Perfil eletroforético do colostro de ovelhas suplementadas com propileno glicol e cobalto associado à vitamina B12 no final da gestação / Electrophoretic profile of the colostrum of ewes supplemented with propylene glycol and cobalt associated with vitamin B12 in late pregnancy

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o proteinograma do colostro de ovelhas submetidas a administração de propileno glicol e de cobalto associado à vitamina B12 no final da gestação. Dezoito ovelhas da raça Santa Inês, prenhas e com idade variando entre 18 meses a cinco anos foram distribuídas, por amostragem probabilística em três grupos experimentais, aproximadamente 30 dias antes da data prevista para o parto. No Grupo 1 (G1/n=6) foram administrados 30mL de propileno glicol P.A. via oral diariamente; no Grupo 2 (G2/n=6) foi administrado 1mg de cloreto de cobalto em solução a 1% via oral diariamente e 2mg de vitamina B12, via intramuscular semanalmente e no Grupo 3 (G3/n=6): grupo controle. Logo após o parto procedeu-se a colheita de 30mL de colostro, que foram acondicionados em recipientes apropriados e encaminhados ao laboratório. Após homogeneização, adicionou-se a cada 1.000µL de colostro, 75µL de solução de renina, que foi mantido em banho-maria a 37ºC por aproximadamente 20 minutos e centrifugado a 21.000G durante dez minutos em centrífuga refrigerada. Posteriormente, a fração intermediária, correspondente ao soro do colostro, foi aliquotada e mantida em ultrafreezer a -80oC para posterior determinação das proteínas. A determinação da proteína total do soro colostral foi realizada empregando-se reagente comercial. A separação das proteínas foi realizada utilizando-se a técnica de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida contendo dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS-PAGE). Foram identificadas as proteínas IgA, lactoferrina, albumina, IgG de cadeia pesada (IgGCP), ß-caseína, IgG de cadeia leve (IgGCL), ß-lactoglobulina and α-lactoalbumina, não havendo influência da administração dos suplementos na fase final da gestação sobre as concentrações protéicas do colostro.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the proteinogram of the colostrum of ewes submitted to administration of propylene glycol and cobalt associated with vitamin B12 in late pregnancy. Eighteen pregnant Santa Inês ewes 18 months to 5 years old were distributed by probabilistic sampling into three experimental groups, about 30 days before the expected delivery date. In group 1 (G1/n=6), daily oral doses of 30ml propylene glycol PA were administered; Group 2 (G2/n=2) received a daily oral dosage of 1mg cobalt chloride in 1% solution and 2mg of vitamin B12 intramuscularly once a week, and Group 3 (G3/n=6) was the control group. Soon after delivery 30mL of colostrum was harvested from each ewe, which were stored in appropriate containers and sent to the laboratory. After homogenization, we added to each 1000µL of colostrum 75µL solution of rennin, which was kept in a water bath at 37°C for about 20 minutes and centrifuged at 21.000G for 10 minutes in a refrigerated centrifuge. Later, the intermediate fraction, corresponding to colostrum whey, was aliquoted and kept in a -80oC ultrafreezer for subsequent determination of proteins. The determination of the total colostral protein whey was performed using a commercial reagent, observing the linearity test for colostrum. The separation of proteins was performed using the technique of electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE). Lactoferrin, IgA, albumin, IgG heavy chain (IgGCP), ß-casein, IgG light chain (IgGCL), ß-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin proteins were identified. There was no influence of the administration of supplements during late pregnancy on the concentration of proteins identified in the colostrum of the ewes.(AU)

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles aggravate DNA damage and cell death in eggplant via mitochondrial swelling and NO signaling pathway

BACKGROUND: Despite manifold benefits of nanoparticles (NPs), less information on the risks of NPs to human health and environment has been studied. Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) have been reported to cause toxicity in several organisms. In this study, we have investigated the role of Co3O4-NPs in inducing phytotoxicity, cellular DNA damage and apoptosis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Violetta lunga 2). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on Co3O4-NPs showing phytotoxicity in eggplant. RESULTS: The data revealed that eggplant seeds treated with Co3O4-NPs for 2 h at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml retarded root length by 81.5 % upon 7 days incubation in a moist chamber. Ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated the uptake and translocation of Co3O4-NPs into the cytoplasm. Intracellular presence of Co3O4-NPs triggered subcellular changes such as degeneration of mitochondrial cristae, abundance of peroxisomes and excessive vacuolization. Flow cytometric analysis of Co3O4-NPs (1.0 mg/ml) treated root protoplasts revealed 157, 282 and 178 % increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane potential (APm) and nitric oxide (NO), respectively. Besides, the esterase activity in treated protoplasts was also found compromised. About 2.4-fold greater level of DNA damage, as compared to untreated control was observed in Comet assay, and 73.2 % of Co3O4-NPs treated cells appeared apoptotic in flow cytometry based cell cycle analysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate the phytotoxic potential of Co3O4-NPs in terms of reduction in seed germination, root growth, greater level of DNA and mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress and cell death in eggplant. The data generated from this study will provide a strong background to draw attention on Co3O4-NPs environmental hazards to vegetable crops.

Physiological behavior of bean (phaseolus vulgaris l.) Seedlings under metal stress

The effects of nickel, cobalt, chromium and zinc on the content of vitamins A, E and C, malondialdehyde (MDA), chlorophyll and carotenoids were investigated in bean seedlings (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in Hoagland solution Control and heavy metal-treated plants were grown for ten days in Hoagland solution. Vitamin A, E, and C content were measured in primary leaves by high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC). MDA, chlorophyll and carotenoids were measured in leaves by spectrophotometer. In heavy metal treated plants, the levels of MDA, vitamins A, E and C and carotenoids significantly increased, while chlorophyll content decreased in leaves of seedlings. The results indicate that heavy metals caused an oxidative stress in bean plants. The strongest effect on vitamins A, E and C, MDA, chlorophyll and carotenoids was found in plants exposed to nickel, followed by the sequence cobalt > chromium> zinc.

Albumin cobalt binding (ACB) test: its role as a novel marker of acute coronary syndrome.

The biochemical marker of myocardial ischemia is detected prior to the development of myocardial necrosis, i.e. a novel biochemical evaluation based on human serum albumin binding to cobalt, a transitional metal. The evaluation is known as Albumin Cobalt Binding (ACB) Test. ACB Test is applied to detect the presence of Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA), an albumin which has altered binding capacity to bind metal ion such as cobalt (Co), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) in N-terminus region. It is produced when the serum albumin convenes with ischemic heart tissues. ACB Test detecting the presence of myocardial ischemia that occurs prior to myocardial necrosis has been studied by some researchers and they found an ACB increase prior to troponin increase. The cut off point of ACB evaluation was 85 U/ml. Provided that the value was greater than 85 U/ml then there was positive myocardial ischemia. But it should be noticed that IMA increase in the plasma may be due to other tissues such as gastrointestinal tissues or skeletal muscles tissues. We should also consider other factors which may affect the evaluation result such as severe hypoalbuminemia that will cause a false-high result. ACB Test may be used as an early marker of myocardial ischemia that occurs prior to myocardial necrosis.

Metal uptake by mycelia during submerged growth and by sporocarps of an edible fungus Volvariella volvacea.

Uptake of a few metals by V. volvacea was determined during submerged growth of the organism in sublethal concentration of each metal salt. The uptake of Pb2+ and Hg2+ was 5 and 5.23 micrograms g-1 respectively while that of Cu2+ was 500 micrograms g-1 under experimental conditions. Treatment of spawned substrate separately with different metal salts showed maximum and minimum uptake of Pb2+ (100 micrograms g-1) and Cd2+ (2.93 micrograms g-1) respectively by sporocarps. All metal salts at test concentrations reduced biological efficiency of sporocarp production but markedly by Co2+. Cd2+ and Co2+ were highly toxic to mycelia and sporocarps respectively. The uptake of Cu2+ by mycelia and Pb2+ by sporocarps were highest among the five metals tested. Metal toxicity, tolerance and uptake capacity of V. volvacea differ considerably with concentration of metal ions.