Luteolin promotes mitochondrial protection during acute and chronic periods of isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats

ObjectiveAn attempt has been made to evaluate the mitochondrial protection in acute and chronic periods after isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial-infarction (MI) in male Wistar rats.Materials and methodsLuteolin was supplemented by intra-gastric intubation at a daily dose of 0.3 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. In the acute MI model, luteolin had been administered once per day to rat groups during 30 days. On 29th and 30th days, the rats of the acute MI control groups were administered 85 mg/kg body weight, isoproterenol, intra-peritoneally at an interval of 24 h. In the chronic MI model luteolin was supplemented to the rat group during 30 days. On the 1st and 2nd days, the rats of the chronic MI control and luteolin treatment groups were administered ISO by the same way.ResultsThe isoproterenol-treated rats both in acute and chronic models showed an increase in the level of TBARS and a decrease in the activities of mitochondrial antioxidants in MI rats, an increase in levels of mitochondrial lipid profile except phospholipids and the activities of mitochondrial enzymes were decreased in isoproterenol-treated rats. Oral treatments with luteolin in both acute and chronic models showed a significant decrease in the levels of mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, increase in the mitochondrial antioxidant levels and also decrease in the mitochondrial enzymes.ConclusionThus the present study revealed that luteolin ameliorates mitochondrial damage in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction by maintaining lipid peroxidation metabolism due to its free radical scavenging, mitochondrial lipids, antioxidants and mitochondrial enzymes. Histopathological observations were also in correlation with the biochemical parameters.     

The Chronological Advancement of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration Research: A Review

According to Kyoto protocol carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystem is a low cost option to mitigate the increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. It has been understood that the world’s forests and their soils have a high potential to sequester the atmospheric carbon. For the last two decades there has been increasing interest among scientists in terrestrial soil carbon storage processes. This review made an attempt to summarize the major chronological advancement of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration research and also to underpin the problems yet to be focused on this research at global level. SOC sequestration research began in the early seventies, where most of the studies were estimating the size/stock of the global SOC. In the early eighties, most of the researchers have started to focus on the factors involved in the storage of organic carbon in different ecosystems. Subsequently, the researchers started to work on different types of SOC pools, their size, turnover and chemical characterization in different types of ecosystems. Recently the researcher’s main focus has been the temperature sensitivity of organic carbon in different types of soil and their mechanism of stabilization. There has been interest among researchers on the contribution of microbial derived (microbial necromass) carbon in recalcitrant pool of SOC and their sequestration process in different types of ecosystems. Arguably, the contribution in SOC sequestration research on the fate of sequestered carbon in different types of soil and their stabilization mechanisms is insufficient. India is the country spread over regions from temperate to dry desert zones with different types of fragile ecosystems and its vulnerable nature to the global climate change. Therefore, the future research must focus on SOC sensitivity to temperature and SOC stabilization mechanisms in different ecosystems for better understanding of the soil carbon cycle.     

Molecular composition of the alveolar lining fluid in the aging lung

As we age, there is an increased risk for the development of pulmonary diseases, including infections, but few studies have considered changes in lung surfactant and components of the innate immune system as contributing factors to the increased susceptibility of the elderly to succumb to infections. We and others have demonstrated that human alveolar lining fluid (ALF) components, such as surfactant protein (SP)-A, SP-D, complement protein C3, and alveolar hydrolases, play a significant innate immune role in controlling microbial infections. However, there is a lack of information regarding the effect of increasing age on the level and function of ALF components in the lung. Here we addressed this gap in knowledge by determining the levels of ALF components in the aging lung that are important in controlling infection. Our findings demonstrate that pro-inflammatory cytokines, surfactant proteins and lipids, and complement components are significantly altered in the aged lung in both mice and humans. Further, we show that the aging lung is a relatively oxidized environment. Our study provides new information on how the pulmonary environment in old age can potentially modify mucosal immune responses, thereby impacting pulmonary infections and other pulmonary diseases in the elderly population.     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) in regulating gene expression of phase II drug metabolizing enzymes

3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) has been investigated as a potential anti-cancer chemopreventive agent in many preclinical and clinical studies. In this study, we sought to characterize the pharmacokinetics of DIM and to build a pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) model of the DIM-induced gene expression of phase II drug metabolizing enzymes (DME), which potentially links DIM’s molecular effects to its in vivo chemopreventive efficacy. DIM (10 mg/kg) was administered intravenously (i.v.) to male Sprague–Dawley rats and blood samples were collected at selected time points for 48 h. The plasma concentration of DIM was determined using a validated HPLC method. The mRNA expression of NQO1, GSTP1 and UGT1A1 in blood lymphocytes was measured using quantitative PCR. An indirect response model was employed to relate the concentration of DIM to the expression of the genes NQO1, GSTP1 and UGT1A1, which were chosen as PD markers for DIM. After i.v. administration, the plasma concentration of DIM declined quickly, and the expression of target genes increased significantly, peaking at 1–2 h and then returning to basal levels after 24 h. The parameters in the PK–PD model were estimated. The PK–PD model aptly described the time delay and magnitude of gene expression induced by DIM. Our results indicate that DIM is effective at inducing various phase II DME, which are capable of detoxify carcinogens. This PK–PD modeling approach provides a framework for evaluating the acute effects of DIM or other similar drugs in clinical trials.     

Effect of pre-donation fluid intake on fluid shift from interstitial to intravascular compartment in blood donors

Background

Fluid shifts from interstitial to intravascular space during blood donation helps in compensating the lost blood volume. We aimed to determine the volume of fluid shift following donation in donors with and without pre-donation fluid intake.

Development and Evaluation of Probioticated Cucumber Juice Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis>

The aim of the present study was to develop a probioticated cucumber juice by optimizing the concentration of prebiotic (inulin), stevia (Stevia rebudiana) and inoculum (Lactobacillus plantarum) by varying one factor at a time. Cucumber juice with 2% prebiotic had a pH 3.76, acidity 0.239%, total sugars 198.2 μg/mL, reducing sugars 102.3 μg/mL and microbial viability of 1.36 × 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU)/mL, respectively. The juice with 3% stevia had a pH 3.59, acidity 0.388%, total sugars 214 μg/mL, reducing sugars 156.7 μg/mL and microbial viability of 6.7 × 10⁷ CFU/mL, respectively. The juice with 3% inoculum size had a pH 3.82, acidity 0.39%, total sugars 128.3 μg/mL, reducing sugars 198.6 μg/mL and microbial viability of 3.5 × 10⁸ CFU/mL, respectively. Maximum growth of the probiotic (L. plantarum) in the cucumber juice was obtained at the end of 48 h of fermentation for 2% prebiotic, 3% stevia and 3% inoculum size without much changes in nutritional and organoleptic properties. The probiotic strain namely L. plantarum proved its ability and suitability to ferment cucumber juice. The growth of the probiotic in the cucumber juice was found maximum with 2% prebiotic, 3% stevia and 3% inoculum size at the end of 48 h of fermentation with minimal changes in nutritional value and organoleptic characteristics with a good shelf life at 4 °C in polyethylene terephthalate bottles.     

A cross-sectional study to compare intraocular pressure measurement by sequential use of Goldman applanation tonometry,dynamic contour tonometry,ocular response analyzer,and Corvis ST

Objective:

To study the correlation and effect of sequential measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) with Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), ocular response analyzer (ORA), dynamic contour tonometer (DCT), and Corvis ST.

Setting and Design:

Observational cross-sectional series from the comprehensive clinic of a tertiary eye care center seen during December 2012.

Methods:

One hundred and twenty-five study eyes of 125 patients with normal IOP and biomechanical properties underwent IOP measurement on GAT, DCT, ORA, and Corvis ST; in four different sequences. Patients with high refractive errors, recent surgeries, glaucoma, and corneal disorders were excluded so as to rule out patients with evident altered corneal biomechanics.

Statistical Analysis:

Linear regression and Bland–Altman using MedCalc software.

Results:

Multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures showed no influence of sequence of device use on IOP (P = 0.85). Linear regression r² between GAT and Corvis ST, Corvis ST and Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg), and DCT and Corvis ST were 0.37 (P = 0.675), 0.63 (P = 0.607), and 0.19 (P = 0.708), respectively. The Bland–Altman agreement of Corvis ST with GAT, corneal compensated IOP, and IOPg was 2 mmHg (−5.0 to + 10.3), −0.5 mmHg (−8.1 to 7.1), and 0.5 mmHg (−6.2 to 7.1), respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient for repeatability ranged from 0.81 to 0.96.

Conclusions:

Correlation between Corvis ST and ORA was found to be good and not so with GAT. However, agreement between the devices was statistically insignificant, and no influence of sequence was observed.