MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Expression of chitosanase gene from Aspergillus fumigatus JXSD-97 in Pichia pastoris

Yang Li, Yang Ping and Wang Manying*

Abstract: In this study, the plasmid pPIC9K-CSN was transformed into Pichia pastoris strain GS115 by electroporation and the high expression transformants with G418 resistance were obtained. The expression conditions for CSN in P. pastoris, such as the expression time, pH value and methanol concentration in the BMMY were optimized. The maximum activity of CSN is about 100 mg/L under optimized condition (96 h of 0.5% methanol induction). The Chitosanase exhibited a molecular mass of approximately 25 kDa on 12% SDS–PAGE. The results showed that the coding sequence of CSN was successfully obtained and inserted into P. pastoris GS115 vector. This study would provide a new opportunity for large-scale expression and purification of CSN, which might facilitate studies on the biological activity of CSN.[...] Read More.

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In vitro and in vivo evaluation of free radical scavenging potential of ethanolic extract of Podophyllum hexandrum

Showkat Ahmad Ganie, Mohmmad Afzal Zargar, Akbar Masood and Ehtishamul Haq*

Abstract: The study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of rhizome of Podophyllum hexandrum under in vitro and in vivo situations. The extract was found to contain a large amount of polyphenols and also exhibit an immense reducing ability. At a concentration of 250 µg/ml, 48% of H2O2 radicals could be scavenged by the extract. The extract also inhibited hydroxyl radical ( OH) induced oxidation of protein (BSA). The ethanolic rhizome extract of P. hexandrum also exhibited a significant antioxidant activity in acute oxidative tissue injury animal model constituted by CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity. Oral administration of the extract at a dose of 20 and 50 mg/kg bw significantly protected from CCl4 induced elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the serum, depletion of hepatic protein and GSH content, decrease in the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes: glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Podophyllum hexandrum, CCl4, antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging.

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Adsorption, metabolism and degradation of erythromycin in giant freshwater prawn and tilapia aquaculture in Mekong River Delta

N. P. Minh*, T. B. Lam and T. T. D. Trang

Abstract: Adsorption, metabolism and degradation of erythromycin in freshwater prawn and tilapia aquaculture in Mekong River Delta were monitored and evaluated. They were fed practical diets medicated with erythromycin (50 and 100 mg. kg-1 body weight for 7 days). Erythromycin residues in their muscle were determined by the liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry/ mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Our study provided preliminary data for a more prudent use of erythromycin in giant freshwater prawn and tilapia, suggesting a possible withdrawal time after treatment as well as clearing away the awareness of forming and accumulating a harmful over-threshold level of derived products from parental drug during veterinary usage in aqua culture.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Giant freshwater prawn, tilapia, erythromycin, metabolism, degradation, LC-MS/MS.

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Influence of sub-chronic oral exposure to high monosodium glutamate on some serum markers of the renal functions in male Wistar rats

Egbuonu Anthony C. Cemaluk*, Ejikeme P. Madus and Obasi L. Nnamdi

Abstract: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancing food additive that may be present in packaged food without appearing on the label. This could increase the possibility of its inadvertent consumption in high concentration. The study investigated the effects of MSG on some serum markers of renal functions in adult male Wistar rats by daily oral exposure to 3 ml kg-1 dose distilled water (DW) and 15 mg kg-1 MSG for 4 weeks. In the serum, MSG treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased urea and creatinine concentrations, whereas it markedly increased the computed urea to creatinine (Urea: Creatinine) ratio. The results appear to suggest that exposure to MSG (15 mg kg-1) significantly altered the renal functions in rats by way of compromised urea and creatinine metabolism. The nutritional and health implications of the results may be significant in animals and therefore warrant further and better controlled investigation in humans.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Monosodium glutamate, Wistar rats, renal functions, urea, creatinine.

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Alpha-amylase inhibitor of amadumbe (Colocasia esculenta): Isolation, purification and selectivity toward - amylases from various sources

R. McEwan*, R. P. Madivha, T. Djarova, O. A. Oyedeji and A. R. Opoku

Abstract: Two proteins (A-1 and B-2) with a-amylase inhibitor activity were extracted and partially purified from Colocasia esculenta tubers through 80% ammonium sulphate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE -Sephacel and gel-chromatography on Sephadex G-100. The molecular weight of A-1 and B-2 were estimated to be about 17000 and 19000 daltons, respectively. The inhibitors inactivated a-amylases of animal origin, but had no effect on fungal amylase. Inhibitor A-1 also exhibited activity towards plant amylases, while inhibitor B-2 has no activity on plant amylases. Inhibitor A-1 was the most active against human salivary amylase at pH 6. Inhibitor A-1 was completely destroyed at temperatures above 50°C; while inhibitor B-2 was stable up to 70°C.[...] Read More.

Keywords: a-amylase inhibitor, amadumbe, Colocasia esculenta, diabetes, obesity.

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Effects of vitamin E and folic acid on some antioxidant enzymes activities of female Wistar rats administered combined oral contraceptives

Akinsanya, Mushafau A., Adeniyi, Taiwo T.*, Ajayi, Gabriel O and Oyedele, Musbau A.

Abstract: In this study, the effects of vitamin E and folic acid on the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) production and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities in female Wistar rats treated with combined oral contraceptives (COC) containing ethinyl estradiol in combination with levonorgestrel were determined. Twenty female rats were divided into four groups: Group A (control) received distilled water; Group B received combined oral contraceptives (COC) for 15 days with a dosage of 0.667 mg/kg body weight/day; Group C received combined oral contraceptive and vitamin E (0.667 mg/kg body weight COC + 15 mg/kg body weight of vitamin E/day) for 15 days and Group D received combined oral contraceptives and folic acid (0.667 mg/kg body weight of COC + 1 mg/kg body weight/day) for 15 days. Administration of vitamin E and folic acid caused significant decrease (P < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase levels by 90 and 69% respectively. In catalase, administration of vitamin E significantly decrease (p < 0.05) catalase level by 47% while administration of folic acid has no significant difference (p > 0.05) in catalase level. In addition, administration of vitamin E and folic acid caused significant decrease (P < 0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration by 21 and 11% respectively. Administration of vitamin E and folic acid caused significant decrease (P < 0.05) in glutathione-S-transferase by 39 and 23%, respectively.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Combined oral contraceptives, vitamin E, folic acid, antioxidant enzymes.

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Biochemical markers in semen and their correlation with fertility hormones and semen quality among Sudanese infertile patients

Abdelmula M. Abdella*, Al-Fadhil E. Omer and Badruldeen H. Al-Aabed

Abstract: Several biochemicals in semen are secreted by the accessory glands in the reproductive tract. These biochemicals can be used as diagnostic predictors for the disorders in the male reproductive system. To assess the level of biochemical markers in semen, their relation to fertility hormones and spermogram among Sudanese infertile patients were studied. The biochemical markers studied were fructose, citric acid, zinc and neutral -glucosidase. Their levels in semen were estimated using analytical photometry, spectrophotometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Estimation covered 500 infertile males (150 azoospermic, 150 oligospermic, 100 asthenozoospermic and 100 with abnormal sperm morphology), as well as 100 normospermic control males. Fertility hormones were assayed in patients and controls by ELISA. Seminal neutral -glucosidase and citric acid levels were found significantly reduced in azoospermic and oligospermic patients, while zinc levels was reduced in all infertile patients (p < 0.05). Semen fructose level was found within the normal range. Significant negative correlation was noticed between neutral -glucosidase and both follicle stimulating and luteinising hormones (in azoospermic patients), and prolactin hormone in oligospermic patients (r < 0.05). 2.7% of azoospermic patients had Sertoli cell syndrome only. 13% of the infertile patients had varicocele, and this was associated with a significant increase in FSH and LH and a decrease in seminal neutral -glucosidase, citric acid and zinc (p < 0.05). 9.6% of the patients studied had dysfunctional sexual problems and was associated with a significant increase in prolactin. On the other hand, 7.2% of these patients were smokers and this was associated with a significant reduction in semen volume and levels of neutral - glucosidase and zinc (p < 0.05). There was conflicting association between biochemical markers in semen with both reproductive hormones level and semen quality in the infertile patients, but neutral -glucosidase level was the only biochemical markers in semen that correlated well with both gonadotropins hormones (negatively/inversely) and the semen quality.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Biochemical markers, reproductive hormones, male infertility, seminal plasma, -glucosidase.

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Betaine reduction of hyperhomocysteinemia and enhancement of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in ethanol-induced hyperhomocysteinemia in rabbits

Masoud Alirezaei*, Mehdi Saeb, Katayoun Javidnia, Saeed Nazifi, Najmeh Khalighyan, and Saeedeh Saeb

Abstract: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a hypothesis for the association of homocysteine with cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and depression of mood. Thus, we examined whether oral betaine can act as a preventive agent in ethanol-induced hyperhomocysteinemia on the monoaminergic system. A total of 32 New Zealand White rabbits were divided into four groups (n=8) among which is the control group (C) . The ethanol group (E) was administered ethanol at a dosage of 4 g/kg daily. The betaine group (B) received betaine at a dosage 1.5% (w/w) of the diet daily, and the betaine and ethanol group (B and E) was administered with the betaine group diet; after one hour the rabbits received ethanol at a dosage of 4 g/kg daily. Blood samples were taken in the morning of the day before beginning treatment (0.0 day) and on the 30th, 60th and 90th day of the treatment. Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels were determined using a radioimmunoassay, total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) level was determined by homocysteine EIA kit, and 5- hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) of plasma was measured with HPLC-ECD. There was a significant negative correlation between 5-HIAA and tHcy in the E group (r=-0.473, P=0.02), and compared to the E group the concentrations of 5-HIAA in the B and E group increased considerably (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Betaine, hyperhomocysteinemia, 5-HIAA, ethanol, vitamin B12, folate.

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Biochemical profile of sodium selenite on chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley rats

Nasar Yousuf Alwahaibi*, Siti Belkis Budin and Jamaludin Mohamed

Abstract: Despite the success of experimental, clinical and epidemiological studies on selenium as an anti-cancer agent, basic studies on the effects of selenium are still scanty. This study was designed to investigate the biochemical effects of sodium selenite using preventive and therapeutic approaches on chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Rats were divided randomly into 6 groups: negative control, positive control [Diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) + 2-Acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)], preventive group, preventive control group (respective control for preventive group), therapeutic group and therapeutic control group (respective control for therapeutic group). The activities of plasma alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma- glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase ALP and concentrations of total protein, albumin and globulin were determined by an auto-analyzer. GGT and ALT activities were significantly higher in the positive control, preventive and therapeutic groups when compared with the negative control. Globulin concentration was significantly lower in the positive and therapeutic group controls and higher in the therapeutic group and its respective control when compared with the negative and positive controls, respectively. Plasma GGT enzyme marker could be used as an early marker for liver neoplasm in rats. The effect of selenium on globulin, as an indicator of immunity status, needs to be clarified.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, liver neoplasm, selenium.

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The use of cholinergic biomarker, cholinesterase activity of blue mussel Mytilus edulis to detect the effects of organophosphorous pesticides

K. Yaqin* and P. D. Hansen

Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of organophosphorous pesticide on the cholinesterase activity of different organs of Mytilus edulis. The mussels were exposed to serial dilutions of the pesticides (0, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 µg/l) for 96 h. A significant inhibition of the cholinesterase activity from gill occurred at the lowest concentration, which indicated that gill was the most sensitive organ. The moderate sensitive organs were foot and mantle, which were inhibited by trichlorfon at 200 µg/l. The least sensitive organs were hemolymph, posterior adductor muscle and digestive gland were inhibited at 1000 µg/l. After incubation of the trichlorfon-exposed mussels for seven days in clean media, the cholinesterase activities from different organs of mussels were not cured completely. The cholinesterase activities from hemolymph, gill, posterior adductor muscle and digestive gland recovered, while the persistent inhibition of cholinesterase activity from foot and mantle were observed.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Biomarker, cholinesterase, mussel, trichlorfon.

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