Hepatoprotective effect of Holothuria leucospilota methanolic extract on dimethyl nitrosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Background:Complementary medicine is an interesting field for extracting bio-active compounds from various plant and animal sources.The hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic extract of a species of sea cucumber called Holothuria leu-cospilota in an animal model of liver cancer caused by dimethyl nitrosamine(DMN)was studied.Methods:Wistar female rats were randomly divided into five groups(n=12):control(intact),positive control(received 1%DMN[10 mg/kg/week,intraperitoneally]for 12 weeks),and three treatment groups(received 50,100,and 200 mg/kg/day H.leu-cospilota extract orally for 12 weeks along with intraperitoneal administration of 1%DMN[10 mg/kg/week]).In all groups,ultrasound was performed on the liver every week to check its density.Blood sampling and liver isolation were performed on three occasions,at 4,8,and 12 weeks,to check liver enzymes and the histopathological condition of the liver tissue(every week,four animals from each group were randomly selected).Results:Liver density changes were evident from the eighth week onward in the positive control group.Histopathological results indicated pathologic changes in the positive control group after 4 weeks.The increase in liver enzymes in the posi-tive control group was significantly different from that in the treatment and control groups.Conclusions:We demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect of H.leucospilota on DMN-induced liver damage in rats using biochemical and histological parameters and ultrasonography.More additional research(in silico or in vitro)is needed to find the exact mechanism and the main biological compound in H.leucospilota.

Analysis of the constitution and health of medical students from different nationalities in Korla, Xinjiang, China

Objective: To better understand nutritional and health status of students from different nationalities, we analyzed the nutritional status and athletic ability of Uygur, Hui, Mongolian and Han nationality among medical students in Bazhou Health School in Korla, Xinjiang, China. Methods: Using stratified cluster sampling, 1644 students from 47 classes in the 2014 and 2015 grades were selected as the study objects from Bazhou Health School, and 1644 students were measured for anthropometry and exercise capacity. Anthropometric measurements were carried out by qualified surveyors in accordance with GB/T 5703-1999 standard. The exercise capacity is based on the test requirements of the 'Student Physical Fitness Health Standard' (revised in 2014) issued by the Ministry of Education and the State General Administration of Sport. All the data were established by Excel 2010 to a database, and the test data were re-entered into SPSS 18.0 software for statistical analysis with double check. Result: Body morphogenetic development level: There were significant differences in height, weight, waist circumference, and upper arm skinfold thickness among different nationalities. The height and weight of Uygur students were significantly higher than those of Han and Hui students;but Waist circumference of Mongolian students was significantly greater than that of Han, Hui, and Uyghur Students. Detection rate for low weight and obesity: Four national student's BMI individual scores have significant differences, but their BMI in scored an average of more than 90 points, student's body mass index is more ideal. Exercise ability: Th ere are significant differences in standing jump and seat flexion, the standing jump of Hui stud ents is higher than that of Han nationality, and the seat flexion of Mongolian nationality is high er than those of Han and Uygur students, while the standing jump and seat flexion of Han natio nality is lower than those of Hui and Mongolian students. Conclusion: There are differences in the nutrition and development status of all nationalities and they have their own characteristics. Uygur students have higher heights and weights than those of Han students;Mongolian students have thicker waistlines;while Han students have higher measurements of upper arm skinfold thickness. There are different characteristic in sports ability in all nationalities.