Jul 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2471-2140.jaa-17-1630
Aholia Jean- Baptiste AdépoCorresponding author
Laboratoire de Toxicologie et Hygiène Agro-industrielle, UFR Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, BP V 34, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Introduction: Aflatoxins are cytotoxic andserve as one of the key risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, plants and extract are widely used as potential scavenging substances for the detoxification of mycotoxins. Thus, this study aims to investigate the activity of the crude ethanolic leaves extract from Alchorneacordifolia in aflatoxicosis prevention. Material and Methods: The phytochemical screening was performed through qualitative analysis based on coloring and/or precipitation reactions. Groups of rats were treated daily with a mixture dose of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) at 150 µg/kg and the crude extract of Alchorneacordifolia at doses of 50, 100, and 300 mg/kg for 21 days. The body weight, biochemical, and histological assessments were determined. Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, sterols and terpenoids, quinoid compounds, tannins catechic and alkaloids. AFB1 treatmentcaused a significant increase of transaminases, urea, and creatinine abundances but reduced the rates of albumin and total proteins. Alchorneacordifolia administration alleviated biochemical parameters and body weight gain compared with the AFB1 group (p<0.05). The histological lesions of organs (liver and kidney) caused by AFB1 were significantly improved after administration of the extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg. Conclusion: This plant plays a beneficial role in AFB1-induced injury and may be used in the treatment of aflatoxicosis.
May 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-0436.jos-14-527
Sanjay SrinivasanCorresponding author
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
A 66 year old Chinese male with a medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hepatitis B carrier was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in 2009. He underwent treatment with selective internal radiation spheres and sorafenib, and multiple cycles of chemotherapeutic agents such as bevacizumab, erlotinib, OXAFI ( intravenous oxaliplatin and doxorubicin given on days 1, 8 and 15 in a 28-day cycle, a daily continuous infusion of fluorouracil and subcutaneous interferon alfa-2b 5 million units administered thrice weekly), thalidomide, capecitabine, and rapamycin over the course of four years. Along the course of treatment, he developed pulmonary embolism and was initially started on anti-coagulation. Two months later, he developed hemoptysis and the anti-coagulants were stopped. During his routine ophthalmology visit for diabetic eye evaluation, he complained of blurring of vision of his left eye for the past four to five weeks. He was found to have central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) of the left eye, associated with macular edema. Visual acuity was 6/15 for the right eye and 6/60 for the left eye. Eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber, pupils, lens and ocular motility were normal. Humphrey visual field testing showed a superior arcuate and basal defect. This is the first reported case of CRVO in hepatocellular carcinoma. The etiology of CRVO is multifactorial, withhepatic malignancy, previous major surgery, multiple cycles of chemotherapy and cessation of anticoagulant therapyas possible aetiological factors. His background medical problems of diabetes and hypertension are further contributors.