Antioxidant Glutathione Peroxidase Research Articles

Effects of dietary supplementation with medicinal plant mixtures and immunostimulants on the immune response, antioxidant capacity, and hepatopancreatic health of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of tea polyphenols (TP) and medicinal plant mixtures (Astragalus membranaceus + Lonicera japonica, Rheum officinale Bail + Scutellaria baicalensis + Platycladus orientalis) combined with astaxanthin (AST), benzoic acid (BA), and yeast complex on the health status of Eriocheir sinensis.MethodA total of 630 crabs (male crabs: 41.51 ± 1.63 g; female crabs: 47.27 ± 0.79 g) were randomly distributed into seven groups with three replicates (male: female, 1:1). These crabs were fed as follows for 8 weeks: basal diet (M1), M2 (M1 + 100 mg/kg TP), M3 (M1 + 2.0 g/kg A. membranaceus + 20 g/kg L. japonica), M4 (M1 + 2.5 g/kg R. officinale Bail + 1.5 g/kg S. baicalensis + 1.0 g/kg P. orientalis), and M5, M6, M7 (M2, M3 and M4 with 600 mg/kg AST +1.0 g/kg BA + 20 mg/kg yeast complex added, respectively).Results and discussionThe results showed that the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and lysosome (LZM) in the hemolymph were significantly increased in M5, M6, and M7 (P < 0.05), and the highest phagocytosis index (PI) and LZM activity were observed in M7 of female crabs. Moreover, the antioxidant indicators superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) of hepatopancreas were also significantly improved in M5, M6, and M7 (P < 0.05), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents showed an opposite trend. Furthermore, a morphological examination also showed the improved histological structure of hepatopancreas in M7, especially as seen in the clear lumens, no vacuolation, and integrity of the basal membrane of the hepatopancreatic tubule. Taken together, these results suggested that 2.5 g/kg R. officinale Bail, 1.5 g/kg S. baicalensis, and 1.0 g/kg P. orientalis in combination with 600 mg/kg AST, 1.0 g/kg BA, and 20 mg/kg yeast complex could improve the non-specific immunity, antioxidant capacity, and hepatopancreatic health of E. sinensis.

Effect of Bee Bread (Perga) on Histopathological Changes and Immunohistochemical Expression of Apoptosis Markers in the Kidney of Rats Exposed to Cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental and industrial pollutant that causes toxicity in various organs in humans and animals. Bee bread (perga) is a natural flavonoid with a wide range of pharmacological properties. This study was conducted to examine the effects of perga on Cd-induced nephrotoxicity. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, as the Control group, Cd group (5 mg/kg/day, orally), Perga group (0.5 g/kg/day, orally), and Cd + Perga group. At the end of the 28-day experiment, kidney tissue samples were taken and histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses were performed. Histopathologically, severe tubular and glomerular damage occurred as a result of Cd exposure in the Cd group. Immunohistochemically, there was an increase in caspas-3 and Bax expression in the renal tissue in the Cd group. According to the biochemical results, while the catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase antioxidant enzyme levels decreased in the Cd group, and the malondialdehyde levels increased. However, most of the above-mentioned Cd-induced changes were attenuated by treatment with perga in the Perga + Cd group. In conclusion, perga supplementation may alleviate Cd-induced renal injury through inhibition of apoptosis in renal tissue.

Dibenzazepine, a γ-Secretase Enzyme Inhibitor, Protects Against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Suppressing NF-κB, iNOS, and Hes1/Hey1 Expression.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic drug; however, its cardiotoxicity and resistance compromise its therapeutic index. The Notch pathway was reported to contribute to DOX cancer resistance. The role of Notch pathway in DOX cardiotoxicity has not been identified yet. Notch receptors are characterized by their extracellular (NECD) and intracellular(NICD) domains (NICD). The γ-secretase enzyme helps in the release of NICD. Dibenzazepine (DBZ) is a γ-secretase inhibitor. The present study investigated the effect of Notch pathway inhibition on DOX cardiotoxicity. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group, DOX group, acute cardiotoxicity was induced by a single dose of DOX (20 mg/kg) i.p., DOX (20 mg/kg) plus DBZ group, and DBZ group. The third and fourth groups received i.p. injection of DBZ daily for 14 days at 2 mg/kg dose. DOX cardiotoxicity increased the level of serum creatine kinase-MB and cardiac troponin I, and it was confirmed by the histopathological examination. Moreover, the antioxidants glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels were markedly decreased, and the inflammatory markers, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-ķB, and tumor necrosis factor-α were markedly increased. Furthermore, DOX increased BAX protein and downregulated BCL-2. In addition, DOX upregulated Notch pathway-related parameters: Hes1 and Hey1 mRNA levels, and increased Hes1 protein levels. DBZ ameliorated DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, evidenced by reducing the cardiac injury biomarkers, improving cardiac histopathological changes, correcting antioxidant levels, and reducing inflammatory and apoptotic proteins. Our study indicates the protective effect of Notch inhibitor against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Dihydromyricetin Inhibits Ferroptosis to Attenuate Cisplatin-Induced Muscle Atrophy.

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy drug for the treatment of various cancers. However, although cisplatin is effective in targeting cancer cells, it has severe side effects including skeletal muscle atrophy. In this study, we aimed to characterize the role of Dihydromyricetin in cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy in mice. 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were treated with Dihydromyricetin for 14 days orally followed by in intraperitoneally cisplatin administration for 6 days. Gastrocnemius muscles were isolated for the following experiments. Antioxidative stress were determined by peroxidative product malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Quadriceps muscle mass and grip strength were significantly restored by Dihydromyricetin in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, muscle fibers were improved in Dihydromyricetin treated group. Excessive skeletal muscle E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases in cisplatin group were significantly repressed by Dihydromyricetin treatment. Dihydromyricetin significantly reduced oxidative stress induced by cisplatin by decreasing MDA level and restored SOD and GPx activities. In addition, ferroptosis was significantly reduced by Dihydromyricetin characterized by reduced iron level and ferritin heavy chain 1 and improved Gpx4 level. The present study demonstrated that Dihydromyricetin attenuated cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy by reducing skeletal muscle E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis.

Toxicological insight of metiram: immuno-oxidative, neuro-behavioral, and hemato-biochemical changes during acute exposure of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

BackgroundThe inappropriate use of pesticides including fungicides creates severe biological hazards that can endanger fish health and impede sustainable aquaculture.ObjectiveThis study investigated the negative impacts of metiram (MET), a fungicide on the health status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) for a 96-hour duration as an acute exposure in a static renewal system.MethodsThree hundred fish (average body weight: 37.50 ± 0.22 g) were assigned into six groups (50 fish/group) with five replicates (10 fish/replicate). Fish were exposed to various six concentrations (0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, and 7.5 mg/L) of MET as a water exposure to for 96-hour without water exchange. The fish’s behavior, clinical signs, and mortalities were documented every day of the exposure period. Additionally, MET’s impact on blood profile, stress biomarkers, hepato-renal functions, immune-antioxidant status, and brain biomarker were closely monitored.ResultsThe lethal concentration (LC50) of MET estimated using Finney’s probit technique was 3.77 mg/L. The fish’s behavior was severely impacted by acute MET exposure, as clear by an increase in surfacing, loss of equilibrium, unusual swimming, laterality, abnormal movement, and a decline in aggressive behaviors. The survivability and hematological indices (white and red blood cell count, differential white blood cell count, hematocrit value, and hemoglobin) were significantly reduced in a concentration-dependent manner following MET exposure. Acute exposure to MET (1.5–7.5 mg/L) incrementally increased stress biomarkers (nor-epinephrine, cortisol, and glucose), lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde), and brain oxidative DNA damage biomarker (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine). A hepato-renal dysfunction by MET exposure (4.5–7.5 mg/L) was evidenced by the significant increase in the alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and creatinine values. Moreover, a substantial decline in the immune parameters (lysozyme, complement 3, serum bactericidal activity, and antiprotease activity) and antioxidant variables (total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) resulted from acute MET exposure.ConclusionAccording to these findings, the 96-hour LC50 of MET in Nile tilapia was 3.77 mg/L. MET exposure triggered toxicity in Nile tilapia, as seen by alterations in fish neuro-behaviors, immune-antioxidant status, hepato-renal functioning, and signifying physiological disturbances. This study emphasizes the potential ecological dangers provoked by MET as an environmental contaminant to aquatic systems. However, the long-term MET exposure is still needed to be investigated.

Dietary Curcumin Nanoparticles Improve Growth Performance, Oxidative Status and Immune Response of European Seabass (Dicentrarchus Labrax)

Abstract A 90 days of feeding trial was employed for evaluating the effects of dietary supplementation with curcumin nanoparticles (CURNPs) on growth performance, hematological and biochemical parameters, immune response, antioxidant status, and intestinal and hepatic architecture in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fingerlings. Fish (n = 300, initial body weight = 10.02 g ± 0.11 g) received supplementary CURNPs at rates of 0 (control; CURNPs0), 50 (CURNPs50), 100 (CURNPs100) and 150 (CURNPs150) mg/kg diet for 90 days. Growth performance (final body weight (FBW), daily weight gain (DWG), weight gain (WG), relative growth rate (RGR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER)) and feed uptake (feed conversion rate (FCR)) were improved significantly in CURNPs (100 and 150 mg/ kg)-supplemented groups. The hematological parameters red blood corpuscles (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), and packed cell volume (PCV) were improved significantly (P<0.001) in CURNPs150 and CURNPs100 groups, while CURNPs150 had the lowest values of monocytes (P = 0.019) and heterophils (P<0.005) when compared with other groups. Glucose was higher and lipid profile (total cholesterol and triglycerides) were lower in all CURNPs-supplemented groups as compared to the control group. Fish fed with CURNPS at various levels exhibited remarkable increase in digestive enzymes (amylase and lipase), immune markers (immunoglobulin G (IgG), lysozyme and phagocytic indices), and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)). A noticeable decrease (P<0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) and considerable upregulation of hepatic insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) mRNA levels were found in CURNPs-supplemented fish in a dose-dependent manner. The down regulation of hepatic heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was observed in CURNPs150. Intestinal and hepatic architectures were improved significantly by CURNPs. In conclusion, CURNPs supplementation improved growth performance, feed consumption and digestion, hematological and biochemical markers, immune response, and redox homeostasis in D. labrax. Therefore, CURNPs could be supplemented in the diets of D. labrax as a natural alternative to promote overall performance.

Hirsutella sinensis intensifies testicular function and spermatogenesis in male mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity.

Hirsutella sinensis (HS) is a mycelium isolated from the fruiting body of the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps sinensis . This study explored whether HS treatment affects reproductive dysfunction in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mouse model and regulates various mechanisms, focusing on oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and autophagy. Twenty-four C57BL/6J (B6) mice were randomly divided into a standard chow diet (NCD)- or HFD-fed group for 24 weeks. During the final 8 weeks, half of the HFD-fed mice were orally administered HS (HFD + HS). Biochemical markers, including glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, were assessed, and hormones, including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), were analyzed. Liver and testicular histology, as well as sperm quality markers such as sperm motility, sperm count, and percentage of sperm with normal morphology, were observed. The activities of the testicular antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the products of lipid peroxidation, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured. The protein expression levels of apoptosis-, autophagy- and inflammation-related markers were measured. The HFD-fed mice had abnormal sex hormone levels, poor sperm quality, and a destroyed testicular structure, with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis in the testis. HS supplementation in HFD-fed mice attenuated testicular apoptosis by suppressing the Bax/Bcl-xl ratio and cleaved caspase 3 protein expression. The HS-treated mice exhibited improved reproductive function, possibly due to reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis, suggesting that HS has a protective effect against HFD-induced testicular damage. Male mice supplemented with HS exhibited attenuated poor semen quality and reduced testosterone levels brought about by HFD-induced obesity by reducing oxidative stress.

Korean Mint (Agastache rugosa) Extract and Its Bioactive Compound Tilianin Alleviate Muscle Atrophy via the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3 Pathway in C2C12 Myotubes.

Skeletal muscle atrophy, which is characterized by diminished muscle mass, strength, and function, is caused by malnutrition, physical inactivity, aging, and diseases. Korean mint (Agastache rugosa Kuntze) possesses various biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiosteoporosis activities. Moreover, it contains tilianin, which is a glycosylated flavone that exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective activities. However, no studies have analyzed the inhibitory activity of A. rugosa extract (ARE) and tilianin on muscle atrophy. Thus, the present study investigated the potential of ARE and tilianin on muscle atrophy and their underlying mechanisms of action in C2C12 myotubes treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The results showed that ARE and tilianin promoted the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway, thereby activating mammalian target of rapamycin (a protein anabolism-related factor) and its downstream factors. Moreover, ARE and tilianin inhibited the mRNA expression of muscle RING-finger protein-1 and atrogin-1 (protein catabolism-related factors) by blocking Forkhead box class O3 translocation. ARE and tilianin also mitigated inflammatory responses by downregulating nuclear factor-kappa B expression levels, thereby diminishing the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and interleukin-6. Additionally, ARE and tilianin enhanced the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Overall, these results suggest that ARE and tilianin are potential functional ingredients for preventing or improving muscle atrophy.

Effects of Yeast Culture on Laying Performance, Antioxidant Properties, Intestinal Morphology, and Intestinal Flora of Laying Hens.

Yeast culture (YC) plays a significant role in enhancing the performance and health of poultry breeding. This study investigated the impact of different YC supplementation concentrations (basal diet with 1.0 g/kg and 2.0 g/kg of YC, YC1.0, and YC2.0) on egg production performance, egg quality, antioxidant properties, intestinal mucosal structure, and intestinal flora of laying hens. Both YC1.0 and YC2.0 groups significantly enhanced the egg protein height, Haugh unit, and crude protein content of egg yolks compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The supplementation with YC2.0 notably increased the egg production rate, reduced feed-to-egg ratio, and decreased the broken egg rate compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, YC supplementation enhanced serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p < 0.05). Moreover, YC supplementation promoted duodenal villus height and villus ratio in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05). Analysis of cecal microorganisms indicated a decrease in Simpson and Shannon indices with YC supplementation (p < 0.05). YC1.0 reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria, while YC2.0 increased the abundance of Bacteroidales (p < 0.05). Overall, supplementation with YC improved egg production, quality, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbial composition in laying hens, with significant benefits observed at the 2.0 g/kg supplementation level.

Tannic acid inhibits pain mediators, inflammation and oxidative stress in mice exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide.

Chronic exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide (Gly) has been associated with neurological disorders. Tannic acid (TA) is an antioxidant with attenuating action against neuroinflammation-associated conditions. This study evaluated the effect of Gly on pain perception alongside antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of TA in Gly-exposed mice. Male Swiss mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=8): control (distilled water 0.2 ml/kg), Gly (Gly 500 mg/kg), Pre-TA + Gly (TA 50 mg/kg pre-treatment, afterwards Gly-administered), TA + Gly (TA 50 mg/kg and Gly co-administered), Pre-AA + Gly (ascorbic acid (AA) 10 mg/kg pre-treatment, afterwards Gly-administered), and AA + Gly (AA 10 mg/kg and Gly co-administered). Mechanical, thermal, and chemical pain were evaluated six weeks post vehicle/drugs administrations orally, followed by brain biochemical measurements. TA treatment alleviated Gly-induced hyperalgesia in similar version to the values of control and AA groups by increasing significantly (p < 0.05) nociceptive thresholds. Moreover, TA-treatment significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) levels, significantly increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-4, and TGF-1β) levels, and antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities compared to Gly-treated mice (p < 0.05). Conclusively, TA treatment exerted antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions, possibly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in Gly-exposed mice. Notably, TA pre-treatment showed a better response than TA and Gly co-administration. We propose the potential neuroprotective and ameliorative functions of TA in Gly-induced hyperalgesia. This merits further clinical research into protective roles of TA against pesticide-related conditions.

The Effects of Acute Ammonia Nitrogen Stress on Antioxidant Ability, Phosphatases, and Related Gene Expression in the Kidney of Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)

This study investigated the effects of acute ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) exposure on kidney antioxidant ability and phosphatases and related gene expression in juvenile yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). The 180 juvenile yellowfin tuna (260.39 ± 55.99 g, 22.33 ± 2.28 cm) were exposed to ammonia for 6, 24, and 36 h using natural seawater (0 mg/L) as a control and NH3-N at 5 and 10 mg/L. The lipid peroxidation byproduct malondialdehyde (MDA) and the levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and acid phosphatase (ACP), were measured using the colorimetric method in the trunk kidney to determine changes in antioxidant ability and phosphatase activity of juvenile yellowfin tuna exposed to NH3-N. Results indicated that, at 36 h, MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX levels rose in the 5 mg/L group versus the control. In the 10 mg/L group, MDA and SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX activities significantly increased after 24 and 36 h exposure compared to the control. Phosphatases play a pivotal role in the immune system. AKP activity significantly increased at 6 h, and ACP activity markedly rose at 36 h in the 5 mg/L group versus the control. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was applied to detect alterations in the antioxidant genes SOD2, CAT, and glutathione peroxidase 1b (GPX1b) and immune cytokines-related genes Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and Interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6r) expression in the head kidney in juvenile tuna. Relative to the control, antioxidant gene expression in the 5 mg/L group significantly rose at 6 and 36 h, and in the 10 mg/L group, SOD2 and GPX1b were significantly elevated at 36 h. Compared to the control group, IL-10 expression in the 5 mg/L group significantly increased at 6 h, whereas IL-6r expression decreased. In the 10 mg/L group, both IL-10 and IL-6r levels were observed to be lower. Low ammonia nitrogen concentrations boost antioxidant defenses, phosphatase activities, and gene expression levels, whereas higher levels may induce suppressive effects. In yellowfin tuna juvenile farming, NH3-N concentration significantly affects the health of the juveniles. When the NH3-N concentration is between 5–10 mg/L, the stress duration should be limited to 24 h; if the concentration is below 5 mg/L, the stress duration can be extended to 36 h.

High-Intensity Interval Training Ameliorates Tramadol-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Experimental Rats.

Tramadol (TRA) is an opioid analgesic widely prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain; however, its abuse and chronic use have been associated with kidney damage. Considering the protective role of exercise training in reducing organ damage, this study aimed to assess the influence of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a male rat's kidney following chronic TRA administration. In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats were assigned to the following groups: control (CON; animals received normal saline five days a week in the first month and three days a week in the second month), exercise (EXE; animals conducted HIIT training according to exercise protocol five days a week for two months), TRA (animals received TRA 50 mg/kg (i.p.) as described for the CON group), EXE-TRA (animals received TRA and conducted exercise protocol), and EXE-SL (animals received normal saline and conducted exercise protocol). Then, serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and levels of albumin, urea, and creatinine (CR), along with pathological changes in the kidney, were measured. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant using GraphPad Prism v.9 (GraphPad Software, La Jolla, California, USA). The inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly increased in the EXE and EXE-TRA groups compared to the TRA group. Chronic administration of TRA in the TRA group decreased antioxidant indicators TAC, GPx, and SOD in kidney tissue while increasing oxidative stress MDA compared to the CON group (p<0.05). In contrast, the EXE-TRA group showed higher levels of TAC, GPx, and SOD, while MDA decreased compared to the TRA group. Additionally, serum levels of urea and CR were increased in the TRA group compared to the CON group, whereas these levels were decreased in the EXE-TRA group compared to the TRA group. The inflammatory effect of HIIT training, due to severe hyperemia and mild inflammatory cell infiltration, was seen in all EXE groups. Pathological findings confirmed TRA-induced kidney damage through moderate hyaline cast presence and severe apoptosis in the TRA group. Other findings were in line with the above results. These findings confirm the nephrotoxicity of chronic use of TRA through biochemical and oxidative markers and pathological outcomes. In addition, the result suggests that HIIT has the potential to mitigate the detrimental effects of TRA through reversing biochemical and oxidative markers, including TRA-induced apoptosis. Consequently, considering its restorative properties, HIIT could be explored as a prospective nephroprotective approach for long-term TRA treatment.

Synergistic protective effects of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol and hydroxytyrosol in male rats against induced heat stress-induced reproduction damage

Testicular heat stress disrupts spermiogenesis and damages testicular tissue. The study aims to assess 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) and hydroxytyrosol (HT) from olive oil as antioxidants to reduce heat-induced testicular damage. Seven groups of 35 male rats were used. Group I got normal saline. Group 2 had HS (43 °C for 20 min/day) and normal saline for 60 days. Groups 3–7 had HS and DHPG/HT doses (0.5 mg/kg DHPG, 1 mg/kg DHPG, 5 mg/kg HT, 0.5 mg/kg DHPG + 5 mg/kg HT, and 1 mg/kg DHPG + 5 mg/kg HT). The evaluation included tests on testicular tissue, sperm quality, oxidative status, gene activity, and fertility after 60 days. After DHPG and HT treatment, sperm motility, viability, and plasma membrane functionality, as well as levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), and Bcl-2 gene expression, and in vivo fertility indexes increased. Meanwhile, abnormal morphology and DNA damage decreased, along with levels of glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA), and Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 gene expression, compared to the HS group. The study found that DHPG and HT have a more substantial synergistic effect when used together, improving reproductive health.

Effects of Dietary Protein Level and Rumen-Protected Methionine and Lysine on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation and Serum Indexes for Yaks.

This study investigated the effects of the dietary protein level and rumen-protected methionine and lysine (RPML) on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and serum indexes of yaks. Thirty-six male yaks were randomly assigned to a two by three factorial experiment with two protein levels, 15.05% and 16.51%, and three RPML levels: 0% RPML; 0.05% RPMet and 0.15% RPLys; and 0.1% RPMet and 0.3% RPLys. The trial lasted for sixty days. The results showed that the low-protein diet increased the DMI and feed conversion ratio of yaks. The diet supplemented with RPML increased the activities of IGF1 and INS and nutrient digestibility. The high-protein diet decreased the rumen butyrate concentration and increased the rumen isovalerate concentration. The low-protein diet supplemented with RPML increased the rumen pH and the concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, butyrate and NH3-N; the high-protein diet supplemented with a high level of RPML decreased the rumen pH and the concentrations of isobutyrate, isovalerate, propionate and NH3-N. The low-protein diet supplemented with RPML increased the total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity, along with the concentrations of malondialdehyde and amino acids such as aspartic acid, lysine, cysteine, etc. In conclusion, a low-protein diet supplemented with RPML is beneficial for rumen and body health, physiological response, and metabolic status in yaks.

Evaluation of enzymatic antioxidant activity and reproductive hormones near and after lambing in pregnant ewes

The current study examined the levels of antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and repro ductive hormones (progesterone, estrogen, and cortisol) in pregnant local breed ewes and after lambing in the Basrah governorate. Twenty ewes were used in this study from several fields in the Basrah gov ernorate. Blood sample collection was done in three different periods, pre-lambing, immediately after lambing, and two weeks after lambing. The result showed a significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in SOD, CAT, and GSH-px activity before and during lambing compared to after lambing. The results also con firmed a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in the level of GSH pre and during lambing compared to after lambing. While evaluating, the level of MDA revealed a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in its level dur ing lambing compared to two weeks after lambing. Hormonal analysis showed a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in the levels of cortisol and estradiol pre and during lambing compared to after lambing, with a significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in the levels of progesterone after lambing compared to before lambing. This study concluded that during lambing, ewes were under stress factors, and an internal mechanism represented by enzymatic antioxidants like SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px acted actively during this period to neutralize the side effects of stress.

The effects of Artemisia annua nutritional supplementation at varying concentrations on broiler growth, economic yield, and gene expression levels of certain antioxidant, inflammatory, and immune genes.

Artemisia annua (AA), used as a growth promoter in poultry, lowers feed costs and enhances economic efficiency. This study aimed to assess the impact of varying AA concentrations on broiler chicken growth, gene expression, and profitability. Two hundred 1-day-old male Cobb chicks were randomly allocated into four treatment groups, each containing five replicates and 10 birds. The experimental groups consisted of G1 (basal diet), G2 (basal diet with 0.3% AA), G3 (basal diet with 0.6% AA), and G4 (basal diet with 0.9% AA). The birds had continuous access to feed and water throughout the study. The experiment lasted for 42 days. We measured the growth performance (Feed intake, Life weight), carcass traits (weight after slaughter, dressed carcass, heart, gizzard, spleen, giblet and thymus weight), liver and spleen antioxidants (CAT, GSH, SOD), and gene expression of anti-inflammatory and immune- related genes. The primary findings revealed that the addition of 0.6% AA had a positive impact (p < 0.05) on all investigated variables compared with the control and other groups. Dietary supplementation with 0.6% AA led to increased breast, giblet, skeleton, and total yield, and net return compared with the control group. Supplementation with AA exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunological effects through improved levels of antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in tissue homogenates of the liver and spleen. It also upregulated the relative messenger RNA levels of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, whereas IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were downregulated. The study found that AA is a promising replacement for antibiotics in poultry farming as a growth promoter for chickens. 0.6% AA in the broiler diet yielded the best results, striking a balance between superior performance and robust economic benefits.

Effect of β-hydroxybutyrate acid on gene expression levels of antioxidant biomarkers and growth hormone-related genes in liver cell culture.

In dairy cattle, oxidative stress is a predominant problem associated with diseases and reproductive health issues. This study aimed to detect the variation in the antioxidant biomarkers by adding different concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and sought to elucidate its effects on the gene expression levels of growth hormone (GH) and antioxidant biomarkers in bovine hepatocytes. Four antioxidant biomarkers, namely malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px) were evaluated using commercially available bovine ELISA kits. The expression levels of the bovine GH, its receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor, CAT, SOD, GSH-Px and β-actin (as a reference) genes in liver cell culture were determined by reverse transcriptase-PCR assay. With the increase of BHBA concentration and culture time, the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH Px biomarkers in hepatocytes decreased. However, the content of MDA in hepatocytes increased gradually with the increase of hepatocyte culture time and BHBA concentration. The qPCR results revealed that after adding BHBA, gene expression levels of GSH-Px, SOD and IGF biomarkers in hepatocytes began to differ in the culture groups at 12 h, whereas the gene expression level of the CAT and GHR biomarkers in hepatocytes began to differ at 6 h. Quantitative PCR results showed that the BHBA significantly downregulated the expression levels of the GHR gene and CAT, GSH Px and SOD antioxidant biomarker genes.

Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on the growth performance and serum biochemical index values of puppies

We investigated the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) on the growth performance and health level of puppies. A total of 16 healthy Chinese rural dogs aged 30–45 days were randomly divided into four groups: control group (CG), low-dose group (LDG), middle-dose group (MDG) and high-dose group (HDG). The puppies were fed fresh food supplemented with 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg of α-LA, respectively. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed-to-gain ratio (F/G), faecal score, intestinal absorption function and serological indices on days 1, 14 and 28 were determined and analysed. The trial period was 28 days. The following results were obtained: (1) α-LA supplementation at 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg significantly increased the ADFI and ADG of the puppies (P < 0.05) but had no significant effect on the faecal score (P > 0.05); (2) α-LA in the fresh diet significantly increased crude fat (EE) digestibility (P< 0.05) but significantly decreased calcium (Ca) digestibility (P< 0.05), without significant impacts on the digestibility of nutrients such as crude protein (CP) and total phosphorus (P); (3) with increasing α-LA inclusion levels, the content of D-xylose in the blood serum increased, but there was no significant difference among groups (P = 0.097). Adding 0.6 mg/kg α-LA to the fresh diet significantly increased the content of IgG in the serum after 14 and 28 days (P < 0.05). At 28 days, adding 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg α-LA to the fresh diet could significantly increase the contents of albumin (ALB) and total protein (TP) in the blood serum (P < 0.05), and the addition of 0.6 g/kg α-LA could significantly increase the serum levels of IgA and IgG (P < 0.05). The addition of α-LA significantly increased the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) (P < 0.05), decreased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05), decreased the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P< 0.05) and increased the content of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the blood serum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of α-LA at 0.6 g/kg to the fresh diet of puppies can improve the ADFI, ADG, serum immune capacity, antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory capacity of puppies.

Protective Effects of the Postbiotic Levilactobacillus brevis BK3 against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage in Skin Cells.

Postbiotics have various functional effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity. Levilactobacillus brevis BK3, the subject of this study, was derived from lactic acid bacteria isolated from Kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food. The antioxidant activity of BK3 was confirmed through the measurements of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The wrinkle improvement effect was validated by assessing elastase inhibitory activity and collagenase inhibitory activity. The intracellular activity was confirmed using human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human fibroblasts (HFF-1). BK3 protects skin cells from oxidative stress induced by H2O2 and reduces intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In addition, the expressions of the antioxidant genes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were upregulated. Meanwhile, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), involved in collagen degradation and synthesis, were significantly regulated. These results suggest the possibility of utilizing BK3 as a functional ingredient with antioxidant and wrinkle-improving effects.

Tibetan-Origin Edible Chinese Herbal Prescription C18 Protects H9C2 Cardiomyocytes from Cobalt Chloride-induced Hypoxia Injury Through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Background Altitude sickness is often prone to occur during tourism or work in high-altitude areas. In China, traditional Tibetan medicines have a long history of preventing or treating altitude sickness, especially altitude hypoxia, which may lead to myocardial cell apoptosis and myocardial hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. Purpose This study investigated the effect of a Tibetan-origin edible Chinese herbal prescription (named C18) on protecting H9C2 cardiomyocytes from cobalt chloride-induced hypoxia injury and its potential mechanism. Methods In this study, a hypoxic injury model of H9C2 cardiomyocytes induced by cobalt chloride was established first. Then the cell viability, relevant antioxidant indicators malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and protein expression (hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT)) were measured after pretreatment with or without C18. At last, the specific PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 was applied to verify the antihypoxia signaling pathway. Results C18 could significantly promote normal H9C2 cardiomyocyte proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of hypoxic H9C2 cardiomyocytes, reduce the release of lactate dehydrogenase and MDA, and increase the levels of SOD and GSH-Px antioxidant enzymes. In addition, C18 could significantly downregulate the expression of HIF-1α protein and upregulate the expression of intracellular p-AKT. Moreover, these effects of C18 can be blocked by the specific PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002. Conclusion C18 protects H9C2 cardiomyocytes from cobalt chloride-induced hypoxia injury through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.