NEUROREGENERATIVE EFFECTS OF D-α-TOCOPHEROL ON THE CRUSHED SCIATIC NERVE OF DIABETIC RATS

ABSTRACTObjective: This present study is designed to explore the neuroregenerative effects of d-α-tocopherol on peripheral nerve in both healthy and diabeticrats.Methods: 24 albino rats were divided into four groups; healthy control, diabetic control, healthy treated, and diabetic treated. Diabetes was inducedby single subcutaneous injection of alloxan (100 mg/kg). Treated groups were administered d-α-tocopherol orally, daily (200 mg/kg) for 3 weeks.Through a mid-thigh incision, sciatic nerve was crushed with Kocher's forceps, and skin wound was closed with absorbable suture. Sciatic functionaland static indices were used to assess the functional recovery in conjunction with histological, histomorphological, and biochemical analyses at theend of 3 weeks.Results: It was noticed that d-α-tocopherol supplementation accelerates functional recovery, enhances the antioxidant levels, and promotes theregeneration and extracellular matrix reorganization of peripheral nerves.Conclusion: It is concluded that the d-α-tocopherol appears to be an optimistic option in the management of peripheral nerve crush injury in bothhealthy and diabetics.Keywords: Antioxidant, d-α-tocopherol, Diabetes, Rats, Regeneration, Sciatic nerve

Anticancer efficacy of perillyl alcohol-bearing PLGA microparticles

In the present study, a novel poly-lactic glycolic acid (PLGA)-based microparticle formulation of perillyl alcohol (POH) was prepared and characterized. Further, its efficacy was evaluated against di-methyl benzo anthracene-induced skin papilloma in Swiss albino mice. The characterization studies showed that POH-bearing PLGA microparticles were of the size 768 ± 215 nm with a ζ-potential value of −7.56 ± 0.88 mV. The entrapment efficiency of the active drug in particles was 42.4% ± 3.5%. POH-bearing PLGA microparticles were stable and released entrapped drug gradually over an extended time period. The in vitro efficacy of POH-bearing PLGA microparticles was evaluated by examining their differential cytotoxicity and assessing their ability to inhibit epidermoid carcinoma cell line (A253). The POH-based microparticles when administered to tumor-bearing animals caused greater tumor regression and increased survival rate (∼80%) as compared with the group receiving free form of POH (survival rate 40%). The superiority of POH-PLGA microparticles over free form of POH was further evident from their ability to modulate apoptosis-regulating factors

AWARENESS REGARDING CYBER VICTIMIZATION AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF SINDH, JAMSHORO

ABSTRAC

Potential of siRNA-Bearing Subtilosomes in the Treatment of Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Therapeutics, based on small interfering RNA (siRNA), have demonstrated tremendous potential for treating cancer. However, issues such as non-specific targeting, premature degradation, and the intrinsic toxicity of the siRNA, have to be solved before they are ready for use in translational medicines. To address these challenges, nanotechnology-based tools might help to shield siRNA and ensure its specific delivery to the target site. Besides playing a crucial role in prostaglandin synthesis, the cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme has been reported to mediate carcinogenesis in various types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We encapsulated COX-2-specific siRNA in Bacillus subtilis membrane lipid-based liposomes (subtilosomes) and evaluated their potential in the treatment of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Our findings suggested that the subtilosome-based formulation was stable, releasing COX-2 siRNA in a sustained manner, and has the potential to abruptly release encapsulated material at acidic pH. The fusogenic property of subtilosomes was revealed by FRET, fluorescence dequenching, content-mixing assay, etc. The subtilosome-based siRNA formulation was successful in inhibiting TNF-α expression in the experimental animals. The apoptosis study indicated that the subtilosomized siRNA inhibits DEN-induced carcinogenesis more effectively than free siRNA. The as-developed formulation also suppressed COX-2 expression, which in turn up-regulated the expression of wild-type p53 and Bax on one hand and down-regulated Bcl-2 expression on the other. The survival data established the increased efficacy of subtilosome-encapsulated COX-2 siRNA against hepatocellular carcinoma

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral montelukast in acute asthma exacerbation.

Background: Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) are well established in the management of outpatient asthma. However, there is very little information as to their role in acute asthma exacerbations. We hypothesized that LTRAs may accelerate lung function recovery when given in an acute exacerbation. Methods: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital to assess the efficacy of oral montelukast on patients of 16 years of age and above who were hospitalized with acute asthma exacerbation. The patients were given either montelukast or placebo along with standard therapy throughout the hospital stay for acute asthma. Improvements in lung function and duration of hospital stay were monitored. Results: 100 patients were randomized; their mean age was 52 years (SD +/− 18.50). The majority were females (79%) and non-smokers (89%). The mean hospital stay was 3.70 ± 1.93 days with 80% of patients discharged in 3 days. There was no significant difference in clinical symptoms, PEF over the course of hospital stay (p = 0.20 at day 2 and p = 0.47 at day 3) and discharge (p = 0.15), FEV1 at discharge (p = 0.29) or length of hospital stay (p = 0.90) between the two groups. No serious adverse effects were noted during the course of the study. Conclusion: Our study suggests that there is no benefit of addition of oral montelukast over conventional treatment in the management of acute asthma attack

Effects of a high-dose 24-h infusion of tranexamic acid on death and thromboembolic events in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (HALT-IT): an international randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma. Meta-analyses of small trials show that tranexamic acid might decrease deaths from gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: We did an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 164 hospitals in 15 countries. Patients were enrolled if the responsible clinician was uncertain whether to use tranexamic acid, were aged above the minimum age considered an adult in their country (either aged 16 years and older or aged 18 years and older), and had significant (defined as at risk of bleeding to death) upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients were randomly assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Patients received either a loading dose of 1 g tranexamic acid, which was added to 100 mL infusion bag of 0·9% sodium chloride and infused by slow intravenous injection over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 g tranexamic acid added to 1 L of any isotonic intravenous solution and infused at 125 mg/h for 24 h, or placebo (sodium chloride 0·9%). Patients, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. The primary outcome was death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation; analysis excluded patients who received neither dose of the allocated treatment and those for whom outcome data on death were unavailable. This trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN11225767, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01658124. Findings: Between July 4, 2013, and June 21, 2019, we randomly allocated 12 009 patients to receive tranexamic acid (5994, 49·9%) or matching placebo (6015, 50·1%), of whom 11 952 (99·5%) received the first dose of the allocated treatment. Death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation occurred in 222 (4%) of 5956 patients in the tranexamic acid group and in 226 (4%) of 5981 patients in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·18). Arterial thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction or stroke) were similar in the tranexamic acid group and placebo group (42 [0·7%] of 5952 vs 46 [0·8%] of 5977; 0·92; 0·60 to 1·39). Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) were higher in tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (48 [0·8%] of 5952 vs 26 [0·4%] of 5977; RR 1·85; 95% CI 1·15 to 2·98). Interpretation: We found that tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. On the basis of our results, tranexamic acid should not be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding outside the context of a randomised trial

Histopathological Study of Experimentally Crushed Skeletal Muscle’s Regeneration in Adult Albino Rats

Aim: This study aims to explain all the events of skeletal muscle repair and regeneration with the help of suitable histophathlogical photomicrographs taken from crush-injured adult albino rat’s gluteus maximus muscle. Materials and Methods: The present study is part of our previous research study related to skeletal muscle repair and regeneration in crush injured gluteus maximus muscle of adult albino rats. The samples were processed for histopathological examination using routine and special histological staining procedures. The tissue samples were examined under trinocular microscope, and the fields showing interesting findings were recorded under different magnification. Results: In this study we observed all regenerative changes in myofibers and related structures after crushed injury. Conclusion: Histopathological studies with good stainings are helpful for the easy identification of minute changes that occurs in each stages of skeletal muscle regeneration

Eff ect of vitamin E isoforms on the primary intention Eff ect of vitamin E isoforms on the primary intention skin wound healing of diabetic rats

Introduction: Impaired wound healing events is a common complication in diabetes. One of the effective nutritional antioxidant on skin wound healing is vitamin E which contains saturated tocopherol and unsaturated tocotrienol forms. This present study is designed to explore the effect of different vitamin E isoforms on stitched skin wound in both healthy and diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Forty eight albino rats were divided into eight groups; healthy control, diabetic control, healthy treated (d-α-tocopherol, d-δ-TRF and co-administrated) and diabetic treated (d-αtocopherol, d-δ-TRF and co-administrated). Diabetes was induced through single subcutaneous injection of alloxan at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Treated groups were administered d-a-tocopherol (200 mg/kg), d-δ-TRF (200 mg/kg) and co-administration (100 mg/kg of these two compounds each) orally and daily for three weeks. A horizontal skin incision was made on right mid-thigh region at 2.95 ± 0.17cm in length and wound was closed with an absorbable suture. Results: Histopathological and histomorphological results at the end of 3rd week revealed that the d-δ-TRF treated groups promote the regeneration and reorganization of epidermal and dermal components in healing of primary intention more effectively than the d-α-tocopherol and co-administrated groups. Conclusion: It is concluded that among different vitamin E isoforms the d-δ-TRF appears to be a more effective nutritional antioxidant on skin wound healing in both healthy and diabetics

Th erapeutic potential of d-Th erapeutic potential of d-δ-tocotrienol rich fraction -tocotrienol rich fraction on excisional skin wounds in diabetic rats

Introduction: Long-standing hyperglycemia in addition to many of its associated complications also hampers normal wound healing which may be further aggravated in the presence of infection and oxidative stress. Therefore, antioxidant supplementation appears to be strategically relevant for wound healing. This study is designed to explore the therapeutic potential of d-δ-tocotrienol rich fraction (d-δ-TRF) on skin wound healing in both healthy and diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced through single subcutaneous injection of alloxan at the dose of 100 mg/kg at hip region. 24 albino rats were divided into four groups; healthy control, diabetic control, healthy treated and diabetic treated. d-δ-TRF was administered to treated groups (200 mg/kg), orally, daily for 3 weeks. Full thickness excisional skin wounds were. Wound area was studied by assessing the morphological, histomorphological and histological features at weekly intervals and biochemical analyses were performed at the end of 3rd week. Results: The findings of present study revealed that d-δ-TRF accelerated the skin wound healing by means of early regeneration of both epidermal and dermal components; enhancement of serum protein synthesis, improvement of antioxidant status, maintenance of glycemic condition and controlling serum creatinine levels in diabetic rats. Conclusion: It is concluded that d-δ-TRF has significant therapeutic potency on the healing of skin wounds in both healthy and diabetics