Correlation of Abortus Imminence Cases in the First Trimester with Biochemical Markers

Objective: In this study, we compared the biochemical markers of imminent abortion, missed abortion, and healthy pregnant women in the first trimester to see if there were any differences. Materials and Methods: The study method is prospective. Pregnant women who applied to the obstetrics clinic of Istanbul Training and Research Hospital between 01.04.22 and 31.10.22 were diagnosed with abortion imminens or missed abortion between 6 weeks and 12 weeks or had normal pregnancy follow-up, had no chronic diseases, and did not take magnesium and calcium supplements were included in the study. 20 pregnant women with missed abortion, 20 pregnant women with abortion imminens diagnosis and 20 normal pregnant women who met the criteria were included in the study. Magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and hemogram (CBC) levels were checked in pregnant women included in the study. Results: The Mg, Cu, Zn, and CBC values of the study participants’ women did not differ in a statistically significant way. When compared to pregnant women who had a normal pregnancy process, the difference in Ca value was found to be statistically substantially smaller in pregnant women who were diagnosed with abortion imminens and missed abortion. The findings of our study suggest that serum Ca levels be measured prior to conception or at the initial visit. Conclusion: Serum Ca levels were found to be significantly lower in the missed abortion group than in the abortus imminens and normal pregnant groups in our study (p 0.05).

Biochemical markers for non-invasive assessment of disease stage in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM: To evaluate different biochemical markers and their ratios in the assessment of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) stages. METHODS: This study included 112 patients with PBC who underwent a complete clinical investigation. We analyzed the correlation (Spearman's test) between ten biochemical markers and their ratios with different stages of PBC. The discriminative values were compared using areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The mean age of patients included in the study was 53.88 ± 10.59 years, including 104 females and 8 males. We found a statistically significant correlation between PBC stage and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to platelet ratio (APRI), ALT/platelet count, AST/ALT, ALT/AST and ALT/Cholesterol ratios, with the values of Spearman's rho of 0.338, 0.476, 0.404, 0.356, 0.351 and 0.325, respectively. The best sensitivity and specificity was shown for AST/ALT, with an area under ROC of 0.660. CONCLUSION: Biochemical markers and their ratios do correlate with different sensitivity to and specificity of PBC disease stage. The use of biochemical markers and their ratios in clinical evaluation of PBC patients may reduce, but not eliminate, the need for liver biopsy.

Health Related Quality of Life and Biochemical Markers for Cachexia Evaluation in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome related to unintentional weight loss and to loss of muscle and fat mass. In head and neck cancer (HNC) its incidence is important and not only related to a deficient intake of food due to the impact of the disease in the vital functions. A complex disturbance in the normal metabolism of the patient promotes a persistent inflammatory state and a shifting in the metabolism balance toward a catabolic predominance affecting primarily the skeletal muscle. This leads to severe impairment of the functional, emotional and social status and quality of life of the patients that will compromise response to treatment and the disease prognosis. Understanding this deleterious syndrome and mainly identifying it in early stages of the disease is of a major importance in achieving better outcomes to head and neck cancer patients. This study pretends to identify clinical aspects related to cachexia in HNC in a clinical perspective for application on the routine clinical practice. In our study, 30 HNC patients were enrolled and evaluated in terms of nutritional values (actual and loss of weight in the past 6 months, body mass index (BMI), nutritional risk index (NRI), malnutrition universal screening tool), serum biochemical markers (albumin, total proteins, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and myostatin) and health related quality of life (HRQoL) evaluation (using European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaires (QLQ): EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-HN43). A minimum follow-up of 48 months was considered for all patients. Our results showed that NRI is a good and sensitive index to identify cachexia. This index uses two parameters, one constitutional (loss of weight) and one biochemical (level of serum albumin). According to this criterion, 16 patients were assigned to the No-cachexia group and 14 patients to the Cachexia group. Significant differences in the constitutional and nutritional values between the two groups were found: the median weight loss was 4.44 kg in the No-cachexia group and 11.29 kg in the Cachexia group, while the BMI was 21.88 and 18.33, respectively. In terms of biochemical markers, significant low values of albumin and cholesterol in the Cachexia group were encountered when compared to the No-cachexia group. Regarding the inflammatory and cachexia biomarkers studied, the results show that patients in the Cachexia group had significantly higher levels of CRP and of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and presented significantly raised levels of the myostatin. In terms of HRQoL evaluation, the scores of the EORTC QLQ-C30 revealed that all the scales and the Summary Score showed lower scores in the Cachexia group, indicating worst quality of life evaluation. The items scores were globally higher in the Cachexia group indicating more important problems related to those items in the Cachexia group. The difference encountered between the groups was significant (p < 0.001) in all considered scales but two: Dyspnoea and Constipation. Considering the EORTC QLQ-HN43 all the scales and in all single items but one (Wound Healing) the scores were higher in the Cachexia group, indicating a worst degree of problems affecting these group of patients. The difference found between the groups was significant (p < 0.001) in all scales and items but six: Dry Mouth and Sticky Saliva, Skin problems, Problems with Teeth, Trismus, Social Contact and Wound Healing. There were no significant differences in the clinical presentation of the disease between the two groups. The median survival was of 13.5 months in the Cachexia group, significantly lower when compared to the No-cachexia group (p < 0.0001), confirming the major impact of cachexia in survival and clinical outcomes in HNC patients. These results of our study show that HRQoL evaluation and serum biochemical markers are sensitive and important tools in identifying and screening cachexia in HNC patients. The methodology followed in this study correlating HRQoL with biochemical markers supports the development of clinical protocols in HNC that include cachexia evaluation. Hopefully this new approach can help to improve prognosis of the disease.

Intra-specific genetic relationship analyses of Elaeagnus angustifolia based on RP-HPLC biochemical markers

Elaeagnus angustifolia Linn. has various ecological, medicinal and economical uses. An approach was established using RP-HPLC （reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography） to classify and analyse the intra-specific genetic relationships of seventeen populations of E. angustifolia, collected from the Xinjiang areas of China. Chromatograms of alcohol-soluble proteins produced by seventeen populations of E. angustifolia, were compared. Each chromatogram of alcohol-soluble proteins came from a single seed of one wild plant only. The results showed that when using a Waters Delta Pak. C 18, 5μm particle size reversed phase column （150 mm×3.9mm）, a linear gradient of 25%-60% solvent B with flow rate of 1 ml/min and run time of 67 min, the chromatography yielded optimum separation of E. angustifolia alcohol-soluble proteins. Representative peaks in each population were chosen according to peak area and occurrence in every seed. The converted data on the elution peaks of each population were different and could be used to represent those populations. GSC （genetic similarity coefficients） of 41% to 62% showed a medium degree of genetic diversity among the populations in these eco-areas. Cluster analysis showed that the seventeen populations orE. angustifolia could be divided into six clusters at the GSC=0.535 level and indicated the general and unique biochemical markers of these clusters. We suggest that E. angustifolia distribution in these eco-areas could be classified into six variable species. RP-HPLC was shown to be a rapid, repeatable and reliable method for E. angustifolia classification and identification and for analysis of genetic diversity.

Effect of transient scrotal hyperthermia on sperm parameters, seminal plasma biochemical markers, and oxidative stress in men

In this experimental prospective study, we aimed to analyze the effect of transient scrotal hyperthermia on the male reproductive organs, from the perspective of sperm parameters, semen plasma biochemical markers, and oxidative stress, to evaluate whether different frequencies of heat exposure cause different degrees of damage to spermatogenesis. Two groups of volunteers （10 per group） received testicular warming in a 43~C water bath 10 times, for 30 min each time： group 1：10 consecutive days; group 2： once every 3 days. Sperm parameters, epididymis and accessory sex gland function, semen plasma oxidative stress and serum sex hormones were tested before treatment and in the 16-week recovery period after treatment. At last, we found an obvious reversible decrease in sperm concentration （P = 0.005 for Group 1 and P = 0.008 for Group 2 when the minimums were compared with baseline levels, the same below）, motility （P= 0.009 and 0.021, respectively）, the hypoosmotic swelling test score （P-- 0.007 and 0.008, respectively）, total acrosin activity （P = 0.018 and 0.009, respectively）, and an increase in the seminal plasma malondialdehyde concentration （P = 0.005 and 0.017, respectively）. The decrease of sperm concentration was greater for Group 2 than for Group 1 （P = 0.031）. We concluded that transient scrotal hyperthermia seriously, but reversibly, negatively affected the spermatogenesis, oxidative stress may be involved in this process. In addition, intermittent heat exposure more seriously suppresses the spermatogenesis compared to consecutive heat exposure. This may be indicative for clinical infertility etiology analysis and the design of contraceptive methods based on heat stress.

A study on interaspecific biodiversity of eight groups of silkworm （Bombyx mori） by biochemical markers

The recognition of biodiversity in different races and lines of silkworm (Bombyx mori) is very useful for breeding programs and production of high efficiency hybrids. In this study eight groups of silkworm were selected including 103, 107, Xihang 1 and 2 of Japanese origin and 104, 110, Koming 1 and 2 of Chinese origin. The activity levels of three enzymes including alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in haemolymph of fifth instar larva were measured. Moreover, the quantitative amount of total protein, cholesterol and glucose of haemolymph was evaluated.The data reveal that the activity level of measured macromolecules except for alkaline phosphatase were significantly different in all the groups. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering under UPGMA model separated line 104 from other groups. Two groups of Koming 1 and Xihang 1 had the most intergroup similarities.

Characteristics of biochemical markers in patients with pulmonary hypertension related to left heart disease

Objective To investigate the differences of biochemical markers between the patients with pulmonary hypertension related to left heart disease(PH-LHD)and LHD;to explore the sensitive biomarkers which may predict PH in LHD patients.Methods A total of 355 LHD patients admitted to our hospital from 2014-01 to

Cardiac Tolerance of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Bark of Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier (HAEBTM) in Wistar Rats

Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier is a plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various pathologies. However, Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier could present potential health effects on patients. In order to determine the possible cardiotoxic effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of the bark of Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier, (HAEBTM) forty (40) rats distributed randomly into 4 groups, including 10 animals per group (5 males and 5 females) were used. Animals in group 1 received distilled water and were used as a control group. On the other hand, groups 2, 3, 4 received oral administration a volume of the hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier corresponding to 1 mL/100g of body weight at 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, respectively. The extract was administered daily at the same time for 28 days and serum was collected once a week to evaluate cardiac biochemical markers using spectrophotometric methods using a Cobas C311 HITACHI biochemistry system. After one month of study, all rats were euthanized by overdose of ether, and the hearts of the rats were removed for gross morphological and histopathological analysis. Results were analysed using variance analysis (ANOVA) to compare outcomes as a function of doses administered and treatment times. The biochemical parameters ALT, LDH, CPK, CPKMB showed no significant change (p Terminalia mantaly showed no lesions, edema and necrosis. These results suggest that the hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia mantaly did not interfere with the functioning or alter the integrity of the heart.

Non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring the fibrogenic process in liver:A short survey

The clinical course ofchronic liver diseases is significantly dependent on the progression rate and the extent offibrosis, i.e. the non-structured replacement of necrotic parenchyma by extracellular matrix. Fibrogenesis, i.e. the development offibrosis can be regarded as an unlimited wound healing process, which is based on matrix (connective tissue) synthesis in activated hepatic stellate cells, fibroblasts (fibrocytes), hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells, which are converted to matrix-producing (myo-)fibroblasts by a process defined as epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Blood (noninvasive) biomarkers offibrogenesis and fibrosis can be divided into class and class analytes. Class biomarkers are those single tests, which are based on the pathophysiology offibrosis, whereas class biomarkers aremostly multiparametric algorithms, which have been statistically evaluated with regard to the detection and activity ofongoing fibrosis. Currently available markers fulfil the criteria ofideal clinical-chemical tests only partially, but increased understanding ofthe complex pathogenesis offibrosis offers additional ways for pathophysiologically well based serum (plasma) biomarkers. They include TGF-β-driven marker proteins, bone marrow-derived cells (fibrocytes), and cytokines, which govern proand anti-fibrotic activities. Proteomic and glycomic approaches ofserum are under investigation to set up specific protein or carbohydrate profiles in patients with liver fibrosis. These and other novel parameters will supplement or eventually replaceliver biopsy/histology, high resolution imaging analysis, and elastography for the detection and monitoring of patients at risk ofdeveloping liver fibrosis.

Glinus lotoides ethanolic extract alleviates LPS-induced anxiety and depression-like behavior by modulating antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers in rats

Objective:To explore the protective role of Glinus lotoides ethanolic extract in a depression model through modulating oxidant/antioxidant enzyme system and inflammatory status.Methods:Phytochemical constituents of Glinus lotoides ethanolic extract were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively along with HPLC.Rats were divided into six groups.The normal control and the intoxicated groups received normal saline,and the standard group received imipramine,while the remaining groups received 100,300,and 500 mg/kg Glinus lotoides ethanolic extract.All groups received treatments for 14 d.Lipopolysaccharides(LPS)were then administered i.p.(0.83 mg/kg)to all groups except the normal control group.After 24 h,anxiety and depression-like behaviors were evaluated by performing behavioral analysis(open field,tail suspension,forced swim,sucrose preference test),and determining total oxidant status,total antioxidant capacity,catalase,and biochemical parameters[malondialdehyde,glutathione,superoxide dismutase,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-alpha and interleukin(IL)-6].Results:Phytochemical studies confirmed the presence of phenols and flavonoids and HPLC analysis showed the presence of gallic acid,quercetin,chlorogenic,and caffeic acid.Total oxidant status was significantly decreased,while total antioxidant capacity was significantly increased in the Glinus lotoides ethanolic extract treated groups.Moreover,Glinus lotoides ethanolic extract diminished malondialdehyde,IL-6,and TNF-alpha levels,while increasing superoxide dismutase,catalase,and glutathione activities.Conclusions:Glinus lotoides ethanolic crude extract shows significant antidepressant activity by modulating oxidative and biochemical parameters that supports its folkloric use in traditional systems of medicine.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome-Neonate: Biochemical Parameters as Early Marker of Adverse Neurodevelopmental Outcome

Background: Pregnant women and newborns are highly susceptible to Covid-19, manifesting as multisystem inflammatory syndrome-New-born (MISC-N) in many babies born to Covid positive mothers. The relationship between Covid-19 infection during pregnancy and neonatal neurodevelopmental outcome, if any, is unclear necessitating a follow-up study in this aspect. Methods: 16 babies with MIS-N, born to symptomatic Covid antibody positive mothers were enrolled. Demographic profile, treatment details and biochemical parameters were analyzed with neurodevelopmental follow-up. Results: 25% mothers received 2 doses of Covid vaccine;50% had oligohydramnios and 75% received antenatal steroids. 87.5% were preterm of which 62.5% required surfactant with ventilator support and 75% required ionotropic support. Significant association was found between the antibody level and D-dimer levels with the ferritin and LDH levels of the baby (p 0.05);gestational age with LDH and D-dimer levels (p 0.05) and Covid antibody level of the baby vs the duration of ventilator requirement (P-value-0.0009). D-dimer values of babies were positively associated with both maternal antibody and D-dimer levels. Neurodevelopmental follow-up done at 6 months of corrected gestational age showed 37.5% were normal, 37.5% hypertonic and 25% hypotonic. HINE score was below 60 in 62.5%. Development assessment using Bayley-III showed a delay in the motor domain (62.5%), cognitive domain (56.25%) and language domain (62.5%). Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental problems occur in babies born to Covid positive mothers and should be stratified as “high risk”. Anticipatory guidance to prospective mothers for preterm care should be given. Covid antibody titre and D-dimer levels may help to predict the NICU stay, ventilator requirement and the adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in these babies.

Alterations in the Results of Biochemical Laboratory Tests Due to the Administration of Antihypertensive Drugs

Objective:Perform a literary review of the interference in the results of biochemical laboratory tests caused by antihypertensive drugs.Methods:This is a review of the scientific literature with descriptive research performed according to the PRISMA model using the databases PUBMED,SCIELO,MEDLINE,LILACS,and searches of Brazilian Ministry of Health and Federal Pharmacy Council publications,reagent kits and package inserts approved by ANVISA.Literature and papers in Portuguese and English were selected,prioritizing the years 2010 to 2020.Results:The diuretic class of antihypertensive drugs causes decreases glucose tolerance,thus resulting in an increase in triglycerides.In long-term use,the drug captopril can increase serum levels of potassium,creatine kinase and decreases blood sodium.Methyldopa causes an increase in AST levels.Propranolol is associated with an increase in triglyceride levels and a decrease in HDL and glucose levels.The constant use of losartan results in an increase in HDL,a decrease in uric acid levels and a slight and transient increase in transaminases.In the Gold Analisa,Bioclin and Labtest reagent kits,most of the alterations occur due to the increase in levels of serum biomarkers according to the class of the antihypertensive drug.Conclusions:Biochemical alterations in serum can result in false-positive or false-negative reports,since it can be observed that most of the dosages caused increases due to the physiological effect of the drugs.The antihypertensive drugs that showed the highest incidence of interference were captopril,atenolol,losartan and propranolol.

Effects of 12 weeks of back-squat training program on jump performances and bone markers in female students

Background:The training program promoted improvements of jump abilities throughout the musculoskeletal system including bone markers.The aim of this study is to examine both the acute and chronic response of bone markers to resistance training program.Methods:Ten female students(age:18±0.7 years,body mass:63±3.6 kg;height:164±5.2 cm)participated in this study.They were recruited for a back-squat training program for 12 weeks,two days/week.The full-back squat protocol consisted of 3–5 sets×3–8 repetitions at 45–55%one repetition maximum.Testing sessions included a 5 jump test(5JT),standing long jump(SLJ),drop jump(DJ),and vertical jump(VJ).Results:Substantial improvements in all testing jumps(5JT:∆10%;P=0.000;ES=1.72;SLJ:∆7%;P=0.000;ES=1.33;DJ:∆11%;P=0.000;ES=0.72;VJ:∆20%;P=0.000;ES=1.84)were found during post program in comparison to pre-program results.Moreover,a significant change(P≤0.05)of bone markers during post-exercise compared to pre-exercise either before or after the training program.Only collagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide(CICP)levels elevated after the training program(pre-exercise only)compared to former levels.Conclusion:12 weeks of back-squat training program resulted greater acute improvements of jump abilities with adaptation in all musculoskeletal system including bone formation.

Novel hepatocellular carcinoma molecules with prognostic and therapeutic potentials

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), the predominant form of primary liver cancer, is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancerrelated death. The difficulty to diagnose early cancer stages, the aggressive behaviors of HCC, and the poor effectiveness of therapeutic treatments, represent the reasons for the quite similar deaths per year and incidence number. Considering the fact that the diagnosis of HCC typically occurs in the advanced stages of the disease when the therapeutic options have only modest efficacy, the possibility to identify early diagnostic markers could be of significant benefit. So far, a large number of biomarkers have been associated to HCC progression and aggressiveness, but many of them turned out not to be of practical utility. This is the reason why active investigations are ongoing in this field. Given the huge amount of published works aimed at the identification of HCC biomarkers, in this review we mainly focused on the data published in the last year, with particular attention to the role of(1) molecular and biochemical cellular markers;(2) micro-interfering RNAs;(3) epigenetic variations; and(4) tumor stroma. It is worth mentioning that a significant number of the HCC markers described in the present review may be utilized also as targets for novel therapeutic approaches, indicating the tight relation between diagnosis and therapy. In conclusion, we believe that integrated researches among the different lines of investigation indicated above should represent the winning strategies to identify effective HCC markers and therapeutic targets.

Non-invasive investigation in patients with inflammatory joint disease

Gut inflammation can occur in 30%-60% of patients with spondyloarthropathies.However, the presence of such gut inflammation is underestimated, only 27% of patients with histological evidence of gut inflammation have intestinal symptoms, but subclinical gut inflammation is documented in two-thirds of patients with inflammatory joint disease.There are common genetic and immunological mechanisms behind concomitant inflammation in the joints and intestinal tract.A number of blood tests, e.g.erythrocyte sedimentation rate, orosomucoid, C-reactive protein, and white cell and platelet counts, are probably the most commonly used laboratory markers of inflammatory disease, however, these tests are difficult to interpret in arthropathies associated with gut inflammation, since any increases in their blood levels might be attributable to either the joint disease or to gut inflammation.Consequently, it would be useful to have a marker capable of separately identifying gut inflammation.Fecal proteins, which are indirect markers of neutrophil migration in the gut wall, and intestinal permeability, seem to be ideal for monitoring intestinal inflammation:they are easy to measure non-invasively and are specific for intestinal disease in the absence of gastrointestinal infections.Alongside the traditional markers for characterizing intestinal inflammation, there are also antibodies, in all probability generated by the immune response to microbial antigens and auto-antigens, which have proved useful in establishing the diagnosis and assessing the severity of the condition, as well as the prognosis and the risk of complications.In short, noninvasive investigations on the gut in patients with rheumatic disease may be useful in clinical practice for a preliminary assessment of patients with suspected intestinal disease.

Determination of the Activity of Acetylcholinesterase(AChE) in Pardosa astrigera and the Inhibition Effects of Pesticides on Its Activity

[ Objective ] The paper was to systemically study the characteristics of acetyl cholinesterase （ACHE） in Pardosa astrigera, and confirm the occurrence and development of its pesticide resistance and the resistance level, thereby establishing a quick and accurate detection method for enzyme activity. [ Method] The optimal conditions for assaying the activity of AChE in different parts of P. astrigera were determined by orthogonal experiment. The distribution conditions of acetyl cholinesterase （AChE） in different tissues of P. astrigera were further studied, and the sensitivities of the enzyme tO four common pesticides were also determined. [ Result] The optimal condition for assaying the activity of AChE in cephalothorax, abdomen and appendage of P. astrigera was as follows, enzyme concentrations： 12, 18 and 29 g/L; substrate concentrations： 0.6, 1.0 and 1.0 mmol/L; pH value, 7.0; reaction temperatures： 30, 35, 35℃ ; reaction time, 5 rain. AChE was mainly distributed in the cephalothorax of P. astrigera. The specific activity of AChE in the extract solution with Triton X-100 was higher than that in the solution without Triton X-100. The median inhibitory concentrations （IC50） of methomyl, phoxim, betacypermethrin, chlorpyrifos against AChE in the cephalothorax of P. astrigera were 7.76 × 10^-5, 1.76×10^-4, 4.12 ×10^-4 and 4.94 ×10^-4 mol/L, respectively. [ Conclusion] AChEs in P. astrigera were membrane-bounded. The inhibition of four pesticides against AChE in the cephalothorax of P. astrigera had good dese-effect, this indicated that AChE in the cephalothorax of P. astrig- era could be used as the biochemical marker to monitor the contamination of organic phosphorus, carbamate and pyrethroid pesticides in the environment.

Research Progress on Genetic Diversity of Cultivated Soybean Germplasm Resources in China

In this paper,by analyzing the genetic diversity of cultivated soybean germplasm resources in China,the environmental and genotypic factors that affect the genetic diversity of cultivated soybean germplasm resources were explored to further expand the genetic basis of the existing germplasm resources of cultivated soybean in China. Moreover,research progress on genetic diversity of cultivated soybean in China was summarized,which not only revealed the geographical characteristics of genetic diversity of cultivated soybean in China,but also proposed direction for research of genetic diversity of soybean.

Bone Loss in Women with Type 1 Diabetes

Background: Although osteoporosis has been investigated and debated in the diabetic population over the past decades, very little is known about the spontaneous changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in pre- and postmenopausal type 1 diabetic (T1DM) women over time. Aim: To measure spontaneous changes in BMD and biochemical markers of bone turnover in pre- and postmenopausal T1DM women. Subjects: 53 T1DM women (31 premenopausal and 22 postmenopausal) from the outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study in 1993 and 35 (22 premenopausal, 13 postmenopausal) were reexamined in 1997. Method: BMD was measured at femoral neck (f.n.), spine (L2 - L4), total body and forearm with DXA or SXA in 53 T1DM women. 4 years later a re-scan was carried out on 35 T1DM. Results: In premenopausal subjects a yearly decrease less than 1% at f.n., spine, forearm and total body was observed, though only statistically significant (s.s.) at f.n., p ≤ 0.05. In postmenopausal subjects a s.s. decrease less than 2% was observed at f.n., forearm and total body, p ≤ 0.05. In general, osteopenic or osteoporotic values were observed at the measured skeletal sites. Only at f.n. a lower s.s. BMD compared to age-matched reference women was seen. Conclusion: Small or non-significant changes in BMD and biochemical markers of bone turnover were observed in pre- and postmenopausal T1DM subjects after a 4-year period.

Biotolerance Study of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier on Rat Renal Activity

Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier is one of the plants of the Combretaceae family that is widely used in traditional African medicine for its antibacterial, antifungal, and especially in the treatment of malaria. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia mantaly (HAETM) on the tissue and kidney biochemical markers of rats. Forty (40) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, assigning 10 animals within each group (5 males and 5 females per group). Animals in group 1 received distilled water and were used as the control group;on the other hand, groups 2, 3, 4 received by gavage a volume of the extract corresponding to 1 ml/100g body weight at 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, respectively. The hydroalcoholic extract was administered at the same time daily for 28 days, and blood was collected once a week to evaluate renal biochemical parameters;the kidney tissues were used to perform the histopathological study. The creatinine rate increased significantly (p Terminalia mantaly should be globally well tolerated by the body when used in doses ranging from 150 to 600 mg/kg of the body weight in animals (for this study, rats). However, further in-depth studies would be needed to get a more thorough and complete picture of the safety profile of the extract.