Prevalence of Dyslipidemia among Patients Received at the Biochemistry Unit of the Charles de Gaulle Pediatric University Hospital in Ouagadougou

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease represents a major public health burden worldwide. Research and management of risk factors contribute to the prevention of these diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia in the biochemistry unit of the Charles De Gaulle Pediatric University Hospital (CHUP-CDG) in Ouagadougou. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, with retrospective data collection from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022. Patients of all ages who performed a lipid panel in the CHUP-CDG biochemistry unit during the study period have been included. Results: A total of 2872 patients have been included. The mean age of the study population was 27.72 ± 19.51 years and the M/F sex ratio was 0.81. Among the patients, 22.84% had at least one dyslipidemia. The prevalences of hypercholesterolemia, hypo-HDL cholesterolemia and hyper-LDL cholesterolemia were 11.57%, 49.19% and 57.50% respectively. Hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia were present in 9.04% and 2.08% of patients. Hypercholesterolemia was significantly more frequent in the female sex (p = 0.0077);hyper-LDL cholesterolemia (p = 0.0255) and mixed hyperlipidemia (p Conclusion: The relatively high prevalence of dyslipidemia in the study indicates a worrying situation. It would therefore appear essential to extend the search for risk factors nationwide, particularly those that can be modified, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality linked to cardiovascular disease.

Sunitinib Reduces Acute Myeloid Leukemia Clonogenic Cells in Vitro and Has Potent Inhibitory Effect on Sorted AML ALDH+ Cells

Sunitinib is an orally administered, multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and imatinib resistant gastro-intestinal tumors. Anti-leukemic activity of sunitinib has been examined in early clinical trials with limited success. However, recent trials on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients carrying FLT3 mutations have shown promising results. Effects of sunitinib on leukemic clonogenic cells and potential leukemic stem cells have not been examined so far. We analyzed the anti-proliferative and apoptotic properties of sunitinib on AML-derived cell lines. We also tested the effect of sunitinib on AML patient derived clonogenic cells (AML-CFC), as well as flow-sorted potential leukemic progenitors. Peripheral blood or bone marrow samples were obtained from newly diagnosed AML patients and flow sorted for CD34+ CD133+ or ALDH+ cells. Umbilical cord blood derived CD34+ cells were used as normal controls. Sunitinib induced growth arrest and apoptosis in AML derived cell lines. In addition, 7 μM sunitinib induced 75% reduction of AML-CFC as compared to DMSO treated control (±6.79%;n = 4). In contrast, 7 μM sunitinib treatment of umbilical cord blood derived normal CD34+ cells showed 29% reduction in AML-CFC (±6.77%;n = 5). Treatment of ALDH+ cells sorted from 2 AML cases and CD34+ CD133+ cells from one patient showed reduction of AML-CFC on treatment with sunitinib. Our study highlighted a potent anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effect of sunitinib on AML cell lines, AML patient derived clonogenic cells and potential leukemic stem cells.

Evaluation of Glutathione Peroxidase Enzymatic Activity in Seminal Plasma of Patients Treated at the Institute Pasteur in Cote d’Ivoire

Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is an antioxidant that plays an important role in the maintenance of male fertility. The aim of this study was to compare the profile of enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase in the seminal plasma of normozoosperm and those of pathological sperm. Thus, the activity of glutathione peroxidase was determined in the seminal plasma of 20 normozoosperms, 9 azoosperms and 31 oligoasthenoteratozoosperms. It was 37.58 ± 3.14 U/L in normozoosperms, 39.39 ± 2.27 U/L in oligoasthenoteratozoosperms, and 29.77 ± 2.62 U/L in azoosperms. The mean GPx enzyme activity of normozoosperms did not differ significantly from that of oligoasthenoteratozoosperms and azoosperms. In contrast, comparison of enzyme activity between abnormal sperms gave a significant difference. This study showed that glutathione peroxidase enzymatic activity is not related to sperm quality.

Response of testicular antioxidant enzymes to hexachlorocy clohexane is species specific

Aim: To find out whether the response of testicular oxidative stress parameters to hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) is species specific. Methods: In rats and mice (n=5 in each group), HCH was administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 30 days in 0.1 ml of refined groundnut oil. The control groups received equal volume of the vehicle. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last injection and various oxidative stress parameters were measured immediately. Results: The level of both endogenous as well as FeSO_4 and ascorbic acid-stimulated lipid peroxidation was increased significantly in the HCH-treated rats, whereas the pattern was just the reverse in case of mice. Although the level of H_2O_2 content increased in response to HCH in both groups, a totally different trend was observed for the activity of the principal H_2O_2-metabolising enzyme, catalase. In case of rats, a significant decline in the activity of catalase was recorded in response to HCH whereas a sharp augmentation in the enzyme activity was noticed in mice. Similarly, the decreased activity of superoxide dismutase observed in rats remained unaltered in mice. Conclusion: HCH induces oxidative stress in the testis of both rats and mice. However, the pattern of response of testicular oxidative stress parameters seems to be species specific.

Protective effects of intravenous anesthetics on kidney tissue in obstructive jaundice

AIM: To evaluate the protective effects on kidney tissue of frequently used intravenous anesthetics (ketamine, propofol, thiopental, and fentanyl) in rats with obstructive jaundice.

Clomiphene Citrate Induces ROS-Mediated Apoptosis in Mammalian Oocytes

The clomiphene citrate (CC), a nonsteroidal triphenylethylene compound, is a first line of medicine used for the induction of ovulation in anovulatory women worldwide. In spite of high ovulation induction with the use of CC, the pregnancy rate is much lower. Such a discrepancy could be due to the peripheral anti-estrogenic effect of CC, particularly at the level of ovary, endometrium and cervical mucus. CC induces ovulation by binding to the estrogen receptors and generates hypoestrogrnic state in hypothalamus leading to release of pituitary gonadotropins. CC may have a direct effect at the level of ovary but the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Animal studies suggest that the CC induces apoptosis in granulosa cells and results hypoestrogenic state in the ovary. Reduced estradiol 17β level in the ovary affects development and maturation of oocyte leading to oocyte apoptosis. Further, CC increases hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level and thereby bax protein expression and DNA fragmentation in cumulus-granulosa cells as well as in oocytes. The exogenous supplementation of either estradiol 17β or melatonin reduces H2O2 level in ovary, delays meiotic cell cycle progression in oocyte and protects oocyte apoptosis. Hence, supplementation of estradiol 17β or melatonin along with CC could be beneficial to protect granulosa cell as well as oocyte apoptosis and inhibit deterioration of oocyte quality. Thus, maintenance of oocyte quality may overcome the adverse effect caused due to CC treatment during infertility management.

Phenolic composition and inhibitory activity of Mangifera indica and Mucuna urens seeds extracts against key enzymes linked to the pathology and complications of type 2 diabetes

Objective:To investigate the phenolic compounds composition and the inhibitory activity of Mangifera indica(M.indica) and Mucuna urens(M.urens) seeds extracts against some key enzymes(-amylase,-glucosidasc and aldose reductase) implicated in the pathology and complications of type 2 diabetes in vitro.Methods:Reverse phase chromatographic quantification of the major flavonoids and phenolic acids in the seeds extracts was carried out using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection.The inhibitory activities of the seeds extracts against-amylase and-glucosidase were estimated using soluble starch and p-nitrophenylglucopyranosidc as their respective substrates.Inhibition of aldose reductase activity by the extracts was assayed using partially purified lens homogenate of normal male rat as source of enzyme;inhibition of Fe^(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation by extracts was tested in rat pancreas homogenate.Results:The chromatography result revealed that extracts of both seeds had appreciable levels of some major flavonoids and phenolic acids of pharmacological importance,including gallic acid,chlorogenic acid,caffeic acid,ellagic acid,catechin,rutin,quercitrin.quercetin and kaempferol.Extracts of both seeds effectively inhibited-amylase,-glucosidase and aldose reductase activities in a dose-dependent manner,having inhibitory preference for these enzymes in the order of aldose reductase>-glucosidase>-amylase.With lower half-maximal inhibitory concentrations(IC50)against-amylase,-glucosidase,and aldose reductase,M.indica had stronger inhibitory potency against these enzymes than M.urens.Extracts of both seeds also inhibited Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent pattern,with M.indica being more potent than M.urens.Conclusions:The results obtained provide support for a possible use of M.indica and M.urens seeds in managing hyperglycemia and preventing the complications associated with it in type 2diabetes.

Overflow phenomenon in serum lutein after supplementation:a systematic review supported with SNPs analyses

Lutein,a type of carotenoids,is found to delay the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration(AMD).Several lutein supplementation studies showed that after an initial increase,lutein serum levels demonstrated a subsequent decrease despite continuous supplementation.In this systematic literature review,this obscure phenomenon was tried to be explained.The subsequent drop in lutein levels was postulated due to down-regulation of lutein receptors scavenger receptor class B typeⅠ(SR-BI)in the gastrointestinal tract,upregulation of lutein degrading enzymeβ-carotene dioxygenase(BCDO2),or perhaps a combination of both.Some single nucleotides polymorphisms(SNPs)that could have influence on the occurrence of this phenomenon.To date,an exact scientific explanation for this phenomenon has not been established.Further research is needed to investigate this phenomenon in depth to reach an irrefutable explanation,giving that lutein is proven to be effective in delaying the onset and progression of AMD and its metabolism in the human body becomes of equal importance.

Phenolics extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit inhibits xanthine oxidase and Fe^2+-induced lipid peroxidation in the kidney,liver,and lungs tissues of rats in vitro

The phenolics composition and inhibitory activity of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extract on xanthine oxidase(XO)and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in the kidney,liver and lungs tissues of rats were evaluated in vitro.Phenolics(flavonoids and phenolic acids)were quantified using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatrography coupled with diode array detection(HPLC-DAD).The XO and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation inhibitory abilities of the extract were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods.The extract contained some flavonoids and phenolic acids,including catechin,epicatechin,rutin,quercetin,luteolin,apigenin;gallic,chlorogenic,caffeic and ellagic acids that are beneficial to health.The extract inhibited XO in the kidney,liver and lungs tissues in a dose-dependent manner.The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations(IC50)of the extract on XO from the tissues varied significantly(P<0.05),and were in the order of liver>kidney>lungs.The extract also inhibited Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent pattern,having IC50 in the order of liver>lungs>kidney.T.tetraptera fruit extract could be a promising nutraceutical for preventing and managing hyperuricaemia and the associated disease conditions,due to its ability to inhibit XO;this bioactivity is attributable to combined effect of its flavonoids and phenolic acids.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Plasmid Profiles of <i>Salmonella enterica</i>Serovars from Different Sources in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction: Salmonella enterica Serovars remains one of the leading pathogens that cause diarrhoea and bloodstream infections in developing countries. The emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella has become a serious problem globally. This study investigated the antibiotic resistance and plasmid profiles of Salmonella isolates from different sources. Methods: Seventy-three samples comprised of clinical (30), hand swab (15), food (10) and water (18) were analyzed bacteriologically. Salmonella isolates were identified and characterized by standard procedures. Isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and were further screened for plasmid DNA by standard methods. Results: A total of 27 Salmonella isolates made up of 5 (18.5%) S. typhi, 6 (22.2%) S. enteritidis, 9 (33.3) S. typhimurium, 5 (18.5%) S. cholerasuis, and 1 (3.7%) each of S.arizonae and S. vichow were obtained in this study. All the isolates developed resistance to three or more antibiotics evaluated. Four distinct resistance profiles: TetAmpCol, TetAmpColCot, TetAmpColCip and TetAmpColCotCip were recorded with 63% of the isolates exhibiting resistance profile TetAmpColCot. Specifically 23 of 27 (85.2%) of the isolates harboured plasmid DNA comprised of 12 distinct plasmid profiles of different sizes ranging from 3.2 kb to 30.2kb. Salmonella isolates of the same species from different sources differed in plasmid profile. Plasmid profile was found to show good discriminatory capability compared to antibiotics resistance profile. Conclusion: This study revealed that both resistance antibiogram and plasmid profile are still viable epidemiological tools for tracing the source of Salmonella isolates. A need for prudent use of antibiotics is suggested.

Methanol extracts of Brachystegia eurycoma and Detarium microcarpum seeds flours inhibit some key enzymes linked to the pathology and complications of type 2 diabetes in vitro

The inhibitory effect of methanol extracts of Brachystegia eurycoma and Detarium microcarpum seeds flours on some key enzymes[α-amylase,α-glucosidase and aldose reductase(AR)]linked to the pathology and complications of type 2 diabetes(T2D);and their antioxidant properties were evaluated.The antioxidant properties evaluated were DPPH•and ABTS•^+scavenging abilities,reducing power,and antioxidant phytochemicals(total phenolics,tannins,total flavonoids and total saponins).Extracts of both flours inhibitedα-amylase,α-glucosidase and AR in a dose-dependent manner.The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations(IC50)of B.eurycoma onα-amylase,α-glucosidase,AR and lipid peroxidation were lower than those of D.microcarpum,indicating that it had stronger inhibitory potency than D.microcarpum.B.eurycoma also had significantly(P<0.05)higher DPPH•and ABTS•^+scavenging abilities,and reducing power than D.microcarpum.The antioxidant phytochemicals(total phenolics,tannins,total flavonoids and total saponins)were also significantly(P<0.05)higher in B.eurycoma than D.microcarpum.The inhibitory effect of B.eurycoma and D.microcarpum extracts onα-amylase,α-glucosidase and AR activities may be attributed to the combined action of their polyphenols and total saponins,and this may be a possible mechanism of action providing support for their use in managing hyperglycemia and the complications of T2D.

Interaction of Glucose/Sucrose Binding Lectin Isolated from Nigeria Wild Bean with <i>E. coli</i>and <i>S. aureus</i>

Lectin purified from wild underutilized local bean—Otili, Feregede, Pakalai was comparatively characterized and further evaluated for interaction with gastrointestinal bacteria—Esherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The purified lectin in all the bean samples showed to be glucose and sucrose binding. The hemagglutinating activity, was non selective to type of blood group (A, B, AB and O). Anti-bacteria interaction with Escherichia coli showed clear zone of inhibition of about 1.5 ± 0.5 mm with lectin from Feregede and Otili while there was slight agglutination with lectin from Pakala. Staphylococcus aureus sensitivity to the lectin extracted from Otili with clear zone of inhibition of 2.0 ± 0.5 mm was also found in the control chloramphenicol. However there was pronounced agglutination with lectin from Feregede and Pakala with Staphylococcus auereus. This may be a clear indication that lectin from local underutilized wild bean understudy will agglutinate and interact with a gram positive bacteria more than gram negative bacteria.

Anxiety, Depression and Coronary Artery Disease among Patients Undergoing Angiography in Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran

The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is increasing in Iran. Patients with depression who have a myocardial infarction are more likely to die and patients who have depressive symptoms during hospitalization may have increased cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine the relationship between anxiety, depression and coronary artery disease among patients undergoing angiography in Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad. This was a case-control study conducted between September 2011 and August 2012 among patients undergoing coronary angiography in Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. There were 486 cases that were found to have one or more coronary stenoses, with a stenosis of equal or more than 50% of the diameter of at least one major coronary artery. The other patient group consisted of the patients in whom the coronary artery stenosis was less than 50% in diameter which was classified as angiography negative, and a control group that consisted of 440 healthy adults aged 18 years old and above who were selected among people who attended for routine medical checkup and medical examination of employment. The dependent variables were Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory scores and the independent factors were coronary artery disease, and socioeconomic profiles. Validated and reliability-tested questionnaires were used for data collection. The mean age of patients was 55.75 ± 10.64 years and in the healthy group was 55.83 ± 8.55 years;there was no significant difference in age between subject groups (p = 0.897) nor a significant difference in the gender frequency distribution of subjects (p = 0.610). There was a significant difference in anxiety score between the Angio positive and Angio negative patients and healthy control subjects

Moisture Migration and Bulk Nutrients Interaction in a Drying Food Systems: A Review

Drying is a technique that involves removal of moisture using heat energy. This heat affects the protein components in foods especially the thiosulphide groups, which causes hydrophobic bond break that has been attributed greatly to denaturation during drying. Safe moisture content (SMC) is the extent to which moisture can be withdrawn from food crops during drying that such crops can be considered safe for storage with minimal loss of nutritional qualities. Several reported minimum moisture contents, and bulk nutrients’ levels of crops were collected for the purpose of this review, and scattered plot graph was employed to determine the levels of bond interaction between moisture content and each bulk nutrients in the various dried food categories. The moisture contents in grains, root and tuber crops, fruits and vegetables, and cash crops formed a SMC threshold boundary within the 6% - 14%;0% - 10%;0% - 22%;and 0% - 30% respectively. Crude fibre and most especially the ash content played the most crucial role by providing the strongest bond interaction with migrating moisture during drying of all the food crops’ categories, and are of utmost important in the determination of SMC.

Effect of alcohol infusion ofCissus populnea root on testicular function and serum hormone of male Wistar rats

Objective:To examine the effect ofCissus populnea root on testicular function of male Wistar rats.Methods:Twenty albino male Wistar rats [(100.0 ±25.5) g] were selected into four groups randomly. The control group were administered 0.20 mL of distilled water while the other groups received 0.05 mL, 0.10 mL, and 0.20 mL/kg body weight of ethanol infusion. Oral administration was done using oropharyngeal cannula once daily for 14 days. Animals were thereafter sacrificed on day 15. Data obtained from this study were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with multiple comparisons, post-hoc Tukey HSD was subsequently used and values atP<0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results:There were significant increases in serum testosterone, testes-body weight ratio, luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, respectively, compared with those in control group. Similarly, increase in acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, protein, glycogen and cholesterol levels were more significant compared with those in control group.Conclusions:The findings of this study reveals enhanced secretions of the sex hormones and other indices at 0.05 mL/kg body weight administration ofCissus populnea root ethanol infusion. However, dosages exceeding 0.05 mL/kg body weight gradually depletes the level of reproductive indices assayed for in this current study. Therefore, caution must be taken when consuming ethanol infusion ofCissus populnea root above the dosages used in this current study.

Thyroid function profile, and its association to consumption of cassava and <i>Moringa stenopetala</i>in pregnant women

Background: Pregnancy is associated with the change in thyroid function. Thyroid function is also affected by goitrogenic substances in some plant foods, like cassava. Aim: This study aims to assess thyroid function status and its association to consumption of foods containing goitrogenic substances. Methods: A cross sectional study was done on a total of 65 pregnant women attending Sawla Health Center, South Ethiopia. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for TSH, total T4 and total T3 by using ELISA kit. Data on consumption of foods containing were obtained from food frequency questionnaire. Results: The median TSH of the first, second and third trimesters, respectively are 2.57, 1.86 and 2.42 mIU/L, which are within the reference interval (0.30-6.20 mIU/L) of the test kit. The median total T4 values (9.8, 10.0 and 10.3 μg/dl in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively) were also within the reference interval (4.8-11.6 μg/dl) of the test kits. The median total T3 in the first (2.60 ng/ml) and third (2.35 ng/ml) trimesters were elevated, but it was within the reference interval (0.69-2.02 ng/ml) in the second trimester (1.92 ng/ml). Though statistically non-significant median TSH was increased in women grouped as cassava consumers and M. stenopetala consumers while median total T4 values were decreased in these groups. Conclusion: The study subjects have normal thyroid function as the median values of TSH and total T4 were within the reference interval of the test kit. Frequent consumption of cassava and Moringa stenopetala may affect thyroid function.

The -250G>A polymorphism in the hepatic lipase gene promoter influences plasma lipid profile and lipoprotein ratio in patients with ischemic stroke

Objective:To evaluate the influence of–250G>A(rs2070895)polymorphism in hepatic lipase gene(LIPC)promoter on plasma lipid parameters of ischemic stroke patients.Methods:A total of 100 stroke patients and 100 control subjects matched for sex(59 men and 41 women)and age were selected.Hepatic lipase activity and lipid profiles were measured while lipoprotein ratios were calculated.Genotyping of the–250G>A promoter polymorphism of the LIPC was performed by the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism method combined with 2%gel electrophoresis and then confirmed by direct sequencing.The LIPC promoter gene sequencing data were compared with refseqNG011465.1 LIPC from GenBank.Results:The frequencies of GG,GA and AA genotypes of LIPC rs2070895 polymorphism were 39%,45%and 16%for the control,10%,37%and 53%for the stroke subjects(P<0.0001),respectively.The frequencies of G and A alleles were 61.5%and 38.5%for the control,and 28.5%and 71.5%for the stroke subjects(P<0.0001).Our study shows that the mutant allele of the LIPC promoter was associated with dyslipidemia,lower hepatic lipase activity,and this variation contributed to the increased defective plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),HDL2-C and HDL3-C concentration for both subjects.The control subjects had 6 single nucleotide polymorphism and 6 amino acid substitutions while the stroke subjects had 32 single nucleotide polymorphism and 20 amino acid substitutions.Conclusions:LIPC–250G>A polymorphism can influence plasma lipid profiles and lipoprotein ratios in patients with ischemic stroke.

Exposure to a 2.5 GHz Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Field Alters Hematological Profiles, Biochemical Parameters, and Induces Oxidative Stress in Male Albino Rats

Modern technology has witnessed milestone achievements in the telecommunication industry.However,the widespread application of telecommunication technology is believed to heighten electromagnetic field(EMF)‘pollution’in our environment[1]and subject living organisms to various sources of electromagnetic emissions.These emissions include;microwaves.

Phosphate-activated glutaminase activity is enhanced in brain, intestine and kidneys of rats following portacaval anastomosis

AIM： To assess whether portacaval anastomosis （PCA） in rats affects the protein expression and/or activity of glutaminase in kidneys, intestines and in three brain areas of cortex, basal ganglia and cerebellum and to explain the neurological alterations found in hepatic encephalopathy （HE）. METHODS： Sixteen male Wistar rats weighing 250-350 g were grouped into sham-operation control （n=8） or portacaval shunt （n = 8）. Twenty-eight days after the procedure, the animals were sacrificed. The duodenum, kidney and brain were removed, homogenised and mitochondria were isolated. Ammonia was measured in brain and blood. Phosphate-activated glutaminase （PAG） activity was determined by measuring ammonia production following incubation for one hour at 37 ℃ with O-phthalaldehyde （OPA） and specific activity expressed in units per gram of protein （pkat/g of protein）. Protein expression was measured by immunoblotting. RESULTS： Duodenal and kidney PAG activities together with protein content were significantly higher in PCA group than in control or sham-operated rats （duodenum PAG activity was 976.95±268.87μkat/g of protein in PCA rats vs 429.19±126.92.μkat/g of protein in shamoperated rats; kidneys PAG activity was 1259.18±228.79 μkat/g protein in PCA rats vs 669.67±400.8 μkat/g of protein in controls, P〈0.05; duodenal protein content： 173% in PCA vs sham-operated rats; in kidneys the content of protein was 152% in PCA vs sham-operated rats）. PAG activity and protein expression in PCA rats were higher in cortex and basal ganglia than those in shamoperated rats （cortex： 6646.6 ±1870.4 μkat/g of protein vs 3573.8± 2037.4 μkat/g of protein in control rats, P〈 0.01; basal ganglia, PAG activity was 3657.3± 1469.6 μkat/g of protein in PCA rats vs 2271.2±384 μkat/g of protein in sham operated rats, P〈0.05; In the cerebellum, the PAG activity was 2471.6±701.4 μkat/g of protein vs 1452.9 ±567.8 μkat/g of protein in the PCA and sham rats, respectively, P〈0.05; content of protein： cerebral cortex： 162% ±40% vs 100% ± 26%, P〈 0.009; and basal ganglia： 140% ±39% vs 100% ±14%, P〈0.05; but not in cerebellum： 100% ±25% vs 100% ± 16%, P= ns）. CONCLUSION： Increased PAG activity in kidney and duodenum could contribute significantly to the hyperammonaemia in PCA rats, animal model of encephalopathy. PAG is increased in non-synaptic mitochondria from the cortex and basal ganglia and could be implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. Therefore, PAG could be a possible target for the treatment of HE or liver dysfunction.

A Decreased Expression and Functionality of Muscarinic Cholinergic Receptor in Acute Chagas Myocarditis

Background: Chagas disease is still a public health problem because of the remaining high prevalence, the expansion of the disease into developed countries and the re-emergences by oral transmission outbreaks. Chagas cardiomyopathy evolves as a consequence of an autonomic un-balance where the parasympathetic tone is undermined. Objective: To determine the functionality and expression of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in acute Chagas disease. Methodology: 62 male, 3-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were assayed;32 were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi trypo-mastigotes and 30 were healthy controls. Electrocardiographic studies were conducted in the absence or presence of direct muscarinic (oxotremorine and McN-A-343) or indirect agonists (phenylephrine) or antagonist (pirenzepine). Muscarinic M1 and M2 receptor expression was determined by radioligand [3H]-QNB binding assay and immunoblot. Results: Chagasic acute myocarditis was sustained by electrocardiographic signs and histopathological findings. Bradycardia induced by oxotremorine was significantly higher in healthy rats (HR) and the differences were enhanced by CsCl. In the absence of the agonist, CsCl induced a greater bradycardia in chagasic rats (ChR). In HR McN-A-343 induced tachycardia, however it induces bradycardia in the presence of a acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (neostigmine);no effects were observed in ChR. Pirenzepine induced a higher tachycardia in HR. Phenylephrine in the presence of pirenzepine induced a similar bradycardia in both groups, but recovery was faster in ChR. Muscarinic M1 and M2 receptor density was higher in HR. Conclusion: Muscarinic receptor expression and functionality are decreased in the acute Chagas disease that could impact the evolution and prognosis of the disease.