Thiobarbituric Acid Method Research Articles

Effects of curcumin and melatonin treatment in the cerebral cortex of adult rats.

The study investigated the effect of exogenous melatonin and (or) curcumin treatment on the cerebral cortex of adult rats. In this context, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and SIRT2 protein expression were examined. A total of 30 Wistar albino rats involved in the study were randomly divided into five groups. Over 30 days, the control groups received phosphate-buffered saline or dimethyl sulfoxide injections, and the treatment groups received melatonin, curcumin, or a combination of melatonin and curcumin injections. In the cerebral cortex homogenates, the MDA, GSH, and sum of NO were respectively determined by the thiobarbituric acid, modified Ellman and Griess test methods. The SOD and Nrf2 levels were examined using the ELISA method and SIRT2 protein expression using the Western blot technique. The study found that both melatonin and curcumin treatments significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and SIRT2 protein expression levels (p < 0.05) and increased the Nrf2 level in the cytoplasm (p < 0.05). The study revealed that curcumin and melatonin treatments reduced MDA and SIRT2 protein expression level and increased intracellular Nrf2, GSH, and SOD in the cortex tissue. We also found that the combined melatonin and curcumin treatment produced no synergistic effect.

Gastroprotective activity of yogurt fortified with purple roselle extract in rats exposed with 2,3,7,8-TCDD

Persistent organic pollutant 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodiobenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), known as harmful congeners of dioxin, has many adverse effects on human or animal health. This TCDD enters the body through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Purple Roselle is a well-known herb-medicinal plant having antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of purple roselle water extract along yogurt against dioxin exposure. The antioxidant properties of the extract were measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and gastrointestinal histology. For this, 25 white male rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used, and these rats were divided into five groups negative control, positive control (TCDD 200 ng/kg BW), and three treatment groups (TCDD 200 ng/kg BW + yogurt fortified with purple roselle water extract concentrations 0.5, 1, and 1.5 percent), all the treatments were given orally. Gastric MDA was determined quantitatively using the Thiobarbituric Acid (TBA) method and the one-way ANOVA test, continued by a Tukey post hoc test with a confidence level of 95% while the gastric histology was observed descriptively. Results of the study revealed that supplementation of fortified yogurt with 1% purple roselle extract could dramatically reduce MDA levels (p&lt;0,05) and heal histological damage in the lamina propria mucosa of stomach rats subjected to TCDD. Results of the study can be concluded that consuming yogurt with purple roselle extract can reduce MDA levels and repair histological damage to the gastric mucosa caused by dioxin exposure.

Physicochemical Investigation of Some Oil Emulsions Oxidized by UV-B Radiation

In this study, the effects of UV B (50 µW/cm2) radiation at 306 nm on oil-in-water emulsions (O/W) using canola oil, soybean oil and linoleic acid were investigated. The oxidation rates of emulsions incubated at pH 7.0 and 37°C in the presence and absence of Cu (II) ions were determined by using iron (III) thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid methods for the determination of primary and secondary products, respectively. The UV B-induced oxidation rates followed the order LA / Cu (II) &gt; LA &gt; Canola Oil / Cu (II) &gt; Canola Oil &gt; Soybean Oil / Cu (II) &gt; Soybean Oil for both crops. Simultaneously, structural studies were performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It was found that 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents have an important role in canola and soybean oil oxidation. The unsaturated fatty acid contents of small carbon numbers increased for each emulsion sample, while the oxidation of fatty acid changes did not follow a regular order.

Effects of Rosa roxburghii on insulin resistance in obese rats and its mechanisms

Objective: To investigate the effects of Rosa roxburghii on insulin resistance in obese rats and the regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase Bβ(PKBβ/Akt2)/ glucose transporter 4(GLUT4) signaling pathway. Methods: Five-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC), model group (M), positive control group (PC), low-dose rosa roxburghii group (LD) and high-dose rosa roxburghii group (HD), with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the NC group were fed with normal diet, while those in the M, PC, LD and HD groups were fed with high-fat diet. From the 13th week, according to the dose standard of 6 ml/kg, rats in the LD group were intragastrically administered with 100 mg/kg Rosa roxburghii Tratt, the HD group were treated with 300 mg/kg Rosa roxburghii Tratt, the PC group were treated with 0.11 g/kg Chiglitazar sodium, and the NC and M groups were intragastrically administered with the same volume of normal saline. The body weight was measured every week until 20 weeks. The rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last experiment. Blood and skeletal muscle were collected. Serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) contents were detected by colorimetric method, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was detected by xanthine oxidase method, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected by thiobarbituric acid method, blood glucose (FBG) value was detected by glucose oxidase method, insulin (FINS) content was detected by ELISA, and PI3K, Akt2, and GLUT4 protein and gene expressions were detected by Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Compared with the NC group, the body weight, serum MDA, TG, TC, FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR levels in the M group were significantly increased (P＜0.01), while SOD activity, PI3K、Akt2、GLUT4 protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly increased(P＜ 0.01). Compared with group M, the body weight, serum MDA, TG, TC, FBG, FINS, and HOMA-IR were decreased significantly in LD group, HD group and PC group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01), while SOD activity, PI3K, Akt2, GLUT4 protein and mRNA expression levels were increased significantly (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Conclusion: Rosa roxburghii can improve insulin resistance in obese rats by antioxidant stress and up-regulating the expressions of PI3K, Akt2, and GLUT4 proteins and genes, which may be related to the PI3K/Akt2/GLUT4 signaling pathway.

Alpha-lipoic acid activates AMPK to protect against oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

To investigate the AMPK pathway-mediated effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and to attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 15) were randomly divided into three groups. The control group was fed a standard diet, and the other groups were fed a high-carbohydrate/high-fat diet. Diabetes was established by a single streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg) injection, and control rats were injected with an equal volume of citrate buffer. ALA (60 mg/kg/day) was administered for 12 weeks. The nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the sciatic nerve was measured. Glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in serum were measured with the thiobarbituric acid method and biochemistry. Pathological changes in the rat DRGs were observed. AMPK, phospho-AMPK (p-AMPK), nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), phospho-nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (p-Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), Forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a), phospho-Forkhead box O3 (p-FoxO3a), and Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) expression levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. ALA improved the motor NCV (MNCV) and sensory NCV (SNCV) of rats with DPN and reduced their mechanical pain threshold. ALA increased serum GSH concentrations and decreased serum MDA concentrations. Additionally, AMPK was activated by ALA. Nrf2, p-Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 expression was upregulated, while FoxO3a, p-FoxO3a, and Bim expression was downregulated. ALA reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in DRG. ALA alleviates DPN and improves peripheral nerve function. ALA reduces oxidative stress by activating Nrf2 through AMPK and inhibits FoxO3a and Bim thereby reducing neuronal apoptosis.

Protective effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture of "Biao-Ben" acupoints combination for mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy rats

To study the protective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Biao"-acupoints, "Fenglong"(ST40) and "Zhongwan"(CV12), used for treating symptoms of the disease, and "Ben"-acupoints, "Zusanli"(ST36) and "Guanyuan"(CV4), for treating the root cause of the disease on oxidative stress injury of renal mitochondria through SIRT1/PGC-1α signal pathway in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN). A total of 33 male Wistar rats were randomized into normal (n=10), model (n=12) and EA (n=11) groups.The DN model was established by feeding the rats with high-sugar and high-fat diet for 6 weeks combined with streptozotocin (STZ, 35 mg/kg, i.p.). EA (4 Hz/60 Hz, 1 mA)was applied to ST36-ST40 and CV4-CV12 for 15 min, once every other day for 8 weeks. The rats' body weight was recorded, urine in 24 hours (24-h UP) was collected to measure the urine protein level, and the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level detected by using a glucometer. The levels of serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), creatinine (Scr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were assayed using immunoturbidi-metry, picric acid method and urease method, respectively, and those of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The kidney tissue was collected for assaying the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) with xanthine oxidase method, glutathione (GSH) activity with dithio-dinitrobenzoic acid method, catalase （CAT） activity with ammonium molybdate spectrometric method, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content with thiobarbituric acid method. Histopathological changes of the kidney tissue were observed by microscope after hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE), periodate Schiff staining (PAS) and Masson staining, separately, and its subcellular structure was observed under transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of renal SIRT1 and PGC-1α mRNAs and proteins were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, and the immunoactivity of renal α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and immunofluorescence density of renal collagen Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ), collagen Ⅳ(Col Ⅳ) and fibronec-tin (FN) detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assay, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the levels of FBG, HbA1c, BUN, Scr, 24-h UP, TG, TC, LDL-C, MDA, α-SMA, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅳ and FN proteins were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the levels of body weight, HDL-C, SOD, GSH, CAT, SIRT1 and PGC-1α mRNAs and proteins were decreased in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). In comparison with the model group, the levels of FBG, HbA1c, BUN, Scr, 24-h UP, TG, TC, LDL-C and MDA, and the expressions of α-SMA, Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅳ and FN proteins were markedly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and those of body weight, HDL-C, SOD, GSH, CAT, and the expressions of SIRT1 and PGC-1α mRNAs and proteins significantly up-regulated (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the EA group. HE staining showed mesangial dilatation, glomerular hypertrophy and mesangial matrix accumulation; PAS staining showed an increase of the glomerular extracellular matrix deposition; and Masson staining displayed an enhancement of glomerular fibrosis and interstitial space expansion; and electron microscope revealed foot process fusion, basement membrane thickening and organelle injury in the rat's kidney of the model group, which were relatively milder in the EA group. EA of ST36-ST40 and CV4-CV12, "Biao-Ben" acupoints combination, can alleviate oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in DN rats, which may be associated with its functions in up-regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling, and decreasing renal fibrosis.

Effect of electroacupuncture combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion on oxidative stress in gastric antrum of diabetic gastroparesis rats

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion on oxidative stress-related indicators in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of DGP. Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, medication, EA, Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (moxibustion) and EA+Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (combination) groups (15 rats in each group). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of 0.15 mg/mL mosapride citrate suspension（10 mL/kg）. EA (10 Hz/50 Hz, 2 mA, 20 min) or Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (3 cones) was applied to "Zhongwan" (CV12), bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) of the related groups, once a day for 3 weeks. The body weight, blood glucose, gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate of rats were measured. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was measured by thiobarbituric acid method, the serum supero-xide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured by xanthine oxidase method, and the serum reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity was detected by ELISA. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of gastric antrum. The expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nicotin-amide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NOX4), peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α(PGC-1α) proteins and mRNAs in gastric antrum was detected by Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the body weight, gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsion rate, serum SOD activity, the expressions of HO-1, PGC-1α, total Nrf2 proteins and mRNAs, and Nrf2 nuclear translocation in gastric antrum were decreased (P<0.01), while the blood glucose, serum MDA content and ROS activity, NOX4 protein and mRNA expressions in gastric antrum were increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the blood glucose was decreased in the EA, moxibustion and combination groups (P<0.01); the body weight, gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsion rate, and the expressions of HO-1 and PGC-1α mRNAs in gastric antrum were all increased in the four treatment groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the serum MDA content and ROS activity, NOX4 protein and mRNA expressions in gastric antrum were all decreased (P<0.01); the serum SOD activity and total Nrf2 protein expression in gastric antrum were increased in medication, moxibustion and combination groups (P<0.01, P<0.05); the expressions of HO-1 and PGC-1α proteins, and Nrf2 nuclear translocation in gastric antrum were increased in medication and combination groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); the expression of Nrf2 mRNA was increased in the medication, EA and combination groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the combination group, the body weight, gastric emptying rate and intestine propulsion rate were decreased in the medication, EA and moxibustion groups(P<0.01, P<0.05), and the blood glucose increased (P<0.01); the serum MDA content and ROS activity, NOX4 protein and mRNA expressions in gastric antrum were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), serum SOD activity, and the expressions of total Nrf2 protein, PGC-1α protein and mRNA, HO-1 mRNA in gastric antrum were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the EA and moxibustion groups; the expression of Nrf2 mRNA was decreased in the moxibustion group (P<0.05). HE staining showed a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria and submucosa, and the gastric glands in the lamina propria were significantly expanded, the submucosa was severely edematous in the model group, which were relative milder in the four treatment groups. EA combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion can effectively improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes, reduce the production of lipid peroxide, and regulate the expression of antioxidant related proteins and genes, which may be one of the mechanisms in treating DGP.

Electroacupuncture of "Biaoben acupoints" relieves kidney injury by suppressing oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy rats

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of combined "Biao"- and "Ben"-acupoint (for treating symptoms and root causes of the disease, respectively) on the expression of kidney forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) and peroxi-some proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats, so as to explore its potential mechanisms underlying improvement of DN. Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (n=10), DN model (n=12), EA (n=11), EA+inhibitor (AS1842856 targeting FoxO1, n=11) and inhibitor (n=11) groups. The DN model was established by high fat and high glucose diet for 6 weeks and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST36), "Guanyuan"(CV4), "Fenglong" (ST40) and "Zhongwan"(CV12) for 15 min, once every other day for 8 weeks. The body mass was recorded, and blood glucose detected. The serum was sampled for detecting creatinine (Scr) content with Jaffe's assay, urea nitrogen (BUN) content with urease method. Urine albumin (ALB) and renal reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents were detected with ELISA, renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity with xanthine oxidase method, and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) content with thiobarbituric acid method. The renal subcellular structure was observed under transmission electron microscopy, and the expression levels of PGC-1α and FoxO1 proteins in the kidney tissue were detected using Western blot. Compared with the normal control group, the levels of body mass, SOD activity, and FoxO1 and PGC-1α protein expression were significantly reduced (P<0.01), while the contents of blood glucose, and serum Scr and BUN, urine ALB, renal MDA and ROS levels significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the levels of body mass, SOD activity, and FoxO1 and PGC-1α expression were significantly increased in the three treatment groups except SOD, expression of FoxO1 and PGC-1α in the inhibitor group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the contents of blood glucose, Scr, BUN, ALB, MDA and ROS were obviously decreased in the three treatment groups except ALB and ROS in the inhibitor group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The therapeutic effect of EA was notably superior to that of EA+inhibitor and inhibitor in increasing body mass, SOD activity, and FoxO1 and PGC-1α expression levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and in down-regulating blood glucose, BUN, ALB and ROS levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), suggesting a reduction of the therapeutic effect of EA after administration of the inhibitor AS1842856 of FoxO1. Results of electron microscopy showed diffusely thickened and vague basement membrane, increased mesangial matrix, fused foot process, and reduced volume of endothelial cells with pykno-tic nucleus of the kidney tissue in the model group, which was obviously milder in both EA and EA+inhibitor groups particularly in the EA group. EA increases the expression of FoxO1 and PGC-1α in the kidneys of DN rats, thereby reducing the oxidative stress response and protecting the kidneys.

The role of ginger’s extract and N-acetylcysteine against docetaxel-induced oxidative stress and genetic disorder

Oxidative stress plays a prominent role in expanding toxicity and various diseases. This study investigated the potential protective effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome extract and NAC on docetaxel induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress. The antioxidant power of NAC and ginger extract on the genetic toxicity induced by docetaxel was assessed by micronucleus test. The ROS test with DCFH reagent was used to assess the reactive oxygen species. The thiobarbituric acid method was used to evaluate the amount of MDA produced by docetaxel. The amounts of phenol and flavonoids in the ginger extracts were also evaluated. The amount of phenol in the ginger extract was 0.886 mg of gallic acid per gram of dry extract. The amount of flavonoids were 0.242 mg/mL of quercetin per gram of dry extract. As shown by the micronucleus results, concentrations of 100 and 500 μM NAC and all concentrations of the ginger extract significantly reduced the number of micronuclei produced by docetaxel. On the other hand, the results of oxidative stress tests (ROS and LPO) showed that docetaxel in HGF cells increased the production of ROS and LPO, and the concentrations of ginger extract and NAC decreased oxidative stress in HGF cells in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that using these two antioxidants helps inhibit genetic toxicity and oxidative stress caused by docetaxel.

Myocardial protection of propofol on apoptosis induced by anthracycline by PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway in rats.

BackgroundThe release of proinflammatory cytokines is inhibited by propofol, which could reduce oxidative stress and suggests that propofol could ameliorate the adverse effects of anthracyclines in myocardial cells as a promising cardioprotective agent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the protective effects of propofol on phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B/B cell lymphoma 2 (PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2) pathway in cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by doxorubicin [adriamycin (ADM)] of rat cardiomyocytes in vivo.MethodsThe 40 F344 female rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10): treatment control, ADM, Propofol (Prop) and ADM + Prop group. Blood samples were taken as baseline, before the 4th administration of the agents and before humane death. The serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidant factor, were detected by the thiobarbituric acid method. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were analyzed by xanthine oxidase, and those of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apoptosis of cardiac myocytes was measured by flow cytometry. The expression levels of PI3K-110α and pAKT-Ser473 and Bcl-2 proteins in rat heart tissue were detected by western blot.ResultsApoptosis induced by ADM was significantly reduced by propofol. Compared with the ADM group, the serum levels of MDA, cTnI and BNP in the ADM + Prop group were significantly downregulated. In addition, the PI3K-110α and pAKT-Ser473 expressions in the ADM group were significantly higher than those in the ADM + Prop group, and the increases in Bcl-2 expression in the ADM + Prop group was statistically significant compared with the ADM group.ConclusionsWe identified that the PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 axis is involved in the regulation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by ADM in vivo. In addition, our results elucidated that propofol had a protective role in cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by ADM by suppressing the PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway.

Effects of Warm Acupuncture Combined with Meloxicam and Comprehensive Nursing on Pain Improvement and Joint Function in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objective To observe the effect of warm acupuncture combined with meloxicam and comprehensive nursing on pain improvement and joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Method Eighty-one patients with KOA were randomly divided into control group (CG), traditional Chinese medicine group (TCMG), and combined group (JG). The CG was treated with meloxicam. The TCMG received warm acupuncture treatment. The JG was treated with meloxicam combined with warm acupuncture. Three groups were given comprehensive nursing intervention, and the course of treatment was 4 weeks. Knee function was assessed by knee pain, activity, stability, walking ability, and ability to walk up and down stairs. Improvement time of clinical symptoms of patients was assessed from knee pain, swelling, and movement limitation. Pain mediators (prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), substance P (SP), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oxidative stress indicators (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)) of the enrolled patients were detected by water-soluble tetrazolium-1 (WST-1) and the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. The clinical efficacy was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) score. Results After treatment, the pain scores of the three groups decreased, and the scores of mobility, stability, walking ability, and the ability to walk up and down stairs increased. Compared with the CG and the TCMG, the JG had a greater range of changes in pain, mobility, stability, walking ability, and ability to walk up and down stairs after treatment. After 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d treatment, PGE2, SP, DA, 5-HT, and MDA in the three groups were decreased compared with before treatment, and the decrease in the JG was more obvious than that in the CG and the TCMG. SOD levels in the three groups were increased, and the increase in the JG was more obvious than that in the CG and the TCMG. The total effective rate of the JG (96.30%) was significantly different from that of the CG (77.78%) and the TCMG (81.48%). The improvement time of knee pain, swelling, and movement limitation in the JG was shorter than that in the CG and the TCMG, and the difference in the improvement time of movement limitation in the TCMG was statistically significant. Conclusion Warm acupuncture combined with meloxicam and comprehensive nursing can effectively improve knee swelling and pain in patients with KOA, and the mechanism may be related to reducing the content of inflammatory mediators.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A improved retinopathy via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in rats.

The aim of the study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of hydroxysaff yellow A (HSYA) on diabetic retinopathy (DR). For this, a total of 27 rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, and HSYA groups. The body weight, blood glucose, and blood–retinal barrier damage of the rats were observed and compared. The pathological change of retinal tissue were measured using H&E staining. The apoptosis of retinal tissue ganglion cells was detected by TUNEL. The interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis fator (TNF)-α levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected using thiobarbituric acid method. Superoxide dismutase levels were detected using xanthine oxidase method; Nrf2 and total HO-1 protein expressions were detected using western blot assay; Bcl-2 and P53 protein expression was measured using immunohistochemical staining. The body weight and retinal damage of the HYSA group were significantly improved (p < 0.01, respectively). The apoptosis index of the HYSA group was lower than the model group (p < 0.001). The IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDA levels of the HYSA group were significantly improved in comparison with those of the model group (p < 0.01, respectively). The Nrf-2, HO-1, Bcl-2, and P53 protein expression of HYSA group was significantly improved (p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, HYSA can effectively alleviate the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells in type 2 diabetic rats and improve the progression of DR.

Variations in the Serum Sialic Acid Profiles of Malaria Patients in Zaria, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Understanding some variations in specialized molecules during malaria could facilitate adequate monitoring of patients and reduce the fatalities caused by the disease. The present study reports changes in the levels of free serum sialic acid (FSSA) among Plasmodium-infected individuals in Zaria, Nigeria, in a cross-sectional study with 170 individuals. The FSSA and total sialic acid (TSA) in the blood were determined using the thiobarbituric acid method and the white blood cells (WBC) count, haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volumes were assessed using an automated haematological analyser. The results showed that, in the patients aged > 5years the level of TSA was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) compared to apparently healthy age-matched controls whereas TSA was slightly lower in patients aged < 5years compared to controls. The ratio of FSSA to TSA was not different between patients aged > 5years compared to their age-matched controls whereas FSSA/TSA was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in patients aged < 5years compared to their aged-matched controls. The level of FSSA/TSA in the patients aged < 5years was not correlated with parasite density, white blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration or packed cell volume. We concluded that, metabolism and/or physiology of serum sialo-glycoconjugates is affected by malaria and FSSA is mainly elevated in children < 5years of age but not among older patients suggesting the possible usefulness of FSSA in the analysis of uncomplicated malaria in under five children.

OXIDATIVE DAMAGE MARKERS IN ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Alcohol hepatitis (AH) is a clinical syndrome in patients with excessive and chronic alcohol consumption. Ethanol metabolism produces free radicals: reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). This contributes to cellular damage in AH. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonylated proteins are markers of oxidative damage in lipids and proteins. Our objective is to evaluate the levels of serum MDA and carbonylated proteins in AH patients with. This transversal study included 147 individuals divided into two groups: the control group (n=100), which consists of individuals with alcohol consumption ≤ 10 g/day and AUDIT score ≤ 7, and the group with AH patients (n=47). We measured the serum levels of MDA (thiobarbituric acid method) and carbonylated proteins (DNPH reaction). The statistical analysis was performed by the Windows SPSS v22 software. Data were expressed as mean values ± SEM. Comparisons were carried out by analysis of variance (ANOVA). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The control group (CT), with a mean of 30.47±0.52 years old, had a consumption of 2.32±0.21g of alcohol daily (gOH/day) and an AUDIT score of 2.24±0.10. The AH patients, with a mean of 41.68±1.3 years old, had a consumption of 354.25±39.54 gOH/day and an AUDIT score of 30±1.45. The AST, ALT, GGT, total and indirect bilirubin serum levels were higher in AH compared to CT (p<0.0001), with a ratio of AST/ALT ≥2. The albumin serum levels were lower (p<0.0001) in AH vs. CT. The carbonylated proteins serum levels were higher in patients with AH compared to CT (p<0.0001). No differences in MDA serum levels were found between both groups. We reported greater MDA serum levels (p=0.001) in alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients when compared to the control group; and an insignificant difference in carbonylated proteins serum level between both participant groups. The alcoholic hepatitis patients have an increase in carbonylated proteins oxidative damage while there is no lipidic damage. Our results suggest that carbonylated proteins may a damage oxidative marker in the AH Mexican population. This damage may increase the risk of malnutrition, susceptibility to infections and sepsis, deficient coagulation factors production, gastrointestinal bleeding, among other complications that increase mortality. It is necessary to counteract oxidative damage to improve and complement the actual treatment in alcoholic hepatitis. Competing interests. The authors declare they have no competing interests. This work was partially financed by CONACyT SALUD-2016-272579 and PAPIIT- UNAM TA200515

Study of serum malondialdehyde and uric acid levels in patients with malaria

Malaria is parasitic disease of humans caused by parasitic protozoan and genus plasmodium, widely present in tropical region. In the blood, the parasite travel to the liver to mature and reproduce. Oxidative stress is generated through the invasion of malarial parasites in human system. Malondialdehyde is a highly reactive compound is assayed in vivo as a biomarker of oxidative stress. Uric acid contributes to the pathology of human malaria by stimulating the production of cytokines from immune system. To estimate serum MDA &amp; serum uric acid levels in patients with malarial infection and compare same with healthy individuals. This is a cross-sectional observational study, cases and controls were selected using random sampling method, attending hospital OPD. Study includes 50 laboratory diagnosed cases of malaria patients with equal age and sex matched controls. MDA was estimated using MDA - thiobarbituric acid method, uric acid was estimated by phosphotungstic acid method. Standardization of both the methods was carried out prior to experiment. There is generalized increase in serum MDA and uric acid levels in cases as compared to the control group.Shalaka S Prabhu, Dr. Sachin A Patharkar, Dr. Neelam J Patil, Jalinder B Sanap, Kalpana U Shinde, Rupa R Dalvi.

Analysis of oxidative stress indicators in Polish patients with prostate cancer

The aim of the study was to analyze the activity of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione S-transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase) and the concentration of malondialdehyde in order to determine the role of detoxification mechanisms in prostate cancer. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were measured using ready-made kits; lipid peroxidation intensity was determined by the thiobarbituric acid method. Superoxide dismutase was the only enzyme among antioxidant and detoxification enzymes for which a statistically significant difference in activity was found between the studied groups (1.4 U·ml−1 in patients vs. 1.6 U·ml−1 in control). No statistically significant differences were found for GST, CAT or the concentration of MDA between the group of men with prostate cancer and the control group. The lower SOD activity in men with prostate cancer may be due to a deficiency in their antioxidant defense system.

Effect of Astaxanthin on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Suspended Leukocyte-Depleted Red Blood Cells Stored for Transfusion

To observe the effect of astaxanthin (ASTA) on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells stored for transfusion. The suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells were randomly divided into group A, B, C and D. The ASTA was added into preservation solution of suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells of group B, C and D with the final concentration 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L, respectively, while DMSO was added into cells of group A in the same volume. After 7, 14, 28 and 42 days of storage, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in red blood cells was detected by fluorescence microplate reader, malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method, activity of SOD was detected by xanthine oxidase method, the activity of CAT was detected by visible light method, and activity of GSH-Px was detected by colorimetry. After 7, 14, 28 and 42 days of storage, the contents of ROS and MDA in suspended red blood cells of group B, C and D were significantly lower(P<0.05), while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were higher than those of group A(P<0.05); and CAT activity in cells treated by ASTA was significantly higher at 28 and 42 days of storage in comparison with that of group A(P<0.05). There were positive correlations between the ROS, MDA content in suspended red blood cells of group A, B, C, D and storage time(P<0.01), while negative correlation between SOD, CAT, GSH-Px activity and storage time(P<0.01). ASTA can decrease the oxidative stress level and peroxide damage degree by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities in suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells during storage.

Expression of LncRNA DLGAP1-AS1 in a Mouse Model of Atherosclerosis and Its Effect on Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Vascular Endothelial Cell Injury

The occurrence of vascular endothelial injury is key to the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). This research explores the expression of lncRNA DLGAP1-AS1 in a mouse model of atherosclerosis and its effect on ox-LDL-induced vascular endothelial cell injury. A mouse model of AS was constructed, and DLGAP1-AS1 expression was detected using the nano real-time PCR method. Vascular endothelial cells (VEC) are categorized into four groups. Flow cytometry detects cell apoptosis, and Western blot detects Bax and Bcl-2 expressions; WST-8 method detects level of SOD. Thiobarbituric acid method, Ammonium molybdate colorimetric method, DCFH-DA method were used to detect MDA, CAT, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, respectively. Bioinformatics software predicted the target genes of DLGAP1-AS1. DLGAP1-AS1 expression was raised in AS mice, apoptotic rate and Bax expression in the ox-LDL group were raised, Bcl-2 expression was abated, MDA and ROS levels were raised, SOD and CAT levels were abated than in control. The si-DLGAP1-AS1+ox-LDL group decreased cell death and Bax expression, increased Bcl-2 expression, decreased MDA and ROS levels, and increased SOD and CAT levels than in the si-NC+ox-LDL group. Down-regulation of DLGAP1-AS1 was targeted in order to promote miR-26a-5p expression. Compared with co-transfection with DLGAP1-AS1 siRNA and inhibitor control, the apoptosis rate and Bax expression were increased after co-transfection with DLGAP1-AS1 siRNA and miR-26a-5p inhibitor, Bcl-2 expression was decreased, and MDA and ROS levels were increased, the level of SOD and CAT were decreased. DLGAP1-AS1 was up-regulated in AS mice and downregulated to promote miR-26a-5p to inhibit ox-LDL-induced vascular endothelial cell death and oxidative damage.

Effect of Zhulian needle insertion by slow twirling technique on peroxidation and apoptosis of kidney tissue in aging rats

To observe the effect of Zhulian needle insertion by slow twirling technique on the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and apoptosis rate in kidney tissue of aging model rats and explore the potential mechanism of such needling technique. A total of 40 adult male SD rats were randomized into a blank control group, a model control group, a Zhulian needling technique group and a routine acupuncture group, 10 rats in each one. Except the blank control group, the sub-acute aging rat models were established by intraperitoneal injection with 10% D-galactose solution, 5 mL/kg in the rats of the other groups. In the Zhulian needling technique group and the routine acupuncture group, Zhulian needle insertion by slow twirling technique and the routine acupuncture technique were exerted at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) respectively. The needles were retained for 30 min, once a day, for 28 days totally. After intervention, the content of H2O2 in kidney tissue was detected by colorimetry, the content of MDA in kidney tissue was detected by thiobarbituric acid method and the apoptosis rate of kidney cells was detected by terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. Compared with the blank control group, the contents of H2O2 and MDA in kidney tissue and kidney cell apoptosis rate were all increased in the model control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model control group, the contents of H2O2 and MDA in kidney tissue and kidney cell apoptosis rate were all reduced in the Zhulian needling technique group and the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05), and these indexes in the Zhulian needling technique group were all lower than the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). Zhulian needle insertion by slow twirling technique delays aging probably by regulating peroxidation and apoptosis.

A Study of Antioxidant and Anti-bacterial activities of Borassus flabellifer

The present study was designed to estimate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Borassus flabellifer fruit, juice, leaves and sap. The antioxidant evaluation was carried out by various radical scavenging assays and antimicrobial activity by the disk diffusion method. For antibacterial activity, bacterial species such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were tested for all extracts. The extract showed moderate antioxidant activity when compared to the standard vitamin C. In both DPPH and nitric oxide oxide assay when related IC 50 value, ethanolic fruit extract showed promising results of 132 and 119 µg/mL respectively with ascorbic acid as standard which showed 25 and 35 µg/mL respectively. In Ferric Thiocyanate (FTC) Method and Thiobarbituric Acid (TBA) Method the radical scavenging activity of ethanolic fruit extract showed satisfactory results of 160 and 148 µg/mL ascorbic acid being the standard which showed 94 and 97 µg/mL respectively. The total flavonoid contents were 32.7 /100g for ethanolic sap extracts and 53.9/100g in aqueous extract of sap. The fruit juice extract showed maximum inhibition zone with 31.4 and 32.1 mm against E. coli and S.aureus correlated other extracts .Ethanolic and aqueous sap extracts zone of inhibition was 25.2 and 26.8 against E. coli and zone of inhibition was 28.3 against S.aureus in both ethanolic and aqueous sap. Ethanolic and aqueous leaves extracts zone of inhibition was 28.5 and 24.1 against E. coli. Ethanolic and aqueous leaves extracts zone of inhibition was 30.4 and 25.8 against S.aureus. Herein, the results suggest that the Borassus flabellifer plant extracts have potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.