Synthesis Of Superoxide Dismutase Research Articles

Research Progress on Synthesis of Superoxide Dismutase Mimics

Research on the synthesis of superoxide dismutase mimics by chemical and biological synthetic methods were reviewed. The advantages and limitations were analyzed. A prospect for the future development of superoxide dismutase mimics is proposed.

Exogenous melatonin improves the chilling tolerance and preharvest fruit shelf life in eggplant by affecting ROS- and senescence-related processes

Low temperature is the most common abiotic stress factors during the eggplant cultivation in solar greenhouses. Melatonin plays important roles in plant resistance to low temperature. However, the role of melatonin in regulating chilling tolerance and extending the preharvest shelf life of eggplant fruits is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenous melatonin on eggplant plants and fruits in response to low temperature. Under simulated low-temperature conditions, exogenous melatonin significantly relieved the chilling symptoms of seedlings by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and relative leakage rates. These reductions were caused by higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and increased endogenous polyamine and melatonin levels compared with those in untreated seedlings. Notably, the expression levels of SOD, CAT1/2, and polyamine synthesis genes (ADC and ODC) were also increased by 100 μmol · L−1 melatonin, as well as those of genes involved in melatonin synthesis (TDC, T5H, SNAT, ASMT, and COMT) and cold regulation (COR1, CBFa/b, and ZAT2/6/12). To further investigate the effects of melatonin on eggplant leaves and fruits under natural low temperature conditions, 100 μmol · L−1 melatonin was sprayed on the functional leaves at three days before commodity maturation. Melatonin significantly alleviated chilling injury in the leaves and pericarp and extended the preharvest shelf life of the fruit by increasing the expression of COR1, CBF, ZAT2/6/12, and API5 and decreasing the expression of senescence-related genes (NCED1/2 and SAG12). Therefore, 100 μmol · L−1 melatonin improved chilling tolerance and fruit shelf life by upregulating ZAT2/6/12 to affect ROS- and senescence-related processes, which provides a reference for alleviating cold stress and extending the preharvest fruit shelf life in eggplant.

Design of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial of Tofersen Initiated in Clinically Presymptomatic SOD1 Variant Carriers: the ATLAS Study

Despite extensive research, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains a progressive and invariably fatal neurodegenerative disease. Limited knowledge of the underlying causes of ALS has made it difficult to target upstream biological mechanisms of disease, and therapeutic interventions are usually administered relatively late in the course of disease. Genetic forms of ALS offer a unique opportunity for therapeutic development, as genetic associations may reveal potential insights into disease etiology. Genetic ALS may also be amenable to investigating earlier intervention given the possibility of identifying clinically presymptomatic, at-risk individuals with causative genetic variants. There is increasing evidence for a presymptomatic phase of ALS, with biomarker data from the Pre-Symptomatic Familial ALS (Pre-fALS) study showing that an elevation in blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) precedes phenoconversion to clinically manifest disease. Tofersen is an investigational antisense oligonucleotide designed to reduce synthesis of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein through degradation of SOD1 mRNA. Informed by Pre-fALS and the tofersen clinical development program, the ATLAS study (NCT04856982) is designed to evaluate the impact of initiating tofersen in presymptomatic carriers of SOD1 variants associated with high or complete penetrance and rapid disease progression who also have biomarker evidence of disease activity (elevated plasma NfL). The ATLAS study will investigate whether tofersen can delay the emergence of clinically manifest ALS. To our knowledge, ATLAS is the first interventional trial in presymptomatic ALS and has the potential to yield important insights into the design and conduct of presymptomatic trials, identification, and monitoring of at-risk individuals, and future treatment paradigms in ALS.

Zinc affects the physiology and medicinal components of Dendrobium nobile Lindl

The growth of Dendrobium nobile is often influenced by zinc. Here, D. nobile was regularly sprayed with different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000, 2000 μmol L−1) of zinc to study its effect on the growth and biosynthesis of medicinal components. Samples were taken at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days to detect physiological and medicinal components. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and Chl A and Chl B levels of leaves first increased and then decreased as the concentration of zinc increased. At 400 μmol L−1 concentration, these parameters reached their maximum values. Thus, a certain dose of zinc could promote the photosynthesis of D. nobile. There was an obvious increase in the synthesis of superoxide dismutase (SOD), while the content of ascorbate peroxidase and ascorbic acid (AsA) were the highest after treatment with 400 μmol L−1 zinc. Maximum levels of polysaccharides and polyphenols were observed on day 7 and 14, respectively, at a zinc concentration of 400 μmol L−1. These results suggest that exogenous zinc may promote the accumulation of medicinal components in D. nobile. It was also found that polysaccharides could combine well with zinc to form a polysaccharide-zinc chelate and transform inorganic zinc into organic form, which is stored in the form of polysaccharide-Zn and is known to reduce the damage induced by Zn stress.

Endophytic bacteria isolated from Solanum nigrum L., alleviate cadmium (Cd) stress response by their antioxidant potentials, including SOD synthesis by sodA gene

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal and an abiotic stressor to plants; however, inoculation of endophytic bacteria can raise resistance in plants against Cd, as well as improve plant growth. In the present study, two endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from Solanum nigrum, identified as Serratia sp. IU01 and Enterobacter sp. IU02 by 16S DNA sequencing. Both IU01 and IU02 were tolerant up to 9.0 mM of Cd in culture broth and successive increase in Cd concentration from 0 mM to 9.0 mM, led to an increase in the SOD enzyme activity of the isolates. Both strains were capable of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis and phosphate solubilization, detected through gas spectrometry-mass chromatography (GC-MS) and Pikovskaya agar medium respectively. Brassica juncea plants stressed with 0–25 mg/kg Cd showed retardation in all growth attributes, however, inoculation of strain IU01 and IU02 significantly promoted the plant growth attributes as compared to control. Moreover, antioxidant enzymes and metabolites against reactive oxygen species (ROS) including polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), flavonoid and polyphenolic contents were also significantly relieved by inoculation of IU01 and IU02 in plant exposed to different concentration of Cd stress as compared to control plants. Phytohormone production, phosphate solubilization, and/or antioxidative support of IU01 and IU02 might be responsible for growth promotion and Cd resistance in the plant.

Antioxidant enzymes and reactive oxygen species level of the Achromobacter xylosoxidans bacteria during hydrocarbons biotransformation.

The level of catalase and superoxide dismutase induction, as well as generation of superoxide anion radical in cells and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the culture medium were researched in three strains of oil-degrading bacteria Achromobacter xylosoxidans at cultivation in rich nutrient medium and in the media with hydrocarbons as the only source of carbon. The effects of pentane, decane, hexadecane, cyclohexane, benzene, naphthalene and diesel fuel were evaluated. It was determined that in the microbial cell on media with hydrocarbons, the generation of superoxide anion radical increases, accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and induction of superoxide dismutase synthesis occur, and catalase activity is reduced. Oxidative stress in the cells of A. xylosoxidans was caused by biotransformation of all the studied hydrocarbons. The most pronounced effect was observed at incubation of bacteria with cyclohexane, pentane, diesel fuel, benzene and naphthalene.

Species-specific response to acute hyperthermal stress of Haworthia (Asphodelaceae) plants

An increase in environmental temperature is one of the most common stress factors for plant organisms. The study of the plants’ adaptation to stress factors remains extremely important and relevant. This article presents the results of a acute short-term influence of hyperthermia on species of two subgenera of the genus Haworthia Duval. We investigated the different levels of antioxidant protection and damage degree of the members of two subgenera of the genus Haworthia at the biochemical level, measuring the lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities, total flavonoid content and content of photosynthetic pigments with a spectrophotometer. To determine the drought tolerance of plants, the water supply of tissues, water shortage and loss of water after an hour of wilting were measured. The values for different groups were compared by ANOVA followed by the Tukey multiple comparison test. The studied plants were warmed in a thermostat at temperatures of 40 °C and 50 °C for three hours under the conditions of natural light. The control group of plants was kept at 25 °C. The research has shown that H. attenuata, H. limifolia and H. cymbiformis are characterized with the increase of concentration of malonic dialdehyde at 40 °C and 50 °C, but a significant difference of values wasn’t received,which indicates the relative resistance of these plants to the influence of high temperatures. The sharp increase of temperature causes the highest level of lipid peroxidation in H. parksiana plants, along with which, warming to 50 °C launches a mechanism of activation and synthesis of superoxide dismutase and flavonoids for the plants. The studied species of the subgenus Haworthia have a photosynthetic system relatively resistant to thermal stress in comparison to the subgenus Hexangulares. H. limifolia plants have a slight inhibition of photosynthesis. The adaptation of H. cymbiformis to thermal stress is due to the strategy of accumulation of a pool of active enzymes, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, flavonoids under normal conditions and the activation of new peroxidase enzymes as a result of stress. H. attenuata is characterized by activation of new enzymes of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase under stress. It was found that H. cymbiformis and H. attenuata are more heat resistant in comparison with the other two species. Acute short-term hyperthermia has a different influence on the antioxidant system of different species of Haworthia. H. limifolia has the highest drought tolerance, H. cymbiformis has the lowest, the other two species from different subgenera have similar drought tolerance indicators. We did not find any dependence of the mechanisms of action of the antioxidant system under hyperthermia on the type of adaptation to arid conditions at the anatomical level in plants of different subgenera of the genus Haworthia.

Gamma-Irradiated Bifidobacteria Establish a Protective Effect on Mice to Experimental Radiation Exposure

The purpose of this work is to assess the radioprotective effect exerted by the irradiated form of Bifidobacterium bifidum probiotic on experimentally irradiated mice. As a result of the research, we were able to determine experimentally the optimal dose of gamma rays (12–14 Gy) that ensures a switching of the metabolism of probiotic microorganisms towards the synthesis of superoxide dismutase (an antiradical enzyme) and activates production of interferon (a mediator of immunopoiesis) by immunocompetent cells. The mice were exposed to 8.0 Gy doses of $$ {}_{\;}{}^{137}\mathrm{Cs} $$ gamma radiation at an exposure dose rate of 3.13 × 10−5 C/(kg s). Twenty four hours after the exposure, the animals were administered subcutaneously a single 0.2-ml dose (1 × 108 CFU) of either native bifidumbacterin or the radiation-modified form of this probiotic. The radioprotective effect was evaluated according to various parameters, such as the change in hematological parameters, the quantitative composition of the gut microbiome, and the ability of the drug to induce the release intercellular interaction mediators (interferons) by stimulated immune cells of the host. A single subcutaneous injection of 1 × 108 CFU of either native bifidumbacterin or its irradiated form, administered in the composition of the growth medium 24 h after the irradiation, protects 60 to 80% of lethally irradiated white mice. The radioprotective effect of the biopreparation is associated with a milder form of acute radiation syndrome, makes pancytopenia less severe (1.13–1.21 times against 2.7–4.9 times in the irradiated control group), and reduces the number of opportunistic enterobacteria (2.2 lg against 4.9 lg in the irradiated animals) in the intestine.

One‐Pot Four‐Segment Ligation Using Seleno‐ and Thioesters: Synthesis of Superoxide Dismutase

AbstractThe synthesis of a peptide selenoester was efficiently carried out by the 9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) method using N‐alkylcysteine, at the C‐terminus of the peptide, as the N‐to‐S acyl shift device. The selenoester selectively reacted with the terminal amino group of the peptide aryl thioester in the presence of N,N‐diisopropylethylamine and dipyridyldisulfide, thus leaving the aryl thioester intact. Combined with silver‐ion‐promoted and silver‐ion‐free thioester activation methods, a one‐pot four‐segment ligation was realized. The method was successfully used to assemble the entire sequence of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is composed of 153 amino‐acid residues, in one pot. After the folding reaction, the fully active SOD was obtained.

One-Pot Four-Segment Ligation Using Seleno- and Thioesters: Synthesis of Superoxide Dismutase.

The synthesis of a peptide selenoester was efficiently carried out by the 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) method using N-alkylcysteine, at the C-terminus of the peptide, as the N-to-S acyl shift device. The selenoester selectively reacted with the terminal amino group of the peptide aryl thioester in the presence of N,N-diisopropylethylamine and dipyridyldisulfide, thus leaving the aryl thioester intact. Combined with silver-ion-promoted and silver-ion-free thioester activation methods, a one-pot four-segment ligation was realized. The method was successfully used to assemble the entire sequence of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is composed of 153 amino-acid residues, in one pot. After the folding reaction, the fully active SOD was obtained.

Allele-Specific Effects on Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Synthesis and Secretion

Plasma extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD) concentrations are significantly (2 - 3-fold) higher in 129 mice than in the C57 strain. We reported earlier that the 129 strain carries a different allele of this enzyme, characterized by two amino acid substitutions and a 10 bp deletion in the 3’UTR of the mRNA. One of the substitutions is at the signal peptide cleavage site (position 21) while the other is within the catalytic site. Since the differences in plasma enzyme concentrations persist in congenic mice expressing the different alleles, the differences in plasma concentrations appear to be largely allele-driven and independent of the remainder of the genome. As expected, in vitro translation using rabbit reticulocyte lysate showed no differences in translational efficiency of transcripts and processing of the newly synthesized enzymes. Determinations of the rates of synthesis and secretion of the two isoforms of this enzyme in stably transfected CHO cells clearly demonstrate that the mature 129 variant is synthesized at rates nearly twice those of the wild-type isoform and has an intracellular pool size twice as large. However, both isoforms are secreted at the same fractional rate and have identical intracellular T1/2 as well as similar extent of degradation. These data explain, at least partially, the higher levels of ecSOD in congenic mice expressing the 129 variant, as well as enzyme levels in the 129 strain of mice. In silico calculations support this conclusion and indicate that the aa change at the signal peptide cleavage site (N21D) results in a substantial increase in cleavage probability at this site for the 129 variant. Our results also highlight the importance of signal peptide cleavage in determining steady-state levels of secretory proteins.

Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Through Economical Methods and Assessment of Toxicity Through Oxidative Stress Analysis in the Labeo Rohita.

The physicochemical and biological properties of metals change as the particles are reduced to nanoscale. This ability increases the application of nanoparticles in commercial and medical industry. Keeping in view this importance, Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were synthesized by reduction methods using formaldehyde as reducing agent in the chemical route and lemon extracts in the biological route. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of nanoparticles suggested that the particles were either agglomerated or spherical in shape with mean diameter of 16.59nm in the chemical route and 42.93nm in the biological route. The particles were between 5 and 80nm with maximum frequency between 5 and 20nm in the chemical route and between 5 and 100nm with maximum frequency between 15 and 50nm in the biological method. In the second phase of the study, the effect of Ag-NPs on the oxidative stress was studied. For this purpose, Labeo rohita (20 ± 2.5g in weight and 12 ± 1.4cm in length) were involved. Six treatments were applied in three replicates having five fishes in each replicate. The first treatment was used as control group, and the other five treatments were exposed to either 10 or 20 or 30 or 45 or 55mgL-1 of Ag-NPs for 28days. The treatment of Ag-NPs caused oxidative stress in the liver and gill tissues, which induced alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The level of catalase (CAT) was decreased in response to Ag-NPs concentration in dose-dependent manner. Ag-NPs treatment stimulated the liver and gill tissues to significantly increase the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which might be due to synthesis of SOD and addition in the pre-existing SOD level. The level decreases again due to depletion of SOD level. There was a sharp decline in the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in both gills and liver tissues even at lower concentration, and this decrease in the GST activity was significantly different at each treatment after 28days of treatment except 20mgL-1. The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of gills and liver tissues were increased with the increase in the concentration. The elevated levels of glutathione (GSH) showed that the liver started defensive mechanism against the oxyradicals. This study finds out the cheap eco-friendly and economical method of Ag-NP synthesis. It is further revealed that Ag-NPs caused oxidative stress in the aquatic animals if exposure occurs at high concentrations.

Glutamate Excitotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Epilepsy: Modulatory Role of Melatonin.

Epilepsy is thought to be associated with oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The enhanced synthesis and release of oxygen free radicals is linked to the low and oxidative potential of the central nervous system. Glutamate excitotoxicity also contributes significantly to the production of reactive nitrogen species that cause nitrosative stress. A decrease in adenosine triphosphate synthesis, which leads to free radical formation, is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. The brain is very much susceptible to degeneration and oxidative stress because of its low antioxidant enzyme activity. Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, has remarkable antioxidant properties. Melatonin and its analogs that bind to melatonin receptors have a significant role in suppressing seizures. Melatonin scavenges oxygen free radicals such as hydroxyl radical, peroxy radical, peroxynitrite anion, and superoxide radical and stimulates synthesis of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, which are potent antioxidant enzymes. Melatonin administration has been shown to be effective in both experimental models and patients suffering from epilepsy. In this review, we compile the literature supporting consequences of seizures and the protective role of melatonin during seizures.

The effectiveness of trace element supplementation following severe burn injury: A systematic review protocol

Review question/objective The objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness of trace element supplementation on clinically meaningful outcomes following severe burn injury in children and adults. More specifically, the objectives are to assess the effectiveness of selenium, copper and zinc supplementation on mortality, length of intensive care unit (ICU) hospital stay, wound healing and infection rates (wound and nosocomial) in patients who have sustained a severe burn injury. Inclusion criteria Types of participation This review will consider studies that include children (2-18 years of age) and adults (≥ 18 years of age) who have sustained a severe burn injury (defined as burn injury ≥ 10% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) in children and ≥ 15% TBSA in adults) and been admitted to an ICU, Burns ICU (BICU), or burns unit for surgical management of their injury. Studies that include patients with significant multi-trauma in addition to burn injury will be excluded. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that evaluate enteral or parenteral supplementation of selenium, copper and zinc, either alone or combined and compared to placebo or regular treatment. Intervention and comparison groups will have received standard nutrition intervention including enteral or parenteral nutrition and multi-vitamin supplements. Studies that include trace element supplementation in combination with other predefined nutrient supplementations will be considered for inclusion. Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that include the following outcome measures: mortality; length of ICU/ hospital stay; rate of wound healing (time to first donor site healing or time to wound closure); complications (e.g. wound infection, hospital acquired pneumonia). Secondary outcome measures: tissue (measured from skin biopsies) and plasma (measured via blood sampling) selenium, copper and zinc levels.

Regulation of Superoxide Dismutase Synthesis in Humcola lutea Cells under Cu2+ Stress Conditions

The superoxide dismutase (SOD) is the first enzyme to respond against oxygen radicals and to offer the greatest response to oxidative stress. The great interest in SODs is a result of their important physiological role and therapeutic potential. The fungal strain Humicola lutea 103 has been selected as an effective producer of Cu/Zn-SOD exhibiting protective effect against influenza virus infection and myeloid Graffi tumour. The present paper s the role of control mechanisms induction and catabolite repression on SOD synthesis under copper stress conditions. Cu ions cause rapid and profound induction of enzyme activity by dose- and time-dependent manner. The deinduction experiments also demonstrate the induction model of SOD synthesis. The results suggest that SOD synthesis in the fungal strain H. lutea 103 treated with Cu ions is a subject to catabolite repression.

Evaluation and Characterization of Antioxidant Activity of Selected Herbs and Spices

This study investigated the antioxidant activity of selected herbs and spices, their effects in reducing the level of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) as well as their influence on the enzymatic activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value was measured to determine the free radical scavenging capacity of the plant extracts, while a fluorescent probe was used to evaluate the ROS scavenging ability. An SOD assay was used to find out if the plants' aqueous extracts can stimulate the production of the SOD. Plant extracts which were found to exhibit high antioxidant activity such as curry leaves, rooibos tea and fenugreek showed superior free radical scavenging ability in hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress cell-line model. Plant extracts which exhibit low antioxidant activity such as Indian malabar, red silk cotton, cowitch, holy fruit tree and bitter gourd showed insignificant free radical scavenging ability. In addition, increased SOD activity was found in curry leaves and rooibos tea. This implied that the plants can increase the enzymatic activity of the SOD enzyme in order to reduce free radical levels, except for fenugreek which appeared to depend solely on the extract's ROS scavenging properties. Plant extracts such as Indian malabar, cowitch, bitter gourd, red silk cotton and holy fruit tree were found to have increase SOD activity, which may be due to the cellular defence mechanism stimulating the synthesis of SOD which was destructed by the ROS present in the cells. Further evaluation and characterization of the plants' for scientific proof is required to establish these traditional medicinal plants as effective means of disease treatment.

Activation of Biodefense System by Low-Dose Irradiation or Radon Inhalation and Its Applicable Possibility for Treatment of Diabetes and Hepatopathy

Adequate oxygen stress induced by low-dose irradiation activates biodefense system, such as induction of the synthesis of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase. We studied the possibility for alleviation of oxidative damage, such as diabetes and nonalcoholic liver disease. Results show that low-dose γ-irradiation increases SOD activity and protects against alloxan diabetes. Prior or post-low-dose X- or γ-irradiation increases antioxidative functions in livers and inhibits ferric nitrilotriacetate and carbon tetrachloride-induced (CCl4) hepatopathy. Moreover, radon inhalation also inhibits CCl4-induced hepatopathy. It is highly possible that low-dose irradiation including radon inhalation activates the biodefence systems and, therefore, contributes to preventing or reducing reactive oxygen species-related diabetes and nonalcoholic liver disease, which are thought to involve peroxidation.

Ghrelin accelerates the healing of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers in rats

SummaryBackgroundPrevious studies have shown that administration of ghrelin exhibits protective and therapeutic effects in the gut. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the influence of ghrelin administration on the course of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers, as well as effects on mucosal production of oxygen free radicals and duodenal antioxidant defense.Material/MethodsDuodenal ulcers were induced in male Wistar rats by cysteamine administered intragastrically at the dose of 200 mg/kg in 1 ml of saline, 3 times at 4-h intervals. Starting 24 h after the first dose of cysteamine, rats were treated intraperitoneally twice a day with saline or ghrelin given at the dose of 4, 8 or 16 nmol/kg/dose. Seven days after administration of the first dose of cysteamine, the study was terminated.ResultsInduction of ulcers by cysteamine was accompanied by a reduction in duodenal blood flow, mucosal DNA synthesis and mucosal activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD); whereas mucosal concentration of interleukin-1β and malonyldialdehyde (MDA – an index of lipid peroxidation) were increased. Treatment with ghrelin increased healing rate of duodenal ulcers and enhanced duodenal blood flow, mucosal DNA synthesis and mucosal activity of SOD, and reduced mucosal concentration of interleukin-1β and MDA.ConclusionsTreatment with ghrelin increases the healing rate of duodenal ulcers and this effect is related, at least in part, to improvement of duodenal mucosal blood flow, mucosal cell proliferation and antioxidant defense, as well as being related to reduction in mucosal oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Anti-oxidant activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes in skeletal muscles from slaughter cattle infected with Taenia saginata

It is known that highly reactive oxygene species produced during normal cellular metabolism represent a powerful effector mechanism against parasites. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) belong to the main defense anti-oxidants that prevent the formation of new free radical species. The aim of this study was to assess the activities of SOD and GPx in cattle tissues infected with Taenia saginata. We observed a statistically significant increase in the SOD and GPx activities (p=0.00003, 0.00008, respectively, Student’s t-test) in skeletal muscles infected with T. saginata in spectrophotometric analysis. With the use of western blot technique, SOD synthesis stimulation has appeared in the host tissues containing cysticerci in contrast with the control samples. There was no statistically significant increase in the GPx band intensity observed in the studied samples in comparison to controls (Gene Tools Version 4.01 program). These results support the significance of anti-oxidant processes in host defense mechanism during parasitic infections.

Interaction of Propranolol with Garlic on Biochemical and Histological Changes in Rat

The current study dealt with the interaction of garlic homogenate (GH) with propranolol (PRO) in rat, and to determine whether this effect is associated with biochemical and histological changes. Albino rats were treated with GH at three different doses of 125 mg/kg (GH-125), 250 mg/kg (GH-250) and 500 mg/kg (GH-500) orally for 30 days and PRO was incorporated in the interactive groups during the last seven days of GH treatment. Blood was withdrawn under ether anesthesia from the retroorbital route and serum was separated. Heart tissue homogenate (HTH) of the excised heart was also prepared. Both serum and HTH were used for biochemical estimation. Histopathological studies were carried out subsequently for confirmation of biochemical findings. GH-125 and GH-250 were found to significantly augment the endogenous antioxidant synthesis whereas, GH-500 was found to significantly diminish the synthesis of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Toxicity of GH-500 cannot be reversed by the addition of PRO in the therapy. However, incorporation of PRO in GH-125 or GH-250 treatment showed significant synergistic effect in terms of increasing antioxidant synthesis. Mild and moderate doses of GH were also shown to keep the integrity of myocardium intact, whereas GH-500 damages the myocardium. The findings of the present study indicate that it is safe to administer garlic in low to moderate doses in cardiac patients receiving propranolol. However, high doses of GH are found to be toxic to myocardium and hence care should be taken for proper selection of doses.