Ulcer protective effect of Terminalia arjuna on gastric mucosal defensive mechanism in experimental rats

The methanol extract of the bark of Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae) (TAE) showed marked antiulcer and ulcer healing activity against 80% ethanol (ETH), diclofenac sodium (DIC) and dexamethasone (DEX) induced ulcer models dose dependently at doses of 100, 400 and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively. Pre-, post and co-administration of TAE offered 100% protection to the gastric mucosa against ETH, DIC and DEX induced ulcers as observed from the ulcer score. Gastric mucosal analysis of DEX induced rats were associated with changes in the levels of protein, protein bound carbohydrate complexes, lipid peroxides (LPO), glutathione (GSH) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) compared with control rats. Co-administration with TAE in DEX rats (DEX + TAE) favorably altered the levels of LPO, GSH and also the activities of SOD and CAT in gastric mucosa, whereas the activities of GPx remained unaltered in all groups. In DEX + TAE rats, the levels of protein and protein bound carbohydrate complexes were increased when compared with DEX rats. The results indicate that the gastroprotective effect of TAE is probably related to its ability to maintain the membrane integrity by its antilipid peroxidative activity that protects the gastric mucosa against oxidative damage and its ability to strengthen the mucosal barrier, the first line of defense against exogenous and endogenous ulcerogenic agents.

A short-term diabetes induced changes of catecholamines and p38-MAPK in discrete areas of rat brain

Chronic diabetes is associated with the alteration of second messengers and CNS disorders. We have recently identified that protein kinases (CaMKII and PKC-alpha) and brain neurotransmitters are altered during diabetes as well as in hyperglycemic and acidotic conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of acute diabetes on the levels of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and p38-Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (p38-MAPK) in striatum (ST), hippocampus (HC), hypothalamus (HT), midbrain (MB), pons medulla (PM), cerebellum (CB) and cerebral cortex (CCX). Alloxan (45 mg/kg) diabetic untreated rats that showed hyperglycemia (>260 mg%), revealed significant increases of DA level in ST (1.5 fold), HC (2.2 fold) and PM (2.0 fold) and the E level also found to be increased significantly in HT (2.4 fold), whereas the NE level was decreased in CB (0.5 fold), after 7 days of diabetes. Immunoblotting study of p38-MAPK expression under identical conditions showed significant alterations in ST, HC, HT and PM (p<0.05) correlated with the changes of catecholamines (DA and E). On the other hand, the above changes were reversed in insulin-treated diabetic rats maintained under normal glucose level (80 -110 mg %). These results suggest that p38-MAPK may regulate the rate of either the synthesis or release of DA and E in corresponding brain areas, but not NE, under these conditions.

Pterocarpus santalinus: a traditional herbal drug as a protectant against ibuprofen induced gastric ulcers

The ethanol extract of Pterocarpus santalinus (PS) was evaluated for gastroprotection in rats using ibuprofen as the induction model. Rats treated with PS (100-400 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in gastric lesions. PS at a dose of 200 mg/kg was found to be the minimum effective dose and hence further studies with that dose were carried out. PS treatment increased the LDH activity and decreased the lipid peroxidation levels. The extract had the ability to increase the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx when compared with the untreated but induced rats. The membrane bound ATPases - H(+)K(+)ATPase, Na(+)K(+)ATPase and Ca(2+)ATPases were increased upon the induction with ulcerogen. The treated group showed a decrease in the activities of these enzymes and also had the ability to restore the sodium and potassium ion concentrations to near normal levels, which were altered by ibuprofen mediated acid stimulation. The results suggest that the antiulcer properties of PS could traced to its acid inhibiting potential, antioxidant activity and the ability to maintain functional integrity of the cell membranes.

T lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulins in intracranial tumor patients before and after treatment, and based on histological type of tumors

It has been reported that nervous system and peripheral immune system communicate with each other and the peripheral immune status is depressed in some intracranial tumor (ICT) patients pre operatively. Little is known about the immune status of intracranial tumor patients during the post operative survival period. We thus investigated total T cells (CD 11+), helper/inducer (CD4+) T cells, suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells, B cells (CD19+) and serum immunoglobulins in peripheral blood in certain ICT patients before and after treatment, and based on the histological type of the tumors. Post treatment analysis were conducted 30 days after surgical removal of tumor tissue in benign brain tumor patients and 30 days after chemo therapy (CT)/radiotherapy (RT) following surgical removal of tumor tissue in malignant brain tumor patients. Decreased CD11+, CD4+ and increased CD8+ T cell counts were observed in both benign and malignant tumor cases before treatment compared with control subjects. After treatment, CD4+ T cell count increased and CD8+ T cell count decreased than their pre treatment levels. Serum IgA and IgG levels were decreased in both benign and malignant brain tumor patients before treatment than in control subjects. Serum IgM level has been increased in both benign and malignant tumor patients before and after treatment than in control subjects. Anaplastic malignant astrocytoma, medulloblastoma and glioblastoma multiforme patients showed higher IgM level than astrocytoma, meningioma and ependymoma patients. In conclusions, the depressed host cellular immunity in benign and malignant tumor patients before treatment may be due to the changes in CD4+ and CD8+ counts in addition to tumour specific immunosuppressive factors. Treatment procedures such as surgery, CT and RT may play certain role in the post operative depressed immunosuppression in malignant tumor patients. Humoral immune mechanism (CD19+) in the ICT patients was less markedly affected.

Effect of a polyherbal formulation, Ambrex, on butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) induced toxicity in rats

Effect of polyherbal formulation Ambrex was evaluated in butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) induced toxicity of lungs and liver in rats. Toxicity was produced by administering BHT (500 mg/kg/day) for 3 days. Lung damage was evidenced by elevated levels of broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BAL) parameters such as protein, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Liver damage was proved by elevated levels of serum protein and markers such as LDH, ALP, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), decreased level of lipid peroxides (LPO) in serum and glutathione (GSH) in liver. Administration of aqueous suspension of Ambrex (50 mg/kg orally) retained these elevated levels of BAL-protein, lactate, LDH, ALP, ACP, G6PDH and serum-protein, LDH, ALP, AST and ALT at near normal values. Decreased level of liver GSH was retained at near normalcy in Ambrex pretreated BHT-administered animals. There was no change in liver LPO in all the four groups.

Neuro-immunomodulation by dorsolateral hippocampus--role of macrophages,T and B cells

In dorsolateral hippocampal lesioned, Sham and control animals, the total number of splenocytes was determined and macrophages, B cells and T cells were isolated and their percentage distribution in total splenocytes were determined. The leukocyte migration inhibition was studied in these groups using different fractions of splenocytes namely whole splenocytes, macrophage removed fraction, and nylon wool eluted T cell population. The same groups were also studied after an antigenic challenge. The results indicate alterations in the macrophages, adherent cell population as well as T cell population in lesioned and Sham animals and also in their immunized groups. These altered cell sub-populations may be responsible for the altered migration.

Carcinoma gall bladder presenting as hemobilia

A 60-year-old man presented with recurrent bouts of melena, requiring multiple transfusions. Upper GI endoscopic evaluation demonstrated fresh bleeding from the ampulla of Vater. Ultrasonography and CT scan suggested a gall bladder mass without evidence of metastases. Laparotomy confirmed a mass confined to the lumen of the gall bladder. The patient underwent cholecystectomy. Histological examination showed papillary adenocarcinoma of the gall bladder extending up to the muscularis propria.

Glycoprotein components in the serum of patients with cancer breast

The levels of total sialic acid, lipid bound sialic acid and fucose were estimated in the sera of patients with benign and malignant tumours of breast. An increase was noted in all the three parameters, with a more marked increase in malignancy, when compared with benign and controls. Consequent to surgery, there was an elevation in the serum levels of the above parameters than the values prior to surgery and a decline was noted two months after surgery although none of the values reached the normal range. These results suggest a close association of the glycoproteins with the tumour burden and further signify their role in early detection and staging of cancer breast.

Regional specificity seen within hypothalamus in neuroimmunomodulation

Wistar strain male albino rats lesioned and sham lesioned at Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) were used to study the neuroimmunomodulation by this brain region. Except the decrease in thymus weight/body weight ratio (P < 0.01), and its cellularity (P < 0.02) in immunized VMH lesion animals, the rest of the parameters like plaque forming cells (PFC), antibody titre, leukocyte migration inhibition index, foot pad thickness in the lesioned as well as the lesion immunized animals never deviated from their respective sham and immunized sham animals. Sham operated belongs to VMH when compared to control rats, showed marked decrease in spleen weight (P < 0.001), thymus weight (P < 0.02) and decrease in popliteal lymph node weight (P < 0.001) ratios. After immunization, the immunized sham animals showed a marked decrease in antibody titre (P < 0.05), PFC (P < 0.05), spleen (P < 0.05) and thymus (P < 0.001) weight ratios with the significant increase in splenic cell count (P < 0.01) compared to immunized control rats. VMH may be one of the information receiving center. However, from these results, it is inferred that VMH could not be a modulating center for the many of the parameters studied as far as neuroimmunomodulation is concerned.

Peripheral immune response in albino rats following cerebroventricular and intraperitoneal antigen challenge

Success in neural tissue transplants at central nervous system suggest that the site may be immunologically privileged. However, this experimental study in which an antigen (Sheep Red Blood Cells) was administered into the third ventricle does not support the above concept. The antibody titre and soluble immune complex levels seen in these animals are similar to the levels seen in animals immunized with the same amount of antigen through the intraperitoneal route. Intraventricular immunization is rather a more potent modulator in decreasing the total WBC count (P < 0.05) and neutrophils (P < 0.001). Further a marked increase in lymphocytes (P < 0.01) in peripheral blood was observed in these animals. Intraventricular immunization also increased the killing power (NBT reduction) of the neutrophils (P < 0.05).

Activated charcoal--an antidote to methyl alcohol poisoning

Every year a considerable number of people die due to methly alcohol poisoning, in which most of them die even before they are given proper treatment. This report gives a simple and cheap first aid measure to those affected by methanol poisoning by the administration of activated charcoal. This study has shown that the mortality of methanol recipient rats have significantly reduced by the administration of activated charcoal.

Modulation of non-specific immunity by hippocampal stimulation

Rats subjected to electrical stimulation of hippocampus (30 min/day for 4 days) showed an increase in the neutrophils in the peripheral blood when compared to sham (P < 0.01) and controls (P < 0.001). They also showed a significant decrease in lymphocytes, when compared to control rats (P < 0.001). Both sham and stimulated animals showed a significant decrease in total white blood cell count when compared to controls (P < 0.001). The phagocytic index of stimulated animals showed a significant increase from control (P < 0.001) and sham (P < 0.001). In addition, the stimulated animals showed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in plasma corticosterone level when compared to sham and controls.

Modulation of specific immunity by ventral hippocampal formation in albino rats

Rats with bilateral electrolytic ventral hippocampal formation (VHF) lesion show a significantly (p less than 0.001) enhanced migration of leucocytes in the presence of antigen. Immunization in these animals enhances (p less than 0.001) the leucocyte migration and presents a significant decrease in footpad thickness. Antibody titre (p less than 0.001) and plaque-forming cells (p less than 0.02) also show a significant decrease when compared with sham-lesion-immunized animals and control-immunized animals. These data indicate the influence of VHF in modulating the specific immunity.

Neuro immuno modulation by ventral hippocampus

Bilateral electrical lesion at ventral hippocampal formation (VHF) did not affect some aspects of nonspecific immunity like total W.B.C. count, percentage of cells in differential count, their absolute count (lymphocyte and neutrophils) and neutrophil functions. The changes observed are due to non-specific craniocerebral trauma as the sham operated animals also showed a similar pattern of response. However the lesion at VHF increases the spleen cell count significantly whereas immunization in these animals decreases the spleen cell count. The thymus weight/body weight ratio also decreases in these animals. Our study confirms the neuroimmuno modulation and the influence of VHF on certain nonspecific immune parameters.