Views on high-fat diet linked insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is linked to impaired cell metabolism and survival in the peripheral tissues, as well as increased oxidative stress and activated inflammatory responses. Chronic High fat diet insulin resistant to exposure results in liver damage, impaired glucose homeostasis, hyperinsulinemia, late pancreatic-cell failure to generate insulin due to cell exhaustion, and subsequent hyperglycaemia, all of which are hallmarks of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, it is of intrest to document a short review on the impact of a high-fat diet with insulin resistance.

Molecular characterization of Enterococcus faecalis isolates from urinary tract infection and interaction between Enterococcus faecalis encountered Dendritic and Natural Killer cells.

PURPOSE: Enterococcus faecalis is an emerging nosocomial pathogen. The study investigates the E. faecalis specific innate immune cells interplay between Natural Killer cells (NK) and Dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. The present study also determines the prevalence, phenotype, and genotype of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from paediatric patients with urinary tract infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14 clinical isolates of Enterococcus spp were characterized using standard phenotypic tests and virulence factors were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Immature monocyte-derived DCs were cultured in the presence of six pathogenic E. faecalis isolates infected DCs were co-cultured with NK cells. Bacteria induced matured DCs and activated NK cells were evaluated by polychromatic flow cytometry. RESULTS: Out of 14 isolates, 13 were identified as E. faecalis. E. faecalis infected DCs differentiated into inflammatory and CD141 + DCs that promote NK cell activation. Activated NK cells significantly elevated the secretion of cytokines and chemokines in infected DCs during E. faecalis. This suggests that DC induced NK cell activation is effectively enhanced by the presence of E. faecalis. CONCLUSIONS: Studies on virulence determinants are necessary to understand the pathogenesis of E. faecalis. DC/NK cross-talk is of particular importance at mucosal surfaces such as the intestine, urinary tract where the immune system exists in intimate association with commensal bacteria. We found E. faecalis specific NK cells activation by infected DC-derived effector signals may involve in the killing of transformed or infected cells, thus coordinating innate and adaptive immune responses. E. faecalis specific DC/NK interaction is necessary for DC maturation and modulation of innate effector functions. Similarly, activated NK cells that induce- maturation of DC by pattern recognition receptors are also required for the generation of bacterial specific adaptive immunity.

Distribution of uranium concentration in groundwater samples from the Peddagattu/Nambapur and Seripally regions using laser fluorimetry.

Uranium is a naturally occurring element, which is widespread in nature. It is found in low levels within all rocks, soils and water. Peddagattu and Seripally areas of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India were known as a rich uranium mineralised zone. Atomic mineral division and Baba Atomic Research Center proposed a uranium mine in this area. This study was carried out to know the distribution of uranium concentration in the groundwater samples by using laser fluorimetry. The observation reveals that the uranium concentration in the groundwater of this region ranges from 0.6 to 521.15 ppb. About 43 % of the groundwater samples had the uranium concentration above the standards set by United States Environmental Protection Agency (30 ppb).

Toxic studies on biochemical parameters carried out in rats with Serankottai nei, a siddha drug-milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium nut.

A toxicological study was carried out in rats with a Siddha preparation, milk extracts of Semecarpus anacardium nuts. The effect of acute (72 h) and subacute (30 days) treatment of the drug with different dosage on liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters were studied. The acute toxicity studies with this drug did not produce mortality at any dose level given (75-2000 mg/kg body weight). No marked adverse alterations were observed in hematological and biochemical parameters during the subacute toxicity studies (50, 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight). In the subacute treatment, the highest dose (500 mg/kg body weight) alone showed a moderate increase in the level of blood glucose, plasma urea, uric acid, and creatinine. In addition, alteration in lipid profiles were observed which may be attributed to the ghee preparation of the drug. Decrease in urinary urea, uric acid and creatinine levels were also observed. Histopathological examination of vital organs showed normal architecture suggesting no morphological disturbances.

Salubrious effect of Semecarpus anacardium against lipid peroxidative changes in adjuvant arthritis studied in rats.

Oxygen derived free radicals are known to play an important role in the etiology of tissue injury in rheumatoid arthritis. The effect of milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium nuts at the dose level of 150 mg/kg body weight for 14 days on adjuvant arthritis was studied for gaining insight into the intrigue disease in relation to the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence system. Increased lipid peroxides' levels in both plasma and tissues (liver, kidney and heart) of adjuvant arthritis was significantly decreased by the administration of the drug. The antioxidant defence system studied in tissues of arthritic animals were altered significantly as evidenced by the decreased level of non-enzymatic antioxidants (GSH, vitamin E, vitamin C, NPSH and TSH) and enzymatic antioxidants (catalase and GPx except SOD). Administration of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract brings back the altered antioxidant defence components to near normal levels. These observations suggest that the diseased state of adjuvant arthritis may be associated with augmented lipid peroxidation and the administration of the drug may exert its antiarthritic effect by retarding lipid peroxidation and causing a modulation in cellular antioxidant defence system.

Effect of milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium nuts on glycohydrolases and lysosomal stability in adjuvant arthritis in rats.

Lysosomal acid hydrolases are thought to play an important role in inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. A Siddha preparation of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract called Serankottai Nei was tested for its capacity to stabilize lysosomes obtained from liver and kidney of adjuvant-induced arthritic animals. Lysosomal membrane stability was measured by determining the release of acid hydrolases from the lysosomes. The drug was administered at a dose level of 150 mg/kg body weight for 14 days to arthritic animals after the adjuvant injection. The total and free activity of lysosomal enzymes were significantly increased in arthritic rats with concomitant increase in plasma levels of protein-bound carbohydrates. Significantly increased lysosomal membrane fragility as observed in arthritic condition was reduced in drug-treated animals. Antiarthritic activity of the drug through its stabilizing action on lysosomal membranes could be inferred from this study.

Effect of the milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium nut on adjuvant arthritis--a dose-dependent study in Wistar albino rats.

1. Adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats is used as a pathologic model for chronic inflammatory disease to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic agents. 2. In the present work, attempts have been made to study the potency of a milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium (Serankottai Nei), a Siddha preparation from Semecarpus anacardium nut, which has been shown to have antiarthritic effects. 3. Experimental arthritis induces a significant modification in lysosomal enzyme release and total carbohydrate components of glycoprotein. 4. Milk extract was administered at the dose level of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg/kg body weight in olive oil orally (volume 0.5 ml) after 14 days from the day of adjuvant injection. 5. After administration of the extract the lysosomal enzyme activity and protein-bound carbohydrate component levels were significantly normalized. 6. The data obtained clearly indicate that the Semecarpus anacardium is effective at the dose level of 150 mg/kg body weight in adjuvant-induced arthritis in albino Wistar rats.

Effect of tamoxifen on lipid peroxide and antioxidative system in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence clearly indicates that free radicals play a prominent role in the incidence and development of breast cancer. Available literature suggests that tamoxifen is a potent suppressor of lipid peroxide formation in both animal and human systems. The purpose of this study was to understand the rate of lipid peroxidation and the status of antioxidants in tamoxifen-treated postmenopausal women with breast cancer. METHODS: A short term evaluation of 6 months' tamoxifen therapy (10 mg twice a day) in 64 postmenopausal women was conducted. The rate of serum lipid peroxidation and the status of enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants were evaluated before and after 3 and 6 months' tamoxifen treatment. RESULTS: At 3 and 6 months' evaluation, tamoxifen-treated patients showed a significantly decreased concentration of malondialdehyde (P < 0.001), an end product of lipid peroxidation, and remarkably increased levels of enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants. In addition to that, the concentrations of serum selenium and vitamins A, C, and E were increased significantly (P < 0.01 for each) in these patients. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that tamoxifen therapy exerts significant positive effects on the rate of lipid peroxidation and protective systems in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.