Oxidative Stress Grade Research Articles

Effects of Laurus Nobilis Eye Drop on Selenite-Induced Cataract Formation and Oxidative Stress-Related Parameters in Rabbits: An Experimental Study

Purpose To evaluate the protective role of Laurus Nobilis eye drops on selenite-induced cataracts in suckling rabbits. Methods Fifteen male albino suckling rabbits with no signs of ocular inflammation were randomly assigned to three groups: controls (Group A), sodium-selenite group (Group B) and sodium-selenite plus Laurus Nobilis group (Group C). By selenite treatment, cataract formation was experimentally induced and then graded. The grade of oxidative stress was defined in the lens, measuring the concentration of malondialdehyde, alpha-tocopherol, oxidized glutathione, ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide, and in blood samples as levels of alpha-tocopherol and malondialdehyde. Results Mean lens concentrations of GSSG, H2O2, and MDA levels in group B were significantly higher than in both group C and control. Ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol concentrations were lower in group B than in both group C and A. As plasma oxidative status markers, the level of MDA was higher in group B respected group C and A. The mean alpha-tocopherol levels in group B were significantly lower than in both group A and group C. Conclusions In animals treated with Laurus Nobilis-based eye drops, inflammation was inhibited, and lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced. Laurus nobilis leaves extract represents a good source of antioxidant components that may contrast sodium selenite-induced cataractogenesis in suckling rabbits.

Toxicological effects of functionalized Carbon Black Nanoparticles on Type II pneumocytes

Carbon black nanoparticle structures have been shown to influence the integrity of the respiratory tract, especially its surface functionalization is considered to structurally und functionally modulate the lung epithelia. To study the impact of functionalized carbon black nanoparticle surfaces a mouse model was established, applying the following particles by oropharyngeal aspiration: 9-nitroanthracen (NA) and benzo[a]pyren (BaP) functionalized and un-functionalized Printex®90 (7 µg), acetylene black with PAHs (7 and 15 µg) and DQ12 as positive control (7 µg). Saline as well as distilled water with and without BSA were used as controls. As readout lung function was measured after which lungs were excised for histological examinations or used to perform BAL and type II pneumocyte isolation. The grade of oxidative stress and inflammation was examined by changes in lung structure, BAL composition and type II pneumocyte metabolism. All Printex®90 functionalization's and acetylene black concentrations induced no lung injuries as evaluated by picrosirius red staining. However, acetylene black with PAHs (7 µg) provoked a reduced lung function compared to the saline control. Cell proliferation examined by immunohistology revealed elevated cell proliferations induced by Printex®90 in distilled water, BaP-CBNP and 15 µg acetylene black with PAHs respectively. Glutathione peroxidase 3 protein expressions and BAL protein and phospholipid measurements revealed no peculiarities. BAL cell profiles were influenced by treatments with Printex®90 suspended in distilled water with and without BSA and BaP-CBNP. The number of type II pneumocytes was significantly increased by 7 and 15 µg acetylene black with PAHs compared to the saline group. mRNA expression of diverse antioxidant enzymes, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, surfactant proteins and enzymes of the surfactant synthesis revealed strong deviations between all treatment groups. The short-term experiment results clearly show that small doses of surface functionalized carbon black nanoparticles only provoked marginal effects. We hypothesize long-term periods with repeated inhalations are necessary to induce marked alterations in the respiratory tract. Beside exposure time, nanoparticle dose and chemistry the particle size and the sort of vehicle are considered to be crucial.

Involvement of purinergic system in inflammation and toxicity induced by copper in zebrafish larvae

The use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) is increasing as an intermediate preclinical model, to prioritize drug candidates for mammalian testing. As the immune system of the zebrafish is quite similar to that of mammals, models of inflammation are being developed for the screening of new drugs. The characterization of these models is crucial for studies that seek for mechanisms of action and specific pharmacological targets. It is well known that copper is a metal that induces damage and cell migration to hair cells of lateral line of zebrafish. Extracellular nucleotides/nucleosides, as ATP and adenosine (ADO), act as endogenous signaling molecules during tissue damage by exerting effects on inflammatory and immune responses. The present study aimed to characterize the inflammatory status, and to investigate the involvement of the purinergic system in copper-induced inflammation in zebrafish larvae. Fishes of 7days post-fertilization were exposed to 10μM of copper for a period of 24h. The grade of oxidative stress, inflammatory status, copper uptake, the activity and the gene expression of the enzymes responsible for controlling the levels of nucleotides and adenosine were evaluated. Due to the copper accumulation in zebrafish larvae tissues, the damage and oxidative stress were exacerbated over time, resulting in an inflammatory process involving IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2 and PGE2. Within the purinergic system, the mechanisms that control the ADO levels were the most involved, mainly the reactions performed by the isoenzyme ADA 2. In conclusion, our data shed new lights on the mechanisms related to copper-induced inflammation in zebrafish larvae.

Antioxidant effect of an ozonized theobroma oil formulation on damaged-inflammatory rat skin

The aim of this study was to determine whether a cosmetic formulation elaborated with ozonized theobroma oil may exert beneficial effects in the restoring of the antioxidant activity on the skin of rats previously irradiated with ultraviolet light. 0.5 g of the formulation was applied on the skin of rats for five days. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activity were determined in a homogenate of rat skin. Malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes (CD) and total hydroperoxide (THP) content were determined as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Using these parameters, antioxidant and oxidant activity, redox index and oxidative stress grade were determined. The total antioxidant activity was significantly increased while the redox index, total oxidant activity and oxidative stress grade decreased significantly in damaged rats treated with the formulation. These results show the antioxidant properties of the cosmetic formulation due to the stimulation of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GPx, preventing skin injury induced by ultraviolet irradiation.

To What Extent Does Ozone Therapy Need a Real Biochemical Control System? Assessment and Importance of Oxidative Stress

Ozone therapy is not officially allowed in many countries, but private medical services are using this therapy worldwide. However, appropriate control systems to assess the benefits and risks of systemic ozone therapy are not always used and in such cases the treatment is based on anecdotal reports. Oxidative stress phenomenon is becoming a highlighted biological process for ozone therapy because it is deeply involved in its mechanism of action. On the contrary, ozone therapy is an efficient regulator of the oxidative stress processes. In terms of therapeutic effects, it is convenient to know the metabolic status of the organism to face new oxidative challenges before and during ozone therapy applications. Oxidative stress is also important because it is involved as a cause or effect of many diseases. Since the 1990s, there has been the necessity of developing reliable systems for measuring oxidative stress in humans. In this sense, we have proposed a system for oxidative stress diagnosis that can serve as a control system for systemic ozone therapy applications. The system is based on the blood measurement of eight biomarkers (GSH, GPx, GST, SOD, CAT, DC, SRATB, and HPT) and the interpretation of these values by a computer-developed algorithm yielding four new indices (total antioxidant activity, total prooxidant activity, redox index and grade of oxidative stress). The system shows the patient's redox status and estimation of the oxidative stress level, with this information being relevant regarding implications on dosage and therapeutic effectiveness of ozone therapy.