Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocyte damage in Cyprinus carpio

The present study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract on the carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatocyte damage in fish and provide evidence as to whether it can be potentially used as a medicine for liver diseases in aquaculture. H. sabdariffa extract (100, 200, and 400?μg/mL) was added to the carp primary hepatocyte culture before (pre-treatment), after (post-treatment), and both before and after (pre- and post-treatment) the incubation of the hepatocytes with CCl(4). CCl(4) at 8?mM in the culture medium produced significantly elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly reduced levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Pre-treatment and pre- and post-treatment of the hepatocytes with H. sabdariffa extract significantly reduced the elevated levels of LDH, GOT, GPT, and MDA and increased the reduced activities of SOD and GSH-Px in a dose-dependent manner; post-treatment did not show any protective effect. The results suggest that H. sabdariffa extract can be potentially used for preventing rather than curing liver diseases in fish.     

Enzymes of glutamine metabolism in testa-pericarp and endosperm of developing wheat grain

Glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase, glutamate puruvate transaminase and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase have been assayed in developing testa-pericarp and endosperm of two wheat varieties, namely Shera (11.6% protein) and C-306 (9.8% protein). On per organ basis, activities of all the enzymes studied, except glutamine synthetase, increased during development. Glutamine synthetase activity decreased during development in the testa-pericarp, whereas, no glutamine synthetase activity could be detected in endosperm of either variety at any stage of development. Compared to testa-pericarp, endosperm had higher activities of glutamate synthase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase. On the whole, enzyme activities in Shera were higher, as compared to C-306. Developmental patterns and relative levels of enzyme activities in the two varieties were more or less the same, when expressed on dry weight basis or as specific activities. The results suggest that ammonia assimilation in developing wheat grain takes place by the glutamate dehydrogenase pathway in the endosperm; and both by the glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase—glutamate synthase pathways in the testa-pericarp.     

Regulation by ammonium and glucose of Arthrobacter fluorescens alanine dehydrogenase

Alanine dehydrogenase in Arthrobacter fluorescens exhibited an allosteric behaviour and two K _m values for ammonium were estimated. In batch cultures at different ammonium concentrations and in continuous culture following an NH₄ ⁺ pulse, the level of ADH activity seems to be regulated by the ammonium concentration, high activities being observed when extracellular ammonium was in excess. The response to the growth rate of an ammonium-limited chemostat culture of A. fluorescens seems to indicate that alanine dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase activities were inversely related. High activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase have been found in crude extract of ammonium-limited cultures. From the results obtained in batch cultures grown at different glucose concentrations and in carbon-limited chemostat culture it appeared that the limitation by glucose influenced alanine dehydrogenase activity negatively. No glutamate dehydrogenase activity and no glutamate synthase activity could be detected with either NADH or NADPH as coenzymes.Abbreviations ADH alanine dehydrogenase - GS glutamine synthetase - GDH glutamate dehydrogenase - GOGAT glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase - GOT glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase - GPT glutamate pyruvate transaminase     

Spontaneous Glutamate Release by a "Fibrous"-Like Cerebellar Astroglial Cell Clone

Abstract: To investigate the role of astrocytes in the metabolism of glutamate, the neurotransmitter of the granule cells of the cerebellar cortex, we have analyzed various parameters related to the synthesis of glutamate in astroglial cell clones that may be the in vitro counterparts of the cerebellar astrocytes. The "fibrous"-like clone spontaneously released large quantities of glutamate, even in the absence of glutamine in the culture medium, but did not release alanine. In contrast, the "Golgi-Bergmann"-like cells released alanine but not glutamate, whereas the "velate-protoplasmic"-like astrocytes released little glutamate and alanine. However, the glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities of the three astroglial cell lines, measured in the direction of glutamate synthesis, were comparable. In addition, the "velate protoplasmic" and "Golgi-Bergmann" clones did not consume glutamine present at 2 m M in the culture medium. These data suggest that the different types of in vivo cerebellar astrocytes may have distinct roles regarding glutamate-glutamine metabolism.     

Ammonia assimilation and glutamate incorporation in coenzyme F420 derivatives ofMethanosarcina barkeri

Methanosarcina barkeri was able to grow on L-alanine and L-glutamate as sole nitrogen sources. Cell yields were 0.5 g/l and 0.7 g/l (wet wt), respectively. The mechanism of ammonia assimilation inMethanosarcina barkeri strain MS was studied by analysis of enzyme activities. Activity levels of nitrogen-assimilating enzymes in extracts of cells grown on different nitrogen sources (ammonia, 0.05–100 mM; L-alanine, 10 mM; L-glutamate, 10 mM) were compared. Activities of glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamate synthase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase could be measured in cells grown on these three nitrogen sources. Alanine dehydrogenase was not detected under the growth conditions used. None of the measured enzyme activities varied significantly in response to the NH₄ ⁺ concentration. The length of the poly--glutamyl side chain of F₄₂₀ derivatives turned out to be independent of the concentration of ammonia in the culture medium.Abbreviations ADH alanine dehydrogenase - FO 7,8-didemethyl-8-hydroxy-5-deazariboflavin - GDH glutamate dehydrogenase - GOGAT glutamate synthase - GOT glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase - GPT glutamate pyruvate transaminase - GS glutamine synthetase - H₄MPT tetrahydromethanopterin     

肝细胞生长因子对四氯化碳损伤原代培养大鼠肝细胞的保护…

本工作采用无血清原供培养大鼠肝细胞法,观察了重组人肝细胞生长因子对四氯化碳致大鼠肝细胞损伤的保护作用。结果表明,ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ对ＣＣｌ４染毒肝细胞有明显的保护作用。ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ保护组较ＣＣｌ４染毒组细胞存活率显著升高,细胞内丙氨酸转氨酶,钾离子漏出明显降低。     

Characterization of isolated Fe-loaded rat hepatocytes prepared by collagenase perfusion

Hepatocytes from livers of rats loaded by Fe-dextran treatment were isolated by an in situ collagenase perfusion technique and evaluated for their biochemical, cytochemical, and morphological characteristics in cell culture. Iron loads 15 times higher than in normal rat liver cells isolated in the same way were retained in the preparations with 40% present as hemosiderin. A simple centrifugation-mathematical approach is described for the calculation of Fe content in the hepatocyte (95%) and reticuloendothelial (5%) fractions in the isolates. The cells were cultured for 22 h without loss of protein synthesis capability or significant changes in cell count, viability, endogenous glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) or Fe and were morphologically similar in most respects to unloaded (normal) hepatocytes similarly cultured. Studies are in progress to assess the utility of these preparations as a model for Fe mobilization from Fe-loaded animals.     

Dual-enzyme assay of glutamate in single cells based on capillary electrophoresis

A new dual-enzyme on-column reaction method combined with capillary electrophoresis has been developed for determining the glutamate content in single cells. Glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase were used to catalyze the glutamate reaction. Detection was based on monitoring the laser-induced fluorescence of the reaction product NADH, and the measured fluorescence intensity was related to the concentration of glutamate in each cell. Glutamate dehydrogenase catalyzed the formation of NADH, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase drives the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction by removing a reaction product and regenerating glutamate. The detection limit of glutamate is down to the 10⁻⁸ M level, which is 1 order of magnitude lower than previously reported detection limits based on similar detection methods. The mass detection limit of a few attomoles is far superior to that of any other reports. Selectivity for glutamate is excellent over most amino acids. The glutamate content in single human erythrocytes and baby rat brain neurons were determined with this method and the results agreed well with literature values.     

肝细胞生长因子对四氯化碳损伤原代培养大鼠肝细胞的保护作用

本工作采用无血清原代培养大鼠肝细胞法,观察了重组人肝细胞生长因子（ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ）对四氯化碳（ＣＣｌ４）致大鼠肝细胞损伤的保护作用。结果表明,ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ对ＣＣｌ４染毒肝细胞有明显的保护作用。ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ保护组较ＣＣｌ４染毒组细胞存活率显著升高,细胞内丙氨酸转氨酶、钾离子漏出明显降低。结果提示,ｒ－ｈＨＧＦ可减轻ＣＣｌ４对肝细胞膜的损伤,提高细胞膜的结构完整性     

趋磁细菌WD-1同工酶分析

趋磁细菌在微好氧和好氧条件下生长时,它们在酯酶、乙醇脱氢酶、过氧化物酶、苹果酸脱氢酶、苹果酸酶、乳酸脱氢酶、谷草转氨酶、谷氨酸脱氢酶和异柠檬酸脱氢酶等同工酶中具有明显不同的酶带或酶活性,呈现酶的多分子形态。     

Continuous culture of normal adult mammalian hepatocytes exhibiting parenchymal functions.

Past in vitro studies of liver-cell functions have been performed on nonproliferating primary cells or serially propagated hepatic monolayers of neoplastic or fetal origin. We optimized conditions for the selective culture of adult rabbit and canine liver parenchymal cells and presently have four differentiated proliferating monolayer strains. At the 30th passage level these hepatic cultures still display the specific liver parenchymal functions of albumin and fibrinogen synthesis as well as tyrosine aminotransferase activity. Optimization of the conditions for hepatocyte culture was monitored by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Albumin and fibrinogen synthesis were measured by bioradioimmunoassay and tryosine transaminase activity by a modification of Diamondstone's assay. Albumin and fibrinogen synthesis were correlated with hepatocyte growth kinetics.     

Stable hepatocyte transplantation using fibrin matrix

Fibrin matrix, a naturally derived biodegradable polymer matrix, was evaluated as a scaffold for hepatocyte transplantation in an athymic mouse model. One week after transplantation, opaque conglomerates of the transplanted hepatocytes and fibrin matrix were found on the intestinal mesentery, whereas no transplanted hepatocytes were observed in control groups (transplantation of hepatocytes suspended in culture medium). The hepatocytes in the conglomerates retained hepatocyte-specific functions, as examined with histochemical and immunohistochemical stainings. Stable hepatocyte engraftment may thus be achieved by hepatocyte transplantation using fibrin matrix.     

Convenient rapid determination of picomole amounts of oxaloacetate and aspartate

The assay of oxaloacetate based on the citrate synthase catalyzed conversion of labeled acetyl-CoA to citrate has been greatly simplified by the development of a charcoal separation method for the selective adsorption of acetyl-CoA. An application of this procedure for the determination of oxaloacetate in rat livers is described. By coupling to glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, the procedure enables determination of aspartate. It allows also a sensitive assay of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activity.     

GABA and its related enzymes in the lower auditory system of the guinea pig

The possible existence of GABA-transmitter neurons in the lower auditory system of the guinea pig has been investigated by means of three different experimental approaches: (1) the regional distribution of GABA and its related enzymes, (2) the subcellular distribution of glutamate decarboxylase, and (3) the effect of selected nerve lesions on glutamate decarboxylase concentrations in the auditory nuclei. Within the regions investigated considerable variations in glutamate decarboxylase activity and GABA concentration were found, with the highest values observed in the inferior colliculus. The dorsal cochlear nucleus also contained significant amounts of both glutamate decarboxylase and GABA, in addition to high concentrations of GABA transaminase. The subcellular distribution of glutamate decarboxylase was bimodal in both the cochlear nucleus and inferior colliculus with most enzyme activity recovered in the soluble and synaptosomal fractions. Neither end organ (cochlea) nor trapezoid body lesions induced a significant loss of glutamate decarboxylase activity in either the cochlear nucleus or inferior colliculus. The results suggest the presence of short axon GABAergic interneurons in the cochlear nucleus, most of which appear to terminate within the dorsal cochlear nucleus.     

Subcellular localization of gamma-aminobutyrate transaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase in adult rat brain. Evidence for at least two small glutamate compartments in brain.

The subcellular localizations of gamma-aminobutyrate transaminase (EC 2.6.1.19) and glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2) in brain tissue of adult rats were compared with each other and with those of NAD+-isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.41) and monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.4; kynuramine as substrate). Crude mitochondrial fractions from brain tissue were centrifuged in continuous sucrose density gradients. gamma-Aminobutyrate transaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase were always found at a higher density than NAD+-isocitrate dehydrogenase and monoamine oxidase. When centrifuged for 1 h at 53 000gav., there was a slight difference between the distribution profiles of glutamate dehydrogenase and gamma-aminobutyrate transaminase. This difference was larger when the centrifugation time was only 15 min. It is concluded that there are subpopulations of brain mitochondria with differing proportions of gamma-aminobutyrate transaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase. The results are discussed in relation to evidence obtained with labelled precursors in vivo that there are at least two small glutamate compartments in adult brain.     

Extended rat liver slice survival and stability monitored using clinical biomarkers

Precision-cut liver slices are reportedly limited as toxicity models by their short half-life in culture. We used traditional clinical chemistry biomarkers and histology to assess a newer procedure for improved liver slice maintenance. Slices from Sprague-Dawley rat livers were well maintained in a roller culture system for up to 10 days based on protein content (60-70% or higher of initial values) and biomarker retention and verified by histological examination of the tissues showing morphological integrity and viability of hepatocyte and biliary regions. Exposure of the slices to geldanamycin (GEL) resulted in loss of slice LDH and transaminase content, with associated depression in ALP and GGT levels and elevated bilirubin, indicating that GEL affects both cell types as occurs in vivo with this hepatobiliary toxicant. Thus, we conclude that liver slices merit further investigation as a general model for chronic as well as acute toxicity studies.     

Changes in the properties of fetal rat liver during organ culture

Summary Explants of fetal rat liver maintained in organ culture lost about 40% of their mass in 42 hr of incubation as a result of decrease in blood cells and hepatocytes. Proteins from the cytosol and particulate elements of the tissue were found in the culture medium. About 60% of this protein was degraded to peptides during culture. The transfer of malate and lactate dehydrogenases from tissue to medium paralleled that of proteins. Glutamate dehydrogenase was lost from the mitochondria and in part leaked through the cell membrane into the medium. Net loss of activity of the three enzymes occurred, probably as a consequence of proteolytic degradation. Of 12 enzymes in liver tissue, the specific activities of eight—soluble malate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, phosphopyruvate carboxylase, hexosediphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, tyrosine, aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase—were unchanged or increased. Glycogen synthetase, aspartate aminotransferase, pyruvate kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase decreased. Although changes in membrane permeability may have had some influence on the results reported, the predominant effect was due to loss of protein from tissue as a result of discharge of total contents of some of the cells into the medium. The residual explanted tissue retained its structural integrity. It is concluded that fetal rat liver in organ culture provides a suitable model system for controlled studies with this organ in vitro. This investigation was supported by grants from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (RO 1 HD09715), National Cancer Institute (CA 14194), and United States Public Health Service General Research Support Grant RR 5589.     

Protective effect of coleonol on biochemical changes produced in coronary ligation induced ischemia

Coleonol, a diterpine prevented biochemical changes induced by coronary artery ligation in rabbits at a dose of 10 mg/kg, iv. It increased the heart mitochondrial oxygen uptake and O ratio, which may be responsible for the stabilization of heart membrane. The decrease in serum creatine phosphokinase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase phospholipase and lipid peroxide and increase in cytochrome P450, glycogen and superoxide dismutase activity by coleonol treatment could have contributed to restore myocardial integrity and cardiac function disturbed by coronary artery ligation. The cardioprotective activity of coleonol was found to be comparable to propranolol.     

Glutamine metabolism in isolated perfused rat liver. The transamination pathway

In isolated perfused rat liver, added 4-methyl-thio-2-oxobutyrate and phenylpyruvate are rapidly transaminated to the corresponding amino acids with glutamine, the latter being supplied via the portal vein or by endogenous synthesis. With portal glutamine concentrations below 5mM and in the presence of a oxo-acid acceptor, the flux through glutamine transaminases exceeded the ammonium ion-stimulated glutaminase flux. 4-Methylthio-2-oxobutyrate-induced extra glutamine uptake was not dependent on the perfusate pH in the range of pH 7 to 8. During glutamine/4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate transamination, the amide nitrogen of glutamine is fully recovered as glutamate, ammonia, urea and alanine. Oxoglutarate formed by omega-amidase activity is released as glutamate or oxidized by oxoglutarate dehydrogenase. alpha-Cyanocinnamate, the inhibitor of the monocarboxylate translocator in the mitochondrial membrane inhibited 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate-induced glutamine uptake and methionine release by about 30%. This might indicate that about 2/3 of glutamine transaminase flux is cytosolic. alpha-Cyanocinnamate inhibited 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate-induced glutamate efflux by about 90%. Stimulation of flux through glutamine transaminases is accompanied by a 70-80% inhibition of glutaminase flux. This is not explained by a direct inhibition of glutaminase by 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate but by a substrate competition between glutaminase and glutamine transaminases. 4-Methylthio-2-oxobutyrate decreases glutamine release by the liver due to withdrawal by transamination. The oxo acid itself is without effect on glutamine synthetase flux. With respect to hepatocyte heterogeneity there is no evidence for a zonal distribution of glutamine transaminase activities, as it has been shown for glutamine synthetase and glutaminase activities.     

Continuous culture of normal adult mammalian hepatocytes exhibiting parenchymal functions

Summary Past in vitro studies of liver-cell functions have been performed on nonproliferating primary cells or serially propagated hepatic monolayers of neoplastic or fetal origin. We optimized conditions for the selective culture of adult rabbit and canine liver parenchymal cells and presently have four differentiated proliferating monolayer strains. At the 30th passage level these hepatic cultures still display the specific liver parenchymal functions of albumin and fibrinogen synthesis as well as tyrosine aminotransferase activity. Optimization of the conditions for hepatocyte culture was monitored by [³H]thymidine incorporation. Albumin and fibrinogen synthesis were measured by bioradioimmunoassay and tyrosine transaminase activity by a modification of Diamondstone's assay. Albumin and fibrinogen synthesis were correlated with hepatocyte growth kinetics. Supported by the Medical Staff Research and Education Fund, Wayne County General Hospital, Eloise, Michigan 48132, and American Cancer Society Institutional Grant No. 40M, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109.