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Diabetes mellitus presents a great diversity of treatments that cause adverse effects; therefore, plants are a source of compounds that may have fewer adverse effects; Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) has compounds with potential antidiabetic activity. The objective was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of C. cassia oil (CCO) and its impact on oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Five groups were evaluated: (1) sham (SH), (2) 300 mg/kg CCO (CCO), (3) diabetic (D) induced with alloxan, (4) D + 300 mg/kg of CCO (D + CCO), and (5) D + 500 mg/kg of metformin (D + MET); all were treated for 5 days. CCO did not show alteration in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) vs. SH. D + CCO vs. D significantly reduced glucose (333 ± 109 vs. 458 ± 81 mg/dL), ALT (66 ± 15 vs. 160 ± 54 U/L), AST (119 ± 26 vs. 243 ± 104 U/L), and blood urea nitrogen (18.8 ± 2.3 vs. 29.2 ± 6.9 mg/dL). No significant changes were observed in D + CCO vs. D in malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), whereas a significant reduction in MDA and GSH was achieved in D + MET, with an increase in SOD. There was a reduction in Rela and Gpx in D + CCO and D + MET vs. D. CCO has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects and reduces ALT, AST, and BUN levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives: Chronic liver inflammation may lead to hepatic cirrhosis, limiting its regenerative capacity. The clinical standard of care is transplantation, although stem cell therapy may be an alternative option. The study aim was to induce endogenous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and/or intravenous administration of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to decrease hepatic fibrosis in an experimental model. Material and methods: A liver fibrosis model was developed with female Wistar rats via multiple intraperitoneal doses of carbon tetrachloride. Three rats were selected to confirm cirrhosis, and the rest were set into experimental groups to evaluate single and combined therapies of G-CSF-stimulated HSC mobilization and intravenous MSC administration. Results: Treatment with MSCs and G-CSF significantly improved alanine amino transferase levels, while treatment with G-CSF, MSCs, and G-CSF + MSCs decreased aspartate amino transferase levels. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and interleukin 10 levels increased with MSC treatment. Transforming growth factor β levels were lower with MSC treatment. Interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels decreased in all treated groups. Histopathology showed that MSCs and G-CSF reduced liver fibrosis from F4 to F2. Conclusions: MSC treatment improves liver function, decreases hepatic fibrosis, and plays an antiinflammatory role; it promotes HGF levels and increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen when followed by MSC treatment mobilization using G-CSF. When these therapies were combined, however, fibrosis improvement was less evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various hepatoprotective herbal products from plants are available in Mexico, where up to 85% of patients with liver disease use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. However, only few studies have reported on the biological evaluation of these products. Objective: Using a model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, we evaluated the effects of commercial herbal extracts used most commonly in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico. Materials and Methods: The commercial products were identified through surveys in public areas. The effect of these products given with or without CCl4 in rats was evaluated by measuring the serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT), and histopathological analysis. Legalon® was used as the standard drug. Results: The most commonly used herbal products were Hepatisan® capsules, Boldo capsules, Hepavida® capsules, Boldo infusion, and milk thistle herbal supplement (80% silymarin). None of the products tested was hepatotoxic according to transaminase and histological analyses. AST and ALT activities were significantly lower in the Hepavida+CCl4-treated group as compared with the CCl4-only group. AST and ALT activities in the silymarin, Hepatisan, and Boldo tea groups were similar to those in the CCl4 group. The CCl4 group displayed submassive confluent necrosis and mixed inflammatory infiltration. Both the Hepatisan+CCl4 and Boldo tea+CCl4 groups exhibited ballooning degeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and lytic necrosis. The silymarin+CCl4 group exhibited microvesicular steatosis. The Hepavida+CCl4- and Legalon+CCL4-treated groups had lower percentages of necrotic cells as compared with the CCl4-treated group; this treatment was hepatoprotective against necrosis. Conclusion: Only Hepavida had a hepatoprotective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C infection is a disease of great consequences due to the large number of infected people worldwide. The most efficient transmission route is percutaneous. Progression to chronic hepatitis occurs in 80% of infected people, with gradual development to hepatic fibrosis that eventually leads to cirrhosis. It is one of the main indications for hepatic transplantation. There are effective combination therapies with pegylated alfa inferieron and ribavirin with high sustained viral response that reduce the rate of fibrosis progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) presents in patients consuming less than 40 gr of alcohol per week, without evidence of another etiology at liver disease. A high incidence of factors associated with NASH has been reported, such as female sex, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), hyperlipidemia. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the risk factors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients at the Liver Unit at the Dr. José E Gonzalez University Hospital. Material and methods: 45 files were checked up, two were rejected for having an alcohol consumption of more than 40 gr per week. There were analyzed: body mass index (BMI), liver function tests, lipids profile, alpha-fetoprotein, hepatitis B and C markers. The hepatic biopsy, biochemical profile, ultrasonogram, and/or computerized axial tomography, and/or nuclear magnetic resonance, were used as diagnostic methods. Results: 59% of the patients were overweight and 36% had obesity; 59% of patients showed increased serum levels of AST and/or ALT above the upper limit of normal; 62% had high cholesterol and 50% high level of triglycerides: 19% had DM 2 and 8%, cirrhosis. Conclusions: 63% were male. The most used diagnosis method was the ultrasonogram. The risk factors for NASH in 90% were related to DM 2 and/or obesity (BMI > 30) and/or hyperlipidemias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatic cirrhosis is a diffuse and irreversible process with formation of fibrosis and nodules of hepatic cells regeneration. Objective: To evaluate the most frequent etiologies of cirrhosis of the liver, their complications and evolution, as well as their life expectancy and the cause of death in patients followed up at the Liver Unit of the University Hospital Dr. José Eleuterio Gonzalez. Material and methods: The medical records of 38 cirrhotic patients were revised. 21 patients were males and 17 were females with an average age of 43 years, with a minimum follow up of year with a mean of 3 years and 4 months (range 1 to 11 years). Results: The most frequent etiologies were cryptogenic hepatitis and viral hepatitis due to virus C. The most frequent complications were: esophageal varices, ascitis and infections. Of the 38 patients studied. 10 died of the following causes gastrointestinal tract bleeding, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma. brain stem bleeding, encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The life expectancy was 96 and 56°c at 21 and 44 months, respectively, with an average of 33 months Conclusions: Hepatic cirrhosis represents the end stage of chronic hepatic diseases, the most frequent cause is alcoholism, although at viral etioligies an the most common a tour hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein associated with hepatic regeneration, as well as with neoplastic processes such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nowadays, AFP is used as a criterion for HCC diagnosis, although it is not very sensitive and specific. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of AFP in patients with chronic hepatopathy. Materials and Methods: Patients with chronic hepatopathy and AFP were studied (January 2015-December 2017), including 160 patients. They were classified by etiology (primary biliary cholangitis, HCC, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and liver disease of an indeterminate origin). Results: A significant difference was observed between the group of patients with HCC and the other study groups, presenting AFP levels above the reference limit. The other groups showed normal values. Conclusion: Patients with HCC showed high levels of AFP, but not patients with the other hepatopathies studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few placebo controlled studies for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) have been performed so far in Latin America, and some issues like treatment scheme and doses remain uncertain Objective: to assess improvement in nasal, pharyngeal and ocular symptoms with low doses of SLIT to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus comparing it with a placebo, in a Mexican population with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: a prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled, randomized study, with 32, patients with chronic, moderate to severe AR; 16 patients were treated with SLIT and 16 with placebo for 6 months with a total dose of D. pteronyssinus (Der p1) of 50.4 meg. Nasal, pharyngeal and ocular symptoms were monitored using a symptoms diary to evaluate the degree of improvement and reduction in the use of medication. Results: Significant lower symptom and drug scores were found in SLIT group where 85% of patients showed clinical improvement. On the placebo group, 24% of patients improved and 76% had no response or worsened; 94% of patients on SLIT required less symptomatic medication compared with the placebo group. There was a reduction in positivity to cutaneous test to D. pteronyssinus in 50% of the patients on SLIT, whereas placebo patients remained all positive Conclusions: A low dose, six-month schedule of SLIT with specific allergen produces a significant reduction in all nasal, pharyngeal and ocular symptoms, and a reduction of medication use. No adverse reactions were observed with this scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HELLP syndrome is a third trimester-obstetric complication characterized by hemolysis, elevated hepatic enzymes and thrombocytopenia. The pathogenesis consists of microvascular damage, thrombus formation, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, hepatic periportal necrosis and platelet consumption. Therapeutic objectives are based on blood pressure control, seizure prophylaxis, pregnancy interruption, systemic steroids, plasmapheresis and transfusion of blood derivatives. We report a case of a 24-year-old woman who developed an aggressive form of the disease with different complications which were successfully treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Obesity is a worldwide public health problem and the most common non-communicable chronic disease. It is associated with an increase in inflammatory acute phase proteins and proinflammatory cytokines., Objective: To assess the levels of acute phase proteins in obese children and adolescents with hepatic steatosis and metabolic syndrome. Methodology. Forty-five children with a body mass index ≥ 95th percentile aged 5.0-15.5 years were included. The following acute phase reactants were determined: C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, and apolipoprotein A-1; besides, an ultrasound was done to assess hepatic steatosis., Results: C-reactive protein levels increased in all patients. Patients with metabolic syndrome also had high levels of apolipoprotein A-1 and haptoglobin. Patients with hepatic steatosis had a significant increase in alpha-2-macroglobulin in addition to high C-reactive protein., (Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.)

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a condition that stimulates an intense inflammatory response. No ideal treatment exists. Triflusal is an antiplatelet salicylate derivative with anti-inflammatory effects. S-adenosylmethionine is a metabolic precursor for glutathione, an endogenous antioxidant. Dextromethorphan is a low-affinity N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor inhibitor. There is evidence that these agents modulate some of the pathways involved in I/R physiopathology. Intestinal I/R was induced in rats by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 60 minutes, followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. Rats either received saline or the drugs studied. At the end of the procedure, serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), malonaldehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined and intestinal morphology analyzed. I/R resulted in tissue damage, serum TNF-alpha and MDA elevations, and depletion of TAC. All drugs showed tissue protection. Only triflusal reduced TNF-alpha levels. All drugs lowered MDA levels, but only triflusal and S-adenosylmethionine maintained the serum TAC.