Inflammatory status in chronic renal failure: The role of homocysteinemia and pro-inflammatory cytokines

AIM： To evaluate determinants of infammatory mark-ers in chronic renal failure patients according to the level of glomerular fltration rate. METHODS： One hundred ffty four patients （Age： 44 ± 06 years; male/female： 66/88） with chronic renal fail-ure （CRF） were divided into 6 groups according to the National Kidney Foundation （NKF） classification. They included 28 primary stage renal failure patients （CRF 1）, 28 moderate stage renal failure patients （CRF 2）,28 severe stage renal failure patients （CRF 3）, 18 end-stage renal failure patients （CRF 4）, 40 hemodialysis （HD） patients, and 12 peritoneal dialysis （PD） patients. Tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）, interleukin-1β （IL-1β）, interleukin-6 （IL-6） and C-reactive protein （CRP） were analyzed by immunosorbent assay kit （ELISA） （Cayman Chemical’s ACETM EIA kit）. Immunoassay methods were used for total homocysteine （tHcy） （fuorescence polarization immunoanalysis HPLC, PerkinEmer 200 series）, transferrin （MININEPHTM human transferin kit： ZK070.R）, ferritin （ADVIA Centaur ） and fbrinogen analysis （ACL 200）. Differences between groups were performed using SPSS 20.0 and data are expressed as the mean ± SD.RESULTS： Results showed that in comparison with CRF 1 group and other groups, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were respectively more elevated in HD （16.38 ± 5.52 pg/mL vs 0.39 ± 0.03 pg/mL, 11.05 ± 3.59 pg/mL vs 8.20 ± 0.22 pg/mL, P 〈 0.001） and PD （14.04 ± 3.40 pg/mL vs 0.39 ± 0.03 pg/mL, 10.15 ± 1.66 pg/mL vs 8.20 ± 0.22 pg/mL, P 〈 0.001）. IL-1β levels were increased in HD （9.63 ± 3.50 pg/mL vs 3.24 ± 0.10 pg/mL, P 〈 0.001） and CRF 4 （7.76 ± 0.66 pg/mL vs 3.24 ± 0.10 pg/mL, P 〈 0.001） patients than in CRF 1 and in the other groups. Plasma tHcy levels were higher in HD （32.27 ± 12.08 μmol/L） and PD （28.37 ± 4.98 μmol/L） patients compared to the other groups of CRF （P 〈 0.001）. The serum CRP level was signifcantly increased in HD （18.17 ± 6.38 mg/L） and PD （17.97 ± 4.85 mg/L） patients compared to the other groups of CRF patients （P 〈 0.001）. The plasma fbrinogen level was more elevated in HD （6.86 ± 1.06 g/L） and CRF 4 （6.05 ± 0.57 g/L） than in the other groups （ P 〈 0.001）. Furthermore; the ferritin level was higher in HD （169.90 ± 62.16 ng/mL） and PD （90.08 ± 22.09 ng/mL） pa-tients compared to the other groups of CRF （P 〈 0.001）. The serum transferrin value was signifcantly decreased especially in PD （1.78 ± 0.21 g/L） compared to the oth-er groups （P 〈 0.001）. We found a negative correlation between glomerular fltration rate （GFR）, TNF-α levels （ r = -0.75, P 〈 0.001）, and tHcy levels （ r = -0.68, P 〈 0.001）. We observed a positive correlation between GFR and transferrin levels （ r = 0.60, P 〈 0.001）. CONCLUSION： CRF was associated with elevated in-flammatory markers. The inflammation was observed at the severe stage of CRF and increases with progres-sion of renal failure.

Galactagogue Effect of <i>Euphorbia hirta</i>(Euphorbiaceae) Aqueous Leaf Extract on Milk Production in Female Wistar Rats

Background: Populations of Gontougo (C?te d’Ivoire) commonly used Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae) leaves as galactagogue to boost milk production in lactating women. Our study was carried to verify this traditional belief via evaluations of milk production, serum prolactin levels, body weight and mammary lobuloalveolar proliferation induced by the aqueous leaf extract of this medicinal plant in Wistar rats. Methods: 6 groups of 6 virgin rats and 6 groups of 6 lactating rats were used. Each lactating rat was isolated with its six pups. These groups of animals were treated orally with distilled water, Metoclopramide (Metocl 5 mg/kg) and E. hirta aqueous leaf extract (EHae 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) daily during 17 days of lactation. The indirect method which assimilates the weight gain of untreated pups to the quantity of milk produced by lactating rats was used. At the end of the treatment, histological sections of the abdominal mammary glands of lactating rats were observed. Results: EHae administration induced an increase of milk production in lactating rats. This action of EHae was stronger at the dose of 200 mg/kg. Milk production of the treated rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg was 118.14 ± 1 g. The quantity of milk produced by the control female rats was 83.83 ± 0.88 g. Compared with the control, EHae 200 mg/kg significantly increased milk production (40.92%) (P Conclusion: EHae showed a galactagogue activity illustrated by increases of milk production, PRL secretions and the development of the lobuloalveolar system of the mammary glands in treated female rats. This galactagogue property could partly justify the traditional use of this plant to boost milk production in lactating women.

Glycemic Responses of Food Formulations Based on White Rice and White Bean

The management of diabetes mellitus is based on lifestyle and dietary measures suggesting the consumption of foods with a low glycemic index. The present study was conducted in order to propose food formulas based on white rice and white beans resulting in a lower glycemic response. For this, food formulations based on these foods were first made, in particular the formulation [75% white rice + 25% white beans] and the formulation [50% rice + 50% white beans]. Then, the biochemical composition of white rice, white bean and these two formulations was determined by the usual methods. Finally, their glycemic responses over 120 minutes were studied by the FAO/ WHO 1998 method. The results showed that white rice [100% white rice] had the highest carbohydrate content (54.61%) followed respectively by the formulation [75% white rice + 25% white bean] (45.69%), the white bean [100% white bean] (29.1%) and the formulation [50% white rice + 50% white bean] (26.16%). In terms of glycemic responses, the formulation [50% white rice + 50% white beans] presented the best evolution with a lower peak (6.041 mmol/L) observed at T45min and a lower postprandial glycemia (4.872 mmol/ L) at T120min. An increase in the proportion of beans is therefore recommended as it may suggest a beneficial metabolic effect.

Psychological Distress in Moroccan Patients with Hematological Malignancies and Its Impact on Their Quality of Life

Introduction:la qualitéde vie des patients suivis pour une hémopathie maligne dépend non seulement du type de la maladie,de ses caractéristiques cliniques,biologiques et thérapeutiques,mais aussi de la santémentale du patient.L’objectif de notreétude est d’évaluer l’état psychologique des patients au diagnostic,de rechercher les facteurs associésàson altération et de préciser son impact sur la qualitéde vie des patients.Méthode:nous avons menéuneétude monocentrique transversale quiévalue la dépression,l’anxiétéet la qualitéde vie d’une population de patients atteints de syndromes lymphoprolifératifs sur une période de 22mois.Deux questionnaires ontétéutilisés au moment du diagnostic:le HADS pour rechercher la dépression et l’anxiétéet le SF12échelle pourévaluer la qualitéde vie liéeàla santé.Résultat:Les cent patients ont acceptéde répondre aux questionnaires.Ces patients sont suivis pour un lymphome malin non hodgkinien,une maladie de Hodgkin,et une leucémie lymphoïde chronique.Le sex-ratio(H/F)est de 1,08.La prévalence des symptômes anxieux est de 70%avec 95%CI(61,01%;78,99%)et des symptômes dépressifs de 76%avec 95%CI(49,4%;82,6%)des cas.En analyse univariée,le caractère féminin est associéaux symptômes anxieux(p=0,008),etàl’altération de qualitéde vie mentale(p=0,02).Alors qu’en analyse multivariée,Les symptômes anxio-dépressifs sont significativement associésàun score de qualitéde vie faible aussi bien mentale que physique.En plus les symptômes anxieux sont corrélés au sexe féminin(ORA=20,50;95%CI[1,58–264,48]);et la douleur(ORA=12,33;95%CI[1,07–141,77]).Conclusion:la recherche de comorbidités psychologiques doit faire partie du diagnostic initial de cette population vulnérable pour une meilleure qualitéde vie.

Transfatty Acids （TFAs） in Cord Blood and Cord Tissue, in France

Background： Recent studies suggest that dietary transfatty acids （TFAs） at relative high levels （i） increase the risk of coronary heart disease, （ii） inhibit the metabolism of linoleic acid and consequently increase requirement for essential fatty acids （EFAs）. The aim of this prospective study was to estimate TFAs the placental transfer of TFAs to the foetus cord blood and cord tissues in France. Material： TFAs consumption was measured in 59 mother-foetus couples. TFAs transferring across the placenta were estimated by comparative measurement （Capillary Gaz Chromatography） of TFAs in mother＇s blood lipids （n = 59）, cord blood lipids and cord tissue plasma lipids （n = 25） cord red blood tissue （n = 25） and umbilical vessels （n = 15）. Results-Discussion： TFA deposition in cord blood is 0.58% slightly lower than mother level. TFAs incorporation in total lips of cord show selectivity of transfer with lower 18：1 t in cord blood and preferential transfer of diene 18：2 tc in cord blood. There is competition between the 18：2 tc in cholesterol esters （CE） with the linolenic acid and a negative correlation in PLT of arterial tissues with the 18：2 tc and C20：4 n-6 or arachidonic acid （AA）, then there is the same competition in PE of venous tissue. But there is no effect on growth in our population of term newborn. Conclusions： Our results confirm the placental TFAs transfer, a better incorporation in the fetus CE; we demonstrated a selective transfer for the 18：2 9 trans 12 cis （18：2 tc） and a negative correlation （r = -0.76） with the linoleic acid and AA （r = 0.98）. This competition, and the presence of these TFAs in cord tissues, even at a low TFAs consumption, remind us to be a potential risk for the fetus concerning EFA metabolism and growth.

Portulaca oleracea Leaf Aqueous Lyophilized Extract Reduces Hyperglycemia and Improves Antioxidant Status of Red Blood Cells and Liver in Streptozotocin-lnduced Diabetic Wistar Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of Po （Portulaca oleracea） lyophilised aqueous extract in diabetic male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced intraperitonially by a single injection of STZ （streptozotocin） （60 mg/kg bw （body weight））. Twenty diabetic rats, weighing 263 ± 5 g, were divided into two groups fed a casein diet supplemented or not with Po extract （1 g/kg bw）, for four weeks. Control group （n = 6） received 0.23-0.25 mL of citrate buffer and was fed a standard diet during the experiment. The study was carried out at Oran University, Algeria and the entire experiments lasted from September 2011 to July 2012. Blood was obtained from the abdominal aorta of rats after fasting overnight and standard methods were used for the extraction of spices, determination of glycemia, insulinemia, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes activities. Portulaca oleracea treated compared to untreated rats, glycemia and HbAIc values were respectively 2.8- and 1.7-fold lower. TBARS （thiobarbituric acid reactive substances） concentrations were reduced in RBC （red blood cells） （-54%） and plasma （-65%）. Moreover, in liver and kidney, TBARS values were respectively 1.8- and 2-fold lower. SOD （superoxide dismutase） and GSH-Px （glutathione peroxidase） activities were increased respectively by ＋38% and ＋85%, in liver. GSSG-Red （glutathione reductase） activity was 1.9-fold higher in kidney, while CAT （catalase） was improved in kidney （＋48%）. In RBCs, SOD, GSH-Px, GSSH-Red and CAT activities were increased by 31%, 42%, 56% and ＋50%, respectively. These data have cast a new light on the actions of Portulaca oleracea and its antioxidant potential benefits in preventing diabetes and its complications.

Manufacturing Technique and Nutritive Value of Soumbara (Parkia biglobosa Seeds) and Dark Seed of Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire)

Soumbara is produced in an artisanal way. This product has a relatively strong odor that is not appreciated by some consumers in C&#244;te d'Ivoire. From surveys of women and consumers, the manufacturing technique and the motivations for consumption of soumbara were revealed. For the chemical composition, the average water content is 13.33 ± 1.52 g/100 g MF, the average value of the ash content is 4 ± 0 g/100 g MS. The total protein and lipid levels are 16.37 ± 0.71 g/100 g DM and 21.55 ± 0.46 g/100 g DM respectively. Total carbohydrates, starch and total sugars are respectively 44.33 ± 1.46 g/100 g DM, 39.82 ± 32 g/100 g DM and 0.08 ± 0.01 mg glucose /mL. Concerning the phytochemical composition, the total polyphenols and total flavonoids have respectively contents of 2.74 ± 0.01 mg Eq AG mL of extract, and 0.82 ± 0.01 mg Eq Quer/mL of extract. The study notes that the iron and potassium contents are the most important with respectively 344.43 ± 1.20 μg/g and 174.5 ± 2.71 mg/g. The consumption survey revealed that soumbara produced in C&#244;te d’Ivoire is relatively more consumed (55.77%) than that produced in other countries (44.23%). This artisanal product is appreciated for its taste (50.97%) and its therapeutic character (37.5%) in the form of grain (68.27%), powder (23.08%) or paste (8.65%). These data show that soumbara is very rich in nutrients, polyphenols and flavonoids. These results justify the numerous uses of this ingredient, both in food and in traditional medicine.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Traditional Soaking Processes on the in Vitro Digestibility of Taro(Colocasia esculenta L.SCHOTT)Flour

A traditional process used by farmers in Chad consists in soaking slices of taro (Colocasia esculenta L. SCHOTT) in tamarind infusion, or in corn solution or in water over a 24-hour period to reduce the acridity of taro and facilitate cooking. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of traditional soaking on the in vitro digestibility of taro flour using or not using an α-amylase enzyme. The digestion without the enzyme has shown that the soaking processes improve the digestibility of taro flour (from 39.30% for the control sample to 75.11% (after tamarind infusion) and 78.67% (treatment with water) after 24 hours of soaking). Soaking over a 6-hour period and preferentially in tamarind infusion or in corn solution obtains highly digestible flour (around 95% of digestibility rate after 3 hours of enzymatic digestion).