Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on diphenyl hydantoin-induced genetic damage in vitro and in vivo.

Phenytoin sodium/diphenyl hydantoin (DPH) is used by a major segment of epileptics and neuro surgery patients with head injury to prevent seizures. DPH is a known mutagen, carcinogen, and teratogen. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are critical for various tissues and were reported to act as anti-mutagenic agents. In the present study we assessed the effect of five EFAs on DPH-induced genetic damage both in vitro and in vivo. DPH induced significant genetic damage. Of all the EFAs (linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid) studied, all except eicosapentaenoic acid showed significant decrease in DPH induced genetic damage as assessed by micronucleus (MN) test. However, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) was found to be the most effective in reducing the number of MN containing lymphocytes both in vitro and in vivo to control values. EFAs when tested alone produced insignificant increase in the amount of genetic damage but when tested in combination with DPH the number of micronuclei containing lymphocytes was reduced; but the DNA ladder pattern, an indication of DNA damage, was increased. This apparently paradoxical action of EFAs, especially of GLA, suggests that, in all probability, fatty acids induce apoptosis of cells that harbor significant DNA damage. Based on these results we suggest that GLA functions as a unique endogenous molecule that protects cells from accumulating genetic damage.

Religious practices in South India to cure diseases.

There is belief in South Indian villages that epidemics are due to evil spirits surrounding the villages. The propitiating of Gods and Goddesses to get rid of diseases in these villages are discussed. The Christian and Muslin traditions to cure the diseases by practising religion are also discussed.

Multiple endocrine responses to clonidine in obsessive compulsive dissorder.

Seventy two subjects with OCD were compared with 18 normal healthy volunteers on multiple neuroendocrine responses to clonidine. Significant heterogeneity in OCD was observed in responses of growth hormone. There was also significant disturbances in Cortisol and ACTH release. An interactional model for noradrenergic and serotonergic dysfunction in OCD is discussed.

Serum immunoglobulins and schizophrenia.

Fifty four schizophrenic patients, diagnosed as per Research Diagnostic Criteria, were studied for immunoglobulin profiles. The schizophrenics were subdivided into paranoid and non-paranoid groups and their immunoglobulin profiles were compared with those of normals. There was no significant difference between normals and schizophrenic groups. Duration of illness, previous episodes of schizopnrenia, family history of schizophrenia severity of psychosis and duration of hospital stay had no influence on serum IgG, IgA and IgM in schizophrenics. The results are discussed in the light of existing literature on immunoglobulin alterations in schizophrenia.

Thrombotic obstruction of Bjork-Shiley valves--diagnostic and surgical considerations.

We have evaluated 12 patients with thrombotic obstruction of the Bjork-Shiley valve since 1975, 11 in the mitral and 1 in the aortic position. During this period 442 patients with 303 mitral (181 plano-convex and 122 convexo-concave) and 205 aortic (112 plano-convex and 93 convexo-concave) Bjork-Shiley valves were available for follow-up. The incidence of thrombosis for the plano-convex model was 1.06% per patient year for the mitral position and 0.19% per patient year for the aortic position. The new convexo-concave model has brought down the incidence to 0.78% per patient year for the mitral (P less than 0.01) and 0% per patient year for the aortic valve. The onset of symptoms was acute (less than 15 days) in 41.7% and subacute (greater than 15 days) in 58.3% patients. All patients presented with pulmonary edema. Evidence of inadequate anticoagulation was present in only 3 (25%) patients. Reduction of prosthetic sounds and appearance of a new murmur was highly suggestive of valve thrombosis. Echocardiography and cinefluoroscopy was very useful for the instant recognition of this condition and had obviated the need for cardiac catheterisation in the last 6 patients. Emergency surgery was obligatory in all. Thrombectomy alone was successful in 9 patients. Three patients required replacement of the prosthesis. There was one operative death (mortality 8.3%). The long-term follow-up of these patients (3-82 months, mean 34 months) is excellent. We conclude that thrombotic obstruction of the Bjork-Shiley valve is often not related to inadequate anticoagulation, and more than half of the patients do not present with abrupt onset of symptoms. The convexo-concave model has significantly reduced this problem. Emergency surgery with thrombectomy is the procedure of choice for clotted prostheses.

Effect of lithium on serum electrolytes.

26 patients diagnosed as manic depressive psychosis were treated with lithium for three months and serum levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphates and proteins were estimated repeatedly. There were no significant changes in the levels of these electrolytes and proteins during the three months of study period.

A bi-compartmentl model system for lithium kinetics in mania.

Lithium T½ has been determined from Lp decay. It is clear that calculation of a single T½ from Lp decay is essentially incorrect as the decay is not exponential. The same data points have been analysed on a kinetic model yielding 3 different half lives too. The implication of the study is that the plasma and the erythrocyte systems undergo many local steady states instead of any global steady state. The rate of movement of Li (+) across plasma and erythrocyte undergoes fluctuations and may exhibit many more different half lives over a time period in either direction.