Hematological and renoprotective effects of folic acid and lentil extract in diclofenac sodium exposed rats / Efeitos hematológicos e renoprotetores do ácido fólico e do extrato de lentilha em ratos expostos ao diclofenaco de sódio

Abstract Excessive intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as, diclofenac sodium (DS) may lead to toxicity in the rats. In this work, we aimed to examine the protective impact of lentil extract (LE) and folic acid (FA) on the hematological markers, the kidney tissue oxidative stress and the renal function against diclofenac sodium (DS) in male albino rats. The rats (120-150 g) were divided into four equal groups randomly, the first group kept as the untreated control. The second group was administrated with DS (11.6 mg/kg b.wt. orally once/day). The third group was received DS+FA (11.6 mg/kg b.wt.+76.9 microgram/kg b.wt.) orally once/day. The fourth group was treated with DS+LE (11.6 mg/kg b.wt.+500 mg/kg b.wt.) orally once/day. After four weeks, the results revealed that DS produced a significant decrease in the values of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (HCT) and white blood cells (WBCs). On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the platelets count. Also, DS induced a renal deterioration; this was evidenced by the significant increase in the serum levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid, Na, Ca, Mg as well as the nitric oxide (NO) level in the kidney tissue. Also, there were a significant reduction in the serum levels of potassium (K) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the kidney homogenates. Moreover, the findings in the rats treated by DS+LE or DS+FA showed a potential protection on the hematological markers, oxidative stress in the kidney tissue and the renal function disturbed by DS. LE and FA could play a potent role for the prevention the adverse hematological, the kidney tissue oxidative stress and the renal dysfunction caused by DS via their anti-oxidative and bioactive phytochemicals.

Resumo A ingestão excessiva de anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais, como o diclofenaco de sódio (DS), pode causar toxicidade em ratos. Neste trabalho, objetivamos examinar o impacto protetor do extrato de lentilha (LE) e ácido fólico (AF) em marcadores hematológicos, no estresse oxidativo do tecido renal e na função renal contra o diclofenaco de sódio (DS) em ratos albinos machos. Os ratos (120-150 g) foram divididos em quatro grupos iguais aleatoriamente, sendo o primeiro grupo mantido como controle não tratado. O segundo grupo foi administrado com DS (11,6 mg / kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez / dia). O terceiro grupo recebeu DS + FA (76,9 mg / kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez / dia). O quarto grupo foi tratado com DS + LE (500 mg / kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez / dia). Após quatro semanas, os resultados revelaram que o DS produziu uma diminuição significativa nos valores de glóbulos vermelhos (RBCs), concentração de hemoglobina (Hb), hematócrito (HCT) e glóbulos brancos (WBCs). Por outro lado, houve um aumento significativo na contagem de plaquetas. Além disso, o DS induziu uma deterioração renal; isso foi evidenciado pelo aumento significativo dos níveis séricos de ureia, creatinina, ácido úrico, Na, Ca, Mg e também do nível de óxido nítrico no tecido renal. Além disso, houve uma redução significativa nos níveis séricos de potássio (K) e glutationa reduzida (GSH) nos homogenatos renais. Além disso, os achados nos ratos tratados com DS + LE ou DS + FA mostraram uma proteção potencial sobre os marcadores hematológicos, estresse oxidativo no tecido renal e função renal perturbada pelo DS. LE e AF podem desempenhar um papel potente na prevenção do estresse hematológico adverso, do estresse oxidativo do tecido renal e da disfunção renal causada pelo DS por meio de seus fitoquímicos antioxidantes e bioativos.

Hematological and renoprotective effects of folic acid and lentil extract in diclofenac sodium exposed rats / Efeitos hematológicos e renoprotetores do ácido fólico e do extrato de lentilha em ratos expostos ao diclofenaco de sódio

Excessive intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as, diclofenac sodium (DS) may lead to toxicity in the rats. In this work, we aimed to examine the protective impact of lentil extract (LE) and folic acid (FA) on the hematological markers, the kidney tissue oxidative stress and the renal function against diclofenac sodium (DS) in male albino rats. The rats (120-150 g) were divided into four equal groups randomly, the first group kept as the untreated control. The second group was administrated with DS (11.6 mg/kg b.wt. orally once/day). The third group was received DS+FA (11.6 mg/kg b.wt.+76.9 microgram/kg b.wt.) orally once/day. The fourth group was treated with DS+LE (11.6 mg/kg b.wt.+500 mg/kg b.wt.) orally once/day. After four weeks, the results revealed that DS produced a significant decrease in the values of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (HCT) and white blood cells (WBCs). On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the platelets count. Also, DS induced a renal deterioration; this was evidenced by the significant increase in the serum levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid, Na, Ca, Mg as well as the nitric oxide (NO) level in the kidney tissue. Also, there were a significant reduction in the serum levels of potassium (K) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the kidney homogenates. Moreover, the findings in the rats treated by DS+LE or DS+FA showed a potential protection on the hematological markers, oxidative stress in the kidney tissue and the renal function disturbed by DS. LE and FA could play a potent role for the prevention the adverse hematological, the kidney tissue oxidative stress and the renal dysfunction caused by DS via their anti-oxidative and bioactive phytochemicals.

A ingestão excessiva de anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais, como o diclofenaco de sódio (DS), pode causar toxicidade em ratos. Neste trabalho, objetivamos examinar o impacto protetor do extrato de lentilha (LE) e ácido fólico (AF) em marcadores hematológicos, no estresse oxidativo do tecido renal e na função renal contra o diclofenaco de sódio (DS) em ratos albinos machos. Os ratos (120-150 g) foram divididos em quatro grupos iguais aleatoriamente, sendo o primeiro grupo mantido como controle não tratado. O segundo grupo foi administrado com DS (11,6 mg / kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez / dia). O terceiro grupo recebeu DS + FA (76,9 mg / kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez / dia). O quarto grupo foi tratado com DS + LE (500 mg / kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez / dia). Após quatro semanas, os resultados revelaram que o DS produziu uma diminuição significativa nos valores de glóbulos vermelhos (RBCs), concentração de hemoglobina (Hb), hematócrito (HCT) e glóbulos brancos (WBCs). Por outro lado, houve um aumento significativo na contagem de plaquetas. Além disso, o DS induziu uma deterioração renal; isso foi evidenciado pelo aumento significativo dos níveis séricos de ureia, creatinina, ácido úrico, Na, Ca, Mg e também do nível de óxido nítrico no tecido renal. Além disso, houve uma redução significativa nos níveis séricos de potássio (K) e glutationa reduzida (GSH) nos homogenatos renais. Além disso, os achados nos ratos tratados com DS + LE ou DS + FA mostraram uma proteção potencial sobre os marcadores hematológicos, estresse oxidativo no tecido renal e função renal perturbada pelo DS. LE e AF podem desempenhar um papel potente na prevenção do estresse hematológico adverso, do estresse oxidativo do tecido renal e da disfunção renal causada pelo DS por meio de seus fitoquímicos antioxidantes e bioativos.

Hematological and renoprotective effects of folic acid and lentil extract in diclofenac sodium exposed rats

Abstract Excessive intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as, diclofenac sodium (DS) may lead to toxicity in the rats. In this work, we aimed to examine the protective impact of lentil extract (LE) and folic acid (FA) on the hematological markers, the kidney tissue oxidative stress and the renal function against diclofenac sodium (DS) in male albino rats. The rats (120-150 g) were divided into four equal groups randomly, the first group kept as the untreated control. The second group was administrated with DS (11.6 mg/kg b.wt. orally once/day). The third group was received DS+FA (11.6 mg/kg b.wt.+76.9 microgram/kg b.wt.) orally once/day. The fourth group was treated with DS+LE (11.6 mg/kg b.wt.+500 mg/kg b.wt.) orally once/day. After four weeks, the results revealed that DS produced a significant decrease in the values of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (HCT) and white blood cells (WBCs). On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the platelets count. Also, DS induced a renal deterioration; this was evidenced by the significant increase in the serum levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid, Na, Ca, Mg as well as the nitric oxide (NO) level in the kidney tissue. Also, there were a significant reduction in the serum levels of potassium (K) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the kidney homogenates. Moreover, the findings in the rats treated by DS+LE or DS+FA showed a potential protection on the hematological markers, oxidative stress in the kidney tissue and the renal function disturbed by DS. LE and FA could play a potent role for the prevention the adverse hematological, the kidney tissue oxidative stress and the renal dysfunction caused by DS via their anti-oxidative and bioactive phytochemicals.

Resumo A ingestão excessiva de anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais, como o diclofenaco de sódio (DS), pode causar toxicidade em ratos. Neste trabalho, objetivamos examinar o impacto protetor do extrato de lentilha (LE) e ácido fólico (AF) em marcadores hematológicos, no estresse oxidativo do tecido renal e na função renal contra o diclofenaco de sódio (DS) em ratos albinos machos. Os ratos (120-150 g) foram divididos em quatro grupos iguais aleatoriamente, sendo o primeiro grupo mantido como controle não tratado. O segundo grupo foi administrado com DS (11,6 mg / kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez / dia). O terceiro grupo recebeu DS + FA (76,9 mg / kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez / dia). O quarto grupo foi tratado com DS + LE (500 mg / kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez / dia). Após quatro semanas, os resultados revelaram que o DS produziu uma diminuição significativa nos valores de glóbulos vermelhos (RBCs), concentração de hemoglobina (Hb), hematócrito (HCT) e glóbulos brancos (WBCs). Por outro lado, houve um aumento significativo na contagem de plaquetas. Além disso, o DS induziu uma deterioração renal; isso foi evidenciado pelo aumento significativo dos níveis séricos de ureia, creatinina, ácido úrico, Na, Ca, Mg e também do nível de óxido nítrico no tecido renal. Além disso, houve uma redução significativa nos níveis séricos de potássio (K) e glutationa reduzida (GSH) nos homogenatos renais. Além disso, os achados nos ratos tratados com DS + LE ou DS + FA mostraram uma proteção potencial sobre os marcadores hematológicos, estresse oxidativo no tecido renal e função renal perturbada pelo DS. LE e AF podem desempenhar um papel potente na prevenção do estresse hematológico adverso, do estresse oxidativo do tecido renal e da disfunção renal causada pelo DS por meio de seus fitoquímicos antioxidantes e bioativos.

Gluten-Free Crackers Preparation

Gluten free crackers enriched with rice flour ,lentil flour and quinoa flour is an innovative and highly nutritious snacks product. The current study was carried out to make gluten free crackers of high quality for celiac disease patients. The chemical analyzed included as minerals and amino acids of broken rice, lentil and quinoa flour and its blends was determined. Also, chemical composition for gluten free crackers blends was determined and the results showed that ash, protein, ether extract and fiber contents were higher in all blends prepared using rice flour, quinoa flour and lentil flour than that blend prepared using rice flour. All sensory properties of free gluten crackers blends B2, B3, B4 and B5 prepared using rice flour, lentil flour, and quinoa flour were somewhat higher than crackers prepared from rice flour B1. Hardness decreased from 74.97 newton in blend (1) made from 100% rice flour to 35.19 newton in blend (5) made from 50% rice flour, 25% lentil flour and 25% quinoa flour. Finally, it could prepare some bakery products using raw materials free of gluten such rice flour, lentil flour and quinoa flour with high quality that are proper for celiac disease patients.

Aplicación de diferentes metodologías en el mejoramiento de lenteja (Lens culinaris Medik) / Application of different methodologies in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) breeding

RESUMEN La lenteja (Lens culinaris Medik.) es una especie diploide autógama (2n=2x=14) perteneciente a la familia Fabaceae. Es uno de los cultivos más antiguos que se conocen, con 8.000 a 9.000 años de historia, y se encuentra entre los primeros domesticados en Medio Oriente. Las semillas tienen un alto valor nutricional. Este cultivo es un interesante sustituto del trigo en las rotaciones de cereales, pero su importancia es baja debido a la falta de buenas variedades con adaptación local. Uno de los principales problemas que enfrentan los mejoradores en nuestro país es la estrecha base genética del germoplasma cultivado y su bajo potencial de rendimiento. En 2004 se inició un programa de mejoramiento de lentejas para desarrollar nuevas variedades con adaptación a las condiciones predominantes en las áreas de cultivo de Argentina. El germoplasma se obtuvo del ICARDA (Centro Internacional de Investigación Agrícola en las Zonas Áridas) y de productores locales. Se utilizan métodos convencionales de mejoramiento basados en la hibridación y selección. Se han obtenido dos nuevas variedades, una del tipo macrosperma (Boyerito FCA) y la otra del tipo microsperma (Tacuarita FCA) mediante la aplicación de selección masal en poblaciones F2 provenientes de la hibridación de materiales seleccionados. Este programa complementa los métodos de mejora tradicional con técnicas biotecnológicas como la transgénesis, el uso de marcadores moleculares, el cultivo de embriones in vitro combinado con el método SSD para acortar el ciclo generacional, y el fenotipado digital.

ABSTRACT Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a self-pollinating diploid (2n=2x=14) species belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is one of the oldest crops known, with 8,000 to 9,000 years of history and it is among the earliest domesticates from the Near East Fertile Crescent. The seeds have high nutritional value. This crop is an interesting substitute to wheat in cereal rotations but its importance is low due to a lack of suitable varieties with local adaptation. Some of the major problems that Argentinian lentil breeders face are the narrow genetic base of the current cultivated germplasm and its low yield potential. A lentil breeding program was initiated in 2004 to develop new varieties with adaptation to prevalent conditions in growing areas of Argentina. Germplasm was obtained from ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas) and local producers. Conventional breeding methods using hybridization and selection are being carried out to develop improved varieties, broad the genetic base, and isolate superior recombinant inbred lines. Two new varieties have been obtained, one of the macrosperm type (Boyerito FCA) and the other of the microsperm type (Tacuarita FCA) through the application of mass selection in F2 populations from the cross of selected materials. This program complements traditional breeding methods with biotechnological techniques such as transgenesis, use of molecular markers, in vitro embryo culture combined with the SSD method to shorten the breeding time, and digital phenotyping.

Identification of genomic regions associated with early plant vigour in lentil (Lens culinaris)

Lentil is one of the most important food legume species, however its genetic and genomic resources remained largely uncharacterized and unexploited. In the past few years, a number of genetic maps have been constructed and marker resources have been developed in lentil. These resources could be exploited for understanding the extent and distribution of genetic variation in genus Lens and also for developing saturated and consensus genetic maps suitable for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and marker-assisted selection. The present study aims to enrich polymerase chain reaction-based linkage map of F10 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) population of 94 individuals derived from cross WA8649090 9 Precoz and identification of QTLs linked to early plant vigour traits. Of the 268 polymorphic markers (93 simple sequence repeats (SSR), three inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) and 172 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs)), 265 (90 SSRs, three ISSRs and 172 RAPDs) were mapped on seven linkage groups, varying in length between 25.6 and 210.3 cM, coverage of 809.4 cM with an average marker spacing of 3.05 cM. The study also reported assigning of 24 new cross-genera SSRs of Trifolium pratense on the present linkage map. The RILs along with the parents were screened for shoot length, root length, seedling length, dry weight, number of leaves and number of branches based on two replications under polyhouse conditions. A QTLhotspot consisting of six QTLs for shoot length (cm), root length (cm) and seedling length (cm) was observed between a map distances of 56.61 and 86.81 cM on LG1.

Genetic dissection of grain iron and zinc concentrations in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies are wide spread in South Asia and Africa. Biofortification of food crops is a viable means of addressing micronutrient deficiencies. Lentil is an important pulse crop that provides affordable source of proteins, minerals, fibre and carbohydrates for micronutrient deficient countries. An association mapping (AM) panel of 96 diverse lentil genotypes fromIndia and Mediterranean region was evaluated for three seasons and genotyped using 80 polymorphic simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers for identification of the markers associated with grain Fe and Zn concentrations. A Bayesian model based clustering identified five subpopulations, adequately explaining the genetic structure of the AM panel. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis usingmixed linear model (MLM) identified two SSR markers, GLLC106 and GLLC108, associated with grain Fe concentration explaining 17% and 6% phenotypic variation, respectively and three SSR markers (PBALC 364, PBALC 92 and GLLC592) associated with grain Zn concentration, explaining 6%, 8% and 13% phenotypic variation, respectively. The identified SSRs exhibited consistentperformance across three seasons and have potential for utilization in lentil molecular breeding programme.

Selenium Priming Selectively Ameliorates Weed – Induced Phytotoxicity by Modulating Antioxidant Defense Components in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.).

Aims: Present investigation was performed to assess the phytotoxic effect of weed, Ageratum conyzoides L. on two pulses, lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) and the ameliorative role of selenium (Se) to counter it. Place and Duration of Study: Leaf samples of Ageratum were collected from the lentilgrowing fields of Kalyani, West Bengal, India during winter of 2011-12. The lab-based works were performed at Department of Botany, R.P.M. College, West Bengal, India throughout the period of 2012. Study Design: The study was carried out using four replicates treatment-1 in a completely randomized block design. Methodology: Ageratum leaf aqueous extract of 200 mg ml-1 (w/v) was prepared and used on the two crops in (a) nutrient media, and (b) media + Se concentrations of 10, 20 and 40 μM separately. Also, Se was added alone (no extract) in nutrient media. A control (no exogenous Se, no extract) was maintained. The experiment was performed in an environmentally controlled growing chamber and plants were grown till flowering. Different morpho-physiological parameters along with root-tip mitosis and flower bud meiosis were

Characterization of plant growth promoting bacteria from soil of central and upper Himalayan region.

Natural ecosystems are directly dependent on beneficial microorganisms present in the rhizosphere for soil health and plant productivity. Soil bacteria were isolated from soil of central and upper Himalayan region with a view to screen/evaluate their Plant growth promoting potential. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) are employed as inoculants for biofertilization, phytostimulation and biocontrol. Dominant morphotypes were picked up from King`s B, CAS, YEMA and Pikovaskaya Agar by employing dilution plating. A total of 55 isolates were evaluated for growth promotion using Paper Towel Assay on lentil and 9 isolates were selected for detailed characterization. In dual plate assay all 9 isolates inhibited Fusarium solani; few isolates were inhibitory towards Ganoderma lividense and Colletotrichum dematium.

Efficient and rapid purification of lentil -galactosidase by affinity precipitation with alginate.

-Galactosidase (-D-galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.22) was purified (26-fold) from the germinating seeds of lentil (Lens culinaris) by affinity precipitation with alginate. The purified enzyme gave a single band corresponding to molecular mass of 40 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The optimum temperature and pH of the enzyme were determined as 40oC and 5.5, respectively. The enzyme was very stable at a temperature range of 4-65oC and at a pH range of 4-7. The values of kinetic constants Km and Vmax using p-nitrophenyl--D-galactopyranoside (PNPG) as substrate were 0.191 mM and 0.73 U, respectively. Results suggest that affinity precipitation is an attractive process for the purification of -galactosidase.

Is the butterfly Tomares ballus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) a potential pest of Lens culinaris (Leguminosae)?

The lentil (Lens culinaris) is identified as a new host plant of the lepidopteran Tomares ballus. Five larvae of T. ballus were found on 19 May, 2007 in a crop of "castellana" lentils in Toledo Province, Spain and reared in the laboratory. The larval brown spiracles are slightly darker than the rest of the pupa. Traditional cultural practices reduce the insect’s probability of completing its life-cycle. We present flight phenology data for T. ballus from the unedited Atlamar database (1 073 records from 1887 to 2003), based on the 438 records for which the year, month and day are known. This period coincides with the flowering and formation of the legumes of various species of leguminosae, such as lentils. The peak activity of the imagos occurs in the second half of March and the first half of April, and the last larvae must be present in the field until the beginning of June. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (3): 623-634. Epub 2009 September 30.

La lenteja (Lens culinaris) es una nueva planta hospedera de la mariposa Tomares ballus. Hallamos cinco larvas el 19 de mayo de 2007 en un cultivo de lentejas de la variedad "castellana" en la provincia de Toledo, España y las criamos en el laboratorio. Los espiráculos, de color marrón, son ligeramente más oscuros que el resto de la pupa. Las prácticas culturales tradicionales reducen al insecto la probabilidad de completar su ciclo de vida. Se presenta la fenología de datos de vuelo para T. ballus a partir de la base de datos Atlamar (1 073 registros de 1887 a 2003), sobre la base de los 438 registros en que se conocen año, mes y día. Este período coincide con la floración de diversas especies de leguminosas, incluyendo las lentejas. El pico de actividad de los imagos se produce en la segunda quincena de marzo y la primera quincena de abril, y las últimas larvas deben estar presentes en el campo hasta principios de junio.

Prognostic value of the content of lentil lectin-rcactive alpha-fetoprotein-L3 in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To explore the prognostic value of the content of lentil lectin-reactive alphafetoprotein-L3(AFP-L3)in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods According to the content of alpha.fetoprotein(AFP)and AFP-L3 before the treatment,97 patients with early-stage HCC were divided into group A(AFP＞20 μg/L & AFP-L3＜15%,n=29),group B(15%≤AFP-13≤50% & 20 μg/L≤AFP≤200 μg/L,n=16),group C(AFP-13＞50%& AFP＞200 μg/L,n=13),group D(AFP-L3＞50% & 20 μg/L≤AFP≤200 μg/L,n=24)and group E(15%≤AFP-L3≤50%& AFP＞200 μg/L,n=15).The degree of tumor differentiation,the 1-,2-,3-year survival rates and tumor-free survival rates of the patients were analyzed.Results The degree of tumor differentiation.3-year survival rate and tumor-free survival rate of patients in group A were significantly higher than those in the other 4 groups(χ2=21.051,10.043,4.450,6.977,25.566,P＜0.05).The degree of tumor differentiation,1-,2-,3-year survival rates and tumor-free survival rates of the patients in group C and D were significantly lower than those in other 3 groups(χ2=7.938,3.488,9.085.P＜0.05).Conclusions The increase of AFP-L3 content is closely related to poorly differentiated HCC and bad prognosis.especially when the AFP Ievel is low.The detection of AFP-L3 content before and after operation is beneficial to the evaluation of the prognosis of HCC patients.

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF LENTIL LECTIN / 第二军医大学学报

Lentil lectin (LcA) is isolated from Chinese Lens culinaris and identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, affino-immuno-electrophoresis autoradiography, erythrocyte agglutination test and sugar specificity test.Its half molecular weight is estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and its contents of calcium, manganase, protein and sugar are detected.The product has been used for determination o f ?-fetoprotein variants so as to early diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma.

Relationship of Human AFP Variant Peptide and Carbohydrate Difference and Clinical Diagnosis of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 第二军医大学学报

AFP from fetal serum and serum of patients with primary hepatic cancer were purified by affinity chromatography. Then, the lentil lectin-reactive and nonreactive variants of these purified glycoproteins were prepared by affinity chromatography with immobilized lectin. Glycopeptides and oligosaccharides were prepared from variants by protease treatment and hydrazinolysis, respectively, and subjected to carbohydrate and amino acid analysis. A small difference in the carbohydrate compositions of each variant was observed. Analysis of chemical compositions of AFP variants is useful for the differential diagnosis between benign liver diseases and primary hepatic cancer.