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Abstract

S. Gasser¹, K. Ablasser¹, U. Roessl¹, A. Dellacher¹, D. v. Lewinski¹, H. Mangge¹, H. Mächler², A. Trantina², K.H. Tscheliessnigg², H. Udermann³, S. Porta⁴,⁶, I. Friehs⁵, E. Scherr⁵ and R. Gasser¹

¹Center of Medical Research (ZMF) and Department of Cardiology, ²Department of Cardiac and Transplant Surgery, ³Department of Forensic Medicine, ⁴Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria, ⁵Department of Cardiac Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA, and ⁶Institute of Applied Stress Research, Bad Radkersburg, Austria
While we well understand that nutritional Mg²⁺-deprivation is lethal and caused numerous cellular dysfunctions ending up with myocardial cell necrosis, the effects of extracellular Mg²⁺-concentrations on molecular pathways and processes has not been studied as yet. Characterizing these Mg²⁺-dependent intracellular molecular pathways may well constitute a further step towards understanding the effects of magnesium on myocardial function as well as protection. Using molecular profiling technique, we look at over 20,000 different gene expressions in the presence and absence of extracellular Mg²⁺, thus identifying the specific molecular signature of myocardial Mg²⁺-deprivation. This allows us to demonstrate its effects at the molecular level in resting human atrial myocardium. Using PANTHER software (Applied Biosystems) we assess up- and down-regulation of gene expression associated with biological processes and pathways. Myocardial gene expression after exposure of 30 minutes to Mg²⁺-free solution is massively altered compared to control experiments. We find a complex de-regulation of gene expression secondary to Mg²⁺ deficiency. It can be seen that gene expression associated with clusters of immunity and defence processes, protein metabolism and signal transduction as well as nucleoside, nucleotide and nucleic metabolism are significantly down-regulated. Similarly, biological processes involved in transcription, protein biosynthesis and cell communication, nucleoside, nucleotide and nucleic metabolism as well as signal transduction and protein metabolism are effected by up-regulation. Clusters of pathways down-regulated by Mg²⁺ deficiency are: various signaling pathways, T-cell activation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Clusters of up-regulated pathways are mainly different groups of signaling. In summary, experimental myocardial Mg²⁺-deprivation leads to complex changes in the expression profile of biological processes and molecular pathways. On the other hand, one can deduce from earlier observations that Mg²⁺_i is well buffered and remains relatively uninfluenced by extracellular maneuvers. The interdependence of intracellular and extracellular Mg²⁺, however, appears once more difficult to understand. Further studies are certainly needed in order to firmly establish the mechanisms of extracellular Mg²⁺ influencing intracellular processes and pathways.Correspondence to:
Prof. R. Gasser MD DPhil (Oxon); WG of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
Email: robert.gasser@meduni-graz.at

Abstract

U. Gröber

Akademie für Mikronährstoffmedizin Essen, Germany
Magnesium is an activator in more than 300 enzyme systems and is involved in all ATP-dependent processes. It stabilizes the membranes by interacting with phospholipids and as a cofactor of Na+/K+-ATPase it regulates stimulus conduction in the neurons and muscle cells. Magnesium deficiency increases the permeability of the K+ channels, which in turn influences cardiomyocyte action potentials. A major side effect of the thiazide and the high ceiling diuretics is a renal loss of magnesium and potassium. Magnesium and potassium deficiency are of great clinical significance during long-term treatment with diuretics, because hypomagnesemia and/or hypokalemia can encourage cardiovascular complications (e.g. arrhythmias) and diuretic-associated disturbances of glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism. For this reason, the correction of existing magnesium and potassium deficiencies should be the first step in every hypertension therapy before antihypertensives are administered.Correspondence to:
U. Gröber; Akademie für Mikronährstoffmedizin,
Zweigertstraße 55, 45130 Essen, Germany
Email: uwegroeber@gmx.net

Abstract

M. Gabrashanska¹, V. Koinarski², M. Anisimova¹, S. Denev³ and S. Ermidou-Pollet⁴

¹Institute of Experimental Pathology and Parasitology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, ²Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ³Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, and ⁴School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of selenium-yeast (Sel-plex 50, Alltech, Inc. Nicholasville, KY, USA) on the antioxidant defense system (vitamin A, C and E, enzyme GPx, Se and MDA), oocyst and lesion index, and body weights in chickens experimentally infected with Eimeria tenella. 100 clinically healthy broiler chickens, Cobb 500 hybrids, were divided into 4 groups. Chickens from the first group were untreated and non-infected (control group). The second group consisted of non-infected chickens having received Sel-plex in the food from the 1st day of hatching to the end of the experiment. The chickens in Groups 3 and 4 were individually infected with 8.10⁴ sporulated oocyst of E. tenella on Day 17 post-hatching. The fodder of chickens in Group 4 was supplemented with Sel-plex like the first group. Sel-plex was added at a level of 0.3 mg/kg diet. Liver and serum samples were collected for biochemical analyses on 7th day post infection (dpi). Body weights were check on 1st and 7th dpi. Ceca of infected chickens were scored for lesions and oocyst index on 7 dpi. During the acute stage of eimeriosis an antioxidant imbalance was developed in the liver of the infected chickens. Hypovitaminoses A, C and E, reduced Se level and GPx-activity and increased MDA were observed. Sel-plex supplementation increased liver vitamin E, Se level and serum GPx-activity, improved body weights in the control and in the infected chickens but did not influence parasitological status. Diet complementation with Sel-plex could be beneficial for the hosts in the treatment of parasitic diseases correlated with high levels of oxidative stress.Correspondence to:
Prof. M. Gabrashanska; Institute of Experimental Pathology and Parasitology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. Bl. 25, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Email: m_gabrashanska@ abv.bg

Abstract

Z.I. Khan¹, A. Hussain², M. Ashraf² and S. Ermidou-Pollet³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan, ²Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan and ³Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
This study has been conducted in a sheep farm of the Livestock Experimental Station located in the Southwestern Punjab. The purpose of this research was to investigate, as a function of the seasons and the sampling periods, the transfer of Cu from soils and forages to sheep grazing in this semiarid region in order to evaluate if the Cu requirement of the grazing livestock was met or if Cu deficiency occurred. The final goal was to maximize the production of animals by adopting, if necessary, an adequate and balanced Cu supplementation. A complete free-choice supplement was available to all animals throughout the year. Soil, forage and blood samples from lactating/non-lactating and male grazing animals have been taken fortnightly, four times during summer and four times during winter. Cu concentrations of the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Extractable soils Cu concentrations were higher in summer than that in winter and above the normal range for the growth of plants. Considerable variation in forage Cu was observed at sampling intervals without seasonal effect. The plasma Cu level was within the normal range in all classes of animals being higher in winter than in summer. It seems that the higher forage Cu content observed in summer is ineffective in raising the plasma Cu. It was on borderline for the occurrence of deficiency and therefore Cu supplementation may be recommended.Correspondence to:
Z.I. Khan, MD; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Pakistan
Email: drzafar10@hotmail.com

Abstract

Z.I. Khan¹, A. Hussain², M. Ashraf², L.R. McDowell³ and S. Ermidou-Pollet⁴

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, ²Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, ³Animal Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA and ⁴Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
This study has been conducted in a goat farm of the Livestock Experimental Station located in the Southwestern Punjab. The purpose of this research was to investigate, as a function of the seasons and the sampling periods, the transfer of Zn from soils and forages to goats grazing in this semiarid region in order to evaluate if the Zn requirement of the grazing livestock was met or if Zn deficiency occurred. The final goal was to maximize the production of animals by adopting, if necessary, an adequate and balanced Zn supplementation. A complete free-choice supplement was available to all animals throughout the year. Soil, forage, water and feed samples as well as blood, urine, milk and feces from lactating/non-lactating and male grazing animals have been taken fortnightly, four times during summer and four times during winter. Zn concentrations of the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Extractable soils Zn concentrations during both seasons were above the normal range for the growth of plants and forage Zn levels were sufficient for the requirements of goats. Forage Zn concentrations were higher in winter than in summer. Feed zinc concentrations were higher in summer than that in winter. The plasma Zn level was within the normal range in all classes of animals during both seasons, being higher in summer than in winter for female and higher in winter than in summer for male goats. The mean urine zinc levels of lactating goats did not show seasonal differences. In non-lactating goats, however, higher excretion of Zn through urine was found in summer than in winter. Milk Zn concentrations of lactating goats were consistently higher in winter than in summer. Feces Zn concentration did not show seasonal differences. From these results it has been concluded that the Zn requirement for goats was met and that no Zn deficiency occurred. Taking into account the fact that the Zn content of forage was low during summer, it has to be assumed that the increase of plasma Zn in lactating and non-lactating goats during this season may possibly be due to a Zn supplementation by the feed.Correspondence to:
Prof. S. Ermidou-Pollet; Attalou 26, 19005 Neo-Voutza, Nea Makri, Greece
Email: drzafar10@hotmail.com

Abstract

C.T. Wang¹, C.Y. Chou² and W.T. Chang³

¹Department of Holistic Education Center, St. John’s University, Taipei County, ²Department of Orthopedics, Chung Shan Hospital, Taipei, and ³Department of Criminal Investigation, Central Police University, Tao-yuan County, Taiwan
The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation of the mean contents of hair calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc in female osteoarthritis (OA) patients. This study was designed to compare the mean contents of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc in the hair of OA female patients (n = 51), and healthy female controls (n = 50) by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In this study, significantly higher mean contents of copper (p < 0.001), potassium (p < 0.01), sodium (p < 0.05) and ratio of [Cu/Zn] (p < 0.001) were found in OA female patients’ hair. Conversely, significantly lower ratios of [Na/K] (p < 0.05) and [Fe/Cu] (p < 0.01) were found. Based on our finding, we suggest that the mean contents of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc may play an important role in OA. However, exactly how the mean contents of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc affect OA still remains unclear and should warrant further study.Correspondence to:
C.T. Wang; St. John’s University, No. 499, Section 4, Tam-King Road, Tamsui, Taipei County, Taiwan
Email: wang6860@mail.sju.edu.tw

Abstract

Q. Li, J.-C. Zhou and Z.-Y. Liu

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Volume 26, No. 1/2009(1st Quarter)