Alterations in different indices of skeletal health after prolonged residency at high altitude.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prolonged residency at high altitude (HA) on different indices of bone health in sea level (SL) residents staying at an altitude of 3450 m for 4 months to 1 year. The assessment of bone health parameters included multisite quantitative bone speed of sound (SOS), and markers of bone metabolism such as serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD), C-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (CICP), N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), and hormonal regulators such as 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25Vit D), intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH), and cortisol.

Results: The body weight in all the age groups was significantly lower at HA as compared to SL values.

Determination of bone mass using multisite quantitative ultrasound and biochemical markers of bone turnover during residency at extreme altitude: a longitudinal study.

A group of 221 male healthy volunteers of Indian Army were the subjects of the study. The baseline parameters of skeletal health were measured during their residency at an altitude of 3542 m. These subjects were then taken to an extreme altitude (EA, 5400-6700 m) where they stayed for about 4 months.

Ninety days of repeated gavage administration of Rhodiola imbricata extract in rats.

Rhodiola imbricata is a high-altitude plant, possesses adaptogenic, immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant and cytoprotective activity, and is widely used in traditional medicine. The present study was designed to ascertain the safety of aqueous extract of R. imbricata root when administered by gavage to rats for 90 days.

Regression of coronary atherosclerosis through healthy lifestyle in coronary artery disease patients--Mount Abu Open Heart Trial.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of a unique healthy and happy lifestyle (HLS) program in regression of coronary atherosclerosis and reduction in cardiac events in an open trial.

Methods: One hundred and twenty three angiographically documented moderate to severe coronary artery disease (CAD) patients were administered HLS comprising of low-fat, high-fiber vegetarian diet, moderate aerobic exercise and stress-management through Rajyoga meditation. Its most salient feature was training in self-responsibility (heal+thy) and self-empowerment through inner-self consciousness (swasth; swa=innerself, sth=consciousness) approach using Rajyoga meditation.

Modulation of Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Vascular Leakage in Rats by Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.).

Cerebral and pulmonary syndromes may develop in unacclimatized individuals shortly after ascent to high altitude resulting in high altitude illness, which may occur due to extravasation of fluid from intra to extravascular space in the brain, lungs and peripheral tissues. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of seabuckthorn (SBT) (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaf extract (LE) in curtailing hypoxia-induced transvascular permeability in the lungs by measuring lung water content, leakage of fluorescein dye into the lungs and further confirmation by quantitation of albumin and protein in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Aqueous extract of Rhodiola imbricata rhizome stimulates Toll-like receptor 4, granzyme-B and Th1 cytokines in vitro.

Rhodiola imbricata is a medicinal plant, native to mountainous regions of Asia, parts of Europe, and the Arctic. Traditionally it is recommended to help combat fatigue and restore energy. It exhibits anti-stress, anti-cancer, and immunostimulatory activities.

Modulatory effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in hypobaric hypoxia induced cerebral vascular injury.

Cerebral edema caused by vascular leakage is a major problem in various injuries of the CNS, such as stroke, head injury and high-altitude illness. A common feature of all these disorders is the fact that they are associated with tissue hypoxia. Hypoxia has been suggested to be a major pathogenic factor for the induction of vascular leakage in the brain.

Erythropoietin levels in lowlanders and high-altitude natives at 3450 m.

Background: This study is aimed to determine whether short or prolonged residency at high altitude (HA) elicits erythropoietin (EPO) secretion effectively in subjects who were able to acclimatize and those who were not able to acclimatize and suffered from acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

Methods: Plasma EPO was measured in 16 lowland residents (LLR) at sea level (SL) and during 11 d of their sojourn at an altitude of 3450 m. Identical studies were also conducted in LLR acclimatized to HA (LLR-accl), high altitude natives (HAN) and in patients of AMS and HAPE.

Effects of Rhodiola imbricata on dermal wound healing.

Rhodiola imbricata (Crassulaceae) is a perennial herb growing at high-altitude (4000 - 5000 m) in the western Himalayas. The present study was aimed at investigating the healing efficacy of R. imbricata rhizome ethanol extract using a rat excision wound model.

Influence of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) flavone on dermal wound healing in rats.

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the efficacy of topical administration of flavone of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) on cutaneous wound healing in rats. Four full-thickness excision wounds were created on the back of rat and 1.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) leaves.

Immunomodulatory activity of Seabuckthorn (SBT) leaf extract was evaluated in adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) rat model. Inflammation was induced by injecting Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) in the right hind paw of rats. SBT extract was administered intraperitoneally to treat the inflammation.

Vitamin D and bone mineral density status of healthy schoolchildren in northern India.

Background: Current data on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in India are scarce.

Objective: We assessed the calcium-vitamin D-parathyroid hormone axis in apparently healthy children from 2 different socioeconomic backgrounds in New Delhi, India.

Design: Clinical evaluation for evidence of vitamin D deficiency was carried out in 5137 apparently healthy schoolchildren, aged 10-18 y, attending lower (LSES) and upper (USES) socioeconomic status schools.

Autonomic nervous system and adrenal response to cold in man at Antarctica.

Objective: To evaluate the role of the autonomic nervous system and adrenal system in acclimatization to cold in tropical men during short or prolonged sojourns at Antarctica.

Methods: The study was carried out on volunteers of the 18th winter over team (WOT) and 19th summer team (ST) of an Indian Antarctic Expedition. The ST members were evaluated at Delhi; during voyage; and on days 7, 30, and 60 of their stay at Antarctica.

A preclinical study of the effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaf extract on cutaneous wound healing in albino rats.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (family Elaeagnaceae), commonly known as seabuckthorn, is a wild shrub growing at high altitude (1200-4500 meters) in adverse climatic conditions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate healing potential of seabuckthorn leaves in a preclinical study on rats using a cutaneous excision-punch wound model.

Effects of Hatha yoga and Omkar meditation on cardiorespiratory performance, psychologic profile, and melatonin secretion.

Objectives: To evaluate effects of Hatha yoga and Omkar meditation on cardiorespiratory performance, psychologic profile, and melatonin secretion.

Subjects And Methods: Thirty healthy men in the age group of 25-35 years volunteered for the study. They were randomly divided in two groups of 15 each.