Preventive effect of tannic acid on 2-acetylaminofluorene induced antioxidant level, tumor promotion and hepatotoxicity: a chemopreventive study

Tannic acid, present in almost every food derived from plants, has been widely investigated as a chemopreventive agent because, apart from its use as a food additive, pharmacological studies have demonstrated its many health-promoting properties. In this study, we show the modulatory effect of tannic acid on 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)-mediated hepatic oxidative stress and cell proliferation in rats. 2-AAF (50 mg/kg body weight) caused reduction in hepatic glutathione content and the activities of hepatic anti-oxidant enzymes and phase-II metabolizing enzymes with an enhancement of xanthine oxidase activity, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide content. 2-AAF treatment also induced serum oxaloacetate and pyruvate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Treatment of rats orally with tannic acid (125 and 250 mg/kg body weight) resulted in significant recovery of hepatic glutathione content, antioxidant and phase-II metabolizing enzymes. Also, significant decreases in lipid peroxidation, xanthine oxidase, hydrogen peroxide generation and liver damage marker enzymes were observed. The antiproliferative efficacy of the tannic acid was also evaluated. The promotion parameters induced (ornithine decarboxylase activity and DNA synthesis) by 2-AAF administration in the diet with partial hepatectomy (PH) were also significantly suppressed, dose dependently, by tannic acid. Hence, we propose that tannic acid might suppress the promotion stage via inhibition of oxidative stress and polyamine biosynthetic pathway.     

Protective effect of hesperidin on nicotine induced toxicity in rats

Nicotine administration (2.5 mg/kg of body weight, sc, 5 days a week for 22 weeks) enhanced lipid peroxidative indices (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides) accompanied by a significant increase in the marker enzymes alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase and elevated levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and free fatty acids in Wistar rats. There was a significant protection by hesperidin administration at different doses (25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight) in nicotine-treated rats. However, the effect of hesperidin was more significant at 25mg/kg dose. The results suggest that hesperidin exerts the protective effects by modulating the extent of lipid peroxidation. The results are supported by histopathological observations of lung, liver and kidney.     

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the proanthocyanidin shellegueain A from Polypodium feei METT.

Analgesic and antiinflammatory activity of proanthocyanidin isolated from Polypodium feei roots has been tested using acetic acid-induced writhing and carrageenan-induced paw edema methods, respectively. The compound at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly decreased writhing responses of mice induced by 0.7 % acetic acid along the 60 min test in a dose-dependent manner. The compound at a dose of 100 mg/kg gave the percent protection of 76.23 higher than that of acetylsalicylic acid (59.84 %) at a dose of 50 mg/kg. In the antiinflammatory test, this compound caused significant inhibition of the rats' plantar edema induced by 1 % of carrageenan, but this activity was observed only at a higher dose (200 mg/kg). These findings suggest that proanthocyanidin of P. feei roots might have analgesic and antiinflammatory activity, and its mechanism of action might be due to the inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis, because the proanthocyanidin fraction had an inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase, but not on 5-lypoxygenase enzymes.     

Tellurium-induced dose-dependent impairment of antioxidant status: differential effects in cerebrum,cerebellum, and brainstem of mice

The effect of various doses of sodium tellurite (0.4, 0.8, and 2.0 mg/kg body weight, orally) on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, and catalase) and content of glutathione and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem of male albino mice was studied after 15 d of treatment. All of the doses of tellurium (0.4, 0.8, and 2.0 mg/kg body weight, orally) have depleted the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of glutathione dose dependently in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem and it was significant with the dose of 2.0 mg/kg. On the other hand, the 2.0-mg/kg dose of tellurium has significantly elevated the content of TBARSs in the cerebrum and cerebellum. The 0.8-mg/kg dose of tellurium has significantly depleted the activities of glutathione peroxidase in the cerebrum and brainstem, glutathione-S-transferase in the cerebrum and cerebellum, catalase in the brainstem, and the content of glutathione in the cerebrum and cerebellum. In contrast, this dose has significantly elevated the content of TBARSs in the cerebrum and cerebellum. However, the depletion in the activity of glutathione reductase with various doses of sodium tellurite was not significant in any brain part of mice. The result suggests that sodium tellurite differentially affects the antioxidant status within various parts of the mice brain.     

Ameliorative effect of Partysmart in rat model of alcoholic liver disease

Present study was designed to investigate the effect of polyherbal formulation PartySmart in experimental model of alcoholic liver disease in male Wistar strain rats. Alcohol plus fish oil were administered to animals for 8 weeks to induce liver injury. PartySmart was administered at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight. After 8 weeks, parameters such as liver weight, liver function serum markers alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lipid peroxidation were studied. Livers from all the groups were subjected for histological evaluation. Treatment with PartySmart at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight showed significant reduction in the levels of serum ALT, AST and ALP with a decrease in liver weight as compared to ethanol-fed rats. A significant decrease was also observed in malondialdehyde levels following treatment with PartySmart at 500 mg/kg body weight. Histological profile of liver tissue in PartySmart-treated animals showed lesser vacuolar degeneration and intactness of hepatic architecture along with improved glycogen deposition as demonstrated by PAS staining. PartySmart ameliorated alcohol-induced liver injury by preventing cell membrane disturbances, reduction of oxidative stress by free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity and normalization of altered intracellular redox status. Thus, PartySmart can be beneficial in the treatment of alcohol-induced liver damage.     

Ocimum sanctum aqueous leaf extract provides protection against mercury induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice

HgCl2 (5.0 mg/kg body weight) induced toxicity led to significant elevation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) level but decline in the glutathione content in liver of Swiss albino mice. In serum of HgCl2 treated mice there was significant elevation in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) activities but significant decline in the alkaline phosphatase activity. Animals treated with O. sanctum extract (10 mg/kg body weight, po) before and after mercury intoxication showed a significant decrease in LPO level, SGOT and SGPT activities and increase in serum alkaline phosphatase activity and glutathione (GSH) content. Ocimum treatment alone did not alter SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase activities but significantly enhanced reduced glutathione. The results suggest that oral administration of Ocimum extract provides protection against HgCl2 induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice.     

Selenium-induced alteration of lipids,lipid peroxidation,and thiol group in circadian rhythm centers of rat

The effect of sodium selenite (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/kg body weight, ip) on the contents of lipids (phospholipids, cholesterol, esterified fatty acids, gangliosides), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and thiol group in circadian rhythm centers (preoptic area, brainstem, and posterior hypothalamus) of male Wistar rats was studied after 7 d of treatment. The content of phospholipids was elevated significantly with a dose of 0.1 mg/kg of selenite in the preoptic area and brainstem, but a 0.2-mg/kg dose has depleted its level significantly in these regions. The alteration of phospholipids in posterior hypothalamus was not significant with three doses of sodium selenite. The level of cholesterol in the preoptic area was inhibited significantly with a dose of 0.05 mg/kg sodium selenite, but its level was elevated significantly with a dose of 0.2 mg/kg selenite in the preoptic area and brainstem. Alteration with three doses of sodium selenite in the posterior hypothalamus was not significant. The ganglioside level in the preoptic area and brainstem was elevated significantly with a 0.1-mg dose of sodium selenite; conversely, a 0.2 mg dose of sodium selenite caused a significant depletion on its content in these areas. In the posterior hypothalamus, the ganglioside level was depleted significantly with a dose of 0.1 mg, but elevated significantly with a dose of 0.2 mg of sodium selenite. The level of esterified fatty acids was decreased significantly in the preoptic area and brainstem with a dose of 0.1 mg/kg sodium selenite, but in these regions, its level was elevated with a dose of 0.2 mg/kg sodium selenite and its elevation was significant in the preoptic area. In the posterior hypothalamus, the alteration of esterified fatty acids with three doses of sodium selenite was not significant. The effect of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg sodium selenite on the TBARS level and thiol group in sleep centers was significantly opposite to the wakefulness center. A sodium selenite dose of 0.1 mg/kg had depleted the content of TBARS in the preoptic area and brainstem but elevated the content of the thiol group significantly in the posterior hypothalamus. On the other hand, a 0.2-mg/kg dose of sodium selenite has significantly elevated the content of TBARS but depleted the content of the thiol group significantly in the posterior hypothalamus. No dose-dependent alteration was observed on the content of lipids, TBARS, and thiol group in the circadian rhythm centers of rats.     

Sodium selenite stimulates neurobehavior and neurochemical activities in rats

The effect of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg sodium selenite/kg body weight ip on the activities of neurobehavioral, acetyl cholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, and the content of dopamine and its metabolites in circadian rhythm centers of male Wistar rats was studied after 7 d of treatment. The results show an appreciable increase in locomotion, stereo-events, distance traveled, and average speed at the dose of 0.1 and 0.2 mg sodium selenite/kg. The data have shown hyperactivity of animals with various doses of sodium selenite, and it was significant and dose-dependent after 3 d of treatment. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was inhibited dose dependently, and it was significant in preoptic area with 0.1 or 0.2 mg sodium selenite/kg. Conversely, in the posterior hypothalamus its activity was significantly elevated with the dose of 0.2 mg sodium selenite/kg, but its alteration in brain stem was not significant. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was increased in preoptic area with the dose of 0.1 mg sodium selenite/kg, but its alteration in posterior hypothalamus and brain stem was not significant. The content of dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanilic acid (HVA) was elevated dose dependently and it was significant with the doss of 0.1 and 0.2 mg sodium selenite/kg, but the content of DOPAC and HVA in posterior hypothalamus was not significant with the dose of 0.1 mg sodium selenite/kg.     

乙酰唑胺对氧惊厥潜伏期的影响

为探讨脑血流调节与氧惊厥的关系,在复制大鼠氧惊厥模型的基础上,采用行为学方法测定氧惊厥潜伏期,并测定不司部位脑组织氧化与抗氧化指标,采用腹腔注射不同剂量脑血管扩张药物乙酰唑胺,观察脑血管扩张对氧化状态以及氧惊厥潜伏期的影响。观察结果为:(1)与生理盐水组相比,乙酰唑胺200、20 mg/kg体重组腹腔给药后氧惊厥潜伏期(纯氧6 ATA暴露)明显缩短(P<0.01),乙酰唑胺2 mg/kg体重组无明显改变(P>0.05);(2)腹腔给乙酰唑胺(20 mg/kg体重)或生理盐水后,各组各部位脑组织GSH-PX无显著差异(P>0.05),但随暴露时间的延长,其活力呈现先升高后降低的趋势;与对照组相比,乙酰唑胺6min组和生理盐水16min组皮层丙二醛(maleic dialdehyde,MDA)含量均明显增多(P<0.01),乙酰唑胺16 min组海马MDA含量明显增多(P<0.01)。结果表明,乙酰唑胺可缩短氧惊厥潜伏期,加重脑组织氧化损伤。     

Hepatoprotective activity of Hemidesmus indicus R. br. in rats

Treatment of rats with paracetamol and CCl4 produced a significant increase in the levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin. Rats pretreated with methanolic extract of roots of H. indicus (100-500 mg/kg body weight, po) exhibited rise in the levels of these enzymes but it was significantly less as compared to those treated with paracetamol or CCl4 alone. The results of methanolic extract of H. indicus were comparable with the standard hepatoprotective agent silymarin (100 mg/kg). Maximum hepatoprotective effect was found to be at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight in case of CCl4 induced hepatic damage while 500 mg/kg body weight in case of paracetamol induced hepatic damage. The results suggest that methanolic extract of H. indicus roots possesses a potential antihepatotoxic activity.     

Effect of styrene on testicular enzymes of growing rat.

Effect of styrene (100 or 200 mg/kg body wt/day) for 60 days was observed on testicular enzymes of postnatally maturing rats. A significant decrease in epididymal spermatozoa count was observed only at 200 mg/kg body weight dose. Activities of testicular sorbitol dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase decreased while activities of lactate dehydrogenase, beta-glucuronidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase significantly increased only in animals exposed to styrene at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. The results suggest that exposure to high dose of styrene during developmental period alters the activities of enzymes associated with specific cell type of testis.     

Hypouricemic Actions of Exopolysaccharide Produced by Cordyceps militaris in Potassium Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemic Mice

The hypouricemic actions of exopolysaccharide produced by Cordyceps militaris (EPCM) in potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia in mice were examined. Hyperuricemic mice were administered intragastrically with EPCM (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight) or allopurinol (5 mg/kg body weight) once daily. Serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen and liver xanthine oxidase (XOD) activities of each treatment were measured after administration for 7 days. EPCM showed dose-dependent uric acid-lowering actions. EPCM at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight and allopurinol showed the same effect in serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen and liver XOD activities in hyperuricemic mice. An increase in liver XOD activities was observed in hyperuricemic mice due to administration of EPCM at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. EPCM at a dose of 800 mg/kg body weight did not show significant effects on serum uric acid and XOD activities. We conclude that EPCM has a hypouricemic effect caused by decreases in urate production and the inhibition of XOD activities in hyperuricemic mice, and this natural product exhibited more potential efficacy than allopurinol in renal protection.     

Protective action of vitamins on the spermatogenesis in lead-treated Swiss mice

The protective action of vitamins C and E against lead acetate-induced reduced sperm count and sperm abnormalities in Swiss mice has been studied. Intraperitoneal injection of lead acetate (10mg/kg body weight) in the present study stimulates lipid peroxidation in the testicular tissue, indicated by a significant increase in malondialdehyde content in the experimental mice group. This is associated with an increased generation of noxious reactive oxygen species (ROS). Significantly reduced sperm count associated with increased sperm abnormality percentage in the lead-injected mice group compared to controls substantially proves the ongoing damaging effects of lead-induced ROS on developing germ cells. However, intraperitoneal administration of vitamin C (Vit C) at a concentration equivalent to the human therapeutic dose (10 mg/kg body weight) was able to minimize significantly the testicular malondialdehyde content with a concomitant increase in sperm count and significant decrease in the percentage of abnormal sperm population. Vitamin E (Vit E) (100 mg/kg body weight) treatment of a batch of lead-injected mice had a similar effect as Vit C but with a comparatively lower efficacy. On the other hand, coadministration of both vitamins (Vit C + Vit E) at the above mentioned doses to lead-treated mice led to the most significant decline in malondialdehyde content along with elevated sperm count and reduction in the percentage of abnormal sperm population. The protective action and the synergistic action of both vitamins (C and E) against lead-induced genotoxicity are discussed.     

Protective role of sinapic acid against arsenic: induced toxicity in rats

Arsenic compounds are classified as toxicants and human carcinogens. Environmental exposure to arsenic imposes a big health issue worldwide. Sinapic acid is a phenylpropanoid compound and is found in various herbal materials and high-bran cereals. It has been reported that sinapic acid has antioxidant efficacy as metal chelators due to the orientation of functional groups. However, it has not yet been examined in experimental animals. In light of this fact, the purpose of this study was to characterize the protective role of sinapic acid against arsenic induced toxicity in rats. Rats were orally treated with arsenic alone (5 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day) plus sinapic acid at different doses (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg bw/day) for 30 days. Hepatotoxicity was measured by the increased activities of serum hepatospecific enzymes namely aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and total bilirubin along with increased elevation of lipid peroxidative markers, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, protein carbonyl content and conjugated dienes. The toxic effect of arsenic was also indicated by significantly decreased activities of enzymatic antioxidants like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase along with non-enzymatic antioxidant like reduced glutathione. Administration of sinapic acid exhibited significant reversal of arsenic induced toxicity in hepatic tissue. The effect at a dose of 40 mg/kg bw/day was more pronounced than the other two doses (10 and 20 mg/kg bw/day). All these changes were supported by reduction of arsenic concentration and histopathological observations of the liver. These results suggest that sinapic acid has a protective effect over arsenic induced toxicity in rat.     

Antioxidant DL-alpha lipoic acid as an attenuator of adriamycin induced hepatotoxicity in rat model

Protective efficacy of DL-alpha lipoic acid on adriamycin induced hepatotoxicity was evaluated in rats. Adriamycin toxicity, induced by a single injection (ip; 15 mg/kg body wt), was expressed by an elevation in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, bilirubin levels in serum and alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase activity in hepatic tissue. Adriamycin produced significant increase in malondialdehyde levels indicating tissue lipid peroxidation and potentially inhibiting the activity of antioxidant, reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The present results showed that pretreatment with lipoic acid [75 mg/kg body wt/day (ip), 24 h prior to administration of adriamycin] significantly restored various cellular activity suggesting the antioxidant potential of lipoic acid in ameliorating the hepatotoxicity induced by adriamycin.     

Effect of synthetic oligopeptides on osteoporosis

The objective of this study was to establish the solution method of GHRPS, the synthetic oligopeptides Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-NH2, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH2, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-NH2, and Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-OH, to verify their effect on osteoporosis. Male ICR mice (20 +/- 2 g) were used. The intramuscular injection dose of 6.3 mg/kg prednisone induced a significant decrease of body and femur weight of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg synthetic peptide was not effective to prevent the decrease of body and femur weight of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 6.3 mg/kg prednisone elicited a decrease in content of femur calcium and in the level of serum calcium of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH2, or Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, or Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-NH2, significantly increased the content of femur calcium and decreased the level of serum calcium of the animals. It was also observed that the subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-NH2 significantly increased the content of femur phosphorous and decreased the activity of ALP of the animals.     

Effect of synthetic oligopeptides on osteoporosis

The objective of this study was to establish the solution method of GHRPS, the synthetic oligopeptides Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-NH2, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH2, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-NH2, and Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-OH, to verify their effect on osteoporosis. Male ICR mice (20+/-2 g) were used. The intramuscular injection dose of 6.3 mg/kg prednisone induced a significant decrease of body and femur weight of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg synthetic peptide was not effective to prevent the decrease of body and femur weight of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 6.3 mg/kg prednisone elicited a decrease in content of femur calcium and in the level of serum calcium of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH2, or Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, or Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-NH2 significantly increased the content of femur calcium and decreased the level of serum calcium of the animals. It was also observed that the subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-NH2 significantly increased the content of femur phosphorous and decreased the activity of ALP of the animals.     

Effects of oral administration of nicotine on organ weight, serum testosterone level and testicular histology in adult male rats

This study investigated the effects of oral administration of nicotine on body and reproductive organ weight, serum testosterone level and testicular histology in adult male rats. Forty male rats divided into five groups and treated for a period of 30 days with 0.5mg/kg (low dose) and 1.0 mg/kg (high dose) body weight of nicotine while the control rats received 0.2 ml/kg normal saline. The fourth and fifth groups were gavaged with 0.5mg/kg and 1.0mg/kg body weight of nicotine but were left untreated for another 30 days. These groups served as the recovery groups.  At the end of each experimental period, the animals were scarified and their reproductive organs were removed and weighed immediately. There was no significant change in the body weight. There was a significant decrease (p <0.05) in the testicular and epididymal weight of rats for both treatments while the decrease in the seminal vesicle weight for both treatment groups was not significant. The prostate weight was not significantly increased in both groups. The recovery groups showed appreciable recovery in their organ weight. Serum level of testosterone of both groups was significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner when compared with those of the control rats. The histological section showed testicular degeneration and disorganization in the cytoarchitecture, as the observed changes were pronounced in the high dose group than the low dose group. However, there were both regeneration of the germinal epithelium and restructuring of the interstitum towards normal in the recovery groups. No lesion was observed in the epididymis of the rats. The results suggest that nicotine has deleterious effect on the male reproductive organ of albino rats ameliorated by nicotine cessation.     

Selenium altered the levels of lipids, lipid peroxidation, and sulfhydryl groups in straitum and thalamus of rat

The effect of sodium selenite (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/kg body weight, ip) on the lipid levels (total lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, gangliosides), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and sulfhydryl group (-SH) in the straitum and thalamus of a male Wistar rat was studied after 7 d of treatment. The level of total lipids and cholesterol was significantly and dose-dependently elevated in the straitum and thalamus with 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg of sodium selenite. However, the cholesterol level was significantly increased only with 0.2 mg/kg of sodium selenite in the thalamus. The level of phospholipids and gangliosides was more significant with 0.1 mg/kg of sodium selenite as compared to 0.2 mg. No significant alteration on the gangliosides level was observed in the thalamus with various doses of sodium selenite although the elevation with 0.2 mg dose was 25.9%. The content of TBARS was elevated dose dependently in straitum, but its level was depleted significantly with 0.1-mg/kg dose of sodium selenite in the thalamus. The level of the -SH group was significantly depleted in the straitum with 0.1-mg/kg dose of sodium selenite; conversely, this dose has significantly elevated the levels of-SH group in the thalamus.     

Effect of supplemental magnesium on the kidney levels of cadmium, zinc, and copper of mice exposed to toxic levels of cadmium

In this report, we present the results of our investigations on the effect of Mg pretreatment on Cd and bioelements (Cu and Zn) contents in kidney of mice exposed to acute and subacute Cd intoxication. Acute intoxication was performed on male Swiss mice given a single oral dose of 20 mg Cd/kg body weight and mice given the same dose of Cd but pretreated with 40 mg Mg/kg body weight. For subacute intoxication one group of mice was given 10 mg Cd/kg body weight every day, for 2 wk, and the other one received the same dose of Cd after oral Mg intake of 20 mg/kg body weight. Cd, Cu, and Zn content was determined in kidney by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In acute Cd intoxication, Mg pretreatment resulted in significant decrease of Cd in kidney after 4 and 6 h, compared with animals given only Cd. Under the condition of subacute Cd intoxication, Mg supplementation reduced Cd kidney content after 2 wk for about 30%, compared with animals treated with Cd only. The effect of Mg on Cu and Zn kidney content was also beneficial.