1
|
Nunes V, de Freitas LAR, de Freitas JR, Araújo C, Junior GN, Schinoni MI, Bessone F, Paraná R. Obliterative portal venopathy: A neglected and probably misdiagnosed disease with peculiar etiology in South America. JGH Open 2022; 6:904-909. [PMID: 36514502 PMCID: PMC9730720 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aim Obliterative portal venopathy (OPV) is one of the causes of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. However, many aspects of OPV remain unclear, including the etiology, pathogenesis, and natural history. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of OPV in a series of patients in Brazil in whom OPV was diagnosed through liver biopsy. Methods Forty-three consecutive adult patients with OPV were retrospectively selected as a case series based on histologic criteria, defined by the presence of at least portal fibrosis, phlebosclerosis, disappearance and/or reduction of the caliber of portal vein branches, and exclusion of cirrhosis. Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed. Clinically significant portal hypertension was considered in the presence of esophageal varices and/or ascites. Results The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 44.5 ± 11 years, who were predominantly female (81%). Clinically significant portal hypertension was found in 28% of cases. The most frequent indication for liver biopsy was the elevation of liver enzymes, mostly γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in 76% of patients, averaging 222 IU/L (upper limit of normality up to 40 IU/L) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in 64%, mean 84 IU/L (38 IU/L). One-third of our patients had exposure to medications, especially herbal medicines, at the time of enzymatic changes. Other risk factors highlighted were features of autoimmunity in 25% of patients or thrombophilia in 20%. Conclusion OPV can be diagnosed even before the onset of portal hypertension, ALT elevation, and especially GGT elevation in most cases. Its etiology is not defined, but autoimmune diseases, thrombophilia, and the use of medications or herbal medicines may play a role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius Nunes
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology DepartmentHospital Universitário Prof Edgard SantosSalvadorBrazil,Medical School of the Federal University of Bahia‐BrasilSalvadorBrazil,IDORSão PauloBrazil
| | - Luiz A R de Freitas
- Department of PathologySchool of Medicine of the Federal University of BahiaSalvadorBrazil,LPEM of the Instituto de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz‐FIOCRUZSalvadorBrazil
| | - Juliana R de Freitas
- Department of PathologySchool of Medicine of the Federal University of BahiaSalvadorBrazil,LPEM of the Instituto de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz‐FIOCRUZSalvadorBrazil
| | - Caio Araújo
- Medical School of the Federal University of Bahia‐BrasilSalvadorBrazil
| | - Gildásio N Junior
- Medical School of the Federal University of Bahia‐BrasilSalvadorBrazil
| | - Maria I Schinoni
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology DepartmentHospital Universitário Prof Edgard SantosSalvadorBrazil,Medical School of the Federal University of Bahia‐BrasilSalvadorBrazil,Faculty of MedicineMedical School of the Federal University of BahiaSalvadorBrazil
| | - Fernando Bessone
- Hospital Provincial del CentenarioUniversity of Rosario School of MedicineRosarioArgentina
| | - Raymundo Paraná
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology DepartmentHospital Universitário Prof Edgard SantosSalvadorBrazil,Medical School of the Federal University of Bahia‐BrasilSalvadorBrazil,IDORSão PauloBrazil,Faculty of MedicineMedical School of the Federal University of BahiaSalvadorBrazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Arikawa AY, Snyder J, Ross JM, Harris M, Perez D, Bednarzyk M. Dietary Supplement Intake is Associated with Healthier Lifestyle Behaviors in College Students Attending a Regional University in the Southeast: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Diet Suppl 2022; 20:870-884. [PMID: 36255153 DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2022.2134532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between intake of dietary supplements and biomarkers such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor has not been well explored. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations between supplement intake and biological and lifestyle factors. We hypothesized that dietary supplement intake was associated with healthier lifestyle behaviors. College students attending a Southeast university were recruited between January 2018 and April 2019. Blood samples were collected to measure insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Statistical tests employed were linear regression and analysis of variance. Ninety-eight participants completed the study and 91% reported taking at least one supplement, while 5.1% reported taking 9+ supplements once per week. There were no differences in levels of insulin, IGF-1 and ALT by levels of dietary supplement intake. Although there were no differences in HEI-2015 score among the groups, those who consumed five or more supplements met a higher percentage of the recommended intake for fruits, performed aerobic exercise for longer duration, and had lower body fat percentage compared to participants who consumed two or less supplements at least once per week. These findings are consistent with previous studies and suggest that dietary supplement intake is highly prevalent in college students, and it may be related to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Future studies should employ mixed methodology to examine reasons by which college students consume dietary supplements and to assess perceived and direct health benefits associated with consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Y Arikawa
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Jill Snyder
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Jenifer M Ross
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Michel Harris
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Doreen Perez
- Student Health Services, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Michele Bednarzyk
- School of Nursing, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Popovici V, Bucur L, Calcan SI, Cucolea EI, Costache T, Rambu D, Schröder V, Gîrd CE, Gherghel D, Vochita G, Caraiane A, Badea V. Elemental Analysis and In Vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg from Călimani Mountains, Romania. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:plants11010032. [PMID: 35009036 PMCID: PMC8747648 DOI: 10.3390/plants11010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to complete our research on Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg (U. barbata) from the Călimani Mountains, Romania, with an elemental analysis and to explore its antibacterial and antifungal potential. Thus, we analyzed twenty-three metals (Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Al, Ag, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Tl, V, Mo, Pd, Pt, Sb, As, Pb, Cd, and Hg) in dried U. barbata lichen (dUB) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For the second study, we performed dried lichen extraction with five different solvents (ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, methanol, and water), obtaining five U. barbata dry extracts (UBDE). Then, using an adapted disc diffusion method (DDM), we examined their antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial species-four Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus pneumoniae) and three Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa)-and two fungi species (Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis). Usnic acid (UA) was used as a positive control. The ICP-MS data showed a considerable Ca content (979.766 µg/g), followed by, in decreasing order, Mg, Mn, Al, Fe, and Zn. Other elements had low levels: Ba, Cu, Pb, and Cr (3.782-1.002 µg/g); insignificant amounts (<1 µg/g) of Hg and V were also found in dUB. The trace elements Ag, As, Cd, Co, Li, Tl, Mo, Pd, Pt, and Sb were below detection limits (<0.1 µg/g). The DDM results-expressed as the size (mm) of the inhibition zone diameter (IZs)-proved that the water extract did not have any inhibitory activity on any pathogens (IZs = 0 mm). Gram-positive bacteria displayed the most significant susceptibility to all other UBDE, with Enterococcus casseliflavus showing the highest level (IZs = 20-22 mm). The most susceptible Gram-negative bacterium was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IZs = 16-20 mm); the others were insensitive to all U. barbata dry extracts (IZs = 0 mm). The inhibitory activity of UBDE and UA on Candida albicans was slightly higher than on Candida parapsilosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Popovici
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Ovidius University of Constanta, 7 Ilarie Voronca Street, 900684 Constanta, Romania; (V.P.); (V.B.)
| | - Laura Bucur
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ovidius University of Constanta, 6 Capitan Al. Serbanescu Street, 900001 Constanta, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-721528446
| | - Suzana Ioana Calcan
- Research Center for Instrumental Analysis SCIENT, 1E Petre Ispirescu Street, 077167 Tancabesti, Romania; (S.I.C.); (E.I.C.); (T.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Elena Iulia Cucolea
- Research Center for Instrumental Analysis SCIENT, 1E Petre Ispirescu Street, 077167 Tancabesti, Romania; (S.I.C.); (E.I.C.); (T.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Teodor Costache
- Research Center for Instrumental Analysis SCIENT, 1E Petre Ispirescu Street, 077167 Tancabesti, Romania; (S.I.C.); (E.I.C.); (T.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Dan Rambu
- Research Center for Instrumental Analysis SCIENT, 1E Petre Ispirescu Street, 077167 Tancabesti, Romania; (S.I.C.); (E.I.C.); (T.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Verginica Schröder
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ovidius University of Constanta, 6 Capitan Al. Serbanescu Street, 900001 Constanta, Romania;
| | - Cerasela Elena Gîrd
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Daniela Gherghel
- NIRDBS, Institute of Biological Research Iasi, 47 Lascar Catargi Street, 700107 Iasi, Romania; (D.G.); (G.V.)
| | - Gabriela Vochita
- NIRDBS, Institute of Biological Research Iasi, 47 Lascar Catargi Street, 700107 Iasi, Romania; (D.G.); (G.V.)
| | - Aureliana Caraiane
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Ovidius University of Constanta, 7 Ilarie Voronca Street, 900684 Constanta, Romania;
| | - Victoria Badea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Ovidius University of Constanta, 7 Ilarie Voronca Street, 900684 Constanta, Romania; (V.P.); (V.B.)
| |
Collapse
|