Single Intake Research Articles

Post Infantile Giant Cell Hepatitis (PIGCH) Induced by Habitual Therapeutic Dosing of Acetaminophen

A 36-year-old, information technology (IT) employee, presented to the National Liver Institute hospital, Menoufia University, Egypt, with jaundice and itching of 4 weeks duration. No history of herbal consumption, tobacco use or drinking habits. The benign medical and drug history of the patient has lately been intruded by daily repeated intake of acetaminophen. Admittedly, the patient used to take 4 grams of acetaminophen daily for the 6 weeks preceding the start of his illness. The patient claimed that he wanted to maintain his capacity all throughout the extended working hours. Also, he knows well the safe dosing of acetaminophen. Possibilities of supratherapeutic dosing or single toxic dose intake were adamantly denied by the patient. The patient was advised to stop acetaminophen and received nonspecific medical care without any regression of his condition.

One-time effects of drinking mineral water and tap water enriched with silver nanoparticles on the biochemical markers of liver condition and metabolic parameters in healthy rats

The objective of the present research was to study the influence of tap water enriched with silver nanoparticles (NP) as well as that of «Krasnoarmeysky» and «Essentuki №17» mineral waters after their single administration through the oral gavage to the rats on the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, the biochemical markers of the liver condition, and the endocrine profile in the healthy animals. The laboratory animals (130 male Wistar rats) were allocated to thirteen groups comprised of 10 rats each as follows: 1st group (n=10) intact animals, 2nd group (5 minutes after the administration of silver NP (n=10), 3rd group (15 minutes after the of silver NP), 4th group (60 minutes after the administration of silver NP), 5th group (n=10) (5 minutes after the introduction of the «Krasnoarmeysky» mineral water), 6th group (n=10) (15 min after the introduction of the «Krasnoarmeysky» mineral water), 7th group (n=10), (60 minutes after the introduction of the «Krasnoarmeysky» mineral water) 8th group (n=10) (5 minutes after the introduction of the «Essentuki № 17» mineral water), 9th group (n=10) (15 min after the introduction of the «Essentuki № 7» mineral water) , 10th group (n=10) (60 minutes after the introduction of the «Essentuki №17» mineral water), 11th group (n=10) (5 minutes after administration of tap water (control),12th group (n=10) (15 minutes after administration of tap water (control), and 13th (n=10) group 60 minutes after administration of tap water (control). The study has demonstrated that the tap water enriched with silver nanoparticles similar to the mineral waters caused stress reactions that are inferior to those induced by «Essentuki №17» mineral water in terms of the magnitude; however, the effect provoked by the tap water was of longer duration. Moreover, the tap water enriched with silver nanoparticles stimulates prooxidant reactions, and inhibit the activity of antioxidant protection. Silver nanoparticles appear to produce some destructive effect on the hepatocytes. The silver nanoparticles present in the tap water have a significant biological potential of their own. Moreover, their one-time action is apt to alter the biological potential of the water into which they are administered. The single intake of the tap water enriched with silver nanoparticles by the healthy laboratory animals produces the response that resembles that of the drinking mineral water.

HEMODYNAMIC AEROBIC MECHANISMS OF EXERCISE TOLERANCE INCREASE IN STABLE ANGINA PATIENTS ON ANTIANGINAL TREATMENT

Aim. To reveal possible hemodynamic aerobic mechanisms of exercise tolerance improvement in stable angina patients having taken the typical pharmacological antianginal group drugs: nitrates, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers. Material and methods. Totally, 164 stable angina male patients of II-IV functional class, participated in the study (mean age 55,2±2,1 years), who underwent doubled veloergometry before and after single intake of a mean therapeutical dosage of propranolol (PR) (n=58), isosorbidi dinitras (ID) (n=54), nifedipine (NF) (n=52). At the threshold of exercise intensity, the oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) was measured, cardiac index (CI), arteriovenous gradient by oxygen (АVРО 2 ), peripheral vascular resistance (PVS), and Robinson index (RI). Results. The efficacy of single NF dosage was found in 55,5% of angina patients, ID — in 48%, and PR — in 58%. The increase of threshold intensity was supported by an adequate VO2, which, after the PR intake was realized within analogous to the baseline CI parameters (4,6±1,7 L/min/m 2 and 4,9±1,7 L/min/m 2 ). In this case АVРО 2 was higher than baseline by 43,1% (p<0,001). Increase of exercise tolerance by the same value after the intake of NF was followed by CI increase comparing to the primary values, by 40,5% (p<0,001) and increase of RI from 157,7±39,0 units to 210,0±68,6 units (р<0,001). Value of АVРО 2 did not change. Intake of ID also was followed by significantly higher threshold values of CI and RI, however, less prominent comparing to PR (by 9,6 and 17,6%), which also were followed by 39,8% increased oxygen extraction from blood (p=0,018). Conclusion. Antianginal effect of the drugs is mediated primarily by activation of the various parts of oxygen transporting system than realizes additional oxygen transport to working tissues (muscles). Intensification of oxygen transportation might be followed by the increase of hemodynamic productivity (NF), mostly by activation of extracardiac oxygen consumption factors (PR) and combination of both (ID).

The application of different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the elimination of pain syndrome during the early postoperative period in the children following the surgical interventions on palatine tonsils

The present clinical study included 120 children at the age varying from 6 to 18 tears who had undergone radiowave tonsillotomy followed by symptomatic therapy during the early postoperative period with the application of different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. All the patients were randomly allocated to four groups each comprised of the equal number of patients. Those of group 1 were treated with ketoprofen lysine salt (КLS) in the form of a solution for oral intake in case of complaints of severe pain in the throat. The patients of group 2 received courses of ketoprofen lysine salt therapy per os thrice daily during 3 days after the surgical intervention. The patients of group 3 were given ibuprofen per os up to three times every day in case of complaints of severe pain in the throat. The patients of group 4 were treated with ketoprofen lysine salt in the form of a solution for the local application twice daily during 3 days after the surgical intervention. The results of the analysis with the use of the analog-visual scale have demonstrated that a decrease in pain intensity within 24 hours after surgery was much more pronounced in the patients of group 2 in comparison with those of the remaining three groups (р<0.05). The difference of pain intensity in the throat evaluated based on the analog-visual scale between the patients of groups 1, 3, and 4 was insignificant (p>0.05). None of the children exhibited the signs of bleeding throughout the entire observation period. It can be concluded that a course of therapy with the use of ketoprofen lysine salt for oral intake during the early period after the surgical intervention for radiowave palatine tonsillotomy has some advantages over a single intake of the analogous preparation (for alleviation of strong pain in the throat), an ibuprofen syrup or a ketoprofen lysine salt solution for throat wash.

Common SNP rs6564851 in the BCO1 Gene Affects the Circulating Levels of β-Carotene and the Daily Intake of Carotenoids in Healthy Japanese Women.

The circulating levels of β-carotene are modulated not only by sex, but also by autosomal gene variations and fruit intake. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between β-carotene metabolism-related gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; genetic factors) and nutrient intake (environmental factors) relating to their effects on circulating β-carotene. The serum concentrations of β-carotene and the habitual food intake of 92 healthy Japanese adults were examined. All subjects were genotyped for three common SNPs: rs6564851 in the β-carotene 15,15′-oxygenase 1 (BCO1) gene, rs2278986 in the scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SCARB1) gene and rs362090 in the intestine-specific homeobox (ISX) gene. Univariate analysis revealed that the circulating β-carotene levels were significantly higher in rs6564851 GG homozygotes (p = 0.003). Additionally, the daily intake of β-cryptoxanthin was positively associated with the circulating β-carotene levels in female GG homozygotes of rs6564851 (p = 0.023), and the daily intake of α- and β-carotenes, and β-cryptoxanthin was significantly lower in female rs6564851 T allele carries than in female GG homozygotes (p = 0.009, 0.008, 0.009, respectively). The present study apparently indicates that higher circulating β-carotene levels in female rs6564851 GG homozygotes depend on carotenoid intake.

Nalmefene and opioids: A contra-indication to remember

Nalmefene (NMF – SELINCRO®), a drug for alcohol withdrawal management (AWM), is both a partial agonist and an antagonist of opioids receptors. Inherent to the latter activity, NMF is contra-indicated in patients with opioid treatment. However, despite this contra-indication, cases of opioid withdrawal syndrome (OWS) in patients treated with opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) are reported [1] , [2] . We aim to report 2 additional cases. A 46 and a 34-year-old men, with a history of alcoholism and opioid dependence, had OMT with methadone since a few years and were prescribed NMF. Thirty minutes after their single first dose of NMF, they experienced nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and psychomotor excitement. First patient also had clonus, abundant sweating and anxiety. Both were transferred to the emergency department where OWS was diagnosed. They both received intravenous morphine, plus oxazepam (first patient) or a mix of benzodiazepines and neuroleptics (second patient). On the following day, first patient still presented digestive symptoms leading to hypokalaemia. A symptomatic treatment was initiated, morphine was stopped and methadone was reintroduced. He totally recovered on the 3 rd day and was discharged. The second patient was transferred into intensive care unit (ICU) as he required intubation and sedation. Two days later, morphine was stopped and methadone was reintroduced. The patient had totally recovered and was discharged two days later. Our two cases must be added to the nine other recently reported cases of OWS soon after a single first NMF intake in opioid dependent patients [1] , [2] . This condition always required hospitalization and sometimes ICU stay. No patient died. The summary of product characteristics of Selincro® has been updated in July 2015 with a clearer additional assertion to emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to be aware of their patients’ opioid consumption, especially OMT, before prescribing or delivering NMF. As co-existence of alcoholism and OMT is not rare, healthcare professionals really need to be vigilant about the contra-indication of NMF in patients under OMT.

A 3 Year-Old Male Child Ingested Approximately 750 Grams of Elemental Mercury.

The oral ingestion of elemental mercury is unlikely to cause systemic toxicity, as it is poorly absorbed through the gastrointestinal system. However, abnormal gastrointestinal function or anatomy may allow elemental mercury into the bloodstream and the peritoneal space. Systemic effects of massive oral intake of mercury have rarely been reported. In this paper, we are presenting the highest single oral intake of elemental mercury by a child aged 3 years. A Libyan boy aged 3 years ingested approximately 750 grams of elemental mercury and was still asymptomatic. The patient had no existing disease or abnormal gastrointestinal function or anatomy. The physical examination was normal. His serum mercury level was 91 µg/L (normal: <5 µg/L), and he showed no clinical manifestations. Exposure to mercury in children through different circumstances remains a likely occurrence.

Influence of Coca-Cola on early erosion and surface microhardness of human enamel: an in situ study

Assessed the effect of single dose attack of Coca-Cola on early erosion and surface microhardness of permanent human enamel, in order to provide diet instructions on minimum amount and frequency of carbonated beverage consumption. Eighty enamel slabs were prepared out of 10 extracted human mandibular third molars, and distributed into 8 groups with randomized block design(n=10). Ten generally healthy volunteers with normal saliva secretion wore acrylic palatal appliances containing 2 enamel slabs, with formation of a salivary pellicle 2 h ahead. The volunteers were instructed to drink 100 ml fresh Coca-Cola within 20 s. And then the alterations of the enamel slabs were measured using a Vicker's microhardness tester at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20 and 30 min after the consumption of Coca-Cola. For each volunteer, the experiment was carried out in four days, 2 samples were examined each time. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests(α =0.05). Significant decreases in surface microhardness(SMH)were observed in each time point(P<0.01). The percentages of surface microhardness changes on each exposure time were(12.2±3.9)%,(16.8±5.5)%,(16.7±5.6)%,(16.2±6.2)%,(16.6±9.0)%,(15.6±3.7)%,(13.8±4.8)% and(11.4±3.2)%, respectively. Significant differences were observed between G1 min and G2-8 min(P=0.029), G2-8 min and G30 min(P=0.008). Single intake of 100 ml Coca-Cola could lead to significant decrease of enamel microhardness and initiate erosion of enamel surface. Enamel surface microhardness decreased to the lowest points at 2-8 min, and began to recover after 10 min. The enamel surface microhardness could not fully recovered to the baseline level in 30 min if no intervention was performed.

A single intake of a resveratrol-arginine conjugate improves microvascular function compared to trans-resveratrol in postmenopausal women

Resveratrol supplementation has been reported to improve markers of vascular function, but poor bioavailability of the parent compound is thought to limits its use. In this study, we compared the effects of a resveratrol-arginine conjugate (ResArg) to trans-resveratrol (trans-Res), the standard form used in supplements, on measures of microvascular function 1h and 2h after intake. Postmenopausal women were assigned to consume 90mg of resveratrol as either ResArg or t-Res, in a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, at least one week apart. Microvascular function was assessed by peripheral arterial tonometry, and calculated as the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and the Framingham RHI (fRHI); at 1h, platelet reactivity, plasma resveratrol and nitrate/nitrite levels were also measured. A significant increase in fRHI was observed 1h after intake of ResArg compared to trans-Res. Significant reductions in platelet reactivity were noted 1h after ResArg intake, but not for trans-Res. Plasma resveratrol levels were increased 30 and 60min after the consumption of both ResArg and t-Res. The results suggest a more rapid and pronounced response from ResArg than trans-Res on certain markers of vascular function.

Dietary Patterns and Fractures in Postmenopausal Women: Results From the Women's Health Initiative.

Considerable efforts have been undertaken to relate single nutrients to bone health. To this point, results are inconsistent. Suboptimal single nutrient intake does not occur in isolation but rather reflects a poor diet quality. To assess the association between adherence to a diet quality index constructed on the basis of dietary recommendations or existing healthy dietary patterns and fractures in postmenopausal women. Post hoc analysis was conducted of longitudinal data from 40 clinical centers throughout the United States included in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) observational study. Participants in the prospective cohort included 93 676 women who were eligible for the WHI if they were aged 50 to 79 years. Recruitment was conducted from October 1, 1993, to December 31, 1998, with the study ending August 29, 2014. The WHI food frequency questionnaire was used to derive nutrient and food intake at baseline. Diet quality and adherence were assessed by scores on the alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED), a 9-category measure of adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern; the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010), a 100-point measure of 12 food components; the 11-item Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010); or the 8-component Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score. Outcome measures included incident total and hip fractures. Hazard ratios (HRs) by quintiles of dietary index scores were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Of the 93 676 participants, 90 014 were included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 63.6 [7.4]) years. During a median follow-up time of 15.9 years, there were 2121 cases of hip fractures and 28 718 cases of total fractures. Women scoring in the highest quintile (Q5) of the aMED index had a lower risk for hip fractures (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.97), with an absolute risk reduction of 0.29% and a number needed to treat of 342 (95% CI, 249-502). No association between the aMED score and total fractures was observed (Q5 HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.95-1.07). Higher HEI-2010 or DASH scores tended to be inversely related to hip fracture risk, but the results were nonsignificant (Q5 HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.75-1.02; and Q5 HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.75-1.06, respectively). The AHEI-2010 score was associated with neither hip nor total fractures. Higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk for hip fractures. These results support that a healthy dietary pattern may play a role in maintaining bone health in postmenopausal women.

Three 24-Hour Recalls in Comparison with One Improve the Estimates of Energy and Nutrient Intakes in an Urban Mexican Population

Background: Population surveys often collect dietary intake data by using one or two 24-h recalls (24HR), mainly to minimize cost and respondent burden. However, in order to increase accuracy in estimating usual intake distributions, a larger number of 24HRs may be advisable.Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify whether estimates of the intake and prevalence of nutrient inadequacy based on 3 d are better than those that are based on 1 d of information.Methods: We conducted a national survey in 31 cities in Mexico using a sample that included 1073 individuals of both sexes, from birth through 79 y of age. Dietary information was collected by using 3 multiple-pass 24HRs (on nonconsecutive days). We estimated intake, adequacy, and prevalence of energy and nutrient inadequacy using information from 1 d and also from 3 d, adjusted for day-to-day variability, using PC-SIDE software. The prevalence of inadequacy was estimated by using the reference values proposed by the US Institute of MedicineResults: We found high prevalences of inadequacy for fiber (73–99%), iron (31–94%), calcium (2–85%), vitamin A (0.1–61%), and folates (2–80%) among various age and sex groups. Energy intake results showed that the variance in the estimated usual 3-d intake distribution was smaller than the variance of distribution estimated from a single daily intake. We observed bigger differences in prevalence of inadequacy between 1 and 3 d for several nutrients. For example, in preschool children, the prevalence of inadequacy of folate and calcium was 30% and 43%, respectively, with 1-d recalls and 3.7% and 4.6%, respectively, with 3-d recalls.Conclusions: We conclude that the adjusting-by-variance method using 3 d of 24HR allows for a more accurate estimation of usual intake, dietary adequacy, and prevalence of inadequacy, thereby reducing the measurement error that could compromise the results and conclusions of surveys.

Dark chocolate attenuates intracellular pro-inflammatory reactivity to acute psychosocial stress in men: A randomized controlled trial

Flavanol-rich dark chocolate consumption relates to lower risk of cardiovascular mortality, but underlying mechanisms are elusive. We investigated the effect of acute dark chocolate consumption on inflammatory measures before and after stress.Healthy men, aged 20–50years, were randomly assigned to a single intake of either 50g of flavanol-rich dark chocolate (n=31) or 50g of optically identical flavanol-free placebo-chocolate (n=34). Two hours after chocolate intake, both groups underwent the 15-min Trier Social Stress Test. We measured DNA-binding-activity of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB (NF-κB-BA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as well as plasma and whole blood mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, prior to chocolate intake as well as before and several times after stress. We also repeatedly measured the flavanol epicatechin and the stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol in plasma and saliva, respectively.Compared to the placebo-chocolate-group, the dark-chocolate-group revealed a marginal increase in IL-10 mRNA prior to stress (p=0.065), and a significantly blunted stress reactivity of NF-κB-BA, IL-1β mRNA, and IL-6 mRNA (p’s⩽0.036) with higher epicatechin levels relating to lower pro-inflammatory stress reactivity (p’s⩽0.033). Stress hormone changes to stress were controlled. None of the other measures showed a significant chocolate effect (p’s⩾0.19).Our findings indicate that acute flavanol-rich dark chocolate exerts anti-inflammatory effects both by increasing mRNA expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and by attenuating the intracellular pro-inflammatory stress response. This mechanism may add to beneficial effects of dark chocolate on cardiovascular health.

The single intake of levodopa modulates implicit learning in drug naïve, de novo patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Although dopamine is known to aggravate implicit learning, the exact impact on behaviour when feedback is unavailable remains unclear. Previous studies revealed that non-rewarded learning habits are affected in long-term dopaminergic treated patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied the influence of a onetime levodopa intake on implicit learning in de novo, untreated PD patients. De novo PD patients (n=22) before and after the single intake of levodopa and control subjects (n=23) took part in a Go/NoGo paradigm. One stimulus was defined as target, which was first consistently preceded by one of three non-target stimuli (conditioning). This coupling was dissolved thereafter (deconditioning). In the 'Go version' subjects were asked to respond to the target by pressing a key, whereas in the 'NoGo version' response had to be inhibited. PD patients and controls (n=14/n=19) with an initial learning effect due to the target were included for further statistical analysis. Within the subgroup incorrect responses upon NoGo stimuli increased during the deconditioning phase. In contrast, the same patients failed to show any change after receiving 200mg of levodopa. During the Go version, no change of the overall error rate between conditioning and deconditioning was detectable over all groups. Learning behaviour in untreated PD patients and healthy controls was indistinguishable. In contrast, the same patients varied in their implicit learning after one-time intake of levodopa, when actions had to be inhibited. Hence, the single intake of levodopa appears to modulate implicit learning behaviour in de novo PD patients.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ОДНОКРАТНОГО ВВЕДЕНИЯ ЭКЗОГЕННОГО ФАКТОРА РОСТА ГЕПАТОЦИТОВ НА ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ НЕСПЕЦИФИЧЕСКОЙ РЕЗИСТЕНТНОСТИ В УСЛОВИЯХ ПОСТРЕЗЕКЦИОННОГО ПОВРЕЖДЕНИЯ ПЕЧЕНИ

HGF is one of the factors taking part in regeneration and recovery of liver after injury. The article is dedicated to the study of influence of single HGF intake on the indices of non-specific immune response in rats after 70% liver resection in the early postoperative period. Research was conducted on 42 six-months white male Wistar rats of 250–300 g. It was revealed that level of segmentonuclear neutrophils and lymphocytes in the group with HGF intake stand at normal level on the 2nd day and normalizes to the 11th day that testifies to the decrease of inflammatory response. Increased level of leukocytes and monocytes is registered in the group with HGF intake. Also integrity of non-specific resistance in the early postoperative period on the 2nd day is registered. Suppression of phagocytosis indices with preservation of functional activity of phagocytes was registered to the 11th day.

Co-ingestion of Nutritional Ergogenic Aids and High-Intensity Exercise Performance.

Many sports involve repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise. High-intensity exercise is compromised, however, by the early onset of exercise-induced fatigue. Metabolic by-products, ion dysbalance and amount of phosphocreatine are considered the main peripheral causes of fatigue during high-intensity exercise. Intake of nutritional ergogenic aids is commonplace to enhance performance of high-intensity exercise by offsetting the potential mechanisms of fatigue. Creatine, probably one of the best known nutritional aids to enhance performance of high-intensity exercise, has convincingly substantiated its ergogenic potential. Although multi-ingredient supplements are now common, the justification for effectiveness is mostly based on observations with single intake of those ingredients. In this narrative review, the main focus is on the evidence of the effect of co-ingestion of ergogenic aids on performance of high intensity exercise for which the single intake has shown beneficial effects on high-intensity performance.

Research of the Intake Valve Deactivation on Engine Performance

In this paper, the effect of the Intake Valve Deactivation (IVDA) on engine performance is investigated in detail. Based on an optimization platform with Genetic Algorithm (GA) and engine thermodynamic model, the characteristics of the engine volumetric efficiency and pumping loss were studied under the cam-drive, Single Intake Valve (SIV) and Dual Intake Valves (DIV) operating modes, and the effect of the IVDA on the engine fuel economy was revealed with taking the power consumption of the Electromagnetic Actuated Valvetrain (EAVT) system into consideration. Then, switch rules for the SIV and DIV mode was proposed, and the switching boundary conditions between them were confirmed. Finally, the optimal intake valve close timings for the EAVT system were obtained. Results show that, under the low speed conditions, the SIV mode has little influence on the engine volumetric efficiency, while within the high speed conditions the effect of the IVDA on the volumetric efficiency is significant; compared with the traditional cam-drive valvetrain, the pumping loss of the EAVT engine decreases significantly and shows unique characteristics due to the use of the EIVC strategy; with the use of the IVDA scheme, the energy consumption of the EAVT system reduces, but the engine pumping loss increases in the meantime, both balance their influence on the engine fuel economy. In general, the IVDA scheme is preferred if the engine volumetric efficiency can be ensured, otherwise, the DIV mode takes priority over the SIV mode to maintain the engine power performance.

Acute and Sub-Acute Toxicity Evaluation of the Methanolic Extract of Alstonia scholaris Stem Bark.

Alstonia scholaris has been used by traditional medicine practitioners since the medieval ages for the treatment of diseases. The aim of this research was to evaluate the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of its methanolic extract. The acute toxicity test was conducted using Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The methanolic extract of Alstonia scholaris stem bark (ASME) was administrated in a single dose of 2000 mg/kg via oral gavage; and the animals were observed for any behavioral changes or mortality. In the sub-acute toxicity study, SD rats received three doses of ASME (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 28 days via oral gavage. During these 28 days of treatment, the rats were observed weekly for toxicity symptoms. Following the 28-day treatment, the rats were sacrificed for hematological, biochemical and histopathology studies. In the acute toxicity study, Alstonia scholaris was found to be non-toxic at a dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. In the sub-acute toxicity study, significant variations in body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters were observed in the experimental groups at the dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg with the death of two female rats being recorded at the highest dose (1000 mg/kg b.w.). Histopathological studies revealed slight degeneration (lesion) and centrilobular necrosis in the liver, which was most expressed in the highest-dose group. These results demonstrate that, while a single dose and short term oral intake of Alstonia scholaris bark extract caused no toxicity up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w., toxic effects manifested in the long term treatment at the highest dose (500 and 1000 mg/kg). The long-term toxic effect was found to be associated with alterations in hematological compositions and end-organ damage to the liver. Thus, prolonged use of high doses of ASME orally should be discouraged and lower doses encouraged.

The Effect of Olive Oil Addition into Oatmeal in Lowering Total Blood Cholesterol and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) in Wistar Rat

Oat contains beta-glucan fiber and olive oil contains unsaturated fatty acids which havebeen proven to decrease blood cholesterol. This research compared the effect between acombination of oatmeal and olive oil and each food as single intake in decreasing total bloodcholesterol and LDL cholesterol. We used 25 rats (Rattus norvegicus L.), divided them into fivegroups; negative control (KN), positive control (KP), olive oil group (KMZ), oatmeal group(KBG), and combination group (KMZ+KBG). The total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterollevels were measured after 14 days of induction and after 28 days of treatment. Data wereanalyzed using one way ANOVA, continued with LSD test with α = 0.05. The result showedthere were 10.85%, 8.85% and 6.60% lower in total blood cholesterol level using KMZ+KBG,KMZ and KBG respectively and 13.85%, 9.33% ,and 8.80% lower in LDL cholesterol levelusing KMZ+KBG, KMZ and KBG respectively. ANOVA test showed a significant decrease ineach treatment. LSD test showed that there was a significant difference between KMZ+KBGcompared to KBG in total blood cholesterol and LDL lowering, but did not showed significantdifference compared to KMZ.Keywords: oatmeal, olive oil, total blood cholesterol, LDL

Single frequency intake of α-linolenic acid rich phytosterol esters attenuates atherosclerosis risk factors in hamsters fed a high fat diet.

BackgroundEmerging evidence suggested phytosterol esters (PE) exhibited an advantage over naturally occurring phytosterols in reducing atherosclerosis risk factors due to improved fat solubility and compatibility. However, the effects of dietary patterns of PE on lipid-lowering activity were limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the effects of dose and frequency of α-linolenic acid rich phytosterol esters (ALA-PE) on cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism markers focused on intestinal cholesterol absorption and bioconversion of ALA in liver.MethodsDose-dependency study Male Syrian golden hamsters were fed high-fat diets (HFD) containing low, medium and high dose of ALA-PE (0.72 %, 2.13 % and 6.39 %) for 6 weeks. The high fat diet contained 89.5 % chow diet, 0.2 % cholesterol, 10 % lard and 0.3 % bile salt.Dose-frequency study Male Syrian golden hamsters were provided: (I) 0.4 mL/100 g peanut oil by gavage once a day; (II) 0.4 mL/100 g ALA-PE by gavage once a day; (III) 0.2 mL/100 g ALA-PE by gavage twice a day; (IV) 0.133 mL/100 g ALA-PE by gavage three times a day; (V) 0.1 mL/100 g ALA-PE by gavage four times a day for 6 weeks with a high-fat diet simultaneously.ResultsALA-PE dose-dependently lowered plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations with a maximal decrease of 42 %, 59 % and 73 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Compared to HFD, TC, LDL-C and TG concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in hamsters consumed HFD plus ALA-PE for 1–4 times per day but there were not remarkable differences among different consumption frequencies. No significant changes in plasma antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation levels were observed among HFD and HFD plus different doses of ALA-PE groups. The contents of hepatic α-linolenic (ALA), docosapentaenoic (DPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were dose-dependently increased in different ALA-PE groups compared to those in HFD group. The abundance of mRNA for intestinal sterol transporters Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 indicated no significant differences among all groups.ConclusionALA-PE dose-dependently improved lipid profile in hamsters fed HFD independent of intestinal ABCG5, ABCG8 and NPC1L1, accompanying by increased conversion of ALA to DPA and DHA in liver. ALA-PE manifested “once a day” lipid-lowering efficacy, highlighting a promising preventive strategy for metabolic syndrome.

Phase I Clinical Research of Jejunal Interposition in Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction II/III Proximal Gastrectomy

Objective. To investigate the feasibility and specific methods of single-tract jejunal interposition between esophagus and remnant stomach (ers-STJI) in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) II/III proximal gastrectomy. Methods. 15 AEG II/III gastric cancer (GC) patients in phase T1-3N0M0 with tumor size <5 cm were selected and they underwent proximal gastrectomy with ers-STJI from August 2013 to August 2014. Results. All of the 15 patients successfully completed GC R0 proximal gastrectomy with ers-STJI and no operative death or no significant complication occurred; one patient had anastomotic inflammatory granuloma. The digestive tract reconstruction time was 29.5 ± 5.7 min; the intraoperative blood loss was 96.7 ± 20.2 mL, and the number of lymph node dissections was 21.3 ± 3.0; the postoperative flatus time was 48.2 ± 11.9 h; the average length of hospital stay was 10.7 ± 2.3 d, and the average hospital stay cost was 60 ± 3 thousands. All of the patients were followed up for 12 months, and their postoperative single food intake, body weight, hemoglobin, and albumin were all recovered to the preoperative levels. Conclusions. The applications of ers-STJI in proximal gastrectomy were safe and feasible, and the length of jejunal interposition could be 15–25 cm.