Protective effects of Zizyphus oxyphyla on liver and kidney related serum biomarkers in (CCl4) intoxicate rabbits

The study was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Zizyphus oxyphyla leaves methanolic (ZOX-LME), on serum liver, kidney and hematology along with other serum parameters in Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxicated rabbits. Experimental animals were divided into five groups, six rabbits in each. These were: group NC (normal control), group, TC (toxic control) and group ST i.e. silymarine administered group at dose rate (50) mg/kg body weight (BW). Group ET1 and group ET2 treated with (ZOX-LME) at dose 200 mg/kg BW and 400 mg/kg BW. CCl4 administration caused significant (P> 0.05) impairment in serum liver enzymes, blood factors and other serum indices. Treatment with (ZOX-LME) significantly (P<0.05) reduced and normalized the levels of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and hematological indices. Also significant (P< 0.05) reduction was observed in creatinine, urea, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and albumin and glucose concentrations. The altered levels of lipid profile and serum electrolytes (Ca, Mg, Cl, Na, K, and P) were significantly (P<0.05) change toward normal levels with (ZOX-LME) feeding. In addition (ZOX-LME) ingestion caused significant improvement in GSH, GST and CAT levels, while reducing the TBARS levels, exhibited antioxidant capacity. Also (ZOX-LME) showed increase inhibition against percent scavenging of 2, 2-diphenile-1-picrylehydrazyle (DPPH) free radical. Significant (P<0.05) normalizing effects were observed with high dose 400 mg/kg BW of (ZOX-LME and were equivalent to silymarine administered groups. The histological study of liver supported the hepatoprotective and renal curative activity of (ZOX-LME).

Prospective Evaluation of Raised Liver Transaminases in Asymptomatic Patients Attending OPD in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Liver diseases are a cause of worldwide morbidity .The course is usually long and has no signs before the development of late stage disease. The only indicative markers are liver enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) during asymptomatic period. There is a paucity of data from our subcontinent regarding the prevalence, risk factors and etiology of asymptomatic chronically raised liver enzymes.The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and etiology associated with unexplained chronically raised liver transaminases in patients attending OPD in a tertiary care hospital.Methods:This was a prospective study conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology, MMIMSR, Mullana from July 2019-Dec 2020 in 50 patients who presented with chronically raised liver enzymes. Detailed comprehensive history, physical examination and investigation was done to identify etiology and risk factors associated with raised liver enzymes.Results:566 patients were screenedfor inclusion in the study. The prevalence of raised transaminases in asymptomatic patients was 9.4%. NAFLD was the most common etiology of raised liver transaminases, seen in 70 % of patients followed by Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B. Dyslipidemia was the most important risk factor associated with NAFLD.Conclusion:NAFLD should be kept in mind while dealing patients with unexplained transaminitis. Earlier detection could help halt the progression to chronic liver disease.

Macrofilaricidal Activity, Acute and Biochemical Effects of Three Lichen Species Found on Mount Cameroon

Onchocerciasis is a parasitic infection affecting a relatively small population globally but has very devastating pathological outcomes. Ivermectin and recently moxidectin are the only drugs approved for clinical management of the disease, both of which have several limitations. In particular, they are efficacious against microfilariae (microfilaricidal) with no activity against adult worms (nonmacrofilaricidal). Promising anthelmintic activity has been reported in some lichens. This study investigated three lichens, Usnea articulata, Parmotrema tinctorum, and Heterodermia obscurata, found on Mount Cameroon, for potential macrofilaricidal activity. Organic extracts were screened for anti-Onchocerca activity against Onchocerca ochengi isolated from cattle skin using worm motility and MTT formazan assays. Toxicity of highly active extracts was investigated on monkey kidney epithelial (LLCMK2) cells and in BALB/c mice (2000 mg/kg body weight) including effects on liver enzymes. The methanol extract of P. tinctorum (Pammet) was the most active against adult male worms ( I C 50 = 8.1 μg/mL) with the highest selectivity index ( SI = 21.3 ). U. articulata was the most active against the adult female ( I C 50 = 36.3 μg/mL) but had a low SI value (3.4). No mortality and no adverse effects were recorded in the acute toxicity test. These two most active extracts had no significant effect on liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate ( P values < 0.05), but a high AST : ALT ratio (2.59) for Pammet indicates likely reversible adverse hepatic toxicity. The high macrofilaricidal activity and selectivity of P. tinctorum suggest it is a potential source of new macrofilaricides which should be further investigated to identify its bioactive constituents.

Study on Effects of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate on Serological Parameters, Ultrasonographic and Histopathological Profile of Uterine Endometrial Morphology in Female Rabbits

Background: Rabbits are small mammals from the family Leporidae. Rapid multiplication profile of the rabbits often necessitates contraceptive controls in which ovario-hysterectomy is the only recommended method worldwide but still rabbit owners avoid surgical manipulation and opt for the contraceptive injections but contraceptive injections are also known to cause undesired effects in different animal species. The present study was conducted to evaluate effects of Medroxyprogesterone acetate on liver enzymes, lipid profile, blood glucose and uterine endometrial morphology. Methods: The study was conducted on 20 breeding female rabbits at Pet Centre, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. The study animals were divided into two groups, A and B having 10 rabbits each. Group A was treated with single dose of Medroxyprogesterone acetate (10 mg/kg IM). While group B was kept as control and was given a single dose of 0.9% normal saline placebo injection. Pre and post treatment serum sampling was performed on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and histopathological evaluation of reproductive tract (mainly uterus) was conducted at the end of study. Result: Serological parameters i.e. liver profile, lipid profile and blood glucose level (random) were significantly increased after treatment along with congestion, engorgement of blood vessels, degeneration, hyperplasia of uterine epithelium and uterine glands in Treatment group in contrast to control group. On the basis of this study it was concluded that Medroxyprogesterone acetate poses undesirable effect on the uterine endometrium and different serological parameters of body like liver enzymes (total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase), blood glucose, lipid profile (cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride).

Examining the association between opium use, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption with the liver enzyme levels in a population-based study: Fasa Persian cohort data

Objectives Opium use, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption are serious health problems in many countries including Iran. The present study aimed to examine the association between the opium use, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption with liver enzyme levels in Southern Iran. This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. The entire population of the Fasa Persian cohort study in the southern region of Iran was selected as the sample. Accordingly, 10,145 people participated in the study. Results Results indicated that there was a significant relationship between cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption with liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP). There was also a significant relationship between inhaled opium and liver enzymes, but oral opium revealed no significant relationship with the activity of liver enzymes. Accordingly, policymakers of the health care system are recommended to hold educational programs to improve the health literacy level of the society and take effective preventative strategies in reducing the use of these substances.

The Apolipoprotein B/A1 Ratio is Associated With Metabolic Syndrome Components, Insulin Resistance, Androgen Hormones, and Liver Enzymes in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

AimTo evaluate the association between the apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio (ApoB/ApoA1) and metabolic and endocrine parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsThis study was a secondary analysis of the Acupuncture and Clomiphene for Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome trial (PCOSAct), and 957 subjects with available ApoB and ApoA1 measurements were included. Tests for linear trends and linear regression were used to assess the relation between the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and metabolic and endocrine parameters. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between the ratio and risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to determine the predictive value of the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio for MetS and IR.ResultsThe results showed that the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio was positively associated with waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, high free testosterone, high free androgen index, alanine transferase, aspartate transferase, and higher prevalence of MetS and IR, but was negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein and sex hormone-binding globulin after adjusting for age and body mass index. Logistic regression showed that compared with the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio in first quartile, those in the fourth quartile demonstrated a higher risk of MetS (OR: 24.48, 95%CI: 8.54–70.15, P trend &lt;0.001) and IR (OR: 1.78, 95%CI: 1.10–2.87, P trend &lt;0.05) after adjusting for confounding factors. ROC curve results showed that the AUCMetS was 0.84 (95%CI: 0.81–0.86) and had 86.8% sensitivity and 70.3% specificity with a threshold value of 0.64, and the AUCIR was 0.68 (95%CI: 0.64–0.71) and had 74.3% sensitivity and 58.2% specificity with a threshold value of 0.56.ConclusionsIncreased ApoB/ApoA1 ratio was associated with worse MetS components, IR, and elevated androgen hormones and liver enzymes. The ratio might be a useful tool to screen for MetS and IR in PCOS patients.

Hyaluronic Acid May Be a Predictive Biomarker for Thrombocytopenia and Liver Dysfunction After Oxaliplatin-based Chemotherapy

Background/Aim: Following oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, approximately half of all colorectal cancer patients develop sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). SOS can be monitored by measuring splenic volume; however, obtaining this measurement is not a simple process. In this study, we evaluated changes in hyaluronic acid (HA) concentrations as a simpler marker of SOS. Patients and Methods: We measured splenic volume and laboratory data, including hyaluronic acid concentration, liver enzymes, and platelet counts, in 34 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent radical resection and who received capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CapeOx) chemotherapy. Results: A strong correlation was identified between ≥30% increase in splenic volume and significantly elevated HA concentrations. Affected patients also had persistent thrombocytopenia and liver dysfunction compared to patients without elevated HA concentration. Conclusion: HA concentration may predict SOS in patients who receive CapeOx adjuvant chemotherapy.

Liver transplantation in a child with liver cirrhosis caused by langerhans cell histiocytosis: a case report

Background Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare condition that has a variety of clinical manifestations. But LCH in children localized only in the hepatobiliary system is unusual. Case presentation. Here we reported a rare case of a 2-year-old boy who was serendipitously found to have elevated liver enzymes while undergoing treatment of a perianal abscess. After a period of earlier conservative treatment in another hospital, the perianal abscess had resolved but the levels of liver enzymes were still rising slowly. The child was then referred to our institution for a definitive diagnosis. After laboratory tests, imaging and pathological examinations, a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis was established, although the cause was unclear. Subsequently, living-donor liver transplantation was performed due to deterioration in liver function. Following successful liver transplantation, a diagnosis of LCH localized only within the hepatobiliary system was finally confirmed, based on additional pathological and imaging investigation. Additionally, the BRAF V600E mutation in this patient was also confirmed. The child has now recovered without evidence of LCH recurrence. Conclusions LCH localized only within the hepatobiliary system is unusual. The presence of unexplainable sclerosing cholangitis and liver cirrhosis in any child should raise the suspicion of LCH.