Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
12-1995
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Mohammed Farooqui
Second Advisor
Dr. Robert I. Lonard
Third Advisor
Dr. S. L. Sides
Abstract
Glutathione (GSH) and related enzymes interact as a ubiquitous and efficient detoxification system in biological organisms. Several naturally occurring, as well as synthetic compounds, are known to increase the levels of glutathione/glutathione S-transferases (GST). One of the natural compounds includes myristicin, which is a constituent of parsley leaf oil as well as other natural foods. The extent to which the levels of the GSH/GST system can be induced appears to be dependent on the specific tissue type and the amount of myristicin administered. Our results show that increased amounts of myristicin exhibited beneficial effects within a certain range for each particular tissue studied. The results of this study clearly demonstrated that the GST isoenzymes in various mouse tissues could be selectively and significantly induced by administration of myristicin. The most remarkable induction of GST was observed in liver where GST $\mu$ is profoundly increased with the increased myristicin dosage. This profound induction of GST $\mu$ therefore suggests the potential of myristicin as an anticarcinogen. Benefits of increased GSTs would be directed to those carcinogens that could be metabolized by GST $\mu.$ These results also demonstrated that the induction of GST isoenzyme is tissue specific. This would mean that myristicin could be used to effectively raise the levels of GST isoenzymes in various tissues to meet the unique needs of these tissues when exposed to different toxins.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 1995 Maria Theresa Tijerina. All Rights Reserved.
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