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Biomedical subjects

K Nalini

Publications and source records attributed to K Nalini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Plant-based formulation in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical study was undertaken to investigate the safety and efficacy of a plant-based formulation (DCBT1234-Lung KR), which earlier through 2 trials was found to improve FEV1 and the quality of life of COPD patients. OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of DCBT1234-Lung KR was assessed using pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses and the clinical symptoms of COPD in a 6-month study period against a matching placebo and a biomedical drug combination (salbutamol+theophylline+bromhexine). METHODS: One hundred and five subjects aged between 35 and 85 years with a smoking history of more than 20 pack years, showing little or no improvement in FEV1 upon a bronchial challenge of 200 microg of inhaled salbutamol and exhibiting ABG percentage of less than 85% of oxygen saturation were taken up for the study. The study had 3 arms viz., the plant-based formulation (DCBT1234-Lung KR), placebo and salbutamol (12 mg/day) plus theophylline (300 mg/day) plus bromhexine (24 mg/day). The end point of the study was determined as an improvement of FEV1 by 200 mL and/or increased ABG values (>90% PaO2) and clinical symptoms like dyspnoea, wheezing, cough, expectoration, disability, and sleep disturbances. RESULTS: DCBT1234-Lung KR patients showed statistically significant (95% level) improvement in FEV1 and PaO2 in comparison with salbutamol+theophylline+bromhexine and placebo patients. Twenty-three per cent of DCBT1234-Lung KR patients, 19% of salbutamol+theophylline+bromhexine group and 12% of placebo group patients showed the desired 200 mL improvement in FEV1 values in comparison with the other 2 arms. Improved PaO2 was observed in 15.4% of the DCBT1234-Lung KR patients while no improvement was seen with patients in any other arms. Symptoms like dyspnoea, wheezing, cough, expectoration, disability and sleep disturbances also significantly reduced in DCBT1234-Lung KR and the biomedical group patients, but not in the placebo arm. CONCLUSIONS: DCBT1234-Lung KR was equivalent, if not better than the present day treatment with salbutamol, theophylline and bromhexine combination in COPD patients and this was ascertained using FEV1 and ABG values.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Plant-based formulation for bronchial asthma: a controlled clinical trial to compare its efficacy with oral salbutamol and theophylline.

BACKGROUND: Plant-based medicine is the 3rd most popular choice of both adults (11%) and children (6%) suffering from Asthma. While several plant-based formulations have been reported for the treatment of asthma in the past, many authors have published their reservations on clinical trials carried out using complementary and alternative medicines. OBJECTIVES: The authors desired to eliminate the shortcomings of the earlier clinical trials carried out by many investigators in a structured study. Therefore, a 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of a plant-based formulation (DCBT4567-Astha-15) in comparison with oral salbutamol, salbutamol + theophylline and a matching placebo in patients with reversible asthma. METHODS: Ninety-four patients between 15 and 50 years of age, showing 15% improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 15 min after a bronchial challenge of inhaled salbutamol (200 microg) were recruited, and the end point of the study was determined as a 15% improvement in FEV(1) and clinical symptoms like dyspnoea, wheezing, cough, expectoration, disability, sleep disturbances and respiration rate. RESULTS: DCBT4567-Astha-15, salbutamol and salbutamol + theophylline patients showed statistically significant improvement in FEV(1), while placebo patients did not show any improvement. Fifty percent of DCBT4567-Astha-15, 48% of salbutamol, 58% of salbutamol + theophylline and 26% of placebo patients showed the desired 15% improvement in FEV(1). Improved mean FEV(1) values at the end of the trial indicated that the salbutamol - theophylline combination was superior followed by salbutamol and DCBT4567-Astha-15. Clinical symptoms like dyspnoea, wheezing, cough, expectoration, disability, and sleep disturbances were significantly reduced in DCBT4567-Astha-15 patients compared to patients of the other three arms. CONCLUSIONS: DCBT4567-Astha-15 was as efficacious as salbutamol (12 mg/day) or salbutamol (12 mg/day) in combination with theophylline (200 mg/day) in the treatment of reversible asthmatics. Quality of life of patients also improved with DCBT4567-Astha-15 drug treatment.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Clitoria ternatea root extract enhances acetylcholine content in rat hippocampus.

Treatment with 100 mg/kg of Clitoria ternatea aqueous root extract (CTR), for 30 days in neonatal and young adult age groups of rat, significantly increased acetylcholine (ACh) content in their hippocampi as compared to age matched controls. Increase in ACh content in their hippocampus may be the neurochemical basis for their improved learning and memory.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2002

Hippocampal brain amines in methotrexate-induced learning and memory deficit.

Intrathecal methotrexate in children with leukemia is known to cause seizures, dementia, leukoencephalopathy, and cognitive dysfunction after long-term treatment. To investigate the cognitive dysfunction, male Wistar rats were given multiple intracerebroventricular injections of methotrexate. Its effect on behaviour was tested in the two-compartment conditioned avoidance task and dark-bright arena test. Levels of brain amines in the hippocampal region of the brain were estimated by HPLC. The qualitative and quantitative histopathological changes in the different regions of the hippocampus were studied by cresyl violet staining. Multiple injections (1 or 2 mg/kg) produced convulsions and learning and memory impairment but did not induce anxiolytic activity. They also reduced concentrations of all three brain amines (norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin) and the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The CA4 region of the hippocampus was severely affected by intraventricular methotrexate. Disruption of brain monoamines has been proposed as a cause of brain dysfunction from this chemotherapy, and that disruption may in turn involve cytotoxic effects of methotrexate on brain tissue. The outcomes of this study may have therapeutic implications in the management of cancer conditions, particularly in childhood lymphoblastic leukemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of insulin in rat and human plasma.

A rapid and simple isocratic chromatographic procedure for the determination of insulin in human and rat plasma using reversed-phase (RP) high-performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet/visible detector is described. The method includes extraction of insulin from human and rat plasma into dichloromethane, followed by back-extraction into 0.05 N hydrochloric acid. The organic phase was evaporated under a stream of nitrogen. The aqueous phase was filtered and a 100 microliters aliquot was analyzed on a RP-C18 column eluted with a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of 74 vol of 0.2 M sodium sulfate anhydrous adjusted to pH 2.3 with phosphoric acid and 26 vol of acetonitrile. The flow rate was 1.2 ml/min and the wavelength was set at 214 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 75-800 microIU/ml. The precision of the assay expressed as coefficients of variation was less than 6% over the entire concentration range. The recovery for insulin ranged from 79 to 81% from human and rat plasma, with coefficients of variation less than 6%. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were less than 5.7%. The limit of detection was 50 microIU/ml.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effects of Celastrus paniculatus on passive avoidance performance and biogenic amine turnover in albino rats.

The effects of an indigenous drug, Celastrus oil, extracted from the seeds of Celastrus paniculatus on learning and memory in a two compartment passive avoidance task was studied in albino rats. The effects on the contents of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in the brain and on the levels of their metabolites both in the brain and urine were also assessed. Significant improvement was observed in the retention ability of the drug treated rats compared with the saline administered controls. The contents of NE, DA and 5-HT and their metabolites in the brain were significantly decreased in the drug treated group. The urinary metabolite levels were also significantly decreased except for total 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol. These data indicate that Celastrus oil causes an overall decrease in the turnover of all the three central monoamines and implicate the involvement of these aminergic systems in the learning and memory process.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of p-chlorophenylalanine-induced depletion of brain serotonin on retrieval of appetitive and aversive memories.

This study examined whether depletion of central serotonin produces an improved retrieval of aversive memories in the same way as pre-exposure to inescapable footshocks, in rats. Animals conditioned in a T-maze with appetitive (10% sucrose) and aversive (2.0 mA footshock) events were given i.c.v. 24 hr later a single dose of p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA). (100, 200, 400 micrograms/rat) or drug vehicle. The retention performance and activity were assessed 48 hr after treatment with this depletor. While lower doses of p-CPA selectively reduced serotonin levels in striatum and anterior cortex, higher doses reduced both serotonin and norepinephrine levels in hippocampus in a dose-dependent fashion. The depletor however, failed to produce a differential improvement of aversive memory retrieval. On the contrary, p-CPA reduced the latency to enter both, previously shocked and appetitively reinforced, goalboxes. The enhanced traversing behaviour in T-maze, together with an increased central entry in the open field that observed in depleted groups, might suggest an anxiolytic activity of p-CPA.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Free radicals in myocardial injury: experimental and clinical studies.

The exposure of cardiac cells to OFR generated artificially, showed a marked decrease (p less than 0.01) in cellular utilization of glucose along with a significant decrease in calcium uptake (p less than 0.05). We have also provided evidence for a direct relationship of neutrophil OFR production with the extent of myocardial ischemia in patients of myocardial infarction. Our data provides evidence for implication of OFR in myocardial injury and the pivotal role played by modulators like calcium, ECGF and prostaglandins in potentiating damage to the myocardium.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1992

Effects of piracetam on retention and biogenic amine turnover in albino rats.

The chronic effects of orally administered 2-pyrrolidone acetamide (piracetam) on one-trial, passive avoidance task were studied in albino rats. The effects on the contents of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT) in the brain and on the levels of their metabolites both in the brain and urine were also assessed. Significant improvement was observed in the retention ability compared with saline-administered controls. The contents of NE, DA, and 5-HT and their metabolites in the brain were significantly decreased after piracetam administration. The urinary metabolite levels were also significantly decreased except total 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG). These data indicate that piracetam causes an overall decrease in the turnover of central monoamines. Thus, the results of this study implicate the involvement of NE, DA, and 5-HT systems in learning and memory processes. Piracetam did not exert any GABAergic effect as shown by the absence of change in the brain GABA levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Aetiologic factors in male infertility: clinical, microbiological and hormonal evaluation.

Seventy two infertile men were studied. History of small pox and mumps infection was noted in 4 and 3 patients respectively. Seven patients had varicocele (9.2%), and small atrophic testes were found in 9 (12.5%). Azoospermia was reported in 41 (58.3%) and oligospermia in 17 (23.6%), and 14 patients (19.4%) had normal sperm counts. Mycoplasma were grown from urethral swabs in 25 (35%) patients. Mean LH and FSH were elevated in azoospermics (p less than 0.001), E2-17B in oligospermics (p less than 0.001) and FSH in normospermic (p less than 0.01) patients. Hypergonadotropism suggestive of primary testicular failure was recorded in 43 (59.7%) patients. Hypogonadotropism was noted in 3 (4%) and hyperprolactinemia due to pituitary microadenoma induced infertility in only one patient. No aetiology could be determined in 11 (16%) patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Nifedipine affects neutrophil functions by a non-calcium-mediated mechanism.

Cardiac disorders are known to be associated with neutrophil infiltration. The central role of calcium in modulating neutrophil functions prompted us to examine whether Ca2+ channel blockers could affect vital neutrophil functions in mice. In vitro exposure of mice neutrophil to nifedipine resulted in inhibition of superoxide production in a dose-dependent manner. However, the inhibition of calcium uptake elicited by nifedipine did not appear to account for the observed effect since the extracellular Ca2+ enrichment and depletion did not produce a significant reversal of inhibition. In addition, there was significant inhibition (P less than 0.01) of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced (NADPH) oxidase activity. Cytosolic-free Ca2+, as measured by Quin-2AM fluorescence, showed no significant change indicating that the effect was independent of inhibition of Ca2+ influx. The hypothesis was substantiated by loss of neutrophilic functions following long-term administration of nifedipine. Our data indicate that nifedipine impairs neutrophil functions and support the hypothesis that Ca2+ antagonists also affect cellular functions by non Ca2+ mediated processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Clinical profile and treatment outcome of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Data on 143 consecutive cases with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) seen during the past 6 years were analysed. The group included 60 males and 83 females, aged 8-70 years (21.5 +/- 4.2). Ninety five (66.5%) were known diabetics, while 48 had DKA as the first clinical presentation. The major recognised precipitating factors were infection in 42 patients (30%) and omission of insulin in 29 patients (20%). The approximate duration of DKA prior to hospital admission ranged from 4 to 96 hours. The range of biochemical alterations on admission were: blood glucose 9.7-51.1 mmol/l, (19 +/- 4.6), potassium 3.0 to 6.9 mmol/l (5.8 +/- 1.2), sodium 132 to 148 mmol/l (138 +/- 7.5), urea 4.67 to 26.17 mmol/l (11.3 +/- 2.9) and arterial pH 6.9 to 7.34. Therapy in all patients consisted of correction of fluid and electrolyte imbalance, insulin and suitable antibiotics. Forty three patients received low dose hourly insulin while others received it in the conventional schedule. Thirty four patients (23.7%) died. The parameters which could be related to mortality included (1) duration of DKA prior to admission, (2) severity of acidosis, and (3) severity of peripheral vascular insufficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Nifedipine administration impairs natural resistance of mice to Salmonella typhimurium.

Administration of Ca2+ channel blockers in cardiac disorders and the central role of Ca2+ in modulating neutrophil functions, prompted us to investigate whether administration of nifedipine to mice would alter their natural resistance to infectious agents like Salmonella typhimurium. Neutrophil chemiluminescence (CL) in response to S. typhimurium was significantly (p less than 0.01) decreased in mice fed with nifedipine (0.015 mg/kg body weight) over a period of six months. Intracellular killing of S. typhimurium by isolated neutrophils also decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) and exponentially with nifedipine administration, representing a 42% fall at six months. In addition the drug administration lowered the survival rate of animals following challenge by a lethal dose of S. typhimurium (LD50 = 1 x 10(4) bacteria/animal). Our data suggest that long term administration of nifedipine lowers the natural resistance of mice to S. typhimurium owing to impaired neutrophil functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Nifedipine impairs neutrophil respiratory burst by a mechanism other than calcium channel blockade.

Superoxide production by mice neutrophils was inhibited by nifedipine exposure in a dose dependent manner. The inhibition of Ca2+ uptake elicited by nifedipine did not appear to account for the observed effect as the extracellular Ca2+ enrichment and depletion did not produce a significant reversal of the inhibition. Cytosolic free Ca2+ as measured by Quin 2AM fluorescence did not show any significant change, indicating that the effect was independent of the inhibition of Ca2+ influx. In addition nifedipine caused a significant inhibition (p less than 0.01) in NADPH oxidase activity. Our data indicates that nifedipine inhibits superoxide production independent of inhibiting Ca2+ inflow and supports the hypothesis that Ca2+ antagonists affect cellular functions by non Ca2+ mediated process as well.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Lithium carbonate therapy for induction of euthyroid state in thyrotoxicosis. A preliminary study.

Lithium carbonate was tried in 27 patients with Graves' disease to induce euthyroid state. Each patient received 1200 mg of lithium carbonate in three divided doses. The study protocol included monthly monitoring of serum lithium, total serum T3, T4 and T3/T4 ratio, and a repeat radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) at the end of three months. Twenty three patients completed the study. Of these, only 9 (39.1%) achieved euthyroid state, with a significant reduction in serum T3 and T4 but not in T3/T4 ratio and RAIU, suggesting a major effect of lithium on thyroid hormone release. No significant correlation was observed between serum lithium and circulating T3 and T4.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Urinary levels of taurine in mentally retarded children.

Urinary taurine levels were estimated in 29 mentally retarded children. These levels were then compared with those of normal healthy children. The urinary taurine levels were significantly higher in the mentally retarded subjects. There is probably an intriguing relationship between taurine levels and mental retardation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Urinary levels of biogenic amine metabolites in mentally retarded children.

Urinary total catecholamines, their metabolites and metabolite of serotonin were estimated in 32 mentally retarded children and 15 controls. Levels of total catecholamines. MHPG and 5-HIAA were not significantly different from controls. However, the mean VMA and HVA excretion in mentally retarded children was significantly increased compared to the control group. It is concluded that an altered metabolism of dopamine is involved in mental retardation.

Adolescent↗