Enzymes Alanine Aminotransferase Research Articles

Prevention of subclinical ketosis in cows during drying off and after calving

Research of the frequency of increased ketone bodies in cows during the transition period three weeks before calving and three weeks after calving should determine the tendency of the Holstein breed to ketosis. It is also important to investigate the relationship between changes in blood biochemical parameters and the development and treatment of ketosis. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of using a probiotic strain of bacteria in subclinical ketosis in cows during drying off and after calving. The following methods were used: testing for determining the level of beta-ketones in the blood of cows; biochemical method of blood testing; clinical method; statistical method. A study of cows in the drying off group showed that the level of β-ketones ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 mmol/L. Application efficiency of Bacillus Pumilus L. A 56 in a concentration of 1×109 , CFU/g at a dose of 30 g per animal was determined to be 100%. In the study of metabolic changes in the body of cows after calving patients with ketosis, the content of total protein, albumins globulins of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase, and urea at the beginning of the study was increased and went beyond the maximum permissible limits of the reference level. After seven days of using the probiotic, the content of ketone bodies and biochemical parameters decreased to normal. It was proved that at the end of the study, the activity of alanine aminotransferase increased, the level of potassium, vitamins A and E increased. Thus, it was determined that the enzyme alanine aminotransferase is one of the metabolites, an increase in the level of which indicates the accumulation of lipids in the liver. In addition, the content of Ca, P, and vitamin D decreased during treatment, which indicates the risk of hypocationemia. In the group of cows after calving, the incidence of ketosis was 27%. The therapeutic efficacy of a probiotic of 35 g per animal in the postcalving distribution group was 73%. The practical value of the study lies in the prevention of subclinical ketosis in cows in deep drying off and after calving, reducing the cost of treating concomitant diseases, and culling animals

Early fluid and norepinephrine resuscitation in septic acute kidney injury diminishes pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and kidney hypoperfusion in newborn pigs

Background and Objective: Sepsis is the most frequent risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill infants. Whereas sepsis-induced AKI has been studied in several animal models, alterations in renal microcirculation are unclear. The objective of this study was to use the translational swine model to evaluate the changes in renal hemodynamics during the early phase of sepsis in the first week of life. We also examined the impact of early fluid and norepinephrine (NE) resuscitation on renal hemodynamics in newborn septic AKI. Methodology: Newborn pigs (3-7 days old) were randomly allocated to three groups; 1) Sham, 2) Sepsis (cecal ligation and puncture; CLP) without subsequent resuscitation, and 3) CLP-induced sepsis with fluid and vasopressor NE resuscitation. All animals underwent standard anesthesia induction, mechanical ventilation, and intravenous fluid. Cardiac output (COP) and GFR were measured non-invasively using electrical velocimetry and a transdermal system. The pigs were instrumented to measure the mean arterial pressure (MAP), total renal blood flow (tRBF), cortical perfusion (coPf), and medullary perfusion (mePf). Also, a fiber-optic probe was placed in the medulla to measure medullary tissue oxygen tension (tPO2). Baseline values were recorded for the above indices in all groups. In resuscitated animals, fluid bolus and NE infusion were started at the 4-h to maintain MAP within 15 mmHg from baseline. The pigs were euthanized after twelve hours. Results: Compared to baseline values, MAP and COP decreased by more than two-thirds in non-resuscitated sepsis, with a proportional increase in RVR and reduction in tRBF, coPf, mePf, and tPO2 in contrast to sham. CLP also decreased GFR and increased serum creatinine, BUN, and NGAL. A few tubular coagulative necroses were observed in the septic pigs. Changes in all these parameters, except tPO2, were ameliorated in resuscitated pigs. Resuscitation also attenuated sepsis-induced increase in the levels of serum C-reactive protein, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and IL-18), liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), and renal NLRP3 inflammasome. Conclusions: Early implementation of resuscitation to maintain MAP, COP, and kidney perfusion lessens the degree of inflammation, AKI, and liver injury in newborn pigs. The discrepancy between medullary perfusion and oxygenation indicates that optimizing perfusion and blood flow does not always correlate with improved medullary oxygen delivery in newborns, especially in cases of increased metabolic demand, as in sepsis. Sepsis is a dynamic illness with phases of hypodynamic and hyperdynamic renal perfusion; therefore, management strategies would differ based on hemodynamic status. NIH R01DK120595 and R01DK127625 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Morphological, biochemical, and histopathological effects of levetiracetam on pregnant albino rats and their offspring

ABSTRACT One of the most widely used medications for epilepsy is the broad-spectrum antiseizure levetiracetam. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of levetiracetam on the bodyweight and liver of pregnant rats and their offspring. The study involved treating the rats during pregnancy and lactation and then examining the pregnant rats and their offspring. Two groups of 40 pregnant rats were created (I, II). Each group was split up into two smaller groups (A, B). About 1.5 mL/day of distilled water was gavaged to the rats in group I, either continuously throughout pregnancy (IA) or continuously throughout pregnancy and 15 days after delivery (IB). Group II rats received 1.5 ml/day of distilled water (containing levetiracetam) either during pregnancy (IIA) or during pregnancy plus 15 days postpartum (IIB). At the end of the work, blood samples were taken from the adult rats, body weight of different groups were recorded, and then, their liver was subjected for histological and morphometric analysis. Levetiracetam treatment showed reduction in the body weight of adult rats and their offspring and pathological changes in their liver. These changes were in the form of distortion of the hepatic architecture, cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear changes, and swollen mitochondria with loss of their cristae. Such changes were proved by alteration in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzyme levels of the liver. It is advised to monitor the liver functions continuously when using levetiracetam.

Gambaran Hasil Pemeriksaan Aktivitas Enzim Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) pada Serum Setelah Disimpan Selama 14 Hari

Storage of serum at 4°C over three days causes a 10% decrease in the enzyme Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) activity. However, several laboratories store remaining serum samples for one week or even one month after examination, which is not under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). The serum storage is used to anticipate if there is an examination error. This study aims to describe the results of examining ALT enzyme activity in serum that was immediately checked and stored for 14 days. This type of research is descriptive quantitative using the Pretest-Posttest Design. The sample in this study was human blood serum, with a total sample of 10 patients. Data were analyzed descriptively for all data obtained and presented in tabular form. The average yield of ALT enzyme activity examination before storage and storage on day seven and day 14 was 50.7 U/L, 46.1 U/L, and 40.5 U/L. This study concluded that there was a decrease in the results of examining the activity of the ALT enzyme by 9% on the 7th day and 20% on the 14th day. Therefore, it is suggested that laboratory staff check the sample as soon as possible. If there is a need to repeat the analysis, verify the results or add laboratory tests, samples should be frozen to ensure stability.

Application of Molecularly Imprinted Microelectrode as a Promising Point-of-Care Biosensor for Alanine Aminotransferase Enzyme

Alanine amino transaminase (ALT) is an enzyme that can be used as a biomarker for liver injury and other diseases. In this work, we report the development of the first microelectrode based on a molecularly imprinted pyruvate oxidase enzyme to be applied as an electrochemical biosensor for ALT detection. The biosensor is based on pyruvate oxidase enzyme (POx), imprinted using 4-aminophenol (functional monomer-on-platinum microelectrode modified (PME)) with platinum nanoparticles and 4-aminoantypirine (4-AAP)/sodium pyruvate as an electrochemical indicator. The operational conditions of the biosensor were optimized and characterized morphologically using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemically using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The biosensor was found to have a fast response towards ALT within a linear range of 25–700 U/L and a limit of detection of 2.97 U/L. The biosensor did not exhibit cross-reactivity towards other tested enzymes, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (Beta-NAD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and L-glutathione reduced (GSH) enzymes. The biosensor was efficiently applied for the assay of ALT in plasma samples; with recovery values ranging from 99.80–103.82% and RSD of values 0.27–2.01% and these results were found to be comparable to those of the reference diagnostic kits, without any need for complicated procedures or protein extraction. In addition to being highly sensitive, low cost, and portable, the use of microelectrodes allows the application of the proposed sensor for point-of-care diagnostics of liver function and online monitoring of ALT levels in hospitalized patients without the need for withdrawing samples, which indicates the promising applicability of the presented ALT sensor for point-of-care diagnostics.

Hepatic progesterone receptor membrane component 1 attenuates ethanol-induced liver injury by reducing acetaldehyde production and oxidative stress.

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is caused by excessive abuse of alcohol. One of the most representative causes of ALD is the action of acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a toxic material produced when alcohol is metabolized through some enzymes, and it causes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and tissue injury. In this study, we assessed the relationship between Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and ALD because PGRMC1 is expressed in the ER and mitochondria in the liver. Using the chronic and binge alcohol feeding models, we assessed acetaldehyde level, liver damage, alcohol-degrading enzymes, and ER stress. Compared with wild-type (WT) mice ethanol-fed Pgrmc1 knockout (KO) mice had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alcohol-degrading enzymes, and Pgrmc1 KO mice had high serum acetaldehyde and ER stress levels compared with WT mice with control and ethanol feeding. Loss of Pgrmc1 increased acetaldehyde production through increased expression of alcohol dehydrogenase and catalase, which led to increased ER stress and suggested that cell death was promoted. In conclusion, it has been proposed that the loss of PGRMC1 could promote ALD and cause liver damage in alcohol-abusing humans.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Loss of Pgrmc1 increased acetaldehyde production, and excess acetaldehyde consequently increased ER stress, which activates apoptosis. Since low expression of PGRMC1 is vulnerable to alcoholic liver damage, the loss of PGRMC1 expression may increase susceptibility to ALD.

Hypokaliemia etiological causes in companion animals assessment

Potassium is a vital element involved in ensuring the work of excitable tissues and maintaining the osmotic pressure of all body cells, therefore any of its displacements are critically important both for the diagnosis and prediction of the course of the disease, but also for monitoring treatment. In the presented study, the biochemical blood parameters of small breeds of dogs (Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle, pug, Miniature Pinscher and Pomeranian), large breeds (Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd), cats (Burmese, British, Maine Coon, Russian blue, Scottish Straight and European shorthair) were analyzed. The purpose of the presented study was to identify and assess the frequency of occurrence of etiological causes leading to the development of hypokalemia in cats and dogs of different breeds in the territory of St. Petersburg with subsequent statistical processing of the results obtained. Serum levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, glucose, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, as well as the activity of enzymes alanine aminotransferase (AlAt), aspartate aminotransferase (AsAt) and alkaline phosphatase were determined. The parameters of hematocrit, hemoglobin, the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes were determined in the stabilized blood, also according to generally accepted methods. It was found that the most common causes of hypokalemia in cats are chronic kidney disease (41%), dysphagia as a result of dental disease (29%), neoplasms – mainly mammary glands (24%). In dogs of large and small breeds – enteropathies and conditions accompanied by vomiting (32%), blood parasites (16%) and hepatopathy (16%), with a predominance of enteropathies in dogs of both groups and blood parasitic diseases causing anemia in dogs of large breeds. It should be noted that in order to more accurately determine the diagnostic significance and the possibility of determining forecasts, it is necessary to increase the number of samples of animals with an assessment of indicators in dynamics.

Jatropha tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae ameliorates aspirin-induced hepatotoxicity and maintain electrolytes balance in albino Wistar rats

BackgroundA great number of modern medicines derived from plants are considered as important sources of medicinal agents to treat different diseases. J. tanjorensis belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae, which is known for various medicinal uses. PurposeThe hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract of J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae and maintenance of electrolytes balance in aspirin-induced hepatotoxic condition in Wistar rats was studied. Methods20 Wistar rats of both sexes weighing between (180–200 g) were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. normal rat (group 1); J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae (200 mg/kg group 2); aspirin (250 mg/kg group 3); aspirin (250 mg/kg) + J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae (200 mg/kg group 4). Serum levels of the enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl−, and HCO3−) was assessed at the end of treatment which lasted twelve (12) weeks. ResultsWhen compared to control, J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae - treated, and aspirin+ J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae - treated groups, blood electrolyte results in aspirin-treated group indicated a significant decrease (p<0.05) in sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels, respectively. Treatment with J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae leaves extract resulted in normal levels of serum electrolytes (Na+, Cl−, and HCO3−). When compared to J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae, control, and aspirin + J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae -treated groups, the serum liver enzyme level was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the aspirin-treated group. When compared to the aspirin treated group, serum liver enzymes level in the J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae treated group was significantly lower (p<0.05). The relative liver weight and mean body weight in the aspirin-treated group was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae, control, and aspirin + J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae - treated groups respectively. ConclusionThe results suggest ethanolic leaves extract of J. tanjorensis Euphorbiaceae offered hepato-protective effect in aspirin-induced hepatotoxic condition on tissues, ameliorated both hyponatriemia and hyperkalemia effects, and maintained normal electrolytes concentration in animal models.

Evaluation of the effect of wheat germ meal on the development of laboratory mice

Nowadays, dietary supplements are increasingly used in livestock feeding, which are a valuable source of biologically active substances necessary for their full growth and development, maintaining the body’s resistance and preventing numerous diseases. The most common components are proteins, vitamins and carotenoids. Thus, the relevance of scientific research is to experimentally determine the effectiveness of the newly developed product with a multicomponent composition on the functional state of the animal body. The purpose of the research was to determine the effect of the new product, the dietary supplement “Wheat germ meal” on the behaviour, growth rate, and morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of white mice. The material of the study was nonlinear white mice in the amount of 60 heads. The supplement was fed to mice for 60 days. A set of methods was used, including: an assessment of the microclimate of the laboratory animal housing, the condition of tap water for drinking mice, an assessment of their general behaviour, and a determination of haematological parameters. It was proved that during the experiment, the microclimate of the room in which the laboratory animals were kept and the indicators of tap water for their drinking corresponded to the requirements of current regulations. It is substantiated that the examined additive increases the body weight of white mice and their average daily weight gain. Therewith, the weight of the internal organs of the experimental group (thymus, thyroid gland, kidneys, liver, lacrimal gland) remained unchanged. It has been established that the component composition of the supplement affects the morphological parameters of the blood of white mice, namely, it increases the haemoglobin content, the number of red blood cells and the value of haematocrit. No changes were observed in the blood leukogram of mice. An increase in the content of total protein and globulins in the blood serum of white mice was established. A decrease in the albumin content and an increase in the activity of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase occurred within the reference values for white mice. The materials of the research are of practical value for the possibility of using the examined dietary supplement in domestic animals to increase muscle strength, improve growth and development, and strengthen the immune system

Effects of aerobic exercise on metabolic indicators and physical performance in adult NAFLD patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver without alcoholism. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate the efficacy of aerobic exercise on metabolic indicators and physical performance of adult patients with NAFLD. To conduct the systematic review and network meta-analysis, 2 researchers searched PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of science databases to identify randomized clinical trials of aerobic exercise interventions for adults with NAFLD published between inception and July 2022. We assessed the methodological quality of the included literature using the Cochrane Risk Assessment Scale and the PEDro Scale. Relevant data were extracted, variables were converted to the same units, and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. We compared mean differences (MD) between experimental and control groups. For each outcome analyzed, we expressed data as MD with 95% CI to compare metabolic markers and exercise capacity between the experimental and control NAFLD patients. Eleven randomized clinical trials with a total of 491 individuals with NAFLD were included in accordance with the criteria of this study. Types of aerobic exercise include moderate or high-intensity interval running, cycling, Nordic walking, equipment training, etc; Training duration 4 to 16 weeks, 30 to 60 minutes 3 or more times a week. Compared with the control group, aerobic exercise group had reduced weight of patients, (MD) 1.20 kg (95% CI: -1.38 to -1.01 kg, P < .00001). Seven studies confirmed that aerobic exercise significantly reduced triglycerides, (MD) 3.00 mg/dL (95% CI: -5.80 to -0.21 mg/dL, P = .04); increased high density lipoproteins (MD) 5.96 mg/dL (95% CI: 2.95 to 8.96 mg/dL, P = .0001) and reduced low-density lipoproteins (MD) 6.45 mg/dL (95% CI: -8.53 to -4.37 mg/dL, P < .00001); the study also showed that aerobic exercise reduced the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase to varying degrees. Aerobic exercise can improve physical performance and increase peak oxygen consumption of (MD) 6.29 mL/Kg*minutes, (95% CI: 3.05-9.53mL/Kg*minutes, P = .0001). Aerobic exercise significantly reduced weight and improved metabolic index and physical performance. Impacted by the limitations of various regimens, doses, duration, center settings, populations enrolled, the study had certain limitations. The randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, multiple centers, and high quality should be conducted to validate the above conclusion. Further studies will be required to focus on the total duration of the intervention, duration and frequency of sessions, and intensity that are optimal for the promotion of physical performance and metabolic capacity in this population.

Potential protective effects of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil on growth, hematology, immune responses, and antioxidant status of Oncorhynchus mykiss exposed to malathion

Abstract As an abundant source of antioxidants and diet flavor enhancers, the plant essential oils can have positive effects on fish growth, and resistance against environmental stressors. In this study, garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil (TEO) was used in the diet of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, to evaluate its protective effect against malathion pesticide exposure. Tested fish (19.99±0.01 g) were divided into six groups (three replicates), namely: T1: control diet; T2: control diet + 0.025 mg L−1 malathion; T3: control diet + 0.075 mg L−1 malathion; T4: control diet + 1% TEO; T5: control diet + 0.025 mg L−1 malathion + 1% TEO and T6: control diet + 0.075 mg L−1 malathion + 1% TEO. After 21 days, T4 fish had the highest final body weight (FW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) among experimental treatments (P&lt;0.05). The blood parameters including the red blood cells (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), hematocrit (Hct), and hemoglobin (Hb) values were the highest in T4 treatment, displaying a significant difference with T1 treatment (P&lt;0.05). Fish in the T4 groups had the highest total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB), while fish of T3 showed the lowest levels of these parameters (P&lt;0.05) and also had the highest level of triglycerides (TRG), cholesterol (CHOL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and urea (Ur). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes recorded the lowest levels in T4 treatment, which showed a significant difference with T1 group. The catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed the highest activities in T4 treatment, while the lowest SOD and the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) levels occurred in T3 group (P&lt;0.05). Total immunoglobulin (total Ig) level, alternative complement (ACH50) and lysozyme in the serum and skin mucus of T4 treatment of rainbow trout showed the highest activities with a significant difference from groups (P&lt;0.05). From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that 1% of T. vulgaris as a supplement to the diet of rainbow trout can stimulate and improve the immune system of the fish. TEO can have a protective effect against unfavorable effects of malathion and improves the growth of the fish.

The Effect of Echinacea Purpurea L. (Eastern Purple Coneflower) Essential Oil on Hematological Parameters and Gut Microbial Population of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) With Aflatoxicosis

Background: Aflatoxin is one of the most important fungal toxins with documented hepatotoxic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressive properties. This mycotoxin is mainly produced by species of the genus Aspergillus in feed. Therefore, the application of compounds, which prevent complications of aflatoxins without losing feed quality, is highly beneficial. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of the Echinacea purpurea L. essential oils on the regulation of the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract and some blood factors of aflatoxin-fed zebrafish. Methods: Zebrafish were divided into four groups of 45 fish in three replicates: control (G1); G2, fish fed with feed containing 500 µg/kg E. purpurea L. essential oils; G3, fish fed with feed containing 500 µg/kg E. purpurea L. essential oil and 3 ppm aflatoxin B1(AFB1); and G4, fish fed with feed containing 3 ppm AFB1. The fish were fed with diets for 60 days. After this period, they were euthanized, blood was collected from the tail vein, and blood smears were prepared. Fish hepatopancreas were used to measure alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes with an auto-analyzer. Also, intestinal contents were cultured to evaluate microbial population. Results: Results showed that liver enzymes increased in the aflatoxin group (P&lt;0.05), and concurrent use of the essential oil along with AFB1 reduced the liver enzymes compared with the AFB1-treated group. Moreover, AFB1 could convert the microbial population to pathogens. Differential blood counts in the G2 and G3 groups showed an increase in the percentages of neutrophils and thrombocytes. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, E. purpurea L. essential oils could reduce the adverse effects of chronic contamination with AFB1 in zebrafish. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to better understand the immunological function of E. purpurea L. in zebrafish and its mechanism of action against AFB1.

The Protective Potential eff ect of Metformin during Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity through Nrf2 Activation

Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol [APAP]) is the most commonly used medication for the relief of pain and fever around the world. Although APAP is safe and eff ective at a therapeutic level, acute overdose causes hepatotoxicity and severe liver damage. The hepatotoxicity induced by APAP is a persistent global problem that results in hepatotoxicity cases; acute liver failure and even death worldwide. This toxicity is characterized by extensive oxidant stress which consequently causes hepatocyte cell death. On the other hand, scientifi c studies have proven that MET shows hepatoprotective eff ect against hepatotoxicity induced by APAP through numerous mechanisms, e.g., antioxidant activity that alleviate the hepatotoxicity by activating Nrf2 pathway. The activation of Nrf2 pathway is anticipated to protect cells from oxidative stress that forms during hepatotoxicity. The benefi cial of using MET to protect against hepatotoxicity after APAP has been performed in an in-vitro experiment using Hep2G cell culture. However, up to our knowledge non, an in-vivo study (experimental animal) has been used to approve the benefi t of MET. Justifi cation: Nrf2 pathway activation by MET is one of the most important issues that need to be explained and followed up in laboratory animals since it has been previously studied in-vitro. Our study focuses on studying Nrf2 pathway in-vivo, since the results of in-vivo study are more relevant and similar to that of human beings. Aim of the study: To examine the possible stimulant eff ect of MET on Nrf2 pathway in experimental animals and its role in protecting the liver from oxidative stress that formed during APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Methodology: Twenty-four wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups (six rats/Grp). Grp1; normal saline orally, Grp2; toxic dose of APAP (1000 mg/kg) orally; Grp3; 200 mg/kg of MET ip after 1-hour of APAP (1000 mg/kg) orally, Grp 4; 200 mg/kg MET ip for 24 hours. Then sera from experimental animals were collected for subsequent assessments of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme activities. Liver tissue was harvested to detect the expression of keap1 which is the negative regulator of Nrf2, and HO-1 and GST A1, which are related to Nrf2 pathway, by western blotting technique. Results: The results were showed a signifi cant elevation in ALT and AST activities in APAP treated group while MET normalized these biomarkers (AST and ALT). Western blotting assay showed that keap1 expression increased in APAP-treated animals while MET showed a signifi cant decrement in keap1 expression. The expression of antioxidant proteins HO-1 and GST A1 are decreased signifi cantly in APAP-treated animals while increased signifi cantly by MET treatment. Conclusion: The present results demonstrated that MET has a hepatoprotective eff ect in experimental animals against hepatotoxicity induced by APAP through activating Nrf2 pathway.

Effect of Ketogenic Diet on the Progression of 7, 12-Dimethylbenz(Α) Anthracene –Induced Mammary Cancer in Female Wistar Rats

In the present research, the level of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) significantly increased in DMBA experimental groups (group II) compared to normal control group. However the level of CA125 decreased in dose dependent manner with 10% carbohydrate ketogenic diet having the most significant effect. Also, the 7,12-Dimethylbenz(α) anthracene (DMBA) caused significant increase in liver enzymes (Alanine amino transferase, Aspartate amino transferase and Bilirubin) of 41±1.06, 40±1.16, 20.80 ±1.47 and 25±1.34, 27±143, 12.17±1.08 compared to normal control at P&lt;0.05 respectively. Furthermore, with the group treatment 10%, 20% and 30% carbohydrate ketogenic diets also elevated the liver enzymes. More so, a significant decrease was observed in total protein, albumin, RBC, Hb, PCV, MCH superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase with a corresponding increase in white blood cells. Interestingly, ketogenic diets significantly increase total protein, albumin, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase with a decrease in white blood cells, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein bilirubin concentration. It can therefore be concluded that, the administration of ketogenic diets slows the progression of breast cancer through inhibiting the downstream of insulin receptors of both mammalian target of rapamycin signal cascade and motogen activator protein kinase pathways.

The Comparison Between the Effect of Atorvastatin and Nanoparticle Atorvastatin on Rat Liver

Objective: Statins are one of the most effective drugs for reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which main activity includes inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase that is involved in cholesterol synthesis. However, statins are associated with several side effects; the most commonly reported ones are those related to the liver. This study was conducted to compare the impact of two formulas of Atorvastatin: Atorvastatin calcium (ATV), and Nanoparticles of Atorvastatin (NATV) on the liver. Methods: thirty Albino rats were randomly divided into three groups; control group (n=10) (standard diet), Atorvastatin group (ATV) 40 mgkg group, and Nanoparticle Atorvastatin group (NATV) 40 mgkg. After 30 days, all rat groups were sacrificed. Results: In comparison with the control group, the ATV and NATV groups had a significant increase in the activities of liver enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) (p&lt; 0.05). Compared with the ATV group, the NATV group had a significant increase in the activities of liver enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) (p&lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the NATV group significantly reduced LDL, VLDL, TC, and TG compared to the control and ATV groups (p&lt; 0.05). The histopathological examination showed hepatocyte necrosis and sinusoidal vessel congestion, which was more significant in the NATS group than in the ATV group. Conclusion: NATV can cause a significant increase in the level of liver enzymes and has a more histopathological effect on the liver than ATV.

A Comparative Study on Growth Performance, Body Composition, and Liver Tissue Metabolism Rearing on Soybean Lecithin-Enriched Artemia Nauplii and Microdiet in Rock Bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) Larvae.

This study is aimed at establishing optimal soybean lecithin (SL) enrichment protocols in Artemia nauplii and at comparing the growth performance, body composition, and liver tissue metabolism in rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) larvae reared on SL-enriched Artemia nauplii or SL-enriched microdiet (MD). The enrichment protocol experiment results indicated 12 h enrichment, and 10 g SL/m3 seawater could obtain desirable results. Rock bream larvae (25 days posthatching (dph)) were fed Artemia nauplii or MD for 30 days with three replicates. At stage 1 (larval 25-40 dph), significantly higher growth performance was observed in larvae fed the live prey (P < 0.05). Conversely, at stage 2 (41-55 dph), feeding with MD significantly increased larval standard length, and specific growth rate compared with those of larvae fed live prey. Larvae fed a MD showed decreased lipolysis-related lipase activity as well as decreased amino acid catabolism-related alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme activities in liver tissue. RNA sequencing revealed that feeding with the MD primarily increased the expression of lipogenesis-related genes and protein translation-related gene expression in the liver tissue. Notably, feeding with MD significantly increased ribosome biogenesis-related genes as well as mitochondria synthesis-related gene expression, indicating a high protein anabolism rate and high energy production in liver tissue. In conclusion, 10 g SL/m3 seawater and 12 h could effectively enrich SL in Artemia nauplii. Retard weaning onto MD led to lower growth performance, which was likely due to the diversity of lipid and protein metabolism.

Two genes related to apoptosis in the hepatopancreas of juvenile prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense: Molecular characterization and transcriptional response to nanoplastic exposure

Nanoplastics have been widely found in the global water environment, causing plastic pollution and affecting human beings and numerous organisms. Studies involving freshwater crustacean exposure to nanoplastics, however, are limited. In this study, juvenile prawns (Macrobrachium nipponense) were exposed to 75 nm polystyrene nanoplastics at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/L) for a 28-d chronic exposure experiment. To study the effects of exposure to nanoplastics on hepatopancreas cell apoptosis, C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) genes were selected, and hepatotoxic enzyme activities and Toll pathway- and apoptosis-related gene expression were determined. For the first time, full-length Mn-JNK and Mn-PIK3CA cDNAs were cloned from M. nipponense. Homologous comparisons showed that JNK and PIK3CA had conserved functional sequences. The apoptosis rate in the high-concentration nanoplastic group (40 mg/L) was significantly higher than in the low-concentration nanoplastic (5 mg/L) and control groups (0 mg/L). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) enzyme activities in the hepatopancreas increased with exposure to higher concentrations of nanoplastics. In addition, the levels of apoptosis- and Toll pathway-related gene expression and JNK and PIK3CA gene expression were initially increased, then decreased with exposure to higher concentrations of nanoplastics. This study showed that polystyrene nanoplastics activate toll-related pathways leading to apoptosis and hepatopancreas damage, which provides theoretical support for future aquatic toxicological research.

Does Cannabidiol (CBD) in Food Supplements Pose a Serious Health Risk? Consequences of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Clock Stop Regarding Novel Food Authorisation

In the European Union (EU), cannabidiol (CBD) products extracted from Cannabis sativa L. require pre-marketing authorisation under the novel food regulation. Currently, 19 CBD applications are being assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). During the initial assessment of the dossiers, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods, and Food Allergens (NDA) identified several knowledge gaps that need to be addressed before the evaluation of CBD can be finalised. The effects of CBD on the liver, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, nervous system, psychological function, and reproductive system need to be clarified. The contribution of this research is to provide an evidence-based assessment of the potential risks associated with CBD products, and to provide recommendations for risk management in the European Union while awaiting the finalisation of novel food applications. The available literature allows for a benchmark dose (BMD)–response modelling of several bioassays, resulting in a BMD lower confidence limit (BMDL) of 20 mg/kg bw/day for liver toxicity in rats. Human data in healthy volunteers showed increases in the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in one study at 4.3 mg/kg bw/day, which was defined by the EFSA NDA panel as the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL). The EFSA NDA panel recently concluded that the safety of CBD as a novel food cannot be assessed, resulting in a so-called clock stop for the applications until the applicants provide the required data. The authors suggest that certain CBD products still available on the EU market as food supplements despite the lack of authorisation should be considered “unsafe”. Products exceeding a health-based guidance value (HBGV) of 10 mg/day should be considered “unfit for consumption” (Article 14(1) and (2)(b) of Regulation No. 178/2002), while those exceeding the human LOAEL should be considered “injurious to health” (Article 14(1) and (2)(a) of Regulation No 178/2002).

Focus on Liver Function Abnormalities in Patients With Turner Syndrome: Risk Factors and Evaluation of Fibrosis Risk.

Liver function abnormalities (LFAs) have been described in patients with Turner syndrome (TS). Although a high risk of cirrhosis has been reported, there is a need to assess the severity of liver damage in a large cohort of adult patients with TS. Evaluate the types of LFAs and their respective prevalence, search for their risk factors, and evaluate the severity of liver impairment by using a noninvasive fibrosis marker. This was a monocentric retrospective cross-sectional study. Data were collected during a day hospital visit. The main outcome measures were liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase), FIB-4 score, liver ultrasound imaging, elastography, and liver biopsies, when available. 264 patients with TS were evaluated at a mean age of 31.15 ± 11.48 years. The overall prevalence of LFAs was 42.8%. The risk factors were age, body mass index, insulin resistance, and an X isochromosome (Xq). The mean FIB-4 sore of the entire cohort was 0.67 ± 0.41. Less than 10% of patients were at risk of developing fibrosis. Cirrhosis was observed in 2/19 liver biopsies. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of LFAs between premenopausal patients with natural cycles and those receiving hormone replacement therapy (P = .063). A multivariate analysis adjusted for age showed no statistically significant correlation between hormone replacement therapy and abnormal gamma-glutamyl transferase levels (P = .12). Patients with TS have a high prevalence of LFA. However, 10% are at high risk of developing fibrosis. The FIB-4 score is useful and should be part of the routine screening strategy. Longitudinal studies and better interactions with hepatologists should improve our knowledge of liver disease in patients with TS.

Elucidation of the role of α-lipoic acid and vitamin C in methotrexate-induced hepatoxicity in mice.

Although methotrexate (MTX) is used to treat several malignancies and chronic inflammatory diseases, its clinical use is constrained because of its negative side effects, the most prevalent of which are hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. So, this study aims to determine whether α-lipoic acid (ALA) and vitamin C can protect mice against the liver damage that methotrexate causes. A total of 49 male mice were divided into seven groups at random. Group I received sodium bicarbonate, while groups II to VII received an intraperitoneal injection of MTX (20 mg/kg) on the tenth day, following ten days of pretreatment with ALA (60 mg/Kg), ALA (120 mg/Kg), vitamin C (100 mg/Kg), vitamin C (200 mg/Kg), ALA (60 mg/Kg), and vitamin C (100 mg/kg). When compared to mice in group I, mice in group II (the control group) had significantly higher levels of the enzymes malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and significantly lower (p <0.05) levels of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). As compared to the control group, pretreatment groups with ALA and vitamin C showed a dose-dependent substantial rise (p <0.05) in GSH and SOD levels, a dose-dependent notable decrease (p <0.05) in MDA, ALT, ALP, and LDH levels, and better liver histological architecture. In order to increase the antioxidant capacity, pretreatment with ALA and vitamin C may be able to prevent MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. These results imply that ALA and vitamin C are useful in the treatment of MTX-induced liver damage.