SOD Enzyme Activity Research Articles

Growth and physiological characteristics of four blueberry cultivars under different high soil pH treatments

Blueberry is economically important small pulp shrub that prefers to grow in acidic soil, and soil pH is an important factor affecting blueberry growth and development. In this study, one-year-old seedlings of four blueberry cultivars, namely, ‘Primadonna’, ‘Anna’, ‘Baldwin’ and ‘Bluegold’, were used as experimental materials to study the changes in physiological and biochemical indexes, such as growth potential, osmoregulatory substance levels, antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant capacity, of blueberry cultivars under soil pH values of 5.5 (CK), 6.0 (T1), 6.5 (T2), 7.0 (T3) and 7.5 (T4), and the relationships between various indexes were analyzed. The overall results showed that soil pH stress led to deficiency in green color development in blueberry leaves and inhibited plant growth in terms of the height, main basal diameter and biomass (dry weight). Through determination of the blueberry growth phenotype and growth indexes, it was found that the ‘Primadonna’, ‘Anna’, ‘Baldwin’ and ‘Bluegold’ cultivars had a certain tolerance to high soil pH, and the tolerance threshold was pH 6.5. Correlation and principal component analyses showed that the MDA content, SOD and CAT antioxidant enzyme activities, DPPH free radical scavenging ability, and SPAD values of blueberry leaves were closely related to the growth and dry matter accumulation of blueberry under high soil pH environments; these values were important reference indexes for assessing the adaptation of blueberry to a high soil pH environment. Our study provides a reference for soil management for blueberry cultivation and for research on the mechanism underlying blueberry resistance to high soil pH. • Soil pH 6.5 was the threshold for growth of the four blueberry cultivars. • High soil pH destroys blueberry photosynthesis and antioxidant system. • SPAD, DPPH, CAT, SOD were positively correlated with blueberry growth. • MDA was negatively correlated with blueberry growth and dry matter accumulation.

Lignans from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaves exhibit neuroprotective effects via activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathways in H2O2-treated PC-12 cells

BackgroundNeuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress have the most crucial influence on neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease. Rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells (PC-12) induced by H2O2 are one of the primary in vitro models of Parkinson's disease (PD) . Previous studies have found that E ulmoides leaf extract exerts good neuroprotective activity and has the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular pathways involved in the neuroprotective effects of its primary leaf component, lignans, have not yet been well elucidated yet. PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of lignans in E. ulmoides leaves and to explore the underlying mechanism. MethodsCell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was assessed by calcein/PI staining. The release levels of ROS and LDH were assessed using a commercial assay kit. The enzyme activities of SOD and GPx were measured using kits. The establishment of the compound-target-pathway-disease network was performed using a database and computer software. Antioxidant proteins (HO-1, NQO-1, and Cat) and related regulatory proteins (Nrf2, GSK-3β, p-GSK 3β (Ser 9), Akt, p-Akt (Tyr326), PI3K) were detected by western blotting. Apoptosis in the zebrafish head was assessed using acridine orange (AO) staining. ResultsIn the present study, 12 lignans were isolated and characterized from E. ulmoides leaves, including a new compound, (–)-7‑epi-pinoresinol mr1 (1). Compounds 1–12 exerted neuroprotective effects in H2O2-treated PC-12 cells by increasing cell viability, improving the enzyme activity of SOD and GPx, and reducing levels of ROS and LDH. Compared to the positive control group (25 μM hesperetin), cell viability in response to 25 μM compound 1 (78.0 ± 0.8%) was highest, but its relative percent LDH release (20.1 ± 2.5%) was the lowest; 25 μM compound 4 resulted in the lowest ROS release levels (101.7 ± 2.6%) and highest SOD enzyme activity (35.9 ± 4.2 U/mg), and the GPx enzyme activity of 25 μM compound 1 was strongest (197.6 ± 0.6 U/mg). Next, the potential targets (PI3K, GSK-3β) of the test compounds’ antioxidant activity were identified using pharmacological network analysis. Using DAVID software for pharmacological network analysis, potential targets (PI3K, GSK-3β, and SOD2) of 12 lignans were identified. Based on the initial screening results, biological experiments confirmed that diepoxylignans 1, 2, and 4 exerted significant neuroprotection by regulating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathways, increasing protein expression of HO-1, NQO-1, and CAT, and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activity of SOD and GPx. ConclusionOur experiments first propose that the diepoxylignans from E. ulmoides leaves exert neuroprotective effects via activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings further indicate that lignans could be the primary components of E. ulmoides Oliver as agents for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Collectively, Eucommia ulmoides leaves with important research value may be a potential candidate for traditional Chinese medicine for treating oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Hepatoprotective effects of flexirubin, a novel pigment from Chryseobacterium artocarpi, against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury: An in vivo study and molecular modeling

Liver injuries caused by various industrial chemicals represent a serious health concern worldwide. Flexirubins are a novel class of naturally occurring bacterial pigments whose bioactivity remains largely unexplored. The present study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of flexirubin pigment extracted from the bacterium Chryseobacterium artocarpi against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice. Flexirubin was applied at three different oral doses, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg bw/d for seven consecutive days. Treatment of animals with flexirubin before exposure to CCl4 (10 mL/kg bw dissolved in olive oil, 1:1 v/v) significantly decreased the elevated serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH and TBL. Flexirubin pretreatment showed a great capability for attenuating the CCl4-induced oxidative stress by decreasing the level of liver MDA, and increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities of liver SOD and CAT, and the levels of GSH and TAC. Flexirubin also alleviated the histopathological alterations in liver by prohibiting steatosis, ballooning degeneration, leukocytic infiltration and necrosis. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that flexirubin has a significant anti-apoptotic activity against CCl4 via upregulation of Bcl-2, and downregulation of Bax, Caspase-3 and TGF-β1. Flexirubin also exhibited a remarkable anti-inflammatory activity against CCl4 through its suppressive action on TNF-α, COX-2 and CD-45. Flexirubin could trigger upregulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway mediating protection against CCl4. In silico molecular docking revealed flexirubin as a potential inhibitor against two target proteins, TGF-β1 and TACE. The results proved the effectiveness of flexirubin as a significant source of natural compounds for its use in drug formulation strategies to offer protection against hepatotoxins.

Transcriptome analysis of Tamarix ramosissima leaves in response to NaCl stress.

Halophyte Tamarix ramosissima. Lcdcb (T. ramosissima) are known as the representative of Tamarix plants that are widely planted in salinized soil. However, molecular mechanisms towards salt tolerance and adaptation are largely rare. In this study, we carried out RNA-sequence and transcriptome analysis of T. ramosissima in response to NaCl stress, screened differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and further verified by qRT-PCR. Results showed that 105702 unigenes were spliced from the raw data of transcriptome sequencing, where 54238 unigenes were retrieved from KEGG, KOG, NR, and SwissProt. After 48 hours of NaCl treatment, the expression levels of 6374 genes were increased, and 5380 genes were decreased in leaves. After 168 hours, the expression levels of 3837 genes were up-regulated and 7808 genes were down-regulated. In particular, 8 transcription factors annotated to the KEGG Pathway were obtained, involving the WRKY and bZIP transcription family. In addition, KEGG pathway annotation showed that expression of 39 genes involved in ROS scavenging mechanisms were significantly changed, in which 21 genes were up-regulated and 18 genes were down-regulated after 48 hours as well as 15 genes were up-regulated and 24 genes were down-regulated after 168h. Simultaneously, the enzyme activities of SOD and POD were significantly enhanced under NaCl treatment, but the enzyme activity of CAT was not significantly enhanced. Moreover, WRKY, MYB and bZIP may participate in the process of salt resistance in T. ramosissima. This study provides gene resources and a theoretical basis for further molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance in T. ramosissima.

Application of Glycine betaine coated chitosan nanoparticles alleviate chilling injury and maintain quality of plum (Prunus domestica L.) fruit

The use of edible coatings can lead to significant extension of the postharvest life of fresh horticultural products through the regulation of water and gaseous exchange during storage. In this regard, nano-engineered materials are of great interest to design novel and multifunctional edible coatings and are increasingly employed. Chitosan and glycine betaine have been reported to enhance fruit tolerance to chilling stress during cold storage. The current study applied new coating treatments to plum (Prunus domestica L. cv. ‘Stanley’) fruit at maturity stage in a completely randomized factorial design with three replicates. Plums were treated with distilled water (control), glycine betaine (GB) at 2.5 and 5 mM, chitosan (CTS) at 1% (w/v) or glycine betaine-coated chitosan nanoparticles (CTS-GB NPs) at 0.5 and 1% (w/v) and stored at 1 °C for up to 40 days. The application of CTS-GB NPs (0.5% w/v) was the most effective treatment and induced lower electrolyte leakage, MDA and H2O2 content, and significantly alleviated chilling injury. Furthermore, this treatment remarkably increased the activity of PAL enzyme, resulting in higher levels of phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins content, and enhanced DPPH scavenging capacity. In addition, CTS-GB NPs treatment increased endogenous GB (9.25 mg g−1 DW) and proline (1929.29 μg g−1 FW) accumulation leading to higher activity of CAT, POD, SOD and APX enzymes. Based on the obtained results, the commercial application of CTS-GB NPs could effectively reduce chilling injury, preserve nutritional quality, and prolong the storage potential and shelf life of plum fruit.

H2O2 and NO mitigate salt stress by regulating antioxidant enzymes in in two eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes

H2O2 and NO are the key molecules of plant signalling and perception. In this study, we aimed at the antioxidant capacity of foliar-applied eggplant genotypes which shows different responses to salinity (Artvin: salt-sensitive; Mardin: salt-tolerant). For this purpose, H2O2 and NO donor (SNP) were sprayed to the leaves of the seedlings for 2 days then exposed to 100 mM NaCl for 10 days. The amount of Malondialdehyde (MDA), which increased with salt application and is the most important indicator of lipid peroxidation, decreased significantly with individual or combined pretreatments of H2O2 and NO donors. SOD and CAT enzyme activities are affected by foliar spraying of donors. While CAT enzyme activity increased significantly with salt application in both genotypes, it showed a significant increase again with individual or combined application of donors. SOD enzyme activity, on the other hand, showed a minor increase in both genotypes with the application of salt stress, while it was significantly increased with the application of donors individually or together.

The Anesthetic Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery and Its Effect on Postoperative Analgesia.

Objective To investigate the anesthetic effect of anterior serratus muscle plane block under ultrasound guidance in arthroscopic shoulder surgery and its effect on postoperative analgesia. Methods A total of 94 patients who received arthroscopic shoulder surgery in our hospital were selected as the research subjects, and they were divided into a control group and a study group according to the random number table method. The control group underwent brachial plexus block under ultrasound guidance, and the study group underwent anterior serratus plane block under ultrasound guidance. The visual analogue score (VAS) of pain at each time point, intraoperative anesthetic dosage, the use of postoperative analgesic, pain mediators and oxidative stress factors before and after surgery, and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups after surgery. Results At 6, 12, 48, and 72 h after surgery, there was no obvious difference in the VAS score between the two groups (P > 0.05); 24 h after surgery, the VAS score of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The intraoperative dosage of propofol and remifentanil in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The number of effective compressions of analgesic pump and the total amount of sufentanil in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group within 48 hours after operation, and the time of first compressions of analgesic pump was significantly longer than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Before surgery, there were no significant differences in CGRP, NPY, and MDA levels and SOD enzyme activity between the two groups (P > 0.05). After surgery, the levels of pain mediators CGRP and NPY in the study group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The level of MDA was lower than that of the control group, and SOD enzyme activity was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound-guided anterior serratus plane block for arthroscopic shoulder surgery has a good anesthesia effect and long action time. It can significantly reduce the dosage of opioids, enhance the postoperative analgesic effect, effectively inhibit postoperative pain and oxidative stress reaction, and has good safety.

Simvastatin as an emerging pollutant on non-target aquatic invertebrates: effects on antioxidant-related genes in Daphnia magna.

Simvastatin (SIM) is one of the most widely used lipid-lowering drugs and consequently has been frequently detected in various waters. However, its potential adverse effects and toxic mechanisms on non-target organisms such as Daphnia magna (D. magna) remain still unclear. In the present study, the expressions of Nrf2 and antioxidant genes including Keap1, HO-1, GCLC, GST, SOD, CAT, GPx5, GPx7, GRx, TRX, TrxR, and Prx1 in D. magna exposed to SIM for 24h, 48h, and 96h were investigated. The changes of SOD, CAT, GST, and GPx enzymatic activities, and the GSH and MDA content under SIM for 48-h exposure were also addressed. Results showed that the expression of Nrf2 was inhibited at 24h but induced at 96h, displaying a time- and/or dose-dependent relationship under SIM exposure. In contrast, Keap1 exhibited induction at 24h. HO-1 showed significant induction under SIM exposure for different time. SOD generally displayed an induction trend under SIM exposure for different periods. GPX5 expression showed significant induction under SIM exposure, particularly at 24h in 5µg L-1 increasing 15 folds of the control. But GPX7 expression generally displayed inhibition except in 5µg L-1. Trx and TrxR showed different induction or inhibition, which was depended on the exposure time and concentration. Prx1 displayed significant induction in most SIM groups. In addition, the decreasing GSH and increasing MDA content also indicated oxidative stress of SIM exposure. Overall, SIM exposure affected the expression of Nrf2 and antioxidant-related genes and altered the redox homeostasis of D. magna, even may cause the morphological changes such as shorten spine and abnormal development eye.

Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin E in Gastric Stress Ulcers and Obesity in Rats

Stress – related disturbances are classified among the health problems that have global interest, especially which are related to gastrointestinal system. The consequent oxidative stress is confirmed to be responsible for the development of gastric mucosal ulcers and necrosis. That is accompanied with the release of different inflammatory mediators. On the other hand, the ratio of obesity is gradually increasing in the world. It impairs the quality of life because of its associated serious complications. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble, free radicals scavenger antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory and cell membrane-stabilizing properties. Besides, it has anti – obesity effects. The present study highlights the potential therapeutic effects of vitamin E in the treatment of stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Stomach injury was induced in fasted rats by cold- restraint stress (CRS) method. Vitamin E was administered orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days. Rats were sacrificed on the 8th day. Assessment of the stomach injury was by studying body weight changes, macroscopic examinations, histological study, and determination of oxidative stress markers (MDA stomach content and SOD enzyme activity). Vitamin E administration alleviated the stomach injury degree, and caused a remarkable body weight decrease, with a statistical significance in comparison with the stressed group. Vitamin exerted good effects in reducing body weight, and healing of stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats.

Influences of dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract on the hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation response, intestinal antioxidant capacity, intestinal microbiota, and disease resistance of the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (ELE) on the common occurrence of liver steatosis, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, disturbance of gut microbiota, and disease susceptibility in high-fat diet-fed channel catfish. Channel catfish fed three diets, including a high-fat diet (11% crude fat) and ELE-supplemented diets containing 1‰ or 2‰ ELE for 4 weeks. The results showed the contents of liver triacylglycerol of 1‰ and 2‰ ELE groups were reduced, and ELE treatments decreased the expression of lipogenesis related genes (srebp-1c, pparγ, and acc-1), and increased the expression of lipolysis related genes (pparα). In addition, the supplementation of ELE improved the inflammatory response of the liver and intestine. ELE could improve the destruction of intestinal morphology structure and increase the expression level of hif-1a and tight junction proteins (Occludin, Claudin2, Claudin15). 2‰ ELE significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of intestine by increasing the activity of SOD enzyme. Moreover, the supplement of ELE significantly increased the abundance of Cetobacterium and Romboutsia (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of immune factor nf-κb had a significant decrease, and il-1β showed a tendency to decrease in the ELE supplement groups after pathogenic bacteria challenge. In conclusion, the ELE alleviated fatty liver disease and inflammation response, improved the oxidative capacity and physiological structure of intestine, and improved the structure of intestinal microbiota and disease resistance in HFD-fed channel catfish.

Mn(II) Complexes of Enlarged Scorpiand-Type Azamacrocycles as Mimetics of MnSOD Enzyme

Living organisms depend on superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes to shield themselves from the deleterious effects of superoxide radical. In humans, alterations of these protective mechanisms have been linked to the pathogenesis of many diseases. However, the therapeutic use of the native enzyme is hindered by, among other things, its high molecular size, low stability, and immunogenicity. For this reason, synthetic SOD mimetic compounds of low molecular weight may have therapeutic potential. We present here three low-molecular-weight compounds, whose Mn2+ complexes can mimic, at least partially, the protective activity of SOD-enzymes. These compounds were characterized by NMR, potentiometry, and, to test whether they have protective activity in vitro, by their capacity to restore the growth of SOD-deficient strains of E. coli. In this report, we provide evidence that these compounds form stable complexes with Mn2+ and have an in vitro protective effect, restoring up to 75% the growth of the SOD-deficient E. coli.

Morphological, physiological and biochemical responses to combined cadmium and drought stress in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Drought and heavy metal stress are among the most important stress factors that negatively affect plant growth. This study was carried out to determine the individual and combined effects of cadmium (Cd) and drought stress on growth (plant leaf area, stem and root diameter, shoot and root fresh weight, shoot and root dry weight), physiological [electrolyte leakage (EL), leaf relative water content (LRWC)] and biochemical [antioxidant enzyme activity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, sucrose and mineral element content] parameters of radish. In the study, four Cd concentrations (0 mg kg−1, 100 mg kg−1, 150 mg kg−1 and 200 mg kg−1), three irrigation levels (100%, 75% and 50% of field capacity—FC) were used. Leaf area, stem and root diameter, shoot and root fresh weight, shoot and root dry weight, LRWC, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content decreased with increased level of drought and Cd stress, but EL has increased. The effect of water deficit on these parameters was more detrimental than heavy metal stress; however, the stress-related damage was greater under combined stress conditions. In addition, H2O2, MDA, proline and sucrose content of radish leaves increased with increased water deficit and Cd stress levels. POD, CAT and SOD enzyme activities of radish leaves under combined stresses increased more than individual stress conditions. There was a significant increase in the content of Cd in the plant leaves and roots under Cd stress compared to the control. This increase in leaves was more pronounced than roots. Although individual drought and Cd stress negatively influenced radish growth and development, the damage was greater with the simultaneous occurrence of these two stress factors.

Flavonoids from Sacred Lotus Stamen Extract Slows Chronological Aging in Yeast Model by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Maintaining Cellular Metabolism.

Nelumbo nucifera is one of the most valuable medicinal species of the Nelumbonaceae family that has been consumed since the ancient historic period. Its stamen is an indispensable ingredient for many recipes of traditional medicines, and has been proved as a rich source of flavonoids that may provide an antiaging action for pharmaceutical or medicinal applications. However, there is no intense study on antiaging potential and molecular mechanisms. This present study was designed to fill in this important research gap by: (1) investigating the effects of sacred lotus stamen extract (LSE) on yeast lifespan extension; and (2) determining their effects on oxidative stress and metabolism to understand the potential antiaging action of its flavonoids. A validated ultrasound-assisted extraction method was also employed in this current work. The results confirmed that LSE is rich in flavonoids, and myricetin-3-O-glucose, quercetin-3-O-glucuronic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucuronic acid, and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucose are the most abundant ones. In addition, LSE offers a high antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by different in vitro antioxidant assays. This present study also indicated that LSE delayed yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, wild-type strain DBY746) chronological aging compared with untreated control yeast and a positive control (resveratrol) cells. Moreover, LSE acted on central metabolism, gene expressions (SIR2 and SOD2), and enzyme regulation (SIRT and SOD enzymatic activities). These findings are helpful to open the door for the pharmaceutical and medical sectors to employ this potential lotus raw material in their future pharmaceutical product development.

The Protective Effects of Securigera securidaca Seed Extract on Liver Injury Induced by Bile Duct Ligation in Rats.

This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of Securigera securidaca (SS) seed extract on cholestatic liver injury induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. Total polyphenols and flavonoids in SS seed extract were determined using a colorimetric assay, and their components were quantified using HPLC. Rats in four groups underwent BDL at the common bile duct and were treated for 21 days with either oral distilled water as vehicle, vitamin C, 100 mg/kg SS seed extract, or 200 mg/kg SS seed extract. Rats in the fifth group underwent abdominal incision without BDL and were treated with distilled water, and rats in the sixth group were healthy and received nothing. Finally, rats were sacrificed, blood samples were analyzed through biochemical methods, liver tissues were histologically assessed, and the expression of the TGFβ-1, iNOS, caspase-3, and α-SMA genes in the liver was assessed through real-time PCR. BDL significantly increased, and SS seed extract significantly decreased the serum levels of bilirubin and liver function enzymes. Moreover, SS seed extract suppressed the expression of the TGFβ-1, iNOS, caspase-3, and α-SMA genes, reduced the levels of nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyl, and increased the levels of glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, and SOD and catalase enzyme activity in the serum and liver. Extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg had significant positive effects on liver morphology and parenchyma structure in a dose-dependent manner.

Overexpression of Cpg15 Alleviates the Oxidative Stress in Neuronal Cells Via Regulating Redox Enzymes and Nrf2 Antioxidative Pathway.

Oxidative stress is becoming increasingly implicated in the development of a variety of neurological disorders. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the function and related signal pathway which Cpg15, a neuronal-specific expressed neurotrophic factor, plays in the oxidative stress of neurons using a H2O2-treated N2a cell model. The results showed that the Cpg15 expression was decreased under oxidative stress, and overexpression of Cpg15 increased the activity of antioxidative SOD enzymes and decreased the expression level of prooxidative COX2 enzyme, and the level of oxidative products malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating its function and potential mechanism in alleviating the oxidative stress of cells. The results also indicated that the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidative pathway was involved in the Cpg15-mediated alleviation of oxidative stress. Also, overexpression of Cpg15 activated the Nrf2 antioxidative pathway in the thalamus of the REM sleep-deprived mice. In conclusion, our results implied that supplemental expression of Cpg15 may alleviate oxidative stress in neuronal cells via regulating the redox enzymes or activating the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.

Effects of three nanomaterials on growth, photosynthetic characteristics and production of reactive oxygen species of diatom Nitzschia Palea

ABSTRACT Harmful effect of nanomaterials on aquatic organisms has accelerated in recent decades due to the growth emission of nanomaterials into water. In the present study, we analysed the toxic effects of TiO2, ZnO and MWCTN on diatoms Nitzschia palea in both individual and a combined way. After a short-term (96 h) exposure, the changes of cell density, chlorophyll a, MDA, SOD, CAT, total protein content and morphological structure were determined. Our results showed that: (1) The growth of N. palea was inhibited with the increase of concentration of nanomaterials; (2) The chlorophyll a content of N. palea was sensitive to these three individual nanomaterials; (3) Low concentration of nanomaterials promoted the MDA content in N. palea, but high concentration inhibited it; (4) The protein content of N. palea increased first and then decreased, indicating that nanomaterial stress inhibited diatom protein synthesis and showed dose-effect relationship; (5) After nanomaterial exposure, the SOD enzyme activity of N. palea was significantly inhibited, the CAT enzyme activity showed significantly decreased after exposure, comparing with control. The results of this study provide data for the study of algae nano-toxicology and provide a theoretical basis for the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials to freshwater microalgae.

Evaluation of Oxidant/Antioxidant System, IL-6 and IL-10 Parameters and SOD-Enzyme Activity in Pregnancy with Down Syndrome in Amnion Fluid Analysis

Evaluation of Oxidant/Antioxidant System, IL-6 and IL-10 Parameters and SOD-Enzyme Activity in Pregnancy with Down Syndrome in Amnion Fluid Analysis

Nonphytotoxic copper oxide nanoparticles are powerful “nanoweapons” that trigger resistance in tobacco against the soil-borne fungal pathogen Phytophthora nicotianae

Investigations into the potential application of nanoparticles acting as nanofungicides in sustainable agriculture are rapidly expanding due to the high antimicrobial properties of these compounds, which do not risk inducing pathogen resistance to fungicides. A detailed understanding of the impact of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) on soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi is yet to be obtained. This study aimed to explore the in vitro antifungal activity and control efficacy of CuO NPs applied via irrigation with respect to tobacco black shank (TBS) disease caused by Phytophthoranicotianae. The results revealed that CuO NPs greatly interfered with the reproductive growth process of this fungus, repressing hyphal growth, spore germination and sporangium production. Additionally, morphological damage, intracellular ROS accumulation and increased SOD enzyme activity in hyphae were the antifungicidal mechanisms of these NPs. In pot experiments, treatment with CuO NPs at 100 mg L−1 significantly suppressed TBS development, compared with the effect on control plants, and the control efficacy reached 33.69% without inducing phytotoxicity. Exposure to CuO NPs significantly activated a series of defense enzymes, and resistance genes in tobacco can further explain the mechanisms by which CuO NPs suppressed fungal infection. The Cu content in both the leaves and roots of P. nicotianae-infested plants increased by 50.03 and 27.25%, respectively, after treatment with 100 mg L−1 CuO NPs, compared with that of healthy plants. In particular, a higher Cu content was observed in infected roots than in leaves. Therefore, this study showed the potential of CuO NPs applied as nanofungicides and as nanoinducers of fungus resistance genes for the management of TBS through inhibition of pathogen infection and stimulation of plant defenses.

The antioxidant activity of seaweed salt from Sargassum polycystum in Sprague-Dawley male White rats

Seaweed has many health benefits and has been the potential raw material for making low sodium and high potassium healthy salt. Sargassum polycystum is widely used as a low-sodium functional salt, which has a strong antioxidant capacity. However, it's in vivo potential is unknown. This research was a purpose to determine the antioxidant activity of SOD and catalase enzymes in seaweed salt through in vivo test in Sprague-Dawley rats. To achieve this, salt was produced from S. polycystum flour and distilled water at a ratio of 1:10 and heated at 40°C for 10 minutes, using a water bath. The mixture was stirred using 500 mesh nylon cloth and filter paper, then dried with an oven at 60°C for 30 hours. In vivo research method was then adopted using 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into 5 treatment groups. The analysis used was the treatment of commercial and seaweed salt, Sargassum polycystum, and plain water (aquades) in the test animals with 4 replications, which include each treatment group consisting of 4 Sprague-Dawley rats. Data were analyzed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) from Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. S. polycystum salt had a Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) ratio of 0.38 and NaCl content of 49.05%. The antioxidant activity of SOD and catalase enzymes ranged between 54.09–73.40 U/mL and 0.67 – 0.79 U/mL, respectively. These values indicate that the application of S. polycystum salt is able to balance the antioxidant activity of SOD and catalase. In addition, seaweed salt has the potential to reduce cell damage due to free radicals.

Effects of dietary tea tree oil on the growth, physiological and non-specific immunity response in the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) under high ammonia stress

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary tea tree oil (TTO) on the performance, intestinal antioxidant capacity, and non-specific immunity after ammonia nitrogen stress in Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Six experimental diets were formulated with 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg TTO, respectively. A total of 900 prawns (average initial weight, 0.39 ± 0.01 g) were randomly assigned to 6 groups in triplicate in 18 tanks. After an 8-week feeding trial, 20 prawns from each tank were changed with 20 mg/L ammonia stress for 24 h. The results showed that 100 mg/kg TTO significantly increased prawns performance and survival rate compared with the control group. Moreover, 100 and 200 mg/kg TTO significantly improved intestinal antioxidant capabilities by increasing SOD enzyme activities and decreasing MDA levels. In addition, the prawns fed with 100 mg/kg TTO diet showed the highest survival rate under ammonia stress. After ammonia stress, the group of 100 mg/kg TTO significantly improved antioxidant capacity by increasing hemolymph respiratory burst activity, as well as intestinal anti-superoxide anion activity and SOD. Coincidentally, 100 mg/kg TTO significantly upregulated the intestinal relative expression of antioxidant-related genes (peroxiredoxin-5). Further, it was found that 100 mg/kg TTO activated the toll-dorsal pathway in prawns, which performed the similar function as the classic NF-κB pathway by upregulating the TNF-α and IL-1. Finally, 100 mg/kg TTO increased the levels of iNOS activities and NO contents after ammonia stress and enhanced non-specific immunity. The results indicated that 100 mg/kg TTO could significantly improve the M. rosenbergii performance, antioxidant capacity and ammonia stress resistance. We suggested that the mechanisms may be attributed to that TTO enhanced the antioxidant capacity and non-specific immunity of M. rosenbergii via the NF-κB signal pathway.