Considerable evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays an important role in tissue damage associated with hypoglycemia and other metabolic disorders. The altered brain neurotransmitters metabolism, cerebral electrolyte contents, and impaired blood-brain barrier function may contribute to CNS dysfunction in hypoglycemia. The present study elucidates the effect of starvation and insulin-induced hypoglycemia on the free radical scavanger system--reduced glutathione (GSH) content, glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP), gamma-glutamyl cystein synthetase (gamma-GCS), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes I-IV from three different regions of rat brain, namely cerebral hemispheres (CH), cerebellum (CB), and brainstem (BS). Peripheral organs, such as liver and kidney, were also studied. Significant changes in these enzymic activities were observed. The analysis of such alterations is important in ultimately determining the basis of neuronal dysfunction during metabolic stress conditions, such as hypoglycemia, and also defining the nature of these changes may help to develop therapeutic means to cure metabolically stressed tissues.

Animals↗

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Recurrent diarrhea in children living in areas with high levels of nitrate in drinking water.

Given that there was documented evidence of an association between diarrhea and high nitrate ingestion, the authors examined drinking water nitrate concentration and its possible correlation(s) with methemoglobin levels, cytochrome b5 reductase activity, and recurrent diarrhea. In addition, the authors studied histopathological changes in the intestines of rabbits in an animal model. Five village areas were studied, and nitrate concentrations (expressed in mg of nitrate per liter of water) of 26, 45, 95, 220, and 459 existed in the respective villages. The study included 88 randomly selected children who were 8 yr of age or younger; they represented 10% of the total population of each of the areas. Detailed histories of recurrent diarrhea were noted, and medical examinations were conducted. Cytochrome b5 reductase activity and methemoglobin levels were estimated biochemically. Collected data were analyzed statistically with Microsoft Excel software. In addition, the authors exposed rabbits to various levels of nitrate, and histopathological changes of the stomach and intestine (small and large) were evaluated. There was a strong relationship between nitrate concentration and recurrent diarrhea; 80% of the recurrent diarrhea cases were explained by nitrate concentration alone. In the rabbit intestines, lymphocytic infiltration and hyperplasia characterized the submucosa as nitrate concentrations increased.

Acute Disease↗

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Chemical composition of the washed cells of Streptococcus sanguis (804) and Streptococcus mutans (B-14).

Washed cells of Streptococcus saguis (804) and Streptococcus mutans (B14) were analyzed for water, ash, protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and nucleic acid content. Lipids were analyzed by gas chromatography. Ash was subjected to elemental analysis. These data were compared with the published values for the composition of dental plaque.

Bacterial Proteins↗

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Bronchial adenoma--an eleven-year experience.

Thirteen patients with bronchial adenoma were investigated. Most of these were young males and had recurrent hemoptysis and chest infection. Radiographs of the chest were abnormal in 11 patients. The tumor was visualized by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in all but one patient. The procedure was safe and none of the patients had massive hemoptysis following bronchoscopic biopsy. Limited follow-up revealed good results following surgery.

Adult↗

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Effect of metoclopramide on peristalsis and antiperistalsis in isolated frog stomach and guinea-pig ileum.

The action of metoclopramide was studied on peristaltic as well as antiperistaltic activity in frog stomach and guinea-pig ileum. It was observed that metoclopramide enhances normal peristaltic activity by acting on dopamine-receptors whereas it inhibits antiperistalsis by some unknown mechanism. It is, therefore, inferred that inhibition of antiperistaltic activity might be an additional mechanism for its antiemetic effect. It also explains the pharmacological basis for its use in oesophagitis due to gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Animals↗

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Effect of metoclopramide on gastric ulceration and secretion in albino rats.

The antiulcer and antisecretory effects of metoclopramide were studied in aspirin-induced and pylorus-ligated gastric ulcers. The effects were compared with ranitidine (10 mg/kg, orally). The effect of propantheline alone and in combination with metoclopramide was studied against aspirin-induced gastric ulcers only. Metoclopramide (20 mg and 50 mg/kg) produced an ulcer protective effect both in aspirin-induced and pylorus-ligated experimental models. Its ulcer protective effect against aspirin-induced and pylorus-ligated gastric ulcers was comparable to ranitidine. Metoclopramide reduced the volume of gastric secretion but did not alter the total acidity; however, significant reduction in free acidity was noted. The ulcer protective effect of metoclopramide appeared to have multiple mechanisms like reduction in gastric secretion and free acidity, increased gastric emptying and cytoprotective action.

Animals↗

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Effect of verapamil on gastric acid secretion and ulceration by pyloric-ligation and aspirin in albino rats.

Verapamil at doses 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (ip) and 40 mg/kg, orally reduced incidence of ulceration by Pyloric-ligation. Similarly verapamil inhibited aspirin-induced ulceration at a dose 40 mg/kg, orally and ip. Effect of verapamil on gastric acid secretion was also studied. At low dose it increased acid secretion significantly (5 mg/kg, ip) and at high dose (40 mg kg, ip and orally) it significantly decreased volume of secretion. This indicates that reduction of acid secretion contributes little to the antiulcer activity of verapamil because antiulcer effect was seen even at doses which did not decrease acid secretion.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Our experience with surgical management of patients with diffuse coronary artery disease.

During a follow up period of 5 years (January 1983-December 1988), 145 consecutive patients (14% of all patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery) underwent multiple coronary artery bypass grafting combined with endarterectomy whenever necessary for treatment of severe diffuse triple-vessel coronary artery disease. Fifty-one patients (35%) had poor left ventricular ejection fraction (less than 35%). Associated left main coronary artery disease was present in 30 (21%) patients. All coronary arteries and branches with greater than 50% obstructive disease were bypassed, using saphenous vein conduit; average grafts per patient were 5.5. Endarterectomies were done in 137 patients in 210 vessels. Right coronary artery was the commonest site (132 patients). Multiple vessel endarterectomy (greater than 2 vessels) was done in 44 patients (30%). The peri-operative mortality was 3.5%. Pre-operatively, 75% patients had class III and 14% class IV (Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina criteria). During the mean follow up period of 2 years, 86% patients have class 1 symptoms, and 14% have class II symptom. Thirty of these 145 patients have undergone resting and exercise radionuclide ventriculographic studies which have shown a significant improvement in the ejection fraction response to exercise (p less than 0.05). Thus, patients with severe diffuse coronary disease can undergo multiple bypass grafting procedure, along with endarterectomies with low mortality rates and improved exercise tolerance and functional classification.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied