Cellular and subcellular antioxidants involved in liver susceptibility to xenobiotics

Our previous studies have shown that some important serum erythrocyte and liver antioxidative defense factors--ceruloplasmine, catalase, superoxid dismutase, glutathione -SH and protein-SH groups--were sensitively affected by xenobiotics impact in rat. The data are completed here with the subcellular level of these factors. Dose or time exposure induced appreciable changes of the antioxidative factors (catalase, superoxid dismutase, ceruloplasmine) suggesting their redistribution between the subcellular fractions. The liver morphological investigations in all experimental variants express the aggressivity of Carbofuran administered alone and the "correctional" effects of the modulators' interference.

Interference of some enzymatic modulators in the hepatic aggression induced by xenobiotics

The aim of the paper was to compare the erythrocyte serum and hepatic chomogenate antioxidative factors in order to assess their involvement in the detoxification events. The catalase and superoxiddismutase levels, important factors of the cellular defence, were sensitivity modulated in an acute experiment on Wistar rats. Carbofuran was administered in a non-lethal dose (7 mg/b.w.) single or in the presence of certain antioxidative agents (Vitamin E, Caffeine, Aspirin) EDTA and Cysteine for their role in protecting membranes against oxidative damage. The erythrocyte parameters (SOD, Catalase) were well related to seric factors, especially ceruloplasmin level, with varied magnitudes. GGT a marker of hepatotoxicity and G1-DH, a mitochondrial marker, were in a good correlation with erythrocyte factors. The changes seem to modulate a transmembranary disturbance process, as in hepatocyte pictures.

Simultaneous investigation of the rat serum and liver response in an acute toxic substances exposure

Some biochemical parameters were simultaneously investigated in serum and hepatic homogenate in acute experiment with three pesticides in rat. The one-dose exposure response was relatively well correlated with the chemical toxicity and showed the statistically significant values, preferentially placed 48 hours after dosing. The liver morphological alteration might be associated with the serum and tissue comportment of the bioenzymological factors. The various genotoxicity induced by the three pesticides, appreciated by the frequency of micronucleus induction in the bone marrow cells, completes the data about the one-dose exposure effects of the chemical in rat.

Morphological and biochemical characteristics in the experimentally treated rats with indigenous synthetical products used as pesticides

In acute experimental intoxication with 3 indigenous pesticides (Tripinacloraz, Lemax and Maleic Hydrazide-Na salt) the changes of some biochemical parameters, reflecting the degree of hepatic structural alterations, were studied. The pesticides were administered by gastric gavage in a single dose close to DL50 to Wistar male rats. The morphological alterations were in good correlation with a different hepatocellular levels localization. Reversible morphological lesions (granulovascuolar like dystrophy and circulatory disorders) without any pathological significance on dose-effect correlation induced a progressive response especially on serum ceruloplasmine, leucinaminopeptidase and lactatdehydrogenase.

Cytochemical investigation of cathepsin B in rheumatoid synovial membrane and fluid

Cathepsin B was cytochemically investigated in the cells of synovial membranes and in the cell pellet of synovial fluids obtained from 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and eight patients with various nonrheumatoid arthropathies. The activity of Cathepsin B was estimated by using the substrate N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide HCl and diazoic dye Fast Corinth V in phosphate buffer pH 6.0 in the presence of EDTA and cysteine. A significant activity of cathepsin B was shown in lining mesothelial cells, in macrophages of the submesothelial infiltrations, as well as in fibroblasts prominent in the deep areas of rheumatoid synovial membranes. In the cell pellets of synovial fluids the highest activity of cathepsin B was found in the macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, accompanied by a variable activity in lymphocytes. The considerable activity of cathepsin B, an enzyme with degradative action upon collagen and proteoglycans, in the main cellular populations of rheumatoid synovial membranes and fluids, suggests its involvement in the genesis and maintenance of rheumatoid lesions.

Morphological aspects of the rat kidney preserved by cold storage. IV. Histoenzymological changes. V. Endopeptidase activity

Rat kidneys were preserved by initial washing and cooling perfusion, followed by cold storage at 6 degrees C for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, in two different media: Sacks (hyperosmolar electrolytic solution of intracellular type) and Plasmagel (gelation solution 4%). Evidence was found of DPNH-diaphorase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), leucylaminopeptidase (LAP) and adenosine-triphosphatase (ATPase) (pH 9.4) activities. Histoenzymological determination showed various levels of enzymatic activities in different segments of the nephron, levels relatively well maintained during storage, even at 72 and 96 hours. At the same time, cathepsin B and D and neutral proteinase activities were determined as parameters of maintained cellular enzymatic activity; different aspects were observed with the two preservation media used.

Morphological aspects of the rat kidney preserved by cold storage. III. Ultrastructural aspects

The ultrastructural changes of the white Wistar rat kidney, preserved by cold storage into two preservation media (Sacks and Plasmagel) are reported. For each medium two groups of kidney were used; for one of them the medium was used without additives and for the other stabilizing additives were added. The results showed the favourable effects of additives on the maintenance of the cellular ultrastructure during preservation, and more important the damages incurred when Plasmagel was used.