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OBJECTIVE: Hormones play a vital role in initiating and maintaining male reproductive function. The present study explores the influence and predictive ability of two reproductive hormones on semen quality among men who were partners in an infertile couple. DESIGN: During our cross sectional study, men were recruited from private and public hospital and laboratories for clinical evaluation of fertility status. METHODS: Fresh semen samples were assessed for quality (concentration, motility and morphology) according to the 2010 World Health Organization manual and the serum levels of hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Inhibin B was measured (ELISA). RESULTS: We found a significant difference in the two groups regarding sperm concentration (p < 0.0001), total sperm count (p < 0.0001), total sperm count (p < 0.0001), total sperm count (p < 0.0001), total sperm count (p < 0.0001), total sperm count (. CONCLUSION: Consistent with other studies, our results show strong association between semen quality and FSH and Inhibin B.
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BACKGROUND AND AIM: Prolonged exposure to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is associated with adverse effects such as hyperlactatemia. We determined the prevalence and risk factors for developing hyperlactatemia among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected cameroonians on antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from January to April 2012 involving 91 HIV-infected patients receiving ART for at least 12 months and 30 HIV-infected patients who have never received ART (ART-naïve patients). Plasma lactate levels were determined after at least 12 hours of overnight fasting and hyperlactatemia defined as lactate concentrations ≥ 3 mmol/L. The prevalence of hyperlactatemia was determined and the risk factors were analyzed by a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: The mean lactataemia was significantly higher in the group of HIV patients currently taking ART than in the ART-naïve one (2.3 ± 1.3 and 1.7 ± 0.7 mmol/L respectively, p = 0.002). Patients on first line ART regimens had significantly higher lactatemia than those on second line regimens (2.5 ± 1.5 and 1.9 ± 0.7 mmol/L respectively, p = 0.014). The prevalence of hyperlactatemia in HIV patients receiving ART and in ART-naïve HIV patients was respectively 18.7 and 6.7% (p = 0.095). ART-exposure (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06 - 27.84; p = 0.042) and being on a first line regimen (aOR 16.22, 95% CI 1.57 - 167.91; p = 0.019) were independent strong predictors of hyperlactatemia. CONCLUSION: Hyperlactatemia was not rare in our study population. Being on a first line regimen constitutes an important risk factor for developing hyperlactatemia. Measurement of plasma lactate may be useful in optimizing the management of HIV-positive persons on ART.
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Number of deaths due to cancer diseases is increasing in the world. There is an urgent need to develop alternative therapeutic measures against the disease. Our study reports the cytotoxicity activity of Garcina epunctata (gutifferae) in human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) and prostate cancer cells (PC-3) was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and morphological changes associated with apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry and Hoescht staining respectively. The results of in vitro antiproliferative screening of fractions and extract from G. epunctata indicated that three fractions inhibited the viability of PC-3 cells with IC50 varied from 50 to 88 µ/ml while two fractions inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells with IC50 range between 47.5 and 12 µg/ml. Among the entire fraction tested, Hex-EtOAc (75:25) showed cytotoxic effects on the two cell lines and EtOAc fraction was most active only HL-60 cells (12 µg/ml). Treatment of HL-60 cells with G. epunctata (20, 50, 100 µg/ml) for 24 h led to a significant dose-dependent increase in the percentage of cells in sub-G1 phase by analysis of the content of DNA in cells, and a number of apoptotic bodies containing nuclear fragments were observed in cells treated with 100 µg/ml. The EtOAc fraction of G. epunctata treatment significantly arrested HL-60 cells at the G0/G1 phase (p<0.05) and ROS was significantly elevated as well as the loss of membrane mitochondrial potential in a concentration dependant manner. The results demonstrated that the EtOAc fraction of G. epunctata inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells, leading to cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death, which was confirmed to occur through the mitochondrial pathway.
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Acetatos/química , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Ciclo Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Fase G1/efectos de los fármacos , Garcinia/química , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismo , Fase de Descanso del Ciclo Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Bioensayo , Bisbenzimidazol , Colorantes , ADN de Neoplasias/biosíntesis , Células HL-60 , Humanos , Potencial de la Membrana Mitocondrial/efectos de los fármacos , Corteza de la Planta/química , Tallos de la Planta/química , SolventesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Several plant extracts from Rutaceae family are currently used to the management of sickle cell disorder (SCD) in the African. Few reports have shown that extracts from Zanthoxyllum or Fagara genus demonstrated anti-sickling property. This study investigates the in vitro antisickling and antioxidant properties of extracts from Zanthoxyllum heitzii. METHODS: The sickling of red blood cells (RBCs) was induced using sodium metabisulfite (2%) followed by treatment with extracts at different concentrations. The osmotic fragility tests permits to explore the effect of Z. heitzii extracts on haemoglobin S solubility and sickle cells membrane stability. For each extract, qualitative phytochemical tests were used to identify the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides and phenols, while some quantitative methods such as Folin, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and diphenyl 1, 2 picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) were used to determine the antioxidant potential of these extracts. RESULTS: Sodium metabisulphite increased the sickling of RBCs from 29.62 to 55.46% during 2 h. Treatment of sickling cells with extracts at different concentrations showed that a decrease of the percentage of sickling cells was found in both induced and non induced sickling cells. The fruits extract of Z. heitzii demonstrated the best anti-sickling property. The same extract at 250 µg/mL showed the best membrane cell stability compared to others. All the extracts revealed an antioxidant and anti-radical activities although lesser compared to the standard. CONCLUSION: The fruit extract of Z. Heitzii demonstrated the most significant antisickling effect with a potential for use in the clinical management of SCD.
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Anemia de Células Falciformes , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Eritrocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Zanthoxylum/química , Adulto , Anemia de Células Falciformes/tratamiento farmacológico , Antioxidantes/uso terapéutico , Compuestos de Bifenilo/metabolismo , Frutas , Humanos , Fitoterapia , Picratos/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , SulfitosRESUMEN
Kalanchoe crenata is a vegetable widely used in Cameroon and largely efficient in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The effect of the water-ethanol extract of this plant (WEKC) on blood glucose levels was investigated in fasting normal and diet-induced diabetic rats (MACAPOS 1) after a short- and medium-term treatment. Diabetes was induced by submitting Wistar rats to a hypercaloric sucrose diet over 4 months. Six hours after a single oral administration of WEKC, 135 and 200 mg kg(-1) body weight extracts significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the blood glucose levels both in normal and diabetic rats without real dose-dependent effect. During the medium-term treatment, 200 mg kg(-1) WEKC administered daily for 4 weeks significantly reduced blood glucose levels within week 1 (P < 0.05), with a maximum effect at week 4 (-52%, P < 0.01), while maintaining glycaemia within the normal range. All the WEKC-treated diabetic rats exhibited significant (P < 0.01) increase in insulin sensitivity index (K (ITT)) compared with the initial time and to the untreated diabetic animals. Animals treated for 4 weeks exhibited a slight resistance in body-weight gain and decrease in food and water intake. The WEKC activities on all parameters assessed were comparable with the glibenclamide effects. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed that K. crenata contains terpenoids, tannins, polysaccharids, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The data suggest that K. crenata might contain important chemical components that could induce significant improvement in glucose clearance and/or uptake and resistance to body-weight gain and insulin sensitivity, and could be a potent alternative or complementary therapeutic substance in the control of type 2 diabetes and other insulin-resistant conditions.
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Glucemia/efectos de los fármacos , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamiento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Etanol/química , Kalanchoe , Solventes/química , Agua/química , Administración Oral , Animales , Glucemia/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/fisiopatología , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/fisiopatología , Ingestión de Líquidos/efectos de los fármacos , Esquema de Medicación , Ingestión de Alimentos/efectos de los fármacos , Gliburida/farmacología , Hipoglucemiantes/administración & dosificación , Hipoglucemiantes/química , Hipoglucemiantes/aislamiento & purificación , Hipoglucemiantes/farmacología , Hipoglucemiantes/toxicidad , Insulina/metabolismo , Resistencia a la Insulina , Kalanchoe/química , Masculino , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Solubilidad , Factores de Tiempo , Aumento de Peso/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism in utero leading to mental retardation is highly prevalent in developing countries where iodine deficiency and thiocyanate overload are combined. OBJECTIVE: To explore prevalence of IDD in Bamougoum, a mountain region of western Cameroon, by studying urinary iodine and thiocyanate excretion levels in children. METHODS: Bamougoum district in western Cameroon was selected for closer study due to its geographic location predisposing to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). A comprehensive sampling strategy included 24-h urine samples collected over three days from 120 school-aged children. Urinary iodine and thiocyanate levels were measured by colorimetric methods. RESULTS: Twenty one percent of boys between the ages 3 and 19 were classified as iodine deficient. The prevalence of thiocyanate overload in the same population was found to be 20%. CONCLUSION: Presence of endemic iodine deficiency and excessive thiocyanate in the population indicates that the region is at risk of iodine deficiency disorder. A multifactorial approach that includes improvement of diet, increasing iodine and minimizing goitrogen substances intake, soil and crop improvement and an iodine supplementation program may help alleviate IDD in the affected area studied.
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Hipotiroidismo Congénito/epidemiología , Yodo/orina , Estado Nutricional , Tiocianatos/orina , Adolescente , Distribución por Edad , Camerún/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Colorimetría/métodos , Dieta , Femenino , Humanos , Yodo/deficiencia , Masculino , Vigilancia de la Población , Prevalencia , Riesgo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The presence of homologous point mutations in the dhfr gene in Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum is associated with resistance to antifolate drugs. The spread of antifolate resistance encouraged research for novel antifolate drugs active against both wild-type and dhfr-mutant strains of malaria parasites. Because P. vivax cannot be easily maintained in culture, we transformed a Saccharomyces cerevisiae DHFR-deleted mutant to express wild-type P. vivax dhfr gene and its mutant forms. Twenty-five dicyclic and tricyclic 2,4-diaminopyrimidine derivatives were screened. Six quinazoline compounds showed selective inhibition of yeast transformants expressing P. vivax dhfr genes. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of these six compounds was determined against field isolates of P. falciparum. Our results suggest that a close relationship between the yeast assay based on expression of P. vivax dhfr genes and the in vitro test using P. falciparum parasites in culture is a promising initial step for drug screening.
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Antagonistas del Ácido Fólico/farmacología , Plasmodium falciparum/efectos de los fármacos , Plasmodium vivax/enzimología , Quinazolinas/farmacología , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/enzimología , Tetrahidrofolato Deshidrogenasa , Animales , Concentración 50 Inhibidora , Mutación , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Parasitaria , Plasmodium falciparum/crecimiento & desarrollo , Plasmodium vivax/genética , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/efectos de los fármacos , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genética , Tetrahidrofolato Deshidrogenasa/genética , Tetrahidrofolato Deshidrogenasa/metabolismoRESUMEN
It has been hypothesised that glucose intolerance or diabetes can be induced in rodents by a hypercaloric-fat diet or a hypercaloric-sucrose diet. This study was designed to examine the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD: carbohydrates 35-40% kcal, fat 50-55% kcal, protein 10-15% kcal) and a high-sucrose diet (HSD: carbohydrates 65-70% kcal, fat 25-30% kcal, protein 10-15% kcal) compared to a normal or standard diet (ND: carbohydrates 50-55% kcal, fat 15-20% kcal, protein 25-30% kcal) on fasting plasma glucose, glucose tolerance test, plasma triglycerides, plasma cholesterol, body weight, food and water consumption in male Wistar rats. After 4 months, weight gain, plasma triglycerides level, fasting plasma glucose and water intake were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in all test groups when compared to the control group. Total HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in the HFD group, whereas the HDL level was significantly lower in the HSD group associated with an atherogenic index significantly elevated (p<0.05) when compared to the control group. After 16 weeks of dietary treatment, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed a significant increase in plasma glucose levels after 2-4 h of glucose challenge in all test groups. During the experiment, it was noticed that important weight gain observed in all dietary test groups was associated with a significant low (p<0.05) food consumption. The above results suggest that dietary nutrients contained in these hypercaloric diets might have an effect on insulin action and therefore, might contribute to the development of glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes. These results also suggest that, in addition to their diabetogenic effect, these hypercaloric diets might probably have an atherogenic effect and could be use in a long-term study to induce type 2 (non-insulino-dependant) diabetes mellitus.
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Dieta/efectos adversos , Intolerancia a la Glucosa/etiología , Hiperlipidemias/etiología , Animales , Glucemia/metabolismo , Camerún , HDL-Colesterol/sangre , LDL-Colesterol/sangre , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Intolerancia a la Glucosa/sangre , Humanos , Hiperlipidemias/sangre , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
Diarrhoea is a public health problem in developing countries. It is therefore important and useful to identify plants with antidiarrhoeal activity. Alchornea cordifolia is quoted by many traditional healers as a plant with this activity. The antidiarrhoeal activity of its leaf extract was investigated against castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice, using morphine as the standard reference drug. A significant (p < 0.01) dose related (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg) antidiarrhoeal activity of A. cordifolia leaf ethanol extract was observed with 800 mg/kg extract being the most effective. It delayed mouse intestinal transit accelerated by castor oil, inhibited the production of diarrhoeal faeces and modified the fluid and electrolyte transport across the colonic mucosa when administered intraluminally. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins and flavonoids which may account for the increased colonic water and electrolyte reabsorption, a mechanism suggested for the antidiarrhoeal activity of A. cordifolia.
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Antidiarreicos/farmacología , Euphorbiaceae , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Animales , Antidiarreicos/administración & dosificación , Antidiarreicos/uso terapéutico , Aceite de Ricino , Diarrea/inducido químicamente , Diarrea/prevención & control , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Motilidad Gastrointestinal/efectos de los fármacos , Masculino , Ratones , Extractos Vegetales/administración & dosificación , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Hojas de la Planta , Ratas , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
The WHO program to combat iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) adopted in 1992 required countries producing cooking and table salt to add 50-100 ppm of iodine to salt. This program was adopted in Cameroon, but problems remain in ensuring adequate conditioning of the iodized salt at the factories to maintain the iodine levels so that consumers take in the required quantity. This study collected and analyzed five groups of salt samples from three provinces of Cameroon. Each group included a specimen from its factory, wholesalers, retailers, and households. Iodine content was measured by the volumetric method. The results showed that iodine levels in salt decreased substantially between the factory and the consumer; percentages of iodine loss in these samples varied from 44.8% to 82.3%. Iodine levels were highest in fine-grained salt. Iodine concentration also decreases after storage, perhaps as a function of the type and duration of the storage, temperature, packaging material and presence of impurities in salt. This study shows that even salt with an initial high iodine concentration may reach consumers with insufficient levels for daily needs.