Protective effect of purple sweet potato leaf (Ipomoea batatas Linn Convolvulaceae) against alcohol-induced liver damage in mice

Purpose: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Ipomoea batatas extract against alcohol-induced liver damage in mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups (n = 10). Normal Group: The animals received distilled water 5 ml/kg for 7 days; Alcohol Group: The animals received alcohol 5 ml/kg of 40 % w/v alcohol for 7 days; Alcohol + Purple sweet potato leaf extract (PSPE) Group: PSPE 400 mg/kg was for 7 days. The animals received alcohol 5 ml/kg of 40 % w/v alcohol for 7 days; Alcohol + Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract (HDE) Group: HDE 400 mg/kg was for 7 days. To confirmed to the liver protection effect of PSPE, it was calculated, and the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) in serum were detected. To evaluate changes of histological in alcohol-fed mice, liver tissue was determined by H&E staining. Results: Blood alcohol concentration in purple sweet potato leaf extract (PSPE) 200 mg/kg and Hovenia dulcis (H. dulcis) extract (HDE) 200 mg/kg treated group significantly decreased compared to - alcohol with water treated group (p < 0.05). Serum ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) were markedly reduced. Liver sections in mice stained with H&E (hematoxylin and eosin) stain to displayed the physiological changes in the liver tissue. Furthermore, the results showed that inflammatory cells increased in the alcohol group compared to the normal group, but spontaneously decreased in the PSPE or HDE-treated group. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Ipomoea batatas may be therapeutically effective in protecting the liver from alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity and fatty liver.

Plasma and tissue enzyme activities of banded water snakes (Nerodia fasciata) and diamondback water snakes (Nerodia rhombifer)

OBJECTIVE To measure plasma and tissue activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase, and γ-glutamyltransferase in 2 snake species. ANIMALS 6 banded water snakes (Nerodia fasciata) and 6 diamondback water snakes (Nerodia rhombifer). PROCEDURES Blood was collected via the ventral tail vein to measure plasma enzyme activities. Animals were then euthanized, and samples of 9 tissues were collected from each snake: skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, testicle, pancreas, and gallbladder. Tissues were frozen for 30 days, then homogenized and processed. Supernatants were collected and analyzed within 24 hours of processing. A linear mixed model was used to determine differences in enzyme activity between tissues and species and assess interactions between tissues and species. RESULTS Activities of all enzymes were found to differ significantly among tissues. There were also significant differences between species for all enzyme activities, except AST activity. The kidney had the highest alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase activities. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly highest in liver and kidney tissues than in other tissue. Creatine kinase activity was highest in skeletal muscle, followed by cardiac muscle and kidney. AST activity was present in all tissues evaluated, but was highest in liver, kidney, and cardiac muscle in both species. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results reinforced the importance of characterizing the origin of tissue enzymes in reptiles to improve our understanding of biochemistry results and highlighted the differences that can exist in tissue enzyme activities between closely related species.

Effects Of High Dosage of Codeine - Containing Cough Syrup Administration on Some Biochemical Parameters of Liver in Albino Rats

The study aimed to determine the effect of a high dosage of codeine-containing cough syrup administration on some biochemical parameters of the liver in albino rats. Codeine at 80 mg/kg/day, 160 mg/kg/day, 240 mg/kg/day, 320 mg/kg/day cough syrup were administered orally to albino rats for 21 days, biochemical parameters were analyzed for the activities of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Bilirubin, Total protein and Albumin. Results obtained revealed that a high dosage of codeine administration significantly increased plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and albumin while it reduced total protein level when compared with the control rats. The study confirmed the risk of increased hepatotoxicity due to a high dosage of codeine administration. Although codeine is reported to be effective in pain management, its toxicity should be kept in mind.

Effect of Xanthohumol Added to Diet on Blood Biochemistry in Japanese Quails

In this paper, we monitored to effect of xanthohumol added to diet on blood biochemistry in Japanese quails. Forty Japanese quails breeds lines Pharaoh were included in the experiment. The quails were randomly divided into two groups: one control and one experimental group with supplementation by xanthohumol in feed. In the evaluation of biochemical parameters, we focused on total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol and enzyme activity of AST (Aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) and ɤ-GT (ɤ-Glutamyltransferase). Statistical comparisons were made between group with supplementation by xanthohumol in feed and the control group. Total protein and albumin levels were significantly differed between groups (P <0.05). A significant decrease in AST activity (P <0.05) was observed in supplementation group relative to control group.

The Pattern of Neuroinflammatory miRNAs, C-Reactive Protein, and Alanine Aminotransferase During Hospitalization In Recovered or Not-Recovered COVID-19 Patients

Background: Our aim was to investigate the expression of miRNAs, C-reactive protein as a blood inflammation marker, and alanine aminotransferase as a tissue inflammation marker in recovered and not-recovered COVID-19 patients. Methods: This cross-sectional project was done in three medical center of Iran from December to March, 2021. Generally, a total of 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with grade III and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Then, the neuroinflammatory expression of miRNAs (miR-199, miR-203, and miR-181), C-reactive protein, and alanine aminotransferase were investigated during hospitalization from week 0 to week 2. Results: In not-recovered COVID-19 subjects, the expression of miR-199, miR-203, and miR-181 were decreased and the levels of C-reactive protein and alanine aminotransferase were increased during hospitalization. Conversely, in recovered COVID-19 subjects, the relative expression of miR-199, miR-203, and miR-181 were increased and the levels of C-reactive protein and alanine aminotransferase were decreased during hospitalization. Conclusions: The expression pattern of neuroinflammatory miRNAs is depends on whether the COVID-19 patient is recovering or deteriorating. Their expression is down-regulated in not-recovered COVID-19 patients and up-regulated in recovered COVID-19 patients.

Evaluation of Liver Enzyme Levels in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Background: Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease, it seems that liver abnormalities are also prevalent in the patients. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate liver enzymes in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 111 COVID-19 patients admitted to Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah during September-November 2020. The required data were extracted from the hospital files, and data analysis was performed in the Excel software and SPSS version 21. Results: The mean age of the patients was 60.87 ± 15.85 years. 50.5% of patients were female. Among the patients, 38.7% had hypertension, 19.8% had diabetes, and 7.2% had cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, 34.2% of the patients had abnormal aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 17.1% had abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and 100% had abnormal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Conclusions: According to the results, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases were the most common comorbidities among the COVID-19 patients. AST, ALT, and LDH are important indicators of hepatic disorders, which were abnormal in these patients as well. Moreover, the patients aged less than 60 years, male patients, and those with renal disorders had a higher mean ALT.