Effect of exposure to a country liquor (Toddy) during gestation on lipid metabolism in rats

The objective of this study was to determine theeffects of country liquor Toddy and its equivalentquantity of ethanol on lipid metabolism duringgestation in rats. Female rats weighing an average of125 g were exposed to Toddy (24.5 ml/body weight/day)and ethanol (0.52 ml/kg body weight/day) for 15 daysbefore conception and throughout gestation. On the19th day of gestation, altered liver function andhyperlipidemia was seen in both the treated groups.Altered liver function was evidenced by the increasedactivity of alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehydedehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase oraspartate amino transferase (GOT), glutamic pyruvictransaminase or alanine amino transferase (GPT) andgamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). Hyperlipidemiawas caused by increased biosynthesis and decreaseddegradation of lipids. The incorporation of ¹⁴Cacetate in lipids and activities of HMG CoA reductaseand lipogenic enzymes were elevated and activity ofLPL and bile acids contents were decreased. Toddytreated rats were more severely affected than thosereceiving an equivalent quantity of ethanol. Toddyseemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcoholindicating the role of the nonethanolic portion.Hepatic functions were also affected.     

Effect of coconut palm wine (Toddy) on carbohydrate metabolism in pregnant rats and fetuses

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of an alcoholic beverage (Toddy) and the equivalent quantity of ethanol on carbohydrate metabolism in utero. Female rats were exposed to Toddy from coconut palm (24.5 ml/kg body weight/day) and ethanol (0.52 ml/kg body weight/day) for 15 days before conception and throughout gestation. On the 19th day of gestation, hypoglycemia was seen in both the treated groups, but it was more in the Toddy-treated group. Synthesis of glycogen was elevated on exposure to ethanol/Toddy but its degradation was enhanced only in alcohol-exposed rats. Key enzymes of citric acid cycle and gluconeogenesis were inhibited on administration of both alcohol and Toddy. Activity of glycolytic enzymes were increased. Toddy seemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcohol, indicating the additive effects of congeners.     

油棕Δ9硬脂酰-ACP脱氢酶EgSAD基因的克隆及表达分析

^Δ9硬脂酰-ACP脱氢酶（^Δ9 stearoyl-ACP dehydrogenase,SAD）是植物中重要的脂肪酸脱氢酶,在调控不饱和脂肪酸合成中发挥着重要作用。本研究以非洲油棕和杂交油棕为材料,在油棕果实油脂积累期,分别测定花后120、140、160 d 3个时期的脂肪酸组分;从油棕中克隆SAD基因,并对其理化性质、进化关系、启动子顺式作用元件进行生物信息学分析;利用实时荧光定量PCR检测SAD在2个油棕品种果实成熟期的表达特征。结果表明：非洲油棕中总不饱和脂肪酸（棕榈酸和硬脂酸）比例（55.76%~60.27%）显著高于杂交油棕（37.2%~45.43%）,杂交油棕中不饱和脂肪酸（油酸和亚油酸）比例（51.61%~56.92%）显著高于非洲油棕（35.54%~38.64%）;鉴定了7个基因命名为：EgSAD1~EgSAD4和OeSAD1~OeSAD3;EgSAD基因编码的肽链平均为413个氨基酸,分子量为43.41~45.92 kDa,等电点为5.99~7.13,蛋白不稳定指数为44.07~53.25,总平均亲水性为-0.496~-0.405。OeSAD基因编码的肽链平均为405个氨基酸,分子量为44.94~49.39 kDa,等电点为6.05~7.14,蛋白不稳定指数为43.44~44.61,总平均亲水性为-0.554~-0.489。多序列比对分析,油棕SAD基因氨基酸序列中存在典型SAD特征的保守组氨酸富集区：EENRHG和DEKRHE。在SAD的启动子上鉴定出植物激素响应、逆境胁迫响应、光响应和逆境响应顺式作用元件。EgSADs在油棕果实成熟过程中呈上调表达趋势,EgSAD1和EgSAD2在杂交油棕中表达量显著高于非洲油棕,OeSADs在杂交油棕果实花后140 d中表达量最高,在杂交油棕的3个时期中均呈现先升高后下降的趋势,且在花后120 d的表达量显著高于花后120 d和160 d。本研究结果为进一步研究SAD调控油棕不饱和脂肪酸合成的机制奠定基础。     

Palm oil: Biochemical,physiological, nutritional,hematological and toxicological aspects: A review

The link between dietary fats and cardiovascular diseases has necessitateda growing research interest in palm oil, the second largest consumedvegetable oil in the world. Palm oil, obtained from a tropical plant, Elaeis guineensis contains 50% saturated fatty acids, yet it does notpromote atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis. The saturated fatty acidto unsaturated fatty acid ratio of palm oil is close to unity and it containsa high amount of the antioxidants, -carotene, and vitamin E. Although palm oil-based diets induce a higher blood cholesterol level thando corn, soybean, safflower seed, and sunflower oils, the consumption ofpalm oil causes the endogenous cholesterol level to drop. Thisphenomenon seems to arise from the presence of the tocotrienols and thepeculiar isomeric position of its fatty acids.The benefits of palm oil to health include reduction in risk of arterialthrombosis and atherosclerosis, inhibition of endogenous cholesterolbiosynthesis, platelet aggregation, and reduction in blood pressure. Palm oilhas been used in the fresh state and/or at various levels of oxidation.Oxidation is a result of processing the oil for various culinary purposes.However, a considerable amount of the commonly used palm oil is in theoxidized state, which poses potential dangers to the biochemical andphysiological functions of the body. Unlike fresh palm oil, oxidized palm oilinduces an adverse lipid profile, reproductive toxicity and toxicity of thekidney, lung, liver, and heart. This may be as a result of the generation oftoxicants brought on by oxidation. In contrast to oxidized palm oil, red orrefined palm oil at moderate levels in the diet of experimental animalspromotes efficient utilization of nutrients, favorable body weight gains,induction of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes, adequatehemoglobinization of red cells and improvement of immune function. However, high palm oil levels in the diet induce toxicity to the liver asshown by loss of cellular radial architecture and cell size reductions whichare corroborated by alanine transaminase to aspartate transaminase ratioswhich are higher than unity.The consumption of moderate amounts of palm oil and reduction in thelevel of oxidation may reduce the health risk believed to be associated withthe consumption of palm oil. Red palm oil, by virtue of its-carotene content, may protect against vitamin A deficiency andcertain forms of cancer.     

Ecklonia cava Polyphenol Has a Protective Effect against Ethanol-Induced Liver Injury in a Cyclic AMP-Dependent Manner

Previously, we showed that Ecklonia cava polyphenol (ECP) treatment suppressed ethanol-induced increases in hepatocyte death by scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintaining intracellular glutathione levels. Here, we examined the effects of ECP on the activities of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes and their regulating mechanisms in ethanol-treated hepatocytes. Isolated hepatocytes were incubated with or without 100 mM ethanol. ECP was dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide. ECP was added to cultured cells that had been incubated with or without ethanol. The cells were incubated for 0–24 h. In cultured hepatocytes, the ECP treatment with ethanol inhibited cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression and activity, which is related to the production of ROS when large quantities of ethanol are oxidized. On the other hand, ECP treatment with ethanol increased the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase. These changes in activities of CYP2E1 and ADH were suppressed by treatment with H89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A. ECP treatment with ethanol enhanced cyclic AMP concentrations compared with those of control cells. ECP may be a candidate for preventing ethanol-induced liver injury via regulating alcohol metabolic enzymes in a cyclic AMP-dependent manner.     

增氧对水稻根系生长与氮代谢的影响

 以国稻6号(杂交籼稻)和秀水09(粳稻)为材料,在水培条件下研究通气增氧对水稻苗期根系生长和氮代谢的影响。结果表明,增氧处理水稻根系干物质积累量、根长、根体积、根系活力以及吸收面积较对照均有不同程度增加。水稻根系硝态氮（NO3 N）含量、游离氨基酸和可溶性糖含量均增加。谷氨酸合成酶（GS）、谷草转氨酶（GOT）和谷丙转氨酶（GPT）活性均增强。在本试验条件下,增氧能显著提高粳稻秀水09苗期根系氮代谢相关酶生理活性;但增氧对杂交籼稻国稻6号根系氮代谢相关酶生理活性影响不显著,说明通气增氧对水稻根系氮代谢生理活性的影响可能与水稻基因型有关。     

Effects of Aeration on Root Physiology and Nitrogen Metabolism in Rice

In order to clarify the effects of aeration on root nitrogen metabolism in rice seedlings,rice cultivars Guodao 6 (indica) and Xiushui 09 (japonica) were investigated for root growth,the activities of glutamine synthetase (GS),glutamic acid-pyruvic acid transaminase (GPT) and glutamic acid oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT),the nitrate (NO 3-N) concertration,the contents of free amino acids and soluble sugar in root under hydroponics with continuous aeration treatment.The results showed that rice seedlings grown in oxygenation solutions had higher root dry matter,longer root length,stronger root activity and larger root absorption area compared with the control.In addition,the contents of soluble sugar,root vigor and the activities of GS,GOT and GPT in the aeration solutions were higher than those in the control.The results also indicated that the activities of enzymes involved in root nitrogen metabolism of Xiushui 09 were enhanced by aeration,however,there was no significant influence on root nitrogen metabolism of Guodao 6,which suggested that effect of oxygenation on rice root nitrogen metabolism might be genotype-specific.     

Hepatotherapeutic effect of Aloe vera in alcohol-induced hepatic damage

There is a lack of reliable hepatotherapeutic drugs in modern medicine in the management of alcohol/drug-induced liver damage. Aloe vera extract has been used in folklore medicine for its medicinal values. This study evaluates the hepatotherapeutic activity of aqueous extract of Aloe vera gel in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups; the negative control, positive control and the extract-treated groups. The negative control received only distilled water daily. The positive control received alcohol, while the extract-treated group received aqueous extract of Aloe vera and alcohol. Hepatotoxicity was induced in the positive control and extract-treated rats with alcohol. The hepatotherapeutic effect was evaluated by performing an assay of the serum total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate and alanine transaminases and liver histopathology. Alanine transaminase activities were comparable in all groups. Alcohol treatment alone significantly (p < 0.05) increased total serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate transaminase activities. Alcohol-induced hepatic dysfunction was abrogated by Aloe vera extract. Histopathological examination revealed that alcohol induced hepatic damage. Aloe vera treatment maintained hepatic architecture similar to that seen in the control. This study shows that aqueous extract of Aloe vera gel is hepatotherapeutic and thus lends credence to the use of the plant in folklore medicine in the management of alcohol-induced hepatic dysfunction.     

高温对水稻灌浆期籽粒氮代谢关键酶活性及蛋白质含量的影响

 选用粳稻品种越光与籼稻品种IR72为材料,研究了高温对水稻灌浆期籽粒谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）、谷氨酸合酶（GOGAT）、谷氨酸 草酰乙酸转氨酶（GOT）、谷氨酸 丙酮酸转氨酶（GPT）的活性及蛋白质与氨基酸含量的影响。结果表明,灌浆期高温下水稻籽粒GOGAT、GOT与GPT活性显著或极显著升高,但籽粒GS活性显著或极显著降低;籽粒蛋白质及氨基酸各组分含量极显著增加。高温下籽粒GS活性显著降低并未影响籽粒蛋白质的合成,认为籽粒GS不是限制水稻蛋白质合成的关键酶。     

Hepatorenal repercussions of alcoholic exposure in a rat model: a dose-dependent study of metformin intervention

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an alarming life style disease in the modern world. Exploitation of the anti-diabetic drugs for the amelioration of diabetes and associated life style diseases has become an imperative concern. In this milieu, this study was designed to explore the plausible effects of metformin intervention on hepatic and renal functions in a rat model of alcoholic liver disease. Methods: Thirty rats were divided into five groups (n = 6): ethanol control, ethanol water and also low, moderate and high doses of metformin. Ethanol 20% v/v (1 ml/100 g) was administered by oral gavage to all five groups for 21 days. Blood and tissue samples were collected for the assessment of lipid profile, hepatic and renal functions. Results: After 21 days, the levels of hepatic function and lipid parameters were maintained at normalcy, especially in the high-dose metformin treated alcoholic rats as compared to the levels at day 1. Despite this, the renal biomarkers did not display any significant variation due to ethanolic exposure in any group. The histopathological score portrayed that the noxious effect of ethanol is prevented in the liver of moderate- and high-dose metformin, whereas the renal histological scores were unchanged in all the groups including ethanol control. Conclusion: These results suggest that the dose of ethanol required to induce hepatic dysfunction does not influence renal functions. In addition, high-dose metformin offers maximal hepatoprotection and spares kidney from per se toxicity, thereby advocating the beneficial intervention of the anti-diabetic drug, metformin, in alcoholic liver dysfunction. Key Words: Ethanol, Metformin, Kidney     

Hypolipidemic Activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia euphlebia</Emphasis> Flower Extract in High–fat-fed Mice

Camellia euphlebia (family, Theaceae) has been used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Southern China. However, there has been no report on the hypolipidemic activity of Camellia euphlebia flower. This study evaluated the hypolipidemic activity of different preparation of Camellia euphlebia flower extracts using in vivo models. Mice intragastrically administered aqueous extract at 400 mg/kg dose or ethanol extract at 100 and 400 mg/kg doses of Camellia euphlebia flower for 28 days exhibited significant decreases in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while displaying increased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum. The Camellia euphlebia flower extracts also improved the antioxidant ability of hyperlipidemic mice as well as protecting the animals against liver damage by lowering the level of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity. Furthermore, 400 mg/kg ethanol extract effectively down-regulated the mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase, suggesting that Camellia euphlebia flower extract may potentially inhibit lipid accumulation in the liver by regulating the expression of fatty acid synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase. These results provided support for the potential hypolipidemic activity of Camellia euphlebia flower and could partly explain the basis of using Camellia euphlebia for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.     

Effect of thermal processing of palm sap on the physico-chemical composition of traditional palm sugar

During the production of palm sugar, the palm sap (Arenga pinnata) is heated up to 150 degrees C. Besides the hydrolysis of carbohydrate to generate reducing sugars and degradation of amino acid, many physicochemical changes produced at all these temperatures, having a significant impact on the overall quality of palm sugar. In this study, changes in physico-chemical properties of the palm sap due to heat processing were investigated. Analysis of colour, soluble solid, pH, temperature, sugar and amino acid concentration was determinant. The results showed clearly that the heating process at these high temperatures was necessary to create an environment which was rich in essential precursors for subsequent reactions such as Maillard reaction. Chemical compounds that showed drastic changes in concentration were polar side chain amino acids especially glutamine, asparagine and arginine as well as sucrose and pH value. Other quality characteristics of palm sugar based on colour and soluble solids (Brix) shared an increase in concentration as a function of time.     

Hepatic Protection by Noni Fruit Juice Against CCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Induced Chronic Liver Damage in Female SD Rats

Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) has been used throughout the Pacific, Southeast Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean for a variety of health conditions, including heart and liver ailments. In this study, we examined the hepatoprotective effects of TAHITIAN NONI Juice (TNJ) against CCl(4)-induced chronic liver damage in female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Twelve female SD rats were divided into control, placebo and TNJ (6 mL/rat/day) groups. On day 15, animals in the placebo and TNJ groups received 0.25 mL/kg CCl(4) in corn oil once a week for 12 successive weeks. All animals were sacrificed at week 16. Blood and liver were collected for liver function, lipid panel tests, and histological observation. Histopathological examination revealed that liver sections from the TNJ + CCl(4) appeared similar to controls, whereas typical hepatic steatosis was observed in the placebo + CCl(4) group. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were increased in the placebo group compared with the TNJ group. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was increased in the TNJ group and decreased in the placebo group. Thus, TNJ juice appears to protect the liver from chronic exogenous CCl(4) exposures. Such protective mechanisms are supportive evidence for the utility of noni in traditional medicine for liver ailments.     

油棕脂肪酸外运蛋白基因FAX1的克隆及表达分析

油棕(Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)原产非洲,是重要的热带木本油料作物,产油效率极高.目前油棕广泛种植在东南亚、非洲、中南美洲和我国的海南、云南、广东、广西等省(区),油棕果实压榨的棕榈油是重要的食用油和工业原料.脂肪酸在植物质体中合成,然后转运到内质网上进行加工和修饰.为了研究油棕脂肪酸的转运机制,...     

Submergence Acclimation to Low-Temperature Stress in Rice Roots

A low temperature (10ºC, 48 h) inhibited primary root growth of rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L.). However, the inhibition was significantly mitigated by submergence for 24 h before the exposure to low temperatures, which induced alcohol dehydrogenase and increased the ethanol concentration in roots. Exogenous application of ethanol also had a similar mitigating effect. These results suggest that submergence pretreatment increases the tolerance to low temperature in rice roots due to ethanol accumulation in the roots.     

Effect of chronic ethanol exposure on the liver of Clock-mutant mice

In humans, chronic ethanol consumption leads to a characteristic set of changes to the metabolism of lipids in the liver that is referred to as an "alcoholic fatty liver (AFL)". In severe cases, these metabolic changes result in the enlargement and fibrillization of the liver and are considered risk factors for cirrhosis and liver cancer. Clock-mutant mice have been shown to display abnormal lipid metabolism and alcohol preferences. To further understand the potential interactions between ethanol consumption, lipid metabolism, and the circadian clock, we investigated the effect of chronic ethanol intake on the lipid metabolism of Clock-mutant mice. We found that ethanol treatment produced a number of changes in the liver of Clock-mutant mice without impacting the wild-type controls. First, we found that 8 weeks of exposure to ethanol in the drinking water increased the weight of the liver in Clock-mutant mice. Ethanol treatment also increased triglyceride content of liver in Clock-mutant and wild-type mice. This increase was larger in the mutant mice. Finally, ethanol treatment altered the expression of a number of genes related to lipid metabolism in the Clock-mutant mice. Interestingly, this treatment did not impact circadian clock gene expression in the liver of either genotype. Thus, ethanol produces a number of changes in the liver of Clock-mutant mice that are not seen in the wild-type mice. These changes are consistent with the possibility that disturbance of circadian rhythmicity associated with the Clock mutation could be a risk factor for the development of an alcoholic fatty liver.     

荔枝酒酿造中酿酒酵母同步代谢醋酸的研究

以具有强降酸及耐高浓度酒精能力的酿酒酵母为出发菌株,研究荔枝酿酒过程中同步代谢挥发醋酸的机制。结果表明：酿酒酵母代谢醋酸的量随着起始醋酸浓度的增加先升后降,在初始醋酸浓度为1.5 g/L时,酿酒酵母对醋酸的代谢率最大达48.0％,发酵结束时醋酸含量为0.78 g/L。酿酒酵母代谢醋酸的最快速度是在对数期。醋酸对酿酒酵母主要代谢产物的影响表现为酿造过程中产生了较少的甘油、较高的乙醛和乙醇。丙酮酸脱羧酶（PDC）、乙醇脱氢酶（ADH）、乙醛脱氢酶（ALDH）及乙酰辅酶A合成酶（ACS）酶比活性的变化与乙醇、甘油、乙醛及醋酸含量的变化相一致。酿造过程中存在过量醋酸时,酿酒酵母ACS酶比活性进一步增强,说明过量醋酸的代谢与通过调节酿酒酵母提高其ACS酶活性有关。     

茶树发根中茶氨酸和儿茶素类含量的分析

茶树发根在LG₀培养基和添加1βmg/L IBA的1/2MS培养基上生长迅速,但只在一个培养于LG₀培养基的发根克隆中检测到高含量的茶氨酸,含量达到23.12βmg/g鲜重,高于未转化根的18.77βmg/g鲜重。除茶氨酸外,该发根克隆中也检测到高含量的天门冬氨酸、谷氨酸、天门冬酰胺、谷氨酰胺和精氨酸。发根克隆培养于添加1βmg/L IBA的1/2MS培养基,茶氨酸的含量则显著降低,说明培养基组成也是影响发根中茶氨酸的含量的因素之一。茶树发根中也含有少量的儿茶素类单体,主要为儿茶素和表儿茶素。     

5年生种植人参对成年大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴功能的影响

目的观察5年生种植人参食用对成年大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的影响,探讨人参食用对机体内分泌系统功能的调节作用。方法正常成年Wistar大鼠随机分为10组,即:对照组,5年生种植人参原粉小、中、大剂量(0.25、0.5、1.0g生药/kg)组,5年生种植人参水提物小、中、大剂量(0.25、0.5、1.0g生药/kg)组,5年生种植人参醇提物小、中、大剂量(0.25、0.5、1.0g生药/kg)组,每组14只。各组大鼠连续灌胃给药3个月,观察下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴变化。结果与对照组比较,人参原粉中、大剂量组和人参醇提物大剂量组均可使正常成年大鼠血浆CRH含量降低(P0.05),人参原粉大剂量组和人参醇提物中、大剂量组均可使正常成年大鼠血浆ACTH的含量降低(P0.05),人参原粉、人参水提物和人参醇提物各剂量组对正常成年大鼠血清GH,肾上腺、垂体脏器系数以及体重均无明显影响(P0.05)。结论人参原粉和人参醇提物对正常成年大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴具有一定的调节作用。     

5年生种植人参对成年大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴功能的影响

目的观察5年生种植人参食用对成年大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的影响,探讨人参食用对机体内分泌系统功能的调节作用。方法正常成年Wistar大鼠随机分为10组,即:对照组,5年生种植人参原粉小、中、大剂量(0.25、0.5、1.0g生药/kg)组,5年生种植人参水提物小、中、大剂量(0.25、0.5、1.0g生药/kg)组,5年生种植人参醇提物小、中、大剂量(0.25、0.5、1.0g生药/kg)组,每组14只。各组大鼠连续灌胃给药3个月,观察下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴变化。结果与对照组比较,人参原粉中、大剂量组和人参醇提物大剂量组均可使正常成年大鼠血浆CRH含量降低(P0.05),人参原粉大剂量组和人参醇提物中、大剂量组均可使正常成年大鼠血浆ACTH的含量降低(P0.05),人参原粉、人参水提物和人参醇提物各剂量组对正常成年大鼠血清GH,肾上腺、垂体脏器系数以及体重均无明显影响(P0.05)。结论人参原粉和人参醇提物对正常成年大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴具有一定的调节作用。