BSc (Hons) Applied Pharmacology
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/7254
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Item The Effects Of Cherry Supplementation On Cardiovascular Function And Muscle Recovery: A Crossover Pilot Study.(2018)Background: Cardiovascular disease remains a significant clinical problem, despite intense efforts to combat its associated risk factors. Intervention and prevention in younger life is the preferred method of action in reducing rates of morbidity and early mortality. Montmorency Tart Cherries (MTC) are rich in bioactive antioxidants and polyphenols compounds and evidence suggests that they have the potential to provide cardioprotection via the means of improved blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Other literature suggests that MTC may also deliver beneficial effects regarding muscle recovery, promoting its use in both elite athletes and the general public. Objective: To investigate the effect of MTC supplementation on cardiovascular health and muscle recovery in a young healthy population. Design: In a randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study, eight healthyparticipants aged 18-30 consumed either freeze-dried (ActiveCherryÒ) MTC (870mg) or cornflour (700mg) capsules for seven consecutive days, with a four-day washout period between the alternative treatment. Participant’s body mass index (BMI) was established through assessments of height and weight. Prior to, and succeeding each treatment, measurements of blood pressure (BP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were taken to evaluate changes in cardiovascular function and arterial stiffness. Changes in muscle recovery were evaluated through increasing workload during a 10-minute cycling test; which aimed to achieve 70-80% of the participant’s age-related maximum heart-rate. Blood lactate concentrations ([La-]b) were obtained within 60 seconds and at 10-minutes post-exercise. Participants were required to complete diet-diaries on four consecutive days to assess the presence of polyphenols in their respective diets. Statistical analysis was evaluated through the use of a paired-sample T-test in Microsoft Excel Software. Results: Analysis of the diet-diaries established a low polyphenol presence in the participants’ diets. Laboratory analysis confirmed a higher antioxidant (0.413mmol FSE/capsule) and phenolic (72.46mmol GAE/capsule) content in the intervention compared with the control (0.012mmol FSE/capsule and 0.47mmol GAE/capsule, respectively). Changes in systolic and diastolic BP, PWV and [La-]b were found to not be statistically significant (>0.05) for the cherry intervention. PWV was found to be significant (p=0.0248) for the control treatment, however not significant for systolic and diastolic BP or [La-]b. Conclusion: Within the capabilities of the study, research failed to indicate that MTC supplementation would potentially improve cardiovascular health or muscle recovery, despite a high antioxidant and phenolic content in the capsules and low presence of polyphenols in the diet. Further work in this area may be of value in the long-term prevention of cardiovascular disease and as a sports performance-enhancer. Keywords: Montmorency, Antioxidant, Phenolic, Arterial Stiffness, Muscle RecoveryItem A randomised trial investigating the effects of different types of music on cognitive function and physiological parameters in healthy individuals.(2018)Background Exposure to music has been associated with positive effects on mood and subjective wellbeing. The use of music therapy has been shown to have an impact on mood and cognition in patients with dementia. However, the effects of music on cognitive function in the healthy population remain unclear, including the impact of musical genres and individual preferences for these genres. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different types of music on cognitive function and physiological parameters in the healthy adult population. Design Participants were healthy adults (aged 16 –65 years) with no evidence of cognitive decline. A total of 20 participants were included in the study. A randomised, cross-over design was used to evaluate the effect of silence, preferred music and non-preferred music exposure on cognitive testing. Three separate visits were completed for each participant, with pre- and post-test blood pressure evaluated as well as cognitive performance using Corsi and Stroop tests. All tests were performed in a quiet room at the university campus, at a time convenient to the participants. Results The results showed that there were no differences in physiological parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) or in the performance of the Corsi task based on participant exposure to no music, preferred music or non-preferred music. A higher rate of errors was seen in the Stroop task after listening to preferred music versus no music (P=0.042), while time to complete the task was lower after listening to either preferred or non-preferred music versus no music (P<0.001). Conclusion The findings of this study do no support the hypotheses of the research and should be interpreted with caution due to the contradictory findings to other published studies. Future studies should focus on replicating the present study and refining the protocol employed. Key words: Music, cognitive function, physiological, healthy, randomisedItem The Effect of Pomegranate Juice on Executive Cognitive Function in Males Aged 18 – 35 At Risk Of Mild Brain Trauma.(2018)Background - Increased dietary intake of polyphenols present in fruit have been proven to alleviate cognitive decline in the older population associated from ageing and neurodegenerative diseases in chronic studies. They are thought to work by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress key in the pathology of neuronal death. Concussions however have also been shown to produce oxidative stress and to have a profound effect on cognition even in later years regardless of when the injury had occurred. Pomegranate juice during investigations has produced much greater polyphenol counts than other tested substances therefore sparking interest of using pomegranate juice during studies in this field. Little research has been done to investigate the acute benefits of polyphenols on younger generations at risk of cognitive dysfunction. Objective - To investigate if 250ml of Bioma pomegranate juice acutely improves executive cognitive function in males aged 18 - 35 at risk of mild brain trauma Design - A double blind randomised cross over study design was conducted on 16 participants who were randomly allocated to either group one or 2 .The two groups were then given their assigned drinks, either Biona pomegranate juice or Volvic berry medley juice acting as a control. A baseline online Stroop test was completed after which measurements of height, weight and blood glucose were taken and questionnaires and diet diaries were filled out by participants. One hour after consuming the juice and carrying out the first Stroop test a second Stroop test was completed by participants. A one week washout period separated the test days on which the second test day the groups were given the opposite juice they received the first test day. Baseline Stroop test and blood glucose test were repeated as before and the second Stroop test was completed an hour after the juice was drank. Results - The only statistically significant results observed during this study were the decrease in reaction time between baseline and after intervention Stroop tests for both the pomegranate group and the Volvic group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.046 respectively) . All other variables analysed were found not to be significant. Conclusion - To conclude, acute supplementation of both juices were shown to decrease reaction times, however results were not significantly different from each other suggesting that other factors may have played a part in the outcome and warranting future investigation. Keywords: Pomegranate juice, Cognition, Polyphenols, Concussion, StroopItem The effect of music on cognitive function, highlighting possible non-pharmacological intervention for Alzheimers Disease.(2018)Background: Listening to music can be described as a passive but ubiquitous activity whereby many individuals are exposed to musical byproducts daily. It has been an area of interest for many years whereby the ‘Mozart Effect’ provides enhancing effects on individuals with dementia. Studies, however, are lacking the effect of many genres of music including demographics like age, educational status and musical instrument status. Aims/Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of music on cognition based on most and least preferred or no music. This will determine whether individual capabilities are diminished or enhanced after listening to music for a short time period. The objectives of this study are to measure blood pressure, and to undergo cognitive tests, Stroop and Corsi after listening to no music, music they enjoy and music they dislike over three separate visits. Additionally, cohorts influencing cognition like age will be identified whilst the acceptability of musical intervention within education on cognition tested. Finally, this study will explore whether being able to play a musical instrument has an overall positive impact on cognition after a musical intervention. Methods: Participants were recruited to undergo three musical interventions: no music, music liked and music disliked. Whereby, their blood pressure was taken three times before and after the study design. After each intervention, participants were tested via a Stroop and Corsi test providing data for statistical analysis. Results: There was a statistical difference noticed between no music and both musical groups (P<0.05) when testing Stroop errors and time however, no statistical difference was noted within the Corsi test. Cohorts like age, education and musical instrument status correlated with tests throughout the study (P<0.05). Conclusion: Findings from this present study indicate music listening may have a positive effect on cognition. And therefore, could be considered as a non-pharmacological management along with treatment for dementia patients Key words: Alzheimers Disease, Cognitive Function, Music Like, Music Dislike, Stroop Test, Corsi TestItem Inhibition and changes in antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria cultured aerobically and anaerobically in four medicinal honeys.(2018)In recent years, antibiotic resistance has become a growing public health concern. Honey has recently been recognized as an effective antibacterial agent, especially in the inhibition of multiple drug-resistant bacteria and treatment of chronic and hypoxic dermatologic wounds. As a result, multiple medical-grade honeys are licensed by the NHS for topical application. Medihoney®, Medihoney® Wound Gel™, Surgihoney™ and Revamil® Gel are widely-used honey products, however literature providing direct comparisons between all four products does not exist. The following study therefore assessed the bacterial inhibition and changes in antibiotic sensitivity of common wound pathogens S. aureus and P. aeruginosa cultured aerobically and anaerobically in the four aforementioned products. Compositional analysis was also undertaken. To investigate the antibacterial properties of the honeys, aerobic and anaerobic broth culture assays were carried out. Aerobically, 25%, 50% and 75% and anaerobically, 50% and 75% honey solutions were compared to bacterial controls. To assess altered bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics, an agar disc diffusion assay using bacterial solutions preincubated in subinhibitory solutions of 10% honey was undertaken. Compositional analysis (measuring honey polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, catalase, sugar, pH and colour) was also carried out. The results demonstrated that all honeys were bactericidal at 75%. Medihoney® was consistently bactericidal at all concentrations and Medihoney® Wound Gel™ was similarly effective, apart from aerobically at 25% against P. aeruginosa. Revamil® Gel provided the lowest levels of bacterial inhibition. For antibiotic sensitivity, Surgihoney™ significantly increased the sensitivity of both bacteria to the most antibiotics. Compositional analysis identified the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of Medihoney® and Surgihoney™ to be significantly higher than that of Revamil® Gel (p < 0.05). To conclude, significant differences between all honeys were observed. These have the potential to be positively exploited (for example, prioritising Medihoney® as an antibacterial agent while prioritising Surgihoney™ for use with antibiotics as dual-therapy to enhance antibacterial effects). Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms of the observed differences to better match individual honeys to varying clinical diagnoses. Key words: honey, Manuka, wound healing, antibacterial, antibioticItem The effect of short-term consumption of an over the counter preparation of sage on cognitive function in healthy individuals, aged between 18 and 60(2018)Background: Salvia Officinalis (sage) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been around since 1500 BC and the use of it became popular in the sixteenth century after the benefits of the herbs were discovered by English herbalist Gerard. Sage is commonly used to prevent post-menopausal symptoms of sweating and hot flushes. Other uses and pharmacological properties of sage has become a research of interest. Sage is becoming known as a cognition enhancing agent and as an anticholinesterase inhibitor that could be beneficial for patients diagnosed with AD. Aims/Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine if a short-term intervention with Menoforce®, an over the counter preparation of Sage, has an effect on the cognitive function in the recruited healthy individuals aged between 18 and 60 in a one week trial. Three cognitive tests: corsi block, digit span and memory test were used to measure different aspects of cognitive function such as visual-spatial memory, reaction time, number processing, word processing, visual memory and working memory. The antioxidants capacity and total polyphenolics concentration was determined in Menoforce® tablets as this may contribute towards the modulation of blood pressure. Methods: Post receiving ethics approval, eighteen participants (aged between 20 and 54) were recruited. Menoforce® tablets were prescribed to each participant to be administered daily for one week. Participants were asked to visit at baseline (day 0), one day post intervention (day 2) and at the end of the 7 day intervention period (day 8), to measure their height, weight, BMI, BP and for them to complete the three cognitive tests using the PEBL 2.0 program. The antioxidants capacity and total polyphenolics concentration was determined using the two validated methods; FRAP assay and Folin and Ciocalteau method. The results were then statistically analysed. Results: A one-way ANOVA test was undertaken to analyze a significant change in memory span and correct trials from each cognitive test. Sage significantly increased the memory span of the participants in corsi block (p<0.001), it was significantly decreased in digit span (p≤.05) and there was no significant difference in the memory span from the memory test on day 8. Sage significantly increased the number of correct trials in the corsi block (p=0.001) on day 8. There was no significant difference in the number of correct trials in the digit span and the memory test on day 8. The Menoforce® tablets used in this study were found to have an average antioxidant capacity of 2.24 mMole FSE/ g and to contain 17.13 mg GAE/g of polyphenolics. Conclusion: The findings of the study is agreement with other published data that proclaim sage as a cognitive enhancing agent as a significant acute improvement in cognitive functions was achieved following the consumption of fresh sage tablets (Menoforce®) over the one week trial. There was no significant differences in the BP. The study suggested that sage has the potential to improve memory, however further research is necessary with a bigger sample as there a paucity of evidence over Keywords: Sage, Salvia officinalis, Cognitive function, Memory, Antioxidants,Item The link between 2D:4D ratio and pulmonary function of healthy young adults.(2018)Background: 2D:4D ratio is known to be developed during prenatal development and is influenced by sex hormones and homeobox a and d genes. As a result of this 2D:4D ratio is thought to be a common biomarker for a number of physiological and psychological aspects including pulmonary function. Due to this, I investigated if there was a significant relationship between healthy individuals 2D:4D ratio and their lung function Methods and Materials: A total of 51 participants were enrolled in this study and their 2D and 4D measurements were taken from both right and left hand with use of a digital Vernier caliper. The measurements were taken three times with the average used for results and calculations. Participants were also asked to complete a data sheet before having their height and weight measured with a balance and stadiometer. All lung function tests were done through use of a vitalograph alpha where individuals provided a VC and an FEV1. Results: The statistical tests used to analyse results included completing both paired and unpaired t-tests and Pearson’s correlations which were carried out using the functionality available in Microsoft Excel. The outcome of the analysis of the participants right hand 2D:4D ratio against their lung function test provided a weak negative correlation, however, the p values were ≥0.05 providing it to be insignificant (R values, VC= -0.17, FVC= -0.20, FEV1= -0.15, FEV1/FVC= -0.03). The outcome from using the left hand data also provided insignificant results, however, these were mixed of both negative and positive correlations (R values, VC= -0.01, FVC= 0.01, FEV1= 0.09, FEV1/FVC= 0.11). When participants were split into gender subgroups key differences were seen including the female population having a similar 2D:4D ratio on both hands (right hand =0.9997±0.04, left hand= 0.9995±0.04) whereas, with the male population there was a smaller ratio on the right hand compared to the left (right hand = 0.985±0.04, left hand= 1.00±0.04). Males were also shown to have the more improved pulmonary function for VC, FVC and FEV1, however, both genders were similar for FEV1/FVC (FEV1/FVC females=0.82±0.19, males=0.82±0.12). Significant results were found between males 2D:4D of the right hand against FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC (R values, FVC= -0.33, FEV1= -0.36, FEV1/FVC= -0.30). Discussion: It was shown that there was no significant correlation between 2D:4D ratio in healthy individuals between the age of 18-30 and their lung functions. The results of this study do not agree with current literature, however, when broken into gender subgroups there was significant results for males. This may show that 2D:4D is a biomarker for male’s pulmonary function and not females. Keywords: 2D:4D ratio, pulmonary function, sex hormones.Item The Effect of Different Music Genres on Cognitive Performance.(2018)Background: An area of interest for many researchers has been the associations between music and cognitive performance. Research has indicated that music has an enhancing effect on cognitive function. Many of these investigations have been based upon the “Mozart Effect”, which claims that listening to classical music can enhance learning abilities in comparison to silence. However, while previous research has only broadly investigated the effects of music, what studies lack are the effect of different music genres on cognitive performance. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of music individuals prefer the most versus the least, and determine whether this enhances or diminishes their capabilities to perform in simple cognitive function tasks after listening to a short period of music. Design: 40 participants were recruited to perform simple cognitive function tasks in three separate interventions: no music, liked music, disliked music. Blood pressure was measured before and after each testing session. After each intervention participants were tested using a Stroop and Corsi test. Thereafter statistical analysis was carried out on the data. Results: Results found that there was a significant difference between music intervention groups (liked music/disliked music) and baseline between Stroop Test Errors and Time (p<0.05). No significance was established between music intervention groups and baseline in the Corsi Block Test scores (p>0.05). Correlations were established between the test scores and age, caffeine intake and playing a musical instrument. Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that music has an enhancing effect on executive function in comparison to baseline (Stroop Test). However, music did not have an impact on visuospatial memory (Corsi Block Test). This could be due to the limited number of older adults in the study. Future studies should look at implementing a similar study design in older adults and patients showing signs of mild cognitive impairment. Key Words: Cognitive function, Memory, Music Listening, Stroop Test, Corsi Test, Blood PressureItem The effects of caffeine on blood pressure, heart rate, cognitive function and reaction times in collegial level athletes.(2018)Background: Caffeine is the world’s most commonly consumed psychoactive drug. Caffeine acts mainly via antagonism of adenosine receptors and by doing this caffeine prevents the slowing effect adenosine has on neural activity. It can also exert powerful effects at low doses including: enhancing performance, cognitive ability and upregulation of lipolysis and glycogen resynthesis. Less than two decades ago the drug was removed from the list of banned substances by the IOC, with this and its ability to enhance performance, caffeine is being used more frequently in sport. Objectives: this study will investigate the effects of caffeine on cardiovascular parameters, cognitive function and reaction times with secondary focuses on differences in sport and gender. Methods: 30 participants were recruited, 5 were excluded. The remaining 25 refrained from caffeine for 12 hours prior to each of the two sessions. A consent form was signed and a lifestyle questionnaire was also filled in. Both sessions each participant attended followed the same format: blood pressure and heart rate were taken, a reaction time test was done and then a stroop test was completed. From here the participant consumed either a caffeinated or decaffeinated beverage and then sat unstimulated for 45 minutes. Participants then repeated all tests again. They returned a week later and repeated this process once more. Results: Caffeine was responsible for an increased SBP and DBP but a decrease in HR, the decaffeinated beverage contributed to a decrease of all 3 measurements. Data concerning SBP between genders post caffeine administration returned a significant p value of P= 0.01. The results of the stroop test showed improvement with both the caffeinated beverage and decaffeinated – time for both data sets showed decreasing trends as well as the number of errors made. Reaction times consistently decreased in reference to all athletes. Independent t-tests showed post caffeinated data between male and female had a significant p value of P = 0.01. Conclusion: Overall, caffeine increased blood pressure and decreased heart rate. It contributed to decreased times and number of errors made therefore improved performance in the stroop test. Caffeine also showed a trend of decreasing reaction time tests. Between the sub groups although there were some significant results observed, trends were hard to identify. Further research on a larger sample of would may be more likely to identify definitive trends between gender and sports. Key words: Caffeine, Exercise, Cognitive Function, Reaction Time, Blood Pressure, GenderItem Effects of Cinnamon on Blood Glucose Levels(2018)Diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular events can be a result of poor glycaemic control. This is because high levels of blood glucose levels can lead to oxidative stress, which is thought to be linked to insulin resistance. Cinnamon is a spice that is thought to possess many different medicinal properties such as anti-diabetic and antimicrobial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cinnamon tea made from Cinnamomum cassia on fasting blood glucose levels in healthy non-diabetic adults. Subjects took part in an oral glucose tolerance test with either cinnamon tea or water placebo in a randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. The results showed that cinnamon tea slightly, but not significantly decreased the mean blood glucose levels 60 minutes after the oral glucose tolerance test (from 7.99 ± 1.51 mmol/L to 7.58 ± 1.76 mmol/L) and maximum blood glucose concentration (from 9.33 ± 1.08 mmol/L to 8.96 ± 1.92 mmol/L) compared to water placebo. FRAP and Folin analysis also showed that cinnamon tea that had been brewed for 12 hours had increased more than 2-fold and 3-fold, respectively, compared to cinnamon tea that had been left to brew for 30 minutes. FRAP and Folin analysis also showed that the 30 minutes cinnamon tea was 153-fold and 12-fold increase compared to the placebo water group. This study suggests that further research should be done on Cinnamomum cassia to investigate if larger amounts of cinnamon in the tea would produce more significant results in reducing blood glucose levels. Keywords: cinnamon, glucose, antioxidants, polyphenols, diabetes