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

The role of trace elements in environmental and nutrition sciences

Background: Today, one of the universal debates related to human health problems is caused by the lack of the essential elements. Many researchers suggest that metals such as zinc and selenium deficiency extensively affect on human’s health (particularly on physical growth) worldwide. Materials and Methods: Different age groups, especially children and adolescents during the critical developmental ages are more vulnerable to fluctuations of deficiency of this essential element in the body. Most of these problems are evident in developing countries. The nutritional issues are not tracked seriously, while developed countries with continuous improvements in the food industry have been able to use the correct pattern for each age group to eliminate the problems caused by lack of nutrients. And it’s the evolution of such a combination between food science and environmental science. Results: Perhaps the best solution is suggested that for amends of lacking of these elements, is adding these elements in foods of these vulnerable groups. For example, in many developing countries standardized Zinc is added on children and adolescents snacks. Conclusion: In order to compensate the shortcomings in this group. It has also been observed in other elements such as iron

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

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

Effect of Florid on the metabolism of serum Iron-related parameters in rat

Background: Nowadays the extra amounts of some elements above the standard level can affect the human health among them are Florid that is used in toothpaste. The aim of this study was to study the effect of Florid on Iron metabolism in rat for short and long terms. Materials and Methods: Florid (100, 200 and 300 ppm) was added to the rat drinking water. One control group is also selected with no florid in the drinking water. This study was undertaken in different time periods (5-88 days). After the decapitation, blood samples were collected for further experiments. Some parameters related to Iron metabolism were measured using laboratory standard methods. Results: Results indicate that, in short term, no significant difference was seen between the control and experimental groups. In the second time period (22 days), a significant difference was seen between the control and other groups. Finally, in the third group (44 and 88 days Florid) the decreasing of hematocrit level up to 10-12 percent was obtained. Elevation in serum TIBC and reduction in serum iron and also copper was seen. Conclusion: It is concluded that the extra consumption of Florid in toothpaste may cause damage to iron related parameters when it used for long period of time

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