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Biomedical subjects

C Mitra

Publications and source records attributed to C Mitra.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of garlic oil on postmenopausal osteoporosis using ovariectomized rats: comparison with the effects of lovastatin and 17beta-estradiol.

The purpose of this study was to examine the antiosteoporosis effects of garlic oil in an ovariectomized (Ovx) rat model of osteoporosis and to compare its efficacy with lovastatin (a synthetic hypocholesterolemic drug) and 17beta-estradiol (a potent antiosteoporotic agent). Animals were divided into five groups: sham-operated control, ovariectomized, ovariectomized supplemented with lovastatin, ovariectomized supplemented with garlic oil and ovariectomized supplemented with 17beta-estradiol. In our study, the development of a high rate of bone turnover and osteoporosis in the ovariectomized animals were confirmed by significant alterations of serum alkaline phosphatase activity, serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity, urinary excretion of calcium, phosphate, hydroxyproline and urinary calcium to creatinine ratio, when compared with the sham-operated control group. Supplementation of these animals with either garlic oil or lovastatin or 17beta-estradiol, in addition to their hypocholesterolemic effect, could counterbalance all these changes. The results revealed that all three compounds significantly protected the hypogonadal bone loss as reflected by higher bone densities and higher bone mineral contents than the ovariectomized group of animals. The results emphasize that, like 17beta-estradiol, the hypocholesterolemic compounds garlic oil and lovastatin are also effective in suppressing bone loss owing to estrogen deficiency and their efficacy in the order of lower to higher is garlic < lovastatin < 17beta-estradiol.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Prevention of bone loss by oil extract of garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis.

The effects of oil extract of garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) on different primary and secondary osteoporotic marker changes were tested in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. Experiments were performed on three different rat models: sham-operated control, ovariectomized and ovariectomized supplemented with garlic oil. In ovariectomized group, there has been a significant increase in different relative organ weights compared to sham-operated control, while the uterine weight was found to be decreased. Supplementation with oil extract of garlic could effectively reverse these changes. Also low bone densities that developed in the ovariectomized group were significantly recovered in the garlic oil supplemented group. In our study, the development of high rate of bone turnover and osteoporosis in the ovariectomized animals were confirmed by significant alteration of serum alkaline phosphatase activity, serum tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity, urinary excretion of calcium, phosphate, hydroxyproline and urinary calcium to creatinine ratio, when compared with the sham-operated control group. Garlic oil extract supplementation, apart from its unique influence in lowering blood cholesterol, could also prevent ovariectomy-induced rise in all the above-mentioned marker changes. The results of this study emphasize that oil extract of garlic possibly has a positive role in suppressing ovariectomy-induced bone resorption.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Observation of minority spin character of the new electron doped manganite La0.7Ce0.3MnO3 from tunneling magnetoresistance.

We report the magnetotransport characteristics of a trilayer ferromagnetic tunnel junction built of an electron doped manganite (La0.7Ce0.3MnO3) and a hole doped manganite (La0.7Ca0.3MnO3). At low temperatures the junction exhibits a large positive tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR), irrespective of the bias voltage. At intermediate temperatures below T(C) the sign of the TMR is dependent on the bias voltage across the junction. The magnetoresistive characteristics of the junction strongly suggest that La0.7Ce0.3MnO3 is a minority spin carrier ferromagnet with a high degree of spin polarization, i.e., a transport half-metal.

Journal Article↗

Effects of different intensities of cold stress on certain physiological phenomena related to skeletal health in a hypogonadal rat model.

Intestinal transference pattern of calcium and associated changes in the activities of intestinal mucosal enzymes, rate of bone turnover and bone metabolism were evaluated in ovariectomized rats exposed to cold stress of various intensities i.e., mild (15 degrees C) or stronger (8 degrees C and 4 degrees C) for 5 min everyday for 7 consecutive days. Except mild cold stress-induced group (15 degrees C), rats of other two groups (8 degrees C and 4 degrees C) showed considerable decrease in the rate of in situ intestinal transference of calcium. Likewise, in these groups, the activities of intestinal mucosal enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and calcium ATPase (Ca2+-ATPase) were decreased significantly in all the segments of small intestine in a descending gradient. Also significant changes in bone turnover and bone resorption were confirmed in these animals by marked alterations in plasma AP activity, urinary calcium and phosphate excretion and urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (Ca: Cr). The skeletal changes were further ascertained by examining other physical and biochemical parameters of bone metabolism viz., body mass, bone density, ratio of mineral to matrix and mineral content of bone ash (calcium and phosphate) in the ovariectomized rat model. All these results suggest that stronger cold stress (8 degrees C and 4 degrees C) may be an important ecological factor in the development of earlier bone loss in hypogonadal rats.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Cold stress facilitates calcium mobilization from bone in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis.

In an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis, the effects of cold stress on intestinal Ca2+ transference and rate of bone turnover were evaluated. In the ovariectomized rats, a significant reduction in intestinal transference of Ca2+ was associated with decreased activities of intestinal mucosal enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (AP), and calcium ATPase (Ca2+-ATPase) in all the different segments of small intestine in a descending gradient. The development of a high rate of bone turnover and osteoporosis in these animals was confirmed by significant alteration in plasma AP activity and calcium (Ca) level, urinary excretion of Ca and phosphate, and Ca : creatinine ratio. Cold stress in this model, apart from its unique influence in elevating plasma corticosterone and thyroid hormone level, enhanced all the above referred parameters studied in connection with intestinal transference of Ca2+, bone turnover rate, and osteoporosis. The results of this study emphasize that cold stress may have a positive influence on bone loss for an early development of hypogonadal osteoporosis in rats.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

High-lipid diet intake is a possible predisposing factor in the development of hypogonadal osteoporosis.

The effects of a high-lipid diet on the intestinal transference of Ca2+ and the activities of intestinal enzymes were studied in ovariectomized rats. The plasma Ca2+ level and urinary loss of Ca2+ were also observed. Ovariectomy decreased both alkaline phosphatase (AP) and calcium ATPase (Ca(2+)-ATPase) activity, and also reduced the mucosal transference of Ca2+ in all parts of the small intestine. Although the plasma Ca2+ level did not change significantly, the urinary loss of Ca2+ was enhanced. A high-lipid diet supplement enhanced all these parameters in ovariectomized rats. It is therefore believed that a high-lipid diet may promote osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats as the result of Ca2+ transfer and enhanced urinary Ca2+ loss.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Mechanism of chloramphenicol-induced modulation of mouse ileal motility.

The effect of chloramphenicol (CAP) on the intestinal motility of mice was studied. Acute and chronic CAP treatment significantly increased the food transit time. CAP produced concentration-dependent inhibition of motility of the isolated ileum of mice. Prazosin, propranolol, atropine, ouabain and chlorpromazine all failed to modulate or counteract the CAP-induced inhibition of ileal motility. However, naloxone and hexamethonium slightly modified the inhibitory response of CAP. The inhibitory response of CAP was markedly counteracted by cystine, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor. CAP increased the activity of Ca(++)-ATPase in the ileum in all experiments. Our results suggest that the CAP-induced inhibition of the intestinal motility is not mediated through adrenergic, cholinergic and cAMP or through inhibition of the electrogenic pump. Compared to thiamphenicol (TAP), CAP, with a p-NO2 group in its structure, exhibited more pronounced alteration of both intestinal motility and Ca(++)-ATPase activity. We, therefore, suggest that greater inhibition of ileal motility induced by CAP is possibly a p-NO2-cGMP-Ca(++)-ATPase-mediated mechanism.

Adrenergic Antagonists↗

Mechanism of inhibition of smooth muscle of guinea-pig taenia coli by chloramphenicol.

The effects of antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP) on Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and muscle tension were examined in guinea-pig taenia coli. In general, when CAP was added to the resting tissue no inhibition was observed except when a tonus was present, caused by either ouabain, high K+ or acetylcholine. Ouabain and high K(+)-induced sustained contractions were concentration-dependently inhibited by CAP. The sustained contraction induced by high K+ was more strongly inhibited by CAP than ouabain (IC50 value: high K+ 0.29 mumol/ml; ouabain 0.34 mumol/ml). In Ca(2+)-free solution, inhibition of ouabain-induced sustained contracture by CAP was more pronounced. CAP increased the activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase in taenia coli in all experiments. In presence of cystine, CAP-induced inhibition and increase in Ca(2+)-ATPase activity could not be observed. CAP analogue thiamphenicol (TAP), devoid of p-NO2 group, showed insignificant response on smooth muscle inhibition and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. These findings suggest that CAP inhibits smooth muscle contractility by decreasing cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) level through a cGMP mediated increase in Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and this action is possibly related with the p-NO2 group present in its molecule like other nitro-compounds.

Acetylcholine↗

The effect of chloramphenicol on mucosal transference of glucose in mice; the role of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in this process.

The effect of chloramphenicol (CAP) on the mucosal transference of glucose in mice and its relation with the activities of different small intestinal enzymes were studied. CAP produced an increase in the mucosal transference of glucose in jejunum and a decrease in ileum. However, CAP reduced the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in both of these segments. Treatment with ouabain could not alter the effects of CAP. Under similar experimental conditions, the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP) was reduced in jejunum but increased in ileum. In presence of theophylline, the CAP-induced increase in the transference in jejunum was further enhanced, whereas in acute experiments with ileum theophylline counteracted the reduced transference to the control level. In presence of Zn2+, CAP-induced changes in jejunum were reversed whereas in ileum the decrease was more pronounced. Like AP, CAP altered the activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase in both segments. It is proposed that in presence of CAP an inverse relationship exists between the activity of AP and the glucose transference in these segments. It is further revealed that such differential changes in the transference of glucose may be due to site specific alterations in the activity of AP.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

A colorimetric method for assay of serotonin deamination by monoamine oxidase.

The present method involves conversion of the aldehyde produced, as a result of serotonin deamination by monoamine oxidase, to its 2:4 dinitrophenyl hydrazone derivative which gives a stable, bright yellow colour in alkaline solution and can be measured colorimetrically. The derivative is however unstable in the acidic medium and has to be extracted into an organic solvent immediately. The details of the method and its standardization are discussed.

Animals↗

Molecular orbital studies on nucleoside analogs. II. Conformation of 6-azapyrimidine nucleosides.

PCILO (Perturbative Configuration Interaction using Localised Orbitals) computations have been carried out for three 6-azapyrimidine nucleosides, 6-azauridine, 6-azacytidine and 6-azathymidine, for both C(2')-endo and C(3')-endo pucker of the sugar ring. The results indicate a syn (chiCN=180 degrees) conformation followed by chiCN=90 degrees and gg conformation for C(3')-endo 6-aza analogs as compareed to the anti (chiCN=0 degrees) and gg conformation preferred by the corresponding pyrimidine nucleosides. For C(2')-endo sugar geometry, 6-azauridine and 6-azacytidine prefer, respectively, chiCN=0 degrees (anti) and phi C(4')-C(5')=60 degrees C (gg) and chiCN-240 degrees (syn) and phi C(4')-C(5')=120 degrees. The corresponding nucleosides, uridine and cytidine, show a preference for syn (chiCN=240 degrees) and gg and anti(chiCN=0 degrees) and gg , respectively. The X-ray crystallographic conformations of 6-azauridine and 6-azacytidine have been attributed to intermolecular hydrogen bonding and crystal packing forces. The results of PMR, CD and ORD studies on 6-azauridine and 6-azacytidine in aqueous solutions are in agreement with the PCILO predictions.

Azacitidine↗