Protective role of antioxidant vitamin E and catechin on idarubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

Idarubicin is an anthracycline antibiotic extensively used in acute leukemia. In the present study we investigated whether vitamin E and catechin can reduce the toxic effects of idarubicin. Vitamin E (200 IU kg(-1) week(-1)), catechin (200 mg kg(-1) week(-1)), idarubicin (5 mg kg(-1) week(-1)), idarubicin + vitamin E (200 IU kg(-1) week(-1)), and idarubicin + catechin (200 mg kg(-1) week(-1)) combinations were given to male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 210 to 230 g (N = 6/group). Idarubicin-treated animals exhibited a decrease in body and heart weight, a decrease in myocardial contractility, and changes in ECG parameters (P<0.01). Catechin + idarubicin- and vitamin E + idarubicin-treated groups exhibited similar alterations, but changes were attenuated in comparison to those in cardiac muscle of idarubicin-treated rats (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was reduced in the idarubicin-treated group (P<0.05). Glutathione peroxidase levels were decreased in the idarubicin-treated group (P<0.05) and reached maximum concentrations in the catechin- and catechin + idarubicin-treated groups compared to control (P<0.01). Malondialdehyde activity was decreased in the catechin + idarubicin-treated groups compared to control and increased in the other groups, reaching maximum concentrations in the vitamin E-treated group (P<0.01). In electron microscopy studies, swelling of the mitochondria and dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of myocytes were observed in the idarubicin-treated groups. In groups that were given idarubicin + vitamin E and idarubicin + catechin, the only morphological change was a weak dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We conclude that catechin and vitamin E significantly reduce idarubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

Protective role of antioxidant vitamin E and catechin on idarubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Idarubicin is an anthracycline antibiotic extensively used in acute leukemia. In the present study we investigated whether vitamin E and catechin can reduce the toxic effects of idarubicin. Vitamin E (200 IU kg-1 week-1), catechin (200 mg kg-1 week-1), idarubicin (5 mg kg-1 week-1), idarubicin + vitamin E (200 IU kg-1 week-1), and idarubicin + catechin (200 mg kg-1 week-1) combinations were given to male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 210 to 230 g (N = 6/group). Idarubicin-treated animals exhibited a decrease in body and heart weight, a decrease in myocardial contractility, and changes in ECG parameters (P<0.01). Catechin + idarubicin- and vitamin E + idarubicin-treated groups exhibited similar alterations, but changes were attenuated in comparison to those in cardiac muscle of idarubicin-treated rats (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was reduced in the idarubicin-treated group (P<0.05). Glutathione peroxidase levels were decreased in the idarubicin-treated group (P<0.05) and reached maximum concentrations in the catechin- and catechin + idarubicin-treated groups compared to control (P<0.01). Malondialdehyde activity was decreased in the catechin + idarubicin-treated groups compared to control and increased in the other groups, reaching maximum concentrations in the vitamin E-treated group (P<0.01). In electron microscopy studies, swelling of the mitochondria and dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of myocytes were observed in the idarubicin-treated groups. In groups that were given idarubicin + vitamin E and idarubicin + catechin, the only morphological change was a weak dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We conclude that catechin and vitamin E significantly reduce idarubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

The effects of acarbose and Rumex patientia on liver ultrastructure in streptozotocin-induced diabetic (type II) rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acarbose and Rumex patientia on liver ultrastructure in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic (type II) rats. Forty-two-day-old, neonatal Wistar albino rats were used. They were divided into six groups. STZ was injected into groups 4, 5 and 6 on postnatal day 2. Groups 1 and 5 received water, groups 2 and 6 received 2% decoction of R. patientia grain and groups 3 and 4 received 40 mg acarbose/100 g feed. During the experimental period, blood glucose levels were checked periodically and HbA1c levels were measured from cardiac blood at the end of the experiment. In addition, liver tissue was examined by electron microscopy. Our results showed that glucose and HbA1c levels, which are increased by STZ, were decreased by acarbose and R. patientia. In group 5, most of the mitochondria of hepatocytes were swollen and some hepatocytes contained lipid granules in their cytoplasm. In group 4, no pathological changes were observed in hepatocytes, but some lysosomes were found in their cytoplasms. In group 6, mitochondrial changes were minimal compared with those in group 5, and no lipid granules were observed in hepatocytes.

[The clinico-pathogenetic significance of disorders of the immune status in dysentery]. / Kliniko-patogeneticheskoe znachenie narushenii immunogo statusa pri dizenterii.

As many as 256 patients with Flexner's dysentery caused by the same source of infection were examined. It has been established that in patients with a severe and protracted course of the disease, secondary immunodeficiency is formed by the relative hypersuppressor type and the function of phagocytizing macrophages decreases. Patients with the reduced immune characteristics manifest deceleration of convalescence and repeated isolation of Shigella after the antibiotic therapy. It is concluded that the use of immunocorrectors is advisable in a complex of different methods of the treatment for the protracted and severe forms of dysentery.