Bamboo Shoots as Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals
Nirmala Chongtham, Madho Singh Bisht in Bamboo Shoot, 2020
Kidney functions in all the experimental groups were monitored by analyzing the levels of serum creatinine, blood urea and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) which are commonly measured to determine kidney health. Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in muscles and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body. It passes into the bloodstream and is usually passed out in the urine. Urea is also a waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins and passed out in the urine. BUN tests measure the amount of nitrogen in the blood. Urea nitrogen is a breakdown product of protein. Generally, a high blood level of creatinine, urea and BUN indicate that the kidneys may not be working properly. In a study carried out by Bajwa et al (2017), the nonsignificant increase was observed in the level of serum creatinine, blood urea and blood urea nitrogen as compared to the control group (Table 8.11). This might be due to the presence of high-protein content in juvenile bamboo shoots. It has been reported that a high-protein diet is associated with increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), serum creatinine, urea, urinary calcium excretion and serum concentrations of uric acid.
Isolation, Fractionation, and Analysis of Nonhistone Chromosomal Proteins
Lubomir S. Hnilica in Chromosomal Nonhistone Proteins, 2018
The potential problems caused by the formation of cyanate and ammonium ions can be minimized or avoided by simple precautions during the preparation of urea buffers, e.g., according to Herbert et al.156 urea should be prepared in a stock solution (10 M) using high-quality crystalline reagent,76 without heating (at temperatures not exceeding 25°C), and stored at 5°C in stoppered glass bottles.151 Immediately before the preparation of buffer, the urea solution should be deionized by passing through a column of mixed-bed resin (e.g., AG® 501-X8,157,158 Rexyn® I-300,156,159 or Amberlite® MB-3160). Fresh buffer should be rapidly cooled, if necessary, and used immediately after preparation. The urea buffers must be used within two days of preparation,161 even in the case of deionized urea solutions.157 To compete for the reaction of isocyanate with protein, lysine should be included in all urea buffers.76 The addition of 2 mM TrisCl to buffers for chromatography on hydroxylapatite162 has also been reported to protect the proteins against urea cyanate degradation.155,156
Topical Therapies for Psoriasis
Siba P. Raychaudhuri, Smriti K. Raychaudhuri, Debasis Bagchi in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, 2017
As in other skin diseases, like atopic eczema and ichthyosis, skin barrier function is impaired in psoriasis, which results in increased transepidermal water loss and epidermal hyperproliferation, as well as disruption of regular keratinization. Hyperkeratosis and itch are evident clinical consequences. Therefore, skin moisturization apart from anti-inflammatory strategies is a major therapeutic approach in psoriasis. Urea is a low-molecular-weight organic compound relevant to skin hydration through its hygroscopic characteristics, and it has been used in topical formulations for decades [31,32]. Concentrations from 2% to 10% will result in rehydration of skin, as well as increase the penetration of active agents like corticosteroids. Concentrations above 10% show keratinolytic activity and may be used to remove skin hyperkeratosis and onycholytic nail plate material. Mild skin irritation, especially at sensitive sites, is the major unwanted effect. Therefore, urea at concentrations above 2% should be used cautiously, especially in young children.
Ingestion of Sudan IV-adulterated palm oil impairs hepato-renal functions and induces the overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines: A sub-acute murine model
Published in Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2022
Ofem E. Eteng, Ceaser A. Moses, Emmanuel I. Ugwor, Joe E. Enobong, Adio J. Akamo, Yewande Adebekun, Arikpo Iwara, Eyong Ubana
Uric acid, BUN, and creatinine are clinically important biomarkers of kidney function. Uric acid is the byproduct of purine metabolism, while creatinine is produced by muscle (from creatine phosphate] and during protein catabolism. BUN is a measure of the amount of urea nitrogen present in the blood. Urea is a waste product of protein and amino acid, filtered by the kidneys into the urine. These markers are efficiently eliminated unchanged by the kidney, making them an important serum biomarker for kidney function [28]. Increased levels of these markers (as is the case in S4D-exposed rats) may result from decreased blood volume (hypovolemia) or decreased filtration rate by the kidneys [29]. Thus, the accumulation of these markers further affirms the impairment of renal function by S4D.
Different long-term avidity maturation for IgG anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalized COVID-19 patients
Published in Acta Clinica Belgica, 2022
Laura Heireman, Jerina Boelens, Liselotte Coorevits, Bruno Verhasselt, Stien Vandendriessche, Elizaveta Padalko
For the measurement of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG avidity, we developed an in-house procedure based on EUROIMMUN (anti-spike) and EDI™ (anti-nucleocapsid) SARS-CoV-2 IgG ELISA protocols. Briefly, 100 µL of prediluted serum (1:101, in duplicate), positive control, negative control and calibrator were added to the wells of plates coated with SARS-CoV-2 protein. Plates were incubated for 1 hour at 37°C (EUROIMMUN) or for 30 minutes at room temperature (EDI). After three (EUROIMMUN) or five (EDI) washes, 300 µL phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and 6 M urea (dissolved in ultrapure water, freshly prepared) were added to the first and second well, respectively, of each patient sample and incubated at room temperature for 10 minutes. The concentration of urea was optimized based on previous experiments with 4, 6 and 8 M urea which showed that the 6 M concentration was most suitable (data not shown). Plates were washed three or five more times followed by addition of conjugate and substrate according to manufacturer’s instructions. The avidity index (%) was expressed as the ratio of results obtained with 6 M urea to PBS multiplied by 100.
The randomized trials of 10% urea cream and 0.025% tretinoin cream in the treatment of acanthosis nigricans
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2021
Arucha Treesirichod, Suthida Chaithirayanon, Thitiwat Chaikul, Somboon Chansakulporn
The efficacy of topical retinoids has been reported and considered as one of treatment options. A randomized trial study has demonstrated the efficacy of 0.1% adapalene gel and 0.025% tretinoin cream in the treatment of childhood AN with minimal adverse events (1). The mechanism of action is to alter epidermal turnover and epidermal keratinization (2). The treatment involving keratinocyte proliferation has become a potential alternative treatment. Urea cream is a diamide of carbonic acid which contains emollient and keratolytic property. It has been used in a wide variety of dermatological conditions especially in dry and scaly skin. Different preparations of urea cream have several different potential uses such as a moisturizer for dry skin, softening hyperkeratotic areas and debridement of nail plates (3). The postulated mechanisms of action of topical urea are a proteolytic effect and keratinolysis (4); it is also safe and tolerable without systemic toxicity. The most common side effect is mild irritation of skin (3). To date, there is no randomized trial looking at the efficacy of topical urea for the treatment of AN. With the potential mechanism of action and safety profiles, topical urea is justified in AN treatment. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of 10% urea cream compared with 0.025% tretinoin cream in the treatment of AN.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Amide
- Amine
- Carbamic Acid
- Carbonic Acid
- Functional Group
- Organic Compound
- Metabolism
- Nitrogen
- Chemical Formula
- Carbonyl Group