Sandra Yucra

Red maca (Lepidium meyenii) reduced prostate size in rats

BackgroundEpidemiological studies have found that consumption of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. This effect seems to be due to aromatic glucosinolate content. Glucosinolates are known for have both antiproliferative and proapoptotic actions.Maca is a cruciferous cultivated in the highlands of Peru. The absolute content of glucosinolates in Maca hypocotyls is relatively higher than that reported in other cruciferous crops. Therefore, Maca may have proapoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in the prostate.MethodsMale rats treated with or without aqueous extracts of three ecotypes of Maca (Yellow, Black and Red) were analyzed to determine the effect on ventral prostate weight, epithelial height and duct luminal area. Effects on serum testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) levels were also assessed. Besides, the effect of Red Maca on prostate was analyzed in rats treated with testosterone enanthate (TE).ResultsRed Maca but neither Yellow nor Black Maca reduced significantly ventral prostate size in rats. Serum T or E2 levels were not affected by any of the ecotypes of Maca assessed. Red Maca also prevented the prostate weight increase induced by TE treatment. Red Maca administered for 42 days reduced ventral prostatic epithelial height. TE increased ventral prostatic epithelial height and duct luminal area. These increases by TE were reduced after treatment with Red Maca for 42 days. Histology pictures in rats treated with Red Maca plus TE were similar to controls. Phytochemical screening showed that aqueous extract of Red Maca has alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, and cardiotonic glycosides. The IR spectra of the three ecotypes of Maca in 3800-650 cm (-1) region had 7 peaks representing 7 functional chemical groups. Highest peak values were observed for Red Maca, intermediate values for Yellow Maca and low values for Black Maca. These functional groups correspond among others to benzyl glucosinolate.ConclusionsRed Maca, a cruciferous plant from the highland of Peru, reduced ventral prostate size in normal and TE treated rats.

Semen quality and reproductive sex hormone levels in Peruvian pesticide sprayers.

Abstract To determine the association between occupational pesticide exposure and semen quality among sprayers using organophosphate (OPs) pesticides, 31 pesticide sprayers and 80 men who were not exposed were studied. Semen and blood samples were obtained one day after last pesticide application. Semen samples were analyzed for sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility, percentage of normal morphology, and fructose and zinc concentrations. Blood samples were analyzed for sex hormones. Pesticide sprayers had significantly reduced age-adjusted seminal volume, percentage of motility, percentage of sperm with normal morphology, serum luteinizing hormone, serum testosterone levels, and seminal zinc concentration (a marker of prostate function), as well as significantly increased time of liquefaction, seminal pH, percentage of immature sperm morphology, and leukocyte concentration. These findings provide further evidence that occupational exposures to OP pesticides adversely affect semen quality and sex hormones.

Semen quality in Peruvian pesticide applicators: association between urinary organophosphate metabolites and semen parameters

BackgroundOrganophosphates are broad class of chemicals widely used as pesticides throughout the world. We performed a cross-sectional study of associations between dialkylphosphate metabolites of organophosphates and semen quality among pesticide applicators in Majes (Arequipa), Peru.MethodsThirty-one men exposed to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and 31 non-exposed were recruited (age, 20–60 years). In exposed subjects, semen and a blood sample were obtained one day after the last pesticide application. Subjects were grouped according to levels of OP metabolites in urine. Semen samples were analyzed for sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility, percentage of normal morphology, semen leucocytes and concentrations of fructose and zinc. Exposure to OP was assessed by measuring six urinary OP metabolites (dimethyl and diethyl phosphates and thiophosphates) by gas chromatography using a single flame photometric detector.ResultsDiethyldithiophosphate (p = 0.04) and diethylthiophosphate (p = 0.02) better reflected occupational pesticide exposure than other OP metabolites. Semen analysis revealed a significant reduction of semen volume and an increase in semen pH in men with OP metabolites. Multiple regression analysis showed that both occupational exposure to pesticides and the time of exposure to pesticides were more closely related to alterations in semen quality parameters than the single measurement of OP metabolites in urine.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that occupational exposure to OP pesticides was more closely related to alterations in semen quality than a single measurement of urine OP metabolites. Current measurement of OP metabolites in urine may not reflect the full risk.

Dose-response effect of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) in mice with memory impairment induced by ethanol.

Previous studies have shown that black variety of maca has beneficial effects on learning and memory in experimental animal models. The present study aimed to determine whether the hydroalcoholic extract of black maca (BM) showed a dose–response effect in mice treated with ethanol 20% (EtOH) as a model of memory impairment. Mice were divided in the following groups: control, EtOH, ascorbic acid (AA) and 0.125, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 g/kg of BM plus EtOH. All treatments were orally administered for 28 days. Open field test was performed to determine locomotor activity and water Morris maze was done to determine spatial memory. Also, total polyphenol content in the hydroalcoholic extract of BM was determined (0.65 g pyrogallol/100 g). Mice treated with EtOH took more time to find the hidden platform than control during escape acquisition trials; meanwhile, AA and BM reversed the effect of EtOH. In addition, AA and BM ameliorated the deleterious effect of EtOH during the probe trial. Correlation analyses showed that the effect of BM a dose-dependent behavior. Finally, BM improved experimental memory impairment induced by ethanol in a dose–response manner due, in part, to its content of polyphenolic compounds.

Dialkyl phosphate metabolites of organophosphorus in applicators of agricultural pesticides in Majes - Arequipa (Peru).

BackgroundOrganophosphorus (OPs) pesticides are the most commonly used pesticides in Peruvian agriculture. The population at risk for OPs exposure includes formulators, applicators and farmers. Majes Valley is the most important agricultural center of the Southern region of Peru. The present study was aimed to determine the knowledge about using OPs, safety practice and urinary dialkylphosphate metabolites on OP applicators in the Majes Valley, Peru.MethodsThis study was based on a questionnaire which included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of safety practices to handling OPs, characteristics of pesticide application and use of protective measures to avoid pesticide contamination. Exposure was assessed by measuring six urinary OP metabolites (DMP, DMTP, DMDTP, DEP, DETP, and DEDTP) by gas chromatography using a single flame photometric detector. The sample consisted of 31 men and 2 women aged 20 – 65 years old.Results76% of applicators had at least one urinary dialkylphosphate metabolite above the limit of detection. The geometric mean (GM) and the geometric standard deviation (GSD) of DMP and DEP were 5.73 ug/g cr. (GSD 2.51), and 6.08 ug/g cr. (GSD 3.63), respectively. The percentage of applicators with detectable DMP, DMDTP, and DMTP in urine was 72.72%, 3.03%, and 15.15%, respectively, while the corresponding figures for DEP, DETP, and DEDTP were 48.48%, 36.36% and 15.15%, respectively. There was no significant association between the use of protection practices and the absence of urine OPs metabolites suggesting inadequate protection practices.ConclusionThe pesticide applicators in Majes Valley have significant exposure to OP pesticides, probably due to inappropriate protective practices. Future work should evaluate possible health effects.

Association between biofuel exposure and adverse birth outcomes at high altitudes in Peru: a matched case-control study.

Abstract Nearly one-third of the Peruvian population burns biofuels for cooking. Similarly, approximately one-third of this population lives at high altitudes. Cooking with biofuels and living at high altitudes have been implicated in adverse perinatal outcomes. This study attempted to determine the risk of low birth weight (LBW) and/or preterm delivery in relation to biofuel use in inhabitants at high altitudes in Peru. A matched-case study was performed in two high-altitude cities. All subjects (n = 190) were identified from public-hospital records. Cases were matched by hospital by week of birth and area of residence. Cases were defined as: women with an at-term but LBW newborn; or women with a preterm birth. Adjusted conditional logistic regression analyses were used to determine odds ratio. Fifty-two percent of the cases used biofuel whereas only 30% of the controls used biofuel. The use of biofuel for cooking was found to be strongly associated with increased risks of LBW, but was not significantly linked to preterm births.

Maternal exposure to biomass smoke and carbon monoxide in relation to adverse pregnancy outcome in two high altitude cities of Peru.

BACKGROUND Exposure to pollution from biomass fuel has been associated with low birthweight in some studies. Few studies have included exposure-response analyses. METHOD We conducted a case-control study of biomass fuel use and reproductive outcome at high altitude in Peru. Cases (n=101) were full term births who were SGA (birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age). Controls (n=101) had a birthweight ≥10th percentile, and were matched to cases on birth week and residence. Biomass fuel use during pregnancy was determined by questionnaire. Carbon monoxide (CO) in the kitchen was measured in a subgroup (n=72). Logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of biofuel and CO on the risk of SGA, controlling for maternal education and parity. RESULTS Among cases, 30%, 27% and 44% used gas, gas+biomass, and biomass, respectively, while the figures for controls were 39%, 33%, and 29%. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for biomass fuel alone compared with gas alone was 4.5 (95% CI: 1.3, 15.5, p=0.02), while the OR for biomass+gas vs. gas alone was 2.1 (0.80-5.5) (p=0.13). Among the subgroup with measured CO, the mean 48-h kitchen CO levels were 4.8, 2.2 and 0.4ppm for biofuel only, biofuel+gas, and gas respectively. ORs by increasing tertile of CO level were 1.0, 1.16, and 3.53 (test for trend, p=0.02). The exposure-response trend corresponds well with one other study with analogous data. CONCLUSION Despite limited sample size, our data suggest that maternal exposure to biomass smoke and CO, at high altitude, is associated with SGA among term births.

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) Varieties Did Not Alter Female Reproductive Parameters in Adult Intact Rats

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different varieties of Lepidium meyenii (Black, Yellow and Red Maca) during seven estrous cycles in rats. Adult female rats (n=8 per group) were treated with freeze-dried aqueous extract of each maca variety (1 g/kg) during 28 days. The duration of each phase of the estrous cycle and body weight was determined. Animals were sacrificed in first estrous phase after seven estrous cycles and the number of ova from oviduct, wet uterine and body weight and estradiol levels were recorded. Total polyphenols content found in black, yellow and red maca freeze-dried was 0.56, 0.57 and 0.58 g/100g of lyophilized respectively. The maca varieties did not affect any phase of estrous cycle, number of ova recovered within oviduct, serum estradiol levels, wet uterine and body weights as compared with control group (vehicle). Three varieties of maca did not present effects on the regulation of the number of ova released at ovulation in adult intact female rats.

Effect of the ethanolic extract from Fagara tessmannii on testicular function, sex reproductive organs and hormone level in adult male rats

The effect of ethanolic extract of Fagara tessmannii, wide medicinal plants used on reproductive function in South Cameroon, was investigated in male rats. Twenty male sexually experienced rats (four groups) were orally treated with vehicle, 0.01, 0.1, 1 g kg−1 BW per day of F. tessmannii (equivalent to 16.67 g, 33.33 g, 50 g, 66.66 g kg−1 dry raw material) for 14 days, the upper limit dose without any clinical sign of toxicity was 2 g kg−1. Fagara tessmannii extract negatively affected weight of accessory organs and significantly affected body weight gain at dose 1 g kg−1 (P < 0.05) in treated rats. The weight of epididymis and seminal vesicle significantly decreased at low doses (0.01 g kg−1) while the prostate weight decreased at all doses (P < 0.05). The transit of spermatozoa in cauda epididymidis significantly increased at lower dose of 0.01 g kg−1 (P < 0.05). In addition, F. tessmannii extract affected neither daily sperm production (DSP) and DSP per g nor sperm count in vas deferens and epididymis. The length of stages IX–I of the seminiferous tubule and serum testosterone level increased dose‐dependently following 14 days of treatment (P < 0.05). The results suggest that F. tessmannii, 14 days after treatment, may improve spermatogenesis, testosterone level and sperm transit in cauda epididymidis but negatively impair reproductive organ activities.

Correcting the cut-off point of hemoglobin at high altitude favors misclassification of anemia, erythrocytosis and excessive erythrocytosis

Drs. Alper, Brugnara, and Snyder are co-investigators in a clinical project for the treatment of HX (dehydrated stomatocytosis) with Springworks Therapeutics. Dr. Brugnara and Boston Children’s Hospital hold patents potentially related to senicapoc. Dr. Alper has received research funding from Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Kaufman, Mr. Niles, Mr. Gallagher, and Dr. Snyder are employees of Quest Diagnostics.