Significant Increase In Superoxide Dismutase Research Articles

Effect of combined extracts of aged garlic, ginger, and chili peppers on cognitive performance and brain antioxidant markers in Aβ-induced rats.

A combination of aged garlic, ginger, and chili peppers extracts (AGC) was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and ferric-reducing antioxidant assays, and oxidative stress markers were analyzed in Aβ1-42-induced rats. The AGC was orally administered to Wistar rats at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight (AGC125, AGC250, AGC500, respectively) for 64 days. At day 56, Aβ1-42 was injected via both sides of the lateral ventricles. The effects of the AGC on spatial and recognition memory were examined using a Morris water maze and novel object recognition tasks. Rats induced with Aβ1-42 exhibited obvious cognitive deficits, as demonstrated by their increased escape latency time (ET) and decreased retention time (RT) and percentage of discriminative index (DI). When compared with the control group, all AGC-treated rats showed significantly shorter ETs and higher DIs during the 5-min delay testing phase. Rats treated with AGC250 also had significantly longer RTs. Administration of Aβ1-42 significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in the rat brain homogenate. Pretreatment with the AGC caused significant increases in SOD, GPx, and CAT activities, as well as a significant decrease in MDA in the rat brain homogenates after Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Our results suggested that an AGC may ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in Aβ-treated rats due to its role in the upregulation of SOD, GPx, and CAT.

Dietary supplementation of guanidinoacetic acid improves growth, biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity and cytokine responses in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

A total of 180 unsexed Nile Tilapia fish (initial weight, 21 g) fed isonitrogenous (32%), isocaloric (3000 kcal/kg) diets containing different levels of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) at levels of (GAA1, 0.06%, GAA2, 0.12%, GAA3, 0.18%); for 60 days. Results showed higher final body weight (FBW) and body weight gain (BWG) in groups supplemented with different levels of GAA. Specific growth rate (SGR) was the highest in groups supplemented with 0.12% and 0.18% GAA. Lipid % of whole-body composition was higher in all groups excluding GAA3 group. Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, cholesterol, and creatinine levels showed a marked significant (P < 0.05) increase in all GAA supplemented groups compared to the control one. Triglycerides level demonstrated a higher elevation (P < 0.05) in both GAA2 and GAA3 supplemented groups. No significant observed in total protein, albumin, globulin, and A/G ratio. Lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde/MDA) is markedly decreased along with a significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) levels in both GAA2 and GAA3 compared to other groups. Similarly, interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) gene expression levels were downregulated along with upregulation of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) at higher GAA levels, particularly at 0.18%. Our findings give important insights for the growth promoting, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of GAA supplemented diet particularly at level of 0.18%.

Evaluation of oxidative stress in caprine anaplasmosis and effect of vitamin E-selenium in monitoring oxidative stress.

Caprine anaplasmosis is an economically important tick-borne rickettsial disease that affects goats all over the world. Microscopic examination of stained blood smears from 162 animals revealed inclusion bodies of Anaplasma spp. in 24 cases. Genus specific PCR for Anaplasma spp. yielded positive results in 22 cases. All the diseased animals showed a significant fall in the mean values of antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase and a significant increase in the level of lipid peroxidation. Out of the 22 animals positive for anaplasmosis both in blood smear and PCR, 16 female non pregnant goats selected for study were divided into two groups consisting of eight animals each. Animals belonging to groups I and II were treated with oxytetracycline dihydrate. In addition, animals of group II were supplemented with vitamin E-selenium combination. Oxidative stress parameters were rechecked on the 10th day of treatment. At the end of the study period, a significant reduction in malondialdehyde level and a significant increase in mean value of superoxide dismutase were detected in group II. While there was a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase values within both the groups after treatment, reduced glutathione showed no significant difference within the group.

Protective effects of anthocyanin-rich bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract against copper(II) chloride toxicity.

In this study, the protective effects of 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L doses of anthocyanin-rich bilberry extracts (ABE) against the toxicity caused by 20 μM copper(II) chloride (CuCl2) on Allium cepa L. were investigated. Alterations in weight gain, germination percentage, and root elongation were evaluated as physiological parameters while micronucleus (MN), mitotic index (MI), and chromosomal abnormality (CA) frequency were studied as cytogenetic parameters. Oxidative stress indicators such as malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and catalase (CAT) activity were analyzed and also damages in root tip meristem cells were determined by cross sections. As a result, it was found that the percentage of germination, weight gain, root length, and MI decreased and the frequency of MN and CAs increased with CuCl2 treatment. CuCl2 exposure caused a significant increase in SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels. A number of anatomical abnormalities and damages were detected in the cross sections of CuCl2-treated roots. On the other hand, ABE applications ameliorated notably all copper-induced damages in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the powerful protective potential of ABE against copper-induced toxicity was proven through an extensive study in a popular plant model.

Effects of clothianidin on antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde level in honey bee drone semen

Neonicotinoids can cause a variety of adverse sublethal effects in workers and queens honey bees. However, despite their key role in reproduction, drones have not received much attention on how neonicotinoids can affect their fertility. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of clothianidin exposure of drones at sexual maturity stage, on antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and on protein content of semen. Our results show for the first time that clothianidin elicits significant increases in superoxide dismutase, of glutathione peroxidase, of catalase and of MDA level. Protein content in semen of drones exposed to clothianidin was significantly decreased. This study suggested that drones exposed to clothianidin at the stage of sexual maturity could induce oxidative stress in spermatozoa of drones which could affect the semen quality and therefore the queen fecundity.

In vivo epiclorohidrine toxicity: cytogenetic, biochemical, physiological, and anatomical evidences.

In this study, the toxic effects of epiclorohidrine (ECh) were investigated in vivo by Allium test. The toxic effects have been investigated in terms of physiological, cytogenetic, anatomical, and biochemical aspects. The changes in germination percentage, weight gain, and root length were investigated as physiological parameter; micronucleus (MN), mitotic index (MI), and chromosomal abnormality (CA) frequencies were as cytogenetic parameter. Oxidative stress indicators such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed for biochemical changes and also damages in root tip cells were evaluated as anatomical parameter. It was determined that germination percentage, weight gain, root length, and MI decreased; MN and CA frequencies were increased with the increase of ECh treatment dose. ECh treatment caused significant increase in SOD and CAT enzyme activities and MDA levels and these results indicated a stress formation. A variety of anatomical changes and damages were observed in the root tip cells induced by ECh. In conclusion, the toxic effects of ECh on A. cepa which is a model of eucaryotic cell were investigated in a multi-directional way and serious toxic effects of ECh treatment were determined.

Pretreatment with High-Dose Gamma Irradiation on Seeds Enhances the Tolerance of Sweet Osmanthus Seedlings to Salinity Stress

The landscape application of sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) with flower fragrance and high ornamental value is severely limited by salinity stress. Gamma irradiation applied to seeds enhanced their tolerance to salinity stress as reported in other plants. In this study, O. fragrans ‘Huangchuang Jingui’ seeds were pretreated with different doses of gamma irradiation, and tolerance of the seedlings germinated from the irradiated seeds to salinity stress and the changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and ROS scavenging systems induced by gamma irradiation were observed. The results showed that seed pretreatment with different doses of gamma irradiation enhanced the tolerance of sweet osmanthus seedlings to salinity stress, and the positive effect induced by gamma irradiation was more remarkable with the increase of radiation dose (50–150 Gy). The pretreatment with high-dose irradiation decreased O2− production under salinity stress and mitigated the oxidative damage marked by a lower malondialdehyde (MDA) level, which could be related to the significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities in the seedlings germinated from the irradiated seeds compared to the corresponding control seedlings. In addition, the accumulation of proline in the irradiated seedlings may contribute to enhancing their tolerance to salt stress by the osmotic adjustment. The study demonstrated the importance of regulating plant ROS balance under salt stress and provided a potential approach to improve the tolerance of sweet osmanthus to salt stress.

Amelioration of altered oxidant/antioxidant status of buffaloes with trypanosomosis by vitamins A, D3, E, and H supplementation

ABSTRACT Effect of vitamins A, D3, E and H supplementation on oxidative stress/antioxidant indices in buffaloes suffering from trypanosomosis was investigated. Changes in the oxidative stress parameters viz. protein oxidation (protein carbonyls), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and antioxidant enzymes activities viz. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were evaluated before and after the supplementation of vitamins A, D3, E and H. The buffaloes suffering from trypanosomosis revealed remarkable alterations in the oxidants/antioxidants balance sifted towards oxidative stress. The buffaloes revealed significantly higher protein carbonyls and LPO activity; while SOD and CAT activity were significantly lower in comparison with the healthy controls. Supplementation vitamins A, D3, E, and H to these animals revealed a significant reduction in protein carbonyls and LPO activity; while a significant increase in SOD and CAT activity were also evident. From the present study, it may be concluded that supplementation of these vitamins can help to ameliorate the oxidants/antioxidants balance towards normalcy, and thus to ensure recovery from trypanosomosis in buffaloes.

Tissue-Specific Biomarker Responses in the Blue Mussel Mytilus spp. Exposed to a Mixture of Microplastics at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations

The impact of a microplastic (MP) mixture composed of polyethylene (PE) andpolypropylene (PP) plastic particles, prepared from commercially available products,was evaluated in blue mussels Mytilus spp. exposed to three environmentally relevantconcentrations: 0.008 μg L−1 (low), 10 μg L−1 (medium), and 100 μg L−1 (high).Organisms were exposed for 10 days followed by 10 days of depuration in clean seawaterunder controlled laboratory conditions. The evaluation of MP effects on mussel clearancerate, tissue structure, antioxidant defenses, immune and digestive parameters, and DNAintegrity were investigated while the identification of plastic particles in mussel tissues(gills, digestive gland, and remaining tissues), and biodeposits (feces and pseudofaeces)was performed using infrared microscopy (μFT-IR). Results showed the presence of MPsonly in the digestive gland of mussels exposed to the highest tested concentration ofMPs with a mean of 0.75 particle/mussel (after the 10 days of exposure). In biodeposits,PE and PP particles were detected following exposure to all tested concentrationsconfirming the ingestion of MPs by the organisms. A differential response of antioxidantenzyme activities between digestive gland and gills was observed. Significant increasesin superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured in thedigestive gland of mussels exposed to the low (0.008 μg L−1) and medium (10 μg L−1)concentrations ofMPs and in the gills frommussels exposed to the highest concentration(100 μg L−1) of MPs that could be indicative of a change in the redox balance. Moreover,an increase in acid phosphatase activity was measured in hemolymph of musselsexposed to 0.008 and 10 μg L−1concentrations. No significant difference was observedin the clearance rate, and histopathological parameters between control and exposedmussels. This study brings new insights on the potential sublethal impacts of MPs atenvironmentally relevant concentrations in marine bivalves.

Therapeutic Prospective of a Spore-Forming Probiotic-Bacillus clausii UBBC07 Against Acetaminophen-Induced Uremia in Rats.

To screen Bacillus clausii UBBC07 as a putative probiotic strain and to examine the protective effect of probiotic-B. clausii UBBC07 spore on uremia on rats induced by acetaminophen. In vitro tests performed to screen potential probiotic strains were gastric and bile acid resistance and ability to reduce pathogen adhesion to surfaces. An in vivo study was performed on rats (n = 18) which were randomly divided into three groups: group I, control-receives normal food and water, groups II and III receive acetaminophen i.p. at the dose of 550mg/kg/day for 10days, groups III was treated with B. clausii UBBC07 at a dose of 1 × 109CFU/day for 15days. Urea, creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA), and GSH levels and antioxidant enzymes like super oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity were considered to analyze renal failure. Plasma urea and creatinine levels (p < 0.05) significantly increase and SOD, catalase, and GSH activity level significantly decrease in group II as compared with the control group. After treatment with probiotic, there was a significant increase in SOD and catalase (p < 0.05) and a significant decrease in serum urea, creatinine, and MDA (p < 0.05) in group III in response to group II. The results also revealed that probiotic was able to tolerate pH3.0-9.0 and 0.3% bile salt. The present study suggests that B. clausii UBBC07 could be used as a novel alternative natural therapy for uremia, a major syndrome of CKD.

Subcellular cadmium distribution and antioxidant enzymatic activities in the leaves of four Hylotelephium spectabile populations exhibit differences in phytoextraction potential

Hylotelephium spectabile with high tolerance to cadmium (Cd) might be a potential candidate for phytoremediation. However, the mechanisms for Cd accumulation and tolerance in H. spectabile are poorly understood. Four H. spectabile populations, namely HB1, HB2, JS, and LN, were selected to investigate their Cd extraction potential and the underlying mechanism of Cd accumulation, focusing on subcellular distribution and antioxidant enzymes. The Cd concentration, bioconcentration factor and transfer factor of the LN was significantly higher than other populations, particularly with increasing Cd exposure, and no obvious growth inhibition observed. Segregation of excessive Cd to Cd-rich granule in LN was much higher than other populations which reveal one possible mechanism of Cd accumulation. A significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities with increasing Cd stress suggested SOD and CAT contribute to the Cd tolerance of H. spectabile. LN displayed significantly higher and constant peroxidase (POD) activities than other populations, which indicated that an effective mechanism existed in the LN to cope with Cd stress. Therefore, the subcellular distribution and antioxidant enzymes might play important roles in Cd accumulation and tolerance of H. spectabile. LN possessed high Cd extraction potential, and further studies under field conditions are warranted.

Improvement in histology, enzymatic activity, and redox state of the liver following administration of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark oil in rats with established hepatotoxicity.

Formaldehyde (FA) is an environmentally-available pollutant. Since the liver acts as a detoxifier in the human body, it is the first and most affected organ in individuals exposed to higher-than-normal amounts of FA. FA mainly alters oxidant/antioxidant status and initiates oxidative stress, and by means, causes functional damage to the liver. Thus, it is important to identify natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties in order to be used as food additives. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a popular flavor and also a medicinal plant with a variety of beneficial effects. In the present original study, cinnamon essential oil (CEO) has been administrated at doses of 10, 20, and 100 mg/kg, orally, to hepatotoxicity rat models caused by FA (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Liver enzymes and its histology were assessed and oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver tissue were also examined. CEO administration caused a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase and a prominent decrease in nitric oxide levels in the liver tissue. Also, in serum samples, CEO significantly reduced the elevated amounts of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. When assessed histologically, portal area and central vein fibrosis alongside with the hepatocytes' hypereosinophilia and swelling, focal inflammation, and necrotic areas were found to be prominently decreased in the CEO group. In conclusion, our study suggested that the CEO may have the potential for being used against FA-induced hepatotoxicity.

Ovarian Metabolic activity in Dehydroepiandrosterone-Induced Polycystic Ovary in Wistar rats Treated with Aspirin.

ObjectivesPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents 75% of the cases of anovulatory infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of aspirin on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - induced polycystic ovary syndrome in Wistar rats.MethodsTwenty eight (28) pre-pubertal female Wistar rats of 21 days old weighing 16 - 21 g were divided into 4 groups (7 rats/group) and treated as follows; group I received distilled water and served as Control; Group II received 6 mg/100 g body weight DHEA in 0.2 ml of oil subcutaneously to induce PCOS. Group III received 7.5 mg/kg of aspirin orally; Group IV received 6 mg/100kg of body weight of DHEA in 0.2ml of oil subcutaneously and 7.5 mg/kg of aspirin orally. After 15 days of administration, the rats were slaughtered by cervical dislocation. Blood samples and ovaries were collected for reproductive hormonal analysis, biochemical and histopathological analysis. The expressions of mRNA androgen receptor (AR) gene in the ovary were determined by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). All the data was analyzed using one way ANOVA with the Graph pad prism software version 6. A p<0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe results obtained showed that dehydroepiandrosterone treatment caused significant decrease (p<0.05) in total protein, superoxide Dismutase (SOD), glutathione-s- transferase (GST), Ca2+ ATPase, and significant increase (p<0.05) in malondialdehyde, vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor and estrogen as compared to Controls. The group co-administered with DHEA and aspirin showed significant increases in SOD, GST, CAT, GSH, Progesterone, Ca2+ ATPase, Na+ ATPase, H+ ATPase and significant reduction (p<0.05) in malondialdehyde, VEGF, TNF-α and estrogen as compared with the DHEA group. The histopathological analysis showed reductions in cystic fibrosis, atretic ovaries, increased expression of Bcl-2 and E- Cadherin and reduced Bax expression in the group that received Aspirin and DHEA.ConclusionThis study clearly demonstrates that Aspirin has ameliorating effects against polycystic ovary syndrome via anti-inflammatory and hormonal modulatory pathways.

Defense responses of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) against brown spot as a result of possible elicitors application

ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to evaluate the response of wheat plants to the application of possible elicitor compounds against Bipolaris sorokiniana pathogen. This response was measured through the quantification of antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde and flavonoids, evaluation of the severity of brown spot disease and productivity in wheat, greenhouse and field crops. The treatments consisted of suspensions of endophytic fungi Aspergillus japonicus and Trichoderma tomentosum, salicylic acid, acibenzolar-S-methyl and fungicide. In the field trials, in 2015 and 2016, the development of the disease was lower and productivity was higher in all treatments, with emphasis on the fungicide. However, endophytic fungi suspensions demonstrated potential as growth promoters, disease severity reducers and protective antioxidant response activators, as they promoted significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and flavonoid enzymes.

Molecular hydrogen: potential in mitigating oxidative-stress-induced radiation injury 1.

Uncontrolled production of oxygen and nitrogen radicals results in oxidative and nitrosative stresses that impair cellular functions and have been regarded as causative common denominators of many pathological processes. In this review, we report on the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen in scavenging radicals in an artificial system of •OH formation. As a proof of principle, we also demonstrate that in rat hearts in vivo, administration of molecular hydrogen led to a significant increase in superoxide dismutase as well as pAKT, a cell survival signaling molecule. Irradiation of the rats caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, which was mitigated by pre-treatment of the animals with molecular hydrogen. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 is regarded as an important regulator of oxyradical homeostasis, as well as it supports the functional integrity of cells, particularly under conditions of oxidative stress. We suggest that the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen may be through the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway that promotes innate antioxidants and reduction of apoptosis, as well as inflammation.

Antioxidant Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Extract and Protective Effect of its Leaf Extract on Ethanol-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Male Rats

Introduction: Acute alcohol consumption leads to induction of lipid peroxidation in renal tissues, but its chronic consumption has moderate effects on biochemical and histological characteristics of this organ. Antioxidants have protective effects against ethanol-induced oxidative stress and tissue injury. The aim of this study was to assess antioxidant activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra leaf and stem extracts and the protective effect of its leaf extract on ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity. Materials & methods: Total phenol and flavonoid contents of leaf and stem extracts of G. glabra were measured by Folin Ciocalteu and AlCl3 assays, respectively. Antioxidant activity of both extracts was assessed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging. In addition, protective effect of the leaf extract was assessed using biochemical and histological analyses of renal tissues of male Wistar rats, which were divided into four groups including group 1 or control (received 1 ml distilled water daily), group 2 or ethanol group (received 1 ml of 50% ethanol daily), group 3 or ethanol + leaf extract group (received 1 ml of 50% ethanol + 500 mg/kg leaf extract daily), and group 4 (received 500 mg/kg of leaf extract daily). All treatments are performed through intragastric administration. Biochemical and histological analyses were used for the evaluation of nephrotoxicity. For histological study, the samples were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and examined by light microscopy. Finally, all the data were analyzed by SPSS (Ver. 20) and grouped by Duncan's Multiple Range Test at P less-than 0.05 level. Findings: There was no significant difference between total phenol contents of the stem and leaf extracts. However, the stem extract showed a higher total flavonoid content than the leaf extract. Also, both the extracts showed higher antioxidant activities (86-93%) than that of ascorbic acid (71%). Results from biochemical analysis indicated a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and H2O2 content in the renal tissues of ethanol-treated rats in comparison with other groups; however, there were no significant changes in total protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Results from histological examination showed that alcohol consumption intensity injured kidney tissues, which was effectively moderated by the studied extract. Discussion & Conclusions: Results from the present study showed that G. glabra extract has biological activity and can be used in future as a new natural antioxidant in food and drug industries.

Isolated compounds from Cuscuta pedicellata ameliorate oxidative stress and upregulate expression of some energy regulatory genes in high fat diet induced obesity in rats.

Cuscuta pedicellata and some of its isolated compounds were suggested previously to have an anti-obesity effect in rats. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ten isolated compounds from C. pedicellata on insulin resistance, some oxidative stress markers and expression of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-1) genes in brown adipose tissue of high fat diet (HFD) rats. One hundred and four male albino rats were divided into 13 groups. Group (1) was considered as normal untreated rats. Obesity was induced in all other groups by HFD. Group (2) served as obese control group and groups (3-11) were treated for four weeks with C. pedicellata extract or one of its isolated compounds (naringenin, kaempferol, aromadenderin, quercetin, 3,5,7,30,50-pentahydroxy flavanone, naringenin-7-O-b-d-glucoside, aromadenderin-7-O-b-d-glucoside, taxifolin 7-O-b-d-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-b-d-glucoside [astragalin], and quercitin-3-O-b-d-glucoside [isoquercitrin]). At the end of the experiment, rats were then sacrificed under anesthesia and their brown adipose tissues were dissected out for determination of UCP-1 and CPT-1 genes using quantitative PCR. Blood samples were collected for determination of blood glucose, insulin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. A significant reduction in homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and TBARS levels was observed in rats treated with C. pedicellata crude extract and some of its isolated compounds, with a significant increase in SOD and catalase levels and upregulation of UCP-1 and CPT-1 genes expression compared to the obese control group. This study suggests a beneficiary role of C. pedicellata in reducing insulin resistance, oxidative stress and enhancing energy expenditure.

Insecticidal potential of the bioagent radiant sc 12% against stored rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. (Curculionidae: coleoptera)

The bioagent, Radiant SC12% (Spinetoram) is a commercial reduced-risk pesticide that is naturally derived. Efficacy of five concentrations (1.8, 0.93, 0.46, 0.23 and 0.11ppm) of spinosad against adults of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae was studied under laboratory conditions. Data obtained demonstrated that the highest concentration of the bio-agent Radiant SC 12% (1.87 and 0.93 ppm) achieved the highest mortality percent of adults (55 and 31 %, respectively) after 4 days of treatment and 100 mortality percent for both two concentrations after 6 and 8 days of treatment. Antioxidant defense components protect insects by scavenging reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress. The present study also investigated the effects of Radiant SC 12%, on the oxidative stress indicator, and antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] activities in Sitophilus oryzae tissues. The use of the bio- agent lead to statistically significant increases in SOD and CAT activities after 48h of application as compared to untreated Sitophilus oryzae. These results indicated that Radiant causes a significant increase in oxidative stress, that increasing oxidative stress induces antioxidant defense mechanisms, which lead to mortality action.

The neuroprotective effect of deep brain stimulation at nucleus basalis of Meynert in transgenic mice with Alzheimer's disease

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and mainly treated by drugs, while the therapeutic outcomes are very limited. This study aimed to determine the optimized parameters of deep brain stimulation (DBS) which was applied to the treatment of AD and propose the involved mechanisms. MethodsAmyloid-β precursor protein/Presenilin1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice were used and received DBS at nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM). The optimized parameters of DBS were determined by using different stimulation frequencies, durations and ages of mice under Morris water maze test. The involved mechanisms and the possible signal pathways were also investigated. ResultsThe optimized parameters for DBS were high frequency (100 Hz) for 21 days starting from early age (4 months old). Under the above parameters, the soluble Aβ40 and Aβ42 in the hippocampus and cortex were down-regulated significantly. DBS increased survival neurons and reduced apoptotic cells in the hippocampus and cortex. Meanwhile, the apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3, caspase-8 and Bid were down-regulated. Moreover, DBS caused a significant increase of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and choline acetyltransferase activity as well as a decrease of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde content and acetylcholine esterase activity. Phosphorylation of Akt (p-Akt)/total Akt (t-Akt) was up-regulated while p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)/t-ERK1/2 was down-regulated. The neuroprotective effect of DBS was attenuated by their inhibitors. ConclusionsNBM-DBS starting from 4 months of age for 21 days at a high frequency (100 Hz) has therapeutic effects on AD through activating phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway and inhibiting ERK1/2 pathway.

Nitrate- and nitric oxide-induced plant growth in pea seedlings is linked to antioxidative metabolism and the ABA/GA balance

This study looks at the effects of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO)-donor, on the development, antioxidant defences and on the abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) levels in pea seedlings. Results show that 10 mM KNO3 and 50 μM SNP stimulate seedling fresh weight (FW), although this effect is not reverted by the action of 2-4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), a NO-scavenger.The KNO3 treatment increased peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate oxidase (AOX) activities. SNP, on the other hand, reduced monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activity and produced a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), POX and AOX activities. The “KNO3 plus cPTIO” treatment increased ascorbate peroxidase (APX), MDHAR, glutathione reductase (GR) and SOD activities, but POX activity decreased in relation to the KNO3 treatment. The “SNP plus cPTIO” treatment increased APX and MDHAR activities, whereas a huge decrease in POX activity occurred. Both the KNO3 and the SNP treatments increased reduced ascorbate (ASC) concentrations, which reached control values in the presence of cPTIO. All treatments increased the dehydroascorbate (DHA) level in pea seedlings, leading to a decrease in the redox state of ascorbate. In the “KNO3 plus cPTIO” treatment, an increase in the redox state of ascorbate was observed. Glutathione contents, however, were higher in the presence of SNP than in the presence of KNO3. In addition, KNO3 produced an accumulation of oxidised glutathione (GSSG), especially in the presence of cPTIO, leading to a decrease in the redox state of glutathione. The effect of SNP on reduced glutathione (GSH) levels was reverted by cPTIO, suggesting that NO has a direct effect on GSH biosynthesis or turnover.Both the KNO3 and SNP treatments produced an increase in GA4 and a decrease in ABA concentrations, and this effect was reverted in the presence of the NO-scavenger. Globally, the results suggest a relationship between antioxidant metabolism and the ABA/GA balance during early seedling growth in pea. The results also suggest a role for KNO3 and NO in the modulation of GA4 and ABA levels and antioxidant metabolism in pea seedlings. Furthermore, this effect correlated with an increase in the biomass of the pea seedlings.