Marrubenol inhibits contraction of rat arteries by blocking L-type calcium (Ca(2+)) channels in smooth muscle cells, but its interaction with binding sites for calcium antagonists had never been ...investigated. Competition binding studies indicated that marrubenol was a weak inhibitor of 1,4-dihydropyridine binding in membranes isolated from rat intestinal smooth muscle but completely displaced specifically bound (-)-(3)Hdesmethoxyverapamil ((3)HD888) with an apparent K(i) value of 16 microM (95% confidence interval: 6.5-39.5 microM). As marrubenol inhibited the contraction evoked by KCl depolarization of intestinal smooth muscle half-maximally at a concentration of approximately 12 microM, interaction with the phenylalkylamine binding site seems to account for the inhibition of L-type Ca(2+) channels by marrubenol.
Abstract
We conducted this study to determine and compare the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the argan and olive leaves as well as their antioxidant capacity in aqueous, methanolic, ...and ethyl acetate extracted fractions.
In vitro
antioxidant activity was evaluated in comparison with synthetic antioxidants by assessing DPPH• radical scavenging capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, scavenging ability by inhibiting the β-carotene/linoleic acid emulsion oxidation, and by the ABTS radical scavenging activity assay. Total phenolic content in argan samples ranged from 221.69 ± 2.07 to 1.32 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g DW and in olive samples from 144.61 ± 0.82 to 1.21 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g DW. Total flavonoids content in argan samples varied from 267.37 ± 1.12 to 25.48 ± 0.02 mg QE/g DW, while in olives from 96.06 ± 0.78 to 10.63 ± 0.05 mg QE/g DW.
In vitro
antioxidant studies strongly confirmed the antioxidant potency of argan and olive leaves and their richness in secondary metabolites that are effective in free radicals scavenging and metal chelating capacities, indicating their antioxidant power.
Metabolic syndrome (MetSyndr), a constellation of abnormalities obesity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia (low HDL-cholesterol, high LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides (TG), ...and elevated blood pressure (BP), increases the risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and premature death. From 10% to 30% of the adult population in industrialized countries has MetSyndr, which effectively predicts the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and CV disease. Because of the complex etiology of MetSyndr, a multi-targeted, integrated therapeutic approach is required to simultaneously treat high BP, obesity, lipid disorders and T2D (if present), to fully protect CV, cerebrovascular and renal systems. If lifestyle modification (weight control, diet, exercise, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol intake) is ineffective, pharmaco-theraphy should be added to treat simultaneously the lipid- and non-lipid CV risk factors. Patients with HTN and MetSyndr should be started on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, unless contraindicated. The ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduce the odds of developing new onset T2D and also decrease albuminuria. The ACE inhibitors provide cardioprotective and renoprotective benefits beyond their effect on BP; they also improve IR. The ARBs are renoprotective in addition to being cardioprotective. Long-acting calcium channel blockers are also recommended in hypertensive patients with MetSyndr; these drugs also improve IR. Thiazides (at low doses) and selected ss-blockers can be given to patients with HTN and MetSyndr. Celiprolol in combination with diuretics has a favorable effect on glucose tolerance and IR in patients with HTN and MetSyndr, and spironolactone added to ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy provides additional reno- and CV protective benefits in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Carvedilol, a ss-blocker with vasodilating properties, added to ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy, is effective in preventing worsening of microalbuminuria in patients with HTN and MetSyndr; it also improves IR and glycemic control. Most patients eventually require two or more antihypertensive drugs to reach BP goal. It is recommended that therapy in patients whose BP is more than 20/10 mm Hg above target at diagnosis be initiated with a combination of antihypertensive drugs, administered either as individual drugs or as fixed-dose formulations. Treatment with fixed-dose combinations, such as irbesartan + hydrochlorothiazide provides good BP control in more than two-thirds of hypertensive patients with MetSyndr. Lipid and BP targets are reached in a high percent of patients with HTN and CV disease treated with a combination of amlodipine + atorvastatin. In conclusion, hypertensive patients with the MetSyndr be treated aggressively for each component of the syndrome to provide CV, cerebrovascular and renal protection.
To estimate the number of deaths attributable to second hand smoking (SHS) in Morocco in 2012.
prevalence based study focusing on mortality from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and lung cancer among ...non-smokers aged 35 and over. Prevalence of SHS among never smokers was gathered from a national cross sectional survey on tobacco and population attributable risk (PAR) was calculated by applying PARs to mortality. The analyses were stratified by sex, age and area of exposure.
Rates for exposure to SHS among men aged 35-64 years ranged from 20.0% at home to 57.4% at work. Among non-smoking Moroccans aged 35 and over, 233 (IC: 147 - 246) deaths were attributable to exposure to SHS; 156 (IC: 100 - 221) in women and 77 (IC: 44 -125) in men. A total of 173 (122 - 222) deaths were estimated to have been caused by exposure only at home, 34 (9 - 76) by exposure only at the work place and 26 (15 - 58) by exposure both at home and work places. Exposure to SHS could be responsible for 182 (128 - 237) deaths from IHD and 51 (19 - 109) from lung cancer.
These data confirm that SHS needs urgent attention in Morocco.
Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed at late stages in countries with limited resources. In Morocco, breast cancer is ranked the first female cancer (36.1%) and screening methods could reduce the ...proportion presenting with a late diagnosis. Morocco is currently adopting a breast cancer screening program based on clinical examination at primary health facilities, diagnosis at secondary level and treatment at tertiary level. So far, there is no systematic information on the performance of the screening program for breast cancer in Morocco. The aim of this study was to analyze early performance indicators.
A retrospective evaluative study conducted in Temara city. The target population was the entire female population aged between 45-70 years. The study was based on process and performance indicators collected at the individual level from the various health structures in Tamara between 2009 and 2011.
A total of 2,350 women participated in the screening program; the participation rate was 35.7%. Of these, 76.8% (1,806) were married and 5.2% (106) of this group had a family history of breast cancer. Of the women who attended screening, 9.3% (190) were found to have an abnormal physical examination findings. A total of 260 (12.7%) were referred for a specialist consultation. The positive predictive value of clinical breast examination versus mammography was 23.0%. Forty four (35.5%) of the lesions found on the mammograms were classified as BI-RADs 3; 4 or 5 category. Cancer was found in 4 (1.95%) of the total number of screened women and benign cases represented 0.58%.
These first results of the programme are very encouraging, but there is a need to closely monitor performance and to improve programme procedures with the aim of increasing both the participation rate and the proportion of women eligible to attend screening.
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