Portulaca oleracea L. extract ameliorates the cisplatin-induced toxicity in chick embryonic liver.

Cisplatin, a cytotoxic agent used in treating cancer, at high doses induces hepatotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the protective role of aqueous extract of aerial parts of Portulaca oleracea L. (Po) against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in chick embryonic liver. A group of 12 day old chick embryos, acclimatized to laboratory conditions were treated with a single dose of cisplatin (100 µg), while another group received Po extract at different doses (1 and 3 mg) 6 h prior to cisplatin treatment. The biochemical parameters were estimated after 24 and 72 h of incubation. A dose-dependent increase in biochemical parameters, such as alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde levels and a decrease in antioxidant enzymes levels like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-s-transferase and reduced glutathione were observed in cisplatin-treated animals, indicating a definite damage to the liver tissue. Pre-treatment with Po extract was found to provide significant protection against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity, as evident by the recovered levels of the altered changes in the measured biochemical parameters.

Embryo protective effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit extract in adriamycin-induced oxidative stress.

The possible protective role of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit extract which has shown antioxidant capacity higher than that of red wine and green tea was evaluated against adriamycin-induced oxidative stress in chick embryos. Adriamycin (ADR), an anthracycline broad spectrum of chemotherapeutic drug is used for the treatment of variety of cancers; however, its prolonged use is limited by an irreversible, dose-dependant and progressive cardiomyopathy, hepatotoxicity and general toxicity to other organs in human beings, due to oxidative stress. The morphological changes (malformation of different organs), changes in body weight, volume of amniotic fluid (AF) and biochemical parameters of AF were studied after 24 and 48 h of incubation by comparing ADR alone and pomegranate fruit extract pretreated groups with their respective controls of 12 days old chick embryos. ADR alone at a dose of 70 microg/egg showed a significant dose versus time- dependent reduction in body weight, volume of AF. A dose-related increase in embryo gross morphological deformities and significant changes in the levels of biochemical parameters in AF were observed in ADR-treated group. These changes were significantly ameliorated to normal by pre-administration of pomegranate fruit extract at a dose of 200 microg/egg. Thus, the present study demonstrated the embryo protective nature of pomegranate fruit extract against ADR-induced oxidative stress.

Vitamin D status in Andhra Pradesh : a population based study.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Data on the vitamin D status of the population in a tropical country like India have seldom been documented. Vitamin D deficiency is presumed to be rare. We carried out this study to document the dietary habits, serum calcium, 25(OH)vitamin D [25(OH)D], and parathyroid hormone levels of urban and rural population in a State in south India. METHODS: A total of 943 healthy urban and 205 rural adult subjects and 76 urban and 70 rural healthy children were studied for their dietary pattern, serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, 25(OH)D, and N-tact parathyroid hormone levels (N-tact PTH). RESULTS: The daily dietary calcium intake of both the urban and rural population was low compared to that of recommended daily/dietary allowances (RDA) issued by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Dietary calcium and phosphorus were significantly lower(P<0.0001) in both the rural adult and children compared to that of the urban adult and children. The dietary phytate to calcium ratio was significantly (P<0.0001) higher in rural adult and children compared to that of urban adult and children. N-tact PTH levels negatively correlated with 25(OH)D in rural (r=-0.24; P<0.002), in urban adult subjects (r=-0.12; P<0.0001) and in rural and urban children (r=-0.2; P<0.05). The 25(OH)D levels of rural adult subjects were significantly higher (P<0.001) than that of urban adult subjects in both males and female groups. The 25(OH)D levels of both the urban and rural children were low. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Low dietary calcium intake and 25(OH)D levels were associated with deleterious effect on bone mineral homeostasis. Prospective longitudinal studies are required to assess the effect on bone mineral density, a surrogate marker for fracture risk and fracture rates.

Recurrent malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare tumor of mesodermal origin. Involvement of the tunica vaginalis [TV] has been rarely reported and hence the course and subsequently the management of localized lesions is difficult to predict. In this report, we describe our experience with a 63 year old man who presented with a localized tumor of the TV. At that stage, he did not have evidence of distant or local spread of the tumor on clinical, radiological and exploratory examination. Unfortunately, left radical orchidectomy was followed by tumor recurrence on the right side 2 years later. Our findings, suggest that a more aggressive radical resection that include the contralateral side should be advocated for such tumors