An Ascochlorin Derivative,AS-6, Potentiates Insulin Action in Streptozotocin Diabetic Mice and Rats

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a hypotensive compound, and alanine accumulated in tea leaves under anaerobic conditions. Since the ¹⁵N in ¹⁵N-glutamic acid was well incorporated in GABA and alanine during anaerobic incubation, glutamic acid seemed to be a source of nitrogen for the increased GABA and alanine. GOT and GPT were the predominant amino acid transaminases in tea leaves. Although glutamate decarboxylase and GPT seemed to be important for GABA and alanine accumulation, the activities of these enzymes did not increase under anaerobic conditions. Glutamate decarboxylase, which formed GABA from glutamate, was purified 52.4-fold. This enzyme, with an optimum pH at 5.8, was activated by pyridoxal phosphate and used only l-glutamic acid as a substrate.     

Response related enzymatic changes in ovaries of superovulated mice

Adult female mice were superovulated with PMSG followed by HCG and 140 blastocysts and 69 morulae were recovered from 24 mice. On the basis of the response, mice were divided into six groups; non responders, 1-5, 6-10, 11-20, 21-30 and >30 embryos. The ovaries of the animals were pooled group wise, homogenized in PBS (pH 7.4) and after centrifugation for 10-15 minutes, the supernatant was analyzed for the enzymes, guanine oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), guanine pymvate transaminase (GPT), acid phosphatases (ACP) and alkaline phosphatases (AKP). Acid and alkaline phosphatase activities did not show any variation in relation to response to superovulation but GOT and GPT showed significantly increased activity in response to induction of superovulation. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between GOT and GPT activities and the superovulatory response in mice.     

Inhibitory effect of curcumin on liver injury in a murine model of endotoxemic shock

The effect of curcumin on lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine (LPS/GalN)-induced acute shock model of liver injury was examined in mice. The simultaneous administration of LPS (5–20 μg kg⁻¹, i.p.) and GalN (700 mg kg⁻¹, i.p.) markedly increased the serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GOT/GPT), and massive hepatic necrosis and inflammation, leading to 100% lethality. Pre-administration of curcumin (100 mg kg⁻¹, i.p.) 3 h before induction with LPS/GalN imparted a large extent of protection against acute elevation in serum TNF-α and serum GOT/GPT. Hepatic necrosis and lethality caused by LPS/GalN was also greatly reduced by curcumin treatment. The results demonstrated that curcumin could protect mice from LPS/GalN-induced hepatic injury and inflammation through blockading TNF-α production, eventually raising the survival rate of septic-shock-induced mice.     

A comparative study of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) levels in the saliva of diabetic and normal patients

Diabetes has been reported to affect salivary glands adversely in humans and experimental models. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are salivary enzymes that also are widely distributed in animal tissues. We determined GOT and GPT levels in saliva samples of 100 type 1 and 30 type 2 diabetic patients using reflectance spectrophotometry and compared them to 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean values of GOT and GPT in type 1 diabetics compared to type 2 and control groups. Significantly higher GOT levels were found in the 1–20 year age group of type 1 diabetics. Our findings suggest that salivary gland damage is due to the same immunological attack that affects pancreatic β cells and results in type 1 diabetes.     

Spirulina: possible pharmacological evaluation for insulin-like protein

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperaminoacidemia, and hypoinsulinemia that leads to reduction in both insulin secretion and insulin action. Several natural products have been isolated and identified to restore the complications of diabetes. Spirulina is a naturally occurring freshwater cyanobacterium, enriched with proteins and essential nutrients. Treatment of diabetic rats with crude, aqueous extract, ethanolic extract, and insulin-like protein of Spirulina successfully ameliorated diabetic complications by increasing body weight and significantly decreasing the levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen (p?<?0.0001). Comparatively, the crude extract and insulin-like protein were found to be more effective than the aqueous and ethanolic extracts.     

Effect of prolonged administration of insecticide (Cyhalothrin/Karate) on the blood and liver of rabbits.

A sublethal dose of Karate administered to rabbits produced a significant increase in the total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume after 15 days of administration, though no significant change was observed after 30 days. The transaminases (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, GOT; glutamate pyruvate transaminase, GPT) also increased after 15 days of treatment. The GPT activity increased 119% and 60% after 15 and 30 days, respectively. From amongst metabolites, glucose content increased 17% and 185%, while cholesterol decreased 40% and 66%, and bilirubin 84% and 61%, after 15 and 30 days, respectively. The hepatic AkP activity decreased 30%, while the GPT activity increased 44%. Other enzymes such as AcP, GOT and LDH remained unaffected. The concentration of other metabolites, except for FAA which increased 35%, remained unaffected. Histological changes were marked by atrophied hepatic cells and hypertrophied nuclei and nucleoli. A trend towards necrosis of hepatic cells was also observed. All these results indicate that Karate is moderately toxic to mammals.     

Hepatoprotective effect of Rhodiola imbricata rhizome against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats

Rhodiola imbricata is a perennial herb of the family Crassulaceae, which has significant traditional usage as medicine and is also known to biosynthesize phytochemicals such as flavonoids, coumarins and phenyl glycosides. The present investigation was aimed to estimate the hepatoprotective activity of R. imbricata rhizome acetone extract against paracetamol (2 g/kg) induced liver toxicity. Paracetamol was administered to induce hepatic damage in Wistar rats. 200 and 400 mg/kg doses of rhizome acetone extract and silymarin (25 mg/kg) were used as treatment groups. The blood samples were analyzed for biochemical markers of hepatic injury and tissue samples were subjected for estimation of liver antioxidants and histopathological studies. Analysis of the extract treated rats (400 mg/kg) showed an elevation of superoxide dismutase (0.326 units/min/mg protein), catalase (185.03 μmole of H₂O₂ consumed/min/mg protein), glutothione peroxidase (19.26 mg GSH consumed/min/mg protein) and reduced glutathione (16.2 μmole of GSH/mg protein). Moreover, the biochemical parameters in serum like alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and lipid profiles were also improved in treated groups compared to the control. The oral administration of different doses of rhizome acetone extract significantly protected the hepatic cells from damage. The hematological and biochemical parameters were also normal in extract treated rats compared to the control and standard (silymarin) groups. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of some important phenolic compounds which could be responsible for the hepatoprotective activity. This study proved that R. imbricata could be taken as a good natural source of the hepatoprotective agent.     

Effect of dieldrin injection on the level of certain amino acids and some enzymes in rat brain

The present investigation revealed the effect of the organochlorine insecticide dieldrin at the dose level 0.25 LD50 at different time intervals on the concentration of 11 rat brain amino acids, on the activities of glutamic oxyacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GpT) and cholinesterase. The study was also extended to include the total protein content during the tested periods. The daily injection of dieldrin caused a marked decrease in the levels of glutamic acid, glutamine and taurine and an increase in the levels of aspartic acid, asparagine, GABA, glycine, lysine, serine, alanine and histidine. However, the maximal increase and decrease were recorded for most of the tested amino acids at the end of the tested period. The activity of the transaminases increased significantly. The recorded values of GOT were usually higher than GPT. Cholinesterase activity was inhibited thoroughly during all the experimental periods. Total protein content was decreased in the experiment; the minimal value was given 3 days after the injection.     

Attenuation of the acute adriamycin-induced cardiac and hepatic oxidative toxicity by N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine in rats

The protective effect of the synthetic aminothiol, N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine (MPG) on adriamycin (ADR) induced acute cardiac and hepatic oxidative toxicity was evaluated in rats. ADR toxicity, induced by a single intraperitoneal injection (15 mg/kg), was indicated by an elevation in the level of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). ADR produced significant elevation in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), indicating lipid peroxidation, and significantly inhibited the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in heart and liver tissues. In contrast, a single injection of ADR did not affect the cardiac or hepatic glutathione (GSH) content and cardiac catalase (CAT) activity but elevated hepatic CAT. Pretreatment with MPG, (2.5 mg/kg) intragastrically, significantly reduced TBARS concentration in both heart and liver and ameliorated the inhibition of cardiac and hepatic SOD activity. In addition, MPG significantly decreased the serum level of GOT, GPT, CK-MB, and LDH of ADR treated rats. These results suggest that MPG exhibited antioxidative potentials that may protect heart and liver against ADR-induced acute oxidative toxicity. This protective effect might be mediated, at least in part, by the high redox potential of sulfhydryl groups that limit the activity of free radicals generated by ADR.     

Attenuation of the acute adriamycin-induced cardiac and hepatic oxidative toxicity by N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine in rats

The protective effect of the synthetic aminothiol, N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine (MPG) on adriamycin (ADR) induced acute cardiac and hepatic oxidative toxicity was evaluated in rats. ADR toxicity, induced by a single intraperitoneal injection (15 mg/kg), was indicated by an elevation in the level of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). ADR produced significant elevation in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), indicating lipid peroxidation, and significantly inhibited the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in heart and liver tissues. In contrast, a single injection of ADR did not affect the cardiac or hepatic glutathione (GSH) content and cardiac catalase (CAT) activity but elevated hepatic CAT. Pretreatment with MPG, (2.5 mg/kg) intragastrically, significantly reduced TBARS concentration in both heart and liver and ameliorated the inhibition of cardiac and hepatic SOD activity. In addition, MPG significantly decreased the serum level of GOT, GPT, CK-MB, and LDH of ADR treated rats. These results suggest that MPG exhibited antioxidative potentials that may protect heart and liver against ADR-induced acute oxidative toxicity. This protective effect might be mediated, at least in part, by the high redox potential of sulfhydryl groups that limit the activity of free radicals generated by ADR.     

Changes in nitrogen metabolism enzyme activities ofVicia faba in response to aluminum and cadmium

Nodules of faba bean (Vicia faba L. cv. Giza 3) plants grown in pots containing clay-loam soil for 90 d have an active nitrate reductase (NR), while the leaves did not show detectable activity. Spraying the plant with increasing concentrations of Al³⁺ or Cd²⁺ (0–1000 μM) significantly inhibited the nodules NR activity, the decline being more pronounced in Cd²⁺ treatment. The specific activity of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were more prominent in the 60- than in 90-d-old plants; GOT was always higher than GPT. Furthermore, GOT was more sensitive to Al³⁺ and Cd²⁺ treatments and its activity was significantly decreased when the metal concentration increased. Also, Cd²⁺ proved to be more effective than Al³⁺ in suppressing the GOT activity in the nodules, with less significant effect observed in the leaves. In contrast, GPT was hardly affected by the various metal treatments, particulary in the leaves.     

无菌条件下小麦氨基酸态氮及铵态氮营养效应研究

对铵态氮(硫酸铵)、氨基酸态氮(甘氨酸,谷氨酸及赖氨酸)和缺氮无菌砂培条件下小麦单株干物重、全氮量及根、叶谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶活性作了研究．结果表明,铵态氮和氨基酸态氮均可被小麦吸收,且吸收量相当．培养30d后,甘氨酸和谷氨酸处理的小麦干物重显著高于缺氮及铵态氮处理,而铵态氮、赖氨酸及缺氮处理的干物重相近．低浓度铵态氮(0．7mmol·L^1)培养15d的小麦仅根的GPT活性显著高于缺氮处理,而高浓度(35．7mmol·L^1)处理6h对这两种转氨酶活性影响不大.不同种类、不同浓度的氨基酸态氮培养15d或处理6h后,小麦植株根、叶的GOT或GPT活性变化趋势有较大差异,这反映出小麦外源氨基酸主要同化部位及同化量,与氨基酸种类及浓度有较大关系．     

Effects of the aqueous extract of white tea (Camellia sinensis) in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model of rats

White tea (WT) is very similar to green tea (GT) but it is exceptionally prepared only from the buds and young tea leaves of Camelia sinensis plant while GT is prepared from the matured tea leaves. The present study was investigated to examine the effects of a 0.5% aqueous extract of WT in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model of rats. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals in each group namely: normal control (NC), diabetic control (DBC) and diabetic white tea (DWT). Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg BW) in DBC and DWT groups except the NC group. After 4 weeks feeding of 0.5% aqueous extracts of WT, the drink intake was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the DWT group compared to the DBC and NC groups. Blood glucose concentrations were significantly decreased and glucose tolerance ability was significantly improved in the DWT group compared to the DBC group. Liver weight and liver glycogen were significantly increased and serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly decreased in the DWT group compared to the DBC group. The food intake, body weight gain, serum insulin and fructosamine concentrations were not influenced by the consumption of WT. Data of this study suggest that the 0.5% aqueous extract of WT is effective to reduce most of the diabetes associated abnormalities in a steptozotocin-induced diabetes model of rats.     

Increased serum enzyme activity in microwave-exposed rats

Heat stable serum enzymes were studied in rats exposed to microwaves (2.45 GHz, 120 Hz amplitude modulated) 24 hr after a single 4-hr exposure or immediately after 3 and 10 exposures to 0.1 to 55 mW/cm2. In addition, stable colonic temperature at 41.5 degrees C for 30 min was maintained by microwave exposure in a group of five rats under barbiturate anesthesia. Alkaline phosphatase and lactic dehydrogenase did not increase as a result of microwave exposure. Increased serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) were noted in the 41.5 degrees C group 24 hr after exposure. A threshold body temperature for acute cellular injury after microwave exposure was demonstrated. The acute cellular injury could be in the liver. These mild elevations in the serum enzyme levels (mean +/- SE, GOT = 167 +/- 40 U/liter: GPT = 74 +/- 26 U/liter) indicated that the injuries were not accompanied by any significant sequelae in the rat. From this threshold and colonic temperature (41.5 degrees C for 30 min) in barbiturate-anesthetized, microwave-exposed rats, we derived a tentative threshold for the whole-body average absorption rate at 14 W/kg (70 mW/cm2 at 2.45 GHz for adult rats) for 4 hr. This tentative threshold is subject to changes by duration of exposure and by compounding variables influencing maintenance of body temperature.     

高效氯氰菊酯对欧洲鲫鱼血清谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性的影响

Synthetic pyrethroids are considered as possible sub-stitutesfor some organophosphate carbamates or organochlo-rine insecticides,and have been used extensivelyfor morethantwo decades[1].Pyrethroids are preferred over otherinsecticides because of their easy degradation into non-toxic or less toxic metabolites under natural conditions.Consequently,there has recently beena dramatic increaseinthe use of pyrethroid pesticides to control insect pests.However,synthetic pyrethroids were also reported …     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Undaria pinnatifida</Emphasis> fucoidan extract protects against CCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>-induced oxidative stress

This study was performed to elucidate the effects of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan extract (UPFE) in preventing CCl₄-induced oxidative stress. UPFE (100 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered to rats for 14 days. On day 15, CCl₄ dissolved in olive oil (50% CCl₄) was injected 12 h before they were anesthetized and dissected. To measure UPFE-mediated antioxidation, we examined the levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver homogenates. CCl₄ treatment markedly increased the levels of GOT, GPT, ALP, LDH, and MDA and significantly decreased levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx. UPFE pretreatment decreased levels of GOT, GPT, ALP, LDH, and MDA, by 62.8, 68.5, 41.9, 72.7, and 122%, respectively and increased those of SOD, CAT, and GPx by 111.1, 15.9, and 52.6%, respectively. These results showed that UPFE has antioxidant effects against CCl₄-induced oxidative stress.     

Hepatoprotective Effect of Arctium lappa Root Extract on Cadmium Toxicity in Adult Wistar Rats

This study was performed to determine the effects of Arctium lappa (Al) to protect against cadmium damage in the rat liver. Male rats received a single i.p. dose of CdCl₂ (1.2 mg/kg body weight (BW)) with or without Al extract administered daily by gavage (300 mg/kg BW) for 7 or 56 days. After 7 days, Al caused plasma transaminase activity to diminish in groups Al (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT)) and CdAl (GPT). After 56 days, GOT and GPT plasma activities were reduced in the Cd group. No alteration in plasma levels of creatinine, total bilirubin, and total protein were observed. GOT liver activity increased in the Cd group. No alteration was observed in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) dosage. In the Cd group, hepatocyte proportion decreased and sinusoid capillary proportion increased. In the Al and CdAl groups, the nuclear proportion increased and the cytoplasmic proportion decreased. The hepatocyte nucleus density reduced in Cd and increased in the Al group. After 56 days, there was no alteration in the Cd group. In Al and CdAl groups, the nuclear proportion increased without cytoplasmic proportion variation, but the sinusoid capillary proportion was reduced. The hepatocyte nucleus density decreased in the Cd group and increased in the Al and CdAl groups. In conclusion, the liver function indicators showed that A. lappa protected the liver against cadmium toxicity damage.     

Reserpine effects on neurotransmitters in chick heart during growth

Effects of tranquilizing agents on neurotransmitters in the heart have not been widely studied. Thus, the effect of intraperitoneal injection of reserpine, (2.5 mg/kg bw) on the concentrations of excitatory (glutamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid, asparagine), inhibitory (GABA, glycine, alanine, taurine), neurotransmitters as well as the enzymes (GOT and GPT) and total protein were measured in both heart and serum of chicks at different ages (1, 7, 30, 90 and 180 days). Reserpine induced a decrease in the excitatory amino acids and an increase in GABA in both heart and serum in most ages. Glycine and alanine increased in the heart and decreased in serum. Taurine increased in the heart of young ages (1 and 7 days) and decreased in older ones (90 and 180 days), however, it decreased in serum of most ages. Both GOT and GPT increased in heart but, in serum, GOT increased and GPT decreased in most ages. Total protein increased in the heart of young chicks and decreased in the 90- and 180-day-old chicks. In conclusion, reserpine induced a parallel decrease in the ratio glutamate, glutamine, aspartate/GABA in both myocardial tissue and serum of the different age groups. Changes observed in neurotransmitters of the heart suggest that these amino acids may play a similar role in the myocardial tissue, as is described in the central nervous system.     

饲料中添加磷虾水解物对大菱鲆幼鱼生长性能、体组成及相关酶活性的影响

选取初始体重为(9.46±0.01) g的大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus L.)为研究对象, 以30%鱼粉组为对照, 分别添加5%磷虾水解物(LKH)和10%磷虾水解物(HKH)以替代鱼粉蛋白, 配制3组等氮等脂的饲料, 在室内流水养殖系统进行为期10周的养殖实验, 旨在探究饲料中添加磷虾水解物对大菱鲆幼鱼生长性能、体组成及相关酶活性的影响。结果显示, HKH组大菱鲆幼鱼的特定生长率(SGR)、饲料效率(FE)、蛋白质效率比(PER)、蛋白质沉积率(PPV)均显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 但摄食率(FI)显著低于对照组(P<0.05); LKH、HKH组大菱鲆幼鱼肌肉总氨基酸含量和必需氨基酸含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05); LKH、HKH组肝脏谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 而血清GOT活性与对照组无显著性差异(P>0.05); HKH组肝脏谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活性显著高于对照组和LKH组(P<0.05), 但血清GPT活性显著低于LKH组和对照组(P<0.05); HKH组肠道淀粉酶活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 同时随着磷虾水解物添加量的升高, 肠道及幽门盲囊胰蛋白酶活性先降低后升高, 且在HKH组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。综上结果表明, 在饲料中添加10%磷虾水解物能够提高大菱鲆幼鱼的生长性能, 促进其氨基酸代谢和消化吸收。     

Light-stimulation of alanine aminotransferase activity in dark-grown leaves of Lolium temulentum L. as related to chlorophyll formation

Summary The activity of alanine aminotransferase (=glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, GPT) in dark-grown first leaves of Lolium temulentum L. was increased, after an initial lag-phase of 4–6 hr, by more than 130% during the first 24 hr of light-exposure. In comparison, aspartate aminotransferase (=glutamateoxalacetate transaminase, GOT) activity rose by only 18%. Red light treatments of up to 60 min duration produced subsequent increases in GPT activity but the effects were too small to indicate a phytochrome-mediated response. The amounts of enzyme formed were equivalent to those obtained with similar incident intensities of white light. Retuern to darkness after light exposure resulted in an arrestation of the light-stimulated GPT increase. Pre-treatment with cycloheximide caused either stimulatory or inhibitory effects depending upon the concentration applied but, in general, chlorophyll formation and GPT activity responded in a similar manner, whilst GOT showed virtually no response. Chloramphenicol at 6x10^-3 M depressed chlorophyll and Fraction 1 protein synthesis but stimulated GPT activity.The data are discussed in relation to the possible roles of GPT in the leaf. It is suggested that the enzyme, as determined, may be a complex of forms and that at least part of the activity may be involved in the early stages of chlorophyll biosynthesis.