Salubrious effects of lipoic acid against adriamycin-induced clastogenesis and apoptosis in Wistar rat bone marrow cells

Adriamycin (ADR), an anthracycline antibiotic, which is widely used as an antineoplastic drug in the treatment of various solid tumors, has been shown to induce genotoxicity in erythropoietic system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective efficacy of DL-alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on ADR-induced clastogenicity and apoptosis in the bone marrow of rats. The animals were randomly divided into eight groups consisting of six rats each. Five groups were administered ADR (20 mg/kg body weight, i.v.) to induce genotoxicity; four of these groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of LA at a dose of either 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight, and either 30 or 60 min prior to ADR administration. A vehicle treated control group and LA control groups were also included. The beneficial effects of LA were monitored by DNA strand breaks, chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus assay and apoptotic studies in the bone marrow cells of rats after 24 h following single dose of ADR treatment. ADR treatment caused significant clastogenicity and apoptosis in rat bone marrow cells. The treatment with LA showed significant reduction in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations, DNA strand breaks and apoptosis in bone marrow cells as well as decreased the micronuclei formation in bone marrow and peripheral blood of rats treated with ADR. The protective effect of LA was found to be stronger at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight than 100 mg/kg body weight dosage with respect to the above results, indicating the dose dependent effect of LA. However, the protection by LA was not dependent on the time intervals between LA and ADR administration. The results of this study illustrate the protective effect of LA on ADR-induced clastogenicity and apoptosis in the erythropoietic system of rats.

Effect of dietary substitution of groundnut oil on blood glucose, lipid profile, and redox status in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

The effect of groundnut oil on blood glucose, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant status in streptozotocin-diabetic rats was investigated and compared with diabetic and drug-treated rats. Diabetes was induced in adult female Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg b-wt). Normal and diabetic rats were fed an oil-free diet containing 2 percent oil supplemented with groundnut oil (6g per 94 g diet), to give 8 percent oil content, for 42 days. Diabetic rats had elevated levels of glucose (322.61 +/- 9.49), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)), vitamin E, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and lipid hydroperoxides (HP) and decreased levels of hemoglobin (Hb), vitamin C, and reduced glutathione (GSH). An increase in the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and a decrease in hexokinase activity also were observed in the liver and kidney. When diabetic rats were fed groundnut oil, a significant reduction in glucose (244.04 +/- 11.66), HbA(1c), TBARS, HP levels, and glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities and an elevation in Hb, vitamin E, GSH levels, and hexokinase activity were observed. Diabetic rats had elevated total cholesterol (TC), VLDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG) and decreased HDL-cholesterol. Diabetic rats fed groundnut oil showed a small but significant reduction in TC, VLDL-C, LDL-C, and TG and an elevation in HDL-C. Groundnut oil consumption slightly but significantly decreases the blood glucose, HbA(1c), lipid peroxidation, and lipid profile and increases antioxidant levels in diabetic rats.

Influence of Sesame Oil on Blood Glucose, Lipid Peroxidation, and Antioxidant Status in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

The present study was carried out to assess the influence of sesame oil on blood glucose, lipid peroxidation, and status of antioxidants in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in adult female albino Wistar rats weighing 180-200 g by administration of STZ (40 mg/kg of body weight) intraperitonially. Both normal and diabetic rats were fed with a commercial diet containing 2% oil supplemented with 6% sesame oil for 42 days. Diabetic rats had elevated levels of blood glucose (322.61 +/- 9.49 mg/dL), glycosylated hemoglobin, vitamin E, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and lipid hydroperoxides and decreased levels of hemoglobin, vitamin C, and reduced glutathione (GSH). An increase in glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities and a decrease in hexokinase activity were observed in liver and kidney tissues. When diabetic rats fed with sesame oil were compared with diabetic rats, a significant reduction in levels of blood glucose (222.02 +/- 8.27 mg/dL), glycosylated hemoglobin, TBARS, and lipid hydroperoxides and glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities and an elevation in hemoglobin, vitamin E, and GSH levels and hexokinase activity were observed. Thus, sesame oil consumption influences beneficially the blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant levels in diabetic rats.

Antidiabetic effect of diasulin, a herbal drug, on blood glucose, plasma insulin and hepatic enzymes of glucose metabolism in hyperglycaemic rats

AIM

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of diasulin, a polyherbal drug, on blood glucose, plasma insulin and the activities of hepatic glucose metabolic enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats, body weight of 180-200 g (12 normal and 30 diabetic rats), were used in this study. The rats were divided into seven groups after the induction of alloxan diabetes. In the experiment, six rats were used in each group. Group 1: normal rats given 2 ml of saline; group 2: normal rats given aqueous solution of diasulin (0.20 g/kg of body weight); group 3: diabetic control rats given 2 ml of saline; group 4: diabetic rats given aqueous solution of diasulin (0.05 g/kg of body weight); group 5: diabetic rats given aqueous solution of diasulin (0.10 g/kg of body weight); group 6: diabetic rats given aqueous solution of diasulin (0.20 g/kg of body weight) and group 7: diabetic rats given aqueous solution of glibenclamide (600 micro g/kg of body weight). The treatment was given for 30 days. After the treatment, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, urine sugar and the activities of hepatic glucose metabolic enzymes were determined in normal and experimental animals.

RESULTS

Treatment with diasulin resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and an increase in plasma insulin and total haemoglobin and a significant improvement in glucose tolerance. Diasulin also resulted in a significant reduction in the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase in the liver, whereas the level of plasma insulin and hepatic hexokinase activity was significantly increased in alloxan diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The present investigation suggests that diasulin, a polyherbal drug, controls the blood glucose level by increasing glycolysis and decreasing gluconeogenesis with a lower demand of pancreatic insulin than in untreated rats. This is possible, because it regulates the activities of hepatic glucose metabolic enzymes.

Transient claw hand owing to a bee sting. A report of two cases

We describe two patients with claw hand as a result of a bee sting. It is likely that this was caused by the apamin in the sting which has an effect on the upper limb, at the spinal cord and on the peripheral nerves. It is important to recognise that the claw hand is not owing to compartment syndrome. Both patients were treated conservatively with full resolution within 48 hours, without any lasting effects.

Oceanic forcing of Sahel rainfall on interannual to interdecadal time scales

We present evidence, based on an ensemble of integrations with NSIPP1 (version 1 of the atmospheric general circulation model developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in the framework of the Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction Project) forced only by the observed record of sea surface temperature from 1930 to 2000, to suggest that variability of rainfall in the Sahel results from the response of the African summer monsoon to oceanic forcing, amplified by land-atmosphere interaction. The recent drying trend in the semiarid Sahel is attributed to warmer-than-average low-latitude waters around Africa, which, by favoring the establishment of deep convection over the ocean, weaken the continental convergence associated with the monsoon and engender widespread drought from Senegal to Ethiopia.

Effect ofPiper betleLeaf Extract on Alcoholic Toxicity in the Rat Brain

The protective effect of Piper betle, a commonly used masticatory, has been examined in the brain of ethanol-administered Wistar rats. Brain of ethanol-treated rats exhibited increased levels of lipids, lipid peroxidation, and disturbances in antioxidant defense. Subsequent to the experimental induction of toxicity (i.e., the initial period of 30 days), aqueous P. betle extract was simultaneously administered in three different doses (100, 200, and 300 mg kg(-1)) for 30 days along with the daily dose of alcohol. P. betle coadministration resulted in significant reduction of lipid levels (free fatty acids, cholesterol, and phospholipids) and lipid peroxidation markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides. Further, antioxidants, like reduced glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were increased in P. betle-coadministered rats. The higher dose of extract (300 mg kg(-1)) was more effective, and these results indicate the neuroprotective effect of P. betle in ethanol-treated rats.

Influence of Piper betle on hepatic marker enzymes and tissue antioxidant status in ethanol-treated Wistar rats

Piper betle L. is a commonly used masticatory in Asia. This study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of P. betle, using ethanol intoxication as a model of hepatotoxic and oxidative damage. Ethanol-treated rats exhibited elevation of hepatic marker enzymes and disturbances in antioxidant defense when compared with normal rats. Oral administration of P. betle extract (100, 200, or 300 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days significantly (P <.05) decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and lipid hydroperoxides in ethanol treated rats. The extract also improved the tissue antioxidant status by increasing the levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E) and the activities of free radical-detoxifying enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in liver and kidney of ethanol-treated rats. The highest dose of P. betle extract (300 mg/kg body weight) was most effective. The results were comparable with the known hepatoprotective drug, silymarin. These results indicate that P. betle could afford a significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect.

X-ray structure of barium titanate - missed opportunities

Anomalous X-ray scattering effects are quite extensive in the noncentrosymmetric ferroelectric structure of barium titanate, and typical estimates for three published X-ray diffraction experiments are computed. These data show that the Bijvoet pairs should not be averaged before least-squares refinement for this polar crystal with small atomic displacements from a higher symmetric space group.

Leptospira autumnalis isolated from a human case from Avadi, India, and the serovar's predominance in local rat and bandicoot populations

Leptospira were successfully isolated from the urine of an Indian patient who had been clinically diagnosed as having leptospirosis. In an attempt to determine the source of this infection, 28 rats (Rattus rattus) and 58 bandicoots (Bandicota bengalensis) living in the vicinity of the patient's home in Avadi, a suburban area of the city of Chennai (Madras), India, were then investigated. Each animal was checked for infection by microscopical examination of fresh and stained urine, serological analysis of serum, and the culture of urine and kidney samples. Direct, dark-field, observation of fresh urine samples and examination of urine samples after Fontana's silver staining were found to be the least sensitive of the tests used. The results of the serological microscopic agglutination test (MAT) indicated that four (14.3%) of the rats and nine (16.1%) of the bandicoots had significant agglutinins, predominantly for the serogroups icterohaemorrhagiae and autumnalis. Leptospira were isolated from at least one culture of samples from one rat and each of four bandicoots. Each of these rodent isolates and the human isolate were typed as Leptospira interrogans serovar autumnalis.

Clinical, bacteriologic and histopathologic studies on induced leptospirosis in stray dog pups

Eighteen 8-12 days old stray dog (canis familiaris mongrel) pups of either sex; 6 pups each in test groups and control group were infected with lepotspiral serovars autumnalis and canicola. The experimental animals, clinical, bacteriologic and histopathologic kinetics were observed. Both the serovars had evoked typical clinical manifestations. Leptospiraemia could be demonstratedin between the post inoculation (PI) days 1 & 5. Leptospiruria commensed in between the PI days 5 & 7 and lasted throughout the study period. Histopathologic study did not reveal any marked pathologic changes except hydropic changes in the liver of both the test groups.

Ethanol induced changes in prostatic lipid profiles of albino rats

Alcohol induced changes in the ventral and dorsolateral prostatic lipid profiles were studied. The results obtained from the present study indicate that alcohol consumption leads to significant alterations in the ventral and dorsolateral prostatic lipids. An increase in the ventral prostate total cholesterol and total glyceride glycerol was observed, but a reverse trend was seen in total phospholipid. However total lipids remained unaltered. Dorsolateral prostatic total lipids, glyceride glycerol and phospholipids were increased but a decrease in total cholesterol was observed. Withdrawal of ethanol treatment for a period of 30 days brought back most of the changes to normalcy. The abnormalities in lipid profiles of both ventral and dorsolateral prostates may be responsible for the altered semen quality prevalent in chronic alcoholics.