Importance of Raised Serum Homocysteine Levels in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background: Around 5.5 million people die from stroke each year, making it the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Increased homocysteine levels lead to early neurological deteriorations in ischemic stroke and may have an association with other risk factors of stroke. Objective: To determine how closely homocysteine levels are associated with other risk factors for ischemic stroke. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, which was performed in the Department of Neurology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi from January to December 2021. All ischemic stroke patients of either gender above the age of 16 were included. Ischemic stroke was identified by neuroimaging MRI in patients presenting with focal neurological deficits lasting more than 24 hours. For statistical analysis, data was entered into SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 56.8 ± 15.6 years. Most of the patients were males (65%). Hypertension and diabetes were present in 76% and 42% of patients respectively. 45% of patients had homocysteine levels <15 μmol/l while 55 % had raised homocysteine levels. Amongst them, 42% had levels of homocysteine in the range of 15-30 μmol/l (mild) whereas 13% had >30 μmol/l homocysteine levels (intermediate). None of them had a level >100 μmol (severe). On univariate analysis, the odds of increasing homocysteine levels were higher in males than females. Increasing B12 levels were associated with decreased odds of intermediate homocysteine levels. On the multivariable model after adjusting the model with other covariates, increasing B12 levels remained associated with homocysteine levels with a lower likelihood of intermediate homocysteine levels. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, there is a strong correlation between high homocysteine levels and low B12 levels, making homocysteine a substantial risk factor for ischemic stroke. Vitamin B12 has a major role in homocysteine pathomechanisms and its deficiency predisposes to hyperhomocysteinemia and hence stroke. Larger multicenter studies may be done to evaluate the role of B12 as a homocysteine-lowering agent both for the treatment and prevention of ischemic strok

Antibacterial evaluation of three widespread weeds Mazus japonicus, Fumaria indica and Vicia faba from Pakistan

Present study was carried out to explore the antibacterial potential of three weeds Mazus japonicus, Fumaria indica and Vicia sativa grown widely in Pakistan. Different extracts (aqueous, methanolic and petroleum ether) of the respective weeds were prepared and tested against nine bacterial strains using agar well diffusion assay. Bacterial strains included both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus megaterium, Enterococcus faecium, Enterrococcus faecalis and Enteroccocus sp) and gram negative (Pseudomonas putida, Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli top10) bacteria. Ten different concentrations of each extracts were used. Enterococcus faecalis JH22 and Bacillus megaterium MB141 were the most resistant bacteria while Escherichia coli top10 was found highly susceptible and inhibited by all three extracts of Mazus japonicas and Fumaria indica. Vicia sativa was effective only against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas putida at limited crude extract concentration while all other strains showed resistance against different extracts of the respective plant. Amongst the plant extracts screened for antibacterial activity, methanolic extracts showed best antibacterial activity whereas aqueous and petroleum ether were found least active. This study significantly supports the usage of these widespread weeds as traditional medicines for various bacterial infections.Â

Free l-glutamate-induced modulation in oxidative and neurochemical profile contributes to enhancement in locomotor and memory performance in male rats

Glutamate (Glu), the key excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, is considered essential for brain functioning and has a vital role in learning and memory formation. Earlier it was considered as a harmful agent but later found to be useful for many body functions. However, studies regarding the effects of free L-Glu administration on CNS function are limited. Therefore, current experiment is aimed to monitor the neurobiological effects of free L-Glu in male rats. L-Glu was orally administered to rats for 5-weeks and changes in behavioral performance were monitored. Thereafter, brain and hippocampus were collected for oxidative and neurochemical analysis. Results showed that chronic supplementation of free L-Glu enhanced locomotor performance and cognitive function of animals which may be attributed to the improved antioxidant status and cholinergic, monoaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in brain and hippocampus. Current results showed that chronic supplementation of L-Glu affects the animal behaviour and brain functioning via improving the neurochemical and redox system of brain. Free L-Glu could be a useful therapeutic agent to combat neurological disturbances however this requires further targeted studies

Solvent-free protocol for the green synthesis of benzamide analogs of dibenzoazepine

Dibenzoazepine represents an important class of heterocycles, exhibiting potent antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities. Beside, various modifications on this nucleus, amide analogs at N-5 position showed potent antidepressant activities. A previously reported method for the synthesis of benzamide analogs of dibenzoazepine use hazardous and toxic solvents. Herein, we report a new, efficient and solvent-free green method for the synthesis of dibenzoazepine benzamides (6-21)

Administration of 5-HT-1B agonist ameliorates pseudodementia induced by depression in rats

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of memory impairment in general population. The serotonin hypothesis provides a target model for the treatment of depression and depression-associated memory loss. 5-HT-1B receptor is suggested as a potential candidate in the pathophysiology of depressive illness. Dysfunction of 5-HT-1B receptors has been observed previously in depressive patients. Zolmitriptan, 5-HT-1B agonist is clinically recommended for the treatment of migraine. However, in present study this drug was tested as a potential treatment for depression and associated memory loss by altering the serotonergic function at receptor level. Rats (n=24) were equally divided into unstressed and stressed groups. Depression was induced by 19 days of restraint stress for 4 h which was followed by forced swim test and pattern separation test to assess depressive symptoms and memory impairment, respectively. The initial sign of depression-associated memory loss involves impaired pattern separation which is regarded as pseudodementia. In this study stressed ratsshowed depression- and pseudodementia-like symptoms. After the induction of depression, rats were treated with zolmitriptan at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg which resulted in a significant attenuation of depression and depression-associated memory impairment. Results are discussed with reference to the modulation of function of 5-HT-1B receptor following the administration of exogenous agonist

Naringenin protects AlCl3/D-galactose induced neurotoxicity in rat model of AD via attenuation of acetylcholinesterase levels and inhibition of oxidative stress

Currently prescribed medications for the treatment of Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) that are based on acetylcholinesterase inhibition only offer symptomatic relief but do not provide protection against neurodegeneration. There appear to be an intense need for the development of therapeutic strategies that not only improve brain functions but also prevent neurodegeneration. The oxidative stress is one of the main causative factors of AD. Various antioxidants are being investigated to prevent neurodegeneration in AD. The objective of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of naringenin (NAR) against AlCl3+D-gal induced AD-like symptoms in an animal model. Rats were orally pre-treated with NAR (50 mg/kg) for two weeks and then exposed to AlCl3+D-gal (150 mg/kg + 300 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for one week to develop AD-like symptoms. The standard drug, donepezil (DPZ) was used as a stimulator of cholinergic activity. Our results showed that NAR pre-treatment significantly protected AD-like behavioral disturbances in rats. In DPZ group, rats showed improved cognitive and cholinergic functions but the neuropsychiatric functions were not completely improved and showed marked histopathological alterations. However, NAR not only prevented AlCl3+D-gal induced AD-like symptoms but also significantly prevented neuropsychiatric dysfunctions in rats. Results of present study suggest that NAR may play a role in enhancing neuroprotective and cognition functions and it can potentially be considered as a neuroprotective compound for therapeutic management of AD in the future

Development of AD like symptoms following co-administration of AlCl3 and D-gal in rats: A neurochemical, biochemical and behavioural study

Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder associated with neurochemical and neurobehavioural alterations. Aluminium (Al) is considered as a contributing factor in the etiology of several neurodegenerative disorders like AD. D-galactose (D-gal) is a physiological nutrient but over supply induces some neurochemical and biochemical changes that exacerbate natural aging process. In this study, we aimed to develop AD animal model by co-administration of Al and D-gal in rats. Male albino Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with AlCl3 and D-gal at a dose of 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg respectively for one week. After one week rats were subjected to behavioural analysis. After behavioural analysis rats were decapitated to remove their brain. Biochemical and neurochemical analysis were conducted in whole brain. AlCl3+D-gal significantly induced depressive and anxious behaviour in rats. Rats cognitive abilities were also significantly impaired following AlCl3 and D-gal co-administration. AlCl3+D-gal significantly altered antioxidant enzyme activities and biogenic amine levels in whole brain. A marked increase in brain lipid peroxidation and acetylcholinesterase activity was found in test rats. These findings suggest that co-administration of AlCl3 and D-gal for one week could induce AD like symptoms and may be used to develop AD animal model

Enhanced physical endurance and improved memory performance following taurine administration in rats

Energy drinks enhance physical endurance and cognitive ability. The ingredients present in these drinks are considered as ergogenic and have memory boosting effects. In the present study effects of taurine administration for one week was monitored on physical exercise and memory performance in rats. Animals were divided into two groups namely control and test. Taurine was injected intraperitoneally to the test group at the dose of 100mg/kg. After one week of treatment rats were subjected to physical exercise and memory task. Results of this study revealed that rats injected with taurine for one week exhibited improved muscular strength as well as enhanced memory performance in Morris water maze and elevated plus maze. Biomarker of lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced in brain and plasma of test animals. Taurine administration also resulted in higher levels of corticosterone in this study. The results highlight the significance of taurine ingestion in energy demanding and challenging situations in athletes and young subjects