ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken to explore the protective effects of tuberous root extract of Pueraria tuberosa on chronic foot shock stress (CS) induced physiological, neurobehavioral and neuropathological alterations. Male Wistar rats (120-150 g) were divided into seven groups, consisting of ten animals in each. Group I served as normal, group II as positive control, while group III-VII as test drug treated. P tuberosa tuber extract (PTE) was given to rats of groups III-VI at the doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively, while group VII treated with Withania somnifera rhizome extract (WSE) (100 mg/kg) as reference drug. Group II (stress control) received only equivalent volume of distilled water (0.5 ml/100 g) orally. All the drugs were given orally once/day for 14 consecutive days. The last dose was given 1 h before study. Simultaneously, all the animals (except group I) were subjected to 1 h of foot-shock (2 mA) through a grid floor for those 14 days in a standard conditioning chamber with the escape route closed [Chronic stress (CS)]. Thereafter, the rats were placed on open-field and plus maze apparatus for studying the behavioral patterns of them, and the anxiolytic effects of the putative drug. Sexual activities of the animals were also studied. Finally, the animals were sacrificed and their ulcer formation in gastric mucosa was noted. Weights of adrenals and spleen were also taken. Further, plasma corticosterone levels were estimated spectroflurometrically. Results indicated that, CS significantly altered the behavioral patterns, decreased the sexual urge and activities, damaged the gastric mucosal layers, enhanced plasma corticosterone levels and increased adrenal glands and spleen weights. PTE and WSE showed significant anxiolytic activity, protected the gastric mucosa, lowered plasma corticosterone level (indicating HPA axis inhibition) and negated the hypertrophy of adrenals and spleen. PTE also enhanced the sexual urge and activities in animals exposed to chronic stress. The findings suggest significant anxiolytic and anti-stress properties of PTE, confirming the clinical efficacy of the plant mentioned in Ayurveda (Indian system of traditional medicine).
Subject(s)
Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts , Pueraria , Stress, Psychological/drug therapy , Animals , Anxiety/drug therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Electroshock , Female , Foot , Male , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Sexual Behavior, AnimalABSTRACT
Specific immunity decreases markedly in pregnancy. This study was designed to determine whether the non-specific immunity mediated by neutrophils plays any role in coping with this immunosuppressed condition. The number of leukocytes and neutrophils, especially the number of young band neutrophils, increased gradually with the advancement of pregnancy. The phagocytic activity of neutrophils increased in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Neutrophils may compensate in part for the weakened specific immunity of pregnant women.
Subject(s)
Immune Tolerance/immunology , Neutrophils/immunology , Phagocytosis/immunology , Pregnancy/immunology , Adult , Female , Humans , Immunity, Innate/immunology , India , Leukocyte Count , Pregnancy/blood , Pregnancy Trimester, First/immunology , Pregnancy Trimester, Second/immunology , Pregnancy Trimester, Third/immunology , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
Specific immunity decreases markedly in pregnancy. This study was designed to determine whether the non-specific immunity mediated by neutrophils plays any role in coping with this immunosuppressed condition. The number of leukocytes and neutrophils, especially the number of young band neutrophils, increased gradually with the advancement of pregnancy. The phagocytic activity of neutrophils increased in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Neutrophils may compensate in part for the weakened specific immunity of pregnant womena
Subject(s)
Neutrophils , Phagocytosis , Hydrocortisone , Estrogens , Pregnancy Trimesters , PregnancyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although chronic hepatitis B occurs in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients, its prevalence and clinical significance are not known. AIM: To determine the prevalence and profile of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 363 consecutive patients (mean age 36 y; 288 men) with chronic HBV infection was performed. All patients were HBsAg-positive. Tests for liver profile, HBeAg and anti-HBe antibody were performed in all patients. Serum HBV DNA was tested using branched DNA assay in 245 patients. The patients were classified into three groups: no cirrhosis with normal ALT levels, no cirrhosis with elevated ALT levels, and clinical or histological evidence of cirrhosis. RESULTS: Of 363 patients, 141 (39%) were HBeAg-positive and 222 (61%) HBeAg-negative. Of HBeAg-negative patients, 120 (54%) had normal ALT, 45 (20%) had elevated ALT and 57 (26%) had evidence of cirrhosis; corresponding figures in the HBeAg-positive patients were 40 (28%), 66 (47%) and 35 (25%). HBV DNA was positive in 53 of 131 (40%) HBeAg-negative patients tested; of these 53 patients, 9 (17%) had normal ALT, 20 (38%) had elevated ALT and 24 (45%) had cirrhosis. Thus, 72% of HBeAg-positive and 46% of HBeAg-negative patients had elevated ALT and/or cirrhosis. Among the latter group, 83% of HBV DNA-positive patients had elevated ALT and/or cirrhosis. Overall, 18% of HBsAg-positive patients had HBeAg-negative, HBV DNA-positive liver disease. CONCLUSION: HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B is not an uncommon and benign entity and chronic liver disease develops in a significant proportion of such patients.
