香根草提取物对二化螟生长发育及体内保护酶活力的影响

将香根草地上部分不同极性溶剂(石油醚、乙酸乙酯、正丁醇和水)的提取物加入到人工饲料中喂食二化螟幼虫,进行了提取物对二化螟初孵幼虫的毒杀作用、三龄幼虫的生长发育抑制作用及其体内保护酶(POD,SOD和CAT)活性影响的测定分析。结果表明,不同溶剂的提取物(0.01 g/m L)对二化螟幼虫均有毒杀作用,其作用大小排序为石油醚乙酸乙酯正丁醇水,其中石油醚提取物处理3 d后二化螟初孵幼虫存活率为15.8%,5 d后存活率为0.8%。三龄幼虫取食添加了不同提取物(0.05 g/ml)的人工饲料7 d后,生长发育均得到明显抑制,以石油醚和乙酸乙酯提取物作用最强,生长发育抑制率分别达111.11%和109.50%;同时,三龄幼虫体内的SOD活力明显高于对照,CAT和POD活力明显低于对照,其中石油醚和乙酸乙酯提取物和对照差异均达显著水平。研究表明香根草中含对二化螟幼虫有毒杀和生长发育抑制作用的活性物质,以石油醚和乙酸乙酯提取物中最为丰富。香根草提取物扰乱了二化螟幼虫体内保护酶SOD、CAT和POD的动态平衡,使虫体内自由基的清除遇到障碍,从而对其产生毒害作用。     

Effect of Growth Hormone on Plasminogen Activator and Inhibitor Activity in Rat

Growth retardation is one of the significant changes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Disturbances in growth hormone (GH) are held responsible for several complications in CKD. GH is a protein based peptide hormone which directly or indirectly regulates renal functions to ensure homeostasis. We investigated the effects of growth hormone on plasminogen activators (PA) in rat kidney, PA and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), glucose and fibrinogen in plasma and serum lipid profile. Rats were injected daily with 250 mU GH kg-1 body weight subcutaneously for one week. Growth hormone treatment increased PA activity significantly in rat kidneys as compared to controls. No changes were seen in PA, PAI and fibrinogen levels in the plasma of two groups of rats. There was significant decrease in plasma glucose, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in serum of treated group resulting in the decrease of HDL/LDL and total cholesterol/cholesterol ratios. However, triglycerides and VLDL showed significant higher activity in the serum of treated group as compared to controls. Our data suggests that GH administration might improve renal function by increasing PA activity in kidney as well as by reducing the cholesterol content in blood. GH may be effective in improving growth failure as it helps to maintain the normal homeostatic balance.     

Circulating Biomarkers and their Possible Role in Pathogenesis of Chronic Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections

The present study evaluated the plausible role of circulating biomarkers in immune pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis considered a priority in clinical hepatology. Total viral load of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients was quantified and correlation studies were performed with circulating levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines; C reactive protein and circulating nucleosomes; glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase. To our knowledge, the study is first among its kind that validates strong positive correlation of viral load with IL-4, IL-6, GR in HBV and IL-6, IL-10, GR in HCV infections. Although, multi-centric studies including large cohorts are required for translating our findings to clinical practice, however, role of these biomarkers with potential diagnostic or prognostic significance might be helpful in clinical assessment of high-risk individuals, thereby, designing interventional strategies, towards development of personalized medicare. The results of our study also offer valuable insights of immune signaling mediators engaged in development of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Study of Hormone Receptors and Epidermal Growth Factor Expression in Invasive Breast Cancers in a Cohort of Western India

The objective of study was to evaluate and correlate the pathological characteristics of breast cancer patients with estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2/neu) detected by immunohistochemistry and/or fluorescent in situ hybridization method. We have conducted 2 year study of 204 cases of breast cancer at HCG-Medisurge Hospitals, Ahmedabad from 2009 to 2011. Significant correlation was found in ER and PR expression whereas no correlation was found in hormonal receptors and Her2/neu expression. ER and PR positivity increased with advancing age in breast carcinoma patients while not affecting Her2/neu expression. The expression of hormone receptors were higher in infiltrating lobular carcinoma and infiltrating duct carcinoma subtypes of breast carcinoma as compared to other subtypes such medullary and in situ carcinoma. High-grade carcinoma patients were predominantly ER/PR negative and Her2/neu positive as compared to lower grade breast carcinoma whereas high-stage carcinoma patients were ER/PR positive and Her2/neu positive as compared to lower stage breast carcinoma.