Removal of radionuclides from low level radioactive liquid waste by precipitation

Six elements in several organs of mice fed with Zn deficient diet (Zn-def. mice) and those fed with control diet (control mice) were analyzed by INAA. Zinc concentrations in the organs of Zn-def. mice were not distinctly lower than those of control mice except for bone and pancreas. However, Ce content increased significantly in all organs of Zn-def. mice compared with control mice, indicating the partial substitution of Co with Zn in metal proteins or other materials for the Zn-def. mice.     

Change of concentrations of trace elements and protein contents in the liver of zinc deficient mice

The concentrations of essential trace elements and proteins in cytosolic fraction of hepatic cells of mice fed with Zn-deficient diet (Zn-def, mice) and control were determined by ICP-MS and BCA protein assay method, respectively, after division into forty fractions by gel filtration chromatography. The concentrations of zinc and proteins decreased in the 14–17th fractions of Zn-def, mice, whereas cobalt concentrations increased in the 14, 17, and 18th fractions. However, no significant differences were found on the gel after SDS-PAGE for the 12–21st fractions, although the BCA protein assay date showed the decrease of protein amounts in 13–15th fractions of Zn-def. mice.     

Effects of sublethal doses of gamma rays on the accumulation of zinc in mice fed the higher concentration diets

This paper reports preliminary studies on the mechanism of the mortality reduction effects in sublethally irradiated mice by administration of zinc at the high concentration. At first, accumulations of 65Zn in non-irradiated mice, which were orally administered with the artificial diet containing the radio-tracer and the stable metal at the high concentration (1,000 ppm), were investigated, and compared with those in mice which were administered with the artificial basal diet containing the tracer (control). Then the irradiation effects of 60Co gamma-ray at the sublethal dose on the accumulation were studied. The concentrations of zinc in whole body, tissues and organs of non-irradiated mice which were administered with the former diet were 2-fold higher than in the mice which were administered with the latter diet (control). But the accumulation of the tracer was affected by the irradiation, i.e. the concentrations in tissues and organs (except for blood and bone) of irradiated mice were lower than those in non-irradiated mice. However, the concentration in spleen of irradiated mice was remarkably higher than in the other tissues.     

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Trace Elements in Organs and Tissues of Zinc Deficient Mice

Eleven elements in ten organs and tissues of mice fed with Zn-deficient diet (Zn-def. mice) and those fed with control diet (control mice) were determined by INAA. Zinc concentrations in the organs of Zn-def. mice were not distinctly lower than those of control mice except for bone and pancreas, as similar to the predecessors' reported results. However, the Co content increased significantly in all the organs and tissues of Zn-def. mice compared with control mice. The organs and tissues observed were histologicaly normal and no typical symptoms of Zn deficiency disease were recognised. The results suggest that the change of Co-concentration may be regarded as a mark of the prestage for a Zn deficiency disease.     

Radioactive32P incorporation in liver of mice fed with Aspergillus terreus contaminated feed

The distribution of³²P during toxicosis due to Aspergillus terreus, a common food contaminant, reported to produce the toxin terreic acid, in addition to few others, was studied in mice. Radioactive³²P was injected intraperitoneally to the control mice and the experimental ones, which were fed with Aspergillus terreus contaminated feed, as well as the toxin terreic acid. After 24 hours, both control and experimental animals were sacrificed.³²P incorporation in various fractions of liver were studied. In mice, fed with the contaminated feed, more³²P got incorporated in the nucleic acid fraction than seen in protein, barium soluble and barium insoluble fractions, whereas³²P incorporation in lipid fraction was lower.     

Studies on the formation of aliphatic aldehydes in the plasma and liver of vitamin E-deficient rats

The effects of vitamin E (E) deficiency on the formation of aliphatic aldehydes in rat plasma and liver were studied. Three-week-old Wistar male rats were fed either an E supplemented diet (2-ambo-alpha-tocopheryl acetate 20 mg/kg diet, designated as E supplemented diet group) or an E deficient diet (E deficient diet group). After 8 weeks, n-hexanal and (E)-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HN) in the plasma of the E deficient diet group were found to be 2.0 and 2.5-fold greater than those of the E supplemented diet group, respectively. The contents of aldehydes such as n-pentanal, n-hexanal, 4-HN in the liver were also significantly higher in the E deficient diet group than in the E supplemented diet group. These results indicate that some aldehydes, arising possibly from lipid peroxides, are produced and detected in the plasma and liver of rats under the condition like E deficiency. In this study we further found that the activity of the liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH, EC 1.2.1.3) was significantly changed; 5 and 8 weeks after the start it was lower in the E deficient diet group when compared to that in the E supplemented diet group. The decrease of enzyme activity was related to the increase of aldehydes such as n-hexanal in the liver. the aldehyde increase in the plasma of the E deficient diet group was thought to raise the injury of cells, namely, a strong hemolysis on erythrocytes prepared from the blood of rats fed the E deficient diet.     

锌对酒精性肝病小鼠的作用研究

为探究膳食补充锌是否改善肝再生,选用12周大的雄性C57BL/6小鼠40只,按随机数字表法分为4组:正常对照组、酒精中毒组、正常补锌组及酒精中毒补锌组,予不同的饮食喂养6个月后,通过增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)阳性标记的肝细胞数目评价了肝细胞再生状况,并检测了超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及丙二醛(MDA)含量评估肝损伤的氧化...     

微量元素锌促进儿童生长发育临床研究

报道以微量元素锌治疗缺锌患儿１１８例并与１１４例作对照观察．结果发现，衡量生长发育与营养的敏感指标：身高、体重、血清白蛋白及血色素等参数，治疗组比对照组都显著提高（Ｐ值＜０．０１）．证明锌制剂对缺锌儿童有显著的促进生长发育及改善营养状态作用，作者并对锌的作用机理作了论述．     

低硒对大鼠血管一氧化氮合酶和微循环的影响

采用低硒饲料饲养大鼠造成体内贫硒。１４周时测定血浆中脂质过氧化物（ＬＰＯ）、前列环素（ＰＧＩ２）和血栓素（ＴＸＡ２）的水平以及部分血液流变学指标。实验第３９周,测定血管组织一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）活性及一氧化氮（ＮＯ）水平。结果显示,低硒饲料组的血管ＮＯＳ活性、ＮＯ水平显著低于常规饲料的对照组;而在实验第１４周时,当低硒饲料组的血硒、血谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ）活性显著下降、血浆ＬＰＯ水平明显上升的同时,其对应的血浆６－酮－ＰＧＦ１α水平也显著降低,但其ＴＸＢ２与对照组无显著差异。此外,随着大鼠体内的贫硒,其红细胞变形能力下降,但红细胞聚集指数和血沉方程Ｋ值提高。因此,硒不足可能会通过影响ＮＯＳ活性和ＰＧＩ２的合成以及红细胞特性而损害微循环功能。     

ON THE SOURCE OF THE OSCILLATIONS OBSERVED DURING in vivo ZINC PHTHALOCYANINE FLUORESCENCE PHARMACOKINETIC MEASUREMENTS IN MICE

Surface-detected fluorescence spectroscopy can be used to monitor the pharmacokinetics of uptake and clearance of red-absorbing fluorophores such as zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) in vivo. When this technique is applied to mice that have been fed on a normal chlorophyll-based diet, and particularly when measurements are performed in the abdominal region, oscillations are sometimes observed superimposed on the pharmacokinetic curve of the ZnPc. An oscillatory signal has also been observed arising from the abdominal region of control mice fed a normal diet but not injected with the ZnPc photosensitizer; this oscillatory component to the signal is reduced when mice are fed a chlorophyll-free diet. The oscillatory signal component has been attributed to fluorescence arising from chlorophyll derivatives (pheophorbide/pheophytin) contained in the rodent food, whose concentration in the measured abdominal region changes substantially with time, presumably due to digestive processes. Thus it is important to be aware of the possibility of such artifactual contributions to in vivo fluorescence pharmacokinetic measurements.     

Effect of diet on aflatoxin B1-DNA binding and aflatoxin B1-induced glutathione S-transferase placental form positive hepatic foci in the rat

Effects of diets on hepatic aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)- DNA binding and AFB1-induced glutathione S- transferase placental (GST-P) form positive hepatic foci have been examined in young male Fischer rats. Animals were fed either AIN-76A or Purina Chow (PC) diet for 1 wk before AFB1- DNA binding studies in vivo and in vitro. Animals were injected i.p. with AFB1 (1 mug/kg body wt) and 3 days later were given either AIN-76A or PC diet with or without 0.1% phenobarbital (PB) in their drinking water. All animals were sacrificed 10 wks after AFB1 dosing for analysis of AFB1-induced GST-P positive hepatic foci by immunochemistry. Two h after i.p. injection of AFB1, hepatic AFB1-DNA binding in AIN-76A fed rats was twice as much as those in PC fed animals without affecting GSH levels. There was no significant effect of diet on either cytochrome P-450 content, GSH levels or microsomal cytochrome P-450 mediated AFB1-DNA binding to exogenous DNA. There was a 40% increase in cytosolic GSH S-transferase activity with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as a substrate in PC fed animals compared to those given AIN- 76A diet. The number and area of AFB1-induced GST-P positive hepatic foci were twice and fivefold as much in AIN-76A fed compared to those in PC fed rats. The number of AFB1-induced GST-P positive foci was increased 5-10 fold in the presence of PB in both groups. In summary, the present data indicate that feeding of PC diet compared to AIN-76A diet inhibits the initiation phase whereas AIN-76A stimulates the promotion phase of AFB1 hepatocarcinogenesis in rats by inhibiting AFB1-DNA binding and increasing AFB1-induced hepatic foci respectively.     

The determination of chromium in biological materials by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Biological samples were mineralized with a mixture of nitric, sulfuric, and perchloric acids. The chromium was oxidized to chromium(VI) followed by extraction into methyl isobutyl ketone in the cold. The ketone extract was aspirated into a fuel-rich hydrogen-air flame, and the absorption recorded using the 357.9 nm line of chromium. The limit of detection for chromium was found to be 10 p.p.b. Tissue chromium levels of normal albino rats were determined. Increased chromium values were observed for animals maintained on a high chromium diet compared to those fed a deficient diet.     

Phytic Acid Protects from Oxidative Stress Induced by Iron-Overload and High-Fat Diets in ß2-Microglobulin Knockout Mice

The objective of this study was to examine the protective effect of phytic acid (PA) in reducing oxidative stress in an animal model for human hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) fed high-fat diets. Sixty-four ß2 microglobulin knockout (β2m KO) mice were randomly assigned to three treatments by feeding: control (basal), atherogenic (AT), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) diets. One-half of the mice in each treatment group were fed 2% (wt/wt) PA. The ß2m+/+ mice (wild type (WT)) were fed a basal diet. All seven groups were fed for 10 weeks with a 50-ppm iron-containing diet (AIN-93G). Free iron and lipids were measured in serum samples. Nonheme iron, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase concentrations were measured in the liver tissue. Nonheme iron concentration in ß2m KO mice (on the basal diet) was 20× higher (p < 0.0001) than in the WT mice. Compared to the WT mice, ß2m KO mice had a significantly higher concentration of free iron in the serum (p < 0.0001), six-fold higher hepatic TBARs (p < 0.0001), and 18% lower hepatic SOD level. When PA was added to the β2m KO basal diet, a reduction (26 to 50%) of iron concentration was seen in the liver and heart. The addition of PA also significantly reduced TBARs in all three dietary groups of the iron-overloaded group, but most effectively in the control group. An increase in SOD concentration was seen only in the PUFA group, but serum triacylglycerol (TG) concentration was reduced in both dietary fat groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that PA protects against oxidative stress-induced by genetic iron overload alone or when fed high fat.     

Dietary Vitamin B6 and Enzymes of Methionine Metabolism in Rat Liver

Hepatic cystathionase activity, but not methionine adenosyl-transterase and cystathionine synthetase, was markedly decreased in weanling female rats fed a vitamin B₆-deficient diet, compared to that of the control animals fed ad libitum or pair-fed. The depressed enzyme activity was restored rapidly to normal by administering pyridoxine to the deficient rats. Excess pyridoxal phosphate added to enzyme reaction mixtures stimulated cystathionase in liver extracts from both control and deficient animals, but it did not raise activity of deficients to normal level. The data indicate that the amount of apocystathionase in rat liver is regulated by the availability of its coenzyme vitamin.     

缺锌大鼠模型的试制

为制造缺锌动物模型。使用含锌量极低的蛋清粉、葡萄糖和玉米油为饲料，添加除锌外的多种矿物盐及维生素，用这种饲料喂养12天后．实验组动物体毛明显稀少、粗糙、失去光泽，食量锐减．实验组血清锌含量低于对照组但无明显差异。自第18天起，改用第二饲料配方(含锌量高于第一配方)，至第48天，实验组血清锌含量为0．9μg／mL，对照组为1．57μg／mL，差别明显。     

Protection of UV-induced Suppression of Skin Contact Hypersensitivity: A Common Feature of Flavonoids after Oral Administration?

In this study we investigated the effect of the dietary ingredients fruit and vegetable, green tea phenol extract (GTP) and the specific flavonoid components quercetin and chrysin on the UV-induced suppression of the con-tact hypersensitivity (CHS) response to picryl chloride (PCl). The SKH-1 mice were fed with test diet from 2 or 4 weeks before and during the UV irradiation (daily, 95 mJ/cm²) and tested for the CHS ear-swelling response 10 weeks after the onset of the irradiation. For the CHS, mice were immunized with PCl by epicutaneous application on nonirradiated sites. Four days after sensitization all mice were challenged on both sides of each ear by topical application of one drop PCl. In addition, from mice fed with the fruit and vegetable mixture the number of Langerhans cells (LC) were scored in the skin and from mice fed with quercetin, quercetin levels in plasma were measured at week 11 after the start of UV irradiation. It was found that fruit and vegetable (19% in the diet), GTP (0.1% and 0.01% in the drinking water), quercetin (1% in the diet) and chrysin (1% and 0.1% in the diet), prevented statistically significantly the UV-induced suppression of CHS to PCl. In the skin of mice fed with fruit and vegetables combined with UV irradiation the number of LC were comparable to the control mice, whereas the number of LC were significantly diminished in mice treated with UV only. This protective effect on the presence of LC in the epidermis after UV irradiation, which was also observed in a previous study with quercetin, may play a role in the prevention of UV-induced immunosuppression by the flavonoids tested. In conclusion, we found protection of flavonoids against UV-induced effects on CHS, which may be a common feature of most flavonoids.     

Effects of vitamin d treatment on skeletal muscle histology and ultrastructural changes in a rodent model

Vitamin D is well known for its role in maintaining calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and in promoting bone mineralization; however, more of its pleiotropic effects have been described recently. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of vitamin D treatment on skeletal muscles changes under different dietary conditions using an animal model. Four groups of C57BL/6J mice (n = 11 each) were maintained on either low fat diet (LFD) or high fat diet ??(HFD) with and without 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) for 16 weeks. Animal weigh was recorded at baseline and then regular intervals, and at the end of the study, skeletal muscle tissues were harvested for the evaluation of the histopathological and ultrastructural changes. When control C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat diet for 12 weeks, body weight gain was significantly increased compared with mice fed a LFD. (30.2% vs. 8.4%, p < 0.01). There was a significant gradual decrease in the weight of HFD fed mice that were treated with vitamin D as compared with a steady increase in the weights of controls (6.8% vs. 28.7%, p < 0.01). While the LFD group showed some ultrastructural changes, HDF fed on mice showed great muscle structural abnormalities. The whole sarcosome along with its membrane and cristae were severely damaged with scattered myocytes in HFD group. Furthermore, the mitochondria appeared weak and were on the verge of degenerations. The bands were diminished with loss of connections among myofibrils. These changes were attenuated in the HFD group treated with vitamin D with tissues have regained their normal structural appearance. The current findings indicate an important effect of vitamin D on skeletal muscle histology under HFD conditions.     

重复性"饥饿/再投喂"对大鼠脂代谢及主动脉影响的研究

为探讨经过重复性"饥饿/再投喂"方式处理后大鼠摄取高脂食物时有关体质量控制与能量平衡调节的瘦素(leptin)和神经肽Y(NPY)的表达变化,设计"重复性饥饿1 d/再投喂基础饲料1 d,持续6周"的饲喂方式处理动物模型,6周后改为每天喂以高脂饲料(高脂模型组),另设高脂对照组和基础对照组,喂养至12周,测定了血脂水平...     

Novel CBG Derivatives Can Reduce Inflammation,Pain and Obesity

Interest in CBG (cannabigerol) has been growing in the past few years, due to its anti-inflammatory properties and other therapeutic benefits. Here we report the synthesis of three new CBG derivatives (HUM-223, HUM-233 and HUM-234) and show them to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In addition, unlike CBG, HUM-234 also prevents obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The metabolic state of the treated mice on HFD is significantly better than that of vehicle-treated mice, and their liver slices show significantly less steatosis than untreated HFD or CBG-treated ones from HFD mice. We believe that HUM-223, HUM-233 and HUM-234 have the potential for development as novel drug candidates for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, and in the case of HUM-234, potentially for obesity where there is a huge unmet need.