Introduction
There were concerns raised regarding a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Uddanam, a fertile subtropical low-altitude territory in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence of CKD, disease characteristics, and risk factor profile in this area.
Methods
We selected 2210 subjects (age >18 years) using multistage sampling. After obtaining demographic and anthropometric data, urinary protein-creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, and blood glucose were measured in all the subjects. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation.
Results
Mean age of the subjects was 43.2 ± 14.2 years (range: 18–98), 44.3% were men and 55.7% were women. Mean eGFR of subjects was 94.3 ± 33.4. Low eGFR (<60 ml/min per 1.73 m
2
) was seen in 307 (13.98%) patients with a mean eGFR of 34.8 ± 16.6. The prevalence of subjects having low eGFR and with proteinuria (CKD) was 18.23%. Major risk factors, such as diabetes, long-standing hypertension, and significant proteinuria, were absent in 73% of patients with CKD, implying that a significant proportion of the population is afflicted with the entity “CKD of unknown etiology (CKDu).”
Conclusion
The prevalence of CKD and CKDu in Uddanam is much higher than other earlier studies in either rural or urban communities in India. We suggest that there is a dire need to review health policies and allocate resources for prevention and treatment of CKD in the Uddanam region.
CD133(+) prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) have recently been identified in human prostate cancer tissues. The present study reports the integrin profile of prostate cancer progenitor cells and the role of alpha(1) and beta(1) integrins in the homing and differentiation of PCSCs in vitro. PCSCs were isolated from the tissue specimens of patients with prostate cancer and the expression of surface integrins and adhesion patterns were determined. Our analysis of the expression of surface integrins and their adhesion patterns of prostate cancer stem cells derived from prostate cancer tissues revealed that the levels of beta(1) and alpha(2)beta(1) integrins were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the other integrins. By contrast, peripheral blood-derived CD133(+) cells from prostate cancer patients showed a high level of expression (P < 0.01) of alpha(2)beta(1), alpha(v)beta(3), alpha(v)beta(5), beta(1) and alpha(1) integrins and a minimal expression of alpha(4)beta(1) integrins. Moreover, CD133(+) cells derived from both prostate cancer tissues and peripheral blood exhibited an increased degree of attachment to extracellular matrix proteins (P < 0.001) and a high expression level of alpha(2)beta(1) integrin. In vitro experiments using blocking antibodies indicated that alpha(1) and beta(1) integrins have a role in the homing and differentiation of PCSCs. This is the first report to suggest the importance of integrins in mediating the homing and differentiation of PCSCs.
Piperine, a major constituent of Piper nigrum (Black pepper), is one of the well known components in many Ayurvedic
formulations. Piperine is most studied bioenhancer because it inhibits drug metabolizing enzymes in rodents and increases plasma
concentrations of several drugs, including P-glycoprotein substrates. However, there areno evidences on piperine-iron conjugate to
inhibit human CYP450 3A4. We therefore investigated the influence of piperine-Fe conjugate to study the metabolism of iron with
CYP450 3A4. Our in silico results showed that Piperine when conjugated with iron, inhibited activity of CYP450 3A4. This
improved the binding of piperine-Fe conjugate with CYP450 3A4 and increased bioavailability.
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