Biochemical studies on beta-glucuronidase enzyme in liver and spleen homogenates of normal and Schistosoma mansoni infected mice treated with hycanthone

[Studies on beta-glucuronidase activities in liver, stomach and small intestinal tissues of rabbits infected with Clonorchis sinensis]

The author has studied the beta-glucuronidase activity in several tissues such as liver, stomach and small intestine of the male and female rabbits infected with different doses of metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis. The metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis were isolated from Pseudorasbora parva caught in Kim Hae by digestion technic. The experimental animals were sacrificed in the period of 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35th days following the infection. The results obtained were summarized as follows: In the groups infected with 100 metacercariae, beta-glucuronidase activity was slightly increased during the entire periods than control rabbits. It was the highest in the first day with 1.535 and 1.421 mu/g, 14th days with 2.521 and 2.200 mu/g, and then lowered by the time, gradually. In the groups infected with 500 metacercariae, beta-glucuronidase activity was highly increased on the first day with 1.535 and 1.866 mu/g than that 100 metacercariae groups according to each organs. It was the highest on the 7th day and 14th day. In the groups infected with 1,000 metacercariae, beta-glucuronidase activity was remarkably increased in the first and 14th days according to each organs, and then lowered gradually day by day. beta-glucuronidase activity of all organs was more increased than that of normal organs and the highest activity in the liver with 2.521 mu/g, intestine(1.612) and stomach (1.581) respectively. beta-glucuronidase activity of rabbits was higher in the female than in the male. On the basis of these results, it was suggested that beta-glucuronidase activity was affected by the duration of infection and by the number of Clonorchis sinensis, according to the organs and sex of the rabbits.

Effect of gossypol on liver metabolic enzymes in male rats

The effects of gossypol on liver metabolism were examined in male rats. Gossypol acetic acid was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats intraperitoneally (i.p.) at 5 mg/kg daily, 5 days/week for 2 weeks. The rats were killed 24 h after the last injection. The liver/body weight ratio (-42%), concentration of liver glutathione (-34%), activities of liver alpha-naphthtylacetate esterase (-30%) and DNase (-39%) were significantly decreased when compared to controls. Hepatic beta-glucuronidase (+37%), RNase (+35%) and serum alkaline RNase (+23%) activities were significantly increased. No changes were found in serum transaminases (SGPT, SGOT) or in hepatic RNA and DNA concentration. Elevation of liver and serum RNase activities suggest that gossypol treatment produces some catabolic effects. The depletion of hepatic glutathione and the elevation of beta-glucuronidase activity indicate that gossypol is hepatotoxic when given at this dose for 2 weeks.

Effect of fenvalerate on kynurenine metabolizing enzymes and acid ribonuclease of mouse liver

The effects of fenvalerate, a pyrethroid insecticide, were studied on some mouse liver enzymes. Given orally, either in a single dose of 60 mg/kg or in a six daily doses of 20 mg/kg, fenvalerate reduced the activity of the B6-dependent kynurenine hydrolase (KH), but increased that of kynurenine aminotransferase (KATE) and beta-glucuronidase (beta-Glase). While the single dose treatment with fenvalerate had no effect on acid ribonuclease (RNase), the repeated treatments increased the activity of this enzyme. This study demonstrates that fenvalerate can alter the kynurenine metabolizing enzymes and acid ribonuclease of mouse liver.

In vivo effect of chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol on some enzymes of normal mouse liver

Chloramphenicol a potent inhibitor of bacterial and some mammalian cell protein synthesis, was administered i.p. to a group of mice for 6 consecutive days. Another group of animals was treated similarly with thiamphenicol and a third group served as control. The effects of the two antibiotics on the activity of some liver enzymes; the two pyridoxal 5-phosphate dependent enzymes, kynurenine hydrolase and kynurenine amino-transferase; pyridoxal phosphokinase; beta-glucuronidase and acid ribonuclease were determined. Chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol decreased significantly the activities of kynurenine hydrolase, beta-glucuronidase and acid ribonuclease and both drugs increased the activity of pyridoxal phosphokinase significantly. Their effect on kynurenine amino-transferase was different, chloramphenicol decreased while thiamphenicol increased the enzyme activity. Results are discussed and possible explanations suggested.