METHODS: Young healthy volunteers of either sex aged between 19-24 years, participated in the sessions using URNB/ULNB (n = 52) and FURNB/FULNB (n = 28). The nostril dominance was calculated from signals recorded on the PowerLab equipment, representing pressure changes at the end of the nostrils during respiration. The IOP was measured with Tono-Pen. The subjects were divided into 4 groups viz. right nostril dominant (RND), left nostril dominant (LND), transitional right nostril dominant (TRND) and transitional left nostril dominant (TLND) groups. The IOP data 'before and after' URNB/ULNB or FURNB/FULNB were compared by using paired t-test. The baseline data of IOP between the groups were analysed by using independent samples t-test.
RESULTS: The URNB decreased the IOP in the LND and TLND (p < 0.01) and also in the RND (p < 0.05) groups but not significantly in the TRND group. The ULNB decreased the IOP in the RND group (p < 0.01) only. The FURNB significantly reduced the IOP (p < 0.05) only in the LND and RND groups. The FULNB decreased the IOP but not significantly. The baseline IOP did not differ significantly between the LND, RND, TLND and TRND groups.
CONCLUSION: The URNB/FURNB reduced the IOP, while ULNB/FULNB failed to increase the IOP significantly. It is suggested that the lowering of IOP by URNB indicated sympathetic stimulation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: BM was isolated from C. arborescens. Gastric acid output, ulcer index, gross evaluation, mucus production, histological evaluation using hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistochemical localization for heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and Bax proteins were investigated. Possible involvement of reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, prostaglandin E2, antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes, radical scavenging, nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds, and anti-Helicobacter pylori were investigated.
RESULTS: BM showed antisecretory activity against the pylorus ligature model. The pretreatment with BM protect gastric mucosa from ethanol damaging effect as seen by the improved gross and histological appearance. BM significantly reduced the ulcer area formation, the submucosal edema, and the leukocytes infiltration compared to the ulcer control. The compound showed intense periodic acid-Schiff staining to the gastric mucus layer and marked amount of alcian blue binding to free gastric mucus. BM significantly increased the gastric homogenate content of prostaglandin E2 glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds. The compound inhibited the lipid peroxidation revealed by the reduced gastric content of malondialdehyde. Moreover, BM upregulate HSP70 expression and downregulate Bax expression. Furthermore, the compound showed interesting anti-H. pylori activity.
CONCLUSION: Thus, it could be concluded that BM possesses gastroprotective activity, which could be attributed to the antisecretory, mucus production, antioxidant, HSP70, antiapoptotic, and anti-H. pylori mechanisms.
AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of zerumbone, the main bioactive compound of Zingiber zerumbet rhizome, against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were pre-treated with zerumbone and subsequently exposed to acute gastric ulcer induced by absolute ethanol administration. Following treatment, gastric juice acidity, ulcer index, mucus content, histological analysis (HE and PAS), immunohistochemical localization for HSP-70, prostaglandin E2 synthesis (PGE2), non-protein sulfhydryl gastric content (NP-SH), reduced glutathione level (GSH), and malondialdehyde level (MDA) were evaluated in ethanol-induced ulcer in vivo. Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and anti-H. pylori activity were investigated in vitro.
RESULTS: The results showed that the intragastric administration of zerumbone protected the gastric mucosa from the aggressive effect of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer, coincided with reduced submucosal edema and leukocyte infiltration. This observed gastroprotective effect of zerumbone was accompanied with a significant (p <0.05) effect of the compound to restore the lowered NP-SH and GSH levels, and to reduce the elevated MDA level into the gastric homogenate. Moreover, the compound induced HSP-70 up-regulation into the gastric tissue. Furthermore, zerumbone significantly (p <0.05) enhanced mucus production, showed intense PAS stain and maintained PG content near to the normal level. The compound exhibited antisecretory activity and an interesting minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against H. pylori strain.
CONCLUSION: The results of the present study revealed that zerumbone promotes ulcer protection, which might be attributed to the maintenance of mucus integrity, antioxidant activity, and HSP-70 induction. Zerumbone also exhibited antibacterial action against H. pylori.
METHODS: We systematically searched Pubmed for population-based studies of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ESKD epidemiology and management. Population-level data from 23 pre-designated nations were eligible for inclusion if they pertained to people receiving dialysis or kidney transplant for ESKD. When available, government websites were utilized to identify and extract data from relevant kidney registries . Measures gathered included those related to the prevalence and mortality of ESKD; the availability of nephrologists; per capita healthcare expenditures; and use of erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs).
RESULTS: We obtained data from the United States (US), 7 nations in Eastern Europe, 4 each in Western Europe, Latin America, and Africa, and 3 in Asia. Documented prevalence of ESKD per million population varied from a high of 3,600 (Malaysia) to a low of 67 (Senegal). Annual mortality associated with ESKD varied from 31% (Ethiopia and Senegal) to 10% (UK). Nephrologist availability per million population varied from 40 (Japan) to <1 (South Africa) and was associated with per capita healthcare expenditures.
CONCLUSIONS: The delivery of kidney care related to ESKD varies widely among countries. Higher per capita healthcare spending is associated with increased delivery of kidney care. However, in part because documentation of kidney disease varies widely, it is difficult to determine how outcomes related to ESKD may vary across nations.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Five groups of rats: normal control, cancer control, TPHE low dose, TPHE high dose and positive control (tamoxifen) were used for the in vivo study. Histopathological examination showed that TPHE significantly suppressed the carcinogenic effect of LA7 tumour cells. The tumour sections from TPHE-treated rats demonstrated significantly reduced expression of Ki67 and PCNA compared to the cancer control group. Using a bioassay-guided approach, the cytotoxic compound of TPHE was identified as a tricyclic sesquiterpene lactone, namely, 8β- hydroxyl- 4β, 15- dihydrozaluzanin C (HDZC). Signs of early and late apoptosis were observed in MCF7 cells treated with HDZC and were attributed to the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway based on the up-regulation of Bax and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. HDZC induced cell cycle arrest in MCF7 cells and increased the expression of p21 and p27 at the mRNA and protein levels.
CONCLUSION: This results of this study substantiate the anticancer effect of TPHE and highlight the involvement of HDZC as one of the contributing compounds that act by initiating mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis.