Reference Values of Oxidative Stress Parameters in Adult Iranian Fat-Tailed Sheep

The present study was performed on 111 adult clinically healthy Iranian fat-tailed sheep from both sexes (28 male and 83 female). Blood concentrations of oxidative stress parameters viz. malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were determined. The reference values for oxidative stress parameters of adult clinically healthy Iranian fat-tailed sheep were as followed: MDA 0.53-0.60 mmol/l, SOD 948.65-1011.50 U/gHb, CAT 1834.29-1915.63 U/gHb and GPX 191.67-196.52 U/gHb. There were no significant differences in oxidative stress parameters among animal of the two sexes

Efficient and direct iodination of alkyl benzenes using polymer/HIO4 and I2 under mild condition

An efficient and rapid method has been found for the iodination of aromatic compounds using iodine and polymer-supported periodic acid (PSPIA) as an oxidant under mild aprotic conditions. The reagent after the completion of the reaction was easily removed by filtration and was regenerated for further use. This method has some advantages such as: mild reaction conditions, straight forward procedure, inexpensive method, high yields and one-pot conversion. KEY WORDS: Iodine, Polymer-supported periodic acid, Oxidant, Iodination Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014, 28(2), 305-308.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i2.1

Vrednovanje međusobnog djelovanja oksidant-antioksidant u krvi golubova prirodno zaraženih vrstom Haemoproteus columbae.

Haemoproteus columbae is a haemosporidian parasite that infects pigeons throughout the world. The present study was designed to elucidate more aspects of the antioxidant defense of the body against haemoparasite infections in pigeons. A total of 46 indigenous pigeons naturally infected with H. columbae were selected and subdivided into three subgroups based on their parasitemia rates (<1 %, 1-3 %, 3-5 %). 24 non-infected birds were also used as controls. Blood samples from both groups were taken, and haematological parameters were measured. Although our data demonstrated significant decreases in the red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin values of the infected animals (P<0.05), no remarkable changes were observed in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase), the level of malondiadehyde (MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation, serum levels of lipids (cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL) and serum concentrations of antioxidant trace elements (copper, iron, zinc, manganese and selenium) and vitamins (A, E and C) in infected groups compared to controls. These findings show that anaemia may occur as a result of the infection with H. columbae in pigeons. In addition, the unchanged levels of different antioxidant agents, lipid peroxidation index (MDA) and the main lipid components of serum during the infection, may implicitly suggest that the parasite probably cannot induce significant effects on the antioxidant mechanisms protecting erythrocytes against oxidative agents. Also, oxidative shock may not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of the parasite in pigeons infected with H. columbae. Further studies to clarify the exact mechanism(s) of anaemia in this haemoparasitic infection need to be carried out.Haemoproteus columbae jest hemosporidij koji napada golubove diljem svijeta. Ovo istraživanje poduzeto je u namjeri da se s više gledišta rasvijetli antioksidacijska obrana organizma od hemoparazitskih infekcija u golubova. Ukupno je bilo odabrano 46 autohtonih golubova prirodno invadiranih vrstom H. columbae te podijeljeno u tri podskupine na osnovi stupnja njihove parazitemije (<1%, 1-3%, 3-5%). Kao kontrola poslužile su 24 neinficirane ptice. Uzeti su uzorci krvi od obiju skupina te su određeni hematološki pokazatelji. Iako su rezultati pokazali značajno smanjenje broja crvenih krvnih stanica, vrijednosti hematokrita i hemoglobina u invadiranih životinja (P<0,05), nisu ipak zapažene značajne promjene u aktivnostima antioksidacijskih enzima (uključujući superperoksidnu dismutazu, glutationsku peroksidazu i katalazu), razine malondialdehida (MDA) kao pokazatelja lipidne peroksidacije, razine lipida u serumu (kolesterola, triglicerida, HDL i LDL) i serumskih koncentracija antioksidacijskih elemenata u tragovima (bakra, željeza, cinka, mangana i selena) te vitamina (A, E i C) u uzorcima seruma invadiranih skupina u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu. Ti nalazi pokazuju da se anemija može javiti kao rezultat invazije vrstom H. columbae u golubova. Povrh toga, nepromijenjene razine različitih antioksidacijskih tvari, indeks lipidne peroksidacije i sadržaj glavnih lipida u serumu tijekom invazije može značiti da parazit vjerojatno ne može potaknuti značajne učinke na antioksidacijske mehanizme koji bi zaštitili eritrocite od oksidacijskih tvari. Također, oksidacijski šok nema značajnu ulogu u patogenezi invazije vrstom H. columbae u golubova. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja za točno rasvjetljavanje mehanizama nastanka anemije kod hemoparazitskih invazija

Dijagnostičke vrijednosti proteina akutne faze u iranskoga domaćega goveda invadiranoga praživotinjom Theileria annulata

This study was conducted to assess the pattern of changes and the relative value of acute phase proteins (APP) including haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin and fi brinogen in Iranian indigenous cattle infected with Theileria annulata. The diseased group comprised 24 Iranian indigenous dairy cattle, 2-3 years old, naturally infected with Theileria annulata. The infected animals were divided into 4 subgroups with different parasitemia rates (<1% and 1-3%). As a control group, 10 uninfected cattle were also sampled. Blood samples were collected and all measurements were made using validated methods. There were significant differences in red blood cells (RBCs), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) and concentrations of Hp, SAA, ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen between healthy cattle and those infected with T. annulata with different parasitemia rates (P<0.05). As the parasitemia rate increased in infected cattle, a signifi cant decrease was observed in RBCs, PCV and Hb. In contrast, with the increase in the parasitemia rate, a significant increase in Hp, SAA, ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen was evident. The optimal cut-off point was set by the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) method to >5.68 μg/mL for SAA, >0.09 g/L for Hp, >0.049 g/L for ceruloplasmin and >1.90 g/L for fibrinogen, with corresponding 71.50% sensitivity and 100% specificity for SAA, 83.30% sensitivity and 70% specificity for Hp, 50% sensitivity and 90% specificity for ceruloplasmin and 71.30% sensitivity and 80% specificity for fi brinogen. In conclusion, measuring SAA with the highest sensitivity, specificity and AUC compared to other APPs, can be a suitable indicator of inflammatory reactions in indigenous cattle infected with Theileria annulata.Istraživanje je provedeno s potrebom da se utvrdi dinamika promjena i relativne vrijednosti proteina akutne faze, uključujući haptoglobin (Hp), serumski amiloid A, ceruloplazmin i fibrinogen, u iranskoga domaćega goveda invadiranoga praživotinjom Theileria annulata. Skupina pokusnih životinja sadržavala je ukupno 24 iranska domaća mliječna goveda u dobi od dvije do tri godine invadirana praživotinjom Theileria annulata. Invadirane životinje bile su podijeljene u četiri podskupine s obzirom na različite razine parazitemije (5,68 μg/mL za serumski amiloid A, >0,09 za haptoglobin, >0,049 g/L za ceruloplazmin i >1,90 g/L za fibrinogen. Za serumski je amiloid osjetljivost iznosila 71,50% dok je specifičnost bila 100%. Osjetljivost je za haptoglobin iznosila 83,30% dok je specifičnost iznosila 70%. Za ceruloplazmin je osjetljivost iznosila 50%, a specifičnost 90%. Za fibrinogen je osjetljivost iznosila 71,30% dok je specifičnost iznosila 80%. Zaključno se može reći da mjerenje vrijednosti serumskoga amiloida A može biti prikladan pokazatelj upale uzrokovane praživotinjom Theileria annulata jer se u odnosu na ostale proteine akutne faze odlikuje najvišom razinom osjetljivosti, specifičnosti i AUC

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol root extract of Andropogon gayanus Kunth (Poaceae) in rodents

Background: Andropogon gayanus is widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments such as postpartum pain, bronchitis and oedema. Objective: This study evaluated the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol root extract of A. gayanus in experimental rodents. Methods: Phytochemical screening tests and acute toxicity studies were carried out. Analgesic activity using acetic acid-induced writhing response and hot plate test in mice, formalin-induced pain and carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats were evaluated at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of the extract. Results: Oral median lethal dose was &gt;5000 mg/kg in both mice and rats. The extract significantly (p&lt;0.01) decreased the number of writhing movements at all tested doses. It also significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the mean reaction times. A significant (p&lt;0.05) decrease in mean pain scores was also observed in both phases of the formalin test at 1000 mg/kg. The extract at 1000 mg/kg significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced the oedema at the 1st hour, while at the 5th hour, all doses tested significantly reduced the oedema. Conclusion: The methanol root extract of Andropogon gayanus possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Keywords: Andropogon gayanus, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Pai

The Effect of Intrauterine Cephapirin on Treatment of Endometritis in Commercial Dairy Cattle

Summary To evaluate the effect of intrauterine cephapirin on treatment of endometritis 39 Holstein dairy cows that affected with postpartum endometritis were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental designs. In experiment 1, 6 out of 14 cows were 25 to 30 days after parturition were treated by intrauterine oxytetracycline. Another 8 cows were treated by intrauterine cephapirin (Metri-Care). In experiment 2, 25 cows that were 55-60 days after parturition received three types of treatment. 6 cows were received only PGF2α, 9 cows were received PGF2α and procaine penicillin G, and 10 cows were treated by intrauterine Metri-Care. Cervical mucosa was collected before and after each treatment. There was no significant difference between mean (±SD) of neutrophils before and 14 days after treatment with them. Conception rates of cows received oxytetracycline and Metri-Care were 66.66% (4/6) and 37.5% (3/8), respectively. There was significant difference between mean of neutrophils before and 14 days after treatment at all groups. Conception rate of cows received only PGF2α was 33.33 % (2/6) and in cows received penicillin and PGF2α was 55.55% (5/9) but in cows received MetriCare was 90.0% (9/10). Therefore, Metri-care may be good choice for treatment of postpartum uterine infection in cow

Serum profiles of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in Caspian horses during different seasons

Minerals play an essential role in the normal vital process. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are the most abundant minerals. Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone play a key role in regulation of their homeostasis as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone on 30 Caspian horses of Guilan Province (south of the Caspian Sea) in two different seasons. So that, 15 stallions and 15 mares were sampled at the age groups ≤ 3 years and > 3 years, respectively. Fasting blood samples were collected twice, in August and January 2015 from jugular vein of horses. Serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were measured by colorimetric methods, while 25(OH)D3 and parathyroid hormone were measured by ELISA. The calcium (11.50 vs. 14.25 mg dL-1 ), magnesium (2.13 vs. 3.72 mg dL-1 ) and vitamin D (1.66 vs. 2.48 ng mL-1 ) levels were lower in winter than in summer (P < 0.05). The Caspian horses had higher phosphorus (4.52 vs. 3.26 mg dL-1 ) in winter than in summer (P < 0.05). Effect of sex on the measured parameters was not significant. Effects of age on the calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels were not significant, but ≤ 3 year - old horses had higher phosphorus (4.63 vs. 3.15 mg dL-1 ) than > 3 year - old ones (P < 0.05). The vitamin D level of mares was higher (3.10 vs. 1.43 ng mL-1 ) in summer than in winter (P < 0.05). Effects of sex, season, age and their interactions on parathyroid hormone were not significant. In conclusion, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and parathyroid hormone levels in Caspian horses were within their physiological range, but vitamin D was low without any signs of deficiency. The Caspian horses had lower calcium, magnesium and vitamin D levels in winter than in summer

Anticonvulsant activity of methanol stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii Hutch. (Burseraceae) in mice and chicks

Background: Boswellia dalzielii is a widely used medicinal plant in African traditional medicine. The efficacy of its stem bark extract in management of convulsions is well acclaimed among communities of Northern Nigeria. Objective: To evaluate the anticonvulsant potentials of methanol stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii in mice and chicks. Methodology: Phytochemical screening, elemental analysis and acute toxicity studies was carried out. The extract was evaluated for anticonvulsant activity against electrically-induced seizures in chicks and against pentylenetetrazole, strychnine, picrotoxin and 4-aminopyridine-induced seizures in mice at doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg. Results: The intraperitoneal LD50 was estimated to be 280 and 570 mg/kg in mice and chicks respectively. The extract at 20 mg/kg provided 40% protection and significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the mean onset of seizure in MEST. A dose-dependent and significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in the mean onsets of pentylenetetrazole and strychnine-induced seizures were produced by the extract at 80 mg/kg. Similarly, a dose-dependent and significant increase (p&lt;0.05 and p&lt;0.01) in latency to picrotoxin-induced convulsions was observed at 40 and 80 mg/kg respectively. Conclusion: These findings suggests the methanol stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii possesses anticonvulsant activities and thus supports the ethnomedical rationale for its use against convulsions. Keywords: Anticonvulsant, Boswellia dalzielii, Epilepsy, Pentylenetetrazole, Picrotoxi

Serum acute phase proteins in cows with SARA (Subacute Ruminal Acidosis) suspect

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations of Acute Phase Proteins (APPs) and other blood constituents during the onset of the sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) pathological status. A total of 108 cows from 12 dairy herds were randomly selected and divided into three Groups of 36 animals each. All animals were subjected to a rumenocentesis. Group A was composed by subjects with a rumen pH>5.8, Group B was composed by subjects with a rumen pH ≤5.5≤5.8 and Group C was composed by subjects with a rumen pH<5.5. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture and Haptoglobin (Hp), Serum Amyloid A (SAA), Total Proteins, Albumin and White Blood Cells (WBC) were determined. One-way ANOVA showed a statistical significance on Rumen pH, Hp, SAA. SARA seems not stimulate the APPs production from liver