Effectiveness of pranayama on the levels of serum protein thiols and glutathione in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy: A randomized controlled trial.

The effect of Pranayama on the levels of protein thiols and glutathione was studied among breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. 160 patients were randomised into experimental and control group using block randomisation. The experimental group received fractionated radiation for five days a week and performed Pranayama (Nadishodhana, Brahmari and Sheethali) for 30 minutes twice daily for five days a week. The control group received only radiation. Blood samples were collected from both the groups at the end of six weeks of radiation therapy and analysed for the levels of serum protein thiols and glutathione. An independent sample ‘t’ test showed a significant difference in the level of serum protein thiols between the two groups (t = 4.43 p 0.001). A Mann- Whitney U test showed a significant difference (z = –3.07 p 0.002) in the level of glutathione as well. These Pranayama techniques improve the antioxidant status of breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.

Reversal of dexamethasone suppressed wound healing with ethanolic extract of leaves of hyptis suaveolens (L) poit.

The dexamethasone suppressed and normal wound healing effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Hyptis suaveolens (L) poit. (EEHS) at 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg was studied in Wistar rats. Two wound models viz. incision and excision wounds were used in this study. The parameters studied were breaking strength in case of incision wounds, period of epithelization and wound contraction in case of excision wound. The dexamethasone treated group showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the wound breaking strength in incision type of wound model and significant increase in epithelization period and reduction in percentage of wound contraction in excision type of wound model as compared to control group. Extract treated groups showed significant (P<0.05) improvement in all the wound healing parameters of incision and excision wound models as compared to control. In incision wound model, Co administration of EEHS at both the dosage levels with dexamethasone had significantly (P<0.05) increased the wound breaking strength as compared to dexamethasone only treated group and was seen more at dosage level of 400mg/kg. Similarly, in excision wound model, there was significant improvement (P<0.05) in both the parameters when EEHS was co administered with dexamethasone as compared to dexamethasone only treated group but improvement was more at dosage level of 800mg/kg.

Serum copper, ceruloplasmin, protein thiols and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance status in liver cancer associated with elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein.

Serum copper, ceruloplasmin, protein thiols and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TEARS) were estimated in 25 patients of liver cancer. The copper to ceruloplasmin ratio was moderately increased (P<0.05) but the copper (P<0.001) and ceruloplasmin (P<0.001) levels were significantly increased in liver cancer patients when compared to controls. Protein thiols levels were found to be highly significant (P<0.001). Where as the TEARS levels were not found to be significant. Trace elements and free radicals have been implicated in the etiology of cancer. Hence the estimation of ceruloplasmin and protein thiols along with the copper may be of high value in the early diagnosis of cancer.

Serum copper, ceruloplasmin and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance status in patients with ovarian cancer.

Serum copper, ceruloplasmin and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were estimated in 30 patients of ovarian cancer. The copper to ceruloplasmin ratio was moderately increased (P<0.05) but the copper (P<0.01( and ceruloplasmin (P<0.001) levels were significantly increased in ovarian cancer patients as compared to controls. TBARS levels were also found to be highly significant (P<0.001). Trace elements and free radicals have been implicated in the etiology of cancer. Hence the estimation of antioxidants like ceruloplasmin and TBARS along with the trace element like copper may be of value in the early diagnosis of cancer.

Copper and ceruloplasmin status in serum of prostate and colon cancer patients.

Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels were estimated in 20 patients each of prostate and colon cancer. Although copper to ceruloplasmin ratio was not significantly altered, copper and ceruloplasmin levels were increased significantly in the cancer patients as compared to controls. Trace elements and free radicals have been implicated in the etiology of cancer. Hence determination of specific antioxidants (like ceruloplasmin) and trace elements (like copper) may be of value in the early diagnosis of prostate and colon cancer.