Plasma Catalase Research Articles

The Rectus Sheath Block (RSB) Analgesia Following Laparotomy Could Affect Malonidialdehyde (MDA) Concentrations in Benign Disease and Cancer

The aim of the study was to compare the MDA (malonidialdehyde) plasma concentrations versus CAT (catalase)/NT (nitrotyrosine) plasma concentrations, patient satisfaction and pain score at rest/pressure to the wound area in laparotomy patients with rectus sheath block (RSB) analgesia. Initially, 56 patients were randomized to four groups; control group (n=12), single-dose (n=16), repeated-dose (n=12) and continuous infusion (n=16) RSB analgesia groups. The plasma concentrations of CAT, NT and MDA markers were measured just before, immediately after and 24 h after operation. The RSB analgesia enhanced significantly patient satisfaction (p=0.001). The plasma MDA decreased immediately after operation (POP1) and the postoperative decrease between the preoperative and the POP1 values in the MDA marker were statistically significant (p<0.001). In linear mixed model, the time effect in both the single group and in the benign group in plasma NT biomarker was statistically significant (p=0.001, p=0.013, respectively). The median plasma MDA concentrations (ng/ml) following surgery were significantly lower in patients with cancer versus patients with benign disease (589 vs. 852, p=0.021). Jitterplots of the individual plasma NT versus plasma MDA showed that there was significant correlation in benign and cancer patients (r=0.347, p<0.001). Plasma MDA decreased significantly after operation in all patients and cancer patients had significantly lower MDA concentrations following surgery than patients with benign disease.

High plasma H2O2 level and low plasma catalase level as risk factors for acne vulgaris

Background: In this recent time, ROS and oxidative stress have been said to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflamed acne lesions. One example of ROS produced by neutrophil through phagocytosis is H2O2. Nevertheless, there is an enzymatic antioxidant which catalyses H2O2 called catalase. Imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants due to excessive ROS formation promotes the state of oxidative stress and inflammation of the acne lesion.Objective: This study aimed to determine plasma H2O2 and catalase level as a risk factor for acne.Methods: This matched-pair case-control observational analytic study involving 38 patients with acne and 38 patients without acne. Sampling was done using consecutive sampling which fulfils the inclusion and exclusion criteria and followed by matching with age and gender. H2O2 and catalase level measured on both groups. The analysis was done using SPSS.Results: H2O2 mean level in the case and control group, respectively 0.68 ± 0.03 and 0.42 ± 0.04 µmol/ml. High H2O2 level was determined from cut-off point &gt;0.62 µmol/ml. High H2O2 was a statistically significant risk factor for acne vulgaris (p&lt;0.001; 95% CI: 4.59-40.62; OR: 13.67). The mean level of catalase in the case and control group respectively 0.48 ± 0.06 and 0.74 ± 0.07 U/ml. Low catalase level was determined from the cut-off point &lt;0.58 U/ml. Catalase was significant risk factor for acne vulgaris (p&lt;0.001; 95% CI: 5.18-77.21; OR: 20.00).Conclusion: High levels of H2O2 plasma and low levels of catalase plasma is a risk factor of acne vulgaris.

Sterigmatocystin moderately induces oxidative stress in male Wistar rats after short-term oral treatment.

This study aimed to explore involvement of oxidative stress in sterigmatocystin (STC) toxicity in male Wistar rats. Animals were orally treated with a single STC dose (10, 20 and 40mg/kg b.w.). Short-term treatment resulted in moderate oxidative stress determined by a significant increase of malondialdehyde (MDA; all STC doses) and catalase (CAT; 10mg/kg b.w.) in plasma, a decrease of glutathione peroxidase (GPx; 20 and 40mg/kg b.w.) in the liver, and increase of MDA and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in kidneys (all STC doses). Heat shock protein (Hsp27 and Hsp70) expression was determined by Western blotting in rat liver and kidneys. Hsp27 expression was downregulated by STC, particularly in the liver (40mg/kg b.w.). The lowest STC dose elevated the expression of Hsp70 in both liver and kidneys, while an increase in STC doses restored Hsp70 expression to control. Alterations in expressions of Hsp27 and Hsp70 could be only partially associated with oxidative stress. STC provoked a significant DNA damage in both liver and kidneys (alkaline comet assay), but the liver was more affected by a broader spectrum of DNA lesions. Oxidative DNA damage (hOGG1-modified comet assay) contribute to the overall mechanism of STC-induced DNA damage in both organs, but kidneys in general seem to be more susceptible to oxidative stress upon short-term exposure to sublethal doses of STC.

Effects of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinale) administration on growth performance and stress, immunological, and antioxidant responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) reared under high stocking density

In the present study, the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on stress, antioxidant, humoral immune and cytokine responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) under high stocking density were investigated. The fish were assigned into four experimental groups: LD (the fish reared at 10 g L−1 and fed with the control diet), HD (the fish reared at 20 g L−1 and fed with the control diet), HD-5 (the fish reared at 20 g L−1 and fed with the control diet supplemented with 5 g kg−1 ginger), and HD-10 (the fish reared at 20 g L−1 and fed with the control diet supplemented with 10 g kg−1 ginger). After 60 days of rearing, the fish at the HD treatment exhibited significantly lower growth performance compared to the LD treatment, but the fish fed the diet supplemented with 10 g kg−1 (HD-10) showed growth performance comparable to the LD treatment. Under high stocking density, the fish had significantly higher cortisol and glucose levels, but ginger mitigated the stress responses. Plasma superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase exhibited higher activities in HD, HD-5, and HD-10 treatments compared to the LD treatment. However, plasma catalase activity increased only in HD treatment. The increase in stocking density significantly increased plasma malondialdehyde levels, and ginger treatments significantly mitigated such increases. The fish at the HD treatment had significantly lower plasma lysozyme, complement and bactericidal (against Aeromonas hydrophila) activities and total immunoglobulin levels compared to those at the LD treatment; however, the dietary ginger administration inhibited these effects especially with fish fed 10 g ginger per kg diet. The fish at the HD treatment had significantly lower expression of tumor necrosis alpha (tnfa), interleukin 1 beta (il1b), and interleukin 8 (il8), and higher interleukin 10 (il10) genes. Ginger treatment, particularly at 10 g kg−1 level significantly mitigated the effects of high stocking density on the cytokines. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that ginger treatment at 10 g kg−1 level is beneficial to suppress stress, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression caused by high stocking density in common carp.

Results of clinical study of nootropic and antioxidant activity of Leuzea carthamoides

Introduction. The study of the possibility of increasing mental performance with phytoadaptogens during the learning process of individuals enrolled in institutions of higher education seems quite perspective taking into account the lack of toxicity, adverse effects of herbal preparations and polivalentes of pharmacological actions, including antioxidant activity. Aim. To study the effect of the drug Leuzea carthamoides on indicators of mental health and antioxidant status in students-volunteers of the third studying year. Materials and methods. The controlled open randomized study included 20 volunteer students in the third year of the Amur State Medical Academy. The study participants were randomized into two groups, each of 10 people: in the control group, students did not take Leuzea; in the experimental group, students daily took 2 tablets of Leuzea orally 2 times a day for 25 days. The study of cognitive sphere included the use of simple pathopsychological tests: Schulte tables and a test for memorizing 10 words. The intensity of lipid peroxidation processes was assessed by studying the content of lipid hydroperoxides, diene conjugates, Malon dialdehyde and antioxidant system components (ceruloplasmin, vitamin E, catalase) in blood plasma. Results. There was found the presence of nootropic activity of Leuzea carthamoides: daily intake of medication by students helps to improve memory and faster memorization of a certain amount of material, reducing the level of exhaustion of voluntary attention in comparison with the same indicators in the control group of volunteers. In the analysis of the influence of Leuzea carthamoides on the antioxidant status of the students, it was concluded that the introduction of phytoadaptogens contributes to a statistically significant decrease in plasma content of lipid hydroperoxides by 12%, of diene conjugates and malonic dialdehyde by 18% against the increase of ceruloplasmin activity by 11%, vitamin E by 12%, catalase by 13% compared to the same indicators in the control group of volunteers. Conclusion. The use of Leuzea carthamoides by students- volunteers leads to stabilization of the processes of peroxidation against the increase of the activity of the main components of the antioxidant system, indicating clinical validity and potential of the use of Leuzea carthamoides by students of higher educational institutions.

Specific Activity of Superoxide Dismutase in Stallion Seminal Plasma Is Related to Sperm Cryotolerance.

While the removal of seminal plasma is a routine practice prior to equine sperm cryopreservation, this fluid contains the main source of antioxidant enzymes able to scavenge these reactive oxygen species. Therefore, stallion seminal plasma components may have an impact on ejaculate freezability. Against this background, this study was designed to investigate whether the activities of the main stallion seminal plasma antioxidant enzymes are related to sperm cryotolerance. With this purpose, 16 ejaculates were collected from 14 healthy stallions, and each ejaculate was split into two aliquots. The first one was used to evaluate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GSR) in seminal plasma. The second aliquot was extended and then processed for cryopreservation. Sperm motility and viability were evaluated before and after cryopreservation, and ejaculates were classified as of good (GFE) or poor freezability (PFE) based on total motile and viable spermatozoa at post-thaw. We observed that, while the specific activities of CAT, GPX, and GSR were similar between GFE and PFE, that of SOD was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in GFE than in PFE. We can thus conclude that, in stallions, the specific activity of SOD in the seminal plasma of a given ejaculate might be related to its freezability.

Predictors of severe cerebral ischemia in premature infants

Aim. To identify informative predictors of severe cerebral ischemia in preterm neonates.Materials and Methods. Study sample consisted of 80 preterm infants with intrauterine hypoxia or perinatal asphyxia delivered on the 28th-34th week of gestation. Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as well as activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in cord blood plasma of premature infants were evaluated immediately after birth.Results. As compared to other newborns, neonates with severe cerebral ischemia had higher levels of MMP-9 (MMP-9 &gt; 305.6 ng/mL in 14.6% versus 69.7%, respectively) and TBARS in cord blood plasma.Conclusion. MMP-9 and TBARS measured in cord blood plasma of preterm infants may be utilised in diagnostics of severe cerebral ischemia.

TOCOTRIENOL-RICH FRACTION MODULATE THE PHOSPHOINOSITIDE 3-KINASES/AKT SIGNALING PATHWAY GENES AND PREVENT OXIDATIVE STRESS IN NICOTINE-INDUCED PRE-IMPLANTATION EMBRYOS

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of the tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) on the regulations of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/Aktpathways related genes in preimplantation embryos induced by nicotine (Nic).Methods: Twenty-four female BALB/c mice were divided into four groups with Nic and TRF supplementation for 7 consecutive days. Animalswere superovulated before mating with fertile males. Plasma malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase weredetermined and analyzed accordingly. Embryos with two and eight blastomeres were assessed for gene expression analysis.Results: The levels of endogenous antioxidative enzymes for the group with TRF intervention and TRF only group showed no significant changes whencompared to the control group. The level of oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers was also significantly decreased when compared to the Nic-induced group.At 2-cell stage, Pten gene was significantly upregulated while Akt1, GSK3β, and Mapk1 were significantly downregulated almost similar to the baseline(control) in the Nic-induced mice. Intervention with TRF resulted in a significant downregulated of Pten gene followed by a significant upregulationof other genes. The same pattern was shown at the 8-cell stage.Conclusion: This showed that TRF evidently has OS protection capacity and it could be through modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Effect of heavy metals on oxidative markers and semen quality parameters in HF crossbred bulls

The study was conducted to assess the effect of toxic heavy metals on seminal antioxidants, trace minerals and semen quality parameters in crossbred breeding bulls. Semen samples were collected from breeding bulls (82) maintained at bull rearing unit of the institute. Toxic heavy metals (Pb and Cd), trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Co and Fe) and oxidative stress markers (SOD, catalase and MDA) were determined in semen samples of breeding bulls. Sperm motility and concentration were measured in fresh ejaculates. Significant levels of Pb (0.23±0.006 μg/ml) and Cd (0.11±0.005 μg/ml) were detected in semen samples of breeding bulls. On analysis of the data between good and poor bull categories, significantly higher concentration of Pb and Cd was present in semen samples of poor bulls as compared to good bulls. There was significantly higher malondialdehyde (MDA) and low superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in seminal plasma of poor bulls compared to good bulls. A significant decrease in Zn and Cu was observed in poor bulls as compared to good bulls. Cobalt and iron values did not show any significant variation between good and poor quality bulls. On correlation analysis, lead and cadmium showed significant negative correlation with Zn, Cu, SOD, catalase, motility and sperm concentration while significant positive correlation was seen with MDA respectively. The study concludes that increased Pb and Cd in bull semen may increase the risk of seminal oxidative stress development and a subsequent reduction in male fertility.

Effects of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Consumption on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Adult Female Wistar Rats (P06-090-19)

ObjectivesThe objective is to investigate the influence of chia consumption on inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood lipid profile in adult female ovariectomized Wistar rats fed high-fat diet MethodsForty ovariectomized and 40 intact (SHAM) rats were allocated into 8 groups (n = 10), and received one of the following four diets: standard diet (ST); standard diet + chia (STC); high-fat diet (HF); high-fat diet + chia (HFC) during 126 days. Biochemical parameters and biomarkers of lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and oxidative stress were evaluated. The mRNA expression of proteins involved in inflammation such as PPAR-α, NFκB, TNF-α and Zn-SOD1 were analyzed, as well as TNF-α and IL-1β levels. The results were subjected to ANOVA at 5% probability. Post hoc Duncan test was carried out to compare means among the groups. Test-t was used to compare the same diet group with ovariectomy or not. ResultsChia intake increased HDL-c and reduced LDL-c levels. Among the ovariectomized groups, the animals fed chia showed higher SOD mRNA expression and activity. The consumption of the HF did not alter the total antioxidant capacity. In addition, chia consumption did not improve this parameter. Nevertheless, plasma catalase concentration was higher in STC group. MDA concentration was higher in all groups fed HF. PPAR-α mRNA expression was higher in the STC group. Besides, high fat diet consumption was able to reduce the PPAR-α mRNA expression. The NFκB mRNA expression were lower in STC groups. However, mRNA expression and the protein levels of TNF-α were lower in the rats fed standard diet. Nevertheless, the protein levels of IL-1β were lower in the rats fed standard diet and high fat diet with chia. ConclusionsIn general, ovariectomy did not influence inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters. Chia intake during 126 days was able to improve antioxidant activity, increasing SOD expression, PPAR-α expression, catalase concentration, and HDL-c levels in adults female rats submitted or not to ovariectomy and fed a standard or a high-fat diet. In addition, chia consumption decrease inflammatory markes, IL-1β and LDL-c concentration. Funding SourcesFoundation for Research Support of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG, Brazil); Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, Brazil), and the National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq, Brazil). Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪▪▪

High-Dose Astaxanthin Supplementation Suppresses Antioxidant Enzyme Activity during Moderate-Intensity Swimming Training in Mice.

Exercise-induced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are increasingly considered as beneficial health promotion. Astaxanthin (ASX) has been recognized as a potent antioxidant suitable for human ingestion. We investigated whether ASX administration suppressed antioxidant enzyme activity in moderate-intensity exercise. Seven-week-old male C57BL/6 mice (n = 8/group) were treated with ASX (5, 15, and 30 mg/kg BW) combined with 45 min/day moderate-intensity swimming training for four weeks. Results showed that the mice administrated with 15 and 30 mg/kg of ASX decreased glutathione peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde, and creatine kinase levels in plasma or muscle, compared with the swimming control group. Beyond that, these two (15 and 30 mg/kg BW) dosages of ASX downregulated gastrocnemius muscle erythroid 2p45 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Meanwhile, mRNA of Nrf2 and Nrf2-dependent enzymes in mice heart were also downregulated in the ASX-treated groups. However, the mice treated with 15 or 30 mg/kg ASX had increased constitutive nitric oxidase synthase and superoxide dismutase activity, compared with the swimming and sedentary control groups. Our findings indicate that high-dose administration of astaxanthin can blunt antioxidant enzyme activity and downregulate transcription of Nrf2 and Nrf2-dependent enzymes along with attenuating plasma and muscle MDA.

Влияние трансдермальной пленки с эритропоэтином на гибель лимфоцитов и процессы свободнорадикального окисления в крови при экспериментальной термической травме у крыс

Цель - изучение влияния эритропоэтина в составе трансдермальной пленки на характер гибели лимфоцитов и процессы свободнорадикального окисления в крови при экспериментальной термической травме у крыс. Методика. Эксперименты выполнены на 90 белых нелинейных крысах-самцах массой 220±20 г. Животные были случайным образом разделены на 3 группы: группа 1 (n=10) - интактный контроль, группа 2 (n=40) - термическая травма с наложением на область ожога асептической повязки, группа 3 (n=40) - термическая травма с наложением на область ожога трансдермальной пленки с эритропоэтином. Термическую травму ІІІА степени (площадь 3,5% поверхности) воспроизводили под общим наркозом погружением межлопаточной области кожи в очищенную воду (t= 98-99 ºС). Эритропоэтин (42 МЕ/см2) в составе трансдермальной пленки (площадь 12 см2) наносили ежедневно сразу после травмы. Исследование крови проводили на 3-и, 5-е, 8-е и 14-е сут. Гибель лимфоцитов, выделенных из крови на градиенте плотности фиколл-верографин (1,077), оценивали при окрашивании клеток конъюгированным с флюорохромом аннексином V и 7-аминоактиномицином D. Дифференцировали интактные клетки, клетки с ранними признаками апоптоза, клетки с поздними признаками апоптоза и частично некротизированные клетки. Содержание продуктов ПОЛ оценивали спектрофотометрически, определяли активность супероксиддисмутазы в плазме, каталазы в плазме крови и эритроцитах. Результаты. Показано, что при термической травме увеличивается количество лимфоцитов в крови с ранними и поздними признаками апоптоза и некроза, содержание диеновых конъюгатов, кетодиенов и сопряженных триенов, оснований Шиффа в липидных экстрактах плазмы и лимфоцитов, возрастает также активность каталазы в плазме и эритроцитах, активность супероксиддисмутазы в плазме крови снижается. В условиях применения эритропоэтина в составе трансдермальной пленки наблюдается уменьшение количества лимфоцитов с ранними и поздними признаками гибели, снижается активность процессов ПОЛ в плазме и лимфоцитах, а также активность каталазы в плазме и эритроцитах и возрастает активность супероксиддисмутазы в плазме крови. Заключение. Использование эритропоэтина в составе трансдермальной пленки при термической травме снижает выраженность гибели лимфоцитов, активность процессов ПОЛ, повышает активность супероксиддисмутазы в плазме крови по сравнению с группой животных с термической травмой без применения эритропоэтина. Aim. Studying the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) as a component of the transdermal film (TDF) on lymphocyte apoptotic death and free radical oxidation in blood of rats with experimental thermal injury (TI) (trauma). Methods. Experiments were performed on 90 white mongrel male rats weighing 220±20 g. The IIIA grade TI with a burn area of 3.5% body surface was induced under general anesthesia by immersing the interscapular region of the skin in purified water at 98-99ºС. EPO (42 IU/cm2) as a component of the 12 cm2 TDF was applied daily, immediately after the TI. The animals were randomized to three groups: group 1 (n=10), intact control; group 2 (n=40), TI with application of an aseptic dressing to the burn area; group 3 (n=40), TI with application of the EPO-containing TDF to the burn area. The study was conducted at days 3, 5, 8, and 14 after TI. Lymphocytes were isolated from blood using the ficoll-verographin density gradient (1.077) and their apoptosis was evaluated by staining the cells with fluorochrome-conjugated Annexin V (Annexin-5-FITC) and 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD). The cells were differentiated into intact cells, cells with early apoptosis signs, cells with late apoptosis signs, and partially necrotized cells. Concentration of lipid peroxidation (LP) products was measured spectrophotometrically; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured in plasma and catalase activity was measured in plasma and red blood cells. Results. TI increased the count of lymphocytes of the Annexin-5-FITC+/7-AAD (early apoptosis signs) and Annexin-5-FITC+/7-AAD+ (late apoptosis or necrosis signs) phenotypes, and concentrations of dienic conjugates, ketodienes, conjugated trienes, and Schiff bases in heptanol and isopropanol phases of plasma and lymphocyte lipid extracts. Plasma and red cell catalase activities were increased whereas plasma SOD activity was decreased. Application of EPO as a component of the TDF decreased the amount of lymphocytes with early and late apoptosis signs and the contents of dienic conjugates, conjugated ketodienes and trienes, Schiff bases in plasma and lymphocytes, and catalase activity in plasma and erythrocytes, and increased the plasma activity of SOD. Conclusion. The use of EPO as a component of TDF in TI reduced lymphocyte apoptosis, activity of LP processes, and increased the plasma activity of SOD compared to the group of animals with TI without the EPO treatment.

Evaluation of Biological Indicators of Fatigue and Muscle Damage in Arabian Horses After Race

The aim of this study was to assay changes in blood biochemical parameters that resulted from exercise-induced muscle fatigue in horses participating in the two races (1,250 and 1,400 meters). Six male Arabian horses (3 to 6 years old) were used in this study. Blood samples were collected at time intervals including 1 hour before the race, immediately after the race, 1 and 24 hours after the end of race. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, the blood level of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured, as well as muscle damage biomarkers including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) activities, and myoglobin were measured. The results showed that CAT activity and plasma TAC in the horse increased immediately after the race and then gradually decreased. The highest GPX activity in red blood cells was recorded 1 hour before the start of the race. Superoxide dismutase showed an incremental pattern after the race. Immediately after the race, there was a significant increase in the plasma levels of AST, which continued until 1 hour after the race. The activity of LDH and CK reached its highest value 1 hour after the race. According to our findings, it can be concluded that the horses were tired and antioxidant enzymes altered under fatigue conditions. Muscle damage biomarkers have increased, but these increases were in their natural ranges and did not indicate muscle damage in horses.

Vitamins C and E alone and in combination partly protect against chronic ethanol-induced toxicity in rat erythrocytes.

Oxidative stress is part of the mechanisms involved in ethanol toxicity. We investigated effects of vitamins C (VC), E (VE) and the combination of VC+VE on chronic ethanol-induced toxicity in rat erythrocytes. The following groups were treated for 30 days: control (C), VC (200 mg/kg), VE (200 mg/kg), VC (200 mg/kg) + VE (200 mg/kg), ethanol 4 g/kg, ethanol + VC, ethanol + VE and ethanol + VC + VE. The doses of vitamins and ethanol were selected for per kilogram of animal's body weight. Blood samples collected at the end of treatments were analyzed for erythrocyte osmotic fragility and plasma scavenging activity. The washed erythrocytes were used to determine superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdeyde (MDA). Ethanol induced erythrocyte fragility (p < 0.001) and increased lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001) in rat erythrocytes. Furthermore, there were significant decreases in plasma scavenging (p < 0.001), SOD (p < 0.001), CAT (p < 0.01) and GPx (p < 0.001) activities in erythrocytes of ethanol-treated animals. Although VC or VE alone restored all of ethanol-induced disturbances to near normal (p > 0.05) but there were still significant differences compared to control animals. Combination therapy completely corrected ethanol-induced erythrocyte fragility, lipid peroxidation and prooxidant/antioxidant imbalance. We showed the beneficial effects of VC and VE combination in decreasing erythrocyte fragility and lipid peroxidation in both ethanol and control groups. Therefore this combination treatment may provide a new potential alternative for prevention of ethanol toxicity which deserves consideration and further examination.

Germinated-soy milk as a healthy diet to induce high antioxidant enzymes in breast milk

Thehigh metabolism rate in breastfeeding mothers causes oxidative stress that depresses the Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities. This study aimed to explore the effects of Germinated-Soy Milk (GSM) on CAT and GSH-PX activity in plasma and breast milk, and Body Mass Index (BMI) of breastfeeding mothers. The subjects were fifty breastfeeding mothers, with 0-6 months feeding period, with the age of 20-35 years, good health condition, and signed the informed consent. They were divided into 2 groups with 25 women for each group. Group I had GSM as the intervention, and group II had a placebo, all interventions were conducted for 2 months. The blood and breast milk samples were drawn intravenously at the baseline, the first and the second month after the intervention. The activities of CAT and GSH-PX in plasma and breast milk and BMI were measured. The average activities of CAT in plasma (P=0.005) and breast milk (P=0.019) were significantly increased as well as the GSH-PX activity in plasma, but the BMI was decreased (P<0.05). The GSM increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in breast milk higher than in plasma and was able to immediately normalize the body weight. GSM is a recommended healthy diet for breastfeeding mothers.

Growth performance, physiological response and histology changes of juvenile blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala exposed to chronic ammonia

Ammonia is one of the major environmental pollutants in freshwater aquatic systems that affects the survival and growth of organisms. In the present study, a nine-week experiment was conducted to investigate the chronic toxicity of ammonia on survival and selected hematological parameters, antioxidant ability, and histological structure in juvenile Chinese blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala. Fish were exposed to one of five different ammonia concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg L −1 total ammonia-N, pH = 7.86 ± 0.41, temperature = 28.23 ± 0.79 °C). Growth performance of fish in the high-ammonia treatment was lower than that of fish in the control group. The survival rate in the group exposed to the highest ammonia-N concentration (20 mg L−1) was significantly lower than that of the control group. The lowest level of white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, and plasma glucose and the highest level of plasma ammonia, cortisol and aspartate transaminase were observed in fish exposed to ammonia-N at 20 mg L −1 compared with the control group. The liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities in fish exposure to 20 mg L −1 ammonia-N group were significantly lower than those in the control group, while oxidative stress indices (levels of malondialdehyde, MDA) was significantly higher than those in the control group. Regression analysis found that growth performance, plasma parameters, hematological parameters, and antioxidant status of fish were significant linear correlated to ammonia-N concentration. Fish exposed to various concentrations of ammonia displayed histopathologic alterations in both gill and liver tissue. Furthermore, morphological examination by transmission electron microscopy revealed that gill tissues displayed vacuolation of the cytoplasm, damaged mitochondria, increased heterochromatin, and intense desquamation of pavement epithelial cells on the gill lamellae. Our findings suggest that the stress responses induced in juvenile blunt snout bream by chronic exposure to ammonia are not limited to simple growth inhibition, but are accompanied by changes in oxidative stress, plasma parameter effects, and alterations in the histology of the liver and gill. Blunt snout bream had a dose-dependent effect on ammonia-N. We preliminarily suggest that the level of plasma ammonia, MDA, CAT, AST, FER, and SGR can be used as an indicator for chronic ammonia-N toxicity, but further research and verification are needed in the future.

Antioxidant, enzymatic and hematological responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fed with myrcene- or menthol-supplemented diets and exposed to ambient ammonia

Ammonia toxicity is common and risk factor in aquaculture, deteriorating fish health. Phytochemicals might attenuate adverse effects of ammonia toxicity in fish. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary myrcene and menthol administration on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) health in response to ammonia toxicity. The fish were fed with either myrcene- or menthol-supplemented diets for 30 days before exposure to 0.5 mg/L unionized ammonia for 24 h. The experimental diets contained 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1% of either myrcene or menthol. Growth performance was determined after the 30-d feeding trial and the fish were blood-sampled before and after the ammonia challenge. The results showed that myrcene at 0.5% significantly improved the fish growth performance compared to the control diet (29.3 vs. 41.2% weight gain); however, menthol had no significant effects on the fish growth performance. Ammonia exposure led to significant decrease in plasma catalase, glutathione peroxidase, blood RBC and hemoglobin and significant increase in plasma superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase, which are indicators of oxidative stress, tissue damage and anemia. Myrcene at 0.25–1% and menthol at 0.25% levels significantly improved most of the tested parameters. Moreover, myrcene at 0.5 and 1% significantly inhibited the adverse effects of ammonia exposure on the fish antioxidant responses, tissue health and anemia; however, menthol was less effective compared to myrcene and the most effective concentration was 0.25%, which mitigated the adverse effects of ammonia exposure. In conclusion, myrcene at 0.5% and menthol at 0.25% levels are effective in reducing the adverse effects of ammonia toxicity in common carp. Such effects seem to be related to the compounds antioxidant effects, which mitigated ammonia-induced tissue damage and anemia.

The Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase +35A/C (rs2234694) variant correlates with altered levels of protein carbonyls and glutathione and associates with severity of COPD in a Tunisian population

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of mortality that has been associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. The purpose of the present case–control study was to determine the relationships between oxidative stress-related genetic variants and the risk and severity of COPD, as well as, the influence of these variants on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters. Genotyping of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) + 35 A/C (rs2234694), catalase [A-21T (rs7943316), C-262T (rs1001179)] and glutathione peroxidase 1 (reduced glutathione (GSH)-Px1) 198Pro/Leu (rs1050450) was carried out in 143 patients with COPD and 216 healthy controls using PCR-RFLP. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), while the levels of reduced GSH, total antioxidant status (TAS), H2O2, lipid peroxides (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (PCs) were determined using spectrophotometric methods. We also evaluated the activities of GSH-Px, catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in both plasma and erythrocytes. We did not observe significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of chosen variants between COPD patients and healthy controls. A significant correlation was retrieved between the SOD1 + 35A/C variant and disease severity (odds ratios (OR) = 0.15, p = 0.04). In addition, patients having the +35AC genotype presented increased plasma levels of GSH and a reduced level of PCs (p = 0.03, p = 0.04, respectively). The present data highlighted the important role of antioxidant enzymes and their genetic variants in the oxidative stress-mediated pathogenesis and progression of COPD.

High percentage of dietary palm oil suppressed growth and antioxidant capacity and induced the inflammation by activation of TLR-NF-κB signaling pathway in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fish oil (FO) replaced by palm oil (PO) on growth, biochemical and antioxidant response as well as inflammatory response in the liver of large yellow croaker (initial weight 15.87 ± 0.14 g). Four iso-proteic and iso-lipidic experimental diets were formulated with 0% (the control group), 33.3%, 66.7% and 100% FO replaced by PO. Fish fed the diet with 100% PO showed significantly lower growth performance than the control group. As expected, the contents of C16:0, C18:1n-9 and C18:2n-6 were increased with increasing dietary PO levels. There were remarkable increases in total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in fish fed the diet with 100% PO compared to the control group. Moreover, dietary PO significantly increased activities of plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in fish fed the diet with 100% PO compared to the control group. The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the activity of catalase (CAT) in plasma were significantly decreased in fish fed the diet with 100% PO compared to the control group, and meanwhile no significant differences were found in T-AOC and CAT activity in fish fed diets with no more than 66.7% PO. Fish fed the diet with 100% PO exerted significantly higher toll like receptors (TLRs) and myeloid differentiation factor (MyD88) mRNA expression levels than the control group. The IFNγ, IL-1β and TNFα mRNA expressions were increased with increasing dietary PO levels. The increase of pro-inflammatory gene expression may be due to the activation of NF-κB signaling as the ratio of nucleus p65 to total p65 protein was elevated with the increase of dietary PO levels. These results showed that relatively higher PO levels in diets suppressed the growth and antioxidant capacity as well as induced the inflammatory response by activating TLR-NF-κB signaling pathway in juvenile large yellow croaker.

Nitrotyrosine (NT), a Nitrosative Stress Biomarker, Plasma Concentrations in Gallstone Disease and Cancer Patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the plasma concentration of the nitrosative stress biomarker nitrotyrosine (NT) in gallstone disease and cancer patients. Initially, 114 patients with symptomatic gallstone disease were randomized into the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) (n=54) and the minicholecystectomy (MC) (n=60) groups. The plasma concentrations of NT were measured just before, immediately after (POP1) and 6 h after operation (POP2). The cancer patients of this study included ten patients with gastrointestinal cancer and 19 patients with gynecological cancer. There was a statistically significant correlation in the median plasma NT concentrations versus plasma catalase (CAT) concentrations in cholecystectomy patients (r=0.169, p=0.001). Interestingly, there was a statistically significant inverse correlation between the individual values of the pain assessed and filed using a 11-point numeric rating scale 8 h postoperatively (NAD8) and plasma NT median values in cholecystectomy patients (r=-0.337, p=0.004). Patients with high plasma concentrations of NT appeared to have significantly lower pain scores 8 h postoperatively.