International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 490-496, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full length research paper

The associations among serum levels of vitamin D, TGF-β/IL-6 balance and Treg/Th17 balance in systemic lupus erythematosus patients in Indonesia

Kusworini Handono¹, Dian Hasanah², Handono Kalim³, Herin Mawarti⁴

¹Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia

²Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia

³Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia

⁴Fundamental of Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Science, Pesantren Tinggi Darul Ulum University, Jombang, Indonesia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +6281334933663 / +623412202220

Accepted 2 April, 2013

Abstract

TGF-β1 is required for T lymphocytes differentiation toward Treg and Th17.Differentiationtoward Th17 becomes dominant in high levels of IL-6. Some studies showed that vitamin D decreased IL-6 production and increased TGF-β1production. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations among serum levels of vitamin D, TGF-β1/IL-6 balance and Treg/Th17 balance in SLE.Serum levels of vitamin D, IL-6 and TGF-β1, as well as Treg and Th17 percentage were assessed in 41 SLE patients and 20 healthy controls. Serum levels of vitamin D, TGF-β1 and IL-6 were measured using ELISA. Treg and Th17 percentage were the percentage of CD25+FoxP3+CD4+ and CD3+CD4+IL-17+,respectively, detected by flow cytometry. Vitamin D and TGF-β1 levels were lower in SLE (p<0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). While IL-6 levels, Treg percentage and Th17 percentage were higher in SLE (p=0.006, p=0.007, and p=0.017, respectively). Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated to IL-6 levels (r=-0.325, p=0.019). TGF-β1/IL-6 ratio was negatively correlated to Th17 percentage (r=-0.559, p=0.010). Conclusively, in SLE patients whose vitamin D levels are low, IL-6 levels will increase, resulting in dominance of IL-6 over TGF-β1, which direct the differentiation of T lymphocytes toward Th17. The number of Treg will increase to suppress Th17.                       

Key words: SLE, vitamin D, Treg, Th17, TGF-b1, IL-6.

 International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 484-489, July, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper                                                   

Induced breeding of Clarias gariepinus using non-conventional method of abdominal incision

Yisa, T.A., S.L. Lamai, Tsadu, S.M. and R.J. Kolo

Department of Water Resources, Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 08068169704.

Accepted 21 February, 2013

Abstract

The experiment was conducted using ripe and matured African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), size ranging from 400-650g average total body weight (TBW). They were procured from a private fish farm and transported in perforated 50 litre water holding capacity jerry can to Federal University of Technology, (F.U.T.) Minna, Bosso campus indoor hatchery fish farm. The fish samples were maintained for 2 weeks and observed for ripeness and maturity under optimum temperature and fed with 40% crude protein commercial diet with good water quality management before being used for breeding. Incision was made on the dorso-ventral part of the body through Abdominal Incision Method (AIM) to extract milt to fertilize eggs. Fecundity increased with body weight and hence larger fish had higher fecundity and significantly different (P<0.05) from each other. The spent spawners after operation survived on gradual recuperation post- surgery. The variation in incision length 3.40 cm was most effective and healing and recuperation was within 14 days post-surgery. The hatchlings bred from Conventional Method (CM) and AIM was maintained to determine survival and mortality rates for 12 weeks. Volume of milt extracted, percentage fertility and hatching differed significantly (P<0.05) between CM and AIM with highest volume of milt extracted from CM to be (0.86±0.006^a). The recovery and re-use time for male C. gariepinus was 45 days post-surgery. Male C. gariepinus could be used up to 6 times in a year for the purpose of breeding. CM gave the highest percentage survival (75.20 %) though not significantly different (P>0.05), and with ±SEM (0.516) and SD (1.789) of the bred fingerlings that were managed for 12 weeks. The specie of C. gariepinus could be re-used for further genetic studies after abdominal incision breeding method and milt can be extracted without killing the male brood stock but proper and adequate feeding is necessary to hasten the maturation and development of the gonads. Variation in incision length 3.40 cm is recommended for abdominal incision to extract milt from male C. gariepinus for breeding.         

Key words: Incision, milt, Clarias gariepinus, recuperation and breeding.

Full Length Research Paper

Hepatoprotective effects of vitamin C and micronized vitamin C against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats: a comparative study

Kamel M. A. Hassanin¹, Khalid S. Hashem¹, Samraa H. Abdel-Kawi²

¹Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Veterinary, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.

²Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected].

Accepted 26 June, 2013

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of micronized vitamin C against paracetamol-induced liver damage and to compare its effect with that of ordinary vitamin C. METHODS: 40 male rats were divided into four groups; 10 rats for each: control group; phosphate-buffered physiological saline (0.5 mL orally); paracetamol group (paracetamol 600 mg/kg, orally); paracetamol-vitamin C treated group (paracetamol 600 mg/kg, orally & vitamin C 500 mg/ /kg, orally); paracetamol-micronized vitamin C treated group (paracetamol 600 mg/kg, orally & micronized vitamin C 500 mg/kg, orally). In all groups, potential liver injuries were evaluated by using biochemical, oxidant-antioxidant, histopathological and immunohistochemical parameters. RESULTS: Paracetamol administration significantly increased the liver enzymes and decreased total protein level. It also increased hepatic lipid peroxidation “MDA” and the activities of both catalase and SOD while it decreased GSH content and glutathione reductase (GR) activity. It also increased liver DNA fragmentation and expression of caspase-3 in hepatocytes. Histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations proved the hepatic degeneration and centrilobular necrosis in rats exposed to paracetamol. Vitamin C and micronized vitamin C restored the measured parameters nearly to their normal levels. Histopathological changes indicated the protective nature of the Vitamin C and micronized vitamin C against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that, micronized vitamin C has a more potent effect than ordinary vitamin C against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Key words: Vitamin C, micronized vitamin C, paracetamol, hepatotoxicity, antioxidants, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3.

Review

Roles of dietary lipids in nutrition-medicine

Obimba Kelechukwu Clarence

Biochemistry Programme, Department of Chemical Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Rhema University Aba. P.M.B. 7021, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]; Tel.(+234) 07034851899

Accepted 27 May, 2013

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the importance of dietary lipids-related diseases with a view to exploring feasible preventive and curative dietary and/or drug therapies. Foods low in cholesterol and saturated fatty acids content but moderate in  poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including chicken, lean fish meal, and plant seeds rich in phytosterols (e.g β-sitosterol), such as soya bean , corn and  groundnut, seeds, should form the chief of the dietary protein sources for people predisposed or vulnerable to atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Large dietary intake of linoleic fatty acids should be avoided by those susceptible to high blood pressure caused by the over-expression of prostaglandin endoperoxidase synthase. Drugs that inhibit prostaglandin endoperoxidase synthase (a cyclooxygenase, COX) would reduce prostaglandin synthesis in normal individuals (individuals not associated with over-expression of COX) causing hypo-prostaglandinosis which increases the risk of cardiovascular incidences such as heart attack and strokes. Over-expression of COX-2 can be controlled by such drugs as inhibit COX (e.g ibuprofen vasoprin, and aspirin), by which means heart attacks, cardiac arrests, and strokes are prevented in patients suffering from hyper-prostaglandinosis.

Key words: Phytosterol, atherosclerosis, prostaglandin endoperoxidase synthase, cardiovascular.

Full Length Research Paper

Investigating the effect of growth regulator, furolan on the nucleic acid content of winter wheat grains

Essien Okon^1,a,  Hannah Etta¹ and  Natali Nenco²

¹Department of Biological Science, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria.

^2,aDepartment of Food Engineering and Advanced Technology, Kuban State University of Technology, Krasnodar, Russia.

^*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 15 May, 2013

Abstract

The germinating seeds of three winter wheat varieties namely Batko, Diya and Krasnodar 99 were investigated for the effect of growth regulator, Furolan on their nucleic acid contents which were determined by the following protocol procedures including; affinity  chromatography on poly (U) sepharose, thermal chromatography and electrophoresis methods after isolation of the total RNA. Results showed that the degree of polyadenylation of mRNA in the experimental variant actually exceeded the control in Batko, Krasnodar and the 99 varieties. In both Diya and Batko varieties, the content of 25S rRNA fraction in ripened wheat grain was increased by Furolan. In Batko variety, Furolan actually reduced the content of long-living rRNA (18S) fraction resulting in a lower growth intensity of wheat sprouts in experimental variant in comparison with the control. In Diya's variety the increase in the content of the fraction of long-living rRNA in experimental variant was in conformity with the activation of growth shoot systems of their sprouts. The ratio of 25S/18S rRNA fractions is suggested to be a useful cultivar trait.

Key words: Furolan, winter wheat, nucleic acids, total RNA, 25S/18S rRNA.

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 461-463, June, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full length research paper

Potential health effects of daily khat leaves chewing: Study on the biochemical blood constituents changes among adults in Sana’a city, Yemen

Rania Hussien Al-Ashwal¹, Maher Ali Al.maqtari², Khalid Mohammed Naji³, Nawal Ali Al-wsabai ⁴, Sadeq M. Al Hazmy⁵

¹Department of Clinical science Faculty of Bioscience and Medical Engineering, UTM, Johor, Malaysia.

 ^2,3,4 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sana'a University, Yemen.

 ⁵Departments of Chemistry,  Qassim University, Burayda, AlMurayda, Saudi Arabia.

*Corresponding author.Email: [email protected]

Accepted 21 February, 2013

Abstract

The khat plant (Catha edulis) leaves is grown and consumed daily in Yemen as a natural stimulant by chewing the young buds and tender leaves that contain the stimulant “Cathinone” for the mild stimulant effect. Cathinone is believed to be the main active ingredient in fresh khat leaves.  In Yemen this habit has a deep-rooted socio-cultural tradition in which consumers spend part of their time chewing khat (ranging between 6-8 hours per day). The effect of this habit on blood constituent has not been adequately studied in human. There is an extensive literature on khat which estimated the effectiveness and specificity for these substances on kidney and liver function test in animals than humans.  The present study was undertaken to investigate the biochemical changes associated with chewing Khat.

Key words: Biochemical assay, Catha edulis, khat, oxidation, per-oxidation, Yemen.