African Journal of Internal Medicine

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN: 2326-7283 Vol. 9 (10), pp. 001-007, October, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of the chemotherapeutic drug (vincristine) in organs and the influence on the bioavailability of two radio-biocomplexes used for bone evaluations in balb/c female mice 

Deise Mara Machado de Mattos^1,2,7*, Diré, G. F.^1,2,4,5, Lima, R. C.¹, Almeida, A. C. C.¹, Bellucio D.⁴, Azevedo, C. S. S.¹, Azevedo, S. S. S.¹, Nascimento, S. F.¹, Borba, H. R.⁴, Carvalho, J.J.⁵ and Bernardo Filho, M^2,6

¹Universidade Estácio de Sá. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

²Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Departamento de Biofísica

e Biometria, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

³Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Departamento de

Histologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

⁴Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Laboratório de

Atividade Anti-helmíntica de Plantas. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

⁵Centro Universitário da Zona Oeste- UEZO, Avenida Manuel Caldeira de Alvarenga, 1203. Campo Grande, RJ 23070-

200, Brazil.

⁶Instituto Nacional do Câncer, Coordenadoria de Pesquisa, Praça Cruz Vermelha, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

⁷Universidade Estácio de Sá, Instituto das Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Pesquisas da Saúde - Campus R9, Rua André Rocha, 838, Taquara - Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, 22740-361.

Accepted 16 April, 2021

Abstract

The development of animal model to evaluate the toxicological action of compounds used as pharmaceutical drugs is desired. The model described in this work is based on the capability of drugs to alter the bioavailability of radiopharmaceuticals (radiobiocomplexes) labeled with technetium-99 m (^99mTc). There are evidences that the bioavailability or the pharmacokinetic of radiobiocomplexes can be modified by some factors, as drugs, due to their toxicological action in specific organs. Vincristine is a natural product that has been utilized in oncology. The vincristine effect on the bioavailability of the radiobiocomplexes ^99mTc-methylenediphosphonic acid ( ^99mTc-MDP) and ^99mTc-pyrophosphate (^99mTc-PYP) in Balb/c female mice was evaluated. The fragments of kidney were processed to light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The aim of this work was to study at structural and ultrastructural levels the alterations caused by vincristine in organs. One hour after the last dose of vincristine, ^99mTc-PYP or ^99mTc-MDP was injected, the animals were sacrificed and the percentage of radioactivity (%ATI) was determined in the isolated organs. Concerning ^99mTc-PYP, the %ATI (i) decreased in spleen, thymus, lymph nodes (inguinal and mesentheric), kidney, lung, liver, pancreas, stomach, heart and brain and (ii) increased in bone and thyroid. Concerning ^99mTc-MDP, the %ATI (iii) decreased in spleen, thymus, lymph nodes (inguinal and mesentheric), kidney, liver, pancreas, stomach, heart, brain, bone, ovary and uterus. In conclusion, the toxic effect of vincristine in determined organs could be responsible for the alteration of the uptake of the studied radiobiocomplexes.

Key words: Radiobiocomplexes, vincristine, drug interaction, nuclear medicine, oncology.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN: 2326-7283 Vol. 9 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

COVID-19 revealing pulmonary tuberculosis with 3 cases in the internal medicine department of the National Teaching Hospital Center (NTHC)-Hubert Koudougou Maga (HKM) of Cotonou: review of the literature

Azon-Kouanou Angèle, Agbodande Kouessi Anthelme, Missiho Mahoutin Semassa Ghislain, Sokadjo Yves Morel, Aïdasso Mahougnon Jean-Christ Alix, Murhula Katabana Delphin, Faladé Adélakoun Ange Géoffroy, Assogba Houénoudé Mickaël Arnaud,Dansou Eugénie, Wanvoegbe Finangnon Armand,  Zannou Djimon Marcel, Houngbé Fabien

Affiliation :Internal Medicine-Medical OncologyUnity of the National Teaching Hospital Center (NTHC)-Hubert Kougougou Maga (HKM) of Cotonou(Benin)

Accepted 17 October, 2021

Abstract

SARS-cov-2 is the pathogen responsible for COVID-19 disease. COVID-19 primarily causes respiratory manifestations ranging from moderate to severe with risk of death. It may be indicative of latent tuberculosis, although people with COVID-19 and tuberculosis have similar symptoms. Pulmonary tuberculosis should be considered a potential risk factor for severity in COVID-19 co-infection. We report three cases of COVID-19 pulmonary tuberculosis co-infection diagnosed in the internal medicine department of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou. The patients were all initially infected with SARS-cov-2; then declared cured after 2 negative PCR tests (on nasopharyngeal swab). A few days later, they got fever, cough, and respiratory difficulties. The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was made on the basis of the presence of mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA by the GenXpert technique in the gastric tube fluid. The three patients were put on antituberculosis treatment, Ethambutol Rifampicin Isoniazid Pyrazinamide (ERHZ) protocol. The evolution was favorable with complete disappearance of respiratory signs and fever after two weeks.

Keywords: Pulmonary tuberculosis, COVID-19, CNHU-HKM Cotonou.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN: 2326-7283 Vol. 9 (8), pp. 001-008, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Diagnostic modeling with differences in plasma amino acid profiles between non-cachectic colorectal/breast cancer patients and healthy individuals

Naoyuki Okamoto¹*, Yohei Miyagi², Akihiko Chiba³, Makoto Akaike⁴, Manabu Shiozawa⁴, Akira Imaizumi⁵, Hiroshi Yamamoto⁶, Toshihiko Ando⁵, Minoru Yamakado⁷ and Osamu Tochikubo⁸

¹Cancer Prevention and Cancer Control Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center, 1-1-2, Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama-city, 241-0815 Japan.

²Moleculer Pathology and Genetics Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center, 1-1-2, Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama-city, 241- 0815 Japan.

³Department of Breast Surgery, Kanagawa Cancer Center, 1-1-2, Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama-city, 241-0815 Japan.

⁴Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanagawa Cancer Center, 1-1-2, Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama-city, 241-0815 Japan.

⁵Institute of Life Sciences, Ajinomoto CO., Inc., Japan.

⁶HI Department, Ajinomoto CO., Inc. , Japan.

⁷Center for Multiphasic Health Testing and Services, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, Japan.

⁸Department of Public Health, Yokohama City University, Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.

Accepted 22 December, 2020

Abstract

Metabolic changes in patients with cancer lead to alterations in their amino-acid balances. Thus, amino-acid profiles may be useful as biomarkers of cancers. This study was conducted to analyze amino-acid profiles in plasma by multivariate analysis, in order to elucidate differences between cancer patients and controls. Venous blood samples were taken from colorectal and breast cancer patients, and healthy controls. Plasma free amino acids were measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. No weight loss was observed in any of the cancer patients. Multiple logistic regression models were used to discriminate between cancer patients and controls. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for each discriminant score was calculated as 0.860 (95% confidence interval: 0.784 to 0.937) for colorectal cancer and 0.906 (95% CI: 0.845 to 0.967) for breast cancer. The performance of these discriminants was independent of the cancer stage. This study revealed significant differences in plasma amino acid profiles between cancer patients and controls. The development of a cancer alters plasma amino-acid profiles without cachexia or weight loss, and the pattern of change differs between two cancers. Plasma amino-acid profiling might therefore be useful for the early detection of cancer.

Key words: amino acid profiles, plasma, screening, cancer, multivariate analysis

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN: 2326-7283 Vol. 9 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Polyarteritis nodosa associated with hepatitis C virus infection

F.A. Wanvoegbe^1,3, T. Maillet¹, A. Turcu¹, H. Devilliers¹, G. Muller¹, P. Hillon², K. A. Agbodande³, A. Azon-Kouanou³, P. Bielefeld¹, JF. Besancenot¹

¹Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases Department, Dijon Bourgogne’sTeaching Hospital, France.

²Hepato-gastro-enterology Department, Dijon Bourgogne’sTeaching Hospital, France.

³Faculty of Health Sciences of Cotonou, Benin.

Accepted 14 June, 2021 

Abstract

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic, necrotizing vasculitis of medium and small arteries, without glomerulonephritis and not associated with the presence of ANCA. This is a rare condition occurring at any age, with a slight male predominance. In the majority of PAN cases, there is no evidence of aetiology. However, an infectious cause is sometimes found, foremost among which is infection with the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis C virus, on the other hand, is little associated with vasculitis. We report here a case of PAN associated with hepatitis C virus infection in a 40-year-old patient, a former drug addict, whose progress under treatment was satisfactory.

Keywords: Polyarteritis nodosa, hepatitis C virus, vasculitis, drug addict, Dijon.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 9 (7), pp. 001-009, July, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The new glucose revolution: Is the authoritative guide to the glycemic index the right dietary solution for lifelong health?

Haiyan Chen^1,2*, M. Janet Shaw² and J. Laurie Moyer-Mileur¹

¹Center for Pediatric Nutrition Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

²Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah College of Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Accepted 16 April, 2021

Abstract

The persistence of an epidemic of obesity, coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes suggests that new nutritional strategies are needed if the epidemic is to be overcome. A promising nutritional approach suggested by this thematic review is carbohydrate restriction. Under conditions of carbohydrate restriction, fuel sources shift from glucose and fatty acids to fatty acids and ketones, and that ad libitum–fed carbohydrate-restricted diets lead to appetite reduction, weight loss, and improvement in surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease. Recent researches focus on the debate among professionals regarding the use of the glycemic index (GI) for meal planning. However, evidence from individual trials about benefits and risks of these diets to achieve weight loss and modify cardiovascular risk factors is preliminary. In epidemic studies, there is limited evidence that a low GI diet is beneficial for a reduced risk of developing diabetes or prevalence of insulin resistance, weight loss or satiety, and other cancers. The GI can be used as an adjunct for the fine tuning of postprandial blood glucose responses, particularly in diabetic patients. Other food/meal-planning interventions have been shown to be more effective than the use of the GI.

Key words: Glycemic index, Glycemic load, macronutrients metabolism, obesity, diabete, coronary heart disease.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 9 (6), pp. 001-003, June, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Comparison of socio-economic and nutritional status between oil producing and non oil producing communities of Delta State

A. O. Naiho¹, E. K. Nwangwa¹, S. Ogege²* and C.P. Aloamaka¹

¹Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

²Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

Accepted 15 February, 2021

Abstract

A survey of socio-economic and nutritional status was carried out in oil producing community and a non-oil producing community in Delta State, Nigeria and results were compared. Well structured closed ended questionnaires were administered to eight hundred subjects (males and females) inclusive of both communities. Blood samples were obtained from 100 subjects (males and females) in each of the communities for Haemoglobin and serum protein analysis. Data was analysed using z-test statistic. Results showed significant reduction (p < 0.001) in income, (p < 0.001) and in academic level, in oil producing community compared to non-oil producing community. Also there was a significant reduction in haemoglobin and serum proteins in oil producing communities compared to non-oil producing community. Results suggest that crude oil exploration may have a negative impact on the socio-economic and nutritional status of host communities.

Key words: Socio-economic, oil-producing, serum protein.