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Biomedical subjects

A Blázovics

Publications and source records attributed to A Blázovics.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

In vitro study of elements in herbal remedies.

Decreased glucose tolerance is a first sign of diabetes mellitus and therefore rigorous control must be taken in carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms. Herbal remedies (lyophilized extracts of Myrtilli folium and Phaseoli fructus sine seminibus (L1), Myrtilli folium, Phaseoli fructus sine seminibus, and Salviae folium (L2) are traditionally used in mid-European folk medicine and in common adjuvant therapy for the prevention of complications in type 2 diabetes. Significant iron (355.7 +/- 13.8 mg/kg) and zinc (84.73 +/- 1.83 mg/kg) concentration was found in L1 and chromium (3.82 +/- 2.71 mg/kg) in L2. Ion concentrations in teas made from L1 and L2 are relatively low because the quantities of metal ions in teas do not cover the daily need, although the teas are good sources for some elements. According to the Recommended Daily Allowances, the tea of L1 is a good source for iron and manganese, whereas for chromium, the tea of L2 is better. For evaluating the element bioavailability, an in vitro dialysis system was applied to determine the element transfer from tea of the lyophilized sample to the plasma (buffer pH=7.4). Measurements showed that the elements transferred between 6.90% (iron from tea of L2) and 90.05% (chromium from tea of L2) through the membrane from teas to the plasma. Metal ions in teas of herbal remedies might contribute to the favorable therapeutic effect of preventing complications, because they might transfer through the membranes in relatively high percentages.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗
PubMed2005

Major and trace elements in whole blood of phlebotomized patients with porphyria cutanea tarda.

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a disorder of hem biosynthesis resulting from a decreased activity of the uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase enzyme. Hem precursors are accumulated in the blood, liver and skin. Inherited and acquired factors also contribute to the pathogenesis of PCT. Hem precursors and porphyrins are excreted with urine and faeces. Whole blood of 8 PCT patients and 6 volunteers of Caucasian origin were analysed. In addition to routine laboratory measurements, 19 elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, S, V, Zn) were determined by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Mg, P and S concentrations in whole blood were decreased significantly (p<0.05), whereas Ba was increased in PCT patients compared to controls. Metabolic alterations are reflected in the correlation of parameters. Positive correlations were found between the element pairs of Zn-Al, Zn-Mg, Zn-Mn, B-S, Fe-Mg, K-P, Mg-Mn for PCT patients, whereas in the control group Al-Mn, Ca-Cu, Ca-Na, Cu-Mg, Fe-K, Mg-Na, Zn-P showed positive correlations.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2005

Phenolic and triterpenoid antioxidants from Origanum majorana L. herb and extracts obtained with different solvents.

Antioxidant properties of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) herb and extracts obtained with ethanol, n-hexane, and supercritical CO2 extraction are presented. Individual antioxidants, ursolic acid, carnosic acid, and carnosol, were quantified with high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects of different parameters (temperature and pressure) of high-pressure extraction on the yield of carnosol were studied. Furthermore, two marjoram herbs from Hungary and Egypt were compared measuring hydrogen-donating abilities with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl by spectrophotometric and the total scavenger capacities by chemiluminometric methods from the aqueous extracts of the herbs. The antioxidant activities of the solvent extracts were performed using the Rancimat method. The Egyptian herb and its extracts possessed better antioxidant activities than Hungarian ones. Applying supercritical CO2 extraction, the highest value of carnosol was obtained at 400 bar and 60 degrees C.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2003

In vitro analysis of the properties of Beiqishen tea.

OBJECTIVE: Chinese Beiqishen tea was studied in an in vitro test system. METHODS: Phytochemical screening, trace element analysis, and the analysis of antioxidant properties were carried out. Characteristic constituents were determined by chromatographic (capillary gas chromatography and GCQ Ion Trap mass spectrometry) and spectrometric (ultraviolet and UV-VIS) methods. Element concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Antioxidant capacity was studied by spectrophotometric and luminometric techniques using a Berthold Lumat 9501 luminometer. Hydrogen-donating activity, reducing power, and total scavenger capacity were measured. RESULTS: Total polyphenol content was 20.77 +/- 0.52 g/100 g of drug; total flavonoid content was 0.485 +/- 0.036 g/100 g of drug; and tannin content was 9.063 +/- 0.782 g/100 g of drug. Caffeine content was 1.08 mg/100 g of drug. Essential oils were identified by gas chromatography: (+)-limonene (21%), p-cymene (1.7%), estragol (3.2%), beta-ocimene (1.4%), and thymol (2.6%). Metallic ion analysis showed significantly high concentrations of Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Ti in the drug. Antioxidant and scavenger properties were identified as a function of concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The tea infusion contained some non-desirable trace elements and caffeine in addition to polyphenols and tannins in high concentrations. Therefore, the consumption of this tea may involve risks.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2002

Effects of black radish root (Raphanus sativus L. var niger) on the colon mucosa in rats fed a fat rich diet.

The effect of black radish root (Raphanus sativus L. var niger) was studied on the structure and redox state of the colon mucosa in fat-rich diet fed rats. The epithelial lining disrupted, the number of enterocytes and the goblet cells reduced and inflammatory cells were observed in rats fed with a fat-rich diet. After treatment with granules from black radish root all of the histopathological changes and parameters of the redox state caused by the fat-rich diet were improved. The structure of the epithelial cells was similar to the controls, the number of goblet cells increased and no inflammation was observed.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Vitamin E protects against iron-hexachlorobenzene induced porphyria and formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in the liver of C57BL/10ScSn mice.

The effect of vitamin E treatment on total porphyrin content, lipid peroxidation (LOOH) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was studied in the livers of C57BL/10ScSn mice following hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and iron treatment. HCB was administered i.p. (totalling 300 mg/kg) twice, with 1 week interval. Three days after the first HCB injection iron-dextran was given i.p. (500 mg Fe per kg). Vitamin E was administered weekly (20 mg/kg) by s.c. injection. Both total hepatic porphyrin and LOOH levels were significantly (P<0.001) increased in the HCB-iron treated group as compared with the control group. Mice treated additionally with vitamin E had significant (P<0.001) lower levels as compared with the HCB-iron group. Similarly, the levels of 8-OHdG were significantly (P<0.001) increased above controls after HCB-iron treatment and this increase was reduced after co-treatment with vitamin E (P<0.02). The data support the hypothesis that the mechanism of hepatic porphyrinogenicity of HCB with iron overload is an oxidative free radical process.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed2001

The effect of amiodarone and/or antioxidant treatment on splenocyte blast transformation.

Previous studies have shown that free radical reactions may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the adverse effects of the antiarrhythmic agent amiodarone. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of free radical reactions in amiodarone-induced changes in the cell-mediated immune response. Therefore, we investigated the effects of amiodarone alone and in combination with either vitamin E or silymarin on (a) spontaneous blast transformation of splenocytes, (b) concanavalin A (con A)-induced proliferation of splenocytes at three different lectin concentrations, and (c) the content of conjugated dienes in liver homogenate. Forty-eight male Fischer 344 rats were randomized to one of the following groups: 1, control; 2, amiodarone; 3, vitamin E; 4, amiodarone+vitamin E; 5, silymarin; 6, amiodarone+silymarin. The con A-induced splenocyte proliferation was significantly decreased in amiodarone-treated rats at all three lectin concentrations. In the amiodarone-treated group, the change of spontaneous blast transformation was not significantly different from the control. In groups treated with amiodarone plus either antioxidant, both the spontaneous and con A-induced splenocyte proliferation were significantly increased compared with the amiodarone-treated group, and were similar to those in the control group. Amiodarone treatment significantly increased, and both silymarin and vitamin E combined with amiodarone significantly decreased, the conjugated diene content of liver homogenate compared with amiodarone treatment alone. In conclusion, free radicals generated by amiodarone may be implicated in the adverse effects of amiodarone on cell-mediated immune response, and antioxidants applied together with amiodarone may protect against or reduce both the unfavorable immunological effects of amiodarone and amiodarone toxicity.

Amiodarone↗
PubMed2001

The in vitro effect of Helichrysi flos on microsomal lipid peroxidation.

Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench has long been known as a medicinal plant in Europe for its cholagogue, choleretic, hepatoprotective and detoxifying activities. Antioxidant properties of its main phenolics, flavonoids may be supposed to be responsible for these effects. The aim of this study was to verify the antioxidant properties of lyophilized water extracts with different polyphenol and flavonoid contents from inflorescences. The effects of natural extracts on microsomal fraction of rat liver were examined. Enzymatically induced lipid peroxidation and NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity in liver microsomes were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Results were compared with the activity of silibinin flavonoid, the main agent of well-known milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.). The natural plant extracts diminish the enzymatically induced lipid peroxidation in a concentration-dependent manner and reduce the cytochrome c dose dependently. The sample with higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents showed more stimulation of NADPH cytochrome c reductase. The lyophilized Helichrysi flos extracts proved to be more effective compared to silibinin in examined concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effect of silibinin and vitamin E on restoration of cellular immune response after partial hepatectomy.

Our aim was to study the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effect of silibinin and vitamin E on the early postoperative course in rats that had undergone a partial hepatectomy (PHX). Male Wistar rats that were treated with silibinin (50 mg/b.w.kg i.p.) and/or vitamin E (500 mg/b.w.kg p.o.) were randomised to undergo 70% PHX. At 72 h after operation, Concanavalin A (Con-A) induced lymphocyte proliferation, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced interleukin-1 (IL-1) mitogenicity and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) cytotoxicity were measured in the spleen. In addition, total free radical scavenger capacity of the liver was analysed. In PHX animals, Con-A induced lymphocyte proliferation was significantly decreased, and both LPS induced IL-1 and TNF-alpha activity were significantly increased as compared to Sham treated animals. Treatment with silibinin and vitamin E synergistically restored both lymphocyte proliferation (P<0.01) and cytokine activity (P<0.001) in PHX animals. In addition, silibinin and vitamin E synergistically (P<0.001) restored total hepatic free radical scavenger capacity as well as serum levels of AST and gammaGT, that were all markedly decreased in PHX animals. Our results suggest that preoperative treatment with silibinin and/or vitamin E modulates the cellular immunoresponse and restores impaired liver function following PHX, presumably through their antioxidant capacity. This may explain their beneficial effects on the postoperative course of liver repair.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Lipid and DNA oxidative damage in experimentally induced hepatic porphyria in C57BL/10ScSn mice.

Patients with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) develop hepatocellular carcinoma as a late consequence. Pre-loading of C57BL/10ScSn mice with iron greatly sensitizes them to the induction of hepatic porphyria caused by hexachlorobenzene (HCB). HCB will also cause liver tumors in experimental animals. Elevated liver iron stores are implicated in the development of some human liver cancers in connection with its known catalytic role in generation of highly reactive activated oxygen species. The aim of this study was to determine the lipid and DNA oxidative damage in iron and HCB-induced porphyric mice. C57BL/10ScSn mice received i.p. injections of dextran sulfate (control), iron (Imferon) or combined iron and HCB. 6 weeks after treatment plasma ALT levels and hepatic free iron, porphyrin, lipid peroxides and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were analyzed. Hepatic porphyrin level was significantly (p < 0.001) increased following combined iron/HCB treatment as compared to control mice. The level of lipid peroxides increased 9-fold (p = 0.001) and 35-fold (p < 0.001) after iron and iron/HCB treatment respectively, whereas the level of 8-OHdG was increased 2.5-fold (p = 0.002) and 7.5-fold (p < 0.001) after iron and iron/HCB treatment respectively as compared to control mice. The authors conclude that iron overload in conjugation with HCB induce lipid and DNA oxidative damage in C57BL/10ScSn mice. DNA oxidative damage may be important in the early events of hepatic carcinogenesis in experimental porphyria.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Oxidative damage in alcoholic liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: The metabolic effects of alcohol are due both to its direct action and to that of its first metabolite, and can also be connected with the changes in redox state. Differences in ethanol distribution, bioavailability and hepatic metabolism can provide insight into the protective and predisposing factors in alcoholism, as well as gender differences of alcohol toxicity. Oxidative stress occurs following various conditions of ethanol consumption. DESIGN: Twenty-six Caucasian patients with alcoholism and 32 healthy, abstinent controls of both sexes were investigated with special regard to reduction-oxidation status and ad hoc free-radical-antioxidant balance. METHOD: Plasma free SH-group concentration, H-donating ability, and reducing power property were measured by simple spectrophotometric methods. Total scavenger capacity was determined by a newly developed chemiluminometric method in plasma and erythrocytes. RESULTS: Alcoholics showed a decrease of free SH-group concentration, hydrogen-donating ability and an increase of reducing power property in plasma. A decreased total scavenger capacity of erythrocytes and plasma of alcoholic patients, combined with gender differences, could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: Alcoholic dependence causes gradual exhaustion of the antioxidant capacity of erythrocytes, therefore this non-invasive measurement may be useful as a follow-up of the evolution of alcoholic liver disease. The results also suggest a gender susceptibility of alcohol toxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The in vitro effect of dandelions antioxidants on microsomal lipid peroxidation.

Dandelions have long been used in herbal medicine for their choleretic, diuretic, antiinflammatory, appetite-stimulating and laxative properties. An antioxidant property can be supposed as a basis of their-therapeutic effects. To understand the mechanism of the drug's action, the effects of natural extracts on a microsomal fraction of rat liver were examined. The extracts diminished the enzymatically induced-lipid peroxidation and reduced the cytochrome c with and without NADPH in a concentration dependent manner.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Free radical scavenging and membrane protective effects of methanol extracts from Anthriscus cerefolium L. (Hoffm.) and Petroselinum crispum(Mill.) nym. ex A.W. Hill.

The antilipoperoxidant activity of Anthriscus cerefolium L. (Hoffm.), chervil, Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A. W. Hill., parsley extracts were evaluated with ascorbic acid induced lipid peroxidation on rat brain homogenates. These results are completed by the antiradical potential of these extracts against a solution of OH. radical. In all cases luteolin-7-O-glucoside was used as a reference material.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

In vitro antioxidant properties of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench.

The choleretic, hepatoprotective and detoxifying activities of the inflorescence of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench (everlasting, immortelle: Asteraceae-Helichrysi flos syn. Stoechados flos) have been known for a long time from herbal medicine in Hungary. Antioxidant properties of its main phenolics, flavonoids, are supposed to be responsible for these effects. The aim of this study is to verify the antioxidant properties of the lyophilized water extracts from inflorescences, and to define the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in Helichrysi flos water extracts as well as in lyophilized water extracts. The hydrogen-donating ability and the reducing power property of the lyophilizates were determined spectrophotometrically; their OH&z.rad; scavenging activity was measured, in the H(2)O(2)/OH&z.rad;-luminol-microperoxidase system, by a chemiluminometric method. Results were compared with the activity of the flavonoid silibinin, the main agent of the well-known milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.).

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2000

Membrane stabilising effects of natural polyphenols and flavonoids from Sempervivum tectorum on hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase system in hyperlipidemic rats.

The extensive role of the microsomal mixed-function oxidase (MFO) system in the oxidation of endo-and xenobiotics, in the detoxication, in the generation of reactive free radicals and in the decomposition of the end products of lipid peroxides is well documented in the literature. Steatotic liver is a very frequent damage with different etiology. Drug metabolising reactions are suppressed in fatty liver, in which pathologically increased production of reactive oxygen intermediates may lead to the peroxidation of microsomal membrane lipids and to the change of membrane bound enzyme activities because of overwhelmed protective mechanisms. The subnormal activity of the MFO system may diminish the non specific resistance of the organism. Therefore we have studied the effects of natural flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds on the mixed-function oxidases. Antioxidant, O(2)(-&z.rad;) and &z. rad;OH scavenger properties of Sempervivum tectorum extract (STF1) were proved by EPR spectroscopic and chemiluminometric techniques. Potential bioactive constituents were determined by chromatography (HPLC, TLC) and spectrometric (UV, UV-VIS) methods. In the present study we reflect on the membrane stabilising, antioxidant and lipid metabolism modifying effects of this extract. It was established that activities of NAD(P)H reductase and content of cytochrome P450 were normalised in liver microsomes of hyperlipidemic rats, if the animals were treated with STF1 (2 g/bwkg for 9 days in drinking water parallel with fat-rich diet feeding). Fatty acid composition, examined by HRGLC analysis, was changed beneficially. NADPH induced lipid peroxidation was also decreased in microsomes in in vivo and in vitro experiments. At the same time the STF1 had no significant influence on MFO system in normolipidemic animals and on cytochrome b5 concentration of microsome fractions of hyperlipidemic rats.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

In vitro antioxidant activity of Anthriscus cerefolium L. (Hoffm.) extracts.

Standardised aqueous extracts of chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium L. Hoffm.) (Apiacae) were investigated for antioxidant effect. Numerous in vitro test methods were used to determine whether the extracts, from different vegetative parts (root, herb) had H-donor, metal binding, reductive, free radical scavenging and membrane protective activity. Apiin was used as a reference material. The herb extract showed better activity in all experiments than the root extract. The present results underline that the wateric chervil extracts have antioxidant and anti-lipoperoxidant activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[In vitro findings of antioxidant properties of Hungarian red wines].

In the present study the antioxidant activity of some selected Hungarian red wines produced in traditional wine-growing regions of the country was investigated in different chemical systems. All the samples exhibited strong hydrogen-donating ability, showed significant reducing power and copper-chelating ability. The samples could retard the autooxidation of linoleic acid during a 10-days incubation period at 40 degrees C. All the investigated properties depended on the total polyphenol content of the wines. The highest polyphenol content and antioxidant activity was in Pinot Noir and in Merlot from Villány. Results of this research and other literary data indicate that polyphenols in the concentrations in wines consumed frequently, and moderately together with meal can give an antioxidative contribution to the human health.

Antioxidants↗