Nickel, its adverse health effects & oxidative stress.

Nickel-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity, with an emphasis on the generation and role of reactive oxygen species is reviewed. Nickel is a known haematotoxic, immunotoxic, neurotoxic, genotoxic, reproductive toxic, pulmonary toxic, nephrotoxic , hepatotoxic and carcinogenic agent. This article presents a selective review on nickel and effect of its acute, subchronic and chronic doses on certain metabolically active tissues in human as well as animals. Nickel exposure causes formation of free radicals in various tissues in both human and animals which lead to various modifications to DNA bases, enhanced lipid peroxidation, and altered calcium and sulphydryl homeostasis. The primary route for nickel toxicity is depletion of glutathione and bonding to sulphydryl groups of proteins. Nickel homeostasis, nickel-induced activation of signaling pathways and the protective role of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants against nickel toxicity and carcinogenicity are also discussed.

Physical fitness: a longitudinal study among Muslim children of Bijapur (Karnataka).

Aerobic capacity or maximum oxygen uptake capacity (VO2 max) has been widely considered to be reliable and valid measure of cardio respiratory fitness. Persons possessing higher values and have the capacity to yield larger amounts of energy, are capable of performing better in athletic and other field activities. Seventy school going children from the Muslim community of Bijapur (Karnataka) aged 12-16 years (means +/- SEM = 14.33 +/- 0.94), volunteered for this study. Their height (cm) and weight (kg) were measured as physical anthropometry and Body mass index (BMI) was calculated (kg/m2). VO2max (ml.kg-1.min-1) was determined by applying the step test study of Margaria et al. The Physical fitness index (PFI) of the subjects were assessed by Harvard Step Test. The physiological endurance measured as VO2max (ml.kg-1.min-1) was found to be 34.31 +/- 2.44 S.E.M, which is lower in comparison to their Caucasian counterparts but nearly similar when compared with their Indian counterparts. The present study reveals that VO2max significantly correlates with BMI and PFI score. The present study also reveals that 27.2%, 20.07%, 15.77%, 14.37% and 22.87% of the subjects are in excellent, very good, good, average and poor classifications of fitness level respectively.