BACKGROUND Despite of the wide spectrum of alcoholism experimental models, the majority of them are very specialized on the short list of investigated parameters and could not provide reproduction of complex metabolic changes in the rats. The aim of the present study was to estimate whether rats selected by high alcohol preference, allowed free access to 15% alcohol for 150 days, develop simultaneous multilevel disturbances of cell macromolecules structure, metabolism and oxidative/nitrosative stress. METHODS Wistar albino male rats were divided into groups: I - rats selected by preferences to alcohol were used for chronic alcoholism modeling by replacing water with 15% ethanol (150 days), II - control. Contents of amino acids in serum, liver mRNA CYP2E1 and CYP3A2 expression, DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation levels, the reduced glutathione content, superoxide dismutase, catalase, iNOS and cNOS activities were evaluated. RESULTS In serum of ethanol-treated rats contents of aspartic acid, serine, glycine, alanine and valine were decreased whereas contents of histidine, methionine and phenylalanine were increased. Liver CYP2E1, CYP3A2 mRNA expression, DNA fragmentation levels significantly elevated. Level of cNOS in ethanol-treated rat's hepatocytes was within the normal limits, whereas iNOS activity was raised 1.6 times. Liver pro- and anti-oxidant system alterations were shown. CONCLUSIONS Rats' chronic 15% alcohol consumption (150 days) led solely to complex metabolomic changes at different levels, which simultaneously characterized cell macromolecules structure, metabolism, and oxidative/nitrosative stress. Rodent model of chronic alcoholism in the proposed modification could be an adequate and reasonably priced tool for further preclinical development and testing of pharmacotherapeutic agents.

Multiparameter rodent chronic model for complex evaluation of alcoholism-mediated metabolic violations

The spread of HIV is taking a frightening dimension among the rural people in Nigeria . Even in a situation, where some of these individuals exhibit suggestive symptoms of HIV infection or have been diagnosed HIV positive, instead of seeking for adequate medical care will rather take various alcoholic root extracts thereby, prolonging the time they would have used to seek appropriate medical care. We therefore carried out the normal routine HIV tests on the individuals who took such alcoholic root extracts before seeking for medical care and individuals that had not taken such extracts before coming to the hospital, focusing precisely on haematological indices, renal and liver function tests. Blood sample was collected from two hundred individuals involving 96 males and 104 females who took such alcoholic root extracts in Aba metropolis for more than six months before coming to the hospital. One hundred HIV positive patients who did not take such alcoholic extracts served as control. The haematological parameters monitored include total white blood cell counts (WBC), lymphocytes (L) neutrophil (N) counts, packed cell volume (PCV) and Hemoglobin (Hb) level. Biochemical parameters estimated were the concentrations of urea and creatinine. Serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were also assayed. In addition, total bilirubin was also determined. As compared with patients who never took alcoholic root extracts, the patients that took such extracts before coming to the hospital when the symptoms manifested were severe, exhibited significant decrease in CD4, WBC and lymphocyte counts (P < 0.05). There was a slight increase in neutrophil number in those that used the alcoholic extracts compared with their HIV positive counterpart that never took such extracts. Observed in the same group was a significant reduction in Hb and PCV (P < 0.05). The activities of AST and ALT were also elevated in these individuals, same with total bilirubin. However, the concentrations of urea and creatinine were significantly different within the two groups (P < 0.05) but the concentrations obtained were within the normal range. The study tend to suggest that taking these alcoholic root extracts and delay in seeking appropriate medical care may accelerate the progression of HIV to AIDS.

Role of alcoholic root concoctions on haematological and renohepatic function markers among HIV patients in some rural communities in Eastern Nigeria.

Haematological and biochemical indices were used to monitor the toxicity of gasoline in albino rats.The rats were placed in four groups and were intraperitoneally administered 0.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 10.0g/kg of gasoline, respectively, for 2 phase periods of 1 and 2 months. At the end of each period, rats were withdrawn from each group for analysis. The control rats were similarly treated with normal saline. Blood samples were taken for analysis of hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), and white blood cell counts (WBC). Serum enzymes such as Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP). Glutathione-S- transferase (GST) and Glutathione (GSH) were equally monitored. There was significant reduction in Hb and PCV, particularly in group four rats, which received. 10gkg -1 gasoline compared with control and other (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in the number of white blood cells in the first month exposure to gasoline was recorded, especially in rats administered 10gkg-1gasoline. Substantial increase in the activities of liver enzymes - ALT, AST and ALP were observed in all the groups. However, GST increased marginally from first to second month in all the groups. Furthermore, there was consistent reduction in the level of GSH after the first dose in all the groups compared with control (P < 0.05). The study demonstrates that long term exposure of rats to gasoline could induce anaemia and liver damage.

Gasoline-induced haematological changes and the associated hepatotoxicity in albino rats

The effect of paracetamol on hepatic glutathione concentration in rats after chronic alcohol and given intoxication was investigated using biochemical indices. Male albino rats were grouped into five and the different dosage regimens of paracetamol (300 mg/kg) and 12% alcohol. Hepatic glutathione concentration and the percentage liver weight to body weight were then measured. The administration of alcohol alone increased the percentage liver weight to body weight by 5.9% as well as the hepatic glutathione concentration to as high as 19.5% whilst that of paracetamol alone caused a reduction in percentage liver weight to body weight of 5.9% and hepatic glutathione concentration of 23.8%. The administration of paracetamol to alcohol intoxicated rats reduced the enzyme inducting effect of alcohol, as shown by mean percentage liver weight to body weight of 2.9% and GSH percentage depletion of 9.5%. There was a significant increase in the activity of Glutathione-s- Transferase in rats administered alcohol and paracetamol for four days compared to control. In conclusion the administration of paracetamol after excessive consumption of alcohol may cause more damage than the expected relief. KEY WORDS: Hepatic Glutathione concentration, Paracetamol and alcohol which revealed that administration Journal of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol. 4: 2003: 8-11

SA Braide

Papers

Effects Of Alcohol And Paracetamol On Hepatic Glutathione Concentration In Albino Rats