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Arsenic (As) is toxic to plants and animals. We tested the effects of arsenite and arsenate (0-16 mg/L) on seed germination, and on relative root and shoot length, α-amylase activity, reducing sugars and soluble total protein contents, and malondialdehyde content in barley seedlings. We also measured As accumulation in barley stems and roots. The α-amylase activity, relative root and shoot length, and seed germination decreased with increasing concentrations of arsenate and arsenite. The reducing sugars content in barley seedlings increased after 4 days of growth on media containing As. In general, the protein content in roots and seedlings decreased with increasing doses of As. Arsenic in the tissues was quantified by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrophotometry. To confirm the accuracy of the method, we analyzed the certified reference material WEPAL-IPE-168. The limit of detection was 1.2 μg/L and the relative standard deviation was <2.0 %.

We investigated the effects of naringin on small intestine, liver, kidney and lung recovery after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the gut. Rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight. Group A was the sham control; group B was ischemic for 2 h; group C was ischemic for 2 h and re-perfused for 2 h (I/R); group D was treated with 50 mg/kg naringin after ischemia, then re-perfused for 2 h. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions were detected by immunolabeling. We also measured arginase activity, amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and total protein. iNOS was increased significantly in the small intestine, liver and kidney in group C. iNOS was decreased significantly only in small intestine and lung in group D. eNOS was increased significantly in the small intestine, liver and lung in group C. eNOS was decreased in small intestine, liver and lung in group D; however, eNOS was decreased in the kidney in group C and increased in the kidney in group D. The amount of NO was decreased significantly in all tissues in group D, but arginase activity was decreased in the small intestine and lung, increased in the kidney and remained unchanged in the liver in group D. The total protein increased in the small intestine and liver in group D, but decreased significantly in the kidney and lung in group D. Naringin had significant, salutary effects on the biochemical parameters of I/R by decreasing the NO level, equilibrating iNOS and eNOS expressions, and decreasing arginase activity.

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