Thymoquinone ameliorates NLRP3-mediated inflammation in the pancreas of albino Wistar rats fed ethanol and high-fat diet

BACKGROUND

Inflammasomes are protein complexes that mediate the process of inflammation and tissue injury by regulating the level of cytokine production. Pancreatitis is a major gastrointestinal disorder characterized by painful inflammation in the pancreas. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether thymoquinone (TQ) exerts anti-inflammatory activity by influencing the expression of the apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) complex of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes in rats subjected to experimental pancreatitis.

METHODS

Male albino Wistar rats were randomly separated into four groups. Rats in groups 1 and 2 were fed with a normal diet for 90 days, and rats in groups 3 and 4 were administered with ethanol (EtOH) 8-12 g/kg/day orally and fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 90 days. In addition, rats in groups 2 and 4 were administered with 100 mg/kg body weight of TQ from the 31st day. The serum lipase (L)/amylase (A) ratio; the oxidative stress markers; the GSH/GSSG ratio; the mRNA expression of ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α; and the protein expression of ASC and caspase-1 in the pancreas were assessed.

RESULTS

We observed a significant increase in the serum L/A ratio and oxidative stress, a decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio, and a GST activity in EtOH- and HFD-fed rats. The mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α was significantly reduced in TQ-coadministered rats than that in EtOH- and HFD-fed rats. The upregulation of mRNA and the protein expression of ASC and caspase-1 were significantly reduced in TQ-coadministered rats.

CONCLUSIONS

TQ exerts the anti-inflammatory activity probably by downregulating the ASC expression to minimize the maturation of proinflammatory cytokines.

Reparation of Isoniazid and Rifampicin Combinatorial Therapy-Induced Hepatotoxic Effects by Bacopa monnieri

Drug-induced liver injury is a major challenge in treating tuberculosis with isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). This study was aimed at evaluating the protective effects of Bacopamonnieri (Brahmi) against INH and RIF-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model and also to study the patterns of interaction between pregnane X receptor (PXR) and chosen active compounds of B. monnieri. Hepatotoxicity was induced in the experimental animals by the oral administration of INH and RIF (50 mg/kg b.w. each/day) for 28 days. The effects of co-administration of B. monnieri (500 mg/kg b.w./day) in INH- and RIF-induced rats were studied by the estimation of biochemical analyses. The standard hepatoprotective drug silymarin (25 mg/kg b.w./day) was used for the purpose of comparison. In silico docking experiments were carried out using the PatchDock server and the results were analysed on the PyMol molecular viewer. There was significant reduction in the antioxidant status of INH and RIF-induced rats. Also, there was significant elevation in the levels of serum liver function markers in the INH- and RIF-induced rats. B. monnieri was able to normalise the tested parameters. In silico studies reveal significant interaction between PXR and bacopaside I. B. monnieri exerts significant protective effects against INH and RIF-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Effect of Persea americana (avocado) fruit extract on the level of expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ in rats subjected to experimental hyperlipidemia and obesity

BACKGROUND

Persea americana, commonly known as avocado, is traditionally consumed fruit which possesses body fat lowering capacity. Adiponectin plays an important role in regulating obesity. In this study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic fruit extract of P. americana (HAEPA) on the level of blood lipids, glutathione, lipid peroxidation products, adiponectin and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-γ expressions was investigated in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS

Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: groups 1 and 2 were fed normal rat chow (5% fat) and groups 3 and 4 were fed HFD (23% fat) for a period of 14 weeks. In addition, groups 2 and 4 rats were administered orally with 100 mg/kg body weight of HAEPA from third week. After 14 weeks, rats were sacrificed, and serum/plasma levels of total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and adiponectin were determined. The mRNA expression of adiponectin, PPAR-γ and protein expression of PPAR-γ were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The body mass index (BMI), total fat pad mass and adiposity index were significantly decreased in HAEPA co-administered rats than in HFD-fed rats. The levels of LDL and lipid peroxides were significantly higher in HFD group than in HFD+HAEPA group. Levels of reduced glutathione, adiponectin, mRNA expression of adiponectin, PPAR-γ and protein expression of PPAR-γ were found to be increased in HFD+HAEPA group than in HFD group. The hypolipidemic effect of HAEPA is also evidenced by the histological observations in liver, heart and adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that HAEPA exhibits hypolipidemic activity probably by increasing the mRNA expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ, which reduce the risk of hyperlipidemia and obesity.

Urinary oxidative stress markers in children with autism

Oxidative stress caused by increased production of free radicals and impaired functions of antioxidants remains as the major factor associated with the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to analyze the oxidative stress markers in urine sample since the collection of blood from these children is highly meticulous and also to evaluate whether these urinary markers can be correlated with the severity of autism.

METHODS

The subjects of the study were 45 autistic children with different grades of severity (low functioning autism (LFA), medium functioning autism (MFA), and high functioning autism (HFA) according to Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), n=15 children in each group and 50 healthy children (age and sex matched). The boys and girls ratio involved in this study was 4:1, and they were of age 4-12 years. We determined the urinary levels of oxidative stress markers like thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances, lipid hydroperoxides, 4-hydroxy nonenal, protein carbonyls, sulfhydryl groups, total antioxidant capacity, total peroxide content, oxidative stress index, and also UA/Cr ratio in autistic children.

RESULTS

The study observed a significant elevation in the level of oxidative stress markers in autistic children when compared with normal children. The level of antioxidants excreted in urine was found to be significantly low in autistic children. These findings when correlated with the degrees of severity, oxidative stress markers showed positive correlation with increasing order of severity (LFA>MFA>HFA), whereas antioxidants showed negative correlation.

DISCUSSION

The study reveals that the urinary levels of oxidative stress markers can be considered as the measure of oxidative stress index in autistic children. The significant correlation between the severity of autism with urinary lipid peroxidation products also support the use of oxidative stress markers and antioxidants as biomarkers of autism.

A biochemical study on the gastroprotective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata in rats

Aim:

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata (HAEAP) in male albino wistar rats.

Materials and Methods:

Rats were pretreated with HAEAP (100,200,500mg/kg b. wt for 30 days) and then gastric ulcers were induced by ethanol, aspirin, pylorus ligation and cold restraint stress models. Ulcer score was determined in all the ulcer models. pH, gastric volume, titrable acidity, pepsin, mucin, myeloperoxidase, H⁺K⁺ATPase, thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and antioxidant enzyme activities were assayed in ethanol-administered rats.

Results:

The ulcer score was found to be low in HAEAP-pretreated rats. Among the doses studied, 200 mg/kg b.wt was found to be optimum for significant ulcer reduction. The test drug significantly reduced the acidity, pepsin concentration, myeloperoxidase and H⁺K⁺ATPase activities in ethanol-administered rats. The elevated TBARS and decreased glutathione (GSH) and mucin levels observed during ulcerogenesis were found to be altered in HAEAP-received animals.

Conclusions:

The ulcer preventing effect of HAEAP may partly be due to its regulating effect on H⁺K⁺ATPase activity and /or mucin preserving effects. The flavonoids present in the HAEAP might be responsible for the gastroprotective action probably by maintaining the antioxidants and thiol status in the gastrointestinal tract.

Influence of copper, iron, zinc and fe (3) (+) haemoglobin levels on the etiopathogenesis of chronic calcific pancreatitis--a study in patients with pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a serious condition associated with severe abdominal pain, and a significant percentage of patients progresses to irreversible calcification in pancreas. The present study evaluates the degree to which the levels of trace elements, copper, iron, selenium, zinc and haemoglobin-Fe(3+), in blood, serum and pancreas have any role to play in the calcification process associated with fibrosis in pancreas. Twenty-seven calcific (CCP) and 23 non-calcific chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients and equal number of age- and sex-matched normal volunteers (50) were enrolled in the study. Surgically removed pancreatic tissue and blood samples were analysed for copper, iron, selenium, zinc, protein, collagen and lipid peroxidation products in terms of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, glutathione, methemoglobin, methemoglobin reductase and ceruloplasmin activity levels. We could find that the pancreatic tissue levels of copper, iron, protein and collagen contents were significantly elevated in CCP patients when compared to CP patients. Serum levels of copper, free ionic copper and iron were also elevated in CCP patients. The serum and the pancreatic tissue level of zinc and selenium showed a significant decrease in CCP patients. The level of methemoglobin was elevated more significantly with the concomitant decline in the activity of methemoglobin reductase. There was a positive correlation between the pancreatic level of copper and iron with the collagen and protein levels. The results of the present study revealed that the levels of copper and iron, the pro-oxidants and zinc and selenium may influence calcification process in CCP patients. Hypoxia-related tissue injury due to the formation of oxidised haemoglobin may also contribute to the pathogenesis of calcification in pancreas.

Role of cytosolic calcium and actin polymerization on agonist-induced secretion by the platelets of liver cirrhosis patients

OBJECTIVE

Variceal bleeding in cirrhosis is mainly due to platelet activation defect and secondary to coagulation defects. Secretion is an important process which release procoagulants for hemostasis. In the present investigation we have evaluated the secretory function of platelets in liver cirrhosis and also the simultaneous changes in cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) and the polymerization of actin in agonist- stimulated platelets in vitro.

METHODS

Liver cirrhotic patients with (n=27) or without (n=23) bleeding complication were included in the study. Control subjects (n=50) were also utilized for the study to compare the analytical data. Platelets were activated by collagen in vitro and the secretory response was assessed by the levels of nucleotides, serotonin, pyrophosphate (PPi) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) secreted into the extracellular fluid of the platelet suspension at various time intervals. During the course of secretion the alteration in the polymerization of actin was monitored simultaneously with the changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ level.

RESULTS

The secretory response of platelets to collagen was significantly low in both bleeders and non-bleeders when compared to that of normal subjects. During secretion, low level of actin polymerization and cytosolic Ca2+ level were observed in the platelets of bleeders than in non-bleeders and normal subjects. The low secretory capacity of cirrhosis platelets could be correlated with low levels of actin polymerization and cytosolic Ca2+. The alterations were highly significant in the platelets of bleeders when compared to those of non-bleeders.

CONCLUSION

The defective secretory activity of platelets in cirrhosis bleeders might be partly due to low polymerization of G-actin to F-actin which is required for platelet shape change and for the release of procoagulants. Cytosolic Ca2+ level seems to influence actin polymerization and thereby impairs platelet secretory response to agonists in cirrhosis patients with bleeding complication.

Effect of gallium nitrate on tamoxifen induced hypercalcemia in rats bearing mammary tumor

AIM

To study the effect of gallium nitrate in the treatment of flare hypercalcemia in rats, bearing mammary tumor with bone metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female Sprague-Dawley albino rats were used in the study. Animals were divided into 5 groups: normal control; hypercalcemic rats bearing DMBA-induced mammary tumors; flare hypercalcemic animals bearing DMBA-induced mammary tumors (hypercalcemic rats, treated with tamoxifen at the dose of 10 mg/kg); flare hypercalcemic rat bearing DMBA-induced mammary tumors, treated with gallium nitrate at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg; control rats, treated with gallium nitrate at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Eligibility criteria - serum calcium levels were 11.0 mg% or above. Biochemical parameters were measured, using standard methods. Urinary excretion of calcium, creatinine ratio, urinary bone marker were also evaluated by using standard method.

RESULTS

All flare hypercalcemic rats were treated with gallium nitrate and developed normocalcemia. Biochemical parameters were measured in hypercalcemic and flare hypercalcemic animals. Calcium level in blood serum, alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher in flare hypercalcemia than in hypercalcemic rats. Urinary pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline and hydroxyproline were also elevated in flare hypercalcemic rats. In contrast, intact parathyroid hormone and albumin levels were lowered in flare as well as hypercalcemic groups when compared with normal control groups. After gallium nitrate treatment all the above parameters returned to normal level.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of gallium nitrate in vivo is highly effective in treatment of flare hypercalcemia.

Evaluation of neutrophil functions in obstructive jaundice patients

Jaundiced surgical patients have a high incidence of post-operative complications and sepsis is a major factor in the high mortality and morbidity of obstructive jaundice patients after surgery. Cachexia and immune suppression have been shown to be involved in this post-operative complications. Since neutrophils dysfunction is recognized in recurrent infections in general, the aim of the study was to evaluate the functional status of neutrophils in jaundiced patients. Phagocytosis, bactericidal activity, mitogenic stimulation of T-lymphocytes and myeloperoxidase activity were measured in the neutrophils isolated from obstructive jaundice patients. Phagocytic and bactericidal activities of neutrophils were significantly low in obstructive jaundice patients. The number of cells stained for myeloperoxidase was significantly low in obstructive jaundice patients. There was a high level of stimulation and proliferation exhibited by lymphocytes when challenged by conconavalin-A and lipopolysaccharide in vitro. The functional impairment of neutrophils may be responsible for the immunity alteration in obstructive jaundice patients and this may be responsible for the post-operative complications in obstructive jaundiced patients.

Prevalence of blindness and low vision in Malaysian population: results from the National Eye Survey 1996

BACKGROUND

A national eye survey was conducted in 1996 to determine the prevalence of blindness and low vision and their major causes among the Malaysian population of all ages.

METHODS

A stratified two stage cluster sampling design was used to randomly select primary and secondary sampling units. Interviews, visual acuity tests, and eye examinations on all individuals in the sampled households were performed. Estimates were weighted by factors adjusting for selection probability, non-response, and sampling coverage.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 69% (that is, living quarters response rate was 72.8% and household response rate was 95.1%). The age adjusted prevalence of bilateral blindness and low vision was 0.29% (95% CI 0.19 to 0.39%), and 2.44% (95% CI 2.18 to 2.69%) respectively. Females had a higher age adjusted prevalence of low vision compared to males. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of bilateral low vision and blindness among the four ethnic groups, and urban and rural residents. Cataract was the leading cause of blindness (39%) followed by retinal diseases (24%). Uncorrected refractive errors (48%) and cataract (36%) were the major causes of low vision.

CONCLUSION

Malaysia has blindness and visual impairment rates that are comparable with other countries in the South East Asia region. However, cataract and uncorrected refractive errors, though readily treatable, are still the leading causes of blindness, suggesting the need for an evaluation on accessibility and availability of eye care services and barriers to eye care utilisation in the country.

Salubrious effect of vitamin C and vitamin E on tamoxifen-treated women in breast cancer with reference to plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels

Tamoxifen, a non-steroidal antiestrogen, has been used in the hormonal treatment for breast cancer. The hepatic estrogenic effect of tamoxifen causes severe triglyceridemia. The combined effect of tamoxifen, vitamin C and vitamin E on plasma lipid and lipoprotein is important, since, vitamin C and vitamin E encumbered the lipid abnormalities instigated by tamoxifen. Therefore supplementation of vitamin C (Celin 500 mg) and vitamin E (Evion 400 mg) for 90 days along with tamoxifen (10 mg twice a day) to postmenopausal breast cancer patients was ventured. In tamoxifen-treated patients, total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC), phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids (FFA), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels were decreased and the triglycerides (TG), ester cholesterol (EC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) levels were increased. Combination therapy reduce all the cholesterol level and VLDL, LDL. TG levels were significantly decreased and HDL, EC levels were significantly increased. These results suggested that tamoxifen treatment is the most effective during co-administration of vitamin C and vitamin E in that they reduce the tamoxifen-induced hypertriglyceridemia.

Crystal deposits in cornea from the use of vitamin C eye drops

There are a number of differential diagnoses for crystal deposits in the cornea. With the presence of a corneal epithelial defect, the differential diagnosis can be narrowed down to either infective causes or deposits from topical medications. This report describes a case of crystal deposits in the cornea from the use of Vitamin C eye drops.