Comparative Haematology International 

Abstract: Haematological parameters have been recognized as valuable tools for monitoring fish health. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters were studied and compared different feeding behaviour of teleost fishes. Three marine teleost fishes, Lates calcarifer (carnivores), Mugil cephalus (omnivores) and Chanos chanos (herbivores), were carried out in order to find out a normal range of blood parameters which would serve as baseline data for assessment of the health status of the fish as well as reference point for future comparative surveys. Blood parameters such as red blood cell count (RBC) and white blood cells count (WBC), haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin, glucose, protein, cholesterol and urea were estimated from teleost fishes of different trophic level. Statistical analysis revealed that differences in haematological parameters between marine fish were significant (P < 0.01). The result revealed that haematological RBC/WBC ratio, MCV and MCHC were significantly correlated at P < 0.05 level. The RBC/WBC level increased due to the decrease in WBC during the study. Blood serum biochemical parameters can be used for confirming the maturity and monitoring any changes in the quality of waters and related soils.

Abstract: In order to study the influences of thermal stress on serum biochemical parameters of Iranian fat-tailed sheep and their correlation with triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and cortisol concentrations, an experiment was conducted using 45 clinically healthy Iranian fat-tailed sheep. These animals were divided into three experimental groups: group I, 15 sheep at 4 °C, group II 15 sheep at 21 °C and group III 15 sheep at 40 °C. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of all animals after 7 days’ exposure to the appropriate environmental temperature. The concentrations of total protein, glucose, cholesterol, total lipid, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, triiodothyronine and thyroxine in cold stress conditions were higher than in heat stress; in contrast, the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were higher in heat stress conditions than in cold (p = <0.05). Although there were no significant differences in the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase and cortisol at either heat stress or cold stress, the first three assays were significantly lower than in animals kept at optimum temperatures, with cortisol having significantly higher values. These results revealed that very hot and very cold conditions had a profound effect on serum biochemical parameters.

Abstract: Ethanolic extract of bitter fraction of Stevia rebaudiana (Srbf) was extracted to investigate its antihyperglycemic and protective effects on renal structural changes in STZ-induced diabetes. Thirty-five male mice were divided into five groups randomly; the first group as non-diabetic control, the second group as untreated diabetic, the third group treated with glibenclamide 0.5 mg/kg, and the fourth and fifth groups treated with Srbf by 200 and 400 μg/kg bw through gavage, respectively, for 15 days. Diabetes was induced in the second to fifth groups by administration of 60 mg/kg bw of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. Serum glucose level was monitored every day. At the 16th day, the subjects were sacrificed and their left kidneys were removed. Tissue sections were stained by periodic acid Schiff and used for stereological analysis. The means were compared by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test at the significance level of p ≤ 0.05. The results showed that Srbf significantly restored the blood glucose level toward normal level faster than glibenclamide. High dose of Srbf could significantly decrease the length and volume of proximal and distal tubules and vessels and the volume of the interstitial tissue in the diabetic treated group. Both doses of Srbf could significantly prevent the glomerular hypertrophy and reduction of glomerular number in comparison with the untreated diabetic group. It can be concluded that the antihyperglycemic properties of a bitter fraction of S. rebaudiana are better than glibenclamide, and at high dose, it can ameliorate structural nephropathy in diabetic mice.

Abstract: This study sought to investigate antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of gallic acid (GA) and protocatechuic acids (PCAs) based on their structure–function relationship. Twenty micromolar of phenolic acid (GA and PCA) solutions was prepared and their antioxidant properties determined. Then, interaction of the phenolic acids with key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase) was subsequently assessed. The results showed that both phenolic acids significantly (P < 0.05) decreased Fe2+-elevated pancreas malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, chelated Fe2+, reduced Fe3+ to Fe2+, and scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate), and hydroxyl radicals and furthermore inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in a dose-dependent manner. However, GA (IC50 = 1.22 μM) had significantly (P < 0.05) higher inhibitory effect on the α-glucosidase activity than PCA (IC50 = 1.76 μM). Conclusively, both GA and PCA are rich sources of antioxidant and antidiabetic molecules. However, GA showed better antioxidant and antidiabetic effects than PCA. These effects may be due to additional hydroxyl group on its aromatic ring structure.