2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid attenuates the carbon tetra chloride-induced hepatotoxicity and its lipid abnormalities in rats via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanism

Background and aim

Liver inflammation stimulates various inflammatory cytokines and initiates injury through oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to curtaile the liver injury through natural principles such as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid (HMBA).

Methods

The current study examines the hepatoprotective and lipid lowering effect of HMBA against carbon tetra chloride (CCl₄)-mediated liver toxicity in male Wistar rats.

Results

The hepatoprotective effects of HMBA against CCl₄-induced liver damage, were evident from low serum transaminases activities, reduced hepatic lipid peroxidation and collagen content, restoration of total glutathione, and recouping of the inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-6 levels. Further it was found that the treatment of HMBA, significantly lowered (P<0.01) the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in serum and liver. To investigate the mechanism behind the hepatoprotective and lipid lowering effect, the activities of heme oxygenase (HO1), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured and expression levels were quantified through western blot following HMBA administration. The results showed that HMBA administration significantly decreased the activity of HO1 (P<0.001), and increased the activity of MPO (P<0.001); further similar finding was observed in western analysis. The hepatoprotective, lipid lowering and shifting key defensive enzyme activities are similar to that of standard drug such as N-acetylcysteine.

Conclusion

HMBA is competent of shielding liver from CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity, and this is associated with the lipid lowering, inflammatory cytokine restoration and induction of defensive enzyme activities.

     

Methotrexate treatment provokes apoptosis of proliferating keratinocyte in psoriasis patients

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyper proliferation of keratinocytes. Recent data show that the epidermis thickening in psoriasis may be related to imbalance of homeostasis caused by abnormal apoptotic process. Maintenance of keratinocyte apoptotic process is very important in psoriasis. Methotrexate (MTX) has been used for many years to restore the normal skin in psoriasis condition. However, the exact mechanism of MTX in psoriasis condition is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the role of MTX on keratinocyte apoptosis pathway in psoriasis patients. A total of 58 psoriasis vulgaris patients were recruited for this study. Nonlesional skin biopsies served as control. Skin biopsies of psoriatic patients were collected and analyzed for cytosolic, mitochondria and total cytochrome c by ELISA. Expression of caspase-9, NFκBp65, pAkt1 by western blot, real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analysis of c-FLIP protein was analyzed in nonlesional and lesional skin biopsies before (day 0) and after (at the end of 6 and 12 weeks) MTX treatment. After MTX treatment, a significant increase in cytochrome c was observed when compared with before MTX treatment in psoriasis patients (p < 0.001). Protein and gene expression of cleaved caspase-9 were significantly increased after MTX treatment, whereas the expression of Bcl-xL, c-FLIP, NFκBp65, pAkt1 significantly downregulated after MTX treatment. In conclusion, these results showed that intrinsic apoptotic pathway induced by MTX eventually adds the beneficial therapeutic role of MTX in psoriasis by controlling the acanthosis.     

Survival in Persons With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Receiving Structured Follow-Up in South India

Objective

To assess the survival in persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) receiving structured follow-up in South India.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Rehabilitation center.

Participants

Persons with traumatic SCI (N=490) residing within a 100-km radius of the institute who were managed and regularly followed up by the rehabilitation center between the years 1981 and 2011.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Survival rates and mortality risk factors. Measures were estimated using the product limit (Kaplan-Meier) method and the Cox model.

Results

The survival rate after SCI was 86% after 5 years, 71% after 15 years, and 58% after 25 years. Survival of persons with complete high cervical injury is substantially low compared with other levels of SCI. Level of injury and extent of lesion (Frankel classification and/or American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale) play a significant role in predicting survival of this population.

Conclusions

Survival rates of regularly followed-up persons with SCI from this study show promising results, though survival rates are lesser when compared with studies from developed countries. Better understanding of the predictors, causes of deaths, comprehensive rehabilitation, community integration, and regular follow-up could possibly assist in improving survival rates.     

3,10-Dimethoxyprotoberberines

Protoberberines with the unusual 3,10-dimethoxy substitution are synthesized by photocyclization of E-and Z-1-ethylidene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-methoxy-2-(3-methoxybenzoyl)isoquinolines.     

How long after being collected can blood still be cultured for chromosomal studies in the tropics

To examine how long after their collection samples of peripheral blood could be successfully cultured for cytogenetic analysis in tropical countries, we determined the mitotic index in cultures of blood stored for up to 7 days in summer and winter. The results indicate that chromosomal analysis is successful if blood is stored for up to 2 days in summer or for up to 4 days in winter before initiating culture. Storing the blood in tissue culture medium rather than in heparin solution did not significantly improve the mitotic index.     

Inhibition of NF-κB activation by 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors protects brain against injury in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia

Background  

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States of America. Brain ischemia-reperfusion (IR) triggers a complex series of biochemical events including inflammation. Leukotrienes derived from 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) cause inflammation and are thus involved in the pathobiology of stroke injury.     

Orbital complications of acute sinusitis

Orbital complications of sinusitis may occur either by spread along the venous system or by direct extension of infection between contiguous structures. The association between sinusitis and inflammation of the orbits has been known for centuries. But in the post antibiotic era there is a marked decline in the number of case reports in the literature. This paper presents 10 cases of sinusitis who had orbital complications. The classification of this disease complex as given by Chandler helps in planning the treatment. Groups I and II respond very well to antibiotics but in groups III, IV, V surgical intervention is necessary. Early identification and aggressive therapy reduces the morbidity of this disease.     

A study of health and health related social problems in the geriatric population in a rural area of Tamil Nadu.

About 200 individuals aged 60 years and above, out of 317 total geriatric population of a small village in Tamil Nadu were subjected for complete clinical examinations with the objective of finding major health problems and associated social problems prevalent among these study population. Main causes of illness were found to be arthritis, cataract, bronchitis, skin diseases and malnutrition.     

Opacification of the Hydroview H60M intraocular lens: total patient recall

PURPOSE: To report the prevalence of intraocular lens (IOL) opacification and related clinical features in patients implanted with Hydroview IOL. SETTING: Gloucestershire Eye Unit, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. METHODS: A total of 1330 eyes of 1265 patients who had cataract surgery with Hydroview IOL implantation between September 2000 and April 2001 were reviewed between April and October 2004. The visual acuity, visual symptoms, IOL status, and associated ocular comorbidity were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-three (14.5%) of 1330 eyes had evidence of IOL opacification. A total of 56 (4.2%) had visually significant opacification and had IOL exchange. The prevalence of IOL opacification ranged from 1.1% in patients who had surgery in September 2000 to 36.3% in the December 2000 group. In eyes with IOL opacification, the visual symptoms were decreased vision (57%), glare (32%), and mistiness of vision (27%). One hundred forty-four eyes (75%) with IOL opacification had visual acuity of 6/12 or better; 21.5% of diabetic eyes had IOL opacification compared with 14.3% of nondiabetic eyes (P =.06); 20.5% of glaucomatous eyes had IOL opacification compared with 14.0% of nonglaucomatous eyes (P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large sample recall of patients implanted with the Hydroview H60M IOL. The overall prevalence of IOL opacification was 14.5%, with peak prevalence in patients who had surgery in December 2000.