Amelioration of inflammation by phenolic rich methanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. leaves in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Oxidative stress and inflammation play vital role in the development of MI. The Indian basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.), owing to its antioxidant potential,is used in the traditional system of Indian medicine to treat various disorders. We evaluated methanolic extract of O. sanctum (Tulsi) leaves on inflammation in isoproterenol (ISP) induced MI in rats. ISP-induced MI increased the levels of cardiac markers, phospholipases and phospholipid content. However, the same were reduced on pre-treatment with methanolic extract of O. sanctum leaves. The activities of 5-lipoxygenase and cycloxygenase-2 and levels of leukotriene B4 and thromboxane B2 were also elevated in ISP-treated rats, which were significantly decreased (P <0.001) in extract pre-treated rats. The enhanced mRNA expressions of nuclear factor kappa-B, 5-lipoxygenase activating protein and receptor for leukotriene B4 on MI induction, were considerably reduced (P <0.001) on extract pre-treatment. Histopathological analysis also confirmed the findings. The results also revealed the high phenolic content of methanolic extract of O. sanctum leaves. The study demonstrated that methanolic extract of Tulsi leaves can decrease inflammation in the cardiac tissue of ISP-induced MI in rats and its effect may be through downregulation of oxidative stress and arachidonic acid pathway. This cardioprotective effect may be due to the high phenolic content of methanolic extract of O. sanctum leaves.

Evaluation of salivary glucose, amylase, and total protein in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a complex multisystem metabolic disorder characterized by a deficit in the production of insulin. The oral complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus are devastating. Saliva is an organic fluid that can be collected noninvasively and by individuals with limited training. These reasons create an interest in evaluating the possibility of using saliva as a diagnostic tool. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine, if saliva can be used as a noninvasive tool to monitor glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes. Comparative assessment of salivary (glucose, amylase, total protein levels) in patients with Type 2 diabetes and controls. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 individuals, 20 with Type 2 diabetes and 20 controls of age group 40–60 years were selected for the study. Diabetic status was assessed by estimating random blood glucose levels. Unstimulated saliva was collected from each participant and investigated for glucose, amylase, and total protein levels. Salivary glucose estimation was performed using glucose‑oxidase method, amylase by the direct substrate kinetic enzymatic method, and total protein by pyrogallol red dye end point method. All the parameters were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Significantly higher salivary glucose, lower amylase, and total proteins were observed in patients with Type 2 diabetes than controls. There was no significant correlation between salivary and blood glucose levels. Conclusion: These results suggest that diabetes influences the composition of saliva. Since a significant correlation was not observed between salivary and blood glucose levels, further research is needed to determine salivary glucose estimation as a diagnostic tool for diabetes mellitus.

Long-term follow-up of zonulo-hyaloido-vitrectomy for pseudophakic malignant glaucoma.

Purpose: To report long-term follow-up of zonulo-hyaloido-vitrectomy (ZHV) via anterior approach for pseudophakic malignant glaucoma refractory to medical treatment. Design: Noncomparative case-series. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 9 patients who sought treatment for aqueous humor misdirection refractory to medical treatment were reviewed. All patients underwent anterior vitrectomy, hyaloido-zonulectomy, and peripheral iridectomy (PI) via an anterior approach. Main outcome measures were preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure, medications, slit-lamp examination, and fundus findings. Results: 10 eyes of 9 patients (7 female, 2 male) who underwent ZHV for refractory pseudophakic malignant glaucoma between 2003 and 2010 were included in this case-series. The mean age of patients was 77.4 ± 9.0 years, mean follow-up duration 50.2 ± 27.2 months. Recurrence of malignant glaucoma was noted in 40% (four cases) after a successful ZHV on long-term follow-up. Conclusions: An anterior segment surgeon can treat malignant glaucoma refractory to medical treatment successfully by vitrectomy, hyaloido-zonulectomy, and PI. This can be done via an anterior approach and patients require long follow-up to rule out a relapse despite a successful outcome in the short term.

Lmpact of Thiamine supplementation in the reversal of ethanol induced toxicity in rats

One of the molecular mechanisms of alcohol induced toxicities is mediated by oxidative stress. Hence our studies were focused on the effect of thiamine (antioxidant) in the reversal of alcohol induced toxicity and comparison of the reversal with abstinence. Administration of ethanol at a dose of 4 g/kg body wt/day for 90days to Sprague Dawley rats manifested chronic alcohol induced toxicity evidenced by decreased body weight, an increase in liver-body weight ratio, increase in activities of serum and liver aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT); decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the liver and brain. The levels of inflammatory markers, fibrosis markers and DNA fragmentation were also elevated in the serum, liver and brain. After ethanol administration for 90days, the reversal of the alcohol induced toxicity was studied by supplementing thiamine at a dose of 25 mg/100 g body wt/day. Duration of the reversal study was 30 days. The activities of AST, ALT, GGT, scavenging enzymes as well as markers of inflammation and fibrosis in serum, liver and brain were reversed to a certain extent by thiamine. Changes in neurotransmitter levels in brain were also reversed by thiamine supplementation. DNA damage was decreased and DNA content increased in thiamine supplemented group compared to abstinence group showing a faster regeneration. In short, histopathological and biochemical evaluations indicate that thiamine supplemented abstinent rats made a faster recovery of hepatic and neuronal damage than in the abstinence group.

Efecto de un anticonceptivo oral con drospirenona/etinilestradiol (3 mg - 30 mg) sobre el hiperandrogenismo clínico y bioquímico en pacientes con síndrome de ovario poliquístico / Effect of an oral contraceptive containing drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol (3 mg - 30 mg) on the clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

El síndrome de ovario poliquístico es un desorden heterogéneo de etiología incierta, que cual afecta entre el 6% y 10% de las mujeres en edad reproductiva. Una de las opciones terapéuticas especificas es el uso de los anticonceptivos orales, con la progestina, drospirerona, la cual, es un análogo de la espironolactona que posee actividad antimineralcorticoides y antiandrogénica. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto del anticonceptivo oral combinado (EE: 30 MG y DRP: 3 mg) en el perfil bioquímico y clínico en una población de mujeres venezolanas con síndrome de ovario poliquístico. De las 20 pacientes incluidas en el estudio, 18 completaron satisfactoriamente el estudio, con una buena tolerancia al tratamiento. Se observó una disminución del IMC de 23,94 en condición basal a 23,73 kg/m². Los niveles de andrógenos se encontraron disminuidos significativamente en comparación a la basal; testosterona total cayó de 1,4 ng/mL a 0,67 ng/mL; Testosterona libre bajo de 3 pg/mL a 1,38 pg/mL; DHEAS disminuyó de 1,65 µg/mL a 1,08 µg/mL y androstenediona de 2,50 ng/mL a 1,55 ng/mL. En conclusión nuestros resultados reportan que el uso de un anticonceptivo oral que contiene 30 mg de EE y 3 mg de progestina, drospirerona en una población de mujeres venezolanas con síndrome de ovario poliquístico condujo a una disminución de los niveles de andrógenos al mismo tiempo que se evidenció un incremento de la SHBG, así como una reducción no significativa del peso corporal de este grupo de pacientes y una mejoría clínica del hirsutismo.

Policystic ovarian syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder wich etiology remained uncertain and affects 6%-10% of reproductive age women. Most recommended therapy is oral contraceptives with progestins. Drospirenone is an espironolactone analogue exhibits a partial antiandrogenic action and has predominant anti-mineralocorticoid properties. This is a prospective trial to determine efficacy of a drospirenone-containing combined oral contraceptives in venezuelan women with polycystic ovary-syndrome. Twenty women were conducted into this trial, although 18 were treated. With treatment, BMI fell by 0,21 kg/m(2) in the study group. During therapy, the levels of testosterone, free testosterone, Delta (4)-androstenedione, and androstenedione decreased significantly, whereas sex hormone-binding globulin increased significantly. Treatment of women with polycystic ovary-syndrome with drospironene containing combined oral contraceptives formulations is effective in decreasing hirsutism, androgen levels and BMI.

Effect of exogenous selenium on nicotine induced hyperlipidemia in rats.

The effect of two different doses (1 microg Se/Kg and 50 microg Se/Kg Body wt) of selenium on nicotine induced hyperlipidemia was investigated in rats. Results revealed that nicotine intake caused an increase in concentration of cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, phospholipids and low density lipoprotein compared to control group. Coadministration of selenium along with nicotine reduced the levels of lipids compared to nicotine group. This reduction was due to reduction in the biosynthesis of lipids as evidenced by the reduced activity of HMGCoA reductase and lipogenic enzymes. Nicotine intake also reduced the absorption of selenium in the intestine. Histopathological studies revealed that selenium at a dose of 1 microg was more effective in reducing lipid levels and higher dose of selenium was toxic.

Stratus optical coherence tomogram III: a novel, reliable and accurate way to measure corneal thickness.

The commercially available optical coherence tomogram (Stratus OCT III) designed for posterior segment imaging can be used for central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement. The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of CCT measurements using Stratus OCT III versus ultrasound pachymetry. CCT using Stratus OCT III (CCT oct) was taken and averaged. The focusing system had to be defocused near the maximum to relay the image of the OCT beam onto the cornea. CCT was then determined using the ultrasound pachymeter (CCT usg). Thirty white volunteers (12 male, 18 female) participated in this study. The mean CCToct was 522.33+/-34.44 microns. The mean CCTusg was 547.37+/-33.08 microns. The mean differences between CCTusg and CCToct was 25.04+/-11.67. CCT usg was found to be highly correlated with CCToct (P < 0.001) The relation can be represented by the equation. CCToct = 0.98 (CCTusg) - 13.9. The Stratus OCT III gave reliable readings of CCT and is a novel, reliable and accurate way to measure CCT.

Impact of feeding ethanolic extract of root bark of Cananga odorata (Lam) on reproductive functions in male rats.

The 50% ethanolic extract of the root bark of C. odorata administered orally at the dose of 1g/kg body weight/day for 60 days resulted in decreased epididymal sperm motility and sperm count in male albino rats. Morphological abnormalities were also observed in the sperms. The testicular glycogen, the activities of 3beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, sorbitol dehydrogenase in seminal vesicle, fructose in seminal plasma and serum testosterone were significantly decreased in treated group. While testicular cholesterol level, the concentration of the fecal bile acids, urinary excretion of 17 ketosteroids, the activities of 17beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, epididymal lactate dehydrogenase and that of testicular HMG CoA reductase were increased in treated group when compared to control. The results suggest that the ethanolic extract of C. odorata possesses the spermatotoxic effects in male albino rats.

Effect of exogenous selenium on the testicular toxicity induced by ethanol in rats.

The effects of supplementation of selenium at a dose of 10 microg/ kg body weight were investigated on ethanol induced testicular toxicity in rats. In the present study, four groups of male albino rats were maintained for 60 days, as follows: (1) Control group (normal diet) (2) Ethanol group (4g/kg body weight) (3) Selenium (10 microg/kg body weight) (4) Ethanol + Selenium (4g/kg body weight + 10 microg/kg body weight). Results revealed that ethanol intake caused drastic changes in the sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology. It also reduced the levels of testosterone and fructose. The activities of 3betaHSD, 17betaHSD in the testis and SDH in the seminal plasma were also reduced. Lipid peroxidation was also enhanced as the lipid peroxidation products were increased and the activities of the scavenging enzymes were reduced. But on coadministration of selenium along with alcohol all the biochemical parameters were altered to near normal levels indicating a protective effect of selenium. These results were reinforced by the histopathological studies.

Effect of co-administration of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) rich diet and alcohol in rats.

The effects of co-administration of a cassava rich diet and alcohol in rats were investigated. The animals were divided into four groups (1) Control, (2) Alcohol, (3) Cassava and (4) Alcohol + Cassava. Consumption of alcohol along with cassava reduced the alcohol induced toxicity which was evidenced by the lower activities of GOT, GPT, GGT, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the liver and serum of co-administered group. The pyruvate content in the blood increased while the lactate content, lactate/pyruvate ratio and the activity of LDH decreased in the blood due to co-administration. The blood cyanide content, serum thiocyanate content and the activities of rhodanase and beta-glucuronidase increased on co-administration. The histopathological studies also revealed that co-administration reduced the alcohol induced toxicity.

Impact of feeding ethanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera Linn. on reproductive functions in male rats.

Feeding 50% ethanolic extract of A. aspera to male rats resulted in reduced sperm counts, weight of epididymis, serum level of testosterone and testicular activity of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, while motility of the sperm and activity of the HMG CoA reductase were not affected. Cholesterol level in the testis, incorporation of labelled acetate into cholesterol, 17-ketosteroids in urine and hepatic and fecal bile acids were increased. The results suggest that ethanolic extract of A. aspera caused reproductive toxicity in male rats and the action may be by suppressing the synthesis of androgen.

Postnatal changes in the brain lipids, glycolipids and gangliosides of rats exposed to arrack/ethanol during gestation and lactation.

Effects of exposure of an alcoholic beverage (arrack and its equivalent quantity of alcohol throughout pregnancy and lactation on brain lipids were investigated. Female rats were exposed to arrack (12.00 ml/kg body weigh/day) and ethanol (4.00 g/kg body weight day) before conception and throughout gestation and lactation. For 21 days pups were nursed by their own mothers, afterwards they were fed normal laboratory feed. We found that the level of cholesterol, phospholipids, triacylglycerols, free fatty acids, cerebrosides, ceramide dihexosides, ceramide polyhexosides, sulfatids,, mono and diglycosyl diglycerides and gangliosides were increased in the brain of 21st and 45th day pups. The alterations in the glycolipid profile of the brain persisted even when pups were not directly exposed to alcohol. These alterations in the glycolipid and ganglioside metabolism may be associated with the developmental abnormalities of the brain seen in FAS. The elevation produced in the glycolipid profile of arrack administered pups were more than that caused by its equivalent quantity of ethanol. This suggested an interaction of congeners in the arrack with the alcohol.

Effects of exogenous vitamin C on ethanol toxicity in rats.

The effect of a mega dose of ascorbic acid (200 mg/100 g body wt.) on alcohol-induced toxicity in rats was evaluated. In rats administered alcohol and ascorbic acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroperoxide and conjugated dienes decreased in comparison with that given alcohol alone. The reduced activities of scavenging enzymes, e.g. superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, in ethanol-administered rats were also enhanced by the co-administration of ascorbic acid and ethanol. Co-administration of ethanol and ascorbic acid reduced phospholipids and MDA levels of the erythrocyte membrane in comparison with that of the ethanol fed rats. The reduction in the activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), gamaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and the decrease in triglycerides levels also clearly showed the protective action of ascorbic acid in reducing ethanol induced toxicity.

Prenatal exposure of an alcoholic beverage (Arrack) on fetal lipid metabolism in rats.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a country liquor (Arrack) and the equivalent quantity of ethanol on liver function and lipid metabolism in utero. Female rats of average weight 125 g were exposed to Arrack (12 ml/kg body weight/day) and ethanol (3.2 ml/kg body weight/day) for 15 days before conception and throughout gestation. On 13th day and 19th day of gestation, altered liver function and hyperlipidemia was seen in the fetus of both the treated groups. Altered liver function was evidenced by the increased activity of alcohol dehydrogenase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase or alanine amino transferase (GPT). Hyperlipidemia was caused by increased biosynthesis since the incorporation of 14C acetate to lipids and activities of HMG CoA reductase and lipogenic enzymes were elevated. Arrack seemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcohol indicating the role of non ethanolic portion. Hepatic functions of the 13th day fetuses were effected to a lesser degree than the 19th day hepatic liver.

Effect of ethanol/arrack on the lipid metabolism of mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation in rats.

Female rats were exposed to arrack (12.0 ml/kg body weight/day) and ethanol (4.0 g/kg body weight/day) before conception and throughout gestation and lactation. On 19th day of gestation and 21st day of lactation there was increase in the cholesterol phospholipids, triglycerides and free fatty acids in the mammary gland of rats administered arrack/ethanol in comparison with the controls. The lipoprotein lipase activity showed significant increase in the treated groups, in which the activity decreased on 21st day in comparison with 19th day. The absolute and relative weight of mammary gland also showed a significant decrease in ethanol/arrack treated group. The biochemical alterations produced in the mammary gland by arrack and its equivalent alcohol were different showing that non-alcoholic portion of arrack interferes with the toxicity induced by alcohol. Arrack was found to be a potent hyperlipidemic agent than ethanol.

Interaction of ethanol and ascorbic acid on lipid metabolism in guinea pigs.

Influence of excessive intake of ascorbic acid (AA) on alcohol induced hyperlipidemia was investigated. In the present study four groups of male guinea pigs were maintained for 30 days as follows: (1) Control group (1 mg AA/100 g body wt). (2) Ethanol group (I mg AA + 9 g ethanol/100 g body wt). (3) AA group (25 mg AA/100 g body wt). (4) AA + Ethanol group (25 mg AA/100 g body wt + 9 g ethanol 100 g body wt). It was shown that tissue ascorbic acid concentration increased with the intake of mega dose of AA. Alcohol administration depleted tissue ascorbic acid content. But coadministration of AA and alcohol enhanced AA levels in comparison with the ethanol group. Alcohol induced hyperlipidemia was reduced in almost all the tissues by the intake of ascorbic acid. This was observed to be due to increased hepatic catabolism of cholesterol to bile acids. However cholesterogenesis was enhanced as evidenced by the increased HMG CoA activity. Thus the results indicate that the mega dose of AA ingestion is beneficial in reducing alcohol induced hyperlipidemia and AA deficiency.

Role of exogenous ascorbic acid in tissue status of ascorbic acid-2-sulphate in guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs were given ascorbic acid orally in two doses; a low and a high dose. The tissue levels of ascorbic acid-2-sulphate was estimated in these animals after 15 days of feeding and a subsequent deprivation period of 15 days. The specific activity of the enzymes ascorbic acid sulphotransferase and ascorbic acid-2-sulphate sulphohydrolase was studied. During higher ascorbic acid intake, the activity of ascorbic acid sulphotransferase was increased, whereas ascorbic acid-2-sulphate sulphohydrolase showed a decreased activity. But when ascorbic acid intake was lowered or ceased, the activity of the above enzymes showed a reverse pattern. Possible reasons for the lack of antiscorbutic activity of ascorbic acid-2-sulphate in guinea pigs is discussed.