PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Saraswathi

Publications and source records attributed to G Saraswathi.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Dietary adequacy of Indian rural preschool children--influencing factors.

The dietary adequacy (qualitative and quantitative) of preschool children residing in rural areas near Mysore (a district in south India) was assessed by the 'Food frequency method' and '24-h recall method'. Food intake assessed in three different seasons revealed that their diets were predominantly cereal based with negligible quantity of protective foods. The overall nutrient intake was found to be inadequate, irrespective of the seasons. The adequacy level of the nutrients (cereal dependence) was found to be comparatively better in monsoon and winter seasons because of better labour opportunities and availability. Food consumption pattern showed no gender differences. The nutrient adequacy also varied by the age of the children. The influence of 'food expenditure' on the nutrient adequacy was not statistically significant. Nutritional status was found to be a factor influencing nutrient intake. Apart from age, nutritional status and food availability, feeding practices may also influence the nutrient intake of the preschool children.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Digestive stimulant action of three Indian spice mixes in experimental rats.

The present study examined the favourable influence of three spice mixes derived from a few commonly consumed spices of known digestive stimulant action on digestive enzymes of pancreas and small intestine, and on bile secretion and composition in experimental rats. The common ingredients of these mixes were coriander, turmeric, red chilli, black pepper and cumin, while the spice mix II additionally had ginger, and spice mix III contained onion. All the three spice mixes favourably enhanced the activities of pancreatic lipase, chymotrypsin and amylase when consumed during the diet. In addition, these spice mixes brought about a pronounced stimulation of bile flow and of bile acid secretion. Among the three spice mixes examined, spice mix III which is customized so as to include spices that are desirable from the point of view of stimulation of digestion, had the highest stimulatory influence particularly on bile secretion, bile acid output and the activities of pancreatic enzymes. While activities of pancreatic lipase, amylase and chymotrypsin were elevated by 40, 16 and 77%, respectively, the bile volume as well as the bile acid secretion were almost doubled in spice mix III treatment. The higher secretion of bile especially with an elevated level of bile acids and a beneficial stimulation of pancreatic digestive enzymes, particularly of lipase could probably be the two mechanisms by which these combinations of spices aid in digestion.

Amylases↗
PubMed1995

Effect of orally administered betel leaf (Piper betle Linn.) on digestive enzymes of pancreas and intestinal mucosa and on bile production in rats.

The influence of two varieties of betel leaf (Piper betle Linn.) namely, the pungent Mysore and non-pungent Ambadi, was examined on digestive enzymes of pancreas and intestinal mucosa and on bile secretion in experimental rats. The betel leaves were administered orally at two doses which were either comparable to human consumption level or 5 times this. The results indicated that while these betel leaves do not influence bile secretion and composition, they have a significant stimulatory influence on pancreatic lipase activity. Besides, the Ambadi variety of betel leaf has a positive stimulatory influence on intestinal digestive enzymes, especially lipase, amylase and disaccharidases. A slight lowering in the activity of these intestinal enzymes was seen when Mysore variety of betel leaf was administered, and this variety also had a negative effect on pancreatic amylase. Further, both the betel leaf varieties have shown decreasing influence on pancreatic trypsin and chymotrypsin activities.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1983

Effect of tender cluster bean pods (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) on cholesterol levels in rats.

Tender cluster bean pod (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is a vegetable commonly consumed in South India and contains 20% of guar gum on dry weight basis. Effects of incorporating this vegetable into a hypercholesterolemic diet of rats were studied. All test materials--cluster bean 0.5 and 2.5% levels, commercial guar gum (0.5%), cluster bean partially free from guar gum (1.6%), neutral detergent fiber of cluster bean (0.6%)--exerted a hypocholesterolemic effect and also lowered liver cholesterol concentration, but did not alter liver weights. Neutral detergent fiber of cluster bean and guar gum lowered cholesterol levels, but the effect did not appear to be additive when these components were present together in the whole cluster bean.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Auramine staining in histopathology sections.

Auramine staining was done on 65 histopathological sections from different types of treated leprosy cases which were negative by Fite-Farraco stain. All the sections except one showed auramine positive organisms. The organisms were mostly coccoid except in BL/LL cases where beaded bacilli could be seen.

Aniline Compounds↗