Informatics Publishing Limited

N. S. Venkatesh ¹, M. Kathiresh Kumar ¹, S. Sambavi ¹, N. Kalpana ¹, A. M. Sashi John ¹, J. Anbalagan ¹, R. Ilangovan ¹, M. M. Aruldhas ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Endocrinology, Dr. ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai – 600 113, IN

Abstract

Transient neonatal hypothyroidism is known to boost Sertoli cell (SC), Leydig cell (LC) and germ cell (GC) number at adult age. Existing reports attribute decreased steroidogenic potential of LCs to unaltered/decreased serum testosterone in such rats, despite a boost in the cell number. However, these studies have ignored the status of estradiol in such conditions. In this present study, we tested the hypothesis "transient neonatal-onset hypothyroidism may lead to a temporal shift in adult rat testicular steroidogenesis towards estradiol production". Hypothyroidism was induced in neonates by providing methimazole (MMI) in drinking water (0.05%) to lactating mothers and pups for a transient period from postnatal day 1 (PND 1) to PND 14 or from PND 1 to PND 29. After the experimental period, the pups were provided drinking water free of MMI and sacrificed on PND 91. Coeval rats without MMI exposure served as control. Radioimmunoassay revealed decreased serum titres of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL); while serum testosterone remained unaltered, its level in testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) decreased. Between the two major metabolites of testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentration decreased in serum and TIF, whereas estradiol recorded a significant increase in both. Transient neonatal-onset hypothyroidism decreased 3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in LCs but augmented 17β-HSD activity. Radio-receptor assay revealed decreased concentration of LHR and ER in LCs of hypothyroid groups, whereas AR and PRLR increased. While aromatase activity decreased in LCs, it increased along with FSHR in SCs, when compared to control rats. The changes in LHR and FSHR levels and aromatase were consistent with the expression level of the respective genes. The present study supports the proposed hypothesis and suggests that transient neonatal-onset hypothyroidism-induced boost in estradiol in adult rat testis may be due to augmented expression and activity of aromatase, and FSHR content in SCs of these rats.

Keywords

Leydig Cells, Sertoli Cells, LHR, FSHR, Hypothyroidism.

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M. Michael Aruldhas ¹, N. Kalpana ¹, G. Vengatesh ¹, K. Sakhila Banu ², P. Govindarajulu ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Endocrinology, Dr. ALM PG Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai-600113, IN
2 Ontogenie et Reproduction, CRBR, CHUL, 2705 Boul W Lauira, Laval University Stc Roy, que, GIV 4G2, CA

Abstract

Existing modes of diagnosis and therapy for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) have limitations, informations on the genetics of familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC), a constituent of multiple endocrine neoplasia II (MEN II) syndrome may help to understand the etiology of the disease and to design gene therapy. Association between specific mutations in ret protooncogene to specific phenotypes of MEN II subjects provide vital line of due for the diagnosis of the disease. Screening of suspected/potent carriers of ret (rearranged during transformation) mutations will help to decide about the time and course of treatment. Gene therapy for MTC appears to be imminent and this review attempts to provide a comprehensive account of informations from more than hundred research articles published in this area.

Keywords

Calcitonin, Familial Medullary Thyrold Carcinoma, Gene Therapy, Immuno Therapy, Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Ret Protooncogene.

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P. Sekhar ¹, S. Subramanian ², N. S. Venkatesh ², A. M. J. Sashi ², N. Kalpana ², J. Anbalagan ², G. Vengatesh ², P. Govindarajulu ², M. A. Akbarsha ³, M. M. Aruldhas ²

Affiliations
1 Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Voorhees College, Vellore-632001, IN
2 Department of Endocrinology, University of Madras, Dr. ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Taramani Campus, Chennai-600113, IN
3 Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620024, IN

Abstract

Heavy metals and chemicals are known to cause male infertility. Chromium, an occupational heavy metal pollutant is a wellknown carcinogen with toxic effect on skin, lung and kidney. A few early reports point out the reproductive toxicity of chromium in experimental animals. An extensive study conducted in our laboratory in adult rats and monkeys established that altered prooxidant - antioxidant balance leading to free radical toxicity in the testis as the mechanism underlying the reproductive toxicity of chromium.

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A. D. Beatrice ¹, P. Parvathi Easwaran ¹, N. Kalpana ¹

Affiliations
1 Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Deemed University, Coimbatore - 641 043, IN

Abstract

Despite the spectacular food production in India the per capita availability of food has not met the recommended allowances of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) resulting in undernutrition and malnutrition. With particular reference to pulse, the per capita availability has steadily declined over the years from 61g/day in 1951 to 33g/day in 1988. Added to this the market prices have escalated to levels well beyond the reach of the poor.

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N. Rema ¹, P. Parvathi Easwaran ¹, N. Kalpana ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food Service Management and Dietetics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Deemed university, Coimbatore - 641 04, IN

Abstract

As human race is progressing towards 2000 A.D., along with the achievement of man in the varied fields, the sins of civilization are also on the march. The one aspect which knows no discrimination is-disease.

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P. Parvathi Easwaran ¹, N. Kalpana ¹, N. Rema ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food Service Management and Dietetics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Deemed University, Coimbatore - 641 043, IN

Abstract

In the context of the present energy crisis, solar energy is a boon to tropical countries like India, With the diminishing sources of cooking fuel, solar cookers can help a lot in reducing the cost of cooking and conservation of fuel of other uses. Microwave ovens are being used by housewives for conservation of time. The present research hence was conducted to compare the time taken for cooking and acceptability of cooked vegetables by the three methods and the carotene and ascorbic acid retention in the cooked vegetables.

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N. Kalpana ¹, P. Parvathi Easwaran ¹, S. Uma Mageshwari ¹

Affiliations
1 Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Deemed University, Coimbatore - 641 043, IN

Abstract

Health care is in transition. Almost daily, there are reports of the discovery of new therapeutic agents, the developments of improved procedures and invention of advanced medical technologies. Health care system which delivers these innovations is not static and is constantly open to reappraisal, testing and alteration.

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P. Parvathi Easwaran ¹, N. Kalpana ¹, S. Uma Mageswari ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Food Service Management and Dietetics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Deemed University, Coimbatore - 641043, IN

Abstract

Dietary management in the recent years for many diseases particularly diabetes and cardiovascular disease emphiasises on fibre apart from other nutrients. Speaking of fibre one cannot overlook green leafy vegetables as high fibre foods but they are neglected because of widespread awareness of their merits, and of some exaggerated anxieties about their defects.

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