Some macromolecular abnormalities developed by the interaction of malathion and permethrin and subsequent refeeding in Tribolium castaneum larvae

The effects of sublethal treatments of malathion and malathion + permethrin combinations on activities of acetylcholine esterase (ChE), carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes (amylase; lactate dehydrogenase, LDH), protein-metabolizing enzymes (alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, ALAT, ASAT), as well as acid and basic phosphatases (AcP and AkP, respectively), and Kreb's cycle enzymes (isocitrate dehydrogenase, ICDH) were studied on sixth instar larvae of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. In addition, the levels of lipid, cholesterol, glucose, glycogen, proteins, free amino acids (FAA), urea, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) were determined. Malathion (400 ppm) increased the activity of LDH (53%), as well as the concentrations of FAA (31%) and urea (39%). Malathion treatments of 400 ppm decreased the glucose (20%) and glycogen (24%) content but did not affect other enzymes and biochemical components. Permethrin (200 ppm) and malathion (20 ppm) mixtures increased the activities of ChE (708%) and LDH (55%), and raised the concentrations of FAA (26%), urea (24%), glucose (23%), lipid (14%), cholesterol (21%), DNA (24%), and RNA (8%). The decrease in AcP activity and in glycogen concentration observed with malathion was sustained by permethrin in the mixture. Permethrin + malathion mixtures also depressed the levels of AkP (30%), ICDH (24%), and glycogen (36%). The intensity of effects commensurated with the dose and duration of insecticide exposure. Refeeding showed tendencies towards normalization of various biochemical parameters.     

Biochemical effects of sublethal doses of cypermethrin on the sixth-instar larvae of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.)

Effects of sublethal doses ie, 2, 4, 10, and 20 ppm of cypermethrin, were studied on the sixth-instar larvae of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.). Of all the biochemical parameters tested, the free amino acids and cholesterol content and the activity of amylase were found to be the most sensitive components. Glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity was elevated at all doses except 2 ppm. The activities of alkaline phosphatase and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glucose content were raised significantly at doses of 10 and 20 ppm. Acid phosphatase activity and the soluble protein content increased at a dose of 20 ppm. Total lipid and triglycerides, however, decreased significantly at this sublethal dose. Other biochemical parameters, such as cholinesterase and lactate dehydrogenase activities and the total protein, urea, glycogen, DNA, and RNA contents, were not significantly affected by exposure to different doses of cypermethrin.     

Cerium Chloride Improves Protein and Carbohydrate Metabolism of Fifth-Instar Larvae of Bombyx mori Under Phoxim Toxicity

The organophosphorus pesticide poisoning of the silkworm Bombyx mori is one of the major events causing serious damage to sericulture. Added low-dose rare earths are demonstrated to increase resistance in animals. However, very little is known about whether or not added CeCl₃ can increase resistance of silkworm to phoxim poisoning. The present findings suggested that added CeCl₃ to mulberry leaves markedly increased contents of protein, glucose and pyruvate, and carbohydrate metabolism-related enzyme activities, including lactate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase, and attenuated free amino acids, urea, uric acid and lactate levels and inhibited the protein metabolism-related enzymes activities, such as protease, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the haemolymph of B. mori, under phoxim toxicity. These findings suggest that added CeCl₃ may improve protein and carbohydrate metabolisms, thus leading to increases of growth and survival rate of B. mori under phoxim stress.     

Enzyme activities in the plasma of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson; the effects of nutritional status and salinity

The levels of lactate dehydrogenase, hydroxy butyric dehydrogenase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine amino peptidase were determined in the plasma of rainbow trout. The protein concentration and the amount of alkaline phosphatase were reduced in starving trout. Fed trout showed reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity. There was a significant correlation between the condition factor, most of the enzyme activities and the protein concentration. At 10 parts per thousand salinity the activities of alkaline phosphatase and leucine amino peptidase were significantly elevated, while lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly decreased.     

Effect of diallyl disulfide on physiological performance of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Ephestia kuehniella Zeller is a key pest by severe deficiencies on quantity and quality of stored products. Due to concerns made by synthetic insecticides, use of natural products (like botanical insecticides) is of great importance as an alternative pest management. In the current study, the effect of diallyl disulfide was determined on digestive enzymes and those involved in intermediary metabolism of E. kuehniella. Concentration of 0.31% was obtained as LC₅₀ of diallyl disulfide followed by bioassay experiments. Activities of α-amylase, proteases, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase significantly decreased in the treated larvae, while the adverse effects were observed in case of triacylglyceride-lipase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, aldolase and acid phosphatase. Results confirmed that diallyl disulfide interrupted larval digestion by lower activities of digestive enzymes indicating significant effect on intermediary metabolism.     

Lipogenesis in rat and guinea-pig isolated epididymal fat-cells

Fat-cells were prepared from rat and guinea-pig epididymal adipose tissue and compared on the basis of the intracellular distributions and activities of enzymes and with respect to their utilization of various U-(14)C-labelled substrates for lipogenesis. 1. Compared with the rat, guinea-pig extramitochondrial enzyme activities differed in that aconitate hydratase, alanine aminotransferase, ATP-citrate lyase, lactate dehydrogenase, NAD-malate dehydrogenase, NADP-malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities were appreciably lower, whereas aspartate aminotransferase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities were appreciably higher. Mitochondrial activities of citrate synthase, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and pyruvate carboxylase were appreciably lower, whereas mitochondrial activities of aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, NAD-malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were higher in the guinea pig compared with the rat. 2. In general guinea-pig fat-cells incorporated acetate and lactate into fatty acids more readily than rat fat-cells, whereas rat fat-cells incorporated glucose and pyruvate more readily than guinea-pig fat-cells. 3. Acetate stimulated the incorporation of glucose into fatty acids in rat fat-cells, but had no appreciable effect upon this process in guinea-pig fat-cells. Acetate greatly decreased the incorporation of lactate into fatty acids in cells from both species. 4. Lactate/pyruvate ratios produced by incubation of guinea-pig cells with glucose+insulin were very low compared with those found with rat cells under the same conditions. 5. With glucose (+insulin) or with glucose+acetate (+insulin) as substrates guinea-pig cells produced enough NADPH by the hexose monophosphate pathway to satisfy the NADPH requirements of lipogenesis. In rat fat-cells under the same conditions, hexose monophosphate-pathway NADPH provision was not sufficient to meet the requirements of lipogenesis. 6. These results are discussed, particularly in relationship to the disposition of cytosolic reducing equivalents in the cells.     

Responses of continuous cadmium exposure on some biological and physiological performance of cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera

A detailed effect of continuous exposure of Cd on an important pest of crops like Helicoverpa armigera is lacking in the current literature. The cadmium was provisioned at 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg in the artificial diet and fed to newly hatched larvae for at least three subsequent generations. The total developmental period and fecundity were severely affected with no larval hatching in treated insects. Total haemocyte count and differential haemocyte count (i.e., granulocytes and plasmatocytes) were decreased significantly compared to controls in treated insects. The antioxidant system (i.e., catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase), and the two detoxifying agents glutathione-s-transferase showed increased activity compared to controls. The results of the acetylcholinesterase assay showed a decrease in activity. Increased rate of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, uric acid and decreased rate of alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in the first generation but showing an increasing trend in next two generations. The acid phosphatase activity was increased in the first two generations but significantly reduced in the third generation. The discrepancy in all physiological activities corresponded with the histological study of midgut infrastructure. It is inferred from the obtained results that cadmium continuous exposure affects every system of any organism that may perform irreparable damages.     

Interactions between exogenous luteinizing hormone (hCG), prolactin and prostaglandin F2 alpha on serum enzymes in the rat

The effect of exogenous luteinizing hormone (hCG), prolactin and prostaglandin F2 alpha, separately or in combination, on the activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase in rat serum was studied. The changes of enzyme activities varied with the different hormones. Luteinizing hormone hCG and prolactin acted synergistically or antagonistically, depending on the enzyme response. Prostaglandin F2 alpha did not seem to modulate the effect of luteinizing hormone (hCG).     

Effect of proteolysis inhibitors on the phagocytic activity and the cytoplasmic enzymatic activity in the leukocytes of white mice]

The injection of proteolytic inhibitors changes phagocytosis and metabolism of leucocytes in different ways. The polyvalent inhibitor, inhitril, increased phagocytosis but does not change digestive activity of leucocytes. Activities of acid phosphatase, peroxidases and succinatedehydrogenase as well as glycogen contents are seen decreased, whereas activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase increases, and that of lactate dehydrogenase does not change. Anti-tryptic serum decreases phagocytosis, both digestive and enzymatic activities of leucocytes, glycogen accumulation being observed. Anti-kallikrein serum decreases phagocytosis and activity of lactate dehydrogenase, and does not change glycogen accumulation and activities of digestion and of acid phosphatase. In addition, activities of succinate-, glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and peroxidase increase.     

Fermentation enzymes in strains of Paracoccus denitrificans

Various strains of Paracoccus denitrificans grown under conditions of unrestricted oxygen supply contained low but measurable activities of fermentation enzymes such as ethanol dehydrogenase and 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase. However, when the bacteria were subsequently incubated for up to 22 h under restricted aeration conditions permitting respiration rates of only 10 or 6% of the maximum value to occur, the above enzymes increased in specific activities by 5- or 10-fold to 0.14 mol/min·mg protein. Lactate dehydrogenase was not detected. Six strains tested reacted almost alike.Cells grown anaerobically on fructose in the presence of limiting concentrations of KNO₃ contained specific activities of up to 0.41 (in case of ethanol dehydrogenase) and 0.56 (butanediol dehydrogenase) mol/min·mg protein. Lactate dehydrogenase was only formed at low activity (0.012 mol/min·mg protein) after a long period of incubation.Cells of P. denitrificans strain Stanier 381 grown anaerobically in the chemostat on fructose+KNO₃ with either fructose or nitrate as the limiting factor differed with respect to the specific enzyme activities, too. Ethanol dehydrogenase was high under conditions of nitrate limitation and low under fructose limitation. 2,3-Butanediol dehydrogenase, but not lactate dehydrogenase, was formed in moderate activities.     

Effect of the fungicide chlorothalonil (Bravo) on some metabolic activities of aquatic fungi

Physiological responses ofAchlya proliferoides, Saprolegnia ferax andDictyuchus sterilis as affected by the fungicide chlorothalonil (Bravo) were determined. Glucose consumption differed in dependence on the organisms used. Ammonia and peptide nitrogen secretion were stimulated inS. ferax but inhibited in the other two organisms. All doses of the fungicide used decreased phosphorus absorption and increased acid phosphatase activity. The lowest concentrations (30 ppm) of the fungicide increased DNA, RNA and protein synthesis while inhibition was observed at moderate or high concentrations. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were inhibited inA. proliferoides, stimulated inS. ferax but remained similar to that of the control inD. sterilis.     

Antidiabetic and antilipidemic effect of eremanthin from Costus speciosus (Koen.)Sm., in STZ-induced diabetic rats

The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus worldwide is an issue of major socio-economic concern. Diabetes mellitus is a complex and a multifarious group of disorders that disturbs the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein. Medicinal plants play an important role in the management of diabetes mellitus especially in developing countries. Costus speciosus is widely used in Indian medicine to treat various diseases. Eremanthin was isolated from C. speciosus. The structure was identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Eremanthin was administered to streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg bw) induced diabetic male Wistar rats at different doses (5, 10, 20 mg/kg bw) for 60 days. Plasma glucose level was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in a dose dependent manner when compared to the control. In addition, oral administration of eremanthin (20 mg/kg bw) significantly decreased glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and at the same time markedly increased plasma insulin, tissue glycogen, HDL-cholesterol and serum protein. Eremanthin also restored the altered plasma enzyme (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase) levels to near normal. Results of this experimental study indicated that eremanthin possessed hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and hence it could be used as a drug for treating diabetes.     

Activities of enzymes concerned with pyruvate and oxaloacetate metabolism in the heart and liver of developing sheep.

1. In order to assess whether the potential ability of heart ventricular muscle and liver to metabolise substrates such as alanine, aspartate and lactate varies as the sheep matures and its nutrition changes, the activities of the following enzymes were determined in tissues of lambs obtained at varying intervals between 50 days after conception to 16 weeks after birth and in livers from adult pregnant ewes: lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27), alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2), pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40), pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP)(EC 4.1.1.32), malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37), aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) and citrate (si)-synthase (EC 4.1.3.7). 2. In the heart a most marked increase in alanine aminotransferase activity was found throughout development. During this period the activities of citrate (si)-synthase, lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate carboxylase also increased. There were no substantial changes in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, malate dehydrogenase or pyruvate kinase. Pyruvate kinase activities were five times greater in the heart compared with those found in the liver. No significant activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) was detected in heart muscle. 3. In the liver the activities of both alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increased immediately following birth although the activity of alanine aminotransferase was lower in livers of pregnant ewes than in any of the lambs. As with alanine aminotransferase the highest activities of lactate dehydrogenase were found during the period of postnatal growth. No marked changes were observed in malate dehydrogenase or citrate (si)-synthase activities during development. A small decline in pyruvate kinase activity occurred whilst the activities of pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) tended to rise during development.     

Effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (Delor 103) on haematological and enzyme parameters of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Rainbow trout at a weight of 223+/-12 g (mean+/-SD) were experimentally injected with a technical mixture of Delor 103 to evaluate the red blood cell indices (red blood cell count, haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) and some biochemical and enzyme parameters of the blood plasma (total protein, glucose, inorganic phosphate, total calcium, sodium, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase). Delor 103, administered by the i.p. route at a concentration of 0.24 g kg(-1) 120 h(-1), caused an increase in the red blood cell counts, haematocrit values, haemoglobin concentrations, inorganic phosphate, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase. The sodium level fell. The fish injected with Delor 103 showed a relative decrease in the lymphocyte count and a relative increase in the count of neutrophile band forms.     

The effect of the desert cobra (Walterinnesia aegyptia) crude venom and its protein fractions on the metabolic activity of cultured human fibroblasts

Fibroblast cultures were used to study the effect of crude venom and six venom protein fractions (F₂–F₇) fromWalterinnesia aegyptia) on their metabolic activity. This was done by incubation of six fibroblast cultures with 10 g of crude venom for 3 h at 37°C. The activities of phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and citrate synthase were significantly lowered upon incubation with all fractions except F₂. Glycogen phosphorylase activity was significantly increased, leading to a significant concurrent drop of glycogen content. This effect was only seen for fractions F₃ and F₅. Creatine kinase activity and cellular ATP levels rose significantly upon incubation with all venom proteins except fractions F₂ and F₇. Increases were seen for aspartate and alanine amino-transferases by all venom proteins except fractions F₂ and F₄. Incubation of cell sonicates with all the venom proteins did not significantly alter activities of any of the parameters. Thus, fibroblasts in culture under such conditions appear to mobilize glycogen, phosphocreatine, and protein for ATP production to compensate for decreased glucose.Abbreviations ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - ATP adenosine 5-triphosphate - CS citrate synthhase - GP glycogen phosphorylase - LDH lactate dehydrogenase - PFK phosphofructokinase     

Effect of root-applied spermidine on growth and respiratory metabolism in roots of cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis>) seedlings under hypoxia

The effects of exogenous spermidine (Spd) application to hypoxic nutrient solution on the contents of endogenous polyamines (PAs) and respiratory metabolism in the roots of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings were investigated. Cucumber seedlings were grown hydroponically in control and hypoxic nutrient solutions with and without addition of Spd at a concentration of 0.05 mM. The activities of key enzymes involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCAC), such as succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), were significantly inhibited under root-zone hypoxia with dissolved oxygen (DO) at 1 mg/l. In contrast, the activities of enzymes involved in the process of fermentation, such as pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT), were significantly increased. Thus, aerobic respiration was inhibited and fermentation was enhanced in the roots of cucumber seedlings as a result of decreasing ATP content to inhibit the dry weight of seedlings under hypoxic stress. Moreover, the contents of free, soluble conjugated, and insoluble bound putrescine (Put), Spd, and spermine (Spm) in the roots of cucumber seedlings were significantly increased under hypoxia stress. Interestingly, application of Spd to hypoxic roots markedly suppressed the accumulation of free Put and, in contrast, promoted an increase in free Spd and Spm, as well as soluble conjugated and insoluble bound Put, Spd, and Spm contents. From these data, we deduced that exogenous Spd promotes the conversion of free Put into free Spd and Spm, and soluble conjugated and insoluble bound PAs under hypoxia stress. Furthermore, the activities of LDH, PDC, and ADH were suppressed and, in contrast, the activities of SDH and IDH were enhanced by application of exogenous Spd to hypoxic roots. As a result, aerobic respiration was enhanced but fermentation metabolism was inhibited in the roots of cucumber seedlings, leading to an increase in ATP content to alleviate the inhibited dry weight of seedlings due to hypoxia stress. These results suggest that application of Spd to hypoxic nutrient solution promoted conversion of free Put into free Spd and Spm as well as soluble conjugated and insoluble bound PAs, further enhanced IDH and SDH activities, and inhibited ethanol fermentation and lactate fermentation, resulting in increased ATP content and eventually enhanced tolerance of cucumber plants to root-zone hypoxia.     

Effect of envenomation on enzymes of brain of albino rats

Effects of high doses of cobra venom, (150 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body wt) and viper venom (300 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body wt) on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acetylcholinesterase (ACh) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of brain of albino rats were studied. While AST, LDH, ACh and ALP activities increased in both viper and cobra venom treated rats, ALT decreased in both groups compared to control.     

Efficacy of Citrus reticulata and Mirazid in treatment of Schistosoma mansoni

This work has been carried out to investigate the effect of Schistosoma mansoni infection on mice livers after treatment with the ethanolic extract of Citrus reticulata root or the oleo-resin extract from Myrrh of Commiphora molmol tree (Mirazid), as a new antishistosomal drug. Marker enzymes for different cell organelles were measured; succinate dehydrogenase (SDH); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its isoenzymes; glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase); acid phosphatase (AP) and 5'- nucleotidase. Liver function enzymes; aspartate aminotransferase (AST); alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also estimated. Parasitological studies through ova count and worm burden will also be taken into consideration. The results showed a marked reduction in SDH, LDH, AST, and ALT enzyme activities and a significant increase in G-6-Pase, AP, 5'- nucleotidase, and ALP after S. mansoni infection. A noticeable alteration in LDH subunits were also noticed. Treatment with C. reticulata or Mirazid improved all the previous enzyme activities with a noticeable reduction in ova count and worm burden.     

Variation in some enzymes in amniotic fluid and maternal serum during pregnancy

The following 10 enzymes were assayed in 187 amniotic fluid and maternal serum samples at 15-42 weeks of gestation: alkaline phosphatase, heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (only in amniotic fluid), acid phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alpha-amylase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and lysozyme. The normal reference ranges are reported for amniotic fluid and maternal serum enzymes, together with the abnormal values accompanying neural tube defects and EPH-gestosis. The determination of gamma-glutamyltransferase, heat-stable alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase was found to be of appreciable diagnostic significance in clinical practice.