MDA Content Research Articles

Primary Protection of Diosmin Against Doxorubicin Cardiotoxicity via Inhibiting Oxido-Inflammatory Stress and Apoptosis in Rats.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is the cornerstone of chemotherapy. However, it has dose-dependent cardiotoxic events that limit its clinical use. This study was intended to investigate the efficiency of DOX as an anti-cancer against the MCF-7 cell line in the presence of diosmin (DIO) and to appraise the protective impact of DIO against DOX cardiotoxicity in vivo. In vitro study was carried out to establish the conservation of DOX cytotoxicity in the presence of DIO. In vivo study was conducted on 42 adult female Wistar rats that were equally allocated into 6 groups; control, DIO (100 mg/kg), DIO (200 mg/kg), DOX (20 mg/kg, single dose i.p.), DIO (100 mg/kg) + DOX, received DIO orally (100 mg/kg) for 30 days, then administrated with a single dose of DOX and DIO (200 mg/kg) + DOX, received DIO orally (200 mg/kg) for 30 days, then administrated with DOX. In vitro study showed preservation of cytotoxic activity of DOX on MCF-7 in the presence of DIO. In vivo study indicated that DOX altered electrocardiograph (ECG) parameters. Also, it yielded a significant rise in CK-MB, cTnT and LDH serum levels and cardiac contents of MDA, IL-1β; paralleled by a significant drop in cardiac IL-10 and SOD. Moreover, significant upregulation of Bax, TNF-α, and HIF-1α, in concomitant with significant downregulation of Bcl-2 mRNA in cardiac tissue have been recorded in the DOX group. Furthermore, histopathological description of cardiac tissues showed that DOX alters normal cardiac histoarchitecture. On the opposite side, DIO pretreatment could ameliorate ECG parameters, suppress IL-1β and enhanceIL-10, promote activity of SOD and repress MDA. Additionally, downregulation of Bax, TNF-α, HIF-1α and upregulation of Bcl-2 have been demonstrated in DIO-pretreated rats. Furthermore, the histopathological examination of cardiac tissues illustrated that DIO had a favorable impact on the protection of heart histoarchitecture. DIO is suggested for protection against acute cardiotoxicity caused by DOX without affecting antitumor activity.

Drought stress tolerance and metabolomics of Medicago sativa induced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DGL1

IntroductionThis study used Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DGL1 isolated from the arid sandy land of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau as the research strain and investigated the effects of DGL1 on the biomass, physiology, and metabolites of Medicago sativa under different intensities of drought stress to provide a high-quality bacterial source and a theoretical basis for the research and development of biological fertilizer suitable for arid areas.MethodsThe exopolysaccharides (EPS), 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACC), and phosphorus solubilizing capacity of DGL1 were determined. The effects of a DGL1 suspension on alfalfa biomass, physiological indexes, degree of peroxidation of cell membranes, and activity of antioxidant enzymes were determined after irrigating roots under drought stress. The effects on soil physicochemical properties were also evaluated, and metabolomics analysis was performed to explore the effect of DGL1 on the metabolites of alfalfa under drought stress.ResultsStrain DGL1 produced extracellular polysaccharide EPS and ACC deaminase and was capable of phosphorus solubilization. Treatment with DGL1 increased the biomass of alfalfa under different degrees of drought stress, significantly increased the activities of alfalfa antioxidant enzymes Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), reduced the content of MDA and H2O2, and increased the content of quick-acting phosphorus, quick-acting potassium, ammonium nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen in the soil, thus improving soil fertility. Through metabolomics analysis, DGL1 was shown to affect amino acid metabolic pathways, such as arginine, leucine, glutamate, and tyrosine, as well as the levels of energy-providing polysaccharides and lipids, in alfalfa under 15% PEG-6000 drought stress, enhancing alfalfa’s capacity to resist drought stress.DiscussionStrain DGL1 enhances the drought suitability of alfalfa and has the potential for dryland development as a biological agent.

Interval training suppresses nod-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation to improve cardiac function in myocardial infarction rats by hindering the activation of the transforming growth factor-β1 pathway

ObjectiveMyocardial infarction (MI) -induced cardiac dysfunction can be attenuated by aerobic exercises. This study explored the mechanism of interval training (IT) regulating cardiac function in MI rats, providing some theoretical basis for clarifying MI pathogenesis and new ideas for clinically treating MI.MethodsRats were subjected to MI modeling, IT intervention, and treatments of the Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) pathway or the nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) activators. Cardiac function and hemodynamic indicator alterations were observed. Myocardial pathological damage and fibrosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, MDA content, inflammasome-associated protein levels, and inflammatory factor levels were assessed. The binding between TGF-β1 and receptor was detected.ResultsMI rats exhibited decreased left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricle fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), positive and negative derivates max/min (dP/dt max/min) and increased left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVEDP), a large number of scar areas in myocardium, disordered cell arrangement and extensive fibrotic lesions, increased TGF-β1 and receptor binding, elevated ROS level and MDA content and weakened SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities, and up-regulated NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and cleaved-caspase-1 levels, while IT intervention caused ameliorated cardiac function. IT inactivated the TGF-β1 pathway to decrease oxidative stress in myocardial tissues of MI rats and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Activating NLRP3 partially reversed IT-mediated improvement on cardiac function in MI rats.ConclusionIT diminished oxidative stress in myocardial tissues and suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation via inactivating the TGF-β1 pathway, thus improving the cardiac function of MI rats.

The Coupling Effects of PGPR Inoculation and Foliar Spraying of Strigolactone in Mitigating the Negative Effect of Salt Stress in Wheat Plants: Insights from Phytochemical, Growth, and Yield Attributes

Salt stress has detrimental effects on wheat plants at several physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. This stress leads to suppressed growth, reduced grain yield, and poor quality of harvested grains. However, two approaches have shown promise for improving wheat salt tolerance: using a synthetic strigolactone analog called GR24 and applying plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). GR24 plays a vital role in regulating plant growth and development and in defense against various stresses. Conversely, PGPR are beneficial bacteria that colonize the rhizosphere of plants and promote their growth through multiple mechanisms. In our study, we investigated the effects of salinity on the growth and yield traits of two different wheat cultivars and explored the combined role of PGPR and GR24 in mitigating the impact of salt stress. We created three different salinity levels using NaCl in pots (original, 5 dS m−1, and 10 dS m−1) and inoculated wheat seeds with a salt-tolerant Bacillus velezensis UTB96 strain. In addition, we applied 10 μM GR24 via foliar application during the pollination stage. Our observations showed that salt stress negatively affected wheat’s growth, yield, and phytochemical properties compared to the control. However, both single and combined applications of PGPR and GR24 mitigated the adverse effects of salinity. The combined treatment had a more substantial impact than either alone in inducing and improving biochemical and ionic characteristics. These included decreasing Na+ content in both leaves and roots, and EL, H2O2, and MDA content in leaves while increasing K+ content in both leaves and roots, growth and yield-related traits, RWC, chlorophyll pigments, total protein, soluble sugar, starch, proline, GB, and antioxidant enzyme activity (APX, POX, and CAT) of leaves. In conclusion, integrating PGPR and GR24 can efficiently induce salt tolerance and improve plant growth under stressed conditions. This combined approach has the potential for broad applicability in supporting plant growth in the presence of salt stress.

Environmentally relevant levels of Cd and Mo coexposure induces ferroptosis and excess ferritinophagy through AMPK/mTOR axis in duck myocardium.

Cadmium (Cd) and excess molybdenum (Mo) are multiorgan toxic, but the detrimental impacts of Cd and/or Mo on poultry have not been fully clarified. Thence, a 16-week sub-chronic toxic experiment was executed with ducks to assess the toxicity of Cd and/or Mo. Our data substantiated that Cd and Mo coexposure evidently reduced GSH-Px, GSH, T-SOD, and CAT activities and elevated H2O2 and MDA concentrations in myocardium. What is more, the study suggested that Cd and Mo united exposure synergistically elevated Fe2+ content in myocardium and activated AMPK/mTOR axis, then induced ferroptosis by obviously upregulating ACSL4, PTGS2, and TFRC expression levels and downregulating SLC7A11, GPX4, FPN1, FTL1, and FTH1 expression levels. Additionally, Cd and Mo coexposure further caused excessive ferritinophagy by observably increasing autophagosomes, the colocalization of endogenous FTH1 and LC3, ATG5, ATG7, LC3II/LC3I, NCOA4, and FTH1 expression levels. In brief, this study for the first time substantiated that Cd and Mo united exposure synergistically induced ferroptosis and excess ferritinophagy by AMPK/mTOR axis, finally augmenting myocardium injure in ducks, which will offer an additional view on united toxicity between two heavy metals on poultry.

Assessment of Biochemical Parameters and Yield Performance in Rice under Different Crop Establishment Methods

Rice (Oryza sativa L.), a staple food for half of the global population, is cultivated using various methods, with transplanting being conventional in many Asian countries. However, challenges such as high-water consumption, labour intensiveness, and environmental degradation have prompted the exploration of alternative methods. In this study, we assessed the impact of various crop establishment methods (CE) i.e. conventional puddled transplanting, direct drill seeding on flatbed (DSR), and direct seeding on raised beds (FIRB) on five stress-tolerant rice varieties (V) i.e. DRR 42, DRR 44, Sukha Dhan 5, Sukha Dhan 6 and Sarjoo 52 by analysing biochemical parameters i.e. total sugar content, starch content, MDA content, SOD content and yield outcomes. Our findings reveal significant variations in biochemical parameters and yield across different CE and V combinations. Notably, FIRB consistently outperformed other CEs, indicating its potential for enhancing stress tolerance and yield. Similarly, DRR 44 exhibited superior performance across most growth stages. Our study highlights the potential advantages of FIRB method in mitigating water wastage and addressing the limitations of conventional transplanting practices.

The Effect of κ-Carrageenan on Porcine Sperm Cryo-Survival.

κ-Carrageenan is a sulfated polysaccharide from red seaweed with substantial antioxidant activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of κ-Carrageenan treatment on frozen-thawed (FT) porcine semen quality. Therefore, the spermatozoa were diluted and cryopreserved in a freezing extender supplemented with 0 (control), 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/mL κ-Carrageenan. Sperm kinematics were assessed immediately after thawing (AT) and post-incubation for 120 min. The viability, acrosome integrity, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and intracellular caspase activity were measured AT. The results indicated that 0.2 mg/mL κ-Carrageenan increased total and progressive motility AT and post-incubation for 120 min (p < 0.05). Moreover, the viable sperm percentage and MMP after 0.2 mg/mL treatment were higher than those after control and other κ-Carrageenan concentration treatments. The proportion of acrosome-intact spermatozoa was significantly higher after 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL κ-Carrageenan treatment than that after control and other κ-Carrageenan concentration treatments. The intracellular caspase activity was not significantly different among the experimental groups. However, the MDA concentration after 0.2 mg/mL κ-Carrageenan treatment was lower (p < 0.05) than that after the control treatment. Taken together, adding κ-Carrageenan to the porcine semen freezing extender improved the FT sperm quality mainly by influencing membrane stability and protecting against oxidative stress.

Nicotinamide riboside attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via regulating SIRT3/SOD2 signaling pathway

Ischemic heart disease invariably leads to devastating damage to human health. Nicotinamide ribose (NR), as one of the precursors of NAD+ synthesis, has been discovered to exert a protective role in various neurological and cardiovascular disorders. Our findings demonstrated that pretreatment with 200 mg/kg NR for 3 h significantly reduced myocardial infarct area, decreased levels of CK-MB and LDH in serum, and improved cardiac function in the rats during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Meanwhile, 0.5 mM NR also effectively increased the viability and decreased the LDH release of H9c2 cells during OGD/R. We had provided evidence that NR pretreatment could decrease mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production and MDA content, and enhance SOD activity, thereby mitigating mitochondrial damage and inhibiting apoptosis during myocardial I/R injury. Further investigations revealed that NR increased NAD+ content and upregulated SIRT3 protein expression in myocardium. Through using of SIRT3 small interfering RNA and the SIRT3 deacetylase activity inhibitor 3-TYP, we had confirmed that the cardioprotective effect of NR on cardiomyocytes was largely dependent on the inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative stress via SIRT3-SOD2 axis. Overall, our study suggested that exogenous supplementation with NR mitigated mitochondrial damage and inhibited apoptosis during myocardial I/R injury by reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress via SIRT3-SOD2-mtROS pathway.

Zinc oxide application alleviates arsenic-mediated oxidative stress via physio-biochemical mechanism in rice.

Arsenic (As) pollution in cultivated soils poses a significant risk to the sustainable growth of agriculture and jeopardizes food security. However, the mechanisms underlying how zinc (Zn) regulates the toxic effects induced by As in plants remain poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to explore the potential of ZnO as an effective and environmentally friendly amendment to alleviate As toxicity in rice, thereby addressing the significant risk posed by As pollution in cultivated soils. Through a hydroponic experiment, the study assessed the mitigating effects of different ZnO dosages (Zn5, 5mg L-1; Zn15, 15mg L-1; Zn30, 30mg L-1) on rice seedlings exposed to varying levels of As stress (As0, 0µM L-1; As25, 25µM L-1). The findings of the study demonstrate significant improvements in plant height and biomass (shoot and root), with a notable increase of 16-40% observed in the Zn15 treatment, and an even more substantial enhancement of 29-53% observed in the Zn30 treatment under As stress, compared to respective control treatment. Furthermore, in the Zn30 treatment, the shoot and root As contents substantially reduced by 47% and 63%, respectively, relative to the control treatment. The elevated Zn contents in shoots and roots enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, SOD, and CAT), and decreased MDA contents (13-25%) and H2O2 contents (11-27%), indicating the mitigation of oxidative stress. Moreover, the expression of antioxidant-related genes, OsSOD-Cu/Zn, OsCATA, OsCATB, and OsAPX1 was reduced when rice seedlings were exposed to As stress and significantly enhanced after Zn addition. Overall, the research suggests that ZnO application could effectively mitigate As uptake and toxicity in rice plants cultivated in As-contaminated soils, offering potential solutions for sustainable agriculture and food security.

Combined effects of micron-sized polyvinyl chloride particles and copper on seed germination of perilla.

Microplastics (MPs) and copper (Cu) pollution coexist widely in cultivation environment. In this paper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were used to simulate the MPs exposure environment, and the combined effects of MPs + Cu on the germination of perilla seeds were analyzed. The results showed that low concentrations of Cu promoted seed germination, while medium to high concentrations exhibited inhibition and deteriorated the morphology of germinated seeds. The germination potential, germination index and vitality index of 8mg • L-1 Cu treatment group with were 23.08%, 76.32% and 65.65%, respectively, of the control group. The addition of low concentration PVC increased the above indicators by 1.27, 1.15, and 1.35 times, respectively, while high concentration addition led to a decrease of 65.38%, 82.5%, and 66.44%, respectively. The addition of low concentration PVC reduced the amount of PVC attached to radicle. There was no significant change in germination rate. PVC treatment alone had no significant effect on germination. MPs + Cu inhibited seed germination, which was mainly reflected in the deterioration of seed morphology. Cu significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA content. The addition of low concentration PVC enhanced SOD activity, reduced MDA and H2O2 content. The SOD activity of the Cu2+8 + PVC10 group was 4.05 and 1.35 times higher than that of the control group and Cu treatment group at their peak, respectively. At this time, the CAT activity of the Cu2+8 + PVC5000 group increased by 2.66 and 1.42 times, and the H2O2 content was 2.02 times higher than the control. Most of the above indicators reached their peak at 24h. The activity of α-amylase was inhibited by different treatments, but β-amylase activity, starch and soluble sugar content did not change regularly. The research results can provide new ideas for evaluating the impact of MPs + Cu combined pollution on perilla and its potential ecological risk.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-based corn protein composites constructed with TG enzyme and their preservation performance on strawberries

This study describes the synthesis of Chitosan - corn protein (CSZ-TG) composites using TG enzyme (TG) as a cross-linking agent and the preparation of chitosan-based composite membrane material (CSZEO-TG) by blending citrus essential oil (EO) with the synthesized CSZ-TG. The prepared composite membrane material was used for fresh strawberry preservation and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-spectral diffraction, tensile properties, and water vapor and CO2 permeability. Scanning electron microscopy results showed a smooth surface of the composite membrane material after the addition of TG enzyme, while Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy results showed a structural change of the composite membrane material after the addition of corn protein (Z). The tensile results showed an increase in the tensile strength of the composite membrane material after the addition of TG enzyme, while the flexibility of the composite membrane material was enhanced after the addition of EO. Compared with the pure chitosan membrane (CS), the water vapor and CO2 barrier properties of the composite membrane material after the addition of Z, TG, and EO did not change much, and they all showed better water vapor barrier properties. The results of the antioxidant analysis of the solution of the CSZEO-TG composite membrane material showed that the composite membrane material had efficient antioxidant properties. The effects of the composite film material on the storage period and quality of strawberries were evaluated by the indicators of weight loss, hardness, decay rate, soluble solids, titratable acid content, MDA content, and the content of four enzymes, SOD, POD, PPO and CAT. Comprehensive freshness data analysis showed that CSZEO-TG had the best freshness preservation performance and effectively extended the shelf life of strawberries.

Five coexisting brominated flame retardants in a water-sediment-Vallisneria system: Bioaccumulation and effects on oxidative stress and photosynthesis

The pollution of various brominated flame retardants (BFRs) is concurrence, while their environmental fate and toxicology in water-sediment-submerged plant systems remain unclear. In this study, Vallisneria natans plants were co-exposed to 2,3,4,5,6-pentabromotoluene (PBT), hexabromobenzene (HBB), 1,2-bis (2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209), and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). The ∑BFRs concentration in the root was 2.15 times higher than that in the shoot. Vallisneria natans accumulated more BTBPE and HBB in 0.2, 1, and 5 mg/kg treatments, while they accumulated more DBDPE and BDE209 in 25 and 50 mg/kg treatments. The bioaccumulation factors in the shoot and root were 1.08–96.95 and 0.04–0.70, respectively. BFRs in sediments had a more pronounced effect on bioaccumulation levels than BFRs in water, and biotranslocation was another potential influence factor. The SOD activity, POD activity, and MDA content were significantly increased under co-exposure. The DBDPE separate exposure impacted the metabolism of substances and energy, inhibited mismatch repair, and disrupted ribosomal functions in Vallisneria natans. However, DBDPE enhanced their photosynthesis by upregulating the expression level of genes related to the light reaction. This study provides a broader understanding of the bioaccumulation and toxicity of BFRs in submerged plants, shedding light on the scientific management of products containing BFRs.

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria improve the antioxidant enzyme activity of Potamogeton crispus L. and enhance the remediation effect on Cd-contaminated sediment

Phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) assisted phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd) pollution is an effective method, but the mechanism of PSB-enhanced in-situ remediation of Cd contaminated sediment by submerged plants is still rare. In this study, PSB (Leclercia adecarboxylata L1-5) was inoculated in the rhizosphere of Potamogeton crispus L. (P. crispus) to explore the effect of PSB on phytoremediation. The results showed that the inoculation of PSB effectively improved the Cd extraction by P. crispus under different Cd pollution and the Cd content in the aboveground and underground parts of P. crispus all increased. The μ-XRF images showed that most of the Cd was enriched in the roots of P. crispus. PSB especially showed positive effects on root development and chlorophyll synthesis. The root length of P. crispus increased by 51.7%, 80.5% and 74.2% under different Cd pollution, and the Ca/Cb increased by 38.9%, 15.2% and 8.6%, respectively. Furthermore, PSB enhanced the tolerance of P. crispus to Cd. The contents of soluble protein, MDA and H2O2 in 5mg·kg-1 and 7mg·kg-1 Cd content groups were decreased and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were increased after adding PSB. The results showed that the application of PSB was beneficial to the in-situ remediation of submerged plants. Environment implicationHeavy metal pollution in sediment has a potential threat to the quality of water environment, and it is necessary to repair it. In-situ extraction of submerged plants is a green, low-cost and sustainable technology, but this technology has the problem of low plant biomass.In this study, a method of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria combined with submerged plant restoration was proposed, and the factors of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria promoting the growth of submerged plants and enhancing cadmium tolerance were analyzed. It provides a new idea for in-situ remediation of heavy metal pollution in sediment.

Reponses of morphological and biochemical traits of bamboo trees under elevated atmospheric O3 enrichment

Dwarf bamboo (Indocalamus decorus) is an O3-tolerant plant species. To identify the possible mechanism and response of leaf morphological, antioxidant, and anatomical characteristics to elevated atmospheric O3 (EO3) concentrations, we exposed three-year-old I. decorus seedlings to three O3 levels (low O3-LO: ambient air; medium O3-MO: Ambient air+70 ppb high O3–HO: Ambient air+140 ppb O3) over a growing season using open-top chambers. Leaf shape and stomatal characteristics, and leaf microscopic structure of I. decorus were examined. The results indicated that 1) the stomata O3 flux (Fst) of HO decreased more rapidly under EO3 as the exposure time increased. The foliar O3 injury of HO and MO occurred when AOT40 was 26.62 ppm h and 33.20 ppm h, respectively, 2) under EO3, leaf number, leaf mass per area, leaf area, and stomata length/width all decreased, while leaf thickness, stomatal density, width, and area increased compared to the control, 3) MDA and total soluble protein contents all showed significantly increase under HO (36.57% and 32.77%) and MO(31.91% and 19.52%) while proline contents only increased under HO(33.27%). 4) MO and HO increased bulliform cells numbers in the leaves by 6.28% and 23.01%, respectively. HO reduced the transverse area of bulliform cells by 13.73%, while MO treatments had no effect, and 5) the number of fusoid cells interspace, the transverse area of fusoid cells interspace, and mesophyll thickness of HO significantly increased by 11.16%, 28.58%, and 13.42%, respectively. In conclusion, I. decorus exhibits strong O3 tolerance characteristics, which stem from adaptions in the leaf's morphological, structural, antioxidant, and anatomical features. One critical attribute was the enlargement of the bulliform cell transverse area and the transverse area of fusoid cells interspace that drove this resistance to O3. Local bamboo species with high resistance to O3 pollution thus need to be promoted for sustained productivity and ecosystem services in areas with high O3 pollution.

Comparing the pharmacological effects of the prepared folium of Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. and Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. on kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome and liver injury complications

Yinyanghuo, a famous herb, includes the folium of Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. and Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. It is believed that their processed products, the prepared slices of the folium of Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. (PFEB) and Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. (PFES) have greater efficacy in tonifying kidney Yang to treat kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome (KDS). However, there are few studies comparing the pharmacological effects of PFEB and PFES, and the underlying mechanisms. This study compared their effects on improving hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, immune system and sexual characteristic, as well as repairing liver injury complications in the KDS model mice. Additionally, the mechanisms of the effects relevance to their main components were explored. It was found that PFEB was more effective than PFES in increasing cAMP/cGMP ratio, SOD activity, CRH and ACTH levels, eNOS and testosterone levels, splenic lymphocytes proliferation, while in decreasing MDA content, atrophy of spleen and thymus, splenic lymphocytes apoptosis, and PDE5 level. PFES showed stronger protection than PFEB in decreasing triglyceride and hepatic lipid. The contents of baohuoside I and epimedin A, B were much higher in PFEB, while Epimedin C, Icariin, 2-O″-rhamnosylicaridide II were higher in PFES. Consequently, PFEB exhibits superior efficacy over PFES in tonifying the kidney-Yang by improving the neuroendocrine-immune network, including HPA axis, immune systems, and corpus cavernosum. However, PFES has better recovery effect on mild hepatic lipid caused by KDS. The efficacy difference between PFEB and PFES in kidney-Yang and liver may be attributed to the content variations of baohuoside I.

Subacute Use of Aqueous Extract of Water Melon (Citrullus lanatus) Seeds Mitigates against Pyramidal Neuronal Toxicity of Lead Acetate in Adult Wistar Rats

Introduction:  Lead exposure remains a significant public health burden across the globe, impacting millions of individuals and posing a major threat to nervous system development and function As a reported bio-toxic environmental and industrial pollutant, Lead (Pb) do accumulates in almost all body tissues to cause health complications with the cerebellar region of the central nervous system reported to be more susceptible to cellular distortions. As a flowering plant species of the Cucurbitaceae family, watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is associated with numerous medicinal properties. Aim: This study aim to investigate the possible neuroprotective potential of aqueous extract of citrulus lanatus seed on lead acetates-induced neurotoxicity in the Cerebral cortex of adult Wistar rats. Place of Study: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: Twenty (20) healthy adult female wistar rats weighing 150±50g were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n=5). The Control group received 2mls/kg of distilled water, Treatment group (T1) was administered 7.5 mg/kg of lead acetate, Treatment group (T2) was administered 200 mg/kg of aqueous extract of citrullus lanatus and Treatment group (T3) was administered 7.5 mg/kg of lead acetate and 200 mg/kg of aqueous extract of citrullus lanatus concomitantly orally for fourteen (14) days. H&amp;E and Cresyl violet histological stains and Biochemical assays for SOD, CAT activities and MDA concentration was determined. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and subjected to Turkeys post hoc test from the multiple comparison. Results: Revealed no statistically significant differences (p&gt;0.05) in body weight and brain weight changes across groups relatives to the control group while SOD and Catalase activities were increased significantly in the Treatment groups compared to control group. Histological findings in control group and T2 showed normal histoarchitectural appearance of cerebral cortex Pyramidal neurons while the lead exposed group (T1) revealed features of neurodegenerative changes evident by nuclear shrinkage with pyknosis and karryorrhexis. while T3 revealed near normal presentations. Conclusion: In summary, Citrullus lanatus mitigates against pyramidal neuronal cells distortions following lead acetate induced toxicity in Wistar Rats and also further affirms its antioxidative potential.

Generation of selenium-rich wheat mutants and exploration of responsive genes for selenium accumulation.

Salt tolerance, selenium accumulation and expression of the responsive genes were analyzed in the wheat high selenium mutants. Selenium is an essential trace element for the human body, and its deficiency can lead to various diseases such as Keshan disease and large bone disease. Wheat, being a major staple crop, plays a crucial role in providing dietary selenium supplementation to combat this deficiency. Despite progress in understanding the molecular regulation of selenium accumulation in certain crops, the molecular mechanisms governing selenium accumulation-related gene expression in wheat plants remain poorly understood. In this study, three mutant wheat lines with elevated selenium content were identified. Under the treatment of Na2SeO3 or NaCl, the selenium-rich wheat mutants exhibited decreased sensitivity to both selenium and NaCl compared to the wild type. Additionally, there was an increase in the activities of SOD and POD, while the content of MDA decreased. Through qRT-PCR analysis, the expression of selenium-related genes was affected, revealing that some of these genes not only regulate the response of wheat to salt stress, but also play a role in the process of selenium accumulation. The transcriptome results revealed that the important genes encoding glutathione S-transferases, peroxidases, superoxide dismutases, and UDP-glucosyltransferases may function in the regulation of salt tolerance and selenium accumulation in wheat. These findings significantly contribute to the current understanding of the molecular regulation of selenium accumulation in wheat crops, while also offering novel germplasm resources for cultivating selenium-rich and salt-tolerant wheat lines.

Artemisia annua L. polysaccharide improves the growth performance and intestinal barrier function of broilers challenged with Escherichia coli.

With the high intensification of poultry breeding, a series of diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria threaten the health of poultry and human. Among them, poultry diseases induced by Escherichia coli cause significant economic loss every year. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Artemisia annua L. polysaccharide (AAP) on the growth performance and intestinal barrier function of broilers with Escherichia coli (E. coli) challenge. A total of 256 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: control group (fed basal diet), AAP group (fed basal diet supplemented with AAP), E. coli group (fed basal diet and orally administered E. coli), AAP + E. coli group (fed basal diet supplemented with AAP and orally administered E. coli). Dietary AAP supplementation elevated the BW, ADG and ADFI in non-challenged broilers. AAP also increased the apparent metabolic rate of EE and Ca in E. coli-challenged broilers. Moreover, AAP not only enhanced the serum IgA content but also decreased the serum and jejunum content of IL-6, as well as the jejunum level of IL-1β in non-challenged broilers. AAP also down-regulates the mRNA level of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) by inhibiting the mRNA expression of TLR4 and MyD88 in intestinal NF-κB signaling pathway of E. coli-challenged broilers. Meanwhile, AAP up-regulates the activity and mRNA level CAT by down-regulating the mRNA level of Keap1 in intestinal Nrf2 signaling pathway of E. coli-challenged broilers, and decreased serum MDA concentration. AAP significantly elevated the mRNA level of CAT, SOD and Nrf2 in jejunal of non-challenged broilers. Interestingly, AAP can improve intestinal physical barrier by down-regulating serum ET content, increasing the jejunal villus height/crypt depth (VH/CD) and ZO-1 mRNA level in broilers challenged by E. coli. AAP also elevated the VH/CD and the mRNA level of Occludin, ZO-1, Mucin-2 in non-challenged broilers. Importantly, AAP reshaped the balance of jejunum microbiota in E. coli-challenged broilers by altering α diversity and community composition. In summary, AAP ameliorated the loss of growth performance in broilers challenged with E. coli, probably by regulating the intestinal permeability and mucosa morphology, immune function, antioxidant ability, and microbiota.

Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) on Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of Grapevine against Salt Stress

Salinity, one of the most significant abiotic stress factors restricting plant production, causes the destruction of agricultural lands and reduces productivity. In recent years, the utilization of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) applications, which have important effects in terms of avoiding and providing tolerance to factors by impacting the physiology and metabolism of the plants, has been on the agenda. In this research, the impacts of foliar treatments of different levels of 5-ALA (0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 mM) on morphological and physiological traits of 41 B American grapevine rootstocks under salinity stress (NaCl solution starting with 25 mM and reaching 150 mM concentration) were investigated. Salinity stress caused significant decreases in growth parameters, chlorophyll content, RWC and stomatal conductance, and significant increases in leaf temperature, proline and MDA content, physical damage and membrane damage degree. Under salinity stress, 0.9 mM 5-ALA treatments resulted in significant increases in shoot length (14.67 cm), root length (34.50 cm), leaf thickness (0.23 µm) leaf area (31.37 cm2), leaf number (8.67 pieces), chlorophyll content (21.83 SPAD), RWC (80.20%), proline content (0.19 μmol.g-1) and stomatal conductance (78.05 mmol.m-2.s-1); and significant decreases in physical damage degree (1.00 scale degree), membrane injury degree (15.46%) and MDA content (28.20 nmol.g-1) compared to non-ALA treatments. According to the results of this study, 5-ALA can be recommended as an alternative application to provide salinity tolerance in plants in order to reduce the damage caused by salinity stress in agricultural lands.

Luteolin Alleviates Cadmium-Induced Kidney Injury by Inhibiting Oxidative DNA Damage and Repairing Autophagic Flux Blockade in Chickens

Chickens are a major source of meat and eggs in human food and have significant economic value. Cadmium (Cd) is a common environmental pollutant that can contaminate feed and drinking water, leading to kidney injury in livestock and poultry, primarily by inducing the generation of free radicals. It is necessary to develop potential medicines to prevent and treat Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in poultry. Luteolin (Lut) is a natural flavonoid compound mainly extracted from peanut shells and has a variety of biological functions to defend against oxidative damage. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate whether Lut can alleviate kidney injury under Cd exposure and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Renal histopathology and cell morphology were observed. The indicators of renal function, oxidative stress, DNA damage and repair, NAD+ content, SIRT1 activity, and autophagy were analyzed. In vitro data showed that Cd exposure increased ROS levels and induced oxidative DNA damage and repair, as indicated by increased 8-OHdG content, increased γ-H2AX protein expression, and the over-activation of the DNA repair enzyme PARP-1. Cd exposure decreased NAD+ content and SIRT1 activity and increased LC3 II, ATG5, and particularly p62 protein expression. In addition, Cd-induced oxidative DNA damage resulted in PARP-1 over-activation, reduced SIRT1 activity, and autophagic flux blockade, as evidenced by reactive oxygen species scavenger NAC application. The inhibition of PARP-1 activation with the pharmacological inhibitor PJ34 restored NAD+ content and SIRT1 activity. The activation of SIRT1 with the pharmacological activator RSV reversed Cd-induced autophagic flux blockade and cell injury. In vivo data demonstrated that Cd treatment caused the microstructural disruption of renal tissues, reduced creatinine, and urea nitrogen clearance, raised MDA content, and decreased the activities or contents of antioxidants (GSH, T-SOD, CAT, and T-AOC). Cd treatment caused oxidative DNA damage and PARP-1 activation, decreased NAD+ content, decreased SIRT1 activity, and impaired autophagic flux. Notably, the dietary Lut supplement observably alleviated these alterations in chicken kidney tissues induced by Cd. In conclusion, the dietary Lut supplement alleviated Cd-induced chicken kidney injury through its potent antioxidant properties by relieving the oxidative DNA damage-activated PARP-1-mediated reduction in SIRT1 activity and repairing autophagic flux blockade.