Elimination Of Free Radicals Research Articles

Variation in radical antioxidant capacity and the total amount of carotenoids in razor clams, Ensis marginatus (Pennant, 1777), from the Çanakkale Strait (Abidealtı), Turkey

Abstract Metabolic activities such as breathing and digestion, resulting from natural functions of the body through oxidation, lead to the formation of free radicals that cause cancer, premature cardiac aging and some chronic diseases. Antioxidants are substances that remove free radicals and prevent cell damage. Seafood significantly contributes to the elimination of free radicals, especially owing to its high quality nutrient content. In this context, the objective of the study was to determine the radical antioxidant capacity and the total amount of carotenes in razor clams. The IC50 (mg g−1) value of the DPPH radical sweeping effect varied over the months (p < 0.05), showing the highest value in June, gradually decreasing from September and reaching the lowest level in February. The total amount of carotenoids also varied, with the highest value in September (p < 0.05). The total amount of chlorophyll ranged from 6.15 μg g−1 in August to 66.71 μg g−1 in December.

Effect of raspberry extract on wound healing

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of raspberry extract on wound healing and compare it with that of ellagic acid. The elimination of excess free radicals was the key to preventing wound inflammation; cellular antioxidation activity was evaluated using an oxidative stress damage cell model. Cell proliferation ability was measured using the WST-1 assay, and the migration capacity was determined using the wound scratch assay. A mouse wound model was used to verify the effect of raspberry extract on wound healing. The cellular antioxidant activity of the extract ((50.31±3.17) μg/mL) was slightly lower than that of ellagic acid ((44.59±2.38) μg/mL). The results of a cell proliferation assay showed that both raspberry extract and ellagic acid at 5 μg/mL could significantly (P<0.01) promote the proliferation of HaCaT cells. After culturing for 24 h and 48 h, the cell healing rates of the extract were (41.11±0.38) per cent and (68.88±2.51) per cent, respectively, whereas the corresponding rates of ellagic acid were (39.01±2.40) per cent and (70.33±0.89) per cent; hence, there were no significant differences between them (P>0.05). The wound areas of mice fed low, medium, and high doses of raspberry extract for 14 days were 1.66, 1.41, and 1.24 mm2, respectively, which were significantly lower than that of the blank control group, 2.18 mm2 (P<0.05). These findings indicate that raspberry extract and ellagic acid exhibit similar antioxidant capacities and equivalent cell proliferation-promoting capabilities. In the mouse test, raspberry extract effectively promoted a reduction in wound area. This work demonstrates the potential of raspberry extract in wound healing, suggesting a promising application of raspberry resources in the fields of functional foods, cosmetics, and medicine.

Gallic Acid Reverses Neurochemical Changes Induced by Prolonged Ethanol Exposure in the Zebrafish Brain

Gallic acid (GA) is a polyphenolic compound that has attracted significant interest due to its antioxidant action through free radical elimination and metal chelation. Ethanol is a highly soluble psychoactive substance, and its toxicity is associated with oxidative stress. In this context, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of GA on neurochemical changes in zebrafish brains exposed to ethanol. GA was first analyzed in isolation by treating the animals at concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 mg/L for 24 h and 48 h. The results revealed that the group exposed to 20 mg/L over a 24/48 h period exhibited increases in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBA-RS) levels and 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation, demonstrating a pro-oxidant profile. Moreover, decrease in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity was observed. To investigate the effects of GA after ethanol exposure, the animals were divided into four groups: control; those exposed to 0.5% ethanol for 7 days; those exposed to 0.5% ethanol for 7 days and treated with GA at 5 and 10 mg/L on day 8. Treatment with GA at 5 and 10 mg/L reversed impairment of choline acetyltransferase activity and the damage to TBA-RS levels, DCFH oxidation, and superoxide dismutase activity induced by ethanol. Results of the present study suggest that GA treatment (20 mg/L) appeared to disrupt oxidative parameters in the zebrafish brain. GA treatment at 5 and 10 mg/L reversed alterations to the cholinergic system induced by prolonged exposure to ethanol in the zebrafish brain, probably through an antioxidant mechanism.

Physiological and Differential Proteomic Analyses of Imitation Drought Stress Response in Sorghum bicolor Root at the Seedling Stage.

Drought is one of the most important constraints on the growth and productivity of many crops, including sorghum. However, as a primary sensing organ, the plant root response to drought has not been well documented at the proteomic level. In the present study, we compared physiological alteration and differential accumulation of proteins in the roots of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) inbred line BT×623 response to Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress at the seedling stage. Drought stress (up to 24 h after PEG treatment) resulted in increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent lipid peroxidation. The proline content was increased in drought-stressed plants. The physiological mechanism of sorghum root response to drought was attributed to the elimination of harmful free radicals and to the alleviation of oxidative stress via the synergistic action of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase. The high-resolution proteome map demonstrated significant variations in about 65 protein spots detected on Coomassie Brilliant Blue-stained 2-DE gels. Of these, 52 protein spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-TOF MS) representing 49 unique proteins; the levels of 43 protein spots were increased, and 22 were decreased under drought condition. The proteins identified in this study are involved in a variety of cellular functions, including carbohydrate and energy metabolism, antioxidant and defense response, protein synthesis/processing/degradation, transcriptional regulation, amino acid biosynthesis, and nitrogen metabolism, which contribute jointly to the molecular mechanism of outstanding drought tolerance in sorghum plants. Analysis of protein expression patterns and physiological analysis revealed that proteins associated with changes in energy usage; osmotic adjustment; ROS scavenging; and protein synthesis, processing, and proteolysis play important roles in maintaining root growth under drought stress. This study provides new insight for better understanding of the molecular basis of drought stress responses, aiming to improve plant drought tolerance for enhanced yield.

Ulinastatin reduces myocardial injury induced by doxorubicin in SD rats.

The aim of this study was to observe the protective effect of Ulinastatin on myocardial injury induced by doxorubicin (DOX) in rats. 30 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into control group, DOX group, and Ulinastatin group by random number table method. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with saline, while the DOX group and the Ulinastatin group were injected intraperitoneally with DOX (2 mg/kg) once every other day to establish an acute myocardial injury (AMI) model. In the Ulinastatin group, Ulinastatin (1500 IU/100 mg) was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 2 weeks after the model was established. The changes in cardiac structure were observed with a light microscope, the changes in cardiac function in rats were detected with biochemical kits, and expression of oxidative stress and inflammatory response-related factors were detected by Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Myocardial tissues in the control group were neatly arranged and dense, with complete and clear structure. The myocardial tissues in the DOX group were disorderly arranged, the interstitial fibrosis was evident, and the myocardial transverse striations broke and disappeared. The structure of tissues in Ulinastatin group was dramatically relieved compared with DOX group. The serum SOD and GSH-Px levels of the DOX groups were significantly lower than those of the control group, while the levels of MDA and ROS were dramatically higher than those of the control group. The serum SOD and GSH-Px level of Ulinastatin group were higher than that of DOX group, and the levels of MDA and ROS were lower than those of DOX group. LDH, AST, ALT, and CK levels were dramatically higher than those in the control group, while the above-mentioned serum myocardial zymogram levels in the Ulinastatin group were decreased. The expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS in the DOX and Ulinastatin groups were dramatically higher than those in the control group, while the expressions of the above inflammatory factors in the Ulinastatin group were all inhibited. Ulinastatin intervention can reduce myocardial injury in rats with DOX. The protective effect may be due to the elimination of oxygen free radicals, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced lipid peroxidation and inflammatory responses, and thus repaired myocardial injury.

Post-Translational Oxidation Modifications of Blood Plasma Proteins of Cosmonauts after a Long-term Flight: Part I

The balance of production and elimination of free radicals and reactive oxygen species is disturbed in the human body during a space flight. Oxidative stress is a common pathogenetic link in the violation of the functions and structure of various body tissues. The main cellular components, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins, undergo oxidative damage. In this study, proteomic methods were used to analyze the frequency of detection of oxidative post-translational modifications of blood plasma proteins obtained from Russian participants in International Space Station (ISS) flights. The effect of the oxidative modification detected after space flight on the functional features of protein groups that regulate the hemostasis and complement activation cascade is examined. According to published data, the increase in oxidative post-translational modifications of proteins in the hemostasis system affects not only the protein structure but also the fibrin formation, as well as its viscoelastic and biochemical properties. Oxygenation of proteins with oxidation-sensitive methionine residues, including apolipoprotein A-I, thrombomodulin, and von Willebrand factor, increases the risk of developing vascular diseases and thrombosis. Oxidized phospholipids are deposited in the vessel wall, potentiating atherosclerotic changes. It was shown that the oxidative modification of the key protein, clusterin, changed the regulation of the complement cascade, as well as the association of the immune system with the coagulation cascade.

Facile synthesis of poly (arylene ether ketone)s containing flexible sulfoalkyl groups with enhanced oxidative stability for DMFCs

After tethering sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MTS) to the bromomethylated poly(arylene ether ketone) precursor, a novel clustered sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) containing flexible sulfoalkyl groups (MTSPAEK) was prepared and used as polymer electrolyte membrane for application in DMFCs. The chemical structure and the degree of grafting of MTSPAEK copolymers were identified by 1H NMR spectra. The resulted MTSPAEK copolymers exhibited excellent thermal stability (Td5% > 259 °C) and good mechanical properties (tensile strength at break > 52 MPa). Compared to conventional sulfonated aromatic hydrocarbon polymers, MTSPAEK membranes displayed enhanced oxidative stability in Fenton's reagent owing to the elimination of free radicals by the sulfide groups located on the polymer side chains. Especially, MTSPAEK-2.10 with the highest content of flexible sulfoalkyl groups exhibited a highest proton conductivity of 0.181 S cm−1 at 80 °C. It could be attributed to the obvious hydrophilic/hydrophobic phase-separated structure within the membrane, which was confirmed by AFM images. Moreover, MTSPAEK-2.10 membrane performed a peak power density of 70 mW cm−2 in DMFC when feeding with 2 M methanol at 80 °C, which was comparable to the performance of recast Nafion as reported. Therefore, the combination of good thermal stability and mechanical properties, good oxidative stability, and good methanol barrier performance of MTSPAEK membranes indicated that they have potential to be alternative materials for PEMs in DMFCs.

The physiological function of copper, the etiological role of copper excess and deficiency

Copper is an essential micronutrient for the human body, taking part in several metabolic processes. It is required for the terminal oxidation, the elimination of free radicals, the proper functioning of iron metabolism, the synthesis of hormones, neurotransmitters and the stabilization of the extracellular matrix. Copper is a two-faced element. Its significance in protein-bounded form is undeniable, but free copper causes severe cell damage mainly through free radical reactions, substituting other essential metals in protein structure, and it has various effects on cell signaling pathways. The amount of copper present in the human body is part of a delicate balance. Both its deficiency and excess can develop severe symptoms and diseases. The nutritional copper balance is rarely broken, because the average daily consumption excessively covers the needs, and the body's copper stores can tolerate the temporary differences. Genetic diseases (Menkes and Wilson disease) helped to understand the copper metabolism and understand the clinical symptoms of deficiency and excessive intake. The role of copper in the development of chronic diseases is receiving increasing attention. Recent studies show its significance in neurodegenerative and cancerous diseases, both in pathogenesis and as a therapeutic target. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(35): 1488-1496.

Evaluation of serum vitamin D levels in premenopausal women with iron deficiency anemia

Objectives: In recent years, many effects of vitamin D except on bone metabolism have been discovered. Vitamin D contributes to the correction of the anemia by acting on the erythroid precursors in the bone marrow via Vitamin D Receptor and provides the elimination of free radicals and prooxidant substances secondary to iron deficiency due to its antioxidant effect in iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Methods: A total of 97 female premenopausal women aged 18-44 were included in the study. Fifty patients with hemoglobin levels below 12 mg/dl and iron deficiency were classified as IDA group, and 47 subjects with hemoglobin levels of 12 mg/dl and above were classified as control group. The demographic data and biochemical parameters of all patients included in the study were analyzed. Results: The vitamin D of the patient group was found to be 7.87 ± 3.63 ng/ml and the vitamin D of the control group was 11.84 ± 6.72 ng/ml. The difference between the groups was statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between serum vitamin D and serum hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum MCH, serum iron level, transferrin saturation index, ferritin. Conclusions: In the light of the results of our study and other studies in the literature, we think that vitamin D deficiency may be important in patients with IDA and that vitamin D deficiency in these individuals will contribute to the regulation of anemia due to positive effects of vitamin D on both erythropoiesis and hepcidin in IDA are considered. However, larger studies are needed to clarify this issue.

Exposure to Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and Metallothionein Levels in Rats Fed with Normocaloric or High-Fat Diet: A Review

The growing number of studies on metallothioneins (MTs), cysteine-rich metal-binding proteins, have been disclosing new functions of these proteins. Thanks to their inducibility, they were considered to play a pivotal role in regulating trace metals homeostasis and in detoxification from heavy metals; nowadays, it is known that they are involved in various physiological and pathological processes, such as regulation of apoptosis, elimination of free radicals, and protection of nucleic acids against toxic insults. MT induction has been demonstrated following stress factors other than heavy metals, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, insecticides, and herbicides. However, retrieved data are often controversial: in some cases, xenobiotics elicit MT expression and synthesis; under different conditions, they lead to a decrease in cellular MT content. This review describes the MT response to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) contamination in mammalian tissues. In particular, attention focuses on changes in MT expression, synthesis, and localization in rat liver, kidneys, and testes following oral administration of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), the main metabolite of DDT, under normal dietary conditions or in combination with a high fat diet potentially able to increase the cellular uptake of this lipophilic pesticide. The potential connection between MT expression and synthesis, lipophilic substances and trace metals availability is also discussed.

Pharmacological and clinical feature of rebamipide: new therapeutic targets

Rebamipide is a cytoprotector developed in Japan where it has been successfully used for the treatment of stomach diseases for 30 years. Initially discovered effects of the drug included the induction of prostaglandins and the elimination of free oxygen radicals. Recent studies discovered new therapeutic targets of the drug, its new forms that made possible using rebamipid for the treatment of such diseases as NSAID enteropathy, ulcerative colitis, radiation colitis, pouchitis, enteropathy with impaired membrane digestion. It is used in endoscopy, ophthalmology, chemotherapy, rheumatology. The aim of this review is to present current information about the pharmacological and clinical feature of rebamipide and to study its therapeutic potential.

Evaluation of the Effects of Pre-Slaughter High-Frequency Electrical Stunning Current Intensities on Lipid Oxidative Stability and Antioxidant Capacity in the Liver of Yangzhou Goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus).

Simple SummaryLivers from meat geese are popular in China for different kinds of dishes. High-frequency electrical stunning (ES) was suggested to improve chicken meat quality in previous studies. Limited research has been performed on the effect of ES on liver quality of the meat goose. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of different current intensities on lipid oxidative stability and antioxidant capacity in the liver of Yangzhou goose (a typical meat goose) based on a typical high-frequency level (500 Hz). Stunning each goose with the current intensity at 60 V/40 mA improved lipid oxidative stability and antioxidant capacity from day 0 to day 4 and the lightness at day 0 in the liver of meat geese during cold storage. A combination of 60 V/40 mA/ 500 Hz/ 10 s per bird could be applied in the ES of Yangzhou geese in order to improve the lipid oxidative stability and antioxidant capacity in the livers.Limited research has been performed to evaluate the effects of high-frequency electrical stunning (ES) methods on the lipid oxidative stability of the meat goose livers. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high-frequency-ES current intensities on lipid oxidative stability and antioxidant capacity in the liver of Yangzhou goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus). Forty 92-day-old male Yangzhou geese were randomly divided into five treatments (n = 8). Geese were not stunned (control) or exposed to ES for 10 s with alternating current (AC) at 500 Hz in a water bath. Current intensities were set at 30 V/20 mA (E30V), 60 V/40 mA (E60V), 90 V/70 mA (E90V), or 120 V/100 mA (E120V), respectively. The malondialdehyde level at day 0 was the highest in 120 V (p < 0.05). Antioxidant enzymes’ activity on day 2 was the highest in E60V. The 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH·) elimination ability was lower in the E120V than that in the E60V at two days and four days postmortem (p < 0.05). A combination of 60 V/40 mA/ 500 Hz/ 10 s per bird could be applied in the ES of Yangzhou geese to improve the lipid oxidative stability and antioxidant capacity in the livers.

Chemical Compounds Identification and Antioxidant and Calcium Oxalate Anticrystallization Activities of Punica granatum L.

The plant Punica granatum L. has several biological activities and a great curative and preventive power against chronic diseases. For this purpose, the objective of this work is to valorize the fruit peel of this plant in the field of phytomedicine, by quantifying and identifying its bioactive compounds and by evaluating their antioxidant and anticrystallization activities against calcium oxalate. This comparative study has been carried out by hydroalcoholic extract (E.PG) and infusion (I.PG) of the plant. The quantification of the phenolic compounds has been performed by spectrophotometric methods, and the chemical species identification has been performed by UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS. Moreover, the examination of the antioxidant activity has been executed by both methods of DPPH and FRAP. The crystallization inhibition has been studied in vitro by the turbidimetric model. The characterization of the synthesized crystals has been accomplished by microscopic observation and by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The results found show the comparable importance of the two plant extracts in the elimination of free radicals; the values of the half maximal inhibitory concentration “IC50” obtained are in the order of 60.87 ± 0.27 and 59.91 ± 0.83 μg/mL by the DPPH method and in the order of 42.17 ± 7.46 and 79.77 ± 6.91 μg/mL by the FRAP method, for both E.PG and I.PG, respectively. Furthermore, the inhibition percentages of calcium oxalate crystallization are in the range of 98.11 ± 0.17 and 98.22 ± 0.71% against the nucleation and in the order of 88.98 ± 0.98 and 88.78 ± 2.48% against the aggregation, for E.PG and I.PG, respectively. These results prove the richness of the plant in bioactive compounds, offering an antioxidant and anticrystallization capacity; therefore, it can be used in the treatment and/or the prevention of stone formation.

Антоціани ягідних плодів та їх захисний ефект в пошкодженні плазмідної ДНК

Anthocyanins as secondary metabolites of berry fruit represent a large number of positive health effects. The physiological effect of polyphenols is a function of their chemical nature and bioavailability. Protective action is linked to their antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticancer activity. The aim of the studies was to determine the effect of ethanol and acetone extracts from berries of the fruits of Vaccinium myrtilus L., Sambucus nigra L., and Aronia melanocarpa L. on mitomycin C-induced plasmid DNA damage. We evaluated the protective effect of ethanol and acetone extracts of Vaccinium myrtilus, Sambucus nigra, and Aronia melanocarpa berry fruits in concentrations of 50, 25 and 10 μg.×ml-1 to plasmid DNA damage induced by mitomycin C, the protective effect of anthocyanins consisted in the formation of copigmentic complex. Anthocyanins inhibited the formation and release of peroxide radicals. We found that V. myrtillus ethanol extract (50 μg/ml) showed the best protective effect on plasmid DNA. The antioxidant and antimutagenic effect of anthocyanins is based on the free radical elimination. The effect was evaluated using horizontal agarose electrophoresis

Structural features of microbial exopolysaccharides in relation to their antioxidant activity

Oxidative damage caused by free radicals is an inevitable and pervasive phenomenon that leads to cell damage and the emergence of diseases including ageing, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders. In this context, antioxidants play a significant role in encountering free radicals by delaying or reducing the oxidative damage of cells. Evidence suggests that synthetic antioxidants are double-edged swords wherefore the requirement for natural antioxidants is increasing globally. Exploring non-toxic, biodegradable and compatible natural molecules like exopolysaccharides can favour the current antioxidant limitations. Microbial exopolysaccharides represent a structurally diverse class of carbohydrate molecules secreted at the cell wall. Recently, bioprospecting exopolysaccharides for their astounding physiochemical properties and the reliable structure-activity relationship have motivated more research towards the investigation of their antioxidant properties. Here we propose that structural features of exopolysaccharides such as monosaccharide residues, branching, molecular weight, glycosidic linkage, functional groups, protein, selenium, and chemical modifications are likely to influence their antioxidant activity. To support this hypothesis we review the interdependence of structural features of exopolysaccharides to the observed antioxidant activity. In light of its importance, this review focuses on the understanding of the elimination of free radicals by microbial exopolysaccharides derived from marine and nonmarine sources during the last six years.

Anti-oxidative effects of superoxide dismutase 3 on inflammatory diseases.

Free radicals and other oxidants are critical determinants of the cellular signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of several human diseases including inflammatory diseases. Numerous studies have demonstrated the protective effects of antioxidant enzymes during inflammation by elimination of free radicals. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, plays an essential pathogenic role in the inflammatory diseases by not only catalyzing the conversion of the superoxide to hydrogen peroxide and oxygen but also affecting immune responses. There are three distinct isoforms of SOD, which distribute in different cellular compartments such as cytosolic SOD1, mitochondrial SOD2, and extracellular SOD3. Many studies have investigated the anti-oxidative effects of SOD3 in the inflammatory diseases. Herein, in this review, we focus on the current understanding of SOD3 as a therapeutic protein in inflammatory diseases such as skin, autoimmune, lung, and cardiovascular inflammatory diseases. Moreover, the mechanism(s) by which SOD3 modulates immune responses and signal initiation in the pathogenesis of the diseases will be further discussed.

Antibacterial effect of traditional food ingredients for healthcare on Helicobacter pylori.

The development of antibacterial materials using various traditional food ingredients will be valuable to inhibit Helicobacter pylori in the future. The vegetables and herbs used in this study were food ingredients that normal people eat every day. This paper can be used as a resource for healthcare. This paper presents the design to investigate the antibacterial effect of 20 vegetables and herbs used as traditional food ingredients on H. pylori. The antibacterial effect on H. pylori was studied using the disk diffusion test on the activity of H. pylori. For the control group, 50 mg/ml of Metronidazol, a widely used antibiotic, was used. In particular, four herbs of Artemisia argyi, Scutellaria baicalensis, Annona muricata and Agrimonia pilosa were selected to measure the microbial viability assay, MTT assay, and antioxidant activity owing to the DPPH free radical elimination ability. The measurement results showed that Annona muricata and Agrimonia pilosa had an antibacterial effect on H. pylori and all four herbs were safe in terms of cytotoxicity. The measurement results on the antioxidant activity showed that Scutellaria baicalensia was the best. Annona muricata and Agrimonia pilosa also had an antioxidant activity. The study results on antibacterial effect of traditional food ingredients of vegetables and herbs on H. pylori showed that Scutellaria baicalensis, Annona muricata and Agrimonia pilosa can be considered as healthcare functional materials through the inhibition of H. Pylori.

Organometallic Compounds and Metal Complexes in Current and Future Treatments of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer-a Critical Review.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the clinical use of organometallic compounds and metal complexes for therapeutic purposes including treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Their action is based on the inhibition of the inflow of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the elimination of free radicals or the modulation of intestinal microbiota. In addition, these compounds are intended for use in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) which is often a consequence of IBD. The aim of this study is to critically discuss recent findings on the use of organometallic compounds and metal complexes in the treatment of IBD and CRC and suggest future trends in drug design.

Synthesis of decorated graphene with P, N-containing compounds and its flame retardancy and smoke suppression effects on polylactic acid

Functionalized graphene (PNFR@RGO) has been fabricated by decorating chemically reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) in this work. PNFR@RGO is then used to reduce the flammability of polylactic acid (PLA) via a melt compounding protocol. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Infrared spectroscopy (IR) have confirmed the successful fabrication of the target PNFR@RGO. The chemical decoration introduces phosphorus and nitrogen elements to the GO which can combine the formation of compact char barriers from graphene nanosheets and the elimination of free radicals when ignited or heated. The results show that the degradation temperature in air is increased and the heat release rate (HRR) is reduced. With the addition of 4 wt% PNFR@RGO, the average specific extinction area (ASEA) and the total smoke release (TSR) of PLA are noticeably suppressed by 92% and 79%, respectively. This is attributed to the combination of the corridor barrier functions of RGO and the radical-scavenging effects of PNFR.

Polyphenols and dietary antioxidant potential, and their relationship with arterial hypertension: A cross-sectional study of the adult population in Poland (WOBASZ II).

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of most non-communicable diseases, including arterial hypertension (AH). Diet is the major source of exogenous antioxidants, which support the body in the elimination of excessive free radicals. To assess dietary total antioxidant potential (DTAP) and dietary polyphenol intake (DPI), and to determine the relationship between DTAP, DPI and hypertension in the Polish adult population; to indicate dietary sources of DTAP and DPI in participants with and without AH. Within the frame of the National Multicenter Health Survey (WOBASZ II), a random sample of the whole Polish population aged 20 years and above was screened during the years 2013-2014. Dietary habits and blood pressure were assessed in 2,554 men and 3,136 women. Dietary total antioxidant potential and DPI were calculated according to the amount of food consumed by the participants combined with the antioxidant potential and polyphenol contents in foods. The mean DTAP was 12.36 mmol/day in men and 12.27 mmol/day in women, and DPI was 2069 mg/day and 1989 mg/day, respectively. The DTAP and DPI were associated with reduced odds of AH in the Polish population. After adjusting for confounding variables, higher DTAP (by 1 mmol/day) had reduced odds of AH by 1.3% in men and by 1.8% in women and higher DPI (by 100 mg/day) by 1.1% and by 2.2%, respectively. Regardless of sex and AH, the main sources of DTAP and DPI were beverages, especially coffee and tea (over 50%), fruit (12-24%) and vegetables (12-18%). The intake of food with high antioxidant potential and rich in polyphenols was associated, slightly but independently of other factors, with a lower chance of hypertension in the adult Polish population. Irrespective of sex and AH, coffee and tea were the basic dietary sources of the antioxidants.