Biochemical Parameters Of Oxidative Stress Research Articles

Antioxidant and antilipidemic action of ketogenic diet and tomato powder mix in high sugar and fat fed Harwich fruit flies

Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of oxidative stress in metabolic disorders which presents as a major global problem. The antioxidant properties of the tomato fruit and the ketogenic diet has likewise been established by different authors. This study uses a fruit fly model to examine the synergistic effect of a ketogenic diet and tomato powder mix on biochemical alterations induced by the High-Fat Diet (HFD) and the High-Sugar Diet (HSD). Six groups of male fruit flies consisting of fifty flies per vial were administered Normal Diet (ND), High-Fat Diet (HFD), High Sugar Diet (HSD), Ketogenic Diet (KD), Tomato Powder-mix (TP), and HSD + HFD, for ten days. Further treatment of KD and TP was administered to group six vials to constitute groups seven to nine: HSD + HFD + KD, HSD + HFD + TP, and HSD + HFD + KD + TP for another five days. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress were analyzed in the fly homogenates using standard procedures. There were significant increases (P < 0.05) in the concentration of malondialdehyde, total cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, Triglycerides, atherogenic index, nitric oxide, total weight gained, and a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in levels of catalase and HDL-Cholesterol in flies treated with HF and HS diets. Further administration of KD and TP to the flies for five days reversed most of the parameters to near control values. The KD diet combination with TP however gave the best ameliorative changes. The dietary model may therefore be effective as adjuvant therapy for the management of metabolic disorders developed and made progressive by oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia.

Lung response to propolis treatment during experimentally induced lung adenocarcinoma

Propolis is a natural agent produced by honeybees from several botanical sources. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the antitumor effect of propolis extract (PE) against urethane-induced lung cancer compared to Cisplatin (CIS) in rats. Some biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, gene expression and histopathology and transmission electron microscopy were estimated and performed. PE improved the induced changes in glutathione, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase concentration generated by urethane. Moreover, PE increased the expression of EGFR-mRNA. Examination of the light and electron microscopic sections manifested that the URT group displayed the excessive abnormal distribution of collagen fibers and the growth of papillary adenocarcinoma in the terminal bronchial lumen with thickening in the bronchial wall, inflammation and alveolar collapse. PE was able to decrease the above induced changes. In conclusion, a recent study concluded that PE could be an excellent source of natural chemicals that fight lung cancer.

Monosodium Glutamate Even at Low Dose May Affect Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Neurodegeneration in Rats.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavour enhancer. A daily intake of MSG at high dosage (2000-4000mg/kg body weight) is reported to be toxic to humans and experimental animals. The present study aims to investigate the toxic effect of oral administration of MSG at low concentrations (30 and 100mg/kg body weight) by evaluating biochemical parameters of oxidative stress and inflammation in blood; expression of neuroinflammatory gene and histopathological changes in brain on male Wistar rats. The administration of MSG significantly increases serum level of fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and decrease level of high-density lipoprotein. Significant low level of FRAP, GSH, SOD, CAT and higher level of MDA, PCO, AOPP, PMRS, NO, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α confirms substantial oxidative stress followed by inflammation after 100mg MSG treatment. RT-PCR figure shows significant expression of neuroinflammatory gene IL-6 and TNF-α and histopathological examination revealed severe neurodegeneration in hippocampus (CA1 and CA3) and cerebral cortex region of brain at 100mg MSG treatment. Our result provides evidence that MSG administration at 30mg does not impose toxicity, however at 100mg/kg body weight, which is considered a low dose, there is significant toxic effects and may be detrimental to health.

Systemic Redox Status of Rats Treated with Different Doses of Perfluorocarbon Based Blood Substitute- Perftoran®

Abstract The aim of this research was to examine the influence of the intraperitoneal application of PFT in different doses and regimen on systemic oxidative stress and activity of antioxidative enzymes in animals. Depending on whether the animals received only saline or PFT in different doses (8, 12, 16 ml/kg body weight), and time (1, 10, or 20 hours before sacrificing and blood sampling), all animals were divided into control or experimental groups. From plasma samples we measured following biomarkers of oxidative stress: superoxide anion radical (O2 −), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitrites (NO2 −), index of lipid peroxidation measured as TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), and from hemolysate samples activity of the next enzymes: catalase (CAT), superoxidedismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH). All mentioned biochemical parameters of oxidative stress were determined spectrophotometrically (Shimadzu UV-1800UV-VIS spectrophotometer, Japan). Superoxide anion radical was a molecule very affected with the PFT administration. we observed the significantly higher activity of superoxide dismutase in all PFT treated groups in comparison with the CTRL group. The highest activity was observed in group treated with the 8 and 12 ml/kg of PFT nearly to sampling (1 hour). Catalase activity was significantly higher in PFT group in comparison with the CTRL, especially in PFT 16ml/kg group (1 hour). In comparison with the CTRL group, the total content of GSH was significantly lower in the groups treated PFT in dose of 16 ml/kg 1 hour and 10 hours before blood sampling. All these changes in oxidative stress markers seems to be very clear, but we can observe that almost all changes are induced in 1 hour after PFT administration. Probably, PFT solution has short-term protective effects on reducing oxidative stress, but no long term-effects. Maybe the chemical and biological instability of PFT solution could be a reason for that transient antioxidative effects, and developing the nano-formulation of PFT could be potential option for resolving the problem with poor pharmacodynamic of PFT.

Inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from Fallopia japonica and F. × bohemica rhizomes and selected phenolic compounds on radish germination and root growth

Allelopathic plants release secondary compounds into the soil that then suppress the growth of nearby plants. Allelopathy has been shown for the invasive Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Bohemian knotweed (F. × bohemica). The aggressive and dominant invaders represent a serious threat to the local plant communities outside their native range. Here, we analysed the phenols in the knotweed rhizomes using nuclear magnetic resonance. We also evaluated the allelopathic potential of methanol extracts of F. japonica and F. × bohemica rhizomes and compared these with the effects of the individual knotweed phenols resveratrol, epicatechin and emodin, and their mixture. Rhizomes of both knotweeds contained similar amounts of epicatechin and emodin, with 24% higher resveratrol in F. × bohemica. Only the F. × bohemica methanol extract inhibited radish (Raphanus sativus) seed germination. After 3 days of treatments with 10% (w/v) extracts of both knotweeds, radish seedlings showed up to 70% shorter roots. In contrast, root growth of seedlings treated with the individual phenols resveratrol, epicatechin and emodin, and their mixture, was inhibited by up to 30%, similar to the 1% knotweed extracts. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress also increased in the roots of treated seedlings, with high levels of malondialdehyde in particular indicating lipid peroxidation. Total antioxidative capacity was also increased in seedlings exposed to 0.6 mg/mL resveratrol and emodin. This study shows higher allelopathic potential of the knotweed methanol extracts compared to the individual phenols and their mixture.

Effect of aqueous extract of Scorodophloeus zenkeri bark on chronic hyperglycemia and its complications in a diabetic Wistar rat model induced by streptozotocin

Diabetes and its complications represent a real major public health problem in the world because of its high rates of morbidity and mortality. Chronic hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia and inflammation play a major role in the pathophysiology of diabetes and its vascular complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of S. zenkeri on chronic hyperglycemia and its complications in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rat model. The barks of S. zenkeri were washed, dried and crushed; the powder was dissolved in distilled water (1:10 weight/volume) then macerated and the filtrate obtained was dried in an oven. Subsequently, after quantification of the bioactive compounds (total polyphenols, flavonoids and alkaloids) present in the extract, an in vivo study was conducted in an animal model of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia. For this fact, the rats were divided into four groups of five rats as folow: a normoglycaemia group (NC), an untreated hyperglycaemia group (PC), two hyperglycaemia groups including a test group receiving by esophageal gavage, the aqueous extract of the bark of S zenkerii (AESZ) at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight and a control group receiving metformin at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. During the treatment which lasted 21 days, the weights have been taken every two days and the blood sugar levels every week. At the end of the treatment, the rats were killed under light chloroform anesthesia; the plasma, hemolysate, serum and liver homogenate prepared were used to assay the biochemical parameters of oxidative stress (catalase, MDA), lipid profile (Triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol) and immunological (CRP and NFS). It emerged that the extract limited weight loss and caused a reduction in blood sugar of −26.59% after 21 days of treatment; the extract caused an increase in the activity of erythrocyte catalase and a reduction in the concentration of hepatic MDA, as well as a very marked reduction in inflammatory cells and CRP. The extract also caused a reduction in dyslipidemiawhich was materialized by a reduction in CRR, AC, AIP and an increase in CPI. These results suggest that this extract contains bioactive compounds capable of reducing chronic hyperglycemia while preventing its complications, thus justifying its traditional use in the management of diabetes.

Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Normal, Obese, Prediabetic and Diabetic Persons Exposed to Thyroid Hormone In Vitro.

Diabetes, a chronic group of medical disorders characterized byhyperglycemia, has become a global pandemic. Some hormones may influence the course and outcome of diabetes, especially if they potentiate the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). There is a close relationship between thyroid disorders and diabetes. The main objective of this investigation was to find out whether peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are more prone to DNA damage by triiodothyronine (T3) (0.1, 1 and 10 μM) at various stages of progression through diabetes (obese, prediabetics, and type 2 diabetes mellitus—T2DM persons). In addition, some biochemical parameters of oxidative stress (catalase-CAT, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances—TBARS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were evaluated. PBMCs from prediabetic and diabetic patients exhibited increased sensitivity for T3 regarding elevated level of DNA damage, inhibition of catalase, and increase of TBARS and LDH. PBMCs from obese patients reacted in the same manner, except for DNA damage. The results of this study should contribute to a better understanding of the role of thyroid hormones in the progression of T2DM.

Neuroprotective Effect of Piclamilast-Induced Post-Ischemia Pharmacological Treatment in Mice

Various studies have evidenced the neuroprotective role of PDE4 inhibitors. However, whether PDE4 inhibitor, Piclamilast pharmacological post-treatment is protective during cerebral ischemia reperfusion-induced injury remains unknown. Therefore, this study design included testing the hypothesis that Piclamilast administered at the beginning of a reperfusion phase (Piclamilast pPost-trt) shows protective effects and explores & probes underlying downstream mechanisms. Swiss albino male mice were subjected to global ischemic and reperfusion injury for 17min. The animals examined cerebral infarct size, biochemical parameters, inflammatory mediators, and motor coordination. For memory, assessment mice were subjected to morris water maze (MWM) and elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Histological changes were assessed using HE staining. Piclamilast pPost-trt significantly reduced I/R injury-induced deleterious effects on biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, inflammatory parameters, infarct size, and histopathological changes, according to the findings. These neuroprotective effects of pPost-trt are significantly abolished by pre-treatment with selective CREB inhibitor, 666-15. Current study concluded that induced neuroprotective benefits of Piclamilast Post-trt, in all probability, maybe mediated through CREB activation. Hence, its neuroprotective effects can be further explored in clinical settings.

Protective effects of Vinca herbaceous extract against scopolamine-induced behavioral disturbances and brain oxidative stress in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAlzheimer's disease (AD) as the most common type of dementia, is affecting the life of many senior individuals around the world. Vinca herbacea Waldst. & Kit. (V. herbacea) as a middle east originated plant demonstrated antioxidant and antitumor effects. This plant traditionally used to treat diabetes and hypertension, but its mechanism remains unclear. Aim of the studyIn the present study, post-treatment effects of V. herbacea on learning and memory functions, antioxidant cellular defense and oxidative stress were investigated using the scopolamine rat model of AD. Materials and methodsWistar male rats (170–190 g) were administered Scopolamine, an anti-muscarinic drug, (2 mg/kg) for 10 days followed by V. herbacea extract (200, 300 and 400 mg/kg) and/or donepezil (DON; 1 mg/kg, which were administered before behavioral studies for 10 consecutive days. All the rats were then subjected to Morris water maze (MWM) task. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress were quantified using the whole brain. ResultsOur data showed significant decrease performance in target quadrant in water maze task following administration of scopolamine (SCOP). Also, V. herbacea and DON, did not induce any neurotoxicity and hepatotoxic effects at the highest utilized doses in healthy rats. Treatment with V. herbacea extract (200&400 mg/kg) and DON improved memory performance significantly in comparison with AD rats. In addition, V. herbacea extract in AD rats exhibited a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) levels and an increase in total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and glutathione (GSH) amounts in brain and liver. ConclusionIt seems that cholinergic deficits and oxidative stress are consistently associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The richness of V. herbacea in case of indole alkaloids and flavonoids confirms the potentials of this herb in management of oxidative stress, resorting synaptic acetylcholine level and improving cellular antioxidant resources.

Nephroprotective mechanisms of Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Medik.) leaf extracts in adriamycin mediated acute kidney injury model of Wistar rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAmbrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Medik., Family: Malvaceae) is a common Ayurvedic herbal medicine used in the treatment of kidney-related diseases, in the forms of tea, medicated oil, medicated wine, etc., however, its nephroprotective mechanisms remain unexploited. Aim of the studyTo investigate the mechanisms by which the hexane (A-HE), ethyl acetate (A-EE), butanol (A-BE), and aqueous (A-WE) leaf extracts of Ambrette protect against the adriamycin-mediated acute kidney injury in Wistar rats. Materials and methodsA-HE, A-EE, A-BE, A-WE, and fosinopril sodium were administered at therapeutically effective doses (55, 75, 60, 140, 0.09 mg/kg) to adriamycin-induced (5 mg/kg, ip) Wistar rats for 28 consecutive days. ResultsOral administration of the selected extracts of A. moschatus resulted in amelioration of kidney injury as observed by the significant changes of biomarkers of kidney function in serum and in urine, biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, and inflammation in kidney homogenates (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the administration of plant extracts caused a significant reduction in total kidney injury scores in H and E stained kidney sections (p < 0.05). The immunohistochemical expression of the inflammatory marker, COX-2, and the pro-apoptotic marker, Bax, were attenuated and the expression of the anti-apoptotic marker, BCL-2, was increased. A-HE exerted superior nephroprotective effects over the other three extracts and the drug reference standard. ConclusionsThe findings revealed that Ambrette exerts promising protective effects against adriamycin-mediated acute kidney injury through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis pathways. A-HE might serve as a potential candidate for the development of therapeutic drug leads that will be beneficial in the treatment of acute kidney injury.

In vivo mutagenic effects and oxidative stress parameters evaluation of cypermethrin and benzoate of emamectin and their mixtures in female mice

We evaluated the biological effects of ingestion by gavage, for 28 days, of the pesticides cypermethrin (CP) and emamectin benzoate (EB) and their mixtures in female Swiss mice. The groups were Control (water); CP; EB and three distinct concentrations of CP and EB mixture expressed in mg/kg/day. The biological effects were analyzed in the complete blood count and plasma (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine); the biochemical parameters of oxidative stress (substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS); reduced glutathione (GSH); catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)), and bone marrow cells obtained from the femur for the micronucleus (MN) test. In the heart, there was a reduction in GSH in the groups (0.5 + 0.67 and 2.5 + 3.37), although in the brain this effect appeared for the other groups, except EB. Brain TBARS increased in CP and in the group (2.5 + 3.37) and platelets increased in the group (12.5 + 16.87). Genotoxic/mutagenic effects, showing a consistent increase dose-dependent effect on micronucleus counting for in the female mice. After 28 days of treatment, we can observe that the pesticide mixtures promoted genotoxic damage and oxidative brain damage in female mice, which can damage the health of these animals and possibly their future offspring.

Protective Effects of Phoenixin-14 Peptide in the Indomethacin-Induced Duodenal Ulcer: An Experimental Study.

Phoenixin-14‎ (PNX‎-14‎) is a newly identified neuropeptide with potential anti-inflammatory effects in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of PNX-14 against the formation of experimental indomethacin (IND)-induced duodenal ulcer. Thirty-two‎ male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the four following study groups: (1) negative control (2) IND (7.5 mg/kg subcutaneous IND), (3) famotidine (FA) (7.5 mg/kg subcutaneous IND followed by 40 mg/kg intraperitoneal‎ FA), and (4) PNX-14 (7.5 mg/kg subcutaneous IND followed by 50 µ/kg intraperitoneal‎ PNX-14). Outcome measures included macroscopic evaluation of duodenal lesion, serum levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12, and tissue biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, including malondialdehyde (MDA)‎‏,‏‎ myeloperoxidase ‎‎(MPO) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) ‎activity, and catalase activity. Results The macroscopic grade of duodenal lesions were significantly smaller in the PNX-14 group than in the IND group (p < 0.001). Serum inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased in the IND group. PNX-14 treatment significantly decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.0001). Oxidative contents (MDA and MPO activity) were significantly smaller in the PNX-14 group compared with the IND group (p < 0.0001), while anti-oxidative contents (SOD and catalase activity) were significantly more (p < 0.0001). PNX-14 was superior to FA in several anti-inflammatory properties, such as inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines and increasing the catalase activity. PNX-14 showed significant protective effects against the formation of IND-induced duodenal ulcers. These results suggest a promising therapeutic implication for PNX-14 in the treatment of gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders.

Arbutin attenuates monosodium L-glutamate induced neurotoxicity and cognitive dysfunction in rats

Excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neuro-inflammation underlie the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative brain disorders. Although L-glutamate is the prime excitatory neurotransmitter involved in diverse brain functions, however, overabundance at synapse can activate cell death mechanisms. Previous studies indicate that arbutin affords relief in metabolic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal disorders. Recently, arbutin showed benefits in animal models of epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease that further expanded its therapeutic potential against brain disorders. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of arbutin against monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) neurotoxicity in rats. Wistar rats (male, 180–200 g) were administered MSG (4 mg/kg) and arbutin (50 and 100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 21 days. Cognitive functions were assessed using elevated plus maze and novel object recognition task. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), γ-amino butyric acid (GABA), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and intracellular cation-levels (Na+, Ca2+, K+) were determined using whole brain. Administration of MSG augmented cation-levels, oxidative stress, inflammation, AChE, and LDH activities, and decreased GABA levels in the brain. Arbutin (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased these biochemical disturbances in the brain of MSG administered rats. Behavioural results showed that MSG triggered cognitive deficits in rats that were significantly attenuated by arbutin. Histopathological findings in hippocampus and cortex revealed neuroprotective outcome of arbutin treatments against MSG. MK-801 and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) enhanced memory and neuroprotective effects in rats treated with arbutin and MSG. Arbutin may afford therapeutic advantages in neurodegenerative brain disorders by suppressing the excitotoxic pathways.

Antiamnesic and Neuroprotective Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (Rhamnaceae) on Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairments in Rats.

Background Alzheimer's disease is a neurological condition that affects about 44 million people worldwide. The available treatments target symptoms rather than the underlying causes. Ziziphus jujuba (Rhamnaceae) is widely used in traditional Cameroonian medicine to treat diabetes, pain, infections, and dementia. Previous studies reported that Z. jujuba aqueous macerate improves working memory impairment, but no study on the antiamnesic effect of a concoction of Z. jujuba in rats has been performed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the antiamnesic and neuroprotective effects of an aqueous extract of Z. jujuba on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in rats. Methods Learning and memory impairments were induced in rats by administering scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) to 58 rats for 15 days. Rats that developed learning and memory impairments in Morris water maze and Y-maze paradigms were divided into 7 groups (8 rats each) and treated daily for 15 days as follows: the normal control group received distilled water (10 ml/kg, p.o.), the negative control group received distilled water (10 ml/kg, p.o.), positive control groups either received donepezil (1.2 mg/kg, p.o.) or tacrine (10 mg/kg, p.o.), and the three test groups were given the extract (29, 57, and 114 mg/kg, p.o.). At the end of treatments, learning and memory impairments were determined using the same paradigms. Animals were then euthanized, and biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis were analyzed in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Results On the 4th day of the acquisition phase in the Morris water maze, Z. jujuba (29 and 114 mg/kg) reduced (p < 0.001) the latency to reach the platform, while in the retention phase, Z. jujuba (57 and 114 mg/kg) decreased (p < 0.001) the time to reach the platform and increased the time in the target quadrant (p < 0.05) compared to control. Surprisingly, the extract failed to affect spontaneous alternations in the Y-maze. Furthermore, the extract (29, 57, and 114 mg/kg) reversed (p < 0.001) scopolamine-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. This was supported by the reduction of neuronal alterations in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Conclusions Compared to donepezil, a standard drug against Alzheimer's disease, these findings suggest that Z. jujuba extract possesses antiamnesic and neuroprotective effects, and these effects are mediated in part through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities. These findings help to explain its use in treating psychiatric disorders in Cameroon's folk medicine.

Aversive Learning Deficits and Depressive-Like Behaviors Are Accompanied by an Increase in Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: The Protective Effect of Rapamycin.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are one of the most common consequences of ethanol exposure during pregnancy. In adulthood, these disorders can be manifested by learning and memory deficits and depressive-like behavior. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress may be one of the factors that induces FASD development. The mammalian target of the Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway that acts via two distinct multiprotein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, can affect oxidative stress. We investigated whether mTOR-dependent or mTOR-independent mechanisms are engaged in this phenomenon. Thus, Rapamycin—a selective inhibitor of mTORC1, Torin-2—a non-selective mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibitor, and FK-506—a drug that impacts oxidative stress in an mTOR-independent manner were used. Behavioral tests were performed in adult (PND60-65) rats using a passive avoidance (PA) task (aversive learning and memory) and forced swimming test (FST) (depressive-like behaviors). In addition, the biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), as well as apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP)-sites were determined in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in adult (PND65) rats. The rat FASD model was induced by intragastric ethanol (5 g/kg/day) administration at postnatal day (PND)4–9 (an equivalent to the third trimester of human pregnancy). All substances (3 mg/kg) were given 30 min before ethanol. Our results show that neonatal ethanol exposure leads to deficits in context-dependent fear learning and depressive-like behavior in adult rats that were associated with increased oxidative stress parameters in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Because these effects were completely reversed by Rapamycin, an mTORC1 inhibitor, this outcome suggests its usefulness as a preventive therapy in disorders connected with prenatal ethanol exposure.

Lacidipine Prevents Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment by Reducing Brain Oxido-nitrosative Stress in Mice.

Cholinergic deficits and oxido-nitrosative stress are consistently associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous findings indicate that acetylcholine subdues Ca2+ current in the brain. Cholinergic antagonists (e.g., scopolamine) can instigate Ca2+-induced redox imbalance, inflammation, and cell-death pathways leading to AD-type memory impairment. Earlier, several Ca2+-channel blockers (CCB, e.g., dihydropyridine type) or cholinergic enhancers showed promising results in animal models of AD. In the present research, pretreatment effects of lacidipine (L-type CCB) on learning and memory functions were investigated using the scopolamine mouse model of AD. Swiss albino mice (20-25g) were administered lacidipine (1 and 3mg/kg) for 14days. Scopolamine, an anti-muscarinic drug, was given (1mg/kg) from days 8 to 14. The mice were subjected to elevated plus maze (EPM) and passive-avoidance (PA) paradigms. Bay-K8644 (a Ca2+-channel agonist) was administered before behavioral studies on days 13 and 14. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were quantified using the whole brain. Behavioral studies showed an increase in transfer latency (TL) in the EPM test and a decrease in step-through latency (STL) in the PA test in scopolamine-administered mice. Scopolamine enhanced the AChE activity and oxidative stress in the brain of mice which resulted in memory impairment. Lacidipine prevented the amnesia against scopolamine and reduced the oxidative stress and AChE activity in the brain of mice. Bay-K8644 attenuated the lacidipine-induced improvement in memory and redox balance in scopolamine-administered mice. Lacidipine can prevent the oxidative stress and improve the cholinergic function in the brain. These properties of lacidipine can mitigate the pathogenesis of AD-type dementia.

Determining Relative Percentage Change as a New Metrics in Scaling and Root Planning Therapy Outcome in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Aims: To quantify the relative percentage change in the patients with periodontitis after employing the scaling and root planning (SRP) therapy and determine the association in the improvements in clinical parameters of biochemical oxidative stress (OS) markers, total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA).&#x0D; Study Design: In this cross sectional study, two groups of patients were clinically evaluated and their biochemical parameters were quantified and statistically compared.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Biochemistry and Periodontology, M. A. Rangoonwala Dental College, Pune and Department of Biochemistry, Grant Govt. Medical College, Mumbai. The study was carried out between May 2010 and July 2012.&#x0D; Methodology: Individuals with generalized chronic periodontitis (n = 86; CAL ≥ 3mm American Academy of Periodontology 1999 criteria) were clinically (Gingival index, plaque index, probing depth, clinical attachment level) and biochemically (TAOC, MDA) evaluated. The SRP therapy was performed and a follow-up was done after 3 months. The mean values of clinical and biochemical study parameters and their relative percentage change were evaluated thoroughly.&#x0D; Results: Individuals with chronic periodontitis showed improved clinical and biochemical oxidative stress (OS) markers. After the SRP therapy, significant improvement (p ˂ 0.05) was found in both clinical and biochemical parameters from their corresponding pre-treatment values.&#x0D; The relative percentage change in clinical parameters ranged between 14.5% to 38.7%, and those of TAOC and MDA were -10.3% and 34.71% respectively. Further, the relative % change in TAOC and MDA showed significant correlation (p ˂ 0.05) to those of PI, PD, and CAL.&#x0D; Conclusion: On conducting the SRP therapy, improvement in clinical parameters and biochemical OS parameters is noticed in the individuals with periodontitis. The relative percentage change can be used as a tool for therapy outcome assessment.

Leukocyte Activation and Antioxidative Defense Are Interrelated and Moderately Modified by n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Enriched Eggs Consumption-Double-Blind Controlled Randomized Clinical Study.

This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, interventional study investigated the effects of low/intermediate doses of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the endothelial function, markers of leukocyte activation, and oxidative status following dietary intake of n-3 PUFA-enriched hen eggs in young healthy individuals. Twenty young healthy adults of both sexes who consumed n-3 PUFA-enriched hen eggs (two eggs per day, for three weeks, total of approximately 407 mg/day n-3 PUFAs) or regular eggs (two eggs per day for three weeks, total of approximately 75 mg/day n-3 PUFAs) participated in this study. Skin microvascular endothelium-independent and endothelium-dependent vasodilation were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. Serum lipid profile and content of free fatty acids, markers of leukocyte activation, biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, as well as antioxidative enzymes serum activity were measured before and after respective dietary protocol. The results of this study revealed significant differences in the markers of leukocyte activation (such as CD11a/LFA-1) and antioxidative defense, which are related to increased intake of n-3 PUFAs, providing the evidence that consumption of nutritionally enriched hen eggs may affect physiological processes related to oxidative balance. The absence of significant changes in microvascular reactivity following supplementation with a low-intermediate dose of n-3 PUFAs, unlike in our previous studies where functional eggs contained ~1 g of n-3 PUFA, suggests the existence of a dose-dependent effect.

A mixture of fipronil and fungicides induces alterations on behavioral and oxidative stress parameters in zebrafish.

Pesticide commercial mixtures, including the insecticide fipronil and the fungicides pyraclostrobin and methyl-thiophanate, have been used in concomitant pest control, facilitating agricultural management. Their widespread use can lead to soil and water contamination and potentially induce damages in the ecosystem, producing toxic effects in non-target organisms. Despite their toxicological potential, their effects on behavioral and biochemical parameters are not well understood. Here we investigated the effects of the mixture of fipronil and fungicides (MFF) pyraclostrobin and methyl- thiophanate on behavioral and biochemical parameters of oxidative stress in adult zebrafish. Animals exposed to the highest MFF tested concentration showed a decrease in the total distance traveled and in the number of crossings in the different zones of the tank. Furthermore, animals exposed to highest MFF tested concentration spent more time in water surface. In addition, our data showed that the exposure to this preparation promoted a decrease in non-protein thiol content as well as in catalase activity. Finally, pesticide exposure induced an increase in the superoxide dismutase/catalase ratio. Our results indicate that alterations in behavioral and oxidative parameters are involved in MFF toxicity in zebrafish. The antioxidant mechanisms analyzed were altered in concentrations that did not affect zebrafish behavior. Therefore, the assessment of oxidative stress parameters in zebrafish brains could be very useful to detect the early effects of environmental exposure to the MFF.

Subchronic Exposure to Cadmium Causes Persistent Changes in the Reproductive System in Female Wistar Rats.

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental toxicant and endocrine disruptor in humans and animals, and recent studies have illustrated that the uterus is exceedingly sensitive to Cd toxicity. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of subchronic (90 days) oral Cd exposure in daily doses of 0.09-4.5 mg/kg b.w. on the balance of sex hormones by estimating estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) concentrations in the uterus and plasma in comparison with the effects of 17β-E2. Additionally, the uterine weight, histopathological changes in the uterus and ovaries, the regularity of the estrous cycle, Cd bioaccumulation in uterine tissue, and selected biochemical parameters of oxidative stress were determined. A long period of observation (three and six months following the administration period) was used to assess whether the existing effects are reversible. The lowest dose of Cd caused effects similar to 17β-E2: an increase of E2 concentration in the uterus, endometrial epithelium thickness, and disturbed estrous cycle with estrus phase prolongation. The obtained results suggest that Cd causes nonlinear response. Higher doses of Cd caused a significant decrease in E2 concentration in the uterus and plasma, estrous cycle disturbances, endometrium atrophy, and structural damage in the ovaries. This dose additionally induces lipid peroxidation in the uterine tissues. It is noteworthy that a prolonged time of observation after terminating the exposure showed persistent changes in the concentration of E2 in uterine tissue, as well as alterations in estrous cycle phases, and an increase in lipid peroxidation in the uterus. Moreover, significant positive correlations between the plasma E2 concentration and endometrial epithelium thickness in all studied groups were found. In summary, subchronic oral Cd exposure of female rats may result in impaired fertility processes.