Induction of antioxidative enzyme by the ayurvedic herb Desmotrichum fimbriatum Bl. in mice.

The herb Desmotrichum fimbriatum Bl. (family: Orchidaceae), sold as Jibanti in West Bengal, is used in 'Rasayana therapy' in Ayurveda. Its effect on the modulation of the two antioxidant enzymes peroxidase and catalase has been studied in mice liver during 'cold water swim' (CWS) stress using appropriate controls. The drug, i.e. the aqueous ethanolic extract of the herb (whole plant) was found to increase peroxidase titre in the hepatic cells of normal mice. But in the stressed group, the drug displayed no effect on the peroxidase content, while it elicited an elevation of the catalase content. infinity-Tocoferol was used as the standard drug. These data suggested that the drug can ameliorate the peroxidative damage caused in mice by CWS stress.

Cinnabarin synthesis by "Pycnoporus sanguineus" strains antimicrobial astivity against bacteria from food products

Among three strains of "Pycnosporus sanguineus", MIP 89007 produced more cinnabarin than MIP 95001 and MIP 95002. The antimicrobial activity of cinnabarin was tesred against 11 species of bacteria isolated from food. "Bacillus cereus" and "Leuconostoc plantarum" were the most sensitive to cinnabarin, being inhibited by 0.0625 mg/ml. "Klebsiella pneumonia" was the least sensitive (>4.0 mg/ml).

Effect of DEHP [di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate] on lipid peroxidation in liver in rats and in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

The effect of DEHP [di-(2-ethly hexyl) phthalate] on lipid peroxidation in the liver in rats and in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes incubated with it was studied. The doses of DEHP used in this study corresponded to the low levels of this substance leaching into blood stored in DEHP plasticised PVC bags. Increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, increased concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes and decrease in the concentration of glutathione and vitamin E have been observed in the liver of rats administered DEHP. Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes incubated with DEHP also showed increase in the activity of these enzymes, increase in the concentration of MDA and decrease in vitamin E. These results indicate that DEHP promotes lipid peroxidation. Incorporation of vitamin E along with DEHP into the culture medium containing hepatocytes counteracted these effects.

Changes in catalase activity and hydrogen peroxide level in rat ovary during estrous cycle and induction of catalase in rat ovary by estradiol-17 beta.

Catalase activity in the whole ovary homogenate and hydrogen peroxide level in the differentially centrifuged fractions of the ovary homogenate during each stage of estrous cycle were measured. The highest catalase activity was observed in the metestrous which declined in the estrous and proestrous and was lowest in the diestrous. An inverse relationship was found between catalase activity and hydrogen peroxide production. Treatment of immature (28-29 days old) female rats with estradiol-17 beta (5 micrograms in 0.2 ml oil/animal/day for consecutive 3 days, s.c.) increased the ovarian catalase activity. The findings indicate that the free radical-scavanger system may have functional role in the ovary.

La importancia clínica de Helicobacter pylori y el diagnóstico de laboratorio de las enfermedades que ocasiona al humano / The importance of clinic diagnostic of Helicobacter pylory and diseases cause

H. pylori es una bacteria curva o helicoidal que se establece y multiplica en la mucosa gástrica ÄÄbasándose en algunos de sus diversos factores de patogenicidadÄÄ y, aunque no invade los tejidos, provoca la progresiva degradación de la capa de moco que protege al epitelio estomacal, exponiéndolo a la acción lesiva del ácido clorhídrico, aún cuando éste no alcanza las concentraciones comunes, ya que el microorganismo también afecta a las células parietales (que son las responsables de la liberación del HCI). De esa manera, H. pylori promueve la ocurrencia de las gastritis y las úlceras gástricas, aunque también se acepta que desempeña un importante papel en las úlceras duodenales, e inclusive, se le relaciona con la aparición de adenocarcinoma gástrico. El diagnóstico de laboratorio de las gastritis y las úlcera gástricas contempla métodos invasivos y no invasivos, considerando que, en el caso de los primeros, las muestras apropiadas son las biopsias obtenidas mediante endoscopía, en tanto que, los segundos, se basan en la detección-cuantificativa de anticuerpos séricos anti-H. pylory

Xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipid peroxidation in Mastomys natalensis: effect of Dipetalonema viteae infection.

Status of xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipid peroxidation, the enzymes metabolizing reactive oxygen intermediates in liver, lungs and spleen of M. natalensis during D. viteae infection was investigated. Xanthine oxidase and lipid peroxidation exhibited stimulation, while superoxide dismutase and catalase showed depression in liver and spleen of the infected animals. The filarial infection therefore appears to create O2 toxicity in these tissues. Lungs, on the other hand was found safe as it possessed elevated xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Lipid peroxidation in lungs operated below the control level. The impact of these changes in the establishment and development of the infection has been discussed.