The effects of colostrum on some biochemical parameters in the experimental intoxication of rats with paracetamol.

In the current study, the possible prophylactic and therapeutic effects of colostrum (COL) on acute organ injury caused by paracetamol (PAR) in rats were evaluated. Within the scope of this study, a 2-month-old male (150-200 g) 70 Wistar Albino rat was used and a total of seven groups were designed. The first group (CNT) was maintained for control purposes. The second group (COL-1) was given COL for 1 day, at a dose of 500 mg/kg at 6-h intervals, and blood and tissue sampling was performed at 24 h. The third group (COL-7) received COL for 7 days, at a dose of 500 mg/kg at 6-h intervals on day 1 and at a daily dose of 500 mg/kg on the following days, and blood and tissue samples were taken at the end of seventh day. The fourth group (PAR-1) was administered with PAR at a dose of 1.0 g/kg bw and was blood and tissue sampled at 24 h. The fifth group (PAR-7) received PAR at a dose of 1.0 g/kg bw on day 1 and was blood and tissue was removed at the end of day 7. The sixth group (PAR+COL-1) was administered with a combination of PAR (1 g/kg bw) and COL (500 mg/kg at 6-h intervals), and blood and tissue samples were collected at 24 h. The seventh group (PAR+COL-7) received 1.0 g/kg bw of PAR on day 1 and was given COL throughout the 7-day study period (at a dose of 500 mg/kg at 6-h intervals on day 1 and at a daily dose of 500 mg/kg on the following days). In the seventh group, blood and tissue samples were taken at the end of seventh day. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose, creatinine, triglyceride, total bilirubin, total protein and albumin levels/activities were analysed in the serum samples. The malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels/activities, known as oxidative stress parameters, were assayed for tissue homogenates and blood (erythrocytes/plasma); in addition, enzyme activities of GSH S-transferase (GST), cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1), NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (CYTB5), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), NADPH-cytochrome P450 C reductase (CYTC) and glutathione (GSH) levels/activities defined as drug metabolising parameters were measured in liver homogenates. In result, it was determined that PAR caused significant alterations in some biochemical and lipid peroxidation parameters and the activities/levels of drug metabolising parameters in the liver and that COL normalised some of these parameters and reduced PAR-induced tissue damage.

Effects of Tarantula cubensis D6 on aflatoxin-induced injury in biochemical parameters in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites that have adverse effects on humans and animals. Tarantula cubensis D6 is used as a homeopathic medicine for different purposes. The present study investigates the effects of Tarantula cubensis D6 on the oxidant-antioxidant balance and some biochemical parameters against exposure to aflatoxin. METHODS: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley female rats were used and evenly divided into four groups. Group 1 served as control. Groups 2, 3, and 4 received 200 µl/kg.bw/day Tarantula cubensis D6 (applied subcutaneously), 400 µg/kg.bw/day total aflatoxin (approximately 80% AF B1, 10% AF B2, 6 %AF G1, and 4% AF G2), and 200 µl/kg.bw/day Tarantula cubensis D6 plus 400 µg/kg.bw/day total aflatoxin, respectively, for 28 days. At the end of 28 days, blood samples and some organs (liver, kidney, brain, and spleen) were taken from all the animals. Oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px) and some biochemical parameters (glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT and ALP, total protein, albumin) were evaluated in blood samples and tissues. RESULTS: Aflatoxin caused negative changes in all oxidative stress parameters and some biochemical parameters (glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin). Administration of Tarantula cubensis D6 partly alleviated aflatoxin-induced negative changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that Tarantula cubensis D6 partially neutralized the deleterious effects of aflatoxin.

The antioxidant effects of pumpkin seed oil on subacute aflatoxin poisoning in mice.

This study was aimed at the investigation of the antioxidant effect of pumpkin seed oil against the oxidative stress-inducing potential of aflatoxin. For this purpose, 48 male BALB/c mice were used. Four groups, each comprising 12 mice, were established. Group 1 was maintained as the control group. Group 2 was administered with pumpkin seed oil alone at a dose of 1.5 mL/kg.bw/day (∼1375mg/kg.bw/day). Group 3 received aflatoxin (82.45% AFB1 , 10.65% AFB2 , 4.13% AFG1, and 2.77% AFG2 ) alone at a dose of 625 µg/kg.bw/day. Finally, group 4 was given both 1.5 mL/kg.bw/day pumpkin seed oil and 625 µg/kg.bw/day aflatoxin. All administrations were oral, performed with the aid of a gastric tube and continued for a period of 21 days. At the end of day 21, the liver, lungs, kidneys, brain, heart, and spleen of the animals were excised, and the extirpated tissues were homogenized appropriately. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined in tissue homogenates. In conclusion, it was determined that aflatoxin exhibited adverse effects on most of the oxidative stress markers. The administration of pumpkin seed oil diminished aflatoxin-induced adverse effects. In other words, the values of the group, which was administered with both aflatoxin and pumpkin seed oil, were observed to have drawn closer to the values of the control group.

The antioxidant effect of wheat germ oil on subchronic coumaphos exposure in mice.

Forty-eight male Balb/C mice, allocated to 4 equal groups, constituted the material of the study. The first group was maintained as the control group and was administered solely with a vehicle, which was used to dissolve coumaphos in the third and fourth groups. The second group was administered with 1.5 ml/kg.bw/day (∼1400 mg/kg.bw/day) of wheat germ oil. The third group received 5.5mg/kg.bw/day (1/10 LD50(oral)) of coumaphos. Finally, the fourth group was given both coumaphos and wheat germ oil at the doses indicated above. In all groups, the compounds were given directly into the stomach using a gastric tube, and treatment was continued for a period of 45 days. At the end of the 45th day, the liver, lungs, kidneys, brain, heart and spleen were extirpated in all of the animals. Tissue homogenates prepared from the tissue specimens were analysed for malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. In conclusion, it was determined that coumaphos led to adverse alterations in the majority of the oxidative stress markers investigated. The administration of wheat germ oil alleviated the coumpahos-induced adverse effects detected in the tissues examined.