The effect of sammo administration on some fundamental enzymes of pentose phosphate pathway and energy metabolites of alloxanized rats.

Sammo plant which is traditionally used in Egypt for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, was administered at low and high levels (4% and 8% respectively at the expense of starch) to adult male alloxanized albino rats, to study its effect on energy metabolism. Adenosine-5-triphosphate (ATP) in the brain (B), liver (L) and kidneys (K) organs of alloxanized rats was significantly lowered compared with the negative control. On the other hand, adenosine-5-diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine-5-monophosphate (AMP) contents in the same organs were elevated markedly. In this connection myokinase activity in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions of B, L and K organs was stimulated at control. Also, the activities of some fundamental enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway i.e. glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and 6-phospho-gluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions of the same organs were markedly increased. Administration of Sammo at low and high levels reduced the consumption of ATP in B, L and K organs relative to positive control. Whereas, ADP and AMP contents were relatively reduced. Also, myokinase activity in the same organs were relatively inhibited. The activity of G-6-PD and 6-PGD in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions of the same organs were also decreased relative to the positive control.

Biochemical dynamics and hypocholesterolemic action of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Karkade).

Male albino rats were fed on a mixture of cholesterol and cholic acid for 12 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia, then Karkade was administered at 5 and 10% for 9 weeks to evaluate its hypocholesterolemic and hypolipemic effect. The experimental parameters include total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. Liver and kidney functions were also investigated in normal, hypo- and hypercholesterolemic rats administered Karkade. A remarkable progress (lowering effect) in the level of different lipid fractions was noticed in spite of the continued cholesterol and cholic acid loading during the treatment. However, blood phospholipids were increased after Karkade administration. Hypercholesterolemia has resulted in an effect on the activity of liver and kidney functions. Therefore, the measurement of serum enzyme activity has provided a useful tool for hepatic recovery. Although the administration of Karkade at 5 and 10% induced a significant decrease in the activity of serum GOT and serum GPT, alkaline and acid phosphatase as well as total serum protein, the values nearly returned to the initial levels after 9 weeks of Karkade administration.

Metabolic effects of licorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra) on lipid distribution pattern, liver and renal functions of albino rats. MS.

The biochemical activity of licorice roots was investigated by administrating it to hypercholesterolaemic rats at two different doses. High cholesterol level in the serum and most organs of hypercholesterolaemic rats was accompanied by high levels of triglycerides and total lipids but low one of phospholipids. The hypocholesterolaemic action of licorice roots was accompanied by hypolipaemic action but higher level of phospholipids in the rat serum and most organs. The results showed that while the high cholesterol level in the rat serum has impairing effects on liver and renal functions, the licorice administered to these rats has a counteracting action i.e. it can improve the impaired function of both liver and p4f1ey, It has also a hypoglycaemic action.

The biochemical role and hypocholesterolaemic potential of the legume Cassia fistula in hypercholesterolaemic rats.

The hypocholesterolaemic effect of Cassia fistula was investigated using hypercholesterolaemic male albino rats. Hypercholesterolaemia was induced by feeding on a mixture of cholesterol plus cholic acid for a 12 weeks period. Hypercholesterolaemia was characterized by significant increase in the average levels of total lipids, total cholesterol, and triglycerides and significant decrease in phospholipids content. Administration of Cassia fistula significantly reduced blood and liver total lipids. Brain, spleen, kidneys and heart followed nearly the same trend but with moderate effect. Blood, liver, kidneys, spleen and heart total cholesterol was significantly reduced, while that of brain was not affected. The level of triglycerides was markedly improved. There was a moderate rise, however, in phospholipids content in all studied organs. That is to say a marked progress in the correction of lipid metabolism occurred. Also, administration of Cassia fistula induced a significant decrease in the high activities of serum GOT, GPT, alkaline and acid phosphatase and the values nearly returned the initial values. Total serum protein, albumin (A), globulin (G), A/G, free amino acids, uric acid and creatinine were also determined and their values were improved and attained nearly the normal values of the control group.

Biochemical effect of chocolate colouring and flavouring like substances on thyroid function and protein biosynthesis.

Synthetic chocolate colourant, flavourant and the mixture of both were administered to healthy adult male albino rats to evaluate their effect on the nucleic acids metabolism, i.e. deoxyribonucleic and ribonucleic acids (DNA and RNA), total serum protein, thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) and nuclease enzymes, i.e. cytoplasmic- and mitochondrial deoxyribonuclease and ribonuclease (DNase and RNase) in brain, liver, and kidneys. Also, the activity of the fundamental enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, i.e. cytoplasmic and mitochondrial glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD and 6-PGD), as well as total lipids and cholesterol contents in the same organs were studied. Ingestion of the studied food additives significantly increased serum protein, RNA and T4 hormone, while, DNA and T3 hormone were insignificantly elevated. In connection with this, the hydrolytic enzymes of nucleic acids (DNase and RNase activities) were stimulated by all studied food additives and in all mentioned organs. The activity of G-6-PD and 6-PGD in both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions of all studied organs were increased. The highest increase was noticed in rats fed on diets supplemented with the mixture of both colourant and flavourant followed by colourant then flavourant, respectively.

Comparative analysis of total proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, fibers, lipids, macro and micro minerals contents in different types of Egyptian bread.

Seven types of Egyptian bread were collected from different rural and urban areas. The chemical composition including total proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, fibers, lipids, macro and micro minerals contents were determined. Total proteins content was higher in shamssy bread than other types of bread. Crude fat has the highest value in bread made from mixture of cereals, especially when trigonella is found, while fiber content was highest when mixture of cereals containing sorghum is used. Ash content of bread made from maize + wheat showed a higher value than other types and the differences were highly significant. Ca, Mg, Cu, and Fe were higher in bread made from sorghum + trigonella blend than other types of bread. Variations in the amino acids content of the different types of bread were found; these differences due to the origin of different cereals, the method of bread processing and the differences in the extraction rates of the flour.