Ronald Young

Effect of exercise therapy on lipid profile and oxidative stress indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes

BackgroundYoga has been shown to be a simple and economical therapeutic modality that may be considered as a beneficial adjuvant for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the impact of Hatha yoga and conventional physical training (PT) exercise regimens on biochemical, oxidative stress indicators and oxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis prospective randomized study consisted of 77 type 2 diabetic patients in the Hatha yoga exercise group that were matched with a similar number of type 2 diabetic patients in the conventional PT exercise and control groups. Biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined at baseline and at two consecutive three monthly intervals. The oxidative stress indicators (malondialdehyde – MDA, protein oxidation – POX, phospholipase A2 – PLA2 activity) and oxidative status [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities] were measured.ResultsThe concentrations of FBG in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups after six months decreased by 29.48% and 27.43% respectively (P < 0.0001) and there was a significant reduction in serum TC in both groups (P < 0.0001). The concentrations of VLDL in the managed groups after six months differed significantly from baseline values (P = 0.036). Lipid peroxidation as indicated by MDA significantly decreased by 19.9% and 18.1% in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively (P < 0.0001); whilst the activity of SOD significantly increased by 24.08% and 20.18% respectively (P = 0.031). There was no significant difference in the baseline and 6 months activities of PLA2 and catalase after six months although the latter increased by 13.68% and 13.19% in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively (P = 0.144).ConclusionThe study demonstrate the efficacy of Hatha yoga exercise on fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes and suggest that Hatha yoga exercise and conventional PT exercise may have therapeutic preventative and protective effects on diabetes mellitus by decreasing oxidative stress and improving antioxidant status.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12608000217303

Correlated activities in the cardioregulator nerves and ventilatory system in the norwegian lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (L.)

Abstract 1. 1. A medium-sized unit in Superior Nerve II in Nephrops fires at a low average rate (0–10 Hz) periodically giving prolonged spontaneous bursts (ca. 20 Hz). 2. 2. These bursts are accompanied by rapidly adapting cardiac arrest and simultaneous apnea which is maintained until the spiking frequency falls below ca. 12 Hz. 3. 3. This pattern of activity may be triggered by brief stimulation of the circumoesophageal connective at ca. 20–25 Hz. 4. 4. Other units in Superior Nerves II and III also display activity correlated with ventilation: some, including the cardioinhibitory unit. showing on occasion, preferred phasing with respect to the ventilatory cycle.

Motor pathway analysis in HAM/TSP using magnetic stimulation and F-waves

BACKGROUND Tropical Spastic Paraparesis/HTLV-I Associated Myelopathy (HAM/TSP) is a chronic, progressive myelopathy endemic to the Caribbean. In HAM/TSP, peripheral motor pathways have been assessed using electromyography and nerve conduction studies; central motor pathways have been assessed to a limited extent using electrocortical stimulation. We used magnetic cortical stimulation (a painless alternative to electrocortical stimulation) and F-wave analysis to study conduction in the central and peripheral motor pathways in 18 HTLV-I seropositive, Jamaican TSP patients (ages 29-70 years; duration of symptoms 3-20 years) and 22 normal controls. METHODS Magnetic cortical stimulation was effected using a 9 cm diameter undamped MES10 coil. F-waves and M-responses were elicited by electrical stimulation of the ulnar nerve at the wrist, and deep peroneal stimulation at the knee. Stimulation and recording of response latencies in abductor digitii minimi (ADM) and tibialis anterior (TA) were carried out using a Cadwell Excel system. RESULTS With cortical stimulation, response latencies (TMCTs) to ADM and TA were prolonged in the patients relative to controls. F-wave and M-response latencies were unaffected, suggesting no peripheral pathology. Latency (CMCT) between cortex and lumbar cord was significantly prolonged; that between cortex and C7/T1, also, but less markedly (P < 0.0005). Amplitudes of cortically evoked responses were significantly reduced only in the lower limbs (TA). CMCT increased as the disease progressed from mild to moderate, thereafter remaining largely unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Meta-analysis of interlaboratory control data revealed no significant differences in TMCTs between our controls and others studied using similar techniques. The observations are consistent with pathology affecting mainly the thoracolumbar cord in HAM/TSP.

Neuropharmacological actions of some binuclear lanthanide(III) complexes.

Binuclear lanthanide(III) compounds are of great interest because of the potential of their mutual Ln(3+)-Ln(3+) electronic couplings to produce unusually sharp images in magnetic resonance and fluorescence imaging of biological tissue. The toxicity and neuropharmacological properties of the water soluble and stable neutral binuclear complex [La(api)](2) were compared with those of binuclear complexes with lower water stability, and the components used in their syntheses. The order of the 24-h LD(50) (mg/kg body wt.) of the compounds in mice was: salicylaldehyde (2.24)<H(3)api (32.3)<[La(2) L(1) (NO(3))(4)].H(2)O (35.1)<triethylenetetramine (38.5)<La(2) L(2)(NO(3))](2) (43.4)<La(NO(3))(3).5H(2)O=[GdL(3) (NO(3))](2) (45.7)<La(2)L(4) (NO(3))(4).CH(3)OH (49.6)<[La (api)](2) (>160). These compounds induced convulsions, urination and defecation in mice. Due to the relatively very low toxicity of [La(api)](2), its mode of action was explored. Its proconvulsant action may possibly involve an interaction of undissociated complex with muscarinic receptors, and is reversed by atropine.

Neem (Azadirachta indica) treatment decreases spontaneous motor activity in rats: implications for its central sedative action

The administration of a crude steroidal extract of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) leaf significantly decreased the total spontaneous motor activity (SMA) scores in rats receiving either 100 mg/kg body weight (i.p.) twice per week for 6 weeks (p <0.01) or a single dose (p <0.05), indicating that neem may have a sedative effect on rats. Single dose (acute) treatment also significantly decreased (p <0.01) the amplitude of the peak twitch force of the gastrocnemius muscle in vivo, but the neem extract exerted no significant effect on amplitude or conduction velocity of the compound action potential of the toad sciatic nerve preparation in vitro. It is therefore concluded that the depression of the SMA may be due to an effect of neem on the central nervous system and/or muscle strength, but not on peripheral nerve conduction.

Photoreceptor evoked potentials and phototactic behaviour in cercaria caribbea LXXI cable

1. Transient potential changes evoked in response to light stimuli, and presumably arising from rhabdomeric eye-spots in the cercarial body, were recorded for the first time, to our knowledge, in helminth parasites. 2. Pigmented Cercaria caribbea LXXI gave a very slowly adapting response to maintained light stimulus, while a non-pigmented variety appeared to emit a stronger, rapidly adapting response to light onset. 3. Swimming towards a directional light source is disrupted by several neuropharmacological agents, which presumably disturb synaptic transmission in the nerve/muscle system. 4. The light evoked potentials were unaffected by these same agents and therefore, appeared to be directly recorded receptor potentials.

A thermostable zone in survivorship and metabolism of a tropical marine cercaria

1. 1. Survivorship curves and their parameters are determined at different temperatures for the marine Cercaria caribbea LXXI (Cable). 2. 2. A relationship is demonstrated between Mean Expected Life Span and half life of the populations (t0.5) and it is argued that t0.5 is a good index of glycogen utilization rate. 3. 3. Q10 values for t0.5 computed on this basis were 5.8 between 10 and 20°C, 3.1 between 30 and 40°C and ∼- 1 between 20 and 30°C. 4. 4. The zone of thermostability corresponds with normal environmental temperatures for the cercariae and probably serves to maximize infectivity under prevailing environmental conditions.

Ultrastructural and neuropharmacological findings in the nerve/muscle system of a digenean (Cercaria caribbea LXXI cable)

Abstract 1. 1. Surface morphology and organization of the neuromuscular system in Cercaria caribbea LXXI are investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. 2. 2. Direct and indirect (sarconeural) nerve-muscle junctions are identified in the cercarial tail. 3. 3. Synaptic vesicles at the direct neuromuscular junctions suggest cholinergic or aminoacidergic transmission. Those at the sarconeural junctions suggest catecholaminergic and/or serotonergic transmission. 4. 4. Acetylcholinesterase and non-specific cholinesterases were found in high concentrations in the proximal and distal tail. 5. 5. Fluorescence histochemistry showed primary catecholamines and 5-HT in the body and tail. 6. 6. 5-HT in the tail may represent a slowly depleted store, perhaps associated with energy availability and utilization.

Neuropharmacological modulation of swimming activity and life span in a digenean parasite, Cercaria caribbea LXXI cable

Abstract 1. 1. Exogenously applied neuropharmacological agents profoundly affected the swimming behaviour and survivorship of Cercaria caribbea LXXI . 2. 2. Propranolol (1.1–40 μM), haloperidol (0.66–0.133 mM) and physostigmine (0.08–2.5 mM) were the most potent reducers of population half-life (T 50 ). 3. 3. Some drugs (e.g. reserpine) produced apparent osmotic disturbances leading to shortened life span. 4. 4. Serotonin had the greatest excitatory effect on swimming and on the electrical activity, increasing the amplitude and frequency of spike discharge. Physostigmine most effectively reduced both parameters. 5. 5. Neuromuscular control of swimming may involve central excitatory nicotinic (cholinergic) and beta adrenergic influences, inhibitory muscarinic (cholinergic) and dopaminergic influences; and local excitatory muscarinic and serotonergic influences.