Antiangiogenesis Activity Study of Awar-Awar Leaf Ethanolic Extract (Ficus Septica Burm. F.) By Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Method

Cancer is one of the biggest causes of death after cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, alkaloid content of awar-awar leaf extract (Ficus septica Burm. f.) is reported to exhibit cytotoxic activity in several cancer cells. This research aims to identify the antiangiogenesis activity and potential of awar-awar leaf extract (Ficus septica Burm. f.) on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken embryo inducted with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Awar-awar leaf extract was obtained by the maceration method by using ethanol 70%. CAM was cultured in ex ovo and then angiogenesis induced by bFGF and treated by using the concentrated extract of 0.013; 0.00975; 0.0065; and 0.00325 mg/mL. From now on, the observation was done macroscopically and microscopically. Macroscopic observation result shows that an inhibition occurred at the concentration extract of 0.013 mg/mL or equal to 62.30%, 0.00975 mg/mL or equal to 51.37%, 0.0065 mg/mL or equal to 28.42%, and 0.00325 mg/mL or equal to 13.11%. Meanwhile, the microscopic observation result shows that the higher concentration of the extract, the growth of new blood vessels is decreased, demonstrated by the reduced erythrocyte density, parallel blood vessel pattern, and looser cellular density mesenchymal tissue. Moreover, the statistical analysis result shows that the increasing concentration of extract could increase the inhibition of new blood vessel growth (p <0.05). So, awar-awar leaf ethanol extract can be used as an antiangiogenesis agent in CAM of chicken embryo induced with bFGF by ex ovo.

Impaired deformability and association with density distribution of erythrocytes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus under treatment

BACKGROUND: Disturbed microcirculation is related to diabetic complications, and erythrocyte deformability is a critical factor regulating microcirculation. OBJECTIVES: To know the relationship between the impaired deformability and density profile in diabetic erythrocytes. METHODS: We recruited patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 15, diabetic group) and age- and sex-matched non-diabetic subjects (n = 15, control group). Erythrocyte density (ED) profile was obtained by the phthalate ester separation technique. ED distribution was fitted by sigmoidal curve, yielding specific gravity of phthalate ester allowing passage of half erythrocytes population (ED50) and slope factor. Erythrocyte deformability was estimated by our specific filtration technique. RESULTS: Diabetic group showed significantly (p < 0.001) higher HbA1c and fasting blood glucose concentration. Erythrocyte deformability in diabetic group was impaired as compared with that in control group (p < 0.001) and proportional to HbA1c (p = 0.009). However, ED50 and the slope factor in diabetic group did not differ from respective parameters in control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that erythrocyte deformability was impaired in diabetic patients even under treatment. HbA1c up to 7.5% is concluded not to alter the erythrocyte density but to impair the deformability, which might be a warning to clinicians for prevention of diabetic complications.

Effects of dietary Mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on grown, survival rate, intestinal morphology and blood cell count of the golden trevally fish (Gnathanodon specious)

The golden trevally fishes (Gnathanodon specious) (2.19 ± 0.23 g) were cultured in glass tanks with density of 20 fishes/tank and they were fed supplemental diets of different MOS concentrations (0; 0.2; 0.4 and 0.6%) for 90 days. Collected data included growth rate, survival rate and some hematological characteristics of this fish. The results demonstrated that MOS supplementation did not affect growth performance, erythrocyte density and blood cell size, however the survival rate was significantly increased. On the other hand, the total number of white blood cells (BC) on the 60th day in the fish fed with MOS supplements (5.78–6.96 × 104TB/mm3) was higher than that in the control group (only 5.43 × 104TB/mm3) with the largest total leukocytes (6.96 ± 0.50 × 104TB /mm3) at 0.2% MOS (p < 0.05).

Erythrocyte density in sickle cell syndromes is associated with specific clinical manifestations and hemolysis

Dense, dehydrated red blood cells (DRBCs) are a characteristic feature of sickle-cell disease (SCD). DRBCs play a role in the pathophysiology of SCD acute and chronic organ damage because of heightened tendency to undergo polymerization and sickling because of their higher hemoglobin S concentration. Relations between red cell density (assessed with phthalate density-distribution profile method) and several hematologic, biochemical, genetic parameters, and clinical manifestations were studied in a large cohort of homozygous patients. The percentage of DRBCs was significantly higher in patients who experienced skin ulcers, priapism, or renal dysfunction. Presence of α-thalassemia deletions was associated with fewer DRBCs. A multivariable analysis model showed DRBCs to be positively associated with hemolytic parameters such as lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin and negatively with fetal hemoglobin. The percentage of DRBCs decreased by 34% at 6 months of hydroxycarbamide (xydroxyurea) therapy. Thus, DRBCs are associated with specific clinical manifestations and biologic markers and may be a useful addition to the biologic and clinical evaluation of patients with SCD, because they can easily be measured in a hematocrit tube.