Effect of dietary rosemary extract on cell-mediated immunity of young rats

The impact of rosemary extract on splenic mononuclear cell proliferation was determined. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing 0, 100, 200 or 400 ppm rosemary extract or 400 ppm butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in combinatiion with 10 or 20% casein enriched diets for 8 weeks. Splenic mononuclear cells were isolated from these animals and mitogenic response to Concanavalin A (Con A), Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and lipopolysaccharide was determined. Con A and PHA-stimulated proliferation of spleen cells from rats fed 10% casein and 200 ppm rosemary extract was significantly higher than that of cells from the corresponding control animals. However, other levels of rosemary at 10% dietary casein or rosemary at any concentration fed along with 20% dietary casein had no impact on the mitogenic stimulation of splenic mononuclear cells. Thus, these results suggest that the use of rosemary might not have a generalized immunoenhancing effect, and will probably be effective in some stressed conditions, such as protein or antioxidant deficiency.     

Effect of dietary rosemary extract on cell-mediated immunity of young rats.

The impact of rosemary extract on splenic mononuclear cell proliferation was determined. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing 0, 100, 200 or 400 ppm rosemary extract or 400 ppm butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in combination with 10 or 20% casein enriched diets for 8 weeks. Splenic mononuclear cells were isolated from these animals and mitogenic response to Concanavalin A (Con A), Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and lipopolysaccharide was determined. Con A and PHA-stimulated proliferation of spleen cells from rats fed 10% casein and 200 ppm rosemary extract was significantly higher than that of cells from the corresponding control animals. However, other levels of rosemary at 10% dietary casein or rosemary at any concentration fed along with 20% dietary casein had no impact on the mitogenic stimulation of splenic mononuclear cells. Thus, these results suggest that the use of rosemary might not have a generalized immunoenhancing effect, and will probably be effective in some stressed conditions, such as protein or antioxidant deficiency.     

Effect of dietary caffeic and chlorogenic acids on in vivo xenobiotic enzyme systems

The plant phenols chlorogenic and caffeic acids were tested for their affinity to alter hepatic and intestinal xenobiotic Phase I and Phase II enzyme activities in mice. Mice were fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous powdered diets containing 0 and 0.2% caffeic and chlorogenic acids, respectively. Animals pre-treated with benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) were sacrificed 18h after an oral dose (50mg/kg Bwt). B(a)P induced animals exhibited higher (p<0.05) microsomal AHH, UDPGT, P-450 and cytosolic GST liver enzyme activities. The presence of these phenolics in the diet was shown to have little effect in modulating hepatic xenobiotic activating-detoxification enzymes. The dietary intake of caffeic and chlorogenic acids was particularly evident with intestinal xenobiotic AHH and GST enzyme activity. These data indicate that the presence of caffeic and chlorogenic acids in the diet may have an integral role in modulating the carcinogenic potential of reactive xenobiotics such as B(a)P.     

Effect of mixing lard with soybean oil in cooking on hepatic antioxidative ability and renal metabolic activity

A simulate daily oriental dietary pattern (a blend of lard and soybean oil) was performed in this research to investigate influence on liver and kidney function. Sixty mice were randomly divided into 6 groups with diets of different fat added oils respectively for 12 weeks. Malondialdehyde and uric acid contents in mice fed with blended oil were significantly lower than in those fed only with soybean oil and lard due to the improved activities of antioxidant enzymes. Daily use of a blend of lard with soybean oil significantly increased antioxidant capacity, reduced lipid peroxidation of liver and serum uric acid production, thus protected liver and renal function. It also suggests that the oriental dietary pattern might reduce the risk of gout.     

Evaluation of enzymes inhibition activities of medicinal plant from Burkina Faso

The aim of the present study was to evaluate some enzymes inhibitory effects of 11 plant species belonging to 9 families from Burkina Faso. Methanolic extracts were used for their Glutathione-s-transferase (GST), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Carboxylesterase (CES) and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities at final concentration of 100 microg mL(-1). The total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins were also determined spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu, AlCl3 and ammonium citrate iron reagents, respectively. Among the 11 species tested, the best inhibitory percentages were found with Euphorbia hirta, Sclerocarya birrea and Scoparia dulcis (inhibition > 40%) followed by Annona senegalensis, Annona squamosa, Polygala arenaria and Ceratotheca sesamoides (inhibition > 25%). The best total phenolic and tannin contents were found with S. birrea with 56.10 mg GAE/100 mg extract and 47.75 mg TAE/100 mg extract, respectively. E hirta presented the higher total flavonoids (9.96 mg QE/100 mg extract). It's was found that Sclerocarya birrea has inhibited all enzymes at more than 30% and this activity is correlated to total tannins contents. Contrary to S. birrea, the enzymatic activities of E. hirta and S. dulcis are correlated to total flavonoids contents. Present findings suggest that the methanolic extracts of those plant species are potential inhibitors of GST, AChE, CES and XO and confirm their traditional uses in the treatment of mental disorders, gout, painful inflammations and cardiovascular diseases.     

Effects of pigment glands and gossypol on growth,development and insecticide-resistance of cotton bollworm (Heliothis armigera (Hübner))

Cotton bollworm (Heliothis armigera) is a major pest of cotton and other crops. It is important to understand the mechanisms of insecticide tolerance of cotton bollworm on cotton cultivars with host plant resistance to this insect pest. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of cotton pigment glands and their gossypol on the growth, development and insecticide tolerance of cotton bollworm. Three pairs of cotton isogenic lines with glanded versus glandless leaves, as well as artificial diets with 5 levels of gossypol, were used to raise cotton bollworm larvae for five generations. The growth, development and insecticide tolerance of larvae were studied. The results indicated that the cotton pigment glands and higher levels of gossypol resulted in a significant decrease in larval weights and moth eclosion rates and delayed the development of larvae and pupae. Larvae that fed on glanded cotton leaves were significantly more tolerant to two insecticides, cyhalothin and monocrotophos, than those fed on glandless cotton leaves. LD₅₀ values were only increased where they were in amount per unit body weight, and not where were calculated in amount per individual. Also the insecticide tolerance of cotton bollworm larvae increased as the gossypol content was raised from 0 to 0.225% in artificial diets. Meanwhile, the activities of two detoxifying enzymes, carboxylesterase and glutathione s-transferase, were significantly higher in the larvae fed on glanded cotton leaves than those fed on glandless cotton leaves. The activities of two enzymes also increased greatly with the increase of gossypol content from 0 to 0.225% in artificial diets. Across 5 generations of feeding and investigation, the significant inhibition effect on larval growth and larval tolerance to two pesticides were found to be only associated with the feeding by current generation, but were not related to previous diets. The activities of two detoxifying enzymes in larvae were also not enhanced significantly when they were fed continuously on glanded cotton leaves or artificial diet with high gossypol. These results indicated that pigment glands and higher levels of gossypol not only inhibited the growth of cotton bollworm larvae but also enhanced their insecticide tolerance. However, the inhibition effect and enhanced insecticide tolerance were inducible but could not be accumulated or inherited. These results will help us better understand the interaction and co-evolution of insecticide tolerance in larvae of cotton bollworm and host chemical components, and also has provided useful information on cotton bollworm management in cotton production, especially in glandless cotton.     

Effect of short term ingestion ofTelfaria occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) on the liver

Four groups of female mice (18–22g) were fed for at least 10 days on a control diet or diets with addedTelfaria occidentalis (10% w/w) vegetables. Group 1 were the control animals. Group 2 were fed the vegetable diet alone. Group 3 were fed the control diet and injected with aflatoxin B₁(AFB₁, 0.35 mg/kg/day) in the last 3 days. Group 4 were fed with the vegetable diet and similarly treated for 3 days with AFB₁. No effects attributable to treatment were encountered in body weight, food intake, water intake and relative liver weight (g/100 g body weight). Decreases (17–40%) in PB sleeping time in the vegetable fed animals were not significant (P>0.05) in comparison to the control. Microsomal proteins increased by 2 fold in group 2 but were apparently normal in groups 3 and 4. In group 2 the activities of liver microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase and NADH-cytochrome c reductase increased but those of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and aniline hydroxylase decreased. Increases were observed in the activities of all of these enzymes in groups 3 and 4. The highest increases were observed in glucose-6-phosphatase activity in mice fed the vegetables and also injected with AFB₁.     

The nutritional properties of extruded and non-extruded corn fiber isolate

The feed efficiency and selected organ weights of rats fed diets containing 3 or 7% corn fiber, extruded corn fiber or silica were compared to rats fed a fiber-free diet. No significant differences were found in feed efficiency, spleen, lung or liver weights for any of the treatments relative to the fiber-free control diet.     

制霉菌素对褐飞虱若虫解毒酶、尿酸酶含量的影响

【目的】为明确取食制霉菌素处理的水稻对褐飞虱[Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)]相关生理指标的影响,【方法】以不同浓度制霉菌素处理的水稻饲养褐飞虱,检测虫体内相关解毒酶含量与活性以及尿酸酶基因相对含量的变化。【结果】结果显示,取食制霉菌素处理的水稻,褐飞虱体内芳香基酰胺酶(aromatic amidase,AAD)含量前期下降,后期抑制作用逐渐消失,酶含量回升;虫体内O-脱乙基酶(O-deethyl enzyme,ODEE)含量在72 h的处理时长内显著低于对照;羧酸酯酶(carboxylesterase,CarE)和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(glutathione S-transferase,GST)的活性在不同浓度制霉菌素的处理下呈现不同的动态变化,高浓度制霉菌素(600 U/mL)处理的褐飞虱种群体内的CarE和GST的活性在处理时间段内均呈现诱导-抑制-诱导的现象,而中(300 U/mL)、低浓度(150 U/mL)处理种群中两种酶则随着处理时间的延长呈上升趋势。取食不同浓度制霉菌素处理水稻的褐飞虱种群体内类酵母共生菌尿酸酶基因在24 h、48 h之后与对照相比均无显著差异。取食48 h后,包括对照在内的4个处理尿酸酶基因相对转录水平均有下调趋势,当处理时长达72 h时,尿酸酶基因相对转录水平呈现上调趋势,但取食不同浓度制霉菌素处理水稻的褐飞虱种群体内含量显著低于对照。【结论】取食不同浓度制霉菌素处理的水稻对褐飞虱3龄若虫的4种主要的解毒酶具有不同的影响;制霉菌素处理可通过减少类酵母共生菌数量从而降低尿酸酶的含量。     

水稻黑条矮缩病毒对非介体稻飞虱——白背飞虱适应性的影响

 为明确水稻感染病毒病后对非介体稻飞虱的影响,在室内研究了水稻感染黑条矮缩病病毒后对白背飞虱的生态适应性及其体内相关的保护酶和解毒酶活性的影响。结果表明, 在感染病毒水稻植株上取食对白背飞虱若虫存活率、发育历期、成虫性比、雌成虫体质量、产卵量和卵孵化率等影响不显著,但雌成虫寿命和卵历期显著缩短。取食感病稻株的成虫体内保护酶(CAT、SOD和POD)和解毒酶(AchE、 GST和CAE)的活性均显著增强。结果证明水稻感染黑条矮缩病病毒后非介体白背飞虱的适应性提高。     

Effect of hesperetin,a citrus flavonoid,on the liver triacylglycerol content and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity in orotic acid-fed rats

The effect of dietary hesperetin on the hepatic lipid content and the enzyme activities involved in triacylglycerol (TG) synthesis in rats fed diets with or without 1% orotic acid (OA) was studied. Hepatic TG content was raised by approximately 5-fold after administration of OA for 10 days. The OA-feeding significantly increased the activity of hepatic microsomal phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP), which is the rate-limiting enzyme for TG synthesis. Hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and malic enzyme activities were also increased. An addition of 1% hesperetin to the OA-supplemented diet resulted in the decrease of the hepatic TG content by 44% and of microsomal PAP activity. Dietary hesperetin alone neither affected liver TG content nor PAP activity significantly. OA-feeding caused an increased liver cholesterol level, whereas simultaneous addition of hesperetin and OA reduced its content to the control level. A slight reduction of hepatic cholesterol by hesperetin was also observed in the OA-free dietary group. The present study demonstrated that dietary hesperetin can reduce the hepatic TG accumulation induced by OA, and this was associated with the reduced activity of TG synthetic enzyme, PAP.     

狭叶茶提取物对小鼠氧化应激性肝损伤的保护作用

研究狭叶茶(Camellia angustifolia Chang)提取物对拘束负荷诱发小鼠应激性肝损伤的保护作用。采用拘束负荷小鼠应激性肝损伤模型,18h拘束负荷诱发小鼠应激性肝损伤,分别用赖氏法测定小鼠血浆和肝组织丙氨酸转移酶(ALT)活性、硫代巴比妥酸法测定丙二醛(MDA)含量、HPLC法测定谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平、比色法测定黄嘌呤氧化酶(XOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)和谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)活性,荧光酶标仪测定血浆、肝组织及狭叶茶提取物体外抗氧化能力指数(ORAC)。与拘束模型组相比,狭叶茶提取物可以明显提高拘束负荷小鼠血浆与肝组织匀浆的ALT活性和抗氧化能力指数,提高GSH水平,增强GPX和GST活性,有效降低肝组织中MDA含量和XOD活性,并在体外显示出较强的抗氧化能力。说明狭叶茶提取物对拘束应激引起的小鼠肝损伤具有一定的保护作用,其作用机制可能部分来自于减少拘束负荷小鼠氧化应激水平,清除自由基和抑制脂质过氧化过程。     

Phase II-Inducing,Polyphenols Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Corn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) from Phenotypes of White,Blue, Red and Purple Colors Processed into Masa and Tortillas

White, blue, red and purple corns (Zea mays L.) were lime-cooked to obtain masa for tortillas. The total phenolics and anthocyanins content, antioxidant activity expressed as total reducing power (TRP), peroxyl radical bleaching (PRAC), total antioxidant activity (TAA) and quinone reductase (QR) induction in the murine hepatoma (Hepa 1 c1c7 cell line) as a biological marker for phase II detoxification enzymes were investigated. Among the extracts prepared from raw corn varieties the highest concentration of total phenolics, anthocyanins, antioxidant index and induction of QR-inducing activity were found in the Veracruz 42 (Ver 42) genotype. The nixtamalization process (masa) reduced total phenolics, anthocyanins and antioxidant activities and the ability for QR induction when was compared to raw grain. Processing masa into tortillas also negatively affected total phenolics, anthocyanin concentration, antioxidant activities, and QR induction in the colored corn varieties. The blue variety and its corresponding masa and tortillas did not induce QR. Ver 42 genotype and their products (masa and tortilla) showed the greatest antioxidant activity and capacity to induce QR     

白茶体外抗氧化与体内抗衰老作用的研究

为比较不同原料来源白茶的体外抗氧化和体内抗衰老作用并探究其作用机制,本研究制备白毫银针（Baihaoyinzhen, YZ）、白牡丹（Baimudan, MD）和寿眉（Shoumei, SM）的提取物,检测其主要功效成分含量及其体外抗氧化活性。通过诱导D-半乳糖衰老小鼠模型,探究其体内抗衰老作用。结果显示,YZ提取物的主要功效成分含量均高于MD和SM提取物,SM提取物的茶多酚和总黄酮含量高于MD提取物。在体外,相同浓度下YZ提取物抗氧化能力最强,MD和SM提取物差异不明显。在体内,YZ提取物在抑制肝脏脂质过氧化方面表现出显著优势（P<0.05）,SM提取物在提高血清抗氧化酶活性方面具有显著优势（P<0.05）,但未表现出剂量依赖关系。3种白茶提取物上调了小鼠肝脏抗氧化酶与抗衰老基因的表达,表现出剂量依赖性,有效地改善了机体氧化应激状态,且对小鼠均未表现出肝脏毒性作用。     

Antidiabetic activity evaluation of glimepiride and Nerium oleander extract on insulin, glucose levels and some liver enzymes activities in experimental diabetic rat model

The present study is aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of sulfonylurea drug glimepiride in comparison with Nerium oleander plant extract on insulin, glucose levels and some liver enzymes activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of 50 mg kg(-1) body weight streptozotocin. Rats with serum glucose levels > 200 mg dL(-1) were subdivided into three sub-groups: the first sub-group were remained without treatment and considered as diabetics. The second and third subgroups were orally administered 0.1 mg kg(-1) body weight/day glimepiride and 250 mg kg(-1) body weight/day Nerium oleander, respectively for 4 weeks. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia compared to controls. Strong negative correlation (r = -0.8) was found between serum insulin and glucose levels in diabetic rats. This correlation was +0.4 and -0.3 in glimepiride and Nerium olender-treated rats, respectively implying that glimepiride and plant extract improved insulin and glucose levels with the former was more efficient. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats compared to controls. Treatment of diabetic rats with glimepiride or Nerium oleander extract also improved liver enzymes activities.     

Effect of high and prolonged gari diets on some microsomal enzymes activities of rat liver

Male wister albino rats (90–130 g) were fed control and gari (56% w/w) (a dried cassava product) containing diets for 9 wks and sacrificed at intervals (1, 3, 6 and 9 wks). Liver microsomal fractions were assayed for glucose-6-phosphatase, NADPH-cytochrome c (P-450) reductase, NADPH-dichlorophenolindophenol reductase, cytochrome P-450 peroxidase and aniline hydroxylase activities. Whereas changes were observed in the activity rates of all enzymes, significant changes were observed in the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity (43% inhibited,P<0.001) and glucose-6-phosphatase (19% inhibited,P<0.05) at 9 wk. The results are discussed in terms of the hepatotoxicity of gari.     

Effect of full-fat or defatted rice bran on serum cholesterol

Rice bran has been shown to lower serum cholesterol in hamsters. Leghorn cockerel chicks were fed 60% full-fat rice bran (FFRB) and corn/soy (CS) diets with 0.5% added cholesterol. Both diets contained 19% protein. All reported parameters are on blood serum. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL and LDL). In a second study, chicks were fed FFRB, defatted rice bran (DFRB), and CS diets balanced for 18% protein, 14.47% total dietary fiber and 10.78% lipid with 0.5% added cholesterol. Both TC and TG were significantly lower (p<0.05) in chicks fed FFRB and CS diets. Significant differences were found in HDL values for all diets with FFRB exhibiting the highest mean value (155 mg/dl) and CS exhibiting the lowest mean value (114 mg/dl). All diets were significantly different (p<0.05) in LDL, with mean values of 249, 318 and 275 mg/dl for FFRB, DFRB and CS, respectively. FFRB appears to increase HDL and to lower LDL in chicks, but does not always affect TC, whereas DFRB may increase all three serum lipid components.Contribution No. 2575, Montana Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with Western Regional Research Center, USDA.     

Cassava-soy weaning food: Biological evaluation and effects on rat organs

Weaning food was formulated using a cassava product, `Tapioca' (TAP), supplemented with roasted – sproutedsoybeans (SS), with and without additional (10%)malted sorghum flour (MS). Biological evaluation wascarried out on the formulations using 4–5 week oldweanling albino rats, with Cerelac (a commercialmaize-milk weaning food) as the control diet. Therewere increases in growth rate of rats fed with boththe test and control diets. There were no significant(p > 0.05) differences between the test diets andcontrol diet in true digestibility values. Thebiological value (BV) and net protein utilization(NPU) values for the formulated diets were above therecommended minimum values. The weight of organs(small intestine, pancreas, liver and heart) of ratsfed TAP + SS and TAP + SS + MS based diets were nothigher than those of organs of rats fed Cerelac. Itwas concluded that cassava products could potentiallybe employed successfully in the preparation of weaningfoods of comparable quality to available commercialbrands.     

大豆异黄酮和皂甙对大鼠肝癌诱发初期肝脏氧化应激的干预作用

利用Solt-Faber法制备大鼠肝癌初期模型,同时以100 mg.kg-1大豆异黄酮和皂甙干预42 d。然后处死动物,制备肝匀浆及肝线粒体提取液。以比色法测定丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、γ-谷酰胺转肽酶(γ-GT)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果表明,大豆异黄酮和皂甙能降低肝癌发生初期大鼠肝脏ALT、AST、γ-GT和GST活性,升高肝脏及肝线粒体SOD、CAT、GSH-PX活性和降低MDA水平。提示,大豆异黄酮和皂甙具有减轻肝癌发生初期大鼠肝细胞损伤,降低其氧化应激的作用。此作用有助于预防肝癌的发生。     

Effects of taurine on glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and reduced glutathione levels in rats

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of oral administration of taurine on endogenous glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Glutathione Reductase (GR) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) level in normal rats. Normal saline (Group I) or 5% taurine in normal saline was administered in dose of 50 mg (Group II), 250 mg (Group III) or 500 mg kg(-1) of body weight (Group IV) through intragastric intubation for 60 days. GPx and GR enzyme activities and GSH and taurine levels were determined in liver, heart, stomach, kidney and plasma of normal Wistar rats. GPx activity showed an increase in liver, heart, stomach and plasma. GR activity increased in kidney and decreased in liver and plasma. GSH levels increased in liver, stomach and decreased in kidney. Liver showed an increase and heart, stomach and kidney a decrease in taurine level in taurine administered rats when compared to control rats. The results varied from organ to organ and the observed variations among organs might be related to their respective enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidant potential and its functions. From the present study it may be concluded that long term oral administration of taurine affects GPx, GR and GSH levels in normal rats.