Comparison of cardiac vagal activity between pre and postmenopausal women using heart rate recovery.

Ageing is associated with an increase in Heart Rate Recovery (HRR). HRR is a property of vagal activity. But there is little evidence regarding the extent to which age-related changes in HRR depend on simultaneous transition from pre-menopausal state to postmenopausal state. The purpose of this study was (i) to compare HRR between pre and postmenopausal women, (ii) to compare heart rate recovery between men of age group 40-45 years and 45-50years respectively (iii) and to determine whether difference in age, gender and body composition could account for the difference in HRR between pre- and post-menopausal groups. Methods: HRR was assessed using modified Bruce exercise protocol. The body mass index was assessed by measuring weight and height of the subject. Data was analyzed after adjusting for age and body composition. Results: It was found that the HRR were significantly higher (P <0.001) in postmenopausal women compared to that of premenopausal women. Analysis after adjusting for age and gender revealed that men of same age group didn’t undergo much change in HRR as compared to women. Conclusions: The study concludes that both ageing and declined oestrogen levels are associated with the increased Hear Rate Recovery (HRR) seen among postmenopausal women.

Purification and properties of alpha-galactosidase from white-rot fungus Pleurotus florida.

alpha-Galactosidase was strongly induced in the white-rot fungus Pleurotus florida by arabinose than its natural substrates and was purified to homogeneity by acetone precipitation, ultrafiltration and DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. The enzyme was a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of approximately equal to 99 kDa, as revealed by native-PAGE and SDS-PAGE. alpha-Galactosidase was optimally active at 55 degrees C for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl-alpha-galactopyranoside (PNPalphaG) and lost its 20% and 50% of original activity in 30 min at 60 degres C and 70 degrees C, respectively. The pH optimum of the enzyme was between 4.6 and 5.0. It was stable in a wide pH range (pH 4.0 to 9.0) at 55 degrees C for 2 h. The Ag+ and Hg2+ strongly inhibited the enzyme activity. Galactose, glucose, maltose and lactose also inhibited the enzyme activity, whereas N-bromosuccinimide treatment resulted in near total loss of acitivity. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme for PNPalphaG were found to be 1.1 mM, and 77 micromol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. alpha-Galactosidase immobilized in agar was more effective for the degradation of raffinose than in the sodium alginate. TLC results indicated its potential for the removal of raffinose and stachyose in soymilk.