Metabolic Alterations of Toxic and Nonessential Elements by the Treatment of Sempervivum tectorum Extract in a Hyperlipidemic Rat Model

A hyperlipidemic rat model was used to examine the therapeutic effect of Sempervivum tectorum plant extract on the metabolic alterations of Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Ti in the liver and bile. Hyperlipidemia was produced by lipogenic diet and alcohol and verified by morphological investigation of the liver with the aid of light and an electron microscope. Element concentration in the liver and bile were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The concentration values in the liver higher than the detection limit (Al, Ba, Ni, Ti) were unambiguous. Significant differences were found for the four groups at p < 0 .05 level (ANOVA). A significant difference was observed between Al and B concentration in the bile fluids of the 4 groups ( p < 0 .05). The excretion of Al and Ti into the bile fluid increased significantly ( p < 0 .05). Following the administration of S. tectorum extract to rats with hyperlipidemia, the excretion of Al, B and Ba increased, whereas the excretion of Ti decreased significantly ( p < 0 .05). The favorable action of the extract (protecting the liver in hyperlipidemic rats) was verified by morphological studies, and its detoxicating property was shown by the elimination of Al, Ba, Ni, and Ti from the liver.

Analysis of gallstone composition and structure in Jharkhand region

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyze gallstones structurally and chemically as this may help to direct the measures for its treatment.

METHODOLOGY

On the basis of morphology, 459 gallstones were categorized into pigmented, cholesterol, and mixed gallstones and analyzed for their chemical structure and composition. Elementary analysis was done with the help of inductively coupled plasma, optical emission spectrophotometry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used for compound analysis. The effects of thermal stability were analyzed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Statistical analysis was done to correlate gallstone composition with their shape and number in gallbladder.

RESULTS

Pigmented gallstones were predominant and generally occurred in multiple forms, cholesterol as solitaire and black pigmented as slug (χ (2) = 3.56; p < 0.001). Scanning electron microscopy showed the crystals of cholesterol in cholesterol gallstones while pigmented gallstones were more compact in structure. Both types of structure were seen in mixed stones while black pigmented stones were amorphous in nature. This difference in structures might be due to difference in chemical compositions. Cholesterol and mixed stones contained basically cholesterol, brown pigmented constituted bilirubin as a major component, and black stones differed from brown pigmented stones by the presence of Ca palmitate. Bilirubin and palmitate were thermally more stable than cholesterol; hence pigmented gallstones were thermally more stable than cholesterol gallstones, as seen in TGA study.

CONCLUSION

Pigmented gallstones were most common in this study of gallstones from the Jharkhand region.

Protective effect of CV247 against cisplatin nephrotoxicity in rats

CV247 (CV), an aqueous mixture of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) gluconates, vitamin C and sodium salicylate increased the antitumour effects of cisplatin (CDPP; cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) in vitro. We hypothesized that the antioxidant and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2; prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2) inhibitory components of CV can protect the kidneys from CDPP nephrotoxicity in rats. CDPP (6.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) slightly elevated serum creatinine (Crea) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 12 days after treatment. Kidney histology demonstrated extensive tubular epithelial damage and COX-2 immunoreactivity increased 14 days after treatment. A large amount of platinum (Pt) accumulated in the kidney of CDPP-treated rats. Furthermore, CDPP decreased renal iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), Cu and Mn concentrations and increased plasma Fe and Cu concentrations. CDPP elevated plasma free radical concentration. Treatment with CV alone for 14 days (twice 3 ml/kg/day orally) did not influence these parameters. Chronic CV administration after CDPP reduced renal histological damage and slightly decreased COX-2 immunoreactivity, while failed to prevent the increase in Crea and BUN levels. Blood free radical concentration was reduced, that is, CV improved redox homeostasis. CV restored plasma Fe and renal Fe, Mo and Zn, while decreased Pt and elevated Cu and Mn concentrations in the kidney. Besides the known synergistic antitumour effects with CDPP, CV partially protected the kidneys from CDPP nephrotoxicity probably through its antioxidant effect.

[Effects of magnesium supplementation on calcium and magnesium levels, and redox homeostasis in normolipidemic and food-induced hyperlipidemic rats]

Magnesium supplementation is quite popular because of intention of health and healthy lifestyle. However, there is no information on the metabolic effects of magnesium supplementation in healthy people and in different diseases.

AIMS

Authors examined the effects of magnesium-malate on calcium, magnesium levels, and antioxidant parameters in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic rats.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats (n = 40; 150-200 g) were divided into 4 groups (control, control-treated, hyperlipidemic, hyperlipidemic-treated). Rats in the control and control-treated groups were fed with normal diet, while hyperlipidemic and hyperlipidemic-treated groups were fed with fat rich diet (2% cholesterol, 20% sunflower oil, 0.5% cholic acid). After the 9-day-long diet the following parameters were measured: routine laboratory parameters with automatic analysator, metal content using ICP-OES, and redox-parameters using spectrophotometric and luminometric methods.

RESULTS

Magnesium-malate failed to produce significant changes in the measured parameters in control animals in most cases. Magnesium-malate decreased significantly serum glucose concentration, alkaline phosphatase and amylase activities in the hyperlipidemic group. Significantly low induced chemiluminescent activity was measured in the plasma and erythrocytes of hyperlipidemic group. The magnesium supplementation did not increase significantly magnesium concentration in different organs although the calcium/magnesium concentration ratio was decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

In control animals there was no significant change in the measured parameters in most cases after dietary supplementation with a large amount of magnesium for a short period of time, but magnesium supplementation affected the metal homeostasis, routine laboratory parameters and redox system in hyperlipidemic animals. Although several changes were favorable, it should be emphasized that magnesium supplementation must be applied watchfully particularly in metabolic diseases.

Oxidative stress with altered element content and decreased ATP level of erythrocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastases

Our aim was to study the possible alterations of redox status (enzymatic and nonenzymatic parameters and metal elements) in erythrocytes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and benign liver neoplasms. The function of redox homeostasis is closely connected to the energy level of erythrocytes, therefore, the ATP level was also determined. Antioxidant parameters, enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were estimated in the erythrocytes of 11 patients with benign tumour, 23 patients with primary malignant and 37 metastatic liver tumour patients and 30 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. Element content with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer and ATP level by the chemiluminometric method were also determined from the samples. Free radical intensity was significantly increased, whereas erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased in the HCC and CRLM groups versus benign groups and controls. Se, Mn and Zn levels were lowered in HCC and CRLM groups versus benign and control groups. The content of Cu, Mg, Se and Zn changed significantly between HCC and CRLM groups. Similarly, ATP concentration decreased in HCC and CRLM versus controls and benign groups. The lowest levels of ATP and antioxidant enzyme activities were found in the case of CRLM patients. These results reveal an alteration in the ATP level of erythrocytes with concomitant changes in the antioxidant defence system in hepatic cancer patients. Altered redox homeostasis (oxidative damage) may lead to decreased ATP level and consequently may play an important role in primary carcinogenesis and generation of metastases, as well.

Alterations in the content of metal elements and fatty acids in hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion: induction of apoptotic and necrotic cell death

Ischaemia and reperfusion are related to oxidative stress, which alters with the redox-homeostasis of the liver cells. Our aim was to reveal the correlations between changes of metal element and fatty acid concentration (two main components of redox-balance) and apoptotic and necrotic processes of hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion. Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, sham-operated and reperfusion. Hepatic ischaemia was induced for 45 min in the left lateral, left medial and right medial lobes followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Global redox parameters and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity were detected by luminometry and spectrophotometry. Routine laboratory measurements, fatty acid composition (with gas chromatography) as well as metal ion concentration of liver (with ICP-OES) were determined. Metallothionein activity was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Immunohistochemical and histological examinations were carried out to investigate apoptotic and necrotic changes in the liver. During reperfusion, global antioxidant parameters decreased and superoxide dismutase level of the liver was significantly lower than in the sham-operated group. Changes in the metal element concentration are essential for cellular biochemical pathways, and significant correlations were found between decrease in Cu and Zn content and decreased superoxide dismutase activity. Necrotic lesions along with increased number of apoptotic cells were found in the liver after 24 h of reperfusion. Alterations in the metal element and fatty acid content was found in the liver tissue during 24 h of ischaemia-reperfusion along with increase in the number of apoptotic cells and significant disturbance of the antioxidant balance. Study of the metal element content of the liver during hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion may provide new supportive strategies for liver surgery and transplantation.

Liver-protecting effects of table beet (Beta vulgaris var. rubra) during ischemia-reperfusion

OBJECTIVE

Table beet (Beta vulgaris var. rubra) contains important bioactive agents (betaine and polyphenols), which have a wide range of physiologic effects. Because nutritive antioxidants may reduce the occurrence of complications and postoperative mortality, dietary intake of polyphenols and vitamins before surgery may greatly contribute to the survival of patients. Our aim was to determine the liver-protecting properties of bioactive substances of table beet in a model of ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat.

METHODS

Wistar rats were divided into two groups: non-treated (n = 24) and fed with table beet (n = 8). For 10 days the second group was treated with lyophilized table beet (2 g/kg body weight daily) mixed into the rat chow. Hepatic ischemia was maintained for 45 min, followed by 15 min of reperfusion. Ischemia-reperfusion was carried out on animals from both groups. Chemiluminescent intensity, H-donating ability, reducing power, free SH group concentration, Randox-total antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities were determined by luminometry and spectrophotometry. Fatty acid (Shimadzu GC) and metal ion (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry) concentrations were observed in the liver.

RESULTS

As a result of feeding, global parameters (H-donating ability, reducing power, free SH group concentration) and enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) of the liver were found to increase significantly, which indicated that the treatment had a positive effect on its redox state. The increase found in zinc and copper content may protect the hepatocytes against oxidative stress because these elements are required for the function of superoxide dismutase enzymes. In the table beet group the concentration of short-chain fatty acids decreased, whereas that of long-chain fatty acids increased. The changes in metal element and fatty acid concentrations confirmed that these elements have an essential function in cellular pathways.

CONCLUSION

It may be stated that a natural antioxidant-rich diet has a positive effect on redox homeostasis during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.

Reduced antioxidant level and increased oxidative damage in intact liver lobes during ischaemia-reperfusion

AIM: To determine whether increased blood flow of the liver can cause oxidative stress and hepatocyte damage, and to elaborate methods suitable for measuring the antioxidant defence during hepatic surgery on rat model.

METHODS: In nembutal narcosis, the left lateral and the medial lobes of the liver were clipped for 45 min to make the total blood supply flow through the other lobes. Total antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dysmutase activity, as well as the concentrations of diene conjugates and free sulphydril groups, H-donating ability and reducing power of the liver samples were determined. Chemiluminescent intensity of the liver was also measured. Metal ions (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn) and P and S concentrations of the liver were determined with an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer and Se content was measured by cathodic stripping voltammetry.

RESULTS: Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dysmutase activities of the liver decreased significantly in the hyperemia group compared to those observed in the sham operated group. The level of total antioxidant status was also significantly lower in the hyperemia group. H-donating ability, reducing power and free sulphydril group concentration showed the same tendency. A significant correlation (P<0.05) was found between the changes in non-specific antioxidant activities. This pointed to simultaneous activity of the antioxidant defence system. Al, Cu, Mn, Zn, and S were lower in the hyperemia group than in the sham operated group when the levels of Ca, Fe, Mg, Se and P ions were higher during hyperemia.

CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress is one of the main factors for the injury of intact liver lobes during ischaemia-reperfusion.