Blood biochemical and oxidant/antioxidant alterations following stanozolol treatment along with resistance training in rats.

This study was designed to determine the effects of anabolic steroid stanozolol (ST) in conjunction with 8 weeks of resistance training on some blood biochemical and oxidant/antioxidant profile in rats. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups of six each: group 1: sedentary + placebo (physiological saline), group 2: training + placebo, group 3: training + ST (2 mg kg-1 b.w.) and group 4: training + ST (5 mg kg-1 b.w.). Erythrocytic activity of glutathione peroxidase was increased significantly in group 4 as compared to control group. Plasma activities of alanine aminotransferase in groups 3 and 4 and also aspartate aminotransferase in group 4 showed significant increase relative to groups 1 and 2. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities increased significantly in groups 3 and 4 in comparison with control group. Elevated values of uric acid were significant in group 4, but not in groups 2 and 3, as compared to control group. Values of other measured parameters did not have significant alterations among experimental groups. Present findings indicate that stanozolol treatment in combination with resistance training induces some side effects especially on liver and muscle as evidenced by alterations in plasma markers of tissue damage.

Thiosulphate: cyanide sulphur transferase activity in some species of helminth parasites.

Investigation on the characteristic pattern of enzymes in various organisms may be of particular importance, as this type of information can help to understand certain physiological and biochemical processes in living organisms. Thiosulfate: cyanide sulfurtransferase (rhodanese) is a ubiquitous multifunctional enzyme, which its major function is generally believed to be in cyanide detoxification. The present study was conducted to determine the activity of this enzyme in some parasitic helminths including, cestodes (Moniezia benedeni, Helicometra giardi), trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum) and nematodes (Haemonchus longistipes, Marshalagia marshalli). The data resultant from this study indicates that at least some rhodanese activity was present in all the seven investigated parasites, although its activity was much lower in comparison with previously reported values for some tissues of their vertebrate hosts. With respect to some degrees of cyanide insensitivity in parasitic helminths, it may be suggested that cyanide detoxification may not be a primary benefit of rhodanese in parasitic helminths and the true physiological and biochemical functions of the enzyme remains to be further defined in such organisms.

Physiological response of dromedary camels to road transportation in relation to circulating levels of cortisol, thyroid hormones and some serum biochemical parameters.

Transportation is often considered as one of the main causes of stress raising considerable interest, both in economic and animal welfare terms. The objective of the current study was to determine physiological response of dromedary camels to road transportation in relation to circulating levels of cortisol, thyroid hormones and some serum biochemical factors during summer conditions. Ten Iranian dromedary camels, five males and five females, were selected for the study. The study was conducted on three consecutive days in August 2008. At first day, blood samples were collected at 08:30 A.M., 09:30 A.M. and 01:30 P.M. to determine any possible variation in individual measurements due to diurnal changes or as a result of food and water deprivation for 5 h. Travel commenced on day 2 at 08:30 A.M. for 5 h, with a total of about 300 km traveled. At second day, blood samples were collected immediately before loading, at 08:30 a.m., after 1 h transport, at 09:30 A.M., and on the end of transportation, after unloading, at 01:30 P.M. Final blood sample was taken 24 h after arrival. In the current study no significant difference was observed in any parameter between sexes at each sampling time. The data related to day before transport had no significant differences between different times except for values obtained for cortisol that at 01:30 P.M. showed a significant decrease in comparison with data at 08:30 and 09:30. Circulating cortisol, T(4), T(3) and fT(4) levels was significantly higher after transportation compared with pre-transport values and returned to basal values within 24 h after transport. Transportation had effects on metabolism as demonstrated by increase in serum concentrations of glucose, NEFA, and urea nitrogen. Serum concentrations of glucose, NEFA, and urea nitrogen returned to basal values in final bleeding at 24 h after transport termination. In the current study transportation had no significant effects on serum concentrations of fT(3), triglycerides, cholesterol, beta-hydroxybutyrate, albumin and total protein. Taken together, the results obtained for short road transportation of dromedary camels showed a strong physiological response and provide some biomarkers for stress detection in this species. Further research to validate these potential biomarkers is necessary.