Influence of galactose cataract on erythrocytic and lenticular glutathione metabolism in albino rats.

Context: Glutathione depletion has been postulated to be the prime reason for galactose cataract. The current research seeks the prospect of targeting erythrocytes to pursue the lens metabolism by studying the glutathione system. Aims: To study the activity of the glutathione-linked scavenger enzyme system in the erythrocyte and lens of rats with cataract. Materials and Methods: Experiments were conducted in 36 male albino rats weighing 80 ± 20 g of 28 days of age. The rats were divided into two major groups, viz. experimental and control. Six rats in each group were sacrificed every 10 days, for 30 days. Cataract was induced in the experimental group by feeding the rats 30% galactose (w/w). The involvement of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the linked enzymes was studied in the erythrocytes and lens of cataractous as well as control rats. Statistical Analysis: Parametric tests like one-way ANOVA and Student's ‘t’ test were used for comparison. Correlation linear plot was used to compare the erythrocyte and lens metabolism. Results: Theconcentration of GSH and the activity of linked enzymes were found decreased with the progression of cataract, and also in comparison to the control. The same linear fashion was also observed in the erythrocytes. Conclusion: Depletion of GSH was the prime factor for initiating galactose cataract in the rat model. This depletion may in turn result in enzyme inactivation leading to cross-linking of protein and glycation. The correlation analysis specifies that the biochemical mechanism in the erythrocytes and lens is similar in the rat model.

Antioxidant enzymes and peroxidation in galactogenic cataract.

The antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were studied in erythrocytes and lens at various stages of cataractogenesis in albino rats. The rate of peroxidation was measured by assessing the malondiadehyde (MDA) in lens and plasma. The insoluble and soluble protein fractions were measured in lens to study the protein crosslinkings in relation to the above said parameters. Cataract was induced in albino rats by feeding it with 30% galactose as part of the normal diet (w/w) for 30 days. The results show a decrease of SOD and catalase with concomitant increase of MDA and insoluble protein with the advancement of cataract.

Prediction equation for lung functions in South Indian children.

Lung functions including VC, IVC, FVC, FEV0.5, FEV1, PEF, FEF0.2-1.2, FEF25-75%, FEF75-85%, PIF, FMFT, MVV(IND), peak expiratory flow at 25%, 50% and 75% of FVC, peak inspiratory flow at 75%, 50%, 25% and the ratio between different lung volumes were measured with Vitallograph Compact-II spirometer on 109 South Indian school boys in the age group of five to sixteen years. The results show an increase in "lung volumes" and "flow rates" with increase in age, height and weight. FMFT and MVV(IND) also increase with increase in anthropometric measurements. All the lung functions except FEF75-85% and the ratio between different lung volumes show significant positive correlation with age, height and weight. Regression equations were derived for predicting normal lung functions for healthy South Indian boys. Lung volumes and flow rates were lower than North Indian and foreign boys. The decrease in lung functions in South Indian boys were due to their sea level dwelling, dietary habits and comparatively lower anthropometric measurements.

Pulmonary function studies in rowers.

The present study attempts to investigate the pulmonary functions of snake boat rowers before and after rowing. This is made on 12 healthy traditional snake boat rowers ranging from age 16-23 years of Kavanattinkara boat race, Kottayam, Kerala, India. The pulmonary function tests were carried out with vitallograph compact-II spirometer. The results show a decrease in pulmonary functions "lung volumes" and "flow rates" after rowing in comparison to basal condition.