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Biomedical subjects

U Mehta

Publications and source records attributed to U Mehta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Studies of apoptosis and bcl-2 in experimental atherosclerosis in rabbit and influence of selenium supplementation.

Apoptosis is a ubiquitous physiological mechanism of cell death regulating tissue mass and architecture. An attempt was made in the present study to see the occurrence of apoptotic cell death in three different treatment groups of rabbits viz. Control, HFD fed and HFD + Selenium fed. Apoptotic activity as checked by in situ DNA end labelling (TUNEL Assay) revealed excessive staining, mostly concentrated in plaque region both in fibrous as well as atheromatous plaque in HFD fed animals. However, in selenium (Se) supplemented animals, very little TUNEL staining could be seen, and even that confined to endothelial cells only. The control group on the other hand was totally devoid of any staining. Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM) study also depicted the occurrence of apoptosis in aortic cells of HFD fed animals and very little in Se supplemented animals. Apoptotic activity has been discussed in relation to oxidative stress in HFD fed group. bcl-2, though an antiapoptotic oncoprotein, was found to be expressed more in atherogenic group as compared to control/HFD + Se treatment. On the whole, the study highlighted the occurrence of apoptotic process in atherosclerosis and the role of Se, a potent antioxidant, in inhibition of apoptotic process in HFD fed animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A review of factors affecting fat absorption in hot chips.

Consumption of hot chips is a convenience food in most countries. Unfortunately, these are high in fat and contribute to fat-related diseases in societies with a high fat consumption. There is substantial scope through best-practice deep-frying techniques for producing lower fat, high-quality chips. From a review of the literature, the main factors associated with a lower-fat content of chips are thick (>12 mm), straight cut chips; cryogenic freezing methods; low moisture content of potatoes (specific gravity >1.1); frying fat: chip volume ratio of 6:1; frying at optimal temperature (180 to 185 degrees C) during cooking and turning the temperature down (approximately 140 degrees C) and covering the vats during slack periods; vigorously shaking the basket and hanging it over the deep fryer to drain after frying; maintaining the quality of the frying fat by regularly skimming the cracklings, filtering the fat, and topping up the fryer with fresh fat; keeping the fat turnover <5 days; regular cleaning of frying equipment. It is important that all deep frying operators are adequately trained in these techniques. It is also important that the frying medium is low in saturated and trans fatty acids (<20%) because of their effects on blood lipids and low in linolenic acid (<3%) because it is readily degraded. The widespread implementation of best-practice deep-frying would reduce fat content of hot chips and thus lower overall fat consumption.

Absorption↗
PubMed2001

Selenium supplementation protects from high fat diet-induced atherogenesis in rats: role of mitogen stimulated lymphocytes and macrophage NO production.

The present study was designed to demonstrate the involvement of immune response in experimental atherogenesis. The mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes and NO production by macrophages in experimental atherogenesis were studied. Further, influence of selenium a potent antioxidant was also studied in the disease process. Three different treatment groups of rats undertaken for study were: group 1, control; group II, high fat diet (HFD) fed group and group III, HFD+Se supplemented group. Atherogenic conditions induced have already been explained earlier [Kang BPS et al. Gen Physiol Biophys, 17 (1998) 71]. Significant increase in 3H-thymidine incorporation was obtained in lymphocytes from HFD fed animals in both presence and absence of mitogen (Con-A). However, these values decreased in group III animals, which were supplemented with selenium. Similarly, NO levels with LPS+ and LPS- macrophages also found to be higher in HFD fed group and decreased in group III. These studies reveal the protective role of selenium in HFD-induced atherogenic process.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Hyperlipidemia and type I 5'-monodeiodinase activity: regulation by selenium supplementation in rabbits.

Male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three groups: (I) control, (II) high-fat-diet (HFD) fed, and (III) HFD fed + selenium supplemented. After 3 mo of treatment, there was a significant increase in serum cholesterol and triglycerides in the HFD-fed group as compared to the control. However in the selenium (Se)-supplemented group, the levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly less as compared to group II. HFD feeding resulted in decreased serum Se levels, but supplementation of dietary Se along with HFD, as in group III, showed an apparent increase in its levels. The Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the liver and the aorta increased significantly in HFD-fed animals and also showed an additional significant increase on Se supplementation. Both serum T3 and T4 levels showed a significant decrease on HFD feeding. However, supplementation of Se led to a significant increase in the levels of these parameters viz-à-viz HFD-fed animals. HFD feeding significantly decreased the activity of type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase (5'-DI) in the liver from group II rats. On supplementation of Se along with HFD, the activity increased in the liver. However, there was no significant change in its activity in the aorta. The 5'-DI activity in the thyroid showed an opposite trend in comparison with peripheral tissues (i.e., liver). The important finding of this study is that in the hyperlipidemic state, deiodinase in the thyroid behaves in a different manner as compared to its activity in extrathyroidal tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Developing a national system for dealing with adverse events following immunization.

Although vaccines are among the safest of pharmaceuticals, the occasional severe adverse event or cluster of adverse events associated with their use may rapidly become a serious threat to public health. It is essential that national monitoring and reporting systems for vaccine safety are efficient and adequately coordinated with those that conventionally deal with non-vaccine pharmaceuticals. Equally important is the need for an enlightened and informed national system to be in place to deal with public concerns and rapid evaluation of the risk to public safety when adverse events occur. Described in this article is the outcome of efforts by the WHO Global Training Network to describe a simple national system for dealing with vaccine safety and with emergencies as they arise. The goals of a training programme designed to help develop such a system are also outlined.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗
PubMed2000

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiac support in pediatric patients.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used for pediatric cardiac support in settings of expected mortality due to severe myocardial dysfunction. We reviewed the records of 34 children (<18 years) placed on ECMO between March 1995 and May 1999. Demographic, cardiac, noncardiac, and outcome variables were recorded. Data were subjected to univariate analysis to define predictors of outcome. Eighteen patients were placed on ECMO after cardiac surgery (Group A); seven of 18 were weaned off ECMO, and four survived to discharge (22%). Thirteen patients were placed on ECMO as a bridge to cardiac transplantation (Group B), six of 13 received a heart transplant, one recovered spontaneously, and six survived to discharge (46%). Three patients were placed on ECMO for failed cardiac transplantation while awaiting a second transplant (Group C); one recovered graft function, two received a second heart transplant, and two of three survived (66%). The primary cause of death was multiorgan system failure (68%). Group A patients supported on ECMO for more than 6 days did not survive. Mediastinal bleeding complications and renal failure requiring dialysis were associated with nonsurvival. We conclude that ECMO as a bridge to cardiac transplant was more successful than ECMO support after cardiotomy. Mediastinal bleeding and renal failure were associated with poor outcome. Recovery of cardiac function occurred within the first week of ECMO support if at all. Longer support did not result in survival without transplantation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Supplementary effect of spirulina on hematological status of rats during pregnancy and lactation.

The effect of Spirulina on iron status was assessed based on hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and ferritin levels of rats during pregnancy and lactation. Rats were fed 5 different kinds of diets (casein, Spirulina, wheat gluten, Spirulina + wheat gluten, Spirulina without additional vitamins and minerals) each providing 22 percent protein. Diets containing Spirulina alone or in combination with wheat gluten resulted in significantly higher iron storage and hemoglobin contents than casein and wheat gluten diets during the first half of pregnancy and lactation. Wheat gluten diet result in the smallest increase in hemoglobin levels and iron stores compared to other diets. The values of serum iron and iron binding capacity remained unchanged with different diets. Spirulina appears to be effective in improving the iron status of rats during pregnancy and lactation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Selenium supplementation and diet induced hypercholesterolemia in the rat: changes in lipid levels, malonyldialdehyde production and the nitric oxide synthase activity.

Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups, viz (I) Controls, (II) High fat diet (HFD) fed, (III) HFD fed+selenium supplemented. After three months of treatment, there were significant increases in serum cholesterol and triglycerides in HFD fed group as compared to control. However, in Se supplemented group, the levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly less as compared to group II. Selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the liver and the aorta increased significantly in HFD fed animals and also showed additional significant increase on selenium supplementation. Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in serum, liver and aorta and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS; evident from reactive nitrogen intermediates and citrulline levels) in plasma showed significant increases in HFD fed group. However, supplementation of selenium led to a significant reduction in the levels of these parameters vis-a-vis HFD fed animals except in MDA levels in the serum and the liver where this decrease was non-significant. The important finding of this study is that selenium supplementation modulates the sequences favoring pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effect of infestation (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) of chick peas (bengal gram) on biological utilization of proteins.

Bengal gram (Cicer aritinum) was infested with Callosobruchis Chinensis (L) at 20%, 40% and 60% level of infestation and fed to rats for 40 days. Effect of incorporation of uninfested and infested bengal gram on feed intake, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (PER), true protein digestibility (TPD), biological value (BV), net protein utilization(NPU) and changes in internal organs were studied. Inclusion of infested grains had significant effect on the utilization of proteins. Diets having 60% infested grains had lower PER, TPD, BV and NPU. With increase in level of infestation weight of liver, kidney and spleen decreased significantly.

Animals↗