Antidiabetic, antihypercholesterolaemic and antioxidant effect of Ocimum sanctum (Linn) seed oil

Antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn. seed oil (OSSO) was investigated in rabbits. Administration of OSSO (0.8 g/kg body weight/day) for four weeks, in cholesterol (100 mg/kg body weight/day) fed rabbits significantly decreased serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL-+VLDL-cholesterol as compared to untreated cholesterol fed group. There was significant fall in atherogenic index in OSSO treated group. In addition, treatment with OSSO decreased lipid peroxidation and increased reduced glutathione content in blood. Antidiabetic effect of O. sanctum seed oil was evaluated in alloxan diabetic rabbits. Two weeks treatment of diabetic rabbits with OSSO (0.8 gm/kg/day) showed no significant hypoglycaemic effect. Results of the present study show that OSSO has hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects but it does not have antidiabetic effect.

Complete ureteral avulsion

Complete avulsion of the ureter is one of the most serious complications of ureteroscopy. It requires open or laparoscopic intervention for repair. This case report emphasizes its management and presents recommendations for prevention in current urological practice.

Port-access approach for cardiac surgical procedures: our experience in 776 patients

BACKGROUND

Recent advances in minimally invasive technology has expanded the application of the right thoracotomy approach for mitral valve surgery and atrial septal defect closure. The present study examines the feasibility, safety and efficacy of this technique.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between September 1997 and December 2004, 430 patients underwent mitral valve surgery through right anterolateral thoracotomy. The mitral valve was repaired in 62 patients, and 368 patients underwent mitral valve replacement. During same period, 336 patients underwent surgical closure of atrial septal defect. In all cases femoral artery and femoral venous cannulation was used for cardiopulmonary bypass. There was no approach-related limitation to surgical exposure, nor complication in cannulation of femoral vessels through the groin. Mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp time was 90 +/- 48 min and 51 +/- 29 min, respectively. Mean intubation time was 14.8 hours (range: 8-28 hours). Mean duration of intensive care andhospital stay was 26 hours (range: 18-38 hours) and 7 days (range: 5-17 days), respectively. In the atrial septal defect group, the mean cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time was 29 +/- 14 min and 19 +/- 8 min, respectively. Mean intensive care unit stay and mean hospital stay was 9.8 +/- 2.6 hours and 4.0 +/- 1.9 days, respectively. Hospital mortality was 0.46% (2/430) in the mitral valve group while there was no hospital mortality in atrial septal defect group. At a mean follow-up of 38.0 +/- 6.2 months there was one late death and two re-operations in the patients who underwent mitral valve surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Port-access approach is safe, offers faster recovery, cosmetic advantage, more patient satisfaction: it obviates the complications due to re-entry in redo cases and offers same efficacy as conventional operation. Furthermore, it is an excellent approach for mitral valve surgery in patients who had previous cardiac procedures. It has become our standard approach for repair of atrial septal defect and isolated mitral valve procedures.

In vivo enzymatic digestion, in vitro xylanase digestion, metabolic analogues, surfactants and polyethylene glycol ameliorate laccase production from Ganoderma sp. kk-02

AIMS

The effect of in vivo enzymatic digestion (IVED), in vitro xylanase digestion (IVXD), metabolic analogues, surfactants and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on laccase production from Ganoderma sp. kk-02 was studied.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An acidic laccase producing Ganoderma sp. kk-02 produced 16.0 U ml(-1) and 365.0 U g(-1) of laccase, when grown under submerged (SmF) and solid state (SSF) fermentation conditions, respectively. Modification of the substrate (wheat bran) molecular architecture by IVED and IVXD increased subsequent laccase production from Ganoderma sp. kk-02 by 1.31-fold (21.0 U ml(-1)) (SmF); 2.21-fold (810.0 U g(-1)) (SSF) and 1.10-fold (18.0 U ml(-1)) (SmF); 1.78-fold (650.0 U g(-1)) (SSF) when compared with untreated wheat bran. Further enhancement in laccase yield under SmF and SSF was obtained when IVED treated wheat bran was used in conjunction with amino acids [DL-tryptophan, 2.66-fold (56.0 U ml(-1)) SmF; 2.86-fold (2324.0 U g(-1)) SSF], vitamins [biotin, 1.71-fold (36.0 U ml(-1)) SmF; 3.06-fold (2483.0 U g(-1)) SSF], surfactants [Tween-40, 1.85-fold (39.0 U ml(-1)) SmF; 2.25-fold (1828.0 U g(-1)) SSF], and PEG [PEG 6000, 1.93-fold (40.0 U ml(-1)) SmF; 1.58-fold (1284.0 U g(-1)) SSF].

CONCLUSIONS

The IVED of substrate (wheat bran) facilitated hyper laccase production in presence of additives from Ganoderma sp. kk-02.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The study highlights a new methodology viz. IVED for concomitant and economic production of diverse enzymes using the same substrate. The hyper laccase levels obtained could improve the economic competitiveness of environmentally benign processes applied in varied industries. The work also provides an insight into the regulation of complex metabolic pathways governing the expression of extra cellular proteins from white-rot fungi.

Protrusion of bladder mucosa in exstrophy mimicking cloacal exstrophy

An interesting case of bladder exstrophy with protrusion of bladder mucosa mimicking cloacal exstrophy is reported. The child presented with continuous leakage of urine and swelling in the lower abdomen since birth. Before the operation, this was considered to be a variant of cloacal exstrophy.

Rh iso-immunisation with syndrome of hepatocellular damage. An unusual presentation with review of literature

Rh iso-immunisation is prevalent in many underdeveloped countries. Severe haemolytic anaemia with or without hydrops fetalis, dangerous level of haemolytic unconjugated bilirubin and imminent bilirubin encephalopathy are the hallmarks of haemolytic disease of the newborn. The investigative protocols and efficient management of this entity are adequately described in literature. An unusual manifestation of this disease with severe hepatocellular damage and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia was noticed in a neonate. The literature has been reviewed and the specific symptom complex has been attributed to 'syndrome of hepatocellular damage', which is a rare accompaniment of haemolytic disease of the newborn. Attempts have been made to describe the syndrome in detail, with latest reference regarding complete workup and management. Few useful tips for prevention of the disease in a community background have been suggested.

Robotically enhanced coronary artery bypass surgery

BACKGROUND

Robotically enhanced telemanipulation surgery is a fast developing technique which allows totally endoscopic cardiac surgery with utmost precision and perfection on both beating heart as well as arrested heart.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between December 2002 and February 2004, 125 patients underwent robotically enhanced coronary artery bypass surgery using the da Vinci telemanipulation system (Intuitive Surgical Inc., California). Eleven patients underwent totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass surgery. Of them 9 were done on beating heart while 2 were done on arrested heart. One hundred and fourteen patients had endoscopic takedown of internal mammary artery followed by minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass in 63 patients and left anterolateral thoracotomy in 51 patients. The internal mammary artery mobilization time was 42 min (35-74 min) while the left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending artery anastomosis time ranged from 20 to 36 min for the totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass patients. In 1 patient, the right internal mammary artery was anastomosed to diagonal artery totally endoscopically. The mean internal mammary artery flow by Doppler measurement done in patients undergoing minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass was 64 ml/min. Seven patients required conversion to median sternotomy and coronary bypass surgery on beating heart. The mean intensive care unit stay was 1.2 days and the mean hospital stay 4.5 days. There was 1 in-hospital mortality. All 11 patients who underwent totally endoscopic bypass surgery had coronary angiography done at 3 months interval which showed 100% patency in 10 patients while one patient had 50% anastomotic narrowing for which coronary angioplasty was done in the same sitting.

CONCLUSIONS

Using telematic technology, a complete endoscopic anastomosis is possible in both single vessel and suitable double vessel disease patients. The use of robotics is now extended to achieve complete myocardial revascularization by harvesting both the internal mammary arteries and making a small thoracotomy for direct anastomosis as well.

Effect of ?-arginine on restraint stress induced modulation of immune responses in rats and mice

The present study investigates the role of nitric oxide (NO) on restraint stress (RS)-induced modulation of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in rats and mice. RS produced suppression of humoral immune response, i.e., anti-SRBC antibody titre ( 7.38 +/- 0.32 versus 4.13 +/- 0.30; mean +/- S.E.M., P < 0.001). In case of cell-mediated immunity, in delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response the change in paw volume decreased from 0.069 +/- 0.003 mm (mean +/- S.E.M.) in control non-stressed group to 0.038 +/- 0.002 mm in the stressed group (P < 0.001) while percentage leucocyte migration inhibition (% LMI) decreased from 39.7 +/- 1.95 in control non-stressed animals to 15.2 +/- 1.07 in animals subjected to stress (P < 0.01). Pretreating the animals with an NO precursor, L-arginine (1000 mg kg-1, i.p.) antagonized the effect of RS on humoral (anti-SRBC antibody titre 6.50 +/- 0.27 versus 4.13 +/- 0.30, P < 0.001 ) and cell-mediated (DTH response 0.066 +/- 0.002 mm versus 0.038 +/- 0.002 mm, P < 0.001; % LMI 41.5 +/- 1.46 versus 15.2 +/- 1.07, P < 0.01) immune responses. Administration of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, 50 mg kg-1, i.p.), an inhibitor of neuronal NO synthase, alone further enhanced the immunosuppressive effect of RS (anti-SRBC antibody titre 2.75 +/- 0.25 versus 4.13 +/- 0.30, P < 0.001; DTH response 0.019 +/- 0.002 mm versus 0.038 +/- 0.002 mm, P < 0.001; % LMI 5.0 +/- 1.08 versus 15.2 +/- 1.07, P < 0.01). However, when given before L-arginine treatment, 7-NI reversed the effect of the latter drug on stress-induced immunomodulation (anti-SRBC antibody titre 3.00 +/- 0.27 versus 6.5 +/- 0.27, P < 0.001; DTH response 0.043 +/- 0.003 mm versus 0.066 +/- 0.002 mm, P < 0.001; % LMI 12.0 +/- 0.93 versus 41.5 +/- 1.46, P < 0.01). Unlike its effect on RS-induced immune responsiveness, L-arginine (250, 500, 1000 mg kg-1) when given for 5-7 days to naive non-stressed animals produced dose dependent suppression of both humoral (anti-SRBC antibody titre 6.4 +/- 0.32 versus 5.4 +/- 0.32, 4.0 +/- 0.27, 3.1 +/- 0.30, respectively) and cell-mediated (DTH 0.065 +/- 0.003 mm versus 0.064 +/- 0.004 mm, 0.039 +/- 0.003 mm, 0.020 +/- 0.002 mm, respectively and % LMI 37.52 +/- 1.58 versus 30.48 +/- 1.07, 28.18 +/- 1.22, 19.76 +/- 0.83, respectively) immune responses. 7-NI significantly blocked these immunosuppressive effects of L-arginine (anti-SRBC antibody titre 6.0 +/- 0.38 versus 3.1 +/- 0.030, P < 0.01; DTH response 0.056 +/- 0.004 mm versus 0.020 +/- 0.002 mm, P < 0.001; % LMI 34.76 +/- 1.31 versus 19.76 +/- 0.83, P < 0.01). However, 7-NI when given to non-stressed animals failed to modulate immune responsiveness. Thus, NO appears to play an important role in RS-induced immunomodulation and these effects are different from its effect on immune responsiveness in non-stressed animals.

Evaluation of the role of melatonin in formalin-induced pain response in mice

BACKGROUND

Melatonin, the major secretory product of pineal gland has been suggested to play a regulatory role in the circadian rhythm of body activities including the pain sensitivity. Three subtypes of melatonin receptors, i.e. ML1, ML2 and ML3 have been identified.

AIM

To investigate the antinociceptive activity of melatonin and to unravel the underlying receptor mechanisms involved in this action.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Effect of melatonin (25-100 mg/kg, ip) and its interaction with putative melatonin receptor antagonists and opioidergic and serotoninergic agents have been studied in formalin test, a model of tonic continuous pain. Formalin (0.1 ml of 1% solution) was injected under the plantar surface of right hind paw of mice and the time an animal spent in licking the injected paw was measured.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The data were analysed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

Injection of formalin produced two phases of intense licking, an early phase (0-5 min) and a late phase (20-25 min). Melatonin dose-dependently decreased the licking response in both the phases, effect being more marked in the late phase. Luzindole, a ML1 receptor antagonist did not block but rather enhanced the antinociceptive activity of melatonin. However, prazosin, a ML2 receptor antagonist in the low dose (0.5 mg/kg) significantly attenuated but in higher dose (1 mg/kg) enhanced the analgesic effect of melatonin. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist did not reverse but morphine, an opioid agonist enhanced the antinociceptive activity of melatonin. Both mianserin and ondansetron the 5HT2 and 5HT3 receptor antagonists, respectively increased the analgesic effect of melatonin.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest the involvement of ML2 receptors in mediating the antinociceptive activity of melatonin in formalin-induced pain response. Further an interplay between melatonin, alpha-1 adrenergic and 5HT2 and 5HT3 serotoninergic receptors may also be participating in this action.

Receptor mechanisms involved in the anticonvulsant effect of melatonin in maximal electroshock seizures

The present study investigates the mechanisms involved in the anticonvulsant effect of melatonin in maximum electroshock (MES) seizures. Melatonin (25-100 mg/kg) dose-dependently decreased the duration of tonic hindlimb extension (THLE). The anticonvulsant effect of melatonin was blocked by bicuculline, a GABA(A) receptor antagonist, and luzindole, an ML(1) receptor antagonist, while prazosin, an ML(2) receptor antagonist, enhanced the anticonvulsant actions of melatonin in this seizure model. Administration of serotonergic agents, mianserin and ondansetron, along with melatonin, increased the antiseizurogenic activity of melatonin, while buspirone had no effect. Pretreating the animals with diazepam, carbamazepine or lamotrigine enhanced the anticonvulsant effect of melatonin. Melatonin thus appears to be an effective anticonvulsant, and melatonin ML(1) receptors, GABAergic and serotonergic mechanisms may play an important role in mediating the anticonvulsant activity of melatonin in electroshock seizures.

An efficient protocol for shoot regeneration and genetic transformation of pigeonpea [ Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp] using leaf explants

A protocol for efficient plant regeneration from leaf explants of pigeonpea [ Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] was developed for the production of transgenic plants. Leaf explants from 4- to 5-day-old in vitro raised seedlings were most efficient in producing multiple adventitious shoots in 90% of the explants on shoot induction medium [Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium +5.0 microM benzyladenine +5.0 microM kinetin]. Shoot buds originated from the petiolar cut end of the explants and elongated rapidly on medium containing 0.58 microM gibberellic acid. Over 80% of the elongated shoots rooted well on MS medium containing 11.42 microM indole-3-acetic acid and were transplanted with 100% success. The procedure reported here is very simple, efficient and reproducible, and is applicable across diverse genotypes of pigeonpea. The usefulness of this system for further studies on the genetic transformation of pigeonpea has been demonstrated in biolistics-mediated gene transfer by using nptII and uidA as marker genes, where 50% of the selected plants showed gene integration and expression.

Orally effective drugs for kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis): focus on miltefosine and sitamaquine

Currently there are no effective orally administered drugs or visceral leishmaniasis or kala-azar, a parasitic disease affecting about 0.5 million people a year, majority of whom are in India and adjacent areas of Nepal. Symptoms of affected patients are fever, cachexia, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. The disease is usually fatal, if left untreated. Traditionally kala-azar is treated with four weeks of injections of sodium stibogluconate, a pentavalent antimonial. However, this treatment has not only shown resistance in 37-64% patients of the current Indian epidemic in Bihar (the epicentrre) but also life-threatening cardiotoxicity in 7-10% and treatment-related deaths in 5-10% cases, besides being unsuccessful at times. Parenteral amphotericin B is used as a secondary agent that shows 95% effectiveness but its toxicity and high cost of even the well tolerated liposomal complex precludes its wide use in the developing countries, where the disease is present in epidemic proportions. Recently, miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine), a compound originally developed as an antitumour agent has been shown to be an orally effective drugs against kala-azar. All clinical trials with this drug are conducted in India in patients of visceral leishmaniasis. A regimen of 100 mg per day or 50 mg twice daily for 3-4 weeks was observed to produce a cure rate of 100%. Gastrointestinal side effects were frequent (62%) but no patient discontinued the therapy. A phase III trial involving 300 HIV-negative adults and adolescents is underway in India and the drug is hoped to be licensed in the next 2-3 years. Few studies of phase II clinical trials mainly conducted in Kenya with another drug, sitamaquine or kalazaquine (WR 6026), an 8-aminoquinoline has also shown promise as an orally effective agent (in a dose of 1 mg/kg/day for two weeks) for visceral leishmaniasis. These Studies with two orally effective compounds, it appears, will open new vistas for orally effective, affordable and acceptable drugs in the armamentarium for the treatment of kala-azar. It is expected that in future we would have effective ways to prevent and treat all forms of leishmaniasis without discomforting the patient.

Attenuation of the effect of progesterone and 4'-chlordiazepam on stress-induced immune responses by bicuculline

The present study investigates the effect of progesterone, a pregnane precursor of neurosteroids, and 4'-chlordiazepam (4'-CD), a specific ligand for mitochondrial diazepam binding inhibitor receptor (MDR) involved in neurosteroidogenesis, on restraint stress (RS)-induced modulation of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. RS produced a significant reduction in anti-sheep red blood cells (SRBC) antibody titre, a measure of humoral immune response, and % leucocyte migration inhibition (LMI) and foot-pad thickness test, measures of cell-mediated immune responses. These effects of RS on immune responses were effectively blocked by pretreating the animals with progesterone (10 mg/kg, sc) or 4'-CD (0.5 mg/kg, sc) administered just before subjecting the animal to RS. The effect of both progesterone and 4'-CD on RS-induced immune modulation was significantly attenuated by bicuculline (2 mg/kg, ip) but not by flumazenil (10 mg/kg, ip). Unlike its effect on RS-induced immune responsiveness, progesterone (5, 10 mg/kg, sc) when administered to non-stressed animals produced a significant suppression of both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses which was not reversed by bicuculline. However, 4'-CD failed to modulate immune response in naive non-stressed animals. These results suggest that progesterone and 4'-CD affect stress-induced immune responses by modulating GABA-ergic mechanism. However, GABA-A receptor system does not appear to be involved in progesterone-induced immunosuppression in nonstressed animals.

Effect of minocycline and tetracycline on immunological responses in experimental animals

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of antibiotics, primarily tetracycline anlogues, like minocy cline to treat rheumatoid arthritis. However, the mechanism of action of these analogues is not clearly defined. The present study investigates the effects of minocycline and tetracycline on some immunological parameters in Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice. Haemagglutination (HA) titre was employed as parameter of humoral immune response and % leukocyte migration inhibition (% LMI) and footpad thickness tests were used as measures of cell mediated immune response. Both minocycline and tetracycline significantly improved humoral immune response in rats as indicated by an increase in anti-SRBC antibody titre. In the LMI test, depending on the time period of drug administration, there was an increase or a decrease in the % LMI. When drugs were administered on days 1-7 after sensitization, both the compounds caused a significant increase in % LMI. However, the % LMI was significantly decreased when the drugs were administered on days 7-13 of sensitization, indicating variable effects of these agents on the Immune mechanism depending on the time of administration in relation to the development of immune responsiveness. Both minocycline as well as tetracycline produced a significant decrease in the paw volume in the footpad-thickness test which indicates a decrease in lymphokine production/release. The present study thus shows that minocycline and tetracycline exhibit immunomodulatory properties, which may contribute significantly to their beneficial effects in rheumatoid arthritis.

Conformational specificity of mini-αA-crystallin as a molecular chaperone

The chaperone activity and biophysical properties of the 19 amino acid peptide DFVIFLDVKHFSPEDLTVK, identified as the functional element in alphaA-crystallin and here referred to as mini-alphaA-crystallin, were studied using light scattering and spectroscopic methods after altering its sequence and enantiomerism. The all-D and all-L conformers of the peptide do not show marked differences in their chaperone-like activity against heat-induced aggregation of alcohol dehydrogenase at 48 degrees C and dithiothreitol-induced aggregation of insulin. The retro peptide does not show any secondary structure and is also unable to act like a chaperone. Both all-L and all-D peptides lose their beta-sheet conformations, hydrophobicity and chaperone-like activity at temperatures > 50 degrees C. However, upon cooling, a significant portion of those properties was regained, suggesting temperature-dependent, reversible structural alterations in the peptides under investigation. We propose that both the hydrophobicity and beta-sheet conformation of the functional element of alphaA-crystallin are essential for chaperone-like activity.