Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase Values Research Articles

Evaluation of the effectiveness of vitamin E in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among type 2 diabetes patients without advanced fibrosis

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of vitamin E in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among type 2 diabetes patients without advanced fibrosis.Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental analytical study consisting of two groups: an experimental one, which received vitamin E 400 IU in addition to the standard treatment, and a control group, which received only the standard treatment. The study included 71 patients in each group. Both groups underwent liver fibrosis scoring, liver ultrasound and glutamate pyruvate transaminase measurement at study baseline and after six months. Moreover, the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the concentrations of fibrosis score and glutamate pyruvate transaminase values within the same group, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate the differences between the experimental and control groups. The Wilcoxon test was also used to compare ultrasound severity. Then, a logistic regression analysis was performed. The information was entered into a data collection sheet using Microsoft Excel; afterwards, a database was coded and created using IBM SPSS Statistics statistical software 23.0. Results: Among the results, it was found that vitamin E was significantly effective in reducing liver fibrosis, transaminase and ultrasound severity scores (Z = -4.727 and p < 0.05). According to the logistic regression analysis, glutamate pyruvate transaminase levels and fibrosis score are not substantially explained by the confounding variables included in the model at 95 % confidence. Conclusions: Vitamin E at a dose of 400 IU given orally for six months is an effective intervention to control the progressionof liver disease, which can be quantified by fibrosis score, transaminase reduction and ultrasound assessment after a 6-month follow-up.

IN VITRO AND IN VIVO SCREENING OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC AND AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF ANOGEISSUS LATIFOLIA LEAVES

Objective: To evaluate and compare anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic and aqueous extract of Anogeissus latifolia leaves Methods: The in vitro antioxidant activity was investigated using nitric oxide radical inhibition activity assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity assay, DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and reducing power assay. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using erythrocyte membrane stabilization, inhibition of protein denaturation, and proteinase inhibitory activity the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. The biochemical parameters were evaluated in the blood, which included the determination of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase values and in the liver, which includes the estimation of lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. Results: The methanolic extract caused a significant dose depended on the reduction of inflammation when compared with the aqueous extract of Anogeissus latifolia. The anti-inflammatory activity of all groups was found to be comparable to the standard indomethacin group. The maximum percent inhibition in paw edema was found in methanolic extract of Anogeisuss latifolia at a dose of 500 mg/kg was 53.33%, with significant anti-inflammatory activity p<0.001. Conclusion: The leaf extract of Anogeissus latifolia possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The therapeutic effect of Anogeisuss latifolia extracts will encourage its use in the treatment of inflammation.

Application of Machine Learning in Hospitalized Patients with Severe COVID-19 Treated with Tocilizumab.

Among the IL-6 inhibitors, tocilizumab is the most widely used therapeutic option in patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated severe respiratory failure (SRF). The aim of our study was to provide evidence on predictors of poor outcome in patients with COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab, using machine learning (ML) techniques. We conducted a retrospective study, analyzing the clinical, laboratory and sociodemographic data of patients admitted for severe COVID-19 with SRF, treated with tocilizumab. The extreme gradient boost (XGB) method had the highest balanced accuracy (93.16%). The factors associated with a worse outcome of tocilizumab use in terms of mortality were: baseline situation at the start of tocilizumab treatment requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), elevated ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), lymphopenia, and low PaFi [ratio between arterial oxygen pressure and inspired oxygen fraction (PaO2/FiO2)] values. The factors associated with a worse outcome of tocilizumab use in terms of hospital stay were: baseline situation at the start of tocilizumab treatment requiring IMV or supplemental oxygen, elevated levels of ferritin, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), GPT, C-reactive protein (CRP), LDH, lymphopenia, and low PaFi values. In our study focused on patients with severe COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab, the factors that were weighted most strongly in predicting worse clinical outcome were baseline status at the start of tocilizumab treatment requiring IMV and hyperferritinemia.

Serum Levels of Glutamate-Pyruvate Transaminase, Glutamate-Oxaloacetate Transaminase and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase in 1494 Patients with Various Genotypes for the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Gene

Background: Patients with liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) are homozygous for the Z mutation, leading to chronic liver damage. Objective: To assess the serum levels of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in patients with different genotypes for the alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) gene. Methods: Patients (n = 1494) underwent genotyping of the SERPINA1 gene, together with a determination of AAT and GOT and GPT and GGT transaminase levels. Patients with a deficient allele (n = 476) and with a normal genotype were compared. Results: A statistically significant association was found between deficient genotypes and GOT (p < 0.0003), GPT (p < 0.002), and GGT (p < 0.006). Comparing GOT levels in patients with PI*Z deficient variant versus those with normal genotype, an odds ratio (OR) of 2.72 (CI: 1.5–4.87) (p < 0.0005) was obtained. This finding was replicated with the PI*Z allele and the GPT values (OR = 2.31; CI: 1.45–3.67; p < 0.0003). In addition, a statistically significant association was found between liver enzymes and AAT values. Conclusion: The PI*Z allele seemed to be a risk factor for the development of liver damage. AAT deficient genotypes were associated with GOT, GPT, and GGT altered values. Low AAT levels were associated with high GPT and GGT levels.

Metalloproteinase expression after desflurane preconditioning in hepatectomies: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUNDHepatectomy with inflow occlusion results in ischemia-reperfusion injury; however, pharmacological preconditioning can prevent such injury and optimize the postoperative recovery of hepatectomized patients. The normal inflammatory response after a hepatectomy involves increased expression of metalloproteinases, which may signal pathologic hepatic tissue reformation. AIMTo investigate the effect of desflurane preconditioning on these inflammatory indices in patients with inflow occlusion undergoing hepatectomy.METHODSThis is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted at the 4th Department of Surgery of the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, between August 2016 and December 2017. Forty-six patients were randomized to either the desflurane treatment group for pharmacological preconditioning (by replacement of propofol with desflurane, administered 30 min before induction of ischemia) or the control group for standard intravenous propofol. The primary endpoint of expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors was determined preoperatively and at 30 min posthepatic reperfusion. The secondary endpoints of neutrophil infiltration, coagulation profile, activity of antithrombin III (AT III), protein C (PC), protein S and biochemical markers of liver function were determined for 5 d postoperatively and compared between the groups.RESULTSThe desflurane treatment group showed significantly increased levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 and 2, significantly decreased levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, decreased neutrophil infiltration, and less profound changes in the coagulation profile. During the 5-d postoperative period, all patients showed significantly decreased activity of AT III, PC and protein S (vs baseline values, P < 0.05). The activity of AT III and PC differed significantly between the two groups from postoperative day 1 to postoperative day 5 (P < 0.05), showing a moderate drop in activity of AT III and PC in the desflurane treatment group and a dramatic drop in the control group. Compared to the control group, the desflurane treatment group also had significantly lower international normalized ratio values on all postoperative days (P < 0.005) and lower serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase values on postoperative days 2 and 3 (P < 0.05). Total length of stay was significantly less in the desflurane group (P = 0.009).CONCLUSIONDesflurane preconditioning can lessen the inflammatory response related to ischemia-reperfusion injury and may shorten length of hospitalization.

Phytochemical screening and hepatoprotective potential of Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger on alcoholic hepatoxicity induced in albino rats

Objectives: To identify the phytoconstituents and determine the effect of Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger on alcoholic hepatoxicity induced in albino rats. Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed using the drop Test. For hepatoxicity study, albino rats were randomized into 5 groups of 6 each. Healthy group: without hepatoxicity; Control group: hepatotoxicity; Curative group: hepatotoxicity plus fluid extract of N. albopunctatissimum Lellinger; Standard group: hepatotoxicity plus silymarin; Preventive group: Fluid extract of N. albopunctatissimum Lellinger for one week, then hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was induced with 56% (w / v) ethanol at doses of 7.6 mL / kg p.c every 12 hours for 7 days. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) values were determined at baseline, 7 days after induction and 14 days after. A histopathological study of the livers was performed. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols, anthocyanidins, saponins, flavonoids and tannins. The preventive and standard groups showed a very significant decrease in serum GPT levels compared to control group (p &lt;0.01), and curative group did so significantly (p &lt;0.05). Histopathological analysis showed in curative group some degenerating hepatocytes, many with normal-looking cytoplasm; the preventive and standard groups presented hepatocytes with normal architecture and some in degeneration, unlike the evident degeneration and necrosis in control group. Conclusion: Niphidium albopunctatissimum Lellinger may have hepatoprotective potential against alcoholic toxicity induced in albino rats.

Proportion of hepatitis A and E among chidren with acute viral hepatitis with special reference to differences in their clinico-biochemical parameters: A hospital based study

Background: Hepatitis is a major health problem in both developing and developed countries, with various infective and non-infective causes. Aim: This study aims to estimate the proportion of hepatitis A and E as a causative agent in children presenting with acute hepatitis and to study their clinical and biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on all children attending or admitted with clinical features of acute hepatitis defined as hepatomegaly, fever &gt;38°C, malaise, dark urine, and/or jaundice. All children included were clinically examined and relevant investigations were sent. All the data were entered in a structured pro forma and statistical analysis was done. Results: A total of 254 patients were studied. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was the most common with 95.08% of cases and occurred in the age group of ?5 years. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was more common in ?10 years age group and was observed in 13.11% of cases. Common prodromal symptoms in hepatitis patients were fever, anorexia, vomiting, and abdominal pain, observed in 82.5%, 32.5%, 55.5%, and 50.5% of cases, respectively, with no significant difference between HAV and HEV. In liver biochemistry, there was no significant difference in serum bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase values between HAV and HEV. Conclusion: There are no significant differences in both enterically-transmitted hepatitis viruses and the only way to differentiate between them is by serological tests.

Effect of Honey &amp; Olive Oil Supplemented Bio-Yoghurt Feeding on Lipid Profile, Blood Glucose and Hematological Parameters in Rats

Background and Objective: Yoghurt, especially bio-yoghurt has long been recognized as a product with many health benefits for consumers. Also, honey and olive oil have considerable nutritional and health effects. So, the effect of administration of yoghurt made using ABT culture and fortified with honey (2 and 6%), olive oil (1 and 4%) or honey + olive oil (2+1 and 6+4% respectively) on some biological and hematological properties of rats was investigated.Methods:The body weight gain, serum lipid level, blood glucose level, serum creatinine level, Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT) activity, Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) activity, leukocytes and lymphocytes counts of rats were evaluated.Results:Blending of bio-yoghurt with rats&amp;#039; diet improved body weight gain. Concentrations of Total plasma Cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), Very Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and Triglycerides (TG) significantly lowered in plasma of rats fed bio-yoghurt. Levels of TC, LDL, VLDL, and TG also decreased in rat groups feed bio-yoghurt supplemented with honey and olive oil. LDL concentrations were reduced by 10.32, 18.51, 34.17, 22.48, 43.30% in plasma of rats fed classic starter yoghurt, ABT yoghurt, ABT yoghurt contained 6% honey, ABT yoghurt contained 4% olive oil and ABT yoghurt contained 6% honey + 4% olive oil respectively. The blood glucose, serum creatinine, GOT and GPT values of rats decreased while white blood cells and lymphocytes counts increased by feeding bioyoghurt contained honey and olive oil.Conclusion:The findings enhanced the multiple therapeutic effects of bio-yoghurt supplemented with honey and olive oil.

Optimisation of a carambola pomace fibre fortified mix fruit beverage powder, its characterization and in vivo study

Abstract Carambola pomace rich mix fruit juice beverage powder was optimized and developed by spray drying using response surface methodology. Maltodextrin concentration and inlet temperature were taken as two independent variables. The response variables were moisture content, yield, solubility, bulk density, and hygroscopicity. The actual values for the response variables for the optimum conditions i.e. inlet temperature of 175 °C and 25% maltodextrin concentration were in tandem with that of the predicted values. The final product contained 9.29% of total dietary fibre and had intermediate cohesiveness and relatively good flowability property. The beverage powder size range was distributed in the range of 0.90–1.50 µM and 43.50–102.00 µM. In vivo study of the fibre rich beverage powder showed lowered cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase values. Maximum decrease was obtained in Group II. The caecal matter showed presence of short chain fatty acids which are desirable for maintaining colon health. The proposed optimisation model through RSM could be used for the development of a functional mix fruit beverage powder fortified with fibre rich fraction of carambola pomace and the obtained functional beverage powder showed functional effects under in vivo test conditions.

Infección crónica por virus de la hepatitis B antígeno e negativo. Manejo en función de puntos de corte de glutámico-pirúvica transaminasa y ácido desoxirribonucleico del virus de la hepatitis B

ObjectivesTo identify glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA) cut-off values at diagnosis in patients with hepatitis B virus e antigen-negative chronic infection (HBeAg(–)), which may be predictors of clinical course, prognosis and/or the need for antiviral therapy. MethodsA retrospective and observational cohort study of patients diagnosed with HBeAg(–) chronic infection (2005-2012). A normal GPT cut-off value at diagnosis that predicts abnormal GPT values in the clinical course of the infection, a baseline HBV-DNA cut-off value that predicts an increase in HBV-DNA above 2,000IU/ml, and GPT and HBV-DNA as predictors of the need for treatment were investigated using ROC curves. Results126 patients were enrolled (follow-up: 42.1±21.5months), 93 of which had normal GPT levels at diagnosis. In the ROC curve analysis, 900IU/ml was found to be the HBV-DNA cut-off value that best predicted this value's increase above 2,000IU/ml (sensitivity: 90%; specificity: 88%; PPV: 79%; NPV: 100%; diagnostic precision: 89%), while 25mU/ml was the normal GPT cut-off value at diagnosis that best predicted subsequently elevated GPT levels (sensitivity: 95.4%; specificity: 81.6%; PPV: 67%; NPV: 96%; diagnostic precision: 80.6%). Patients with GPT 26-40mU/ml at diagnosis presented with more complications or required more treatment than subjects with GPT≤25mU/ml (P<.05). The combined GPT and HBV-DNA values that elicited the highest treatment need were 38mU/ml of GPT and 6,000IU/ml of HBV-DNA (sensitivity: 75%; specificity: 93.4%; PPV: 60%; NPV: 96.6%). ConclusionHBeAg(–) patients with GPT<25mU/ml and HBV-DNA<900IU/ml at diagnosis have positive outcomes and may not require such stringent follow-up in the first years after diagnosis.

The influence of hormonal therapy on postmenopausal women with diabetes mellitus

Mihaela Nicoleta Sandu, Tony L. Hangan, Matei Dumitru Aim. At many postmenopausal women the diabetes mellitus (DM) could appear. This study was designed to test whether hormonal therapy (HT) favorably affects changes in postmenopausal women with DM. Methods. The study was composed of 190 postmenopausal women from CI Parhon, National Institute of Endocrinology Bucharest who were randomly divided as follows: Group 1 (n=120) placebo, who refused the HT and Group 2 (n=70) those who received HT. The patients from Group 1 were divided in patients with DM (n=21) and patients with normal blood sugar (n=99). The women from the 2nd Group were divided into women with DM (n=12) and women with normal blood sugar (n=58). The age at menopause installation, body mass index (BMI), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), smoking and alcohol consumption were analysed. Results. The age at menopausal instalation in the 1st Group had a mean values of 47.52 years for those with DM and 46.88 years for those with normal blood sugar. In the 2nd Group, the mean age was 44.33 years for those with DM and 44.91 years for those with normal blood sugar. The BMI showed that in the 2nd Group, the values were lower and the patients with DM had a normal BMI comparing with the 1st Group. GOT values showed to be in normal range for both groups. Moreover, the values from the 2nd Group with HT and DM showed to be much lower than Group 1, without HT. The GPT values were in accordance with GOT values. Smoking was evluated in terms of smokers and non-smokers as follows: in the 1st Group, 10 (47.6%) patients with DM and 13(13.13%) with normal blood sugar were smokers. From the 2nd Group only 4 (33.3%) with DM and 34 (58.62%) with normal blood sugar were smokers. From the alcohol consumption point of view, from the 1st Group all the patients 21(100%) with DM consumed alcohol and only 87 (87.8%) with normal blood sugar consumed. From the 2nd Group, 6 (50%) with DM consumed alcohol and only 19 (32.7%) with normal blood sugar consumed. Conclusions. HT intervention significantly reduced the analysed parameters, in terms of BMI, GOT and GPT in postmenopausal women with DM. Smoking and alcohol consumption showed to present no changes induced by HT. Therefore, more data is needed to test whether these parameters could be influenced by HT in postmenopausal women with or without DM.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver in children and adolescents with excess weight and obesity

Basis and objectiveHepatic steatosis, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), is the most frequent liver disease in obese children. Due to an increase in infantile obesity, it is experiencing a significant increment in incidence. Our objectives are: estimate the prevalence of NAFL in children with excess weight and obesity using the glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) value as a biochemical test and an abdominal ultrasound, and correlate the presence of hepatic steatosis with various anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Patients and methodCross-sectional prevalence study which includes children with excess weight and obesity between the ages of 5 and 15 years, between the years 2004 and 2012. The independent variables included were: age, sex, weight, size, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist size index (WSI), insulinemia, Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-R), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), GPT and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). ResultsOne hundred and twenty-six patients, with an average age of 11.94 (3.12) years were recruited. A percentage of 19.66 of the patients presented elevated GPT pathology. Of the 126 abdominal ultrasounds performed, 38 patients presented hepatic steatosis (30.15%). The levels of insulinemia, HOMA-R and LDL were significantly higher in patients with altered GPT, compared to those with normal GPT values (P=.015, P=.008 and P=.002, respectively). The patients with an objective HGNA in ultrasound, also showed greater levels of insulinemia, WC, WSI, total cholesterol, TG, LDL, GLT, GPT and GGT than the patients with normal ultrasounds, thereby achieving statistical significance in insulinemia, HOMA-R, LDL and GPT values. ConclusionsNAFL is a relatively frequent disorder in obese children and adolescents. In our study, 2 of 10 children – using GPT – and 3 of every 10 – using abdominal ultrasound – present the same. The biochemical marker which best defines it is an elevation in GPT. A modification in lifestyle which includes weight loss as a principal means of avoiding complications in adult life, is essential and necessary.

Intrahippocampal infusion of crotamine isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus alters plasma and brain biochemical parameters.

Crotamine is one of the main constituents of the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. Here we sought to investigate the inflammatory and toxicological effects induced by the intrahippocampal administration of crotamine isolated from Crotalus whole venom. Adult rats received an intrahippocampal infusion of crotamine or vehicle and were euthanized 24 h or 21 days after infusion. Plasma and brain tissue were collected for biochemical analysis. Complete blood count, creatinine, urea, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), creatine-kinase (CK), creatine kinase-muscle B (CK-MB) and oxidative parameters (assessed by DNA damage and micronucleus frequency in leukocytes, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls in plasma and brain) were quantified. Unpaired and paired t-tests were used for comparisons between saline and crotamine groups, and within groups (24 h vs. 21 days), respectively. After 24 h crotamine infusion promoted an increase of urea, GOT, GPT, CK, and platelets values (p ≤ 0.01), while red blood cells, hematocrit and leukocytes values decreased (p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, 21 days after infusion crotamine group showed increased creatinine, leukocytes, TBARS (plasma and brain), carbonyl (plasma and brain) and micronucleus compared to the saline-group (p ≤ 0.01). Our findings show that crotamine infusion alter hematological parameters and cardiac markers, as well as oxidative parameters, not only in the brain, but also in the blood, indicating a systemic pro-inflammatory and toxicological activity. A further scientific attempt in terms of preserving the beneficial activity over toxicity is required.

Hígado graso no alcohólico en pacientes con sobrepeso y obesidad infantojuvenil

Basis and objectiveHepatic steatosis, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), is the most frequent liver disease in obese children. Due to an increase in infantile obesity, it is experiencing a significant increment in incidence. Our objetives are: Estimate the prevalence of NAFL in children with excess weight and obesity using the glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) value as a biochemical test and an abdominal ultrasound, and correlate the presence of hepatic steatosis with various anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Patients and methodCross-sectional prevalence study which includes children with excess weight and obesity between the ages of 5 and 15 years, between the years 2004-2012. The independent variables included were: age, sex, weight, size, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist size index (WSI), insulinemia, Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-R), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), GPT and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). ResultsOne hundred and twenty-six patients, with an average age of 11.94 (3.12) years were recruited. A percentage of 19.66 of the patients presented elevated GPT pathology. Of the 126 abdominal ultrasounds performed, 38 patients presented hepatic steatosis (30.15%). The levels of insulinemia, HOMA-R and LDL were significantly higher in patients with altered GPT, compared to those with normal GPT values (P=.015, P=.008 and P=.002, respectively). The patients with an objective HGNA in ultrasound, also showed greater levels of insulinemia, WC, WSI, total cholesterol, TG, LDL, GLT, GPT and GGT than the patients with normal ultrasounds, thereby achieving statistical significance in insulinemia, HOMA-R, LDL and GPT values. ConclusionsNAFL is a relatively frequent disorder in obese children and adolescents. In our study, 2 of 10 children –using GPT– and 3 of every 10 –using abdominal ultrasound– present the same. The biochemical marker which best defines it is an elevation in GPT. A modification in lifestyle which includes weight loss as a principal means of avoiding complications in adult life, is essential and necessary.

Vitamin D Supplementation Modulates Blood and Tissue Zinc, Liver Glutathione and Blood Biochemical Parameters in Diabetic Rats on a Zinc-Deficient Diet

Previous studies suggest a protective effect of vitamin D3 on zinc deficiency-induced insulin secretion and on pancreas β-cell function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D on blood biochemical parameters, tissue zinc and liver glutathione in diabetic rats fed a zinc-deficient diet. For that purpose, Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were divided into four groups. The first group was fed a zinc-sufficient diet while the second group was fed a zinc-deficient diet. The third and fourth groups received zinc-sufficient or zinc-deficient diets plus oral vitamin D3 for 27 days. At the end of the experiment, blood, femur, pancreas, kidney and liver samples were taken from all rats. The serum, femur, pancreas, kidney and liver zinc concentrations, liver glutathione, serum alkaline phosphatase activity, daily body weight gain and food intake were lower in the zinc-deficient rats in comparison with those receiving adequate amounts of zinc. These values were increased in the zinc-deficient group that was supplemented with vitamin D3. The serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, urea, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and blood glucose values were higher in rats fed a zinc adequate diet, but their concentrations were decreased by vitamin D3 supplementation. The serum total protein levels were not changed by zinc deficiency and vitamin D3 supplementation. These results suggest that vitamin D3 modulates tissue zinc, liver glutathione and blood biochemical values in diabetic rats fed a zinc-deficient diet.

Low Prevalence of Chronic Hypertransaminasemia in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Patients with No Coinfections

Liver disease is very common in patients with HIV infection. The association between chronic infection with hepatotropic viruses and being a target for other diseases, such as opportunistic infections and tumors, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and toxicity to drugs, including antiretroviral therapy (ART), results in liver disease being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in these persons. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of chronic hypertransaminasemia (CHT) in a cohort of patients with HIV infection but no coinfection and to examine the factors associated with CHT. We undertook a cross-sectional, case-control study of all HIV-infected patients who regularly attended the infectious diseases office of our center from March to August 2009. A case was defined as any patient with glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) values above normal (78 IU/L) at least 2 consecutive revisions (3 months or more between the 2 measurements). Patients were excluded if they had a positive serology to a hepatotropic virus or opportunistic events during the previous month. A control was defined as a patient attending the office paired for age (+5 years) and sex with a case and who had a normal GPT value, using the same exclusion criteria as for the cases. Hepatotoxicity of ART was defined as CHT due to ART, and to make this diagnosis, other causes of elevated GPT values were ruled out in all cases and NAFLD by the presence of steatosis in an abdominal ultrasound in patients consuming <50 g/d of alcohol. The statistical analysis was done with SPSS 17.0 (SPSS, Chicago, Illinois). During the study period, 861 patients attended the office, of whom 454 (52.7%) had a negative serology for hepatotropic virus. Of these, 31 met the inclusion criteria, giving a prevalence of CHT of 6.8%. Most were men, the mean age was 45.7 years, and the predominant mode of transmission of the HIV infection was sexual. In all cases except 1, the elevation of the GPT was mild (<3 times the normal values). The only parameter that differed between cases and controls was a greater body mass index in the cases. Table 1 shows the characteristics of the cases and controls. There were no differences in the use of ART. At least 1 other drug was being taken by 61.2% of the 31 cases and 48.3% of the controls. Lipidlowering drugs were being taken by more of the cases than the controls (15 versus 7, P < .05). An abdominal ultrasound was performed in 11 patients, 9 of whom showed signs of hepatic steatosis. No case had signs of portal hypertension. Liver stiffness could be assessed by elastometry (FibroScan) in 20. The mean stiffness was 5.9 Kps, with a range of 3.3 to 8.8 kPa. No patient had a liver biopsy. The most usual clinical diagnosis attributable to the CHT was ART toxicity, followed by NAFLD. Three patients were convalescing from hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and 1 from secondary syphilis. Three patients required withdrawal of ART because of the CHT (Table 1). The prevalence of CHT in our series was much lower than the previously reported 11% to 15% values. The prevalence of CHT in a large Swiss cohort was 13.2%, and it was associated with alcohol consumption, NAFLD, and the use of ART. The same study found the incidence to be 3.9 cases per 100 person-years. These differences are probably due to the methods used, the study population, and the differences at the time of the study. Of note, although, is the scarce clinical importance, with just 1 case of moderate CHT and few patients having to cease ART. On the other hand, although only just over one third of our patients had an ultrasound study, NAFLD can currently be considered one of the main causes of CHT in HIV-infected patients with no coinfection. Hepatic steatosis is very usual in the general population, with very large

Influence of dietary supplementation with Acacia karroo on experimental haemonchosis in indigenous Xhosa lop-eared goats of South Africa

The effect of dietary supplementation with fresh Acacia karroo on experimental haemonchosis was determined in 4-month-old castrated Xhosa lop-eared kids. The goats were randomly allotted into four treatment groups: non infected, non supplemented (NINS); infected, non supplemented (INS); infected, supplemented (IS) and non infected, supplemented (NIS). Each treatment group contained six goats. Each goat in the infected groups was exposed to a single dose of 6000 freshly cultured L3 Haemonchus contortus larvae. The kids in the supplemented groups received 182g/day (on DM basis) of fresh A. karroo leaves, constituting 50% of their diet. Blood samples were collected every two weeks to determine haematology and serum enzyme concentrations. At the end of the experiment at day 60, all the kids were humanely slaughtered to determine the worm burdens. A significant decrease in faecal larval counts (FLC) was observed in the IS group as infection progressed while it continually increased in the INS group after Week 4 of infection. At necropsy, the INS group had significantly (P<0.05) higher worm counts than the IS group (225.5±43.75 versus 25±43.75). Highest packed cell volume (PCV) values were observed in kids in the NIS group. The INS goats had the lowest PCV values. Mean FAMACHA scores for the IS and INS groups were higher (P<0.05) than that of the NINS. Alkaline phosphatase levels (ALP) in the INS group increased as the infection progressed. On the contrary, in all other groups, ALP levels decreased up to Week 4 post infection. Supplemented goats had a significantly (P<0.05) lower mean serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) values than the non-supplemented group. Results from the current study suggested that consumption of fresh A. karroo leaves reduced infection level and subsequently the leakage of enzymes into blood. It can be concluded that consumption of fresh A. karroo leaves reduced the establishment of H. contortus in Xhosa lop-eared goats.

Clinical features of patients with typhoid fever and drug resistance of the causative isolates in western Iran

Typhoid fever is an important infectious disease in developing countries, including Iran. In this survey, all patients hospitalized in teaching hospitals of Hamedan during 1995-2005 were investigated. A total of 162 patients with typhoid fever were studied. Of all patients, 106 were male (65.4%). The most prevalent symptoms were fever (93.2%), chills (76.5%), anorexia (72.2%) and headache (71%). Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly were present in 43.8% and 13.6%, respectively. Salmonella typhi strains were identified in 144 patients (88.9%) and S. paratyphi A strains were found in 12 (7.4%). In others, S. paratyphi B and C were detected. Serum glutamic oxalo-acetic transaminase values were higher than normal in 77.5% of cases and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase values were higher than normal in 62.5%. The highest sensitivity rate was for ceftizoxime, 91.4% and the lowest rate was for ampicillin, 16.3%.

Flaxseed Oil Attenuates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver of Hyperlipidemic Hamsters

Hyperlipidemia of hamsters was induced by high-fat/cholesterol diets formulated by the addition of coconut oil (CO), butter (BU), and flaxseed oil (FX). Lower (p < 0.05) serum lipids, liver size, and hepatic cholesterol and triacylglycerol contents were observed in the FX group compared to both CO and BU groups. The liver damage indices [glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) values] in the FX group were lower (p < 0.05) than those in the CO and BU groups, which may result from higher (p < 0.05) glutathione (GSH) levels and a tendency toward lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in livers. Besides, lower (p < 0.05) gene expression and activity of hepatic matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) in the FX group were lower (p > 0.05) compared to those in the CO and BU groups; however, no (p > 0.05) differences in gene expression activities of hepatic MMP-2 were observed among treatments. Those beneficial effects could explain the attenuation of FX on nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) induced by a high-fat/cholesterol dietary habit.

Utilization of citrus pulp based diets and Enterolobium cyclocarpum (JACQ. GRISEB) foliage by West African dwarf goats

Sixteen West African dwarf goats weighing 5.0–5.6 kg were used in an experiment that lasted 112 days to investigate the utilization of citrus pulp based diets and E. cyclocarpum. A control diet which contained 88.5% dried brewers' grains (DBG) and other three experimental diets in which DBG was replaced with dried citrus pulp (DCP) at 25, 50 and 75% levels, respectively constituted the four treatments. The goats were divided into four groups of four animals each to balance for variation in live weight before they were assigned to the four different experimental diets. Significant differences ( P < 0.05) were obtained in growth rate with (22.14–34.02 g/d) the highest and lowest value from 50 and 75% DCP inclusion respectively. The digestibility coefficients of DM, Ash, NFE, NDF, ADL, cellulose and hemicellulose increased with increasing levels of dried citrus pulp in the diets and were highest at 75% level of replacement. However, the CP digestibility of 83.85% was highest in the control diet and was significantly ( P < 0.05) different from other diets containing citrus pulp. Nitrogen intake (g/d) decreased significantly ( P < 0.05) with increasing levels of dried citrus pulp in the diets from 45.57–33.28 and was lowest in the control diet. Nitrogen balance also followed the same trend, being highest (42.07 g/d) at 25% DCP and lowest at 75% DCP. The Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and total blood protein (TBP) were significantly ( P < 0.05) different across the dietary treatments at the start and end of the trial. The values for PCV, RBC, MCH, glucose and total protein decreased slightly in the control diet. Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) values also increased significantly ( P < 0.05) with increasing levels of dried citrus pulp in the diets at the end of the experiment and were highest (6.50 IU/L) at 75% level of citrus pulp. Therefore, the efficient utilization of citrus pulp and E. cyclocarpum by WAD goats was attained at the 50% level of inclusion in the diets.