Liver CAT Activity Research Articles

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of Momordica charantia in cow urine on Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Momordica charantia in cow urine on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The alcoholic extract of Momordica charantia was administered orally in cow urine at 200 mg/kg body weight to diabetic rats and the results were compared with standard antidiabetic drug, glinbenclamide. The results showed that there was a significant (P<0.001) increase in serum glucose, AST, ALT, cholesterol, triglyceride levels and significant (P<0.001) reduction in liver SOD, GPx and CAT activity indicating liver damage in diabetic control rats. The biochemical analysis was well supported by histopathological evaluation of the liver which showed necrosis and vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes in diabetic rats. Oral administration of Momordica charantia in cow urine gradually and progressively improved the clinical condition of the diabetic rats. There was significant (P≤0.001) reduction in the serum AST, ALT, cholesterol and triglycerides levels. The treatment also resulted in the significant (P≤0.001) increase in reduced SOD, GPx and CAT activity in the liver of diabetic rats. Histopathology revealed a progressive improvement in the architecture and return to normalcy of hepatocytes. The results clearly suggested that fruit extract of Momordica charantia in cow urine at 200 mg/kg body weight may effectively normalize the hepatic damage and impaired antioxidant status in STZ-induced diabetic rat sthan glibenclamide treated groups.

Health risk assessment of toxic metals and DNA damage in somatic and germ cells by soil and groundwater of a major cement factory in Nigeria.

The waste generated from cement manufacturing is an important source of heavy metal contamination of groundwater and soil. This study investigated the concentration of toxic metals in the soil of a major cement factory and nearby groundwater. Ecological and carcinogenic risks of the metals were calculated. Potential reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effects of the samples were assessed in sex and somatic cells of male mice using sperm abnormalities and bone marrow micronucleus (MN) assays, respectively. Also, the serum ALP, ALT, AST, Total Testosterone (TT), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH); and liver SOD and CAT activities were measured in the treated mice. Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb levels in the soil and groundwater exceeded the allowable maximum standard. Ingestion and dermal contact were the most probable routes of human exposure with children having about three times higher probability of exposure to the metals than the adults. Ni, Pb, and Cr presented carcinogenic risks in children and adults. In the MN result, nuclear abnormalities in the studied mice especially micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes increased significantly (p < 0.05). Compared to the negative control, the ratio of PCE/NCE showed the cytotoxicity of the two samples. Data further showed a significant increase in the serum ALP, AST, and ALT while the liver CAT and SOD activities concomitantly decreased in the exposed mice. Sperm morphology result showed that the samples contained constituents capable of inducing reproductive toxicity in exposed organisms, with alterations to the concentrations of TT, LH, and FSH. Toxic metal constituents of the samples were believed to induce these reported reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effect. These results showed the environmental pollution caused by cement factory and the potential effects the pollutants might have on exposed eukaryotic organisms.

An integrated mycotoxin-mitigating agent can effectively mitigate the combined toxicity of AFB1, DON and OTA on the production performance, liver and oviduct health in broiler breeder hens

This study was to evaluate the efficacy of an integrated mycotoxin-mitigating agent in reducing the adverse effects of co-occurring dietary aflatoxin B1 deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A on broiler breeder hens. 360 30-week-old Hubbard Efficiency Plus broiler breeder hens were allocated into four groups and received a basal diet (BD; Control), BD added 0.15 mg/kg aflatoxin B1+1.5 mg/kg deoxynivalenol+0.12 mg/kg ochratoxin A (Toxins), BD plus Toxins with 0.1% TOXO-XL (Toxins + XL1), and BD plus Toxins with 0.2% TOXO-XL (Toxins + XL2), respectively, for 8 weeks, and then received the same BD for another 4 weeks. Compared with control, mycotoxins decreased total egg weigh, egg laying rate, settable eggs rate, hatch of total eggs rate, egg quality, but increased feed/egg ratio and mortality rate, and impaired the liver and oviduct health during weeks 1–8 and(or) 9–12. It also increased PC and MDA concentrations, TUNEL-positive cells and IL-1β and IL-6 expression, and decreased T-AOC, GPX and CAT activities in liver and/or oviduct. Notably, most of these negative changes were mitigated by both dosages of TOXO-XL. Generally, 0.2% TOXO-XL displayed better mitigation effects than 0.1% TOXO-XL. Conclusively, these findings revealed that TOXO-XL could mitigate the combined mycotoxins-induced toxicity on the performance, liver and oviduct health, through the regulation of redox, immunity, and apoptosis in broiler breeder hens.

Effects of Rutin and Selenomethionine in Selenium-Enriched Tartary Buckwheat Roasted Grain Tea on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in db/db Mice

Rutin and selenomethionine in selenium-enriched Tartary buckwheat roasted grain tea have certain effects on glucose and lipid metabolism in type II diabetes mellitus, but the mechanism of intervention is still unclear. This study utilized selenium-enriched Tartary buckwheat tea, rutin, and selenomethionine as research materials, with db/db mice serving as the research subjects. Diabetes control (DC), positive control group (PC), rutin group (RC), selenomethionine group (SC), low dose selenium-enriched Tartary buckwheat tea group (TBG-L), medium dose group (TBG-M) and high dose group (TBG-H) were set up. The effects of selenium enriched Tartary buckwheat tea, rutin and selenomethionine on glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice were investigated by blood biochemical analysis, liver function and oxidative stress measurement, histopathology and glycogen determination and mRNA expression analysis. Selenium-enriched Tartary buckwheat tea and its active ingredients rutin and selenomethionine can reduce fasting blood glucose and glucose resistance in db/db mice. Dyslipidemia of db/db mice was improved to some extent. The changes of MDA, CAT, T-SOD and GSH-Px enzyme activities in liver also indicate that TBG can improve the oxidative stress of liver and exert liver protection activities. Selenium-enriched Tartary buckwheat tea, rutin and selenomethionine can mediate glycogen storage by increasing glycogen synthesis and inhibiting gluconeogenesis in the liver of diabetic db/db mice, and can effectively mediate the expression of related genes during gluconeogenesis. Among the selenium-enriched Tartary buckwheat groups, the effect of TBG-H group was the most obvious, which indirectly indicated that rutin and selenomethionine could play synergistic roles in gluconogenesis.

Effects of dietary iron sources on growth performance, iron status, Fe-containing enzyme activity and gene expression related to iron homeostasis in tissues of weaned pigs.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of dietary iron sources on growth performance, iron status and activities of Fe-containing enzymes and gene expression related to iron homeostasis in tissues of weaned pigs. A total of 480 piglets at d 28 (Duroc X Landrace) were allotted to four groups as a factorial arrangement of treatments with 30 pigs/pen (male: female = 1:1) and 4 replicate pens/treatment. The treatments for iron in the diets were: control basal diet (Con); Con + 150 mg Fe/kg as inorganic Fe (iFe); Con + 75 mg Fe/kg as inorganic Fe + 75 mg Fe/kg as organic Fe-peptide complex (iFe+oFe) and Con + 150 mg of Fe/kg as organic Fe-peptide complex (oFe). The feeding trial lasted for 36 days. There were no significant differences in final body weight, ADG, ADFI, and G/F as well as blood hemoglobin and MCHC contents between piglets fed the control and iron-supplemented groups (P > 0.05). The iron supplemented groups exhibited increased iron content in the liver, kidney and spleen as well as the CAT and SDH activities in liver compared to the control group (P < 0.05), while piglets in oFe group experienced greater Fe accumulation and activities of CAT and SDH in the liver than piglets in the iFe group. Compared with the control group, dietary supplementation of iron increased the NCOA4 mRNA expression and decreased the TfR1 mRNA expression in liver of piglets. The TfR1, NCOA4 and Ferritin mRNA expressions of bone marrow in both iFe and iFe+oFe groups were greater than both in the Con and oFe groups. These results suggest that dietary supplementation of iron does not influence the growth performance and hematological parameters in weaned pigs fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet (75.8 mg/kg) from d 28 to d 70, but increased tissue iron status and activities of Fe-containing enzymes at d 70. The addition of organic Fe-peptide complexes presents greater beneficial effects on enhancing tissue Fe accumulation and Fe-containing enzyme activities, which may be involved in different gene expression patterns related to iron intake and transport in tissues of weaned pigs.

Astragalus membranaceus Extract (AME) Enhances Growth, Digestive Enzymes, Antioxidant Capacity, and Immunity of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Juveniles

The present study evaluated the impacts of powdered Astragalus membranaceus extract (AME) on the growth, physiological responses, and serum immunity of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus juveniles. Four test diets were formulated to include varying AME levels as 0.0 (control), 1.5 (AME1.5), 3.0 (AME3.0), and 4.5 (AME4.5) g/kg. Fish weighing approximately 11.50 g were stocked into four triplicate groups and hand-fed on the test diets three times daily for two months. At 60 days post-feeding, the growth performance, including weight gain and the specific growth rate, was increased quadratically (R2 &gt; 0.90) with increasing AME inclusion levels. An improvement in the feed intake and feed conversion ratio were also noticed in groups fed at different AME levels. The whole-body and amino acid composition were unaffected by the test diets. A significant quadratic trend in the digestive enzymes (lipase, α-amylase, and protease) was found along with increasing AME inclusion levels. Liver enzymes associated with liver functions were improved by AME dietary inclusion levels. Meanwhile, the blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, and creatinine values were unaffected by AME dietary inclusion. On the other hand, serum immunity (lysozyme and total Igs) was elevated with a significant quadratic trend along with increasing AME dietary inclusion levels. Liver MDA levels decreased with increasing AME levels. Liver CAT, GPx, and SOD enzyme activities demonstrated a significant increasing trend along with dietary AME inclusion. The aforementioned effects of dietary AME on P. hypophthalmus health underpinned the potentiality of AME to be used as a phyto-additive to improve the functionality of aquafeed.

Chemical composition and anti-aging effects of standardized herbal chicken essence on D-galactose- induced senescent mice.

This study aimed to examine the chemical and anti-aging properties of chicken essence (CE) prepared with Sesamum indicum, Angelica acutiloba, and Zingiber officinale (HCE). HCE was analyzed for nutritional and phytochemical composition, and its anti-aging effects were investigated on the D-galactose (Gal)-induced aging mice. Results showed that HCE possessed significantly higher calories and contents of valine and total phenols than CE; it also contained significant amounts of ferulic acid, sesamin, and sesamolin. HCE significantly decreased MDA and NO levels in serum and liver and increased liver GSH levels in the D-Gal-induced mice. HCE greatly enhanced SOD and CAT activities in serum and liver, and liver GPx activity, as well as upregulating SIRT1 expression and downregulating TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, Cox-2, and MCP-1 expression in liver tissues. This study demonstrates that HCE was effective in suppressing the aging process through enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and modulating the aging-related gene expression.

Effects of short- and long-term treatments of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) protein hydrolysates on blood lipid concentrations and antioxidant status, in rats fed cholesterol-enriched diets

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A limited number of experimental studies have shown that sardine protein hydrolysates (SPH) could be a very useful natural compound to prevent hy-percholesterolemia by both improving the lipoprotein profile and modula-ting oxidative stress. In the present study, the effect of short and long term treatments with SPH were examined on serum lipid contents, lipid peroxida-tion and antioxidant enzymes activities in rats fed cholesterol-enriched diet. At day 0, rats were divided into five groups. The group of day 0 was the stan-dard group, and the four remaining groups were divided into two parts of two groups each consuming for 14 or 28 days an hypercholesterolemic diet, and treated (HC-SPH) or not (HC) by gavage with SPH. Compared with day 0, serum TC contents were increased at day 14 and remained unchanged at day 28 in HC-SPH group. These values were decreased in HC-SPH versus HC. Liver and heart TBARS concentrations were increased at day 14 then diminished at day 28 in HC-SPH group. Liver and heart SOD and CAT activities were decrea-sed at short term then remained unchanged at long term in HC-SPH group. In addition, these activities were enhanced in HC-SPH versus HC. In conclusion, these results indicate the potential effects of short and long term treatments of SPH to improved cholesterolemia and reduced radical attack in rats fed high-cholesterol diets.

Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Simarouba glauca on Induced Dyslipidemia and Oxidative Stress

Biologically active compounds with pharmacological potentials have been reported in Simarouba glauca; these compounds have shown interactions with biological molecules, hence this study. This study focused on long-term effect of ethanol leaf extract of Simarouba glauca (EESG) on lipoproteins and oxidative stress biomarkers in male Wistar rats. Oral administration of EESG was conducted according to the guidelines of organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD), No. 425 using a total of twenty-four (24) male Wistar rats, divided into four groups of six rats each. Test rats were given EESG at doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight respectively daily for thirty (30) days. At the end of the study, the rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed; relevant biochemical analyses were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed with the Graphpad prism®, version 7. The data show marked reduction and increase (P ? 0.05) in HDL-cholesterol and TG respectively, at all doses; significant increase (P ? 0.05) in LDL-cholesterol at EESG 500 and 1000 mg/kg. Furthermore, the data obtained however indicated significant (P ? 0.05) elevation in heart MDA level at 500 mg/kg. The liver and kidney CAT activity were elevated (P ? 0.05) at EESG 1000 mg/kg; 500 and 2000 mg/kg respectively. Liver and Kidney SOD activity were elevated (P ? 0.05) at 2000 mg/kg, 500 and 1000 mg/kg respectively. The Liver GSH-PX was elevated (P ? 0.05) at 2000 mg/kg. The findings of the study showed that oral administration of EESG at high doses resulted to dyslipidemia. The marked increases in the endogenous defense enzyme system may have resulted from cytochrome P-450/NADPH Oxidase induced oxidative stress linked to xenobiotic metabolism.

Growth, hepatic health, mucosal barrier status and immunity of juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer fed poultry by-product meal supplemented with full-fat or defatted Hermetia illucens larval meal

Poultry by-product meal (PBM) as a replacement for fish meal (FM), an expensive and unsustainable protein aquafeed ingredient, has been tested on different aquaculture fish species. However, the complete replacement of FM with a mixture of PBM and Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae in barramundi culture has not been previously investigated. In this study, results are presented on growth performance, fillet fatty acid composition, serum metabolites, skin mucosal barriers, hepatic steatosis, antioxidant activity, and immunity of juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer fed either a FM-based diet (0PBM-0HI) or two test diets in which total FM protein was replaced by a mixture of 70% PBM and 30% full-fat (FHI) and defatted HI larvae (DHI) meal (designated as 70PBM-30FHI and 70PBM-30DHI). After 56 days of feeding, the results showed that the growth was affected when fish were fed 70PBM-30DHI with a higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) with respect to 0PBM-0HI and 70PBM-30FHI diets. There was no variation in growth performance, feed utilization, and FCR between 0PBM-0HI and 70PBM-30FHI. The retention of total saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids increased in the fillet of juveniles fed 70PBM-30FHI and 70PBM-30DHI while total retention of polyunsaturated (PUFA), n-3 PUFA, and n-6 PUFA decreased than the control. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) increased in fish fed 70PBM-30DHI whereas haptoglobin upsurged in 70PBM-30FHI compared to 0PBM-0HI. There were no significant effects in the serum immune response between dietary treatments whilst serum and liver CAT activity were negatively impacted by 70PBM-30DHI. The 70PBM-30DHI induced hepatic steatosis whilst 0PBM-0HI and 70PBM-30FHI showed no obvious change in the liver. Skin mucosal barriers were impacted by 70PBM-30DHI whilst 70PBM-30FHI fed fish showed a similar response to 0PBM-0HI. The fish fed on 70PBM-30DHI showed a higher proportion of infection rate with Vibrio harveyi than 70PBM-30FHI but showed no variation with the control-fed fish. In summary, FHI larvae meal could be a good complementary protein source, particularly when replacing FM completely with insect-based proteins.

Effect of Lemna minor and Glycine max on haematological parameters, glucose level, total protein content and anti-oxidant enzyme activities in Ctenopharyngodon idella and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

A 90-day feeding trial was carried out to determine the comparative effect of Lemna minor and Glycine max on haematological parameters such as haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), and also glucose level in the blood; total protein content and anti-oxidant enzyme activities: catalase assay (CAT), peroxidase assay (POD), superoxide dismutase assay (SOD), lipid peroxidation assay (LPO) in different tissues (brain, liver, gills and muscles) of Ctenopharyngodon idella and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in monoculture as well as polyculture system. 35 % protein practical diets, FGM (feed containing 21 % G. max) and FLM (feed having 21 % L. minor) were prepared as a source of protein. The complete replacement of G. max with L. minor significantly increased the value of haematological parameters and glucose level in the large fingerlings of C. idella when reared with H. molitrix. Contrary results were obtained with the large fingerlings of H. molitrix when reared separately. At the end of experiment, the total protein content in muscle of large and small fingerlings of C. idella fed FLM in both monoculture and polyculture system was statistically (P < 0.05) higher as compared to fish fed FGM diet. The same trend appeared in liver, brain and gills while the liver showed significant higher (P < 0.05) increase in total protein content in both species, as compared to other tissues. CAT activities in liver showed highly significant (P < 0.05) difference among two experimental diets while in other tissues it showed no significant difference. POD, SOD activities and LPO level in tissues showed not much significant results and the values are approximately similar in both experimental diets. The present study is the first report on selected species, serve as a baseline against which future changes or nearby, regional fish species can be compared.

Sesamin attenuates histological alterations, oxidative stress and expressions of immune-related genes in liver of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to fluoride

Sesamin is the main lignan in sesame and is reported to have many benefits and medicinal properties. However, its protective effects against fluoride-induced damage in the liver of zebrafish have not been elucidated. Our previous studies found that fluoride exposure caused damage to the liver of zebrafish. In the study, the effects of sesamin on oxidative stress and immune damage in liver of zebrafish exposed to fluoride were measured. The results indicated that fluoride exposure damaged the microstructures of liver, increased significantly the oxidative stress, decreased remarkably the activities of ACP, AKP, and LZM, and affected obviously the expressions of immune-related genes. Treatment with sesamin remarkably attenuated fluoride-induced liver damage in a dose-dependent manner, indicated by the histopathological observation. Furthermore, sesamin treatment also significantly inhibited the production of ROS and oxidative stress, such as the decrease of lipid peroxidation level and the increase of CAT and SOD activities in liver. Sesamin treatment reversed the activities of immune-related enzymes and the expressions of immune-related genes in liver exposed to fluoride. These findings suggested that sesamin could protect the liver from fluoride-induced immune damage by oxidative stress downstream-mediated changes in reversing the activities of immune-related enzymes and the expressions of immune-related genes. Taken together, sesamin plays an important role in maintaining hepatic health and preventing liver from toxic damage caused by fluoride.

Protective effects of molecular hydrogen on hepatotoxicity induced by sub-chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos in rats.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a organophosphate insecticide widely used in agriculture with attendant adverse health outcomes. Chronic exposure to CPF induces oxidative stress and elicits harmful effects, including hepatic dysfunction. Molecular hydrogen has been identified as a novel antioxidant which could selectively scavenge hydroxyl radicals. The aim of this study was to determine whether the intake of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) could protect rats from hepatotoxicity caused by sub-chronic exposure to CPF. Rats were treated with hydrogen-rich water by oral intake for 8 weeks. Biochemical indicators of liver function, SOD and CAT activity, GSH and MDA levels were determined by the spectrophotometric method. Liver cell damage induced by CPF was evaluated by histopathological and electron microscopy analysis. PCR array analysis was performed to investigated the effects of molecular hydrogen on the regulation of oxidative stress related genes. Both the hepatic function tests and histopathological analysis showed that the liver damage induced by CPF could be ameliorated by HRW intake. HRW intake also attenuated CPF induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by restored SOD activities and MDA levels. The results of PCR Array identified 12 oxidative stress-related genes differentially expressed after CPF exposure, 8 of chich, including the mitochondrial Sod2 gene, were significantly attenuated by HRW intake. The electron microscopy results indicated that the mitochondrial damage caused by CPF was alleviated after HRW treatment. The results obtained suggest that HRW intake can protect rats from CPF induced hepatotoxicity, and the oxidative stress signaling and the mitochondrial pathway may be involved in the protection of molecular hydrogen.

Therapeutic Effects of 5,7-Dihydroxy-6-Oxoheptadecanoic Acid on Dysglycemia, Dyslipidemia, and Other Complications in Diabetic Rats

The current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of 5,7-dihydroxy-6-oxoheptadecanoic acid (DHA) from Tiliacora triandra on rat models of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM was induced with a combination of high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ), and diabetic rats were treated with DHA (25 mg/kg) for 30 days. The body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum, and liver biochemical parameters, as well as histological evaluations of the liver and pancreas, were evaluated. Diabetic rats displayed a significant increase in FBG, serum lipid profiles (triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), liver function enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine transaminase), creatinine, liver malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) contents. Furthermore, insulin level and liver antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px]) were significantly reduced in the diabetic rats. Whereas, treatment with DHA significantly reduced FBG, serum lipids, liver function enzymes, serum creatinine, liver MDA, and MPO contents. In addition, treatment with DHA significantly increased serum insulin level and liver SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities. In addition, DHA alleviated histopathological changes in the pancreas and liver caused by T2DM. These results portray the antidiabetic and antioxidative properties of DHA and can be considered as a potential treatment for T2DM.

Histopathological, biochemical and molecular studies on the toxic effect of used engine oil on the health status of Oreochromis niloticus

The accidental spilling of petroleum oils into natural water resources expose fishes in the effluent area to serious problems.. Oreochromis niloticus were used in the current study as a model to investigate the toxicity of used engine oil and to evaluate the protective role of vitamin C against this toxicity. The oil concentration used in this study was previously determined to be 0.25 ml/l by 96 h-LC50. After 21 days of engine oil exposure, haematological and biochemical analyses revealed significant reduction in RBCs counts, haemoglobin concentrations and total proteins. However, ALT, AST and glucose levels were significantly increased by the end of the experiment indicating the damaging effects of the oil on fish tissues. Oxidative stress biomarkers were also measured; liver CAT activity was significantly decreased in the oil exposed group compared to control group, while MDA levels were significantly elevated. Histopathological examination showed the presence of several alterations in hepatic and branchial tissues in exposed group compared to the control group. Significant elevations in CYP1 A1 mRNA expression levels in hepatic tissue were also detected in the group exposed to used engine oil compared to the control group. However, supplementation of fishexposed to used engine oil with vitamin Csignificantly enhance the biochemical, oxidative and histological parameters.

Copper Accumulation in Tissues of Oreochromis niloticus Exposed to Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and Copper Sulphate with Their Effect on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Liver

Copper accumulation in the gill, liver, kidney, spleen, and muscle tissues of Oreochromis niloticus was determined after exposing the fish to 10, 50, and 100 μg Cu/L applied as copper sulphate (CuSO4) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) after 1, 7, and 15 days. Changes in the liver SOD, CAT, and GPx activities influenced by this accumulation were also studied. No mortality was observed during the experiments. Copper levels increased in the gill, liver, kidney, and spleen tissues of O. niloticus compared to control when exposed to both CuSO4 and CuO NPs, whereas no accumulation was detected in muscle tissue at the end of the exposure period. Highest accumulation of copper was observed in the order of the liver, kidney, spleen, and gill tissues, respectively. SOD, CAT, and GPx activities increased in the liver tissue at the end of the exposure period. Overall, CuO NPs are more effective than CuSO4 in terms of tissue accumulation and liver enzyme activities.

Investigation of the protective effects of horse mushroom (Agaricus arvensis Schaeff.) against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Wild and cultured mushrooms have been extensively used for food and medicinal purposes all around the world. However, there is limited information on chemical composition, health enhancing effects and contributions on diet of some mushrooms (e.g., Agaricus arvensis) widely distributed in many countries including United Kingdom, Australia, Turkey etc. Therefore, the present study was aimed to analyse the bioactive composition and ameliorative effects of A. arvensis via evaluating in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties in CCl4 induced rat model. The extract exhibited higher antioxidant capacities in vitro than that of the positive control (Reishi-Shiitake-Maitake standardized extract). Administration of the extract had significant regulative effects in the levels of AST, ALT, LDH, Urea and TRIG levels according to CCl4 group. Additionally, lipid peroxidation and GSH in the brain, kidney and liver tissues was regulated by extract treated groups compared to the CCI4 group. The supplementation of the extract at the dose of 100mg/kg regulated the levels of GST, GR, CAT and GPx enzyme activities in brain and liver, but not in kidney tissue. There was approximately three fold increase in CAT enzyme activity in kidney tissue of extract treated groups compared to Control and CCl4 groups. The extract contained a rich composition of bioactive compounds including phenolics (protocatechuic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid), volatile compounds (benzaldehyde, palmitic acid and linoleic acid) and mineral compounds (K, Si, Mg and Na). Data obtained within this study suggests that A. arvensis might be used for food industries in order to obtain nutritional products.

Cicer arietinum extract ameliorate γ-irradiation disorders via modulation of oxidative/antioxidative pathway

Ionized radiations trigger thoughtful adverse hazards through multiple organ dysfunctions. Recently, antioxidant-based biodrugs are used to prevent and treat ionizing radiation hazards. The present study aimed to investigate the prospective ameliorative effect of Cicer arietinum extract (CAE) against γ-irradiation and the pathway of this amelioration in male albino rats. Twenty four rats were allocated into four groups; (i) control group, (ii) CAE group in which rats treated with a dosage of 500 mg CAE/kg b.wt, (iii) γ-irradiated group in which rats exposed to 6Gy γ-irradiation, (iv) γ-irradiated+CAE group; rats of this group treated with CAE 1 h post exposure. All rats treated for 21 days. Liver, kidney and femoral bone were rapidly excised and homogenized for the biochemical analysis. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP) analyses exhibit that γ-irradiation elicits significant change in the essential trace elements content in liver, kidney, and bone. Further, significant increases in TBARS and H2O2 contents accompanied by significant decreases in GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities in liver, kidney and bone tissues were recorded in the γ-irradiated rats compared to control group. Additionally, marked reduction in the thickness of cortical bone was recorded in rats exposed to γ-irradiation. Conversely, CAE (500 mg/kg b.wt, p.o) administration for 21 days to γ-irradiated rats effectively reverses most of the altered parameters of the γ-irradiated rats. In conclusion, the present findings suggested that CAE is a potential agent that can be used against radiation hazards. This effect may be owing to its antioxidant mechanism, as CAE has an inhibitory effect against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide radical (O2·−) beside its ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). This finding recommended that CAE can be utilized clinically to mitigate ionized radiation-induced hazard effects.

The effect of hesperidin and quercetin on oxidative stress, NF-κB and SIRT1 levels in a STZ-induced experimental diabetes model

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the roles of SIRT1 and NF-κB in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus in rats with STZ-induced diabetes and determine the effects of hesperidin and quercetin on oxidative stress and on the levels of SIRT1 and NF-κB. Materials and methodsThe experimental animals were divided into four groups, each group comprising ten rats designated as follows: group 1 served as control rats (C); group 2 served as diabetic rats (DM); group 3 served as diabetic rats administered hesperidin (DM+HSP) (100mg/kg b.w.) in aqueous suspension orally for 15 days; and group 4 served as diabetic rats administered quercetin (DM+Q) (100mg/kg b.w.) in aqueous suspension orally for 15 days. ResultsIn diabetic group, liver and kidney SIRT1, SOD and CAT activities were significantly lower than control group (p<0.05). Hesperidin and quercetin caused significant increase in the SIRT1, SOD and CAT activities of both DM+HP and DM+Q groups kidney tissues compared to DM group (p<0.05). Liver SOD activies were not found to differ significantly between DM, DM+Q and DM+HP groups (p>0.05). In DM+HP group, liver CAT activities were significantly higher than DM (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in liver CAT activities between DM and DM+Q (p>0.05). In diabetic group, liver and kidney NF-κB and MDA levels were increased compared to control group (p<0.05), and groups of DM+HP and DM+Q had lower NF-κB and MDA levels than diabetic group (p<0.05). ConclusionAs a conclusion, based on the results we obtained from this study and the literature data discussed above, we determined in STZ-induced diabetic rats that, increased glucose levels and liver and kidney damage markers decreased significantly after administration of hesperedin and quercetin, and that oxidative stress and NF-κB levels increased while SIRT1 levels decreased in the diabetic group.

Effect of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on the female rat reproductive tract and liver and kidney functions in vivo

Looking for an animal model to investigate the potential estrogenic effect of indigenous rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on females with functional ovaries, we used ovary-intact mature female Wistar rats. Rats were exposed to unfermented (Ur) or fermented (Fr) rooibos (2% and 5%, respectively) as sole source of drinking for 21days. Unfermented rooibos (5%) significantly increased relative uterus weight while fermented tea (5%) caused a significant decrease in relative ovary weight. Although statistically not significant, all rooibos treatments caused a trend to increased serum FSH but decreased LH level. Histological sections revealed no adverse changes in the ovary, uterus, kidney and liver of all treated groups. Endometrium thickness was enhanced, whereas myometrium was unchanged. No signs of inflammation were observed. In serum, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) did not change whereas 2% Ur caused a significant drop in ALT activity. Fermented rooibos, however, induced an increase in AST activity (P<0.01; 5%) and creatinine level (P<0.05; 5%). No effects on total body weight gain or relative kidney weight were observed while relative liver weight was significantly increased by Ur. Antioxidant activities of CAT, SOD and GSH and MDA levels in the kidney and liver remained unchanged (P>0.05) while liver CAT activity was significantly improved by 5% Ur. In conclusion, Aspalathus linearis might exhibit some estrogenic property and may thus be beneficial to boost female fertility. Rooibos is able to maintain antioxidant levels in the serum, kidney and liver. No major adverse in vivo effects could be observed. However, it seems that especially fermented rooibos may affect kidney and liver tissue as there is a significant increase in AST and creatinine values and a trend to dose-dependent rises in ALT activity. Though, the potential clinical relevance needs further investigations.