Sahadeb Dey

Effect of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract on tissue lead level in rats.

The prophylactic efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract to reduce tissue lead (Pb) concentration was evaluated experimentally in rats. Thirty female rats were divided into five groups, keeping group A as a healthy control. Rats of groups B, C, D and E received lead acetate orally at the rate of 5 mg per kg body weight daily for 6 weeks. The garlic extract was tried in three doses, viz. 100 (low), 200 (medium) and 400 mg (high) per kg body weight orally and given simultaneously with lead salt to the rats of group C, D and E, respectively. Mean blood lead concentrations in lead-exposed rats ranged between 0.13+/-0.02 and 0.96+/-0.06 microg/ml, whereas in garlic-treated rats, the range was between 0.16+/-0.01 and 0.80+/-0.05; 0.13+/-0.01 and 0.71+/-0.06 and 0.14+/-0.01 and 0.60+/-0.05 microg per ml in low, medium and high dose groups, respectively. The mean lead concentration in liver, kidneys, brain and bone of lead exposed rats was 2.943+/-0.206, 4.780+/-0.609, 1.019+/-0.100 and 44.075+/-2.60 microg per ml, respectively. Concomitant use of garlic extract at the three different doses was found to reduce lead concentration considerably indicating the potential therapeutic activity of garlic against lead.

Evaluation of organ function and oxidant/antioxidant status in goats with sarcoptic mange

The objective of the present study was to investigate the hemato-biochemical changes and status of oxidative stress in goats with scabies infection. The study was conducted on 12 Jamunapari goats; six clinically infected with scabies (group I) and six healthy goats as control (group II). The examination of skin scraping revealed the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei in the infected group. In hemato-biochemical indicators, hemoglobin%, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, albumin and albumin: globulin ratio decreased whereas, globulin, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group I animals as compared to group II healthy goats. Among the oxidative stress indices, plasma nitrate and erythrocytic lipid peroxidation were increased and reduced glutathione levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in group I goats as compared to group II healthy goats. The results of the present study suggest that scabies infection alters the hemato-biochemical indicators, increases oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant status in goat.

Recombinant Antigen-based Latex Agglutination Test for Rapid Serodiagnosis of Leptospirosis

A rapid recombinant antigen-based latex agglutination test (LAT) has been developed to detect specific anti-leptospiral antibodies from human and dog sera. The recombinant LipL32 antigen developed and used for detecting the antibodies is specific in detection of the pathogenic serovars of Leptospira as the expression of the LipL32 antigen is restricted only to the pathogenic leptospires. The sensitized latex beads are stable and could be stored at 4°C for more than three months without showing loss of activity for both weakly and strongly positive samples. The test is found to be sensitive, specific and accurate as compared to the standard microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Moreover, the recombinant antigen-coated latex beads could detect the specific anti-leptospiral antibodies in the acute phase of the illness. The test is simple and inexpensive, and is rapid in the management of large numbers of patients.

In vivo efficacy of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) fruit extract on experimental fluoride exposure in rats

The study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of hydro-methanolic (1:1) extract of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) fruit pulp in removing body fluoride burden. Thirty rats were divided into five groups. Keeping no fluoride group as the control, rats of no treatment, low dose, middle dose and high dose groups received sodium fluoride orally at the rate of 200mg per kg body weight daily for 14 weeks. Rats of low dose, middle dose and high dose group simultaneously received tamarind fruit pulp extract at three doses, viz. 25 (low), 50 (medium) and 100mg (high) per kg body weight orally, respectively. Fluoride concentration in blood, urine and long bone of experimental rats was monitored to assess the efficacy of the extract. Mean serum fluoride concentration in fluoride exposed rats was 0.145 ± 0.009 and 0.783 ± 0.042 μg/ml on days 0 and 98. In comparison, fluoride concentrations in tamarind treated rats were 0.179 ± 0.021 and 0.633 ± 0.015; 0.179 ± 0.021 and 0.502 ± 0.025 and 0.176 ± 0.021 and 0.498 ± 0.030 μg/ml in low, medium and high dose groups, respectively on day 0 and day 98 of the experiment. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.01) increase in urinary fluoride excretion from day 28 onwards. The mean fluoride concentration in long bones of treated rats was significantly lower than the values recorded in fluoride exposed rats. These findings suggest that concomitant use of tamarind fruit pulp extract can reduce fluoride concentration in blood and bone and enhanced urinary excretion, indicating the ameliorative potential of fruits of tamarind in fluoride toxicity.

Hydrofluorosis in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in India

The concentration of fluoride was determined in water, forage and urine and serum samples of buffaloes from the Unnao district of India. The water and forage samples contained 2.01 +/- 0.51 and 22.50 +/- 0.82 ppm of fluoride, respectively. The analysis of biosamples collected from the affected animals revealed higher levels of fluoride in serum (0.58 +/- 0.05 ppm) and urine (10.64 +/- 1.23 ppm). Clinical examination identified a 40.34% prevalence rate of clinical lesions suggestive of fluorosis in buffalo of this locality. Dental lesions were present invariably in all affected animals whereas lameness, painful bony exostosis and emaciation were recorded in 28.17%, 8.45% and 76.00% of the animals. Based on the clinical lesions and fluoride content in water, serum and urine, it was concluded that the problem of fluorosis in buffalo is attributable to drinking water containing toxic levels of fluoride.

Correlations among Anaplasma marginale parasitemia and markers of oxidative stress in crossbred calves

The present study was designed to determine the correlations among Anaplasma marginale parasitemia and markers of oxidative stress in crossbred calves. Blood was collected from 11 crossbred calves infected with A. marginale along with 11 healthy crossbred calves as controls for determination of hematology and oxidative stress indicators. Percentage of parasitemia in infected calves varied from 0.8% to 6.0%. The values of hematological indicators and antioxidant enzymes were decreased, whereas erythrocytic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and plasma nitrate (NO) level were significantly (p < 0.05) augmented in A. marginale-infected animals over healthy group. Parasitemia was positively correlated (p < 0.01) with erythrocytic LPO and plasma NO and negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with hematological indicators and antioxidant enzymes. In addition, erythrocytic LPO was negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with the hemoglobin, erythrocyte count, and packed cell volume. From the present study, it can be concluded that anaplasmosis in crossbred calves is associated with a parasitic load-dependent oxidative damage as indicated by poor antioxidant status and enhanced oxidative stress, which are contributed to severe anemia.

Recombinant antigen-based dipstick elisa for the diagnosis of leptospirosis in dogs

A recombinant LipL32 antigen-based dipstick elisa was developed as a screening test for the detection of leptospiral antibodies in serum samples from dogs. The antibodies were detected by a change in the colour of the substrate solution when the recombinant antigen-coated dipsticks were dipped into it. The relative sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the test, compared with the standard microscopic agglutination test, were 95·9 per cent, 93·8 per cent and 94·8 per cent, respectively.

Toxic Metals in Hens' Eggs in India: A Preliminary Report

THE PRESENCE of toxic metals in food of animal origin has received considerable attention during recent years.’ Most of us ingest heavy metals (i.e., lead [Pbl and cadmium [Cd]) via food in our daily diets, although the quantity of heavy metals varies from place to place, depending on dietary habits2 and levels of environmental p~ l l u t i on .~ The egg is one of the most common sources of protein in the diet of the Indian population. Per capita egg consumption has increased significantly in India during the past few years.4 Whether the egg is a source of metal exposure is questionable given that commercial poultry farmers now use inorganic materials in poultry feed for augmentation of health and production. Heavy metals have an inherent affinity toward reproductive organ^.^ Inasmuch as there is no report available on this subject, we decided to assess the toxic metal contents (i.e., Pb and Cd) in hens’ eggs. A total of 105 hens’ eggs were obtained from a local market in different batches. Each egg was broken individually, and the yolk and egg white were mixed (i.e., simulation of the common practice of cooking in India). Two grams of emulsified samples were taken in duplicate. The samples were digested in a double-acid mixture (i.e., 4 parts nitric acid and 1 part perchloric acid), in accordance with the official methods of analysis pubI ished by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists.‘j We used atomic absorption spectrophotometry,’ with air acetylene as the combustion gas, to estimate Pb and Cd levels. The detection limits for Cd and Pb were 0.001 pg/g and 0.02 pglg, respectively. The analytical quality was maintained with repeated analyses of reference samples. Eight fresh standards were run with each analytical series. We adhered strictly to quality-control criteria.8 The results were expressed in pg/g, and we processed the data statistically with standard method^.^ Concentrations of Pb and Cd in hens’ eggs are provided in Table 1. The Pb concentration in egg samples ranged between 0.142 and 0.936 pglg (mean k standard deviation: 0.489 k 0.081 pg/g), and Cd concentrations ranged between 0.030 and 0.180 pg/g (0.072 f 0.004 pg/g). In this study, the majority of samples had Pb and Cd concentrations that exceeded 0.020 pg/g and 0.005 pg/g, respectively; these concentrations are normal background levels for Pb and Cd in eggs. The mean Pb concentration recorded in this study was higher than concentrations found in hens’ eggs from Germany,1° Canada,” Taiwan,12 China,13 Finland,14 and Hungary.15 No published Pb concentrations were available for the Indian subcontinent; therefore, we were unable to compare data.

Indian medicinal herb: a source of lead and cadmium for humans and animals.

ABSTRACT The authors aimed to analyze 35 commonly used medicinal plants in India by exploring the possibilities of translocation of lead and cadmium into humans and animals. They collected plant materials from the same sources used by traditional healers and commercial drug manufacturers and estimated lead and cadmium levels in leaf stem bark, roots, and seeds, depending on the medicinal value of the plant portion. The authors determined lead and cadmium content of the digested samples using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Lead and cadmium concentrations were higher in aerial parts of the medicinal plants than in the roots. Lead concentration in 54.29% of medicinal plants and cadmium concentration in 77.14% of medicinal plants exceeded the maximum permissible level designated by the World Health Organization. The results indicate that prolonged consumption of such medicinal plants may be detrimental to ones health.

LEAD CONCENTRATION IN BLOOD, MILK AND FEED OF LACTATING BUFFALO AFTER ACUTE LEAD POISONING

Kinematics of the distal forelimb and hindlimb in horses TWENTY-FOUR normal horses were studied at the trot on a treadmill (4 m/s) with gait analysis equipment. Vertical hoof velocity (at impact) and resulting vertical hoof acceleration were higher in the forelimb than the hindlimb. Horizontal hoof velocity at impact and resulting horizontal acceleration were higher in the hindlimb. Just after impact the forelimb fetlock was more rapidly extended than the hindlimb fetlock. Peak maximal and minimal accelerations of the fetlock were also significantly (P<0.05) higher in the forelimb than the hindlimb. Therefore at the beginning of the stance phase the distal forelimb is subjected to more kinematic stress than the hindlimb. The higher angular velocity of the forelimb fetlock can be interpreted as more rapid loading. These differences may be related to the recognised higher incidence of chronic lameness in the forelimb. BACK, W., SCHAMHARDT, H. C., HARTMAN, W. & BARNEFELD, A. (1995) American Journal of Veterinary Research 56, 1522 S. Dey, S. K. Dwivedi, D. Swarup, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar243122 (UP), India Correction Potential early cancer markers in dogs with malignant neoplasms (Abstracts, VR, March 23, p 283) The reference for this abstract should have read American Journal of Veterinary Research, 56, 1559, and not as printed. The error is regretted. 336