Protein carbonyls and traditional biomarkers in pigs exposed to low-dose γ-radiation.

Response of pigs to irradiation manifested by production of protein carbonyls and adaptable enzymes was studied in two experiments. In one experiment, 10 mixed-sex pigs were exposed to 0.5 Gy whole body (60)Co irradiation. In the other experiment, another batch of 10 pigs was exposed to 1.0 Gy half-body irradiation. Unlike those exposed to half-body irradiation, the pigs exposed to whole-body irradiation showed significant increase in protein carbonyls by 73%, and a decrease in cholesterol by 25.7%, compared to the control group. In both cases of dose-dependent irradiation exposure, pigs showed a decrease in alanine aminotransferase activity compared with the control group. At the dose of 1 Gy, ALT activity decreased significantly by 27.7%. Aspartate aminotransferase activity in pigs after half-body irradiation decreased significantly by 65.5%. Although low doses of ionizing radiation were applied, monitoring of the above biochemical parameters helped define the pigs' biological response.

Pterins as sensors of response to the application of Fe3+ -dextran in piglets.

The aim of the presented study was to assess the effect of a single administration of Fe(3+)-dextran on immune cell counts and pterin biomolecule production as novel sensors of the piglets' immune system activation, and to determine concentrations of cortisol, a traditional hormonal biosensor of the stress response. Pterins (neopterin and biopterin) in the piglets' blood serum were analyzed by separation using reversed-phase HPLC. A single dose of Fe(3+)-dextran produced a special stress situation in the piglets' organism which manifested itself by an increased production of neopterin (p < 0.05) and biopterin (p < 0.01) in the experimental piglets. Changes in cortisol concentrations and leukocyte counts were influenced by handling stress and were not specifically correlated to iron dextran application. Iron concentrations in the internal environment of the experimental piglets' group were higher by an order of magnitude compared with the controls, and the highest serum concentrations of iron (p < 0.01) were reached 24 h following Fe(3+)-dextran administration. The data presented offer a new perspective on the evaluation of stress situations in the animal organism and, not least importantly, extends the rather modest current list of references on the role of pterins in livestock animals.

A review: oxidative stress in fish induced by pesticides.

The knowledge in oxidative stress in fish has a great importance for environmental and aquatic toxicology. Because oxidative stress is evoked by many chemicals including some pesticides, pro-oxidant factors' action in fish organism can be used to assess specific area pollution or world sea pollution. Hepatotoxic effect of DDT may be related with lipid peroxidation. Releasing of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after HCB exposure can be realized via two ways: via the uncoupling of the electron transport chain from monooxygenase activity and via metabolism of HCB major metabolite pentachlorophenol. Chlorothalonil disrupts mitochondrial metabolism due to the impairment of NADPH oxidase function. Activation of spleen macrophages and a decrease of catalase (CAT) activity have been observed after endosulfan exposure. Excessive release of superoxide radicals after etoxazole exposure can cause a decrease of CAT activity and increase phagocytic activity of splenocytes. Anticholinergic activity of organophosphates leads to the accumulation of ROS and resulting lipid peroxidation. Carbaryl induces changes in the content of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes activities. The antioxidant enzymes changes have been observed after actuation of pesticides deltamethrin and cypermethrin. Bipyridyl herbicides are able to form redox cycles and thereby cause oxidative stress. Low concentrations of simazine do not cause oxidative stress in carps during sub-chronic tests while sublethal concentrations of atrazin can induce oxidative stress in bluegill sunfish. Butachlor causes increased activity of superoxide dismutase -catalase system in the kidney. Rotenon can inhibit the electron transport in mitochondria and thereby increase ROS production. Dichloroaniline, the metabolite of diuron, has oxidative effects. Oxidative damage from fenpyroximate actuation is related to the disruption of mitochondrial redox respiratory chain. Low concentration of glyphosate can cause mild oxidative stress.

Fish oil and cod liver as safe and healthy food supplements.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the content of mercury, methylmercury and persistent organic pollutants in the capsules filled with fish oil from marine fish and in the canned cod liver and find out, whether analyse products are safe and suitable for human consumption. METHODS: Total mercury was determined by cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy on an AMA-254 (Altec Ltd., Czech Republic) single-purpose mercury analyzer. Methylmercury in the cod liver in the form of chlorid methylmercury was determined by gas chromatography. Seven indicator congeners of PCB (PCB 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180), HCH, HCB, DDT and its degradation products DDE and DDD, were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In capsules filled with fish oil (n=19) total Hg levels were in the range of 0.013 to 2.03 ng/g. All the capsule oil samples analyzed for MeHg were below the detection limit. The highest concentration of total Hg was found in cod liver - can A (0.223 ng/g). The maximum percentage of MeHg in total Hg concentration was found in a liver sample - can B. The values of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta- HCH and of HCB were found below the detection limits in all the capsule samples analyzed. In eight capsules, the presence of highly lipophilic PCB congeners was demonstrated. DDT and its important DDE metabolite were found in ten samples. In canned cod liver the highest concentration of all PCB congeners was demonstrated in can D. The lowest congener concentrations, however, were found in smoked cod liver - can C. DDT with its main metabolite DDE was detected in can C. No additional DDT and DDD persistent pollutants were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of fish oil in capsules, and canned cod liver is safe and healthy and should be encouraged.