Lower Catalase Activity Research Articles

The Effects and Level of Catalase Enzyme Activity in Different Species of Aquatic Macrophytes and Their Families in Two Different Locations in Niger Delta, (Ikpoba River in Benin-City and Ethiope River in Abraka), Nigeria

This study was carried out to analyze the levels of oxygen evolved in catalase activity during hydrogen peroxide decomposition reaction in species of different aquatic macrophytes and their selected families, Pontederiaceae, Araceae, Lemnaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Azollaceae, Nymphaeaceae in two different Rivers in Delta and Edo State. Hydrogen peroxide is formed as a toxic waste product of metabolism which is quickly converted into other less dangerous chemicals. It is an important signal molecule involved in plant development and environmental responses. The enzyme catalase is frequently used to rapidly catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into a harmless molecule of oxygen and water. Anthropogenic activities of excess nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient enrichment into water body proliferation result in eutrophication, which most species of aquatic microphytes can use to control them. The catalase levels in species of Eichhornia crassipes followed by Eichhornia natans in Pontederiacea family recorded the highest in their leaves (24.83 ± 0.29) in Ethiope River and (24.20 ± 0.10) in Ikpoba River respectively among the aquatic macrophytes studied. Those species under the family Nymphaeaceae had (23.73 ± 0.64) as in water lily in their leave tissues in Ethiope River, followed by the family Ceratophyllaceae which had (20.33 ± 0.58) in Ikpoba River, Edo State. The lowest catalase activity was recorded in the roots of Azolla africana and Nymphaea lotus (12.00 ± 0.05) and (12.30 ± 0.10) in Ethiope and Ikpoba River. Catalase enzymes present in these species of aquatic macrophytes are useful in commercial cleaning operations in bioremediation for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Evaluation of The Relationship among The Levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3 with Oxidative Stress and DNA Fragmentation in Asthenoteratozoospermic Men.

BackgroundReactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in etiology of DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxi- dation in sperm, leading to infertility in men. The silent information regulators SIRT1 and SIRT3 are members of the sirtuins protein family known to be involved in cancer genetics, aging and oxidative stress responses. The aim ofthis study is to determine the correlation between SIRT1 and SIRT3 with antioxidants, oxidative stress biomarkers, and DNA fragmentation in the semen of asthenoteratozoospermic and normozoospermic men.Materials and MethodsIn this case-control study, after spermogram analysis the specimens were divided into two groups, normozospermic (n=40) and asthenoteratozoospermic (n=40), according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluatedusing the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test.Catalase activity was measured using the Aebi spectrophotometeric method. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level and super- oxide dismutase (SOD) activitywere measured by using commercially available colorimetric assays. Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein levels of seminal plasma. Malondial- dehyde (MDA) level in seminal plasma was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).ResultsThe asthenoteratozoospermic group had significantly lower catalase and SOD activities and TAC levels in comparison with the normozoospermic group (P<0.001).The percentage of DNA fragmentation and MDA level in the asthenoteratozoospermic group were remarkably higher than in the normozoospermic group. The SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein levels in seminal plasmawere remarkably lower in asthenoteratozoospermic group than the normozoospermic group (P<0.001).ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein levels are negatively correlated with oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation in semen. The low levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3 in asthenoteratozoospermic men may lead to an increase in oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, and lipid peroxidation that eventually result in immotile and immature spermatozoa (asthenoteratozoospermia).

Effect of land use and cover change on soil organic carbon fractions and enzymatic activities in lakeshore wetland of north shore of Lake Chaohu

为了揭示湖滨带土地利用与覆被改变对土壤有机碳库及生态功能的影响，本文选取了巢湖湖滨带（北岸）9个典型样方，分析和比较了表层（0~30 cm）土壤有机碳组分特征以及相关酶的活性.结果表明，巢湖湖滨带不同采样点土壤总有机碳（TOC）含量变化范围为2.88~11.2 g/kg，平均含量为9.12 g/kg，其中原生芦苇（Phragmites australis）湿地土壤TOC含量最高（11.2 g/kg），而芦苇群落消失后形成的荒滩土壤TOC含量最低，仅为2.88 g/kg.表征湖滨带湿地缓冲性能的土壤阳离子交换量（CEC）也以原生芦苇湿地土壤为最高，并与TOC含量呈现明显正相关.湖滨带表层土壤溶解性有机碳（DOC）和易氧化有机碳（EOC）含量变化范围分别为150~370 mg/kg和1.7~5.2 g/kg，其变化幅度明显高于TOC，其中DOC含量各采样点差异最为显著.除多酚氧化酶外，次生水柳林（Homonoia riparia Lour.）表层土壤几种酶的活性较原生芦苇湿地土壤皆有所上升，特别是蔗糖酶活性增加幅度最为明显.受人类活动干扰较大的湖滨绿地公园和人工草滩土壤过氧化氢酶、脲酶和蔗糖酶酶活性普遍显著低于原生芦苇湿地.除多酚氧化酶外，土壤中几种酶活性与土壤有机碳组分EOC和DOC含量均呈现显著的正相关，其中蔗糖酶活性与DOC含量之间相关系数最高（r=0.907），其相关性均达到极显著水平.土壤溶解性有机碳和蔗糖酶可以作为表征因土地利用与覆被变化导致湖滨带湿地退化以及生态恢复效果的敏感性指标.;In order to explore the effect of land use and cover change on lakeshore soil organic carbon sequestration and it ecological function, nine typical sample plots with different plantations along the north shore of Lake Chaohu were investigated, and the surface soils (0-30 cm) organic carbon fractions and the enzymes activities were analyzed and compared. The results showed that soil total organic carbon (TOC) was 2.88-11.2 g/kg, with an average of 9.12 g/kg. The soil under native Phragmites australis reed wetland showed the highest TOC content, and the TOC content in the wasteland formed after the disappearance of P. australis reed community was the lowest with the value of only 2.88 g/kg. The cation exchange capacity (CEC), which can be used to characterize the buffer performance of lakeside zone, was highest in the native P.australis reed wetland soil and positively correlated with TOC. Soil labile organic carbon fractions content, including dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC) from the lakeshore wetland, ranged from 150 to 370 mg/kg and from 1.7 to 5.2 g/kg, respectively. The range of change in soil DOC and EOC between different sampling sites was larger than that in TOC. Especially, the difference of DOC content between different vegetations was the most significant. The activities of several determined enzymes in the surface soil of secondary Homonoia riparia Lour. Forest, except polyphenol oxidase, were higher than those in native P. australis reed wetland soil. Especially, the invertase activity increased most obviously. However, lakeshore urban green park and artificial grassland showed significantly lower activities of catalase, urease and invertaseas compared with native P. australis wetland. Correlation analysis showed that there existed significant relationships between soil enzyme activities except polyphenol oxidase and soil DOC and EOC. Especially, the correlations of invertase activity to the content of DOC reached remarkably significant level with the highest coefficient (r=0.907). Based on the above results, it is concluded that the DOC and invertase as the sensitive indicators, could well characterize the degradation process and ecological restoration effect on lakeshore wetland buffering function due to land use and cover change.

Improvement in Redox Homeostasis after Cytoreductive Surgery in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) as one the most common cancer type is associated with oxidative stress. Surgery is the only curative modality for early-stage CRC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative damage biomarkers as well as enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in patients with CRC before and after tumor resection and in healthy controls. 60 patients with stage I/II colorectal adenocarcinoma and 43 healthy controls were recruited in this study. We measured plasma levels of oxidative damage biomarkers, including advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), malondialdehyde (MDA), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) at baseline and after tumor removal. We also evaluated the plasma activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as enzymatic antioxidants and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay for nonenzymatic antioxidant capacity. Patients with CRC had significantly higher AGE, AOPP, MDA, and ox-LDL and also FRAP levels and higher SOD and GPx and lower CAT activity levels compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). We did not observe any statistically significant correlation between redox biomarkers and the size and stage of the tumor. AGEs (72.49 ± 4.7 vs. 67.93 ± 8.8, p < 0.001), AOPP (137.64 ± 21.9 vs. 119.08 ± 33.1, p < 0.001), MDA (3.56 ± 0.30 vs. 3.05 ± 0.33, p < 0.001), and ox-LDL (19.78 ± 0.97 vs. 16.94 ± 1.02, p < 0.001) concentrations reduced significantly after tumor removal. The largest effect sizes were found in ox-LDL (d = −2.853, 95% CI 2.50-3.19) and MDA (d = −1.617, 95% CI 0.43-0.57). Serum FRAP levels (1097.5 ± 156.7 vs. 1239.3 ± 290, p < 0.001) and CAT (2.34 ± 0.34 vs. 2.63 ± 0.38, p < 0.001), GPx (102.37 ± 6.58 vs. 108.03 ± 6.95, p < 0.001), and SOD (5.13 ± 0.39 vs. 5.53 ± 0.31, p < 0.001) activity levels increased significantly after surgery. The largest effect sizes among antioxidants were seen in SOD (d = 1.135, 95% CI 0.46-0.34) and GPx (d = 0.836, 95% CI 0.35-0.23). This study indicated that patients with colorectal cancer had higher levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity compared to healthy controls. After surgical resection of tumor, we observed a substantial improvement in redox homeostasis.

Impact of combined long-term fructose and prednisolone intake on glucose and lipid homeostasis in rats: benefits of intake interruption or fish oil administration

We investigated whether combined long-term fructose and prednisolone intake would be more detrimental to the glucose homeostasis than if ingested separately. We also evaluated whether fish oil administration or interruption of treatments has any positive impact. For this, male adult Wistar rats ingested fructose (20%) (F) or prednisolone (12.5 µg/mL) (P) or both (FP) through drinking water for 12 weeks. A separate group of fructose and prednisolone-treated rats received fish oil treatment (1 g/kg) in the last 6 weeks. In another group, the treatment with fructose and prednisolone was interrupted after 12 weeks, and the animals were followed for more 12 weeks. Control groups ran in parallel (C). The F group had higher plasma TG (+42%) and visceral adiposity (+63%), whereas the P group had lower insulin sensitivity (−33%) and higher insulinemia (+200%). Only the the FP group developed these alterations combined with higher circulating uric acid (+126%), hepatic triacylglycerol content (+16.2-fold), lipid peroxidation (+173%) and lower catalase activity (−32%) that were associated with lower protein kinase B content and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in the liver, lower AMPK phosphorylation in the adipose tissue and higher beta-cell mass. Fish oil ingestion attenuated the elevation in circulating triacylglycerol and uric acid values, while the interruption of sugar and glucocorticoid intake reverted almost all modified parameters. In conclusion, long-term intake of fructose and prednisolone by male rats are more detrimental to glucose and lipid homeostasis than if ingested separately and the benefits of treatment interruption are broader than fish oil treatment.

Single Point Mutation from E22-to-K in Aβ Initiates Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease by Binding with Catalase.

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) is a critical etiological factor for late-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, an early-onset AD has been found to be related with an Aβ mutation in glutamic acid 22-to-lysine (Italian type E22K). Why only one single point mutation at E22 residue induces AD remains unclear. Here, we report that a Chinese familial AD pedigree with E22K mutation was associated with higher levels of serum hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lower activity of catalase (a H2O2 degrading enzyme) than controls. Further, we found that E22K binding with catalase caused more severe H2O2 accumulation in the brains of E22K-injected rats than Aβ-injected rats. Unexpectedly, H2O2 bound with the mutation site 22K residue of E22K and elicited more rapid aggregation of E22K than Aβ in vitro. Moreover, H2O2 acted with E22K synergistically to induce higher cellular toxicity than with Aβ. Notably, intrahippocampal infusion of E22K led to more severe plaque deposition, neuron death, and more rapid memory decline than Aβ-injected rats. However, L-cysteine, a H2O2 scavenger, not only prevented self-aggregation of E22K but also reduced H2O2-promoted E22K assembly in vitro; subsequently, it alleviated Alzheimer-related phenotypes. Hence, E22K binding with catalase promotes the early onset of familial AD, and L-cys may reverse this disease.

Clinical interests of the study of adaptive oxidative /nitrosative stress in breast and ovarian cancer before and under chemotherapy– A case control Study-

Background: Breast and ovarian cancer are most common female cancer in Algeria in terms of incidence and mortality. Cancer cells are exposed to higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) whose levels support death evasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Less interest has been given to changes ROS homeostasis in cancer therapy. In this study, we investigate redox homeostasis before and after treatment (BT, AT), to determine detrimental or beneficial outcomes in cancer therapy. Methods: Cancer patients were recruited at the Hospital of Maghnia with the engaging of healthy controls. Serum biochemical parameters and oxidant/antioxidant markers were determined. Results:Our findings showed oxidative stress (OS) reflected by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl proteins (CP), superoxide anion (O2Ÿ-), nitric oxide (NOŸ) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) levels and a decrease in vitamins C and glutathione (GSH), catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in cancer patients BT. After treatment (AT), levels of MDA, CP, O2Ÿ-, NOŸ , ONOO- were maintained high and/or increase vis-à-vis patients BT. The lowered activities of SOD, catalase and GHS level BT, heightened in cancer cases AT. Cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid levels were increased in BC. Uric acid levels were markedly reduced in OC patients. HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in both cancer patients. Conclusion: Metabolic perturbations occurred with oxidative stress which highlights an adaptive appearance vis-à-vis of treatments. As a double-edged sword, redox-signalling markers may represent a crucial point and could be the future targets for anticancer drug research. &nbsp;

E3 ligase, the Oryza sativa salt-induced RING finger protein 4 (OsSIRP4), negatively regulates salt stress responses via degradation of the OsPEX11-1 protein.

OsSIRP4 is an E3 ligase that acts as a negative regulator in the plant response to salt stress via the 26S proteasomal system regulation of substrate proteins, OsPEX11-1, which it provides important information for adaptation and regulation in rice. Plants are sessile organisms that can be exposed to environmental stress. Plants alter their cellular processes to survive under potentially unfavorable conditions. Protein ubiquitination is an important post-translational modification that has a crucial role in various cellular signaling processes in abiotic stress response. In this study, we characterized Oryza sativa salt-induced RING finger protein 4, OsSIRP4, a membrane and cytosol-localized RING E3 ligase in rice. OsSIRP4 transcripts were highly induced under salt stress in rice. We found that OsSIRP4 possesses E3 ligase activity; however, no E3 ligase activity was observed with a single amino acid substitution (OsSIRP4C269A). The results of the yeast two hybrid system, in vitro pull-down assay, BiFC analysis, in vitro ubiquitination assay, and in vitro degradation assay indicate that OsSIRP4 regulates degradation of a substrate protein, OsPEX11-1 (Oryza sativa peroxisomal biogenesis factor 11-1) via the 26S proteasomal system. Phenotypic analysis of OsSIRP4-overexpressing plants demonstrated hypersensitivity to salt response compared to that of the wild type and mutated OsSIRP4C269A plants. In addition, OsSIRP4-overexpressing plants exhibited significant low enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, and accumulation of proline and soluble sugar, but a high level of H2O2. Furthermore, qRT data on transgenic plants suggest that OsSIRP4 acted as a negative regulator of salt response by diminishing the expression of genes related to Na+/K+ homeostasis (AtSOS1, AtAKT1, AtNHX1, and AtHKT1;1) in transgenic plants under salt stress. These results suggest that OsSIRP4 plays a negative regulatory role in response to salt stress by modulating the target protein levels.

Balance between oxidative stress and the antioxidant system is associated with the level of cold tolerance in sweet potato roots

Abstract The balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system was investigated in roots of the cold-sensitive (cvs. BRS Rubissol and BRS Cuia) and cold-tolerant (cv. Beauregard) sweet potato stored at 6 or 13 °C for 60 d. We hypothesized that the absence of chilling injury symptoms on cv. Beauregard stored at 6 °C depends on the induction capacity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. The manifestation of chilling injury symptoms on cvs. BRS Rubissol and BRS Cuia were associated with the loss of membrane integrity, increased lipid peroxidation, accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and low catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. In these cold-sensitive cultivars, proline and total phenolics increased with the progression of chilling injury, acting as markers for cold sensitivity, and parallel increased activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. In contrast, constitutive levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, as well as stress-induced increased CAT and APX activity played an important role in the detoxification of H2O2 in the tolerant cv. Beauregard. Our results suggest that the balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant system is involved in the tolerance of cv. Beauregard to chilling injury.

Quercetin Intervention Alleviates Offspring's Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Tight Junction Damage in the Colon Induced by Maternal Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Exposure through the Reduction of Bacteroides.

The influences of maternal fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure on intestinal oxidative stress, inflammation, tight junctions, and gut microbiota of offspring are not well understood. Moreover, research on the dietary intervention method has not been well studied. In our study, dams received PM2.5 and quercetin intervention during gestation and lactation, and then inflammation biomarkers, oxidative stress indicators, tight junction proteins, and gut microbiota in the colon of offspring were analyzed. Compared with the control group, lower catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, higher interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and interleukin-22 (IL-22), decreased ZO-1 and occludin expressions, and higher Bacteroides abundance were observed in the offspring mice of the PM2.5 group. However, higher CAT and SOD activities, lower IL-17A and IL-22 levels, increased ZO-1 and occludin expressions, and lower Bacteroides abundance were found in the quercetin groups. In addition, there was a negative correlation between Bacteroides abundance and CAT concentration. Additionally, Bacteroides abundance was positively related to IL-17A and IL-22 levels. These findings suggest that maternal PM2.5 exposure may have some certain effects on intestinal oxidative stress, inflammation, and tight junctions. Quercetin administration may protect the offspring against these adverse effects. Changes of Bacteroides abundance play an important role in the process.

The effect of blue and red light on physiological and biochemical characteristics of wheat plants

Aim. The effect of blue and red light on the activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, the content of proteins and soluble carbohydrates in the leaves of wheat varieties under the action of sodium chloride were investigated. Methods. The objects of research were bread wheat Saratovskaya-29 (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat Barakatli-95 (Triticum durum Desf.). Plants were grown in laboratory conditions in an aqueous medium using a Knoop nutrient medium. Experimental plants were coated with transparent films transmitting light at wavelengths of 420-480 nm (blue light) and 640-680 nm (red light). During the growing season, samples of fully formed leaves were taken for physiological and biochemical studies every week at 11 a.m. Results. Under the action of sodium chloride, the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in white light was higher than in blue and red light (table). Low catalase activity was also observed in blue and red light under the influence of sodium chloride in both varieties. In bread wheat variety Saratovskaya -29 level of hydrogen peroxide, the activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes was lower than that of the Barakatli-95 durum wheat variety. Conclusions. Blue light stimulated the synthesis of proteins, while red light stimulated the synthesis of carbohydrates. Blue and red light prevented the formation of H2O2 under the influence of NaCl.&#x0D; Keywords: blue light, red light, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, proteins, carbohydrates.

Do males and females respond differently to ocean acidification? An experimental study with the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Seawater pH lowering, known as ocean acidification, is considered among the major threats to marine environment. In this study, post-spawning adults of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were maintained at three pH values (8.0, 7.7, 7.4) for 60 days. Physiological, biochemical, cellular, behavioural and reproductive responses were evaluated in males and females. Significant differences between sexes were observed, with higher ammonia excretion and lower catalase activity in males. Respiration rate (after 21 days), catalase activity in gonads and total coelomocyte count showed the same increasing trend in males and females under low pH. Ammonia excretion, gonadosomatic index and lysozyme activity exhibited opposite responses to low pH, with an increasing trend in males and decreasing in females. Results demonstrated that exposure to low pH could result in different response strategies of male and female sea urchins at a physiological, biochemical and immunological level. Reduced female gonadosomatic index under low pH suggested decreased energy investment in reproduction.

Antioxidant Activity of nHexane Extract of Caryota no Seed Using Drosophila melanogaster Model

Aims: To investigate the anti-oxidant activity of the nhexane extracts of Caryota no seeds in D. melanogaster.&#x0D; Study Design: Experimental design.&#x0D; Place and Duration: Sample: African Centre of Excellence for Phytomedicine Research and Development, University of Jos, Jos Plateau State Nigeria between June 2018 and February 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: Total protein assays were carried out by exposing 50 flies in each vial to the following concentrations: 300 mg, 350 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg and 600 mg of nhexane extracts in 5 replicates for 7 days with daily recording of mortality. In vivo antioxidant activity study was conducted by measuring levels of Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and total thiol (TT) from supernatants of whole fly homogenates using a spectrophotometer at specific wavelenghts. The values were derived as part of the total protein value. The statistical difference among test groups was presumed at P &lt;0.05. &#x0D; Results: The nhexane extract of CN caused nonsignificant (P = .52) changes in total protein levels compared to the control. The antioxidant activity showed nonsignificant (P = .64) higher total thiol contents and GST (P = .76) activity in nhexane extract-treated flies and lower catalase (P = .30) activity was recorded in the nhexane extract-treated flies compared to the controls.&#x0D; Conclusion: It can therefore be concluded that the nhexane extract of Caryota no possess appreciable concentrations of different types of antioxidants.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and Maize (Zea mays L.) Can Grow Directly in Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum

The main component of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum is CaSO4·2H2O, a type of salt. However, excess of this material poses a hazard to crop emergence and growth. Thus, a pot experiment was carried out in which sandy loam soil collected from a typical sodic soil distribution area in Northeast China was used. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) seeds were sown directly into highly sodic soil (whose pH was 9.1 and exchangeable sodium percentage was 31.5%), FGD gypsum, or a mixture of the two (mass ratio of 1:1). Drainage was prevented, and no fertilizer was applied. Unexpectedly, all sunflower seeds emerged and grew in all three media. The growth of plants in the FGD gypsum was inhibited mainly because of the reduced available nutrient contents, which resulted in significantly lower plant height, root length, and biomass compared with those of plants grown in the other two media. In contrast, the sodic soil and FGD gypsum mixture effectively alleviated the salt- and nutrient-related issues, and the plants displayed robust germination and growth. A similar trend occurred for maize, although both the germination percentage and survival rate were lower than those of sunflower. After growing for 30 days, sunflower plants in the sodic soil had significantly greater activities of superoxide dismutase and contents of malondialdehyde but lower activities of catalase and peroxidase in the leaves compared with those of plants in the other two media. These results provide convincing evidence that sunflower and maize can grow directly in FGD gypsum, and the potential hazardous effects of this media on plants were lower than those associated with soil salinity and sodicity.

Biochemical Responses of the Bivalve Mollusk Unio tumidus Inhabiting a Small Power Plant Reservoir on the Dniester River Basin, Ukraine

Hydropower plants (HPPs) can affect the hydrological regime. However, biochemical responses of aquatic animals for the evaluation of this disturbing are not applied yet. The specimens of Unio tumidus were sampled in a reservoir (R) of a small HPP as well as downstream from the dam (DS). Biochemical indexes in the digestive gland and alkali labile phosphates (ALP) in the gonads were examined. The R-mollusks showed low cholinesterase, catalase and caspase-3 activities, and metallothionein concentration, but elevated levels of zinc and copper, oxidized glutathione and protein carbonyls. Concentrations of lactate, pyruvate and ALP, activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase, and lipid peroxidation level were similar in both groups. Integrated biomarker response (IBR/n) index (n = 13) was 2.17 and 0.29 in the R- and DS-groups correspondingly. We suggest that using integrative biological response based on the biochemical markers of bivalve mollusks can be a valid early warning step in assessing 'environmental flow' impact.

Glycine Attenuates LPS-Induced Apoptosis and Inflammatory Cell Infiltration in Mouse Liver

Liver dysfunction impairs immunological homeostasis. Glycine (Gly) has been reported to have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and to regulate apoptosis in various models. The aim of the present study was to determine whether Gly could attenuate LPS-induced liver injury. In Experiment 1, 48 6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into one of 4 groups: CON (control), GLY [orally administered Gly, 5g · kg body weight (BW)-1 · d-1 for 6 d], LPS (5mg/kg BW, intraperitoneally administered), and GLY+LPS (Gly supplementation, and on day 7 LPS treatment). In Experiment 2, mice were untreated, pretreated with Gly as above, or pretreated with Gly+l-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) (0.5g/kg BW, intraperitoneally administered every other day) for 6 d. On day 7, mice were injected with LPS as above. Histological alterations, activities of antioxidative enzymes, apoptosis, and immune cell infiltration were analyzed. In Experiment 1, compared with CON, LPS administration resulted in increased karyolysis and karyopyknosis in the liver by 8- to 10-fold, enhanced serum activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by 1- to 1.8-fold, and increased hepatic apoptosis by 5.5-fold. Furthermore, LPS exposure resulted in increased infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils in the liver by 3.2- to 7.5-fold, elevated hepatic concentrations of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and elevated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity by 1.5- to 6.3-fold. In Experiment 2, compared with the LPS group, mice in the GLY+LPS group had fewer histological alterations (68.5%-75.9%); lower serum ALT, AST, and LDH activities (24.3%-64.7%); and lower hepatic malondialdehyde and H2O2 concentrations (46.1%-80.2%), lower MPO activity (39.2%), immune cell infiltration (52.3%-85.3%), and apoptosis (69.6%), which were abrogated by BSO. Compared with the GLY+LPS group, mice in the GLY+BSO+LPS group had lower hepatic activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase by 33.5%-48.5%; increased activation of NF-κB by 2.3-fold; and impaired nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 signaling by 38.9%. Gly is a functional amino acid with an ability to protect the liver against LPS-induced injury in mice.

Dietary Supplemented Curcumin Improves Meat Quality and Antioxidant Status of Intrauterine Growth Retardation Growing Pigs via Nrf2 Signal Pathway.

Simple SummaryMore than 15% of piglets and about 10% of newborn humans suffer from intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), which refers to growth lag, developmental restriction and impaired organs in the fetus. IUGR exhibits programming consequences and exerts permanent negative effects on postnatal growth and health. Dietary supplemented curcumin, as the main natural polyphenol isolated from the natural antioxidant (turmeric), might show possible effects on antioxidant capacity, and the meat quality of IUGR pigs. Therefore, in our present study, 12 normal birth weight (NBW) and 24 IUGR neonatal female piglets were selected and fed control diets supplemented 0 (NBW), 0 (IUGR) and 200 (IUGR + Cur) mg/kg curcumin from 26 to 115 days of age (n = 12). The growth performance, meat quality, redox status and its related Nrf2 pathway were determined to test the hypothesis that curcumin may play beneficial roles against IUGR-induced oxidative stress. This study suggested that curcumin could serve as a potential natural antioxidant in nutrition interventions of IUGR offspring to enhance the redox status and improve the meat quality of leg muscles. These results attained from IUGR pig models can also provide some useful theoretical references for IUGR offspring in humans.Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) exhibits programming consequences and may induce oxidative stress in growing animals and humans. This study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that dietary curcumin may protect growing pigs from IUGR-induced oxidative stress via the Nrf2 pathway. Twelve normal birth weight (NBW) and 24 IUGR female piglets were selected and fed control diets supplemented 0 (NBW), 0 (IUGR) and 200 (IUGR + Cur) mg/kg curcumin from 26 to 115 days of age (n = 12). Growth performance, meat quality, redox status and its related Nrf2 pathway were determined. Results showed that IUGR pigs exhibited decreased body weight on 0 d, 26 d and 56 d (p < 0.01) but had no difference on 115 d among NBW, IUGR and IUGR + Cur groups (p > 0.05). Compared with NBW and IUGR groups, a significant decrease in drip loss (24 h and 48 h) was observed in the IUGR + Cur group (p < 0.01). IUGR pigs had higher concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.01) and protein carbonyl (PC) (p = 0.03) and lower activities of glutathione peroxidase (p = 0.02), catalase (p < 0.01) and peroxidase (p = 0.02) in leg muscles than NBW pigs. Dietary-added 200 mg/kg curcumin decreased concentrations of MDA and PC and improved the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase as compared to the IUGR group (p < 0.05). Additionally, dietary curcumin enhanced protein (NQO1) and mRNA expression of genes (Nrf2, NQO1, gamma-glutamyltransferase 1 (GGT1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT)) as compared to the IUGR group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that dietary curcumin could serve as a potential additive to enhance redox status and improve meat quality of IUGR growing pigs via the Nrf2 signal pathway.

Impaired peroxisomal fat oxidation induces hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative damage in Nile tilapia

Many metabolic diseases in fish are often associated with lowered peroxisomal fatty acid (FA) β-oxidation. However, the physiological role of peroxisomal FA oxidation in lipid metabolism in fish still remains unclear. In the present study, a specific peroxisomal FA β-oxidation inhibitor, 10,12-tricosadiynoic acid (TDYA), was used to investigate the effects of impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation on growth performance, health status, and lipid metabolism in Nile tilapia. The results showed that the dietary TDYA treatment did not affect weight gain, but significantly decreased peroxisomal β-oxidation in the liver, and increased body fat accumulation. The fish with impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation exhibited higher contents of serum lipid and peroxidation products, and alanine aminotransferase activity, and significantly lowered hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The inhibited peroxisomal β-oxidation did not enhance mitochondrial β-oxidation activity, but compensatorily upregulated FA β-oxidation-related gene expression, and downregulated the gene expressions in lipolysis and lipogenesis. Taken together, TDYA treatment markedly induced lipid accumulation and hepatic oxidative damage via systemically depressing lipid catabolism and antioxidant capacity. Our findings reveal the pivotal roles of peroxisomal β-oxidation in maintaining health and lipid homeostasis in fish, and could be helpful in understanding metabolic diseases in fish.

Influence of moisture stress management practices on biochemical properties of maize (Zea mays L.)

Field investigations were conducted in the Northern block, Agricultural Research Station, Bhavanisagar, Erode during rabi 2017-18 & 2018-19 and summer 2018 & 2019 to assess the influence of moisture stress management practices in different irrigation regimes in maize. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications comprised of four irrigation regimes as main factor based on IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 (I1.0), 0.8(I0.8), 0.6 (I0.6) and 0.4 (I0.4) and four moisture stress management treatments viz., foliar application of pink pigmented facultative methylobacteria 1% (FPPFM), Brassinolide 0.1 ppm (FBr), Silicic acid 0.2% (FSl) and control (FC) as a sub factor. Foliar application was given on 25 and 45 DAS for each treatment in the sub plot. Maize cultivar CO(H)M 6 was used as a test variety spaced with 60 x 25 cm. Results revealed that, IW/CPE 0.4 registered significantly higher proline content (7.82, 7.60, 10.63 and 12.06 µg g-1), catalase activity (5.09, 5.03, 5.02 and 5.70 µmol g-1 min-1) and peroxidase activity (45.8, 45.2, 45.2 and 51.3 µmol g-1 min-1) at 60 DAS respectively during rabi 2017-18 & 2018-19 and summer 2018 & 2019 among the irrigation regimes. Remarkably lower proline content, catalase and peroxidase activity were found in IW/CPE 1.0. In moisture stress management practices, significantly higher proline content at 60 DAS (5.57, 5.42, 7.50 and 8.40 µg g-1 respectively during rabi 2017-18 & 2018-19 and summer 2018 & 2019) was recorded in brassinolide 0.1 ppm applied plants barring control and admirably lower proline content was recorded in foliar application of PPFM 1% on 25 and 45 DAS. IW/CPE 1.0 with no moisture stress management practices (FC) recorded significantly lower proline content and was comparable with other moisture stress management treatments in IW/CPE 1.0. Distinctly higher catalase (4.39, 4.33, 4.28 and 4.77 µmol g-1 min-1 at 60 DAS respectively during rabi 2017-18 & 2018-19 and summer 2018 & 2019) and peroxidase activity (39.5, 39.0, 38.5 and 42.9 µmol g-1 min-1 at 60 DAS respectively during rabi 2017-18 & 2018-19 and summer 2018 & 2019) was noticed in PPFM 1% foliar applied treatment. In interaction effect, foliar application of PPFM 1% on 25 and 45 DAS at IW/CPE 0.4 recorded lucidly higher catalase and peroxidase activity at 60 DAS. Significantly lower catalase activity was recorded in IW/CPE 0.8 (Mild stress) with control and was comparable with other treatments at IW/CPE 1.0 (No stress).

Polysaccharide from the seeds of Plantago asiatica L. alleviates nonylphenol induced reproductive system injury of male rats via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

• PLCP protected male rats against NP exposure induced reproductive system injury. • PLCP alleviated histopathologic injury in testis of NP induced rats. • PLCP relieved oxidative damage in testis and epididymis of NP induced rats. • PLCP ameliorated hormone expressions in serum and testis. • PLCP reduced NP-induced apoptosis and autophagy via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. The preventive role of polysaccharide from the seeds of Plantago asiatica L. (PLCP) against reproductive system injury induced by nonylphenol (NP) was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed orally to NP 1 h after PLCP intragastric administration continuously for 45 days. The results showed that NP induced significant decrease in relative weight of testes and epididymis, changed testicular histomorphology, and disrupted hormone secretions. Moreover, oxidative stress occurred after NP exposure by overproduction of Malondialdehyde, lipid peroxidation, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and low activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Furthermore, the induction of apoptosis and disturbance of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway by NP were also proved. Interestingly, PLCP alleviated NP toxicity by improving antioxidant enzymes, recovering hormone secretions, inhibiting apoptosis and autophagy, which involves PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. These findings provide a good direction that PLCP may be a good candidate to help body defend against toxic substance, particularly endocrine disrupting chemicals induced reproductive toxicity.