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Biochemical Changes (biochemical + change)
Selected AbstractsBiochemical Changes in Leaf Tissues of Taro [Colocasia esculenta L. (Schott)] Infected with Phytophthora colocasiaeJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Manas Ranjan Sahoo Abstract The changes in some biochemical parameters due to Phytophthora leaf blight infection were assessed in leaf tissues of one resistant (DP-25), two moderately resistant (Duradim and Jhankri) and one susceptible (N-118) genotypes of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott]. Phytophthora spore suspension (15 000 spore/ml water) was sprayed onto the in vitro raised taro plantlets at 30 days after establishment in pots to induce disease. In comparison with the uninoculated leaves, blight infected leaves showed reduction in protein content and activity of nitrate reductase and increase in total soluble sugar, reducing sugar content and activities of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase among the studied genotypes. Changes in biochemical parameters under induced blight stress as compared with uninoculated control were less in resistant genotypes than that in susceptible genotype. The deviations in biochemical contents were highest in susceptible genotype N-118. Based on the variations of above parameters under stress and non-stress control among the four tested genotypes, the overall pattern of changes was N-118 > Duradim > Jhankri > DP-25, which is in accordance with the pattern of increasing resistance. The resistant genotypes could be used for commercial cultivation and genetic improvement programme to develop resistant varieties to Phytophthora leaf blight disease. [source] Biochemical changes during the ripening of homemade ,San Simón da Costa' raw milk cheeseINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2008E L NHUCH ,San Simón da Costa' cheese is a traditional smoked variety produced in the northwest of Spain from cow's milk. Biochemical changes were determined during its ripening. Its high calcium and phosphorus content and its low NaCl and sodium content stand out. This cheese undergoes moderate proteolysis. The most abundant free amino acid at the end of the ripening was glutamic acid, followed by tryptophan, leucine, arginine and phenylalanine. The lipolysis throughout ripening is slight; the most abundant free fatty acid being oleic, followed by palmitic and butyric acid. [source] Biochemical changes in cut vs. intact lamb's lettuce (Valerianella olitoria) leaves during storageINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Antonio Ferrante Summary Consumers are oriented towards fresh-cut vegetables that provide phytonutrients useful for preventing stress-related diseases. The aim of this work was to evaluate the cut operations on the quality changes of lamb's lettuce (Valerianella olitoria L.) cv. Trofy during storage at 4 °C for 8 days. Results showed that chlorophyll and carotenoids reduction was observed after 8 days of storage. In both treatments, total carotenoids after 8 days decreased from 20 to 16 mg g,1 FW. Free and total phenols increased with storage in both treatments. Total phenols were 23% higher in control (32 ,mol g,1 FW) compared to cut leaves (25 ,mol g,1 FW) after 8 days of storage. Anthocyanins increased after 8 days and reached 30 mg 100 g,1 FW without significant difference between treatments. Ascorbic acid (AsA) and dehydroascorbic (DHA) acid increased in cut leaves compared to control. After 1 day AsA concentration was 3 300 nmol g,1 FW in cut leaves, while in control leaves was 1 500 nmol g,1 FW. Analogously AsA + DHA was higher in cut leaves, 4 100 nmol g,1 FW, while in control leaves the mean was 3 000 nmol g,1 FW. After 5 days of storage the values of AsA returned to initial values, while AsA + DHA were lower. [source] Plant growth promotion and induction of resistance in Camellia sinensis by Bacillus megateriumJOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Usha Chakraborty Dr. Bacillus megaterium de Bary TRS-4 was isolated from tea rhizosphere and tested for its ability to promote growth and cause disease reduction in tea plants. In vivo studies revealed the ability of this bacterium to promote growth of tea plants very significantly. Brown root rot disease, caused by Fomes lamaoensis was markedly reduced by application of the bacterium to the soil. Population of F. lamaoensis in soil before and after application of B. megaterium, as determined by ELISA and dot-blot using PAb raised against the pathogen, was shown to be greatly reduced in presence of the bacterium. Biochemical changes induced in tea plants were also examined. Root colonization by B. megaterium and subsequent inoculation with F. lamaoensis also led to an increase in polyphenolics, as well as in defense related enzymes-peroxidase, chitinase, , -1,3-glucanase and phenyl alanine ammonia lyase. Determination of mechanism of action of this bacterium revealed it to be able to solubilize phosphate, produce IAA, siderophore and antifungal metabolite. The plant growth promotion and reduction of disease intensity have been shown to be due to a combination of several mechanisms. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Biochemical changes during vitellogenesis in the red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 10 2010Jiayao Li Abstract Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) females at different stages of vitellogenesis were sampled to investigate variations in soluble protein, lipid and water content and in the amino acid and fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas and ovaries. During vitellogenesis, the changes in the content of soluble proteins and lipids in the hepatopancreas and ovaries were dependent on both diet and the reserves from the hepatopancreas. However, in comparison to the ovary, the fluctuation of the amino acid composition in the hepatopancreas suggested that the protein resources mobilized from this organ was compensating for those gained from feeding. Changes in the fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas showed limited compensatory function as for the quick accumulation of lipids in the ovaries. The proportional amounts of saturated fatty acids/mono-unsaturated fatty acids/poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the predominant fatty acids in both tissues indicated that the mobilization and utilization of fatty acids in freshwater species are different from that in marine species. Based on the redclaw's feeding habits, the commercial pellets used in this study may not be optimal, and a diet with less PUFA may suffice for its vitellogenesis and reduce the feeding costs. [source] Biochemical changes during larval development in the short neck clam, Paphia malabarica ChemnitzAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 13 2009Raghavan Gireesh Abstract Biochemical compositions were determined for eggs, D-shaped larvae, umbo larvae and pediveliger of the short neck clam Paphia malabarica Chemnitz. Spawned eggs were composed of 63.2% protein, 25.4% lipid and 11.4% carbohydrate. After 48 h of embryogenesis, 2.6% of the protein, 11.8% of the lipid and 3.2% of carbohydrate mass had been lost, providing 20.5%, 75.4% and 4.1% of the total energy expenditure of 0.2147 mJ embryo,1. During 48 h of metamorphosis, lipid was utilized first, followed by a heavy consumption of protein; protein, lipid and carbohydrate lost 23.8%, 50.2% and 32.5% of their mass respectively. Protein and lipid supplied a comparable amount of energy for metamorphosis, 34.2% and 55.2%, respectively, whereas, carbohydrate contributed only 10.6% to the 2.733 mJ larva,l metamorphic energy expenditure. [source] Biochemical changes in selenite cataract model measured by high-resolution MAS 1H NMR spectroscopyACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 5 2006Miroslav Fris Abstract. Purpose:, To correlate certain levels of lens opacification with high-resolution magic-angle spinning proton nuclear magnetic resonance (HR-MAS 1H NMR) spectroscopy analysis of the biochemical changes in rat lenses in a selenite cataract model. Methods:, Selenite cataract was induced by injecting 13-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups with a single subcutaneous dose of sodium selenite (3.28 mg/kg in 0.9% sodium chloride solution). Lens opacification was observed using a photographic slit-lamp microscope at selected time-points 3, 6 and 9 days after selenite injection and was then graded (levels 0, 1 and 2). The animals were killed after the slit-lamp microscopy, lenses were removed and HR-MAS 1H NMR spectra from intact lenses were obtained. Relative changes in metabolite concentrations were determined after comparison with matched lenses from untreated animals. Results:, Photographic slit-lamp microscopy revealed different stages of cataract in all animals treated with selenite. In the high quality HR-MAS 1H NMR spectra of the lenses, more than 30 different metabolites were identified in each lens. With the exception of taurine, the concentrations of all amino acids showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the second level of cataract. By contrast, glutathione (GSH), succinate and phosphocholine concentrations were significantly reduced. Conclusions:, For the first time, this study demonstrates the potential to correlate the level of lens opacification with the biochemical changes obtained with HR-MAS 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis in a selenite cataract model. [source] Complementary (secondary) metabolites in a soft coral: sex-specific variability, inter-clonal variability, and competitionMARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Beatriz Fleury Abstract Sex-specific interactions involving competition for space between the dioecious alcyonacean soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum and the scleractinian coral Acropora robusta were assessed experimentally on Bald Rock, central region of the Great Barrier Reef. To examine this, plus inter-clonal responses, one male colony of S. glaucum, known to produce sarcophytoxide as its predominant complementary (secondary) metabolite, was sectioned, producing 10 clones. The same was done for a female colony. These two sets of clones were then relocated to grids and placed in contact with Acropora clones. Relocated and non-relocated controls were also monitored. High levels of tissue necrosis were observed in the hard coral under contact conditions with both the male and female clones after 20 days. The development of a protective polysaccharide layer in the alcyonacean was also observed. Differences observed in the concentrations of complementary metabolites within the two different S. glaucum colonies were related to sex. Both under competition and non-competition conditions, females exhibited significantly higher concentrations of sarcophytoxide than males, and this increased with time. Fatty ester concentration was also higher in females than males, varying significantly through time, and falling dramatically just after spawning. Fatty ester concentrations decreased linearly through time in the male clones. When involved in competition for space, females possessed higher concentrations of fatty esters than males, both at the site of contact and in non-contact sites, again, decreasing after spawning. No significant changes in sarcophytoxide levels were noted in the parental colonies, but such changes were observed in fatty esters, with the female producing higher concentrations until after spawning. The use of these two variates in the form of a ratio (sarcophytoxide concentration:fatty ester concentration) yielded a variable Rho (,) which was a more sensitive indicator of biochemical change than either of its components alone. These two sets of compounds appeared to have a negative association through time and varied highly significantly between sexes. The diterpene sarcophytoxide may be considered an allelopathic or stress metabolite, while the lipids act as energy storage metabolites. [source] Mothers reduce egg provisioning with ageECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 4 2003David Giron Abstract Precise and comprehensive data on resource allocation into individual eggs are rare and this empirical void in the literature of life history strategies contrasts with the large number of theoretical studies. We show a marked decrease in reproductive investment in eggs with mother's age for egg size, sugar, protein, lipid and energy contents of eggs for a parasitic wasp. Egg size is a good predictor of offspring fitness, measured as survival of starving neonate larvae, but does not reveal possible biochemical changes. Lipids stabilize quickly at a minimal threshold while proteins and sugars decrease smoothly down to about 30% of the amount invested in the first egg. Because proteins have the highest correlation with egg size, we predict that they should be better predictors of larval fitness than lipids and sugars. Assessing the adaptive value of the observed patterns will require a multidimensional approach to egg provisioning. [source] Recent advances in the neurophysiology of chronic painEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 1 2005Kylie Baker Abstract The chronic pain syndrome patient has become the ,leper' of emergency medicine. There are no emergency medicine guidelines and minimal research into managing this challenging group of patients. Objective:, To summarize the recent advances in laboratory research into the development of chronic pain that have relevance to emergency management. When the level of supporting evidence is low, it is imperative that emergency physicians understand the physiology that underpins those expert opinions upon which they base their treatment strategies. Methods:, Literature was searched via Medline, Cochrane, Cinahl, and PsycINFO from 1996 to 2004, under ,chronic pain and emergency management'. Medline from 1996 was searched for ,chronic pain and prevention', ,chronic pain and emergency' and ,chronic pain'. Bibliographies were manually searched for older keynote articles. Results:, Advances in understanding the biochemical changes of chronic pain are paralleled by lesser known advances in delineation of the corticol processing. Conclusions:, Drug manipulation causes complex action and reaction in chronic pain. Emergency physicians must also optimize cognitive and behavioural aspects of treatment to successfully manage this systemic disease. [source] How does the periapical inflammatory process compromise general health?ENDODONTIC TOPICS, Issue 1 2004Idikó. Several lines of evidence support the causative role of oral inflammatory lesions and certain systemic diseases, such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, adverse pregnancy outcome and lung diseases. Properly executed epidemiologic studies identified increased odds ratios. Local or metastatic spread of oral microorganisms, local production of microbial or host-derived soluble regulatory molecules, that may initiate or sustain inflammatory events in remote tissues and organs and the presence of (a) common , extrinsic- or intrinsic-pathological mechanism(s) may result in or contribute to both local and systemic inflammation. A number of cross-sectional studies addressing a possible association between oral health and systemic diseases have also investigated the presence or the absence of periapical lesions. However, these studies cannot either confirm or refute a role of the periapical inflammatory lesion in the observed associations, since other variables of oral health might have exerted an inestimable influence on general health of the assessed population. The literature, dealing with patients with root canal infections and apical periodontitis as sole oral inflammatory lesions is extremely sparse. Our group has demonstrated that young adults with apical periodontitis exhibit certain biochemical changes, such as elevated levels of C-reactive protein and an increased whole blood chemiluminescence, which have been shown to elevate the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Future research will be required to determine whether and to what extent may endodontic diseases affect general health. [source] Morphological and biochemical changes associated with apoptosis induced by okadaic acid in human amniotic FL cellsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Ming-luan Xing Abstract The marine toxin okadaic acid (OA) is an apoptosis inducer and a tumor promoter. During recent years, extensive studies have demonstrated that OA can induce apoptosis in a wide variety of cell types. In contrast to the relatively longer incubation time or higher treatment concentrations of OA in apoptosis shown previously, relatively lower concentrations (,100 nM) and shorter time (4 h) were designed in the current study to observe the toxic effects of OA in human amniotic cells (FL cells). The present study was undertaken to determine the morphological and biochemical changes of FL cells induced by OA. Results indicated that externalization of phosphatidylserine, cytoskeletal disruption, DNA strand breaks and decrease of Bcl-2 protein expression levels as well as increase of PP2A-A subunit protein were all involved in the apoptosis of FL cells induced by OA. This work not only provided further evidence of apoptosis induced by OA but also suggested that PP2A might play a pivotal role in apoptosis induced by protein phosphatases inhibitors. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009. [source] Activation of JNK and PAK2 is essential for citrinin-induced apoptosis in a human osteoblast cell lineENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Yu-Ting Huang Abstract The mycotoxin citrinin (CTN), a natural contaminant in foodstuffs and animal feeds, exerts cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on various mammalian cells. CTN causes cell injury, including apoptosis. Previous studies by our group showed that CTN triggers apoptosis in mouse embryonic stem cells, as well as embryonic developmental injury. Here, we investigated the precise mechanisms governing this apoptotic effect in osteoblasts. CTN induced apoptotic biochemical changes in a human osteoblast cell line, including activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase-3 and p21-activated protein kinase 2 (PAK2) activation. Experiments using a JNK-specific inhibitor, SP600125, and antisense oligonucleotides against JNK reduced CTN-induced activation of both JNK and caspase-3 in osteoblasts, indicating that JNK is required for caspase activation in this apoptotic pathway. Experiments using caspase-3 inhibitors and antisense oligonucleotides against PAK2 revealed that active caspase-3 is essential for PAK2 activation. Moreover, both caspase-3 and PAK2 require activation for CTN-induced apoptosis of osteoblasts. Interestingly, CTN stimulates two-stage activation of JNK in human osteoblasts. Early-stage JNK activation is solely ROS-dependent, whereas late-stage activation is dependent on ROS-mediated caspase activity, and regulated by caspase-induced activation of PAK2. On the basis of these results, we propose a signaling cascade model for CTN-induced apoptosis in human osteoblasts involving ROS, JNK, caspases, and PAK2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009. [source] Apoptotic effect of cyanobacterial extract on rat hepatocytes and human lymphocytesENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Joanna Mankiewicz Abstract Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are an increasing problem in Poland. The production of cyanobacterial toxins and their presence in drinking and recreational waters represent a growing danger to human and animal health. This is connected with the increase of cyanobacterial biomass caused by excessive eutrophication of the water ecosystem. There is evidence that cyanobacterial hepatotoxins can act as a potent promoter of primary liver cancer. The apoptotic effect of microcystins in Polish cyanobacterial bloom samples on rat hepatocytes and human lymphocytes was observed using light and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and electrophoretic analysis. The incubation time needed to observe the first morphological apoptotic changes in hepatocytes was approximately 30 min; however, the characteristic biochemical changes in DNA were not observed even after 120 min. In lymphocyte cultures the morphological changes characteristic for apoptosis were observed after 24 h of incubation and a 48-h incubation was found to be optimal for analysis of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, which is one of the main biochemical hallmarks of programmed cell death. These cells are an easily isolated and inexpensive material for medical diagnostics. Therefore the apoptotic changes, together with the clastogenic effect seen in lymphocyte cultures, are proposed as a future analytical method for these toxins. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 16: 225,233, 2001 [source] Impact of perfluorooctanoic acid on fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) fatty acyl-coa oxidase activity, circulating steroids, and reproduction in outdoor microcosmsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2004Ken D. Oakes Abstract This study investigates reproductive impairment and biochemical changes in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) exposed for 39 d to varying concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) under microcosm conditions. While the concentrations tested in this study were much higher than those normally found in the environment, no mortality was associated with PFOA exposure. Only modest changes were observed in condition factor and in relative liver and gonad size. Significant declines in circulating plasma steroids were observed, but these were accompanied by only limited increases in time to first oviposition and decreases in overall egg production. Peroxisome proliferation, as quantified by fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (FAO) activity, was elevated with low PFOA concentrations but attenuated with exposure to higher PFOA doses. Little evidence was seen of differential induction of peroxisome-associated enzyme activity with sex. Oxidative stress, as quantified by the 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay, was only modestly influenced by PFOA exposure and is not a significant consequence of FAO activity in fathead minnow. Perfluorooctanoic acid appears to be relatively nontoxic at environmentally relevant concentrations but may impact biochemical and reproductive endpoints under conditions associated with environmental spills. [source] ALPINE AREAS IN THE COLORADO FRONT RANGE AS MONITORS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEM RESPONSE,GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Issue 2 2002MARK W. WILLIAMS ABSTRACT. The presence of a seasonal snowpack in alpine environments can amplify climate signals. A conceptual model is developed for the response of alpine ecosystems in temperate, midlatitude areas to changes in energy, chemicals, and water, based on a case study from Green Lakes Valley,Niwot Ridge, a headwater catchment in the Colorado Front Range. A linear regression shows the increase in annual precipitation of about 300 millimeters from 1951 to 1996 to be significant. Most of the precipitation increase has occurred since 1967. The annual deposition of inorganic nitrogen in wetfall at the Niwot Ridge National Atmospheric Deposition Program site roughly doubled between 1985,1988 and 1989,1992. Storage and release of strong acid anions, such as those from the seasonal snowpack in an ionic pulse, have resulted in episodic acidification of surface waters. These biochemical changes alter the quantity and quality of organic matter in high-elevation catchments of the Rocky Mountains. Affecting the bottom of the food chain, the increase in nitrogen deposition may be partly responsible for the current decline of bighorn sheep in the Rocky Mountains. [source] Histologic and biochemical changes during the evolution of chronic rejection of liver allograftsHEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2002Desley A. H. Neil Criteria for histologic diagnosis of chronic rejection (CR) are based on changes seen late in the disease process that are likely to be irreversible and unresponsive to treatment. Changes occurring during the evolution of CR are less clearly defined. The serial biopsy specimens, failed allografts, and biochemical profiles of 28 patients who underwent retransplantation for CR were examined with the aim of identifying histologic and biochemical features that were present during the early stages of CR. For each case, a point of acute deterioration in liver function tests (LFTs) was identified ("start time" [ST]) that subsequently progressed to graft failure. Biopsy specimens before, at the time of ("start biopsy" [SB]), and after the ST were assessed histologically, and findings were correlated with the biochemical changes. CR resulted from acute rejection (AR) that did not resolve. Centrilobular necroinflammation (CLNI) associated with an elevated aspartate transaminase (AST) level and portal tract features of AR were present at the start. Portal AR features resolved, CLNI persisted, AST level remained elevated, and bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels progressively increased throughout the evolution of CR. Portal tracts also showed a loss of small arterial and bile duct branches, with arterial loss occurring early and bile duct loss as a later progressive lesion. Foam cell arteriopathy was rarely seen in needle biopsy specimens. In conclusion, findings from this study may help identify patients at risk of progressing to graft loss from CR at a stage when the disease process is potentially reversible and amenable to treatment. [source] Physiological and biochemical changes of different fresh-cut mango cultivars stored at 5 °CINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Gustavo A. Gonzalez-Aguilar Summary Treatments to inhibit browning, decay and to extend shelf life of ,Keitt', ,Kent' and ,Ataulfo' mango cultivars as a fresh-cut produce were investigated. Combinations of calcium chloride (CaCl2), antioxidants [ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA)] and two commercial film coatings resulted in a reduction of browning and deterioration of fresh-cut mangoes stored at 5 °C, especially for the Ataulfo cultivar. The use of CaCl2 + AA + CA significantly reduced colour deterioration, loss of firmness and did not affect sensory characteristics of fresh-cut mango, with a larger effect in the Ataulfo cultivar. In general, these treatments prevented loss of sugar and vitamin C of cubes during storage at 5 °C. Shelf life of this cultivar was 21 days, while that of Keitt and Kent was only 9 and 12 days, respectively. There is a correlation between carotene and vitamin C content of Ataulfo mango and its longer shelf life compared with the other cultivars. [source] A review of the feasibility of producing processed cheese using non-enzymatic direct acidification proceduresINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2002M. Ashraf Pal This review covers various aspects of studies, which were done to develop processes to make products that resemble traditional/processed cheese without the use of micro-organisms or enzyme system. Several manufacturing techniques and incorporation of various ingredients/additives, examples of which are emulsifying salts, texture modifiers and flavour enhancers, in the formulations are discussed. Characteristics like rheology, chemical composition, biochemical changes and microstructure of such products are also given. [source] Monitoring the fermentation of the traditional Bulgarian beverage bozaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Velitchka Gotcheva Summary For many centuries fermented foods have been produced and consumed world-wide as they are of such great importance for human nutrition. Fermentation helps to preserve the food, provides a wide variety of textures and flavours and significantly improves the nutritional properties of the raw materials used. In this work we tested the hypothesis that the fermentation process of the Bulgarian cereal-based traditional beverage boza was similar to other cereal-based fermentations. Boza was prepared both from whole-wheat grains and flour, and the effect of the raw material on product quality was studied. The main microorganisms responsible for boza fermentation, yeasts and lactobacilli, were identified and some physical and biochemical changes were monitored during the first 48 h of fermentation. A significant increase in glucose content was observed, while pH, viscosity, free amino nitrogen content and dry matter decreased during the fermentation. The use of wheat flour resulted in a product with higher viscosity and dry matter content when compared to that produced from whole-wheat grains. The effect of temperature on fermentation rate was also tested. [source] Subcellular distribution of key enzymes of lipid metabolism during the euthermia-hibernation-arousal cycleJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 6 2009Anna Suozzi Abstract Mammalian hibernation is a natural, fully reversible hypometabolic state characterized by a drastic reduction of body temperature and metabolic activity, which ensures survival to many species under adverse environmental conditions. During hibernation, many hibernators rely for energy supply almost exclusively on lipid reserves; the shift from carbohydrate to lipid metabolism implies profound rearrangement of the anabolic and catabolic pathways of energetic substrates. However, the structural counterpart of such adaptation is not known. In this study we investigated, by using immunoelectron microscopy, the fine intracellular distribution of two key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, namely, the fatty acid synthase (FAS) and the long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL), in hepatocytes of euthermic, hibernating and arousing hazel dormice. Our results show that the two enzymes are differentially distributed in cellular compartments (cytoplasm, mitochondria and cell nuclei) of hepatocytes during euthermia. Quantitative redistribution of both enzymes among cellular compartments takes place during hibernation and arousal, in accordance with the physiological changes. Interestingly, this redistribution follows different seasonal patterns in cytoplasm, mitochondria and nuclei. In conclusion, our data represent the first quantitative morphological evidence of lipid enzyme distribution in a true hibernator throughout the year cycle, thus providing a structural framework to biochemical changes associated with the hypometabolism of hibernation. [source] Influence of ciliate protozoa on biochemical changes and hydrolytic enzyme profile in the rumen ecosystemJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2002A. Santra Aims:,To assess the effect of presence or absence of rumen protozoa on fermentation characteristics and enzyme profile in growing lambs. Methods and Results:,Weaner lambs (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5 and G6 groups) were defaunated by oral administration of sodium laurel sulphate (at 8 g 100 kg,1 body weight). The lambs of G4, G5 and G6 groups were refaunated. The roughage and concentrate ratio in the diet of G1 and G4, G2 and G5, and G3 and G6 were 50:50 (R1), 65:35 (R2) and 80:20 (R3), respectively. Daily dry matter intake was similar in defaunated and faunated lambs. However, digestibility of organic matter (OM), cellulose and gross energy were lower in defaunated lambs while crude protein (CP) digestibility was similar in both defaunated and faunated lambs. The rumen pH and NH3 -N were lower (P < 0·01) while TVFA, total-N and TCA-ppt-N were higher (P < 0·01), in defaunated lambs. Ruminal activity of carboxymethyl cellulase was lower (P < 0·01) in defaunated lambs and amylase, xylanase, protease and urease were similar in faunated and defaunated lambs. Nutrient utilization, rumen metabolites and ciliate protozoal count were higher, whereas digestibility of fibre fractions was lower in high rather than low concentrate fed lambs. The rumen protozoa present before defaunation were B-type and the protozoa which re-established on refaunation were also B-type. Conclusions:,Absence of ciliate protozoa decreased nutrient digestibility and increased ruminal TVFA and total-N with lower NH3 -N concentration, indicating better energy and protein utilization in defaunated lambs. Significance and Impact of the Study: Defaunation improved energy and protein utilization in lambs. [source] Detoxification and antioxidant effects of curcumin in rats experimentally exposed to mercuryJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Rakhi Agarwal Abstract Curcumin, a safe nutritional component and a highly promising natural antioxidant with a wide spectrum of biological functions, has been examined in several metal toxicity studies, but its role in protection against mercury toxicity has not been investigated. Therefore, the detoxification and antioxidant effects of curcumin were examined to determine its prophylactic/therapeutic role in rats experimentally exposed to mercury (in the from of mercuric chloride-HgCl2, 12,µmol,kg,1 b.w. single intraperitoneal injection). Curcumin treatment (80,mg,kg,1 b.w. daily for 3 days, orally) was found to have a protective effect on mercury-induced oxidative stress parameters, namely, lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in the liver, kidney and brain. Curcumin treatment was also effective for reversing mercury-induced serum biochemical changes, which are the markers of liver and kidney injury. Mercury concentration in the tissues was also decreased by the pre/post-treatment with curcumin. However, histopathological alterations in the liver and kidney were not reversed by curcumin treatment. Mercury exposure resulted in the induction of metallothionein (MT) mRNA expressions in the liver and kidney. Metallothionein mRNA expression levels were found to decrease after the pre-treatment with curcumin, whereas post-treatment with curcumin further increased MT mRNA expression levels. Our findings suggest that curcumin pretreatment has a protective effect and that curcumin can be used as a therapeutic agent in mercury intoxication. The study indicates that curcumin, an effective antioxidant, may have a protective effect through its routine dietary intake against mercury exposure. [source] Attenuation of TCDD-induced oxidative stress by 670 nm photobiomodulation in developmental chicken kidneyJOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Jinhwan Lim 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD), a potent developmental teratogen inducing oxidative stress and sublethal changes in multiple organs, provokes developmental renal injuries. In this study, we investigated TCDD-induced biochemical changes and the therapeutic efficacy of photobiomodulation (670 nm; 4 J/cm2) on oxidative stress in chicken kidneys during development. Eggs were injected once prior to incubation with TCDD (2 pg/g or 200 pg/g) or sunflower oil vehicle control. Half of the eggs in each dose group were then treated with red light once per day through embryonic day 20 (E20). Upon hatching at E21, the kidneys were collected and assayed for glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, superoxide dimutase, and glutathione- S -transferase activities, as well as reduced glutathione and ATP levels, and lipid peroxidation. TCDD exposure alone suppressed the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, increased lipid peroxidation, and depleted available ATP. The biochemical indicators of oxidative and energy stress in the kidney were reversed by daily phototherapy, restoring ATP and glutathione contents and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities to control levels. Photobiomodulation also normalized the level of lipid peroxidation increased by TCDD exposure. The results of this study suggest that 670 nm photobiomodulation may be useful as a noninvasive treatment for renal injury resulting from chemically induced cellular oxidative and energy stress. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 22:230,239, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20233 [source] Protective effect of arjunolic acid against arsenic-induced oxidative stress in mouse brain,JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Mahua Sinha Abstract Arsenic, a notoriously poisonous metalloid, is ubiquitous in the environment, and it affects nearly all organ systems of animals including humans. The present study was designed to investigate the preventive role of a triterpenoid saponin, arjunolic acid against arsenic-induced oxidative damage in murine brain. Sodium arsenite was selected as a source of arsenic for this study. The free-radical-scavenging activity and the in vivo antioxidant power of arjunolic acid were determined from its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging ability and ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay, respectively. Oral administration of sodium arsenite at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight for 2 days significantly decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione- S -transferase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase, the level of cellular metabolites, reduced glutathione, total thiols and increased the level of oxidized glutathione. In addition, it enhanced the levels of lipid peroxidation end products and protein carbonyl content. Treatment with arjunolic acid at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight for 4 days prior to arsenic administration almost normalized above indices. Histological findings due to arsenic intoxication and arjunolic acid treatment supported the other biochemical changes in murine brains. Results of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric reducing/antioxidant power assays clearly showed the in vitro radical scavenging as well as the in vivo antioxidant power of arjunolic acid, respectively. The effect of a well-established antioxidant, vitamin C, has been included in the study as a positive control. Combining all, results suggest that arjunolic acid possessed the ability to ameliorate arsenic-induced oxidative insult in murine brain and is probably due to its antioxidant activity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 22:15,26, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20209 [source] Cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin/paclitaxel combination in rats: Effect of sequence and timing of administrationJOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 2 2004Sherif Y. Saad Abstract The higher incidence of cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX)/paclitaxel (PTX) combination compared with DOX alone remains to be a major obstacle against effective chemotherapeutic treatment. We investigated the effect of sequence and time interval between administration of both drugs on the severity of cardiotoxicity of the combination. Male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups. DOX was administeded intraperitoneally (ip) at a single dose of 5 mg kg,1 every other 2 days, 2 doses per week for a total cumulative dose of 20 mg kg,1. PTX was administered by an ip route at a dose of 20 mg kg,1 every other 2 days. Both drugs were injected either alone or sequentially in combination. In one case, DOX preceded PTX by 30 min and 24 h and in the other case, PTX preceded DOX by 30 min and 24 h. Cardiotoxicity was evaluated by both biochemical and histopathological examination, 48 h after the last DOX dose. DOX-induced cardiotoxicity was manifested by abnormal biochemical changes including marked increases in serum creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity levels. Myocardial tissue from DOX-treated rats showed significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) production and total nitrate/nitrite (NOx) levels, parallel with depletion of "endogenous antioxidant reserve," including GSH contents and GSH-Px activity level. PTX treatment produced significant changes in the biochemical parameters measured by a lower magnitude than those changes produced by DOX alone. Combination of both drugs resulted in aggravation of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity regardless the sequence and time interval between administration of either drug. Administration of PTX 30 min and 24 h after DOX treatment showed exaggeration of combination-induced cardiotoxicity compared with the reverse sequence. This exacerbation was manifested by much more pronounced changes in serum and cardiac tissue parameters measured. Histopathological examination of ventricles of rat's heart revealed that DOX treatment produced myo-cytolysis and myocardial necrosis. Administration of PTX following DOX treatment showed extensive myocardial necrosis compared with those rats treated with either DOX alone or the reverse sequence of administration. Moreover, rats treated with PTX 24 h after DOX treatment showed exaggeration of the combination-induced cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, PTX might synergistically aggravate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The effect might be much more pronounced with those rats treated with PTX 24 h after DOX treatment. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 18:78,86, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20012 [source] Effects of PTH and Alendronate on Type I Collagen Isomerization in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis: The PaTH Study,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2008Patrick Garnero Abstract Fracture efficacy of PTH and alendronate (ALN) is only partly explained by changes in BMD, and bone collagen properties have been suggested to play a role. We analyzed the effects of PTH(1,84) and ALN on urinary ,,/,, CTX ratio, a marker of type I collagen isomerization and maturation in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In the first year of the previously published PaTH study, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were assigned to PTH(1,84) (100 ,g/d; n = 119), ALN (10 mg/d; n = 60), or PTH and ALN together (n = 59). We analyzed patients on ALN alone (n = 60) and a similar number of patients assigned to PTH alone (n = 63). During the second year, women on PTH in the first year were reallocated to placebo (n = 31) or ALN (n = 32) and women with ALN continued on ALN. During the first year, there was no significant change in ,,/,, CTX ratio with PTH or ALN. At 24 mo, there was a marked increase of the ,,/,, CTX ratio in women who had received PTH during the first year, followed by a second year of placebo (median: +45.5, p < 0.001) or ALN (+55.2%, p < 0.001). Conversely, the ,,/,, CTX ratio only slightly increased (+16%, p < 0.05) after 2 yr of continued ALN. In conclusion, treatment with PTH(1,84) for 1 yr followed by 1 yr of placebo or ALN may be associated with decreased type I collagen isomerization. The influence of these biochemical changes of type I collagen on bone fracture resistance remains to be studied. [source] Hypoxia-induced apoptosis and tube breakdown are regulated by p38 MAPK but not by caspase cascade in an in vitro capillary model composed of human endothelial cellsJOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Toshiro Ohta In order to improve medical treatment of ischemic injury such as myocardial infarction, it is important to elucidate hypoxia-induced changes to endothelial cells. An in vitro blood vessel model, in which HUVECs are stimulated to form a network of capillary-like tubes, was used to analyze hypoxia-induced morphological and biochemical changes. When exposed to hypoxia, the network of capillary tubes broke down into small clusters. This tube breakdown was accompanied by chromatin condensation and cell nuclear fragmentation, morphological markers of apoptosis, and activation of two apoptotic signals, caspase-3 and p38. We investigated what roles caspase cascade and p38 play in hypoxia-induced apoptosis and tube breakdown by using zVAD-fmk and SB203580, specific inhibitors of these two apoptotic signals, respectively. Chromatin condensation and cell nuclear fragmentation and tube breakdown were effectively inhibited by SB203580, but not by zVAD-fmk. SB203580 caused dephosphorylation of p38, which indicates that p38 was autophosphorylated. Inhibition by zVAD-fmk caused slight MW increase in p17 and emergence of p19, which indicates that the inhibitor caused partial processing of caspase-3. Inhibition of p38 suppressed activation of caspase-3 but not vice versa. In addition, these two inhibitors were shown to differentially inhibit cleavage of so-called caspase substrates. SB203580 inhibited cleavage of PARP and lamin A/C, while zVAD-fmk inhibited cleavage of lamin A/C but not that of PARP. Taken together, these results show that p38 is located upstream of caspase cascade and that, although caspase-3 is activated, a p38-regulated caspase-independent pathway is crucial for the execution of hypoxia-induced apoptosis and tube breakdown. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 673,681, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A study of gross, histological and blood biochemical changes in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), with rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE)JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 4 2010J Del-Pozo Abstract The mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE) are still unknown. This study examined the macroscopic and microscopic changes in trout with RTGE (RTGE+), as well as the blood chemistry. A total of 464 rainbow trout were sampled from 11 sites in the UK, comprising 152 RTGE+ fish and 330 random, apparently healthy fish. A case definition for RTGE was assessed by the analysis of its agreement with three laboratory tests: histopathology, packed cell volume and kidney bacteriology. Cluster analysis indicated the presence of three distinct presentations within the population of RTGE+ fish. Cluster A included gross signs associated with moribund RTGE+ fish, and clusters B and C identified gross signs consistent with concurrent diseases, notably furunculosis, enteric redmouth and proliferative kidney disease. The information gained was used to select RTGE+ fish without concurrent disease for the analysis of RTGE pathogenesis with blood biochemistry. This analysis revealed a severe osmotic imbalance and a reduced albumin/globulin ratio as indicatives of selective loss of albumin. These findings are compatible with a protein losing enteropathy. [source] Ultrastructural and Changes in Pectin Composition of Sweet Cherry from the Application of Prefreezing TreatmentsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2005Jesus Alonso ABSTRACT: Thermal and calcium pretreatments applied to preserve the sweet cherry texture by the freezing/thawing process produced biochemical changes in the pectic substances and ultrastructural alterations to the cells and tissues, which were visible under scanning electron microscopy. Partial dehydration of the epidermic tissue caused by calcium (100 mM CaCl2) and thermal (50 °C/10 min) pretreatment attenuated the surface damage produced by freezing. However, pretreatment at 70 °C/2 min caused partial destruction of the epidermic tissue and plasmolysis of the parenchymatic cells. After freezing, the cell walls in the parenchymatic tissue of the fruits pretreated with 100 mM CaCl2 exhibited swelling as a result of gelling of the cell-wall pectic material. Thermal pretreatments increased the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-soluble pectin fraction and reduced the degree of pectin esterification. Thermal treatments at 70 °C, without immersion in calcium, reduced the water- and pectinase-soluble pectin fractions, whereas immersion in calcium prevented depolymerization of these fractions. Immersion in 100 mM CaCl2 increased the water-soluble pectin fraction. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||