Tissue activities of enzymes of diagnostic interest in the marmoset and rat

Fumonisin B1-induced DNA damage in rat liver and spleen: effects of pretreatment with coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, alpha-tocopherol and selenium

Active oxygen radical species are reported to cause organ damage. This study was designed to determine whether oxidative stress contributed to the initiation or progression of hepatic and splenic cell DNA damage induced by fumonisin B1 (FB1) in rats. Another aim was to investigate the protective effects of the antioxidants coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), L-carnitine, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and selenium against DNA damage in the liver and spleen of rats treated with FB1. Fasted rats were injected intravenously with a single dose of fumonisin B1 at 1.55 mg kg-1 body wt. into the tail vein. Treatment with FB1 led to splenic and hepatic DNA fragmentation in 85% of the test animals. DNA fragmentation was investigated as a critical event in toxic cell death by testing total Ca2+ in liver. FB1 administration caused total Ca2+ in liver to increase within 4 h (204% of control). Measurement of liver enzyme activities showed an increase in aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). FB1 also markedly decreased splenic and hepatic glutathione (GSH) levels. Pretreatment with CoQ10 (30 mg CoQ10 kg-1 diet) together with L-carnitine (2.8 mg carnitine kg-1 diet), alpha-tocopherol (30 IU vitamin E kg-1 diet) and selenium (1 mg selenium as sodium selenite kg-1 diet), decreased DNA damage and the activities of Ca2+, ASAT and ALAT in the liver. On the other hand, the level of GSH was slightly increased. The CoQ10 alone did not significantly protect against toxic cell death and glutathione depletion caused by FB1. Oxidative damage caused by FB1 may be one of the underlining mechanisms of FB1-induced cell injury and DNA damage.

Biochemical assessment of cardiac function and damage in animal species. A review of the current approach of the academic, governmental and industrial institutions represented by the Animal Clinical Chemistry Association

Species differences in metabolism, tissue localization, specificity and sensitivity for cardiac damage influence the choice of biochemical investigation used in the assessment of cardiotoxicity. The tests currently used in toxicological studies are broadly categorized herein as enzymes and other proteins, lipids and electrolytes; some limitations of these tests are also discussed.

The histochemical location of three diagnostic enzymes in the marmoset liver

The histochemical locations of alkaline phosphate (ALP), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) were demonstrated in the liver of the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Although all three enzymes were located in cell membranes, the location of LAP was demonstrated by a chromogenic substrate, in the canalicular membrane. GGT was seen in a vascular network, provisionally identified as the peribiliary arterial plexus. Possible diagnostic applications in toxicology are discussed.