Enzyme assay for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate by apo-D-amino acid aminotransferase.

D-amino acid aminotransferase (D-AAT) is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme. D-AAT from thermophilic Bacillus sp. YM-1 was inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation. The activity was restored by the addition of PLP and showed a linear correlation with respect to PLP concentrations in the range of 10-40 nM.

Enhancement of liver regeneration by the association of Hyptis pectinata with laser therapy.

Since new molecules that normally would accelerate regeneration can also be potentialized by light, the use of new substances combined with laser therapy seems to be a natural type of experiment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Hyptis pectinata leaves on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) associated with laser therapy. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups--PH(control), PHL (laser therapy), PH200 (200 mg/kg of Hyptispectinata), and PHL200 (200 mg/kg of the plant and laser)--which were submitted to 67% hepatectomy. Laser treatment consisted of focusing the light on the remaining liver after hepatectomy. The data analyzed were serum levels of aminotransferases, liver regeneration, and mitochondrial function. Group PH200 showed a statistically significant decrease in AST levels, and PHL200 disclosed an augmentation in ALT levels. The liver regeneration index was significantly increased in group PHL200. Concerning liver mitochondrial respiratory assay, groups PH200 and PHL200 showed lower state 3 levels than groups PH and PHL. Group PHL showed an increase in state 4 levels and a reduction in membrane potential and RCR. The present study shows that the association of the aqueous extract of Hyptis pectinata leaves at 200 mg/kg with intraoperative laser therapy can stimulate liver regeneration and cause a reduction in liver mitochondrial respiratory function without altering its phosphorylative activity.

[Alkaline phosphatase and transaminase activity in the liver and blood serum of rats in the late periods following combined exposure to external gamma radiation and alpha radiation from plutonium-239]. / Aktivnost' shchelochnoi fosfatazy i transaminaz v pecheni i syvorotke krovi krys v otdalennye sroki posle sochetannogo vozdeistviia vneshnego gamma-izlucheniia i al'fa-izlucheniia plutoniia-239.

A study was made of activity of alkaline phosphatase and alanine- and aspartate aminotransferase in rat liver and blood serum at remote times after external gamma-irradiation combined with internal exposure to 239Pu nitrate delivered in two chronically effective doses. The radionuclide was shown to be mainly responsible for the changes observed in activity of the enzymes under study. The degree to which the changes were manifest depended upon dose of plutonium administered.

[Early changes in GABA and glutamate levels and aminotransferase activity in parts of the rat brain following whole-body gamma irradiation at an absolutely lethal dose]. / Rannie izmeneniia urovnia GAMK, glutamata i aminotransferaznoi aktivnosti v otdelakh golovnogo mozga krys posle obshchego gamma-oblucheniia v absoliutno letal'noi doze.

The contents of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GL) as well as GABA-aspartate- and alanine aminotransferase activities were measured in rat cerebellum, cerebral cortex and truncus cerebri 1, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hr following total-body gamma-irradiation (60Co) with a dose of 30 Gy. All the indices under study changed in a similar way in the cortex and truncus cerebri while in the cerebellum, GABA level increased and GABA-alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransfearse activity decreased 60 min after irradiation. The levels of GABA and GL in the cortex and truncus cerebri decreased immediately and increased 24 hr after irradiation. Activity of aminotransferases changed in a phase manner: changes in aspartate- and alanine aminotransferase activity were more pronounced than those of GABA-alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase activity and correlated with the glutamate level changes.