ABSTRACT
Vitamin D has received considerable optimistic attention as a potentially important factor in many pathological states over the past few decades. However, the proportion of the active form of vitamin D metabolites responsible for biological activity is highly questionable in disease states due to flexible alterations in the enzymes responsible for their metabolism. For instance, CYP3A4 plays a crucial role in the biotransformation of vitamin D and other drug substances. Food-drug and/or drug-drug interactions, the disease state, genetic polymorphism, age, sex, diet, and environmental factors all influence CYP3A4 activity. Genetic polymorphisms in CYP450-encoding genes have received considerable attention in the past few decades due to their extensive impact on the pharmacokinetic and dynamic properties of drugs and endogenous substances. In this review, we focused on CYP3A4 polymorphisms and their interplay with vitamin D metabolism and summarized the role of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis, bone diseases, diabetes, cancer, other diseases, and drug substances. We also reviewed clinical observations pertaining to CYP3A4 polymorphisms among the aforementioned disease conditions. In addition, we highlighted the future perspectives of studying the pharmacogenetics of CYP3A4, which may have potential clinical significance for developing novel diagnostic genetic markers that will ascertain disease risk and progression.
ABSTRACT
Background: The Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a reputed intervention programme which employs an active, purposive and non-judgemental awareness of experiences. The present study aims to evaluate relative efficiency of MBCT in improving resilience and well-being of Spouses of deployed military soldiers. Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was adopted with a non-randomized single group pre-test post- test design. The sample of the study comprised of N=53 female spouses of soldiers of Indian army with age range of 28-45 years. The Experimental Group (Mage= 38.35; SD= ±4.27) received MBCT sessions for 8 weeks. The participants completed measures of Resilience, Psychological well-being, Hardiness, HEXACO personality model and Social Support. Results: Post-test results showed that the experimental group participants scored higher in the overall resilience, certain domains of psychological well-being i.e. Personal Growth, Positive relations and Purpose in life in the post-intervention stage when compared to their baseline scores. Hardiness has significant positive relationship with resilience and purpose in life construct of well-being.. Conclusion: Spouses of soldiers who face a lot of separation from their partners amongst other military spouses be given an opportunity to use mindfulness skills in their practical life.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare different regimens of vitamin D with respect to its serum increment levels and bone mineral accrual in vitamin D-deficient children. METHODS: Children identified as being vitamin D deficient (serum levels<20 ng/mL) were divided into 3 treatment groups by stratified block randomization (group 1, 4,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 plus 50 mg/kg/day calcium for 12 weeks; group 2, 30,000 IU/wk of vitamin D3 plus 50 mg/kg/day calcium for 12 weeks; and group 3, 300,000 IU of vitamin D3 once intramuscularly plus 50 mg/kg/day calcium). After regimen completion, each child received a maintenance dose of 400 IU/day vitamin D3 plus 50 mg/kg/day calcium. Their serum vitamin D level was measured after 3 and 12 months. Total body less head bone mineral concentration (BMC) and total body less head bone mineral density (BMD) were measured after 12 months. RESULTS: The mean increment in serum vitamin D levels from baseline to 3 months was significantly higher in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2, but the levels from 3 to 12 months were almost similar among all 3 groups. There were no significant differences among the 3 groups with respect to percentage increase of BMD and BMC. CONCLUSION: The injectable form of vitamin D was more efficacious than the oral forms in increasing the serum level to the normal range. All 3 regimens were equally effective in increasing the BMC and BMD. The 400 IU/day maintenance dose was sufficient to keep the serum level within the normal range.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Bone Density , Calcium , Cholecalciferol , Head , Miners , Random Allocation , Reference Values , Vitamin D Deficiency , Vitamin D , VitaminsABSTRACT
The objective of the study is to investigate the alcoholic [AlcE] and aqueous [AqsE] extracts of stem bark of Erythrina indica [Papilionaceae] for hypoglycaemic effects in normal and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single dose administration of alloxan [120 mg/kg, i.p.] or by injecting dexamethasone [10 mg/kg, i.p.] for 10 days. In normal rats, AlcE and AqsE had significantly decreased the blood glucose level [BGL] in a dose dependent manner after repeated administration for 7 days. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, both the extracts decreased blood sugar levels with significant improvement in glucose tolerance and body weight at the end of 1st, 2nd and 3rd week after test extract treatment. In case of dexamethasone induced insulin resistant diabetic rats, repeated administration of AlcE and AqsE inhibited the increase in blood glucose level and improved glucose tolerance induced by dexamethasone as compared to dexamethasone induced diabetic rats. These results suggest that both extracts possess hypoglycaemic activity in normal as well as in diabetic rats. Among AlcE and AqsE, AqsE possesses better hypoglycaemic activity than AlcE in all the models. Preliminary phytochemical investigations revealed that alcoholic extracts contain carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols, phenolics and tannins. Aqueous extract contains carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phytosterols and triterpenoids. These phytoconstituents may be responsible for the hypoglycaemic activity of the plant