Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.6.1.1 (aspartate aminotransferase)
 21,665 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The suppressive effects of crocetin (a natural carotenoid) on the hepatotoxic lesions induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into five groups: groups I and II served as normal and solvent control respectively. Group III was given AFB1 (25 micrograms/day/rat) alone; group IV was given crocetin (0.1 mg/day/rat) alone; and group V received both AFB1 and crocetin. Rats received AFB1 and crocetin for 9 and 10 weeks respectively, and were maintained on basal diet for 35 weeks. At the end of the experiment (week 45), the incidence of liver lesions in rats of group V was significantly reduced by approximately 40% compared with group III. There were no liver lesions in rats of groups I, II and IV. A significant protective effect of crocetin on AFB1 hepatotoxicity was shown, as manifested by reduced effects on the activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (P less than 0.01-0.001). From our previous results and present data, we suggest that the suppression of crocetin on AFB1 hepatotoxicity in the rats might be due to the defense mechanisms of hepatic tissues that elevated the GSH S-transferase activity and decreased the formation of hepatic AFB1-DNA adducts.
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PMID:Suppression of aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxic lesions by crocetin (a natural carotenoid). 193 61

Prepubertal male rats underwent bile-duct ligation or a sham operation. Sham-operated animals were divided into two groups: isocalorically-fed (matched to the bile-duct-ligated animals) and ad-libitum-fed animals. At 60 days of age (after puberty in a male rat) all animals were killed. Bile-duct-ligated animals had larger livers, greater bilirubin, greater bile acid, greater aspartate transaminase, and greater alkaline phosphatase levels and lower testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels in their serum than did the controls. Moreover, the testes and seminal vesicles were smaller in the bile-duct-ligated animals than in the controls. These data suggest that chronic cholestasis contributes, at least in part, to the pubertal and maturational failure that occurs with the chronic cholestatic diseases of childhood.
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PMID:Consequences of complete bile-duct ligation on the pubertal process in the male rat. 403 78

The authors report a study in which they evaluate the efficacy of some laboratory parameters for monitoring intrasplenic hepatocyte xenotransplantation (mouse to rat) as an alternative to 99Tc-HIDA dynamic scan and histologic exam. Swiss mouse and wistar rat hepatocytes were obtained with collagenase digestion. Wistar male rats were used as recipient and were allocated into three groups: A) omotransplanted rats; B) xenotransplanted rats; C) xenotransplanted and immunosuppressed (Cyclosporin A: 20 mg/kg/daily orally) rats. All rats underwent > 70% hepatectomy. Blood samples were obtained daily from a femoral vein and AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, albumin and urea were measured. No statistical differences were observed among groups and the laboratory parameters tested can't be considered a valid technique to xenotransplant rejection monitoring.
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PMID:[Monitoring of hepatocyte xenotransplantation. Usefulness of various laboratory parameters]. 761 63

Prolactin is an important regulator of prostate citrate production. In rats this regulatory effect of prolactin is specific for lateral prostate, and has no effect on either ventral or dorsal prostate. The mechanisms by which prolactin regulates prostate citrate production have not been elucidated. Two key regulatory enzymes involved in citrate synthesis by prostate epithelial cells are mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (mAAT) which provides oxalacetate, and PDH E1 alpha (pyruvate dehydrogenase) which provides acetyl CoA for citrate synthesis. Our previous studies demonstrated that prolactin regulates mAAT. However, an increase in citrate synthesis would require an increase in both oxalacetate and acetyl CoA. Therefore, we investigated the possibility that prolactin might also regulate PDH E1 alpha in LP epithelial cells. The present studies demonstrate that prolactin administration (1 mg/rat) to rats resulted in an increased level of E1 alpha in LP epithelial cells within 6 hr, but had no effect on the E1 alpha level of VP epithelial cells. In vitro studies demonstrated that exposure of freshly prepared LP epithelial cells to prolactin (0.1-1.0 microgram/ml) resulted in increased levels of E1 alpha. Prolactin had no effect on either VP or DP epithelial cells. The stimulatory effect of prolactin on E1 alpha was inhibited by actinomycin and cycloheximide, thereby indicating that prolactin stimulated the biosynthesis of E1 alpha. The studies reveal that prolactin specifically stimulates E1 alpha levels of LP epithelial cells, whereas testosterone specifically stimulates E1 alpha levels of VP epithelial cells. At this time, we propose that the effects of prolactin and testosterone involve increased expression of the E1 alpha gene of LP and VP epithelial cells, respectively.
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PMID:Prolactin specifically increases pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha in rat lateral prostate epithelial cells. 771 83

We have examined the effects of administration of the blood substitute, liposome-encapsulated haemoglobin (LEH), in the normovolaemic rat. Test groups included LEH, lyophilized EH, the liposome vehicle, unencapsulated haemoglobin and normal saline, which were injected into the tail vein (n = 6; n = 3 for sham and saline groups). Administration of LEH (2.5 g phospholipid, 1.25 g haemoglobin/kg rat) was followed by blood sampling at 2 h, 24 h, 1 wk and 2 wk. Blood samples were analysed for alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, total and indirect bilirubin, serum creatinine, albumin, total protein, lipase, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, haematocrit, haemoglobin and differential white blood cell counts. Observed effects following injection were mild and transient, with baseline values recovered at 1 wk. Alanine aminotransferase increased moderately in the LEH group at 24 h to 601 +/- 143 IU/dl (P < 0.0001), with a return to baseline at 1 wk. Aspartate aminotransferase showed a smaller increase from 46 +/- 5 to 162 +/- 40 at 24 h and also returned to baseline at the 1 wk measurement (P < 0.001). The transient increase in serum transaminases was not observed for the lyophilized LEH group. Tissue sections showed accumulation of liposome groups in resident macrophages of the liver and spleen. Incubation of an adherent population of human peripheral blood monocytes with LEH in culture did not elicit the production of the inflammatory cytokine, tumour necrosis factor. Pre-incubation of monocytes with LEH prior to exposure to endotoxin did, however, result in a reduced expression of this inflammatory cytokine.
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PMID:Transient changes in the mononuclear phagocyte system following administration of the blood substitute liposome-encapsulated haemoglobin. 798 44

Jigrine, a polypharmaceutical herbal formulation containing 14 medicinal plants is used in the Unani system of medicine for the treatment of liver ailments. The antiinflammatory activity of Jigrine (0.5 ml and 1.0 ml/kg, po), was evaluated against acute inflammation caused by carrageenin (injecting 0.1 ml of 1% carrageenin in 0.9% NaCl solution into plantar surface of the hind paw of the rat) and the effect of Jigrine (1 ml/kg/day, po for 7 days) was also studied on the sub-acute inflammation induced by cotton pellet granuloma. The paw volume, biochemical parameters like tissue AST, ALT, gamma-GTP and lipid peroxides and dry wt. of granuloma were measured to assess the anti-inflammatory activity. It showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by lowering the elevated levels of paw volume and biochemical parameters. But it could not reduce the sub-acute inflammation caused by cotton pellet granuloma. The study suggests that Jigrine has significant effect only on acute phase of inflammation caused by carrageenin. Antioxidant and membrane stabilizing action of Jigrine might be responsible for its anti-inflammatory effect.
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PMID:Investigations of anti-inflammatory activity of Jigrine. 914 57

Cisplatin [cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II)] is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug that is toxic to the kidney. Concurrent administration of cysteine together with vitamin E, Crocus sativus and Nigella sativa reduced the toxicity of cisplatin in rats. When administered i.p. for 5 alternate days with 3 mg/kg cisplatin, cysteine (20 mg/kg) together with vitamin E (2 mg/rat) an extract of Crocus sativus stigmas (50 mg/kg) and Nigella sativa seed (50 mg/kg) significantly reduced blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels as well as cisplatin-induced serum total lipids increases. In contrast, the protective agents given together with cisplatin led to an even greater decrease in blood glucose than that seen with cisplatin alone. The serum activities of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase of cisplatin-treated rats were significantly decreased, whereas the activities of glutathione reductase and isocitrate dehydrogenase were significantly increased. Addition of cysteine and vitamin E, Crocus sativus and Nigella sativa in combination with cisplatin partially prevented many changes in the activities of serum enzymes. In cisplatin-treated rats, the liver activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly increased, whereas much greater changes were found in the kidneys, with increased activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and decreased activities of alkaline phosphatase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, as well as a decreased phosphorylation to oxidation ratio in the mitochondria, indicating reduced adenosine triphosphate production. Also, administration of cysteine and vitamin E, Crocus sativus and Nigella sativa together with cisplatin partially reversed many of the kidney enzymes changes induced by cisplatin. Cysteine together with vitamin E, Crocus sativus and Nigella sativa tended to protect from cisplatin-induced falls in leucocyte counts, haemoglobin levels and mean osmotic fragility of erythrocytes and also prevented the increase in haematocrit. The results of this study indicate a basis for the toxic effects of cisplatin, and suggest a possible way of counteracting the toxicity by introducing protective agents such sulphydryl compounds, other antioxidants and extracts of natural products. It also appears that cells adapt to the effects of cisplatin through the induction of systems that produce NADPH, which in turn compensates the decrease of free sulphydryl groups. We conclude that cysteine and vitamin E, Crocus sativus and Nigella Sativa may be a promising compound for reducing cisplatin-toxic side effects including nephrotoxicity.
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PMID:Protective effect of cysteine and vitamin E, Crocus sativus and Nigella sativa extracts on cisplatin-induced toxicity in rats. 960 69

S-Nitrosylated compounds (nitrosothiols; RS-NOs) function as nitric oxide (NO) reservoirs and preserve the antioxidant activities of NO. We found remarkable cytoprotection by an S-nitrosylated protease inhibitor from human plasma, S-nitroso-alpha(1)-protease inhibitor (S-NO-alpha(1)-PI) that possesses a completely nitrosylated SH group, in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injuries in rats. Liver ischemia was induced in rats by occluding both the portal vein and hepatic artery for 30 min and was followed by reperfusion. S-NO-alpha(1)-PI and control compounds such as native alpha(1)-PI, an NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, and standard RS-NOs were given via the portal vein just after reperfusion was initiated. Liver injury was evaluated by measuring the extracellular release of liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase). Infiltration of neutrophils and induction of apoptosis and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the liver were also examined. Maximal liver injury occurred at 3 h after reperfusion and then decreased gradually. Not only did S-NO-alpha(1)-PI treatment (0.1 micromol; 5.3 mg/rat) greatly reduce elevation of liver enzymes in plasma, as well as neutrophil accumulation and apoptotic change in liver, it also improved the impaired hepatic blood flow as assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry and potentiated the induction of HO-1 in the liver. Although native alpha(1)-PI moderately reduced liver injury, low molecular weight RS-NOs such as S-nitrosoglutathione and S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine produced no obvious protective effect. An NOS inhibitor exacerbated the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injuries. These results suggest that S-NO-alpha(1)-PI exerts a potent cytoprotective effect on ischemia-reperfusion liver injury by maintaining tissue blood flow, inducing HO-1, and suppressing neutrophil-induced liver damage and apoptosis.
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PMID:Protective effect of S-nitrosylated alpha(1)-protease inhibitor on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. 1108 23

We investigated the efficacy of a potent inhibitor of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), S-5920/LY315920Na, in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis in rats. Combined intraductal injection of sodium taurocholate (5 mg/rat) and porcine pancreatic sPLA2-IB (300 microg/rat) caused severe hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis resulting in high mortality, along with rapid increases of catalytic PLA2 and lipase activities in plasma and ascites and with gradual increases of plasma amylase and aspartate aminotransferase levels over 9 h after the pancreatitis. Prophylactic intravenous treatment with S-5920/LY315920Na significantly reduced mortality at 7 days, and strongly abrogated PLA2 activities in both plasma and ascites along with significant reduction of lipase activity, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase, and hemorrhage at 6 h. It also significantly reduced histological damage such as edema and parenchymal and fat necroses of the pancreatic tissue. This sPLA2 inhibitor could become an effective agent for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis.
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PMID:Effect of a selective inhibitor of secretory phospholipase A2, S-5920/LY315920Na, on experimental acute pancreatitis in rats. 1546 63

The current study was designed to assess the effect of immobilization stress on liver toxicity induced by topical as well as oral administration of 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in Swiss Albino rats. The experimental animals were divided into six groups. Group 1 animals were exposed to chronic restraint stress alone for 10 days (3h/day), shaved back of animals in group II were painted with 0.5% solution of DMBA twice a week for 4 weeks. Group III animals were first exposed to restraint stress similar to group I followed by DMBA application as in group II, group IV animals were orally administered four doses of 0.5% DMBA solution. (1ml/rat) at weekly intervals, while group V animals were first exposed to restraint stress as in group I followed by oral dose of DMBA similar to group IV. The untreated Group VI animals served as controls. Rats were sacrificed after a period of 4 weeks following DMBA administration. Biochemical measurements were carried out on liver tissues and serum/plasma of control and treated animals. Restraint stress was found to have marked effect on DMBA induced alteration of liver function as revealed by the increase in tissue marker enzymes viz glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) with a significant further decrease in antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) as compared to controls and DMBA alone(topical/oral) or stress alone treated rats. Increased lipid peroxidation was accompanied by a significant decrease in the level of total reduced glutathione (GSH). The changes in the levels of marker enzymes and in vivo antioxidants in serum/plasma were comparable to that of liver. The results of the present study indicate that immobilization stress markedly enhances DMBA induced alteration of liver and circulatory antioxidant status of the rats irrespective of the mode of DMBA administration though with a predominant effect on orally infused DMBA.
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PMID:Enhancement of pro-oxidant effect of 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) in rats by pre-exposure to restraint stress. 1627 Dec 82


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