Aminotransferase Research Articles

Hemato-biochemical Profile of Ostriches (Struthio Camelus) based on Gender and Age of Birds

The present study was conducted to determine the hematobiochemical analysis of ostrich (Struthio camelus) with respect to gender and progressive age. A total of 40 apparently healthy ostriches of both genders and two progressive age groups; young one (1 year to 2.4 years: group A); and adult (2.5 years to 5 years: group B) in equal number were used in this study. Blood samples were collected from the wing vein of the ostriches maintained in one of the ostrich farms near the Gogra in Pakistan. For hematobiochemistry analysis, the serum samples were obtained by centrifugation @ 500g for ten minutes) of collected blood samples and kept in 1ml aliquots. The hematobiochemical parameters included total protein, glucose, urea, uric acid, creatinine, aspartate amino transferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma Glutamyl transferase, lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. The results showed a significant age-related difference (P<0.05) in all serum biochemical values, however, the non-significant difference (P<0.05) were observed in males and females within the same age group. The mean values of cholesterol, HDL-C, uric acid and creatinine were non-significant (P>0.05) between two age groups from immature to adult age and between the genders of the same age group. The statistical analysis explained that sodium (Na) and potassium (K) values were significantly (P<0.05) increased in immature than the adult ostriches. Keeping in view these findings, we may conclude that this preliminary study embarked on establishing a set of reference values in serum biochemistry of ostrich in Pakistan.

Impact of pesticide residues (chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, profenophos) on health and liver marker values alkaline phosphate (ALP), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and (AST) among workers of pesticide formulation & packing plants in Pakistan

Objective: To evaluate the impact of pesticide residues (chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, profenophos) on health and liver marker values alkaline phosphate (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) among workers of pesticide formulation & packaging plants in Pakistan Materials and Methods: A hundred workers of the age group between 20-50 years working, for at least a year, at various pesticide formulation & packaging units were included in the present study. One hundred workers, apparently healthy, with no history of pesticide exposure - after matching age, sex and social status - were taken as control. Biochemical tests ALP, AST and ALT, were carried out using chemistry autoanalyzer, Dimension RXL (Dade Behring). Pesticide residues (chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, profenophos) were carried out employing gas chromatograph electron capture detector GCECD 2010, Shimadzu Japan. Results: In current study 100 workers of pesticide industry were taken and ALP, AST and ALT of 80 workers out of 100 were found to be within the normal limits. However, 20 workers had unusually raised levels of ALP ALT and AST. These twenty workers showed pesticide residues of chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, profenopos in their blood. Conclusions: the pesticide residual level of all the workers were very low (below the no observable adverse affect level NOAEL) and were not too significant to create health problems. Key Words: Pesticide industrial workers; Residue; Serum; Enzymes

HEMATOLOGY AND PLASMA BIOCHEMISTRY OF GREATER MOUSE-EARED BAT Myotis myotis (Borkhausen) (CHIROPTERA: VESPERTILIONIDAE) IN TURKEY

In this study, normal hematologic values and some biochemical parameters were examined in wild-caught greater mouse-eared bat Myotis myotis (Borkhausen) captured from Koyunbaba Cave in the Kırklareli province, Turkey. Ten apparently healthy animals (five males and five females) were used to determine the hematology and plasma biochemistry parameters including, leucocyte (white blood cell) counts (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), cholesterol (CHO), glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TG), Urea (U), creatine (CREAT), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST). No statistically significant differences were found between male and female animals for the analyzed parameters. Plasma total cholesterol concentration was similar with the those of other insectivorous bat species whereas extremely higher than frugivorous species. Also, triglyceride level was higher than the frugivorous bats. The high total cholesterol and triglyceride values in M. myotis reflect a protein-rich diet of insectivorous bat species. The values recorded in this study could be helpful in evaluating the physiologic and pathologic status of M. myotis in the wild for conservation and management of species.

Role of Aqueous Bark Extract of Terminalia Arjuna on Serum Enzymes in Cigarette Smoke Exposed Rats

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of mortality and a major public concern. The aim of our study to investigate the role of aqueous bark extract of Terminalia arjuna on serum enzymes in cigarette smoke exposed rats. A total fifteen (15) adult healthy Wistar rats from 100-158 were divided into three groups (A, B and C) each containing five rats. Group (A) serving as control without exposure to cigarette smoke, Group (B) and (C) served as the experimental groups. The group (B) was exposed to Cigarette smoke (6 Cigarettes) for one hour/day for 30 days and experimental group (C) was exposed to cigarette smoke along with oral administration of aqueous bark extract of Terminalia arjuna (5mg/rat /day) for 30 days. The results indicate that, a significant increase in Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and Aspartate amino transferase (AST) after exposure to cigarette smoke in comparison to control group while, a significant decrease in ALT and AST level after cigarette smoke exposure along with oral administration of aqueous bank extract of Terminalia arjuna in comparison to Cigarette smoke exposed rats due to antioxidant defence mechanism.

Effect of Poly-Herbal Formula (PHF5) on Hepatoprotective and Biochemical Parameters of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Background: The current estimates by World Health Organization revealed that near 2030, the number of diabetic patients will reach up to 370 million in the world wide . It would be one of the most common degenerative illnesses in human beings in future that needs to seek urgent solution. Plants have been the major source of medicine since the ancient time.
 Purpose: This study evaluated the hepaprotective action of Ocimum gratissimum, Gnetum africanum, Gongronema latifolium, Vernonia amygdalina and Aloe Barbadensis leaf extracts and their effects on biochemical parameters of induced alloxan diabetic wister rats. Standard methods were used in the extraction process.
 Methods: Thirty (30) male Wistar rats weighing (80_120) grams were obtained and they were kept in animal house to acclimatize for two weeks prior to the experiment. The rats were divided into six groups containing five rats each. Group 1 served as normal control, group 2 had the diabetic rats treated with PHF5 (75 mg/kg bodyweight); group 3 contained diabetic rats treated with PHF5 (150 mg/kg bodyweight); group 4 contained diabetic rats treated with PHF5 (300 mg/kg bodyweight); group 5 had diabetic rats not given any intervention, group 6 contained diabetic rats treated with Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg bodyweight). The rats were induced via intra peritoneal by using alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg bodyweight). Extracts of PHF5 were administered to the rats orally for eight weeks, after which rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under light ether anaesthesia. Blood was collected for biochemical evaluation using standard techniques (Randox kits). Fasting blood glucose level was checked weekly.
 Results: Acute toxicity studies of PHF5 revealed no toxicity to the animals that received the PHF5 dose up to 1000 mg/kg bodyweight. The increased liver (Aspartate amino transferase, Alanine Transferase and Alkaline Phosphatase) marker enzymes in the diabetic rats were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in the PHF5 treated rats and found to be within the normal range while total protein was significantly higher showed no effect on the liver total protein.
 Conclusion: It is concluded that this study suggest that treating alloxan induced diabetic rats with poly herbal formulated (PHF5); Ocimum gratissimum, Gnetum africanum, Gongronema latifolium, Vernonia amygdalina, and Aloe Barbadensis leaf extracts in different doses of mg/kg enhanced hepaprotective protection against body damage.

Rhizobium Symbiosis Leads to Increased Drought Tolerance in Chinese Milk Vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.)

Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.) is an important leguminous green manure that frequently suffers from seasonal drought. To improve its drought tolerance, the effects of rhizobia inoculation on drought tolerance and the underlying physiological mechanism were investigated. Drought tolerance in combination with nitrogen assimilation, free amino acids, and polyamines was investigated in milk vetch with active nodules (AN), with inactive nodules (LN), or without nodules (NN). AN plants had increased drought tolerance compared to LN and NN plants. Glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamine 2-oxoglutarate amino transferase (GOGAT), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities were decreased after drought, with higher levels in AN plants than in LN and NN plants under both control and drought stress conditions. Higher levels of proline (Pro), arginine (Ala), alanine (Ala), and glutamate (Glu) were observed in AN plants compared with LN and NN plants. Putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm) levels were increased in response to drought, and higher levels of Put and Spd were maintained in AN plants. It is suggested that active nodulation leads to increased drought tolerance in milk vetch, which is associated with improved nitrogen fixation and ammonium assimilation, which in turn lead to the promotion of free amino-acid and polyamine synthesis.

Systemic Lactate Acts as a Metabolic Buffer in Humans and Prevents Nutrient Overflow in the Postprandial Phase.

On an organismal level, metabolism needs to react in a well-orchestrated manner to metabolic challenges such as nutrient uptake. Key metabolic hubs in human blood are pyruvate and lactate, both of which are constantly interconverted by very fast exchange fluxes. The quantitative contribution of different food sources to these metabolite pools remains unclear. Here, we applied in vivo stable isotope labeling to determine postprandial metabolic fluxes in response to two carbohydrate sources of different complexity. Depending on the ingested carbohydrate source, glucose or wheat flour, the net direction of the lactate dehydrogenase, and the alanine amino transferase fluxes were adjusted in a way to ensure sufficient availability, while, at the same time, preventing an overflow in the respective metabolite pools. The systemic lactate pool acts as a metabolic buffer which is fueled in the early- and depleted in the late-postprandial phase and thus plays a key role for systemic metabolic homeostasis.

Hepato- and Nephro-Effect of Sphenostylis stenocarpa– Formulated Diet on Dexamethasone-Treated Pregnant Rats

This study sought to investigate the effect of Sphenostylis stenocarpa-formulated diet on hepatic and renal parameters of dexamethasone-treated pregnant rats. Sphenostylis stenocarpa were locally sourced from a market in Ado Ekiti. They were milled into powder and used in formulating feed for experimental animals. Fifteen female pregnant rats were divided in three groups of five each. Animals in group A were exposed to standard animal feed only. This served as the control group. Those in group B were exposed to Sphenostylis stenocarpa-formulated diet + 0.3 mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone, while those in group C were exposed to Sphenostylis stenocarpa-formulated diet. At the end of the eight days treatment, animals were sacrificed and blood sample, liver and kidney were collected. Exposure of pregnant rats to dexamethasone was observed to significantly (p<0.05) increased the activities of plasma aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) as well as the concentrations of plasma total protein, bilirubin, creatinine and urea when compared with those in animals in the control as well as those fed with S. stenocarpa-formulated diet only. The results further showed that pregnant rats fed with S. stenocarpa-formulated diet only had no significant difference on plasma hepatic and renal biomarkers when compared with those in the control group. The results of liver and kidney homogenates are similar to those observed in the plasma. Exposure of animals to dexamethasone adversely unhinged hepatic and renal biomarkers investigated in the study. The study also revealed that P. biglobosa seed is beneficial to the health of the liver and kidney of pregnant female rats.

Excessive Aurantiochytrium acetophilum docosahexaenoic acid supplementation decreases growth performance and breast muscle mass of broiler chickens

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with health-promoting potential. This study was to investigate effects of supplemental DHA from Aurantiochytrium acetophilum on growth performance, health status, meat quality, and protein synthesis signaling of broiler chickens. Day-old male chicks were housed in an environmental control room (6 cages/treatment, 8 chicks/cage), and fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with the DHA-rich A. acetophilum biomass (Heliae, Gilbert, AZ) at 0, 1, 2, and 4% (0, 1.7, 3.4 and 6.8 g DHA/kg diet) for 6 weeks. Growth performance was measured weekly. Blood samples were collected at weeks 3 and 6 (2 chicks/cage). Four tissues were sampled (2 chicks/cage) for biochemical and meat quality analyses. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and regression. Compared with the control, the 4% A. acetophilum diet decreased (p < 0.05) body weight gain (19%) and gain to feed ratio (19%) during weeks 4–6. The A. acetophilum supplementation dose-dependently decreased (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.21–0.54) plasma alanine amino transferase activity and glucose concentrations, but had little effect on plasma activity of alkaline phosphatase or concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and uric acid at weeks 3 and 6. Compared with the control, the 4% A. acetophilum diet decreased (p < 0.05) breast muscle weight by 21%, and down-regulated (p < 0.05) mRNA levels of mammalian target of rapamycin and ribosomal s6 protein (S6), and protein levels of phosphorylated S6 to S6 and phosphorylated S6 kinase beta 1 to S6 kinase beta 1. The A. acetophilum supplementation linearly increased (p < 0.01) lipid peroxidation (R2 = 0.62–0.90) and hardness and chewiness (R2 = 0.34–0.44) of breast and thigh muscles. In conclusion, supplemental 4% (6.8 g DHA/kg), but not 1 or 2%, of A. acetophilum impaired growth performance, breast muscle mass accumulation, and(or) protein synthesis signaling of broilers.

Acute-exposure to Jatropha Gossypifolia flower extract alters some biochemical indices in Albino Rats

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Jatropha gossypifolia flower extract on some selected biochemical indices in albino rats. Experimental design involves twenty (20) rats which were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group I received distilled water (vehicle), group II, III and IV received (50, 100 and 200mg/kg bwt) of the extract respectively for a period of 14-day. The rats were anaesthetized 24hrs after the last administration and sacrificed accordingly. Animal serum was collected for the determination of biochemical indices as well as assessment of the probable effect on the rat hematological parameters. Results obtained from biochemical assay indicated a significant (P&lt;0.05) decrease in activity of serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin in rats treated with Jatropha gossypifolia flower extract in vivo when compared with the control. However, appreciable increase in levels of total protein and albumin was observed in Jatropha gossypifolia flower extract treated rats when compared with the control. The results of this investigation also revealed a significant (P&lt;0.05) concentration-dependent increase in hematological parameters of the Jatropha gossypifolia flower extract treated rats when compared with the control. Hence, it could be inferred from the results that Jatropha gossypifolia flower extract could enhance positive modulatory effects on serum biochemical indices as well as hematological status of albino rats.

Heat Treated African Kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides, roxb.benth.) Flour Influenced Lipid Peroxidation, Liver Enzymes and Organ Histology of Wistar Rats

Scarcity of protein-rich foods has been the bane of developing countries with its attendant nutritional problems. Research efforts have been directed towards finding solutions to this problem. This include investigation into the nutritional potentials of some lesser known legumes and grains. This paper looked at the effect of processed kudzu flours on the liver enzymes,alkaline phosphotase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT); lipid peroxidation of the liver and pancreatic tissues as well as the liver and pancreatic architecture of wistar rats. Raw, cooked and time-controlled autoclaved (20mins,40mins, 60mins) kudzu seeds were made into flours and compounded into 7 diets. Diet 1contained the raw kudzu flour,diet 2 and 7 had the cooked kudzu flour while diets 3-5 had time-controlled autoclaved (20mins,40mins, 60mins) kudzu flour respectively. Diet 6 was the negative control diet and diet 8 was the positive control.Diet 8 had lower ALP value ( 51.6±6.5iu) than the other groups though not statistically (p≤0.05) different. Diet 3had the highest AST(51.0 ± 0.iu) which was statistically (p≤0.05) different from the other groups and ALT (48.0 ± 0.1 iu) that was statistically (p≤0.05) not different with only group 4. The level of malondialdehyde in the liver was lowest in Diet 2 (2.75 x 10-5 ± 0.07 x 10- 5MDA unit) followed by Diets 6 and 8.While the level in the pancreatic tissues was lowest in Diet 8 (83.25 X 10-5± 0.07 x 10-5 MDA unit). However,the variations in the level of MDA in both organs in all the groups were not statistically (p≤0.05) different. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues showed various degrees of abnormalities in Diets (1, 3,4,5 and 6) while Diets 2,7 and 8 had normal cell architecture. The pancreatic tissues showed normal architecture. The results therefore suggest that kudzu when processed poses no toxicological danger to animal and by extension man.

Does the Rhythmic Gymnastics Training Affect Serum Bone Resorption and Oxidative Stress Markers?

Introduction: Rhythmic gymnastics training (RGT) includes intensive anaerobic loads, therefore it may cause oxidative stress (OS) and then consequently might negatively affect bone metabolism and nitric oxide (NO) levels which is related to vasodilation and bone metabolism. This study investigated the effects of chronic RGT on the markers of serum bone metabolism, OS, and NO levels together, which is yet unclear. Materials and methods: 16 girls rhythmic gymnasts (athletic group, AG; 10.33 ± 1.79, years) and 13 controls (CG; 9.23 ± 1.00 years) participated in this study. Type 1 collagen carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide (ICTP) as bone resorption marker (using ELISA method), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium (Ca), and growth hormone (GH) as bone metabolism markers; Total oxidant /antioxidant status ratio (TOS/TAS) as OS index (OSI) and NO levels; Troponin-I (Tn-I), and CK-MB levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) as muscle injury markers; Some hematological parameters including hemogram were measured by standard methods. Results: Serum ICTP1 (p= 0.01) and GH (47.4 %) levels of AG were significantly higher than CG, whereas Ca level (p= 0.04) and body fat rate values was lower (p= 0.00). There is no significant difference between the groups for other parameters. Conclusions: The results suggest that RGT training did not significantly affect OS and NO levels that can cause anemia. But besides the increased GH levels, bone development can be affected negatively in child gymnasts due to the increased ICTP and decreased Ca levels. Thus, a calcium-rich diet and regular observation of bone metabolism markers are recommended. Keywords: Rhythmic gymnastics, Oxidative stress, Bone destruction, Nitric oxide.

A Four-Step Enzymatic Cascade for Efficient Production of L-Phenylglycine from Biobased L-Phenylalanine.

Enantiopure amino acids are of particular interest in the agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Here, we report a multi-enzyme cascade for efficient production of L-phenylglycine (L-Phg) from biobased L-phenylalanine (L-Phe). We first attempted to engineer Escherichia coli for expressing L-amino acid deaminase (LAAD) from Proteus mirabilis, hydroxymandelate synthase (HmaS) from Amycolatopsis orientalis, (S)-mandelate dehydrogenase (SMDH) from Pseudomonas putida, the endogenous aminotransferase (AT) encoded by ilvE and L-glutamate dehydrogenase (GluDH) from E. coli. However, 10 mM L-Phe only afforded the synthesis of 7.21±0.15 mM L-Phg. The accumulation of benzoylformic acid suggested that the transamination step might be rate-limiting. We next used leucine dehydrogenase (LeuDH) from Bacillus cereus to bypass the use of L-glutamate as amine donor, and 40 mM L-Phe gave 39.97±3.84 mM (6.04±0.58 g/L) L-Phg, reaching 99.9 % conversion. In summary, this work demonstrates a concise four-step enzymatic cascade for L-Phg synthesis from biobased L-Phe, with a potential for future industrial applications.

Comparative Study of the Aftereffect of CO2 Inhalation or Tiletamine-Zolazepam-Xylazine Anesthesia on Laboratory Outbred Rats and Mice.

CO2 inhalation is currently the most common method of euthanasia for laboratory rats and mice, and it is often used for further terminal blood sampling for clinical biochemical assays. Lately, this method has been criticized due to animal welfare issues associated with some processes that develop after CO2 inhalation. The stress reaction and the value of the clinical laboratory parameters significantly depend on the used anesthetics, method, and the site of blood sampling. Especially in small rodents, an acute terminal state followed by a cascade of metabolic reactions that can affect the studied biochemical profile may develop and cause unnecessary suffering of animals. The aim of this study was to compare the stability of biochemical parameters of outbred Sprague Dawley rats and CD-1 mice serum collected after CO2 inhalation or the intramuscular injection of tiletamine–zolazepam–xylazine (TZX). The serum content of total protein and albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotr ansferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and creatinine was decreased by the injection of TZX in comparison with CO2 inhalation. In addition, the levels of calcium, phosphates, chlorides and potassium were lowered by TZX vs. CO2 administration, while the level of sodium increased. Finally, the level of the majority of serum clinical biochemical parameters in rats and mice tend to be overestimated after CO2 inhalation, which may lead to masking the possible effect of anti-inflammatory drugs in animal tests. Injection anesthesia for small rodents with TZX is a more feasible method for terminal blood sampling, which also reduces the suffering of animals.

Association between urinary cadmium concentrations and liver function in adolescents.

Evidence from previous studies has shown that exposure to cadmium (Cd) is associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and osteoporosis, but the effects of Cd on liver toxicity in adolescents are unclear. The data of 4411 adolescents who participated in the US The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 1999-2016 was analyzed. Liver function was indicated by the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST). The associations between the levels of urinary Cd and liver function were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for covariates. The results showed that the odds ratios of ALT and AST in the highest quartiles of urinary Cd were 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.82) and 1.64 (95% CI, 1.10-2.44), respectively, compared with the lowest quartiles, which were similar to using urinary creatinine as the covariate. We also found linear regression of associations of urinary Cd with elevated ALT and AST levels in boys. In addition, one augmented urinary Cd concentration unit (Log10) was associated with a 0.04-mg/dL increase in C-reactive protein and a 0.53-mg/dL decrease in HDL cholesterol in the fully adjusted model. Our results add novel evidence that exposure to Cd might be positively associated with indicators of liver injury, indicating the potential toxic effect of Cd exposure on the adolescent liver. Further confirmatory studies are needed.

Does the Rhythmic Gymnastics Training Affect Serum Bone Resorption and Oxidative Stress Markers?

Introduction: Rhythmic gymnastics training (RGT) includes intensive anaerobic loads, therefore it may cause oxidative stress (OS) and then consequently might negatively affect bone metabolism and nitric oxide (NO) levels which is related to vasodilation and bone metabolism. This study investigated the effects of chronic RGT on the markers of serum bone metabolism, OS, and NO levels together, which is yet unclear. Materials and methods: 16 girls rhythmic gymnasts (athletic group, AG; 10.33 ± 1.79, years) and 13 controls (CG; 9.23 ± 1.00 years) participated in this study. Type 1 collagen carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide (ICTP) as bone resorption marker (using ELISA method), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium (Ca), and growth hormone (GH) as bone metabolism markers; Total oxidant /antioxidant status ratio (TOS/TAS) as OS index (OSI) and NO levels; Troponin-I (Tn-I), and CK-MB levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) as muscle injury markers; Some hematological parameters including hemogram were measured by standard methods. Results: Serum ICTP1 (p= 0.01) and GH (47.4 %) levels of AG were significantly higher than CG, whereas Ca level (p= 0.04) and body fat rate values was lower (p= 0.00). There is no significant difference between the groups for other parameters. Conclusions: The results suggest that RGT training did not significantly affect OS and NO levels that can cause anemia. But besides the increased GH levels, bone development can be affected negatively in child gymnasts due to the increased ICTP and decreased Ca levels. Thus, a calcium-rich diet and regular observation of bone metabolism markers are recommended. Keywords: Rhythmic gymnastics, Oxidative stress, Bone destruction, Nitric oxide.

Serum cadmium is associated with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis: Korean national health and nutrition examination survey data IV-VII.

Although cadmium (Cd) is correlated with elevated levels of hepatic amino transferases, its influence on the degree of liver steatosis and fibrosis are unknown yet. We aimed to investigate the associations between the serum level of Cd and degree of liver steatosis/fibrosis.Clinical data were obtained from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys IV–VII. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation was defined as ≥ 33 IU/L for men and ≥ 25 IU/L for women. Significant steatosis was defined as a hepatic steatosis index ≥ 36, while significant fibrosis was defined as a fibrosis index (FIB-4) ≥ 2.67 and as an aspartate aminotransferase and platelet ratio index ≥ 0.7. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated after adjustment.The levels of serum Cd were assessable in 15,783 subjects. The serum cadmium concentrations were significantly associated with ALT elevation, significant liver steatosis and fibrosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated serum Cd level in the forth quartile had a positive correlation with ALT elevation, hepatic steatosis index ≥ 36, FIB-4 ≥ 2.67 and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio ≥ 0.7 using the first quartile of serum Cd level as the reference, (adjusted odds ratios 1.90, 1.26, 1.73, and 2.53, respectively; P values <.001).The serum level of Cd was associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis. The evaluation of serum Cd may help for assessing an unexplained liver steatosis and fibrosis, and further prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Biochemical changes associated with the administration of aqueous pulp extract of Irvingia gabonensis fruit on adult male Wistar rats

Biochemical changes associated with the administration of aqueous pulp extract of Irvingia gabonensis fruit on adult male Wistar rats

Peony seed oil protects against obesity-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Purpose: To investigate the effect of Peony seed oil (PO) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the underlying mechanism of action.&#x0D; Methods: A mouse model of NAFLD was established using high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Serum levels of triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glucose and free fatty acids (FFAs) were determined. Activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) were assayed in liver homogenates, while mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, x-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) and phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (p-IRE1α) were assayed in liver tissue using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were also determined by qRT-PCR.&#x0D; Results: HFD diet led to significant increases in body weight as well as serum TG, TC, glucose and FFA levels. However, treatment with PO significantly reversed the effect of HFD on these parameters (p &lt; 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of TNF- α, IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly higher in HFD control group than in normal control group, but were significantly reduced after PO treatment (p &lt; 0.05). The protein expression levels of GRP78, XBP-1 and p-IRE1α significantly increased in the liver of NAFLD group, when compared with normal control rats, but were significantly downregulated by treatment with PO (p &lt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: PO attenuates HFD-induced NAFLD via inactivation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway. Thus, PO has potentials for the treatment of NAFLD but further studies are required to ascertain this.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Multi-biomarker approach to assess chromium, pH and temperature toxicity in fish

Chromium (Cr) is considered as the most common ubiquitous pollutant for aquatic animals including fish. An experiment was conducted to determine the acute and chronic toxicity of Cr, pH and high temperature in Anabas testudineus. Lethal concentration (LC50) of Cr alone was determined as 55.02 mg L−1, Cr and low pH 48.19 mg L−1 and Cr, low pH and high temperature 47.16 mg L−1. The chronic toxicity of low dose of Cr, pH and high temperature (1/10th and 1/20th of LC50) was designed to execute the experiment for 72 days. The stress enzymes and biomarkers were determined viz. superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, lipid peroxide, acetylcholine esterase, cortisol, HSP-70, blood glucose, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase and malate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, ATPase and genotoxicity in this study. We had also studied the integrated biomarker response (IBR), which revealed that Cr toxicity enhanced with concurrent exposure to pH and high temperature. All the biochemical attributes were significantly altered with exposure to Cr alone and with low pH and high temperature except gill SOD. Further, thermal tolerance was also determined, and results revealed that thermal tolerance was significantly reduced with exposure to Cr alone and Cr and low pH exposure in A. testudineus. The present study concluded that, the chronic toxicity of Cr is enhanced with low pH and high temperature and it has led to understanding the multi-approach of Cr toxicity which affect, stress biomarkers, cellular metabolic stress and thermal tolerance of A. testudineus.