Jerry R. Toelsie

Assessment of Eight Popularly Used Plant-Derived Preparations for Their Spasmolytic Potential Using the Isolated Guinea Pig Ileum

Aqueous extracts from eight plant species that are popularly used as spasmolytics have been evaluated for these pre-sumed activities. The species included Kalanchoë pinnata (Lam.) Pers. (Crassulaceae), Cymbopogon citratus Stapf. (Gramineae), Gossypium barbadense L. (Malvaceae), Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Schwartz (Caesalpiniaceae), Tagetes erecta L. (Compositae), Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae), Cassia alata L. (Caesalpiniaceae), and Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn. (Euphorbiaceae). Potential spasmolytic activity of the extracts was judged by their ability to reduce forces of smooth muscle contraction of a 2-cm-long piece of guinea pig ileum induced by EC50 acetylcholine (27 ± 5 µg/l) or EC50 histamine (102 ± 13 µg/l). The dried extracts were used at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/ml. Incubations were carried out in Tyrode buffer kept at a temperature of 37°C and mixed with 5% CO2 in air and were monitored for 30 s with 60-s intervals. Results (means ± SD; n ≥ 3) were expressed relatively to forces of contraction due to EC50 acetylcholine or EC50 histamine alone. The extract from K. pinnata reduced the force of contraction due to histamine but not that due to acetylcholine progressively (40% to 95%) with concentrations increasing from 0.01 to 10 mg/ml. At 10 mg/ml, the C. pulcherrima and B. orellana extracts also counteracted only the histamine-induced force of contraction (by about 25% and 50%, respectively). The C. citratus extract decreased the acetylcholine-induced force of contraction by 20% to 60% at 0.1 to 10 mg/ml and that induced by histamine by 60% to 90% at 0.01 to 10 mg/ml. On the other hand, the G. barbadense extract potentiated rather than reduced forces of contraction due to both acetylcholine and histamine (1.2- to 2-fold at 0.01 to 10 mg/ml). The T. erecta extract had such an effect only on the acetylcholine-induced force of contraction (about 2-fold at 10 mg/ml). The use of the former but not the latter sample alone led to an increase in smooth muscle tone that was not reversed by atropine or chlorpheniramine. The C. alata and P. amarus extracts did not significantly modify forces of contraction due to either acetylcholine or histamine. Our results suggest that preparations from K. pinnata, C. citratus, C. pulcherrima, and B. orellana, but not from G. barbadense, T. erecta, C. alata, and P. amarus, may be useful against smooth muscle spasm. These actions were probably mediated by distinct mechanisms.

Self-reported physical activity behavior of a multi-ethnic adult population within the urban and rural setting in Suriname

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) plays an important role in the combat against noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases. In order to develop appropriate PA intervention programs, there is a need to evaluate PA behavior. So far, there are no published data on PA available for Suriname. Therefore, we aim to describe PA behavior among the multi-ethnic population living in urban and rural areas of Suriname.MethodsThe World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) was conducted in a national representative sample (N = 5751; 48.6% men) aged 15–64 years between March and September 2013. Physical activity data were assessed using the Global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ) and analyzed according to the GPAQ guidelines. The prevalence of meeting the recommended PA level and prevalence ratios (PR) were computed.ResultsOnly 55.5% of the overall population met the WHO recommended PA levels (urban coastal area: 55.7%, rural coastal area: 57.9%, rural interior area: 49.1%). Women were less likely to meet the recommended PA level (49% vs 62.4%; p < 0.0001) and with increasing age the PR for recommended level of PA decreased (p < 0.0001). Compared to the Hindustani’s, the largest ethnic group, the Javanese reported the lowest percentage of people meeting recommended PA level (PR = 0.92; p = 0.07).ConclusionAround half of the population meets the recommended PA level. Future lifestyle interventions aiming at increasing PA should especially focus on women and older individuals as they are less likely to meet the recommended levels of PA.

Ethnic differences in prediabetes and diabetes in the Suriname Health Study

Background Diabetes is increasing worldwide, and information on risk factors to develop targeted interventions is limited. Therefore, we analyzed data of the Suriname Health Study to estimate the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes. We also explored whether ethnic differences in prediabetes or diabetes risk could be explained by biological, demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, and metabolic risk factors. Method The study was designed according to the WHO Steps guidelines. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured in 3393 respondents, aged 15–65 years, from an Amerindian, Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Maroon or Mixed ethnic background. Prediabetes was defined by fasting blood glucose levels between 6.1 and 7.0 mmol/L and diabetes by fasting blood glucose levels ≥7.0 mmol/L or ‘self-reported diabetes medication use.’ For all ethnicities, we analyzed sex, age, marital status, educational level, income status, employment, smoking status, residence, physical activity, body mass index, waist circumference, hypertension, and the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Results The prevalence of prediabetes was 7.4%, while that of diabetes was 13 0%. From these diabetes cases, 39.6% were not diagnosed previously. No ethnic differences were observed in the prevalence of prediabetes. For diabetes, Hindustanis (23.3%) had twice the prevalence compared to other ethnic groups (4.7–14.2%). The associations of the risk factors with prediabetes or diabetes varied among the ethnic groups. The differences in the associations of ethnic groups with prediabetes or diabetes were partly explained by these risk factors. Conclusions The prevalence of diabetes in Suriname is high and most elevated in Hindustanis. The observed variations in risk factors among ethnic groups might explain the ethnic differences between these groups, but follow-up studies are needed to explore this in more depth.

Mannitol Reduces the Hydrostatic Pressure in the Proximal Tubule of the Isolated Blood-Perfused Rabbit Kidney during Hypoxic Stress and Improves Its Function.

Background/Aims: Hypoxia may play a role in the development of renal failure in donated kidneys. In the present study, the effects of hypoxia on isolated blood-perfused rabbit kidneys were investigated and the effects of mannitol were explored, giving special attention to intratubular pressure. Methods: Kidneys were perfused with their autologous blood during four 30-min periods (P1–P4). P1 was considered baseline function. In P2, hypoxia was induced either alone or with an infusion of mannitol (15 mg/min) during P2–P4. Reoxygenation was applied after P2. Proximal intratubular pressure was measured in all conditions. Results: During hypoxia, renal blood flow doubled and restored immediately in P3. Urine flow stopped in P2, except in the series with mannitol, but gradually resumed in P3 and P4. Likewise, creatinine clearance recovered slightly (<25%) in P4, except for the series with mannitol, where it still could be measured in P2 and reached a value >50% of P1. Proximal intratubular pressure (mean ± SD) increased from 12 ± 5 in P1 to 24 ± 11 mm Hg during hypoxia and returned to 10 ± 6 mm Hg in P3. This increase was not observed with mannitol. Conclusion: Cellular swelling might be responsible for the suppressed filtration during hypoxia and can be prevented by mannitol.

Ethnic disparities in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in the Suriname Health Study: a cross-sectional population study

Background The metabolic syndrome (MetS) indicates increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. We estimated the overall and ethnic-specific prevalence of MetS and explored the associations of risk factors with MetS among Amerindian, Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Maroon and Mixed ethnic groups. Method We used the 2009 Joint Interim Statement (JIS) to define MetS in a subgroup of 2946 participants of the Suriname Health Study, a national survey designed according to the WHO Steps guidelines. The prevalences of MetS and its components were determined for all ethnicities. Hierarchical logistic regressions were used to determine the associations of ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, educational level, income status, employment, smoking status, residence, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake with MetS. Results The overall estimated prevalence of MetS was 39.2%. From MetS components, central obesity and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) had the highest prevalences. The prevalence of MetS was highest for the Hindustanis (52.7%) and lowest for Maroons (24.2%). The analyses showed that in the overall population sex (women: OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.6), age (OR 5.5 CI 4.3 to 7.2), education (OR 0.7 CI 0.6 to 0.9), living area (OR 0.6 CI 0.5 to 0.8), income (OR 0.7 CI 0.5 to 0.9) and marital status (OR 1.3 CI 1.1 to 1.6) were associated with MetS. Variations observed in the associations of the risk factors with MetS in the ethnic groups did not materially influence the associations of ethnicities with MetS. Conclusions The prevalence of MetS was high and varied widely among ethnicities. Overall, central obesity and low HDL-C contributed most to MetS. Further studies are needed to assess the prospective associations of risk factors with MetS in different ethnic groups.

Beneficial effect of medicinal plants on the contractility of post-hypoxic isolated guinea pig atria – Potential implications for the treatment of ischemic–reperfusion injury

Abstract Context Ischemic–reperfusion injury is accompanied by a decreased contractility of the myocardium. Positive-inotropic agents have proven useful for treating this condition but may exert serious side-effects. Objective In this study, aqueous preparations from Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench (Malvaceae), Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae), Cecropia peltata L. (Moraceae), Erythrina fusca Lour. (Fabaceae), Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) and Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) were evaluated for their ability to improve the decreased contractility of isolated guinea pig atria after hypoxic stress. Materials and methods Guinea pig atria isolated in Ringer-Locke buffer gassed with 100% O2 at 30 °C were exposed for 5 min to hypoxia, then allowed to recover in oxygenated buffer alone or containing a single plant extract (0.001–1 mg/mL). The contractility (g/s) and beating frequency (beats/min), as well as troponin C contents of the bathing solution (ng/mL), were determined and expressed as means ± SDs. Results The extracts of A. muricata, B. orellana, C. peltata and T. catappa caused an increase in the contractility compared to untreated atria of 340 ± 102%, 151 ± 13%, 141 ± 14% and 238 ± 44%, respectively. However, the latter two preparations increased the troponin C contents of the bathing solution to 36 ± 11 and 69 ± 33, compared to the value of 11 ± 3 ng/mL found with untreated atria. Conclusions Preparations from A. muricata and B. orellana may possess positive-inotropic properties which may improve the contractility of the post-hypoxic myocardium. Studies to assess their usefulness in ischemic–reperfusion injury are warranted.

Ethnic and sex-specific cut-off values for adult obesity in the Suriname Health Study

BACKGROUND Sex-specific body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) cut-off values have been validated for a limited number of ethnic groups. We aimed to derive these cut-off values for Amerindians, Creoles, Hindustani, Javanese, Maroons and Mixed living in Suriname. METHODS Data from individuals aged 20-65, in the Suriname Health Study was used to derive optimal cut-off values for BMI and WC for the prediction of hypertension (n=4910) and cardio-metabolic risk (n=2924). Results from the analysis with Receiver Operating Curves were calculated and compared these with recommended values. RESULTS The area under the ROC curve was consistently higher for WC compared to BMI among Creoles, Hindustani, Maroons and Mixed. The BMI cut-off values ranged from 24.8kg/m2 for Creole men and 26.9kg/m2 for Maroon women to 28.4kg/m2 and 30.2kg/m2 for Amerindian men and women, respectively. The WC cut-off values ranged from 80.7cm for Maroon men, 86.7cm for Javanese women to 90.8cm for Hindustani men and 95.7cm for Amerindian women. Optimal BMI cut-off values approximated Asian cut-off values from the World Health Organization whilst those of WC for men approximated and for women exceeded cut-off values from the International Diabetes Federation. CONCLUSION In most ethnic groups, we found better discriminatory power for WC compared to BMI in the relation with cardiovascular risk factors. The estimated BMI and WC cut-off values differed between ethnic groups. Further studies are needed to identify cut-off values related to the future risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.

Physical activity and obesity: is there a difference in association between the Asian- and African- Surinamese adult population?

ABSTRACT Objective: The role of different physical activity (PA) characteristics, i.e. domain, duration and intensity in obesity prevention still requires investigation. Furthermore, ethnicity can modify the effect of PA on body composition. Therefore, we aim to describe the association between obesity and PA characteristics across the Asian- and African-Surinamese population, living in the capital of Suriname. Design: Between February 2013 and July 2015, we included 1157 healthy subjects, 18–70 years, from the Healthy Life in Suriname (HELISUR) study. We measured height, weight, hip and waist circumference and defined general and central obesity according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess PA and to calculate the duration (minutes/week) and the total volume (METs-minutes/week) of activity. Ethnicity was self-reported. Results: Out of 1157 participants we included 1079 (42.6% Asian-Surinamese, 40.1% African-Surinamese and 17.3% of other ethnicity), mean age 42.6 ± 13.6 years for analysis. Obesity prevalence ratio (PR) was significantly lower in participants meeting WHO PA recommendations [PR= 0.81 (0.68–0.97)], especially within the commuting [PR= 0.66 (0.47–0.91)] and leisure time domains [PR= 0.67 (0.47–0.94)], compared to participants that did not meet the recommendations. Active minutes/week and total volume of activity were inversely associated with obesity and waist circumference, in the overall (p < 0.05) and in the African-Surinamese population (p < 0.05), but not in the Asian-Surinamese population. Conclusion: Meeting PA recommendations, particularly within the commuting and leisure time domains, is associated with lower obesity prevalence in the total population. Among the African-Surinamese population, PA within the leisure time domain, more active minutes/week and higher levels of total volume are associated with a lower obesity prevalence. This is not found in the Asian-Surinamese population.