Hepatic Antioxidant Enzyme Activities Research Articles

Effects of short-term heat stress on endophytic ergot alkaloid-induced alterations in rat hepatic gene expression

Exposure to ergot alkaloids in endophyte-infected fescue (E+) is associated with impaired animal productivity, especially during heat stress, which is commonly referred to as fescue toxicosis. To elucidate the pathogenesis of this condition, the effects of short-term heat stress (HS) on hepatic gene expression in rats exposed to endophytic ergot alkaloids were evaluated. Rats implanted with telemetric transmitters to continuously measure core temperature were fed an E+ diet and maintained under thermoneutral (TN) conditions (21 degrees C) for 5 d, followed by TN or 31 degrees C (HS) conditions for 3 d. Feed intake (FI) and BW were monitored daily. The E+ and HS-induced alterations in hepatic genes were evaluated using DNA microarrays and PCR analyses. Hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, as well as the incidence of apoptosis, were determined. As expected, intake of E+ reduced FI and BW from pretreatment levels under TN conditions, with greater reductions during short-term HS. Genes involved in gluconeogenesis and apoptosis were upregulated, whereas genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation, xenobiotic metabolism, antioxidative mechanisms, immune function, cellular proliferation, and chaperone activity were all downregulated with short-term HS. Hepatocytic apoptosis was increased and antioxidant enzyme activity decreased in the livers of rats exposed to HS. The hypothesized, exacerbating effects of HS on the direct, endophytic toxin-related and indirect, reduced caloric intake-associated alterations in hepatic gene expression were clearly demonstrated in rats and may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of fescue toxicosis in various animal species.

Chemical and Biological Evaluation of Myoporum laetum

Myoporum laetum (Myoporaceae) is an evergreen ornamental shrub. Fractionation and isolation of the butanol extract yielded five major flavonoids, luteolin 4-O-rhamnosid, 5-methoxy-lutelin 7-O-arabinoside, 5'-hydroxy-luteolin 7-O-glucoside, luteolin and apigenin. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the butanol extract against liver injury induced by repeated doses of the hepatotoxicant, profenofos, were investigated. Hepatotoxicity of liver tissues was indicated by abnormal liver functions as shown by elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin with concomitant decrease in albumin level in relation to normal group. The pesticide induced oxidative hepatopathy ensured by a pronounced decrease in the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes namely, catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) accompanied by an increase in the oxidative stress marker, malonaldehyde (MDA, index of lipid peroxidation) versus normal ones. Oral supplementation of butanol extract to profenofos treated animals successfully modulated the hepatotoxicant induces deviation in the liver function markers, liver oxidative and antioxidant markers, indicating its potential hepatoprotective and antioxidant abilities.

Cholesterol Lowering Action and Antioxidant Status Improving Efficacy of Noodles Made from Unmarketable Oak Mushroom (Lentinus edodes) in High Cholesterol Fed Rats

The influence of noodles made from oak mushroom (Lentinus edodes) with unmarketable quality on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant system in high cholesterol fed rats was investigated. The rats were given a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 7 weeks. The control group received a highcholesterol diet only, while two other groups received high cholesterol diet supplemented with either general noodle (GN) or oak mushroom noodle (OMN) powders. At the end of the experimental period, rats fed with OMN exhibited lower plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides and higher HDL-cholesterol concentrations than that of the control and GN-fed rats. Consequently, the lowest atherogenic index was obtained in the OMN group. The hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities were highest in OMN group, with glutathione peroxidase as the most actively induced enzyme, thereby decreasing the lipid peroxidation in OMN fed rats. Results of this study indicate that consumption of unmarketable oak mushroom could be effective in lowering atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease risk.

Metabolic response of soy pinitol on lipid‐lowering, antioxidant and hepatoprotective action in hamsters fed‐high fat and high cholesterol diet

This study was performed to investigate the lipid-lowering, antioxidant, and hepato-protective effects of pinitol in dose-dependent manners in hamsters fed-high fat and high cholesterol (HFHC) diet. Pinitol supplementation (0.05%, P-I and 0.1% pinitol, P-II) with an HFHC diet (10% coconut oil plus 0.2% cholesterol) for 10 wks significantly lowered the white adipose tissue weights, hepatic lipid droplets, plasma glucose, total-cholesterol, nonHDL-cholesterol, total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio, and hepatic lipid levels. Whereas it significantly increased the brown adipose tissue weight, plasma HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) concentrations, paraoxonase (PON) activity, and/or mRNA expression, compared to the HFHC control group. Plasma insulin and adiponectin levels were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in both P-I and P-II groups than the HFHC control group. Dietary pinitol significantly inhibited hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), and cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) activities without altering their mRNA expressions compared to the control group. Pinitol significantly elevated the hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, whereas it also significantly reduced the hepatic lipid peroxide and H2O2 production. Accordingly, these results indicate that both 0.05 and 0.1% pinitol supplementation may improve the lipid and antioxidant metabolism in HFHC diet-fed hamsters. In particular, pinitol supplementation was very effective on the elevation of antiatherogenic factors, including plasma HDL-cholesterol, apo A-I, adiponectin, and PON.

Berry juices, teas, antioxidants and the prevention of atherosclerosis in hamsters

The effects of raspberry, strawberry and bilberry juices and green and black tea on early atherosclerosis in hamsters were investigated. They received an atherogenic diet and at the same time either a juice or a tea at a daily dose corresponding to the consumption of 275 ml by a 70 kg human. After 12 weeks berry juices and teas inhibited aortic lipid deposition by 79–96% and triggered reduced activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, not accompanied by lowered plasma cholesterol. These findings suggest that moderate consumption of berry juices and teas can help prevent the development of early atherosclerosis. There were substantial differences between the five beverages in terms of composition and concentration of individual phenolic compounds that were present. This indicates that anti-atherosclerotic effects can be induced by a diversity of phenolic compounds rather than a few specific components. The possible mechanisms by which this is brought about are discussed. 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Emblica officinalisProtects Against Alcohol-Induced Liver Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rats

The protective effect of Emblica officinalis, a commonly used botanical in many Ayurvedic preparations, was investigated for its effects on liver mitochondria of ethanol-administered rats. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species-mediated toxicity are considered two of the key underlying mechanisms responsible for alcohol-induced liver injury and mitochondrial dysfunction. Alcohol-administered rats showed a significant elevation of plasma transaminases (aspartate and alanine aminotransferases), alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase compared to control rats. However, activities of hepatic mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, viz., superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione, were significantly lower. Chronic alcohol feeding also increased lipid peroxide levels, protein carbonyl content, and overproduction of nitric oxide followed by lowered activities of NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and cytochrome c oxidase and content of cytochromes. Administration of E. officinalis fruit extract (EFE) at a dose of 250 mg/kg of body weight/day to alcoholic rats offers protection by simultaneously lowering the carbonyl content and lipid peroxidation and elevating antioxidant enzyme activities, SDH, NADH dehydrogenase, and cytochrome c oxidase activities, and content of cytochromes in hepatic mitochondria. Our data indicate that EFE administration to chronically alcohol-fed rats offers protection against alcohol-induced alterations. The active tannoid principles and nitric oxide scavenging compounds present in EFE may have contributed to the protection observed.

Effect of Aquilegia vulgaris (L.) ethyl ether extract on liver antioxidant defense system in rats

The ethyl ether extract from Aquilegia vulgaris (L.) (Ranunculaceae) contains a lot of phenolic acids. Their hydroxyl groups are capable of donating hydrogen atoms at the initial stage of lipid peroxidation (LPO), which inactivates hydroxyperoxides formed from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and leads to breakdown of the propagation chain. Rats pretreated with acetaminophen (APAP) (600 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) were given ethyl ether extract (100 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) obtained from A. vulgaris herb. The study parameters measured were microsomal lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, and the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes and some drug metabolizing enzymes. The treatment with ethyl ether extract of the herb produced a 87-95% decrease in uninduced and Fe2+/ascorbate-stimulated microsomal lipid peroxidation in the liver of rats receiving APAP. Hepatic glutathione level depleted by APAP increased significantly (by 18%) after the extract treatment. Antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver, inhibited by APAP, was found to increase after administration of the extract: catalase by about 36%, glutathione reductase by 27% and glutathione S-transferase by 29%. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, which decreased after APAP administration, increased again by 26% after extract treatment. The extract tested did not affect the activity of DT-diaphorase. The cytochrome P450 content, depleted by APAP, increased as much as by 100% after the treatment. The activities of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine N-demethylase were not affected. The protective effect of the Aquilegia vulgaris extract in APAP-induced liver injury was mediated by its antioxidant activity. The extract did not inhibit the formation of reactive intermediate metabolites of APAP.

Antihypertensive effects of Hsian-tsao and its active compound in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Hsian-tsao ( Mesona procumbens Hemsl .) and its active compound on blood pressure, lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant status of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Male SHRs were orally administrated either a water extract of Hsian-tsao (WEHT) (1.0 g/kg) or caffeic acid (CA) [0.1 g/kg of body weight (BW)] on a daily basis for 6 weeks. The results indicated that both hepatic and plasmatic malondialdehyde concentration were increased and total liver glutathione (GSH) levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were decreased in SHRs when compared to the control Wistar Kyoto rats at the end of the trail. In SHRs, oral administration of WEHT or CA for 6 weeks reduced blood pressure as well as plasma and hepatic malondialdehyde levels and increased hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities when compared to SHRs control rats. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction results indicated that the changes in hepatic antioxidant enzyme mRNA levels by WEHT or CA were similar to those noted in the enzyme activity levels. The hepatic levels obtained from WEHT or CA-administrated rats had significantly greater oxygen radical absorbance capacity values and total GSH levels than those of control rats. Following oral administration of CA, phenolic acid was detected in the plasma, and C max value after 1.0 h administration was 0.92 μmol/L. These findings indicate that a supplement of Hsian-tsao may prevent development of increased blood pressure and enhance the total antioxidant status in vivo.

LPS 주사한 BALB/c 마우스에서 Genistein의 산화적 스트레스 억제효과 및 항염증 효과

School of Culinary Art & Baking Technology, Dong-Ju College, Busan 604-080, KoreaAbstractThis study was carried out to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions of genistein in BALB/c mice injected with lopopolysaccharide (LPS), called endotoxin. Mice (10 weeks of age) weighing approximately 20 g were divided into 4 groups. Endotoxin shock was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (100 mg/kg BW). LPS and genistein＋LPS groups were injected with LPS 30 min after phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and genistein (200 mg/kg BW) injections, respectively. Genistein group was injected with genistein, followed by PBS, while PBS group received two injections of PBS. Superoxide anion generation of peritoneal macrophage cells was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the genistein＋LPS group than in the LPS injection group at 8 h after intraperitoneal injection, while SOD activity was significantly higher in genistien＋LPS group than LPS group. Tumor necrosis factor-α levels of plasma were significant lower (p<0.05) in the genistein＋LPS injection group than LPS group at 8 h after intraperitoneal injection. Plasma TBARS was lower in genistein＋LPS group than LPS group, while hepatic TBARS were not different among groups. Hepatic glutathione concentrations and antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly higher in the genistein＋LPS group than in the LPS group at 1 h and 8 h after intraperitoneal injection. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) transactivation was significantly (p<0.05) inhibited in LPS group. These results demonstrate genistein may ameliorate inflammatory diseases through inhibition of NF-κB transactivation and oxidative stress, which may be mediated partially by anti-oxidative effect of genistein.Key words: anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, LPS, genistein, NF-κB, BALB/C mice

Effect of curcumin supplementation on blood glucose, plasma insulin, and glucose homeostasis related enzyme activities in diabetic db/db mice

We investigated the effect of curcumin on insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis in male C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice and their age-matched lean non-diabetic db/+ mice. Both db/+ and db/db mice were fed with or without curcumin (0.02%, wt/wt) for 6 wks. Curcumin significantly lowered blood glucose and HbA 1c levels, and it suppressed body weight loss in db/db mice. Curcumin improved homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, and elevated the plasma insulin level in db/db mice. Hepatic glucokinase activity was significantly higher in the curcumin-supplemented db/db group than in the db/db group, whereas glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities were significantly lower. In db/db mice, curcumin significantly lowered the hepatic activities of fatty acid synthase, beta-oxidation, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme reductase, and acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase. Curcumin significantly lowered plasma free fatty acid, cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations and increased the hepatic glycogen and skeletal muscle lipoprotein lipase in db/db mice. Curcumin normalized erythrocyte and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, gluthathione peroxidase) in db/db mice that resulted in a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation. However, curcumin showed no effect on the blood glucose, plasma insulin, and glucose regulating enzyme activities in db/+ mice. These results suggest that curcumin seemed to be a potential glucose-lowering agent and antioxidant in type 2 diabetic db/db mice, but had no affect in non-diabetic db/+ mice.

Effect of bamboo culm extract on oxidative stress and genetic expression: Bamboo culm extract ameliorates cell adhesion molecule expression and NFκB activity through the suppression of the oxidative stress

This study was designed to investigate whether bamboo culm extract (BCE) supplementation may ameliorate risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypercholesterolemia. Oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in plasma, livers of C57BL/6 mice fed high-cholesterol diet and calf pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells. Briefly, C57BL/6 mice were fed the high-cholesterol diet which was supplemented with 1% (w/w), or 3% (w/w) of BCE for 16 weeks. The concentration of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol level and atherogenic index were measured. Plasma TEAC value, hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl values and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, such as Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), GSH reductase and catalase were determined. In addition, hepatic nuclear factor kappa B activities were detected. In the calf pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured. Plasma cholesterol level was decreased, while HDL-cholesterol was increased, thus atherogenic index was lowered in BCE-supplemented animals. Plasma trolox equivalent and hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyl values were lowered significantly in BCE groups (p<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Hepatic antioxidative enzyme activities, such as Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P), GSH reductase, and catalase were elevated in mice fed BCE-supplemented diets (p<0.05). Nuclear factor kappa B activities of livers and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 expressions in CPAE cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide were significantly lowered in BCE groups (p<0.05). These results suggest that BCE supplementation may modulate lipoprotein composition and attenuate oxidative stress by elevated antioxidative processes, thus suppressing inflammatory mediator activation as possible mechanism of its anti-atherogenic effect.

Dietary virgin olive oil protects against lipid peroxidation and improves antioxidant status in the liver of rats chronically exposed to ethanol

Excessive ethanol intake induces severe tissue damage particularly in the liver through the generation of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a virgin olive oil-rich diet on oxidative stress induced by chronic ethanol exposure in rats. Wistar rats were treated daily with a 35% ethanol solution for 6 weeks and fed with a standard chow or a diet containing 5% virgin olive oil. By administering ethanol to rats, a severe toxicity occurred in their liver, as assessed by the significantly elevated levels of serum transaminases. The hepatic malondialdehyde level, indicator of lipid peroxidation, was also increased in ethanol-treated rats, whereas the hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, namely, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase were significantly reduced. The activity of glutathione reductase remained unchanged in rats. Fatty acid composition of the liver was also significantly changed with ethanol intake. In contrast, virgin olive oil intake during ethanol treatment in rats resulted in a higher antioxidant activity and inhibited toxicity to the liver, as monitored by the reduction of transaminases levels and hepatic lipid peroxidation. Rats showed a better profile of the antioxidant system with normal glutathione peroxidase activity and ameliorated superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that olive oil ingestion by rats protects the liver from ethanol-induced oxidative damage by affecting the cellular redox potential.

Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Costus speciosus in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Hyperglycemia, abnormal lipid and antioxidant profiles are the most usual complications in diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipemic and antioxidant potency of an ethanol extract of Costus speciosus root was investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic male (Charles Foster) rats. Four groups of alloxan diabetic rats (n = 6) were administered orally with different doses of Costus speciosus root extract (150, 300 and 450 mg/kg BW) and a standard drug, glibenclamide (600 microg/kg BW), for 4 weeks. Two groups of rats (n = 6) served as normal and diabetic controls. While the diabetic controls showed significant abnormal carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant profiles, administration of 150 mg/kg BW dose neither improved glucose nor lipid metabolism and antioxidant levels. Administration of 300 and 450 mg/kg BW doses, however, resulted in a reversal of diabetes and its complications. Both doses significantly brought down blood glucose concentration (26.76%, 34.68%), increased glycogenesis and decreased glyconeogenesis bringing the glucose metabolism toward normalcy. These doses also reversed the hyperlipidemia by reducing plasma total lipid (12.87%, 178.24%), cholesterol (21.92%, 30.77%) and triglyceride (25.32%, 33.99%) and improved hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities. The high dose (450 mg/kg BW) was found to have more potential antioxidant activities compared with glibenclamide. It is concluded that Costus speciosus root extract possesses anti-hyperglycemic, antihyperlipemic and antioxidative effects, which may prove to be of clinical importance in the management of diabetes and its complications.

Zinc modulates lithium‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The present study explored the hepatoprotective role of zinc in lithium-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats received either lithium treatment in diet at a dose level of 1.1 g/kg diet, zinc alone at a dose level of 227 mg/L in drinking water, and combined lithium plus zinc or drinking water alone for different time durations of 1, 2 and 4 months. This study explored the hepatic marker enzymes, antioxidant status and histopathological investigations in the liver of rats following different treatments. The activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were found to be elevated significantly following 2 and 4 months of lithium treatment. Lithium-treated rats showed a significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase and a significant inhibition in the levels of reduced glutathione, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase, following 2 and 4 months of treatment. However, zinc co-administration revealed significant improvement in the altered activities of hepatic marker and antioxidant enzymes in comparison with lithium-treated animals. Lithium-treated rats also indicated drastic alterations in hepatic histoarchitecture and zinc co-administration resulted in improvement in the structure of hepatocytes. The present study suggests the protective potential of zinc in lithium-induced hepatotoxicity.

Dietary chlorella supplementation improves oxidative stress induced by cadmium in SD rats

This study was designed to investigate the effect of chlorella supplementation on oxidative stress induced by dietary cadmium (Cd) in Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats. Sixty male SD rats (14 week‐old) were fed diets containing 0%, 3% or 5% chlorella, and 0 ppm (−Cd) or 160 ppm (+Cd) Cd for 10 weeks. Serum and hepatic superoxide radical generation, erythrocyte and hepatic antioxidative enzyme activities (SOD, GPx, and catalase), and plasma MDA and renal 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine levels were measured. Serum superoxide radical generations of +Cd groups were significantly higher than −Cd groups, and 3% chlorella +Cd group was significantly lower than 0% chlorella +Cd group. Hepatic superoxide radical level in 5% chlorella −Cd group was significantly lower than 0% chlorella−Cd group. But, erythrocyte and hepatic SOD acitivities showed no difference among all the groups. Plasma MDA levels of 0% chlorella +Cd group were significantly higher than 0% chlorella −Cd group, and reduced in 3% chlorella +Cd group compared with 0% chlorella +Cd group. There findings suggest that chlorella supplementation showed antioxidative capacity against oxidative stress induced by dietary Cd. *This work was supported by the grants from Daesang.Co.Ltd. and the second stage of Brain Korea 21 project in 2007.

D-Galactosamine으로 유발된 간손상에 대한 민들레 열수추출물의 예방효과

본 연구에서는 실험동물에 민들레 열수추출물 식이를 급여한 후, GalN으로 간손상을 유발함으로써 그 예방효과를 혈액중의 생화학적 변화 및 간조직의 효소적인 변동을 통해서 규명하고자 하였다. GalN의 투여로 현저히 증가하였던 AST, ALT의 활성은 민들레 열수추출물 투여로 억제되었으나 군간의 차이는 보이지 않았고 ALP의 활성과 TBARS 함량은 3%의 추출물을 급여한 군에서 유의적인 감소를 보였다. GalN의 투여로 현격하게 높아졌던 혈중 TNF-α의 농도 또한 감소하는 경향을 확인하였으나 유의적인 차이는 보이지 않았다. GalN의 투여로 억제되었던 catalase, GSH-reductase, Mn-SOD의 활성은 민들레 추출물 투여로 유의적인 회복이 관찰되었으나 GSH-px의 활성은 그 경향만을 확인할 수 있었다. 조직 검경을 통해 민들레 열수추출물의 간염 예방효과를 확인한 결과 GalN으로 인해 유발된 광범위한 간세포의 괴사와 변성, 지방변성 등이 민들레 열수추출물식이로 다소 감소하는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다. 이상의 결과로 민들레 열수추출물은 AST, ALT와 ALP의 활성 및 산화적 스트레스를 감소시키고 활성산소 해독계에 관여하는 효소의 활성을 증가시킴으로써 GalN으로 인한 간 손상을 예방하는 것으로 사료된다.

Therapeutic effect of phytoecdysteroids rich extract from Ajuga iva on alloxan induced diabetic rats liver, kidney and pancreas

In the current study, the effect of Ajuga iva extract on blood glucose, lipid profile, hepatic and renal toxicity and antioxidant enzyme activities in alloxan-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Diabetes was confirmed by measuring the glucoserua concentration 15 days after alloxan administration. Ajuga iva extract was administrated orally 3 weeks after alloxan injection. Our results investigate that Ajuga iva extract supplementation increased the levels of both enzymatic antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and metals antioxidants (iron, copper, magnesium, calcium) and decreased lipid peroxidation level (TBARs). Besides Ajuga iva ameliorated diabetes provoked hepatic and renal toxicity appeared by a lower level in total and direct bilirubin, urea, creatinine, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol and a higher level in HDL-cholesterol. Besides, the activities of phosphatase alkalines (PAL), aspartate and lactate transaminase (AST & ALT) were decreased. The benefices effects of phytoecdysteroids of Ajuga iva confirmed by histological observation in pancreatic tissues. In conclusion, Ajuga iva phytoecdysteroids supplements seem to be beneficial for correcting the hyperglycemia and preventing diabetic complications in liver, pancreas and kidneys.

Rats fed blended oils containing coconut oil with groundnut oil or olive oil showed an enhanced activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes and a reduction in LDL oxidation

The effects of feeding Wistar rats with blended and interesterified oils of coconut (CO):groundnut (GNO) or CO:olive (OLO) on liver antioxidant enzyme activities and susceptibility of LDL to oxidation were studied. The hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in the rats fed CO:GNO blend and interesterified oils were increased by 31% and 21%, when compared to the rats given CO. The superoxide dismutase activity was increased by 31% and 28%, and catalase (CAT) activity was increased by 37% and 39%, respectively, in rats given blends and interesterified oils of CO:GNO, as compared to those given CO. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were increased by 17% and 20% in rats given CO:GNO blend and interesterified oils. Glutathione transferase (GST) level was also found to be increased by 26% and 31% after feeding blended and interesterified oils of CO:GNO, compared to those given CO. The LDL oxidation, which was elevated by feeding GNO, was found to be reduced by 10% and 14%, respectively, in the groups fed blended and interesterified oils of CO:GNO. Similarly, CO:OLO blended oils enhanced SOD, CAT, GPx and GST activities by 34%, 43%, 27% and 23%, respectively, compared to the rats given CO-containing diets. The corresponding increases in theses antioxidant enzyme activities when CO:OLO interesterified oils were fed to rats were 38%, 50%, 28% and 26%, respectively, when compared to rats given CO-containing diets. There was a significant reduction in hepatic LPO as well as oxidation of LDL, when blended and interesterified oils of CO:OLO were fed to rats. The results demonstrated that blended and interesterified oils of CO with GNO or OLO enhance hepatic antioxidant enzymes, decreased lipid peroxidation in liver and reduced the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation.

Effects of Solid-State Fermented Rice on Lipid Metabolism and Antioxidant Status in High-Cholesterol-Fed Rats

We investigated the effect of solid-state fermented rice cultured with Basidiomycota (sangwhang) and Monascus ruber on lipid metabolism and antioxidant activity. Forty 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high cholesterol diets in which carbohydrate sources in the treatment groups consisted of non-fermented rice and sangwhang or M. ruber rice at 80% and 20%, respectively, for 5 weeks. Supplementation with sangwhang and M. ruber rice had no effect on growth and food intakes in high-cholesterol-fed rats. The plasma triglyceride concentration was not significantly different among the groups. Supplementation with M. ruber rice resulted in lower plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations and atherogenic index compared to the control group, while the plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration was elevated. In addition, fermented rice cultured with M. ruber-supplemented animals had greater bile acid excretion. The M. ruber groups had significantly lower plasma and hepatic levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances than the control group. Moreover, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase and superoxide dismutase, were significantly higher in the M. ruber group. In conclusion, fermented rice, especially M. ruber rice, was very effective for improving the lipid metabolism and reducing oxidative stress by up-regulating the hepatic antioxidant enzymes in high-cholesterol-fed rats.

Glycoprotein of Zanthoxylum piperitum DC has a hepatoprotective effect via anti-oxidative character in vivo and in vitro

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects of glycoprotein isolated from Zanthoxylum piperitum DC fruit (ZPDC glycoprotein). ZPDC glycoprotein showed a single band with molecular weight of 24kDa on the 18% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel and consists of a carbohydrate component (18%) and a protein component (82%). We found that ZPDC glycoprotein has a strong scavenging activity against DPPH, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals without any pro-oxidant activity in the cell-free system. In hepatocyte cell lines (Chang liver and BNL CL.2 cells), the results showed that ZPDC glycoprotein has an inhibitory effect on hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase- or glucose/glucose oxidase-induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, administration of ZPDC glycoprotein (20mg/kg) lowers the levels of lactate dehydrogenase, alanine transaminase, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, whereas increases that of nitric oxide, accompanying the normalizing effects on the activity of hepatic anti-oxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) in mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-stimulated acute liver injury. On the whole the results suggest that ZPDC glycoprotein can be a potent hepatoprotective agent as a natural anti-oxidant.