Aging brain: Prevention of oxidative stress by vitamin E and exercise

With aging, the brain undergoes neuronal loss in many areas. Although the loss of cells in the cerebral cortex, in particular the frontal cortex, has been recognized with aging, the influence of synaptic losses has a larger impact on cognitive decline. Much of the recent research on animals, as well as humans, has been aimed at slowing the cognitive decline through enrichment, and it has been found that the key factors are antioxidants and exercise. Several reports support the concept that regular supplementation of vitamin E and physical activity from as early as middle age can slow the cognitive decline observed during the later years. A few studies have also suggested that exercise is analogous to acetylcholine esterase inhibitors that are also used extensively to treat cognitive impairment and dementia in Alzheimer's disease. In addition, reports also support that vitamin E and exercise may act synergistically to overcome free radical injury and oxidative stress in the aging brain. ©2009 with author. Published by TheScientificWorld

Age-related responses of right ventricle in swim-trained rats: Changes in lactate and pyruvate contents and lactate dehydrogenase activity

Age related changes in carbohydrate substrates such as, glucose, glycogen, pyruvic acid and lactic acid and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and LDH isoenzyme profile were evaluated in the right ventricle (RV) of swim-trained rats of 6- (adult), 12- (middle-aged) and 18- (old) months-of-age. Moderate hypertrophy was seen in the heart and RV in response to training in all age groups with the 12 months exhibiting a significant increase. While resting levels of pyruvate and glucose in the RV showed small elevations in adult and middle-aged rats, lactic acid showed reductions in all ages. Glycogen supercompensation was seen in the RV of trained animals. These age-related alterations in RV were associated with decreases in blood lactic acid and glucose in the trained rats belonging to all ages. Total protein of the RV decreased with age and exercise increased the content. Total LDH and M4-LDH activities decreased with age. However, training increased their activities in all ages. These changes in the RV suggests that swimming activity produces adaptations (e.g. increased LDH and M4) in all age groups. Considering the degree of adaptations, it can be suggested that adult and middle-aged are suitable for initiating swim-training programs, but not in old age

Intermittent Cold-Induced Hippocampal Oxidative Stress is Associated with Changes in the Plasma Lipid Composition and is Modifiable by Vitamins C and E in Old Rats

This study primarily investigated the effects of intermittent cold exposure (ICE) on oxidative stress (OS) in the hippocampus(HC) and plasma lipid profile of old male rats. Secondly, it evaluated structural changes in the hippocampus region of the rat’s brain. Thirdly, it attempted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the combined supplement of vitamins C and E in alleviating cold stress in terms of these biochemical parameters. Thirty male rats aged 24 months were divided into groups of five each: control (CON), cold-exposed at 10 °C (C10), cold-exposed at 5 °C (C5), supplemented control (CON+S), and supplemented cold-exposed at either 5 °C (C5+S) or 10 °C (C10+S). The rats were on a daily supplement of vitamin C and vitamin E. Cold exposure lasted 2 h/day for 4 weeks. Rats showed increased levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the HC at 10 °C with further increase at 5 °C. Cold also induced neuronal loss in the hippocampus with concomitant elevations in total cholesterol (TCH), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C) levels, and a depletion in high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C). A notable feature was the hyperglycaemic effects of ICE and depleted levels of vitamins C and E in the hippocampus and plasma while supplementation increased their levels. More importantly, a positive correlation was observed between plasmatic LDL-C, TCH and TG and hippocampal TBARS and H2O2 levels. Further, intensity of cold emerged as a significant factor impacting the responses to vitamin C and E supplementation. These results suggest that cold-induced changes in the plasma lipid profile correlate with OS in the hippocampus, and that vitamin C and E together are effective in protecting from metabolic and possible cognitive consequences in the old under cold exposures

Effects of training on the extent of experimental myocardial infarction in aging rats

The effects of exercise on the severity of isoproterenol [7683-​59-​2]​-​induced myocardial infarction were studied in female albino rats of 20, 40, 60, and 80 wk of age. The rats were trained to swim for a specific duration and for a particular period. The occurrence of infarcts were confirmed by histol. methods. Elevations in the serum glutamate-​oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) [9000-​97-​9] and glutamate-​pyruvate transaminase (GPT) [9000-​86-​6] were max. in the sedentary-​isoproterenols and min. in the exercise controls. These changes in the serum transaminases were assocd. with corresponding depletions in the cardiac GOT and GPT. However, age interfered with the responses exhibited by the young and old rats

Antimicrobial activity of Acorus calamus (L.) rhizome and leaf extract

Antimicrobial activity of Acorus calamus rhizome and leaf extracts obtained with different solvents viz., petroleum ether, chloroform, hexane and ethyl acetate was evaluated. Extracts obtained with ethyl acetate among others were found to be highly effective. Rhizomes and leaf ethyl acetate extracts exhibited pronounced antifungal activity with diameter zone of inhibition ranged from 20-28 and 18-25 mm as well as antiyeast activity with diameter zone of inhibition ranged from 22-25 and 20-23 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the rhizome and leaf extracts for antifungal activity measured was 2-4mg/ml, except Penicillium chrysogenum whereas against yeasts was relatively higher, 4-5 and 6-8 mg/ml. MIC value for antibacterial activity was comparatively very high ~16-42 mg/ml. In addition, authentic α- and β-asarones were also tested for their antimicrobial potential. Both α- and β-asarones exhibited very strong antimicrobial activities against the fungi and yeasts than those of rhizome and leaf extracts. The study clearly suggested that A. calamus rhizomes and leaves must possess active principle α- and β-asarones which is believed to be responsible for their antimicrobial activities. Both rhizomes and leaf extracts, however, had no antibacterial activity except E. coli

Dietary vitamin E and physical exercise: I. Altered endurance capacity and plasma lipid profile in ageing rats

The effect of vitamin E on the exercise performance and plasma lipid profile was studied in male Wistar rats of 4-(young adults), 8-(old adults), 12-(middle-age) and 22-months (old) of age. Animals were orally supplemented with vitamin E and allowed to swim for 30min/day, 5 days/week and for a total period of 60 days. Swim velocity (Sv), external work done (Wext) and endurance (E) capacity were the parameters that were used to assess the exercise performance of the trained rats that were either supplemented or non-supplemented with the dietary antioxidant. Plasma lipid profile analyses were in terms of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein, (HDL-C) cholesterol and total cholesterol (C). Age-related decline in Sv was noticeable in the 22-months old rats. However, the effect of vitamin E on the Sv between the trained groups was not evident in any of the age groups. Wext increased linearly with age with no significant variations between the trainees. Trainee rats, when allowed to swim to exhaustion, showed a higher endurance capacity when supplemented with vitamin E. However, this capacity declined with age. There was a significant age-associated elevation in plasma C with corresponding increase in LDL-C. Exercise training in conjunction with vitamin E supplementation was most effective in elevating HDL-C levels in all age groups. These changes were accompanied by significant reductions in cholesterol/HDL-C ratios in animals receiving vitamin E, sedentary or otherwise. Our data suggests that it may be important to consider vitamin E while attempting to derive the benefits of swim training, both in terms of favorably altering the plasma lipid profile as well as enhancing the endurance capacity of exercise trainees. Dietary supplementation by vitamin E could attenuate the early onset of fatigue in the old. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved

Temperature-induced changes in anaerobic capacity of interventricular septum in trained young and middle-aged rats

The interventricular site has been proposed as one of the sites for the myocyte cell death with aging and thereby enhancing the possibility of ventricular dysfunction with aging. Variations in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a key glycolytic regulatory enzyme along with its isomers were used as indices to evaluate the anaerobic capacity of the interventricular septum (IVS) in 2-month-old (young) and 12-month-old (middle-aged) rats trained to swim at 25°C (cold, C) and 35°C (thermo neutral, N) temperatures. Blood lactate (La) and LDH along with its isoenzymes in the IVS were assessed and compared with untrained and sedentary rats. Increased septal and heart weight was indicative of age-related hypertrophy accompanied by increased septal thickness. Elevated total LDH activity was evident in both the trained groups in the young. The middle-aged animals exhibited lesser variations in LDH and, H and M subunits. The data suggest an efficient adaptability of the IVS of young rats to physical training in contrast to a poor response by the IVS of middle-aged animals

CURRENT STATUS ON BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF ACORUS CALAMUS - A REVIEW

The review emphasis on the current status of the researches in Acorus calamus highlighting their number of useful biological activities. The Acorus calamus most extensively investigated phytochemically and pharmacologically. Number of bioactive constituents was identified and characterized from the leaves and rhizomes and their essential oils. Major chemical constituents identified are alpha and beta asarones which is responsible for therapeutic and medicinal properties of Acorus species. Several, recently published reports have revealed many newer useful bioactivities of leaves and rhizome extracts, essential oils and isolated chemical constituents such as anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-adipogenic, antimicrobial, fungicidal, insulin sensitizing/antidiabetic, neuroprotective, wound healing, mitogenic, insecticidal, anthelmintic, allelopathic, antiepileptic, antispasmodic activities and inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. This article highlights the various biological activities studied in A. calamus

The study of maternal and fetal outcome in pregnant women with thyroid disorders

Background: Thyroid disorders are among the common endocrine disorders in pregnant women after diabetes mellitus. Several changes are observed in maternal thyroid function during pregnancy and failure to adapt to these physiological changes results in thyroid dysfunction. It is well established that not only overt, but subclinical thyroid dysfunction also has adverse effect on mother and the fetus, like miscarriages, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, eclampsia, polihydromnios, placental abruption, post-partum haemorrhage, low birth weight, neonatal hypothyroidism. Decreased availability of thyroid hormones may also impair neurological and intellectual development of foetus. With this background, we are conducting a study to know the effect of thyroid disorders on pregnancy and its maternal and the fetal outcome.Methods: The present study was conducted in ESI Hospital Rajaji Nagar, Bangalore. It is a prospective study which involved 100 patients diagnosed to have thyroid disorder during their antenatal checkup in the first trimister. It also includes known cases of thyroid disorder. TSH level was estimated. If it is deranged, then FT3 and FT4 levels estimated. Patients were managed accordingly and followed till delivery. Their obstetric and perinatal outcomes were noted.Results: In our study out of 100 cases, 96 cases are subclinical hypohyroid and 4 cases are subclinical hyperthyroid. Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy are associated with abortions (2.1%), Anaemia (4.20%), PIH (14.7%), GDM (4.2%), Preterm labour (3.1%), oligohydromnios (16.67%), Lscs (22.9%), PPH (6.3%), LBW (21.9%), Hyperbilirubinemia (9.4%), NICU admission (14.6%), Which are co-relatine with other studies and hyperthyroid cases in our study were not sufficient for outcome analysis.Conclusions: Thyroid disorders in pregnancy have adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome emphasizing the importance of routine antenatal thyroid screening