[The effects of branched chain aminoacids on HDL-cholesterol in experimental animals subjected to dietary hypercholesterolemia]. / Efectele aminoacizilor cu catena ramificata asupra HDL-colesterolului la animale de experienta supuse unei diete hipercolesterolemice.

UNLABELLED: High levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, so that many studies focus on modify HDL levels for therapeutic purpose. AIM: The present research aims to highlight changes in plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol in experimental animals with a high-fat diet associated with some branched aminoacids--valine and leucine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment was realised on 32 male Wistar rats, which were divided in four groups: group I--received a standard diet; group II--was fed with cholesterol (C), group III (C + V)--cholesterol and valine and group IV (C + L)--cholesterol and leucine. After 8 weeks animals were evaluated in relation with lipids levels in the blood. RESULTS: The average values of HDL-cholesterol in group who received only cholesterol (C) were significantly lower compared with group III who received cholesterol and valine (C + V) or group IV that received cholesterol and leucine (C + L) (p < 0.001), after one month and at the end of the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that valine and leucine increased the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and therefore they are useful components in coronary artery disease risk reduction. The association of these aminoacids in human diets can improve clinical conditions associated with hyperlipidaemia such as atherosclerosis.

Protective effects of selenium on acrylamide toxicity in the liver of the rat. Effects on the oxidative stress.

UNLABELLED: Acrylamide (AA), obtained for the first time by Moureu in Germany in 1893, is presently used as polyacrylamide in water treatment and wastewater treatment, paper and pulp processing, mineral processing, crude-oil production processes. Acrylamide is a chemical product formed when frying, roasting, grilling or baking carbohydrate-rich foods at temperatures above 120 degrees C. Acrylamide is thus found in a number of foods, such as bread, crisps, French fries and coffee. Tobacco smoking also generates substantial amounts of acrylamide. Acrylamide administration is associated with significant increase of oxidative stress parameters; acrylamide caused disturbances in the oxidative status and enzyme activities and the effect was pronounced with the high doses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study investigates the effect of selenium (as sodium selenite and as a selenium dietary supplements--Celnium) on the oxidative stress in Wistar rats which received high doses of acrylamide. RESULTS: The administration of sodium selenite and selenium dietary supplements (Celnium) significantly increased GSH and GPx levels and decreased MDA compared to group which received only acrylamide. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that sodium selenite and selenium dietary supplements (Celnium) can partially prevent the biochemical changes in the liver of the rats which received high doses of acrylamide.

Biogenic amines determination in some Romanian meat products.

AIM: Biogenic amines are compounds synthesized in human body which in high concentration become toxic and lead to a wide range of symptoms as palpitations, nausea and headache. Meat products can contain high levels of biogenic amines. Ingestion of such product can cause severe illness. For these reason it becomes necessary to determine the biogenic amines levels in meat products. In our work we have determined the amount of some biogenic amines and the ration in which they are present in different type of fresh and processed meat products made by several producers. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Meat sample was homogenized with TCA 5%, than centrifuged at 4000 rpm and supernatant collected was eluted on a solid cartridge extraction. The extracted liquid was than analyzed on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system in order to determine histamine, tyramine, cadaverine and putrescine. RESULTS: Concentration of biogenic amines such as histamine, tyramine, cadaverine and putrescine, find in the foodstuffs we have analyzed, showed significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates the presence of biogenic amines in Romanian meat products and signals to the risk of food consumption, for persons which are allergic or for those under classical monoamine-oxidase inhibitor drug therapy.

Total antioxidant status in the blood serum of rats after biogenic amines administration.

UNLABELLED: The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of biogenic amines on rat blood levels of total antioxidant status (TAS). Total antioxidant species refers to all circulating species in plasma including vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, uric acid, bilirubin, albumin as well as metal-binding proteins (e.g. ferritin or ceruloplasmin). MATERIAL AND METHOD: We worked on three series of Wistar male rats. Series I received histamine (10 mg/kg body) intra peritoneal (i.p.) single dose, Series II received tyramine (10 mg/kg body) intra peritoneal (i.p.) single dose and Series III received biogenic amines mixture (histamine, tyramine and cadaverine 5 mg/kg body) intra peritoneal (i.p.) single dose. At 72 hours after biogenic amines administration blood samples were collected and total antioxidant status was determined using a RANDOX kit for manual use. RESULTS: Our data shows that total antioxidant status present a significant decrease after 72 hours after amines administration as compared with initial moment, before administration. CONCLUSIONS: The biogenic amines decrease the level of the total oxidant status in rat blood serum and reduce the capacity of the antioxidant defense system. The amines administration as a mixture seems to have no cumulative effect on individual amine toxicity.