Vitamin C as a potential ameliorating agent against hepatotoxicity among alcoholic abusers.

OBJECTIVE: Drug and substance abuse remains a major medical problem globally. Alcohol consumption, particularly heavy drinking, is an important risk factor for many health problems and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Vitamin C has proven to be defensive against toxic substances and provides antioxidant and cytoprotective activity to hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate vitamin C as a potential ameliorating agent against hepatotoxicity among alcohol abusers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study that included eighty male hospitalized alcohol abusers and twenty healthy people as a control group. Alcohol abusers received standard treatment plus vitamin C. Total protein, albumin, total Bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and 8-hydroxhguanosine (8-OHdG) were investigated. RESULTS: This study reported that, in the alcohol abuser group, there was a significant increase in the total protein, bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, TBARS, SOD and 8-OHdG; on the other hand, there was a significant decrease in albumin, GSH and CAT compared with the control group. The alcohol abuser group treated with vitamin C showed a significant decrease in total protein, bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, TBARS, SOD and 8-OHdG; on the other hand, there was a significant increase in albumin, GSH and CAT compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study's findings suggest that alcohol abuse induces significant alterations in various hepatic biochemical parameters and oxidative stress and that vitamin C has a partial protective role in countering alcohol abuse-induced hepatotoxicity. Using vitamin C as an adjunctive supplement to standard treatment may be helpful in minimizing the toxic side effects of alcohol abuse.

Effect of inhaled waste anaesthetic gas on blood and liver parameters among hospital staff.

A significant health risk exists within a section of health workers that are exposed to anaesthetic gas and vapours, found in the atmosphere of treatment or operating rooms. These compounds are classified as waste anaesthetic gases (WAG). The present study aimed at identifying alterations in hepatic and haematological parameters occurring as a result of chronic exposure to WAG potentially affecting the health of team members working in hospitals. Therefore, operating room operatives, vulnerable to long-standing WAG exposure, were recruited for this study. Sevoflurane anaesthesia metabolites (inorganic fluoride and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)), haematological indices and liver toxicity markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and osteopontin) were measured. The collected results showed increased plasma inorganic fluoride, HFIP and liver toxicity markers, as well as disturbances in haematological parameters. In conclusion, exposure to halogenated inhalational anaesthetics, in general, and Sevoflurane, in particular, induces alterations in hepatic markers and haematological indices.

Study on the mechanism of KCl replacement of NaCl on the water retention of salted pork.

The reasons for the change in the water retention capability of salted pork caused by potassium chloride (KCl) instead of sodium chloride (NaCl) were investigated. Accompanied by the gradually increased substitution rate of KCl, the oxidative degradation of protein, water content, water activity (aw), gap, as well as water loss in salted pork were increased, and the results showed significant differences (p < 0.05). LF-NMR results indicated that NaCl was replaced by KCl, which can observably increased the mobility of water in the salted pork (p < 0.05). All indexes showed excellent correlation. NaCl was replaced by KCl, which affected the water retention capability of salted pork, because K+ promoted changes in the meat's physicochemical properties. The KCl replacement group presented higher water content, while displayed lower water retention capability.

Effects of in vitro oxidation on myofibrillar protein charge, aggregation, and structural characteristics.

The effects of oxidation degree on the isoelectric point (pI), aggregation, and structural characteristics for pork myofibrillar protein (MP) were studied by employing extracted MP, which was incubated by using a hydroxyl radical oxidation system. The concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 mM. With the increased oxidation degree, the contents of α-helix, ionic bonds, and hydrogen bonds decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Moreover, the pI value and total amino acids showed a declining trend, and the ß-sheet as well as solubility rised firstly and then declined. On the contrary, random curl, ß-turn, and turbidity increased significantly (P < 0.05). Therefore, amino acid side chain groups were modified, and the opposite effect, caused by oxidation that leads to protein cross-linking and aggregation, was greater than the promotion effect, such as net negative charge, these are the main factors that leads to the instability of protein solution systems.

Effects of NaCl substitutes on physicochemical properties of salted pork.

The effects of NaCl substitutes (KCl and Ca-ascorbate) at a certain concentration (15%) on the salted pork microstructure were investigated. The changes of water, salt, element (Na, K and Ca) content and total weight in salted pork under different kinds of salts, concentration and salting time were also discussed. Results show the different treatments significantly affected the element content of salted pork. Under high concentration (20%) salting, the relationship with corresponding element content is K (5.08%) > Na (2.73%) > Ca (0.82%). In the mixed salt solution, Ca element significantly inhibited the content increases of Na than K, and sodium salt substitution with potassium and calcium salts significantly reduced the sodium content in salted pork. The relationship of specific surface area in pork salted with three kinds of salts (15% concentration) is KCl group (4.3011 m2/g) > NaCl group (4.2902 m2/g) > Ca-ascorbate group (4.2319 m2/g). K, Na, and Ca have a certain impact on the microstructure, which affects the increase of salt content in salted pork.

Effect of in vitro oxidation on the water retention mechanism of myofibrillar proteins gel from pork muscles.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oxidation on the structure of pork myofibrillar proteins (MPs) and the water retention mechanism of MPs gel. In a Fenton reaction system, protein oxidation increases (P < 0.05) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration (0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 mmol/L). The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of the proteins gel gradually increased (P < 0.05) from 6.17 m2/g to 14.73 m2/g. Low field nuclear magnetic resonance results showed that immobilized water in the gel gradually decreased but free water content gradually increased (P < 0.05). Gel strength and water holding capacity (WHC) increased and then decreased. The results reveal that moderate oxidation contributes to the compact and uniform pore structure, higher WHC of proteins gel as well. However, excessive oxidation leads to increase pores and changes in water states of gel, leading to lower WHC.

Effects of malondialdehyde as a byproduct of lipid oxidation on protein oxidation in rabbit meat.

The effects of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a byproduct of lipid oxidation on myoglobin and myofibrillar proteins (MP) oxidations in muscle homogenates containing components native to rabbit muscle were investigated. For myoglobin, MDA could lead to increase in metmyoglobin percentage. For MP, MDA could promote protein carbonylation and loss of tryptophan fluorescence. In addition, MDA could affect reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating system by promoting the formation of hypervalent myoglobin species and release of non-heme iron. The result of MDA-MP adducts fluorescence intensity indicated that ROS-generating systems may be the main reason for protein carbonylation at the later of incubation treatment. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the ability of ROS-generating systems to facilitate protein oxidation was enhanced with MDA, which was responsible for the formation of protein cross-linking throughout incubation treatment. Taken together, the ability of MDA on promoting the oxidation of MP in rabbit muscle homogenates may be relied on both adduct reactions and the influence on ROS-generating system.

Does protein oxidation affect proteolysis in low sodium Chinese traditional bacon processing?

This work investigated protein oxidation, proteolysis and their interrelationship during the manufacturing process of low-sodium Chinese traditional bacon. The bacons were prepared by four different salting treatments: substituting sodium chloride (NaCl) using 0, 30, 50, and 70% of potassium chloride (KCl). Protein oxidation was evaluated by total carbonylation, thiol oxidation, and tryptophan fluorescence changes. Proteolysis was detected by non-protein nitrogen, free amino acid, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the manufacturing process of low-sodium Chinese bacon, protein oxidation and protein proteolysis were simultaneously observed. Electrophoresis pattern showed that 70% substitution of KCl could promote proteolysis, meanwhile, protein oxidation possibly facilitated by 70% KCl replacement resulted in reduced tryptophan fluorescence and increased total carbonyl content. Additionally, a good correlation between protein oxidation and proteolysis was observed.

Activation of the molecular and functional effects of Nrf2 against chronic iron oxide nanorod overload-induced cardiotoxicity.

Reactive oxygen species have a significant role in the pathogenesis of iron oxide nanorod (IONR) overload-induced organ toxicity in some organs such as the lungs. Green tea induces upregulation of phase II antioxidant enzymes that are transcriptionally organized by the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) that when activated antagonize the oxidative stress induced by IONR overload that causes cardiotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to determine whether treatment of cardiotoxicity with iron chelators (deferiprone (DFP) or deferoxamine (DFO)) alone or in combination with phytochemical activation of Nrf2 (green tea) can protect cardiomyocytes from IONR overload-induced cardiotoxicity. One hundred five rats were distributed into seven groups: two control groups (non-IONR-overloaded and IONR-overloaded) and five IONR-overloaded groups such as a green tea group, DFP group, DFP combined with green tea group, DFO group, and DFO combined with green tea. Blood samples and cardiac tissues were obtained for estimation of total iron-binding capacity, ratio of myocardial 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine/myocardial 2-deoxyguanosine, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, glutathione (GSH) contents, and histopathological examination. The results showed mild histopathological changes in the heart and a significant decrease in all biochemical parameters, except for myocardial GSH, in the DFP group. The addition of green tea improved the biochemical and histopathological results compared with chelators alone.

Hormonal profile and follicular dynamics concurrent with CIDR and insulin modified Ovsync TAI programs and their impacts on the fertility response in buffaloes.

Fifty one cyclic Egyptian buffaloes were used to study the hormonal profile and follicular dynamics concurrent with CIDR and insulin modified Ovsync TAI programs and their impacts on the consequent fertility responses. The buffaloes were randomly assigned into 3 ovulation synchronization protocols: Ovsync-alone (n = 13, control) CIDR-sync (n = 20) and Insulin-sync (n = 18). Ovsync-alone protocol consisted of two im injections of 20 µg bueserlin (GnRHa) on Day 0 (GnRH 1) and on Day 9 (GnRH 2) with an im injection of 500 µg of cloprostenol sodium (PGF2 α) on Day 7. The CIDR-sync protocol consisted of the same treatment protocol as in Ovsync in addition to intra-vaginal insertion of CIDR (contains 1.38 gm of progesterone) on Day 0 followed by removal on Day 7. The Insulin-sync protocol consisted of the same treatment protocol as in Ovsync plus 3 sc injections of insulin at a dose of 0.25 i.u/1 kg, on Days 7, 8, and 9. Buffaloes in all groups were inseminated 16 h after GnRH2 by the same inseminator using frozen semen in straws. Blood samples were collected on Days 0, 3, 5 for serum progesterone assay and on Day 9 to measure serum concentrations of estradiol, insulin and IGF-1. Transrectal ultrasonographic scanning of the ovaries was conducted on Days 7, 8 and 9 to record the diameter of the largest follicle. Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted on Day 30 post-TAI by trans-rectal ultrasonographic scanning of the uterus to calculate conception rate. The serum progesterone concentration showed an increase (p < 0.01) in pregnant compared with non-pregnant buffaloes in both Ovsync-alone and Insulin-sync groups, but not in CIDR-sync group (p > 0.05) on Days 3 and 5. The serum estradiol concentration on Day 9 showed an increase (p < 0.01) in pregnant compared with the non-pregnant buffaloes in all of the treated groups. In Insulin-sync and Ovsync-alone groups, the diameter of the largest follicle (LF) was larger (p < 0.01) in pregnant compared with non-pregnant buffaloes, but in CIDR-sync, the diameter of the (LF) was larger (p < 0.01) in non-pregnant compared with pregnant buffaloes. Also, the results showed that the greatest diameter of LF was observed in pregnant buffaloes in Insulin-sync compared with either pregnant or non-pregnant buffaloes in all groups. It is concluded that modified CIDR-sync and Insulin-sync could improve fertility response through modulating hormonal profile and follicular dynamics in buffaloes during low breeding season.

The Prevalence of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer According to Commonly Used Histological Thresholds in Men Undergoing Template Prostate Mapping Biopsies.

PURPOSE: Transrectal prostate biopsies are inaccurate and, thus, the prevalence of clinically significant prostate cancer in men undergoing biopsy is unknown. We determined the ability of different histological thresholds to denote clinically significant cancer in men undergoing a more accurate biopsy, that of transperineal template prostate mapping. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter, cross-sectional cohort of men who underwent template prostate mapping biopsies between May 2006 and January 2012, 4 different thresholds of significance combining tumor grade and burden were used to measure the consequent variation with respect to the prevalence of clinically significant disease. RESULTS: Of 1,203 men 17% (199) had no previous biopsy, 38% (455) had a prior negative transrectal ultrasound biopsy, 24% (289) were on active surveillance and 21% (260) were seeking risk stratification. Mean patient age was 63.5 years (SD 7.6) and median prostate specific antigen was 7.4 ng/ml (IQR 5.3-10.5). Overall 35% of the patients (424) had no cancer detected. The prevalence of clinically significant cancer varied between 14% and 83% according to the histological threshold used, in particular between 30% and 51% among men who had no previous biopsy, between 14% and 27% among men who had a prior negative biopsy, between 36% and 74% among men on active surveillance, and between 47% and 83% among men seeking risk stratification. CONCLUSIONS: According to template prostate mapping biopsy between 1 in 2 and 1 in 3 men have prostate cancer that is histologically defined as clinically significant. This suggests that the commonly used thresholds may be set too low.

Comparative study of the protective effect between deferoxamine and deferiprone on chronic iron overload induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

Patients with iron overload frequently suffer from hemochromatosis of major organs, such as the heart and liver. Heart affection is the most common cause of death in patients with iron overload. Although the beneficial effects of deferoxamine (DFO) on iron-associated mortality are well documented, the role of deferiprone in the management of transfusional iron overload is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the protective effect of iron chelators (DFO and deferiprone) individually and in combination with the anti-oxidant (vitamin C) in the prevention of myocardial damage. Sixty albino rats were divided into six groups: two control groups (noniron-loaded and iron-loaded) and four iron-loaded groups classified as follows: DFO group, DFO combined with vitamin C group, deferiprone group and deferiprone combined with vitamin C group. Heart tissue and blood samples were taken for histopathological examination of the heart, determination of total iron-binding capacity, 8-OH-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), myocardial lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) content. Less histopathological cardiac changes and a significant decrease in all biochemical parameters, except myocardial GSH, were observed in the deferiprone group. The addition of vitamin C improves the biochemical and histopathological changes in comparison to those rats administered DFO or deferiprone individually.