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Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 863-874

 

Papers

 

Effect of modified egg* on developmental defects in neonates of NIDDM induced Wistar rats

S K Taneja & R Mandal

Received 15 February 2006; revised 4 September 2006

Maternal Zn deficiency has been suggested as the contributing factor for all congenital malformations during pregnancy particularly in diabetes. Maternal Zn-supplementation, therefore, was suggested as one possible nutrition intervention during pregnancy to improve its outcome. But a number of trials with Zn-supplementation are not consistent and discourage the use of excessive Zn-supplementation during pregnancy. Instead a multivitamin/ mineral supplement to them has been suggested to reduce its complication. Accordingly, the poultry egg was modified for trace elements, vitamin-E and omega-3 fatty acids so as to use it as a dietary supplement for diabetics to reduce their complications during the pregnancy. The results showed that NIDDM induced rats fed either on 40 or 80 mg Zn/kg diet delivered less number of pups/litter and their body weight was higher at birth as compared to control group fed 20 mg Zn/kg diet. During the weaning period, some abnormalities characterized by restricted movements of the hind legs, curl toes of limbs, eye opening problems, less hair on the body and more head to body ratio were observed. Whereas number of pups delivered per litter were more with higher body weights without abnormalities in the pups in NIDDM groups fed egg mixed diet. Further Zn, Cu and Mg concentrations were significantly less in the liver, hair and abdominal muscles in pups in NIDDM groups but their concentrations were restored approaching closer to control in pups in groups fed egg mixed diet estimated on 18^th day of weaning period. The excretion of these trace elements increased in the urine of dams fed Zn supplemented diet but decreased in the dams fed egg mixed diet on 15^th day of their suckling period. The data suggest that if these modified eggs are included in the regular diet during pregnancy, they may protect the neonates in womb against the damaging effect of imbalances of physiologically important nutrients due to diabetes or environmental contamination.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 875-879

 

 

Effect of increased calcium intake on cardiac and vascular Na⁺ - K⁺ - ATPase activity in oral contraceptive-treated female Sprague-Dawley rats

L A Olatunji & A O Soladoye

Received 5 January 2006; revised 8 August 2006

The present study aimed at investigating the influence of increased dietary calcium on Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity in heart and aorta of female Sprague-Dawley rats treated with oral contraceptive (OC) steroids. Rats were grouped as control (CR), OC-treated and OC+calcium-treated. OC-treated and OC+calcium-treated received a combination of OC steriods (ethinyloestradiol and norgestrel; ig). OC+calcium-treated rats were fed with 2.5% calcium diet, while OC-treated and CR groups were fed on 0.9% calcium diet. The activity of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase in heart and aorta was significantly lower in OC-treated rats than those in the other groups. OC treatment caused significant increase in plasma glucose and significant decrease in plasma K⁺ as compared to control group. Decrease in Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity and plasma K⁺ was abrogated by increased calcium intake, while increase in plasma glucose was not normalized by calcium supplementation. Plasma levels of Na⁺, lipid peroxidation index and ascorbic acid were comparable among the three groups. These results showed that OC treatment could lead to impaired activity of cardiac and vascular Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, possibly due to reduced plasma K⁺ level and these effects could be abolished by high calcium diet.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 880-885

 

 

Effect of ovine follicular fluid peptide on ovarian responses and other organ weights in rats, Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout 1769

S Nandi, V Girish Kumar & P S P Gupta

Received: 31 March 2006; revised 1 September 2006

The present study was aimed to study the effect of an ovine follicular fluid peptide on ovarian follicle and good oocyte numbers and weights of ovary, uterus, liver, pancreas and kidney in rats, R. norvegicus. A 30.1 kDa peptide was isolated from ovine follicular fluid by ammonium sulphate precipitation and then gel filtration. The peptide was tested at various levels in normal (22 and 36 day-old), superovulated (29 day-old) immature and 121-day old mature rats on the ovarian responses and other organ weights. The isolated peptide inhibited the growth of antral follicles in normal and superovulated rats. Ovarian, uterine weight and recovery of good oocytes were reduced when the peptide was administered at 100 mg dose. The peptide had no effect on kidney, liver, pancreas weight and recovery of preantral follicles.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 886-891

 

 

PAF antagonism modifies neuroprotective action of histone deacetylase and calcineurin phosphatase inhibitors in mice

Prasanna Kumar T Subbanna & Manoj G Tyagi

Received 1 March 2006; revised 1 September 2006

To evaluate the hypothesis that platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonism may affect the functional recovery following the nerve injuries and also to evaluate the effect of PAF receptor antagonism on the neuroprotective effect of tacrolimus and sodium valproate, effect of PAF receptor antagonist, WEB2086 was evaluated in animal models of sciatic nerve crush and endothelin-1 induced focal cerebral ischemia. WEB2086, per se, while attenuating spontaneous sensory motor recovery after sciatic nerve crush, enhanced functional recovery after focal cerebral ischemia. WEB2086 also attenuated the neuroprotective effect of tacrolimus and sodium valproate subsequent to peripheral nerve injury, while it significantly improved the neuroprotective action of tacrolimus and sodium valproate following cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. These results suggest that PAF receptor antagonists alone and in combination with tacrolimus/sodium valproate could be used in the treatment of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injuries however, their use following peripheral nerve injuries could be detrimental.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 892-897

 

 

Ethanolic Zingiber officinale R. extract pretreatment alleviates isoproterenol-induced oxidative myocardial necrosis in rats

M Nazam Ansari, U Bhandari & K K Pillai

Received 28 November 2005; revised 24 August 2006

Ethanolic Z. officinale (ZO) extract (200 mg/kg) pretreatment for 20 days in isoproterenol (ISO)-treated rats significantly increased the levels of endogenous myocardial antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and tissue glutathione), decreased the levels of serum marker enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase) and increased myocardial lipid peroxides. Histological examination of rat’s heart section confirmed myocardial injury with ISO administration and near normal pattern with ethanolic ZO extract pretreatment. The results of the present study, for the first time, provide clear evidence that the ethanolic ZO extract pretreatment enhances the antioxidant defense against ISO-induced oxidative myocardial injury in rats and exhibit cardioprotective property.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 898-901

 

 

Evaluation of aqueous leaves extract of Moringa oleifera Linn for
wound healing in albino rats

B S Rathi, S L Bodhankar & A M Baheti

Received 17 February 2006; revised 28 July 2006

Aqueous extract of leaves of M. oleifera was investigated and rationalised for its wound healing activity. The aqueous extract was studied at dose level of 300 mg/kg body weight using resutured incision; excision and dead space wound models in rats. Significant increase in wound closure rate, skin-breaking strength, granuloma breaking strength, hydroxyproline content, granuloma dry weight and decrease in scar area was observed. The prohealing actions seem to be due to increased collagen deposition as well as better alignment and maturation. From the results obtained, it may be concluded that the aqueous extract of M. oleifera has significant wound healing property.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 902-904

 

 

Enhanced wound contraction and epithelization period in steroid treated rats:
Role of pyramid environment

Surekha Kamath, s Gurumadhva Rao, K dilip Murthy, K L Bairy & Surekha Bhat

Received 7 October 2005; revised 27 July 2006

Contribution and role of a pyramid/square box on the wound healing suppressant effect of dexamethasone was studied in rats of either sex using excision wound model to record the wound contraction rate and epithelization period. The results showed enhanced wound contraction rate and decreased epithelization period in the pyramid-exposed rats as compared to controls. Thus, it appears that pyramid environment facilitates the process of wound healing. Also, the wound healing suppressant effects of dexamethasone were significantly reduced.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 905-909

 

 

Hypolipidemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Lagenaria siceraria
(Mol.) fruit extracts

B V Ghule, M H Ghante, A N Saoji & P G Yeole

Received 26 December 2005; revised 14 July 2006

Bottle gourd [(Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Stand.] fruit is ascribed with many therapeutic effects. The present study was undertaken to explore the antihyperlipidemic effect of four different extracts viz. petroleum ether, chloroform, alcoholic and aqueous extracts from bottle gourd in Triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats and their hypolipidemic effects in normocholesteremic rats. The study is comprised preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts. Oral administration of the extracts, at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight in rats, dose-dependently inhibited the total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins level, and significantly increased the high density lipoproteins level. However, petroleum ether extract did not show the significant effects. Both the chloroform and alcoholic extract exhibited more significant effects in lowering total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoproteins along with increase in HDL as compared to the others. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, sterols, cucurbitacin saponins, polyphenolics, proteins, and carbohydrates. The results obtained suggest marked antihyperlipidemic and hypolipidemic activity of the extracts.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 910-912

 

 

Potentiation of pentobarbital hypnosis by Rosa damascena in mice

H Rakhshandah & M Hosseini

Received 2 November 2005; revised 20 August 2006

Rosa damascena has been found to act on central nervous system including brain. It inhibits the reactivity of the hypothalamous and pituitary systems in rat. In traditional medicine hypnotic effect of Rose is also suggested. In the present study hypnotic effect of ethanolic, aqueous and chloroformic extracts of R. damascena was investigated in mice. Hypnotic method was based on potentiation of pentobarbital induced sleeping time by extracts. Three doses of extracts (100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) were injected ip in comparison with diazepam (3mg/kg) as positive control and saline as negative control. After 30 min of injection of extracts, pentobarbital (30mg/kg) was injected and increase in sleeping time by extracts was recorded. The results showed that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts in 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses significantly increased pentobarbital induced sleeping time which was comparable to diazepam. The chloroformic extract had no hypnotic effect.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 913-917

 

 

Green tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] extract reverses
the despair behaviour in reserpinised and diabetic mice

Anjali Singal, Naveen Tirkey, Anjaneyulu Muragundla & Kanwaljit Chopra

Received 14 December 2005; revised 26 July 2006

Green tea (C. sinensis) extract (GTE) dose dependently produced reversal of despair in normal, reserpinised and diabetic mice, thereby demonstrating an antidepressant effect. Although the exact mechanism is yet to be explored, the possible inhibition of catechol-o-methyl transferase and monoamine oxidase enzymes may be responsible for antidepressant activity of GTE.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 918-923

 

 

Survival, nodulation and N₂ fixation ability of root nodule bacteria
under different nutritional regimes

Debasish Bakshi, Arijit Mukhopadhyay, Arijit Sinhababu, Sushil C Pal & Narayan C Mandal

Received 16 February 2006; revised 23 August 2006

Eleven strains of Rhizobium and five strains of Bradyrhizobium were examined for their viability as well nodulation and nitrogen fixation ability after storage under different conditions for two years. The storage conditions comprised lateritic soil, lateritic soil plus 1% mannitol, lateritic soil plus 0.1% yeast extract, lateritic soil plus 1 % mannitol and 0.1% yeast extract, organic soil, organic soil plus 1% mannitol, organic soil plus 0.1% yeast extract, organic soil plus 1% mannitol and 0.1% yeast extract, and sterile distilled water. All the slow growing strains showed better viability than the fast growing strains in any of these conditions. The survived strains maintained their nodulation ability about 50-60% after one year and 40-50% after two years of preservation as compared to control, but the nodulation ability in sterile distilled water was very poor. Acetylene reduction activity in the nodules was found to be 70-90% and 50-70% after 12 and 24 months of preservation, respectively. The strains retained their phenotypic characters like antibiotic resistance and salt tolerance up to their highest survivability in respective nutritional condition.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 924-928

 

 

Morphological variation, histology, histochemistry and nutrient contents of Frankia root nodules in Casuarina equisetifolia

K Rajendran & M Jothi Basu 

Received 22 February 2006; revised 21 August 2006

Root nodules were collected from the existing plantation of Casuarina equisetifolia from three different agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu, India. Morphological variation, histology, histochemistry and nutrient contents of the nodules were studied. The nodules were found to be simple, dichotomously branched and coralloid. The stele in simple and branched nodules reached up to the tip of the nodules. Structure of Frankia nodules was described using histochemical methods to elucidate the nature of micro-symbiont within the nodules. The nodule consisted of a distinct periderm enclosing the cortex. The cortex showed patches of infected cells interspersed among the uninfected ones. Inside the cortex was a stele bound by an endodermis, which contained high amount of tannin. The micro-symbiont was observed in the nodule tisues in hyphal form and spore packed sporocorp was also seen in the cortex. The histochemical tests revealed the presence of proteins, insoluble polysaccharides and polyphenols.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 929-936

 

 

Mutation in mexR-gene leading to drug resistance in corneal keratitis in human

Suman G, Khan M, Sabitha K & Kaiser Jamil

Received 31 March 2006; revised 14 August 2006

The present study deals with the genetic polymorphism of the mexR gene which is involved in the resistance to drugs like ciprofloxacin.  Mutations in mexR result in increased resistance to multiple antibiotics due to overexpression of this efflux system. The MexR product contains 147 amino acids with a molecular mass of 16,964 Da. We detected 28 point mutations in 14 samples from corneal scraping infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which were screened for ciprofloxacin resistance. Twenty four were silent mutations and four missense mutations. Mapping these mutations was done by using in silico methods on the protein 3D- structure obtained from PDB database, localized at 3 specific sites. Single amino acid changes (mutations) may influence MexR stability or its ability to dimerise, and thus result in the conformation changes at the DNA-binding domain, of the structure. Hence it is concluded that the mutations in the DNA binding domain of mexR gene could be one of the factors contributing to the possible drug resistance in these patients.

 

 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

Vol. 44, November 2006, pp. 937-938

 

 

Book Review

Topics in the history of pharmacology

R K Goel

 

 

 

Forthcoming Special Issue on Biomedicine

 

Proposed articles

 

RBC Aggregation: Laboratory data and models
H J Meiselman, B Neu, M W Rampling & O K Baskurt

Rheological and flow properties of blood investigated by ultrasound
M Boynard, L Haider, H Lardoux & P Snabre

Hemodynamic effects of red blood cell aggregation
Oguz K Baskurt & Herbert J Meiselman

Principal factor disturbing blood fluidity in capillaries: Mechanism and improved investigation technique
George Mchedlishvili

Blood flow regulation in the cerebral microvasculature with an arcadal network: A numerical simulation
Hideyuki Niimi, Yutaka Komai & Saburo Yamaguchi

Localization of protein-protein interactions in live cells using confocal and spectral imaging FRET microscopy
Y Chen & Ammasi Periasamy

Monte Carlo method for bioluminescence tomography
D Kumar, W X Cong & G Wang

Multiprobe laser reflectometry in imaging and characterization of biological tissues
M Singh, S Chacko, D Kumar & S Nandakumar

Infrared spectroscopic analysis of tumor pathology
Ranjana Mehrotra, Alka Gupta, Ajeet Kaushik, Neeraj Prakash & Hem Kandpal

Biomarkers of induced electromagnetic field and cancer
J Behari & R Paulraj

Development of a tele-stethoscope and its application in pediatric cardiology
F L Hedayioglu, S S Mattos, L Moser & M E De Lima

Inflammation and neovascularization in diabetic atherosclerosis
K R Purushothaman, P Meerarani & P R Moreno

Atherothrombosis: Role of tissue factor; link between diabetes, obesity and inflammation
P Meerarani, P R Moreno, G Cimmino & J J Badimon

Microrheologic dysfunction in blood during malaria
Sanjay Jayavanth & Bock Choon Park

Erythrocyte deformability and its variation in diabetes mellitus
Sehyun Shin, Yunhee Ku, Narayanan Babu & Megha Singh

 

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Announcements

 

6th National Level Biological Congress on Biotechnology: Past, Present and Future

5 and 6 January 2007, Muthayammal College of Arts & Science, Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu

 

        Organised by the Department of Biological Science, Muthayammal College of Arts & Science, Rasipuram, the Congress will cover following topics: Biotechnology & environment, Biotechnology & health, Biotechnology & agriculture, Bio-informatics & drug discovery, Animal science & animal biotechnology, Plant science & plant biotechnology, Microbial technology & immunotechnology, Biochemistry & biochemical technology, Biocareer development, Biosasfety & bioethics, Biotechnology in WTO regime, Biotechnology & violence, Intellectual property rights and Nanotechnology. For detail please contact: Dr M Rajajekara Pandian, Organizing Secretary–MCAS BIO 2007, Centre for Biotechnology, Muthayammal College of Arts & Science, Rasipuram 637 408, District Mamakkal. Cell: (0) 9443761861, 9894579467, 9443213887, 9443286292; Phone: 04287-226237, 222137; Fax: 91-4287-220227; E-mail: mcasbio2007@yahoo.com; website: www.geocities.com/mcasbio2007

 

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First Annual Meeting of Stem Cell Research Forum of India and

International Conference on Stem Cell Research

29 January–1 February 2007, Bangalore, India

 

    The First SCRFI Annual n will provide a unique opportunity to the leaders in the biotechnology industry and target audience in sharing the same dais. The conference will feature the latest developments in the following areas: (i) Embryonic stem cells, (ii) Mesenchymal stem cells, (iii) Hematopietic stem cells, (iv) Stem cell niche, (v) Neural stem cells (vi) Cancer stem cells, (vii) Stem cell therapeutics, (viii) tem cell banking, and (ix) Stem cell ethics. For details please contact, Dr Satish Totey, Stem Cell Research Forum of India (SCRFI), Manipal Institute for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, 9th Floor, Manipal Hospital, Airport Road, Bangalore 560 017, India. Phone: 91-80-2502 4600, 2502 4601, 91-80-2502 4602; e-mail: info@scrfi.org, Website: www.scrfi.org

 

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National Symposium on Recent Trends in Insect Pest Management

1 and 2 February, 2007, Loyola College, Chennai

 

        With a view to review the latest trends and technologies adopted in insect pest management the Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai is organizing the above national symposium. The topics to be discussed are (i) Botanical formulations and substances, (ii) New technology for mass rearing of natural enemies, (iii) Insect cell culture technology, (iv) Pest population monitoring, (v) Genetic improvement of microbial pesticides, (vi) Insect growth and enzyme inhibitors, (vii) Transgenic plants for insect resistance, and (viii) Inducing pseudoresistance in host plants. For further details, please contact Dr S. Ignacimuthu, s.j., Director, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai 600 034, India. Telefax: 044-28174644, E-mail: eri_lc@hotmail.com, website: www.entomology-loyolo.com.