The Journal of toxicological sciences
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Methylglyoxal (MG) is an endogenous carbonyl compound that is produced in large quantity under hyperglycemic conditions, which are believed to contribute to the development of diabetic neuropathy. However, the mechanism by which this occurs and the molecular targets of MG are unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of MG on transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) activation in human TRPA1-expressing HEK293 cells. ⋯ Interestingly, the time course in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in human TRPA1-expressing HEK293 showed considerable differences in response to MG and cinnamaldehyde. Furthermore, we examined four endogenous carbonyl compounds, including MG, glyceraldehyde, glycolaldehyde, and glyoxal; only MG notably activated TRPA1-expressing HEK293 cells. These results may provide insight into the TRPA1-mediated effects of MG on diabetic neuropathy.
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Gentamycin (GS) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat infections of various Gram-negative organisms. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of GS on oxidative stress, antioxidant levels, testicular structure and sperm parameters in the rat. Adult Wistar rats (12 week old; N=7/group) were treated (i. p.) with 0 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg for 10 days at an interval of 24 hr between subsequent treatments. ⋯ In conclusion, GS induces an oxidative stress-status in the testis by increasing free radical formation and lipid peroxidation, and by decreasing the antioxidant reserves. These biochemical changes manifest as structural and cytotoxic changes in the testis. Further, GS also affects the spermatozoa by affecting their number, motility and morphology.
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Several QT correction (QTc) formulas have been used for assessing the QT liability of drugs. However, they are known to under- and over-correct the QT interval and tend to be specific to species and experimental conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine a suitable formula for halothane-anesthetized dogs highly sensitive to drug-induced QT interval prolongation. ⋯ A non-QT-prolonging drug (d,l-propranolol) failed to prolong the QTc interval. In addition, drug-induced changes in QTcF and QTcX intervals were highly correlated with those of the QT interval paced at a cycle length of 500 msec. These findings suggest that Fridericia's and the optimized formula, although the optimized is a little bit better, are suitable for correcting the QT interval in halothane-anesthetized dogs and help to evaluate the potential QT prolongation of drugs with high accuracy.
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Comparative Study
Mechanism for shortening PT and APTT in dogs and rats--effect of fibrinogen on PT and APTT--.
The possible mechanisms for shortening prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were investigated using citrated plasma from rats and dogs in vitro, especially focusing on increased fibrinogen concentrations. When purified canine fibrinogen was added to citrated canine plasma at final concentrations of 2, 4 and 8 mg/mL, PT and APTT were significantly shortened. ⋯ In citrated rat plasma, while purified rat fibrinogen had no effect on PT or APTT at final concentrations of 2, 4 and 8 mg/mL, it did shorten TT. These results suggest that an increased concentration of fibrinogen is a possible mechanism to shorten PT and APTT in dogs, but not in rats.
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Bilirubin oxidative metabolites (BOM) were shown to be excreted into the urine in rats in which exaggerated oxidative stress was induced. We measured bilirubin (BR) and biopyrrins in the urine of rats treated with fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator, which is known to cause oxidative stress. Male Crj:CD(SD)IGS rats aged 6 weeks were treated orally with fenofibrate at 10, 400 and 800 mg/kg for 2 weeks. ⋯ In conclusion, urinary excretion of BOM, which is a marker for oxidative stress, urinary excretion of BR and the plasma BOM levels were increased in rats treated with fenofibrate. Increased urinary excretions of BR and BOM, and increased plasma BOM levels are likely to be the consequence of physiological protection against the oxidative stress produced by fenofibrate. These findings suggest a possibility that analysis of BOM in the urine and plasma could be helpful in evaluating the degree of oxidative stress in vivo.