Water-soluble C60 Fullerene Research Articles

Investigation of phytotoxic effects of fullerene С60 with the use of Allium-test

Aim. To investigate the cytogenetic effects of water-soluble fullerene C60 with the use of Allium test. To study the influence of various concentrations of fullerene С60 on the morpho-physiological parameters of A. cepa. Methods. The influence of different concentrations of fullerene С60 (25–100 μg/ml) on the induction of root formation and their growth, as well as its cytogenetic effects on the meristematic cells of root apices, were investigated. Results. It was found that fullerene C60 at concentrations of 50 and 75 μg/ml induced root formation and stimulated root growth, though causing minor deformations. Also, it was shown that fullerene С60 disrupts the progression of various phases of mitosis in the meristematic cells of roots, along with the occurrence of chromosomal aberrations at all investigated concentrations. Conclusions. The cytogenetic effects of water-soluble fullerene C60 were investigated for the first time using the Allium-test. Both positive effects on the morphophysiological parameters of A. cepa and its genotoxicity were demonstrated, which could indicate the disruptions in the mechanisms of spindle formation.

Effect of C60 Fullerene on Muscle Injury-Induced Rhabdomyolysis and Associated Acute Renal Failure.

Rhabdomyolysis, as an acute stage of myopathy, causes kidney damage. It is known that this pathology is caused by the accumulation of muscle breakdown products and is associated with oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effect of intraperitoneal administration (dose 1 mg/kg) of water-soluble C60 fullerenes, as powerful antioxidants, on the development of rat kidney damage due to rhabdomyolysis caused by mechanical trauma of the muscle soleus of different severity (crush syndrome lasting 1 min under a pressure of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 kg/cm2, respectively). Using tensometry, biochemical and histopathological analyses, the biomechanical parameters of muscle soleus contraction (contraction force and integrated muscle power), biochemical indicators of rat blood (concentrations of creatinine, creatine phosphokinase, urea and hydrogen peroxide, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity), glomerular filtration rate and fractional sodium excretion value, as well as pathohistological and morphometric features of muscle and kidney damages in rats on days 1, 3, 6 and 9 after the initiation of the injury were studied. Positive changes in biomechanical and biochemical parameters were found during the experiment by about 27-30 ± 2%, as well as a decrease in pathohistological and morphometric features of muscle and kidney damages in rats treated with water-soluble C60 fullerenes. These findings indicate the potential application of water-soluble C60 fullerenes in the treatment of pathological conditions of the muscular system caused by rhabdomyolysis and the associated oxidative stress.

Metabolite responses of cucumber on copper toxicity in presence of fullerene C60 derivatives

Copper (Cu) toxicity in crops is a result of excessive release of Cu into environment. Little is known about mitigation of Cu toxicity through the application of carbon-based nanomaterials including water-soluble fullerene C60 derivatives. Two derivatives of fullerene were examined: polyhydroxylated C60 (fullerenol) and arginine C60 derivative. In order to study the response of Cu-stressed plants (Cucumis sativus L.) to these nanomaterials, metabolomics analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed. Excess Cu (15 μM) caused substantial increase in xylem sap Cu, retarded dry biomass and leaf chlorosis of hydroponically grown cucumber. In Cu-stressed leaves, metabolomes was disturbed towards suppression metabolism of nitrogen (N) compounds and activation metabolism of hexoses. Also, upregulation of some metabolites involving in antioxidant defense system, such as ascorbic acid, tocopherol and ferulic acid, was occurred in Cu-stressed leaves. Hydroponically added fullerene adducts decreased the xylem sap Cu and alleviated Cu toxicity with effectiveness has been most pronounced for arginine C60 derivative. Metabolic responses of plants subjected to high Cu with fullerene derivatives were opposite to that observed under Cu alone. Fatty acids up-regulation (linolenic acid) and antioxidant molecules (tocopherol) down-regulation might indicate that arginine C60 adduct can alleviate Cu induced oxidative stress. Although fullerenol slightly improved cucumber growth, its effect on metabolic state of Cu-stressed plants was not statistically significant. We suggest that tested fullerene C60 adducts have a potential to prevent Cu toxicity in plants through a mechanism associated with their capability to restrict xylem transport of Cu from roots to shoot, and to maintain antioxidative properties of plants.

C60 Fullerene Reduces the Level of Liver Damage in Chronic Alcohol Intoxication of Rats.

The liver is the main organ responsible for the metabolism of ethanol, which suffers significantly as a result of tissue damage due to oxidative stress. It is known that C60 fullerenes are able to efficiently capture and inactivate reactive oxygen species in in vivo and in vitro systems. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine whether water-soluble C60 fullerene reduces the level of pathological process development in the liver of rats induced by chronic alcohol intoxication for 3, 6, and 9 months, depending on the daily dose (oral administration; 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg) of C60 fullerene throughout the experiment. In this context, the morphology of the C60 fullerene nanoparticles in aqueous solution was studied using atomic force microscopy. Such biochemical parameters of experimental animal blood as ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) enzyme activities, CDT (carbohydrate-deficient transferrin) level, values of pro-antioxidant balance indicators (concentrations of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and GSH (reduced glutathione), activities of CAT (catalase), SOD (superoxide dismutase) and GPx (selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase)), and pathohistological and morphometric features of liver damage were analyzed. The most significant positive change in the studied biochemical parameters (up to 29 ± 2% relative to the control), as markers of liver damage, was recorded at the combined administration of alcohol (40% ethanol in drinking water) and water-soluble C60 fullerenes in the optimal dose of 1 mg/kg, which was confirmed by small histopathological changes in the liver of rats. The obtained results prove the prospective use of C60 fullerenes as powerful antioxidants for the mitigation of pathological conditions of the liver arising under prolonged alcohol intoxication.

Protective action of water-soluble fullerene adducts on the example of an adduct with l-arginine

We present radioprotective, antiglycating, and photoprotective properties of a water-soluble C60 fullerene derivative with l-arginine (C60-Arg) and composite films based on collagen containing C60-Arg. The synthesis of these materials is described. The identification of the synthesised materials was carried out using modern physicochemical methods of analysis. The physicochemical properties of aqueous solutions of C60-Arg, such as, particle size distribution, zeta potentials, distribution coefficient in the octan-1-ol–water system were measured. The computer simulation of the process of C60-Arg association in aqueous and isotonic solutions was carried out using Molecular Dynamics. Composite films based on collagen containing C60-Arg demonstrate significant improvement in mechanical properties, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation when the nano-modifier is added. This shows high potential for the use of the C60-Arg adduct in biomedicine.

The effect of C60 fullerenes on the recovery of muscle soleus contraction dynamics in rats after chronic alcoholization

Background. It has been shown that the available therapeutic agents do not eliminate the consequences of miotic pathologies in chronic alcoholism, the most significant of which are disturbances in the dynamics of muscle contraction. A positive effect of biocompatible water-soluble C60 fullerenes on the contraction parameters of damaged muscles has been established. In addition, administration of C60 fullerene aqueous solution during chronic alcoholization of rats protects muscle tissue from damage caused by oxidative stress. Materials and Methods. Biomechanical parameters such as the values of the minimum and maximum contraction force and the muscle force impulse were evaluated using tensometry. The blood levels of creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine and lactate as well as the level of oxidative processes in muscle tissue of experimental animals (content of hydrogen peroxide, activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) as markers of muscle damage were determined using methods of biochemical analysis. Results. The C60 fullerene aqueous solution effect on the skeletal muscle contraction dynamics in rats after chronic alcoholization for 9 months and cessation of alcohol consumption for 1 month was investigated. It was established that water-soluble C60 fullerenes (daily dose of 1 mg/kg) reduce the effects of chronic alcoholization by 35–40±2 % on the studied biomechanical parameters and by 20±1 % on the studied biochemical parameters compared to the group of alcoholized animals, thus increasing the energy capabilities of the muscular system. Conclusions. The obtained data indicate a pronounced protective effect of C60 fullerenes on the muscle soleus contraction dynamics during the development of alcoholic myopathy, which opens up the potential possibility of their use for the prevention and correction of miotic damage.

Вплив водорозчинних С60-фулеренів на перебіг cпричиненого рабдоміолізом пошкодження нирок різного ступеня тяжкості

Rhabdomyolysis, as an acute stage of myopathy, causes kidney damage. Literary data indicate that this pathology is caused by the accumulation of muscle breakdown products and is associated with oxidative stress. Therefore, the effect of water-soluble C60 fullerenes (C60), as powerful antioxidants, at different doses of intraperitoneal administration (1 and 2 mg·kg-1) on the development of kidney damage due to the rhabdomyolysis of various severity degrees, which was caused by the intramuscular injection of a 50% glycerol solution into the muscle soleus in doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg·kg-1 was evaluated in the present work. C60 injections at doses of 2 mg·kg-1 have been shown to most effectively increase glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in severe renal failure (by 29, 38 and 51% on the 3rd, 6th and 9th day of the experiment, respectively). Changes in the content of creatine phosphokinase and activity of glutathione peroxidase in the blood of experimental animals are correlated well (r > 0.94) with changes in GFR with the use of C60. This opens up new opportunities in the therapy of pathological conditions of the muscular system, which are caused by rhabdomyolysis, release of labile Fe3+ from damaged muscle fibers and associated oxidative stress.

Protective role of fullerenol and arginine C60 fullerene against copper toxicity in cucumber

Copper (Cu), when in excess, is one of the most toxic and hazardous metals to all living organisms, including plants. Engineered nanomaterials have the potential for increasing crop protection. However, the protective role of fullerenes (carbon-based nanoparticles with wide application in various areas) against Cu toxicity in plants is, so far, understudied. The present study investigated whether fullerenes can potentially alleviate Cu toxicity in plants (Cucumis sativus L.). Two water-soluble fullerene C60 derivatives were examined: fullerenol [C60(OH)22–24] and arginine-functionalized fullerene [C60(C6H13N4O2)8H8], under controlled conditions using hydroponics. Plants treated with 15 μM of Cu exhibited typical symptoms of Cu toxicity: impaired growth, leaf chlorosis, reduced photosynthetic activity, nutritional imbalances, and enhanced lipid peroxidation. These symptoms were alleviated in the presence of fullerene derivatives with arginine C60 having the more pronounced effect. Improved cucumber Cu tolerance was attributable to Cu buffering in the root zone (roots and medium), which caused a dramatic decline in Cu transport towards leaves and the elimination of oxidative damage. The Cu removal efficacy of arginine C60 was much greater than that of fullerenol. These fullerenes acted in a dose-dependent manner and removed Cu selectively without significant modification of the bioavailability of other essential nutrients. Treatment with free arginine did not affect Cu immobilization or Cu toxicity. These results suggest that the surface chemistry of the fullerene core is important for the protection of plants under excessive Cu conditions. The information offered a new approach to preparing promising practical materials for alleviating Cu toxicity in plants with potential application in fields.

The effect of C60 fullerene on the mechanokinetics of muscle gastrocnemius contraction in chronically alcoholized rats

The C60 fullerene effect (oral administration at a dose of 1 mg kg−1) on the selected biomechanical parameters of muscle gastrocnemius contraction, biochemical indicators of blood and muscle tissue as well as histological changes in rat muscle tissue after chronic alcoholization for 3, 6 and 9 months was studied in detail. Water-soluble C60 fullerenes were shown to reduce the pathological processes development in the muscle apparatus by an average of (35–40)%. In particular, they reduced the time occurrence of fatigue processes in muscle during the long-term development of alcoholic myopathy and inhibited oxidative processes in muscle, thereby preventing its degradation. These findings open up the possibility of using C60 fullerenes as potent antioxidants for the correction of the pathological conditions of the muscle system arising from alcohol intoxication.

Water-soluble pristine C60 fullerenes attenuate isometric muscle force reduction in a rat acute inflammatory pain model

BackgroundBeing a scavenger of free radicals, C60 fullerenes can influence on the physiological processes in skeletal muscles, however, the effect of such carbon nanoparticles on muscle contractility under acute muscle inflammation remains unclear. Thus, the aim of the study was to reveal the effect of the C60 fullerene aqueous solution (C60FAS) on the muscle contractile properties under acute inflammatory pain.MethodsTo induce inflammation a 2.5% formalin solution was injected into the rat triceps surae (TS) muscle. High-frequency electrical stimulation has been used to induce tetanic muscle contraction. A linear motor under servo-control with embedded semi-conductor strain gauge resistors was used to measure the muscle tension.ResultsIn response to formalin administration, the strength of TS muscle contractions in untreated animals was recorded at 23% of control values, whereas the muscle tension in the C60FAS-treated rats reached 48%. Thus, the treated muscle could generate 2-fold more muscle strength than the muscle in untreated rats.ConclusionsThe attenuation of muscle contraction force reduction caused by preliminary injection of C60FAS is presumably associated with a decrease in the concentration of free radicals in the inflamed muscle tissue, which leads to a decrease in the intensity of nociceptive information transmission from the inflamed muscle to the CNS and thereby promotes the improvement of the functional state of the skeletal muscle.

Влияние водорастворимых производных фуллерена С60 на уровень окислительного стресса и на транскрипционную активность генов, регулирующих про- и антиоксидантную активность эмбриональных фибробластов легких человека, культивируемых in vitro

The paper considers the effect of two water-soluble C60 fullerene derivatives modified with amino acid residues on the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cultured human cells and on the transcriptional activity of genes that regulate pro- and antioxidant activity of cells. C60 fullerene derivatives with attached serine and phenibut amino acid residues were synthesized from C60Cl6 chlorofullerenes. Human embryonic lung fibroblast cultures were used in in vitro experiments. Various concentrations of fullerene derivatives were added to the culture medium, the cells were cultured in the presence of compounds from 1 to 72 hours. The level of ROS was determined using the dye 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), which is oxidized by free radicals to form fluorescent 2,7-dichlorofluorescein (DCF), by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and using a plate reader. The level of protein expression was determined by flow cytometry using specific antibodies. The level of gene expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. It was shown that when the studied compounds are introduced into the cellular environment, they intensively absorb reactive oxygen species due to double conjugated bonds in the framework. At the same time, fullerene derivatives contribute to the development of secondary oxidative stress in cells 24 hours after administration. This effect occurs due to the activation of the NOX4 enzyme. In the cells of human embryonic lung fibroblasts, which were injected with the studied C60 fullerene derivatives, a correlation was found between the average value of the NOX4 enzyme protein and the level of reactive oxygen species. The lack of activation of the antioxidant transcription factor NRF2 upon incubation of human embryonic lung fibroblasts in the presence of C60 fullerene derivatives contributes to the development of secondary oxidative stress in cells.

Self-Organization of Fullerene Derivatives in Solutions and Biological Cells Studied by Pulsed Field Gradient NMR.

Fullerene derivatives are of great interest in various fields of science and technology. Fullerene derivatives are known to have pronounced anticancer and antiviral activity. They have antibacterial properties. Their properties are largely determined by association processes. Understanding the nature and properties of associates in solvents of various types will make it possible to make significant progress in understanding the mechanisms of aggregation of molecules of fullerene derivatives in solutions. Thus, this work, aimed at studying the size and stability of associates, is relevant and promising for further research. The NMR method in a pulsed field gradient was used, which makes it possible to directly study the translational mobility of molecules. The sizes of individual molecules and associates were calculated based on the Stokes-Einstein model. The lifetime of associates was also estimated. The interaction of water-soluble C60 fullerene derivatives with erythrocytes was also evaluated. The values of self-diffusion coefficients and the lifetime of molecules of their compounds in cell membranes are obtained. It is concluded that the molecules of fullerene derivatives are fixed on the cell surface, and their forward movement is controlled by lateral diffusion.

Вплив залишкової дії водорозчинного С60-фулерену на скорочення muscle soleus та muscle gastrocnemius щурів за розвитку втоми

A comparison of biomechanical and biochemical markers of muscle soleus and muscle gastrocnemius fatigue in rats for two days after 5 days of using antioxidant C60 fullerene (daily dose was 1 mg·kg-1) was performed. It was shown that its long-term use to increase muscle strength response against the background of muscle fatigue by 60-65 and 35-40% in slow and fast muscle, respectively. The residual effect of water-soluble C60 fullerene on slow muscle remains significant (20-25%) even after 2 days after discontinuation of the drug. At the same time, its residual effect on fast muscle on the 2nd day remains at a minimum level, which does not significantly increase muscle performance. Prolonged usage of water-soluble C60 fullerene helps to reduce oxidative processes by 30-40% in fast and by 21-25% in slow muscles by maintaining a balance between prooxidants and antioxidant defense system. A comparative analysis of oxidative stress markers and indicators of the state of antioxidant defense systems in fast and slow muscles showed that the residual therapeutic effect of water-soluble C60 fullerene after long-term use is 30-40% higher in muscle soleus than in muscle gastrocnemius. The obtained results demonstrate the long-term kinetics of water-soluble C60 fullerene excretion from the body, which contributes to long-term (at least two days) compensatory activation of the endogenous antioxidant system in response to muscle stimulation, which should be considered when developing new therapeutic drugs based on it.

Water-Soluble, Alanine-Modified Fullerene C60 Promotes the Proliferation and Neuronal Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells.

As carbon-based nanomaterials, water-soluble C60 derivatives have potential applications in various fields of biomedicine. In this study, a water-soluble fullerene C60 derivative bearing alanine residues (Ala-C60) was synthesized. The effects of Ala-C60 on neural stem cells (NSCs) as seed cells were explored. Ala-C60 can promote the proliferation of NSCs, induce NSCs to differentiate into neurons, and inhibit the migration of NSCs. Most importantly, the Ala-C60 can significantly increase the cell viability of NSCs treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The glutathioneperoxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and glutathione (GSH) content increased significantly in NSCs treated even by 20 μM Ala-C60. These findings strongly indicate that Ala-C60 has high potential to be applied as a scaffold with NSCs for regeneration in nerve tissue engineering for diseases related to the nervous system.

Effect of C60 Fullerene on Recovery of Muscle Soleus in Rats after Atrophy Induced by Achillotenotomy.

Biomechanical and biochemical changes in the muscle soleus of rats during imitation of hind limbs unuse were studied in the model of the Achilles tendon rupture (Achillotenotomy). Oral administration of water-soluble C60 fullerene at a dose of 1 mg/kg was used as a therapeutic agent throughout the experiment. Changes in the force of contraction and the integrated power of the muscle, the time to reach the maximum force response, the mechanics of fatigue processes development, in particular, the transition from dentate to smooth tetanus, as well as the levels of pro- and antioxidant balance in the blood of rats on days 15, 30 and 45 after injury were described. The obtained results indicate a promising prospect for C60 fullerene use as a powerful antioxidant for reducing and correcting pathological conditions of the muscular system arising from skeletal muscle atrophy.

Водорастворимое производное фуллерена С70 как регулятор уровня активных форм кислорода в культивируемых клетках человека

Fullerene derivatives of C60 and C70 are being investigated as potential tools for drug delivery to the body. Additionally, these compounds have the ability to effectively bind reactive oxygen species (ROS) in solutions and can be used as radioprotectors and antioxidants. However, a study of water-soluble C60 fullerene previously showed that this compound is able not only to block ROS, but also to induce secondary oxidative stress associated with cell response to a significant decrease in ROS levels. In order to further analyse the response of human cells to the presence of fullerene in the medium, we investigated the effect of a water-soluble C70 fullerene derivative on cultured human skin fibroblasts. С70 fullerene in a non-toxic concentration causes transient oxidative stress, which manifested itself in a short-term increase in the cellular DNA oxidation level. Stress occurs 3 hours after fullerene-induced decrease in the antioxidant response gene NRF2 activity and an increase in the activity of the NOX4 gene, which encodes an enzyme catalysing hydrogen peroxide synthesis. 24 hours later, the level of DNA oxidation decreases to the control values. It is suggested that fullerenes can be used not only as antioxidants, but also as potential inducers of an adaptive response that increases cell survival under negative environmental influences.

The effect of water-soluble pristine C60 fullerene on 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson’s disease in rats

Oxidative stress is thought to be one of the mechanisms that leads to the dysfunction and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis and presumed to be underway during the prodromal phase. Therefore, therapy, which is effective against pre-motor symptoms, might be effective in preventing or delaying the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease. The aim of our study was to investigate the therapeutic efficiency of pristine C60 fullerene aqueous solution (C60FAS) during Parkinson’s disease in rats. The unilateral dopamine deficiency was induced in male Wistar rats (220–250 g) by stereotaxic microinjection of neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 12 μg). C60FAS was injected to rats intraperitoneally daily for 10 days (0.65 mg/kg per day). The percentage of destroyed dopaminergic neurons was determined by the apomorphine test and by IHC staining of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in substantia nigra. We evaluated the rat body weight, the water and food intake, Open Field behavioural test, the level of biochemical antioxidant system, the activity of peritoneal macrophages. Levels of spontaneous and carbachol-stimulated colon motility were estimated by ballonographic method in vivo. C60FAS showed a positive tendency to increase the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells in the midbrain, which was associated with more profound improvement in apomorphine-rotation behaviour and slight relief of the anxiety level in Open Field test. Furthermore, C60FAS treatment increased the index of stimulated distal colon motor activity while it did not have a significant effect on water content in feces and total gastrointestinal transit time. C60FAS treatment did not affect water intake behaviour or body weight changes while it induced an increase of glutathione level and decrease activity of glutathione peroxidase in the brain as well as an increase in activity of peritoneal macrophages in 6-OHDA-Parkinson’s disease rats. These findings confirmed the potential therapeutic effectiveness of water-soluble pristine C60 fullerene in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis, though there is ground for caution because of its systemic mild toxic effect.

Protective Effect of Water-Soluble C60 Fullerene Nanoparticles on the Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of the Muscle Soleus in Rats.

The biomechanical parameters of muscle soleus contraction in rats and their blood biochemical indicators after the intramuscular administration of water-soluble C60 fullerene at doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg 1 h before the onset of muscle ischemia were investigated. In particular, changes in the contraction force of the ischemic muscle soleus, the integrated power of the muscle, the time to achieve the maximum force response, the dynamics of fatigue processes, and the parameters of the transition from dentate to smooth tetanus, levels of creatinine, creatine kinase, lactate and lactate dehydrogenase, and parameters of prooxidant–antioxidant balance (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydrogen peroxide, and reduced glutathione and catalase) were analyzed. The positive therapeutic changes in the studied biomechanical and biochemical markers were revealed, which indicate the possibility of using water-soluble C60 fullerenes as effective prophylactic nanoagents to reduce the severity of pathological conditions of the muscular system caused by ischemic damage to skeletal muscles.

Fullerene C60 Protects Against Intestinal Injury from Deoxynivalenol Toxicity by Improving Antioxidant Capacity.

Oxidative stress is involved in a wide variety of pathologies, and fullerene has been shown to have an antioxidant ability. Mycotoxins exert toxic effects through induction of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we evaluated water-soluble fullerene C60 for its anti-mycotoxin and antioxidant effects in vitro and in vivo. Intestinal epithelial cells were cultured with fullerene during deoxynivalenol (DON) exposure. The results revealed that fullerene C60 significantly promoted cell viability, decreased apoptosis and necrotic cell number, and significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels during DON exposure (p < 0.05). To investigate the role of fullerene in antioxidant capacity in vivo further, 40 three-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups. There were no significant differences between the control and fullerene groups (p > 0.05). In mice exposed to DON, supplementation with fullerene C60 significantly improved growth performance, and enhanced the total antioxidant status and the activities of SOD and GPX in the intestine and liver (p < 0.05). In addition, fullerene C60 supplementation improved intestinal morphology, as indicated by a higher villus height and tight junction protein expression (p < 0.05). Furthermore, fullerene supplementation decreased serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokine and lipopolysaccharide (LPS; a penetrability marker) compared to the DON-challenged group (p < 0.05). The current study suggests that fullerene C60 improves intestinal antioxidant status against DON-induced oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo.

Influence of the Active Layer Structure on the Photovoltaic Performance of Water-Soluble Polythiophene-Based Solar Cells.

A new side-chain C60-fullerene functionalized thiophene copolymer bearing tributylphosphine-substituted hexylic lateral groups was successfully synthesized by means of a fast and effective post-polymerization reaction on a regioregular ω-alkylbrominated polymeric precursor. The growth of the polymeric intermediate was followed by NMR spectrometry in order to determine the most convenient reaction time. The obtained copolymer was soluble in water and polar solvents and was used as a photoactive layer in single-material organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells. The copolymer photovoltaic efficiency was compared with that of an OPV cell containing a water-soluble polythiophenic homopolymer, functionalized with the same tributylphosphine-substituted hexylic side chains, in a blend with a water-soluble C60-fullerene derivative. The use of a water-soluble double-cable copolymer made it possible to enhance the control on the nanomorphology of the active blend, thus reducing phase-segregation phenomena, as well as the macroscale separation between the electron acceptor and donor components. Indeed, the power conversion efficiency of OPV cells based on a single material was higher than that obtained with the classical architecture, involving the presence of two distinct ED and EA materials (PCE: 3.11% vs. 2.29%, respectively). Moreover, the synthetic procedure adopted to obtain single material-based cells is more straightforward and easier than that used for the preparation of the homopolymer-based BHJ solar cell, thus making it possible to completely avoid the long synthetic pathway which is required to prepare water-soluble fullerene derivatives.