ODP109 PARATHYROID HORMONE AND 25 OH VITAMINA D IN PREGNANCY: DATA FROM AN ARGENTINEAN COHORT SUPPORTING SUPPLEMENTATION

 

Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency has become a global health care issue, as it affects a great number of women during pregnancy and lactation. Vit D levels are critical during pregnancy, being the mother the only source of them for the developing fetus; an enzymatic system for conversion of 25OH VitD into 1-25(OH) 2 VitD is present in the placenta, thus reinforcing the importance of VitD during gestation. VitD deficiency has been associated with obstetric complications and adverse outcomes in offspring, affecting skeletal, immunological and respiratory systems. It is known that prenatal supplements available do not contain enough VitD to fulfil requirements. It is generally accepted that elevated PTH is an indicator of VitD deficiency, and Hysaj O et al (2021) showed that 25OH VitD is a statistically significant determinant of PTH levels in early and late pregnancy.

Aim

To evaluateVitD status and its relationship to parathyroid hormone (PTH) in a cohort of pregnant women representative of multiple Argentinian regions.

Subjects and Methods

Data from samples of 423 pregnant women in 1st and 2nd trimester were collected between 2016 and 2021. VitD was measured in different platforms: DiaSorin Liaison CLIA (n=184), Roche COBAS ECLIA (n=166), Abbott ARCHITECT CMIA (n=33), Biomérieux VIDAS ELFA (n=18) and Siemens CENTAUR CLIA (n=16). PTH (ng/L) was measured in 162 samples by SIEMENS IMMULITE CLIA and Roche COBAS ECLIA. As VitD is light-exposure dependent, we considered warm and high light-exposure season period from December to March and cold and low light season from April to September. VITD (ng/L) levels were classified as Deficient (<20), Insufficient (between 21 and 29) and Sufficient (>30) (Endocrine Society, 2014).

Results

From 423 data collected, 102 were excluded because of lacking information on VitD supplementation. From the remaining non supplemented 321 samples, 48% resulted insufficient, 30% deficient and 22% sufficient for VitD (groups comparison: p< 0. 05, Kruskal Wallis-Dunn test). The seasonal period and pregnancy trimester distributions didn't show significant differences. Similar results of VitD insufficiency were found in the major used platforms, regardless the seasonal period considered. PTH results expressed as median and interquartile range were (ng/L): 32. 0 (13.7-169. 0) in Deficient pregnancies (N=92), 23.7(13.3-88. 0) in Insufficient (n=50) and 18.7 (9.8-55.7) in Sufficient (n=20).

Conclusions

This study shows VitD inadequate levels in 78% in non-supplemented pregnancies, regardless season or measurement platform. Relative elevated levels of PTH were associated to pregnancies with VitD deficiency, evidenciating a regulatory role according to published data. To improve VitD status during pregnancy it would be advisable to pose new strategies for prenatal supplements developed by a multidisciplinary professional team.

Presentation: No date and time listed

A TLR4 agonist improves immune checkpoint blockade treatment by increasing the ratio of effector to regulatory cells within the tumor microenvironment

Brucella lumazine synthase (BLS) is a homodecameric protein that activates dendritic cells via toll like receptor 4, inducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We have previously shown that BLS has a therapeutic effect in B16 melanoma-bearing mice only when administered at early stages of tumor growth. In this work, we study the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of BLS, by analyzing the tumor microenvironment. Administration of BLS at early stages of tumor growth induces high levels of serum IFN-γ, as well as an increment of hematopoietic immune cells within the tumor. Moreover, BLS-treatment increases the ratio of effector to regulatory cells. However, all treated mice eventually succumb to the tumors. Therefore, we combined BLS administration with anti-PD-1 treatment. Combined treatment increases the outcome of both monotherapies. In conclusion, we show that the absence of the therapeutic effect at late stages of tumor growth correlates with low levels of serum IFN-γ and lower infiltration of immune cells in the tumor, both of which are essential to delay tumor growth. Furthermore, the combined treatment of BLS and PD-1 blockade shows that BLS could be exploited as an essential immunomodulator in combination therapy with an immune checkpoint blockade to treat skin cancer.

Humoral immune response of pigs infected with Toxocara cati

Toxocara cati is one of the causative agents of human toxocariasis. Serological methods are used for diagnosis in paratenic hosts like humans but the humoral immune response triggered by this parasite is unknown. We characterized the humoral immune response to T. cati excretory-secretory antigens (TES) in pigs as animal model during the acute and chronic stages of infection. ELISA and Western Blot techniques were used to determine antibody response. Pigs were experimentally inoculated with 100,000 infective Toxocara cati eggs. Blood was collected at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-inoculation (d.p.i.) to assess the acute stage of infection and 90, 120 and 180 d. p.i. for chronic stage analysis. ELISA showed values higher than the cut-off of specific IgM and IgG at 7 d. p.i. with significant differences at 0 and 7 d. p.i. for IgM and at 14, 21 and 28 d. p.i. for IgG in the acute stage. Higher and stable levels were detected in the chronic stage. Western Blot showed bands from 102 to 38 kDa detected by specific IgM and IgG. More immunogenic bands were identified by specific IgG. In the chronic stage of infection a band near 31 kDa was the only band detected by IgM until 150 d. p.i. Specific IgG recognized bands between 102 and 31 kDa. This study demonstrates how the humoral immune response evolves in the acute and chronic stages of infection and provides evidence on the role of the pig as a paratenic host of T. cati.

Determination of Domoic Acid Toxins in Shellfish by Biosense ASP ELISAA Direct Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted on the Biosense amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of domoic acid (DA) toxins in shellfish in order to obtain interlaboratory validation data for the method. In addition, a method comparison study was performed to evaluate the ASP ELISA as an alternative to the current liquid chromatography (LC) reference method for DA determination. The study material comprised 16 shellfish samples, including blue mussels, Pacific oysters, and king scallops, spiked with contaminated mussel homogenates to contain 0.120 mg DA/kg shellfish flesh. The shellfish samples were extracted with 50% aqueous methanol, and the supernatants were directly analyzed. Sixteen participating laboratories in 10 countries reported data from the ASP ELISA, and 4 of these laboratories also reported data from instrumental LC analysis. The participating laboratories achieved interlaboratory precision estimates for the 8 Youden paired shellfish samples in the range of 1020% for RSDr (mean 14.8 4%), and 1329% for RSDR (mean 22.7 6%). The precision estimates for the ELISA data did not show a strong dependence on the DA concentration in the study samples, and the overall precision achieved was within the acceptable range of the Horwitz guideline with HorRat values ranging from 1.1 to 2.4 (mean HorRat 1.7 0.5). The analysis of shellfish samples spiked with certified reference material (CRM)-ASP-MUS-b gave recoveries in the range of 88122%, with an average recovery of 104 10%. The estimate on method accuracy was supported by a correlation slope of 1.015 (R2 = 0.992) for the determined versus the expected DA values. Furthermore, the correlation of the ASP ELISA results with those for the instrumental LC analyses of the same sample extracts gave a correlation slope of 1.29 (R2 = 0.984). This indicates some overestimation of DA levels in shellfish by the ELISA, but it is also a result of apparent low recoveries for the LC methods. This interlaboratory study demonstrates that the ASP ELISA is suitable for the routine determination and monitoring of DA toxins in shellfish, and that it offers a rapid and cost-effective methodology with high sample throughput.

[Coproantigens detection for the diagnosis of canine Echinococcosis in the border area of La Quiaca-Villazón]

Cystic Echinococcosis is a major public health issue. Immunodiagnostic techniques based on the identification of parasite antigens in dog dry faeces have been developed as alternatives for the surveillance of canine Echinococcosis. The environmental conditions favouring the parasite cycle were met in the border of La Quiaca-Villazón, given the presence of definitive (dog) and intermediate hosts (sheep and goats). The most important activity in La Puna is sheep and goat rearing; slaughtering is carried out almost exclusively in the field by sheep's owners, and preventive health measures do not apply. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of dogs parasitized by Echinococcus granulosus in this border region. A hundred and sixty eight (168) stool specimens were collected during 2006. La Quiaca samples were taken from the following selected areas: the semi-rural area of Barrios, the rural areas of Santa Catalina, Yavi Chico, El Portillo, Pumahuasi and Cara Cara and the urban area of La Quiaca; selected urban areas in Villazón and the semi-rural area of Ojo de Agua, Lampaya and Matancillas. The samples were analyzed by copro-ELISA -Western blot test. The cities of San Francisco and Barrios had a prevalence of 14.3% and 6.7%, respectively. A prevalence of 3.4% was observed in the urban area of Villazón, which indicates that dogs become infected in the rural areas and bring the risk into the city. Lampaya showed a prevalence of 30%. These findings suggest the need to implement strategies for the control of hydatidosis, both in urban and rural areas to avoid the increase and spread of Echinococcosis in the region.

Sandwich ELISA assay for the quantitation of palytoxin and its analogs in natural samples

Palytoxins are potent marine biotoxins that have recently become endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, and are becoming more frequently associated with seafood. Due to their high toxicity, suitable methods to quantify palytoxins are needed. Thus, we developed an indirect sandwich ELISA for palytoxin and 42-hydroxy-palytoxin. An intralaboratory study demonstrated sensitivity (limit of detection, LOD = 1.1 ng/mL; limit of quantitation, LOQ = 2.2 ng/mL), accuracy (bias of 2.1%), repeatability (RSDr = 6% and 9% for intra- and interassay variability, respectively) and specificity: other common marine toxins (okadaic acid, domoic acid, saxitoxin, brevetoxin-3, and yessotoxin) do not cross-react in this assay. It performed well in three different matrices: observed LOQs were 11.0, 9.6, and 2.4 ng/mL for mussel extracts, algal net samples and seawater, respectively, with good accuracy and precision. The LOQ in seafood is 11 μg palytoxin/kg mussel meat, lower than that of the most common detection technique, LC-MS/MS.

[Retroperitoneal hydatidosis secondary to hepatic hydatid cyst]

Hydatid disease is a worldwide zoonosis. It is caused by a parasitic platyhelminth of the genus Echinococcus. We present a patient with a fluctuating lumbar tumor in the retroperitoneal space, secondary to a hepatic cyst. the initial diagnosis was made by identification of rostellar hooks from protoscoleces in the fluid aspirated from the abscess. We herein describe the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of this unusual case and conclude that the development of an accurate diagnosis requires a proper analysis of the patient's epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, imaging studies and laboratory tests. a multidisciplinary approach and differential diagnosis is paramount to be able to establish a cause of the disease to deliver appropriate treatment.

The cytotoxic effect of palytoxin on Caco-2 cells hinders their use for in vitro absorption studies

Palytoxin (PLTX), found in Palythoa zoanthids and Ostreopsis dinoflagellates, has also been detected in crabs and fish, through which it can enter into the food chain. Indeed, PLTX is considered the causative agent of several cases of human seafood poisoning resulting in systemic symptoms. Available epidemiological data on PLTX human toxicity suggest that the intestinal tract may be one of its in vivo targets and its potential site of access into the bloodstream. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of the human intestinal Caco-2 cell line for evaluating PLTX oral absorption. A detailed analysis of PLTX cytotoxicity revealed a high sensitivity of Caco-2 cells: 4h toxin exposure reduced mitochondrial activity (MTT assay, EC(50) of 8.9±3.7×10(-12)M), cell density (SRB assay, EC(50) of 2.0±0.6×10(-11)M) and membrane integrity (LDH release, EC(50) of 4.5±1.4×10(-9)M and PI uptake, EC(50) of 1.0±0.8×10(-8)M). After low PLTX concentration (1.0×10(-11)M) exposure for 1-8h, followed by 24h recovery time in toxin-free medium, cell density reduction was only partially reversible. These results indicate that, due to the high susceptibility to PLTX cytotoxic effects, Caco-2 cells do not represent an appropriate and reliable model for investigating intestinal barrier permeation by this toxin.

Case definitions for human poisonings postulated to palytoxins exposure

A series of case reports and anecdotal references describe the adverse effects on human health ascribed to the marine toxin palytoxin (PLTX) after different exposure routes. They include poisonings after oral intake of contaminated seafood, but also inhalation and cutaneous/systemic exposures after direct contact with aerosolized seawater during Ostreopsis blooms and/or through maintaining aquaria containing cnidarian zoanthids. The symptoms commonly recorded during PLTX intoxication are general malaise and weakness, associated with myalgia, respiratory effects, impairment of the neuromuscular apparatus and abnormalities in cardiac function. Systemic symptoms are often recorded together with local damages whose intensity varies according to the route and length of exposure. Gastrointestinal malaise or respiratory distress is common for oral and inhalational exposure, respectively. In addition, irritant properties of PLTX probably account for the inflammatory reactions typical of cutaneous and inhalational contact. Unfortunately, the toxin identification and/or quantification are often incomplete or missing and cases of poisoning are indirectly ascribed to PLTXs, according only to symptoms, anamnesis and environmental/epidemiological investigations (i.e. zoanthid handling or ingestion of particular seafood). Based on the available literature, we suggest a "case definition of PLTX poisonings" according to the main exposure routes, and, we propose the main symptoms to be checked, as well as, hemato-clinical analysis to be carried out. We also suggest the performance of specific analyses both on biological specimens of patients, as well as, on the contaminated materials responsible for the poisoning. A standardized protocol for data collection could provide a more rapid and reliable diagnosis of palytoxin-poisoning, but also the collection of necessary data for the risk assessment for this family of toxins.

Palytoxin toxicity after acute oral administration in mice

The acute oral toxicity of palytoxin (PLTX), a highly toxic compound associated with seafood intoxication in tropical and subtropical areas, was investigated in mice. After gavage administration (300-1697 microg/kg) to groups of five female CD-1 mice, signs of toxicity and lethality were recorded for 24 h. The LD(50) was 767 microg/kg (95% confidence limits: 549-1039 microg/kg) and the main symptoms observed were scratching, jumping, respiratory distress and paralysis. Hematoclinical analyses showed increased levels of creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase at doses of 600 microg/kg and above, and aspartate transaminase at 848 microg/kg and above. Histological analysis revealed acute inflammation of the forestomach in mice surviving up to 24h after administration (424-1200 microg/kg). Other histological alterations were observed in the liver and pancreas, while cardiac and skeletal muscle cells revealed only ultrastructural alterations visible by transmission electron microscopy. Ultrastructural and hematoclinical findings suggest an involvement of skeletal and/or cardiac muscle as targets of PLTX, according to the observed human symptoms. A NOEL of 300 microg/kg can be estimated from this acute oral toxicity study.

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchcock

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine.

AIM OF STUDY

Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections (Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice.

RESULTS

Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID(50) (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112 microg/cm(2) (Byrsonima crassifolia) to 183 microg/cm(2) (Sphagneticola trilobata). As reference, ID(50) of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93 microg/cm(2).

CONCLUSIONS

Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Maytenus senegalensis root extracts and of maytenoic acid

Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Excell (Celastraceae) root extracts were investigated for their topical anti-inflammatory properties by measuring the inhibition of the Croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice. The highest anti-inflammatory activity was detected in the chloroform extract, which reduced the oedematous response with a potency similar to that of the NSAID reference drug indomethacin (ID(50)=84 and 93 microg/cm(2), respectively). Fractionation of the chloroform and of the hexane extracts led to the isolation of maytenoic acid (1), which exhibited a dose-dependent antiphlogistic effect (ID(50)=0.11 micromol/cm(2)) twice that of indomethacin (ID(50)=0.26 micromol/cm(2)) and only three times lower than that of hydrocortisone (ID(50)=0.04 micromol/cm(2)).

New polyhydroxylated triterpenes and anti-inflammatory activity of Salvia hierosolymitana

Salvia hierosolymitana (Lamiaceae) leaves were investigated for their topical anti-inflammatory properties following a bioassay-guided fractionation. The chloroform extract showed a strong inhibition of the Croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice, comparable to that of indomethacin. Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of this extract led to the isolation of eight anti-inflammatory polyhydroxylated triterpenes of the ursane and oleanane series. Four of them are new compounds, whose structures were elucidated by NMR and mass spectroscopy as 3beta, 6alpha,23-trihydroxyurs-12,19(29)-dien-28-oic acid, 23-( TRANS-P-coumaroyloxy)-3beta, 6alpha,30-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxyolean-28-oic acid and 24-nor-2alpha,3beta-dihydroxyolean-4(23),12-ene.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity of a new class of phenyl-pyrazolone derivatives

The anti-inflammatory activity of a new class of phenyl-pyrazolone derivatives, structurally related to phenidone, has been evaluated using the Croton oil ear test in mice as model of acute inflammation. Derivative 5h reduces the percentage of oedema similarly to indomethacin and more efficiently than phenylbutazone. The anti-inflammatory activity of these two reference drugs depends on their COX inhibition, but for the synthesized derivatives it has not been demonstrated a significant COX or LOX inhibition, as previously reported. While the anti-inflammatory activity of phenidone is correlated to its anti-oxidant properties, the redox potential of these compounds appears not decisive in the inflammatory process inhibition. In order to investigate the mechanism of action for these compounds, we quantified their anti-oxidant activity and the lipophilicity, and a relationship between the calculated logP and the percentage of oedema reduction was found. We hypothesize that the anti-inflammatory activity, recorded in vivo, could be related to lipophilic parameter of these compounds.

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Solenostemma argel leaves

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of Solenostemma argel Hayne leaves was evaluated using the Croton oil ear test in mice. A bioassay-guided fractionation procedure led to a highly active chloroform extract: at 300 microg/cm(2), it induced 73% oedema reduction, while the reference drug indomethacin (100 microg/cm(2)) induced 56% reduction. The extract contained a new pregnene glycoside (1, solenoside A) and the known 14 beta,15 alpha-dihydroxy-Delta(4)pregnene-3,20 dione (2), kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (3) and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (4). Their structures were determined by ID and 2D NMR experiments as well as HRMS. Compounds 2 and 4 showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of indomethacin.

Extracts and constituents of Lavandula multifida with topical anti-inflammatory activity

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol and aqueous extracts from the aerial parts of Lavandula multifida L. (Lamiaceae), used in the Moroccan traditional medicine, was investigated by inhibition of the Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. The biological assay revealed a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity for the ethanol extract, while the aqueous one was less active. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract led to identify four triterpenic acids of oleanane series, four pimarane and one iso-pimarane diterpenes, as well as the phenolic monoterpene carvacrol and its glucoside. Some of these compounds revealed an anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of indomethacin.

49 EFFECT OF REPEATED CELL FREEZINGS ON PREGNANCY RATE OF BOVINE NUCLEAR TRANSFER DERIVED EMBRYOS

Cell line cryopreservation is nowadays one of the most useful tools in somatic cell nuclear transfer. Although this technique guarantees the genetic storage for an unlimited period of time, many studies have shown that it produces different kinds of cellular damage such as DNA fragmentation (Men et al. 2003 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 64, 245–250) and ultrastructural cell anomalies (Taddei et al. 2001 Cryobiology 42, 244–555; Nardid et al. 1997 Cryobiology 34, 107–113). The aim of the present study was to evaluate how repeated cell freezing/thawing processes could affect the pregnancy rate of bovine nuclear transfer-derived embryos. Two adult fibroblast cell lines from different animals were separated into two groups according to the number of freezing/thawing processes they went through (1 vs. 3). For both groups, the first freezing process was performed with cells from passage 1. Cells from passages 3 and 4 were used for the second and third freezings, respectively. The time interval between thawing and next freezing was 20 days. Cells were harvested at 80% confluence using trypsin, and cryopreservation was performed in D-MEM with 35% FCS and 10% DMSO. Enucleation and nuclear transfer (NT) were performed as described by Cibelli et al. (1998 Science 280, 1256–1258) with modifications. For both groups, cells from the same number of passages were used for the NT assays (between passages 2 and 7). Cytoplasts were activated using 5 μM ionomycin for 4 min and the couplets were subsequently fused. The fused units were cultured in 10 μg/mL cycloheximide and 5 μg/mL cytochalasin B for 6 h. Embryo culture was performed at 38.5°C in a 5% O2, 5% CO2, 90% N2 atmosphere, in 50-μL drops of KSOM. On Day 3 of culture, the KSOM was supplemented with 2% FCS and 0.2 mM glucose. After 6–7 days, the embryos were non surgically transferred to synchronized recipients. Pregnancy at 30 and 60 days was recorded by ultrasonography using an Aloka 500® scanner (Aloka Co., Tokyo, Japan). Data were analyzed by ANOVA (InfoStat, Austin, TX, USA) (Table 1). The results show an association between the number of cell freezing/thawing processes and a higher pregnancy loss at 60 days. This could be related to the cellular damages caused by multiple cryopreservation procedures, which could lead to chromosomal abnormalities in the donor cells and thus in the nuclear transfer (NT) embryos and pregnancies derived from them. Further studies should be done in order to evaluate the chromosomal status of the cell lines used in this work. Table 1. Numbers of cell freezings/thawings and their effect on pregnancy rate of bovine NT-derived embryos

Short-term oral toxicity of homoyessotoxins, yessotoxin and okadaic acid in mice

A short-term toxicity study after 7 days oral daily administration of yessotoxin (YTX; 2 mg/kg/day), homoYTX (1 mg/kg/day), 45-hydroxy-homoYTX (1 mg/kg/day) and of the main diarrhoetic shellfish toxin okadaic acid (OA; 1 mg/kg/day) was carried out in mice. Symptoms, lethality, food consumption, body and organ weights, gross pathology and histopathology of the main organs and tissues, leukocytes formula as well as plasmatic levels of transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine phosphokinase were evaluated. Heart tissue was studied also hystochemically for the presence of apoptotic nuclei and by transmission electron microscopy. No mortality, signs of toxicity or cumulative effects were induced by the repeated oral exposure to YTXs. Only ultrastructural changes in the cardiac muscle cells near the capillaries, such as package of rounded mitochondria and alteration of the cells boundary were observed, without any increase of lactate dehydrogenase, an index of cardiac damage. OA induced diarrhoea, body weight loss, reduced food consumption, and the death of 2/5 mice after 5 days. Necroscopy and/or light microscopy analysis revealed toxic effects mainly at forestomach (ulceration and hyperplasia), liver and, indirectly to body weight loss of mice, atrophic signs in the lymphoid organs and exocrine pancreas. Electron microscopy of heart tissue showed alterations of mitochondria and fibers in myocardiocytes, although no apoptotic change was recorded.

In vivo topical anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant activities of two extracts of Thymus satureioides leaves

Four extracts at increasing polarity were prepared from the leaves of Thymus satureioides Coss. (Labiatae) and assayed for the in vivo topical anti-inflammatory effect using the croton oil ear test in mice, and for in vitro both antioxidant (DPPH degrees test) and anti-bacterial (broth microdilution method) activities. The chloroform extract showed a topical anti-inflammatory activity (ID50=282 microg cm(-2)), only three times lower than that of the reference drug indomethacin (ID50=93 microg cm(-2)) and its active components were identified as ursolic and oleanolic acids. The methanol extract, showing a significant radical-scavenging effect (SC50=14.54 microg), was characterized by the isolation and identification of some flavonoids. On the contrary, the extracts did not show any anti-bacterial effect against four standard aerobial bacteria strains.

Oral and intraperitoneal acute toxicity studies of yessotoxin and homoyessotoxins in mice

The acute toxicity of yessotoxin (YTX), homoyessotoxin (homoYTX) and 45-hydroxy-homoyessotoxin (45-OH-homoYTX) has been studied in comparison to that of okadaic acid (OA), the main diarrhogenic toxin, both after intraperitoneal (i.p.) and oral administration. After i.p. administration, homoYTX and YTX showed similar lethality (LD(50)=444 microg/kg and 512 microg/kg), higher than that of OA (LD(50)=225 microg/kg), while 750 microg/kg of 45-OH-homoYTX did not cause death. OA induced the already known toxic signs: before death, mice were motionless and cyanotic; small intestine and liver damage were shown at post-mortem. Mice treated with YTX and homoYTX were restless and jumped before death; necroscopy did not show major changes. After oral treatment, 2 mg/kg of OA induced diarrhoea and body weight loss, causing 4/5 deaths; necroscopy and/or histology revealed degenerative lesions to small intestine, forestomach and liver (confirmed by increased plasma transaminase), but no myocardium alterations. On the contrary, the oral treatment with YTX (1 and 2 mg/kg) and its derivatives (1 mg/kg) did not cause any death or signs of toxicity, except some ultrastructural myocardiocyte alterations, adjacent to capillaries, such as cytoplasmic protrusions (YTX, 1 and 2 mg/kg), fibrillar alteration (YTX, 1 mg/kg) or mitochondria assemblage (45-OH-homoYTX). Altogether, our data show that YTX and its derivatives are less toxic than OA after acute oral and i.p. treatments, at doses which may represent up to 100 times of the possible human daily intake.

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Bauhinia tarapotensis leaves

The topical anti-inflammatory properties of Bauhinia tarapotensis Benth. (Leguminosae) leaves have been studied by the inhibition of the croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. A bioassay-guided fractionation showed an interesting anti-inflammatory activity of the chloroform extract, that justifies the activity of the whole herbal drug. The main anti-inflammatory principles of B. tarapotensis leaves are triterpenic acids of ursane and oleanane series. The antiphlogistic activity of mixtures constituted of two ursane and oleanane isomers with different hydroxylation pattern, in the ratio 2:1, is comparable to that of indomethacin (ID50 ranging from 95 to 147 microg/cm2 and 93 microg/cm2, respectively).

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and compounds from Thymus broussonettii

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of four extracts from Thymus broussonetii Boiss (Labiatae) leaves, a herbal drug used in Moroccan traditional medicine, has been studied using the croton oil ear test in mice. A bioassay-oriented fractionation revealed that the pharmacological activity is mainly in the chloroform extract. Fractionation and analysis of this extract allowed the identification of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid as the main anti-inflammatory principles. Some flavonoids (luteolin, eriodictyol, thymonin) and glycosides (luteolin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-3'-O-glucuronide, eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside) were also isolated from the methanol extract.

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of some Central American plants

Hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts of seven herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America against skin disorders (Aristolochia trilobata leaves and bark, Bursera simaruba bark, Hamelia patens leaves, Piper amalago leaves, and Syngonium podophyllum leaves and bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity against the Croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice. Most of the extracts induced a dose-dependent oedema reduction. The chloroform extract of almost all the drugs exhibited interesting activities with ID(50) values ranging between 108 and 498 micro g/cm(2), comparable to that of indomethacin (93 micro g/cm(2)). Therefore, the tested plants are promising sources of principles with high anti-inflammatory activity.

Methodological improvement of the protein phosphatase inhibition assay for the detection of okadaic acid in mussels

A simplified procedure for the enzyme inhibition assay to measure okadaic acid and DTX-1 in mussels, based on the use of a commercially available enzyme preparation, is presented. The detection limit is 10 ng of toxin per g of digestive glands. Using Certified Reference Material (MUS-2), high accuracy and good precision is demonstrated for contamination levels higher than 32 ng g(-1). Twenty samples can be processed in about 9 h by one operator, at the cost of US$ 10 per sample. Some possibilities for further enhancing the sensitivity and reducing the processing time are discussed and a monitoring example is presented.

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Thymus willdenowii

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of Thymus willdenowii Boiss (Labiatae) leaves, a herbal drug used in Moroccan folk medicine, has been studied using the croton oil ear test in mice. A bioassay-oriented fractionation procedure showed that the activity concentrates in the chloroform extract, which has a potency similar to that of indometacin, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used as reference (ID50 (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) = 83 microg cm(-2) and 93 microg cm(-2), respectively). The main compounds responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of T. willdenowii are ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. The flavonoids luteolin-3'-O-glucuronide and eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside were found for the first time in the genus Thymus.

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of a new germacrane derivative from Achillea pannonica

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of a germacrane derivative [1,4-dihydroxy-germacra-5E-10(14)-diene; DHGD] isolated from Achillea pannonica Scheele (Asteraceae) was investigated employing the Croton oil-induced dermatitis in the mouse ear. Its effects on the oedematous response and on leukocytes infiltration are described. The germacrane derivative significantly inhibited ear oedema in a dose-dependent manner, with an ID(50) of 0.40 micromol/cm(2). DHGD (0.75 micromol/cm(2)) provoked a global inhibition of the oedematous response (61 %) higher than that induced by an equimolar dose of indomethacin (43 %) within 24 hours; the reduction induced by hydrocortisone (0.10 micromol/cm(2)) was 68 %. The effect of DHGD (61 % inhibition) was higher than that of the equimolar dose of indomethacin (51 % inhibition) also on granulocytes recruitment at the site of inflammation. Hydrocortisone (0.10 micromol/cm(2)) reduced the cellular infiltrate by 44 %.

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Salvia officinalis L. leaves: the relevance of ursolic acid

Salvia officinalis L. leaves, obtained from four plant populations of different origin, were investigated for their topical anti-inflammatory properties. The n-hexane and the chloroform extracts dose-dependently inhibited the Croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice, the chloroform extracts being the most active. By contrast, the methanol extracts showed a very low effect and the essential oil was inactive. Chemical and pharmacological investigation of the most potent chloroform extract, issued from an autochthonous sage population grown in the submediterranean climatic region of Slovenia, revealed ursolic acid as the main component involved in its anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory effect of ursolic acid (ID50 = 0.14 microMoles/cm2) was two fold more potent than that of indomethacin (ID50 = 0.26 microMoles/cm2), which was used as a reference non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The content of ursolic acid in sage and sage-based remedies for the topical treatment of inflammatory diseases is proposed as a parameter for quality control purposes.

Anti-inflammatory activities of hypocretenolides from Leontodon hispidus

Hypocretenolides, a small group of sesquiterpene lactones with an unusual ring structure, are constituents of a small number of species from the Lactuceae tribe (Asteraceae). Three biogenetically closely related 14-hypocretenolides from Leontodon hispidus L. were investigated for a putative anti-inflammatory activity. 14-Hydroxyhypocretenolide-beta-D-glucoside-4'-14"-hydroxyhypocr etenoate significantly exhibited in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in the croton oil-induced mouse ear edema. To obtain first information regarding the molecular targets which might be affected by this constituent, two in vitro bioassays were performed: (i) DNA binding activity of the transcription factor NF-kappa B was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using TNF-alpha-activated Jurkat T cells and (ii) nitrite accumulation in cell culture supernatants of LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages was determined as a parameter for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-dependent nitric oxide release. In order to gain information about structure-activity relationships, additionally the aglycone 14-hydroxyhypocretenolide and its D-glycoside were investigated in these in vitro systems. 14-Hydroxyhypocretenolide-beta-D-glucoside-4'-14"-hydroxyhypocr etenoate as well as its aglycone exhibited activity in both test systems, whereas the D-glucoside was not or only weakly active.

The antiinflammatory activity of Icacina trichantha tuber

Five fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, methanol and water) of Icacina trichantha tuber were obtained by gradient solvent extraction and tested for their ability to inhibit the Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. The most active fraction was the chloroform one which significantly inhibited ear edema in a dose-dependent manner, showing an ID50 (dose giving 50% edema inhibition) of 107 micrograms/cm2. The ID50 of the reference drug indomethacin was 93 micrograms/cm2. The chloroform fraction significantly reduced also the carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats, after oral adiminstration: 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg of the fraction reduced the global edematous response by 15, 20 or 34%, whereas 10 mg/kg of indomethacin induced 40% inhibition.

Anti-oedematous activities of the main triterpendiol esters of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.)

Separation and isolation of the genuine faradiol esters (1, 2) from flower heads of Marigold (Calendula (officinalis L., Asteraceae) could be achieved by means of repeated column chromatography (CC) and HPLC for the first time. Structure elucidation of faradiol-3-myristic acid ester 1, faradiol-3-palmitic acid ester 2 and psi-taraxasterol 3 has been also performed, without any previous degradation by means of MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and 2D-NMR experiments. The anti-oedematous activities of these three compounds were tested by means of inhibition of Croton oil-induced oedema of the mouse ear. Both faradiol esters showed nearly the same dose dependent anti-oedematous activity and no significant synergism appeared with their mixture. The free monol, psi-taraxasterol, had a slightly lower effect. Furthermore, faradiol was more active than its esters and than psi-taraxasterol and showed the same effect as an equimolar dose of indomethacin.

A protein phosphatase 2A inhibition assay for a fast and sensitive assessment of okadaic acid contamination in mussels

The specific inhibitory activity exerted by okadaic acid on protein phosphatase 2A was used to assess the presence of okadaic acid in mussels, using a commercially available protein phosphatase 2A preparation. Under the conditions used, okadaic acid inhibits the enzymatic activity dose-dependently, with an IC50 = 0.26 ng/ml (0.32 nM). The assay is accurate and reproducible. Okadaic acid was detected in concentrations as low as 0.063 ng/ml in aqueous solutions and 2 ng/g in mussel digestive glands. Thirty naturally contaminated mussel samples were submitted to the protein phosphatase 2A inhibition assay as well as to an ELISA assay and to a MTT cytotoxicity assay, with similar results. The proposed assay is sensitive, rapid and does not require expensive equipment. These characteristics make it a good candidate for employment in the routine assessment of okadaic acid shellfish contamination.

The role of triterpenoids in the topical anti-inflammatory activity of Calendula officinalis flowers

By means of a bioassay-oriented fractionation of the CO2 extract of Calendula flowers, the triterpenoids are shown as the most important anti-inflammatory principles of the drug. Among them, the faradiol monoester appears to be the most relevant principle for the activity of the drug, due to its quantitative prevalence. The unesterified faradiol, not present in the extract, is the most active of the tested compounds and equals indomethacin in activity, whereas the monools psi-taraxasterol, lupeol, taraxasterol, and beta-amyrin are less active than the free diol. The anti-inflammatory activity of different CO2 extracts is proportional to their content of faradiol monoester, which can be taken as a suitable parameter for the quality control of Calendula preparations.

Diarrhoeic shellfish toxins in Adriatic Sea mussels evaluated by an ELISA method

A competitive enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) was used to determine the presence of okadaic acid (OA) and/or dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1) in mussels. The accuracy and sensitivity of the ELISA method has been checked. The sensitivity of the method (100 ng/g of hepatopancreas) makes it possible to determine OA concentrations ten times lower than the tolerance limits established by the Health Authorities of many countries. For the first time, OA and/or DTX-1 were detected in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected in different stations along the Adriatic Sea coasts.