The Role of Reduced Glutathione on the Activity of Adenosine Deaminase, Antioxidative System, and Aluminum and Zinc Levels in Experimental Aluminum Toxicity.

Aluminum (Al) is one of the most abundant element in the world. But aluminum exposure and accumulation causes serious diseases, related with free radicals. Reduced glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide with intracellular antioxidant effects. This study aimed to investigate the role of GSH on adenosine deaminase (ADA), antioxidant system, and aluminum and zinc (Zn) levels in acute aluminum toxicity. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 32) were used. The rats were divided into four equal groups (n = 8). Group I received 0.5 mL intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% saline solution (NaCI), Group II received single-dose AlCI3, Group III was given GSH for seven days, and Group IV was given AlCI3 single dose, and at the same time, 100 mg/kg GSH was given for seven days. At the end of the trial, blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and Zn levels were lower in the aluminum-administered group than the control group. In contrast, plasma total oxidant status (TOS) and aluminum concentrations and ADA activity were found higher in the aluminum-administered group than in the control group. Unlike the other groups, group GSH administrated with aluminum was similar to the control group. As a result, GSH administration has a regulatory effect on ADA activity, antioxidant system, and Zn levels in experimental aluminum toxicity. In addition, GSH may reduce the oxidant capacity increased by Al administration and may have a tolerant role on the accumulated serum Al levels. But long-term experimental Al toxicity studies are needed to reach a firm conclusion.

Boric acid and Borax Supplementation Reduces Weight Gain in Overweight Rats and Alter L-Carnitine and IGF-I Levels.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of boric acid (BA) and borax (BX) on live weight and obesity associated molecules including leptin, L-carnitine, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I), and heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70) in rats fed with high-fat diet. A total of 60 rats were equally allocated as ND (normal diet), HF (high-fat diet), HF+BA, HF+BX, ND+BX, ND+BA. Body weight increases in HF+BA (85 g) and HF+BX (86 g) were significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to HF group (126 g). Boron treatment decreased serum L-carnitine level in high-fat diet (HF+BA 11.12 mg/L, HF+BX 10.51 mg/L, p<0.05) compared to HF group (15.57 mg/L), while no change was observed in groups ND+BA (7.55 mg/L) and ND+BX (7.57 mg/L) compared to group ND (8.29 mg/L). Neither BA nor BX supplementation in ND and HF groups altered the serum levels of HSP70 and leptin. BA and BX supplementation in rats fed HF resulted in a significant reduction in live weight. Boron compounds altered L-carnitine and IGF-1 levels in rats. These results indicate that boron compounds are beneficial in the treatment of obesity as well as in the prevention of high-fat diet-induced weight increase. Alterations in serum L-carnitine and IGF-1 levels in boron treated rats also indicate possible role of boron compounds in energy metabolism in response to high fat diet.

A novel detergent additive: Organic solvent- and thermo-alkaline-stable recombinant subtilisin.

In the present work, subtilisin gene from Bacillus subtilis PTTC 1023 was synthesized, cloned into the vector pD441-NH and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). Recombinant subtilisin was purified in a single-step procedure by affinity chromatography. The molecular mass of the purified protein was determined to be about 40kDa by SDS-PAGE. The optimum pH and temperature values of its proteolytic activity were 10.5 and 50°C, respectively and retained more than 70% and 89% of its activity in pH range of 7-12 and 30-60°C, respectively. Enzyme purity was estimated to be about 200- fold greater than that of the crude extract and subtilisin had a specific activity of 56.16U/mg, with a yield of about 87.9%. It was completely inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, which strongly suggests its belonging to serine protease family. Interestingly, subtilisin protease displayed a significant compatibility with commercial detergents, and tolerance organic solvents, metallic ions and surfactants. The findings obtained demonstrated that protease of B. subtilis could potentially be used in future applications as an additive in detergent formulations.

Histopathologic, biochemical and genotoxic investigations on chronic sodium nitrite toxicity in mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long term Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) consumption. Swiss albino mice were given NaNO2 (0, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day) as mixed in feed for 8 months. At the end of treatments, animals were sacrificed and selected organs were processed for histopathologic, imunohistochemical, biochemical and genotoxic investigations. Mild to moderate degenerative changes were observed in liver, kidney, intestine, lung and spleen of NaNO2-given mice. Inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitrotyrosine activities increased in liver and kidney of NaNO2-given mice. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen activity increased in liver. Apoptotic cell death was observed in livers of the treatment groups. Liver malondialdehyde level was higher in the treatment groups while no change was seen in kidney. Nitric oxide levels in both liver and kidney of the treatment groups were lower than those of the control group. In genotoxic investigations, the number of chromosome and chromatid breaks, chromatid association, and polyploidy increased while mitotic index decreased in NaNO2-given mice. The results showed that NaNO2 would cause histopathologic changes, nitrosative tissue damage, and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney, as well as induce chromosomal aberrations even if it was given at low levels for long time.

Subclinical mastitis causes alterations in nitric oxide, total oxidant and antioxidant capacity in cow milk.

The aim of this study was to investigate total antioxidant (TAC), and oxidant capacity (TOC) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in milk of cows with subclinical mastitis. Brown Swiss and Holstein breed cows were screened with California Mastitis Test (CMT) to determine mammary glands with subclinical mastitis. Moreover, somatic cell counts (SCC) were determined electronically in all milk samples. Mammary quarters were classified as healthy (n=25) or subclinical mastitis (n=35) based on CMT scores and somatic cell count (SCC: < or =200,000/ml or >200,000/ml) in milk. Nitric oxide, TOC and SCC levels were significantly higher (p<0.001, p<0.005 and p<0.001, respectively) in milk from mammary quarters with subclinical mastitis compared to those from healthy mammary quarters. In conclusion, subclinical mastitis results in higher NO concentrations, TOC and SCC, and NO and TOC were positively correlated with SCC. Moreover, alterations in NO levels and TOC in milk could be used as an alternative diagnostic tool to screen for subclinical mastitis.

Effects of dietary zinc and L-arginine supplementation on total antioxidants capacity, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, egg weight, and blood biochemical values in Japanese quails.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of dietary zinc and L-arginine supplementation on blood total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), some blood chemistry parameters, and egg weights of laying quails. Three groups of Japanese quails were fed with a diet containing L-arginine (5 mg/kg), zinc (60 mg/kg), and normal basal diet (control) for 30 days. TAC, lipid peroxidation, and biochemical analysis were performed in the blood of animals. L-Arginine and zinc supplementation improved TAC and reduced MDA concentrations compared to the control (P<0.05). In comparison to the control, blood NO concentrations were increased by Larginine (P<0.01) and zinc treatment (P<0.05). Both zinc (P<0.001) and L-arginine (P< 0.01) supplementation significantly increased egg weight in laying quails. Some of the blood chemistry parameters were also altered by the treatment of L-arginine and zinc supplementation. No difference was found in blood albumin and creatinine levels among the groups. Blood glucose (P=0.833) and total protein (P=0.264) levels in control and Larginine-treated groups were found to be similar. Glucose and total protein levels were decreased in zinc-supplemented animals compared to the control and L-arginine groups (P< 0.05). No difference was found in triglyceride levels between control and zinc-applied groups (P=0.197). However, L-arginine treatment reduced the blood triglyceride levels compared to the control (P<0.05). In conclusion, L-arginine and zinc supplementation could be beneficial and effective for decreasing oxidative stress, boosting antioxidant capacity, and improving egg weight in the blood of the animals.