Cytotoxicity of zinc chloride in mice in vivo

Intraperitoneal administration of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) to Swiss albino mice in vivo induced a significant (p less than or equal to 0.05) increase in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations of the bone-marrow cells at all concentrations used following acute (7.5, 10, 15 mg/kg body weight) and chronic (2.0, 3.0 mg/kg body wt) treatment. The degree of clastogenicity was directly proportional to the concentrations (p less than or equal to 0.05, trend test) and indirectly to the period of treatment (p less than or equal to 0.05, ANOVA test). It induced a dose-dependent, statistically significant increase (Mann-Whitney U statistics, Student's t-test) in sperm-head abnormalities. The data designate ZnCl2 as a potent clastogen and as a toxic chemical at the concentrations used.

An antilactogenic effect of pyridoxine

The efficacy of pyridoxine in suppression of lactation was studied. Patients under study included the cases of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and second trimester abortions. The clinical response was good in 80%, fair in 14% and poor in 6% of cases. Administration of pyridoxine only was associated with a rapid and trouble-free suppression of lactation in 94% of cases.

Improving human capabilities for combined manual handling tasks through a short and intensive physical training program

The primary objectives of this study were to test whether the muscular endurance, muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and workload perception of individuals engaged in combined manual handling tasks could be improved through a short and intensive physical training program. Three groups were formed to achieve the objectives of this study, and five subjects participated in each group. Two groups were trained using the concept of progressive resistance exercise; one group used the concept of six-repetition maximum (6 RM) while the other group followed the ten-repetition maximum (10 RM) protocol. The third group was used as a control group to monitor the effectiveness of the training groups. The training groups required subjects' attendance at 16 sessions for a period of 6 weeks. The control group performed the same tests given to the training group twice, separated by a period of 6 weeks. Endurance time, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, and static and dynamic strength were the response variables. Based on the results of this study, the following conclusions could be made: (1) it is possible to significantly improve muscular endurance, muscular strength, and cardiovascular endurance through the short and intensive training protocols examined in this investigation (the 10 RM training protocol, however, yielded better improvement in human physical capability than the 6 RM training protocol); and (2) for a fixed work load, endurance time can increase without changing job demand perception.

Treatment of skin and soft tissue infections: a comparative study of cefmetazole and cefoxitin

In this comparative study, both cefmetazole and cefoxitin were found to be safe and effective in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections. Greater activity of cefmetazole against some strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, beta-haemolytic streptococci and aerobic Gram-negative bacilli was confirmed. A 90% or better cure rate was achieved with both drugs. At late follow up, three patients treated initially with cefmetazole had recurrent signs and symptoms. However, these three patients had vascular insufficiency which predisposed them to infection. Since cefmetazole has a longer half-life than cefoxitin, it may prove to be more convenient, or more cost effective, or both, in these and other infections.

Ascorbic acid and the prevention of the early action of cadmium on scrotal and cryptorchid testes in the rat

An injection of cadmium chloride at a dose level of 0.45 mg/100 g bw, exerts a differential deleterious influence on cryptorchid and contralateral scrotal testes of the same rat. A considerable damage of the cryptorchid testis is caused, with degenerative changes, after 72h following cadmium administration. However, a concomitant regimen of ascorbic acid, a potent antitoxic agent as well as a blocker of nonspecific stresses, prevents those testicular lesions quite appreciably. On the basis of our experimental documentation we believe that the adverse influence of cadmium at the testicular level might be a mediation of the metabolic alteration due to an augmented availability of endogenous catecholamines.

Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin: V. Indomethacin or cortisone and the reversal of antifertility efficacy of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin

Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) of 10 IU on day 5 of pregnancy induced luteal demise and consequently an absolute resorption of fetuses and placentae resulted on day 16 of pregnancy. Simultaneous regimen of PMSG and indomethacin or cortisone was found to be consistently effective in preventing the luteolytic effect of PMSG. The growth of the fetuses, placentae as well as corpora lutea was found to be parallel to controls. Similarly, shortening of the duration of pseudopregnancy to 10--12 days in the bilaterally hysterectomized rat by PMSG and its retaining the normal duration of 18--20 days in the presence of indomethacin tempt us to propose that the PMSG-induced luteolysis is possibly reflected through the release of prostaglandin at the ovarian level.

Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin. III. Hemispaying and the reversal of the antifertility faculty of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin

A single injection of 10 IU of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on day 5 of pregancy caused wastage of the fetoplacental unit by day 16 of pregnancy. Semispaying, which seems to subtract approximately 50% of the ovarian steroid contribution, at 24, 48, and 72 hours following the PMSG schedule prevented the antifertility faculty of the hormone preparation. However, hemicastration at 96 hours following the gonadotropin regimen was found to be ineffective, and 100% of the test animals showed complete termination of pregnancy. Experimental data collectively tempt us to propose that an estrogen excess, particularly of follicular origin in both ovaries, is essential for more than 72 hours following gonadotropin sensitization before the antifertility faculty of PMSG can be demonstrated.

Pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin. I. Progesterone or prolactin and the reversal of antifertility efficacy of pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin

A single consistent luteolytic dose of 10 IU PMSG given on day 5 of pregnancy caused complete resorption of foetuses and placentae associated with a polyfollicular ovarian state in rats. Concomitant treatment with progesterone or prolactin given concurrently with PMSG was found to overcome the antifertility efficacy of PMSG and maintained the endocrine balance favouring pregnancy maintenance. It was postulated that the PMSG-induced ovarian polyfolliculogenesis might be responsible for luteolysis of the corpus luteum gravidarum.

Possible mode of action of clomiphene

Clomiphene, a synthetic non-steroidal agent, when injected into rats at a dose level of 3.0 mg/kg b. w. on days 5, 7 and 9 of pseudopregnancy causes termination of decidual growth. Moreover, its administration on days 12, 14, 16 and 18 of pregnancy causes death and resorption of the foetuses leaving regressing placentae at the sites of their attachment in the uteri. Luteolysis and ovarian poly-follicular conditions were also evident in both instances. Concomitant administration of prolactin or progesterone along with the clomiphene consistently prevented the interruption of clomiphene-induced lysis of deciduoma, gestation and other associated ovarian abnormalities. It is suggested that the abnormal development of the follicular apparatus possibly caused by the clomipheneinduced endogenous FSH during pseudopregnancy or pregnancy is the most likely explanation for the termination of decidual growth or gestation in rats.

Lycopene - tomato's secret weapon against oxidative stress

Back ground: Lycopene, 40 carbon acyclic carotenoid containing 11 conjugated double bonds, is a phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits. Oxygen derived free radicals are the most reactive species and as an antioxidant lycopene has a singlet oxygen quenching ability twice as high as that of ?-carotene and 10 times higher that of ?-tocoferol, lycopene participate in a host of chemical reactions to protect critical cellular biomolecules including lipid, proteins and DNA. Materials and Methods: The present study include 30 subjects having oxidative stress, age between 40-60 years, nonsmoker, with no history of chronic systemic illness and no medication were taken as patients.30 patients matched healthy subjects were taken as control. All subjects were selected from outpatient department of NSCB Medical College Jabalpur M.P. After estimation of base line antioxidant enzyme and vitamins, we supplement 180 gm of tomato (products like soup, paste. ketchup) contain 12 mg of lycopene to the patient group. After 60 days of lycopene supplementation oxidative stress biomarkers like SOD, GPX, GR, GSH, lipid peroxidation product MDA and other antioxidant vitamins A, vitamin C, vitamin E were estimated in patient's blood sample. Results: The main result of the study revealed that lipid per oxidation product MDA was found to be decreased significantly but after lycopene supplementation levels were improved. The results of SOD , GPX, GR, GSH,Vitamin A ,Vitamin E and Vitamin C were significantly increased after lycopene supplementation, it indicates the improved antioxidant profile after the supplementation of lycopene. Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in oxidative stress after the supplementation of lycopene therefore the study suggest that body's internal production of antioxidant is not enough to neutralize all free radicals, so increased dietary intake of antioxidant lycopene in the form of tomato products is beneficial, which is easily available in developing country like India. Key Words: Oxidative stress; Lycopene; MDA; GSH; SOD; Vitamin C; Vitamin E DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i4.9500 BJMS 2011; 10 (4): 275-279