DDT levels in human body fat & milk samples from Delhi.

A study of 45 human fat samples from autopsy and surgery specimens from Delhi showed a mean total DDT level of 6.37 micrograms/g (SE +/- 0.36; range 3.34-9.12 micrograms/g). While these values compare well with those reported from India and abroad, they are much lower than those obtained from other areas of Delhi, confirming wide variation in the quantity of DDT sprayed in different pockets of this city. Twenty one human milk samples from Delhi showed a mean total DDT level of 0.144 ppm (micrograms/ml). Thus, many infants in Delhi appear to be consuming 3 to 5 times the permissible 5 micrograms/kg/day quantity of DDT. This study too indicates the need of continuous monitoring of DDT and other insecticides commonly used in India.

Blood lead levels of children with pica and surma use.

Blood lead levels of 253 Delhi children were estimated by dithizone method. In 82 (controls) children with no symptoms mean blood lead level was 9.6 micrograms/dl (+/- SD 6.8: median 10 micrograms); only 6 had high levels between 30-33 micrograms/dl. In 88 children with pica, the mean blood lead level was 23.0 micrograms/dl (+/- SD 13.82; median 17 micrograms) which was significantly higher than the control; 26 had high levels between 30-92 micrograms/dl. Sixteen children with pica and surma-use and 46 children suspected of lead poisoning showed lead level patterns like the pica group. However, 21 surma-using children without pica resembled the control group. Children with pica were significantly more anemic than the controls and showed higher prevalence of abdominal-neurological symptoms. Because, in India, blood lead cannot be estimated in most of the hospitals, it is suggested that children with severe pica, anemia, abdominal-neurological symptoms and exposure to surma or lead, be suspected of lead poisoning, kept in lead-free environment with corrected nutrition, and be given a short cautious therapeutic trial with oral penicillamine.

Late inflammatory swelling by carrageenan in rat's subcutaneous neck tissue.

When injected subcutaneously in the dorsum of neck in albino rats, carrageenan produced inflammatory swelling which reached peak after about 16 hr. The occurrence of the peak inflammatory swelling was delayed but not significantly reduced in severity by aspirin or indomethacin which were administered repeatedly. Phenylbutazone significantly reduced and dexamethasone almost completely inhibited it. In rat hind paw model, subplantar carrageenan injection produced peak inflammatory swelling after about 4 hr which was significantly reduced by all anti-inflammatory drugs mentioned above. It is interesting that an inflammagen when injected at different sites in the same species elicits responses which differ in the time course and drug responses.

Skin and liver toxicity in experimental Lantana camara poisoning in albino rats.

Dried alcoholic extract of fresh Lantana camara leaves (LE), on oral administration to albino rats of both sexes, induced photodermatitis during exposure to clear sunlight for 1 hr. Its severity was related to the dose of LE and was maximal in rats exposed to sunlight from 4 to 14 hr after feeding LE and gradually declined over 40 hr. Wavelengths of light about 540 to 570 mu only were effective. In control study, the alcoholic extract of edible spinach leaves was only 1/3 in potency and its effect lasted for less than 20 hr. LE did not raise serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT or cause liver injury as assessed by light microscopy. However, like CCL4 but unlike spinach extract, LE impaired excretion of BSP by liver, proportionate to the dose and also maximal at 5.5 hr declining thereafter over 40 hr.

Antifertility effect and some pharmacological actions of Butea frondosa seed extracts.

PIP: The antifertility effects and pharmacological actions of Betea fronosa seed extracts are reported. An alcoholic extract, chloroform extract, and an aqueous extract were tested. Drugs were administered in 6 female mice 5 days after mating. Laparotomy was performed on the 10th day of pregnancy to observe the implants and delivery by Cesarean section was made at 20 days. Female rats were similarly treated. Female rats were studied as well for estreus cycle and mating behavior under the influence of the drug. Antiestrogenic activity was tested in mature mice and androgenic activity was tested in immature male mice at 6 different extract doses. Decidual cell reaction was tested in rats with pseudopregnancy given different doses of the extract daily. Abortifacient and teratogenic actions were studied. Pharmacological studies included antiinflammatory studies, isolated tissues, blood pressure and respiration, diuretic action, and acute toxicity. Results indicate only the alcohol extract to be active. It has a distinct antifertility effect in rats but without a clearcut dose-response relationship. There was an incomplete suppression of fertility at 100 mg/kg. Estreus cycle was uneffected by the extracts although there was delayed mating in half the animals and a significant reduction in offspring. There was some inhibition of ovulation produced by the extract. Differences between controls and treated groups were insignificant regarding antiestrogenic activity and androgenic activity. There was a partial blocking of the decidual cell reaction. Complete resorption of implants was seen in 4 out of 5 mice when the extract was given at 1 gm/kg. The only other pharmacological action noted was inhibition of the action of acetylcholine and histamine on the guinea pig ileum. Pharamcodynamic and toxic effects are probably unrelated to the antifertility action of the extract.^ieng