RESUMEN
There is a great variation in the chemical composition of propolis of different origins. Likewise, the method of its extraction has significant impact on the content of biologically active compounds. Here we compared methods of propolis extraction for optimal antioxidant activities which were measured by means of beta-carotene discolouration, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS*+) radical cation decolouration assays. In the extracts, the contents of polyphenols and flavonoids were measured, and phenolic acids were identified and quantified by HPLC. A three-step extraction allowed obtaining large amounts of phenolic acids from propolis. The propolis fractions obtained had antioxidant properties comparable to those of alpha-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene. Therefore, they may be used as effective natural antioxidants.
Asunto(s)
Antioxidantes/farmacología , Etanol/química , Própolis/farmacología , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Própolis/químicaRESUMEN
Paracetamol has properties that make it useful in many kinds of drugs that are readily available to users. These drugs are often used for extensive periods of time without a doctor's supervision, which might lead to unexpected overdose. The aim of this work was to assess the extent of liver damage in rabbits after administering them with paracetamol for approximately 2 months. The results we obtained suggest that paracetamol administered for a long time causes liver function impairment. It was, however, not possible to determine the impairment by measuring the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or gamma-glutamylotranspeptidase (GGTP). It was determined by measuring the concentration of ketone bodies and arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) value. Even when taken in small doses, paracetamol causes changes in liver metabolism when taken for an extended period of time.
Asunto(s)
Acetaminofén/toxicidad , Analgésicos no Narcóticos/toxicidad , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/etiología , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Ácido 3-Hidroxibutírico/sangre , Acetoacetatos/sangre , Administración Oral , Alanina Transaminasa/metabolismo , Animales , Aspartato Aminotransferasas/metabolismo , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/sangre , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Glutatión Peroxidasa/sangre , Cuerpos Cetónicos/sangre , Hígado/metabolismo , Hígado/patología , Pruebas de Función Hepática , Masculino , Conejos , Superóxido Dismutasa/sangre , gamma-Glutamiltransferasa/metabolismoRESUMEN
CONCLUSION: The qualitative and quantitative compositions of GAGs were comparable in all the polyps examined. OBJECTIVE: Glycosoaminoglycans (GAGs) are an integral component of proteoglycans, which are constituents of connective tissue. The qualitative and quantitative compositions of GAGs occurring in proteoglycans determine their biological role. In this work, individual fractions of GAGs occurring in nasal polyps were isolated and estimated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Polyps were obtained over a 2-year period from 31 patients (18 males, 13 females; age range 28-70 years) who underwent polypectomy and evaluated using routine histopathology. RESULTS: The amount of hyaluronic acid in nasal polyps was high, the amounts of dermatane sulphate and chondroitine-6-sulphate were slightly lower and the amounts of chondroitine-4-sulphate, heparin, heparan sulphate and keratan sulphate were the lowest.
Asunto(s)
Glicosaminoglicanos/análisis , Pólipos Nasales/química , Adulto , Anciano , Sulfatos de Condroitina/análisis , Dermatán Sulfato/análisis , Femenino , Heparina/análisis , Heparitina Sulfato/análisis , Humanos , Ácido Hialurónico/análisis , Sulfato de Queratano/análisis , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pólipos Nasales/cirugíaRESUMEN
Physiologically, prooxidants coexist in a dynamic equilibrium with factors that have antioxidant properties and so form an integrated antioxidant defence system of the organism. By determining the total antioxidant status (TAS) in the biological material it is possible to evaluate the influence of various factors on the organism's antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of sodium fluoride and ascorbic acid on TAS. The results suggest that fluoride decreases TAS probably by stimulating free radical reactions.
Asunto(s)
Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Ácido Ascórbico/metabolismo , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/metabolismo , Fluoruro de Sodio/farmacología , Animales , Femenino , Radicales Libres/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
Free radicals generate the lipid peroxidation process in an organism. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is one of the final products of polyunsaturated fatty acids peroxidation in the cells. An increase in free radicals causes overproduction of MDA. Malondialdehyde level is commonly known as a marker of oxidative stress and the antioxidant status in cancerous patients.
Asunto(s)
Peroxidación de Lípido/fisiología , Malondialdehído/sangre , Radicales Libres/sangre , Humanos , Neoplasias/sangre , Estrés Oxidativo/fisiologíaRESUMEN
The research was carried out on 56 Chinchilla rabbits. The rabbits were divided into 8 groups with one control group. By means of stomach tube the rabbits were administered respectively: carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), synthetic analogue of prostaglandin misoprostol, CCl4 with misoprostol, indomethacin, misoprostol with indomethacin and CCl4 with misoprostol and indomethacin simultaneously. In order to confirm cytoprotective activity of prostaglandin E1 synthetic analogue in experimental acute hepatocellular damage, we measured in arterial blood the concentration of acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate and calculated molar ratio of their concentrations. The molar ratio of acetoacetate to beta-hydroxybutyrate which had been calculated for individual groups, regardless of the observed changes in ketone bodies' concentrations, in the case of rabbits which were administered CCl4 with misoprostol, had values similar to the ones obtained for the control group. The smallest value of the ketone body concentration ratio was stated at rabbits which were given only CCl4. The results of the research carried out unambiguously indicate hepatoprotective action of the synthetic analogue PGE1 which was administered to the rabbits.
Asunto(s)
Ácido 3-Hidroxibutírico/sangre , Acetoacetatos/sangre , Cirrosis Hepática Experimental/sangre , Cirrosis Hepática Experimental/prevención & control , Misoprostol/uso terapéutico , Enfermedad Aguda , Administración Oral , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Animales , Aspartato Aminotransferasas/sangre , Tetracloruro de Carbono/administración & dosificación , Tetracloruro de Carbono/toxicidad , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Quimioterapia Combinada , Indometacina/administración & dosificación , Indometacina/uso terapéutico , Cuerpos Cetónicos/sangre , Masculino , Misoprostol/administración & dosificación , ConejosRESUMEN
We examined 72 female Wistar rats which were divided into 6 groups. The animals were administered sodium nitrate (V), vitamin E or both compounds at the same time. In order to estimate the interference of nitrates in the presence of vitamin E with the metabolism of rat's liver, we determined the composition and the amount of glycosoaminoglycans (GAGs). It was stated that the total amount of GAGs increased in livers of all rats. Basing on all fractions of the examined GAGs it was determined that the most significant differences between individual groups appeared in the amount of heparane sulphate (HS). The results obtained confirmed the fact of the changes taking place in the picture of liver GAGs in the process of ageing of the examined animals. The results obtained, however, allowed to state the normalising influence of vitamin E on the quantitative composition of GAGs of rats which drank nitrates.
Asunto(s)
Envejecimiento/fisiología , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Carcinógenos/efectos adversos , Glicosaminoglicanos/análisis , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/metabolismo , Nitratos/efectos adversos , Vitamina E/farmacología , Administración Oral , Animales , Tejido Conectivo/efectos de los fármacos , Tejido Conectivo/metabolismo , Interacciones Farmacológicas , Femenino , Ratas , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
In this study, we investigated persons exposed to high and low air pollution caused by metals. This investigation was done against the background of changes in the connective tissue of palatine tonsils. We evaluated the qualitative and quantitative composition of glycosoaminoglycans (GAG) isolated from palatine tonsils. GAGs were separated by column chromatography. We found that as the total amount of GAGs increased, the amount of heparin and chondroitin sulphate also increased, whereas the amount of hyaluronic acid, dermatane sulphate, heparane sulphate and keratane sulphate decreased. The changes observed in the amount of GAGs in the tissue of palatine tonsils can influence the incidence of infections of the upper airways.