Evaluation of the diuretic potentials of naringenin in hypercholesterolemic rats

Purpose: To investigate the diuretic potentials of naringenin (NGN) in obesity induced in rats by high fat diet (HFD).Methods: To prepare HFD, normal pellet diet was crushed and thoroughly mixed with cholesterol powder (1 % w/w). The mixture was mixed with some water and made into pellets which were then oven-baked to dry. Four groups of male Wistar albino rats (n = 6) were used for the study. Normal control (group I) received normal pellet diet. Group 2 (HFD-only) was fed HFD for 28 days, while Groups 3 and 4 were co-administered HFD and NGN at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. All treatments were given orally, and lasted for 28 days. Twenty-four hours after the last dose of NGN, blood was collected from all rats and total cholesterol levels determined to confirm obesity. Thereafter, the rats were placed in metabolic cages and urine samples were collected at two time-points (5 and 24 h) for measurement of urine volume, urinary pH, conductivity and electrolyte levels (Na, K and Cl).Results: Treatment with HFD resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum cholesterol level (178.83 ± 5.43 mg/dL) when compared to normal control rats (88.17 ± 4.04 mg/dL). It also led to decrease in urinary volume (~50 %) at both time points (5 and 24 h) and in excretion of urinary electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride ions). However, the changes in these parameters were significantly reversed by NGN administration (p < 0.05).Conclusion: These results demonstrate the diuretic activity of NGN in HFD-induced obese rats. Thus, NGN can be further explored for use in combination with hypolipidemic agents to tackle obesity.Keywords: High-fat diet, Hypercholesterolemia, Naringenin, Obesit

Oropouche orthobunyavirus infection is mediated by the cellular host factor Lrp1

Oropouche orthobunyavirus (OROV

An overview of the recent developments on fructooligosaccharide production and applications

Over the past years, many researchers have suggested that deficiencies in the diet can lead to disease states and that some diseases can be avoided through an adequate intake of relevant dietary components. Recently, a great interest in dietary modulation of the human gut has been registered. Prebiotics, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), play a key role in the improvement of gut microbiota balance and in individual health. FOS are generally used as components of functional foods, are generally regarded as safe (generally recognized as safe status—from the Food and Drug Administration, USA), and worth about 150€ per kilogram. Due to their nutrition- and health-relevant properties, such as moderate sweetness, low carcinogenicity, low calorimetric value, and low glycemic index, FOS have been increasingly used by the food industry. Conventionally, FOS are produced through a two-stage process that requires an enzyme production and purification step in order to proceed with the chemical reaction itself. Several studies have been conducted on the production of FOS, aiming its optimization toward the development of more efficient production processes and their potential as food ingredients. The improvement of FOS yield and productivity can be achieved by the use of different fermentative methods and different microbial sources of FOS producing enzymes and the optimization of nutritional and culture parameter; therefore, this review focuses on the latest progresses in FOS research such as its production, functional properties, and market data.Agencia de Inovacao (AdI)-Project BIOLIFE reference PRIME 03/347. Ana Dominguez acknowledges Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, Portugal, for her PhD grant reference SFRH/BD/23083/2005

Genetic Basis of Myocarditis: Myth or Reality?

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Azolla cristata in the Kashmir Himalaya

Volume: 102Start Page: 224End Page: 22

Family Rutaceae in Kashmir Himalyas: Poncirus trifoliata (L) Raf. -A New Record for Flora of Kashmir, India

Abstract: During our floristic study we recorded the occurrence of Poncirus trifoliata in many areas of Kashmir valley. This is the first exotic record of family Rutaceae from Kashmir Himalayas. The species has been introduced from Japan and has naturalized in the valley. The plants of this species are winter hardy and produce a good number of fruits and seeds and thus proliferate at a faster rate. The species is resistant to herbivory and other local pests (released from its enemies) with good reproductive success and high potential of invasivion. [Academia Arena, 2010;2(5):40-41] (ISSN 1553-992X)

The Effect of Cinnamon Extract on Spermatogenesis and

Review Article Physio Biochemical Changes During Summer Stress stimuli that disturb normal physiological equilibrium or homeostasis, often with detrimental effects Among the stressors, heat stress has been of major concern in reducing animal's productivity in tropical, subtropical and arid areas High metabolic demands during lactation can also impact the oxidative status of dairy cows. Researchers have reported higher oxidative stress in high-producing dairy cows Buffaloes have poor heat tolerance capacity compared to other domestic ruminants, and are more prone to heat stress due to scarcely distributed sweat glands, dark body colour and sparse hair on the body surface Reactions of homeotherms to moderate climatic changes are compensatory and are directed at restoring thermal balance Oxidative stress Oxidative stress results from increased production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species, and a decrease in antioxidant defense Antioxidants Antioxidants are those nutrients which are required to cleanse cells of ROS. Vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin C are classic examples of antioxidants. Antioxidant in low concentrations significantly delays or inhibits oxidation of oxidisable substrates. The endogenous antioxidant capacity of the animal consists of three main groups of antioxidants Tissue defense mechanisms against free-radical damage generally include vitamin C, vitamin E, and β-carotene as the major vitamin antioxidant sources. In addition, several (Cu, Zn, and Mn) are also critical in protecting the internal cellular constituents from oxidative damage Superoxide dismutase (SOD) Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was first isolated by The major defense in detoxification of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase There is an increased production of superoxide radicals from threshold concentration due to stress conditions imposed either by thermal stress or physiological status (pregnancy/lactation) of an animal. Catalase (CAT) Catalase is a heme-containing enzyme that catalyses the dismutation of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. In peroxisomes, catalase takes care of the cytosolic and mitochondrial peroxides formed during urate oxidation Hydrogen peroxide production was found to increase due to augmented SOD activity during heat stress Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) GPx is a selenium dependent antioxidant enzyme. It converts H 2 O 2 to water. The increased production of H 2 O 2 due to increased activity of SOD during heat stress resulted in a coordinated increase in GPX. Bisla et al. (2000) reported that GSH concentration increased due to oxidative stress caused by diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy in buffaloes. The concentration of erythrocytic GSH-PX increased with the advancement of pregnancy in buffaloes, and its concentration was significantly higher on the day of parturition (912.5917.46 U/mL) compared to day 30 before parturition (819.4122.33 U/mL) 425 Physio Biochemical Changes During Summer Stress The view that GPX concentration in buffaloes increases during thermal stress conditions. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) Lipid peroxidation is commonly measured in terms of TBARS. TBARS is known to be one of the oxidative stress markers in the plasma. However, the thiobarbituric acid test would be considered to be a good general indicator of oxidative stress rather than a marker of lipid peroxidation. Oxidative stress can lead to increase in TBARS (Halliwel and Chirico, 1993). Unsaturated fatty acid oxidation by ROS in the presence of iron generates additional lipid centric radicals through the Fenton's reaction that leads to the formation of lipid hydro-peroxides Plasma protein Asignificant increase in the serum protein of sheep exposed to heat stress. The increase in serum protein could be a physiological attempt to maintain extended plasma volume. Observed little variation in serum protein concentration in buffaloes during spring and summer seasons. Serum total protein concentrations were 44 g/L and 51 g/L in summer and winter seasons, respectively, as reported by El-Masery and Marai (1991), while Yousef (1990) reported slightly higher protein concentrations of 7.4 and 9.5 g/dL in the same seasons, respectively, in Egyptian buffalo calves. High environmental temperature caused an increase in total plasma protein in lactating cattle Plasma albumin A significant increase in plasma albumin levels was reported in cows (El-Masery and Marai, 1991) and buffalo calves Physiological responses to heat stress Increasing air temperature above the critical threshold is related with reduced feed intake Core (Rectal) body temperature Change in rectal temperature has been considered an indicator of heat storage in animal's body and may be used to assess the adversity of thermal environment, which can affect growth, lactation and reproduction of dairy animals The plasma concentration of vitamin C is ruminants is an oxidative stress indicator which is affected by heat stress. A negative correlation between rectal temperature and ascorbic acid concentrations of Bos taurus cattle in the hot season was reported by Joshi and Tripathy, (1991) noticed an increase in rectal temperature from 102.0 ˚F to 103.8 ˚F when buffalo calves were exposed to 40.5 ˚C for eight hours daily for three months. High relative humidity reduced the effectiveness of the evaporative cooling, and the high relative humidity coupled with high environmental temperature apparently overwhelmed the capacity of the cow to maintain normal body temperature The high rectal temperature observed for the heat stressed animals was the indicator of disturbance in the homoeothermic status of the animals which was not being effectively countered by the enhanced heat loss by physical and physiological processes of thermolysis Respiration rate Respiration rate was the indicator of heat stress in the hot environment and gave significant correlations with circulat- (Vijay Kumar, 2005). Normal respiration rate is approximately 10 -30 breaths/minute. The respiration rate increased when the environmental temperature increased. An evaporative heat loss from the respiratory tract is regarded as one of the primary mechanisms for maintenance of heat balance. This respiratory response arises from direct heat stimulation of peripheral receptors, which transmit nervous impulses to the thermal centre in the hypothalamus. A high RR in most cases did not necessarily indicate that the animal is successful in keeping its body temperature constant, but rather indicated that it is already overheated and trying to restore normal heat balance. A higher respiration rate of 71.5/minute during summer compared to 38.8/minute in winter was recorded in lactating cows by The increase in respiratory frequency was two and half times in heat stressed animals than control animals Pulse rate Pulse rate did not exhibit consistent and a definite trend with changing environmental conditions. Observed a decrease in pulse rate whereas, and REFERENCE

The effectiveness of image-guided percutaneous catheter drainage in the management of acute pancreatitis-associated pancreatic collections

Purpose: Acute pancreatitis is commonly complicated by the development of pancreatic collections (PCs). Symptomatic PCs warrant drainage, and the available options include percutaneous, endoscopic, and open surgical approaches. The study aimed to assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of image guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in the management of acute pancreatitis related PCs. Material and methods: This was a single-centre prospective study covering a 4-year study period. Acute pancreatitisrelated PCs complicated by secondary infection or those producing symptoms due to pressure effect on surrounding structures were enrolled and underwent ultrasound or computed tomography (CT)-guided PCD. The patients were followed to assess the success of PCD (defined as clinical, radiological improvement, and the avoidance of surgery) and any PCD-related complications. Results: The study included 60 patients (60% males) with a mean age of 43.1 ± 21.2 years. PCD recorded a success rate of 80% (16/20) for acute peripancreatic fluid collections (APFC) and pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs), 75% (12/16) for walled-off necrosis (WON), and 50% (12/24) for acute necrotic collections (ANCs). Post-PCD surgery (necrosectomy ± distal pancreatectomy) was needed in 50% of ANC and 25% of WON. Only 20% of APFCs/PPs patients required surgical/endoscopic treatment post-PCD. Minor procedure-related complications were seen in 4 (6.6%) patients. Conclusion: PCD is an effective, safe, and minimally invasive therapeutic modality with a good success rate in the management of infected/symptomatic PCs