Alterations of erythrocyte free radical defense system, heart tissue lipid peroxidation, and lipid concentration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats under coenzyme Q10 supplementation

Free radicals play an important role in genesis and development of various chronic diseases and aging. Our objective is to study the effects of coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10] supplementation on erythrocyte antioxidants, heart tissue lipid peroxidation end products and lipid concentration in different age of diabetic rats. In this study, the activities of superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], and the content of reduced glutathione [GSH] were determined in erythrocytes. The products of lipid peroxidation were determined in the heart tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and in healthy rats at 4, 8, and 13-months of age. The above mentioned antioxidant systems of erythrocytes were also determined after supplementation of diabetic and healthy rats with CoQ10. This study was carried out in King Fahad Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between 2000 and 2001. In erythrocytes of diabetic rats the activity of GSH-Px was significantly decreased [p<0.001] in all different age groups, whereas the activity of SOD was significantly increased [p<0.001]. However, in erythrocyte of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, the concentration of GSH and high-density lipoprotein [HDL]-cholesterol were significantly lower than non-diabetic rats. Moreover, the concentration of heart tissue lipid peroxidation end products, and plasma glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol were significantly increased [p<0.001] in all age groups of diabetic rats. Daily supplementation with CoQ10 [10 mg/kg body weight, one month] after induction of diabetes to the rats resulted in the following changes: an increase in both erythrocyte GSH concentration and GSH-Px activity, and slightly increases in plasma HDL-cholesterol. However, SOD activity was significantly decreased [p<0.05]. In addition, the levels of lipid peroxidation end products, and triacylglycerol were significantly decreased [p<0.05] in diabetic rats supplemented with CoQ10. The results of the present study indicated that CoQ10 supplementation helps to prevent clinical complications during the course of the disease in diabetic rats

Plasma and red blood cells membrane lipid concentration of sickle cell disease patients

The present study aimed to determine the concentration of plasma and red blood cells [RBCs] membrane lipids in Saudi sickle cell disease [SCD] patients. This study was carried out at the Hematology Clinic, King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 1998 to October 1999. Lipid concentrations were determined in plasma and RBC membrane of 81 SCD patients and 66 normal healthy matched individuals [control]. Different lipid parameters were measured according to standardized enzymatic assay methods. The plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol of SCD patients were significantly decreased [p<0.001], whereas the plasma concentrations of high density lipoprotein phospholipids were significantly increased [p<0.001]. The plasma concentrations of apo A and apo B were significantly decreased [p<0.001] in SCD patients. However, the concentration of total cholesterol of RBC membrane was significantly increased [p<0.001] in SCD patients, while the phospholipid content was significantly decreased [p<0.001]. The significant increase of RBC membrane cholesterol concentration in SCD patients possibly is responsible to the change in RBC membrane fluidity that may play a direct role in the sickling phenomenon of RBCs in SCD

Effect of vitamins C and E intake on plasma lipid concentrations in rats

Changes in the plasma lipid levels were investigated among rats fed an atherosclerotic-promoting diet containing 0.5% cholesterol and rats fed the same diet with added vitamin C [ascorbic acid], vitamin E [a-tocopherol] and vitamins C + E from one to seven weeks. Total cholesterol [TC] and triglycerides [TG] were significantly increased in rats fed a hyperlipidemic diet from the third week to the seventh week, whereas high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] was not affected. Rats supplemented with 5 mg vitamin C, 5 mg vitamin E or 5 mg vitamin C + 5 mg vitamin E per day for four to seven weeks showed significant decrease in the concentration of TC and TG. HDL-C was only affected at the seventh week with vitamin C alone, whereas it was significantly increased with vitamin E alone and vitamins C + E at five to seven weeks. However, supplementation of vitamins C, E or C + E for less than four weeks has no significant effect on plasma lipid concentrations. The antioxidant effect of vitamins C and E is probably a time-dependent process that significantly lowers plasma lipids between week four and week seven following administration of these vitamins. It is therefore suggested that the incidence of coronary heart disease [CHD] may be reduced in lowering plasma lipid levels by dietary supplementation of vitamins C or E

Effects of jurak smoke condensate on enzyme activity of the mouse

The effect of jurak smoke condensate on the activities of alkaline phosphatase, glucose 6-phosphatase, 5-nucleotidase, and cholinesterase of mouse liver and small intestine was investigated. Jurak smoke condensate was administered orally by stomach tube five times weekly over a three-month period. Fifteen animals were used at 1,2, and 3 months after the start of the administration, with 5 animals killed on days 1,5 and 9, and the liver and small intestine removed for enzyme assays. The activities of all four enzymes, which are known to be sensitive to toxic agents, were significantly affected. These results indicate that the low content of tobacco leaves in jurak paste and the filtration of the smoke by water in the sheesha reservoir are not sufficient to make the smoke inhaled by smokers risk free