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Biomedical subjects

A Villar

Publications and source records attributed to A Villar.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The activity of flavonoids extracted from Tanacetum microphyllum DC. (Compositae) on soybean lipoxygenase and prostaglandin synthetase.

1. The in vitro effects of centaureidin and 5,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-7-carbomethoxyflavonol (Fig. 1), two anti-inflammatory flavonoids extracted from Tanacetum microphyllum DC., have been examined on both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activity. 2. These flavonoids produced an inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase activity in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values (20 and 29 microM respectively) similar to the reference drug. 3. The IC50 values for the in vitro inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity by these flavonoids, were higher than those that produced lipoxygenase activity (318 and 60 microM respectively). 4. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of our flavonoids may, at least in part, be due to the inhibition of leukotriene synthesis. 5. This is the first report of the biological activity in vitro of these compounds.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Inhibitory effects of Cistus populifolius on contractile responses in the isolated rat duodenum.

The medicinal plant Cistus populifolius L., shows an important dose-dependent spasmolytic activity. The ability of the Cistus extract to inhibit both acetylcholine (ACh) (3.4 x 10(-8)-6.8 x 10(-5) M) and CaCl2 (2 x 10(-4)-1.28 x 10(-2) M)-induced contractions and the relaxing effect on K+ (75 mM)-induced contractions may indicate a non-specific receptor antagonist. However, this action may be related to the influx of extracellular Ca2+. These antispasmodic effects are partly consistent with the use of C. populifolius in folk medicine for certain gastrointestinal disorders.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1995

The influence of increased bronchial responsiveness, atopy, and serum IgE on decline in FEV1. A longitudinal study in the elderly.

We have performed a 4-yr prospective survey of the association of allergen skin test positivity, total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine, with longitudinal decline in FEV1, in subjects over 65 yr of age. In 1987, 324 subjects completed a respiratory questionnaire, and underwent measurement of FEV1 and FVC, methacholine challenge, skin prick testing (to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat fur, mixed grasses, and Aspergillus fumigatus) and estimation of total serum IgE. After an interval of 4 yr, 212 subjects were reexamined. The mean annual decline in FEV1 was significantly higher in males than in females, but was not significantly influenced by smoking habits defined at the start of the study. The relation of atopy (skin test reaction to allergen > or = 3 mm greater than saline control), increased bronchial responsiveness (PD20FEV1 < or = 6.4 mumoles methacholine) and serum IgE > 80 IU/ml, to annual decline in FEV1 was examined for each risk factor individually with adjustment for age, sex, height, and initial FEV1, by multiple linear regression. Both atopy and bronchial responsiveness were significantly associated with accelerated decline in FEV1. Elevated IgE was correlated with faster FEV1 decline in subjects who were current smokers at the start of the study. In a multiple regression model examining the mutually adjusted associations of all relevant variables with annual decline in FEV1, male sex was the most important predictor (B = 38.6 ml/yr, 95% Cl = 4.3, 72.9). Increased bronchial responsiveness also tended to be associated with accelerated decline in FEV1. In further analyses incorporating the same variables, but restricted to specific smoking categories, age was the only significant factor in the never-smokers, whereas both atopy (B = 44.5 ml/yr, 95% Cl = 3.8, 85.3) and increased bronchial responsiveness (B = 43.5 ml/yr, 95% Cl = 4.6, 82.3) were significant predictors of accelerated FEV1 decline in former and current smokers combined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Increased nitric oxide synthase activity despite lack of response to endothelium-dependent vasodilators in postischemic acute renal failure in rats.

Lack of response to endothelium-dependent vasodilators generally has been considered to be evidence for decreased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and NO generation after ischemic or hypoxic injury to vital organs including the kidney. In this study, renal blood flow (RBF) responses to endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine and bradykinin and the endothelium-independent vasodilator prostacyclin, the nonselective NOS inhibitor L-NAME (without and with L-arginine), the inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine, and the NO-donor sodium nitroprusside were examined in 1-wk norepinephrine-induced (NE) and sham-induced acute renal failure (ARF) rats. Compared with sham-ARF, there was no increase in RBF to intrarenal acetylcholine and bradykinin, but a comparable RBF increase to prostacyclin in NE-ARF kidneys. However, there was a significantly greater decline in RBF to intravenous L-NAME in NE- than sham-ARF rats (-65 +/- 8 vs. -37 +/- 5%, P < 0.001) which was completely blocked by prior L-arginine infusion. There was no change in RBF to the inducible NOS specific inhibitor aminoguanidine. Unlike sham-ARF, there was no increase in RBF to intrarenal sodium nitroprusside in NE-ARF. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence detection of constitutive (c) NOS using mouse monoclonal antibody were carried out to positively determine the presence of cNOS in NE-ARF. 90% of renal resistance vessels showed evidence of endothelial cNOS in both sham- and NE-ARF. Taken together, results of these experiments are consistent with the conclusion that NOS/NO activity is, in fact, maximal at baseline in 1-wk NE-ARF and cannot be increased further by exogenous stimuli of NOS activity. The increased NOS is likely of the constitutive form and of endothelial origin. It is suggested that the increased NOS activity is in response to ischemia-induced renal vasoconstrictor activity. Attenuated response to endothelium-dependent vasodilators cannot be interpreted only as evidence for decreased NOS activity.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1994

Central venous brachial catheter (P.A.S. Port TM) and catheter scanning system (Cath-Finder TM).

To assess the effectiveness and safety of an implanted portal with a central venous brachial implanted catheter, P.A.S. Port TM(P-P), and the accuracy of its Cath Finder TM tracking system (C-F), (Pharmacia Deltec) vs. radiology, a phase II multicentric study was designed. The catheter was implanted in 53 oncologic patients treated with chemotherapy and the performance of the catheter was evaluated for 3 months. No problems arose during the implantation in 77% of the cases and in all cases radiologic location of the catheter tip coincided with the C-F. We can conclude that P-P is easy to implant and to maintain in the arm and that it is well tolerated by the patients. C-F is an accurate and reliable system for locating the catheter tip. The use of both systems is an attractive alternative to the standard ones.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1994

Novel anti-inflammatory plant labdanes: comparison of in vitro properties with aspirin and indomethacin.

Two purified plant products were obtained from anti-inflammatory extracts of the Spanish herb Sideritis javalambrensis: ent-13-epi-12 alpha-acetoxy-manoyl oxide (= "manoyl oxide F1") and ent-8 alpha-hydroxy-lambda-13(16),14-dien (= "labdane F2"). They were evaluated for possible anti-inflammatory actions in vitro, and were compared with aspirin, sodium salicylate and indomethacin. Neither of the natural products affected superoxide generation or scavenging and they did not affect granular enzyme secretion from activated human and rat neurotrophils. The compounds were not toxic to the cells at up to 10(-4) M. However, both F1 and F2 inhibited thromboxane B2 and leukotriene B4 generation by A23187-treated rat peritoneal leukocytes, suppressing leukotriene generation at 10(-5) to 10(-4) M and thromboxane B2 at 10(-4) M. Labdane F2 also inhibited human secretory synovial phospholipase A2 activity at 10(-3) M, a property not shared by manoyl oxide F1. We conclude that these two natural products interact with the eicosanoid system, perhaps at the phospholipase level, but do not interfere with the other tested leukocyte functions or with reactive oxygen species, and are essentially non-toxic at the doses used.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Flavonoid glycosides from Eugenia jambos.

Two flavonol diglycosides isolated from the leaves of Eugenia jambos were characterized as quercetin and myricetin 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2) alpha-L-rhamnopyranosides by means of spectral analyses applying 2D NMR techniques and NOE experiments.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Anti-inflammatory activity of Sideritis javalambrensis extracts.

Hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Sideritis javalambrensis Pau were examined for their anti-inflammatory activity against adjuvant-carrageenan-induced inflammation and compared with phenylbutazone. In the chronic stage of inflammation, the hexane and methanol extracts showed the greatest inhibitory activity. None of the extracts inhibited inflammation in the acute phase.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Anti-inflammatory activity of leaf extracts of Eugenia jambos in rats.

The anti-inflammatory activities of four organic extracts from the leaves of Eugenia jambos were investigated in rats using the Mizushima et al. model of acute and chronic inflammation (Mizushima et al. (1972) Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 24, 781-785). Orally administered organic extracts of E. jambos (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol), given at daily doses equivalent to 12.5 g/kg of dried leaf material, inhibited both the acute and chronic phases of this experimental model of inflammation. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were the most effective and were equal or more effective than 80 mg/kg of phenylbutazone. The methanolic extract was the most active in the chronic phase. A 10% aqueous extract (infusion) of the leaves tested in the same model was more effective than all of the organic extracts.

Acetates↗
PubMed1994

Anti-inflammatory activity of hydroxyachillin, a sesquiterpene lactone from Tanacetum microphyllum.

The aerial parts of Tanacetum microphyllum D.C. (Compositae), used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer agent, were studied, the active principle hydroxyachillin (1) was isolated, and its pharmacological properties were analyzed. Hydroxyachillin showed marked anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. In the experimental models in vitro, hydroxyachillin has been reported to be a dual inhibitor of cyclooxygenase and soybean lipoxygenase. In this study, inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase (bovine seminal vesicular microsomes) by hydroxyachillin required concentrations more than twice those which inhibited soybean lipoxygenase (ED50 values = 10(-4) M and 2.6 x 10(-5) M, respectively). Therefore, an inhibition of leukotriene synthesis might be involved in the anti-inflammatory activity of hydroxyachillin in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Intra-articular methylprednisolone therapy in chronic hemophilic synovitis of the knee].

This prospective study evaluates the effectiveness of intraarticular methylprednisolone (IAMP) (80 mg) in 10 knees of 10 hemophilic patients with chronic synovitis. This treatment was prescribed because the lack of sensitivity to substitutive therapy with the deficient coagulation factor during 2 months. The patients average age was 25 years (range, 18 to 30) and the minimum follow up was 1 year. The patients were radiographically and ultrasonographically (US) evaluated before starting any kind of treatment and periodically until finishing the follow up. The results one year after the injection were excellent in 4 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 1 case. Correlation between results and previous radiographic status of the knee has not been found. A close correlation between clinical features and US examination findings was demonstrated. This study has demonstrated that IAMP is an useful procedure for medically treating the chronic hemophilic synovitis of the knee, even with radiographic signs of arthropathy. IAMP must be born in mind before applying other methods more aggressive. US is very useful for diagnosing and following up the effects of IAMP on this condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Leishmania esophagitis in an AIDS patient: an unusual form of visceral leishmaniasis.

Esophageal disease is a common cause of morbidity in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although gastrointestinal involvement of leishmaniasis has been previously reported, we believed that we describe the first case of leishmania esophagitis. Clinical data and the endoscopic and histologic hallmarks are described.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1993

Anti-inflammatory activity of two flavonoids from Tanacetum microphyllum.

The CH2Cl2 extract of Tanacetum microphyllum aerial parts exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and yielded two anti-inflammatory flavonoids: 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-3,6,4'-trimethoxyflavone (centaureidin) [1], and 5,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-7-carbomethoxyflavonol [2]. This is the first report of the chemical composition of Ta. microphyllum and of the isolation of centaureidin from the genus Tanacetum.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[A prognostic multifactorial study of sepsis in an internal medicine service].

All cases of sepsis attended at the Service of Internal Medicine from 1985 to 1989, both inclusive, were retrospectively analyzed by the statistical study of several clinical, epidemiological, bacteriological and laboratory factors. The parameters acting as prognosis factors were analyzed using Cox's method of logistic regression, in order to obtain more reliable information on the multifactorial spectrum determining "death due to sepsis". The unifactorial analysis (UFA) suggested that the following factors were associated to an statistically significant increase in the mortality due to sepsis: age above 70; male sex; presence of shock upon hospitalization; nosocomial etiology; high levels of urea, creatinine and LDH; proteinuria; family of the causal germ (gram-positive coccus) and underlying pathology. The relative risks (RR) or "odd ratios" of creatinine and LDH were, respectively, 2.8 and 2.9 in the UFA; 3 and 3.3 in the multivariant analysis (MVA). In the older patients developing sepsis within their communities, RR were respectively 2.7 and 1.98 in the UFA and 1.1 and 2.7 in the MFA. The results of the univariant and multivariant analysis showing the relative risk (odd ratio) associated to each of these variables with statistical significance, demonstrate that the mortality rate due to sepsis increases with age, nosocomial etiology and elevation of creatinine and lactodehydrogenase (LDH) levels. We stress the great importance of the LDH as a prognostic factor of sepsis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Size of breast cancer at the time of initial diagnosis].

BACKGROUND: To observe whether patients with breast cancer of an epithelial strain consult physician with a less advanced disease, the patients attended by the Valencian Interhospital Group were studied between January 1981 and December 1990. METHODS: The same diagnosis of disease spread (anamnesis, physical examination, blood analysis and imaging techniques of the thorax, bones and liver) was carried out in all cases. Surgical techniques and histopathologic criteria were homogenous throughout the study. The classification used was that of the International Union Against Cancer of 1987. Histopathologic correlations were studied. RESULTS: Seven hundred seventy-nine patients with a mean age of 57.3 years (range: 24-85) were studied. A statistically significant (S) progressive reduction in the size of the tumor was observed (p less than 0.003) with the percentage of stage II progressively increasing and stage IIIa (more advanced disease than stage II) parallelly diminishing (p less than 0.0019) (S). In patients over the age of 55 this diminution was not observed. To the contrary, more advanced stages (stage IIIb--locally advanced, and stage IV--metastatic disease) were presented than in younger women (p = 0.000) (S). There is a direct correlation between the size of the tumor, the degree of tumoral differentiation and lymphatic metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Patients under the age of 55 spontaneously and progressively consult the physician with a less advanced breast cancer. This is expected to have beneficial effects on survival. It is suggested that primary medicine may play a fundamental role in making women more aware of breast cancer, particularly those over 55 years of age regardless of early detection campaigns.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Lymphomas in the acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome. Clinical, histological, immunological, and developmental study of 26 patients].

PURPOSE: To assess in a retrospective fashion the appearance of lymphoid malignancies in subjects infected by the human immunodeficiency virus, or included in any risk-group, between January 1984 and June 1991. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with AIDS-related lymphoma (23 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and 3 Hodgkin's disease (HD) cases) were entered in the study. Of them, 25 were males, with a mean age of 27 years. Eleven were intravenous drug abusers, eight were homosexuals, five were haemophiliacs and two were heterosexuals. RESULTS: The NHL histologic subtypes found were: small, non cleaved cell (Burkitt's), 14 cases; immunoblastic, 2 cases; diffuse, large cell, 1 case; anaplastic, 1 case; extramedullary plasmacytoma, 1 case, and high grade, unclassifiable, 4 cases. The malignant cell immunophenotype was B in 95% of the cases. The pathological stage at diagnosis was IV-B in 16 cases, IV-A in 3, III-B in 1 and I-E in 3. Extranodal involvement was seen in 95% of the patients, mainly extended to the bone marrow (53%), liver (48%) central nervous system (35%) and digestive tract (22%). The three HD patients (2 with lymphocytic depletion and 1 with mixed cellularity) were in stage IV-B at diagnosis, with bone marrow involvement. Twenty-three patients received chemotherapy, 7 were treated with radiotherapy, and 4 underwent surgery. Complete remission (CR) was attained in 35% of the cases and partial response in 55%. The median survival of the series is 7 months, and that of the CR patients is 20 months (p less than 0.001). The series mortality was 77%, mostly related to disease progression or opportunistic infection. CONCLUSION: The general characteristics of AIDS-related lymphoma were confirmed here: aggressive clinical course, poor response to therapy and high risk of opportunistic infections. The possibility of achieving CR may justify the use of combination chemotherapy in patients with good functional status.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗