Chemopreventive effect of bacoside A on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Purpose

Chemoprevention is an effective approach to control hepatocarcinogenesis. Bacoside A, the active constituent of Bacopa monniera Linn., is anticipated to play a role in chemoprevention of liver cancer.

Methods

In the present study, we investigated the chemopreventive effect of bacoside A against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in an animal model.

Results

Administration of carcinogen showed a significant elevation in the levels of lipid peroxidation, serum tumor marker enzymes and liver injury marker enzymes with subsequent decrease in the levels of both hemolysate and liver antioxidant status. Bacoside A co-treatment maintained the N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced alterations at near normal level. Histopathological and electron microscopic study of the liver tissue also supports the above biochemical observations.

Conclusions

From our findings we conclude that bacoside A is effective to prevent DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma by quenching lipid peroxidation and enhancing antioxidant status through free radical scavenging mechanism and having potential of protecting endogenous enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity.     

The challenges of obesity and obstetric anaesthesia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to review the clinical challenges of obesity in obstetrics from the anaesthetist's viewpoint. RECENT FINDINGS: The prevalence of obesity continues to increase both in the community and on the labour ward. Women who have undergone bariatric surgery are also on rise. During pregnancy, obesity is associated with hypertensive disease (chronic hypertension and preeclampsia), diabetes mellitus (pregestational and gestational), respiratory disorders (asthma and sleep apnoea), thromboembolic disease, caesarean section and infections (primarily urinary tract infections, wound infections and endometritis). Obesity is a risk factor for anaesthesia-related maternal mortality. Obese women are not only at high-risk of airway complications, cardiopulmonary dysfunction, perioperative morbidity and mortality but also pose technical challenges. Obesity also influences the fetal outcomes. Increasing use of regional techniques contributes to the reduced anaesthesia-related maternal mortality. Preconception counselling, antenatal screening and anaesthetic assessment are strongly encouraged. SUMMARY: Effective communication and good teamwork between an anaesthetist and an obstetrician are essential for the care of obese parturients. A more liberalized use of regional techniques may be a means of further reducing the anaesthesia-related maternal mortality.     

Radiofrequency techniques in pain management

Radiofrequency techniques are commonly used in management of persistent pain. It involves application of high-frequency alternating current to the neuronal pathways. It is employed for both neuromodulation and neuroablative type procedures in interventional pain management. Technological advances have widened the scope of their use within clinical practice. The evidence base for both conventional and new technologies is accumulating. A clear understanding of the principles and technologies will enable the clinician to use it safely and effectively.