Sulphur-containing Amino Acids: Protective Role Against Free Radicals and Heavy Metals

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjana B. Colovic ◽  
Vesna M. Vasic ◽  
Dragan M. Djuric ◽  
Danijela Z. Krstic

Background: Sulphur is an abundant element in biological systems, which plays an important role in processes essential for life as a constituent of proteins, vitamins and other crucial biomolecules. The major source of sulphur for humans is plants being able to use inorganic sulphur in the purpose of sulphur-containing amino acids synthesis. Sulphur-containing amino acids include methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, and taurine. Methionine and cysteine are classified as proteinogenic, canonic amino acids incorporated in protein structure. Sulphur amino acids are involved in the synthesis of intracellular antioxidants such as glutathione and N-acetyl cysteine. Moreover, naturally occurring sulphur-containing ligands are effective and safe detoxifying agents, often used in order to prevent toxic metal ions effects and their accumulation in human body. Methods: Literature search for peer-reviewed articles was performed using PubMed and Scopus databases, and utilizing appropriate keywords. Results: This review is focused on sulphur-containing amino acids – methionine, cysteine, taurine, and their derivatives – glutathione and N-acetylcysteine, and their defense effects as antioxidant agents against free radicals. Additionally, the protective effects of sulphur-containing ligands against the toxic effects of heavy and transition metal ions, and their reactivation role towards the enzyme inhibition are described. Conclusion: Sulphur-containing amino acids represent a powerful part of cell antioxidant system. Thus, they are essential in the maintenance of normal cellular functions and health. In addition to their worthy antioxidant action, sulphur-containing amino acids may offer a chelating site for heavy metals. Accordingly, they may be supplemented during chelating therapy, providing beneficial effects in eliminating toxic metals.

2016 ◽  
Vol 327-328 ◽  
pp. 55-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Remelli ◽  
Valeria M. Nurchi ◽  
Joanna I. Lachowicz ◽  
Serenella Medici ◽  
M. Antonietta Zoroddu ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 904 (1) ◽  
pp. 012009
Author(s):  
A W Abd Byty ◽  
M A Gharbi ◽  
A H Assaf

Abstract Toxic metal pollutants in groundwater should be identified to prevent future health risks. In this paper, the presence of heavy metals in groundwater in the western region of Iraq was investigated. The heavy metals concentrations, including Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Cd2+, As3+ and Hg2+ were explored in twenty selected aquifers near Rutba City and the results were presented as spatial distribution maps. Findings indicate that contamination with the investigated heavy metal ions possesses a serious threat to the study area’s groundwater quality when compared to WHO and IEPA guideline values. Thus, a new approach to remove or adsorb heavy metal ions can be developed for large-scale production and the safe use of these aquifers water. Results revealed that the highest concentrations in mg/L1 of 2.312 in w19, 1.098 in w2, 5.78 in w17, 0.292 in w9, 3.349 in w5, 0.32 in w13, 0.074 in w11 and 5.622 in w1 for Zn2+, Cr3+, As3+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ were recorded, respectively.


1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benigno Macías ◽  
Julio J. Criado ◽  
María V. Vaquero ◽  
María V. Villa ◽  
Manuel Castillo

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Kumar Gupta ◽  
Shweta Singh ◽  
Anju Agrawal ◽  
Nikhat Jamal Siddiqi ◽  
Bechan Sharma

Almost all the environmental components including both the abiotic and biotic factors have been consistently threatened by excessive contamination of heavy metals continuously released from various sources. Different heavy metals have been reported to generate adverse effects in many ways. Heavy metals induced neurotoxicity and impairment in signalling cascade leading to cell death (apoptosis) has been indicated by several workers. On one hand, these metals are required by the cellular systems to regulate various biological functions of normal cells, while on the other their biomagnification in the cellular systems produces adverse effects. The mechanism by which the heavy metals induce neurotoxicity follows free radicals production pathway(s) specially the generation of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. These free radicals produced in excess have been shown to create an imbalance between the oxidative and antioxidative systems leading to emergence of oxidative stress, which may cause necrosis, DNA damage, and many neurodegenerative disorders. This mini review summarizes the current knowledge available on the protective role of varied natural products isolated from different herbs/plants in imparting protection against heavy metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury) mediated neurotoxicity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Ahmed Bassiouny El-Amawy ◽  
Samir Attia Mohammed Zaahkouk ◽  
Hesham Gamal Abdel Rasheed ◽  
Bassem Elsayed Elaraby Mohammed

Abstract The study was designed to clarify the hepato-renal protective effects of propolis extract against heavy metals-induced toxicity via oral administration to the males of albino rats. Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), and Antimony (Sb) are toxic heavy metals have the ability to produce reactive radicals in the biological systems causing public and animals health hazards through disrupting balances between pro-oxidant and antioxidant defense system, resulting in excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The most commonly affected organs are liver and kidney. Propolis is a natural product with different shapes and resinous substance collected by honey bees, it attenuates many diseases damage due to its anti-oxidative action and its potentiality to minimize the deleterious effects of free radicals on tissues. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni and Sb as well as the activities of antioxidants endogenous enzymes including; glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were all determined in the tissues of liver and kidney; while aspartate transaminase (ASAT), alanine transaminase (ALAT), total protein (TP), urea and createnine, were measured in the serum of experimental rats beside histopathologicl examination in the tissues of liver and kidney. The oral administration of propolis provided a significantly therapeutic role against multi-metals-induced hepato-renal toxicity with relative improving to histopathological changes because of its scavenging and chelating properties as concluded from the present investigation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weijin Zhang ◽  
Qiaobing Huang ◽  
Zhenhua Zeng ◽  
Jie Wu ◽  
Yaoyuan Zhang ◽  
...  

The vascular endothelium is a layer of cells lining the inner surface of vessels, serving as a barrier that mediates microenvironment homeostasis. Deterioration of either the structure or function of endothelial cells (ECs) results in a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a key factor that contributes to the impairment of ECs and the subsequent endothelial dysfunction. The longevity regulator Sirt1 is a NAD+-dependent deacetylase that has a potential antioxidative stress activity in vascular ECs. The mechanisms underlying the protective effects involve Sirt1/FOXOs, Sirt1/NF-κB, Sirt1/NOX, Sirt1/SOD, and Sirt1/eNOs pathways. In this review, we summarize the most recent reports in this field to recapitulate the potent mechanisms involving the protective role of Sirt1 in oxidative stress and to highlight the beneficial effects of Sirt1 on cardiovascular functions.


Holzforschung ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Cardona-Barrau ◽  
C. Matéo ◽  
D. Lachenal ◽  
C. Chirat

Summary In this study several pulp components were characterized by ESR spectroscopy. Free radicals present in the pulp lignin gave a well-defined signal, and the residual lignin content during a bleaching sequence could be followed using this technique. Organic radicals on the pulp carbohydrates were also detected and could be related to the formation of chromophore structures in pulp. Further, ESR spectroscopy made it possible to characterize several transition metal ions in pulp. Special attention was paid to metal retention and the impact of a sodium borohydride treatment, and the formation and evolution of complexes between metal ions and pulp components was scrutinized.


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