Antioxidant Protection System Research Articles

Indicators of the Lipid Peroxidation-Antioxidant Protection System as Important Metabolic Markers of Reproductive Potential in Men.

We analyze results of recent studies demonstrating unfavorable state of the reproductive health in the male population that manifested not only in spermatogenesis deterioration, but also in oxidative stress (both systemic and in seminal fluid). The data on the effect of ROS and components of the antioxidant defense system on gamete quality in men with infertility associated with obesity and diabetes mellitus are presented. Some features of oxidative stress in men of reproductive age of various ethnic groups are shown. Evaluation of the parameters of oxidative stress provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms of functional activity of the semen and may become a promising direction for the development of new methodological recommendations for personalized diagnosis, prevention, and correction of reproductive disorders in men.

Exogenous progesterone alleviates chilling injury by upregulating IbAOX1 to mediate redox homeostasis and proline accumulation in postharvest sweetpotato tuberous root

This study aimed to elucidate the role of progesterone (PROG) in mitigating chilling injury (CI) in sweetpotato tuberous root and its relation to alternative oxidase (AOX). Root were pretreated by immersing them in 100 mM PROG or PROG-salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM). The results showed that PROG effectively enhanced the transcription level of IbAOX1 and the activity of AOX, inhibited the formation of CI, and reduced membrane permeability, malonaldehyde levels, and the production of ROS compared with the control. PROG also enhanced the antioxidant protection system by maintaining higher activities of antioxidant enzymes and levels of ascorbic acid and total phenolics. PROG further induced the upregulation of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase and ornithine d-aminotransferase and the downregulation of proline dehydrogenase, which advanced the proline level. However, the abovementioned effects resulting from PROG treatment were weakened by SHAM. Therefore, PROG upregulated AOX to mediate the antioxidant system and proline accumulation, thereby alleviating CI in tuberous root. The strategy of PROG treatment combined with cold storage can potentially be used for cold-induced rapid sweetening and enhancing the antioxidant capacity of freshly harvested tuberous roots.

Features of lipid peroxidation processes and antioxidant protection system in pregnant women with type I diabetes mellitus and their newborns

The objective: to determine the characteristics of lipid peroxidation processes and the antioxidant defense system in pregnant women with type I diabetes mellitus and their newborns. Materials and methods. 160 patients at 12–41 weeks of gestation were examined. The main group included 110 pregnant women with type I diabetes mellitus, the control group – 50 healthy pregnant patients. Evaluation of lipid peroxidation activity was determined by the content of diene conjugates, lipid hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde in blood serum and erythrocytes, superoxideanion O2 in blood plasma. Results. Analysis of the results in patients with diabetes mellitus showed a significant activation of lipid peroxidation processes. In the first half of pregnancy, the content of lipid hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde of plasma and erythrocytes, as well as superoxide anion in patients with diabetes mellitus was higher than in healthy pregnant women. In the second half, all lipid peroxidation indicators in patients with diabetes mellitus exceeded the corresponding indicators in healthy pregnant women. The dynamics of antioxidant defense system indices in diabetes mellitus indicates a compensatory tension of its main links with a subsequent decrease in their activity, in contrast to healthy pregnant women, where the antioxidant defense system activity increases adequately to the growth of lipid peroxidation activity. Conclusion. Disorders in the lipid peroxidation system in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus should be regarded as such that negatively affect the development and functioning of the fetoplacental complex. The results indicate the need to include the pregnant women with diabetes mellitus in the risk group of the placental dysfunction development, with the aim of its timely prevention, thereby reducing perninatal morbidity and mortality.

The evaluation of the health risk in ice hockey players based on the predictors that characterize the tension of adaptive organism systems

Objective: to search for markers of health risk in ice hockey players by the blood parameters.Materials and methods: a total of 40 blood parameters (that characterize nutrient metabolism, humoral immunity, oxidative and nitrosative stress, the system of antioxidant protection) in hockey players with different body weights were evaluated 2.5, 4, and 6 months of the playing season (n = 39).Results: the levels of uric acid and creatinine indicated insufficient recreation of the organism after the games. Creatine phosphokinase­MB and AST indicated the influence on the cardiovascular muscle (verified by the De Ritis ratio). Dyslipidemia was the main factor of cardiovascular risk. Cortisol indicated the prevalence of catabolic processes and psychoemotional tension. The changes in the levels of immunoglobulins and C­reactive protein could result from a compensatory reaction of the organism to stress. The oxidized glutathione indicated the accumulation of products of lipid peroxidation and ongoing oxidative stress. The insufficiency in vitamins of groups B and E could decrease the effectiveness of enzymatic systems and enzymatic links of the oxidant system. The insufficiency of chrome could impair carbohydrate and fat metabolism.Conclusion: predictors for prenosological diagnostics of general health were established. They included urea, total cholesterol of high and low density, vitamin­mineral balance parameters, isoform of creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, cortisol, and glutathione. Professional activity had the most negative influence on the health of sportsmen with lower body weight.

THE ROLE OF THE GLUTATHIONE SYSTEM IN MAINTAINING REDOX-HOMEOSTASIS AND ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION IN INFLAMMATORY AND DEGENERATIVE DISEASES OF THE ORGAN OF VISION

Objective. To review and analyze literature data as well as evaluate the role of the glutathione antioxidant system in inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the organ of vision. Material and Methods. Multiple sources of foreign and domestic literature concerning the problem of oxidative stress, antioxidant protection system, glutathione and their role in inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the organ of vision were analyzed using main scientific and medical databases. More than 120 sources in the medical literature over the past 15 years were evaluated, 50 of them have been selected for final summary. Results. It was found that oxidative stress, based on free radical oxidation reactions, including LPO processes, plays a leading role in the development of inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the organ of vision. The key link in the eye’s antioxidant protection system is the glutathione system, which includes glutathione itself (GSH) and glutathionedependent enzymes: glutathione peroxidase (GPO), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the eye are accompanied by reduction of the intracellular glutathione pool and imbalance between its reduced and oxidized forms (GSH / GSSG). Conclusions. Oxidative stress has a high correlation with inflammation and is the most important pathogenetic mechanism in inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the eye. The key role in antioxidant protection and maintenance of redox homeostasis of eye tissues belongs to the glutathione system, which includes GSH itself and glutathione-dependent enzymes (GPO, GR, GST). Inflammatory and degenerative processes in the eye are accompanied by decrease of the intracellular glutathione pool (GSH) and imbalance between its reduced and oxidized forms (GSH / GSSG). A shift in this balance significantly affects normal cell functioning, up to its apoptosis, and triggers multiple pathological conditions within the body, including diseases of the organ of vision.

ГЕОМАГНИТНЫЕ ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ КАК ФАКТОР РИСКА РАЗВИТИЯ ОКИСЛИТЕЛЬНОГО СТРЕССА В ЭРИТРОЦИТАХ КРОВИ ЧЕЛОВЕКА

At present impacts exerted by heliogeophysic factors on different living organisms are being examined more and more intensely. Over the last decade, it has been detected that meteorological factors play an important role in formation of adap- tation mechanisms in living systems. Sun and earth interaction is also known to directly influence rheological properties of human blood, both in a healthy body and in case there are chronic non-communicable diseases. Given that, impacts exerted by “cosmic weather” on living organisms, people in particular, are a stimulus to perform profound studies on reactions oc- curring as a response to effects produced by solar and geomagnetic activity, first of all, solar flares and magnetic storms. At present the most widely used approach to determining influences exerted by the Earth magnetic field on biologi- cal systems involves searching for correlations between different parameters of living organisms functioning and geo- magnetic indexes. Our research goal was to assess dependence between enzymatic activity of antioxidant protection system, exemplified by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and geomagnetic field disturbances. The research focused on examining blood samples taken from conditionally healthy volunteers living in Nizhniy Nov- gorod region. SOD and catalase activity were determined in blood erythrocytes with spectrophotometry. Geomagnetic dis- turbances force was determined as per planetary Kp-index value. The research established a statistically significant correlation between SOD and catalase activity and a value of geo- magnetic field disturbance; this correlation allows making an indirect assumption that geomagnetic conditions directly in- fluence superoxide radical production in a body. Therefore, a change in superoxide radical production is a way for the geomagnetic field to influence living organisms. Activation of free radical oxidation can make for both occurrence and more intense clinical course of several diseases (espe- cially cardiovascular and neuropsychic ones). So, in future it is advisable to assess reactivity of antioxidant protection sys- tem as a response to geomagnetic fluctuations in case there are pathologic changes in a body.

GEOMAGNETIC CHANGES AS A RISK FACTOR CAUSING OXIDATIVE STRESS IN HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES

At present impacts exerted by heliogeophysic factors on different living organisms are being examined more and more intensely. Over the last decade, it has been detected that meteorological factors play an important role in formation of adap- tation mechanisms in living systems. Sun and earth interaction is also known to directly influence rheological properties of human blood, both in a healthy body and in case there are chronic non-communicable diseases. Given that, impacts exerted by “cosmic weather” on living organisms, people in particular, are a stimulus to perform profound studies on reactions oc- curring as a response to effects produced by solar and geomagnetic activity, first of all, solar flares and magnetic storms. At present the most widely used approach to determining influences exerted by the Earth magnetic field on biologi- cal systems involves searching for correlations between different parameters of living organisms functioning and geo- magnetic indexes. Our research goal was to assess dependence between enzymatic activity of antioxidant protection system, exemplified by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and geomagnetic field disturbances. The research focused on examining blood samples taken from conditionally healthy volunteers living in Nizhniy Nov- gorod region. SOD and catalase activity were determined in blood erythrocytes with spectrophotometry. Geomagnetic dis- turbances force was determined as per planetary Kp-index value. The research established a statistically significant correlation between SOD and catalase activity and a value of geo- magnetic field disturbance; this correlation allows making an indirect assumption that geomagnetic conditions directly in- fluence superoxide radical production in a body. Therefore, a change in superoxide radical production is a way for the geomagnetic field to influence living organisms. Activation of free radical oxidation can make for both occurrence and more intense clinical course of several diseases (espe- cially cardiovascular and neuropsychic ones). So, in future it is advisable to assess reactivity of antioxidant protection sys- tem as a response to geomagnetic fluctuations in case there are pathologic changes in a body.

Effects of humidity-cold combined stress at the seedling stage in direct-seeded indica rice

Low temperature (LT) and extreme humidity constantly threaten direct-seeded early indica rice production during the seedling stage. However, the physiological mechanism and damage induced by LT combined with high/low humidity are still unclear. A pot experiment was conducted to study seedling growth performance and physiological traits of two indica rice cultivars (i.e., the cold-sensitive cultivar Zhongjiazao17 and the cold-tolerant cultivar Xiangzaoxian6) under LT plus low humidity treatment (LL, 8°C; relative humidity, 25 %), LT plus high humidity treatment (LH, 8°C; relative humidity, 95 %) and a control treatment (CK, 25 °C; relative humidity, 75 %). The results showed that seedling height, rubisco concentration, and APX, PDH and α-KGDH activity significantly decreased under LL and LH compared to CK, and large decreases were found under LH, especially for the cold-sensitive cultivar Zhongjiazao17. However, LH significantly increased the reactive oxygen species O2− and the soluble protein, GSH and ABA concentrations. Moreover, the APX, PDH and α-KGDH activities, rubisco and chlorophyll concentrations, and GA3 induced by LH also significantly decreased after treatment. The differences in physiological traits of Zhongjiazao17 after LL and LH were significant. During three days of recovery, the physiological activity of the two cultivars under LL tended to recover to the level of CK, and the cold-tolerant cultivar showed reduced damage caused by humidity-cold combined stress. The results suggested that the double stress of low temperature plus high humidity rather than low temperature plus low humidity could decrease the growth performance by hampering photosynthetic and respiratory systems and altering the endogenous hormonal regulation of direct-seeded early indica rice, whereas it could significantly enhance the antioxidant protective system derived from the osmotic damage of leaves.

Research of indicators of pro- and antioxidant system in spermoplasm in violation of fertility in men

The article presents the study results of marker indicators of pro- and antioxidant spermoplasm systems among men of reproductive age with various types of infertility. It is shown that patients who were diagnosed with “secretory male infertility”, had the level of MDA content that was exceeding control indicators in 1.2 times (aЈ0,05) with simultaneous activation of SOD (in 132.2%, aЈ0,05) against the background of slight CAT activity decreasing. The SOD/CAT ratio increased in 1.44 times compared to the control, and the activity of GAOS enzymes was not significantly different from the control group. The condition of pro- and antioxidant protection system can be classified as “activated” due to “SOD + CAT” link with imbalance in the system, which can lead to progression of cytotoxic effects.
 The patients’ segmentation who were diagnosed with “excretory-toxic male infertility” into three subgroups by MDA content in spermoplasm made it possible to establish that the first subgroup was characterized by “compensatory activation” mainly of GAOS against the background of decreasing MDA content, in the second subgroup - indicators of the pro- and anti-radical protection system did not have reliable differences comparing with control results. The third subgroup showed increase of MDA content (66.1%, aЈ0,01) and activity decrease of all anti-radical protection systems. The state of pro- and antioxidant protection system in this subgroup can be classified as “oxidative stress.”
 The indicators study of pro-antioxidant systems in spermoplasm among patients with various types of male infertility will allow to carry out pathogenetically justified prevention and correction of conditions, which are accompanied by development of oxidative stress.

THE ACTION OF SOME CYTOKININ-TYPE COMPOUNDS ON THE ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION CAPACITY OF PLANTS IN CONDITIONS OF UNFAVORABLE VARIATION OF HUMIDITY AND REPEATED WATER STRESS

The effect of cytokinin-type compound on the capacity of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic system of antioxidant protection by plants in conditions of humidity fluctuation and repeated drought were studied. As subjects served the plants Glycine max (Merr) L.cultivar Nadejda, grown in the Mitcherlih vegetation pots with volume of 40 kg soil and exposed to the drought stress at the phases first trifoliate leaf and flowering – pods formation. The antioxidant protection capacity of soybeans pre-treated with cytokinin, thiourea and with the composition Polyel + phytohormones (AIA, Gb, CK)is ensured both by the intensification of the activity of antioxidant enzymes and by the increase of content of non-enzymatic substances with low molecular weight.After restoring the optimal moisture content, the plants pre-treated with thiourea and Polyel + F more fully restore their functional processes.

POLYEL - COMPOUND WITH ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES

A new complex compound, Polyel, which contains thiourea, macro- and microelements in the form of salts and coordination complexes, as well as vitamins, was obtained and tested. Biological tests were performed in laboratory experiments and in the vegetation complex of the Institute of Genetics, Physiology and Plant Protection. As subjects of investigations served the plants Glycine max (Merr) cultivars L. ‘Deia’, ‘Moldovița’, and ‘Enigma’ varieties, grown in the Mitcherlih vegetation pots with a volume of 40 kg soil and exposed to the drought stress at the phase "flowering - pods formation”. The beneficial effect of Polyel on antioxidant protection systems by reducing the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and intensifying the activity of antioxidant protection enzymes has been established. Polyel has been shown to be one of the new biologically active chemicals that can be used in agriculture to reduce the negative impact of oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of Polyel as a physiologically active substance (PAS) with antioxidant proprieties for pre-treatment of seeds and foliar apparatus is much more effective under moderate drought conditions.

System of antioxidant protection of the body of piglets under the action of feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus”

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” on the state of the antioxidant defense system of piglets during weaning. The experiments were conducted on the basis of the LTD “KOSHET” Mukachevo district of Zakarpattia region. Two groups of piglets were formed – control and experimental, in the amount of 10 individuals in each group, selected on the principle of analogs – age, breed and body weight. Animals were fed according to the norms for this age of pigs. On the 28th day of life, the piglets were weaned from the sow and regrouped from different nests for further maintenance during fattening and rearing with a change in the structure of the diet, which served as technological stress for the animal's body. Piglets of the experimental group, from 21 to 40 days of age, were additionally fed the feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight per day. The material for the study was blood, which was taken in the morning before feeding the animals by puncture of the cranial vena cava for 20 days of life (the period before weaning), for 25 days of life (the period before weaning), for 30 days of life (2 days after weaning), for 35 days of life (7 days after weaning), 40 days of life (12 days after weaning). It is proved that feeding piglets feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” enhanced the antioxidant status of piglets after weaning. It was found that under conditions of technological stress, the use of feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” in the amount of 100 mg/kg body weight per day improves the antioxidant defense of the body, as evidenced by an increase in blood 35-day-old piglets superoxide dismutase activity by 26.7 % (P < 0.001), catalase – by 39.5 % (P < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase – by 51.7 % (P < 0.05), glutathione reductase – by 52.9 % (P < 0.05), the content of reduced glutathione – at 58.3 % (P < 0.001). These results confirm the effectiveness of the use of milk thistle, methionine, selenium, and vitamins A, E, and D3 in the feed additive “Butaselmevit-plus” to piglets in the period before and after weaning to activate the protective systems of their body.

STUDY OF THE ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION SYSTEM OF RED GRAPESS AND WINE

Currently, demand for light red wines has risen sharply. But the color of the wine loses its color and luster during technological treatments associated with the presence of oxygen. Therefore, the study of antioxidants, antioxidant protection system in the processing of red grapes and processing of wines in order to ensure the quality and presentation of red wines is relevant.The work investigated the system of antioxidant protection (AOD) of products of primary and secondary winemaking. Describes the results of research on the determination of enzymes of the AOD system during all technological methods: crushing, dripping, sludge, fermentation, pasting, sludge, heat treatment, cold red wine and wine processing. Before and after each technological operation, the physicochemical parameters, the activity of the enzymes in the AOD system were determined, a cascade of oxygen reduction reactions and oxygen reduction reactions in wine are given.As a result, on the basis of the obtained results, the technological canons of winemaking were corrected, for example, during the processing of red grapes, additional measures are clearly needed to provide antioxidant protection. Moreover, cold treatment of dry red wines leads to an increase in oxygen concentration, which threatens to oxidize the phenol - coloring matter in wine and causes a change in color and taste of wine, then this technological method for red wines is recommended in exceptional cases. Consequently, the treatment with heat of red wines provides an increase in the concentration of oxygen and at the same time activates all the component systems of AOD, there is a dismutation and the formation of organic peroxides. Over time, heat treatment enhances AOA, with that, AOA increases more intensively during heat treatment, slightly lower than AOA during technological processing with cold.

Indicators of metabolic homeostasis in patients with recurrent depressive disorders against diabetes mellitus

Due to high prevalence of depressive disorders in general medical practice, it is not surprising that depression and somatic diseases are often comorbid conditions. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the modern diseases that has a constant tendency to increase. It is known that patients with DM suffer from depression almost three times more often than patients without it. As a result of the presence of depression, the emotional state is disturbed, which quite often leads to the refusal of the patient from the prescribed adequate treatment, and eventually decompensation of DM occurs. In turn, DM causes episodes of depression, which requires the appointment of psychotropic measures and psychotherapy. But to date, there are no works on the state of metabolic homeostasis in the comorbidity of these diseases. The purpose of the study was to determine the state of metabolic homeostasis in patients with recurrent depressive disorders against the background of type 2 DM. We examined 128 patients with recurrent depressive disorder (RDD). All patients were divided into 4 groups. Patients of the first three groups had mild (group I), medium (group II) and severe (group III) degrees of severity of an ongoing RDD episode. In group IV patients, mild RDD was accompanied by type 2 DM. As a result of the study, the patients of all groups were found to have violations of the indicators of metabolic homeostasis in the form of an increase in the intensity of lipoperoxidation processes against the background of a decrease in the indicators of the enzyme link of the system of antioxidant protection, a significant increase in PGF2α and less significant PGE2, pathological changes in the indicators of cyclic nucleotides. These changes were minimal in group I, maximal in group IV, which confirms the significant influence of DM as a comorbid condition on the severity of metabolic disorders in RDD. Keywords: recurrent depressive disorders, lipoperoxidation, antioxidant system, prostaglandins, cyclic nucleotides, diabetes mellitus.

Antioxidant status of the organisms of young bulls in the conditions of lead-cadmium load and effect of correcting factors

Prolonged ingress of heavy metals into the organisms of animals, even in low concentrations, causes a number of toxic impacts, affecting various organs and systems. The objective of this study was to research parameters of enzymatic and non-enzymatic links of the system of antioxidant protection of the organism of young cattle in the condition of lead-cadmium load and the effect of Metisevit Plus feed additive. Studies were conducted on the basis of the Private Agricultural Company “Ukraina”, located in Dubrovytsia district of Rivne Oblast, using 12 six-month old bulls of Ukrainian Black Pied Dairy breed divided into two groups, each consisting of 6 animals. Bulls of the control group received the standard diet. The bulls of the experimental group were fed with Metisevit Plus feed additive in the dose of 0.5 g/kg of feed. The contents of lead and cadmium in feed at the enterprise were determined to be high. According to the conducted studies, it was determined that in conditions of cadmium and lead load, there is a decrease in activity of glutathione link of the system of antioxidant protection of the organism of bulls. Feeding the bulls of the experimental group with Metisevit Plus feed additive for 30 days led to increase in the levels of non-enzymatic and enzymatic activities of the glutathione system. Significant increase in the level of reduced glutathione was recorded on days 30 and 40 of the experiment. Consumption of Metisevit Plus by the animals of the experimental group promoted increase in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase starting on the 20th day of the experiment. On days 30 and 40 of the experiment, the activity of the studied enzymes ranged within the physiological values. Therefore, the studies conducted on the bulls indicate that in the conditions of cadmium and lead load the feed additive Metisevit Plus fed to the bulls activated the system of antioxidant protection by increasing the levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic links. When feeding bulls of the experimental group with Metisevit Plus feed additive, we determined significant decreases in diene conjugates and TBA-active products in their blood starting already on the 10th day of the experiment. On days 20 and 30 of the experiment, the level of diene conjugates in the blood of animals of the experimental group decreased by 14.5% and 24.0%. Efficiency of the feed additive may be explained by the effect of its constituents on the main pathogenic links of the pathological process caused by cadmium and lead. As indicated in the studies, liquidation of the syndrome of endogenous intoxication restores the functional condition of cellular membranes of the liver, protein-synthesizing function of the liver, increases the antioxidant status of the organisms of bulls. The studies we conducted confirm the expedience of using feed additive Metisevit Plus to prevent lead-cadmium toxicosis.

Bioactive Properties Of Commercial Reishi Mushroom Products In Powder Form

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) has well known history of use with regards to ensuring health effects and longevity in Asian countries. Besides, it has an antioxidative protection system to protect the living organism from the action of free radicals. This study examines the bioactive properties of powder form of G. lucidum as a natural functional agent and the antimicrobial effects of the 5 different commercially sold powder of the G. lucidum mushrooms were investigated against various pathogenic bacteria and molds. For this purpose, the phenolic content, antioxidant capacity of G. lucidum samples were determined. The antimicrobial effects of the 5 different G. lucidum mushrooms against various food-related pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis ATCC 13076, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 2592, Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802) and molds (Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 and Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 465) were expressed as a diameter (mm) of the inhibition zone. The values of total phenolic content of different G. lucidum samples ranged from 2.35 to 10.46 mg GAE g-1. The scavenging activity of DPPH radicals of G. lucidum samples did not show any significant difference for samples 2, 4, and 5. The same trend was observed between for ABTS+ results of these samples. The highest total phenolic content and antioxidative activity were observed in the sample 1. The extracts of different G. lucidum samples demonstrated statistically significant antibacterial activity against E. coli ATCC 25922. Regarding the antifungal activity of G. lucidum samples, there were not found any significant differences when compared different samples. The results demonstrated that G. lucidum can be used as a functional food ingredient to improve the bioactive properties of foods.

Image- and Fluorescence-Based Test Shows Oxidant-Dependent Damages in Red Blood Cells and Enables Screening of Potential Protective Molecules.

An increase of oxygen saturation within blood bags and metabolic dysregulation occur during storage of red blood cells (RBCs). It leads to the gradual exhaustion of RBC antioxidant protective system and, consequently, to a deleterious state of oxidative stress that plays a major role in the apparition of the so-called storage lesions. The present study describes the use of a test (called TSOX) based on fluorescence and label-free morphology readouts to simply and quickly evaluate the oxidant and antioxidant properties of various compounds in controlled conditions. Here, TSOX was applied to RBCs treated with four antioxidants (ascorbic acid, uric acid, trolox and resveratrol) and three oxidants (AAPH, diamide and H2O2) at different concentrations. Two complementary readouts were chosen: first, where ROS generation was quantified using DCFH-DA fluorescent probe, and second, based on digital holographic microscopy that measures morphology alterations. All oxidants produced an increase of fluorescence, whereas H2O2 did not visibly impact the RBC morphology. Significant protection was observed in three out of four of the added molecules. Of note, resveratrol induced diamond-shape “Tirocytes”. The assay design was selected to be flexible, as well as compatible with high-throughput screening. In future experiments, the TSOX will serve to screen chemical libraries and probe molecules that could be added to the additive solution for RBCs storage.

Study of enzymatic activity in human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y exposed to zearalenone's derivates and beauvericin

Beauvericin (BEA), α-zearalenol (α-ZEL) and β-zearalenol (β-ZEL), are produced by several Fusarium species that contaminate cereal grains. These mycotoxins can cause cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity in various cell lines and they are also capable of produce oxidative stress at molecular level. However, mammalian cells are equipped with a protective endogenous antioxidant system formed by no-enzymatic antioxidant and enzymatic protective systems such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The aim of this study was evaluating the effects of α-ZEL, β-ZEL and BEA, on enzymatic GPx, GST, CAT and SOD activity in human neuroblastoma cells using the SH-SY5Y cell line, over 24 h and 48 h with different treatments at the following concentration range: from 1.56 to 12.5 μM for α-ZEL and β-ZEL, from 0.39 to 2.5 μM for BEA, from 1.87 to 25 μM for binary combinations and from 3.43 to 27.5 μM for tertiary combination.SH-SY5Y cells exposed to α-ZEL, β-ZEL and BEA revealed an overall increase in the activity of i) GPx, after 24 h of exposure up to 24-fold in individual treatments and 15-fold in binary combination; ii) GST after 24 h of exposure up to 10-fold (only in combination forms), and iii) SOD up to 3.5- and 5-fold in individual and combined treatment, respectively after 48 h of exposure. On the other hand, CAT activity decreased significantly in all treatments up to 92% after 24 h except for β-ZEL + BEA, which revealed the opposite.

Re-Evaluating the Oxidative Phenotype: Can Endurance Exercise Save the Western World?

Mitochondria are popularly called the “powerhouses” of the cell. They promote energy metabolism through the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, which in contrast to cytosolic glycolysis are oxygen-dependent and significantly more substrate efficient. That is, mitochondrial metabolism provides substantially more cellular energy currency (ATP) per macronutrient metabolised. Enhancement of mitochondrial density and metabolism are associated with endurance training, which allows for the attainment of high relative VO2 max values. However, the sedentary lifestyle and diet currently predominant in the Western world lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. Underdeveloped mitochondrial metabolism leads to nutrient-induced reducing pressure caused by energy surplus, as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-mediated high electron flow at rest leads to “electron leak” and a chronic generation of superoxide radicals (O2−). Chronic overload of these reactive oxygen species (ROS) damages cell components such as DNA, cell membranes, and proteins. Counterintuitively, transiently generated ROS during exercise contributes to adaptive reduction-oxidation (REDOX) signalling through the process of cellular hormesis or “oxidative eustress” defined by Helmut Sies. However, the unaccustomed, chronic oxidative stress is central to the leading causes of mortality in the 21st century—metabolic syndrome and the associated cardiovascular comorbidities. The endurance exercise training that improves mitochondrial capacity and the protective antioxidant cellular system emerges as a universal intervention for mitochondrial dysfunction and resultant comorbidities. Furthermore, exercise might also be a solution to prevent ageing-related degenerative diseases, which are caused by impaired mitochondrial recycling. This review aims to break down the metabolic components of exercise and how they translate to athletic versus metabolically diseased phenotypes. We outline a reciprocal relationship between oxidative metabolism and inflammation, as well as hypoxia. We highlight the importance of oxidative stress for metabolic and antioxidant adaptation. We discuss the relevance of lactate as an indicator of critical exercise intensity, and inferring from its relationship with hypoxia, we suggest the most appropriate mode of exercise for the case of a lost oxidative identity in metabolically inflexible patients. Finally, we propose a reciprocal signalling model that establishes a healthy balance between the glycolytic/proliferative and oxidative/prolonged-ageing phenotypes. This model is malleable to adaptation with oxidative stress in exercise but is also susceptible to maladaptation associated with chronic oxidative stress in disease. Furthermore, mutations of components involved in the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial metabolism may lead to the development of a cancerous phenotype, which progressively presents as one of the main causes of death, alongside the metabolic syndrome.

Biological and medical value of antioxidant protection system of the human body

The article is devoted to the antioxidant system of the human body in the context of biological and medical significance. The classification of antioxidants in terms of their physical and chemical properties, bioorganic compounds, biochemical effects, mechanisms of implementation of antioxidant protection is presented. The given processes of extreme radical oxidation and mechanisms of antioxidant defense in physiological and pathological conditions. The characteristics of the components of the glutathione system, namely glutathione and enzymes – glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione transferase are presented. Much attention is paid to manganese superoxide dismutase, an antiradical defense enzyme, as a fundamental regulator of cell proliferation, a mediator of metabolism and apoptosis. Interpretation of changes in the antioxidant enzyme of mitochondrial origin from a prognostic point of view is interpreted on the basis of the results of clinical observations carried out by scientists in various human diseases. The expediency of determining manganese superoxide dismutase in clinical practice for the diagnostic search for the direction of the pathological process, the timely detection of complications and the appointment of adequate therapy is emphasized. Keywords: antioxidant system, classification, glutathione system, manganese superoxide dismutase.