秋葵籽油对高强度运动所致肝损伤的保护作用

本研究考察了秋葵籽油对高强度运动所致肝损伤的保护作用及机制。研究显示,对昆明小鼠灌胃不同剂量(10 mg/kg,20 mg/kg和50 mg/kg)的秋葵籽油4周后,秋葵籽油以剂量依赖性方式提高了小鼠的力竭游泳时间(p<0.05)。秋葵籽油降低了小鼠血清乳酸和尿素氮水平,并升高了血清游离脂肪酸和肝糖原水平(p<0.05)。秋葵籽油以剂量依赖性方式提高了小鼠肝脏组织中SOD、CAT和GSH-Px活性,并抑制了MDA的合成(p<0.05)。秋葵籽油抑制了力竭游泳诱导的小鼠血清CK、AST和ALT水平及肝脏组织NO水平的升高(p<0.05)。此外,苏木精和伊红(HE)染色证实了秋葵籽油减轻了力竭游泳诱导的肝脏病理改变。因此,本研究初步结论表明,在高强度运动过程中,秋葵籽油可通过抑制乳酸和尿素氮的积累、增加脂肪动员、降低糖原消耗、减弱氧化应激损伤等多种途径来对肝脏发挥保护作用。     

Effect of cadmium and aluminum intake on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in rat tissues.

This work aimed to study the relationship between the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) or aluminum (Al) in certain tissues and the levels of lipid peroxides as well as tissue antioxidants. To carry out such investigations, CdCl2 was given to rats in two dose levels; 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg i.p for 1 day or daily repeated doses for 2 weeks. Al was given as AlCl3 either in a single dose of 100 mg/kg or daily repeated doses of 20 mg/kg for 2 and 4 weeks. The measured parameters were tissue malondialdehyde (MDA, index of lipid peroxidation) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels as well as the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) enzymes. Liver and kidney functions were assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as serum urea and creatinine concentrations. Cd and Al concentrations in the studied tissues were also measured. Results indicated that tissue Cd was significantly increased after administration of either Cd doses. After a single dose of 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg CdCl2, the increase in tissue Cd levels were accompanied by an increase in MDA and a decrease in GSH levels. On the other hand, after repeated administration of Cd, tissue Cd accumulation was accompanied by increased hepatic and renal GSH levels with decrease in MDA content and a decrease in GSH-PX activity in liver. Liver function was affected at all dose regimens, whereas kidney function was affected only after 2 weeks administration of the higher dose. In Al treated rats, Al concentration was shown to be increased in liver much more than in brain. This was accompanied by a slight decrease in hepatic GSH level after 2 weeks and a decrease in GSH-PX activity after 4 weeks. Liver function was affected only after repeated injection of Al for 2 or 4 weeks. In general, Al administration exhibited safer pattern than Cd.     

Modification of cardiac oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits with repaglinide treatment

The aim of this study was to analyze the antioxidative effect of repaglinide in the heart of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. The activities of superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA), products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl groups (PCG) were estimated after 4 and 8 weeks of repaglinide treatment (1 mg daily). At significance level p<0.05, in diabetic heart the activities of Cu,Zn-SOD and CAT were elevated as compared to control values (by 60.7% and 55.3% for Cu,Zn-SOD, and by 89.7% and 77.4% for CAT after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively). The level of AA was diminished by 52.5% and 41.5% while GSH-Px and GSSG-R activities were decreased after 4 weeks of experiment (by 11.5% and 14.4%, respectively). GSH level was diminished by 33.2% after 8 weeks. Simultaneously, in diabetic heart the levels of LPO and PCG were elevated as compared to control values (by 51.6% and 111.3% for LPO, and by 72.0% and 132.9% for PCG after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively). In diabetic animals, repaglinide normalized GSH-Px activity and GSH level. It modified the activities of Cu,Zn-SOD, CAT and AA as compared to diabetic non-treated animals. In diabetic-treated rabbits the level of LPO was diminished as compared to diabetic non-treated animals, while the level of PCG was not affected. In the present study, repaglinide did not affect blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations in diabetic rabbits. Nevertheless, the drug showed some beneficial antioxidative properties in the heart tissue.     

Distribution of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in the mouse epididymis and its response to acivicin

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), its substrate (GSH) and hydrolytic product (L-glutamic acid) were measured biochemically in mouse reproductive tissues. The epididymal caput and seminal vesicles showed the highest specific activities of gamma-GT, while GSH and L-glutamic acid were widely distributed in all tissues. Histochemically, gamma-GT displayed a strong apical and supranuclear reaction and a moderate basal activity in the ductuli efferents, a weak luminal reaction in the first, a moderate apical reaction in the second and a strong apical and supranuclear reaction in the third segment of the epididymal caput. In the epididymal corpus and cauda, the gamma-GT reaction was confined to the tubular lumina but an apical reaction was also present in the cauda. The daily administration of acivicin (12 mg/kg body weight), an irreversible inhibitor of gamma-GT, for 14 days resulted in a 60% suppression of the enzyme activity in the epididymal caput, while the gamma-GT inhibition in the kidney was greater than 95%. The treatment caused no change in the activity of alanyl aminopeptidase. Histochemically, the basal and supranuclear gamma-GT activities in the ductuli efferents and the third epididymal segment were suppressed, but the apical reactions were maintained. The in-vivo suppression of epididymal gamma-GT activity may have implications in the control of post-testicular sperm maturation.     

双歧杆菌发酵果蔬汁对小鼠抗疲劳作用的实验研究

目的检测发酵果蔬汁对小鼠的抗疲劳作用。方法将3种果蔬汁按一定比例加入双歧杆菌、保加利亚乳杆菌和嗜热链球菌,经发酵,分别以高中低3个剂量喂食小鼠30d后,进行小鼠负重游泳实验,检测肝糖原、乳酸和尿素氮等各项抗疲劳指标。结果3种果蔬汁均能显著延长小鼠负重游泳时间,提高小鼠肝糖原的储备量;降低小鼠游泳后血乳酸和尿素氮均值,增加血红蛋白含量及乳酸脱氢酶活性,减少血尿酸含量。且抗疲劳强度程度与型量声低有一定相差。结论3种发酵果蔬汁具有抗疲劳作用。     

Antioxidant effect of vitamin E treatment on some heavy metals-induced renal and testicular injuries in male mice

Toxic heavy metals in water, air and soil are global problems that are a growing threat to humanity. Heavy metals are widely distributed in the environment and some of them occur in food, water, air and tissues even in the absence of occupational exposure. The antioxidant and protective influences of vitamin E on a mixture of some heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd and Cu)-induced oxidative stress and renal and testicular injuries were evaluated in male mice. Exposure of mice to these heavy metals in drinking water for seven weeks resulted in statistical increases of plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid concentrations. The levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutases (SOD) in kidney and testis tissues were significantly declined. Moreover, the histopathological evaluation of kidney and testis showed severe changes in mice treated with these heavy metals. Administration of vitamin E protected the kidney and testis of mice exposed to heavy metals as evidenced by appearance of normal histological structures, insignificant changes in the values of plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid, and the levels of kidney GSH and SOD, while the levels of testis GSH and SOD were notably decreased. These data suggest that the administration of vitamin E protects against heavy metals-induced renal and testicular oxidative stress and injuries.     

Nitrogen depletion causes up-regulation of glutathione content and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

This work aims to elucidate the relationship between nitrogen depletion and Glutathione (GSH) level in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The total GSH level was much higher in the Pap1-positive KP1 cells than in the Pap1-negative TP108-3C cells, suggesting that synthesis of GSH is dependent on Pap1. When the Pap1-positive KP1 cells were transferred to the nitrogen-depleted medium, total GSH level significantly increased up to 6 h and then slightly declined after 9 h. Elevation of the total GSH level was observed to be much less with the Pap1-negative cells. However, glucose deprivation was not able to enhance the GSH level in the KP1 cells. Activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT), an enzyme in the first step of GSH catabolism, also increased during nitrogen depletion. The total GSH level was more significantly enhanced in the KP1 cells overexpressing gamma-GT2 than gamma-GT1 during nitrogen starvation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were not changed during nitrogen starvation in both Pap1-positive and Pap1-negative cells. Collectively, nitrogen depletion causes up-regulation of GSH synthesis and gamma-GT in a Pap1-dependent manner.     

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glutathione, and L-glutamic acid in the rat epididymis during postnatal development

During postnatal development, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and L-glutamic acid (L-Glu) were assayed in the epididymides of rats at 5-day intervals between 10 and 60 days of age and compared to adult levels. gamma-GT activity (with gamma-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide as substrate) and L-Glu (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide conversion-dependent assay) were measured photometrically, while GSH (o-phthalaldehyde reaction) was quantified with a fluorometric assay. In immature rats, the epididymal gamma-GT was very low but increased after 25 days of age in the caput and after 50 days of age in the cauda. The enzyme level in the epididymal caput was by far the highest in the adult rat reproductive tissues. The postnatal increase of gamma-GT in epididymal caput and cauda was associated with a decline of its substrate GSH and an accumulation of the product L-Glu. These observations provide evidence for the in vivo hydrolytic activity of gamma-GT and explain the high levels of L-Glu found in the epididymis of rats and other mammals.     

Reduced glutathione modulates the arachidonic acid induced coronary reactions

Coronary flow was recorded from spontaneously beating isolated perfused hearts of rats and guinea pigs. Arachidonic acid (AA), in single bolus doses, produced a fast short lasting coronary constriction followed by a slow developing but persisting vasodilation. These reactions (biphasic type) were characteristic of the guinea pig heart. In about 50% of the rat hearts the vasoconstrictor action predominated while the biphasic response was obtained in the rest of the experiments. Pretreatment of rats with aspirin prevented the responses to AA in the isolated heart. The administration of reduced glutathione (GSH) (about 1 mM to the rat or 0.5-0.75 mM to the guinea pig hearts) produced a marked development and (or) enhancement of the vasodilator action of AA. Repeated or single large doses of AA produced a change of pattern of responses from biphasic to constrictor type; the addition of GSH restored the vasodilator phase. Since GSH directs the endoperoxide metabolism towards the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), we postulate that the coronary dilatation of resistance vessels produced by AA would be due to a great extent to PGE2.     

花色苷提取物对大鼠发育关键期铅致肝脏和肾脏损伤的保护作用研究

为研究天然色素花色苷（anthocyanins,ACNs）对铅中毒引起的脏器损伤的保护作用,构建了铅暴露大鼠模型,灌服不同剂量的ACNs溶液和强力排铅药二巯基丁二酸（dithioglysuccinic acid, DMSA）,连续3周,于末次给药24 h后考察脏器中的铅含量、组织病理学、血液及脏器生化指标;并采用综合生物标志物响应（integrated biomarker responses, IBR）评估ACNs对铅致发育期大鼠肝脏和肾脏氧化损伤的修复能力。实验结果表明,铅大量存在于大鼠的肝脏和肾脏组织中,造成脏器病理学结构及氧化损伤;而ACNs可促进铅排出机体,改善组织病理学结构,使血清中转氨酶、肌酐等生化指标水平明显好转,并升高肝和肾抗氧化酶的活性,减少还原性物质的含量,改善铅诱导组织的氧化损伤;IBR分析结果显示,ACNs可使铅损伤的脏器得到明显的修复。结果表明,ACNs营养干预可有效拮抗铅致机体的氧化损伤,从而有效修复铅损伤的肝肾组织。     

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.     

Impact of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. extract on ethanol-mediated oxidative damage in rat kidney

The antioxidant effect of the ethanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. root (EHI), an indigenous Ayurvedic medicinal plant in India, was studied in rats with ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity. Administering 5 g/kg body weight/day of ethanol for 60 days to male Wistar rats resulted in significantly elevated levels of serum urea, creatinine and uric acid as well as kidney thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and conjugated dienes (CD) as compared to those of the experimental control rats. Decreased levels of kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E were also observed on alcohol administration as compared with those of the experimental control rats. EHI was administered at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight/day for the last 30 days of the experiment to rats with ethanol-induced kidney injury, which significantly decreased the levels of serum urea, uric acid and creatinine as well as kidney TBARS, LOOH and CD and significantly elevated the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, vitamin C and vitamin E in kidney as compared to that of untreated ethanol-administered rats. Histopathological observations also correlated with the biochemical parameters. Thus, the data indicate that treatment with EHI offers protection against free radical-mediated oxidative stress in kidney of animals with ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in transgenic tobacco plants. Cellular localization, processing, and biochemical properties

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) is a ubiquitous enzyme that catalyzes the first step of glutathione (GSH) degradation in the gamma-glutamyl cycle in mammals. A cDNA encoding an Arabidopsis homolog for gamma-GT was overexpressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants. A high level of the membrane-bound gamma-GT activity was localized outside the cell in transgenic plants. The overproduced enzyme was characterized by a high affinity to GSH and was cleaved post-translationally in two unequal subunits. Thus, Arabidopsis gamma-GT is similar to the mammalian enzymes in enzymatic properties, post-translational processing, and cellular localization, suggesting analogous biological functions as a key enzyme in the catabolism of GSH.     

Protective effect of silymarin on oxidative stress in rat brain

Brain is susceptible to oxidative stress and it is associated with age-related brain dysfunction. Previously, we have pointed out a dramatic decrease of glutathione levels in the rat brain after acetaminophen (APAP) oral administration overdose. Silymarin (SM) is a mixture of bioactive flavonolignans isolated from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., employed usually in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and as anti-hepatotoxic agent in humans. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of SM on enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant defensive systems in rat brain after APAP-induced damage. Male albino Wistar rats were treated with SM (200 mg/kg/die orally) for three days, or with APAP single oral administration (3 g/kg) or with SM (200 mg/kg/die orally) for 3 days and APAP single oral administration (3 g/kg) at third day. Successively the following parameters were measured: reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG), ascorbic acid (AA), enzymatic activity variations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde levels (MDA). Our results showed a significant decrease of GSH levels, AA levels and SOD activity and an increase of MDA and GSSG levels after APAP administration. After SM administration GSH and AA significantly increase and SOD activity was significantly enhanced. In the SM+APAP group, GSH values significantly increase and the others parameters remained unchanged respect to control values. These results suggest that SM may to protect the SNC by oxidative damage for its ability to prevent lipid peroxidation and replenishing the GSH levels.     

Anti-diabetic activities of Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharide (ASP) in combination with metformin

Combination therapy had become very popular currently for the diabetes mellitus and its complications, because of long term unreasonable drug use and adverse reaction to human body. In this study, a polysaccharide (ASP) from the roots of Acanthopanax senticosus was evaluated as an adjuvant with metformin for antidiabetic therapy in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The result identified ASP plus metformin had a more beneficial promotion for relieving the symptoms of diabetes and reversing liver and kidney damage to normal level than only metfomin administration to diabetic rats. The blood glucose, blood lipid (TC and TG), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, creatinine and urea levels in diabetic rats were decreased by combination of ASP and metformin. Furthermore, the body weight, liver glycogen formation, antioxidant substance (GSH) and antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GPX) levels increased evidently in diabetic mice treated with both ASP and metformin. In particular, sometimes ASP plus metformin could significantly reverse the pathophysiologic parameters of diabetic rats to normal level than only metformin administration. Therefore ASP could be developed to a new adjuvant combined with metformin for diabetes mellitus therapy in the future.     

Time course effects of vanadium supplement on cytosolic reduced glutathione level and glutathione S-transferase activity

The influence of vanadium, an important dietary micronutrient, was evaluated on the cytosolic reduced glutathione (GSH) content and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in several rat target tissues. Supplementation of drinking water with vanadium at the level of 0.2 or 0.5 ppm for 4, 8, or 12 wk was found to increase the GSH level with a concomitant elevation in GST activity in the liver followed by small intestine mucosa, large intestine mucosa, and kidney. The results were almost dose-dependent and mostly pronounced with 0.5 ppm vanadium after 12 wk of its continuous supplementation. Neither the GSH level nor GST activity was significantly altered in forestomach and lung following vanadium supplementation throughout the study. The levels of vanadium that were found to increase the content of GSH and activity of GST in the liver, intestine, and kidney did not exert any toxic manifestation was evidenced from water and food consumption as well as the growth responses of the experimental animals. Moreover, these doses of vanadium did not impair either hepatic or renal functions as they did not alter the serum activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), as well as serum urea and creatinine levels. All these results clearly indicate that vanadium under the doses employed in our study has a significant inducing role on GSH content with a concurrent elevation in GST activity in the liver and specific extrahepatic tissues without any apparent sign of cytotoxicity. This attribute of vanadium may have a greater importance in terms of biotransformation and detoxification of xenobiotics, including carcinogens. In addition, since the ability to afford an increment in the endogenous GSH-GST pool by anticarcinogenic natural substances has been found to correlate with their activity to inhibit neoplastic transformation, the trace element vanadium may be considered as a novel anticancer agent.     

Antiangiogenic effect of Lygodium flexuosum against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The antiangiogenic effect of Lygodium flexuosum extract was evaluated in Wistar rats intoxicated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in preventive and curative models. In preventive groups, NDEA was administered for 20 weeks. Daily doses of L. flexuosumn-hexane extract (200mg/kg) started 1 week before the onset of NDEA intoxication and continued for 20 weeks. In curative animals, NDEA was administered for 20 weeks followed by treatment with the n-hexane extract of L. flexuosum for 28 days. Rats intoxicated with NDEA had elevated levels of serum gamma-GT, AST, ALT, LDH levels and hepatic MDA and decreased levels of hepatic GSH. When treated with L. flexuosum extract had normal levels of gamma-GT, AST, ALT, LDH levels, hepatic MDA and GSH. NDEA administered rat liver showed an overexpressed levels of angiopoietins 1 (Ang-1) and 2 (Ang-2) and its receptor Tie-2 mRNA. L. flexuosum extract treatment significantly (p相似文献   

Effect of testosterone on serum immunoactive inhibin concentrations in intact and hypophysectomized male rats

Intact and hypophysectomized rats were treated with graded doses of testosterone via subcutaneous Silastic implants over a 13-week period. Serum inhibin concentrations fell 50% (P less than 0.001) after 2 weeks of hypophysectomy, remaining suppressed at this level for 13 weeks. The administration of testosterone to hypophysectomized rats (serum testosterone values 2-12 ng/ml; control values 5.5 ng/ml) was without effect on serum inhibin values. In contrast, administration of testosterone to intact animals for 7 weeks resulted in an initial fall (P less than 0.05) in inhibin levels to 50-70% of controls then increasing to reach control levels at higher doses. Serum FSH concentrations were similarly biphasic with increasing dose of testosterone and values for these two hormones were significantly correlated (r = 0.44, P less than 0.01). Segments of seminiferous tubules in culture from rats after various times of hypophysectomy showed a partly suppressed secretion of inhibin. The administration of testosterone did not modify inhibin production although inhibin production was sensitive to FSH. It is concluded that (1) serum inhibin concentrations are partly suppressed after hypophysectomy and testosterone has no effect on serum inhibin values; and (2) the suppression of serum inhibin in intact rats treated with increasing doses of testosterone is attributable to the concomitant fall in serum FSH concentrations.     

Exogeneous substances affecting development of in vitro-derived bovine embryos before and after embryonic genome activation

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate how exogenous substances [fetal bovine serum (FBS), arachidonic acid (AA), glutathione (GSH), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), insulin, transferrin and selenium (ITS)] affect preimplantation bovine embryo development. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were matured and fertilized in vitro, and their development was monitored up to 192 h post insemination in a two-step culture system. In Experiment 1, inseminated oocytes were cultured in modified bovine embryo culture medium (mBECM) supplemented with FBS or BSA for up to 60 h post insemination, and the resultant 8-cell embryos were then cultured singly in mBECM supplemented with AA+GSH+PDGF+TGF. More (P<0.005) blastocysts were derived from 8-cell embryos produced in media containing FBS than BSA. In Experiment 2, the 8-cell embryos produced in mBECM supplemented with FBS were cultured singly in mBECM as follows: 1) no supplementation; 2) AA and GSH or 3) AA, GSH, PDGF and TGF. Compared with no supplementation, a significant (P<0.05) increase in the proportion of 16-cell embryos and morulae was obtained after the addition of either AA+GSH or AA+GSH+PDGF+TGF. In Experiment 3, oocytes were cultured singly in mBECM as follows: 1) no supplementation; 2) AA+GSH+PDGF+TGF; 3) AA+GSH+PDGF+TGF and FGF; 4) AA+GSH+PDGF+TGF and ITS; 5) AA+GSH+PDGF+TGF, FGF and ITS or 6) FBS. Eight-cell embryos grown in each system were subsequently cultured singly in mBECM with AA+GSH+PDGF+TGF. More (P<0.05) 16-cell embryos were obtained in medium supplemented with either AA+GSH+PDGF+TGF and ITS or FBS than in unsupplemented medium. Fewer (P<0.05) oocytes developed to the 8-cell stage with the addition of AA+GSH+PDGF+TGF and FGF than without. In conclusion, embryo development to the blastocyst stage is regulated by exogenous AA, GSH, PDGF, FGF and ITS in a stage-specific manner.     

Impact of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. extract on ethanol-mediated oxidative damage in rat kidney

Abstract

The antioxidant effect of the ethanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. root (EHI), an indigenous Ayurvedic medicinal plant in India, was studied in rats with ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity. Administering 5 g/kg body weight/day of ethanol for 60 days to male Wistar rats resulted in significantly elevated levels of serum urea, creatinine and uric acid as well as kidney thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and conjugated dienes (CD) as compared to those of the experimental control rats. Decreased levels of kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E were also observed on alcohol administration as compared with those of the experimental control rats. EHI was administered at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight/day for the last 30 days of the experiment to rats with ethanol-induced kidney injury, which significantly decreased the levels of serum urea, uric acid and creatinine as well as kidney TBARS, LOOH and CD and significantly elevated the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, vitamin C and vitamin E in kidney as compared to that of untreated ethanol-administered rats. Histopathological observations also correlated with the biochemical parameters. Thus, the data indicate that treatment with EHI offers protection against free radical-mediated oxidative stress in kidney of animals with ethanol-induced nephtrotoxicity.