Changes in activities of enzymes related to malate-aspartate shuttle in leukocytes from dogs given a herb supplement

Changes in activities of enzymes related to the malate-aspartate shuttle we re measured in leukocytes (WBC) from dogs given food supplemented with 2 mg /kg of herb powder, Echevaria glauca, every day for 4 weeks. There were no significant differences in plasma concentrations of glucose, immunoreactive insulin, free fatty acids and triglyceride between dogs given food with or without the herb supplementation. Activities of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the malate-aspartate shuttle incre ased remarkably in mitochondria of WBC from dogs fed the herb supplementati on. It is suggested that Echevaria glauca herb supplementation might activa te NADH shuttle systems and mitochondrial energy metabolism in dogs.