3,3'-Diselenodipropionic acid (DSePA) forms 1:1 complex with Hg (II) and prevents oxidative stress in cultured cells and mice model.

Mercury is one of the most toxic heavy metal for mammals particularly in inorganic form. In present study, 3,3'-diselenodipropionic acid (DSePA), a well-known pharmacological diselenide was evaluated for its interaction with HgCl2 and ability to prevent HgCl2-induced toxicity in experimental cellular and mice models. UV-visible, stopped flow, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies confirmed that DSePA sequestered Hg (II) ions with stoichiometry of 1:1 and binding constant of ~104 M-1. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction analysis suggested that diselenide group of DSePA was involved in the complexation with Hg (II) ions. Further, Hg-DSePA complex degraded within 10 days to form excretable HgSe. The binding constant of DSePA and Hg (II) was comparable with that of dihydrolipoic acid, a standard disulfide compound used in heavy metal detoxification. Corroborating these observations, pre-treatment of DSePA (10 µM) significantly prevented the HgCl2 (50 µM)-induced glutathione oxidation (GSH/GSSG), decrease of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and cell death in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. Similarly, intraperitoneal administration of DSePA at a dosage of 2 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days prior to exposure of HgCl2 (1 mg/kg) significantly suppressed oxidative stress in renal and hepatic tissues of C57BL/6 mice. In conclusion, the protective effect of DSePA against Hg induced oxidative stress is attributed to its ability to rescue the activities of GPx, TrxR and GSH by sequestering Hg (II) ions. DSePA being a relatively safer selenium-compound for in vivo administration can be explored for mercury detoxification.

Acceptance of Contraceptive Methods Among Postpartum Women in a Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND: In India, a large proportion of women with an unmet need for contraception are within their first year after childbirth. Therefore, concentrating efforts to educate postpartum women on the importance of attending contraceptive clinics could have a proportionally bigger impact on increasing postpartum contraception usage. METHODS: Hundred and seventy-eight (178) women were followed up to determine the proportion of postpartum women who attended the family planning clinics for contraceptive counseling. The reason for non-attendance, choice and effectiveness of contraceptive method selected was determined. RESULTS: Out of 178 postpartum women who were followed up, only 12 (6.8 %) attended the contraceptive clinic. IUD, POPs and Inj-DMPA are the preferred contraceptive methods selected by postpartum women. Hundred percent of the postpartum women who attended contraceptive selected a contraceptive method as compared to only 44 % of the postpartum women who did not attend a contraceptive clinic. Only 29.2 % of these postpartum women selected highly effective contraceptive methods as compared to 83.3 % by the postpartum women who attended family planning clinics. The common reasons cited for not attending contraceptive clinic was found to be time constraint (43.9 %) followed by 'stay far away' (39 %), followed by 'already have information' (9.7 %). CONCLUSIONS: Family planning service that is scheduled to be delivered at the 6-week postpartum is rarely attended. The common reason cited by postpartum women for poor attendance in these family planning clinics was time constraint.

Impact of Structured Counseling on Choice of Contraceptive Method Among Postpartum Women.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: In India, although a number of contraceptive choices are available, the usage of contraceptive methods among postpartum women is rather low. The current study intended to determine the impact of "structured contraception counseling" on women's decision making on selection of contraceptive methods and the reasons behind the selection of a contraceptive method. METHODS: One-hundred-and-seventeen postpartum women in the age group of 18-35 years, requesting contraception, were enrolled in the study. "Structured contraception counseling" was provided using a standardized protocol with balanced and comprehensive education material on the available hormonal and nonhormonal contraceptive methods. Questionnaires with information on the women's pre- and post-counseling contraceptive choice, her perceptions, and the reasons behind her postcounseling decision were filled by the participating women. RESULTS: Maximum women enrolled for the study were in the age group of 21-25 years. In pre-counseling, 36 % postpartum women selected a contraceptive method, 23.1 % a nonhormonal method, and 12.8 % a hormonal method. After "structured contraception counseling," 92.25 % of women chose a contraceptive method. There were significant differences between the women's choices of contraceptive methods in the pre- and post-counseling sessions, respectively [progesterone-only pills (POP): 5.1 vs. 38.46 %, (p < 0.001); injectable-depot medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA): 2.56 vs. 21.356 %, (p < 0.01); and intra uterine device (IUD): 10.28 vs. 23.92 %, (p < 0.001). 38.46 % chose a POP, 21.36 % injectable-DMPA, and 23.9 % the IUD]. CONCLUSION: "Structured contraception counseling" using standardized protocol resulted in significant improvements in the selection of contraceptive methods by postpartum women.

Natural dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor mangiferin mitigates diabetes- and metabolic syndrome-induced changes in experimental rats.

BACKGROUND: Mangiferin (MNG) is known to possess antidiabetic and antioxidant activity. However, there is no experimental evidence presently available in the literature with regard to its ameliorating effects on diabetes mellitus coexisting with metabolic syndrome. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of MNG on various components of metabolic syndrome with diabetes as an essential component. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adult Wistar rats were fed high-fat diets for 10 weeks and challenged with streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) at week three (high-fat diabetic control group). After the confirmation of metabolic syndrome in the setting of diabetes, MNG 40 mg/kg was orally fed to these rats from the fourth to tenth week. RESULTS: The treatment with MNG showed beneficial effects on various components of metabolic syndrome, such as reduced dyslipidemia (decreased triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and diabetes mellitus (reduced blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin). In addition, an increase in serum insulin, C-peptide, and homeostasis model assessment-ß and a reduction in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance-IR were observed in MNG-treated group compared with high-fat diabetic control group. MNG was also found to be cardioprotective (reduction in creatine phosphokinase-MB levels, atherogenic index, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). Reduction in serum dipeptidyl peptidase-IV levels in the MNG-treated group correlated with improvement in insulin resistance and enhanced ß-cell function. CONCLUSION: The present study has demonstrated antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and cardioprotective effects of MNG in the setting of diabetes with metabolic syndrome. Thus, MNG has the potential to be developed as a natural alternative to synthetic dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors beneficial in this comorbid condition.

Myocardial Salvaging Effects of Berberine in Experimental Diabetes Co-Existing with Myocardial Infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the Berberis aristata, has been shown to display a wide array of pharmacological activities (hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic). AIM: The present study was designed to investigate whether these pharmacological properties translate into the cardioprotective effects of Berberine in the setting of diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Necessary approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee was taken for the study. Experimental diabetes was produced with single dose of Streptozotocin (STZ): 45mg/kg ip and myocardial infarction was induced by administering Isoproterenol (ISP): 85mg/kg, sc to rats on 35(th) & 36(th) day. After the confirmation of diabetes on 7(th) day (>200mg/dl), Berberine (100 mg/kg) was administered orally to experimental rats from day 8 and continued for 30 days thereafter. Various anti-diabetic (Glucose, HbA1c), cardioprotective (CPK-MB), metabolic (lipid profile), safety {liver function (SGPT, kidney function (Creatinine)} and histopathological indices of injury were evaluated in Healthy Control, Diabetic Control and Berberine treated groups. RESULTS: Administration of STZ-ISP resulted in a significant decrease in body weight (p<0.001), diabetic changes (increase in blood glucose, HbA1c), cardiac injury (leakage of myocardial CPK-MB), altered lipid profile, SGPT, creatinine levels (p<0.001) in the diabetic control group rats as compared to healthy control. Berberine treatment demonstrated significant antidiabetic as well as myocardial salvaging effects as indicated by restoration of blood glucose, HbA1c and CPK-MB levels (p<0.001) compared to diabetic control group. In addition, Berberine favourably modulated the lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL). Subsequent to ISP challenge, histopathological assessment of heart, pancreas and biochemical indices of injury confirmed the cardioprotective effects of Berberine in setting of diabetes. In addition, Berberine was found to be safe to the liver and kidney. CONCLUSION: Berberine treatment produced myocardial salvaging effects in the setting of diabetes challenged with ISP induced myocardial necrosis. Cardioprotection may be attributed to anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic activities.

Development of an Experimental Model of Diabetes Co-Existing with Metabolic Syndrome in Rats.

Background. The incidence of metabolic syndrome co-existing with diabetes mellitus is on the rise globally. Objective. The present study was designed to develop a unique animal model that will mimic the pathological features seen in individuals with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, suitable for pharmacological screening of drugs. Materials and Methods. A combination of High-Fat Diet (HFD) and low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) at 30, 35, and 40 mg/kg was used to induce metabolic syndrome in the setting of diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats. Results. The 40 mg/kg STZ produced sustained hyperglycemia and the dose was thus selected for the study to induce diabetes mellitus. Various components of metabolic syndrome such as dyslipidemia {(increased triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and decreased HDL cholesterol)}, diabetes mellitus (blood glucose, HbA1c, serum insulin, and C-peptide), and hypertension {systolic blood pressure} were mimicked in the developed model of metabolic syndrome co-existing with diabetes mellitus. In addition to significant cardiac injury, atherogenic index, inflammation (hs-CRP), decline in hepatic and renal function were observed in the HF-DC group when compared to NC group rats. The histopathological assessment confirmed presence of edema, necrosis, and inflammation in heart, pancreas, liver, and kidney of HF-DC group as compared to NC. Conclusion. The present study has developed a unique rodent model of metabolic syndrome, with diabetes as an essential component.

Impact of biochar amendment on enzymatic resilience properties of mine spoils.

Soil enzymes are crucial for soil nutrient cycling function. Understanding of the factors that control their response to major disturbances such as dumping of environmentally toxic acidic waste remains limited. We evaluated the effect of dumping of overburden (OB) and their amendments using biochar, on the resistance and resilience of soil enzyme activities involved in phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur and carbon cycling (acid & alkaline phosphatase, urease, arylsulphatase, dehydrogenase, phenol oxidases, cellulase and ß-glucosidase). For investigation the soils treated with OB and with the mixture of OB and biochar were used for the cultivation of bacopa were used. We assessed 0 day, 45 day and 90 days activities of the target soil enzymes, available phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur, soil organic carbon and microbial identification. The resilience and resistance index of all the treatments were calculated. We found that phyto-remediated OB-contaminated soil has its own resilience power. However, biochar addition enhanced the enzyme resistance and resilience of OB contaminated soil. In silico study indicates that biochar-Fe complex play a significant role in enzymatic activities. Overall, the results indicate a significant influence of phytoremediation and biochar addition on soil enzymatic activity that is extremely resistant to OB. This study provides insight on how biochar addition modulates soil biochemical and microbiological response to OB affected soils.

Study of ipratropium bromide inhalation in stable asthma.

An open two weeks short term trial of Ipratropium Bromide (IB) inhalation (0.02 mg per dose) was carried out in 20 stable asthamatics to study its efficacy and safety. Early significant rise in PEFR (P < 0.001) and FEV1 (P < 0.05) was observed after 15 min of IB inhalation and reached significant peak (P < 0.01) after 1 hour which was persistent beyond three hours after IB inhalation. No side effects were observed. It was concluded that Ipratropium Bromide Imhalation is safe and has efficient bronchodilatory effect on short term basis in stable asthmatics.