Effects of the Nitric oxide donor L-argjnine on the early stages of liver damage in rats treated with CCL[4]

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nitric oxide [NO] donor L-arginine and consequently the NO on the early of liver damage and biochemical changes in rats Injected with CCL[4], Thirty two male albino rats weighing 180-220 g studied and divided into four groups. Group 1 rats were not injected or treated with any drug [control, n = 8]. Group 2 rats were injected with CCL[4] for 6 weeks [CCL[4] treated, n = 8]. Group 3 rats were injected with CCL[4] and L- arginine for 6 weeks [CCL[4]/L-argioina treated, n = 8]. Group 4 rats were injected with L-arginine and L-NAME intraperitoneal for 6 weeks [CCL[4]/L-arginine and L-NAME treated]. After 2 weeks of study, blood samples were collected for determination of activities of Alanine-transferase [ALT], aspartate amino-transferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [AP] and the concentrations of total bilirubin. At the end of study the right lobe of liver was removed and divided into 2 pieces. The first piece used for histopathological examination by light microscopy and the second piece used for determination of NO concentration in tissue, The serum bilirubin and liver enzymes significantly increased in CCL[4] treated, and CCL[4]-L arginine and L-NANE treated groups in comparison with the control group, However, the liver enzymes were significantly in CCL[4]/L-arginine treated group in comparison with CCL[4] treated and CCL[4]/L-arginine and L-NAME treated groups. In the CCL[4] treated and CCL[4]/L-arginine and L-NAME treated groups the total nitrite [NOx] concentrations were significantly lower than in CCL[4]/untreated and CCL[4]/L-arginine treated groups. Histological Activity index Scores of the CCL[4]treated and CCL[4]/L-arginine and L-NAME treated groups were higher than in control group and CCL[4]/L-arginine treated groups. The degree of necro-inflammation and fibrosis showed significant difference between the CCL[4] and CCL[4]/L-arginine treated groups. In conclusion, the NO donor, L-arginine improved hepatic cell damage and fibrosis and positively affect serum amino transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase mostly through increasing the concentrations of NOx in hepatic tissue

Adiponectin levels and some risk factors for atheroscelerosis in rats with experimental hypo-and hyperthyroidism

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, has been reported to decrease body weight by increasing thermogenesis and lipid oxidation. Also, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic effects. Its relation to the metabolic changes and some cardiovascular risk factors in thyroid dysfunction states is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate adiponectin levels and its relation to metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in rats with thyroid dysfunction. The study was carried out on 32 adult male Wi-star rats that were divided into 4 groups [8 rats each]. Group 1 included normal rats [Euthyroid], group 2 included rats treated with 0.03% methimazole in the drinking water for 28 days [hypothyroid rats], group Ill included rats injected subcutaneously with thyroxine [50 microg/100 g body weight] for 10 days [hyperthyroid rats], group IV included hypothyroid rats injected intraperitoneal with adiponectin [1.5 mg/kg body weight] for 7 days. Blood samples were collected at the end of experiments by decapitating the rats. The following parameters were measured: serum adiponectin, serum T3, T4 and TSH levels, insulin level, fasting blood glucose, atherogenic indices [serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, fibrinogen] and C-reactive protein. Insulin sensitivity was determined using the Homoestasis Model Assessment [HOMA-IR]. Serum adiponectin level in hyperthyroid rats was 2.9 fold higher than that of euthyroid [P<0.0001], while that in hypothyroid rats tended to be lower [20%] but without statistical significance. Serum adiponectin had a positive correlation with serum thyroxine and negative association with serum TSH [P<0.05]. Also, adiponectin levels correlated negatively with body weight. In the hypothyroid group adiponectin level correlated negatively with HOMA-IR [P<0.05]. There was a significant correlation between adiponectin and HDL-C, and CRP in both hypo- and hyperthyroid rats. Adiponectin administration produced significant decrease in cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and significant increase in HDL-C in hypothyroid rats. The results of our study demonstrated that, in rats; thyroid hormone disturbances modified serum adiponectin concentration and there was a significant relationship between adiponectin level and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Also, there is a possible role for adiponectin in cardiovascular protection through its effects on low grade inflammation and insulin resistance in cases of thyroid disorders

Role of verapamil [calcium channel blocker] and lisinopril [angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor] on myocardial tolerance to acute ischaemia

This work aims to clarify the role of calcium channel blocker [verapamil] and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor [lisinopril] on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. The study was done using isolated rabbits hearts and Langendroffs apparatus for recording myocardial contractility, heart rate and coronary flow, also glucose uptake by coronary slices was estimated by glucose enzymatic kit. The work included 4 groups; Group A to study effect of ischemia and reperfusion on mentioned parameters, Group B to study effect of verapamil and lisinopril on tested parameters. Group C to study the effect of 5 minutes pre-ischaemia administration of verapamil and lisinopril on tested parameters and Group D to study the effects of administration of verapamil and lisinopril with reperfusion on parameters mentioned before. Results concluded that global ischaemia decreased the myocardial contractility and heart rate but increases glucose uptake, verapamil is a potent drug used to decrease myocardial contractility, heart rate and increase coronary flow in ischaemic hearts. Lisinopril is a drug of choice to improve contractility and heart rate when administered preischaemic or with reperfusion. Verapamil is a drug of choice to improve coronary flow when administered preischaemic or with reperfusion. There is no preference between the 2 drugs when given preischaemic on increasing glucose uptake. So calcium, angiotensin and O2 free radicals are important mediators of ischaemic reperfusion injury as their modulation by the verapamil and lisinopril significantly improve ischaemia reperfusion induced changes in myocardial contractility, heart rate, coronary flow and glucose uptake

Effect of L-arginine [nitric oxide donor] on platelets aggregation in diabetic rats

In this study, the effect of L-arginine [nitric oxide donor] on the percentage of platelets aggregation in diabetic rats was investigated. The study included 50 male albino rats classified into five equal groups: The first group, a control group; the second group, rats administered concentrated glucose solution [50%]; the third group, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats without medication; the fourth group, diabetic rats administered L-arginine and the fifth group, rats administered glucose solution [50%] and L- arginine. Blood samples were taken sodium citrate of 3.8% for the determination of the percentage of platelets aggregation. Triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose levels were measured. The results showed that the aggregability of platelets was significantly increased in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and in rats with acute hyperglycemia. L-arginine administration significantly decreased the percentage of platelets aggregation in diabetic rats and rats with acute hyperglycemia

Response of young and old hypertensive patients with low renin angiotensin aldosterone system to converting enzyme inhibition

The present work aimed to study the age related changes of the RAAS and its implication for the most commonly age related disease, essential hypertension. As the RAAS is involved in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and the ACE inhibitors are used successively for the treatment of hypertensive patients with high and medium RASS, this raised a discussion regarding the efficacy and tolerability of ACE inhibitors in the hypertensive patients with low RAAS reported that the hypertensive patients with low plasma rin values showed no response to ACE inhibitors. Belmin et al [1994] reported that the elderly hypertensive patients with low renin values showed pronounced reductions in blood pressure following treatment with ACE inhibitors. Due to this controversy, this study was done to clarify the responses of the hypertensive patients with low RAAS to ACE inhibitors