Effects of Vitamin C and E on PCB (Aroclor 1254) induced oxidative stress, androgen binding protein and lactate in rat Sertoli cells

The effect of Aroclor 1254 and the ameliorative effect of Vitamin C and E on Sertoli cell function were studied in adult male rats. The rats were administered Aroclor 1254 at a dose of 2 mg/kg bw/day intraperitoneally for 30 days. One group of rats received Vitamin C (100 mg/kg bw/day) while the other group received Vitamin E (50 mg/kg bw/day) orally simultaneously with Aroclor 1254 for 30 days. Necropsy was performed at 24 h after the last injection. Sertoli cells were isolated for the estimation of enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT). Lipid peroxidation (LPO), hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical were estimated. Sertoli cellular androgen binding protein (ABP) and lactate were also quantified. Whereas body weight, testis weight, relative weight of testis, ABP, lactate and specific activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST, gamma-GT were all decreased, the levels of hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and LPO were significantly increased in the Sertoli cells of Aroclor 1254 treated rats. Simultaneous administration of Vitamin C or E restored these parameters to a normal range. Thus, the present study suggests that Aroclor 1254 exposure induces oxidative stress in rat Sertoli cells and furthermore that simultaneous administration of Vitamin C or E ameliorated these effects.     

Effect of zinc on regulation of insulin-like growth factor signaling in human androgen-independent prostate cancer cells

BackgroundProstate cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men. Progression of these tumors is facilitated by growth factors that activate critical signaling cascades thereby promote prostate cancer cell growth, survival, and migration. Among these, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) signaling pathway contributes a major role. In this study, we examined the effect of zinc on insulin-like growth factors signaling in prostate cancer cells.MethodsHuman androgen-independent prostatic carcinoma (PC-3) cells were treated with different concentrations of zinc (20–100 µmol/l) for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability was performed by 3[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and IRS-2, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 K), protein kinase B or Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), and cyclin D1 protein levels were assessed by Western blot analysis. Apoptosis was confirmed by 4′,6′-diaminido-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining, and mitochondrial membrane potential was performed using rhodamine-123 staining method.ResultsZinc significantly reduces the cell viability of PC-3 cells. It decreases the protein levels of IGF-IR, IRS-1, and IRS-2 and increases the level of IGFBP-3. Zinc reduces the levels of PI-3 K, Akt, ERK1/2, and cyclin Dl. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptotic cell death were also observed in zinc-treated cells.ConclusionThis study suggests that zinc decreases the survival of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells by modulating the expression of IGF system components and its signaling molecules. Thus, zinc may be qualified as a potential agent for the treatment of prostate cancer.     

Idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip: case report with a review of the literature.

The first case of idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip from South-East Asia is reported, with a review of the literature. The problems of differential diagnosis are discussed. As the condition is rare, it is likely to be misdiagnosed and may well be over-treated. The rarity of the condition and its natural history terminating in spontaneous fusion make it mandatory that a correct preoperative diagnosis be established in order to avoid needless radical surgery. Some of the significant clinicopathological findings are highlighted.     

Congenital dislocation of hip in children: a review of patients treated in the Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, 1975-1988

A retrospective review of patients with congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) seen in the Institute of Orthopaedics, Kuala Lumpur General Hospital from 1975 to 1988 is presented. There was a female predominance of 17 to five. The average follow-up was 43 months and the average age at final assessment was 63 months. The results were assessed clinically and radiographically using Severin criteria. Eighty eight percent of the hips had excellent or good clinical results at final review compared with 40% of the hips which had excellent or good radiological grading (Severin I and II). Initial acetabular angle before treatment and types of treatment appeared to have a correlation with the final result. The incidence of avascular necrosis was 16%.     

Tannic acid prevents macrophage-induced pro-fibrotic response in lung epithelial cells via suppressing TLR4-mediated macrophage polarization

Background

Polarized macrophages induce fibrosis through multiple mechanisms, including a process termed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mesenchymal cells contribute to the excessive accumulation of fibrous connective tissues, leading to organ failure. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of tannic acid (TA), a natural dietary polyphenol on M1 macrophage-induced EMT and its underlying mechanisms.

Materials

First, we induced M1 polarization in macrophage cell lines (RAW 264.7 and THP-1). Then, the conditioned-medium (CM) from these polarized macrophages was used to induce EMT in the human adenocarcinomic alveolar epithelial (A549) cells. We also analysed the role of TA on macrophage polarization.

Results

We found that TA pre-treated CM did not induce EMT in epithelial cells. Further, TA pre-treated CM showed diminished activation of MAPK in epithelial cells. Subsequently, TA was shown to inhibit LPS-induced M1 polarization in macrophages by directly targeting toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), thereby repressing LPS binding to TLR4/MD2 complex and subsequent signal transduction.

Conclusion

It was concluded that TA prevented M1 macrophage-induced EMT by suppressing the macrophage polarization possibly through inhibiting the formation of LPS-TLR4/MD2 complex and blockage of subsequent downstream signal activation. Further, our findings may provide beneficial information to develop new therapeutic strategies against chronic inflammatory diseases.

     

Chemopreventive effects of zinc on prostate carcinogenesis induced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-nitrosourea and testosterone in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Purpose  

Zinc is an important micronutrient involved in structural and regulatory functions in mammalian cells. It inhibits proliferation of both androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancer in vitro. However, no report is available on the chemopreventive role of zinc on prostate cancer initiation in in vivo model. The main purpose of this study was to assess the chemopreventive effects of zinc on prostate carcinogenesis induced by a single dose of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and continuous testosterone administration in Sprague-Dawley rats.     

IDIOPATHIC CHONDROLYSIS OF THE HIP: CASE REPORT WITH A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The first case of idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip from South-East Asia is reported, with a review of the literature. The problems of differential diagnosis are discussed. As the condition is rare, it is likely to be misdiagnosed and may well be over-treated. The rarity of the condition and its natural history terminating in spontaneous fusion make it mandatory that a correct preoperative diagnosis be established in order to avoid needless radical surgery. Some of the significant clinicopathological findings are highlighted.     

Environmental water surveillance for free-living amoeba in North India

PurposeFree-living amoebae (FLA) exist in various environmental sources and are the causative agents of many serious human diseases. We surveyed various natural and artificial water bodies in areas of north India to detect the presence of FLA species.Materials and methodsSurface water samples were collected from 29 water bodies and subjected to microscopy, non-nutrient agar (NNA) culture, and various polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection of FLA.ResultsFLA were found in 62.1% (18/29) of the natural and artificial water bodies by NNA culture. Based on PCR based detection, Acanthamoeba spp. was identified in 41.4% (12/29), Vannella spp./Vahlkampfia ovis in 17.2% (5/29) and Naegleria spp. in 20.7% (6/29) of the samples from different locations. PCR-sequencing of Naegleria positive samples identified them as Naegleria australiensis and Naegleria species.ConclusionsThe present study reports widespread occurrence of medically important FLA species in various natural and artificial water bodies, and highlights the need for regular molecular surveillance of FLA in the environment for better control and prevention of the diseases caused by FLA.     

Role of α-tocopherol on antioxidant status in liver, lung and kidney of PCB exposed male albino rats

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are widespread, lipophilic environmental pollutants which have been identified as contaminants in almost every component of the global ecosystem including fish, wildlife, and human adipose tissue, breast milk, and serum. Several studies have shown that PCBs can cause oxidative damage to biomolecules, in the form of lipid peroxidation, modulation of antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative stress. In the present study, we have sought to investigate the effects of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) on antioxidant status of PCB-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. The protective effect of alpha-tocopherol (50mg/kg body weight/day) was tested in PCB-induced toxicity in rat liver, lung, and kidney. We report here that the oral supplementation of alpha-tocopherol was found to maintain the cellular redox status by maintaining the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase accompanied with glutathione and vitamin E levels and down regulation in the levels of lipid peroxides, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxides generation in PCB treated rats. Therefore, our present study demonstrates the PCB-induced deficits in antioxidant enzyme activities and increase in reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation levels in liver, kidney, and lung which can be overcome through simultaneous supplementation with alpha-tocopherol.