Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase Activity Research Articles

Comparison of the novel compounds creatine and pyruvateon lipid and protein metabolism in broiler chickens

The effects of pyruvate (Pyr), creatine pyruvate (Cr-Pyr) and creatine (Cr) on lipid and protein metabolism were compared in broiler chickens. A total of 400 1-day-old male birds (Aconred) were allocated to four groups, each of which included four replicates (25 birds per replicate). Treatments consisted of unsupplemented basal diet (Control), basal diet containing 2% Pyr, basal diet containing 3% Cr and basal diet containing 5% Cr-Pyr. Cr-Pyr and Pyr significantly decreased the hepatic triglyceride and serum total cholesterol concentration (P < 0.01). Cr-Pyr markedly increased the serum non-esterified fatty acid and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.05), whereas the expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase I (P < 0.05) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-α (P < 0.01) mRNA in the liver were both decidedly enhanced in the Cr-Pyr group. The relative leg muscle weight was higher in the Cr-Pyr group than in the control group, whereas the serum uric acid content and hepatic glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity were lower in the Cr-Pyr and Cr groups (P < 0.05), respectively. Muscle insulin-like growth factor I (P < 0.05) expression was enhanced, and the myostatin (P < 0.01) mRNA level was reduced in both the Cr-Pyr and Cr groups. In addition, Cr-Pyr did not alter body weight or the feed conversion ratio. These results indicate that, compared with Pyr and Cr alone, Cr-Pyr has a bifunctional role in broiler chickens, in that it influences both lipid and protein metabolism.

Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Broiler Chicks Fed Germinated and Fermented Soybeans

This study was conducted to investigate the dietary effects of germinated and fermented (with Monascus pupureus) soybean screenings (GFS) on growth performance and meat quality in broiler chicken. A total of 750 1-day-old Ross <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> Ross male broiler chicks were randomly allocated into five groups (five replications with 30 birds each) and fed experimental diets for 5 wks as follows: Group 1, negative-control (antibiotics-free diet); Group 2, positive-control (negative-control with 10 ppm of Avilamycin); Group 3, negative-control with 0.3% GFS; Group 4, negative-control with 0.5% GFS; Group 5, negative-control with 1% GFS. The final body weight of each group fed a diet containing 1% GFS was significantly higher than that of the negative-control group. The feed conversion ratios of all groups fed diets containing GFS and the positivecontrol group were significantly improved compared to the negative-control group during the whole period (p<0.05). The relative weights of various organs along with the activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were not influenced by the dietary treatments. The levels of total serum cholesterol in groups fed diets containing 0.5% and 1% GFS were more significantly lowered compared to those of the control groups without GFS (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the cecal microflora profiles among the groups. Further, the dietary treatments did not influence the physico-chemical properties of the edible meat, including the shear force, pH, meat color (CIE <TEX>$L^*$</TEX>, <TEX>$a^*$</TEX> and <TEX>$b^*$</TEX>), and content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Cooking loss of breast muscle in the groups fed GFS was significantly lowered compared to that of the negative control group (p<0.05). These results indicate that dietary GFS could improve growth performance in broiler chicken and may affect meat quality in some instances.

Measurement of Glutamate-Oxalacetate Transaminase Activity in Human Blood Serum Using Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

A new electrochemical method for measuring the activity of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase (GOT) in human blood serum was developed based on the appearance of a voltammetric peak current of oxalacetate at -0.4 V vs. (Ag/AgCl, 3 mol/L KCl) as a reference electrode using phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) as a supporting electrolyte. It is successfully applied for measuring GOT activity in certain diseases such as: Liver cirrhosis and Myocardial infarction, as well as normal cases. The results of our proposed method were compared with those obtained from colorimetric method for 38 specimens of human blood serum. A good relationship between the two methods were obtained with a correlation coefficient (r = 0.9976).

Changes in hepatic lipid parameters and hepatic messenger ribonucleic acid expression following estradiol administration in laying hens (Gallus domesticus)

Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) is characterized by increased hepatic triacylglycerol content associated with liver hemorrhages and results in a sudden decline in egg production. Genetic, environmental, nutritional, and hormonal factors have all been implicated in the etiology of FLHS, but the exact cause of FLHS is still unknown. Estrogens have been implicated in the development of excess fat content of the liver and in the etiology of FLHS. This study investigated estradiol (E2) administration in hens and its effect on lipid metabolism. Hy-Line Brown laying hens were intramuscularly injected with E2 on a daily basis for 3 wk. The dosages were 0, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg of BW, with corn oil injections used as a control. Egg production and quality were measured among the groups, with no significant difference seen in egg production. Liver weights of hens treated with E2 were greater than those of control hens, but the increase was not statistically significant. Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities and E2 plasma concentrations increased in a dose-dependent manner, with plasma concentration of E2 increasing from 6,900 to 19,000 pg/mL. No significant differences in free cholesterol or phospholipids were observed, but there was a significant increase in hepatic triacylglycerol levels. Injection with E2 showed an increased expression of mRNA for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (23-fold), but not for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α. A statistically significant increase was seen for fatty acid synthase, apolipoprotein B, and adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase, but not for acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, apolipoprotein VLDL-II, microsomal triglyceride transport protein, or malic enzyme. For proteins involved in the oxidation of E2, only cytochrome P450 3A37 showed a statistically significant increase. The present results suggest that E2 upregulates the synthesis of fatty acids and triacylglycerols and the accumulation of hepatic lipids by increasing mRNA expression related to lipid metabolism, and that excess E2 in the blood leads to activation of E2 catabolic metabolism (cytochrome P450 3A37)-related mRNA expression.

포도박이 고지방식이를 섭취한 흰쥐의 체내 지질대사와 간조직의 형태학적 변화에 미치는 영향

본 연구에서는 포도박이 고지방식이를 섭취한 흰쥐의 지질대사에 미치는 영향을 조사함으로써 포도박의 생리활성과 자원화에 필요한 기초자료를 얻고자 하였다. Sprague-Dawley계 수컷 흰쥐 48마리를 정상식이 대조군(C), 정상식이에 포도박을 첨가한 군(CP), 고지방식이 대조군(HF), 고지방식이에 포도박을 첨가한 군(HFP)으로 나누어 4주간 실험식이를 급여한 후 간 기능 관련 효소, 혈청과 간조직 및 변 중의 지질 함량, 변으로 배설되는 중성 스테로이드와 담즙산 함량을 측정하였고 간조직의 형태학적 변화를 관찰하였다. 식이섭취량은 정상식이군(C, CP)에 비하여 고지방식이군(HF, HFP)이 유의적으로 적은 양을 섭취하였으며 식이 효율은 고지방식이군에서 증가하였다. 체중증가량은 실험군 간에 유의적인 차이는 없었다. 간 기능을 나타내는 GOT와 GPT 활성은 대조군과 포도박을 첨가한 군 간의 유의적인차이를 나타내지 않았다. 혈청 중의 총 콜레스테롤 함량은 고지방식이와 포도박 분말의 급여에 의한 상호작용을 나타내었으며, HDL-콜레스테롤 함량은 CP군이 C군보다 유의적으로 증가되었다. 중성지질과 LDL-콜레스테롤 함량은 정상식이군에서는 유의적인 차이가 없었지만 고지방식이군에서는 HF군에 비하여 HFP군이 유의적으로 감소하였다. 간조직 중의 총 지질 함량과 총 콜레스테롤 함량은 고지방식이와 포도박 분말의 급여에 따른 상호작용을 나타내었으며 중성지질 함량은 대조군에 비하여 포도박을 첨가한 군이 유의적으로 감소하였다. 인지질 함량은 고지방식이군에서는 유의적인 차이가 없었지만 정상식이 군에서는 C군에 비하여 CP군이 유의적으로 증가하였다. 변 중의 총 지질 함량은 C군에 비하여 CP군이 유의적으로 증가하였으며 총 콜레스테롤 함량은 HFP군이 HF군에 비하여 유의적으로 증가하였다. 변 중 중성지질 함량은 대조군에 비하여 포도박 첨가군에서 배설이 증가되었다. 변으로 배설되는 coprostanol 함량은 모든 실험군 간에 유의적인 차이를 나타내지 않았다. Cholesterol과 coprostanone 함량의 합은 정상식이군보다 고지방식이군이 유의적으로 증가하였고, 고지방식이군에서 HF군보다 HFP이 유의적으로 증가하였다. 담즙산의 함량은 HF군과 HFP군 간의 유의적인 차이가 없었지만 C군에 비하여 CP군이 유의적으로 증가하였다. 간조직의 형태학적 관찰 결과를 보면 HF군의 간조직 표면이 심한 지방 침착으로 윤기와 탄력성이 저하되었다. HFP군에서는 세포질 내의 지방방울의 크기와 숫자는 유사하였으나 HF군에 비하여 지방세포 비대, 괴사 및 염증현상이 거의 관찰되지 않았다. 이상의 결과는 식이섬유와 폴리페놀 성분을 다량 함유한 포도박 식이는 혈청과 간조직의 지질 축적을 감소시키고 변으로 배설되는 지질 함량을 증가시켜 줌으로써 지질대사 관련한 만성질환의 예방효과를 가져올 수 있는 것으로 기대되었다. 포도박의 이러한 생리활성에 대한 연구결과는 향후 포도 가공중에 얻어지는 포도박 폐기물을 자원화 할 수 있는 기초자료로써 이용될 수 있다고 사료된다.

Effects of dietary copper exposure on accumulation, growth, and hematological parameters in Cyprinus carpio

The influence of dietary copper (Cu) exposure on accumulation, growth, and hematological parameters was investigated in Cyprinus carpio after sub-chronic ingestion of 0, 250, 500, 750 or 1000 mg kg−1 for 60 days. The profile of Cu accumulation among tissues in C. carpio was dependent on the exposure period and Cu concentration. Liver of C. carpio was the predominant storage tissue and the order of Cu accumulation in tissues was liver > intestine > gill > kidney > muscle. Cu concentration at >125 mg kg−1 reduced growth rate, and was inversely related to growth. The RNA : DNA ratios were not affected by exposure and there was no correlation between growth rate and RNA : DNA ratio in liver and muscle. There were no significant effects of exposure on blood parameters except for magnesium. Cu exposure time and dose increased the serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) activity levels.

Radon Inhalation Protects Mice from Carbon-Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic and Renal Damage

We assessed whether radon inhalation provided protection from carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic and renal damage in mice. Mice were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 after inhaling approximately 18 kBq/m3 radon for 6 h. Radon inhalation significantly increased total glutathione (t-GSH) content and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the liver and kidney. Injection of CCl4 was associated with significantly higher levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and creatinine level in serum, and pretreatment with radon significantly decreased the GOT and ALP activity and creatinine level associated with CCl4 injection, suggesting that radon inhalation alleviates CCl4-induced hepatic and renal damage. The t-GSH contents and GPx activity in the liver and kidney of animals pretreated with radon were significantly higher than those of the CCl(4)-only group. These findings suggested that radon inhalation activated antioxidative functions and inhibited CCl4-induced hepatic and renal damage in mice.

The ecological complexity of the Thai-Laos Mekong River: III. Health status of Mekong catfish and cyprinids, evidence of bioaccumulative effects

Histopathology of fish organs was used as biomarkers of toxicity from environmental pollutants. A total of 117 fishes comprising of 52 cyprinids and 65 catfishes were randomly collected from the Mekong River from 5 stations: Chiang Rai, Loei, Nongkhai, Nakhon Phanom and Ubonratchathani. The health of the fish collected in December and April, winter and summer respectively, was evaluated. All fish from the 5 stations developed pathologic lesions with the same characteristics in their livers, kidneys and spleen. In the liver, there was vacuolation of hepatocytes, accumulation of brownish-green granules in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, necrosis of hepatocytes, granuloma formation and angiogenesis. Kidney lesions consisted of glomerular degeneration, necrosis and focal hyperplasia of renal tubules. In the spleen, there were haemorrhage, melanomacrophage centre infiltration and necrosis of the red pulp and white pulp. The pathologic severity of the catfish was found to be more severe than in the cyprinids and the catfish collected in summer were less healthy than the catfish collected in the winter. These histopathological appearances might arise from the fish feeding on the benthos and thereby accumulating toxic pollutants in their organs. The activities of the serum enzymes, Glutamic Oxalacetic Transaminase (GOT) and Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT), were markedly increased, indicating detoxification activity. The highest activity of GOT found in the cyprinids from Chiang Rai 365.30 U/L whereas in the catfish from Nakhon Phanom the activity was 300.73 U/L. The highest GPT activity found in the cyprinids from Nakhon Phanom was 203.23 U/L where as in the catfish from the same station was GPT 389.77 U/L. According to the results from this study, catfish collected from Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom and Ubonratchathani showed more severe pathological changes than catfish from the other stations. Fish organs and river water were analysed for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals. The fish organs showed bioaccumulation of these toxic pollutants. BioConcentration Factors (BCFs) were calculated. Therefore an attempt is made to correlate these findings to the Mekong study in general.

Seed extracts of a Bangladeshi medicinal plant Abrus precatorius L. show antifertility activity in female rats

The seed powder of Abrus precatorius L. has traditionally been used as oral contraceptive agent by the women in some rural areas in Bangladesh. The present study aimed to examine the antifertility activity of A. precatorius seed extracts in experimental female rats. Finely ground seeds were extracted with aqueous acetone followed by successive partitioning with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH) and water. Water suspended crude seed powder, organic fractions of acetone extract and a standard contraceptive drug (<TEX>$Nordette^{(R)}28$</TEX>) were separately administered orally to the female rats for 30 days. n-Hexane, EtOAc and MeOH solubles at the doses of 2, 4 and 6 mg/rat/day, respectively and crude seed powder at 100 mg/rat/day exhibited 100% antifertility activity with lowest levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and <TEX>$17{\beta}$</TEX>-estradiol. Histological study of ovary and uterus of these rats exhibited reduced number of developing follicles and increased number of atretic follicles in the ovary, and fewer uterine glands with shrunken morphology, reduced endometrial height, poor vascularity and compact stroma in uterus. However, the activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and the body weight of the rats remained almost unaffected in all the seed extract treated rats compared to control. These results suggest that A. precatorius seed extracts reduced the levels of serum FSH, LH and <TEX>$17{\beta}$</TEX>-estradiol probably by affecting hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The reduced levels of these hormones might have affected the oestrous cycle, follicular development, and subsequently the establishment of pregnancy in treated rats.

Effects of BDE-99 on hormone homeostasis and biochemical parameters in adult male rats

In this study, we evaluated the effects of BDE-99 on hormone homeostasis, as well as in urinary and serum biochemical parameters of adult male rats. Animals (10 per group) received BDE-99 by gavage at single doses of 0, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg. Forty-five days after BDE-99 exposure, urine and serum samples were collected for hormonal and biochemical analysis. Oxidative stress (OS) markers in erythrocytes, plasma and urine were also evaluated. Urinary excretion of total protein significantly increased following BDE-99 exposure, while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamil transferase (GGT), and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activities significantly decreased. Liver toxicity was evidenced by elevated serum activities of the enzymes glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Following BDE-99 administration, OS markers in erythrocytes showed an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and a reduction in glutathione reductase (GR) activity. In urine, isoprostane levels increased after BDE-99 exposure. The hormonal analysis showed a significant decrease in testosterone and progesterone levels. These results support the hypothesis that BDE-99 interacts with hormonal response. Moreover, BDE-99 administration to adult male rats showed signs of renal and hepatic toxicity.

Effect of dietary phytate and phytase on metabolic change of blood and intestinal mucosa in chickens

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary phytate and phytase on the metabolic parameters of lipid, protein, enzyme, electrolyte in the blood or intestinal mucosa of broiler chickens. Diets containing phytate phosphorus (0.22% or 0.44%) with phytase supplementation (0, 500 or 1000 U/kg) were administrated to 504 Cobb chicks for 4 weeks. Results showed that the serum concentrations of total cholesterol (T-CHO), albumin, albumin/globulin, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were decreased by 9-41% in high phytate diets (p < 0.05) and the concentrations of blood P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mg were decreased by 4-14% for birds fed high phytate diets (p < 0.05), whereas inclusion of phytase compensated these adverse influences. In the duodenum, phytate decreased the level of T-AOC by 13% (p < 0.05), whereas phytase increased the levels of T-SOD, T-AOC and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by 9-16% (p < 0.05). Also, in the jejunum, diets with high phytate showed lower activity of T-SOD, T-AOC and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) (p < 0.05), and phytase increased T-SOD, T-AOC and ALP (p < 0.05). However, phytase decreased transaminase activity in the low phytate basal diets (p < 0.05). This study suggests that dietary phytate can adversely interfere with the metabolisms of lipid and protein, as well as the antioxidation of blood and intestinal cells, while phytase supplementation may compensate these effects for broiler chickens.

Effect of tropical browse leaves supplementation on rumen enzymes of sheep and goats fed Dichanthium annulatum grass-based diets

In a switch-over experiment, eight male animals, four each of sheep and goats of local breeds with mean body weight of 26. 8 +/- 2.0 and 30.0 +/- 2.1 kg, were fed Dichanthium annulatum (DA) grass and four browse species viz. Helictris isora, Securengia virosa, Leucaena leucocephala (LL) and Hardwickia binnata (HB) in four feeding trials to assess their supplementary effect on activity of rumen enzymes. The sheep and goats were offered DA grass with individual browse in 75:25 and 50:50 proportions, respectively, for more than 3 months during each feeding trial, and rumen liquor samples were collected twice at 0 and 4 h post feeding after 60 and 90 days of feeding. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) enzymes were determined in the bacteria and protozoa fractions of rumen liquor, while cellulase enzyme activity was measured in mixed rumen liquor. LL and HB had the highest and lowest contents of CP, while fibre contents were lower in early than later browse leaves. Supplementation of browse leaves significantly (P < 0.05) affect the specific activity of GDH enzyme in bacteria fraction of rumen liquor of animal species, while GDH activity was similar in protozoa fraction of rumen liquor of sheep and goats on all DA grass-browse-supplemented diets except DA-HB (42.8 units/mg protein), where activity was significantly (P < 0.05) low. Specific activities of GOT and GPT enzymes in both bacteria and protozoa fractions of rumen liquor differ significantly (P < 0.05) due to supplementation of browse leaves to DA grass. Browse leaves significantly (P < 0.05) affect the cellulase enzyme activity in animal rumen liquor, being highest on DA-LL (193.4) and lowest on DA-HB diet (144.8 microg sugar/mg protein). Goat exhibited higher activities of GOT and GPT than sheep in both bacteria and protozoa fraction of rumen liquor, while cellulase activity was similar between the animal species on the grass-browse leaves diets. Results indicate that browse leaves supplementation affect the enzyme activities of sheep and goats rumen, while the goats rumen liquor had higher activities of GOT, GPT and GDH enzyme than sheep.

Antidiabetic and antioxidative effects of hydro-methanolic extract of sepals of Salmalia malabarica in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Natural products with antidiabetic activities provide important sources for the development of new drugs in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This present work focuses on the antidiabetic activity of a hydro-methanolic (2:3) extract of the sepals of Salmalia malabarica on the blood glucose, the carbohydrade metabolic enzyme, oxidative stress, glycated haemoglobin and transaminase activity in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats show a significant diminution in the activities of hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and an elevation in the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase in the liver and skeletal muscle. Administration of hydro-methanolic extract of the sepals of Salmalia malabarica to diabetic rats resulted in a significant recovery in the parameters concerned. In the liver and kidney, the activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (Px) were decreased significantly and levels of conjugated diene (CD) and thio-barbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) were increased significantly in diabetic rats which recovered significantly after administration of hydro-methanolic extract of S. malabarica. Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) activities which are increased in diabetes were restored by the extract. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) levels were resettled significantly in the extract treated group compared to the diabetic group. The antidiabetic activity of the extract was supported after a comparison with glibenclamide, a standard antidiabetic drug.

Semipurified Fractions from the Submerged-Culture Broth of Agaricus blazei Murill Reduce Blood Glucose Levels in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Hypoglycemic action of semipurified fractions from hot-water extracts of the submerged-culture broth of Agaricus blazei Murill was examined in streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneal)-induced diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats, relative to the diabetes drug metformin. The hot-water extract, treated with ethanol to remove beta-glucans and glycoproteins, was freeze-dried, and fractionated into hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate (EA), and butanol fractions. The EA fraction (EAF; 200 mg/kg body weight) reduced (p < 0.05) the blood glucose level in the oral glucose tolerance test, relative to the other fractions and control. In a 14 day-treatment study, diabetic rats treated with the EAF displayed a suppressed blood glucose level and elevated plasma insulin and glucose transport-4 proteins; the reactions occurred in a dose-dependent manner (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) compared to those in control animals. The EAF reduced the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in plasma, the activity of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase in blood, and the content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in the liver and kidney. The hypoglycemic efficacy of the EAF (400 mg/kg body weight) was similar to that of metformin (500 mg/kg body weight). The EAF contained substantial amounts of isoflavonoids including genistein, genistin, daidzein, and daidzin, which could have contributed to the fraction's hypoglycemic action. These results indicate that the hot-water extract of the submerged-culture broth of Agaricus blazei contains an EAF having potent hypoglycemic action, which could be useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Hypoglycemic, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effects of the aqueous sepal extracts of salmalia malabarica in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

The hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous sepal extracts of Salmalia malabarica Schott & Endl. in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat was studied by monitoring the biomarkers of carbohydrate metabolism, serum lipid profile and oxidative status of metabolic organs. Measurement of fasting blood glucose level (FBG), activities of important carbohydrate metabolic enzymes like glucose-6-phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and hexokinase in liver along with quantification of glycogen in liver and skeletal muscle were carried out. In order to study the effect of the extract on hyperlipidemia and oxidative injury in diabetes, serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLc), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (Px), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the levels of conjugated diene (CD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver, kidney and cardiac muscle were measured. The extract displayed no toxic effect in general, which was shown by monitoring glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activities in liver and kidney. Moreover, it exhibited a corrective effect on all of these bio-markers of the STZ-induced diabetic group, which were comparable with the standard drug metformin. This study confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of the sepal extracts of S. malabarica in experimental diabetic rat.Keywords: hypoglycemic, sepals, Salmalia malabarica, antioxidative, antihyperlipidemic

Antioxidant and hepatic protective effects of lotus root hot water extract with taurine supplementation in rats fed a high fat diet

BackgroundNelumbo nucifera, known as sacred lotus, is a well-known medicinal plant and this lotus root is commonly used as food compared to different parts of this plant. This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and hepatic protective effects of lotus root hot water extract with taurine supplementation in high fat diet-induced obese rats.MethodsThirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats (4-week-old) were randomly divided into four groups (n=8) for 6 weeks (normal diet, N group; high fat diet, HF group; high fat diet + lotus root hot water extract, HFR group; high fat diet + lotus root hot water extract + taurine, HFRT group). Lotus root hot water extract was orally administrated (400mg/kg/day) to HFR and HFRT groups and the same amount of distilled water was orally administered to N and HF groups. Taurine was supplemented by dissolving in feed water (3% w/v).ResultsThe activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase in serum were lower in HFR and HFRT groups compared to HF group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance contents in all groups fed a high fat diet were higher compared to N group. The activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes were higher in HFR and HFRT groups compared to HF group.ConclusionsThese results suggest that lotus root hot water extract with taurine supplementation shows antioxidant and hepatic protective effects in high fat diet-induced obese rats.

Physiological and Histopathological Investigations on the Effects of-Lipoic Acid in Rats Exposed to Malathion

The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of α-lipoic acid treatment in rats exposed to malathion. Forty adult male rats were used in this study and distributed into four groups. Animals of group 1 were untreated and served as control. Rats of group 2 were orally given malathion at a dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) for a period of one month. Experimental animals of group 3 were orally given α-lipoic acid at a dose level of 20 mg/kg BW and after 3 hours exposed to malathion at the same dose given to group 2. Rats of group 4 were supplemented with α-lipoic acid at the same dose given to group 3. The activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic acid transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase (ACP), and the values of creatinine, urea, and uric acid were statistically increased, while the values of total protein and total albumin were significantly decreased in rats exposed to malathion. Moreover, administration of malathion for one month resulted in damage of liver and kidney structures. Administration of α-lipoic acid before malathion exposure to rat can prevent severe alterations of hematobiochemical parameters and disruptions of liver and kidney structures. In conclusion, this study obviously demonstrated that pretreatment with α-lipoic acid significantly attenuated the physiological and histopathological alterations induced by malathion. Also, the present study identifies new areas of research for development of better therapeutic agents for liver, kidney, and other organs' dysfunctions and diseases.

Protective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Terminalia arjuna against Dehydrating Induced Oxidative Stress and Uremia in Male Rat.

The present study has been designed to find out the protective effect of aqueus extract of Terminalia arjuna against dehydration induced oxidative stress and uremia, protection by plant extract in male Wister strain albino rats, and therefore to find out the scientific basis of local use of Terminalia arjuna bark extract by village ayurved doctors to protect the progressive kidney disorder (renal failure) relating to dehydration and other related problems. Water withdrawing for 15 days in male Wister strain albino rats resulted in a significant elevation in the level of blood nitrogenous products (i.e. urea and creatinine). On the other hand, it increased the levels of free radicals, melondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes (CD) along with a significant diminution in the activities of superoxide dismutse (SOD) and catalase in blood. All these water markers were significantly prevented after administration of aqueous extract of Terminalia arjuna bark. These results suggest that dehydration induced oxidative stress and uremia in male rats may be protected by using the above mentioned medicinal plants extract. This herbal extract showed no toxic effect on blood and kidney, based on the measurements of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities (data not shown).

Physicochemical Properties of the Oil from the Fruit ofBlighia sapidaand Toxicological Evaluation of the Oil-Based Diet in Wistar Rats

The physicochemical properties of the oil from the fruit of Blighia sapida and the toxicological effect of the oil-based diet on some biochemical parameters of selected rat tissues and serum were studied. The smoke, flash, and fire points as well as peroxide, iodine, and acid values of the fruit oil were significantly lower (P < .05), whereas the specific gravity, relative density, saponification, and ester values compared well with soybean oil. The fruit oil yield was 20.02%. The oil consisted of 22.22% saturated, 56.43% monounsaturated, and 21.35% polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is richer than soybean oil in behenic, palmitoleic, oleic, gadoleic, erucic, and 9,12-eicosanoic acids by 15.70%, 0.89%, 7.22%, 12.05%, 8.27%, and 21.35%, respectively. The liver- and kidney-body weight ratios as well as the serum concentrations of cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of the rats maintained on diet formulated with the oil from the fruit of B. sapida increased significantly (P < .05), but the triglyceride and atherogenic index decreased (P < .05). The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and the heart-body weight ratio of the rats fed with the fruit oil diet compared well (P > .05) with those on soybean oil-based diet. Animals fed with the fruit oil-based diet had their activities of liver glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase as well as alkaline phosphatase activities of the liver and kidney decreased with corresponding increase in the serum enzymes. These results suggest that oil from B. sapida fruit could be edible and may be explored as raw materials in the paint, margarine, and soap industries. The oil is also unlikely to predispose the animals to cardiovascular risk, but may labilize the plasma membrane of the hepatocytes and nephrons. It may also have a negative effect on the metabolism and regulation of amino acid in the animals. Therefore, the oil from B. sapida fruit may not be completely safe for consumption.

US-guided interstitial chemotherapy using paclitaxel temperature-responsive gel for breast cancer treatment in rat

This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of paclitaxel temperature-responsive gel (PTRG) for interstitial chemotherapy on breast cancer, and to explore a new minimally invasive treatment for breast cancer. Breast cancer models were induced in rats using subcutaneous transplantation of tumor cells. The rats were then divided into control, paclitaxel injection, gel injection and paclitaxel-gel (PG) group. Following treatment, all animals were checked regularly by ultrasonography to observe changes in the tumors. Biopsy tumor tissues were processed for histopathological examination, and apoptotic index was determined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling method. In addition, blood cell count and liver transaminase activity were monitored, and the survival time of rats with cancer recorded. Rats in PG group exhibited liquefaction necrosis of tumors. Ninety days after the experiment, four rats exhibited complete extinction of tumors, indicating full recovery. Pathological examination revealed that the tumor tissues in these rats were mostly necrotic, and the apoptotic index of tumor cells increased markedly compared to PI group. Also, the red blood cell, hemoglobin and white blood cell levels declined significantly in the PI group compared with PG group, while glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase activities significantly increased. Meanwhile, no toxicity due to treatment was observed in PG group. Interstitial chemotherapy mediated by PTRG appeared to be a safe and effective treatment for breast cancer in rats. It might have clinical applications for treating human breast cancer.