Lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzyme activities in childhood epilepsy

This study aimed to investigate the relationship among lipid peroxidation, subsequent activation of scavenger enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase), and the presence of structural abnormality in 52 epileptic children receiving monotherapy (medically responsive) or polytherapy (medically intractable). Plasma lipid peroxidation in epileptic patients with abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings significantly increased as compared with that of 16 healthy children (P one seizure per month or not), and the presence or localization (focal, multifocal, or generalized) of electroencephalographic or MRI abnormalities. Increased plasma lipid peroxidation may be causally related to the presence of structural abnormality rather than ongoing epileptic activity or therapy status

Study on relation between fibrinolytic activity and different dose lithium applications

(Introduction and purpose:) under bar Lithium is an element that has been widely used in therapy of mental diseases. In different studies it has been shown that it interacts with enzymes and alters the function of proteins in organisms. On the other hand fibrinogen is one of the plasma proteins that can interact with euglobulin which is the tissue plasminogen activator indicator. Present study was planned to assess the effect of lithium on alteration of function of proteins that play a role in the fibrinolytic system in blood. Materials and methods: Control group of rats was fed a normal diet whereas pharmacological and toxic groups received 0.4 mmolLi/kg/day and 6.6 mmolLi/ kg/day for 2 weeks, respectively. Blood samples were drawn from animals and fibrinolytic activity was measured by Coppley method, which is based on the euglobulin lysis time (ELT). Fibrinogen concentration determinations were per-formed by Ratnoff and Menzie method. Results and conclusion: After evaluation of fibrinolytic activity rates that belong to both groups, it has been observed that lithium altered the activities of proteins that are responsible for fibrinolysis. Fibrinogen concentrations of both experimental groups were found to be lower than that of control group values (p < 0,05 in pharmacological group, p < 0.001 in the toxic group). On the other hand ELT values in the toxic dose lithium administered group was significantly shortened than control group values (p < 0.001)

Effects of lithium on copper and zinc in the serum, liver, brain and kidney of rats

Introduction and purpose: Lithium is the treatment of choice in maniac depression psychiatry. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of lithium on the essential trace elements of copper and zinc in brain, liver and kidney of rats. Materials and methods: The control group of rats was fed a normal diet whereas the experimental group received 3 mg Li/kg bw/d for 2 weeks, respectively. After that period, the animals were killed and blood was drawn from their heart, brain, liver and kidney. Tissue lithium, copper and zinc concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results and conclusion: Li in serum increased with the administered dose. Copper serum values were not affected with pharmacologic doses of Li. However, increased serum Li was associated with decreased serum zinc. Pharmacologic doses of Li increased Li content in the liver and Cu content of the brain, and showed no effect in liver and kidney. Pharmacologic dose of Li increased Zn content in liver and kidney but did not affect Zn in the brain. Li therapy may induce major changes in the storage of Cu in the brain and Zn in liver and kidney, respectively

Changes in hemorheological parameters due to lead exposure in female rats

Lead is an ubiquitous metal in the environment that induces a broad range of physiological, biochemical and behavioral dysfunctions. The purpose of this study was to investigate its effects on blood parameters and blood viscosity. Female rats (14 Wistar-Albino type) were divided into a control and a lead exposed group. Both groups were fed with the same standard food, but lead acetate was added to the drinking water of the experimental group for 5 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were drawn from the abdominal aorta of the anaesthetized animals. Hematocrit (Hct %), hemoglobin (Hb), and the number of erythrocytes were determined, blood viscosity was measured with a rotational viscometer, and the lead concentration in blood was analyzed by means of flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The erythrocyte count, Hb and Hct % of the lead exposed group were found to be significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). The blood viscosity level was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.01). It can be concluded that increased lead concentrations in blood impair certain hemorheological mechanisms and increase blood viscosity. (C) 2004 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved

Accumulation of cadmium in tissue and its effect on live performance

Heavy metal pollution has gained more importance for environment as a result of increased industrialization rate all over the world. In present study investigation of effects of cadmium on live-weight due to accumulation in different tissues that taken in food were aimed. For such a purpose after their birth for four weeks chickens were fed by Cd added fodder (25 mg Cd/kg as cadmium Sulfate). At the end of four weeks feeding period the chickens were scaled and sacrificed. For tissue cadmium level measurements, liver, kidney, muscle and bone dissections were performed on both experimental and same age control group animals. The measurements were performed in atomic absorption spectrophotometer. At the end of evaluation of data it was observed that live mean weight of experimental group was significantly lower than that of control group animals (p < 0.001). On the other hand tissue cadmium concentrations of experimental group were found to be significantly higher than that of control group values. So accumulation of cadmium in tissue as a heavy metal may lead decreased rate of growth

Oxidant and antioxidant status of cadmium administered rats

Cadmium is one of the industrial elements that lead environmental pollution. Biological half-life of cadmium is relatively longer, so its clearance from tissue is considerably long. In present study, oxidant stress and antioxidant defense mechanism due to exposure to cadmium in rats wanted to be investigated. For such a purpose adult female wistar albino rats were divided into two as control and experimental groups. During experimental period while both group animals were fed by standard fodder, cadmium added (20 $\mu$g Cd/ml as cadmium sulfate) drinking water was given to experimental group for four weeks. At the end of four weeks blood samples were drawn from animals under ether anesthesia. As a Last product of lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutas (SOD) activity which is sign of antioxidant defense enzyme activity and glutathione levels (GSH) were measured. Increase in lipid peroxidation has been observed by increased MDA levels in experimental group (p$<$0.001). SOD enzyme activity was also found to be significantly lower in experimental group (p$<$0.001). Glutathione level of experimental group found to be decreased according to control group values (p$<$0.01). As a result of present study it may be concluded that cadmium may lead to increase in lipid peroxidation. On the other hand SOD activity and glutathione levels may also be decreased by effect of cadmium in erythrocytes. So the resultant would be the disturbed antioxidant mechanis

The effects of copper application on oxidative and antioxidant systems in rats

Oxidative damage of copper has been reported in recent studies, even though its necessity for an organism as a trace element exists. Present study has been planned to determine the oxidative effects of copper on blood and the defense system. While nine controls Wistar-Albino type rats were being fed with normal diet and water, experimental animals were fed by normal fodder but received copper in their drinking water for nine weeks. After experimental period, serum copper concentrations, erythrocyte SOD activity, GSH concentrations and plasma MDA concentrations were measured in both groups. MDA concentrations and SOD activities of in experimental group were found higher than in controls (p < 0.05) and GSH concentration in experimental group was found to be lower than in control group animals (p < 0.05). It could be argued that copper application might have increased the SOD activity and lipid peroxidation and decreased the GSH levels

Oxidant and antioxidant status of cadmium administered rats

Cadmium is one of the industrial elements that lead environmental pollution. Biological half-life of cadmium is relatively longer, so its clearance from tissue is considerably long. In present study, oxidant stress and antioxidant defense mechanism due to exposure to cadmium in rats wanted to be investigated. For such a purpose adult female wistar albino rats were divided into two as control and experimental groups. During experimental period while both group animals were fed by standard fodder, cadmium added (20mug Cd/ml as cadmium sulfate) drinking water was given to experimental group for four weeks. At the end of four weeks blood samples were drawn from animals under ether anesthesia. As a last product of lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity which is sign of antioxidant defense enzyme activity and glutathione levels (GSH) were measured. Increase in lipid peroxidation has been observed by increased MDA levels in experimental group (p<0.001). SOD enzyme activity was also found to be significantly lower in experimental group (p<0.001). Glutathione level of experimental group found to be decreased according to control group values (p<0.01). As a result of present study it may be concluded that cadmium may lead to increase in lipid peroxidation. On the other hand SOD activity and glutathione levels may also be decreased by effect of cadmium in erythrocytes. So the resultant would be the disturbed antioxidant mechanis

Effects of excessive copper intake on hematological and hemorheological parameters

Copper plays an important role in the structure and function of metalloproteins and in the absorption of iron. The present study deals with the effects of excessive copper intake on hematological and hemorheological parameters