Effect of Enzymatic Changes in Vitamin D Combination with LIV-52 on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Disease in Wistar Rats

Aim: The present study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of enzymatic changes in vitamin D combination with Liv-52 on CCl4 induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats.  Background: The central organ of liver plays an essential vital role in the metabolism, and the liver is called as the metabolic “engine-room of the body”. Therefore, to maintain a healthy liver is a crucial factor for overall health and well being. The liver is the central organ for pharmaceutical drug or chemicals and xenobiotic detoxification metabolism, which regulates most of medication and xenobiotic-related toxic activity. High metabolic and synthetic activity in this organ is an important place for the generation of free radicals. Materials and Methods: Adult male Albino Wistar rats weighing 150-250g were used in this study. The rats were split into six groups, each consisted of six rats. CCl4 were admitted  two days in a week for five weeks.   Liver disease associated animals were treated with Vitamin D and Liv-52 for 5 weeks. Results: The levels of AST, ALT, ALP, γ-GT, and AFP were significantly reduced in vitamin D, and Liv-52 treated animals when compared with CCl4 induced animals. Moreover, the levels of Vitamin D and Liv-52, a good indicator of restoring the liver architecture, were also reversed in the damage after treatment. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that the combination drugs were more hepatoprotective effect when compared with the individual.

Genomic Instability in Exfoliated Buccal Cells among Cement Warehouse Workers

BACKGROUND

Workers in cement warehouses of Kerala are enduring long-standing exposure to cement dust, which is considered genotoxic.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the extent of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity caused due to exposure of cement dust among those working in cement warehouses.

METHODS

The study included 82 cement warehouse workers and 82 age-matched individuals with no exposure to cement dust. Exfoliated buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt) was performed to analyze the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects caused by inhalation of cement dust.

RESULTS

The frequency of various genotoxic and cytotoxic end markers (micronucleated cells [2-fold increase, p<0.001], nuclear buds [4-fold increase, p<0.001], binucleated cells [4-fold increase, p<0.001], karyorrhectic cells [2-fold increase, p<0.001], pyknotic cells [3-fold increase, p<0.001], and karyolytic cells [2-fold increase, p<0.001]) were higher in the exposed workers compared with unexposed group. Increase of these parameters represented an increased level of chromosomal damage, nuclear disintegration and increased cell death among exposed group compared with unexposed group.

CONCLUSION

Continuous exposure to cement dust results in increased frequency of nuclear aberrations and cellular apoptosis. This may lead to defects in genome maintenance, accelerated ageing, increased chance of oral cancer and neurodegenerative disorders in those occupationally exposed to cement dust.

A simple, cost-effective quality assurance model for measurement of lipids in a large epidemiological study

BACKGROUND

Laboratory measurements are an integral part of epidemiological studies in cardiovascular disease. Standardization and quality assurance is of utmost importance in the context of multicentre studies.

METHODS

We evaluated a simple and cost-effective method of quality assurance for measurement of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides in a study involving 10 centres. Three methods for quality assessment were used for the study that involved measurement of cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol and included internal quality control, external quality control and 10% repeat analysis in addition to a uniform standardized protocol developed for the 10 centres. External quality control material was prepared and circulated by the coordinating laboratory.

RESULTS

External quality control material was distributed 20 times during the study. The mean variance index suggested a substantial improvement in the performance of participating laboratories over a period of time for cholesterol and triglycerides. This was also evident in the improvement in per cent technical error as a measure of bias and a higher correlation between replicates of samples analysed in the coordinating laboratory and the participating centres for cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

A cost-effective quality assurance model for laboratory measurement using local capacities was developed and implemented in a multicentre epidemiology study. Such a programme would be useful for developing countries where cost-cutting is important.

Recycling and utilization of metabolic wastes for energy production is an index of biochemical adaptation of fish under environmental pollution stress

The activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase and lactic acid were assessed in various tissues of the fish during exposure to lethal concentration of group-II Pyrethroids (deltamethrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate and fluvalinate) for a period of 72 hours. The results showed steady increased levels in all the tissues (blood, muscle, brain and liver) with response pattern characteristic of their own. The increased LDH activity and lactic acid levels indicate the shifting of aerobic glycolysis to anaerobiosis and its further utilization for energy production during adaptation to toxic stress.

Effect of pyrethroids on carbohydrate metabolic pathways in common carp, Cyprinus carpio

The activity levels of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) were assessed in various tissues of Cyprinus carpio var communis which had been exposed to lethal concentrations of group-II pyrethroids (deltamethrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate and fluvalinate) for a period of 72 h. The results indicated a steady decrease in SDH activity with a concomitant increase in G6PD activity. The decreased SDH activity indicated inhibition of SDH at mitochondrial level and the increased G6PD activity an enhancement of an alternative pathway of carbohydrate metabolism, viz the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMP) or pentose phosphate pathway as a biochemical adaptation to overcome the toxic stress.