Comparison of quality of the surgical field after controlled hypotension using esmolol and magnesium sulfate during endoscopic sinus surgery

Background and Aims: Most vital aspect of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) is an optimal visibility in the surgical field. This invariably requires controlled hypotension to facilitate surgical dissection and to decrease operative time. We used esmolol and magnesium sulfate to achieve controlled hypotension and assessed the quality of the surgical field in ESS. Material and Methods: A total of 30 patients undergoing ESS, were enrolled in three parallel groups of 10 patients each in a prospective randomized double-blind study. “Magnesium Sulfate group” received magnesium sulfate 40 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.) as a bolus over 10 min before induction of anesthesia, followed by 15-30 mg/kg/h through infusion. “Esmolol group” received 0.5 mg/kg i.v. bolus over 10 min after induction followed by 150-300 μg/kg/min infusion and “control group” received normal saline in same volume schedule. The primary aim was to assess the quality of surgical field, using Fromme scale. Category Scale values of all the three groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Hemodynamic data was compared using ANOVA test. Results: Quality of the surgical field was better in both magnesium sulfate and esmolol groups as compared to the control group. Durations of anesthesia and surgery were significantly lower in esmolol group as compared to the control group. Blood loss was comparable in all the three groups. Conclusion: Quality of the surgical field was better in esmolol and magnesium sulfate groups as compared to control group. Duration of surgery was significantly less in esmolol group as compared to other two groups

Amla (Emblica officinalis) alleviates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats

Introduction: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used anticancer drug known for its significant cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic effects. Seeking remedies to mitigate these adverse effects is crucial. This study investigates the potential of Emblica officinalis (Amla) extract, a prominent component in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine systems, in alleviating DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Methods: DOX (20 mg/kg i.p., once) was given to rats to cause acute cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Rats received 16 similar and cumulative doses of DOX (1.25 mg/kg, i.p.) on alternate days for chronic cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Biochemical and histological evaluations were done to confirm the onset of cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Results: The cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects of Amla extract (AE) (150 mg/kg p.o. and 300 mg/kg p.o) were evaluated in comparison to Vitamin E (25 mg/kg p.o.). The treatment with AE (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) considerably prevented DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and oxidative stress by positively altering the integrity of glomeruli, restoring the tissue GSH and decreasing serum TBARS. AE (300 mg/kg) was found to be more cardioprotective and nephroprotective than Vitamin E (25 mg/kg p.o.). Discussion: It may be concluded that the induction of cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats may be due to DOX-induced oxidative stress, and chronic treatment with AE (300 mg/kg) is an effective way to alleviate the cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic adverse effects of DOX in rats. Moreover, given Amla's historical and contemporary significance in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine systems, its potential therapeutic role merits further exploration in clinical settings

Plumbagin Alleviates Intracerebroventricular-Quinolinic Acid Induced Depression-like Behavior and Memory Deficits in Wistar Rats

Plumbagin, a hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, confers neuroprotection via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to assess the effect of plumbagin on behavioral and memory deficits induced by intrahippocampal administration of Quinolinic acid (QA) in male Wistar rats and reveal the associated mechanisms. QA (300 nM/4 μL in Normal saline) was administered i.c.v. in the hippocampus. QA administration caused depression-like behavior (forced swim test and tail suspension tests), anxiety-like behavior (open field test and elevated plus maze), and elevated anhedonia behavior (sucrose preference test). Furthermore, oxidative–nitrosative stress (increased nitrite content and lipid peroxidation with reduction of GSH), inflammation (increased IL-1β), cholinergic dysfunction, and mitochondrial complex (I, II, and IV) dysfunction were observed in the hippocampus region of QA-treated rats as compared to normal controls. Plumbagin (10 and 20 mg/kg; p.o.) treatment for 21 days significantly ameliorated behavioral and memory deficits in QA-administered rats. Moreover, plumbagin treatment restored the GSH level and reduced the MDA and nitrite level in the hippocampus. Furthermore, QA-induced cholinergic dysfunction and mitochondrial impairment were found to be ameliorated by plumbagin treatment. In conclusion, our results suggested that plumbagin offers a neuroprotective potential that could serve as a promising pharmacological approach to mitigate neurobehavioral changes associated with neurodegeneration