Lower doses of vanadate in combination with trigonella restore altered carbohydrate metabolism and antioxidant status in alloxan-diabetic rats

BACKGROUND: Vanadate treatment to diabetic rats has been reported to correct the altered carbohydrate metabolism and antioxidant status. However, vanadate exerts these effects at relatively high doses and several toxic effects are produced. We used low doses of vanadate in combination with Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder (TSP) and evaluated their effect on the enzyme changes in diabetic rats. METHODS: Alloxan-diabetic rats were treated separately with insulin, vanadate (0.6 mg/ml), TSP and a combined dose of Vanadate (0.2 mg/ml) and TSP for 21 days. At the end of the experimental period, blood glucose levels and activities of pyruvate kinase (PK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured in cytosolic fraction in the liver and kidney. RESULTS: Blood glucose levels increased markedly in diabetic rats. Treatment with antidiabetic compounds resulted in the reduction of glucose levels. Rats treated with combined dose of vanadate and trigonella had glucose levels comparable to control ones. Similar results were obtained with the activities of PK, PEPCK, SOD, GPx, GR, and CAT in liver and kidney of diabetic rats. Combined dose of vanadate and Trigonella was found to be most effective in correcting these alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Lower doses of vanadate could be used in combination with TSP to effectively counter diabetic alterations without any toxic side effects.     

Putty Index for Tripoding

Precise orientation and transfer of the selected path of insertion and removal is a critical step in cast removable partial denture prosthesis design. An easy technique for registering the same is described using addition silicon putty and a used diamond disk.     

Liquid chromatographic analysis of halofantrine from dosage form and its metal interaction studies

The reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of halofantrine from dosage form in presence of losartan potassium as an internal standard. Separation was performed on a Chrompack hypersil C₁₈ (150 × 4.6 mm) analytical reversed-phase column. Mobile phase consisted of methanol–water (70:30, v/v) pH was adjusted to 3.2 with 85% orthophosphoric acid. Mobile phase was pumped at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min⁻¹ and UV detection was performed at 248 nm. The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy and specificity. The linearity was observed in the concentration range 1.0–50 μg mL⁻¹ with correlation coefficient (r ²) of 0.9998. Accuracy was ranged 98–100% with precision less than 1%. The limits of detection (LOD) and (LOQ) were 0.01 and 0.03 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. This method was applied to study the drug–metal (calcium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, ferrous, ferric chromium, zinc, nickel, cadmium, iron and copper) interaction studies which were carried out at 37 °C. These studies were beneficial to determine the drug in therapeutic concentrations inside human body as well as its complexation with metal ions. The proposed method is rapid, accurate, economical and selective because of its sensitivity and reproducibility.     

Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Normalizing Age Related Neuronal Markers in Different Age Groups of Naturally Menopausal Rats

Aging of the normal brain is accompanied by changes in its structure, function, and metabolism. There are significant gender differences in aging brain. Most of these changes increase during menopausal condition in females when the level of estradiol and progesterone are decreased. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of estradiol and progesterone (separate as well as combined) hormones in neuronal tissues from naturally menopausal rats of different age groups. Results show decreased activity of Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) whereas the level of lipid peroxidation increased with age, and after the hormone treatments both AChE activity and level of lipid peroxidation returned to control values. The deposition of lipofuscin, a pigment that accumulated intraneuronally in brain and other tissues and is considered a marker of aging, was increased with aging and the hormone treatment decreased this deposition. The present study clearly shows reduction in risk factors associated with aging in the murine model system by hormone treatments, namely estrogen and progesterone by increasing the activity of acetylcholine esterase and decreasing the levels of lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin deposition in different parts of aging brain. This study suggests that hormone replacement therapy may either reduce or delay the onset of age related diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders.     

Endogenous adenosine differentially modulates 5-hydroxytryptamine release from a human enterochromaffin cell model

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim was to determine whether adenosine receptors modulate cAMP, intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release in human carcinoid BON cells. METHODS: Adenosine receptor (R) mRNA, proteins, and function were identified by Western blots, immunofluorescent labeling, Fluo-4/AM [Ca(2+)](i) imaging, and pharmacologic/physiologic techniques. RESULTS: A1, A2, and A3Rs were present in BON cells and carcinoid tumors. Baseline 5-HT levels increased with adenosine deaminase, activation of A2Rs, and inhibition of A3Rs, whereas A3R activation decreased 5-HT. A2R antagonists or blockade of adenosine reuptake that elevates extracellular adenosine reduced mechanically evoked 5-HT release. In single BON cells, touch elevated [Ca(2+)](i) responses were augmented by adenosine deaminase, A1, and A3R antagonists. CONCLUSIONS: Tonic or mechanically evoked release of endogenous adenosine is a critical determinant of differential activation of adenosine receptors and may have important implications for gut mechanosensory reflexes.     

Novel derivatives of 5-amino-1-cyclopropyl-7-[(3R,5S)3,5-dimethylpiperazine-1-yl]-6,8-difluoro-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid: their synthesis,antimicrobial, antifungal,and urease inhibitory studies

Sparfloxacin (SPFX) or 5-amino-1-cyclopropyl-7-[(3R,5S)3,5-dimethylpiperazine-1-yl]-6,8-difluoro-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid is an orally active synthetic, broad spectrum third generation quinolone, with excellent activity against Gram-positive bacteria with selectivity against anaerobes and atypical pathogens. Three derivatives of SPFX (2, 3, and 4) were synthesized by reacting different aromatic carboxylic acids with SPFX (1). Chemistry involved the formation of amide between reacting species through nucleophilic substitution reactions. The synthesized derivatives were then structurally characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopic techniques. The antimicrobial activities of these derivatives were evaluated against four Gram-positive, seven Gram-negative bacteria, and six fungi, using SPFX as a reference. Statistical analysis revealed these derivatives as active antimicrobial agents, and 2 was more potent antimicrobial agents than the parent drug as well other fluoroquinolones. Compounds 3 and 4 showed a significant activity against Fusarium solani. Moreover, these three derivatives were evaluated for inhibitory activities against enzyme urease, carbonic anhydrase II, and α-chymotrypsin. Results showed their selectivity against urease enzyme. Based on their nontoxic behavior, these derivatives may be potential agents for further studies.     

Enhanced tissue responsiveness in colonic ion transport of cow's milk-sensitized guinea pigs

The effects of leukotriene D₄ (LTD₄) on ion transport were investigated in submucosa/mucosa colonic segments from guinea pigs sensitized to cow's milk and in age-matched, non-immune animals. Mediators released from mast cells in immune animals challenged with -lactoglobulin evoked an increase in short-circuit current that was reduced by SK&F 102922, a peptidoleukotriene antagonist. Serosal addition of LTD₄ (0.15–1 M) evoked a concentration-dependent, bumetanide-sensitive increase in short-circuit current which was greater in immune than non-immune controls. In the absence of ongoing neural activity, 1 M LTD₄ evoked an 8–20 A/cm² increase in short-circuit current which was increased 8–13-fold when ongoing neural activity was present. In tissues with ongoing activity, the response to 0.15 M LTD₄ was reduced by SK&F 102922, tetrodotoxin and atropine. LTD₄ enhanced the responsiveness of the tissue to carbachol by a factor of two, but did not affect responses of T₈₄ colonic epithelial cell monolayers to this agent. These results show enhanced secretory function for LTD₄ in animals with allergy to cow's milk. They suggest that the level of ongoing neural activity in the enteric neural microc ircuits is one of the major determinants of colonic secretory capacity.