Showing papers in "Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition in 1995"
TL;DR: Aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis was found to be a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxide formation and scavenger of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in vitro as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis was found to be a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxide formation and scavenger of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in vitro. The amount of the fresh pulp needed to inhibit 50% of lipid peroxidation was 1, 000μg/ml in the Fe2+/ascorbate system and 640μg/ml in the Fe3+/ADP-ascorbate one. The concentration needed for 50% inhibition of superoxide-scavenging activity was 107μg/ml in the method involving photoreduction of riboflavin and 232μg/ml in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase method, and that for hydroxyl radical scavenging (deoxyribose degradation method) was 3, 400μg/ml. An indigenous drug preparation containing Emblica officinalis, used in India as a health tonic, was also found to have a potent antioxidant activity. The antioxidants present in Emblica officinalis were aqueous soluble, but partially extractable with ether, and were heat stable.
93 citations
TL;DR: Findings support the role of LEx in the treatment of hypertension with beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism and the blood plasma component was reduced in the LEx-treated group.
Abstract: An extract of autologous Lactobacillus casei cell lysate (LEx) is known to lower the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). To determine the effects of LEx in humans, we enrolled twenty-eight patients with an average age of seventy-one years and with an average systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure of 164/96mmHg in a 2-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Four hundred milligrams of LEx or placebo powder enclosed in white capsules was given twice a day for 2 months. Decreases in systolic blood pressure (p<0.01), diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05), and heart rate (p<0.05) were observed in the LEx-treated group when compared with the baseline. As to the blood plasma component, both total cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose were reduced (p<0.05) in the LEx-treated group. These findings support the role of LEx in the treatment of hypertension with beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.
29 citations
TL;DR: There was a significant increase in collagen, hexosamine, and protein content, whereas no increase in DNA content occurred, which may suggest a non-mitogenic activity of arginine.
Abstract: The influence of arginine on healing skin wounds was studied in rats. Full-thickness excision wounds were made on the back of rats and 150mg arginine was administered orally, intraperitoneally, or topically. The granulation tissue formed was used for the estimation of collagen, hexosamine, protein, and DNA. There was a significant increase in collagen, hexosamine, and protein content, whereas no increase in DNA content occurred. This may suggest a non-mitogenic activity of arginine. The tensile strength of treated wounds also increased significantly, and the increase was 72% in intraperitoneally treated rats. The period of epithelialization was decreased, and rate of contraction increased significantly in the treated groups.
20 citations
TL;DR: Vitamin E seemed to be a more effective antioxidant for heart, and vitamin A, for testis, and Supplementation enhanced the beneficial role of each vitamin.
Abstract: This study examines the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation of rat heart and testis microsomes, in relation to dietary vitamin A and/or E status. Four groups of rats were fed different levels of the vitamins. After a period of 8 weeks, lipid peroxide levels estimated by thiobarbituric acid method, fatty acid composition and vitamins A and E were measured in serum or in microsomes. In heart, lipid peroxide levels were enhanced in dietary vitamin E deficiency; linoleic acid 18:2 (n-6), arachidonic acid 20:4 (n-6), and docosahexaenoic acid 22:6 (n-3) were significantly decreased. In testis, dietary vitamin A deficiency significantly increased lipid peroxide production and decreased docosapentaenoic acid 22:5 (n-6) and 20:4 (n-6). Supplementation of the diet with both vitamins A and E significantly decreased lipid peroxide production but did not change the fatty acid composition. Induced lipid peroxidation increased in the heart of vitamin E-deficient rats and in the testis of vitamin A-deficient ones. Both in heart and testis, we found a good correlation between spontaneous and induced lipid peroxides and also between lipid peroxides and polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio. Besides, lipid peroxide production was well correlated with polyunsaturated fatty acids/vitamin A in testis and with polyunsaturated fatty acids/vitamin E molar ratios in heart. Membrane susceptibility to lipid peroxidation varied greatly according to dietary status and organ. Vitamin E seemed to be a more effective antioxidant for heart, and vitamin A, for testis. Supplementation enhanced the beneficial role of each vitamin.
18 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that the dietary intake of γ-linolenic acid-rich oil is an efficient additional therapy for young patients with atopic eczema who have altered states of fatty acid metabolism.
Abstract: The content and composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the plasma total lipid fraction of 51 Japanese children (age 3-10) with atopic eczema and those in age-matched healthy controls (n=30) were studied by a simplified method for fatty acid analysis with gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The PUFA content of the plasma total lipid (p<0.001) and the amounts of linoleic (18:2 n-6, p<0.01), dihomo-γ-linolenic (20:3 n-6, p<0.05), and arachidonic (20:4 n-6, p<0.05) acids were significantly lower in the atopic patients than in the control subjects. When atopic patients were fed candy-type jellies containing γ-linolenic acid-rich oil (180mg/day as the amount of γ-linolenic acid) for 8 weeks, the lower levels of PUFA significantly rose to those of the healthy controls. No side effects were observed in the PUFA profiles, n-6 and n-3 long-chain metabolites, or in clinical evaluations. The results indicate that the dietary intake of γ-linolenic acid-rich oil is an efficient additional therapy for young patients with atopic eczema who have altered states of fatty acid metabolism.
15 citations
TL;DR: The hypocholesterolemic activity of the drug was found not to be due to a decreased cholesterogenesis, but to a higher rate of degradation and excretion of cholesterol.
Abstract: The effect of catechin on lipid metabolism was investigated in rats. Catechin at doses ranging from 0.1 to 100mg/kg BW was administered daily by gastric incubation to rats fed a normal laboratory diet. Catechin exerted no negative impact of food intake and thereby no retardation of growth. Maximum hypocholesterolemic activity was detected at a dose of 10mg/kg BW/day. The hypocholesterolemic activity of the drug was found not to be due to a decreased cholesterogenesis, but to a higher rate of degradation and excretion of cholesterol.
13 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that dietary intake of ascorbic acid influences the cell-mediated immunity during the ageing process and is associated with greater susceptibility to nutritional deficiencies and to progressive senescence of the immune system.
Abstract: Ageing is associated with greater susceptibility to nutritional deficiencies and to progressive senescence of the immune system. Ascorbic acid has been reported to have a corrective influence on the alteration of immunological functions that occurs during ageing. We examined the effect of a daily oral dose of ascorbic acid (20mg/100g body weight for 15, 30, and 60 days) on immune responses in young and old rats. A significant increase was observed in the total leucocyte count in both young and old rats after 60 days of ascorbic acid supplementation. When rats were fed the normal diet, the values of phagocytosis, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test, and soluble immune complex were lower in the older animals than in the younger. On supplementation with ascorbic acid, an increase in all these immunological functions was observed, the increment being highly significant in old rats after 60 days of ascorbic acid supplementation. Hence, our results suggest that dietary intake of ascorbic acid influences the cell-mediated immunity during the ageing process.
11 citations
TL;DR: In vitro incubation of these cells with different concentrations of echitamine chloride demonstrated the non-toxic nature of this drug on vero cells and its anti-cancer effect on sarcoma cells.
Abstract: Echitamine chloride was tested for its anti-cancer effect on fibrosarcoma cells and far toxicity toward vero cells, a representative “normal” cell. In vitro incubation of these cells with different concentrations of echitamine chloride demonstrated the non-toxic nature of this drug on vero cells and its anti-cancer effect on sarcoma cells. The latter included reductions in cell viability, glutathione content, and [3H]-thymidine incorporation and increased lipid peroxidation. Interestingly, echitamine chloride caused 55% cell death at a concentration of 200μM in the case of sarcoma cells whereas vero cells were not affected even at the maximum concentration tested, i.e., 200μM.
11 citations
TL;DR: When bovine aortic endothelial cells were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and 5nmol/ml of linoleic acid hydroperoxide, release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from the cells into the medium increased over a 2-4h incubation period, reaching a maximum level of about 80% of the total activity of LDH.
Abstract: When bovine aortic endothelial cells were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 5% fetal bovine serum and 5nmol/ml (in terms of malondialdehyde) of linoleic acid hydroperoxide, release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from the cells into the medium increased over a 2-4h incubation period, reaching a maximum level of about 80% of the total activity of LDH. In the presence of 17β-estradiol (E2) or 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2), the LDH release was inhibited depending on their concentration. The IC50 values of the inhibition were approximately 5 and 1μM, respectively. The lipid peroxide level in the cultured endothelial cells increased upon incubation with the hydroperoxide, which increase was suppressed markedly by 2-OHE2 and slightly by E2. Lipid peroxidation of low-density lipoprotein was inhibited markedly by 2-OHE2 and slightly by E2.
10 citations
TL;DR: The reduction in insulin secretion in the biotin-deficient rats was reversed to a significant extent by the simultaneous administration of biotin (1mg per kg body weight) with the glucose solution, suggesting that biotin may play an important role in the secretion of insulin from the β-cells of the pancreas.
Abstract: The insulin secretion expressed in terms of plasma concentration in response to an oral glucose load (1.8g per kg body weight) in biotin-deficient male Wistar rats was approximately one-sixth that of pair-fed controls. However, the insulin content of the pancreas in biotin-deficient rats was no lower than that of control rats. The reduction in insulin secretion in the biotin-deficient rats was reversed to a significant extent by the simultaneous administration of biotin (1mg per kg body weight) with the glucose solution. This suggests that biotin may play an important role in the secretion of insulin from the β-cells of the pancreas.
10 citations
TL;DR: Organ weight and ascorbic acid content of the liver, spleen, and kidney as well as their deoxyribon nucleic acid and ribonucleic acid contents were low in aged rats, although a considerable increase in the values of these parameters was noted after supplementation with ascorBic acid.
Abstract: Ascorbic acid has been reported to have corrective influences on the alteration of metabolic processes observed during ageing. We determined the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation (20mg/100g body weight) for 15, 30, and 60 days on young and aged rats. Organ weight and ascorbic acid content of the liver, spleen, and kidney as well as their deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid contents were low in aged rats, although a considerable increase in the values of these parameters was noted after supplementation with ascorbic acid; and for 30 days the magnitude of the increase rose further after supplementation for 60 days. The organ weights and ascorbic acid and nucleic acid contents increased markedly only on prolonged ascorbic acid supplementation (i.e., 60 days) in young rats.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the impaired metabolic availability of vitamin A in the presence of diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency.
Abstract: A Using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, we examined the effects of zinc supplementation and insulin treatment on the metabolic availability of vitamin A. All diabetic animals exhibited an elevated plasma glucose (>18 mmol/liter) level within 48 h of intravenous streptozotocin injection. The untreated diabetic rats exhibited a reduction in body weight gain, with a 50% increase in daily food intake. In diabetic animals treated with insulin for 4 weeks, the plasma glucose, body weight gain, and daily food intake were comparable to those of the non-diabetic controls. The plasma concentration of vitamin A was significantly reduced in the diabetic animals, whereas the hepatic content of vitamin A in them was significantly elevated. Treatment with implantable insulin resulted in both plasma and liver concentrations of vitamin A returning to the control non-diabetic levels. Dietary zinc supplementation (120 µg/g diet for 4 weeks) failed to improve the plasma concentration of vitamin A. These results suggest that the impaired metabolic availability of vitamin A in the presence of diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency.
TL;DR: The mechanism responsible for the atherogenic effects of passive smoking was studied and a possible mechanism of the observed lipid accumulation in the aorta was discussed in connection with the effect of lipid peroxides in oxidatively modified-LDL on esterified cholesterol-metabolizing enzymes.
Abstract: The mechanism responsible for the atherogenic effects of passive smoking was studied. Four weeks and 12 weeks of exposure of rats to tobacco sidestream smoke resulted in an increase in lipid peroxide contents, expressed as thiobarbituric-acid reactive substances, in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and in aortic tissue. The LDL isolated from plasma exhibited elevations of 136, 155, and 170% over the control values for TBA, cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, respectively, whereas the corresponding increases in the aorta were 118, 148, and 254%, respectively. Electrophoretic examinations of LDL revealed a typical denatured LDL. Among esterified cholesterol-metabolizing enzymes in the aorta, lysosomal acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase, microsomal neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase, and acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase were significantly suppressed by the 4 weeks' exposure; and further suppression of the acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity along with increases in the neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase and acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase activities was observed after 12 weeks' exposure. A possible mechanism of the observed lipid accumulation in the aorta was discussed in connection with the effect of lipid peroxides in oxidatively modified-LDL on esterified cholesterol-metabolizing enzymes.
TL;DR: An examination of hypocholesterolemic action of dietary pectin indicates that this effect is due to a shift of cholesterol from plasma to the hepatic pools, and this effect may vary considerably among different dietary fiber sources.
Abstract: Soluble dietary fibers have been shown to reduce total plasma cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, the two important risk factors for coronary heart disease. Multiple mechanisms appear to be involved in the hypocholesterolemic response, and data indicate that the profile of operating mechanisms may vary considerably among different dietary fiber sources. The mechanisms which have been suggested include binding of bile acids and interference with their enterohepatic circulation, interference with micelle formation, and reduced hepatic cholesterol synthesis. An examination of hypocholesterolemic action of dietary pectin indicates that this effect is due to a shift of cholesterol from plasma to the hepatic pools.
TL;DR: There was a significant decrease in the levels of hemoglobin, iron, ceruloplasmin, copper and zinc; and they correlated well with the progression of the disease.
Abstract: Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic disease of obscure etiology affecting the oral cavity. Several histologic and epidemiologic studies on this condition have been conducted, but the biochemical aspects have not yet been thoroughly explored. Hence the present study was undertaken to study the hematological status and trace elements in this condition. There was no change in the cell count, whereas increases in platelet count, eosinophil number, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed. There was a significant decrease in the levels of hemoglobin, iron, ceruloplasmin, copper and zinc; and they correlated well with the progression of the disease. Consideration of these findings should open new avenues for exploration of the disease from new perspectives.
TL;DR: The ELISA using the monoclonal antibodies is available to quantify airway mucin production and recognized neither bovine submaxillary gland mucins nor proteoglycans.
Abstract: In order to investigate mucin production in various pathological states, we generated murine monoclonal antibodies (4H6, 2D11) against mucins from bronchio-alveolar lavage fluids (BALE) of hamsters with bronchitis caused by sulfur dioxide exposure. In the immunohistochemical studies, the antibodies recognized the mucins secreted into the tracheal lumen, but not the mucins stored in goblet cells or in submucosal gland mucous cells. ELISA showed that the antibodies react with mucins from hamster intestine and swine stomach, and with BALF of rats, guinea pigs, dogs, and humans. However, the antibodies recognized neither bovine submaxillary gland mucins nor proteoglycans. In conclusion, the ELISA using the monoclonal antibodies is available to quantify airway mucin production.
TL;DR: The results showed that simvastatin did not significantly modify plasma lipid levels but did increase the cholesterol level of apolipoprotein E-rich high-density lipoproteins (+31%) and whole-body cholesterol production, assessed by the sterol balance, appeared inhibited in the rat after long-term simVastatin treatment.
Abstract: The effects of simvastatin, a cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor, on plasma lipoprotein concentrations and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion were investigated in the rat. The results showed that simvastatin did not significantly modify plasma lipid levels but did increase the cholesterol level of apolipoprotein E-rich high-density lipoproteins (+31%). The treatment significantly reduced total VLDL secretion (-26%), assessed by VLDL-triacylglycerol accumulation in plasma after lipolysis inhibition by Triton WR 1379. Since intestinal VLDL production, which was measured in rats fed orotic acid in order to block the hepatic secretion of lipoproteins, was not changed, we deduced that simvastatin reduced by 50% the hepatic VLDL secretion. Furthermore, whole-body cholesterol production, assessed by the sterol balance, appeared inhibited in the rat after long-term simvastatin treatment.
TL;DR: A role for folic acid as an antiatherogenic agent in experimentally induced diabetes is suggested by observations of enhanced plasma and hepatic lipoprotein lipase activity in folate supplemented diabetic animals.
Abstract: The effect of folic acid on lipoprotein lipase and various lipid fractions was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. An enhanced plasma and hepatic lipoprotein lipase activity has been observed in folate supplemented diabetic animals. The proatherogenic triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol+low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were found to be elevated in the diabetic groups, and folic acid supplementation lowered these levels. A significant increase in the antiatherogenic high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was observed in the diabetic rats on folate supplementation. The ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 3.93±1.56 observed in the diabetic groups was lowered to 2.04±0.25 on folate supplementation. These observations suggest a role for folic acid as an antiatherogenic agent in experimentally induced diabetes.
TL;DR: As specific measurement of neopterin by high-performance liquid chromatography or radioimmunoassay techniques being more expensive and time consuming, the rapid measurement of total pteridines should be preferred for routine monitoring of patients under therapy as well as for single-step screening of a population for all disease states associated with an activated cellular immune system.
Abstract: Measurement of urinary neopterin, a pteridine derivative, is specially useful for identification of all disease states involving an activated cellular immune system, as is present, for example, during cancer growth and allograft rejections, and in patients infected with intracellular microbes or viruses like human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) The urinary level of total pteridines also has a significant correlation with the incidence of all kinds of cancer This report presents a direct comparison between the concentrations of neopterin and total pteridines in urine samples from a representative group of normal healthy subjects and cancer patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia A close relationship between the excretory levels of both neopterin and total pteridines was observed The data presented indicate that measurement of neopterin or total pteridines is of equal potential for clinical applications However, as specific measurement of neopterin by high-performance liquid chromatography or radioimmunoassay techniques being more expensive and time consuming, the rapid measurement of total pteridines should be preferred for routine monitoring of patients under therapy as well as for single-step screening of a population for all disease states associated with an activated cellular immune system
TL;DR: The hypothesis that, the intake of a safflower oil diet decreases hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity by increasing the sympathetic activity is supported.
Abstract: We previously reported that the feeding of the safflower oil diet results in lower acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity in the liver compared with the feeding of a beef tallow diet. We also suggested that sympathetic activity (norepinephrine turnover rate and α1-adrenergic receptor binding) in the liver was higher in the safflower oil diet group. In order to confirm the effect of dietary fats consisting of different fatty acids on the hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity related to sympathetic activity, we chemically sympathectomized rats by treating them with 6-hydroxydopamine. The sympathectomized rats and control rats were then meal-fed a safflower oil diet or a beef tallow diet for 8 weeks. Sympathectomy abolished the difference in acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity in the liver between the two dietary groups. The percentage of body fat was increased by sympathectomy, resulting in no difference between the safflower oil diet group and the beef tallow diet group. These results support the hypothesis that, the intake of a safflower oil diet decreases hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity by increasing the sympathetic activity.
TL;DR: Effects of vitamin A deficiency on vitamin E were evaluated in two different situations in which the vitamin A intake was notably reduced, and when vitamin A was depleted by either of the methods, the vitamin E plasma level noticeably increased.
Abstract: Effects of vitamin A deficiency on vitamin E were evaluated in two different situations in which the vitamin A intake was notably reduced. On the one hand, dogs on an equilibrated diet were submitted to intestinal resection; hence vitamin A was poorly absorbed, compared with a control group. On the other hand, deficit of vitamin A was provoked in rats feeding them with a vitamin A-deficient diet. In both cases vitamin A plasma levels were decreased on comparing them with the corresponding control groups. In these two cases symptoms of vitamin A deficiency were observed as loss of muscular mass and nephrolithiasis. It is interesting to point out that when vitamin A was depleted by either of the methods, the vitamin E plasma level noticeably increased.
TL;DR: An antioxidant role for selenium is suggested in experimental mammary tumor induced by dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and the increase in the levels of these enzymes was found to be predominantly significant in the liver.
Abstract: The biological impact of selenium on the levels of antioxidant enzymes in Wistar rats bearing mammary tumor induced by dimethylbenz(a)anthracene was investigated. Control rats and tumor-bearing rats were fed a normal diet or one containing 5mg sodium selenite/kg diet from the day of tumor induction. The reduced levels of ceruloplasmin, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol seen in the serum of tumor-bearing rats on the normal diet were found to be increased by the selenium treatment. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in tumor-bearing rats were decreased significantly when compared with those of control rats, whereas selenium administration caused a considerable recovery of the activities of these enzymes in the rats with tumors. The increase in the levels of these enzymes was found to be predominantly significant in the liver. These observations clearly suggest an antioxidant role for selenium in experimental mammary tumor.
TL;DR: Vitamin E augments the anticarcinogenic activity of cyclophosphamide by decreasing its cytotoxic effect, which is enhanced by lipid peroxidation, and is infer that vitamin E is beneficial combinative factor for controlling the increased risk of lipidperoxidation induced by cycloph phosphamide.
Abstract: The effects of a cytotoxic drug, cyclophosphamide, and an antioxidant, vitamin E, both individually and also in combination were studied in fibrosarcoma-induced rats. The rate of formation of lipid peroxides was analyzed in untreated, cyclophosphamide- (20mg/kg body weight) and α-tocopherol- (400 mg/kg body weight) administered animals along with that of their respective controls. The levels of non-enzymic antioxidants, like glutathione and vitamin E, and enzymic antioxidants, viz., catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, were analyzed as well. Significantly increased level of lipid peroxides was observed with a concomitant decrease in enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in fibrosarcoma-bearing rats when these levels were compared with those of the respective controls. A further increase in lipid peroxides and a decrease in the level of antioxidants were observed in the cyclophosphamide-treated animals. In vitamin E-treated, fibrosarcoma-bearing rats, there was a decrease in lipid peroxide level, and an increase in antioxidant level, probably due to the free radical-quenching activity of vitamin E. When cyclophosphamide was administered in combination with vitamin E to the fibrosarcoma-bearing rats, the corrected levels of these parameters were observed to approach the control values. From these results, we infer that vitamin E is beneficial combinative factor for controlling the increased risk of lipid peroxidation induced by cyclophosphamide. Thus, vitamin E augments the anticarcinogenic activity of cyclophosphamide by decreasing its cytotoxic effect, which is enhanced by lipid peroxidation.
TL;DR: Results suggest that by virtue of its ability to decrease acidity and increase the mucosal defense, the use of O. sanctum as an antiulcerogenic agent is justified.
Abstract: The effect of pretreatment with Ocimum sanctum, an herbal drug, on HCl-ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats was investigated with respect to acid/pepsin, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status, and glycoproteins in the gastric mucosa. The increase in volume and acidity of the gastric juice and the decrease in peptic activity in HCl-ethanol-exposed mucosa were maintained at near normalcy in O. sanctum-pretreated mucosa. The increase in lipid peroxidation, decrease in activity of antioxidants in the ulcerated rats were maintained at normalcy in the pretreated rats. Decrease in protein and glycoprotein of the ulcerated mucosa were found to be maintained to near normal in O. sanctum-treated mucosa. These results suggest that by virtue of its ability to decrease acidity and increase the mucosal defense, the use of O. sanctum as an antiulcerogenic agent is justified.
TL;DR: Results indicate that 2-OHE2 is a potent radioprotector and prevents the reduction by γ-ray irradiation of cortical and medullary volumes of the thymus.
Abstract: When 10-week-old male BALB/c mice received whole-body irradiation with a sublethal 4-Gy single dose of 60Co γ-ray, the occurrence of leucopenia caused by the irradiation was lessened to some extent by subcutaneous injection of 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2), one of catecholestrogens, given 3h before and 3h after the irradiation. Upon irradiation, the weight of the thymus was reduced, but the recovery of organ weight was markedly accelerated by subcutaneous injection of 2-OHE2. Light microscopic observation revealed that 2-OHE2 prevents the reduction by γ-ray irradiation of cortical and medullary volumes of the thymus. These results indicate that 2-OHE2 is a potent radioprotector.
TL;DR: It is suggested that radiothermochemotherapy using radiation in combination with heat-mediated selective delivery of liposomal melphalan to tumor tissue would result in more effective management of melanoma.
Abstract: Adjuvant hyperthermia enhances the response of melanoma to irradiation or antineoplastic drugs. Radiation in combination with a targeted drug delivery system combining a thermosensitive liposome-encapsulated antitumor drug with hyperthermia may thus result in enhancement of therapeutic efficacy for more effective management of melanoma. The present study was based on this rationale. The therapeutic effect of radiation alone, or in combination with thermosensitive liposome-encapsulated melphalan and hyperthermia, was determined on B16F10 murine melanoma transplanted into C57B1/6 mice. This multimodality regimen resulted in marked enhancement of the antitumor efficacy in treated animals, as determined by significant tumor growth regression (p<0.001) and prolongation of survival, compared with the level of enhancement seen in animals receiving single-modality treatment. The results suggest that radiothermochemotherapy using radiation in combination with heat-mediated selective delivery of liposomal melphalan to tumor tissue would result in more effective management of melanoma.
TL;DR: Dietary administration of phenolics, gallic acid, and its synthetic analogue propylgallate at varying dose levels to inbred male Swiss mice resulted in a significant increase in hepatic cytochrome P-450 without any alteration in arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and cy tochrome b5 (Cyt b5) activities.
Abstract: Dietary administration of phenolics, gallic acid, and its synthetic analogue propylgallate at varying dose levels for the period of 4 and 8 weeks to inbred male Swiss mice resulted in a significant increase in hepatic cytochrome P-450 (Cyt P-450) without any alteration in arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and cytochrome b5 (Cyt b5) activities. The activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) showed a significant elevation by these phenolics in both liver and lungs. However, they had a differential effect on the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in both organs. Increased levels of GST and GSH elicited by these phenolics may protect the organism from the insult of various toxic carcinogenic chemicals.
TL;DR: In this article, the levels of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and the rate of lipid peroxide formation were determined in liver homogenates, and parameters related to GSH metabolism or lipid peroxidation, such as the activity of y-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), and the content of iron, were assessed as well.
Abstract: In order to establish if dietary pectin could influence the levels of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and the rate of lipid peroxide formation, we fed 8 male Balb C mice for 14 days with a standard powder diet supplemented with 5% highly methoxylated apple pectin. Another 8 mice received the standard powder diet only and served as controls. The animals were killed on the 15th day. The levels of GSH and lipid peroxides expressed in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in liver homogenates. Besides, parameters that could be related to GSH metabolism or lipid peroxidation, such as the activity of y-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and the content of iron, were assessed as well. In pectin-fed animals γ-GT activity was decreased (p<0.01), whereas the level of hepatic GSH was elevated (p<0.001). A negative correlation was established between both parameters. GSH correlated also negatively with lipid peroxides, which were reduced. Iron content was only slightly decreased. The data obtained suggest that the pectin-enriched diet could influence the antioxidant processes in the liver, increasing GSH levels (at least partially by lowering γ-GT activity) and reducing the formation of lipid peroxides.
TL;DR: The liposome immune lysis assay was applied to determine anti-ganglioside antibodies in serum, and the results were compared with those of the commonly used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, where gangliosides are fixed on a solid surface.
Abstract: In the serum from patients with certain neurological diseases, antibodies against GM1 ganglioside are detected in high titers, suggesting that these antibodies may be involved in the pathological process. In this present study the liposome immune lysis assay was applied to determine anti-ganglioside antibodies in serum, and the results were compared with those of the commonly used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, where gangliosides are fixed on a solid surface. This liposome method is based on the measurement of a fluorescent dye released from liposomes by complement-mediated immune lysis. The value of the specific release of a fluorescent dye from liposomes by the serum from normal control individuals was used as a criterion to evaluate the antibody level. The values of the specific marker release from liposomes by anti-GM1 antibodies were scarcely correlated with the titers of IgM or IgG antibodies measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, suggesting that the nature of anti-GM1 antibodies detected by the two assay methods may be different. The antibodies detected by the liposome immune lysis assay may represent those involved in membrane lysis, which occurs in the pathogenesis of some neurological diseases.
TL;DR: The results suggest that FAD activates NOS in neuronal cells and that the resultant NO reduces the blood pressure by suppressing sympathetic nerve activity.
Abstract: Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is one of the cofactors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Recently, we found that FAD acted as an allosteric activator of holo NOS of the neuronal type. In the present study, we obtained the following results in rats: 1) FAD enhanced cyclic GMP (cGMP) production in primary cultures of neuronal cells and its effect was completely abolished by preincubation of the cells with a potent inhibitor of NOS, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. 2) FAD injection into the lateral cerebral ventricle decreased the blood pressure and heart rate. This effect was suppressed by preadministration of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. 3) The reduction in the blood pressure and heart rate by FAD was accompanied by suppression of the neural activity of the sympathetic efferents to the kidney. This effect was blocked by preadministration of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. 4) Intravenous injection of FAD also caused reductions in the blood pressure and heart rate. These results suggest that FAD activates NOS in neuronal cells and that the resultant NO reduces the blood pressure by suppressing sympathetic nerve activity. We also obtained evidence that FAD regulates the cardiovascular system when administered peripherally.