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Biomedical subjects

S N Dube

Publications and source records attributed to S N Dube.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The 3,3'-bis-pyridinium mono-oximes as antidotes against organophosphorous intoxication.

In an attempt to develop effective antidotes against organophosphorous intoxication, three new structurally related bispyridinium mono-oximes with a 2-oxopropane bridge were synthesized. The compounds were evaluated for in-vivo therapeutic protection and cholinesterase reactivation in blood and various brain regions. In neuromuscular function studies against diisopropyl-fluorophosphate and isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate poisoning, the oximes produced significant protection. The compounds produced marked peripheral reactivation and beneficial effects on neuromuscular transmission. The reactivation of cholinesterase in cerebral cortex by the oximes, in spite of their being quaternary salts is a notable feature.

Animals↗

Influence of age on caloric expenditure during exercise.

Young (147 +/- 2 g) and adult (322 +/- 7 g) male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to an incremental treadmill protocol and assessed via the Oxyscan Metabolic System in order to determine if differences exist relative to oxygen consumption (VO2, expressed in ml/kg/min), respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and caloric expenditure of two different age groups. The young rats attained a higher VO2 (81.55 +/- 1.22) compared to adult rats (68.97 +/- 2.05) at a maximal level of exercise. The adult rats became dependent upon carbohydrates as the primary source of energy until reaching 52% VO2 max, whereas the young rats did not resort to carbohydrate utilization as a primary fuel source until reaching 87% VO2max. At peak exercise, the adult animals burned only 15% less kcal/kg/h than the young rats, but the adult rats burned 37% more carbohydrate than the young animals. These data suggest that as exercise intensity increases, younger rats can more readily maintain a higher level of oxygen consumption accompanied by a more efficient use of fat as an energy source compared to adult rats. The clinical implication of this finding suggests that during the growth and development years of life, fat plays a significant role in energy expenditure needs and may therefore be more important than currently believed in young children's nutritional intake.

Aging↗

Effect of cholinesterase inhibitor and exercise on choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activities in rat brain regions.

This study sought to determine whether the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymes in the brain were affected in a regionally selective manner by chemical and physical stressors: 1) subacute administration of physostigmine (Phy); 2) exercise; and 3) the combination of these two stressors. ChAT and AChE activities in corpus striatum were significantly decreased due to Phy as well as Phy + exercise. This suggests that corpus striatum is affected by chemical stressors but more so by the combination of chemical and physical stressors. The brainstem is the only region which showed inhibition of ChAT activity due to exercise. Subacute Phy also inhibited brainstem ChAT activity. The hippocampus showed significant decrease in ChAT activity due to Phy + exercise but not due to Phy alone. These results suggest that the brain regions involved with control of motor, autonomic and cognitive functions were affected by subacute Phy and exercise. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the responsiveness of these brain regions to different stressors is a function of the level of ongoing cholinergic activity and that elevations in ACh levels due to AChE inhibition may have long-term effects on the regulation of ChAT and AChE activities through a negative feedback mechanism.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

In vivo dose response relationship between physostigmine and cholinesterase activity in RBC and tissues of rats.

Dose response of physostigmine (Phy) was studied in rat using various doses (25-500 micrograms/kg i.m.). Rats were sacrificed 15 min after Phy administration. Blood and tissues were analyzed for ChE activity by radiometric method and Phy concentration by HPLC method. A comparison of ChE values in different tissues of rats indicated that ChE activity was highest in brain (7.11 mumol/min/g) and least in diaphragm (0.67 mumol/min/g). The enzyme activity was eleven times more in brain as compared to diaphragm. Phy produced a dose-dependent inhibition of ChE in RBC (18-42%), brain (23-35%) and diaphragm (25-35%) from 50 to 200 micrograms/kg, then ChE inhibition was plateaued from 200 to 500 micrograms/kg in these tissues. A dose related ChE inhibition was seen in heart (16-50%) and thigh muscle (8-53%) from 50 to 500 micrograms/kg. Phy concentration increased linearly from 50 to 400 micrograms/kg in plasma, brain, heart and thigh muscle. These results indicate that ChE inhibition is linear up to 200 micrograms/kg in RBC, 150 micrograms/kg in brain and 300 micrograms/kg in heart. This linearity is not consistent in other tissues.

Animals↗

Physostigmine--an overview as pretreatment drug for organophosphate intoxication.

Physostigmine (Phy) is one of the oldest drug isolated from Calabar beans and successfully used for the treatment of glaucoma in 1864. Since then, it has been widely employed for various therapeutic purposes. Recently, it has gained prominence because of its clinical trials in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Phy is also considered to be a potent prophylactic antidote for organophosphate poisoning. It is a reversible cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor and has a short duration of action. It crosses the blood-brain barrier readily. Hence, it is a centrally acting carbamate. For the last 50 years, numerous authors have shown that pretreatment with Phy would rapidly improve the incapacitating effects of organophosphate intoxication in various animal species. Phy carbamylates to a portion of ChE enzyme and thus protects the enzyme from binding with organophosphate, which are irreversible ChE inhibitors. Organophosphates are metabolized very quickly in the body or bind to non-specific binding sites. The carbamylated ChE enzyme decarbamylates to free the enzyme for normal functioning. The rates of decarbamylation of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in plasma and ChE in brain and muscle are different and are related to the half-life of Phy in these tissues. In addition to ChE inhibition, Phy has got a direct action on acetylcholine (ACh) receptor ionophore complex by interacting with the ACh-gated cation channels. Physostigmine has a half-life of 16, 23 and 30 min in rat, dog and man, respectively. The bioavailability of Phy is very low (about 2%) and it is extensively metabolized in the liver. Less than 4% of Phy is excreted unchanged in the urine and a portion is also eliminated in the bile. Physostigmine has a narrow margin of safety, and a slight increase in dose causes cholinergic symptoms, which can be counteracted by cholinolytic therapy. This review article deals with various aspects of physostigmine such as historical, therapeutic uses, mechanisms of action, methods for the determination, disposition and pharmacokinetics, toxicity and finally as an antidote against organophosphate intoxication.

Animals↗

Studies on the efficacy of diethyxime as an antidote against organophosphorus intoxication in rats.

Diethyxime, a non-quaternary cholinesterase reactivator was evaluated for its antidotal efficacy against organophosphorus intoxication in rats using the protection index, cholinesterase reactivation and neuromuscular function as the experimental protocol. Diethyxime along with atropine produced a marked antidotal effect against dimethyl dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP) poisoning on all the parameters studied. The action of diethyxime was mainly peripheral. The protective efficacy against diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) poisoning was not observed with this reactivator.

Animals↗

Effect of topically applied sulphur mustard on antioxidant enzymes in blood cells and body tissues of rats.

The effect of sulphur mustard (0.5 LD50, percutaneous) on antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)) in blood cells (erythrocytes (RBC), leucocytes (WBC) and platelets) and body tissues (liver, kidney, spleen and brain) of rats has been investigated 24 h post exposure. The SOD activity was significantly decreased in WBC, platelets, spleen and brain as compared to control. The CAT activity was significantly inhibited in RBC, WBC and spleen as compared to control. The GSH-Px activity was signficantly depressed in WBC, spleen and liver as compared to control. It is concluded that sulphur mustard at a sublethal dose inhibited antioxidant enzyme activities in WBC and spleen. Thus, antioxidant enzymes in lymphatic tissues may be used as suitable models for assessing mustard toxicity. The study suggests the formation of reactive oxygen species in sulphur mustard intoxication.

Administration, Topical↗

Diisopropylphosphorofluoridate-induced depression of compound action potential of frog sciatic nerve in vitro is mediated through the inhibition of cholinesterase activity.

Effect of diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP), an irreversible cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor, on compound action potential (CAP) of sciatic nerve in vitro was examined. Further, the role of cholinesterase reactivator (1 acetyl-4-hydroxy imino methyl pyridinium bromide; SPK-3) in reversing DFP-induced changes was also evaluated. Diisopropylphosphorofluoridate produced a dose-dependent depression of the CAP. A concentration as low as 0.01 microM DFP produced a 5% depression (P < 0.05) and the maximal depression (30% of control) was observed with 1 microM. The SPK-3 (up to 10 microM) had no effect on the CAP; SPK-3 (10 microM) antagonized the DFP-induced depression of the CAP partially but not after 1 microM DFP. However, the inhibitory concentration of DFP to produce 50% of the maximal depression (IC50) was 0.38 +/- 0.025 microM in the presence of SPK-3 (10 microM; n = 4), against 0.15 +/- 0.05 microM for DFP alone (n = 7). These IC50 values were significantly different (P < 0.05, Student's t-test). The DFP decreased nerve ChE activity by 41% in the absence of SPK-3 and by 31% in the presence of SPK-3. Although SPK-3 could not completely reactivate the inhibited enzyme, it seems reasonable to conclude that the DFP-induced depression of the action potential of sciatic nerve was mediated by inhibiting the ChE activity.

Action Potentials↗

Toxicity evaluation of two treatment regimens for cyanide poisoning.

Toxicological evaluation of two recently reported treatment protocols for cyanide--SN (sodium nitrite) + DMAP (4-dimethylaminophenol) and SN + HA (hydroxylamine)--was carried out in male rats. Both treatments produced transient hyperammonaemia and decreased mean arterial pressure. Heart rate decreased and respiratory rate increased, but these changes reached the level of significance only after SN + HA. Histopathological lesions in lung, liver (SN+HA) and kidney (SN+DMAP) were predominantly in the vicinity of blood vessels. The results indicate toxic effects in both treatment groups at a dose known to induce methaemoglobin concentration to the level of antidotal efficiency in cyanide intoxication.

Aminophenols↗

Haematological, hepatic and renal alterations after repeated oral or intraperitoneal administration of monoisoamyl DMSA. I. Changes in male rats.

Monoisoamyl 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA), a vicinal thiol chelator, is gaining recognition recently as a better chelator than meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) in decreasing heavy metal burden in tissues because of its lipophilic character. There is, however, little information available on the toxicological properties of this chelator after repeated administration in animals. In the present study, we investigated the dose-dependent effect of MiADMSA on various biochemical parameters suggestive of alterations in haem biosynthesis and hepatic, renal and brain oxidative stress after 21 days of repeated intraperitoneal (i.p.) or oral (p.o.) administration to rats. The concentration of essential metals in blood and soft tissues was determined along with histopathological observations of hepatic and renal tissues. The results suggest that MiADMSA administration had no effect on blood delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity. However, an increase in zinc protoporphyrin and a decrease in haemoglobin levels were noted in animals given MiADMSA i.p. A moderate increase in serum alkaline phosphatase suggested mild hepatotoxicity at the highest dose (100 mg kg(-1), i.p.). This was confirmed by histopathological examinations, which identified basophilic stippling, granulation of the cytoplasm, haemorrhage and congestion. At the highest dose, levels of hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and oxidized glutathione were increased above those of control values. Levels of hepatic reduced glutathione were decreased. Taken together, these observations point to oxidative stress. In animals administered MiADMSA i.p. there was an increase in the brain malondialdehyde levels at the two higher doses (50 and 100 mg kg(-1)). Essential metal status revealed a significant effect of MiADMSA (p.o.) in increasing blood zinc while significantly decreasing the kidney zinc level. The most significant adverse effect of MiADMSA was on copper concentration, which showed significant depletion from almost all major organs. Magnesium levels in blood decreased but increased in liver of MiADMSA-administered rats. Histopathological observations of liver and kidneys suggest few moderate lesions. It can be concluded that repeated administration of MiADMSA is compromised with some mild toxic effect, particularly the loss of copper. The effects during oral administration are comparatively less pronounced than by the i.p. route.

Administration, Oral↗