Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M D Torres

Publications and source records attributed to M D Torres.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Experimental diabetes treated with ficus carica extract: effect on oxidative stress parameters.

Parameters related to oxidative stress were studied in rats divided into 4 groups: streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n=10), diabetic rats who received a single dose of a basic fraction of Ficus carica extract (n=14), diabetic rats who received a single dose of a chloroform fraction of the extract (n=10), and normal rats (n=10). Compared to normal animals, the diabetic animals presented significantly higher values for erythrocyte catalase normalized to haemoglobin levels (1.5+/-0.15 vs. 0.96+/-0.18 microg/mg) and for plasma vitamin E (73.4+/-43.9 vs. 12.0+/-1.6 mg/l), monounsaturated fatty acids (0.219+/-0.118 vs. 0.067+/-0.014 mg/ml), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 0.567+/-0.293 vs. 0.175+/-0.040 mg/ml), saturated fatty acids (0.779+/-0.262 vs. 0.401+/-0.055 mg/ml), and linoleic acid (0.202+/-0.086 vs. 0.106 +/-0.014 mg/ml). Both Ficus carica fractions tended to normalize the values of the diabetic animals' fatty acids and plasma vitamin E values. On studying the ratios of vitamins E and A to PUFA (129.4+/-77.5 diabetic and 68.8+/-9.1 microg/mg normal; 37.5+/-20.8 vs. 108.0+/-43.6 microg/mg) and to C18:2 (259.9+/-65.8 vs. 161.0+/-21.3 microg/mg; 68.3+/-37.9 vs. 252.7+/-102.1 microg/mg), we found statistically significant differences as a function of diabetes, with the vitamin E/C18:2 ratio being normalized by the administration of the chloroform fraction (to 152.1+/-80.3 microg/mg) and the vitamin A/C18:2 ratio being raised relative to the untreated diabetic rats by the administration of the basic fraction (91.9+/-14.5 microg/mg). Our work confirms that antioxidant status is affected in the diabetes syndrome, and that Ficus carica extracts tend to normalize it.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Vitamins and mineral intake in elderly people from Extremadura.

To evaluate the vitamin and mineral consumption of a group of elderly people of the Comunidad of Extremadura. 122 subjects 62.5+/-5.3 years (64 women, 57 men) responded to a survey on their food intake the day before. The vitamin and mineral intake was calculated using a computer program from the University of Granada. We found no statistically significant differences by gender in the intake of the following vitamins: niacin (24.5+/-10.1 vs 25.6+/-9.7 mg/day), B1 (1.6+/-0.6 vs 1.7+/-0.6 mg/day), B6 (1.7+/-0.6 vs 1.8+/-0.5 mg/day), C (129.5+/-82.1 vs 158.1+/-97.6 mg/day), D (4.4+/-7.5 vs 3.8+/-6.5 microg/day), E (7.8+/-4.1 vs 8.1+/-3.8v mg/day), and folic acid (326.6+/-164.0 vs 383.1+/-215.3 microg/day). We did find statistically significant differences in the intake of the vitamins: A (582.2+/-299.6 vs 771.8+/-602.2 microg/day, p<0.05), B12 (23.4+/-20.3 vs 13.1+/-12.1 microg/day, p<0.001) and B2 (1.6+/-0.4 vs 1.8+/-0.5 mg/day, p<0.05). With respect to mineral intake, we found no statistically significant differences by gender in the intake of the following minerals: calcium (1046.8+/-276.9 vs 1088.9+/-307.7 mg/day), iron (20.2+/-6.6 vs 18.5+/-8.6 mg/day), iodine (73.6+/-37.9 vs 73.8+/-41.1 mg/day), potassium (2804.6+/-1088 vs 2837.5+/-1035.8 mg/day), magnesium (405.4+/-155.3 vs 366.5+/-141.3 mg/day), phosphorus (1407.4+/-408.6 vs 1317.2+/-447.2 mg/day) and zinc (8.9+/-3.3 vs 8.0+/-2.7 mg/day). We found a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) for sodium (2124.9+/-1049.5 mg/day in men and 1728.4+/-992.5 mg/day in women). Our results showed an intake less than the RDA of vit.A, while the vit.B12 intake was greater than the RDA. The intake of the other parameters fitted the recommended values.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

A chloroform extract obtained from a decoction of Ficus carica leaves improves the cholesterolaemic status of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The antidiabetic effects of Ficus carica leaf extracts have been reported previously. From the aqueous decoction of fig leaves, after treatment with HCI, centrifuging, treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and extraction with chloroform (CHCl3), the administration of the organic phase rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes led to a decline in the levels of total cholesterol and an decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (with respect to the control group), together with a reduction of the hyperglycaemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Hypotriglyceridaemic activity of Ficus carica leaves in experimental hypertriglyceridaemic rats.

A model of hypertriglyceridaemia in rats is described, which was used to investigate the hypolipidaemic effect of an intraperitoneal (i./p.) administration of a Ficus carica leaf decoction. Hypertriglyceridaemia was induced in rats following the protocol: a fasting period of 22 h, 2 h of oral (p.o.) administration of 20% emulsion of longchain triglycerides (LCT emulsion), both repeated once. The plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels obtained 2 h after the protocol were 5.7 +/- 2.5 mmol/L (p < 0.0001 vs basal levels) and 1.7 +/- 0.3 mmol/L, respectively, n = 10. The new model was used to test the hypotriglyceridaemic effect of a single dose of Ficus carica (fig tree) leaf decoction administered i./p. (50 g dry wt/kg body wt). After the i.p. injection of serum saline (control group, n = 10) or Ficus carica extract (group A, n = 10), plasma triglyceride levels in the control group and group A were 5.9 +/- 2.9 mmol/L and 5.5 +/- 2.9 mmol/L just after the LCT emulsion protocol; 4.7 +/- 2.7 mmol/L and 0.9 +/- 0.4 mmol/L, p < 0.005, 60 min after the LCT protocol; and 3.6 +/- 2.9 mmol/L and 1.0 +/- 0.4 mmol/L, p < 0.05, 90 min after the LCT protocol. The plasma total cholesterol levels, which were not modified in our experimental model, showed no significant differences in relation to baseline levels in the presence or absence of Ficus carica treatment either. The clearly positive results suggest the presence in the fig leaf decoction of a compound or compounds that influence lipid catabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Oxidative stress in normal and diabetic rats.

Parameters related to oxidative stress were studied in a group of 10 Wistar diabetic rats and 10 control rats. The levels of total erythrocyte catalase activity in the diabetic animals were significantly (p<0.001) greater than the control levels. The diabetic animals presented an amount of vitamin E far greater (p<0.0001) than the controls, as was also the case for the vitaminE/polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and vitaminE/linoleic acid (C18:2) ratios. Greater vitaminE/triglyceride (TG) ratio, however, appeared in the control group. The corresponding vitamin A ratios (vitaminA/TG, vitaminA/PUFA, vitaminA/C 18:2) were higher in the control group. Our work corroborates the findings that fatty acid metabolism presents alterations in the diabetes syndrome and that the antioxidant status is affected.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Experimental hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia in rats.

Lipid disorders and cardiovascular diseases have been related in many studies. We here studied the influence of acute ingestion of a long chain triglyceride (LCT) emulsion (rich in triglycerides) on plasma triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels in laboratory animals (Wistar rats), comparing it with the induction of hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia by Triton WR-1339 injection. The results show that Triton would be suitable for inducing hypercholesterolaemia but not hypertriglyceridaemias similar to those in humans. The LCT emulsion intake, however, provoked transitory hyperlipaemia with values similar to those often found in hyperlipaemic subjects, and would thus be suitable for testing possible antilipaemic treatments. Our study also presents a model of hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and obesity in experimental animals, provoked by a chronic intake of an LCT emulsion. This model may be useful in investigating the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the pharmacological treatment of obesity and dyslipaemias.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Hypoglycemic action of an oral fig-leaf decoction in type-I diabetic patients.

The effect of a decoction of fig leaves (Ficus carica), as a supplement to breakfast, on diabetes control was studied in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients (six men, four women, age 22-38 years, body mass index (BMI): 20.8 +/- 3.0 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.6 +/- 0.9% with a mean duration of diabetes of 9 +/- 6.3 years). The patients were managed with their usual diabetes diet and their twice-daily insulin injection. During the first month, patients were given a decoction of fig leaves (FC) and during the next month a non-sweet commercial tea (TC). The patients were divided into two groups (n = 5) with random allocation and cross-over design. A standard breakfast was given at the beginning and end of each month-run. C-peptide, 2 h pre- and post-prandial glycemia, HbA1c, cholesterol, lipid fractions and hematology data, were analyzed during each visit. Glycemic profiles (7/day per week) were recorded by patients. Only two patients had intolerance dropout. Post-prandial glycemia was significantly lower during supplementation with FC 156.6 +/- 75.9 mg/dl versus TC 293.7 +/- 45.0 mg/dl (P < 0.001) without pre-prandial differences 145.0 +/- 41.5 and 196.6 +/- 43.2 mg/dl, respectively. Medium average capillary profiles were also lower in the two sub-groups of patients during FC 166.7 +/- 23.6 mg/dl, P < 0.05 and 157.1 +/- 17.0 mg/dl versus TC 245.8 +/- 14.2 mg/dl and 221.4 +/- 27.3 mg/dl. Average insulin dose was 12% lower during FC in the total group. The addition of FC to diet in IDDM could be of help to control postprandial glycemia.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Individual housing influences certain biochemical parameters in the rat.

Individual housing has been reported to modify animal behaviour. The present study compares the plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol, weight, and food and water intake in two groups of female rats. Group A: 10 rats who remained grouped in two cages for 21 days; and Group B: 10 rats housed in two cages for 7 days, then isolated in individual cages from day 8 to day 15, and finally grouped together again for the last 7 days of the study. The results showed that the plasma values of glucose declined (P < 0.05) in the Group B rats when they had been returned to group condition (4.79 +/- 0.72 mM) than when they had been isolated (5.45 +/- 0.94 mM). Plasma triglyceride levels were lower (P < 0.05) in isolated rats (0.70 +/- 0.26 mM) than in any determination of the grouped rats. Group B: 1st week 1.21 +/- 0.21 mM, 3rd week 0.88 +/- 0.20 mM; and Group A: 1.22 +/- 0.20, 0.96 +/- 0.16, and 0.96 +/- 0.36 mM, in the first, second, and third week, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in total cholesterol values as a function of the individual housing of animals. While there was no weight difference between the two groups of rats that could be ascribed to individual housing, there was a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in the food intake of isolated rats (17.5 +/- 3.2 g) with respect to values in the same Group B animals when they were housed together (1st week, 16.6 +/- 2.8 g; 3rd week, 16.8 +/- 3.1 g). These results therefore confirm that individual housing of female rats provoke variations in certain biochemical parameters, and that if this is not taken into account in performing different scientific studies, it could give rise to unreliable or even dubious results.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Mesenteric arteriovenous differences in glucose, lactate and insulin concentrations in rats and humans.

The present study was aimed to investigate the mesenteric arteriovenous differences in blood glucose and lactate and plasma insulin in humans (n=8) and rats (n=10). Arterial (abdominal aorta) and mesenteric vein blood glucose and lactate (enzymatic methods) and plasma insulin concentrations (radioimmunoassay) were measured in patients during abdominal surgery and in normal rats. Blood glucose levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the abdominal aorta than in the mesenteric vein in both rats (9.2+/-1.0 vs 7.5+/-0.8 mmol/l) and humans (10.4+/-2.9 vs 8.5+/-2.7 mmol/l). Blood lactate levels were higher (p < 0.05) in the mesenteric vein in both rats (3.7+/-1.3 vs 2.8+/-0.9 mmol/l) and humans (0.7+/-0.23 vs 0.1+/-0.05 mmol/l). Plasma insulin concentrations were identical in the aorta or mesenteric vein in both rats (314.4+/-162.0 vs 311.4+/-94.2 pmol/l) and humans (62.4+/-43.2 vs 61.8+/-48.0 pmol/l). In conclusion, both rat and human intestine retained a high proportion of arterially administered glucose and released lactate under the studied conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Prognostic significance of SCC antigen in the serum of patients with head and neck cancer.

SCC antigen (Ag) is a tumor-associated Ag (TAA) obtained from squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. This study reports the evaluation of this TAA in patients with head and neck malignant diseases and its possible prognostic value. Serum samples from 28 patients with benign head and neck diseases from 399 patients with cancer were obtained prior to treatment. SCC Ag serum levels were determined by radioimmunoassay using 2.5 ng/ml as the upper limit of normality. Elevated SCC Ag serum levels were found in 14% of 28 patients with benign diseases, in 29% of 217 patients with primary tumors, in 48% of 46 patients with recurrence (43% in locoregional, 64% in metastases) and in 4% of 136 patients with no evidence of disease. In patients with primary tumors, SCC Ag serum levels were related to nodal involvement and tumor location with significantly higher levels in node-positive patients (p = 0.001) and in tumors located in the nasopharynx and piriform sinus (p = 0.02). Presurgical SCC Ag serum levels in patients with primary tumors had prognostic value with shorter disease-free survival in those patients with abnormal values of this TAA (p < 0.001), in both, node-negative and node-positive patients (p < 0.01). Multivariate analyses showed that SCC Ag is a significant independent predictor of disease-free survival even when other prognostic factors are considered. In conclusion, pretreatment SCC Ag serum levels are an independent prognostic indicator in patients with head and neck malignancies.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1995

[A descriptive clinical study of a type of arthritis in beekeepers of the Badajoz area of La Siberia Extremeña].

BACKGROUND: The appearance of episodes of arthritis has been detected in beekeepers in the Siberia Extremadura (Spain) related to working with the hives. This present work describes the clinical features of such arthritic syndrome. METHODS: Sixty cases were selected at random from a previous epidemiological study to undergo a clinical protocol that included, anamnesis, physical signs, haematological, biochemical and immunological analyses, and radiological exploration of hands, wrists, feet, and pelvis. RESULTS: The picture is characterized by episodes of oligoarthritis associated with bee-stings in the affected joints or nearby. The most frequent radiologic lesions are pinched articular lines, sclerosis, and the presence of geodes. Analytically, there was frequent eosinophilia, abnormalities in haemostasis tests, and a rise in serum alkaline phosphatase. CONCLUSIONS: An acute inflammatory oligoarthritis of unknown cause has been described which affects the hands asymmetrically, and which is found in beekeepers in relation to their work with the hives. It occasionally involves into a chronic localized arthropathy capable of provoking ankylosis and permanent articular disability.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Age-related increased 14C-arachidonic acid uptake by platelets in normal subjects.

Arachidonic acid uptake activity (pmol/10(8) platelets min) measured in platelets obtained from normal subjects was significantly higher in over-forty year old (3.53 +/- 0.38) than in under-forty year old subjects (2.33 +/- 0.12). No significant correlations were found between the arachidonic acid uptake activity and fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol or triglyceride levels. The arachidonic acid uptake activity was significantly reduced by the presence of indomethacin in platelets obtained from both under and over-forty year old subjects, and by the presence of nordihydroguaiaretic acid in platelets obtained from over-forty year old subjects. In conclusion, these data show that arachidonate uptake activity by platelets increased with age. This increase was abolished when platelets were incubated in the presence of inhibitors of the arachidonic acid metabolism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

SCC antigen measured in malignant and nonmalignant diseases.

SCC antigen was measured in the serum of 214 patients with benign diseases and in 251 patients with various cancers. With 2.5 micrograms/L as the upper normal limit for serum, values were positive in 2.9% of 69 healthy subjects (I), 29.0% of 214 patients with benign pathologies (II), and 41% of 217 patients with active cancer (III). The highest values in group II were for patients in renal failure (64%) or with lung diseases (40%) or head-and-neck diseases (21.2%). Specificity of SCC increased (91.1%) when we excluded patients in renal failure or with creatinine values greater than 133 mumol/L. In group III, SCC values were abnormal in 57.7% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma, but in only 9.3% of those with other histological types (P less than 0.001). In squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, cervix, or head and neck, SCC values were related to tumor stage, values being highest in patients with metastases.

Adult↗