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Background and study aims The complex series of deleterious events among diabetes patients leads to multiple organ failure. Therefore, a holistic approach of treatment is urgently required to prevent worsening of complications. The present investigation was carried out to study the possible protective effects of Roselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn (HSL) calyxes aqueous extract, as an antidiabetic and antioxidant agent against oxidative liver injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Material and methods A single dose of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg body weight, iv) was used to induced diabetes in male Sprague Dawley rats which were then divided into two groups: Diabetic control (DC) and HSL-treated diabetic (DR) group. Normal rats were divided into normal control (NC), HSL-treated control (NR). Aqueous calyxes extract of HSL (100 mg/kg/day, orally) was given for 28 consecutive days in the treated group. Weight, biochemical and histopathological (light and electron microscopic) parameters were compared in all groups. Results Supplementation of HSL significantly lowered the level of fasting blood glucose and increased plasma insulin level in DR group compared to DC group (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransaminases and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes level were found to be significantly reduced in DR compared to DC. Microscopic examination demonstrated destruction of the liver architecture, cytoplasmic vacuolation of the hepatocytes and signs of necrosis in diabetic rats. Moreover, dilatation and congestion of blood vessels with leucocytes adherence were detected. Ultrastructural study using electron microscope showed homogeneous substance accumulation in nuclear chromatin, a decrease of organelles and mitochondrial degeneration in the diabetic rats. Conclusion Administration of HSL in diabetic rats causes significant decrease in hepatocyte destruction and prevented the changes associated with the diabetic condition. Thus, our findings provide a scientific rationale for the use of HSL as promising agent in preventing liver injury in diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Aim: To compare the effects of preoperative chemotherapy on liver parenchyma morphology, as well as morbidity and mortality after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases. Methods: Prospectively collected data on 173 patients undergoing liver resection for CLM between 1/2003 and 9/2005 was analysed in three groups: A: preoperative oxaliplatin (Ox, n =70); B: other chemotherapeutic agents (OC, n =60); and C: surgery alone without chemotherapy (SA, n =43). Blood transfusion, hospital stay, operative procedure, peak postoperative bilirubin levels, complications and histopathology of the resected liver were compared. Results: Intra-operative blood transfusion requirement (34%) and biliary complications (16%) was higher in patients receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (p =0.01 and p =0.06, respectively). Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy was also associated with sinusoidal dilatation of mild grade in 52.8% vs. 26.6% and 23.3% patients (p =0.007 and p =0.004) in other groups, respectively. Steatosis was similarly distributed across the study group. Postoperative mortality was 2, 1 and 4 patients, respectively (p =ns). Conclusion: Oxaliplatin-based preoperative chemotherapy is associated with vascular alterations in the liver parenchyma without significantly increasing the risk of steatosis, or postoperative morbidity and mortality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]