The role of amino acids in albumin synthesis and catabolism

Modern concepts of the structure, function and metabolism of proteins have evolved painstakingly through the centuries. In September, 1772, Rutherford discovered the gas which was later named nitrogen by Chaptal in 1790 . The fundamental importance of nitrogen in the body was only appreciated after Gay-Lussac and Thenard had pioneered chemical procedures for organic analysis. Magendie applied this knowledge to dietary constituents and concluded that nitrogen was an essential component of the diet. His early insight into metabolism was depicted in his view that body constituents are continuously being replaced, the rate being dependent on the tissue. In 1838 the term"protein" was coined by Gerard Mulder for substances containing a basic nitrogenous component

Plasmatic protein values in captive adult Iberian red deer stags (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

The aim of this study was to assess the time trend of plasmatic proteins in red deer stags. Blood samples were taken monthly from 17 male red deer for 22 months. Total plasmatic determination and protein electrophoresis were performed. Plasmatic proteins showed minimum values during spring and summer and a maximum at the peak of the mating period. Total globulins, β and γ, followed a pattern similar to that observed for total proteins, whereas α1 and α2 globulins showed no seasonal variations. Albumin showed higher values in early spring and summer and lower values at the beginning of autumn, coinciding with the mating season. These seasonal changes in plasmatic proteins should be taken into account when assessing blood protein analysis results.This study was funded by projects AGL2007-63838/gan, PBI-05-040, PAC 06-01304298 and PET2006-0263 and MICINN (PTQ 09-02-01923).Peer Reviewe

Some factors regulating albumin catabolism and synthesis

Hypoalbuminaemia is an essential accompaniment of protein malnutrition. Yet the level of plasma albumin is usually regarded as a relatively crude reflection of a patient's nutritional status, reduction occurring only after prolonged or severe inadequacy of dietary protein. Brock recognized that a marginal degree of hypoalbuminaemia might be evidence of impending or early deficiency, and suggested that minor grades of "protein subnutrition" could conceivably exist with serum albumin levels still within the normal range. The work reported in this thesis developed originally out of an attempt to explore this possibility, and to characterize some of the changes in albumin metabolism that followed mild or early experimental protein deprivation in man and rabbits. Dynamic studies using albumin labelled with radioactive iodine revealed evidence of early adaptational changes, possibly occurring before alteration in the plasma albumin levels. While these studies shed some light on the response of albumin metabolism to experimental depletion, they failed to provide the hoped-for means by which subclinical protein malnutrition could be detected. From this work, however, it was but a short conceptual jump to the general problem of albumin homeostasis, a consideration of which forms the basis of this thesis. The first approach was a study of changes in albumin synthesis and catabolism in rabbits following limitation of dietary protein intake. Adaptive responses were then investigated in animals, provided with normal protein diets, after protein depletion induced by an alternative method - plasmapheresis - and, finally, after intravenous infusion of albumin solutions. Based on these and reported results, a tentative hypothesis has been adduced to account for the body's adaptation to variation in the plasma albumin pool, brought about by experimental manipulation or occurring spontaneously in disease

Liver function of Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats Orally Administered Aqueous Root-Bark Extracts of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Taub).

The aqueous root-bark extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub. has been shown to  ameliorate streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia. This study evaluated the liver status of STZ- induced diabetic rats treated with aqueous root-bark extract of T. tetraptera for 35 days. Twenty-four (24) rats in four groups (normal control, diabetic control, T. tetraptera treated STZ induced diabetic rats at 150 mg/kg b. w. and T. tetraptera treated STZ-diabetic rats at 300 mg/kg b. w.) were used. Serum and liver alanine and aspartate transaminases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (γGT) activities and protein concentration were assessed. Also, serum albumins, globulins, total and direct bilirubin concentrations were measured. STZ induced diabetes significantly (P<0.05) increased serum ALT, AST and ALP activities, while treatment of diabetic rats with T. tetraptera reduced the activities of these enzymes. T. tetraptera caused significant (P<0.05) increases in serum γGT, total and direct bilirubin levels, especially at the higher dose (300mg/kg body weight). While the treatment of STZ induced diabetic rats with the extract of T. tetraptera ameliorated hepatocellular damage, at the higher dose of 300mg/kg body weight, T. tetraptera treatment may cause bile duct obstruction. The use of this plant in the treatment of diabetes or other diseases should therefore be monitored with respect to hepato-biliary toxicity.Keywords: Tetrapleura tetraptera, STZ diabetes, Liver function, Toxicity, Medicinal plant

Hepatic Potentials of Xylopia Aethiopica Leaves in Adult Wistar Rats

This study investigates the possible toxic effect of Xylopia aethiopica on liver function via the evaluation of someserum biochemical parameters. The study involved 24 adult rats with weight ranging from 150 to 300g and dividedinto four groups of 6 rats each (A, B, C and D). For 21 days, varying doses of 1.2g/kg, 3.0g/kg and 6.0g/kg per body weight of Xylopia aethiopica  leaves powder were administered daily to test groups B, C and D respectively. Group A however served as control that received normal feed and water only. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed under light anesthesia to obtain blood samples for the estimation of liver enzyme activities. The results showed that there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the activities of Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Alkaline Phosphates (ALP) but a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the levels of total protein, albumin and globulin levels in the test groups as compared to the control. On the other hand, the activities of Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and Alanine amino transferase (ALT) of the test groups were not significantly different (P>0.05) from that of the control.  Therefore,  the observed changes in the parameters accessed, signifies the hepatotoxic impact of Xylopia aethiopica leaves.Keywords: Xylopia aethiopica, hepatoxicity, Herbs, Nigeria

Albumin metabolism following partial hepatectomy in the rat

In the work reported here the author set out to investigate five aspects of albumin metabolism following partial hepatectomy in the rat. 1. The plasma albumin levels following partial hepatectomy. 2. The effect of partial hepatectomy on the albumin synthesis rate. 3. The effect of supplementary amino acids on the albumin synthesis rate following partial hepatectomy. 4. The effect of hydrocortisone on the albumin synthesis rate following partial hepatectomy. 5. The effect of partial hepatectomy on the albumin catabolic rate

Analbuminemic Rat Model for Hepatocyte Transplantation

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Environmental influence of chemical contaminants on farm animals and rodents (review research)

The presence of chemical environmental pollutants (heavy metals) and their influence on health status of farm animals has been study in long period. We monitored the influence of chemical pollutants on rodents leaving on farms. Heavy metals has special danger for leaving systems, which react with organic molecules to change their structures and function. Heavy metals enter the body through respiratory system, digestive system and skin. The results of our many years of research indicate that there is danger of contamination of animal feed with heavy metals and their position in their body of animals, as well as a negative effect on the reproductive capacity of domestic animals. Heavy metal toxicity general leads to the formation of free radicals, inhibiting the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes as well as glutathione oxidation and the formation malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of oxidative stress. Their toxicity stems from the tendency to form covalent bonds with sulfhydryl groups of biomacromolecules or displace certain cofactors, there by inhibiting the activity of certain enzymes. Our recommendation for industrial type farms is to reduce the risk of heavy metals. To introduce multilevel monitoring of the quality of raw materials and final products, as well as to apply adequate protectors against the toxic effect of these agents

The role of pituitary growth hormone in the regulation of albumin synthesis and catabolism

Some three years ago I availed myself of an opportunity of pursuing a research project in the Department of Medicine at this Medical School. At that time, a long established interest in the study of plasma albumin metabolism was given fresh impetus by the development of techniques which overcame the problem of measuring rates of albumin synthesis and catabolism under conditions of metabolic chonge. Interest in the Department had centred mainly upon the nature of the adaptive changes occurring in albumin metabolism in response to altered dietary protein intake, and by the time I was due to take up my appointment many of these adaptive changes had been clearly defined. The factors mediating these changes however remained unknown