Plasma Content Research Articles

XinLi formula, a traditional Chinese decoction, alleviates chronic heart failure via regulating the interaction of AGTR1 and AQP1

BackgroundXinLi formula (XLF) is a traditional Chinese medicine used in clinical practice to treat chronic heart failure (CHF) in humans, with remarkable curative effect. However, the mechanism remains unknown. PurposeThe goal of the current investigation was to determine how XLF affected CHF in a rat model of the condition brought on by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Study design and methodsCardiac function was detected by echocardiography. The contents of myocardial enzymes, Ang II, ALD, TGF-β1, and inflammatory factors were measured by ELISA. Myocardial injury and myocardial fibrosis were evaluated by HE and Masson staining. Myocardial edema was assessed by cardiac mass index and transmission electron microscopy. Using Western blot and immunohistochemistry to examining the protein expression of inflammasome, TGF-β1, AGTR1, and AQP1 in the left ventricle. Furthermore, the interaction of AGTR1 and AQP1 was evaluated by co-immunoprecipitation. ResultsXLF attenuated myocardial enzymes and myocardial injury, and improved cardiac function in rats with CHF after myocardial infarction. It also reduced Ang II and ALD levels in CHF rats, and suppressed the expression of AGTR1 and TGF-β1, finally alleviated myocardial fibrosis. By mechanism, XLF inhibited the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome proteins, reduced the plasma contents of IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6 and TNF-α. Additionally, XLF inhibited the expression of AQP1 and the interaction of AGTR1 and AQP1, alleviating myocardial edema. The common structure of the main chemical constituents of XLF were glycoside compounds with glycosyl. ConclusionXLF ameliorated CHF, which was evidenced by the alleviation of myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting AGTR1/NLRP3 signal, as well as the attenuation of myocardial edema by suppressing the interaction of AGTR1 and AQP1.

EXPERIMENTAL PARTICIPATION OF PHARMACOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES IN MECHANISMS OF LEAD ACETATE TOXICITY

The aim of the work is to study pharmacological substances that play a role of eNOS expression regulators in the modification of lead intoxication effects in the experiment.Materials and methods. In the experiment, linear male rats of the same age were used: intact and with lead intoxication (120 heads). The study design was the following: group 1 – control; group 2 – intoxication with a lead acetate solution; group 3 – intact + L-nitroarginine methyl ester; group 4 – lead acetate + L-nitroarginine methyl ester; group 5 – intact + L-arginine; group 6 – lead acetate + L-arginine. The research carried out the study state of the redox reactions, the content of nitric oxide (NOx) stable metabolites, a lipid profile, the level of NO-synthase (eNOS) expression in the vascular endothelium, the main processes of urination and the activity of Na+/K+-ATPase in the renal tissue layers, as well as in the liver. The results were subjected to statistical processing.Results. Saturnism caused the oxidative stress development, a decrease in the NOx content in blood plasma, a violation of the L-arginine for eNOS bioavailability, and an endothelial dysfunction. Indicators of the impaired renal function were a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the tubular reabsorption of water, sodium, and the Na+/K+-ATPase activity. The damage to hepatocytes was evidenced by changes in the activity of organ-specific enzymes in the blood and Na+/K+-ATPase. L-arginine exhibited antioxidant properties, increased the NOx content and the level of eNOS expression. The eNOS L-nitroarginine methyl ester inhibitor showed the effects opposite to L-arginine.Conclusion. Biochemical markers of damage to kidney and liver cells during saturnism are indicators of the oxidative stress, NOx deficiency and hemodynamic disturbances in them. These mechanisms involved the following pharmacological substances: an eNOS inhibitor, L-nitroarginine methyl ester, which caused a decrease in the expression level of the enzyme, and an eNOS inducer, L-arginine, which increased this indicator severity. The lead toxicity mechanisms have been implicated in the impaired cholesterol metabolism, contributing to the L-arginine reduced availability for eNOS and the NOx production. Therefore, the use of L-arginine can be recommended as a regulator of the oxidative stress and an NO-producing endothelial function in other pathologies.

Protein Identification of Seminal Plasma in Bali Bull (Bos javanicus).

The purpose of this study was to identify seminal plasma proteins in Bali bull and their potential as biomarkers of fertility. Semen was collected from 10 bulls aged 5-10 years using an artificial vagina. Fresh semen was then centrifuged (3000× g for 30 min). The supernatant was put into straws and stored in liquid nitrogen. The semen plasma protein concentration was determined using the Bradford method, and the protein was characterized using 1D-SDS-PAGE. Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) was used to color the gel, and the molecular weight of the protein was determined using PM2700. A total of 94 proteins were identified in the seminal plasma of Bali bulls analyzed using LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). Proteins spermadhesin 1 (SPADH1), C-type natriuretic peptide (NPPC), clusterin (CLU), apoliprotein A-II (APOA2), inositol-3-phosphate synthase 1 (ISYNA1), and sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) were identified as important for fertility in Bos javanicus. These proteins may prove to be important biomarkers of fertility in Bali bulls. These proteins are important for reproductive function, which includes spermatozoa motility, capacitation, and acrosome reactions. This study provides new information about the protein content in seminal plasma in Bali bulls. The LC-MS/MS-based proteome approach that we applied in this study obtained 94 proteins. The identification of these seminal plasma proteins of Bali bulls and their potential as fertility biomarkers may have an impact on the success of future artificial insemination (AI).

Twenty-Four Weeks of L-Carnitine Combined with Leucine Supplementation Does Not Increase the Muscle Carnitine Content in Healthy Active Subjects

Introduction: To increase the total carnitine (TC) content in muscles, L-carnitine (LC) should be co-ingested with carbohydrates to induce an insulin response. Leucine has an insulin secretagogue effect. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of 24 weeks of LC and leucine supplementation on the skeletal muscle TC content, muscle mass, and strength in active college-aged subjects. The secondary aim was to determine the activation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in skeletal muscles after supplementation. Methods: Over the 24 weeks, the participants were supplemented with either 1 g of LC-L-tartrate and 3 g of leucine per day (LC + L group; n = 7) or 4 g of leucine per day (L group; n = 7) as a placebo. Before and 24 weeks after the initiation of the study protocol, the free carnitine (FC) and TC content in plasma and muscle samples, as well as body composition and muscle strength, were measured. In addition, the phosphorylation of the Akt/mTOR pathway proteins in muscles was evaluated. Results: Plasma FC and TC content increased in LC + L group after 24 weeks of supplementation (p = 0.003 and 0.010, respectively). However, the skeletal muscle FC and TC contents were not affected by the supplementation protocol. No changes were noted in the body mass and composition; serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration; and phosphorylation of the signaling pathway proteins Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K. Conclusion: LC supplementation may have the potential to exert beneficial effects in muscle atrophy. Therefore, additional research is necessary to investigate the effect of various LC supplementation protocols.

Pterostilbene Confers Protection against Diquat-Induced Intestinal Damage with Potential Regulation of Redox Status and Ferroptosis in Broiler Chickens.

Oxidative stress causes damage to macromolecules, including proteins, DNA, and lipid, and has been recognized as a crucial driver of the onset and progression of several intestinal disorders. Pterostilbene, one of the natural antioxidants, has attracted considerable attention owing to its multiple biological activities. In the present study, we established an oxidative stress model in broiler chickens via injection with diquat to investigate whether pterostilbene could attenuate diquat-induced intestinal damage and reveal the underlying mechanisms. We found that diquat-induced decreases in the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the level of reduced glutathione and the increase in hydrogen peroxide content in plasma and jejunum were significantly alleviated by pterostilbene (P < 0.05). Pterostilbene supplementation also decreased intestinal permeability and jejunal apoptosis rate, improved jejunal villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and promoted the transcription and translation of jejunal tight junction proteins occludin and zona occludens 1 in diquat-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, pterostilbene reversed diquat-induced mitochondrial injury in the jejunum, as indicated by the decreased reactive oxygen species level and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase 2 and mitochondrial respiratory complexes (P < 0.05). Importantly, administering pterostilbene maintained iron homeostasis, inhibited lipid peroxidation, and regulated the expression of the markers of ferroptosis in the jejunum of diquat-exposed broilers (P < 0.05). The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway in the jejunum of diquat-exposed broilers was also activated by pterostilbene (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our study provides evidence that pterostilbene alleviates diquat-induced intestinal mucosa injury and barrier dysfunction by strengthening antioxidant capacity and regulating ferroptosis of broiler chickens.

Gut microbial metabolite hyodeoxycholic acid targets the TLR4/MD2 complex to attenuate inflammation and protect against sepsis

Sepsis, a critical condition resulting from the systemic inflammatory response to a severe microbial infection, represents a global public health challenge. However, effective treatment or intervention to prevent and combat sepsis is still lacking. Here, we report that hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA) has excellent anti-inflammatory properties in sepsis. We discovered that the plasma concentration of HDCA was remarkably lower in patients with sepsis and negatively correlated with the severity of the disease. Similar changes in HDCA levels in plasma and cecal content samples were observed in a mouse model of sepsis, and these changes were associated with a reduced abundance of HDCA-producing strains. Interestingly, HDCA administration significantly decreased systemic inflammatory responses, prevented organ injury, and prolonged the survival of septic mice. We demonstrated that HDCA suppressed excessive activation of inflammatory macrophages by competitively blocking lipopolysaccharide binding to the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 2 receptor complex, a unique mechanism that characterizes HDCA as an endogenous inhibitor of inflammatory signaling. Additionally, we verified these findings in TLR4 knockout mice. Our study highlights the potential value of HDCA as a therapeutic molecule for sepsis.

Application of isoindole fluorophore formation for determination of linagliptin in the sole and co-formulated tablets: Application for plasma assay and content uniformity testing

Linagliptin is a new medicament belonging to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme inhibitors group. The mentioned medication is used to cure type 2 diabetes and is taken orally as a monotherapy or in a co-formulation with metformin. or empagliflozin. Herein, a novel, straightforward, and cost-effective method for linagliptin assay was developed with a workable use of an isoindole derivative. The primary amine moiety present in linagliptin enables its condensation with o-phthalaldehyde to form a fluorescent product in the presence of a sulfhydryl group-containing compound (2-mercaptoethanol) 0.01 % V/V. The isoindole fluorophore yield was monitored at (λexcitation 337.8 nm, λemission 434.3 nm) and all experimental variables were meticulously checked and adjusted. Fluorescence intensity versus linagliptin concentration was plotted to construct the calibration graph, and excellent linearity was achieved at values between 50 and 2000 ng/mL. The validity of the method was verified through a rigorous examination of the ICH guidelines. The method application was successful for linagliptin in different dosage forms, content uniformity study, and monitoring in spiked plasma. The devised technique was demonstrated to be a promising, easy, and quick alternate method for linagliptin assayin clinical study and quality control.

Effects of in ovo feeding of chlorogenic acid on antioxidant capacity of postnatal broilers.

In this study, chlorogenic acid (CGA) was injected into the amniotic cavity of chicken embryos to study the effects of in ovo feeding of CGA on the antioxidant capacity of postnatal broilers. On the 17th day of embryonic age, a total of 300 healthy broiler fertile eggs with similar weights were randomly subjected to five groups as follows; in ovo injection with 0.5ml CGA at 4 mg/egg (4CGA) or 7 mg/egg (7CGA) or 10 mg/egg (10CGA), or sham-injection with saline (positive control, PC) or no injection (negative control, NC). Each group had six replicates of ten embryos. Six healthy chicks with similar body weights hatched from each replicate were selected and reared until heat stress treatment (35°C ± 1°C, 8h/d) at 28-42days of age. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the hatching rate between the groups (p > 0.05). After heat stress treatment, 4CGA group showed an improved intestinal morphology which was demonstrated by a higher villus height in the duodenum and a higher villus height/crypt depth ratio in the jejunum, compared with the NC group (p < 0.05). The antioxidant capacity of chickens was improved by in ovo feeding of CGA since 4CGA decreased the plasma content of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05), whereas, it increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) activities compared with NC group (p < 0.05). Also, the MDA content of the different injection groups had a quadratic effect, with the 4CGA group having the lowest MDA content (P quadratic < 0.05). In the duodenum, 4CGA injection significantly increased the mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (H O -1), glutathione synthetase (GSS), and SOD1 compared to the NC and PC groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of glutathione reductase (GSR) and GPX7 were significantly increased in all CGA-treated groups compared with the PC group (p < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of CAT was significantly increased by 4CGA group than the NC group (p < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of epigenetic-related genes, ten eleven translocation 1 and 2 (Tet1 and Tet2), and DNA-methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) in the duodenum of 4CGA injected group was significantly increased compared with the NC and PC groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of Nrf2, SOD1, and Tet2 showed a significant quadratic effects with the 4CGA group having the highest expression (P quadratic < 0.05). In conclusion, in ovo feeding of CGA alleviated heat stress-induced intestinal oxidative damage. Injection with CGA of 4 mg/egg is considered most effective due to its actions in improving intestinal antioxidant capacity, especially in the duodenum. The antioxidant effects of in ovo CGA on postnatal heat-stressed broilers may be related to its regulation of epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, this study provides technical knowledge to support the in ovo feeding of CGA to alleviate oxidative stress in postnatal heat-stressed broilers.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA OF ABDOMINAL SEPSIS IN PATIENTS WITH POSTOPERATIVE PERITONITIS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT SUTURES

The aim is to study changes in nonspecific resistance and cytokine regulation in patients with postoperative peritonitis with abdominal sepsis.&#x0D; Materials and methods. In the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council hospital in the surgery department 456 patients were treated with postoperative peritonitis during 2000 -2021. Immunological studies were conducted in 66 patients with various degrees of severity of abdominal sepsis and its complications.&#x0D; Research results. In patients with abdominal sepsis with postoperative peritonitis caused by the failure of sutures of the gastrointestinal tract, the initial level of CD11a+ is 1.6 times lower than that of control group patients. On the first day after relaparotomy, the level of CD11a+ cells in the blood increased by 1.8 times. On the 7th day of the postoperative period, this indicator corresponded to the control one.&#x0D; The initial level of CD16+ cells in the blood, as well as their content on the first day of the postoperative period, did not differ significantly from the control indicators. However, on the seventh day after the operation, this indicator was twice as high as in the control group. In patients with abdominal sepsis with postoperative peritonitis during the entire observation period, the expression of HLA-DR+ molecules on immunocompetent cells did not differ from that in the control group.&#x0D; Violation of immune recognition mechanisms was confirmed by the low expression level of HLA-DR+ molecules on immunocompetent cells, which practically did not change in the postoperative period and was twice as low as in the control group during all observation periods.&#x0D; The initial level of IL-2 was equal to the control group. On the first day after the operation, the concentration of IL-2 in the blood decreased by half, compared to the control level. On the seventh day after the operation, a further decrease in the concentration of IL-2 in the blood was observed by 2.2 times compared to the control level.&#x0D; The concentration of IL-4 in the plasma of patients with abdominal sepsis with postoperative peritonitis caused by the failure of the sutures of the gastrointestinal tract, who died in the postoperative period, was not determined during the entire observation period.&#x0D; The plasma content of IL-6 at the initial level was 1.7 times higher than that of the control group. This indicator was twice the control level after relaparotomy. By the seventh day of the postoperative period, its increase in 4.5 times compared to practically healthy individuals.&#x0D; Thus, the failure of sutures is accompanied by an imbalance of cytokine regulation of the immune response: a permanent decrease in the plasma concentration of IL-2, against the background of the absence of IL-4 in the blood, is combined with a progressive increase in the content of IL-6 in the blood, which creates an additional cytokine signal of suppression of the immune response. Such changes are regarded as an inadequate reaction of the immune system to a potential infection of the abdominal cavity.&#x0D; Conclusions. These changes in non-specific resistance and cytokine regulation, in particular such indicators as CD11a, CD162, CD95, CD16, HLA-DR+, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 showed their high diagnostic informativ and sensitivity in predicting the development of abdominal sepsis in patients with postoperative peritonitis caused by failure of sutures of the gastrointestinal tract.

Effect of oestrus synchronisation through ovulation delay by vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease in Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) cows.

In Korean cattle, after foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination, anovulation increases, acute immune response is stimulated. Here, we aimed to improve the fertility rate by ovulation delay caused by the foot-and-mouth disease vaccine. 160 cows (control, FMD, FMD+Gn250 and FMD+Gn500 groups, with 40 cows each) were used. We analysed the ovulation delay, ovulation rate, conception rate and acute-phase immune responses. In the group vaccinated only with FMD, the average follicle size was maintained at 12mm and ovulation was delayed. The ovulation rate of the FMD+Gn500 group (500μg gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injections 3 days after the FMD vaccination) was the highest at 81.8%. The ovulation rate of the FMD+Gn250 group (250μg GnRH injections 3 days after FMD vaccination) was 54.5%, and that of the control group (not FMD vaccinated) was 53.3%. The conception rate was 52.5% (19/40) in the control group, 37.5% (15/40) in the FMD+Gn250 group, and 67.5% (27/40) in the FMD+Gn500 group. Analysis of acute-phase immune response revealed that the plasma contents of haptoglobin and serum amyloid A increased up to 7 days after vaccination against FMD in all the experimental groups, except the control group. We concluded that ovulation delay can be employed to improve conception rate after FMD vaccination through a modified ovulation synchronisation method with GnRH.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Changes Underlying the Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Ram Semen Quality.

This study examined the effects of L-Cit supplementation on ram semen quality through metabolomics and transcriptomics. A total of 16 rams were randomly categorized into two groups. The control group was fed a basic diet, whereas the experimental group received feed supplemented with 12 g/d of L-Cit. Semen and blood were collected from the rams on days 0 and 72 to measure sugar, pyruvate, amino acid, and nontargeted metabolite contents. Additionally, hypothalamic and testicular tissues were collected for a transcriptomic analysis. We found 27 differential metabolites between the control and experimental groups, of which 21 were downregulated (p &lt; 0.05) and 6 were upregulated (p &lt; 0.05). Compared with the control group, xylose and pyruvate contents in seminal plasma increased by 43.86% and 162.71%, respectively (p &lt; 0.01). Additionally, the levels of 11 amino acids showed a significant increase in seminal plasma (p &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, 961 and 715 differentially expressed genes were detected in the hypothalamic and testicular tissues, respectively. The pathways of significant enrichment in the hypothalamus and testes were protein digestion, absorption, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and amino as well as nucleotide sugar metabolisms. In the present study, L-Cit improved protein synthesis and blood metabolism, consequently increasing the contents of most amino acids in ram seminal plasma. Specifically, the hypothalamus controlled the expression of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis-related genes in the testes through its metabolites released into the serum, thereby providing energy for sperm production, which led to a decrease in the sugar content of seminal plasma.

Dietary embelin supplementation during mid-to-late gestation improves performance and maternal-fetal glucose metabolism of pigs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary embelin supplementation during late gestation (from days 60 to 110) on performance and maternal-fetal glucose metabolism of pigs. Sixty sows (Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace; parity = 1.68 ± 0.03; N = 20) were randomly divided into three gestation (day 60 of pregnancy) treatments, Control pigs (CON) were fed a basal diet, and the other animals were fed a basal diet supplemented with 200 or 600 mg/kg embelin per kg of feed. The body weight, backfat thickness and litter size of the sows, and birth weight and mortality of piglets were recorded. Sows' blood and piglets' umbilical cord blood were collected for the measurements of hematological parameters and anti-oxidative and immune indexes, and maternal-fetal glucose metabolism parameters, respectively. The colostrum and milk and fecal samples of the sows were also collected for analysis of milk composition and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility. Dietary embelin had no effect on the BW and backfat thickness of the sows but significantly increased the birth weight of piglets (P < 0.05) and decreased the mortality (P < 0.05). Moreover, the white blood cell counts (day 90), neutrophil count and mean cell hemoglobin (day 110), total anti-oxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) content of the sows were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the embelin groups than that in the CON group, whereas the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was decreased (P < 0.05). Embelin significantly increased immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) content in plasma of piglets as well as those in colostrum and milk of sows than the CON treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, dry matter, ash, and ether extract in the colostrum were similar between groups (P > 0.05), whereas the embelin significantly increased the crude protein in the milk. The apparent total tract nutrient digestibility was similar between treatments (P > 0.05). The embelin treatment significantly increased the glucose levels and lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) activity in sows plasma, and decreased the lactate levels in both sows and fetuses plasma (P < 0.05). Collectively, this study indicates that sows fed with embelin in mid-to-late gestation showed improved maternal health and anti-oxidative status, milk protein content, and maternal-fetal glucose metabolism, showing promise in natural plant extract nutrition for sows.

VIOLATION OF THE REDOX BALANCE IN NON-MALIGNANT CELLS OF PRIMARY ONCOGYNECOLOGICAL PATIENTS

Summary. Oncogynecological diseases in women are one of the global health problems, both in Ukraine and worldwide. An integral part of the treatment of such patients is radiation therapy, the consequence of which is the development of early and distant side complications from the tissues and organs surrounding the irradiated tumor. The initial link in the implementation of radiation complications is a violation of the redox balance that precedes the formation of genetic instability of cells. Aim: to investigate the changes in indicators of the redox balance in the blood of oncogynecological patients before the start of antitumor therapy as prognostic markers of radiation damage. Object and methods: the study was conducted on peripheral blood samples from 30 patients with cervical cancer (CC) and 38 patients with endometrial cancer (EC) as well as 33 conditionally healthy individuals. Patients received treatment at the National Cancer Institute of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. The intensity of superoxide anion radical (O2–•) generation by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and pro-antioxidant ratio (PAR) in hemolysate were determined by chemiluminescence-induced methods and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in blood plasma by spectrophotometric method. Results: the analysis of the study results of the indicators ofredox balance in the blood of oncogynecological patients established that non-malignant cells surrounding the tumor, even before the start of antitumor therapy, are functionally altered. A significant increase in the intensity of O2 •- generation in PBL by 1.69 and 1.53 times, a 2.73 and 3.22-fold increase in the MDA content in the blood plasma, and a 1.37 and 1.34-fold increase in PAR in the hemolysate of patients with CC and EC, respectively, was revealed. This indicates an enhancement of prooxidant processes and, therefore, a decrease in the body’s antioxidant defense. A wide range of values for the studied parameters was registered, indicating the need for a personalized approach to planning and conducting radiation therapy for cancer patients. Conclusions: the obtained data indicate a violation of the redox balance in non-malignant cells surrounding the tumor in primary oncogynecological patients, which is a prerequisite for the development of early and distant radiation complications after anticancer treatment. The results provide a basis to considerit expedient to determine the studied parameters before the start of the course of antitumor therapy as prognostic biomarkers of radiation to predict the severity of healthy tissue damage and the personalization of treatment measures for oncogynecological patients.

Oxidant and antioxidant status of erythrocytes and plasma samples in polycystic ovary syndrome patients

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common types of endocrine syndromes in women, where the disease is described as chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism, which characterized by the formation of small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) in the ovaries. This study was carried out to introduce knowledge when plasma and erythrocytes portions were chosen to compare the antioxidant and oxidant status of PCOS patients treated and without treatment with Metformin. Samples were included 75 women diagnostics with PCOS according to Rotterdam criteria. The control group included healthy volunteers with regular menstrual cycles and with no symptoms of hyperandrogenism. Total Antioxidants Capacity (TAC), total Oxidant Status (TOS), and CuZn SOD enzyme activity were examined in both plasma and erythrocytes. The activity of the CuZn SOD enzyme was determined based on the ability of the enzyme to inhibit the autoxidation of pyrogallol. TAC values were significantly decreased in PCOS patients and the content in plasma was significantly higher than in Erythrocytes. On the other hand, the TOS values were in the opposite pattern, they were significantly increased in patients and higher in erythrocytes than plasma. The activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly higher in patients’ samples than in controls. This enzyme displayed higher activity values in samples from erythrocytes than the plasma and the highest activity was 61.9±3 U/ml. As the data for both TOS and SOD1 activity introduces the same pattern in blood samples, TAC values introduce a different line of responses. In considering Metformin’s effect on previous criteria, this drug significantly decreased the TAC, TOS and SOD1, activity group. as this drug is responsible for the reduction of circulating insulin and increasing the glucose uptake by peripheral tissues

Changes in Hormonal Status of Aboriginal Fishes under the Impact of Agricultural Runoffs

Changes of cortisol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine content in the blood plasma of perch, ruff, rudd and bleak under the impact of agricultural runoff from the adjacent territories to the water bodies were studied. Under the long-term exposure to the contaminated water, the weight and size of fish their growth rates specimens significantly decreased. The hormonal responses to the polluted waters impact are species-specific and partly depend on the ecological features of the species. Under the chronic impact of the polluted water, the cortisol content in blood plasma decreases and triiodothyronine content increases as compared to the control. The fishes occurring in the surface water layers create the thyroxine reserve in blood, and fishes which prefer the near-bottom layers use it to increase the triiodothyronine content. After treatment of the fields close to the reservoir with pesticides, the ruff and rudd develop the active stress reaction, the cortisol and thyroxine content in blood significantly increases. According to the considered indicators, the bleak is the most resistant to agricultural runoffs or possesses the ability to avoid toxic water pollution.

Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Male Immune Infertility

Objective: Exploring the therapeutic effects of acupuncture for male immune infertility using Meta-analysis. Methods: The literature related to clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for male immune infertility published from the establishment of the database (journal) to 2021 was searched for RR values or OR values and 95% CI as effect indicators. RevMan 5.3 software was applied for meta-analysis. Results: Acupuncture or combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine (hereafter referred to as acupuncture and medicine) or electro-acupuncture, the total effective rate was significantly better than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant [RR = 1.29, 95% CI (1.20, 1.38), p 0.00001]; In addition, the efficiency of the combined acupuncture and medicine treatment was better than that of the herbal medicine group alone, and the difference was statistically significant [RR = 1.05, 95%, CI (0.94, 1.16), P = 0.42]; The sperm viability in the combined acupuncture and medicine treatment group was significantly better than that in the herbal medicine treatment group alone, and the differences were all statistically significant [MD = 0.04, 95% CI (?0.20, 0.28), P0.74]; Sperm forward motion was significantly better in the combination of acupuncture and medicine than in the herbal medicine alone group, and the differences were all statistically significant [MD = 0.66, 95% CI (?0.04, 1.36), P = 0.06]; ACP indexes were significantly higher in the combination of acupuncture and medicine than in the herbal medicine alone group, with a statistically significant difference [MD = 20.47, 95% CI (?65.31, 106.25), P = 0.64]; The AsAb content in the seminal plasma of either needle medicine or acupuncture was lower than in the homogeneous prednisone group, and the difference was statistically significant [MD = ?7.00, 95% CI (?11.19, ?2.81), P = 0.001]; The index of AsAb content in the serum of either needle medicine or acupuncture was lower than that of prednisone group, and the difference was statistically significant [MD = ?5.00, 95% CI (?9.53, ?0.47), P = 0.03]. Conclusion: Based on current evidence, acupuncture is more effective than Western medicine (prednisone) alone in the treatment of male immune infertility, and is more effective when combined with Chinese medicine.

PS-B05-1: ACETATE AMELIORATES CARDIAC INFLAMMATION IN A RAT MODEL OF POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME BY SUPPRESSION OF PCSK9/NF-KB-DEPENDENT PATHWAYS

Objectives: Endocrinometabolic disorders in women of child-bearing age, including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has contributed to increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and its attendant complications, which often degenerate to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, that is among the leading cause of death globally. Acetate, the most abundant endogenously produced short chain fatty acid has been linked to metabolic health. However, the impact of acetate on CVD-driven pathologies in PCOS is unknown. The present study therefore hypothesized that acetate would attenuate cardiometabolic abnormalities in experimentally induced rat model of PCOS, possibly by suppression of PCSK9/NF-kB-dependent pathways. Materials and Methods: Eight-week-old female Wistar rats were allotted into four groups (n = 6) and the groups received vehicle, acetate (200 mg/kg), letrozole (1 mg/kg) and letrozole plus acetate respectively. The administrations were done once daily by oral gavage and lasted for 21 days. Results: In letrozole-induced PCOS rats characterized with insulin resistance, glucose dysregulation, elevated plasma testosterone and decreased 17-Beta estradiol as well as degenerated ovarian follicles and reduced normal follicles. There was also a significant increase in plasma and cardiac lipid/lipoproteins, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory mediators (NF-kB and TNF-alpha), gamma-glutamyl transferase/lactate dehydrogenase and lactate content, PCSK9 and reduction in plasma and cardiac antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione) and plasma nitric oxide synthesis (eNOS and NO) compared with the control rats. In addition, immunohistochemical assessment of cardiac tissue showed severe expression of inflammasome in letrozole-induced PCOS rats compared with the control rats. Nevertheless, supplementation with acetate significantly attenuated these alterations. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates cardiac inflammation in experimentally induced PCOS, which is accompanied by elevated atherogenic lipid/LDLc, NO-dependent oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction and mediated by elevated levels of PCSK9 and NF-kB. The results in addition suggest that acetate attenuates PCOS-associated cardiac inflammation by suppression of PCSK9/NF-kB-dependent mechanisms.

Роль связывания кортикостероидов с белками плазмы крови у облучённых животных в реализации эффектов радиопротекторов

The article presents a comparative analysis of radioprotectors RS-10 and RS-11 ability to enhance radioresistance in animals exposed to radiation that is based on results of research on protein-steroid interaction in acute radiation sickness. The importance of the research is caused by the need to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms of radioprotective action of synthetic radioprotectors, including the revealing of the role of corticosteroid binding to blood plasma proteins in irradiated animals. The aim of the research was to investigate the impact of RS-10 and RS-11 radioprotectors on the binding of corticosteroids to blood plasma proteins in irradiated animals. 90 male Chinchilla rabbits weighing 2.5-3.0 kg were included in the experimental research. At the initial stage of the research the response of the adrenal cortex and the processes of their binding to blood plasma proteins after administration of RS-10 and RS-11 to intact animals was studied; at the next stage the same rates were used for the follow-up of the animals exposed to radiation after prophylactic administration of the radioprotectors. The rabbits were totally irradiated with gamma rays at a dose of 8 Gy that caused acute radiation sickness of the IV degree. The RS-10 (chitosan bitartrate) at the dose of 10.0 mg/kg and the RS-11 (similar to RS-10, but with a lower average molecular mass) at the dose of 2-7 mg/kg were intravenously injected to rabbits 15 minutes before the irradiation. Control animals were injected with an equal volume of the saline. The total content of 11-oxycorticosteroids (11-OCS) in the blood plasma was quantitated with the use of the fluorometric method in the author's modification. The amount of free corticosteroids was quantified as the difference between their content in the whole plasma and in its protein fraction after the gel-filtration chromatography with Sephadex G-25. The binding capacity of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) was determined by gel filtration in the author's modification. The results of the study demonstrated the rise of the concentration of the blood plasma corticosteroids in the first hours after the RS-10 and RS-11 injection to intact animals, the amount of the free hormone increased as well. The effect of RS-10 on the rise of the free hormone levels was more pronounced as compared to the RS-11 effect. The impact of both radioprotectors on the elevation of the amount of 11-OCS binding to blood plasma proteins was similar. The introduction of RS-10 and RS-11 to the animals did not have effect on the binding capacity of the blood plasma proteins. The mechanism of radioprotective action of RS-10 and RS-11 in irradiated animals is the establishment of the optimal response of the adrenal cortex in the first hours after irradiation. The difference of the early adrenocortical response in animals irradiated and protected due to the injection of RS-10 and RS-11 from the optimal response varying towards strengthening or weakening, is the indicator of the radiation sickness severity. Prophylactic administration of RS-10 and RS-11 to irradiated animals at the height of the disease inhibited the reduction of the binding capacity of the CBG, resulting in the rise of the free hormone level at the higher total level of hormones in the blood is inhibited as well. In the mechanism for reducing post-radiation hypercorticism, with the use of the radioprotectors of RS-10 and RS-11, the main importance is the lower degree of the CBG binding capacity impairment rather than the change in the overall level of blood hormones. The higher prophylactic effect of RS-11 compared to RS-10 is confirmed by the significantly high rate of the binding ability of the CBG at the height of radiation sickness and the lower mortality among the animals involved in the experimental research.

Readaptation of Silver Carp to Standard Conditions after Long-Term Toxic Ammonium Nitrogen Load over Some Generations

The readaptation of the crucian carp after some generations of successful adaptation in the reservoir contaminated by inorganic nitrogen compounds and its return to favorable environmental conditions was investigated. After the 3-month adaptation to standard conditions, all considered physiological parameters (organ indices and Fulton fatness) reached the control values. At the same time, biochemical parameters did not return to the initial physiological state. According to the hormones (cortisol, T3 and T4) and glucose content in blood plasma, it can be stated that the experimental specimens had the energy-saving metabolism. The experimental specimens developed somewhat other way of the excess ammonium nitrogen excretion from the organism. Thus, content of protein as the basis of ammonia transport, in the blood plasma was lower than in control. Over the readaptation period, the experimental specimens had the increased hemoglobin content in blood. Thus, within three months complete readaptation of carp did not take place, the biochemical state was the most revealing.

A monitoring campaign (2013–2020) of ESA’s Mars Express to study interplanetary plasma scintillation

AbstractThe radio signal transmitted by the Mars Express (MEX) spacecraft was observed regularly between the years 2013–2020 at X-band (8.42 GHz) using the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry (EVN) network and University of Tasmania’s telescopes. We present a method to describe the solar wind parameters by quantifying the effects of plasma on our radio signal. In doing so, we identify all the uncompensated effects on the radio signal and see which coronal processes drive them. From a technical standpoint, quantifying the effect of the plasma on the radio signal helps phase referencing for precision spacecraft tracking. The phase fluctuation of the signal was determined for Mars’ orbit for solar elongation angles from 0 to 180 deg. The calculated phase residuals allow determination of the phase power spectrum. The total electron content of the solar plasma along the line of sight is calculated by removing effects from mechanical and ionospheric noises. The spectral index was determined as$-2.43 \pm 0.11$which is in agreement with Kolmogorov’s turbulence. The theoretical models are consistent with observations at lower solar elongations however at higher solar elongation ($&gt;$160 deg) we see the observed values to be higher. This can be caused when the uplink and downlink signals are positively correlated as a result of passing through identical plasma sheets.