Total Antioxidant Activity Levels Research Articles

Oxidative stress induced by the human microbiota yeast component as a micromycetes pathogenicity factor

The introduction of MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry into routine microbiological diagnostics has led to a widely extended list of identified microorganisms. This phenomenon also affected mycological studies. Rare basidiomycetes and ascomycetes began to be detected in various types of pathological material. It is often difficult to assess a role of isolated micromycetes in the pathogenesis of a certain disease. In addition to generally admitted pathogenicity factors, such as aggression enzymes, adhesive activity, and toxin formation, induction or inhibition of reactive oxygen species can play a prominent role in pathogenesis of infectious diseases. In our study, we evaluated the total prooxidant and total antioxidant activity of cultivated ascomycete and basidiomycete yeasts from the human intestinal mycobiome. The strains of micromycetes assessed here were obtained from a fecal culture study from patients with gastrointestinal tract pathology and healthy people undergoing a routine medical examination. Identification was carried out analyzing morphological, cultural, biochemical properties and confirmed by mass spectrometry. The total prooxidant and antioxidant activity was assessed by the induced or inhibited malondialdehyde formation during Tween-80 oxidation. It was found that the level of total prooxidant activity in Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Geotrichum candidum, Candida albicans, Pichia kudriavzevii significantly exceeds the level of total antioxidant activity, and the Pichia kudriavzevii prooxidase activity was more than twice as high as in other studied micromycetes. The revealed ability of some fungi to induce oxidase stress can be considered as one of significant pathogenicity factors of microorganisms that cause pathomorphological changes in human intestinal tissues.

Effects of Equivalent Processing Conditions for Microbial Inactivation by Innovative Nonthermal Technologies on the Safety, Quality, and Shelf-Life of Reineta Parda Apple Puree

This study aimed to identify equivalent processing conditions using ultrasound (US), pulsed electric fields (PEF), and high-pressure processing (HPP) for shelf-life extension and to ensure the safety and quality of Reineta Parda apple puree (AP) in comparison to conventional thermal pasteurization (72 °C/15 s, CTP). The processing conditions were selected to achieve at least 5 log CFU/g inactivation of Escherichia coli. HPP (400 MPa/1 min), US (60 °C, 20 kHz/12 min), and PEF (57.2 °C, 10 kV/cm, 70 bipolar pulses of 8 µs each) reduced E. coli counts by 6.6, 6.1, and 5.8 log CFU/g, respectively, thus achieving the pasteurization status. After processing, HPP samples showed higher levels of total antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) compared to the other samples. HPP and PEF samples showed lower browning degrees than the CTP samples. All treatments ensured indigenous microbial stability (below 1 log CFU/g) for at least 30 days under refrigeration. Principal component analysis showed that the HPP samples increased their similarity to the untreated fresh AP during storage based on the pH, total soluble content and water activity, retaining its fresh-like qualities. HPP and PEF were found to be potential alternatives to the CTP of AP, resulting in a safe, minimally processed product with improved antioxidant activity.

Development and study of the functional properties of marshmallow enriched with bee (Apis mellifera) honey and encapsulated probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus).

Consumer demand for healthier confectionery products has prompted the confectionery industry to create products that are reduced in sugar content and supplemented with vitamins, antioxidants or biological elements beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to develop marshmallows enriched with Apis mellifera honey and Lactobacillus rhamnosus and to evaluate the effect of honey concentration and gelatin bloom degrees on marshmallow properties. A completely randomized design with a factorial structure was applied with different honey concentrations (0, 50 and 75%) and at different gelatin bloom degrees (265, 300 and 315 bloom degrees); moreover, the physicochemical properties, total phenol content and antioxidant activity of the marshmallow were studied, as well as the viability of the probiotic. The physicochemical properties of the marshmallows were found to be adequate and showed good stability over time. The concentration of honey and gelatin bloom degrees did not significantly affect probiotic viability. The density of the marshmallows decreased as the percentage of honey increased. Additionally, the pH was lower at higher honey concentrations. The marshmallow with 75% honey and 265 bloom degrees had a higher °Brix value. The honey treatments exhibited higher levels of total antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds than the sugar-only marshmallows. However, the bloom degrees did not have a significant impact on the antioxidant activity and total phenolic compound content. Although the probiotics did not reach the minimum viability needed, their use as paraprobiotics can be considered.

Impact on methemoglobin and certain oxidative stress markers in diabetic and non-diabetic Hansen’s disease patients with dapsone treatment

Introduction: Hansen’s (leprosy) disease is a worldwide healthcare problem, caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Dapsone (a synthetic sulfone), is an antibacterial agent, has both anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties for the treatment of all forms of leprosy. The goal of the study is to evaluate the effect of dapsone on HbA1C, methemoglobin and certain oxidative stress markers in young patients suffering with Hansen’s disease with and without diabetes.
 
 Methodology: The study was conducted on 70 subjects in age group of 20-45 years. These subjects include 20 healthy subjects (Group 1); 35 non-diabetic Hansen’s patients on dapsone (100mg/day) treatment (Group 2) and 15 diabetic Hansen’s disease on dapsone (100 mg/day) (Group 3). The fasting blood samples were drawn for the evaluation of methemoglobin, HbA1C, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and total antioxidant activity from all the groups.
 
 Results: A significant increase in methemoglobin and malondialdehyde was noted in Group 2 and 3 patients with reference to healthy control subjects (Group 1) while the levels of reduced glutathione, HbA1C and total antioxidant activity were notably reduced in investigated Group 2 and 3 compared to Group 1. A similar trend of significant increase in methemoglobin and malondialdehyde levels in Group 3 with respect to Group 2 and significant fall in glutathione and total antioxidant activity and nominal fall in HbA1C was recorded in Group 3 with respect to Group 2.
 
 Conclusion: Aforesaid observations suggested that oxidative stress induced in diabetic and non-diabetic Hansen’s disease patients treated with dapsone due to alteration in Met. Hb, MDA, reduced glutathione and total antioxidant activity levels might be accountable for the etiology of various diseases like cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular events. A comprehensive study with clinical trials inclusive of complete oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, pattern of dietary intake with antioxidant vitamin supplements alone and in combination might be beneficial.

Influence of wood type on anthraquinone levels and quality properties of smoked chipotle pepper

This study aimed to assess the effects of pecan and mesquite wood, as well as smoking time, on anthraquinone (AQ) levels and quality properties of chipotle pepper (CHP) during the traditional smoking process. Changes in moisture content, microstructure, levels of total phenols (TPs), AQ, capsaicin (CAPS), dihydrocapsaicin (DHC), total polyphenols (TPPs), and total antioxidant activity (TAA), as well as color parameters, were measured. A wood mixture consisting of pecan, poplar, mesquite, and pine was used as the control. The CHP moisture content consistently decreased from 12 to 108 h of smoking, with long times exhibiting asymptotic trends across all treatments. Concurrently, structural changes, such as pericarp thinning and plant tissue collapse, were observed as the smoking process progressed. The wood type and processing time had a significant impact (P < 0.05) on TPs, AQ, CAPS, DHC, TAA levels, and color. TPs and AQ exhibited behavior opposite to that of the moisture content. CHP smoked in mesquite wood exhibited the highest TPs absorption rate and the lowest AQ levels. However, the AQ levels in CHP using any wood type exceeded permissible limits (0.02 mg·kg−1) at 12 h of processing, with the control exhibiting the highest AQ concentrations. The highest concentrations of CAPS and DHC were observed at 36 h in all treatments, with lower losses in mesquite wood CHP. The control exhibited the highest TAA values compared to fresh peppers. CHP color (a*, redness) decreased throughout the smoking process. The pecan and mesquite wood treatments resulted in the lowest loss of a* (P < 0.05). These results indicate that using mesquite wood for CHP production promotes higher TPs concentrations with lower AQ levels, followed by pecan wood, when compared to the control. These findings suggest the need to investigate the mechanisms of AQ formation to achieve CHP parameters within the regulatory limits with good quality.

Role of short germination and milling on physical properties, amino acid and metabolomic profiles of high amylose rice fractions

Short germination is a process that can improve bioactive compounds in rice. This work aimed investigate the physical properties, phenolic compounds (PC), antioxidant activity and amino acids composition of husk + bran, brown and milled rice with high amylose content after short germination (16 h). α-amylase activity (Falling Number, FN) and enthalpy (ΔH) were unchanged (p < 0.05). RVA curve profiles were similar, even though after short germination and milling. Globally, metabolomics analysis identified 117 PC, in which 111 (bound), 104 (free) and 21 revealed in both extracts. p-Coumaric, trans-ferulic and ferulic acids were the most abundant PC revealed in all fractions. The portion husk + bran showed the highest level of total antioxidant activity (709.90 µmol TE) in both free and bound fractions. In terms of total amino acids, there was no statistical difference (p < 0.05) among non-germinated and germinated samples, contrary to free amino acids content. Glutamic acid (Glu) presented the highest values combining short germination and milling (1725–1900 mg/100 g) consequently, leads to higher value of GABA (12.21 mg/100 g). The combination of short germination and milling demonstrated a good strategy to improve the nutritional quality of rice, unless the thermal and pasting properties have been altered, contribute to potential health benefits on human nutrition.

Improvement of Hot Air Dried Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Product Quality: Optimization of Drying and Blanching Process by Experimental Design

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a plant species belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, growing in tropical regions and containing health-promoting beneficial compounds. In the current study, bitter gourds prepared for drying were sliced in three different thicknesses (6, 8 and 10 mm) and dried in a hot-air dryer at three different temperatures (60, 70 and 80 °C) to preserve their medicinal efficacy. In the experiments, the samples were subjected to blanching at 93.5 °C and 2% salt water for 0, 2.5 and 5 min, and drying processes were conducted. After the drying process, drying time, total color change (∆E), total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant activity (TAA), and vitamin C properties were examined. The highest levels of TPC and TAA were found at lower drying air temperatures (DATs), and while these values increased with longer blanching times at lower DATs, they decreased with longer blanching times at higher DATs. According to the different drying temperatures used, it was discovered that the total color change peaked at 70 °C and that vitamin C levels declined as DAT rose. The optimal drying conditions for the 3D response surface methodology include 60 °C DAT, a slice thickness of 10 mm, and without blanching to maximize TPC, TAA and vitamin C content and minimize drying time and ∆E.

Effect of trehalose on miR-132 and SIRT1 in the hippocampus of aged rats

Aging causes substantial molecular to morphological changes in the brain. The brain cells are more susceptible towards oxidative damage due to impaired antioxidant defense system. Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) is a crucial cellular survival protein, which its gene has been identified as a direct target of microRNA 132 (miR-132). Trehalose contributes to preventing neuronal damage through several mechanisms. However, little is known about the interactive effects of aging and trehalose on the expression pattern of miR-132 and SIRT1 in the hippocampus. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Two groups of aged (24 months) and young (4 months) rats were administered 2% trehalose solution for 30 days. Two other groups of aged and young rats received regular tap water. At the end of treatment, the levels of Sirt1 mRNA and its protein, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl content, total antioxidant capacity, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), as well as the expression of miR-132 were measured in the hippocampus. We found that trehalose treatment upregulated the expression of SIRT1 and miR-132. Moreover, administration of trehalose enhanced the level of total antioxidant activity whereas reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content, and TNF-α. In conclusion, our data indicated that trehalose restored antioxidant status and alleviated inflammation in the hippocampus which was probably associated with the upregulation of SIRT1 and miR-132.

Effect of 6-hydroxydopamine increase the glutathione level in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Treatment of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells with a catecholaminergic neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is an acknowledged in vitro experimental model of Parkinson disease (PD). A decrease in the glutathione content occurs in PD. Higher concentrations of 6-OHDA lowered the glutathione level in SH-SY5Y cells, nonetheless, we and other authors found a considerable increase in these cells' glutathione content after 24 h treatment with 60 μM 6-OHDA. A synthetic antioxidant, 4-aminotetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-AT) exerted a similar effect. The aim of the present study was to explain this surprising effect by monitoring the time course of changes in the levels of reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), total antioxidant activity (TAC) of human neuroblastoma cell SH-SY5Y extracts as well as the level of reactive oxygen species and activities of enzymes of glutathione metabolism after treatment of the cells with 60 µM 6-OHDA and/or 4-AT for 30 min - 24 h. A transient decrease in the level of GSH and TAC of cell extracts, increase in the level of GSSG, and decrease in the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and γ-glutamyl-cysteine ligase activities were found followed by normalization or overshoot of the GSH level, TAC and enzyme activities. Increased activity of γ-glutamyl-cysteine ligase activity starting after 4-6 h was responsible for the elevation of the level of GSH and TAC in cells treated with 6-OHDA, 4-AT, and both compounds. The 6-OHDA-induced increase in the GSH content is a result of an overcompensatory response. The antioxidant 4-AT may be useful for the induction of an increase in the level of GSH in neural cells, without the negative effect of 6-OHDA.

Fruit quality of strawberry cultivars submitted to nutrient spraying in semi-hydroponic system

Society's demand for foods with high organoleptic and nutraceutical quality requires studies that identify superior cultivars and nutritional management that provides gains in quality attributes. The attributes pH, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, total contend of flavonoids (FVT), anthocyanins (ATC), phenols compounds (TPC), vitamin C (Vit C) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) of pseudofruits of two cultivars of short days (Pircinque and Jônica) and two of neutral days (Albion and San Andreas) submitted to spraying with water or nutrients (PAN) (B, Zn and B + Zn) under semi-hydroponic system in Alto Vale do Itajaí/SC, Brazil. Pseudofruits from short-day cultivars have higher SS content and SS/AT ratio. PAN does not influence pH, SS, AT and SS/AT ratio. Strawberries from Jônica and Albion stand out for their high Vit C content. The application of Zn increases Vit C of the cultivars. The variation found in the levels of FVT, ATC and TAA, is mainly due to the genetics of each cultivar. The TAA correlated positively with the FvT and ATC content and negatively with SS. Higher TAA were observed in decreasing order for San Andreas, Jônica, Albion and Pircinque. Pircinque strawberries are sweeter, with higher SS and SS/AT ratio, but with lower TAA.

Association of anthropometric and oxidative status with aging rates in patients with arterial hypertension

The aim of the work was to determine association between anthropometric parameters, indicators of aging and markers of oxidative stress, as a possible link between anthropometric status and rates of aging, among patients with arterial hypertension (AH).&#x0D; Materials and methods. Examinations involved 97 with AH of I — II stage (60.8 % women), with the mean age of 49.5 [41.0;56.4] years, who constituted the main group. The control group consisted of 20 age‑ and gender‑matched healthy volunteers. Depending on the age, patients with AH were divided into subgroups: group 1 with age younger than 45 years (n = 31), group 2 aged 45 to 59 years (n = 55), group 3 older than 60 years (n = 11). Anthropometric parameters and indicators of oxidative state (total antioxidant capacity (TAC); content of total hydroperoxides (THP); total antioxidant activity (TAA); THP/TAA ratio) were determined for all patients. Calendar age (hereinafter — age), biological age (BA), mortality risk, telomere length (TL) in blood and buccal epithelium, telomerase activity (TA), level of global methylation (GM) of DNA were selected as indicators of aging. Assessment of BA and risk of mortality was carried out according to the method of M. E. Levine et al. (2018).&#x0D; Results. It has been established that the older age category in the main group was characterized by significantly higher BA (p = 0.0001) and mortality risk (p = 0.0001). In young and middle‑aged patients, changes in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist volume to hip volume ratio (WC/HC), visceral fat level (VF) were associated with changes in BA, risk of mortality, level of GM. Compared to normal weight patients, overweight patients had higher levels of THP (p = 0.019) and TAC (p = 0.001). Obese patients compared to normal weight patients had higher THP levels (p = 0.004), higher BA (p = 0.018), risk of mortality (p = 0.009) and GM level (p = 0.005). Patients with high central fat accumulation (according to OT values) and patients with elevated WC/HC ratio had higher BA (p = 0.044 and p = 0.040) and mortality risk (p = 0.035 and p = 0.050) respectively compared to patients with normal values for these indicators, and patients with high WC/HC ratio additionally had a significantly higher GM level (p = 0.042). Compared to patients with normal VF, patients with high and very high VF had significantly higher levels of TAA (p = 0.018 and p = 0.026) and THP (p = 0.015 and p = 0.042) respectively. In addition, patients with very high VF compared to subgroups with high and normal VF levels had significantly higher BA (p = 0.004 and p = 0.018) and mortality risk (p = 0.004 and p = 0.016) respectively.&#x0D; Conclusions. In young and middle‑aged hypertensive patients changes in anthropometric parameters were associated with changes in aging indicators. BA and mortality risk calculated according to the method of M. E. Levine et al. (2018) proved to be effective indicators of aging rates and depended on the severity of anthropometric disorders. A pronounced increase in the BMI and WC/HC ratio in patients with AH were accompanied by a significant increase in the GM level. An increase in the activity of oxidative processes against the background of depletion of antioxidant protection systems is one of the mechanisms that causes the aging acceleration in patients with AH due to obesity, determined by BMI and VF.&#x0D;

Ethnic features of antioxidant status in men with infertility

BACKGROUND: The study of the influence of ethnicity on human health is relevant at present.&#x0D; AIM: To evaluate the antioxidant status of blood and ejaculation in infertile men in different ethnic groups.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results of a survey of 222 Caucasians and 143 Mongoloids with pathozoospermia from infertile couples were used for the current retrospective analysis. The control groups comprised healthy men with realized reproductive function (97 Mongoloids and 104 Caucasians). The materials for biochemical studies were blood plasma and ejaculate. The analyses involved the use of spectrophotometric, fluorometric, and statistical methods of research. In the blood and ejaculate of the examined men, the total antioxidant activity was determined as an indicator characterizing the total activity of lipid peroxidation inhibitors and determining its buffer capacity, the concentration of fat-soluble vitamins retinol and -tocopherol, and the level of superoxide dismutase.&#x0D; RESULTS: The blood of Caucasian men with infertility was compared with that of fertile donors. The analysis revealed a decrease in the concentration of retinol by 27% (р=0.0001) and -tocopherol by 25% (р 0.0001), as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase by 5% (р=0.0002). In the ejaculation of male Caucasians with infertility, we discovered a decrease in the concentration of -tocopherol by 17% (р=0.0011) and an increase in total antioxidant activity by 21% (р=0,0004). The antioxidant defense system in Mongoloid men was characterized by an increase in retinol concentration by 24% (р=0.0002) and total antioxidant activity by 13% (р=0.0261), as well as a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity by 8% (р=0.0001). The results of the study of the antioxidant defense system in the ejaculate of Mongoloid men with infertility showed a decrease in the concentration of -tocopherol by 15% (р=0,0322) and an increase in the level of total antioxidant activity by 17% (р=0.0432).&#x0D; CONCLUSION: The data gathered allowed for an evaluation of the characteristics and the role of the antioxidant status in the general homeostasis of the organism of males of various ethnicity, who are infertile, despite being of reproductive age. A common mechanism for reproductive dysfunction present in the two ethnic groups is the lack of -tocopherol concentration and a compensatory increase in the total antioxidant activity in the ejaculate, as well as a decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase in the blood of the examined men. The blood of Mongoloids is characterized by a compensatory-adaptive increase in the total antioxidant activity and retinol concentration, which contrasts with Caucasians, whose antioxidant status of blood is characterized by the inhibition of the non-enzymatic link of antioxidant protection.

Oxi-Inflammatory Stress and Biomolecular Deterioration: A Mysterious Convergence in Post COVID Patients

Background: Despite several scientific efforts against COVID 19, conundrum of biomolecular deterioration in Post COVID syndrome patients are still in dark at an unprecedented scale globally and affected the patient’s health multidimensionally. It is conceivable that patients recovered from COVID-19 after second wave are at enhanced risk of secondary complications.Aim: The present study was carried out to estimate the serum vitamin D and total antioxidant activity (TAC) along withmarkers of oxi-inflammatory stress in post COVID patients diagnosed RT-PCR negative after second wave of COVID-19 andto determine their role in predicting secondary complications.Methodology: 50 subjects (30-55 years) of Delhi-NCR region were recruited and categorized into two groups (n=25 in each group; on the basis of their history of COVID infection). By using standard methods, study group parameters were estimated in Post COVID patients and statistically compared it with that of 25 non affected healthy controls by using student’s t-test.Result: Serum CRP, TNF-α, MDA and uric acid levels were significantly high (p&lt;0.05) in Post COVID patients as compared to healthy controls. Conversely, serum vitamin D and TAC levels along with SOD activities were found to be significantly low (P&lt;0.001) in Post COVID patients as compared healthy controls. However, ceruloplasmin level was altered insignificantly (p&lt;0.1) with respect to Group I subjects. Vitamin D levels were positively correlated with TAC and SOD activity (P&lt;0.001) and negatively correlated with MDA, CRP, TNF-α and uric acid levels in post COVID patients.Conclusion: Therefore, the present study emphasizes the dire need of special attention to Post COVID population by providingvitamin D supplementation, antioxidant and mineral rich diet along with adoption of regular aerobic exercise not only to rejuvenate the biomolecular homeostasis but also to reduce oxi-inflammatory stress mediated future complications.

Quantification of Spent Coffee Ground Extracts by Roast and Brew Method, and Their Utility in a Green Synthesis of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology has become increasingly important in modern society, and nanoparticles are routinely used in many areas of technology, industry, and commercial products. Many species of nanoparticle (NP) are typically synthesized using toxic or hazardous chemicals, making these methods less environmentally friendly. Consequently, there has been growing interest in green synthesis methods, which avoid unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals and reduce harmful waste. Synthesis methods which utilize food waste products are particularly attractive because they add value and a secondary use for material which would otherwise be disposed of. Here, we show that spent coffee grounds (SCGs) that have already been used once in coffee brewing can be easily used to synthesize gold and silver NPs. SCGs derived from medium and dark roasts of the same bean source were acquired after brewing coffee by hot brew, cold brew, and espresso techniques. The total antioxidant activity (TAC) and total caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) of the aqueous SCG extracts were investigated, showing that hot brew SCGs had the highest CQA and TAC levels, while espresso SCGs had the lowest. SCG extract proved effective as a reducing agent in synthesizing gold and silver NPs regardless of roast or initial brew method.

Screening for Resistance in Selected Tomato Varieties against the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita in the Philippines Using a Molecular Marker and Biochemical Analysis.

Tomato is a high-value vegetable crop widely cultivated in the Philippines, and its production is threatened by various stresses including infection by the root-knot nematode M. incognita. In this study, we checked for resistance to M. incognita in selected tomato germplasm collections and commercially available varieties using a bioassay method, the molecular marker Mi23 and biochemical analysis. Among the eight varieties tested, none showed a resistant reaction against M. incognita. Use of the molecular marker Mi23 yielded 430 bp in all the tomato varieties screened. Phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining method revealed the clustering of consensus sequence of the varieties tested with the susceptible variety S. lycopersicum cv. M82-1-8 and a wild relative, S. pimpinellifolium isolate LA2184. The biochemical analysis showed varying responses among the varieties when they were inoculated with M. incognita. Increased levels of total antioxidant activity were observed in Diamante Max F1, Ilocos Red and Tm 2016 11-1, while total phenolic content was found to be elevated in Athena, Avatar TY F1 and Rosanna. Increased levels of ascorbic acid were observed in Athena and Avatar TY F1 even at 45 dpi. Even though these varieties showed elevated levels of the abovementioned biochemical parameters related to a resistance reaction, all of them showed highly susceptible reactions. Hence, this study showed that these tomato varieties have no resistance against M. incognita and that there is a need to identify other sources of resistance against M. incongita and produce resistant tomato cultivars adapted to local conditions.

Antioxidant status in children and adolescents with COVID-19

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the importance of this problem to the first stage and has affected healthcare system around the world. Despite the more favorable COVID-19 course, the child population should be at focus of special attention, due to the active participation in its distribution. The course of COVID-19 includes a cascade of pathological processes accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen species, which can have extremely negative consequences for the developing organism. The research of these processes in children is vital and will improve the effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic measures. The aim: to analyze changes in enzymatic and non-enzymatic links in the antioxidant defense in children and adolescents with diagnosed COVID-19 infection.Materials and methods. 17 children and adolescents (average age – 12.35 ± 4.01 years) were examined, including 8 boys (47 %) and 9 girls (53 %) with COVID-19 infection. The control group of children and adolescents (practically healthy) according to the «copy-pair» principle was selected. We used spectrophotometric methods.Results. In the group of children and adolescents with diagnosed COVID-19 infection, there were lower levels of total antioxidant activity (p &lt; 0.0001), superoxide dismutase activity (p &lt; 0.0001), content of reduced glutathione (p = 0.048) and retinol (p = 0.015), increase in glutathione reductase activity (p = 0.015) relative to the control.Conclusion. The obtained data indicate the insufficiency of antioxidant system components number in children and adolescents with diagnosed COVID-19 infection and indicate the advisability of antioxidant therapy using to stabilize these indicators.

Mesenchymal stem cells after the proprocessing of tanshinone IIA attenuate cognitive deficits and oxidative stress injury in an amyloid β-peptide (25-35)-induced rodent model of Alzheimer's disease.

To verify whether mesenchymal stem cells cocultured with tanshinone IIA may ameliorate Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting oxidative stress. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups named Sham, Aβ25-35, mesenchymal stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (tanshinone IIA). The rats were treated according to different groups. The neurobehavioral performance of Sprague-Dawley rats was evaluated via Morris water maze test. Histological changes were checked via hematoxylin-eosin staining. The levels of total antioxidant activity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and malondialdehyde in hippocampus were assayed by ELISA kit. The levels of Aβ, p-tau/tau, and p-AMP-activated protein kinase/AMP-activated protein kinase in hippocampus were checked by Western blot. Our research showed that the injection of mesenchymal stem cells (tanshinone IIA) into the hippocampus alleviated learning and memory deficits and reduced hippocampal neuronal injury in the Alzheimer's disease rats. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells (tanshinone IIA) treatment suppressed oxidative stress, attenuated Aβ accumulation reduced Tau hyperphosphorylation, and enhanced the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase in the hippocampus of the Alzheimer's disease rats. However, there were almost no significant difference between the mesenchymal stem cells and Aβ25-35 groups. Mesenchymal stem cells (tanshinone IIA) transplantation may be a potential treatment for curing Alzheimer's disease, which may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress.

Is Selenium Supplementation Beneficial in Acute Ischemic Stroke?

Selenium (Se) plays a significant role in brain physiology. The existing human data demonstrate that stroke is associated with significantly reduced Se levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. This study proposed to investigate the effect of intravenous Se (Selenase) administration in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) on neurological outcomes, antioxidant enzyme activity, and inflammatory marker levels. AIS patients (n=50) were recruited from a neurology unit of a university-affiliated hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either Selenase or placebo (saline) for 5 days. The modified ranking scale, the national institute of health stroke scale, and the mini-mental state examination, as primary outcomes, and the serum GPx concentration, total antioxidant activity, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels, as secondary outcomes, were measured at the baseline and on day 30. Eventually, 44 patients with AIS completed the intervention study. A notable increase in GPx and total antioxidant activity levels was detected in the treatment group compared with the placebo group (110.63±52.48 m/mL, 1.34±0.30 mmol/L, P<0.05), whereas the serum tumor necrosis factor-α level in the Selenase group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group (58.58±61.33 pg/mL, P<0.05). In addition, Selenase improved the modified ranking scale and national institute of health stroke scale scores significantly (P<0.05 and <0.04, respectively), but no statistical difference was observed between the 2 groups in the mini-mental state examination score. Selenase, plausibly due to its antioxidant function, results in positive outcomes in terms of neurological deficits, antioxidant enzyme activity, and inflammatory marker levels.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OF ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION WITH CHRONOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL AGE IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Relevance. The study is relevant due to the increase in the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) with age, as well as the presence of common developmental mechanism with aging processes, that is a violation of antioxidant protection. Given the changes in the antioxidant state with age, studying their relationship with biological age (BA) may be useful in this category of patients.&#x0D; Objective: to study changes in antioxidant status in AH patients of various age categories and their relationship with calendar age (CA) and BA, calculated using two outpatient methods.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study included 96 patients with an average age of 50.8 ± 14.3 years (53.1% of women), who were divided into 2 groups: the main group (n=71) – patients with AH degrees 1-2 stages 1-2 with low and moderate cardiovascular risk, controls (n=25) – healthy patients randomized by age and sex. Patients of the main group were divided into subgroups depending on age: 25-44 years (n=21), 45-59 years (n=25) and over 60 years (n=25). Markers of antioxidant protection: total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) were determined in all patients. BA was calculated using the method of A. G. Gorelkin and B. B. Pinkhasov (BA1) and V.P. Voitenko’s method (BA2 ).&#x0D; Results. Patients of the main group had higher BA1 (p=0.024), BV2 (p=0.004), greater weight (p=0.010), body mass index (p=0.008), waist circumference (p=0.003). Also, there were tendencies towards an increase in TAC and a decrease in TAA in AH patients, compared with controls, although the differences were not significant. Correlation was found between CA and TAC (r=0.422; p=0.032) in the controls, and in the main group there was an association between CA and TAA (r=-0.357; p=0.003), the strength of which increased in young patients (r=-0.412; p=0.037). When comparing the levels of antioxidant state markers in AH patients depending on CA and BA, there was no significant difference in TAC levels, while TAA levels were the lowest in the group of patients aged 25-44 (p&lt;0.05). After grouping patients depending on BA, there was an even more noticeable decrease in TAA in patients over 60 years old compared to controls.&#x0D; Conclusions. The associations between CA and the level of TAC in the controls and TAA in the main group were demonstrated. The relationship of these parameters with BA was observed only in patients with AH, which may indicate the effectiveness of BA evaluating using the methods of A. G. Gorelkin, B. B. Pinkhasov, and V. P. Voitenko for assessing the aging rate in AH patients. In young and elderly patients, the determination of TAA levels may be of greater diagnostic value than the determination of TAC. The nature of TAA changes in AH patients of the middle age, is different from patients of young and old age, which requires further study, taking into account other possible factors.

Silicon stimulated bioactive and physiological metabolisms of purple corn (Zea mays indentata L.) under deficit and well-watered conditions.

Purple corn (PC) is known to be rich in many bioactive and polyphenolic compounds and these compounds' role in developing tolerance to unfavorable conditions is a matter of curiosity nowadays. We performed series of experiments to highlight the possible beneficial effects of Si priming [0, 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6mM] on PC's A (photosynthesis rate), E (transpiration rate), WUE (water use efficiency), SPAD, LN (leaf number), SL (seedling length), SW (seedling weight), proline, MDA (malondialdehyde), TAC (total anthocyanin content), TAA (total antioxidant activity), TPC (total phenolic content), Chl A-B (chlorophyll A-B) and carotenoids both under deficit and well-watered conditions. There was a 1-week period between each trait sampling. Among all Si treatments, 1.5mM (TAC, WUE, MDA) was the most effective under drought while effects of 0.75mM (A, E, TPC, MDA) were mostly remarkable under well-watered conditions. 6mM silicon priming triggered the mechanism of drought tolerance of PC by increasing proline and TAA levels while it decreased MDA concentrations. Maximum WUE was obtained from 1.5mM Si, and the highest carotenoid level was obtained from 3mM Si treatment under drought. Drought stress made the growth parameters decrease although Si primed seedlings were stronger than the non-primed ones (0.75, 3mM). Silicon had enhancive effects on TAC, carotenoids, WUE and proline concentrations under well-watered conditions as well. According to our results, Si priming had remarkable effects on drought tolerance and also had beneficial effects under well-watered conditions; hence may be an alternative approach to prevent water waste in the possible PC breeding areas.