Liver MDA Levels Research Articles

In vivo Hepatoprotective Potential of Nigella sativa Extract Against Rifampicin Induced Sub-chronic Hepatotoxicity and Altered Redox Status

Despite the hepatotoxic effects of Rifampicin (RIF), its use is inevitable in the management of tuberculosis. No satisfactory treatment is available for prevention of this adverse effect. This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of Nigella sativa extract (NSE) against Rifampicin induced sub-chronic hepatotoxicity. Male wistar rats were divided in 4 groups of 8 each and received vehicle, RIF (100 mg/ kg), RIF (100 mg/kg)+NSE (250 mg/kg) or RIF (100 mg/kg)+NSE (500 mg/kg) orally respectively for 28 days. Blood was withdrawn at day 14 and 28 for estimation of circulatory liver markers and anti-oxidant levels. At the end of the experiment histopathological study and estimation of SOD, CAT, GSH and LPO in liver samples was done. Pre-treatment of NSE produced significant hepatoprotection by decreasing the level of serum Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p<0.01), Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (p<0.001), Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) (p<0.001), serum bilirubin (p<0.01), and liver MDA (p<0.05) levels by increasing the level of SOD (p<0.01), CAT (p<0.01), and GSH (p<0.001). Liver histopathology showed mononuclear infiltration, degenerative changes in hepatocytes, bridging necrosis extending from one portal tract to another along with portal triditis and microvesicular steatosis. Pre-treatment group of NSE (500 mg/kg) showed near normal liver architecture with microvesicular steatosis. Pre-treatment groups of NSE (250 mg/kg) showed near normal regaining of architecture of liver with persisting fatty degeneration in the portal tract. The results indicate that NSE possesses hepatoprotective action against RIF induced sub chronic hepatoxicity. Further research is needed to advocate its use in prevention of drug induced hepatotoxicity.

Antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of traditional aqueous extract of Zygophyllum album in streptozotocin diabetic mice

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effects of the aqueous extract of Zygophyllum album on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Methods: Diabetes was induced in Swiss albino mice by the administration of STZ (45mg/kg b.w.) intraperitoneally. Aqueous extract of Z. album (100 and 300mg/kg b.w.) was administered by oral gavage once a day for a period of 15days. The effect of the extract on blood glucose, lipids, cholesterol levels in plasma, and also on enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants of defence systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities, and vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione reductase (GSH) levels in liver and pancreas were studied. Results: Our results showed that Z. album extract reduced the blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels in STZ-diabetic mice. It also significantly abolished the increase in MDA level, and GPx, SOD and CAT activities in both liver and pancreas. The levels of GSH, vitamin C and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were significantly augmented in Z. album treated diabetic mice in comparison with control group. Our findings suggest that Z. album aqueous extract prevented the diabetic induced MDA levels via the enhancement of the tissue GSH and blood vitamin C levels. Conclusions: These results suggest that Z. album extract exerts the anti-diabetic and antihypercholesterolemic activities through its antioxidant properties.

BENEFICIARY ANTILIPOPEROXIDATIVE EFFECT OF LYCOPENE ON H2O2-SUPPLEMENTED OXIDATIVE STRESSED RATS - A DOSE-DEPENDENT STUDY

In our previous study, we reported the antioxidative effects of lycopene on H2O2-supplemented oxidatively stressed rats. In this study, the antilipoperoxidative effect of various doses of lycopene on H2O2-supplemented oxidatively stressed rats was studied. Administration of lycopene beadlets (LBs) to H2O2-supplemented oxidatively stressed animals at doses of 0.62 g and 1.24 g/100 g ameliorated both peroxidative and hyperlipidemic conditions. Oral administration of low and high doses of LBs to the oxidatively stressed rats significantly decreased their levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoproteins compared to their untreated counterparts. In addition, LBs effectively decreased serum and liver malondialdehyde levels in H2O2-supplemented animals. Serum lycopene levels increased markedly with higher dose of LBs. These observations indicate that lycopene reduces endogenous lipogenesis and increases lipid catabolism and subsequent excretion of metabolic by-products through the intestinal tract. However, lycopene at a dose of 1.24 g/100 g was superior for the amelioration of peroxidation-induced lipid abnormalities in H2O2-supplemented rats. In conclusion, lycopene presumably prevents the formation and development of atheromatous plaque. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The hypothesis tested in the present study was that high dietary intake of lycopene is protective against peroxidation products (malondialdehyde [MDA]) and against increased levels of serum lipids, and serum lipoproteins with or without H2O2 treatment. With or without H2O2 treatment, lycopene lowered MDA, a major lipid peroxidation product, moderately in serum but markedly in the liver. Hydrogen peroxide consumption elevated liver and serum MDA levels similarly among all treatments, but induced no increase in serum MDA for the lycopene group, which indicated a stronger protection against lipid peroxidation by lycopene treatment. The present findings indicated that the intake of lycopene may exert antilipoperoxidative effects by lowering lipid peroxidation as well as serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and MDA levels, which may have an important relevance in the enhancement of cardiovascular health. Present observation importantly point out that, lycopene treatments with or without H2O2 consumption lowered serum total cholesterol and triglycerides levels significantly, as well as decreased serum LDL-C of their respective levels in controls. Lycopene have been used as a cardiotonic for the control of oxidative stress-induced cardiovascular problems.

Perturbations in the antioxidant metabolism during Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection in chicken

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E on pro/anti-oxidant status in the liver, brain and heart of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infected chickens. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the levels of reduced glutathione and malonaldehyde were estimated in selected tissues of uninfected, NDV-infected and NDV + vit. E-treated chickens. A significant increase in MDA levels in brain and liver (p < 0.05) was observed in NDV-infected chickens when compared to controls. The activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST and levels of GSH were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in brain and liver of NDV-infected chickens over controls. On the other hand, a significant decreased MDA levels and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity levels were observed in NDV + vit. E-treated animals compared to NDV-infected chickens. Histopathological studies revealed that liver of NDV infected chicken shows focal coagulation and infiltration of hepatocytes, whereas neuronal necrosis and degeneration of Purkinje cells were observed in brain and moderate infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in heart. However such histological alterations were not observed in NDV + vit. E-treated animals. The results of the present study, thus demonstrated that antioxidant defense mechanism is impaired after the induction of NDV, suggesting its critical role in cellular injury in brain and liver. Further, the results also suggest that vitamin E treatment will ameliorate the antioxidant status in the infected animals. The findings could be beneficial to understand the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of NDV and therapeutic interventions of antioxidants.

The effects of CoQ10 on the erythrocyte and liver tissue cholinesterase, NO and MDA levels in the acute organophosphate toxicity

The effects of CoQ10 on the erythrocyte and liver tissue cholinesterase, NO and MDA levels in the acute organophosphate toxicity

Comparative Study Between Therapeutic Effects of Melatonin and Zinc in Lead induced Toxicity in Rats

The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects of melatonin as well as zinc in combination or each one alone against the hepatic and renal toxicity of lead in male rats.Five groups of animals were allocated as follows: Group I, includes 12 rats injected subcutaneously with 0.2 ml physiological saline for 60 days; groups II and III, each includes 12 rats, injected with lead acetate 100 mg/kg/day s.c for 30 days, followed by treatment with intraperotoneal injection of physiological saline (0.2 ml) or melatonin 30mg/kg/day for the next 30 days. Group IV, include 12 rats, injected with lead acetate 100 mg/kg/day s.c for 30 days, followed by treatment with intraperotoneal injection of zinc sulphate 1.5 mg/kg/day for the next 30 days. Group V, includes 12 rats injected with 100mg/kg lead acetate s.c for 30 days followed by treatment with intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg/day melatonin and 1.5mg/kg/day zinc sulphate for the latter 30 days. At the end of treatment period, the rats were sacrificed by an overdose (100mg/kg) of thiopental (twenty-four hour after the last injection).Laparotomies were performed to obtain the livers and kidneys for the assessment of tissue damage. Oxidative stress parameter (MDA), hemoglobin content, liver and renal functions, and histological appearance of the studied organs were evaluated and compared with that of negative and positive controls.Treatment with melatonin or zinc reverses the damage induced by lead in many organs and tissues through the reduction of MDA levels in RBCs, liver and kidneys; in addition to the improvement in the indices of the functions of the organs studied.These findings demonstrated that addition of zinc to melatonin are capable of further reversing damage of rat tissues caused by successive doses of lead acetate, and animals had restored their organ functions due to combined treatment.

Effect of Garcinia Atroviridis on Oxidative Stress and Atherosclerotic Changes in Experimental Guinea Pigs

Problem statement: Oxidative stress plays a major role in hypercholesterolemia induced atherosclerosis. Garcinia atroviridis has been shown to exhibit antioxidant properties. Approach: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Garcinia atroviridis on the oxidative stress in guinea pigs fed with high cholesterol diet. Twenty-four male Guinea pigs were divided into four groups. Group I served as control while group II, III, IV were fed with 1% cholesterol diet in rabbit chow pellet, fed with both 1% cholesterol diet plus 50 mg body-1 weight of Garcinia atroviridis, fed with Garcinia atroviridis only (50 mg mL-1 water body-1 weight), respectively. All animals were sacrificed by cardiac puncture and the blood was collected for the determination of malonaldialdehyde and DNA damage using comet assay and histology of the aorta was performed. Results: The results showed a significant increase in the percentage of DNA damage in the tail and in the tail moment (comet assay) in the group II compared to the group I. Group III showed pattern of reduction in the percentage of DNA damage by 42% and tail moment by 50% compared to the group II. There were no significant changes in the MDA levels in serum, liver and heart in all groups. Histological studies in group III showed a tendency in the reduction of the fat deposition in the aorta and number of foam cells compared to the group II. Conclusion: The supplementation with Garcinia atroviridis reduced the DNA damage and deposition of lipids in the wall of the aorta in hypercholesteromic guinea pigs.

Tomato powder is more protective than lycopene supplement against lipid peroxidation in rats

The hypothesis that tomato powder (TP) is more protective than lycopene-beadlet (LB) treatment in rats fed with or without H(2)O(2) was tested by comparing their beneficial effects on serum and hepatic lipids, peroxidation product (malondialdehyde [MDA]), and serum lipoproteins. In groups receiving no H(2)O(2), TP and LB similarly lowered MDA, a major lipid peroxidation product, moderately in the serum but markedly in the liver, more than their respective controls. Hydrogen peroxide consumption elevated liver and serum MDA levels similarly among all treatments, but induced no increase in serum MDA for the TP group, which indicated a stronger protection against lipid peroxidation by TP than by LB treatment. Although the TP and LB diets provided equal amounts of lycopene, serum, and liver lycopene levels for treatments with or without H(2)O(2), they were markedly elevated in TP but still higher in LB group than controls. This indicated a greater lycopene bioavailability in LB than TP. Importantly, TP and LB treatments with or without H(2)O(2) consumption lowered serum total cholesterol and triglycerides by one fifth, as well as decreased serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by more than one third of their respective levels in controls. Similarly, liver total cholesterol was markedly lowered (>1/3) by TP or LB treatment, but liver triglycerides were lowered to one fourth by only TP treatment, of the levels in their respective controls. Thus, TP appeared to be more protective because of its additional ability to prevent the H(2)O(2)-induced rise in serum MDA and seemed to lower liver triglycerides more than LB treatment.

Prophylactic Effects of Melatonin in Lead Induced Toxicity in Rats

Exposure to lead results in significant accumulation in most of vital organs, and free radical damage has been proposed as a cause of lead-induced tissue damage where oxidative stress is a likely molecular mechanism. This study is designed to evaluate therapeutic effects melatonin in lead-induced organs toxicity in rats.Evaluation of melatonin in this respect was conducted in a rat model of lead-induced toxicity. All test groups here were challenged with subcutaneous injections of 100mg/kg lead acetate daily for one month. Melatonin in a dose of 20 mg/kg was administered intraperotoneal as adjunct treatment with leadacetate. The changes in total body weight, weight of major organs (brain, liver and kidney), oxidative stress parameters, hemoglobin content, liver and renal functions, and histological appearance of the studied organs were evaluated and compared with that of negative and positive controls. In addition, melatonin has the ability to reverse the damage induced by lead in many organs and tissues through the reduction of MDA levels in RBCs, brain, liver and kidney; and theincrease in GSH levels in all studied organs; in addition to the improvement in the indices of the functions of the organs studied.These findings demonstrate that melatonin capable of preventing damage of rat tissues caused by successive doses of lead acetate, and also demonstratethat these animals had restored their organ functions due to treatment with melatonin

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea L. and stem bark of Tecomella undulata

Ethnopharmacological relevance The aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea (L.) pers. (Fabaceae) and stem bark of Tecomella undulata seem. (Bignoniaceae) are used for liver disorders in the traditional system of medicine. Aim of the study To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea and stem bark of Tecomella undulata against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and methods Hepatotoxicity was induced in albino rats of either sex by subcutaneous injection of thioacetamide. Aqueous–ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg/day and ethanolic extract of stem bark of Tecomella undulata (200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day were evaluated. Results Oral administration of Tephrosia purpurea at 500 mg/kg and Tecomella undulata at 1000 mg/kg resulted in a significant reduction in serum aspartate aminotransaminase (35% and 31%, respectively), alanine aminotransaminase (50% and 42%, respectively), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (56% and 49%, respectively), alkaline phosphatase (46% and 37%, respectively), total bilirubin (61% and 48%, respectively) and liver MDA levels (65% and 50%, respectively), and significant improvement in liver glutathione (73% and 68%, respectively) when compared with thioacetamide damaged rats. Histology of the liver sections of the animals treated with the extracts also showed dose-dependent reduction of necrosis. Conclusions The present study demonstrates the hepatoprotective activity of the aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea and stem bark of Tecomella undulata against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity.

The effects of royal jelly on liver damage induced by paracetamol in mice

The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of royal jelly against paracetamol-induced liver damage. The study was conducted in 90 female Swiss Albino mice, and six groups were established. While the first group was maintained as control, Groups 2–6 were administered 200 mg/kg RJ for 1 day, 200 mg/kg RJ for 7 days, 400 mg/kg PAR for 1 day, 200 mg/kg RJ plus 400 mg/kg PAR for 1 day and 200 mg/kg RJ for 7 days and then second 400 mg/kg PAR on the 7th day, orally, respectively. It was shown that PAR significantly increased serum ALT, AST, ALP, liver MDA levels and significantly decreased liver GSH-Px activity, when compared to the control group (Group 1). On the other hand, meaningful changes were observed in the biochemical parameters of the group which was administered long-term RJ (Group 6). The aforementioned parameters which were statistically significant were determined to have drawn closer to values of the control group, and among these, the existing statistical differences for MDA level and GSH-Px activity between the trial group (Group 6) and the control group disappeared (Group 1). Compared to the pathological changes observed in the liver parenchyma, remark cords, sinusoids and hepatocytes in the group which was administered paracetamol alone (Group 4), lesions were determined to be less severe particularly in the group (Group 6) which received royal jelly for 7 days prior to paracetamol. In conclusion, the administration of royal jelly as a hepatoprotective agent for 7 days against paracetamol-induced liver damage was determined to exhibit marked protective effect on liver tissue.

Epigallocatechin gallate attenuates experimental non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by high fat diet

In the present study, we examined the preventive role of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in an experimental non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model induced by a high fat diet. The study included 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were equally divided into three groups. The first group was fed on a standard rat diet, the second group on a high fat diet (HFD), and the third group on a HFD + EGCG. The study concluded after 6 weeks. Histopathological examination was performed. Plasma and tissue MDA levels, glucose, insulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels were studied. Insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostasis model of insulin resistance method. Steatosis, inflammation, ballooning degeneration, and necrosis increased significantly in the HFD group, compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Steatosis and inflammation decreased in the HFD + EGCG group, in comparison to the HFD group (P < 0.05, for each). There was a significant decline in ALT (P < 0.01), triglyceride (P < 0.01), insulin (P < 0.05), and glucose (P < 0.05) levels in the HFD + EGCG group, when compared to the HFD group. Plasma and liver MDA levels in the HFD + EGCG group were lower than those of the HFD group; the difference was significant (P < 0.01 for each). Glutathione levels in the HFD + EGCG group was significantly higher those in the HFD group. CYP 2E1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression decreased in the HFD + EGCG group, in comparison to the HFD group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). EGCG reduces the development of experimental non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by a high fat diet. It seems to exercise this effect through its effect on lipid metabolism and antioxidant characteristics.

Hepatoprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum peptides against d-galactosamine-induced liver injury in mice

Ganoderma lucidum (GL), a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom, has been widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatopathy of various etiologies. The hepatoprotective activity of peptides from Ganoderma lucidum (GLP) was evaluated against d-galactosamine ( d-GalN)-induced hepatic injury in mice. GLP was administered via gavage daily for 2 weeks at doses of 60, 120 and 180 mg/kg, respectively. Control groups were given the same amount of physiological saline synchronously. Then the mice from d-GalN control and GLP-treated groups were treated with d-GalN (750 mg/kg) suspended in normal saline by intraperitoneal injection. d-GalN-induced hepatic damage was manifested by a significant increase in the activities of marker enzymes (AST, ALT) in serum and MDA level in liver ( P < 0.01), and by a significant decrease in activity of SOD and GSH level in liver ( P < 0.01). Pretreatment of mice with GLP reversed these altered parameters to normal values. The biochemical results were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. The best hepatoprotective effects of GLP were observed after treatment with the dose of 180 mg/kg as it was evidenced from biochemical parameters and liver histopathological characters which were similar to those of normal control group. Results of this study revealed that GLP could afford a significant protection in the alleviation of d-GalN-induced hepatocellular injury.

Effects of dietary Chinese cured meat on lipid metabolism in rats

The effects of different fats on animal lipid metabolism were investigated in order to clarify the safety of cured meat. The physical effect of nitrite in the cured meat was also explored due to a increased concern of this compound as a food additive. Body weight, food intake, organ/body weight ratio and plasma lipid profiles were analyzed. Rats fed with cured meat fat did not show any differences in body weight and food intake, compared with the control, and no significant difference was observed among groups. However, lard-fed rats showed marked morphological alternations in aortic intima and liver tissue. The cured meat group did not show apparent morphological changes on aorta intima compared to the control. Rats that received lard diet had significantly elevated TC (2.27 ± 0.46 mmol/ml), higher LDL-C (0.78 ± 0.31 mmol/ml) but lower HDL-C (1.55 ± 0.14 mmol/ml). Lard-fed rats had elevated oxidized LDL in serum and MDA level in blood and liver. However, diets containing fresh fat (with/without added nitrite) or cured meat fat failed to show these detrimental effects.

CAPABILITY OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII TO INDUCE AN OXIDATIVE STRESS AND INITIATION OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS IN CATS EXPERMENTALLY INFECTED

This study was conducted to explore the capability of Toxoplasma gondii to induce an oxidative stress status via an experimental infection of 12 domesticated cats appear free of natural Toxoplasma gondii infection, by feeding tachyzoites infected mice. Tachyzoites have been isolated from 3 month aborted ewes fetus. The positive results of this infection were achieved by the isolation of oocysts from the fecal matter at 7 days post infection (p.i.), as well as the demonstration of tissue cysts in the brain tissue of infected cats at 14 days p.i. This study was revealed that an oxidative stress status appear at 30 days p.i., clarified by significance elevation of MDA levels in liver, brain ,and aorta tissues of infected cats, concomitant with a significance reduction in GSH concentration in the same tissues. Moreover, the present study suggest the correlation of this oxidative stress with progression of atherosclerotic lesions namely: fatty lesions and fatty proliferative lesions, that appear in the aorta of infected cats at 30 days p.i. on the other side, this study remarks the serum fatty profiles and the gross and the histopathological changes in infected cats.

Combined effect of vanadium(V) and chromium(III) on lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney of rats

Since chromium(III) was demonstrated to have antioxidative action, we have decided to study the effect of this element on V-induced LPO in liver and kidney of rats. Outbred 2-month-old, albino male Wistar rats received daily, for a period of 12 weeks: group I (control), deionized water to drink; group II, sodium metavanadate (SMV) solution at a concentration of 0.100 mg V/mL; group III, chromium chloride (CC) solution at a concentration of 0.004 mg Cr/mL and group IV, SMV–CC solution at a concentration of 0.100 mg V and 0.004 mg Cr/mL. The particular experimental groups took up with drinking water about 8.6 mg V/kg b.w./24 h (group II), 0.4 mg Cr/kg b.w./24 h (group III), 9 mg V and 0.36 mg Cr/kg b.w./24 h (group IV). The V- or Cr-treated groups had higher concentrations of these two elements in liver and kidney compared to the controls. The administration of vanadium alone caused a significant decrease in fluid intake and in body weight gain compared to the controls. In liver supernatants obtained from all tested rats a statistically significant increase in MDA concentration was demonstrated in spontaneous LPO in comparison with the control rats. Moreover, in rats intoxicated with vanadium alone a statistically significant increase in liver MDA level was observed in the presence of 100 μM NaVO 3. Instead, in supernatants of liver received from rats treated with chromium alone, a statistically significant increase in MDA concentration in comparison with the controls was found in the presence of 400 μM NaVO 3. In kidney supernatants obtained from rats treated with chromium alone, a statistically significant increase in lipid peroxidation was shown in the presence of 30 μM FeSO 4 and 400 μM NaVO 3. These results show that the tested doses of vanadium(V) and chromium(III) ingested by rats with their drinking water caused significant alterations in internal organs, especially in liver. Under the conditions of our experiment, Cr(III) did not demonstrate antioxidant action, it rather had an oxidant effect.

Selenium and high dose vitamin E administration protects cisplatin-induced oxidative damage to renal, liver and lens tissues in rats

Cisplatin is one of the most active cytotoxic agents in the treatment of cancer but its clinical use is associated with nephrotoxicity. Several studies suggest that supplementation with antioxidant can influence cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of selenium with high dose vitamin E administration on lipid peroxidation (MDA) and scavenging enzyme activity in kidneys, liver and lens of cisplatin-induced toxicity in rats. Forty female Wistar rats were used. They were randomly divided into five groups. The first and second groups were used as control and cisplatin (6 mg/kg BW) intraperitoneally administrated groups. Groups III, IV and V received intraperitoneally five doses of selenium (1.5 mg/kg BW) and a high dose of vitamin E (1000 mg/kg BW) combination before, simultaneously and after with cisplatin, respectively. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), vitamin E and beta-carotene levels in the kidney, lens and liver, vitamin A and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the kidney were significantly (P<0.05 to <0.001) lower in the cisplatin group than in the control whereas there was a significant increase in kidney, liver and lens MDA levels in rats treated with cisplatin. The decreased antioxidant enzymes and vitamins and increased MDA levels in the kidney, lens and liver of animals administered with cisplatin were significantly (P<0.05 to <0.001) improved with selenium and a high dose vitamin E injection. In conclusion, this data demonstrates that there is an increase in lipid peroxidation in the kidney, liver and lens of animals administered with cisplatin whereas there is a decrease in antioxidant vitamins and enzymes. However, intraperitoneally injected selenium combined with a high dose of vitamin E seem to produce a significant improvement on antioxidants concentrations in rats treated before, simultaneously and after with cisplatin. The selenium with high dose vitamin E injection may play a role in preventing cisplatin-induced nephropathy and cataract formation in cancer patient.

The Effects of Estrogen and Raloxifene Treatment on Antioxidant Enzymes in Brain and Liver of Ovarectomized Female Rats

Recent studies documented that estrogen have antioxidant properties in‐vitro, there are conflicting results on the effect of estrogen in vivo. We aimed to investigate the effects of estradiol and Raloxifene on the antioxidant enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] activities and MDA levels in brain and liver homogenates of ovariectomized female rats. Twelve weeks after ovariectomy, female Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 26) were divided into three groups: (1) Ovariectomized placebo group (n = 6) was given physiologic saline. (2) Estrogen group (n = 10) was given Ethynyl estradiol, 0.1 mg/kg sc. (3) Raloxifene group (n = 10) was given raloxifene, 1 mg/kg sc during 8 weeks. Ten rats were used as naive controls without any treatment (Sham operated group, n = 10). Ovariectomy lead to an increase in the CAT activities in liver tissue samples compared to the sham group ( p = 0.056, Mann–Whitney test). While estrogen treatment reversed to normal levels of CAT activities, raloxifene remained as ineffective. Superoxide dismutase activities and MDA levels in liver were remained unchanged in all groups. There was no significant change in the brain tissue SOD and CAT activities between the control, ovariectomy, estrogen treated, and raloxifen treated groups. We determined an increase in MDA levels in brain of ovariectomised rat ( p = 0.02). While raloxifene treatment reversed to normal levels of MDA ( p = 0.008), estrogen treatment failed. Our data showed that estrogen may play a role in regulation of CAT and SOD activities in liver due to its antioxidative effects. We can suggest that estrogen and raloxifene exert their antioxidative effects in brain rather than liver. Since Raloxifene's effect is more clear than estradiol, raloxifene may be suggested primarily for treatment and/or prevention of diseases which can be resulted from oxidative stress in postmenopausal women.

The effects of tannic acid on serum lipid parameters and tissue lipid peroxides in the spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar Kyoto rats.

The effects of tannic acid or its vehicle (normal saline) on blood pressure, blood lipid parameters, liver and kidney malonaldehyde (MDA) levels were investigated in the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). When tannic acid dissolved in normal saline, was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice a week at a single dose of 15 mg/rat/injection (30 mg/week) for a period of 10 weeks to the SHR, the serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and triglycerides (TG) were significantly lower compared to the vehicle-treated SHR. However, there was no significant difference in the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) concentration. Administration (i.p.) of tannic acid to the WKY did not cause any significant effects on the serum TC, LDLC, and TG levels. The HDLC concentration of the tannic acid-treated WKY was significantly higher than in the vehicle-treated WKY. The LDLC/HDLC ratio was significantly lowered compared to their respective controls for both strains of rats. When tannic acid was administered (i.p.) by osmotic pumps over a 13 day period (30 mg tannic acid/week), the kidney MDA level in the SHR was found to be significantly lower than in the vehicle-treated SHR. The liver MDA level was not significantly different between the treated and control rats. In the WKY, MDA was detected in trace amounts in the kidneys of both the control and treated rats. There were appreciable amounts of MDA detected in the liver of the control and treated rats but these were not significantly different from one another.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)