the nighttime (3.18 ± 0.65 L/h). Although the volume of distribution V_d decreased when given at nighttime, it was independent of the dosing time. From this study, there was an administration-time difference of gentamicin pharmacokinetics in human beings. The optimized dosing regimen of gentamicin can be decided by considering circadian rhythm and rest-activity routine so that minimized toxicity and effective therapy are established for patients. The current findings also can be applied to other drugs with circadian rhythms of pharmacokinetics and narrow therapeutic windows in clinical chronotherapeutics.     

Effect of Insulin and Energy Restriction on the Thermic Effect of Protein in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: The objective of this study was to test whether the thermic effect of oral protein is blunted in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and is corrected by normalization of glycemia with insulin and 28 days of a very‐low‐energy diet. Research Methods and Procedures: Resting energy expenditure (REE) and the thermic effect of 90 g of oral protein were measured, using indirect calorimetry, in nine (five women and four men) obese diabetic people [weight, 108 ± 10 kg; waist circumference, 123 ± 8 cm; body mass index, 40 ± 3 kg/m²] who were hyperglycemic on day 8 or euglycemic with insulin on day 16 of a weight‐maintaining diet and euglycemic on day 28 of a very low energy diet (VLED). Results were compared with those of seven (six women and one man) weight‐ and body mass index‐matched obese nondiabetic subjects with a waist circumference of 111 ± 6 cm. Substrates and hormonal responses were determined concurrently. Results: Fasting glucose was normalized in the diabetic subjects with insulin from day 9 of VLED onward. Weight decreased in both groups by 9.9 ± 0.9 kg with VLED. REE was 8 ± 2% lower with insulin treatment and decreased by another 14 ± 3% with VLED in the diabetic and by 15 ± 1% in the nondiabetic subjects by week 4. After the protein meal, the thermic response was significantly (p < 0.05) less with hyperglycemia than with insulin‐induced euglycemia, as percentage above REE (15.3 ± 1.4 compared with 21.2 ± 1.5%), as percentage of the energy content of the meal (19.5 ± 1.5 compared with 25.2 ± 1.7%), as kilocalories per 405 minutes (86 ± 5 compared with 110 ± 7), and less than in nondiabetic obese controls (21.0 ± 2.2% above REE, 24.4 ± 1.7% of energy of meal). After the VLED, the thermic effect of protein was significantly higher in both groups only as percentage above REE. The initial glucagon response was greater with hyperglycemia compared with euglycemia and post‐VLED but not compared with the nondiabetic subjects. Hyperglycemia was associated with 21 ± 4% greater urinary urea nitrogen excretion and urinary glucose losses of 134 ± 50 mmol/d. Discussion: This study shows a blunted thermic effect of protein in obese hyperglycemic type 2 diabetic subjects compared with matched nondiabetic subjects that can be corrected with insulin‐ or energy restriction‐induced euglycemia.     

DC-CIK治疗对晚期肝细胞癌患者免疫功能及循环肿瘤细胞的影响

目的:研究DC-CIK细胞治疗对晚期肝细胞癌患者甲胎蛋白、免疫功能及循环肿瘤细胞数的影响。方法:选取2013年至2015年我院收治的26例肝细胞癌并伴有复发或转移的患者,对其治疗前后甲胎蛋白、免疫功能及循环肿瘤细胞数的数据进行分析,比较DC-CIK细胞治疗前后甲胎蛋白、循环肿瘤细胞、免疫功能的变化。根据细胞治疗次数分为1次组及1次组,比较两组免疫功能的变化。结果:DC-CIK细胞治疗前甲胎蛋白为(603.32±155.78)ng/mL细胞回输后为(571.24±147.49)ng/mL差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。DC-CIK细胞治疗前及细胞回输后CTC检测阳性率分别为81.8%、36.4%治疗前及回输后循环肿瘤细胞数量分别为(8.36±10.642)、(1.55±2.464),细胞治疗前后比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。细胞治疗前1天T细胞亚群CD3+、CD3~+CD4~+、CD3~+CD8~+、CD4/CD8分别为(66.05±15.31)%、(41.89±12.33)%、(23.15±8.05)%、(2.10±0.77),回输后分别为(69.69±12.91)%、(44.80±11.11)%、(23.13±7.12)%、(2.29±0.91)治疗前后比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。细胞治疗次数1次组和1次组免疫功能变化差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:DC-CIK细胞治疗可减少肝细胞癌伴复发或转移患者循环肿瘤细胞的数量,但对甲胎蛋白和免疫功能无明显影响。     

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) rhizome,callus and callus treated with some elicitors

The present study was aimed at determining total phenolic and flavonoid contents and studying the antioxidant activity of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) rhizome and callus, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol and callus treated with elicitors. Petroleum ether (PE) and chloroform: methanol (1:1, v/v) (CM) extracts were prepared by maceration. Highest total phenolic content was obtained from the CM extract (60.34?±?0.43?mg gallic acid/g) of rhizome while callus showed lower content detected in the CM extract (33.6?±?0.07?mg gallic acid/g). Flavonoids were only detected in rhizome (CM extract 40.25?±?0.21?mg quercetin/g). Both rhizome extracts exhibited good antioxidant activity with higher activity recorded in PE extract (IC₅₀ value 8.29?±?1.73?μg/mL). Callus extracts revealed lower antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ value 1265.49?±?59.9?μg/mL obtained from CM extract). 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol displayed high antioxidant activity in both assays with IC₅₀ 4.85?+?0.58_DPPH and 5.35?±?0.33_ABTS μg/mL for the former and IC₅₀ 7.61?±?0.81_DPPH and IC₅₀ 7.05?±?0.23_ABTS μg/mL for the latter. Treatment of callus with elicitors showed significant (p?<?0.05) effects in enhancing phenolic content and related antioxidant activity. The highest significant increase in phenolic content (37% and 34%) and antioxidant activity in DPPH assay (34% and 30%) was observed in callus treated with 100?mg/L yeast extract and 50?mg/L salicylic acid respectively. Therefore, studying the effect of the elicitation of ginger cultured tissues in phenolic accumulation would be of immense importance for pharmacological, cosmetic and agronomic industries.     

Evidence from a dual action of converting enzyme inhibitor on blood pressure in normal man

We studied the effect of a converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI), Captopril SQ 14,225 50 mg p.o. in eight supine normal subjects under a high sodium (150 meq/d) and low sodium (25 mEq/d) diet. On high sodium, plasma renin (PRA) and aldosterone were basal and Saralasin did not lower mean blood pressure. However, CEI induced an 11.4±3.2 mm fall in blood pressure (p<0.02) and either indomethacin 50 mg or ibuprofen 800 mg (PI), when given simultaneously on another day, abolished the blood pressure response (2.5±0.9 mm Hg, p>0.5). In contrast, on a low salt diet where renin was increased, CEI induced a drop in blood pressure which was not significantly altered by PI (12.8±1.1 vs. 10.0±3.1 mm Hg, p>0.5). CEI increased plasma renin on both diets (1.7±0.5 to 3.5±0.8 and 2.8±0.6 to 12.5±3.1 ng/ml/hr respectively both p<0.05). Aldosterone did not change (high Na⁺) or fell (low Na⁺). Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis did not significantly block the renin rise from CEI suggesting that the direct angiotensin II negative feedback is relatively independent of acute prostaglandin release. Our studies suggest that CEI has a dual hypotensive action. In a low renin state, the hypotensive action appears to be mediated through vascular prostaglandins.     

Neuroprotective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ocimum sanctum Against H2O2 Induced Neuronal Cell Damage in SH-SY5Y Cells via Its Antioxidative Defence Mechanism

Oxidative stress mediates the cell damage in several ailments including neurodegenerative conditions. Ocimum sanctum is widely used in Indian ayurvedic medications to cure various ailments. The present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of O. sanctum (OSE) on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative challenge in SH-SY5Y human neuronal cells. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity against DPPH, 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical and hydroxyl radicals with IC₅₀ values of 395 ± 16.2, 241 ± 11.5 and 188.6 ± 12.2 μg/ml respectively, which could be due to high amount of polyphenols and flavonoids. The observed data demonstrates 41.5 % cell survival with 100 μM H₂O₂ challenge for 24 h, which was restored to 73 % by pre-treatment with OSE for 2 h. It also decreased the lactate dehydrogenase leakage and preserved the cellular morphology. Similarly OSE inhibited lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, reactive oxygen species generation and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane. The extract restored superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme/protein levels and further downregulated HSP-70 over-expression. These findings suggest that OSE ameliorates H₂O₂ induced neuronal damage via its antioxidant defence mechanism and might be used to treat oxidative stress mediated neuronal disorders.     

Effect of Ramadan on the Diurnal Variation in Short‐Term High Power Output

This study examined the effects of Ramadan fasting on anaerobic performances and their diurnal fluctuations. In a balanced and randomized study design, 12 subjects were measured for maximal power (P_max; force‐velocity test), peak power (P_peak), and mean power (P_mean) with the Wingate test at 07:00, 17:00, and 21:00 h on four different occasions: one week before Ramadan (BR), the second week of Ramadan (SWR), the fourth week of Ramadan (ER), and two weeks after Ramadan (AR). There was an interval of 28 h between any two successive tests. Oral temperature was measured before each test. Under each condition, the results showed a time‐of‐day effect on oral temperature. Analysis of variance revealed a significant (Ramadan×time‐of‐day of test) interaction effect on P_max. This variable improved significantly from morning to evening before Ramadan (1.1±0.2 W · kg^?1), during the second week of Ramadan (0.6±0.2 W · kg^?1), and two weeks after the end of Ramadan (0.9±0.2 W · kg^?1). However, daily fluctuations disappeared during the fourth week of Ramadan. For P_peak and P_mean, there was no significant Ramadan×test‐time interaction. These variables improved significantly from morning to evening before Ramadan ([1±0.3 W · kg^?1] for P_peak and [1.7±1.6 W · kg^?1] for P_mean) and in the second week of Ramadan ([0.9±0.6 W · kg^?1] for P_peak and [1.7±1.5 W · kg^?1] for P_mean). However, they were not affected by time‐of‐day in the fourth week of Ramadan. Considering the effect of Ramadan on anaerobic performances, in comparison with before Ramadan, no significant difference was observed during Ramadan at 07:00 h. The variables were significantly lower in the second week of Ramadan and in the fourth week of Ramadan at 17:00 h and 21:00 h. P_mean was not affected during the second week of Ramadan. In conclusion, the time‐of‐day effect on anaerobic power variables tends to disappear during Ramadan. In comparison with the period before Ramadan, anaerobic performances were unaffected in the morning but impaired in the evening during Ramadan.     

Surfactant Therapy for Patients with ARDS After Cardiac Surgery

This multicenter study investigated the possibility of reducing mortality rate by administering natural lung surfactant additional to standard therapy to treat patients after cardiac surgery who developed an acute respiratory failure (ARDS/ALI).

A total of 78 patients (1998–2002) diagnosed with ALI or ARDS were enrolled in the study; patients were considered for study entry only if they developed ALI/ARDS within 72h after cardiac surgery. A total of 36 patients (2000–2002) received Surfactant-BL via bronchoscope at a dose of 3 mg/kg twice a day, and 42 patients (1998–2000) served as the historical control.

Within 24h after the first Surfactant-BL administration the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio increased from (mean ± SEM) 129.7 ± 9.9 mm Hg to 187.6 ± 17.6 mm Hg (p < 0.01), FiO₂ decreased from (mean ± SEM) 0.71 ± 0.03 to 0.56 ± 0.03 (p < 0.01), and 69.4% of the patients treated with surfactant were weaned from the ventilator compared with 50% of the control group during a 28-day period. The mortality rate among patients treated with Surfactant-BL was 30.6% compared with 50% in the control group.

In conclusion, early administration of Surfactant-BL leads to the reduction of mortality in cardiac patients who develop postoperatively an ALI or ARDS.     

Serum T4, T3 and reverse T3 in ethanol fed rats.

To investigate the influence of chronic ethanol consumption on circulating thyroid hormone levels, male and female rats were given 20% ethanol as the only drinking solution daily for 8 weeks. Blood ethanol levels ranged 30–45 mg/L. In male rats serum T₄ decreased from the initial mean ± SD value of 5.2±1.4 to3.0 ±0.7 μg/dl; T₃ decreased from initial value of 97±14 to 66±11 ng/dl and rT₃ decreased from initial value of 19±9 to 10±1 ng/dl after 8 weeks of ethanol ingestion. Under similar experimental conditions, female rats showed a significant decrease in serum T₄ and rT₃ levels; however, T₃ levels decreased slightly but not significantly as compared to initial values. The results indicate adverse effect of chronic ethanol intake on serum thyroid hormone levels in rats.     

Doses of prostaglandin F2α effective for induction of parturition in goats

Twelve mixed breed does were injected with different doses of prostaglandin F₂α (PGF₂α) or saline on day 144 of gestation. Four each received single intramuscular injections of 5.0 or 2.5 mg PGF_2α, or 1.0 ml saline (controls). Systemic progesterone (P₄) concentrations were determined daily from day 144 until the day of kidding. Does receiving 5.0 mg PGF₂α, 2.5 mg PGF₂α, or saline kidded within mean (± SD) hours and range (hours) of 35 ± 8.6 and 28–48, 43 ± 11.8 and 29–57, and 111 ± 79.1 and 41–200, respectively. Mean (± SD) concentrations of P₄ (ng/ml) on the day of injection and on day 1 postinjection were 5.2 ± 2.6 and 0.7 ± 0.9, 5.3 ± 2.2 and 1.1 ± 1.0, and 6.4 ± 3.9 and 4.1 ± 2.6 for does receiving 5.0 mg PGF₂α, 2.5 mg PGF₂α, or saline, respectively. It was concluded that 5.0 mg and 2.5 mg PGF₂α effectively shortened the interval from injection to parturition, but that this interval was not as predictable as that previously reported with 20 mg PGF₂α.     

Protective Effects of Onion Extract on Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress,Histological Damage,and Apoptosis in Rat Heart

To date, there is no available information on the protective effect of onion (Allium cepa) extract (AcE) on cadmium (Cd)-induced cardiotoxicity. The present study was performed to assess the possible antioxidant and anti-apoptotic roles of AcE in Cd-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. A Cd group was injected subcutaneously with CdCl₂ dissolved in saline at a dose of 2 ml/kg/day for 30 days, resulting in a dosage of 1 mg/kg Cd. The rats in the AcE-treated group were given 1 ml of AcE via intragastric intubation for 30 days. The rats intoxicated with Cd for 30 days showed increased tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased levels of the enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in cardiac tissue. AcE attenuated these adverse effects of Cd. After Cd exposure, histological abnormalities were observed, including myofibrillar loss, vacuolization of cytoplasm and irregularity of myofibrils. These histological alterations were effectively attenuated by the treatment with AcE. Furthermore, our data indicate a significant reduction of apoptosis in the cardiomyocytes of the Cd group treated with AcE therapy. Animal studies show antioxidant effects of AcE. But to date, no study reported the effect of AcE on biochemical and histopathological changes due to Cd induced on rat heart. Our study showed that AcE therapy reduced Cd-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, possibly through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activity.     

LC-ESI-MS/MS Chemical Characterization,Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of Propolis Extracted with Organic Solvents from Eastern Anatolia Region

Geographic conditions (altitude, climate, and local flora) lead to significant differences in the chemical composition of propolis. Therefore, more research is needed for propolis in different geographical regions. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the phenolic profile, total phenolic content, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties of Pülümür propolis from Turkey. Methanol (MeOH), chloroform (CHCl₃), and hexane extracts of propolis were analyzed. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of the extracts showed that the most abundant phenolic compound is caffeic acid in the MeOH extract (2943.12±11.12 μg phenolics/g extract), while on the other hand, CHCl₃ extract had the highest total phenolic content (125.75±1.02 mg GAE/g extract). Antioxidant activity was measured using ABTS and DPPH assays, whereas CHCl₃ extract (IC₅₀=6.35±0.11 and 28.84±0.10 μg/mL, respectively) and MeOH extracts (IC₅₀=5.04±0.07 and 28.80±0.09 μg/mL, respectively) showed relatively high antioxidant activity. The MeOH extract showed better antidiabetic activity than the standard compound, acarbose (IC₅₀=0.544 and 0.805 mg/mL, respectively).