Sports-Related Brain Injury and Neurodegeneration in Athletes.

Sports deserve a special place in human life to impart healthy and refreshing wellbeing. However, sports activities, especially contact sports, renders athlete vulnerable to brain injuries. Athletes participating in a contact sport like boxing, rugby, American football, wrestling, and basketball are exposed to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or concussions. The acute and chronic nature of these heterogeneous injuries provides a spectrum of dysfunctions that alters the neuronal, musculoskeletal, and behavioral responses of an athlete. Many sports-related brain injuries go unreported, but these head impacts trigger neurometabolic disruptions that contribute to long-term neuronal impairment. The pathophysiology of post-concussion and its underlying mechanisms are undergoing intense research. It also shed light on chronic disorders like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. In this review, we examined post-concussion neurobehavioral changes, tools for early detection of signs, and their impact on the athlete. Further, we discussed the role of nutritional supplements in ameliorating neuropsychiatric diseases in athletes.

Flow cytometry-based enumeration and functional characterization of CD8 T regulatory cells in patients with multiple myeloma before and after lenalidomide plus dexamethasone treatment.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma cells frequently associated with immune abnormalities. Several studies have confirmed that in MM immune deregulation can be mediated by increased numbers of CD4 T regulatory (Treg) cells, and these cells were also associated with poor outcome. In this study, we aimed to study CD8 Treg cells before and after lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (len-dex) treatment in MM patients. METHODS: Using flow cytometry, we enumerated and assessed suppressive function of CD8 Treg cells in 16 MM patients before and after len-dex treatment. RESULTS: Numbers of CD8 Treg cells (CD8+CD25hi+FoxP3+) (P < 0.01) were significantly increased in MM patients (before treatment) compared to healthy donors. However, no significant changes were observed in CD4 and CD8 T cells. A significant increase in CD8 Treg cells was observed after len-dex treatment compared to pre-treatment but no significant difference was observed in CD4 and CD8 T cells. Proliferation assay data showed that CD8 Treg cells inhibited proliferation of CD4 T cells and IFN-γ secretion in a concentration dependent manner. Suppressive activity of CD8 Treg cells did not differ significantly between healthy donors, untreated and len-dex treated MM patients. A significant abnormal level of IL-10 was observed from proliferation assays of untreated and len-dex treated MM patients compared to healthy donors (P ≤ 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Using flow cytometry, we have shown that suppressive CD8 Treg cells are increased in MM patients and len-dex treatment is unable to control these suppressive CD8 Treg cells.

Contribution of regulatory T cells to immunosuppression and disease progression in multiple myeloma patients.

Multiple myeloma (MM) patients exhibit consistent degrees of immune dysfunction. Regulatory T cells contribute to the establishment of an immunosuppressive status in MM patients, hence favoring disease progression.

Flow cytometry based enumeration and functional characterization of CD8 T regulatory cells in patients with multiple myeloma before and after lenalidomide plus dexamethasone treatment.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma cells frequently associated with immune abnormalities. Several studies have confirmed that in MM immune deregulation can be mediated by increased numbers of CD4 T regulatory (Treg) cells, and these cells were also associated with poor outcome. In the present study, we aimed to study CD8 Treg cells before and after lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (len-dex) treatment in MM patients. METHODS: Using flow cytometry, we enumerated and assessed suppressive function of CD8 Treg cells in 16 MM patients before and after len-dex treatment. RESULTS: Numbers of CD8 Treg cells (CD8+CD25hi+FoxP3+) (P<0.01) were significantly increased in MM patients (before treatment) compared to healthy donors. However, no significant changes were observed in CD4 and CD8 T cells. A significant increase in CD8 Treg cells was observed after len-dex treatment compared to pre-treatment but no significant difference was observed in CD4 and CD8 T cells. Proliferation assay data showed that CD8 Treg cells inhibited proliferation of CD4 T cells and IFN-γ secretion in a concentration dependent manner. Suppressive activity of CD8 Treg cells did not differ significantly between healthy donors, untreated and len-dex treated MM patients. A significant abnormal level of IL-10 was observed from proliferation assays of untreated and len-dex treated MM patients compared to healthy donors (P≤0.03). CONCLUSION: Using flow cytometry, we have shown that suppressive CD8 Treg cells are increased in MM patients and len-dex treatment is unable to control these suppressive CD8 Treg cells. © 2013 Clinical Cytometry Society.

Isolation, characterization and thin-layer chromatography method development of clerosterol palmityl ester: a chemical marker for standardization of leaves of Clerodendrum phlomidis.

OBJECTIVE: Clerosterol palmityl ester (CPE) is a unique clerosterol derivative isolated and characterized from the leaves of Clerodendrum phlomidis. Considering the uniqueness of this compound, the present study was planned to use CPE as a specific chemical marker and develop a new validated thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method for standardisation of C. phlomidis. METHODS: Separation and quantification of CPE were achieved by TLC using a mobile phase of petroleum ether (60 to 80 degrees centigrade) and ethyl acetate (95:5, volume ratio) (Rf 0.64) on precoated silica gel 60F(254) aluminium plates. Densitometric determination was carried out after derivatization with anisaldehyde sulphuric acid reagent in absorption mode at 527 nm. RESULTS: The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 100 to 500 ng/spot. The method was validated for precision, repeatability and accuracy. The proposed method was found to be simple, specific, precise, accurate, rapid and cost-effective. CONCLUSION: This TLC procedure may be used effectively for quantitative determination of CPE, identification of the plant and standardization of this plant or its derived products.

Isolation, characterization and thin-layer chromatography method development of clerosterol palmityl ester: a chemical marker for standardization of leaves of Clerodendrum phlomidis / 中西医结合学报

Clerosterol palmityl ester (CPE) is a unique clerosterol derivative isolated and characterized from the leaves of Clerodendrum phlomidis. Considering the uniqueness of this compound, the present study was planned to use CPE as a specific chemical marker and develop a new validated thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method for standardisation of C. phlomidis.

Comprehensive review of Clerodendrum phlomidis: a traditionally used bitter.

Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. f., (syn. Clerodendrum multiflorum (Burm.f) O. Kuntze, Volkameria multiflorum Burm. f.) (Lamiaceae) is an important and well known medicinal plant extensively used in Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine for treatment of various ailments. The popular therapies include on inflammation, diabetes, nervous disorder, asthma, rheumatism, digestive disorders, and urinary disorders as well as a bitter tonic. It was reported that pectolinaringenin, scutellarein, clerodin, clerodendrin, clerosterol, 24beta-ethylcholesta-5,22E,25-triene-3beta-ol, lup-20(29)-en-3-triacontanoate, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone-4,4'alpha-D-diglucoside, 7-hydroxyflavone, 7-hydroxyflavanone-7-O-glucoside and alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-naringin-4'-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside-5-methyl ether had been isolated from this plant. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts were reported active as analgesic, antidiarrhoeal, antiplasmodial, hypoglycemic, minor tranquilizers, anti-asthmatic, antifungal, nematicidal, anti-amnestic and anti-arthritic. There are coincidences between some of the traditional usages of this plant and experimentally observed effects of the extracts but very few biological studies available on bioactive fractions and/or pure compounds. This review is an attempt to compile the exhaustive literature on Clerodendrum phlomidis, to highlight, analyze and critically assess the pharmaceutical potential of this underestimated plant in a systematic way.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Kyllinga nemoralis (Hutch & Dalz) rhizomes.

AIM OF STUDY: In view of the use of rhizomes of Kyllinga nemoralis L., against hepatopathy in ethnomedicine the present study was aimed at evaluating the hepatoprotective activity of the rhizomes of Kyllinga nemoralis against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rats by carbon tetrachloride and olive oil (50%, v/v). i.p. ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Kyllinga nemoralis rhizomes were administered to the experimental rats (100 and 200mg/kg, p.o. for seven days). The hepatoprotective effect of these extracts was evaluated by the assay of liver function biochemical parameters and histopathological studies of the liver compared with silymarin. RESULTS: Both extracts showed significant hepatoprotection when compared to control, similar to standard silymarin. Histology of liver sections also revealed that the extracts protected liver from injury. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified a plant with potential hepatoprotective constituents which will be isolated and characterized in future.

Comprehensive review of Clerodendrum phlomidis: a traditionally used bitter / 中西医结合学报

Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. f., (syn. Clerodendrum multiflorum (Burm.f) O. Kuntze, Volkameria multiflorum Burm. f.) (Lamiaceae) is an important and well known medicinal plant extensively used in Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine for treatment of various ailments. The popular therapies include on inflammation, diabetes, nervous disorder, asthma, rheumatism, digestive disorders, and urinary disorders as well as a bitter tonic. It was reported that pectolinaringenin, scutellarein, clerodin, clerodendrin, clerosterol, 24beta-ethylcholesta-5,22E,25-triene-3beta-ol, lup-20(29)-en-3-triacontanoate, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone-4,4'alpha-D-diglucoside, 7-hydroxyflavone, 7-hydroxyflavanone-7-O-glucoside and alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-naringin-4'-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside-5-methyl ether had been isolated from this plant. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts were reported active as analgesic, antidiarrhoeal, antiplasmodial, hypoglycemic, minor tranquilizers, anti-asthmatic, antifungal, nematicidal, anti-amnestic and anti-arthritic. There are coincidences between some of the traditional usages of this plant and experimentally observed effects of the extracts but very few biological studies available on bioactive fractions and/or pure compounds. This review is an attempt to compile the exhaustive literature on Clerodendrum phlomidis, to highlight, analyze and critically assess the pharmaceutical potential of this underestimated plant in a systematic way.