Comparative efficacy of different reference drugs on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in the rat model.

Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis were chronic inflammatory disorders of the bowel categorized as inflammatory bowel diseases. Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis was one of the most common methods for studying inflammatory bowel disease in animal models. Several factors may, however, affect its reproducibility, rate of animal mortality, and macroscopic and histopathological outcomes.The current study was undertaken with the objective to validate the main contributing factors to this method and compare the effects of different reference drugs upon better amelioration of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis. With the above objectives, ulcerative colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of TNBS in male Wistar rats at a dose rate of 20 mg in 0.5 mL of ethanol per animal for all groups except the negative control group, which received 0.5 mL of normal saline. Different reference drugs like dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.) and 2 mg/kg, orally (p.o.)), hydrocortisone acetate (20 mg/kg, i.p.; 20 mg/kg, enema) and sulfasalazine 500mg/kg ,p.o.were administered daily once from Day 3 to 9 except the negative and positive controls which received normal saline at the rate of 10 mL/kg body weight. All the animals were sacrificed on Day 10; the colons were excised and the colon morphology and net weight of the colon segment were graded and measured, respectively. The intestinal damage had improved significantly in the experiment groups that received different reference drugs which is comparable with sulfasalazine treated group. The experimental observations, gross pathology of intestinal lesions and statistical analysis reveals no significant difference among the different reference drugs treated groups.

Study on β-Galactosidase of Lactobacillus SP from milk products and its applications.

β-galactosidases enzyme have been used in the dairy industry for the improvement of lactose intolerance. The aim of the present study was to isolate β-galactosidase enzyme produced by isolated lactobacillus from milk and cheese. Isolated lactobacilli were cultured on MRS agar. Lactobacilli were identified by Gram staining and standard bacteriological and biochemical methods. Their ability to hydrolyze 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-Dgalactopyranoside (X-Gal) and O-nitrophenyl- β-Dgalactopyranoside (ONPG) was determined. β-galactosidase enzyme activity was also detected by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method. The colonies that produced blue green color on X-Gal plates were lactobacillus with β-galactosidase enzyme which had ONPG positive results. By adding Lactobacillus producing β-galactosidase enzyme as probiotic to dairy products, could help lactose intolerant infants.

Role of reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in male infertility.

Infertility affects about 15 per cent married couples half of which may be attributed to men with low sperm motility (asthenozoospermia), low sperm count (oligozoospermia) or abnormal sperm morphology (teratozoospermia). As mitochondria are the energy source for initiation, differentiation and function of the germ cells, mutation in mitochondrial genome can impair the formation of mature spermatozoa. Mutations in mitochondrial genome are identified in patients with fertility problems. However, mitochondria are also both the source and target of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are normally generated at low levels by human spermatozoa in order to perform its physiological function. However, if the generation of these reactive free radicals overwhelm the antioxidant defense system, this can lead to oxidative stress, which is characterized by mitochondrial and nuclear genome damage. So both ROS and mtDNA mutations are considered to be the major aetiological factors in a variety of human diseases including male infertility. Identification of novel mutations in mtDNA of infertile patients with supraphysiological levels of ROS are considered to be important to gain better understanding of the aetiology of idiopathic infertility. Early detection and prompt antioxidant therapy can prevent ROS induced DNA damage. This has far reaching impact if such men opt for assisted reproductive technology (ART)/in vitro fertilization.

Changes in the neurosecretory cells of the brain and thoracic ganglion of male crab, Uca (celuca) lactea annulipes with respect to seasons.

The change in the neurosecretory cells with males with respect to seasons was investigated. The brain is provided with three types of neurosecretory cells namely A, B and C and thoracic ganglion with four types of neurosecretory cells A, B, C and D. They vary in number and neurosecretory activity according to seasons which may be responsible for the increase in the size and development of the reproductive and associated structures.