Stability of lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamin A in Tomatoes and some Tomato products

Tomatoes are among the most widely consumed vegetables worldwide and an important source of certain antioxidants including lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamin A, and also have important anticarcinogenic properties. Consumption of tomato and tomato products for their content of antioxidants could be of a great benefit for human health. In the present study, lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamin A contents of tomatoes and tomato products [including tomato juice, jam, paste, puree, sauce, soup, powder and ketchup] were determined by HPLC. Data showed that the concentrations of lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamin A in tomato products ranged from 6596 to 214952 micro g/100g, 170 to 5540 micro g/100g and 283.63 to 9242.94 IU/100g, respectively. The highest concentrations of lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamin A were traced in tomato paste with oil followed by tomato paste without oil. The stability of lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamin A in tomato ketchup during storage for 3 months were influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and light. The stability of the aforementioned compounds A in tomato ketchup during storage at ambient temperature or at 4 C were affected by the light exposure as compared to samples which stored in the dark

Serum tumor necrosis factor- alpha, interleukin-6 and vitamin D therapy in acute renal failure in rats

The aim of this study is to show the relation between the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and acute renalfailure, also the effect of Vit D3 therapy on the level of these cytokines 30 male rats were used. They were subdivided into 2 groups: group 1: 10 rats as controls, Group II was subdivided into 2 subgroups: Group II A: 10 rats with gentamicin model of acute renal failure, Group II B: 10 rats received vit D3 [450 IU/Kg/d] orally for one month prior to induction of renal failure as in group II A. The following parameters were measured: Creatinine clearance, urea concentration, urinary albumin, serum TNF - alpha and serum IL - 6 levels. TNF-alpha and IL - 6 were elevated in rats with acute renal failure. vit D3 therapy, resulted in reduction of their levels. TNF-alpha and IL-6 could he implicated in this model of acute renal failure. Vit D[3] can produce significant change in the level of these cytokines. TNF-alpha antagonists holds promise for the treatment and prevention of acute renal failure

Effect of nifedipine on paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in rats

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of nifedipine [calcium channel blocker] in a dose of 0.2 mg/kg b. wt. i.m. for one week on paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] hepatotoxicity in rats. The results of the present study revealed that pretreatment with nifedipine prior to paracetamol hepatotoxicity produced a significant decrease of serum alanine amino transferase [ALAT], serum aspartate amino transferase [ASAT], a significant reduction of calcium content of the liver and significant increase of glutathione content of the liver. As regards, the effect of nifedipine on CCl4 hepatotoxicity it resulted in significant reduction of serum ALAT, serum ASAT, serum alkaline phosphatase and significant increase of glutathione content of the liver. It was concluded that nifedipine has a cyto-protective role in these two models of hepatotoxicity

Effect of chronic lead exposure on functions and urinary excretion of some essential metals in rats

The present study was carried out on 20 male albino rats [lead exposed group and control group each of 10 rats]. Creatinine clearance, serum uric acid, serum glucose, urinary excretion of zinc, iron, copper, uric acid and serum glucose levels, also increased urinary excretion of the essential elements. It can be concluded that lead nephropathy can be related to impaired metabolism and diverse function of not only calcium but also other cations as zinc, iron, copper and magnesium

Study of possible cardioprotective effect of angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors on isoproterenol-induced myocardial necrosis

The present study aims to clarify the possible cardioprotective effect of captopril [10 mg/kg b. wt. i.m.] [ACE inhibitor with sulfhydryl SH] group quinapril [10 mg/kg b. wt. i.m.] [a new ACE inhibitor with no SH group] on electrocardiographic [ECG] and biochemical changes in isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis. The results revealed that pretreatment with captopril and quinapril induced significant reduction of serum aspartate amino transferase [ASAT], alanine amino transferase [ALAT] pretreatment by both drugs. It could be concluded that ACE inhibitors captopril and quinapril may be used as cardioprotective drugs in myocardial ischemia