http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3451 Search the Channel search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/simple-search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3531 Title: Biochemical changes in erythrocyte membrane in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus <br/> <br/>Authors: Reshamwala, Shamlan M S; Patil, Neela D <br/> <br/>Abstract: The levels of lipid peroxidation and alterations in lipid composition and ATPase activities were determined in erythrocyte plasma membrane of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. The study groups consisted of 30 patients (16 males, 14 females) attending the Out Patients’ Department of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, and 23 age- and sex-matched control subjects (15 males, 8 females). Glycated haemoglobin (an index of long-term glycaemic control), erythrocyte membrane cholesterol, phospholipid and cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio, lipid peroxidation products in the form of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity were found to be significantly increased, and Mg²⁺-ATPase activity significantly decreased, in the diabetic subjects, as compared to controls. The study suggests that biochemical changes in the erythrocyte membrane may be involved in the pathophysiology of type 2 DM. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 250-253 Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3530 Title: Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Terminalia chebula fruit against isoproterenol-induced oxidative stress in rats <br/> <br/>Authors: Suchalatha, Subramaniyan; Devi, Chennam Srinivasulu Shyamala <br/> <br/>Abstract: Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of fruits of Terminalia chebula (500 mg/kg body wt, orally for 30 days) against isoproterenol-induced oxidative stress was investigated in rats. The levels of serum lipid peroxides, iron, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, plasma iron-binding capacity, and the activities of ceruloplasmin and glutathione were assayed, in addition to the activities of the antioxidant enzymes — glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the heart tissue. Administration of isoproterenol increased the levels of lipid peroxides and iron, with corresponding decrease in the activities of the enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants. The pre-treatment with ethanolic extract of fruits significantly prevented the alterations induced by isoproterenol, and maintained a near normal antioxidant status. Results suggest that the cardioprotective effect of T. chebula fruit may partly be attributed to its antioxidant properties. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 246-249 Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3529 Title: Induction of apoptosis in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells exposed to eicosapentaenoic acid in vitro <br/> <br/>Authors: Li, Mei; Ge, Haitao; Kong, Xiuqin; Zheng, Weifa; Liu, Zhili <br/> <br/>Abstract: The effect of different concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), on rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells were evaluated using cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, flow cytometric DNA analysis and electronic microscopy. A time- and dose-dependent decrease in the cell viability was observed in the cultures of PC12 cells, supplemented with EPA. The incubation with 200 μM EPA for 48 and 72 hr induced a decrease in the cell viability by 53.40 and 53.43%, respectively. Treatment of PC12 cells with EPA induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, as evidenced by flow cytometry analysis. The highest percentage of apoptotic cells accumulated to 30.32%, following treatment with 200 μM EPA. The LDH levels increased significantly on treatment with 100 and 200 μM EPA, by 144.4 and 197.3%, respectively, compared with the untreated control. In addition, the cell morphology change was also observed by electron microscopy. The results suggest that EPA mediates its effect on the PC12 cells, at least in part, via the induction by apoptosis. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 222-227 Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3528 Title: Occurrence of trypsin-like protease in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) <br/> <br/>Authors: Josephrajkumar, A; Chakrabarty, Romit; Thomas, George <br/> <br/>Abstract: Occurrence of trypsin-like protease in fresh cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) seeds, as evidenced by the benzoyl-arg-p-nitroanilide (BApNA) hydrolyzing ability of the seed enzyme preparation under alkaline condition is reported for the first time. The enzyme has a pH and temperature optima as 8 and 45ºC, respectively. It is inhibited by aprotinin and phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting the presence of serine residues at the active site. The enzyme had a Vmax of 98.01 nmoles p-nitroaniline released per min per mg protein and Km of 0.0684 mM with BApNA as substrate. Addition of aprotinin (75.75 μM) increased Km value by three-folds, whereas the Vmax was reduced by 23%. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 243-245 Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:58:59 GMT