Increased expression of SLC2A9 decreases urate excretion from the kidney.

Urate is the final metabolite of purine in humans. Renal urate handling is clinically important because under-reabsorption or underexcretion causes hypouricemia or hyperuricemia, respectively. We have identified a urate-anion exchanger, URAT1, localized at the apical side and a voltage-driven urate efflux transporter, URATv1, expressed at the basolateral side of the renal proximal tubules.

Protection of centrilobular necrosis by Curcuma comosa Roxb. in carbon tetrachloride-induced mice liver injury.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the protective effect and possible mechanism of Curcuma comosa hexane extract on CCl(4)-induced liver injury in adult male mice.

Materials And Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of CCl(4) and was evaluated after 24 h from the elevations of plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities, and histological analysis of liver injuries. Hexane extract of Curcuma comosa was given at different time points from 1 to 72 h, prior to CCl(4) administration and the protection from liver injury was assessed.

L-glutamate enhances methylmercury toxicity by synergistically increasing oxidative stress.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental toxicant. With its lipophilic nature and high reactivity to sulfhydryl groups, it is widely distributed and accumulated in the body to damage cells. Oxidative stress is proposed as a major mechanism underlying the cytotoxic action of MeHg.