Effect of bilateral in vivo ischemia/reperfusion on the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase: Response to a standardized grape suspension

Purpose: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a major etiological factor in the bladder dysfunctions observed in men with lower tract obstruction, women with postmenopausal incontinence and with aging. A standardized grape suspension protects the rabbit urinary bladder from both the contractile dysfunctions and the morphologic changes mediated by I/R. Using a model of in vivo bilateral ischemia/reperfusion, the current study investigated the effect of this grape suspension on the endogenous antioxidant defense systems. Materials and methods: 24 NZW rabbits were separated into 6 groups of 4. Groups 1–3 were treated by gavage with aqueous grape suspensions; groups 4–6 received sugar-water vehicle. Groups 3 and 6 were controls. Groups 1 and 4 were subjected to bilateral ischemia for 2 h (I). Groups 2 and 5 underwent bilateral ischemia for 2 h and reperfusion for 1 week (I/R). For all rabbit bladders, the muscle and mucosa were separated by blunt dissection and analyzed separately. The effects of the various treatments on bladder antioxidant systems of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase; SOD), and catalase (CAT) were evaluated. Results: The standardized grape suspension up-regulated both SOD and CAT activity of bladder muscle and mucosa in control animals. There were few differences in the grape suspension treated animals after ischemia, and in general the activities decreased following I/R. Conclusions: Increases of SOD and CAT activity in control animals as a result of grape suspension suggest a greater antioxidant capacity. This increase in the antioxidant defense system may explain the increased protection of grape suspension in the face of ischemia and I/R. However, the activities of both enzyme systems decreased in the smooth muscle subjected to I/R showing that reperfusion damages these systems probably via oxidation damage to the enzymes themselves.     

Coenzyme Q10 protect against ischemia/reperfusion induced biochemical and functional changes in rabbit urinary bladder

Purpose Ischemia, reperfusion, and free radical generation have been recently implicated in the progressive bladder dysfunction. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a pro-vitamin like substance that appears to be efficient for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and ischemic heart disease. Our goal was to investigate the potential protective effect of CoQ10 in a rabbit model of in vivo bilateral ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Material and Methods Six groups of four male New Zealand White rabbits each were treated with CoQ10 (3 mg/kg body weight/day—dissolved in peanut oil) (groups 1–3) or vehicle (peanut oil) (groups 4–6). Groups 1 and 4 (ischemia-alone groups) had clamped bilateral vesical arteries for 2 h; in groups 2 and 5 (I/R groups), bilateral ischemia was similarly induced and the rabbits were allowed to recover for 2 weeks. Groups 3 and 6 were controls (shams) and were exposed to sham surgery. The effects on contractile responses to various stimulations and biochemical studies such as citrate synthase (CS), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were evaluated. The protein peroxidation indicator, carbonyl group, and nitrotyrosine contents were analyzed by Western blotting. Results Ischemia resulted in significant reductions in the contractile responses to all forms of stimulation in vehicle-fed rabbits, whereas there were no reductions in CoQ10-treated rabbits. Contractile responses were significantly reduced in vehicle-treated I/R groups, but significantly improved in CoQ10-treated rabbits. Protein carbonylation and nitration increased significantly in ischemia-alone and I/R bladders; CoQ10 treatment significantly attenuated protein carbonylation and nitration. CoQ10 up-regulated SOD and CAT activities in control animals; the few differences in CoQ10-treated animal in SOD and CAT after ischemia and in general increase CAT activities following I/R. Conclusions CoQ10 supplementation provides bladder protection against I/R injury. This protection effect improves mitochondrial function during I/R by repleting mitochondrial CoQ10 stores and potentiating their antioxidant properties.     

rhBNP通过抑制细胞凋亡减轻大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤

为了研究重组人B型钠尿肽(recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide, rhBNP)对减轻大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的机制,本研究采用尾部静脉注射的方法对I/R大鼠成功建模,并设计注射生理盐水(I/R组)、rhBNP (I/R+rhBNP组)和假手术组CK组3个处理组,通过TUNEL法检测各处理组大鼠心肌细胞的凋亡情况。本实验还用生理和生化方法检测了心肌细胞中超氧化物歧化酶(superoxidedismutase, SOD)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)活性和含量的变化情况,用RT-PCR和免疫印迹方法检测了Bax/Bcl-2信号通路中基因和蛋白表达水平变化。结果表明,rhBNP可以提高I/R大鼠心肌细胞中SOD酶活性,同时使MDA含量降低,表明rhBNP能够保护心肌细胞,使细胞受损程度减小。与此同时本研究发现rhBNP处理后大鼠心肌细胞中Bax基因和蛋白的表达量显著下调,且Bcl-2基因和蛋白的表达显著上调,从而使I/R大鼠心肌细胞的凋亡数目减少,缩小心肌坏死的面积。本研究表明rhBNP可以通过调节Bax/Bcl-2信号通路、提高SOD酶活性使I/R大鼠心肌细胞内MDA含量减少,以及心肌细胞凋亡数目减少,从而有效地减轻大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤,以达到保护心肌细胞的目的。     

Beneficial impact of L-carnitine in liver: a study in a rat model of syndrome X

The present study was designed to explore whether L-carnitine (CA) regulates insulin signaling and modulates the changes in liver in a well-characterized insulin resistant rat model. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups I and IV animals received starch-based control diet, while groups II and III rats were fed a high fructose-diet (60 g/100 g). Groups III and IV animals additionally received CA (300 mg/kg/day i.p). After a period of 60 days hepatic tyrosine phosphorylation status was determined by assaying protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activities. Oxidative damage was monitored by immunohistochemical localization of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and dinitrophenol (DNP)-protein adducts. In addition protein kinase C beta II (PKC beta II) expression, propidium iodide staining of isolated hepatocytes and histology of liver tissue were determined to examine liver integrity. Fructose-fed rats displayed reduced insulin action, increased expression of PKC beta II, altered histology, fragmentation of hepatocyte nuclear DNA, and accumulation of oxidatively modified proteins. Simultaneous treatment with CA alleviated the abnormalities associated with fructose feeding. In summary the data suggest that elevated oxidative damage and PKC expression could in part induce insulin resistance and CA has beneficial impact on liver during insulin resistance with modulatory effects at the post-receptor level.     

The effects of boron-supplemented diets on adipogenesis-related gene expressions,anti-inflammatory,and antioxidative response in high-fat fed rats

The fatty liver syndrome caused by nutritional factors is a common cause of hepatic dysfunction globally. This research was designed to study the shielding effect of boron in rats fed a diet having high fat. Overall, 40 Wistar albino male rats were placed into one control and four treatment groups, that is, each having eight rats. Group I was provided with a standard rat diet while group II was only provided a high-fat diet for 60 days. Groups III, IV, and V were provided with 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day boron, respectively, by gastric gavage besides a high-fat diet for 60 days. Malondialdehyde was increased significantly in rats' blood and tissue because of high-fat diets. Glutathione was decreased significantly in blood and tissues because of a high-fat diet. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were decreased in the blood and tissues of the high-fat-fed rats. The genes expression for C-reactive protein, interleukin-1β, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-α were increased while gene expression for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors was decreased in the liver of rats fed with a high-fat diet. Contrariwise, boron supplementation improves antioxidative response in terms of increased SOD and CAT activities, gene expression regulation, and improved anti-inflammatory activities. In a nutshell, boron has dose-dependent shielding antioxidative and tissue regenerative effects in rats.     

Effects of bio-active ceramic resources in cutaneous wound healing and the role of TGF-β signaling

The wound healing process is a highly orchestrated process, which includes inflammation, re-epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, matrix formation and re-modeling. In this paper, we attempt to determine if bio-active ceramic resource powder particles had an effect on cutaneous wound healing. Furthermore, we investigated its related mechanism and the expression of Smads of cutaneous wound healing, which can be accelerated by bio-active ceramic ointment. Topically applied lesions of 5%, 10% and 15% bio-active ceramic ointment (AO) showed accelerated wound closure, re-epithelialization, and the related immediate down stream of TGF-β (p-Smad2/3 and Smad3) was suppressed. In particular, 10% and 15% AO lesions became closed faster at Days 3 and 4 of post-wound and p-Smad2/3 was also suppressed. All AO lesions showed accelerated mild wound closure at Day 6, but there were no significant difference. Several papers reported that Smad3 may mediate the signaling pathways that is inhibitory to wound healing, as the deletion of Smad3 leads to enhanced re-epithelialization and contraction of the wound area. This study showed that topical, bio-active ceramic ointment applications accelerated wound closure, re-epithelialization and the suppression of Smad proteins (p-Smad2/3, Smad3). The data revealed that the suppression of Smad3, which was induced by bio-active ceramic resources powder particles affected re-epithelialization and cutaneous wound closure. At the end of this paper, we concluded that bio-active ceramic resources affect cutaneous wound healing by accelerating the re-epithelialization of keratinocytes and that is mediated by the suppression of related protein, Smad3.     

Protective effects of sodium nitrite preconditioning against alcohol-induced acute liver injury in mice

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of sodium nitrite (SN) on alcohol-induced acute liver injury in mice. Forty male C57bL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. Acute alcohol-induced liver injury group were injected intraperitoneal (ip) with alcohol (4.5 g/kg); SN preconditioning group were pretreated with SN (16 mg/kg, ip) for 12 h, and received alcohol (4.5 g/kg, ip) injection; Control and SN groups were treated with saline and SN, respectively. After the treatments, liver index (liver/body weight ratio) was determined. Colorimetric technique was performed to measure the serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) activities, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The pathological index of liver tissue was assayed by HE and TUNEL fluorometric staining. Using Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein was detected. The results showed that, compared with acute alcohol-induced liver injury group, pretreatment with low doses of SN decreased liver index and serum levels of ALT and AST, weakened acute alcohol-induced hepatocyte necrosis, improved pathological changes in liver tissue, increased live tissue SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activities, reduced MDA content and apoptosis index of hepatocytes, and up-regulated HIF-1α protein level in liver tissue. These results suggest that the pretreatment of SN can protect hepatocytes against alcohol-induced acute injury, and the protective mechanism involves inhibition of oxidative stress and up-regulation of HIF-1α protein level.     

Protein-rich extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musca domestica</Emphasis> larvae alleviated metabolic disorder in STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rat model via hepatoprotective and pancreatic β-cell protective activities

The study was designed to explore the beneficial effect of Musca domestica larvae extract (MDLE) on a metabolic disorder using a diabetic rat model. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with or without MDLE. Blood glucose, insulin levels, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress markers were measured. The morphological changes in the pancreas and liver were determined, as well as insulin expression. The expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), phospho-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK)/total AMPK, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) were detected. Compared with untreated diabetic rats, MDLE-treated rats had decreased urine volume, food intake, and water intake, along with significantly lower levels of blood glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), plasma triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol. MDLE-treated rats also had higher levels of SOD activity, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and insulin. MDLE treatment partially restored the β-cell population, improved the liver necrosis and islet cell damage, reversed the decreased expression of GLUT4, phospho-AMPK, SOD1, and CAT in the liver, skeletal muscle and pancreatic tissue, and also increased the expression of PPARγ in the liver and adipose tissue in diabetic rats. In conclusion, the obtained results suggest that MDLE could possibly be used pharmacologically as an adjuvant for the treatment of diabetes.     

黄芪甲苷后处理对乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧复氧损伤的作用研究

目的:观察黄芪甲苷(AstragalosideⅣ,AsⅣ)后处理对缺氧复氧损伤(simulated ischemia reperfusion injury,SI/RI)的SD乳鼠心肌细胞是否具有保护作用。方法:将乳鼠原代心肌细胞平均分为五组,即空白对照组(Control)、缺氧复氧处理组(SI/RI)、黄芪甲苷预处理(5,10、20μM)+SI/RI组(AsIV+SI/RI)。各组细胞经处理后,四氮唑溴盐比色法(MTT)检测各组细胞存活率;TUNEL染色法测定各组细胞凋亡率;SOD测试盒检测培养液中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量,总嘌呤氧化酶(XOD)测试盒检测丙二醛(MDA)含量。Western blot法检测各组细胞抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和促凋亡蛋白Caspase-3的表达。结果:与空白组相比,缺氧复氧损伤组细胞活力显著下降(P0.05),凋亡率显著上升(P0.05),其培养液中SOD水平显著降低(P0.05),MDA水平显著升高。而不同浓度AsⅣ后处理组的心肌细胞存活率显著上升,凋亡率显著下降,培养液中SOD水平显著上升,MDA水平显著下降(P0.05),且呈浓度呈依赖性。Western blot结果显示AsⅣ后处理组细胞中的Bcl-2表达明显上升,Caspase-3明显下降。结论:黄芪甲苷后处理对缺氧复氧诱导的乳鼠心肌细胞损伤具有显著的保护作用,能够显著上调抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达,下调促凋亡蛋白Caspase-3的表达。     

Aqueous date fruit extract protects against lipid peroxidation and improves antioxidant status in the liver of rats subchronically exposed to trichloroacetic acid

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a prominent by-product of the chlorination of drinking water. It induces cell damage by producing free radicals and reactive oxygen species. The present study was carried out to evaluate the potential hepatoprotective role of the aqueous date extract (ADE) against TCA-induced liver injury. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of eight: group I served as the control; group II was given ADE by gavage; groups III and IV received TCA as drinking water at 0.5 and 2 g/L, respectively; and groups V and VI were treated with ADE by gavage and then received TCA at 0.5 and 2 g/L, respectively, as drinking water. The experiment was performed for 2 months. The hepatotoxicity of TCA administration was revealed by an increase in the levels of hepatic marker enzymes (transaminases, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and lactate dehydrogenase) and conjugated bilirubin and a decrease in albumin level. The TCA administration induced also significant elevation of the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) paralleled with a significant decline in catalase (CAT) activity. These biochemical alterations were accompanied by histological changes marked by the appearance of vacuolization, necrosis, congestion, inflammation, and enlargement of sinusoids in the liver section. Treatment with date palm fruit extract restored the liver damage induced by TCA, as demonstrated by inhibition of hepatic lipid peroxidation; amelioration of SOD, GPx, and CAT activities; and improvement of histopathology changes. These results suggest that ADE has a protective effect over TCA-induced oxidative damage in rat liver.     

细胞外信号调节激酶1在大鼠胆汁性肝纤维化形成过程中的含量变化

目的:探讨细胞外信号调节激酶1(ERK1)在肝纤维化形成过程中的含量变化.方法:采用胆总管结扎(BDL)方法建立大鼠胆汁性肝纤维化模型,应用免疫组织化学、Western blotting技术及逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法,研究ERK1及其mRNA在肝纤维化不同时期肝组织中的分布及含量的动态变化.结果:正常肝组织有少量ERK1分布,随着肝纤维化的发展,ERK1阳性细胞明显增多;正常大鼠肝组织中有ERK1蛋白表达,造模1～4周明显增多,4周时增加了3.9倍:正常大鼠肝组织中亦有ERK1 mRNA表达,于造模2 d开始上调,造模4周表达最多.结论:肝纤维化形成过程中ERK1及其mRNA含量增加,尤以造模4周最明显.     

FH/Wjd大鼠酒精性肝损伤模型探讨

目的对FH/W jd大鼠酒精性肝损伤模型进行探讨。方法 FH/W jd大鼠按体重随机分为饮水组和饮酒组,两组均自由饮食。16周后取血,检测血清ALT、AST、TBIL、TG、CHO;取肝脏,匀浆后检测TG、GSH;流式细胞仪检测肝细胞凋亡率;Western blot检测肝脏组织PPARα蛋白表达;肝脏HE染色观察组织病理学改变。结果与饮水组比较,饮酒组两种性别FH/W jd大鼠血清TBIL、TG含量显著升高,饮酒组雌性大鼠血清ALT、CHO显著降低;饮酒组两种性别大鼠肝脏TG含量显著升高,GSH含量呈现降低趋势;饮酒组两种性别大鼠肝细胞凋亡率亦呈降低趋势;饮酒组肝脏PPARα蛋白表达明显上调;饮酒组组织病理学改变以小泡性脂肪变性为主。结论长期自主摄入酒精可以造成FH/W jd大鼠肝脏损伤。     

基于氧化应激研究苦豆子不同提取物的肝毒性机制

基于亚急性毒性实验对苦豆子不同提取物肝毒性机制进行研究,为苦豆子临床安全使用提供理论依据。分别采用75%乙醇回流法(ER)、水煎煮法(WD)、75%乙醇超声法(EU)和水超声法(WU)制备苦豆子提取物,通过不同提取物的亚急性毒性实验测定大鼠肝组织中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽酶(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)水平以评价其肝毒性;应用免疫组织化学和蛋白免疫印迹方法测定氧化应激相关蛋白红系衍生的核因子2相关因子(Nrf2)、血红素氧合酶1(HO-1)、超氧化物歧化酶1(SOD1)、超氧化物歧化酶2(SOD2)表达,进一步探讨其肝毒性机制。结果显示,与空白组相比,AST在雄性大鼠各给药组血清中显著性升高,ALT在雌雄大鼠血清中均呈升高趋势,尤其在雄性WD、ER组、雌性WD、WU、EU组中有显著性差异。与空白组比较,雄性给药大鼠肝脏SOD和GSH在各组中均显著性降低,GSH在雌性大鼠肝组织中呈升高趋势,其中WD组有显著性差异,MDA在雌、雄给药大鼠肝脏中均显著升高。给药后,对Nrf2/HO-1氧化应激通路中相关蛋白检测后发现,Nrf2蛋白相较空白组在肝组织中表达均呈降低趋势,其中雄性WD、WU、EU组和雌性WD、EU、ER组最为显著,HO-1在雌雄各组肝组织表达中均发生显著性降低。SOD1在雌性各组中均有显著性降低,而在雄性中WD和ER组有显著性降低。本研究发现苦豆子不同提取物对大鼠肝脏都有一定的毒性,其毒性机制主要是通过调控Nrf2/HO-1通路中相关蛋白造成机体氧化应激而发生。     

2类多巴胺受体对心肌缺血后处理保护作用的影响及机制

目的：观察2类多巴胺受体（DR2）在心肌缺血后处理保护中的作用,并探讨其机制。方法：复制原代培养乳鼠心肌细胞缺血后处理模型,细胞随机分为正常组（Control）、缺血/再灌注组（I/R）、缺血后处理组（PC）、缺血后处理＋DR2激动剂组（PC＋Bro）、缺血后处理＋DR2抑制剂组（PC＋Hal）、缺血后处理＋DR2抑制剂＋激动剂组（PC＋Hal＋Bro）。比色法检测细胞培养液乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量;透射电镜观察细胞超微结构改变;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡变化;Western blot方法检测DR2蛋白表达、p-p38和p-JNK的活性。结果：与正常组相比,I/R能够增加DR2蛋白的表达,升高LDH活性和MDA含量,降低SOD活性,加重细胞损伤和细胞凋亡,上调p-p38和p-JNK的活性;与I/R组比较,PC进一步增加DR2蛋白的表达,降低LDH活性和MDA含量,增加SOD活性,减轻细胞损伤和细胞凋亡,下调p-p38和p-JNK的活性,Bro增强了PC的心肌保护作用,Hal则可取消Bro的这种作用。结论：DR2激活通过下调p-p38和p-JNK的活性参与缺血后处理对心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用。     

吸入一氧化碳防治肢体缺血／再灌注所致肝脏损伤的实验研究

目的：观察吸入外源性一氧化碳（CO）对肢体缺血／再灌注（I／R）所致肝脏损伤的防治作用。方法：健康SD大鼠100只,随机分为假手术（S）、假手术吸入CO（SC）、I／R、I／R吸入CO（RC）组。通过夹闭股动脉4h、再开放6—72h、10d复制肢体L／R致肝脏损伤模型。S、I／R组吸入普通医用空气,SC、RC组吸入含CO（体积分数为0．05％）的医用空气。光镜观察肝组织病理学变化,全自动生化分析仪检测血谷丙转氨酶（GPT）,流式细胞仪检测肝细胞凋亡百分比及bax、bcl-2的表达水平。结果：S组与SC组比较,各项观察指标无显著差别;与SC组比较,I/R及RC组肝组织呈病理改变,血清GPT及肝细胞凋亡百分比明显升高;I／R组肝细胞bax蛋白的表达水平明显升高。和L／R组相比。RC组肝组织损伤程度减轻,血清GPT、肝细胞凋亡百分比及bax蛋白的表达水平明显降低,而肝细胞bcl-2蛋白的表达水平显著升高。结论：吸入适量外源性CO对肢体I／R所致肝脏损伤有防治效应。     

Dexmedetomidine attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver injury in rats by inhibiting caveolin-1 downstream signaling pathway

Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the anti-injury and anti-inflammatory effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) in acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Sprague–Dawley rats and its possible mechanism.Methods: The acute liver injury model of male rats was established by injecting LPS into tail vein. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) of rats was recorded at 0–7 h, and lactic acid was detected at different time points. Wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) was calculated. Pathological changes of rat liver were observed by HE staining. ALT and AST levels in serum were detected. The activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue homogenate and the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were detected by ELISA. Protein levels of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), TLR-4 and NLRP3 in liver tissue were tested by immunohistochemistry method. The expression of Cav-1, TLR-4 and NLRP3 mRNA in liver tissue was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to explore its related mechanism.Results: Compared with NS group, serum lactic acid, W/D of liver tissue, MPO, SOD, IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased and MAP decreased significantly in LPS group and D+L group. However, compared with NS group, D group showed no significant difference in various indicators. Compared with LPS group, MPO, SOD, IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased and MAP was significantly increased in D+L group. D+L group could significantly increase the level of Cav-1 protein and decrease the level of TLR-4 and NLRP3 protein in liver tissue caused by sepsis. The expression of Cav-1 mRNA was significantly up-regulated and the expression of TLR-4 and NLRP3 mRNA was inhibited in D+L group.Conclusion: Dex pretreatment protects against LPS-induced actue liver injury via inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 signaling pathway by up-regulating the expression of Cav-1 by sepsis.     

Effect of caffeine-coconut products interactions on induction of microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes in Wistar Albino rats.

Effect of caffeine-coconut products interactions on induction of drug-metabolizing enzyme in wistar albino rats was studied. Twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups: The control group (1) received via oral route a placebo (4.0ml of distilled water). Groups 2 to 4 were treated for a 14-day period with 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine, 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine and 50 mg/kg body weight of coconut water, and 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine and 50 mg/kg body weight of coconut milk in 4.0ml of the vehicle via gastric intubation respectively. One day after the final exposure, the animals were anaestheticized by inhalation of an overdose of chloroform. The blood of each rat was collected by cardiac puncture while the liver of each rat was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters, i.e., total protein and RNA levels, protein/RNA ratios, and activities of alanine and aspartate amino transferase (ALT and AST, respectively). The results showed that while ingestion of coconut milk and coconut water increased the values of protein and protein/RNA ratios, it decreased alanine and aspartate amino transferase (ALT and AST) activities. These effects, in turn, enhanced the induction of the metabolizing enzymes and a resultant faster clearance and elimination of the caffeine from the body, there by reducing the toxic effect on the liver.     

Reproductive activities of female albino rats treated with quassin, a bioactive triterpenoid from stem bark extract of Quassia amara

To evaluate the effect of quassin on female reproductive functions, 42 albino rats (35 females and 7 males) were used. The female albino rats were divided into seven groups of five rats each. Group I served as the control group and received distilled water while Groups II, III and IV rats were treatedorally with 0.1mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg body weight of quassin for 60 days respectively. Groups V, VI and VII rats were also treated orally with 0.1 mg/kg, 1.0mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg body weight of quassin for 60 days but were left untreated for another 30 days, to serve as the recovery groups. At the end of each experimental period, blood samples were collected from each rat. Fertility study was done by cohabiting one untreated male with the five female rats in each group for 10 days. Quassin did not adversely affect the weight of the kidney, heart, liver and the body of the rats. However there was a significant decrease in the weight of the ovary and uterus in all the groups relative to the control. There was also a significant decrease in serum estrogen levels in quassin treated rats. The quassin treated rats had a significantly decreased mean litter number and weight. Histological studies show a disorganization and degeneration in the ovary while the uterus showed signs of vacuolation and disorganization. However, these effects were ameliorated after quassin was withdrawn from the rats. The results suggest that quassin has female anti-fertility properties, possibly acting via inhibition of estrogen secretion. Keyword: Quassin, Female rat, Reproduction, Estrogen.     

The chemopreventive effect of Ginkgo biloba and Silybum marianum extracts on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Background/objective

This study was designed to evaluate the potential chemopreventive activities of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) and Silybum marianum extract (silymarin) against hepatocarcinogenesis induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in rats.

Methods

Rats were divided into 6 groups. Group 1 served as normal control rats. Group 2 animals were intragastrically administrated NDEA at a dose of 10 mg/kg five times a week for 12 weeks to induce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Groups 3 and 4 animals were pretreated with silymarin and EGb respectively. Groups 5 and 6 animals were posttreated with silymarin and EGb respectively. The investigated parameters in serum are alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The investigated parameters in liver tissue are malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and comet assay parameters.

Results

In NDEA group, MDA level was elevated with subsequent decrease in GSH level and SOD, GPx and GR activities. In addition, NDEA group revealed a significant increase in serum ALT, AST and GGT activities and VEGF level. Furthermore, NDEA administrated animals showed a marked increase in comet assay parameters. These biochemical alterations induced by NDEA were confirmed by the histopathological examination of rat livers intoxicated with NDEA that showed an obvious cellular damage and well differentiated HCC. In contrast, silymarin+NDEA treated groups (3&;5) and EGb+NDEA treated groups (4&;6) showed a significant decrease in MDA level and a significant increase in GSH content and SOD, GPx and GR activities compared to NDEA group. Silymarin and EGb also beneficially down-regulated the increase in serum ALT, AST, GGT activities and VEGF level induced by NDEA. In addition, silymarin and EGb significantly decreased comet assay parameters. Histopathological examination of rat livers treated with either silymarin or EGb exhibited an improvement in the liver architecture compared to NDEA group.

Conclusions

The obtained findings suggested that silymarin and EGb may have beneficial chemopreventive roles against hepatocarcinogenesis through their antioxidant, antiangiogenic and antigenotoxic activities.     

肝康Ⅳ号对脂肪肝大鼠肝组织脂质含量及形态学的影响

目的探讨肝康Ⅳ号（Gankang Ⅳ,GKⅣ）对脂肪肝（FL）组织胆固醇（TC）、甘油三脂（TG）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）及形态学的影响。方法64只SPF级Wistar大鼠,随机分为A组、B1组、B2组、B3组、C组、D组。A组、B1组、B2组、B3组、C组给予高脂饲料（84.4%标准饲料＋10%猪油＋0.5%胆固醇＋0.1%胆盐＋5%蛋黄粉）和白酒复合复制大鼠FL模型,B1组、B2组、B3组、C组分别给予肝康Ⅳ号低、中、高剂量和东宝肝泰灌胃干预,设空白对照D组。第6周末处死动物取肝脏制备10%的肝匀浆检测TC、TG、SOD、MDA。检测肝脏病理学。结果（1）TC、TG：B1组、B2组、B3组、C组与A组比较,TC、TG含量明显下降（P〈0.05～0.01）,B2组、B3组与C组比较差异有显著（P〈0.05）。（2）SOD、MDA：B1组、B2组、B3组、C组与A组比较,MDA含量明显下降（P〈0.05～0.01）,SOD水平明显升高（P〈0.05～0.01）;在SOD方面,B1组与C组比较差异有非常显著性（P〈0.01）,B2组与C组比较差异有显著（P〈0.05）;在MDA方面,B1组、B2组、B3组与C组比较差异有非常显著性（P〈0.01）。（3）肝脏病理学：A组为重度脂肪肝,C组、B1组为中度脂肪肝,B2组、B3组脂肪肝程度轻于C组、B1组。结论GKIV能有效降低肝脏组织脂质沉积,防止MDA的升高,SOD的下降;减轻FL程度,呈现量效关系。