Seasonal changes in blood serum protein fractions and in activity of AspAT and AlAT in Arabian brood mares and their foals

In 34 pure breed Arabian horses divided into four groups (Gr. I--10 pregnant mares, Gr. II--7 barren mares, Gr. III--10 foals born in 1981, Gr. IV--7 foals born in 1982) seasonal changes in total blood serum protein, its electrophoretic fractions and the activity of AspAT and AlAT were studied. Seasonal cyclicity was found in all groups in the amount of total serum proteins, and alpha 2- and beta 1-globulin fractions. Cyclicity was found in the level of albumin and activity of AspAT in three groups, not Gr. II, and in gamma-globulin, not Gr. IV. beta 2-globulin and AlAT cyclicity was found in two groups and alpha 1-globulin cyclicity was found only in Gr. II. Out of nine indices studied, cyclicity was found in eight of them in pregnant mares, Gr. I; in seven in older foals, Gr. III; in six in the young foals, Gr. IV; and in five in barren mares, Gr. II.     

Liver histology in chronic metribuzin poisoning of the guinea-pig

Forty male guinea-pigs weighing 400-600 g, 8 months old, were given metribuzin directly into the gastric lumen over a period of 30 days (20 animals) or 90 days (20 animals), 6 times a week. The intoxicated animals showed congestion and obliteration of the trabecular structure of the liver. Acidophilic and vacuolar degeneration of the liver cells with signs of necrosis were also observed. Histochemical tests revealed a poorer staining for glycogen and succinic dehydrogenase and intensification of the alkaline and acid phosphatases reaction. The above findings indicate a progressive degeneration due to metribuzin of different organelles of the liver cells including nuclei, mitochondria, lysosomes, microvilli and the cytoplasm.     

Has the condition of European bison deteriorated over last twenty years?

Twelve biochemical values of the serum (concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, glucose, urea nitrogen, creatinine, total protein, and enzyme activities of ALP, CPK, AspAT, AlAT, amylase) were determined for 102 bisonBison bonasus (Linnaeus, 1758) coming from the free-ranging population of the Białowieża Forest and from the breeding enclosure. The animals were culled in the winter periods of 2000/2001 and 2002/2003. In adult males only the activity of AlAT is significantly higher than in adult females. The remaining values do not differ significantly between the sexes in any of the three age groups (I—calves, II—youngsters, III—adults). Also, no significant differences in serum parameters were observed between healthy males and the ones exhibiting symptoms ofposthitis/balanoposthitis. It was established that the following changes in the values of serum parameters are age-dependent: a decrease in potassium and glucose concentrations and the enzymatic activity of ALP, and an increase in AspAT activity. The results were compared to the corresponding data from the research carried out 20 years earlier (1980–1984) and it has been discovered that the values of seven parameters are significantly different as opposed to the previous results. The following differences were established: currently the concentrations of potassium and urea nitrogen are higher in all age groups; the concentration of glucose is higher in the groups of calves and youngsters; creatinine concentration is lower in adults; the activity of AspAT has increased in youngsters, only; the activity of AlAT has increased, and of amylase has decreased in all animals examined. The changes in the values of serum parameters were analysed in the context of data obtained from post-mortem examinations and we conclude that those changes reflect the growing number of pathomorphological changes in internal organs of the bison dissected. Changes localised mainly in the liver and lungs could be related to parasitical infestations; others were noted in kidneys and in the prepuce and penis area in the males withposthitis/balanoposthitis symptoms. In the discussion it is suggested that the deterioration of the physical condition of European bison inhabiting the Białowieża Forest may be connected to such environmental and populational factors as: winter supplementary feeding, winter aggregations, and a decline in immunity related to inbreeding.     

Electrical stimulation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus causes hyperglycemia

We have presented evidence suggesting that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is involved in central regulation of glucose homeostasis. To elucidate this role of the SCN, we examined the effects of its electrical stimulation on glucose metabolism in male Wistar rats. During and shortly after this stimulation, we observed hyperglycemia associated with enhanced hyperglucagonemia but no immediate hyperinsulinemia. In addition, we detected significant increase in liver glycogen phosphorylase alpha activity and significant decrease in the liver glycogen content. These findings suggest that the SCN is important in control of glucose homeostasis through effects on glucagon and insulin secretions and liver glycogen metabolism.     

Serum Enzyme Activity of Newborn Calves,Pigs, and Lambs

Serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT = GOT), alanine aminotransferase (AlAT = GPT), and total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have been investigated in newborn calves, pigs, and lambs. In the two latter species the LDH isoenzyme distribution in serum was also studied. Blood samples were taken at frequent intervals from birth to 48–72 hrs. post partum. Calves and pigs were born with very low serum enzyme values, whereas lambs showed a picture more similar to what has been reported in human infants. In all species a marked temporary enzyme increase occurred during the first 24–48 hrs. This elevation was found not to be due to colostrum feeding, since a parallel increase was found in starved animals. Possible regulating mechanisms are discussed. The LDH isoenzyme pattern proved to be more stable than total LDH in the early post-natal period. The percentage isoenzyme distribution, however, showed characteristic differences from that found in adult animals of the same species.     

Some Effects of Protein Deficiency in Young Growing Pigs

No significant differences between the serum protein concentrations of the totally starved pigs and control animals given a milk protein supplemented diet were found. Serum lipid levels rose in the totally starved group. During the first 42 days of the experimental period sharp falls in serum protein concentrations were noted in the protein deprived pigs. The losses were greatest in the albumin and two β-globulin fractions, γ-globulin levels rose but at a much slower rate than in the control group. In the pigs which were refed a protein containing diet during the second 42 day period, the concentrations of all the serum protein fractions except for γ-globulin had reached control levels by the end of the investigation. The pigs which continued with the protein free diet showed further losses of albumin, a reduction in some α-globulin fractions and a cessation of net γ-globulin synthesis. The trends observed by measurements of protein bound carbohydrate were similar to those obtained from polypeptide determinations indicating quantitative rather than qualitative changes in the serum proteins. The reduction in the serum lipid concentrations of the pigs undergoing protein starvation was largely accounted for by losses of α- and β-lipoproteins. The protein deprived pigs maintained their initial body weight, while a continuous fall in weight was found in the totally starved group and a continuous increase in the control pigs.     

Removal of olfactory bulbs in rats of different ages: repercussion on some metabolic constants.

The object of this investigation is to study effects of bulbectomy on female rats operated on at 15 and 30 days of age (prepubescent), 50 days (pubescent) and 120 days (adult), with respect to various parameters: these comprise corporal weight, liver weight, blood sugar, liver glycogen, glucose tolerance test and serum free fatty acid. Results were as follows. Body weight: in all groups this was significantly less than in controls except for rats operated on at adult age. Liver weight: (% of body weight) decreases in all groups, but significantly only in animals operated on when 15 days old. Blood sugar: significantly lessened in rats operated on when 30 and 120 days old. Liver glycogen: lessens in rats operated on at 30 and 120 days of age, but significantly only in the former. Glucose tolerance test: the coefficient k is found to increase in rats operated on at 15, 30 and 120 days of age; there is a significant increase in the first two groups. Serum free fatty acids: no marked alterations in any of the groups.     

Antidiabetic activity of a polyherbal preparation (tincture of panchparna) in normal and diabetic rats

The present work was executed to evaluate the anti-diabetic potency of a polyherbal formulation, and its influence on derangement in the metabolism of glucose and cholesterol and changes in sodium levels in serum and urine in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels were found to be increased in diabetic animals. Serum sodium and urinary sodium, hepatic glycogen levels are found to be decreased in diabetic state. Treatment with the polyherbal formulation (1.0 ml/kg body wt) for 30 days in diabetic animals has shown decrease in serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels in comparison to control animals, whereas in normal treated animals, the formulation does not effect the serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels. Serum sodium and urinary sodium levels were increased in both diabetic treated and the control animals. Hepatic glycogen levels were increased in diabetic treated animals, but there was no change in the control treated animals.     

Diurnal and Seasonal Variations of Serum Enzyme Activity in Cattle and Sheep

In order to test the variation of enzyme activity in serum of cattle and sheep during the day, blood samples were taken at three hrs. interval from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The following enzymes were assayed: Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT = GOT), alanine aminotransferase (AlAT = GPT), total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBD). The variation between animals contributed by far to the greatest part of the total variation in clinical healthy animals. The time-of-day-dependant variation was less than 3 %, except for alanine aminotransferase. During the first two weeks of spring pasture serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly raised in both cows and ewes, compared with serum levels of the same animals on indoor feeding. No such increase occurred in total lactate dehydrogenase.     

Carbohydrate energy reserves and effects of food deprivation in male and female rainbow trout

We investigated the effects of nutritional state on carbohydrate, lipid, and protein stores in the heart, liver, and white skeletal muscle of male and female rainbow trout. For fed animals we also partitioned glycogen into fractions based on acid solubility. Fish (10-14 months-old, ~400-500 g) were held at 14 °C and either fed (1% of body weight, every other day) or deprived of food for 14 days. Under fed conditions, glycogen was increased 54% in ventricles from males compared with females, and elevated in the liver (87%) and white muscle (70%) in sexually-maturing versus immature males. Acid soluble glycogen predominated over the acid insoluble fraction in all tissues and was similar between sexes. Food deprivation 1) selectively reduced glycogen and free glucose in male ventricles by ~30%, and 2) did not change glycogen in the liver or white muscle, or triglyceride, protein or water levels in any tissues for both sexes. These data highlight sex differences in teleost cardiac stores and the metabolism of carbohydrates, and contrast with mammals where cardiac glycogen increases during fasting and acid insoluble glycogen is a significant fraction. Increased glycogen in the hearts of male rainbow trout appears to pre-empt sex-specific cardiac growth while storage of acid soluble glycogen may reflect a novel strategy for efficient synthesis and mobilization of glycogen in fishes.     

Time course for cryoprotectant synthesis in the freeze-tolerant chorus frog, Pseudacris triseriata

Increases in liver glycogen phosphorylase activity, along with inhibition of glycogen synthetase and phosphofructokinase-1, are associated with elevated cryoprotectant (glucose) levels during freezing in some freeze-tolerant anurans. In contrast, freeze-tolerant chorus frogs, Pseudacris triseriata, accumulate glucose during freezing but exhibit no increase in phosphorylase activity following 24-h freezing bouts. In the present study, chorus frogs were frozen for 5- and 30-min and 2- and 24-h durations. After freezing, glucose, glycogen, and glycogen phosphorylase and synthetase activities were measured in leg muscle and liver to determine if enzyme activities varied over shorter freezing durations, along with glucose accumulation. Liver and muscle glucose levels rose significantly (5-12-fold) during freezing. Glycogen showed no significant temporal variation in liver, but in muscle, glycogen was significantly elevated after 24 h of freezing relative to 5 and 30 min-frozen treatments. Hepatic phosphorylase a and total phosphorylase activities, as well as the percent of the enzyme in the active form, showed no significant temporal variation following freezing. Muscle phosphorylase a activity and percent active form increased significantly after 24 h of freezing, suggesting some enhancement of enzyme function following freezing in muscle. However, the significance of this enhanced activity is uncertain because of the concurrent increase in muscle glycogen with freezing. Neither glucose 6-phosphate independent (I) nor total glycogen synthetase activities were reduced in liver or muscle during freezing. Thus, chorus frogs displayed typical cryoprotectant accumulation compared with other freeze-tolerant anurans, but freezing did not significantly alter activities of hepatic enzymes associated with glycogen metabolism.     

The effect of 4-aminopyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidine (4-APP) on some parameters of carbohydrate metabolism in the rat

The study was designed to evaluate some parameters of carbohydrate metabolism in the rat as influenced by 4-APP, an adenine analogue. Adult female rats were injected with 1 mg 4-APP/100 g body weight/day for 3 days. 4-APP evoked a marked enlargement of the liver with lipid droplets accumulation in hepatocytes. This was accompanied by a marked lowering of the liver glycogen content. Within 3 days 4-APP did not change serum glucose, insulin and free fatty acid concentration. Serum glycogenolytic activity studied in an in vitro system showed 7 times as high glucose releasing ability in 4-APP treated rats as that of the serum of control animals. 4-APP resulted also in a marked enlargement of the adrenal medulla and lowered adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations in the gland. The possibility of an activation of glycogenolysis in the liver of 4-APP treated rats has been discussed.     

Administration of levamisole to children with kidney disease exacerbation caused by recurrent respiratory infections

Levamisole (2.1-3.1 mg/kg twice a week) was administered to 6 children aged between 20 months and 6.5 years for 1 to 4 months. All children suffered form the renal diseases exacerbation (nephrotic syndrome and pyelonephritis--2 children, lipoid nephrosis and pyelonephritis--2 children, pyelonephritis with glomerular reactions--1 child, recurrent pyelonephritis--1 child) due to recurrent respiratory infections levamisole improved both clinical and biochemical parameters of renal disease. Subsequent respiratory infections were milder and less frequent. Transient decrease in thrombocyte count was seen in 4 children after 2-8 weeks of therapy with levamisole. An increase in AspAT and (or) AlAT was noted in 2 children after 1-2 months of therapy. Levamisole was withdrawn in 2 children after 30 days due to an increase in AspAT activity, prolongation of blood clotting time and thrombocytopenia.     

Effect of cadmium intoxication on glucose utilization in energy metabolism of muscles

The influence of cadmium intoxication on carbohydrate metabolism in skeletal muscles and liver of the male Wistar rats has been studied. Cadmium was administered as cadmium acetate in a dose of 0.3 mg Cd2+/kg body weight for three months. At the same time the control rats were injected with 0.9% NaCl. The animals were decapitated and samples of their skeletal muscles: the soleus muscle (composed mainly of red slow twitch fibers; ST) the gastrocnemius muscle containing two types of fibers (white fast twitch fibers FTb and red fast twitch fibers, FTa) and the liver were dissected out. In the samples of muscles, liver and serum contents of glycogen, glucose, pyruvate and lactate, as well as activities of hexokinase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were measured. Intoxication of rats with cadmium for three months resulted in a reduction of glycolytic enzymes in the serum, ST and FTa muscle fibers and in the liver but did not change the activities of glycolytic enzymes in the FTb muscle fibers. The data obtained for the concentrations of glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles suggest different mechanisms of cadmium influence on glycogen utilization in these organs.     

The content of glycogen and its fractions in human hepatocytes in traumatic disease

A cytofluorometric study was made of the total glycogen and its of fractions in liver cells of patients with hard mechanic trauma with or without intoxication. For studying glycogen dynamics in the course of traumatic illness, the aspiration biopsy material was obtained (30 patients) using repeated liver biopsy of one and the same patient. The total glycogen was found to change insignificantly in liver cells of patients with traumatic illness, both under favourable conditions and with intoxication, and at the normal level. The labile glycogen fraction in liver cells of patients with traumatic illness without intoxication is contained almost at the normal level (80-95%) of the total glycogen and is not changed for a long time. At that time the relative content of the labile glycogen fraction decreases appreciably in some cases to 45-50% due to intoxication development. A relative content of the labile glycogen fraction in hepatocytes with hard mechanical intoxication correlates well with the degree of intoxication. This makes hepatocyte glycogen microfluorometry a diagnostic tool in measuring the functional state of liver in the course of intoxication.     

The proteins and protein-bound carbohydrates of the serum of the developing pig

1. The concentrations of total nitrogen, hexosamine and protein-bound hexose and the amounts of these constituents precipitated by trichloroacetic acid were determined in the serum of pigs at various ages from 57 days after copulation to 42 days after birth. The concentrations of the same constituents were also determined in the serum of mature pigs. 2. A rise in the concentrations of total nitrogen, hexosamine and protein-bound hexose between 90 days' gestation and term was entirely due to material soluble in trichloroacetic acid. This material disappeared from the serum by 7 days after birth. 3. Electrophoresis of the serum proteins showed that the concentration of alpha(1)-globulin fell steadily during gestation, being lower at term than at 57 days' gestation. No alpha(1)-globulin was detected at 7 days of age. 4. It was concluded that high values for non-protein nitrogen in the serum of newborn piglets, determined after precipitation of the proteins with trichloroacetic acid, is largely due to the presence of one or more mucoproteins and not to alpha(1)-globulin. 5. The protein migrating in the alpha(1)-globulin position is possibly a foetal protein of the fetuin type.     

Fructose-induced hepatic gluconeogenesis: effect of L-carnitine

High fructose feeding (60 g/100 g diet) in rodents induces alterations in both glucose and lipid metabolism. The present study was aimed to evaluate whether intraperitoneal carnitine (CA), a transporter of fatty acyl-CoA into the mitochondria, could attenuate derangements in carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and glucose overproduction in high fructose-diet fed rats. Male Wistar rats of body weight 150-160 g were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Groups 1 and 4 animals received control diet while the groups 2 and 3 rats received high fructose-diet. Groups 3 and 4 animals were treated with CA (300 mg/Kg body weight/day, i.p.) for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, levels of carnitine, glucose, insulin, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, triglycerides and free fatty acids in plasma were determined. The activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and glycogen content in liver and muscle were assayed. Hepatocytes isolated from liver were studied for the gluconeogenic activity in the presence of substrates such as pyruvate, lactate, glycerol, fructose and alanine. Fructose-diet fed animals showed alterations in glucose metabolizing enzymes, increased circulating levels of gluconeogenic substrates and depletion of glycogen in liver and muscle. There was increased glucose output from hepatocytes of animals fed fructose-diet alone with all the gluconeogenic substrates. The abnormalities associated with fructose feeding such as increased gluconeogenesis, reduced glycogen content and other parameters were brought back to near normal levels by CA. Hepatocytes from these animals showed significant inhibition of glucose production from pyruvate (74.3%), lactate (65.4%), glycerol (69.6%), fructose (56.2%) and alanine (63.6%) as compared to CA untreated fructose-fed animals. The benefits observed could be attributed to the effect of CA on fatty acyl-CoA transport.     

Glycogen metabolism in rat liver during transition form the fed to fasted states

Hepatic glycogen metabolism was studied in rats during the period of transition from the fed to fasted states. Glycogenic activity was measured in vivo based on the incorporation of [¹⁴C]glucose into liver glycogen. Its changes were almost parallel to the changes in glucogen synthase activity. Progressive accumulation of liver glycogen that occurred in the fed state was associated with a proportional increase in glycogenic activity. Within 4 h after the cessation of food intake, glycogenic activity showd a precipitous fall from the peak to its nadir without significant changes in glycogen content. Meanwhile, the glucose concentration in the portal vein decreased. Upon further development of fasting, glycogenic activity displayed a progressive regain, reciprocally as glycogen contents gradually decreased. The precipitous fall of glycogenic activity during the transition from the fed to fasted states was associated with a transient increase in plasma glucagon, and was partly overcome by the injection of anti-glucagon serum. It is concluded that the fall of portal venous concentration of glucose and secretion of glucagon act as a signal to initiate liver glycogen metabolism characteristics of the fasted or postabsorptive state.     

The Vitamin E-Deficiency Syndrome in Pigs

In four experiments performed to study the pathology of vitamin E-deficiency in pigs (Nafstad & Tollersrud 1970) serum enzyme determinations were carried out in order to obtain some information about the development of the deficiency syndrome. The enzymes determined were aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT = GOT), alanine aminotransferase (AlAT = GPT), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Blood samples were taken every second week during the experiments, which lasted for three to four months each and included a total number of 112 animals. At death or slaughter organs were removed in two experiments for determination of tissue homogenate transferase activity. A good correlation was shown to exist between the levels of serum enzyme activity and the frequency of pathological changes found at necropsy. Vitamin E-supplemented pigs showed enzyme values within normal ranges, whereas animals supplemented with selenium or amino acids and non-supplemented lots showed increased levels. To a certain extent differential diagnoses between the organs most affected could also be made on the basis of the enzyme values, though the complex nature of the deficiency syndrome in some cases rendered this more hypothetical. Gastric ulcers gave no elevation of serum enzyme activity. An inverse correlation was found between transferase activity in serum and tissue homogenates. Vitamin E-deficient pigs with high serum values yielded lower tissue enzyme activity than animals in the corresponding supplemented lots. Pigs fed the highest dietary protein levels showed the highest tissue transferase activity. This was most marked for liver homogenates.     

Metabolic response to starvation in late pregnant rats. II. Fetal response

Effect of prolonged maternal fasting on the fetal liver and heart glycogen and triglyceride content and on concentration of glucose, urea, uric acid and alpha amino-nitrogen in the amniotic fluid has been studied in rats. The animals were divided into four groups: fed (control), fasted for one day (from 20 to 21 day of pregnancy), fasted for two days (from 19 to 21 day) and fasted for three days (from 18 to 21 day). Maternal fasting for two and three days resulted in reduction in fetal growth. The fetal liver glycogen content was reduced already after one day of fasting, stabilized after two days and then further decreased after three days. The fetal heart glycogen content was reduced only after three days of fasting. The fetal liver triglyceride content increased gradually during the first two days of fasting and then stabilized. The content of triglycerides in the heart was elevated after two and three days of food deprivation. The amniotic fluid glucose concentration decreased after one day of fasting and then stabilized. Fasting did not effect the concentration of the nitrogenous compounds in the amniotic fluid. It is concluded that maternal fasting affects markedly metabolism of energy substrates stored in the fetal liver and the heart and the composition of the amniotic fluid.