antioxidant effect of camellia sines/son on the liver damage induced by tioacetamide in male mice

Flavonoids play an important role in non-enzymatic reaction against oxidative stress. These are polyphenolic compounds in tea structure that could be reacted with free radicals and neutralized them. In this study, we investigated the anti-oxidant impact of Camellia Sinesis on the liver of thioacetamide-injected male albino mice. In this study, 40 male mice were categorized in five groups of eight. The first group was control. The second and the third group received 100 mg/kg and 150mg/kg of thioacetamide, respectively. The fourth group received 100 mg/kg thioacetamide followed by black tea [5 gr/100] and the fifth one received 150mg/kg thioacetamide followed by black tea [5 gr/100]. Tioacetamide was given via intraperitoneal. After that, for 30 days, they were only fed on black tea [5 gr/100]. At the end, catalase [CAT] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] activity were measured. Based on the results, catalase [CAT] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] activity were significantly increased in the groups of Thioacetamide and black tea compared to those of only Thioacetamide groups [p<0.05]. The increase of these enzymes in tea groups shows the anti-oxidant effect of black tea that can be caused by Catechin

Arginase status in bull reproductive system

Seven healthy and sexually adult bulls were slaughtered and their reproductive system was isolated. Different tissues including: testes, epididymis, vas deferan, ampulla, accessory sex glands [seminal vesicle, prostate and bulbourethra], muscular and mucosal layer of pelvic and penile urethra were carefully dissected. Total soluble protein and arginase specific activity [ASA] were measured by Lowry and modified paranitrophenylglyoxal [PNPG] method, respectively. The results indicate that the highest arginase specific activity [51.28 +/- 8.79 x10[-3] IU/mg of protein] is present in muscle of pelvic part of urethra. Based on ASA, bulls reproductive system was categorized in three tissue groups: high, medium and low. Muscular layer of penile urethra with the highest ASA level [> 50 X10[-3] IU/mg tissue protein] is in the 1st group, Testes, bulbourethral gland and mucosal layer of penile urethra [30-40 X10[-3] IU/mg tissue protein] are in the2nd group and the rest parts [<25 X10[-3] IU/mg protein] are in 3rd group. Significant differences observed between classified tissues [p<0.05]. The present study indicate that ASA is present at different levels in all parts of bull reproductive system. This condition may be related to different rate of cell proliferation and differentiation or some other unknown physiological and biochemical activities of the enzyme in this system

[Effect of Aegle marmelos fruit juice concentrate on serum glucose and lipid level and ALT/AST activities in diabetic rats]

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of bael [Aegle marmelos] on glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine levels and the activity of ALT and AST in the serum of diabetic rats. 45 Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were selected. The rats were divided into three groups. The first group was considered as negative control [non-diabetic rats] and diabetes mellitus was induced in the remained rats by I.V. injection of alloxan [50 mg/kg BW]. Following induction of diabetes mellitus 15 diabetic rats were considered as positive control and 15 ones as treatment group. Treatment group was fed with homogenous mixture of ordinary rat food and Bael concentrate [2gr/kg food] for three weeks and the remaining groups were fed with ordinary rat food. Following induction of diabetes mellitus, concentration of serum glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and the activity of ALT increased significantly [P<0.01], but AST activity and creatinine concentration not varied. Food and water intake was increased and body weight of rats was decreased [p<0.01]. Consumption of bael concentrate caused a significant decrease in serum glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and the activity of ALT [P<0.01], and also food and water intake was decreased [p<0.01]. The results of this study show that Aegle marmelos concentrate exhibit hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic effects in diabetic rats

Arginase status in the ewe reproductive system

Seven healthy and sexually adult ewes were slaughtered. Immediately after slaughter, whole reproductive systems of animals were collected. Different tissues including: corpus luteum, ovary, muscular and mucosal layers of uterine horn, uterine body, cervix, vagina and vestibula were carefully separated and arginase specific activity [ASA] was determined in tissue extract and compared by modified paranitrophenylglyoxal [PNPG] method. The result of this study indicate that although all the tissues contained different amounts of arginase activity, based on the level of ASA, ewe reproductive system may be categorized in two groups which have significant difference [P<0,05]. The mucosal layer of vagina showed lowest ASA [32.85 IU/mg tissue soluble protein] in the first group and in the second group, mucosal layer of cervix had highest ASA level [85.14 IU/mg tissue protein]. Presence of this enzyme at different levels in all parts of ewe reproductive system may be related to different rate of cell proliferation, differentiation or some other unknown physiological and biochemical activities of the enzyme in this system