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Biomedical subjects

A Kar

Publications and source records attributed to A Kar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The role of second health professionals under New Zealand mental health legislation.

The development of generic statutory roles in mental health care has been the subject of discussion by New Zealand nurses for the past decade. One such role is that of second health professional in judicial reviews of civil commitment. Issues identified by New Zealand nurses have also been raised in England, where it seems that nurses are likely to assume the role of Approved Mental Health Worker under English mental health law. A survey of mental health nurses found that few had received any preparation for the role of second health professional and 45% did not feel adequately prepared for the role. Some of these issues are reflected in a New Zealand inquiry which resulted in the Ministry of Health developing a written report form for second health professionals. However, the form has the potential to reduce the mental health nursing role to a narrow legal role. Statutory roles such as that of second health professional challenge mental health nurses to critically reflect on the conceptual and ethical basis of their practice. While traditional concepts such as therapeutic relationships and advocacy need to be reviewed in light of these changes, nurses need to be vigilant in articulating the moral and clinical basis of their roles. The development of guidelines for he second health professional role is suggested as a way of supporting clinical practice in this area.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Ischemic preconditioning attenuates the lipid peroxidation and remote lung injury in the rat model of unilateral lower limb ischemia reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia and reperfusion of the skeletal muscle tissue may cause remote lung injury. We aimed to evaluate the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IP) on the lung during unilateral lower limb ischemia reperfusion (IR). METHODS: Four groups of rats were used in this study: (i) the sham group (sham, n = 6) served as time controls, they remained anesthetized for the whole duration of the study; (ii) the ischemia and reperfusion group (IR, n = 10) underwent 4 h of left lower limb ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion; (iii) the ischemic preconditioning group (IP, n = 10), the left lower limbs of rats were exposed to three cycles of IP (10 min of ischemia followed by 10 min of reperfusion); and (iv) the ischemic preconditioning plus ischemia reperfusion group (IP/IR, n = 10) underwent IP followed by IR as in the IP and IR groups. Plasma and tissue samples were taken at the end of the study period for determination of lung tissue myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) and polymorphonuclear leukocyte count (PMNL), histological lung injury score and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level. RESULTS: PMNL count and MPO activity in the lung tissue, and plasma TBARS level were higher in the IR group compared with other groups while there were no differences between the sham and the IP and between the sham and the IP/IR groups. Histological lung injury score was higher in the IR group than in the IP/IR and sham groups. The plasma TBARS level in the IP group was significantly lower than in the IP/IR group. CONCLUSION: IP pretreatment reduces lipid peroxidation and lung injury caused by lower limb IR.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Cardio-protective role of Terminalia arjuna bark extract is possibly mediated through alterations in thyroid hormones.

Terminalia arjuna bark extract is believed to exhibit cardio-protective effects. In the present study we investigated the possible involvement of thyroid hormones in the amelioration of cardiac and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) by a bark extract of the plant in albino rats. While L-thyroxine (L-T4) treatment increased the level of thyroid hormones, heart/body weight ratio as well as cardiac and hepatic lipid peroxidation, simultaneous administration of 21.42 and 42.84 mg/kg of the plant extract decreased the level of thyroid hormones and also the cardiac LPO, suggesting the possible mediation of the drug action through an inhibition in thyroid function. These effects were comparable to a standard antithyroid drug, propyl thiouracil (PTU). When the drug was administered to euthyroid animals, serum concentrations of thyroid hormones were decreased, whereas the hepatic LPO increased indicating a drug induced toxicity in euthyroid subjects. Although a suboptimal dose of the drug was found to be non-toxic to the liver, it appeared to be of no use, as it could neither affect the thyroid functions nor the cardiac lipid peroxidation. Since in euthyroid animals, thyroid hormones were decreased and hepatic LPO was increased, it is suggested that high amounts of this plant extract should not be consumed, as hepatotoxicity as well as hypothyroidism may be caused.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Antithrombin III pretreatment reduces neutrophil recruitment into the lung and skeletal muscle tissues in the rat model of bilateral lower limb ischemia and reperfusion: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Anti-inflammatory action of Antithrombin III (AT III) is still not well understood in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory action of AT III on remote lung and local skeletal muscle tissue injury in a rat model of bilateral lower limb I/R model. METHODS: Bilateral lower limb ischemia and reperfusion were produced by means of tourniquets occlusions and releases, respectively. Three groups of rats were used in this controlled study: sham group (sham, n=3) underwent 5 h of anesthesia only; control group (I/R, n=7) underwent 3 h of bilateral lower limb ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion; and AT III pretreated group (I/R-AT III, n=6) underwent the same procedure as the control group, but also received i.v. 250 U kg-1 AT III 30 min before ischemia induction under midazolam and fentanyl anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Lung and muscle tissue accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were assessed by measuring tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Histopathological changes in tissues were assessed by PMN counts in the lung, and muscle tissues and by histological lung injury score. Plasma 6-keto prostaglandin F(1alpha) and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were measured by an enzyme immunoassay technique. Myeloperoxidase activity could not be detected in the muscle tissues of all groups. The lung and muscle tissue PMN counts in the I/R group were significantly higher compared with the I/R-AT III group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Data from the present study provides some evidence that AT III pretreatment attenuates remote lung and local skeletal muscle tissue injury caused by lower limb I/R.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed2004

Hypoglycaemic effects of some plant extracts are possibly mediated through inhibition in corticosteroid concentration.

To unravel the possible mechanism of glucose lowering activity, effects of ten different plant extracts in the regulation of serum cortisol and glucose concentrations were evaluated in male mice. While the extracts of Inula racemosa, Boerhaavia diffusa and Ocimum sanctum decreased the serum concentration of both cortisol and glucose, Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica and Gymnema sylvestre extracts could exhibit hypoglycaemic activity without altering the serum cortisol concentration. It appears that the hypoglycaemic effects of former three plant extracts are mediated through their cortisol inhibiting potency, whereas the mechanism for other plant extracts could be different. Lipid-peroxidation was not enhanced by any of the plant extracts (some were in fact, antiperoxidative in nature). As I. racemosa, B. diffusa and O. sanctum exhibited antiperoxidative, hypoglycaemic and cortisol lowering activities, it is suggested that these three plant extracts may potentially regulate corticosteroid induced diabetes mellitus.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2003

Piperine lowers the serum concentrations of thyroid hormones, glucose and hepatic 5'D activity in adult male mice.

Piperine, the main alkaloid of Piper nigrum fruits, was evaluated for its thyroid hormone and glucose regulatory efficacy in adult male Swiss albino mice. Its daily oral administration (2.50 mg/kg) for 15 days lowered the serum levels of both the thyroid hormones, thyroxin (T (4)) and triiodothyronine (T (3)) as well as glucose concentrations with a concomitant decrease in hepatic 5'D enzyme and glucose-6-phospatase (G-6-Pase) activity. However, no significant alterations were observed in animals treated with 0.25 mg/kg of piperine in any of the activities studied except an inhibition in serum T (3) concentration. The decrease in T (4), T (3) concentrations and in G-6-Pase were comparable to that of a standard antithyroid drug, Proylthiouracil (PTU). The hepatic lipid-peroxidation (LPO) and the activity of endogenous antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were not significantly altered in either of the doses. It appears that the action of P. nigrum on thyroid functions is mediated through its active alkaloid, piperine. We also suggest that a higher dose of piperine may inhibit thyroid function and serum glucose concentration in euthyroid individuals.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2003

The combined effects of Trigonella and Allium extracts in the regulation of hyperthyroidism in rats.

The combined effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum and Allium sativum extracts were evaluated for their ameliorative potential in the L-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidic rat model to contribute to an understanding of interaction between the two extracts. The investigation was carried out using two different doses. A comparison was made with the response of individual plant extracts at the previously studied effective dose in adult Wistar rats rendered hyperthyroidic by daily injections of L-thyroxine (300 microg/kg body wt., s.c.). Propylthiouracil (PTU), an antithyroid drug, was used as a reference compound. Alterations in serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), glucose, hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) and oxygen consumption were studied as end parameters. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were examined to reveal any toxic effects of the drugs. The combined effects of Trigonella and Allium at 200 and 500 mg/kg body wt. respectively, were equipotent as compared to the individual extracts in lowering the serum concentrations of T3 and T4 in hyperthyroidic rats. Our findings reveal that some plant extracts in combination may not always prove to be synergistic. It is therefore suggested that Trigonella foenum-graecum and Allium sativum extracts may be used individually and not together in the regulation of hyperthyroidism.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Effects of Inula racemosa root and Gymnema sylvestre leaf extracts in the regulation of corticosteroid induced diabetes mellitus: involvement of thyroid hormones.

The efficacy of Inula racemosa (root) and Gymnema sylvestre (leaf) extracts either alone or in combination was evaluated in the amelioration of corticosteroid-induced hyperglycaemia in mice. Simultaneously thyroid hormone levels were estimated by radio-immunoassay (RIA) in order to ascertain whether the effects are mediated through thyroid hormones or not. While the corticosteroid (dexamethasone) administration increased the serum glucose concentration, it decreased serum concentrations of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Administration of the two plant extracts either alone or in combination decreased the serum glucose concentration in dexamethasone induced hyperglycaemic animals. However, the administration of Inula racemosa and Gymnema sylvestre extracts in combination proved to be more effective than the individual extracts. These effects were comparable to a standard corticosteroid-inhibiting drug, ketoconazole. As no marked changes in thyroid hormone concentrations were observed by the administration of any of the plant extracts in dexamethasone treated animals, it is further suggested that these plant extracts may not prove to be effective in thyroid hormone mediated type II diabetes, but for steroid induced diabetes.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2003

Fruit extract of Emblica officinalis ameliorates hyperthyroidism and hepatic lipid peroxidation in mice.

The ethanolic extract from the fruits of Emblica officinalis Gaertn (Euphorbiaceae) was investigated to evaluate its possible ameliorating effects, on the L-thyroxine (L-T4) induced hyperthyroidism and on hepatic lipid peroxidation in mice. While an increase in serum T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) concentrations, and in a thyroid dependent parameter, hepatic glucose 6-phospatase (glu-6-pase) activity was observed in L-T4 (0.5 mg/kg/d) treated animals, simultaneous oral administration of the plant extract at a dose of 250 mg/kg/d (p.o.) for 30 days in hyperthyroid mice reduced T3 and T4 concentrations by 64 and 70% respectively as compared to a standard antithyroid drug, propyl thiouracil (PTU) that decreased the levels of the thyroid hormones by 59 and 40% respectively. The plant extract also maintained nearly normal value of glu-6-pase activity in hyperthyroid mice. The plant extract also decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in hyperthyroid mice, exhibiting its hepatoprotective nature. Our findings suggest that the test material may potentially ameliorate the hyperthyroidism with an additional hepatoprotective benefit.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Relative efficacy of three medicinal plant extracts in the alteration of thyroid hormone concentrations in male mice.

Relative importance of Bacopa monnieri (200 mg/kg), Aegle marmelos (1.00 g/kg) and Aloe vera (125 mg/kg) leaf extracts in the regulation of thyroid hormone concentrations in male mice was investigated. While serum levels of both T(3) and T(4) were inhibited by A. vera, A. marmelos extract could decrease only T(3) concentration. On the other hand, T(4) concentration was increased by B. monnieri extract suggesting its thyroid-stimulating role. When the relative potency of each plant extract was calculated in terms of percent increase or decrease in thyroid hormones, as compared to the control value, the decrease in T(3) concentration by A. marmelos was about 62% indicating its possible use in the regulation of hyperthyroidism. B. monnieri could increase T(4) concentration by 41% without enhancing hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) suggesting that it can be used as a thyroid-stimulating drug. In fact, hepatic LPO was decreased and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were increased by B. monnieri and A. marmelos leaf extracts showing their antiperoxidative role. It is thus suggested that A. marmelos and A. vera may be used in the regulation of hyperthyroidism, while B. monnieri in hypothyroidism.

Aloe↗
PubMed2001

Descriptive epidemiology of haemophilia in Maharashtra, India.

Secondary data on haemophilia cases in the state of Maharashtra, India were compiled and analysed. A total of 2192 haemophiliacs could be accounted from case papers and pedigrees, representing approximately 60% of the estimated number of cases in the state. Ratio of haemophilia A to haemophilia B was 4.2:1. Severe haemophiliacs constituted the majority of haemophilia A and B cases. About 70% of patients did not report any family history. Age distribution of cases suggested that the longevity of severe haemophiliacs was less than 30 years. Geographical distribution revealed clustering of cases around three established haemophilia clinics, with large parts of the state showing no cases. Although the cumulative number of cases showed an ascending trend, there was a 90% decrease in the number of cases registered between 1989 and 2000, suggesting that case recruitment from areas around the facilities had been achieved. Most cases showed delayed diagnosis, as the majority of severe haemophiliacs was being diagnosed at around 11-15 years of age. However, increasing awareness about haemophilia was reflected in a four-fold increase in referrals of severe cases over a 10-year period and increased registration of cases under 5 years of age. This study highlights that haemophilia services in India are still in their infancy, and increased awareness among healthcare providers as well as expansion of treatment facilities are still the primary areas for improvement of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Inhibition of T3 production in levothyroxine-treated female mice by the root extract of Convolvulus pluricaulis.

An investigation was made to evaluate the role of Convolvulus pluricaulis root extract in the regulation of hyperthyroidism in female mice. Its possible site of action was also studied. L-Thyroxine treatment for 30 days increased serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and triodothyronine (T3). The activity of hepatic 5'-monodeiodinase (5'-DI) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) was also enhanced. On the other hand, administration of the plant extract either alone or with L-T4, decreased serum T3 concentration and the activity of hepatic 5'-DI and G-6-phase, without marked alteration in hepatic lipid peroxidation, indicating the possible regulation of hyperthyroidism by the plant extract. It appears that the action of the plant extract on thyroid function is primarily mediated through the inhibition of 5'-DI enzyme activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Butyrate induced alterations during development of the strain ln(1)BM2(reinverted) of Drosophila melanogaster.

The polytene male X chromosome of D. melanogaster, has a unique morphology, which is correlated with the property of increased transcription of the sex-linked genes of the male X chromosome. This ensures equalization of X-linked gene products between males (XY) and females (XX). Till date, an invariable correlation between the structure and transcription of the male X chromosome has been reported. However, the strain In(1)BM2(reinverted) of D. melanogaster presents a caveat to this invariable correlation. In this strain, although the male X chromosome appears puffy and diffuse, the transcription remains at the wild type level. This observation suggests the perturbation in the function of a regulator that controls the structure of the male X chromosome. In this report the response of the strain to butyrate, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, has been studied, with specific reference to development, sex ratio and chromosome morphology of the strain. Two important conclusions arise from these experiments : (a) exposure to butyrate has more severe consequences on the development of the mutant strain and on the survival of females. (b) rearing on butyrate induced a temporal series of structural alteration of the polytene chromosome of the wild type, with the male X chromosome being most vulnerable to structural changes. The butyrate-interaction of In(1)BM2(reinverted) together with our current biochemical analyses of a chromosome coiling protein recovered from this strain, provide data for a working hypothesis explaining the sex and chromosome specific alteration of the structure of the male X chromosome of In(1)BM2(reinverted).

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Role of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in the regulation of thyroid hormone status in adult male and female rats.

The role of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract in the regulation of thyroid hormone status, was studied in adult Swiss rats. Other than the thyroid hormone concentrations, hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were evaluated. In the first experiment, effects of the leaf extract (175 mg kg(-1)body wt. day(-1)for 10 days) were studied both in male and female animals. Following the administration of the extract, serum triiodothyronine (T(3)) concentration and hepatic LPO decreased with a concomitant increase in the serum thyroxine (T(4)) concentration, in female rats, while in males no significant changes were observed, suggesting that Moringa oleifera leaf extract is more effective in females than in the males. To evaluate the impact of a higher dose, in the second experiment, the study was repeated in female rats, with 350 mg kg(-1)body wt. day(-1)for the same duration. Almost similar reduction in the serum T(3)concentration (approx. 30%) and an increase in the T(4)concentration were observed suggesting the inhibiting nature of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in the peripheral conversion of T(4)to T(3), the principal source of the generation of latter hormone. As the antiperoxidative effects were exhibited only by the lower dose and percent decrease in T(3)concentration was nearly the same by both the doses, it is suggested that the lower concentration of this plant extract may be used for the regulation of hyperthyriodism. 2000 Academic Press@p$hr

Animals↗
PubMed2000

How safe is neem extract with respect to thyroid function in male mice?

In this investigation we attempted to find out the hitherto unstudied adverse effects of neem (Azardirachta indica) leaf extract on the thyroid function of male mice. Neem leaf extract was orally administered in two different doses (40 mg and 100 mg kg(-1)day(-1)for 20 days). The extract exhibited differential effects. While the higher dose decreased serum tri-iodothyonine (T(3)) and increased serum thyroxine (T(4)) concentrations, no significant alterations of levels were observed in the lower dose group, indicating that the high concentrations of neem extract can be inhibitory to thyroid function, particularly in the conversion of T(4)to T(3), the major source of T(3)generation. A concomitant increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and a decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) activity in the higher dosed group also indicated the adverse effect of neem extract despite an enhancement in the activities of two defensive enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Thus, it appears that the higher concentration of neem extract may not be safe with respect to thyroid function and lipid peroxidation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Withania somnifera root extract in the regulation of lead-induced oxidative damage in male mouse.

The importance of Withania somnifera root extract in the regulation of lead toxicity with special reference to lipid peroxidative process has been investigated in liver and kidney tissues. While lead treatment (0.5 mg kg(-1)body wt. day(-1)for 20 days) enhanced hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation (LPO), administration of plant extract in the doses of 0.7 g kg(-1)and 1.4 g kg(-1)body wt. day(-1)along with equivalent doses of lead acetate for 20 days significantly decreased LPO and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), thus retaining normal peroxidative status of the tissues. We suggest that the ameliorating role of root extract of W. somnifera in the lead intoxicated mice could be the result of its antiperoxidative action.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Achyranthes aspera elevates thyroid hormone levels and decreases hepatic lipid peroxidation in male rats.

A study was made to evaluate the role of Achyranthes aspera on the changes in serum thyroid hormone concentrations and glucose levels in male rats. An attempt was also made to establish the relationship between hepatic lipid peroxidation and extract induced changes in thyroid hormone concentration, if any. Adult male Wistar rats were orally administered with the aqueous leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera at a dose of 200 mg/kg b. wt./day for 7 days. The effects of the extract on body weight, hepatic protein content, lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and on serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and glucose levels were evaluated. The extract exhibited significant prothyroidic activity as it enhanced the levels of both the thyroid hormones along with an increase in serum glucose concentration, body weight and hepatic protein content. On the other hand, it decreased hepatic LPO without altering the activities of the two antioxidant enzymes, SOD and CAT significantly, suggesting a direct free radical scavenging activity of the extract. It appears that the Achyranthes aspera leaf extract is both prothyroidic and antiperoxidative in nature.

Achyranthes↗