The grand challenge of regulating health foods in India.

Food is the primary source of nutrients to keep us nourished and healthy. Poor and unhealthy diets implicated with the increase of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) require a food-based approach to reduce the ongoing rise. Traditional knowledge and science behind food-related health benefits became evident in the last three decades. Active ingredients, bioactive molecules and conventionally used herbs were clinically researched and proven to have beneficial outcomes. In the Indian scenario, the multiplicity of food products, including medicinal type formats, such as health supplements, containing plant, herbs or novel ingredients, brings in a new complexity to regulations. Several of these ingredients are pharmacologically active substances and could overlap with drug regulations. The data generated on the nutritional and health benefit of a supplement should be reproducible, outcomes measurable and disease risk reduction shown by well-designed research studies. Regulatory challenges occur at several levels, namely, harmonization of law, fair trade practice, population exposures to chemicals and contaminants, food borne illness, rise in NCD's, novel ingredients, new technologies and a legacy of regulatory practice. While regulatory and legal challenges will always exist, reliance on the role of scientific research in the regulatory context becomes significant.>.

Effect of oxytocin injection to milching buffaloes on its content & stability in milk.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Oxytocin (OT) injections to milch cattle for milk letdown have become a common practice amongst dairy farmers in India. Although there is no reported evidence, it is widely presumed that long term consumption of such milk leads to adverse health consequences. However, there is no information on the effect of exogenous OT injections on milk OT content and its stability during heating and gastrointestinal digestion. This study was carried out to determine the OT content in milk samples given by buffaloes with and without OT injections and to assess the stability of OT in the milk. METHODS: Milk samples from milch buffaloes (Murrah buffalo) were collected from local farmers with (n=121) or without (n=120) exogenous OT injections during 3 to 5 months of lactation period. The OT content of milk samples was estimated by competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The thermal and digestive stability of OT was assessed by in silico and in vitro digestion methods. RESULTS: The OT content of the milk samples was similar regardless of OT injections used. Further, OT was found to be stable to heat treatment and gastric pepsin digestion while it was rapidly digested during the simulated intestinal digestion. Reduced OT was digested by pepsin, implying that internal disulphide bridge of OT rendered the peptide resistant to peptic digestion. On the other hand, phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), a serine protease inhibitor, abrogated the pancreatin induced digestion of OT. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that exogenous OT injections do not influence its content in milk. Further, OT present in milk is rapidly degraded during intestinal digestion, ruling out its intestinal absorption and associated adverse health consequences, if any.

Effect of vitamin supplementation on cisplatin-induced intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in Wistar/NIN rats.

OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapeutic agents induce small intestinal mucositis that is characterized structurally by crypt loss and villus atrophy and functionally by absorptive and barrier impairments. We studied the effect of selected individual vitamins and multiple-vitamin mixture supplementation in modulating cisplatin-induced intestinal damage and apoptosis. METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar/NIN rats 20 wk old and fed the control diet (AIN-93G) were randomly divided into six groups. Five groups were administered cisplatin (2.61 mg/kg of body weight) once a week for 3 wk and were concomitantly provided the control diet or riboflavin, folate, α- tocopherol, or a multiple-vitamin mixture supplemented diet. The sixth group served as a control for cisplatin and received saline as the vehicle. Intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis was monitored by morphometry, M30 staining, DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 activity. Functional and structural integrities were determined by measuring activities of alkaline phosphatase and lysine ala-dipeptidyl aminopeptidase and the villus height/crypt depth ratio. Oxidative burden was assessed as the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and protein carbonyls. Plasma levels of selected vitamins were also measured. RESULTS: Cisplatin administration significantly increased intestinal apoptosis in the villus and crypt regions that correlated with increased oxidative damage, decreased Bcl-2/Bax, and compromised functional integrity. Riboflavin, folate, and the multiple-vitamin mixture supplementation attenuated the cisplatin-induced increase in apoptotic indices, with a decrease in oxidative burden, increased Bcl-2/Bax, and improved functional and structural integrities. The α-tocopherol supplementation, although effective in attenuating oxidative stress and improving functional integrity, failed to lower the apoptotic indices. CONCLUSIONS: Riboflavin, folate, and the multiple-vitamin supplementation proved to be more efficacious in attenuating the cisplatin-induced intestinal damage and associated changes in apoptosis.

Odontogenic tumors and giant cell lesions of jaws--a nine year study.

OBJECTIVES: A definite geographic variation has been observed in the frequency of odontogenic tumors and giant cell lesions of the jaws reported from different parts of the world. However, there are a few studies on these lesions, especially giant cell lesions, reported from India. Hence, this study was designed to provide a demographic data on the odontogenic tumors and giant cell lesions reported from our institute located in the city of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is the capital city of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh in India. A retrospective analysis of odontogenic tumors and giant cell lesions of jaws reported in our institute between the years 2000 and 2009 was done and this data was compared with previous reports from different parts of the world and India. METHODS: Biopsies of the lesions received between the years 2000 and 2009 were reviewed and patient's history, clinical, radiological and histopathological characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 77 biopsies were received during the nine year study period. These lesions were more frequently seen in the males, in a younger age group and showed a predilection for the mandible. Most of them presented as radiolucent, slow growing and painless lesions. Ameloblastomas (71.4%) constituted the majority of odontogenic tumors while central giant cell granulomas (7.8%) constituted the majority of giant cell lesions. CONCLUSION: These lesions showed a definite geographic variation with ameloblastomas being the most common odontogenic tumors and odontomas being relatively rarer lesions in our region.

Consensus dietary guidelines for healthy living and prevention of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and related disorders in Asian Indians.

India is undergoing rapid nutritional transition, resulting in excess consumption of calories, saturated fats, trans fatty acids, simple sugars, salt and low intake of fiber. Such dietary transition and a sedentary lifestyle have led to an increase in obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM], cardiovascular disease [CVD], etc.) predominantly in urban, but also in rural areas. In comparison with the previous guidelines, these consensus dietary guidelines include reduction in the intake of carbohydrates, preferential intake of complex carbohydrates and low glycemic index foods, higher intake of fiber, lower intake of saturated fats, optimal ratio of essential fatty acids, reduction in trans fatty acids, slightly higher protein intake, lower intake of salt, and restricted intake of sugar. While these guidelines are applicable to Asian Indians in any geographical setting, they are particularly applicable to those residing in urban and in semi-urban areas. Proper application of these guidelines will help curb the rising "epidemics" of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, hypertension, T2DM, and CVD in Asian Indians.

Pyridoxal 5' phosphate protects islets against streptozotocin-induced beta-cell dysfunction--in vitro and in vivo.

Administration of pyridoxal 5' phosphate (PLP) has demonstrated beneficial effects in the management of diabetes, albeit the mechanism(s) are not clearly understood. The present study addressed the islet-cell function(s) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice both in vitro and in vivo. Primary islet cells primed with or without PLP (5 mmol/L) were treated with STZ (2 mmol/L) and were measured for cell viability, insulin secretion, free radicals and mRNA of Insulin and Pdx1. The specificity of PLP's response on insulin secretion was assessed with amino oxy acetic acid (AOAA)-PLP inhibitor. In vivo, the STZ (200 mg/kg b.w)-treated diabetic mice received 10 mmol/L PLP intraperitoneally a day before (PLP + STZ) or after (STZ + PLP) with three more doses once every 48 h. On 7, 14 and 21 d of STZ treatment, physiological parameters, islet morphology, insulin:glucagon, insulin:HSP104, and mRNA of Insulin, Glut2, Pdx1 and Reg1 were determined. In vitro, PLP protected islets against STZ-induced changes in viability, insulin secretion, prevented increase in free radical levels and normalized mRNA of Insulin and Pdx1. Further, AOAA inhibited PLP-induced insulin secretion in islets. In vivo, PLP treatment normalized STZ-induced changes in physiological parameters, circulating levels of PLP and insulin. Also, islet morphology, insulin:glucagon, insulin:HSP104 and mRNA levels of Insulin, Pdx1 and Glut2 were restored by 21 d. Although PLP treatment (pre- and post-STZ) prevented development of frank diabetes, STZ + PLP mice showed transient hyperglycemia, and increased mRNA for Reg1. The data suggest the cytoprotective vis-à-vis insulinotrophic effects of PLP against STZ-induced beta-cell dysfunction and underline its prophylactic use in the management of diabetes.

Assessment of antioxidant activity of eugenol in vitro and in vivo.

Reactive oxygen species are implicated in many human diseases and aging process. Much of the evidence is based on experimental data indicating increasing rates of lipid peroxidation in disease states and the ameliorating effects of antioxidants. It is becoming increasingly evident that the natural antioxidants, which have phenolic structure, play an important role in protecting the tissues against free radical damage. Eugenol (4-allyl-2 methoxyphenol) is one such naturally occurring phenolic compound. The antioxidant activity of eugenol was evaluated by the extent of protection offered against free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation using both in vitro and in vivo studies. The in vitro lipid peroxidation was induced in mitochondria by (Fe(II)-ascorbate) or (Fe(II) + H(2)O(2)). The lipid peroxidation was assessed colorimetrically by measuring the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) following the reaction of oxidized lipids with TBA. Eugenol completely inhibited both iron and Fenton reagent-mediated lipid peroxidation. The inhibitory activity of eugenol was about fivefold higher than that observed for alpha-tocopherol and about tenfold less than that observed for BHT. The in vivo lipid peroxidation-mediated liver damage was induced by administration of CCl(4) to rats. Eugenol significantly inhibited the rise in SGOT activity and cell necrosis without protecting the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) damage as assessed by its failure to prevent a decrease in cytochrome p450 and G-6-phosphatase activity. The protective action of eugenol has been found to be due to interception of secondary radicals derived from ER lipids rather than interfering with primary radicals of CCl(4) (CCl(3)/CCl(3)OO).

Indian task force for celiac disease: current status.

There are limited data on celiac disease (CD) from India. The limited knowledge about CD in India might be attributed to several factors. The first meeting of the Indian Task Force for Celiac Disease was held in the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India in December 2008. The objectives of the meeting were to focus research on prevalence of CD in the wheat-eating Northern vs the rice-eating Southern Indian population, low-budget serological assays to study the underprivileged population, to involve other medical subspecialties in CD, to suggest proper legislation regarding wheat food labeling, and to organize affordable food substitutes for patients with celiac disease.

Immuolocalization of nestin in pancreatic tissue of mice at different ages.

AIM: To localize nestin positive cells (NPC) in pancreatic tissue of mice of different ages. METHODS: Paraffin sections of 6-8 mum of fixed pancreatic samples were mounted on poly-L-lysine coated slides and used for Immunolocalization using appropriate primary antibodies (Nestin, Insulin, Glucagon), followed by addition of a fluorescently labeled secondary antibody. The antigen-antibody localization was captured using a confocal microscope (Leica SP 5 series). RESULTS: In 3-6 d pups, the NPC were localized towards the periphery of the endocrine portion, as evident from immunolocalization of insulin and glucagon, while NPC were absent in the acinar portion. At 2 wk, NPC were localized in both the exocrine and endocrine portions. Interestingly, in 4-wk-old mice NPC were seen only in the endocrine portion, towards the periphery, and were colocalised with the glucagon positive cells. In the pancreas of 8- wk-old mice, the NPC were predominantly localized in the central region of the islet clusters, where immunostaining for insulin was at a maximum. CONCLUSION: We report for the first time the immunolocalization of NPC in the pancreas of mice of different ages (3 d to 8 wk) with reference to insulin and glucagon positive cells. The heterogeneous localization of the NPC observed may be of functional and developmental significance and suggest(s) that mice pancreatic tissue can be a potential source of progenitor cells. NPC from the pancreas can be isolated, proliferated and programmed to differentiate into insulin secreting cells under the appropriate microenvironment.

Chronic low intake of protein or vitamins increases the intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in Wistar/NIN rats.

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition decreases antioxidant defense and increases oxidative stress in the intestine. We studied the effects of long-term restriction of food, protein, and vitamins on intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Weanling, Wistar/NIN male rats were fed ad libitum with a control diet, 75% protein-restricted diet, or 50% vitamin-restricted diet for 20 wk. The food-restricted group received 50% of the diet consumed by control rats. IEC apoptosis was monitored by morphometry, Annexin V binding, M30 CytoDeath assay, and DNA fragmentation. Structural and functional integrity of the villus were assessed by the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and alkaline phosphatase and lys, ala-dipeptidyl aminopeptidase activities, respectively. Oxidative stress parameters, caspase-3 activity, and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were determined to assess the probable mechanisms of altered apoptosis. RESULTS: Protein and vitamin restrictions but not food restriction significantly increased IEC apoptosis and only vitamin restriction altered structural and functional integrity of villi. Increased levels of protein carbonyls, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and caspase-3 activity along with decreased glutathione levels and Bcl-2 expression were observed in IECs of these rats, whereas food restriction did not affect these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Protein restriction increased only IEC apoptosis, whereas vitamin restriction also affected the structure and function of villi. Modulation of the pathway mediated by mitochondria through increased oxidative stress appears to be the probable mechanism underlying this effect.