RESUMO
A considerable body of literature suggests that depression and diabetes mellitus are co-morbid. The present study was designed to test any possible behavioral deficits and/or neurochemical changes in the brain as induced by the anti-diabetic drugs. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: [i] saline [ii] glimepiride [2.5mg/kg]- [iii] glimepiride [5.0mg/kg]- and [iv] glimepiride [10 mg/kg] injected animals. Behavioral activities in Skinner's box, open field and elevated plus maze were monitored 20, 35 and 45 minutes post injection respectively. Animals were decapitated 60 minutes post injection to collect brain samples. Samples were kept at -70[degree]C until neurochemical analysis by HPLC-EC. Results from the present study show decreased time spent in the open arm of the elevated plus maze [p<0.05] at all the three doses. A decrease in the HVA [Homovanillic acid] levels at all three doses [p<0.01] was also observed along with decreased 5-HT [5-Hydroxytryptamine] [p<0.05 at 5.0 and l0mg/kg] and 5-HIAA [5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid] [p<0.05 at all three doses] levels. Since a decrease in 5-HT metabolism can induce depression-like effects, the present study therefore suggests that the occurrence of depression in diabetic patients is due to the use of glimipride. Effects of long-term administration of smaller doses of glimipride are to be explored further to monitor tolerance in glimipride-induced deficits of serotonin. The finding may help to explore the cause of depression in diabetics for improving pharmacotherapy in diabetes
RESUMO
Exposure to contaminants, generally called pollution, relates back to olden age when the environment was clean and free from chemicals. Knowledge of human exposure to environmental contaminants is an important component of environmental epidemiology, risk assessment, risk management, status and trends analysis. Exposure information provides a critical link between sources of contaminants, their presence in the environment and potential human health effects. Important exposure medias include outdoor air, indoor air, food, exterior and interior soil, household dust, drinking and cooking water. Exposure occurs via inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact. Indoor dust is becoming recognized as a reservoir for many toxic substances and a potentially significant source of human exposure. Pesticides found in indoor settled dust come from its use in the house, as well as from outdoor sources and as little or no training is provided for its use, unnecessary exposures often occur. Pesticides have also been examined in epidemiological studies as environmental risk factors for cancer. Assessing exposure to contamination with biological markers presents a unique advantage and represents a different perspective for evaluation of human exposure to contamination. Risk assessment may be used to identify and evaluate population and individuals at potentially greater risk so that appropriate mitigation actions can be implemented. A thorough evaluation of the various health and broader impacts of interventions to reduce pollution will help generate the evidence that is required for making sound policy recommendations. Thus globally, pollution prevention should be a key policy in National Environmental Protection activities of all the governments