Effects of chard (Beta vulgaris L. var cicla) on the liver of the diabetic rats: a morphological and biochemical study

Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var cicla) is one of the medicinal herbs used by diabetics in Turkey. It has been reported to reduce blood glucose. We have investigated the effect of chard extracts on the liver by biochemical and morphological investigation. The plant extract was administered by the gavage technique to rats at a dose of 2 g/kg every d for 28 d, 14 d after experimental animals were made diabetic. In the diabetic group, some degenerative changes were observed by light and electron microscope examination, but degenerative changes decreased or were not observed in the diabetic group given chard. In the diabetic group, blood glucose levels, serum alanine, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase activities, total lipids, sialic and uric acid levels, liver lipid peroxidation (LPO), and nonenzymatic glycosylation (NEG) levels increased, while blood glutathione, body weight, and liver glutathione (GSH) levels decreased. The diabetic group given chard, serum alanine, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase activities, total lipid level, sialic and uric acid levels, blood glucose levels, and liver LPO and NEG levels decreased, but the other values increased. As a result of all the morphological and biochemical findings obtained, it was concluded that the extract of this plant has a protective effect on the liver in diabetes mellitus.     

Alterations in kidney tissue following zinc supplementation to STZ-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by anomalies forming in carbohydrate, lipid, protein metabolisms and the incidence of this disease varies widely throughout the world. Zinc is an important element which is essential for life and is present in nature. In this study, the animals were divided into four groups. These groups were named as untreated; zinc sulfate; streptozotocin (STZ); STZ and zinc sulfate. STZ (65 mg/kg) was dissolved in a freshly prepared 0.01 M pH 4.5 citrate buffer and given with intraperitoneal injection in a single dose. Zinc sulfate (100 mg/kg) was dissolved in distilled water and given to the animals by gavage at a daily dose for 60 days. The rats were sacrificed under ether anesthesia. This study was aimed to investigate histological and biochemical changes of zinc supplementation on the kidney tissue in STZ-induced diabetic rats. In the current study, histological and histochemical observations showed that the occurred degenerative changes decreased after giving zinc in the kidney tissue of diabetic group. Kidney glutathione (GSH) levels decreased and lipid peroxidation (LPO), nonenzymatic glycosylation (NEG), urea and creatinine levels increased in diabetic rats. GSH levels increased, while LPO, NEG, urea and creatinine levels decreased in the kidney with administration of zinc to diabetic rats. As a result, we observed curative effects of zinc given to diabetic rats. We can say that zinc may be an important antioxidant for the treatment of secondary complications of diabetes in kidney tissue.     

Bacopa monniera Linn. extract modulates antioxidant and marker enzyme status in fibrosarcoma bearing rats

Antioxidative property and tumor inhibitive property of B. monniera (20mg/kg body wt, sc) was examined in 3-methylcholanthrene induced fibrosarcoma rats. Antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the levels of glutathione (GSH) and the rate of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the liver and kidney tissues were assessed. A significant increase was noted for the rate of LPO with a corresponding decrease in the antioxidant enzyme status in fibrosarcoma bearing rats. In fibrosarcoma bearing rats, the tumor markers like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and sialic acid (SA) were increased in the serum. Treatment with B. monniera extract significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme status, inhibited lipid peroxidation and reduced the tumor markers. It can be concluded that B.monniera extract promotes the antioxidant status, reduces the rate of lipid peroxidation and the markers of tumor progression in the fibrosarcoma bearing rats.     

Effects of vanadyl sulfate on liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the microscopic and biochemical effects of vanadyl sulfate on liver tissue of normal and streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) diabetic rats. Vanadyl sulfate was administered by gavage at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Degenerative changes were observed in diabetic animals by light and transmission electron microscopes. Although there were individual differences in diabetic animals to which vanadium was given, some reduction of degenerative changes were detected. After 60 d of treatment, serum aspartate and alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, blood glucose levels, liver lipid peroxidation, and nonenzymatic glycosylation significantly increased, but liver glutathione levels significantly decreased in the diabetic group. On the other hand, treatment with vanadyl sulfate reversed these effects. As a result, it might be concluded that vanadyl sulfate has a protective effect on damage of liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.     

Vanadyl sulfate protects against streptozotocin-induced morphological and biochemical changes in rat aorta

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of vanadyl sulfate on aorta tissue of normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, morphologically and biochemically. The animals were made diabetic by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and vanadyl sulfate (100 mg/kg) that was given every day for 60 days by gavage technique to rats. Under the light and transmission electron microscopes, hypertrophy of the vessel wall, focal disruption in the elastic lamellae, an increase in thickness of total aortic wall, tunica intima, subendothelial space and adventitial layer, and a disorganization in smooth muscular cells of the tunica media were observed in diabetic animals. The aorta lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were significantly increased and the aorta glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly reduced in STZ diabetic rats. In diabetic rats administered vanadyl sulfate for 60 days, aorta LPO levels significantly decreased and the aorta GSH level significantly increased. In conclusion, in vivo treatment with vanadyl sulfate of diabetic rats prevented the morphological and biochemical changes observed in thoracic aorta of diabetic animals.     

The antioxidant status during maturation of reticulocytes to erythrocytes in type 2 diabetics

Free radical-induced lipid peroxidation has been associated with numerous disease processes including diabetes mellitus. The extent of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant defense system [i.e., levels of glutathione (GSH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and catalase (CAT)] were evaluated in reticulocytes and erythrocytes of type 2 diabetic males and age-matched controls. Type 2 diabetics have shown increased lipid peroxidation and decreased levels of GSH, GR, GPx, G6PDH, and GST both in reticulocytes and erythrocytes compared to controls, indicating the presence of oxidative stress and defective antioxidant systems in these patients. CAT activity is found to be enhanced in both the reticulocytes and erythrocytes of diabetics, with a greater percentage enhancement in reticulocytes. The extent of increase in lipid peroxidation is greater in erythrocytes compared to reticulocytes in these patients. Furthermore, the maturation of reticulocytes to erythrocytes resulted in decreased GSH and decreased activities of all antioxidant enzymes (except CAT) both in normals and type 2 diabetes individuals, indicating decreased scavenging capacity as reticulocytes mature to erythrocytes. These maturational alterations are further intensified in type 2 diabetics. The present study reveals that the alterations in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system lean toward early senescence of erythrocytes in type 2 diabetic patients.     

Protective effect of Embelia ribes Burm on methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress in rat brain

The present study was aimed to find out the protective effect of ethanolic extract of E. ribes fruits on homocysteine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and lipid profile in serum, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels in brain homogenates and histopathological examination of brain tissue in methionine (1 g/kg body weight, orally for 30 days) induced hyperhomocysteinemic rats. A significant increase in homocysteine, LDH, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) levels was observed in serum. Increased LPO levels in brain homogenates with reduced serum high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels and decreased GSH content were other salient features observed in methionine treated pathogenic control rats. Administration of ethanolic E. ribes extract (100 mg/kg body weight, orally) for 30 days to methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemic rats produced a significant decrease in the levels of homocysteine, LDH, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, VLDL-C in serum and LPO levels in brain homogenates with significant increase in serum HDL-C levels and GSH content in brain homogenates, when compared with pathogenic control rats. Biochemical observations were further substantiated with histological examination of brain. Degenerative changes of neuronal cells in methionine treated rats were minimized to near normal morphology by ethanolic E. ribes extract administration as evident by histopathological examination. The results provide clear evidence for the first time, that ethanolic E. ribes extract treatment enhances the antioxidant defense against methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress in brain.     

Effect of bis[curcumino]oxovanadium complex on non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The effect of the vanadium complex bis[curcumino]oxovanadium (BCOV) on blood glucose level, serum lipid levels, blood pressure and vascular reactivity were studied in non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ-diabetic) rats and compared to that of vanadyl sulfate. Blood glucose level, serum lipid levels, and blood pressure were significantly increased in STZ-diabetic rats. Vascular reactivity to various agonists such as noradrenaline and acetylcholine were significantly increased in STZ-diabetic rats. Blood glucose and serum lipid levels were restored to normal in STZ-diabetic animals treated with vanadyl sulfate at a concentration of 0.5 mmol/kg/day (p.o.). However, vanadyl sulfate at a concentration of 0.2 mmol/kg/day (p.o.) did not produce any significant change in blood glucose and lipid levels. There was no significant effect of vanadyl sulfate (0.2 or 0.5 mmol/kg/day) treatment on blood pressure and vascular reactivity in STZ-diabetic rats. Vanadyl sulfate significantly reduced the body weight of non-diabetic and STZ-diabetic rats. Moreover, it also caused severe diarrhea in both groups of animals. Treatment with BCOV (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2mmol/kg/day, p.o.) significantly decreased blood glucose level and serum lipids in STZ-diabetic rats. Furthermore, administration of BCOV to STZ-diabetic rats restored the blood pressure and vascular reactivity to agonists to normal. There was no significant change in the body weight of BCOV treated non-diabetic and STZ-diabetic rats. Diarrhea was not observed in both BCOV treated groups. In conclusion, the present study shows that the vanadium complex BCOV has antidiabetic and hypolipedimic effects. In addition, it improves the cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes.     

Impact of umbelliferone on erythrocyte redox status in STZ-diabetic rats

Oxidative stress is currently hypothesized to be a mechanism underlying diabetes. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of umbelliferone (UMB), a derivative of coumarin, on erythrocyte lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and lipid profile in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in adult male albino rats of Wistar strain, weighing 180 to 200 g, by the administration of STZ (40 mg/kg/b-wt) intraperitonially. The normal and diabetic rats were treated with UMB in 10 percent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) dissolved in water for 45 days. The diabetic rats had elevated levels of blood glucose and lipid peroxidation markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD), and lipid hydroperoxide (HP) and decreased levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants (Vitamin C and reduced glutathione [GSH]), elevated levels of vitamin E, and elevated levels of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPx]), elevated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, and altered lipid profile (cholesterol and phospholipids) in erythrocytes. These changes were reversed by treatment with UMB. Thus, our results indicate that the administration of UMB shows promising potential for the restoration of normal blood glucose levels, erythrocyte lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and lipid profile in STZ-diabetic.     

Effect of metformin on renal microsomal proteins, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in dexamethasone-induced type-2 diabetic mice

An SDS-PAGE analysis of renal microsomal fraction of albino mice was performed to study the involvement of proteins in dexamethasone-induced type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and their alterations by metformin, a widely accepted oral antidiabetic drug. In addition, changes in renal lipid peroxidation (LPO), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) content, as well as renal somatic index (RSI) and daily rate of water consumption were also investigated. While dexamethasone administration (1.0 mg/kg for 21 days) expressed two renal proteins (43 kDa and 63.23 kDa), in addition to the increased fasting serum levels of glucose and insulin, renal LPO, RSI and daily rate of water consumption, a parallel decrease in renal SOD, CAT and GSH was also observed. Treatment with metformin normalized these alterations including the renal proteins and LPO, confirming its efficacy in ameliorating dexamethasone-induced type-2 DM and also the association of two proteins with type-2 DM.     

The effect of Glurenorm (gliquidone) on lenses and skin in experimental diabetes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of administering Glurenorm (gliquidone, 10 mg/kg) on the lenses and skins of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The drug was given to both diabetic and control rats daily, until the end of the experiment, at day 42. The drug was administered to one diabetic and one control group from day 0 and for the other diabetic and control groups from day 14. On day 42, cardiac blood samples, skin samples, and lenses were taken from each rat. Blood glucose (BG) was measured by the o-toluidine method. The total protein, nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins (NEG), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and glutathione (GSH) levels in the lens and skin homogenates were determined by the Lowry, thiobarbituric acid, Ledwozwy, and Ellman methods, respectively. Laemmli SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was also carried out on the lens or skin homogenates. After 42 d, Glurenorm given to the diabetic rats produced (i) significant reductions in BG, NEG, and total protein in the lenses; (ii) significant increases in GSH levels in the lenses; (iii) and no significant results in the skin. The body weights of the drug group dropped relative to day 0, but not significantly. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed no significant differences in any of the protein bands between any of the groups. In the lenses, the gains in turns of reduced NEG and increased GSH may have been offset by the reduction in protein.     

Effects of vanadyl sulfate on kidney in experimental diabetes

The aim of this work was to investigate the biochemical and histological effects of vanadyl sulfate on blood glucose, urea, and creatinine in serum and nonenzymatic glycosylation and glutathione levels in kidney tissue of normal and streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) diabetic rats. Vanadyl sulfate was administered by gavage at a dose of 100 mg/kg. After 60 d of treatment, serum urea, creatinine, and blood glucose levels significantly increased in the diabetic group but not so in the vanadyl sulfate, which showed significantly reduced serum urea and blood glucose levels and a nonsignificant reduction of serum creatinine levels. Nonenzymatic glycosylation was increased and the glutathione level was decreased in the kidney tissue of diabetic rats. Treatment with vanadyl sulfate reversed these effects. Degenerative changes were detected in diabetic animals by electron and light microscopy. Although there are individual differences in diabetic animals given vanadium, some reduction of degenerative changes were observed.     

Influence of vanadium supplementation on oxidative stress factors in the muscle of STZ-diabetic rats

In recent years, the role of free radical damage consequent to oxidative stress is widely discussed in diabetic complications. In this aspect, the protection of cell integrity by trace elements is a topic to be investigated. Vanadium is a trace element believed to be important for normal cell function and development. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vanadyl sulfate supplementation on the antioxidant system in the muscle tissue of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg body weight) to male Swiss albino rats. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group I, control; Group II, vanadyl sulfate control; Group III, STZ-diabetic untreated; Group IV, STZ-diabetic treated with vanadyl sulfate. Vanadyl sulfate (100 mg/kg) was given daily by gavage for 60 days. At the last day of the experiment, rats were killed, muscle tissues were taken, homogenized in cold saline to make a 10% (w/v) homogenate. Body weights and blood glucose levels were estimated at 0, 30 and 60th days. Antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as carbonic anhydrase (CA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and protein carbonyl content (PCC) were determined in muscle tissue. Vanadyl sulfate administration improved the loss in body weight due to STZ-induced diabetes and decreased the rise in blood glucose levels. It was shown that vanadium supplementation to diabetic rats significantly decrease serum antioxidant enzyme levels, which were significantly raised by diabetes in muscle tissue showing that this trace element could be used as preventive for diabetic complications.     

Accumulation and oxidative stress biomarkers in Japanese flounder larvae and juveniles under chronic cadmium exposure

This study investigated how Cd exposure affected oxidative biomarkers in Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, at early life stages (ELS). Fish were exposed to waterborne Cd (0–48 µg L^− 1) from embryonic to juvenile stages for 80 days. Growth, Cd accumulation, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18), and levels of glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were investigated at three developmental stages. Flounder growth decreased and Cd accumulation increased with increasing Cd concentration. In metamorphosing larvae, CAT and SOD activities were inhibited and GSH level was elevated, while LPO was enhanced by increasing Cd concentrations. CAT and GST activities of settling larvae were inhibited but GSH level was elevated at high Cd concentrations. In juveniles, SOD activity and LPO level were increased but GST activity was inhibited as Cd concentration increased. Antioxidants in flounder at ELS were able to develop ductile responses to defend against oxidative stress, but LPO fatally occurred due to Cd exposure. These biochemical parameters could be used as effective oxidative biomarkers for evaluating Cd contamination and toxicity in marine environments: CAT, SOD, GSH, and LPO for metamorphosing stage; CAT, GSH, and GST for settling stage; and SOD, GST, and LPO for juvenile stage.     

Melatonin reduces oxidative stress induced by ochratoxin A in rat liver and kidney

Melatonin (MEL) displays antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties. In the present study, the effect of MEL on the oxidative stress induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) administration in rats was investigated. Four groups of 15 rats each were used: controls, MEL-treated rats (5 mg/kg body mass), OTA-treated rats (250 μg/kg) and MEL+OTA-treated rats. After 4 weeks of treatment, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product (LPO) were measured in serum and homogenates of liver and kidney. Also, the levels of glutathione (GSH), and activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in liver and kidney were determined. In OTA-treated rats, the levels of LPO in serum and in both liver and kidney were significantly increased compared to levels in controls. Concomitantly, the levels of GSH and enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, GSPx and GR in both liver and kidney were significantly decreased in comparison with controls. In rats received MEL+OTA, the changes in the levels of LPO in serum and in liver and kidney were not statistically significant compared to controls. Concomitantly, the levels of GSPx, GR and GST activities in both liver and kidney tissues were significantly increased in comparison with controls. Similar increases in GSPx, GR and GST activities were also observed in MEL-treated rats when compared with controls. In conclusion, the oxidative stress may be a major mechanism for the toxicity of OTA. MEL has a protective effect against OTA toxicity through an inhibition of the oxidative damage and stimulation of GST activities. Thus, clinical application of melatonin as therapy should be considered in cases of ochratoxicosis.     

Antioxidant response and oxidative stress levels in Macrobrachium borellii (Crustacea: Palaemonidae) exposed to the water-soluble fraction of petroleum

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of the water soluble fraction of hydrocarbons (WSF) on the antioxidant status of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium borellii. First, seasonal variations were studied in a non-polluted area. Hepatopancreas and gills showed season-related fluctuations in catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and in lipid peroxidation levels (LPO), but not in superoxide dismutase (SOD). Then, adults were exposed semi-statically to sublethal doses for 7days. CAT, SOD, GST, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and LPO, reduced glutathione (GSH) and protein oxidation (PO) levels were determined. Exposed individuals showed significant increases in CAT, SOD, and GST activities in hepatopancreas and CAT activity in gills. GPx activity did not vary in either tissues. While LPO levels increased, GSH levels decreased significantly in hepatopancreas of exposed animals, but PO levels showed no variation. Induction of SOD was also assessed by Real-time PCR mRNA expression in hepatopancreas. The non-enzymatic antioxidant activity was also tested; ABTS 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) was higher in hemolymph of treated-prawns compared to controls, but ferric reducing activity of plasma assay (FRAP) values did not change. Taken together, the present results indicated that the antioxidant defenses of M. borellii, mainly in hepatopancreas, were significantly affected by aquatic hydrocarbon contamination, regardless of the season.     

Effects of Z-FA.FMK on d-galactosamine/tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced kidney injury and oxidative stress in mice

Background The aim of this investigation was to demonstrate that benzyloxicarbonyl-l-phenylalanyl-alanine-fluoromethylketone (Z-FA.FMK), which is a pharmacological inhibitor of cathepsin B, has protective role on the kidney injury that occurs together with liver injury. Methods BALB/c male mice used in this study were divided into four groups. The first group was given physiologic saline only, the second group was administered Z-FA.FMK alone, the third group received d-galactosamine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (d-GalN/TNF-α), and the fourth group was given both d-GalN/TNF-α and Z-FA.FMK. One hour after administration of 8 mg/kg Z-FA.FMK by intravenous injection, d-GalN (700 mg/kg) and TNF-α (15 μg/kg) were given by intraperitoneal injection. Results In the group given d-GalN/TNF-α, the following results were found: severe degenerative morphological changes in the kidney tissue, a significant increase in the number of activated caspase-3-positive tubular epithelial cell, an insignificant increase in the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive tubular epithelial cell, a decrease in the kidney glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, an increase in the kidney lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, uric acid and urea levels. In contrast, in the group given d-GalN/TNF-α and Z-FA.FMK, a significant decrease in the d-GalN/TNF-α-induced degenerative changes, a decrease in the number of activated caspase-3-positive tubular epithelial cell, a insignificant decrease in the number of PCNA-positive tubular epithelial cell, an increase in the kidney GSH levels, CAT, SOD and GPx activities, a decrease in the kidney LPO levels, LDH activity, serum AST and ALT activities, uric acid and urea levels were determined. Conclusion These results suggest that pretreatment with Z-FA.FMK markedly lessens the degree of impairment seen in d-GalN/TNF-α-induced kidney injury, which occurred together with liver injury in mice.     

Oxidative stress in the testis of hyperglycemic rabbits treated with repaglinide

In the present study, the induction of oxidative stress was examined in the testis of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. In addition, the protective effect of repaglinide, an oral anti-diabetic, at a dose of 1 mg daily was studied after four and eight weeks of the treatment. For these purposes, the levels of superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA), lipid peroxidation products (LPO) and protein carbonyl groups (PCG) were quantified. Hyperglycemia resulted in significant increases in the antioxidative enzymes, Cu, Zn-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GSSG-R after four and eight weeks, respectively. There was also an increase in GSH level, and a decrease in the level of AA. These effects were accompanied by an elevation in testicular LPO levels and PCG levels. Repaglinide was found to normalize the activity of GSSG-R and levels of GSH and AA, and blunted the increased lipid peroxidation, however no decrease in PCG levels were observed. In conclusion, some oxidative changes provoked in the testis of rabbits by hyperglycemia, were found to be reduced with repaglinide treatment at therapeutic dose.     

Fenugreek seeds modulate 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced hepatic oxidative stress during colon carcinogenesis

1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) is a colon carcinogen which undergoes oxidative metabolism in the liver. We have investigated the modulatory effect of fenugreek seeds (a spice) on colon tumor incidence as well as hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant status during DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. In DMH treated rats, 100% colon tumor incidence was accompanied by enhanced LPO and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content as well as a fall in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Inclusion of fenugreek seed powder in the diet of DMH treated rats reduced the colon tumor incidence to 16.6%, decreased the LPO and increased the activities of GPx, GST, SOD and CAT in the liver. We report that fenugreek modulates DMH-induced hepatic oxidative stressduring colon cancer     

Oxidative damage following cerebral ischemia depends on reperfusion - a biochemical study in rat

The extent of brain injury during reperfusion appears to depend on the experimental pattern of ischemia/reperfusion. The goals of this study were: first, to identify the rate of free radicals generation and the antioxidant activity during ischemia and reperfusion by means of biochemical measurement of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and both enzymatic (superoxid dismutase - SOD, catalase - CAT, glutathion peroxidase - GPx) and non-enzymatic antioxidants activity (glutathione - GSH); and second, to try to find out how the pattern of reperfusion may influence the balance between free radical production and clearance. Wistar male rats were subject of four-vessel occlusion model (Pulsinelly & Brierley) cerebral blood flow being controlled by means of two atraumatic arterial microclamps placed on carotid arteries. The level of free radicals and the antioxidant activity were measured in ischemic rat brain tissue homogenate using spectrophotometrical techniques. All groups subjected to ischemia shown an increase of LPO and a reduction of the activity of enzymatic antioxidative systems (CAT, GPx, SOD) and non-enzymatic systems (GSH). For both groups subjected to ischemia and reperfusion, results shown an important increase of LPO but less significant than the levels found in the group with ischemia only. Statistically relevant differences (p<0.01) between continuous reperfusion and fragmented reperfusion were observed concerning the LPO, CAT, SOD and GSH levels, oxidative aggresion during fragmented reperfusion being more important.