Childhood blindness due to corneal ulceration was prevalent among poor Indian children. To tackle this situation, the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, India, Vitamin-A (Vit-A) prophylaxis programme was launched nationally in 1970 after field testing. Research of Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) documented that prevalence of Vit-A deficiency signs such as Bitot’s spot ...

A pre- and postnatal study was carried out to investigate the effect of high dose (500 mg/kg) of the natural antioxidant vitamin E (VIT E) on biochemical variables in the model of chronic intrauterine hypoxia. Chronic hypoxia was induced by administration of the anticonvulsant phenytoin (PHT) during pregnancy. Rats were orally treated with PHT (150 mg/kg) from day 7 to 18 of gestation and VIT E...

BACKGROUND Vitamin D (Vit D) is important for the regulation of reproductive physiology. In humans, maternal Vit D deficiency has been implicated in several reproductive- and pregnancy-related disorders. Very few data are available regarding the Vit D status in male partners of couples attempting pregnancy. This observational study (IRB Prot. N. 078/13) aimed to evaluate whether low Vit D serum...

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of supranutritional dietary selenium and vitamin E (Vit E) to ameliorate the effect of heat stress (HS) on oxidative status and acid-base balance in sheep. Thirty-two Merino × Poll Dorset ewes were acclimated to indoor individual pen feeding of a pelleted control diet (0.24 g Se and 10 IU of Vit E/kg DM) for 1 wk. Sheep were then moved t...

PURPOSE Several reports have characterized the retinal degeneration observed in the Mitf(vit) mutant mouse. Despite these reports, the factor(s) that may cause or modulate the degeneration still are not well defined; however, it is known that the photoreceptors of Mitf(vit) mice die through an apoptotic mechanism. We reported previously that retinoid metabolism in the RPE of Mitf(vit)++ mice is...

BACKGROUND Systemic reactions (SR) to venom immunotherapy (VIT) are rare but may occur, with a rate significantly higher for honeybee than for vespid VIT. In patients with repeated SRs to VIT it is difficult to reach the maintenance dose of venom and pre-treatment with omalizumab is indicated, as shown by some studies reporting its preventative capacity, when antihistamines and corticosteroids ...

OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of levothyroxine (L-T4), vitamin E or both on oxidative stress status and hippocampal apoptosis in a propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroid rat model. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, PTU+PTU+L-T4+PTU+Vit E, PTU+Vit E+L-T4. In each group we assessed levels of serum triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), t...

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Methods In this study, the neuroprotective effect of vitexin (Vit), a flavonoid compound isolated from Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge was examined in PD models both in vitro and in vivo. Results On SH-SY5Y cells, me...

Monitoring of adverse drug reactions of a drug is a continuous process and runs through-out the life of a drug. Many rare adverse effects of a drug are documented after years of use; when a single case (signal generation) is reported leading subsequently to reporting of more cases. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 (vit B(12)) is a known sequel of prolonged metformin therapy. It was recommended to have...

OBJECTIVES Little is known about the Hymenoptera venom allergy impact on work ability and the effect of venom immunotherapy (VIT) on work. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of work disability in patients treated with VIT and the effects of VIT on occupational functioning. METHODS 181 patients, aged 18-71 years, treated with VIT while working, were inves...