Contents Of Serum Research Articles

Immune response of great sturgeon ( Huso huso) subjected to long-term exposure to sublethal concentration of the organophosphate, diazinon

Abstract Lysozyme activity, chemiluminuscence (CL) response and immunocompetent cells population size were assessed in great sturgeon ( Huso huso ) weighing about 425 g following long-term exposure of fish to sublethal concentration of diazinon at 1.5 mg L − 1 at 22 ± 1 °C and acceptable water quality conditions. Samples were collected after 24 h and then every week interval for 9 weeks. Values of white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocyte in fish exposed to diazinon (group B) were significantly lower than unexposed group (group A) while, the level of neutrophils was higher ( P P > 0.05). Also, values of WBC and neutrophils in intraperitoneally glucan injected fish (0.3 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally as a single dose) plus diazinon bath (group D) were lower and higher than glucan received fish without diazinon bath (group C), respectively ( P P > 0.05). The level of lysozyme in liver and kidney tissues of group B was significantly and insignificantly higher ( P P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the lysozyme contents of liver, kidney, spleen and serum between groups C and D ( P > 0.05). Mean spontaneous CL response in groups B and D was significantly lower than groups A and C throughout the experiment ( P

Relationship between the changes of ?2-microglobulim in blood and urine and kidney involvements in senility with pneumonia

目的 观察老年肺炎患者血、尿β2-微球蛋白(β2-MG)含量变化,探讨β2-MG与肾功能损害关系.方法采用放射免疫分析法测定142例老年肺炎急性期和恢复期血、尿β2-MG含量,同时检测血清肌酐(Cr)及尿素氮(BUN),并与80例健康老年对照组比较.结果肺炎急性期血、尿β2-MG含量均显著高于对照组(P均＜0.01);恢复期与对照组比较差异无显著意义(P均＞0.05);急性期与恢复期、轻型与重型比较差异均有显著意义(P均＜0.05).肺炎患者血β2-MG与血清Cr、BUN呈正相关(rBUN＝0.634,rCr＝0.624,P均＜0.05).急性期血β2-MG增高异常率(82.4%)明显高于血Cr(14.8%)及BUN(19.0%).结论血、尿β2-MG是监测老年肺炎早期肾功能较敏感的指标。

Lipid changes in blood serum and tissues of the Egyptian Cobra “Naja haje haje” during the hibernation cycle

Abstract 1. Total lipids, free fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids and total cholesterol in blood serum, liver, brain, cardiac and skeletal muscles of Naja haje haje were determined during the different phases of the hibernation cycle. 2. A sharp decrease in the level of total lipids of blood serum and all tissues occurred during hibernation. Upon arousal, lipogenesis is commonly restored. 3. Elevated concentrations of serum free fatty acids predominated in pre-hibernation and hibernation periods, while the tissues recorded highly significant declines during hibernation. 4. Occurrence of marked decreases in triglycerides contents of serum and tissues except the cardiac muscles in the hibernation and arousal phases. 5. Sharp increases in the phospholipid contents of blood and the selected tissues were recorded during hibernation. The level declined in both liver and cardiac muscles in arousing animals. 6. Total cholesterol level was lowered in blood during hibernation. The cardiac muscles showed a highly significant decrease while liver, brain and skeletal muscles showed elevations in the same phase.

동해산 재래종 다시마 (Kjellemaniella crassifolia)의 식이가 흰쥐 체내의 칼슘흡수, 혈액조성 및 분변에 미치는 영향

체내 칼슘 흡수 및 혈액 조성에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 3주령 암컷 횐쥐 (Sprague-Dawley female raD)에게 다시마 첨가량을 각각 <TEX>$0\%$</TEX>, <TEX>$0.5\%$</TEX>, <TEX>$1.0\%$</TEX>, <TEX>$1.5\%$</TEX>로한 실험 사료를 8주 동안 사육하면서, 4주 간격으로 골격성장, 칼슘흡수, 혈액조성 및 분변에 관한 영향을 알아보았다. 사육기간 동안 사료 섭취량이 대조군과 다시마 첨가군 사이에 유의적인 차이가 없는 것으로 나타나 횐쥐가 다시마에 대한 거부반웅을 보이지 않았으며, 그로 인해 혈청 분석 결과 영양상태가 양호하였고, GPT, G07 활성 결과 독성에 의한 부작용도 없었다. 대조군에 비해 다시마 첨가군에서 평균 체중 증가량이 낮고 변 중량이 높아, 다시마 식이 섬유에 의한 배변 증량 효과를 보였다. 대퇴골의 분석에서 중량과 길이는 사육기간 동안 약간의 증가를 보였으며, 대퇴골의 수분함량이 감소한 반면 회분 및 칼슘함량은 증가하여 성장 동안 골밀도의 상승으로 인한 대퇴골의 강도가 높아짐을 보였다. 대조군에 비해 다시마 첨가군에서 칼슘함량과 대퇴골의 강도가 높음을 보석 다시마가 칼슘을 뼈로 홉착을 도와준고 있음을 설명해 주었다. 다시마 첨가수준에 따라서는 <TEX>$0.5\%$</TEX> 첨가군에서 대퇴골의 수분함량이 낮고, 회분 및 칼슘함량이 높아 대퇴골의 강도가 가장 단단하였다. The present study was designed to examine how sea tangle intake contributes to the content of bone calcium and breaking force of femur with growing female rats. Weaned rats were fed on experimental diets consisting in four levels of sea tangle powder; <TEX>$0\%$</TEX> (control), <TEX>$0.5\%$</TEX>, <TEX>$1.0\%$</TEX> and <TEX>$1.5\%$</TEX> for 4 and 8 weeks. Body weight gain and feed intake were not significantly affected by added amount of sea tangle. Bone breaking strength, ash content and calcium levels of the femur of rats fed on diets with sea tangle were higher than those of control groups (p<0.05). But moisture content weight and length of femur did not show any significant difference among groups. TP, ALB, TC, TG, AIP, osteocalcin, GOT and GPT levels in serum did not show any significant difference through the total feeding period but calcium and phosphorus contents of serum increased with increase in feeding period, significantly in <TEX>$0.05\%$</TEX> level by added amounts of sea tangle. Calcium levels in feces increased significantly (P<0.05), but ash levels were not changed significantly by added amount of sea tangle. We could expect from this results that the ingestion of sea tangle (Kjellemaniella crassifolia) could be helpfull to increase bone calcium content and calcium absorption as well as to intensify the femur stength and to increase the calcium content of rats.

A Quantitative Analysis of Serum Sulfatide by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry with Delayed Ion Extraction

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with delayed ion extraction (DE MALDI-TOF MS) was applied for the first time for the quantitation of sulfatide content in serum at the picomole level. The total lipids extracted by n-hexane:isopropanol (3:2, v/v) from 100 microliter of serum were saponified to convert sulfatide to its lyso form, and then the lysosulfatide was directly determined using DE MALDI-TOF MS in the presence of other degraded lipids. Hydrogenated N-acetyl lysosulfatide was used as an internal standard. The relative peak height of sulfatide was calculated and plotted versus its contents. This plot showed linearity between 2 pmol and 1 nmol of sulfatide (regression coefficient r > 0.95). Sulfatide contents of normal human sera and rabbit serum were quantitated by this method. The results corresponded well to the reported data determined by gas-liquid chromatography. This new approach was found to be sensitive, convenient, and reliable. It is expected to be applied to quantitate sulfatide from other small amounts of body fluids or tissues and to clinical examination. It is also expected to be applicable to quantitate other glycosphingolipids.

Biochemical changes in serum and milk constituents during postpartum period in Saudi Ardy goats

Abstract Relations between serum and milk constituents were ascertained in terms of correlation coefficients for Ardy goats during the postpartum period, 1–28 days. There were pronounced biochemical effect on milk whey proteins, serum and milk total cholesterol, sugars, phosphorus (P) as well as milk calcium (Ca). Milk whey proteins and phosphorus increased at the beginning of lactation period and decreased on d 21 and d 28 but there was no effect on serum Ca and protein. Rise in levels of serum and milk total cholesterol and serum phosphorus was apparent on d 21 while these parameters were lowest on d 7 postpartum. Milk and serum sugars were low at the beginning of lactation but increased on d 14. Total proteins, amino acid nitrogen and Ca contents of serum did not show variations. The d 3 postpartum was distinctly characterized. Serum and whey protein and serum and milk phosphorus were positively correlated. Negative correlations were calculated between serum glucose and milk lactose, serum and milk Ca and serum and milk cholesterol. Serum showed normal levels of lipoproteins, glucose and cholesterol during the early lactation period. The study provides biochemical indicators of Ardy goats for the postpartum period. There was not any biochemical lesions of ketosis and fatty liver despite the high milk yield and the high nutrient content of the feeds.

Effects of the Pineal and Melatonin, With or Without Inhibitors of Thyroid Hormone/Testosterone, on Total Protein Contents of Serum, Liver and Muscle Tissues of Clarias batrachus during Different Phases of its Annual Gonadal Cycle

Studies were planned to elucidate if the pineal plays any part in the regulation of protein contents in the serum and tissues of an Indian freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus. In addition, an attempt has been made to investigate the modulatory roles of the status of thyroid and testis by using two potent inhibitors, i.e. iopanoic acid (thyroid inhibitor) and cyproterone acetate (androgen inhibitor). The results suggest that in general, the effects of the pineal and melatonin on protein content of serum and muscle and liver tissues are mediated with the involvement of the gonads. In addition, the thyroid status modulated the effects of pinealectomy on liver and muscle protein.

Hypolipidaemic effects of fenofibrate are not altered by mildronate-mediated normalization of carnitine concentration in rat liver

The five-fold higher carnitine content in the liver of fenofibrate-treated rats addresses the question about the possible role of this enhancement in the hypolipidaemic effect of the drug and the underlying mechanisms. When fenofibrate was administered with mildronate (a gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase inhibitor) in suitable amount, the content in carnitine was found to be normalized in liver. However, triglyceride contents of liver and serum were then at least as low as in rats treated by fenofibrate only. When carnitine concentration was lowered by mildronate to the third of the normal value, a marked increase in triglycerides occurred both in liver and serum, while the five-fold increase in carnitine due to fenofibrate enhanced blood ketone body concentration with no effect on liver and serum triglycerides. Data suggest that the normal carnitine concentration is largely sufficient to meet the usual requirement for carnitine palmitoyltransferase I activity (CPT I). In rat liver, increase in mitochondrial CPT I activity and in peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation may constitute part of the hypolipidaemic effect of fenofibrate.

Selenium contents of serum and human milk from Finland and neighbouring countries

In this work we have measured selenium concentration in 204 individual serum samples and in 105 human milk samples to compare the selenium levels in Finland after 10 years' selenium supplementation to neighbouring districts: North Estonia, Karelia in Russia, and St. Petersburg. Samples were collected between 1992 and 1994 and analysed with Zeeman graphite furnace AAS. Highest selenium concentrations were found from Finnish human milk (mean concentration in mature milk 19.2 μg/L, range 16–43 μg/L) and serum samples (mean 111.1 μg/L, range 71–163 μg/L). Selenium levels were low in the Karelian district (mean 11.5 μg/L, range 7–29 μg/L in colostrum milk), but in St. Petersburg levels were near to the levels in Finland (mean 21.9 μg/L, range 12–53 μg/L in colostrum milk and mean 88.3 μg/L, range 50–130 μg/L in serum. In Estonia we found unexpectedly low levels for selenium in human milk (mean 11.2 μg/L and range 9–14 μg/L in colostrum milk in Tallinn) and serum samples (48.2 μg/L, range 38–58 μg/L in Tallinn and 63.0 μg/L, range 31–104 μg/L in Rakvere). J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 10:225–232, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Nonenzymatic glycation of transferrin: decrease of iron-binding capacity and increase of oxygen radical production.

The total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and iron contents of diabetic rat serum, as well as the iron-binding capacity of glycated transferrin and oxygen radical production by the glycated proteins were examined. The TIBC and iron content of diabetic rat sera were found to be much lower than those of control rat sera. Incubation of human serum with glucose in vitro resulted in a significant fall of its unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) with time. When apotransferrin was incubated with glucose, its UIBC significantly decreased. The iron content of holotransferrin was markedly reduced by incubation with bathophenanthroline sulphonic acid (BPSA) in the presence of glucose, although the content was not altered by incubation with BPSA alone. The generation of superoxide radical (O2-) and hydroxyl radical (OH.) by the glycated holotransferrin was much greater than that by glycated apotransferrin. Glycated holotransferrin showed significantly accelerated hydroxyl radical production by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system, while intact holotransferrin did not. Treatment of holotransferrin with glucose caused the fragmentation of the protein, while the same treatment of apotransferrin did not. These results suggest that iron ions in the glycated transferrin molecule are bound loosely to the protein and are redox-active and the glycated holotransferrin produces oxygen radicals including O2- and OH. efficiently, and that the glycated transferrin does not function as an iron-binding protein.

Determination of Zinc in Serum, Blood, and Ultrafiltrate Fluid from Patients on Hemofiltration by Graphite Furnace/Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy or Flow Injection Analysis/Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Two methods were optimized for the determination of zinc in samples of blood, serum, and ultrafiltrate fluid from patients with chronic renal impairment undergoing hemofiltration. In the first procedure, after acid digestion of the samples, Zn in blood and serum is determined by a system coupled to flow injection analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The method is rapid, automated, simple, needs small amounts of sample, and has acceptable analytical characteristics. The analytical characteristics obtained were as follows: determination range of method, 0.05-2.0 ppm of Zn; precision as coefficient of variation (CV), 5.3%; recovery, 95-105%; and detection limit (DL), 0.02 ppm. The second method is optimized for ultrafiltrate fluid because the sensitivity of the first procedure is not suitable for the levels of Zn (ppb or ng/mL) in these samples. The technique chosen was atomic absorption spectroscopy with electrothermal atomization in a graphite furnace. The analytical characteristics obtained were as follows: determination range of method, 0.3-2.0 ppb Zn; CV, 5.7%; recovery, 93-107%; and DL, 0.12 ppb. The methods were used to determine zinc in samples of blood, serum, and ultrafiltrate fluid from 5 patients with chronic renal impairment undergoing hemofiltration to discover whether there were significant differences in the zinc contents of blood, serum, and ultrafiltrate fluid after the hemofiltration process. An analysis of variance of the experimental data obtained from a randomly selected group of 5 patients showed that zinc concentrations in the ultrafiltrate fluid, venous blood, and venous serum do not vary during hemofiltration (p < 0.05), whereas in arterial blood and serum, the time factor has a significant effect.

Anticarsia gemmatalis nuclear polyhedrosis virus replication in serum-free and serum-reduced insect cell cultures

In order to develop a financially feasible process to produce Anticarsia gemmatalis Nuclear Polyhedrosis virus in cell culture, we developed a lipidic supplement to replace fetal calf serum in insect cell culture media. The supplement, prepared with an extract of lipids from hen egg yolk, allowed us to reduce the contents of serum in the culture medium from 10% to 1%. IPLB-Sf-21 cells could be kept along consecutive passages in serum-reduced medium. The replication of AgNPV in HEYLE-supplemented cultures was evaluated. Extracellular virions production was the same as in FCS-supplemented-cultures, but the production level of polyhedral inclusion bodies was significantly lowered in HEYLE-supplemented cultures. The reduced production of PIBs is related to a premature releasing of non-occluded particles as well as to a reduced synthesis of polyhedrin protein.

Determination of the IgG index for the detection of intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis in dogs using an elisa

The IgG index is a calculated quotient using IgG and albumin contents of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum to detect intrathecal IgG synthesis, which is important in the diagnosis of inflammatory infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). An ELISA to measure IgG and albumin contents in blood and CSF was developed to determine the IgG index. Twenty-three normal dogs and 98 dogs with various neurological diseases were examined. In most dogs with infectious inflammatory diseases, with the exception of the acute form of nervous canine distemper, there was an elevation of the IgG index. Tumours of the CNS had an IgG index within the normal range. An elevation was found in lymphoid tumours or meningiomas with secondary cellular infiltration. Degenerative diseases, spinal cord compression and ischaemic myelopathy due to fibrocartilagenous embolism had normal or only slightly elevated IgG indices. In seven cases with inflammatory lesions there was no obvious CSF pleocytosis but the IgG index was elevated. In 17 cases in which infectious inflammatory disease was suspected, based on elevated CSF cell counts, inflammation could be excluded after determination of the IgG index. The reproducibility of the technique was found to be good and, considering the limited amount of time, expense and effort required, the determination of the IgG index in dogs is a useful extension of the conventional CSF examination.

More than tenfold increase of arsenic in serum and packed cells of chronic hemodialysis patients.

Arsenic concentrations were determined in serum and packed cells of 7 chronic hemodialysis patients, in fresh dialysate and in a heparin solution. The analytical technique was radiochemical neutron activation analysis. The accuracy of the method was tested by the analysis of As in certified reference materials. Patients showed elevated serum and packed cell arsenic concentrations compared with controls (serum, range: 2.3-79.8 ng As/ml, median: 11.5 ng As/ml; versus range: 0.132-4.783 ng As/ml, median: 0.38 ng As/ml; packed cells, range: 2.1-68.4 ng As/g, median: 9.5 ng As/g; versus range: 0.51-14.44 ng As/g, median: 3.17 ng As/g). Arsenic concentrations remained unaltered, before versus after a single hemodialysis treatment. The arsenic contents of serum and packed cells were significantly correlated (n = 7, r = 0.96, p < 0.05). No arsenic could be detected in the heparin solution or in the dialysate.

Selenium deficiency in Yugoslavia and possible effects on health

New data on Se-deficiency in Yugoslavia are presented. The results include Se contents of soils, cereal crops and garlic grown in the investigated soils, and human serum and scalp hair from several towns and regions in this country. All data indicate a serious Se-deficiency. Analyses of human tissues show a very low Se-status of the Yugoslav population. In some regions, Se contents of garlic, grains and human serum and hair are approaching those in the low-selenium zone in China. It is assumed that the very low Se-status of the human population could be a risk factor for the endemic nephropathy and the urinary tract tumours in endemic areas.

Selenium deficiency in yugoslavia

Data on selenium (Se) deficiency in Yugoslavia are presented. The results include Se content of soil, cereal crops, and garlic grown in these soils, and human serum and scalp hair from several towns and regions. All data indicate a serious Se deficiency: soil (n = 140), the mean value of 200 +/- 69.6 micrograms/kg Se; wheat, (58) mean = 20.5 +/- 12.4 micrograms/kg; corn, (79) mean = 13.7 +/- 13.6 micrograms/kg; and garlic, (66) mean = 13.7 +/- 17.1 micrograms/kg Se. Analyses of human tissue show a very low Se status of the Yugoslav population: serum, (n = 875) mean = 50.0 +/- 18.0 micrograms/L and scalp hair, (388) mean = 94 +/- 16 micrograms/kg Se. In some regions, Se contents of grain, garlic, and human serum and hair are approaching those in the low-Se belt in China. It is assumed that very low Se status of a human population could be a risk factor in the development of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) and in a high incidence of urinary tract tumors (UTT) in endemic areas.

Neutral lipid compositions of antarctic fish tissues may reflect use of fatty acyl substrates by catabolic systems

Antarctic fishes contain large quantities of lipid in adipose tissue, blood and oxidative muscle. In this study, the fatty acyl compositions of free fatty acids (FFA) and triacylglycerol (TAG) in serum, adipose tissue and oxidative muscle were determined in two species of Antarctic fishes, Trematomus newnesi Boulenger, 1902, and Notothenia gibberifrons Lonnberg, 1905, collected off the Antarctic Peninsula in February and March 1987. Total lipid contents of serum and oxidative muscle in each species also were measured. T. newnesi, a mesopelagic species, has significantly more lipid in the serum than N. gibberifrons, a demersal species (17.6±2.4 and 10.4±1.0 mg lipid g-1 serum, respectively). The oxidative muscle of T. newnesi also contains more lipid than does that of N. gibberifrons (12.5 and 9.3% by dry weight, respectively). Fatty acids comprising greater than 5% of one or more of the lipid pools assayed in both species include 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 16:2, 18:0, 18:1, 20:5 and 22:6. The percentages of 16:1 were lower (p<0.05) in oxidative muscle FFA than in all other assayed lipid pools in both species, suggesting a catabolic preference for some monoenes in oxidative muscle of these fishes. The percentage of 14:0 was two-to three-fold higher in adipose tissue TAG than in all other lipid pools in both species. Differences in fatty acid compositions between lipid pools indicate than proteins involved in the mobilization, transport or catabolism of fatty acids exhibit differential recognition of fatty acids in T. newnesi and N. gibberifrons.

Effect of L-Ascorbyl-2-phosphate-Mg on the Yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata as a Vitamin C Source.

A stable form of vitamin C, L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate-Mg (APM), was tested for efficacy as a vitamin C source in the juvenile yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata. The fish, weighing 2.67g, were fed 4 fish meal-based diets containing graded levels of supplemental APM (0, 3, 6, and 10mg/100g diet) for 83 days. The fish receiving the diet without supplemental APM showed deficiency sym-ptoms such as reduced growth rate, deformity (lordosis and scoliosis), distorted gill support car-tilage (degeneration of the ravine part of gill-cover), high mortality, and so on. The supplementa-tion of 3 to 10mg of APM/100g diet improved the growth and feed efficiency of the fish. The results of the feeding experiment indicated that a supplement of about 3 to 6mg APM/100g diet was sufficient to support good growth and survival and to prevent the gross vitamin C deficiency symptoms of the yellowtail. The supplementation of APM elevated the L-ascorbic acid (AsA) contents of serum and liver, serum alkaline phosphatase activity, and the ratio of hydroxyproline/proline in the bone. The results of the present study showed that APM can be effectively utilized by the yellowtail as a good replacement for AsA.

Vitamin B-12 content and bioavailability of spirulina and nori in rats

The availability of vitamin B-12 from two different seafood products, nori (Porphyra tenera) and spirulina (Spirulina sp.), was evaluated in rats. Male weanling Wistar rats (n = 30) were fed a vitamin B-12 deficient diet for six weeks, followed by a four-week repletion period in which the rats were supplemented with equal doses of vitamin B-12, either supplied as pure cyanocobalamin, or as dried spirulina or nori. No difference in body weight gain, relative liver, or relative kidney weight could be demonstrated between the groups in either the depletion or repletion period. Low serum, liver, and kidney cobalamin contents were measured after the depletion period using an Intrinsic Factor-based radioassay. However, no hematological abnormalities could be demonstrated in the B-12 depleted rats. After repletion, cobalamin contents of serum and kidney were significantly lower, and liver cobalamin content was higher, for both the nori- and spirulina-fed rats than for the cyanocobalamin-supplemented controls. These data illustrate that cobalamins from algae are indeed absorbed by the rat. However, the distribution pattern over liver and kidneys indicates that at least part of the cobalamins, measured by a specific radioassay, may actually be analogues.

Decreased sulfhydryl groups of serum albumin in coronary artery disease.

We hypothesized that oxidative processes in myocardial tissues initiated by ischemia also cause the same kind of changes in blood proteins and lead to oxidation of sulfhydryl groups (SH). To test this hypothesis, the ratio (%MA) of mercaptalbumin to total albumin (= mercaptalbumin + nonmercaptalbumin) and the total SH contents of serum were measured in patients with coronary artery disease. There was a positive correlation between %MA and total SH contents and both values were reduced in proportion to the severity of the coronary artery disease. Furthermore, these values were lower early hours after the onset of acute myocardial infraction than 4 weeks later. These results support our hypothesis, and may provide a basis for the administration of agents which can counteract oxidative stress in order to protect myocardium in patients with coronary artery disease.