Superoxide Dismutase Research Articles

Oxidative stress and apoptosis of the spinal cord in a rat model of retinoic acid-induced neural tube defects.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe congenital anomalies that significantly impact the central nervous system, arising from the neural tube's failure to close during early embryogenesis. In this study, we investigated NTDs and associated pathophysiological mechanisms in foetal rats following exposure to all-trans retinoic acid (atRA). Out of 168 embryos from 15 pregnant rats in the experimental group, 78% displayed NTDs with notable spinal deformities, primarily in the lumbar-sacral region, similar to human cases. Body weight and crown-rump length (CRL) measurements indicated significant growth impairment in the NTD group compared to controls, while the atRA-treated group without NTDs showed no notable differences in growth. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) results demonstrated decreased NeuN and PCNA expression in the NTD group's spinal cord. Oxidative stress markers showed markedly reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity, alongside increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the NTD group, indicating heightened oxidative stress. Analysis of apoptosis-related proteins revealed elevated Bax and caspase-3 levels, reduced Bcl-2 and lower poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in the NTD group, suggesting a pronounced shift towards proapoptotic pathways, potentially contributing to NTD progression. Our findings indicate that oxidative stress and apoptosis play significant roles in the development of NTDs. Future investigations should aim to pinpoint critical regulatory genes or proteins that might be targeted for therapeutic interventions to alleviate oxidative stress and apoptosis in NTD development.

6-Gingerol Induced Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in Glioma Cells via MnSOD and ERK Phosphorylation Modulation.

6-gingerol, a bioactive compound from ginger, has demonstrated promising anticancer properties across various cancer models by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion. In this study, we explore its mechanisms against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a notably aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumor. We found that 6-gingerol crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively than curcumin, enhancing its potential as a therapeutic agent for brain tumors. Our experiments show that 6-gingerol reduces cell proliferation and triggers apoptosis in GBM cell lines by disrupting cellular energy homeostasis. This process involves an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, primarily due to the downregulation of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Additionally, 6-gingerol reduces ERK phosphorylation by inhibiting EGFR and RAF, leading to G1 phase cell cycle arrest. These findings indicate that 6-gingerol promotes cell death in GBM cells by modulating MnSOD and ROS levels and arresting the cell cycle through the ERFR-RAF-1/MEK/ ERK signaling pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for GBM and setting the stage for future clinical research.

Exposure to a 0.9-GHz electromagnetic field on postnatal days 21-45 may trigger the renin-angiotensin system in male rat: a histological and biochemical study.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and histological and biochemical changes occurring in the kidney tissue of male rats exposed to a 0.9GHz electromagnetic field (EMF). Twelve male rats aged 21 days were randomly assigned to control (C-Gr) and EMF (EMF-Gr) groups. No procedure was performed on C-Gr, while the EMF-Gr rats were exposed to a 0.9GHz EMF on postnatal days 21-45 (one hour a day for 25 days). Tissues were removed at the end of the experiment and evaluated using biochemical, and histopathological methods. Increased kidney tissue volume and weight and total body weight were determined in the group exposed to EMF. Lipid peroxidation, glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase also increased in the kidney tissue of the EMF-Gr rats. Histopathological evaluation revealed cortical/medullary bleeding/obstruction and widespread fibrosis, dilatation, vacuolization, and degeneration in distal and proximal tubules, decreased and atypical parietal cells, and degeneration in epithelial cells. Additionally, dilated and degenerated glomeruli in the Malpighian body, Bowman's membrane degeneration and degeneration in the vascular pole, podocyte, pedicel and mesangial cells were also observed. As a result of exposure to EMF, oxidative stress, tissue volume and weight increased, and histopathological changes caused the formation of a pathway that triggers RAS in kidney tissues. In conclusion, long-term exposure to 0.9GHz EMF can activate the renin-angiotensin system in the rat kidney, and we think that such activation may be associated with structural, histopathological, and biochemical changes occurring in renal tissue.

Turmeric counteracts manganese-associated deteriorations in liver and kidney tissues: histomorphometric and biochemical insights.

Nowadays, Manganese (Mn) become an unavoidable ingredient in agriculture, medical and manufacturing industries. Manganese deficiency is rare, and even though recurrent exposure to manganese is inevitable for humans, concerns have been voiced regarding public health hazards. This research was designed to evaluate the manganese toxicity and potential protective effects of turmeric in Swiss albino male mice. Eight-week albino mice (33 ± 01g) were randomized equally into seven groups (n = 10), as control (untreated), VC-I (received 0.1ml of saline water), Mn-I, Mn-II & Mn-III administrated manganese (5mg/kg, 10mg/kg & 20mg/kg body-weight (B.W.) respectively), Mn + Tu (co-administrated with 20mg/kg Mn &100mg/kg B. W turmeric), VC-II (received 0.1ml of olive oil), orally for four weeks consecutively. Before administrations, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC) and gass chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC- MS) assays were performed to assess the antioxidant capacity of turmeric. After 28 days of dosing, mice were acclimatized for 10 days, then sacrificed and recovered samples (tissues & blood). Morphological observations showed changes in color, shape disruption, dilation and flattening of organs as compared to controls. Morphometric studies showed that the average body weight, organs weight and size of Mn intoxicated mice reduced remarkably (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to control groups. Sideways Mn + Tu group showed non-significant change in both parameters. Hematological (CBC) and biochemical markers, liver function test & renal function test (LFT & RFT) showed significant differences in manganese groups against controls. Histopathological findings of both tissues (liver & kidney) showed multiple anatomic alterations in Mn exposed as compared to other groups. While the aforementioned deviations were less obvious in Mn + Tu administrated group. Manganese also decreased glutathione-s-transferase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione contents and increased lipid peroxidation as compared to control groups. It is concluded by the abovementioned findings that turmeric showed remedial efficacy against Mn-instigated histomorphometric, biochemical and enzymatic alterations in mice.

Morphological and physiological responses of Momordica charantia to heavy metals and nutrient toxicity in contaminated water

This study investigates the impact of industrial wastewater from leather, household, and marble sources on the growth, physiological traits, and biochemical responses of Momordica charantia (bitter melon). Industrial activities often lead to the release of contaminated effluents, which can significantly affect plant health and agricultural productivity. Water analysis revealed that leather effluent contained high concentrations of heavy metals, including cadmium (2.67 mg/L), lead (1.95 mg/L), and nickel (1.02 mg/L), all of which exceeded the recommended safety limits for irrigation. Seed germination was significantly reduced, with only 45% germination in seeds irrigated with leather effluent, compared to 90% in the control group. Similarly, in plants treated with leather wastewater, shoot length, and root length were reduced by 38% and 42%. Chlorophyll content showed a marked decline, with chlorophyll “a” reduced by 25% and chlorophyll “b” by 30% in wastewater-treated plants, indicating impaired photosynthetic activity. Antioxidant enzyme activity, including catalase and superoxide dismutase, increased by up to 40%, reflecting a stress response to heavy metal toxicity. These findings highlight that industrial wastewater severely disrupts plant metabolic processes, leading to stunted growth and physiological stress. To safeguard crop productivity and food security, stringent wastewater treatment protocols must be implemented to mitigate environmental contamination. Future research should focus on developing advanced remediation techniques and sustainable wastewater management practices to reduce heavy metal toxicity and enhance soil health.

Role of the Sn-TiO2/Ti-SnO2 Heterojunction in Enhancing the Photocatalytic Oxidation of Arsenite (AsIII) through the Promotion of Charge Carrier Lifetime.

This study proposes the heterojunction photocatalyst, Sn-doped TiO2/Ti-doped SnO2 (herein named Sn1Ti1O2), as a promising alternative to pure TiO2. Sn1Ti1O2 demonstrates improved light harvesting efficiency over TiO2 by generating longer-lived electron-hole (eCB--hVB+) pairs, while also displaying a smaller band gap compared to pure TiO2. Consequently, we show that it is a promising candidate for the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of AsIII to the less toxic and more readily removable form AsV. Transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) shows increased eCB--hVB+ recombination half-lives from ∼0.5 ms in TiO2 to ∼1 ms in Sn1Ti1O2. The initial transient absorption signal for Sn1Ti1O2 is twice that of pure TiO2, suggesting early time scale (pre-μs) suppression of (eCB--hVB+) recombination. Moreover, TAS showed that Sn1Ti1O2 possesses more reactive charge carriers than TiO2 under reactions with chemical scavengers. For the first time, TAS experiments were conducted using both a colorimetric indicator (molybdate) and AsIII to determine the PCO kinetics from AsIII to AsV. The TAS molybdate─AsIII experiment results indicate that the oxidation process occurs on the sub-microsecond time scale, with a notable increase in absorption at ∼700 nm, providing evidence of the formation of the AsV─molybdate blue complex. PCO experiments showed that •OH radicals played the predominant role during PCO, followed by superoxide radicals (O2•─). •OH scavengers including isopropanol, rebamipide anhydrous, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reduce the PCO yield of AsIII to 21, 30, and 23%, respectively. While O2•─ scavengers including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and p-benzoquinone suppressed the PCO yield of AsIII to a lesser degree, with yields of 35 and 49% seen, respectively. The effects of irradiance intensity, salinity, pH, AsIII concentration, and photocatalyst mass on both the quantum efficiency (QE) and PCO kinetics were investigated. The Sn1Ti1O2 catalyst exhibited effective recyclability, validating its economical reusability. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of the Sn1Ti1O2 heterojunction photocatalyst for the PCO of AsIII to the less toxic AsV in water treatment, showing faster oxidation kinetics and improved charge separation compared to pure TiO2 as proven by TAS.

Antiplasmodial Potentials, Phytocompounds and the Possible Toxic Effects of Administration of Ethylacetate Extract of Spondias mombin Linn.

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is a global health concern. Natural products, such as plant extracts, are investigated for new antimalarial agents. Spondias mombin, traditionally used for medicinal purposes, was examined for its effects on parasitemia, haematological parameters, antioxidant activities, liver function biomarkers, and serum electrolytes in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Mice received varying doses of the ethylacetate extract. Various dosages of the extract and the prescribed medication dramatically slowed the parasite's growth. The extract significantly improved red blood cell (RBC) and platelet counts, particularly at higher doses. Hemoglobin levels were decreased dose-dependently. Antioxidant analysis showed increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating robust antioxidant properties. Liver function tests showed mixed effects, with elevated AST, ALP, and TB levels at some doses, yet decreased ALT at the highest dose, suggesting possible hepatoprotective effects. Serum electrolyte levels remained stable. Seventy-eight (78) bioactive components were identified in the extract by GC-MS analysis. The extract demonstrated substantial antimalarial and antioxidant capacities, with minimal liver stress and stable electrolyte levels, suggesting safety as an adjunct therapy for malaria. Further research is needed to ascertain the specific antimalarial bioactive constituents and their mechanisms of action.

Biodegradable Janus sonozyme with continuous reactive oxygen species regulation for treating infected critical-sized bone defects

Critical-sized bone defects are usually accompanied by bacterial infection leading to inflammation and bone nonunion. However, existing biodegradable materials lack long-term therapeutical effect because of their gradual degradation. Here, a degradable material with continuous ROS modulation is proposed, defined as a sonozyme due to its functions as a sonosensitizer and a nanoenzyme. Before degradation, the sonozyme can exert an effective sonodynamic antimicrobial effect through the dual active sites of MnN4 and Cu2O8. Furthermore, it can promote anti-inflammation by superoxide dismutase- and catalase-like activities. Following degradation, quercetin-metal chelation exhibits a sustaining antioxidant effect through ligand-metal charge transfer, while the released ions and quercetin also have great self-antimicrobial, osteogenic, and angiogenic effects. A rat model of infected cranial defects demonstrates the sonozyme can rapidly eliminate bacteria and promote bone regeneration. This work presents a promising approach to engineer biodegradable materials with long-time effects for infectious bone defects.

Dietary antioxidant capacity is inversely associated with F2- isoprostane and body fat percentage in elite soccer referees

Background Dietary antioxidant Capacity (DaC) has been used as a tool for predicting plasma and dietary antioxidant concentrations. However, the DaC association with oxidative stress (OS) and body composition parameters is an unexplored area, mainly in physically active individuals. Given the potential for increased OS in physically active individuals, it becomes crucial to investigate this association. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between DaC, OS biomarkers, and body composition in healthy and physically active individuals. Methods This Cross-sectional study included 20 male soccer referees. Body composition measurements (body mass, fat mass, lean mass, and waist circumference), OS biomarkers (F2-isoprostane, total antioxidant state, total oxidative status, reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase), and DaC were evaluated. Linear regression models were used to determine the association between DaC and the dependent variables. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), CAAE 82584318.0.0000.0121, and file no. 2.572.301. Results DaC was inversely associated with F2-isoprostane (p = 0.044), GPx activity (p = 0.048), and body fat percentage (p = 0.025). Conclusions Increased DaC in physically active individuals may bring benefits related to biomarkers of OS, such as decreasing F2-isoprostane and increasing GPx activity. The increase in DaC also showed an improvement in body composition, demonstrated by the lower percentage of body fat in the study subjects.

Eucalyptol Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice

Background One of the leading causes of acute brain injury is cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. It is an ailment that occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood supply, which damages brain cells. Oxidative stress is recognized as a significant mechanism that causes I/R injury and is a critical focal point for therapy. Apoptosis and inflammation are all pathogenic processes underpinning I/R damage. Eucalyptol (EU), a plant-derived substance, protects neuronal damage. We postulate that EU inhibits apoptosis and oxidative stress after focal cerebral I/R damage in mice. Purpose Thus, the present work sought to examine the neurological protective benefits of EU in mice models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury. Methods The measurement of neurological function, infarct volume, and the amount of water in the brain were evaluated subsequently. The brain tissue was examined to assess the activities of oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) levels, and histopathology was determined. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), apoptotic marker expression was used to measure the levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), caspase-3, and Bcl-2 associated X-protein (Bax) proteins that exist as indicators of apoptosis. Results EU treatment malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased while glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), A-TOC, and catalase (CAT) activity increased. Following EU therapy dramatically reduced cerebral dysfunction, which was supported by reduced histological damage in I/R injury. Furthermore, with lower levels of MMP-2 and 9, EU treatment could be a novel approach for preventing CI/R injury. EU-treated mice had a notable reduction in cleaved Bax, caspase-3, and increased Bcl-2 protein activities. EU therapy shields the brain against CI/R injury by inhibiting cell death. Conclusion According to the present study’s findings, EU is a promising neuroprotective agent that can be used to treat CI/R injury in mice. By focusing on these aspects, nurses can provide comprehensive care to patients involved in studies on the effects of EU on CI/R injury, promoting better outcomes through careful monitoring, supportive interventions, and education.

Neuroprotective effect of Bacillus subtilis in haloperidol induced rat model, targeting the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Functional microbes regulate Parkinson's disease (PD), according to contemporary research. The mechanism by which probiotics (PBT) improve PD was not fully explored yet. We examined the antioxidant impact and mechanism of PBT (Bacillus subtilis) on PD using gut-brain axis regulation. To establish a model of PD, rats were given haloperidol (HAL) intraperitoneally (i.p.) in this study. The standard group received L-DOPA for 21days. After that, the motor function was assessed using different neurobehavioral tests. Further estimation comprehends the build up of alpha-synuclein, the manifestation of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity, the deterioration of dopaminergic neurons and the induction of an oxidative stress reaction. In addition, the concentration of intestinal microbes was measured. These findings demonstrated that the administration of PBT in combination with L-dopa could alleviate motor impairments caused by HAL, the deterioration of dopaminergic neurons, and the build up of α-synuclein. Furthermore, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and dopamine were considerably raised by co-administration of L-dopa and PBT in the case of HAL-treated rats, whereas the levels of alpha-synuclein, MAO-B, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were reduced. Particularly, PBT administration reduced the gut microbial dysbiosis, which in turn raised the concentration of good bacteria i.e., Bifidobacterium and reduced the concentration of E. coli in experimental animals. These findings indicated that PBT might represent a promising candidate to inhibit the progression of Parkinson's disease by targeting the gut-brain axis.

Caviar extract inhibitsskin photoaging by activating skin stem cells through NF-κB/MMPs/COL17A1 axis.

Ultraviolet radiations (UVR) produce harmful entities and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin cells, leading to skin photoaging. Caviar extract(CE) showed outstanding effects in delaying skin aging, but the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we prepared CE with acid protease and examined the anti-skin photoaging effects. The results showed that CE performed no cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. For antioxidant properties, the EC50 values of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity for CE were 1.27 and 5.20 mg/mL, respectively. It significantly reduced NF-κB, MMP-3 and MMP-9 protein expression levels, and increased IκB and TIMP-1 expression level in UVA-irradiated HaCaT cells. In the skin aging mice model, CE reduced the degree of UV-induced skin photoaging. Histological study confirmed that CE can ameliorate the adverse effects of UV exposure on the skin. Moreover, we found that CE could enhance the activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and increased the contents of hydroxyproline (HYP) in photoaged mice skin. And CE elevated the protein expression level of COL17A1, KRT10, and KRT14 in mice skin. Taken together, our results bright systemic and new insights of CE into preventing UV-induced skin photoaging.

EFFECTS OF INJECTABLE MINERAL AND VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE FERTILITY OF DAIRY COWS IN FTAI PROTOCOL

The study aimed to assess the impact of injectable mineral and vitamin supplementation, specifically Kit Adaptador®MIN and Adaptador®VIT (Biogénesis Bagó, Brazil), administered at the initiation of a fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol, on the reproductive performance and fertility of Holstein cows. One hundred animals were divided into a non-supplemented control group (CG, n=50) and a treated group (TG, n=50). The TG received mineral and vitamin supplementation (1 mL/100kg live weight, IM) on the first day of the FTAI protocol (D0), along with intravaginal progesterone (P4) implantation and estradiol benzoate administration. Blood samples were collected at D0 and D17 to assess superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity and P4 levels. Ovarian and uterine ultrasound evaluations were conducted at D0 and D17, with follow-up exams performed 30 days post-FTAI for pregnancy diagnosis. Results showed a larger corpus luteum diameter in supplemented cows (CG=2.14±0.11 cm vs TG=2.64±0.11 cm, P=0.0037), along with increased SOD activity (CG=22% vs TG=25.36%, P=0.045). Moreover, there was a significant difference in pregnancy rates between groups (CG=18.18% vs TG=39.13%, P=0.0029). Injectable mineral and vitamin supplementation at the start of the FTAI protocol may impact post-ovulation corpus luteum development, enhance pregnancy rates, and stimulate essential endogenous antioxidant mechanisms in Holstein cows.

The Mitochondrial Fusion Promoter M1 Mitigates Cigarette Smoke-Induced Airway Inflammation and Oxidative Stress via the PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway.

This study investigated the efficacy and underlying mechanism of the mitochondrial fusion promoter M1 in mitigating cigarette smoking (CS)-induced airway inflammation and oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo models. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated airway epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and CS-exposed mice were pretreated with M1, followed by the measurement of proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, mitochondrial fusion proteins (MFN2 and OPA1) and fission proteins (DRP1 and MFF). Molecular pathways were elucidated through transcriptomic analysis and Western blotting. M1 pretreatment in CSE-treated cells significantly reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α); reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels; increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity; protected mitochondrial function by increasing the expression of mitochondrial fusion proteins (MFN2 and OPA1) and decreasing the expression of mitochondrial fission proteins (DRP1 and MFF). M1 attenuated CS-induced lung histologic damage and mucus hypersecretion in mice, relieved high oxidative stress and reduced the release of IL-6 and IL-8 in BALF. Similarly, it also protected mitochondrial function by regulating the CS-induced imbalance of mitochondrial dynamic proteins. Transcriptome sequencing and Western blotting showed that M1 inhibited CSE- or CS-induced activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) signaling pathway. M1 plays a protective role in inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction caused by CS by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway; thus, it has therapeutic potential for the treatment of CS-induced airway disorders.

Lasia spinosa Stem Aqueous Extract Potentiates Antidiabetic Effects Exhibiting Antioxidant Genes Upregulation and DNA-damage Protection.

This research elucidated the hypoglycemic effect correlated with DNA protective and antioxidative activity of Lasia spinosa stem aqueous extract (LSSAE) using streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rat models. LSSAE, characterized by phytochemical screening, GC-MS, and FTIR analyses, was investigated for its DNA protective activity by exposing PBR322 plasmid DNA to Fenton's reagents. Long-Evans rats, treated by LSSAE were found to be improved for body weight, fasting blood glucose level, and oral glucose load. A 30-day supplement of LSSAE significantly recovered serum biochemical markers, including hepatic (i.e., ALP, AST, ALT, and TB); renal (i.e., creatinine and uric acid); and lipid profiles (i.e., TC, TG, HDLc, LDLc, and VLDLc). An increased level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) and a decreased level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed in LSSAE-treated rat liver. Antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated by mRNA expression level of antioxidant genes (CAT, SOD2, GPX1, PON1, PFK1, GAPDH, using the 2-ΔΔCT method, normalized with housekeeping gene, ß-ACTIN) using qRT-PCR. Additionally, histological examination confirmed the restoration of morphology, and function of pancreatic β-cell, kidney, liver, and spleen. Results reveal that LSSAE exerts an antidiabetic effect through upregulation of antioxidant genes, DNA protection and modulation of biochemical and histological parameters.

Transcriptomic Study of Nicotiana tabacum Treated with the Bacterial Protein CspD Reveals Some Specific Abiotic Stress Responses

The ability of a cold-shock protein CspD from Bacillus thuringiensis to protect both dicots and monocots against various pathogens is well confirmed under both greenhouse and field conditions; however, the molecular basis of this phenomenon at the transcriptomic level still remains unexplored. Expression profiles of some marker genes associated with SAR/ISR nonspecific resistance pathways and ROS scavengers were examined in CspD-treated Nicotiana tabacum plants, and the RNA-seq analysis of CspD-treated plants was first carried out. The ISR markers PDF1.2 and PR4 were overexpressed locally in treated tobacco leaves with the maximum 2.4- and 5.7-fold change, respectively, reached 12 h after the leaf treatment with CspD; PDF1.2 was also up-regulated 4.8-fold four days after the inoculation of treated plants with TMV. The ROS scavenger analysis demonstrated overexpression of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase in both treated (with the maximum 5.4-fold change observed 6 h after the treatment) leaves and leaves from the upper tier (“system” leaves, 6.5-fold change observed 4 days after the treatment). The ROS assay confirmed endogenous accumulation of superoxide in CspD-treated leaves 6 and 24 h after the treatment. An in silico comparative study of Arabidopsis orthologs of highly up-regulated tobacco genes induced by CspD with Arabidopsis genes activated by some other molecular patterns revealed the specific CspD-induced expression of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and some other genes associated with light and cold responses. This study may contribute to a better understanding of cross-talking between abiotic stress and nonspecific immunity in plants.

Rings of Power: Controlling SOD Mimic Activity by the Addition of Pyridine Rings within the Pyridinophane Scaffold.

Superoxide dismutase enzymes are a major defense against superoxide, which is a potent reactive oxygen species. Misregulation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent neuronal damage are etiological hallmarks of neurodegenerative disease. Macrocyclic small molecules have offered inroads toward functional SOD1 mimics. Herein, we report a series of five tetra-aza macrocyclic RPy2N2 ligands, varied by 4-position substitution of the pyridine ring with both electron-donating (R = OMe) and withdrawing groups (R = Cl, I, and CF3) to offer the first comparison to well-studied RPyN3 congeners and other mimics in the literature. New ligands have been characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and potentiometric titrations (pKa). Cyclic voltammetry and X-ray diffraction analysis of the copper(II) complexes (CuII(RPy2N2)2+) demonstrate how pyridine substitution impacts the metal center. This data, and evaluation of the log βCu(II) and log βCu(I) within the series, indicates significant improvement to the binding affinity for Cu(I) without sacrifice of Cu(II) binding. The CuII(RPy2N2)2+ series yield the highest kcat for any Cu(II)-based small molecule functional SOD1 mimic (kcat = 45.36 M-1 s-1). Furthermore, the CuII(OMePy2N2)2+ and CuII(CF3Py2N2)2+ complexes were studied in FRDA cells to determine cell toxicity as a first step toward the application of these mimics as therapeutics for neurological disease.

Genome-Wide Identification of the GbUBC Gene Family in Sea-Island Cotton (Gossypium barbadense) and the Active Regulation of Drought Resistance in Cotton by GbUBC23

Cotton is an economically critical crop worldwide, and drought stress strongly affects its growth and development. Ubiquitination modifies protein activity and is crucial in numerous biological processes. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes serve as intermediaries in the protein ubiquitination process and play important roles in plant responses to abiotic stress. However, the impact of ubiquitination on the response of cotton to abiotic stress is not fully understood. Bioinformatic methods were employed in this study to analyze the physiochemical characteristics, gene structure, collinearity, expression patterns, and evolutionary relationships of GbUBC gene family members in sea-island cotton. In sea-island cotton, a minimum of 125 GbUBC genes are irregularly distributed across the 26 chromosomes, with multiple instances of gene duplication observed among the members. Phylogenetic analysis categorized the GbUBC gene family into 15 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) subgroups, one ubiquitin E2 enzyme variant (UEV) subgroup, and one COP10 subgroup. GbUBC gene expression pattern analyses revealed that most GbUBC genes responded differently to cold, heat, NaCl, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatments, with certain GbUBC genes exhibiting high expression levels in specific fiber development period and organs. Furthermore, molecular biology methods were employed to elucidate the biological functions of GbUBC23. The GbUBC23 gene was highly expressed in the cotyledons of sea-island cotton and was activated by PEG treatment. GbUBC23 is localized to the nucleus and cytomembrane. The silencing of the GbUBC23 gene under drought conditions led to decreased drought tolerance and survival rates in sea-island cotton. Compared with those in the control plants, the activity of proline and superoxide dismutase and the expression levels of the drought-induced genes GbNCED3, GbRD22, GbRD26 were significantly lower, but the levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were significantly higher. Our findings revealed 125 members of the GbUBC gene family in sea-island cotton, with the GbUBC23 gene critically contributing to the abiotic stress response. These findings indicate that the GbUBC gene family may play a crucial role in the drought stress response in sea-island cotton.

Antioxidant, metabolic and digestive biomarker responses of farmed Sparus aurata supplemented with Laminaria digitata

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of supplemented diets with the brown macroalga Laminaria digitata in improving the antioxidant, metabolic and digestive performance in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), using a multi-biomarker approach. Three experimental diets supplemented with 1.5 %, 3 % and 6 % of dried powdered L. digitata were tested against a control diet. After 30 and 60 days, S. aurata juveniles were sampled and muscle, gut and liver tissues were collected. Results showed that fish fed with 1.5 % L. digitata exhibited higher specific growth rate (SGR) after 30 days. Additionally, at this supplementation level, there was a significant reduction in antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, CAT; glutathione S-transferase, GST; superoxide dismutase, SOD) and in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in muscle and liver tissues. In contrast, gut antioxidant enzyme activity increased with higher macroalga concentrations (3 % and 6 %). Fish fed with 6 % L. digitata revealed a significant decrease in muscle aerobic potential (citrate synthase (CS) activity) but increased anaerobic capacity (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity). Moreover, the 1.5 % L. digitata supplemented diets led to a significant increase in amylase activity after 30 days. After 60 days, fed with 6 % L. digitata showed lower hepatosomatic index (HSI) compared to animals fed on control diet. Additionally, trypsin activity was higher in fish fed the supplemented diets, especially at 3 % L. digitata. Pepsin activity was significantly supressed in fish fed diets with higher macroalga concentrations (3 % and 6 %). Overall, the current findings highlight the beneficial effects with lower doses of L. digitata on farmed marine fish performance and welfare. However, additional research is needed to establish the most cost-effective seaweed supplementation dose and validate this strategy at an industrial scale.

The difference in salinity tolerance between cultured and wild sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka based on survival, enzyme activity and transcriptome analyses

Salinity is a critical environmental factor affecting the growth, survival, distribution, and physiological processes of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka). In this study, we examined the survival rates, enzymatic activities, and transcriptomes of one cultured and two wild populations of the sea cucumber, A. japonicus Selenka to compare their tolerance across a range of salinities. Significant differences in survival rates were observed among the three populations when exposed to salinity levels of 45, 40, 23, 20, and 17 psu. As salinity decreased, the activities of catalase, Na+-K+-ATPase, amylase and superoxide dismutase in cultured sea cucumbers peaked at 23 psu, and declined at 20 psu. In contrast, the activities of these enzymes in wild sea cucumbers decreased at 23 psu. At 40 psu, the four enzymatic activities significantly decreased in cultured sea cucumbers but continued to increase significantly in wild populations (P < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis based on Gene Ontology (GO) function revealed the terms “cellular process,” “membrane” and “binding” were most enriched in the biological process, cellular component, and molecular function categories, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis identified “Glycerophospholipid metabolism” and “Starch and sucrose metabolism” among the top 10 most enriched pathways. The findings of this study provide new insights into the salinity tolerance adaptation of cultured sea cucumbers.