Gamma-glutamyltransferase Activity Research Articles

Aging and hypertension decrease endothelial NO-related dilating function and gamma-glutamyl transferase activity but not S-nitrosoglutathione-induced aortic vasodilation.

S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), which is involved in the transport and the storage of NO, induces vasorelaxation. It requires gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), an enzyme present on the endothelium, to transfer NO into the cell. We evaluated whether aging and hypertension, which induce NO-related dilating dysfunction, are associated with decreased vascular GGT activity and modify the vasorelaxant effect of GSNO. Thoracic aortic rings isolated from male spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) aged 20-22 (adult) or 57-60weeks (mature) were preconstricted with phenylephrine, then submitted to concentration-vasorelaxant response curves (maximal response: Emax ; pD2 ) to GSNO and carbachol (the latter to measure NO-related dilating function). GGT activity was measured using chromogenic substrate. Both aging and hypertension lowered Emax values for carbachol (Emax -8% in adult SHR, -42% in mature SHR vs. age-matched WKY, page and phypertension <0.05) demonstrating NO-related dilating dysfunction. Aortic GGT activity also decreased with aging and hypertension (-22% in adult and -75%, reaching 3nmol/min/g of tissue, in mature SHR vs. 12 in age-matched WKY and 23 in adult WKY, page and phypertension <0.05). The pD2 values of GSNO were similar in mature SHR and WKY but higher in adult SHR (pinteraction <0.05). Aging in hypertensive rats decreased NO-related vasorelaxant function and vascular GGT activity, but did not lower the vasorelaxant response to GSNO. This opens perspectives for GSNO-based therapeutics restoring nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular protection in a context of endothelial dysfunction.

Lowering Effect of Selenium and Yogurt on Nuts Contaminated With Aflatoxins Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Nuts which contaminated with aflatoxins are potent to hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic agents. Herein, we were assessed the ability of selenium and yogurt to ameliorate aflatoxin-contaminated nut-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rats. Relative to the control group, the aflatoxin-contaminated nut-fed rats has been reduced body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio (FER), whereas those rats given selenium or yogurt, or both, and consumed 3% aflatoxin-contaminated nuts showed no significant decrease in body weight gain or decrease in FER. Food intake did not vary significantly between the groups. After 60 days, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities were increased in the serum of rats fed aflatoxin-contaminated nuts, suggesting hepatic damage. The 3% aflatoxin-contaminated nut-fed group has been reduced total protein and serum, liver glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase(GPX and SOD) enzymes but elevated creatinine, urea, uric acid, bilirubin and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as liver MDA, compared to the control group. Moreover, we were found that feeding of the rats by selenium, yogurt or both could be normalize of liver and antioxidant enzyme levels (GPX, SOD, and MDA), as well as total protein, albumin, globulin, and uric acid contents. Based on our findings, we were proposed that selenium and yogurt could reduce the side effects of hepatotoxicity in experimental rats that have consumed aflatoxin-contaminated nuts.

GLP1 and GIP are involved in the action of synbiotics in broiler chickens

BackgroundIn order to discover new strategies to replace antibiotics in the post-antibiotic era in meat-type chicken production, two new synbiotics were tested: (Lactobacillus salivarius IBB3154 plus galactooligosaccharide (Syn1) and Lactobacillus plantarum IBB3036 plus raffinose family oligosaccharides (Syn2).MethodsThe synbiotics were administered via syringe, using a special automatic system, into the egg air chamber of Cobb 500 broiler chicks on the 12th day of egg incubation (2 mg of prebiotics + 105 cfu bacteria per egg). Hatched roosters (total 2,400) were reared on an experimental farm, kept in pens (75 animals per pen), with free access to feed and water. After 42 d animals were slaughtered. Blood serum, pancreas, duodenum and duodenum content were collected.ResultsSyn2 increased trypsin activity by 2.5-fold in the pancreas and 1.5-fold in the duodenal content. In the duodenum content, Syn2 resulted in ca 30% elevation in lipase activity and 70% reduction in amylase activity. Syn1 and Syn2 strongly decreased expression of mRNA for GLP-1 and GIP in the duodenum and for GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas. Simultaneously, concentrations of the incretins significantly diminished in the blood serum (P < 0.05). The decreased expression of incretins coincides with changed activity of digestive enzymes in the pancreas and in the duodenal content. The results indicate that incretins are involved in the action of Syn1 and Syn2 or that they may even be their target. No changes were observed in key hormones regulating metabolism (insulin, glucagon, corticosterone, thyroid hormones, and leptin) or in metabolic indices (glucose, NEFA, triglycerides, cholesterol). Additionally, synbiotics did not cause significant changes in the activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases in broiler chickens. Simultaneously, the activity of alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase diminished after Syn2 and Syn1, respectively.ConclusionThe selected synbiotics may be used as in ovo additives for broiler chickens, and Syn2 seems to improve their potential digestive proteolytic and lipolytic ability. Our results suggest that synbiotics can be directly or indirectly involved in incretin secretion and reception.

Biochemical basis for the age-related sensitivity of broilers to aflatoxin B1

In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying age-related susceptibility in broilers to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The results showed that AFB1 induced significant changes in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity & liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity at day 7, 21 and 42 relative to control group. However, AFB1-induced changes in serum biochemical parameters and liver antioxidant activities become less severe with increasing age of broilers. Particularly, liver cytosolic GST activity increases with the age of broilers, crucial for the detoxification of AFB1. The mRNA expression level of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes was significantly higher at day 7, and decreases at day 21 and 42. While, the mRNA expression level of liver GSTA3, GSTA4 and EPHX1 increases with age of broilers. Maximum AFB1 residues level was detected at day 42 relative to day 7 and 21. While, AFM1 residues level increases (p < 0.05) from day 7 to 21, but decreases (p > 0.05) at day 42. Most importantly, our data confirmed the efficient AFB1-bioactivation by CYP enzymes and deficient detoxification of GST enzymes at younger age (∼7-day old) compared to older age. In summary, the age-related changes particularly in phase-I and phase-II enzymes mainly responsible for AFB1 bioactivation and detoxification may be partially accountable for the increased susceptibility of younger broilers (∼7-day old) compared to older broilers.

Effect of colostrum composition on passive calf immunity in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of colostrum quality and composition on passive calf immunity in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows. Twenty-four primiparous and 24 multiparous dairy cows were used in this study. Calves born from primiparous dairy cows comprised the first group and calves born from multiparous dairy cows constituted the second group. After birth, colostrum samples were immediately taken from dairy cows. Venous blood samples were collected from the calves before the first colostrum intake and on the 2&lt;sup&gt;nd&lt;/sup&gt;, 7&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt;, 14&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; and 28&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; days after the first colostrum intake. Blood and colostrum samples were analysed for biochemical parameters, immunoglobulin and mineral levels. Fat and crude protein levels in colostrum were determined using the Gerber and Kjeldahl methods, respectively. Immunoglobulin levels in the colostrum of multiparous cows were significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) higher compared to primiparous cows while fat ratio, LDH activity, Ca, Mg, P and K levels were lower. There was a positive correlation among colostrum immunoglobulin, gamma-glutamyltransferase, crude protein and total protein. Serum immunoglobulin, total protein, globulin and gamma-glutamyltransferase activity in all calves were increased following the colostrum feeding. However, the serum immunoglobulin, total protein, globulin and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels in the second group of calves were higher than those of the first group of calves. There was a positive correlation among serum immunoglobulin, gamma-glutamyltransferase, globulin and total protein. Fe concentrations in all calves decreased over the course of 14 days and were lower in the second group of calves compared to the first group. In conclusion, the results of this study show that the colostrum quality of multiparous cows was better than that of primiparous cows. Colostrum crude protein, total protein, gamma-glutamyltransferase along with colostrum immunoglobulin might be used to determine colostrum quality. Serum immunoglobulin, total protein, globulin and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities could be used to determine the passive transfer status of calves.

Assessment of heavy metals around Abakaliki metropolis and potential bioaccumulation and biochemical effects on the liver, kidney, and erythrocyte of rats

ABSTRACTThis study investigated changes in kidney, liver and erythrocyte of male rats after exposure to ground water samples collected in the studied areas and treated water sample. Results reveal high levels of heavy metals in water from studied areas and a concomitant accumulation of metals in liver, kidney and blood of rats. Heavy metal contaminated underground water (HMCUW) caused a significant increase in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), including glutathione (GSH) levels. Principal component analysis implicated geogenic and anthropogenic factors for underground water contamination by heavy metals in the areas. However, activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), 51 nucleotidase (51NT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) significantly increased in kidney, liver and erythrocytes of rats compared with control group (p < 0.001). We observed significant (p < 0.001) increase in serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine levels compared to control. Heavy metals in HMCUW are above ambient levels and possess significant decrease in triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels. Histology revealed alterations in architecture of the kidney and liver. Prolonged exposure to HMCUW could induce oxidative damage in kidney, liver and erythrocyte which could elicit liver and kidney dysfunctions.

Кореляційний аналіз показників гемостазу і функціонального стану печінки за гострого калькульозного холециститу

Introduction.Acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) is characterized by the development of certain symptoms – from the local inflammatory process to significant functional disorders in the liver. The activity of the hemostasis system is directly related to the functional state of the liver, since hepatocytes are the main site for the synthesis of most proteins, in particular the proteins of the blood coagulation system.The aim of the study – to establish the relationship between the hemostasis system and the functional state of hepatocytes in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC), uncomplicated and complicated by obstructive jaundice (OJ) using a correlation analysis.Research methods.The subject of the study was plasma and serum of 47 patients with uncomplicated АСС (group I) and 32 patients with АСС with OJ (group II). For comparison, serum and blood plasma of 25 virtually healthy individuals, who were the control group, were examined. The parameters of the hemostasis system platelet count (prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), total fibrinogen concentration (TFC), soluble fibrin-monomer complexes (SFMC), antithrombin III (ATIII) and Hageman-dependent fibrinolysis activity were determined (HDF). The determination of indicators of the liver function of the catalytic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and cholinesterase (CHE) and the concentration of α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT),α2-macroglobulin (α2-MG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) was also made.Results and Discussion. The revealed correlations allow determining the degree of conjugacy of processes. The less the number of bonds is the weaker conjugacy of processes, the more flexible becomes the system that responds to the pathological change of the internal environment. The greatest number of correlation bonds was established in the control group of patients. In patients with ACC without complications, there was a tendency to decrease the number of bonds, where α1-AT correlated most withthe investigated parameters. The reduction of the amount and the change of the structure of correlation bonds were found in patients with ACC with OJ. A new correlation between the studied parameters in this group of patients has also been established.Conclusions.The established correlation bonds in uncomplicated ACC and complicated OJ indicate the tension of the adaptive mechanisms of the hemostasis system and the functional state of the liver when the inflammatory process complicates.

Post mortem aqueous humor analysis in sheep as index of ante mortem serum biochemistry profile

We investigated the usefulness of the concentration of total proteins, albumin, creatinine, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in aqueous humor in estimating the ante mortem levels of the same biochemical analytes in sheep blood. A blood sample was taken ante mortem and aqueous humor was collected 12 h post mortem from 63 sheep. Linear Regression Analysis was run to determine the equations predicting the serum value of each parameter based on the value determined in aqueous humor for those parameters that were significantly correlated. A strong relationship was found for Mg and creatinine concentration as well as for AST and GGT activities in aqueous humor and serum. Aqueous humor analysis of creatinine, Mg, AST and GGT levels can be used for the estimation of the corresponding concentration in blood, while, total proteins, albumin and Ca levels are of limited value.

Müller Cell Biological Processes Associated with Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Expression.

Müller cells provide support to photoreceptors under many conditions of stress and degeneration. Leukemia inhibitory factor is known to be expressed in Müller cells, which is necessary to promote photoreceptor survival in stress. We hypothesize that Müller cells that express LIF are undergoing other biological processes or functions which may benefit photoreceptors in disease. In this study, we analyze an existing single Müller cell microarray dataset to determine which processes are upregulated in Müller cells that express LIF, by correlating LIF expression to the expression of other genes using a robust correlation method. Some enriched processes include divalent inorganic cation homeostasis, negative regulation of stem cell proliferation, and gamma-glutamyl transferase activity.

Effects of Biochanin A on Resistin, Adiponectin and some stress oxidative markers in normal and STZ- Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Elevated serum level of adiponectin and insulin and decreased serum resistin can improve glucose metabolism. Biochanin A (BCA) is a flavonoid of Soybean that shows antioxidant properties. This study was aimed to examine the effect of BCA on FBS, oxidative stress and serum levels of adiponectin, resistin and insulin in rats with type 1 diabetes.Material and method: The rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6). BCA was administered orally in doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg of body weight. Insulin, resistin and adiponectin were measured using ELISA kits. The activity of Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the levels of Glutathione (GSH) were examined.Results: The results showed that BCA treatment significantly reduced the FBS level in diabetic rats (p<0.05). Serum insulin was significantly increased in the BCA treated diabetic rats (p<0.05). Moreover, GGT activity and GSH was significantly increased in treated rats (p<0.05). Our findings revealed that the administration of BCA significantly increased the serum adiponectin (p<0.05). Additionally, serum resistin levels were remarkably decreased in treated rats (p<0.05).Conclusion: Taken together, BCA represents a natural phytoestrogen that has an important role in improvement of glucose metabolism by regulating of adipokines secretion; also our findings revealed the beneficial effects of BCA against oxidative stress in diabetes

Metabolic Parameters in Obese Dogs Undergoing to the Diet with Calorie Restriction

Currently, canine obesity is a worldwide problem and is based on the excessive deposit of fat tissue, which plays an important role as a store of energy and endocrine organ. This study aimed to compare the values of systolic blood pressure, serum chemistry profile and glucose metabolism in eight obese dogs without endocrine diseases before and after 16 weeks of a weight loss program. A statistical difference was noticed in the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, glucose, cholesterol and insulin, before and after the program. Besides, there was a statistical difference between the moments in systolic blood pressure, body weight and body condition scale. Therefore, it was concluded that the use of a diet rich in fiber and protein is suitable for performing weight loss and obese dogs undergoing a weight loss program presented a significant reduction in blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin, blood cholesterol, serum activity of alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase.

The effect of black mulberry (Morus nigra) extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage

In this study, the effect of Morus nigra ( M. nigra ) on carbon tetrachloride (CCI 4 )-induced hepatic injury in the rat was investigated. A hepatotoxic rat model was developed by the injection of CCI 4 dissolved in soybean oil (1 mL/kg/twice a week, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection). Following the formation of hepatic injury, extracts of M. nigra at doses ranging from 150 to 300 mg/kg were administered to rats by i.p. injection for eight weeks. At the end of administration, rat livers were excised by dissection. The activities of liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were detected in the serum, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were established in the liver. Histological changes and immunohistochemical localization of caspase-3 and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) were performed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE Revised: December 6, 2017; Accepted: December 12, 2017; Published online: December 22, 2017 How to cite this article: Deniz GY, Laloglu E, Koc K, Nadaroglu H, Geyikoglu F. The effect of black mulberry ( Morus nigra ) extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage. Arch Biol Sci. 2018;70(2):371-8.

Serum Gamma Glutamyl Transferase Activity in Liver Diseases

AIM: The aim is to review about serum gamma Glutamyl transferase level in liver diseases. BACKGROUND: Serum Gamma glutamyl transferase is a membrane bound glycoproteins enzyme,which catalysts the transfer of the gamma glutamyl moiety of glutathione to various peptide acceptor. Gamma glutamyl transferase is present in hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells, renal tubules, pancreas and intestine. Normal level of gamma glutamyl transferase is 9 - 85 u/L .GGT activity is widely used as a highly sensitive biochemical marker in the majority of malignant and non malignant liver diseases. Elevated GGT level of more than 10 times is observed in alcoholism and 2.3 times greater in non-alcoholic fatty acid liver disease. Some drugs and conditions interfere with GGT levels. GGT levels can be increased by alcohol phenytoin (Dilantin), an anti-seizure medication, and phenobarbitol, an antiseizure medication and sedative, and decreased by clofibrate, an anticholesterol drug, and birth control pills. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the review is to address the role of serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity in liver diseases. REASON: Serum gamma Glutamyl transferase also used as a bio marker for various liver disease. So it's necessary for the medical professionals to take serum GGT into account for diagnosis of liver disease.

Relationship between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activity and cardiometabolic risk factors in metabolic syndrome.

Objectives:The objective of this study was to examine the associations of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in Saudi adults.Methods:The study comprised 400 participants (70 men and 330 women), aged between 40 and 88 years, randomly selected from the medicine clinics at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a cross-sectional study design. A standardized questionnaire was used to determine demographics variables, general health, lifestyle habits, and medical history. Anthropometric and biochemical variables measurements were taken for all study participants. MetS was defined according to the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute report, by the presence of abdominal obesity.Results:Higher means for triglycerides and insulin resistance indices (P < 0.0001) was found among those in the second, third, and fourth GGT quartiles as compared with their counterparts in the first quartile. McAuley index (β = −0.239, P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval: −4.1–−1.5) was shown to be a major determinant of circulating GGT in a multivariate analysis.Conclusion:Elevated serum GGT could be a cardiometabolic risk factor either as a mediator of low-grade systemic inflammation and as a mediator of oxidative stress through mediation of extracellular glutathione transport into cells of organ systems.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Senna occidentalis Leaves on Haematological and Liver Biochemical Parameters in Wistar Rats

This study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of Senna occindentalis leaves on some biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. Twenty albino rats equally divided into four experimental groups were used. One group served as control and received the carrier solvent treatment. Three test groups were treated with S. occidentalis extract at 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg body weight respectively. The experiment lasted for 14 days after which the rats were sacrificed and blood collected for biochemical and haematological evaluation. Liver-body weight ratio was computed and liver histoarchitecture was investigated. The results showed that all haematological parameters were significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected except the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume. There were also significant (P&lt;0.05) alterations in the activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as the levels of total protein, albumin and globulin in the serum. No significant (P&gt;0.05) alterations were observed in the computed liver-body weight ratio but marked alterations in histoarchitecture of the liver cells were present. These alterations in the haematological parameters, liver function enzymes and histological evaluation suggest a selective toxicity of the extract on the animals.

Sonographic Evaluation of Liver Hemodynamic Indices in Overweight and Obese Dogs.

BackgroundHepatic circulatory disturbances have been associated with obesity and fatty liver in humans. In the veterinary literature, however, there is limited information regarding the effects of different body condition scores (BCS) on liver hemodynamic indices in dogs.ObjectivesTo investigate the influence of BCS on liver hemodynamic indices.AnimalsFifty‐three client‐owned dogs of various breeds were included.MethodsProspective observational study. Dogs were divided into 3 BCS groups using a 5‐point scale: G1 – 12 ideal dogs, G2 – 21 overweight dogs, G3 – 20 obese dogs. Mean portal velocity (MPV), portal blood flow volume (PBFV), portal congestion index (PCI), hepatic artery resistivity index (HARI), and hepatic vein (HV) spectral wave were obtained by pulsed Doppler sonography. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were determined. Liver enzymes activities and liver hemodynamic indices were compared among groups.ResultsObese dogs had lower MPV, higher percentage of abnormal hepatic vein spectral wave and higher median ALP activity than did ideal dogs (P < 0.05). Overweight and obese dogs had lower PBFV than ideal dogs (P < 0.01). Overweight dogs had higher median GGT activity than ideal dogs (P < 0.05). No difference was observed for PCI, HARI and median ALT activity among the groups.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceObesity was associated with changes in portal vein indices and in HV spectral wave. These changes were accompanied by significant differences in some liver enzymes activities and could be a sign of early liver disease.

Serum ischemia modified albumin is a possible new marker of oxidative stress in phenylketonuria.

The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of phenylketonuria (PKU)-associated disorders has been implicated. Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) is a modified form of serum albumin, which is produced under the conditions of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to measure the serum level of IMA in the PKU patients and to investigate its ability in predicting the status of oxidative stress in these patients. Fifty treated-PKU patients and fifty age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in the study. The blood samples were obtained and the serum level of phenylalanine (Phe) was measured using reverse phase HPLC method. The levels of IMA, malondialdehyde (MDA), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity, and uric acid (UA) were determined using colorimetric methods. The levels of serum Phe, IMA, and MDA were significantly higher (p < 0.001) and the level of UA (p < 0.05) was lower in the PKU patients compared to control group. Serum IMA level was positively correlated with MDA (r = 0.585, p < 0.001) and UA (r = 0.6, p < 0.001). An inverse relationship was observed between the serum level of IMA and Phe (r = - 0.410, p < 0. 01). Results of the present study suggest that serum IMA level could be used as a novel marker for the evaluation of oxidative stress in the PKU patients.

Evaluation of liver function by means of serum cytokeratin 18 and hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with obstructive jaundice

Objective: To evaluate the serum levels of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in obstructive jaundice patients before and after treatment and thereby to detect the possible role of CK18 and HGF in patients with obstructive jaundice.Patients and methods: Forty patients who had obstructive jaundice and 40 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Patients were treated using percutaneous, endoscopic or surgical approaches. Blood samples were obtained at the day before and 7 days after the intervention for obstructive jaundice. Serum HGF and CK18 concentrations were determined by ELISA method.Results: There were statistically significant decreases in HGF, CK18, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin serum levels, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities and white blood cell count when compared with pre-treatment levels.Conclusion: Evaluating pre- and post-treatment serum HGF and CK18 levels suggested that there was an apoptosis in obstructive jaundice patients and this apoptosis decreased after the decompression of the biliary tract. We also demonstrated that HGF levels were altered at biliary obstruction compared to healthy controls and the levels of this biomarker also decreased after decompression of biliary obstruction. We concluded that these biomarkers can be used as predictors of liver injury in biliary obstruction.

The Ameliorative Antioxidant Role of Quercetin in Experimental Model of non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Male Rats

Quercetin (QUR) is a polyphenolic phytochemical flavonoid, it is a strong reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger and good metal chelator, rich in phenolic hydroxyl groups that have strong antioxidant activity. For the present study, the strong antioxidant activity of QUR on several biochemical parameters in blood and liver of male rats exposed to high fat diet (HFD) induced non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), were investigated. Sixty white male albino rats weighting 150 - 200 gm were used in this study. The rats were divided into four equal groups. 1) Normal group: received no drugs. 2) NASH group: received HFD daily for 12 weeks. 3) NASH + Quercetin group: received HFD daily for 3 months then QUR treatment (50 mg/kg body weight) through intraperitoneal route (i.p) daily for 10 weeks after induction of NASH. Blood and liver samples were collected from all animal groups two times, after the 6 th and 10th week of treatment period. Serum was separated for determination of serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma Glutamyl-Transferase (γ-GT) activities and Albumin, Total Protein, Total Bilirubin, Total Cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations. Levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT), were determined in liver tissues. Extent of oxidative stress was also assessed by hepatic lipid peroxides (MDA). The obtained results revealed that, HFD supplementation exhibited a significant increase in: 1) serum ALT, AST, ALP and γ-GT activities, in addition to Total Bilirubin, Total Cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations. 2) Liver MDA concentration. QUR administration in NASH rats exhibited a significant increase in all mentioned parameters. On contrast, HFD supplementation exhibited a significant decrease in serum Albumin and Total Protein, also marked depletion in liver GSH, CAT and SOD, were observed. QUR administration in NASH rats exhibited significant increase in all mentioned parameters. From the obtained results, it could be concluded that, the potential of QUR as natural antioxidant act as a powerful agent against the harmful effects of NASH

Biochemical Effect of Silymarin Treatment on Blood and Tissue Parameters in Experimental non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Rats

Non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a pathological condition characterized by accumulation of lipids in the liver of non alcoholic individuals and consequent oxidative stress leading to cirrhosis of liver in the long run. Silymarin is a unique flavonoid complex extract isolated from seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum) and has strong antioxidant and radical scavenging properties. The present research aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of silymarin (Slym) as natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory on liver tissue of male rats exposed to experimental model of non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) induced by supplementation of high fat diet (HFD) for 3 months, Through evaluation of serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma Glutamyl-Transferase (γ-GT) activities and Albumin, Total Protein, Total Bilirubin, Total Cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations. Levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT), were determined in liver tissues. Extent of oxidative stress was also assessed by hepatic lipid peroxides (MDA). HFD supplementation induced a significant increase in 1) serum ALT, AST, ALP and γ-GT activities, in addition to Total Bilirubin, Total Cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations. 2) Liver MDA concentration. On contrast, it exhibited a significant decrease in serum Albumin and Total Protein, also marked depletion in liver GSH, CAT and SOD, were observed after HFD supplementation. Silymarin treatment was able to mitigate and ameliorate hepatic NASH induced by HFD and showed pronounced curative effect against lipid peroxidation and deviated serum enzymatic variables as well as maintained glutathione status and antioxidant enzymes toward control levels. Silymarin treatment was highly effective against HFD induced NASH. The results of the present study suggest that silymarin has the potential to exert curative effects against liver NASH.