Enzyme Levels Research Articles

Polygala fallax Hemsl polysaccharides alleviated alcoholic fatty liver disease by modifying lipid metabolism via AMPK

Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in the liver. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Polygala fallax Hemsl polysaccharides (PFPs) on AFLD. PFPs were purified and structurally characterized. An AFLD model was established in mice using alcohol and a high-fat diet. A significant reduction in hepatic steatosis was observed following PFPs treatment, evidenced by decreased fat deposition in liver tissues. Additionally, PFPs reduced various liver injury markers, increased levels of antioxidant enzymes, and improved significantly liver function. RNA sequencing revealed that PFPs improved lipid and CYP450 metabolic pathway abnormalities in AFLD mice. Furthermore, PFPs activated the AMPK pathway, reducing lipid accumulation and enhancing lipid metabolism. A HepG2 cell model treated with ethanol and oleic acid showed significant biochemical improvements with PFPs pretreatment, including reduced lipid accumulation and lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. To further elucidate the AMPK and PFPs correlation in AFLD, an AMPK inhibitor (compound C) was used. In vitro and in vivo qRT-PCR and Western blot results confirmed that PFPs protected against AFLD by activating AMPK phosphorylation, regulating lipid synthesis, and inhibiting lipid accumulation. PFPs also modulated CYP2E1 and oxidative stress-related gene expression, affecting liver metabolism.

Hydrogen sulfide ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological syndrome characterized by excessive accumulation of intrahepatic fat and elevated hepatic metabolic enzyme levels, leading to hepatocellular vesicular steatosis. The global prevalence of this liver disease has been steadily increasing, closely associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Notably, there is currently no approved pharmaceutical treatment for NAFLD. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is considered a vital gaseous signaling molecule in mammalian cells, playing a crucial role in various physiological and pathological processes. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated that H2S is involved in modulating a diverse array of biological functions. In vitro and in vivo research often utilizes various readily soluble organic or inorganic compounds H2S donors, such as sodium hydrosulfide, sodium sulfide, and GYY4137, which allow for controlled release and concentration adjustment of H2S, thereby facilitating the exploration of its biological effects and underlying mechanisms. Our findings indicate that H2S holds significant potential in reducing the accumulation of cellular lipid droplets and multiple lipid deposits, as evidenced by cellular and tissue staining, as well as triglyceride and total cholesterol assays. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis revealed a potential association between the degradation of lipid droplets by H2S and the activation of cellular autophagy. Validation through Western blotting in both cellular and animal models demonstrated that H2S effectively triggers autophagy through the AMP-activated protein kinase and mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway. This activation results in enhanced degradation of intracellular lipid content and decreased lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, ultimately ameliorating NAFLD in mice.

Mirizzi syndrome: Mastering the challenge, characterization and management outcomes in a retrospective study of 60 cases

BackgroundMirizzi Syndrome (MS) is a rare complication of gallstone disease that poses diagnostic and management challenges. MethodsThis retrospective study aimed to review our institutional experience in diagnosing and managing MS over seven years and four months. ResultsAmong 8200 cholecystectomies, 60 cases of MS were identified, with type 1 being the most prevalent (90%). The mean age of the patients was 44 years, with male predominance (75%). Southeast Asians comprised 56.7% of the study population. The most common presenting symptom was right upper quadrant pain, and 58.3% of the patients were diagnosed with acute cholangitis. Liver enzyme and bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the advanced types. Preoperative diagnosis was achieved in 70% of patients, with MRCP and ERCP being the most effective diagnostic tools. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was the most common surgical approach (76.7%), particularly in type 1 (79.6%), and decreased to 50% in advanced types. Hepaticojejunostomy was more common in the advanced types. ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management of MS considering its rarity and potential complications. The laparoscopic approach is reasonable, especially for type 1 MS and noncomplicated cases. Further research is needed to optimize treatment strategies for this challenging condition.

Ursodeoxycholic acid in hepatobiliary diseases

Background: This study aimed to summarize evidence of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) use in the management of hepatobiliary diseases, present indications for UDCA use in Korea, and reimbursement criteria for UDCA use in the country.Current Concepts: UDCA is currently approved for the treatment and prevention of gallstone in obese patients with rapid weight loss after post-bariatric surgery, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), chronic liver disease with markedly elevated liver function test values, and chronic hepatitis C. However, the approval and reimbursement criteria for UDCA depend on the dose, specific diseases, and circumstances. UDCA is administered at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg. The 100 mg dose is available over-the-counter, whereas a prescription is required for the 200 and 300 mg doses. The approval standards differed by dose: UDCA 100 mg for biliary diseases and chronic liver disease; UDCA 200 mg for gallstone, PBC, and chronic hepatitis C; and UDCA 300 mg for PBC, gallstone prevention in obese patients, and patients who had undergone gastrectomy. Co-administration of UDCA with antiviral drugs may require patients to bear some costs. UDCA can be combined with either milk thistle or biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate but not both.Discussion and Conclusion: UDCA is a relatively safe medication with many benefits. The current reimbursement standards for hepatobiliary diseases include chronic liver disease with elevated liver enzyme levels, gallstone, PBC, chronic hepatitis B, and chronic hepatitis C. Because UDCA is administered at varied doses, it is important to know the appropriate dose and regimen for each condition.

Short Stature with Type-1 Diabetes: A Clinically Observed Case in Patients Suffering From Mauriac Syndrome

Mauriac syndrome (MS) is an exceptionally rare disorder occurring in poorly controlled Type 1 diabetic patients. The consequences include dwarfism, obesity, hepatomegaly, delayed puberty, growth failure and higher levels of transaminase enzyme. We report a case of an adolescent female with classical features of Mauriac syndrome.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Effect of Oyster Mushroom Spherical Virus Infection in Pleurotus ostreatus.

Oyster mushroom spherical virus (OMSV) is a mycovirus that inhibits mycelial growth, induces malformation symptoms, and decreases the yield of fruiting bodies in Pleurotus ostreatus. However, the pathogenic mechanism of OMSV infection in P. ostreatus is poorly understood. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was conducted, identifying 354 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the mycelium of P. ostreatus during OMSV infection. Verifying the RNA-seq data through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction on 15 DEGs confirmed the consistency of gene expression trends. Both Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses highlighted the pivotal role of primary metabolic pathways in OMSV infection. Additionally, significant changes were noted in the gene expression levels of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), which are crucial for providing the carbohydrates needed for fungal growth, development, and reproduction by degrading renewable lignocellulose. The activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, laccase, and amylase decreased, whereas chitinase activity increased, suggesting a potential mechanism by which OMSV influenced mycelial growth through modulating CAZyme activities. Therefore, this study provided insights into the pathogenic mechanisms triggered by OMSV in P. ostreatus.

Using halotolerant Azotobacter chroococcum W4ii from technosoils to mitigate wheat salt stress

Background Technosoils in Inowrocław, central Poland, are impacted by human activities and exhibit high salinity (ECe up to 70 dS/m) due to a soda lime repository. These saline environments pose challenges to plant growth and soil health. However, they also offer an opportunity for the evolution of microorganisms adapted to such conditions, including plant growth-promoting rhizospheric (PGPR) bacteria. The hypothesis tested here was that introducing PGPR bacteria from these environments could boost degraded soil performance, leading to better plant biomass and improved pathogen defense. Methods Azotobacter chroococcum W4ii was isolated from the rhizosphere of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for its plant growth properties on wheat plants under salt stress. Results Wheat seeds co-inoculated with A. chroococcum W4ii under 200 mM salt stress showed significant improvement in various growth parameters such as seeds germination (by 130%), shoot biomass (15%), chlorophyll b content (40%) compared to un-inoculated ones. Bacterial inoculation decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) by 55.5% (P<0.001), whereas it elevated the antioxidative enzymatic activities of peroxidase (POD) by 33.69% (P<0.001). The test isolate also significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the level of defense enzymes like β-1,3-glucanase, which can protect plants from infection by pathogens. The bacterium could also successfully colonize the wheat plants. Conclusions These results indicate that A. chroococcum isolated from the technosoil has the potential to promote wheat growth under salt stress and can be further used as a bioinoculant in the salt affected agricultural fields.

Betaine alleviates cerebellar endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative imbalance in a cuprizone model of multiple sclerosis in rat.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, especially the cerebellum, with numerous physical and mental symptoms. Oxidative stress caused by inflammation can play a role in the occurrence of this disease. Betaine, a natural methyl donor compound, has potent neuroprotective effects. Here, we investigated the effects of betaine on motor behavior, cerebellar histological changes, oxidative stress response, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in a cuprizone (CPZ)-induced multiple sclerosis model in male rats. Twenty Wistar adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups including control, MS, betaine-treated MS, and betaine groups. MS was induced by feeding animals with rodent chow containing 0.5% CPZ for 12 weeks. Betaine was daily administrated as 1% in drinking water for the last 6 weeks. The motor behavioral performance was evaluated by open field, rotarod, and reverse basket tests. Histological analysis of the cerebellum was performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Cresyl violet (Nissl) staining. Oxidative stress factors (GSH, GSSG, GPX, GR, and GT) were assessed in the experimental groups and finally, the expression of ERS-associated proteins was measured using western blot analysis. Data showed that treatment with betaine could effectively prevent and reverse the adverse behavioral manifestation compared with the MS group. Betaine treatment protected cerebellar demyelination and neuron and Purkinje cell degeneration against CPZ-induced demyelination. Betaine attenuated the protein levels of ESR-related proteins in the cerebellum of MS rats and similarly increased the level of enzymes related to antioxidants in the cerebellum. Therefore, our results suggest that oral administration of betaine may be used as a novel adjunct therapy against cerebellar dysfunctions in an animal model of MS.

Dose-response curves for the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on growth performance, feed utilization, and health status of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp. Optimizing the economic efficiency of supplementation

Abstract A 14-weeks feeding trial was conducted to employ polynomial regression analysis to establish the optimal dosage of Lactobacillus plantarum (Lac) for enhancing the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and blood biochemical, redox balance, and immunity response of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp (initial body weight = 2.94 ± 0.03 g). A total of 240 healthy Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp were randomly distributed into four equal groups and were fed diets containing 0, 200, 400 and 800 mg Lac /kg diet respectively for 98 days. Increasing the levels of dietary Lac cubically improved growth performance and feed utilization ( p <0.01), the optimal doses were established at 600 and 650 mg Lac/kg diet, respectively. Muscles thickness decreased significantly in all treated group compared to the control ( p <0.05). The dietary treatment quadratic ally affected total protein ( p <0.0001), tri-glycerides ( p <0.0001), and cortisol ( p =0.0097), the optimal responses were observed at 650, 700, and 600 mg Lac/kg diet, respectively. Meanwhile the activities of liver enzymes (ALT and AST), the levels of blood urea and digestive enzymes (amylase and proteases) were cubically enhanced by the treatment, the optimal dosages were at 600 and 650 mg Lac/kg diet for liver enzymes, and urea concentration, respectively and at 650 and 700 mg Lac/kg diet for the activities of amylase and protease, respectively. With regards to redox balance, increasing the levels of Lac caused a quadratic decrease in the levels of malondialdehyde ( p =0.0398) and a cubic increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase ( p =0.0265), and catalase ( p =0.0163), the corresponding dose–response curves showed that the optimal dose was at 650 mg/kg diet. However, the levels of total antioxidant capacity were in a quadratic increase ( p =0.0372), maximizing at a level of 600 mg Lac / kg diet. Concerning the immunity response, both of lysozyme and IgM significantly affected by the dietary treatment ( p =0.0002 and 0.0001, respectively), maximizing at 600 and 650 mg Lac/kg diet, respectively. Dietary supplementation of Lac had significant and substantial impacts on the economic efficiency ( p <0.0001). In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of 600-700 mg Lac /kg diet can be used as an effective and practical feeding strategy to enhanced growth performance, feed efficacy, redox balance and nonspecific immune responses in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp.

Assessing the effect of high-dose rosuvastatin in elderly patients over 75 with acute coronary syndrome

Backgrounds and objectiveStatins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, are pivotal in managing hypercholesterolemia and reducing cardiovascular risk. While rosuvastatin demonstrates superior efficacy and tolerability compared to other statins, its safety profile in elderly patients older than 75 years old with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains underexplored. So, the objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency of adverse reactions and investigate the efficacy of high-dose rosuvastatin on lipid profiles in elderly patients aged over 75 with ACS.MethodsIn this observational study, 110 consecutive elderly ACS patients attending Modarres Hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2019 were enrolled. The effects of high-dose rosuvastatin were assessed in elderly patients older than 75 years old by comparison of the adverse effects, lipid profile, cardiac function, and other biomarkers at the baseline and after 6 weeks of rosuvastatin therapy with a dose of 40 mg.ResultsFollowing 6 weeks of treatment, there was a significant reduction in total cholesterol (136.2 ± 24.3 to 115.5 ± 24.0, p = 0.001) and LDL levels (72.6 ± 17.5 to 50.9 ± 18.9, p = 0.001), accompanied by a notable increase in HDL levels (38.3 ± 7.1 to 47.2 ± 7.4, p = 0.001). Cardiac function, as measured by ejection fraction (EF), significantly improved from 43.4 ± 8.8 to 48.5 ± 8.5 (p = 0.001). Adverse effects such as cramps (N = 12, p = 0.001), weakness (N = 28, p = 0.001), and anorexia (N = 12, p = 0.001) were reported but did not warrant discontinuation of therapy. Notably, no cases of jaundice were observed. Two deaths occurred due to major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the study period, unrelated to stroke or recurrent myocardial infarction.ConclusionTotally, high-dose rosuvastatin therapy effectively improved lipid profiles, cardiac function, and liver enzyme levels in elderly ACS patients, with manageable adverse effects. These findings underscore the importance of rosuvastatin in optimizing cardiovascular health in this vulnerable population.

The Effects of Co-Exposure to Antifoulants and Microplastics on the Survival, Oxidative Status, and Cholinergic System of a Marine Mysid.

Antifoulants such as copper pyrithione (CuPT) and zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) are widespread and hazardous pollutants in aquatic environments. The presence of microplastics (MPs) introduces significant uncertainty regarding the toxicity of CuPT and ZnPT, as their effects can be influenced by MPs. There is a limited understanding of the toxic potential of CuPT and ZnPT when they coexist with MPs. Here, the marine mysid Neomysis awatchensis was treated using no observed effect concentration (NOEC) values of CuPT and ZnPT premixed with MPs (1 µm; 1-100 particles mL-1). The presence of MPs increased the toxicity of the antifoulants in juvenile and adult mysids over 96 h. The additive effect of the MPs varied by chemical; feeding was only reduced by CuPT with MPs, whereas no fluctuation in feeding was observed in response to ZnPT with MPs. Co-exposure to antifoulants and MPs increased malonaldehyde levels, but the response of antioxidant components varied by chemical. In mysids co-exposed to CuPT and MPs, the activity levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase were decreased, whereas their enzymatic activity levels were elevated by co-exposure to ZnPT and MPs. Similarly, depletion of glutathione (GSH) was observed in mysids co-exposed to CuPT and MPs, with significant reductions in GSH reductase (GR) and peroxidase (GPx). However, the GSH level was increased by co-exposure to ZnPT and MPs, with elevations in GR and GPx activity levels. Significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity was only observed in response to CuPT and MPs. These results suggest that MPs can increase toxicity via additive and/or synergistic effects through oxidative imbalance, but these effects of MPs can vary with different chemicals.

Delayed Reproduction, Injury, and Regeneration of Testes in Out-of-Season Breeding of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans).

Out-of-season breeding is an effective method for addressing seasonal shortages of fry in aquaculture species such as largemouth bass (LMB) for year-round production. Off-season breeding of LMB can be achieved by subjecting breeding LMB to prolonged low-temperature conditions; however, this can alter reproductive rhythms, affecting the quality of their sperm and leading to a decrease in reproductive efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate issues such as the damage to the testes and the related mechanisms caused by low-temperature stress during out-of-season breeding. In this experiment, we assessed the changes in the testes during this time in LMB by comparing reproductive rhythms, testicular histomorphology, ultrastructure, antioxidant capacity and apoptosis. We synthesized measurements of LMB from three identically treated cement ponds and fish exposed to water temperatures of 13-16 °C to assess the changes in the testes. The results showed that (1) out-of-season reproduction delayed sperm production and promoted sperm redevelopment in LMB, various hormone levels have changed over time (e.g., LH, FSH, and T). (2) The head plasma membrane of LMB spermatozoa was separated, and the middle mitochondria were swollen. (3) The expression levels of antioxidant enzymes (cat, sod, and gpx) were upregulated, and oxidative stress occurred in LMB. (4) The expression levels of apoptosis genes (e.g., bax, bcl2, and caspase3) were upregulated, and apoptosis occurred in LMB due to off-season breeding. Moreover, important genes of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway (bid, CYT-C) were upregulated, indicating that spermatozoan apoptosis in LMB was probably achieved through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. These results suggest the delays, damage, and regeneration of LMB testes. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms that trigger changes in sperm quality during out-of-season breeding in fish.

Zingiber officinale Ameliorates Acute Toxoplasmosis-Induced Pathology in Mice.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infects one third of the world's population with significant illness, mainly among immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. Treatment options for toxoplasmosis are limited which signifies the need for novel, potent, and safe therapeutic options. The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale) in treating mice infected with the RH T. gondii strain. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify components of ethanolic extract of Z. officinale. A total of 80 mice were randomly allocated into four experimental groups that contained 20 mice each. The first group was left uninfected (uninfected control), while three groups were infected with T. gondii RH virulent strain tachyzoites at 2500 tachyzoites/mouse. One infected group was left untreated (infected, untreated), whereas the other two groups were treated orally with either spiramycin (positive control) or Z. officinale ethanolic extract at doses of 200mg/kg and 500mg/kg, respectively for 5 days, starting the day of infection. Ten mice from each group were used to assess mice survival in different groups, whereas the other ten mice in each group were sacrificed on the 5th day post-infectin (dpi) to estimate the treatment efficacy by quantifying liver parasite load, liver function, nitric oxide (NO) production, and levels of antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, histopathological studies were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Z. officinale treatment on toxoplasmosis-induced pathological alterations in liver, brain, and spleen. Treatment with Z. officinale ethanolic extract extended the survival of mice till 9th dpi compared to 7th dpi in infected untreated mice. Higher percentage of mice survived in Z. officinale-treated group compared to spiramycin-treatment group at different time points. Liver parasite loads were significantly lower in Z. officinale extract-treated mice and spiramycin-treated mice compared to infected untreated mice which correlated with significantly lower levels of serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and nitric oxide (NO), as well as significantly higher catalase (CAT) antioxidant enzyme activity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of tachyzoites from the peritoneal fluid revealed marked damage in tachyzoites from Z. officinale-treated group compared to that from infected untreated mice. Moreover, treatment with Z. officinale ethanolic extract alleviated infection-induced pathological alterations and restored normal tissue morphology of liver, brain, and spleen. Our results demonstrated that Z. officinale treatment reduced parasite burden and reversed histopathological and biochemical alterations in acute murine toxoplasmosis. These findings support the potential utility of Z. officinale as a future effective natural therapeutic for toxoplasmosis. Further studies are needed to determine the effective active ingredient in Z. officinale extract that can be further optimized for treatment of toxoplasmosis.

Disaccharidase deficiencies and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients referred to gastroscopic examination: a single center study from Norway

Objective Gastrointestinal illnesses have been reported in relation to low disaccharidase activity, yet both the prevalence of disaccharidase deficiency and its association with gastrointestinal symptoms and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are largely unknown. We aimed to determine the association between low activity of disaccharidase enzymes on gastrointestinal symptoms and presence of IBS. Methods Patients referred for gastroscopic examination due to gastrointestinal complaints were consecutively included. A pinch biopsy was taken from the distal part of duodenum, and disaccharidase activity was measured using the Dahlqvist method. Gastrointestinal symptom severity was measured using IBS-Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS). Results A total of 40 patients were included. Disaccharidase deficiency was detected in 24 patients (60%). Half of the patients (n = 21) had IBS according to Rome IV criteria. A majority (75%) of all patients reported moderate to severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Moderate to severe gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by 16 patients (67%) with disaccharidase deficiency and in 14 patients (88%) with normal disaccharidase activity. Lactase deficiency was detected in 22 patients (55%), maltase deficiency in 11 patients (28%), sucrase deficiency in 9 patients (23%), isomaltase deficiency in 13 patients (33%) and glucoamylase deficiency in 12 patients (30%). The activity of all enzymes was reduced in 8 patients (20%). Degree of disaccharidase deficiency was not associated with either the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms or the diagnosis of IBS. Enzymes levels were not associated with gastrointestinal symptom scores. Conclusion Our findings did not reveal any association between biochemically measured disaccharidase deficiency and gastrointestinal symptoms or the presence of IBS.

Role of Antioxidant Enzymes in Pathogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To investigate the antioxidant enzyme status in biological samples of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and compare them with biological samples of healthy people through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Antioxidant enzymes of catalase (CAT), sodium dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxide (GPx) were included in the analysis. A literature search was conducted of the PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science and Wiley Online Library databases for studies published between January 1999 and December 2022. A total of 831 articles were selected, of which 131 were found to be relevant. Finally, the full texts of 12 studies were screened and included. Studies that evaluated other antioxidant enzymes were excluded. Standardised mean difference (SMD) was derived to conduct a meta-analysis using comprehensive meta-analysis v3 (Biostat, Englewood, NJ, USA). A random effects model with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the effect size. P < 0.05 was considered significant. CAT levels were measured in eight studies (n &#61; 567) and the mean values for the OSCC and control groups were 4.81 ± 2.57 and 10.02 ± 1.81, respectively (SMD 3.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.42; P &#61; 0.001). SOD level was evaluated in 11 studies (n &#61; 762) and the values for the OSCC and control groups were 3.78 ± 1.45 and 7.34 ± 1.79, respectively (SMD 3.66, 95% CI 1.51 to 1.94; P &#61; 0.001). GPx level was evaluated in 10 studies (n &#61; 697) and the values for the OSCC and control groups were 13.33 ± 1.42 and 16.54 ± 2.9, respectively (SMD 1.91, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.77; P &#61; 0.001). The heterogeneity between the studies was severe (I2 ≥ 90%). The risk of bias between studies was low to moderate. Analysis revealed that the levels of antioxidant enzymes decreased in biological samples of patients with OSSC as compared to healthy controls. Understanding the pathological progress of OSCC by analysing the level of antioxidant enzymes is beneficial in formulating a personalised, targeted pro-oxidant therapy for cancer treatment.

Modulation of Antioxidant Enzyme Expression of In Vitro Culture-Derived Reticulocytes.

The regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in red blood cells (RBCs) is crucial for maintaining functionality and lifespan. Indeed, dysregulated ROS occurs in haematological diseases such as sickle cell disease and β-thalassaemia. In order to combat this, RBCs possess high levels of protective antioxidant enzymes. We aimed to further boost RBC antioxidant capacity by overexpressing peroxiredoxin (Prxs) and glutathione peroxidase (GPxs) enzymes. Multiple antioxidant enzyme cDNAs were individually overexpressed in expanding immortalised erythroblasts using lentivirus, including Prx isoforms 1, 2, and 6 and GPx isoforms 1 and 4. Enhancing Prx protein expression proved straightforward, but GPx overexpression required modifications. For GPx4, these modifications included adding a SECIS element in the 3'UTR, the removal of a mitochondrial-targeting sequence, and removing putative ubiquitination sites. Culture-derived reticulocytes exhibiting enhanced levels of Prx and GPx antioxidant proteins were successfully engineered, demonstrating a novel approach to improve RBC resilience to oxidative stress. Further work is needed to explore the activity of these proteins and their impact on RBC metabolism, but this strategy shows promise for improving RBC function in physiological and pathological contexts and during storage for transfusion. Enhancing the antioxidant capacity of reticulocytes has exciting promise for developing culture-derived RBCs with enhanced resistance to oxidative damage and offers new therapeutic interventions in diseases with elevated oxidative stress.

Proteomic analysis of MsFtsH8 overexpression reveals enhanced salt stress response in alfalfa through PSII stability and antioxidant capacity improvement

The FtsH (Filamentous temperature sensitive H) proteases, known for their crucial roles in protein quality control and maintaining the integrity of photosynthetic machinery, have emerged as key regulators of stress responses in plants. Our previous study revealed the overexpression of MsFtsH8, an FtsH gene from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), confers salt stress tolerance to the plant. By comparing the proteomic profiles of MsFtsH8-overexpressing alfalfa and wild type under salt stress conditions, we elucidate the molecular pathways underlying MsFtsH8-mediated salt stress resilience. We identified 730 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in MsFtsH8-overexpressing alfalfa under salt stress, compared to 498 DEPs in wild type alfalfa under the same growth condition. Our results reveal significant alterations in the expression of proteins involved in the photosynthetic system, consistent with the chloroplast subcellular localization of MsFtsH8. Specifically, MsFtsH8 overexpression stabilizes key components of Photosystem II (PSII) and enhances electron transport processes, leading to increased photosynthetic efficiency and oxidative photodamage repair capacity under salt stress. Moreover, MsFtsH8-overexpressing alfalfa exhibits elevated levels of antioxidative enzymes, further mitigating oxidative damage induced by high salinity. These findings deepen our understanding of the regulatory role of MsFtsH8 in salt stress response and highlight its potential for improving crop resilience under adverse environmental conditions.

Liposome preparation of alpha-arbutin: stability and toxicity assessment using mouse B16F10 melanoma cells

ABSTRACT Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, with few therapeutic alternatives following metastasis development. In recent years, drug delivery-associated nanotechnology has shown promising targeted results with diminished adverse effects compared to conventional treatments. This study aimed to (1) examine the effects of plant-derived α-arbutin, a natural compound and (2) compare these findings with bioactively developed liposomes containing α-arbutin utilizing the B16-F10 murine melanoma cell line as a model. Liposomes were obtained through reversed-phase evaporation by applying a spray dryer to assess their stability. The following biologic assays were measured cytotoxicity/antiproliferative (MTT, Neutral Red, and dsDNA PicoGreen). In addition, the levels of melanin and purinergic enzymes were also measured. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) was determined as a measure of oxidative state. Treatment with nano-liposome containing alpha-arbutin induced a significant 68.4% cytotoxicity, similar to the positive control, in the B16-F10 murine melanoma cell line at 72 hr. Further, arbutin and liposomes containing alpha-arbutin increased levels of ROS and nitrite formation at 72 hr at the highest concentration (100 and 300 µg/ml) of treatments. Arbutin and liposomes containing alpha-arbutin reduced melanin levels at all tested concentrations. In addition, arbutin and alpha-arbutin containing liposomes lowered nucleotides (AMP, ADP, and ATP) and nucleoside (adenosine) levels in melanoma cells. Evidence suggests that α-arbutin containing liposome can be considered as an alternative immunosuppressive agent stimulated in melanoma treatment.

Response of Antioxidant Enzymes of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Shallow and Saline Groundwater Depths

ABSTRACTAntioxidant enzymes in plants are critical for protection against oxidative stress and for the overall health and resilience of plant systems. However, antioxidant responses of plants grown in shallow and saline groundwater are poorly understood. Therefore, understanding the biochemical responses of plants to shallow groundwater significantly affects food security and environmental conservation. With this aim, the present work was carried out for 2 years in drainable lysimeters to assess the effects of four different groundwater salinities (0.38, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 dS m−1) on the temporal changes in antioxidant enzymatic activity in wheat plants under three different groundwater depths (30, 55 and 80 cm). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) activities varied significantly based on groundwater depth and salinity. CAT and GST enzyme levels increased curvilinearly with rising groundwater depth and salinity. Conversely, the GR enzyme activity showed no significant change with groundwater depths but increased linearly with higher salinity. SOD enzyme activity notably increased at a groundwater depth of 30 cm but decreased at a depth of 80 cm. Moreover, the peak activity of the GR enzyme was observed at a 6 dS m−1 groundwater salinity under groundwater depths. Additionally, the GST and CAT enzyme activities were inhibited more when the groundwater depth was &lt;55 cm and the groundwater salinity was &gt;4.20 dS m−1. Finally, identifying the peak levels of antioxidant enzymes could potentially serve as an indicator for determining the optimal timing for applying stress mitigation methods in areas with shallow and saline groundwater.

Liver enzyme levels in adolescents with obesity and insulin resistance: a propensity score matching analysis.

Elevated liver enzyme levels have been associated with metabolic syndrome in both obese and non-obese pediatric populations. This study aims to compare the serum liver enzyme levels in obese adolescents with and without insulin resistance (IR). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving obese adolescents aged 10-18. We assessed somatometry, serum insulin levels, lipid profiles, and liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT]). Statistical differences between groups were evaluated using Student's t-test or the Chi-squared test, with IR (wIR) status matched by propensity scores based on body mass index (BMI) z-scores. The study included 365 adolescents with obesity, 229 wIR, and 136 without (woIR). Before matching, the wIR group had a significantly higher BMI z-score (2.21 vs. 2.14, p = 0.032). After matching for BMI z-scores (n = 122 each group), the wIR group displayed significantly higher levels of AST (32.3 vs. 24.7, p < 0.001) and ALT (42.4 vs. 30.9, p < 0.001), but no significant differences were observed in GGT levels (37.4 vs. 32.5, p = 0.855). Obese adolescent's wIR exhibit higher serum ALT and AST levels, suggesting that altered AST is a potential risk factor for IR.