Quantitative changes in Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase and catalase isolated from the liver of alloxan diabetic rats

The contents of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase and catalase isolated and purified from the rat liver at the terminal stages of alloxan diabetes were decreased by 40% and 15%, respectively, as compared to the control. It can be concluded that the decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in experimental alloxan diabetes is mainly connected with the decline in the content of these proteins at the terminal stages of the disease, this, probably, being the result of DNA degradation and RNA transport disturbances under the effect of oxygen active forms.     

Level of leukotrienes B4 and C4 in the blood of patients with periodic disease

The level of LTB4 and LTC4 in blood plasma of patients with familial mediterranean fever is significantly higher than in healthy donors: 53 + 10 pg/ml for LTB4 (normal - 25 + 5 pg/ml) and 175 + 22 pg/ml for LTC4 (normal 67 + 19 pg/ml). The more increase of the LTB4 and LTC4 content in plasma is observed during attacks of fever - 107 + 21 pg/ml (LTB4) and 249 + 34 pg/ml (LTC4). Hyperbaric oxygenation of patients, used to relieve pain and fever, reduces the level of leukotrienes.     

Can splenocytes enhance pancreatic β-cell function and mass in 90% pancreatectomized rats fed a high fat diet?

AimsRecent studies have shown that splenocytes may act as a possible neogenic source with regard to β-cells in rodent diabetic models. Accordingly, we sought to determine whether splenocytes played an important role in promoting β-cell function and mass among type 2 diabetic rats with and without spleen.Main methodsWe randomly divided female 90% pancreatectomized (Px) Sprague Dawley rats into three groups: splenectomy (SPX), splenectomy plus the injection of male splenocytes (SPI), and no splenectomy (NSP). They were administered with 40 energy percent fat diets over the course of five weeks. At the end of the experimental period, insulin secretion capacity was measured by hyperglycemic clamp. At 6 h after BrdU⁺ injection, the pancreas was prepared with 4% paraformaldehyde in order to perform immunohistochemistry.Key findingsSPX increased and sustained serum glucose levels more than NSP and SPI during oral glucose tolerance testing. During hyperglycemic clamp, first and second phase insulin secretion decreased in the SPX rats while splenocyte injections counteracted this. Beta-cell mass in the SPX group was reduced more than among NSP and SPI. This was the result of a decrease in the number of small β-cell clusters in SPX, which is indicative of a decrease in β-cell neogenesis.SignificanceSplenocytes play an important role with regard to the neogenesis of β-cells in insulin deficient type 2 diabetic rats, although they are not critical for β-cell regeneration.     

Seroepidemiological characterization of virus hepatitis in the Republic of Armenia

The survey of the population immunological structure with respect to parenteral hepatitis showed awide circulation of hepatitis B (HB) and hepatitis C (HC) viruses among the adult population of Armenia. During the 5 year period of observation the number of persons having antibodies to HC virus increased 2.7-fold. High occurrence of antibodies to HBsAg of HB virus among the healthy population in 2002 (12.0%) in comparison with 1997 (5.4%) reflected a decreased infection rate with HB virus as well. Antibodies to hepatitis A (HA) virus were isolated, on the average, in 64 % of persons. Simultaneously with a decrease in the proportion of HA cases an increased number of HC patients was registered. No circulation of hepatitis E virus was detected. A high percentage of hepatitis cases of mixed etiology was established, as well as an increased number of combined parenteral hepatitis cases was registered (57.1%).     

Genbank accession #: AJ131961

Plant Molecular Biology -     

Protandrous migration and variation in morphological characters in Emberiza buntings at an East Asian stopover site

The effect of the timing of spring migration on reproductive success differs between the sexes. As a consequence, various sex‐specific tactics relating to the timing of migration have evolved in migratory avian groups. Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain differential migration to breeding or wintering grounds, and inter‐ and intrasexual size differences are often considered one of the proximate mechanisms. We investigated arrival patterns in the spring by individuals of each sex, sexual size dimorphism and related morphological variables, and the relationship between size variation and arrival date in five bunting species that passed through an East Asian migratory flyway stopover site in 2006–08. Males of all the study species arrived before females, and significant sexual dimorphism was observed. Several morphological characters, including total length, wing‐length and tail‐length, contributed to the size variation. Although larger males arrived earlier, there was no relationship between arrival date and size in females. Our study confirmed that East Asian buntings display a discriminated protandrous migration pattern at the stopover site as well as at the breeding grounds. This is consistent with the view that larger body size in males is favoured due to its association with early arrival to help ensure access to the best resources and hence enhanced mating success.     

Effect of porcine placenta steroid extract on myogenic satellite cell proliferation, transdifferentiation, and lipid accumulation

Intramuscular long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) play an important role in energy production and initiation of mitochondrial oxidation of lipids. Herein, we report a natural porcine placenta steroid extract (PPSE) that stimulates transdifferentiation and lipid accumulation in bovine myogenic satellite cells (MSCs). The steroids hormones in PPSE were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and presence of LCFA was established using gas chromatography. At 70% confluent growth, cells were treated with PPSE, LCFAs, transdifferentiation cocktail and commercially available steroid hormones. The working concentrations of all chemicals were manipulated similar to PPSE. The cells were observed for morphological changes and subjected to quantitative analysis of lipid deposition on Days 2, 4, and 6 of treatment. PPSE-treated MSCs exclusively transformed into lipid-accumulated adipose-like cells (ALCs). However, myotubes or adipocytes were formed in cells treated with other chemicals. Expression of different genes was studied to ascertain the molecular mechanism involved in ALC formation. CD36, fatty acid binding protein 4, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma were up-regulated. The expression of CD36 was established through immunocyto-chemical analysis. A viability assay was used to confirm the effect of PPSE on proliferation of MSCs. Hence, a natural steroid extract from porcine was found as a nontoxic mixture, which induces lipid accumulation and transdifferentiation of MSCs to ALCs. From the gene expression studies, it was established that the extract works almost in homogenous manner with other lipid inducers.     

The effect of hypoxia due to iron-deficiency anemia on the physicochemical properties of biological membranes]

The lipid structure and Ca2+ permeability of red blood cell, hepatocyte and cardiomyocyte membranes were determined while investigating the effect of hypoxia caused by iron deficiency anemia upon the structural and functional state of biological membranes. The lipid composition and barrier characteristics of membranes change under conditions of hypoxia caused by experimental iron deficiency anemia. Quantitative changes in the cell membrane lipids may be considered as an important molecular mechanism of Ca2+ transport disorder in membranes, increase of Ca2+ permeability producing its surplus in the cells and subsequent metabolic homeostatic disturbances.