Treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) with aminosidine (= paromomycin)-antimonial combinations, a pilot study in Bihar, India.

A 20 d drug regimen of aminosidine (= paromomycin) at 12 mg/kg/d in combination with sodium stibogluconate at 20 mg/kg/d proved efficacious and well-tolerated in patients with visceral leishmaniasis in the State of Bihar, India. Eighteen of 22 evaluable patients achieved an ultimate cure. The remaining 4 patients, although not cleared of parasites, had their parasite grade reduced and also improved clinically.

Arecoline tumorigenicity in Swiss strain mice on normal and vitamin B deficient diet.

Arecoline, a major alkaloid present in betel nut, was administered daily by gavage feeding to Swiss male and female mice at a dose of 1 mg/day/mouse five times a week, either alone or in combination with KNO3 or KNO3 + lime. Swiss mice of both sexes kept on a vitamin B complex-deficient diet were tested in a similar manner and compared with those receiving a normal diet. In the mice receiving a normal diet it was observed that arecoline induced tumors in 40% of males but failed to produce tumors in any of the females.

Long-term feeding study in C17 mice administered saccharin coated betel nut and 1,4-dinitrosopiperazine in combination.

The observations on the effect of 3 agents--1,4-dinitrosopiperazine, betel nut and saccharin fed to C17 mice in combination is presented in this report. A total of 119 inbred mice of both sexes were put on long-term feeding trials. Group I consisted of 34 mice given a standard diet; group II of 32 mice fed an experimental diet containing saccharin coated betel nut powder at 10% concentration; group III of 29 mice given 0.

Protection by testosterone propionate against the nephrotoxicity of 2-aminoanthraquinone in Fischer rats.

The role of gonadal hormones in the nephrotoxicity of the hepatocarcinogen 2-aminoanthraquinone (2-AAQ) was investigated. Intact and castrated four week old Fischer rats of both sexes and castrated female rats with subcutaneous implants of testosterone propionate pellets were fed 2% 2-AAQ in a Wayne meal diet. After 12 weeks of ad libitum feeding the animals were then given control diet.

Betel quid chewing and oral cancer: experimental studies on hamsters.

Betel quid ingredients--betel nut, betel leaf, lime, catechu and tobacco--were tested separately and in various combinations for carcinogenicity, using hamster cheek pouch as the experimental site. The four modes of administration used were (1) tri-weekly painting of the cheek pouch with aqueous extracts of test materials, (2) deposition of replaceable wax pellets containing the test material, (3) gelatin capsules containing the powdered material and (4) insertion of natural material into the pouch for trauma and direct exposure. Untreated controls and standard carcinogen DMBA-treated controls were also maintained.

Carcinogenicity of betel quid ingredients: feeding mice with aqueous extract and the polyphenol fraction of betel nut.

Male mice of inbred strains Swiss and C17 were fed daily 5 times a week by intragastric tube 0.1 ml of betel-nut aqueous extract, betel-leaf aqueous extract and the polyphenol fraction of betel nut. Male mice of corresponding strains fed 0.

N-Formylation of an aromatic amine as a metabolic pathway.

1. Feeding 2-aminoanthraquinone (2-AAQ) in the diet to Fischer rats led to nephrotoxicity in females, caused by deposits of crystalline material in the kidney tubules. 2.

Toxicological study of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract.

Toxicological study was carried out in rats with chloroform-soluble fraction of the nuts of Semecarpus anacardium to determine its safe non-toxic dose. The fraction produced toxicity at all levels tested (50-400 mg/kg) but the extent of toxicity was found dose-dependent. At lower doses this fraction induced partial growth inhibition over 36 days and higher doses proved fatal within 6 days.

Experimental studies on betel nut and tobacco carcinogenicity.

Sun-dried Mangalore betel nut extracts in water and in DMSO, and sun-cured Vadakkan tobacco extract in DMSO, were tested for their carcinogenic potency. Inbred Swiss and C17 mice and golden hamsters were used for the experiments. Control animals treated with either DMSO or water did not show any changes at the sites of administration.

Effect of partial hepatectomy on tumor incidence and metabolism of mice fed thioacetamide.

Six-week-old male Swiss mice were given 0.03% thioacetamide (TAA) in the diet 24, 72, and 168 hours after partial hepatectomy. TAA-treated mice from all three groups were killed when they were 4, 9, and 13 months old.

Tumorigenic effect of thioacetamide in Swiss strain mice.

Male and female Swiss strain mice were put on a 0.03% thioacetamide diet at the age of 2 months. Control mice were kept on a stock diet.