Blood Markers Of Stress Research Articles

Head–neck cooling effects on central and peripheral fatigue, motor accuracy, and blood markers of stress in men with multiple sclerosis and healthy men: A randomized crossover study

BackgroundThe present study aimed to investigate whether head and neck cooling (at 18 °C next to the skin) and fatiguing submaximal exercise at a thermoneutral ambient temperature can induce peripheral and central responses in healthy men and those with multiple sclerosis (MS). MethodsA local head–neck cooling (at 18 °C next to the skin) intervention in men with a relapsing-remitting form of MS (n = 18; age 30.9 ± 8.1 years) and healthy men (n = 22; age 26.7 ± 5.9 years) was assessed. Men in both groups performed 100 intermittent isometric knee extensions with 5 s contractions and 20 s of rest. The primary variables were measured before exercise, after 50 and 100 repetitions, and 1 h after recovery. The central activation ratio, maximal voluntary contraction, electrically induced force, electromyography, contractile properties, blood markers, muscle temperature, and perception of effort were measured. ResultsCompared with noncooled conditions, head and neck cooling increased the central capacity to activate exercising muscles but resulted in greater exercise-induced peripheral fatigue in men with MS (p < 0.05). Local cooling did not affect motor accuracy or the amplitude of electromyography signals; however, these factors were related to the intensity of the motor task (p > 0.05). The changes in central and peripheral fatigability induced by local cooling during submaximal exercise were more pronounced in men with MS than in healthy men (p < 0.05). ConclusionHead and neck cooling enhances central activation of muscles during exercise, leading to improved exercise performance compared with noncooled conditions in men with MS.

Hypotensive and Cardioprotective Potential of Yellow Bedstraw Extract-Based Oral Liquid in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

This study aimed to prepare, characterize and assess the antioxidant activity of yellow bedstraw extracts (YBEs), focusing on identifying extracts with high antioxidant capacity. The selected extract was loaded into an oral liquid formulation and further investigated for its therapeutic potential in reducing blood pressure and associated complications in spontaneously hypertensive Wistar kyoto rats (SHR). Rats were divided into untreated SHR and SHR treated with a YBE-based oral formulation over four weeks. After treatment, blood pressure was measured, and cardiac function was assessed using the Langendorff technique to simulate ex vivo ischemic conditions. Prooxidant levels were assessed in plasma while antioxidant activity was evaluated in red blood cells. Histological analyses of heart, kidney, and liver samples were conducted to assess pathological changes induced by hypertension. Our results showed that the oral formulation loaded with ethanol YBE effectively reduced blood pressure, preserved myocardial function under ischemic stress, and decreased oxidative stress markers in blood. Importantly, our formulation with YBE demonstrated potential in attenuating structural kidney damage associated with hypertension. Overall, these findings suggest a cardioprotective effect of orally administered YBE formulation, highlighting its potential as an herbal supplement. However, clinical studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore the extract's suitability for clinical use.

Strength and muscle mass development after a resistance-training period at terrestrial and normobaric intermittent hypoxia

This study investigated the effect of a resistance training (RT) period at terrestrial (HH) and normobaric hypoxia (NH) on both muscle hypertrophy and maximal strength development with respect to the same training in normoxia (N). Thirty-three strength-trained males were assigned to N (FiO2 = 20.9%), HH (2,320 m asl) or NH (FiO2 = 15.9%). The participants completed an 8-week RT program (3 sessions/week) of a full body routine. Muscle thickness of the lower limb and 1RM in back squat were assessed before and after the training program. Blood markers of stress, inflammation (IL-6) and muscle growth (% active mTOR, myostatin and miRNA-206) were measured before and after the first and last session of the program. Findings revealed all groups improved 1RM, though this was most enhanced by RT in NH (p = 0.026). According to the moderate to large excess of the exercise-induced stress response (lactate and Ca2+) in HH and N, results only displayed increases in muscle thickness in these two conditions over NH (ES > 1.22). Compared with the rest of the environmental conditions, small to large increments in % active mTOR were only found in HH, and IL-6, myostatin and miR-206 in NH throughout the training period. In conclusion, the results do not support the expected additional benefit of RT under hypoxia compared to N on muscle growth, although it seems to favour gains in strength. The greater muscle growth achieved in HH over NH confirms the impact of the type of hypoxia on the outcomes.

The correlation between oxidative stress markers and increasing intracranial pressure: a study of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD), Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Hydrogen (NADPH), and catalase

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/nINFPi4uVow Background: Abnormalities in the neurosurgical field concerning cranial structure are almost always followed by increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which causes cerebral hypoxia and disrupts the whole cellular system. This study analyzes the correlation between ICP changes and oxidative stress markers, in subjects with various anatomical pathology abnormalities who underwent surgery. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of 24 subjects with ICP conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, from November to December 2009. In this study, ANOVA analysis has been done to measure the mean difference oxidative stress (MnSOD, NADPH, MDA, and catalase) in subjects with various changes in ICP who have undergone surgery and Spearman analysis to measure the correlation between each oxidative stress markers. Oxidative stress markers were measured from normal brain tissue taken intra-operatively, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) taken while doing ventriculostomy, and peripheral blood taken from a central vein catheter (CVC). Results: The results showed that MDA concentrations in blood were significantly correlated with MDA in brain tissue (P = 0.029) in all of the ICP groups, CSF MnSOD concentration and CSF NADPH concentrations correlated with brain tissue NAPDH (p= 0.000) in congenital group and CSF catalase concentration correlated with brain tissue catalase (p = 0.00) in congenital group. Conclusion: Increased ICP caused by various pathological conditions causes changes in oxidative stress markers in brain cells, CSF and blood. Oxidative stress markers in blood and CSF are correlated strongly with the brain. It is suggested that it could be used to predict intracranial high pressure in all cases with intracranial abnormalities.

Acupuncture Treatment Improves Transport Stress in Microminipigs Through the Acupoint in Ears.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture treatment through the ear acupoints on transport stress in experimental microminipigs. Experiment 1: Six animals were equally divided into two groups (Control and Treatment). In the treatment group, before transportation (6 h; vehicle and plane), short, ultrathin circular transdermal needles were applied to locations corresponding to the acupoints on the apical area of both ears. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the cranial vena cava 2 days before and immediately after transportation. Blood stress markers, biochemistry indicators, and oxidative stress levels were examined. Experiment 2 (follow-up study: diarrhea incidence after transportation): Diarrhea incidence after transportation in the control and treatment groups was investigated. Experiment 1: Transport stress induced an increase in blood cortisol, serum amyloid A (SAA), glucose, non-esterified fatty acid, and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and decreased the biological antioxidant potential (BAP)/d-ROMs ratio yet did not affect BAP. Acupuncture suppressed the increases in SAA and d-ROMs values and the decrease in BAP/d-ROMs ratio. Experiment 2: The total diarrhea incidence was 25% in the control group, whereas diarrhea was not observed in the treatment group. Acupuncture treatment suppresses hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function and, as a result, reduces transport stress without affecting the suppression of the central catecholaminergic system. Acupuncture treatment for transport stress can improve animal welfare.

Peripheral blood oxidative stress markers for obstructive sleep apnea-a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and oxidative stress markers in blood. We conducted a systematic literature search on databases including Pubmed and Embase for studies reporting circulating oxidative stress markers in patients with OSA and controls that were published between 1988 and June 2019. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Of the 2226 articles initially retrieved, 52 were included in our meta-analysis, covering a total of 12 oxidative stress markers. The concentrations of malondialdehyde (SMD = 1.18; 95%CI: 0.87, 1.49; p < 0.001), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (SMD = 1.82; 95%CI: 0.79, 2.86; p = 0.001), advance oxidative protein products (SMD = 0.68; 95%CI: 0.14, 1.23; p = 0.014), total oxidant capacity (SMD = 1.32; 95%CI: 0.33, 2.31; p = 0.009), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (SMD = 0.32; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.47; p < 0.001) in the blood of patients with OSA were higher than those of the control group, whereas the concentrations of thiols (SMD = - 0.37; 95%CI: - 0.60, - 0.15; p = 0.001) and nitric oxide (SMD = - 2.61; 95%CI: - 4.02, - 1.21; p < 0.001) were lower than those of the control group. The oxidative stress markers in the blood of patients with OSA were aberrant, indicating an imbalanced state of oxidation and antioxidation in OSA.

PSIII-2 Infrared technology: A potential tool for improved pork production

Abstract This study investigated infrared technology (IRT) as a non-invasive tool for identifying febrile or stressed pigs before slaughter. A total of 120 market pigs (BW= 105.1 ± 4.9 kg) were transported in five replicate trips (20–25 pigs/replicate) for ~2 hr to an abattoir during summer 2020. Ocular and body temperatures of the pigs were recorded using a consumer grade digital infrared camera (FLIR C3, FLIR Systems) in lairage immediately after transport. Thermographic images were taken from 0.25m and 2m from pigs’ eyes and body (back/flank), respectively. At slaughter, blood samples were collected from each animal for cortisol, glucose and lactate analyses. Carcass pH measures were taken at 1 and 3 h post-mortem and loin samples were collected for meat quality assessment. Linear regression models (SAS 9.4) were used to evaluate whether post-transport temperature was predictive of blood and meat quality responses using ambient temperature and relative humidity as covariates. There were significant relationships between pigs’ ocular and body temperatures and blood measures. The regression coefficient (r2) of ocular temperatures for blood cortisol, glucose and lactate were 0.15, 0.15 and 0.04, respectively (P ≤0.03). There were significant relationships between pig ocular temperatures and pH taken at 1, 3 and 24 h post-mortem (r2=0.32, 0.18 and 0.51 respectively, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Meat yellowness (b*) and drip loss increased with body temperatures [r2=0.12 (P =0.0002) and 0.05 (P = 0.024), respectively]. Results for Warner-Bratzler shear force showed that higher temperatures were associated with tougher meat (ocular temperature: r2=0.51, P &amp;lt; 0.0001). In conclusion, as pig temperature increased, blood stress markers and drip loss increased and pH at 1 and 3 h post-mortem decreased, indicative of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat traits. IRT shows potential for identifying diseased/stressed pigs prior to slaughter and could be a valuable tool for improved food safety and meat quality.

Women demonstrate lower markers of stress and oxidative stress during active shooter training drill

It has been well documented that police officers are frequently engaged in a variety of high stress situations during their normal daily tasks, such as civilian encounters where force is needed or domestic violence situations, that cause significant increases in a variety of physiological and psychological stress markers. Chronic exposure to stressors increases risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression. The purpose of this study was to compare male and female salivary and blood markers of stress in response to an active shooter training drill (ASD) to determine if acute stress differentially impacts men and women to better understand if interventions should be targeted. Thirty-one participants (males ​= ​15 [mean age: 23], females ​= ​16 [mean age: 21]) participated in an ASD involving professional actors playing the role of one active gunman, as well as four victims. The ASD lasted approximately 50 seconds. Blood samples were collected 15 ​min prior as well as after the ASD and analyzed for epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NE), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels. Saliva samples were collected 30 and 5 ​min prior to the ASD and 5 and 30 ​min after the ASD, and were analyzed for cortisol, α-amylase, uric acid, and secretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA). Our analysis revealed that acute (~50 ​sec) psychological stress in the form of an ASD resulted in significant increases in blood and salivary stress and oxidative stress markers in both men and women. However, four of the seven markers were lower in female participants (cortisol, uric acid, H2O2, and α-amylase presented significant main effects for sex). In addition, SIgA was significantly lower in women compared to men 30 ​min prior to, and five min post ASD. These findings suggest females may be at a lower risk to stress induced oxidative stress and CVD.

Residual effects of short-term whole-body cold-water immersion on the cytokine profile, white blood cell count, and blood markers of stress

Background: One of the most challenging environmental extremes is immersion in cold/icy water, and consequent common assumption is that even a brief exposure to cold can lead to cold-related illnesses. The increase in the concentrations of the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine (Epi), and norepinephrine (NE) in response to acute cold stress are thought to suppress the release of proinflammatory cytokines. No previous study has explored the residual consequences of whole-body short-term cold-water immersion (CWI; 14 °C for 10 min) on the immune response in healthy non-acclimated young adult men (aged 20–30 years). Materials and methods: In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that short-term acute whole-body CWI would induce high blood levels of cortisol, NE, and Epi, which in turn would increase circulating leukocyte numbers and delay the production of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-6). Results: Short-term whole-body CWI produced a stressful physiological reaction, as manifested by hyperventilation and increased muscle shivering, metabolic heat production, and heart rate. CWI also induced the marked release of the stress hormones Epi, NE, and cortisol. The change in IL-6 concentration after CWI was delayed and TNF-α production was decreased, but IL-1β was not affected within 48 h after CWI. A delayed increase in neutrophil percentage and decrease in lymphocyte percentage occurred after CWI. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, even though CWI caused changes in stress and immune markers, the participants showed no predisposition to symptoms of the common cold within 48 h after CWI.

PSII-12 Effect of aspirin to intentionally induce leaky gut on performance, blood markers of stress, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle

Abstract The negative impacts of stress on gastrointestinal (GIT) barrier function can result in compromised animal health. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is known to cause mucosal injury leading to increased gut permeability and tight junction damage. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term impact of leaky gut on animal physiology. In this experiment, 96 Simmental x Angus steers (355 ± 14.8 kg) were allotted by body weight and breed into two treatments: control (no aspirin) or aspirin fed at 50 mg/kg/d for 159 d. Steers were housed in 16 pens (8 pens/treatment) with 6 steers in each pen. Weight was recorded monthly and serum was collected on d 159 to be analyzed for lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Average daily gain (ADG) tended to decrease in cattle fed aspirin (P= 0.10). Aspirin decreased hot carcass weight (P= 0.05) and rib-eye area (P= 0.01)and increased fat thickness (P= 0.02), marbling score (P = 0.003), and yield grade (P = 0.01). Percent KPH tended to increase (P= 0.10) for steers fed aspirin. Aspirin had no effect on body weight, dry matter intake, gain:feed, days on feed, dressing percentage, liver abscess score, or percent liver abscesses. Aspirin tended to increase serum LBP (P= 0.07), but had no effect on serum concentrations of IL-6, haptoglobin, SAA, and AST (P≥ 0.30). This study indicates that leaky gut induced by long-term administration of aspirin has negative impacts on feedlot performance and carcass leanness. The negative impact of aspirin induced leaky gut on animal performance suggests that leaky gut caused by other factors (subacute acidosis, stress) may be a significant problem for the feedlot industry.

Active Shooter Training Drill Increases Blood and Salivary Markers of Stress.

Police officers are frequently engaged in a variety of high-stress scenarios, such as high-speed chases and other suspect conflicts, that cause significant increases in a variety of physiological and psychological stress markers. The purpose of this study was to investigate salivary and blood markers of stress in response to an active shooter training drill (ASD). Thirty-one participants (n = 31; males = 15, females = 16; Age: 21 ± 3.5 years) participated in an ASD involving professional actors playing the role of one active gunman, as well as four victims. The ASD lasted approximately 50 s. Blood samples were collected 15 min prior as well as after the ASD and analyzed for epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NE) levels. Saliva samples were collected 30 and 5 min prior to the ASD and 5 and 30 min after the ASD, were analyzed for cortisol, α-amylase, and secretory immunoglobulin-A (SigA). The ASD resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increases in EPI, α-amylase, and SigA levels. The increase in NE from pre to post ASD approached significance (p = 0.06). These results demonstrate that a short duration (~50 s) ASD results in significant increases in both blood and salivary markers of stress. These data may provide meaningful implications for those engaged in high-stress tactical occupations, especially law enforcement and military personnel, as chronic exposure to such occupational stressors can contribute to cardiometabolic disease.

Effect Of Graded Exercise On Ror And Blood Oxidative-stress In Trained And Untrained Subjects

Submaximal graded exercise testing is a commonly used method to assess cardiovascular stress. Reserve of repolarization of the heart (RoR) is an ECG-based, non-invasive method to monitor the heart’s stress response, and assesses cardiac cells ability to reestablish their membrane potential. RoR has been shown to be a useful indicator of cardiovascular disease risk in cardiac patients. This study examined RoR difference between trained (T) and untrained (U) individuals and correlate this outcome with blood stress markers. PURPOSE: To determine if RoR and blood stress markers in response to a graded exercise in T and U cohorts differ. METHODS: Thirty-nine (male and female) subjects (23.6 ±5.6 yrs) were recruited. Subjects arrived after overnight fast between 7-9 am and rested for 20 minutes. Subjects completed a fitness questionnaire to determine training status (T or U). ECGs (12 lead) were monitored before, during and after exercise to obtain RoR. A graded walking test (GXT) on a treadmill until 85% of estimated maximum heart rate was performed. Blood obtained at rest and immediately after exercise were analyzed using HPLC for glutathione (oxidized [GSSG], reduced [GSH], total [TGSH]). Repeated measures ANOVAs were utilized to analyze the results using SPSS v24 with significance set at α = 0.05. RESULTS: There were significantly lower resting HRs (p = .023) and higher workloads achieved during testing (p = .002) between T vs U groups. Resting RoR (independent of group) was significantly reduced from 75±5% pre-test to 26±10% RoR at the end of exercise (p < .001). Final stage RoR was significantly lower for T compared to U group (T: 20±9.4%; U: 31±9.4%, p = .041), but T group performed significantly greater stages (p=0.002). The GXT induced a reduction in blood GSH (Pre 366 ±161 μM, Post 273±180 μM, p < .001) and an increase of GSSG (Pre 135 ±62 μM, Post 157±83 μM, p = .038) with no difference between groups. GSSG/TGSH decreased after GXT (p=0.028) independent of group. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a GXT induces a different stress response in T and U individuals. The oxidative stress at end GXT was similar but needed more workloads to get to this same internal stress level in the T group. Further studies are needed to ascertain stress responses with RoR and relative workloads.

Three different motor task strategies to assess neuromuscular adjustments during fatiguing muscle contractions in young and older men.

Healthy aging is associated with a marked decline in motor performance. The functional consequences of applying varying novel or unexpected motor stimuli during intermittent isometric prolonged (fatiguing) motor tasks for lower limb neuromuscular fatigability and steadiness, perception of effort, and blood markers of stress in healthy aged men compared with young men have not been investigated. The participants in this study were 15 young men (aged 22 ± 4years) and 10 older men (aged 67 ± 6years). They performed 100 intermittent isometric knee extensions under three experimental conditions involving intermittent isometric contraction tasks according to constant, predictable, and unpredictable torque target sequences. The variability in maximal voluntary contraction averaged 50%, and was 25, 50, and 75% for the three strategies. All included a 5-s contraction and 20-s rest. The main variables were measured before exercise, after 100 repetitions, and 1h after exercise. In all experimental trials, the decreases in the maximal voluntary contraction and central activation ratio, and the increases in effort sensation and muscle temperature, were smaller in older men than in younger men. The coefficient of variation during the motor performance did not differ between age groups. However, in all three strategies, the dopamine concentration was significantly higher in older than in younger men. The prolactin concentration did not differ significantly between age groups or conditions, although its decrease during loading correlated negatively with the central activation ratio.

Impact of aerobic exercise on cognitive impairment and oxidative stress markers in methamphetamine-dependent patients

This study aimed to investigate whether 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise has beneficial effects on oxidative stress markers in blood and on cognitive functions in patients who have methamphetamine dependence. Serum levels of oxidative stress markers, including total anti-oxidation capability, super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), were measured at baseline (all participants) and the 12-week follow-up (methamphetamine-dependent patients). Serum levels of CAT and MDA in methamphetamine-dependent patients (n = 68) were higher than those in healthy controls (n = 35) at baseline. Furthermore, the international shopping list (ISL) task scores of methamphetamine-dependent patients were significantly lower than those of the controls, indicating verbal memory deficits in methamphetamine-dependent patients. Although there were no significant interactions for all cognitive function scores, aerobic exercise improved the processing speed in methamphetamine-dependent patients. Of interest, aerobic exercise significantly attenuated a spontaneous increase in serum MDA levels in methamphetamine-dependent patients after 12-weeks of abstinence. In conclusion, this study showed that methamphetamine-dependent patients with verbal learning and memory deficits have higher serum levels of MDA, and that a 12-week aerobic exercise program may have beneficial effects on the processing speed as well as blood lipid peroxidation in methamphetamine-dependent patients.

Troxerutin, a bioflavonoid, improves oxidative stress in blood of streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetic rats

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by the body's inability to produce insulin due to destruction of the beta cells. There is increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in the development of diabetic complications. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of troxerutin administration on oxidative stress markers in blood of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups as: control (con), control-troxerutin (CON-TRX), diabetes (Dia), diabetic-troxerutin (DIA-TRX). Type 1 diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (i.p, 55mg/kg) and lasted for 10 weeks. Animals were received oral administration of troxerutin (150 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. At the end of study, malondialdehyde (MDA, the main product of lipid peroxidation), activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) were measured spectrophotometrically. Induction of diabetes with STZ resulted in increased MDA levels and decreased blood antioxidant capacity as compared with those of controls (P<0.05). Pre-treatment of diabetic rats with troxerutin significantly decreased the levels of MDA (P<0.01) and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPX and CAT compared to untreated-diabetic groups. Troxerutin had no significant influence on non-diabetic rats. These findings showed that troxerutin may prevent oxidative complications of diabetic circumstances by elevating antioxidant enzymes activities and reducing lipid peroxidation.

Effect of constant, predictable, and unpredictable motor tasks on motor performance and blood markers of stress.

An unfamiliar or novel physical stimulus induces activation of dopaminergic neurons within the brain and greater activity in areas involved in emotion; considering this, we aimed to establish whether unpredictable prolonged (fatiguing) motor task (vs. constant vs. predictable) evokes greater dopaminergic activity, enhances neuromuscular performance, motor accuracy, and perception of effort, and delays overall central fatigue. Fifteen healthy male volunteers (aged 22 ± 4years) were required to perform 1 of 3 exercise trials (at least 1week apart) of 100 intermittent isometric contraction (IIC) tasks involving knee extensions at 60° flexion. Trials were structured differently by simulated contraction intensity. A fatigue task involved 5-s contractions and 20-s rest. Variables measured before, during, and after IIC were electrically induced force, maximal voluntary contraction, central activation ratio, intramuscular temperature, and blood levels of dopamine, cortisol, and prolactin, and intraindividual motor variability and accuracy (constant and absolute error). We found that IIC increased central and peripheral fatigue, force sensation, and T mu, and decreased absolute and constant error without visual feedback, but did not affect motor variability. There were no significant differences between the three IIC tasks. However, only unpredictable tasks increased dopaminergic activity, which was insufficient to affect central motivation to perform isometric exercise and alter centrally mediated components of fatigue.

Hypolipidemic, antioxidant and anti-atherosclerogenic effect of aqueous extract leaves of Cassia. occidentalis Linn (Caesalpiniaceae) in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats

BackgroundHyperlipidemia and oxidative stress are major risk factors for atherosclerosis, and all three are among the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Cassia occidentalis aqueous extract has been used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension and associated cardiovascular diseases. This study was undertaken to evaluate the hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic properties of the aqueous extract of the leaves of C. occidentalis in rats with hypercholesterolemia (HC).Sixty Normocholesterolemic (NC) male rats were divided into six groups (n = 10) and fed a high-cholesterol (HC) diet for 30 days (5 groups), or normal rat chow (normal control group). The plant extract was administered to animals at the increasing dose of 240, 320 and 400 mg/kg. After 4 weeks of treatment 5 rats out of 10 were sacrificed, blood samples, aorta, liver, and fresh faecal were collected and processed for biochemical tests. The experiments were conducted under the same conditions with a group of rat treated with Atorvastatin (1 mg/kg), used positive control. The effects of C. occidentalis on weight gain, water and food consumptions, levels of serum lipids and lipoprotein lipid oxidation and stress markers in blood and liver were also examined.ResultsA significant body weight gain was observed in general in all the group of animals without any treatment after 4 weeks. During the treatment period, the C. occidentalis extract induced a significant increase (P < 0.01) in water consumption and food intakes. After 4 weeks of treatment with hypercholesterolemia, the body temperature and organ weights including the liver, kidney, heart and the testis did not present any significant change. The administration of C. occidentalis extract significantly (p < 0.05) prevented the elevation in TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, hepatic and aortic TG and TC. The atherogenic, triglycerides, and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) index were also decreased in the rats treated with the plant extract. C. occidentalis favoured the performance of faecal cholesterol. It also significantly inhibited the changes and the formation of aortic atherosclerotic plaques.ConclusionThis study provides evidence of hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effects of C. occidentalis extract. C. occidenntalis aqueous extract reduced bad cholesterols, triglycerides and increasing good cholesterols in rats subjected to a feeding regime enriched with cholesterol. The results support the traditional use of the extract of this plant in the treatment of hypertension and diabetes.

Oxidative stress markers in blood in systemic sclerosis: A meta-analysis

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between systemic sclerosis (SSC) and oxidative stress markers in blood.Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of databases, including PubMed and Embase, for studies reporting circulating oxidative stress markers in patients with SSC and controls published from 1980 to December 2015. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated.Results: Of the 1076 articles initially retrieved, 47 were included in our meta-analysis including 12 oxidative stress markers. The concentrations of nitric oxide (SMD = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.18, 1.36; p = 0.01), malondialdehyde (SMD =1.63; 95%CI: 1.03, 2.24; p = 0.000), asymmetric dimethylarginine (SMD = 0.51; 95%CI: 0.12, 0.91; p = 0.011), and ROOH (SMD = 3.37; 95%CI: 0.28, 6.46; p = 0.033) in the blood of patients with SSC were higher than those of the control group, whereas the concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SMD = −1.11; 95%CI: −1.57, −0.65; p = 0.000) and vitamin C (SMD = −1.12; 95%CI: −1.51, −0.73; p = 0.000) were lower than in the control group.Conclusions: The oxidative stress markers in blood for patients with SSC were aberrant, indicating the imbalanced states of oxidation and antioxidation in SSC.

Does Inflammation Mediate the Obesity and BPH Relationship? An Epidemiologic Analysis of Body Composition and Inflammatory Markers in Blood, Urine, and Prostate Tissue, and the Relationship with Prostate Enlargement and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

BackgroundBPH is a common disease associated with age and obesity. However, the biological pathways between obesity and BPH are unknown. Our objective was to investigate biomarkers of systemic and prostate tissue inflammation as potential mediators of the obesity and BPH association.MethodsParticipants included 191 men without prostate cancer at prostate biopsy. Trained staff measured weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and body composition by bioelectric impedance analysis. Systemic inflammation was estimated by serum IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α; and by urinary prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGE-M), F2-isoprostane (F2iP), and F2-isoprostane metabolite (F2iP-M) levels. Prostate tissue was scored for grade, aggressiveness, extent, and location of inflammatory regions, and also stained for CD3 and CD20 positive lymphocytes. Analyses investigated the association between multiple body composition scales, systemic inflammation, and prostate tissue inflammation against BPH outcomes, including prostate size at ultrasound and LUTS severity by the AUA-symptom index (AUA-SI).ResultsProstate size was significantly associated with all obesity measures. For example, prostate volume was 5.5 to 9.0 mls larger comparing men in the 25th vs. 75th percentile of % body fat, fat mass (kg) or lean mass (kg). However, prostate size was not associated with proinflammatory cytokines, PGE-M, F2iP, F2iP-M, prostate tissue inflammation scores or immune cell infiltration. In contrast, the severity of prostate tissue inflammation was significantly associated with LUTS, such that there was a 7 point difference in AUA-SI between men with mild vs. severe inflammation (p = 0.004). Additionally, men with a greater waist-hip ratio (WHR) were significantly more likely to have severe prostate tissue inflammation (p = 0.02), and a high WHR was significantly associated with moderate/severe LUTS (OR = 2.56, p = 0.03) among those participants with prostate tissue inflammation.ConclusionThe WHR, an estimate of centralized obesity, was associated with the severity of inflammatory regions in prostate tissue and with LUTS severity among men with inflammation. Our results suggest centralized obesity advances prostate tissue inflammation to increase LUTS severity. Clinically targeting centralized fat deposition may reduce LUTS severity. Mechanistically, the lack of a clear relationship between systemic inflammatory or oxidative stress markers in blood or urine with prostate size or LUTS suggests pathways other than systemic inflammatory signaling may link body adiposity to BPH outcomes.

Wpływ zmian temperatury otoczenia na wskaźniki stresu oksydacyjnego we krwi osób regularnie poddających się kąpielom zimowym

Wpływ zmian temperatury otoczenia na wskaźniki stresu oksydacyjnego we krwi osób regularnie poddających się kąpielom zimowym