African Journal of Internal Medicine

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN: 2326-7283 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 026-030, April, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hepatoprotective activity of Nilgirianthus ciliatus (Nees) bremek in paracetamol induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats

¹Usha Rani K., ²Amirtham  D., ^3*Nataraja Thamizh Selvam

¹M.Phil. Research Scholar, Bharathidasan University, Thiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.

²Senior Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry, PSG College,Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

³Research Officer -Biochemistry, Central Research Institute for Panchakarma, Thrissur. Kerala, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 30 April, 2013

Abstract                                                                                                                      

Nilgirianthus ciliatus (Nees) Bremek is used in traditional system of India to treat various diseases.  In the present study, the hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic extract of the bark of N. ciliatus against paracetamol toxicity (2.5 mg/kg b.wt, p.o) liver damage in Wistar albino rats was evaluated.  The test drug was used at two different concentrations as 250mg/kg b.wt p.o, and 500mg/kg b.wt  p.o.,and Silymarin (100mg/kg b.wt. p.o) as positive control.  The biochemical parameters comprising of liver marker enzymes SGOT, SGPT, ALP levels were measured in all the groups.  The study showed the methanolic extract of N. ciliatus having significant hepatoprotective effect as evidenced by the decreased liver marker enzyme levels when compared with the control.  The histological study on liver, kidney and heart tissues of treated groups showed the supporting evidence for the hepatoprotective activity of plant extract. 

Key words: Nilgirianthus ciliatus, hepatoprotection, liver marker enzymes, paracetamol intoxication, Indian medicinal plants.

¹Department of Medicine, Ekiti-State University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 5355, Ado- Ekiti, Nigeria

²Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ekiti-State University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 5355, Ado- Ekiti, Nigeria

³Department of Surgery, Ekiti-State University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 5355, Ado- Ekiti, Nigeria

⁴Department of Hematology & Blood transfusion, Ekiti State University, P.M.B 5355, Ado – Ekiti, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 09 April, 2013

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a worldwide public health problem. It is endemic in many regions of the world including Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV infection and the risk factors in pregnant women accessing antenatal care at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Southwest Nigeria. 1627 pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic at EKSUTH from May 2009- April 2010 were recruited into this study. Each patient was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and those positive were further tested for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg).  The seroprevalence of HBsAg in pregnant women in this study was 3.9%. The highest prevalence was found in the age group 26-30 years. Risk factors identified included previous histories of surgical procedures, delivery outside the hospital and blood transfusion. Due of the high risk of developing chronic HBV infection among infants born to HBsAg –positive mothers, administration of HBIG in combination with hepatitis B vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis is of paramount importance. Universal free HBsAg screening for all pregnant women and women of child bearing age in Nigeria is advocated.

Key words: HBsAg, pregnant women, seroprevalence, Southwest Nigeria.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN: 2326-7283 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 021-022, March, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Pancytopenia developed in the course of hepatitis A

Muhammed Akıl¹, Avni Kaya¹, Fesih Aktar¹, Hayrettin Temel¹, Gökmen Taşkın¹, Sinan Akbayram²

¹Department of Pediatrics, Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Medicine, Van, Turkey 

² Department of Pediatric Hematology, Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Medicine, Van, Turkey

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] 

Accepted 23 February, 2013

Abstract

Hepatitis A has been reported with anemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and rarely pancytopenia. A 5-year-old girl patient presented with complaints of yellowing of the eyes, abdominal bloating and abdominal pain 10 days ago. Skin and sclera were found to be icteric. Anti-HAV IgG and anti-HAV IgM tests were positive. In this case, we presented a 5-year-old girl who had pancytopenia with acute Hepatitis A infection as this case was rarely seen.

Key words: Hepatitis, child, infection, anemia, thrombocytopenia.

Case report

Partial atrioventricular septal defect in the elderly: A case report

Seher Gokay MD^1* , Davran Cicek MD¹, Haldun Muderrisoglu²

¹Department of Cardiology, Baskent University School of Medicine, Saray Mah, Yunusemre cad, No: 1 07400, Alanya, Antalya, Turkey

²Department  of Cardiology, Baskent University School of Medicine,  Bahcelievler, No: 1, Ankara, Turkey

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 21 February, 2013

Abstract

Atrial septal defect is one of the most common congenital heart lesions. Isolated atrial septal defects are mostly asymptomatic, and remain therefore undiagnosed until adulthood in a significant number of patients. Partial atrioventricular septal defect, on the other hand, has a life expectancy of 3 to 37.5 years, but occasionally patients may present in their adulthood. We report a case of an 83-year-old female with partial atrioventricular septal defect who had syncope, near-syncope and palpitations for the last three years and was diagnosed by routine echocardiography. Because atrial septal defect has long-standing deleterious effects of volume overload on the right cardiac chambers, the consequent pulmonary hypertension and right atrial enlargement increase the vulnerability to atrial arrhythmias and stroke. The late onset of pulmonary hypertension  was presumed to be the reason for the very  late onset of the symptoms of this patient.

Key words: Elderly patient, partial atrioventricular septal defect.

African Journal of Internal Medicine Vol. 1 (1). pp. 001- 009, 2012. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Value of orthostatic hypotension as a prognostic bed-side test in heart failure

Tarek M. Abdel Rahman

Department of Cardiology, El Minia University Hospital, Egypt. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 20 October, 2012; Accepted 09 December, 2012

Abstract

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) has been linked to increased mortality and incidence of cardiovascular disease in various risk groups. Our aim is to identify the determinants and consequences of OH in the heart failure population as this was poorly studied. Sixty-Four patients with known history of heart failure were collected. Grouping is based upon wither they have (OH) or not. Group-A found to have normal Bp response to standing; they were 24 patients (18 male and 6 female) of mean age (45 ± 8 years). Group-B discovered to have significant (OH) and was 22 patients (16 males and 6 females) of mean age (43 ± 4 years). The first clinical and echocardiographic examination was done and considered as a base-line characteristic. Then, a call-back after 6 months for follow-up and second visit examination is recorded. In the first visit, comparison of data revealed no significant variations. In the second visit (6-month later), divergence of data is observed and was statistically significant. Group-B was found to have a lower EF and FS% (p=0.01), a lower Dp/Dt (p=0.01) and a higher Tie-Index and MR-jet area (p=0.01). Indeed, the questionnaire proved frequent times of hospital admissions, paroxysmal nocturnal dysnea, need for treatment modification, arrhythmias and lower limb edema in group-B. The present study conclude that, heart failure-patients having orthostatic hypotension experienced a significant deterioration of clinical condition and cardiac functions along a period of six-months which represent failure in their autonomic compensatory mechanisms and possible impact on their mortality.

Key words: Orthostatic hypotension, heart failure.  

African Journal of Internal Medicine Vol. 1 (1), pp. 010- 016,  2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Autologus MSC bone marrow stem cell and allogenic pancreatic stem cell for repair of beta pancreatic cell in experimental diabetes mellitus

Purwati Armand^1,2, Fedik. A. R², Sony Wibisono¹, Anas. P², Eric. H², Helen. S², Deya. K²

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University –Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia.

²Stem Cell Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Diseases, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 23 October, 2012; Accepted 19 December, 2012

Abstract

Alternative therapies in diabetes mellitus (DM) management include the use of stem cells. Stem cells derived from the bone marrow and pancreatic cells from allogenic donors were used in this experimental animal model to restore glucose control. DM was induced in Wistar rats with 50 mg/kg alloxan. DM rats were divided into 4 treatment groups, Group 1 was transplanted with autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) by intraperitoneally injection. Group 2 was given allogenic pancreatic cells intraperitoneally. Group 3 was given insulin subcutaneously, and Group 4 served as control (no treated). The dosage was 200,000 cells/rat. Post therapy results in group 1 revealed significant decrease of blood sugar levels, an increase in insulin levels, and increased C peptide levels. In group 2, there were more pronounced changes, improvements in glucose control compared to group 1. Those receiving only insulin the levels of blood sugar decreased but less so compared to those receiving MSC or pancreatic cells (p = 0.002). In a DM Wistar rat model the intraperitoneal administration of pancreatic cells resulted in better restoration of glucose control than intraperitoneally of bone marrow derived MSC, which in turn was better than only insulin.

Key words: Diabetes mellitus (DM), stem cell, allogenic, autologous.