Anil Kumar Srivastava

Probiotics for human health –new innovations and emerging trends

The role of the gut microbiome in human health and disease with a particular emphasis on therapeutic use of probiotics under specific medical conditions was mainly highlighted in 1st Annual conference of Probiotic Association of India (PAi) and International Symposium on “Probiotics for Human Health - New Innovations and Emerging Trends” held on 27th-28th August, 2012 at New Delhi, India. There is increasing recognition of the fact that dysbiosis or alteration of this gut microbiome may be implicated in gastro-intestinal disorders including diarrheal diseases, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, life style diseases viz. Diabetes Mellitus-2 and obesity etc. This report summarizes the proceedings of the conference and the symposium comprehensively. Although, research on probiotics has been continuing for the past few decades, the subject has been currently the major focus of attention across the world due to recent advances and new developments in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and emergence of new generation of high through put sequencing technologies that have immensely helped in understanding the probiotic functionality and mode of action from nutritional and health perspectives. There is now sufficient evidence backed up with good quality scientific clinical data to suggest that probiotic interventions could indeed be effective in various types of diarrheal diseases, other chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders like pouchitis, necrotizing entero-colitis, allergic responses and lactose intolerance etc. This report makes a modest attempt to give all the stake holders involved in development of probiotic based functional/health foods an overview of the current status of probiotics research at the Global and National level. The most crucial issues that emerged from the lead talks delivered by the eminent speakers from India and abroad were the major focus of discussions in different plenary and technical sessions. By discussing some of these issues from scientific perspectives, the conference could achieve its prime objective of disseminating the current knowledge on the prospects of probiotics as potential biotherapeutics in the management of human health and diseases.

Toxicity of subacute oral administration of cypermethrin in rats with special reference to histopathological changes

Pyrethrins are obtained from the flowers of Chrysanthemum cinerarifolium. These are strong insecticides with low mammalian toxicity. The toxic effects of pyrethroid cypermethrin were studied using various biochemical parameters along with histopathological changes in a 30-day study in Wistar rats. The rats were divided into two groups. Rats of the test group were given sublethal doses of cypermethrin (14.5 mg/kg) by gavage once daily for 30 days and the control rats were given an equal volume of the vehicle. The animals were sacrificed on day 0, 10, 20 and 30 of the study. The results showed that cypermethrin caused a significant increase in the levels of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and plasma creatinine. It significantly lowered the levels of total proteins. The histopathological studies on various organs like liver, lungs, kidneys and heart were carried out. The changes in various biochemical parameters correlated well with the histopathological changes in various organs. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that subacute oral administration of cypermethrin, even in low doses such as 1/10 LD50 for 30 days induces toxic effects on different vital organs. Key words: Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium, pyrethrins, subacute toxicity

Haematolohical profile of subacute oral toxicity of molybdenum and ameliorative efficacy of copper salt in goats.

Molybdenum toxicity produces a state of secondary hypocuprosis, resulting into alterations in normal hematological profile. In the present study, ammonium molybdate alone and with copper sulfate (II) pentahydrate (ameliorative agent) was administered orally for 30 consecutive days in healthy goats of group 1 and 2, respectively, to access the effect on the hematological profile on different predetermined days of dosing. Administration of ammonium molybdate alone produced significant decline in the mean values of hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (TLC), total erythrocyte count (TEC), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), with a significant increase in neutrophil level and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). However, values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and differential leukocyte count were not significantly altered. On comparing observations of ameliorative group with the group 1 goats, it is concluded that the ameliorative copper salt has beneficial effects in alleviating the alterations in the values of Hb, PCV, TLC, TEC, MCV, MCHC, and neutrophils.

Single and multiple daily dose toxicokinetics of fluoride after oral administration of sodium fluoride in goats

The toxicokinetics of fluoride was investigated in healthy cross breed goats after single and repeated oral administration of sodium fluoride (20 mg kg−1 b.wt.) for 30 days. Serial blood samples at various predetermined time intervals were collected for plasma separation on days 1 and 30 of administration. The plasma fluoride levels were estimated by using ion selective electrode of Orion Fluoride Analyzer using 96-09 combination fluoride electrode. The plasma levels of fluoride against time were adequately described by one compartment open model. The plasma peak level of fluoride was observed for 2 h. The toxicokinetic data revealed that for last dose, the mean values of β and ClB were significantly (p < 0.01) lower, whereas, the values of t 1/2β, AUC and MRT were significantly (p < 0.05) higher from their respective first dose values. The time concentration profile of plasma fluoride levels and toxicokinetics data revealed that repeated oral administration of fluoride has a cumulative effect in the body of the goats.

A Prospective analysis of the efficacy of JESS (Joshi's External Stabilizing System) fixator in management of complex tibial plateau fractures.

Objective: Complex tibial plateau fractures are caused by variety of mechanisms and have different fracture patterns, may be associated with soft tissue injuries, compartment syndrome, blistrations. Restoration of joint congruity, limb alignment, early range of motion, with a stable knee is difficult at times. We studied efficacy of JESS (Joshi’s External Stabilizing System) with or without limited fixations in these complex tibial plateau fractures. Material and Methods: 32 patients of complex tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker type V and VI) associated with severe soft tissue injury, crushing , compartment syndrome were studied. All cases were treated by Joshi’s External Stabilizing System with or without limited fixation by cannulated cancellous screws. Progress and complaints of the patients were recorded in accordance with Rick/Delamertier and Meason Hohl scoring system. Follow up of patients was at regular interval of 4 weeks for 6 months and thereafter 6 monthly. Results: Out of 32 patients of complex tibial plateau fractures ( 23 Schatzker Type VI and 9 Type V) with mean age 37.47 (range 20-68) years had right knee injury (n=20) more than left knee (n=12). Mean interval period between injury and the surgery was 6.44 (range 3-16) days. Mean duration of hospital stay was 9.03 (range 525) days. Mean range of flexion was 112.19 0 (range 75 0 -130 0 ), Extensor lag of 5 0 -10 0 seen in 4 cases. 26 patients have no limitation in activity. Post operative complications like superficial / Pin tract infection in 7, deep infection in 1 and non-union in 1 case were observed. Excellent in 26, good in 4 and satisfactory results in 2 patients were observed in this study. Conclusion: JESS (Joshi’s External Stabilizing System) combined with limited fixation is a good alternative technique in management of complex tibial plateau fractures. This technique works on the principle of ligamentotaxis. JESS construct helps to take care of wound and dressings and permits early physiotherapy and

Single and multiple daily dose toxicokinetics of fluoride after oral administration of sodium fluoride along with aluminum sulfate in goats

Our previous study suggested that toxicokinetic parameters of fluoride were significantly changed on the 30th day as compared with 1st day, after repeated oral administration of sodium fluoride alone for 30 days in goats. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether aluminum sulfate has ameliorative effect on the toxicokinetics of fluoride. For this, sodium fluoride (20 mg kg−1 b. wt.) along with aluminum sulfate (150 mg kg−1 b. wt.) was administered in goats for 30 days to investigate its effect on toxicokinetics of fluoride on days 1 and 30. The fluoride levels against time were adequately described by one compartment open model. The peak plasma level of fluoride was observed at 2 h. The toxicokinetics data revealed a nonsignificant decrease in β (elimination rate constant) and C max (the maximum plasma concentration) and increase in t 1/2 K a (absorption half-lives), t 1/2 β (elimination half-lives), area under the plasma (AUC) concentration versus time curve and mean residence time (MRT) was observed for the last dose from their respective first dose values. On the basis of changes in the toxicokinetic parameters, it was concluded that repeated oral administration has cumulative effect on plasma fluoride level and concurrent oral administration of aluminum sulfate has ameliorative action on the toxicokinetics of fluoride in goats.