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D Pradhan

Bio: D Pradhan is an academic researcher from University of Calcutta. The author has contributed to research in topics: Melatonin & Arecoline. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 4 publications receiving 10 citations.

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that arecoline inhibits pineal–testis function in experimentally induced hypothyroid rats.
Abstract: Arecoline is known to cause endocrine dysfunction. In the current article role of arecoline on pineal-testis activity was investigated in hypothyroid rats induced by propylthiouracil (PTU). PTU treatment caused thyroid dysfunction ultrastructurally with a fall in T3 and T4 levels followed by a rise of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Pineal activity was impaired by PTU treatment, as evident from degenerated synaptic ribbons and mitochondria of the pinealocytes with depletion of pineal and serum N-acetyl serotonin and melatonin levels. Leydig cell function was suppressed, evident from reduced smooth endoplasmic reticulum and depletion of testosterone level. Sex accessories function was impaired by showing scanty rough endoplasmic reticulum with depletion of fructose and sialic acid levels. Arecoline treatment that caused pineal dysfunction and testicular stimulation in control rats, suppressed both pineal and testis functions after PTU treatment. The findings suggest that arecoline inhibits pineal-testis function in experimentally induced hypothyroid rats.

6 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Intraperitoneal injection of lithium sustained circadian rhythms of T3, T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), corticosterone, norepinephrine and epinephrine in light–dark and constant dark but not in constant light, and abolished circadian rhythm of insulin and blood glucose in all the photoperiodic regimens, except insulin.
Abstract: Lithium, widely used for the treatment of mania, has adverse side effects on circadian rhythms of pineal and testicular hormones. Objective was to examine the role of lithium on circadian rhythms of other hormones and glucose profiles in light–dark (12L:12D), constant light (12L:12L) and constant dark (12D:12D) regimens in rats. Intraperitoneal injection of lithium (2 mEq/kg body wt daily for 15 days) sustained circadian rhythms of T3, T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), corticosterone, norepinephrine and epinephrine in light–dark and constant dark but not in constant light. But it abolished circadian rhythms of insulin and blood glucose in all the photoperiodic regimens, except insulin, without changing their pattern in constant dark. Patterns of circadian rhythms of thyroid and TSH, and adrenal hormones remained unchanged after lithium treatment in L–D or D–D, except TSH in L–D. The probable role of photoperiodic cue and lithium on circadian and/or nycthemeral (daily) rhythms of hormones and blood gl...

2 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings suggest that arecoline cannot alter the action of metabolic stress on pineal-testicular activity in rats.
Abstract: Context Betel nut is consumed by millions of people for stress reduction and increased capacity to work. One of its components is arecoline which is useful for Alzheimer and schizophrenia; it also influences endocrine and gonadal functions. Objective Objective is to examine whether arecoline can influence pineal-testicular function in metabolic stress. Design Rats were deprived of food or water or treated them with arecoline, each separately for 5 days. Subjects Pineal and testis with sex accessories were studied. Methods Ultrastructural (pineal, testis, Leydig cells and prostate), hormonal (melatonin and testosterone) and other parameters (fructose and sialic acid) were examined. Pineal indoleamines were quantitated by fluorometric method; testosterone by ELISA, and carbohydrate fractions by spectrophotometric methods. Results Inanition/ water deprivation caused pineal stimulation ultrastructurally (with enlarged synaptic ribbons) and elevation of melatonin level, but reproductive dysfunction by ultrastructural degeneration of Leydig cells and prostate with fall of testosterone, fructose and sialic acid concentrations. Arecoline treatment showed reversed changes to those of metabolic stress, but arecoline treatment in metabolic stress showed same results as in metabolic stress. Conclusion The findings suggest that arecoline cannot alter the action of metabolic stress on pineal-testicular activity in rats.

2 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the role of hormones and growth factors on steroidogenesis and oocyte maturation was investigated using specific inhibitors, Wortmannin for phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI3) kinase, trilostane for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 1-octanol and 1-heptanol for gap junctions, actinomycin D for transcription and cycloheximide for translation of signal molecules.
Abstract: Context The grey mullet, Mugil cephalus, is an edible fish of high economic importance. Breeding biology with reference to hormonal/growth factor regulation of oocyte maturation needs to be known for its commercial production. Objective The present study was conducted to examine the potency of maturation inducing hormones, chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), bovine-insulin, and insulin like growth factor1 (h-IGF-1) I on ovarian steroidogenesis and oocyte maturation. Design The role of hormones and growth factors on steroidogenesis and oocyte maturation was investigated using specific inhibitors, Wortmannin for phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI3) kinase, trilostane for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 1-octanol and 1-heptanol for gap junctions, actinomycin D for transcription and cycloheximide for translation of signal molecules. Methods Actions of hormonal and growth factors were examined for steroidogenesis, by radioimmunoassay and oocyte maturation by germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Specific inhibitors were used to determine the cell signaling pathways, PI3 kinase. Results All the inhibitors attenuated the hCG-induced oocyte maturation (GVBD%), steroidogenesis including transcription, translation, gap junctions and PI3 kinase signaling. These inhibitors failed to inhibit h-IGF-I and b-insulin-induced oocyte maturation, steroidogenesis, translation and PI3 kinase signaling. Conclusion hCG induces oocyte maturation via steroid dependent pathway involving gap junctions, transcription, translation and PI3 kinase signaling, unlike h-IGF-I and b-insulin in the mullet.

2 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The uncertainty in the procurement of farming inputs, unavailability of specific pathogen-free (SPF) broodstocks & high health (HH) shrimp seeds, increased cost towards the cultivation, lack of manpower, absence of an assured international market, etc have halted the shrimp farming operations noticeably.
Abstract: COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has adversely impacted every activity and all the sectors including aquaculture globally. Thousands of families of coastal West Bengal are directly or indirectly involved in shrimp farming for their employment and earn handsome income to sustain their lives and livelihoods. A survey was conducted among the stakeholders of the shrimp farming sector to assess the prospective effect of lockdown in all the parts of the shrimp aquaculture sector during both the summer crop and winter crop cultivation. As the strict lockdown norms were implemented during the summer crop so, the severe constraints during this culture were assessed in two phases (Phase I- 21st March to 30th April 2020 & Phase II- 1st May to 21st June 2020) using Garrett's Ranking Analysis and the constraints were ranked accordingly. The constraint of 'uncertainty over the culture and market' ranked 1st and the 'lack of quality seeds' ranked 1st in the 1st and 2nd phase of culture respectively. The uncertainty in the procurement of farming inputs, unavailability of specific pathogen-free (SPF) broodstocks & high health (HH) shrimp seeds, increased cost towards the cultivation, lack of manpower, absence of an assured international market, etc. have halted the shrimp farming operations noticeably. The farm input suppliers have also experienced supply chain disruptions due to lockdown. The Government of India permitted input supply and services in fisheries and aquaculture as an essential service to lessen the pandemic impact. Short-term policy measures are recommended for mitigation measures.

1 citations


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TL;DR: The importance of arecoline is supported by its being the world's fourth most commonly used human psychoactive substance (after alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine) and social and historical aspects of its use and abuse.
Abstract: Arecoline is a naturally occurring psychoactive alkaloid from areca (betel) nuts of the areca palm ( Areca catechu) endemic to South and Southeast Asia. A partial agonist of nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, arecoline evokes multiple effects on the central nervous system (CNS), including stimulation, alertness, elation, and anxiolysis. Like nicotine, arecoline also evokes addiction and withdrawal symptoms (upon discontinuation). The abuse of areca nuts is widespread, with over 600 million users globally. The importance of arecoline is further supported by its being the world's fourth most commonly used human psychoactive substance (after alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine). Here, we discuss neuropharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism of arecoline, as well as social and historical aspects of its use and abuse. Paralleling clinical findings, we also evaluate its effects in animal models and outline future clinical and preclinical CNS research in this field.

37 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: AlA supplementation ameliorated the toxicity induced by hypothyroidism as illustrated by enhanced reproductive organ weights, testosterone, LH, and FSH levels, testicular steroidogenesis, and oxidative stress parameters.
Abstract: Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of carbimazole- induced hypothyroidism on the testes of adult albino rats and the probable protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Materials and methods: The rats were divided into four groups; control group, ALA group, carbimazole, and carbimazole + ALA groups. Rats were exposed to ALA (60 mg/kg body weight) or carbimazole (1.35 mg/kg body weight), or both, administered via gavages for 30 days. Results: Morphometric analysis revealed a significant decrease in tubular diameter, germinal epithelium thickness, and interstitial space as compared to the controls. Also, rats exposed to carbimazole showed a significant decline in testicular weight, sperm motility, and count. Additionally, deterioration of the testicular architecture was observed. ALA supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in the tubular diameter and germinal epithelium thickness, but no significant improvement regarding interstitial space was observed. Another observation was the significant decline in serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the carbimazole group, indicating reduced steroidogenesis. A significant reduction in reduced glutathione content was detected in the testes of the carbimazole group compared with the controls, while malonaldehyde concentration significantly increased. Conversely, ALA supplementation ameliorated the toxicity induced by hypothyroidism as illustrated by enhanced reproductive organ weights, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and FSH levels, testicular steroidogenesis, and oxidative stress parameters. Conclusions: Hypothyroidism altered testicular antioxidant balance and negatively affected spermatogenesis. On the other hand, ALA through its antioxidant properties alleviated testicular toxicity in carbimazole-exposed rats.

16 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is illustrated that LL alters thyroid-related hormones, providing evidence of a link between circadian disruption and thyroid function.
Abstract: Disruptions to the circadian rhythm can lead to altered metabolism. Modification of thyroid function may be a reason why circadian misalignment may contribute to future metabolic disorders. We inve...

15 citations