Frequent inadequate supply of micronutrients in fast food induces oxidative stress and inflammation in testicular tissues of weanling male rats

Fast food has increasingly become a prominent feature of the diet of children, throughout the world. It is high in energy density and low in essential micronutrient density. One of the most essential biological elements for male reproductive tissue is zinc [Zn] of known antioxidant dependent processes. The aim of the present work was to test the hypothesis that frequent fast food consumption could induce oxidative damage associated with inflammation in weanling male rats in relevance to Zn deprivation that can adversely affect testis function. Twenty male wistar rats [50 +/- 10 gm] were used in the present study. Ten rats were placed on a typical fast food while the other ten rats were fed normal chow diet [controls]. Zn and iron [in plasma and testicular tissue], plasma antioxidant vitamins [A, E, and C], as well as testicular superoxide dismutase [SOD] and reduced glutathione [GSH], lipid peroxidation indexes [TBARS and lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility [LOS]], and inflammatory markers [plasma CRP and testicular TNF-alpha] were determined. Serum testosterone in addition to histological examination of testis was also performed. We found severe decrease in antioxidant vitamins, and Zn with concomitant iron accumulation. Simultaneous TBARS and LOS increase with SOD and GSH decrease demonstrated enhanced oxidative stress and consequently regulation of the proinflammatory mediators; CRP and TNF-alpha, therefore testosterone level was significantly reduced. Microscope examination showed damage in seminiferous tubules and cellular infiltrate in interstitial regions. We conclude that frequent fast food supply in weanling male rats enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation in testicular tissue in relevance to micronutrients deficiency especially Zn, in turn leading to the underdevelopment of the testis and the abnormal level of testosterone hormone

Green tea catechins as hypolipemic agents-probable mode of action

The present study aimed at elucidating the hypochesterolemic effect of catechins [major constituents of green tea] and their possible mechanism of action. Cholestyramine, [quaternary resin] which has approved hypochesterolemic action was selected as comparative drug. In vivo and in vitro studies [mass spectrometry] were carried out. Experimental hyperchesterolemia was induced experimentally in rats which were classified into three groups. First one received catechins orally in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight daily, the second one received cholestyramine orally in a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight daily, while the third one received no drugs and served as control. The experiment was lasted for 10 weeks. Twenty four hours prior to the end of the experiment, fecal residues were collected properly, and the cholesterol content was determined in these residues. Blood samples were taken and used for biochemical determination of total cholesterol [TC], triaceyglycerol [TAG] and amino transferase enzymes [ALT and AST]. Liver samples were also isolated and processed for determination of cholesterol content and histopathological examination. Fecal cholesterol level revealed significant increase while other serum parameters [TC, TAG, AST and ALT] showed significant decrease in the treated rats when compared to untreated control. From our in vitro and in vivo studies we conclude that the hypochesterolemic effect of catechins is predominatly attributed to the formation of an insoluble complex between catechins and cholesterol, thereby decreasing intestinal absorption and increasing fecal cholesterol excretion

Renin angiotensin aldosterone system and fibrinolytic activity in experimentally induced diabetic and hypertensive rats

Many evidences pointed to certain relations between renin angiotensin aldosterone system [RAAS] and endogenous fibrinolytic system. To examine the effect of low salt supplement, as an activator to endogenous RAAS on plasma fibrinolytic function in alloxan diabetic L-NAME induced hypertensive ncphritic rats in the presence or absence of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [ACEI] and/or aldosterone antagonist. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal [i.p] injection of alloxan [150 mg/kg]. Rats were received low salt supplement [0.08% NaCI] and N[G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME, 0.1 mg/ml] in the drinking water during the experimental periods. Treatment of diabetic hypertensive nephritic rats with ACEI [mocxipril hydrochloride, 7 mg/kg body weight daily and orally], aldosterone antagonist [spiranolactone, 25 mg/kg body weight daily and orally] or their combined administration for 6 weeks. Glucose, creatinine, sodium, potassium, aldosterone, ACE activity, transforming growth factor-beta 1 [TGF-beta] were determined in serum, whereas, renin, plasminogen activator inhibitors [PAI-1 were estimated in plasma. In urine nitric oxide [NO] concentration was evaluated and total. DNA and RNA were recorded in kidney tissues. During low salt intake, activation of the RAAS was monitored through observed significant Increase in serum alciosterone, sodium, potassium, and ACE activity. Impairment of renal function following diabetes and L-NAME administration was manifested By increase in serum glucose, mean arterial pressure [MAP] heart rate [HR]. serum creatinine and low urinary NO level, these data demonstrated that activation of RAAS in diabetic hypertensive nephritic rats significantly increased PAI-1 activity, TGF-beta1 and dry thrombus weight. It markedly decreased total DNA contents in kidney homogenate. Interruption of the RAAS with the ACEI, aldosterone antagonist or their combined administration lot 6 weeks significantly decreased PAl-1 activity TGF-beta1 and thrombus weight [fibrinolytic actvity]. However urinary NO, kidney content of total DNA showed significant increase. Combined form therapy has a better effect regarding PAI-1 TGF-beta 1 and NO than monotherapy. Data obtained provides an evidence of direct functional association between the RAAS and the fibrinolytic system in rats. This may help to elucidate possible mechanisms by which ACE inhibition and aldosterone antagonist exerts antagonist exerts vasculoprotective effects and reduce the risk of renal atherothromhotic events closely related to uncontrolled diabetes

Implication of insulin folate combined treatment on the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and nephropathy in STZ diabetic rats

To investigate the efficacy of folic acid supplementation and insulin administration as therapeutic intervention for hyperhomocysteinemia, nephropathy and hyperglycemic complications in streptozotocin diabetic nephrotic rats. Animals: Male Wistar rats obtained from Veterinary animal farm. Setting: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. Design: Diabetes was induced in sixty male Wistar rats by single intraperitoneal [i.p.] STZ [50 mg/kg]. Diabetic rats were fed methionine overload diets for 30 days and subjected later to gradual doses of gentamycin [200 mg/kg] for 10 days for induction of nephrotoxicity. Diabetic methionine overload nephrotic rats [DMN] treated with insulin and/or folic acid [90 micro g] daily and orally for 4 weeks. Groups of age matched healthy animals [n = 10], diabetics [n = 8] and DMN rats [positive control, n =7] served as controls. At the end of the study, serum glucose, creatinine, insulin, folate, plasma tHcy, NO, lipid profile and the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein [LDL] to copper catalyzed oxidation were determined. Superoxide dismutase [SOD], reduced glutathione [GSH] and lipid peroxide expressed as malondialdehyde [MDA] were measured in kidney tissue homogenate. Histopathological examination of kidney slices were also determined. In DMN group, glucose, creatinine, tHcy, NO, susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, and renal MDA contents showed significant increase, whereas folate, renal GSH and SOD activities revealed marked reduction. Insulin treatment modulates the above mentioned parameters, however folic acid failed to affect serum glucose and lipid pattern. Combined form therapy has a better effect regarding reduction of tHcy as compared to insulin alone. Oxidative cell markers specifically oxidative susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, NO and SOD activities seemed to be greatly attenuated more than individual treatment. Finally, folic acid coadministration with insulin may limit the progression of the vascular nephropathy of kidney tissue and interstitial haemorrhage in comparison with diabetic and DMN rats. Hyperhomocysteinemia is mainly a consequence of renal insufficiency rather than diabetes and represents an inducer for vascular damage in respect to status and prognosis of renal failure. Folic acid may have a renoprotective effect augmenting the therapeutic efficiency of insulin through its effect on tHcy reduction and limitation of tissue toxicities originating from oxygen free radicals generation

Metabolic effects of desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol combination [marvelon] in rats

Administration of desogestrel-ethinyl-estradiol combination [one dose level] to groups of female rats for 30 days resulted in an increase in serum, triglycerides, cholesterol [total, LDLc, HDLc, VLDLc] and sodium ions. Continual administration for 60 and 90 days resulted in additional increase in Ca ++ and a decrease in K + level. Body weights showed also a highly significant increase during 90 days of treatment. Administration of two dose levels induced nearly similar findings. These results were discussed and it was concluded that the net effect depends on the balance effect of estrogen and progestin

Vitamin enriched diet on lipid metabolism in rats

Long term administration of diet enriched with vitamin A to experimental rats demonstrated a significant increase in liver total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. Similar findings [except for triglycerides] were observed in serum. Erythrocyte membrane phospholipids revealed an increase in only phosphatidylcholine. Results may be explained through a hypothesis of cholesterol with retinol and probable enhancement of liver lipid synthesis in response to long intake of vitamin A

Action of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs on some biochemical parame terms in rabbits

Oral administration of imipramine [1 mg/kg body weight] daily to normal rabbits induced a significant increase in serum content of 3', 5' cyclic adenosine monophopshate [cAMP] prostaglandin [PGF[2alpha]] and growth hormone [GH]. Trifluoperazine administration [0.04 mg/kg body weight daily] to other group of rabbits induced a significant decrease in cAMP, GH and RGF[2alpha] after and 30 days. Prostaglandin content of brain tissue demonstrated also a significant decrease while serum prolactin showed a significant increase after 30 and 45 days. Combined treatment of both drugs induced a significant decrease in PGF [2alpha] [serum and brain], GH and a significant increase in serum prolactin while cAMP showed such an increase after 45 days in a conclusion of predomination of trifluoperazine effect rather than tricylic imipramine on such biochemical pattern

Glycated hemoglobin [HbA1] and relation to erythrocyte constants in normal and diabetic patients

Glycated Hemoglobin [HbAI], plasma glucose [Fasting and postprandial] and erythrocyte constants [red cell indices] were compared for 50 diabetics and 33 control subjects [non-diabetics]. No significant differences were observed between red cell indices of both groups. In the control group, a reasonable correlation was obtained between HbA1, both MCH and MCHC [gamma = 0.34, 0.3] respectively. For diabetic group, the correlation between HbA1, both MCHC and red cell count was poorer [0.167, 0.05] in the control, which may prevent, to some extent, dehydration and tissue hypoxia, avoiding any alterations in erythrocyte constants