Goitrogenic/antithyroidal potential of moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) of Indian origin on thyroid status in male albino rats

Moringa leaves and spinach used as vegetables containing cyanogens and polyphenols having suspected antithyroidal activity; however, detailed studies in this aspect found unavailable. Goitrogenic/antithyroid potentiality of those plant foods of Indian origin was evaluated. To explore the goitrogenic/antithyroid effect of those plant foods cyanogenic glucosides, glucosinolates, thiocyanate and polyphenol content were measured. These plant foods were fed with diet regularly to adult male albino rats for 30 and 60 days respectively, followed by evaluation of morphological and functional status of thyroid,as thyroid gland weight, the activity status of thyroid hormone synthesizing enzymes viz. TPO, Na+ -K+ -ATPase, deiodinase I, thyroid hormone profiles, thyroid histoarchitecture as well as urinary iodine and thiocyanate. In moringa leaves and spinach fed diet, there was a significant increase in urinary excretion of thiocyanate and iodine, enlargement of thyroid gland along with hypertrophy of thyroid follicles and altered in the activities of thyroid hormone synthesizing enzymes with concomitant changes of thyroid hormone profiles. Effects were more severe in moringa leaves treated group than that of spinach. Biochemical analysis moringa leaves and spinach reveal that those are rich sources of goitrogens and their prolonged consumption gradually developed a relative state of biochemical and morphological hypothyroidism

AMIODARONE INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN STRESS - VULNERABLE ORGANS OF ADULT MALE RATS

Objective: Amiodarone used as an antiarrhythmic agent bears a structural resemblance to thyroid hormones containing about one-third iodine byweight. The pro-oxidant potentialities of amiodarone induced changes were studied.Materials and Methods: Male adult Wister rats were divided into two groups of eight animals each, and amiodarone was supplemented orallyfor 30 days against control. The urinary iodine content of both the groups was measured. Animals were sacrificed after completion of treatment;investigated parameters were adrenal morphology and histology, adrenal Δ5 3β hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and serum cortisol level.Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and lipid peroxidation (LPO) level were assayed in the liver, kidney and testis along with their histology. Serumglutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and glutamic-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were measured. Obtained results were interpreted againstthe control group of rats.Results: Urinary iodine level was high after the amiodarone exposure. Hypertrophied cortex with enhanced Δ5 3β HSD activity in adrenal causedelevated serum cortisol level. Amiodarone exposure had increased LPO level with a concomitant rise in catalase and SOD activities in liver, kidney andtestis in comparison to control (p<0.001). Simultaneously kidney showed shrinkage of the glomerulus, in liver the area surrounding the central canalfound disrupted and in the testis seminiferous tubules, and germ cells were disorganized in comparison to control. SGOT and SGPT level were foundelevated in the treated group.Conclusion: Amiodarone exposure develops stress for the metabolism and deiodinization of amiodarone releasing excessive iodine in circulationthat in turn generates reactive oxygen species and free radicals resulting cellular damage of stress vulnerable organs.Keywords: Amiodarone, Excess iodine, Hypertrophied adrenal, Cellular damage, Stress-vulnerable organs, Reactive oxygen species

Effect of microbial load on the condition index of the edible oyster, Saccostrea cucullata in the Sundarbans, India

The effect of microbial load on the condition Index of the edible oyster, Saccostrea cucullata were analysed on monthly basis during 2010 and 2011 from the three different stations (Namkhana, Frasergaunge and Sajnekhali) of Indian Sundarbans. The results showed significant variation with respect to microbial load between stations and seasons, which is reflected in the tissue of edible oyster. Significant positive correlations were observed between microbial load of the ambient environment and the tissue system of oyster. The Condition Index of the oyster species also exhibited negative correlation with the microbial load of oyster tissue, which confirms the negative stress induced by microbes on the growth and survival of the species