Analysis of biochemical parameters in an experimental model of chronic pancreatitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Despite advanced research and great progress in understanding the chronic pancreatitis (CP) pathogenesis, no current causal treatment for the condition is available. For preclinical studies, the existence of a well-characterized CP animal model is essential. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of chronic pancreatitis on the antioxidant enzymes activity in rat blood serum and on the level of glutathione (intracellular antioxidant) in rat pancreas. METHODS: The experiments were carried out on the Wistar Kyoto rats in two groups: control and study group (CP), in which chemical induction of pancreatitis with dibutyl dichloride was performed. Serum enzyme activities of amylase, lipase, catalase and superoxide dismutase were analyzed. The levels of the following biochemical parameters were also investigated: total protein, albumin, calcium, magnesium, and triglycerides. Levels of low-molecular-weight thiols: reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, were determined in pancreatic homogenates. RESULTS: Histopathological imaging of rat pancreatic parenchyma with induced inflammation confirmed focal lymphocytic interstitial chronic pancreatitis with fibrosis features and mild parenchymal atrophy, as well as pancreatic islets degeneration. In the CP group, we observed a statistically significant decrease in serum amylase and lipase activities and in total protein/albumin levels. Also, the elevated catalase activity was registered. In CP rats' tissues, we observed a 15-fold reduction in GSH levels. The other examined parameters remained unchanged. Clinically relevant are hypoalbuminemia and a moderate decrease in lipase activity. The described changes are most probably indicative of the impaired exocrine pancreas function, however without organ failure features.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) as a Potential Source of Interference in Research Related to Sulfur Metabolism-A Preliminary Study.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an organosulfur compound, is widely used as the gold standard solvent in biological research. It is used in cell culture experiments and as a component of formulations in in vivo studies. Unfortunately, parameters related to sulfur metabolism are often not taken into account when using DMSO. Therefore, in this work we aim to show that the addition of DMSO to the culture medium (even in amounts commonly considered acceptable) alters some parameters of sulfur metabolism. For this study, we used three cell lines: a commercially available Caco-2 line (HTB-37, ATCC) and two lines created as part of our early studies (likewise previously described in the literature) to investigate the anomalies of sulfur metabolism in mucopolysaccharidosis. As the negative effects of DMSO on the cell membrane are well known, additional experiments with the partial loading of DMSO into polymerosomes (poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-block-poly(lactide-co-glycolide), PEG-PLGA) were performed to eliminate these potentially disruptive effects. The results show that DMSO is a source of interference in studies related to sulfur metabolism and that there are not just simple effects that can be corrected in the final result by subtracting control values, since complex synergisms are also observed.

Anticancer and antioxidant activity of bread enriched with broccoli sprouts.

This study is focused on antioxidant and anticancer capacity of bread enriched with broccoli sprouts (BS) in the light of their potential bioaccessibility and bioavailability. Generally, bread supplementation elevated antioxidant potential of product (both nonenzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant capacities); however, the increase was not correlated with the percent of BS. A replacement up to 2% of BS gives satisfactory overall consumers acceptability and desirable elevation of antioxidant potential. High activity was especially found for extracts obtained after simulated digestion, which allows assuming their protective effect for upper gastrointestinal tract; thus, the anticancer activity against human stomach cancer cells (AGS) was evaluated. A prominent cytostatic response paralleled by the inhibition of AGS motility in the presence of potentially mastication-extractable phytochemicals indicates that phenolic compounds of BS retain their biological activity in bread. Importantly, the efficient phenolics concentration was about 12 µM for buffer extract, 13 µM for extracts after digestion in vitro, and 7 µM for extract after absorption in vitro. Our data confirm chemopreventive potential of bread enriched with BS and indicate that BS comprise valuable food supplement for stomach cancer chemoprevention.