Bioavailability of Li-enriched mushrooms and protection against oxidative stress in pigs: First study in vivo.

Mycelia and mushrooms are able to bioaccumulate minerals. Lithium is the active principle of drugs used in the treatment of psychiatric diseases. However, a dietary source of Li can reduce the side effects of these drugs. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of Li-enriched mushroom of Pleurotus djamor in pigs and the effects of this element on oxidative stress in the animal tissues. Pigs 28-30 days-old were fed with diets containing or not Li for five days. Levels of serum cortisol were related to the Li dosage from diet. Li-enriched mushrooms were more bioavailable source of Li to the body than Li2CO3. These mushrooms also improved the effects of oxidative enzymes and showed less oxidative damage than Li2CO3. These results demonstrate the potential to use Li-enriched P. djamor as a source of Li that is more bioavailable and present protective effects against oxidative stress.

High doses of eugenol cause structural and functional damage to the rat liver.

Eugenol is a phenolic compound found in clove extract and extensively used in traditional medicine. It is unclear whether its intake can cause positive or negative effects on liver morphology and physiology in healthy individuals. Thus, we aimed to evaluate liver parameters of rats treated with 10, 20, and 40 mg kg-1 eugenol. After 60 days of treatment, liver samples were collected and analyzed by biometric, histological, biochemical, and oxidative analyses. Our results showed that 10, 20, and 40 mg kg-1 eugenol did not alter body and liver weights, serum and hepatic ALT levels and catalase, glutathione-s-transferase, total, Ca2+, and Mg2+ ATPases activities in treated animals. However, 20 and 40 mg kg-1 eugenol reduced Na+/K+ ATPase pump activity and blood glucose levels. They also increased hepatic glycogen content, superoxide dismutase activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels. Still, 20 and 40 mg kg-1 eugenol caused structural and functional damage to the liver tissue of eugenol-treated rats. We concluded that 10 mg kg-1 eugenol is a safe dose for consumption in long-term treatment for rats. Doses higher than 20 mg kg-1 lead to hepatic damage that can impair vital processes of liver functionality.