Superoxide Dismutase Research Articles

Fish-derived lactic acid bacteria supplementation enhanced the immunity and resistance in Crucian carp (Carassius auratus)

This study attempted to evaluate the potential for biofilm formation and the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from the Carassius auratus intestine and to determine their antibacterial activity against crucial injurious bacteria of fish. The biological features test was carried out to obtain LAB with well-resistant pH, trypsin, bile and antibiotic challenge, and biofilm formation capacity. The most promising LAB isolates, y11 and y78 were identified as Lactobacillus johnsonii and Weissella confusa using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We discovered that oral LAB additives improved immunity in the C. auratus by increasing immune-related expression of immunoglobulin M (IgM), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and lysozyme (LYS) in serum and interleukins (IL-10 and IL-1β), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in organs. After the introduction of Aeromonas veronii TH0426 for 15 days, the survival rate of C. auratus was determined as follows: the protection rate of group y11 was 45 %, and group y78 was 65 % when challenged with 109 CFU/mL density. This experiment successfully selected two LAB strains as the bioprotective agents and provided theoretical support for further LAB application in aquaculture.

Comprehensive physiology and proteomics analysis revealed the molecular toxicological mechanism of Se stress on indica and japonica rice

Selenium pollution can lead to a decrease in crop yield and quality. However, the toxicological mechanisms of high Se concentrations on crops remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the physiological and proteomic molecular responses to Se stress in Oryza sativa. The results showed that under selenium stress, enzymatic activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in indica rice decreased by 61%, 28%, and 68%, respectively. The contents of non-enzymatic antioxidant substances ascorbic acid, glutathione, cysteine, proline, anthocyanidin, and flavonoids were decreased by 13%, 39%, 46%, 32%, 20%, and 5%, respectively, which significantly inhibited the antioxidant stress process of plants. At the same time, the results of proteomics analysis showed that rice seedlings, under Se stress, are involved in photosynthesis, photosynthesis-antenna proteins, carbon fixation, porphyrin metabolism, glyoxylate, and dicarboxylate. The differentially expressed proteins in metabolism and glutathione metabolism pathways showed a downward trend. It significantly inhibited the anti-oxidative stress, photosynthesis, and energy cycling process in plant cells, destroyed the homeostasis balance of rice plants, and inhibited the growth and development of rice. This finding reveals the molecular toxicological mechanism of Se stress on rice seedlings and provides a possible way to improve Se-resistant rice seedlings.

Drought priming improves tolerance of Alhagi sparsifolia to subsequent drought: A coordinated interplay of phytohormones, osmolytes, and antioxidant potential

Perennial trees are often stressed by drought more than once during their life cycle. Our study exposed three-month-old Alhagisparsifolia, with (drought-primed) or without (nonprimed) prior drought stress to subsequent drought for two months, aiming to reveal whether pre-exposure to drought could enhance seedling resistance to subsequent drought and investigated possible underlying mechanisms. Root biomass, leaf relative water content, chlorophyll a, and carotenoids were significantly higher in drought-primed than nonprimed seedlings. They also had reduced concentrations of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and superoxide anions (O2•−), indicating relief from oxidative stress. This relief was associated with a coordinated upregulation of enzymes scavenging O2•− and H2O2, particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the maintenance of the ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) redox pool and enzymatic activities (ascorbate peroxidase, mono- and dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase), leading to the better regulation of reactive oxygen species. The failure of nonprimed seedlings to upregulate the SOD, CAT, and AsA-GSH cycles nevertheless made the seedlings susceptible to oxidative stress. The increased levels of strigolactones, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid in drought-primed seedlings reveal their roles in subsequent stress. They also displayed higher gibberellic acid and indole acetic acid. A principal component analysis showed that the seedlings responded differently to drought if they had previously suffered a drought, mainly due to a higher capacity for pigment protection, oxidative scavenging, osmolytes, and anti-stress hormones. Our study provides insights into the benefits of stress memory induced in seedlings by early drought priming as a strategy for overcoming subsequent stress.

Effects of essential amino acids supplementation in a low-protein diet on growth performance, intestinal health and microbiota of juvenile blotched snakehead (Channa maculata)

Developing a low-protein feed is important for the sustainable advancement of aquaculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation in a low-protein diet on the growth, intestinal health, and microbiota of the juvenile blotched snakehead, Channa maculata in an 8-week trial conducted in a recirculating aquaculture system. Three isoenergetic diets were formulated to include a control group (48.66 % crude protein (CP), HP), a low protein group (42.54 % CP, LP), and a low protein supplementation EAA group (44.44 % CP, LP-AA). The results showed that significantly lower weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and feed efficiency ratio (FER) were observed in fish that were fed LP than in the HP and LP-AA groups (P < 0.05). The HP and LP-AA groups exhibited a significant increase in intestinal villus length, villus width, and muscular thickness compared to the LP group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the HP and LP-AA groups demonstrated significantly higher levels of intestinal total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the LP group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of intestinal cells in the LP group was significantly higher than those in the LP and HP groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of superoxide dismutase (sod), nuclear factor kappa B p65 subunit (nfκb-p65), heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), and inhibitor of NF-κBα (iκba) in the intestine were significantly higher in the LP group than those in the HP and LP-AA groups (P < 0.05). The 16s RNA analysis indicated that EAA supplementation significantly increased the growth of Desulfovibrio and altered the intestinal microflora. The relative abundances of Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria were positively correlated with antioxidant parameters (CAT and T-AOC), whereas Desulfobacterota was negatively correlated with sod and T-AOC. The genera Bacillus, Bacteroides, and Rothia were associated with the favorable maintenance of gut health. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with EAAs to achieve a balanced amino acid profile could potentially reduce the dietary protein levels from 48.66 % to 44.44 % without adversely affecting the growth and intestinal health of juvenile blotched snakeheads.

Therapeutic potentials of Hibiscus trionum: Antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidative, hypoglycemic, and hepatoprotective effects in type 1 diabetic rats

Recent advances in diabetes treatment have primarily focused on insulin and hypoglycemic agents; however, there is growing interest in exploring herbal and synthetic alternatives. Numerous studies have highlighted the preventive effectiveness of regular plant consumption in managing chronic conditions, particularly diabetes. Hibiscus, a medicinal plant recognized in various cultures, is known for its diverse health benefits. This study investigated the impact of Hibiscus trionum on glycemic control and assessed its influence on glucose and insulin levels in diabetes-induced rats. The concentrations of antioxidant enzymes, particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), were scrutinized across multiple body tissues (plasma, heart, muscle, liver, and kidney). The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was examined in both plasma and tissue samples. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were evaluated. Diabetic Group (D) exhibited a significant decrease in body weight, increased fluid and food consumption, elevated blood glucose levels, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. Moreover, the diabetic group also showed increased levels of MDA, TC, TG, AST, and ALT, along with reduced insulin levels, compared to the control group. A substantial improvement in all parameters impaired by diabetes was observed following the application of Hibiscus trionum (HTT) in the Diabetes+HTT group. The antioxidative stress-reducing, lipid peroxidation-improving, and hepatoprotective potential of Hibiscus trionum in mitigating diabetes-induced oxidative stress is noteworthy. These findings indicate that HTT supplementation has valuable beneficial effects in protecting against the harmful impacts of diabetes.

In vitro toxicity of Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) on Human Renal and Hepatoma Cells

We evaluate the cytotoxicity, intracellular redox conditions, apoptosis, and methylation of DNMTs/TETs upon exposure to LiTFSI, a novel Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) commonly found in lithium-ion batteries, on human renal carcinoma cells (A498) and hepatoma cells (HepG2). The MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay showed both Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) had a dose-dependent effect on A498 and HepG2, with LiTFSI being less toxic. Intracellular redox conditions were assessed with a microplate reader and confocal, which showed a significant decrease in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels and an increase in Superoxide dismutase (SOD) content in both cells. Exposure to LiTFSI enhanced cell apoptosis, with HepG2 being more susceptible than A498. Quantitative analysis of mRNA expression levels of 19 genes associated with kidney injury, methylation, lipid metabolism and transportation was performed. LiTFSI exposure impacted kidney function by downregulating smooth muscle alpha-actin (Acta2) and upregulating transforming growth factor beta 1 (Tgfb1), B-cell lymphoma 2-like 1) Bcl2l1, hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1 (Harvcr1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nfe2l2), and hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) expression. LiTFSI exposure also affected the abundance of transcripts associated with DNA methylation by the expression of ten-eleven translocation (TET) and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) genes. Furthermore, LiTFSI exposure induced an increase in lipid anabolism and alterations in lipid catabolism in HepG2. Our results provide new insight on the potential role of a new contaminant, LiTFSI in the regulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis and methylation in human renal carcinoma and hepatoma cells.

Tetrabromobisphenol A reduces male rats reproductive organ coefficients and disrupting sexual hormone by causing oxidative stress

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) has become a topic of public attention due to its pervasive detection in the environment and organisms in recent decades. However, limited information is available regarding the toxicity of TBBPA on reproductive ability of male mammals. Herein, the reproductive toxicity of TBBPA was investigated in male rats to fill the knowledge gap. In this study, male rats were exposed to TBBPA (0, 10, 100, and 1000mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Subsequently, body and organ indexes, histopathological evaluation of testis and epididymis, ultrastructural observation of sperm, testosterone and progesterone levels, and oxidative stress indicators were conducted to reveal corresponding mechanisms. Results obtained showed that compare to the control group, the body weight, testes weight, epididymis weight, seminal vesicle and coagulation glands weight of rats in the 1000mg/kg group lost 8.30%, 16.84%, 20.16%, 19.72% and 26.42%, respectively. Intriguingly, exposure to TBBPA (10, 100, 100mg/kg) resulted in substantial pathological damage in testis, epididymis and sperm. TBBPA exposure also increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents, as well as superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in testicular tissue. What’s more, the testosterone and progesterone levels in male rat serum were significantly decreased after exposure to TBBPA for 6 weeks. Meanwhile, results of molecular docking showed that TBBPA has a strong affinity with estrogen receptors (ERs). These findings demonstrated that TBBPA exposure negatively impacts the reproductive ability of male rats, thus providing new insights for risk assessment for reproductive health under TBBPA exposure.

Eco-endocrinological dynamics: Unraveling dexamethasone's influence on the interrenal axis in juvenile carp Cyprinus carpio

This study delves into the eco-endocrinological dynamics concerning the impact of dexamethasone (DXE) on the interrenal axis in juvenile carp, Cyprinus carpio. Through a comprehensive analysis, we investigated the effects of DXE exposure on oxidative stress, biochemical biomarkers, gene expression, and bioaccumulation within the interrenal axis. Results revealed a concentration-dependent escalation of cellular oxidation biomarkers, including 1) hydroperoxides content (HPC), 2) lipid peroxidation level (LPX), and 3) protein carbonyl content (PCC), indicative of heightened oxidative stress. Concurrently, the activity of critical antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), significantly increased, underscoring the organism's response to oxidative insult. Notable alterations were observed in biochemical biomarkers, particularly Gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, with GGT displaying a significant decrease with increasing DXE concentrations. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant upregulation of stress and inflammation response genes, as well as those associated with sensitivity to superoxide ion presence and calcium signaling, in response to DXE exposure. Furthermore, DXE demonstrated a concentration-dependent presence in interrenal tissue, with consistent bioconcentration factors observed across all concentrations tested. These findings shed light on the physiological and molecular responses of juvenile carp to DXE exposure, emphasizing the potential ecological implications of DXE contamination in aquatic environments. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for assessing the environmental impact of glucocorticoid pollutants and developing effective management strategies to mitigate their adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems.

Evaluating the Antidepressant-like Properties of Melatonin and Vitamin D3 Combination in Mice Subjected to Restraint Stress: Investigating the Involvement of Oxidative Stress

Background: Increased levels of oxidative stress are connected with depression. Due to the melatonin's antioxidant effects and Vitamin D3 (Vit D3)'s regulatory effect on the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, the present study investigated the possible protective effect of melatonin and Vit D3 combination on restraint stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. Methods: After being subjected to restraint stress, mice were divided into six groups using a randomization process. These groups included non-stressed and stressed vehicle-treated groups, as well as groups treated with Vit D3 (25 μg/kg/day), melatonin (10 mg/kg) or fluoxetine. A group also received a combination of both melatonin and Vit D3. The Forced Swimming Test (FST), and Open Field Test (OFT) were conducted to evaluate behavioural changes. The Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, and ADP/ATP ratio were evaluated in the hippocampus of mice. Results: Restraint stress lengthened the immobility period in FST, while melatonin, Vit D3, and their combination all significantly reversed this impact. Co-administration of melatonin and Vit D3 was more effective than melatonin or Vit D3 administration alone at reducing immobility time. The exposure of mice to restraint stress has been linked to an elevation in the ADP/ATP ratio and oxidative stress in their hippocampus; however, these effects are reversed by the administration of melatonin and Vit D3 (10 mg/kg) alone or in combination. Melatonin and Vit D3 combination increased the hippocampus CAT activity compared with melatonin and Vit D3 alone. Conclusion: The current study's findings suggested that Vit D3 may enhance melatonin's potential as an antidepressant in FST.

Physiological and transcriptomic analyses provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of accelerated senescence of litchi fruit in response to strigolactones

Strigolactones (SLs), a class of plant hormones that are derived from carotenoid metabolism, play pivotal roles in regulating various physiological processes in plants. However, the action mode of SLs in regulating postharvest physiology of fruits is not well understood. This study aimed to explore the effect of exogenous GR24 (a synthetic analogue of SLs) on litchi senescence and its possible mechanisms based on physiological and transcriptomic analyses. The results demonstrated that GR24 treatment at 0.5 μM accelerated the development of pericarp browning and discoloration in litchi fruit during storage at ambient conditions, which was related to exacerbated oxidative stress and aggravated membrane deterioration, as indicated by increased reactive oxygen species production, membrane permeability and malondialdehyde content. Compared to those in the control fruit, lower activities of antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase) and contents of antioxidants (ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione), but higher prooxidant enzyme (peroxidase) activity were observed in GR24-treated fruit. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that GR-24 treatment downregulated the expression of genes associated with antioxidant system, pentose phosphate pathway, oxidative phosphorylation and energy metabolism, which was aligned with the physiological results. These findings provide insights into the role of SLs in regulating senescence of harvested litchi fruit.

Two new quinoline alkaloid with neuroprotective activities from Xylaria longipes

Two new quinoline alkaloids with an α, β-unsaturated amide side chain, xylarinines A and B (1 and 2), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extracts of Xylaria longipes solid fermentation. The structures of these were primarily determined though NMR and HRESIMS data analysis. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was assigned using experimental and calculated ECD data. The neuroprotective effects of compounds 1 and 2 against glutamate-induced damage in PC12 cells were evaluated in vitro bioassay. The results demonstrated that both compounds significantly improved cell viability, inhibited apoptosis, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. These findings suggested that these mechanisms contribute to the neuroprotective effects of the compounds.

Bee Venom Toxic Effect on MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells and Caenorhabditis Elegans.

Bee venom has therapeutics and pharmacological properties. Further toxicological studies on animal models are necessary due to the severe allergic reactions caused by this product. Here, Caenorhabditis elegans was used as an in vivo toxicity model, while breast cancer cells were used to evaluate the pharmacological benefits. The bee venom utilized in this research was collected from Apis mellifera species found in Northeast Brazil. The cytotoxicity caused by bee venom was measured by MTT assay on MDA-MB-231 and J774 A.1 cells during 24 - 72 hours of exposure. C. elegans at the L4 larval stage were exposed for three hours to M9 buffer or bee venom. Survival, behavioral parameters, reproduction, DAF-16 transcription factor translocation, the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and metabolomics were analyzed. Bee venom suppressed the growth of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells and exhibited cytotoxic effects on macrophages. Also, decreased C. elegans survival impacted its behaviors by decreasing C. elegans feeding behavior, movement, and reproduction. Bee venom did not increase the expression of SOD-3, but it enhanced DAF-16 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. C. elegans metabolites differed after bee venom exposure, primarily related to aminoacyl- tRNA biosynthesis, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, and sphingolipid and purine metabolic pathways. Our findings indicate that exposure to bee venom resulted in harmful effects on the cells and animal models examined. Thus, due to its potential toxic effect and induction of allergic reactions, using bee venom as a therapeutic approach has been limited. The development of controlled-release drug strategies to improve this natural product's efficacy and safety should be intensified.

Detection of miR-203 expression using a nanofluorescent probe to study the neuroprotective effect of sevoflurane in a neuroinflammatory injury rat model

Ischemic cerebrovascular disease has high disability and mortality rates that can result in related sequelae if not treated promptly and properly. Nanofluorescent probes are useful in the early diagnosis of the disease due to their high sensitivity and specificity, thus facilitating early therapeutic measures and observation of disease progression. Here, a novel nanostructure probe was designed to detect the expression of miR-203 in a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) model after sevoflurane treatment, and the effects of sevoflurane and neuroinflammatory injury were discussed. A CIRI rat model was established to study miR-203 expression, nerve injury, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors in the brain tissue of rats treated with sevoflurane. The nanofluorescent probe showed high specificity and sensitivity for miR-203 detection. miR-203 was over-expressed in CIRI rats, which was decreased by sevoflurane treatment. In addition, sevoflurane treatment significantly improved neurological function, learning, and memory in CIRI rats; decreased malondialdehyde, lactate dehydrogenase, and superoxide dismutase levels; and inhibited the expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukins 1 and 6. Moreover, an inverse correlation was determined between miR-203 expression and the degree of neuroinflammation. This study demonstrated that miR-203 may be a useful diagnostic and prognostic index for neuroinflammatory injury.

Role of antioxidative activity in the docosahexaenoic acid's enteroprotective effect in the indomethacin-induced small intestinal injury model.

Therapeutic effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been related with gastrointestinal injury. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), can prevent gastric and small intestinal damage. Nonetheless, contribution of antioxidative action in the protective effect of DHA has not been evaluated before in the small intestine injury after indomethacin treatment. Pathogenesis of NSAID-induced small intestinal injury is multifactorial, and reactive oxidative species have been related to indomethacin's small intestinal damage. The present work aimed to evaluate antioxidative activity in the protective action of DHA in the indomethacin-induced small intestinal damage. Female Wistar rats were gavage with DHA (3 mg/kg) or omeprazole (3 mg/kg) for 10 days. Each rat received indomethacin (3 mg/kg, orally) daily to induce small intestinal damage. The total area of intestinal ulcers and histopathological analysis were performed. In DHA-treated rats, myeloperoxidase and superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione, malondialdehyde, leukotriene, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels were measured. Furthermore, the relative abundance of selective bacteria was assessed. DHA administration (3 mg/kg, p.o.) caused a significant decrease in indomethacin-induced small intestinal injury in Wistar rats after 10 days of treatment. DHA's enteroprotection resulted from the prevention of an increase in myeloperoxidase activity, and lipoperoxidation, as well as an improvement in the antioxidant defenses, such as glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity in the small intestine. Furthermore, we showed that DHA's enteroprotective effect decreased significantly LPS levels in indomethacin-induced injury in small intestine. Our data suggest that DHA's enteroprotective might be attributed to the prevention of oxidative stress.

Dietary supplementation of ornithine improved the growth, immune response and acute NH3 stress tolerance of Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei

Ornithine is an arginine family amino acid and is not incorporated into protein. This study evaluated its role in growth, immune response and acute NH3 stress tolerance of Penaeus vannamei. Six diets with graded levels (0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1gkg-1) of L-ornithine were formulated, and fed the shrimp for 8 weeks. The growth of shrimp was significantly improved with the dietary ornithine levels increased from 0.6 to 1.5gkg-1. Feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and protein productive value showed a similar trend to the growth performance of shrimp. Whole body protein and muscle lipid of shrimp were significantly increased in shrimp fed 1.8gkg-1 ornithine compared to those fed 0.6gkg-1 ornithine. The contents of several amino acids were increased with the dietary ornithine increased to 1.5gkg-1. Elevated levels of ornithine increased the Nitric Oxide (NO) content and suppressed arginase activity in the hemolymph. The relative mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase, heat shock protein 70, dorsal and caspase 3 were increased with the dietary addition of ornithine, while the mRNA level of arginase was decreased with the increasing dietary ornithine levels. After 9h acute NH3 stress, mortality of shrimp reduced with the increasing dietary ornithine levels. The relative mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase, heat shock protein 70, dorsal and catalase were increased with the dietary addition of ornithine after the acute NH3 stress. The second-order regression analysis of weight gain and survival after acute stress revealed that the suitable ornithine content in the shrimp diet was 1.4-1.5gkg-1.

Efficacy of antioxidants in the management of psoriasis: A case control study

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory dermatosis. The pathophysiology of the disease is still incompletely elucidated and multiple factors are said to be involved in its initiation and perpetuation, e.g., stressors, genetic factors, environmental factors. In the last decade, a new theory is trying to explain the pathophysiology of this disease by looking at the role played by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in the initiation of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Keeping in consideration the increased oxidative stress in the patients of psoriasis, the anti-oxidant drugs can form an important part of the therapeutic ladder of psoriasis. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to measure the possible role of oxidative stress in psoriasis patient by measuring SOD level and comparing it with normal individuals and administer antioxidants supplements to the patients group to see the efficacy. It was a Case- Control study (1st part) and Clinical Trial without control group (2nd part). The study was carried out in Psoriasis awareness Club from June 2023 to December 2023. Purposive sampling done who fulfill the inclusion &amp; exclusion criteria. 23 patients with psoriasis and 23 age and sex matched control subjects were recruited for this study. Clinical severity of the disease was determined by PASI score. All patients and control subjects were examined for plasma SOD level. 23 psoriatic patients were given antioxidant therapy in the form of once daily tablet for 30 days. PASI score, DLQI and SOD (Superoxide dismutase) level were measured before therapy (day 0) and after therapy (day 30) in patients group. Statistical analysis and Results: Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) for quantitative variables and numbers. For comparison of two means (t test) and (ANOVA "F") test were used for several means. Chi-square (χ2 ) or fisher exact test were used when appropriate, (P&lt;0.05) was considered statistically significant. The mean age of the patients and control subjects were 37.64 (±5.89) and 33.6 (11.02) years, respectively. The mean duration of the disease was 12.43 (±8) years. No significant difference was observed between SOD level of psoriatic patients &amp; controls. No significant correlations of SOD level with severity of psoriasis and duration of disease were found. We observed no statistically significant difference in PASI and DLQI scores before and after antioxidant therapy but there was significant increase in the level of SOD after treatment. Conclusion: It is indisputable that antioxidant supplementation can reduce the overall morbidity, enhance the prognosis of psoriasis. Notably, in most cases, antioxidants alone are not able to induce significant clinical changes in the aspect and/or course of the disease, except perhaps in mild forms. They must be used in conjunction with standard pharmacological treatments to achieve measurable results.

Synergistic effect of chrysin and kaempferol in ameliorating Cerebral Ischemic Reperfusion injury in rat by controlling expression of proinflammatory mediators NF-κB and STAT3.

The two flavonoids kaempferol and chrysin are known to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In addition, these two flavonoids were reported to display synergistic effects against inflammation. The present study aims to provide an analysis of the combined effects of kaempferol and chrysin on ischemic rat brain induced by endothelin-1. The neurological deficit score and infarct area of the brain were determined post drug treatment. Histopathological sections displayed the morphological changes in the brain tissue. The brain tissues were processed for assessing the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity by measuring superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity, level of reduced glutathione, brain malondialdehyde, and amount of calcium. The expression level of inflammatory molecules was analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The infarct area, neurological score and NF-κB and STAT3 expression levels were significantly reduced. The analysis of neuroprotective synergistic activity of kaempferol and chrysin indicated the therapeutic potential of the combination in alleviating cerebral ischemia by controlling expression of proinflammatory mediators.

Exploring pathogenic pathways in carpal tunnel syndrome: sterile inflammation and oxidative stress.

The main objective of the current study was to find the association between oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and electrophysiological profile with symptom severity in patients of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Thirty-two carpal tunnel syndrome patients and 32 controls were included in the study. Boston CTS questionnaire along with plasma oxidative stress markers including superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide and inflammatory markers including IL-6 and TNF-α were compared with the electrophysiological parameters derived from nerve conduction studies. Statistical significance of the levels between groups was calculated using unpaired-t test after checking for normality with D'Agostino & Pearson omnibus normality test. We found that the median nerve conduction velocity was prolonged, amplitude was decreased, while the levels of oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), and nitric oxide (NO) were increased in CTS patients compared to controls. Inflammatory markers like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were also increased in CTS patients. We found that plasma SOD and TNF-α correlated well with the median motor amplitude. There was no other significant correlation between oxidative stress markers and inflammatory markers with nerve conduction studies or disease severity. Patients with mild disease also showed lesser levels of SOD, NO, IL-6, and TNF-α markers than patients with severe disease. CTS is probably a disease of sterile inflammation and disbalance of oxidative stress, with higher inflammatory and oxidative stress markers pointing to a more severe disease.

Barbaloin Protects Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Cognitive Deficits in Rodents via Modulation of Neurotransmitters and Inhibition of Oxidative-Free-Radicals-Led Inflammation

Background: Epilepsy is defined by an excessive level of activity in the neurons and coordinated bursts of electrical activity, resulting in the occurrence of seizure episodes. The precise cause of epileptogenesis remains uncertain; nevertheless, the etiology of epilepsy may involve neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and malfunction of the neurotransmitter system. Objective: The goal of this investigation was to assess barbaloin’s protective properties with respect to pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-)-induced cognitive deficits in rats via antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neurotransmitter-modulating effects. Methods: Wistar rats were subjected to PTZ [40 mg/kg (i.p.)], which induced cognitive decline. Behavior assessment using a kindling score, open-field test (OFT), novel object recognition test (NORT), and assays for superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), caspase-3, nitric oxide (NO), interleukins-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Bcl-2 and Bax, and neurotransmitter levels [GABA, DA, NE, and serotonin (5-HT)] were performed. Results: The treatment of rats with barbaloin resulted in behavior improvement and significant changes in the levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, MDA, AChE, NO, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax compared to the PTZ control group. Barbaloin treatment resulted in notable changes in neurotransmitter levels (GABA, NE, 5-HT, DA) compared to the PTZ group. Conclusions: The ongoing study has gathered evidence indicating that the injection of barbaloin has resulted in significant improvements in cognitive performance in rats. This is achieved by inhibiting oxidative stress, enhancing the activity of natural antioxidant enzymes, reducing cytokine levels, and increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. These results were detected in comparison to a PTZ control and can be attributed to the potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities of barbaloin, which could be linked to its neuroprotective properties. Barbaloin may potentially increase cognitive decline and boost neuronal survival by altering the expression of Bax, caspase-3, Bcl-2.

Unraveling verticillium wilt resistance: insight from the integration of transcriptome and metabolome in wild eggplant

Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, is a soil-borne disease affecting eggplant. Wild eggplant, recognized as an excellent disease-resistant resource against verticillium wilt, plays a pivotal role in grafting and breeding for disease resistance. However, the underlying resistance mechanisms of wild eggplant remain poorly understood. This study compared two wild eggplant varieties, LC-2 (high resistance) and LC-7 (sensitive) at the phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic levels to determine the molecular basis of their resistance to verticillium wilt. These two varieties exhibit substantial phenotypic differences in petal color, leaf spines, and fruit traits. Following inoculation with V. dahliae, LC-2 demonstrated significantly higher activities of polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, β-1,3 glucanase, and chitinase than did LC-7. RNA sequencing revealed 4,017 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with a significant portion implicated in processes associated with disease resistance and growth. These processes encompassed defense responses, cell wall biogenesis, developmental processes, and biosynthesis of spermidine, cinnamic acid, and cutin. A gene co-expression analysis identified 13 transcription factors as hub genes in modules related to plant defense response. Some genes exhibited distinct expression patterns between LC-2 and LC-7, suggesting their crucial roles in responding to infection. Further, metabolome analysis identified 549 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) between LC-2 and LC-7, primarily consisting of compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, lipids, and other metabolites. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed the association of 35 gene–metabolite pairs in modules related to the plant defense response, highlighting the interconnected processes underlying the plant defense response. These findings characterize the molecular basis of LC-2 resistance to verticillium wilt and thus have potential value for future breeding of wilt-resistant eggplant varieties.