Serum Sorbitol Dehydrogenase Activity Research Articles

Biochemical markers of the functional state of liver in rats fed diets with different protein and sucrose content

The study of mechanisms of the metabolic disorders in conditions of deficiency or excess of individual nutrients in the diet is a live issue. The influence of the simultaneous excess sucrose intake and protein deficiency in the diet on the functional state of the liver remains poorly understood. The aim of the research was to study the rate of generation of the superoxide radicals, the content of triglycerides and glycogen in the liver, as well as the activity of enzymatic markers of the liver state in rats fed diets with different protein and sucrose content. Material and methods. The studies were conducted over 28 days on 48 white non-linear rats, randomized into 4 groups: 1 - animals fed full-value semi-synthetic ration (14% protein); 2 - animals receiving low-protein ration (4.7% protein); 3 - animals receiving high-sucrose diet (40% sucrose), 4 - animals receiving low-protein high-sucrose diet. Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity was determined by the kinetic method in the reaction of NADH-dependent reduction of D-fructose to D-sorbitol. Serum alanine aminotransferase activity and aspartate aminotransferase was evaluated using a kit of reagents (Ukraine). Results and discussion. It was found that in rats fed low protein diet, no changes in the de Ritis coefficient were observed, while the activity of sorbitol dehydrogenase in blood serum increased 1.7 fold. However, no changes in the rate of superoxide radical formation, as well as glycogen and triglyceride level in the liver were observed. In animals fed highsugar diet, a rise in the de Ritis coefficient on the background of increased serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity (more than 3.5 times) was revealed. At the same time, the rate of the superoxide radical formation in the liver mitochondria enhanced by 3 fold, with an increased accumulation of glycogen and triglycerides. The most pronounced changes in liver state were observed in animals fed low-protein/high-sugar diet: a marked increase in the de Ritis coefficient with a 5-fold increase in the activity of sorbitol dehydrogenase, and a 6-fold elevation in the intensity of the superoxide radical generation in liver mitochondria. The triglyceride content in the liver doubled, while the glycogen content remained at the level of control values. Conclusion. The data obtained represent disturbances of the functional liver state as a consequence of the relatively short-term excessive consumption of sucrose, especially in combination with a alimentary protein deficiency. It was found that the leading factor in the formation of destructive changes in the liver was excessive sucrose consumption, while the concomitant protein deficiency exacerbated the functional changes in hepatocytes.

Integrating Multiple Biomarkers of Fish Health: A Case Study of Fish Health in Ports.

Biomarkers of fish health are recognised as valuable biomonitoring tools that inform on the impact of pollution on biota. The integration of a suite of biomarkers in a statistical analysis that better illustrates the effects of exposure to xenobiotics on living organisms is most informative; however, most published ecotoxicological studies base the interpretation of results on individual biomarkers rather than on the information they carry as a set. To compare the interpretation of results from individual biomarkers with an interpretation based on multivariate analysis, a case study was selected where fish health was examined in two species of fish captured in two ports located in Western Australia. The suite of variables selected included chemical analysis of white muscle, body condition index, liver somatic index (LSI), hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites, oxidative DNA damage as measured by serum 8-oxo-dG, and stress protein HSP70 measured on gill tissue. Statistical analysis of individual biomarkers suggested little consistent evidence of the effects of contaminants on fish health. However, when biomarkers were integrated as a set by principal component analysis, there was evidence that the health status of fish in Fremantle port was compromised mainly due to increased LSI and greater oxidative DNA damage in fish captured within the port area relative to fish captured at a remote site. The conclusions achieved using the integrated set of biomarkers show the importance of viewing biomarkers of fish health as a set of variables rather than as isolated biomarkers of fish health.

RETRACTED: Effect of Temperature and Storage Time on Sorbitol Dehydrogenase Activity in Sprague-Dawley Rat Serum and Plasma.

Sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) is a liver-specific enzyme sensitive to the detection of acute hepatocellular injury in rats; however, its usefulness has been questioned as being a highly labile enzyme. The purpose of this study was to determine the stability of serum and plasma SDH activity from both untreated rats and those treated with a single low dose injection of D-(þ)-galactosamine hydrochloride, a known hepatotoxicant. After collection and initial SDH activity analysis, aliquots of serum and plasma were stored at 21 C, 4 C, and 80 C and analyzed at various time points. Serum SDH activity was stable for 4 hr at 21 C. At 4 C, serum SDH activity was stable for 24 hr, after which it significantly increased; it was not stable at 80 C. Plasma SDH activity was significantly increased by 4 hr at 21 C and 4 C, and by 48 hr at 80 C. Analysis of plasma SDH activity should occur shortly after blood collection. Analysis of serum SDH activity should occur within 4 hr of collection or stored at 4 C and measured within 24 hr. Extended storage at 4 C or 80 C for the measurement of serum or plasma SDH activity cannot be recommended due to the observed substantial elevations in SDH activity.

Dose-related inhibition of the drug-metabolizing enzymes of rat liver by the pyrrolizidine alkaloid, monocrotaline.

Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 0, 10, 20, 40 or 80 mg kg-1 of monocrotaline intraperitoneally and the following toxicity parameters determined 24 h post treatment. Compared with the control none of the doses caused significant change in either the relative liver weight or the hepatic microsomal protein concentration. Microsomal cytochrome P450 content and activities of benzphetamine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase did not differ from the control at 10 or 20 mg kg-1 dosage. But, there was a significant loss of cytochrome P450 at 40 and 80 mg kg-1 dosages and decrease in the activity of the two enzymes only at the highest dose. Similarly, the highest dose caused a marked elevation of serum sorbitol dehydrogenase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity suggestive of severe liver damage.

Metabolism and Toxicity of Styrene in Microsomal Epoxide Hydrolase-Deficient Mice

Styrene, which is widely used in manufacturing, is both acutely and chronically toxic to mice. Styrene is metabolized by cytochromes P-450 to the toxic metabolite styrene oxide, which is detoxified via hydrolysis with microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) playing a major role. The purpose of these studies was to characterize the importance of this pathway by determining the hepatotoxicity and pneumotoxicity of styrene in wild-type and mEH-deficient (mEH−/−) mice. While the mEH−/− mice metabolized styrene to styrene oxide at the same rate as the wild-type mice, as expected there was minimal metabolism of styrene oxide to glycol. mEH−/− mice were more susceptible to the lethal effects of styrene. Twenty-four hours following the administration of 200 mg/kg ip styrene, mice demonstrated a greater hepatotoxic response due to styrene, as measured by increased serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity and greater pneumotoxicity as shown by increased protein levels, cell numbers, and lactate dehydrogenase activity in bronchioalveolar lavage fluid. mEH−/− mice were also more susceptible to styrene-induced oxidative stress, as indicated by greater decreases in hepatic glutathione levels 3 h after styrene. Styrene oxide at a dose of 150 mg/kg did not produce hepatotoxicity in either wild-type or mEH−/− mice. However, styrene oxide produced pneumotoxicity that was similar in the two strains. Thus, mEH plays an important role in the detoxification of styrene but not for exogenously administered styrene oxide.

Modulation of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and glutathione S-transferase activities in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons containing two to four rings: implications in biomonitoring aquatic pollution

Despite ubiquity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the tropical environments, little information is available concerning responses of tropical fish to PAHs and associated toxicity. In the present study, effects of five PAHs containing two to four aromatic rings on hepatic CYP1A dependent ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities in Nile tilapia, a potential fish species for biomonitoring pollution in tropical waters, were evaluated. Results showed that EROD activities were induced by the PAHs containing four aromatic rings (pyrene and chrysene) in a dose dependent manner. However PAHs with two to three aromatic rings (naphthalene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene) caused no effect or inhibition of EROD activities depending on the dose and the duration. Fluoranthene was the most potent inhibitor. SDH results demonstrated that high doses of fluoranthene induced hepatic damage. GST activity was induced by the lowest dose of phenanthrene, fluoranthene and chrysene but high doses had no effect. The results indicate that induction of EROD enzyme in Nile tilapia is a useful biomarker of exposure to PAHs such as pyrene and chrysene. However EROD inhibiting PAHs such as fluoranthene in the natural environment may modulate the EROD inducing potential of other PAHs thereby influencing PAH exposure assessments.

Oxidative Stress Due to (R)-Styrene Oxide Exposure and The Role of Antioxidants in Non-Swiss Albino (NSA) Mice

Styrene produces lung and liver damage that may be related to oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity of (R)-styrene oxide (R-SO), the more active enantiomeric metabolite of styrene, and the protective properties of the antioxidants glutathione (GSH), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and 4-methoxy-L-tyrosinyl-γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine (UPF1) against R-SO-induced toxicity in non-Swiss Albino (NSA) mice. UPF1 is a synthetic GSH analog that was shown to have 60 times the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in comparison to GSH. R-SO toxicity to the lung was measured by elevations in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), protein concentration, and number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Toxicity to the liver was measured by increases in serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. Antioxidants were not able to decrease the adverse effects of R-SO on lung. However, NAC (200 mg/kg) ip and GSH (600 mg/kg), administered orally prior to R-SO (300 mg/kg) ip, showed significant protection against liver toxicity as measured by SDH activity. Unexpectedly, a synthetic GSH analog, UPF1 (0.8 mg/kg), administered intravenously (iv) prior to R-SO, produced a synergistic effect with regard to liver and lung toxicity. Treatment with UPF1 (0.8 mg/kg) iv every other day for 1 wk for preconditioning prior to R-SO ip did not result in any protection against liver and lung toxicity, but rather enhanced the toxicity when administered prior R-SO. The results of the present study demonstrated protection against R-SO toxicity in liver but not lung by the administration of the antioxidants NAC and GSH.

Serum Sorbitol Dehydrogenase Activity as an Indicator of Chemically Induced Liver Damage in Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri)

The value of serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (s-SDH) activity to diagnose chemically induced liver damage in the fish, black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri), was assessed by intraperitoneal injection with pentachlorophenol sodium salt. Day 3 post-injection s-SDH activity levels were elevated in fish injected at the highest dosage (30 mg Kg−1) compared to control and other treatment groups. Control fish had s-SDH activity levels within the range of 15 to 88 mU mL−1 serum, while at the highest Na-PCP treatment s-SDH activity was 2.5 to 3.5 times higher on day 3 relative to control fish with levels returning to control levels by the 6th day following injection. An increase in the liver somatic index was not identified until day 6 post-injection and histological damage (hyperplasia) was not detected until the 9th day following injection in the high dosage treatment group. This study confirms that changes in s-SDH activity in black bream due to exposure to hepatotoxicants can be detected before physiological or hi...

Serum Bile Acids Concentrations in Healthy and Clinically Ill Neonatal Foals

Reference ranges for serum bile acids (SBA) concentration are well established in healthy adult horses. Increased values are indicative of hepatic disease. SBA concentrations are significantly greater in the neonatal period compared with mature horses, and illness in the neonatal period will further increase SBA. Ten healthy mature horses, 12 healthy foals, and 31 clinically ill foals. Prospective cross-sectional study. Blood samples were obtained once from the mature horses, from healthy foals immediately after birth, at 2 days, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks of age; and from ill foals less than 1 month of age at the time of admission to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. SBA concentrations were determined enzymatically and by radioimmunoassay. Total and direct bilirubin and triglyceride concentrations were measured, as well as sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities. There was a significant negative correlation between age and SBA concentration. Compared with mature horses, SBA concentrations were significantly greater in healthy foals at each collection time over the first 6 weeks of life. Radioimmunoassay values were lower than enzymatic SBA values, with increasing bias as the mean difference between values increased. When comparing age-matched values between healthy and ill foals, there were no significant differences in SBA. None of the ill foals had a primary diagnosis of hepatic disease. There was no significant correlation between the SBA concentration and the bilirubin or triglyceride concentrations or the GGT activity. There was a significant direct correlation between increased SBA and serum SDH activity in healthy foals only. SBA concentrations in foals are significantly higher in the early neonatal period, underscoring the importance of using age-matched references when evaluating clinical pathology values during the neonatal period.

Comparative effects of dimethylsulfoxide on metabolism and toxicity of carbon tetrachloride and dichloromethane

The effects of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on the metabolism and toxicity of chlorinated methanes were examined. Male mice were treated with DMSO (1, 2.5 or 5 ml kg(-1), i.p.) prior to challenge with dichloromethane (CH(2)Cl(2)) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). Blood carboxyhemoglobin elevation resulting from metabolic conversion of CH(2)Cl(2) to carbon monoxide was inhibited dose-dependently by DMSO pretreatment. The elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities induced by CCl(4) (0.1 mmol kg(-1)) was not changed in mice pretreated with DMSO at 1 ml kg(-1), but depressed significantly at a greater dose of DMSO. However, DMSO failed to alter the hepatotoxicity of CCl(4) injected at a dose of 0.2 mmol kg(-1). DMSO induced the microsomal p-nitrophenol hydroxylase and p-nitroanisole O-demethylase activities as early as 2 h following the treatment. Microsomal disposition of CH(2)Cl(2) and CCl(4) was measured using a vial equilibration technique. The disappearance of CH(2)Cl(2) was inhibited competitively by addition of DMSO. But DMSO did not affect the metabolic degradation of CCl(4). The results indicate that DMSO has multiple effects on metabolism and toxicity of xenobiotics. DMSO induces the hepatic metabolizing activity mediated by CYP2E1, but the presence of this solvent in the enzyme site may inhibit directly the enzymatic interaction with a substrate. The toxicological significance of DMSO-induced effects on such an interaction may be variable depending on the properties of each substrate. The invulnerability of CCl(4) metabolism to the effects of DMSO appears to be related to its high affinity for the lipophilic CYP enzyme site.

The effect of high dietary Cu on health, growth performance, and Cu status in young goats

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of high dietary Cu on growth performance and Cu status in goat kids. Fifteen Boer × Spanish goat kids (4–5 months of age; average BW = 21.3 ± 0.7 kg) were housed in individual pens and randomly assigned to three different treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) control (no additional Cu), (2) 100 mg Cu/d and (3) 200 mg Cu/d from an inorganic source Cu sulfate. Copper was placed in gelatin capsules and inserted in the esophagus via balling gun before AM feeding. Animals were fed ad libitum twice a day a 70:30 grain:hay diet to meet daily requirements of growing kids according to NRC [NRC, 1981. Nutrient requirements of domestic animals. Nutrient requirements of goats: angora, dairy and meat goats in temperate and tropical countries, No. 15, National Research Council, National Academy of Science, Washington, DC]. Feed intake and refusals were monitored daily and intake was adjusted weekly for 14 weeks. Body weight was recorded after 4 h withdrawals from feed and water, for 2 consecutive days every 2 weeks. Vital signs and blood samples were obtained every 2 weeks. After 14 weeks, sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) levels were determined and animals were slaughtered. Liver, bile, longissimus muscle (LM) and kidney samples were obtained postmortem. Copper supplementation had no effect ( P > 0.05) on respiration rate, heart rate, rectal temperature, or serum SDH activity. Average daily gain over 10 weeks was improved with 100 mg Cu intake (quadratic, P = 0.01). Average daily feed intake decreased linearly (linear, P = 0.05) as Cu increased in the diet with the control group consuming a higher grain:hay ratio in the diet (linear, P = 0.03). Gain efficiency was higher (quadratic, P = 0.02) with 100 mg Cu group when compared to control and 200 mg Cu groups. Liver and fecal Cu concentrations increased (linear, P = 0.0001) as Cu increased in the diet; however, serum, bile, and kidney Cu concentrations did not differ. These data indicate that high level of Cu fed to Boer × Spanish goat kids at 100 mg/d can enhance average daily gain and gain efficiency without eliciting Cu toxicity.

Metabolism and Toxicity of the Styrene Metabolite 4-Vinylphenol in CYP2E1 Knockout Mice

4-Vinylphenol (4-VP) is a minor metabolite of styrene and is several times more potent as a hepatotoxicant and pneumotoxicant than is either the parent compound or the major metabolite of styrene, styrene oxide. 4-VP is metabolized primarily by CYP2E1 and CYP2F2. To further elucidate the possible role of 4-VP in styrene-induced toxicity and the importance of its metabolism by CYP2E1, the metabolism of 4-VP and its hepatotoxicity and pneumotoxicity were compared in wild-type and CYP2E1 knockout mice. There were no marked differences between the wild-type and knockout mice in the rates of microsomal metabolism of 4-VP in either liver or lung. This unexpected result mimics previous findings with styrene metabolism in wild-type and knockout mice. When mice were administered 100 mg/kg 4-VP ip, the knockout mice were more susceptible to hepatotoxicity, as measured by increases in serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, than were the wild-type mice. There was no significant difference in the pneumotoxicity between the two strains. The data suggest that, as for styrene, additional cytochromes P-450 are involved in the metabolism of 4-VP.

Evaluation of impact of PAH on a tropical fish, Oreochromis mossambicus using multiple biomarkers

Treatment of the widely occurring tropical cichlid, Oreochromis mossambicus with a pure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), phenanthrene, induced a concentration-dependant formation of the enzyme, 7-ethoxyresorufin- O-deethylase (EROD). Concomittant increase (65–669%) in the activity of sorbitol dehydrogenase in the serum (SSDH) occurring with EROD induction denoted liver cell damage, which was more severe in fish exposed to lower concentrations (0.4–4 μg g −1) of the chemical. In O. mossambicus exposed to 25% refinery effluent liver damage associated with cell death was indicated by the twin analyses of SSDH and liver somatic index. Cell injury appeared to have occurred at low PAH concentrations due to inadequately induced phase II-related detoxification of metabolites. This was indicated by the nearly 33% higher activity of hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) in fish exposed to higher PAH concentrations as compared to low-exposure animals. Tilapia such as O. mossambicus were found to be eminently suited for biomonitoring in tropical coastal waters. A combination of EROD and serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity measurements serves as an excellent tool for biomonitoring sublethal effects of PAH pollution in fish.

Metabolic disturbances in fish exposed to sodium pentachlorophenate (NaPCP) and 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126), individually or combined

The Swan River Estuary is the recipient of multiple urban and agricultural contaminants which have the potential to induce liver detoxication enzymes as well as altering the metabolism of aquatic organisms. To test if altered liver metabolism would influence liver detoxication capacities, pink snapper ( Pagrus auratus) were i.p. injected with peanut oil (controls), or pentachlorobiphenyl #126 (PCB126), with sodium pentachlorophenate (NaPCP), or PCB126+NaPCP. Relative to controls, ethoxyresorufin- O-deethylase (EROD) activity was induced in the PCB126 and PCB126+NaPCP fish, but not in the NaPCP group. In the liver, cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activity was enhanced by the treatments while citrate synthase (CS) activity remained unchanged and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was increased in the NaPCP treatment only. The results suggest that liver CCO activity may be a suitable biomarker of effect following exposure to PCBs or phenolic compounds. In the white muscle, only the PCB126+NaPCP treatment enhanced CCO activity, with all other enzymatic activities remaining unchanged. It appears that the resilience to metabolic perturbations is greater for white muscle than for liver. Low serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (sSDH) activity and histopathology of the liver indicated no significant alteration of cellular structure, albeit the lipid droplet size was increased in the PCB126 and in the PCB126+NaPCP treatments. It is concluded that the hepatic metabolic changes correspond to histopathological observations, but an altered metabolic capacity do not influence the metabolism of xenobiotics by liver enzymes, as measured by EROD activity.

EROD activity, serum SDH and PAH biliary metabolites in sand flathead ( Platycephalus bassensis) collected in Port Phillip Bay, Australia

In order to evaluate the health status of fish inhabiting Port Phillip Bay, Australia, southern sand flathead ( Platycephalus bassensis, N=133) were collected at six stations throughout the Bay. Fish had a similar serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activity level ( p=0.12), indicating that they were not experiencing hepatocellular injuries. Ethoxyresorufin- O-deethylase (EROD) activity was generally lower in the non-urbanized and non-industrialized southern part of the Bay. The highest EROD activity was observed in Hobson Bay, the closest station from Melbourne city. Naphthalene-type biliary metabolites were also highest in Hobson Bay with intermediate levels found in Corio Bay where refineries are present. An opposite trend was observed with the pyrene-type bile metabolites, the highest levels being observed in Corio Bay while intermediate levels were found in Hobson Bay. The ratio of naphthalene-type to benzo( a)pyrene (B( a)P)-type metabolites indicate that relatively to other sites sampled in Port Phillip Bay, Corio Bay is subjected to enriched petroleum hydrocarbons of pyrolytic origin. Temporal trends indicate that the availability of xenobiotics to fish remained unchanged over the 1990s.

2-Nitropropane-induced lipid peroxidation: antitoxic effects of melatonin

The degree of lipid peroxidation (LPO) as indicated by the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxyalkenals (4-HDA), and the activity of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) in serum as parameters of hepatotoxicity were studied in rats treated with a single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of the hepatocarcinogen 2-nitropropane (2-NP). Since melatonin, the main secretory product of the pineal gland, has been shown to protect against a number of toxic agents, it was given 30 min before 2-NP to test its protective effect against 2-NP toxicity. Significant increases in LPO in liver ( P<0.0001), lung ( P<0.05) and kidney ( P<0.0001) were observed 24 h after 4 mmol/kg 2-NP while serum SDH activity was increased 470-fold. All parameters showed time (0, 4, 8, 24 h) and dose (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 mmol/kg) dependency. The induction of LPO by 2-NP was significantly reduced in lung and kidney when melatonin (2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg) was given prior to 2-NP administration. The elevation in serum SDH caused by 2-NP was also reduced when melatonin was given. These findings show that 2-NP induces LPO and that pharmacological levels of melatonin can reduce the toxicity of this hepatocarcinogen.

Effects of Singly Administered Betaine on Hepatotoxicity of Chloroform in Mice

Effects of a single dose of betaine on the chloroform-induced hepatotoxicity were examined in adult male ICR mice. Administration of betaine (1000 mg/kg, ip) 1 to 7 hr prior to a chloroform challenge (0.25 ml/kg, ip) resulted in remarkable enhancement of hepatotoxicity as indicated by increases in serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. The potentiation of hepatotoxicity was most significant when mice were treated with betaine 4 hr earlier than chloroform. However, a 24 hr prior administration of betaine protected the animals from induction of the chloroform hepatotoxicity. Thus, its effect appeared to be highly dependent on the time lapse from the betaine pretreatment to the challenge of mice with chloroform. Betaine treated either 4 or 24 hr prior to sacrifice did not alter the hepatic contents of cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b 5, or NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase activity. Accordingly the hepatic microsomal p-nitroanisole O-demethylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase, or p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activities were not influenced by the betaine pretreatment. Betaine was shown not to affect any of the enzyme activities associated with glutathione (GSH) conjugation reaction, such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), glutathione disulfide (GSSG) reductase and GSH peroxidase irrespective of the time of its administration. When betaine was administered to mice 2–6 hr prior to sacrifice, hepatic GSH level, but not plasma GSH, was decreased significantly. Enhancement of the chloroform hepatotoxicity by betaine correlated well with the reduction in hepatic GSH levels. Both hepatic and plasma GSH levels were elevated in mice 24 hr following the betaine treatment. The results suggest that betaine affects induction of the chloroform hepatotoxicity by modulating the availability of hepatic GSH, which appears to be associated with its role in the transsulfuration pathway in the liver.

Regenerative Hyperplasia Is Not Required for Liver Tumor Induction in Female B6C3F1Mice Exposed to Trihalomethanes

Chloroform (TCM), a water disinfection by-product, induced liver tumors in female mice when administered by gavage in corn oil but not when given in drinking water at comparable daily doses. Because short-term studies showed that the gavage doses also induced liver toxicity, it has been suggested that the liver tumor response occurs secondary to cytotoxicity and consequent regenerative hyperplasia induced by oxidative metabolism of TCM to the toxic dihalocarbonyl intermediate. This study compares dose–response relationships of gavage-administered chlorinated/brominated trihalomethanes for hepatotoxicity, replicative DNA synthesis, and hepatocarcinogenicity in female B6C3F1mice. The liver tumor data were obtained from previously published studies. Because bromine is a better leaving group than chlorine, metabolism of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) should produce the same intermediates as would be formed from TCM. Hence, the toxicity and carcinogenicity of BDCM was expected to be qualitatively similar to that of TCM. Dose responses for liver weight, serum sorbitol dehydrogenase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, hepatocyte degeneration, and hepatocyte labeling index (LI, a measure of replicative DNA synthesis) in female mice were similar following 3 weeks of gavage administration (once per day, 5 days per week) with TCM, BDCM, or chlorodibromomethane (CDBM). Fits of composite data for these trihalomethanes to a Hill equation model revealed sigmoidal dose responses for ALT activity and hepatocyte LI and a nearly linear low-dose response for liver tumor incidence. For this family of chemicals, the mouse liver tumor response was not associated with an elevated hepatocyte LI at doses of approximately 1 mmol/kg or less. High incidences of liver tumors were observed with BDCM and CDBM at doses that had a marginal effect or no effect on the hepatocyte LI. Thus, the carcinogenic effects of trihalomethanes are not simply a consequence of cytotoxicity and regenerative hyperplasia. The possible contributions from other activation pathways, including GSH conjugation and reductive metabolism, need to be considered in assessments of the carcinogenicity of the trihalomethanes.

Use of physiologic variables to predict milk yield after clinical mastitis in dairy cattle

Objective— To determine the association between intramammary infections caused by various bacteria and hepatic damage, as measured by serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, WBC counts, and PCV and the association of clinical variables with milk production after a case of clinical mastitis. Design— Prospective, cohort study. Animals— 82 cows with clinical mastitis. Procedure— Information on milk production, mastitis status, and selected physiologic variables was collected during a 1-year period. Milk samples for bacteriologic evaluation were collected on day 1 of an episode of clinical mastitis. Physical examination was performed and blood samples for laboratory evaluation were collected on days 1, 5, and 9. Primary outcome was mature equivalent 305-day (ME305) milk production. Correlations were assessed using a multiple regression model. Results— Higher WBC counts were associated with higher ME305 values. For cows with coliform mastitis, increases in SDH values were associated with higher ME305 values. For cows with coliform and streptococci/staphylococci mastitis, PCV was associated with ME305 values. Higher PCV values were associated with lower ME305 values for streptococci/staphylococci and coliform infections. Clinical Implications— The association between milk production and WBC count indicated that cows mobilizing WBC were better able to neutralize mammary gland infections, which may result in better milk production. The association between milk production and PCV suggested that maintaining hydration in cows with clinical mastitis may be a critical aspect of treating all cows with mastitis. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997;211:470–475)

Monoterpenes from pinewood may affect respiratory function

Chloroform (TCM), a water disinfection by-product, induced liver tumors in female mice when administered by gavage in corn oil but not when given in drinking water at comparable daily doses. Because short-term studies showed that the gavage doses also induced liver toxicity, it has been suggested that the liver tumor response occurs secondary to cytotoxicity and consequent regenerative hyperplasia induced by oxidative metabolism of TCM to the toxic dihalocarbonyl intermediate. This study compares dose–response relationships of gavage-administered chlorinated/brominated trihalomethanes for hepatotoxicity, replicative DNA synthesis, and hepatocarcinogenicity in female B6C3F1mice. The liver tumor data were obtained from previously published studies. Because bromine is a better leaving group than chlorine, metabolism of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) should produce the same intermediates as would be formed from TCM. Hence, the toxicity and carcinogenicity of BDCM was expected to be qualitatively similar to that of TCM. Dose responses for liver weight, serum sorbitol dehydrogenase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, hepatocyte degeneration, and hepatocyte labeling index (LI, a measure of replicative DNA synthesis) in female mice were similar following 3 weeks of gavage administration (once per day, 5 days per week) with TCM, BDCM, or chlorodibromomethane (CDBM). Fits of composite data for these trihalomethanes to a Hill equation model revealed sigmoidal dose responses for ALT activity and hepatocyte LI and a nearly linear low-dose response for liver tumor incidence. For this family of chemicals, the mouse liver tumor response was not associated with an elevated hepatocyte LI at doses of approximately 1 mmol/kg or less. High incidences of liver tumors were observed with BDCM and CDBM at doses that had a marginal effect or no effect on the hepatocyte LI. Thus, the carcinogenic effects of trihalomethanes are not simply a consequence of cytotoxicity and regenerative hyperplasia. The possible contributions from other activation pathways, including GSH conjugation and reductive metabolism, need to be considered in assessments of the carcinogenicity of the trihalomethanes.