In contrast to artificial sweeteners, there are no reported negative health consequences of Stevia, such as toxicity, teratogenicity, mutagenicity or carcinogenicity. In contrast, the anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant and antihypertensive properties of stevioside have been well documented, suggesting a potential medicinal use as an adjunctive treatment for several diseases.
Anti-hyperglycemic PropertiesStevia glycosides have been widely shown to prevent weight gain and decrease serum glucose levels in animal and human models. As with any zero-calorie sweetener, stevia lacks calories and reduces serum glucose levels that typically rise about 1 hour after carbohydrate consumption, compared to sucrose. However, a 2010 study by Kujur et al. found that stevia significantly reduces mean serum glucose levels in subjects over a 1-month period. The study used Wister rats with diabetes induced by 5% alloxan monohydrate, and found that administering 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of stevia daily resulted in significant time-dependent anti-hyperglycemic effects. When treated with 50 mg/kg of stevia in the aqueous, ether and methanolic extracts for 28 days, mean serum glucose levels fell from 220 to 161 mg/dL; 220 to 171 mg/dL; and 232to 163mg/dL, respectively. When treated with 100 mg/kg of the stevia extracts, mean serum glucose levels fell from 220 to 137 mg/dL; 209 to 168 mg/dL; and 218 to 181 mg/dL, respectively. There were non-significant differences in serum glucose levels between the 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg doses. Rats administered glyburide, a known oral diabetes medication that was used as a positive control, hada reduction in mean serum glucose levels from 211 to 101 mg/dL after 28 days. Thus, the administration of stevia
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women. Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma is a rare subtype of colorectal cancer defined as malignant neoplasms in which each component represents at least 30% of the lesion. It was named as Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma and described by the World Health Organization in 2010. Due to its morphological heterogeneity and the rarity of the condition, it becomes quite challenging to formulate an appropriate treatment plan. In this report, we present a case of 67-year-old man found to have a rectal mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma. We discussed the current management strategies and provide a review of the literature.
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a sporadic entity characterized by hypokalemia and paralysis in the setting of hyperthyroidism. TPP is most commonly described in young Asian males. Studies have shown an association with mutations affecting inward rectifying potassium channels. The pathophysiology involves Na
+
-K
+
- ATPase channel causing an increased intracellular shift of potassium ions in the hyperthyroid state and in the presence of another precipitating condition. Most cases of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis are defined in young Asian males of 20–40 years of age, here we present an interesting case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in 32-year-old African American male, who presented with sudden onset weakness in the bilateral lower extremity and left upper extremity. Interestingly, the patient also has sensory deficits, a feature not known to be associated with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.
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