Effect of curcumin on aortic changes in ovariectomized rats fed with repeatedly heated soy oil: a preliminary electron microscopic study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Consumption of repeatedly heated soy oil has been linked with incidence of atherosclerosis particularly in oestrogen deficient states. In the present study, effect of curcumin extract on the prevention of atherosclerosis was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty eight female Spraque-Dawley rats (weighing 200-250 gm) were divided into eight groups. All groups were fed with 2% cholesterol diet. The sham control groups consisted of vitamin E free-RBD Olein (IV62) that acted as vehicle, and curcumin treated groups without undergoing ovariectomy. The other six groups were subjected to ovariectomy and later treated with vehicle-only, curcumin-only, once heated soy oil (1HSO) with vehicle, 1HSO with curcumin, five times heated soy oil (5HSO) with vehicle and 5HSO with curcumin. Curcumin was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg which was commenced two weeks following ovariectomy. Following four months, the rats were sacrificed and serial sections of arch of aorta were harvested and processed for electron microscopic studies (EM). RESULTS: EM studies showed thickened tunica intima, fenestration of internal elastic lamina and migration of smooth muscle cells from tunica media to tunica intima in the ovariectomized control, 1HSO and 5HSO treated groups, with the latter being most prominent. There were no significant ultra structural changes in the curcumin-treated groups compared to the non-treated groups. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of curcumin at a dose of 50 mg/ kg body weight did not show any changes in the aorta of the ovariectomized rats fed with 2% cholesterol and heated soy oil.

Higher division of the tibial nerve in the leg: gross anatomical study with clinical implications.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tibial nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve and it is the main nerve innervating the muscles of the back of the leg. The tibial nerve divides into medial and lateral plantar nerves. The level of division may be important for surgical purpose. The main aim of the present study was to observe the exact level of division of the tibial nerve and discuss its clinical implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 cadaveric limbs (irrespective of left or right side) were taken randomly. The posterior compartment of the thigh and leg was dissected to trace the tibial nerve and its branches. The specimens were subjected to measurements with respect to an arbitrary horizontal line passing through tip of medial malleolus and the calcaneum. All the specimens were photographed. RESULTS: In 5 cases (25%), the tibial nerve divided deep to the flexor retinaculum. In 15 cases (75%) cases, the tibial nerve divided at a distance of 3.5 cm - 6.5 cm (average 5 cm) above the medial malleolus. CONCLUSION: The tibial nerve and its divisions are important for performing successful nerve blocks and insertion of plates while treating fractures. Variations may account for the various discrepancies between the electromyographic tests and clinical tests.

Anomalous structures of the liver: an anatomical insight.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anomalous structures of the liver are incidentally detected during autopsies or during routine cadaveric dissection. The present study aimed to observe the abnormal shapes of quadrate lobe, accessory sulci and ligamentum teres of the liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 formalin fixed cadaveric livers (n=20), irrespective of the sex, were taken for this study. These specimens belonged to cadavers of unknown origins. The presence of accessory sulci and abnormalities related to the quadrate lobe and ligamentum teres were studied in detail. Morphometric measurements were taken for the abnormal accessory sulci and abnormal quadrate lobes. RESULTS: Variable shapes of the quadrate lobes were observed with 8 (40%) being rectangular, 6 (30%) being pear-shaped, 4 (20%) being triangular and another 2 specimens (10%) which were square in shape. The presences of accessory sulci on the diaphragmatic surface of the liver were observed in 2 specimens (10%). Ligamentum teres traversed the groove in 18 (90%) while in 2 (10%) specimens, the ligamentum teres was embedded in the groove and it was covered by parenchymatous tissue of the liver it from the side of the quadrate lobe. CONCLUSION: Prior anatomical knowledge of the presence of the anomalous structures in the liver with may be helpful for the radiologist and surgeons for correct interpretation of radiographs and planning appropriate hepatobiliary surgeries.

An atavastic belly of the flexor digitorum profundus with absence of tendon of flexor digitorum superficialis to the little finger: morphological and histological considerations.

In this case report, we report the absence of the fourth tendon of flexor digitorium superficialis (FDS) to the little finger with a concurrent anomalous muscular belly of flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) in the palm. The FDS originated from the medial epicondyle, divided into three tendons for the index, middle and ring fingers with the little finger devoid of any attachment. The FDP exhibited a muscular belly which passed deep to the flexor retinaculum (FR) and continued for another 4 cm thereby dividing into four slips for the index, middle, ring and little fingers. The presence of the muscular belly of the FDP lead us to think whether it was an adhesion between the tendons of the FDP, so we proceeded to histological analysis. The tissue was processed and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Abundant longitudinal muscle fibers with peripherally situated nuclei confirmed it to be a skeletal muscle. Absence of the tendon of FDS to little finger may influence the flexion movement in the middle and proximal interphalangeal joints. Presence of anomalous muscle belly of FDP in the palm may mimic any soft tissue tumour, compress neurovascular structures or even pose difficulty while performing tendon transplant surgeries.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Curcuma longa (turmeric) on collagen-induced arthritis: an anatomico-radiological study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Curcuma longa (CL) or turmeric is an Ayurvedic herb that has been traditionally used to treat inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is a well established experimental auto-immune mediated polyarthritis in susceptible strains of rodents. The main aim of the study was to observe the inflammatory, macroscopic and radiological changes in the arthritic ankle joints of experimentally collagen-induced arthritis animals treated with or without CL extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty six male Sprague-Dawley (6-8 weeks-old, 150 ± 50) rats were equally divided into six groups. The first group served as a control while the rest five groups were immunized subdermally with 150 µg collagen type-II on day-0. All rats with established CIA with arthritis score (AS) exceeding 1 were treated orally with betamethasone (0.5 mg/ml/kg body weight) and varying doses of CL extract (30, 60 and 110 mg/ml/kg body weight) using olive oil as vehicle, daily for four weeks. Arthritic scoring (AS) of the paws, measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and paw thickness and radiological scoring were performed. RESULTS: Treatment with 110 mg/ml/kg CL showed significant mean difference in the ESR (p<0.01), AS (p<0.05) and radiological scores (p<0.01) on day-28 compared to the vehicle treated group. The mean difference for the ESR, AS and radiological scores of this highest CL dose group were found to be insignificant compared to the betamethasone treated group. CONCLUSION: The administration of CL extract arrested the degenerative changes in the bone and joints of collagen-induced arthritic rats.

Piper sarmentosum prevents glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic bone resorption by increasing 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity.

AIMS: Osteoporosis is a proven complication of long-term glucocorticoid therapy. Concern on glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis has increased dramatically in recent years with the widespread use of synthetic glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoid action in bone depends upon the activity of 11ßhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme (11ßHSD1). This enzyme plays an important role in regulating corticosteroids by locally interconverting cortisone into active cortisol. This has been demonstrated in primary cultures of human, mouse or rat osteoblasts. Therefore, inhibition of this enzyme may reduce bone resorption markers. Piper sarmentosum (Ps) is a potent inhibitor of 11ßHSD1 in liver and adipose tissue. In this study we determined the effect of Ps on 11ßHSD1 activity in bones of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-month old male Sprague-Dawley rats were adrenalectomised to remove the main source of circulating glucocorticoids. The animals were administered with dexamethasone 120 µg/kg body weight/day. Treatment with Ps 125 mg/kg body weight and glycirrhizic acid (GCA) 120 mg/kg body weight were given simultaneously. RESULTS: The results showed that Ps extract reduced plasma corticosterone concentration (1.05+0.02 µg/ml) and induced 11ßHSD1 dehydrogenase activity in bone (87.69+1.41%). Consequently, it also reduced the bone resorption marker, pyridinoline, in dexamethasone-treated adrenalectomised rats (2.07+0.62/L). Despite that, our data showed an inverse relationship between the plasma corticosterone level and the dehydrogenase activity of 11ßHSD1 in the bone. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that 11ßHSD1 acts as the local regulator of glucocorticoid and its activity in bone was not correlated to systemic corticosterone level.

Effect of 11ß-HSD1 dehydrogenase activity on bone histomorphometry of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic male Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTRODUCTION: Glucocorticoids cause osteoporosis by decreasing bone formation and increasing bone resorption activity. Glucocorticoid action in bones depends on the activity of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1) enzyme, which plays an important role in regulating corticosteroids. 11ß-HSD1 is expressed by human and rat osteoblasts. We aimed to investigate the relationship between 11ß-HSD1 dehydrogenase activity and bone histomorphometric changes in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic bone in rats. METHODS: A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats (aged three months, weighing 200-250 g) were divided into three groups of ten each. Group 1 rats were the baseline control, which were sacrificed untreated at the beginning of the study. Group 2 rats underwent sham operation and were administered with vehicle olive oil intramuscularly at 0.05 ml/kg. Group 3 rats were adrenalectomised and administered with an intramuscular injection of dexamethasone 120 µg/kg body weight/day. The treatment was started two weeks after the operation, for a duration of two months. Plasma osteocalcin, plasma pyrodinoline, plasma corticosterone and 11ß-HSD1 were measured, and bone histomorphometry analysis was performed. RESULTS: Dexamethasone treatment caused an increase in plasma corticosterone level, together with a significant reduction in 11ß-HSD1 dehydrogenase activity of the bone, along with a higher plasma level of the bone resorption marker, pyridinoline. Dexamethasone treatment also caused a reduction in trabecular volume, number and thickness, and an increase in trabecular separation. CONCLUSION: Long-term glucocorticoid treatment reduces the 11ß-HSD1 dehydrogenase activity in the bone, which can otherwise lead to bone loss due to the increased level of active glucocorticoids.

Effects of Garcinia atroviridis on serum profiles and atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta of guinea pigs fed a high cholesterol diet.

INTRODUCTION: The fruit extract of Garcinia atroviridis (G. atroviridis) contains hydroxycitric acid and flavonoids, which have been reported to have a hypolipidaemic property. This extract with solvent methanol was used to investigate its effects on serum lipid profiles of guinea pigs fed a high cholesterol diet. METHODS: 24 male Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups. The first group served as controls and was fed with commercial rabbit chow. The second group was given only G. atroviridis by oral gavage (50 mg/body weight). The third group was fed a one percent cholesterol diet in food pellets in order to induce atherosclerosis. The fourth group was administered G. atroviridis with cholesterol. All the treatments were given daily for eight weeks, after which the animals were sacrificed, and the blood and aorta were taken for biochemical analysis and histological studies. RESULTS: The supplementation of G. atroviridis with a cholesterol diet decreased the level of lipid profile in the serum. Histological studies showed a reduction in fat deposition in the aorta of high cholesterol diet animals given G. atroviridis as compared to the high cholesterol diet group. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that dietary intake of G. atroviridis has a tendency to decrease lipid composition levels in the serum and reduce fat deposition in the aorta of high cholesterol diet animals.

Effects of consumption of edible oils for a period of 4 months on the ultrastructure of the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Edible oils have different effects on lipid profiles and on the propensity for producing lipid peroxidation products. These two properties of edible oils can affect arterial structure, ultimately leading to atherosclerosis. Hypertension is said to be a predisposing factor for atherosclerosis and can accelerate its process. This paper investigates the effects of three edible oils, namely soya bean oil, palm oil and ghee, on the ultrastructure of the aortas of spontaneously hypertensive rats at the end of a 4 month feeding period. It was found that ghee produced significant structural changes to the aortic wall when compared with palm oil or soya bean oil, and that no noticeable structural differences were seen to occur on the aortas of the palm oil-fed and soya bean oil-fed groups of rats. This study suggests that the consumption of ghee, rather than palm or soya bean oil, is more likely to lead to the development of atherosclerosis.