Low Molecular Antioxidants Research Articles

Vitamin B12 deficiency results in severe oxidative stress, leading to memory retention impairment in Caenorhabditis elegans

Oxidative stress is implicated in various human diseases and conditions, such as a neurodegeneration, which is the major symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency, although the underlying disease mechanisms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are poorly understood. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found to significantly increase cellular H2O2 and NO content in Caenorhabditis elegans and significantly decrease low molecular antioxidant [reduced glutathione (GSH) and L-ascorbic acid] levels and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities, indicating that vitamin B12 deficiency induces severe oxidative stress leading to oxidative damage of various cellular components in worms. An NaCl chemotaxis associative learning assay indicated that vitamin B12 deficiency did not affect learning ability but impaired memory retention ability, which decreased to approximately 58% of the control value. When worms were treated with 1mmol/L GSH, L-ascorbic acid, or vitamin E for three generations during vitamin B12 deficiency, cellular malondialdehyde content as an index of oxidative stress decreased to the control level, but the impairment of memory retention ability was not completely reversed (up to approximately 50%). These results suggest that memory retention impairment formed during vitamin B12 deficiency is partially attributable to oxidative stress.

Deferoxamine improves antioxidative protection in the brain of neonatal rats: The role of anoxia and body temperature

After hypoxic-ischemic insult iron deposited in the brain catalyzes formation of reactive oxygen species. Newborn rats, showing reduced physiological body temperature and their hyperthermic counterparts injected with deferoxamine (DF), a chelator of iron, are protected both against iron-mediated neurotoxicity and against depletion of low-molecular antioxidants after perinatal asphyxia. Therefore, we decided to study the effects of DF on activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase—SOD, glutathione peroxidase—GPx and catalase—CAT) in the brain of rats exposed neonatally to a critical anoxia at body temperatures elevated to 39°C.Perinatal anoxia under hyperthermic conditions intensified oxidative stress and depleted the pool of antioxidant enzymes. Both the depletion of antioxidants and lipid peroxidation were prevented by post-anoxic DF injection. The present paper evidenced that deferoxamine may act by recovering of SOD, GPx and CAT activity to reduce anoxia-induced oxidative stress.

Effect of heat treatment with biologically active substances on the functioning of low-molecular antioxidant system during the storage of sweet bell pepper fruits

Despite the fact, that combination of heat treatment and treatment with exogenous biologically active substances increases shelf life of sweet bell pepper fruits and facilitates decreasing of metabolism, influence of such treatment on functioning of low-molecular antioxidant system was not studied. Used in this research hybrids of sweet bell pepper Hercules and Nikita were grown in the open-field conditions. Fruits were dipped for 15 min. into the prepared composition of biologically active substances with temperature of 45 ºС. Composition consisted of substances with bactericide and antioxidant effect: butylhydroxitoluol, lecithin and water extract of horse-reddish root. After drying fruits were put in box, covered with a polyethylene film, and stored in 7 ± 0,5 ºС and relative humidity 95 ± 1%. Influence of heat and antioxidant treatments combination on the content of lipid peroxidation products, ascorbic acid, phenol substances and carotenoids was studied.It was shown, that content of malondialdehyde in treated fruits is 1.7…2 times lower depending on hybrid in comparison with control groups. Heat treatment of pepper fruits with antioxidant composition inhibits oxidative activity of enzymes ascorbatoxidase and poliphenoloxidase, which leads to better maintenance of low-molecular antioxidant fund. Treated pepper fruit contain 20% more ascorbic acid and 10% more phenol substances. In pepper fruits, which were treated with heat and antioxidants, content of carotenoids is 20…30% higher comparing to the control group of fruit. Between the content of malondialdehyde and quantity of low-molecular antioxidants strong reverse correlative dependencies (r=-0,90…-0,92) were found, which testify to their importance in reactive oxygen species utilization during the storage of sweet bell pepper fruits

Specific metabolic features in tissues of the ark clam Anadara kagoshimensis Tokunaga, 1906 (Bivalvia: Arcidae), a Black Sea invader

Parameters of the antioxidant system as well as carbohydrate, protein, and energy metabolisms in the tissues of an invader species, the bivalve mollusk Anadara kagoshimensis, are compared. Tissue specificity of the examined parameters is demonstrated. Along with the hepatopancreas and gills, the foot of anadara is shown to be an important metabolic organ with a high metabolism and an antioxidant defense. The content of low molecular weight biological antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme activities are specifically balanced in the examined mollusk tissues. The behavioral, physiological, and biochemical features that have provided successful invasion of this mollusk in the Black Sea–Azov basin are discussed.

Effects of Ascorbic Acid and Reduced Glutathione on the Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Olive Plants

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low molecular mass antioxidants and NaCl salinity on growth, ionic balance, proline, and water contents of ‘Zard’ olive trees under controlled greenhouse conditions. The experiment was carried out by spraying 2 mM of ascorbic acid (Asc) and 3 mM of reduced glutathione (GSH) on the plants that were treated with two salinity levels (0 and 100 mM NaCl) on their root medium. Plant growth parameters (leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, leaf number, total fresh weight, and total dry weight) were significantly improved by Asc compared with growth parameters in GSH and control plants. Higher concentrations of Na+ and Cl– were observed in salt-stressed plants, while Na+ and Cl– concentrations were decreased in the olive leaves that were sprayed with Asc. Salinity in the root zone caused a considerable decline in both K+ concentration and K/Na ratio. K+ concentration and K/Na ratio were significantly increased by application of Asc on plant leaves. Salinity caused an increase in electrolyte leakage (EL) compared with the control plants. Lowest EL and tissue water content (TWC) was obtained in Asc-sprayed plants, whereas TWC was increased in salt-stressed plants. Plants were subjected to salt stress and showed a higher relative water content (RWC) than the control plants. Salt stress induced proline accumulation in olive leaves. In conclusion, exogenous application of Asc is recommended to improve tolerance of olive plants under saline conditions.

Characteristics of Antioxidant Systems of Yellow Fraction of Red Deer's (Cervus elaphus L.) Semen During the Rutting Period.

The objective of this study was to make the preliminary characterization of the antioxidant defence systems of the yellow fraction (YF) of red deer's (Cervus elaphus L.) semen during the rutting period. The semen was collected using artificial vagina (AV). The studies included spectrophotometric determination of antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). We also analysed the contents of low-molecular antioxidants such as L-glutathione (GSH+GSSG), L-ascorbate (ASC) and total antioxidant status (TAS). Additionally, the samples were subjected to PAGE and stained for SOD and GPx activities. It was demonstrated that the yellow fraction exhibited activities of SOD and GPx, with the highest activities in September and October. CAT activity was not detected. Staining for the SOD and GPx activities confirmed three protein bands with SOD activity and one protein band with GPx activity. The content of GSH+GSSG was similar in trials dating from October to December contrary to the content of ASC which was high in samples from September and October. The stable rate of TAS was observed during the whole rutting period. The results of this study showed that the YF of red deer semen is equipped with basic battery of antioxidant enzymes comprising SOD and GPx, with the supporting role of GSH+GSSG and ASC. Moreover, the samples obtained at the peak of the rutting period occurring from September to October had the highest enzymatic activity in comparison with remaining months of the rutting period, which contributed to the high quality of the semen by preventing it from the formation of oxidative stress during the short period of intense sexual activity of male red deer. The better understanding of the mechanisms of antioxidant defence systems in the YF of deer's semen may contribute to the potential use of this fraction in technology of wild ruminant semen preservation.

Glutathione modifies the oxidation products of 2′-deoxyguanosine by singlet molecular oxygen

The oxidation of the free nucleoside 2′-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) by singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) has been studied over the three last decades due to the major role of DNA oxidation products in process such as ageing, mutation and carcinogenesis. In the present work we investigated the dGuo oxidation by 1O2 in the presence of the important low molecular antioxidant, glutathione, in its reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) forms. There were applied different conditions of concentration, pH, time of incubation, and the use of a [18O]-labeled thermolabile endoperoxide naphthalene derivative as a source of [18O]-labeled 1O2. Data was obtained through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and HPLC coupled to micrOTOF Q-II analysis of the main oxidation products: the diastereomers of spiroiminodihydantoin-2′-deoxyribonucleosides (dSp) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo). An intriguing result was that 8-oxodGuo levels increased by 100 fold when dGuo was oxidized by 1O2 in the presence of GSH and by 2 fold in the presence of GSSG, while dSp levels dropped to zero for both conditions. All data from dGuo, 8-oxodGuo and dSp quantification together with the analysis of residual GSH/GSSG content in each sample strongly suggest that glutathione modifies the mechanism of dGuo oxidation by 1O2 by disfavoring the pathway of dSp formation.

OP22 - Glutathione transport into the nucleus

The low molecular weight thiol antioxidant glutathione is present in the nucleus of plant cells, where it functions as an important redox buffer. The glutathione redox potential of the nuclei determined using redox-sensitive (ro-) green fluorescent protein was found to be the same at that of the cytosol (-295 /- 2.5 mV) in the first two layers of diving cells above the quiescent centre in roots over the first 48h period after germination. Using 3mM hydroxyurea to synchronise the cell cycle, together with a CYCB1:1GUS marker for the G2 phase of the cell cycle, we established that the cells accumulated at G2 between 16 and 18h after the start of incubation with the inhibitor. At this point the glutathione redox potential was the same in the nuclei and the cytosol, which were both highly reduced. However, the redox potential of the nuclei can become oxidised relative to the cytosol under different conditions. This talk will focus on the glutathione redox potential of the nuclei and on how it might be controlled.

Characterisation of novel polymeric antioxidant and its thermo-oxidative aging resistance for natural rubber vulcanizates

Hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene bound 2,2-methylenebis (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) (HTPB–IPDI–MPH) was prepared by binding 2,2-methylenebis (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) (MPH) onto hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) as bridging agent. The structure of HTPB–IPDI–MPH was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, 13C NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The thermal stability of HTPB–IPDI–MPH was studied by thermal gravity analysis (TGA). The thermo-oxidative aging resistance of HTPB–IPDI–MPH for natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates was investigated by mechanical properties, cross-link density assessment and TGA, and then, possible mechanism of thermo-oxidative aging resistance of HTPB–IPDI–MPH for NR was proposed. The results showed that HTPB–IPDI–MPH had better thermal stability than the corresponding low molecular antioxidant MPH. The thermo-oxidative aging resistance and thermo-oxidative degradation of NR vulcanizates containing HTPB–IPDI–MPH were better than that of NR vulcanizates containing MPH obviously, indicating that the synergetic effect of phenolic –OH and –NHCOO– groups existed in HTPB–IPDI–MPH, which could enhance ability to scavenge free radical.

Carbohydrate, phenolic and antioxidant level in relation to chlorophyll a content in oilseed winter rape (Brassica napus L.) inoculated with Leptosphaeria maculans

The relationships between the level of chlorophyll a, and the content of soluble carbohydrates, phenolics and low molecular antioxidants in the leaves of three oilseed winter rape varieties with different resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans were determined. During pathogenesis, an increase in the content of chlorophyll a in the resistant and medium-sensitive rape varieties was observed. In these varieties, the level of chlorophyll a significantly correlated with the content of primary metabolites in the form of soluble sugars, as well as with the level of free and cell wall-bound phenolics, and low-molecular antioxidants. In contrast, a decrease in soluble carbohydrates, observed during the pathogenesis in the susceptible variety, was accompanied by lower level of chlorophyll a and with high activity of reactive oxygen species. Significant correlations were also confirmed for the cell wall-bound phenolics and water content in the leaves of the resistant and medium-sensitive variety.

Synthesis of hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) based macromolecular antioxidants and investigation of their efficiency in stabilization of polyolefins

Macromolecular antioxidants with highly suppressed leaching to the environment, based on hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) carrier with bonded sterically hindered phenol and alkyl compatibilizing groups with various chain length were synthesized and tested for their efficiency in stabilization of polyolefins. The synthesis of the macromolecular antioxidants was carried out by amidation of the amine groups present in poly(ethyleneimine) with various carboxylic acids containing sterically hindered phenol and compatibilizing groups, such as n-butyryl, lauryl or stearyl. The structure of the resulting polymers was analyzed by 1H NMR and by GPC. The antioxidant content of the samples was determined by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The efficiency of the synthesized antioxidants in thermooxidative stabilization of polypropylene was determined by chemiluminescence. The efficiency in photostabilization of polypropylene and polyethylene was investigated by using FT IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. It was found that the macromolecular antioxidant which did not contain any compatibilizing groups shows the best stabilizing efficiency in both thermooxidative and photooxidation tests. The extent of extraction of the synthesized macromolecular antioxidants from polypropylene films was investigated as well. Low extent of extraction of the macromolecular antioxidants from the polypropylene films was observed in contrast to the high level of leaching of commercially used low molecular weight phenolic antioxidant. These results indicate the environmental advantage of the investigated poly(ethyleneimine) based macromolecular antioxidants over the widely applied low molecular weight compounds.

Glutathione-dependent enzyme activities and concentrations of glutathione, vitamin E and sulfhydryl groups in barbel (Barbus barbus) and its intestinal parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala)

Barbel (Barbus barbus) is the final host of the adult worm Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala), one of the most abundant and widespread intestinal parasites of European freshwater fish. During the course of the present study, we analyzed the activities of the glutathione-dependent enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and the phase II biotransformation enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) as well as the concentrations of total glutathione (GSH), sulfhydryl (SH) groups and vitamin E (Vit E) in the liver and intestine of B. barbus and in its intestinal parasite P. laevis. The fish were caught from the Danube River (Serbia) in spring and summer. We detected that GSH-Px activity in fish liver was higher in spring. GR activity was significantly higher in spring in all investigated samples, while GST activity was significantly higher in spring in fish liver and in the parasite. At that time, GST activity was ten times higher in the parasite than in fish tissues. The concentration of GSH was increased in barbel liver in spring. In summer, the concentration of SH groups was significantly increased, while the concentration of Vit E was significantly decreased in fish tissues and in the parasite. We performed Canonical Discriminant Analysis, which revealed differentiation among the examined tissues during both seasons based on the all measured antioxidant components. We found that the seasonal patterns of antioxidant defense in the parasite are closely correlated with seasonal variation and physiological change in the host and represent the parasite's adaptation to changes in the host's antioxidant system. The present investigation contributes to general knowledge and provides a basis for future studies of glutathione-dependent enzymes and non-enzymatic low molecular mass antioxidants as potential biomarkers for monitoring the influence of the environment on fishes and their parasites.

Control of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) tolerance to chilling stress—evaluating the role of ascorbic acid and glutathione

Chilling temperatures (1-10 oC) are known to disturb cellular physiology, cause oxidative stress via creating imbalance between generation and metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading finally to cell and/or plant death. Owing to known significance of low molecular antioxidants - ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) in plant stress-tolerance, this work analyzes the role of exogenously applied AsA and GSH in the alleviation of chilling stress (3°C)-impact in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Vjaznikowskij 37) plants. Results revealed AsA and GSH concentration dependent metabolism of ROS such as superoxide (O2•‾) and the mitigation of ROS-effects such as lipid peroxidation (LPO) as well as membrane permeability (measured as electrolyte leakage) in C. sativus leaf discs. AsA concentration (750 µM) and GSH (100 µM) exhibited maximum reduction in O2•‾ generation, LPO intensity as well as electrolyte leakage, all of these were increased in cold water (3°C and 25°C)-treated leaf discs. However, AsA, in particular, had a pronounced antioxidative effect, more expressed in case of leaf discs during chilling (3°C); whereas, at temperature 25°C, some AsA concentrations (such as 50 and 100 mM AsA) exhibited a prooxidative effect that requires molecular-genetic studies. Overall, it is inferred that AsA and GSH have high potential for sustainably increasing chilling-resistance in plants.

Variation in the seed progeny of smooth brome grass, Bromus inermis Leyss., under conditions of chronic irradiation in the zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace

Long-term studies have been performed on the seed progeny of B. inermis from test plots established along the radioactive contamination gradient in the zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT), where dose loads on maternal plants and embryos of seeds from chronically irradiated cenopopulations (with natural background radiation taken into account) exceed control values by factors of 2 to 107. Interannual and individual variation in the viability, mutability, and radiosensitivity of the seed progeny has been revealed. Against the background of high interpopulation variation in test parameters in the EURT zone, weather conditions appear to have no significant effect on seed quality, while such effects are appreciable in background cenopopulations. It has been shown that a positive correlation exist between the initial viability of the seed progeny and their radioresistance. Chronic irradiation in a wide dose range induces an increased frequency of different mutations and morphological modifications. The contents of low-molecular antioxidants in seedlings from impact cenopopulations proved to be higher than in the background sample. The results obtained characterize the potential of protective and restorative mechanisms acquired in the course of evolution that allow plants to survive in the changing environment under exposure to technogenic stress.

Integral assessment of antioxidant status of fruit vegetables

The integral assessment of the antioxidant status of fruited vegetables can be a key when choosing a product suitable for storage. Making the integrated assessment of the antioxidant system of fruited vegetables taking into account the differences in units of measuring the system components is a difficult task. For solving complex multicriteria informal problems, the hierarchy analysis method was used. The method for determining the generalized integral assessment of the antioxidant status of fruited vegetables based on the hierarchy analysis method was proposed. The components of the antioxidant system of protecting fruited vegetables tissues were ranked. The integral assessment showed that among the studied fruits pepper had the highest antioxidant status (ІАО=0.43), squash had the minimum (ІАО=0.12). Due to a powerful system of high antioxidants, cucumbers had higher integrated assessment (ІАО = 0.25) than tomatoes (ІАО =0.20). Low-molecular antioxidants make the main contribution to the antioxidant status of solanaceous vegetables. Enzymatic antioxidants play a leading role in antioxidant protection of tissues in pumpkin vegetables.

Physiological responses of Plantago media to electromagnetic field of power-line frequency (50 Hz)

Experimental evidence is presented that continuous exposure of hoary plantain (Plantago media L.) seedlings to the electromagnetic field (EMF) of power-line frequency may disturb physiological, biochemical, and cytological characteristics of these plants. The increase in EMF strength in the range from 230 to 1800 V/m (350–2000 nT) was found to reduce the percentage of seed germination, the rate of cell division, and the rates of DNA and protein biosyntheses in tissues of 8-day-old seedlings. The action of EMF with the strength of 500–1000 V/m (800–1150 nT) stimulated root growth, elevated the content of malondialdehyde and low-molecular antioxidants, and enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase. Direct correlation was revealed between lipid peroxidation rates and the activity of cellular antioxidant defense system. The wavelike changes in the content of photosynthetic pigments were observed in plantain seedlings exposed to EMF of various strengths.

Biochemical defense mechanisms induced in winter oilseed rape seedlings with different susceptibility to infection with Leptosphaeria maculans

The activity of key biochemical defense mechanisms in seedlings of winter oilseed rape cultivars, differing in tolerance to infection with Leptosphaeria maculans, was investigated. The studied winter oilseed rape cultivars differed in their biochemical defense potential. In the resistant cultivar, a significant increase in the activity of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase was observed that can be regarded as a symptom of a systemic defense reaction. In addition, the resistant cultivar had a more efficient antioxidant system, that is, higher activity of specific SOD isoforms and higher level of low-molecular antioxidants. Only the resistant cultivar had three Fe-SOD sub-isoforms. A correlation between the content of cell wall-bound phenolics and hydrogen peroxide in the resistant cultivar may indicate that an important method of H2O2 neutralization was its participation in the process of phenolics incorporation into the cell wall. Elevated content of cell wall-bound phenolics significantly enhances the cell wall integrity, which then becomes a more effective firewall against L. maculans. Moreover, high utilization of soluble sugars during synthesis of the phenolic compounds in the pathogenesis was demonstrated in the resistant cultivar. We conclude that the key factors contributing to a greater tolerance to L. maculans were an effective antioxidant system and higher activity of PR proteins, i.e., chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase.

Effect of a natural versus a synthetic antioxidant, and sex and age on the redox profile in the blood of growing turkeys

An investigation was conducted with turkeys during the spring-summer seasons of 2008 to 2011. Each season the turkeys were allocated to three treatments. The control received a standard compound feed. In the second treatment, a natural feed additive, consisting of 5% extracted polyphenols from Cynara scolymus, was included in the diet, and the third consisted of a synthetic antioxidant mixture containing 17% butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), 6% propyl gallate, 2.4% etoxyquin and 25% citric acid. Blood samples were collected from the brachial vein, and antioxidative parameters were measured in the plasma. The males in the study had a significantly higher concentration of peroxides, malondialdehyde and vitamin C in their plasma than the females. The plasma concentration of low-molecular antioxidants, as well as the activity of the antioxidative enzymes, decreased with the age of the birds. The inclusion of the natural and synthetic feed additives to the diet increased the levels of the ferric-reducing ability of plasma and of vitamin C in turkeys.Keywords: Cynara scolymus, polyphenols, FRAP, vitamin C, free radicals

Обмеження вмісту вуглеводів у дієті личинок спричинює оксидативний стрес у дорослих комах Drosophila melanogaster

The influence of 20 and 1% glucose and fructose, which were components of larval diet, on the level of oxidized proteins and lipids, low molecular mass antioxidant content as well as activities of antioxidant and associated enzymes in adult fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster were investigated. The restriction of carbohydrates in larval diet leads to oxidative stress in adult insects. It is supported by 40-50% increased content of protein carbonyl groups and by 60-70% decreased level of protein thiol groups as well as by a 4-fold increase of lipid peroxide content in 2-day-old flies of both sexes, developed on the diet with 1% carbohydrates. Oxidative stress, induced by carbohydrate restriction of the larval diet, caused the activation of antioxidant defence, differently exhibited in male and female fruit flies. Caloric restriction increased activity of superoxide dismutase and thioredoxin reductase associating only in males with 2-fold higher activity of NADPH-producing enzymes--glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase. Carbohydrate restriction in the larval diet caused the increase of uric acid content, but the decrease in catalase activity in males. In females the values of these parameters were changed in opposite direction compared with males. The obtained results let us conclude the different involvement of low molecular mass antioxidants, glutathione and uric acid, and antioxidant enzyme catalase in the protection of male and female fruit fly macromolecules against oxidative damages, caused by calorie restriction of larval diet.

The effect of growth of Zajdela ascitic hepatoma on the extracellular antioxidant system of a tumor bearer

In this work, the effect of tumor growth on the antioxidant system was studied in blood plasma and the tumor growth zone. As a model system of tumor growth, we used Zajdela ascitic hepatoma transplanted into the abdominal cavity of Wistar rats. The tumor produced a disbalance between pro- and antioxidant systems in the body of the tumor bearer. In the blood plasma, a sharp fall of tocopherol and uric acid concentrations (by two times), as well as of protein SH-groups (seven times), was found. In the tumor growth zone, alongside with a decrease of the tocopherol level, a five- to sevenfold increase in uric-acid concentration and in protein SH-groups was noted. With decreasing concentration of low-molecular antioxidants, the key role begins to be played by the protein components that bind or oxidize ions of metals of variable valence. Thus, the level of transferrin (Tf) responsible for transporting iron ions in the blood plasma during tumor development decreases 2.5–3 times (from 5.0 to 1.6 mg/mL), whereas, in ascitic fluid, a Tf increase is observed of from 1.5 to 2.7 mg/mL. The concentration dynamics of another protein—ceruloplasmin (Cp)—functioning together with Tf has opposite tendencies. Thus, in the blood plasma, the Cp concentration increases 1.5–2 times (from 0.55 to 1.1 mg/ml), whereas in the ascitis it decreases from 0.55 to 0.35 mg/mL.