Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory condition involving the airways and characterized by airflow limitation. Gaseous and noxious particles play an important role in this process. Antioxidants are the substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. The increased oxidative stress in patients with COPD is the result of an increased burden of inhaled oxidants, as well as increased amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by various inflammatory, immune and epithelial cells of the airways. A total of 150 subjects with COPD and 100 healthy controls subjects were enrolled in this study from the period October 2015 to January 2016. The investigation included measurements of plasma superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), catalase activity (CAT), glutathione content (GSH) reduced form, (GPx) glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase (GR) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Absorbance was measured by UV spectrophotometer. The estimated values of SOD, catalase, GPx, GSH and GR were found to be significantly (P = 0.0001) lower among the cases compared with controls. But, the levels of MDA were higher (P = 0.0001) in cases as compared to control group and there was significant difference in the oxidative stress parameters among the various stages of COPD. The post hoc analysis revealed that SOD was significantly (P < 0.01) lower among the mild, moderate and severe patients compared with very severe patients. The catalase was also observed to be significantly (P = 0.01) lower among mild, moderate and severe patients than very severe patients. The GPx was found to be significantly (P = 0.002) lower among the mild, moderate and severe patients compared with very severe patients. MDA was observed to be significantly higher in mild, moderate and severe patients compared with very severe (P = 0.001). GR was significantly (P = 0.003) lower among mild, moderate and severe patients than very severe patients. However, there was no significant difference in GSH among severity of COPD patients. This study suggests that oxidant and antioxidant imbalance plays an important role in various stages of severity of COPD. These results revealed the presence of an oxidative stress in subjects with COPD, and it is proportionate to the severity of disease.

Correlation of severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with potential biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a non-specific inflammation, which involves the airways, lung parenchyma and pulmonary vessels. The inflammation causes the activation of inflammatory cells and the release of various inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a). The present study was designed to assess the serum cytokines [Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and they were correlated with severity of disease by spirometric measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 384 COPD patients and 50 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The COPD patients were divided according to gold stages ie: mild, moderate, severe and very severe. 5 ml of venous blood samples were taken from all participants and it was collected in a test tube containing anticoagulant and then centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min. Serum was separated and used to measure the amount of TNF-alpha, il-1beta, and IL-6. Spirometry was performed according to the criteria set by the Gold 2012 RESULTS: Tnf-α (pg/ml), IL-6 (pg/ml), IL-1ß (pg/ml) serum levels in COPD patients and healthy controls subjects were measured. Tnf-α and IL-6 serum levels were significantly (<0.001) higher in COPD patients compared to healthy control subjects. Likewise, IL-1 beta levels were also significantly (p-value = 0.022) higher in COPD patients compared to healthy control subjects. The distribution of Tnf-α, IL-6, IL-1ß (pg/ml) serum levels in COPD patients in relation to GOLD grading. There was a significant (p < 0.001) difference in the level of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß (pg/ml) among the severity of COPD. The posthoc analysis revealed that the TNF-α was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among the than mild, moderate, severe and very severe COPD patients. A similar observation was also found for IL-6. However, IL-6 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among mild, moderate, severe and very severe COPD patients. There was significant (p = < 0.0001) difference in the level of IL-1ß in the different severity of COPD. The posthoc comparison test showed that IL-1ß levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher among the mild, moderate, severe and very severe COPD patients. CONCLUSION: The present study signifies that the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 are directly proportional to the post-bronchodilator FEV1 percentage. Results provide population-based evidence that COPD is independently associated with low-grade systemic inflammation, with a different inflammatory pattern than that observed in healthy subjects. Overall, these results identify a novel systemic inflammatory COPD phenotype that may be the target of specific research and treatment.

Effect of concomitantly administered honey on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in healthy volunteers.

The current study was designed to investigate the effect of concomitantly administered honey on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in volunteers. In a two-way cross-over design with a one-week washout period, ten healthy volunteers were randomized to receive 200 mg carbamazepine orally with 30 ml of honey or water. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after drug administration. Carbamazepine levels were estimated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). There were no statistically significant differences in the various pharmacokinetics parameters when carbamazepine was administered with honey, compared with administration with water. In conclusion, carbamazepine kinetics are not altered by honey, so epileptic patients on carbamazepine may consume honey without the risk of an interaction.

Effect of an acidic beverage (Coca-Cola) on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in healthy volunteers.

The effect of an acidic beverage (Coca-Cola) on the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of carbamazepine was studied. In a two-way cross-over design with a 1 week washout period, 10 healthy volunteers were randomized to received 200 mg carbamazepine orally with 300 ml of Coca-Cola or water. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after drug administration. Plasma carbamazepine levels were higher with Coca-Cola as compared to water. The AUC0-infinity and Cmax of carbamazepine were significantly enhanced after Coca-Cola while tmax was achieved earlier with Coca-Cola. The results of the study indicate that concomitant administration of Coca-Cola enhances the rate and extent of absorption of carbamazepine.

Effect of omeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of sustained-release carbamazepine in healthy male volunteers.

The present study shows the effect of omeprazole administration on the pharmacokinetics of a sustained-release preparation of carbamazepine in healthy male volunteers. Multiple dose administration of omeprazole increased the Cmax, AUC0-infinity and elimination half life (t1/2e) of carbamazepine. The results suggest that drug monitoring should be carried out when carbamazepine is coadministered with omeprazole.

Pharmacokinetics of omeprazole in patients with liver cirrhosis and extrahepatic portal venous obstruction.

Omeprazole is frequently used in patients with cirrhosis of the liver to treat peptic ulcer disease. It is also used for the healing of mucosal lesions after endoscopic sclerotherapy of esophageal varices in cirrhosis and extraheptic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO). This study was carried out with the aim of determining the pharmacokinetics of omeprazole in different degrees of liver cirrhosis and in patients with EHPVO, compared with healthy volunteers. Ten healthy volunteers, 30 patients with cirrhosis of the liver, divided into 3 groups of 10 depending on severity (according to Child-Pugh classification A, B and C) and ten patients with EHPVO participated in the study. The subjects received an omeprazole 20 mg capsule after an overnight fast. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 6, 9 and 24 h after drug administration. Omeprazole level in plasma was estimated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The elimination half-life was significantly (p < 0.05) increased to 2.38 +/- 0.16, 3.26 +/- 0,12, 3.58 +/- 0.31 and 2.59 +/- 0.22 h in patients with different grades of cirrhosis (A, B and C) and also in patients with EHPVO, respectively, compared with 1.054 + 0.10 h in healthy volunteers. A similar significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed in the AUC(0alpha), while C(max) was significantly increased to 400.40 +/- 27.89 and 602 +/- 55.13 ng/ml in only grade C cirrhosis patients and EHPVO patients, compared with 303.5 +/- 36.42 ng/ml in healthy volunteers. No significant difference was observed in T(max). It was concluded that the metabolism of omeprazole was significantly impaired in both liver cirrhosis and EHPVO in comparison with healthy volunteers.

Pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in patients with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial infections are common in patients with cirrhosis of liver and are frequently treated with ciprofloxacin. Literature on pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in patients with cirrhosis of the liver is scanty. The present study compared the pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in cirrhotic patients with that in healthy volunteers. METHODS: In 20 patients with cirrhosis of liver (all Child-Pugh class B) and 10 healthy volunteers, plasma levels of ciprofloxacin were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography at several time points after a 500-mg oral dose. Various pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in maximum plasma levels reached (mean [SD] 2.6 [0.6] vs 2.6 [1.3] microg/ml), time taken for maximum plasma levels to be reached (1.3 [0.6] vs 1.5 [0.9] h), t1/2a (0.7 [0.3] vs 0.4 [0.9] h), elimination half-life (3.6 [1.2] vs 3.2 [1.8] h), and area under the curve (19.3 [3.8] vs 21.9 [4.5] microg/mL x h) in healthy volunteers and cirrhotic patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin is unaltered in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ciprofloxacin can be safely administered in the usual doses in such patients.

Primary tuberculosis of soft palate.

Primary tuberculosis of upper respiratory tract including oral cavity is a rare disease. One such unusual case is reported.

Immune haemolymph proteins in response to bacterial infection and identification of a putative bacteria binding protein in malaria vector Anopheles stephensi.

Induction of haemolymph proteins in mosquito A. stephensi due to wounding or bacterial infection (E. coli) was analyzed using SDS-PAGE. Wounding response of pupa revealed subsequent induction of two polypeptides (21 and 74 kDa). Two other polypeptides (44 and 57 kDa) were induced commonly in both pupa and adult female haemolymph upon bacterial infection. In vitro binding assay revealed identification of 44 kDa, a putative bacterial binding protein, a more relevant protein for further elucidation of molecular mechanism involved in host parasite interactions.

Effect of anxiolytics on blood sugar level in rabbits.

Anxiety disorders are more prevalent not only in normal individuals but also in diabetes mellitus. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine, and buspirone, an azaspirodecanedione, are the most often prescribed anxiolytics. Present study was aimed to investigate the effect of diazepam and buspirone on the blood sugar levels in rabbits. Buspirone (0.5 mg/kg/day p.o.) and diazepam (0.6 mg/kg/day p.o.) did not affect the glucose levels in rabbits even after one month of treatment. Present findings suggest that these two anxiolytics have minimal effect on blood sugar control.

Nifedipine potentiates gabapentin antinociception in rats.

To evaluate the involvement of Ca++ channels in Gabapentin antinociception. In healthy male albino rats formalin (50 microliters, 5%) was injected at the planter surface of the paw. Pain score was calculated. Antinociceptive effect of (10, 30 mg/kg) gabapentin and (3, 10 mg/kg) nifedipine alone and on co-administration of sub analgesic doses was studied 30 minutes after formalin injection and reduction in pain scores was calculated. Gabapentin (30 mg/kg) and nifedipine (10 mg/kg) reduced the pain score in formalin injected rats. Gabapentin (10 mg/kg) and nifedipine (3 mg/kg) given alone did not modify pain score, however, on co-administration they significantly reduced the pain score. Study provides evidence of involvement of Ca++ channels in gabapentin antinociception.

Crocus sativus L.: A comprehensive review.

Crocus sativus L. belonging to the family Iridaceae (syn - kesar) comprises the dried red stigma and is widely cultivated in Iran and other countries such as India and Greece. Saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds mainly terpenes, terpene alcohol, and their esters. The bitter taste and an iodoform or hay-like fragrance are caused by chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. C. sativus possesses a number of medicinally important activities such as antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antitussive, antigenototoxic and cytotoxic effects, anxiolytic aphrodisiac, antioxidant, antidepressant, antinociceptive , anti-inflammatory, and relaxant activity. It also improves memory and learning skills, and increases blood flow in retina and choroid. The present review explores the historical background, chemical constituents, pharmacological actions, uses, substitutes and adulterants, and toxicity. It also deals with its evaluation, formulations, and chemical tests in detail.

Seasonal variations in the pharyngeal and pronephric thyroid tissues of the fresh water teleost Puntius sophore (Ham).

An attempt has been made to study pharyngeal and pronephric thyroid follicles and contribute seasonal changes in them in a fresh water teleost, Puntius sophore. Their activity has been assessed histologically by the study of size of thyroid follicles, the shape and cell height of epithelial cells and the nature of their colloid. These follicles exhibit notable seasonal changes and record two periods of activity, one in summer months from May to August and the other in November.

Histocytological studies on the pituitary gland of Puntius sophorein correlation to its gonadal cycle.

Correlation between the pituitary and the gonadal cycle of Puntius sophore has been described. The cyanophils of proximal pars distalis region of pituitary undergo quantitative and qualitative changes which have been correlated to the reproductive cycle. The percentage of cyanophils remains pretty high during spawning phase, which also marks the period of their marked secretory activity.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug induced hypersensitivity vasculitis clinically mimicking temporal arteritis.

Not all arteritides of the temporal arteries are giant cell temporal arteritis (Horton's disease). We describe an unusual case of etodolac (Lodine) nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) induced hypersensitivity vasculitis of the temporal artery clinically simulating giant cell temporal arteritis. NSAID are common drugs and their gastrointestinal and renal side effects are well known. Ours is the first known documentation of NSAID induced hypersensitivity vasculitis isolated to the involvement of a temporal artery.

Seasonal studies on the adrenal homologue of female Puntius sophore (Ham.).

In female P. sophore the adrenal homologue is located inside its head kidneys and comprises interrenal cells and chromaffin cells. The clumps of interrenal cells surround the postcardinal vein and its major branches; they also lie in the haemopoietic tissue. The chromaffin cells mostly lie in the endothelium of the post-cardinal vein, while a few of them also lie interspersed among the interrenal cells. The seasonal study of the adrenal homologue shows that the interrenal cells undergo changes in bulk and composition in different months, while the chromaffin cells do not show any significant variation.

Studies on the seasonal histocytological changes in the internal and chromaffin cells of male Puntius sophore (Ham) in relation to its reproductive cycle.

An attempt has been made to correlate the activities of interrenal and chromaffin cells with the reproductive cycle of Puntius sophore. Chromaffin cells do not have any significant bearing while interrenal cells undergo qualitative and quantitative changes which have been correlated with the various phases in the reproductive cycle of this fish. These cells undergo degranulation and vacuolisation during spawning phase, disorganisation during regression phase, and reorganisation and gradual growth during resting and prespawning phases. These cells thus appear to play an important role in the reproductive physiology of this fish.