Objective:Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been proven to exhibit antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic and antidiabetic properties. However, its effect on diabetic nephropathy was unexplored. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the renoprotective effect of AGE in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Materials and Methods:Albino Wistar rats were induced with diabetes by a single intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg b.w. of streptozotocin. Commercially available AGE was supplemented orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight/day. Aminoguanidine, which has been proven to be an anti-glycation agent was used as positive control and was supplemented at a dose of 1 g/L in drinking water. The serum and urinary biochemical parameters were analyzed in all the groups and at the end of 12 weeks follow up, the renal histological examination were performed using H & E and PAS staining.Results:The diabetic rats showed a significant change in the urine (P < 0.001) and serum (P < 0.01) constituents such as albumin, creatinine, urea nitrogen and glycated hemoglobin. In addition, the serum lipid profile of the diabetic rats were altered significantly (P < 0.05) compared to that of the control rats. However, the diabetic rats supplemented with aged garlic extract restored all these biochemical changes. The efficacy of the extract was substantiated by the histopathological changes in the kidney.Conclusion:From our results, we conclude that aged garlic extract has the ability to ameliorate kidney damage in diabetic rats and the renoprotective effect of AGE may be attributed to its anti-glycation and hypolipidemic activities.

AIN after snake bite is not uncommon. AIN needs to be considered in patients with persistent renal failure after snake envenomation. Identifying this complication is of utmost importance because of the potentially reversible nature.

Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa is a rare distinctive variant of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa characterized by intense pruritus, lichenified plaques in linear distribution, and anonychia. It is a difficult condition to treat and causes a great deal of distress. The present authors report two cases showing good response to low-dose thalidomide, with clinical and symptomatic improvement. The exact mechanism of action is not yet clear.

SUMMARYPrimary intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma (PIOC) is an infrequent malignancy of the head and neck that exhibits diverse biological behavior. The rareness of the location for a salivary gland tumor and the clinical and radiographic manifestations, suggestive of an odontogenic lesion often pose a diagnostic challenge. We hereby report such a unique case of central mucoepidermoid carcinoma that presented in an ambiguous manner, developing in the maxilla and intruding into the adjacent vital structures, adding a literature review.

A case of intestinal obstruction caused by extensive soft tissue fungal infection of the perineum due to Basidiobolus ranarum is presented here. There was excellent response to antifungal treatment. A literature search revealed the case report of intestinal obstruction due to intrinsic mucosal involvement by the fungus, but extensive soft tissue involvement of the perineum resulting in extraneous obstruction to the rectum, has not been reported so far.