Ghrelin and orotic acid increased in subclinical mastitis.

Hormone ghrelin and orotic acid accelerate wound healing as well as controlling inflammation and immunity. We have, therefore, investigated the serum and milk levels of ghrelin and orotic acid in dairy cows with (n = 21) or without (n = 21) subclinical mastitis. Acylated and des-acylated ghrelin as well as orotic acid concentration were detected by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results revealed that ghrelin level in milk and serum was significantly higher in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis than that of dairy cows without subclinical mastitis. This was also the case when the orotic acid concentrations in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis were compared with those dairy cows without subclinical mastitis. In conclusion, ghrelin and orotic acid occur in particularly high concentrations in subclinical mastitis, and might, therefore, be required in greater amounts for tissue repair and may be also used as a indicator for subclinical mastitis.

Investigation of antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C) and lipid peroxidation levels in rats injected N-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-N-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl) amine.

The present study examined the influence of synthetic N-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-N-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl) amine (2-Amdz) on levels of vitamins A, E and C and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rats. A total of 30 rats, divided into two groups, were used in the study. The control group was given only a subcutaneous injection of 250 microL 75% ethanol, every other day. The other group of rats was administered a subcutaneous injection of 2-Amdz (25 mg kg-1, dissolved in 250 microL of 75% ethanol). Injections were continued for 16 days. After the application of 2-Amdz for 16 days, the serum levels of vitamins A, E and C and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by HPLC. The serum vitamin A, E, and C levels decreased significantly compared to controls (p<0.05) whereas serum MDA levels were higher than control levels (p<0.005). As a result, it can be suggested that 2-Amdz induced a severe stress and more importantly, increased the amount of free radicals and significantly decreased the levels of serum antioxidant vitamins.

The levels of glutathione peroxidase, vitamin A, E, C and lipid peroxidation in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the levels of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the serum levels of antioxidant vitamins (A, E and C), selenium and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 91 people (23 healthy controls and 68 patients with TCC). Erythrocyte GSH-Px activity was measured by spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography to detect serum levels of vitamins and MDA, and fluorometry to detect serum levels of selenium. RESULTS: The serum levels of vitamin A, E and C, and selenium were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients with TCC than in controls. However, erythrocyte GSH-Px activities (P < 0.05) and serum MDA levels (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in patients with TCC than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of free oxygen species were higher, and antioxidant vitamin and selenium levels lower, in patients with bladder TCC than in controls. These findings, with the results of previous animal studies, suggest that giving vitamin A, C, E and selenium may be beneficial in preventing and treating human bladder cancer.