Lipid Peroxidation Content Research Articles

Short-Term Pretreatment with Melatonin Increases the Resistance of Barley Plants to the Subsequent Action of Cadmium

The effect of short-term and long-term root treatment with melatonin on growth parameters, photochemical activity of PSII, content of basic photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, and accumulation ofinorganic ions in barley plants under the action of cadmium chloridewas studied. It was shown for the first time that the protectiveeffect of phytomelatonin during short-term treatment is manifested ina decrease in the toxic effect of cadmium on the content ofphotosynthetic pigments and the accumulation of cadmium ions in theshoots and roots of barley plants. The protective effect of melatoninis based on its ability to reduce the intensity of oxidative stress bymaintaining the level of carotenoids and increasing the activity ofantioxidant enzymes. The effectiveness of short-term use of melatoninin a number of indicators exceeds its protective effect from long-termexposure. The data obtained indicate the possibility of usingmelatonin as a substance that induces the state of plant priming uponsubsequent exposure to cadmium.

Effect of Endophytic Bacteria Bacillus subtilis on Seedling Growth and Root Lignification of Pisum sativum L. under Normal and Sodium Chloride Salt Conditions

The influence of endophytic bacteria Bacillus subtilis (strain 10-4) was studied on the parameters of growth and tolerance as well as the intensity of lignin deposition in the roots of Pisum sativum L. seedlings under conditions of sodium chloride salinity (1% NaCl). It was found that the impact of salinity reduced the germination energy, viability, length of the roots and shoots of seedlings, their wet and dry weight, and also increased the content of proline and the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO). Pretreatment with strain 10-4 had a stimulating effect on seedlings in normal conditions and a protective effect on salinity, which was reflected in the improvement of germination energy and seed viability, root length, and accumulation of their dry mass under saline conditions; however, in terms of shoot growth under stress, there was no significant difference from the control (nonbacterized) variants. At the same time, strain 10-4 promoted earlier formation of lateral roots as well as a decrease in stress-induced LPO and proline content in seedlings, which indicates that cells are protected from oxidative and osmotic damage under saline conditions. Priority data were obtained on the important role of endophytic B. subtilis strain 10-4 in the process of lignification and strengthening of the barrier properties of the cell walls of the roots, which contributes to the reduction of the toxic effect of sodium chloride salinity and the implementation of the protective effect of these bacteria on pea plants.

Combined treatment of polygonatum and Scutellaria baicalensis suppresses lung cancer cell proliferation through inducing ferroptosis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of combined treatment of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and polygonatum (HH) for lung cancer and explore the underlying mechanism. PurposeThe study was designed to investigate the anti-tumor effect of HH and reveal its mechanisms. MethodsBased on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory and network pharmacological analysis. The inhibitory effect of HH on the proliferation of A549 and LLC lung cancer cells was predicted by CCK8 assay in a subcutaneous tumor model in vivo. Tumor tissues were collected for proteomics, qPCR and immunohistochemistry assays. A549 and LLC cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 assay after treatment with HH combined with ferroptosis inhibitors and ferroptosis inducer Erastin for 48 h respectively. The expression of Transferrin Receptor (TFRC) was detected by qPCR and Western Blot. Changes in free iron content and lipid peroxide in cytoplasm and mitochondria were observed by laser confocal microscopy. Changes in Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP, Δψm) and ROS content were detected by flow cytometry. ResultsSearch of Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database demonstrated that HH played a role in lung cancer treatment. CCK8 assay showed that lung cancer cell proliferation was inhibited by HH in a dose-dependent manner. The animal experiment results showed that the tumor volume in HH-treated group was significantly smaller than that in Control group in the LLC allograft model (P<0.01). The expression level of TFRC in HH-treated group was higher than that in Control group, which was verified by proteomics, qPCR assay and immunohistochemistry. Two ferroptosis specific inhibitors could block HH-induced ferroptosis (P<0.05). Compared with Control group, free iron and lipid peroxide contents were significantly increased in cytoplasm and mitochondria while MMP was decreased and the level of ROS was augmented in HH group (P<0.01). ConclusionHH increased the content of free iron and lipid peroxide in cytoplasm and mitochondria by upregulating the expression of TFRC in lung cancer cells, which further led to the accumulation of lipid peroxide, caused mitochondrial dysfunction, and finally induced ferroptosis in lung cancer cells.

Single and combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and PCB-52 to the aquatic duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza

As nanoplastics and persistent organic pollutants are broadly distributed in aquatic ecosystems and pose a potential threat to ecosystem, most pertinent studies have focused on aquatic animals, while studies on freshwater plants have been rarely reported. Therefore, we analyzed the single and combined toxicological impacts of various concentrations of 80 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) including 0.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/L and polychlorinated biphenyl-52 (PCB-52, 2,2',5,5'- tetrachlorobiphenyl) at 0.1 mg/L on the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrhiza (S. polyrhiza) after a 10-day hydroponic experiment. Laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM) showed the accumulation of PS-NPs mainly in the root surface and the lower epidermis of leaves, and the enrichment of PS-NPs was aggravated by the presence of PCB-52. PS-NPs at 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L alone or in combination with PCB-52 notably inhibited the growth of S. polyrhiza, reduced the synthesis of chlorophylls a and b, and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and induced osmotic imbalance (soluble protein and soluble sugar contents) (p < 0.05). However, a single treatment with low levels of PS-NPs had positive effects on the growth (0.5 mg/L) and photosynthetic systems (0.5, 5 mg/L) of S. polyrhiza, while co-exposure exacerbated the damaging impacts of PS-NPs on the antioxidant defense system of S. polyrhiza, which was more pronounced in the roots. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that plant growth parameters were positively correlated with chlorophyll a and b content and negatively correlated with soluble sugars, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and carotenoid content (p < 0.05). These results provide data to improve the understanding of the single and combined ecotoxicological effects of nanoplastics and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in aquatic plants and their application in phytoremediation measures.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi Rhizophagus irregularis regulate iron and zinc homeostasis in tobacco by mediating the expression of Yellow Stripe-Like 7

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) participate in fungi-plant symbiotic relationships and mediate the acquisition of soil-borne nutrients by host plants. However, little is known about how AM colonization affects the homeostasis of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in the host plant. Here, we assessed the performance of mycorrhizal growth, oxidative defense, nutrient accumulation, and key gene responses in AM-colonized tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) under different nutrient stress. The total mycorrhizal frequency of AM fungi on tobacco roots reached 86 % and 75 % under low and high phosphorus (P) treatments, respectively. Under Fe/Zn stress, AM alleviated the inhibition of tobacco biomass accumulation, decreased the content of lipid peroxides, and upregulated enzymatic antioxidant capability. In AM-colonized tobacco, Fe/Zn accumulation was increased under deficient conditions and decreased under surplus conditions. Tobacco uptake of P, Fe, and Zn was impaired by excess nutrient concentrations and improved at low concentrations, and this phenomenon was supported by AM colonization. Fe/Zn deficiency upregulated genes related to Fe/Zn uptake, and Fe/Zn excess upregulated genes related to heavy metal efflux, with AM colonization further promoting these upregulations. Notely, we found a possible crosstalk node, Yellow Stripe-Like 7 (NtYSL7), in the AM and Fe/Zn homeostasis regulatory network. NtYSL7 has a plasma membrane-localized oligopeptide transporter domain. NtYSL7 is strongly induced by AM colonization, deficiency of Fe, and surplus Zn, and interacts with many Fe/Zn transporters. AM assists host plants in maintaining Fe/Zn homeostasis by improving nutrient accumulation, redox homeostasis, and transport mechanisms, and NtYSL7 is likely important within the crosstalk network of AM, Fe, and Zn nutrient homeostasis.

Differences in Cholesterol Metabolism, Hepato-Intestinal Aging, and Hepatic Endocrine Milieu in Rats as Affected by the Sex and Age.

Age and sex influence serum cholesterol levels, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate further, we measured cholesterol, precursors (surrogate synthesis markers), degradation products (oxysterols and bile acid precursors) in serum, the liver, jejunum, and ileum, as well as serum plant sterols (intestinal absorption markers) in male and female Wistar rats (4 and 24 months old). The analysis of histomorphometric and oxidative stress parameters (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-related enzyme activities, lipid peroxide, and protein carbonyl concentrations) in the liver and jejunum offered further insights into the age- and sex-related differences. The hepatic gene expression analysis included AR, ERα, and sex-specific growth hormone-regulated (Cyp2c11 and Cyp2c12) and thyroid-responsive (Dio1, Tbg, and Spot 14) genes by qPCR. We observed age-related changes in both sexes, with greater prominence in females. Aged females had significantly higher serum cholesterol (p < 0.05), jejunum cholesterol (p < 0.05), and serum plant sterols (p < 0.05). They exhibited poorer hepato-intestinal health compared with males, which was characterized by mild liver dysfunction (hydropic degeneration, increased serum ALT, p < 0.05, and decreased activity of some antioxidant defense enzymes, p < 0.05), mononuclear inflammation in the jejunal lamina propria, and age-related decreases in jejunal catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity (p < 0.05). Aged females showed increased levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol (p < 0.05) and upregulated ERα gene expression (p < 0.05) in the liver. Our study suggests that the more significant age-related increase in serum cholesterol in females is associated with poorer hepato-intestinal health and increased jejunal cholesterol absorption. The local increase in 27-hydroxycholesterol during aging might reduce the hepatoprotective effects of endogenous estrogen in the female liver.

Effect of Metarhizium anisopliae (MetA1) on growth enhancement and antioxidative defense mechanism against Rhizoctonia root rot in okra

Rhizoctonia solani is an important necrotrophic pathogenic fungus that causes okra root disease and results in severe yield reduction. Many biocontrol agents are being studied with the intent of improving plant growth and defense systems and reducing crop loss by preventing fungal infections. Recently, a member of the Hypocrealean family, Metarhizium anisopliae, has been reported for insect pathogenicity, endophytism, plant growth promotion, and antifungal potentialities. This research investigated the role of M. anisopliae (MetA1) in growth promotion and root disease suppression in okra. The antagonism against R. solani and the plant growth promotion traits of MetA1 were tested in vitro. The effects of endophytic MetA1 on promoting plant growth and disease suppression were assessed in planta. Dual culture and cell-free culture filtrate assays showed antagonistic activity against R. solani by MetA1. Some plant growth promotion traits, such as phosphate solubilization and catalase activity were also exhibited by MetA1. Seed primed with MetA1 increased the shoot, root, leaves, chlorophyll content, and biomass content compared to control okra plants. The plants challenged with R. solani showed the highest hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) contents in the leaves of okra. Whereas MetA1 applied plants showed a reduction of H2O2 and MDA by 5.21 and 14.96%, respectively, under pathogen-inoculated conditions by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), by 30.11, 10.19, 5.62, and 5.06%, respectively. Moreover, MetA1 increased soluble sugars, carbohydrates, proline, and secondary metabolites, viz., phenol and flavonoid contents in okra resulting in a better osmotic adjustment of diseases infecting plants. MetA1 reduced disease incidence by 58.33% at 15 DAI compared to the R. solani inoculated plant. The results revealed that MetA1 improved plant growth, elevated the plant defense system, and suppressed root diseases caused by R. solani. Thus, MetA1 was found to be an effective candidate for the biological control program.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Alleviates Acute Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via the Activation of the HIF-1α/SLC7A11/GPX4 Signaling Pathway.

Ferroptosis is closely associated with the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), the main active ingredient in the Chinese herbal medicine safflower, exerts significant protective effects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI). The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of HSYA against MI/RI and identify the putative underlying mechanisms. An in vivo model of acute MI/RI was established in C57 mice. Subsequently, the effects of HSYA on myocardial tissue injury were evaluated by histology. Lipid peroxidation and myocardial injury marker contents in myocardial tissue and serum and iron contents in myocardial tissue were determined using biochemical assays. Mitochondrial damage was assessed using transmission electron microscopy. H9C2 cardiomyocytes were induced in vitro by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation, and ferroptosis inducer erastin was administered to detect ferroptosis-related indicators, oxidative-stress-related indicators, and expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins and HIF-1α. In MI/RI model mice, HSYA reduced myocardial histopathological damage, ameliorated mitochondrial damage in myocardial cells, and decreased total cellular iron and ferrous ion contents in myocardial tissue. HSYA increased the protein levels of SLC7A11, HIF-1α, and GPX4 and mitigated erastin- or HIF-1α siRNA-induced damage in H9C2 cells. In summary, HSYA alleviated MI/RI by activating the HIF-1α/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis.

Effect of Compost and Vermicompost Amendments on Biochemical and Physiological Responses of Lady’s Finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Grown under Different Salinity Gradients

In the coming decades, the pressure to use saline water will increase as most of the natural resources with good water quality are being depleted. In order to avoid more stress on the soil plant system, a better understanding of the type of amendments and their integration with the irrigational water quality of any location-specific region is essential. Utilizing salt-affected lands in the best way possible will facilitate food security for the growing human population. An experiment was conducted with the Abelmoschus esculentus L. plant, irrigated with saline water having different NaCl gradients (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM), to evaluate the biochemical and physiological responses under different salinity gradients. Additionally, the effect of compost and vermicompost amendments in soil on plant responses to the changing salinity of irrigated water was observed. The results suggested that the addition of compost and vermicompost in soil not only suppressed the adverse impact of salinity in plants but also increased soil nutrients (TKN, OC, avail. P, avail. K and avail. Ca contents). Moreover, some biochemical parameters and plant growth parameters showed better traits in such manure-amended setups. The enhancement of proline, phenol, ascorbic acid and lipid peroxidation contents in the leaves of Abelmoschus esculentus L. under high salinity levels suggests some secondary metabolite-mediated response possibly due to stress caused by soil salt accumulations. In summary, crop production could be efficiently maintained in saline water-irrigated areas after amending the soils with appropriate organic manure.

Evaluation of sperm and hormonal assessments in Wagyu, Nellore, and Angus bulls.

Wagyu bulls are known to have a highly exacerbated libido, as shown by the intense sexual interest of young calves. Therefore we believe that Wagyu male animals have specialized Sertoli and Leydig cells that are directly involved with the sexual precocity in this breed as mature bulls have a small scrotal circumference. This study aimed to evaluate whether there were differences in the hormone and sperm characteristics of Wagyu bulls compared with the same characteristics of subspecies Bos indicus and Bos taurus sires. Frozen-thawed semen from Wagyu, Nellore, and Angus sires were analyzed for sperm kinetics (computer-assisted sperm analysis), plasma membrane integrity, chromatin integrity, acrosome status, mitochondrial activity, lipid peroxidation and hormone [luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone] serum concentration. The results showed that Wagyu had lower total motility and an increased number of sperm with no motility when compared with Nellore and Angus bulls. Wagyu breed did not differ from those breeds when considering plasma and acrosome membranes integrity, mitochondrial potential, chromatin resistance, sperm lipid peroxidation or hormone (LH and testosterone) concentrations. We concluded that Wagyu sires had lower total motility when compared with Nellore and Angus bulls. Wagyu breed did not differ from these breeds when considering plasma and acrosome membranes integrity, mitochondrial potential, chromatin resistance, sperm lipid peroxidation, or hormone (LH and testosterone) concentrations.

Comparative analysis of physiology-anatomy and transcriptome-metabolome involving acute drought stress response of root between two distinct peanut cultivars at seedling stage

Drought is a major abiotic stress that restricts plant development, especially at seedling stage, which stimulates reduction of shoot, root absorb ability, and biomass accumulation of plant. Peanut, as a plant with resilience to drought stress, can still cause serious condensed shoot and impaired flower bud differentiation under drought conditions resulting in yield loss. In order to find those drought responses of peanut at seedling stage, two distinct cultivars with different drought resistance (HY22 and FH18) were screened previously and used to investigate the difference of drought response by deciphering the changes of morphology, physiology-anatomy, and transcriptome. The results showed that drought stress decreased root morphological indices both in two cultivars, but HY22 showed higher root vigor and lateral roots. Furthermore, HY22 enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as POD, SOD to reduce lipid peroxidation and H2O2 concentration, in which stable root anatomical structure and microstructure were kept. By contrast, SOD and POD decreased, and MDA and H2O2 increased, in which gave impair anatomical structure and microstructure in FH18. Using high-throughput RNA sequencing, we developed a spatiotemporal transcriptome atlas of HY22 and FH18 at seedling stage. A total of 34,303 and 34,689 genes for HY22 and FH18 were found to be expressed under the drought stress, respectively. Global comparisons of gene expression showed more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in HY22. Moreover, co-expression analysis of overlapped DEGs between HY22 and FH18 revealed that the up-regulated genes of HY22 mainly related to hormone-mediated signaling pathway, response to abscisic acid and flavonoid biosynthetic process. According to the findings, the genotype HY22 was more tolerant to drought stress than FH18 by improving SOD and POD enzyme activities, membrane stability, root vigor, and maintaining fine cell microstructure and relatively up-regulated express levels of genes and metabolin revolving in ABA transduction signal, terpenoids skeleton and flavonoid biosynthesis. The results of the current study provide theoretical reference for elaborating drought resistance mechanism more accurately and precisely.

The Protective Effects of Trametes Versicolor on Arsenic-Induced Male Reproductive Toxicity through Regulation of Oxidative Stress: A Biochemical and Histopathological Survey

Exposure to arsenic is linked to a wide range of diseases, in particular male reproductive toxicities. Trametes versicolor is a traditional medicinal fungus with a remarkable potential for antioxidant activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the ameliorating effects of water and methanol extracts of T. versicolor on arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicities via the abrogation of oxidative stress. The mice were divided as follows: control: normal saline, As: arsenic (15 mg/kg), WE: water extract (400 mg/kg), ME: methanol extract (400 mg/kg), As + WE: arsenic (15 mg/kg) + water extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg), As + ME: arsenic (15 mg/kg) + methanol extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg), and positive control: arsenic (15 mg/kg) + vitamin C (500 mg/kg). Animals were treated via the intraperitoneal route. About 24 hr later, the mice were euthanized, and oxidative stress parameters (reactive oxygen species [ROS], lipid peroxidation, glutathione concentration, protein carbonylation, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity), histopathological changes and sperm parameters (count, motility, and morphology) were examined in the testicular tissue. Arsenic caused significant pathological changes in the testicular tissue and sperm morphology and significantly reduced sperm count and motility. Moreover, arsenic mediated oxidative stress via significant increases in ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonyl content, as well as significant depletion in glutathione concentration and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Although, coadministration of water and methanol extracts of T. versicolor at 200 and 400 mg/kg counteracted arsenic-induced oxidative and histopathological damages and improved sperm parameters. Our study indicated that T. versicolor ameliorated arsenic-induced testis toxicity and sperm dysfunction via attenuation of oxidative damage.

Role of Hal5p protein kinase under ethanol stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the simplest eukaryotic model organisms to study various parameters of ethanol tolerance and has attracted a huge consideration for the cost-conscious production of bioethanol by the fermentation of soluble sugars. Ethanol tolerance is crucial for the efficient production of bioethanol from S. cerevisiae. In this study, we examined the role of HAL5 protein kinase in ethanol tolerance in S. cerevisiae by comparing the cell growth, survival, and stress responses of wild-type, hal4,5 mutant, and Hal5p overexpressed strains under 10 % (V/V) ethanol stress. Our findings suggest that overexpression of HAL5 protein kinase enhances ethanol tolerance in S. cerevisiae by improving cellular responses to ethanol-induced stress, including trehalose accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) management, glutathione homeostasis, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonyl contents.

Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: Improvement of memory-deteriorating disease by administration of plant enzyme

Plant enzymes are natural substances with almost no side effects and reported effects on spatial learning and histopathological alterations of the hippocampus in senescence-accelerated mice. In senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP8), this in vivo study examined the effects of a plant enzyme on the brain hippocampus, memory and spatial cognition. In the Morris water maze, a comparison between the control group of SAMR1 mice and the sham control group of SAMP8 mice (SAMP8 without plant enzymes administration) showed a significant reduction in arrival time, and in the probe test, it was divided into 4 divisions. Moreover, there was a significant increase in dwell time and number of crossings of the virtual platform area. The plant enzyme-treated group tended to have a shorter arrival time than the sham group, but not significantly different. Serum peroxy radicals were significantly suppressed in the plant enzyme-treated group compared with the sham group. Plant enzyme inhibited the peroxy radical in comparison to a sham control. With plant enzymes treatment, the lipid peroxidation level was significantly lowered in the brain tissue compared with the sham control group (p &lt; 0.05. Serotonin (5-HT) levels were significantly higher in the brain tissue of plant enzymes -treated mice than in that of sham control mice. There was no significant difference in the brain lipid peroxide concentration between the plant enzyme administration group and the sham group. In contrast, the serotonin concentration in the brain was significantly different between the plant enzymes administration group and the sham control group. The high neuron density (CA1 region) in the hippocampus of animals in the plant enzymes administration group indicates a possible improvement in memory.

Short-Term Pretreatment with Melatonin Increases the Resistance of Barley Plants to the Subsequent Action of Cadmium

The effect of short-term and long-term root treatment with melatonin on growth parameters, photochemical activity of PSII, content of basic photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, and accumulation of inorganic ions in barley plants under the action of cadmium chloride was studied. It was shown for the first time that the protective effect of phytomelatonin during short-term treatment is manifested in a decrease in the toxic effect of cadmium on the content of photosynthetic pigments and the accumulation of cadmium ions in the shoots and roots of barley plants. The protective effect of melatonin is based on its ability to reduce the intensity of oxidative stress by maintaining the level of carotenoids and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The effectiveness of short-term use of melatonin in a number of indicators exceeds its protective effect from long-term exposure. The data obtained indicate the possibility of using melatonin as a substance that induces the state of plant priming upon subsequent exposure to cadmium.

The Effects of Foliar Supplementation of Silicon on Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Winter Wheat to Drought Stress during Different Growth Stages.

Drought is one of the major environmental stresses, resulting in serious yield reductions in wheat production. Silicon (Si) has been considered beneficial to enhancing wheat resistance to drought stress. However, few studies have explored the mediated effects of foliar supplementation of Si on drought stress imposed at different wheat growth stages. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of Si supplementation on the physiological and biochemical responses of wheat to drought stress imposed at the jointing (D-jointing), anthesis (D-anthesis) and filling (D-filling) stages. Our results showed that a moderate water deficit markedly decreased the dry matter accumulation, leaf relative water content (LRWC), photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Sc), transpiration rate (Tr) and antioxidant activity [peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)]. On the contrary, it remarkably increased the content of osmolytes (proline, soluble sugar, soluble protein) and lipid peroxidation. The grain yields of D-jointing, D-anthesis and D-filling treatments were 9.59%, 13.9% and 18.9% lower, respectively, compared to the control treatment (CK). However, foliar supplementation of Si at the anthesis and filling stages significantly improved plant growth under drought stress due to the increased Si content. Consequently, the improvement in antioxidant activity and soluble sugar, and the reduction in the content of ROS, increased the LRWC, chlorophyll content, Pn, Sc and Tr, and ultimately boosted wheat yield by 5.71% and 8.9%, respectively, in comparison with the non-Si-treated plants subjected to water stress at the anthesis and filling stages. However, the mitigating effect of Si application was not significant at the jointing stage. It was concluded that foliar supplementation of Si, especially at the reproductive stage, was effective in alleviating drought-induced yield reduction.

Preservation of the quality and fertility potential of post-thawed rooster sperm using MitoQ

Cryopreservation of rooster spermatozoa is an efficient procedure to spread qualified semen samples for reproductive goals in commercial flocks, but the freeze-thawing process reduces the quality and fertility potential of post-thawed sperm cells. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ on rooster sperm quality and fertility potential preservation during freeze-thawing process. Semen samples were collected and diluted in the Lake medium, assigned into five equal aliquots, supplemented with 0, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 nM MitoQ, and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, sperm motility, membrane functionality, abnormal morphology, mitochondria active potential, acrosome integrity, viability, apoptosis status, lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, ROS concentration and fertility potential were evaluated. According to the results, freezing extender supplementation with 10 and 100 nM MitoQ presented higher (P ≤ 0.05) total motility, progressive motility, average path velocity, membrane functionality, mitochondria active potential, acrosome integrity and viability compared to the other groups. On the other hand, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis rate, DNA fragmentation and ROS concentration were lower (P ≤ 0.05) in groups received 10 and 100 nM MitoQ compared to other groups. Moreover, fertility rate was higher in groups received 10 and 100 nM MitoQ compared to control group. Therefore, MitoQ is able to preserve quality parameters and fertility potential of post-thawed spermatozoa in rooster and it could be an effective additive for supplementation of rooster's semen cryopreservation medium during reproductive programs.

The mitochondria-targeted antioxidant “MitoQ” preserves quality and reproductive performance of ram spermatozoa cryopreserved in soybean lecithin-based extender

Cryopreservation of ram semen is helpful for distributing proved spermatozoa for reproductive goals, but cold shock has destructive effects on fertility ability of frozen sperm cells. This study was performed to investigate the effect of the novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant “MitoQ” on ram sperm quality and fertility potential during cryopreservation process. Semen samples were diluted in extenders supplemented with 0, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 nM MitoQ and then frozen according to the standard protocol. Motility and velocity characteristics, lipid peroxidation, acrosome integrity, membrane functionality, mitochondria active potential, viability, apoptosis status, DNA fragmentation, ROS concentration and reproductive performance were evaluated after thawing. In results, 10 and 100 nM MitoQ presented higher (P ≤ 0.05) total motility, progressive motility, average path velocity, acrosome integrity, membrane functionality, mitochondria active potential and viability as well as lower (P ≤ 0.05) lipid peroxidation, apoptosis status, DNA fragmentation and ROS concentration compared to the control group and the other treatments. Moreover, after fertility trial, 10 and 100 nM MitoQ resulted in higher (P ≤ 0.05) pregnancy, parturition and lambing rates than control group. Therefore, MitoQ is able to preserve quality parameters and fertility potential of post-thawed spermatozoa in sheep and it could be an effective additive for supplementation of ram's semen cryopreservation medium during reproductive programs.

Dihydroartemisinin alleviates mitochondrial damage and improves cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and ferroptosis through Sirt1-mediated PGC-1α

This study assesses the effect of dihydroartemisinin on pyroptosis and ferroptosis. Rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes were intervened with 35 mmol/L high glucose through assigned blank control, dihydro artemisinin, and dihydroartemisinin+Sirt1 groups. Confocal microscopy was used to observe the ROS levels, while proliferation ability was detected by CCK-8 method, and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, and migration ability by Transwell transfer method. Moreover, analysis of pyroptosis-related factors expression and content of lipid peroxide were done using laser confocal microscopy. The average fluorescence intensity of dihydro artemisinin group and dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 group decreased significantly (P &lt;0.05), among which the dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 group had lowest average fluorescence intensity (P &lt;0.05). SIRT 1 level in the dihydroartemisinin and dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 groups was higher than blank control (P &lt;0.05), with highest level in the dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 group (P &lt;0.05). Cell proliferation in the dihydroartemisinin and dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 group was reduced (P &lt;0.05), with lowest proliferation in combination group (P &lt; 0.05). Cell migration in the dihydroartemisinin and dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 groups was reduced (P &lt;0.05), with lowest number of migratory cells in the dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 group (P &lt;0.05). Cell apoptosis in the dihydroartemisinin and dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 groups was increased (P &lt;0.05), with lowest apoptosis in the dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 group (P &lt;0.05). There was upregulation of SIRT 1 and PGC-1α mRNA expression in the dihydroartemisinin and dihydroartemisinin+SIRT 1 groups was elevated (P &lt;0.05). The expression of NLRP3, GSDMD, and Caspase-1 were all decreased (P &lt;0.05), while that of GPX4 was increased (P &lt;0.05). Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the function of H9C2 cardiomyocytes, pyroptosis and ferroptosis, playing a positive role in ameliorating Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Fluoride resistance capacity in mammalian cells involves global gene expression changes associate with ferroptosis

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to understand mouse osteoblast ferroptosis under high fluoride environment by stimulating fluoride levels to corresponding levels. In order to define the underlying mechanism of fluoride resistance in mammals and provide a theoretical basis for fluorosis treatment, high-throughput sequencing was applied to map the genetic changes of fluoride-resistant mouse osteoblasts and analyze the role of ferroptosis-related genes. MethodsCell Counting Kit-8, Reactive Oxygen Species Assay Kit and C11 BODIPY 581/591 were used to monitor proliferation and ferroptosis of mouse osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 under high fluoride environment. Fluoride-tolerant MC3T3-E1 cells were developed by gradient fluoride exposure. The differentially expressed genes of fluorine-resistant MC3T3-E1 cells were identified by high-throughput sequencing. ResultsMC3T3-E1 cells cultured in medium containing 20, 30, 60, 90 ppm F− exhibited decreased viability and increased reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation levels in correlation with F− concentrations. High-throughput RNA sequencing identified 2702 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed more than 2-fold difference in 30 ppm FR MC3T3-E1 cells, of which 17 DEGs were associated with ferroptosis. ConclusionHigh fluoride environment affected the content of lipid peroxides in the body and increased the level of ferroptosis, further, ferroptosis-related genes played specific roles in the fluoride resistance of mouse osteoblasts.