Extraction and characterization of alpha-amylase inhibitor from some cereals and legumes

Alpha-amylase inhibitor extracted from different sources, i.e., wheat grains [Sohag 2 and Giza 164], legume seeds such as cow pea [Carim 7 and Giza 3], and kidney bean [Giza 6 and Giza 133] was purified and tested for activity using human salivary and pancreatic alpha-amylase. Results showed that the alpha-amylase inhibitor activity from samples studied were 120 to 285 unit / mg protein. The inhibitor was found to be stable at pH range from 2 to 4. It was also stable to digestion by proteolytic enzymes [pepsin and trypsin]. The inhibition was faster at 37°C than at 25°C, The results showed that the degree of thermal stability of alpha-amylase inhibitor extracted from kidney bean [Giza 133] was at 35-37°C, activity was decreased on 50°C for 5 hr. Increased of pre-incubation time between inhibitor and both alpha-amylase enzymes at 37°C increased the rate of inhibition of these enzymes and the complex formation between them from 60 - 80% in 30 min, while addition of these enzymes to the mixture containing inhibitor and substrate [without pre-incubation] decrease the percent inhibition. Therefore, an evidence of specific interference of the alpha-amylase inhibitor with starch availability was established. Such possibilities will have valuable interest in the field of special dietary food preparations for diabetes and over weight reduction purposes

Diclazuril interaction with avoparcin and virginiamycin as growth promoters in growing rabbits

The effect of feeding avoparcin and virginiamycin [10 ppm] alone or in combination with diclazuril [1 ppm] to growing rabbits for 10 successive weeks on absolute body weight, body gain and feed efficiency were studied. Moreover, their effects on blood picture and the activity of AST, ALT as well as urea and creatinine levels were also investigated, In addition, the residual pattern of avoparcin and virginiamycin were also demonstrated using the microbiological assay technique. Avoparcin or Virginiamycin supplementation with the basal ration significantly increased the absolute body weight [5.7 or 8.8%], amount of feed consumed [3.2 or 1.6%] as well as plucked weight. Avoparcin was found to be compatible with diclazuril as their combination induced large improvement in the body weights [10.6%]; and the amount of feed consumed [6.2%]. Combination of diclazuril with virginiamycin did not after the absolute body weight and the weight gain, but increased the amount of feed consumed [4.5%] as compared with group fed virginiamycin alone. Avoparcin or virginiamycin alone and combination of diclazuril with avoparcin significantly increased R.B.Cs count, hemoglobin content and PCV. Combination of diclazuril with avoparcin increased the activity of AST and ALT and that with virginiamycin increased AST and ALT activity as well as urea and creatinine levels. No residues of either avoparcin or virginiamycin were detected at the end of the experiment in organs and tissues of rabbits fed 10 ppm for 10 successive weeks. In conclusion, Feeding avoparcin or virginiamycin to growing rabbits at 10 ppm stimulates growth, feed efficiency and blood picture. Diclazuril [1ppm] was found to be more compatible with avoparcin than viginiamycin

Developmental abnormalities induced by 5-fluorouracil [5-FU] in rats

5-Fluorouracil [5-FU] was intraperitonealy injected at different doses to rats from 9[th] through the 12[th] day of gestation for determination of the optimal teratogenic dose [OTD], maximal teratogenic dose [MTD] and minimal LD[100] [MLD[100]]. OTD of 5-FU at 9[th], 10[th], 11[th] and 12[th] day of gestation was 28, 21, 22 and 24 mg/kg, respectively, while those of MTD were 34, 28, 32 and 32 mg/kg, respectively. MLD[100] of 5-FU at 9[th], 10[th], 11[th], and 12[th] day of gestation was 40, 32, 38 and 38 mg/kg, respectively, Nine groups of 10 pregnant rats each were used for revealing the developmental abnormalities induced by 5-FU When injected intraperitonealy in 2 dose levels [therapeutic and its double] on days 9, 10, 11, and 12 of pregnancy. In rats receiving 5-FU in single doses of 13.5 and 27.0 mg/kg on days 9-12 of gestation, the numbers of dead and resorbed fetuses and the post-implantation losses were significantly increased. On day 10 of gestation, the fetus is most susceptible to malformations, after which the frequency decreases proportionally to time. These malformations included growth retardation, thymus aplasia, pulmonary hypoplasia, dilatation of renal pelvis and absence of genital tubercle. Other observed skeletal anomalies were incomplete ossification of skull bones and absence of caudal verebrae, sternebrae and digits