Modulation of acute cadmium toxicity by Emblica officinalis fruit in rat.

The efficacy of Emblica officinalis in modifying the acute cytotoxicity of cadmium in male rats was evaluated. Oral administration of Emblica fruit juice (500 mg/kg, b.w.) for 8 days followed by a single toxic dose of Cd as CdCl2 (3 mg/kg,b.w. ip), considerably reduced the mortality in rats as well as prevented to some extent the cadmium induced histopathological damage in testis, liver and kidneys. Biochemical investigation also revealed reduced levels of Cd induced serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase. The enhanced levels of Cd and lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney, and testes and metallothionein and total sulphydryl in liver and kidney by Cd were significantly reduced by Emblica pretreatment. These results suggest cytoprotective potential of Emblica fruit in acute cadmium toxicity which could be due to its multiple role in biological system.

Prognostic significance of thyroid antibodies in hyperthyroid patients treated with antithyroid drugs.

Lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland in patients with hyperthyroidism is associated with the presence of serum antithyroidal microsomal antibodies (TMA) and serum antithyroglobulin antibodies (TGA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of TMA and TGA during and after treatment of hyperthyroidism with antithyroidal drugs. One hundred and fifty-four hyperthyroid patients were treated for 18 months with methimazole and then followed up for 18 months or more (mean, 24.8 +/- 12.6 months). Patients were classified into three group. group I, patients negative for TGA and TMA before and during 18 months of treatment, group II patients positive for TMA but negative for TGA before and during 18 months treatment and group III patients who were positive for both TGA and TMA before and during treatment. The relapse rates after discontinuation of treatment in these group were 44.7% (17 of 38), 29% (18 of 62) and 11.1% (6 of 54), respectively. The value in group I was significantly higher than that in group III (P < 0.01). These results show that presence of TMA and TGA influence the prognosis of patients with hyperthyroidism treated with methimazole with regard to relapse. Those patients who had both antibodies were least likely to have a relapse and those who had neither antibody before and during treatment were most likely to have a relapse of hyperthyroidism.

Styrene induced pancreatic changes in rodents.

Subchronic oral exposure to styrene in rodents (25 or 50 mg/kg/day in mice; 160 or 320 mg/kg/day in rats and guinea pigs, 5 days/week) for 4 weeks resulted in moderate congestion of pancreatic lobules, focal inflammatory reactions around islets (in mice) and altered serum insulin level while blood glucose levels remained unaffected. Increased beta cell degranulation together with characteristic neoformation of islets were predominantly seen in pancreas of guinea pigs.

Effect of bed time intermediate acting insulin in NIDDM subjects refractory to a combination of sulphonylureas and biguanides.

The effect of a single dose of intermediate acting (Lente) insulin given subcutaneously at 9.00 P.M. in 22 NIDDM subjects refractory to a combination of Sulphonylureas and Biguanides was analysed. Euglycemia was achieved and maintained during the study period of three months with a mean insulin requirement of 14.22 +/- 5.98 units/day. Plasma FFA, Total cholesterol, triglyceride and VLDL-cholesterol also showed significant reduction. The level of FFA modulates hepatic glucose production, which in turn correlates positively with the fasting blood glucose. The therapeutic modality of bed time Lente Insulin based on physiological principles is an effective way of achieving glycemic control in NIDDM subjects who have become non-responsive to oral hypoglycemic agents.

Modulatory effects of metanil yellow on immunity in rodents.

Pathomorphological and immunological studies were carried out on rodents following oral administration of 0, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5% (w/w) metanil yellow, mixed in diet, for 30 days. No significant change in hematologic parameters and histologic architecture of liver, kidney, mesenteric lymph node, thymus and urinary bladder was observed except for mild desquamation of intestinal villi and moderate changes in Peyer's patches of small intestine with higher doses. Among immunological parameters, significant enhancement in the primary humoral immune response (anti-SRBC IgM plaque forming cells of spleen) was observed with the lowest dose of metanil yellow while higher doses produced opposing effects. An elevated cutaneous delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to SRBC was seen in 0.1% metanil yellow treated animals but higher doses did not influence the reaction. The treatment also caused changes in functional capabilities of macrophages. Although these immune alterations could hardly influence the local immunity of gut, as measured by the capacity of animals to cause rejection of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis parasite, the potential to modulate the immunity in general by metanil yellow however assumes considerable biological significance.

Trichloroethylene toxicity in mice: a biochemical, hematological and pathological assessment.

Oral administration of trichloroethylene (TCE; 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg/day) to male mice once daily, 5 days a week for a period of 28 days, caused a significant increase in liver weight, degeneration/necrosis of hepatocytes and characteristics proliferation of endothelial cells of hepatic sinusoids. Increase in kidney weight, glomerular nephrosis, degeneration/desquamation of tubular epithelium and characteristic amyloid deposition in glomeruli were observed only in the group of mice treated with 2000 mg/kg TCE. These changes occurred concurrently with a significant increase in total protein and free sulphydryl contents, elevated activities of acid phosphatase and catalase and decreased activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (delta-ALAD) indicating the sensitivity of liver and kidney as target tissues in TCE-toxicity. Hematological studies showed a significant increase in RBC counts and a reduction in WBC counts without any statistically significant change in the hemoglobin, urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid levels in the blood of TCE-exposed mice. A dose-related increase in cell density and acid phosphatase activity with a parallel significant decrease in the activity of delta-ALAD were observed in the bone marrow, which appear to be responsible for hematological alterations in TCE-exposed mice. The results suggest that early metabolic, pathological and hematological perturbations following a short-term exposure of TCE in mice, can provide the basis for its documented potential for chronic effects like blood dyscrasia and cancer.

Effect of undernutrition on succinate dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase in developing rat brain.

Pups (5 days old) were undernourished by separating them for 14 hr daily from their mothers for 7, 10, 13, 16 and 20 days. The undernourished rats showed significant decrease in body and brain weight, protein and nucleic acid contents at all stages of observation as compared to controls. The activities of SDH and AChE enzymes were decreased significantly after 10 days and onwards in undernourished rat brain. However, maximum decrease in brain protein, nucleic acid contents and enzyme activities was observed during suckling-weaning-transition (20-21 days). Such alterations in enzyme activities may be correlated with the reduced oxidative and neurotransmission function in undernourished developing rat brain.