Glutathione Reductase (GR), Glutathione Peroxidase Research Articles

Melatonin pretreatment modulates anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, YKL-40, and matrix metalloproteinases in endotoxemic rat lung tissue.

We aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin administered before and during endotoxemia on the lung tissue of rats, cytokine, YKL-40, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and inhibitor levels, oxidative stress parameters, and energy balance. Sepsis was induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the cell wall molecule of gram negative bacteria. Rats were divided into four groups, Control, LPS (Escherichia coli O127:B8, 20 mg/kg), melatonin (10 mg/kg), and melatonin+LPS (M+LPS). After injections, lung tissues samples were taken for experimental analyses. YKL-40, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes levels were measured, high-energy components were analyzed; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), MMP-2, YKL-40, MMP-9, myeloperoxidase (MPO), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and interleukin (IL)-10 immunoreactivities were investigated. In LPS group, YKL-40, creatine phosphate (both, p < 0.05), SOD, GR, adenosine mono-phophate (AMP), adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) (for all, p < 0.01) were significantly decreased, while TBARS and adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) levels were increased (p < 0.01, p < 0.05; respectively) compared to other groups. MMP-2 and -9, TIMP-1, TNF-α, IL-10, and MPO immunoreactivity were investigated in LPS group. On the contrary, in M+LPS group, MMP-9, TIMP-1 immunoreactivities were not found and IL-10 and MMP-2 immunoreactivities were found with little involvement. In M+LPS group, YKL-40, GR, AMP, ATP, creatine phosphate (for all, p < 0.05), and SOD (p < 0.01) levels were significantly increased and TBARS levels were decreased (p < 0.05). In our study, we suggest that melatonin exerts a protective and curative effect by reducing the matrix metalloproteinase levels responsible for tissue damage balance, stimulating the release of antioxidant enzymes, regulating cytokines and energy balance during endotoxemia.

Dietary α-lipoic acid requirement and its effects on antioxidant status, carbohydrate metabolism, and intestinal microflora in oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan)

Alpha lipoic acid (α-LA) is not only a natural antioxidant, but also a key cofactor for the enzymes pyruvate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary α-lipoic acid on the growth, antioxidant status, carbohydrate metabolism, and intestinal microflora of prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense. A total of 1250 juvenile M. nipponense with an average body weight of 0.050 ± 0.003 g were randomly divided into five groups with three replicates (50 prawns per tank) for an 8-week feeding trial. The groups were fed with basal semi-purified diets containing α-lipoic acid at five different concentrations: 0 mg/kg (LA1), 500 mg/kg (LA2), 1000 mg/kg (LA3), 2000 mg/kg (LA4) and 4000 mg/kg (LA5). The results showed that the weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and the survival rate were significantly lower in LA5 than in other groups. Dietary α-lipoic acid at a concentration below 2000 mg/kg (LA4) significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased the glutathione (GSH) content in the hepatopancreas of M. nipponense, and significantly increased the activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, the MDA content in the hepatopancreas was higher in LA5 than in LA1. The prawns in the LA3 group showed the highest activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) and key enzymes in glycolysis (pyruvate kinase, PK; 6-phosphofructokinase, PFK; Hexokinase, HK), but lower activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) compared with those in LA1 and LA2. Analyses of gut microflora at the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level indicated that abundance (Chao index) and diversity (Simpson index) were lower in LA5 than in LA1 and LA3. The Shannon index's index was highest in LA5. The intestinal flora of M. nipponense comprised five main phyla and five main bacteria. The proportions of Proteobacteria and Citrobacter were higher in LA3 and LA5 than in LA1. The proportions of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes Aeromonas, Tyzzerella_3 and Mycobacterium were significantly higher in LA5 than in LA3 and LA1. In summary, dietary α-lipoic acid at an appropriate level (<2000 mg/kg) can improve the antioxidant capacity and carbohydrate metabolism of M. nipponense and modulate its intestinal microbiota without reducing growth performance. Excessive α-lipoic acid (4000 mg/kg) negatively affected the growth performance and antioxidant activity of M. nipponense. Calculations based on WG and SGR indicate that the optimal addition amount of α-lipoic acid for juvenile M. nipponense is 1354.8 mg/kg and 1329.92 mg/kg, respectively.

Non-Specific Immunity Associated Gut Microbiome in Aristichthys nobilis under Different Rearing Strategies.

To understand the intestinal microbial diversity and community structure of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) under different feeding strategies, 39 fish from three groups (A: 9 fish, natural live food only; B: 15 fish, natural live food + fish formulated feeds; C: 15 fish, natural live food + fish formulated feed + lactic acid bacteria) were obtained for the high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We first examined five non-specific immunity indications of the carp—lysozyme (LZM), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Interestingly, the composition of gut microbiota and related non-specific immune indices were affected by the feeding treatment of the bighead carp. Notably, all enzyme activity indexes were significantly different (p < 0.01) in the spleen and three enzyme activity indexes (LZM, GSH-PX, and SOD) had significant differences in the hepatopancreas (p < 0.001) of the carp from the three groups. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed higher diversity in groups B and C. Compared to group A, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased significantly and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes decreased significantly in groups B and C at the phylum level. Functional analysis revealed the association between non-specific immune indicators and import genera in the hepatopancreas and spleen of bighead carp. This study provides new insights into the gut microbiomes and non-specific immune of bighead carp.

Involvement of glutathione metabolism in Eichhornia crassipes tolerance to arsenic.

Aquatic macrophytes are potentially useful for phytoremediation programmes in environments contaminated by arsenic (As). Biochemical and physiological modification analyses in different plant parts are important to understand As tolerance mechanisms. The objective was to evaluate glutathione metabolism in leaves and roots of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms treated to As. Specimens of E.crassipes were cultured for 3days in Clark's nutrient solution containing 7μm As. The enzymes ATP sulphurylase (ATPS), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione sulphotransferase (GST) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS) activity, glutathione content, total protein and non-protein thiols were evaluated. The ATPS activity increased in roots. GR activity in leaves and GSH-Px in roots were lower. GST activity was higher in roots and lower in leaves, and γ-ECS activity was higher in leaves. Glutathione levels were lower, total thiol levels were higher and non-protein levels did not change in E.crassipes leaves and roots. Exposure to As increased enzyme activity involved with sulphur metabolism, such as ATPS. Higher GR activity and lower GSH-Px indicate increased glutathione conjugation to As due to increased GSH availability. The higher GST activity indicates its participation in As detoxification and accumulation through As GSH conjugation. Changes in glutathione and thiol levels suggest high phytochelatin synthesis. In conclusion, the increments in ATPS, GR, GST and γ-ECS activity indicate that these enzymes are involved in GSH metabolism and are part of the E.crassipes As detoxification mechanism.

Therapeutic effects of simvastatin on Galectin-3 and oxidative stress parameters in endotoxemic lung tissue.

Galectins constitute of a soluble mammalian β-galactoside binding lectin family, which play homeostatic roles in the regulation of the cell cycle, and apoptosis, in addition to their inflammatory conditions. Galectin-3 has an important role in the regulation of various inflammatory conditions including endotoxemia, and airway inflammation. Statins, the key precursor inhibitors of 3-hydroxyl-3-methyl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, may prevent the progression of inflammation in sepsis after prior statin treatment. Endotoxemia leads to the formation of oxidative stress parameters in proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA. In the present study, we aimed to show the effects of simvastatin on Galectin-3, and glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in lung tissue of rats which were treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) during the early phase of sepsis. Rats were divided into four groups as the control, LPS (20 mg/kg), simvastatin (20 mg/kg), and simvastatin+LPS group. Galectin-3 expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung tissue sections was demonstrated by using the immunohistochemistry methods. There were reduced densities, and the decreased number of Galectin-3 immunoreactivities in the simvastatin+LPS group compared with the LPS group in the pneumocytes, and in the bronchial epithelium of lung tissue. In the LPS group, GR, GSH-Px, and SOD were found lower than the levels in simvastatin-treated LPS group (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01 respectively) in the lung tissue. However, TBARS decreased in the simvastatin+LPS group compared with the levels in LPS group (P<0.001). Simvastatin attenuates LPS-induced oxidative acute lung inflammation, oxidative stress, and suppresses LPS-induced Galectin-3 expression in the lung tissue.

Supplemental effects of probiotic Bacillus subtilis fmbJ on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broiler chickens

This study aimed to investigate the supplemental effects of probiotic Bacillus subtilis fmbJ (BS fmbJ) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old male Arbor Acres (AA) broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 4 treatments and raised for 6 wk. Each treatment had 6 replicate pens with ten birds per replicate. Birds in the control group (CON) were fed diets without BS fmbJ and antibiotics. The BS groups were fed the basal diets with BS fmbJ at 2 × 1010 cfu/kg (BS-1 group), BS fmbJ at 3 × 1010 cfu/kg (BS-2 group), BS fmbJ at 4 × 1010 cfu/kg (BS-3 group) without antibiotics for 42 d. In the study, dietary supplementation with BS fmbJ significantly improved (P < 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers from 21 to 42 d and 1 to 42 d. At 42 d, the final body weight was increased (P < 0.05) in BS-2 group compared with that in CON. Dietary BS fmbJ significantly increased (P < 0.05) serum IgA and IgG concentrations of broilers after 42 days raising. The glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of serum and liver were increased (P < 0.05), and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) contents in serum and liver were decreased (P < 0.05) by BS fmbJ added into the broiler diets. Dietary supplementation with BS fmbJ significantly decreased (P < 0.05) reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents in liver mitochondria of broilers. Additionally, the expression of antioxidant enzyme gene including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were improved (P < 0.05) by BS fmbJ added into the broiler diets. Among measuring items of chicken breast meat quality, the drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, L*24 h, a*24 h, b*45 min, and b*24 h values were influenced (P < 0.05) by BS fmbJ provided in the diet. Based on these results, Bacillus subtilis fmbJ could be acted as a beneficial feed additive with antioxidant capacity in broiler diets.

The Effects of Dietary Flavonoid Supplementation on the Antioxidant Status of Laying Hens

ABSTRACT Ninety-six 28-week-old Lohmann White laying hens were utilized to test the antioxidant effects of flavonoids (hesperidin, naringin, and quercetin at 0.5 g/kg diet) during an 8-wk experimental period. At the end of the experiment blood samples were collected to determine total protein, cholesterol, and malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels as well as activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione- S -transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and level of glutathione (GSH) in erythrocyte lysates. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Naringin supplementation did not alter serum cholesterol concentration, whereas hesperidin and quercetin supplementations decreased serum cholesterol concentration. Naringin and quercetin supplementations did not affect serum protein concentration. All flavonoids decreased MDA concentration as well as increased GSH-Px, GR, GST, and SOD activities and GSH level, being quercetion superior to hesperidin and naringin. In conclusion, flavonoids, especially quercetin, exert antioxidant activity, which may help improve wellbeing when laying hens are exposed to stressors.

Oxidative stress and some biochemical parameters during starvation and refeeding in Astacus leptodactylus (Esch., 1823).

This study was conducted to determine the effect of starvation (78 days) and refeeding (33 days) on oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA)), antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)), arginase (AR) and nitric oxide (NO) in the hepatopancreas, muscle and gills tissues of freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus). Crayfish were maintained at three experimental groups: control (fed), starved (not fed) crayfish for 78 days and refeeding crayfish for 33 days after 78 days starvation. The biochemical analysis in the tissues were measured at 3, 18, 33, 48, 63 and 78 days of starvation and feeding and at 3, 18 and 33 days of refeeding. In the all periods, the MDA levels were significantly higher in tissues of starved crayfish than the control ones. Significant changes in the MDA levels were also observed amongst starvation times. In the tissues of starved crayfish was significantly higher SOD, CAT, GR and AR activities when compared to control crayfish. The GSH-Px and NO activity showed increases and decreases in different starvation periods according to control group. The parameters measured returned to control values after 33 days of the refeeding. Collectively, the present study indicated that starvation induces MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GR, AR and NO activity in the tissues, and A. leptodactylus exposed to starvation can be withstand 78 days.

Antioxidant enzyme activities as biomarkers of fluvial biofilm to ZnO NPs ecotoxicity and the Integrated Biomarker Responses (IBR) assessment

The presence of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in natural waters has raised concerns about their environmental impacts, but the potential influences of ZnO NPs on fluvial biofilm have not been reported. In this study, the utility of antioxidant enzyme activities (AEA) as biomarkers of fluvial biofilm to ZnO NPs toxicity and a method that combines AEA into an index of “Integrated Biomarker Responses (IBR)” were studied. Compared with the absence of ZnO NPs, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that a large amount of ZnO NPs were adsorbed onto biofilm and these NPs exerted adverse effects on the viability of bacteria in biofilm. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with high concentrations (30 and 100mg/L) of ZnO NPs exposure reached to 184% and 244% of the control, while no cell leakage and membrane damage were observed. After exposure to ZnO NPs for 0.25 and 3 days, the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly increased, respectively. At the end of exposure period (21 days), the AEA with the presence of 1mg/L ZnO NPs exposure were comparable to the control, while most of those in high concentrations of ZnO NPs were decreased. The results of IBR showed that the biofilm can adapt to 1mg/L ZnO NPs exposure, while be seriously damaged by 30 and 100mg/L ZnO NPs after 3 and 0.25 days. IBR can be used as an appropriate evaluation system of the toxicity effects of ZnO NPs on fluvial biofim.

Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids isolated from Rhus verniciflua in neuronal HT22 and microglial BV2 cell lines

The neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (Anacardiaceae) were investigated with mouse hippocampal and microglial cells. Bioactivity-guided isolation yielded 10 flavonoids including fustin (1), fisetin (2), sulfuretin (3), butein (4), butin (5), eriodictyol (6), morin hydrate (7), quercetin (8), kaempferol (9) and isoliquiritigenin (10). Among the isolated flavonoids, compounds 2–5 significantly protected the murine hippocampal HT22 cells against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity and attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generations. In addition, these flavonoids significantly maintained antioxidative defense systems preserving the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the content of glutathione (GSH) decreased by glutamate insult. These compounds also showed significant inhibitory effects on LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in BV2 cells. Especially, compound 4 dose-dependently suppressed the expression of both inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). These results suggest that these flavonoids possess therapeutic potentials as a multipotent agent against neurodegenerative diseases related to oxidative stress and pathological inflammatory responses.

Variation in antioxidant enzyme activities and nonenzyme components among cultivars of rabbiteye blueberries ( Vaccinium ashei Reade) and V. ashei derivatives

Fruit from 42 blueberry ( Vaccinium species) cultivars, including 36 rabbiteye cultivars ( Vaccinium ashei Reade), 3 V. ashei hybrid derivatives and 3 northern highbush ( V. corymbosum L.) standards, were evaluated for antioxidant activities (AA), levels of antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (AsA-POD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) and guaiacol peroxidase (G-POD)], and antioxidant nonenzyme components [ascorbic acid (ASA) and glutathione (GSH)]. The results of this study showed that cultivars had varying levels of AA, a wide range of antioxidant enzyme activities and various amounts of nonenzyme components. The correlations between AA and all of the enzyme activities or nonenzyme components were positive and high in the 42 cultivars tested in this study. The correlation ( R 2) values between AA and CAT, SOD, DHAR, MDAR, GSH-POD, GR, G-POD and AsA-POD were 0.91, 0.91, 0.91, 0.91, 0.90, 0.90, 0.90, and 0.90, respectively. The correlations between AA and ASA and GSH were 0.94 and 0.92, respectively. Among all 42 cultivars, ‘Early May’ had the highest activities of the AA, AsA-POD, G-POD, DHAR and MDAR and the highest amounts of ASA and GSH, whereas ‘Elliott’ had the highest levels of GR, GSH and SOD.

Vitamin E-mediated protection on methomyl-induced alterations in rat liver

The present study was carried out to observe the possible beneficial effects of Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant on methomyl-induced biochemical and histological alterations in rat liver. To carry out the investigations, animals were segregated in four different groups. Animals in Group I served as normal controls. Animals in Group II were given single methomyl dose orally in water (9 mg kg−1 b.wt). Animals in Group III were injected intraperitoneally with Vitamin E (50 mg kg−1 b.wt) for 1 week on alternate days. Animals in Group IV were administered Vitamin E 1 week before subjecting them to methomyl treatment. Animals in all the groups were sacrificed 24 h after the end of treatments. Different biochemical estimations were carried out, which included estimation of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Further, to examine the oxidative damage lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) levels as well as antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and glutathione-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were estimated in liver samples. AchE activity was inhibited significantly both in serum and liver following methomyl treatment. Administration of methomyl caused a significant increase in serum AST, ALT and ALP which indicated hepatic damage. LPO was found to be significantly increased, whereas GSH levels were decreased in the liver of methomyl-treated animals. The activities of SOD and catalase were significantly decreased whereas GST and GSHPx activities were found to be elevated significantly following methomyl treatment. No significant change in the enzyme activity of GR and glutathione-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase was observed after methomyl treatment. Vitamin E supplementation was able to attenuate appreciably the methomyl-induced changes in LPO levels along with SOD and GST activities. Histopathological studies following methomyl treatment revealed that hepatocytes, were not very well delineated and nuclei showed degenerative changes. Whereas, following Vitamin E supplementation in combined treatment group nuclei showing degenerative changes become less in number. The study, therefore, concludes that Vitamin E has a potential in mitigating most of the adverse effects induced by methomyl acute toxicity.

The anti-fatty liver effects of garlic oil on acute ethanol-exposed mice

The protective effects of single dose of garlic oil (GO) on acute ethanol-induced fatty liver were investigated. Mice were treated with ethanol (4.8 g/kg bw) to induce acute fatty liver. The liver index, the serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels and the histological changes were examined to evaluate the protective effects. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione- S-transferase (GST) activities were determined for the antioxidant capacity assay. Acute ethanol exposure resulted in the enlargement of the liver index and the increase of the serum and hepatic TG levels ( P < 0.01), which were dramatically attenuated by GO pretreatment in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.01). GO treatment (simultaneously with ethanol exposure) exhibited similar effects to those of pretreatment, while no obviously protective effects were displayed when it was used at 2 h after ethanol intake. Histological changes were paralleled to these indices. Beside this, GO dramatically prolonged the drunken time and shortened the waking time, and these effects were superior to those of silymarin and tea polyphenol. In addition, GO dose-dependently suppressed the elevation of MDA levels, restored the GSH levels and enhanced the SOD, GR and GST activities. Compared with the ethanol group, the MDA levels decreased by 14.2% ( P < 0.05), 29.9% and 32.8% ( P < 0.01) in GO groups 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The GST activity increased by 9.97%, 19.94% ( P < 0.05) and 42.12% ( P < 0.01) of the ethanol group in GO groups 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, while the GR activity increased by 28.57% ( P < 0.05), 37.97% ( P < 0.01), 50.45% ( P < 0.01) of the ethanol group in GO groups 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. These data indicated that single dose of GO possessed ability to prevent acute ethanol-induced fatty liver, but may lose its capacity when used after ethanol exposure. The protective effects should be associated with its antioxidative activities.

Role of Vitamin E in Mitigating Methomyl Induced Acute Toxicity in Blood of Male Wistar Rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the protective potential of vitamin E, if any, in attenuating the toxic effects induced by acute methomyl treatment in rats. Male Wistar rats, weighing between 230 and 250 g, received either a single oral dose of 9 mg/kg of methomyl, vitamin E alone injected intraperitoneally on alternate days (4 injections) at 50 mg/kg body for 1 week prior to methomyl treatment, or both methomyl plus vitamin E given in a similar manner. The effects of different treatments were studied on lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes, which included superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase and various hematological parameters, including total leucocytes count (TLC), differential leukocyte count (DLC), hemoglobin, platelets counts, red cell counts, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Acute 24-h treatment to rats resulted in a significant increase in the LPO. GSH levels and the activities of catalase, GST, and GSHPx were found to be significantly decreased following methomyl treatment. A significant elevation in the activity of SOD and in TLC was also observed after 24 h of methomyl treatment. Further, a significant increase in the neutrophils and eosinophil counts was also observed. However, lymphocytes showed a significant decrease following methomyl treatment. SEMs showed significant morphological changes following methomyl treatment. Vitamin E pretreatment to methomyl-treated rats effectively normalized the levels of LPO and GSH. Vitamin E could also significantly elevate the activity of catalase, increase platelets counts and TLC, and normalized the activities of SOD and GSHPx. Vitamin E pretreatment improved the morphology of the red blood cells. The study concludes that vitamin E affords protection in methomyl-induced toxicity in the rat.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Andrographolide Against Hexachlorocyclohexane-Induced Oxidative Injury

Many plant products are known to exert antioxidative effects by quenching various free radicals and singlet molecular oxygen. Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh) is used extensively in the Indian traditional system of medicine as a hepatoprotective and hepatostimulative agent and has been reported to have antioxidant effects against different hepatotoxins. The present study aims to analyze antioxidant properties of an active component, andrographolide (ANDLE), extracted from A paniculata. This study investigates the effect of andrographolide on the hepatocellular antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation of control mice, mice treated with hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC) only, and andrographolide + BHC. Glutathione (GSH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) are studied by spectrophotometric methods. The BHC experimental model forms an irreversible liver tumor in male mice. The activities of GSH, GR, GSH-Px, SOD, and CAT show significant (P <or= .05) increases, while gamma-GTP and GST show significant decreases (P <or= .05) in andrographolide-supplemented mice as compared with BHC-treated mice. This study indicates that the antioxidant effect of andrographolide could be due to its ability to activate antioxidant enzymes that catalyze the reaction of oxidants and are effective in severe liver damage.

Study of Some Antioxidant Parameters in Mice Livers Affected with Urtica pilulifera Extracts

Urtica pilulifere extracts were found to exhibit an antioxidant effect on mice. The effect of two doses of aqueous methanolic extract and other two doses of petroleum ether extract of different plant parts was studied in liver homogenates of the animals. The parameters studied were protein, glutathione reduced form, lipid peroxidation levels as well as the activities of glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Methanolic extracts induced greater effect on the measured antioxidant parameters. Among all plant parts, the methanolic extract of the herb showed the best effect; where the antioxidant activity enzymes were elevated and the lipid peroxidation was decreased. In conclusion, Urtica pilulifera can be used as natural antioxidant, as a possible food supplement or used in pharmaceutical industry.

Study of some Antioxidant Parameters in Mice Livers Affected with Urtica pilulifera Extracts

Urtica pilulifere extracts were found to exhibit an antioxidant effect on mice. The effect of two doses of aqueous methanolic extract and other two doses of petroleum ether extract of different plant parts was studied in liver homogenates of the animals. The parameters studied were protein, glutathione reduced form, lipid peroxidation levels as well as the activities of glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Methanolic extracts induced greater effect on the measured antioxidant parameters. Among all plant parts, the methanolic extract of the herb showed the best effect; where the antioxidant activity enzymes were elevated and the lipid peroxidation was decreased. In conclusion, Urtica pilulifera can be used as natural antioxidant, as a possible food supplement or used in pharmaceutical industry.

Enzymes and membrane proteins of ADSOL-preserved red blood cells.

The preservative solution ADSOL (adenine, dextrose, sorbitol, sodium chloride and mannitol) maintains red cell viability for blood trans-fusion for 6 weeks. It would be useful to know about its preservation qualities over longer periods. To determine some red cell biochemical parameters for peri-ods of up to 14 weeks in order to determine whether the red cell metabo-lism integrity would justify further studies aiming at increasing red cell preservation and viability. Biochemical evaluation designed to study red cell preservation. São Paulo University erythrocyte metabolism referral center. Six normal blood donors from the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. Weekly assay of erythrocyte adenosine-5;-triphosphate (ATP), 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3DPG), hexokinase (HX), phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase (6-PGD), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD), glutathione reduc-tase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), plasma sodium and potas-sium, blood pH, and membrane proteins of red cells preserved in ADSOL were studied during storage for 14 weeks storage. During ADSOL preservation, erythrocyte ATP concentration decreased 60% after 5 weeks, and 90% after 10 weeks; the pH fell from 6.8 to 6. 4 by the 14th week. 2,3-DPG concentration was stable during the first week, but fell 90% after 3 weeks and was exhausted after 5 weeks. By the end of the 5th week, an activity decrease of 16-30% for Hx, GAPD, GR, G-6-PD and 6-PGD, 35% for PFK and GSHPx, and 45% for PK were observed. Thereafter, a uniform 10% decay was observed for all enzymes up to the 14th week. The red blood cell membrane pro-teins did not show significant alterations in polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis (SDS-PAGE) during the 14 weeks. Although the blood viability was shown to be poor from the 6th week up to the 14th week of storage due to ATP and 2,3-DPG depletion, the other biochemical parameters remained in fairly good condition for longer storage. As there is a gradual and uniform decay in activity throughout these 14 weeks, it seems that ADSOL-preserved red cells may be used as red cell enzyme standards and membrane proteins as well.

Red cell metabolism: A comparative study of some mammalian species

The activities of six enzymes--glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)--and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and GSH regeneration rates were measured in the red blood cells of eight mammalian species--rabbit, guinea-pig, rat, golden hamster, sheep, goat, cattle and human. The results show that whereas the activities of G-6-PD, 6-PGD and GR are widely different among the experimental animals, there is no such variation in the activity of SOD. There does not appear to be a relationship between GSH regeneration rate and the activities of G-6-PD, 6-PGD and GR--the enzymes associated with GSH metabolism.

Effect of anaemia on red cell metabolism in cattle

1. 1. Six enzymes: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and three metabolites: 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reduced glutathione (GSH), were measured in the red blood cells of cattle during experimental anaemia. 2. 2. There was a significant rise in the mean levels of DPG (from 0.85 to 1.69 μmol/gHb) and ATP (from 2.16 to 3.25 μmol/gHb) in the early phase of recovery. 3. 3. Enzyme activities also increased during the early recovery period.