Effects of high doses of dexamethasone on hemodynamic and immunohistochemical characteristics of acute paraquat intoxication in rat kidneys

Molecular Docking and Antihypertensive Activity of Eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside Isolated from Boerhavia diffusa Linn

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a key regulator of blood pressure, and ACE inhibition is an essential part of the treatment of hypertension. We used a molecular docking approach to find the interaction of ACE with an active flavonoid isolated from Boerhavia diffusa Linn, eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, which leads to potential antihypertensive effects in methyl predenisolone-induced hypertensive rats. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic parameters of this compound are assessed. Methods:eupalitin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside was isolated from leaves of Boerhavia diffusa by sedimentation method. The compound was characterized by UPLC-MSMS, NMR, and UV spectroscopy to confirm the identity of the compound. Hypertension was induced in rats with methyl predenisolone (5 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure effects of eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside were assessed using a tail-cuff method. The blood plasma data for oral administration were used to determine various pharmacokinetic parameters from the bioavailability and serum concentration. Results: In methyl predenisolone-induced hypertensive rats, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower than that of the vehicle with treatment from eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The pharmacokinetic process showed the moderate bioavailability of the compound; eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside induces powerful antihypertensive activity in methyl predenisolone-induced hypertensive rats, implying potential clinical application as a new therapeutic drug for hypertension.

Plasma Concentration After the First Hemoperfusion has a High Predictive Value in Medium Level Acute Paraquat-Poisoned Patients

BACKGROUND

Paraquat ( PQ) is very poisonous to humans and animals and there is no effective clinical antidote . The efficacy of hemoperfusion (HP) treatment for PQ poisoning remains controversial. To explore new ways to predict the prognosis of patients with acute PQ poisoning and assist in the development of better hemopurification treatment strategies.

METHODS

The clinical data of patients who were intoxicated with PQ through contact were diagnosed with PQ poisoning by high-performance liquid chromatography. Samples were collected by the Emergency Intensive Care Unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2012 to November 2016. Based on the prognosis, the patients were grouped into survival and death groups. Comparisons of the differences in the clinical indexes were performed, including the initial concentration of PQ at admission, PQ concentration after first HP, the number of HP cartridges used for the first hemoperfusion, whether HP was combined with continuous renal replacement therapy, and the number of concurrent organ injuries between the 2 groups. In addition, data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristic curves. Moreover, prognostic factors in patients with acute PQ poisoning were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 128 patients with acute PQ poisoning were enrolled in this study. The median plasma PQ concentrations of the patients at admission were 21 and 834 ng/mL (range: 50-1,099,118 ng/mL). The multiple logistic regression model revealed that the initial concentration of PQ and the PQ concentration after the first perfusion were independent risk factors for death in patients with acute PQ poisoning. The PQ concentration in the survival group after the first HP was <516 ng/mL and was mainly distributed at approximately 100 ng/mL. The percentage of patients whose concentration after the first HP was <516 ng/mL in the death group was only 19%.

CONCLUSIONS

The initial plasma PQ concentration after admission and PQ concentration after the first HP are risk factors for death in patients with acute PQ poisoning. Moreover, PQ concentration after the first HP had a high predictive value for death. When the initial plasma PQ concentration after admission ranges from 50 ng/mL to 5000 ng/mL, the rapid reduction in plasma PQ concentration after HP treatment could improve the prognosis of patients with acute PQ poisoning.