Effect of N-benzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate on renal toxicity of inorganic mercury in rats

The effect of N-benzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (BGD) on the renal toxicity of inorganic mercury in rats was studied. Rats were injected i.v. with saline or HgCl2 (300 micrograms Hg/kg) and 30 min later they were injected i.p. with saline or BGD (2778 mumol/kg, a quarter of an LD50). Urinary excretion of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (gamma-GTP), which is a brush border enzyme, in rats after mercury treatment significantly increased compared to that of the control in the 12-24 h urine specimen and reached a maximum value within 24 h after the treatment. Urinary excretion of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), which is a lysosomal enzyme, also significantly increased after mercury treatment compared to that of the control in the 12-24 h urine specimen and reached a maximum value within 48 h after the treatment. A change in urinary aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity after mercury treatment followed a pattern similar to that observed with the urinary NAG. BGD treatment did not increase the urinary excretions of gamma-GTP, NAG, and AST. The uptake of p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) by renal cortical slices significantly decreased 24 h after mercury treatment. BGD injection after mercury treatment did not decrease the uptake of PAH by cortical slices. In addition, the microscopic examination of renal tissue from mercury-treated rats revealed necrosis of the proximal tubular cells. However, a photomicrograph of rat renal cortex after BGD treatment showed little abnormality. These results indicated that the mercury-induced renal damage was protected by the injection of BGD 30 min after mercury treatment.     

Effects of several dithiocarbamates on tissue distribution and excretion of inorganic mercury in rats

The effects of various chelating agents, sodium N-benzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (BGD), sodium N-p-methylbenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MBGD), sodium N-p-hydroxymethylbenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (HBGD), and N-p-carboxybenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (CBGD), which were newly synthesized, and sodium N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MGD), on the distribution and excretion of inorganic mercury were compared in rats exposed to HgCl2. Rats were injected i.p. with 203HgCl2 (300 micrograms of Hg and 74 kBq of 203Hg/kg) and 30 min or 24 h later, they were injected with a dithiocarbamate (1200 mumol/kg). At 30 min after mercury administration, BGD and MBGD significantly enhanced the biliary excretion of mercury, while CBGD, MGD, and HBGD enhanced the urinary excretion of mercury to a small extent. At 24 h after mercury injection, BGD was the most effective on the biliary excretion of the metal, while MGD and HBGD significantly enhanced the urinary excretion of the metal. All of these dithiocarbamates were effective in mobilizing mercury from the kidney at 30 min after mercury treatment. At 24 h after mercury treatment, HBGD and BGD effectively depressed mercury content in the kidney. These results show that the injection of BGD and HBGD at both 30 min and 24 h after mercury treatment can much more effectively mobilize mercury from the kidney without redistribution of mercury to other tissues, such as brain, heart, and lung, when compared with injection of other chelating agents. The pattern of mobilization and excretion of mercury following treatment with each chelating agent was related to the organic/aqueous partition coefficient of each dithiocarbamate-mercury complex.     

Effects of three dithiocarbamates on tissue distribution and excretion of cadmium in mice

N-Benzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (BGD), N-p-hydroxymethylbenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (HBGD), and N-p-carboxybenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (CBGD) were compared for their relative efficacies in the distribution and excretion of cadmium in mice exposed to cadmium. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 109CdCl2 (1 mg of Cd/kg and 2 microCi of 109Cd/one animal). Three days later, they were injected with chelating agents (400 mumol/kg) every other day for 2 weeks. After injections of BGD and HBGD, cadmium was excreted mainly in the feces through the bile, and the fecal excretion of cadmium by HBGD was significantly higher than that by BGD or CBGD. These chelating agents increased the urinary excretion of cadmium to a small extent. The hepatic cadmium content was decreased only after HBGD injection. Also, the injection of HBGD caused a much greater decrease in renal cadmium content than did BGD or CBGD. These chelating agents did not result in the redistribution of cadmium to the brain, testes, or heart. The growth of mice was only slightly retarded by injections of these chelating agents. The results of this study indicate that the injection of HBGD to mice pretreated with cadmium can remove cadmium from the body, mainly through fecal excretion, without redistribution of cadmium to other tissues such as the brain, testes, and heart, more effectively than BGD or CBGD.     

Protective effect of sodium molybdate against the acute toxicity of mercuric chloride in rat. VI. The mechanism of stimulative action of sodium molybdate on urinary excretion of mercury

In order to gain further insight into the protective action of Na2MoO4 pretreatment (1.24 mmol/kg, once a day, i.p.) against the acute toxicity of HgCl2 (30 mummol/mmol/kg, once, s.c.), changes of renal function, tissue accumulation of mercury, and urinary excretions of mercury and phenolsulfonphthalein after exposure to HgCl2 were investigated. Lactate content in the kidney and serum calcium were also measured. Na2MoO4 pretreatment enhanced urinary excretion of mercury. Renal function of Na2MoO4-pretreated rats was better maintained as compared to that of the rats given HgCl2 alone at either dose (30 or 15 mumol/kg) although the metal content in the kidney of this group was almost the same as that of the latter HgCl2-alone rats. This pretreatment prevented the rise in lactate content in the kidney and the reduction of urinary excretion of phenolsulfonphthalein caused by HgCl2, Na2MoO4 reduced serum calcium. These results suggest that Na2MoO4 prevented mercury-induced acute renal failure by decreasing tissue accumulation of the metal through urinary excretion of mercury. Better renal hemodynamics attributable to hypocalcemia may be a causative factor in the enhancement of urinary excretion of mercury.     

Effect of L-cysteine on plasma concentration and urinary excretion of 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil metabolites

Effects of L-cysteine (CySH) on the plasma concentrations and the urinary excretion of 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil (FT) and its metabolites were studied by high performance liquid chromatography in rats. Significantly higher plasma concentrations of FT, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cis-4'-OH-FT were obtained after an oral administration of FT (500 mg/kg) combined orally with CySH (500 mg/kg) when compared to FT alone. The urinary excretions of 5-FU, trans-3'-OH-FT, cis-4'-OH-FT, trans-4'-OH-FT and 4',5'-dehydro-FT significantly decreased up to 12 h but that of alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine significantly increased up to 24 h by the combined administration of CySH. Furthermore, the plasma concentration of 5-FU significantly increased at 0.5 h and its urinary excretion significantly decreased up to 4 h after an intraperitoneal administration of 5-FU (10 mg/kg) combined orally with CySH (500 mg/kg) when compared to 5-FU alone. The urinary pH significantly changed to acidic and the urinary volume significantly increased by the combined administration of CySH, so it was thought that the reabsorption of 5-FU through renal tubules from urine could increase and the increment of the urinary excretion of alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine was caused by this. Then it was suggested that the increase of the plasma concentrations of 5-FU and cis-4'-OH-FT could be attributed to the decrease of their urinary excretions after an administration of FT combined with CySH when compared to FT alone.     

Quantification of mitoxantrone in bone marrow by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

An analytical method for the determination of mitoxantrone in bone marrow was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The extraction procedure was optimized by investigating several factors which potentially could influence the recovery of mitoxantrone from bone marrow cells. The mean recovery of mitoxantrone from rat bone marrow was found to be 81.7% with a coefficient of variation 3.8%. High-performance liquid chromatography was carried out to quantitate mitoxantrone using ametantrone as internal standard. The detection limit of our analytical method amounts to 100 pg on-column, corresponding to 1 ng/ml of cell suspension containing 2 x 10(7) cells and a day-to-day variation of maximally 8%. Storage of bone marrow samples, containing mitoxantrone, for one to fourteen days resulted in a mean recovery of 94%, as compared to freshly analysed samples. Subsequently we studied the pharmacokinetics of mitoxantrone in rat bone marrow. It appeared that after an intravenous bolus injection of mitoxantrone (2.5 mg/kg) in rats, the drug accumulated in the femoral bone marrow for about four days, and thereafter gradually declined.     

Potentiating effect of converting enzyme inhibitor captopril to the renal responses of magnesium lithospermate B in rats with adenine-induced renal failure

The renal responses of magnesium lithospermate B were investigated in the presence or absence of pretreatment with the converting enzyme (kininase II) inhibitor, captopril, in rats with adenine-induced renal failure. Magnesium lithospermate B (10 mg/kg body weight) caused a marked increase in the levels of the renal functional parameters (glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and renal blood flow), accompanied by significant increases in urinary excretions of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), kallikrein, sodium and creatinine. The administration of magnesium lithospermate B in combination with captopril (2 mg/kg body weight, 2 times) caused a further increase in renal functional parameters, urinary sodium and creatinine excretions. However, the kallikrein activity was similar to the control level. There were no significant changes between urinary PGE2 following magnesium lithospermate B alone, or in combination with captopril. In addition, angiotensin converting enzyme activity did not change following the administration of magnesium lithospermate B alone, but was significantly decreased in rats given captopril, both alone and in combination with magnesium lithospermate B. The captopril administration group (captopril alone or in combination with magnesium lithospermate B) showed a significant decrease in blood pressure. From these results, it seems that the combination of magnesium lithospermate B and captopril induces a further increase in renal function by improving the renal circulatory state.     

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract ameliorates monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related joint disease that is characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage and chronic pain. Oxidative stress is considered one of the pathophysiological factors in the progression of OA. We investigated the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), which is an antioxidant, on monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced arthritis of the knee joint of rat, which is an animal model of human OA. GSPE (100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg) or saline was given orally three times per week for 4 weeks after the MIA injection. Pain was measured using the paw withdrawal latency (PWL), the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and the hind limb weight bearing ability. Joint damage was assessed using histological and microscopic analysis and microcomputerized tomography. Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP13) and nitrotyrosine were detected using immunohistochemistry. Administration of GSPE to the MIA-treated rats significantly increased the PWL and PWT and this resulted in recovery of hind paw weight distribution (P < 0.05). GSPE reduced the loss of chondrocytes and proteoglycan, the production of MMP13, nitrotyrosine and IL-1β and the formation of osteophytes, and it reduced the number of subchondral bone fractures in the MIA-treated rats. These results indicate that GSPE is antinociceptive and it is protective against joint damage in the MIA-treated rat model of OA. GSPE could open up novel avenues for the treatment of OA.     

Regulatory Role of Nano-Curcumin against Tartrazine-Induced Oxidative Stress,Apoptosis-Related Genes Expression,and Genotoxicity in Rats

The present study evaluates the regulatory effect of Nano-Curcumin (Nano-CUR) against tartrazine (TZ)-induced injuries on apoptosis-related gene expression (i.e., p⁵³, CASP-3 and CASP-9), antioxidant status, and DNA damages in bone marrow in treated rats. Male rats were arbitrarily separated into five groups, and each group was comprised of 10 rats each. The 1st group served as control (G1). The 2nd group ingested 7.5 mg TZ/kg. b.w. (body weight). The 3rd group ingested Nano-CUR 1 g/kg b.w. The 4th and 5th groups were respectively administered with (1 g Nano-CUR + 7.5 mg TZ/kg. b.w.) and (2 g Nano-CUR + 7.5 mg TZ/kg. b.w.). At the end of the experiment, blood samples, livers, and kidneys were collected. Livers and kidneys were homogenized and used for the analysis of reduced glutathione, malonaldhyde, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxide antioxidant enzyme activities, apoptosis-related gene expression, and genotoxicity by comit test. The ingestion of TZ for 50 days resulted in significant decreases in body, and kidney weights in rats and a relative increase in the liver weight compared to control. In contrast, the ingestion of Nano-CUR with TZ remarkably upgraded the body weight and relative liver weight compared to the normal range in the control. Aditionally, TZ ingestion in rats increased the oxidative stress biomarkers lipid peroxide (LPO) and malonaldehyde (MDA) significantly, whereas it decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Similarly, the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) significantly deteriorated in response to TZ ingestion. Moreover, the results revealed a remarkable up-regulation in the level of expression for the three examined genes, including p⁵³, CASP-3, and CASP-9 in TZ-ingested rats compared to the control. On the other hand, the comet assay result indicates that the ingestion of TZ induced DNA damage in bone marrow. Notably, the administration of Nano-CUR protected the kidney and liver of TZ-ingested rats as evidenced by a significant elevation in all antioxidant activities of tested enzymes (i.e, SOD, GPx, and CAT), vital recovery in GSH and TAC levels, and a statistical decrease in LPO and MDA compared to TZ-ingested rats. Interestingly, the ingestion of rats with TZ modulates the observed up-regulation in the level of expression for the chosen genes, indicating the interfering role in the signaling transduction process of TZ-mediated poisoning. The results indicate that the administration of Nano-CUR may protect against TZ-induced DNA damage in bone marrow. According to the results, Nano-CUR exerted a potential protective effect against oxidative stress, DNA damage, and the up-regulation of apoptosis-related genes induced by TZ ingested to rats.     

Molineria recurvata Ameliorates Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy through Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

Molineria recurvata (MR) has been traditionally used to manage diabetes mellitus in India. However, the molecular mechanism of MR on the diabetic-induced nephropathy has not been clearly investigated. Thus, this study investigates the protective effects of the MR extract on nephropathy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was instigated by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (45 mg/kg) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Once the diabetes was successfully induced, the MR extract (200 mg/kg/day) or metformin (200 mg/kg/day) was orally administered for 14 days. Renal function, morphology changes and levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured. Blood glucose concentrations were considerably reduced in STZ-induced diabetic rats following treatment with the MR extract. The administration of the MR extract substantially restored the abnormal quantity of the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxy-guanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde, glutathione, oxidized glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The urinary excretion of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), selenium binding protein 1 (SBP1), and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) was significantly reduced in diabetes rats after administration of the MR extracts. In the kidneys of STZ-induced diabetic rats, the MR extracts markedly downregulated the expression of fibronectin, collagen-1, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). In particular, the MR extracts markedly increased the level of SIRT1 and SIRT3 and reduced claudin-1 in the kidney. These results suggest that the MR extracts exhibits therapeutic activity in contrast to renal injury in STZ-induced diabetic rats through repressing inflammation and oxidative stress.     

The Nephroprotective Effect of Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) Fruits in a Gentamicin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Model in Rats: A Biochemical and Histopathological Investigation

Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) (Z. lotus) is a medicinal plant largely distributed all over the Mediterranean basin and is traditionally used by Moroccan people to treat many illnesses, including kidney failure. The nephrotoxicity of gentamicin (GM) has been well documented in humans and animals, although the preventive strategies against it remain to be studied. In this investigation, we explore whether the extract of Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) Fruit (ZLF) exhibits a protective effect against renal damage produced by GM. Indeed, twenty-four Wistar rats were separated into four equal groups of six each (♂/♀ = 1). The control group was treated orally with distilled water (10 mL/kg); the GM treated group received distilled water (10 mL/kg) and an intraperitoneal injection of GM (80 mg/kg) 3 h after; and the treated groups received ZLF extract orally at the doses 200 or 400 mg/kg and injected intraperitoneally with the GM. All treatments were given daily for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the biochemical parameters and the histological observation related the kidney function was explored. ZLF treatment has significantly attenuated the nephrotoxicity induced by the GM. This effect was indicated by its capacity to decrease significantly the serum creatinine, uric acid, urea, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, albumin, calcium, sodium amounts, water intake, urinary volume, and relative kidney weight. In addition, this effect was also shown by the increase in the creatinine clearance, urinary creatinine, uric acid, and urea levels, weight gain, compared to the rats treated only with the GM. The hemostasis of oxidants/antioxidants has been significantly improved with the treatment of ZLF extract, which was shown by a significant reduction in malondialdehydes levels. Histopathological analysis of renal tissue was correlated with biochemical observation. Chemical analysis by HPLC-DAD showed that the aqueous extract of ZLF is rich in phenolic compounds such as 3-hydroxycinnamic acid, catechin, ferulic acid, gallic acid, hydroxytyrosol, naringenin, p- coumaric Acid, quercetin, rutin, and vanillic acid. In conclusion, ZLF extract improved the nephrotoxicity induced by GM, through the improvement of the biochemical and histological parameters and thus validates its ethnomedicinal use.     

Laxative Effects of Phlorotannins Derived from Ecklonia cava on Loperamide-Induced Constipation in SD Rats

This study investigated the laxative effects of phlorotannins (Pt) derived from Ecklonia cava (E. cave) on chronic constipation by evaluating alterations in stool parameters, gastrointestinal motility, histopathological structure, mucin secretion, gastrointestinal hormones, muscarinic cholinergic regulation, and fecal microbiota in SD rats with loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation subjected to Pt treatment. Stool-related parameters (including stool number, weight, and water contents), gastrointestinal motility, and length of intestine were significantly enhanced in the Lop+Pt-treated group as compared to the Lop+Vehicle-treated group. A similar recovery was detected in the histopathological and cytological structure of the mid-colon of Lop+Pt-treated rats, although the level of mucin secretion remained constant. Moreover, rats with Lop-induced constipation subjected to Pt treatment showed significant improvements in water channel expression, gastrointestinal hormone secretions, and expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors M2/M3 (mAChRs M2/M3) and their mediators of muscarinic cholinergic regulation. Furthermore, the Lop+Pt-treated group showed a significant recovery of Bifidobacteriaceae, Muribaculaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Eubacteriaceae families in fecal microbiota. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that exposure of SD rats with Lop-induced constipation to Pt improves the constipation phenotype through the regulation of membrane water channel expression, GI hormones, the mAChR signaling pathway, and fecal microbiota.     

Relieving effect of saline on cephaloridine nephrotoxicity in rats

To elucidate the mechanism(s) of the relieving effect of saline on cephaloridine (CER) nephrotoxicity, rats were given CER in equal quantity (1 g/kg body weight; i.v.), but at two different concentrations (4 and 25%) in saline. Urinary excretion of glucose, which was investigated as an index for renal proximal tubular injury, revealed that the renal damage was less in the 4% CER 25 ml/kg group than in the 25% CER 4 ml/kg group. As to urinary excretions of CER, sodium, potassium and water, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the first 2 h, but chloride in the 4% CER 25 ml/kg group showed higher values than in the 25% CER 4 ml/kg group. Plasma concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride and CER, did not show any definite distinctions between the two groups. At the time-point of 20 min after the CER administration, renal CER content was significantly lower in the 4% CER 25 ml/kg group than in the 25% CER 4 ml/kg group. These results suggest that the sodium ion which is needed for cellular trapping of CER is competitively expended for cellular entry of the chloride ion in the kidney, and that the relieving effect of the saline on CER nephrotoxicity is ascribable to the loaded quantity of chloride ion.     

Determination of platinum distribution in adenocarcinoma black-mice by Neutron Activation Analysis

30 female C57 bl. mice were treated with Adenocarcinoma im. in the right hind leg. Three days later cis-dichlorodiamine platinum was applied orally /15 mg/kg/ to all animals and additional 0.05 mg Prednisolone i.p. to 20 animals. Tissue samples from bloods, livers, kidneys, spleens, hearts, lungs, tumors and gastrointestinal tract were analyzed for their Pt concentration after therapy with cis-dichlorodiammine platinum complexes and Prednisolone by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Even 5 animals were sacrified. The amount of Pt in most of the organs examined remained under 0.05% of the quantity applied. Maximum values were detected at the end of the experiment, except for the gastrointestinal tract, the liver and the kidneys. Treatment of the animals with Prednisolone did not produce a significant different distribution of Pt. Only in tumor tissues a significantly higher amount of Pt was observed after Prednisolone treatment at 48 h but not at 72 h. Blood levels increased with time after Prednisolone treatment, without Prednisolone blood levels decreased.     

Morus alba Prevented the Cyclophosphamide Induced Somatic and Germinal Cell Damage in Male Rats by Ameliorating the Antioxidant Enzyme Levels

Cytogenetic analysis is essential to determine the effect of mutagens and antimutagens on genetic material. This study was done to evaluate the protective effect of root bark extract of Morus alba (M. alba) against cyclophosphamide induced somatic and germinal cell damage in male rats. The ethanolic extract of M. alba (0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/kg, 2 weeks) was evaluated against cyclophosphamide (75 mg/kg, single dose) induced nuclear damage. The sampling was done after 48 h of the clastogen treatment. The somatic and germinal nuclear damage was studied by bone marrow micronucleus and sperm analysis, respectively. Serum superoxide and catalase levels were estimated to determine the antioxidant status in each group. The results were analyzed statistically to find the significant variation. The administration of M. alba for 2 weeks suppressed dose-dependently the changes induced by cyclophosphamide. M. alba (0.5 g/kg) decreased the frequency of micronucleated erythrocyte, sperm shape abnormality and enhanced the sperm count, sperm motility and polychromatic-normochromatic erythrocytes ratio significantly (p < 0.05) in comparison with the cyclophosphamide treated group. The highest tested dose of M. alba (1 g/kg) produced more prominent suppression (p < 0.01) in the cyclophosphamide-induced somatic and germinal cell defects. The results also showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the serum antioxidant enzymes levels with M. alba when compared with the challenge group. The lower dose of M. alba extract (0.25 g/kg) prevented the CP-induced changes but was found to be statistically insignificant. Therefore, antimutagenic potential of the high dose of the extract of M. alba is possibly due to its antioxidant nature. The ability of the M. alba extract to prevent the nuclear damage could play an important role in overcoming several mutational defects that are associated with anticancer chemotherapy.     

肿瘤患者化疗后骨髓抑制的护理探讨

通过对113例化疗后骨髓抑制患者采用保护性隔离，皮肤、口腔、上呼吸道、泌尿道护理及饮食、心理等综合性护理措施的观察，发现113例化疗后骨髓抑制患者，经过综合护理措施仅13例出现感染、发热，2例经抗生素治疗无效，死于感染性休克，其余患者的血象均恢复正常，康复出院。所以本护理措施，对促进化疗后骨髓抑制患者的康复有一定的应用价值。     

Longitudinal Bone Growth Stimulating Effect of Allium macrostemon in Adolescent Female Rats

Allium macrostemon (AM) may affect bone growth by regulating bone formation and resorption. To examine the effect of AM on bone growth, 48 rats were divided into four administration groups in which either distilled water, AM (100 and 300 mg/kg), or recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH; 20 μg/kg) was administered for 10 days. On day 9, all animals were intraperitoneally injected with tetracycline hydrochloride (20 mg/kg), and 48 h after the injection, the rats were sacrificed. Their tibial sections were photographed to measure bone growth. Antigen-specific immunohistochemistry was performed to detect insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). The food intake of the AM 100 mg/kg group was higher; however, the food intake of the AM 300 mg/kg group was less than that of the control group. The rhGH and AM 100 mg/kg groups showed greater rates of bone growth (359.0 ± 23.7 and 373.1 ± 28.0 μm/day, respectively) compared with the control group. IGF-1 and BMP-2 in the AM and rhGH groups were highly expressed. Indigestion at higher doses of AM led to nonsignificant bone growth in spite of increased IGF-1 and BMP-2 expression. Therefore, a suitable amount of AM could increase bone growth.     

Effect of magnesium lithospermate B on urinary excretion of arachidonate metabolites in rats with renal failure

The effect of magnesium lithospermate B isolated from Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix on excretion of urinary arachidonate metabolites was examined in both normal rats and those given adenine. Urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) decreased while urinary thromboxane B2 (TXB2) excretion increased markedly with the progression of renal failure. Rats administered magnesium lithospermate B showed an increase of urinary PGE2 excretion at the 6th and 12th days. Excretion of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha also showed a significant increase on the 6th and 12th days in rats with renal failure induced by the administration of adenine. However, these effects were lower than the corresponding values in normal rats. In addition, urinary PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha excretions showed no appreciable difference in rats that exhibited progressive renal failure with continuation of the adenine administration period, as shown on the 18th and 24th days. There were no significant changes in TXB2 excretion between the control and magnesium lithospermate B-treated groups throughout the experimental period.     

Using the Ethoxylated Polyalkylphenol Formaldehyde Additives to Enhance the Physical Properties of Egyptian Jet Fuel A1

Nine ethoxylated polyalkyl phenol formaldehydes were prepared. From our results, it was found that the maximum (Ec) enhancement was obtained by DDP3 (20 pS/m) while it was (9 pS/m) for the blank jet fuel A1. On the other hand, the decreasing of freezing point was achieved by DDP3 (?70°C), while it was (?57°C) for the blank jet fuel. The gross and net calorific values (Cv) were ameliorated enhancement, compared with blank Cv of the jet fuel A1. The maximum net Cv was obtained by DDP3 (45.3 Mj/kg), while it was 43.7 Mj/kg for the blank sample. Also, the density increased for both molecular weight and the alkyl chain length of the prepared polymers. The minimum emulsion stability was marked for DDP3 (10 minutes), which exhibited the minimum droplet size (10 mm) at the same time the maximum reduction of surface tension (γ) for DDP3 was obtained in both jet and water (34 and 29 mNm^?1). This results means that the maximum atomization of fuel during injection should be obtained by the DDP3, which leads to complete ignition in the combustion chamber. These general enhancements of the physical properties gives the used fuel a marvelous industrial reflection and enables us to use it for military purposes.