jpans
Editor’s Choice : In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Isostichopus badionotus, a Sea Cucumber from Yucatan Peninsula Coast
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Abstract: The in vitro cytotoxic activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol extracts of the sea-cucumber Isostichopus badionotus (Holothuroidea) was tested against normal cells (Vero), human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7 andMDA-MB-231) ATCC cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.Hexane extracts from body walls and viscera showed high cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells (IC50’s = 48.5 and 42.5 µg mL-1, respectively), while the ethyl acetate extract of body walls was considered low active (IC50 = 98.3μg mL-1). In addition, the body walls hexane extract showed a good selectivity index value of 12.0. Keywords: Holothurian, organic extracts, selectivity index, HeLa cells.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Association between Visceral Fat and Body Mass Index in Patients with Cirrhosis
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Abstract: Obesity has recently become a critical problem in patients with cirrhosis in Japan; however, its true prevalence and prognosis remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated abdominal fat areas, including subcutaneous and visceral fat areas (VFA), in 49 cirrhotic patients and analyzed the association between VFA and body mass index (BMI). Fat areas were examined by computed tomography. Patients were classified as somatometric obesity and visceral obesity based on their BMI (cut-off value: 25 kg/m2) and VFA (cut-off value: 100 cm2), respectively. The mean BMI was 23.5±3.3 kg/m2 (<25 kg/m2, 35 cases; ≥25 kg/m2, 14 cases) and mean VFA was 108.5±118.8 cm2 (<100 cm2, 25 cases; ≥100 cm2, 24 cases). Thirteen out of 14 patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 had a VFA ≥100 cm2, and 11 of 35 patients with BMI <25 kg/m2 had a VFA ≥100 cm2. Thus, almost half of the cirrhotic patients in this study had visceral obesity, including a high proportion of patients with BMI <25 kg/m2. These results suggest that visceral obesity, as well as BMI, should be considered in patients with cirrhosis, and individual nutritive management regimes should be designed according to the results. Keywords: Liver cirrhosis, abdominal fat, visceral obesity, chronic hepatitis, malnutrition, overnourishment.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Evaluation of Supplementation of Bittergourd Fermented Beverage to Diabetic Subjects
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Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine diseased condition reflected by higher level of blood glucose which is due to less insulin production, insulin action or both. Bittergourd juice consumption is being traditionally practiced for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in developing country such as India, but not supported through clinical data and highly bitter juice is difficult to drink. Therefore bittergourd fermented beverage with improved nutritional strength and taste was developed and supplemented to diabetic subjects and the evaluation was carried out. The evaluation of the bittergourd fermented beverage, in the first stage was carried out by supplementing the beverage to 30 diabetic subjects as an early morning drink in fasting conditionand the control group was asked to drink water. The fasting and post prandial blood sugar levels were studied and diabetic symptoms were noted. The impact of supplementation of bittergourd fermented beverage on diabetic subjects showed that subjects had significant improvement in reducing the symptoms of diabetes, as well reduced the fasting and post prandial glucose levels by 31% and 25% respectively when compared with the control group. Further 16 diabetic subjects who expressed their consent were given the bittergourd fermented beverage for a period of 5 months and the results of the long duration supplementaion indicated that there was a reduction of fasting blood glucose by 43% and post prandial blood glucose by 41% reflecting advantage of continued consumption of the beverage. In order to understand the direct action of the beverage on blood lipid profile–serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol as measured before and after supplementation showed the changes by 4-7% which is not considerable. However the glycoslated haemoglobin indicated encouraging results after the supplementation showing good control from fair control. Therefore, the study clearly reflected the positive effect of bittergourd fermented beverage in reducing and controlling blood sugar levels. Keywords: Bittergourd fermented beverage, diabetes, supplementation, biochemical parameters.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Lactic Acid Bacteria in Pharmaceutical Formulations: Presence and Viability of “Healthy Microorganisms”
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Abstract: Many probiotic formulations are available in the market and are advertised for several preventive or curative roles. The aim of this study was the identification of microorganisms composing different lactic acid bacteria based pharmaceutical formulations and the ascertainment of their ability to survive gastro-intestinal (GI) stresses, the main requisite to produce beneficial effects. For this purpose, viable bacteria were enumerated by plate counts in different media. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR-DGGE) analysis was applied on pure isolates and on crude formulations to confirm the composition in species. Also, crude formulations were subjected to stresses characteristic of the GI tract (GIT) to assess cell survival. Results highlighted concentrations lower than those reported in the labels in almost all the formulations. Moreover, some discrepancies were observed between reported species and those ascertained through the identification, and the use of an erroneous nomenclature was highlighted. The GI stress test revealed that bacteria are strongly injured, and this fact was evidenced by a marked reduction in viable counts after the stress. In conclusion, a widespread number of lactic acid bacteria based formulations are sold as probiotics, but their probiotic requisites are not adequately observed. Keywords: Probiotic, PCR-DGGE, gastro-intestinal stress, survival, dietary supplement, antidiarrheal drug, lactic acid bacteria.Download Full Article |
