Higher Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances Research Articles

Long-Term Exposure to the Water of Wadi El-Rayan Lakes Induced Testicular Damage and Endocrine Disruption in Mugil cephalus.

This study aimed to investigate the testicular function of Mugil cephalus that inhabit Wadi El-Rayan lakes. Testes of fish inhabiting the upper lake (site 2) and the lower lake (site 3) of Wadi El-Rayan showed significant decreases in gonadosomatic index, high accumulation levels of six metals, and eight organochlorine pesticide residues. Compared to reference fish, high percentages of histological alterations as testicular degeneration, germ cell reduction, testicular inflammation, vacuolization, and loss of tubular arrangement were observed in sites 2 and 3. Moreover, endocrine disruption signs were recorded based on the percentage of ovotestis appearance and the ovotestis severity index values. The maximum defective testicular antioxidant mechanisms were recorded in site 3 as indicated by sharp decreases in catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reduced levels, and high thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Finally, long-term exposure to Wadi El-Rayan water may impair the reproductive health of fish via testicular oxidative damage and endocrine disruption.

Physiological and biochemical responses of strawberry crown and leaf tissues to freezing stress

BackgroundIn northern Iran and other cold regions, winter freezing injury and resultant yield instability are major limitations to strawberry production. However, there is scarcity of information on the physiological and biochemical responses of strawberry cultivars to freezing stress. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and biochemical responses of strawberry cultivars (Tennessee Beauty, Blakemore, Kurdistan, Queen Elisa, Chandler, Krasnyy Bereg, and Yalova) to different freezing temperature treatments (− 5, − 10, − 15, − 20, and − 25 °C) under controlled conditions.ResultsAll measured physiological and biochemical features were significantly affected by the interaction effect between low temperatures and cultivars. Tennessee Beauty showed the highest RWC at − 25 °C. The highest Fv/Fm was observed in Queen Elisa. Krasnyy Bereg had the least freezing injury (FI) in crown and leaf, while Yalova and Chandler showed the highest crown and leaf FI, respectively. At − 20 to − 25 °C, the highest carbohydrates contents of crown and leaf were noted in Blakemore and Krasnyy Bereg cultivars, respectively. The Yalova showed the highest protein content in both crown and leaf tissues at − 25 °C. The Tennessee Beauty and Blackmore cultivars showed the highest proline in crowns and leaves at − 15 °C, respectively. The highest ThioBarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) contents in the crown and leaf were observed in Kurdistan and Queen Elisa, respectively. Queen Elisa and Krasnyy Bereg cultivars showed SOD and POD peaks in the crown at − 15 °C, respectively.ConclusionFreezing stress was characterized by decreased Fv/Fm and RWC, and increased FI, TBARS, total carbohydrates, total proteins, proline content, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The extent of changes in above mentioned traits was cultivar dependent. FI and TBARS were the best traits among destructive parameters for evaluating freezing tolerance. Moreover, maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm index), as non-destructive parameters, showed a significant efficiency in rapid assessment for screening of freezing tolerant strawberry cultivars. The cultivars Krasnyy Bereg, Queen Elisa, and Kurdistan were the most tolerant cultivars to freezing stress. These cultivars can be used as parents in breeding programs to develop new freezing tolerant cultivars.

Amelioration of Sarcoptic Mange-Induced Oxidative Stress and Growth Performance in Ivermectin-Treated Growing Rabbits Using Turmeric Extract Supplementation.

Simple SummarySarcoptic mange is a common rabbit disease that can be spread directly from sick to healthy rabbits. Infection in rabbits causes intense pruritus, head shaking, and scabby lesions on the inner side of the pinnae and on the external ear canal, as well as diminished growth performance and an increased rate of oxidative stress. Ivermectin has been shown to be an effective treatment for sarcoptic mange in rabbits; however, it has side effects on their performance. Botanicals such as turmeric extract have a remarkable antioxidant potential contributing to the deterrence of Sarcoptes-induced oxidative discrepancy in rabbits. The goal of this study was to investigate if turmeric extract can alleviate side effects in Ivermectin-treated rabbits while simultaneously improving their performance and antioxidant status. The results indicated that turmeric extract was utilized with varied efficacy against mites, and also helped rabbits recover faster and improved Ivermectin’s miticidal efficacy by improving performance and compromised immunity. Turmeric extract has strong antioxidant properties, suggesting that it could be used as an adjunctive remedy to reduce the side effects of Ivermectin while treating clinical rabbit sarcoptic mange. Furthermore, no adverse effects were observed in turmeric extract adjunctively supplemented rabbits, and the provided dose regimen of these supplements was found to be safe.In this experiment, the protective effect of turmeric extract (TE) on side effects of Ivermectin-treated rabbits, while improving their performance, blood characteristics, and antioxidant status, was investigated. Sixty-three clinically Sarcoptes-infested rabbits aged 60 days were randomly allocated into three groups, with 21 rabbits in each group, to receive either no TE or TE supplementation (1 or 2 mg/kg diet) for 30 days after being subcutaneously injected with Ivermectin (IVM) 1% w/v at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight twice a week. Another 21 healthy rabbits were used as the control. Treatment with IVM + 1 and 2 mg TE improved body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in infested rabbits (p < 0.05). The IVM alone treatment had the highest mortality rate compared with the other treatments. Rabbits treated with IVM + 1 and 2 mg TE demonstrated progressive recovery manifested by improved nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. On day 7, the serum total protein, albumin, and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio were significantly lower in the treated groups compared with the control group; also, the lowest values were observed in rabbits treated only with Ivermectin, followed by IVM + 1 and 2 mg TE. Treated rabbits had higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBAR) levels, but lower total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), and glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels compared with the control group. On day 30 post-treatment, the rabbits in the IVM + 1 and 2 mg TE treatment groups showed progressive recovery manifested by improved biochemichal parameters, as well as a remarkable improvements in the oxidant/antioxidant balance towards normalcy (p < 0.05), and became comparable to that of the control compared with IVM alone treatment. In conclusion, turmeric extract improved rabbits’ performance toward normalcy, and has remarkable antioxidant properties and can be used in conjunction with a miticide to treat sarcoptic mange in rabbits.

Individual effects of l‐arginine or l‐lysine on stability of pork or chicken emulsion sausages with partial replacement of porcine backfat by soybean oil

SummaryThe individual effects of l‐arginine or l‐lysine on the physical (cooking loss (CL), total expressible fluid (TEF) and expressible fat (EFAT)) and chemical (thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS), and carbonyl and total sulphhydryl (T‐SH) content) stability of pork or chicken emulsion sausage with partial replacement of porcine backfat by soybean oil were determined. l‐arginine or l‐lysine increased pH but decreased CL, TEF and EFAT. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that supplementation with l‐arginine or l‐lysine caused more regular and uniform oil droplets, for enhanced physical stability of pork or chicken sausage. Subjected to the same treatments, chicken sausage displayed higher physical stability than pork sausage. Overall, chicken sausages treated with l‐arginine or l‐lysine had lower TBARS and carbonyl content but higher T‐SH content than the corresponding control during storage; for pork sausages, l‐arginine or l‐lysine treatment generally resulted in higher TBARS throughout storage, lower carbonyl content during the initial 14 days and higher T‐SH content on days 7 and 14 but lower T‐SH content on days 1 and 21. Generally, l‐arginine/l‐lysine effectively increased the chemical stability of chicken sausage but decreased the chemical stability of pork sausage.

Effect of Different Combinations of Dietary Vitamin A, Protein Levels, and Monensin on Inflammatory Markers and Metabolites, Retinol-Binding Protein, and Retinoid Status in Periparturient Dairy Cows.

Simple SummaryThe transition period is a challenging time, which combines a massive increase in nutrient requirements and leads to a negative energy balance. Therefore, disorders related to negative energy balance, such as ketosis, are more frequent. In addition, in this period, oxidative stress increases, favoring immune suppression functions and inflammation, which may lead to increased susceptibility to other diseases such as metritis and mastitis. Therefore, the combination of ionophores, such as monensin, that mitigate the accentuated negative energy balance; vitamin A, which plays an important role in supporting the immune system; and a high level of crude protein might improve immune parameters in dairy cows in the transition period. This study demonstrated that monensin and vitamin A supplementation and high crude protein levels enhanced some vitamin status and inflammatory markers when used during the late prepartum period.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding different combinations of dietary vitamin A supplementation (0 or 110 IU/kg body weight), protein (10.3% or 12.2%), and an ionophore (monensin at 0 or 400 mg/day) on retinoid metabolism and immune function of dairy cows. Eighty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were studied from d −35 to +21 relative to expected parturition in a complete randomized block design with a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The significance of treatments was declared at p ≤ 0.05. Dairy cows receiving high crude protein (CP) diets with monensin had a greater retinol-binding protein serum concentration than cows receiving high CP diets without monensin (p = 0.04). Animals supplemented with vitamin A showed lower SCC (p = 0.04) and a higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration (p = 0.06) than cows non-supplemented. Moreover, cows receiving low crude protein diets had a greater haptoglobin concentration (p = 0.01). In addition, cows fed a high crude protein diet had a greater TNF-α expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (p = 0.04). Animals fed diets without monensin had a greater serum haptoglobin on day 3 postpartum than those fed monensin (p = 0.01). Moreover, dietary vitamin A increased serum 13-cis retinoic acid postpartum. We conclude that vitamin A, crude protein levels, and monensin fed during the close-up period affect milk somatic cell count, some vitamin statuses, and inflammatory markers during early lactation.

Dietary vitamin C requirement of juvenile grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) and its effects on growth attributes, organ indices, whole‐body composition and biochemical parameters

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid (ASA) is an essential micronutrient for normal growth, antioxidant capacity and immunity of fish. However, appropriate requirements of ASA for Ctenopharyngodon idella, grass carp juveniles (8.46 ± 0.19), remain unknown. For this purpose, a feeding trial of 60 days was conducted in triplicates. Six isolipidic and isoproteic diets containing 0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ASA were prepared. Results showed a linear increase in growth as ASA supplementation was increased from 0 to 100 mg/kg. However, a further increase in dietary ASA supplementation from 200 to 400 mg/kg resulted in a slight decrease in growth parameters. A similar trend was also recorded for the whole body, proximate composition, antioxidant enzymes and organ indices against ASA supplementation. On the contrary, fish fed with basal diet had higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content in the liver and muscles than those fed with ASA supplemented diets. ASA concentration in muscles increased in a dose-dependent manner, while ASA value was the highest in the fish fed with 100 mg/kg ASA concentration. The weight gain (WG%) data were subjected to broken-line regression analysis, and the optimal ASA requirement of grass carp juveniles was estimated to be 67.1667 mg/kg. Taken together, the inclusion of 67.1667 mg/kg of ASA is recommended in the feed of grass carp juveniles for optimum growth performance. We also recommend analysing the effect of ASA in combination with vitamin A and E.

Lauric acid adsorbed cellulose nanocrystals retained the physical stability of oil-in-water Pickering emulsion during different dilutions, pH, and storage periods

Due to increased environmental and health concerns, there has been an increased demand for sustainable and natural emulsifiers/stabilizers to create a stable O/W emulsion. Due to their unique properties, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) have been considerably investigated as a stabilizer for producing a stable emulsion. However, the utilization of CNC stabilized emulsion is only limited to viscous or semi-solid foods. Hence this study investigates the modification of CNC by adsorbing lauric acid and its suitability for producing a stable beta-carotene O/W Pickering emulsion for nutraceutical beverages. The efficacy of modified CNC on the physicochemical stability of the emulsion was monitored under different environmental conditions such as dilution factors of 1–10, pH of 1–11, and 30 days of storage period at room temperature. Results depicted that the modified CNC above 1.5% (w/v) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) retained the average droplet size, morphology, and creaming index at different dilutions. However, the droplet size increased by 150–300% for the emulsions stabilized with unmodified CNC with noticeable changes in creaming index and morphology of the droplets. Unexpectedly, higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations were recorded for the emulsions stabilized by modified and unmodified CNC compared to the control emulsion, which contained gum arabic as a reference stabilizer. Transition metals in the CNC may have catalyzed lipid oxidation; however, their source and role in oxidation warrant further study.

Effects of soaking seeds in exogenous vitamins on active oxygen metabolism and seedling growth under low-temperature stress.

This study investigated the influence of the exogenous application of vitamin B2 (VB2), B12 (VB12), biotin (VH), and nicotinic acid (VPP) on oxygen production in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings at 5 °C for day 1, 3, 5 and 7. The seeds were soaked in VB2, VB12, VH, and VPP solutions for 24 h at the concentration of 100 mg/L, and control was soaked in distilled water. A total of 50 seeds were used for each treatment in germination boxes was repeated three times. The germination box was placed in a hypothermic incubator for 1, 3, 5, and 7 days in the dark at 5 °C, then moved to a plant growth room and kept for seven days. Compared with the VH and VPP treatments, the VB2 and VB12 treatments had higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, proline, and soluble sugars. The VB2 and VB12 treatments also increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) than other treatments. The VB2 and VB12 treatments reduced the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2–), superoxide anion (O2–), and the damage of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to cells, increased the stability of the cell membrane and the content of cell osmoregulation substances. Moreover, VB2 and VB12 had higher seedling growth, germination rate, and index. Treatments VB2 and VB12 could promote maize seed germination and growth under low-temperature stress. Exogenous vitamins in crop production can be a valuable tool for protecting plants against low-temperature stress.

Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation, Volatile Compounds and Vibrational Spectroscopy of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) during Ice Storage as Related to the Quality of Its Washed Mince

Changes in the lipid oxidation of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) stored in ice for 14 days and that of its respective washed mince were evaluated. Total lipid, phospholipid, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents of the skin, belly flap and mince decreased as the storage time in ice increased. The washing process decreased the lipid contents but concentrated their phospholipid counterparts. The fish belly flap exhibited the highest thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value, while the mince had the lowest. 1-Hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, and 1-hexanal were key volatile compounds detected in the belly flaps of fish stored for 7–14 days. Hexanal was the only major volatile compound found in washed mince prepared from fish stored for an extended period in ice, but in a much lower amount compared with that in the belly flap. FTIR (Fourier transform infra-red) spectra revealed a decrease in the number of cis double bonds, methylene groups and phosphate groups in lipids extracted from fish stored in ice for 7–14 days as compared with those extracted from fresh fish. Principle component analysis (PCA) revealed that the FT-Raman band at 1747 cm−1 could be a potential marker for tracking the degree of lipid oxidation in the belly flap of silver carp stored in ice. In addition, IR bands indicating phosphate group (925, 825 cm−1) in oil extracted from washed mince were correlated with the extent of the lipid oxidation of the raw material.

Oxidative stress and DNA damage in agricultural workers after exposure to pesticides

BackgroundRecent epidemiological studies on workers describe that exposure to pesticides can induce oxidative stress by increased production of free radicals that can accumulate in the cell and damage biological macromolecules, for example, RNA, DNA, DNA repair proteins and other proteins and/or modify antioxidant defense mechanisms, as well as detoxification and scavenger enzymes. This study aimed to assess oxidative stress and DNA damage among workers exposed to pesticides.MethodsFor this purpose, 52 pesticide exposed workers and 52 organic farmers were enrolled. They were assessed: the pesticide exposure, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total glutathione (TG), oxidized glutathione levels (GSSG), and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), levels.ResultsCorrelation between pesticide exposure was positively associated with high TBARS and 8-oxodG levels (p < 0.001). A negative association was founded with TG and GSSG and pesticide exposure.ConclusionsThe present investigation results seem to indicate a mild augment in oxidative stress associated with pesticide exposure, followed by an adaptive response to increase the antioxidant defenses to prevent sustained oxidative adverse effects stress.

Storage stability of fish gelatin films by molecular modification or direct incorporation of oxidized linoleic acid: Comparative studies

Changes in properties of films fabricated with oxidized linoleic acid (OLA)-modified gelatin (OMG) and those prepared with OLA-added gelatin (OAG) were investigated during storage for 8 weeks, in comparison to the control film (without modification or OLA addition). OMG and OAG films showed lower water-vapor permeability (WVP) throughout 8 weeks of storage (p < 0.05) compared to control gelatin films. Additionally, a slight decrease in WVP was found in control and OMG films with an increase in storage time. Regarding mechanical properties, tensile strength (TS) and elastic modulus (EM) increased during storage, while elongation at break (EAB) decreased (p < 0.05). During storage, OMG and control films showed similar appearances, with slight changes in yellowness and transparency; however, OAG films showed a marked increase in yellowness, opacity and rancid smell at week 8 of storage. These changes were associated with the increase in lipid oxidation as ascertained by significantly higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and volatile compounds observed for OAG films during storage up to 8 weeks. As a consequence, transition temperatures, including glass transition, melting and degradation temperatures of films stored at week 8 were higher than those at week 0. In addition, control and OMG films showed greater thermal stability than OAG films at week 0 and 8. Therefore, the addition of OLA had a relevant impact on the properties of fish gelatin films during extended storage, depending on the method used for OLA incorporation.

10.4314/sajas.v40i5.65268

Sheep fat contains relatively high levels of saturated fatty acids while poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are toxic to cellulolytic bacteria and are also saturated in the rumen. Stabilization of residual oil in sunflower oilcake by conversion into calcium salts would be advantageous. Alpha lipoic acid acts as an antioxidant to ameliorate the effects of oxidative stress caused by high dietary levels of PUFA. Residual oil (14%) in mechanically extracted (expeller) sunflower oilcake (SFOC) was saponified in situ and compared in a complete feedlot diet (100 g crude protein and 31 g extractable fat/kg feed) with commercially extracted oilcake containing 2.4% residual oil (control diet with 29 g fat and 123 g crude protein kg feed) fed to four groups of 10 SA Mutton Merino weaner lambs (ca. 23 kg) for nine weeks. Both diets were fed either with, or without a weekly oral dosing of 500 mg α-lipoic acid. Fatty acid composition was determined on back fat samples while thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were determined on samples of m. longissimus dorsi stored for zero and six months and displayed for six days. The back fat of the lambs on the saponified expeller SFOC diets contained significantly higher levels of saturated fatty acids and lower levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids. PUFA were unaffected. High TBARS levels (>1.0) were found after six months storage. Non significant increases in TBARS were observed in the groups that received lipoic acid.

Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances predicts survival in chemotherapy naïve patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in development and progression of cancer, including urothelial carcinomas. TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) represents a marker of oxidative stress increased in various diseases. In this prospective study, we tested the hypothesis of plasma TBARS concentration and correlation with survival in chemotherapy naïve MUC (metastatic urothelial carcinoma) patients. Most of subjects (N = 65) were treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) chemotherapy. Performance status ECOG ≥2 had 11 patients, visceral metastases were present in 43. Based upon the mean of plasma TBARS, subjects were dichotomized into low and high groups. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and their 95% CI were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. At median follow-up of 9.6 months, 65 patients experienced progression and 64 died. Subjects with low TBARS had significantly better PFS (HR 0.51) and OS (HR 0.44) opposed to high TBARS. Patients with low TBARS had significantly higher rate of neutropenia G4 and less liver involvement. High TBARS correlated with BMI above 30 kg/m2. Performance status and plasma TBARS were proven to be independent predictors of PFS and OS. In this study, high TBARS in MUC patients were associated with poor survival, likely due to more aggressive disease activity as reflected in increased liver involvement. Therefore, this biomarker could be used in clinical practice for early identification of patients with worse prognosis, better patient stratification, and treatment decision making.

Characterization of the physicochemical changes and volatile compound fingerprinting during the chicken sugar-smoking process

Sugar-smoking contributes to improving flavor attributes of meat products. However, there is rather limited information concerning the relationship between sugar-smoking process parameters and volatile compound (VC) fingerprinting as well as related quality attributes of sugar-smoked chicken. In this work, the changes in VC across the whole sugar-smoking process were determined and analyzed and physicochemical properties, free fatty acid, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values, and E-nose were also performed to characterize the quality properties of sugar-smoked chicken breast (CB) and chicken skin (CS). Results suggested that a higher amount (P < 0.05) of total VC was observed in CS compared with CB during the whole processing, which may be correlated with higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values, and higher polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratio. According to E-nose analysis, the volatile flavor is clearly separated in the sugar-smoking stage. Volatile fingerprinting results revealed that heterocycles were the characteristic flavor formed during sugar-smoking process and hexanal, nonanal, furfural, 5-methyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde, and 2-acetyl-5-methylfuran were the major volatiles of the CS, which was closely related to lipid oxidation and caramelization reaction. Above all, the flavor of sugar-smoked chicken was mainly derived from CS and sugar-smoked process improved the flavor of CS. This study could provide theoretical guidance for regulation of the color and flavor of sugar-smoked chicken and further promote the development of the industry.

Severity of prepregnancy diabetes on the fetal malformations and viability associated with early embryos in rats†.

Preexisting/pregestational diabetes enhances the risk of birth defects. Several factors have been involved during the implantation process, such as cytokines (granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]). The objective was to evaluate the effects of two levels of diabetes on the redox status of preimplantation embryos during the implantation process to comprehend how both are involved in embryo and fetal viability against maternal diabetes. Female Sprague-Dawley rats received streptozotocin at birth (mild diabetes [MD]) or at adulthood (severe diabetes [SD]) to obtain two experimental diabetes intensities. After confirming the diabetic status, the nondiabetic and diabetic groups were mated around day 110 of life. At gestational day (GD) 21, fetuses were assessed for viability and malformations and ovaries for embryo loss before implantation. Other pregnant nondiabetic and diabetic rats were sacrificed at GD2-4 for maternal and preimplantation embryo oxidative stress markers, maternal serum insulin, uterine fluid GM-CSF, and preimplantation embryo morphological analysis. MD and SD caused abnormal redox levels, lower GM-CSF and insulin levels during the preimplantation period, and embryonic loss before implantation. SD caused lower fetal viability and higher fetal malformation percentages at GD21. The SD dam-derived preimplantation embryos presented lower glutathione levels and higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration at GD3 and an increased frequency of abnormal preimplantation embryos at GD4. In conclusion, preexisting diabetes leads to complications in the implantation process. Furthermore, maternal oxidative stress and other metabolic changes alter the redox state and morphological structure of preimplantation embryos, contributing to damaged growth and development in late pregnancy.

Exogenous plant growth regulators/plant growth promoting bacteria roles in mitigating water-deficit stress on chicory (Cichorium pumilum Jacq.) at a physiological level

Plants respond differently to water-deficit stress conditions in the soil. In order to study different irrigation regimes and plant growth regulators/plant growth promoting bacteria effects on some physiological characteristics and inulin content in chicory plants, experiments were conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with five replications at the greenhouse of Agricultural Faculty of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran in 2017−2018. Experimental factors were different irrigation regimes: ((i) irrigation at the 55 %; (ii) irrigation at the 30 %; and (iii) irrigation at the 10 % of total available water capacity in the soil) and plant growth regulators including methyl jasmonate, uniconazole, chlormequat chloride and the solution containing plant growth promoting bacteria. Results indicated that the lowest relative water content, membrane stability index, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids; soluble sugars and inulin in the roots; and the highest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, proline, and soluble sugars in the leaves were related to severe water-deficit stress in the soil. Relative water content, membrane stability index, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline (except of plant growth promoting bacteria), soluble sugars and inulin increased, whereas thiobarbituric acid reactive substances decreased by the application of exogenous plant growth regulators/plant growth promoting bacteria compared with control plants. Interaction effects revealed that plant growth regulators/plant growth promoting bacteria could diminish water-deficit stress adverse effects in chicory plants at a physiological level by regulating endogenous phytohormones and antioxidant enzymes. In general, exogenous plant growth regulators especially uniconazole and plant growth promoting bacteria, improved inulin content in chicory plants compared with control plants.

The Effect of Irradiation on the Quality Properties of Tarhana

Tarhana is a traditional food produced by the fermentation, drying and grinding of dough prepared with wheat flour, yoghurt, various vegetables and spices. Microbiological risks and pest formation are the major problems encountered during the storage of tarhana. In this study, the effect of irradiation was determined in order to eliminate microbiological risks and pest formation while preserving the quality features during the storage of tarhana. Depending on the irradiation dose, microbial inhibition occurred in tarhana samples, and the maximum protection was achieved with 10 kGy. Nevertheless, doses of 2.5 and 5 kGy inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus. Additionally, all irradiation doses prevented pest formation. The consistency coefficient of soups prepared with irradiated tarhana samples decreased depending on the irradiation doses. There was no difference in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and total phenol content in the control with irradiated tarhana samples. However, the 10 kGy irradiated tarhana sample included higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. In conclusion, irradiation was applied for the first time to preserve tarhana by reducing the microbiological risk and preventing pest formation. Accordingly, a 5 kGy irradiation dose was recommended, with which the tarhana rheology was affected slightly.

Tissue-specific responses of antioxidant pathways to poor hygiene conditions in growing pigs divergently selected for feed efficiency

BackgroundPoor hygiene of housing induces a systemic inflammatory response. Because inflammation and oxidative stress are processes that can sustain each other, the ways pigs are able to activate their antioxidant defenses are critical for production performance and health during periods when the immune system is solicited. Selection for production performance can also influence reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and expression levels of genes involved in cellular response to oxidative stress in different tissues. To establish the extent by which poor hygiene and selection for feed efficiency affected redox status, pigs divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI) were housed in poor or good hygiene during 6 weeks. At the end, blood was collected in all pigs, and half of them were killed for tissue sampling. The remaining pigs were reared in good hygiene conditions during a recovery period of 7–8 weeks.ResultsAt week 6, poor hygiene was associated with a lower total antioxidant capacity assessed by plasma ferric reducing ability in all pigs, and with greater plasma levels of hydrogen peroxides in the high RFI pigs (less efficient). Adipose tissue of high RFI pigs exhibited higher activities of catalase and glutathione reductase, and greater thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations when compared with the low RFI pigs (more efficient). Poor hygiene conditions activated the antioxidant enzymes activities (glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) in adipose tissue of both lines, but led to higher ROS production by mature adipocytes isolated from the high RFI pigs only. In liver and muscle, there were only minor changes in antioxidant molecules due to genetics and hygiene conditions. After the resilience period, adipose tissue of pigs previously challenged by poor hygiene maintained higher antioxidant enzyme activities, and for the high RFI line, displayed higher TBARS concentrations.ConclusionsPigs selected for improved feed efficiency showed a lower susceptibility to oxidative stress induced by poor hygiene conditions. This could led to a lower inflammatory response and less impaired growth when these pigs are facing sanitary challenges during the production period.

Altered Redox State in Whole Blood Cells from Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

Oxidative stress plays an essential and early role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alterations in the redox state in AD and in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients appear in the brain and at peripheral level. Given that it is easier to study the latter, most of the research has been focused on plasma. However, the analysis of redox parameters in whole blood cells (including erythrocytes and leukocytes) has not really been investigated. Moreover, the association of these parameters with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) clinical scores, has scarcely been studied. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to analyze several redox markers in whole blood cells from male and female MCI and AD patients. Antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reductase (GR) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration) together with oxidant parameters (oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)) were investigated using MCI and AD (10 women and 10 men in each group) and their age-matched control groups (15 women and 15 men). The results show an altered redox state in whole blood cells from AD patients (higher CAT, GSSG/GSH, TBARS and lower GPx, GR, GSH). Some of these redox parameters are already affected in MCI patients (higher TBARS and lower GPx and GR activities) in both sexes and, consequently, they could be used as markers of prodromal AD. Since GR, GSH, GSSG, and GSSG/GSH were found to be associated with MMSE scores, they seem to be useful clinically to monitor cognitive decline in AD progression.

Collaborative effect of fat reduction and α-tocopherol incorporation on oxidative stability in beef sausages

This study focuses on the changes in oxidative stability and sensory properties of reduced fat and/or α-tocopherol incorporated sausages during storage at 4°C for 3 months. In order to examine these changes, sausages were formulated with 20% fat and 20% fat+200 ppm α-tocopherol, coded as C20A0 and C20A1, respectively. Sausages formulated with 10% fat (C10A0) and 10% fat+200 ppm α-tocopherol (C10A0) were low fat sausages. Reduction of fat by 50% or adding α-tocopherol initially increased the peroxide values of sausages, but at the end of storage, conversely, reduction of fat and α-tocopherol addition retarded lipid peroxidation as well as malonaldehyde generation (p<0.05). The highest thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values were recorded for C20A0 sausages initially and at the end of the storage (p<0.05). Even though thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values of sausages with 20% fat were higher, the initial rancid taste of all sausages were similar at month 0, but differences in the rancid taste of sausages began to be revealed with increasing storage time (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the general acceptability of all the sausages during the 3-month storage period (p>0.05).