ABSTRACT
The sublethal toxicity of sodium arsenite on protein metabolism was investigated in teleost fish, Tilalpia mossambica at the end of 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure. Total protein content, free amino acid content and activities of the enzymes aspartate amino transferase (AAT) and alanine amino transferase (ALAT) in liver, gill, brain and muscle exhibited significant (P<0.05) alterations throughout the investigation in relation to that of control. It is suggested that the fish is able to respond to the stressful situations by gearing up the metabolic activity as revealed by the elevated protein, amino acid content and the activities of AAT and ALAT.
Subject(s)
Alanine Transaminase/drug effects , Animals , Arsenites/toxicity , Aspartate Aminotransferases/drug effects , Brain/drug effects , Gills/drug effects , Liver/drug effects , Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects , Proteins/metabolism , Teratogens/toxicity , Tilapia/physiology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Alkali extract of sepia shell possesses hypoglycemic effect. The status of glycogen and pyruvate and the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase and alanine amino transferase in liver was studied under the influence of sepia shell extract in both normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. The glycogen concentration was elevated steeply in both and the pyruvate concentration increased substantially in diabetic mice, while the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase and alanine amino transferase was inhibited in normal and diabetic mice. The sepia shell extract enhances glycogenesis and reduces the formation of glucose from metabolic intermediates like pyruvate and glucose-1-phosphate and by suppressing gluconeogenesis.