Protective effects of Eugenia jambolana extract versus N-acetyl cysteine against cisplatin-induced damage in rat testis

To assess the protective effects of Eugenia jambolana extract (EJE) or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on testis, cisplatin (CIS, 5 mg kg(-1) bw, single dose) was administered either alone or along with EJE (25 mg kg(-1) bw, alternate day) or NAC (150 mg kg(-1) bw, Day 1 and 4) for 7 days. Significant alterations in serum LH, FSH and testosterone were observed in CIS group which were effectively modulated by EJE or NAC supplementation. Upregulation of 3β-HSD gene indicated the rise in functional Leydig cells. This was further confirmed from the identical improvement in hCG-stimulated testosterone production in isolated Leydig cells. Reduction in oxidative stress was associated with restoration of total antioxidant capacity and glutathione levels, and activation of antioxidant enzymes, SOD, catalase, glutathione s-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR). CIS-induced apoptosis of germ and Leydig cells was contained by both NAC and EJE intervention by effective modulation of apoptotic markers in the extrinsic, intrinsic and other pathways of metazoan apoptosis. Taken together, the study findings establish the potential of EJE as a therapeutically better antioxidant than NAC for use in curtailing the adverse effects of anticancer drugs on testicular function.

Prevalence of hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus and hepatitis E virus as causes of acute viral hepatitis in North India: a hospital based study

CONTEXT

Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) is a major public health problem and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality.

AIM

The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) as causes of AVH in a tertiary care hospital of North India.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Blood samples and clinical information was collected from cases of AVH referred to the Grade I viral diagnostic laboratory over a 1-year period.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV total antibodies, anti-HAV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and anti-HEV IgM by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PCR for nucleic acid detection of HBV and HCV was also carried out. Those positive for HBV infection were tested for anti-HDV antibodies.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Fisher's exact test was used and a P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of the 267 viral hepatitis cases, 62 (23.22%) patients presented as acute hepatic failure. HAV (26.96%) was identified as the most common cause of acute hepatitis followed by HEV (17.97%), HBV (16.10%) and HCV (11.98%). Co-infections with more than one virus were present in 34 cases; HAV-HEV co-infection being the most common. HEV was the most important cause of acute hepatic failure followed by co-infection with HAV and HEV. An indication towards epidemiological shift of HAV infection from children to adults with a rise in HAV prevalence was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report indicating epidemiological shift of HAV in Uttar Pradesh.

A prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing the left lateral, modified lateral and sitting positions for spinal block characteristics for Cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND

Maternal position affects spinal block characteristics. We investigated the effect of lateral, modified lateral and sitting position for spinal anesthesia with 2 mL hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% on spinal block characteristics in this prospective, randomized study.

METHODS

Seventy-five ASA physical status I parturients were randomly allocated to the left lateral to supine-wedged, modified lateral to supine-wedged with a10°head-up tilt or the sitting to supine-wedged position for induction of spinal anesthesia for Cesarean delivery. Neural block was assessed by pin prick and modified Bromage scale. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank sum test, where appropriate. P<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Onset time (mean ± SD) for sensory block to T5 dermatome for the lateral, modified lateral and sitting groups was 6.8 ± 2.7, 13.6 ± 6.2 and 9.7 ± 5.5 min, respectively; P<0.001. The median (interquartile range) maximum dermatomal level was significantly lower in the modified lateral group (T5[T3-T5]) compared with the lateral (T3[T2-T4]) and sitting (T3[T3-T4]) groups, respectively; P=0.022 and P=0.030, respectively. Three women in the modified lateral group required general anesthesia compared with none in the other groups; P= 0.044. Apgar scores and cord blood pH, PO2 and PCO2 were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION

The modified lateral position with 10 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine was associated with a slower onset and a lower maximum sensory block necessitating higher requirement for conversion to general anesthesia. It did not offer any advantage over lateral and sitting positions for induction of spinal anesthesia for elective Cesarean delivery and cannot be recommended.

Spermicidal activity of Indian seaweeds: an in vitro study

Contraceptive properties of seaweeds are still stands as lacuna; in this context, the screening of in vitro male contraceptive properties of crude ethanolic extract of Indian seaweeds against normal human sperm is carried out. In total, twelve seaweeds were screened for in vitro spermicidal activity. Among these twelve seaweeds, Halimeda gracilis showed 100% inhibition of human spermatozoa at 10 mg ml(-1) concentration in 20 s and its EC50 value was 2.05 mg ml(-1) in 20 s. Further, dose- and time-dependent spermicidal assay revealed that the sperm was completely immobilised for 20 s. Plasma membrane of sperm was damaged due to the exposure of H. gracilis extract. MTT assay with H. gracilis extract showed 88.5% of cytotoxic incidence. H. gracilis extract tested for cytotoxicity against Artemia salina recorded LC50 value of 34.8 μg ml(-1) . Phytochemical analysis of H. gracilis extract evidenced the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, proteins and sugars. Results of this study clearly inferred that the synergistic effect of active principles reside within the H. gracilis extract had shown better contraceptive activity.

Antifouling activity of the methanolic extract of Syringodium isoetifolium, and its toxicity relative to tributyltin on the ovarian development of brown mussel Perna indica

The present study evaluated reproductive toxicity and antifouling activity of methanolic extract of seagrass Syringodium isoetifolium (25 μg/ml) relative to the conventional antifoulant, tributyltin (TBT; 100 ng/l) on the ovarian development of the brown mussel Perna indica. Gonado Somatic Index (GSI) and Digestive Gland Index (DGI) of TBT exposed mussels decreased in comparison with mussels exposed to S. isoetifolium extract. Interestingly, mussels treated with S. isoetifolium showed normal cellular architecture in gills, digestive gland, muscle and ovary. However, TBT increased interfilamental space and fusion of the filaments in gills, disruption in the digestive tubules and reduction in basement membrane thickness. Besides in adductor muscle, TBT induced muscle degeneration, and necrotic muscle layer. In ovary, TBT inflicted the fusion of developing oocytes. TBT had significantly retarded the ovarian development and substantially affected the biochemical constituents leading to an impairment of oogenesis as against the null effects noticed from the S. isoetifolium extract treated mussels. On the ground of eco-friendly properties, the seagrass S. isoetifolium could be used as a source for the production of green antifoulant.

Analysis of the perioperative and five-year oncological outcome of two hundred cases of open radical cystectomy: a single center experience

OBJECTIVES

We prospectively evaluated our perioperative and five-year oncological results of 200 cases of open radical cystectomy with urinary diversion, for formulating contemporary benchmarks, for future comparison of minimally invasive techniques. This is one of the largest prospective series reported from India of open radical cystectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2004 and 2009, patients undergoing open radical cystectomy with urinary diversion, at our institution, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Data were recorded and analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 65.1 years. The patients undergoing ileal conduit and orthotopic neobladder were 159 (79.5%) and 41 (20.5%), respectively. The mean operating time was 275 minutes. The mean operating time for ileal conduit and orthotopic neobladder were 262 minutes and 288 minutes, respectively. The mean estimated blood loss was 690 ml. Blood transfusion was required in 37 (18.5%) patients. The mean hospital stay was 6.1 days. Major and minor complications were recorded in 16 (8%) and 31 (15.5%) patients, respectively. Perioperative mortality was recorded in only two (1.5%) patients. The pathologically organ-confined and non-organ-confined cases were 135 (67.5%) and 65 (32.5%), respectively. Thirty-three (16.5%) patients had pathologically confirmed lymph nodes. Median follow-up was 60.1 months. Local recurrence and distant metastases were recorded in 16 (8%) and nine (4.5%) patients, respectively. A five-year disease-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival were 75.5, 71.5, and 63.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Open radical cystectomy has an acceptable perioperative morbidity and mortality, along with a favorable five-year oncological efficacy. Minimally invasive techniques need a long-term prospective comparison with this approach, before being accepted as a standard treatment for urinary bladder malignancy.

Cytoprotective effects of fruit pulp of Eugenia jambolana on H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat Leydig cells in vitro

This study was undertaken to investigate the cytoprotective effect of the fruit pulp of Eugenia jambolana (50-250 μg ml(-1) ) against the damage induced by H 2 O 2 (100 μm) exposure to Leydig cells in vitro. Cell survival with extract was found comparable to similar effects by N-acetyl-l-cysteine. H 2 O 2 -induced rise in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance formation and decline in the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-s-transferase were effectively checked. Cellular glutathione and total antioxidant capacity demonstrated significant improvement. The increase in expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase leading to NO production was successfully countered. Co-treatment of the extract helped in the down-regulation of caspase-3 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase resulting in a significant reduction in Leydig cell apoptosis induced by H 2 O 2 . Upstream marker proteins of extrinsic (caspase-8, Fas, FasL) and intrinsic (caspase-9) pathway of metazoan apoptosis were identically down-regulated. The Bcl-2 family of proteins, though, remained unaffected. The extract also positively modulated the other marker proteins like c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase, p38, Akt, nuclear factor-κB, c-Fos, cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein, cyclooxygenase-2 and p53. Taken together, the above-mentioned findings establish the anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic potency of the extract that ameliorates the H 2 O 2 -induced adverse effects on rat Leydig cells in vitro.