Levels Of Non-enzymatic Antioxidants Research Articles

Combined Supplementation of Clostridium butyricum and Bifidobacterium infantis Diminishes Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Intestinal Alterations via Activation of Nrf-2 Signaling Pathway in Rats.

Exposure to long-term chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) can cause redox imbalance and inflammation, which may affect the integrity of the gut barrier. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of a probiotics bacterium mixture, including Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) and Bifidobacterium infantis (B. infantis), on the intestinal homeostasis in rats exposed to multiple low-intensity stressors for 28 days. The mechanism of CUMS-induced altered intestinal homeostasis was evaluated by focusing on the nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) pathway. In contrast to the CUMS group, probiotic mixture supplementation significantly (p < 0.01) reversed the stress-induced elevated corticosterone level, protein and lipid oxidation, and increased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, as well as upregulated Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. Probiotics supplementation further significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the CUMS-induced inflammation, altered T-lymphocyte levels, and suppressed the protein expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in rat intestines. Improvement in histological changes and intestinal barrier integrity further validate the beneficial effects of probiotic mixtures on CUMS-induced altered intestinal morphology. In conclusion, our results suggest that the combination of C. butyricum and B. infantis significantly attenuated CUMS-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and T-lymphocyte modulation by upregulating Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling and inhibiting NF-κB expression in rat intestine.

Heterogeneous expression of stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase genes SAD1 and SAD2 from Linum usitatissimum enhances seed oleic acid accumulation and seedling cold and drought tolerance in Brassica napus

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a versatile crop and its seeds are a major source of unsaturated fatty acids. Stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase (SAD) is a dehydrogenase enzyme that plays a key role in oleic acid biosynthesis as well as responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the function of SAD orthologs from L. usitatissimum has not been assessed. Here, we found that two LuSAD genes, LuSAD1 and LuSAD2, are present in the genome of L. usitatissimum cultivar ‘Longya 10’. Heterogeneous expression of either LuSAD1 or LuSAD2 in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in higher contents of total fatty acids and oleic acid in the seeds. Interestingly, ectopic expression of LuSAD2 in A. thaliana caused altered plant architecture. Similarly, the overexpression of either LuSAD1 or LuSAD2 in Brassica napus also resulted in increased contents of total fatty acids and oleic acid in the seeds. Furthermore, we demonstrated that either LuSAD1 or LuSAD2 enhances seedling resistance to cold and drought stresses by improving antioxidant enzyme activity and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels, as well as reducing membrane damage. These findings not only broaden our knowledge of the LuSAD functions in plants, but also offer promising targets for improving the quantity and quality of oil, and the abiotic stress tolerance of oil-producing crops, through molecular manipulation.

Geraniol protects hippocampal CA1 neurons and improves functional outcomes in global model of stroke in rats.

Geraniol (GE), an acyclic monoterpene, is a chief constituent of essential oils of herbs and fruits. It possesses diverse pharmacological actions like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-parkinson. However, its neuroprotective potential in stroke is yet to be explored at large. The present study evaluated the neuroprotective potential of GE against the global model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-injury in rats. Bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion for 30 min followed by 7 days of reperfusion caused varied biochemical/enzymatic alterations viz. increase in levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), xanthine oxidase (XO), and decrease in the levels of cerebroprotectives like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total thiols, and glutathione (GSH). GE-pretreatment markedly reversed these changes and restored the levels of protective enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants near to normal compared to I/R group. Besides, GE treatment showed marked improvement in anxiety-related behavior and neuronal deficits in animals subjected to I/R injury. Moreover, 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC)-stained rat brain coronal sections and histopathological studies revealed neuronal protection against I/R-injury, as evidenced by a reduction in infarct area (%) and an increase in hippocampal CA1 neuronal density in the GE-treated groups. The results of this study revealed that GE exhibited potential neuroprotective activity by reducing oxidative stress and infarction area, and protecting hippocampal CA1 neurons against I/R-injury in the global stroke model in rats.

AMF species do matter: Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae affect healthy and PVY-infected Solanum tuberosum L. in a different way.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were documented to positively influence plant growth and yield, which is extremely important for the production of many crops including potato. However, the nature of the interaction between arbuscular mycorrhiza and plant virus that share the same host is not well characterized. In this study, we examined the effect of different AMF, Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae, on healthy and potato virus Y (PVY)-infected Solanum tuberosum L. The analyses conducted included the measurement of potato growth parameters, oxidative stress indicators, and photosynthetic capacity. Additionally, we evaluated both the development of AMF in plant roots and the virus level in mycorrhizal plants. We found that two AMF species colonized plant roots to varying degrees (ca. 38% for R. irregularis vs. 20% for F. mosseae). Rhizophagus irregularis had a more positive effect on potato growth parameters, causing a significant increase in the total fresh and dry weight of tubers, along with virus-challenged plants. Furthermore, this species lowered hydrogen peroxide levels in PVY-infected leaves and positively modulated the levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants, i.e., ascorbate and glutathione in leaves and roots. Finally, both fungal species contributed to reduced lipid peroxidation and alleviation of virus-induced oxidative damage in plant organs. We also confirmed an indirect interaction between AMF and PVY inhabiting the same host. The two AMF species seemed to have different abilities to colonize the roots of virus-infected hosts, as R. irregularis showed a stronger drop in mycorrhizal development in the presence of PVY. At the same time, arbuscular mycorrhiza exerted an effect on virus multiplication, causing increased PVY accumulation in plant leaves and a decreased concentration of virus in roots. In conclusion, the effect of AMF-plant interactions may differ depending on the genotypes of both symbiotic partners. Additionally, indirect AMF-PVY interactions occur in host plants, diminishing the establishment of arbuscular mycorrhiza while changing the distribution of viral particles in plants.

Dual oxidative stress and fatty acid profile impacts in Paracentrotus lividus exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin: biochemical and histopathological responses.

Lambda-cyhalothrin (λ-cyh) is a potential pyrethroid insecticide widely used in pest control. The presence of pyrethroids in the aquatic ecosystem may induce adverse effects on non-target organisms such as the sea urchin. This study was conducted to assess the toxic effects of λ-cyh on the fatty acid profiles, redox status, and histopathological aspects of Paracentrotus lividus gonads following exposure to three concentrations of λ-cyh (100, 250 and 500µg/L) for 72h. The results showed a significant decrease in saturated fatty acid (SFAs) with an increase in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) levels in λ-cyh treated sea urchins. The highest levels in PUFAs were recorded in the eicosapentaenoic acids (C20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acids (C22:6n-3) and arachidonic acids (C20:4n-6) levels. The λ-cyh intoxication promoted oxidative stress with an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels. Furthermore, the enzymatic activities and non-enzymatic antioxidants levels were enhanced in all exposed sea urchins, while the vitamin C levels were decreased in 100 and 500µg/L treated groups. Our biochemical results have been confirmed by the histopathological observations. Collectively, our findings offered valuable insights into the importance of assessing fatty acids' profiles as a relevant tool in aquatic ecotoxicological studies.

Phytomitigation potential and adaptive responses of helophyte Typha latifolia L. to copper smelter-influenced heavily multi-metal contamination.

The present study of phytomitigation potential and adaptive physiological and biochemical responses of helophyte Typha latifolia L. growing in water bodies at different distances from the century-old copper smelter (JSC "Karabashmed" Chelyabinsk Region, Russia) was conducted for the first time. This enterprise is one of the most dominant sources of multi-metal contamination for water and land ecosystems. The aim of the research was to assess the heavy metal (Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Mn, and Fe) accumulation, the photosynthetic pigment complex, and some redox reactions in T. latifolia from six differently technogenic impacted sites. In addition, the quantity of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms (QMAFAnM) in rhizosphere sediments, as well as some plant growth-promoting (PGP) attributes of 50 isolates from each site, were determined. The water and sediment metal concentrations in highly contaminated sites exceeded the permissible/critical limits and were found much higher than that previously reported by other researchers while studying this helophyte. Both the degree of contamination and geoaccumulation indexes further elucidated extremely high contamination due to prolonged activity of copper smelter. T. latifolia accumulated significantly higher concentrations of the most of studied metals in its roost and rhizome with meager transfer to leaves (the translocation factors were less than one). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient showed a strong positive correlation between the metal concentration in sediments and its content in T. latifolia leaves (rs = 0.786 at p < 0.001 on average) and roots/rhizome (rs = 0.847 at p < 0.001 on average). In highly contaminated sites, the folia content of chlorophyll a and carotenoids decreased (by 30 and 38%, respectively), while lipid peroxidation enhanced (by 42%) on average compared to S1-S3 sites. These responses were accompanied by increasing non-enzymatic antioxidant content (soluble phenolic compounds, free proline, and soluble thiols) that allow plants to resist under significant anthropogenic loads. QMAFAnM in the five studied rhizosphere substrates varied insignificantly (2.5 × 106 - 3.8 × 107cfug-1 DW) and was decreased only in the most contaminated site (4.5 × 105). The proportion of rhizobacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen decreased by 1.7 times, solubilizing phosphates by 1.5 times, and synthesizing indol-3-acetic acid by 1.4 times in highly contaminated sites, while the amount of siderophore, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase, and HCN producing bacteria did not considerably change. The results indicate high resistance of T. latifolia to prolonged technogenic impact, probably due to compensatory adaptive changes in the nonenzymatic antioxidant level and presence of beneficial microorganisms. Thus, T. latifolia was found to be a promising metal-tolerant helophyte that could help in mitigation of metal toxicity due to their phytostabilization even in heavily contaminated environment.

Estimation and Evaluation of (Uric Acid, Glutathione, Ceroplasmin) and the Trace Elements (Iron, Copper, Zinc) Levels in Type_2 Diabetic Patients in Basrah Governorate-Iraq

Type 2 diabetes occurs mainly as a result of two interrelated problems Cells in the muscles, fat, and liver become insulin resistant, because the cells do not react in a normal way to insulin, they do not absorb enough sugar, and thus the pancreas becomes unable to secrete an adequate amount of insulin to control blood sugar levels. Since antioxidants and trace elements have a role in the treatment of diabetes by defending beta cells against oxidative stress, so the current research was conducted to find out the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (Uric acid, Glutathione, Ceruloplasmin) and some trace elements (Iron, Copper, Zinc) that act as antioxidants in serum of type 2 diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects in Basrah Governorate-Iraq by age. The number of patients in the study was (50) patients (26 males-24 females) and healthy subjects (43), including (11 males-32 females). It was found that there was a significant decrease at the level of significance (p&lt;0.001) in the levels of each of (Glutathione, Ceruloplasmin, Iron and Zinc) in patients and healthy subjects and this decrease increased with age, while there was a significant increase at the level of significance (p&lt;0.001) in the levels of (Uric acid and Copper) at patients and healthy subjects with age.

EVALUATION OF CALCIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES TO ENHANCE HEAVY METAL STRESS TOLERANCE IN PLANTS

Heavy metal contamination is a severe environmental problem affecting global food production and safety. Heavy metal stress due to its toxicity, bioaccumulation, and non-biodegradability, it become quite serious in nature. The available strategies for preventing heavy metal contamination are not frequently used because of their inefficient and time- or money-consuming properties. Recent developments in nanotechnology have been made based on ameliorative strategies which have a potential alternative to physic-chemical methods. Under heavy metal stress, the application of calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO-NPs) significantly boosts plant biomass, anti-oxidative enzyme activities (such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR)), and the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate and glutathione). Additionally, CaO-NPs enhance the gene expression linked to anti-oxidative enzymes. It can be suggested that CaO-NPs could be used as a potential chemical to reduce heavy metal uptake and toxicity in the plants grown under heavy metal contaminated soil. This review provides an overview of plant-CaO-NPs research in increasing heavy metal stress tolerance in plants.

Far-red radiation during indoor cultivation reduces lettuce nutraceutical quality and shortens the shelf-life when stored at supra optimal temperatures

To improve yield in lettuce during indoor cultivation, far-red radiation (FR, 700–800 nm) is often added to the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm). Different scenarios was applied in this study: in one scenario FR is applied throughout the 16 h photoperiod (FR-Day); in another scenario FR is applied for a short duration (1 h) at the end of the day (FR-EOD). We have shown that FR-Day is optimal for improving yield, whereas FR-EOD is optimal for production efficiency (Zou et al., 2019). Here, we evaluated the impact of both scenarios on the postharvest quality of lettuce. Shelf-life of excised packaged (polyethylene film) leaves was monitored during dark storage at 4 and 16 ℃, respectively. FR during cultivation decreased the content of major health-promoting metabolites at harvest, especially under FR-Day. At 4 ℃, shelf-life was not affected by the cultivation regime. At 16 ℃, instead, FR was associated with increased postharvest deterioration rate and reduced overall visual quality throughout storage. The reduced shelf-life following FR during cultivation was related to elevated O2•− content along with decreased activity of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase) and reduced levels of non-enzymatic (carotenoids, total phenolics, and flavonoids) antioxidants. We conclude that FR during cultivation especially under FR-Day is associated with reduced nutraceutical quality at harvest, and potentially shorter shelf-life. Notably, the latter was only observed under inappropriate postharvest temperature management.

In-vitro Antioxidant and Radical Scavenging Properties of Acacia Ferruginea Plant Stem: A Phytochemical Study

Introduction: The study of free radical chemistry has received considerable attention in recent years. Our bodies produce free radicals through a variety of endogenous systems, exposed to various physiochemical or pathological conditions. Objective: The study aimed to assess the in-vitro antioxidant properties of Acacia ferruginea plant stem and to screen for their phytochemical components. Methodology: The stem was examined for enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, radical scavenging activity in three solvents with varying polarities, and phytochemical analyses. Result: The stem of Acacia ferruginea possessed considerable levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Conclusion: Although the three extracts had high scavenging properties, in-vitro assays did not show any significant DNA preventive properties. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols.

Determination of the effect of an aqueous seed extract of sesbania sesban (l) merr. on the levels of non-enzymic antioxidant status in experimental animals

This study investigates the effect of aqueous extract of seeds of Sesbania Sesban (L) Merr. on the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione and vitamin-C in different organs of experimental animals subjected to inflammation with a standard drug. The experimental animals were induced inflammation with administration of a standard inflammatory drug, Carrageenan and two different concentrations of plant extract viz.150mg/kg body weight and 300mg/kg body weight of experimental animals were administered through oral mode one hour prior to Carrageenan induction. After induction and treatment, the organs such as spleen, thymus and hind paw were removed and was evaluated to test the effect of plant extract on non-enzymatic antioxidant levels in two experimental group of animals from the homogenate sample. The values obtained showed the protective effect of the plant extract in enhancing the levels of both the antioxidants in a dose-dependent manner to a significant level.

Gastroprotective effects of Triticum aestivum Linn., extract on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in Wistar rats

Introduction and Aim: Triticum aestivum (wheatgrass) is high in nutrient availability and antioxidant enzymes. It also functions as a detoxifier and aids in the rejuvenation of healthy cells. The current study sought to determine the gastroprotective impact of aqueous ethanolic extract of wheatgrass on the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer.&#x0D; &#x0D; Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were given an oral dosage of 100% ethanol (1 ml/200g) to cause gastric ulcers. A reference medicine called omeprazole was given orally at dosages of 20 mg/kg body weight and 200 and 400 mg/kg of wheatgrass extract, respectively. Blood samples were taken an hour after ethanol administration, and the stomachs of deceased rats were then examined biochemically, macroscopically, and microscopically.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: The gastric ulcer index considerably decreased after taking wheatgrass extract orally, which showed a considerable attenuation of gastric ulcer. The serum level of TNF-? and the activity of the gastric MPO were both significantly enhanced by pre-treatment with wheatgrass extract. Furthermore, compared to the ethanol-induced group, wheatgrass pre-treatment dramatically boosted gastric levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, including CAT, TAC, and GSH with concurrent reductions in MDA levels. Further evidence for these conclusions came from histopathology research, which showed that wheatgrass had a healing impact on the hemorrhagic shock brought on by ethanol poisoning.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: Due to its propensity to decrease oxidative stress and gastric inflammation, wheatgrass extract may have gastroprotective effects on ethanol-induced stomach ulcers.

Coenzyme Q10 nanoparticles prevents monocrotophos exposure mediated neurotoxicity by attenuating the histological alterations in rats

Organophosphate (OP) insecticide monocrotophos (MCP) is extremely hazardous to all living beings. This study shows that coenzyme Q10 nanoparticles (CoQ10NPs) can protect rats from the neurotoxicity caused by MCP-induced oxidative stress. In this study, male albino rats were divided into six groups i.e. control, CoQ10NPs low dose (50mg/kg b. wt) treated group, CoQ10NPs high dose (100mg/kg b. wt) treated group, MCP (4.5mg/kg b. wt) exposed group, CoQ10NPs low dose + MCP (50mg and 4.5mg/kg b. wt) treated group and CoQ10NPs high dose + MCP (100mg and 4.5mg/kg b. wt) treated group. The observation showed the depletion in the level of AChE activity and elevation in the levels of protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation which indicated the emerging of oxidative stress resulting in the induction of neurotoxicity. A significant decrease in the level of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants like glutathione (GSH), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was observed in rat brain. The histopathological study indicated the major structural alterations in neuronal tissues of rats. These additionally backed up the induction of toxic effects caused by MCP exposure in rats. The prior co-treatment of CoQ10NPs along with MCP exposure depicted the significant protection from the oxidative stress generation and improved the structural and histological alteration in the rat brain. Hence, it can be concluded that CoQ10NPs have the strong therapeutic potential to reduce the MCP-induced oxidative stress, indicating their protective effects against MCP-induced neuronal cell damage in rats.

Lipid composition and oxidative changes in diabetes and alcoholic diabetes rats

BackgroundThe investigating of study was expected to the lipid composition of diabetes and alcoholic diabetes in plasma and erythrocyte membrane biochemical profile in rats. Diabetic male Wistar Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rats were used experimental models. Control rats (C) were maintained group I, received glucose (i.e., caloric equivalent), diabetic induced rats (STZ) group II, and group III alcoholic treated and IV diabetic and alcoholic treated rats which received 20 % (v/v) alcohol in water, administered through stomach tube (5 g/kg body weight/day). ResultsSTZ-induced diabetic hepatic damage in rats was observed which leads to the increased plasma lipid peroxidation, nitrate and nitrite levels. Diabetic and administration alcohol rats also suggestively lesser the activities of antioxidants, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione when related with control rats (group I). Plasma enzymes are normal levels and renovate the enzymic and non-enzymatic antioxidants level in experimental groups. ConclusionThe present data point out that the nitric oxide scavenging levels increased and may possibly protect and adjacent to oxidative stress and free radicals in diabetic hepatopathy rats and histopathological studies were identified in regular hepatic cortex of Group II, III and IV of animals with diabetes, alcoholic and alcohol-induced diabetes rats.

Peripheral non-enzymatic antioxidants as biomarkers for mood disorders: Evidence from a machine learning prediction model.

Oxidative stress is related to the pathogenesis of mood disorders, and the level of oxidative stress may differ between bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aimed to detect the differences in non-enzymatic antioxidant levels between BD and MDD and assess the predictive values of non-enzymatic antioxidants in mood disorders by applying a machine learning model. Peripheral uric acid (UA), albumin (ALB), and total bilirubin (TBIL) were measured in 1,188 participants (discover cohort: 157 with BD and 544 with MDD; validation cohort: 119 with BD and 95 with MDD; 273 healthy controls). An extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model and a logistic regression model were used to assess the predictive effect. All three indices differed between patients with mood disorders and healthy controls; in addition, the levels of UA in patients with BD were higher than those of patients with MDD. After treatment, UA levels increased in the MDD group, while they decreased in the BD group. Finally, we entered age, sex, UA, ALB, and TBIL into the XGBoost model. The area under the curve (AUC) of the XGBoost model for distinguishing between BD and MDD reached 0.849 (accuracy = 0.808, 95% CI = 0.719-0.878) and for distinguishing between BD with depression episode (BD-D) and MDD was 0.899 (accuracy = 0.891, 95% CI = 0.856-0.919). The models were validated in the validation cohort. The most important feature distinguishing between BD and MDD was UA. Peripheral non-enzymatic antioxidants, especially the UA, might be a potential biomarker capable of distinguishing between BD and MDD.

Evaluation of the anti-aflatoxin potential of Clove (Eugeneia caryophyllata L.)

• Aflatoxins are effective hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic substances. • The therapeutic effect of Eugeneia caryophyllata L. was studied. • Evaluated the potentials of ethanolic extract of Eugeneia caryophyllata on Aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. • Histopathological and electrophoretic pattern analysis of the liver also confirmed the hepatoprotective values and antioxidant activity of E. caryophyllata . • ethanolic extract seems to be the best hepatoprotective form against Aflatoxin. Aflatoxins are hepatotoxic and cancer-causing substances. Their penchant for producing reactive oxygen species and causing peroxidative damage is suggested to attenuate their hepatotoxicity. This study looked at the effects of Eugeneia caryophyllata ethanolic extract on Aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Sixty rats (125 ± 25g) were divided into ten groups. The experiment lasted more than 30 days in all groups. According to histopathological and electrophoretic, E. caryophyllata was found to have hepatoprotective qualities by reducing thiobarbituric acid reactive chemicals and raising enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels pattern analysis of the liver. E. caryophyllata shows a realistic defence effect against Aflatoxin B1-induced liver injury from the findings. The primary mechanism could be linked to its ability to remove intracellular reactive species by boosting the levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants.

Oxidative Stress and Emergence of Psychosis.

Treatment and prevention strategies for schizophrenia require knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the psychotic transition. Increasing evidence suggests a redox imbalance in schizophrenia patients. This narrative review presents an overview of the scientific literature regarding blood oxidative stress markers’ evolution in the early stages of psychosis and chronic patients. Studies investigating peripheral levels of oxidative stress in schizophrenia patients, first episode of psychosis or UHR individuals were considered. A total of 76 peer-reviewed articles published from 1991 to 2022 on PubMed and EMBASE were included. Schizophrenia patients present with increased levels of oxidative damage to lipids in the blood, and decreased levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants. Genetic studies provide evidence for altered antioxidant functions in patients. Antioxidant blood levels are decreased before psychosis onset and blood levels of oxidative stress correlate with symptoms severity in patients. Finally, adjunct treatment of antipsychotics with the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine appears to be effective in schizophrenia patients. Further studies are required to assess its efficacy as a prevention strategy. Redox imbalance might contribute to the pathophysiology of emerging psychosis and could serve as a therapeutic target for preventive or adjunctive therapies, as well as biomarkers of disease progression.

Application of zinc oxide nanoparticles as fertilizer boosts growth in rice plant and alleviates chromium stress by regulating genes involved in oxidative stress.

Chromium toxicity impairs the productivity of rice crops and raises a major concern worldwide and thus, it calls for unconventional and sustainable means of crop production. In this study, we identified the implication of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in promoting plant growth and ameliorating chromium-induced stress in seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa). This investigation demonstrates that the exogenous supplementation of ZnO NPs at 25μM activates defense mechanisms conferring rice seedlings significant tolerance against stress imposed by the exposure of 100μM Cr(VI). Further, supplementation of this nanofertilizer reversed the inhibitory effects of Cr(VI) on growth and photosynthetic efficiency. The growth promotion was primarily associated with the function of ZnO NPs in inducing activity of antioxidative enzymes i.e. APX, DHAR, MDHAR and GR belonging to the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in the Cr-exposed seedlings, exceeding the levels in control. The overexpression of these antioxidative genes correlated concomitantly with the decrease of oxidants including SOR and H2O2 and the increase in the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants: AsA and GSH.

Diacerein attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury via inhibiting ER stress and apoptosis: Impact on the crosstalk between SphK1/S1P, TLR4/NFκB/STAT3, and NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathways

AimsAcute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening clinical problem with high mortality rate and limited treatments or preventive options that represents a major challenge for clinicians. Diacerein (DIA) is a multi-target anthraquinone derivative with potent anti-inflammatory action. The aim of this study is to assess the protective effect of DIA and its potential molecular targets against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in rats. Materials and methodsAdult male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administrated DIA (50 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS (5mg/kg). Key findingsDIA mitigated oxidative lung injury in LPS-challenged rats via significantly decreasing lung wet/dry (W/D) ratio, inflammatory cells infiltration, and lipid peroxidation, with concomitant elevation in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels in lung tissue. Likewise, DIA alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress and markedly halted inflammation triggered by LPS challenge in pulmonary tissue by suppressing NLRP3/IL-1β and TLR4/NF-κB signaling with parallel decrease in proinflammatory cytokine levels. Interestingly, DIA down regulated Sphk1/S1P axis, reduced GSK-3β and STAT3 proteins expression, and markedly decreased caspase-3 besides increasing Bcl-2 levels in lung tissue of LPS-challenged animals. These biochemical findings was simultaneously associated with marked improvement in histological alterations of lung tissue. SignificanceThese findings verify the protective effect of DIA against LPS-induced ALI through targeting oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis. Importantly, DIA halted the hyperinflammatory state triggered by LPS via multi-faceted inhibitory effect on different signaling pathways, hence DIA could potentially reduce mortality in patients with ALI.

The Impact of Severe COVID-19 on Plasma Antioxidants.

Several studies suggested the association of COVID-19 with systemic oxidative stress, in particular with lipid peroxidation and vascular stress. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant signaling in the plasma of eighty-eight patients upon admission to the Clinical Hospital Dubrava in Zagreb, of which twenty-two died within a week, while the other recovered. The differences between the deceased and the survivors were found, especially in the reduction of superoxide dismutases (SOD-1 and SOD-2) activity, which was accompanied by the alteration in glutathione-dependent system and the intensification of the thioredoxin-dependent system. Reduced levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, especially tocopherol, were also observed, which correlated with enhanced lipid peroxidation (determined by 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and neuroprostane levels) and oxidative modifications of proteins assessed as 4-HNE-protein adducts and carbonyl groups. These findings confirm the onset of systemic oxidative stress in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2, especially those who died from COVID-19, as manifested by strongly reduced tocopherol level and SOD activity associated with lipid peroxidation. Therefore, we propose that preventive and/or supplementary use of antioxidants, especially of lipophilic nature, could be beneficial for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.