Levels of selenium in the rat pineal gland: the effects of selenium supplementation

Levels of selenium (Se) were measured in the pineal glands of rats aged 4,5,8 and 12 months and the following corresponding levels of Se were determined: 1.058 nmol/gland, 0.63 nmol/gland, 0.58 nmol/gland and 0.43 nmol/gland. In the rat pineal glands obtained from rats which drank water containing Se coupled to brewers yeast (average daily intake of Se per animal was 0.5µg ) the following increased levels of Se were determined: 0.87 nmol/gland, 0.72 nmol/gland and 0.59 nmol/gland at the ages of 5,8 and 12 monthsrespectively. Since Se participates in the antioxidative defense of the mammalian organism, the increased levels of Se in the pineal glands of rats supplemented with Se in drinking water, may be of physiological benefit during ageing.Physical chemistry 2004 : 7th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 21-23 September 200

Effects of Acute Administration of D,L-Homocysteine Thiolactone on the Antioxidative Status of Rat Intestine and Liver

Oxidative stress appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. Increased homocysteine levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of Chrons disease and ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of homocysteine on the antioxidant status of rat intestine and liver. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), activity of catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were investigated in the isolated gut and liver of young male rats in the control group (8 rats) and after 3-hour incubation in high doses of D, L-homocysteine thionolactone (Hcy) (10 mu mol/L) (8 rats). Samples of duodenum, ileum, colon and liver were homogenized in sodium phosphate buffer (1: 10). Homogenates were centrifuged at 10000 for 10 min at 4 degrees C and the supernatant was taken for biochemical assays. Our results showed that high D, L-homocysteine thionolactone concentration reduced enzymatic catalase activity in homogenates of the isolated segments of duodenum (27.04%) p LT 0.01; ileum (37.27%), colon (34.17%) and liver (67.46%) p LT 0.001. Exposition to high D, L-homocysteine thiolactone concentration significantly increased TBARS levels in the duodenum (106.05%), ileum (47.24%), colon (112.75%) and liver (32.07%) (p LT 0.01). Homocysteine also modified the total antioxidant status of homogenates from the duodenum, ileum, colon and liver, increasing by 20.68% (duodenum), 24.74% (ileum), 14.88% (colon) and 19.35% (liver) (p LT 0.001). Homocysteine induced a consistent oxidative stress in rats intestine and liver (reduced activity of catalase and increased level of TBARS), but the elevated activity of TAS in our experiments could be explained as an adaptive response to the generated free radicals which indicates the failure of the total antioxidant defense mechanism to protect the tissues from damage caused by homocysteine

Content of microelements in the rat pineal gland at different ages and the effects of selenium supplementation

The mammalian pineal gland regulates a number of important physiological processes. In this paper we report changes in the content of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) in the male rat pineal glands at 4, 5, 8, and 12 months of age. The effect of Se supplementation in drinking water on the content of pineal gland microelements was also studied. Selenium (Se)-dependent changes in pineal gland reported in this study suggest novel physicochemical and biochemical properties of Se, an important element essential in the antioxidative processes, yet known to influence a number of endocrine processes

Oxidative stress parameters changes in blood of rats treated with adriamycin and selenium

Most of cytostatics used in the therapy of malignant diseases express their effects either through inducing or by the direct production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), being non-specific, also affect a healthy tissue and enhance the oxidative stress. Adriamycin (ADR) injected into healthy experimental rats and examined the influence on antioxidative defense system in blood in the conditions of moderate trace element Selenium (Se) deficiency and in the optimal intake, receiving organically bound Se (dose corresponds to similar to100mug/day) for a month before treatment with ADR. In general, the diet richer in selenomethionine reduced oxidative changes caused by ADR application, analyzing 8 days after: the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase, glutathione and lipid peroxidation levels in the blood.Meeting of the Society-for-Free-Radical-Research - Europe, Proceedings, Jun 26-29, 2003, Ioannina, Greec

Oxidative stress parameters changes in blood of rats treated with adriamycin and selenium

Meeting on Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress, 2003, Loannina, Greec

Oxidative stress parameters changes in blood of rats treated with adriamycin and selenium

Meeting on Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress, 2003, Loannina, Greec

Oxidative stress parameters changes in blood of rats treated with adriamycin and selenium

Most of cytostatics used in the therapy of malignant diseases express their effects either through inducing or by the direct production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), being non-specific, also affect a healthy tissue and enhance the oxidative stress. Adriamycin (ADR) injected into healthy experimental rats and examined the influence on antioxidative defense system in blood in the conditions of moderate trace element Selenium (Se) deficiency and in the optimal intake, receiving organically bound Se (dose corresponds to similar to100mug/day) for a month before treatment with ADR. In general, the diet richer in selenomethionine reduced oxidative changes caused by ADR application, analyzing 8 days after: the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase, glutathione and lipid peroxidation levels in the blood.Meeting of the Society-for-Free-Radical-Research - Europe, Proceedings, Jun 26-29, 2003, Ioannina, Greec

CONTENT OF MICROELEMENTS IN THE RAT PINEAL GLAND AT DIFFERENT AGES AND THE EFFECTS OF SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION

Abstract – The mammalian pineal gland regulates a number of important physiological processes. In this paper we report changes in the content of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) in the male rat pineal glands at 4, 5, 8, and 12 months of age. The effect of Se supplementation in drinking water on the content of pineal gland microelements was also studied. Selenium (Se)-dependent changes in pineal gland reported in this study suggest novel physicochemical and biochemical properties of Se, an important element essential in the antioxidative processes, yet known to influence a number of endocrine processes

Effect of gamma irradiation on magnesium content in rat tissues

Studies in the field of radiation chemistry have shown that the greatest damage induced by ionizing radiation appears as a consequence of uncontrolled production of free radicals in the living organism, which have their origin in oxidative stress induced by ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation also has an influence on the content of bio-essential elements in mammalian tissues. Analysis of the concentration of magnesium (Mg) seven days after whole body irradiation with a single dose of 4.2 Gy of gamma rays from a Co-60 source, showed a slight reduction in Mg content in the following analyzed tissues: front brain (cerebral hemispheres with underlying structures except pituitary gland and hypothalamus) and adrenal glands from irradiated animals as compared to the non-irradiated controls, this difference however being not statistically significant. No significant differences in the content of Mg were detected in the pituitary glands between the two groups of animals. In contrast, a significantly higher concentration of Mg seven days after irradiation was measured in the hind brain-containing cerebellum with lateral lobes and flocculi (p LT 0.005), hypothalamus (p LT 0.0001) and testes (p LT 0.05) of irradiated animals, when compared to the non-irradiated controls. This accumulation of Mg, in particular tissues of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and endocrine glands regulated by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, may indicate the differential role Mg++ ions have in keeping the homeostasis of certain tissues, those of the brain, adrenal glands and testes after exposure to ionizing radiation

Biomarkers of oxidative damage in patients with colon cancer

Meeting on Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress, 2003, Loannina, Greec