Effect of lead exposure and nutritional iron-deficiency on immune response: A vaccine challenge study in rats.

The prevalence of iron (Fe) deficiency and subclinical lead (Pb) toxicity is high in developing countries like India, and information on their potential additive effects on immune responses is scant. The current study assessed immune parameters in dual Pb-exposed\Fe-deficient weanling SD rats. Rats were fed a control (CD) or Fe-deficient (ID) diet for 4 weeks and then evaluated for hemoglobin (Hb) and serum Fe status.

Sex-specific role of CYP24A1 rs2762939 in the risk of essential hypertension based on the serum vitamin D and total renin concentrations.

CYP24A1, Vitamin D 24-hydroxylase catabolizes 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D to 24-hydroxylated vitamin D products. It is widely known that low Vitamin D can lead to increased renal renin and angiotensin II production, consequently elevating blood pressure or development of essential hypertension (EH). We have conducted an investigation on hypertensives and controls to evaluate the association of the gene variant, CYP24A1 rs2762939 and 25(OH)D in an Indian population with EH.

Evaluation of (indigenous drug) as oxidative stress down-regulator using serum-free explant culture system.

Context: The importance of phytochemicals/natural products as potential therapeutic agents in the present context is gaining a lot of importance. India with a rich heritage of such preparations needs evaluation as potent drugs. Explant culture system is a method, which is sensitive, reliable, reproducible and is capable of mimicking the conditions maintaining the tissue in sufficiently high level of integration.

Nutrition-pollution interaction: An emerging research area.

The impact of environmental pollution, especially chronic low exposures of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, etc.) on nutritional status and health of human and livestock, has become a cause of concern. It is established that malnutrition inhibits enzyme system, alters neurotransmitter levels, degenerate myelin, glial and neural elements, lowering of IQ scores as well as impairment of fine and gross motor coordination.

The effect of lead (Pb) exposure and iron (Fe) deficiency on intestinal lactobacilli, E. coli and yeast: A study in experimental rats.

Objective: The current study investigated the additive effect of oral lead (Pb) exposure and dietary iron (Fe) deficiency on intestinal lactobacilli, E. coli, and yeast in SD rats.

Methods: Weanling rats were fed on control diet (CD) or iron deficient diet (ID) for 4 weeks, followed by oral Pb exposure for another 4 weeks.

mRNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells based on ADRB1 Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly polymorphisms in essential hypertension - a case-control pilot investigation in South Indian population.

Background: β1-Adrenoreceptor (ADRB1) genetic polymorphisms are widely studied for susceptibility to many cardiovascular diseases such as essential hypertension. However, the mRNA expression of ADRB1 is rarely studied.

Methods: A case-control pilot study with 292 hypertensives and 324 controls was designed to evaluate the role of the Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly, which are commonly studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), in the mRNA levels of ADRB1, in conjunction with its genetic predisposition to essential hypertension.

Switching of antihypertensive drugs at Tertiary Care Government Hospital, Hyderabad, India: A cross-sectional retrospective investigation.

Objective: Switching of antihypertensive drugs is attributed to uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) which imposes a great burden on health economics. But again, switching leads to accomplishment of the goal BP, thereby improving the health status. Such studies are well documented in developed nations but rarely reported in developing countries, especially in India.

Antihypertensive Prescription Pattern and Compliance to JNC 7 and JNC 8 at Tertiary Care Government Hospital, Hyderabad, India: A Cross-sectional Retrospective Study.

The monitoring of hypertension treatment can provide insight into the rational drug use pattern. The objective of this study was to examine the antihypertensive medication use among South Indian adults with hypertension in compliance with the hypertension treatment guidelines (Seventh Joint National Committee [JNC 7] and JNC 8). A total of 550 hypertensive people aged >25 years were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study.

β-Carotene bioaccessibility from biofortified maize (Zea mays) is related to its density and is negatively influenced by lutein and zeaxanthin.

Biofortification of maize with provitamin A (pro-VA) carotenoids has been successful, but the bioavailability of carotenoids needs to be explored. In the present study, we investigated the carotenoid content, micellarization and intestinal cell uptake of carotenoids from 10 maize hybrids [normal maize, quality protein maize (QPM), pro-VA carotenoid and double biofortified QPM + pro-VA maize hybrids] using a simulated in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model. The pro-VA carotenoid content of biofortified maize hybrids is 2-10 fold higher compared to that of normal maize.

Validation of therapeutic anti-inflammatory potential of - A traditional formulation of .

(AKP), a traditional formulation of (. ) bark powder is used for its cardioprotective effects. However, its anti-inflammatory efficacy remained unexplored.

Evaluation of Bar, Barnase, and Barstar recombinant proteins expressed in genetically engineered Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) for potential risks of food allergy using bioinformatics and literature searches.

The potential allergenicity of Bar, Barnase, and Barstar recombinant proteins expressed in genetically engineered mustard for pollination control in plant breeding was evaluated for regulatory review. To evaluate the potential allergenicity of the Bar, Barnase and Barstar proteins amino acid sequence comparisons were made to those of known and putative allergens, and search for published evidence to the sources of the genes using the AllergenOnline.org database.

Combination of spices and herbal extract restores macrophage foam cell migration and abrogates the athero-inflammatory signalling cascade of atherogenesis.

The trapping of lipid-laden macrophages in the arterial intima is a critical but reversible step in atherogenesis. However, information about possible treatments for this condition is lacking. Here, we hypothesized that combining the polyphenol-rich fractions (PHC) of commonly consumed spices (Allium sativum L (Liliaceae), Zingiber officinale R (Zingiberaceae), Curcuma longa L (Zingiberaceae)) and herbs (Terminalia arjuna (R) W & A (Combretaceae) and Cyperus rotundus L (Cyperaceae)) prevents foam cell formation and atherogenesis.