Superoxide Dismutase Research Articles

Effects of Acute Toluene Exposure on Oxidative Stress Parameters and Endothelial Markers in the Coronary Artery of Wistar Rats

Objective Toluene is the most abundant lipophilic aromatic compound in our environment. Exposure to toluene through inhalation is toxic to the cardiovascular system due to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that trigger oxidative stress. This study aims to examine the response of coronary arteries to toluene inhalation exposure based on the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in coronary arteries, and levels of CYP2E1 with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) in the serum. Methods This was a true experimental study on Wistar rats with a post-test control group design. In total, 36 Wistar rats were divided into five experimental (X1–X5) and one control group. The experimental groups were exposed to 1.6, 3.2, 6.4, 12.8, and 25.6 mL of toluene, respectively. All groups, except control, received inhalation exposure for 14 d (6 h/d). Results In Wistar rats, toluene exposure significantly reduced the expression of SOD and CAT enzymes while it increased the expression of MDA and VCAM-1 in the coronary artery. Serum levels of CYP2E1 and Ox-LDL were unaffected. Conclusion Acute inhalation exposure to toluene significantly decreased SOD and CAT expression with increased MDA and VCAM-1 expression in coronary arteries. Other findings suggest that decreased CAT expression leads to increased VCAM-1 expression in the coronary artery.

Effects of increasing dietary zinc oxide levels on the hepatic mitochondrial energy metabolism, oxidative balance and antioxidant system in weaned piglets.

This study compared different levels of dietary zinc oxide (ZnO) on mitochondria ATP synthesis and the cellular and systemic redox balance in weaned pigs. One hundred twenty weaned piglets (7.96 ± 1.17kg, 21 days of age) were randomly allocated in one of three diets containing different Zn levels (as ZnO); 100 (100Zn), 1000 (1000Zn) and 3000mg/kg (3000Zn), and were slaughtered at day 21, 23, 35 or 42 for the collection of blood and liver samples. Dietary copper (Cu) levels were constant at 131mg/kg. Hepatic mitochondrial concentrations of Zn and Cu, hepatic mitochondria respiration, antioxidant response and the hepatic expression of related genes were analyzed. Piglets fed 3000Zn had the highest Zn (P < 0.01) and the lowest Cu concentrations (P = 0.01) in hepatic mitochondria. The hepatic oxygen consumption rate for maximal respiration was the highest in 3000Zn piglets (P < 0.05) whereas hepatic cytochrome c oxidase activity tended to be lower (P = 0.06) and intracellular ATP concentrations was the lowest (P = 0.01). Mitochondrial Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) activity was the lowest (P < 0.01) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity tended to be the lowest (P = 0.07) for 3000Zn piglets. The mRNA expression of the antioxidant related genes copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (CCS) was highest (P = 0.01) in 3000Zn piglets and tended to be the highest (P = 0.07) for glutathione synthetase (GSS). Plasma carbonyls concentrations (P = 0.02) and GPx activity (P = 0.01) were the highest while SOD activity was not impacted (P = 0.55) in 3000Zn piglets. In conclusion, supplementing 3000mg Zn/kg had detrimental impacts on mitochondria Zn and Cu homeostasis, resulting in a dysfunctional mitochondria respiratory chain and disturbed antioxidant response in post-weaning piglets.

Optimizing Flammulina velutipes residue use: impact on health metrics and performance in three-yellow chickens

IntroductionThis study investigated the effects of Flammulina velutipes residue (FVR) on performance, antioxidant function, immunity, and intestinal flora of broilers.MethodsA total of 192 one-day-old three-yellow chickens were divided into four groups of 48 chickens per group, 6 replicates per group and 8 chickens per replicate. The control group (CON) was fed a basal diet, while the remaining three groups were supplemented with FVR in the basal diet, adding 2%, 4% and 6% of the basal diet, respectively. The experiment lasted for 48 days. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein on days 28 and 48 to determine serum biochemical indices. Caecum contents were collected on day 48 to assess flora diversity.Results and discussionNo significant differences were observed in dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), or feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the 2% and 4% group and the CON. However, the 6% FRV group showed significantly reduced DMI and FCR. The FVR groups exhibited significantly increased levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPC-PX) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), along with significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Additionally, serum interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels decreased, while immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels significantly increased in the FVR groups. The caecal flora diversity test revealed that FVR altered the flora structure, with increased proportions of Bacteroides, Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium in the 6% FVR groups. In conclusion, FVR can significantly enhance the antioxidant capacity and immunity of broilers and enrich the structure of intestinal flora. The impact on growth performance is limited and dosage-dependent. Further research is needed to optimize its use in poultry diets.

Effect of Riociguat on Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease in Rats

Riociguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator that increases the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP is known to play a key role in regulating kidney function. This research sought to investigate the possible protective effects of riociguat on the kidneys in the context of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD was induced in male Wistar rats through adenine administration. A total of 24 rats were allocated into four groups and administered treatments over a period of 35 days. Group 1 received a normal diet and a vehicle (carboxymethylcellulose (0.5%)), serving as the control. Group 2 received adenine (0.25% w/w) in the feed and a vehicle. Groups 3 and 4 received adenine in the feed (0.25% w/w) plus riociguat (3 mg/kg/day) and riociguat (10 mg/kg/day), respectively. Adenine administration significantly elevated systolic blood pressure, plasma creatinine, urea, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Furthermore, adenine reduced creatinine clearance and increased the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and urinary N-Acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase (NAG). Histopathologically, adenine caused renal tubular necrosis and fibrosis. Furthermore, adenine elevated the plasma concentration of interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Adenine significantly increased renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Treatment with riociguat attenuated adenine-induced hypertension, improved kidney function, and ameliorated histopathological changes. Riociguat also reduced kidney injury markers, inflammation, and renal oxidative stress. The renoprotective effect of riociguat is probably due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. This indicates that riociguat may have the potential to slow the progression of kidney damage in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Association of Tramadol-Induced Ovarian Damage and Reproductive Dysfunction with Adenosine Triphosphate and the Protective Role of Exogenous ATP Treatment

Background: Tramadol, a weak opioid analgesic agent, is known to induce ovarian damage. Previous studies have held oxidative stress responsible for the adverse effects of tramadol on female reproduction. This study examined the protective effects of ATP against tramadol-induced ovarian damage and reproductive dysfunction in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into four groups (n = 12); healthy (HG), only ATP (ATPG), only tramadol (TMDG), and ATP + tramadol (ATMG). ATP was injected intraperitoneally at 25 mg/kg. Tramadol at 50 mg/kg was initiated one hour after ATP. The treatment was administered once a day for 14 days. Six rats from each group were euthanized. For two months, the remaining rats were paired with male rats. Rats that failed to give birth during this period were considered infertile. A maternity period was calculated for the rats that were delivered. Results: Tramadol caused an increase in malondialdehyde and interleukin-6, and decreased total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels in the ovarian tissue. Furthermore, tramadol disrupted the histological structure of the ovaries, and immunohistochemical staining revealed severe immunopositivity. Tramadol again caused infertility and delayed pregnancy in fertile women. By suppressing biochemical changes, ATP significantly reduced tramadol-induced ovarian damage. Both histopathologically and immunohistochemically, ATP treatment regressed ovarian damage. Additionally, ATP significantly reduced tramadol-induced infertility and maternal delay. Conclusions: The results indicate that tramadol-induced oxidative and inflammatory ovarian injury, infertility, and caspase 3 were suppressed by ATP, as demonstrated by our experimental findings.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Lysine Malonylation in Response to Salicylic Acid in the Roots of Platycodon grandiflorus

Salicylic acid, as a plant hormone, significantly affects the physiological and biochemical indexes of soluble sugar, malondialdehyde content, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in Platycodon grandiflorus. Lysine malonylation is a post-translational modification that involves various cellular functions in plants, though it is rarely studied, especially in medicinal plants. In this study, the aim was to perform a comparative quantitative proteomic study of malonylation modification on P. grandiflorus root proteins after salicylic acid treatment using Western blot with specific antibodies, affinity enrichment and LC-MS/MS analysis methods. The analysis identified 1907 malonyl sites for 809 proteins, with 414 proteins and 798 modification sites quantified with high confidence. Post-treatment, 361 proteins were upregulated, and 310 were downregulated. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that malonylation in P. grandiflorus is primarily involved in photosynthesis and carbon metabolism. Physiological and biochemical analysis showed that salicylic acid treatment increased the malondialdehyde levels, soluble protein, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activity but did not significantly affect the total saponins content in P. grandiflorus. These findings provide an important basis for exploring the molecular mechanisms of P. grandiflorus following salicylic acid treatment and enhance understanding of the biological function of protein lysine malonylation in plants.

Antioxidative Potential of Telfairia occidentalis Aqueous Leaves Extract in Mitigating Cyclophosphamide-Induced Neurotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Aim: This study sought to investigate the antioxidative potentials of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous leaves extract (TOAE) on cyclophosphamide (CP) induced neurotoxicity in rats. Study Design: This study sought to investigate the antioxidative potentials of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous leaf extract (TOAE) on cyclophosphamide induced neurotoxicity in rats. Place and duration of the study: This study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria between October, 2023 and September, 2024 Methods: 25 Adult wistar rats were assigned into five different groups I-V of (n=5) which were respectively exposed for 14 days as follow to Normal saline, TOAE only (400 mg/kg b.w), 400 mg/kg b.w TOAE with single dose of 100 mg/kg CP on 14th day, single dose 100 mg/kg CP only on day 1 and single dose of 100 mg/kg CP only on day 1 followed by 400 mg/kg b.w of TOAE for 14 days. CP was administered intraperitoneally and TOAE was administered orally. All the animals were sacrificed at the end of designated exposure and processed for biochemical evaluations using standard protocols. Results: CP mediated inflammation in cerebellum of rats with a significant increase in MDA, CAT, IL-1β and TNF-α significant decrease in SOD and Gpx levels compared with a control group. Lipid peroxidation was also induced following exposure of rats to CP. There is a marked decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities in CP group. However, treatment with TOAE markedly inhibited the inflammation by reversing the elevated levels of inflammatory markers. Furthermore, TOAE suppressed the lipid peroxidation chain reaction by reducing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase CAT. TOAE attenuates CP-induced oxidative stress by increase the level of GPx and superoxide dismutase enhancing the activities of the cytoprotective enzymes (catalase and glutathione-S- transferase). Serum levels of Interleukin-2/1-beta and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), were measured on the 15th day after exposure. The effect of TOAE was deduced on anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties. Taken together, TOAE inhibited inflammation, suppressed lipid peroxidation, attenuated oxidative stress, and enhanced the antioxidant enzymes activities. Conclusion: These therapeutic effects of TOAE might be due to its phytochemicals. The findings of this study indicate that aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis has could be a drug candidate for the treatment of the immunosuppressive effect of cyclophosphamide on neurotoxicity.

Impact of salt stress on physiological traits in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Salt stress is a major abiotic factor that limits plant growth and development globally, primarily due to the use of low-quality irrigation water and soil salinization caused by seawater intrusion. This study examines physiological parameters, antioxidant enzymes and the K/Na ratio in response to salt stress in various tomato genotypes at a salinity level of 8 dS m-1 during the vegetative stage. Specifically, it investigates superoxide dismutase activity, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, proline content, chlorophyll fluorescence and potassium and sodium ion content in roots, shoots and leaves. The results revealed significant variation in salt tolerance among the different genotypes. Genotypes LE-14 and LE-1 demonstrated superior performance under salt stress, displaying higher relative water content, reduced electrolyte leakage, increased superoxide dismutase activity, elevated proline content and favorable K/Na ratios. Principal component analysis showed significant eigenvalues, accounting for 72.5% of the total variability. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of salt tolerance in tomato crops and highlight the potential of LE-14 and LE-1 for cultivation in saline environments. The study emphasizes the importance of conducting field trials to validate these results for sustainable production in saltaffected areas.

Grape Seed Extract Pretreatment Prevents Mitochondrial Dysfunction and NLRP3 Inflammasome-Induced Inflammatory Response in Glial Cells Exposed to Paroxetine and Quinolinic Acid.

Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder that affects thousands of people around the world. Drug therapy is the main approach for treating this disease, but its use can cause side effects on cells. This study aimed to examine the impact of antidepressant drugs from different classes on glial (BV-2) cells in the presence or absence of grape seed extract (GSE) and quinolinic acid (QA; 1.5mM). Cells were treated with GSE (50μg/mL; 23h) and then exposed to non-cytotoxic concentrations of bupropion, imipramine, paroxetine, trazodone, and venlafaxine (27-181µM; 1h). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted to demonstrate the best combination of drug and extract treatment. Cell viability, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, oxidative damage to lipids (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, apoptosis, and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) genetic expression were evaluated by spectrophotometry, qRT-PCR, or flow cytometry. Mitochondrial markers (CI: NADH-CoQ reductase and CIV: cytochrome c oxidase) were also studied. GSE prevented the increment in levels of ROS (13.73-72.11%), TBARS (44.1-92.77%), NO (9.5-16%), SOD (68.44-212.29%) activity, and apoptosis (10.06-17.3%) caused by antidepressant drugs. Furthermore, it prevented impairments in complexes I (22-71.5%) and IV (7.5-92.5%) activities and ATP production (8-46%). GSE also prevented the NLRP3 overexpression in BV-2 activated by QA (62%), and paroxetine (46%), defined by PCA. Our study evidences that GSE can restore redox equilibrium and prevent inflammation caused by antidepressants and/or QA in a glial microenvironment.

Icariin improves erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats by downregulating GRK2 in penile cavernous tissue.

Hypertension is an independent risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED). Icariin can improve erectile function of spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs). GRK2 is closely related to the phosphorylation of eNOS and endothelial function. To explore whether icariin can improve erectile function in SHRs by regulating the expression of GRK2 in penile cavernous tissue. Eight-week-old WKY and SHR rats were randomly divided into four groups (n= 6 per group) as follows: WKY, WKY + icariin, SHR and SHR+ icariin. The WKY + icariin and SHR + icariin groups were treated with 10mg/kg/day icariin. After 4weeks, the ICPmax/mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum testosterone, the levels of GRK2, p-AKT/AKT, p-eNOS/eNOS, and caspase-3; the protein interaction between GRK2 and AKT; the levels of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA); and the level of apoptosis in rat penile cavernous tissue were measured. The expression of GRK2 in penile cavernous tissue of SHR was significantly higher than that in WKY rats, resulting in the inhibition of the AKT/eNOS/NO pathway, increased levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis, and the impairment of erectile function. The ICPmax/MAP ratio in the SHR group was significantly lower than those in WKY and SHR + icariin groups (P< .01). In the SHR + icariin group, the expression levels of GRK2 and caspase-3, the interaction between GRK2 and AKT, the level of MDA and the rate of apoptosis in the penile cavernous tissue were significantly lower, and the levels of p-AKT and p-eNOS, the p-AKT/AKT and p-eNOS/eNOS ratios, and NO and SOD were significantly greater than those in the SHR group (P< .01). Icariin may improve the erectile function of hypertension by downregulating GRK2 expression in penile cavernous tissue. The specific mechanism via which icariin downregulates GRK2 needs to be further elucidated. Icariin downregulates the expression of GRK2 in the penile cavernous tissue of SHRs, upregulates the AKT/eNOS/NO pathway, decreases oxidative stress and apoptosis, and ultimately improves erectile function.

Investigation of the Effects of Selenium Against 4-Nonylphenol-induced Toxicity in Rat Testis.

The study aims to investigate whether selenium (Se) has a protective role against testicular toxicity induced by 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) in rats and reduces oxidative damage. For this purpose, 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300g/90days old) were divided into five equal groups: control, sham control, Se, 4-NP, and 4-NP + Se. The trial lasted 48days, with 4-NP administered at 125mg/kg/day and Se at 0.5mg/kg/day. The general microscopic examination of the testicular tissue involved measuring the diameters of seminiferous tubules, epithelial heights, and the density of stage XIV tubules in sections stained with the triple staining method. Caspase 3 and CX43 expressions were observed immunohistochemically, and the numbers of live-dead and normal-abnormal spermatozoa were recorded. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in blood serum and testicular tissue. At the end of the study, testicular toxicity due to 4-NP was demonstrated cytologically, histologically, histometrically, biochemically, and immunohistochemically. Se showed a positive effect against this toxicity, as evidenced by higher stage XIV tubule density in the 4-NP + Se group, lower caspase 3 levels compared to the 4-NP group, decreased MDA levels, increased SOD levels in serum and testicular tissue, and a higher count of live and normal spermatozoa. When used alone, Se may cause metabolic adverse effects, such as decreased live weight gain, reduced tubule diameter and epithelial height, and increased caspase 3 expression, depending on the dose and duration of use.

The relative impact of ligand flexibility and redox potential on the activity of Cu superoxide dismutase mimics.

Two copper(II) complexes, [Cu(salbn)] and [Cu(py2bn)(OAc)]ClO4, formed with the Schiff-base ligands 1,4-bis(salicylidenamino)butane (H2salbn) and 1,4-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyleneamino)butane (py2bn), have been prepared and characterized in solid state and in solution, and their ability to catalyse the dismutation of O2˙- has been evaluated in homogeneous medium and immobilized in a mesoporous matrix. The crystal structures show that [Cu(salbn)] possesses a distorted square-planar geometry, while [Cu(py2bn)(OAc)]ClO4 adopts a cis-distorted octahedral geometry. The two complexes experience structural changes in solution, and different spectroscopies were used to examine them. Moreover, their redox potentials are strongly affected by the solvent. In water, the complexes exist as [Cu(salbn)(H2O)] and [Cu(py2bn)(H2O)]2+ with Cu(II)/Cu(I) reduction potential at -361 mV and -229 mV, respectively, well different from redox potentials measured in acetonitrile. Although with a more unfavourable redox potential, [Cu(salbn)(H2O)] reacts with O2˙- faster than [Cu(py2bn)(H2O)]2+, with catalytic rate constants of 3.3 × 107 and 2.9 × 107 M-1 s-1, respectively, at pH = 7.8. Both complexes exhibit higher superoxide dismutase activity than the analogues with a shorter central alkyl chain. The observed catalytic rates essentially correlate with the ligand flexibility, rather than with the redox potential, which is also supported by the slower O2˙- dismutation rate when the complexes are immobilized by encapsulation into the channels of well-ordered mesoporous SBA-15 silica where the pore modifies the complex structures and restraints the ligand rearrangement.

Identifying Endogenous Proteins of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) with Ex Vivo Antioxidant Activity

Background: During the initial steps of green biorefining aimed at protein recovery, endogenous proteins and enzymes, along with, e.g., phytochemical constituents, are decompartmentalized into a green juice. This creates a highly dynamic environment prone to a plethora of reactions including oxidative protein modification and deterioration. Obtaining a fundamental understanding of the enzymes capable of exerting antioxidant activity ex vivo could help mitigate these reactions for improved product quality. Methods: In this study, we investigated perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne var. Abosan 1), one of the most widely used turf and forage grasses, as a model system. Using size exclusion chromatography, we fractionated the green juice to investigate in vitro antioxidant properties and coupled this with quantitative bottom-up proteomics, GO-term analysis, and fraction-based enrichment. Results: Our findings revealed that several enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and peroxiredoxin proteoforms, already known for their involvement in in vivo oxidative protection, are enriched in fractions displaying increased in vitro antioxidant activity, indicating retained activity ex vivo. Moreover, this study provides the most detailed characterization of the L. perenne proteome today and delivers new insights into protein-level partitioning during wet fractionation. Conclusions: Ultimately, this work contributes to a better understanding of the first steps of green biorefining and provides the basis for process optimization.

Pantoea–Bacillus as a Composite Microbial Community: Inhibition and Potential Mechanism Against Potato Anthracnose Disease

The potato (Solanum tuberosum), an important component of global food security, often faces threats from various diseases during its growth process, especially potato anthracnose (Colletotrichum coccodes), which severely affects crop yield and quality. In this study, we successfully isolated and identified two bacteria with potential for biological control, (Pantoea agglomerans) and (Bacillus subtilis).The experimental results indicate that the bacterial suspensions of strains JZ-1-1-1 and JZ-2-2-2 had a significant inhibitory effect on the pathogen ZL-7, with the inhibition rate of JZ-1-1-1 reaching as high as 55.21%. The inhibition rate of JZ-2-2-2 was 53.48%. When these two strains were mixed at a 4:6 ratio, the inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacteria was even more significant, reaching 68.58% inhibition. In addition, the composite microbial community produced biofilms with their yield gradually increasing within 24 h and showing a slight decrease after 72 h. The efficacy test further indicated that the composite bacterial suspension was highly effective in controlling the spread of lesions, with an efficacy rate as high as 81.40%. In the analysis of defense enzyme activity, peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels peaked on day seven, while the composite bacterial suspension significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that these two strains effectively colonized the surface of potato tubers. In summary, this study provides an important theoretical basis and practical guidance for the application of biological methods for the prevention and control of potato anthracnose.

Exploring the anti-inflammatory effects of phytochemicals in attenuating interstitial cystitis-a literature review

Interstitial cystitis is a fierce syndrome affecting the quality of life of thousands of individuals around the globe. It causes immense pain in the bladder and associated viscera along with inflammation-like lesions. The current medicinal and pharmacological research focuses on the protective and curative effects of phytochemicals in several ailments. Phytochemicals derived from many medicinal plants have shown potent outcomes in protection against various pathological conditions including interstitial cystitis. This review has summarized the insights of in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the effects of phytochemicals in fading the inflammation in bladder tissue and exhibiting a protective effect on the urothelium. Hemorrhagic cystitis is a common manifestation in patients undergoing chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and related alkylating agents. Sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (Mesna) has traditionally been employed in clinical practice to counter cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in humans. However, cyclophosphamide has been employed in developing animal models of interstitial cystitis in in vivo studies. Phytochemicals including quercetin, beta-caryophyllene, curcumol, boswellic acid, caftaric acid, some flavonoids and other secondary metabolites being a consequential component of numerous medicinal plants, have displayed a significant reduction in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, NFĸB, IL-1β, NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-6, IL-2, matrix metalloproteinases etc. Uroprotective outcomes of these phytochemicals have been found to result in diminished oxidative stress and restoration of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and related proteins in the inflamed bladder tissue. Many in vivo studies involving cyclophosphamide-induced interstitial cystitis have confirmed these findings. The coupling of phytotherapy with novel drug delivery systems such as nanoparticles, liposomes, nanotubes, quantum dots, etc. can help translate these beneficial effects of phytochemicals into clinical practice. Further investigations of these phytochemicals can provide intuition regarding the development of newer drug molecules having exclusive activity for attenuating interstitial cystitis.

Precision therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease: advancing ROS-responsive nanoparticles for targeted and multifunctional drug delivery.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a severe chronic intestinal disorder with a rising global incidence. Current therapies, including the delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs and probiotics, face significant challenges in terms of safety, stability, and efficacy. In IBD patients, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) is reduced at the site of intestinal inflammation, leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This accumulation damages the intestinal mucosa, disrupts tight junctions between cells, and compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier, exacerbating IBD symptoms. Therefore, nanoparticles responsive to ROS and capable of mimicking antioxidant enzyme activity, such as boronates, polydopamine, sulfides, and metal nanozymes, have emerged as promising tools. These nanoparticles can respond to elevated ROS levels in inflamed intestinal regions and release drugs to effectively neutralize ROS, making them ideal candidates for IBD treatment. This review discusses the application of various ROS-responsive nanomaterial delivery systems in IBD therapy, highlights current challenges, and outlines future research directions. Furthermore, we explore the "layered programmable delivery" strategy, which combines ROS-responsive nanoparticles with pH-responsive and cell membrane-targeted nanoparticles. This strategy has the potential to overcome the limitations of single-mechanism targeted drug delivery, enabling multi-range and multi-functional treatment approaches that significantly enhance delivery efficiency, providing new insights for the future of localized IBD treatment.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ameliorated the negative effects of a low-protein diet on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune status, and gut microbiota of laying chicks

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of adding Lactiplantibacillus plantarum to a low-protein diet on the growth performance, ability immune status, and intestinal microbiota of 0–21-day-old layer chickens. A total of 180 one-day-old healthy Hy-line brown laying chicks were randomly divided into three groups with three replicates each of 20 chicks. The control group was fed a basal diet containing 19% protein, the low-protein (LP) group was fed a diet containing 17% protein, and the probiotic (LPL) group was fed with the 17% protein diet supplemented with L. plantarum (1.0 × 109 CFU/kg). The growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune status, and gut microbiota of laying chickens were detected. We found that L. plantarum supplementation increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum of 17% protein +1.0 × 109 CFU/kg L. plantarum (LPL) compared to the 19% protein group (control). Furthermore, L. plantarum supplementation increased the liver index, GSH-Px and T-AOC activity in serum, and changed the microflora structure, diversity, and polyketose unit bioanabolic metabolism of 17% protein +1.0 × 109 CFU/kg L. plantarum (LPL) compared to the 17% protein group (LP). In conclusion, L. plantarum supplementation could compensate for the adverse effects of low-protein diets in chicks, and the combination of a low-protein diet and L. plantarum is a feasible way to reduce protein in the diet.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles ameliorate Arabidopsis thaliana root damage under UV-B stress by modulating the cell cycle and auxin pathways.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) have been widely applied worldwide. In the field of agriculture, they have gained attention for their ability to promote seed germination, root elongation, and biomass accumulation in plants, as well as to increase plant resistance to various abiotic stresses. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Limited research has been conducted on whether CeO2-NPs can help plants mitigate damage caused by UV-B stress. In this study, Arabidopsis thaliana was selected as the research subject to investigate the effects of CeO2-NPs on the resistance of plant roots to UV-B stress at both the physiological and molecular levels. Our findings demonstrated that 120mg/mL CeO2-NPs significantly alleviated UV-B-induced damage to the root system of Arabidopsis thaliana. Specifically, CeO2-NPs increased the activities of the root tip antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), reducing oxidative stress. The results from GUS staining and GFP fluorescence assays conducted on the transgenic lines CYCB1;1-GUS, DR5-GUS, QC25-GUS, and WOX5-GFP indicated that CeO2-NPs could increase the cell division activity, auxin accumulation, and stem cell niche activity of Arabidopsis thaliana root tips under UV-B stress. Furthermore, observations of GFP fluorescence in the transgenic lines PIN1-GFP, PIN2-GFP, and PIN7-GFP revealed that CeO2-NPs promoted root growth by inducing the accumulation of auxin transporters. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that under UV-B stress, CeO2-NPs upregulated the expression of genes related to antioxidant enzymes, the cell cycle and auxin biosynthesis-related genes in Arabidopsis thaliana root tips while downregulating the expression of genes related to DNA damage repair and stress response. Therefore, CeO2-NPs have potential value for promoting plant growth and mitigating UV-B stress.

Enhancing multi-season wheat yield through plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria using consortium and individual isolate applications.

In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in harnessing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a possible mechanism to mitigate the environmental impact of conventional agricultural practices and promote sustainable agricultural production. This study investigated the transferability of promising PGPR research from maize to another Poaceae cereal crop, wheat. This multi-seasonal study evaluated the wheat grain yield effect of Lysinibacillus sphaericus (T19), Paenibacillus alvei (T29) when applied i. individually, ii. as a consortium with Bacillus safensis (S7), and iii. at a 75% reduced fertilizer rate. Whole genome sequencing allowed annotation of genes linked to plant growth promotion, providing potential genomic explanations for the observed in-field findings. Application of the consortium compared to a commercial PGPR showed significantly increased wheat yield by 30.71%, and 25.03%, respectively, in season one, and 63.92% and 58.45%, respectively, under reduced fertilizer rates in season two. Individual application of T19 and T29 showed varying results, with T19 increasing wheat yield by 9.33% and 16.22% during seasons three and four but a substantial reduction (33.39%) during season five. T29 exhibited yield increases during season three (9.31%) and five (5.61%) but led to a significant reduction (21.15%) in season four. Genomic analysis unveiled a spectrum of plant growth-promoting genes including those associated with ammonification, phosphate solubilization, ethylene, siderophore, catalase, and superoxide dismutase production. These findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms behind observed field results, with potential implications for advancing sustainable agriculture and crop productivity in evolving agricultural landscapes.

Exploration of the anti-inflammatory potential of Polygonum bistorta L.: protection against LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats via NF-ĸβ pathway inhibition

Traditional medicine uses the roots and rhizomes of Polygonum bistorta L. (Polygonaceae) to treat cough, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections. Our goal was to gain insights into the lung protective effects of the roots of P. bistorta L. against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats, along with the possible mechanism(s). The outcomes revealed deliberate quantities of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of 156.2 ± 5.13 GAE/g and 179.45 ± 2.08 mg QE/g, respectively. Crude extract possesses a maximum inhibitory potential of 81.77% ± 0.62% for acetylcholinesterase against eserine. Acute oral toxicity study revealed LD50 beyond 7 g/kg. Plant extract markedly restored LPS-induced hypoxemia, pulmonary edema, histopathological alterations, and leukocyte infiltration in the lung. ELISA testing on BALF found that the plant extract efficiently reinstated superoxide dismutase, total anti-oxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and total oxidative stress. qRT-PCR indicated a decline in the endotoxin-induced overproduction of pro-inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, transcription factor, and downregulated antioxidant potential in extract-treated groups. Furthermore, 24 metabolites were identified and quantified via GC-MS. A molecular docking procedure was implemented on the bioactive metabolites that were identified to evaluate their potential for inhibiting AChE. In conclusion, P. bistorta roots mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress by improving redox signaling and NF-ĸβ (p65) pathways and can thus play a role in strategies for overcoming therapeutic challenges.