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Biomedical subjects

M K Basu

Publications and source records attributed to M K Basu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Oxygen-dependent leishmanicidal activity of stimulated macrophages.

Peritoneal macrophages pretreated with different stimulants were analysed and compared with their respective controls for their ability to kill intracellular pathogenic L. donovani, (MHOM/IN/1983/AG83) an isolate from Indian subcontinent. Stimulation of macrophages by zymosan showed a higher microbicidal activity as compared to that by PMA. A correlation between microbicidal activity of the macrophages and the parameters related to respiratory burst activity such as liberation of O2-, production of H2O2 and consumption of O2 was sought. All the parameters showed a decrease in case of infected macrophages in comparison to those of the non-infected ones. Thus, it is possible that the impairment of macrophage activation by intracellular Leishmania contributes to their survival in the toxic environment of the host.

Animals↗

Drug delivery system: targeting of pentamidines to specific sites using sugar grafted liposomes.

Different sugar-grafted liposomes were prepared and tested against experimental leishmaniasis in vivo using the classical drug pentamidine isethionate and its methoxy derivative. Both the drugs, when encapsulated in sugar-grafted liposomes were found to be more potent in comparison to normal liposome-encapsulated drug or to the free drug. Moreover, the mannose-grafted liposomes were adjudged to be the best in lowering of spleen parasite load in comparison with those bearing glucose or galactose. When encapsulated in mannose-grafted liposomes the therapeutic efficacy of pentamidine isethionate was found to be better than that of its methoxy derivative, although the latter seemed to be less toxic than the pentamidine isethionate itself.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Kinetics of entry of virulent and avirulent strains of Leishmania donovani into macrophages: a possible role of virulence molecules (gp63 and LPG).

Specific receptors may be involved in the process of attachment of Leishmania donovani promastigotes to macrophage surfaces and their subsequent internalization. Two virulent strains of Indian L. donovani (AG83 and GE-I) were found to enter into macrophages much faster than the avirulent ones (UR6). These virulent promastigotes express surface glycoprotein (gp63) and lipophosphoglycan (LPG) to a greater extent than avirulent strains. We examined their interaction with macrophages as a function of time by preblocking the macrophage receptors with the exogenous addition of gp33 or LPG. In experiments where gp63 was used as the blocking agent, the entry of one virulent strain (GE-I) was affected. In other experiments where LPG was used, the entry of another virulent strain (AG83) was affected. Entry of the avirulent strain (UR6) was unaffected by either of these treatments. Exposed LPG or gp63 on the surface of promastigotes thus appear to expedite their recognition and entry into the host cell. To assess the role of gp63 further in the entry of Leishmania into the macrophages, an avirulent UR6 strain was transfected with the gp63 gene cloned from L. amazonensis. The transfected UR6 as expected expressed more GP63 at a faster rate and entered into the macrophages like the virulent strain when compared to the nontransfected UR6 or UR6 transfected with vector alone. Thus, the expression of the gp63 gene is involved in the recognition and intracellular entry of visceral Leishmania into the macrophages in addition to the cutaneous species demonstrated previously.

Animals↗

Glycoside-bearing liposomal delivery systems against macrophage-associated disorders involving Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Asiaticoside, a plant glycoside with rhamnose as end sugar and having microbicidal properties was tested against Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis both in vivo and in vitro. As rhamnose is reported to have no tissue specificity, corchorusin D having glucose as end sugar was used for targeting with an equimolar proportion of asiaticoside in liposomal form for testing the drug value. Results showed that liposomal asiaticoside had better microbicidal property against M. leprae and M. tuberculosis when compared to that of free asiaticoside whereas liposomes containing asiaticoside and corchorusin D were found to be equally or more active in comparison to liposomal asiaticoside alone. It is inferred that appropriate glycosides, if used in liposomal form (incorporated or covalently grafted) have enhanced drug efficacy and such glycoside bearing liposomes as targeted delivery systems could be used for chemotherapeutic control of several other diseases.

Animals↗

Mannose-coated liposomal hamycin in the treatment of experimental leishmaniasis in hamsters.

Liposomal hamycin was found to elicit enhanced microbicidal activity and reduced toxicity in experimental leishmaniasis in a hamster model under in vivo conditions. Mannose-coated liposomal hamycin was seen to produce increased therapeutic efficacy as judged from the lowering of spleen parasite load. At an equivalent dose of 0.5 mg/kg, every 3 days for a total of three doses in 7 days, the mannose-coated liposomal hamycin was found to be most effective compared to either of the liposomal hamycin or the free hamycin. Because of the reduced toxicity as judged from the blood pathology, tissue histology, and specific enzyme level related to normal liver function, mannose-coated liposomal hamycin resulted in 80 to 100% survival for a period of 15-18 days. Hamycin intercalated in sterol-rich liposomes showed reduced hemolytic activity but comparable therapeutic efficacy as was found with ordinary liposomes.

Animals↗

Neoglycosylated liposomes as efficient ligands for the evaluation of specific sugar receptors on macrophages in health and in experimental leishmaniasis.

Receptors interacting with terminal sugars as ligands are involved in the binding of Leishmania donovani promastigotes to the macrophage surface and their subsequent internalization. Mannose and glucose are specifically involved in the binding process. Decreased binding occurs to macrophages already infected with L. donovani either in vivo or in vitro. When mannose- or glucose-bearing liposomes are used as ligands the binding shows similar trends and the percentage inhibition of binding with mannose-bearing liposomes increases when compared to that for the glucose-bearing ones. The decreased binding of the ligand seems to be due to a decrease in the number of receptors after infection. The affinity of the ligands for the binding sites either on the normal macrophages or on the infected macrophages apparently remains the same. The results based on the incorporation of [3H]phenyl alanine and supported by the binding of glycosylated liposomes to both infected and non-infected macrophages suggest that protein synthesis, in general, is suppressed in L. donovani-infected macrophages thus affecting also mannose/glucose receptor protein synthesis, resulting in fewer receptors on the macrophage surface.

Animals↗

Lipid peroxidation in hepatic microsomal membranes isolated from mice in health and in experimental leishmaniasis.

Normal hepatic microsomal membranes when exposed in vitro to different free radicals, cause membrane damage by lipid peroxidation which could be monitored by the analysis of malonaldehyde formation and measurement of membrane microviscosity. Lipid peroxidation in vivo, when examined in hepatic microsomal membranes in experimental Leishmaniasis, reveals a direct relationship between membrane microviscosity and the extent of lipid peroxidation. Scavengers of free radicals and peroxides such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) for O2.-, mannitol for (OH.) and catalase for H2O2 in modest amounts were used for preventing the membrane damage caused by lipid peroxidation.

Animals↗

Sugar-coated liposomes: a novel delivery system for increased drug efficacy and reduced drug toxicity.

The uptake of glycoside-bearing liposomes by macrophages has been studied in vitro. Since the uptake was found to be specific for the end sugar attached to the glycoside, the possibility is raised that glycoside-bearing liposomes might be used in vivo as systems to deliver drugs to macrophages. Using the antileishmanial drug urea stibamine, these delivery systems have been tested in vivo against model leishmaniasis. The results indicate that the drug encapsulated in sugar-coated liposomes is much more potent in comparison with normal liposome-encapsulated drug or to the free drug. Mannose-grafted liposomes are more efficient in transportation of drugs compared with those bearing glucose. Toxicity studies involving blood parameters, histological staining of tissues and specific enzyme activities related to liver function, show no apparent toxicity with the drugs. Hence, drug encapsulated sugar-coated liposomes may have possible applications to humans.

Animals↗

Effect of Cu(2+)-ascorbic acid on lipid peroxidation, Mg(2+)-ATPase activity and spectrin of RBC membrane and reversal by erythropoietin.

The effect of erythropoietin (Ep), a glycoprotein hormone, has been studied on lipid peroxidation induced by Cu2+ and ascorbate in vitro, Mg2+ ATPase activity and spectrin of RBC membrane. Our present investigation reveals that Cu2+ and ascorbic acid increases lipid peroxidation of RBC membrane significantly. It has further been observed that under the same experimental condition spectrin, a major cytoskeleton membrane protein, and Mg(2+)-ATPase activity of RBC membrane decrease significantly. However, exogenous administration of Ep completely restores lipid peroxidation and Mg(2+)-ATPase activity and partially recovers spectrin of RBC membrane.

Animals↗

Oral papillary plasmacytosis resembling candidosis without demonstrable fungus in lesional tissue.

Two cases with exuberant papillary and nodular hyperplasia of the hard and soft palates are described. Both were elderly edentulous men with bilateral angular stomatitis. The papillary hyperplasia extended as far as the epiglottis and was associated with swelling and fissuring of the upper lip in patient 1. In patient 2, the palatal change extended to the maxillary gingiva and was associated with smooth plaques and fissuring of the dorsal tongue. Histology of both cases showed a dense polyclonal plasma-cell infiltrate with overlying epithelial hyperplasia, parakeratinization and neutrophil micro-abscesses suggesting Candida infection but fungal elements could not be demonstrated. Patient 1 also showed defective cellular immunity to Candida antigen which was reversed by treatment with ketoconazole and levamisole, antedating clinical improvement.

Aged↗

Gingival Kaposi's Sarcoma: the first indication of HIV infection.

This article presents a case of gingival Kaposi's sarcoma that initially mimicked an acute periodontal infection, but was the first clinical sign of HIV infection in a 38-year-old male homosexual patient. The clinical features and treatment of oral Kaposi's sarcoma are discussed and the variable histopathology of the lesion is demonstrated.

Adult↗

Fluidity-dependent Mg2(+)-ATPase activity in membranes from Leishmania donovani promastigotes.

The state of the lipid phase of the membrane plays a key role in the exposure of various receptors, antigens and enzymes on the membrane surface. The fluidity of membranes of Leishmania donovani promastigotes was monitored by two independent methods, i.e. influx of sterol from liposomes and removal of phospholipids by treatment with phospholipase C. The altered sterol/phospholipid ratio, in both cases, provided evidence that the activity of the functionally important membrane-bound enzyme Mg2(+)-ATPase is modulated by the state of the lipid phase of the membrane.

Animals↗

Multiple idiopathic external resorption of teeth.

Three cases of multiple idiopathic external resorption are presented. The condition is characterised by the absence of any widespread inflammatory response both in the gingival tissues and within the dental pulp. The only curative treatment is exodontia.

Adult↗

Targeting of plant glycoside-bearing liposomes to specific cellular and subcellular sites.

The possibility of using liposomes as an effective drug delivery system has been studied by incorporation of two plant glycosides of varying terminal sugar residues onto the surface of liposomes and examination of their distribution in different tissues. The two glycosides, corchorusin D and asiaticoside having glucose and rhamnose respectively at the terminal ends wee selected for the purpose. The hepatic uptake of liposomes made from egg lecithin, cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate and either of the two glycosides was compared. The hepatic uptake of asiaticoside bearing liposomes was reduced, whereas that of corchorusin D bearing liposomes was enhanced and was specific for glucose. Liver perfusion followed by cell separation showed that the uptake is mostly into the non-parenchymal cells of liver. The distribution of corchorusin D bearing liposomes was maximal in the lysosomal fraction of the non-parenchymal cells. Ways of using corchorusin D bearing liposomes as delivery systems for drugs or enzymes to lysosomes have been sought.

Agglutination Tests↗