Blood Oxidative Stress Research Articles

Hypoglycemic effect of polysaccharides isolated from shoots of Actinidia arguta

Diabetes mellitus can result in hyperglycemia caused by insufficient insulin secretion or insulin resistance. As such, plant extracts that exert a hypoglycemic effect with limited side effects are of interest to the medical and healthcare fields. The hypoglycemic effect of polysaccharides extracted from the branches of Actinidia arguta was explored in mice in this study. Sixty male Kunming mice were subsequently randomly assigned to one of six groups. The body weight, fasting blood glucose level, serum lipids, and oxidative stress parameters were assessed weekly during the 28-day study period. Pancreatic tissue from sacrificed mice was harvested at the end of the study and dissected for analysis. Polysaccharide AABP3 prevented body weight loss and decreased the fasting blood glucose level in diabetic mice compared with control mice. It also had a beneficial effect on serum dyslipidemia and oxidative stress parameters and was comparable in its protective effect to metformin. Histopathological examination of the pancreas revealed that AABP3 could protect and ameliorate pancreatic damage that may occur in diabetes mellitus in mice. AABP3 may be considered a potential candidate for developing a functional food or natural product for treating diabetes and its complications.

Systemic immune inflammation index: is it a new marker for contrast-induced nephropathy?

Introduction: Worldwide, >200 million patients are affected by peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and endovascular interventional treatments are increasingly being applied. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third most common cause of renal failure in hospitals. However, factors such as renal vasoconstriction, decrease in renal blood flow, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress have been suggested in the etiology of CIN. Studies are showing that inflammatory markers increase in CIN. Systemic immune inflammation index (SII), a newly defined parameter, is calculated by multiplying the platelet and lymphocyte counts and dividing by the neutrophil count. Studies are showing that this parameter influences prognosis in various cancer types. Considering that inflammation may play a role in CIN, we planned this study to investigate the role of SII in patients undergoing percutaneous peripheral vascular interventions. Material and Method: 300 patients who underwent percutaneous peripheral vascular interventions between August 2018-December 2021 due to peripheral arterial disease were included in the study. The data of the patients were scanned retrospectively from the patient files. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was calculated by dividing the neutrophil count by the lymphocyte count. SII was found by multiplying NLR with platelet count Results: Contrast-induced nephropathy developed in 41 (12.3%) patients. CIN(+) patients also, had higher CRP levels (5.1±0.7vs 2.4±0.4,P<0.05), NLR (4.07±1.07vs 2.65±0.84, P<.005), SII score (1778±627.57vs 867.14±491.88, P<.005.) the contrast media used was also higher in CIN(+) patients (176.19±48.44 vs 128.72±48.44;P<0.05) Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a high SII score was an independent predictor of development of CIN (odds ratio [OR]: 1.002, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001-1.002, P<.0005) together with high NLR (OR: 3.56, 95% CI: 1.905-6.675, P<.005) and CRP (OR: 1.002, 95% CI: 1.001-1.002, P<.005 Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the best cutoff value of 1224 for SII to predict the development of CIN with 85% sensitivity and 72% specificity (area under ROC curve 0.904 [95% CI: 0.866-0.942], P<.005). Conclusion: Imbalance in inflammatory cells, the increase in neutrophils, and the decrease in lymphocytes play a role in developing kidney damage. Impaired immune functions due to lymphocytopenia contribute to the development of acute kidney injury. Oxidative stress exacerbates the inflammatory state by increasing inflammatory cell infiltration. AS a result, SII may be a powerful predictor of inflammation and can be used to determine the risk before interventional procedures.

Cardioprotective effects of Ferulic acid in Streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus causes changes in the structural or functional anatomy of the heart. A high blood glucose level and oxidative stress are key factors in diabetic cardiac damage. Ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamic acid) is a biologically active compound in many functional foods like fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. It belongs to the group of cinnamic acid derivatives.Objective: In the present study, we investigated the effects of Ferulic acid (FA) on Streptozotocin-induced diabetic cardiac damage in male Sprague Dawley rats.Materials and methods: A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of six each. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg body weight). Group I consisted of normal rats (N); group II consisted of normal rats treated with FA (N+FA); group III consisted of STZ-induced diabetic rats (D), and groups IV and V consisted of STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with FA at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight and glibenclamide at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight respectively (N+FA and N+G) for 60 days. Rats were sacrificed after the treatment period, and blood and heart tissue were collected for analysis.Results: STZ injection significantly increased blood glucose, HbA1c, cardiac marker enzymes LDH, CK-MB, and oxidative stress in heart tissue. The oral administration of FA to diabetic rats for 60 days significantly improved diabetic markers, oxidative stress, and cardiac markers.Conclusion: The present study indicated that FA affords cardioprotective effect in diabetic rats, and this protection may be due in part to the attenuation of oxidative stress.Keywords: ferulic acid, streptozotocin, diabetes, cardiac damage, oxidative stress

The Impact of Pre-Exercise Carbohydrate Meal on the Effects of Yerba Mate Drink on Metabolism, Performance, and Antioxidant Status in Trained Male Cyclists

IntroductionThe consumption of yerba mate (YM), a source of antioxidants, in a fasted state increases fatty acid oxidation (FATox) during low–moderate-intensity exercise and improves performance in high-intensity exercise. However, the impact of a pre-exercise carbohydrate (CHO) meal on YM effects during exercise is unknown.ObjectiveWe investigated the effects of yerba mate drink (YMD) consumed in the fasted state (YMD-F) or after a CHO meal (YMD-CHO) on measurements of metabolism, performance, and blood oxidative stress markers in cycling exercise.MethodsIn a randomized, repeated-measures, crossover design, eight trained male cyclists ingested (i) YMD-CHO, (ii) YMD-F, or (iii) control-water and CHO meal (Control-CHO). The YMD (an infusion of 5 g of ultrarefined leaves in 250 mL of water) was taken for 7 days and 40 min before exercise. CHO meal (1 g/kg body mass) was consumed 60 min before exercise. The cycling protocol included a 40-min low-intensity (~ 53% V̇O2peak) constant load test (CLT); a 20-min time trial (TT); and 4 × 10-s all-out sprints. Blood samples and respiratory gases were collected before, during, and/or after tests.ResultsDuring CLT, YMD-CHO increased FATox ~ 13% vs. YMD-F (P = 0.041) and ~ 27% vs. Control-CHO (P < 0.001). During TT, YMD-CHO increased FATox ~ 160% vs. YMD-F (P < 0.001) and ~ 150% vs. Control-CHO (P < 0.001). Power output during TT improved ~ 3% (P = 0.022) in YMD-CHO vs. Control-CHO and was strongly correlated with changes in serum total antioxidant capacity (r = −0.87) and oxidative stress index (r = 0.76) at post-exercise in YMD-CHO. Performance in sprints was not affected by YMD.ConclusionCHO intake did not negate the effect of YMD on FATox or TT performance. Instead, a synergism between the two dietary strategies may be present.Clinical Trial Registration NCT04642144. November 18, 2020. Retrospectively registered.

MPharmacological potential of leaf on blood glucose levels, lipid profile, and oxidative stress parameters in diabetic rats

is a plant from tropical regions traditionally used in Africa as an anti-diabetic. The aim of the work was to evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of the aqueous extract of leaves (AELT) in diabetic rats. To induce diabetes, streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into rats. Diabetic animals were divided into groups and treated with vehicle, glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) and AETL (150, 300 and 450 mg/kg). Body weight, blood glucose level, water and food consumption, lipid and oxidative stress parameters were assessed. AELT (450 mg/kg) significantly (p &amp;#60; 0.05 to p &amp;#60; 0.001) prevented weight loss, polyphagia, and polydipsia in diabetic rats. Hyperglycemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and malondialdehyde were significantly reduced (p &amp;#60; 0.05 to p &amp;#60; 0.001) in diabetic rats treated with AETL. The levels of reduced glutathione, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were also increased (p &amp;#60; 0.05 to p &amp;#60; 0.001) with AELT. AELT can improve postprandial hyperglycemia, treat diabetes mellitus, and protect pancreas against damage induced by oxidative stress. The results obtained from this study justify the ethnobotanical use of AELT as a treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Mapping the Serum Proteome of COVID-19 Patients; Guidance for Severity Assessment.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), whose outbreak in 2019 led to an ongoing pandemic with devastating consequences for the global economy and human health. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 has affected more than 481 million people worldwide, with 6 million confirmed deaths. The joint efforts of the scientific community have undoubtedly increased the pace of production of COVID-19 vaccines, but there is still so much uncharted ground to cover regarding the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, replication and host response. These issues can be approached by proteomics with unprecedented capacity paving the way for the development of more efficient strategies for patient care. In this study, we present a deep proteome analysis that has been performed on a cohort of 72 COVID-19 patients aiming to identify serum proteins assessing the dynamics of the disease at different age ranges. A panel of 53 proteins that participate in several functions such as acute-phase response and inflammation, blood coagulation, cell adhesion, complement cascade, endocytosis, immune response, oxidative stress and tissue injury, have been correlated with patient severity, suggesting a molecular basis for their clinical stratification. Eighteen protein candidates were further validated by targeted proteomics in an independent cohort of 84 patients including a group of individuals that had satisfactorily resolved SARS-CoV-2 infection. Remarkably, all protein alterations were normalized 100 days after leaving the hospital, which further supports the reliability of the selected proteins as hallmarks of COVID-19 progression and grading. The optimized protein panel may prove its value for optimal severity assessment as well as in the follow up of COVID-19 patients.

A comparative investigation of the activity of superoxide dismutase in patients with leukoplakia and healthy controls.

Oral leukoplakia has recently been re-defined as "a predominantly white lesion of the oral mucosa that cannot be characterised as any other definable lesion". Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the enzymatic anti-oxidants which form the first line of defence in the cell. There are very limited data available on the analysis of SOD in leukoplakia patients. Therefore, the present study was planned to analyse anti-oxidant SOD levels in leukoplakia patients. The study group consisted of 29 subjects of oral leukoplakia, and the control group consisted of 25 healthy individuals. All the subjects were evaluated for SOD enzyme in plasma. The results for each determinant were calculated using one-way ANOVA test, Student 't' test, Pearson Chi square test, and 't' test for equality of means wherever applicable. The study revealed that among the different clinical entities of oral leukoplakia, the enzymatic anti-oxidant SOD is shown to have decreased in all forms of oral leukoplakia, but without any statistical significance. A statistically highly significant decrease (at P < 0.0001) of SOD in oral leukoplakia patients compared to normal healthy patients was observed in the present study. The study revealed a difference in the free-radical activity and oxidative stress in blood of leukoplakia patients compared to healthy patients, which is reflected by the variation in the levels of blood SOD, thus showing vulnerability to cellular damage and tendency towards further malignant changes.

Exploring phytochemical constituents of Achillea arabica Kotschy. ethanolic flower extract by LC-MS/MS and its possible antioxidant and antidiabetic effects in diabetic rats.

The aim of this study was to reveal the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of ethanolic lyophilized extract of Achillea arabica flower extract against streptozotosine (STZ)-induced in diabetic rats and to determine its phytochemical content by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After toxicity test, 35 female rats were divided into five groups. Control, diabetes mellitus (DM), A.arabica (400mg/kg) extract, DM+A.arabica (400mg/kg) extract and DM+Glibenclamide (2mg/kg). It was determined that while diabetic rats treated A.arabica plant extract significantly decreased blood glucose level, serum glucose, HbA1c, liver and kidney damage biomarker levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared to the DM group, it caused fluctuations in antioxidant enzyme levels. According to LC-MS/MS results of A.arabica flower extract, quinic acid (2439.9μg/g), cyranoside (858.4μg/g), chlorogenic acid (698.7μg/g), and cosmosiin (347.8μg/g) were determined as major compounds, respectively. In addition, two new compounds were determined in this extract according to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Mass analyses and these compounds were named edremitine and achillosine, respectively. Thus, A.arabica flower extract has possible therapeutic effects to prevent high blood glucose level and oxidative stress caused by DM in liver and kidney via its high phenolic content.

Bibliometric analysis of swimming publications in sports science: a medical perspective

Objective: Although the number of global studies on swimming has increased, there are still no bibliometric studies in the literature. This study aimed to present a medical perspective by examining scientific articles published in the field of swimming sports with statistical methods.&#x0D; &#x0D; Material and Method: Articles on swimming published between 1980 and 2021 were obtained from the Web of Science database. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis. Network visualization maps were used to identify trending topics.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: A total of 21732 publications were found. 2392 (70.5%) of these publications were articles. The top 3 contributing countries to the literature were USA (462, 19.3%), UK (331, 10.4), and Australia (298, 12.1%). The top 2 most active institutions were Universidade Do Porto (n=93), and Australian Institute of Sport (n=82). The most active journals with the highest number of articles were International Journal of Sports Medicine (n=171), and Journal of Sports Sciences (n=150). According to the average number of citations per article, the top most influential journal was Journal of Sport &amp; Exercise Psychology (citation: 51.8).&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: The most studied subjects related to medicine and health in swimming were blood lactate, heart rate, fatigue, shoulder, body composition, anthropometry, oxygen uptake, oxidative stress, disability, energy cost, electromyography, oxygen consumption, physiology, motivation, physical activity, aging, muscle strength, shoulder pain, testosterone, core temperature, and stress. General topics studied in recent years were athletic performance, physiology, stress, strength, disability, paralympic, electromyography, youth, shoulder pain, sports, force, competition, kinetics, adolescent, sport, swimming training, and aging.

P-323 Should We Measure Oxidative Stress Biomarkers In Follicular Fluid Of Women With Endometriosis Undergoing IVF?

Abstract Study question Do levels of Oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers differ in the follicular fluid of women with endometriosis compared to tubal factor infertility? Summary answer 8-Isoprostane is a promising biomarker in diagnosing oxidative stress in women with endometriosis opening a window of opportunity for improving outcomes. What is known already A delicate balance between oxidants and antioxidants is required for oocyte development and maturation. Any perturbation in the oocyte microenvironment which is the follicular fluid results in hampered oocyte quality and further affects the embryo development. As endometriosis causes destruction of the oocyte milieu, various OS biomarkers have been explored with inconclusive results. The present study aimed to compare these biomarkers in follicular fluid of women with endometriosis and tubal factor infertility undergoing in-vitro fertilization and correlate with ART outcomes. Study design, size, duration In a cross sectional study conducted at the assisted conception unit at a tertiary care hospital from 2017-2018 women undergoing their first IVF cycles for endometriosis and tubal factor infertility were recruited in the study. The study included a total of 107 patients with 50 in the endometriosis group (Group1) and 57 in the tubal group (Group 2). Participants/materials, setting, methods Follicular fluid from women undergoing IVF in both the groups was collected and evaluated for Oxidative stress biomarkers including Reactive Oxygen species (ROS), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), 8-Isoprostane (8-IP) levels. ROS levels were detected by chemiluminescence and TAC and 8-IP using enzyme immunoassays. Main results and the role of chance Levels of ROS {(39.6 cpm vs 54.8 cpm) (p = 0.2)}were comparable in both the groups. Levels of 8-IP were significantly higher in group 1 as compared to the group 2 {(85.2 pg/ul vs 39.2 pg/ul) (p = 0.01)}. TAC levels were higher in endometriosis group compared to the tubal group {(5.4 mM of Trolox vs 4.1 mM of Trolox) (p = 0.005)} which could explain comparable ongoing clinical pregnancy rate in both groups (24.0% vs 24.5%, p = 0.34). There was no correlation of OS biomarkers with ART outcomes in tubal factor. Follicular fluid in Group 1 revealed a negative correlation of ROS with cleavage rate (r = - 0.42, p = 0.002) and positive correlation of TAC with fertilization rate (r = 0.44, p = 0.001) and Good grade embryos (r = 0.4, p = 0.001). Limitations, reasons for caution The main limitation is the inability to assess the dietary intake and blood oxidative stress biomarkers in both the groups. Wider implications of the findings OS biomarkers especially 8-IP could be useful in prognosticating IVF outcomes in women with endometriosis with a potential role of addition of antioxidants in culture media during IVF in these women. Trial registration number Not Applicable

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid ameliorates gut barrier dysfunction via regulation of MAPK-MLCK pathway in type 2 diabetes mice

AimsThis study aims to investigate whether 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHAA) can improve gut barrier function by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) - myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) signaling pathway in type 2 diabetes (T2D) mice. Main methodsT2D mice were induced by a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin. T2D mice were intragastrically administered with DHAA at 75 and 150 mg kg/body weight per day for 4 weeks. Blood glucose, insulin level, oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines were measured. TJ (tight junction) protein and MAPK-MLCK pathway-related proteins were analyzed by western blot. Key findingsDHAA alleviated hyperglycemia and decreased insulin resistance of T2D mice. It also decreased oxidative stress via increased glutathione (GSH) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities and reduced containing malondialdehyde (MDA). DHAA exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interleukin (IL)-6 and increasing that of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. More importantly, DHAA improved gut barrier function by enhancing tight junction protein expression and inhibiting the MAPK-MLCK signaling pathway. SignificanceDHAA could reduce oxidative stress, decrease inflammatory response, and improve intestinal function in T2D mice, which may help to relieve the symptoms of T2D.

Therapeutic efficacy of time-dependent cetuximab on experimentally induced hamster buccal pouch carcinoma

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the cetuximab therapeutic potential in the time-dependent fashion in experimentally induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinoma. Material and methods: Forty Syrian male hamsters were classified into four equal groups (G) of ten each. GI: The animals remained untreated to act as negative controls. The right pouches of animals in GII, GIII, and GIV were painted three times a week for 14 weeks (w)s with 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA). GII: No additional treatment was administered. While, the animals in GIII and GIV were treated differently. Those in GIII received cetuximab intraperitoneally (IP) three intervals a week for three (w)s, whereas those in GIV received cetuximab IP three intervals for six (w)s. After the end of the experiment, the gross observations were made, and blood samples (2ml) were withdrawn from the inner canthus of the eye for analysis of whole white blood cells (WBCs) and oxidative stress markers [glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels]. All pouches were surgically bisected for preparation for Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&amp;E) stain and immunohistochemistry (IHC) stain using epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Other fresh tissue was used for DNA detection through a flow cytometry (FCM) test.

Red wine but not alcohol consumption improves cardiovascular function and oxidative stress of the hypertensive-SHR and diabetic-STZ rats

ABSTRACT Hypertension and diabetes development had been characterized as idiopathic disorders tightly interconnected, and therefore it is essential to understand how the functionality of neurohormonal pathways are involved in both diseases. Hypertensive and diabetic patients have shown increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), oxidative stress, vascular hypertrophy, and remodeling. It is well established that the long-term consumption of red wine and/or polyphenol-stilbene causes cardioprotective and antihypertensive effects; however, some functions remain unrevealed. Downstream pathways such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), sympathoadrenal axis represented by β1-adrenoceptors, and renin–angiotensin system via angiotensin-II receptors critically contribute to hypertension development. Aims This raised the issue of whether in vivo long-term red wine treatment can act as a modulator of these targets. Main methods We monitored SBP, glucose tolerance, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular function. Aortic and atrial tissues from normotensive-WKY, hypertensive-SHR, and diabetic-STZ animals, chronically exposed to red wine (3.715 ml/kg/v.o/day) or alcohol (12%) for 21-days, were used to measure contractile/relaxation responses by force transducers. Key findings: red wine, but not alcohol, prevented the increase of SBP and hyperglycemic peak. Additionally, was observed prevention of oxidative stress metabolites formation and an improvement in ROS scavenging antioxidant capacity of SHR. We also revealed that red wine intake enhances the endothelium-dependent relaxation, decreases the hypercontractile mediated by angiotensin-II in the aorta, and via β1-adrenoceptors in the atrium. Significance The long-term consumption of red wine can improve oxidative stress and the functionality of angiotensin-II and β1-adrenoceptors, inspiring new pharmacologic and dietetic therapeutic approaches for the treatment of hypertension and diabetes. Abbreviation Acronyms and/or abbreviations: [Ca2+]cyt = Cytosolic Ca2+ Concentration; ACh = Acetylcholine; ANG II = Angiotensin II; AT1 = ANG II type 1 receptor; AUC = Area Under the Curve; Ca2+ = Calcium; Endo + = Endothelium Intact; Fen = Phenylephrine (1 μM); GTT = Glucose Tolerance Test; ISO = Isoprenaline (isoproterenol); KHN = Krebs-Henseleit Nutrient; LA = Left Atria; LH = Lipid Hydroperoxide; NO = Nitric Oxide; RA = Right Atria; RAS = Renin-Angiotensin System; ROS = Reactive Oxygen Species; SBP = Systolic Blood Pressure; SHR = Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats; STZ = Streptozotocin; WKY = Normotensive Wistar Kyoto Rats.

Effects of Qidantang Granule on early stage of diabetic kidney disease in rats.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), is one of the most common vascular diseases caused by diabetes, eventually progressing into glomerular sclerosis. Qidantang Granule is a traditional Chinese medicine that is commonly used for DKD. However, there is still no experimental evidence for its effectiveness on DKD. 8-week-old Sprague Dawley male rats were fed on high-fat and high-sugar diet for 4 weeks, and then intraperitoneally injected with 35 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into three groups, and orally administrated with vehicle, 50 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg Qidantang Granule respectively, once daily for 9 weeks. Qidantang Granule effectively reduced food and water intake, body weight and fasting blood glucose, decreased inflammation and oxidative stress, ameliorated renal injury through suppressing PI3K signaling pathway in STZ-induced DKD rats. Our results provide experimental evidence to demonstrate the pharmacological mechanism of Qidantang Granule in the treatment of DKD.

Atherosclerosis is a side effect of cellular senescence

Atherosclerosis is a systemic autoimmune disease of the arterial wall characterized by chronic inflammation, high blood pressure, oxidative stress, and progressive loss of cell and organ function with aging. An imbalance of mac­rophage polarization is associated with many aging diseases, including atherosclerosis. The polarization toward the pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage is a major promoter of the atheroma formation. It is known that efferocytosis, or ingestion of apoptotic cells, is stimulated by M2 macrophage polarization. A failure of efferocytosis leads to the prolon­gation of chronic pathology in tissue. In addition, fat-laden macrophages contribute to the plague progression by trans­forming into foam cells in response to excess lipid deposition in arteries. In spite of the generally accepted theory that macrophages capture oxidized low-density lipoprotein by phagocytosis and become foam cells, we postulate that the main source of lipid accumulation in foam cells are senescent erythrocytes. Senescent erythrocytes lose their plasticity, which affects the rheological blood properties. It is known that their membrane contains high levels of cholesterol. There is evidence that senescent erythrocytes play a pathogenic role in the atheroma formation after breaking down during flowing through an artery bifurcation. Here we review the current knowledge on the impact of age-associated immune cells and red blood cells modifications on atherogenesis.&#x0D; Graphical abstract:

Blood oxidative stress biomarkers in women: influence of oral contraception, exercise, and N-acetylcysteine

PurposeTo compare physiological responses to submaximal cycling and sprint cycling performance in women using oral contraceptives (WomenOC) and naturally cycling women (WomenNC) and to determine whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplementation mediates these responses.MethodsTwenty recreationally trained women completed five exercise trials (i.e., an incremental cycling test, a familiarisation trial, a baseline performance trial and two double-blind crossover intervention trials). During the intervention trials participants supplemented with NAC or a placebo 1 h before exercise. Cardiopulmonary parameters and blood biochemistry were assessed during 40 min of fixed-intensity cycling at 105% of gas-exchange threshold and after 1-km cycling time-trial.ResultsWomenOC had higher ventilation (β [95% CI] = 0.07 L·min−1 [0.01, 0.14]), malondialdehydes (β = 12.00 mmol·L−1 [6.82, 17.17]) and C-reactive protein (1.53 mg·L−1 [0.76, 2.30]), whereas glutathione peroxidase was lower (β = 22.62 mU·mL−1 [− 41.32, − 3.91]) compared to WomenNC during fixed-intensity cycling. Plasma thiols were higher at all timepoints after NAC ingestion compared to placebo, irrespective of group (all p < 0.001; d = 1.45 to 2.34). For WomenNC but not WomenOC, the exercise-induced increase in malondialdehyde observed in the placebo trial was blunted after NAC ingestion, with lower values at 40 min (p = 0.018; d = 0.73). NAC did not affect cycling time-trial performance.ConclusionsBlood biomarkers relating to oxidative stress and inflammation are elevated in WomenOC during exercise. There may be an increased strain on the endogenous antioxidant system during exercise, since NAC supplementation in WomenOC did not dampen the exercise-induced increase in malondialdehyde. Future investigations should explore the impact of elevated oxidative stress on exercise adaptations or recovery from exercise in WomenOC.

The importance of blood count and oxidative stress in the drug-naïve first episode schizophrenia

IntroductionSchizophrenia (SZ) is associated with changes in haematological parameters related to low-grade inflammation state and could be amplified via oxidative stress (OS) related mechanisms. Although studies confirm this relationship, the results could be cofounded by patients’ treatment.ObjectivesThe study aimed to assess the connection between venous blood count and OS in drug-naïve first-episode SZ patients.MethodsThe study consisted of 24 SZ drug-naïve patients during first episode of psychosis (median age: 22 years), and 31 healthy individuals (HC) as a control group (median age: 28 years). The examination included clinical data, OS parameters (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants), peripheral blood counts.ResultsWe did not find differences between SZ and HC in blood count parameters (p&gt;0.05). In patients group, white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils and neutrophils-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were positively related with the severity of positive symptoms (R=0.59, R=0.53, R=0.50; p&lt;0.05, respectively). WBC was related to superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) levels (HC: R=-0.36, SZ: R=0.70; p&lt;0.05). Neutrophils were positively related to catalase (CAT) (R=0.52; p&lt;0.05) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (R=0.61; p&lt;0.05), but only in the patients’ group. There was a positive relationship between NLR and CAT (R=0.45; p&lt;0.05) in the SZ group.ConclusionsThe results indicate potential connection and interplay between OS and blood count parameters in the onset of psychotic episode. Further studies on a larger group of patients are needed.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Study Protocol: Effects of Daily Prune Consumption on Lipid Profile, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress

ObjectivesCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Atherosclerosis is recognized as a primary underlying cause of CVD resulting from oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and excess low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Prunes (Prunus domestica L.) are a nutritious food with components associated with improved cardiovascular health, including soluble fiber and polyphenolic compounds. The objective of this study is to investigate the cardioprotective benefits of prunes and determine the extent to which daily prune consumption effects blood lipids, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation in men.MethodsHealthy osteopenic men aged 55 to 80 years old with body mass index of <18 to >40 data were included in this 12-month, parallel design, randomized controlled trial. Participants were placed into one of three treatment groups: 50 g/day prune, 100 g/day prune, or control (multivitamin only) for 12 months. All groups consumed a multivitamin containing 450 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D. During each visit (baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months) height, body weight, waist and hip circumference, heart rate, and blood pressure were assessed. Fasting blood and urine samples were collected at each time point, and participants completed a 3-day food record and validated physical activity questionnaire. Blood total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) will be measured.ResultsStudy recruitment and retention is complete. Data analysis has yet to begin.ConclusionsBased on the literature, whole foods high in polyphenols and soluble fiber, such as prunes, are beneficial in reducing chronic inflammation and circulating LDL-C. In the current study, we expect that long-term daily consumption of prunes will improve CVD risk factors including reductions in LDL and TC and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory cardiovascular benefits in older men. Findings from this research will further our understanding of the role that prunes may have in improving cardiovascular health.Funding SourcesUSDA, California Prune Board, and Shaklee.

Supplementation with N-carbamoylglutamate during the transition period improves the function of neutrophils and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in dairy cows

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of N-carbamoylglutamate (NCG) supplementation during the transition period on the functions of blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), inflammation, and oxidative stress in dairy cows. Thirty multiparous Chinese Holstein dairy cows at wk 4 before parturition were blocked into 2 groups by parity, body weight, and milk yield of previous lactation, and randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments of basal diet supplemented without (control, n = 15) or with 20 g/d per cow of NCG (NCG, n = 15). The supplementation was carried out from d -21 to 21 relative to calving. Health incidents (mastitis, retained placenta, and lameness) were recorded, and blood samples were collected at d -21, -7, 0 (the calving date), 7, and 21 relative to parturition and analyzed for variables related to inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, whole blood was collected at d 7 to isolate PMN and used for analysis of the expression of functional genes and from d -21 to 21 for determination of weekly hematological parameters. The number of lymphocytes was greater at d 7 in the blood of NCG cows. The plasma level of malondialdehyde was lower in the NCG group, and blood reactive oxygen species were lower at d 7, whereas total antioxidant capacity tended to be greater in the NCG group and glutathione peroxidase tended to be higher at d 21 in cows fed NCG, suggesting that NCG supplementation improved antioxidation in cows. In addition, the concentration of serum amyloid A was lower in NCG-fed animals during the postpartum stage. Blood concentrations of IL6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were lower and tended to be lower in NCG-fed animals at d 7, respectively. Meanwhile, the concentrations of IL6 tended to be lower in NCG-fed animals at d 21. Furthermore, the expression of S100A9 and MMP9 in the PMN was lower and tended to be lower, respectively, whereas the expression of ITGB2, XBP1 tended to be higher and expression of CLEC6A was higher in NCG-fed cows. Overall, our results indicated that supplementation with NCG during the transition period showed the beneficial effects on animal health, by improving PMN functions and alleviating inflammation status and oxidative stress in dairy cows.

Changes and significance of retinal blood oxygen saturation and oxidative stress indexes in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUNDDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a diabetic complication that can severely affect the patients’ vision, eventually leading to blindness. DR is the most important manifestation of diabetic micro-vasculopathy and is mainly related to the course of diabetes and the degree of blood glucose control, while the age of diabetes onset, sex, and type of diabetes have little influence on it. AIMTo explore the changes in blood oxygen saturation and oxidative stress indices of retinal vessels in patients with DR.METHODSIn total, 94 patients (94 eyes) with DR (DR group) diagnosed at Jianyang people’s Hospital between March 2019 and June 2020, and 100 volunteers (100 eyes) (control group) without eye diseases, were included in this study. Arterial and venous blood oxygen saturation, retinal arteriovenous vessel diameter, and serum oxidative stress indicators in the two groups were compared. Based on the stage of the disease, the DR group was divided into the simple DR and proliferative DR groups for stratified analysis. RESULTSThe oxygen saturation of the retinal vessels in the DR group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The retinal vessel diameters between the DR and control groups were not significantly different. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydehydroguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in the DR group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the DR group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The oxygen saturation of the retinal vessels in the patients with proliferative DR was significantly higher than that in the patients with simple DR (P < 0.05). The retinal vessel diameter in patients with proliferative DR was not significantly different from that of patients with simple DR (P > 0.05). Serum MDA and 8-OHdG levels in patients with proliferative DR were significantly higher than those in patients with simple DR (P < 0.05). Serum SOD and GSH levels in patients with proliferative DR were significantly lower than those in patients with simple DR (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONIncreased blood oxygen saturation of retinal arteries and veins and increased oxidative stress damage in patients with DR may be associated with decreased retinal capillary permeability and arterial oxygen dispersion, possibly reflecting the patient’s condition.