Ravi Dhawan

Animal models of acute renal failure

The animal models are pivotal for understanding the characteristics of acute renal failure (ARF) and development of effective therapy for its optimal management. Since the etiology for induction of renal failure is multifold, therefore, a large number of animal models have been developed to mimic the clinical conditions of renal failure. Glycerol-induced renal failure closely mimics the rhabdomyolysis; ischemia-reperfusion-induced ARF simulate the hemodynamic changes-induced changes in renal functioning; drug-induced such as gentamicin, cisplatin, NSAID, ifosfamide-induced ARF mimics the renal failure due to clinical administration of respective drugs; uranium, potassium dichromate-induced ARF mimics the occupational hazard; S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine-induced ARF simulate contaminated water-induced renal dysfunction; sepsis-induced ARF mimics the infection-induced renal failure and radiocontrast-induced ARF mimics renal failure in patients during use of radiocontrast media at the time of cardiac catheterization. Since each animal model has been created with specific methodology, therefore, it is essential to describe the model in detail and consequently interpret the results in the context of a specific model.

A review on animal models for screening potential anti-stress agents

Stress is a state of threatened homeostasis that produces different physiological as well as pathological changes depending on severity, type and duration of stress. The animal models are pivotal for understanding the pathophysiology of stress-induced behavioral alterations and development of effective therapy for its optimal management. A battery of models has been developed to simulate the clinical pain conditions with diverse etiology. An ideal animal model should be able to reproduce each of the aspects of stress response and should be able to mimic the natural progression of the disease. The present review describes the different types of acute and chronic stress models including immersion in cold water with no escape, cold environment isolation, immobilization/restraint-induced stress, cold-water restraint stress, electric foot shock-induced stress, forced swimming-induced stress, food-deprived activity stress, neonatal isolation-induced stress, predatory stress, day–night light change-induced stress, noise-induced stress, model of post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic unpredictable stress models.

Phytochemical profile of sugarcane and its potential health aspects

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum Linn.) is an important perennial grass of Poaceae family, indigenous to tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is cultivated worldwide due to the economical and medicinal value of its high yielding products. Sugarcane juice is well known as a raw material for the production of refined sugar and its wax is considered as a potential substitute for the expensive carnauba wax, which is of cosmetic and pharmaceutical interest. Refined sugar is the primary product of sugarcane juice, but during its processing, various other valuable products are also obtained in an unrefined form, such as, brown sugar, molasses, and jaggery. Sugarcane juice is widely used in India in the treatment of jaundice, hemorrhage, dysuria, anuria, and other urinary diseases. Herein, we have summarized the different phytoconstituents and health benefits of sugarcane and its valuable products. The phytochemistry of sugarcane wax (obtained from the leaves and stalks of sugarcane), leaves, juice, and its products has revealed the presence of various fatty acid, alcohol, phytosterols, higher terpenoids, flavonoids, -O- and -C-glycosides, and phenolic acids. The future prospective of some of the sugarcane products has been discussed, which needs a phytopharmacological study and has a great potential to be a valuable medicinal product.

Possible role of pannexin 1/P2x7 purinoceptor in neuroprotective mechanism of ischemic postconditioning in mice

BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested a significant role of pannexin 1 (Panx1)/P2X7 receptor complex in cardioprotective mechanism of ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning (IPC). The present study has been undertaken to investigate whether Panx1/P2X7 purinoceptors are also involved in the neuroprotective mechanism of IPC in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) for 12 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h was used to produce ischemia-reperfusion-induced cerebral injury in Swiss albino mice. For IPC immediately after BCAO of 12 min, three cycles of 10-s ischemia and reperfusion each were given and then prolonged reperfusion of 24 h was used. Cerebral infarct size was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Memory was evaluated using a Morris water maze test. Rotarod test, inclined beam walking test, and neurologic severity score (NSS) were used to assess motor dysfunction. Acetylcholine esterase levels, brain thiobarbituric acid reactive species, and glutathione level were also estimated. RESULTS BCAO followed by reperfusion produced a significant increase in cerebral infarct size, NSS along with impairment of memory and motor dysfunction. It also increased brain acetylcholine esterase, thiobarbituric acid reactive species levels, and decreased the glutathione level. IPC produced a significant decrease in the cerebral infarct size and NSS along with reversal of ischemia-reperfusion-induced impairment of memory, motor dysfunction, and altered biochemical levels in the brain. IPC-induced neuroprotective effects were significantly abolished by pretreatment of mefloquine (15.0 mg/kg orally; 30.0 mg/kg orally), blocker of Panx1/P2X7 purinoceptor. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, activation of Panx1/P2X7 purinoceptors appears to play a significant role in the neuroprotective mechanism of IPC.