ATPase Enzyme Activity Research Articles

Exudates of Microcystis aeruginosa on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in gills of Sinocyclocheilus grahami

Early cyanobacterial blooms studies observed that exposure to blue-green algae led to fish gills impairment. The objective of this work was to evaluate the toxic mechanisms of exudates of Microcystis aeruginosa (MaE) on fish gills. In this study, the toxic mechanism of MaE (2×106 cells/mL) and one of its main components phytosphingosine (PHS) with two concentrations 2.9 ng/mL and 145 ng/mL were conducted by integrating histopathology, biochemical biomarkers, and transcriptomics techniques in Sinocyclocheilus grahami (S. grahami) for 96 h exposure. Damaged gill tissue with epithelial hyperplasia and hypertrophy, remarkable Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) enzyme activity, disrupted the redox homeostats including lipid peroxidation and inflammatory responses were observed in the fish of MaE exposure group. Compare to MaE exposure, two concentrations of PHS exposure appeared to be a trend of lower degree of tissue damage, NKA activity and oxidative stress, but induced obviously lipid metabolism disorder with higher triglycerides, total cholesterol and total bile acid, which might be responsible for inflammation responses in fish gill. By transcriptome analysis, MaE exposure were primarily enriched in pathways related to gill function and immune response. PHS exposure, with higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), were enriched in Toll-like receptor (TLR), Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathways. We concluded that MaE and PHS were induced the inflammatory responses, with oxidative stress-induced inflammation for MaE exposure but lipid metabolism disorder-induced inflammation for PHS exposure. The present study provided two toxin-induced gill inflammation response pathways under cyanobacterial blooms, which could be a scientific basis for the ecological and health risk assessment in the aquatic environment.

Identification of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) P-type ATPase gene family and investigating the role of PHA2 in response to Pep13.

P-type ATPase family members play important roles in plant growth and development and are involved in plant resistance to various biotic and abiotic factors. Extensive studies have been conducted on the P-type ATPase gene families in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice but our understanding in potato remains relatively limited. Therefore, this study aimed to screen and analyze 48 P-type ATPase genes from the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genome database at the genome-wide level. Potato P-type ATPase genes were categorized into five subgroups based on the phylogenetic classification of the reported species. Additionally, several bioinformatic analyses, including gene structure analysis, chromosomal position analysis, and identification of conserved motifs and promoter cis-acting elements, were performed. Interestingly, the plasma membrane H+-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase) genes of one of the P3 subgroups showed differential expression in different tissues of potato. Specifically, PHA2, PHA3, and PHA7 were highly expressed in the roots, whereas PHA8 was expressed in potatoes only under stress. Furthermore, the small peptide Pep13 inhibited the expression of PHA1, PHA2, PHA3, and PHA7 in potato roots. Transgenic plants heterologously overexpressing PHA2 displayed a growth phenotype sensitive to Pep13 compared with wild-type plants. Further analysis revealed that reducing potato PM H+-ATPase enzyme activity enhanced resistance to Pep13, indicating the involvement of PM H+-ATPase in the physiological process of potato late blight and the enhancement of plant disease resistance. This study confirms the critical role of potato PHA2 in resistance to Pep13.

Intake of oligoelements with cytarabine or etoposide alters dopamine levels and oxidative damage in rat brain

Research on the relationships between oligoelements (OE) and the development of cancer or its prevention is a field that is gaining increasing relevance. The aim was to evaluate OE and their interactions with oncology treatments (cytarabine or etoposide) to determine the effects of this combination on biogenic amines and oxidative stress biomarkers in the brain regions of young Wistar rats. Dopamine (DA), 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-Hiaa), Glutathione (Gsh), Tiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and Ca+2, Mg+2 ATPase enzyme activity were measured in brain regions tissues using spectrophometric and fluorometric methods previously validated. The combination of oligoelements and cytarabine increased dopamine in the striatum but decreased it in cerebellum/medulla-oblongata, whereas the combination of oligoelements and etoposide reduced lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that supplementation with oligoelements modifies the effects of cytarabine and etoposide by redox pathways, and may become promising therapeutic targets in patients with cancer.

Dodder (Cuscuta sp.) extract prevents cognitive deficits in a rat model of hepatic encephalopathy.

In our study, the protective effect of dodder plant extract against encephalopathy induced by cholestatic liver disease model was investigated. Spraque Dawley rats were used in the study. For the cholestatic liver disease model, the bile duct ligation (BDL) was applied. The groups were determined as control, Cuscuta sp. (CUS), BDL and BDL + CUS. Double ligation was performed in the bile duct in the BDL groups. For the applications, saline (SF) was administered to the control and BDL groups for 28 days while 250 mg/kg of Cuscuta sp. extract was given by oral gavage to the CUS and BDL + CUS groups. At the end of the experiment, cognitive evaluations were made by applying new object recognition and Morris water maze tests. After these tests, blood-brain barrier (BBB) measurements were made in half of the groups. In the other half of the groups, brain tissue samples were taken by decapitation and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+-ATPase) measurements were made in the tissues. Histological examinations of the tissues were also performed. Cognitive performance was low, and BBB permeability was found to be increased in the group with bile duct ligation. In addition, TGF-β and 8-OHdG levels were increased in tissues, while Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme activity was suppressed. Treatment with Cuscuta sp. increased cognitive performance and decreased BBB permeability. Other biochemical parameters examined were significantly (p<0.05-0.001) reversed and supported by histological findings. Our findings in the study suggest that dodder plant may be beneficial for the protection of cognitive performance and brain tissue in encephalopathy caused by cholestasis.

The Extract of Angelica sinensis Inhibits Hypoxia-Reoxygenation and Copper-Induced Oxidative Lesions and Apoptosis in Branchiae and Red Blood Corpuscles of Fish.

The study explored the effects of Angelica sinensis extract (AsE) on oxidative lesions and apoptosis in branchiae and red blood corpuscles in hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) and Cu-treated carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). After feeding trial for 30 days, the carp were exposed to HR and CuSO4. The results indicated that dietary AsE increased the durative time, decreased the oxygen consumption rate, suppressed ROS generation and cellular component oxidation, decreased enzymatic antioxidant activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in red blood corpuscles and branchiae in carp under hypoxia. Moreover, dietary AsE avoided the loss of Na+,K+-ATPase, metabolic and antioxidant enzyme activities, ROS generation and cellular component oxidation, as well as the increase in caspase-8, 9, and 3 activities in the branchiae of the carp and inhibited ROS generation. It furthermore avoided the loss of Na+,K+-ATPase and metabolic enzyme activities, the decrease in GSH levels and hemoglobin content, the increase in the activities of caspase-8, 9, and 3 and the increase in the levels of cytochrome c and phosphatidylserine exposure in the red blood corpuscles of Cu-exposed carp. The present results suggested that dietary AsE improved hypoxia tolerance and inhibited HR or Cu-triggered oxidative lesions and apoptosis. Therefore, AsE can be utilized as a natural inhibitor of Cu and HR stress in fish.

O-Linked GlcNAcylation mediates the inhibition of proximal tubule (Na++K+)ATPase activity in the early stage of diabetes mellitus

BackgroundDiabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been proposed that modifications in the function of proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) precede glomerular damage during the onset of DKD. This study aimed to identify modifications in renal sodium handling in the early stage of DM and its molecular mechanism. MethodsStreptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic BALB/c mice (STZ group) and LLC-PK1 cells, a model of PTECs, were used. All parameters were assessed in the 4th week after an initial injection of STZ. ResultsEarly stage of DKD was characterized by hyperfiltration and PTEC dysfunction. STZ group exhibited increased urinary sodium excretion due to impairment of tubular sodium reabsorption. This was correlated to a decrease in cortical (Na++K+)ATPase (NKA) α1 subunit expression and enzyme activity and an increase in O-GlcNAcylation. RNAseq analysis of patients with DKD revealed an increase in expression of the glutamine-fructose aminotransferase (GFAT) gene, a rate-limiting step of hexosamine biosynthetic pathway, and a decrease in NKA expression. Incubation of LLC-PK1 cells with 10 μM thiamet G, an inhibitor of O-GlcNAcase, reduced the expression and activity of NKA and increased O-GlcNAcylation. Furthermore, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON), a GFAT inhibitor, or dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, avoided the inhibitory effect of HG on expression and activity of NKA associated with the decrease in O-GlcNAcylation. ConclusionOur results show that the impairment of tubular sodium reabsorption, in the early stage of DM, is due to SGLT2-mediated HG influx in PTECs, increase in O-GlcNAcylation and reduction in NKA expression and activity.

Protection Mechanism of Metal Ion Pre-Stress on Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC 6074 under Acid Tolerance.

The prerequisite for the probiotic effect of lactic acid bacteria is that they could survive the acid stress environment of production and application. In this experiment, the mechanism for the effect of different metal ion pre-stress on the acid-tolerant survival of Lactobacillus was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, and flow cytometry were used to analyze the condition of bacteria after acid treatment, which revealed that different metal ion pre-stress could improve the survival ability of Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC 6074 under low acid conditions by improving cell morphology, mitigating cell membrane damage, and regulating surface protein expression. Furthermore, Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) proteomic analysis revealed that Mn2+ pre-stress showed relatively more superior protective effects on acid tolerance in L. acidophilus CICC 6074 through activation of DNA replication, RNA synthesis, S-layer protein secretion, H+-ATPase enzyme activity, etc. This study will provide new ideas and a theoretical basis for the development and application of lactic acid bacteria.

Microanatomy and behaviour of the date mussel's adductor and foot muscles after chronic exposure to bisphenol A, with inhibition of ATPase enzyme activities and DNA damage

Environmental contaminants with estrogenic activity have recently received attention due to the potential harm they could cause to humans and wildlife. To assess the toxic effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on marine mussels, Lithophaga lithophaga were exposed for 4 weeks to 0, 0.25, 1, 2, and 5 μg/L BPA. Aside from DNA damage, a behavioural study including valve closure duration (VCD), valve opening duration (VOD), levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and total glutathione, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ATPase activities in adductor muscle extracts, and histopathological examination of the adductor muscle and foot were performed. The behavioural response was marked by an increase in the percentage of VCD and a decrease in the percentage of VOD during 8 h. Furthermore, BPA treatments resulted in a significant concentration-dependent increase in muscle MDA and total glutathione levels. However, when compared to controls, SOD and ATPase activity was significantly reduced in the adductor muscles of BPA treatments. Histological examination of the adductor and foot muscles revealed qualitatively distinct abnormalities. DNA damage was strongly induced in a concentration-dependent manner. Our findings suggested that BPA exposure altered detoxification, antioxidation, ATPase activity, histopathological characteristics, and DNA damage, which resulted in behavioural changes. The multi-biomarker approach used suggests that clear relationships exist between genotoxic and higher-level effects in some cases, which could be used as an integrated tool to evaluate various long-term toxic effects of BPA.

Effects of Citric Acid and Humic-like Substances on Yield, Enzyme Activities, and Expression of Genes Involved in Iron Uptake in Tomato Plants

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a common abiotic stress on plants growing in calcareous soils where low organic matter content, high carbonate–bicarbonate concentration, and high pH precipitate Fe in unavailable forms. Enzymatic activity is a mechanism for plants to access soil nutrients; enzymes such as H+-ATPase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), and the intracellular enzyme ferric reduction oxidase (FRO) are involved in Fe absorption. The effects of the application of citric acid (CA) and humic-like substances (HLS) on the yield, H+-ATPase, PEPC, and FRO enzyme activity, and expression of LeHA1, LePEPC1, and LeFRO1 genes in tomato plants grown under calcareous soil were studied. CA and HLS improved the SPAD units and increased the number of harvested fruits and yield per plant. Temporary alterations in enzyme activity, which reduced PEPC and FRO activity in roots, were documented. In leaf tissue, CA resulted in lower expression of LeHA1 and LePEPC1 and the induction of LeFRO1 expression, whereas HLS application resulted in higher expression of LePEPC1 and LeFRO1. In roots, LeHA1 expression increased with HLS, whereas LePEPC1 and LeFRO1 showed lower expression with CA and HLS, respectively. The application of CA and HLS through a nutrient solution in combination with Fe-chelate can improve Fe nutrition in tomato plants potted in calcareous soil by inducing temporal alterations in PEPC and FRO enzyme activity and LeFRO1 and LeHA1 gene expression.

Ribosome-rescuer PELO catalyzes the oligomeric assembly of NOD-like receptor family proteins via activating their ATPase enzymatic activity

NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are pattern recognition receptors for diverse innate immune responses. Self-oligomerization after engagement with a ligand is a generally accepted model for the activation of each NLR. We report here that a catalyzer was required for NLR self-oligomerization. PELO, a well-known surveillance factor in translational quality control and/or ribosome rescue, interacted with all cytosolic NLRs and activated their ATPase activity. In the case of flagellin-initiated NLRC4 inflammasome activation, flagellin-bound NAIP5 recruited the first NLRC4 and then PELO was required for correctly assembling the rest of NLRC4s into the NLRC4 complex, one by one, by activating the NLRC4 ATPase activity. Stoichiometric and functional data revealed that PELO was not a structural constituent of the NLRC4 inflammasome but a powerful catalyzer for its assembly. The catalytic role of PELO in the activation of cytosolic NLRs provides insight into NLR activation and provides a direction for future studies of NLR family members.

Toxicity of perfluorobutanesulfonate on gill functions of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma): A time course and hypoxia co-exposure study

Perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) is found in hypoxia regions. Results of previous studies have shown that hypoxia was capable of altering the inherent toxicity of PFBS. However, regarding gill functions, hypoxic influences and time course progression of toxic effects of PFBS remain unclear. In this study, with the aim to reveal the interaction behavior between PFBS and hypoxia, adult marine medaka Oryzias melastigma were exposed for 7 days to 0 or 10 μg PFBS/L under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Subsequently, to explore the time-course transition in gill toxicity, medaka were exposed to PFBS for 21 days. The results showed that hypoxia dramatically increased the respiratory rate of medaka gill, which was further enhanced by exposure to PFBS; although exposure to PFBS under normoxic conditions for 7 days did not alter respiration, exposure to PFBS for 21 days significantly accelerated the respiration rate of female medaka. Concurrently, both hypoxia and PFBS were potent to interrupt the gene transcriptions and Na+, K+-ATPase enzymatic activity that play pivotal roles in the osmoregulation in gills of marine medaka, consequently disrupting homeostasis of major ions in blood, such as Na+, Cl−, and Ca2+. In addition, composition and diversity of the microbiome residing on surfaces of the gill were profiled by using amplicon sequencing. Acute exposure to hypoxia for only 7 days caused a significant decrease in diversity of the bacterial community of gill whatever the presence of PFBS, while PFBS exposure for 21 days increased the diversity of gill microbial community. Principal component analysis revealed that, compared with PFBS, hypoxia was the predominant driver of gill microbiome dysbiosis. Depending on duration of exposure, a divergence was caused in the microbial community of gill. Overall, the current findings underline the interaction between hypoxia and PFBS on gill function and demonstrate the temporal variation in PFBS toxicity.

Ameliorative Effects of Ponicidin Against the Isoproterenol-induced Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of heart disorders, which is a major cause of non-communicable disease-related mortalities worldwide. Myocardial infarction (MI) is an acute disorder due to the poor supply of oxygen and blood to the myocardium. MI is the foremost form of CVD, which is the primary cause of mortality worldwide. Objectives Here, we intended to discover the ameliorative properties of the ponicidin against the isoproterenol (ISO)-stimulated MI in rats. Materials and Methods About 85 mg/kg of ISO was administered to the rats to trigger the MI and then treated with 25 and 50 mg/kg of ponicidin. The body weight and heart weight of all rats were determined. The total protein, c-reactive protein (CRP), and uric acid levels were examined. The activities of cardiac function markers such as creatine kinase (CK), ALT, AST, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were examined. The antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH), GST, and GPx were examined by the previous methods. The status of Na+/K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ ATPase activities was assessed using kits. The status of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ions and inflammatory makers such as TNF-α and IL-6 were investigated using respective kits. The histopathological analysis was performed on the heart tissues to detect the histological changes. Results The results revealed that ponicidin increased body weight and decreased heart weight in MI rats. The status of CRP and uric acid was decreased and total protein was augmented in the ponicidin-treated MI rats. The AST, ALT, CK, and GGT activities were appreciably decreased in serum and elevated in the cardiac tissues of the ponicidin-administered MI rats. Furthermore, the ponicidin improved the antioxidant levels, decreased the TNF-α and IL-6, and regulated the Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ion transports in the MI rats. The activities of Na+/K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ ATPase enzymes were remarkably increased in the heart tissues by the ponicidin-treated MI rats. Ponicidin treatment also ameliorated the ISO-stimulated histological alterations in the heart tissue of the MI rats. Conclusion Ponicidin treatment appreciably improved the antioxidants, Na+/K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ ATPase enzyme activities, decreased the inflammatory markers, and regulated the cardiac marker enzyme activities in the MI rats. Hence, it can be a talented therapeutic candidate in the future to treat MI.

Energy metabolism response induced by microplastic for marine dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi

Microplastic contaminations threaten the entire marine ecosystem and cause severe ecological stress. This study explored the energy metabolism change of Karenia mikimotoi under exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) (65 nm, 100 nm, and 1 μm polystyrene (PS), and 100 nm polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)) at a concentration of 10 mg L−1. Membrane potential, esterase activity, polysaccharide content, and ATPase activity were detected to assess the energy metabolism of K. mikimotoi under MPs/NPs exposure. Transcriptome and metabolomic analyses were used to investigate the intrinsic mechanisms of energy metabolism changes. Smaller PS particles caused greater damage to the cell membrane potential, increased the polysaccharide content, and resulted in a heavier weakening of the ATPase enzymatic activity in K. mikimotoi cells, suggesting that smaller-sized PS had more influence on esterase activity and energy metabolism than the bigger-sized PS. The results evidenced that energy metabolism relates to the size and type of MPs/NPs, and nano-scale plastic particles could induce greater metabolic changes.

Effect of propolis on membrane bound enzymes linked with breast cancer.

According to estimates from the World Health Organization [WHO], in 2020, 685000 people worldwide died and 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer will be the most common cancer in the world by the end of 2020, when 7.8 million women will still be living who had received a diagnosis within the previous five years. The current study was formulated to note the effects of ethanolic extract of Propolis and Withaferin-A on Breast tumor initiation by benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)p], and its effects on ATPase enzyme levels. Na+/ K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase, and calcium ATPase enzyme activities were decreased in the erythrocyte membrane and tissues of breast cancer-bearing animals compared with control groups. The levels of enzyme activities were near normal in Propolis treated animals. It wasapparent that the beneficial effect of Propolis was primarily exerted during the initiation and post-initiation stage of B(a)p-induced breast carcinogenesis. Overall, the data indicated that Propolis has modulating effects when administered intra-peritoneally on breast cancer-bearing animals.

PRUNETIN ATTENUATES D-GALACTOSE-INDUCED BRAIN AGING VIA INHIBITING AMYLOID-Β AND TAU PROTEIN AGGREGATION

The objective of this investigation was to assess the effect of prunetin in D-galactose-induced brain aging in rats and its regulating mechanisms. D-galactose (200 mg kg-1 body wt.) was given orally daily for 45 days to accelerate aging, and prunetin (10, 20,40, and 80 µg kg-1 body wt. respectively) was administered orally. The anti-oxidant and anti-brain aging activities of prunetin in serum were measured by the estimation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and brain tissues were measured by western blot analysis and histopathological studies. Prunetin therapy decreases elevated levels of glucose, C-reactive protein, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the D-galactose-induced rats. D-galactose suppresses the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity in rats; these levels were elevated by treating with prunetin. Malondialdehyde levels were elevated in D-galactose-induced rats. Prunetin significantly decreases the malondialdehyde levels in rat brain tissue. Prunetin decreases mitochondrial dysfunction induced by D-galactose, by improving the activities of Na+K+-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity. Western blot analysis results showed that the degree of brain tissue damage was significantly reduced by prunetin. The results of our study indicated that prunetin treatment reduced oxidative stress by exerting a protective effect against D-galactose-induced aging in rats, by significantly decreasing amyloid - β and tau protein levels in the brain tissue. Prunetin exhibits anti-oxidant activity by increasing anti-oxidant enzymes.

Oxidative and osmoregulatory effects of imidacloprid, cadmium, and their combinations on Daphnia magna

Oxidative stress and osmoregulatory system damage-inducing potential of binary mixtures of neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid (IMI) and Cd2+ in Daphnia magna were evaluated. Animals were subjected to subchronic (7 days) and acute (48 h) of IMI and Cd2+ effects with single and binary mixtures. ATPase and antioxidant enzyme activities with lipid peroxidation were measured. Morphometric characteristics were also evaluated. Response patterns showed variability due to the duration, concentration, and toxicant type. While the enzyme activities mostly showed a decreasing trend upon the subchronic IMI effect, there was an increasing trend after the Cd2+. Declined enzyme activities were more pronounced with the acute higher IMI+Cd2+ exposure. Ca2+-ATPase and CAT were the most sensitive biomarkers in the toxicity response. IMI+Cd2+ exposures are appeared to increase their toxic effects due to their oxidative potential. ATPase inhibition and antioxidant enzyme alterations with a decrease in morphometric characteristics in Daphnia even at their low concentrations of IMI and Cd2+ show evidence of their toxicities on aquatic life. It was emphasized that investigating the combined effects of toxicants at their environmental level based on the multi-biomarker approach is essential in toxicity evaluation.

Ca2+ATPase enzyme activities and lipid and protein oxidations of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) stored at 4 °C for 30 min under electromagnetic fields

This work studied the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) with frequencies between 100 and 400 Hz and a fixed strength of 12 mT on cold storage of grass carp at 4 °C for 30 min, and Ca2+ATPase enzyme activities, and lipid and protein oxidations in samples were measured to assess changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and oxidative stability. Results showed higher Ca2+ATPase activities in samples treated with EMF frequencies. Significant (p < 0.05) decreases occurred in protein oxidation for samples treated between 100 and 300 Hz, but an increase was observed for treatment with 400 Hz. However, the lipid oxidation increased for samples treated up to 200 Hz and decreased with further increase in frequency to 300 and 400 Hz. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that exposure to different frequencies of EMF could reduce the association of water molecules with protein for both bound and immobilized water. Overall, treatments of EMF between 100 and 400 Hz could improve grass carp quality during cold storage.

Short Communication: Supplementation with calcium butyrate causes an increase in the percentage of oxidative fibers in equine gluteus medius muscle.

Optimal athletic performance requires meeting the energetic demands of the muscle fibers, which are a function of myosin ATPase enzymatic activity. Skeletal muscle with a predominant oxidative metabolism underlies equine athletic success. Sodium butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, can affect muscle fiber composition in pigs. To determine if a similar scenario exists in horses, 12 adult Thoroughbred geldings (7.4 ± 0.6 yr of age; mean ± SEM) were fed 16 g of calcium butyrate (CB) or an equivalent amount of carrier (CON) daily for 30 d in a crossover design. Middle gluteal muscle biopsies were collected before and after the feeding trial for immunohistochemical determination of fiber type, and RNA and protein isolation. After 30 d, CB increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of type IIA fibers and tended (P = 0.13) to reduce the numbers of type IIX fibers in comparison to control (CON). No changes (P > 0.05) in type I, IIA, or IIX fiber size were observed in response to CB. No differences (P > 0.05) were noted in the abundance of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) protein or activity between horses receiving CB or CON. Myogenin mRNA abundance was unaffected (P > 0.05) by 30 d of CB supplementation. The increase in type IIA fibers in the absence of altered mitochondrial SDH enzymatic activity suggests that CB affects myosin ATPase expression independent of altered metabolism.

Hydrogen Sulfide and Silicon Together Alleviate Chromium (VI) Toxicity by Modulating Morpho-Physiological and Key Antioxidant Defense Systems in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties.

Extensive use of chromium (Cr) in anthropogenic activities leads to Cr toxicity in plants causing serious threat to the environment. Cr toxicity impairs plant growth, development, and metabolism. In the present study, we explored the effect of NaHS [a hydrogen sulfide; (H2S), donor] and silicon (Si), alone or in combination, on two chickpea (Cicer arietinum) varieties (Pusa 2085 and Pusa Green 112), in pot conditions under Cr stress. Cr stress increased accumulation of Cr reduction of the plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase activity and decreased in photosynthetic pigments, essential minerals, relative water contents (RWC), and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in both the varieties. Exogenous application of NaHS and Si on plants exposed to Cr stress mitigated the effect of Cr and enhanced the physiological and biochemical parameters by reducing Cr accumulation and oxidative stress in roots and leaves. The interactive effects of NaHS and Si showed a highly significant and positive correlation with PM H+-ATPase activity, photosynthetic pigments, essential minerals, RWC, proline content, and enzymatic antioxidant activities (catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, superoxide dismutase, and monodehydroascorbate reductase). A similar trend was observed for non-enzymatic antioxidant activities (ascorbic acid, glutathione, oxidized glutathione, and dehydroascorbic acid level) in leaves while oxidative damage in roots and leaves showed a negative correlation. Exogenous application of NaHS + Si could enhance Cr stress tolerance in chickpea and field studies are warranted for assessing crop yield under Cr-affected area.

Bio-electrical stimulation process on degradation of Phenanthrene from aqueous solution using a novel anode modified with carbon cloth: Operational performance, microbial activity and energy

Phenanthrene as the hazardous PAHs-component are extensively detected in industrial wastewater. However, the impacts of bioelectrostimulation process on Phenanthrene degradation in aerobic reactors remained unclear. Here, a novel bioelectrostimulation process equipped with carbon cloth as electrodes was developed to investigate the removal efficiency of Phenanthrene and ATPase enzyme activity in the synthetic wastewater. The results obtained from the present study indicated that a complete Phenanthrene degradation (100%) can be achieved using microbial electrostimulation systems steel mesh coated with carbon cloth (MES-CC) as anode under optimal operational conditions (electrical current: 4 mA, HA concentration: 15 mg L−1) within 18 h. The conductive carbon cloth provides a biofilm carrier to easily transfer the electrons between electrodes and microbial communities. In addition, the highest ATPase enzyme activity (5176 U) was observed when the aerobic MES-CC reactors were operated with electrical current 4 mA. Furthermore, the COD removal efficiency in MES-CC increased from 49% to 96% when the C: N ratio decreased from 20 to 5. The highest value of Vmax in MES-CC for suspended and attached growth were determined to be 2.87 and 0.54 g COD g−1 biomass. Overall, the results demonstrated that MES equipped with carbon cloth and continuous electrical current mode has good potential for efficient Phenanthrene wastewater treatment.