Chemiluminescence Method Research Articles

Correlation and consistency between two detection methods for serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels in human venous blood and capillary blood.

The study assessed the correlation and concordance of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in capillary and venous plasma collected simultaneously after vitamin D3 supplementation in 42 healthy adults. They were randomly divided into three groups by random number table method. Group A took 1,000 IU vitamin D3 daily, group B took 10,000 IU vitamin D3 every 10 days, and group C took 30,000 IU vitamin D3 every 30 days until the end of the 12th month. Venous blood serum 25(OH)D level was detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) at day 1, day 14, day 28, month 6, and month 12 respectively, the capillary blood serum 25(OH)D level was detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) at the same time. Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were employed to investigate the relationship and transformation equation between the findings of the two samples and the results obtained from different detection methods within the same sample. The Bland-Altman method, Kappa analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were utilized for assessing consistency, sensitivity, and specificity. The three groups all reached a stable peak at 6 months, and the average levels of the three groups were 49.21, 42.50 and 43.025 nmol/L, respectively. The average levels of group A were higher than those of group B and group C (P < 0.001). The mean values of serum 25(OH)D measured by LC-MS and CLIA in 42 healthy adults were 45.32 nmol/L and 49.88 nmol/L, respectively, and the mean values of 25(OH)D measured by LC-MS in capillary blood were 52.03 nmol/L, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the linear fitting formula of scatter data was as follows: venous 25(OH)D concentration (nmol/L) = 1.105 * capillary 25(OH)D concentration -7.532 nmol/L, R2 = 0.625. Good agreement was observed between venous and corrected capillary 25(OH)D levels in clinical diagnosis (Kappa value 0.75). The adjusted serum 25(OH)D in capillary blood had a high clinical predictive value. The agreement between the two methods is good when the measured 25(OH)D level is higher. Standardized capillary blood chemiluminescence method can be used for 25(OH)D detection.

Study on the value of Inhibin B in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its correlation with traditional Chinese medicine syndromes: An observational study.

To investigate the expression of Inhibin B between various clinical stages, Chinese medicine dialectic typing, and in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissues and serum, and to evaluate the potential of Inhibin B as a new biomarker for NPC. Paraffin specimens of pathologically confirmed NPC tissues and paracancerous tissues were retrospectively collected, and the expression of Inhibin α (INHA) and Inhibin βB (INHBB) was detected by SP method, and their relationship with clinicopathological indexes was analyzed; in addition, patients with NPC who had received radiotherapy were included as the study subjects, and Epstein-Barr virus DNA (EBV-DNA), INHA, and INHBB in patients were detected by using the fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and chemiluminescent immuno-sandwiching method, respectively. EBV-DNA, EBV-viral capsid antigen-immunoglobulin A (VCA IgA), INHA, and INHBB were detected in the patients, respectively, and their relationships with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns were also analyzed. The expression of INHA and INHBB in NPC tissues was lower than that in paracancerous tissues, and the expression of INHA in NPC patients was correlated with lymphatic metastasis, clinical staging, and TCM staging; the levels of EBV-DNA and VCA IgA were higher than that of healthy populations in NPC patients and were higher than that of patients with stage III + IV than that of patients with stage I + II, and the levels of INHA and INHBB were lower than those of healthy populations and were lower than those of patients with stage III + IV than that of patients with stage I + II. The levels of INHA and INHBB in nasopharyngeal cancer patients were lower than those in healthy people, and the levels in stage III + IV patients were lower than those in stage I + II patients. The levels of EBV-DNA and VCA IgA in nasopharyngeal cancer patients were correlated with the Chinese medicine patterns, and had different patterns. The expression of Inhibin B may be related to the progression of NPC, and it has certain typing significance for different TCM syndromes of NPC, which is helpful for TCM typing diagnosis.

PECULIARITIES OF NEUTROPHIL EXTRACELLULAR TRAPS FORMATION IN CHINCHILLA RABBITS

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are decondensed nuclear chromatin, decorated with bactericidal proteins of various cell organelles and performing an eff ector function aimed to combat pathogens at the site of infl ammation. At the same time, NETs play an important role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and infl ammatory diseases as well as malignancies. Rabbits are one of the most commonly used species of laboratory animals in medical and biological research. A large number of models of various diseases of the cardiovascular, immune and other human systems have been developed in rabbits. However, there is no information in the scientifi c literature about the ability of rabbit neutrophils to undergo NETosis in response to well-known pharmacological stimuli. The purpose of the present work was to study in in vitro system the ability of neutrophils of Soviet chinchilla rabbit to form NETs in response to mimetic of diacylglycerol phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187. To isolate rabbit neutrophils, the one-step density gradient centrifugation on Ficoll-Hypaque method with modifi cations was used. Oxidative burst was assessed with luminol-amplifi ed chemiluminescence method, and NET formation was assessed with immunofl uorescence analysis. The work shows for the fi rst time that neutrophils of Soviet chinchilla rabbit do not form NETs in response to PMA, but form traps in response to A23187, as well as have a low level of oxidative burst in response to PMA, A23187 and chemoattractant N-formyl-methionylleucyl-phenylalanine.

PECULIARITIES OF NEUTROPHIL EXTRACELLULAR TRAPS FORMATION IN CHINCHILLA RABBITS

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are decondensed nuclear chromatin, decorated with bactericidal proteins of various cell organelles and performing an eff ector function aimed to combat pathogens at the site of infl ammation. At the same time, NETs play an important role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and infl ammatory diseases as well as malignancies. Rabbits are one of the most commonly used species of laboratory animals in medical and biological research. A large number of models of various diseases of the cardiovascular, immune and other human systems have been developed in rabbits. However, there is no information in the scientifi c literature about the ability of rabbit neutrophils to undergo NETosis in response to well-known pharmacological stimuli. The purpose of the present work was to study in in vitro system the ability of neutrophils of Soviet chinchilla rabbit to form NETs in response to mimetic of diacylglycerol phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187. To isolate rabbit neutrophils, the one-step density gradient centrifugation on Ficoll-Hypaque method with modifi cations was used. Oxidative burst was assessed with luminol-amplifi ed chemiluminescence method, and NET formation was assessed with immunofl uorescence analysis. The work shows for the fi rst time that neutrophils of Soviet chinchilla rabbit do not form NETs in response to PMA, but form traps in response to A23187, as well as have a low level of oxidative burst in response to PMA, A23187 and chemoattractant N-formyl-methionylleucyl-phenylalanine.

Chemiluminescence data modeling using parallel factor analysis for the simple and sensitive determination of diphenoxylate in human plasma and tablets

AbstractIn this study, a chemiluminescence (CL) method was developed to determine diphenoxylate in tablets and human plasma. This is the first CL method proposed to determine diphenoxylate. Creating three‐dimensional data caused the parallel factor analysis algorithm (PARAFAC) to be used for the first time in CL methods. The method is based on the fact that diphenoxylate enhances the weak CL produced in the reaction of Ru(phen)32+ and acidic Ce(IV), and the concentration of Ce(IV) solution has a different effect on the CL response of diphenoxylate and the blank plasma. The calibration curve was linear from 4.0 × 10−8 to 1.6 × 10−6 mol L−1 (R2 = 0.9954), and the detection limit was 1.3 × 10−8 mol L−1 (S/N = 3). The sampling rate was about 30 samples per hour, and the % RSD for 10 repeated measurements of 4 × 10−7 mol L−1 diphenoxylate was 5.4%. The interference effects of some ions, amino acids, and common additives were also investigated. The CL method was successfully used to determine diphenoxylate in tablets, and the results were statistically confirmed by the reference method. The proposed CL method and the PARAFAC algorithm were successfully used to determine the concentration of diphenoxylate in human blood plasma samples.

Redox-Active Compounds in the Therapy of Drug-Resistant Murine Leukemia P388 Strains.

The efficiency of combinations of cytostatics cisplatin and adriamycin with antioxidant sodium 3-(3'-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl thiosulfate (TS-13), and nitric oxide (NO) donor NaNO2 was evaluated on two drug-resistant strains of leukemia P388 with changed redox-status of cells. Simultaneous use of both NO donor and TS-13 in combinations with the cytostatics did not increase the efficiency of therapy. In addition, antioxidant activity of TS-13, NaNO2, and their combinations was studied by the method of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence on the model systems with the use of the homogenized cells of sensitive strain and two drug-resistant strains of leukemia P388. It was shown that TS-13 and NO donor produced opposite effects: TS-13 decreased, while NO donor increased the content of free radicals in the model system. Combinations of antioxidant TS-13 and NO donor should be used with consideration for the redox-status of tumor treated.

The involvement of circulating miR-146a and miR-27a in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a group of clinical diseases based on pathology of atherosclerosis that is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. There is a bidirectional interaction between ASCVD and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Alterations in circulating miRNAs levels are involved in the development of ASCVD in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, however, the correlation between ASCVD co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and alterations of cardiac-specific miRNAs is not well understood. The circulating miR-146a and miR-27a are involved in bidirectional interactions between ASCVD and SARS-CoV-2 infections. Circulating miR-146a and miR-27a levels were measured in serum and PBMCs deriving from ASCVD patients and controls after SARS-CoV-2 infection by qRT-PCR analysis. The levels of neutralizing antibodies-resistant SARS-CoV-2 in human serum was determined by competitive magnetic particle chemiluminescence method. Interleukin (IL)-6 levels were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer using electrochemiluminescence. Significant downregulation of circulating miR-146a and upregulation of miR-27a in ASCVD patients after infection with SARS-CoV-2 compared with controls were observed, among which the alterations were more evident in ASCVD patients comorbid with hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Consistently, correlation analysis revealed that serum miR-146a and miR-27a levels were associated with the levels of lipids and glucose, inflammatory response, and immune function in ASCVD patients. Remarkably, SARS-CoV-2 S protein RBD stimulation of PBMCs derived from both ASCVD and controls significantly downregulated miR-146a, upregulated miR-27a expression levels, and promoted IL-6 release in vitro. The circulating miR-146a and miR-27a are involved in metabolism, inflammation, and immune levels in patients with ASCVD after SARS-CoV-2 infection, laying the foundation for the development of strategies to prevent the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ASCVD patients.

Epimedium brevicornu maxim. -derived green carbon quantum dots as chemiluminescence probes for highly sensitive detection of Sulfacetamide and Sulfadimethoxine Sodium Salt

This study presented the synthesis of phosphorus (P) and chlorine (Cl) co-doped carbon quantum dots (P/Cl-CQDs) derived from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. and established a simple and effective chemiluminescence (CL) system for detecting Sulfacetamide (STM) and Sulfadimethoxine Sodium Salt (STX). Employing traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. as a green precursor material, (NH4)2HPO4 and NH4Cl were utilized as dopants for P and Cl, respectively. The P/Cl-CQDs was synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method exhibited excellent CL properties, effectively catalyzing the luminol system and markedly amplifying its CL intensity. Both STM and STX were observed to inhibit the CL intensity of the luminol-(P/Cl-CQDs) system. Based on this, a novel CL method combining flow injection technique was established for the detection of STM and STX. Under optimal conditions, the method demonstrated the capability to detect STM in the range of 1–400 × 10−6 mol/L, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.34 × 10−6 mol/L and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.29 %, and STX within the range of 5–280 × 10−6 mol/L, with a LOD of 0.16 × 10−6 mol/L and an RSD of 1.23 %. This method successfully determined the content of STM and STX in pork, with spike recoveries ranging from 100.0 % to 103.8 % for STM and from 98.0 % to 102.3 % for STX.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ ИНГИБИРУЮЩИХ ЭФФЕКТОВ ГИПОМАГНИТНОГО ПОЛЯ И КОМБИНИРОВАННЫХ МАГНИТНЫХ ПОЛЕЙ НА ПРОДУКЦИЮ АКТИВНЫХ ФОРМ КИСЛОРОДА (АФК) НЕЙТРОФИЛАМИ

The article reveals that a decrease in the background production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the peritoneal neutrophils of mice after a short-term (40 minutes) stay in hypomagnetic conditions (residual field  10 nT) at physiological temperatures, detected by the method of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence, is not accompanied by a violation of chemiluminescent response to respiratory burst activators: formylated peptide N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF) and phorbol ester of phorbol-12-meristat-13-acetate (PMA). These results were obtained by activated chemiluminescence using lucigenin or luminol and various combinations of ROS production activators (PMA and/or fMLF). In contrast, the action of combined parallel constant (induction 60 μT) and alternating (amplitude range 60-180 nT, frequency 49.5 Hz) magnetic fields (CMF) leads to a decrease in the chemiluminescent response to these activators. These data indicate different sources of ROS that respond to certain modes of CMF and hypomagnetic field in neutrophils. The conducted research and the previously obtained results enable to exclude the systems that control the respiratory burst in neutrophils from the main targets and acceptors that respond to short-term deprivation of the magnetic field.

Elevated serum levels of soluble B-cell maturation antigen as a prognostic biomarker for multiple myeloma.

Serum B-cell maturation antigen (sBCMA) levels can serve as a sensitive biomarker in multiple myeloma (MM). In the research setting, sBCMA levels can be accurately detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), but the approach has not been approved for clinical use. Here, we used a novel chemiluminescence method to assess sBCMA levels in 759 serum samples from 17 healthy donors and 443 patients with plasma cell (PC) diseases including AL amyloidosis, POEMS syndrome, and MM. Serum BCMA levels were elevated 16.1-fold in patients with newly diagnosed MM compared to healthy donors and rare PC diseases patients. Specifically, the sBCMA levels in patients with progressive disease were 64.6-fold higher than those who showed partial response or above to treatment. The sBCMA level also correlated negatively with the response depth of MM patients. In newly diagnosed and relapsed MM patients, survival was significantly longer among those subjects whose sBCMA levels are below the median levels compared with those above the median value. We optimized the accuracy of the survival prediction further by integrating sBCMA level into the Second Revised International Staging System (R2-ISS). Our findings provide evidence that the novel chemiluminescence method is sensitive and practical for measuring sBCMA levels in clinical samples and confirm that sBCMA might serve as an independent prognostic biomarker for MM.

Study of Correlation between Serum Vitamin B12 Level and Aberrant DNA Methylation in Infertile Males.

Altered DNA methylation pattern in sperms has been associated with infertility in males demonstrating defective spermatogenesis or low semen quality. Vitamin B-12, by affecting 1-carbon metabolism pathways, might alter the DNA methylation pattern. We aimed to study the correlation of serum vitamin B12 levels with aberrant DNA methylation in infertile male patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 17 oligozoospermic infertile males (WHO criteria, 2010) and 10 healthy fertile males. Serum vitamin B12 levels were estimated using the chemiluminescence method. Global methylation was determined using the ELISA system (Imprint Methylated DNA Quantification Kit, Sigma-Aldrich). The levels of global DNA methylation were calculated and compared relative to the methylated (100%) control DNA provided with the kit. Mean serum vitamin B12 concentration in the control group was higher than that of the case group. This difference in serum vitamin B12 concentration in both groups was found statistically significant. Although the results of this study show that oligozoospermic men have relatively lower global DNA methylation as compared to normozoospermic control, the values could not reach a statistically significant level. A small positive correlation was found between serum vitamin B12 levels and percent methylation defect (r = 0.14) but was statistically insignificant. Our study concludes that oligozoospermic infertile males have a significant deficiency of vitamin B12 as compared to normozoospermic fertile males. This study did not find any significant difference in global DNA methylation between the two groups. The present study does not suggest any correlation between serum vitamin B12 level and percent DNA methylation.

Reference intervals of Cyfra21-1 and CEA in healthy adult Han Chinese population

ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish the reference intervals of Cyfra21-1 and CEA for the local screening populations using a chemiluminescence method. MethodsA total of 4845 healthy adults and 190 lung cancer patients were included from the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The levels of Cyfra21-1 and CEA were measured to establish the local reference intervals. ResultsThe upper limit reference intervals for Cyfra21-1 and CEA were determined as 3.19 ng/ml and 3.13 ng/ml, respectively. Notably, both Cyfra21-1 and CEA levels were found to be higher in males than in females. Additionally, both biomarkers showed an increasing trend with age.In terms of diagnostic efficacy, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve areas for Cyfra21-1, CEA, and their combination in lung cancer were 0.86, 0.73, and 0.91, respectively. ConclusionOur study revealed that the reference intervals of Cyfra21-1 and CEA in the local population differed from the established reference intervals. Furthermore, both biomarkers exhibited gender-dependent variations and demonstrated a positive correlation with age. Combining the two biomarkers showed potential for improving the diagnosis rate of lung cancer.

Quantitative analysis of CL-20 explosive by smartphone-based chemiluminescence method.

A new smartphone-based chemiluminescence method has been introduced for the quantitative analysis of CL-20 (Hexanitroazaisowuertzitan) explosive. The solvent mixture, oxidizer agent, and concentration of the reactants were optimized using statistical procedures. CL-20 explosive showed a quenching effect on the chemiluminescence intensity of the luminol-NaClO reaction in the solvent mixture of DMSO/H2O. A smartphone was used as a detector to record the light intensity of chemiluminescence reaction as a video file. The recorded video file was converted to an analytical signal as intensity luminescence-time curve by a written code in MATLAB software. Dynamic range and limit of detection of the proposed method were obtained 2.0-240.0 and 1.1mg⋅L-1, respectively, in optimized concentrations 1.5 × 10-3mol⋅L-1 luminol and 1.0 × 10-2mol⋅L-1 NaClO. Precursors TADB, HBIW, and TADNIW in CL-20 explosive synthesis did not show interference in measurement the CL-20 purity. The analysis of CL-20 spiked samples of soil and water indicated the satisfactory ability of the method in the analysis of real samples. The interaction of CL-20 molecules and OCl- ions is due to quench of chemiluminescence reaction of the luminol-NaClO.

Gadolinium Doping Modulates the Enzyme-like Activity and Radical-Scavenging Properties of CeO2 Nanoparticles.

Their unique physicochemical properties and multi-enzymatic activity make CeO2 nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) the most promising active component of the next generation of theranostic drugs. When doped with gadolinium ions, CeO2 NPs constitute a new type of contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging, possessing improved biocatalytic properties and a high level of biocompatibility. The present study is focused on an in-depth analysis of the enzyme-like properties of gadolinium-doped CeO2 NPs (CeO2:Gd NPs) and their antioxidant activity against superoxide anion radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and alkylperoxyl radicals. Using an anion-exchange method, CeO2:Gd NPs (~5 nm) with various Gd-doping levels (10 mol.% or 20 mol.%) were synthesized. The radical-scavenging properties and biomimetic activities (namely SOD- and peroxidase-like activities) of CeO2:Gd NPs were assessed using a chemiluminescent method with selective chemical probes: luminol, lucigenin, and L-012 (a highly sensitive luminol analogue). In particular, gadolinium doping has been shown to enhance the radical-scavenging properties of CeO2 NPs. Unexpectedly, both bare CeO2 NPs and CeO2:Gd NPs did not exhibit SOD-like activity, acting as pro-oxidants and contributing to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Gadolinium doping caused an increase in the pro-oxidant properties of nanoscale CeO2. At the same time, CeO2:Gd NPs did not significantly inhibit the intrinsic activity of the natural enzyme superoxide dismutase, and CeO2:Gd NPs conjugated with SOD demonstrated SOD-like activity. In contrast to SOD-like properties, peroxidase-like activity was observed for both bare CeO2 NPs and CeO2:Gd NPs. This type of enzyme-like activity was found to be pH-dependent. In a neutral medium (pH = 7.4), nanoscale CeO2 acted as a prooxidant enzyme (peroxidase), while in an alkaline medium (pH = 8.6), it lost its catalytic properties; thus, it cannot be regarded as a nanozyme. Both gadolinium doping and conjugation with a natural enzyme were shown to modulate the interaction of CeO2 NPs with the key components of redox homeostasis.

A simple chemiluminescent method for the quantification of exosomes based on horseradish peroxidase adsorbed on two-dimensional nanomaterials

The development of simple methods for the isolation and quantification of exosomes in biological samples is important. By using the typical two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, graphene oxide (GO), the present work first studied the interaction of liposomes with the nanocomposites formed by adsorbing HRP on the GO surface and found the presence of liposomes led to the release of HRP from the GO surface to the solution phase triggering the luminol-H2O2 chemiluminescence (CL) reaction to emit light. Benefiting from the similarity of exosomes to liposomes in both composition and morphology aspects, the GO-HRP nanocomposites with a mass ratio of 120:1 and 160:1 were employed for the quantitative detection of exosomes in 100-fold diluted serum samples. The whole detection process took about 15 min and as low as 3.2 × 102 particles μL−1 of exosomes could be sensitively detected. In addition to GO-HRP nanocomposites, the CL responses of other nanocomposites obtained from adsorbing HRP on other 2D nanomaterials such as layered MoS2 for exosomes were also tested. MoS2-HRP exhibited similar behavior and the LODs for the detection of exosomes were 5.8 × 102 particles μL−1. The proposed assays were a biomarker-independent quantitative method that achieved the quantification of exosomes in serum samples directly without an isolation process.

Candidate reference measurement procedure for serum 17‐hydroxyprogesterone quantification via isotope dilution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

AbstractBackgroundAccurate quantification of 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OHP) in serum is vital for clinical and research applications. However, inter‐laboratory variability in test results exists owing to the lack of a standardized reference measurement procedure (RMP). Therefore, in this study, we developed a highly accurate, cost‐effective, and user‐friendly candidate RMP (cRMP) for analyzing 17‐OHP in serum.MethodsWe quantified 17‐OHP in serum using a one‐step liquid–liquid extraction method with the addition of 17‐OHP‐13C3, followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The ability of these methods to suppress interference was evaluated by chromatographic analysis. We assessed accuracy, specificity, the lower limit of quantitation, linearity, and matrix effects by following the standards specified by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The consistency between the developed cRMP and the chemiluminescence method was evaluated through experiments with 120 clinical samples.ResultsThe developed cRMP required only 8 min for accurate quantification of serum 17‐OHP without bias from matrix effects or interference from 19 metabolites added as potential interferents. The method exhibited favorable measurement performance, with a quantitation limit of 0.086 ng/mL, linear range of 0.1–400 ng/mL, a total imprecision of ≤2.90%, spike recovery of 100.1%–100.6%, and relative deviations from assigned target values (RfB Institution) of −2.91% to 1.10%. The cRMP demonstrated good consistency with the conventional assay (chemiluminescence method), with a correlation coefficient R of 0.96977.ConclusionA cRMP with high accuracy, cost‐effectiveness, and convenient operation was developed for quantifying 17‐OHP in serum. Its simplicity and robust performance make it an invaluable addition to the arsenal of analytical tools available for laboratories. This method can enhance the accuracy and reliability of 17‐OHP measurements across various laboratories.

Phytochemical Profiling and Therapeutic Potential of Ficus benjamina L.: Insights into Anticancer and Anti-inflammatory Activities

Background: Ficus benjamina L., commonly known as the weeping fig, is a plant traditionally used for various medicinal purposes, particularly in Southeast Asia. Despite its widespread use, there is a scarcity of scientific data validating its therapeutic properties, especially its anti-inflammatory and anticancer potentials. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile of Ficus benjamina L. and to evaluate its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities to provide a scientific basis for its traditional uses. Methods: The plant materials were collected and subjected to extraction using methanol and dichloromethane. The extracts were analyzed for primary and secondary metabolites. The anticancer activity was tested using the MTT assay on HeLa cells, and anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using a luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence method. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25, focusing on inferential statistics to compare the bioactivity of the extracts against standard drugs. Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins. The dichloromethane extract showed significant anti-inflammatory activity with 58.6% inhibition at a concentration of 50 µg/ml and an IC50 of 8.966±1.03. The methanol extract exhibited minimal anticancer activity with an 8.3% inhibition rate at 30 µg/ml, suggesting low efficacy against HeLa cells compared to the standard drug, Doxorubicin, which showed a 101.2% inhibition. Conclusion: The study confirms that Ficus benjamina L. contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory benefits and limited anticancer activity. These findings support the traditional use of the plant in treating inflammatory conditions and highlight the need for further research to optimize extraction techniques and expand biological testing.

Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with Advanced Liver Fibrosis and Impaired Fasting Glucose in Alcohol Use Disorder.

Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for liver disease, insulin resistance, and beta cell dysfunction. Individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) have many comorbidities, with a heavy burden of liver disease and metabolic complications, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to analyze the prevalence and associations of vitamin D deficiency in patients admitted for in-hospital treatment of AUD. A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients consecutively admitted for the treatment of AUD between January 2017 and October 2023. Sociodemographic data, substance use characteristics, and blood parameters were available at admission. Vitamin D status was assessed through the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels using a direct competitive chemiluminescent immunoassay method. Deficiency of vitamin D was defined as a concentration less than 20 ng/mL; impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was defined by fasting blood glucose >100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), and advanced liver fibrosis by an FIB-4 index >3.25. Two hundred and forty-three patients were included (75% male) with a mean age of 49 ± 10 years, mean BMI of 26.4 ± 7.3, mean alcohol consumption of 163 ± 81 g/day, and a mean duration of AUD of 18.1 ± 11.2 years. Mean 25(OH)D, fasting blood glucose, AST, ALT, and platelets were 14.4 ± 10.2 ng/mL, 103.4 ± 40.9 mg/dL, 55.1 ± 75.8 U/L, 44.8 ± 76.6 U/L, and 206.3 ± 84.8 × 109/L, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 80.6%, and 41.1% of patients had levels less than 10 ng/mL. IFG was present in 32.3% of patients, and 20.5% had FIB-4 values >3.25. In the multivariable analysis, IFG (OR, 2.51; 95% CI: 1.02-6.17, p = 0.04) and advanced liver fibrosis (OR, 4.27; 95% CI: 1.21-15.0, p = 0.02) were the only factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was very prevalent in this series of patients with AUD and was associated with impaired fasting glucose and advanced liver fibrosis.

RENAL DYSFUNCTION IN PRETERM INFANTS WITH PERINATAL PATHOLOGY: RISK FACTORS, SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF LABORATORY MARKERS OF DAMAGE

RENAL DYSFUNCTION IN PRETERM INFANTS WITH PERINATAL PATHOLOGY: RISK FACTORS, SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF LABORATORY MARKERS OF DAMAGE

Assessment of omeprazole and famotidine effects on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in patients following kidney transplant-randomized controlled trial.

Tacrolimus is metabolized in the liver with the participation of the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 enzymes. Proton pump inhibitors are used in kidney transplant patients to prevent duodenal and gastric ulcer disease due to glucocorticoids. Omeprazole, unlike famotidine, is a substrate and inhibitor of the enzymes CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP3A5. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of omeprazole and famotidine on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus. A randomized, non-blinded study involving 22 stabilized adult kidney transplant patients was conducted. Patients received the standard triple immunosuppression regimen and omeprazole 20mg (n = 10) or famotidine 20mg (n = 12). The study material consisted of blood samples in which tacrolimus concentrations were determined using the Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay method. A single administration of omeprazole increased tacrolimus concentrations at 2h (day 2) = 11.90 ± 1.59ng/mL vs. 2h (day 1 - no omeprazole administration) = 9.40 ± 0.79ng/mL (p = 0.0443). AUC0-6 amounted to 63.07 ± 19.46ng × h/mL (day 2) vs. 54.23 ± 10.48ng × h/mL (day 1), (p = 0.0295). AUC2-6 amounted to 44.32 ± 11.51ng × h/mL (day 2) vs. 38.68 ± 7.70ng × h/mL (day 1), (p = 0.0130). Conversely, no significant changes in values of pharmacokinetic parameters were observed for famotidine. Omeprazole significantly increases blood exposure of tacrolimus. The administration of famotidine instead of omeprazole seems safer for patients following kidney transplantation. Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05061303.