Proteomic based approach for characterizing 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal induced oxidation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and goat (Capra hircus) meat myoglobins.

BACKGROUND: Myoglobin (Mb) is a sarcoplasmic heme protein primarily responsible for meat color and its chemistry is species specific. 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a cytotoxic lipid derived aldehyde detected in meat and was reported to covalently adduct with nucleophilic histidine residues of Mb and predispose it to greater oxidation. However, no literature is available on characterization of lipid oxidation induced oxidation of Indian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and goat (Capra hircus) myoglobins. METHODS: Present study characterize the Mb extracted from water buffalo and goat cardiac muscles using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE), OFFGEL electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MS). Purified buffalo and goat bright red oxymyoglobin were reacted with HNE in-vitro at physiological pH (7.4) and temperature (37 °C) conditions and the formation of oxidised brown metmyoglobin was measured. The Mb-HNE adducts were detected using MALDI-TOF MS, whereas specific sites of adduction was determined using ESI-QTOF MS/MS. RESULTS: Purified buffalo and goat Mb samples revealed a molecular mass of 17,043.6 and 16,899.9 Daltons, respectively. The 2DE analysis exhibited 65 (sarcoplasmic protein extract) and 6 (pure Mb) differentially expressed (P < 0.05) protein spots between buffalo and goat samples. OFFGEL electrophoresis revealed an isoelectric point of 6.77 and 7.35 respectively, for buffalo and goat Mb's. In-vitro incubation of HNE with bright red buffalo and goat oxymyoglobin's at pH 7.4 and 37 °C resulted in pronounced (P < 0.05) oxidation and formation of brown metmyoglobin. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of Mb-HNE reaction mix revealed covalent binding (via Michael addition) of 3 and 5 molecules of HNE with buffalo and goat Oxy-Mb's, respectively. ESI-QTOF MS/MS identified seven and nine histidine (HIS) residues of Mb that were readily adducted by HNE in buffalo and goat, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated better redox stability of buffalo Mb than goat Mb. Our findings confirm the hypothesis that relative effect of HNE was greater for Mb's with 12 ± 1 HIS residues than Mb's with 9 HIS residues and helps meat processors in developing species-specific processing strategies to reduce the color variability.

Antiulcer Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Salvadora indica (W.) Leaves on Albino Rats.

BACKGROUND: Ulcer can be developed inside the inner lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or the small intestine (duodenal ulcer). Both the ulcers are also cumulatively referred as peptic ulcers. It affects nearly 10% of world population. AIM: To investigate the antiulcer activity of ethanolic extract of Salvadora indica W. leaves (ESIL) on albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was carried by pylorus ligation, ethanol and cysteamine induced ulcer models in albino rats. The antiulcer activity of ESIL (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg p.o. for 7 days) was compared with standard drugs (Ranitidine). In pyloric ligation induced ulcer model, the studied parameters were gastric volume, pH, total acidity, free acidity, and ulcer index whereas in ethanol and cysteamine induced ulcer model, the ulcer index was determined for severity of ulcers. The parameters studied were ulcer index, gastric juice volume, pH, free acidity and total acidity. RESULTS: In pyloric ligation model; the volume of gastric content, total/free acidity and pepsin activity was significantly decreased at p<0.05 and p<0.01 and pH of the gastric juice was significantly increased at p<0.05 and p<0.01 in ESIL treated groups as compared to control group. All the doses of ESIL showed dose dependent antiulcer effect as well as significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01) reduction in the ulcer index as compared to control group in all the experimental models. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that the ESIL have better potential against ulcer which supports the traditional claims in folklore medicine.

Regional body composition changes during lactation in Indian women from the low-income group and their relationship to the growth of their infants.

BACKGROUND: Increased energy requirement during lactation may lead to maternal tissue depletion in women from poor subsistence communities. OBJECTIVES: To examine the regional body composition changes in undernourished lactating women and to assess the relationship of maternal body composition changes with weight gain of the infants. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Body composition was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in 35 lactating women at 4 time points: within 1 month after delivery (baseline) and at 6, 12, and 18 months postpartum. RESULTS: The mean age, height, and body mass index of the women were 23.5 years, 150.7 cm, and 20.0 kg/m(2), respectively. There were no significant differences in body weight or whole-body lean as well as fat mass at 4 time points, but the percentage fat decreased significantly during lactation. There was selective mobilization of fat mass from the leg region, whereas the appendicular skeletal mass (ASM) increased significantly. When the growth of the infants in the first 6 months (proxy for the lactation performance) was assessed in relation to the maternal body composition changes during that period, it was observed that the change in fat mass had a negative relationship to the weight gain of the infant. Change in the ASM during this period, however, had a significant positive relationship with the weight gain of the infants. CONCLUSION: There were important differences in the lactation-related changes in the regional body composition parameters of these undernourished women. Regional body composition changes may be related to the weight gain of the breast-fed infants.

Regional body composition of Indian women from a low-income group and its association with anthropometric indices and reproductive events.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The study examined the body composition of women from an urban slum who have a low prevalence of obesity. Since the quantification of regional fat distribution is important for evaluating health risks, the regional body composition was assessed in relation to anthropometric indices and reproductive events. METHODS: The body composition of 278 women was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Their mean age, height, body mass index, percentage of whole body fat and trunk fat mass to leg fat mass ratio (an indicator of android obesity) were 40.8 years, 149 cm, 22, 33 and 1.22, respectively. Receiver-operating characteristic analyses indicated that a body mass index of 20 and 22 corresponded to a percentage of whole body fat of 30 and 35, respectively. Higher weight was associated with increased android fat distribution and taller height was associated with higher lean body mass and gynoid fat distribution. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that menopausal status was associated with lower lean mass and higher android obesity whereas breast-feeding was related to lower leg fat mass. Heavy occupational work was associated with higher lean mass. CONCLUSION: The study women had a 'high fat muscle poor' phenotype. The association of regional body composition with anthropometric indices and reproductive events provided important insights.

Relationship between women's occupational work and bone health: a study from India.

Physical activity is known to influence the bone mass of an individual. Few studies have examined the effect of occupational activities on bone health. The present study investigated the relationship between occupational activities and the bone parameters measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 158 women from a low-income group in India. Women involved in three occupations with different bone-loading patterns (beedi (cigarette) makers, sweepers and construction workers) were included in the study. Anthropometric parameters, parity and percentage of menopausal women did not differ significantly between the three groups and dietary intake of Ca was low in all the groups. Bone mineral density (BMD) values of the overall group at all the sites were much lower than those reported from developed countries, possibly due to different body sizes in these regions. Femoral neck and hip BMD were not different in the three groups in spite of marked differences in activity patterns. However, bone area in the femoral neck was higher in the beedi makers compared with sweepers probably due to the squatting position adopted by beedi makers. Lumbar spine BMD was significantly lower among the sweepers when compared with the beedi makers and the groups performing walking and weight-bearing activities (sweepers and construction workers) had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine. However, weight-bearing effects of the upper body due to a squatting position were associated with better lumbar spine BMD in the beedi makers. The present study thus indicates that undernutrition might affect the relationship between occupational activities and bone parameters.

Comparative study on efficacy of Antimicrobial activity of three Ayurvedic drugs Balaguduchi, Dhanadanayanadi and Dasamoolabala on isolated Nosocomial Pathogens.

The antibacterial activity of various solvent fractions of Balaguduchi, Dhanadanayanadi and Dasamoolabala was studied against the isolated nosocomial pathogens by in vitro method. The methanol, acetone, choloroform, acetone fractions of test drugs and decoctions exhibited different levels of antibacterial activity from low to very high level against the gram positive and gram -negative bacteria. The zone of inhibition of each fraction of drugs was compared with the standard antibiotics Penicillin and Streptomycin. The present study proves and explains the ability and potency of the extracts of Balaguduchi, Dhanadanayanadi and Dasamoolabala as a preventive measure of secondary infections by bacteria in the hospitalixe patients. Even though, these medicines are prescribed in ayurveda for the different clinical indications, the possible secondary activity is also proved through this study.

Bone status of Indian women from a low-income group and its relationship to the nutritional status.

Indian women from low-income groups consume diets that have inadequate calcium coupled with too few calories, proteins and micronutrients. Hospital-based data suggest that these women have osteoporotic hip fractures at a much earlier age than Western women. Studies reporting bone parameters of the Indian population involving large sample sizes are not available. This study was therefore carried out with 289 women in the 30-60-year age group to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis and measure the bone parameters by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Their mean (+/- SD) age was 41.0+/-8.60 years. Their mean (+/- SD) height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were 149.1+/-5.49 cm, 49.2+/-9.85 kg and 22.1+/-3.99, respectively. Dietary intake of calcium was estimated to be 270+/-57 mg/day. The prevalence of osteoporosis at the femoral neck was around 29%. Bone mineral density (BMD) and T scores at all the skeletal sites were much lower than the values reported from the developed countries and were indicative of a high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis. BMD showed a decline after the age of 35 years in cases of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. This was largely due to a decrease of bone mineral content (BMC). The nutritional status of women appears to be an important determinant of bone parameters. BMD and BMC at all the skeletal sites and whole body increased significantly with increasing body weight and BMI of women (P<0.05). However, bone area (BA) did not change with an increase in BMI. In the multiple regression analysis, apart from body weight, age, menopause and calcium intake were the other important determinants of BMD (P<0.05). In addition to these, height was also an important determinant of WB-BMC. This study highlights the urgent need for measures to improve the nutritional status, dietary calcium intake and thus the bone health of this population.