Biomedical subjects
Pratibha Gupta
Publications and source records attributed to Pratibha Gupta.
Early onset of virus infection and up-regulation of cytokines in mice treated with cadmium and manganese.
A substantial database indicates that a large number of environmental pollutants, chemicals and therapeutic agents to which organisms are exposed cause immunotoxicity. The suppression of immune functions may cause increased susceptibility of the host to a variety of microbial pathogens potentially resulting in a life-threatening state. Evaluation of the immunotoxic potential of chemical xenobiotics is of great concern and, therefore, we have investigated the impact of exposure of inorganic metals, specifically cadmium (Cd) and manganese (Mn) on Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), Semliki Forest virus (SFV), and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEEV) infection. Pretreatment with a single, oral dose of Cd or Mn increased the susceptibility of mice to a sub-lethal infection of these viruses as observed by increased severity of symptoms and mortality compared to untreated controls. An early onset of virus infection was found in brains of Cd and Mn treated animals. Histopathological observations of the brain indicate evidence of inflammation and greater tissue pathology in Cd-or Mn-exposed mice compared to control animals. Meningitis and vascular congestion was seen in virus infected mice in all the metal treated groups, and further, the perivascular inflammation appeared earlier in treated mice compared to control. Encephalitis was maximum in Cd pretreated mice. Widespread environmental contamination of metals and the potential for their exposure and subsequent infection of humans or animals is indicative that further studies of these and all other metals are important to understand the effect of environmental pollution on human health.
Lung function tests in electroplaters of East Delhi.
The presence of high concentration of metals (Cr, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, etc.) in the work place environments of various types of industries including electroplating units are well known to influence respiratory system. Pulmonary function tests including forced expiratory capacity (FVC), volumes, mechanics and slow vital capacity (SVC) were studied in 80 males, divided into group I and Group II of 40 each were drawn from electroplating and non-electroplating units, respectively from East Delhi factories. The lung function tests were measured using computerized Spiro-232 of P.K. Morgan, Values of majority of lung function parameters such as FEV1/FVC%, FEF50 FEF75, PIFR, FIF50, MVV and SVC were decreased in electroplaters, perhaps due to the exposure to metals and their lower anthropmetric results as compared with non electoplaters. Where as results of TLC, FRC, RV & RV/ TLC% were higher in electroplaters and this may be attributed to higher values of RV in them as compared with non electroplaters.
Exacerbation of soft tissue lesions in lead exposed virus infected mice.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Lead (Pb) acetate exposure on Semliki forest virus (SFV) pathogenesis in mice. METHODS: Different doses (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/Kg body weight) of Pb dissolved in normal saline were given to mice by oral intubation in a sub-acute (28 days) and sub-chronic (90 days) regimen followed by SFV infection. Morbidity, mortality, clinical symptoms, mean survival time (MST), changes in body and organ weight, accumulation of lead in soft tissues, virus titre in brain and histopathological alterations were compared between lead exposed and infected groups. RESULTS: Early appearance of virus symptoms, increased mortality, decreased MST, enhanced SFV titre and greater tissue damage were observed in lead exposed-SFV-infected mice. CONCLUSION: Pre-exposure to lead increases the susceptibility of mice towards SFV infection. Further studies are suggested in view of the persistence of lead in the environment and the possibility of infection by microbial pathogens.
Lead exposure enhances virus multiplication and pathogenesis in mice.
Suppression of the immune system by environmental xenobiotics may cause increased susceptibility of the host towards a variety of microbial pathogens an result in a life-threatening state. We investigated whether lead exposure would enhance susceptibility to Semliki Forest Virus (SFV). Mice orally exposed to lead acetate (62.5, 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg bw) exhibited increased mortality and decreased mean survival time compared to untreated animals on challenge with SFV. The mortality was associated with enhancement of high virus titer and earlier appearance of virus in lead-exposed mice. Histopathological studies observed enhancement of viral pathogenesis in a dose dependent pattern in the lead-dosed group challenged with SFV. The results indicate that exposure to lead enhanced susceptibility to viral infection. Environmental metal contamination and subsequent infection by pathogenic microbes points necessitate studies on the interaction of environmental pollutants on the immune system.