ultraviolet-B Radiation Damage Research Articles

Photoprotective effect of solid lipid nanoparticles of rutin against UVB radiation damage on skin biopsies and tissue-engineered skin

Purpose: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing rutin were prepared to enhance their photochemopreventive effect on the skin. Methods: SLNs were produced by the hot melt microemulsion technique. Two three-dimensional skin models: ex vivo skin explants and 3D tissue engineering skin were used to evaluate the photochemopreventive effect of topical formulations containing rutin SLNs, against UVB radiation, inducing sunburn cells, caspase-3, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, lipid peroxidation and metalloproteinase formation. Results: The rutin SLNs presented average size of 74.22 ± 2.77 nm, polydispersion index of 0.16 ± 0.04, encapsulation efficiency of 98.90 ± 0.25%, and zeta potential of -53.0 ± 1.61 mV. The rutin SLNs were able to efficiently protect against UVB-induced in the analyzed parameters in both skin models. Furthermore, the rutin SLNs inhibited lipid peroxidation and metalloproteinase formation. Conclusion: These results support the use of rutin SLNs as skin photochemopreventive agents for topical application to the skin.

Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP)-Derived Peptide (NAP) Counteracts UV-B Radiation-Induced ROS Formation in Corneal Epithelium.

The corneal epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea, acts as a dynamic barrier preventing access to harmful agents into the intraocular space. It is subjected daily to different insults, and ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation represents one of the main causes of injury. In our previous study, we demonstrated the beneficial effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) against UV-B radiation damage in the human corneal endothelium. Some of its effects are mediated through the activation of the intracellular factor, known as the activity-dependent protein (ADNP). In the present paper, we have investigated the role of ADNP and the small peptide derived from ADNP, known as NAP, in the corneal epithelium. Here, we have demonstrated, for the first time, ADNP expression in human and rabbit corneal epithelium as well as its protective effect by treating the corneal epithelial cells exposed to UV-B radiations with NAP. Our results showed that NAP treatment prevents ROS formation by reducing UV-B-irradiation-induced apoptotic cell death and JNK signalling pathway activation. Further investigations are needed to deeply investigate the possible therapeutic use of NAP to counteract corneal UV-B damage.

Effects of elevated ultraviolet-B radiation on root growth and chemical signaling molecules in plants

Ozone layer depletion leads to elevated ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, which affects plant growth; however, little is known about the relationship between root growth and signaling molecules in roots. Therefore, in this work, simulated UV-B radiation was used to study the effects of elevated UV-B radiation on root growth of soybean seedlings and changes in the content of signaling molecules in roots. The results showed that compared with the control, the 2.63 kJ m−2 d−1 and 6.17 kJ m−2 d−1 elevated UV-B radiation treatments inhibited root growth, and root growth parameters (total root length, root surface area, root volume, average diameter, root tip number, and root dry weight) all decreased. For root signaling molecules, the content of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid increased, and the content of auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellin decreased. The above indices changed more significantly under the 6.17 kJ m−2 d−1 treatment. After withdrawal of the exposure, the above indices could be restored to a certain extent. These data indicated that UV-B radiation interfered with root growth by affecting the content of signaling molecules in roots, and the degree of the effects was related to the intensity of UV-B radiation. The results from this study provide a theoretical basis for studying the preliminary mechanism of elevated UV-B radiation on root growth and possible pathways that can mitigate UV-B radiation damage for root growth. One sentence summaryThe effects of elevated UV-B on root growth of soybean seedlings were regulated by signaling molecules, and the degree of the effects was related to the intensity of UV-B radiation.

Low temperature and ultraviolet-B radiation affect chlorophyll content and induce the accumulation of UV-B-absorbing and antioxidant compounds in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants

Low temperature (LT) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation are abiotic factors that cause plant stress and limit crop production because of their detrimental effects on photosynthetic components. There is evidence of chlorophyll and carotenoid degradation by LT and UV-B radiation, as well as the production of phenolic compounds as defense components against these stress factors; however, there is scarce information about the interactions between LT and UV-B radiation. Therefore, in this study, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds were analyzed in response to LT, UV-B radiation and the combination of both (LT+UV-B) in leaves of bell pepper plants. The LT+UV-B condition produced the greater degradation of chlorophyll in the bell pepper leaves and the higher accumulation of carotenoids, chlorogenic acid and the flavonoids apigenin-7-O-glucoside (A-7-G) and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (L-7-G) compared to the LT and UV-B conditions applied separately. UV-B radiation induced a higher total flavonoid concentration than LT, but the highest flavonoid concentration was observed in the leaves exposed to LT+UV-B. The higher accumulation of chlorogenic acid and A-7-G biosynthesis in leaves exposed to LT than control, indicate a higher resistance of plants to UV-B radiation damage because chlorogenic acid and A-7-G both have high UV-B absorbance capacities. However, a higher concentration of L-7-G, respect to A-7-G, in leaves exposed to UV-B and LT+UV-B indicates a higher necessity to quench ROS, because L-7-G has a higher antioxidant capacity than A-7-G. The increment of carotenoid and L-7-G concentrations in bell pepper plants exposed to LT and UV-B radiation stress displayed a high correlation with the raise of total reducing capacity in their leaves.

Effect of ultraviolet-B radiation in laboratory on morphological and ultrastructural characteristics and physiological parameters of selected cultivar of Oryza sativa L.

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UVBR) affects plants in many important ways, including reduction of growth rate and primary productivity, and changes in ultrastructures. Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most cultivated cereals in the world, along with corn and wheat, representing over 50% of agricultural production. In this study, we examined O. sativa plants exposed to ambient outdoor radiation and laboratory-controlled photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and PAR + UVBR conditions for 2 h/day during 30 days of cultivation. The samples were studied for morphological and ultrastructural characteristics, and physiological parameters. PAR + UVBR caused changes in the ultrastructure of leaf of O. sativa and leaf morphology (leaf index, leaf area and specific leaf area, trichomes, and papillae), plant biomass (dry and fresh weight), photosynthetic pigments, phenolic compounds, and protein content. As a photoprotective acclimation strategy against PAR + UVBR damage, an increase of 66.24% in phenolic compounds was observed. Furthermore, PAR + UVBR treatment altering the levels of chlorophylls a and b, and total chlorophyll. In addition, total carotenoid contents decreased after PAR + UVBR treatment. The results strongly suggested that PAR + UVBR negatively affects the ultrastructure, morphology, photosynthetic pigments, and growth rates of leaf of O. sativa and, in the long term, it could affect the viability of this economically important plant.

Protecting effect of He-Ne laser on winter wheat from UV-B radiation damage by analyzing proteomic changes in leaves

The ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation can affect gene expression of plant in growth and development. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), as a kind of economic crop cultured in the Northern China, is also damaged by present-day ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. It was reported that He-Ne lasers could alleviate cell damage caused by UV-B radiation in plants. To get the proteomic changes of wheat alleviated by He-Ne lasers, we studied protein expression profiles of winter wheat (Jin Mai NO.79) leaves by running 2-DE (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis), which allowed the identification of some significantly different gel spots. The spots were further verified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, in which they were confirmed to be winter wheat proteins. The results showed: 1) the proteomic changes between the ultraviolet-B radiation group and normal light group were significantly different on sixth day; 2) The expression of some proteins such as catalase, DNA polymerase and reduced glutathione declines at the ultraviolet-B radiation group and increases at the UV-B + He-Ne laser group. This indicates UV-B could regulate genes encoding proteins in Winter wheat leaves and affect the growth of the Winter wheat. He-Ne lasers treatment could significantly alleviate UV-B-induced damage in wheat.

Polyamines Induced by Osmotic Stress Protect Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Cells and Arginine Decarboxylase Transcripts Against UV-B Radiation

The effect of UV-B radiation on growth and polyamines content of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 subjected to either NaCl or sorbitol stress was investigated. Cells could not grow in the presence of 350 mM NaCl or 500 mM sorbitol under normal white light. However, cells grown in BG11 under osmotic stress imposed by NaCl or sorbitol followed by ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation for 2 h showed higher cell density than those under the same condition but no osmotic stress. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameter (F(v)/F(m)) also showed an apparent decrease upon UV-B irradiation. Intracellular polyamines increased by about 2- and 4-fold in NaCl- and sorbitol-stressed cells, respectively. When these cells were irradiated with UV-B for 1 h, a further 3-fold increase in polyamines content was detected in NaCl-stressed but not sorbitol-stressed cells. Synechocystis cells contained adc1 and adc2 genes encoding arginine decarboxylase (ADC) with only adc1 showing upregulation by NaCl or sorbitol stress. NaCl- or sorbitol-stressed cells contained about 5-fold higher level of adc1 transcript than did the unstressed cells after 1-h irradiation with UV-B, suggesting the protection of adc1 transcript by accumulated polyamines, due to NaCl or sorbitol stress, against UV-B radiation damage. ADC levels as analyzed by Western blot showed upregulation by UV-B in NaCl-stressed but not sorbitol-stressed cells.

Effect of ultraviolet-B radiation on biochemical and antioxidant defence system in <i>Indigofera tinctoria</i> L. seedlings

The stratospheric ozone depletion and enhanced solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiance may have adverse impact on living organisms. The impact of UV-B radiation (UV-B, 280~320nm) on growth, biochemical and antioxidant enzyme activity was studied in Indigofera tinctoria (L.) seedling, commonly used as a green manure. The supplementary UV-B radiation significantly decreased the growth, development and changes in UV-B absorbing compounds such as anthocyanin and flavonoids. The antioxidant enzymes were unaffected and showed an enhanced activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, polyphenoloxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase except catalase in UV-B irradiated seedling. Indigofera tinctoria seedling tries to counteract high level of reactive oxygen species produced under UV-B stress through the increased activities of antioxidant enzyme. The results suggest that Indigofera tinctoria is resistant to UV-B radiation damage and the possible negative effect of additional UV-B radiation on the growth of seedling may have been effectively balanced by the UV-B radiation stress through increase in UV-absorbing compound and antioxidant enzymes. Keywords: Antioxidant, flavonoids, stress, UV-B radiation.

Prevention of Ultraviolet-B Radiation Damage by Resveratrol in Mouse Skin Is Mediated via Modulation in Survivin¶

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in the United States, and multiple exposures to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation (particularly its UV-B component, 290-320 nm), is its major cause. 'Chemoprevention' by naturally occurring agents is being appreciated as a newer dimension in the management of neoplasia including skin cancer. We recently demonstrated that resveratrol (trans-3, 5, 4-trihydroxystilbene), an antioxidant found in grapes, red wines and a variety of nuts and berries, imparts protection from acute UV-B-mediated cutaneous damages in SKH-1 hairless mice. Understanding the mechanism of resveratrol-mediated protection of UV responses is important. We earlier demonstrated that resveratrol imparts chemopreventive effects against multiple UV-exposure-mediated modulations in (1) cki-cyclin-cdk network, and (2) mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)-pathway. This study was conducted to assess the involvement of inhibitor of apoptosis protein family Survivin during resveratrol-mediated protection from multiple exposures of UV-B (180 mJ/cm(2); on alternate days; for a total of seven exposures) radiations in the SKH-1 hairless mouse skin. Our data demonstrated that topical pre-treatment of resveratrol (10 micromol in 200 microl acetone/mouse) resulted in significant inhibition of UV-B exposure-mediated increases in (1) cellular proliferations (Ki-67 immunostaining), (2) protein levels of epidermal cyclooxygenase-2 and ornithine decarboxylase, established markers of tumor promotion, (3) protein and messenger RNA levels of Survivin, and (4) phosphorylation of survivin in the skin of SKH-1 hairless mouse. Resveratrol pretreatment also resulted in (1) reversal of UV-B-mediated decrease of Smac/DIABLO, and (2) enhancement of UV-B-mediated induction of apoptosis, in mouse skin. Taken together, our study suggested that resveratrol imparts chemopreventive effects against UV-B exposure-mediated damages in SKH-1 hairless mouse skin via inhibiting Survivin and the associated events.

Prevention of ultraviolet-B radiation damage by resveratrol in mouse skin is mediated via modulation in survivin.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in the United States, and multiple exposures to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation (particularly its UV-B component, 290-320 nm), is its major cause. 'Chemoprevention' by naturally occurring agents is being appreciated as a newer dimension in the management of neoplasia including skin cancer. We recently demonstrated that resveratrol (trans-3, 5, 4-trihydroxystilbene), an antioxidant found in grapes, red wines and a variety of nuts and berries, imparts protection from acute UV-B-mediated cutaneous damages in SKH-1 hairless mice. Understanding the mechanism of resveratrol-mediated protection of UV responses is important. We earlier demonstrated that resveratrol imparts chemopreventive effects against multiple UV-exposure-mediated modulations in (1) cki-cyclin-cdk network, and (2) mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)-pathway. This study was conducted to assess the involvement of inhibitor of apoptosis protein family Survivin during resveratrol-mediated protection from multiple exposures of UV-B (180 mJ/cm(2); on alternate days; for a total of seven exposures) radiations in the SKH-1 hairless mouse skin. Our data demonstrated that topical pre-treatment of resveratrol (10 micromol in 200 microl acetone/mouse) resulted in significant inhibition of UV-B exposure-mediated increases in (1) cellular proliferations (Ki-67 immunostaining), (2) protein levels of epidermal cyclooxygenase-2 and ornithine decarboxylase, established markers of tumor promotion, (3) protein and messenger RNA levels of Survivin, and (4) phosphorylation of survivin in the skin of SKH-1 hairless mouse. Resveratrol pretreatment also resulted in (1) reversal of UV-B-mediated decrease of Smac/DIABLO, and (2) enhancement of UV-B-mediated induction of apoptosis, in mouse skin. Taken together, our study suggested that resveratrol imparts chemopreventive effects against UV-B exposure-mediated damages in SKH-1 hairless mouse skin via inhibiting Survivin and the associated events.

Laser pretreatment protects cells of broad bean from UV-B radiation damage

In order to determine the role of lasers in the stress resistance of broad bean ( Vicia faba L.) to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, the embryos in seeds were exposed to He–Ne laser or CO 2 laser radiation. Afterwards they were cultivated in Petri dishes in a constant temperature incubator until the lengths of epicotyls were nearly 3 cm. The epicotyls were then exposed to 1.02, 3.03 or 4.52 kJ m −2 UV-B radiation, respectively, under 70 μmol m −2 s −1 photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in a growth cabinet. Changes in the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), ascorbic acid (AsA) and UV-B absorbing compounds (absorbance at 300 nm) were measured to test the effects of laser pretreatment. The results showed that laser pretreatment of embryos enhanced UV-B stress resistance in the epicotyls of the broad bean by decreasing the MDA concentration and increasing the content of AsA and UV-B absorbing compounds. We suggest that those changes in MDA, AsA and UV-B absorbing compounds were responsible for the increase in stress resistance observed in the broad bean. This is the first investigation reporting the use of laser pretreatment to protect the cells of the broad bean from UV-B-induced damage.

Polyphenol deposition in leaf hairs of Olea Europaea (OLeaceae) andQUercus Ilex (Fagaceae)

The subcellular localization (cytoplasm, vacuoles, cell walls) of polyphenol compounds during the development of the multicellular nonglandular leaf hairs of Olea europaea (scales) and Quercus ilex (stellates), was investigated. Hairs of all developmental stages were treated with specific inducers of polyphenol fluorescence, and the bright yellow-green fluorescence of individual hairs was monitored with epifluorescence microscopy. During the early ontogenetic stages, bright fluorescence was emitted from the cytoplasm of the cells composing the multicellular shield of the scales of O. europaea. Transmission electron micrographs of the same stages showed that these cells possessed poor vacuolation and thin cell walls. The nucleus of these cells may be protected against ultraviolet-B radiation damage. The progressive vacuolation that occurred during maturation was followed by a shifting of the bright green-yellow fluorescence from the perinuclear region and the cytoplasm to the cell walls. The same trends were observed during the development of the nonglandular stellate hairs of Quercus ilex, in which maturation was also accompanied by a considerable secondary thickening of the cell walls. Despite the differences in morphology, high concentrations of polyphenol compounds are initially located mainly in the cytoplasm of the developing nonglandular hairs, and their deposition on the cell walls takes place during the secondary cell wall thickening. These structural changes during the development of the leaf hairs make them a very effective barrier against abiotic (uv-B radiation) and probably biotic (pathogenic) stresses.

Photosynthetic function, lipid peroxidation, and α-tocopherol content in spinach leaves during exposure to UV-B radiation

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. 'Meridian') plants were irradiated for 9 h d−1 for 12 d with ultra-violet-B (UV-B) radiation [13.5 kJ m−2 d−1 of biologically effective UV-B radiation (UV-BBE) + 350 µmol m−2 s−1 of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)] or PAR (350 µmol m−2 s−1) to determine if incipient UV-B-induced inhibition of photosynthetic function occurred in photosystem 2 (PS2) reaction centers or in the lipid matrix of thylakoid membranes. Chlorophyll concentrations (leaf area basis) in UV-B-irradiated spinach leaves were significantly lower than in PAR plants after 4, 8 and 12 d of exposure. A significant UV-B-induced rise in initial fluorescence (Fo) at days 8 and 10 was accompanied by a decline in the photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) ratio, indicating a reduction in the efficiency of PS2 energy harvesting and trapping. When based upon the chlorophyll content of thylakoid membranes, UV-B radiation did not alter lipid per-oxidation but did increase α-tocopherol content compared with the PAR treatment during the first 8 of the 12 exposure days. These data suggest that incipient UV-B damage to the photochemical apparatus did not occur in PS2 reaction center complexes nor in the lipid matrix of the thylakoid membranes. Photosynthetic function was more susceptible to UV-B-induced impairment than thylakoid membrane lipids were to UV-B radiation damage. Key words: ultra-violet-B radiation, chlorophyll fluorescence, lipid peroxidation, α-tocopherol

The dense indumentum with its polyphenol content may replace the protective role of the epidermis in some young xeromorphic leaves

The bright, yellow-green, ammonia-induced fluorescence of polyphenol compounds contained in the nonglandular hairs and within the epidermis of Olea europaea and Quercus ilex leaves was age dependent. Epifluorescence microscopic examination of transverse sections of leaves from both species showed that abaxial and adaxial epidermal layers emitted the characteristic green-yellow bright fluorescence only in late developmental stages, when a considerable decrease of the trichome density had already occurred. At earlier developmental stages, only the dense and thick trichome layer emitted the bright green-yellow fluorescence. In addition, the trichomes of young leaves of Olea and Quercus resembled the glandular ones of other species morphologically and possibly functionally. These findings suggest that the protective role of the trichome against ultraviolet-B radiation damage and (or) other environmental factors is particularly significant during the early stages of leaf development and may be less important at later stages, when the protective role is taken over by the epidermis. Keywords: leaf hairs, phenolics, UV-B radiation damage, leaf development, Olea europaea L., Quercus ilex L.

Trichome density and its protective potential against ultraviolet-B radiation damage during leaf development

Trichome density and the capacity of leaf hairs to protect underlying tissues against ultraviolet-B radiation damage were assessed during leaf development in three tree species. In all cases, trichome density and the relative quantities of ultraviolet radiation absorbing phenolic constituents (expressed on a leaf area basis) declined considerably with leaf age. In addition, the percent leaf dry mass invested in trichome decreased significantly. Reductions were greater on the adaxial leaf surface, leading to an almost glabrous upper epidermis in mature leaves. Internal (i.e., leaf total minus trichome) phenolics showed no significant changes with leaf age in Eriobotrya japonica and Cydonia oblonga. In Olea europaea, however, the concentration of internal phenolics was doubled in mature leaves. Ultraviolet-B radiation resulted in a reduction of photosystem II photochemical efficiency and extensive epidermal browning only in young, dehaired leaves. No such effects were observed in young, dehaired leaves in the absence of ultraviolet-B radiation or in normal young or mature ultraviolet-B-irradiated leaves. It is suggested that the dense trichomes often covering young leaves may, in addition to other functions, protect transiently the underlying cells against ultraviolet-B radiation damage during the time period required for the maturation of internal avoidance and (or) repairing mechanisms. Key words: Cydonia oblonga, Eriobotrya japonica, Olea europaea, leaf development, leaf hairs, phenolics, ultraviolet-B radiation damage.

Allelopathic and Water Conserving Functions of Leaf Epicuticular Exudates in the Mediterranean Shrub Dittrichia viscosa

The possible ecophysiological roles of the water soluble, epicuticular material accumulated on the leaves of Dittrichia viscosa (L.) W.Greuter (syn. Inula viscosa (L.) Aiton) (Asteraceae), were investigated in laboratory experiments. It was found that: (a) the material reduced cuticular transpiration; (b) it had a strong absorbance in the ultraviolet, apparently offering the leaves an ultraviolet-B radiation screen; (c) removal of this material, however, and exposure of the leaves to visible light supplemented with ultraviolet-B radiation had no effects on photosystem II photochemical efficiency or stomatal functions and caused no epidermal browning; and (d) the material was strongly inhibitory against germination of lettuce seeds and caused considerable decrease in the radicle length of Phlomis fruticosa L., a species often occupying the same habitat as D. viscosa. We infer from the above that D. viscosa leaves may be resistant to ultraviolet-B radiation damage and, accordingly, the water conservation and allelopathic functions of the epicuticular material may predominate over its potential to protect against ultraviolet-B radiation.

Leaf hairs of Olea europeae protect underlying tissues against ultraviolet-B radiation damage

The photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, as measured by chlorophyll fluorescence induction, was not affected in de-haired olive leaves kept in the dark or intact leaves irradiated with a moderate (3.75 W m −2) ultraviolet-B (UV-B) intensity. In de-haired, UV-B-irradiated leaves, however, the ratio of variable to maximum ( F v/ F m) chlorophyll fluorescence declined significantly and irreversibly. Reduction in F v/ F m was associated with an increase in instantaneous ( F 0) and a decrease in maximum ( F m) fluorescence, indicating perturbation by the UV-B exposure of more than one photosynthetic site. Extensive epidermal browning in dehaired, UV-B irradiated leaves was also observed, indicating possible damage to cell membranes. The results strengthen the hypothesis that leaf hairs protect the underlying tissues against UV-B radiation damage.