Non-enzymatic Antioxidant Defense Research Articles

Effect of Zinc on Hepatic and Renal Tissues of Chronically Arsenic Exposed Rats: A Biochemical and Histopathological Study.

Consumption of arsenic-contaminated drinking water has become major global health concern. One of the major mechanism responsible for the toxicity of arsenicals is the generation of oxidative stress. Zinc, a nutritional antioxidant, plays key role in maintaining various cellular pathways. The present study was aimed at elucidating the effects of zinc supplementation on hepatic and renal tissue damage caused by arsenic exposure to rats. Rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: control; As administered; Zn supplemented; combined zinc; and arsenic supplemented. Arsenic exposure resulted in significantly elevated accumulation of arsenic in the liver and kidney tissue. In the liver, exposure to arsenic reduced the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), total glutathione (TG), redox ratio, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), whereas lipid peroxidation (LPO), inflammation markers, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were elevated with no significant change in catalase (CAT) activity. Arsenic exposure also enhanced the serum levels of liver functional indices and histological abnormalities in liver sections. In the kidney, a significant increase in NO levels and decrease in SOD activity was observed, with no significant changes in the rest of the parameters. The administration of zinc- to arsenic-intoxicated animals significantly improved their hepatic function parameters, arsenic burden, and histological changes which were associated with the restoration of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system as compared to their intoxicated counterparts. In the kidney also, the NO levels and SOD activity were restored. This data reveals that zinc is effective in ameliorating the toxic effects inflicted by chronic arsenic toxicity.

Association between serum Vitamin E concentrations and the presence of Metabolic Syndrome: A population-based cohort study.

Background.Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of clinical and metabolic features that include central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. These features are accompanied by increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defenses. Vitamin E is a major factor in the non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses. The aim of present study was to investigate the association between serum levels of vitamin E and the presence of MetS and its components in a subsample population of Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) study.Methods.This cross-sectional study was carried out in 128 subjects with MetS and 235 subjects without MetS. MetS was defined according to the International-Diabetes-Federation criteria. Serum levels of vitamin E were measured using the HPLC method. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured using standard protocols.Results.MetS patients had significantly lower serum levels of vitamin E (Vit E), Vit E/Total cholesterol (TC), and Vit E/ (TC+triglyceride(TG)) compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Vit E/ (TG+TC) was also significantly lower in diabetics or those with elevated levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Additionally, there was a significant association between Vit E/ (TG + TC) and MetS (OR:0.87, 95% CI (0.78-0.96)).Conclusions.There is a significant inverse association between Vit E/ (TG + Total Cho) and the presence of MetS. Moreover, a significantly lower Vit E/ (TC+TG) was observed in subjects with more than 3 components of the MetS. The evaluation of this association in a larger population may help further confirm these findings.

Paclobutrazol induced non-enzymatic antioxidants and polyamine levels in soybean plants grown under salinity stress

Paclobutrazol (PBZ) is a member of the triazole family of plant growth regulators and is known to protect crops from environmental stresses such as salinity and drought. It plays a role in maintaining water balance, photosynthesis capacity and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities. Despite the well-documented effects of PBZ on antioxidant defence in soybean plants, the changes in non-enzymatic antioxidants and endogenous polyamines in the PBZ-treated plants grown under salinity stress are still not studied. Herewith, the study aimed to clarify the effects of PBZ on these molecules. For this purpose, the combined effect of salt (250 mM NaCl) and three different concentrations of PBZ (5, 10 and 20 ppm) on soybean (Glycine max L.) plants were studied. Proline, hydroxyl radical (OH.) scavenging capacity, non-enzymatic antioxidants (anthocyanin, flavonoid, phenolic and free thiol-containing compounds) and polyamines spermine, spermidine, and putrescine were investigated in the treated plants. We found that the PBZ (10 ppm) treatment was the most effective concentration to counteract oxidative stress due to NaCl in soybean seedlings. It significantly increased hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, proline, total phenolics, flavonoids, and conjugated polyamine content compared to those found in salt-treated plants only. For the first time, our study showed that PBZ could induce the non-enzymatic antioxidant defence in soybean plants grown under salt stress conditions.

Glutathione (GSH) improves sperm quality and testicular morphology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to cause reproductive impairment. In men, it has been linked to altered sperm quality and testicular damage. Oxidative stress (OS) plays a pivotal role in the development of DM complications. Glutathione (GSH) is a part of a nonenzymatic antioxidant defense system that protects lipid, protein, and nucleic acids from oxidative damage. However, the protective effects of exogenous GSH on the male reproductive system have not been comprehensively examined. This study determined the impact of GSH supplementation in ameliorating the adverse effect of type 1 DM on sperm quality and the seminiferous tubules of diabetic C57BL/6NTac mice. GSH at the doses of 15 mg kg−1 and 30 mg kg−1 was given intraperitoneally to mice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. The mice were then weighed, euthanized, and had their reproductive organs excised. The diabetic (D Group) showed significant impairment of sperm quality and testicular histology compared with the nondiabetic (ND Group). Diameters of the seminiferous lumen in diabetic mice treated with 15 mg kg−1 GSH (DGSH15) were decreased compared with the D Group. Sperm motility was also significantly increased in the DGSH15 Group. Improvement in testicular morphology might be an early indication of the protective roles played by the exogenous GSH in protecting sperm quality from effects of untreated type 1 DM or diabetic complications. Further investigation using different doses and different routes of GSH is necessary to confirm this suggestion.

Antioxidant protection in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

The literature review summarizes the data on the classification and characteristics of the antioxidant defense system. This model combines a number of different substances. Each of the components of the antioxidant system acts in close connection with its other structural elements, harmoniously complements, and in many cases – enhances the action of each other. The functional basis of the system of antioxidant protection is formed by the glutathione system, the constituent elements of which are actually glutathione and enzymes that catalyze the reactions of its reverse transformation (oxidation ↔ reduction). Most researchers conventionally divide the system of antioxidant protection into enzymatic and non-enzymatic. The enzyme links of the antioxidant defense system include: catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione transferase and other enzymes. The non-enzymatic system includes fat-soluble vitamins A, E and K, water-soluble vitamins C and PP, biogenic amines, glutathione, carotenoids, ubiquinone, sterols. Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems are present in the bloodstream. The activity of the enzymatic antioxidant system is very well regulated and depends on age, physiological condition, hormone dynamics, intensity of antioxidant enzyme synthesis, pH, presence of coenzymes, inhibitors, activators and other factors. The non-enzymatic part of the antioxidant system does not require as many regulators as the chemical itself - the antioxidant - reacts chemically with the radical. Only the reaction rate can change. The lungs are directly exposed to oxygen and oxidants of polluted air, they are most sensitive to oxidative damage, so they have an increased possibility of free radical reactions. Protection against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species and free radicals is provided by anti-radical protective systems, especially the glutathione system and its enzymes. Numerous papers have obtained clinical and experimental data on the important role of free radical oxidation of lipids (FROL) and antioxidant systems (AOS) protection in the development of many diseases, including pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The review presents modern views on the state of the system of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant protection in TB. The main topic of the review is information on the generation of free radical compounds by different populations of leukocytes with further enhancement of LPO and secondary deepening of functional disorders. The article substantiates the feasibility of identifying LPO products as non-specific markers of aseptic inflammation in TB and the need to develop new generations of antioxidants. One of the universal mechanisms of damage to cell membranes is LPO, the excessive activation of which is normally prevented by factors of the antioxidant defense system. Membrane-bound enzymes involved in the formation of LPO products include lipoxy and cyclooxygenases. Lipoperoxidation processes change the structure and phospholipid composition of cell membranes, which negatively affects the cellular immune response due to damage to the mechanisms of information transfer from extracellular regulators to intracellular effector systems.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Biochemical defense in maize against &lt;em&gt;Chilo partellus&lt;/em&gt; (Swinhoe) through activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Biochemical defense against herbivores is one of the most important components of plant resistance to insects. Here, we studied the constitutive and induced biochemical defense through activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in response to damage by the spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) in six maize genotypes including resistance and susceptible checks. The levels of total sugars, total soluble protein and starch were significantly lower, while total phenol and total antioxidant higher in resistant than susceptible maize genotypes both under damaged and healthy plant conditions. The activity of antioxidant enzymes like AO, CAT, APX, PAL and TAL were significantly higher in resistant than susceptible genotype, Basi Local, which further increased in response to damage by C. partellus . The nonenzymatic antioxidant scavenging activity of FRAP was also significantly higher in resistant maize genotypes, which further increased upon damage by C. partellus . Total antioxidant activity increased from 22.2 to 96.3% across test maize genotypes in response to damage by C. partellus , wherein maximum increase was recorded in CML 345. These findings clearly demonstrate that both constitutive and induced biochemical compounds through activation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems impart resistance against C. partellus in CPM 8, CPM 13, CPM 15, CPM 18 and CML 345, thus could be used in insect resistance breeding program. These studies could also be useful for detailed understanding on metabolic pathways regulating biochemical defense and up- and down-regulation of associated genes in plant defense against biotic stresses.

Assessment of the impacts of glyphosate and its commercial formulation Roundup® on the respiratory tree of the sea cucumber Holothuria forskali using a multivariate biomarker approach

In this study, the potential hazardous impacts of the technical grade glyphosate acid (GLY) and its commercial formulation roundup (RD®) were evaluated for the first time on holothurians. To do this, redox status, fatty acid (FA) profile, and histopathology aspects were assessed in the respiratory tree tissue of the sea cucumber Holothuria forskali following short-term exposure (96 h) to a series of concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 μg L−1) of GLY and RD® (glyphosate acid equivalent). Our results showed that both GLY and RD® promoted oxidative stress highlighted with an increase of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid peroxides (LOOH) and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels in all treated groups. In addition, both glyphosate forms were found to perturb the FA composition. However, changes in saturated (SFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) including some essential FA (LA, ARA, EPA and DHA) revealed differential compensatory/adaptive processes in H. forskali depending on the treatment. GLY and RD® were also found to modulate the enzymatic (glutathione S-transferases, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid) antioxidant defense status. Taken together, our results revealed that the commercial formulation produced more pronounced effects on H. forskali respiratory tree than the pure form. This finding was further confirmed by the histological observations.

Gender differences in the antioxidant response of oral administration of hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein against N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced glioma

Brain tumorigenesis has been associated not only with oxidative stress, but also with a reduced response of non-enzyme and enzyme antioxidant defense systems. In fact, the imbalance between free-radical production and the efficiency of the antioxidant defense systems triggers the process because the central nervous system (CNS) is very sensitive to free-radical damage. Phenolic compounds, mainly oleuropein and its major metabolite hydroxytyrosol, derived from olives and virgin olive oil, have been shown to exert important anticancer activities both in vitro and in vivo due to their antioxidant properties. The present study analyzes the effects of the oral administration of oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and the mixture of both phenolic compounds in rats with transplacental N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced brain tumors to analyze their potential effect against brain tumorigenesis through the modification of redox system components. Oxidative stress parameters, non-enzyme and enzyme antioxidant defense systems and blood chemistry were assayed in the different experimental groups. The treatment with oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and/or the mixture of both phenolic compounds promotes a limited beneficial effect as anticancer compounds in our ENU-induced animal model of brain tumor. These effects occur via redox control mechanisms involving endogenous enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems, and are highly dependent on the gender of the animals.

Effect of Gene Polymorphisms in Antioxidant Enzymes on Oxidative-Antioxidative Status in Young Men

Abstract Introduction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between SOD1 +35A/C, SOD2 Val16Ala and GPx1 Pro198Leu gene polymorphisms and baseline level of oxidative-antioxidative status in blood. Material and methods.The study included 154 male students of physical education who participated in practical classes included in the study curriculum. Genotyping was carried out on genomic DNA using real-time PCR reaction with TaqMan assays. Also, fasting blood samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters including superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in erythrocytes and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in whole blood, as well as serum concentration of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of serum. Results. SOD2 polymorphism had a significant effect on serum LOOHs concentration. Individuals with Val/Val genotype presented a significantly higher level of LOOHs than Val/Ala genotype carriers (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, no significant differences in SOD and GPx activity or TAC were found between SOD2 genotypes. Apart from the SOD2 polymorphism, no significant influence of both SOD1 and GPx1 polymorphisms on measured biochemical parameters was found, probably due to the lack of mutant homozygous genotypes in the study group. Conclusions. In young, healthy and physically active men, SOD2 polymorphism has an influence on the resting level of oxidative stress marker in the blood without affecting both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence. In turn, SOD1 and GPx1 polymorphisms do not seem to affect oxidative-antioxidative status. However, the absence of SOD1 CC and GPx1 Leu/Leu may indicate that these genotypes are disadvantageous, and thus underrepresented in young, healthy and physically fit population.

Aerobic Exercise Training Exerts Beneficial Effects Upon Oxidative Metabolism and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Defense in the Liver of Leptin Deficiency Mice.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common forms of liver disease, which is associated with several etiological factors, including stress and dysfunction in oxidative metabolism. However, studies showed that aerobic exercise training (AET) can combat the oxidative stress (OS) and improves mitochondrial functionality in the NAFLD. To test the hypothesis that AET improves oxidative metabolism and antioxidant defense in the liver of ob/ob mice. Male ob/ob mice with eight weeks old were separated into two groups: the sedentary group (S), n=7, and the trained group (T), n=7. The T mice were submitted to an 8-week protocol of AET at 60% of the maximum velocity achieved in the running capacity test. Before AET, no difference was observed in running test between the groups (S=10.4 ± 0.7 min vs. T= 13 ± 0.47 min). However, after AET, the running capacity was increased in the T group (12.8 ± 0.87 min) compared to the S group (7.2 ± 0.63 min). In skeletal muscle, the T group (26.91 ± 1.12 U/mg of protein) showed higher citrate synthase activity compared with the S group (19.28 ± 0.88 U/mg of protein) (p =0.006). In the analysis of BW evolution, significant reductions were seen in the T group as of the fourth week when compared to the S group. In addition, food intake was not significant different between the groups. Significant increases were observed in the activity of enzymes citrate synthase (p=0.004) and β-HAD (p=0.01) as well as in PGC-1α gene expression (p=0.002) in the liver of T group. The levels of TBARs and carbonyls, as well as SOD, CAT and GST were not different between the groups. However, in the nonenzymatic antioxidant system, we found that the T group had higher sulfhydryl (p = 0.02), GSH (p=0.001) and GSH/GSSG (p=0.02) activity. In conclusion, the AET improved body weight evolution and the aerobic capacity, increased the response of oxidative metabolism markers in the liver such as PGC-1α gene expression and citrate synthase and β-HAD enzyme activities in ob/ob mice. In addition, AET improved the non-enzymatic antioxidant defense and did not change the enzymatic defense.

ROS and NO Regulation by Melatonin Under Abiotic Stress in Plants.

Abiotic stress in plants is an increasingly common problem in agriculture, and thus, studies on plant treatments with specific compounds that may help to mitigate these effects have increased in recent years. Melatonin (MET) application and its role in mitigating the negative effects of abiotic stress in plants have become important in the last few years. MET, a derivative of tryptophan, is an important plant-related response molecule involved in the growth, development, and reproduction of plants, and the induction of different stress factors. In addition, MET plays a protective role against different abiotic stresses such as salinity, high/low temperature, high light, waterlogging, nutrient deficiency and stress combination by regulating both the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems. Moreover, MET interacts with many signaling molecules, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), and participates in a wide variety of physiological reactions. It is well known that NO produces S-nitrosylation and NO2-Tyr of important antioxidant-related proteins, with this being an important mechanism for maintaining the antioxidant capacity of the AsA/GSH cycle under nitro-oxidative conditions, as extensively reviewed here under different abiotic stress conditions. Lastly, in this review, we show the coordinated actions between NO and MET as a long-range signaling molecule, regulating many responses in plants, including plant growth and abiotic stress tolerance. Despite all the knowledge acquired over the years, there is still more to know about how MET and NO act on the tolerance of plants to abiotic stresses.

The impact of red grape juice (Vitis labrusca)consumption associated with physical training on oxidative stress, inflammatory and epigenetic modulation in healthy elderly women

The imbalance of epigenetic, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers is associated with the aging physiopathology. Then, the influence of bioactive nutritional compounds and physical training on these biomarkers has been studied, although the combination of both strategies has been not investigated. Therefore, our aim was to verify the effect of the association of physical training with red grape juice (Vitis labrusca) consumption on global histone acetylation H3 and H4 levels, oxidative stress markers and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in peripheral blood of healthy elderly women. This double-blind randomized clinical study consisted of 29 volunteers, aged 59 years and over, divided into three groups: grape juice group (GJG, n = 9); placebo and exercise group (PLEG, n = 10) and grape juice and exercise group (GJEG, n = 10). During 1 month, GJG consumed 400 ml of grape juice per day (integral and conventional), while the PLEG and GJEG groups, besides consuming juice or placebo were submitted to a concurrent physical training protocol (two times per week, 60 min / session). The volunteers were submitted to blood collections before and after the intervention for the biomarkers analysis, e.g. IL-6, histone acetylation H3 and H4, lipid oxidative damage (TBARS), proteins (Carbonyl), non-enzymatic antioxidant defense (Sulfhydryl groups) and activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase). There were no statistically significant differences in the global levels of histone acetylation H3 and H4 post intervention compared to the basal period as well and between groups were found. However, PLEG and GJEG showed a remarkable reduction on IL-6 levels after intervention. We also observed an increase in Carbonyl levels, SOD activities and Sulfhydryl levels comparing before and after intervention. Considering the interaction of time and groups, a significant increase in Sulfhydryl levels only in GJG was found. The physical training protocol associated or not with grape juice consumption showed anti-inflammatory effects and an influence in the antioxidant defenses (non enzymatic and enzymatic) in elderly women. However in grape juice group, without exercise, we observed an increase in non enzymatic antioxidant defense, what could be attributed to the polyphenols content. These responses seem not to be involved with histone acetylation status.

Unravelling the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in mitigating the oxidative burst of plants under drought stress.

With continued climate changes, soil drought stress has become the main limiting factor for crop growth in arid and semi-arid regions. A typical characteristic of drought stress is the burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative damage. Plant-associated microbes, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), can regulate physiological and molecular responses to tolerate drought stress, and they have a strong ability to cope with drought-induced oxidative damage via enhanced antioxidant defence systems. AMF produce a limited oxidative burst in the arbuscule-containing root cortical cells. Similar to plants, AMF modulate a fungal network in enzymatic (e.g. GmarCuZnSOD and GintSOD1) and non-enzymatic (e.g. GintMT1, GinPDX1 and GintGRX1) antioxidant defence systems to scavenge ROS. Plants also respond to mycorrhization to enhance stress tolerance via metabolites and the induction of genes. The present review provides an overview of the network of plant - arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus dialogue in mitigating oxidative stress. Future studies should involve identifying genes and transcription factors from both AMF and host plants in response to drought stress, and utilize transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics to clarify a clear dialogue mechanism between plants and AMF in mitigating oxidative burst.

The use of retinoic acid in association with microneedling in the treatment of epidermal melasma: efficacy and oxidative stress parameters.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of isolated treatment with retinoic acid and its combination with the microneedling technique in facial melasma, seeking to associate these results with possible oxidative damage. This is a blinded randomized clinical trial with 42 women with facial melasma (skin phototype I-IV), randomized into Group A (microneedling and 5% retinoic acid) or Group B (5% retinoic acid alone). Four procedures were applied with 15days intervals (4 blood collections). Clinical improvement was assessed using the Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI). Serum oxidative stress levels were evaluated by protein oxidation (carbonyl), lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and sulfhydryl groups, as well as enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The statistical analyzes were performed by generalized estimation equation (GEE). There was a reduction in MASI scale and TBARS levels in both groups over time (p < 0.05), with no difference between groups (p = 0.416). There was also a substantial increase in the carbonyl levels at 30days (p = 0.002). The SOD activity decreased after 30days, regardless of group (p < 0.001), which was maintained after 60days. In Group A, there was a reduction in sulfhydryl levels at 60days (p < 0.001). It is important to highlight that both groups demonstrated efficacy in the clinical improvement of melasma within at least 60days, reducing the MASI score by almost 50%. However, microneedling with retinoic acid seems to be the worst treatment because there is a reduction in the non-enzymatic antioxidant defense, which is important to protect against oxidative stress.

Plasma antioxidant substances apparently do not influence the radiodermatitis occurrence

AIMS: Radiation affects not only tumors but also healthy tissues through the increment of oxidative stress. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress degree as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses in the plasma of patients submitted to radiotherapy and to verify if these parameters are modified in those patients who develop radiodermatitis.METHODS: Forty-one patients submitted to radiotherapy for treatment of breast cancer were followed. From these patients, plasma samples were obtained at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the treatment, for analysis of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP).RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in terms of TBARS and FRAP in plasma harvested from these patients at the beginning and at the middle of the treatment. There was lower incidence of grade two radiodermatitis among patients undergoing radiotherapy with hypofractionated doses. There were no differences in FRAP or TBARS among patients who developed radiodermatitis of any degree in relation to those who did not develop this side effect. No differences of FRAP or TBARS were observed between patients that presented grade two radiodermatitis regarding to the others studied.CONCLUSION: There was no clear relationship between changes in TBARS or FRAP with the occurrence or severity of radiodermatitis.

Maternal exposure to high-fat and high-cholesterol diet induces arterial hypertension and oxidative stress along the gut-kidney axis in rat offspring

AimsEvaluate the effects of maternal high fat and high cholesterol (HFHC) diet consumption on blood pressure (BP), renal function and oxidative stress along the gut-kidney axis in male and female rat offspring. Materials and methodsPregnant rats were fed with a control (CTL) or HFHC diet during pregnancy and lactation. At 90 days, BP was assessed by tail-cuff plethysmography, and urinary and biochemical variables were measured. Biomarkers for oxidative stress, enzymatic antioxidant defense (activity of superoxide dismutase-SOD, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase-GST) and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense (thiols content) were evaluated in the colon and renal cortex. Key findingsMale and female offspring from dams fed with a HFHC diet presented increased BP when compared to their respective CTL group. Male offspring from dams fed with HFHC diet showed reduced GST activity and thiols content in the colon, reduced SOD activity in the renal cortex and decreased urinary creatinine excretion when compared to the CTL group. Regarding female offspring, catalase activity and thiols content were reduced in the colon when compared to CTL group. Although lipid peroxidation had been increased in the renal cortex of HFHC female offspring, the CAT and SOD enzymatic antioxidant acitivities (CAT and SOD) were increased in the renal cortex of female offspring when compared with male offspring; and the renal function was not impaired by maternal HFHC diet consumption. SignificanceHFHC diet during pregnancy and lactation induces sex-specific oxidative stress along the gut-kidney axis in offspring, which might induce renal dysfunction and arterial hypertension in later life.

Favorable effects of Globularia alypum on cardiometabolic markers in high fructose-fed rats

PurposeThis study aims to examine whether Globularia alypum (Ga) lyophilized aqueous leaves extract treatment improves cardiometabolic syndromes such as hyperglycemia, lipid profiles and oxidative damage resulting from a high-fructose diet induced in hypertriglyceridemic rats.Design/methodology/approachA total of 24 male Wistar rats weighing 80 ± 5 g were first randomly divided into 2 groups. A total of 12 control rats (C) were fed a standard-diet (St-D) and 12 high fructose (HF) rats were fed a high-fructose diet (HF-D) containing St-D in which cornstarch was substituted by fructose (61.4%). After 15 weeks of feeding, body weight (BW) was about 320 ± 20 g and hypertriglyceridemia was noted in HF vs C group (2.69 ± 0.49 mmol/L) vs (1.25 ± 0.33 mmol/L). Each group of rats was then divided into two equal groups (n = 6) and fed during four weeks either a St-D or HF-D, treated or not with 1% of Ga extract (C-Ga) and (HF-Ga). After 28 days, fasting rats were anesthetized and blood and tissues were removed to measure biochemical parameters.FindingsThe results showed no significant differences in BW and insulinemia between all groups. Ga extract supplementation reduced glycemia (−36%), glycosylated hemoglobin (−37%), Homeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance index (−34%) and triacylglycerol’s contents in plasma (−33%), very low density lipoproteins–low density lipoproteins (VLDL-LDL) (−48%), liver (−52%) and aorta (−39%); total cholesterol concentrations in aorta was 3.7-fold lower in HF-Ga vs HF group. Ga treatment reduced lipid peroxidation in plasma, VLDL-LDL, red blood cells (RBC), liver, muscle and kidney by improving superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in RBC and catalase (CAT) activity in kidney (p < 0.05). Moreover, Ga ameliorates glutathione (GSH) production in RBC (+41%) and kidney tissues (+35%).Originality/valueGa extract ameliorated cardiometabolic syndrome by its hypotriglyceridemic effect and prevented development of insulin resistance. It reduces lipid peroxidation by enhancing non-enzymatic (GSH) and enzymatic (SOD, GPx and CAT) antioxidant defense systems in high-fructose hypertriglyceridemic rats. Therefore, supplementation of Ga leaves extract as an adjuvant could be used for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and the prevention and/or the management of cardio-metabolic adverse effects.

Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidant Defense in Plants under Abiotic Stress: Revisiting the Crucial Role of a Universal Defense Regulator.

Global climate change and associated adverse abiotic stress conditions, such as drought, salinity, heavy metals, waterlogging, extreme temperatures, oxygen deprivation, etc., greatly influence plant growth and development, ultimately affecting crop yield and quality, as well as agricultural sustainability in general. Plant cells produce oxygen radicals and their derivatives, so-called reactive oxygen species (ROS), during various processes associated with abiotic stress. Moreover, the generation of ROS is a fundamental process in higher plants and employs to transmit cellular signaling information in response to the changing environmental conditions. One of the most crucial consequences of abiotic stress is the disturbance of the equilibrium between the generation of ROS and antioxidant defense systems triggering the excessive accumulation of ROS and inducing oxidative stress in plants. Notably, the equilibrium between the detoxification and generation of ROS is maintained by both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems under harsh environmental stresses. Although this field of research has attracted massive interest, it largely remains unexplored, and our understanding of ROS signaling remains poorly understood. In this review, we have documented the recent advancement illustrating the harmful effects of ROS, antioxidant defense system involved in ROS detoxification under different abiotic stresses, and molecular cross-talk with other important signal molecules such as reactive nitrogen, sulfur, and carbonyl species. In addition, state-of-the-art molecular approaches of ROS-mediated improvement in plant antioxidant defense during the acclimation process against abiotic stresses have also been discussed.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Oral Health Status, Salivary Gland Function, and Oxidative Stress in the Saliva of Patients with Subacute Phase of Stroke: A Case-Control Study.

This is the first study to assess, comprehensively, the oral health status; salivary glands’ function and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense; and oxidative damage to proteins and lipids in the non-stimulated (NWS) and stimulated (SWS) whole saliva of stroke patients. The study included 30 patients in the subacute phase of the stroke and an age and gender-matched control group. We showed that the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and salivary peroxidase) was significantly higher in both NWS and SWS of stroke patients, similarly to uric acid concentration. However, in the study group, the reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in SWS decreased. The contents of protein glycooxidation products (advanced glycation end products (AGE) and protein oxidation products (AOPP)) and lipid hydroperoxides were significantly higher in NWS and SWS of stroke patients. In the study group there was also a decrease in stimulated saliva secretion and total protein content. Interestingly, products of protein and lipid oxidation correlate negatively with SWS flow. The ROC analysis showed that salivary GSH with 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity differentiates the analyzed groups (AUC = 1.0). To sum up, in subacute stroke patients there are redox imbalances and oxidative damage to proteins and lipids in non-stimulated and stimulated saliva. Stroke patients also suffer from salivary gland dysfunction.

Investigating the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense by applying iron oxide nanoparticles in Dracocephalum moldavica L. plant under salinity stress

The effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs), as a salinity stress modifier, was investigated on plant growth and antioxidant systems in Dracocephalum moldavica L. The results showed that the salinity causes a decrease in leaf area, length and fresh and dry weight of the shoot and root. However, foliar application of iron oxide NPs in the concentration of 60 ppm increased all aforementioned traits. Nevertheless, the interaction between iron oxide NPs and salinity was not significant on the length and weight (dry and fresh) of the shoot and root. Moreover, iron oxide NPs were not efficacious on modifying the effect of highest salinity level on the studied growth characteristics except for leaf area. Spraying the iron oxide NPs significantly increased the leaf area in the plants under salt stress conditions. Total phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin content, as well as the activity of guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase enzymes were enhanced in the shoot and root of the plants treated with 100 mM of NaC1 solution. On the other hand, spraying the iron oxide NPs on the plants treated with salinity stress led to an increase in enzymes activities compared to control ones. The results revealed that using iron nano fertilizers improves the antioxidant defense in Dracocephalum moldavica L. under salinity stress.