Study of aspartate aminotransferase activity in intoxified rat by cadmium

The current study was designed to investigate the effects of cadmium administration on the AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) and its isoenzyme activities in the serum and liver for durations of 15 and 60 days, respectively. AST isoenzymes were separated by gel filtration chromatography technique and evaluated kinetically. Results showed significant increases in the serum AST activities up to 47 and 38.35 upon Cd administrations of 0.25 and 0.5 mg kg-1, respectively. This increase was not time and dose dependent in the long period. At the end of each period, the specific activity both isoenzymes in the serum increased significantly (p<0.05) while in the liver, mitochondrial AST activity increased as compared to cytosolic AST activity. We concluded that the total serum AST activity was not dose and time dependent. However, the changes of liver AST isoenzymes in the short and long periods might be due to hepatotoxicity following oxidative stress and delayed synthesis of AST isoenzymes, respectively. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc

A review of studies on the importance of Zinc on biological systems

Background: Zinc is one of the most important trace elements in the biological systems. It involves in the activities of more than 300 enzymes (e.g. lactic dehydrogenase, carbonic anhydrase, alkaline phosphatase). Biological activities of Zinc include cell development, production of sex and growth hormones and skin structure.Materials and Methods: during last decades, we have done serial research projects with zinc and its protective effect on other toxic elements, which have been published in international journals.Results: we have found that this element may bind to transferrin during blood circulation and cause anemia as key indicator in man who intoxicated with this element, and the production of Zinc-protoporphyrin could be observed due to Zinc toxicity. The protective effect of zinc on cadmium-induced changes in thyroid, parathyroid and bone functions are shown in lab animal treated by Zinc. Conclusions: frequent determination of Zinc in serum may be helpful for our body health

Evaluating the changes in serum parameters associated with iron metabolism in male rat exposed to Lead

Background: Considering the severe hazardous influences of Lead (Pb2+) on iron-related diseases, this study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Pb2+ on the serum parameters associated with iron metabolism. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, male Wistar rats weighing 200–250 g were treated with Pb2+ for the short and long period of time. The animals received daily intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg Pb 2+ kg−1 body weight (BW) for 5 days and 4 mg Pb2+ kg−1 BW for 30 and 45 days, respectively. Results: The results showed that when animals were treated with both low and high concentrations of Pb 2+, the serum iron concentrations decreased markedly by 23.2%, 32.8%, and 39.9 % after 5, 30 and 45 days, respectively, while the sera TIBC and transferrin concentrations increased significantly (P<0.05). Following the short- and long-term exposure to Pb 2+, the percentage of serum transferrin saturation was also decreased in comparison with the untreated control group (P<0.05). Concentrations of serum copper and ceruloplasmin following Pb 2+ treatment also reduced significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, the percentage of hematocrit and hemoglobin levels was reduced (P<0.05) in all Pb 2+-treated animals in comparison with the controls. Conclusion: The results suggest that the changes in serum parameters associated with iron metabolism may play an important role in producing iron-related diseases

Protective effects of short-term administration of zinc on bone metabolism parameters in male rats treated with cadmium

Background: Acute cadmium (Cd) intoxication can be caused by eating foods or drinks that are packed in metal containers coated with Cd. The exposure to Cd enhanced resorption and inhibited formation of the bone tissue resulting in its decreased mineralization and thus may lead to various complications. Zinc supplement can reduce Cd absorption as well as neutralize the Cd-induced toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of zinc on bone metabolism parameters in male rats treated with Cd. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 48 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into eight groups: group 1 received 0.5 mL of normal saline, group 2 received 0.5 mg/kg zinc, three Cd groups that received three different Cd concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) and the other three groups received three Cd concentrations and zinc simultaneously. Blood samples were taken over a 30-day period and factors related to bone metabolism were measured. Results: The results showed that administration of three different doses of Cd chloride (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium and decreased the albumin concentration compared to the control group. Moreover, the simultaneous use of three concentrations of Cd chloride with zinc reduced the activity of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and increased the albumin concentration (

Catecholamine contents of different regions in the adult rat brain are altered following short and long-term exposures to Pb+2

Background: Catecholamine is a group of neurotransmitters that is believed to be responsible for the normal function of animal brain. Physiological and behavioral changes of the human body have been reported due to the damage of the brain function following Lead exposure. Due to the assumption of Lead disposal in brain tissue with two years for its half-life, which results in alteration of brain function, the aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Lead to change the brain catecholamines during short and long-term studies. Materials and Methods: Rats were exposed daily to varying amounts of Lead and the catecholamine contents of cerebellum, mid-brain and brain cortex were determined. Results: Acute peritoneal administration of single dose of Lead as Lead acetate (260 µmol/kg) after 2h reduced (P<0.05) catecholamine levels of cerebellum, mid-brain and cortex part by 34.9%, 35.44% and 23.8%, respectively. The extension of experiment time to 5h, the significant (P<0.05) reductions were seen in catecholamine levels of mentioned regions of brain by 32.35%, 12.35% and 19.3%, respectively. Daily intraperitoneal administration of 10 µmol/kg Lead for 30 and 60 days reduced catecholamines levels of cerebellum (22.22% and 30.44%), mid-brain (12.48% and 26.27%) and brain cortex (11.58% and 26.7%), respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded that brain dysfunction in Lead intoxicated rat occurred through the reduction in the catecholamine levels of different parts of brain. Therefore, Lead might be considered as a probable factor in causing neurological disease in Lead-exposed man

Comparing the effects of Aluminum and Cadmium on liver parameters

Background: In this study, the effects of Aluminum and Cadmium on liver parameters (LDH, AST, ALT, serum bilirubin, total protein) in rat serum at various times have been studied. Materials and Methods: Aluminum and cadmium salts in different doses were injected. After the completion of injection in different times, the animals were decapitated and the serum was used for liver enzymes. Results: Aluminum effect on LDH was concentration- and time- dependent. The activity of aminotransferases AST, ALT showed less increase than the short-term effects of aluminum. The serum total bilirubin was significantly increased, whereas serum protein concentration is negligible. With regard to Cadmium, the increased activity of serum LDH was concentration- and time dependent. So, the lower concentrations of Cadmium had much more changes compared to Aluminum. Total bilirubin concentration and serum protein were similar to the increase in Cadmium concentration and the time of injection. The activity of aminotransferases AST, ALT was found to be increased by increase in the levels of cadmium. Conclusion: In general, both Aluminum and Cadmium are toxic to hepatic cells and cause physiologic and morphologic changes in hepatocytes which are functions of concentration. In linger periods, the increase in hepatic parameters is significant

Comparative binding studies of titanium and iron to human serum transferrin

It is believed that titanium may interfere with iron metabolism in terms of absorption, transportation, utilization and storage in the cells. The present investigation was designed to study and compare the binding of iron and titanium to human serum Apo transferrin (apo-htf). Present results show that Ti(III) ions bind to transferrin and form a new complex and the calculated apparent association constant is 1.03�lO7 M-1 based on the Equilibrium dialysis technique. The binding of both metals to apo-htf appears to be pH dependent, changing with both increase and decrease pH. Titration studies demonstrate that transferrin specifically binds two moles Ti(IV) as complex with citrate per mol protein, spectrophotometery technique indicated that Ti(IV) ions cause a 13 reduction in binding of Fe(III) to transferrin. These results show that titanium competes with iron in binding to apo-htf. Although, the binding sites for these two ions seem to be similar, the binding of iron to apo-htf seems tighter. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc

Lead toxicity on kinetic behaviors of high and low molecular weight alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes of rat, in vivo and in vitro studies

The relationship between lead (Pb) toxicity and changes in the kinetic characteristics of serum, liver and brain high and low molecular weight alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes has been examined in this document. Alkaline phosphatase is a family of phosphomonoesterases that was measured in serum, liver and brain using paranitrophenol phosphate (pNPP) as substrate and 2-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol as buffer. Protein concentration was determined as described by Bradford. Results obtained showed that every other day intrapritoneally injection of 39.5 ug kg-1 of lead as (Pb (CH3COO)2 3H20), in male rats for 2 consecutive weeks resulted in decreasing level of liver and brain alkaline phosphatase by 16.7 and 10.9, respectively, whereas an elevation of serum enzyme activity by 28.4 was seen in comparison to untreated controls (p&lt;0.05). Long-term exposure to 13.2 ug kg-1 of this salt, showed a statistically significant reduction in liver and brain levels of alkaline phosphatase by 18.7 and 13.2 respectively and an increment in serum activity of the enzyme by 37.6 in compared to control group (p&lt;0.05). Using gel filtration chromatography technique with sephacryl S300 showed that, in comparison to control groups, serum and liver homogenate from lead treated groups had a significant level of high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase, which might be considered as a potential biomarker for lead toxicity. In vitro experiments showed that lead inhibited all the isoenzymes. © 2010 Asian Network for Scientific Information

In vivo and in vitro studies of kinetic changes of serum, liver and brain high and low molecular weight alkaline phosphatase following aluminium exposure in rat

Alkaline phosphatase is a family of ecto-phosphomonoesterases that can be resolved into two bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a high-molecular mass form (Mr&gt;1 000 000) and a low molecular mass form (Mr: 150000). The relationship between aluminium treatment and changes in the activity of serum, liver and brain high and low molecular weight alkaline phosphatase has been investigated in this manuscript. Results obtained from in vivo study showed that every other day intrapritoneally injection of 186 μmol kg-1 of aluminium (AlCl3.6H2O), in male rats for 2 weeks resulted in decreasing the level of liver and brain alkaline phosphatase by 14.9 and 9.9, respectively, whereas an elevation of serum levels of this enzyme by 21.1 was seen in comparison to untreated controls (p&lt;0.05). Long-term exposure of 74.5 μmol kg-1 of this salt, showed a statistically significant reduction in liver and brain level of alkaline phosphatase by 15.8 and 12.3, respectively and an increment in serum activity of the enzyme by 30.9 in compared to control group (p&lt;0.05). Gel filtration chromatography technique with sephacryl S300 showed that, in comparison to control groups, serum and liver homogenates from aluminium treated groups had a significant level of high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase. In vitro experiments showed that aluminium inhibited all the isoenzymes non-competitively. Low molecular weight alkaline phosphatases were more heat and urea stable than high molecular weight fractions. © 2010 Academic Journals Inc