Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase Activity Research Articles

Effects of Dietary Copper on Nutrient Digestibility, Tissular Copper Deposition and Fur Quality of Growing-Furring Mink (Mustela vison)

The present study investigated the effects of dietary copper (Cu) on growth performance and fur quality in growing-furring minks. One hundred and five standard dark female minks were randomly assigned to seven groups with the following dietary treatments: basal diet with no supplemental Cu (control) and basal diet supplemented with either 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 or 192 mg/kg Cu from copper sulphate, respectively. Our data showed that final body weight (P = 0.033), daily gain (P = 0.029) and fat digestibility (P = 0.0006) responded to increasing levels of Cu. The activity of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in serum increased (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) as Cu increased in the diet. Increasing Cu improved total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) (quadratic, P < 0.05). The level of ceruloplasmin (CER) responded in a linear (P < 0.0001) and quadratic (P < 0.0001) form with increasing level of Cu. Colour intensity of those minks pelted suggested that relatively high levels of supplemental Cu have a beneficial effect on intensifying hair colour of dark mink but did not affect leather thickness. Liver Cu and plasma Cu concentrations of the mink linearly (P < 0.0001) responded to increasing levels of Cu. Our results indicate that growing-furring mink can efficiently utilize added dietary fat and that Cu plays an important role in the digestion of dietary fat in growing-furring mink, and supplemental dietary Cu in growing-furring mink promotes fat digestion and improve hair colour.

Particulate nature of inhaled zinc oxide nanoparticles determines systemic effects and mechanisms of pulmonary inflammation in mice

Inhalation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) has potential health impact. Because zinc ion may involve in the toxicity of ZnONP, we compared adverse effects of inhaled aerosolized ZnONP and zinc nitrate in mice. Aerosolized ZnONP and zinc nitrate were well-dispersed in the inhalation chamber. Inhalation of 0.86 mg/m3 ZnONP or 1.98 mg/m3 zinc nitrate for 5 h caused acute inflammation mainly at bronchioloalveolar junctions of lungs at 24-h post-exposure. Inhalation of ZnONP or zinc nitrate increased metallothionein expression in the epithelial cells of brochioloalveolar junction. While the effects on cytokines secretion in bronchoalveolar lavage were similar between ZnONP and zinc nitrate, only ZnONP increased lactate dehydrogenase activity. However, repeated exposure to 0.86 mg/m3 ZnONP 5 h/day for 5 days failed to cause a similar adverse effect. Either single or repeated exposure to 0.86 mg/m3 ZnONP increased activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and creatine phosphokinase in blood. In contrast, exposure to zinc nitrate had no similar systemic effects. In human bronchial epithelial cells, ZnONP-induced interleukin-8 secretion was partially prevented by co-treatment with the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitor. Furthermore, ZnONP-induced pulmonary inflammation was greater in wild-type mice than in TLR4-deficent mice. It appears that ZnONP-induced acute pulmonary inflammation partially depended on TLR4. In summary, we demonstrated the dose-responsive effects for inhalation of ZnONP and zinc nitrate in mice. The threshold of cytokines induction for inhalation of ZnONP for 5 h was 0.43 mg/m3. The particulate characters of ZnONP might contribute to the systemic adverse effects and shall be evaluated for assessing its health impact in humans.

NAD+ administration decreases doxorubicin-induced liver damage of mice by enhancing antioxidation capacity and decreasing DNA damage

One of the major obstacles for cancer treatment is the toxic side effects of anti-cancer drugs. Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most widely used anti-cancer drugs, which produces significant toxic side effects on the heart and such organs as the liver. Because NAD+ can decrease cellular or tissue damage under multiple conditions, we hypothesized that NAD+ administration may decrease DOX-induced hepatotoxicity. In this study we tested this hypothesis by using a mouse model, showing that NAD+ administration can significantly attenuate DOX-induced increase in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activity and decrease in liver weight. The NAD+ administration also attenuated the DOX-induced increases in the levels of double-strand DNA (dsDNA) damage, TUNEL signals, and active caspase-3. Furthermore, our data has suggested that the NAD+ administration could produce protective effects at least partially by restoring the antioxidation capacity of the liver, because NAD+ administration can attenuate the decreases in both the GSH levels and the glutathione reductase activity of the DOX-treated liver, which could play a significant role in the DOX-induced hepatotoxicity. This finding has provided the first evidence indicating that NAD+ is capable of increasing the antioxidation capacity of tissues. Collectively, our study has found that NAD+ can significantly decrease DOX-induced liver damage at least partially by enhancing antioxidation capacity and decreasing dsDNA damage. Because it can also selectively decrease tumor cell survival, NAD+ may have significant merits over antioxidants for applying jointly with DOX to decrease the toxic side effects of DOX.

Incorporation of Ascorbic Acid, Caffeine and Chloroquine Diphosphate in Dilutor Improves Structural and Functional Status of Frozen Semen

Effect of supplementation of ascorbic acid, caffeine and chloroquine diphosphate in the dilutor on post-thaw quality of spermatozoa was studied. Thirty-two semen ejaculates (8 each from 2 Holstein Friesian and 2 crossbred; 50% Friesian x 50% Haryana) were studied. Ascorbic acid, caffeine and chloroquine diphosphate were added in Tris-egg yolk-glycerol (control) extender at the concentration of 10 mM, 0.54 mM and 7 mM, respectively. The post-thaw semen parameters studied were structural (acrosomal integrity and livability), functional [motility, per cent sperm responding to hypoosmotic swelling test, i.e. HOS positive sperm and penetrability of sperm in bovine cervical mucus, i.e. sperm penetration distance-SPD] and measurement of activities of Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), Alkaline transaminase (AKP) and Acid transaminase (ACP). Certain enzymes in the seminal plasma. The semen from crossbred bull had significantly lower mass activity (P ≤ 0.01), initial progressive motility (P ≤ 0.01), sperm penetration distance (SPD value) (P ≤ 0.01), HOS positive sperm and seminal plasma GOT activity, but higher abnormal sperm. Incorporation of additives in the dilutor significantly improved the post-thaw semen quality, especially the post-thaw motility, post-thaw per cent live sperm, sperm penetration distance and sperm responding to hypo-osmotic solution. The leakage of all the 4 enzymes (GOT, GPT, ACP and AKP) was significantly less in the samples frozen in presence of ascorbic acid and chloroquine as compared to control. Ascorbic acid resulted in maximum improvement to the quality of frozen-thawed semen followed by chloroquine and caffeine. The study concludes that post-thaw quality of frozen semen of HF and crossbred bulls significantly improves if the dilutor is supplemented with 10 mM concentration of ascorbic acid.

In vivo studies on the protective effect of propolis on doxorubicin-induced toxicity in liver of male rats

Objective:Since anticancer drugs are to be administered for long durations of time and are associated with systemic toxicities, the present studies were conducted to evaluate the protective potential of honey bee propolis against a widely used anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DXR) induced toxicity and oxidative damage in liver tissues of rats.Materials and Methods:Sixteen male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing between 200-220 g, were used and were divided into four equal groups. Propolis was given orally to rats [250 mg/kg body weight (bw) for 14 consecutive days] and DXR [25 mg/kg bw; intraperitoneally (i.p) was administered on 12th, 13th and 14th day of the experiment. All the animals were sacrificed on day 15th day by decapitation. Blood and tissue samples were collected for measurement of toxicity and oxidative damage parameters (enzymatic assays and biochemical estimations).Results:Administration of DXR for 3 days at a cumulative dose of 25 mg/kg bw, induced toxicity and oxidative stress in rats as significantly decreased activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GR) were observed in rat liver supernatants when compared to control group. Increased activity of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) was obtained in DXR administered rats. Also there are significantly increased levels of lipid peroxides (measured as malondialdehyde formation) and significantly decreased level of glutathione (GSH) in doxorubicin treated rat liver supernatants as compared to healthy controls. On the other hand, administration of animals with propolis prior to DXR treatment led to significant modulation of the oxidative damage related parameters in liver and hepatotoxicity parameters in blood, when compared to doxorubicin treated group. However results were still not comparable to control group or only propolis group indicating partial protection by propolis at the concentration used against anticancer drug toxicity.Conclusion:Propolis extract was found to have a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in rat liver though it was still not normalized. It can be concluded that propolis provides partial protection from toxicity of anticancer drug.

블랙푸드로 만든 청국장분말 식이가 Streptozotocin으로 유도된 당뇨 쥐의 간 기능과 지질 조성에 미치는 영향

This study was conducted to examine the effects of Cheonggukjang powder made using black foods on liver function and lipid composition in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The experimental animals were divided into 5 groups and fed the following for 7 weeks; normal diet(control), STZ+normal diet(Diabetic), STZ+50% soybean Cheonggukjang supplementation(DSC), STZ+44.5% yakkong Cheonggukjang supplementation(DYC), and STZ+supplementation with 50% yakkong black food(black rice, black sesame seeds, and sea tangle) Cheonggukjang(DYCB). The results showed that the body weight gain and food efficiency ratio of the STZ-induced diabetic groups were significantly lower than those of the control group. In the Diabetic group, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT) activities and total bilirubin content in serum were significantly greater than those in the control group. However, supplementation with Cheonggukjang reduced these values. In the Diabetic group, the triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol contents in the serum and liver tissue, as well as the atherogenic index(AI) and cardiac risk factors(CRF) were significantly higher than the corresponding values in the control group, although the high-density lipoprotein(HDL)-cholesterol and phospholipid contents were significantly lower than those in the control group. However, supplementation with Cheonggukjang normalized the changed lipid composition in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Further, yakkong Cheonggukjang and black food contaning yakkong Cheonggukjang normalized AI and CRF.

Kefir improves fatty liver syndrome by inhibiting the lipogenesis pathway in leptin-deficient ob/ob knockout mice

Fatty liver disease is commonly associated with obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes. Severe fatty liver is sometimes accompanied by steatohepatitis and may lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. At present, there is no effective treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); thus, recent investigations have focused on developing effective therapeutics to treat this condition. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of kefir on the hepatic lipid metabolism of ob/ob mice, which are commonly used to model fatty liver disease. In this study, we used leptin receptor-deficient ob/ob mice as an animal disease model of NAFLD. Six-week-old ob/ob mice were orally administered the dairy product kefir (140 mg kg(-1) of body weight (BW) per day) for 4 weeks. The data demonstrated that kefir improved fatty liver syndrome on BW, energy expenditure and basal metabolic rate by inhibiting serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activities (P<0.05) and by decreasing the triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) contents of the liver (P<0.05). Oral kefir administration also significantly reduced the macrovesicular fat quantity in liver tissue. In addition, kefir markedly decreased the expression of the genes sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) (P<0.05) but not the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) or hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1α (CPT1α) in the livers of ob/ob mice. On the basis of these results, we conclude that kefir improves NAFLD on BW, energy expenditure and basal metabolic rate by inhibiting the lipogenesis pathway and that kefir may have the potential for clinical application to the prevention or treatment of NAFLD.

Effects of lead contamination in feed on laying performance, lead retention of organs and eggs, protein metabolism, and hormone levels of laying hens

SUMMARY Five hundred seventy-six Hy-Line Brown hens, 40 wk old, were randomly allotted to 4 groups, each of which included 4 replicates of 36 hens. The groups were given a basal corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg of lead. No differences were observed for laying rate and FCR among the treatments, whereas adding 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg of lead decreased ADFI. Lead concentrations in albumen, yolk, liver, kidney, oviduct, and ovary of the treatment groups were higher than those of the control group. The addition of lead at 60 mg/kg resulted in increased levels of serum urea nitrogen, urea acid, and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activity. Levels of serum progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone in the control group were significantly higher than those of the treatment groups. In conclusion, we indicate that lead concentrations in tissues and eggs have a positive correlation with dietary lead levels, and lead may affect the reproductive performance of hens by reducing the levels of endocrine hormones.

Anti-stress properties and two HSP70s mRNA expressions of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) fed with all-plant-based diet

The influence of all-plant-based diet on fingerling blunt snout breams (Megalobrama amblycephala) was tested by examining growth performance, anti-stress properties and related gene expression. Healthy fish were randomly divided into triplicate groups per dietary treatment and fed with different formulated diets. The results showed that both weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of all-plant-based diet group were significant higher than those of the control (p<0.05). In contrast, FCR of all-plant-based diet group was significantly lower than that of the control (p<0.05). Therefore, all-plant-based diets could not affect the growth performance of blunt snout breams. Compared to the control group, the lysozyme levels in serum and mucus, and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activities in serum and liver decreased significantly (p<0.05). In contrast, the glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities in serum and liver increased significantly (p<0.05). For blunt snout breams fed with all-plant-based diets, the superoxide dismutase activities in mucus, serum and liver as well as catalase activity in serum and liver were decreased significantly (p<0.05) comparing with that of the control group. But malondialdehyde contents were higher (p<0.05) in serum and liver than that of control group. The expression of HSC70 mRNA increased significantly (p<0.05) in blunt snout breams fed with all-plant-based diet, whereas the HSP70 mRNA expression decreased significantly (p<0.05) when compared with control group. In conclusion, all these results indicated that the application of all-plant-based diet could decrease the anti-stress properties (non-specific immunity, stress resistance and antioxidant ability) and HSP70 mRNA expression in blunt snout breams fingerling. Although all-plant-based diets could not affect the growth performance of blunt snout breams, the application of all-plant-based diet should be discreet in the production practice.

Quality and Biochemical Influence of Eugenol to Anesthetize Crucian Carp (Carassius Auratus)

The aim of this study was to identify the influence of the anesthetic eugenol on crucian carp. The muscle quality and freshness were little influenced by anesthesia from the perspective of cooking loss (CL) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). In contrast, lower redness, liquid loss (LL), and 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values were observed in anesthetized fish. It was found that anesthesia increased serum cortisol content and reduced serum glucose concentration. There was little influence of eugenol on serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities, while serum and muscle acid phosphatase (ACP) activities significantly increased after the use of the anesthetic. Results suggested that the stress of eugenol to crucian carp was nontoxic and did not lead to hyperglycemia. On the basis of these findings, eugenol as an anesthetic is effective and safe for the transportation of crucian carp.

Testing Rhodiola sachalinensis saccharide as cryoprotectant for bovine spermatozoa

Rhodiola sachalinensis saccharide (RSS) was extracted from the rhizome of Herba Rhodiolae and was expected as a novel cryoprotectant. The aim of this study was to test the effects of RSS on motility of bull sperm and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) in bull sperm during cryopreservation. Rhodiola sachalinensis saccharide was added at the concentrations of 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10 mg/mL to the extenders, which were used to store bovine semen. It was found that the RSS-added extends resulted in a higher percentage of cryopreserved sperm motility, mitochondrial activity, and membrane and acrosome integrity than those of RSS-free extenders. The SOD, LDH, and GOT activities were all decreased during the process of freezing and thawing. The extenders supplemented with RSS improved the SOD, LDH, and GOT activities after cryopreservation compared with the RSS-free groups. In conclusion, RSS conferred great cryoprotective capacity to the basic extender for bull spermatozoa during the process of freezing-thawing, and the optimal concentration of RSS for the extender was 0.06mg/mL.

Effects of density stress on growth and metabolism of juvenile Epinephelus malabaricus

A 6-week feeding trail was conducted to study the effect of density stress on growth performance,plasma cortisol,blood glucose and activities of related enzymes of juvenile Elineophelelus malabaricus.Three hundred juveniles,body weight (15±0.5) g were randomly distributed in 4 experimental groups:G10 (10 ind/tank,1.1 kg/m 3),G20 (20 ind/tank,2.1 kg/m 3),G30 (30 ind/tank,3.2 kg/m 3),and G40 (40 ind/tank,4.2 kg/m 3).The results showed:(1) weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of G10 were the lowest among the experimental groups,and WG and SGR of G20 were the highest.Feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased with the increase of density.(2) No significant difference was observed in plasma cortisol levels between G30 and G40 (P 0.05),plasma cortisol levels of G10 and G20 were significantly lower than those of G 30 and G 40 (P 0.05),and plasma cortisol level of G10 was the lowest.Similar trend was recorded in blood glucose levels.(3)Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities of G30 and G40 were significantly higher than those of G10 and G20 ;glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activities and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activities increased with the increase of the stocking density,total choline esterase (TChE) activities decreased with the increase of the stocking density.Hence,too high or too low stocking density would affect the growth performance and metabolism of juvenile Epinephelus malabaricus,and 20 ind/tank (2.1 kg/m3) was considered to be a suitable stocking density.

Cisplatin Binding and Inactivation of Mitochondrial Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase in Cisplatin-Induced Rat Nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its use is limited by nephrotoxicity associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Because its mechanisms are poorly understood, we aimed to identify the mitochondrial proteins targeted by cisplatin. We isolated renal mitochondrial proteins from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and performed cisplatin-affinity column chromatography. The proteins eluted were detected on SDS-PAGE and subjected to in-gel tryptic digestion and LC-MS/MS analysis. We identified glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (MDH). Next, we administered cisplatin intraperitoneally to SD rats to induce nephrotoxicity and assayed the activities of the enzymes. The results indicated that cisplatin caused a severe decrease in mitochondrial GOT activity on day 1 after cisplatin administration. Three d later, we also identified a decrease in mitochondrial MDH activity. Our results indicate that cisplatin binds to mitochondrial GOT and inhibits its activity, causing mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent nephrotoxicity.

Threonine Affects Intestinal Function, Protein Synthesis and Gene Expression of TOR in Jian Carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of threonine (Thr) on the digestive and absorptive ability, proliferation and differentiation of enterocytes, and gene expression of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). First, seven isonitrogenous diets containing graded levels of Thr (7.4–25.2 g/kg diet) were fed to the fishes for 60 days. Second, enterocyte proliferation and differentiation were assayed by culturing enterocytes with graded levels of Thr (0–275 mg/l) in vitro. Finally, enterocytes were cultured with 0 and 205 mg/l Thr to determine protein synthesis. The percent weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate, feed intake, feed efficiency, protein retention value, activities of trypsin, lipase and amylase, weights and protein contents of hepatopancreas and intestine, folds heights, activities of alkaline phosphatase (AKP), γ- glutamyl transpeptidase and Na+/K+-ATPase in all intestinal segments, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activities in hepatopancreas, and 4E-BP2 gene expression in muscle, hepatopancreas and intestinal segments were significantly enhanced by Thr (p<0.05). However, the plasma ammonia concentration and TOR gene expression decreased (p<0.05). In vitro, Thr supplement significantly increased cell numbers, protein content, the activities of GOT, GPT, AKP and Na+/K+-ATPase, and protein synthesis rate of enterocytes, and decreased LDH activity and ammonia content in cell medium (p<0.05). In conclusion, Thr improved growth, digestive and absorptive capacity, enterocyte proliferation and differentiation, and protein synthesis and regulated TOR and 4E-BP2 gene expression in juvenile Jian carp. The dietary Thr requirement of juvenile Jian carp was 16.25 g/kg diet (51.3 g/kg protein) based on quadratic regression analysis of PWG.

Effect of dietary carbohydrate on the growth performance, immune response, hepatic antioxidant abilities and heat shock protein 70 expression of Wuchang bream,Megalobrama amblycephala

To investigate the effects of different carbohydrate (CHO) levels in the diet of Wuchang bream Megalobrama amblycephala, the fish were randomly divided into six treatment groups. Five groups were fed 19, 25, 31, 38 and 47% CHO, respectively, for 8 weeks, and a control group was fed a diet with no CHO. Growth performance and feed utilization were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the dietary carbohydrate level. Maximum weight gain and specific growth rate occurred at the 31% dietary carbohydrate level. Compared to the control, the 31% CHO group had a significantly increased serum total protein content, respiratory burst activity of leucocytes, serum complement 3 (C3) levels, serum lysozyme activity, serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity and hepatic total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), as well as a decrease in serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activity. Compared to the control, the 47% CHO group had significantly increased serum GOT activity, and a tendency toward an increase in serum cortisol content and a decrease in serum lysozyme activity, hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and T-AOC. The relative level of hepatic heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA in fish fed the 38% CHO diet was significantly higher than those of fish fed the 19, 25 and 31% CHO diets, respectively (P < 0.05). After challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila, fish fed the 47% CHO had the significantly lowest post-challenge survival, and fish fed the 31% CHO had the significantly highest post-challenge survival (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that ingestion of excessive dietary CHO can impact the non-specific immune responses, decrease the hepatic antioxidant abilities, and thus affect the health status of M. amblycephala.

ETM and ANN Study for Polysubstituted 2H-Pyran-2-Ones

The structure glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GlDH) activity relationships of 2H-pyran-2- ones polysubstitutes being a new class of hepatoprotective agents have been investigated by means of the Electronic- Topological Method (ETM) and two Statistical Analysis. Molecular fragments specific for active compounds were calculated for 2H-pyran-2-ones polysubstitutes by applying the ETM. QSAR descriptors such as molecular weight, EHOMO, ELUMO, ΔE, chemical potential, softness, electrophilicity index, dipole moment, etc were calculated. In order to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables, both Partial Least Squares Regression and ANNs are employed to determine the relationship since the data set consists of highly nonlinearity and multicolinearity. It is observed that ANN has surpassed both PLS2 and PLS1 in terms of better modeling and validation.

Role of Sulfur Dioxide in Acute Lung Injury Following Limb Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is naturally synthesized by glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) from L-cysteine in mammalian cells. We aim to investigate the role of SO2 in inflammation in acute lung injury (ALI) following limb ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Male Wistar rats were subjected to limb I/R and were injected with saline, GOT inhibitor hydroxamate (HDX, 0.47 mmol/kg), or the SO2 donor Na2 SO3 /NaHSO3 (0.54 mmol/kg/0.18 mmol/kg). Compared with the sham operation, the plasma SO2 levels were significantly decreased by limb I/R treatment. In addition, SO2 concentration and GOT activity in the lung tissue were also reduced in ALI. The occurrence of ALI following limb I/R can be prevented by Na2 SO3 /NaHSO3 treatment, whereas it can be significantly aggravated by HDX. The plasma IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were consistent with myeloperoxidase activity and inflammation in lung tissue. In conclusion, our data suggest that downregulation of endogenous SO2 production might be involved in pathogenesis of ALI following limb I/R in rats.

Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase: A new key in the dysregulation of glutamate in migraine patients

Based on the capacity of the blood-resident enzyme glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) to metabolize blood glutamate, our aim was to study the association of GOT activity with serum glutamate levels and clinical parameters in patients with migraine. This case-control study included 45 episodic migraine patients (IHS 2004 criteria) and 16 control subjects. We analyzed glutamate and GOT activity in peripheral blood samples obtained during interictal periods and migraine attacks ( N = 15). Frequency, severity, and duration of attacks and time of evolution were also recorded. Migraine patients showed lower GOT activity than controls (15.2 ± 2.9 vs. 18.7 ± 3.8 U/l) and higher levels of glutamate (153.7 ± 68.6 vs. 121.5 ± 59.2 μM) (all P < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between GOT activity and glutamate levels ( R = -0.493; P < 0.0001) in interictal periods; however, this negative correlation was lost during attacks ( R = -0.026; P = 0.925). During attacks, we found a positive correlation between the time elapsed from attack onset and glutamate levels ( R = 0.738; P < 0.0001), but not for GOT activity ( R = -0.075; P = 0.809). Migraine patients showed reduced GOT activity and increased levels of blood glutamate levels as compared to control subjects. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between GOT activity and glutamate levels in interictal periods.

Comparative toxicological evaluation of two medicinal plants used by folklore practitioners of northeast India for treatment of hypertension

The present investigation was aimed to examine the safety parameters in the traditional use of Prunus persica (L) Batsch and Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp as antihypertensive agents in northeast India. The subchronic toxicity of aqueous extracts of the leaves of C. colebrookianum (AECc) and P. persica (AEPp) at an oral dose 150 mg/kg bw/day was evaluated. The behavioral studies were carried out for locomotors activity (LMA) and muscle grip strength (MGS) activity in mice before and after two weeks of treatment. The biochemical estimation was carried out on the 14th day using blood and brain tissue samples of mice. One group of mice was used as control. In behavioral studies, 32.29% LMA and 39.38% MGS were decreased in AEPp-treated animals, whereas in AECc-treated animals 4.97% LMA and 24.57% MGS were increased on the 14th day using actophotometer and rotarod apparatus, respectively. The biochemical serum activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase as well as levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and urea were increased, whereas serum glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased in AECc- and AEPp-treated animals. The activities of the brain enzymes lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, GSH, and superoxide dismutase and total protein were significantly affected in the cerebrum and the cerebellum. The organ weight and histopathological observations also support the biochemical observations. The obtained results indicate that the aqueous extract of P. persica significantly exerted adverse effects on organs and brain enzymes, whereas aqueous extract of C. colebrookianum enhanced the antioxidant enzymes upon chronic use.

울금(Curcuma longa L.)이 고지방·고콜레스테롤 식이 흰쥐의 항산화계 및 산화적 손상에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 흰쥐에 고지방·고콜레스테롤 식이와 함께 울금 분말을 농도별로 2.5%(TPA group), 5%(TPB gorup)의 수준으로 공급하였을 시 항산화계 및 산화적 손상에 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. SOD 활성을 간조직에서 관찰한 결과, 울금 분말을 공급한 군에서 HF군에 비해 SOD 활성이 증가하였으며, 특히 TPB군에서는 유의적으로 증가하였다. GPx 활성은 정상군에 비해 HF군에서 감소되었으나, 울금 분말을 공급한 군에서 HF군에 비해 GPx 활성이 유의적으로 증가되었다. Catalase를 관찰한 결과는 정상군에 비해 고지방·고콜레스테롤군에서 감소되었으며 울금 분말을 공급한 군에서는 증가되었다. Superoxide radical 함량을 간조직의 microsome에서는 정상군에 비해 HF군에서 증가되었으나 울금 분말을 공급한 모든 군에서 감소되었다. 간조직의 mitochondria에서는 정상군에 비해 HF군에서 유의적으로 증가하였고, 울금 분말을 공급한 모든 군에서는 감소하였다. 특히 TPB군에서는 유의적으로 감소하는 것을 볼 수 있었다. 간조직의 mitochondria에서 H2O2의 함량은 정상군에 비해 HF군에서 유의적으로 증가되었다. 울금 분말을 공급한 모든 군에서는 HF군에 비해 감소되었으며 정상군 수준으로 감소되었다. 간조직의 cytosol에서는 정상군에 비해 HF군에서 유의적으로 증가되었으나 울금 분말을 공급한 군에서는 감소되었으며 정상군 수준으로 감소되었다. 간조직의 산화 단백질의 생성지표인 carbonyl 가 함량을 mitochondria에서 측정한 결과 정상군에 비해 고지방·고콜레스테롤군에서 증가되었으며, HF군에 비해 울금 분말을 공급한 모든 군에서 유의적으로 감소하는 경향을 나타내었다. 간조직에서의 TBARS를 측정한 결과 HF군에 비해 울금 분말을 공급한 모든 군에서 유의적으로 감소하는 경향을 나타내었다. 이러한 결과로부터 국내산 울금은 고콜레스테롤 식이 흰쥐에서 항산화계를 강화시켜 조직의 산화적 손상을 감소시키는 항산화 효과가 있음이 규명되었다.