Oral administration of naringenin and a mixture of coconut water and Arabic gum attenuate oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of naringenin in combination with an aqueous mixture of coconut water (CW) and Arabic gum (AG) on renal function, lipid profile, antioxidant activity, and morphology in gentamicin-induced kidney injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult male Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups. 1-Negative control group, 2-positive control group (Gentamicin), 3-Naringenin+AG+CW, 4-Gentamicin+Naringenin+AG+CW: groups 2 and 4 were treated with gentamicin. After six weeks, the rats were anesthetized with diethyl ether, and blood was collected by cardiac puncture and dissected to collect the kidneys. Biochemical studies were performed to determine the levels of urea, creatinine, lipids, total antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxide, antioxidant enzyme activity in the kidney, total phenolic content (TPC), radical-scavenging activity, calcium, magnesium, and potassium in AG, CW, and their mixture. Also, kidney histopathology was performed. RESULTS: Renal injury manifests as elevated serum urea and creatinine levels. A significant increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) was also noted. The activities of antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) significantly decreased in the serum. There was a reduction in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities in kidney homogenates. Gentamicin administration induces morphological changes in the kidneys. Oral administration of naringenin+AG+CW significantly overturned all of the above-mentioned abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the naringenin+AG+CW combination exhibited an additive effect against renal dysfunction and structural damage through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, as well as replenishing and balancing intracellular and extracellular electrolytes. Therefore, oral administration of these three ingredients could potentially provide better protection and serve as a unique therapeutic tool against nephrotoxicity caused by gentamicin.

Oxidative stress during erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness anemia at end stage renal disease: Molecular and biochemical studies.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are two faces of one coin in end stage renal disease patients (ESRD) on maintenance hemodialysis. Their interconnection induces anemia complicated with erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness. The biochemical bases behind the resistance to erythropoietin therapy with frequent hemoglobinemia, oxidative stress and iron status have not been fully understood. Here two equal groups (40 patients each) of responders and non-responders to recombinant human erythropoietin therapy (higher than 300 IU/kg/wk of epoetin) were investigated. Hematological and biochemical analyses of collected blood and serum samples were performed along with serum electrophoretic protein footprinting. The leukocytic DNA fragmentation was used to evaluate the degree of oxidative insult. The good responders showed lower erythrocyte malondialdehyde (E-MDA) level and less DNA fragmentation of circulating leukocytes than poor responders with elevated hemoglobin, albumin, A/G ratio, total iron, and ferritin levels. Contrariwise, lower erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (E-SOD) and catalase activities in EPO poor responder group were noticed. Neither other serum constituents nor electrophoretic protein pattern showed any difference between the two groups. There were higher levels of inflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in EPO poor responder than good responder. The negative correlations between Hb and both IL6 and CRP levels in the present data remotely indicate a positive correlation between inflammatory markers and severity of anemia. A direct correlation between Hb and antioxidant enzymes (E-SOD and catalase) was noticed, while inverse correlation with E-MDA was recorded. The study proved that oral supplementation of vitamin C to ESRD patients might mitigate the previously elevated serum MDA level in these patients.

Effect of ginseng extract supplementation on testicular functions in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: It was aimed to investigate the effect of standardized ginseng extract on fertility parameters in diabetic rats. METHODS: Thirty male rats were randomly allocated into three groups of 10 rats each: 1. controls, 2. diabetes (D) and 3. diabetes + ginseng (DG). The latter two groups were rendered diabetic by i.p. injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 50 mg/kg). Standardized ginseng extract (Dansk Droge A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark) was administered per os (100 mg/kg BW) by stomach tube daily for 90 days starting one week after STZ. Ninety days post STZ the rats were sacrificed, and testis, epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicles were weighed and subjected to histological examination. In addition, spermiogram, testicular enzyme markers, intratesticular steroid hormonal profile and testicular antioxidant status were estimated. RESULTS: The administration of ginseng extract resulted in a significant improvement of fertility parameters and testicular antioxidants together with a decrease in malondialdehyde and testicular pathological signs including degenerative changes of the seminiferous tubules. CONCLUSION: Ginseng extract may be a beneficial adjuvant therapy for diabetics suffering from infertility as a complication.

Comparing ethylene glycol with glycerol for cryopreservation of buffalo bull semen in egg-yolk containing extenders.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the possibility of substituting glycerol for ethylene glycol when cryopreserving buffalo semen. Semen of eight buffalo bulls was mixed, pooled, and frozen in one of these four diluents: centrifuged Tris egg yolk glycerol; centrifuged Tris egg yolk ethylene glycol; centrifuged Milk egg yolk glycerol; or centrifuged Milk egg yolk ethylene glycol. Semen quality parameters assessed after thawing were motility, survivability, livability, sperm abnormality, acrosome integrity, and plasma membrane integrity. Conception rate and pregnancy rate were calculated after insemination of 104 buffaloes by straws of different groups (26 female/extender). Improvement in livability, sperm abnormality, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity, conception rate, and pregnancy rate were seen when using ethylene glycol to replace glycerol when freezing buffalo bull semen in centrifuged TRIS egg yolk 61.15 ± 0.73, 24.85 ± 0.41, 69.10 ± 0.81, 71.75 ± 0.72, 46.2%, and 46.2%, respectively, followed by centrifuged milk egg yolk extenders.

Creatine phosphokinase and aspartate aminotransverase profiles and its relation to the severity of uterine torsion in Egyptian buffalo.

Thirty-five female buffalo suffering from uterine torsion were brought to the veterinary clinic and were clinically examined as well as monitored using trans-rectal and trans-abdominal ultrasonography. Three blood samples were taken from each animal (before re-torsion, 1h and 24h after delivery) to investigate the relationship between the serum concentrations of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransverase (AST) and the severity of uterine torsion. The incidence of uterine torsion was greater in multiparous than young buffalo. The concentration of CPK and AST showed a significant (P<0.05) increase with increased duration and severity of uterine torsion. However, the concentration of CPK was less in the cases delivering a live foetus than a dead one. Animals with CPK above 450 IU usually had uterine rupture during labour (85.7%) and CPK level above 500 U/l did not respond to treatment. After labour, the AST concentration reached normal in some cases (1-6 and 24-48h). Animals with AST above 100 U/l may be either not respond to the re-torsion procedures or respond but exposed to uterine rupture during vaginal delivery. Occurrence of the uterine torsion is usually accompanied by an elevation (P<0.05) of AST concentration regardless the degree, position and viability of the foetus (76.47-100.25 U/l vs. 59.43 U/l). Animals with severe torsion or carrying a dead foetus had greater (P<0.05) AST compared to those having a mild degree or carrying live foetus. After labour, the concentration of AST decreased (P<0.05) but never reached normal concentrations up to 24h except in animals having a live foetus. In conclusion, concentration of CPK and AST can be used as a prognostic indicator for the occurrence of uterine torsion in Egyptian buffalo.

Quality assurance in measuring the elemental composition of the alga Fucus vesiculosus.

Algae are increasingly used for the purpose of environmental biomonitoring, for instance in the long-term program of the Federal Environmental Specimen Bank of Germany. Therefore, for the studies presented here, freeze-dried samples of Fucus vesiculosus collected from the North Sea shores were analyzed for a broad range of elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), while inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were carried out on digests. The entire analytical procedures, including field sampling, cleaning of material, sample handling, determination of blanks and instrumental parameters, are described. Certified reference materials analyzed in parallel with real samples and intermethod comparisons were used for assuring the accuracy of the analytical data. Reproducibility of INAA measurements was between 4 and 6% depending on the element considered. Possible sources of uncertainty and variation of the contaminant origins are discussed. Boundary conditions for the performance of algae sampling within environmental monitoring programs and the application of this marine bioindicator for the purpose of controlling time-dependent and local differences in element patterns are presented.

Toxicological potential of malathion residues in stored soybean seeds.

Succinate-14C-malathion penetrates readily into soybean seeds. The total internal residues inside the seeds amounted to 58-65% of the applied dose after 30 weeks, of which 8-9% were in the form of bound residues. The major part of the internal methanol extractables are chloroform soluble metabolites which include malathion (about 60%), monocarboxylic acid (15%) and its decarboxylation product (8%). The water soluble metabolites contained only one radioactive substance, namely malathion dicarboxylic acid. The toxicological potential of the total internal residues was studied by feeding mice with the washed seeds for about 2.5 months. Treated mice suffered from deterioration of hepatic and renal function as indicated by the observed increased level of blood serum esterases and blood urea nitrogen. The results of blood biochemistry are supported by the histopathological changes observed in the liver, kidney, stomach and intestine. The organs showed degenerative changes including leucocytic aggregation, congestion and dilatation of blood vessels. Other adverse effects caused by malathion residues are indicated from cytogenetic studies on bone marrow of treated mice. Studies showed an initial bone marrow toxicity as indicated by increase in percentage of polychromatic erythrocytes over controls. This effect diminished upon prolongation of feeding period over one month. Feeding with malathion residues affected a gradual increase, with feeding period, in the percentage of polychromatic erythrocytes with micronuclei, a parameter recommended for detecting chemical mutagenes in animal test systems.

Biochemical effect of steroid anaesthesia on some liver function tests in goat.

Saffan, as a type of steroid anaesthetic, was tested to demonstrate the effect of its administration on liver function in goat. For this purpose, 40 healthy animals were divided into 4 equal groups. The 1st 2 groups were given 2 or 4 mg saffan/kg body weight (B.W.), respectively. A mixture of saffan (1 mg) and xylazine (0.1 mg)/kg B.W. was given to the 3rd group. Xylazine alone was offered to the 4th group in a concentration of 0.1 mg/kg B.W. Serum samples from all groups were analysed to measure the quantities of glucose, total protein, total and direct bilirubin as well as the activity levels of transaminases. Increased glucose levels resulted from administration of saffan which evoked more hyperglycaemia than its mixture with xylazine or xylazine alone. The hyperglycaemic effect of both doses of saffan was equivocal beyond 2 hours. The effect then differed, and glucose elevation reached the 4 fold level by 2 mg saffan and the 3 fold level by 4 mg. Total serum protein, direct and total bilirubin as well as GPT and GOT were not changed in the 4 experimental groups. This was a good indication to normal liver function in the course of administration of steroid anaesthetics to goat.

Study into wild Egyptian plants of potential medicinal activity. Ninth communication: hypoglycaemic activity of some selected plants in normal fasting and alloxanised rats.

31 desert plants belonging to 17 families were collected from different Egyptian localities. 21 plants extracts were orally given to normal rats, and 15 were tested on fasted and to alloxanised rats. The results were compared with a standard oral hypoglycaemic drug (Daonil, Hoechst) used as a positive control. The following findings were obtained: 8 plants exhibited persistent hypoglycaemic effects, Lycium shawii, Salvia (S.) aegyptiaca, Pergularia tomentosa, Convolvulus (C.) althaeoides, Haloxylon salicornicum, Ephedra alata, Scrophularia deserti, and Crotalaria aegyptiaca. Transient hypoglycaemic effects appeared only 1 hour after administration in response to 4 plants, Silena succulenta, Lygos raetam, C. lanatus, and Pulicaria incisa. In the cases of Ochradenus baccatus and Zygophyllum album, slow hypoglycaemic activity was produced and appeared 3 hours after administration. 5 plants showed hypoglycaemic effects viz, Thymus capitatus, Launaea nudicaulis, Conyza dioscorides, Nitraria retusa, and Limonium tubiflorum. Among the 15 plant extracts tested on alloxanised diabetic rats only 4 showed hypoglycaemic effects more potent than those of the administered dose of Daonil. These were Matthiola livida, S. aegyptiaca, Astragalus species, and Arthrocnemum glaucum. The hypoglycaemic effect of S. aegyptiaca in fasting rats has been confirmed also in alloxanised diabetic animals. This emphasises the importance of conducting both experiments in order to obtain a reliable conclusion.

Effect of thiamine, magnesium, and sulfate salts on growth, thiamine levels, and serum lipid constituents in rats.

Six variable supplementations of thiamine magnesium, and sulfates were given to 30 male adult rats in their diets. After 3 weeks, the concentrations of thiamine in the blood and liver and those of cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides in the serum were determined. Blood thiamine level did not reflect the vitamin content in liver. Sufficient and/or excessive intake of the 3 supplementations caused an increase in liver thiamine content and body weight gain; it also caused a reduction in serum cholesterol level without a change in the levels of serum triglycerides and phospholipids. Deficiency of both magnesium and sulfate salts in thiamine-supplemented groups decreased body weight gain and liver thiamine content with a significant elevation of serum triglycerides.

Effects of steroid anaesthesia on some liver function tests in goats.

The effect of Saffan, a steroid anaesthetic, on the liver function of goats has been studied. Forty healthy animals were divided into 4 equal groups. The first 2 groups were given 2 and 4 mg Saffan/kg b. wt respectively. A mixture of Saffan (1 mg) and Xylazine (0.1 mg)/kg b. wt was given to the third group and Xylazine alone to the fourth group (0.1 mg/kg b. wt). Serum samples from all groups were analysed for glucose, total protein, total and direct bilirubin and the level of activity of transaminases. Administration of Saffan evoked more hyperglycemia than a mixture with Xylazine, or Xylazine alone. The hyperglycemic effect of both doses of Saffan (2 and 4 mg) was equivocal beyond 2 h. The effect then differed and glucose was increased 4-fold by 2 mg and 3-fold by 4 mg Saffan. Serum total protein, conjugated and total bilirubin, and GPT and GOT were not changed in the four experimental groups. This was good evidence of a normally functioning liver during the course of steroid anaesthesia administration in goats.

Some enzyme interrelationships in serum and organs of Egyptian camel.

In 7 normal healthy Egyptian one-humped camels aged 3-4 years, the relationships were studied between enzyme activities of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), and cholonesterase (CHE) of serum and organs as well as between ACP and ALP and between LDH and CPK. Liver, heart, kidney, and spleen tissue samples as well as serum were analysed for total enzyme activity. The following results were obtained: --The heart was the organ with the highest activities of ALP, LDH, and CPK, and it contained high values of CHE, whereas the lowest activities of all enzymes were recorded from serum. The spleen exhibited of the highest activity of ACP. --Each of the serum enzymes ALP, LDH, and CHE were in strong inverse relationship with the corresponding enzymes in the liver. Strong inverse relationships existed also between serum LDH and kidney LDH as well as between CPK in serum and heart. --Direct relationships were remarkable serum LDH and that of spleen and heart as well as between serum ACP and that of liver and heart. --Interrelationships were inverse between ACP and ALP in liver, kidney, and heart, but weak direct interrelationships were characteristic between the 2 enzymes in serum and spleen. --LDH was inversely interrelated with CPK in serum and heart.

Influence of dietary mineral imbalance on the incidence of urolithiasis in Egyptian calves.

The influence of certain dietary elements on the urolithiasis syndrome in cattle calves was elucidated. Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium measurements were conducted on feed rations as well as on serum and urine samples collected from affected and normal calves. Analysis of the rations given to the animals showed phosphorus at higher levels than calcium, indicating mineral imbalance. Serum and urine of urolithic calves were characterised by high phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, urea, and creatinine levels. Physical examination of urine of affected animals showed a high degree of turbidity, a large amount of calcium carbonate, and triple phosphate as well as abundant amount of pus cells and red blood cells. The characteristic clinical symptoms of urine retention were observed. Moreover, some animals were found to urinate through an opening in front of the scrotal region.

Cardiac abnormalities and exercise tolerance in patients receiving renal replacement therapy.

The exercise tolerance of the survivors of a consecutive group of 100 patients in a renal dialysis and transplant programme was compared with the prevalence of cardiac abnormalities detected by exercise testing, echocardiography, and radionuclide angiography. Fifty four patients attended for investigation 27 (SD 7) months after starting renal replacement therapy. Forty three of them (80%) were receiving antihypertensive treatment. Their performance on a bicycle ergometer exercise test was compared with that of 62 normal subjects and the patients divided into five groups of decreasing ability. The exercise tolerance of the patients was very poor, only 17 performing within the normal range. Impairment in exercise capacity was not explained by the type or quality of renal replacement therapy. Fourteen patients developed ischaemic electrocardiographic changes on exercise. Left ventricular ejection fraction was assessed by gated blood pool scanning in 37 patients; all nine of the patients with an abnormally low radionuclide ejection fraction also had abnormal exercise tolerance. Satisfactory M mode echocardiograms were obtained from 45 of the patients, and only two were normal. Left ventricular hypertrophy was detected in 25 (56%) of the echocardiograms, and abnormalities indicating impaired left ventricular function were common and widespread. Grouping all the abnormal cardiac features together for the patients in each exercise group showed a striking linear trend of increasing proportion of cardiac abnormalities with worsening exercise tolerance among the five exercise groups (p less than 0.001). The proportion of patients becoming unemployed within one year of starting renal replacement therapy similarly increased, from nil to 60% from the best exercise group to the most incapacitated. Twenty nine of the original cohort of 100 patients subsequently died, cardiovascular disease accounting for 12 (41%) of these deaths. Diminished exercise tolerance in patients receiving renal replacement therapy is strongly associated with cardiac abnormalities and reduced employment prospects.