The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endotoxin on PMN leukocyte respiratory burst activity by measuring G6PD, NADPH oxidase and XO activities in guinea pig. In addition, the possible protective role of taurine against endotoxin-mediated PMN leukocyte function was examined. All experiments were performed with four groups (control, taurine, endotoxemia, taurine plus endotoxin) of ten guinea pigs. After the endotoxin was administrated (4 mg/kg) both G6PD and NADPH oxidase activities were significantly reduced compared with the control group. NADPH oxidase activity returned to the control value and G6PD activity also increased but it did not reach the control value. However when taurine was administrated (300 mg/kg) the activity of NADPH oxidase reached the control value; furthermore, G6PD activity also increased but it could not reach to the control value. When taurine was administrated alone, no effect on these enzymes was observed. Following the endotoxin administration, the activity of XO considerably increased. When taurine was administrated together with endotoxine and alone, this activity decreased compared to control value in both conditions. These results indicate that the O2*- formation in PMN leukocytes after the endotoxin administration is ensured by the catalysis of XO due to the inhibited NADPH oxidase activity. It was observed that taurine has considerable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, conflicting results were obtained when taurine was administrated alone or together with an oxidant agent.

The aim of the present study was to measure MPO activity in PMN leukocytes after endotoxin administration, and to compare the levels of NO2- competing with taurine for reaction with HOCl. Furthermore we aimed to determine TauCl levels, a product of MPO-H2O2-Halide system, and to evaluate anti-inflammatory properties of PMN in endotoxemia. In addition, our second objective was to investigate the effect of taurine, an antioxidant amino acid, on anti-bactericidal and anti-inflammatory functions of PMN after administration of endotoxin together with taurine. All experiments were performed with four groups (control, taurine, endotoxemia, and taurine plus endotoxin) of ten guinea pigs. After endotoxin administration (4 mg/kg), MPO activities increased and taurine levels decreased. Therefore levels of TauCl, NO2*- increased. We observed the effects of taurine as conflicting. When taurine was administrated alone (300 mg/kg), all of these parameters decreased.Consequently, we suggested that taurine is influential in infected subjects but not on healthy ones as an antioxidative amino acid. In addition, we believe that in vivo effects of taurine may differ from those in vitro depending on its dosage.

Aim of the studyOur study was designed to evaluate the acute effects of malathion on rat liver tissues.Material and methodsThe animals were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals/each. Group 1 (control group) received corn oil, while groups 2, 3, and 4 were given malathion dissolved in corn oil at a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. 24 hours after malathion administration, animals were sacrificed and liver tissues were collected. The liver tissues were then analysed biochemically and histopathologically.ResultsButyrylcholinesterase levels in groups 2, 3 and 4 were significantly lower than that of group 1. Total oxidant status and tumour necrosis factor alpha level were significantly increased in group 4 compared to group 1. Catalase activities of groups 3 and 4 were significantly higher than that of group 1. Arylesterase activity was significantly decreased in groups 3 and 4 compared to group 1. In groups 3 and 4, some vacuoles in hepatocytes were revealed and hydropic degeneration was observed in group 4.ConclusionsAcute administrations of malathion results in hepatotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner.

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