Effect of dietary fatty acids on serum parameters, fatty acid compositions, and liver histology in Shaoxing laying ducks

The effects of different fatty acid (FA) contents in diet on serum parameters, FA compositions of eggs and meat, and liver morphological changes were studied in Shaoxing laying ducks. A total of 264 ducks at 17 weeks were fed a control diet or a diet containing 30 g/kg fish oil (FO), 25 g/kg sunflower oil (SO), or 30 g/kg palm oil with 20 g/kg beef tallow (PBO). Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver and the serum of ducks fed the PBO diet was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of ducks fed the other diets. Triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly lower (P<0.05) in ducks fed the FO diet. Serum TC also was lower in ducks fed the SO diet. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was also affected by diets. The contents of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) in eggs and meat were significantly higher (P<0.001) in ducks fed the FO and SO diets than in ducks fed the control diet. The level of C22:6 (n-3) FA in ducks fed the FO diet was significantly higher than that in ducks fed the other diets. However, the conversion efficiency of the longer-chain C20:5 (n-3) FA was higher than that of C22:6 (n-3). Ducks fed the PBO diet exhibited lipid droplet accumulation in the liver. These results demonstrate that a diet enriched with different FAs has strong effects on serum lipid levels and the deposition of PUFAs into tissue lipids.     

Pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant status in patients of sickle cell anaemia

The role of oxidant damage to red cells in sickle cell anaemia has been of interest in recent years. Although, available reports suggest that sickle cell erythrocytes are susceptible to endogenous free radical mediated oxidant damage there remains discrepancy in the status of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant vitamins in these patients. In view of this, 107 cases of sickle cell anaemia (36 ‘SS’ and 71 ‘AS’ pattern—as confirmed by haemoglobin electrophoresis) were subjected to analysis of malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase and albumin. The results were compared with 54 age and sex matched healthy controls. The results indicate a marked increase in lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase levels in both ‘SS’ and ‘AS’ types of sickle cell anaemia as compared to controls. Although no difference was observed in the levels of albumin in these groups the levels of ascorbic acid were significantly depleted in sickle cell anaemia patients. The results are indicative of enhanced lipid peroxidation along with imbalance in the pro-oxidant and antioxidant status in patients of sickle cell anaemia.     

Review and Recommendations for the Component Tests in the Liver Function Test Profile

Pathology laboratories group some tests that they perform on their high throughput biochemistry analysers into profiles of tests that are associated with different organs (e.g. liver function tests—LFT). The components of these profiles are historic and often vary between different laboratories. This can lead to confusion and begs the question of what should be in a particular profile. In community medicine profiles may be used as screening tests but some of the components of the profiles may have low sensitivity and specificity and may produce both false positives and negatives. The LFT may include components which are poor liver function tests but are sensitive to fatty liver and hence elevations may cause unnecessary concern. Harmonisation of clinical chemistry reference intervals and units is occurring now so it is time to consider a similar process for components of a profile. A proposed list of analytes to be performed in the LFT profile is given.     

独活寄生汤联合来氟米特治疗类风湿关节炎临床研究

目的:对独活寄生汤联合来氟米特片治疗类风湿关节炎的临床疗效进行观察。方法:对独活寄生汤联合来氟米特片治疗类风湿关节炎(肝肾亏虚型)的临床疗效进行回顾性分析;应用随机数字表把纳入的120例患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,两组各60例,对照组给予来氟米特片治疗;治疗组予以独活寄生汤联合来氟米特片治疗,1疗程为6个月,分别于治疗前、治疗1个月、2个月、3个月对患者进行DAS-28评分并采用HAQ健康评估问卷进行生存质量评估。结果:治疗组总有效率、显效率分别为88.33%和80%;对照组总有效率、显效率分别为73.33%和61.61%。总有效率、显效率治疗组均显著优于对照组。两组患者HAQ评分、DAS-28评分在治疗1个月均有所改善,病情得到控制;两组患者HAQ评分、DAS-28评分在2个月后仍继续减少,病情初步缓解,较本组治疗前有显著性差异(P0.05),组间相比仍无显著性差异(P0.05);两组患者在治疗结束时HAQ评分、DAS-28评分明显减少,病情完全控制,较本组治疗前及治疗1个月有显著性差异(P0.05),组间相比均有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:独活寄生汤联合来氟米特片可有效改善肝肾亏虚型型类风湿关节炎患者的临床症状及实验室指标,且无明显不良反应,提高生存质量,取得了满意效果。     

Regulation of metabolic pathways in liver and kidney during experimental diabetes: Effects of antidiabetic compounds

Diabetes has been classified as a disease of glucose overproduction by tissues, mainly liver and glucose underutilization by insulin requiring tissues like liver, adipose and muscle due to lack of insulin. There is, however, glucose over utilization in tissues not dependent on insulin for glucose transport like kidney, nerve and brain. There are serious complications due to this excess glucose in these tissues and their reversal is important for a good metabolic control and normalisation of other parameters. Insulin, trace metals and some plant extracts have been used to see the reversal effects of the complications of diabetes in liver and kidney in experimental diabetes. Almost complete reversal of the metabolic changes has been achieved in the activities of key enzymes of metabolic pathways in liver and kidney and an effective glucose control has been achieved suggesting a combination of therapies in the treatment of metabolic disturbance of the diabetic state.     

Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide administration alters antioxidant profile during hypercholesterolemia

Pathogens, especially Gram-negative bacteria or bacterial endotoxin, along with other classical factors, may be involved in inflammatory response within the aortic endothelium during the progression of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that bacterial endotoxin activates various inflammatory processes in the body. Our study aims to establish a correlation between endotoxemia and vascular expression of antioxidant enzymes. Swiss albino mice (4 weeks old) were fed a high fat diet for 24 weeks and then were administered Escherichia coli endotoxin intraperitonealy, for 4 weeks. Tissue antioxidant enzymes, serum levels of IL-6 and TNF alpha were measured from the mice. We report that i.p. administration of endotoxin to hyperlipidemic mice resulted in elevation of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes, which was paralleled by a systemic reduction of serum cholesterol and LDL expression. Myeloperoxidase levels were also found to be elevated in aortic tissue, while an increase was also observed in the serum cytokine levels.     

虫源壳聚糖对大鼠运动能力及骨骼肌抗氧化酶系的影响

目的:探讨补充不同浓度虫源壳聚糖对大鼠运动能力和骨骼肌抗氧化酶系的影响。方法:对大负荷游泳训练大鼠补充剂量分别为各组平均体重的0.5 g.kg-1、1.0 g.kg-1和2.0 g.kg-1的虫源壳聚糖,在8周大负荷训练结束后测定力竭游泳时间和骨骼肌抗氧化酶系的活性。结果:8周大负荷训练后,虫源壳聚糖大负荷运动组力竭游泳时间均明显长于单纯大负荷运动组,补充2.0 g.kg-1虫源壳聚糖组游泳力竭时间比单纯大负荷运动组延长了25.56%。补充虫源壳聚糖能够显著提高抗氧化酶系活性,虫源壳聚糖0.5 g.kg-1补充组与单纯大负荷运动组相比,CAT和GST酶活性显著升高(P<0.05),但SOD活性无显著差异;虫源壳聚糖1.0 g.kg-1和2.0 g.kg-1补充组与单纯大负荷运动组相比:SOD酶活性显著提高(P<0.05),CAT和GST酶活性升高极为显著(P<0.01)。MDA含量在不同水平虫源壳聚糖补充组均显著低于单纯大负荷运动组(P<0.01)。结论:补充虫源壳聚糖有助于提高训练大鼠的运动能力及骨骼肌抗氧化酶系活性。     

少年在亚极量、极量负荷运动下血中MDA、GSH、SOD和CAT的变化

为了探讨不同运动对机体自由基代谢和抗氧化酶的影响 ,采用跑台提供运动负荷 ,对 48名少年进行了安静、亚极量负荷和极量负荷下血浆中丙二醛 (MDA)、还原型谷胱甘肽 (GSH)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)和过氧化氢酶 (CAT)的测定。结果发现 ,MDA在极量和亚极量运动负荷下极显著地高于安静时 ,极量负荷下又极明显地高于亚极量负荷时 ;全血中 GSH在两种负荷下均比安静时显著下降 ,但两种负荷间无明显差异 ;SOD的活力在两种负荷运动下显著高于安静状态时 ,极量负荷下虽高于亚极量负荷时 ,但无明显差异 ;CAT在亚极量负荷下其活力比安静时有所降低 ,但不显著 ,而在极量负荷下非常显著地高于安静和亚极量负荷状态时。     

Hyperlipidemia, increased lipid peroxidation and changes in antioxidant enzymes, Na+−K+-ATPase in erythrocytes of type 2 diabetic patients in andhra pradesh

Plasma levels of lipids, lipoproteins and lipid peroxides and erythrocyte Na⁺−K⁺ ATPase, Mg²⁺ATPase and antioxidant enzymes were measured in type-2 diabetic patients. A significant decrease in Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity was observed in diabetic patients which was negatively correlated with blood glucose and lipid peroxides, while the Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was increased. In the diabetic subjects the plasma concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ were increased where as erythrocyte levels of Na⁺ were increased and K⁺ were decreased. Hyperlipidaemia and increased levels of lipid peroxides were observed in the diabetic subjects. There was a significant increase in erythrocyte catalase activity in diabetics which positively correlated with their lipid peroxides. There was no change in GPx activities between controls and diabetics.