Albumin Fraction Research Articles

Risk factors of renal replacement therapy after heart transplantation: a retrospective single-center study.

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) and renal replacement therapy (RRT) are common after heart transplantation (HT). The need for RRT has been reported to be one of the most important predictors of a poor prognosis after HT. Therefore, it is important to early identify risk factors of RRT after HT. However, in the heart transplantation setting, the risk factors are less well studied, and some of the conclusions are controversial. This study aimed to identify the clinical predictors of RRT after HT.MethodsThis single-center, retrospective study from January 2010 to June 2021 analyzed risk factors (pre-, intra-, and postoperative characteristics) of 163 patients who underwent HT. The endpoint of the study was RRT within 7 days of HT. Risk factors were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression models.ResultsFifty-five (33.74%) recipients required RRT within 7 days of HT. Factors independently associated with RRT after HT were as follows: a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 [odds ratio (OR) =3.123; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.183–8.244; P=0.022], a dose of intraoperative methylprednisolone >10 mg/kg (OR =3.197; 95% CI: 1.290–7.923; P=0.012), the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) during surgery (OR =4.903; 95% CI: 1.628–14.766; P=0.005), a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time ≥5 hours (OR =3.929; 95% CI: 1.222–12.634; P=0.022), and postoperative serum total bilirubin (TBIL) ≥60 umol/L (OR =5.105; 95% CI: 1.868–13.952; P=0.001). Protective factors were higher postoperative serum albumin (OR =0.907; 95% CI: 0.837–0.983; P=0.017) and higher postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR =0.908; 95% CI: 0.838–0.985; P=0.020).ConclusionsA low preoperative eGFR, a high intraoperative dose of methylprednisolone, a long CPB time, the use of mechanical circulatory support, and a high postoperative TBIL were risk factors for RRT after HT. While a high postoperative serum albumin level and a high left ventricular ejection fraction were protective factors. Understanding these risk factors may help us identify high-risk patients and intervene early.

Proteinogram of Immunized Sheep with Detoxified Tiyus serrulatus Scorpion Venom

Background: Scorpionism is a worldwide medical issue, especially relevant in the tropical and subtropical countries. Tityus serrulatus is the species responsible for most cases in Brazil. Antivenom administration to victims is the sole specific therapy obtained from donor animals. Most of these donors suffer with symptoms of the poisoning, debilitating their health and reducing their life expectancy. The aim of the present research was to evaluate whether the immunogens prepared from the crude and detoxified venom of T. serrulatus promoted different changes in fractionated sheep plasma proteins, during a scorpion antivenom serum production.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Twelve sheep, healthy, mean weight of 30 kg, were distributed into 3 groups (n = 4): G1 (control), G2 (crude venom) and G3 (detoxified venom). The adopted immunization protocol (first cycle) had 6 doses, 3 using Freund's adjuvant, with a 21-day interval between each one (day 0, 22 and 43), and 3 doses with no adjuvant (booster) and 0.2 mg of antigen (reinforcement), spaced 3 days between each other (day 50, 53 and 56). Group control (G1) received 6 immunizations with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) associated with Freund's adjuvant (1:1), while the other 2 groups received 0.5 mg of venom (G2) and detoxified venom (G3), respectively, diluted in PBS, associated with the Freund adjuvant. The boosters were 1/3 of the initial dose, diluted only PBS. At baseline (T0) and at 24 and 48 h after immunization, all animals underwent clinical examinations. Blood samples were collected at day 0, 22, 43, 53 and 56 for proteinogram analysis. Total protein, albumin and globulins fractions were measured. Plasma albumin concentration at T0 ranged from 3.41-4.86 g/dL, with a mean value of 4.12 g/dL. There was no statistical difference between the 3 experimental groups. The normal values determined for α-globulin range from 0.14 to 0.54 g/dL, with a mean of 0.31 g/dL (T0). There was a significant increase in the 3rd immunization and its respective interval (24-48 h), with values above normal in all groups: G1 (0.66 g/dL), G2 (0.62 g/dL) and G3 (0.65g/dL). The β-globulin was subdivided into β1 and β2 globulin. At T0, the normal values of β1 ranged from 0.45 to 1.05 g/dL, with a mean of 0.664 g/dL, and no significant change was observed in this classification. On the other hand, there was an abrupt increase in β2 in all groups after the first immunization, compared to the baseline value in T0 (0.37 g/dL mean value). From the third to the 6th immunization, there was an important reduction in β2 fraction when compared with baseline value. The γ-globulins fraction ranged from 0.80 g/dL to 76 g/dL. In the 6th immunization, there was a significant difference between G1 and the groups that received venom (G2 and G3). Therefore, all animals presented an acute inflammatory response, evidenced by the significant reduction of plasma albumin and an increase in α-globulin and β2-globulin. It is important to point out that T. serrulatus detoxified venom did not cause alterations in ovine proteinogram during the first cycle of immunization.Discussion: The fact that both groups (G2 and G3) presented acute inflammatory response, indicates that this alteration is caused by the adjuvant present in the immunization protocol. Tityus serrulatus venom detoxified with glutaraldehyde did not ~cause significant alterations in ovine proteinogram in the early stages, suggesting that itmay be used as an alternative antigen for the production of antivenom, improving clinical conditions of donor animals.Keywords: scorpion, clinical pathology, ruminants, inflammation, antiserum.Título: Proteinograma de ovelhas imunizadas com veneno detoxificado do escorpião Tityus serrulatusDescritores: escorpião, patologia clínica, ruminantes, inflamação, antisoro.

The role of storage protein fractions in slowing starch digestion in chickpea seed

Protein fractions with various digestion properties can have different effects on starch digestibility in chickpea seed. This study investigates these effects by tracking the distributions in digesta of starch, albumin, globulin and glutelin fractions to explain how these proteins play roles throughout the digestion process. The in vitro digestion kinetic analyses were conducted on six chickpea varieties and digesta proteins were separated and quantified. Correlation analysis was performed on the resulting data to identify the relationships between starch digestion and the content of each protein. Cooking changed the solubility of native globulin, with 70–80% of globulins becoming alkali-soluble glutelin-like fraction. During digestion, the glutelin-like and globulin-like fractions were the major insoluble proteins affecting starch hydrolysis, due to their low enzymatic digestibility and the formation of gels. Starch digestibility was negatively correlated with the globulin-like fraction content while showing no direct relationship with that of the glutelin-like fraction. Pasting properties and spatial distributions seen by adding starch to globulin and glutelin indicated that globulin formed a stable paste with starch during heating, thus affecting starch gelatinization, while glutelin was much easier to be separated from starch, although it produced hard and viscous gels. These results could be useful for the development of chickpea foods with desirable properties: for example, higher globulin content is expected to lead to lower starch digestibility.

Physicochemical and functional properties of albumin, globulin and glutelin fractions of green lentil seed

SummaryDefatted lentil seed flour proteins were separated into their constituent albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB) and glutelin (GLT) fractions followed by determination of their structural and functional properties. The GLB fraction demonstrated superior solubility (84%–100%) at acidic and alkaline pH values when compared to the lower values for ALB and GLT. Amino acid composition analysis showed lower contents of hydrophobic and sulphur‐containing residues for GLB. However, GLB had the highest in vitro protein digestibility, which may be due to lower contents of rigid secondary structure fractions like the β‐sheet and β‐turns. In contrast, water and oil holding capacities as well as gelling ability were better for GLT and ALB than GLB. The GLT fraction formed very poor emulsions at pH 3 and 5 but emulsification was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) improved (smaller oil droplets) at pH 7 and 9. Foaming capacity was strongest for GLB, especially at pH 5, 7 and 9 where increase in protein concentration had a negative effect on foam formation. Overall, the protein type and pH of the environment had stronger effects on emulsion and foaming properties than the protein concentration.

Effect of ligands with different affinity on albumin fibril formation

The effect of binding of several ligands to bovine serum albumin on the kinetics of fibril formation at denaturing conditions is studied. The considered ligands are clinical drugs with different binding constants to albumin: relatively strong binders (naproxen, ibuprofen, warfarin with 105 to 107 binding constant values) and weak binders (isoniazid, ranitidine with 103 to 104 binding constant values). The data of thioflavin fluorescence binding assay, Congo red binding assay, and circular dichroism spectroscopy indicate ligand concentration-dependent suppression of fibril formation in the presence of strong binders and no effects in the presence of weak binders. Analysis of kinetic curves shows no induction lag associated with fibril nucleation and the first-order kinetics of fibril formation with respect to albumin concentration for all the studied systems. Using DSC method, the fractions of unfolded albumin at incubation temperature were determined for each albumin-ligand system and ligand concentration. Their magnitudes ranging from 0 to 1 correlate with the initial rates of fibril formation and with equilibrium concentrations of fibrils formed in the system after incubation for at least 120 min. The results indicate that fibrils are formed from partially or completely denatured albumin form with the rate proportional to the fraction of this form. Strong albumin binders act as thermodynamic inhibitors of fibrillation shifting the unfolding equilibrium to the side of the native ligand-bound protein.

Qualitative dysalbuminemia in capillary serum protein electrophoresis: a case series of 70 patients

Capillary serum protein electrophoresis (CPE) is a high-resolution technique. Thus, it is highly sensitive to the detection of qualitatives dysalbuminemia. By the present study, we aim to describe modifications of albumin fraction within the electrophoretogramm and to expose the underlying diseases. Eight thousand and forty-two CPE were studied, among which 70 showed qualitative dysalbuminemia (frequency ≈1/100). The average age of the patients is 33years with a sex ratio (M / F) of 2.33. Quantitatively, the mean ±SD of albuminemia is 18.5 ±6.8g/L by turbidimetric assay and 20.8 ±7.0g/L by electrophoretic integration. Qualitatively, the albumin region presented different shapes: a simple thickening of the base, a shoulder to the right or to the left of the peak, one or more distinct additional peaks. The electrophoretic quantification of these modifications ranges from 1.8 to 11.2g/L. The most frequent causal diseases are nephrotic syndrome and cholestatic jaundice.

THE IN VITRO ANTIOXYDANT ACTIVITIES OF DEFATTED ROSELLE (HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA L.) SEED PROTEIN HYDROLYSATES

The aim of this study was to produce natural antioxidants from Roselle seed proteins. In recent years, the potential application of natural antioxidants as substitutes as drawn much interest due to their safety and wide distribution. Literature indicated that Roselle whole seeds contained high amounts of protein, oil and carbohydrate However, There is scanty scientific documentation on the protein hydrolysis and the study of antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates.Roselle seed protein isolate and Roselle seed protein fractions namely globulin, albumin and glutelin were digested using pepsin followed by pancreatinat different time in order to produce hydrolysates with good antioxidant activity suitable for conversion to high-value products. . The antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates were investigated using different in vitro methods. The prepared samples were as effective as antioxidants in model systems, in scavenging of free radicals, and acting as reducing agents. This effect was concentration-dependent and was also influenced by the type of proteins. Among all the hydrolysates, the 3 hours samples and particularly those of protein isolate showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by albumin fraction, Glutelin and Globulin hydrolysates respectively (Protein isolate&gt;Albumin &gt;Glutelin&gt; Globulin hydrolysates)..The study confirmed that fraction with strong antioxidant activities from Roselle seed protein can be successfully provided through enzymatic digestion.

The impact of processing on hemp seeds protein complex

Recently, commercial hemp seeds, Cannabis sativa L., have attracted considerable interest in nutritional and industrial research due to their high nutritional value and good digestibility. Hemp seeds are becoming a new source of vegetable protein and the necessary components for maintaining health due to the rich content of protein compounds, vitamins, and unsaturated fatty acids. The effect of processing on the protein complex of low THC hemp seeds was studied in the current study. Standard methods of analysis (determination of protein, fat, moisture) and special methods (determination of the ratio of protein fractions of hemp seeds and products of their processing) were applied in the work. The objects of study were hemp seeds (Surskaya variety) and products of their de-oiling by mechanical and chemical methods. The globulin fraction predominance in the original hemp seeds (69.44%) and in the product obtained by hemp seeds de-oiling with hexane (fine fraction of meal, 80.94%) was revealed. Glutelin fraction (38.98%) prevailed in hemp seed flour obtained by cold pressing. After the hemp seeds processing (pressing, extraction), the ratio of protein fractions (albumin, globulin and glutelin) in the resulting products changed: meal (1:3.2:3.2), fine fraction (0.1:4.7:1) and flour (1.1:1:1.4), in comparison with the initial raw material (1:2.5:0.1). A significant increase in the glutelin fraction: from 2.78 to 43.10 and 38.98%, by mechanical and chemical methods, respectively, and a decrease in the amount of water- and salt-soluble fractions were observed with all processing methods. Researches of the study of the ratio of oilseeds protein fractions are of practical importance for improving healthy foods quality.

Functional, thermal and structural properties of fractionated protein from waste banana peel

Defatted banana peel powder was fractionated using the Osborne method to extract albumin, globulin, prolamin, and glutelin for physicochemical and functional characterization. The total recovery of protein was ∼89.76%. Albumin was the dominant one in terms of yield (62.4%) and protein content (65.15%) among all the fractions. The mean diameter of albumin (635.05 µm) and glutelin (642.62 µm) were significantly smaller than globulin (726.81 µm) and prolamin (986.45 µm). The highest water (1.86 ± 0.12 g/g), oil (1.97 ± 0.12 g/g) holding capacity, and emulsion capacity (59.27 ± 1.25%) were found for the albumin fraction. In contrast, the glutelin fraction showed the highest foaming capacity (19.13 ± 0.41%) and dispersibility (951.55 ± 3.83 g/kg). The denaturation temperature of protein fractions was found in the range of 30.31–82.08 °C. FTIR confirmed low carbohydrates and protein richness of albumin fraction. XRD revealed the crystalline nature of albumin (65%) and the amorphous nature of other fractions (41–45%). The morphology of all fractions was different, which influenced the functional characteristics.

Physiochemical and functional properties of albumin and globulin from amadumbe (Colocasia esculenta) corms

Amadumbe (Colocasia esculenta), commonly known as Taro is an indigenous underutilised crop of Southern Africa. Limited utilisation of amadumbe grown in the region may be attributed to the lack of enough information on its corms and storage proteins. In this study, albumin, and globulin fractions from three landraces were investigated for their physicochemical and functional properties. Crude protein contents of amadumbe flours ranged between 2–4%. Amadumbe flours were rich in lysine (5.3 g/100 g) and leucine (9.1 g/100 g). Three major protein families were identified corresponding to albumin and globulin with approximately 55-60 kDa, 20–22 kDa and 14 kDa, respectively. FTIR revealed a protein secondary structure dominated by β-sheets and β-turns. Intrinsic fluorescence results suggested that all albumin and globulin fractions had well-defined tertiary structures. The protein solubility of albumin and globulin fractions were minimal at pH 5. Hydrophobicity data seemed to correlate with emulsification behaviour of the protein fractions. Amadumbe proteins and its albumin and globulin fractions can be a promising source for food protein applications.

Bisalbuminemia: An Uncommon Finding on Serum Electrophoresis

Bisalbuminemia is a rare finding, characterised by the presence of two albumin fraction on serum protein electrophoresis. The disorder can either be inherited in autosomal dominant pattern or acquired. Acquired bisalbuminemia have discovered in various pathological conditions like diabetes mellitus, multiple myeloma, alzheimer’s disorder, sarcoidosis, nephrotic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, pancreatic pseudocyst and in patient receiving high doses of penicillin. Hereby, authors reports an uncommon case of a 55-years-old male, who presented with symptoms of lower back pain since 4 month. X-ray skull shows multiple lytic lesions. Bone marrow aspirate was hypercellular and showed 60% plasma cells. Patient was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and was sent for further biochemical investigations. Serum protein electrophoresis showed two distinct bands in the albumin region and a prominent M peak in gamma globulin region. The band may be mistaken as an abnormal globulin peak specifically while screening suspected or confirmed cases of monoclonal gammopathies.

Impact of vacuum freeze-drying on the reconstituted camel milk composition

In the dairy technology, for the preserving of initial nutritional properties of whole milk commonly a vacuum freeze-drying approach is used. However, a significant impact on the quality indicators of the resulting products within vacuum freeze-drying has a temperature of the product sublimation in the freeze-drying chamber. From the point of view of energy savings and maximum preservation of the initial qualities, the optimal sublimation temperature value is recommended at the t = -15 °C within vacuum freeze-drying process. The physicochemical indicators of whole and reconstituted camel milk have similar values within acceptable limits. Nevertheless, partial denaturation of amino acids that leading to the decreasing in the content of low molecular weight protein fractions and for the increasing of protein fractions with higher molecular weight are occurred. Thermolabile whey protein compounds, such as Albumin and Globulin fractions are especially susceptible to denaturation changes, due to the hydration membrane of proteins present on the surface is destroyed, leading to minor changes in the amino acid composition.

Oxidative stress in suyagny sheep at the end of gestation, as a factor in pathogenesis development of eclampsia

Analysis of the results of medical examination of pregnant sheep 30...15...5 days before the expected term of lambing showed that in the urine of 12.11% of ewes, the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood plasma was 1.43 times higher than the physiological norm. In addition, there is a tendency to decrease the buffer bases to 18.41±1.53 mmol/l, as well as the glucose content below 2.12 ± 0.12 mmol/l. At the same time, the ratio of VN/ ACAS is up to 1.47 ± 0.12 mmol / L. It was found that the albumin fraction of proteins decreased by 1.51 times. Edema in the abdominal wall and underbelly, 9.5% lack of reaction to external stimuli, 15.0% decreased appetite, 10.0% jaundice of mucous membranes and 9.0% of sheep had a comatose state were found in 15.0% of animals. In a clinical study in sheep with eclampsia, hypertension over 136.1 mmHg and the presence of protein in urine over 3.2 g/l were recorded. These symptoms indicated classic signs of eclampsia, which occurred depending on the condition of sick animals in atypical and typical forms of manifestation. In animals with typical clinical signs of eclampsia, an increase in the level of diene conjugates was found to be 1.87 times, and the concentration of ketodiene intermediates and conjugated trienes was 1.75 times, the concentration of stable nitric oxide metabolites was 38.0%, and the vitamin E content decreased by 13.1%. At the same time, there was a 20.46% increase in the concentration of double bonds in the atypical form of eclampsia. In the blood plasma of patients with eclampsia of pregnant ewes, the activity of superoxide dismutase (1,736±0.37 units) is lower than in the comparison group (2,146±0.56 mmol/l). The obtained material of this work should be taken into account in the future when studying the problem of complicated pregnancy in the last stages of gestation in sheep and when developing therapeutic and preventive measures to ensure the long-term functioning of the reproductive potential and obtaining a viable newborn offspring.

Effect of enzymatic hydrolysis on the physicochemical and emulsification properties of rice bran albumin and globulin fractions

In this study, albumin and globulin were separated from rice bran and hydrolyzed with trypsin. The fractions of these proteins and their hydrolysates were comparatively studied to understand the mechanisms of the functional changes. SDS–PAGE showed that the molecular weights of the two hydrolysates decreased. In addition, the number of α-helices and random coils of the two proteins increased, which was consistent with the structure observed by SEM. Oil-in-water emulsions were prepared from the hydrolysate of rice bran albumin and globulin, and their ability to resist environmental pressure (pH: 3–9; salt addition: 0–300 mM NaCl and thermal processing: 30–90 °C for 30 min) and stability were evaluated. In an acidic environment, the emulsion formed by globulin hydrolysate had a smaller particle size and higher absolute ζ-potential values. Due to electrostatic repulsion, the emulsions formed by the two hydrolysates were not stable under high salt conditions. Temperature had no significant effect on the ζ-potential of the emulsions formed by the two hydrolysates, although the particle size increased significantly when the temperature was higher than 50 °C. In contrast, the emulsion stabilized by globulin hydrolysate was more stable.

Doxorubicin alters the disposition of phenytoin by reducing its metabolic elimination and binding affinity to serum albumin in rats.

We investigated the pharmacokinetic interaction of doxorubicin (DOX) with phenytoin (PHT) and the underlying mechanism in rats to clarify why the serum PHT concentration decreases despite the impaired PHT metabolic capacity in patients receiving DOX. Rats were administered 15 mg/kg of DOX or saline alone. The pharmacokinetic disposition of intravenously administered PHT was examined 4 days after DOX exposure. Enzyme kinetics of CYP2C-dependent PHT p-hydroxylation were analysed using hepatic microsomes. The unbound PHT concentration in serum was measured by the ultrafiltration method, and the relationship between the unbound fraction (fu) and serum albumin level was assessed. The total clearance (CLtot) of PHT was significantly increased by DOX, but the activity of PHT p-hydroxylation conversely decreased. The unbound serum PHT concentration and its fu were significantly higher in the DOX group than in the control group, and the CLtot/fu, a measure of intrinsic clearance, significantly decreased. An increase in the fu was observed even when using a serum sample with an albumin concentration equal to that in the control group. DOX treatment increases the unbound serum PHT concentration by depressing the metabolic capacity and alters the total PHT by reducing serum albumin and its affinity to PHT.

The effect of an antioxidant on the hematological profile of birds

The research is devoted to the study of the influence of the modern antioxidant of the flavonoid group ‘Dihydroquercetin’ as part of the feed combination on the hematological profile and biochemical parameters of the blood of broiler chickens of the KOBB-500 cross. The content of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in the blood of broilers receiving dihydroquercetin increased, which indicates an increase in the intensity of redox processes in the body. The number of leukocytes in all groups was normal, but in the experimental groups their decrease was noted, which indicates the therapeutic and immunostimulating effect of the drug. Evaluation of protein metabolism by the content of total protein and the fraction of albumin in the blood serum showed its positive dynamics within the normal physiological values, which characterizes an increase in the intensity of assimilation processes in the bird’s body. The metabolism of carbohydrates was assessed by the content of glucose in it, and a decrease in its level indicates its increased consumption as an energy component for metabolic processes associated with intensive growth of chickens. An increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase by 1.3-1.8 times is associated with the active growth of chickens.

ФИЗИОЛОГО-БИОХИМИЧЕСКИЕ ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ В ОРГАНИЗМЕ КУР ПРИ ВОЗДЕЙСТВИИ СТРЕСС-ФАКТОРОВ И ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИИ НОВЫХ СОЕДИНЕНИЙ МАКРОЛИДОВ

Modern animal husbandry, including poultry farming, is characterized by the presence of numerous stress factors. The studies carried out have established that under their influence there is a decrease in the content of erythrocytes, as well as in them hemoglobin, a decrease in the content of total protein and calcium. Analyzing the data obtained, it can be concluded that under the influence of new macrolido compounds in the blood of chickens, the content of total protein increased in the structure of protein fractions of albumin and alpha globulins. With regard to other biochemical indicators - a decrease in the content of uric acid and creatinine. In the study of the catalytic activity of enzymes, a decrease in that of AcAt, AlAt and a tendency to an increase in alkaline phosphatase and amylase were found. When conducting a high-quality coagulation test by Veltman, a decrease in the disturbance of the structure of the protein fractions of blood serum was determined.

Changes in the Serum Protein Fractions in Goats after Treatment of Natural Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections.

Gastrointestinal parasitic infections in small ruminants belong to major health problems. The regulation of gastrointestinal infections in goats and the responses developed against them appear to be different from those observed in sheep. In the literature, there is a lack of data on the effect of gastrointestinal parasitic infections on the serum protein profile in goats. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in goats naturally infected with gastrointestinal parasites and to compare the changes in the total serum proteins and serum protein fractions (albumin and α1-, α2-, β-, and γ-globulins) obtained after antihelminthic treatment. Eight adult female goats of the white shorthaired breed from a small dairy goat farm at the age ranging between 3 and 5 years with average body weight 35.4 ± 3.2 kg and body condition score (BCS) from 1.5 to 2.5 were used in the study. The serum proteins in goats were separated into five fractions: albumin, α1- and α2-globulins, and β- and γ-globulins. Significant changes after treatment were found in the relative concentrations of albumin (P < 0.01) and α2- (P < 0.05), β- (P < 0.001), and γ-globulins (P < 0.01), as well as albumin/globulin ratio (P < 0.01). The mean concentration of total serum proteins was, after the antiparasitic treatment, significantly higher. Among the globulin fractions, the γ-globulin fraction contributed most significantly to these changes (P < 0.001). The results presented in the study suggest a significant effect of antiparasitic treatment in goats on the synthesis of blood serum proteins and on the changes of the proportion of serum protein fractions.

Increased serum amiodarone concentration in hypertriglyceridemic patients: Effects of drug distribution to serum lipoproteins.

Amiodarone and its main metabolite, desethylamiodarone (DEA), are highly distributed to serum lipoproteins such as very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), which are the carriers of triglyceride and cholesterol. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum concentrations of amiodarone and DEA with the levels of serum lipids in terms of drug distribution to lipoprotein fractions in patients with hyperlipidemia. Total serum concentrations of amiodarone and DEA were examined in 116 patients receiving amiodarone for tachyarrhythmias. The concentration‐to‐dose (C/D) ratio of amiodarone positively correlated with the level of serum triglyceride (rs = 0.541, p < 0.001) and was higher in the hypertriglyceridemic state than in normotriglyceridemic state (479 ± 211 vs. 320 ± 161, p < 0.001). No correlation was found between the C/D ratio of DEA and serum triglyceride levels (rs = 0.272), although higher values were observed in the hypertriglyceridemic state (322 ± 125 vs. 285 ± 143, p < 0.001). In the hypertriglyceridemic state, the distribution of amiodarone increased in LDL/VLDL fraction and decreased in high‐density lipoprotein and albumin fractions. The ratio of serum amiodarone to serum DEA, a metabolic ratio of amiodarone, positively correlated with serum triglyceride levels (rs = 0.572, p < 0.001) and was higher in the hypertriglyceridemic state, suggesting that amiodarone metabolism decreased in hyperlipidemia. The results of this study reveal that serum concentrations of amiodarone increase in the hypertriglyceridemic state through the increased lipoprotein‐binding and decreased metabolism of amiodarone.

Effects of Inca peanut seed albumin fraction on rheological, thermal and microstructural properties of native corn starch

In this work, the effect of Inca peanut seed albumin fraction (IPA) on the rheological, thermal and microstructural properties of native corn starch (NCS) was firstly studied. Compared to the NCS, IPA addition could obviously decrease the transparency of NCS, and the transparency of NCS and NCS-IPA suspensions decreased during the storage time. The textural paraments of NCS pastes with or without IPA reached to the maximum at a concentration of 5%. Steady shear rheological tests showed that all systems were non-Newtonian fluid, and the consistency coefficient (K) values reached to the maximum at 5% IPA concentration. The storage and loss modulus values of NCS-IPA pastes were higher than those of NCS pastes, and curves of loss angle (tan δ) indicated that all pastes were typical weak gel. With the increasing addition of IPA, DSC analysis showed that the thermal properties (To, Tp and Tc) of NCS were significantly changed, whereas, there was no distinct difference in the enthalpy. Microscopy illustrated that there were some wrinkle shrinkage and severe folds on the NCS-IPA granules. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy showed that the hydrogen bonding was primarily interaction forces between IPA and NCS molecules.