Oxidative Damage To Lipids Research Articles

Aquatic exercise associated or not with grape juice consumption-modulated oxidative parameters in Parkinson disease patients: A randomized intervention study

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with significant motor disabilities and cognitive decline. Importantly, the imbalance of oxidative stress is related to PD physiopathology and progression. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of grape juice consumption associated with an aquatic exercise protocol on oxidative stress parameters and cognitive function in individuals with PD. The participants were randomized into two groups: grape juice group (GJG) and control group (CG) and were submitted to 4 weeks of an aquatic intervention (twice a week, approximately 60 minutes/session). The GJG also consumed 400 ml of grape juice per day (integral and conventional) during this period. Cognitive function was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) questionnaire. For the analysis of oxidative stress markers, specifically lipid oxidative damage (TBARS), proteins (Carbonil), acid uric and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase), blood collection were done before and after intervention. No changes were observed in cognitive function after intervention in both groups. Regarding biomarkers, a reduction of antioxidant enzymes, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and uric acid was observed in both groups. However, only the GJG showed a significant reduction on protein oxidation levels after intervention. In conclusion, the consumption of grape juice associated with an aquatic exercise protocol might be consider an effective alternative to reduce the oxidative damage in PD, reinforcing the importance of this intervention in promoting beneficial impact in this population.

Protective Effect of Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidants against Inflammatory Response to Lipopolysaccharide Challenge: A Review.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is the most abundant proinflammatory agent. Considerable evidence indicates that LPS challenge inescapably causes oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to cell and tissue damage. Increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation triggered by LPS is known to play a key role in the progression of the inflammatory response. mtROS at excessive levels impair electron transport chain functioning, reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential, and initiate lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage of mitochondrial proteins and mtDNA. Over the past 20 years, a large number of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (mito-AOX) of different structures that can accumulate inside mitochondria and scavenge free radicals have been synthesized. Their protective role based on the prevention of oxidative stress and the restoration of mitochondrial function has been demonstrated in a variety of common diseases and pathological states. This paper reviews the current data on the beneficial application of different mito-AOX in animal endotoxemia models, in either in vivo or in vitro experiments. The results presented in our review demonstrate the promising potential of approaches based on mito-AOX in the development of new treatment strategies against Gram-negative infections and LPS per se.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy Differently Affect Oxidative Damage Markers and their Correlations with Body Parameters.

Bariatric surgery improves oxidative damage, but little is known about the differences between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). This study compared changes in lipid and protein oxidative damage markers and their correlations with body parameters of patients before and after RYGB or SG. Body mass index (BMI), bioimpedance parameters, and biochemical parameters including lipid and protein oxidative damage markers were evaluated before and 6months after surgery. Data were analyzed by t test or Mann-Whitney rank sum test and Spearman's correlation coefficient between oxidative damage and other parameters. Twenty-five patients were submitted to RYGB and 14 to SG. There was a significant decrease of BMI, fat mass, fat-free mass, phase angle, serum total protein, transthyretin, and C-reactive protein in both groups (p< 0.05). Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and serum lipids (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased in the RYGB group. TBARS levels were significantly correlated with serum total cholesterol (r = 0.468), LDL (r = 0.439), BMI (r = 0.424), and fat mass (r = 0.40) (p< 0.05). In the SG group, AOPP levels were significantly correlated with serum C-reactive protein (baseline: r = 0.53, 6months: r = 0.64) (p < 0.05). Alterations in these levels were negatively correlated with changes in BIA parameters [resistance (r = -0.574), reactance (r = -0.736), and phase angle (r = 0.549)] (p < 0.05). RYGB seems to be better in attenuating oxidative damage after 6months. The BMI reduction in the RYGB group suggests a concomitant decrease of lipid oxidative damage. In the SG group, changes in BIA parameters were inversely correlated with protein oxidative damage.

Exploring Yeast as a Study Model of Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration and for the Identification of Therapeutic Compounds.

Mutations in the pantothenate kinase 2 gene (PANK2) are the cause of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), the most common form of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. Although different disease models have been created to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of PKAN, the cascade of molecular events resulting from CoA synthesis impairment is not completely understood. Moreover, for PKAN disease, only symptomatic treatments are available. Despite the lack of a neural system, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been successfully used to decipher molecular mechanisms of many human disorders including neurodegenerative diseases as well as iron-related disorders. To gain insights into the molecular basis of PKAN, a yeast model of this disease was developed: a yeast strain with the unique gene encoding pantothenate kinase CAB1 deleted, and expressing a pathological variant of this enzyme. A detailed functional characterization demonstrated that this model recapitulates the main phenotypes associated with human disease: mitochondrial dysfunction, altered lipid metabolism, iron overload, and oxidative damage suggesting that the yeast model could represent a tool to provide information on pathophysiology of PKAN. Taking advantage of the impaired oxidative growth of this mutant strain, a screening for molecules able to rescue this phenotype was performed. Two molecules in particular were able to restore the multiple defects associated with PKAN deficiency and the rescue was not allele-specific. Furthermore, the construction and characterization of a set of mutant alleles, allowing a quick evaluation of the biochemical consequences of pantothenate kinase (PANK) protein variants could be a tool to predict genotype/phenotype correlation.

Effect of low-level laser irradiation on the bisphenol a-induced free radical processes

One of these novel application areas is LLLT for drug-induced liver injury. LLLI employs visible (generally red) or near-infrared light generated from a laser or light-emitting diode (LED) system. The light is typical of narrow spectral width between 600-1000 nm. Despite significant research efforts around the effects and molecular mechanisms of LLLT in various cells or tissues, the appropriate doses of radiation, energy densities, time, and irradiation conditions as well as the appropriate individual settings in the various laser devices, which will predictably lead to optimal therapeutic effects, have not been clarified yet. In the present study, the effect of low-level laser irradiation on oxidative stress parameters in rats under the conditions of BPA administration was investigated. Toxic liver injury induced by bisphenol A (BPA) administration at 50 mg/kg body wt by gavage for 3 days once a day. Low-level laser irradiation was performed after each administration of xenobiotic. A laser diode (50 mW) with 650 nm continuous wavelength was applied to the skin surface at the anatomical site of the liver. The administration of BPA leads to the evaluated of free radical generation and decrease in SOD, CAT and GPx activities in the liver of bisphenol A-exposed animals. The enhanced processes of the generation of superoxide radicals and nitric oxide and exhausting level of antioxidant enzymes under the conditions of BPA administration leads to the increased oxidative damage of lipid and protein in subcellular fraction. The low-level laser irradiation of BPA-treated animals leads to the increase of enzymatic activity of antioxidant defences system, a decrease of free-radical production and oxidative protein and lipid damage in microsome and cytosol.

Morphological evaluation of the effects of exercise on high-fat-diet-induced liver damage in rats.

This study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of swimming exercise on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with high fat diet-induced obesity, using microscopical and biochemical parameters. Sprague Dawley male rats were fed either standard chow (STD group; 6% fat) or high-fat diet (HFD group; 45% fat) for 18 weeks. Animals were divided into four groups, STD, STD + EXC, HFD, HFD + EXC. Exercise groups were submitted to swimming training 5 days of week and 1h of per day, during the last 6 weeks of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, liver samples were evaluated for morphologically and ultrastructurally. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated in liver samples. Normal morphology of liver parancyma with hepatocytes and sinusoids was observed in the STD and STD+EXC groups. Steatosis, lipid accumulation, ballooned hepatocytes, decrease of glycogen deposits and fibrosis in periportal area were observed in HFD group. Liver MDA level was increased and GSH level was decreased in HFD group. Exercise treatment ameliorated these morphological and oxidative changes in HFD induced liver damage. Based on morphological and biochemical analysis, we could conclude that swimming training ameliorated obesity-induced liver damage by regulating lipid accumulation and oxidative damage.

Nutritional Composition and Antioxidative Potentials of Fermented Fluted Pumpkin Seed (Ogiri) Extract on H&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

Nutritional composition and antioxidative potentials of fermented fluted pumpkin seed (Ogiri) extract on hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in rats were investigated using standard analytical methods. Traditional methods were employed for processing fluted pumpkin seed (Ogiri). A total of 24 albino rats weighing 75-150 g were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each and kept to acclimatize for 1 week with normal rats feed and water. Oxidative stress was induced with H2O2 intraperitoneally at 200 µM/KgBW of rat on the 27th day for 3 days. Group A received normal rats feed and water only, group B received H2O2, while groups C and D received H2O2 + 100 mg/KgBW and H2O2 + 200 mg/KgBW of seed extract respectively. The proximate analysis revealed substantial percentage of crude fibre (7.06 %), crude lipid (28.84 %), crude protein (10.49 %) and carbohydrate (39.04 %). The energy value was (457.68 kcal/100g). Vitamins B2, B1 and C were predominant while the concentrations of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium occurred most. Flavonoids, alkaloids, total phenol and total carotene antioxidants were detected in the sample. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the enzymatic antioxidant activity (CAT, SOD and GST) and a significant increase (P<0.05) in MDA concentration of H2O2 treated rats when compared to the control. Administration of fermented fluted pumpkin seed extract reversed this effect at the respective doses. In conclusion, fermented fluted pumpkin seed extract has good nutritional qualities and positively modulates antioxidant enzymes against lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress damage.

The use of a bed with an insulating system of electromagnetic fields improves immune function, redox and inflammatory states, and decrease the rate of aging

BackgroundThe immune system, as a homeostatic system, is an excellent marker of health and has also been proposed as an indicator of the rate of aging. The base of the age-related changes in the immune system, “immunosenescence”, is oxidative-inflammatory stress. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by technology causes inhibitory effects on the immune response and increases oxidation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resting on an EMF-insulated system on several immune functions, the oxidative-inflammatory state and subsequently the rate of aging (biological age).MethodsSeveral immune functions, in peripheral blood neutrophils and mononuclear cells, of 31 volunteers were analyzed before and after 2 months of using a bed with the patented HOGO system, which insulated participants against EMFs. Several oxidative and inflammatory parameters, in whole blood cells, were also studied. The biological age was calculated using a mathematical formula, which was based on several immune function parameters. A placebo group of 11 people using beds without that property were used as a control.ResultsThe results showed a significant improvement of immune functions and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defenses after using the HOGO system for 2 months. In addition, a decrease in oxidants and pro-inflammatory compounds, a lowering of oxidative damage in lipids and in DNA as well as a reduction of calculated biological age was also observed. The placebo group did not show any changes.ConclusionsIn conclusion, 2 months of resting on a bed insulated from EMFs demonstrates improvement in immune function, oxidative-inflammatory state and biological age.

Folic acid prevents habituation memory impairment and oxidative stress in an aging model induced by D-galactose.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of folic acid treatment in an animal model of aging induced by D-galactose (D-gal). For this propose, adult male Wistar rats received D-gal intraperitoneally (100mg/kg) and/or folic acid orally (5mg/kg, 10mg/kg or 50mg/kg) for 8weeks. D-gal caused habituation memory impairment, and folic acid (10mg/kg and 50mg/kg) reversed this effect. However, folic acid 50mg/kg per se caused habituation memory impairment. D-gal increased the lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage to proteins in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus from rats. Folic acid (5mg/kg, 10mg/kg, or 50mg/kg) partially reversed the oxidative damage to lipids in the hippocampus, but not in the prefrontal cortex, and reversed protein oxidative damage in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. D-gal induced synaptophysin and BCL-2 decrease in the hippocampus and phosphorylated tau increase in the prefrontal cortex. Folic acid was able to reverse these D-gal-related alterations in the protein content. The present study shows folic acid supplementation as an alternative during the aging to prevent cognitive impairment and brain alterations that can cause neurodegenerative diseases. However, additional studies are necessary to elucidate the effect of folic acid in aging.

Effects of a Bacterial Infection on Mitochondrial Function and Oxidative Stress in a Songbird.

AbstractAs a major physiological mechanism involved in cellular renewal and repair, immune function is vital to the body's capacity to support tissue maintenance and organismal survival. Because immune defenses can be energetically expensive, the activities of metabolically active organs, such as the liver, are predicted to increase during infection by most pathogens. However, some pathogens are immunosuppressive, which might reduce the metabolic capacities of select organs to suppress immune response. Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is a well-known immunosuppressive bacterium that infects domestic chickens and turkeys as well as songbirds. In the house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), which is the primary host for MG among songbird species, MG infects both the respiratory system and the conjunctiva of the eye, causing conspicuous swelling. To study the effect of a systemic bacterial infection on cellular respiration and oxidative damage in the house finch, we measured mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species production, and oxidative damage in the livers of house finches that were wild caught and either infected with MG, as indicated by genetic screening for the pathogen, or free of MG infection. We observed that MG-infected house finches showed significantly lower oxidative lipid and protein damage in liver tissue compared with their uninfected counterparts. Moreover, using complex II substrates, we documented a nonsignificant trend for lower state 3 respiration of liver mitochondria in MG-infected house finches compared with uninfected house finches (). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that MG suppresses organ function in susceptible hosts.

Activation of acid-sensing ion channel 3 by lysophosphatidylcholine 16:0 mediates psychological stress-induced fibromyalgia-like pain

ObjectivesFibromyalgia is commonly considered a stress-related chronic pain disorder, and daily stressors are known triggers. However, the relation between stress and pain development remains poorly defined by clinical approaches. Also,...

Biochemical adaptations of the stout razor clam (Tagelus plebeius) to changes in oxygen availability: resilience in a changing world?

Climate change is producing sea level rise and deoxygenation of the ocean, altering estuaries and coastal areas. Changes in oxygen availability are expected to have consequences on the physiological fitness of intertidal species. In this work we analyze the coping response of the intertidal stout razor clam (Tagelus plebeius (Lightfoot, 1786)) to extreme environmental changes in oxygen concentration. Their biochemical responses to normoxia, hypoxia, and hyperoxia transition at different intertidal level (low–high) were measured through an in situ transplant experiment. The high intertidal level negatively affected the analyzed traits of the T. plebeius populations. The differences in reactive oxygen species production, total oxyradical scavenger capacities, and catalase activity also suggested more stressful conditions at the high level where long-term hypoxia periods occur. Both hypoxia and re-oxygenation provoked re-adjustments in the antioxidant responses and higher lipid oxidative damage (normoxia &lt; hypoxia &lt; re-oxygenation). The observed responses in transplanted clams at the opposite intertidal level suggested the potential acclimation of T. plebeius to cope with new environmental conditions. These findings are discussed within a global changing context where both increasing deoxygenation conditions and sea level rise are predicted to be exacerbated in the area driven by climate change.

ETS exposure, mental and physical health and oxidative stress parameters in a sample of Slovak women

Background. Exposure to environmental risk factors has a negative impact on health, especially in vulnerable population groups, which include the children, mothers and pregnant women. Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of ETS with mental and physical health and oxidative stress parameters in a sample of Slovak women based on the bilateral American-Slovak project. Methods. Researchers from the Comenius University’s Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/Gyn) Department and Institute of Hygiene in Bratislava, Slovakia distributed surveys to non-smoking mothers and pregnant women in the 36th-41st week of pregnancy being seen for the follow-up at the OB/Gyn Department of the Faculty Hospital and Clinic. The major end-points were physical and mental health of non-smoking mothers (n=544) and the urine antioxidant capacity and oxidative lipid damage by monitoring the levels of 8-isoprostanes in pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy (n=80). Results.The results show that living with a smoker is independently associated with worse physical health in a selected sample of non-smoking women AOR = 1.9 (95% CI = 1.0-3.6); p = 0.047) and worse mental health (SF-12) in pregnant women (AOR = 2.2 (95% CI = 1.01-4.85); p = 0.047). The harmful effect of current and passive smoking on detected oxidative stress parameters (urine antioxidant capacity - AC, 8-isoprostanes concentration) in the pilot sample of pregnant women has been indicated. ETS exposed non-smoking pregnant women had significantly reduced AC compared to ETS not exposed group even to the smoker group (p &lt; 0.05). ETS exposed nonsmokers had significantly lower levels of 8-isoprostane than smokers (p &lt; 0.01) and ETS not exposed nonsmokers (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion. These data represent an important argument for intervention in families. To avoid negative effects of ETS on pregnancy outcomes a total smoking ban in the household should be introduced.

PM2.5 air pollution exposure and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the United States

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. Upwards of 30% of NAFLD cases occur among people who are non-obese (i.e., “lean NAFLD”) and up to 52% among people without diabetes. Particulate matter air pollution &lt;2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) is a ubiquitous exposure primarily produced from fossil fuel combustion. Once inhaled, PM2.5 particles can enter the bloodstream and induce lipid accumulation, oxidative damage, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver of mice. Previous epidemiologic research has been limited by small study areas with little exposure variability. Our aim was to conduct the first nationwide study to examine the association between ambient PM2.5 exposure and NAFLD.Methods: We conducted cross-sectional analyses of hospitalizations between 2001 and 2011 from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), the largest nationally representative all-payer inpatient care administrative database in the United States. Average annual PM2.5 exposure was estimated using NIS ZIP Codes linked with the Environmental Protection Agency Downscaler Model, which incorporates data from atmospheric modeling and point air pollution measurements. NAFLD hospitalizations were identified using International Classification of Diseases discharge diagnosis codes excluding unrelated liver diseases. Multilevel logistic regression accounting for the complex survey design with a random effect for hospital was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, year, obesity, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and individual- and area-level socioeconomic status.Results: The prevalence of NAFLD hospitalizations was 3.4% from 2001-2011 (unweighted 122,913 cases/36,065,973 hospitalizations). Preliminary results show that higher ambient PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased odds of NAFLD hospitalizations (adjusted OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.32 per 10 µg/m3 increase).Conclusions: PM2.5 may be a novel risk factor for NAFLD. Future analyses will examine potential effect modification by age, race/ethnicity, sex, and geography.

Heat shock proteins and antioxidants as mechanisms of response to ivermectin in the dung beetle Euoniticellus intermedius

Ivermectin is the most common antiparasitic drug used in livestock in many regions of the world. Its residues are excreted in dung, threatening non-target fauna such as dung beetles, fundamental for cleaning dung in pastures. However, it is unclear which are the physiological mechanisms used by dung beetles to cope with ivermectin. Here we evaluated experimentally the physiological responses of the dung beetle Euoniticellus intermedius to ivermectin-induced stress. We measured metabolic rates, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative damage in lipids in both males and females exposed to a sublethal dose. Compared to control beetles, ivermectin-treated males and females had increased metabolic rates. Moreover, ivermectin-treated females increased their expression of Hsp70 whereas males increased their antioxidant capacity. No changes in the levels of oxidative damage to lipids were detected for either sex, suggesting a process of hormesis, such that exposure to a moderate concentration of ivermectin could stimulate the action of a protective mechanism against oxidative stress, that differs between sexes. However, it does not exclude the possibility that damage to other biomolecules might have occurred. Sexual differences in physiological responses can be interpreted as the result of hormonal differences or life-history trade-offs that favor different mechanisms in females and males. Hsps and antioxidants are involved in the physiological response of beetles to ivermectin and may be key in providing resistance to this contaminant in target and non-target species, including dung beetles.

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.

Systemic Amelioration via Curcumin in Rats following Splenectomy: Lipid Profile, Endothelial and Oxidative Damage

Background We investigated the postsurgical effects of splenectomy with additional curcumin therapy, as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory substance among the lipid profile and histopathological changes. Materials and Methods 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (L): laparotomy, sham group: splenectomy (S), splenectomy group treated with curcumin (SC) and splenectomy group treated with corn oil (SCO) for 28 days. The primary outcomes; total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and lectin-type oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1), secondary outcomes: nuclear factor kappa B (NF-кB), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Histopathological changes were examined in vascular, intestinal and lung tissues. The analysis was performed by ANOVA. Results TG, LDL, ox-LDL, and LOX-1 elevated in S group while reduced by curcumin compared with L group (p < 0.05). Serum and tissue levels of NF-кB and MDA were higher in S group and lower in SC group than L group (p < 0.05). Serum and intestinal levels of SOD and GPx increased in L group while reduced by curcumin (p < 0.05). Total histopathological scores of intestinal tissues were higher in S and SCO groups compared to L and SC groups (p < 0.05). No major changes in vascular and lung tissues were observed except the lymphoid follicles which was higher in S and SCO groups compared to L and SC groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions Curcumin partially improved the lipid profile dysfunction by modulating NF-кB, MDA, SOD, and GPx in splenectomized rats while less likely improving any vascular and alveolar regeneration.

Inhibitory Effects of Water Extracts of Longan Leaves on Mutation and Tyrosinase

The antityrosinase and antimutation effects of longan leaves and its bioactive compounds was investigated. The water extracts of longan leaves (WLL) inhibited the mutagenicity of 2-aminoanthracene, an indirect mutagen, and 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide, a direct oxidative mutagen toward Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100. WLL at 0-0.6 mg/ml displayed free radical scavenging activity, reducing power, chelating ability and protection against lipid oxidative damage. In addition, the inhibitory actions of WLL on tyrosinase activity and nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated macrophages RAW 264.7 cell increased in concentration-dependent manner. According to HPLC-DAD analysis showed that epicatechin, ellagic acid and gallic acid, the major phenolic compounds, were present in WLL. The phenolic components may in part account for contributing the protective effects of WLL. On the basis of the results obtained, WLL can display biological functions and effectively protective against oxidation, mutation, tyrosinase, and inflammation.

The effect of short-term fasting on the oxidative status of larvae of crested newt species and their hybrids

In nature, animals often face periods without food caused by seasonal fluctuations and/or prey scarcity. An organism's physiological response to imposed energetic limitations is followed by changes in mitochondrial functioning (adjustment of energy metabolism) and a reduction of non-essential processes. However, this energy-saving strategy can have its costs. In this study, we examined oxidative stress as one of the possible physiological costs of short-term, two-week-long food deprivation on developing amphibian larvae of the crested newts Triturus macedonicus and Triturus ivanbureschi and their hybrids. We investigated whether this exogenous factor additionally affected the oxidative status (fitness-related trait) of hybrid individuals. The fasting treatment led to lower growth and a lower body mass and body condition index of individuals. The results revealed that the antioxidant system (AOS) of food-deprived larvae could not cope in a proper manner with reactive oxygen species production under limited energy availability, leading to higher lipid oxidative damage. The lowest AOS response was observed for H2O2 scavenging parameters (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and total glutathione), which together with the elevated activity of superoxide dismutase suggested increased H2O2 concentrations. Comparison between parental species and their hybrids showed that hybrid individuals suffered greater oxidative damage (as demonstrated by higher concentrations of lipid peroxides), indicating that they were more susceptible to fasting-induced oxidative stress. Overall, this study illustrates that: (i) an oxidative event is one of the costs amphibian larvae face during short-term periods of fasting, (ii) hybrids are less capable of dealing with this stressful condition, which can lower their chances of survival in a changing environment.

Bioactive compounds, phenolic profile, antioxidant capacity and effectiveness against lipid peroxidation of cell membranes of Mauritia flexuosa L. fruit extracts from three biomes in the Ecuadorian Amazon

The bioactive compounds, total antioxidant capacity and protective effect against lipid oxidative damage of red blood cell (RBC) membranes of Mauritia flexuosa L. extracts from three altitude levels (low, middle and high zones) were analyzed. The identification of the main polyphenols in the fruit was performed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry analysis, while High-Performance Liquid Chromatography - Diode Array Detector was applied for the vitamin C and carotenoid analysis. The ability of the extracts (methanolic, free polyphenols and bound polyphenols) to protect RBC membranes against oxidative destruction was assessed utilizing the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay (TBARS) assay. Among the 14 phenolic compounds identified, quercetin glycosides were the most predominant ones. The fruit from the middle altitude zone showed higher vitamin C and lutein contents than those from the low and high areas, whilst higher values of β-Carotene were obtained in M. flexuosa L. from the low zone. The contents of flavonoids and total polyphenols were lower in fruit from the low zone, whilst the fruit from the middle zone had the highest values. Similar results were observed in the results of the antioxidant capacity assays. However, a significant difference was not found in the protective effect of the extracts from the three altitude zones against lipid peroxidation in RBC membranes.