17-Ketosteroids in leprosy.

Urinary 17-ketosteroids were estimated in 29 lepromatous leprosy cases. Correlation between 17-ketosteroid values, histopathologic findings, and serum G.G.P.T. values is discussed. Low values of 17-ketosteroids were associated with definite leproma to liver indicating the value of liver damage to 17-ketosteroids. This was more marked in males than in females.     

Bronchoconstriction and endogenous nitric oxide in isolated lungs of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Bronchoconstrictor responses were measured in lungs isolated from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats, perfused via the airways. Lungs from SHRs were more responsive than lungs from normotensive rats to methacholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), arachidonic acid or prostaglandin H(2). The responses of SHR airways to methacholine or 5-HT were unaffected by pretreatment in vivo with an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME, 30 mg kg(-1)), although responses in normotensive airways to methacholine, but not to 5-HT, were enhanced. Antigen challenge of isolated lungs from actively sensitized rats elicited bronchoconstriction, not different between strains. Pretreatment with L-NAME increased the response to antigen challenge only in normotensive lungs. Compound 48/80 induced bronchoconstriction in lungs from either strain, equally. These responses to compound 48/80 were unaffected by L-NAME pretreatment. Thus, SHR airways lack relaxing factors and degranulation of mast cells in SHR lungs was not affected by endogenous NO.     

Presentation of an epithelioid cell histiocytoma on the ventral tongue.

The epithelioid cell histiocytoma (ECH) is a polypoidal benign tumor of superficial connective tissue that is often diagnosed as a pyogenic granuloma. ECHs are speculated to originate from dermal dendritic subunits and are composed of 2 primary cell populations, ie, CD34+ primitive fibroblastic dendrocytes and factor XIIIa+ histiocytes. Although dendritic subunits are distributed throughout most collagenous tissues inclusive of oral mucosa, to date, all reported cases of ECH have been cutaneous lesions. ECHs' putative pathogenesis entails activation of CD34+ "sentinel" reserve dendrocytes, followed by an influx of histiocytes and mast cells. Juxtacrine communication increases release of wound healing factors; suggesting a reactive etiologic component. In this current case, the location (ventral tongue) and history (recent increase in size) suggest the possibility that trauma could have initiated the dendritic subunit "wound healing" cascade. Consistent with its benign course, the ECH is managed by local excision, and has an excellent prognosis.     

Immunochemical studies in Wilson's disease

The present study deals with a total of 28 cases of Wilson's disease, 50 normal individuals alongwith siblings and parents of eight cases. Male predominance (18 out of 28 cases), a median age of 11 years and universal presence of Kayser-Fleischer (K. F.) ring marked the cardinal features. Furthermore, 11 patients had hepatic-neural presentation while two had only the K. F. Ring without clinical abnormality. Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID) as the absolute quantitative procedure revealed a profound deficiency of ceruloplasmin with the levels ranging anywhere between 0.5 mg/dI to 23 mg/dI amongst the patients of Wilson's disease. The data from siblings and parents also revealed deficiency in 15 out of 23 serum samples when subjected to disc electrophoresis-benzidine screening procedure.     

Presentation of an epithelioid cell histiocytoma on the ventral tongue

The epithelioid cell histiocytoma (ECH) is a polypoidal benign tumor of superficial connective tissue that is often diagnosed as a pyogenic granuloma. ECHs are speculated to originate from dermal dendritic subunits and are composed of 2 primary cell populations, ie, CD34+ primitive fibroblastic dendrocytes and factor XIIIa+ histiocytes. Although dendritic subunits are distributed throughout most collagenous tissues inclusive of oral mucosa, to date, all reported cases of ECH have been cutaneous lesions. ECHs' putative pathogenesis entails activation of CD34+ "sentinel" reserve dendrocytes, followed by an influx of histiocytes and mast cells. Juxtacrine communication increases release of wound healing factors; suggesting a reactive etiologic component. In this current case, the location (ventral tongue) and history (recent increase in size) suggest the possibility that trauma could have initiated the dendritic subunit "wound healing" cascade. Consistent with its benign course, the ECH is managed by local excision, and has an excellent prognosis.     

Antihyperlipidemic effect of the methanolic extract from Lagenaria siceraria Stand. fruit in hyperlipidemic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Lagenaria siceraria Stand. (Cucurbitaceae) fruits have been used, traditionally, in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerotic impasse and considered as cardioprotective and cardiotonic drug.

Aim of the study

The present work was undertaken to investigate the effects of methanolic extract from Lagenaria siceraria in experimentally induced hyperlipidemia in rats.

Materials and methods

Methanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria fruits (LSFE) (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg; p.o.) was administered to the high fat-diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats for 30 days to evaluate its antihyperlipidemic activity. Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg; p.o.) was used as a standard drug.

Results

At the 30th day, most significant reduction in lipid levels in the LSFE treated rats as compared to the rats fed with high-fat diet at the 0th day were: total cholesterol 290.14 ± 18.42 mg/dl vs. 228.58 ± 16.38 mg/dl, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 195.14 ± 8.86 mg/dl vs. 120.57 ± 8.11 mg/dl, triglyceride 232.41 ± 15.22 mg/dl vs. 181.79 ± 15.68 mg/dl, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 46.48 ± 3.04 mg/dl vs. 36.35 ± 3.13 mg/dl (P < 0.0001). Conversely, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly (P < 0.0001) increased from 48.52 ± 6.52 to 71.66 ± 5.14 mg/dl. The increase in weight in rats administered with LSFE was less when compared to rats fed with high-fat diet. Moreover, LSFE also exhibited significant increase in excretion of bile acids.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that the LSFE has a definite antihyperlipidemic potential. There is also a valid scientific basis for consuming it in the treatment of coronary artery diseases in India.