Superoxide Dismutase Activity Research Articles

Maternal swimming with overload allied to postnatal high-fat, high-sugar diet induce subtle impairment on rat offspring’s ovarian redox homeostasis

Context The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) concept suggests that early-life interventions significantly influence the long-term health outcomes of offspring. Emerging evidence supports that maternal physical exercise and balanced nutrition can positively impact the health of the next generation. Aims This study investigated the effects of maternal swimming combined with postnatal high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS) diet on the ovarian health of adult female Wistar rat offspring. Methods Adult female Wistar rats performed swimming exercise in a controlled temperature environment (32°C, 2% bodyweight overload adjusted daily) during 4 weeks, starting 1 week prior mating. The female offspring received a control or HFHS diet from postnatal day (PND) 21 to PND 90. We analyzed offspring’s body weight, ovarian histomorphology, redox status, and associated molecular pathways 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPKα), forkhead box O3 (FoxO3), and mitofusin 1 (Mfn-1). Key results Our findings reveal that maternal swimming exerted an effect on offspring body weight gain, delaying it. Individually, maternal exercise reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and mitofusin-1 levels, while the postnatal HFHS diet alone decreased both SOD and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and increased the pFOXO3a/FOXO3a ratio in the ovaries. Conclusions We showed that combination of maternal swimming with a 2% overload and a postnatal HFHS diet can negatively affect the ovarian redox balance in offspring. Implications Prenatal and postnatal lifestyle might affect reproductive function in females.

A promising therapeutic potential of Origanum vulgare extract in mitigating ethanol-induced working memory impairments and hippocampal oxidative stress in rats

ABSTRACT This study explored the therapeutic potential hydroalcoholic extract derived from Origanum vulgare leaf in mitigating ethanol-induced working memory impairments and hippocampal oxidative stress in rats. Eight groups, including controls, ethanol-exposed rats, and those treated with extract (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) alone or combined with ethanol, were assessed using the radial arm maze (RAM) for behavioral tests. Ethanol increased working memory errors and time spent in error zones, effects notably reduced by the extract, especially at 300 mg/kg dose (P≤0.001). Biochemical tests showed ethanol suppressed catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities within the hippocampus and cortex. while the extract elevated CAT and SOD activities and reduced AChE activity. These results suggest the extract’s neuroprotective properties, including oxidative stress reduction and neurotransmitter modulation, which mitigate ethanol-induced hippocampal damage. This highlights Origanum vulgare extract potential as a therapeutic adjunct for memory deficits and oxidative stress-related conditions.

Impact of short‐ and long‐duration thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activity in Parthenium beetles

AbstractInsects encounter variable temperature conditions in their natural habitats. Under non‐optimal temperatures, they experience thermal stress and oxidative damage, which are mitigated by antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). While short‐term effects of thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activities in insects are well understood, the long‐term effects are less explored. We investigated both short‐term (3 and 6 h) and long‐term (24 h) effects of thermal stress on SOD, CAT and LPO activities in the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister at cold (15°C), control/optimal (25°C) and hot (35°C) temperatures. Although Z. bicolorata is an effective biocontrol agent for noxious Parthenium weed, no prior study assessed the impact of thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activities in this beetle. Our results revealed that antioxidant enzymes activities increased above control levels in both larvae and adults when exposed to thermal stress for short durations. Under long‐term thermal stress, CAT and LPO activities decreased below control levels, while SOD activity increased. Regardless of temperature conditions, early larval instars exhibited higher enzyme activities compared to later instars. In adults, males showed higher SOD and CAT activities, whereas LPO activity did not differ significantly between sexes. Our findings suggest that short‐term thermal stress can stimulate protective enzyme activity in these beetles and help them adapt to suboptimal temperatures. However, prolonged exposure may lead to excessive stimulation, potentially inhibiting protective enzyme activity and causing the beetles to activate alternative pathways to manage thermal stress. Moreover, fourth instars and adult females are the most thermal stress‐tolerant stages for Parthenium biocontrol.

Effect of the growth-stimulating bacterium <i>Pseudomonas protegens</i> DA1.2 and its metabolites on damage to rapeseed by soil residues of metsulfuron-methyl

The biochemical processes mediating the positive effect of bacteria on plants experiencing herbicidal stress were investigated. For this purpose the effect of the Pseudomonas protegens DA1.2 bacterial strain, low molecular weight (5 kDa) and high molecular weight (5 kDa) fractions of its culture fluid (CF) on the activity of acetolactate synthase (ALS) and the antioxidant status of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) of the Kupol variety grown under artificial lighting in methsulfuron-methyl contaminated soil was evaluated. Strain P. protegens DA1.2 and its metabolites contributed to an increase in the mass of rapeseed shoots by 21–68%, reduced the inhibition of the ALS enzyme by 11–24% and mitigated the manifestations of oxidative stress. The protective effect of the treatments decreased in a row: CF with living bacterial cells-low molecular weight fraction of CF-high molecular weight fraction of CF. An increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase by 51–94% and glutathione reductase by 17–20% in plants treated with bacteria or their metabolites indicated the possible participation of these antioxidant enzymes in reducing the phytotoxicity of metsulfuron-methyl soil residues for rapeseed plants.

The association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism FokI and type 2 diabetic kidney disease and its molecular mechanism: a case control study

BackgroundThe role of the vitamin D receptor single nucleotide polymorphism FOKI (VDR-FOKI) (rs2228570) in genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetic kidney disease (T2DKD) remains uncertain. This study investigated the relationship between VDR-FOKI and T2DKD within the Chinese Plateau Han population and analyzed the underlying mechanisms.MethodsA total of 316 subjects were enrolled, including 44 healthy adults, 114 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and 158 patients with T2DKD. According to the 2023 American Diabetes Association Diabetes Guidelines, patients with T2DKD were categorized into low-medium-risk and high-risk groups based on estimates of glomerular filtration rate and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio. The VDR-FokI genotypes of all participants were identified using the Taqman probe and classified as homozygous mutant genotypes (C/C or FF), heterozygous mutant genotypes (C/T or Ff), and homozygous wild genotypes (T/T or ff). Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) were assessed in T2DKD patients with FF and ff genotypes. Additionally, the levels of plasma VDR, GPX4, and P53 were determined using ELISA, while the relative expressions of VDR mRNA, GPX4 mRNA, and TP53 mRNA in whole blood were measured by RT-qPCR.ResultsThe T2DM patients with the ff genotype exhibited a 2.93-fold increased likelihood of developing T2DKD compared to those with the FF genotype (ORadjusted = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.142–7.513). Additionally, they were 2.01 times more likely to develop T2DKD than individuals with the FF and Ff genotypes (ORadjusted = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.008–4.006). However, no significant differences in VDR-FokI genotype distribution were observed between the healthy control group and the T2DM group, as well as between the low-medium-risk and high-risk groups of T2DKD. Furthermore, T2DKD patients with the ff genotype had significantly higher plasma levels of MDA compared to those with the FF genotype. In contrast, plasma GSH and SOD content was significantly lower in the ff genotype patients (P < 0.05). Additionally, the GPX4 concentration in ff genotype patients was significantly lower than in FF genotype patients [14.88 (11.32,22.39) vs. 12.76 (8.55,13.75), P = 0.037]. Nevertheless, no statistically significant difference was observed in the expression of VDRmRNA, GPX4mRNA, TP53mRNA, plasma VDR, and plasma P53.ConclusionsThe ff genotype of VDR-FokI is a risk factor for T2DKD, and the potential mechanism may be related to ferroptosis. However, It is not associated with T2DM or the progression of T2DKD.

Exploring the antidiabetic activity of potential probiotic bacteria isolated from traditional fermented beverage.

Type 2 Diabetes continues to be one of the major public health issues worldwide without any sustainable cure. The modulation of gut microbiota is believed to be caused by probiotic bacteria and several probiotic strains have previously shown antidiabetic activity. The present study aims to isolate potential probiotic bacteria from traditionally used fermented rice beer of Assam, India and to investigate its anti-hyperglycemic effect. Of the 20 isolated bacterial isolates, 5 isolates showed potential probiotic activities, of which, 2 isolates viz. Bacillus sp. FRB_A(A) and Acetobacter sp. FRB_B(S) showed good in vitro anti-oxidant and anti α-glucosidase activities. Based on the in vitro results, isolate Bacillus sp. FRB_A(A) was further used to evaluate the antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model. After 21 days, the blood glucose level in diabetic rats with probiotic administration significantly lowered from 458.00 ± 46.62mg/dl to 108.20 ± 6.76mg/dl (p < 0.001), whereas, in diabetic rats without probiotic remained high (576.20 ± 29.48mg/dl). On analyzing the endogenous antioxidant profile in various tissues of the experimental rats, reduced lipid peroxidation, glutathione level and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity were observed in probiotic administered rats in comparison to the streptozotocin treated diabetic controls. In conclusion, the bacteria Bacillus sp. FRB_A(A) isolated from fermented rice beer possesses probiotic attributes and exhibits significant anti-hyperglycemic activities.

An antioxidant nanozyme for targeted cardiac fibrosis therapy post myocardial infarction

The excessive release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after myocardial infarction (MI) disrupts the natural healing process, leading to cardiac fibrosis and compromising patient prognosis. However, the clinical application of many antioxidant drugs for MI treatment is hindered by their poor antioxidant efficacy and inability to specifically target the heart. Here we developed a tannic acid-modified MnO2 nanozyme (named MnO2@TA), which can achieve cardiac targeting to inhibit post-MI fibrosis and enhance cardiac function. Specifically, the MnO2@TA nanozyme, endowed with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, effectively scavenges ROS, suppressing fibroblast activation and mitigating cardiac fibrosis without affecting cardiac repair. Notably, the incorporation of TA improves the nanozyme’s affinity for the elastin and collagen-rich extracellular matrix in cardiac tissues, significantly increasing its retention and uptake within the heart and thereby enhancing its anti-fibrotic efficacy. In a murine myocardial infarction model, MnO2@TA demonstrates remarkable cardiac protection and safety, significantly improving cardiac function while attenuating cardiac fibrosis. This study presents a valuable reference for clinical research aimed at inhibiting cardiac fibrosis and advancing myocardial infarction treatments.Graphical

SMP30 Alleviates Oxidative Stress and Regulates Ca2+-ATPase Activity in UVR-B-Induced Cataracts in Rats

Purpose Oxidative stress, ultraviolet radiation, and calcium imbalance are key components in the onset and advancement of cataract, which continue to be the leading cause of blindness globally. An important newly discovered aging maker, Senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30) regulates calcium and participates in mitigating oxidative stress damage. Here, we examined the beneficial role of SMP30 in protecting against ultraviolet radiation type B (UVR-B)-induced cataract in rats. Methods Wistar rats (2 months) were arbitrarily assigned into 4 groups of 10 rats. These groups included the Control group, UVR-B group, adeno-associated virus 2 vectors negative control (AAV2-NC) group, and adeno-associated virus 2-mediated overexpression of SMP30 (AAV2-SMP30) group. The control group received Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) via injection, while the AAV2-NC group and AAV-SMP30 group were separately injected with AAV2-NC and AAV2-SMP30 vectors. In addition to the control group, the remaining three experimental groups were subjected to ultraviolet light exposure 4 weeks post-injection. The lens opacity was examined by stereoscopic microscope, and the lenses were separated to measure oxidative damage parameters particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and Ca2+-ATPase activity. The localization and expression of SMP30 and Ca2+-ATPase in the lenses were determined using immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR. Results After UVR-B irradiation, the AAV2-SMP30 group exhibited a substantial decrease in lens opacity compared to the UVR-B group. The results revealed a notable downregulation of SMP30 expression and the activities of SOD, GPX, and Ca2+-ATPase of rat lens following exposure to UVR-B radiation. However, SMP30 overexpression partially reversed these effects. In vivo experiments demonstrated SMP30 overexpression attenuated the UVR-B-induced decline in SOD, GPX, and Ca2+-ATPase activities. Conclusion This study demonstrates that SMP30 has the potential to reduce lens opacity caused by UVR-B by increasing antioxidant stress and regulating Ca2+-ATPase activity. SMP30 might be a cutting-edge target for the treatment of cataracts.

One-Off Irrigation Combined Subsoiling and Nitrogen Management Enhances Wheat Grain Yield by Optimizing Physiological Characteristics in Leaves in Dryland Regions

Irrigation practice, tillage method, and nitrogen (N) management are the three most important agronomic measures for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production, but the combined effects on grain yield and wheat physiological characteristics are still poorly understood. We conducted a three-year split–split field experiment at the junction of the Loess Plateau and Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in China. The two irrigation practices (I0: non-irrigation and I1: one-off irrigation), three tillage methods (RT: rotary tillage, PT: plowing, and ST: subsoiling), and four N managements (N0, N120, N180, and N240) were assigned to the main plots, subplots, and sub-subplots, respectively. Irrigation practice, tillage method, N management, and most of their two-factor and three-factor interactions could significantly affect grain yield and the physiological characteristics of the leaves of winter wheat. One-off irrigation increased the grain yield by 46.9% by optimizing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), the contents of proline (Pro) and soluble sugar (SS), and the net photosynthesis rate (Pn) in leaves during most growth stages of wheat. The improvement of grain yield and physiological characteristics under one-off irrigation was considerably affected by the tillage method and N management, and the effectiveness of one-off irrigation was improved under subsoiling and N180 or N240. One-off irrigation combining subsoiling and N180 had no significant difference relative to one-off irrigation combining subsoiling and N240, while it significantly increased grain yield by 47.1% over the three years, as well as increasing the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT, and Pn in wheat leaves by 23.2%, 41.2%, 26.1%, and 53.0%, respectively, and decreasing the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), Pro, and SS by 29.2%, 65.4%, and 18.2% compared to non-irrigation rotary tillage combined with N240 across the two years and three stages. The wheat grain yield was significantly associated with the physiological characteristics in flag leaves, and the coefficient was greatest for POD activity, followed by SOD activity and Pn. Therefore, one-off irrigation combining subsoiling and N180 is an optimal strategy for the high-yield production of wheat in dryland regions where the one-off irrigation is assured.

Effects of Replacing Fishmeal with American Cockroach Residue on the Growth Performance, Metabolism, Intestinal Morphology, and Antioxidant Capacity of Juvenile Cyprinus carpio

Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (Diet 1–Diet 5, with Diet 1 as the control) were formulated to replace 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of fishmeal with American cockroach residue. Juvenile Cyprinus carpio (initial body weight approximately 74 g) were randomly assigned to these diets for a 10-week feeding trial. The Diet 3 group (40% replacement) showed significantly higher final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio compared to other groups. No significant differences were observed in crude protein, ash, and total amino acid content across the diets. Groups fed Diet 1 and Diet 2 exhibited higher intestinal trypsin, lipase, α-amylase, and hepatic trypsin activities. Serum triglyceride (TG) levels were highest in the Diet 5 group. Hepatic aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity was significantly lower in the Diet 3 and Diet 5 groups compared to Diet 1. Serum urea nitrogen levels followed a non-linear trend, initially increasing, then decreasing, and rising again with increasing fishmeal replacement. No significant differences were found in serum total protein (TP) levels among the dietary groups. Intestinal villus number, muscle layer thickness, villus height, villus width, and crypt depth remained consistent across groups. However, goblet cell numbers were significantly reduced at the 60% replacement level, which could impair intestinal barrier function. Diet 3 showed higher serum and hepatic total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, while Diet 2 had the highest hepatic total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were lowest in the Diet 2 and Diet 5 groups. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels showed an increasing trend with higher fishmeal replacement levels. In conclusion, replacing fishmeal with American cockroach residue did not adversely affect growth performance or body composition in juvenile C. carpio. Substituting 20–40% of fishmeal with American cockroach residue enhanced antioxidant capacity and immune function in juvenile C. carpio.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Regulates the Keap1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway to Improve the Intestinal (Caco-2 Cells and Chicken Jejunum) Oxidative Stress Response Induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

This article aims to investigate the mechanism by which Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alleviates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal oxidative stress. The study involved two experimental subjects: human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells and Arbor Acres broiler chickens. The experiment involving two samples was designed with the same treatment groups, specifically the control (CK) group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (JF) group, and JF+LPS group. In the Caco-2 experiment, we administered 2 μg/mL of LPS and 1 × 106 CFU/mL of JF to the LPS and JF groups, respectively. In the broiler experiment, the LPS group (19–21 d) received an abdominal injection of 0.5 mg/kg BW of LPS, whereas the JF group was fed 1 × 107 CFU/g of JF throughout the entire duration of the experiment (1–21 d). The results indicated the following: (1) JF significantly decreased the DPPH free radical clearance rate and hydrogen peroxide levels (p &lt; 0.05). (2) JF significantly enhanced the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px) activity in Caco-2 cells (p &lt; 0.05), while concurrently reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p &lt; 0.05). (3) Compared to the CK group, JF significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), SOD, catalase (CAT), GSH-Px, interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), Claudin, Occludin1, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and mucin 2 (MUC2) in Caco-2 cells (p &lt; 0.05), while concurrently reducing the mRNA expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p &lt; 0.05). In comparison to the LPS group, the JF+LPS group demonstrated a significant increase in the mRNA expression of Nrf2, SOD, GSH-Px, and IL-4, as well as Occludin1, ZO-1, and MUC2 in Caco-2 cells (p &lt; 0.05), alongside a decrease in the mRNA expression of Keap1, TNF-α, and IL-1β (p &lt; 0.05). (4) In broiler chickens, the JF group significantly elevated the levels of T-AOC, CAT, and GSH-Px in the jejunum while reducing MDA content (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the CAT level in the JF+LPS group was significantly higher than that observed in the LPS group, and the levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β were significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.05). (5) In comparison to the CK group, the JF group exhibited a significant increase in Nrf2 levels in the jejunum of broiler chickens (p &lt; 0.05). Notably, the mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-10, Claudin, Occludin1, ZO-1, and MUC2 were reduced (p &lt; 0.05), while the mRNA expression levels of Keap1, TNF-α, and IL-1β also showed a decrease (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, Occludin1, ZO-1, and MUC2 in the JF+LPS group were significantly elevated compared to those in the LPS group (p &lt; 0.05), whereas the mRNA expression levels of Keap1 and TNF-α were significantly diminished (p &lt; 0.05). In summary, JF can enhance the intestinal oxidative stress response, improve antioxidant capacity and intestinal barrier function, and decrease the expression of inflammatory factors by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Use of Intramolecular Quinol Redox Couples to Facilitate the Catalytic Transformation of O2 and O2-Derived Species.

ConspectusThe redox reactivity of transition metal centers can be augmented by nearby redox-active inorganic or organic moieties. In some cases, these functional groups can even allow a metal center to participate in reactions that were previously inaccessible to both the metal center and the functional group by themselves. Our research groups have been synthesizing and characterizing coordination complexes with polydentate quinol-containing ligands. Quinol is capable of being reversibly oxidized by either one or two electrons to semiquinone or para-quinone, respectively. Functionally, quinol behaves much differently than phenol, even though the pKa values of the first O-H bonds are nearly identical.The redox activity of the quinol in the polydentate ligand can augment the abilities of bound redox-active metals to catalyze the dismutation of O2-• and H2O2. These complexes can thereby act as high-performing functional mimics of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes, which exclusively use redox-active metals to transfer electrons to and from these reactive oxygen species (ROS). The quinols augment the activity of redox-active metals by stabilizing higher-valent metal species, providing alternative redox partners for the oxidation and reduction of reactive oxygen species, and protecting the catalyst from destructive side reactions. The covalently attached quinols can even enable redox-inactive Zn(II) to catalyze the degradation of ROS. With the Zn(II)-containing SOD and CAT mimics, the organic redox couple entirely substitutes for the inorganic redox couples used by the enzymes. The ligand structure modulates the antioxidant activity, and thus far, we have found that compounds that have poor or negligible SOD activity can nonetheless behave as efficient CAT mimics.Quinol-containing ligands have also been used to prepare electrocatalysts for dioxygen reduction, functionally mimicking the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. The installation of quinols can boost electrocatalytic activity and even enable otherwise inactive ligand frameworks to support electrocatalysis. The quinols can also shift the product selectivity of O2 reduction from H2O2 to H2O without markedly increasing the effective overpotential. Distinct control of the coordination environment around the metal center allows the most successful of these catalysts to use economic and naturally abundant first-row transition metals such as iron and cobalt to selectively reduce O2 to H2O at low effective overpotentials. With iron, we have found that the electrocatalysts can enter the catalytic cycle as either an Fe(II) or Fe(III) species with no difference in turnover frequency. The entry point to the cycle, however, has a marked impact on the effective overpotential, with the Fe(III) species thus far being more efficient.

Novel HP2MGL resin‐based enrichment of flavonoids from Dendrobium catenatum flower and their antiaging efficacy

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to enrich flavonoids from Dendrobium catenatum Wall ex Lindl flowers using macroporous resins and investigate their bioactivity. The optimal enrichment process with HP2MGL resin was established with a total flavonoid concentration of 0.50 mg/mL, a sample flow rate of 1 BV/h, and a sample volume of 25.5 BV. Desorption was performed using 80% ethanol at a flow rate of 3 BV/h and an eluent volume of 5 BV. The purified extract showed a 7.3‐fold increase in purity compared to the crude extract. A total of 33 major compounds in the purified flavonoids were identified and quantified, including flavonols and flavonoid C‐glycosides, with hyperoside being the most abundant. In vivo tests demonstrated that the enriched extract extended the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, enhanced locomotion, and increased superoxide dismutase activity while significantly reducing oxidative stress markers such as lipofuscin, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde. The findings provide a practical method for large‐scale extraction of flavonoids from D. catenatum flowers and suggest that Dendrobium catenatum flower extract (DCFE‐E) exhibits strong antiaging properties, indicating potential applications in functional foods and cosmetics. This research contributes to the scientific understanding of D. catenatum resource utilization and enhances the value of its products.

Co-Treatment with Cranberry and Vitamin-C Mitigates Reproductive Toxicities Induced by Phenobarbital in Male Rats

Background/Aims: Phenobarbital (PB), commonly used for epilepsy management, is associated with testicular dysfunction after prolonged use. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of cranberry (CB) and vitamin C (Vit-C) on PB-induced reproductive toxicity in rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. G1 was the negative control, while G2 received PB (160 mg/kg orally) for one month. Groups G3 and G4 received PB followed by CB (500 mg/kg) and Vit-C (27 mg/kg) treatments, respectively. G5 received PB followed by a combined CB and Vit-C regimen. The levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reduced (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using standard biochemical assays. Histological changes in testicular tissues were assessed, and caspase-3 expression was quantified via immunohistochemistry. Results: PB exposure increased MDA levels, reduced SOD and CAT activity, and disrupted testicular histology, with elevated caspase-3 expression indicating heightened apoptosis. Treatment with CB or Vit-C significantly restored antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced MDA levels, and ameliorated histological abnormalities. Co-treatment with CB and Vit-C yielded the most pronounced protective effects, including reduced caspase-3 expression and improved testicular structure. Conclusion: CB and Vit-C demonstrate significant protective effects against PB-induced testicular toxicity, likely due to their antioxidative and anti-apoptotic properties. Co-administration of these agents offers an effective strategy to mitigate reproductive toxicities associated with prolonged PB use.

Supplemental effects of Haematococcus pluvialis in a low-fish meal diet for Litopenaeus vannamei at varying temperatures: growth performance, innate immunity and gut bacterial community

This study examined the effects of Haematococcus pluvialis on the growth performance, innate immunity, and gut microbiota of Litopenaeus vannamei under different water temperature conditions. Feeding regimens included a 20% fishmeal diet (control), a low-fish meal (LFM) diet with 10% fishmeal and an LFM diet supplemented with 0.03% H. pluvialis. These diets were administered to six groups of L. vannamei at normal (30°C) (NT) and low (20°C) (LT) temperatures (NT_C, NT_LFM, NT_LFM_HP, LT_C, LT_LFM, and LT_LFM_HP) over 8 weeks. The weight gain rate of L. vannamei in group NT_LFM_HP was significantly higher compared to group NT_LFM. Astaxanthin levels and body pigmentation intensity in L. vannamei were significantly increased in the NT_LFM_HP and LT_LFM_HP groups. Moreover, hepatopancreatic antioxidant capacities, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), were lower in normal-temperature groups compared to the low-temperature groups. Nevertheless, antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in both the NT_LFM_HP and LT_LFM_HP groups compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the expression levels of antioxidants were significantly higher at lower temperatures compared to higher temperatures, with the NT_LFM_HP and LT_LFM_HP groups exhibiting the highest expression levels. Additionally, the mRNA levels of genes associated with the Toll and IMD pathways indicated immunoregulatory effects in the organism. The expression levels of immune genes were significantly higher at lower temperatures, especially in the NT_LFM_HP and LT_LFM_HP groups compared to the control groups. Notably, significant differences in gut microbial composition were observed in the NT_LFM_HP group compared to other groups, with variations influenced by temperature and fishmeal content. Specifically, Vibrionaceae abundance was significantly lower in the LT_LFM_HP group compared to the control group. The results also revealed that the abundance of Actinomarinales was significantly higher in low-temperature groups, with the LT_LFM_HP group displaying the greatest increase. Overall, these findings suggest that L. vannamei may be susceptible to reduced fishmeal levels, potentially impacting growth and immune function. Furthermore, H. pluvialis supplementation may assist L. vannamei in acclimating to prolonged low-temperature conditions.

A Seed Endophytic Bacterium Cronobacter dublinensis BC-14 Enhances the Growth and Drought Tolerance of Echinochloa crus-galli

Successful seed germination and plant seedling growth often require association with endophytic bacteria. Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.) is a main weed during rice cultivation and has frequently been found in drought-prone fields such as cornfields in recent years. To determine whether endophytic bacteria enhance the survival chances of barnyard grass in dryland conditions, endophytic bacteria were collected from barnyard grass seeds. An endophytic bacterial strain, BC-14, was selected and confirmed as Cronobacter dublinensis based on its morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and genomic information. Moreover, C. dublinensis BC-14 secreted IAA in the Luria–Bertani broth up to 28.44 mg/L after 5 days; it could colonize the roots of barnyard grass. After the inoculation with seeds or the well-mixed planting soil, the bacterium can significantly increase the root length and plant height of barnyard grass under drought conditions. When comparing with the control group on the 28th day, it can be seen that the bacterium can significantly increase the contents of chlorophyll b (up to 7.58 times) and proline (37.21%); improve the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase (36.90%, 51.51%, and 12.09%, respectively); and reduce the content of malondialdehyde around 25.92%, which are correlated to the drought tolerance. The bacterial genomic annotation revealed that it contains growth-promoting and drought-resistant functional genes. In a word, C. dublinensis BC-14 can help barnyard grass suppress drought stress, promote plant growth, and enhance biomass accumulation, which is helpful to interpret the mechanism of weed adaptability in dry environments.

Effects of Flurochloridone on the Developmental Toxicity in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryo.

Flurochloridone (FLC) is a selective herbicide that can cause reproductive toxicity in male rats. However, limited information is available regarding the toxicity of FLC in the developmental stages of aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FLC exposure during embryonic development and elucidate its potential mechanism of action. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/mL FLC for 4-144 hpf. The developmental status of embryos was recorded; the indicators of oxidative stress and embryonic apoptosis were determined. We found that FLC exposure caused severe embryonic malformations, such as pericardial edema, spinal curvature, and growth retardation, accompanied by a decreased hatching and survival rate. After exposure until 144 h postfertilization, the median lethal concentration (LC50) of FLC in zebrafish embryos was 36.9 μg/mL. Subsequently, FLC induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase, and activated the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway. Further studies confirmed that FLC can induce apoptosis in zebrafish embryos through the activation of caspase. These results suggest that FLC induced developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos, which provides new evidence regarding FLC toxicity in aquatic organisms and to assess human health risks.

The Potential of the Probiotic Isolate Lactobacillus plantarum SS18‐50 to Prevent Colitis in Mice

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) SS18‐50 (an isolate with favorable probiotic properties following space traveling) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis in mice. Male ICR mice were randomly assigned to one of six groups: a control group, a model group, and four intervention groups comprising the isolate (SS18‐50‐L and SS18‐50‐H) and the wild type (GS18‐L and GS18‐H) strains. The model group and the intervention groups were administered a 3.5% DSS (w/v) solution to induce acute enteritis. The four intervention groups were administered the corresponding bacterial suspensions, SS18‐50‐L (1.0 × 107 CFU/mL), SS18‐50‐H (1.0 × 109 CFU/mL), GS18‐L (1.0 × 107 CFU/mL), and GS18‐H (1.0 × 109 CFU/mL). The results demonstrated that the disease activity index (DAI) score of the SS18‐50‐H was markedly lower than that of the CON. Subsequently, the colon tissue of mice was analyzed to determine the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The results demonstrated that all strains within the intervention groups exhibited good performance to prevent colitis. Particularly, the SS18‐50‐H strain exhibited a pronounced stimulative effect on GSH, an increase in SOD activity, and a decrease in MPO activity and MDA content. The SS18‐50‐H treatment resulted in a notable elevation in serum somatostatin (SS) levels and a concomitant reduction in endothelin (ET) and substance P (SP) levels, which approached normal ranges. The results of the RT‐qPCR analysis demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α), cyclooxygenase (COX‐2), interleukin (IL‐10), and interleukin (IL‐6) in the SS18‐50‐H were significantly reduced to levels comparable to those observed in the CON. In conclusion, L. plantarum SS18‐50 has been demonstrated to inhibit the development of colitis in a dose‐dependent manner, thereby establishing it as a high‐quality lactic acid bacterium with a colitis inhibitory effect.

Growth and physiological response of Yulu Hippophae rhamnoides to drought stress and its omics analysis

ABSTRACT Hippophae rhamnoides (H. rhamnoides) is the primary tree species known for its ecological and economic benefits in arid and semi-arid regions. Understanding the response of H. rhamnoides roots to drought stress is essential for promoting the development of varieties. One-year-old Yulu H. rhamnoides was utilized as the experimental material, and three water gradients were established: control (CK), moderate (T1) and severe (T2), over a period of 120 days. The phenotypic traits and physiological indies were assessed and analyzed, while the roots were subjected by RNA-Seq transcriptome and Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) proteome analysis. Drought stress significantly reduced the plant height, ground diameter, root biomass and superoxide dismutase activity; however, the main root length increased. In comparison with CK, a total of 5789 and 5594 differential genes, as well as 63 and 1012 differential proteins, were identified in T1 and T2, respectively. The combined analysis of transcriptome and proteome showed that the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) associated with T1, T2 and CK was 28 and 126, respectively, with 7 and 36 genes achieving effective KEGG annotation. In T1 and T2, the differential genes were significantly enriched in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway, but there was no significant enrichment in the protein expression profile. In T2, 38 plant hormone signal transduction function genes and 10 peroxisome related genes were identified. With the increase of drought stress, the combined expression of DEGs and DEPs increased. Yulu H. rhamnoides may allocate more resources toward CAT while simultaneously decreasing SOD and POD to mitigate the oxidative stress induced by drought. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying plant hormone signal transduction and peroxisome-related genes in the roots of H. rhamnoides were discussed in greater detail.

Selective Lipophilization of Natural Phenolic Alcohols Induced by In Situ Choline Chloride-Based Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents.

In this scientific work, a novel and green method for selective lipophilization of EVOO's bioactive phenolic alcohols (PAs), namely, tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, and its metabolite homovanillyl alcohol as fatty acid esters, is elucidated. The PAs have been employed as hydrogen bond donors in the formation of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) with choline chloride (ChCl). The fast and cheap esterification method by in situ formation of choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents promotes the derivatization of PAs with various fatty acids as acylating agents in the absence of organic solvents and catalysts. Furthermore, given the growing interest in the application of NADES formed by bioactive molecules in the pharmacological and cosmetic fields, we analyzed the activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase of three chemical formulations obtained after the formation of PA-oleate in the H2O2-treated HaCat human keratinocytes cell line, assessing also their toxicity via the MTT assay.