Jamila K Adam

Publications (3)11.89 Total impact

• Article: Modulating effects of fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A on leukocytes and messenger cytokines of the human immune system.

  Bharti Odhav, Jamila K Adam, Kanti D Bhoola
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  ABSTRACT: Fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A are mycotoxins of importance to public health and agro-economics. Although much is known about their cellular toxicity and carcinogenesis in animals, there are no reports of adverse effects on immune cells (leukocytes) or on the immune modulation of the molecular messengers (cytokines) in humans. This study was designed, therefore, to determine and compare the morphological effects of fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A on lymphocytes and neutrophils harvested from the circulation of healthy volunteer subjects and patients with oesophageal and breast carcinomas. Both fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A reduced the number of viable lymphocytes and neutrophils harvested from the circulation of volunteer subjects carcinoma patients in a dose-dependent manner. Leukocyte secretion of cytokines on exposure to the mycotoxins was evaluated by immunocytochemical methods. Expression of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and chemokine (CX3CR1) receptors were determined on the circulating leukocytes and the immunolabelling visualized by brightfield-and electron-microscopy. Cytokine levels were determined in the circulation of healthy volunteer subjects and in patients with oesophageal and breast carcinomas since they reflect the status of the immune system in humans. The findings of this study on immunocytes (leukocytes) and the immune molecular messengers (cytokines) suggest that fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A have an immuno-suppressive effect in humans, in particular patients with cancer by impairing immune surveillance.
  International Immunopharmacology 07/2008; 8(6):799-809. · 2.38 Impact Factor
• Article: Immune responses in cancer.

  Jamila K Adam, Bharti Odhav, Kanti D Bhoola
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  ABSTRACT: The complex of humoral factors and immune cells comprises two interleaved systems, innate and acquired. Immune cells scan the occurrence of any molecule that it considers to be nonself. Transformed cells acquire antigenicity that is recognized as nonself. A specific immune response is generated that results in the proliferation of antigen-specific lymphocytes. Immunity is acquired when antibodies and T-cell receptors are expressed and up-regulated through the formation and release of lymphokines, chemokines, and cytokines. Both innate and acquired immune systems interact to initiate antigenic responses against carcinomas. A new approach to the treatment of cancer has been immunotherapy, which aims to up-regulate the immune system in order that it may better control carcinogenesis. Currently, several forms of immunotherapy that use natural biological substances to activate the immune system are being explored therapeutically. The various forms of immunotherapy fall into three main categories: monoclonal antibodies, immune response modifiers, and vaccines. While these modalities have individually shown some promise, it is likely that the best strategy to combat cancer may require multiple immunotherapeutic strategies in order to demonstrate benefit in different patient populations. It may be that the best results are obtained with vaccines in combination with a variety of immunotherapy combinations. Another potent strategy may be in combining with more traditional cancer drugs as evidenced from the benefit derived from enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy with cytokines. Through such concerted efforts, a durable, therapeutic antitumour immune response may be achieved and maintained over the course of a patient's lifespan.
  Pharmacology [?] Therapeutics 08/2003; 99(1):113-32. · 8.56 Impact Factor
• Article: A comparative study evoking a sensory action potential from the medial and lateral plantar nerves using the probe and ring method of stimulation.

  Jamila K Adam, Reneal Bechoo, Wafaa S Rmaih
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  ABSTRACT: Nerve conduction studies (NCS) aid in the detection of foot nerve pathologies. However, there has been a debate on method of plantar nerves stimulation that is more effective; the ring method of stimulation or probe method of stimulation. This study aims at determining the one method that is more effective among the two methods of stimulating for eliciting proper responses. Thirty healthy adults, aged 19 to 55 years, free of any neurological disease were the subjects of the study. Values considered for determining the effectiveness of the stimulating technique were mean amplitudes of the evoked responses from medial and lateral plantar nerves. A significant increase in amplitude difference was noted in favor of the probe stimulation method. The amplitude difference noted in favor of the probe method of stimulation was double the values elicited by the ring method of stimulation in both the medial and lateral plantar nerves. Results suggest that the direct probe method of stimulation may be a more effective method of stimulating for the medial and lateral plantar nerves studies.
  Neurology India 58(2):277-9. · 0.96 Impact Factor