Total Oxidant Status Research Articles

Effect of 0.8% Hyaluronic Acid-Based Gel on Clinical and Biomolecular parameters in the surgical periodontal treatment of Stage III periodontitis patients: a randomized, split-mouth clinical trial.

This study aimed to assess the effect of the application of 0.8% hyaluronic acid (HA) gel together with open flap debridement (OFD) on clinical parameters and inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of the patients with stage III periodontitis. This split-mouth study included 18 patients diagnosed with Stage III Grade B or C periodontitis. Quadrants were randomly assigned to test (OFD + 0.8% HA gel) and control groups (OFD alone). Clinical parameters and GCF samples were obtained at the treated sites at baseline (T0), at pre-surgery (T1), 1 month (T2) and 6 months (T3) post-surgery. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) levels in GCF were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The lower GCF IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A and TOS levels and higher GCF IL-10 and TAS levels were found after treatment (T1,T2,T3) compared to the T0 period in intragroup comparisons (P < 0.05). There were statistically significantly higher GCF IL-10 levels in the T2 and T3 periods and significantly lower GCF IL-17A levels in the T3 period in the test group compared to the control group (P < 0.05), no significant difference was determined between the groups in GCF IL-6, IL-8, TAS and TOS levels during the time periods. The local application of 0.8% HA gel with OFD provides to beneficial effect GCF IL-10 and IL-17A levels in severe periodontitis patients. The application of 0.8% HA gel addictive with OFD provides positive results in GCF IL-10 and IL-17A levels in patients with Stage III periodontitis compared to OFD alone.

Evaluating Oxidative Stress in Fibromyalgia: Diagnostic Utility and Its Relationship with Clinical and Psychological Parameters

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of oxidative stress parameters in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to investigate their potential associations with disease severity, functional impairment, anxiety, and depression. Materials and Methods: The study included 84 participants, consisting of 42 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) and 42 healthy female controls. Serum levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in all participants, and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Additionally, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered to assess mental health and functional status. Results: The levels of TOS, TAS, MDA, and the OSI were significantly higher in the fibromyalgia group compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.001). The relationship between TAS, TOS, MDA, and OSI levels and BDI, BAI, and FIQ scale scores was investigated in the case group, but no significant associations were identified between oxidative stress markers and psychological or functional scores. When all participants were analyzed as a single group, significant correlations were found between TAS, TOS, MDA, and OSI levels and several biochemical parameters, including CRP, AST, free T4, HbA1c, ferritin, and folic acid. Conclusions: Our study adds to the growing body of evidence indicating elevated oxidative stress in female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and suggests that TAS, TOS, MDA, and OSI may serve as potential biomarkers for its diagnosis.

The protective effects of thymoquinone against tartrazine-induced pancreatic injury and its impact on oxidative stress, caspase 3, blood glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels

The present study examined the effects of Tartrazine, a common industrial food colourant, on the pancreas and the protective role of Thymoquinone. Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: Control, Tartrazine, Thymoquinone, and Tartrazine + Thymoquinone. The rats received Tartrazine and Thymoquinone treatments for 21 days. At the end of this period, pancreatic tissues and blood samples were collected for analysis. Tartrazine administration elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels, while decreasing glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant status (TAS) in pancreatic tissue. It increased glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels, while decreasing insulin and HDL levels in blood samples. Tartrazine administration aggravated pancreatic histopathology and enhanced Caspase-3 positive immunoreactivity. Thymoquinone administration reduced the harmful effects of Tartrazine on biochemical and histopathological parameters. Tartrazine administration negatively impacted pancreatic tissue and blood samples. The increased oxidant capacity and oxidative stress led to these harmful effects. Conversely, Thymoquinone alleviated oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant capacity and could act as a protective agent.

The effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on hemorheology: Evaluation of clinical outcomes.

BackgroundDuring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which is frequently utilized in open-heart surgery, the maintenance of circulation in a non-physiological environment may lead to alterations in the properties of circulating blood components. In our study, we aimed to evaluate these changes using contemporary methodologies.MethodsThe study included 48 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB. CPB duration and hypothermia degree were recorded and analyzed. Erythrocyte deformability (ED), erythrocyte aggregation (EA), whole blood viscosity (WBV), total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured; ED and EA were measured using LORRCA (RR Mechatronics, Hoorn, Netherlands).ResultsCompared to the preoperative period, a decrease in postoperative ED, EA, and WBV was observed. No significant change was detected in TAS levels; however, TOS levels were found to be elevated. No statistically significant correlation was observed between perioperative patient temperature, CPB duration, and ED, EA, or WBV values.ConclusionsIn patients undergoing surgery with CPB, a postoperative decrease in ED, EA, and WBV was demonstrated. Previous studies have suggested that the decline in ED is associated with blood transfusion. However, the significant reduction in ED observed in our study, even in patients who did not receive blood transfusions, is noteworthy.

Assessment of blood and urine total antioxidant and oxidative status in alcohol and acetone fatal poisonings

Heavy alcohol consumption is a common cause of fatal poisoning, unlike acetone poisoning, which is very rare. Although oxidative stress plays a crucial role in alcohol and acetone toxicity, no studies compare the total redox status in fatally poisoned individuals. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were examined in the blood and urine of patients fatally poisoned with ethanol (n = 21) and acetone (n = 21), along with healthy controls (n = 21). The TAC, TOS, and OSI concentrations were determined by means of colorimetric methods, and the statistical analysis was conducted through non-parametric tests. The blood TAC and TOS were significantly increased in the ethanol- and acetone-intoxicated cadavers as compared to the controls. The blood TAC levels above 55.12 nmol/mg of protein differentiate alcohol- and acetone-intoxicated subjects from the control group with a high sensitivity and specificity. The blood TAC was also positively correlated with the alcohol (r = 0.504), acetone (r = 0.476), and isopropanol blood levels (r = 0.514). However, the TAC, TOS, and OSI in the blood were poorly correlated with the corresponding urine concentrations. The urinary TAC in the ethanol-poisoned subjects was effectively enhanced in comparison to the control and acetone-poisoned subjects. The urinary TAC was also positively associated with the urine alcohol concentration (r = 0.413) and negatively correlated with the acetone (r = − 0.453) and isopropanol urine levels (r = − 0.36). Fatal alcohol and acetone intoxications disrupt the circulating redox status, favoring antioxidant reactions. Differences in the blood and urine redox homeostasis may be due to the organ toxicity of alcohol and acetone.

Oxidative stress in adolescents with overweight/obesity

Aim: The pathophysiological mechanism underlying obesity and related diseases is still incompletely understood. A small number of studies used sophisticated statistical techniques, such as principal component analysis (PCA), to examine the relationship between oxidative stress, cardiometabolic biomarkers, and obesity in adolescent population. Hence, we aimed to explore such a relationship. Methods: A total of 68 adolescents (i.e., 34 were overweight/obese and 34 were sex- and age-matched normal-weight controls) were included in the study. Total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured, whereas their ratios were calculated, i.e., pro-oxidant score [(TOS/TAS)*100] and antioxidant score (TAS/TOS). PCA was applied for reducing the number of determined data by grouping them into factors. Results: A significantly higher concentration of TAS, TOS, and their pro-oxidant ratio (TOS/TAS)*100, while the antioxidant score of TAS/TOS was significantly lower in overweight/obese adolescents compared to normal-weight peers. TOS was the most significant predictor of obesity status (P=0.001). PCA extracted 3 factors related to obesity status: Factor 1 (gender, creatinine, uric acid, total bilirubin, TAS, waist circumference, and urea), Factor 2 (ALT and AST), and Factor 3 (age, glucose, total protein, and TOS). Among them, Factor 2 (P=0.003) and Factor 3 (P=0.003) were independently associated with obesity. Conclusion: The present study provides evidence of disrupted redox homeostasis in adolescents with obesity. Obesity is tightly connected with increased oxidative stress and a cluster of metabolic abnormalities. It is important to recognize risk factors in a timely manner and develop a strategy to fight obesity and associated diseases.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG alleviates bisphenol-A induced oxidative stress in serum

The objective of this investigation was to identify changes in the serum oxidant-antioxidant balance of rats exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) and to investigate the impact of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) administration on those changes. Twenty-four rats (Wistar Albino, 250-300 grams, male) were divided into control, BPA, and BPA+LGG groups with an equal number of rats. BPA and LGG were applied to the rats in the relevant groups for six weeks, five days each week. Six weeks later, the blood samples were withdrawn and serum samples were prepared. Total oxidant and antioxidant status (TAS), glutathione, and lipid peroxidation determinations were determined in serum samples, and the oxidative stress index was calculated. BPA exposure decreased serum total antioxidant status and increased serum total oxidative status, oxidative stress index, and lipid peroxidation level compared to the control group. LGG administration improved the increased serum oxidative stress caused by BPA. Administration of LGG to BPA-treated rats reversed oxidative stress-induced changes. In conclusion, administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG to rats for 30 consecutive days prevented oxidative stress in serum caused by bisphenol A.

Geographical variation in antioxidant, anticancer and anticholinesterase activities and phenolic contents of Visnaga daucoides

Visnaga daucoides (Desf.) Celak. (Apiaceae) is a plant known for its medicinal properties, but its phenolic content and biological activities remain underexplored, especially in relation to samples from different geographical regions. Exploring how environmental conditions may influence the plant’s bioactive profile can provide valuable insights for its potential medicinal use. This study investigates the phenolic profile, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antiproliferative activities of V. daucoides collected from Iraq and Türkiye. In this study, the phenolic composition of Visnaga daucoides was determined by LC-MS/MS analysis. Antioxidant status was evaluated using TAS, TOS and OSI analyses, while antiproliferative activity was evaluated by MTT method on A549 lung cancer cells. Anticholinesterase activity was measured using Ellman method and antimicrobial activity was tested using agar dilution analysis. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed significant phenolic compounds, including acetohydroxamic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, gallic acid, and resveratrol, with geographical differences observed between the two regions. The plant exhibited potent antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by variations in total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI), which were determined using Rel Assay diagnostic kits. Furthermore, V. daucoides displayed notable antiproliferative effects, particularly against A549 lung cancer cells, and strong anticholinesterase activity, with inhibition of both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). These findings suggest that V. daucoides is a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in cancer therapy, neuroprotection, and oxidative stress management. The study also emphasizes the influence of environmental factors on the chemical composition and biological activities of the plant, warranting further investigation into its pharmacological potential for therapeutic use.

Ischemia-Modified Albumin and Oxidative Stress Marker in Acute Appendicitis: A Prospective Study.

Ischemia-Modified Albumin and Oxidative Stress Marker in Acute Appendicitis: A Prospective Study.

Embelin Ameliorates Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Liver Injury Through Down-Regulation of Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation by Influencing the Shh/Gli1 Signaling Pathways.

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is a highly toxic compound with teratogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic properties. Embelin, a natural benzoquinone derived from Embelia ribes, has shown potential therapeutic effects. This study evaluated embelin's impact on biochemical, histopathological, and gene expression changes in DEN-induced liver injury. Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were assigned to four groups: Sham, Embelin (E), DEN, and DEN + E. DEN groups received a single intraperitoneal dose of 200 mg/kg DEN, while E and DEN + E groups were administered 1.2 mg/kg embelin for 14 days. Liver enzyme levels, lipid profiles, total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured. RT-PCR analysis was performed to assess sonic hedgehog (Shh, Ptch1, Smo, Gli1), inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) and apoptotic (Tp53, casp3, Bcl-2, Bax) gene expression in liver tissue. Histopathological examination showed that DEN induced fibrosis, congestion, apoptosis, and bile pigment accumulation, which were significantly mitigated by embelin. Embelin decreased liver enzyme and lipid levels, increased the activity of TAS, which is an antioxidant capacity, decreased the gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and the activation of the Shh signaling pathway. It also increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the gene expression levels of Tp53, Casp3, Bax, and inhibited liver apoptosis. These results imply that embelin may have a therapeutic effect on DEN-induced liver damage by preventing degenerative liver problems, regulating liver functions, suppressing oxidative stress, the inflammatory and apoptotic response, and modulating the Shh signaling pathways.

Assessment of redox balance parameters among patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

Oxidative stress (OS) is believed to play a crucial role in the development of neuronal injury associated with ischaemic stroke (IS). The evaluation of redox homeostasis in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and its relation to stroke subtypes and short-term outcomes has scarcely been studied, and the findings are unclear. This study evaluates OS and antioxidant status in patients with AIS in the Podlaskie Voivodeship in Poland within 2-5 days of stroke onset, compared to healthy controls. The study involved 187 patients with AIS, with 85 receiving intravenous thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy, and included 94 healthy controls as a comparison group. The research measured serum total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) using Erel's method-based kits, and calculated the oxidative stress index (OSI). Significant differences were found in TOS levels between patients with AIS and healthy controls (p = 0.049). Serum TAS concentrations were significantly higher in patients with AIS due to large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) than in those with cardioembolism (CE) or small vessel occlusion (SVO) aetiology, as classified by the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria (p = 0.043). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis established cut-off values as potential indicators of OS in patients with AIS: TAS < 1.34 mmol/L, TOS > 5.6 μmol H2O2 equiv./L, and OSI > 3.96. Our findings demonstrate that an imbalance of oxidant and antioxidant status might play a role in the pathogenesis of IS. Patients in the initial phase of IS showed increased TOS, but no change in TAS, compared to healthy controls. This suggests effective initial antioxidant defence. TOS levels exhibited potential utility as clinical diagnostic biomarkers in patients with AIS. Although an imbalance towards oxidants may play a role in the pathogenesis of IS, these markers alone do not adequately predict stroke severity. Therefore, an analysis of the oxidant and antioxidant balance could play a crucial role in clarifying the pathogenic pathways of IS, presenting valuable diagnostic and prognostic tools, and identifying novel targets for antioxidant-focused therapies with neuroprotective agents.

Myricetin protects against doxorubicin-induced acute kidney injury in rats by mitigating oxidative damage and apoptotic response

IntroductionDoxorubicin (DOX) is a potent anti-neoplastic agent widely preferred in treating various tumors. However, DOX’s off-target toxicity in healthy tissues, such as nephrotoxicity, limits its clinical utilization. DOX generates oxidative stress and apoptosis in the kidneys, which stimulates cytotoxic cellular signaling. Myricetin (MYC), an important natural flavonoid, exhibits antioxidant and antiapoptotic features. In this regard, the current report was designed to explore the renoprotective potential of MYC on DOX-induced nephrotoxicity.MethodsAnimals were divided into four groups with six rats in each group: control, MYC, DOX, MYC + DOX. MYC was given orally to rats at 100 mg/kg for 10 days and DOX was injected intraperitoneally as a single dose of 20 mg/kg on the eighth day. Serum samples were evaluated for creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and histopathological analysis of the kidneys was conducted. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total oxidant status (TOS), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in the renal tissues. Additionally, biochemical assessments of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins, along with immunohistochemical evaluations of the expression levels of caspase-3 and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), were conducted to evaluate apoptosis.ResultsPre-treatment of MYC decreased DOX-elicited elevation in creatinine and BUN levels (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Histopathological findings demonstrated the nephroprotective role of MYC on renal damage (p &amp;lt; 0.05), which was in harmony with the biochemical findings. Furthermore, MYC demonstrated antioxidant properties by reversing the increase in MDA, TOS, and MPO levels and the decrease in GSH, GPx, and TAS levels caused by DOX (p &amp;lt; 0.05). MYC pre-treatment also markedly prohibited DOX-induced elevation of Bax level, and rise of expression of caspase-3 and AIF, and reduction of Bcl-2 levels (p &amp;lt; 0.05).ConclusionIt could be supposed that the nephroprotective role of MYC towards DOX-induced kidney damage might be mediated by its antioxidant and antiapoptotic features.

Therapeutic Potential of Irisin in Ovarian Torsion-Detorsion: Mitigating Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response

Objective: Ovarian torsion (OT) is a critical gynecological emergency marked by partial or complete rotation of the ovary around its ligamentous supports, resulting in impaired blood flow and potential ischemic injury or necrosis if not treated promptly. This study explores the potential of irisin in mitigating ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury following ovarian torsion-detorsion (T/D), with a focus on oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators. Methods: Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into three groups: Sham, T/D, and irisin 10 μg/kg. Oxidative stress markers—total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO)—were measured to assess tissue damage. Antioxidant parameters, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant status (TAS) were evaluated. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were analyzed to assess systemic inflammation and irisin’s modulatory role. Results: The T/D group showed elevated MPO and MDA levels relative to the sham group (p

Apocynin may alleviate side effects of autophagy-blocked radiotherapy through antioxidant effects

ABSTRACT One of the most widely used techniques for cancer treatment is radiotherapy. Autophagic pathways allow some cancer cells that are resistant to radiation therapy to survive. Inhibiting autophagy has been shown to improve radiotherapy efficacy in several cancer types. Chloroquine (CQ) is a reasonable choice that has been used for many years to treat malaria and is preferred because of its minimal side-effects. Nevertheless, the effects of coadministration of CQ with radiation on various tissues remain unclear. In this study, it was aimed to understand how CQ, used to increase the effectiveness of radiotherapy, has effects on small intestine tissue alone and together with radiotherapy and what role apocynin (APO) can play with its antioxidant character in these stress conditions. Animals were divided into eight groups. The control group received physiological saline, while the other groups received 8 Gy total body irradiation, 50 mg/kg CQ, and 20 mg/kg APO, alone and in combination. In addition to causing significant histological damage, radiation triggered autophagy and showed antiproliferative and apoptotic effects. CQ administered with radiotherapy (RAD) had antiproliferative effects and did not cause a significant change in apoptosis. Reduced glutathione level, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities, and total antioxidant status were decreased, while lipid peroxidation, total oxidant status, reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide levels, adenosine deaminase, alkaline phosphatase, trypsin, lactate dehydrogenase, sodium potassium ATPase, xanthine oxidase activities, and protein carbonyl contents were increased in the RAD, CQ, and RAD+CQ groups. Apocynin therapy reversed these effects.

Determination of SCUBE-1, SCUBE-2, caveolin-1, and ischemia biomarker levels in rats following renal ischemia-reperfusion.

To investigate the histopathological findings and serum levels of ischemia and oxidative stress biomarkers in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Fifty-one female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups: ischemia/third day, ischemia/first week, ischemia/second week, and corresponding control groups for each ischemia group. Each ischemia group had 10 rats, and each control group had seven. Ischemia was induced by clamping the left renal hilum for 45min, followed by reperfusion. Relaparotomy was performed at designated time points, and blood and kidney samples were collected. Control groups underwent laparotomy without ischemia. Serum levels of signal peptide-complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1-epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing protein 1 and 2 (SCUBE-1/2), caveolin-1 (Cav-1), albumin, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), IMA/albumin ratio (IMAR), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were analyzed, and histopathological examinations were undertaken. In the ischemia groups, serum levels of SCUBE-1, IMA, TAS, TOS, creatinine, IMAR, and OSI statistically significantly differed from those in the control groups. Serum Cav-1 levels showed a statistically significant difference between the third-day and first-week groups, whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between the ischemia and control groups in the second-week cohort. Significant differences in ischemia and oxidative stress biomarkers, including SCUBE-1 and Cav-1, were observed. SCUBE-1 and Cav-1 may serve as potential biomarkers for assessing kidney injury, function, and recovery.

The Effect of Dapagliflozin, a Sodium–Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor, on Vancomycin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Background/Objectives: Vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity (VIN) remains a significant clinical challenge, with no effective nephroprotective agent currently established. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of the sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin (DAPA) against VIN in a Wistar albino rat model. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, VA (vancomycin), DAPA (dapagliflozin), and VA+DAPA. Renal function was assessed by measuring serum urea and creatinine. Oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), and myeloperoxidase (MPO)], antioxidant enzyme activities [total antioxidant status (TAS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], apoptotic mediators (Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3), and pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were evaluated. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of kidney tissues were also performed. Results: Administration of VA led to significant renal dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, heightened apoptotic activity, and notable histopathological damage. Co-administration of DAPA with VA significantly reduced serum urea and creatinine levels and decreased caspase-3 activity and was associated with a trend toward reduction in both MDA levels and TNF-α expression, as well as the amelioration of histopathological renal injury. However, reductions in IL-1β and IL-6 levels were not statistically significant. Overall, these findings indicate that DAPA exerts nephroprotective effects against VIN by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic pathways. Conclusions: Dapagliflozin may serve as a potential protective agent against vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity. Further long-term and large-scale clinical studies are warranted to validate these preclinical findings and explore their therapeutic implications.

The effect of melatonin implants on the embryo yield and oxidative stress levels in superovulated Holstein heifers.

Superstimulation of ovaries predisposes the donors to oxidative stress, potentially impacting the outcomes. This study evaluated the effect of melatonin implants on embryo yield and oxidative stress levels in Holstein heifers, who were allocated to two groups: one (14 heifers) received melatonin implants (18mg/50kg) before the start of superovulation, while the other (10 heifers) did not. Serum samples were collected on days 0, 9, and 16 to measure total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS). Ovarian follicles, corpora lutea, and recovered embryos were recorded at D16. Superovulation and Fertilization responses were not different; Ovulation response increased (80.73 ± 4.94 vs. 57.02 ± 10.61) in the treatment compared to the control. The mean number of CLs and Total recovered embryos were not different; Transferable embryos (3.85 ± 0.91 vs. 1.8 ± 0.37) were higher in treatment compared to the control (p˂0.05). Blastocysts and degenerated embryos were not different. TOS in the treatment group decreased at D7 and D16 compared with D0 (p˂0.05) but increased over time in control (p˂0.05); it was not different between groups at D0 but was lower in treatment than control at D9 and D16 (p˂0.05). TAC didn't change over time; however, it was higher in treated than in control donors at D7 (p˂0.05). OSI was lower in the treatment than control group at D9 and D16. Conclusively, melatonin implants in superovulated heifer donors increased the number of transferable embryos and reduced anovulated follicles, thereby enhancing ovulation and embryo quality. It mitigated oxidative stress by decreasing total oxidant status and boosting total antioxidant capacity.

Biological Activities of Leucoagaricus leucothites Mushroom: Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase and Antiproliferative Effects

Mushrooms have constituted a wide research area as natural resources exhibiting medically important biological activities. This study aimed to investigate the biological activities of Leucoagaricus leucothites (Vittad.) Wasser mushroom comprehensively. Ethanol extract of the mushroom was obtained by Soxhlet extraction method. To determine the biological potential of the extract, total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) analyses were performed by Rel Assay kits. In addition, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzyme activities were measured to evaluate the anticholinesterase activity of the mushroom. A549 lung cancer cell line was used to determine the antiproliferative effect. The obtained data showed that the TAS value of L. leucothites was 6.109±0.078 mmol/L and the TOS value was 15.364±0.149 µmol/L. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated as 0.251±0.003. In terms of anticholinesterase activity, AChE inhibition value was found as 106.08±1.76 µg/mL, BChE inhibition value was found as 129.88±1.62 µg/mL. Antiproliferative effect increased in parallel with the increase in concentration, and this situation revealed that L. leucothites has a strong potential in terms of biological activities. These findings show that L. leucothites can be used in health supportive treatment approaches and can be a valuable source in pharmaceutical applications.

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antiproliferative and Anticholinesterase Activities of Iberis carnosa Willd

This study investigated the bioactivity of Iberis carnosa Willd, a plant known for its diverse natural compound. Utilizing Soxhlet extraction, an ethanol extract was prepared and subsequently analyzed for antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anticholinesterase activities. Antioxidant capacity was quantified using Rel Assay kits, yielding a total antioxidant status (TAS) of 4.489±0.095 mmol/L, a total oxidant status (TOS) of 11.325±0.130 µmol/L, and an oxidative stress index (OSI) of 0.252±0.003. Antiproliferative activity was assessed against the A549 lung cancer cell line, demonstrating a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth. Anticholinesterase activity was evaluated by measuring acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition, revealing values of 76.52±1.93 μg/mL for AChE and 119.84±1.50 μg/mL for BChE, respectively. These findings suggest that I. carnosa possesses significant biological activities and warrants further investigation for potential therapeutic applications, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

Biomarker discovery for non-invasive diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease using blood transcriptomics

IntroductionColonoscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) even though it is an invasive and costly procedure. To enable non-invasive diagnosis, we aimed to identify blood-based transcriptomic biomarkers that specifically distinguish IBD from healthy and inflammatory controls.MethodsPublic microarray and RNA-seq datasets from whole blood of IBD, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and control subjects were analyzed. RA was included as a positive control for systemic inflammation to filter out non-IBD-specific gene signatures. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, followed by immune cell deconvolution (CIBERSORTx), pathway and network analysis, and diagnostic model construction using LASSO and SVM. A real-life cohort (36 IBD patients, 30 controls) was recruited for qRT-PCR validation.ResultsIBD blood transcriptomes exhibited altered immune profiles, including increased M0 macrophages, Tregs, and CD4 naïve T cells, and decreased memory B and activated NK cells. After excluding RA-overlapping DEGs, 25 IBD-specific DEGs with |log2FC| > 0.5 were prioritized. LASSO and SVM identified a three-mRNA panel—IL4R, EIF5A, and SLC9A8—which achieved 84% diagnostic accuracy in the discovery cohort and 99% accuracy in the real-life cohort. Network analysis highlighted NDUFB2 as a key downregulated hub gene linked to mitochondrial complex I dysfunction and oxidative phosphorylation disruption. Elevated oxidative stress in IBD was confirmed by increased Total Oxidant Status (TOS) levels in patient plasma.DiscussionOur findings support the use of peripheral blood transcriptomics for IBD diagnosis and demonstrate that a focused three-gene panel can achieve high diagnostic accuracy. The inclusion of RA as an inflammatory control enabled the identification of IBD-specific markers, minimizing confounding from general immune activation. These results provide a practical foundation for developing non-invasive diagnostic tools for clinical use.