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Biomedical subjects

D K Das

Publications and source records attributed to D K Das.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Microphotometric DNA analysis in mild and moderate dysplasia of the uterine cervix: a retrospective study.

Twenty six cases of mild and moderate dysplasia of uterine cervix were retrospectively subjected to microphotometric study for nuclear DNA estimation in order to correlate their ploidy pattern with biological behaviour at initial presentation and during follow up intervals ranging from six months to six years (median-30.8 months). Of these, fourteen cases had progressed to malignancy, five persisted as dysplasia and seven had regressed to normalcy or inflammation. DNA value of these cases revealed aneuploidy in ten cases whereas polyploid and euploid DNA pattern were observed in eight cases each. Of the ten aneuploid cases eight (80.0 per cent) progressed to malignancy while two persisted as dysplasia. Of the sixteen polyploid and euploid cases, only six (37.8%) progressed to malignancy. However, five of these six cases developed aneuploidy during follow up or at the point of progression to malignancy. The findings indicate that aneuploidy in mild and moderate dysplasia cases is a reliable "high risk indicator".

Adult↗

Detection of hydroxyl radical in the mitochondria of ischemic-reperfused myocardium by trapping with salicylate.

Although the presence of free radicals has been indicated in ischemic-reperfused heart, the exact nature and source of these free radicals are not known. The present study utilized a chemical trap, salicylic acid, to trap hydroxyl radical which could be detected as hydroxylated benzoic acid using high pressure liquid chromatography. Since the hydroxylated product is extremely stable, heart was subjected to subcellular fractionation after ischemia and reperfusion, and each fraction was separately examined for the presence of hydroxyl radical. The results indicated for the first time the presence of hydroxyl radical in the mitochondrial fraction during early reperfusion, which decreased in intensity as the reperfusion progressed.

Animals↗

Effects of oxyradicals on oxymyoglobin. Deoxygenation, haem removal and iron release.

We have examined the effects of O2-derived free radicals on oxymyoglobin, the myocardial intracellular protein involved in the storage and transport of O2. The oxyradicals generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system decreased the concentration of oxymyoglobin. Based on the decreases in absorbance peaks at 581 nm and 415 nm it is estimated that out of a 10 nmol decrease in oxymyoglobin, 5 nmol appears to be oxidized to ferrimyoglobin (deoxygenation), while haem was removed from the other 5 nmol of haem protein. These processes were inhibited by both catalase alone and superoxide dismutase in combination with catalase, but not by either superoxide dismutase alone or deferoxamine. These results suggest that among H2O2, OH. and O2.-, only H2O2 causes the removal of haem and the oxidation of oxymyoglobin. Furthermore, the oxyradicals also released 3 microM free iron from oxymyoglobin, which is at least 5-fold less than the 15 nmol loss of oxymyoglobin. The loss of oxymyoglobin also preceded the release of free iron. These results indicate that oxymyoglobin oxidation and haem removal occur before the removal of free iron. Thus myoglobin appears to be highly susceptible to free radical attack, and this may represent yet another mechanism of free radical-mediated cellular injury.

Animals↗

Effect of calcium overload on the phosphoinositide breakdown in the rat left ventricular papillary muscle.

We investigated the effect of Ca2+ overload on the phospholipase C-catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphoinositides in the rat left ventricular papillary muscle. Ca2+ overload on the papillary muscle was induced by treatment with 0.3 mM ouabain in Ca2+-containing medium following either Ca2+-containing or Ca2+-free superfusion. The phosphoinositide breakdown was evaluated by determining accumulations of [3H]inositol phosphates ([3H]IPs) in the tissues prelabeled with [3H]inositol. Ca2+ repletion following Ca2+-free superfusion resulted in a rapid but small increase in resting tension that was not followed by contracture, nor was it associated with a significant increase in [3H]IPs accumulations. Treatment with ouabain following Ca2+-containing superfusion increased resting tension after a lag period of several minutes and produced contracture associated with an increase in [3H]IPs accumulations. The ouabain induced increases in resting tension, and accumulations of [3H]IPs were significantly potentiated by prior Ca2+-free superfusion instead of Ca2+-containing superfusion. There was a significant positive correlation between increases in resting tension and the phosphoinositide breakdown. The increased resting tension and the accumulations of [3H]IPs were not antagonized by treatments with prazosin plus atropine or indomethacin, but were abolished by superfusion with Ca2+-free buffer solution. Although the enhanced phospholipase C-catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphoinositides appears to be a consequence rather than a cause of increased intracellular Ca2+, such a biochemical change may provoke a positive feedback mechanism to develop the muscle contracture through the putative intracellular messenger action of inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol.

Animals↗

Improvement of ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial dysfunction by modulating calcium-overload using a novel, specific calmodulin antagonist, CGS 9343B.

The present paper explores the mechanism of calcium-overloaded cardiac cell exocytosis during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium. A novel specific inhibitor of calmodulin, CGS 9343B, was used to pretreat an ischemic heart in an effort to enhance myocardial preservation. The experimental model employed an isolated in situ pig heart subjected to 120 min of ischemic insult by reversibly occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery, the last 60 min being superimposed with global hypothermic cardioplegic arrest. This ischemic episode was followed by 60 min of revascularization. CGS 9343B enhanced post-ischemic myocardial recovery, as judged by improved regional as well as global myocardial functions, better preservation of high-energy phosphate compounds, and reduced release of creatine kinase. Since this compound blocks calmodulin without inhibiting protein kinase C, the results of this study suggest that calmodulin-dependent kinase, rather than protein kinase C, is primarily involved in expressing calcium-overloaded cell exocytosis, and a specific calmodulin antagonist such as CGS 9343B can be used to salvage an ischemic heart from reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Direct scavenging of free radicals by captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.

Captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, was hypothesized to be a potential scavenger of free radicals because of the presence of a thiol group. The scavenging action of captopril was examined against superoxide anion (O2-), hydroxyl radical (OH.), hypohalite radical (HOCL) either generated biochemically, or derived from activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Our results indicate that captopril is an extremely potent free radical scavenger, scavenging power being as effective as superoxide dismutase (SOD) against O2-, or dimethylthiourea against OH., but better than allopurinol against OCL. plus HOCL. Free radical scavenging action of captopril against PMN-derived free radical is equivalent to the combined effects of SOD, catalase and allopurinol.

Allopurinol↗

Diagnosis of retinoblastoma by fine-needle aspiration and aqueous cytology.

This article reports the cytodiagnosis of three cases of retinoblastoma in children aged 1.5, 2.5, and 5 yr. Two of them were diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology of the primary tumor and one by aqueous cytology. The tumor cells were usually round to oval, small and uniform, with scanty cytoplasm; they generally occurred in closely packed clusters of variable sizes. We discuss the differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma with other round-cell tumors of childhood involving the orbit.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Evidence of free radical (FR) involvement in ischemic colitis.

Early ischemic colitis was induced in rats to evaluate the roles of FRs and intraluminal content. After 30 minutes of ischemia, biopsies for histology, conjugated dienes (CD) and malonaldehyde (M), presumptive marker of lipid peroxidation, were obtained at 0, 30, and 60 minutes reperfusion. Histology was unchanged. CD and M were elevated in ischemic and saline controls, and rose progressively during reperfusion; CD and M were essentially the same as non-ischemic controls during reperfusion with intraluminal corticosteroid (c) and Alcide (A). These agents may be beneficial in early ischemic colitis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Enhanced prostaglandin production in the ischemic-reperfused myocardium by captopril linked with its free radical scavenging action.

Captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, has been shown to increase prostaglandin production by an as yet unknown mechanism, which this study was designed to explore. Isolated rat heart was perfused by the Langendorff technique for 15 minutes in the presence or absence of captopril. Ischemia was then induced for 60 minutes by terminating the coronary flow, followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. Our results indicate that captopril stimulated prostaglandin and thromboxane production, but it inhibited malonaldehyde formation. Coronary flow and high energy phosphate compounds were increased, but lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase release decreased, demonstrating cardioprotective effects. Captopril also inhibited the production of hydroxyl radical in the heart during reperfusion, suggesting that stimulated prostaglandin production may be linked with the generation of free radicals via the eicosanoid system.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Mechanism of membrane phospholipid degradation in ischemic-reperfused rat hearts.

We investigated the mechanism of membrane phospholipid degradation during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium using isolated and perfused rat hearts. Thirty min of myocardial reperfusion after 30 min of normothermic global ischemia resulted in a significant decrease of phosphatidylcholine (PC) content associated with a small but significant increase in lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) content. Myocardial ischemia for up to 60 min caused no significant loss of any of the major phospholipids. Isotopic incorporation of [14C]arachidonic acid (AA) as well as [3H]-glycerol into PC was significantly attenuated in the ischemic-reperfused heart compared with the normally perfused heart, suggesting that both reacylation and de novo pathways for PC synthesis were inactivated during reperfusion. In the heart prelabeled with [14C]AA, the radiolabeled PC was decreased significantly during reperfusion, associated with a small but significant increase in [14C]AA accumulation. The decreases of PC content and incorporation of [14C]AA into PC, as well as the increases of LPC content and the [14C]AA during reperfusion, were prevented by reperfusion with low Ca2+ (50 microM) buffer or by pretreatment with trifluoperazine (10 microM) or mepacrine (50 microM), but not with verapamil (1 microM). The inhibition of loss of PC was associated with significant diminution of creatine kinase release from the reperfused hearts. The present study indicates that the net loss of membrane phospholipids, especially with respect to PC during reperfusion, may result from 1) inhibition of reacylation of AA, 2) inhibition of de novo synthesis, and 3) stimulation of phospholipase activity. These results are consistent with an influx of Ca2+, although other interpretations are also possible.

Animals↗

Free radical scavenging by myocardial fatty acid binding protein.

Recent investigations have indicated the presence of a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) in mammalian heart. This protein binds free fatty acids and their esters with high affinity, however, its physiological role remains unknown. Since FABP constitutes a significant amount of cystolic protein, it is likely that it would be a target for free radical attack. To test this hypothesis, FABP was examined for scavenging against free radicals such as the superoxide anion (O2-), hydroxyl radical (OH.) and hypochlorite radical (OCl.) which may be present in an ischemic reperfused heart. Our results suggest that FABP scavenges O2-, OH. and OCl. as indicated by the FABP inhibition of O2- -dependent reduction of cytochrome c, OH.-dependent hydroxybenzoic acid formation and OCl.-mediated chemiluminescence response. FABP was found to be a more potent scavenger of these free radicals compared to bovine serum albumin. Furthermore, FABP was more effective in scavenging OH. than O2-, and inhibited OH. mediated lipid peroxidation process. These results indicate that FABP can scavenge free radicals which may be present in an ischemic/reperfused heart and, thus, may play a significant physiological role in the heart during ischemia and reperfusion.

Albumins↗

Effects of free radicals on the fluidity of myocardial membranes.

Free radicals, including superoxide anions (O2.-), hydroxyl radical (HO.), and hypohalite radical (OCl.), as well as oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), have been indicated in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemic and reperfusion injury. In this report, we compared the integrity of the myocardial membrane when exposed to these free radicals/oxidants. Isolated rat heart membrane preparations were exposed to chemically generated free radicals with or without their respective scavengers. Membrane fluidity was monitored by fluorescence polarization using the diphenylhexatriene probe, as well as by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-n-oxyl as the spin labeling agent. HO., H2O2, and OCl. + HOCl increased the fluorescence polarization (FP) and microviscosity significantly by 1.7-fold, 1.8-fold, and 1.7-fold, respectively, as compared to an only 1.2-fold increase in FP by O2.-. O2.- did not alter the fatty acid profiles of the membrane phospholipids. However, HO. and H2O2 reduced the arachidonic acid contents in phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI). These radicals also stimulated the lipid peroxidation by several-fold, while that by O2.- was only insignificant. These results suggest that HO. and H2O2 decreased the membrane fluidity and induced lipid peroxidation by releasing the arachidonic acid from PC, PE, and PI.

Animals↗

Effect of oxygen-derived free radicals and oxidants on the degradation in vitro of membrane phospholipids.

The abilities of chemically generated hydroxyl radical (OH.), superoxide anion (O.-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to degrade rat myocardial membrane phospholipids previously labeled with [1-14C]arachidonic acid were studied. HO. and H2O2, but not O2.-, caused the degradation of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI). With OH. and H2O2, the loss of radiolabel in PC was accompanied by an increase in the radiolabel of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), but not in that of free fatty acid (FFA). These results suggest the hydrolysis of 1-oxygen ester bond of PC by HO. and that H2O2 and that HO. and H2O2, but not O.-, are detrimental to the structure and function of membrane phospholipids. However, since microM amounts of HO. and mM amounts of H2O2 were necessary to affect the membrane phospholipids, it is likely that in the reperfused myocardium only HO., but not H2O2, may directly cause the breakdown of membrane phospholipids.

Animals↗

Steroid-induced myocardial preservation is associated with decreased cell membrane microviscosity.

Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium is associated with phospholipid degradation and corresponding changes in membrane fluidity. Dexamethasone (1.25 mg/kg i.v.) was evaluated in the pig, with pretreatment of the animal 1 1/2 hours before ischemic insult. The isolated perfused in vivo pig heart model was subjected to 60 minutes of regional ischemia of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The ischemic heart was then subjected to 60 minutes of global hypothermic cardioplegic arrest followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion, including reperfusion of the ischemic left anterior descending coronary artery region. Phospholipase A2, arachidonic acid, total free fatty acids, myocardial microviscosity, coronary blood flow, myocardial oxygen consumption, creatine kinase release, and regional and global myocardial function were measured. Dexamethasone pretreatment resulted in dramatic inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity accompanied by a reduction in arachidonic acid and total free fatty acid levels. Myocardial microviscosity (the inverse of membrane fluidity) was significantly increased only in untreated animals. Coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen consumption were maintained at preischemic levels only in the dexamethasone-treated animals and were significantly reduced in the control group. Creatine kinase release increased nearly six times in control animals only while remaining stable in the dexamethasone-treated group, and regional and global myocardial contractility and compliance were improved dramatically in the dexamethasone-treated animals. These results indicate that dexamethasone enhances myocardial function by preserving membrane structure through inhibition of phospholipase activation, thereby preventing phospholipid degradation and maintaining membrane integrity and fluidity.

Animals↗

Condylomatous lesion (HPV infection) of uterine cervix. A clinical, colposcopic, cyto, histomorphological and immunohistochemical study.

43, patients, subjected to cervical cytology, colposcopy and colposcopic directed biopsy, were found to have lesions suggestive of human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection by one or more parameters. Immunohistochemical staining for HPV antigen yielded positive results in 23 (53.5 p. cent) cases. Amongst 30 cases with HPV lesions both in cytology and histopathology, 19 (63.3 p. cent) were positive for the HPV antigen. This was significantly higher as compared to the groups where HPV lesion was observed in cytology or histology alone (p = 0.05). The rate of positivity was the highest (81.3 p. cent) in a group of 16 patients having low grade dysplasia (mild to moderate) and both cytology and histologic evidence of koilocytotic changes. Presence or absence of HPV lesion by colposcopic examination in these 43 cases did not make any significant difference in rate of antigen positivity.

Adult↗

Effects of free radicals and oxidants on myocardial cellular injury.

Harmful effects of some biochemically generated free radicals and oxidants, including superoxide anions (O2-), hydroxyl radical (OH.), hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid, and hypohalite radical, on isolated cardiac myocytes were compared in an attempt to identify the exact nature of the free radicals/oxidants responsible for myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury. All of these free radicals/oxidants, with the exception of O2-, caused significant injury to the myocytes as evidenced by the enhanced lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase release as well as by morphologic examinations, simultaneously causing lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione release from the cells, OH. being the most detrimental of all.

Animals↗