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This paper highlights the role of plant volatile organic compounds, found in essential oils, for the treatment of bacteria related inflammation. This report is focused on tea tree oil, particularly its main compound terpinen-4-ol. Analysis of the published literature shows that many essential oils have significant antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Some of their major components, such as terpinen-4-ol, act by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine expression while stimulating production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Such observations may be exploited to encourage biotherapy against mastitis. The use of synthetic antibiotics is being increasingly discouraged because their presence in dairy milk may have potential downstream effects on population health and the agri-food chain. In the context of inflammation and related mammalian responses, understanding the interplay between volatile organic compounds, especially terpinen-4-ol, and cytokines during bacteria related inflammation should clarify their mode of action to control mastitis.
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Citocinas/biosíntesis , Mastitis Bovina/tratamiento farmacológico , Aceite de Árbol de Té/farmacología , Terpenos/farmacología , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Bovinos , Femenino , Humanos , Mastitis Bovina/inmunología , Aceite de Árbol de Té/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Expression of cry1Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was evaluated under the control of a wound-inducible AoPR1 promoter from Asparagus officinalis in transgenic tobacco plants. The leaves of transgenic plants were mechanically wounded to evaluate the activity of the AoPR1 promoter in driving the expression of Cry1Ac protein at the wound site. Our results indicate that mechanical wounding of transgenic plants was effective in inducing the expression of Cry1Ac protein. As a result of this induction, the accumulated levels of Cry1Ac protein increased during 6-72 h post-wounding period. The leaves of transgenic tobacco plants were evaluated for resistance against Heliothis virescens and Manduca sexta in insect bioassays in two different ways. The detached tobacco leaves were either fed directly to the insect larvae or they were first mechanically wounded followed by a 72 h post-wounding feeding period. Complete protection of mechanically wounded leaves of transgenic plants was observed within 24 h of the bioassay. The leaves of transgenic plants fed directly (without pre-wounding) to the larvae achieved the same level of protection between 24 and 72 h of the bioassay.
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Proteínas Bacterianas/biosíntesis , Endotoxinas/biosíntesis , Proteínas Hemolisinas/biosíntesis , Nicotiana/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Animales , Toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Western Blotting , Endotoxinas/genética , Endotoxinas/metabolismo , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Proteínas Hemolisinas/genética , Proteínas Hemolisinas/metabolismo , Larva/efectos de los fármacos , Lepidópteros/efectos de los fármacos , Lepidópteros/patogenicidad , Control Biológico de Vectores/métodos , Enfermedades de las Plantas/parasitología , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/metabolismo , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/parasitología , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , Nicotiana/metabolismo , Nicotiana/parasitologíaRESUMEN
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
OBJECTIVES: Hypothyroidism in utero leading to mental retardation is highly prevalent and recurrent in developing countries where iodine deficiency and thiocyanate overload are combined. So, to explore and identify human population's risks for developing iodine deficiency disorders and their endemicity in Western Cameroon, with the aim to prevent this deficiency and to fight again it, urinary iodine and thiocyanate levels were determined. METHODS: The district of Bamougoum in Western Cameroon was selected for closer study due to its geographic location predisposing for 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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Dieta/efectos adversos , Yodo/deficiencia , Yodo/orina , Tiocianatos/orina , Adolescente , Distribución por Edad , Camerún/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Colorimetría , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Estado Nutricional , Vigilancia de la Población , Prevalencia , Riesgo , Enfermedades de la Tiroides/epidemiología , Enfermedades de la Tiroides/etiologíaRESUMEN
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.
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Yodo/química , Yodo/deficiencia , Camerún , Recolección de Datos , Humanos , Cloruro de Sodio Dietético , Enfermedades de la Tiroides/prevención & control , Glándula Tiroides/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Iodine deficiency diseases (IDD) are a public health problem in many developing countries, such as Cameroon. They are often the consequence of insufficient iodine intake and/or the effect of thiocyanate in foods such as cassava; this chemical inhibits iodine fixation by the thyroid gland. One method of combatting these diseases is to counsel and encourage the consumptions of iodine-rich foods. We accordingly undertook an evaluation of the iodine content of staple foods, the soil, and the salt in some zones of western Cameroon and in the capital. Food (63), salt (04) and soil (05) samples were collected in four villages of western Cameroon, and food (20), water (18) and salt samples (14) were collected in Yaoundé (central province). Iodine content in foods and soils was assessed by the catalytic destructive testing of thiocyanate by nitrate in the presence of iodine. Iodine content in water was determined colorimetrically after mineralization and in salt by volumetric methods. Results show that iodine levels in salt depend on its origin, but was much lower than the 50-100 ppm recommended by the WHO. Soil and water levels depended on the stream and the origin. Several of the more than 20 foods sampled from Yaoundé had iodine concentrations higher than 10 microg/100 g: plantain (22.5 microg/100 g), wheat flour (21 microg/100 g), corn flour (17.75 microg/100 g), groundnuts (12.5 microg/100 g), sweet potatoes (12.25 microg/100 g), zoom (11.34 microg/100 g) and rice (10.45 microg /100 g). In western villages, we noted that iodine levels in food crops depended on the soil levels. Nevertheless, it was high in cocoyam (79.5 microg/100 g), yarns (68 microg/100 g), potatoes (62 microg/100 g), plantains (58.15 microg/100 g), and red beans (53.93 microg/100 g). In general, these crops contain more iodine than the food in Yaoundé; these results can be used to combat IDD, especially among young children, teenagers and pregnant women.