Chlorpyrifos and its metabolite modulates angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryo.

Background Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an organophosphate insecticide, acaricide, and miticide used primarily to control foliage and soilborne insect pests on a variety of food and feed crops. Since trace amounts of these compounds are found in water and food products, they easily enter into the organ system unnoticed. In the same way, the compound or its metabolite gets transmitted from the parent to the embryo mainly through blood vessels. Since blood vessels form the major route of transport, it is pertinent to study the effect of these compounds during angiogenesis. The effect of CPF and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy) on the angiogenesis of chick embryo was evaluated in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) using an ex vivo model. Methods Nine-day-old incubated eggs where inoculated with various doses of CPF and TCPy. After 48 h of incubation, the CAM layers were retrieved and analyzed using angiogenesis software to obtain the density of blood vessels. Histomorphometric studies were performed to measure the thickness of vessel walls. The expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, and N-cadherin genes responsible for angiogenesis were analyzed. Results The exposure to the parent compound CPF and its metabolite TCPy promoted angiogenesis in groups administered with lower concentration of the pesticide and its metabolite, whereas a decline in angiogenesis was observed at higher concentrations. These observations were made by analyzing the density, histomorphometry results, and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results. The density, thickness, and lumen size of blood vessels in the groups with low concentration of CPF and TCPy were 28.34, 9 µm, and 30 µm, respectively, whereas in the groups with higher CPF and TCPy concentrations, they were 12, 3 µm, and 9 µm, respectively. Conclusions Hence, CPF and its metabolites interfere with angiogenesis in the CAM of chick embryos. Because of their estrogen-mimicking ability, pesticides are the prime etiological suspects of increasing alteration in blood vessel formation. These results may be of help in future studies on the effect of CPF in embryonic growth, wound healing, diabetes, and tumors.

Naringin Ameliorates Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes through Forkhead Box M1-Mediated Beta Cell Proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Adult pancreatic beta cells, though quiescent, can proliferate in response to physiological need. This inherent character is used in exploring the possibilities of expanding the beta cell mass in the treatment of diabetes. Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) transcription factor is an important regulator in the proliferation and survival of adult beta cell mass. Naringin, a flavanone glycoside, is reported to have antidiabetic activity and exhibited an increase in insulin levels in diabetic animals. OBJECTIVES: The present study tried to evaluate the role of naringin in the regulation of FoxM1 in the pancreas of diabetic rats and to reascertain its antilipidemic and antioxidant properties. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in male rats using streptozotocin and treated with naringin (100 mg/kg) orally for 4 and 8 weeks. Serum biochemical parameters, insulin, gene and protein expression of FoxM1, and antioxidant markers in rat pancreas were analyzed. RESULTS: Naringin administration reduced the blood sugar, urea, creatinine, and cholesterol values and improved the pancreatic antioxidant status in diabetic rats. Naringin-treated diabetic rats showed a significant increase in mRNA and protein expression of FoxM1 compared to the diabetic control rats, indicating regeneration of cells. It also increased the insulin immunopositive cells, indicating functional beta cells. CONCLUSION: Naringin was found to upregulate the FoxM1 transcription factor in diabetic animals, which influenced the proliferation and functional status of beta cells.

Naringin (4',5,7-Trihydroxyflavanone 7-Rhamnoglucoside) Attenuates ß-Cell Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats through Upregulation of PDX-1.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) is a key transcription factor which regulates Insulin gene expression and insulin secretion in adult ß-cells and helps to maintain ß-cells mass. Naringin, a flavanone, owing to its anti-oxidant property, is reported to have antidiabetic effects. OBJECTIVES: The present study tries to evaluate the role of naringin on the ß-cell-specific transcription factor PDX-1 in diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in male rats using streptozotocin and treated with naringin (100 mg/kg) orally for 4 and 8 weeks. Serum insulin level, Pdx-1 and Insulin gene expression, and PDX-1 protein expression were assessed in the rat pancreas. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the islet and ß-cells were observed. RESULTS: Naringin prevented leukocytic infiltration in the pancreas of diabetic rats and recouped the ß-cells with adequate secretory granules. Naringin-treated diabetic rats showed significantly increased mRNA expression of Pdx-1 and Insulin genes, increased expression of transcription factor PDX-1, and higher serum insulin levels than the diabetic control animals. These changes were more pronounced in the 8-week naringin-treated diabetic animals. CONCLUSIONS: Naringin was found to be an effective antidiabetic agent which increased Insulin gene expression and insulin secretion by upregulating the PDX-1 gene and protein expression.

Study of Normal Branching Pattern of the Coeliac Trunk and its Variations Using CT Angiography.

INTRODUCTION: Blood vessel anomalies are always interesting from embryological view and of considerable significance from a clinical or a surgical standpoint. Vascular anomalies are usually asymptomatic; they may cause problems in patients undergoing diagnostic angiography or any operative procedure. The length and course of the coeliac artery are variable and its branches frequently arise separately from the main trunk. Several other branches may additionally arise from the coeliac trunk, for example, inferior phrenic arteries, the dorsal pancreatic artery, and the middle colic artery. AIM: The present study was undertaken to analyse the vertebral level of origin of coeliac artery, its branching pattern and the associated variations using computed tomographic angiography in 75 subjects. RESULTS: The results obtained were analysed and classified based on Adachi's and Lipshutz's classification method. The results were also compared with various other studies cited in the literature. The level of origin was found to be at the inter-vertebral disc between T12 and L1 in a majority of the cases (70.6%). It was also found that the coeliac trunk trifurcates in majority of the cases i.e. 90.6%. Trifurcation was of two types, classical and non-classical, the classical trunk being the commonest type. Variations included bifurcation of the trunk (8%) with Left gastric artery arising directly from the aorta, in a few cases (1.3%) Common hepatic artery arose as a separate trunk from the aorta. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive knowledge of this arterial anatomy and variations will be very useful when planning abdominal surgeries and image-guided interventions. The success of procedures such as liver transplantation, intestinal anastomosis, intra-arterial chemotherapy, chemo-embolization, and radio-embolization requires a detailed knowledge of the coeliac artery and its anatomical variants, which are extremely common, to avoid iatrogenic injuries and to prevent complications.

The study of mitral valve annular dimension in relation to the body surface area in the Indian population.

OBJECTIVE: We compare the mitral valve annular dimension in relation to the body surface area of the Indian population as against the standard values. METHODS: The study was conducted between September 2004 and February 2006 on 406 subjects, out of which 252 were males and 154 were females. A spatially oriented B-mode scan echocardiogram was used, with the long-axis plane running parallel to the heart or the left ventricle, the short-axis plane being perpendicular to the long axis, and the four-chamber plane orthogonal to the other two and somewhat representing a frontal plane. Mitral valvular dimensions were recorded in early diastole. RESULTS: The mitral valve showed a steady rise in its diameter with rise in body surface area. For body surface area ranging from 0.61 to 0.7 m², the mitral valve diameter was 15.5mm. There was a sudden increase from 15.5mm to 18 mm for body surface area ranging from 0.71 to 0.8 m². After this sudden increase, the mitral valve diameter steadily increased by 0.2-0.6 mm for every 0.1 m² increase in body surface area. The values obtained from the Indian population were definitely lower than the lower end of standard deviation of the standard values, which are derived in relation to body surface area. CONCLUSIONS: Although the annular dimensions of the mitral valve increased correspondingly with body surface area, they still remained very low in the Indian population as compared with the standard values, which might cause patient-prosthesis mismatch during mitral-valve replacement surgeries.