תוצאת חיפוש

Effect of Alpha-Alpha Esterol on Plasma Cholesterol and Antioxidants

Y. Levy, E. Paster, G. Dankner, A. Ben-Amotz, J.G. Brook

Lipid Research Unit, Medical Dept. D, Rambam Medical Center; Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion; and Israel National Oceanographic Research Institute, Haifa

16 patients with hypercholesterolemia were treated with an extract of alpha-alpha leaves (esterol) while on a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Esterol is believed to inhibit the absorption of cholesterol and bile acids and may interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients. As oxidative modification of lipoproteins is required for the process of atherosclerosis, plasma antioxidant vitamins were followed. After 4 months of treatment, plasma cholesterol decreased by 10% from 282 to 250 mg/dl (p<0.001) and LDL cholesterol by 13%, from 203 to 177 mg/dl (p<0.001). Plasma antioxidant vitamins E, A and β-carotene were unchanged. Thus, esterol has a cholesterol-lowering effect but apparently does not lower fat-soluble, plasma antioxidant vitamins. Both cholesterol-lowering and plasma antioxidant vitamins are important for the primary prevention of coronary artery disease in hypercholesterolemia.

Salivary Gland Endoscopy: a New Technique for Diagnosis and Treatment of Sialolithiasis

O. Nahlieli, A.M. Baruchin, H. Librus, D. London

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Plastic Surgery Service and Radiology Institute, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon

The use of an endoscopic, minimally invasive technique for the removal of salivary gland stones from the submandibular or parotid duct is described. A 2.0-2.7 mm endoscope is inserted into an incision in the parotid or submandibular duct. When the stone is visualized through the endoscope it is removed using suction and forceps. We used this technique in 45 cases for removal of calculi, screening the ductal system to rule out residual calculi. and determination of ductal dilatation. The success rate was 80% and there were no major postoperative complications. To the best of our knowledge these are the first such cases reported in Israel.

Maggot Therapy for Gangrene and Osteomyelitis

K.Y. Mumcuoglu, M. Lipo, I. Ioffe-Uspensky, J. Miller, R. Galun

Dept. of Parasitology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem

5 patients with diabetic-foot were treated by maggot therapy. The most serious case was in a 75-year-old man who had gangrene and osteomyelitis of the right foot. Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus sp., Providencia stuartii and Staphylococcus spec. (coagulase positive) were isolated from lesions which did not respond to antibiotic therapy. The patient had twice refused amputation but agreed to maggot therapy. Larvae of the sheep blowfly Phoenicia (Lucilia) sericata were used for twice-weekly treatment over a period of 7 months. Sterile larvae were applied to the wound and replaced every 3-4 days. After 4 months of treatment, the necrotic tissue around the toes and on the sole of the foot detached from the healthy tissue. During the last 3 months of treatment the larvae removed the remaining infected tissue. As therapy progressed, new layers of healthy tissue covered the wound. The offensive odor associated with the necrotic tissue and the intense pain in the foot decreased significantly. At the end of therapy, during which there were no complaints of discomfort, he was able to walk. In the 4 other patients who had relatively superficial gangrene, the maggots debrided the wounds within 2-4 weeks. Thereafter treatment was continued with antibiotics. Maggot therapy can be recommended in cases of intractable gangrene and osteomyelitis, when treatment with antibiotics and surgical debridement have failed.