Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Choudhary

Publications and source records attributed to S Choudhary.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Preventing gut leakiness by oats supplementation ameliorates alcohol-induced liver damage in rats.

Only 30% of alcoholics develop liver disease (ALD) suggesting that additional factors are needed. Endotoxin is one such factor, but its etiology is unclear. Since the gut is the main source of endotoxin, we sought to determine whether an increase in intestinal permeability (leaky gut) is required for alcohol-induced endotoxemia and liver injury and whether the gut leakiness is preventable. For 10 weeks, rats received by gavage increasing alcohol doses (to 8 g/kg/day) and either oats (10 g/kg) or chow b.i.d. Intestinal permeability was then assessed by urinary excretion of lactulose and mannitol. Liver injury was evaluated histologically, biochemically (liver fat content), and by serum aminotransferase. Alcohol caused gut leakiness that was associated with both endotoxemia and liver injury. Oats prevented these changes. We conclude that chronic gavage of alcohol in rats is a simple experimental model that mimics key aspects of ALD, including endotoxemia and liver injury, and can be useful to study possible mechanisms of endotoxemia in ALD. Since preventing the gut leakiness by oats also prevented the endotoxemia and ameliorated liver damage in rat, our results suggest that alcohol-induced gut leakiness 1) may cause alcohol-induced endotoxemia and liver injury and 2) may be the critical cofactor in the 30% of alcoholics who develop ALD. Further studies are needed to determine whether ALD in humans can be prevented by preventing alcohol-induced gut leakiness, studies that should lead to the development of useful therapeutic agents for the prevention of ALD.

Animals↗

Oxidant-induced intestinal barrier disruption and its prevention by growth factors in a human colonic cell line: role of the microtubule cytoskeleton.

Reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) are increased in the inflamed mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may contribute to loss of intestinal barrier function in this disorder. Growth factors (GF) are protective. But the mechanisms of disruption and protection remain elusive. In the present investigation, we hypothesized that the microtubules (a critical cytoskeletal element) play a key role in the molecular mechanism of intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by ROM and in GF-mediated protection. Utilizing monolayers of a human colonic cell line (Caco-2), we evaluated the effects of ROM (H(2)O(2) or HOCl), in the presence or absence of GF (epidermal growth factor [EGF]; transforming growth factor-alpha [TGF-alpha]), on intestinal barrier function, tubulin (microtubule structural protein), and microtubule stability. Monolayers were also processed for two highly sensitive western immunoblots: fractionated polymerized tubulin (S2; an index of stability); monomeric tubulin (S1; an index of disruption) to detect the oxidation and disassembly/assembly of tubulin. ROM exposure led to a significant increase in the oxidation of tubulin, decrease in the stable S2 polymerized tubulin, and increase in the unstable S1 monomeric tubulin. In concert, each ROM in a dose dependent manner damaged the microtubule cytoskeleton and disrupted barrier function. GF pretreatment not only increased the S2 stable tubulin and decreased tubulin oxidation but also, concomitantly, prevented the disruption of microtubules and loss of barrier function in monolayers exposed to ROM. Antibody against the GF-receptor and inhibitors of GF-receptor tyrosine kinase abolished GF protection, indicating the involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. As predicted, colchicine, an inhibitor of microtubule assembly, caused barrier dysfunction and prevented GF protection whereas taxol, a microtubule-stabilizing agent, mimicked the protective effects of GF. Thus, organization and stability of the microtubule cytoskeleton appears to be critical to both oxidant-induced mucosal barrier dysfunction and protection of intestinal barrier mediated by GF. Therefore, microtubules may be useful targets for development of drugs for the treatment of IBD.

Caco-2 Cells↗

Angiographic patterns of in-stent restenosis and implications on subsequent revascularization.

Stent implantation has become the mainstay of percutaneous revascularization for most coronary lesions; in-stent restenosis (ISR) can occur in 6%-40% of stent procedures and the subsequent response to repeat intervention can possibly be predicted by the angiographic patterns of ISR. This study evaluated the incidence and predictors of angiographic patterns of ISR and its impact on subsequent target lesion revascularization (TLR) in 100 consecutive patients having Palmaz-Schatz ISR undergoing intervention. Diffuse ISR (>/=10 mm) was observed in 78% and focal ISR (>10 mm) in 22%. Diffuse vs. focal ISR occurred earlier after stent implantation and was more common in diabetics. Angiographic predictors of diffuse ISR were stent implantation for a restenotic lesion, long lesions, smaller vessel, stenting without debulking, and high-pressure balloon inflation (>16 atm). TLR after repeat intervention was 46% for diffuse and 14% for focal ISR (P < 0.02). Rotational atherectomy resulted in lower TLR (31%) vs. PTCA or restent (64%) in diffuse ISR (P < 0.004). Therefore, diffuse ISR is more common than focal ISR, usually occurs in the setting of aggressive intimal hyperplasia, and can be predicted by clinical and angiographic variables. Also, diffuse intimal hyperplasia within a stent responds poorly to PTCA and may benefit from a more aggressive debulking strategy such as rotational atherectomy. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 49:23-29, 2000.

Aged↗

Exacerbation of alcoholic liver injury by enteral endotoxin in rats.

Increased gut permeability (leaky gut) and endotoxin-mediated Kupffer cell activation are proposed as the mechanisms of alcoholic liver injury. Although ethanol feeding is shown to sensitize the liver for injury induced by parental administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), how enteral LPS loading affects alcoholic liver injury is yet to be tested. The present study provides direct evidence for enhanced entrance to portal circulation of LPS enterally administered to the intragastric ethanol infusion model. Portal and systemic blood endotoxin levels increased to 43.0 +/- 4.1 and 6.2 +/- 4.3 pg/mL at 2 hours following enteral LPS administration (5 mg/kg) in alcohol-fed animals, while no such increases were observed in pair-fed controls. However, endotoxin levels in systemic blood of alcohol-fed rats were reduced to 0 to 1. 5 pg/mL 16 hours after LPS administration. Weekly enteral administration of LPS to the model for 9 weeks exacerbated an increase in plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (227 +/- 75 vs. 140 +/- 70; P <.01), mononuclear infiltration (25 +/- 22 vs. 6.4 +/- 4.4/10 mm(2); P =.02), sinusoidal congestion, and spotty necrosis, and induced diffuse coagulative necrosis and centrilobular fibrosis in some animals. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed the LPS effect at the tissue level by demonstrating accentuated induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and Cox-2 mRNA. In conclusion, enteral LPS administration potentiates alcoholic liver necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis despite efficient endotoxin clearance by the liver and mild systemic endotoxemia that occurs episodically following enteral LPS challenge.

Animals↗

Local tissue reactions to oil-based breast implant bleed.

We present two cases (three implants) of symptomatic local tissue reactions to Trilucent breast implant bleeds. The implant shells had changed their colour and texture. Capsule histology showed foreign body reaction and inflammatory changes. These findings question the safety of these implants.

Adult↗

The phosphoprotein of rabies virus is phosphorylated by a unique cellular protein kinase and specific isomers of protein kinase C.

The phosphoprotein (P) gene of rabies virus (CVS strain) was cloned and expressed in bacteria. The purified protein was used as the substrate for phosphorylation by the protein kinase(s) present in cell extract prepared from rat brain. Two distinct types of protein kinases, staurosporin sensitive and heparin sensitive, were found to phosphorylate the P protein in vitro by the cell extract. Interestingly, the heparin-sensitive kinase was not the ubiquitous casein kinase II present in a variety of cell types. Further purification of the cell fractions revealed that the protein kinase C (PKC) isomers constitute the staurosporin-sensitive kinases alpha, beta, gamma, and zeta, with the PKCgamma isomer being the most effective in phosphorylating the P protein. A unique heparin-sensitive kinase was characterized as a 71-kDa protein with biochemical properties not demonstrated by any known protein kinases stored in the protein data bank. This protein kinase, designated RVPK (rabies virus protein kinase), phosphorylates P protein (36 kDa) and alters its mobility in gel to migrate at 40 kDa. In contrast, the PKC isoforms do not change the mobility of unphosphorylated P protein. RVPK appears to be packaged in the purified virions, to display biochemical characteristics similar to those of the cell-purified RVPK, and to similarly alter the mobility of endogenous P protein upon phosphorylation. By site-directed mutagenesis, the sites of phosphorylation of RVPK were mapped at S(63) and S(64), whereas PKC isomers phosphorylated at S(162), S(210), and S(271). Involvement of a unique protein kinase in phosphorylating rabies virus P protein indicates its important role in the structure and function of the protein and consequently in the life cycle of the virus.

Animals↗

Role of NH(2)- and COOH-terminal domains of the P protein of human parainfluenza virus type 3 in transcription and replication.

The phosphoproteins (P proteins) of paramyxoviruses play a central role in transcription and replication of the viruses by forming the RNA polymerase complex L-P and encapsidation complex (N-P) with nucleocapsid protein (N) and binding to N protein-encapsidated genome RNA template (N-RNA template). We have analyzed the human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) P protein and deletion mutants thereof in an in vitro transcription and in vivo replication system. The in vitro system utilizes purified N-RNA template and cell extract containing L and P proteins coexpressed via plasmids using a recombinant vaccinia virus expression system. The in vivo system takes advantage of minigenome replication, which measures luciferase reporter gene expression from HPIV3 minigenomes by viral proteins in a recombinant vaccinia virus expression system. These studies revealed that the C-terminal 20-amino-acid region of P is absolutely required for transcription in vitro and luciferase expression in vivo, suggesting its critical role in viral RNA synthesis. The N-terminal 40-amino-acid region, on the other hand, is essential for luciferase expression but dispensable for transcription in vitro. Consistent with these findings, the C-terminal domain is required for binding of P protein to the N-RNA template involved in both transcription and replication, whereas the N-terminal domain is required for the formation of soluble N-P complex involved in encapsidation of nascent RNA chains during replication. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis showed that the P protein forms a stable homooligomer (perhaps a trimer) that is present in L-P and N-P complexes in the higher oligomeric forms (at least a pentamer). Interestingly, coexpression of a large excess of N- or C-terminally deleted P with wild-type P had no effect on minigenome replication in vivo, notwithstanding the formation of heterooligomeric complexes. These data indicate that P protein with a deleted terminal domain can function normally within the P heterooligomeric complex to carry out transcription and replication in vivo.

Cell Line↗

Specific phosphorylated forms of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase associate with human parainfluenza virus type 3 and inhibit viral transcription in vitro.

We previously reported specific interaction of cellular glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), the key glycolytic enzyme, and La protein, the RNA polymerase III transcription factor, with the cis-acting RNAs of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) and packaging of these proteins within purified virions (B. P. De, S. Gupta, H. Zhao, J. Z. Drazba, and A. K. Banerjee, J. Biol. Chem. 271:24728-24735, 1996). To gain further insight into these molecular interactions, we analyzed the virion-associated GAPDH and La protein using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The GAPDH was resolved into two major and one minor molecular species migrating in the pI range of 7.6 to 8.3, while the La protein was resolved into five molecular species in the pI range of 6.8 to 7.5. The GAPDH isoforms present in the virions were also detected in the cytoplasmic fraction of CV-1 cell extract, albeit as minor species. On the other hand, the multiple molecular forms of La protein as seen within the virions were readily detected in the total CV-1 cell extract. Further analysis of virion-associated GAPDH by in vivo labeling with [(32)P]orthophosphate revealed the presence of multiple phosphorylated species. The phosphorylated species were able to bind specifically to the viral cis-acting 3' genome sense RNA but failed to bind to the leader sense RNA, as determined by gel mobility shift assay. In contrast, the La protein isoforms present within the virions were not phosphorylated and bound to the viral cis-acting RNAs in a phosphorylation-independent manner. The GAPDH isoforms purified from the CV-1 cell cytoplasmic fraction inhibited viral transcription in vitro. Consistent with this, flag-tagged recombinant GAPDH synthesized by using the vaccinia virus expression system also inhibited viral transcription. Together, these data indicate that specific phosphorylated forms of GAPDH associate with HPIV3 and are involved in the regulation of virus gene expression.

Autoantigens↗

Delusional parasitosis: a clinical profile.

OBJECTIVE: Delusional parasitosis is a form of monohypochondriacal psychosis, a condition sometimes encountered in psychiatric or primary care practice. The outcome of this condition is not well known. METHOD: In the present study, a series of fifty-two consecutive cases of delusional parasitosis is reported. RESULTS: A majority of cases (92%) had insidious onset. The duration of symptoms in all but two cases was six months or more. Twenty-six cases presented with a delusion of infestation by insects over the body and twenty-three cases with a delusion of insects crawling over the scalp. Three cases had associated diabetes mellitus, five cases had leprosy, five cases dementia, four cases had depression, and three cases presented with trichotillomania. Pimozide was used in forty-six cases, amitriptyline and fluoxetine in three cases each. Twenty-eight cases (54%) showed complete remission while receiving pharmacotherapy, eighteen cases showed partial improvement, and six cases did not respond to treatment. CONCLUSION: Further studies are warranted to study the treatment and outcome of this important psychiatric disorder.

Adult↗

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 upregulates ICAM-1 (CD54) expression in a cytokine-independent manner.

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) causes bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and croup in newborns and infants. Several studies have implicated intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in inflammation during infection by viruses. In this study, we investigated the potential for HPIV3 to induce ICAM-1 in HT1080 cells. FACS analysis showed that HPIV3 strongly induced ICAM-1 expression in these cells. The ICAM-1 induction was significantly reduced when the virions were UV inactivated prior to infection, indicating that ICAM-1 induction was mostly viral replication dependent. Culture supernatant of HPIV3-infected cells induced ICAM-1 at an extremely low level, indicating that virus-induced cytokines played only a minor role in the induction process. Consistent with this, potent inducers of ICAM-1 such as IFN-gamma, TGF-beta, and TNF-alpha were absent in the culture supernatant, but a significant amount of IFN type 1 was present. By using U2A cells, which are defective in IFN type I signaling, we confirmed that ICAM-1 induction by HPIV3 occurred in a JAK/STAT signaling-independent manner. These data strongly indicate that HPIV3 induces ICAM-1 directly by viral antigens in a cytokine-independent manner; this induction may play a role in the inflammation during HPIV3 infection.

Animals↗

Neurologic complications of dropsy: from possibility to reality.

Epidemic dropsy, which results from the accidental ingestion of mustard oil adulterated with argemone oil, has been associated with certain neurologic symptoms. The occurrence of objective neurologic involvement has, however, precluded this illness. We report two cases, who were victims of epidemic dropsy in the recent outbreak in India and showed objective neurologic deficit in the form of brachial neuritis.

Adult↗

Rotational atherectomy: improved procedural outcome with evolution of technique and equipment. Single-center results of first 1,000 patients.

We present our single-center experience of rotational atherectomy (RA) in the first 1,000 consecutive patients divided arbitrarily into three different time periods corresponding to significant changes in technique or equipment for RA. Period I (August 1994 to April 1995; 172 cases) is characterized by early experience, longer ablation, and frequent use of intra-aortic balloon pump; period II (May 1995 to January 1996; 254 cases) is characterized by short ablation runs (20-30 sec) and use of rotaflush; period III (February 1996 to February 1997; 574 cases) is characterized by ReoPro use, neosynephrine boluses to avoid hypotension, and rota floppy wire and flexible shaft burrs. The procedural success rate has improved and complication rates have progressively declined over these three time periods. The incidence of lesion complexity (long and type C lesions) and patients with unstable rest angina have increased over these time periods of RA. Therefore, modification in procedural techniques and equipment over time have made RA a safe technique despite its use in very complex lesion subsets.

Aged↗