The effect of immunostimulatory drugs on sulfhydryl compounds in plasma, liver and brain after ethanol-induced liver injury in rats

Biochemical, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties of levamisole at different storage conditions and administration routes

Levamisole is a broad-spectrum nicotinic anthelmintic drug; widely used in veterinary medicine. Levamisole actions are variable depending on storage temperature and administration route. The present study was conducted to test levamisole effects on immune responses and antioxidant status of rats at different storage temperature and administration routs. The experimental rats were allocated into four experimental groups and two controls. Group 1 was given levamisole orally. Group 2 was injected levamisole intramuscularly. In group 1 and 2 levamisole was stored at 4 degrees C for 72 h and given every two days for three weeks at a dose of 2.5 mg kg(-1) body weight. Group 3 and 4 were treated same as group 1 and 2 but levamisole was stored at 37 degrees C. Serum levels of total IgG and IgA and plasma levels of glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), TAC concentrations in addition to GST and GSH-Px activities were measured. The results indicated that the storage of levamisole at 4 degrees C significantly increased serum IgG and IgA levels in rats and improved rat's antioxidant status through significant increase in glutathione related enzymes (GSSG-R, GST and GSH-Px) and the TAC. Levamisole stored at 37 degrees C increased measured antioxidant biomarkers but decreased the rats' non-specific humoral immunity. Moreover, the intramuscular administration induced better antioxidant properties than oral administration of levamisole. In conclusion, levamisole actions could be specifically directed towards certain types of immune responses due to changes in storage temperature with better response to injectable routes than oral routs with more antioxidant activities.

The effect of heparegen on antioxidant enzyme activities in ethanol-induced liver injury in rats

SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and sulfhydryl compounds MDA contents in liver of rats treated with heparegen for 7, 14, and 21 days after alcoholic liver injury have been investigated. After use of this drug, we found beneficial effects on GSH-Px activity, sulfhydryl compounds (total and nonprotein), and MDA content and a partially beneficial effect on SOD and CAT activities. These enzyme activities after 21 days of drug administration were restored. Furthermore, heparegen shortens the time necessary for the return of AIAT and GGTP to normal value. This enzymatic data are supported by histological studies in light microscopy.