Carbodithioate MeOBDCG for decreasing intracellular cadmium deposits in rats of different ages

The efficiency of chelating agents to remove aged intracellular deposits of cadmium in young and older rats was studied. The administration of the chelating agent sodiumN-(4-methoxybenzyl)-D-glucamine-N-carbodithioate monohydrate (MeOBDCG) 2 wk after a single intraperitoneal 115m Cd administration reduced the whole body, liver, and kidney retention in suckling rats to about 63, 42, and 71 percent and in older rats to 39, 17 and 76 percent of values obtained in respective controls. Chelation therapy was generally more effective in older than younger rats and the age-related effect was most pronounced in the liver. These results indicate that specific features of young organisms may significantly alter the effect of chelation treatment.     

Biochemical response to cadmium

The effect of daily oral administration of ethanol (2.5, 5, or 10% in drinking water for 8 wk), lead (10 mg/kg, po, once daily for 8 wk), or their combination on tissue trace-metal concentration and hematopoietic and hepatic biochemical indices was investigated in male rats. Ethanol (10%) ingestion enhanced the hepatic lipid peroxidation and decreased the calcium and magnesium content of blood and liver. Coexposure to lead and ethanol (5 and 10%) produced a more pronounced elevation of blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and hepatic lipid peroxidation. Combined lead-ethanol exposure also lowered the concentration of blood and hepatic magnesium and calcium and increased the amount of lead in the blood, liver, and brain compared to a group treated with lead alone. The results suggest that chronic alcohol ingestion results in calcium and magnesium loss. However, coexposure to lead and ethanol could result in more serious depletion of calcium and magnesium, and this could be the cause of suspected synergism between alcohol consumption and lead poisoning.     

Ferulic acid supplements abrogate oxidative impairments in liver and testis in the streptozotocin-diabetic rat

The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic antioxidant, in ameliorating oxidative stress in the testis and liver of diabetic pubertal rats. Male (6 wk old) rats were rendered diabetic by an acute dose (60 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal) of streptozotocin (STZ) and were given oral supplementation of FA (50 mg/kg body weight/d on alternate days) for 4 weeks. The protective efficacy of FA was assessed by measuring markers of oxidative stress in the testis and liver along with the effect of stress on lipid profile in serum/testis. Terminally, the testis (cytosol and mitochondria) of STZ-administered rats exhibited a marked elevation in the status of lipid peroxidation and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production compared to the non-diabetic controls. FA treatment completely normalized the oxidative impairments in the testis. Further, STZ-induced depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) and elevated protein carbonyl content in the testis were restored to normalcy by FA treatment. The protective effects of FA were also discernible in the testis in terms of restoration of activities of various antioxidant enzymes in the diabetic rats. Furthermore, STZ-induced oxidative impairments in the liver were also abrogated significantly by FA treatment. STZ-induced perturbations in serum and testicular lipid profiles in the diabetic rats were also significantly attenuated by FA treatment. Collectively, these results indicate that oral supplementation of FA can significantly mitigate diabetes-associated oxidative impairments in the testis as well as in the liver and suggests the efficacy of FA as a complementary therapeutic agent in the management of diabetes-associated oxidative stress-mediated complications.     

Notch-Hif-1-alpha信号通路参与调控大鼠肝再生过程的研究

目的：探讨使用酌分泌酶抑制剂Fli-06 特异性阻断Notch 信号通路后,大鼠肝部分切除术后肝再生的情况并初步阐明 Notch-Hif-1-alpha信号通路调控肝再生的可能机制。方法：取SD 大鼠分为对照（生理盐水注射组,n=24）和抑制剂组（酌分泌酶抑制剂 注射组,n=24）。给予药物处理后,两组分别施行大鼠肝部分切除术,术后0 d,1 d,3 d,5 d,每个时间点分别留取对照组（n=6）及抑 制剂组（n=6）再生的肝组织,并检测相应肝重体重比,免疫组化法检测再生肝PCNA（增殖细胞核抗原,Proliferation Cell Nuclear Antigen）表达,RT-PCR 检测再生肝组织中的Notch1、Hes1、VEGF mRNA的变化,Western-Blot 法检测NICD（Notch 胞内段,Notch Intracellular Domain）、Hif-1-alpha（低氧诱导因子-1-alpha,Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1琢)蛋白在肝再生过程的变化情况。结果：1、肝部分切除 术后3 d和5 d,抑制剂组肝重体重比明显低于对照组差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;2、免疫组织化学染色结果提示：抑制剂组再生 肝PCNA阳性细胞率在术后1 d,3 d,5 d 均明显低于对照组（P<0.05）;3、Western blot 结果表明：NICD 和Hif-1-alpha蛋白水平明显低 于对照组（P<0.05）;同时RT-PCR 结果提示：抑制剂组Hes1 的mRNA表达量术后1 d,3 d明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义 （P<0.05）。同时,抑制剂组VEGF mRNA 水平在术后3 d,5 d明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：在大鼠肝部分 切除术后肝再生过程中,使用酌分泌酶抑制剂Fli-06 抑制Notch 信号通路后,大鼠的肝再生能力明显降低,Notch-Hif-1alpha信号通 路可能参与调控了大鼠肝部分切除术后肝再生过程。     

Mechanism of hypocalcemia induced by intraperitoneal, intragastric, and intravenous administration of ethanol to the rat

Acute hypocalcemic effects of intraperitoneal administration of 3 and 5 g ethanol/kg body weight; intragastric administration of 3, 5, and 7 g ethanol/kg body weight; and intravenous administration of 2.5 a ethanol/kg body weight were investigated in 20 h fasted female Wistar rats. Dose-dependent hypocalcemia was similarly induced by intraperitoneal and intragastric routes of administration. Net calcium efflux from plasma, as indicated by the plasma 45Ca activity, was unaffected by 3 g ethanol/kg body weight but was delayed at higher doses of ethanol. Intragastric, but not intraperitoneal, administration of ethanol increased the gastrointestinal luminal calcium content partly by enhancing calcium secretion. Significantly increased tissue 45Ca content 30 min after ethanol administration was evident in the duodenum (31%), jejunum (27%), and colon (33%) in the intragastric ethanol-treated group and in the duodenum (40%), jejunum (38%), ileum (45%), colon (39%), and liver (25%) in the intraperitoneal ethanol-treated group. Thus, the hypocalcemia induced by both intraperitoneal and intragastric administration of ethanol could be partly accounted for by the suppression of calcium efflux from some soft tissues. In contrast, intravenous administration of ethanol was found to enhance the calcium efflux from plasma without affecting the net 45Ca content in the soft tissues. The mechanism(s) by which ethanol affects calcium transport has yet to be elucidated.     

Selenium treatment protects diabetes-induced biochemical and ultrastructural alterations in liver tissue

We have shown that a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg body weight) injected into rats caused significant changes in some antioxidant enzyme activities, such as glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities, and acid-soluble sulfhydryl levels of the liver tissue with respect to the control rats. Furthermore, these alterations in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were accompanied by significant changes in the ultrastructure of the liver tissue; mainly intercellular biliary canaliculi were distended and contained stagnant bile, swollen mitochondria in hepatocytes and disoriented and disintegrating cristae, dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) with detachment of ribosomes, and dissociation of polysomes. Both diabetic and normal rats were treated with sodium selenite (5 micromol/kg/d, intra peritoneally) for 4 wk following 1 wk of diabetes induction. This treatment of diabetic rats improved significantly diabetes-induced alterations in liver antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, treating of diabetic rats with sodium selenite prevented primarily the variation in staining quality of hepatocytes nuclei, increased density and eosinophilia of the cytoplasm, focal sinusoidal dilatation and congestion, and increased numbers of mitochondria with different size and shape. In summary, treatment of diabetic rats with sodium selenite has beneficial effects on both antioxidant system and the ultrastructure of the liver tissue. These findings suggest that diabetes-induced oxidative stress can be responsible for the development of diabetic complications and antioxidant treatment can protect the target organs against diabetes.     

Covalent binding of styrene and styrene-7,8-oxide to plasma proteins, hemoglobin and DNA in the mouse

The extent of covalent binding to plasma proteins, hemoglobin and guanine-N-7 in DNA was determined after intraperitoneal administration of radiolabelled styrene and styrene-7,8-oxide to mice. The degree of alkylation increased non-linearly with the dose. It was proportionally higher after the highest doses of styrene-7,8-oxide while the reverse was observed with respect to the ability of styrene to alkylate plasma proteins and DNA. Thus, a dose dependence was indicated in the elimination of both styrene and styrene-7,8-oxide. A comparison of the degree of alkylation of plasma proteins, hemoglobin and guanine-N-7 in DNA suggests that the two compounds are about equally effective as alkylating agents in vivo at moderate dose levels. At high doses styrene-7,8-oxide is the more effective alkylator. The alkylation of DNA in liver, brain and lung after administration of styrene-7,8-oxide exceeded that in spleen and testis.     

Effect of oral administration of diphenyl diselenide on antioxidant status,and activity of delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and isoforms of lactate dehydrogenase,in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Male albino rats with diabetes induced by the administration of streptozotocin (STZ) (45 mg/kg, i.v.) were treated with oral administration of diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) pre-dissolved in soya bean oil. A significant reduction in blood glucose levels was observed in STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with DPDS compared with an untreated STZ diabetic group. The pharmacological effect of DPDS was accompanied by a marked reduction in the level of glycated proteins, and restoration of the observed decreased levels of vitamin C and reduced glutathione (GSH; in liver and kidney tissues) of STZ-treated rats. DPDS also caused a marked reduction in the high levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) observed in STZ-induced diabetic group. Finally, the inhibition of catalase, delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (e-ALA-D) and isoforms of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) accompanied by hyperglycemia were prevented by DPDS in all tissues examined. Hence, in comparison with our earlier report, the present findings suggests that, irrespective of the route of administration and the delivery vehicle, DPDS can be considered as an anti-diabetic agent due to its anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant properties.     

Ascorbic acid supplementation and copper status in rats

The effect of a high concentration (1%, w/w) of ascorbic acid in a Cu-adequate (150 μmol/kg) purified diet was studied in rats. After 6 wk, ascorbic acid had significantly reduced Cu concentrations in muscle and bone. The estimated whole body content of Cu in rats fed ascorbic acid was reduced by 20%. Within 1 d after oral administration of⁶⁴Cu, the recovery of the dose in feces was increased in rats fed ascorbic acid, suggesting that the vitamin depresses intestinal absorption of Cu. After intraperitoneal (ip) administration of⁶⁴Cu, the rate of loss of the dose from the body was decreased in rats fed ascorbic acid. This study suggests that the ascorbic acid induces a decreased efficiency of intestinal Cu absorption, which in turn triggers mechanisms to preserve Cu in the body stores. This is supported by the observation that the feeding of a Cu-deficient diet (5 μmol/kg) had similar effects, although more pronounced.     

In vitro serum glycogenolytic activity in rats during hypothermia induced with 2-deoxy-D-glucose

During hypothermia induced by intraperitoneal administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (600 mg/kg of body weight) the serum levels of glucose and FFA rise and the hepatic glycogen content falls in relation to rats in control group. The glycogenolytic activity of the serum in vitro determined against liver slices is also higher in the group of rats receiving 2-DG. The obtained results point to an activation of the glycogenolysis process and glycolysis in the organism of rats after administration of hypothermia-inducing doses of 2-DG.     

The fate of Cd,Cu, Ca,Zn, and Fe in rat during the recovery period following cessation of repeated exposure to Cd

Cadmium was administered subcutaneously to male Wistar rats, 0.1 mL/rat in 0.9% saline 3 times a wk for 4 wk at 3 mg Cd/kg. Saline was administered to control animals in an equivalent manner, without Cd. After the end of the dosing period, the distribution and excretion of Cd, Cu, Ca, Zn, and Fe were observed in some organs and excreta for 35 d (1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 d). Cadmium dosing caused significant disturbances in the metabolism of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Ca, especially during the recovery period. Growth in Cd-dosed animals did not accelerate, even after 5 wk of recovery. There was evidence of mobilization of some elements among organs. Accumulation of Cd occurred in liver, kidney, and spleen during dosing, and during the recovery period it was retained in kidney and testes (for 2 wk) and cleared steadily in liver and RBC (for 5 wk), but increased in spleen (first 3 wk). The pattern of Cd excretion was closely associated with the binding of Cd with metallothioneins in kidney and liver for the first 21 and 7 d, respectively. This was associated with the excretion of Cd-metallothioneins (Cd-MT) in urine from d 1 to 21 during recovery. Cadmium caused higher Ca accumulations in testes and liver, which were probably associated with the lesions observed in these organs. Significant increases of Cu (in kidney d 7) and Fe (in liver) were observed during recovery. Furthermore, significant reductions of Cu and Fe were found in plasma, spleen, and RBC (after 5 wk) and kidney, spleen, and testes (on d 7), and blood (after 5 wk).     

Distribution patterns of trace metals and of lipid peroxidation in plasma and erythrocytes of rat exposed to aluminum

Significant decreases of the hematocrit, hemoglobin, and plasma iron levels were observed in rats receiving daily intraperitoneal injections of aluminum at a dose of 27 mg Al/kg body wt for 3 wk, as compared to untreated controls. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was also significantly lower in the treated animals as a result of the accumulation of aluminum in the liver (p<0.05). Following aluminum administration, the plasma concentrations of aluminum and copper were also significantly increased, whereas the plasma zinc levels and oxidative stress measured through thiobarbituric acid reaction products showed nonsignificant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). The erythrocyte concentrations of aluminum, copper, zinc, and iron and of superoxide dismutase activity were found to be significantly higher in the study group as compared to controls. The treated animals also showed evidence of higher oxidative stress in comparison to controls. These results suggest that erythrocyte aluminum accumulation could result in abnormal trace element homeostasis and increasing oxidative stress, which might be a mechanism of aluminum-induced anemia.     

Xanthine oxidase-derived reactive oxygen metabolites contribute to liver necrosis: protection by 4-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine

Xanthine oxidase (XO) generates reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) as a by-product while catalyzing their reaction. The present study implicates these ROM in the pathogenesis of liver necrosis produced in rats by the intraperitoneal administration of thioacetamide (TAA; 400 mg/kg b.wt.). After 16 h of TAA administration, the activity of rat liver XO increased significantly compared to that of the control group. At the same time, the level of serum marker enzymes of liver necrosis (aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase) and tissue malondialdehyde content also increased in TAA treated rats. Tissue malondialdehyde concentration is an indicator of lipid peroxidation and acts as a useful marker of oxidative damage. Pretreatment of rats with XO inhibitor (4-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine; allopurinol (AP)) followed by TAA could lower the hepatotoxin-mediated rise in malondialdehyde level as well as the level of marker enzymes associated with liver necrosis. The survival rate also increased in rats given AP followed by the lethal dose of TAA. In either case, the effect of AP was dose-dependent. Results presented in the paper indicate that increased production of XO-derived ROM contributes to liver necrosis, which can be protected by AP.     

Effect of selenium on lead-induced alterations in rat brain

The effects of lead (Pb) and selenium (Se) interactions on central nervous system (CNS) functions were seen in adult rats by both biochemical and histologic pathological alterations. Pb administration of 20 mg/kg body wt for 8 wk showed degenerative changes only in the cerebral cortex. The changes in the cerebellar regions were not significant. Biochemically a marked decrease in the DNA, RNA, and protein content was seen following lead treatment. These decreases were significant in both the regions of the brain. During the concomitant administration of Pb and Se, the alterations in the transverse section of cerebral cortex showed only marginal changes. The values of DNA and RNA content showed significant improvement in both regions of the brain compared to the Pb treated group.     

Excess calcium increases bone zinc concentration without affecting zinc absorption in rats

We examined zinc (Zn) metabolism in rats given diets containing excess calcium (Ca). Rats were given phytate-free diet containing 5 g Ca/kg (control), 12.5 g Ca/kg, or 25 g Ca/kg for 4 wk in Experiment 1. The dietary treatment did not affect Zn concentration in the plasma, testis, kidney, spleen and liver; however, Zn concentration in the femur and its cortex was significantly higher in rats given diet containing 25 g Ca/kg than in other rats. Rats were given phytate-free diet containing 5 g Ca /kg or 25 g Ca /kg for 4 wk in Experiment 2. After 12-h food deprivation, rats were given a diet extrinsically labeled by 67Zn with dysprosium as a fecal marker for 4 h. Feces were collected from 1 d before administration of the labeled diet to 5 d after administration. Excess Ca did not affect the true absorption of Zn and its endogenous excretion but increased femoral Zn. These results suggest that excess Ca improves Zn bioavailability without affecting Zn absorption when diets do not contain phytate.     

Long-lasting breaches in the bladder epithelium lead to storage dysfunction with increase in bladder PGE2 levels in the rat

Increase in bladder mucosal permeability can be reproduced by intravesical administration of protamine sulfate (PS); however, the influence of PS once administered into the bladder disappears within several days. We developed a chronic animal model of urothelial injury using PS. Insertion of a polyethylene catheter through the bladder dome was performed in female Wistar rats. The other end of the catheter was connected to an osmotic pump for continuous delivery of PS or vehicle for 2 wk. Urinary frequency (UF) and voided volume (VV) were measured in the metabolic cage. The fifth group of rats received a high dose of PS (10 mg/ml) for 2 wk and were followed for a further 2 wk without PS. The sixth group received a high dose of PS for 2 wk and loxoprofen (0.1 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) for 4 wk. UF was increased, and VV was reduced in rats treated with a high dose of PS but not changed in rats treated with a vehicle or a low dose of PS (1 mg/ml). UF was further increased in the fifth group, while unchanged in the sixth group. Histological sections in rats treated with a high dose of PS demonstrated a loss of the upper layer of urothelial cells and an increased number of mast cells. PGE2 level in the bladder was significantly elevated in the fifth group. These results indicate that chronic urotherial injury leads to an increase in UF and a decrease in VV. Increased PGE2 level in the bladder is likely to be associated with long-lasting storage dysfunction.     

Chronic effects of cadmium on kidney,liver, testis,and fertility of male rats

Male Wistar rats (n:20), at 5 wk of age, were given cadmium in drinking water (10 mg/L water) for 52 wk; 8 males and 20 female rats, as controls, were given tap water. At the end of 28 and 40 wk, some of the cadmium-treated males and control group male rats were sacrificed for the histopathological examination of testis, kidney, and liver. At the end of 56 wk, histopathological examinations were performed in the same way. Liver, kidney, and testis cadmium levels were also determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All the cadmium-treated male rats showed pathological testicular alterations, and liver and kidney damage after chronic exposure. Cadmium levels were found to be highest in the kidney (1.009 +/- 0.034 microgram/g wet tissue in the infertile group). At the end of the 52-wk period, reproductive capacity of the cadmium-treated rats was investigated and was found to be lost in 39.89% of the animals.     

Biochemical evaluation of the inflammatory changes in cardiac, hepatic and renal tissues of adriamycin-administered rats and the modulatory role of exogenous heparin-derivative treatment

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the role of a heparin derivative, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), certoparin on the inflammatory changes in adriamycin (ADR) cytotoxicity on a biochemical basis. Male Wistar rats (140+/-10g) were divided into four groups: untreated control, ADR group (a single dose intravenous injection of 7.5 mg/kg ADR), LMWH control (300 microg/(day rat) s.c. for 1 week) and ADR plus LMWH group (7.5 mg/kg ADR on day 1 of study period followed by LMWH treatment, 300 microg/(day rat) commencing on day 8 and continued for 1 week). At the end of the 2-week experimental period, biochemical assessment of the inflammatory status was carried out in the plasma, cardiac, hepatic and renal tissues. Increased concentrations of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen indicated severe inflammation in the ADR cytotoxic rats. These acute-phase inflammatory markers diminished significantly in the LMWH treated group, when compared with the cytotoxic group (p<0.001). Tissue damage was marked by elevated levels of plasma and tissue hexose, hexosamine, hexuronic acid and sialic acid, which were reversed on LMWH administration (p<0.001). The activities of lysosomal enzymes was measured in the experimental groups, and it was observed that the ADR induced rats showed a marked increase in the enzymic activities, while LMWH treated rats revealed normal activities. The present study throws light on the inflammatory changes in the ADR-challenged heart, liver and kidney tissues, and projects the biochemical basis for the anti-inflammatory property of the LMWH, certoparin.