Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Raza

Publications and source records attributed to M Raza.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Studies on the cytotoxic, biochemical and anti-carcinogenic potentials of ninhydrin on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell-bearing Swiss albino mice.

Ninhydrin (2,2-dihydroxy-1,3-indane dione) was evaluated for its antitumor and cytotoxic properties in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell (EAC Cell)-bearing mice. The rationale behind this study has been mainly the literature reports of its characteristic interference with DNA synthesis and calcium homeostasis. Antitumor activity was evaluated from the total count and viability of EAC cells in addition to their nucleic acid, protein, non-protein sulfhydryls (NP-SH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. The EAC cell-bearing animals were also observed for the effect on their survival and body weight variations. In addition, the tumors grown at the site of injection were evaluated for histopathological changes. Ninhydrin treatments (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day) abate the increase in body weight and advanced the duration of survival in EAC cell-bearing mice. The results on histopathological investigations show retardation in tumor growth, decreased frequency of mitotic figures and hair follicles and an increased necrosis in the tumor by ninhydrin treatment. Our results on cytotoxicity, which demonstrated compression in the number of EAC cells and their viability substantiate these data. The results of biochemical studies on EAC cells exhibit a reduction in the levels of DNA, RNA, proteins and NP-SH with a subsequent increase in the concentrations of MDA after ninhydrin treatment. Inhibition in tumor growth was dose dependently significant with the same dose regimen. The observed cytotoxic and antitumor activity of ninhydrin was comparable to cyclophosphamide. The possible mode of action of ninhydrin-induced cytotoxic and antitumor activity appear to be due to its interference with mitochondrial function resulting in inhibition of DNA synthesis, an effect that is being investigated further.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Pathomorphological changes in mouse liver and kidney during prolonged valproate administration.

Mice given sodium valproate 0.71% weight/volume in drinking water for 7, 14 and 21 days were assessed for pathomorphological changes in liver and kidney tissues at certain time points. This treatment caused a marked alteration in liver and kidney cell morphology, which was proportional to the period of treatment. This treatment induced fatty degeneration of hepatocytes, increased the number of Kupffer cells and caused them to swell. These changes were irregular after days 7 and 14 of treatment but with time increased in intensity, producing inflammation of the portal tracts, albuminous degeneration and necrosis of septa. Precirrhotic conditions, cirrhosis, acidophilic degeneration of hepatocytes and glassy eosinophilic homogenous cytoplasm were a constant feature after 21 days' treatment. In some cases the portal area was invaded by small, round inflammatory cells. Hepatocytes in this group were swollen, with large nuclei and increased amounts of condensed chromatin. The kidney sections of the same animals revealed severe morphological changes, indicated by significant epithelial necrosis and sloughing of tubules, as well as cast formation and mild lymphocytic infiltrate after 21 days' treatment. The results suggest that the histopathologic changes induced by sodium valproate are dependent upon the duration of exposure of these organs to the drug. Prolonged use of this drug should be carefully assessed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effect of ulceration on rat gastric tissue polyamine contents in response to different procedures; inhibition of these effects by cimetidine.

The effects of cimetidine an H2 receptor histamine antagonist on aspirin- and cold-restraint-stress-induced gastric lesions have been studied in rats. Cimetidine had a pronounced inhibitory effect on gastric lesions induced by either oral administration of aspirin (400 mg kg-1) or by cold-restraint stress in rats. These inhibitory effects were dose-related in the aspirin treatment group being 47 and 85% (P<0.05 and P<0.001) at 37.5 and 75 mg kg-1 doses, respectively, when compared to the control. Cimetidine was found effective in cold stress but inhibition with the low dose was not significant. However, high dose (75 mg kg-1) showed a significant reduction (P<0.01) in lesion index. In another series of experiments with the same regimen, the effects of different ulcerogenic procedures on the rat gastric tissue polyamine contents (putrescine, spermine and spermidine) and monoacetyl derivatives (N1- and N8-acetylspermidine) have been investigated by using HPLC method. The procedure permits use of n-octane sulphonate as an ion pairing agent on the reversed-phase column. The treatment of rats with aspirin caused a substantial decrease in the concentration of different polyamine contents in the glandular part of stomach tissue. Pretreatment with cimetidine showed a marked protection against this decline in polyamine contents at both the doses tested (37.5 mg kg-1 and 75 mg kg-1) and increased the contents of spermidine and spermine above the control values. In the other part, cold-restraint stress also declined the polyamine contents. Low dose of cimetidine was found ineffective in this model. However, a high dose of cimetidine caused a significant rise in the levels of spermidine and spermine (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively) above the control levels. These findings suggest that cimetidine, besides being a H2-receptor antagonist, prevents ulcer formation due to its growth promotional properties, possibly through an increase in tissue polyamine contents that offer a defense barrier against the oxygen-derived free radicals involved in the etiology of ulceration. It is also suggested that the rise in polyamine contents of gastric tissue is a crucial event in cytoprotection against destructive stimuli.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated pericardial effusion: report of 40 cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated pericardial effusion is common. We present its clinical features, cause, and prognosis on the basis of a review of 40 cases at a single public hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 122 patients with pericardial effusion (of which 40 were HIV associated) admitted to Queens Hospital Center from January 1988 to April 1997. A review of the literature is also presented. RESULTS: Forty patients with HIV-associated pericardial effusion represent 33% of the 122 patients with pericardial effusion admitted during that period. The most common symptom of the 40 patients was dyspnea (75%). Echocardiogram detected small effusions in 18 (45%), moderate effusions in 10 (25%), and large effusions in 12 (30%). Sixteen (40%) patients had cardiac tamponade, in 15 of whom pericardiocentesis or pericardiostomy was performed. Causes of cardiac tamponade were Mycobacterium species in 3 (19%), Streptococcus pneumoniae in 1 (6%), Staphylococcus aureus in 1 (6%), Kaposi's sarcoma in 1 (6%), and unknown in 10 (63%). In comparison, causes of cardiac tamponade in 74 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the literature were 45% idiopathic, 20% mycobacteria, 19% bacteria, 7% lymphoma, 5% Kaposi's sarcoma, 3% viruses, and 1% fungus. Thirteen of the 40 patients were lost to follow-up. Among the other 27, 11 (41%) were alive at 3 months and 5 (19%) at 1 year. Ten of the 27 patients had cardiac tamponade, of whom 5 (50%) were alive at 3 months and 3 (30%) at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-associated pericardial effusion is the most common type of pericardial effusion in our inner city hospital. Causes are diverse. The development of pericardial effusion predicts a poor prognosis in HIV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effect of ambrein on smooth muscle responses to various agonists.

The pharmacological effects of ambrein (isolated from ambergris) on the contractile responses induced by some agonists in smooth muscle preparations were investigated. Ambrein in the concentration range of 10, 50 and 250 microg/ml decreased the spontaneous contraction of the isolated rabbit jejunum, rat uterus and guinea-pig vas deferens. Ambrein-induced antagonism to acetylcholine (Ach) in the guinea-pig ileum was abolished when the concentration of calcium chloride in the Tyrode's solution was increased to 5 mM/l. Furthermore, ambrein did not antagonise nicotine-induced contractions in the isolated rabbit jejunum or serotonin-induced contractions in the isolated guinea-pig ileum and vas deferens or the rat uterus. However, ambrein in the concentration range of 10, 50 and 250 microg/ml antagonised prostaglandins (PGs) E2, D2, F2alpha, and oxytocin-induced contractions in the rat uterus in vitro. Ambrein also antagonised (+/-) noradrenaline and (-) adrenaline-induced contractions in the isolated guinea-pig vas deferens. It is concluded that ambrein-induced non-selective dose-dependent antagonism to the effects of some agonists (Ach, adrenaline, noradrenaline, PGs and oxytocin) in some smooth muscles may be due to the ability of this compound to interfere with the mobilisation of extracellular Ca2+ required for muscular contractions induced by these agonists.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Biochemical basis of sodium valproate hepatotoxicity and renal tubular disorder: time dependence of peroxidative injury.

Mice fed with sodium valproate for 7, 14 and 21 days were evaluated for hepatotoxicity and renal tubular disorder. The drug was administered as an aqueous solution with an increasing concentration up to five days gradually reaching up to 0.71% w/v, which persisted throughout the study period. Mice fed with sodium valproate for 7, 14 and 21 days showed, marked hepatic injury and renal tubular disorder, evidenced by increased levels of malondialdehyde as a measure of lipid peroxidation. Administration of sodium valproate affected the glutathione contents both in liver and kidney tissue at all the three time points. However, this reduction in glutathione concentration was more pronounced in kidney when compared to control group. These results support the hypothesis that lipid peroxidation mediates the effect of sodium valproate on liver and kidney. Furthermore, the valproate induced toxicity is time related and the increase in lipid peroxide levels and depletion of glutathione occur time dependent even if the dose is clinically appropriate.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Antinociceptive activity of sodium valproate in mice after chronic treatment.

1. Mice were given sodium valproate (0.71%) in the drinking fluid for 21 days. The antinociceptive activity, locomotor activity and body temperature changes were recorded at 7, 14 and 21 days. The possible carryover antinociceptive effects were also determined after valproate withdrawal for up to 3 days after 7-, 14- and 21-day treatment. 2. The antinociceptive activity was present only on days 7, 14 and 21 and, on withdrawal of the drug, the antinociceptive activity disappeared. 3. Thus, with this regimen of valproate administration, there was no persistent antinociceptive activity (carryover effect). There were essentially no effects of valproate on the locomotor activity and body temperature of mice. The antinociceptive effects were due to the presence of the drug and disappeared on valproate's withdrawal.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1997

Gastric antiulcer and cytoprotective effect of Commiphora molmol in rats.

The aqueous suspension of Commiphora molmol (oleo-gum resin) has been screened for its potential to protect gastric mucosa against the ulcers caused by 80% ethanol, 25% NaCl, 0.2 M NaOH, indomethacin and combined indomethacin-ethanol treatment. C. molmol pretreatment at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg provided dose-dependent protection against the ulcerogenic effects of different necrotizing agents used. The effects caused by ethanol were further investigated. Treatment of rats with 1 ml of 80% ethanol was found to cause depletion of stomach wall mucus, reduction in the concentration of protein, nucleic acids and NP-SH groups in the stomach wall. Ethanol treatment also caused histopathological lesions including necrosis, erosion, congestion and haemorrhage of the stomach wall. Pretreatment with C. molmol offered a dose-dependent protection against all these effects. In the same manner it affected the malondialdehyde concentration altered by ethanol treatment. C. molmol also offered protection against mucosal damage caused by indomethacin and its combination with ethanol. The protective effect of C. molmol observed in the present study is attributed to its effect on mucus production, increase in nucleic acid and non-protein sulfhydryl concentration, which appears to be mediated through its free radical-scavenging, thyroid-stimulating and prostaglandin-inducing properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Emergency management of bilateral choanal atresia in the newborn by the endoscopic endonasal approach: a clinical record and review of literature.

The advent of rigid paediatric nasal endoscopy has revolutionised management of congenital choanal atresia. We believe that the endoscopic endonasal approach is a simple, safe and reliable procedure that can be employed in the management of bilateral choanal atresia in the newborn. We present here a case of bilateral choanal atresia in a 36 h old female neonate, managed by this state-of-the-art technique. A literature review of all reports using this approach has been compiled and presented.

Choanal Atresia↗
PubMed1996

Effect of camel urine on the cytological and biochemical changes induced by cyclophosphamide in mice.

Camel urine treatment was found to cause a significant cytotoxic effect in the bone marrow cells of mice. This cytotoxicity at higher doses was comparable with that of standard drug cyclophosphamide (CP). However, unlike CP, the camel urine treatment failed to induce any clastogenicity. The cytotoxicity induced by camel urine treatment was substantiated by the reduction of liver nucleic acids and glutathione levels and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the same animals. CP treatment was found to be highly clastogenic, cytotoxic and it reduced the levels of nucleic acids, proteins, glutathione and increased malondialdehyde concentration due to its prooxidant nature. The non-clastogenic nature of camel urine was attributed to the antioxidant and antimutagenic compounds present in camel urine. Pretreatment with camel urine increased the cytotoxicity of CP and intensified the CP induced reduction of liver nucleic acids, glutathione and increased the MDA concentration. The increase of CP induced cytotoxicity appears to be partly due to the additive effect of the two treatments on cellular lipid peroxidation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Protection by epicoprostanol against hyperglycemia and insulitis in normal and diabetic rats.

Epicoprostanol (3-alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-cholestanol) has been studied for its effects on blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in rodents. Epicoprostanol significantly induced hypoglycemia and increased insulin levels in rat blood plasma by 88% and 66% compared to that of control after 2 h and 4 h of acute treatment at 100 mg/kg dose. It also highly significantly lowered blood glucose levels in a dose dependent manner at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg doses when administered to alloxan-rendered moderately diabetic rats after 120 and 240 min of treatment. Similarly, epicoprostanol, with the same dosage regimen, caused hypoglycemia in streptozotocin-induced severe diabetic rats, to a similar extent at the same time-points. However, the lowest dose (10 mg/kg) failed to produce a striking effect in either of the diabetic groups. In normoglycemic rats, plasma insulin levels were affected significantly after a single dose (100 mg/kg) of epicoprostanol. In contrast, diabetic animals suffering from insulitis showed a significant decline in hyperglycemia, strongly suggesting an insulin-like action of epicoprostanol. It seems likely that epicoprostanol acts through a mechanism other than hyperinsulinemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of the antiinflammatory activity of sodium valproate in rats and mice.

1. Treatment of rats with sodium valproate (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg i.p.) reduced the paw oedema induced by carrageenan by 36, 15 and 48%, respectively, within 3 h . 2. The effect produced by the higher dose (400 mg/kg) was equivalent to that produced by indomethacin (100 mg/kg). At 100 and 400 mg/kg, sodium valproate decreased the granuloma formation by a significant level. Similar doses of sodium valproate did not affect the rectal temperature in yeast-fevered mice, except with a dose of 200 mg/kg, which showed a significant decrease at 180 and 240 min posttreatment. 3. In comparison, sodium salicylate reduced the hyperthermia very significantly throughout the study period. 4. In normothermic mice, the rectal temperature changed only with a 400 mg/kg dose, but did not respond to lower SV doses. 5. The results indicate that sodium valproate, useful clinically as an epileptic drug, may have a potential therapeutic use as a mild antiinflammatory agent.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Influence of anethole treatment on the tumour induced by Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in paw of Swiss albino mice.

The anticarcinogenic potential of anethole was studied in Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) in the paw of Swiss albino mice. The antitumour activity was evaluated from the cytotoxicity of EAT-cells in the paw and their biochemical changes were determined from nucleic acids, protein, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (NP-SH) concentrations. Furthermore, the observations on survival rate, tumour weight, its volume and body weight of EAT-bearing mice were made. The EAT-bearing paws were also evaluated for histopathological changes. Additional studies were undertaken on the cytological effects of anethole in order to establish its clastogenic and mitodepressive activity in normal mice. The results obtained in the present study revealed anethole to increase the survival time, reduce the tumour weight and volume and body weight of the EAT-bearing mice. It caused a significant cytotoxic effect in EAT cells in the paw, reduced the levels of nucleic acids and MDA, and increased NP-SH concentrations. The histopathological changes observed after treatment with anethole were comparable to the standard cytotoxic drug cyclophosphamide. The results on the frequency of micronuclei and the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes to normochromatic erythrocytes showed anethole to be mitodepressive and non-clastogenic in the femoral cells of mice. Our results indicate the anticarcinogenic, cytotoxic and non=clastogenic nature of anethole. Further studies are warranted to explore the mode of action and safety of anethole for its possible use in cancer therapy.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

A study of ambrein treatment for the evaluation of change in plasma biochemical parameters in rats.

Biochemical effects of acute and subacute treatments with ambrein were investigated in rats by measuring the total proteins, cholesterol, triglycerides, GOT, GPT and alkaline phosphatase in the blood plasma. Also, determinations of prothrombin time (PT), partial thrombin time (PTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen level were performed. Furthermore, changes in plasma electrolyte concentration were studied. Ambrein administered i.p. did not cause any toxic symptoms in the liver as revealed by the histology of the liver tissue both in acute and subacute treatments. Ambrein itself did not significantly affect the plasma protein, cholesterol, GOT and GPT profiles, but lowered alkaline phosphatase at high doses (50 and 250 mg/kg) after subacute treatment. Thus far, no specific pattern of action of ambrein in electrolyte control has been found. However, it increased PT, PTT and TT and decreased fibrinogen levels in both the acute and subacute studies, pointing towards its potential as an anticoagulant and antifibrinogenic agent.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of Caralluma tuberculata pretreatment for the protection of rat gastric mucosa against toxic damage.

The ethanolic extract of Caralluma tuberculata N. E. Brown has been screened for its potential to protect gastric mucosa against the injuries caused by 80% ethanol, 0.2 M NaOH, hypertonic saline, and indomethacin. C. tuberculata at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body wt given 30 min before the necrotizing agents provided dose-dependent protection against the damage caused by all tested agents. The effects caused by ethanol were further investigated. Treatment of rats with 1 ml of 80% ethanol (gavage) was found to cause depletion of stomach-wall mucus, to lower the concentrations of proteins, nucleic acids, and nonprotein sulfhydryl groups in the stomach wall, and to cause histopathological lesions, including necrosis, erosions, congestion, and hemorrhage, of the stomach wall. C. tuberculata treatment caused a dose-dependent protection against all these effects. In the same manner it affected malondialdehyde concentrations altered by ethanol treatment. C. tuberculata also offered protection against mucosal damage caused by indomethacin. The protective effects of C. tuberculata in addition to its effects on mucus production and nonprotein sulfhydryl concentration may be mediated through its free radical scavenging and prostaglandin inducing properties.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Studies on the antiinflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic activities of santonin.

Santonin, a sesquiterpene lactone, commonly found in the plants of the family Compositae was found to show significant antiinflammatory activity on acute inflammatory processes. The activity profile of santonin closely resembled that of a standard non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, diclofenac sodium. It also showed a significant inhibitory effect on granuloma formation; however, this effect of santonin was less pronounced as compared to diclofenac sodium. Santonin caused a significant antipyretic effect in mice, which was found to be independent of the route of administration of the drug. It also increased the hot plate reaction time of treated mice, similar to morphine.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1994

Cardiac stress testing with thallium-201 imaging reveals silent ischemia in individuals with paraplegia.

The purpose of this study was to determine through noninvasive arm ergometry and radionuclide tomographic imaging the presence of latent coronary heart disease (CHD) in subjects with paraplegia. Assessment of CHD in spinal cord injury, using these methods, has not been addressed previously. Twenty asymptomatic subjects with paraplegia performed arm ergometry exercise stress testing with thallium-201 single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) or planar myocardial imaging studies. All subjects had normal resting electrocardiograms (ECG). Only five subjects had ECG evidence of ischemia on exercise testing, whereas 13 subjects, including the five subjects with ECG positive stress tests, had scintigraphic evidence of ischemia. Thus, eight subjects would have been undiagnosed for CHD without thallium-201 SPECT imaging. These individuals had multiple risk factors for CHD and, except for age, were without a statistically significant difference between the groups with positive or negative thallium stress imaging studies. Arm ergometry stress thallium imaging shows a high prevalence of ischemia in subjects with paraplegia.

Adult↗