Phorbol myristate acetate [PMA] induced megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells from human chronic myelogenous leukaemia patient

To observe the K562 cell line derived from a patient of chronic myelogenous leukemia differentiated into megakaryocytes by growing in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate [PMA]. The differentiation process of K562 cells was monitored by the expression of a platelet cell marker, CD61 through immunocytochemistry using mouse alkaline phosphatase antialkaline phosphatase [APAAP] complex employing fast red TR as substrate, crystal violet and MTT assay used for cell growth analysis. The crystal in the presence of PMA, cells obtained were of large size and less in number as compared to cells incubated without PMA where they were of smaller size and more in number and immunochemical reaction used to detect the presence of CD61, a platelet cell marker that is expressed during differentiation of K562 cells to megakaryocytes. The results showed that the addition of PMA to the growing culture of K562 cell lines induced differentiation, observed through CD61 expression and increase in cell size and cessation of proliferation

Vitamin-C protect ethanol induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in postnatal rat brain

To evaluate ethanol effects to induced activation of caspsae-3, and to observe the protective effects of Vitamin C [vit-C] on ethanol-induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in rat cortical area of brain. Administration of a single dose of ethanol in 7-d postnatal [P7] rats triggers activation of caspase-3 and widespread apoptotic neuronal death. Western blot analysis, cells counting and Nissl staining were used to elucidate possible protective effect of vit-C against ethanol-induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in brain. The results showed that ethanol significantly increased caspase-3 expression and neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, the co-treatment of vit-C along with ethanol showed significantly decreased expression of caspase-3 as compare to control group. Our findings indicate that vit-C can prevent some of the deleterious effect of ethanol on developing rat brain when given after ethanol exposure and can be used as an effective protective agent for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome [FAS]

Effect of fetal calf serum on cellular proliferation of mouse Y1 adrenocortical cells in vitro

Fetal calf serum [FCS] is a supplement used in cell culture media for successful culturing. The present study was design to observe the effect of FCS on cellular proliferation. Effect of different concentrations [0, 1, 5, 10 and 20%v/v] of FCS on cellular proliferation was determined by the uptake of crystal violet, MTT assay. Total cellular protein was also measured colorimetrically to observe the effect of FCS on growth of mouse Y1 adrenocortical cells. The results showed a gradual increase in proliferation of Y1 cells by increasing concentrations of FCS in Dulbecco's modification of Eagle's medium [DMEM]. Highest proliferation rate of Y1 adrenocortical cells was achieved with cultured cells after 6 days in DMEM medium containing 10 to 20% FCS. The study suggested that supplementation of 20% FCS increase cell proliferation and acts as a growth factor results in cell division and DNA synthesis