Bifidobacterium longum DS0956 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus DS0508 culture-supernatant ameliorate obesity by inducing thermogenesis in obese-mice.

Excessive body fat and the related dysmetabolic diseases affect both developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial role of a bacterial culture supernatant (hereafter: BS) of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and their potential mechanisms of action on white-fat browning and lipolysis. For selection of four candidates among 55 Lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB) from human infant faeces, we evaluated by Oil Red O staining and Ucp1 mRNA quantitation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The expression of browning and lipolysis markers was examined along with in vitro assays. The possible mechanism was revealed by molecular and biological experiments including inhibitor and small interfering RNA (siRNA) assays. In a mouse model, physiological, histological, and biochemical parameters and expression of some thermogenesis-related genes were compared among six experimental groups fed a high-fat diet and one normal-diet control group. The results allow us to speculate that BS treatment promotes browning and lipolysis both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the BS may activate thermogenic programs via a mechanism involving PKA-CREB signaling in 3T3-L1 cells. According to our data, we can propose that two LAB strains, Bifidobacterium longum DS0956 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus DS0508, may be good candidates for a dietary supplement against obesity and metabolic diseases; however, further research is required for the development as dietary supplements or drugs.

Analgesic and antidepressant activities of Brassica rapa subspecies chinensis (L.) Hanelt on Swiss-albino mice model.

Bangladesh being a subtropical country provides varieties of herbs and vegetables. Brassica is a broad genus available in Bangladesh and it encompasses a lot of nutritive herbs. Among these, Brassica rapa subspecies chinensis (L.) Hanelt (Family-Brassicaceae) is popular in many parts of the world. In the quest of medicinal property, this plant was investigated here for observing analgesic and antidepressant activities in Swiss-albino mice model. The herb was extracted well with methanol and then assayed by acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion methods for analgesic action. Besides, thiopental sodium induced sleeping time test, tail suspension test and forced swim test were conducted for the evaluation of its antidepressant activity. The plant extract was orally administered to the mice at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight and it exhibited significant analgesic and antidepressant activities in compare to the controlled groups. This is the first time comprehensive report for analgesic and antidepressant activities of this plant.

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression of two tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH-1 and TPH-2) genes in the hypothalamus of Atlantic croaker: down-regulation after chronic exposure to hypoxia.

Recently we discovered that hypoxia causes marked impairment of reproductive neuroendocrine function in Atlantic croaker, a marine teleost, which is due to a decline in hypothalamic serotonergic activity. As a first step in understanding the molecular responses of the hypothalamic serotonergic system to hypoxia, we cloned and characterized the genes for the enzymes regulating the rate-limiting step in serotonin biosynthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH-1 and TPH-2) in the croaker brain. The full-length croaker TPH-1 and TPH-2 cDNAs contain open reading frames encoding proteins with 479 and 487 amino acids, respectively, which are highly homologous to the TPH-1 (76-93%) and TPH-2 (64-92%) proteins of other vertebrates. Croaker TPH-1 and TPH-2 mRNA expression was detected throughout the brain but was greatest in the hypothalamic region. Both Northern blot analysis and real-time PCR showed that TPH-1 (transcript size approximately 2.1 kb) and TPH-2 ( approximately 1.9 kb) mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the hypothalami of croaker exposed for 2 weeks to hypoxic conditions compared with those in fish exposed to normoxic conditions. Immunohistochemistry of hypothalamic neurons with TPH antibodies showed reduced expression of TPHs in hypoxia-exposed fish compared with normoxic fish. Western blot analysis confirmed that hypoxia caused a marked decline in hypothalamic TPH protein levels, which was associated with decreases in hypothalamic TPH enzyme activity and 5-hydroxytryptophan levels. These results suggest that TPH is a major site of hypoxia-induced down-regulation of serotonergic function in croaker brains. Moreover, they provide the first evidence that hypoxia decreases the expression of TPH transcripts in vertebrate brains.

Effects of deep heat therapy on the patients with chronic low back pain.

A randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 1st April 2006 to 31st March 2007. A total of 102 patients of Chronic LBP were included in the study. Out of them, 42 (41.2%) were male and 60 (58.8%) were female and male: female ratio was 1:1.43. The mean age of the patients was 42.22+/-8.07 years. They were divided randomly into two groups by the way of lottery for the clinical trial. Group A was treated with short wave diathermy (SWD) and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and Group B was treated with placebo SWD and NSAID. After treatment the result was compared and student's 't' test was done to see the level of significance. There was significant improvement after treatment in both the group (P=0). In comparison between two groups, it was found that there was no significant improvement in pre-treatment, after 1st week and after 2nd week. Improvement was found in Group A than Group B after 3rd week (P=0.05). And the improvement was gradually increased in Group A in comparison to Group B. Finally, it was found that there was significant improvement in Group A than Group B after 6th week (P=0). From the present study, it may be concluded that both the treatment (NSAID and SWD) is effective for the treatment of Chronic LBP. But the patient may be more benefited if SWD is used as an adjunct to NSAID.

Preliminary antinociceptive, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Leucas aspera root.

The ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera root was subjected to acetic acid induced writhing inhibition, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and brine shrimp lethality bioassay for screening of antinociceptive, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity, respectively. The extract produced significant writhing inhibition in acetic acid induced writhing in mice at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. The extract showed a significant free radical scavenging activity with an IC(50) of 8 microg/ml. The extract showed significant lethality to brine shrimp with an LC(50) value.

Protection of B cells against the effect of alloxan.

Alloxan induces diabetes in laboratory animals through the destruction of the endocrine pancreatic B cells. The mechanism of alloxan toxicity is still obscure. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD) or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADPH) treatment on the B cells in isolated rat islets prior to alloxan treatment. Islets were treated with SOD (1000 U) or 0.1 mM NADPH for 10 min followed by alloxan treatment (0.18 mg) for 5 min. Insulin secretion was studied in samples incubated for 60 min in media supplemented with glucose (1.8 mg/ml). Morphological examinations were conducted on fixed samples after the alloxan treatment. SOD significantly protected the islets from the cytotoxic effect of alloxan. Although alloxan decreased insulin secretion to 35% of the control, SOD increased this level to 73% of the control values. NADPH did not provide any protection to the islets. Insulin secretion from islets treated with NADPH and alloxan was not different from that after alloxan treatment alone. Morphological changes were observed in the islets treated with alloxan alone or alloxan in the presence of NADPH. Islets exhibited multiple cellular necrosis, marked degranulation and extensive vesiculation of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. Mitochondrial enlargement with disrupted cristae and mitochondrial ruptures were prominent. However, islets treated with SOD and alloxan were similar to the control except for the enlarged mitochondria. The increased insulin secretion from islets treated with SOD and alloxan reinforces the free radical hypothesis of alloxan toxicity. The markedly enlarged mitochondria was one of the targets through which alloxan destroyed the B cells.

Subchronic dermal toxicity studies of Alcide Allay gel and liquid in rabbits.

Alcide is a germicidal agent which is highly effective in killing a wide range of bacteria and fungi. 2.0 g kg-1 Allay gel or placebo were applied once per day while 3.0 g kg-1 Allay liquid or placebo were administered three times per day over a 30 day period to the skin of albino rabbits. Allay gel and liquid contained either of two concentrations of sodium chlorite and lactic acid as active ingredients. The concentration of active ingredients, sodium chlorite and lactic acid, in the low dose gel was 25% of high dose gel and low dose liquid was 60% of high dose liquid. Moderate to severe erythema was observed only in the high dose gel group after 7 days of treatment, but skin appeared visibly normal by day 18. Histologically fixed skin at day 30, however, showed inflammatory changes in the high and low dose gel groups and hyperkeratosis in all gel groups. At the termination of the study, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration decreased significantly in the Allay gel and liquid groups compared to an untreated control group. In all gel treatments, BUN/creatinine levels decreased significantly. Hematology and clinical chemistry parameters, however, were within the normal range of values for the gel and liquid groups, indicating no clinically significant changes due to Allay treatment. Pancreas/body weight ratios were significantly reduced in all gel groups, while spleen, pancreas and ovary/body weight ratios were significantly higher in both liquid dosage groups. No histological changes were observed in any of these organs.

A teratology study of carbaryl and malathion mixtures in rat.

Recently, much controversy has developed in relation to the use of pesticides alone and in mixtures. Mixtures are used as a more efficient method of pest control. Carbaryl and malathion are one of many combinations used today. A limited amount of work has been done with these two pesticides in relation to their teratogenic potential. This study examined the teratological parameters of carbaryl and malathion in combination compared to the effect of the individual insecticides. Formulation grade carbaryl (0, 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg), formulation grade malathion (1 and 50 mg/kg), and a formulation grade mixture of carbaryl/malathion (1/1 and 50/50 mg/kg) were administered daily by gavage for 3 mo prior to and throughout gestation. Dams were sacrificed on d 20 of gestation, and the fetuses were examined for external, skeletal, and visceral malformations. Significant decreases in dam weight gain during pregnancy and a slight decrease in the number of implantations and number of live fetuses per dam were observed with the 100-mg/kg carbaryl group and were further reduced in both combination doses. The combination dose groups showed a significant reduction in placenta weight. No increases were seen in skeletal or visceral anomalies for the individual treatment groups; however, an increase in external hemorrhagic spots was observed with malathion at 50 mg/kg and the high-dosage mixture group.

Antifertility activity of a medicinal plant of the genus Andrografis wall (family Acanthaceae). Part II.

Six weeks old male and female mice belonging to Wister strain were put on diets supplemented to the extent of 0.75% by the powdered stem of A. peniculata Nees for one, two, three and four weeks and the effect on fertility and gestational period was observed. Significant reduction in fertility was observed after three and four weeks of feeding in the group containing the treated males and the untreated females. In the same group the gestation period was also prolonged after four weeks of feeding. There was virtually no change in fertility and gestational period in the treated females and the untreated males during any stage of the experiment.

PIP: 6-week-old male and female Wistar mice were given diets supplemented with .75% powdered stem of A. peniculata Nees for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks to study the effect of the medicinal plant on fertility and gestation. In the 1- and 2-week groups, the medication did not produce any appreciable change in fertility or in the period of gestation. However, significantly reduced fertility was found in the males in the 3-week group. No appreciable change in the females or the untreated animals was found in the 3-week groups. When the medication was given for 4 weeks, a significantly prolonged period of gestation was found among the male-treated subgroup. It is concluded that the drug somehow affects the males with no apparent effect on the females; one explanation is that the drug lowered the male libido, explaining the prolonged gestational period in the 4-week group because gestational age was measured by the date the males were placed in cages with females and with lowered libido mating may not have occurred immediately.