Effect of acute exposure of N, N-Dimethylformamide, an industrial solvent on lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in liver and kidney of rats.

N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF), an industrial solvent widely used throughout the world is a known toxic compound. Here, we studied the effects of acute exposure of DMF on liver and kidney in rats. Rats were treated intraperitoneally with a single dose of DMF (1.5 g/kg) for 24 and 48 h. Hepatic and nephrotoxicity was confirmed based on the significant increase in the serum levels of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, g-glutamyl transferase, urea, creatinine and electrolytes. Oxidative stress was assessed by determining the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidants in liver and kidney. The LPO levels were elevated in both the tissues upon DMF exposure, whereas the activities of enzymatic antioxidants SOD, CAT and Gpx and non-enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione and vitamin C) were declined. The hepatic- and nephrotoxicity was further confirmed by the increasing incidence of inflammation in the histopathological studies. The findings indicate that acute exposure of DMF results in oxidative stress, antioxidant deficiency, attenuating liver and kidney marker enzymes, resulting in tissue inflammation and damage.

Evaluation of antihyperlipidemic activity of ethanolic extract of Cassia auriculata flowers.

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for development of coronary artery disease. Cassia auriculata is traditionally used in India for medicinal purposes. In this study, effect of ethanolic extract of Cassia auriculata flowers (Et-CAF) was investigated in Triton WR1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Treatment with the Et-CAF (450 mg/kg b.wt) significantly reduced the total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) levels and significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level associated with reduction of atherogenic index in hyperlipidemic rats. However, there was no change in the serum lipid profile of normal rats treated with Et-CAF alone. The results suggest that Et-CAF has a beneficial effect in treating hyperlipidemia and may serve as a potential drug for prevention of hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis.

Cadmium-induced oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of cadmium (Cd) on the antioxidant status of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. S. cerevisiae serves as a good eukaryotic model system for the study of the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress. We investigated the adaptative response of S. cerevisiae exposed to Cd. Yeast cells could tolerate up to 100 μM Cd and an inhibition in the growth and viability was observed. Exposure of yeast cells to Cd showed an increase in malondialdehyde and glutathione. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were also high in Cd-exposed cells. The incorporation of Cd led to significant increase in iron, zinc and inversely the calcium, copper levels were reduced. The results suggest that antioxidants were increased and are involved in the protection against macromolecular damage during oxidative stress; presumably, these enzymes are essential for counteracting the pro-oxidant effects of Cd.

Induction of acute respiratory distress syndrome in rats by lipopolysaccharide and its effect on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in lung.

Acute lung injury (ALI) or its severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an important cause of mortality in the human population. Despite significant advances made, the mortality associated with ALI remains unchanged. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress, alveolar antioxidant status and multiple organ injury in ARDS induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups, group I control rats were given saline intraperitoneally, whereas groups II, III and IV (LPS-treated) rats received an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg body weight) and sacrificed after various time intervals. In LPS-treated rats, we observed increased levels of oxidative products, decreased levels of antioxidants in lung tissues and increased levels of serum marker enzymes, suggesting multiple organ injury. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophil content and protein concentration in LPS-treated rats were significantly elevated in a time-dependent manner. Histological studies revealed neutrophil influx and diffused alveolar damage in LPS-administered rats. These results clearly suggested that increased oxidant levels led to oxidative stress, antioxidant deficiency attenuating lung inflammation and tissue damage. LPS administration resulted in multiple organ failure, leading to increased mortality.

Potential application of urea-derived herbicides as cytokinins in plant tissue culture.

Various urea-derived herbicides and different cytokinin analogues were used to determine their effects on callusing response and shoot regenerating capacity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Coleus (Coleus forskohlii Briq.). The herbicides monuron and diuron evoked profuse callusing response from Coleus leaf segments and alfalfa petiole explants on Murashige and Skoog medium. Shoot regeneration by monuron (2.0 mg/l) showed a maximum of 3 multiple shoots both in alfalfa and Coleus with a frequency of 92% and 75%, respectively. Whereas diuron (0.5 mg/l) showed a high frequency of shoot regeneration (89%)with a mean number of 5 shoots in alfalfa, in C.forskohlii, the frequency of regeneration was 90%with a mean number of 6 shoots. Diuron with two chloride groups in the phenyl ring showed significantly higher cytokinin-like activity than single chloride substitution monuron. This study demonstrates the potential use of monuron and diuron as cytokinins in plant tissue culture.