A study of antitrypsin and macroglobulin levels in serum and saliva of patients with gingivitis.

Periodontal diseases are associated with chronic inflammation. The destruction of connective tissue matrix is responsible for the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory states. The degradation of matrix is initiated extra and pericellularly by proteinases produced locally at the inflammatory site. The regulation of these proteinases are by inhibitors present in serum and extravascular tissues, and it is the proteinase/proteinase inhibitor balance that determines the progression of chronic inflammatory state. Few contradicting studies are available on changes in the levels of proteinase inhibitors in serum in periodontal disease. The occurrence of these inhibitors in saliva has not been studied in detail. The present study was aimed at measuring the Proteinase inhibitors in serum and saliva of patients with periodontal disease.

Effect of drugs used in pulmonary edema (frusemide and combination of etofylline and theophylline) on surfactant system of lung.

Pulmonary surfactant activity of healthy male albino rats was estimated in terms of the maximum and minimum surface tension values of alveolar washings and the phospholipid content of the extract. The results obtained in these (control) animals were compared with those in two groups of animals treated with therapeutic doses of frusemide and a combination of etofylline and theophylline. A significant increase in surfactant activity in terms of surface tension values and phospholipid content was observed with frusemide, whereas a significant increase in phospholipid content without a change in surface tension values was observed in the case of combination of etofylline and theophylline. These findings suggest that frusemide in addition to its diuretic action, increases the surfactant activity of lung. This might be another mechanism by which it provides relief in pulmonary edema patients. The study also indicates that phospholipid concentration need not always reflect surfactant activity of lung.

Evaluation of methyl cellulose as controlled release matrix material.

The formulation for the controlled release of NaF from matrix tablets using Methyl cellulose to prepare chewable NaF tablets for the prevention of dental caries is developed. Various micromeritic studies of granules and tablets containing different concentrations of matrix were studied. Dissolution studies were also carried out in distilled water at 37 +/- 1 degrees C. Significant variations in granule and tablet characteristics were observed depending upon the concentration of the Methyl cellulose used observed. The in vitro drug release reveals that, T 80% values for 30% concentration of matrix is greatest, which seems to be ideal concentration. The drug dissolution is diffusion controlled and follows the Higuchi equation. The fraction of the drug release is proportional to time 1/2 Clinical study is in progress and is encouraging.

Biochemical mechanisms and effects of Mimosa pudica (Linn) on experimental urolithiasis in rats.

Urolithiasis, following implantation of Zn discs in urinary bladder (foreign body insertion technique), was examined in albino rats of either sex. Marked variation was observed between sex, regarding the formation of bladder stones. Ethylene glycol (1%) mixed in drinking water for 4 weeks, was unable to augment Zn disc-induced stone deposition. Chemical nature of stones was identified as of magnesium ammonium phosphate type. Neither urinary pH nor infection in the urinary bladder/tract affected chemical nature and quantity of stone formed. There was no significant influence of electrolytes or metabolic products on the uroliths. No correlation could be drawn between the quality and quantity of uroliths formed and the urinary electrolytes concentration. M. Pudica was not effective in either preventing stone deposition or dissolving preformed stones.

HDL-cholesterol--a sensitive parameter of hepatic function in infective hepatitis.

HDL-cholesterol was estimated along with other biochemical parameters of hepatic function in infective hepatitis. Infective hepatitis was characterized by significantly decreased levels of HDL-cholesterol. Follow up studies indicated a good correlation of changes in HDL-cholesterol to severity of disease in all the cases whereas standard liver function tests showed equivocal changes in some cases. HDL-cholesterol may serve as a sensitive indicator of hepatic function in infective hepatitis.

Effect of bronchodilators on surfactant system of lung.

Pulmonary surfactant activity of healthy male albino rats was estimated in terms of the maximum and minimum surface tension values of alveolar washings and the phospholipid content of the extract. The results obtained in these (control) animals were compared with those in three groups of animals treated with therapeutic doses of terbutaline, adrenaline and aminophylline. A significant decrease in the surface tension values without a significant increase in the phospholipid content was observed with aminophylline, whereas a significant increase in phospholipid concentration without a significant decrease in surface tension values was observed in case of terbutaline and adrenaline. These findings suggest that aminophylline, in addition to a bronchodilator action, lowers the elastic resistance of lung. The study also indicates caution in interpreting phospholipid concentration as surfactant activity.

A case of pre-leukaemia masquerading as haemolytic anaemia due to multi-enzymopathy of the red cell.

A 19 year old woman presented as a case of haemolytic anaemia due to multi-enzyme deficiency of the erythrocyte. After a transient improvement with folic acid therapy, she developed acute myeloblastic leukaemia. This is the second reported case of a myelodysplastic syndrome presenting with a haemolytic picture and subsequently developing an acute myeloblastic leukaemia.