青藤碱抗大鼠肝脏缺血/再灌注损伤作用的机制探讨

目的:观察青藤碱时大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响,探讨其保护大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤作用的机制.方法:通过建立大鼠全肝缺血再灌注损伤模型,应用硝酸酶还原法测定肝脏缺血再灌注后60min血清NO水平变化;测定再灌注60 min后肝组织内MDA和SOD含量变化;再灌注60min取肝组织完成肝组织显微结构的观察.结果:肝脏缺血再灌注损伤后血清NO水平降低;青藤碱能提高再灌注后血清NO水平,且能改善肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的微循环,减轻肝细胞内超微结构的损害程度.结论:青藤碱对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用,其主要作用机制是清除氧自由基和改善微循环.     

葛根素对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的:观察葛根素预处理时大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用.方法:雄性SD大鼠,建立肝脏缺血再灌注模型(HIR).随机分为假手术组、HIR组和HIR-葛根素预处理组.分析各组动物血清中谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)及乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量的变化,观察肝组织病理学的改变.结果:肝脏缺血再灌注损伤后,与假手术组比较,血清中AST、ALT、LDH含量均显著增加,同时肝脏门静脉周围瘀血明显,可见少量散在的肝细胞片状坏死灶,有少量炎性细胞和单核细胞浸润,肝细胞肿胀、脂肪空泡变性、核浓缩;经40mg/kg剂量的葛根素预处理7天后,与模型组相比,血清中AST、ALT、LDH均显著降低,肝脏的瘀血明显较模型组轻,肝小叶结构基本正常,微血管未见明显损伤,窦间隙稍宽,细胞变性坏死不明显,偶见少量肝细胞坏死.结论:葛根素预处理对大鼠缺血再灌注肝脏损伤有一定的保护作用.     

不同剂量乳化异氟醚预处理对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

摘要 目的：探究不同剂量乳化异氟醚预处理对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法：将48只成年雄性大鼠随机分为六组：假手术组、缺血对照组、脂肪乳组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组、中剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组,每组8只。检测血清中酶的含量,观察肝细胞损伤程度,直观的反应乳化异氟醚预处理对肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响。结果：不同组别大鼠肝脏再灌注后ALT、AST、LDH和MDA含量,SOD活性和肝细胞坏死比例均具有显著差异,随着再灌注时间的延长,各组大鼠血清ALT、AST和LDH含量均明显增加（均P＜0.05）。再灌注后1 h、2 h和4 h中剂量乳化异氟醚组大鼠血清ALT、AST和LDH含量均显著低于缺血对照组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组（均P＜0.05）。中剂量乳化异氟醚组大鼠肝组织匀浆中MDA含量和肝细胞坏死比例均显著低于缺血对照组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组,SOD活性显著高于缺血对照组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组（均P＜0.05）。结论：中等剂量乳化异氟醚预处理组中血清中酶含量最低,肝组织匀浆中MDA含量最低,SOD活性水平最高,肝细胞损伤程度最轻,对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注的保护作用最好。     

N—acetylserotonin对肝缺血再灌注小鼠氧化应激损伤的保护作用

目的探讨NAS对肝缺血再灌注所诱导的脂质过氧化损伤产生的保护作用。方法采用夹闭肝蒂法30min、再灌注6h制作肝缺血再灌注模型,冰冻切片,HE染色,光学显微镜下观察肝细胞形态结构的变化;比色法检测损伤后血清中谷丙转氨酶（ALT）水平及肝组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH—Px）的含量。结果夹闭肝蒂30min、再灌注6h后,肝小叶结构紊乱、肝血窦淤血,其间有白细胞浸润、肝细胞出现变性、坏死;血清中ALT水平升高,肝组织中s0D和GSH—Px的含量降低,MDA升高;NAS可减少缺血再灌注后血清ALT的释放,使肝组织中SOD和GSHPx的含量升高,MDA的含量降低;NAS＋Luz可逆转NAS的这一作用。结论NAS对肝缺血再灌注小鼠的氧化应激损伤具有保护作用。     

NOTCH1信号通路介导白藜芦醇抗肝缺血/再灌注所致大鼠心脏损伤保护作用的机制研究

目的：观察Notch1信号通路在肝缺血/再灌注损伤时对心脏损伤的保护作用并探讨其相关的机制。方法：36只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组,假手术组（SC组）、肝缺血/再灌注组（HIR组）、白藜芦醇预处理组（Res处理组）,每组12只。各组均与肝脏缺血40 min再灌注2 h（SC组旷置相等时间）后,记录左室血流动力学变化,测定血清肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）和白细胞介素-6（IL-6）浓度,取心肌组织测定SOD活力及MDA含量,Western blot检测心肌组织反应Notch通路活化标志的NICD表达,以RT-PCR法从转录水平检测Notch1和TNF-α的表达水平。结果：与SC比较,HIR组左室收缩及舒张功能均显著降低（P<0.01）,血清CK、LDH活力,TNF-α和IL-6浓度明显升高（P<0.01）,心肌MDA含量明显升高而SOD活力明显降低（P<0.01）,且Notch1表达下降,TNF-α表达增加;与I/R组相比,Res处理组左室舒缩功能明显升高,血清CK、LDH活力及TNF-α、IL-6浓度明显降低,同时心肌SOD活力明显升高而MDA含量明显降低,Notch1表达上升TNF-α表达降低。结论：白藜芦醇对肝缺血/再灌注大鼠心脏具有保护作用,其机制可能与Notch1信号通路的激活进而调节炎症反应及氧化应激有关。     

缺血预适应对大鼠肢体缺血/再灌注后小肠细胞凋亡的影响

目的：观察大鼠肢体缺血再灌注后小肠粘膜自由基及钙含量改变与细胞凋亡情况．以及缺血预适应对其变化的影响。方法：将雄性Wistar大鼠18只,随机分为对照（Control）组,缺血／再灌注（I／R）组和缺血预适应（IPC＋I／R）组,分别测定血浆和小肠组织超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、黄嘌呤氧化酶（XOD）、丙二醛（MDA）的含量,小肠组织钙及线粒体钙含量;小肠组织的Bel-2和Bax蛋白的表达水平;检测小肠细胞凋亡情况。结果：肢体I／R后血浆和小肠粘膜SOD减少而XOD和MDA增加;小肠组织钙及线粒体钙含量增多;Bel-2蛋白表迭和Bax表达增多,但Bel-2／Bax比值降低;凋亡细胞增多。IPC减轻了I／R后引起的XOD、MDA含量的升高,并且增加了SOD的含量;减轻了组织和线粒体钙超载;Bel-2的表达则明显升高而Bax表达较I／R组明显减少,Bel-2／Bax比值升高;凋亡细胞减少。结论：肢体IR引起小肠粘膜自由基的增多,钙超栽,凋亡细胞增多;IPC可能通过减少自由基的产生及钙超载,抑制细胞凋亡而对肢体I／R继发的小肠功能损伤起保护作用。     

胆红素对大鼠肺脏缺血再灌注损伤保护作用的研究

目的探讨胆红素对实验性大鼠肺缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用并探讨其发生的机制。方法60只健康Wistar大鼠随机分为3组：手术对照（C）组,缺血再灌注（IR）组,胆红素干预（B）组。每组分别于缺血第45min、再灌注30min、60min、120min4个时点,经左房放血处死大鼠,观察肺组织病理形态变化,检测血浆丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的含量,测定肺组织干/湿重（D/W）比值,TUNEL法测定肺组织中细胞凋亡指数（AI）。结果①肺组织病理变化：缺血再灌注后IR组肺组织损伤进行性加重,毛细血管充血、肺泡间隔炎性细胞浸润、肺泡腔内炎性细胞及炎性液体渗出显著,B组肺组织充血、水肿、炎性细胞浸润较IR组减轻。②血浆MDA含量：IR组在缺血再灌注后血浆MDA含量明显增加,较C组和B组同时点均显著增高（P〈0.01）,而B组的MDA含量在缺血再灌注过程中的变化无显著性意义;③血浆SOD含量：经缺血再灌注后,IR和B组血浆SOD含量较C组同时点均显著下降（P〈0.05）,B组减少的程度明显小于IR组（P〈0.05）;④肺组织D/W比值：经缺血和再灌注后,IR组和B组的肺组织D/W比值都呈进行性下降（再灌注60、120minvs缺血45min,P〈0.01）;B组下降幅度明显小于IR组（再灌注60、120min时,B组vsIR组,P〈0.05）;⑤肺组织细胞AI的变化：IR组及B组缺血再灌注后均可见肺组织细胞凋亡现象,但与IR组相比,B组相同时点的肺组织细胞凋亡数显著减少（P〈0.05）;结论胆红素对于实验性大鼠肺脏缺血再灌注损伤具有一定的保护作用,其作用机制与清除氧自由基、抗氧化及抗细胞凋亡有关。     

维生素E在青年和老年大鼠肾脏缺血/再灌注损伤中的作用

目的:探讨维生素E(VE)在青年和老年大鼠肾缺血/再灌注损伤(RI/RI)中的作用。方法:采用夹闭双侧肾动、静脉45min后恢复血流的方法制作RI/RI模型,测定血清中尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Scr)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、一氧化氮(NO)、诱生型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)浓度,免疫组化检测肾皮质热休克蛋白70(HSP70)表达。流式细胞术检测肾皮质细胞凋亡率。结果:缺血/再灌注(I/R)后BUN、Scr含量明显升高,老年I/R组MDA含量高于青年I/R组,SOD含量低于青年IR组,HSP70、NO以及肾皮质细胞凋亡率高于control组;VE可显著降低RI/RI大鼠BUN、Scr、MDA、iNOS水平,升高NO和SOD水平,增加HSP70的表达,降低肾皮质细胞凋亡率。结论:VE可通过促进肾组织HSP70的表达,增加NO和SOD水平,提高大鼠体内清除自由基的能力,从而对青、老年大鼠肾缺血/再灌注损伤(RI/RI)起到一定的保护作用。     

热休克蛋白质70对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注后NOS活力的影响

目的为探讨热应激预处理对肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用的机制,采用局部热应激处理诱导热休克蛋白质(HSP70)的表达,检测了HSP70对肝脏缺血再灌注时NOS活力的影响。方法将实验大鼠随机分为热应激预处理组与非预处理组,对比观察两组动物肝脏缺血再灌注后0、4、8、12、24h期间内肝脏HSP70的表达、NOS活力及血清乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)的活性与肝脏组织学改变。结果热应激预处理组HSP70的表达水平均比非预处理组同一时间点高,而NOS活力及血清LDH的活性较非预处理组低。与非预处理组比较,经热应激预处理肝组织损伤较轻。结论热应激预处理诱导产生的热休克蛋白70保护肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的作用途径之一可能是通过抑制NO的产生,从而降低大量自由基对肝脏的损害。     

桑叶总黄酮预处理对大鼠缺血再灌注损伤心肌抗氧化作用的研究

为研究桑叶总黄酮预处理对缺血再灌注损伤心肌的抗氧化作用,采用结扎左冠状动脉前降支30min,再灌注2h的方法制备大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤模型。将50只大鼠随机分为假手术组、缺血再灌注损伤模型组和桑叶总黄酮高、中、低剂量预处理组,每组10只。实验结束后,取动脉血和心脏。测定各组血清生化指标肌酸激酶(CK)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的含量;测定心肌生化指标超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性和丙二醛(MDA)的含量。结果显示,与模型组相比,桑叶总黄酮预处理组使血清中的CK、LDH含量明显降低,同时使心肌组织中的SOD活性提高,MDA含量降低。结果表明,桑叶总黄酮预处理对缺血再灌注损伤心肌有明显的保护作用,其机制可能与提高心肌SOD活性、清除自由基、增强抗氧化能力有关。     

Protective effects of taurine against endotoxin-induced acute liver injury after hepatic ischemia reperfusion

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion (HIR) not only results in liver injury, but also leads to endotoxemia, which aggravates HIR-induced liver injury and dysfunction, or even causes liver failure. Taurine has been shown to protect organs from ischemia reperfusion or endotoxin by its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to investigate whether taurine could attenuate endotoxin-induced acute liver injury after HIR. Wistar rats subjected to 30 min of hepatic ischemia followed by reperfusion and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.5 mg/kg) administration, exhibited liver dysfunction (elevated serum levels of ALT, AST and LDH) and hepatic histopathological alteration. The serum levels of TNF-α and production of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissues and apoptosis of hepatocytes were also increased after the combination of HIR and LPS. However, pre-administration of taurine protected livers from injury induced by the combination of HIR + LPS as the histological score, apoptotic index, MPO activity and production of MDA in liver tissues, and serum levels of AST, ALT, LDH and TNF-α, were significantly reduced. The expression of caspase-3, Fas and Fas ligand was upregulated in homogenates of livers from rats subjected to HIR and LPS, and this elevated expression could be inhibited by taurine. In summary, the results further emphasize the potential utilization of taurine in protecting livers against endotoxin-induced injury especially after HIR, by its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic activities.     

Effect of zinc supplementation on type 2 diabetes parameters and liver metallothionein expressions in Wistar rats

Zinc is a trace metal and acts as an active component of various enzymes. Zinc deficiency has been suggested to be associated with the development of diabetes. The present study investigated the role of zinc supplementation on prevention of diabetic conditions. A double-disease model mimicking hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes was created by applying high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) to Wistar rats. We demonstrated that zinc supplementation improved symptoms of diabetes such as polydipsia and increased serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, indicating that zinc supplementation has a potential beneficial effect on diabetic conditions. The level of maldondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress marker, was reduced in liver by zinc supplementation in high fat-fed rats with or without STZ injection. Meanwhile, we observed an increase in the expression of metallothioneins (MTs) in liver of rats treated with zinc. This suggests that the induction of MTs in liver, which has been shown to be important in scavenging free radicals, could be one of the underlying mechanisms of zinc supplementation on reducing MDA levels in liver. Finally, we found that zinc levels in liver were increased while there was no change in serum zinc levels, indicating that local zinc level might be a critical factor for the induction of MTs. Also, the level of MTs could potentially be an index of zinc bioavailability. Taken together, these results suggest that both zinc and MT could play an important role in balancing nutrition and metabolism to prevent diabetic development.     

L-Carnitine ameliorates methotrexate-induced oxidative organ injury and inhibits leukocyte death

Methotrexate (MTX), a folic acid antagonist widely used for the treatment of a variety of tumors and inflammatory diseases, affects normal tissues that have a high rate of proliferation, including the hematopoietic cells of the bone marrow and the gastrointestinal mucosal cells. To elucidate the role of free radicals and leukocytes in MTX-induced oxidative organ damage and the putative protective effect of L-carnitine (L-Car), Wistar albino rats were administered a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg) followed by either saline or L-Car (500 mg/kg) for 5 days. After decapitation of the rats, trunk blood was obtained, and the ileum, liver, and kidney were removed for histological examination and for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and collagen content. Our results showed that MTX administration increased the MDA and MPO activities and collagen content and decreased GSH levels in all tissues, while these alterations were reversed in L-Car-treated group. The elevated serum TNF-α level observed following MTX treatment was depressed with L-Car. The oxidative burst of neutrophils stimulated by Annexin V was reduced in the saline-treated MTX group, while L-Car abolished this inhibition. Similarly, flow cytometric measurements revealed that leukocyte apoptosis was increased in MTX-treated animals, while L-Car reversed these effects. Severe degeneration of the intestinal mucosa, liver parenchyma, and glomerular and tubular epithelium observed in the saline-treated MTX group was improved by L-Car treatment. These results suggest that L-Car, possibly via its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties, ameliorates MTX-induced oxidative organ injury and inhibits leukocyte apoptosis. Thus, supplementation with L-Carnitine as an adjuvant therapy may be promising in alleviating the systemic side-effects of chemotherapeutics.     

Preventive Effects of Zinc Against Psychological Stress-Induced Iron Dyshomeostasis, Erythropoiesis Inhibition, and Oxidative Stress Status in Rats

Psychological stress (PS) could cause decreased iron absorption and iron redistribution in body resulting in low iron concentration in the bone marrow and inhibition of erythropoiesis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of zinc supplementation on the iron metabolism, erythropoiesis, and oxidative stress status in PS-induced rats. Thirty-two rats were divided into two groups randomly: control group and zinc supplementation group. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups: control group and PS group. Rats received zinc supplementation before PS exposure established by a communication box. We investigated the serum corticosterone (CORT) level; iron apparent absorption; iron contents in liver, spleen, cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and serum; hematological parameters; malondialdehyde (MDA); reduced glutathione (GSH); and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Compared to PS-treated rats with normal diet, the PS-treated rats with zinc supplementation showed increased iron apparent absorption, serum iron, hemoglobin, red blood cell, GSH, and SOD activities; while the serum CORT; iron contents in liver, spleen, and regional brain; and MDA decreased. These results indicated that dietary zinc supplementation had preventive effects against PS-induced iron dyshomeostasis, erythropoiesis inhibition, and oxidative stress status in rats.     

Do Zinc and Selenium Prevent the Antioxidant, Hepatic and Renal System Impairment Caused by Aspirin in Rats?

Aspirin is widely used as an antiinflammatory drug especially in children with rheumatic fever arthritis. The diminishing effects of aspirin on antioxidant enzymes and hepato-renal systems at high doses are well-known. It is now evident that the damage at antioxidant system worsens the clinical picture of the disease and prolongs the treatment time. Thus, we investigated the effect of antioxidant enzyme cofactors-zinc and selenium-supplementation on superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (erythrocyte and liver) and hepato-renal toxicity during aspirin treatment at therapeutic doses. The rats were divided into five groups. The first and second groups were given aspirin 75 mg/kg/day and aspirin plus selenium (Selenium 200, selenium 200 mg tablet as selenium yeast, GNC) and zinc (Zinc 100, zinc 100 mg tablet as zinc gluconate, GNC), respectively, the third and fourth take 50 mg/kg/day aspirin and aspirin plus selenium and zinc twice a day, respectively. The fifth group was control. The rats were treated with aspirin for 5 weeks as in the treatment of rheumatic fever arthritis in children. Erythrocyte SOD and MDA levels were preserved with supplementation, whereas there was no change for GSH-Px levels. Liver SOD, GSH-Px, and MDA levels were not changed. In zinc- and selenium-supplemented groups, the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, and direct bilirubin levels were found statistically decreased compared with nonsupplemented groups. There was no significant histopathologic change in specimens of hepatic and renal tissues. Trace element supplementation may prevent free radical damage and shorten treatment time in children using long-term aspirin treatment.     

Alleviation of dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver injury and fibrosis by betaine supplementation in rats

Previous studies suggested that betaine intake might antagonize the induction of oxidative stress-mediated acute liver injury through regulation of the sulfur-amino acid metabolism. In this study we examined the protective effects of betaine on chronic liver injury and fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). Male rats were supplemented with betaine (1%, w/v) in drinking water from 2 weeks prior to the initiation of DMN treatment (10 mg/(kg day), i.p., 3 days/week, for 1, 2, or 4 weeks) until sacrifice. Induction of liver injury was determined by quantifying serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase activities, bilirubin levels, hepatic xenobiotic-metabolizing capacity, histopathological changes and 4-hydroxyproline levels. Development of oxidative injury was estimated by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) of liver and serum toward hydroxyl, peroxyl radicals, and peroxynitrite. Progressive changes in the parameters of liver injury and fibrosis were evident in the rats challenged with DMN. Elevation of MDA levels in liver was significant before the onset of a change in any parameters determined in this study. Betaine supplementation markedly attenuated the induction of hepatotoxicity and fibrosis by DMN. Elevation of MDA and the reduction of TOSC were also depressed significantly. Development of liver injury corresponded well with the induction of oxidative stress in rats treated with DMN, both of which are inhibited effectively by betaine supplementation. It is suggested that betaine may protect liver from fibrogenesis by maintaining the cellular antioxidant capacity.     

丙泊酚对全肝缺血再灌注大鼠脑损伤的保护作用及机制研究

目的:探究丙泊酚对全肝缺血再灌注(THIR)大鼠脑损伤的保护作用及机制。方法:选取72只健康成年雄性SD大鼠,将其按照抽签法分成假手术组、对照组以及丙泊酚组。所有大鼠予以12h禁食处理,采用3%戊巴比妥钠行腹腔注射麻醉处理,常规消毒后取上腹部正中切口进入腹腔。假手术组仅暴露肝门,不予以阻断处理。对照组与丙泊酚组则以无创动脉夹阻断肝固有动脉、门静脉和胆总管,在右肾动脉水平处阻断肝下下腔静脉,膈肌水平阻断肝上下腔静脉,进入全肝缺血阶段,阻断30 min后去除动脉夹恢复肝血流。其中丙泊酚组在全肝缺血前10 min予以丙泊酚50 mg/kg腹腔注射干预,假手术组与对照组则予以等量的生理盐水腹腔注射干预。比较三组大鼠再灌注24h后的脑组织细胞凋亡率、特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)蛋白表达水平,脑组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、一氧化氮(NO)水平,血清白介素-6(IL-6)以及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平。结果:对照组与丙泊酚组大鼠的细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3相对表达量均高于假手术组,而丙泊酚组细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3相对表达量均低于对照组(均P<0.05)。对照组与丙泊酚组大鼠脑组织SOD水平均低于假手术组,而丙泊酚组脑组织SOD水平高于对照组;对照组与丙泊酚组大鼠脑组织MDA、NO水平均高于假手术组,而丙泊酚组脑组织MDA、NO水平低于对照组(均P<0.05)。对照组与丙泊酚组大鼠血清IL-6、TNF-α水平均高于假手术组,而丙泊酚组血清IL-6、TNF-α水平均低于对照组(均P<0.05)。结论:丙泊酚可有效抑制THIR大鼠脑损伤引起的细胞凋亡,其主要机制可能与抑制Caspase-3表达、炎症反应以及抗自由基损伤有关。     

Effects of dietary zinc and copper on free radical production in rat lung and liver

The effects of dietary copper and zinc on free radical production in lung and liver microsomes were studied in male weanling rats. The rats were fed for 6 weeks on one of seven diets, with different copper and zinc concentrations representing low, adequate, and high dietary levels of copper and low and adequate levels of zinc. Rats were put on diets arranged in a 3 X 2 factorial design with copper and zinc supplementations of 0, 15, and 500 mg/kg and 0.5 or 100 mg/kg, respectively. The low copper diet depressed copper levels in both the lungs and liver, although zinc levels were unchanged in rats on the low zinc diets. Endogenous carbon-centered lipid radical production in microsomes induced by NADPH was measured using spin-trapping techniques. The low zinc diets increased free radical production in lung microsomes but not in liver microsomes. No change in free radical production was observed in lung or liver microsomes obtained from rats on low copper diets. The data indicate that endogenous free radical production is increased in lung microsomes as a function of dietary zinc deficiency but is not influenced by copper status.     

Zinc Supplement Modulates Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Values in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Oxidative stress is a main factor in the pathogenesis of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The ability of zinc (Zn) to retard oxidative processes has been recognized for many years. This study aims to examine the levels of free oxygen radicals and antioxidant enzyme in SAP rats and know the effect of Zn supplementation on free oxygen radicals and antioxidant system in rats with SAP. Forty-five male Wistar rats were divided into three groups—the SAP group (n?=?15), the Zn-treated group (n?=?15), and the controlled group (n?=?15). For the SAP group, sodium taurocholate is injected into the pancreatic duct to induce SAP; for the Zn-treated group, Zn (5 mg/kg) is subcutaneously injected immediately after injection of 5 % sodium taurocholate. Firstly, the activity of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the content of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), which are the toxic products of oxidative stress, is measured. Secondly, the levels of free oxygen radicals in the liver and kidney are detected. The result showed that the activity of GSH-Px and SOD was lower in the SAP group than that in the controlled group, although the content of plasma MDA increased. However, the activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the Zn-treated group was not significantly decreased after comparing with the controlled group; in the mean time, the content of MDA was not significantly increased either. Moreover, the content of free radical in liver and kidney was higher in the SAP group compared with the controlled group, but the content of free radical in the Zn-treated group was not higher than that in the controlled group (p?>?0.05). All of the above indicated that Zn may recover the activity of free radical-scavenging enzymes and decrease the content of free radical for the SAP group rats. In conclusion, the content of free radical increase may be one of the reasons that SAP rats are injured, and it is possible for Zn to be used to treat SAP through scavenging free radical and increasing the activity of SOD and GSH-Px of erythrocyte.