Hypobaric hypoxia-mediated protein expression in plasma of susceptible & tolerant rats.

Background & objectives: Low availability of oxygen at high altitudes has a great impact on the human life processes. There is a widespread interest and need to find out protein(s) that are possibly involved in mediating tolerance to hypobaric hypoxia. We undertook this study to identify and characterize protein expression in plasma of hypoxia susceptible and tolerant rats. Methods: Male albino Sprague Dawley rats were segregated into susceptible and tolerant groups on the basis of their gasping time when exposed to simulated hypobaric hypoxia of 32,000 ft (9,754 m) at 32ºC. Comparative proteome profiling of blood plasma of hypoxia susceptible and tolerant individuals was performed using 2-dimentional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. Results: Three proteins with higher expression levels were selected separately from tolerant and susceptible samples. Characterization of these proteins from tolerant sample using MALDI-TOF/TOF and MASCOT search indicated their homology with two different super-families viz. NADB-Rossmann superfamily (Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor β) and Transferrin superfamily (two Serotransferrins), having potential role in imparting tolerance against hypoxia. Three high level upregulated proteins were characterized from blood plasma of hypoxia susceptible animals showing similarity with threonine tRNA ligase (mitochondrial), carbohydrate sulphotransferase 7 and aspartate tRNA ligase (cytoplasmic) that play a role in ATP binding, carbohydrate metabolism and protein biosynthesis, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results indicated that rats segregated into hypoxia sensitive and tolerant based on their gasping time showed differential expression of proteins in blood plasma. Characterization of these differentially expressed proteins will lead to better understanding of molecular responses occurring during hypoxia and subsequently development of biomarkers for categorization of hypoxia susceptible and tolerant individuals.

Effects of garlic [allium sativum] administration on: 2- some blood and hemostatic parameters in healthy male subjects

Garlic is a potent spice and medicine with broad therapeutic properties ranging from antibacterial to anticancer. Twenty two healthy male volunteers aged [35-50 years] comprising garlic administered group consumed 4-5 garlic cloves daily for 30 days [N = 14] and control group [N -8] participated in the study, to evaluate the effects of garlic administration on certain blood and hemostatic factors. Garlic ingestion resulted in significant reduction in platelets count, plasma fihrinogen level and longer prothrombin time. No changes in total and ionized calcium, hematocrit value, red blood cells count, serum total protein, albumin andferritin levels were noticed as effect of garlic ingestion. The findings suggest that garlic consumption may be benificial in diseases associated with platelets function, plasma fibrinoly tic activity and thrombosis

Amino acid and protein patterns in chickens vaccinated against newcastle disease

Free amino acids, total protein and protein fractions were estimated in blood serum of broiler Hubbered chickens vaccinated with Newcastle disease vaccine either Hitchner B[1] or Lasota]. Two different amino acid patterns were detected for the different vaccine strains. This observation refers to a relationship between that particular amino acid pattern, on one hand, and the type of vaccine strain and/or the structural integrity of immunoglobulin formed against each strain, on the other. It was also conspicuous from data presented here that a negative significant relationship does exist between the levels of amino acids, wether essential or non essential, and antibody content. Accordingly, it is concluded that during vaccination, ration should be supplemented with higher sources of these amino acids to achieve a better defence mechanism and to compensate the starvation effect arising is such nutritional emergency

Plasma amino acids pattern in portal hypertensive patients with different surgical management techniques

Fifty individuals were subjected for determination of plasma amino-acids profile, presented in 3 groups, control group 10 healthy persons, portal hypertensive non complicated group 10 patients, and operative portal hypertension group, included 30 patients where splenectomy were done [10 patient] splenectomy with devascularization [Hassab] was choosen for 10 patients and shunt operation [Warren] was performed for another 10 patients. Heparinized venous blood samples were collected and plasma separated for determination of amino-acids by amino-acid analyzer. Our results revealed non significant variations in amino-acids profile in non complicated portal hypertensive patients, operative with only splenectomy, and Hassab operation groups [P > 0.05], except significant increase [P < 0.01] of aspartic in non operative portal hypertensive and splenectomy groups, than control, and highly significant increase [P < 0.001] of threonine in non operative portal hypertensive and splenectomy with devascularization, this may be due to excess release from peripheral muscle. While amino-acid levels in patients for whom warren's shunt were done showed significant elevation in aspartic, glutamic phenylanine, tyrosine and lysine levels [P < 0.01] and highly significant increase [P < 0.001] in threonine level. This concerning with depriving the liver of portal blood leading to diminish amino-acids metabolism