Krishnananda Prabhu

Antiovulatory and abortifacient effects of Areca catechu (betel nut) in female rats.

Objectives: To study the antiovulatory and abortifacient effects of ethanolic extract of Areca catechu in female rats. Materials and Methods: For antiovulatory effect, ethanolic extract of A. catechu at 100 and 300 mg/kg doses was administered orally for 15 days. Vaginal smears were examined daily microscopically for estrus cycle. Rats were sacrificed on 16th day. Ovarian weight, cholesterol estimation, and histopathological studies were done. Abortifacient activity was studied in rats at 100 and 300 mg/kg doses administered orally from 6th to 15th day of pregnancy. Rats were laparotomised on 19th day. The number of implantation sites and live fetuses were observed in both horns of the uterus. Results: The extract of A. catechu showed a significant decrease in the duration of estrus at 100 mg/kg (P = 0.015) and 300 mg/kg doses (P = 0.002) as compared with control. Metestrus phase was also significantly reduced at 100 mg/kg (P = 0.024) and 300 mg/kg doses (P = 0.002). There was a significant increase in proestrus (P < 0.001) phase. However, diestrus phase was unchanged. Histopathological study of the ovaries showed mainly primordial, primary, and secondary follicles in the test groups as compared to control. There was also a significant (P = 0.002) decrease in ovarian weight and a significant (P = 0.021) increase in ovarian cholesterol level at 100 mg/kg dose. In the study to evaluate abortifacient effect, the mean percentage of abortion with 100 and 300 mg/kg doses were 75.5% and 72.22%, respectively, which was significantly (P = 0.008 and P = 0.006, respectively) increased when compared with control. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of A. catechu at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg has antiovulatory and abortifacient effects.

Evaluation of antiinflammatory activity of Tephrosia purpurea in rats

Objective: To evaluate the antiinflammatory activity of orally administered ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea in acute and subacute inflammation in rats. Methods: An ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea was prepared. Carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma were the models for acute and subacute inflammation respectively. Four groups of rats in each model were treated orally with 2% gum acacia, 100 mg /kg of aspirin, 500 mg/kg and 1 000 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea respectively. In carrageenan induced paw edema model, subplantar injection of 1% carrageenan was made into the hind paw of the rats sixty minutes after the administration of the respective drugs. The paw volume was measured immediately after injection of carrageenan, at 3 hours and at 6 hours. Then percentage inhibition of edema was calculated. In the cotton pellet granuloma model,animals were administered drugs for six days after placing cotton pellets in the axilla on each side. On the 7th day, dry weight of granuloma was calculated. Results: The rats treated with Tephrosia purpurea did not exhibit any significant decrease in paw volume and serum ceruloplasmin levels as compared to the control and aspirin treated groups in the acute inflammation model; while, there was a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in the weight of granuloma in Tephrosia purpurea and aspirin treated groups as compared to control in subacute inflammation. Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of orally administered Tephrosia purpurea shows significant antiinflammatory effect in subacute inflammation but not in acute inflammation in rats.

Biochemical markers in saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is consider to be one of the common type of head and neck cancer. Only 50% of advanced oral cancer would survive for 5 years, as this rate has been constant over the last two decades. In order to decrease mortality rate, a new tools are require for early stage diagnosis. Saliva is of great importance for diagnosis of several systemic diseases, and its use for diagnosis of OSCC has been used extensively. Many salivary enzymes along with DNA, RNA and protein obtained from saliva, cancerous cells and inflammatory cells of oral cavity. Extensive studies carried out from genomic and proteomic perspective to identify the potential biomarkers in body fluid as well as saliva and blood for diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC. This article reviewed the recently identified biomarkers from saliva for OSCC. In addition, the biomarkers which have been correlated with OSCC tumor malignancy by molecular pathology analysis are also described. Finally, the potential biomarkers that have been demonstrated to associate with the malignant OSCC may be used for salivary screening for high-risk patients are discussed. This review article may help to identify the potential biomarkers for screening and the molecular pathology analysis for high-risk patients of OSCC.

Evaluation of knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy among the health science students of Manipal University

This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices with respect to epilepsy among health science students of Manipal University. The study was conducted among first-year health science students of Kasturba Medical College on the Manipal and Mangalore campuses of Manipal University. All students willing to participate (n=587) were asked to answer a standardized questionnaire on epilepsy. Our study group included educated urban people from various ethnic backgrounds of various countries who chose health science as a career, which makes the study different from others. Even though most of the students had heard about epilepsy, very few knew about the underlying cause. Most of the students were ignorant about the drugs and ways to deal with epileptic seizures. Questions related to community and religion were deliberately avoided as some subjects found such questions offensive, which may have resulted in a difference in response as compared with previously published studies. It was observed that a large number of students were not aware of the nuances of epilepsy. However, we expect the knowledge, attitudes and awareness to improve considerably with time and increased exposure. These findings support a need to promote epilepsy awareness programs as a means of increasing public knowledge of epilepsy.

Plasma Protein Thiols and Total Antioxidant Power in Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome

Background: Oxidative damage by free radicals has been implicated in kidney injury, especially in nephrotic syndrome (NS). Such a stress would influence the response of nephrotic children to therapy. Methods: The present study enrolled children with NS in active disease state and in remission and 50 healthy volunteers. Plasma protein thiol levels and ferric-reducing/antioxidant power were estimated spectrophotometrically in controls and in patients. Serum protein and albumin as well as urine protein were also estimated. Results: There was a significant decrease in plasma protein thiol levels in children with active disease when compared to controls as well as to subjects in remission. Ferric-reducing/antioxidant power values were significantly increased in NS and remained high in remission when compared to controls. Serum total protein and albumin were significantly decreased in nephrotics compared to controls. Further, a prospective study between the relapse and remission groups indicated a significant increase in plasma protein thiols in remission when compared to relapse exhibiting a positive response to treatment. Conclusion: A considerable alteration in the antioxidant status in NS indicates the pro-oxidant milieu existing in this condition which may have implications in the response to treatment of these patients.

Estimation of Salivary Protein Thiols And Total Antioxidant Power of Saliva in Brain Tumor Patients

BACKGROUND The role of oxidative stress in the genesis of various types of cancers is well established. Several chemical, cell culture and animal studies also indicate that antioxidants may slow or even prevent the development of cancer. Brain is considered abnormally sensitive to oxidative damage as brain tissue has high rate of oxygen consumption, high lipid content and relatively low antioxidant defenses, compared to other tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study design chosen for the present study was cross sectional. The biochemical parameters that were estimated in saliva manually using spectrophotometric methods were ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay--a direct measure of total antioxidant activity of biological fluids and protein thiols. The physical parameters of saliva that were also assessed were salivary flow rate, pH of the saliva and the osmolality of the saliva. RESULTS The mean values of salivary flow rate and pH were significantly decreased among malignant and benign tumor patients whereas the salivary osmolality was significantly increased in both the groups of patients. The mean values of salivary FRAP were significantly reduced among malignant and benign tumor patients. However, the salivary protein thiols were significantly increased in these patients. CONCLUSION Hence with these observations it can be concluded that in saliva, besides the physical characteristics, salivary FRAP and protein thiol levels are appropriate indicators of the antioxidant status in brain tumor patients.

Serum total glutathione-s-transferase levels in oral cancer.

We conducted a study wherein serum total glutathione-s-transferase levels were measured in patients (n = 27) with various stages of biopsy proven oral cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) and age and sex matched healthy human volunteers (n=10). In all patients with oral cancer, serum total glutathione-s-transferase was measured before the onset of treatment. There was a significant increase in serum total glutathione-s-transferase levels in patients with stage IV oral cancer as compared to stage II (P = 0.001) and stage III (P = 0.002) oral cancer. This shows that alterations in serum total Glutathione-s-transferase levels may have a role in cancer progression.

Can antioxidants predispose to cancer recurrence

Objective: To measure and compare pre-and post-treatment levels of serum total glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in stage Ⅳ cervical cancer patients and erythrocytic glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma ceruloplasmin (CP) and total GST in stage Ⅳ oral cancer patients and to correlate with the response to treatment during a two year follow-up period in respective cancer groups. Methods: Thirty-four biopsy-proven stage Ⅳ oral cancer and cervical cancer patients (n=17 in each group) who underwent same mode of treatment were chosen for this study. Erythrocytic MDA and GSH, CP and serum total GST were measured in all patients before the onset of treatment, and the GST level was only measured in cervical cancer patients after radiotherapy. The levels were compared with their respective prognosis in 2 years. Results: Oral cancer patients with higher pretreatment levels of GSH, CP and GST came with cancer recurrence within 2 years after the onset of treatment. Cervical cancer patients with higher post radiotherapy levels of serum total GST had higher recurrence tate. Conclusions: This study indicates there may be a role for these antioxidant parameters namely GST, GSH, CP in assessment of long term survival and prognosis of cancer patients.

Association between Vitamin D, Fasting Blood Glucose, HbA1c and Fasting Lipid Profile in Euglycemic Individuals

In addition to biological actions of vitamin D such as calcium absorption, regulation of bone and mineral metabolism, studies have shown that Vitamin D is necessary for normal insulin secretion. Vitamin D influences insulin production and secretion through its effect on calcium and phosphorous metabolism. Vitamin D modifies insulin response by acting on receptor gene. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in decreased insulin secretion and increased insulin resistance. Objective: To measure and correlate vitamin D with fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and fasting lipid profile in euglycemic individuals. Methods: Ethics clearance was obtained prior to data collection. After an overnight fast, blood samples were collected for fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, HbA1c and vitamin D from euglycemic individuals who consented to participate. Vitamin D assay was estimated in Elecsys 2010 by ECLIA method. Plasma glucose was estimated by Hexokinase method. Serum fasting lipid profile was estimated in Cobas 6000 (Roche), and HbA1c measured using ion exchange HPLC method using Biorad Variant II turbo. Results: There was an inverse correlation between vitamin D and fasting plasma glucose (p＜0.001); Vitamin D and HbA1c (p＜0.001) in groups 1 and 3. There was also a significant inverse correlation of Total cholesterol (p=0.05), total cholesterol/HDL ratio (p＜0.001) with Vitamin D and significant direct correlation of HDL with vitamin D levels in groups 1 and 3. Conclusion: Deficiency of vitamin D can predispose to dysregulation of glucose and lipoprotein metabolism. There may be a role for vitamin D in better management of diabetes and dyslipidemia.

CAN SERUM GLUTATHIONE-S-TRANSFERASE LEVELS IN CARCINOMA CERVIX BE A PREDICTOR OF RADIATION RESPONSE?

We conducted a pilot study wherein serum Glutathione-S-transferase levels were measured before and after radiotherapy in carcinoma cervix patients and correlated with response to treatment during a two-year follow-up period. Out of 17 patients who received radiotherapy, 9 showed a significant decrease (p<0.005) while 8 showed significant increase (p<0.004) in post radiotherapy glutathione-S-transferase values as compared to pre treatment values respectively. These patients were followed up for two years and we observed that 71% who had significant increase in post radiotherapy values had relapse of cancer within 2 years where as 66% of those who had significant decrease in post radiotherapy values had no evidence of relapse. This shows that alterations in serum Glutathione-S-transferase levels may help us to predict radiation response