Effect of taurine on toxicity of vitamin A in rats

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of taurine on the toxicity of vitamin A in male wistar rats. The rats were divided into six groups and fed different diets with or without supplements of 5% taurine and 25,000–50,000 (IU) vitamin A for 2 months. It was found that the body weight of rats, the ratios of liver and kidney weight to body weight, and the level of glutathione in the liver were decreased with increasing the dose of vitamin A. The levels of vitamin A in the liver and kidney, the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the plasma and liver, the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in the plasma, and the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in the plasma of rats were increased with the increasing dose of vitamin A. Hence, symptoms of vitamin A toxicity in rats included loss of body weight, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. However, these toxic effects of vitamin A were significantly reduced when the rats were fed the diet with the supplement of taurine. Furthermore, the level of vitamin A in the serum of rats treated with taurine and vitamin A was higher than that of rats treated with vitamin A alone. This indicated that taurine might play a role in reducing the toxic effect of vitamin A in rats.     

牛磺酸对大鼠的减重降脂作用

目的:探讨牛磺酸饮水对高脂血症大鼠减重降脂的作用。方法:根据血清总胆固醇(TC)和体重将SD大鼠随机分为对照组、高脂模型组和牛磺酸(低、高)剂量组。对照组摄食普通饲料,其余三组摄食高脂饲料,牛磺酸组饮用牛磺酸水溶液。饲养12周后处死动物,检测血清TC、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、甘油三酯(TG)水平,血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力;粪便中总胆汁酸(TBA)含量;肝脏TC、TG、游离脂肪酸(FFA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、肝糖原的含量和GSH-PX酶活力。结果:高剂量牛磺酸显著降低高脂饮食大鼠的体重,两个剂量牛磺酸都可以显著降低大鼠附睾脂肪垫指数;高剂量牛磺酸显著降低大鼠血清TC、LDL-C、肝脏FFA和肝糖原水平,两个剂量牛磺酸对肝脏TC和TG均无显著影响,但都可显著增加粪便TBA含量;两个剂量牛磺酸都可以显著升高大鼠血清GSH-PX和肝脏GSH-PX、还原型GSH。结论:牛磺酸主要通过促进胆固醇转化为胆汁酸,并随粪便排出、加强脂质代谢减少肝脏FFA堆积、提高机体抗氧化能力等途径发挥减重降脂功效,但其减重降脂机制还需深入研究。     

川陈皮素对高脂膳食诱导大鼠的降脂减肥及预防脂肪肝形成作用

目的：研究川陈皮素对高脂膳食诱导的大鼠体质量、血脂和肝脏的影响。方法：将56 只雄性SD大鼠随 机分为7 组,即正常组、高脂对照组、阳性对照组（奥利司他和力平之）和川陈皮素低、中、高剂量组（高脂 饲料＋0.02%、0.04%、0.08%川陈皮素）,对正常组饲喂普通饲料,其余各组分别饲喂相应的高脂饲料,连续喂养 6 周后,考察不同时期大鼠血清血脂水平变化,检测大鼠体质量、体内脂肪质量、脏器变化及肝脏组织形态变化。 结果：川陈皮素可以有效抑制高脂膳食大鼠的体质量增长,降低Lee’s指数、食物利用率和脂肪系数;降低血清中 总胆固醇（total cholesterol,TC）、甘油三酯（triglyceride,TG）和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（low density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C）水平,其中降低TG作用显效较快,降低血清TC和LDL-C作用需要较长时间;同时可降低肝脏 指数、血清中谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶水平,改善肝脏脂肪变性情况。结论：川陈皮素具有预防肥胖、辅助降血脂 及预防肝脏脂肪变性的作用。     

半胱胺对大鼠生长及安全性的影响

为了研究半胱胺对动物生长和安全性的长期影响，分别对大鼠以0，20，35，50mg／kg注射半胱胺，以及以0，15，30，60mg／kg饲喂添加半胱胺．试验发现：每天注射20mg／kg半胱胺（以体重计）1周能明显提高大鼠的增重（P〈0．05），而其他组与对照组差异不显著（P〉0．05），而1周后的增重与对照组差异不显著；注射半胱胺11天，大鼠血液生长激素水平没有提高．在饲料中添加30mg／kg半胱胺，第1周显著提高大鼠增重（P〈0．05），而其他组与对照组差异不显著（P〉0．05）；1周后添加半胱胺的各组大鼠增重均没有提高；各组大鼠的肝脏、脾脏和肾脏指数差异不显著；血液中谷丙转氨酶有所降低，而谷草转氨酶和碱性磷酸酶没有影响．实验结果表明：腹腔注射和饲料添加半胱胺对大鼠的促生长作用均是短期的，即在1周之内有促进生长作用，长期添加或注射半胱胺不能显著提高大鼠增重．在本试验的时间和剂量范围内，半胱胺对大鼠的器官形态和功能没有表现出异常影响．     

In vivo toxicity assessment of aflatoxin B1-contaminated corn after ozone degradation

Corn is an important food and feedstuff in China and worldwide. The problems caused by aflatoxin B₁-contaminated corn (ACC) are of great concern. Our previous studies have demonstrated that ozone can effectively degrade AFB₁ in corn, prompting us to investigate the in vivo toxicity of treated ACC. In this study, 35 Kunming mice were used to assess the in vivo toxicity of ozone treated ACC. Results indicated that compared to mice fed with basal feedstuff (provided by the Shanghai SLAC Laboratory), those fed with ACC have significantly decreased mean weight as well as total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and globulin (GLB) contents (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the liver and kidney/body weight ratio as well as the serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels significantly increased (p < 0.05). Obvious histopathological changes were found in the liver and kidney. When mice were fed with the ozone-treated ACC, no significant differences were observed in the mean weight, the liver and kidney/body weight ratio and in the major serum indexes ALT, TP, ALB, and GLB (p > 0.05). However, AST and ALP significantly increased (p < 0.05), and slight histopathological changes were found in liver tissues. This study indicated that ACC may lead to significant changes in various physiological characteristics and biochemical indexes in liver and kidney tissues, but ozone treatment of ACC could significantly reduce these changes.     

Safety evaluations on ethanolic extract of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) in mice

The present study has carried out safety evaluations on an ethanolic extract of red cabbage (RC) leaves in terms of acute and subchronic oral toxicity tests as per Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines in Swiss albino mice. Single-dose administration of RC extract (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, or 5000 mg/kg body weight) to Swiss albino mice did not manifest toxicity or any significant adverse behavioral alterations. Chronic administration of RC extract (1000, 2000, and 3000 mg/kg body weight) for 28 d also did not register any significant alterations in fluid intake, organ weights, plasma lipid profile, plasma creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatinine, electrolytes, and calcium levels, and the total blood count showed a nonsignificant change. However, significant reduction in body-weight gain, food intake, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin content along with higher alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and urea levels was observed in mice treated with 3000 mg/kg body weight for 28 d. Since there was no mortality up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight, 50% lethal dose (LD(50)) could not be determined, and hence, it can be assumed that, LD(50) of RC extract is >5000 mg/kg. No observable adverse effect level dose of the RC extract was found to be 2000 mg/kg body weight. Hence, consumption of RC extract for various medicinal purposes is safe. Practical Application: RC is a popularly consumed foodstuff that has been ubiquitously reported to exert medicinal properties. It is mandatory to understand the highest permissible consumption limit of any food supplement to avoid toxicity. This study establishes the safe dose of RC. These results can be of relevance for the scientific fraternity as well as laymen who consume this vegetable or its phytochemical preparation.     

Plasma total,lipoprotein cholesterol,organs cholesterol and growth performance in rats fed dietary gum arabic

Thirty two male Wistar rats with initial body weight ranging from 45 to 55 g were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. Rats were fed with ad libitum access diets containing 7.5% as cellulose or gum arabic with or without 1% added cholesterol for five weeks. Final body weight, body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio were comparable in all groups. Within cholesterol-fed groups, the cholesterol concentration of plasma was significantly lower in rats fed diet supplemented with gum arabic compared with those fed cellulose. Among cholesterol-fed groups, liver cholesterol was significantly higher in the group fed diet supplemented with gum arabic compared with those fed cellulose. In rats fed cholesterol-free diets, the cholesterol levels of plasma, LDL, HDL and liver were comparable.     

妊娠期大鼠补充苏氨酸锌对仔鼠金属硫蛋白基因MT1表达的影响

为了探讨母体补充苏氨酸锌对子代生长性能、金属硫蛋白（metallothionein,MT1）mRNA表达的影响,实验以苏氨酸锌为受试物,将90 只受孕SD大鼠随机分成5 组,并于妊娠期第6～15天进行灌胃补充不同剂量苏氨酸锌。母鼠分娩后将仔鼠进行常规饲养至1 月龄,测量仔鼠的体质量、身长和尾长,将各组仔鼠断颈处死后取肝脏、肾脏、脾脏和胸骨等组织进行RNA的提取并测定MT1基因相对表达量。结果表明：与空白对照组相比,苏氨酸锌各剂量组仔鼠体质量有显著增加（P＜0.05）。与溶媒对照组和空白对照组相比较,苏氨酸锌各剂量组仔鼠的MT1 mRNA表达量高,且差异显著（P＜0.05）,并且1 000 mg/kg苏氨酸锌处理组各组织中MT1的基因表达量要高于其他组。本结果表明：妊娠期补充苏氨酸锌能显著提高仔鼠MT1 mRNA表达水平,并能在一定程度上增加仔鼠体质量。     

Effects of high dietary lead on the metabolism of intravenously dosed selenium-75 in dairy calves

The metabolism of intravenously dosed 75Se was studied in 10 Holstein bull calves fed for ad libitum access a control diet containing no added Pb or a control diet supplemented with 1000 ppm Pb as PbSO4 for 4 wk. The Pb-supplemented calves exhibited no clinical signs often ascribed to lead toxicity. Likewise, feed intake and body weight gains were not affected adversely. The lead content of rib, kidney, liver, and brain was increased. Serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase activity increased in the calves fed Pb during the last 2 wk of the experiment. The kidneys of the calves supplemented with lead were 34% larger than those of controls. The total endogenous 75Se in the feces over the 4-d collection period was not different between treatments (4.14% of dose versus 3.31% of dose). Likewise, urinary 75Se excretion values were similar. About 97% of the 75Se dose disappeared from the blood within 6 h after dosing four calves on both treatments. Tissue concentrations of 75Se were reduced in kidney, spleen, pancreas, brain, and spinal cord. In summary, ingested Pb had very little effect on the endogenous excretion of 75Se in urine and feces; therefore, the data are consistent with earlier research in which the main effect of Pb on Se occurs at the absorption site.     

Effects of copper sulfate supplement on growth, tissue concentration, and ruminal solubilities of molybdenum and copper in sheep fed low and high molybdenum diets

Each of four groups of six wethers were fed one of a low molybdenum, high molybdenum, low molybdenum plus copper sulfate, or high molybdenum plus copper sulfate corn silage-based diet for ad libitum intake for 221 days. Average daily gains and ratios of feed/gain were depressed for the high molybdenum diet as compared with the low molybdenum diet suggesting molybdenum toxicity in sheep fed the high molybdenum diet. This was alleviated partly by the copper sulfate supplement. The supplement also decreased solubility of both copper and molybdenum in the rumen but had no effect on copper concentration in blood plasma. Concentration of molybdenum was higher in both liver and kidney in sheep fed high-molybdenum diets as compared with low-molybdenum diets. Copper concentration was higher in kidneys of sheep fed high-molybdenum diets, but no difference was significant in liver copper between sheep fed diets high or low in molybdenum.     

Oral Toxicity of Cold Plasma‐Treated Edible Films for Food Coating

No prior research has investigated whether the cold plasma treatment (CPT) resulted in the formation of toxic compounds. Therefore, this study carried out the experiment to check the safety of edible films treated with cold plasma by examining their acute and subacute oral toxicity in a rat model. Single‐dose acute (5000 mg/kg body weight) and 14‐d subacute (1000 mg/kg body weight/day) oral toxicity of cold plasma‐treated edible films was assessed for male and female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. Rats administered 5000 mg/kg of edible film did not show the signs of acute toxicity or death after 14 d of observation. Similarly, no signs of acute toxicity or death were recorded during 14 d in rats administered 1000 mg/kg/day of edible film treated with cold plasma. Although changes in the levels of several blood components (hematocrit, hemoglobin, bilirubin, creatinine, and aspartate aminotransferase) of samples were observed, the changes compared to the control were considered to be toxicologically irrelevant as their levels were within normal physiological ranges. Macroscopic analysis showed there were no changes in color or texture of representative liver sections of SD rats following the oral administration of edible films with CPT (F‐CP) or without CPT (F‐NT). The results demonstrate that the cold plasma‐treated edible film possessed very low toxicity, suggesting that CPT does not generate harmful by‐products in the edible film.     

硫酸寡糖锌促进小鼠生长发育及抗氧化作用

为改善缺锌导致的生长发育缓慢,以麒麟菜为原料提取多糖,制备硫酸寡糖锌配合物,与硫酸锌、葡萄糖酸锌促进生长发育和抗氧化作用进行比较。硫酸锌、葡萄糖酸锌组小鼠的每天喂食剂量均为6.96 mg Zn/kg bw,低、中、高剂量硫酸寡糖锌组小鼠的喂食剂量分别为1.74,3.48,6.96 mg Zn/kg bw。结果表明,硫酸寡糖锌能够促进小鼠摄食量,增加体重,提高血清和肝脏中的锌含量及AKP活力,增加肝、肾、脑和睾丸质量,全面促进生长发育;降低体内MDA含量,提高SOD和T-AOC活力,表现出很好的抗氧化性。中剂量硫酸寡糖锌即可达到与葡萄糖酸锌相当的水平,高剂量硫酸寡糖锌促进缺锌小鼠生长发育及抗氧化的效果显著优于同剂量硫酸锌和葡萄糖酸锌(P<0.05)。     

The toxicity of the daily intake of nitrite and dimethylamine

It is known that sodium nitrite and dimethylamine are toxic compounds, which may react to form dimethyl-nitrosamine in the gastro-intestinal tract, a much more toxic compound and a powerful cancerogen. The aim of the present work is the investigation of toxicity in young rats, caused by daily intake of sodium nitrite, administered together with dimethylamine during 30 days. The indicators examined were: histopathological analysis of the liver and kidney, transaminase in blood serum, variations in body weight and relation of weight liver/body weight. The method of analysis used to determine transaminase was that reported by REINTMAN and FRANKEL in 1957. The statistical method employed was the test of multiple comparisons based on the total ranges of CRUSKAL-WALLIS. The results show that either significant differences were found (α = 0,05) among the groups (including the control), nor was necrosis observed or forming of tumors in the organs under investigation. Therefore, the dosis administered does not seem to be toxic under the conditions of the experiment. Some signs of toxicity found in the group which was more severely treated (10 mg of sodium nitrite and 20 mg of dimethylamine) appeared only in a few animals and it is necessary to verify the same in experiments with more animals and over a longer period of treatment.     

Biochemical and toxicological studies on the effect of high and low erucic acid rapeseed oil on rats

Rats were fed on diets containing rapeseed oil, either containing low or high erucic acid content as well as the hydrogenated ones for 6 weeks. Body weight gain, biochemical and pathological parameters were investigated. The data showed high body weight gain for rats fed diets containing low erucic rape oil (LERo) compared with those fed either the high erucic rape oil (HERo), the hydrogenated or the partially hydrogenated oil diets. All rats showed non significant changes for total lipids, total cholesterol, GPT and GOT, except the partially hydrogenated rape oil diet which showed significant decrease for total cholesterol. Alkaline phosphatase however showed a significant decrease, while plasma phospholipids showed significant increase in rats fed on the hydrogenated oil diet. Triglycerides indicated non significant increase except in the group that received low erucic rape oil diet. Histopathological study showed changes in all tissues examined (liver and kidney).     

铁皮石斛对大鼠血液生化指标影响的研究

目的探讨铁皮石斛对大鼠血液生化指标的影响。方法采用拌饲法连续喂养大鼠90 d后,观察试验动物一般生长情况,测试谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶、胆固醇、甘油三酯等血生化指标。结果各剂量组大鼠体重、增重、进食量及食物利用率均正常。大鼠谷丙转氨酶出现降低,雄性大鼠受试组与对照组比较有统计学差异(P0.01)。中、高剂量组雄性大鼠胆固醇降低,与对照组比较,在统计学上有显著性差异(P0.01);与对照组比较,低、中剂量组雌性大鼠胆固醇出现降低,在统计学上有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论铁皮石斛具有降低受试动物大鼠谷丙转氨酶和胆固醇的作用。     

辣木提取物降脂作用的研究

目的探讨辣木提取物预防性降脂的作用。方法选用SD雄性大鼠为研究对象,通过喂养高脂膳食建立预防性肥胖高血脂模型,用辣木提取物进行辅助降脂试验,依据保健食品功能学评价规程进行。大鼠随机分为正常对照组、高脂模型对照组、辣木提取物高剂量组、中剂量组、低剂量组,实验后检测各组大鼠体重、血液生化指标(总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白、高密度脂蛋白)、脂肪重量和脂/体比、Lee′s指数。结果大鼠灌胃辣木提取物40 d后,各实验组血脂水平明显低于高脂模型对照组,其中高剂量组的血清总胆固醇、甘油三脂与高脂模型对照组相比分别有显著性差异(P0.05)和极显著性差异(P0.01)。辣木提取物各剂量组大鼠的肾周脂肪重量和附睾脂肪重量、脂/体比、Lee′s指数极显著低于高脂模型对照组(P0.01)。结论辣木提取物具有良好的辅助降血脂作用。     

茶多酚急性毒性试验研究

目的对茶多酚的急性毒性进行研究,为其在保健食品中的应用提供理论依据。方法将大鼠分为6个组,大鼠灌胃剂量分别为1.00、2.15、4.64、10.0、21.5 g/kg和空白对照组。按大鼠体重20 m L/kg给予各浓度的受试液灌胃,每天灌胃2次,连续灌胃14 d。结果高剂量茶多酚灌胃大鼠后相继出现死亡,低剂量组(1.00 g/kg、2.15 g/kg)大鼠于14 d后解剖观察,未发现明显异常;与空白对照组比较,大鼠脏器重和脏体比,无显著差异(P0.05)。各剂量组大鼠体重与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论茶多酚属低毒级,在以后的生产应用中应该注意其用量。     

地椒的毒理学安全性评价

为评价地椒的食用安全风险,本文研究了地椒提取物的急性毒性、遗传毒性和亚急性毒性,采用国家保健食品检验和技术评价规范标准中的急性毒性试验、Ames试验、小鼠骨髓细胞微核试验、小鼠精子畸形试验和经口给药30 d喂养试验。发现了分别给予昆明种小鼠、SD大鼠最大耐受剂量60 g/kg、30 g/kg BW未见中毒及死亡。TA97a、TA98、TA100、TA102和TA1535试验菌株在5000μg/皿、1581μg/皿、500μg/皿、158.1μg/皿、50μg/皿5个剂量回变突变菌落数均低于阴性对照组的2倍。各剂量组精子畸形率和阴性对照组比较,无显著性差异(p0.05);除低剂量组外,高、中剂量组微核发生率均发生显著性变化(p0.01)。中剂量组对雄性大鼠体重呈现抑制作用,而对雌性大鼠体重呈现增长作用,同时能提高动物食物利用率;血液中RBC和HGB显著升高,HCT、MCV、MCHC、RDW-CV有所升高;血生化检查指标与对照组对比,能显著降低雌鼠AST,增加雌性动物的CHO、TG水平,对雌雄动物UREA、GLU水平明显降低。除肝、肾外,其他器官未见明显组织病理学改变。表明,急性毒性试验、Ames试验无明显影响;对小鼠精子无致畸作用。受试剂量范围内,地椒对骨髓细胞微核产生有一定毒性;地椒具有潜在的降血糖活性;地椒对雄性动物性激素系统、造血系统、肌肉功能,具有潜在激活作用;高剂量地椒对大鼠肝肾有一定毒性。结果证明地椒在一定剂量范围内安全可靠,本试验为地椒安全食用提供了毒理学的安全性评价依据。     

Effect of cholestin on toxicity of vitamin A in rats

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of cholestin on the toxicity of vitamin A in male wistar rats. The rats were divided into six groups and fed different diets with or without supplement of 1% cholestin and 25,000-50,000 (IU) vitamin A for 2 months. Hence, the symptoms of vitamin A toxicity in rats included loss of body weight, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. However, these toxic effects of vitamin A were significantly reduced when the rats fed a diet supplemented with cholestin. Furthermore, the level of vitamin A in the serum of rats treated with cholestin and vitamin A was higher than that of the rats treated with vitamin A alone. It indicated that cholestin might play a role in reducing the toxic effect of vitamin A in rats.     

Xylitol Improves Pancreatic Islets Morphology to Ameliorate Type 2 Diabetes in Rats: A Dose Response Study

Xylitol has been reported as a potential antidiabetic sweetener in a number of recent studies; however, the most effective dietary dose and organ‐specific effects are still unclear. Six‐week‐old male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control (NC), diabetic control (DBC), diabetic xylitol 2.5% (DXL2.5), diabetic xylitol 5.0% (DXL5), and diabetic xylitol 10.0% (DXL10). Diabetes was induced only in the animals in DBC and DXL groups and considered diabetic when their nonfasting blood glucose level was >300 mg/dL. The DXL groups were fed with 2.5%, 5.0%, and 10% xylitol solution, whereas the NC and DBC groups were supplied with normal drinking water. After 4‐wk intervention, body weight, food and fluid intake, blood glucose, serum fructosamine, liver glycogen, serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, uric acid, creatinine, and most serum lipids were significantly decreased, and serum insulin concentration, glucose tolerance ability, and pancreatic islets morphology were significantly improved in the DXL10 group compared to the DBC group. The data of this study suggest that 10% xylitol has the better antidiabetic effects compared to 2.5% and 5.0% and it can be used as an excellent antidiabetic sweetener and food supplement in antidiabetic foods.