Antioxidant Protection System Research Articles

Cytokinin oxidase2-deficient mutants improve panicle and grain architecture through cytokinin accumulation and enhance drought tolerance in indica rice.

The Osckx2 mutant accumulates cytokinin thereby enhancing panicle branching, grain yield, and drought tolerance, marked by improved survival rate, membrane integrity, and photosynthetic function. Cytokinins (CKs) are multifaceted hormones that regulate growth, development, and stress responses in plants. Cytokinins have been implicated in improved panicle architecture and grain yield; however, they are inactivated by the enzyme cytokinin oxidase (CKX). In this study, we developed a cytokinin oxidase 2 (Osckx2)-deficient mutant using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in indica rice and assessed its function under water-deficit and salinity conditions. Loss of OsCKX2 function increased grain number, secondary panicle branching, and overall grain yield through improved cytokinin content in the panicle tissue. Under drought conditions, the Osckx2 mutant conserved more water and demonstrated improved water-saving traits. Through reduced transpiration, Osckx2 mutants showed an improved survival response than the wild type to unset dehydration stress. Further, Osckx2 maintained chloroplast and membrane integrity and showed significantly improved photosynthetic function under drought conditions through enhanced antioxidant protection systems. The OsCKX2 function negatively affects panicle grain number and drought tolerance, with no discernible impact in response to salinity. The finding suggests the utility of the beneficial Osckx2 allele in breeding to develop climate-resilient, high-yielding cultivars for future food security.

Proteome signatures reveal homeostatic and adaptive oxidative responses by a putative co-chaperone, Wos2, to influence fungal virulence determinants in cryptococcosis.

The increasing prevalence of invasive fungal pathogens is dramatically changing the clinical landscape of infectious diseases, posing an imminent threat to public health. Specifically, Cryptococcus neoformans, the human opportunistic pathogen, expresses elaborate virulence mechanisms and is equipped with sophisticated adaptation strategies to survive in harsh host environments. This study extensively characterizes Wos2, an Hsp90 co-chaperone homolog, featuring bilateral functioning for both cryptococcal adaptation and the resulting virulence response. In this study, we evaluated the proteome and secretome signatures associated with wos2 deletion in enriched and infection-mimicking conditions to reveal Wos2-dependent regulation of the oxidative stress response through global translational reprogramming. The wos2Δ strain demonstrates defective intracellular and extracellular antioxidant protection systems, measurable through a decreased abundance of critical antioxidant enzymes and reduced growth in the presence of peroxide stress. Additional Wos2-associated stress phenotypes were observed upon fungal challenge with heat shock, osmotic stress, and cell membrane stressors. We demonstrate the importance of Wos2 for intracellular lifestyle of C. neoformans during in vitro macrophage infection and provide evidence for reduced phagosomal replication levels associated with wos2Δ. Accordingly, wos2Δ featured significantly reduced virulence within impacting fungal burden in a murine model of cryptococcosis. Our study highlights a vulnerable point in the fungal chaperone network that offers a therapeutic opportunity to interfere with both fungal virulence and fitness.IMPORTANCEThe global impact of fungal pathogens, both emerging and emerged, is undeniable, and the alarming increase in antifungal resistance rates hampers our ability to protect the global population from deadly infections. For cryptococcal infections, a limited arsenal of antifungals and increasing rates of resistance demand alternative therapeutic strategies, including an anti-virulence approach, which disarms the pathogen of critical virulence factors, empowering the host to remove the pathogens and clear the infection. To this end, we apply state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics to evaluate the impact of a recently defined novel co-chaperone, Wos2, toward cryptococcal virulence using in vitro and in vivo models of infection. We explore global proteome and secretome remodeling driven by the protein and uncover the novel role in modulating the fungal oxidative stress response. Complementation of proteome findings with in vitro infectivity assays demonstrated the protective role of Wos2 within the macrophage phagosome, influencing fungal replication and survival. These results underscore differential cryptococcal survivability and weakened patterns of dissemination in the absence of wos2. Overall, our study establishes Wos2 as an important contributor to fungal pathogenesis and warrants further research into critical proteins within global stress response networks as potential druggable targets to reduce fungal virulence and clear infection.

Iodide n,π-chelate complexes of platinum(II) based on N-allyl substituted thioureas and their effect on the activity of hepatobiliary system enzymes in comparison with chloride analogs

The search for new effective drugs in the treatment of neoplasm remains relevant even today, since the adaptation of transformed cells to the action of classical drugs contributes to the emergence of drug resistance­. This applies to a number of classic chemotherapy drugs of the platinum series, in particular cisplatin. In this work, we describe the effect of novel analogs of cisplatin on HepG2 cells and on the key enzyme of antioxidant protection system gammaglutamyltranspeptidase, which plays an important role in the acquisition of drug resistance to anticancer drugs by tumor cells. New mononuclear iodide n,π-chelate complexes of Pt(II) with substituted thioureas N-allylmorpholine-4-carbothioamide or 3-allyl-1,1-diethylthiourea were obtained as analogs of cisplatin. All compounds were investigated by UV-Vis, IR, and 1H/13С NMR spectra. Complex I was described by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Also, the effect of these analogs on alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, which are marker enzymes of liver cells, release of which into the blood indicates liver pathologies, was investigated. All studies were carried out in comparison with chloride n,π-chelate complexes of platinum obtained earlier (however, the effect of these chloride analogs of platinum on enzymes of the hepatobiliary system was investigated for the first time in this work). The results have shown that the studied compounds are better cytostatics/cytotoxics than cisplatin both according to IC50 and apoptosis level of HepG2 cells. It is established that, for the most part, effect of the studied complexes is reduced to a decrease in the degree of malignancy of cells of hepatocyte lines and the activity of LDH and GHT, as well as a decrease in consumed glucose. Keywords: alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gammaglutamyltranspeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, NMR spectroscopy, n‚π-chelates, thioureas

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Plant Components in Complex Therapy for Acute Female Cystitis

It is well known that phytotherapy as a method of treatment and prevention of diseases with the use of medicinal plants and their extracts has a positive effect not only on the organ, but also on the whole body as a whole. The objective: to analyze the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of a combined herbal remedy, which includes such active ingredients as castor oil (Castor oil), α-pinene, peppermint oil (Mentha piperita oil), extract of common nettle grass (Leonuri cardiacae), juniper berry oil (Juniperus oil), Ammi dental extract (Ammi visnaga), chamomile flower extract (Matricaria chamomilla), in young women with acute cystitis (AC). Materials and methods. 50 outpatient women with AC aged 18 to 35 years (average age – 25.9±6.1 years) took part in the study. The diagnosis was established on the basis of complaints, the results of the acute cystitis symptom score (ACSS), anamnesis data, physical examination and was confirmed by laboratory tests, clinical and biochemical blood tests were performed, and indicators of immune status were determined. The patients were divided into two groups of 25 people each. The groups were comparable in terms of age, severity of clinical symptoms, and laboratory parameters. Patients of the control group received a standard course of antibacterial therapy for 7 days. Women in the main group additionally took the combined herbal preparation at a dose of 1 capsule twice a day for 30 days and then for another 60 days at a dose of 1 capsule once a day. Follow-up visits were in 7 days after the first and 1 and 3 months after the start of therapy. During the study, the dynamics of complaints, the results of the ACSS questionnaire and laboratory analyzes of urine and blood were evaluated, and indicators of immune status and parameters of the oxidative stress-antioxidant status system were determined. Results. After a course of etiotropic treatment it was determined that the average duration of AC symptoms in patients of the control group was 1.67 times longer than in women of the main group (p<0.05). After a month of using the combined herbal preparation, stabilization of the antioxidant protection system was observed, namely: indicators of oxidative stress in the main group were significantly more positive than in the control group (p<0.01); indicators of the antioxidant system reached the norm and had significant differences compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the main group, an increase in the functional reserve of phagocytic cells was observed, a pronounced increase in the number of cells capable of phagocytosis was determined, and the absorptive activity of neutrophils was also significantly greater than in the control group (p<0.05). During the 3-month prophylactic course of treatment with the herbal preparation, the absence of recurrent disease was found in 96% of patients in the main group, in contrast to women in the control group, where the absence of reinfection was determined in only 72% of patients (p<0.05). Conclusions. The use of a combined herbal preparation in a dose of 1 capsule 2 times a day in addition to the standard therapy of acute cystitis (AC) in women reliably shortens the duration of clinical symptoms and promotes faster clinical and laboratory recovery. After 30 days of use there is a normalization of indicators of oxidative stress, antioxidant protection and phagocytic activity of neutrophils. Complex therapy of AC with the inclusion of herbal medicine for 3 months is associated with significantly fewer cases of reinfection of the urinary tract compared to treatment without herbal therapy.

About Lipid Peroxidation During Physical Activity

In recent years, interest in the study of free radical processes occurring in living organisms has increased significantly. The study of free radical processes, in particular lipid peroxidation, lipid activity, and the activity of enzymes involved in reactions, is of interest for identifying the characteristics of functional activity. Lipid peroxidation products are considered as biological destructive factors, the accumulation of which in the body induces oxidative stress. As a result, the features of the process of lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant protective system of muscle and other tissues that provide motor activity were identified. The results can be used in physical education classes.

The Intensity of Lipid Peroxide Oxidation Processes and the System State of Antioxidant Protection of Broiler Chicken Due to the Action of the Synbiotic Preparation in Complex with the Disinfectant

Developing methods for increasing the immune reactivity and antioxidant potential of the bird's body during critical periods of growth is an urgent task today. The purpose of the research was to find out the influence of the synbiotic "Biomagn" in combination with the disinfectant "Diolide" on the intensity of the processes of peroxide oxidation of lipids and the activity of the system of antioxidant protection in the organism of chickens. The research was carried out on 2 groups of chickens, 100 in each, starting from 1 to 41 days of age: the control group was fed with standard compound feed (SCF); the chickens of the experimental group were fed with SCF, and the synbiotic preparation "Biomagn" based on 0.5 kg per ton of compound feed. The experimental group received a solution of the preparation "Diolide" with water. For conducting immunological research, blood was taken from chickens at different age periods: from 10-, 27-, 31-, and 41-day-old chickens. The use of the synbiotic preparation "Biomagn" in combination with the disinfectant "Diolide" in the chickens of the experimental group normalized the intensity of the processes of lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of proteins in the poultry's organism - a decrease was established (p <0.05–0.001) in GPO content and TBK-active products and aldehyde derivatives oxidative modification of proteins in the blood compared to the control. The detected event was determined by increased activity of the enzyme link of the antioxidant protection system of the organism of chickens.

Lipid Peroxidation in Muscle Foods: Impact on Quality, Safety and Human Health.

The issue of lipid changes in muscle foods under the action of atmospheric oxygen has captured the attention of researchers for over a century. Lipid oxidative processes initiate during the slaughtering of animals and persist throughout subsequent technological processing and storage of the finished product. The oxidation of lipids in muscle foods is a phenomenon extensively deliberated in the scientific community, acknowledged as one of the pivotal factors affecting their quality, safety, and human health. This review delves into the nature of lipid oxidation in muscle foods, highlighting mechanisms of free radical initiation and the propagation of oxidative processes. Special attention is given to the natural antioxidant protective system and dietary factors influencing the stability of muscle lipids. The review traces mechanisms inhibiting oxidative processes, exploring how changes in lipid oxidative substrates, prooxidant activity, and the antioxidant protective system play a role. A critical review of the oxidative stability and safety of meat products is provided. The impact of oxidative processes on the quality of muscle foods, including flavour, aroma, taste, colour, and texture, is scrutinised. Additionally, the review monitors the effect of oxidised muscle foods on human health, particularly in relation to the autooxidation of cholesterol. Associations with coronary cardiovascular disease, brain stroke, and carcinogenesis linked to oxidative stress, and various infections are discussed. Further studies are also needed to formulate appropriate technological solutions to reduce the risk of chemical hazards caused by the initiation and development of lipid peroxidation processes in muscle foods.

Unexplained infertility: a fresh look at the old problem and the novel therapeutic options of its treatment

Infertility affects up to 20% of couples worldwide. Among the frequent causes of female infertility are fallopian tubes-related disorders, hormonal and ovulation disorders, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility. The modern-day tendency to delay pregnancy has increased the incidence of age-related infertility, as female reproductive competence decreases with aging. Aging is associated with low-grade inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced capacity of antioxidant protection system, and stem cell exhaustion in female reproductive system. Hence, the appropriate actions should be made to address the infertility caused by reproductive aging, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In recent years, a considerable progress in cell therapy as an emerging approach for the treatment infertility has been made. Cell therapy involves utilizing stem cells, precursor cells, cellular extracts, exosomes and other cell-derived therapeutic agents. Cell therapy can be an effective strategy as it provides an interactive, dynamic, specific and individualized treatment.

Lipid-correcting and antioxidant effects of the lipid complex from the red marine algae Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis under the conditions of a high-fat diet

The influence of the lipid complex isolated from the thallus of the red marine algaeAhnfeltia tobuchiensis(LCA) on the metabolic parameters of the blood and liver of rats under a high-fat diet was studied. It was shown that the administration of LCA had a pronounced lipid-correcting and antioxidant effect, which was superior to that of the reference preparation “Omega 3-6-9” in terms of its ability to restore lipid metabolism, the ratio of lipoprotein fractions and the indices of the endogenous antioxidant protection system, as so as prevent the development of hepatosis. The lipid-correcting and anti-oxidant effect of LCA is specified by the action of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular eicosapentaenoic acid, which are the part of the structure of phospholipids and glycolipids of marine origin, which make up the main part of the studied lipid complex.

Physiological Responses and Salt Tolerance Evaluation of Purple-Leaf Berberis (Berberis thunbergii var. Atropurpurea) and Glacier Red-Leaf Berberis (Berberis thunbergii) Under NaCl Stress

This study investigated the impact of various concentrations of NaCl stress treatment (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%) on the growth of one-year-old saplings of purple leaf barberry and glacier red leaf barberry. It also examined the impact on various physiological responses including plasma membrane permeability, antioxidant protective enzyme system, osmotic regulatory substance content, photosynthetic characteristics, ion content, and the ultrastructure of leaf cells using transmission electron microscopy. The goal was to determine the salt tolerance threshold and elucidate the physiological response mechanism to NaCl stress. The comprehensive assessment of salt tolerance in the two barberries was done using fuzzy membership functions. The results demonstrated that increasing concentrations of NaCl stress and longer treatment durations led to gradual decreases in sapling growth and increases in salt damage index. The salt tolerance thresholds were calculated to be 0.37% for purple leaf barberry and 0.33% for glacier red leaf barberry using the logistic curve equation. The activities of SOD and POD initially increased and then decreased in both barberries. Furthermore, MDA, free proline, and Na+ content gradually increased, while soluble protein content, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), K+ content, and K+/Na+ ratio gradually decreased. The purple leaf barberry displayed larger and deformed chloroplasts with significant separation of quality and wall, whereas the glacier red leaf barberry experienced a gradual decrease in chloroplast size and number until degradation. The membership function analysis revealed that purple leaf barberry exhibited superior resistance compared to glacier red leaf barberry.

Effect of low positive temperature on the antioxidant system formation in de-etiolated and etiolated Amaranthus tricolor L. seedlings grown from seeds treated with growth regulators

In the Non-chernozem zone of Russia, the recurrent spring cold up to 1-2 C can cause damage and death of thermophilic amaranth seedlings. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with growth regulators is an inexpensive and effective method to reduce the negative effect of hypothermia on seed germination. The aim of the research was to study the effect of low-temperature stress on etiolated and de-etiolated seedlings of amaranth cv. Valentina ( A. tricolor L.) grown from seeds treated with growth stimulants. Seeds were pretreated with aqueous solutions of Albit (1 g/L), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) - 5 mM and succinic acid (ScA) - 500 mg/L. Seeds were germinated in peat pots at 23 2 C (T23) for 7 days. On the 7th day, peat pots with seedlings grown in the light and in the dark were moved to thermostat at 2.0 0.5 C (T2) for 8 hours. Determination of the amount of amaranthine, chlorophylls and carotenoids were carried out according to generally accepted methods. Pretreatment of seeds with the growth regulators Albit, H2O2, and ScA increased hypocotyl length, root length, and biomass of light and etiolated seedlings. Low positive temperatures increased the content of amaranthine and carotenoids but reduced the content of chlorophylls. It was shown that all used growth regulators - H2O2, Albit and ScA trigger or at least maintain the system of antioxidant protection in light and etiolated seedlings of amaranth cv. Valentina under low positive temperatures.

Clinical and pathological features of brain iron metabolism in neurodegerative and demyelinating disorders

The results of many modern studies show the significance of the role of changes in iron metabolism and its increased accumulation in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and demyelinating diseases. Determining the role of iron metabolism and the characteristics of its distribution in strategically important areas of the brain in diseases of the nervous system is important from a diagnostic point of view, since it can help determine the rate of disease progression and, accordingly, correction of therapy. The article presents modern literature data describing the main disorders of iron metabolism in the structure of the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease), and demyelinating diseases, in particular, multiple sclerosis. Attention is drawn to the role of changes in iron metabolism in the pathogenesis of the process of regulated cell death, ferroptosis, accompanied by depletion of intracellular glutathione, decreased activity of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase-4 and the subsequent process of lipid peroxidation caused by a decrease in the protective antioxidant system of cells and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Attention is drawn to the role of the Fenton reaction in the accumulation of free radicals, the oxidation of iron and, as a consequence, its excessive deposition in brain structures. Information is provided on the features of the pathogenesis of neuronal iron accumulation, modern diagnostic capabilities for assessing iron content in strategically important areas of the brain using various methods, and the possibility of various options for therapeutic treatment of these conditions is considered. Attention is drawn to the patterns of iron distribution in normal brain structures depending on age, as well as in the specified nosologies. Data are presented on the connection between an increase in the amount of iron content in brain cells and the severity of clinical manifestations of diseases. Attention is drawn to the relationship between the progression of disease severity and the increase in metal content in the cells of strategically significant areas of the brain. When writing the article, modern materials and meta-analyses were used, containing the results of a significant number of studies devoted to the problem considered in this review.

Thiol Homeostasis in The Crystalline Eye and Influence on It Irradiation by Decimeter Electromagnetic Radiation (Experiments on Rats)

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the microwave range, even at non-thermal intensity, causes significant biochemical and physiological changes in living organisms, which are supposed to be associated with their possible oxidative effect. This work is devoted to the study of the mechanism of realization of the EMR effect in the eye lens at the level of redox state elements, based on the fact that this organ is the most suitable model: it functions semiautonomously and has a well-organized system of antioxidant protection. The transparency of the lens is maintained by preserving the redox balance, in which the homeostasis of thiol compounds of protein and non-protein nature plays an important role. Our experiments were performed on rats using 460 MHz EMR for exposure at non-thermal intensities (power flux density between 10 and 30 µW/cm2). It has been shown that chronic exposure to EMR for up to two weeks caused changes in the redox state of the lens, which manifested in changes in the level of lipid peroxidation processes and the content of thiols of various natures. The substructures of the lens (cortical and nuclear regions) reacted to EMR exposure in different ways. Depending on the EMR intensity, pro- and antioxidant characters were revealed in their reactions. The dynamics of the oxidative reaction of lens substructures were also different under high- and low-intensity exposure. The character of the kinetics of changes in the products of oxidative reactions (malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxides) and reducing agents (non-protein and protein SH groups) in the lens of the irradiated organism suggested the role of the enzymatic thiolation-dethiolation system to preserve the redox balance in the substructures of the lens. In addition, the results on changes (kinetics) in the content of various protein SH-groups, i.e., hidden inside the protein molecule and exposed on its surface, during EMR exposure, as well as the data available in the literature, allow us to put forward suggestions about the supramolecular mechanism of homeostasis regulation, in particular, thiol homeostasis regulation in such high-protein structures as the lens, which can be realized by aggregation-disaggregation of protein molecules (crystallins in the case of the lens). Our results can serve as a basis for developing a new non-invasive approach to cataract prevention using low-intensity microwave radiation.

The impact of Cortexin on cytokine levels in the treatment of moderate chronic generalized periodontitis in young and middle-aged people

Relevance. Chronic generalized periodontitis is one of the most common dental diseases in Russia and worldwide. Periodontitis causes changes in the immune system, cytokines, antioxidant protection, hemostasis and other systems, leading to periodontal microcirculatory and blood supply damage. Interleukins are regulatory molecules that play a part in specific immune reactions: inflammation, regeneration, and microcirculation. They are produced by immune system cells in response to an activating stimulus and regulate the strength and duration of immune and inflammatory reactions. Our study revealed an imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with moderate chronic generalized periodontitis of different ages.Material and Methods. The study involved 130 patients with moderate chronic generalized periodontitis aged 25 to 60. The control group consisted of 15 practically healthy individuals aged 18 to 24 years without acute and chronic periodontal diseases at the time of the study. The concentration of cytokines in blood serum and oral fluid (IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10) was evaluated in all patients before and after the standard comprehensive treatment and with the inclusion of Cortexin.Results. After the moderate chronic generalized periodontitis treatment, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the blood decreased in the group of 25-44-year-olds. In standard treatment, IL-1ß level decreased by 30%, IL-4 – by two times, IL-8 – by 1.5 times, and IL-10 – by three times; but with Cortexin, IL-1ß became normal, IL-4 decreased by 3.5 times, IL-8 – by 2.5 times, IL-10 became normal. In the oral fluid of patients aged 25-44 years, IL-1ß decreased by 20% after the standard treatment, IL-4 decreased by six times, IL-8 decreased by two times, and the addition of Cortexin to the comprehensive therapy caused a 70% decrease, IL–4 reduced by ten times, IL-8 – by nine times, the concentration of IL-10 remained the same. IL-22 decreased by 1.5 and 2 times based on the treatment methods. The after-treatment assessment of changes in the interleukin content in blood serum in 45-60-year-old patients with chronic generalized periodontitis revealed the same levels of IL-4 after the standard treatment, a decrease of IL-1ß by 1.5 times, IL-8 - by 1.5 times; and the use of Cortexin in the treatment normalized the concentration of IL-4, led to a decrease in IL-1ß by two times, IL-8 - by three times. After the therapy, in the oral fluid of patients aged 45-60 years, IL-1ß decreased by 1.5 times with standard treatment, IL-4 and IL-8 decreased by two times, and IL-10 did not change, IL-22 - by 1.5 times; and using Cortexin, the concentration of IL-1ß decreased by 70%, IL-4 decreased by three times, IL-8 - by four times, IL-10 and IL-22 - by two times.Conclusion. Before treatment, the concentration of cytokines was higher in all groups of patients compared to the control values in blood serum and oral fluid. With standard therapy, the content of interleukins decreases in biological fluids, and the effect is more pronounced if standard treatment and Cortexin are combined. The correlation analysis detects that clinical manifestations of gingival inflammation are directly related to the concentration of pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukins in the blood and oral fluid.

Peculiarities of the morpho-physiological reactions of mosses depending on the water-temperature regime of their local growth

The morphological structure of and the activity of the catalase of mosses Ptychostomum imbricatulum and Brachythecium rutabulum depending on microclimatic conditions of their local growth were studied. The morphological variability of moss turfs in different ecological conditions of forest ecosystems was established, in particular, the influence of the level of moisture in local growth on the morphometric parameters of mosses (the density of the turf, the height of the shoots and their foliage and the size of the leaves) was revealed. It is shown that the morphological structure of the turfs of the mosses Ptychostomum imbricatulum and Brachythecium rutabulum is important for moisture conservation and depends on the microclimatic conditions of local growth and the life form of the species. It is shown that the increase in the content of hydrogen peroxide as a signaling mediator is a component of the antioxidant protection system. It was established that the highest content of hydrogen peroxide was in shoots of P. imbricatulum from the territory of pine plantations, where the microclimatic conditions are the least favorable. The obtained results indicate the existence of interdependence between the formation of reactive oxygen species and the activity of catalase as one of the key enzymes of antioxidant protection, which indicates the signaling role of reactive oxygen species in moss cells under stress conditions. The dependence of catalase activity in moss cells on the level of hydration of their turfs was established. The activation of catalase in adverse water and temperature conditions in the shoots of the studied species indicates the participation of the enzyme in the adaptation of plants to stress and is due to the strengthening of free radical oxidation processes, in particular, an increase in the content of hydrogen peroxide.

Role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders

The literature review reflects the contemporary information on the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders. We present data on the importance of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and epigenetic influences on the development of oxidative stress, which, during critical periods of early brain development, may influence the induction and progression of the disease. The role of mitochondrial dysfunction, immunological disorders, increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier, hypoperfusion of the brain causing or aggravating the redox imbalance in patients with autism spectrum disorders is shown. Analysis of the literature data indicates that the increased content of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione, ceruloplasmin and transferrin in the blood and brain of patients with autism spectrum disorders reflects the activation of compensatory mechanisms. Increased levels of malondialdehyde, xanthine oxidase, nitric oxide in various biological media indicate insufficiency of antioxidant protection system. Taking into account the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders, therapy including antioxidant drugs is indicated for correction of metabolic disorders.

Neodymium Nitrate Improves the Germination of Aged Wheat Seeds by Increasing Soluble Substances and Activating Antioxidative and Metabolic Enzymes in Seeds

Seeds stored for a prolonged period are subject to aging and a reduction in germination potential (GP), which will negatively affect seed sales. Rare-earth elements have a synergistic effect on the improvement of seed GP. In this study, we examined the effects of neodymium on biochemical components, the antioxidant protective system, and metabolism-related enzymes during germination of naturally and artificially aged seeds of three wheat cultivars. Seed germination indices, biochemical substance contents, and enzyme activities decreased after seed aging. Soaking seeds in a neodymium nitrate solution revived aged wheat seeds at an optimal concentration of 20 µmol/L for 8 h. Soaking in a neodymium nitrate solution increased the GP4 (by 2.25–60.9%), germination index (by 1.69–29.2%), and vigor index (by 3.36–18.7%) of aged seeds. Compared with non-soaked seeds, soaking significantly changed the contents of biochemical substances, and the activities of antioxidant protective enzymes and metabolic enzymes in seedlings were increased. Soaking with neodymium may revive aged seeds by regulating the synthesis of soluble sugars, soluble proteins, chlorophyll, and carotenoids and decomposing malondialdehyde in the germinating seed. Root dehydrogenase and amylase showed different responses to the aging modes. The differential responses of root dehydrogenase and amylase may reflect differences in the resistance of enzymes to long-term mild seed aging and short-term severe environmental aging.

System of antioxidant protection of young cattle under cadmium load

It is known that free radical oxidation of lipids is an essential stage in the influence of heavy metals on the animal body. That is why the work aimed to investigate the indicators of the antioxidant system in young cattle under conditions of cadmium loading. For research, 15 clinically healthy six-month-old bulls of the black and spotted breed were selected, from which 3 groups of five animals were formed. The animals in the control group were on a regular diet. The animals of the experimental groups with compound feed were fed cadmium chloride in doses of 0.03 and 0.05 mg/kg of body weight. Feeding young cattle with cadmium chloride feed caused a decrease in the activity of the enzyme system of antioxidant protection of their body. These changes are confirmed by a decrease in their blood activity of superoxide dismutase by 31 %, catalase by 13.4 %, glutathione peroxidase by 23.2 %, glutathione reductase by 22.2 %, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase by 32.4 %, respectively. A decrease in the level of indicators of the non-enzymatic link of the system of antioxidant protection of the body of young cattle under cadmium load was also established, where, accordingly, a decrease in the content of reduced glutathione was established – by 10.4 %, selenium – by 14.8 %, vitamin A – by 31.3%, of vitamin E – by 30.8% in their blood compared to the control. It is worth noting that on the sixteenth and twenty-fourth days of the experiment, the lowest value of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic links of the antioxidant protection systems of young cattle under conditions of cadmium loading was observed. In the future, a practical scheme for preventing cadmium toxicosis in young cattle by studying indicators of the antioxidant system is planned.

The influence of the feed additive “Metisevit” on the activity of the antioxi-dant defense system of piglets under conditions of nitrate-nitrite load

The work aimed to investigate the effect of the “Metisevit” feed additive on the activity of the enzymes of the antioxidant system of the blood of piglets under conditions of nitrate-nitrite load. The research was carried out on 60-day-old piglets of the large white breed. For the experiment, 10 clinically healthy piglets were selected, from which 2 groups of five animals were formed. Piglets of the control group were fed sodium nitrate at a dose of 0.3 g NO3-/kg body weight for three months. Piglets of the research group were also fed sodium nitrate at a dose of 0.3 g NO3-/kg of body weight, together with Metisevit at a dose of 0.36 g/kg of feed for three months. The “Metisevit” feed additive was developed at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology Lviv, which contains vitamin E, selenium, and methiphene (methionine, phenarone, zeolite). Under the conditions of feeding piglets with sodium nitrate feed at a dose of 0.3 g of NO3ˉ/kg, a decrease in the activity of enzymes of the antioxidant defense system was established: superoxide dismutase by 14.8 %, catalase by 20%, glutathione peroxidase by 15.1 %. Metisevit in piglets increased the activity of the enzyme link of the antioxidant protection system, preventing the development of oxidative stress that occurs in nitrate-nitrite toxicosis. During our experiments, it was found that the introduction of Metisevit into the diet of piglets with excessive consumption of nitrates prevented the development of chronic nitrate-nitrite toxicosis. It was established that Metisevit increases the activity of enzymes – superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. These enzymes reduce the high level of lipid peroxidation products in the body of piglets under conditions of nitrate-nitrite load.

Physiological responses of typical subtropical landscape shrubs to artificial light at night.

Artificial light at night is rapidly spreading and has become an important component of global change. Although numerous studies have focused on its potential ecological impacts, the physiological response mechanisms of landscape plants to artificial light at night have rarely been quantified. With common landscape shrubs in subtropical regions of China, Hydrangea paniculata, Photinia fraseri and Ligustrum japonicum, as test materials, we exa-mined the responses of antioxidant enzyme system and biomass in the light environment at night under different light quality (yellow light, white light) with different light intensities (20, 40, 60 lx) . The results showed that artificial light at night significantly increased the membrane peroxidation, stimulated plant antioxidant protection systems and raised the antioxidant enzyme activities of the three species. The effects of light quality on plant antioxidant enzymes varied across dspecies. The peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities of H. paniculata under white light were 1.5 and 1.3 times as that under yellow light, respectively. Both enzyme activities of P. fraseri were 1.1 times as that under white light than under yellow light. The activities of two enzymes in L. japonicum under white light were 88.6% and 99.5% of those under yellow light, respectively. The antioxidant enzyme activities of the three species increased with increasing light intensity at night, whereas the contents of malondialdehyde increased rapidly and the antioxidant enzyme activities decreased when beyond a certain light intensity threshold (at 120 d, the threshold was about 40 lx). The protective enzymes that played the major role under nighttime light stress were different among the three species. For H. paniculata, POD and CAT complemented each other to resist stress-induced oxidative damage, while the main enzyme of L. japonicum was POD. The biomass of the three species increased significantly under artificial light at night. H. paniculata was the most sensitive to nighttime light stress, while L. japonicum had the strongest resistance to the stress. The deciduous shrub H. paniculata could tolerate the white night light lower than 40 lx, while the evergreen shrubs P. fraseri and L. japonicum could tolerate the yellow night light lower than 40 lx.