Journal of Endocrinology and Reproduction

Maniyan Manju ¹, Appiyathu S. Vijayasree ¹, Mohammad A. Akbarsha ², Oommen V. Oommen ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram-695581, IN
2 Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620 024, IN

Abstract

The ultrastructure of hepatic, renal and intestinal tissues of Anabas testudineus and the influence of dietary curcumin (0.5 and 1% for 6 months) on the organization of these tissues were studied. The results revealed an increased vascularity in curcumin-treated fish liver. The size of hepatopancreas and its nuclei and melanomacrophage centres increased in the treated liver while size of hepatocytes and their nuclei remained unchanged. The hypertrophy and hyper-activity of hepatopancreas might provide for proper digestion and absorption of food. In the intestine, the number of goblet's cells in the villi decreased in the curcumin treated group which might help the retention of food in the intestine. Therefore, based on the above results it can be concluded that curcumin is beneficial to fish and, so, could be of application in aquaculture practices.

Keywords

Anabas, Liver, Melanomacrophage Centre, Hepatopancreas, Ultrastructure.

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Seema Negi ¹, Mohammad A. Akbarsha ², Rakesh K. Tyagi ¹

Affiliations
1 Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi – 110067, IN
2 Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University Tiruchirappalli - 620 024, IN

Abstract

Pregnane and Xenobiotic Receptor (PXR), a vital xenosensor, acts as master regulator of phase-I (cytochrome P450) and phase-II enzymes (glutathione S-transferases, sulfotransferases, and uridine 5'-diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases) as well as several drug transporters (multi-drug resistance protein, and multidrug resistance-associated protein). PXR can bind to a variety of chemically distinct endobiotics (steroids, bile acids and their derivatives, vitamins, etc.) and xenobiotics (prescription drugs, herbal medicines, endocrine disruptors, etc.). Activation of PXR by various compounds leads to trans-activation of PXR-target genes involved in detoxification system (phase-I and phase-II enzymes, and efflux proteins). Herbal medicines are readily used without prescription under the belief that anything natural is safe. These medicines contain active chemical constituents which execute distinctly different or similar pharmacological response(s). But, like prescription drugs, herbal drugs also have both therapeutic and, sometimes, adverse effects. Some of the herbal drugs induce drug metabolizing enzymes (especially CYP3A4) and drug efflux proteins via activation of PXR. Phase-I enzyme CYP3A4 is involved in the metabolism of 50-60% of clinical drugs as well as the chemical ingredients in herbal medicines. In addition to this, 25-30% of these compounds are metabolized by the CYP2B isoenzymes. The combined metabolic effects of phase-I and phase-II enzymes and drug transporters, following induction by therapeutic molecules, constitute the molecular basis for many drug-herbal interactions. For example, if one drug activates PXR, it can encourage the elimination of a co-administered drug that is also metabolized and eliminated by PXR-target gene products, thereby affecting the therapeutic efficacy of the drug in the context of combination therapy. The present review highlights some of the recent clinical correlates in drug-herbal interactions mediated primarily via PXR and cytochrome P450.

Keywords

Drug-Herbal Interactions, Pregnane and Xenobiotic Receptor (PXR), Cytochrome P450 (CYP450), Drug Transporters.

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Faisal Kunnathodi ¹, Mohammad A. Akbarsha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620 024, IN

Abstract

When male Wistar rats were treated with aflatoxin B1, more than 50% of the spermatozoa were defective. Strangely, about 10% of these spermatozoa were embedded in a dense matrix. TEM observation revealed that a fairly high percentage of such spermatozoa had the outer membrane, mitochondrial sheath or fibrous sheath, depending upon the level along the sperm which was cut in the transverse sections, and even the microtubule doublets in various numbers, in that order, were missing. In a few rare cases ODFs alone, in varying numbers, remained embedded in the dense matrix. This is a clear case of special provision for processing and removal of defective spermatozoa produced due to the toxic insult. We have produced evidence to the effect that the source of the matrix in which the spermatozoa get embedded and undergo disintegration is the epididymosomes, secreted in aprocrine fashion by the epididymal epithelium of the initial segment to caput. This reveals yet another aspect of versatility of the epididymis.

Keywords

Defective Sperm, Toxic Insult, Dense Matrix, Sperm Disintegration.

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