Glycyrrhizic acid modulates t-BHP induced apoptosis in primary rat hepatocytes

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is the main bioactive ingredient of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The object of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of GA on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced oxidative injury leading to apoptosis in cultured primary rat hepatocytes. Throughout the study silymarin was used as positive control. Molecular mechanisms involved in apoptotic pathways induced in hepatocytes by t-BHP at 250 μM were explored in detail. DNA fragmentation, activation of caspases and cytochrome c release were demonstrated. In addition, changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS generation were detected confirming involvement of mitochondrial pathway. Pre-treatment with GA (4 μg) protected the hepatocytes against t-BHP induced oxidative injury and the results were comparable to the pre-treatment with positive control, i.e. silymarin. The protective potential against cell death was achieved mainly by preventing intracellular GSH depletion, decrease in ROS formation as well as inhibition of mitochondrial membrane depolarization. GA was found to modulate critical end points of oxidative stress induced apoptosis and could be beneficial against liver diseases where oxidative stress is known to play a crucial role.     

Community level exposure to chemicals and oxidative stress in adult population

Little information is available on the role of environmental chemical exposure in oxidative stress. This study was designed to investigate whether exposure to environmental chemicals, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, bisphenol A or phthalates, induces oxidative stress in urban adult populations. A total of 960 adults dwelling in urban areas were evaluated between April and December 2005. To assess environmental chemical exposure, we measured urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-naphthol, hippuric acid, methyl hippuric acid, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, and mono-butyl phthalate and bisphenol A. Urinary malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were also measured to evaluate oxidative stress. Significant dose-responsive relationship was found between urinary concentrations of the chemical exposure biomarkers and oxidative stress levels in simple regression analyses (P < 0.05). Regression coefficients of these exposure biomarkers except bisphenol A remained significantly in the multiple regression models after controlling for age, sex, weight, smoking, and exercise for at least one of the two oxidative stress biomarkers (P < 0.05). The oxidative stress biomarkers significantly affected the indicators of insulin resistance, particularly glucose level. This study indicates that environmental chemical exposure is associated with oxidative stress in urban adult populations and suggests that exposure to certain environmental chemicals might contribute to insulin resistance.     

巴曲酶对实验性脑出血大鼠的神经保护作用

本文旨在观察巴曲酶对大鼠脑出血后神经损伤是否具有保护作用及其可能作用机制。将大鼠分为假 手术组、模型组、巴曲酶 (4、8及16 BU•kg ^-1) 组及尼莫地平阳性对照组, 在脑立体定向仪上, 根据大鼠脑立体定位图谱定位脑部尾状核后, 用微量注射器向尾状核注射VII型胶原酶, 建立大鼠脑出血模型。术后进行大鼠神经行为学评分及电镜下观察脑组织病理形态学改变; 干湿重法测定脑含水量; 试剂盒测定超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD) 活力和丙二醛 (MDA) 含量; 荧光分光光度计法测定神经细胞内游离钙离子浓度（[Ca2⁺]_i）。结果表明, 巴曲酶可改善脑出血大鼠的神经行为学评分,减轻其脑组织细胞水肿和出血程度;使脑含水量、MDA含量及[Ca²⁺]_i下降,SOD活力升高,提示巴曲酶对脑出血后神经损伤可能存在保护作用,其作用机制可能与减轻脑水肿、提高SOD活力和降低MDA含量及抑制钙超载有关。     

蒙药塔本文都苏油丸对衰老小鼠皮层MDA、NO、SOD水平变化的影响

[目的]探讨蒙药塔本文都苏(TBWDS)油丸抗衰老作用及其机制. [方法]采用半乳糖所致衰老小鼠连续给以塔本文都苏油丸灌胃40 d后,测定小鼠脑组织中一氧化氮(NO)、丙二醛(MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平. [结果]与模型组比较,塔本文都苏油丸可明显提高衰老模型小鼠脑组织中SOD的活性,降低脑组织中MDA和NO的含量. [结论]塔本文都苏油丸具有明显的抗衰老作用,此作用与其抗氧化损伤有关.     

Pequi fruit (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) pulp oil reduces exercise-induced inflammatory markers and blood pressure of male and female runners

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) fruit oil and its effects on the postprandial lipidemia and arterial blood pressure of male and female athletes. These athletes were evaluated after races in the same environment and under the same type, intensity, and length of weekly training conditions, both before and after ingestion of 400 mg pequi oil capsules for 14 days. Pequi fruit contains several antioxidants, and its oil has been associated with anti-inflammatory properties in other pequi species. Because the oil of pequi is mostly composed of oleic and palmitic fatty acids, the oil may alter the ratio of triglyceride to cholesterol in postprandial lipidemia. Epidemiologic studies suggest that an increased intake of monounsaturated fatty acids (such as oleic acid) is inversely related to blood pressure. Thus, we hypothesize that pequi oil could reduce exercise-induced inflammation and blood pressure, and modulate postprandial lipidemia in runners. To test this hypothesis, arterial blood pressures were checked before races; blood samples were taken after the races and submitted for analysis of leukocytes and platelets analysis, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein values, and postprandial lipids. Pequi oil resulted in anti-inflammatory effects and reduced the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein in the age group older than 45 years, mainly for men. The results showed a general trend for reduced arterial pressure, suggesting that pequi oil may have a hypotensive effect. However, this finding needs additional investigation. Thus, pequi oil, besides possessing many nutritional properties, may be a good candidate supplement for athletes.     

正丁胺基罗沙替丁乙酸脂对胃溃疡大鼠胃黏膜活性因子的影响

目的：观察BRA对乙酸烧灼型溃疡大鼠胃黏膜中活性成分的影响,探讨该药对实验性溃疡大鼠溃疡愈合的治疗作用。方法：采用冰醋酸烧灼法制备胃溃疡模型,连续药物治疗15d后取血,生化指标检测NO、MD、SOD含量。结果：BRA各剂量组均能使胃黏膜NO含量升高;并提高胃黏膜SOD的含量,降低MDA水平,与模型对照组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论：BRA通过提高胃黏膜NO、SOD含量、降低MDA含量,减少溃疡黏膜损伤,促进溃疡愈合。对实验性胃溃疡有保护性治疗作用。     

松芪胶囊对小鼠应激能力和抗氧化酶的实验研究

目的研究松芪胶囊对小鼠应激能力和血中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）水平的影响,进而探讨松芪胶囊的抗衰老作用机制。方法取小鼠随机分为松芪胶囊大、小剂量组和对照组,然后行小鼠游泳耐疲劳、耐寒冷、常压耐缺氧实验,测定并比较松芪胶囊组与对照组血清MDA含量和SOD的活性。结果松芪胶囊可以提高小鼠在低温环境下的耐寒冷能力,降低死亡率;延长小鼠力竭游泳时间,提高抗疲劳能力;延长小鼠常压耐缺氧时间,提高抗耐缺氧能力;同时使血清SOD活力明显升高、MDA含量明显降低,与对照组相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论松芪胶囊具有良好的体内抗氧化作用,可以延缓衰老。     

银杏叶提取物EGb761对铜与高胆固醇共处理家兔主动脉病变的影响

目的 观察银杏叶提取物EGb761对铜和高胆固醇诱导的家兔主动脉病变的保护作用.方法 采用Sparks的方法复制铜和高胆固醇家兔模型,EGb761以50 mg·kg-1·d-1的剂量灌胃3 w后,苏丹Ⅲ和HE染色观察主动脉的大体和镜下形态改变,图像分析测量动脉粥样硬化面积占主动脉面积的百分比,酶法检测血清总胆同醇(TC)、甘油三酯( TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平,硫代巴比妥酸( TBA)法测定血清丙二醛(MDA)水平,实时定量RT-PCR法检测肝组织LDLR和LR PI mRNA表达.结果 模型组主动脉可见明显的动脉粥样硬化改变,EGb761组动脉粥样硬化病变较模型组减轻,图像分析结果显示,EGb761组斑块面积百分比显著降低,与模型组相比差别具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).模型组血清TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C和MDA水平均显著升高,与正常组相比差别具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);EGb761组血清LDL-C和MDA水平均显著降低,与模型组相比差别具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).EGb761组肝组织LRPI mRNA表达显著升高,与模型组相比差别具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 EGb761具有改善动脉粥样硬化病变的作用,其作用机制与调节血脂水平和抗过氧化损伤有关.     

Protective role of l-carnitine supplementation against exhaustive exercise induced oxidative stress in rats

The objective of this study was to investigate temperature dependent effects of oral l-carnitine supplementation on exhaustive exercise induced oxidative damage in rats. 42 male Spraque Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven experimental groups. These groups were formed as three non-carnitine exercise groups, three carnitine-exercise groups and a sedentary group. l-carnitine was given intraperitoneally to the carnitine-exercise groups 1 h before the exercise in 100 mg/kg. Blood was collected to measure paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol concentrations. These biomarkers were measured in venous blood samples collected before and after the rats swam in pools at different water temperatures (18 °C, 28 °C and 38 °C). In the non-carnitine group, exercise caused a significant decrease in PON1 activity and a significant elevation in MDA concentration at 28 °C compared to the sedentary group. No significant alterations were evidenced in LDL and cholesterol concentrations upon exercise. The decrease in PON1 activity became higher with increasing temperature whereas the elevation in MDA levels increased at 18 °C. In the l-carnitine supplementation group, recovery in PON1 activity was observed significant at 28 °C and very significant at 38 °C. MDA concentration was almost the same with that of the non-carnitine group at 18 and 38 °C, but it significantly decreased at 28 °C. Considering the recovery in PON1 and MDA levels at 28 °C, which is the temperature of the sedentary group; our results suggest that l-carnitine supplementation has a protective role on exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress. Findings of this study also demonstrate influences of thermal stress on these parameters during exhaustive exercise.     

Anti-visceral obesity and antioxidant effects of powdered sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaf tea in diet-induced obese mice

The potential health benefits of tea have long been studied. This study examined the role of powdered sea buckthorn leaf tea (SLT) in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. The mice were fed two different doses of SLT (1% and 5%, wt/wt) for six weeks. SLT suppressed body weight gain in a dose-dependent manner and significantly reduced visceral fat, plasma levels of leptin, triglyceride and total cholesterol and ALT activity compared with the high-fat-fed control mice. SLT also decreased hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations and lipid accumulation, whereas elevated fecal lipid excretion. High-fat feeding resulted in simultaneously decreasing hepatic FAS and G6PD activities and increasing PAP, β-oxidation and CPT activities. However, SLT supplementation during high-fat feeding led to a significant decrease in PAP, β-oxidation and CPT activities with a simultaneous increase in G6PD activity. The hepatic CYP2E1 activity and hepatic and erythrocyte lipid peroxides were significantly lowered with SLT supplements. Hepatic and erythrocyte SOD and CAT activities were also increased with SLT supplements in a dose-dependent manner, whereas GSH-Px activity was increased in erythrocytes only. These results indicate that SLT has potential anti-visceral obesity and antioxidant effects mediated by the regulation of lipid and antioxidant metabolism in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.