Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

179-183

Authors: Amanda Sánchez-Recillas, Paul Mantecón-Reyes, Patricia Castillo-España, Rafael Villalobos-Molina, Maximiliano Ibarra-Barajas, Samuel Estrada-Soto

Objective To assess the relaxant effect of several organic extracts obtained from Agastache mexicana (A. mexicana), Cochlospermum vitifolium (C. vitifolium), Cordia morelosana (C. morelosana), Lepechinia caulescens (L. caulescens) and Talauma mexicana (T. mexicana) used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. Methods Extracts were obtained by maceration at room temperature using hexane, dichloromethane and methanol for each plant material. The organic extracts were evaluated ex vivo to determine their relaxant activity on the contractions induced by carbachol (cholinergic receptor agonist, 1 μ mol/L) in isolated rat tracheal rings. Results A total of 15 extracts were evaluated (three for each species). All test samples showed significant relaxant effect, in a concentration-dependent manner, on the contractions induced by 1 μ mol/L carbachol, with exception of extracts from C. morelosana. Active extracts were less potent than theophylline [phosphodiesterase inhibitor, EC50: (28.79±0.82) μg/mL] that was used as positive control. Concentration-response curves revealed that the extracts with more significant effects were dichloromethanic extracts of T. mexicana [Emax: (103.03±3.32)% and EC50: (159.39±3.72) μg/mL) and C. vitifolium [Emax: (106.58±2.42)% and EC50: (219.54±7.61) μg/mL]. Finally, hexanic and dichloromethanic extracts from A. mexicana were fully effective but less potent than T. mexicana and C. vitifolium. Conclusions Less polar extracts obtained from A. mexicana, T. mexicana and C. vitifolium exhibited greater relaxant effect on tracheal rat rings, which allows us to suggest them as sources for the isolation of bioactive molecules with potential therapeutic value in the treatment of asthma.

193-196

Authors: Mohammad Javad Nasiri, Faranak Rezaei, Samin Zamani, Davod Darban-Sarokhalil, Abbas Ali Imani Fooladi, Hasan Shojaei, Mohammad Mehdi Feizabadi

Objective To determine the patterns of resistance to first line anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs among a collection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates from 5 provinces of Iran. Methods A total of the 6 426 clinical specimens from patients suspected of active TB were collected from March 2010 to June 2012. All specimens were subjected for microscopy and culture tests in the TB centers of studies provinces. Drug susceptibility testing to the first line anti-TB drugs for culture positive MTB was performed on Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium using proportion method. Results Of 6 426 clinical specimens, 261 were culture positive for mycobacteria, of which 252 were MTB and 9 were MOTT (mycobacteria other than tuberculosis). Of 252 MTB isolates, 211 (83.7%) were pan-susceptible and 41 (16.3%) were resistant to at least one drug. Resistance was most common to streptomycin, 30 isolates (12.0%), followed by isoniazid, 20 isolates (8.0%), rifampin, 15 isolates (6.0%) and ethambutol, 14 isolates (5.5%). Sixteen (6.3%) MTB isolates were MDR. A clear evidence of heterogeneity amongst the 5 provinces in the proportions with resistance to one or more drugs was observed [χ2; = 12.209 (4 degrees of freedom), P values = 0.015 9]. Conclusions The prevalence of drug resistance in this study area underscoring the need for further enforcement of TB control strategies in the Iran. Drug susceptibility testing for all TB cases to provide optimal treatment, establishing advanced diagnostic facilities for rapid detection of MDR-TB and continuous monitoring of drug resistance are recommended for prevention and control of drug-resistant TB.

206-207

Authors: Ebrahim Miri-Moghaddam, Zakaria Bameri, Mehdi Mohamadi

Objective To determine the distribution of Duffy blood group genotypes in Balouch population as a major ethnic group that living in a sub-tropical area in south East of Iran. Methods In this study, the Duffy blood group FY phenotypes were determined using indirect anti-globulin technique and also genotype by PCR-RFLP in 160 vivax malaria patients and 160 control individuals. Results The results showed that the most common Duffy genotype was FYA/FYB (46.6%) followed by FYA/FYA (15.3%), FYA/FYO (14.4%), FYB/FYO (11.9%), FYB/FYB (10%) and FYO/FYO (1.9%). In case individuals, frequency of FYA, FYB and FYO alleles were 0.471, 0.431 and 0.097, respectively compaired to 0.444, 0.353 and 0.203, respectively in control (non-infected) group. Conclusions This data provide evidence that individuals with the FYA/FYB genotype have higher susceptibility to malaria and there are significant associations between Duffy blood group variants and susceptibility or resistance to vivax malaria.

212-215

Authors: Mert Köroğlu, Bekir Erol, Cemil Gürses, Barış Türkbey, Cem Yunus Baş, Ahmet Şükrü Alparslan, Banu Kale Köroğlu, İclal Erdem Toslak, Bülent Çekiç, Okan Akhan

Objective To demonstrate utility and safety of the puncture aspiration injection and reaspiration (PAIR) technique for outpatients. Methods Percutaneous treatment with US guidance was applied to 33 patients for 44 cysts. Patients treated with the PAIR technique, were outpatients. PAIR and catheterization technique were evaluated for efficacy and safety of procedure and complication rates. Results Thirty-five of 44 cysts were treated with the PAIR and 9 of 44 were treated with the catheterization technique. The success rate of the cysts Gharbi type 1 (CE1) and type 2 (CE3a) treated with the PAIR technique was 100%. In the follow up of 9 cysts treated with the catheterization technique, 2 of them (22%) developed cyst infection and 1 (11%) developed a biliary fistula. Conclusions The PAIR technique was found to be an effective and safe approach in order to treat Gharbi type 1 and type 2 cysts percutaneously for outpatients. It has a very low complication rate in comparison with the catheterization technique. So every effort should be made to finish the treatment with PAIR technique.

221-225

Authors: Bao-Nan Liu, Bo-Xiang Han, Feng Liu

Objective To explore the neuroprotective effect of pAkt and HIF-1 α on ischemia rats. Methods The rat model of cerebral ischemia which induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion was established, Silybin were given respectively. The behavior was measured by modified Longa method, brain water content were measured by the dry-wet method. Infarct volume was measured by image analysis method, Akt, HIF-1 α, Bcl-2, Bax, NF-κ B protein expressions were detected by Western blotting. The Akt, HIF-1 α, Bcl-2, Bax, NF-κ B mRNA expression were detected by RT-PCR. Results The control group, low-dose silibinin group and high-dose silibinin group showed paralytic of the left body of rats in various degrees, the brain water content increased and different infarction size. There was no abnormal of the neurobehavioral assessment and no cerebral infarction in the blank group. Compared with the control group, there was no significant improvement of neurological function (t=1.341, P=0.188) or significant changes of the infarct volume (t=1.737, P=0.091) in the low-dose silibinin group, while there was significantly improvement of the neurological function in the high dose silibinin group (t=12.979, P<0.001), and the infarct volume was significantly reduced (t=23.503, P<0.001), the difference had statistically significant. The brain water content of lesion side of the control group increased (t=43.536, P<0.001), while the brain water content of lesion side of the low-dose silibinin group and the high-dose silybin group were significantly reduced (t=25.571, P<0.001; t= 42.426, P<0.001). The differences were statistical significance. The p-Akt 473, p-Akt 308, HIF-1 α, Bax, NF-κ B protein and the Akt, Bax, NF-κ B mRNA expression were increased of the control group, while the Bcl-2 protein and mRNA expression were decreased, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05), there was no significant change of the Akt protein expression and HIF-1 α mRNA in the control group (P>0.05). In the high dose silybin group, the p-Akt 473, p-Akt 308, HIF-1α, Bcl-2 protein and Akt, Bcl-2 mRNA expression were increased, while the Bax, NF-κ B protein and Bax, NF-κ B mRNA expression were decreased, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05), there was no significant change of the Akt protein expression and HIF-1 α mRNA in the high dose silybin group (P>0.05). Conclusions pAkt, HIF-1 α have neuroprotective effect on ischemia rats.

231-236

Authors: Jun-Jun Liang, Wei Xue, Li-Zhi Lou, Cheng Liu, Zhao-Fen Wang, Qing-Guo Li, Shao-Hua Huang

Objective To establish rabbit model of restenosis after carotid endarterectomy surgery, and to study tissue inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) involved in restenosis. Methods A total of 32 rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: model group and control group. The right common carotid artery in rabbits was damaged by carotid endar terectomy in model group. The tissues were harvested at different time points respectively, the pathological changes of the vascular wall after operation were observed at different time points. The changes of expression of tissue vascular wall inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) at different time points after the surgery was observed by RT-PCR, and the changes of serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL −6) were detected by ELISA. Results The new intima appeared after 7 days of the injury and reached the peak on 28 d which is uneven and significantly thicker than the control group (P<0.01). The tissue inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) were significantly increased after the rabbit common carotid artery injury, which was significant difference compared with normal control group (P<0.05). Conclusions The tissue inflammatory factors significantly increase after the rabbit carotid artery injury, which suggests the mutual concurrent effects of inflammatory cytokines can result in the proliferation of vascular restenosis.

241-243

Authors: Xiao-Yi Yu, Wei Wu, Xiao-He Lu

Objective To observe the influence of the the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) eye drops on rabbit aqueous humor TGF-β1 concentration, and to analyze the best drug concentration. Methods A total of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 in each. Rabits in control group had PBS eye drops, group A, B, C, D adopted TGF-β1 eye drops at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 mg/L, respectively, 4 times a day. Aqueous humor of right eye was extracted 1 week after administration to detect concentration changes of TGF-β1 by ELISA; rabbits in fpur hroups adopted 2.0 mg/L eye drops to left eyes 4 times a day, 0.2 mL aqueous humor was extracted left eye at the scheduled time point 0, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 24 h for testing, the slit lamp was used to observe the cornea, chamber and lens. Results No obvious pathological changes in conjunctiva, cornea, rabbit conjunctival, anterior chamber, and the lens was found. Concentration of TGF-β1 in rabbit aqueous humor in C, D group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions TGF-β1 eye drops at 2.0 mg/L, 4.0 mg/L can significantly increase concentration of TGF-β1 in rabbit aqueous humor, withe good ocular surfac permeability.

250-252

Authors: Kushal Naha, Barkur Ananthakrishna Shastry, Kavitha Saravu

A 19-year-old Asian Indian female presented with productive cough since the past one month and low grade fever since the past two weeks. She was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and treated with antitubercular drugs. Subsequently, delayed cultures of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid grew Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei). On follow up the patient reported significant subjective improvement and ESR progressively returned to normal. In summary, this case report raises two distinct and equally intriguing roles for B. pseudomallei, i.e. respiratory colonization and spontaneously resolving pulmonary infection. The pathogenic potential of B. pseudomallei, the etiologic agent of melioidosis, is well known. Confirmation of either colonization or spontaneous resolution, would potentially spare many patients unnecessary and expensive therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics, and contribute to more rational usage of antibiotics, especially in co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and B. pseudomallei-two bacterial diseases with closely similar clinical, radiologic and histopathologic features.