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Biomedical subjects

V Castro

Publications and source records attributed to V Castro.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative study of colchicine and trimethylcolchicinic acid on prolonged bile duct obstruction in the rat.

The aim of this work was to compare the effects of colchicine and trimethylcolchicinic acid (TMCA) on liver damage induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) for 2 months in male Wistar rats. Colchicine was evaluated at a dose of 10 micrograms rat-1 day-1, p.o. only, because higher doses produced diarrhoea and death. Trimethylcolchicinic acid showed no toxic effects at 10, 50 or 100 micrograms rat-1 day-1, p.o. Biliary obstruction resulted in a 65% mortality, colchicine decreased it to 46% and TMCA (10 micrograms) to 33.3%. Serum markers of liver damage increased by BDL (P < 0.05), colchicine prevented it partially (P < 0.05) and TMCA did it in a dose-dependent manner. Liver peroxidation increased 10 times by BDL and both drugs prevented it. Hepatic glycogen content decreased 80% by BDL, colchicine TMCA (10 micrograms) failed to preserve it and 50 micrograms of TMCA preserved it completely. Hepatocyte and erythrocyte plasma membrane Na+/K(+)- and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities decreased after BDL (P < 0.05) and 100 micrograms of TMCA preserved normal ATPase activities. It is concluded that TMCA is better than colchicine for protecting the liver from BDL-induced cirrhosis and, due to its lower toxicity, can be used at higher and more effective doses without the common side-effects of colchicine, thus making TMCA a suitable compound to be studied in other hepatic lesions and in humans.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine and interferon-alpha2b on liver damage induced by bile duct ligation in rats.

Interferon-alpha2b (IFN) is known to prevent and to reverse experimental liver fibrosis and damage. S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) is a well-known hepatoprotective substance. The aim of the present work was to determine the effect of the administration of both drugs simultaneously to bile duct-ligated rats. Administration of IFN (50000 IU s.c.) and/or SAM (10 mg kg[-1] i.m.) began 15 days after biliary obstruction and continued for a further 15 days. The liver was used for glycogen and collagen quantification. Bilirubins and enzyme activities were measured in serum. Either SAM or IFN ameliorated all markers of liver damage studied. However, when administered together their beneficial effects were markedly reduced. It is not possible to explain the antagonistic effect of these compounds on liver damage with the present data. More studies are needed to determine SAM-IFN interactions.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Medical prescription and treatment compliance in acute infectious diarrhea: indirect impact of an educational intervention].

As part of the evaluation of an educational intervention carried out at primary health care units in Mexico City a home visit was included for patients treated for acute infectious diarrhea. In such visit, effected for 401 patients before the educational intervention and for 406 after the same, it was possible to evaluate compliance with the treatment measured through the amount of prescribed drugs distributed by the institution but not consumed by patients. A significant improvement was observed in compliance with the treatment even though this was not the explicit objective of the intervention. Compliance is related to variables of different dimensions--characteristics of the physician, characteristics of the patient, physician-patient rapport, health condition and health concept--and the educational intervention tends to homogenize the patient's behavior as a result of more emphatic improvement in those subgroups with worst compliance levels.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Idiopathic dilatation of the choledochus].

In order to modernize some clinical characteristics, their classification, the differential diagnosis and treatment, a review of 18 cases of idiopathic dilatation of the choledochus, seen at the Hospital Infantil de Mexico between 1965 and 1977 was carried on.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronic diseases in persons of 60-69 years of age].

OBJECTIVE: The results of the National Survey of Chronic Diseases (Mexico, 1993) regarding the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity in the 60 to 69 years old group are presented on a national and regional level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Measurements taken included weight, height, blood pressure, visual acuity, glycosylated hemoglobin, cholesterol, lipoproteins, insulin, triglycerides and albumin. Data analysis were performed using the statistical package SPSS to carry out Mantel-Haenszel and chi square tests. RESULTS: Analysis of data for 1239 individuals showed that 38% of the aging population have hypertension. 25% are obese and 21% have diabetes. Findings showed that 28% of the individuals with hypertension and 18% of those with diabetes were detected through the survey. Obesity was strongly associated with hypertension and 33% of cases were not under treatment. Differences on the regional level are presented and results are discussed by sex and risk factors. The risk of diabetes was higher in those with other family members with diabetes, while microalbuminuria and hypercholesterolemia were associated with diabetes in this population. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study support the need to improve early detection programs and intensify those interventions that prevent early mortality due to these particular diseases.

Age Factors↗