Role of germanium L-cysteine α-tocopherol complex as stimulator of some antioxidant defense systems in gamma-irradiated rats

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the potency of the newly prepared germanium L-cysteine a-tocopherol complex [germanium dichloro tetrakis (L-cysteinyl-a-tocopherol amide) dichloride] as a protective agent against g-irradiation-induced free radicals production and liver toxicity. Male Swiss albino rats were injected intraperitoneally with the germanium complex in a concentration of 75 mg kg -1 body mass per dose, for 6 successive doses, last dose administered twenty minutes pre-exposure to a single dose of whole body g-irradiation of 6.5 Gy. Lipid peroxidation (LPx), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH) levels, and activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were estimated in blood and liver. Blood total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride and a-tocopherol content were estimated as well. The results revealed that administration of germanium complex pre-irradiation resulted in significant (p < 0.001) improvement compared to the irradiated group in the level of hepatic and blood LPx. Hepatic GSH revealed a significant increase (p < 0.001), while its level showed no significant variation in blood. Also, the level of NO in blood and liver increased significantly (p < 0.001). On the other hand, pretreatment with the germanium complex normalized the activities of SOD, GPx and CAT in blood and liver when compared to the irradiated group. The study also documents a marked decrease in a blood triglyceride and cholesterol (p < 0.001) and a significant increase (p < 0.001) of a-tocopherol and total protein contents in blood. These biochemical changes were associated with marked improvement of histological status. Therefore, the germanium L-cysteine a-tocopherol complex may be a good candidate for ameliorating the changes induced by irradiation, which indicates the beneficial radio-protective role of this antioxidant agent.

Protective Effect of Aged Garlic Extract Against the Oxidative Stress Induced by Acute Ionizing Irradiation on Hepatic Antioxidant Enzymes in Rats

“…In the present study, there was a decrease in contents of total proteins in serum of rats irradiated with gamma radiation, indicating liver injury [1,43]. These results are in accordance with other studies using high-energy radiation from cobalt source [44].…”

Hepatoprotective effect of germanium-containingSpirulinain rats withd-galactosamine- and lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatitis

“…A study has reported that high amounts of phycocyanobilin present in Spirulina inhibit the activity of NADPH oxidase ( 34 ) . Moreover, various studies have suggested that germanium compounds may have protective effects against liver injury, as well as antioxidant effects ( 17 , 19 , 20 ) . Thus, GeSP is believed to exert synergistic effects of both Spirulina and germanium.…”

“…Germanium is present in all living plant and animal matter in micro-trace quantities. Although inorganic germanium (germanium dioxide) has been shown to have toxic effects ( 14 ) , organic germanium has therapeutic attributes including immune enhancement ( 15 ) and antioxidative effects ( 16 , 17 ) . Organic germanium is well known to be effective in protecting against liver injury in mice through reducing the production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or TNF-α ( 18 , 19 ) .…”

Glycosidase Activity of Bacteria the Genus Bacillus, Isolated from the Black Sea

“…Они могут присутствовать в клетке в следовых количествах, однако их синтез может быть активирован различными веществами, как непосредственно субстратами, так и синтетическими веществами, ионами металлов и их комплексными соединениями. Среди последних перспективными и в то же время наименее изученными являются координационные соединения активных металлов, в частности германия, с биолигандами [10][11][12]. Уникальные комплексообразующие свойства германия находят применение в различных областях медицины и фармакологии, в том числе и благодаря способности влиять на свойства протеина путем изменения его конформации [12,13].…”

“…В некоторых случаях невысокую исходную активность микробных культур удается индуцировать не только с помощью оптимизации углеродного и азотного питания, а также при использовании химических индукторов. В роли последних, в частности, могут выступать металлы и их координационные комплексы с биолигандами [10,12]. Координационные соединения металлов уже показывали свою эффективность в качестве индукторов синтеза и активности некоторых ферментов [11,20].…”