Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transminase Research Articles

Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity of Leaves Extract of Pithecellobium Dulce In Experimental Animals

Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of leaves extract of Pithecellobiumdulce in experimental rats.
 Methods: For the generation of Hepatotoxicity ,paracetamol (2g/kg) was administered orally for 7days, accompanied by a 7-day dose of Ethanolic extract of Pithecellobiumdulceleaves(100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and400mg/kg, p.o.)using 1 % w/v CMC as a vehicle.
 Results: From the present investigation, it was observed that ethanolic extract of Pithecellobium dulce have shown significant reduction in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (SGOT),serum glutamate pyruvate transminase (SGPT),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) triglyceride, bilirubin level in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.
 Conclusion: The findings in this study revealed the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of Pithecellobiun dulce against hepatotoxicity activity.
 

TOXICOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ACTIVITIES OF FATTY ACIDS AGAINST EARIAS INSULANA (BOISD.)( LEPIDOPTERA : NOCTUIDAE)

The activity of three C18 fatty acids (oleic, stearic and linoleic acids) was conducted under laboratory conditions on 1st instar larvae of spiny bollworm, Earias insulana (Biosd.). The results showed that oleic and stearic acid were more effective than linoleic acid with different concentrations. Results of the latent effect of LC50 concentrations for the three tested fatty acids showed that all the acids elongate the larval & pupal period than control of SBW. Furthermore, stearic acid introduce the shortest larval and pupal duration (18.93days and10.19 days, respectively) than the other two tested acids. Studying biochemical and enzymatic activities in the resulted 4th instar larvae of E. insulana after treatment with the LC50 concentration cleared that linoleic acid recorded increasing in total protein content (46.93%). In contrast, oleic and stearic acid showed reduction (-28.49&-1.96, respectively). Total carbohydrates and total lipids contents decreased in the three treatments compared to the control. The highest decrease in carbohydrates content recorded in oleic acid treatment (-31.37%) while, stearic acid recorded the highest decrease in total lipids content (-35.29%). Also, enzymes activity cleared that Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased in the oleic, stearic and linoleic acids treatments (33.23, 108.6 and 51.24%, respectively) and Glutamic oxaloacetic transminase (GOT) activity was increased by 22.35% in stearic acid treatment ; while it decreased in case of oleic and linoleic acids treatments (-35.53 and -23.71%, respectively). Glutamic pyruvic transminase (GPT) was decreased (-38.59%) in the stearic acid treatment while it increased slightly in oleic and linoleic acids treatments (8.48 & 12.79%, respectively) when compared with control

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potential of Swaras and Hima Extracts of Tinospora cordifolia and Boerhavia diffusa in Swiss albino Mice.

Background:In Ayurveda, five basic extraction procedures are mentioned in order of their decreasing potency. Swaras is considered as the most potent followed by, kalka, kwatha, fanta and hima.Objective:Present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of swaras and hima extracts of T.cordifolia and B. diffusa.Materials and Methods:Swaras and hima extracts of T. cordifolia and B. diffusa were prepared. Phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activities was carried out using standard methods. Hepatoprotective efficacy of extracts were carried out in Swiss albino mice using paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. Animals were administered with swaras and hima extracts of both plants at 200 mg/kg BW dose for 7 days and on 8th day hepatotoxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of paracetamol at 500 mg/kg BW. The degree of liver protection was determined by measuring the levels of liver enzymes followed by histopathology.Results and Discussion:The results of phytochemical, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities showed that there were no significant difference between swaras and hima extracts. Both the extract of T. cordifolia were equally potent in reducing SGOT (P < 0.01) and ALP level (P < 0.001). Similar effects were observed with the Swaras and hima extracts of B. diffusa. Both the extracts reduced SGOT and ALP (P < 0.01). Histopathological findings among all the extracts were also more or less similar in lowering the paracetamol mitigated necrosis.Conclusion:The present study suggested that T. cordifolia and B. diffusa possess potential hepatoprotective activity irrespective of the extraction procedure.SUMMARY Aqueous extracts of Tinospora cordifolia and Boerhavia diffusa exhibited significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective activitiesAqueous extracts of both the plants were extracted using different extraction procedures mentioned in AyurvedaSwaras and hima extracts of both the plants significantly reduced the deleterious effects of paracetamol, suggesting that both the plant extracts are equipotentAcute toxicity of both the plant extracts did not produce any toxic effects. Abbreviations used: TC swaras: T. cordifolia swaras; TC hima: T. cordifolia hima; BD swaras: B. diffusa swaras; BD hima: B. diffusa hima; BW: Body weight; LDL: Low-density lipoprotein; HDL: High-density lipoprotein; SGOT: Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transminase; SGPT: Serum glutamate pyruvate transminase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; I.P: Intraperitoneal; TAC: Total antioxidant capacity; DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; TCA: Trichloro acetic acid; NO: Nitric oxide; TPC: Total phenolic content; NAPQI: N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine; PCM: Paracetamol.

Malachite green (Triarylmethane dye) and Pyceze (Bronopol) induced histopathological and biochemical changes in the liver of a catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.)

Malachite green is one of the most widely used therapeutant and disinfectant in aquaculture. Pyceze is a pharmaceutical alternative to malachite green with bronopol as its active ingredient. The present study evaluated the effect of malachite green and pyceze on liver histology and selected biochemical parameters indicating liver function in Heteropneustes fossilis . Fishes were exposed to sublethal doses of malachite green and pyceze and the biochemical parameters viz ., serum bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transminase (SGPT) were estimated. After 24 and 96 h exposure, tissue samples of liver were fixed for histological studies. The level of serum bilirubin, SGOT and SGPT increased significantly after 24 and 96 h of exposure to both malachite green and pyceze. Hepatocytes of liver exposed to both malachite green and pyceze were irregularly shaped, with vacuolated cytoplasm, enlarged nucleus and ruptured cell membrane. However, these symptoms were more prominent in the liver tissues of fish exposed to malachite green than those exposed to pyceze. The present study clearly indicated that the detrimental effects are less pronounced in case of pyceze exposure than that of malachite green exposure. Thus, pyceze can be considered as a relatively safe alternative to malachite green as a therapeutant in aquaculture.

Hepatoprotective activity of Somanathi Tamra Bhasma in paracetamol induced liver toxicity in albino- rats

To Investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Somanathi Tamra Bhasma against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotective activity of Somanathi Tamra Bhasma was tested against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. The degree of protection was determined by measuring levels of serum marker enzymes like serum glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (SGOT), Serum glutamate pyruvate transminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphate (ALP) etc., and histopasthological studies. Silymarin was used as standard drug for comparison. Administrationof Somanathi Tamra Bhasma (67.5 mg/1kg. Bd. Wt.) markedly prevented paracetamol induced elevation of levels of SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphate etc,. The results are comparable to that ofsilymarin. A comparative histopathological study of liver exhibited almost normal architecture as compared to control group. Treatment with Somanathi Tamra Bhasma significantly reduced the paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. A comparative histological study of liver from different groups further confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of Somanathi Tamra Bhasma.

Studies on Some Enzyme Activities in Laminated and Germinal Layers of Hydatid Cysts Isolated From Different Intermediate Hosts in Zakho, Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The current study deals with some enzyme activities in laminated and germinal layers of hydatid cysts isolated from liver and lungs of infected sheep, goats and cattle slaughtered in Zakho abattoirs and cysts isolated from humans. The activities of the enzymes, acid phosphatases (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (GOT) and glutamate Pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were measured in cysts isolated from both liver and lungs of infected sheep, goats, cattle and humans. The activities of all of these enzymes were higher in laminated layer as compared with their activities in germinal layer, however in general infected host tissue showed the highest enzymatic activities as compared with hydatid cyst.

Pharmacological evaluation of mangiferin herbosomes for antioxidant and hepatoprotection potential against ethanol induced hepatic damage

Context: Fatty liver is the first stage of alcoholic damage which is reversible with abstinence from alcohol. Mangiferin (MF) showed potent scavenging activity on diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals which stimulate liver regeneration in various liver injuries.Objective: Although, MF shows hepatoprotection against various liver disorders but due to rapid clearance and limited solubility in lipoid environment, there is problem of its poor absorption from intestine hence poor bioavailability. Owing to which there is a need to develop MF herbosomes to resolve the problem of poor bioavailability to enhance the therapeutic potential.Methods: Successfully prepared MF herbosomes through complexation with phospholipids were characterized by physicochemical, chromatography, spectroscopy (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared (IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)), ex vivo absorption using everted small intestine sac technique and in vivo studies using ethanol inducing hepatotoxicity in albino rats and comparing the results against plain MF.Results: Ex vivo study showed significant increased absorption of MF from prepared MF herbosomes as compared to plain MF. The hepatoprotective potential of MF herbosomes evaluated by in vivo study revealed significantly decreased levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transminase (SGPT), total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in MF herbosomes as compared to plain MF. MF herbosomes also showed significantly decreased level of malonyl dehydrogenase along with increased levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase as compared to plain MF which was also comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (SL).Conclusion: The above mentioned results showed that hepatoprotective and antioxidant potency of MF enhanced due to the preparation of its herbosomes.

Analysis of genetic diversity in mango ( Mangifera indica L.) using isozymetic polymorphism

The isozymetic study was designed for assessing the genetic diversity among the selected mango cultivars/genotype available in Bangladesh. All the isozymes, used in the present study showed polymorphism for mango. A total of 25 different electrophoretic zymotypes were observed for three isozymes studied. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, malate dehydrogenase and peroxidase analysis possessed 8, 10 and 7 zymotypes, respectively, and genotypes were grouped into different electrophoretic zymotypes which indicated higher level of genetic diversity of mango. For glutamate oxaloacetate transminase, G6 was the most common zymotypes whereas G3, G5, and G8 were found in few cases. Similarly, M8 and M6 in malate dehydrogenase as well as P6 and P5 in peroxidase were found more frequent while other zymotypes in both isozymes were less frequent. Frequency was very few for one zymotype in all cases of three isozymes such as, G8, M10 and P7. Cluster analysis through UPGMA dendogram using isozymes electrophoretic pattern provided strong information about existence of variability among the genotypes of mango. Based on Euclidean distance, a dendogram was constructed using banding pattern of 60 mango genotypes developed through three isozymes activities. The dendogram showed eight major clusters designated as I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII. The results generated with isoenzyme will be helpful in improvement as well as may guide us in designing strategies that maximize the utility of genetic resources. Key words: Polymorphism, isozyme, mango, genetic diversity, variety.

Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai in induced liver injury model in Wistar rats

This study was performed to examine the effect of ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (AE) and Acanthoic acid (AA) in D‐galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (D‐GalN/LPS) liver injury model in 6 week‐old Wistar rat. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (Normal control, AE0%, AE1%, AE3%, AA) based on body weight. After the experimental diets were fed for 15 days, the experimental groups were injected D‐GalN (250mg/kg b.w)/LPS (10ug/kg b.w). Liver injury was assessed by plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transminase (GOT) and glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities. We evaluated the inflammation indicators, such as TNF‐alpha, IL‐6, and NO. In the AE and AA treat groups, GPT, TNF‐alpha, IL‐6 in plasma significantly reduced as well as NO in the liver. Results of this study revealed that ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai could afford a significant protection against liver injury. This experiment suggests that ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai can be available for enhancing liver condition as a functional food. *This study was supported by JEJU TECHNOPARK (Project No.2011‐0655‐1)

English

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was exposed to diazinon to determine the lethal concentration (LC50) values at different times and effects of sub-lethal concentrations on haematological and biochemical parameters. The LC50&nbsp;values at varying times were recorded as high as 18.57 mg/l (24 h), 14.87 mg/l (48 h), 12.29 mg/l (72 h) and 9.76 mg/l (96 h). Fishes exposed to sub-lethal concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/l) for four weeks revealed that the pesticide causes alterations in various blood parameters. Red blood cell (RBC) counts, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit values increased whereas white blood cell (WBC) count decreased. Plasma glucose level, glutamate-oxaloacetate transminase (PGOT) and plasma glutamate pyruvate transminase (PGPT) activities increased in the fish exposed to diazinon. Protein level in plasma and glycogen in liver and muscles were found to decrease in treated fish with diazinon.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; keyword:&nbsp;Bioassay, Biochemical and Haematological Changes, Diazinon,Cyprinus carpio

High Temperature at Grain-filling Stage Affects Nitrogen Metabolism Enzyme Activities in Grains and Grain Nutritional Quality in Rice

Rice plants would more frequently suffer from high temperature (HT) stress at the grain-filling stage in future. A japonica rice variety Koshihikari and an indica rice variety IR72 were used to study the effect of high temperature on dynamic changes of glutamine synthetase (GS) activity, glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity, glutamic oxalo-acetic transminase (GOT) activity, glutamate pyruvate transminase (GPT) activity in grains and grain nutritional quality at the grain-filling stage. Under HT, the activities of GOGAT, GOT, GPT and soluble protein content in grains significantly increased, whereas GS activity significantly decreased at the grain-filling stage. In addition to the increase of protein and amino acids contents, it was suggested that GOGAT, GOT and GPT in grains played important roles in nitrogen metabolism at the grain-filling stage. Since the decrease of GS activity in grains did not influence the accumulations of amino acids and protein, it is implied that GS might not be the key enzyme in regulating glutamine content in grains.

Isozyme and DNA Analyses of Local Citrus Germplasm on Amami Islands, Japan

Genetic relationships among local Citrus accessions on the Amami islands, Japan, were evaluated using isozyme, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) analyses. Four loci were detected for three enzymes examined in isozyme analysis. Four and three kinds of genotypes were detected in glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (GOT)-1 and GOT-2, respectively. At least six genotypes were observed in peroxidase (PX). All accessions showed the same genotype except for one accession of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-3. In general, accessions that belong to the same species or type showed identical genotypes; however, some diversity of genotypes was observed within the same species and type. On the basis of the RAPD data, genetic relationships were assessed using NJ cluster analysis. From this result, accessions could be classified into three major clusters, A, B, and C. Cluster A included C. nobilis (Kunenbo), C. keraji (‘Keraji-Kikaijima’ and Kabuchii), C. oto (Oto), ‘Keraji-Kakeromajima’, and ‘Oto-Okinoerabujima’. Cluster B included only control accessions. Cluster C could be divided into four subclusters as follows: subcluster C. depressa (Shiikuwasha), some Sour orange relatives such as ‘Fusuu’ and ‘Kusa’, ‘Kikaimikan-Okinoerabujima’, and ‘Shimamikan’. Accessions were classified into three types in cpDNA analysis. Type I included C. nobilis (Kunenbo), C. keraji (‘Keraji-Kikaijima’ and Kabuchii), C. oto (Oto), ‘Keraji-Kakeromajima’, ‘Oto-Okinoerabujima’, and C. rokugatsu. Type II was composed of C. depressa (Shiikuwasha), ‘Kikaimikan-Okinoerabujima’, ‘Kusa’, and ‘Shiikuu’. Type III consisted of only ‘Shimamikan’. All mandarin accessions that were determined to belong to cluster A in RAPD analysis were included in type I of cpDNA analysis. Meanwhile, mandarins in types II and III in cpDNA analysis consisted of accessions in cluster C of RAPD analysis.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of the fruits of coccinia grandis linn

Purpose: To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of alcoholic extract of the fruits of Coccinia grandis Linn (Curcubitaceae) using carbon tetra chloride (CCl4)- induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: The levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruate transminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, total and direct bilirubin were evaluated in experimental rats (with or without CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity) following administration of alcoholic extract of the fruits of C. grandis using standard procedures. The potency of the extract was compared with standard silymarin at a dose of 100 mg/kg p.o. Histopathology of the liver tissues of the animals treated with the extract was also studied. Results: At a dose level of 250 mg/kg, the alcoholic extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased the activities of serum enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, and ALP) and bilirubin which were comparable to that of silymarin. Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of the fruits of C. grandis offers protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rats. Keywords: CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity; Coccinia grandis; hepatoprotective effect; silymarin

Amelioration effects against N-nitrosodiethylamine and CCl(4)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Swiss albino rats by whole plant extract of Achyranthes aspera.

Objective:The prevalence of oxidative stress may be implicated in the etiology of many pathological conditions. Protective antioxidant action imparted by many plant extracts and plant products make them a promising therapeutic drug for free-radical-induced pathologies. In this study, we assessed the antioxidant potential and suppressive effects of Achyranthes aspera by evaluating the hepatic diagnostic markers on chemical-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.Materials and Methods:The in vivo model of hepatocarcinogenesis was studied in Swiss albino rats. Experimental rats were divided into five groups: control, positive control (NDEA and CCl4), A. aspera treated (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.w.). At 20 weeks after the administration of NDEA and CCl4, treated rats received A. aspera extract (AAE) at a dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg once daily route. At the end of 24 weeks, the liver and relative liver weight and body weight were estimated. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were assayed. The hepatic diagnostic markers namely serum glutamic oxaloacetic transminase (AST), serum glutamic pyruvate transminase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and bilirubin (BL) were also assayed, and the histopathological studies were investigated in control, positive control, and experimental groups.Results:The extract did not show acute toxicity and the per se effect of the extract showed decrease in LPO, demonstrating antioxidant potential and furthermore no change in the hepatic diagnosis markers was observed. Administration of AAE suppressed hepatic diagnostic and oxidative stress markers as revealed by decrease in NDEA and CCl4 -induced elevated levels of SGPT, SGOT, SALP, GGT, bilirubin, and LPO. There was also a significant elevation in the levels of SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, and GSH as observed after AAE treatment. The liver and relative liver weight were decreased after treatment with AAE in comparison to positive control group. The architecture of hepatic tissue was normalized upon treatment with extract at different dose graded at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. b.w. in comparison to positive control group.Conclusion:These results suggest that A. aspera significantly alleviate hepatic diagnostic and oxidative stress markers which signify its protective effect against NDEA and CCl4-induced two-stage hepatocarcinogenesis.

Effect of Fermented Soybean-Derived Chungkookjang on Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia in Bio F1B Hamsters

This study investigated the lipid-lowering effects of fermented soybean-derived chungkookjang (CKJ) in hyperlipidemic Bio F1B hamsters. The animals were divided into three groups of nine hamsters each [normal diet, high-cholesterol diet (HC-diet), chungkookjang + high-cholesterol diet (CKJ + HC-diet)]. After an eight-week experimental period, the hamsters were made to fast for 20 h, and blood was collected from the abdominal artery under ether anesthesia. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), atherogenic index (A.I.), serum glutamate oxaloacetate and pyruvate transminase (SGOT and SGPT), total protein, and albumin in the serum were determined. The HC-diet induced hyperlipidemic hamster model, which showed increases in TC, TG, HDL-C, and in the A.I., was employed. The hamsters that were administered CKJ showed significant reductions in these levels, compared with the HC-diet induced hyperlipidemic group. The CKJ diet, moreover, effected a significant reductions in SGOT and SGPT.

Hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effects of flaxseed chutney: Evidence from animal studies

Rats fed with hypercholesterolemic diet showed a significant increase in serum total-cholesterol, liver homogenate total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and changed LDL-cholesterol, and HDL/LDL ratio in comparison to control. Flaxseedchutney (FC) supplemented diet (15%, w/w) was found to be more effective in restoring lipid profile changes in rats fed with cholesterol, (1.0%). The activities of serum marker enzymes glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were elevated significantly in carbon tetrachloride induced rats. Administration of flaxseedchutney (15%, w/w) resulted in depletion of serum marker enzymes and exhibited recoupment thus showing significant hepatoprotective effect. It was observed that flaxseedchutney supplemented diet could lower the serum cholesterol and as a potential source of antioxidants it could exert protection against hepatotoxic damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in rats.

Toxic effects of povidone–iodine on synovial cell and articular cartilage

The objective of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of povidone-iodine (PVI). A series of MTT assay of cultured synovial cells stimulated by PVI have been made. Test for assay of membrane-toxic effect of PVI and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has also been carried out. After making intraarticular injection into rats' hind knee joints with 0.1 ml of PVI every day for 1 week, we have extracted the knee joints and blood from rats in four divided groups on the 0, 1st, 3rd, and 7th day. Our microscopic analysis was performed that cartilage and synovium membrane were stained with hematoxylin, toluidine blue, and safranin O. Iodine, glutamic oxaloacetic transminase, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and LDH in rat sera have been measured. We were able to confirm cytotoxicity in the synovial cells placed in PVI concentration of more than 6.25 x 10(-2)%. In comparison with the positive control, LDH, in this case, was released at the concentration level of 33.3%. Independent of period of stimulation, LDH was released the most in the PVI concentration of 6.25 x 10(-2). The histopathological analysis of articular cartilage has indicated clear morphological alterations in rats' synovium; especially, toluidine blue staining and safranin O staining were seen in the metachromasia of articular cartilage. However, no fissures or erosive changes in the articular cartilage, which were usually observable in the case of osteoarthritis, were observed. In the synovium inflammatory cells, which were mainly plasma cells and lymphoid cells, no neutrophils were infiltrated. The degree of infiltration has increased steadily day by day. Fibrin deposition has been observed even in the synovium of 1-day stimulation. On the 7th day, a serum total iodine concentration has been 544 microg/dl, 4,440 IU/ml for CPK concentration, and 2,049 IU/ml for LDH concentration, while the control concentrations have been 7.1 microg/dl, 491 IU/ml, and 700 IU/ml, respectively. Our experiment has disclosed that PVI preparation is strongly cytotoxic to synovial cell and articular cartilage.

Antioxidant effect of MCI-186, a new Free-Radical scavenger, on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat hindlimb amputation model

Background A newly synthesized free-radical scavenger, MCI-186 (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5–1), was recently approved in Japan for treating acute brain infarction. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not MCI-186 is effective in reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury in the extremities. Materials and methods Warm ischemia was sustained for 4 hours. The animals were divided into 4 groups: (1) sham group, (2) control group (saline injection), (3) MCI group (MCI-186 injection), and (4) EPC group (EPC-K1 [( l-ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro-2, 5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl hydrogen phosphate] potassium salt], a hydroxyl-radical scavenger, injection). Wet and dry (W/D) weights of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, muscle contractile function, and serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamic oxaloacetic transminase (GOT), and mitochondrial glutamic oxaloacetic transminase (GOT-m) were measured after 24 h of reperfusion. The cytotoxic aldehydes malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal as indices of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and neutrophil-specific enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) as an index of neutrophil infiltration, were measured in the gastrocnemius muscle. Results Contractile functions in the MCI and EPC groups were significantly better than in the control group. In the tibialis anterior muscle, the contractile function was better in the MCI group than in the EPC group. W/D ratios and serum levels of CPK, LDH, GOT, and GOT-m were lower in the sham and MCI groups than in the control group. Levels of LPO and MPO activity were significantly lower in the MCI and EPC groups than in the control group. Histological findings demonstrated that inflammatory tissue reactions rarely occurred in the MCI group. Conclusion MCI-186 is effective in preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury in extremities. MCI-186 seems to have promise as a therapeutic agent, because it prevents ischemia-reperfusion injury even in the tibialis anterior muscle, which contains fast-twitch glycolytic fibers, known to be very susceptible to ischemic insult.

Protective effects of seaweeds against liver injury caused by carbon tetrachloride in rats

Three species of seaweeds collected from Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong, were screened for their hepatoprotective activity using carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced liver injury in the rat as a model of chemical hepatitis. A single oral dose of 1.25 ml/kg of CCl 4 was able to produce significantly elevated levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transminase (GOT). Administration of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg of aqueous extracts from Myagropsis myagroides, Sargassum henslowianum and S. siliquastrum, respectively, significantly reduced the CCl 4-induced acute elevation in the levels of GPT and GOT in rats. The same result was also seen in the histopathological study of liver tissue. The seaweed crude extracts probably acted to protect against CCl 4-induced liver injury through their antioxidant properties.

Somatic Hybridization Between N.tabacum (NR−, Km+) and N.sanderae. Hybrid Genome Constitution and Expression of Resistance to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

ABSTRACTLeaf mesophyll protoplasts of kanamicine resistant, nitrate reductase deficient mutant Nicotiana tabacum (NR−, Km+) were fused with leaf mesophyll protoplasts of wild type Nicotiana sanderae (wt). Somatic hybrid cell colonies were selected for kanamicine resistance and nitrate reductase proficiency. Nineteen independent cell lines, capable of growth in selection medium were obtained. From 14 of them shoots were regenerated and adapted in soil. All regenerants have intermediate plant and leaf morphology. The chromosome number for regenerants from six lines was determinated, as well as analyses of four isoenzymes: peroxidase, esterase, shikimate dehydrogenase and glutamate-oxaloacetate transminase were performed. Results show that all studied plants represent nuclear somatic hybrids, possessing entire genomes of both parents. Local lesion (hypersensitivity)—type resistance to TSWV has been observed in leaves of these somatic hybrid plants after virus inoculation.