Effects of thymosin alpha-1 on erythrocyte lipid levels and erythrocyte membrane (Na+-K+)-ATPase activity in experimental hypercholesterolemia

Thymosin alpha-1 is an active polypeptide isolated from thymus. This polypeptide is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, especially immune diseases. In this present study, we examined the effects of thymosin alpha-1 on plasma and erythrocyte lipid levels and the changes in erythrocyte membrane (Na+, K+)ATPase activity in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The erythrocyte lipid levels decreased, whereas the erythrocyte membrane (Na+, K+)ATPase activity increased significantly in these rabbits after thymosin alpha-1 injection. These findings suggest that thymosin alpha-1 is effective on both the lipid level and erythrocyte membrane (Na+, K+)ATPase activity

Thymosin alpha (1) protects liver and aorta from oxidative damage in atherosclerotic rabbits

The thymus hormones were reported to be effective on lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant system. Thymus plays a broader role than just regulating the immune system. Thymosin alpha(1) is the first subgroup extracted from thymosin F5 and has higher biological activity than thymosin F5. In the present study, we have examined the effects of thymosin alpha(1) on lipid levels and lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) content in the plasma, liver and aorta tissues of atherosclerotic rabbits. At the end of thymosin alpha(1) treatment, we determined the lipid levels and lipid peroxidation of the plasma, liver and aorta tissues and hepatic subcellular fractions in these rabbits. Our results demonstrated that thymosin alpha(1) might normalize changed lipid levels and increased lipid peroxides and also elevate decreased GSH in the plasma, liver and aorta tissues of atherosclerotic rabbits. Results of this study suggest that thymosin alpha(1) may be beneficial to prevent and/or to treat atherosclerosis

Urinary glycosaminoglycan levels in patients with Graves' opthalmopathy: An effective parameter for the grading of ophthalmopathy

An increased accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in retrobulbar tissues has been reported in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). We examined quantitative urinary GAGs excretion in patients with different grades of GO. 36 patients with Graves' disease were included in the study. They were classified according to their grade of ophthalmopathy: Grade 2 (n=14), Grade 3 (n=14) and Grade 4 (n=8). When GAG levels of patients with ophthalmopathy were compared to controls, a significant increase was observed in both Grade 3 and Grade 4 patients, whereas no significant difference was found in Grade 2 patients. These results show that urinary excretion of GAGs is a possible marker for the activity of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Determination of urinary level of GAGs is recommended as a simple laboratory method for estimating the grade of ophthalmopathy

The effect of N-acetyl-cysteine and N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester treatment on lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress in lung of rats

In the present study we investigated the effects of N-omega-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) on the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), xanthine oxidase (XO) and lipid peroxide levels as well as glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the lung of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats. LPS treatment (5 mg/kg) caused a decrease in the GSH level and SOD activity while it led to increases in lipid peroxide levels and MPO and XO activities in the lung. LPS + L-NAME + NAC administration prevented GSH reduction and MPO, XO and lipid peroxide augmentation. The factors causing oxidative stress after LPS-treatment was found to be ameliorated following L-NAME + NAC treatment. The data suggest that L-NAME and NAC treatment together may have some beneficial effect on LPS induced lung injury

In vitro effects of peroxynitrite on human spermatozoa

In the present study, the in vitro effects of peroxynitrite on sperm motility, lipid peroxidation and sulfhydryl content were examined. Sperm percentage motility and movement characteristics were assessed by a computer-assisted system. Lipid peroxidation was measured by determining malondialdehyde levels using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. Sperm sulfhydryl content was measured by a spectrophotometric method based on reduction of 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) by sulfhydryl groups. Percentage motility, movement characteristics and sulfhydryl content decreased significantly in peroxynitrite-treated samples compared to decomposed peroxynitrite-treated samples. Lipid peroxidation in peroxynitrite-treated samples was significantly higher than in decomposed peroxynitrite-treated samples. These results indicate that peroxynitrite anion may cause sperm dysfunction through lipid peroxidation stimulation and total SH depletion