Reactive Oxygen Substances Research Articles

Well-dispersed copper and molybdenum co-doped g-C3N4 as an excellent persulfate activator for highly efficient removal of bisphenol a in wastewater

Degradation of endocrine disrupting compounds by optimizing advanced oxidation processes is highly feasible, but remains a daunting challenge. In this work, a novel copper and molybdenum co-doped g-C3N4 (Cu/Mo@CN) were successfully synthesized via a simple dip-calcination approach, of which highly dispersed Cu and Mo atom sites were doped in the ring of g-C3N4. The Cu/Mo@CN catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV–vis DRS analyses, etc. The optimized system of Cu1/Mo3@CN catalyst in the visible light-persulfate oxidation (Vis + PS + Cu1/Mo3@CN system) had high photocatalytic activity to remove 97.2 % of bisphenol A (BPA, 5 mg/L) within 60 min. Compared to pure g-C3N4, Cu/Mo@CN has better visible-light (Vis) response function and narrower band gap (2.58 eV), which are easier to get excited by Vis illuminate. The results showed that reactive oxygen species of SO4• −, •OH and •O2− could be stably produced to contribute to the BPA degradation in Vis + PS + Cu/Mo@CN systems. Meanwhile, the Cu and Mo elements co-doped in g-C3N4 can also effectively activate PS to promote the production of reactive oxygen substances. In addition, the continuous production of photoelectrons enhanced the cycling of Cu2+/Mo6+ and Cu+/Mo4+, which could be further improved the removal efficiency of Vis + PS + Cu/Mo@CN towards BPA. The degradation mechanism of BPA were proposed according to the identification of intermediate products and DFT calculation. Overall, this study provides a viable pathway for BPA abatement in actual wastewater treatment applications.

P-337 Does Endometriosis Have More Detrimental Effect on Ovarian Reserve in the Presence of Autoimmunity? A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract Study question Is the coexistence of autoimmunity more harmful to ovarian reserve in endometriosis patients? Summary answer The presence of autoimmunity does have additional harm to ovarian reserve in patients with endometriosis. What is known already It is known that endometriosis has a negative impact on ovarian reserve via different pathways. The presence of inflammation, increased reactive oxygen substances, and iron deposits in ovarian endometrioma have detrimental effects on the ovarian reserve. Although endometriosis was reported to have co-incidence with immunologic disorders up to 50%, there is not enough publication to assess the impact of autoimmunity on ovarian reserve in endometriosis. Study design, size, duration A prospective observational study including 100 women with endometriosis was performed between January 2022 and January 2023 in the endometriosis center of a tertiary university hospital. Participants/materials, setting, methods Patients who were diagnosed with endometriosis, under age 40, without confirmed systemic disease, enrolled in the study. All patients were assessed by physical examination and routine ultrasound check. Endometriosis diagnosis was based on that assessment or verified previous surgery. The blood samples were collected from all patients. Serum anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and immunologic panel tests (anti-nuclear antibody profile, lupus anticoagulant antibody, thyroid antibodies) were analyzed. Main results and the role of chance A total of 99 patients were enrolled in the analysis (one patient was excluded because of missing parameters). Patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence of any autoimmune antibody. There were 58 patients with negative test (autoimmune (-) group) and 41 patients with at least one positive antibody (autoimmune (+) group). The demographic parameters, including age, fertility situation, abuse, pain scores, endometrioma diameter, and laterality, were similar between the groups. The anti-mullerian hormone levels were significantly lower in the autoimmune (+) group, (Respectively with interquartile ranges; 2.2 ng/ml (0.6-5.3) vs. 0.9 ng/ml (0.19-3.6), p = 0.01) When the results were adjusted according to the age and surgical history, the significant negative effect of autoimmunity on the ovarian reserve disappeared (p = 0.156). Limitations, reasons for caution The lack of sufficient studies in this area makes our results important. The small sample size and lack of subgroup analysis depending on different autoimmune diseases limit the study's strength. Wider implications of the findings This observational study revealed that almost half of the endometriosis patients have autoimmunity. However, the results supported the existing data; the impact of autoimmunity on ovarian reserve in endometriosis is a novel research field, and the present study suggests it should be further investigated in endometriosis patients. Trial registration number Not Applicable

The effect of increase in blood glucose level on hearing loss

ObjectivePrevious studies have shown that hearing function is also vulnerable to the effects of diabetes mellitus which can be shown by brainstem auditory evoked potential and distortion product otoacoustic emission recordings. This study aimed to investigate the changes of brainstem auditory evoked potential and distortion product otoacoustic emission in hyperglycemia and whether there is a relationship between reactive oxygen substances production and hearing deterioration in the rat model. Methods25 streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were divided into three groups: control, high blood glucose, and diabetes mellitus. Brainstem auditory evoked potential and distortion product otoacoustic emission were recorded, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were measured in the brainstem tissue. ResultsAt 8 kHz, the latencies of I, II, III, IV, and V brainstem auditory evoked potential waves in high blood glucose and diabetes mellitus groups were elongated, at 16 kHz, only these wave latencies of the diabetes mellitus group were prolonged compared with the control group. A significant decrease was also found in distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes at 4, 6, 8, and 10 kHz in the high blood glucose and diabetes mellitus groups compared to the control group. There was a significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values due to the increase in blood glucose levels in the high blood glucose and diabetes mellitus groups compared to the control group. ConclusionThese results suggested that high blood glucose levels may cause hearing impairment not only in the diabetic state but also in the period of hyperglycemia before the onset of manifest diabetes mellitus and reactive oxygen substances may play an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. We suggest that regulating high glucose levels even before the onset of manifest diabetes mellitus may prevent hazardous effects on hearing function. Level of evidenceLevel 3.

In Vitro Antibacterial Mechanism of High-Voltage Electrostatic Field against Acinetobacter johnsonii.

This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial properties and mechanisms of a high-voltage static electric field (HVEF) in Acinetobacter johnsonii, which were assessed from the perspective of biochemical properties and stress-related genes. The time/voltage-kill assays and growth curves showed that an HVEF decreased the number of bacteria and OD600 values. In addition, HVEF treatment caused the leakage of cell contents (nucleic acids and proteins), increased the electrical conductivity and amounts of reactive oxygen substances (ROS) (16.88 fold), and decreased the activity of Na+ K+-ATPase in A. johnsonii. Moreover, the changes in the expression levels of genes involved in oxidative stress and DNA damage in the treated A. johnsonii cells suggested that HVEF treatment could induce oxidative stress and DNA sub-damage. This study will provide useful information for the development and application of an HVEF in food safety.

The Influence of Coronary Artery Disease in the Development of Aortic Stenosis and the Importance of the Albumin Redox State.

Calcific aortic valve and coronary artery diseases are related cardiovascular pathologies in which common processes lead to the calcification of the corresponding affected tissue. Among the mechanisms involved in calcification, the oxidative stress that drives the oxidation of sulfur-containing amino acids such ascysteines is of particular interest. However, there are important differences between calcific aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease, particularly in terms of the reactive oxygen substances and enzymes involved. To evaluate what effect coronary artery disease has on aortic valves, we analyzed valve tissue from patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis with and without coronary artery disease. Proteins and peptides with oxidized cysteines sites were quantified, leading to the identification of 16 proteins with different levels of expression between the two conditions studied, as well as differences in the redox state of the tissue. We also identified two specific sites of cysteine oxidation in albumin that have not been described previously. These results provide evidence that coronary artery disease affects valve calcification, modifying the molecular profile of aortic valve tissue. In addition, the redox proteome is also altered when these conditions coincide, notably affecting human serum albumin.

Gravity-driven membrane bioreactor coupled with electrochemical oxidation disinfection (GDMBR-EO) to treat roofing rainwater

Clean water scarcity is a pressing global water resource issue that affects a large population. Rainwater utilization carries an enormous potential as an effective option to alleviate water crisis. In our work, a gravity-driven membrane bioreactor (GDMBR) coupled with electro-oxidation (EO) was investigated for long-term roofing rainwater treatment and disinfection over a duration of 265 days. It was found that the disinfection performance of EO was significantly increased with an increased operational current and hydraulic retention time (HRT), and the optimal applied currency density was 2 mA/cm2 at an HRT of 60 min. The GDMBR-EO process exhibited desired rainwater treatment efficiency at 8 ~ 12 L/(m2·h) followed by the intermittent EO. Aided by GDMBR rejection, EO could realize complete microbial disinfection (i.e., bacterial and E.coli) during treatment of both synthetic rainwater and actual roofing rainwater (from a reinforced concrete roof, metal roof, and oil-polluted roof), due to the production of reactive oxygen substances (ROS) (i.e.,·OH, H2O2, and O3, etc.) and reactive chlorine species (RCS) (i.e., Cl2, HClO, ClO-, ·Cl, etc.). Removal of organic matter (i.e., ATP, protein, and polysaccharide) was achieved via membrane retention, biodegration and oxidation in the presence of ROS and RCS. GDMBR obtained a stable ammonia removal, attributed to the enrichment of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) (i.e., Nitrospira), as confirmed by bacterial community analysis. RCS was responsible for the transformation of nitrogenous substances (i.e., NH3-N, NO– 3-N,NO– 2-N and N2) during the EO process. TP removal and slight increase of turbidity in the EO unit was caused by FePO4 precipitation, and CaCO3 and Mg(OH)2 precipitation, respectively, as demonstrated by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Roman spectra analysis.

Plasma induced efficient removal of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and antibiotic resistance genes, and inhibition of gene transfer by conjugation

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and their resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging environmental pollutants that pose great threats to human health. In this study, a novel strategy using plasma was developed to simultaneously remove antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (AR bio-56954 E. coli) and its ARGs, aiming to inhibit gene transfer by conjugation. Approximately 6.6 log AR bio-56954 E. coli was inactivated within 10 min plasma treatment, and the antibiotic resistance to tested antibiotics (tetracycline, gentamicin, and amoxicillin) significantly decreased. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) including •OH, 1O2, O2•−, NO2−, and NO3− contributed to ARB and ARGs elimination; their attacks led to destruction of cell membrane, accumulation of excessive intracellular reactive oxygen substances, deterioration of conformational structures of proteins, and destroy of nucleotide bases of DNA. As a result, the ARGs (tet(C), tet(W), blaTEM-1, aac(3)-II), and integron gene intI1), and conjugative transfer frequency of ARGs significantly decreased after plasma treatment. The results demonstrated that plasma has great prospective application in removing ARB and ARGs in water, inhibiting gene transfer by conjugation.

Phaeodactylum tricornutum biomass in microdiets enhances Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) larval growth performance during weaning

Microalgae are one of the most promising groups of functional ingredients for inclusion in microdiets for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae, supplying components with anti-oxidant effects that may be important during an accelerated stage of development where excessive reactive oxygen substance production leading to oxidative stress may occur. The diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum complies with such potential since it is rich in fucoxanthin, a carotenoid with demonstrated antioxidant activity. This study aimed at determining the effect of dietary P. tricornutum supplementation on the growth performance, survival and levels of oxidative stress of Senegalese sole postlarvae. Four dietary treatments were tested: a commercial microdiet, used as control, and three experimental variants where P. tricornutum was included (1) whole cells at 5%—WP5, (2) broken cells at 5%—BP5 and (3) broken cells at 10%—BP10. At the end of the trial, no significant differences were found in growth performance of larvae fed diets where P. tricornutum was included at 5% (WP5 and BP5) and the commercial control. However, larvae from the BP10 treatment had a significantly higher dry weight than larvae from the remaining treatments. Moreover, the experimental diets had no significant effects on oxidative stress. Nonetheless, lipid peroxidation levels were significantly higher in smaller larvae fed diets where P. tricornutum whole cells were included, relatively to the commercial control. The results of the present study demonstrate that P. tricornutum broken cell biomass has the potential for inclusion in weaning microdiets for Senegalese sole, increasing larval growth performance at an inclusion level of 10 %.

Perovskite CaZrO3 for efficient ozonation treatment of organic pollutants in wastewater

The presence of oxygen vacancy on the surface of CaZrO3 accelerates the decomposition of ozone and generates reactive oxygen substances to act on the mineralization of m-cresol.

The influence of laser beam and high light intensity on lentil (Lens culinaris) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings growth and metabolism

Light is considered as an environmental signal that controls plants growth and development. Sufficient duration, quality and wavelength are mainly responsible for switching on/off many physiological processes. The aim of this study was to examine the role of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt pathway specific response in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and lentil (Lens culinaris) seedlings to blue LED laser (intensity= 1.48 W/cm2) and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light (intensity= 3.99 W/cm2) treatments separately, with respect to: seed germination, seedling growth, oxidative damage in term of reactive oxygen substances accumulation, GABA accumulation level, total proteins and total carbohydrates level and glutamate decarboxylase gene (GAD) expression. Data showed a remarkable changes in proteins content, carbohydrates content, chlorophyll level, dry and fresh weight, GABA accumulation, MDA level, and GAD m-RNA level under blue LED laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light treatments; separately in the both wheat and lentil cultivars. There were no significant differences of root emergence in all cultivars under all treatments. The concentrations of MDA increased in all cultivars under blue LED laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light treatments with increasing exposure durations. GABA levels increased and correlated significantly in all cultivars as the exposure duration of blue LED laser and high light intensity increased. Significant decrease in chlorophyll a and b contents in Um Qayes, Jordan1 and Jordan2 cultivars under all laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light treatments. A significant difference was found in proteins content in all cultivars in response to laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light treatments. Carbohydrates content in all cultivars used in this study were significantly decreased under laser treatments. The transcription level of GAD increased significantly under blue LED laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light in all cultivars used in this study. GAD expression was high in Hurani75 cultivar in agreement with the low level of GABA accumulation under high intensity invisible ultraviolet light at 60 min which strongly suggested that GABA was catabolized to enter another pathways (C:N balance) that was confirmed by increase in higher level of carbohydrates and proteins beside reduction in MDA content at the same exposure duration. On other hand, GAD expression in Jordan 2 was lower in response to laser treatment under the same exposure duration. The high increase of GAD gene expression explains the high accumulation of GABA level under both treatments. Results indicated that GABA shunt is a key metabolic pathway that allows wheat and lentil to adapt blue LED laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light stressful treatments.

Safranal protects against ischemia-induced PC12 cell injury through inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Safranal, isolated from saffron (Crocus sativus L.), is known to possesses neuroprotective effects. In this study, the neuroprotective potential of safranal against PC12 cell injury triggered by ischemia/reperfusion was investigated. PC12 cells were pretreated with safranal at concentration ranges of 10-160μM for 2h and then deprived from oxygen-glucose-serum for 6h, followed by reoxygenation for 24h (OGD condition). 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA), and comet assays were used to measure the extent of cellular viability, reactive oxygen substances (ROS), and DNA damage, respectively. Also, propidium iodide (PI) flow cytometry assay and western blotting of bax, bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 were performed for assessment of apoptosis. OGD exposure reduced the cell viability and increased intracellular ROS production, oxidative DNA damage, and apoptosis, in comparison with untreated control cells. Pretreatment with safranal (40 and 160μM) significantly attenuated OGD-induced PC12 cell death, oxidative damage, and apoptosis. Furthermore, safranal markedly reduced the overexpression of bax/bcl-2 ratio and active caspase-3 following OGD (p < 0.05). The present findings indicated that safranal protects against OGD-induced neurotoxicity via modulating of oxidative and apoptotic responses.Graphical abstract The schematic representation of the mode of action of safranal against PC12 cells death induced by oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD-R).

N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine enhances in vitro pig embryo production and reduces oxidative stress

This study evaluated the effects of different concentrations (1, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µM) of the antioxidant N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (NMPG), during the culture of in vitro-fertilized porcine oocytes. While the highest concentrations of NMPG (50 and 100 µM) were toxic to the developing embryos during the first two days of culture, 25 µM NMPG achieved cleavage rates that were similar to those achieved by the control but did not sustain blastocyst production by Day 7 of culture. Compared to the control culture medium, the culture medium supplemented with 10 µM NMPG increased (P < 0.05) the rates of blastocyst formation, decreased (P < 0.05) the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen substances, and downregulated (P < 0.05) the expression of the oxidative stress related gene GPX1. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that supplementation of porcine embryo culture medium with 10 µM NMPG can attenuate oxidative stress and increase the yield of in vitro production of blastocysts.

Atorvastatin restricts the ability of influenza virus to generate lipid droplets and severely suppresses the replication of the virus.

Influenza virus causes infected cells to generate large numbers of lipid droplets. Because the virus envelope contains substantial cholesterol, we applied atorvastatin (ATV) to Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells before infecting them. Five micromolars ATV, within physiologic range, strongly (>95%) inhibits reproduction of influenza A as measured by PCR of viral RNA, plaque assay for viable virus, and production of virus nucleoprotein (NP). Inhibition of any of the following can suppress formation of lipid droplets (>-50%) but does not interfere with the production of NP: endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, or production of reactive oxygen substances (ROS). We conclude that, regardless of whether this widely used statin, which is generally considered to be safe, can prevent infection or minimize its severity, inhibition of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase pathway to protect against infection by influenza virus or to mitigate its severity warrants further exploration.-Episcopio, D., Aminov, S., Benjamin, S., Germain, G., Datan, E., Landazuri, J., Lockshin, R. A., Zakeri, Z. Atorvastatin restricts the ability of influenza virus to generate lipid droplets and severely suppresses the replication of the virus.

Beneficial Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Saffron in Alleviating Experimental Autoimmune Diabetes in C57bl/6 Mice

Streptozocin (STZ) is a strong alkalizing agent which is capable of destroying the beta cells of the pancreatic islets. Multiple low doses (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days) prescription of STZ to mice can lead to the T cell-dependent immune response and induction of autoimmune diabetes (AD) with complete similarity to the human type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study has evaluated the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron on the clinical and immunological profile of experimental autoimmune diabetes in C57BL/6 mice. After the establishment of the AD, mice were treated orally with hydroalcoholic extract of saffron (500 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. The results with p<0.05 were considered significant. Obtained data showed that treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of saffron significantly reduced the incidence of hypoglycemia and restored insulin secretion and histopathological changes in pancreas sections. In addition, treatment with saffron reduced lymphocyte proliferation index in the cells isolated from the pancreas of diabetic mice. Also, the extract of saffron markedly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory interleukin-17 (IL-17) increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β in the pancreatic cell population. Moreover, the production of proinflammatory nitric oxide and reactive oxygen substances were down-regulated by the saffron extract. It seems that the hydroalcoholic extract of saffron can be considered as a useful strategy in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Comparative Study on some Plants as Sources of Natural Antioxidants

Nowadays, plants and natural products have a great probable interest due to their pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutritional applications. So, the biologically active compounds of moringa and fig leaves as well as red pepper fruits and seeds were assessed as antioxidants agents as well as their antioxidant activities were evaluated using different assays and the obtained results revealed that, moringa and fig leaves had the highest content of chlorophylls A and B, but their contents in moringa leaves (625.37 and 229.94 mg/100g, respectively) were more than four folds greater than fig leaves (142.14 and 83.57 mg/100g, respectively). Red pepper fruits and moringa leaves had the highest contents of total carotenoids. The ABTS and DPPH procedures gave the highest antioxidant capacity values of all selected raw materials. Furthermore, moringa and fig leaves recorded the highest contents of antioxidant activity comparing with red pepper fruits and seeds correlated with the highly contents of total phenols and flavonoids. Moringa leaves had higher contents of phenolic acids (309.4mg/100g) than other selected plants and E- vanillic and pyrogallol were the most common phenolic compounds found in moringa leaves. On the other hand, there are little differences between fig leaves and red pepper fruits but, the lowest phenolic acids content (136.58 mg/100g) was detected in red pepper seeds. There was variation in flavonoids individuals between all selected raw materials. Moringa and fig leaves had approximately the same highest contents of flavonoids (283.71 and 266.73 mg/100g, respectively) than red pepper fruits and seeds which recorded lowest ones (112.84 mg/100g). Cobalamin (B12) was the major B complexvitamins found in fig leaves, red pepper fruits, moringa leaves and red pepper seeds which recorded 994.01, 217.46, 164.81 and 125.5 mg/100g, respectively. Moringa leaves and red pepper fruits are considered as excellent sources for vitamins C and K that play an important roles as antioxidant agents to protect biological systems via inhibition or prevention of oxidation stress induced by reactive oxygen substances generated from normal metabolic activity or environmental factors followed by red pepper seeds and fig leaves.

Caffeine alters the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on neutrophils

It has been shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) express all four adenosine receptors' subtypes, and stimulation of these receptors plays an active role in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and differentiation. The interaction between MSCs and immunocytes, such as neutrophils, has been investigated in some recent studies. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of caffeine as an adenosine antagonist on the effects of bone marrow-derived MSCs on neutrophils. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the bone marrow of rats and pulsed with different concentrations of caffeine (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM) at different times (24, 48 and 72 h). Mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with neutrophils for 4 h and the functions of neutrophils were evaluated. The findings showed that MSCs pulsed with caffeine at low to moderate concentrations preserved the neutral red uptake by neutrophils and established the MSCs' ability to protect neutrophils from apoptosis. Mesenchymal stem cells treated with caffeine increased the phagocytosis of neutrophils and simultaneously diminished the production of potentially harmful reactive oxygen substances, more profound than MSCs without treatment. Nevertheless, a high concentration of caffeine could interfere with some aspects of the crosstalk between MSCs and neutrophils. These findings may offer new insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of caffeine.

Inactivation Mechanism of Escherichia coli Induced by Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water

Foodborne disease outbreak caused by food microbiological contamination is a serious public health problem. Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW), a new ultra-high effect and wide-spectrum disinfectant that is colourless, odourless, and harmless to humans and the environment, is directly used on food surfaces in Japan and America. However, the underlying inactivation mechanism remains unknown. In this study, biochemical and cellular changes were observed to investigate the bactericidal mechanism of SAEW against Escherichia coli (E. coli). The results indicated that SAEW with a pH of 6.40, an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of 910 mV, an available chlorine concentration (ACC) of 60 mg/L, and a volume ratio of 20:1, produced the most effective sterilization action. A fluorescence-based live-dead assay was further used to demonstrate the sterilized effect and the cell esterase activity damage caused by SAEW. During the observation period, within 10 min, the cell morphology changed, which was characterized by cell expansion, cell elongation and increased membrane permeability. Meanwhile, reactive oxygen substances (ROS) were released in the bacterial cells. E. coli inactivation and apoptosis induced by SAEW were observed. Our findings illustrate that the bactericidal effects of SAEW against E. coli occurred through cellular and biochemical mechanisms of cell necrosis and apoptosis.

Nicotine can modulate the effects of the mesenchymal stem cells on neutrophils

PurposeIt has been revealed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) express some of the nicotinic receptor subunits. Moreover, the crosstalk between MSCs and neutrophils is not far-fetched. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine the role of nicotine on the effects of MSCs on neutrophils. MethodsAfter the isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow of rats, these cells were pulsed with different concentrations of nicotine (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1μM) for different periods (24, 48, and 72h). Then, the neutrophils were co-cultured with MSCs for 4h and the functions of neutrophils were evaluated. ResultsThe obtained findings showed that MSCs pulsed with nicotine significantly enhanced the viability and the phagocytic activity of co-cultured neutrophils and simultaneously, decreased the production of reactive oxygen substances (ROS), induced by f-MLP in neutrophils, more profound than MSCs without treatment. Moreover, MSCs, pulsed with nicotine at low to moderate concentrations, preserved the respiratory burst, triggered by opsonized yeast in neutrophils. Nevertheless, a high concentration of nicotine can interfere with the latter aspect of the crosstalk between MSCs and neutrophils. ConclusionThe obtained data can offer a new insight into the potential mechanisms, underlying the immunomodulatory effects of nicotine.

Lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress responses in juvenile salmon exposed to waterborne levels of the organophosphate compounds tris(2-butoxyethyl)- and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphates

ABSTRACTThere is limited knowledge on the toxicological, physiological, and molecular effects attributed to organophosphate (OP) compounds currently used as flame retardants or additives in consumer products. This study investigated the effects on oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in juvenile Atlantic salmon liver and brain samples after exposure to two OP compounds, tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). In this study, groups of juvenile Atlantic salmon were exposed using a semistatic experimental protocol over a 7-d period to 3 different concentrations (0.04, 0.2, or 1 mg/L) of TBOEP and TCEP. When toxicological factors such as bioaccumulation and bioconcentration, and chemical structural characteristics and behavior, including absorption to solid materials, are considered, these concentrations represent environmentally relevant concentrations. The concentrations of the contaminants were derived from levels of their environmental occurrence. The expression of genes related to oxidative stress—glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST)—and to lipid peroxidation—peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)—were determined using quantitative (real-time) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The presence of PPAR proteins was also investigated using immunochemical methods. Levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in liver were used as a measure of lipid peroxidation. Overall, our data show an increase in lipid peroxidation, and this was associated with an augmented expression of genes from the glutathione family of responses. Interestingly, PPAR expression in liver after exposure to TBOEP and TCEP was consistently decreased compared to controls, while expression in brain did not show a similar trend. The results suggest that OP contaminants may induce oxidative stress and thus production of reactive oxygen substances (ROS), and modulate lipid peroxidation processes in organisms.

Antioxidants and Polyphenols: Concentrations and Relation to Male Infertility and Treatment Success.

Oxidative stress is induced by reactive oxygen substances (ROS) that are known to affect male fertility. The aims of this study were to prospectively investigate and characterize total antioxidant and specifically polyphenols concentrations and their relations to sperm quality and fertility treatment success. During their infertility treatment, sixty-seven males were prospectively recruited to this study. After separation of the sperm from the semen sample, the semen fluid samples antioxidants and polyphenols concentrations were determined. Antioxidant concentration was significantly associated with sperm concentration and total motile count. Antioxidants concentration in the group of male with sperm concentration ≥ 15 × 106 was significantly higher than in the group of male with antioxidants concentration < 15 × 106 (830.3 ± 350 μM and 268.3 ± 220 μM, resp., p < 0.001). Polyphenols concentration did not differ between the groups of sperm concentration above and below 15 × 106 (178.7 ± 121 μM and 161.7 ± 61 μM, resp., p-NS). No difference was found between fertilization rates and antioxidants or polyphenols concentrations. This is the first study that reports on polyphenols concentration within semen fluid. More studies are needed in order to investigate polyphenols role in male fertility.