Effects of age, and protein malnutrition followed by a balanced diet on the non-parallel change in digestive enzymes in the pancreas and their secretion in the rat.

1. Ninety male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. A control group (C) was fed on a balanced diet, containing 200 g protein/kg for 51 d. An experimental group (E) was fed on a low-protein diet containing 50 g protein/kg for 28 d (PM), and then on a balanced diet for 23 d (BR). At different days of PM and BR, the pancreas and the pancreatic juice were collected 40 min after injection of 0.1 mCi [3H]leucine. The amounts of amylase (EC3.2.1.1), trypsinogen 2 (EC3.4.21.4), chymotrypsinogen 1 (EC3.4.21.1) and lipase (EC3.1.1.3) were determined after separation by the isoelectric focussing technique. Incorporation of [3H]leucine into the four hydrolases of pancreatic juice and pancreas was …

Fructose-enriched diet modifies antioxidant status and lipid metabolism in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Objective High-fructose consumption in industrial countries has been shown to induce metabolic abnormalities or syndrome X. Changes in antioxidant defense are unknown in hypertension associated with metabolic disorders induced by high-fructose feeding. Methods Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats were assigned to one of two groups; one received a fructose-enriched diet (60% fructose) and the other a starch diet. After a 13-wk diet period, total antioxidant status was assessed in the blood and liver by monitoring the rate of free radical-induced red blood cell hemolysis. Antioxidants (enzymes and vitamins) were determined in blood and liver. Gene expression of antioxidant enzymes …

2-hydroxy-methyl-1(N-phtaloyltryptophyl) aziridine stimule la prolifération in vitro des lymphocytes humains et la sécrétion des interleukines

Resume But de l’etude Il a ete demontre que les aziridines possedent une activite immunotropique marquee. Dans ce travail, les effets in vitro d’une aziridine nouvellement synthetisee (2-hydroxy-methyl-1(N-phtaloyltryptophyl) aziridine) sont determines sur la proliferation des lymphocytes humains stimules par les agents mitogenes, et sur la secretion des interleukines 2 et 6 (IL-2, IL-6). Materiel et methodes Les lymphocytes du sang peripherique sont isoles par centrifugation differentielle dans un gradient de Ficoll-Paque. Ils sont mis en culture en presence d’agents mitogenes (concanavaline A, lipopolysaccharide) et de differentes concentrations de l’aziridine testee. La determination de …

N-3 fatty acids modulate antioxidant status in diabetic rats and their macrosomic offspring.

We investigated the role of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in the modulation of total antioxidant status in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and their macrosomic offspring. Female wistar rats, fed on control diet or n-3 PUFA diet, were rendered diabetic by administration of five mild doses of STZ on day 5 and were killed on days 12 and 21 of gestation. The macrosomic (MAC) pups were killed at the age of 60 and 90 days. Lipid peroxidation was measured as the concentrations of plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and the total antioxidant status was determined by measuring (i) plasma oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), (ii) plasma vitami…

Age-related changes in cholesterol metabolism in macrosomic offspring of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of diabetic macrosomia on cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. Age-related changes in the activities of serum LCAT, hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, and ACAT, the major enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism, were determined in macrosomic offspring of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Hepatic, serum, and lipoprotein cholesterol contents were also examined. Mild hyperglycemia in pregnant rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight) on day 5 of gestation. Control pregnant rats were injected with citrate buffer. At birth, macrosomic pups had higher serum, LDL-HDL1, and H…

Dietary fish protein lowers blood pressure and alters tissue polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract Objectives To investigate the effect of two types of dietary protein on blood pressure, liver fatty acid desaturation and composition, and urine 6-keto-prostaglandin-F (PGF1α) level, the metabolite of prostacyclin. Methods 5-wk-old spontaneously hypertensive rats were fed 20% casein or purified fish protein. The fat source was 5% ISIO oil, which contains 47.9% (ω-6) and 1.7% (ω-3) total polyunsaturated fatty acids. After 2 mo on the diet, systolic blood pressure was reduced with fish protein compared with casein (189.8 ± 10.5 versus 220.7 ± 8.7). Results Excretion of 6-keto-PGF1α in urine was negatively correlated with blood pressure. Liver cholesterol and phospholipid concentratio…

Time course of changes in serum glucose, insulin, lipids and tissue lipase activities in macrosomic offspring of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the time course of changes in serum glucose, insulin and lipid levels, as well as lipid and protein content and lipolytic activities in insulin target organs (liver, adipose tissue and muscle), in macrosomic offspring of streptozotocin-induced mildly hyperglycaemic rats. Food intake and nutritional efficiency were also evaluated. Mild hyperglycaemia in pregnant rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight) on day 5 of gestation. Control pregnant rats were injected with citrate buffer. At birth, macrosomic pups (birth weight > 1.7 S.D. greater than the mean value for the control pups) had higher serum …

Age and Protein Restriction Followed by Balanced Refeeding Affect Pancreatic Digestive Enzyme Outputs and Turnover Times in Rats

Outputs and turnover times of trypsinogen 2, chymotrypsinogen 1, lipase and amylase were determined in pancreatic juice of growing male Wistar rats at various times during protein restriction (5% protein) followed by balanced refeeding (20% protein). In control rats fed a 20% protein diet, trypsinogen 2, chymotrypsinogen 1 and amylase outputs increased progressively with age, those of lipase remained constant and the turnover times of the four hydrolases were shortened. With time, protein restriction induced the most rapid decrease in trypsinogen 2 output, followed by that of amylase, then by those of trypsinogen 1 and lipase. Compared with controls, protein restriction enhanced specific ra…

Iridoid extracts from Ajuga iva increase the antioxidant enzyme activities in red blood cells of rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet.

The lyophilized aqueous extract of Ajuga iva (Ai) is able to reduce oxidative stress, which may prevent lipid peroxidation in hypercholesterolemic rats. Iridoids (I) were isolated from Ai. We hypothesized that the antioxidant defense status in red blood cells (RBC) and tissues in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet and treated with Ai may be correlated to these compounds. Male Wistar rats (n = 32) weighing 120 +/- 5 g were fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 15 days. After this phase, hypercholesterolemic (HC) rats were divided into groups, fed the same diet, and received either the same or different doses (5, 10, or 15 mg/kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection) of I for 15 days. Com…

Changes in lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense status in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar rats fed a diet enriched with fructose and saturated fatty acids

Abstract Objective Larger doses of fructose and saturated fat have been associated with oxidative stress and development of hypertension. The effects of modest amounts of fructose and saturated fatty acids on oxidative stress are unknown. Methods To increase knowledge on this question, 10-wk-old spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar rats were fed for 8 wk with a control diet or an experimental diet enriched with fructose (18%) and saturated fatty acids (11%; FS diet). The total antioxidant status of organs and red blood cells was assayed by monitoring the rate of free radical-induced red blood cell hemolysis. Sensitivity of very low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein (VLDL…

Antioxidant effect of Ajuga iva aqueous extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible antioxidant effect of an aqueous extract of Ajuga iva (Ai) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Twelve diabetic rats were divided into two groups fed a casein diet supplemented or not with Ai (0.5%), for 4 weeks. In vitro, the Ai extract possessed a very high antioxidant effect (1 mg/ml was similar to those of trolox 300 mmol/l). The results indicated that plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values were reduced by 41% in Ai-treated compared with untreated diabetic rats. TBARS concentrations were lower 1.5-fold in liver, 1.8-fold in heart, 1.9-fold in muscle and 2.1-fold in brain in Ai-treated than untreat…

Digestion and absorption rates of [3H]-oleic acid and [14C]-triolein do not differ in rats fed heated (-) and (+) gossypol cottonseed and soybean flours.

This study was conducted to compare in vivo the acute effects of heated (+) and (-) gossypol cottonseed flours with those of soybean flour on lipid digestion and absorption in growing rats. Rats were fed by gastric intubation mixed [ 3 H]-oleic acid and [ 14 C]-triolein with heated flours or without flour (control). Lipid digestion and absorption were determined for 6 h after meal intubation. Both radioactivities recovered in gastrointestinal tract were significantly higher in rats fed (+) gossypol cottonseed flour than in all other groups. The majority of both recovered radioactivities was found in stomach contents, then in stomach wall and finally in intestinal wall. The distribution of b…

Long term hemodialysis aggravates lipolytic activity reduction and very low density, low density lipoproteins composition in chronic renal failure patients.

Abstract Background Dyslipidemia, particularly hypertriglyceridemia is common in uremia, and represents an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Methods To investigate the effects of hemodialysis (HD) duration on very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) compositions and lipopolytic activities, 20 patients on 5 to 7 years hemodialysis were followed-up during 9 years. Blood samples were drawn at T0 (beginning of the study), T1 (3 years after initiating study), T2 (6 years after initiating study) and T3 (9 years after initiating study). T0 was taken as reference. Results Triacylglycerols (TG) values were correlated with HD duration (r = 0.70, P Conclusion De…

Environmental stress affects the expression of a carotenoid-based sexual trait in male zebra finches.

SUMMARY Abiotic factors including thermal stress are suggested to exert constrains on sexual ornaments through trade-offs between sexual displays and physiological functions related to self-maintenance. Given the health properties of carotenoid pigments, carotenoid-based ornaments offer a relevant context in which to investigate the effect of environmental stress, such as ambient temperature, on the production and maintenance of secondary sexual traits and, also, to explore the proximate mechanisms shaping their expression. In this study, we exposed male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) to environmental stress by exposing them to two temperature regimes (6 and 26°C) over a 4 week period.…

Hepatic storage and transport of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids by very-low-density lipoproteins in growing rats fed low- or adequate-protein diets with sunflower, soybean, coconut, and salmon oils

Protein and essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiencies may both occur in chronic malnutrition and have common symptoms. To determine the interactions between dietary protein intake and EFA availability, rats were fed purified diets containing 20% or 2% casein and 5% as one of four fats (sunflower, soybean, coconut, or salmon oil) that differed particularly in their n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Protein malnutrition enhanced hepatic triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations while decreasing hepatic protein and phospholipid contents and mass and components of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). The ratio of PUFAs to saturated fatty acids (SFAs) was consistently depressed…

An experimental manipulation of life-history trajectories and resistance to oxidative stress

Optimal investment into life-history traits depends on the environmental conditions that organisms are likely to experience during their life. Evolutionary theory tells us that optimal investment in reproduction versus maintenance is likely to shape the pattern of age-associated decline in performance, also known as aging. The currency that is traded against different vital functions is, however, still debated. Here, we took advantage of a phenotypic manipulation of individual quality in early life to explore (1) long-term consequences on life-history trajectories, and (2) the possible physiological mechanism underlying the life-history adjustments. We manipulated phenotypic quality of a co…

A Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Diet Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Antioxidant Status in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

gamma-Linolenic acid [GLA, 18:3(n-6)], eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA, 20:5(n-3)] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, 22:6(n-3)] have been reported to prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, they are highly unsaturated and therefore more sensitive to oxidation damage. We investigated the effects of a diet rich in these polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on blood pressure, plasma and lipoprotein lipid concentrations, total antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation and platelet function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Five-week-old SHR and WKY rats were fed for 10 wk either a diet containing Isio 4 oil or a diet rich in GLA, EPA and DHA (5.65, 6.39 and…

Low birth weight at term impairs cord serum lipoprotein compositions and concentrations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of low birth weight at term on serum lipoproteins. Lipid and apolipoprotein (apo) contents were investigated in cord sera of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) newborns at term (2290 g +/- 33 g) and compared with those of appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) newborns (3570 g +/- 93 g). In SGA newborns, VLDL amounts were twofold higher, whereas LDL, HDL2 and HDL3 contents were lower than in AGA newborns (-38%, -44% and -42%, respectively). VLDL-triacylglycerols (TG), apo B-100 and apo E were higher, while VLDL-apo C-II values were 39% lower in SGA newborns compared with those of AGA newborns. In SGA newborns, HDL2-apolipoprotein, phospholip…

Effect of aqueous extract of Ajuga iva supplementation on plasma lipid profile and tissue antioxidant status in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

Abstract The present study was designed to explore the possible antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects of the aqueous extract of Ajuga iva (0.5% in the diet) in rats fed a high-cholesterol (1%) diet (HCD). The results indicated that the HCD-Ai versus HCD treatment led to many changes in biochemical parameters. They showed a decrease of plasma total cholesterol (TC) and VLDL-cholesterol but an increase of HDL2-cholesterol. The triacylglycerol contents were reduced in plasma and in VLDL. The lipid peroxidation determined by TBARS was decreased by 75% in plasma. TBARS in liver, heart and kidneys were highly reduced excepted in the adipose tissue. Ajuga iva treatment enhanced superoxide dismutas…

Increased susceptibility to oxidative stress as a proximate cost of reproduction

An experimental test of the dose-dependent effect of carotenoids and immune activation on sexual signals and antioxidant activity.

Carotenoid‐based sexual traits are thought to be reliable indicators of male quality because they might be scarce and therefore might indicate the ability of males to gather high‐quality food and because they are involved in important physiological functions (as immune enhancers and antioxidants). We performed an experiment where male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) were provided with increasing carotenoid doses in the drinking water during 4 weeks (bill color of this species is a carotenoid‐based sexual signal). Simultaneously, birds were split into two groups: one receiving weekly injections of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide in order to activate the immune system, the …

Changes in Serum and Lipoprotein Fatty Acids of Growing Rats Fed Protein-Deficient Diets with Low or Adequate Linolenic Acid Concentrations

The effects of a protein-deficient diet associated with sunflower oil [adequate in 18:2(n-6), poor in 18:3(n-3)] or soybean oil [adequate in both 18:2(n-6) and 18:3(n-3)] on lipid serum and lipoprotein compositions were studied in growing rats. Four groups of rats were fed different diets: SFC (20% casein + 5% sunflower oil); SFd (2% casein + 5% sunflower oil); SC (20% casein + 5% soybean oil); Sd (2% casein + 5% soybean oil). After 28 d, both protein-deficient groups exhibited low concentrations of protein, phospholipid, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol in serum and VLDL. Compared with rats fed 20% casein diets, those fed low protein diets had lower 18:2(n-6) and 20:4(n-6) in phosphol…

Unsaturated fatty acid bioavailability in growing rats fed low or adequate protein diets with sunflower or soybean oils

Abstract The relationship of serum very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) to hepatic lipid composition was studied after 28 days of protein depletion to determine the interactions between dietary protein levels and the essential fatty acid (EFA) availability. This was examined in rats using a dietary combination of 20% or 2% casein with 5% vegetable oils, variable in their n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratios. Rats were divided into four groups, SFC (20% casein + 5% sunflower oil ); SFd (2% casein + 5% sunflower oil ); SC (20% casein + 5% soybean oil ); Sd (2% casein + 5% soybean oil ). Dietary protein depletion decreased phospholipid and protein concentrations in liver and VLDL, whereas triacylglycerol…

The essential oil of turpentine and its major volatile fraction (alpha- and beta-pinenes): a review.

This paper provides a summary review of the major biological features concerning the essential oil of turpentine, its origin and use in traditional and modern medicine. More precisely, the safety of this volatile fraction to human health, and the medical, biological and environmental effects of the two major compounds of this fraction (alpha- and beta-pinenes) have been discussed.

Changes in serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and compositions at birth and after 1 month of life in macrosomic infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers.

The aim of this study was to determine whether macrosomia related to maternal diabetes alters lipoprotein metabolism and whether these abnormalities still persist or regress after 1 month of life. Serum lipoprotein compositions and concentrations as well as serum lipid fatty acid compositions were investigated in macrosomic infants (birth weight = 4840 +/- 105 g at term) of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers at birth and after 1 month of life, and were compared to those of control infants (birth weight = 3400 +/- 198 g at term) of healthy mothers. Compared to controls, at birth, macrosomic newborns had higher serum lipids, apolipoprotein A-I and B-100, and lipoprotein (very low density lipo…

Réhabilitation nutritionnelle du rat à la suite d'une malnutrition protéique sévère. Effets comparés de la réhabilitation par la farine de coton et de soja sur les protéines et le cholestérol plasmatiques

Resume Le but de ce travail est de montrer experimentalement, par l'etude de divers constituants proteiques sanguins, que la farine de coton peut remplacer la farine de soja dans des regimes de rehabilitation nutritionnelle. Des rats de 70 ± 5 g au debut de l'experience subissent une carence proteique severe (2 % de caseine) durant 28 jours (MP), puis sont realimentes pendant 49 jours (RP) avec 4 regimes differents : rT (20 % de caseine), MSL (mais-sojalait, 60 %/30 %/5 %), MCL (mais-coton-lait, 60 %/30 %/5 %) et RCL (riz-coton-lait, 60 %/30 %/5 %). Des rats recevant durant toute l'experience le regime a 20 % de caseine servent de reference. La MP diminue les teneurs en albumine, mais propo…

Changes in antioxidant defense status in hypercholesterolemic rats treated with Ajuga iva.

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Ajuga iva ( Ai ) on serum and tissues lipid peroxidation as well as antioxidant enzymes activities in red blood cells (RBC) and tissues, in high hypercholesterolemic rats (HC). Male Wistar rats ( n =12) were fed on 1% cholesterol-enriched diet for 15 d. After this adaptation phase, hypercholesterolemic rats (total cholesterol=6.5±0.6 mol/l) were divided into two groups fed the same diet and treated or not with Ai for 15 d. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations in serum, LDL-HDL 1 , HDL 2 and HDL 3 were respectively, 5-, 7.8-, 2.3- and 5-fold lower in Ai treated than untreated hyperchol…

Rat Plasma VLDL Composition and Concentration and Hepatic Lipase and Lipoprotein Lipase Activities Are Impaired during Two Types of Protein Malnutrition and Unaffected by Balanced Refeeding1

The relationships between VLDL concentrations and composition and changes in hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase activities were determined in rats, during the consumption of two low protein diets (2% casein or 5% gluten) (protein malnutrition) for 28 d, followed by the refeeding of a balanced diet for 14 d (15% casein) (refeeding). A control group was fed 15% casein for 42 d. In the control group, total lipolytic activity increased with age (r = 0.83, P < 0.001), whereas in both depleted groups, this activity remained low and stable throughout the period of protein malnutrition. At d 28 of protein malnutrition, plasma total lipolytic activities were significantly reduced in both depleted…

Dietary protein deficiency affects n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids hepatic storage and very low density lipoprotein transport in rats on different diets.

Fatty livers and the similarity between the skin lesions in kwashiorkor and those described in experimental essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency have led to the hypothesis that protein and EFA deficiencies may both occur in chronic malnutrition. The relationship between serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and hepatic lipid composition was studied after 28 d of protein depletion to determine the interactions between dietary protein levels and EFA availability. Rats were fed purified diets containing 20 or 2% casein and 5% fat as either soybean oil rich in EFA, or salmon oil rich in eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, or hydrogenated coconut, oil poor in EFA. Animal…

Pancreatic digestive hydrolase activities in growing rats fed alternately on raw and heated soya-bean flour.

The time-course effects of two diets containing raw (RSF) or heated (HSF) soya-bean flour on the digestive enzyme levels in the pancreas and in pancreatic juice were investigated in growing rats fed, alternately, on RSF or HSF diets for two 4-week periods. These values were compared with those obtained in a control group fed on a casein diet. RSF and HSF diets lowered N balance (84.8 (SE 0.9), 82.6 (SE 0.8) and 79.9 (SE 0.8) % with control, HSF and RSF diets respectively, at the third week). However, they increased protease activities compared with the control diet (3-fold for trypsin (EC3.4.21.4) and chymotrypsin (EC3.4.21.1) activities in pancreas contents and outputs with the RSF diet; 2…

Tissue antioxidant status differs in spontaneously hypertensive rats fed fish protein or casein

The present study was designed to determine whether changes in dietary protein source are related to changes in antioxidant status determined by enzyme activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthatione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and gluthatione reductase (GSSG-Red) and lipid peroxidation levels in various tissues. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; 5 wk old) were fed diets containing 20% casein or fish protein for 2 mo. Feeding the fish protein diet lowered blood pressure and reduced plasma total cholesterol levels and SOD activity in all tissues except muscle compared with the casein diet. Feeding fish protein also enhanced GSH level and GSH-Px activity in liver and heart, accomp…

Changes in fatty acid compositions of total serum and lipoprotein particles, in growing rats given protein-deficient diets with either hydrogenated coconut or salmon oils as fat sources

The present study examines the effects of dietary saturated (hydrogenated coconut oil) and polyunsaturated (salmon oil) fats on the composition and metabolism of lipoproteins in growing rats fed on protein-deficient diets. Four groups of rats were fed on the following diets for 28 d: 200 g casein+50 g coconut oil (COC)/kg, 20 g casein+50 g coconut oil (COd)/kg, 200 g casein + 50 g salmon oil (SAC)/kg, 20 g casein+50 g salmon oil (SAd)/kg. Both protein-deficient groups exhibited low concentrations of protein and triacylglycerol (in serum, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein-high-density lipoprotein, (LDL-HDL1) and HDL2-3), of cholesterol (in LDL-HDL1) and of phosphol…

Comparative changes between pancreas and pancreatic juice digestive enzyme contents during nutritional rehabilitation following severe protein malnutrition in the rat

The relationship between digestive enzyme activities in the pancreas and pancreatic juice was studied in post-weaning rats fed on a low-protein diet (30 g cereal protein/kg) for 1 month and a refeeding balanced diet (235 g mixed protein/kg) for the following 3 months. A control group was fed on the balanced diet for 4 months. At the end of malnutrition and at various times of refeeding, activities of amylase (EC3.2.1.1), trypsin(EC3.4.21.4), chymotrypsin (EC3.4.21.1), lipase (EC3.1.1.3), phospholipase A2 (EC3.1.1.4) and cholesterolesterase (EC3.1.1.13) in pancreas and pancreatic juice were measured. Recovery of body and pancreas weights was obtained after 3 months of refeeding. Pancreas off…

A well-oxygenated cells environment may help to fight against protein glycation

Normoglycemic Wistar rats' Glycated Hemoglobin Levels (GHL) showed a time-dependent difference between control groups and those exposed to regular inhalation of peroxidizing extracts of turpentine. These extracts were able to optimize the oxygen permeation at the cellular level during and subsequently to a breathing session. The more the rats breathed turpentine peroxidized vapor, the lower their GHL was. This study was designed to confirm, in ex-vivo blood samples, the impact of peroxidizing extract on the GHL.Red blood cells were separated from plasmas by centrifugation. Plasmas were treated by peroxidizing and non-peroxidizing turpentine vapor or untreated (control), then combined with w…

Antioxidant status and circulating lipids are altered in human gestational diabetes and macrosomia.

Fetuses from mothers with gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing neonatal macrosomia and oxidative stress. We investigated the modulation of antioxidant status and circulating lipids in gestational diabetic mothers and their macrosomic babies and in healthy age-matched pregnant women and their newborns. The serum antioxidant status was assessed by employing anti-radical resistance kit (KRL; Kirial International SA, Couternon, France) and determining levels of vitamin A, C, and E and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Circulating serum lipids were quantified, and lipid peroxidation was measured as the concentrations of serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances …