Chander Mohan Pathak

Comparison of Seven and Fourteen Days of Lansoprazole, Clarithromycin, and Amoxicillin Therapy for Eradication of Helicobacter pylori: A Report from India

Background. In developed countries, a 1‐week regimen of combined proton pump inhibitors and two antibiotics is considered adequate for Helicobacter pylori eradication. However, there is a paucity of reports from developing countries on treatment duration of less than 14 days. We compared efficacy of 7 and 14 days of lansoprazole (L), clarithromycin (C), and amoxicillin (A) combinations for eradication of H. pylori.

Cigarette smoke condensate promotes cell proliferation through disturbance in cellular redox homeostasis of transformed lung epithelial type-II cells

Present study was initiated to evaluate the effects of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on the cellular changes at molecular levels in non-small lung carcinoma cells (A549). Cigarette smoke condensate at low concentration (0.1 microg/ml) induced cancer cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression without any significant change in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide radicals (SOR) production. The increased levels of GSH and ICAM-1 due to increased gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) activity and transcriptional activation of ICAM-1 gene respectively might be via activation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). The induction of ICAM-1 expression and cell proliferation reflect the tumor promoting activity of low CSC concentration. On the other hand, high CSC concentration (50 microg/ml), which is doubtful to be achieved in the lungs even in the chain smokers, induced killing effects on cancer cells by increasing apoptosis, ROS and SOR production, inducing cell cycle arrest, and increased ICAM-1 levels. These changes were found to be associated with altered GSH/GSSG ratio which shifted the redox balance towards more oxidizing equivalent followed by activation of p38 MAPK and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) involved in signaling cascade and finally transcriptional activation of gamma-GCS and ICAM-1 genes. These changes were found to be p38 and SAPK dependent.

14C-urea breath test is safe for pediatric patients.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, quite prevalent in the developing countries, is considered to be one of the causative factors for various gastric pathologies and other nongastric diseases. It is believed that H. pylori infection is almost always acquired in early childhood and persists throughout life unless specific treatment is given. The 13/14C-urea breath test (UBT) is now considered to be a ‘gold standard’ technique for the detection of H. pylori infection. However, because of the lack of facilities and high cost, the preferred nonradioactive 13C-UBT cannot be performed on pediatric patients in developing countries, whereas the radioactive 14C-UBT is not used on children because of the fear of radiation exposure. When using 37 kBq (1 μCi) of 14C-urea for the 14C-UBT, the patient is not exposed to more radiation than is acquired from the natural environment in one day, as almost all the ingested radioactivity is excreted from the body (urine and breath) within 72–120 h. This article reviews the importance of the 14C-UBT for the detection of H. pylori and justifies the radiation safety aspects of its use in children without any fear of ‘radiation phobia’ where the facility for 13C-UBT is lacking.

Quercetin impairs the reproductive potential of male mice

Oxidative stress is a leading cause of male infertility. To combat this, germ cells and spermatozoa are endowed with various enzymes, vitamins and proteins. Certain other components of food, including bioflavonoids, also provide protection against free radicals. This study analysed the effect of quercetin, a bioflavonoid, on male reproductive function in adult mice, after intraperitoneal treatment with varying concentrations of quercetin (2, 8 and 20 mg kg−1 b.wt.) for 2 weeks. Quercetin increased the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation in the testis with concomitant decrease in sperm count and motility in a dose‐dependent manner. Activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and levels of reduced glutathione were found to be decreased in a dose‐dependent manner. Also, the levels of oxidised glutathione were increased leading to a shift in redox ratio. The testicular histomorphology was also altered dose dependently. Germ cell kinetic study revealed significant loss of various germ cell populations with increasing dose of quercetin. Interestingly, there was a reduction in germinal epithelium thickness concomitant with an increase in seminiferous tubule lumen diameter. In conclusion, the deleterious effects of quercetin on germ cells could be attributed to its pro‐oxidant ability that might affect the Sertoli cell functions.

A new perspective on the quercetin paradox in male reproductive dysfunction.

Dietary bioflavonoids represent a large class of polyphenolic compounds found in most plants. A significant number of flavonoids are reported to have beneficial health effects. Quercetin is one such flavonoid which has been reported to possess strong antioxidant properties. However, as far as male reproduction and fertility are concerned, controversial reports exist in the literature highlighting the antioxidant as well as a prooxidant character of quercetin, leaving much to the researchers speculation. The present review therefore, aimed at addressing this paradoxical behavior of quercetin by taking into account the in vitro and in vivo studies conducted till date regarding its role in the maintenance of male reproductive potential. From the detailed survey of the published data, it appears that the conflicting biological effects of quercetin might relate to its dose and the redox state of the cell. Thus, the cellular toxicity of quercetin metabolites might overshadow the beneficial effects of its supplementation in subjects having reproductive dysfunction coupled with elevated oxidative stress leading to the paradoxical behavior of the flavonoid. Copyright

Changes in gastric environment with test meals affect the performance of 14C-urea breath test

Background:  14C‐urea breath test (UBT) is considered to be an accurate diagnostic test for the detection of active Helicobacter pylori infection. Various test meals are used in 14C‐UBT to slow down gastric emptying, and to enhance the gastric distribution, in order to increase the time and area of contact between microorganisms and the tracer substrate. The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the effect of gastric environment on the performance of 14C‐UBT using an alkaline and an acidic liquid test meal having gastric emptying retardant effect.

[14C]-Urea breath test to confirm eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Background: Treatment for Helicobacter pylori reduces ulcer recurrence. Eradication rates of the organism vary with different drug regimens from 30% to 90%. There is a need to identify patients who have failed treatment. [14C]‐Urea breath test (UBT) is non‐invasive, sensitive, safe and highly reliable test for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. As there is a paucity of reports on the utility of [14C]‐UBT in confirming H. pylori eradication, this study was undertaken.

Kinetics of 14carbon dioxide excretion from 14C-urea by oral commensal flora

Background and Aim:  Previous studies have shown that while performing the 14C‐urea breath test (14C‐UBT) for the detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), there is possibility of false‐positive results due to the other urease producing bacteria present in oropharynx, if breath samples are obtained within 30 min after administration of non‐capsulated 14C‐urea. Therefore, we have exclusively evaluated the kinetics of 14carbon dioxide (14CO2) excretion by oral commensal flora to theoretically propose optimum breath collection timings for 14C‐UBT.

Resveratrol - an ingredient of red wine abrogates the reproductive capacity in male mice

Resveratrol has been considered as an antioxidant in biological system. However, its role in male reproductive biology has not yet been evaluated in much detail. Present study analysed its effect on male reproductive function in adult mouse, after its intraperitoneal administration (2, 8 and 20 mg kg b.wt.−1 per day) for 2 weeks. The generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation in testis increased with concomitant decrease in sperm count and motility following resveratrol treatment as compared with the control group. Resveratrol had a negative impact on the activities of antioxidant enzymes namely catalase and superoxide dismutase and on the level of reduced glutathione. Increase in the level of oxidised glutathione by resveratrol lead to a shift in the redox ratio. Additionally, a significant loss of Leydig cells and alterations in testicular histomorphology (excessive vacuolisation and shrinkage of seminiferous tubules) was also observed. In conclusion, the deleterious effects of resveratrol on germ cells could be attributed to its pro‐oxidant ability leading to testicular tissue damage.

Comparison of Encapsulated Versus Nonencapsulated 14C‐urea Breath Test for the Detection of Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Scintigraphy Study

14C‐urea breath test (14C‐UBT) is considered as “gold standard” for detection of active gastric H. pylori infection. However, till date no comparative study using encapsulated and non‐encapsulated 14C‐UBT protocols has been conducted in same subjects in identical conditions. We monitored gastric fate of capsule containing 14C‐urea with real time display and compared sensitivities of these protocols at different time points of breath collection.