Serum Total Superoxide Dismutase Activity Research Articles

Maternal chromium supplementation improves oxidation resistance, immunity, and intestinal morphology of goat kids injected with lipopolysaccharide

This study evaluated the effects of maternal chromium (Cr), supplemented with Cr propionate (CrPro) during perinatal period of does, on antioxidant capacity, immune response, and intestinal morphology of goat kids injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Forty LeZhi black does at 90 days of pregnancy were divided into four groups based on body weight (52.36±8.24 kg) with 10 replicate pens for each treatment and one doe for each replicate pen. Treatments consisted of 0, 0.4, 1.2, or 2.0 mg of supplemental Cr per head per day (head-1 d-1) from CrPro. After birth, the goat kids were allowed to suckle until 21 days. At 21-day-old, one male goat kid per replicate was sacrificed 2 h after LPS injection. Individual weight and litter weight of goat kids on birth and 21 d were not affected by maternal Cr supplementation. Chromium concentrations in umbilical cord, colostrum and liver of goat kids were linearly increased by maternal Cr supplementation (P<0.05). Maternal Cr supplementation quadratically increased serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity of goat kids (P<0.05). Goat kids from maternal Cr supplementation groups had higher serum T-SOD activity than those from control group (P<0.05). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of goat kids was linearly decreased, whereas serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was linearly increased as maternal Cr increased (P<0.05). Maternal Cr supplementation linearly increased colostrum immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations (P<0.05), and quadratically increased serum IgG and IgM concentration of goat kids with the greatest response detected at 0.4 mg head-1 d-1 maternal Cr supplementation group (P<0.05). The villus height (VH) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) in duodenum of goat kids increased quadratically as maternal Cr increased, and both reached the highest in maternal 1.2 mg head-1 d-1 maternal Cr supplementation group. Maternal Cr supplementation linearly decreased ileal crypt depth (CD) of goat kids. The results indicate that 0.4-2.0 mg (0.47-2.41 mg by analysis) head-1 d-1 maternal Cr supplementation from CrPro could improve antioxidant capacity, immune response, and small intestinal morphology of goat kids injected with LPS.

Serum Total Superoxide Dismutase Activity as a Predictive Factor in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the cutoff value for diagnosis and predict mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on serum total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Methods: A retrospective case-control study of the SOD Model was conducted using data from a single-center dataset at Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, China. Serum total SOD activity was analyzed in HCC patients (n = 124) and control subjects (n = 117). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine cutoff values of serum total SOD activity for HCC diagnosis. Overall survival (OS) was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: In the model groups, the cutoff level of total SOD activity for HCC was 169.2 U/mL (sensitivity: 87.23%, specificity: 91.95%), while for HCC [alpha fetoprotein (AFP) &lt; 20 ng/mL], it was 173.4 U/mL (sensitivity: 86.79%, specificity: 88.51%). Additionally, in the validation groups, the true positive rate, true negative rate, and accuracy rate were all above 90%. Based on the cutoff value of SOD, HCC patients were assigned to an H-SOD and L-SOD group depending on their serum total SOD activity at admission before operation. The 5-year OS rate of the H-SOD group was 75.00%, and that of the L-SOD group was 36.59% in HCC patients (P = 0.0245). With a decrease in SOD activity, serum levels of Zn (t = 3.890, P = 0.0003) and Se (t = 7.694, P &lt; 0.0001) were also significantly decreased and positively correlated with SOD activity (both P &lt; 0.05) in HCC patients. Conclusions: Low serum total SOD activity may also be a risk factor for HCC. The decrease of SOD activity in HCC patients was partly related to a lack of Zn and Se.

Protective Effect of Dihydromyricetin Against ExerciseInduced Muscle Damage and Its Mechanism

Objective To investigate the protective effect of dihydromyricetin (DHM) against exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in mice and its potential mechanism.Methods Adult male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group (CG), exercise group (EG), and exercise + 100 mg/kg weight ·d DHM (DHM) group. The intervention lasted for four weeks, during which the animals in the EG and DHM groups were subjected to exercise training for 1 h per day. The day after the training, a 90-min treadmill exercise (slope: 0 and speed: 18 m/min) was conducted in both EG and DHM groups. Samples of blood and gastrocnemius muscles were harvested from the three groups 24 h after the exercise, followed by the measurement of serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and skeletal muscle mitochondrial enzyme complex I and II activities. Histological changes in the skeletal muscle were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the protein expressions of mitochondrial function-related pathways were detected by Western blotting.Results Skeletal muscle morphological changes and mitochondrial damage were alleviated in the DHM group compared to those in the EG. The activities of EIMD markers CK and LDH and the level of lipid peroxidation were notably repressed and the serum T-SOD activity was enhanced after DHM intervention. Western blotting demonstrated that the expressions of sirtuin type 3 (SIRT3), estrogen-related receptor alpha, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha in the skeletal muscle of mice increased after the DHM intervention.Conclusion DHM can relieve EIMD in mice, possibly by promoting the recovery of the mitochondrial structure and function in the skeletal muscle of mice after high-intensity exercise via the activation of the SIRT3 signaling pathway.

Effects of lysophospholipids and multi-enzymes on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal health, and cecal microflora of male cherry valley ducks.

Improvement of nutrient utilization to promote growth performance is always pursued in poultry. In this study, a total of 360 1-d-old male ducklings was randomly assigned to 3 treatments in terms of diet treatment groups. Three treatments were as follows: basal diet (Con group) or basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg multi-enzymes (ENZ group) or 500 mg/kg lysophospholipids (LPL group). On day 42, ducks were slaughtered for samplings. The results revealed that supplementary LPL improved the body weight (BW) at day 14 and average daily gain (ADG) during days 1 to 14 and improved the feed conversion rate (FCR) for the overall period (P < 0.05) by improving nutrient utilization of dry matter and ether extract (P < 0.05) compared with the Con group. Dietary ENZ improved the FCR from days 15-42 and 1-42, and nitrogen utilization (P < 0.05) compared with the Con group. Jejunal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio were higher (P < 0.05) in the LPL group and tended to be higher (P < 0.1) in the ENZ group compared to the Con group. Supplementation with either LPL or ENZ reduced interleukin-1β concentration in jejunal mucus (P < 0.05). Both LPL and ENZ enhanced serum total superoxide dismutase activity (P < 0.05), whereas only supplementation with LPL elevated total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). In terms of cecal microbiota, microbial richness tended to be reduced by LPL, with low observed-OTUs and Chao1 (0.05 < P < 0.1). Supplementation with ENZ led to higher abundances of cellulolytic bacteria such as Fibrobacterota, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group, and Bifidobacterium. Overall, both LPL and ENZ improved FCR, which may be relevant to ameliorative intestinal health, overall antioxidant ability, and cecal microbiome.

Dietary stevia residue extract supplementation improves the performance and antioxidative capacity of growing-finishing pigs.

Improper disposal of stevia residue causes environmental pollution and waste of resources. The extract of stevia residue is rich in chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acids, and has a great potential in livestock and poultry breeding. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary stevia residue extract (SRE) supplementation on the performance, meat quality, antioxidative capacity and gut microbiota in growing-finishing pigs. The results showed that increasing the concentration of SRE supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) body weight from day 1 to 35. Supplementation with SRE significantly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) from day 1 to 75. 100 mgkg-1 SRE supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight and gastric index. Moreover, increasing the concentration of SRE linearly increased (P < 0.05) the score of appearance of longissimus thoracis, as well as serum albumin, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content. Further study found that increasing the concentration of SRE linearly increased (P < 0.05) serum total superoxide dismutase activity, and showed a significant quadratic relationship (P < 0.05) with activity of serum catalase, while linearly decreasing (P < 0.05) muscle malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Furthermore, supplementation with 100 mg kg-1 SRE significantly decreased (P < 0.05) serum MDA content, while 600 and 800 mg kg-1 SRE supplementation significantly decreased (P < 0.05) muscle MDA content. However, SRE supplementation had no significant effect on gut microbiota (P > 0.05). These data indicated that dietary SRE supplementation improves the performance and antioxidative capacity of growing-finishing pigs. We recommend that the optimal supplemental level of SRE in the diet of growing-finishing pigs is 100 mg kg-1 . © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

The influence of dietary β‐1,3‐glucan on growth performance, feed utilization, antioxidative and immune status of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Prebiotics, that is, β-1,3-glucans are widely used immunostimulants in aquaculture. A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary β-1,3-glucan on growth performance, feed utilization, antioxidative and immune status of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Six iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets with dietary β-1,3-glucan levels at 0, 0.04, 0.08. 0.16, 0.32 and 0.64 g kg−1 were fed to six replicates of shrimp (initial mean weight 0.98 ± 0.02 g). The diet with 0.16 g kg−1 β-1,3-glucan significantly improved weight gain and decreased feed conversion ratio of the shrimp. Compared with shrimp fed the basal diet, protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher in the β-1,3-glucan supplemented groups. Hepatopancreatic amylase activity was significantly increased by the β-1,3-glucan supplementation. The 0.16 g kg−1 β-1,3-glucan supplemented diet significantly improved serum total superoxide dismutase activity. The lowest hepatopancreatic malondialdehyde content was observed in the 0.64 g kg−1 β-1,3-glucan group. This study suggested that appropriate inclusion level of β-1,3-glucan can improve the growth performance, feed utilization and improve the antioxidative capacity of Pacific white shrimp, with optimum supplemental level being about 0.156 g kg−1 based on the weight gain in our results.

Effects of Dietary Aged Maize with Oxidized Fish Oil on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity and Intestinal Health in Weaned Piglets.

Simple SummaryIn China, large quantities of maize are stored in grain depots for two years or more to mitigate the risk of natural disasters impacting feed supplies. However, it is unknown whether the use of long-term stored maize in diets will impair growth performance of piglets, and whether additional dietary oxidants would further exacerbate the effects. This study investigates the effects of dietary aged maize with the supplementation of different levels of oxidized fish oil on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant activity and gut health in piglets and tries to provide a theoretical foundation for the better use of aged maize in swine production. The results of this study showed that aged maize had no significant effect on growth performance, diarrhea and nutrient digestibility of the piglets, but it did reduce serum antioxidant capacity. When oxidized fish oil was added, aged maize reduced serum antioxidant capacity further, inhibited the expressions of genes related to intestinal nutrient transport, promoted intestinal inflammation, and also reduced the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, increased diarrhea and finally reduced the growth performance of piglets. Thus, the use of aged maize in the diet of the piglets may be not feasible, especially when other oxidation-inducing factors existed, which would exacerbate the negative effects of the aged maize.This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary aged maize with supplementation of different levels of oxidized fish oil on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant activity and gut health in piglets. Forty-two piglets were arranged in 2 × 3 factorial treatments in a complete randomized block design with seven replicates per treatment and one pig per replicate for 28 d. Diets included twp types of maize (normal maize or aged maize) and three levels of oxidized fish oil (OFO) (3% non-oxidized fish oil (0% OFO), 1.5% OFO and 1.5% non-oxidized fish oil (1.5% OFO), and 3% OFO (3% OFO). Results showed that dietary aged maize did not affect growth performance, diarrhea, and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients in piglets (p > 0.05). However, aged maize increased malonaldehyde (MDA) content and decreased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum on both 14th and 28th days (p < 0.05) compared to the normal maize groups. Meanwhile, compared with normal maize, dietary aged maize showed a slight, but not significant (p > 0.10) decrease in total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and VE content in serum on the 14th day. In addition, aged maize significantly decreased GLUT2 mRNA expression (p < 0.05) and tended to increase (p < 0.10) TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression in jejunal mucosa. Compared with non-oxidized fish oil, oxidized fish oil resulted in the decrease of the 14–28 d and 0–28 d ADG, as well as the ATTD of dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), organic matter (OM) (p < 0.05), whereas the increase in diarrhea index (p < 0.05) and F/G of the whole period (p < 0.05). Oxidized fish oil decreased serum T-AOC on both the 14th and the 28th days (p < 0.05), and decreased serum T-SOD activity and VE content on the 28th day (p < 0.05), whereas increased serum MDA content on the 28th day (p < 0.05) and 14th day (p < 0.10) compared with fresh fish oil. Meanwhile, MUC2 (p < 0.05) and SGLT1 (p < 0.10) mRNA expression in jejunal mucosa were decreased compared with non-oxidized fish oil. In addition, dietary oxidized fish oil tended to decrease 14–28 d ADFI and the ATTD of CP (p < 0.10), and piglets fed oxidized fish oil significantly decreased 14–28 d ADFI, the ATTD of CP, GLUT2 and SGLT1 mRNA expressions in jejunal mucosa when piglet also fed with aged maize (p < 0.05). Collectively, these results indicated that dietary oxidized fish oil decreased growth performance and nutrients digestibility of piglets fed with aged maize. This nutrient interaction may be mediated by inhibiting intestinal nutrient transporter, inducing intestinal inflammation, and reducing antioxidant capacity.

Glycine tabacina ethanol extract ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis in rats via inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidation

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe whole plant of Glycine tabacina (Labill.) Benth has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat rheumatism, ostealgia and nephritis in China. It is also one of the sources of the renowned native herbal medicine ‘I-Tiao-Gung’ in Taiwan. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of ethanol extract of G. tabacina (GTE) in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. Materials and methodsThe chemical profile of GTE was analyzed by HPLC-UV. The CIA was induced in male Wistar rats by intradermal injection of bovine type II collagen at tail root, back and ankle joints. The rats were orally administrated daily with GTE (1.11, 2.22 and 4.44 g dry weight of herb powder per kg body weight) from day 0 and continued for 30 days. Swelling volume and thickness of paw, arthritis index, X-radiographs and histopathological changes were examined to assess the severity of arthritis. Furthermore, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and malonaldehyde (MDA) level were measured to preliminarily explore the possible mechanisms. ResultsOral administration of GTE significantly ameliorated the arthritic symptoms in CIA rat model, as indicated by the effects on paws swelling and arthritis index. X-radiographic analysis and histopathological examinations demonstrated that GTE effectively protected the bone and cartilage of joints from erosion, lesion and deformation. The efficacy of GTE treatment on CIA was comparable to that of indomethacin (positive drug). Besides, the overproduction of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α was remarkably inhibited in the serum of all GTE treatment groups. The restoration of serum T-SOD activity and MDA level proved that GTE administration alleviated the oxidative stress in CIA rats. ConclusionsGTE exhibited strong anti-CIA activity through inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidation in rats, suggesting its potential preventive and therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Effects of modified montmorillonite adsorbent on performance, egg quality, serum biochemistry, oxidation status, and immune response of laying hens in late production

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with calcium montmorillonite (Ca-MMT) on layers’ oxidation status, immune response, serum biochemistry, performance, and egg quality. A total of four hundred-eighty 75-wk-old laying hens were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 8 replicates per treatment and 12 hens in each replicate. The hens were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, or 1.2 g Ca-MMT/kg for 70 d. The Ca-MMT supplementation linearly or quadratically (P < 0.05) increased yolk index, serum total superoxide dismutase activity, and interleukin-2 and immunoglobulin G concentrations at d 35, and shell thickness, and serum and liver glutathione peroxidase activity at d 70. With increasing supplementation of Ca-MMT in the basal diet, serum activity of alkaline phosphatase decreased both linearly and quadratically (P < 0.05) at d 35, and alanine aminotransfer as activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration decreased linearly or quadratically (P < 0.05) at d 70. The evidence indicates that increasing Ca-MMT concentration improved yolk index and shell thickness, and partially enhanced hens’ antioxidant capability and immune function.

Effects of Maternal and Progeny Dietary Vitamin Regimens on the Performance of Ducklings.

This study evaluated the interaction effect of maternal and progeny vitamin regimens on the performance of ducklings. At 38 weeks of age, 780 female and 156 male duck breeders were fed either regular or high vitamin premix diet (maternal high premix had higher levels of all vitamins except K3 than maternal regular premix) for 16 weeks. Ducklings hatched from eggs laid at the end of the duck breeder trial were kept separate according to maternal treatment and were fed 2 levels of vitamin premix (NRC and high, progeny high premix had higher levels of all vitamins except biotin than progeny NRC premix) for 35 days. Body weight (P<0.001) and tibia ash (P=0.033) of 1-day-old ducklings and serum total superoxide dismutase activity of 14-day-old ducklings (P=0.027) were increased by maternal high vitamin premix. Progeny high vitamin premix increased body weight (14 days, P=0.019; 35 days, P=0.034), body weight gain (1–14 days, P=0.021; 1–35 days, P=0.034), gain:feed ratio (1–14 days, P<0.001), feed intake (15–35 days, P=0.037), serum total antioxidant capacity (14 days, P=0.048; 35 days, P=0.047), and serum calcium (14 days, P=0.007), and decreased serum malondialdehyde (14 days, P=0.038; 35 days, P=0.031) of ducklings. Maternal vitamin premix–progeny vitamin premix interaction significantly affected body weight (14 days, P=0.029), body weight gain (1–14 days, P=0.029), and feed intake (1–14 days, P=0.018) of progeny ducklings. Briefly, progeny NRC premix decreased the growth performance (days 1–14) of ducklings from maternal regular vitamin group, but not duckling from maternal high vitamin group. The results demonstrate a shortcoming of current vitamin recommendations for ducklings and suggest that the vitamin needs of starter ducklings can be met by either maternal or progeny vitamin supplementation.

1-Acetyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-3-ylacetate: An aldose reductase inhibitor for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common and serious complication in diabetes mellitus, but the efficacy of available strategies for preventing this disorder remains poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of 1-acetyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-3-ylacetate (APPA), an aldose reductase inhibitor, on DN. In the present study, a model of rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1) damaged by high glucose was used to confirm the protective effects of APPA in vitro. Then, a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes was used to assess the effects of APPA in vivo. APPA increased viability and reduced apoptosis in HBZY-1 cells. In vivo, APPA improved the signs of DN as determined by measurements of blood glucose, urinary microalbumin, serum total antioxidant capacity, serum catalase activity, serum glutathione levels, and serum total superoxide dismutase activity. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of kidney tissue confirmed the protective effect. Moreover, APPA reduced the levels of transforming growth factor-β1, collagen IV, and laminin in HBZY-1cells incubated in high glucose, and in serum in DN rats. In summary, APPA can effectively prevent apoptosis and the symptoms of streptozotocin-induced diabetes by inhibiting the polyol pathway in rats. This suggests that APPA could be a potential drug in treating DN.

Effects of enzymatically treated Artemisia annua L. on growth performance and some blood parameters of broilers exposed to heat stress.

To evaluate the effects of enzymatically treated Artemisia annua L. (EA) on growth performance and some blood parameters of broilers exposed to heat stress (HS), 320 22-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allotted into five groups with eight replicates of eight birds each. Broilers in the control group were housed at 22±1°C and fed the basal diet. Broilers in the HS, HS-EA0.75 , HS-EA1.00 and HS-EA1.25 groups were reared under HS (34±1°C for 8h/day and 22±1°C for 16h/day), and fed basal diet with 0, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25g/kg EA, respectively. The experiment ended at 42 days. Dietary 1.00 and 1.25g/kg EA decreased blood pH and elevated body weight gain, feed intake and carcass yield compared to the HS group. Broilers fed EA diets had lower serum concentrations of malondialdehyde and corticosterone and activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, and higher serum total superoxide dismutase activity, tri-iodothyronine concentration and tri-iodothyronine/thyroxine than the HS group. Serum catalase activity in HS-EA1.00 and HS-EA1.25 groups and activity to inhibit hydroxyl in the HS-EA1.00 group were higher than the HS group. In conclusion, dietary 0.75-1.25g/kg EA addition alleviated HS induced impairments in broilers.

Effect of atorvastatin on serum oxidative stress and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide expression in rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of atorvastatin on serum oxidative stress and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide expression in rats. MethodsA total of 40 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group (Group A, n=10, saline 5 mL/d), ischemia-reperfusion group (Group B, n=10, saline 5 mL/d), atorvastatin group (Group C, n=10, atorvastatin 20 mg/kg•d), atorvastatin + N-amino-arginine group (Group D, n=10, atorvastatin 20 mg/kg•d + N-amino arginine 15 mg/kg). Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion rat model was established after 3 days of gavage. N-amino arginine 15 mg/kg was given by tail vein injection 15 min before ischemia. After reperfusion, enzymology indicators such us creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase and the oxidative stress parameters such as nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total superoxide dismutase (TSOD), and n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultsLDH and CK levels of group A were significantly lower than the other three groups, and group B was the highest. There was significant difference between group B and group C (P<0.05), and no significant difference between group B and group D (P>0.05). MDA levels in group B were significantly higher than the other three groups. The lowest was group A, followed by group C, the difference among groups was significantly (P<0.05). TSOD and NO levels in group B was the lowest, the level in group A was the highest, followed by group C, the difference among groups was significant (P<0.05). NT-proBNP level in group B was significantly higher than the other three groups, the lowest was group A, followed by group C, the difference among groups was significant (P<0.05). ConclusionsAtorvastatin has a protective effect on the myocardial injury in the myocardial ischemia and reperfusion rats. It can increase NO synthesis and decrease MDA content, increase serum TSOD activity and the oxidative stress effect, meanwhile protect myocardial cells and reduce myocardial injury.

Oxidative stress in response to natural and experimentally elevated reproductive effort is tissue dependent

Summary Oxidative stress is a potential proximal physiological cost of reproduction. Detecting this cost may be performed in several different ways – manipulating reproductive status, correlating natural variations in effort to oxidative stress or manipulating reproductive effort. Here, we manipulated reproductive status and studied oxidative stress due to natural and experimental variation in reproductive effort in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii), using a variety of markers and tissues. We measured markers of oxidative stress in lactating (raising 6 to 8 offspring) and non‐reproductive voles (Experiment I) and found that a marker of oxidative protection [serum total‐superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity] was reduced, and a marker of oxidative damage (protein carbonyls) was increased, in the serum, in lactating compared with non‐reproductive voles. However, protein carbonyls in the liver were lower in lactating compared with non‐reproductive voles, consistent with increased liver SOD activity. Lipid damage [malonaldehyde (MDA)] in both serum and liver was unrelated to reproductive status. We compared these markers of oxidative stress between natural large (n ≥ 9) and small litter sizes (n ≤ 5; Experiment II), and between manipulated large (11–13) and small litter sizes (2–3; Experiment III) and found that liver MDA and SOD activity was higher in voles with natural large compared with natural small litter sizes, but there were no differences in other markers. There was no effect of litter size on all measures when it was experimentally manipulated. The effects of reproductive status on oxidative stress were critically dependent on the exact markers and tissues used. The effects of natural variation in reproductive effort suggested that there might be an oxidative stress cost associated with large litter sizes, but this effect was not replicated in the experimentally manipulated litters.

Glutamine modifies immune responses of mice infected with porcine circovirus type 2

The present study was conducted to evaluate the immune-enhancing effects of dietary L-glutamine supplementation in porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-infected mice, and to examine the clearance effects of glutamine against PCV2 in experimentally infected mice. A total of sixty Kunming female mice were infected with PCV2 at a dose of 100 TCID(50) (50% tissue culture infection dose) by intraperitoneal injection after 2 weeks of dietary L-glutamine supplementation or L-alanine supplementation (as the control (isonitrogenous) group). The measured variables on 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th d post-infection (dpi) included: (1) PCV2 virus loaded in the liver, spleen, heart, lung, kidney, ovary and serum was determined by real-time PCR; (2) IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ and C-reactive protein levels in serum were measured by ELISA; (3) serum total superoxide dismutase activity was measured spectrophotometrically at 550nm absorbance. Dietary L-glutamine supplementation significantly increased serum IL-2 levels on the 3rd (P<0·01), 5th (P<0·01), 7th (P<0·05) and 9th dpi, significantly (P<0·05) increased serum IL-6 levels on 3rd dpi, significantly (P<0·05) increased serum IFN-g levels on the 9th and 11th dpi and significantly decreased (P<0·01) serum IL-10 levels on the 9th and 11th dpi, compared with those in the control group. Meanwhile, the PCV2 virus genome was detected sporadically throughout the experimental period in both groups. Taken together, the present results suggest that dietary L-glutamine supplementation enhances immune function in PCV2-infected mice.

DNA vaccine encoding the major virulence factors of Shiga toxin type 2e (Stx2e)-expressing Escherichia coli induces protection in mice

Piglet edema disease is found worldwide and has historically been treated with antibiotics. However, no commercial vaccines are available for its prevention. In this study, the two major virulence factors of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (Stx2eB and FedF) were cloned to a pcDNA6.0 plasmid to develop a novel DNA vaccine against piglet edema disease. In animal trial in mouse model, the antibody titer, mortality, serum cytokine levels (interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and C-reactive protein), serum malondialdehyde level and serum total superoxide dismutase activity were measured to validate the effectiveness of the DNA vaccine. The results show that Stx2eB and FedF at least partially protect against edema disease and FedF is more effective than Stx2eB. Co-immunization with both Stx2eB and FedF is most effective for protecting mice from a subsequent challenge with E. coli O139 (which is known to cause edema disease in pigs).

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level is associated with serum superoxide dismutase activity and metabolic syndrome in a Japanese population

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level has attracted considerable attention as a predictor of various conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Although the mechanism that links the serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level to these diseases is not fully understood, one explanation is that gamma-glutamyltransferase may be closely related to oxidative stress. We conducted a large cross-sectional study to evaluate the relationship between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and oxidative stress. We examined anti-oxidative stress activity and accumulation of oxidative stress in serum obtained from 2907 subjects who underwent a complete health check-up. We used serum total superoxide dismutase activity as an index of anti-oxidative stress activity. Superoxide dismutase is one of the most important intracellular and extracellular defense systems against superoxide, but the relationship between serum superoxide dismutase activity and the serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level is unclear. The serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level was negatively correlated with serum superoxide dismutase activity, a correlation that was observed even within the normal range. A subgroup analysis stratified by the amount of alcohol consumed also showed a similar correlation. In contrast, the serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level was positively correlated with serum lipid peroxide level, even in the normal range. Furthermore, an increased serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level was significantly associated with the progression of metabolic syndrome and carotid artery intima-media thickness. The serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level, even in the normal range, was significantly associated with anti-oxidative stress activity, the accumulation of oxidative stress, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis. Measuring the serum gamma-glutamyltransferase level is simple and inexpensive, and this level can be used as a sensitive marker of oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome.

Effects of adlay seed oil on blood lipids and antioxidant capacity in hyperlipidemic rats

Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. subsp. ma-yuen (Romanet) T. Koyama (family Poaceae)) seed has been used as a dietary supplement for its therapeutic effects for thousands of years. This study was designed to investigate the effects of adlay seed oil, obtained by supercritical CO₂ extraction, on blood lipids and antioxidant capacity in hyperlipidemic rats. Adlay seed oil could reduce the abdominal fat tissue and low-density lipoprotein concentration, and increase the total antioxidant capacity in hyperlipidemic rats. Adlay seed oil also significantly decreased the malondialdehyde content in serum, and increased serum total superoxide dismutase activity in hyperlipidemic rats. Therefore, the antioxidant mechanism might be related to the scavenging effects of adlay seed oil on reactive oxidative species, especially on the superoxide anion free radical. The results showed that adlay seed oil had blood lipid-reducing and antioxidant effects, and could be used as a supplement in healthcare food and drugs for the prevention of chronic diseases (especially artherosclerosis and coronary artery disease).

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid improves antioxidant capacity in broiler chicks

1. The influence of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the antioxidant status in the absence or presence of endotoxin exposure was studied with male broiler chicks. 2. In experiment 1, a total of 240 1-d-old broilers were allotted into 4 dietary groups (0, 2·5, 5·0 or 10·0 g pure CLA/kg) to study the influence of CLA on growth performance and antioxidant defence systems. The results showed that growth performance was not altered by 42 d of CLA consumption. Increased total superoxide dismutase (TSOD) activities in liver, serum and muscle were observed in chicks given 10·0 g CLA/kg diet. Dietary CLA at 10·0 g/kg also markedly elevated liver catalase (CAT) activity. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, decreased in liver, serum and muscle in chicks given 5·0 and 10·0 g CLA/kg diet. 3. In experiment 2, a total of 120 1-d-old broilers were fed on a control diet (without CLA) or 10·0 g CLA/kg diet. Half of the birds fed on each diet were injected intraperitoneally with 0·25 mg/kg body weight of Salmonella enteritidis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 16, 18 and 20 d of age. Decreased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), TSOD activity and increased ceruloplasmin and MDA concentrations were seen in the challenged chicks. Dietary CLA prevented the loss of body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of chicks followed repeated endotoxin exposure. CLA partially inhibited the increase of serum ceruloplasmin and MDA at 17 and 21 d of age and notably suppressed the decrease of serum TSOD activity at 21 d of age. 4. These results suggested that dietary CLA enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes including TSOD and CAT. Supplementation of CLA has been shown to ameliorate the antioxidant balance and performance of chicks during oxidative stress.