Modulation of acute cadmium toxicity by Emblica officinalis fruit in rat

The efficacy of Emblica officinalis in modifying the acute cytotoxicity of cadmium in male rats was evaluated. Oral administration of Emblica fruit juice (500 mg/kg, b.w.) for 8 days followed by a single toxic dose of Cd as CdCl2 (3 mg/kg,b.w. ip), considerably reduced the mortality in rats as well as prevented to some extent the cadmium induced histopathological damage in testis, liver and kidneys. Biochemical investigation also revealed reduced levels of Cd induced serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase. The enhanced levels of Cd and lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney, and testes and metallothionein and total sulphydryl in liver and kidney by Cd were significantly reduced by Emblica pretreatment. These results suggest cytoprotective potential of Emblica fruit in acute cadmium toxicity which could be due to its multiple role in biological system.     

A comparative histological study of certain nematodes

Summary A histological and anatomical study has been made of the digestive tract, excretory system, and somatic musculature of examples of the following families: Oncholaimidae, Rhabdiasidae, Strongylidae, Heterakidae, Oxyuridae, and Dorylaimidae. The excretory systems of these groups presents one of the most varied pictures of nemic anatomy. While as yet it is too early to draw conclusions, this system will probably furnish one of the best clews to the relationships of the various groups. The evolution of the musculature from the platymyarian to the coelomyarian form has probably occurred several times in the course of nemic development. It is interesting chiefly from the fact that those nematodes with the more simple platymyarian type of musculature could not have arisen from a more specialized type, thus acting as a check on relationship arrived at by other means. Despite the large number of articles dealing with the anatomy of nematodes, we have but skimmed the surface, and we must obtain information regarding the internal structure of every family of nematodes before conclusions will bear much weight.Abbreviations ac accessory organ - amp ampulla - amph amphid - amph gl amphidial gland - an anus - bas m basal membrane - blb? pseudobulb - blb bulb - bm basal membrane - b cl cell body - cl? cell whose function is unknown - cl b cell body - ch dsl dorsal chord - cl int intestinal chord - cl lat lateral chord - cl ren renette cell - cl nrv nerve cell - ch vnt ventral chord - carp body of gland - crd cardia - dct duct - dct ej ejaculatory duct - det ex excretory duct - det en connective duct - dct gl cdl duct of caudal gland - ct subv duct of subventral gland - dct gl dsl duct of dorsal galnd oviduet - dct gl subn duct of subventral gland - dct ov oviduct - dsl gl rct dorsal rectal gland - dsl on dorsal tooth - ej ovejector - el elevation - emb embryo in uterus - ex cr external leaf crown - ex lat longitudinal excretory gland - fbr amph amphidial nerve fibril - gl dsl oe dorsal gland - gl dsl ncl nucleus of dorsal gland - gl dsl dorsal gland - gl ex excretory gland - gl marg marginal gland - gl oe esophageal gland - gl ej ejaculatory gland - gl subv oe subventral esophageal gland - gl subd subdorsal gland - gl subv subventral gland - gl subv rct subventral rectal gland - gnd gonad - gng cl ganglion cell - gr granule - gl rct rectal gland - int intestine - int cr internal leaf crown - lat longitudinal duct - lb lip - lob gl lobe of gland - lob gl ds lobe of dorsal gland - lob gl subv lobe of subventral gland - l subv on right subventral tooth - marg fbr marginal fibers - msc fibular part of muscle - msc oe esophageal muscle - msc pl sarcoplasm - msc sph sphincter muscle - ncl nucleus - ncl brg cl nucleus bridge cell - ncl brg oe nucleus esophagus muscle - ncl gl dsl nucleus of dorsal gland - ncl gl subv. nucleus of subventral gland - ncl marg marginal nucleus - ncl p peripheral nucleus - ncl msc cl nucleus of muscle fibers - ncl oe esophageal nucleus - ncl b cl nucleus in cell body - ncl cl ren nucleus of renette cell - ncl gl dsl nucleus of dorsal gland - ncl o msc nucleus of ordinary muscle fibers - nvr r nerve ring - oe esophagus - or orifice - org? organ of unknown function - or amph opening of amphid - or dsl gl orifice of dorsal gland - or subv gl opening of subventral gland - oe msc n esophageal muscle nucleus - ov oviduct - p. ex excretory pore - ph pharynx - ppl papilla - pre ppl preanal papilla - pre rct pre rectum - ren renette - ret d retractor dorsalis - ret reticulum - rct rectum - r subv on right Subventral tooth - s, rv reservoir - rv? possible reservoir - set seta - sp spicule - st Stabehensaum - subd msc subdorsal muscle - trm termination of duct - trm ov blind end of ovary - t p tunica propria - ut uterus - valv valve - valv int intestinal valve - valve ret valve reticulum - vlv vulva     

Experimental model of membranous nephropathy in mice: sequence of histological and biochemical events

An experimental model of membranous nephropathy (MN) has not been established fully in mice. We characterized the time course of MN in a murine MN model induced by cationic bovine serum albumin (cBSA). Preimmunized mice received cBSA intravenously for six weeks to induce MN and were then sacrificed at different times. Metabolic profiles, renal histopathology, lymphocyte subsets, serum anti-cBSA immunoglobulins (Igs), antibody subclasses and circulating immune complexes (CIC) were evaluated to study the severity and mechanisms of disease initiation and progression. Clinical symptoms of overt proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia and hypercholesterolaemia were observed from week 4, and typical histological findings of diffuse thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and subepithelial deposition were identified after week 6. Granular fluorescent staining for IgG and complement C3 were observed as early as week 4. Total splenocyte number increased, but the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ cells did not change as the disease progressed. The predominant isotype of anti-cBSA Igs was IgG1, suggesting a T-helper 2 cell-prone immune response in the development of MN. The strong positive immunofluorescent staining of the immune complex concomitant with higher concentrations of Igs in serum but no significant change in CIC levels before week 4 suggest the involvement of in situ deposition of immune complex in the process of MN. This murine model resembles the clinical and pathological features of human MN and may provide a tool for investigating MN; this model may also have potential applications in gene-knockout or transgenic mouse technologies.     

Amelioration of alcohol-induced oxidative stress by Emblica officinalis (amla) in rats

The present study was aimed at investigating the ameliorative effect of Emblica (Phyllanthus Emblica L) fruit extract (EFE) against alcohol-induced oxidative changes in plasma biochemical profile in rats. Alcohol administration (5 g/kg body wt/day) for 60 days resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher levels of plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx), total bilirubin, creatinine, and abnormalities in lipid and lipoproteins. Moreover, alcohol receiving rats showed significantly (P<0.05) lowered plasma total protein, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio and uric acid, with no significant change in glucose level. The EFE administration (250 mg/kg body wt/day) to alcohol-administered rats significantly modulated plasma lipids and lipoprotein patterns and also decreased nitrite/nitrate, total bilirubin and creatinine levels. EFE administration to alcohol receiving rats showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in plasma total protein, A/G ratio and uric acid levels. Total cholesterol (r = 0.466), triglycerides (r = 0.574), VLDL-C (r = 0.578), LDL-C (r = 0.225) and total bilirubin (r = 0.419) showed a stronger positive correlation with that of NOx in alcohol-treated rats. The concentration of nitric oxide (NOx) was negatively correlated with HDL-C (r = -0.285) and uric acid (r = 0.392) in alcohol-treated rats. The amelioration of alcohol-induced oxidative stress might be due to the combined effect of phytophenols, such as tannins and flavonoid compounds and vitamin C.     

Muscle regeneration induced by snake venom. A histological and histochemical study

This report describes the regeneration pattern of anterior tibial muscle of the rat after the inoculation of the snake venom of Bothrops jararacussu. The results show that this regeneration pattern is rather similar to the pattern described in other experimental models. Three days after the injection, three differentiated areas are established: a peripheric one of surviving fibres, a second one called myogenic area, and the last one, more internal, made of necrotic fibres that are phagocytized by macrophages. The surface of the surviving muscle fibres has myoblasts sticking to it and five days after, the myogenic area is occupied by many of them. Both the previous phagocytosis and the myoblasts came from the area of current uninjured fibres. After 30 and 60 days the regeneration is completed and there are only a few marks that show that the regeneration has taken place.     

Reversal of platelet aggregation by aortic microsomes

The microsomal fraction of dog aortas inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, ADP, or thrombin. When aortic microsomes were added to a preparation of irreversibly aggregated platelets, the aggregates dispersed after 4–6 minutes. The fact that aortic microsomes inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP suggests that its effect is probably on the cellular function of platelets and not in direct competition against thromboxane A₂.     

Reversal of auxin induced inhibition by ethrel

The interaction between exogenous 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Ethrel, CEPA) and auxin (both native and synthetic—IAA) was studied on pea and bean seedlings, potato tubers, and processed flax plants. After the addition of ethrel the inhibiting effect of IAA was decreased in all objects and it was found that the concentration of the growth of the regulators played an important role. The growth response of a part of flax hypocotyl, as induced by exogenous auxin produced in the cotyledon, was reversed by ethrel, too. The application of ethrel on the epicotyl apex in beans resulted in the lost of apical dominance of epicotyl and in the growth of lateral buds together with the epicotyl. When stimulating the growth, ethrel reverses the inhibitions through the decrease in the auxin content (from an inhibiting, supraoptimum level to an optimum one which already stimulates growth). In objects with a low content of endogenous auxin the ethrel induced the decrease in the auxin content and shows an inhibiting effect on growth.     

Reversal by dithiothreitol of urease inactivation by L-usnic acid

L-Usnic acid inactivates urease through the formation of high M, aggregates of the enzyme. In addition, L-usnic acid strongly binds to the protein, blocking the essential -SH groups of the urease molecule. Low concentrations of dithiothreitol (about 0.8 mM) reverse this blockade without any modification in the pattern of polymerization, inducing the appearance of active high M, polymers.     

Reversal by pressure of seed germination promoted by anesthetics

Germination of Panicum capillare L. caryopses induced by solutions of ethanol and ethyl ether was prevented by application of pressure >1 MPa during the period of exposure to the anesthetic. This effect of pressure indicates that germination is correlated with expansion at a site of anesthetic action in a cell membrane. The effects of several other anesthetics were measured on germination of P. capillare seeds. Ethanol, chloroform, and ethyl ether had the highest activity. Methanol and isopropanol were inactive. The effective compounds are thought to distribute preferentially to lipid-solution interfaces in cell membranes of the seeds.     

Reduction of hexachlorocyclohexane-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in rat liver by Emblica officinalis gaertn

The effect of prefeeding of dehydrated E. officinalis (amla) powder at 5 and 10% levels on hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-induced changes in multicomponent antioxidant system and lipid peroxides in rat liver was studied. HCH induced significant elevation in hepatic malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes and hydroperoxides. The prefeeding of amla at 10% level could decrease the formation of these lipid peroxides significantly. The HCH abuse resulted in a significant reduction in hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities with an elevation in the activities of glutathione peroxidase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). On the other hand, the HCH-induced impairment in hepatic catalase, G-6-PDH and SOD activities were modulated by amla at the 10% level of intake. Prefeeding of amla at 5 and 10% levels appeared to reduce the HCH-induced raise in renal GGT activity. The results show the elevation of hepatic antioxidant system and reduction of cytotoxic products as a result of prefeeding of amla, which were otherwise affected by the HCH administration.