Wheat germ oil attenuates gamma radiation-induced skeletal muscles damage in rats

Muscular strength is important in sport as well as in daily activities. Exposure to ionizing radiation is thought to increase oxidative stress and damage muscle tissue. Wheat germ oil is a natural unrefined vegetable oil. It is an excellent source of vitamin E, octacosanol, linoleic and linolenic essential fatty acids, which may be beneficial in neutralizing the free oxygen radicals. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of wheat germ oil, on radiation-induced oxidative damage in rat's skeletal muscle. Wheat germ oil was supplemented orally via gavages to rats at a dose of 54 mg/ kg body weight/day for 14 successive days pre- and 7 post-exposure to 5 Gy [one shot dose] of whole body gamma irradiation. Animals were sacrificed 7, 14 and 21 days post radiation exposure. The results revealed that whole body gamma-irradiation of rats induces oxidative stress in skeletal muscles obvious by significant elevation in the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TEARS] associated with significant decreases in the content of reduced glutathione [GSH], as well as decreases in superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] activities. Irradiated rats showed, also, significant decreases in creatine phosphokinase [CPK], glutamate dehydrogenase [GDH] and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G-6-PD] activities. Furthermore, total iron, total copper and total calcium levels were significantly increased in skeletal muscles of irradiated rats group compared to control group. Wheat germ oil treated-irradiated rats showed significantly less severe damage and remarkable improvement in all the measured parameters, compared to irradiated rats. It could be concluded that wheat germ oil by attenuating radiation-induced oxidative stress might play a role in maintaining skeletal muscle integrity

Evaluation of isoenzyme patterns for identification of pathogenic poultry Mycoplasmas

Electrophoretic analysis of isoenzymes in 8 enzymatic systems were used for differentiation of 4 isolates of chicken Mycoplasmas including two strains of M gallisepticum, one strain of M. gallinarum and one unknown isolate in comparison with a vaccinal strain of M agalactiae that basically is a pathogen in small ruminants. The enzymatic systems were lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], glucose dehydrogenase [G1DH], glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD], galactose dehydrogenase [GalDH], 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenase [6PGDH], malic enzyme [ME], glucose phosphate isomerase [GPI] and alkaline phosphatase [AP]. The number of isoenzyme patterns obtained for LDH, G1DH, G6PD, GalDH, 6PGDH, ME, GPI and AP enzymatic systems were 2, 3, 2, 4, 2, 3, 3 and 0, respectively. Except AP enzyme system which is not active in Mycoplasma species, it is concluded that isoenzyme pattern of 7 other studied enzymatic systems, could differentiate between chicken Mycoplasmas and the small ruminant's strain. Based on the isoenzyme patterns of GalDH system, 2 strains of M gallisepticum were differentiated from M. gallinarum and the unknown isolate. Isoenzyme patterns of ME system was able to differentiate M gallinarum from the other chicken isolates. The isoenzyme patterns of GPI system were different for the two strains of M gallisepticum. The isoenzyme patterns of GalDH, GPI and ME systems, showed that the unknown strain of chicken Mycoplasma is a strain of M gallisepticum and it is closely related to one of the known M. gallisepticum isolates

Testicular injury induced by exposure to electromagnetic field associated with the use of mobile phones: a biochemical and ultrastructural study

The use of mobile phones with the resulting generation of potentially harmful electromagnet fields [EMF] is the focus of public interest. The harmful effect induced by pulsed microwave, currents associated with the use of mobile phones is now considered one of the physical injuries. This study was carried out on 60 male albino rats, divided into prepubertal group [one month old] and young adult group [7 months old]. Each group was sub-divided into control group [6 animals and exposed group [24 animals] the latter was furtherly subdivided equally into 10 minutes exposed group and 20 minutes exposed group according to the duration of exposure to EMF of mobile phone. In this study there were significant increases in the premeiotic testicular enzymes [B- glucuronidase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase] and significant decreases in the post-meiotic testicular enzymes [sorbitol dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase] in the exposed groups as compared to their corresponding control groups. However the young adult exposed groups have shown significant changes in these testicular enzymes whe compared to their corresponding prepubertal exposed groups. The histopathological and ultrastructural studies have shown severe damage of the semineferous tubules and shrinkage in the tubular components of the testis that was more obvious in the 20 minutes exposed groups. After 10 minutes of exposure, the prepubertal group showed thickening and splitting of the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules with seperation of germ cells while ultrastructural examination revealed few spermatogonia with marked apoptotic changes in the form of chromatin condensation, swollen mitochondria with degenerated cristae. There was slight necrotic changes in the form of vacuolizations and active lysozomes in most of germ and Sertoli cells. In the 20 minutes exposed prepubertal group there were: decrease in the diameter of seminiferous tubules with seperation of germ cells away from the basment membrane of the seminiferous tubules, shrunken nucleous of Sertoli cells and abnormal opermatid. Also, there were marked necrotic changes in the germ an Sertoli cells indicated by marked rarifaction of the cytoplasm. However, the young adult exposed groups have shown lesser ultrastructural changes than the prepubertal exposed groups. In conclusion exposure to EMF associated with mobile phones has shown detremintal effect on the process of spermatogenesis particularly before puberty

Controle de qualidade da glicemia: um estudo interlaboratorial / Quality control for glucose determination: an interlaboratorial study

A performance de 36 laboratórios da regiäo Sul do Brasil, que voluntariamente participaram neste estudo, foi avaliada através da quantificaçäo da glicose. As amostras analisadas continham glicose, dissolvida em ácido benzóico saturado e 25 porcento de glicerol, nas concentraçöes de 20, 200 e 1000 mg/dL. O erro total máximo permitido nas determinaçöes foi estabelecido como 10 porcento do valor esperado ou ñ 6 mg/dL, o que for maior, como recomendado pelo critério do CLIA. As metodologias empregadas neste estudo foram glicose oxidase (80 porcento), hexoquinase (17 porcento) e glicose desidrogenase (3 porcento). Para a amostra de 200 mg/dL, 25,7 porcento dos laboratórios relataram resultados incorretos, sendo importante ressaltar que o aprimoramento da qualidade analítica em valores próximos a esta concentraçäo é necessário para o diagnóstico e monitoramento dos pacientes com diabetes. A amostra contendo a maior concentraçäo de glicose (1000 mg/dL) foi incorretamente reportada por 55,9 porcento dos participantes e os resultados mostraram uma forte tendência para resultados abaixo da concentraçäo real. Apenas 38,8 porcento dos laboratórios avaliados neste estudo atingiram simultaneamente resultados dentro dos limites de erro estabelecido nas três amostras analisadas

Kinetic mechanism of glucose dehydrogenase from Halobacterium salinarum.

The kinetic mechanism of glucose dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.47) from Halobacterium salinarum was studied by initial velocity and product inhibition methods. The results suggest that both, in the forward and reverse direction, the reaction mechanism is of Bi Bi sequential ordered type involving formation of ternary complexes. NADP+ adds first and NADPH formed dissociates from the enzyme last. For the reverse direction, NADPH adds first and NADP+ leaves last. Product inhibition experiments indicate that (a), the coenzymes compete for the same site and form of the enzyme and (b), ternary abortive complexes of enzyme-NADP(+)-glucono-delta-lactone and enzyme-NADPH-glucose are formed. All the other inhibitions are noncompetitive.

Actividad de las enzimas reguladoras del metabolismo de los carbohidratos en la placenta preeclámptica / Pre-eclampsia placental carbohydrate metabolism regulating enzymes activity

La preeclampsia es una de las patologías más frecuente en el embarazo. La placenta juega un papel importanteen el desarrollo del cuadro. En el presente trabajo realizamos un estudio de las actividades de dos enzimas reguladoras [fosfofructoquinasa I (C.E.2.7.1.11) y glucosa 6-P deshidrogenasa (C.E.1.1.149)] en el metabolismo de los carbohidratos en el tejido placentario normal y en el preeclámptico a término. Se halla una marcada disminución de las actividades de ambas enzinas en los tejidos patológicos. Se discute los posibles mecanismos.

Glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase: aspectos clínicos / Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases: clinical aspects

In this article, the authors presente a review about the behaviour of G6PD in relation to pathologies other than hemolytic anemias, which are the many diagnostic use of the enzyme

Deficiencia de glucosa-6-fosfato dehidrogenasa en poblaciones ecuatorianas de raza negra / Deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in ecuadorian population of black race

Se determina el índice de deficiencia de la enzima G6PD, en los eritrocitos de individuos masculinos de raza negra, que habitan en áreas geográficas distintas del Ecuador. En La Costa, se escogieron dos grupos de poblaciones negras, de la provincia de Esmeraldas; el primero, comprende habitantes negros de raza pura de la cuenca del Santiago, el segundo mulatos de la ciudad de Esmeraldas. En la Sierra, se estudiaron habitantes negros de la provincia de Imbabura, particularmente del Valle del Chota. Se examinaron un total de 1054 muestra de sangre: 750 en la provincia de Esmeraldas y 304 en Imbabura; 135(12.8%) individuos presentaron deficiencia de G6PD; 67(14.2%) pertenecen a la cuenca del Santiago; 50(18.1%) son de la ciudad de Esmeraldas y 18(5.9%) del Valle del Chota. Se consideran ciertos factores, que pueden influir en los diferentes índices de deficiencia, detectados en las zonas estudiadas y la probable protección que brinda la deficiencia de G6PD, hacia las infecciones maláricas por p. falciparum

Generation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate mediated by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in neutrophils of thoroughbred horses

Em vinte cavalos Puro-Sangue Inglês determinou-se a atividade da glicose-6-fosfato-desidrogenase e da 6-fosfogliconato-desidrogenase de neutrófilos, encontrando-se atividades específicas de 945 ñ 288 mUI mg-1 de proteína e 375 ñ 88 mUI mg-1 de proteína, respectivamente, por minuto a 37§C

Riboflavina y glucosa-6-fosfato-dehidrogenasa en neonatos sometidos a fototerapia: luz verde vs luz blanca / Riboflavin and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase in neonates under phototherapy: green vs white light

El eritrocito neonatal humano tiene menor sobrevida y mayor actividad de la enzima glucosa-6-fosfatodehidrogenasa (G-6-F-DH) que el adulto. La fototerapia beneficia al recién nacido (RN) con ictericia neonatal y el suplemento de riboflavina o vit.B2 incrementa esta mejoría, pero hay controversia en cuanto al efecto diferencial del color de la luz a utilizar, pues se sabe que la luz blanca puede producir degradación de la vit.B2. Dada la escasez de información nacional al respecto y la alta incidencia de ictericia neonatal, se estudiaron en forma prospectiva 66RN a término con ictericia neonatal temprana comparados con 109 RN normales no ictéricos en un estudio abierto y controlado bajo fototerapia con luces blanca y verde y agregando riboflavina. No hubo deterioro del estado clínico en ningún neonato estudiado. Se observó ictericia en 37.7 porciento de los 175 RN estudiados que estuvieron elevación de bilirrubina. Reticulocitos (p<0.01)y disminución de la enzima eritrocítica (p<0.01); ningún tipo de luz produjo cambios en los no ictericos. La administración de riboflavina sin fototerapia no produjo cambios significativos. La fototerapia per se produjo disminución no significativa de la enzima y al agregar la vit.B2 hubo aumento no significativo, siendo más acentuado con luz verde y a los 3-4 días de terminada la terapia. La bilirrubina sérica disminuyó con ambas luces (p<0.01) y fué más acentuada con el agregado de vit. B2 (P<0.01) y siendo más pronunciado el efecto en la fase de post-fototerapia, observándose efecto beneficioso en la evolución de los niños. Se concluye que la fototerapia con la luz verde con la administración conjunta de riboflavina se sugiere como una buena alternativa tanto en la prevención como la terapia de la ictericia neonatal temprana

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and gluta thione reductase activity in methemoglobin reduction by methylene blue and cystamine: study on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficiente individuals on normal subjects and on riboflavin

Os autores padronizaram métodos para a avaliaçäo da atividade da glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase e glutationa redutase. O princípio geral do primeiro método baseou-se na formaçäo de metahemoglobina pelo nitrito de sódio, seguido da estimulaçäo da via das pentoses pelo azul de metileno. Foram estudados 46 indivíduos adultos, sendo 23 do sexo masculino e 23 do feminino, näo deficientes em glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (G6PD), com idades variando entre 20 e 30 anos. Os resultados revelaram que a reduçäo da metahemoglobina pelo azul de metileno para sangue total, foram de 154.50 e 139.90 microng/min (p<0.05) respectivamente para o sexo masculino e feminino. Para hemácias lavadas os valores foram de 221.10 e 207.85 microng/min(n.s.) respectivamente. Estas observaçöes permitiram concluir que ao se empregar hemácias lavadas e 0.7 g% de concentraçäo de nitrito de sódio, por um lado näo houve diferença entre os sexos e por outro, abreviou o tempo de leitura da quantidade residual de metahemoglobina para 90 minutos. A avaliaçao da atividade da glutationa redutase foi feita baseado no fato de que a cistamina (agente tiol) liga-se aos grupo SH da hemoglobina formando complexos. Estes complexos säo revertidos pela açäo da glutationa redutase, ocorrendo conjuntamente nesta reaçäo a reduçäo da metahemoglobina. Foram estudados 32 indivíduos adultos, sendo 16 do sexo masculino e 16 do feminino, näo deficientes em G6PD, com idades variando entre 20 e 30 anos

Espundia - apresentaçäo de 3 casos cuja etiologia näo se relaciona com a Leishmania brasiliensisi brasisliensis / \"Espundia\" - relate ot three cases who the etiologic agent is not - L. brasiliensis brasiliensis

Os autores descrevem 3 casos de Leishmaniose cutâneo-mucosa, espundia, ocasionado um deles, por Leishmania mexicana amazonensis, cepa Maria - (BARRAL, A. & Cols. An. J. Trop. Med. Hyg.,32(2): 277-285, 1983) e os outros dois, por Leishmania de espécie näo enquadrável em nenhum dos complexos conhecidos, descrita pela primeira vez, por um de nós - W.B. & Cols. - como Leishmania MT (BARBOSA, W. & Cols. Ann. Trop. Med. Parasite, 70:389-399, 1976) e de que recentemente foram isoladas mais 7 (sete) cepas identificadas através de estudo clínico e biológico, inclusive enzimático do zimodema e esquisodema com 6 e 3 enzimas repectivamente; além da tipagem com anticorpos monoclonais que as determinaram como diferentes de quaissquer das Leishmanias conhecidas