Effect of sublethal concentrations of waterborne copper on lipid peroxidation and enzymatic antioxidant response in Gambusia holbrooki

The aim of the current research was to assess the possible influence of copper sulphate contamination on the antioxidant enzymatic defenses and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). Quadruplicated lots of this fish were exposed to three increasing sub-lethal concentrations of Cu (0.10; 0.17 and 0.25mgCu/L) and a control without Cu for 20 days. Previous to laboratory acclimation, 8 fish were taken to define the initial population. At the end of the trials, 12 fish/sex/treatment were sampled for the determination of levels of copper in gills, metallothioneins (MTs) content, total lipids, fatty acids profiles and antioxidant enzymatic activity, as well as lipid peroxidation. Most of the antioxidant enzymatic defenses assayed were not activated and lipid peroxidation decreased significantly in fish exposed to any concentration of copper applied. This leads us to presume the existence of a protective mechanism against peroxidation other than the enzymatic antioxidant defense, which could be related to the observed increase of copper content in the gills.

Metabolic adjustments of Dentex dentex to prolonged starvation and refeeding

The particular metabolic strategies of the common dentex (Dentex dentex) to face a period of prolonged starvation and subsequent refeeding were assessed. Plasma metabolites, endogenous reserves, and the activity of key enzymes of intermediary metabolism in liver, white muscle, and heart were evaluated. Plasma glucose, total lipid, triglycerides, total-, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, and protein levels, liver, and white muscle glycogen, and perivisceral, and muscle fat were significantly reduced by starvation, whereas liver lipid content was surprisingly increased. Those enzymes involved in phosphorylation and oxidation of glucose and lipid synthesis, as well as alanine aminotransferase activity, were significantly depressed in liver of starved fish. The increase in β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) indicated an enhanced fatty acid oxidation during starvation. Part of the acetyl-CoA generated by β-oxidation was oxidized in the hepatic Krebs cycle, as reflected the increased citrate synthase (CS) activity. The oxaloacetate required for the reaction catalized by CS activity would be supplied by aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity whose activity was also enhanced. Glutamate dehydrogenase also increased to deaminate the glutamate produced by transaminases, especially by the increased ASAT activity. Liver gluconeogenesis of starved fish was maintained at the same rate that in controls, with glycerol playing an important role as glucogenic substrate. The increased hepatic β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (β-OHBDH) activity indicates that part of the acetyl-CoA arriving from β-oxidation was being diverted for ketone bodies production with dentex liver playing an important role in providing ketone bodies as fuels for other tissues under such circumstances. Most enzyme activities in white muscle of starved dentex were significantly depressed. In heart, starvation induced an important inhibition of those enzymes involved in glucose and protein metabolism, whereas CS, HOAD, and β-OHBDH activities were maintained at control levels. Although several biomarkers assayed returned to control values after refeeding, many others did not, which indicate that after 3 weeks of refeeding, pre-starved dentex is still experiencing a transient period of metabolic adjustments directed toward the restoration of body mass.

Physiological changes of sturgeon Acipenser naccarii caused by increasing environmental salinity

The possible repercussions of osmoregulatory processes on some indicators of classical and oxidative stress were examined during gradual acclimation of sturgeons (Acipenser naccarii) to full seawater (35% salinity) and after a period of 20∼days at this salinity. Erythrocyte constants and levels of cortisol, protein and glucose in the plasma were determined. In addition, plasma osmolality and muscle-hydration values, as well as liver and heart protein, were determined. Catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities and lipidperoxidation levels were measured in blood (plasma and red blood cells) and tissue (liver and heart). A number of physiological responses, such as disturbance in body fluid, activation of osmoregulatory mechanisms, augmented antioxidant defences in blood and alteration of energy metabolites, were detected with increasing environmental salinity. After 20 days at 35% salinity, plasma osmolality, erythrocyte constants and muscle water content all returned to values usual for low environmental salinity, indicating that osmoregulatory processes have achieved their objective. However, cortisol values, antioxidant enzyme activities in the blood (plasma and red blood cells), lipid peroxidation in plasma, and hepatic proteins did not return to initial values, showing that osmoregulatory processes cause major physiological changes in the fish.

Prediction and prevention of type 1 diabetes

The incidence of type 1 diabetes continues to increase worldwide. Despite major strides in the daily care of patients with the disease, the patients' contribution to overall morbidity and mortality statistics and health care economic burden to society is disproportionately large because of the high rate of microvascular and macrovascular complications. The quest for prevention of type 1 diabetes has been made feasible by the unraveling of the immunogenetics of the disease and the identification of at-risk subjects by an enhanced understanding of the natural history of the prediabetic period. A combination of immunologic, metabolic, and genetic markers can be used to accurately predict the disease in higher-risk relatives and the general population. This has enabled initiation of worldwide trials (Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1, European Nicotinamide Diabetes Intervention Trial, and Trial to Prevent Diabetes in Genetically at Risk) aimed at the prevention of the disease. Various promising agents are being considered for use in different at-risk populations in the near future.