Activity Of Antioxidant System Research Articles

Antimony toxicity in soils and plants, and mechanisms of its alleviation

Antimony (Sb) is a non-essential element for plants, animals, and humans. With increased anthropogenic inputs from mining and industrial activities, ore processing, vehicle emissions, and shooting activities, elevated Sb levels in the environment have become a growing concern. Despite of its non-essentiality, some plants can take up and accumulate Sb in relatively high concentrations in their organs. At increased concentration in edible plant parts or medicinal herbs it may pose health risks to humans and livestock. Although most of Sb is stored in root tissues, a smaller quantity of this metalloid can be translocated to the shoot depending on the plant species, where it exerts a variety of deleterious effects. Its chemical speciation has an influence on its behavior in the environment and its ecotoxicity. Inhibition of photosynthesis, modified root and leaf anatomy, activation of plant antioxidant system, or disruption of plant membrane system are some of the negative effects of Sb on plant growth and development. Studies on mitigation methods are quite important in order to produce food crops in a safe way. Application of silicon, selenium, biochar, nanoparticles, and microorganisms are proven to be emerging strategies for reducing the Sb toxicity. • We provide recent insight to mechanisms of soil-plant Sb transfer and accumulation. • Novel findings about phytotoxic effects of Sb are shown. • We summarize recent knowledge about alleviation of Sb toxicity in soils and plants.

State of spatial memory and antioxidant system activity of rats in the dynamics of development of blast-induced traumatic brain injury

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in spatial memory and catalase activity in dynamics in the blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). The experiment was carried out on 67 albino male Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into three groups: I group – experimental (n=34), animals were subjected to inhalation anesthesia with halothane, fixed and was simulated blast-induced traumatic brain injury was simulated by generating a shock wave with an overpressure of 26.4±3.6 kPa, II group – sham (n=34), animals which were subjected only to inhalation anesthesia and fixation and III group – intact (n=34). After the study of behavior, euthanasia was performed, blood and brain were taken shelter. Histopathological examination of the brain showed disturbances both of hippocampal neurons and microcirculature. In the dynamics of the post-traumatic period of mild bTBI there was observed a significant (p<0.01) impairment of rats spatial memory in the experimental group, which was established as a prolongation of latent time of the search in the Barnes maze: by 39% – on day 1, by 76% – on day 3, by 65% – on day 7 and by 61% – on day 14 of the study. The analysis of catalase activity revealed a significant decrease of this enzyme activity in blood plasma of the rats in the experimental group in comparison with rats of sham and intact groups: on day 1 – by 35% (p<0.01), on day 3 – by 27% (p<0.01) and by 12% on day 7 of the post-traumatic period (p<0.05), which indicates the involvement of catalase in the reaction of hydrogen peroxide inactivation. Correlation analysis between spatial memory and catalase activity in experimental rats showed a negative relationship of medium degree on day 1 (r=-0.3, p<0.01) and a negative relationship (r=-0.2, p<0.01) of weak degree on day 3 of post-traumatic period, indicating increased formation of free radicals during this period. One-way analysis of variance showed a significant (H1, p<0.01) effect of changes in the catalase activity of rat blood plasma on the state of spatial memory in the Barnes maze during 14 days of the post-traumatic period. It was established that oxidative stress is an important link in pathogenesis of the spatial memory disorders in animals with mild bTBI in the first week of the post-traumatic period.

Potential of Rhizobia Nodulating Anthyllis vulneraria L. from Ultramafic Soil as Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Alleviating Nickel Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana L.

Rhizobia, which enter into symbiosis with legumes, can also interact with non-legumes and promote plant growth. In this paper, we explored the effects of nickel (Ni, 200 µM) on Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) inoculated with plant growth-promoting (PGP) rhizobia nodulating ultramafic Anthyllis vulneraria. The isolated PGP strains tolerant to Ni were identified as Rhizobium sp. and Bradyrhizobium sp. The isolates highly differed in their PGP abilities and Ni resistance. Without Ni-stress, the plants inoculated with most isolates grew better and had higher photosynthetic efficiency than non-inoculated controls. Nickel treatment increased Ni concentration in inoculated plants. Plant growth, leaf anatomy, chloroplast ultrastructure, efficiency of photosynthesis, and antioxidant defense system activity were significantly impaired by Ni, however, the majority of these effects were diminished in plants inoculated with the most effective PGP rhizobia. Real-time PCR revealed an increased expression level of genes involved in auxin and gibberellin biosynthesis in the inoculated, Ni-treated plants, and this may have improved shoot and root growth after inoculation with effective isolates. Our results also suggest a positive correlation between Ni-stress parameters and antioxidant defense system activity, and also between the effectiveness of photosynthesis and plant growth parameters. We showed that the selected rhizobia, naturally nodulating Anthyllis on Ni-rich ultramafic soils can promote Arabidopsis growth and increase plant tolerance to Ni by improving different physiological and biochemical mechanisms.

DISTURBANCE OF PRO-OXIDANT-ANTIOXIDANT BALANCE IN RATS WITH CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA

Excess of reactive oxygen can lead to membrane damage, accumulation of lipid, protein, and nucleic acid oxidation products, deficiency of reduced pyridine nucleotides and phospholipids of mitochondrial membranes, and then to electrolyte imbalance, mitochondrial swelling, uncoupling of oxidation and phosphorylation processes, and ischemic neuronal death. Thus, the study of oxidative stress and antioxidant system activity is relevant.
 The aim of the study is to examine the changes in the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance in rats with ischemic brain damage of different degrees of severity (subtotal and total cerebral ischemia).
 Materials and Methods. The experiments were performed on 30 male outbred white rats weighing 260±20 g in compliance with the requirements of the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union No. 2010/63/EU of September 22, 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
 Results. A more significant decrease in the content of total SH-groups of proteins and glutathione (by 58 (51; 64) % (p<0.05)), and GSH concentration (by 29 (19; 35) % (p<0.05)) was observed under 24-hour subtotal brain ischemia (SBI) compared with 1-hour SBI. Changes in the glutathione peroxidase activity were multidirectional: in 1-hour SBI, the activity increased by 12 (9; 18) % (p<0.05compared to the control level, and in 24-hour SBI, it decreased by 74 (67; 81) % (p<0.05). In 1-hour SBI, the content of total SH-groups of proteins and glutathione was higher by 60 (54; 65) % (p<0.05), and GSH concentration was higher by 42 (39; 56) % (p<0.05) compared with 1-hour total brain ischemia (TBI). The content of products that react with thiobarbituric acid increased by 59 (51; 63) % (p<0.05). In 24-hout SBI, the content of total SH-groups of proteins and glutathione was higher by 36 (29; 45) % (p<0.05), and GSH concentration was higher by 63 (59; 75) % (p<0.05) compared with 24-hour TBI. The content of products that react with thiobarbituric acid increased by 83 (78; 91) % (p<0.05). The glutathione peroxidase activity in TBI was equal to zero.
 Conclusions. Thus, the most pronounced disturbances in the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance were observed in 24-hour TBI. Similar, but less pronounced disturbances were observed in 24-hour SBI.

A Review of Laboratory Methods for Measuring Oxidative Stress

Introduction: Antioxidant defense system, including enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, protects cells from oxidative damage by neutralizing oxidant compounds. Increasing the production of oxidant species and decrease activity of antioxidant system causes oxidative stress. The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of human diseases and strengthening of human antioxidant defense system in preventing and ameliorating of diseases have been shown in numerous studies. Therefore, identifying reliable oxidative stress markers for evaluating the beneficial effects of antioxidants in human diseases has been the focus of many studies over the past decades. Measuring free radicals and active species by flow cytometry, determining the total antioxidant capacity of body fluids, measuring the oxidation products of macromolecules, determining the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and changing the expression of genes related to the antioxidant system are among these methods. This review discussed the major advantages and limitations of these methods.
 Conclusion: Due to limitations and potential confounding factors of the current markers of oxidative stress, an appropriate experimental protocol should be used for each study and caution should be taken in the interpretation of results. Furthermore, more than one method should be used to overcome the limitations of each marker.

PREDICTORS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF OBSTETRICS COMPLICATIONS AND THE MANAGEMENT ALGORITHM OF PREGNANT WOMEN WITH CONNECTIVE TISSUE DYSPLASIA OF THE HEART

Pregnancy, even under the condition of its physiological course, is accompanied by tension of all functional systems of the body, which occurs already from the first trimester of pregnancy and increases during the period of their functional restructuring. In the presence of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD), gestational processes may be disrupted and lead to obstetric losses. The purpose of the work is devoted to the optimization of pregnancy management tactics, treatment and prevention of obstetric complications in women with connective tissue dysplasia and mitral valve prolapse, complicated by extrasystolic arrhythmia, through the differentiated use of complex drug treatment, which makes it possible to normalize the main pathogenetic factors of the development of pregnancy complications with this comorbid pathology. Material and methods. To solve the goal, 164 pregnant women with signs of UCTD and mitral valve prolaps (MVP) and 26 healthy pregnant women were examined. In addition to a general clinical and obstetric examination, all pregnant women underwent a laboratory-instrumental study of the state of the fetus and fetoplacental complex, the state of the cardiovascular system, vascular endothelium, the activity of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense systems, and the determination of blood electrolyte balance. Research results and their discussion. It was established that the course of pregnancy in women with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia and mitral valve prolapse, complicated by extrasystolic arrhythmia (EA), is accompanied by a significantly higher frequency of obstetric and perinatal pregnancy complications during the entire gestation period (r=0.756-0.869, p<0.05). In pregnant women with UCTD and MVP syndrome, complicated by EA, the disease is clinically manifested by the development of both arrhythmic symptoms and signs of impaired vegetative status, which significantly shortens the time of blood supply and worsens metabolic processes in the myocardium and placenta, which are the direct causes of placental dysfunction, fetal growth retardation, the development of labor abnormalities and complications in the early postpartum period. The specified disorders in pregnant women with PMC on the background of UCTD are associated with hypo- and dyselectrolytemia of Mg2+, K+ and hypercalcemia, imbalances in the redox system, and the severity of endothelial dysfunction. In pregnant women with UCTD and MVP under the influence of the recommended treatment with arginine-carnitine and vitamin-mineral complex, the level of electrolytes, electrophysiological and functional indicators of the systolic-diastolic function of the myocardium were normalized to the level of healthy pregnant women due to the restoration of metabolic processes and improvement of peripheral hemodynamics, which was accompanied by satisfactory uterine placental-fetal blood flow (according to dopplerometry), a decrease in the frequency of miscarriage, preeclampsia, FGR and complications during childbirth and the postpartum period. Addition of the selective beta-adrenergic blocker nebivolol to the proposed medical support of pregnant women contributed to the elimination of extrasystole, was manifested by a reliable improvement of electrophysiological parameters and systolic-diastolic function of the heart. The obtained hemodynamic, antiarrhythmic and metabolic effects of the proposed complex therapy in pregnant women with UCTD and MVP complicated by extrasystolic arrhythmia were accompanied by a significant decrease in the frequency of pregnancy and childbirth complications. Conclusions. Recommended treatment algorithm have been proposed for the optimal management of pregnant women with UCTD and MVP syndrome, complicated by EA

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Their Management by Antioxidants

For normal cell functioning generation of ATP is very important, and it is produced by mitochondria, and they also an important organelle. When sometimes mitochondrial dysfunction occur produces high energy will be demanded, and it is critical for cells such as signal transmission between neuronal cells and also affects cardiomyocytes. Mitochondria and their role to act as power house of the cell and through reactive oxygen species they transmit signaling between molecule and also determination of cellular fate. But sometimes the reactive oxygen species generated more that time, for maintaining normal homeostatic mitochondrial function rapid activation of antioxidant defense system that is required by mitochondrial electron transport. But that time antioxidant defense system is not responded properly or absent that cause mitochondrial dysfunction is occurred at that time they produce degenerative diseases in human beings that is nervous system, and they significantly contribute to produce a cardiac pathology because mitochondria are more abundant in cardiac tissues due to mitochondrial dysfunction, and also they are involved in lung related diseases that is asbestos, lung cancer, chronic airway disease and lung fibrosis. When compared to nuclear DNA the mitochondrial DNA is more sensitive to oxidants because they encode the mitochondrial proteins. When damages to mitochondrial DNA, that case impairment occurs in electron transport chain and potential loss in mitochondrial membrane. In this review I concluded that by, oxidative stress induced mitochondrial dysfunction produced lung related heart related and neurological related disease and their one of the way of prevention is by antioxidant induced mitochondrial biogenesis.

Hexavalent chromium-induced toxic effects on the hematology, redox state, and apoptosis in Cyprinus carpio

In recent years, hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)]has been widely used in the electrochemical industry, posing potential threat to aquatic animals The objective of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of waterborne Cr (VI) on hematology, digestive enzyme, redox state, and apoptosis in Cyprinus carpio. In this study, 300 C. carpio were randomly divided into four groups and exposure to 0 (Control), 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/L Cr (VI) for 28 days, respectively. The result showed that Cr (VI) exposure exerted significant toxic effects by reducing in the levels of hematology parameters (hemoglobin, erythrocytes) and serum calcium, increasing serum biochemistry (glucose, cholesterol and ALT), decreasing digestive enzyme (lipase and amylase). The waterborne Cr (VI) exposure significantly increased oxidative stress levels by increasing the levels of MDA, ROS and PC, interfering with the enzyme activities of antioxidant system (SOD, CAT, AHR, GSH, GSH-Px, GR and GST) and finally breaking the redox state in C. carpio. Additionally, our study found that waterborne Cr (VI) exposure induced intestinal and liver apoptosis in different ways was mainly related to death receptor pathway and mitochondrial pathway, respectively. Our results suggest that exposed to waterborne Cr (VI) above 0.5 mg/L has potential toxic effects in C. carpio.

Effects of Physical Exercise on Mitochondrial Biogenesis of Skeletal Muscle Modulated by Histones Modifications in Type 2 Diabetes

Epigenetic modification in skeletal muscle induced by environmental factors seems to modulate several metabolic pathways that underlie Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) development. Mitochondrial biogenesis is an important process for maintaining lipid metabolism homeostasis, as well as epigenetic modifications in proteins that regulate this pathway have been observed in the skeletal muscle of T2DM subjects. Moreover, physical exercise affects several metabolic pathways attenuating metabolic deregulation observed in T2DM. The pathways that regulate mitochondrial homeostasis are one of the key components for understanding such physical exercise beneficial effects. Thus, in this study, we investigate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying mitochondrial biogenesis in the skeletal muscle in T2DM, focusing on histone modifications and the possible mechanisms by which physical exercise delay or inhibit T2DM onset. The results indicate that exercise promotes improvements in cellular metabolism through increasing enzymes of the antioxidant system, AMPK and ATP-citrate lyase activity, Acetyl-CoA concentration, and enhancing the acetylation of histones. A key mediator of mitochondrial biogenesis such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC1) seems to be upregulated by exercise in T2DM and such factor positively regulates the skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis, which improves energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis inhibiting or delaying insulin resistance and further T2DM.

Biotransformation of sulfamethoxazole by a novel strain, Nitratireductor sp. GZWM139: Characterized performance, metabolic mechanism and application potential

A novel strain, Nitratireductor sp. GZWM139 capable of efficient removal of SMX was isolated from mariculture sewage, and Nitratireductor was reported to conduct the removal of antibiotics for the first time. Strain GZWM139 exhibited desirable adaptations to environmental factors with SMX removal efficiencies more than 90 % at temperatures of 28–38 °C, pH values of 4.5–8.5, salinities of 20–30 ‰, SMX levels of 1–5 mg/L and shaking speeds of 20–260 rpm. SMX removal was a cooperated process implemented by intracellular enzymes and extracellular enzymes, and was achieved through four proposed biotransformation pathways with the occurrences of demethylation, hydroxylation, nitration, formylation, oxidation, bond cleavage and ring opening. Strain GZWM139 responded to the SMX removal process by altering properties of cell membrane and motivating activities of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and antioxidant system. Genomic analysis proved the existence of functional genes relevant to the SMX removal in strain GZWM139 and provided echoing genetic insights for revealing the SMX removal mechanism. Strain GZWM139 performed efficient detoxification of SMX and accomplished simultaneous removal of SMX and nitrogen in both mariculture sewage and domestic sewage. The findings are significant to the effective elimination of SMX pollution and comprehensive cognitions on metabolic mechanisms of SMX removal.

Exogenous plant hormones alleviate As stress by regulating antioxidant defense system in Oryza sativa L.

Plant hormones play essential roles in plant growth regulation and resistance to environmental pressure. A hydroponic experiment was conducted using Zhongjiazao 17 rice to explore the effects of exogenous plant hormones on antioxidant response and As accumulation in rice under As stress. Melatonin (MT), 2,4-epibrassinolide (EBL), and jasmonic acid (JA) reduced the As content in seedlings significantly by 13.4% (MT)-32.5% (EBL) under 5µM As stress. Three hormones increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities, and glutathione (GSH) content significantly (2.2%-82.9%) in 5µM As stress condition, whereas the levels of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) were reduced significantly (32.3%-78.1%). Plant hormone addition reduced the As content in seedlings significantly by 18.2% (JA)-33.3% (MT) under 25µM As stress. SOD, POD, and CAT activities and GSH content in seedlings increased significantly (5.6-90.4%) with three hormones addition in 25µM As stress, whereas the levels of H2O2, O2˙¯, and MDA reduced significantly (20.9-73.0%). Staining with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and nitroblue tetrazolium showed that green fluorescence and blue spots decreased gradually in hormone-treated seedlings, further confirming that the exogenous addition of hormones weakened the oxidative stress of As to seedlings. Oxidative damage by As stress was reduced more by EBL than by the other hormones MT or JA. Totally, exogenous plant hormone can alleviate As stress in rice by activating enzyme activity of antioxidant defense system and scavenging reactive oxygen species, thus reducing oxidative damage and As accumulation in rice seedlings.

The neonatal ketone body is important for primordial follicle pool formation and regulates ovarian ageing in mice

AbstractAdverse nutritional conditions during the perinatal stage are related to early menopause in adulthood; however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Herein, we revealed that colostrum-activated ketone body elevation during the postnatal stage regulated primordial follicle reservoir size and then affected ovarian ageing. We found that the expression of the ketogenesis rate-limiting enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (Hmgcs2) was largely enhanced during primordial follicle pool formation after birth and might be activated in the ovaries by colostrum. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation in the ovaries leads to follicle apoptosis to deplete damaged follicles, while Hmgcs2 deficiency enhances follicle apoptosis and thus decreases the size of the primordial follicle pool and leads to premature ovarian ageing (POA), which might be related to the activation of cellular endogenous antioxidant system. All these defects could be rescued by ketone body administration, which suppressed ROS-activated follicle apoptosis. Our results suggest that the internal metabolic homeostasis of newborn mice is critical for the primordial reservoir and that any intrauterine and perinatal undernutrition could result in POA.

Вплив залишкової дії водорозчинного С60-фулерену на скорочення muscle soleus та muscle gastrocnemius щурів за розвитку втоми

A comparison of biomechanical and biochemical markers of muscle soleus and muscle gastrocnemius fatigue in rats for two days after 5 days of using antioxidant C60 fullerene (daily dose was 1 mg·kg-1) was performed. It was shown that its long-term use to increase muscle strength response against the background of muscle fatigue by 60-65 and 35-40% in slow and fast muscle, respectively. The residual effect of water-soluble C60 fullerene on slow muscle remains significant (20-25%) even after 2 days after discontinuation of the drug. At the same time, its residual effect on fast muscle on the 2nd day remains at a minimum level, which does not significantly increase muscle performance. Prolonged usage of water-soluble C60 fullerene helps to reduce oxidative processes by 30-40% in fast and by 21-25% in slow muscles by maintaining a balance between prooxidants and antioxidant defense system. A comparative analysis of oxidative stress markers and indicators of the state of antioxidant defense systems in fast and slow muscles showed that the residual therapeutic effect of water-soluble C60 fullerene after long-term use is 30-40% higher in muscle soleus than in muscle gastrocnemius. The obtained results demonstrate the long-term kinetics of water-soluble C60 fullerene excretion from the body, which contributes to long-term (at least two days) compensatory activation of the endogenous antioxidant system in response to muscle stimulation, which should be considered when developing new therapeutic drugs based on it.

Characterization and anti-diabetic evaluation of sulfated polysaccharide from Spirulina platensis

In this study, the structure, composition, cytotoxicity, and in vitro hypoglycemic activity of a polysaccharide isolated from Spirulina platensis (PSP1) and its degradation fragments (PSP2, PSP3) were assessed. Structurally, PSP was identified as a sulfated α-pyranose. All three tested polysaccharides were found to inhibit α-glucosidase, with the small-molecule polysaccharide PSP3 exhibiting the best efficacy in this context. MTT assays indicated that none of the tested polysaccharides exhibited cytotoxic activity when used to treat 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, whereas all three were able to enhance the glucose uptake capacity of these cells in a model of insulin resistance and PSP3 exhibited the best in vitro hypoglycemic activity. In vivo hypoglycemic activity of PSP3 indicated that its oral administration alleviated glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in STZ-induced diabetic mice, PSP3 alleviating insulin resistance in diabetic mice while also improving liver function parameters and antioxidant system activity.

Some Minor Characteristics of Spectrophotometric Determination of Antioxidant System and Phenolic Metabolism Enzyme Activity in Wood Plant Tissues of Pinus sylvestris L.

A comprehensive study of enzymes of the antioxidant system (AOS) and phenolic metabolism is an actual subject of biochemical research; changes in the activity of these enzymes can be used as a diagnostic sign. At the same time, practically little attention has been paid to describing the regularities of these enzymatic reactions. The article presents the chemical kinetics study of reactions catalyzed by superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in Scots pine trunk tissues (Pinus sylvestris L.). The dependence of the enzyme reaction rate on the enzyme concentration and the substrate concentration is presented, and the pH-optimum for each reaction is established. Determination of AOS enzyme activity and PAL activity in woody plants has many difficulties. The chemical composition of pine trunk tissues affects determining AOS enzyme activity and PAL activity. Spectrophotometric determination of AOS enzyme activity and PAL activity gives perfect results when considering all additional controls by taking into account minor characteristics. This study aimed at determining the AOS enzyme activity in 40-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plants growing in the Karelian (Russia) forest seed plantation. Plant tissues were ground in liquid nitrogen to a uniform mass and homogenized at 4 °C in the buffer containing 50 mM HEPES (pH 7.5), 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 3 mM DTT, 5 mM MgCl2, and 0.5 mM PMSF. After 15-min of extraction, the homogenate was centrifuged at 12000 g for 10 min (MPW-351R centrifuge, Poland). The supernatant was purified on 20 cm3 columns with Sephadex G-250. Aliquots with the highest protein amount were collected. In tissues, the protein concentration was 10-50 μg/ml. Proteins in the extracts were quantified by a Bradford assay. The enzyme activity was determined spectrophotometrically on a SpectroStar Nano plate spectrophotometer (BMG Labtech, Germany). Our study made it possible to modify the methods for determining the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in Scots pine trunk tissues. The enzymatic reaction rate dependence on the enzyme concentration and the substrate concentration was determined, and pH-optimum was also noted. This methodological article also provides formulas for calculating the activities of the enzymes. We found that determining AOS enzyme activity and PAL activity in woody plants is challenging. The chemical composition of the xylem and phloem of pine affects determining AOS enzyme activity and PAL activity. Spectrophotometric determination of AOS enzyme activity and PAL activity gives perfect results when considering all additional controls by taking into account minor characteristics.

Physiological responses and phytoremediation capacity of floating and submerged aquatic macrophytes exposed to ciprofloxacin.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) water contamination is a global concern, having reached disturbing concentrations and threatening the aquatic ecosystems. We investigated the physiological responses and Cipro-phytoremediation capacity of one floating (Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell) and one submerged (Egeria densa Planch.) species of aquatic macrophytes. The plants were exposed to increased concentrations of Cipro (0, 1, 10, and 100µg.Cipro.L-1) in artificially contaminated water for 96 and 168 h. Although the antibiotic affected the activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain enzymes, the resulting increases in H2O2 concentrations were not associated with oxidative damage or growth reductions, mainly due to the activation of antioxidant systems for both species. In addition to being tolerant to Cipro, after only 96h, plants were able to reclaim more than 58% of that from the media. The phytoremediation capacity did not differ between the species, however, while S. molesta bioaccumulate, E. densa appears to metabolize Cipro in their tissues. Both macrophytes are indicated for Cipro-phytoremediation projects.

The impacts of nanoplastic toxicity on the accumulation, hormonal regulation and tolerance mechanisms in a potential hyperaccumulator - Lemna minor L.

Plastic pollution, which is currently one of the most striking problems of our time, raises concerns about the dispersal of micro and nano-sized plastic particles in ecosystems and their toxic effects on living organisms. This study was designed to reveal the toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastic (PS NP) exposure on the freshwater macrophyte Lemna minor. In addition, elucidating the interaction of this aquatic plant, which is used extensively in the phytoremediation of water contaminants and wastewater treatment facilities, with nanoplastics will guide the development of remediation techniques. For this purpose, we examined nanoplastic accumulation, oxidative stress markers, photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant system activity and phytohormonal changes in L. minor leaves subjected to PS NP stress (P-1, 100 mg L-1; P-2, 200 mg L-1 PS NP). Our results showed no evidence of PS NP-induced oxidative damage in P-1 group plants, although PS NP accumulation reached 56 µg g-1 in the leaves. Also, no significant changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters were observed in this group, indicating unaffected photosynthetic efficiency. PS NP exposure triggered the antioxidant system in L. minor plants and resulted in a 3- and 4.6-fold increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the P-1 and P-2 groups. On the other hand, high-dose PS NP treatment resulted in insufficient antioxidant activity in the P-2 group and increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS contents) by 25 % and 17 % compared to the control plants. Furthermore, PS NP exposure triggered abscisic acid biosynthesis (two-fold in the P-1 and three-fold in the P-2 group), which is also involved in regulating the stress response. In conclusion, L. minor plants tolerated NP accumulation without growth suppression, oxidative stress damage and limitations in photosynthetic capacity and have the potential to be used in remediation studies of NP-contaminated waters.

Protective role of selenium on ammonia-mediated nephrotoxicity via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway: Crosstalk between autophagy and cytokine release

Ammonia (NH3) is a hazardous substance to human and animal health. Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient with multiple health benefits. The present study aimed to verify whether and how Se supplementation has a protective role against NH3 mediated-nephrotoxicity in pigs. A Se-NH3 interaction model was established in pigs and the kidney samples were collected after a 30-day treatment period. The results showed that NH3 exposure inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and enhanced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines to induce autophagy and inflammation. Se can regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and attenuate the secretion of inflammatory cytokines altered by NH3 to reduce autophagy and inflammation. In addition, Se co-treatment inhibited ROS production, elevated the activities of antioxidant systems, and increased the expression of 13 selenoproteins in pig kidneys caused by NH3 exposure. These results implied that L-selenomethionine can moderate NH3-induced nephrotoxicity in pigs. Our study gives new ideas for the specific mechanism of NH3 nephrotoxicity and provides a reference for comparative medicine and clinical medication.

Serum selenium concentration in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Abstract.

Associative relationship between sperm motility, oxidative stress and cytokines

Infertility is one of the most urgent medical and social problems in the whole world. Male factors of infertility reach 50% of all cases. Approximately 7% of men worldwide suffer from infertility. Spermatozoa are extremely vulnerable to oxidative damage since their membranes are enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids and do not have repair systems. Oxidative stress leads to damage to axonemes and an increase in morphological defects in the middle part of spermatozoa, which leads to a decrease in their mobility. The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between sperm motility, the activity of the glutathione antioxidant system and the concentration of cytokines. The study group included 68 healthy men who were divided into two subgroups according to the percentage of motile spermatozoa after one hour: low motility (LM, n=32) and high motility (HM, n=36). The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was 1.3 times (p<0.05) higher in the LM group compared to the HM group. Similarly, the mean values of IL-1β, IL-18, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were higher in the LM group than in the HM group. At the same time, the concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β1 in both studied groups were not significantly different. The results of this study showed that the percentage of motile sperm after 1 hour was negatively correlated with the levels of IL-1β, IL-18 and TNFα. No significant correlation was found between age and sperm motility. Lower sperm motility in healthy men is associated with reduced glutathione content and lower glutathione peroxidase and increased cytokine levels, which may be associated with increased oxidative stress in seminal plasma as evidenced by increased MDA levels. Thus, our study demonstrates the relationship between sperm motility, the state of pro-/antioxidant and antioxidant systems, and concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines. Keywords: sperm plasma, oxidative stress, fertility, glutathione.