Effects of unilateral posterior missing-teeth on the temporomandibular joint and the alignment of cervical atlas

Cervical atlas alignment changes are associated with craniofacial development. Disturbance of craniofacial development may be associated with temporal mandibular joint function. Therefore, we examined the possibility of a correlation between unilateral missing teeth and morphologic changes of the spine and posture. We collected eighty-nine patients (38 men and 51 women) with unilateral posterior missing teeth and twenty patients without previous orthodontic treatment or missing posterior teeth by tracing and analyzing their panoramic and cephalometric film. We measured the angulations of articular eminence, cranio-cervical angle, and the percentage of the occlusal plane passing through the first and second cervical vertebrae with other morphologic geometric data. The angle of articular eminence inclination was higher in the non-missing teeth group than the missing teeth group (46.66° and 42.28°, respectively). The cranio-cervical angle was smaller in the missing posterior teeth group than the non-missing posterior teeth group (99.81° and 103.27°, respectively). The missing teeth group also showed fewer occlusal planes passing through the intersection of the first and second cervical vertebrae compared to the non-missing teeth group (28.9% and 65%, respectively). Individuals with unilateral missing teeth had lower articular eminence inclination, smaller cranio-cervical angle, and a lower percentage of the occlusal plane passing through the intersection of the first and second cervical vertebrae.

The association of betel quid, alcohol, and cigarettes with salivary gland tumor-A case-control study

Background/purpose

Salivary gland tumor (SGT) is a rare disease with a largely unknown etiology. The risks of betel quid chewing, alcohol drinking, and cigarette smoking have been well documented in oral cancer but not in SGT. We aimed to investigate the independent and combined effects of betel quid chewing, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption on the incidence of SGT.

Materials and methods

We conducted a case–control study of 1845 patients aged 35–65 years, including 239 patients with pathologically proven SGT and 1606 controls from the health examination clinics of the same hospital during 2005–2014 to examine the association of these three risk factors with SGT in Taiwan. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and their 95% confidence interval for the association of risk factors to SGT were analyzed.

Results

After adjusting for covariates, aOR of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and betel quid chewing were 2.50, 1.27, and 3.38, respectively for SGT. The significantly increased risk for SGT was observed in cigarette smoking (P < 0.001). Cigarette smoking was also found to increase risks in subgroups of SGT (aOR = 5.24, 2.41, 2.63, and 2.04 in minor, major, benign, and malignant SGT, respectively).

Conclusion

Our study provided the first evidence to show the independent and combined impact of betel quid chewing with cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking on the SGT, and support the concept that cigarette smoking may associate with SGT carcinogenesis.

γ-Synuclein Expression Is a Malignant Index in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Dysregulation of γ-synuclein (SNCG) has been reported in many cancers; however, its role in cancer development is still controversial. Here, we examined the potential involvement of DNA methylation in regulating SNCG and its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We used 8 OSCC cell lines to investigate SNCG methylation and expression. SNCG methylation was examination by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and bisulfate sequencing. Cells showing a high degree of SNCG methylation were treated with 5-aza (methylation inhibitor), and changes in their methylation and expression profiles were analyzed. Functional effects of SNCG in OSCC were examined by its overexpression and knockdown. Additionally, methylation and expression of SNCG in OSCC tissues were investigated and correlated with clinicopathologic features. All OSCC cells showed detectable SNCG expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and bisulfate sequencing revealed high SNCG expression in SCC25 cells with the unmethylated allele, and their 15 CpG islands were unmethylated. The methylated allele was detected only in OEC-M1 cells exhibiting low SNCG expression, and their CpG islands were partially methylated. 5-aza treatment in OEC-M1 cells attenuated methylation and restored SNCG expression. SNCG overexpression increased colony forming, migration, and invasion abilities in OEC-M1 cells. Silencing SNCG in SCC25 cells suppressed these behaviors. All 25 tumor-adjacent normal tissues were negative for SNCG immunostaining. SNCG upregulation was frequently observed in dysplastic and OSCC tissues. Positive SNCG expression was found in 45% (37 of 82) OSCC tissues. Positive SNCG expression in OSCC significantly correlated with cancer staging and lymph node metastasis. However, SNCG methylation did not correlate with its expression and clinicopathologic variables in OSCC tissues. DNA methylation may participate in regulating SNCG expression in some OSCC cells. SNCG upregulation could be involved in OSCC progression.

The effect of adlay oil on plasma lipids, insulin and leptin in rat

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary adlay oil on plasma lipids, insulin and lipid peroxidation levels in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats fed diet containing adlay oil and cholesterol were studied for 4 weeks. The animals were divided into three groups: (1) 10% lard (control) group; (2) 5% lard + 5% adlay oil (5% adlay oil) group; and (3) 10% adlay oil group. Although there was no significant difference in body weight at the end of the feeding study, rats fed a diet containing adlay oil showed a significant decrease in adipose tissue weight and relative adipose weight. In addition, the rats fed the adlay oil showed significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), insulin, leptin and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations after 4 weeks of the feeding study. Although a significant decrease in total plasma cholesterol was observed in rats fed the 5% adlay oil diet, no significant difference was observed between the 10% adlay oil and control groups, and neither was a significant difference in liver TBARS concentration found between the dietary groups. Results from this study suggest that dietary adlay oil can reduce leptin, adipose tissue and LDL-C levels in rats.

Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III)-based electrochemiluminescence detector with indium/tin oxide working electrode for capillary electrophoresis

A novel tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III) [Ru(bpy)3(3+)]-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detector for capillary electrophoresis (CE) has been developed. The detector was of the wall-jet configuration and an indium/tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass plate was used as the working electrode for end-column detection. Potential control of the ITO electrode was provided using a DC battery, without decoupling the detector from the CE field. Electrochemical behavior of Ru(bpy)3(2+) at the ITO electrode was found to be analogous to that at a Pt electrode. In the presence of tertiary or some secondary amines, ECL emission due to reaction between in situ generated Ru(bpy)3(3+) and analytes can be observed at the ITO surface. With 15 mM sodium borate (pH 9.5) plus 1 mM Ru(bpy)3(2+) present in the detection cell and the ITO electrode biased at 1.5 V (vs. Pt wire reference), a detection limit of 1 microM proline with a theoretical plate number of 4000 was obtained using the developed CE-ECL detection system. The detector response was found to be analyte-dependent, e.g. tryptophan gives no response, and the response for histidine is about 13-fold lower than that of proline.

Chiral analysis of baclofen by alpha-cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence detection

An enantioselective method for baclofen (4-amino-3-p-chlorophenylbutyric acid) based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection has been developed. Naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) was used for precolumn derivatization of the nonfluorescent drug. alpha-Cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) was included in the buffer as a chiral selector for the separation of NDA-labeled S-(+)- and R-(-)-baclofen. Optimal resolution and detection were obtained with an electrophoretic buffer of 50 mM sodium borate (pH 9.5) containing 7 mM alpha-CD and a He-Cd laser (lambda ex = 442 nm, lambda em = 500 nm). Combined with a simple cleanup procedure, this method can be applied to the analysis of baclofen enantiomers in human plasma. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values on peak areas of a plasma sample containing 1.0 microM racemic baclofen were 6.4 and 4.9% (n = 8) for the S-(+)- and R-(-)-enantiomer, respectively. The RSD value on migration times of both enantiomers was 0.5% (n = 8). Calibration graphs for S-(+)- and R-(-)-baclofen in plasma showed a good linearity (r > or = 0.999) in the concentration range of 0.1-2.0 microM. The limit of detection of baclofen in plasma was about 10 ng/mL.

Effect of dietary chitosans with different viscosity on plasma lipids and lipid peroxidation in rats fed on a diet enriched with cholesterol

To investigate the effect of dietary chitosan on lipid metabolism, male SD (Sprague-Dawley) rats were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet containing 5% cellulose (CE), 5% chitosan (CCS; high viscosity), or 5% chitosan (FCS; low viscosity) for 4 weeks. The two types of chitosan with a comparable degree of deacetylation had a different molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity. Significantly (p < 0.05) lower plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations were observed in the rats fed on the chitosan diets. In addition, chitosan significantly increased the fecal cholesterol and triglyceride contents. Although no significant difference in body weight was found among the dietary groups, the rats fed on the chitosan diets had lower relative liver weight when compared with those fed on the cellulose diet. Both of the chitosan groups had significantly lower liver total lipid and total cholesterol contents compared to the cellulose group, although the FCS group was less effective. The plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBAR) values were similar in the CE and FCS groups, while the CCS group had increased liver TBAR values. Although a significant increase in liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was observed in the CCS group, no significant change was found in the FCS group. The observed influence of chitosans with different viscosity on the plasma lipid level, liver lipids and lipid peroxidation suggests that, while the hypocholesterolemic action of chitosans with different viscosity was similar, changes in the liver lipids and liver peroxidation status depended on their molecular weight when the deacetylation degree was comparable.

Analysis of baclofen by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A new analytical method for baclofen (4-amino-3-p-chlorophenylbutyric acid) based on capillary electrophoretic separation and laser-induced fluorescence detection has been developed. Naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde was used for precolumn derivatization of the non-fluorescent drug. Optimal separation and detection were obtained with an electrophoretic buffer of 50 mM sodium borate (pH 9.5) and a He-Cd laser (excitation at 442 nm, emission at 500 nm). Linearity (r > or = 0.99) over three orders of magnitude was generally obtained and the concentration limit of detection was in the nanomolar level. Coupled with a simple cleanup procedure, the method was successfully applied to the analysis of baclofen in human plasma. Recovery of spiked baclofen in plasma was 98%. The relative standard deviation values on peak size and migration time were 7.9% and 0.4%, respectively. The limit of detection of baclofen in plasma was 10 ng/ml.

Effect of dietary vitamin E on antioxidant status and antioxidant enzyme activities in Sprague-Dawley rats

The effect of dietary vitamin E on plasma, red blood cells (RBC), hepatic antioxidant status, and antioxidant enzyme activities was investigated. Three groups of six Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 0, 100, or 1,500 ppm vitamin E for eight weeks. Plasma alpha-tocopherol level was increased significantly by increasing dietary vitamin E (p < 0.05). Plasma lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) stimulation by 1 mM t-butyl hydroperoxide was correlated with dietary vitamin E level and was significantly greater in rats fed no vitamin E than in rats fed 100 or 1,500 ppm vitamin E (p < 0.05). RBC reduced glutathione (GSH) level was positively correlated with dietary vitamin E and was significantly greater in rats fed 1,500 ppm vitamin E than in rats fed 0 or 100 ppm vitamin E (p < 0.05). RBC oxidized glutathione was negatively correlated with dietary vitamin E. GSH redox status was expressed as the GSH-to-total GSH ratio; the ratio was also positively correlated with dietary vitamin E and was significantly greater in rats fed 1,500 ppm vitamin E than in rats fed no vitamin E (p < 0.05). For antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase activity in hepatic cytosolic fraction was significantly greater in rats fed 1,500 ppm vitamin E than in rats fed 100 ppm vitamin E. Hepatic GSH reductase activity was significantly greater in rats fed 100 ppm vitamin E than in rats fed no vitamin E (p < 0.05). Dietary vitamin E had no effect on plasma vitamin C and protein thiol levels. In the systems studied, results indicated that dietary vitamin E selectively influences plasma vitamin E level, RBC GSH status, and hepatic cytosolic superoxide dismutase and GSH reductase activities.

Plasma lipoprotein cholesterol levels in rats fed a diet enriched in cholesterol and cholic acid

To investigate the effects of dietary cholesterol and cholic acid on plasma cholesterol levels, rats fed a cholesterol-free diet or a diet enriched in cholesterol (0.5% or 1%) with or without cholic acid supplementation were studied for 4 weeks. Although 0.5% cholesterol supplementation showed no effect on plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in rats fed a diet without cholic acid treatment, the addition of dietary cholic acid caused an increase in plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol levels in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. There was no significant change in HDL-cholesterol levels among the dietary groups. Rats fed a diet enriched in cholesterol have increased liver total lipids and total cholesterol contents. In addition, lower liver lipid peroxide concentration was found in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet when compared with those fed the control diet. It is interesting that cholic acid supplementation led to an increase in hepatic cholesterol content and a decrease in liver lipid peroxide concentration in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Results from this study suggest that dietary cholesterol and cholic acid might play an important role in regulation of lipid metabolism in rats.

[Lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in normal newborns]

BACKGROUND

In Chile, there is a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Because atherosclerosis starts in childhood, it is important to assess serum lipid levels in children.

AIM

To measure serum lipid levels in normal Chilean newborns.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A sample of umbilical cord venous blood was obtained from 156 normal newborns (76 male) immediately after delivery. Total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apoprotein A1, B and lipoprotein (a) were measured.

RESULTS

Mean values for total cholesterol in males, females and in the total sample were 60.6, 67.8 and 64 mg/dl respectively. The figures for HDL cholesterol were 24.9, 29.3 and 27 mg/dl, for LDL cholesterol were 28.3, 32.4 and 30 mg/dl, for triglycerides were 37.5, 30.3 and 35 mg/dl, for apoprotein A1 were 69, 79 and 74 mg/dl, for apoB were 23, 25 and 24 mg/dl and for lipoprotein (a) were 1.58, 1.79 and 1.69 mg/dl. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apoprotein A1 were significantly different between sexes. Percentiles 5 and 95 for total cholesterol were 37 and 111, for HDL cholesterol were 14 and 40, for LDL cholesterol were 13 and 57, for triglycerides were 20 and 69, for apoprotein A1 were 53 and 101, for apoprotein B were 11 and 48 and for lipoprotein (a) were 1.3 and 2.1 mg/dl. Five percent of children had apoprotein B values over 48 mg/dl.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of high levels of apoprotein B in newborns, could allow the early identification of individuals with high cardiovascular risk.

Effect of dietary fish oil on plasma lipoprotein cholesterol in rats fed a diet enriched in cholesterol and sucrose

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dietary fish oil on plasma lipoprotein cholesterol levels in rats fed different carbohydrate sources. Male Wistar rats fed a soy bean oil diet or a fish oil diet containing 0.5% cholesterol were studied for 7 weeks. Corn starch or sucrose were used as carbohydrate sources in the experimental diet. Fish oil supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) decreased plasma VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) cholesterol in rats fed a diet containing corn starch. However, there was no significant difference in plasma total cholesterol and LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol in rats fed a corn starch diet with fish oil treatment. In the experiment with sucrose, significantly (p < 0.05) decreased plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol were observed in rats fed a fish oil diet. Although higher plasma total and VLDL cholesterol levels were found in rats fed the sucrose diet when compared with those fed the corn starch diet, no significant difference between the corn starch group and the sucrose group was observed in rats after fish oil treatment. Results from the present study suggest that the carbohydrate source might play an important role in the regulation of plasma lipoprotein metabolism in rats fed fish oil.

[Serum lipid levels in children and teenagers from Concepción, Chile]

BACKGROUND

There is a relationship between serum lipid levels in children with those of adults. Preventive measures to reduce serum lipid levels should start in childhood.

AIM

To study serum lipid levels in a representative sample of children and teenagers from Concepción, Chile.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Serum total, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 1,286 males and 816 females from 5 to 18 years old in the city of Concepción.

RESULTS

Mean total cholesterol levels were 159 +/- 30 and 162 +/- 31 mg/dl in males and females respectively. The figures for HDL cholesterol were 46 +/- 11 and 47 +/- 11 mg/dl, for LDL cholesterol were 94 +/- 27 and 96 +/- 29 mg/dl and for triglycerides were 80 +/- 35 and 87 +/- 38 mg/dl. Nine percent of males and 12% of females had a total cholesterol over 200 mg/dl. Likewise 10% of males and 11% of females had a LDL cholesterol over 130 mg/dl.

CONCLUSIONS

These numbers will help to plan and perform interventions in children, in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

[Lipoprotein in children and adolescents: relationship with family history of coronary artery disease]

BACKGROUND

Lipoprotein (a) is considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor.

AIM

To study lipoprotein (a) levels in children of 18 years old or less with or without family history of coronary artery disease.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty four children aged between 3 and 18 years old with a family history of coronary artery disease and 44 age and sex matched controls were studied. A fasting blood sample was obtained to measure total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, A1 and B apoproteins and lipoprotein (a).

RESULTS

Compared to controls, children with a family history of coronary disease had higher total cholesterol (177 +/- 35 and 159 +/- 23 mg/dl respectively), LDL cholesterol (112 +/- 34 and 94 +/- 21 mg/dl respectively), triglycerides (89 +/- 38 and 71 +/- 25 mg/dl respectively), apoprotein B (85 +/- 17 and 65 +/- 13 mg/dl respectively) and lipoprotein (a) (40 +/- 50 and 22 +/- 31 mg/dl respectively). Thirty two percent of children with positive family history had lipoprotein (a) levels over 30 mg/dl, compared to 23% of controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with family history of coronary artery disease have higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein (a) than matched controls.

Toxic effects of grass carp, snake and chicken bile juices in rats

To evaluate the toxic effects of different animal bile juices, male Long-Evans rats were used and treated orally with different doses (0.03-0.6 ml) of grass carp, snake and chicken bile juices. After treating with one high dose (0.6 ml) for 6 and 24 h, the levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in the plasma of rats in the grass carp bile juice group became higher than those of the other two bile treated groups. After 3-days periodic treatment with 0.3 ml of each animal bile juice for 28 days, the levels of GOT, GPT, BUN and creatinine in the plasma of rats were significantly increased, especially the grass carp bile juice-treated rats. It appeared that the rats administered with snake and chicken bile juices for a much longer time were poisoned and had the same symptoms as those treated with grass carp bile juice.

[Influence of ethnic and environmental factors the lipid profile in school children from the VIII Region]

We studied fasting total, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides in 329 children aged from 6 to 15 years. One hundred and ten lived in Concepción and were considered urban. Two hundred nineteen lived in Alto Bio-Bio and were considered rural; of these, 173 had a pehuenche aboriginal origin. Rural pehuenche, rural non pehuenche and urban children had a total cholesterol of 123.7 +/- 23, 133.7 +/- 25.8 and 153.7 +/- 29.7 mg/dl respectively, a HDL cholesterol of 39.2 +/- 9.1, 38.8 +/- 9.1 and 46.2 +/- 11.3 mg/dl respectively and triglycerides of 83.3 +/- 33.5, 96.7 +/- 33.5 and 81.9 +/- 33.3 mg/dl respectively. Lipid levels were above safe values in 2.9% of pehuenche, 8.7% non pehuenche rural and 13.6% or urban children. It is concluded that the higher lipid levels of urban and non pehuenche children supports the favorable effect of rural environment and pehuenche ethnic origin on cardiovascular risk factors.

Lipoprotein, lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase and acetyl CoA carboxylase in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats fed a diet high in eicosapentaenoic acid

To investigate the effect of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on plasma lipoprotein levels, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity and liver acetyl CoA carboxylase activity, highly concentrated EPA (78%) purified from sardine oil was fed to stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) for 30 days. Significantly (P < 0.05) lower systolic blood pressure and plasma total cholesterol were observed in rats fed an EPA diet. In addition, higher HDL cholesterol and lower VLDL cholesterol levels were found in rats fed the EPA diet as compared with rats fed the control diet. However, no significant change of plasma LDL cholesterol was observed in rats between the two dietary groups. EPA supplementation increased the activity of plasma LCAT in rats. In addition, rats fed an EPA diet had lower liver total lipids and adipose tissue weights. However, higher liver acetyl CoA carboxylase activity was observed in rats fed the EPA diet. Results from the present study suggest that dietary EPA might stimulate the plasma lipoprotein metabolism and also alter lipogenesis in the liver of SHRSP rats.

Serum adenosine deaminase in the early diagnosis of typhoid fever

To study the usefulness of the enzyme adenosine deaminase for the early diagnosis of typhoid fever, its activity in serum was assayed in 277 children admitted to the Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente at Concepción, Chile, from March, 1988, to December, 1990. The children were distributed into seven groups: control, N = 82; bacteremia, N = 8; acute viral respiratory infection, N = 43; febrile children with miscellaneous etiologies, N = 49; pulmonary tuberculosis, N = 3; hepatitis A virus infection, N = 30; and typhoid fever, N = 62. The medium serum adenosine deaminase values were significantly higher in children with typhoid fever (P < 0.0001) in relation to the values in the control group (122.2 +/- 40.7 vs 28.1 +/- 8.4 units/liter at 37 degrees C). This test had a sensitivity of 91.9% and a specificity of 92.5% in identifying the patient with typhoid fever when using 80 units/liter as the cutoff values. The positive predictive value of the test was 83.8% and the negative predictive value was 96%. Determination of adenosine deaminase values in serum could be helpful in the early diagnosis of typhoid fever.

Effect of trans fatty acids on plasma lipids, platelet function and systolic blood pressure in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

To investigate the effect of trans fatty acids on plasma lipid levels and systolic blood pressure, hydrogenated corn oil was fed to SHRSP (stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats) and WKY (Wistar-Kyoto) rats for 30 days. Significantly lower systolic blood pressure and plasma total cholesterol were observed in SHRSP rats fed trans fatty acids when compared with rats fed cis fatty acids from olive oil. In addition, higher HDL cholesterol and lower VLDL plus chylomicron cholesterol levels were found in SHRSP rats fed trans fatty acids. Although no significant changes of systolic blood pressure and plasma total cholesterol levels were observed in WKY rats after trans fatty acids treatment, WKY rats fed trans fatty acids had lower plasma LDL cholesterol and higher HDL cholesterol levels. In addition, platelet aggregation induced by collagen was decreased in WKY rats fed trans fatty acids. It is interesting that trans fatty acids increased the activity of plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in both SHRSP and WKY rats. The observed influence of trans fatty acids on plasma lipid levels, systolic blood pressure and platelet aggregation suggests that trans fatty acids might prevent thrombotic disorders in SHRSP rats.

Effect of dietary protein on the peroxidation of eicosapentaenoic acid in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

In order to investigate the effect of dietary EPA on liver GSH peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in rats, highly concentrated EPA (78% ethyl ester form) was administrated to SHRSP (Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat) that were fed a casein, SPI (soybean protein isolate) or SPI diet with methionine for 4 weeks. The content of liver GSH in rats fed SPI was lower than that of rats fed the casein diet. Although no significant difference of liver GSH-Px was observed in rats after EPA supplement, a decrease of liver GSH-Px activity was found in rats fed the SPI diet when compared with rats fed the casein diet. The changes of liver GSH content and GSH-Px activity in rats fed SPI were found to be associated with methionine supplement. Addition of methionine to the SPI diet resulted in an increase of liver GSH content and GSH-Px activity. In addition, liver lipid peroxide concentration was increased in rats fed the SPI diet after EPA treatment. In contrast, EPA administered rats fed the SPI diet containing methionine showed a lower liver lipid peroxide concentration. These results suggest that methionine may play an important role in regulation of the utilization of EPA in SHRSP when fed a SPI diet.

Fenoterol stimulation of sodium transport in the isolated toad skin: a beta adrenergic effect

1. This work examines the effects of fenoterol on the isolated skin of the Chilean toad Pleurodema thaul. 2. A dose-dependent increase in the potential difference and in the short-circuit current of the skin was found. Furthermore, sodium potential (ENa) and sodium conductance (GNA) also rose. 3. The increase in bioelectric parameters was reversibly blocked by propranolol, was not significantly affected by reserpinization and was not calcium-dependent. 4. The skin response was significantly reduced in the presence of low Na+ in the outer bathing solution. Although the response was also reduced in the presence of isethionate Ringer's in the inner bathing solution, this reduction was less than the decrease in the presence of low Na+. 5. Fenoterol significantly increased toad skin oxygen consumption and net Na+ movement across the skin due to an increase in Na+ flux from mucosa to serosa. 6. These results show that fenoterol enhances active transport across the isolated toad skin probably through beta adrenergic stimulating effects which activate the sodium driving force, sodium conductance and net Na+ transepithelial flux.