Snezana Cupara

The use of dry Jerusalem artichoke as a functional nutrient in developing extruded food with low glycaemic index

This study considers the use of dry Jerusalem artichoke (JA) as a functional nutrient in developing food products with enhanced nutritional characteristics and low glycaemic index (GI). Three different formulations based on buckwheat and JA were developed and processed using extrusion technology. Nutritional properties including the levels of total dietary fibre (TDF), protein, inulin, total carbohydrates and lipids were analysed. A clinical study was performed on ten healthy volunteers (aged between 21 and 56) to determine the level of GI and glycaemic load (GL). The results revealed that JA significantly (P<0.05) increased the levels of TDF and inulin whilst decreasing carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. The resulting products had a significant (P<0.05) effect on IAUC between reference food and extruded products, GI and GL. Samples containing 80% of Jerusalem artichoke were considered as a low GI food whilst samples containing 30% and 60% of Jerusalem artichoke as a medium GI food. A similar trend was seen in terms of GL.

Contractile effects of endothelins on isolated ampullar segment of human oviduct in luteal phase of menstrual cycle

Endothelin-1 induces contractions of human oviduct ampullar segment in follicular phase of menstrual cycle, acting on ET(A) receptors. The aim of our study was to investigate effects of endothelin-1, endothelin-2 and endothelin-3 on isolated ampullar segment of human oviducts, taken from the patients in luteal phase of menstrual cycle. Fallopian tubes were taken from 20 female patients (one tube from each patient) during abdominal hysterectomy with adnexectomy, due to extensive uterine fibroids. The oviduct ampulla was mounted in an organ bath longitudinally, and the tension of the isolated preparation was recorded with the isometric transducer. Endothelin-1 produced concentration-dependent tonic contraction of the isolated ampullar segment (EC(50)=6.80 +/- 1.2 x 10(-10)M), and concentration-dependent inhibition of its rhythmic contractions (EC(50)=7.86 +/- 2.3 x 10(-10)M). Endothelin-2 produced concentration-dependent tonic contraction of the isolated ampullar segment (EC(50)=4.56 +/- 0.3 x 10(-10)M), without affecting its rhythmic contractions. Endothelin-3 did not affect either tone or rhythmic contractions of the isolated preparations. Selective antagonist for ET(A) receptor subtype, BQ 123, produced inhibition of endothelin-1 effects on both tone (pA(2)=9.50) and spontaneous rhythmic contractions (pA(2)=10.73), while selective antagonist for ET(B) receptor subtype, BQ 788, produced only inhibition of endothelin-1 effects on tone (pA(2)=9.61), while the effect of endothelin-1 on spontaneous rhythmic contractions remained unaffected. The results of our study suggest that in the luteal phase both ET(A) and ET(B) receptors regulate tone, and only ET(A) receptors regulate rhythmic activity of human oviducts ampullar segment.

Cross-sectional survey on complementary and alternative medicine awareness among health care professionals and students using CHBQ questionnaire in a Balkan country

ObjectiveTo conduct a study on attitudes, knowledge, and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in Serbia. Available data about CAM therapies in the region are scarce, opinions lacking from health sector. Balkan region countries had a delay in issuing national policies on CAM therapies.MethodsThe questionnaire used was based on previously validated CAM Health Belief Questionnaire (CHBQ), formulated as 5-item Likert type scale, adjusted for local environment. Health care students and professionals were evaluated. The questionnaire comprehended 10 closed questions on attitudes, knowledge and use of CAM therapies. This survey was conducted in eight cities of Serbia, January 2010–July 2011. A total of 797 participants was included. The second group of participants was 145 healthcare professionals (50 academic staff, 64 clinical staff, 19 pharmacists, 6 other clinical branch specialists and 6 nurses). Data were collected by an interview. Examinees could acquire maximum of 70 points, 35 representing neutral attitude.ResultsStudents of dentistry (54.65±6.07) were better informed on CAM therapies than medicine students (50.26±7.92). Pharmacy students (51.16±7.10) accepted low-scientific CAM. Pharmacists scored better than university professors (55.12±6.55 vs. 50.29±9.50). Primary health care professionals had better awareness than pharmacists in dispensing pharmacies. Both groups of participants preferred use of vitamins over any other CAM therapy.ConclusionThese pioneering efforts in the region exposed weaknesses in CAM attitudes of current and future health care professionals. Nevertheless, awareness on alternative medicine treatment choices is growing among Balkan prescribers. Supportive legal framework would facilitate dissemination of CAM medical practices.

CUTANEOUS TOLERANCE OF SEA BUCKTHORN OIL EMULSION

Introduction: Sea buckthorn oil ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is medically used both externally and internally, but the external application is unsutable due to its liquid, lipophylic and highly colored nature. These difficulties could be overbriged by formulation of semisolid emulsion with sea buckthorn oil. Previous research on this formulation showed that it has higher wound healing potential then sea buckthorn oil, possesing enhanced structure of liquid crystals, stability and suitability for topical use. Aim: The aim of this investigation was to complete characterization of proposed emulsion, by testing its potential for causing skin irritation. Methods: The emulsion was prepared by standard emulsifying techniques using a combination of surfactants that form an enhanced structure of liquid crystals. Amount of 40% of sea buckthorn oil was incorporated. Since results of previous research on this formulation show wound healing effect on an animal model, we also tested skin tolerance of it on animal skin model. Evaluation was done by Draize test which measures level of skin changes of rabbit skin. Results: There was absence of edema or erythema type of irritation after 2h, 24h, 48h, 72h and 7 days of application of semisolid emuslion with sea buckthorn oil. Conclusion: This study confirmed that combination of the proposed ingredients is adequate and the concentrations of surfactants used to form stable emulsion were appropriate also for skin application. The proposed formulation of emulsion with sea buckthorn oil exerted percutaneous tolerance and could be safely applied on the skin. Key words: sea buckthorn oil, emulsion, topical use, irritation

Cutaneous Effects of Sea Buckthorn Oil Emulsion

Abstract Sea buckthorn oil (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is medically used both externally and internally, but the external application is unsuitable due to its liquid, lipophilic and highly coloured nature. These difficulties could be overcome by a formulation of semisolid emulsion with sea buckthorn oil. Previous research on this formulation showed that it has higher wound healing potential than sea buckthorn oil, possessing an enhanced structure of liquid crystals, stability and suitability for topical use. The aim of this investigation was to completely characterizise a proposed emulsion by testing skin effects, such as moisturising potential, skin pH and potential to cause skin irritation. The emulsion was prepared by standard emulsifying techniques using a combination of surfactants that form an enhanced structure of liquid crystals. Approximately 40% of sea buckthorn oil was incorporated. The moisturising potential and skin pH were tested on the healthy skin of volunteers. Skin tolerance was tested on a rabbit skin model and evaluated by the Draize test. The tested emulsion containing sea buckthorn oil did not cause a significant change in skin pH, while it significantly increased skin hydration. Th ere was an absence of edema or erythema type of irritation after 2 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 7 days of application of the emulsion with sea buckthorn oil. The tested formulation shows good moisturizising effects and does not cause human or animal skin irritation. Th e study confi ms that the combination of the proposed ingredients in a sea buckthorn oil emulsion is adequate and could be safe for skin application Sažetak Ulje pasjeg trna (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) se u medicinske svrhe upotrebljava kako za eksternu tako i za internu primenu, pri čemu je eksterna primena nepogodna usled njegove tečne konzistencije, lipofi lne prirode i intenzivne obojenosti. Navedeni nedostaci bi se mogli prevazići formulacijom polučvrstih emulzija sa uljem pasjeg trna. Prethodna ispitivanja ove formulacije su pokazala da poseduje znatno veći potencijal za zarastanje rana u odnosu na ulje pasjeg trna, unapređenu strukturu tečnih kristala, stabilnost i pogodnost za lokalnu primenu. Sprovedeno istraživanje imalo je za cilj da upotpuni karakterizaciju predložene formulacije, testirajući efekte na koži- hidrirajući potencijal, pH kože i potencijal za izazivanje kožnih iritacija. Emulzija je pripremljena standardnim tehnikama emulgovanja, korišćenjem kombinacije surfaktanata kojima se formira poboljšana struktura tečnih kristala pri čemu je ulje pasjeg trna je bilo inkorporirano u količini od 40%. Hidrirajući potencijal i pH kože su bili testirani na koži zdravih volontera. Tolerancija kože je testirana na modelu zečje kože i procenjivana pomoću Draize-ovog testa. Ispitivana emulzija sa uljem pasjeg trna nije pokazala značajne promene pH kože, dok je pokazan značajan hidrirajući efekat. Nisu se javile kožne iritacije, tipa edema ili eritema, nakon 2h, 24h, 48h, 72h i 7 dana od aplikacije emulzije sa uljem pasjeg trna. Evaluirana formulacija ne izaziva iritaciju ni humane ni životinjske kože i pokazuje dobar hidrirajući efekat. Studija potvrđuje da je kombinacija preloženih sastojaka u emulziji sa uljem pasjeg trna adekvatna i može se bezbedno primenjivati na koži.