Neuronal degeneration in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: Effect of Aegle marmelose and pyridoxine in pancreatic cell proliferation and neuronal Surviva

This thesis Entitled Neuronal degeneration in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: effect of aegle marmelose and pyridoxine in pancreatic B cell proliferation and neuronal survival. Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder results in neurological dysfunctions and structural changes in the CNS. Antioxidant therapy is a challenging but necessary dimension in the management of diabetes and neurodegenerative changes associated with it. Our results showed regional variation and imbalance in the expression pattern of dopaminergic receptor subtypes in diabetes and its role in imbalanced insulin signaling and glucose regulation. Disrupted dopaminergic signaling and increased hyperglycemic stress in diabetes contributed to the neuronal loss. Neuronal loss in diabetic rats mediated through the expression of pattern of GLUT-3, CREB, IGF-1, Akt-1, NF,B, second messengers- cAMP, cGMP, IP3 and activation of apoptotic factors factors- TNF-a,caspase-8. Disrupted dopaminergic receptor expressions and its signaling in pancreas contributed defective insulin secretion in diabetes. Activation of apoptotic factors- TNF- a,caspase-8 and defective functioning of neuronal survival factors, disrupted second messenger signaling modulated neuronal viability in diabetes. Hyperglycemic stress activated the expression of TNF-a,caspase-8, BAX and differential expression of anti oxidant enzymes- SOD and GPx in liver lead to apoptosis. Treatment of diabetic rats with insulin, Aegle marmelose and pyridoxine significantly reversed the altered dopaminergic neurotransmission, GLUT3, GLUT2, IGF-1 and second messenger signaling. Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity of Aegle marmelose and pyridoxine enhanced pancreatic B cell proliferation, increased insulin synthesis and secretion in diabetic rats. Thus our results conclude the neuroprotective and regenerating ability of Aegle marmelose and pyridoxine which in turn has a novel therapeutic role in the management of diabetes.

Activated packed bed bioreactor for rapid nitrification in brackish water hatchery systems

A packed bed bioreactor (PBBR) was developed for rapid establishment of nitrification in brackish water hatchery systems in the tropics. The reactors were activated by immobilizing ammonia-oxidizing (AMONPCU- 1) and nitrite-oxidizing (NIONPCU-1) bacterial consortia on polystyrene and low-density polyethylene beads, respectively. Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated the presence of autotrophic nitrifiers belong to Nitrosococcus mobilis, lineage of b ammonia oxidizers and nitrite oxidizer Nitrobacter sp. in the consortia. The activated reactors upon integration to the hatchery system resulted in significant ammonia removal (P\0.01) culminating to its undetectable levels. Consequently, a significantly higher percent survival of larvae was observed in the larval production systems. With spent water the reactors could establish nitrification with high percentage removal of ammonia (78%), nitrite (79%) and BOD (56%) within 7 days of initiation of the process. PBBR is configured in such a way to minimize the energy requirements for continuous operation by limiting the energy inputs to a single stage pumping of water and aeration to the aeration cells. The PBBR shall enable hatchery systems to operate under closed recirculating mode and pave the way for better water management in the aquaculture industry.