Aging brain: Prevention of oxidative stress by vitamin E and exercise

With aging, the brain undergoes neuronal loss in many areas. Although the loss of cells in the cerebral cortex, in particular the frontal cortex, has been recognized with aging, the influence of synaptic losses has a larger impact on cognitive decline. Much of the recent research on animals, as well as humans, has been aimed at slowing the cognitive decline through enrichment, and it has been found that the key factors are antioxidants and exercise. Several reports support the concept that regular supplementation of vitamin E and physical activity from as early as middle age can slow the cognitive decline observed during the later years. A few studies have also suggested that exercise is analogous to acetylcholine esterase inhibitors that are also used extensively to treat cognitive impairment and dementia in Alzheimer's disease. In addition, reports also support that vitamin E and exercise may act synergistically to overcome free radical injury and oxidative stress in the aging brain. ©2009 with author. Published by TheScientificWorld

Effects of training on the extent of experimental myocardial infarction in aging rats

The effects of exercise on the severity of isoproterenol [7683-​59-​2]​-​induced myocardial infarction were studied in female albino rats of 20, 40, 60, and 80 wk of age. The rats were trained to swim for a specific duration and for a particular period. The occurrence of infarcts were confirmed by histol. methods. Elevations in the serum glutamate-​oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) [9000-​97-​9] and glutamate-​pyruvate transaminase (GPT) [9000-​86-​6] were max. in the sedentary-​isoproterenols and min. in the exercise controls. These changes in the serum transaminases were assocd. with corresponding depletions in the cardiac GOT and GPT. However, age interfered with the responses exhibited by the young and old rats

Temperature-induced changes in anaerobic capacity of interventricular septum in trained young and middle-aged rats

The interventricular site has been proposed as one of the sites for the myocyte cell death with aging and thereby enhancing the possibility of ventricular dysfunction with aging. Variations in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a key glycolytic regulatory enzyme along with its isomers were used as indices to evaluate the anaerobic capacity of the interventricular septum (IVS) in 2-month-old (young) and 12-month-old (middle-aged) rats trained to swim at 25°C (cold, C) and 35°C (thermo neutral, N) temperatures. Blood lactate (La) and LDH along with its isoenzymes in the IVS were assessed and compared with untrained and sedentary rats. Increased septal and heart weight was indicative of age-related hypertrophy accompanied by increased septal thickness. Elevated total LDH activity was evident in both the trained groups in the young. The middle-aged animals exhibited lesser variations in LDH and, H and M subunits. The data suggest an efficient adaptability of the IVS of young rats to physical training in contrast to a poor response by the IVS of middle-aged animals

Dietary vitamin E and physical exercise: I. Altered endurance capacity and plasma lipid profile in ageing rats

The effect of vitamin E on the exercise performance and plasma lipid profile was studied in male Wistar rats of 4-(young adults), 8-(old adults), 12-(middle-age) and 22-months (old) of age. Animals were orally supplemented with vitamin E and allowed to swim for 30min/day, 5 days/week and for a total period of 60 days. Swim velocity (Sv), external work done (Wext) and endurance (E) capacity were the parameters that were used to assess the exercise performance of the trained rats that were either supplemented or non-supplemented with the dietary antioxidant. Plasma lipid profile analyses were in terms of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein, (HDL-C) cholesterol and total cholesterol (C). Age-related decline in Sv was noticeable in the 22-months old rats. However, the effect of vitamin E on the Sv between the trained groups was not evident in any of the age groups. Wext increased linearly with age with no significant variations between the trainees. Trainee rats, when allowed to swim to exhaustion, showed a higher endurance capacity when supplemented with vitamin E. However, this capacity declined with age. There was a significant age-associated elevation in plasma C with corresponding increase in LDL-C. Exercise training in conjunction with vitamin E supplementation was most effective in elevating HDL-C levels in all age groups. These changes were accompanied by significant reductions in cholesterol/HDL-C ratios in animals receiving vitamin E, sedentary or otherwise. Our data suggests that it may be important to consider vitamin E while attempting to derive the benefits of swim training, both in terms of favorably altering the plasma lipid profile as well as enhancing the endurance capacity of exercise trainees. Dietary supplementation by vitamin E could attenuate the early onset of fatigue in the old. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved

Swim exercise training and adaptations in the antioxidant defense system of myocardium of old rats: Relationship to swim intensity and duration

We examined a suitable swim program of different intensities and durations that could evoke changes in the myocardial antioxidant capacity in 22-month-old rats. Male rats (Rattus norvegicus) were assigned to either a sedentary control (SE-C) group or one of six trainee groups. Animals were swim-exercised for 4 weeks with either 20 min or 40 min/day, and three intensities, low, moderate and high. Low-intensity at 20 min/day elicited maximum swim velocity (S v) and endurance capacity (P<0.05). While serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels were significantly reduced, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) showed an increase (P<0.05) in low-intensity trained rats (20 min/day) over SE-C. Notable reduction in blood lactate was also evident. Exercise training significantly increased superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), decreased lipid peroxidation products, malondialdehyde and lipofuscin in the left and right ventricles. Increased Mn-SOD with concomitant decrease in lipofuscin in left ventricle was significantly greater than in right ventricle. Moderate- to high-intensity exercise was not effective in either reducing lipid peroxidation products or elevating Mn-SOD activity. These data suggest that swim training at low-intensity of 20 min/day is beneficial as a major protective adaptation against oxidative stress in old myocardium. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Adaptations of the antioxidant system in erythrocytes of trained adult rats: Impact of intermittent hypobaric-hypoxia at two altitudes

We have investigated the effects of daily exposure to intermittent hypobaric-hypoxia to two simulated altitudes (5700 m and 6300 m) in adult male rats that had been regularly swim trained in normoxia at sea level prior to exposures. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) along with the oxidative stress (OS) indices, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl content were measured in erythrocytes and their membranes. Hemoglobin increased in the trained animals exposed to 5700 m and in untrained rats exposed to 6300 m. Osmotic fragility in terms of hemolysis increased in altitude exposed animals. SOD increased in those exposed to 6300 m, while CAT increased in trained rats exposed to 5700 m and to 6300 m unlike in untrained rats where CAT increased only at 6300 m. GSH-Px showed varying degrees of elevation in all animals exposed to both altitudes. Erythrocyte membranes showed significant elevations in malondialdehyde (MDA) at 6300 m, while elevated protein carbonyls were noticeable at both altitudes in whole cells and membranes. These results suggest a positively associated elevation in protein oxidation with altitude in trained rats. At 5700 m, animals were less stressed, unlike at 6300 m, as seen from the magnitude of elevations in the OS indices and from the responses of the antioxidant enzymes. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Antimicrobial activity of Acorus calamus (L.) rhizome and leaf extract

Antimicrobial activity of Acorus calamus rhizome and leaf extracts obtained with different solvents viz., petroleum ether, chloroform, hexane and ethyl acetate was evaluated. Extracts obtained with ethyl acetate among others were found to be highly effective. Rhizomes and leaf ethyl acetate extracts exhibited pronounced antifungal activity with diameter zone of inhibition ranged from 20-28 and 18-25 mm as well as antiyeast activity with diameter zone of inhibition ranged from 22-25 and 20-23 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the rhizome and leaf extracts for antifungal activity measured was 2-4mg/ml, except Penicillium chrysogenum whereas against yeasts was relatively higher, 4-5 and 6-8 mg/ml. MIC value for antibacterial activity was comparatively very high ~16-42 mg/ml. In addition, authentic α- and β-asarones were also tested for their antimicrobial potential. Both α- and β-asarones exhibited very strong antimicrobial activities against the fungi and yeasts than those of rhizome and leaf extracts. The study clearly suggested that A. calamus rhizomes and leaves must possess active principle α- and β-asarones which is believed to be responsible for their antimicrobial activities. Both rhizomes and leaf extracts, however, had no antibacterial activity except E. coli

CURRENT STATUS ON BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF ACORUS CALAMUS - A REVIEW

The review emphasis on the current status of the researches in Acorus calamus highlighting their number of useful biological activities. The Acorus calamus most extensively investigated phytochemically and pharmacologically. Number of bioactive constituents was identified and characterized from the leaves and rhizomes and their essential oils. Major chemical constituents identified are alpha and beta asarones which is responsible for therapeutic and medicinal properties of Acorus species. Several, recently published reports have revealed many newer useful bioactivities of leaves and rhizome extracts, essential oils and isolated chemical constituents such as anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-adipogenic, antimicrobial, fungicidal, insulin sensitizing/antidiabetic, neuroprotective, wound healing, mitogenic, insecticidal, anthelmintic, allelopathic, antiepileptic, antispasmodic activities and inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. This article highlights the various biological activities studied in A. calamus

The study of maternal and fetal outcome in pregnant women with thyroid disorders

Background: Thyroid disorders are among the common endocrine disorders in pregnant women after diabetes mellitus. Several changes are observed in maternal thyroid function during pregnancy and failure to adapt to these physiological changes results in thyroid dysfunction. It is well established that not only overt, but subclinical thyroid dysfunction also has adverse effect on mother and the fetus, like miscarriages, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, eclampsia, polihydromnios, placental abruption, post-partum haemorrhage, low birth weight, neonatal hypothyroidism. Decreased availability of thyroid hormones may also impair neurological and intellectual development of foetus. With this background, we are conducting a study to know the effect of thyroid disorders on pregnancy and its maternal and the fetal outcome.Methods: The present study was conducted in ESI Hospital Rajaji Nagar, Bangalore. It is a prospective study which involved 100 patients diagnosed to have thyroid disorder during their antenatal checkup in the first trimister. It also includes known cases of thyroid disorder. TSH level was estimated. If it is deranged, then FT3 and FT4 levels estimated. Patients were managed accordingly and followed till delivery. Their obstetric and perinatal outcomes were noted.Results: In our study out of 100 cases, 96 cases are subclinical hypohyroid and 4 cases are subclinical hyperthyroid. Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy are associated with abortions (2.1%), Anaemia (4.20%), PIH (14.7%), GDM (4.2%), Preterm labour (3.1%), oligohydromnios (16.67%), Lscs (22.9%), PPH (6.3%), LBW (21.9%), Hyperbilirubinemia (9.4%), NICU admission (14.6%), Which are co-relatine with other studies and hyperthyroid cases in our study were not sufficient for outcome analysis.Conclusions: Thyroid disorders in pregnancy have adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome emphasizing the importance of routine antenatal thyroid screening