Effect of Hydroalcholic Extract of Allium noeanum Reut. ex Regel on Ethylene Glycol- Induced Kidney Stone in Male Wistar Rats

We want to evaluate the effect of Allium noeanum Reut. ex Regel (Bonsor) known (traditional medicine agent) in calcium oxalate stones in kidney. 36 male rats were divided into 6 groups. I: healthy model + water, II: negative model + 1% ethylene glycol in water, III: 750 mg/kg of total extract +1% of ethylene glycol in water(Prevention), IV: 250 mg/kg flavonoid extract +1% of ethylene glycol in water (Prevention), V: 1500 mg/kg of total extract from 15th day+ 1% of ethylene glycol in water (Treatment), VI: 500 mg/kg of flavonoid extract from 15th of the study + 1% of ethylene glycol in water (Treatment).24-hour urine and blood samples were collected in 30th day for analysis. Pathology of kidneys was checked. Serum urea, uric acid, creatinine and urine calcium and oxalate were significantly increased, urine citrate was decreased in group II Vs I. (P < .05). Extract administration significantly decreased serum creatinine, urea and uric acid. Urine calcium and oxalate significantly decreased in treated groups. Urine calcium levels were significantly decreased in treated rats, but urine citrate levels were increased Vs group II. (P < .05). No crystal accumulation and tubular cast were observed in prevention groups. Hydroalcholic extract of Allium noeanum was able to reduce urine oxalate.

Metabolic phenotyping reveals a reduction in the bioavailability of serotonin and kynurenine pathway metabolites in both the urine and serum of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease

Background Both serotonergic signalling disruption and systemic inflammation have been associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The common denominator linking the two is the catabolism of the essential amino acid, tryptophan. Metabolism via tryptophan hydroxylase results in serotonin synthesis, whilst metabolism via indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) results in kynurenine and its downstream derivatives. IDO is reported to be activated in times of host systemic inflammation and therefore is thought to influence both pathways. To investigate metabolic alterations in AD, a large-scale metabolic phenotyping study was conducted on both urine and serum samples collected from a multi-centre clinical cohort, consisting of individuals clinically diagnosed with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and age-matched controls. Methods Metabolic phenotyping was applied to both urine (n = 560) and serum (n = 354) from the European-wide AddNeuroMed/Dementia Case Register (DCR) biobank repositories. Metabolite data were subsequently interrogated for inter-group differences; influence of gender and age; comparisons between two subgroups of MCI - versus those who remained cognitively stable at follow-up visits (sMCI); and those who underwent further cognitive decline (cMCI); and the impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication on metabolite concentrations. Results Results revealed significantly lower metabolite concentrations of tryptophan pathway metabolites in the AD group: serotonin (urine, serum), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (urine), kynurenine (serum), kynurenic acid (urine), tryptophan (urine, serum), xanthurenic acid (urine, serum), and kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (urine). For each listed metabolite, a decreasing trend in concentrations was observed in-line with clinical diagnosis: control > MCI > AD. There were no significant differences in the two MCI subgroups whilst SSRI medication status influenced observations in serum, but not urine. Conclusions Urine and serum serotonin concentrations were found to be significantly lower in AD compared with controls, suggesting the bioavailability of the neurotransmitter may be altered in the disease. A significant increase in the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio suggests that this may be a result of a shift to the kynurenine metabolic route due to increased IDO activity, potentially as a result of systemic inflammation. Modulation of the pathways could help improve serotonin bioavailability and signalling in AD patients.

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF KANSA HARITAKI AND VIRECHANA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AMAVATA

Amavata is a clinical condition described in Ayurveda that closely resembles with the clinical features of Rheumatoid Arthritis. A Clinical Study was conducted at IPGT and RA, Jamnagar in Kaya Chikitsa de-partment to evaluate the efficacy of Virechan Karma with Eranda Taila and Trivrita Kwatha in patients suffering from Amavata and compared with the trial drug Kansa Haritaki described in Charak Samhita. Efficacy of both of these was compared with the known common drug Trayodashanga Guggulu. In this study, 38 patients of Amavata were registered, of which 29 patients completed the course of the treatment and 9 patients discontinued before completion of course against medical advice. The disease was diag-nosed on the basis of signs and symptoms as described in Ayurvedic and Modern text, aided by American Rheumatism Association Criteria (1988). RA factor test was done in all the patients. The Routine Blood examination (CBC, ESR) with Serum Uric acid, Urine and Stool examination was done to rule out other pathological conditions.

Mycobacterium abscessus urinary tract infection: case report

Urinary tract infection is a serious public health issue that predominantly affects women. In men, it is more often associated with prostatic hyperplasia and bladder catheterization. Urogenital tuberculosis presents with nonspecific with nonspecific symptoms and the diagnosis can be made in the presence of sterile leukocyturia and recurrent infection with acid urine. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria or other non-tuberculosis mycobacteria are opportunistic pathogens that inhabit the soil, water or environment surfaces, and usually cause diseases in immunocompromised individuals. Mycobacterium abscessus is an agent that causes lung, skin and soft tissue hospital infections. Urinary tract infections by this pathogen are rare.

Associations between plasma tenofovir concentration and renal function markers in HIV-infected women

Background: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has been associated with kidney tubulardys function and reduced renal function. Limited studies were performed in Europe and Asia that related plasma tenofovir (TFV) concentration with renal function; no such studies to date have been performed on Africans.Objective: To investigate the correlation between plasma tenofovir (TFV) concentration and certain renal function markers in HIV-infected women on TDF antiretroviral therapy (ART).These markers were also compared to a HIV-uninfected control group.Methods: HIV-infected women (n = 30) on TDF-based ART were matched with 30 controls forage and body mass index. Renal markers analysed were estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine clearance (CrCl), serum creatinine, albuminuria, glucosuria, serum urea, serum uric acid, urine sodium and maximum tubular reabsorption of phosphate. Baseline eGFR and CrCl data were obtained retrospectively for the HIV-infected women. Plasma TFV was assayed using a validated HPLC-MS/MS method. Step wise regression, Mann–Whitney test, unpaired and paired t-tests were applied in the statistical analyses.Results: TFV concentration was independently associated with albuminuria (adjusted r2 = 0.339; p = 0.001) in HIV-infected women. In the adjusted (weight) analysis, eGFR (p = 0.038),CrCl (p = 0.032) and albuminuria (p = 0.048) were significantly higher in HIV-infected compared to the uninfected women, but eGFR was abnormally high in HIV-infected women. Both eGFR (p < 0.001) and CrCl (p = 0.008) increased from baseline to follow-up in HIV-infected women.Conclusion: Plasma TFV concentration was associated with increased albuminuria in HIV infected women in this sub-study. Both eGFR and CrCl were increased in HIV-infected women from baseline. These findings should be confirmed in larger studies, and hyperfiltration in HIV-infected women warrants further investigation.