The Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring complex in the treatment of experimental diabetes and its effect on blood rheology

Experiments have revealed that in treating rats for diabetes induced by alloxan, the Selaginella tamariscina complex injection given intraperitoneally (25g/kg) for 12 days helps lower the levels of blood sugar and serum lipid peroxide, as well as increase the concentration of serum insulin. Histologic observation has shown that this injection could repair the structure of pancreatic inlet B cells injured by alloxan.     

Proceedings: Advantages and disadvantages of the abstinence goal in alcoholism

A single s.c. injection (10 mg/100 g bw of alloxan) was given to nonarteriosclerotic, virgin, Sprague--Dawley rats and to breeder rats with preexisting arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. All of the animals promptly developed severe diabetes with ketosis, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. Insulin therapy was deliberately withheld. Mortality was high. Seven days later one group was subjected to hypophysectomy and 30 days later, all of the animals were autopsied. The diabetes + hypophysectomy animals maintained their body weight better, did not have hypertrophied adrenal glands, showed the least elevation of serum enzymes, e.g., CPK, SGOT, SGPT and LDH, less hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia and reduced corticosterone production than the animals with untreated severe diabetes. Despite the relative amelioration of metabolic derangements prognostic of cardiovascular degenerative changes, the diabetes + hypophysectomy animals manifested extensive renovascular damage and the breeder rats with pre-existing arteriosclerosis showed definite exacerbation of their arterial disease in response to the severe alloxan diabetes regardless of hypophysectomy. It is suggested that although hypophysectomy may alleviate certain metabolic derangements attributed to growth hormone, ACTH and adrenal steroids, the angiopathic damage proceeds inexorably.     

Pacemaker event counters: possible sources of error in calculation of AV synchrony in VDD single lead systems as an example for present limitations

1. The in vitro effects of alloxan, dialuric acid and vanadium ions, alone or in combination, on lipid peroxidation and on antioxidant enzyme activity in rat liver and kidney were studied. 2. Unlike alloxan, alloxan-glutathione (GSH) and dialuric acid increased lipid peroxidation, which could be explained by the decreased activity of catalase and GSH peroxidase during incubation. 3. Vanadium(IV) ions increased the amount of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances, but neither vanadium(IV) nor vanadium(V) changed the enzyme activity. 4. The combination of vanadium ions and alloxan-GSH or dialuric acid had no additive effect on lipid peroxidation. Vanadium ions decreased the dialuric acid-induced inhibition of catalase activity. 5. The present results suggest the therapeutic value of vanadium as an antidiabetic agent.     

Adrenal cortex function and development of vascular changes in rabbits with alloxan diabetes

The role of adrenal cortex hormones in the development of vascular changes was studied in 16 rabbits with alloxan diabetes. Formation of morphological changes in the aorta proved to be partially determined by functional condition of the adrenal cortex at the early periods of alloxan diabetes.     

Function of the "onset of illness" in the preference changes of alloxan-diabetic rats.

144 male Sprague-Dawley rats were given access to saccharin or NaCl solutions as a conditioned stimulus (CS) at 1 of several times before and after injection with alloxan as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and were compared with controls (given UCS but no CS exposure) on their preference for the CS 7 days after the diabetes was well established. Results indicate that Ss exposed to the UCS at 1 or 2 hrs prior to the CS or at 1, 2, or 6 hrs following the CS all formed a conditioned aversion, whereas those with 6, 24, or 48 hrs between UCS and CS showed no greater aversion to the CS than controls. It is suggested that while the onset of alloxan diabetes can serve as the UCS for a conditioned taste aversion, the behavior of alloxan-diabetic rats towards saccharin does not depend upon this process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of taurine on the carbohydrate metabolism of diabetic animals]

A study was made of a new antidiabetic preparation--taurin in various methods of its administration to rats and rabbits with alloxan and ditisone model of diabetes. A short-term restoration of carbohydrate metabolism was seen after intraperitoneal and intravenous injection in a dose of 200 mg/kg. Oral use of aqueous taurin solution in the same dose failed to produce the desirable result. Microcapsulated taurin with acetylcellulose in the capacity of a filler given per os in a dose of 300 mg/kg restored to the normal glycogen content in the liver and leukocytes, blood and urine sugar level, and the insulin-like activity of blood plasma. Taurin (in a concentration of 3 mg/ml) possessed an insulinogenic action in experiments on fragments of the pancreas isolated from diabetia animals.     

Lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant protection of the erythrocytes in diabetes mellitus patients

The study included 16 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 1 and 15 healthy controls. By the moment of examination the patients had achieved subcompensation. 10 patients developed diabetic vascular complications. The patients received biosynthetic insulins Humulin S, Humulin I, Humulin M3. Pretreatment glycemia in the patients surpassed that in the controls, MDA red cell levels per ml of hemolysate were higher by 121% and 130% per protein 1 mg. MDA measured equal both in angiopathy patients and those without it. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes in DM patients was similar to control indices. Human insulin administration reduced red cell MDA levels both in angiopathy and free of it patients, though in the former MDA remained higher than normal, while in the latter normal levels are obtained. The parameters of the antioxidant defense enzymes changed on the treatment week 12: catalase activity rose by 41%, that of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase lowered by 35 and 65%, respectively. Variations in these enzymes activity showed no dependence on vascular complications.     

Benign osteoblastic neoplasias of bone: clinical and anatomoradiological correlations between osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma (author''s transl)

Ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxylase; EC 4.1.1.17) (ODC) activity falls to approximately 30% of the control value in diabetic rat kidney 4 weeks after induction of diabetes with alloxan. The extent of this fall was related to the severity of diabetes based on parameters such as body weight, blood glucose and adipose tissue weight. The diabetic rat kidney did not attain the same high level of activity of ODC as did that of the control group 24 h after unilateral nephrectomy, however, the percentage stimulation in the two groups was essentially similar.     

The in vitro antioxidant activity of trilinolein and other lipid-related natural substances as measured by enhanced chemiluminescence

There is abundant evidence for the premise that oxygen-derived free radicals (OFR) mediate ischemia/reperfusion injury to the myocardium. OFR scavengers such as superoxide dismutase can effectively reduce damage through lipid peroxidation during ischemia/reperfusion. Enhanced chemiluminescence, which has been used to measure OFR, was used to measure the antioxidant activity of fatty acids (palmitic and linoleic acid) and triglycerides (triolein, tristearin) and natural plant antioxidants (magnolol, catechin, trilinolein). Trilinolein, which has recently been isolated from natural products, as well as the well-known water soluble analogue of vitamin E-Trolox, were used as control. During pretreatment with chemicals, at concentrations of 10(-9) to 10(-7) M, enhanced chemiluminescence of linoleic acid (C 18:2) showed a dose-responsive reduction of OFR with a maximal mean reduction of -31.9% when compared to baseline. A saturated fatty acid such as palmitic acid (C 16:0) showed only relatively weak antioxidant activity at concentrations of 10(-7) to 10(-6) M with a maximum reduction of OFR of- 15.2% only. control chemicals such as trilinolein and Trolox showed significant antioxidant activity. At concentrations between 10(-10) and 10(-6) M and trilinolein has the most potent antioxidant activity with a maximal mean reduction of OFR of -48.0%, whereas Trolox showed only -39.2%. As for the natural plant antioxidants, only catechin showed potent antioxidant activity (-40%). Polyunsaturated triglycerides such as triolein (oleic acid, C 18:1) also possess significant OFR scavenging effect (-31.9%) whilst saturated triglycerides such as tristearin (stearic acid, C 18:0) had only relatively weak antioxidant activity (-15.2%). Generally, the antioxidant activity of unsaturated compounds is stronger than saturated compounds; double-bond existence may partially explain this phenomenon.     

The percutaneous endoscopic treatment of staghorn nephrolithiasis

Hyperferremia is shown to affect antioxidant system of the body, oxidation-reduction reactions in the cells seen as shifts in lymphocyte chemiluminescence. Dynamic changes in lymphocyte chemiluminescence reflect the level of hyperferremia.     

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects in extracts of the medicinal herb Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC. ("marcela")

Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC. (Compositae) is a medicinal herb used in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay for its choleretic, antispasmodic and hepatoprotective properties. The presence of the flavonoid quercetin and its derivatives, and of different phenolic acids such as caffeic, chlorogenic and isochlorogenic acids in the aerial parts of this plant has led us to study the antioxidant activity of its extracts using different bioassays. The inhibition of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence by the aqueous and methanolic extracts was used to show that their total reactive antioxidant potential index (TRAP; in microM Trolox equivalents) was 91.0 +/- 15.4 and 128.1 +/- 20.1 microM, respectively, while the total antioxidant reactivity index (TAR) was calculated to be 1537 +/- 148 and 1910 +/- 171 microM. Only the methanolic extract was capable of reducing iron (II)-dependent DNA damage. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by two different methods. The aqueous extract reduced hydroperoxide-initiated chemiluminescence in rat liver homogenates at all concentrations in a dose-dependent manner, with a calculated IC50 = 225 micrograms/ml, while the methanolic extract was only effective at higher concentrations (100 and 1000 micrograms/ml). Both aqueous and methanolic extracts were capable of reducing the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in rat liver homogenates, with an IC50 > 1000 micrograms/ml. The results obtained suggest that the extracts of A. satureioides possess significant free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity in vitro, a fact that should encourage future in vivo studies.     

Vitamin D3 transport across the intestines and its metabolism in the liver of rats with alloxan diabetes

Vitamin D3 intestinal transport and liver metabolism were studied in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. The condition was induced by i.v. alloxan injection in a dose of 40 mg/kg b.m. Diabetes development was monitored by blood serum glucose measurements, carried out for 30 days. [3H]-cholecalciferol absorption in the rat intestine was found inhibited in the diabetic animals as against the reference animals, which fact results in disordered entry of vitamin D3 to the body. [3H]-cholecalciferol absorption by the liver is reduced in the examined condition, and the time of its metabolism is increased more than threefold as against the reference animals. The share of vitamin D3 hydroxylation by the liver of diabetic rats is also significantly reduced. The described disorders are responsible, among other things, for the reduction of the levels of vitamin D3 active metabolites in the blood serum of rats with experimental diabetes.     

Vascular responsiveness in alloxan-induced diabetes-susceptible (ALS) and resistant (ALR) mice

Changes in reactivity of vascular smooth muscles of male alloxan-induced diabetes-susceptible (ALS) and resistant (ALR) mice aorta were investigated at 2 weeks, 1, 2 and 4 month(s) after the injection of alloxan (45 mg/kg, i.v.). The glucose levels in blood and urine of all the alloxan-treated ALS mice were markedly elevated while those in alloxan-treated ALR and non-treated ALS and ALR mice were not altered. The magnitude of high K+ (65.4 mM)-induced contractions were not affected by the treatment of alloxan. Norepinephrine-induced contractions in vascular smooth muscles of ALS mice in a diabetic state for 2 or 4 months were significantly potentiated. The contractile sensitivity to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) was increased in the 4-month-diabetic state. Responsiveness to 5-HT did not vary in the diabetic mouse. Vasorelaxation induced by nitroprusside was attenuated in 2 weeks, 2 or 4 month-diabetic ALS mice. Similarly the inhibitory effects of levcromakalim were attenuated at 2 and 4 months. The influences of diabetes on the inhibitory effects of forskolin or verapamil were very small or not detected. The effects of the vasomodulators used in this study on the vascular smooth muscles of alloxan-treated ALR mice did not differ from those of untreated ALR mice. The results from using ALS and ALR mice suggest that the vasoreactivities to some vasomodulators are changed especially in the long-term diabetic state and that when diabetes was not induced the dose of alloxan does not have any effect on vascular smooth muscle.     

Electrolyte dynamics in different types of anesthesia in patients over 60 years of age]

Alloxan diabetes of various degree of severity was accompanied in rabbits by an increase in cholesterol and triglyceride level and, also by a progressive increase in the concentration of prebeta-lipoproteids in the blood serum. Feeding rabbits with alloxan diabetes with cholesterol for one month led to earlier and more pronouned atherogenic shifts in the organism than in control animals with the intact beta-cells of the pancreas.     

Effect of varying alloxan concentration on serum levels of glucose, calcium and alkaline phosphatase in the rat

Two groups of rats were injected intravenously 20 and 40 mg alloxan/kg of body weight respectively. It was shown that different doses of alloxan induced the increase of glucose concentration, activity of alkaline phosphatase and decrease of calcium level in the rat serum. The above changes more expressed in the groups of rats that received the higher dose of alloxan.     

Then an angel came

The metabolic affects of anapriline, captopril, and clophelin were studied in the blood and liver homogenates ex vivo and in vitro in experiments on intact rats and rats with alloxan diabetes. Anapriline lowered the blood lactate content in rats with diabetes and intact rats, reduced the level of glycemia in animals with marked hyperglycemia. Captopril increased the blood insulin and lactate content in rats with diabetes and the content of pyruvate in vivo. The results of the study show that the use of clophelin and anaprilin in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus is most rational.     

Effect of the mucoactive drug nacystelyn on the respiratory burst of human blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils

In lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis, the activation of phagocytic cells produces high amounts of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are partly implicated in the pathogenic process. In this study, the ex vivo antioxidant activity of nacystelyn (NAL), a recently developed mucoactive thiol-containing agent, was investigated using the respiratory burst of human blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). The ROS generation was induced by serum-opsonized zymosan and assessed with luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL). The activity of NAL was compared with N-acetylcysteine (ACC) and captopril, other thiol-containing pharmacological agents having documented antioxidant properties. The three drugs significantly inhibited the ECL response of activated PMNs in the presence of luminol, a luminogenic agent which mostly reflects the production of hydroxyl and hypohalite radicals. NAL was more efficient than the other two drugs: the concentrations producing a 50% inhibition (IC50) of total luminol-ECL were 290 microM, 1580 microM and 760 microM for NAL, ACC and captopril, respectively. The inhibition of the lucigenin-ECL response of activated PMNs was less marked for all compounds suggesting a poorer reactivity with superoxide radicals. These findings demonstrate that NAL, at concentrations obtainable in vivo by inhalation, impairs the PMNs chemiluminescence response related to hydroxyl and hypohalite radicals production. As those radicals are highly cytotoxic, NAL appears as a promising agent in the prevention of oxidative lung damage caused by an active inflammatory response.     

Ultrafiltration controller failing: a case report

Experiments were conducted on an alloxan diabetes model to study the preventive effects of the phenol antioxidants ionol and probucol. Ionol showed a tendency towards inhibition of glycemia and free radical oxidation of lipids. Probucol effectively inhibited the development of glycemia, hyperlipidemia, and intensification of autooxidation in the vascular wall. On the grounds of the results it is concluded that inclusion of probucol into complex treatment of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus with vascular complications is expedient.     

Saccharin aversion in alloxan-diabetic rats.

Performed 4 experiments with male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 103) in which the saccharin ingestion of alloxan-diabetic, alloxan-nondiabetic, and controls was measured in a 2-choice preference situation. Results indicate that under a wide variety of procedures alloxan-diabetic Ss reject saccharin, but alloxan-nondiabetic Ss do so only when they are exposed to saccharin immediately following the administration of alloxan. It is concluded that injection of alloxan can serve as the UCS for taste-aversion learning under a restricted set of conditions but that hyperglycemia induces a saccharin aversion independently of this associational mechanism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Functional activity of blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes as an oxidative stress biomarker in human subjects

In the present work, we studied the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in aged individuals and coronary heart disease (CHD)-bearing patients, two physiopathological processes associated with overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The effects of antioxidant supplementation on the functional activity of PMN from CHD patients were also determined. The function of PMNs was evaluated by measuring of phagocytosis, killing activity, and ROS production. Luminol amplified chemiluminescence (CL) was used to estimate ROS production by stimulated PMNs. Total cholesterol and the LDL-cholesterol fraction from CHD patients were found to be higher than those recommended, returning to normal levels after antioxidant therapy. PMN CL of CHD patients was found to be higher than the associated control groups. Antioxidant therapy administrated to CHD patients lead to an increase in the killing activity accompanied by a decrease in PMN CL of these subjects. The study also showed that killing activity of PMN from human subjects over 60 years was significantly lower than the activity measured in younger subjects. PMN CL produced after stimulation was found to be positively correlated with the increasing age of human subjects (r=.946, p < .01).