Shilpi Gupta Dixit

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) modulates expression of apoptosis associated proteins in hippocampus of rats exposed during postnatal period to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2)

The present study focused on the role of exogenous alpha lipoic acid (ALA) in amelioration of inorganic arsenic (iAs) induced effects on apoptosis and apoptosis associated proteins in developing rat hippocampus. NaAsO2 (1.5/2.0 mg/kg bw) alone or along with ALA (70 mg/kg bw) was administered to rat pups (experimental groups) by intraperitoneal (i.p.) route from postnatal day (PND) 4–15. Controls received no treatment/distilled water/ALA. On PND 16, the animals were perfusion fixed and the brains were processed for paraffin embedding (CV and TUNEL staining) and cryopreservation (immunohistochemistry). The fresh brain tissue was used for Western blotting. Significant increase was observed in TUNEL positive cells and Bax (pro-apoptotic protein) expression in hippocampal sub-regions of iAs alone treated groups, whereas Bcl-2 expression was intensified in animals receiving ALA with iAs. Densitometric analysis (Western blots) revealed optimal restoration of Bax and Bcl-2 ratio in animals receiving ALA with iAs, thereby suggesting the protective role of ALA in iAs induced developmental neurotoxicity.

To study the effect of monosodium glutamate on histomorphometry of cortex of kidney in adult albino rats.

Abstract Thousands of chemicals are being used recently in our new high tech foods like ready to eat Japanese, Chinese, packaged and tinned foods. Most food additives act as either preservatives or flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate (MSG), a sodium salt of glutamic acid. The present study investigated the effect of intraperitoneally administered MSG on cortex of the kidneys of adult albino Wistar rats and compared with control group. The histomorphometry done by calibrating with ocular micrometer on kidney tissue of control and experimental group revealed a significant difference in glomeruli with increase in length, size of bowman’s capsule with an increase in bowman’s space. The size of renal tubules could not be compared as the cells of these tubules in experimental group were disintegrated and distorted. In the experimental group (rats treated with 4 mg MSG/g body weight), the cortex of the kidneys developed variable pathological changes, which were patchy in distribution with intervening normal areas. There was distortion of renal cytoarchitecture. Many glomeruli (66.4%) showed hypercellularity, i.e., cellular proliferation of mesangial or endothelial cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The capillary membrane showed thickening as was evident on PAS stain. Since MSG, as a food additive, was found to be toxic on various organs of the body by various researchers, it should perhaps be stopped from being used as a food additive. This may be a suggestion which needs validation in human studies.

Protective role of exogenous α-lipoic acid (ALA) on hippocampal antioxidant status and memory function in rat pups exposed to sodium arsenite during the early post-natal period

The present work focussed on the effect of exogenous α-lipoic acid (ALA) administration on retention memory and oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus subsequent to early post-natal exposure of rat pups to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2). Wistar rat pups were divided into the control groups receiving either no treatment (Ia) or distilled water by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) (Ib) and the experimental groups receiving either NaAsO2 alone (1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg body wt.) (IIa, IIb) or NaAsO2 (1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg body wt.) followed by ALA (70 mg/kg body wt.) (IIIa, IIIb) (i.p.) from post-natal day (PND) 4–15. The initial and retention transfer latency (ITL and RTL) was determined on PND 14 and 15 using elevated plus maze. The animals were sacrificed by cervical decapitation (PND 16) and the brains were obtained. The dissected out hippocampus was processed for estimation of oxidative stress markers, glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). NaAsO2 exposure resulted in longer RTL in animal groups IIa and IIb, thereby suggestive of arsenic-induced impairment in retention memory. RTL was significantly shorter in animal groups (IIIa, IIIb) receiving ALA following NaAsO2, thereby suggestive of improvement in retention memory. GSH and SOD levels were significantly decreased in animals receiving NaAsO2 alone as against group Ib and administration of ALA following NaAsO2 increased the levels of hippocampal GSH and SOD. These observations are suggestive of the role of exogenous ALA in ameliorating the adverse effects induced by NaAsO2 exposure of rat pups on retention memory and oxidative stress markers.

Morphometric analysis and anatomical variations of infraorbital foramen: A study in adult North Indian population

PURPOSE Various studies have been conducted on morphometric variations of infraorbital foramen to provide data to surgeons for nerve block in infraorbital region. This study aims to analyse the anatomical variations by comparing various morphometric measurements of infraorbital foramen in dry skulls of adult North Indian population. This study becomes relevant in the present study group as very scant data is available about the variations and morphometric measurements in Indian population. The data thus collected can be standardized and become useful for the surgeons working in this area of face. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted on 75 dry adult human skulls, which were a part of Department of Anatomy, used for teaching purposes in medical colleges. Straight distance of the Infraorbital foramen from the infraorbital rim, supraorbital foramen and sagittal plane was measured. The position of the infraorbital foramen was determined in relation to maxillary teeth and supraorbital foramen. The data thus obtained was analysed. RESULTS The distance of infraorbital foramen from infraorbital rim, supraorbital foramen, sagittal plane in the present study was found to be 6.71 ± 1.11 mm, 42.02 ± 4.31 mm and 31.94 ± 4.88 mm respectively. The position of infraorbital foramen was lateral in relation to supraorbital foramen (in 88% of cases). Infraorbital foramen was above the 1st premolar tooth in most of the cases. Accessory infraorbital foramen was found in 11.2% cases (double foramen). CONCLUSION The data thus obtained will perhaps be helpful to the surgeons in identifying the extent of the operative field thereby reducing procedural risks.

Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and CD8+ expression in endometrium of women of unexplained infertility

OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to investigate the changes of endometrial progesterone and estrogen receptors in luteal phase biopsy specimens of infertile women and find a correlation, if any, between these and CD8+ receptors in the same. METHODS The study was conducted on luteal phase endometrial biopsy specimens of 30 women of unexplained infertility and 15 age matched controls. Paraffin sections were first H & E stained. A standardized immunohistochemical protocol was then used to localize the estrogen, progesterone and CD8+ receptors in these samples that were expressed as percentage positivity. Unpaired T test was applied between the controls and cases both for epithelial and stromal cells. The data was also analyzed for correlation in cases for the positivity of CD8+ Cells with that of ER and PR. RESULTS The positivity of estrogen receptors (ER) in stromal cells was significantly lower (p<0.001) in the infertile women when compared to controls and in both the epithelial and stromal cells for progesterone receptors (p<0.001). The results were non significant for CD8+ cells (p=0.19) and also showed no significant correlation in the positivity of CD8+ cells with that of ER and PR. CONCLUSIONS The development of molecular probe like ER and PR positivity in endometrial epithelial and stromal cells allows a new approach to be made to the characterization of normal and defective endometrial function.

Absent caudate lobe of liver: anatomical and clinical relevance.

An unusual variation in liver was observed during routine dissection of a formalin-fixed cadaver (Fig. 1) in an undergraduate medical student’s class. Left lobe was small in size, but there was hypertrophy/enlargement of omental tuberosity – 6.5/4/4 (l/b/h) in cm. Caudate lobe was absent. Inferior border of the liver measured 41 cm (between the two triangular ligaments) and the max transverse diameter was 26 cm. Dimensions of left and right lobe were 8/7.5/4 cm & 12/13.5/8 cm, respectively, which were within the normal range. Length of porta hepatis was smaller than normal (1 inch). There was hypoplasia of the quadrate lobe (6/3/2 cm). The line of peritoneal reflection on liver on the inferior surface was inverted comma shaped (normally inverted L), fissure for the ligamentum venosum and fissure for the ligamentum teres were in the same line (normally at an angle to each other). Congenital abnormalities of human liver are rare and correspond to developmental defects during embryogenesis (1). Nevertheless, Surgeons must recognize the entities like the absence of normal lobes or the presence of accessory lobes of liver which may lead to confusion during radiological and surgical diagnosis. The findings of this study may be of interest to surgeons and radiologists.

Abnormal vessel of the ear associated with congenital arteriovenous malformation in the postauricular region.

Variations in the branching pattern of the common, external, and internal carotid arteries can present as arteriovenous malformations, and their basis can be explained embryologically. Our case was a rare variation presenting as a congenital, very gradually increasing bluish painless swelling at the region of the left lobule of the ear arising from an abnormal vessel (from the postauricular artery) which was explored under general anesthesia through a postauricular curved incision. The abnormal vessel and other feeding vessels were ligated and a sclerosing agent injected. Anomalies of pharyngeal arch arteries like our case can be found resulting from the persistence of channels that normally disappear, and prior knowledge of these anomalies is essential before surgeries like mastoidectomy to prevent alarming hemorrhage.