scholarly journals The Zebrafish Embryo as a Model to Test Protective Effects of Food Antioxidant Compounds

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (19) ◽  
pp. 5786
Author(s):  
Cristina Arteaga ◽  
Nuria Boix ◽  
Elisabet Teixido ◽  
Fernanda Marizande ◽  
Santiago Cadena ◽  
...  

The antioxidant activity of food compounds is one of the properties generating the most interest, due to its health benefits and correlation with the prevention of chronic disease. This activity is usually measured using in vitro assays, which cannot predict in vivo effects or mechanisms of action. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo protective effects of six phenolic compounds (naringenin, apigenin, rutin, oleuropein, chlorogenic acid, and curcumin) and three carotenoids (lycopene B, β-carotene, and astaxanthin) naturally present in foods using a zebrafish embryo model. The zebrafish embryo was pretreated with each of the nine antioxidant compounds and then exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH), a known inducer of oxidative stress in zebrafish. Significant differences were determined by comparing the concentration-response of the tBOOH induced lethality and dysmorphogenesis against the pretreated embryos with the antioxidant compounds. A protective effect of each compound, except β-carotene, against oxidative-stress-induced lethality was found. Furthermore, apigenin, rutin, and curcumin also showed protective effects against dysmorphogenesis. On the other hand, β-carotene exhibited increased lethality and dysmorphogenesis compared to the tBOOH treatment alone.

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 721
Author(s):  
Nuria Boix ◽  
Elisabet Teixido ◽  
Ester Pique ◽  
Juan Maria Llobet ◽  
Jesus Gomez-Catalan

The antioxidant effect of compounds is regularly evaluated by in vitro assays that do not have the capability to predict in vivo protective activity or to determine their underlying mechanisms of action. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental system to evaluate the in vivo protective effects of different antioxidant compounds, based on the zebrafish embryo test. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH), tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ) and lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia coli (LPS), chemicals that are known inducers of oxidative stress in zebrafish. The developmental toxic effects (lethality or dysmorphogenesis) induced by these chemicals were modulated with n-acetyl l-cysteine and Nω-nitro l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, dimethyl maleate and dl-buthionine sulfoximine in order to validate the oxidant mechanism of oxidative stress inducers. The oxidant effects of tBOOH, TCHQ, and LPS were confirmed by the determination of significant differences in the comparison between the concentration–response curves of the oxidative stress inducers and of the modulators of antioxidant status. This concept was also applied to the study of the effects of well-known antioxidants, such as vitamin E, quercetin, and lipoic acid. Our results confirm the zebrafish model as an in vivo useful tool to test the protective effects of antioxidant compounds.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1860
Author(s):  
Patricia Diez-Echave ◽  
Izaskun Martín-Cabrejas ◽  
José Garrido-Mesa ◽  
Susana Langa ◽  
Teresa Vezza ◽  
...  

Limosilactobacillus reuteri INIA P572 is a strain able to produce the antimicrobial compound reuterin in dairy products, exhibiting a protective effect against some food-borne pathogens. In this study, we investigated some probiotic properties of this strain such as resistance to gastrointestinal passage or to colonic conditions, reuterin production in a colonic environment, and immunomodulatory activity, using different in vitro and in vivo models. The results showed a high resistance of this strain to gastrointestinal conditions, as well as capacity to grow and produce reuterin in a human colonic model. Although the in vitro assays using the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line did not demonstrate direct immunomodulatory properties, the in vivo assays using a Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitic mice model showed clear immunomodulatory and protective effects of this strain.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaifeng Li ◽  
Mengen Zhai ◽  
Liqing Jiang ◽  
Fan Song ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
...  

Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and fibrosis play a crucial role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), a major bioactive metabolite of natural antioxidant curcumin, is reported to exert even more effective antioxidative and superior antifibrotic properties as well as anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic abilities. This study was designed to investigate the potential protective effects of THC on experimental DCM and its underlying mechanisms, pointing to the role of high glucose-induced oxidative stress and interrelated fibrosis. In STZ-induced diabetic mice, oral administration of THC (120 mg/kg/d) for 12 weeks significantly improved the cardiac function and ameliorated myocardial fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy, accompanied by reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Mechanically, THC administration remarkably increased the expression of the SIRT1 signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo, further evidenced by decreased downstream molecule Ac-SOD2 and enhanced deacetylated production SOD2, which finally strengthened antioxidative stress capacity proven by repaired activities of SOD and GSH-Px and reduced MDA production. Additionally, THC treatment accomplished its antifibrotic effect by depressing the ROS-induced TGFβ1/Smad3 signaling pathway followed by reduced expression of cardiac fibrotic markers α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III. Collectively, these finds demonstrated the therapeutic potential of THC treatment to alleviate DCM mainly by attenuating hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and fibrosis via activating the SIRT1 pathway.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 1268-1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Ahangarpour ◽  
S Alboghobeish ◽  
AA Oroojan ◽  
MA Dehghani

The growing use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) emphasizes the importance of its potential toxic effects on the human health. Previous studies proved that CNTs caused oxidative stress and decreased cell viability. On the other hand, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress impaired β-cell functions and reduced the insulin secretion. However, there is not any study on the effects of CNTs on islets and β-cells. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) on oxidative stress in islets in addition to the protective effects of naringin (NRG) as an antioxidant . We examined the effects of SWCNTs and naringin on islets by 3,4 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; measurement of insulin secretion, ROS, and malondialdehyde (MDA); activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) peroxidase (GSH-Px); and content of GSH and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The MTT assay demonstrated that decreased viability of islets cells was dose-dependent with exposure to SWCNTs. Further studies revealed that SWCNTs decreased insulin secretion and MMP, induced the formation of ROS, increased the level of MDA, and decreased the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT and content of GSH. Furthermore, the pretreatment of islets with naringin significantly reverted back these changes. These findings revealed that SWCNTs might induce the oxidative stress to pancreatic islets, causing the occurrence of diabetes, and the protective effects of naringin that was mediated by augmentation of the antioxidant defense system of islets. Our research indicated the necessity for further in vivo and in vitro researches on the effects of SWCNTs and naringin on diabetes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Yan Meng ◽  
Yu-Pei Yuan ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Chun-Yan Kong ◽  
Peng Song ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis play critical roles in the development of doxorubicin- (DOX-) induced cardiotoxicity. Our previous study found that geniposide (GE) could inhibit cardiac oxidative stress and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes but its role in DOX-induced heart injury remains unknown. Our study is aimed at investigating whether GE could protect against DOX-induced heart injury. The mice were subjected to a single intraperitoneal injection of DOX (15 mg/kg) to induce cardiomyopathy model. To explore the protective effects, GE was orally given for 10 days. The morphological examination and biochemical analysis were used to evaluate the effects of GE. H9C2 cells were used to verify the protective role of GE in vitro. GE treatment alleviated heart dysfunction and attenuated cardiac oxidative stress and cell loss induced by DOX in vivo and in vitro. GE could activate AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, inhibition of AMPKα could abolish the protective effects of GE against DOX-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. GE could protect against DOX-induced heart injury via activation of AMPKα. GE has therapeutic potential for the treatment of DOX cardiotoxicity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 606-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Bellassoued ◽  
Ferdaws Ghrab ◽  
Houda Hamed ◽  
Rim Kallel ◽  
Jos van Pelt ◽  
...  

The inner bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is widely used as a spice. Cinnamon plants are also a valuable source of essential oil used for medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to investigate the composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of essential oil of C. verum bark (CvEO) and its protective effects in vivo on CCl4-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in rats. Groups of animals were pretreated for 7 days with CvEO (70 or 100 mg/kg body weight) or received no treatment and on day 7 a single dose of CCl4 was used to induce oxidative stress. Twenty-four hours after CCl4 administration, the animals were euthanized. In the untreated group, CCl4 induced an increase in serum biochemical parameters and triggered oxidative stress in both liver and kidneys. CvEO (100 mg/kg) caused significant reductions in CCl4-elevated levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, urea, and creatinine and increased the level of high-density lipoprotein compared with the untreated group. Moreover, pretreatment with CvEO at doses of 70 and 100 mg/kg before administration of CCl4 produced significant reductions in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyl levels in liver and kidney tissues compared with the untreated group. The formation of pathological hepatic and kidney lesions induced by the administration of CCl4 was strongly prevented by CvEO at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Overall, this study suggests that administration of CvEO has high potential to quench free radicals and alleviate CCl4-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats.


PPAR Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Yan ◽  
Si-Chi Xu ◽  
Chun-Yan Kong ◽  
Xiao-Yang Zhou ◽  
Zhou-Yan Bian ◽  
...  

Background. Oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiac apoptosis were closely involved in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiac injury. Piperine has been reported to suppress inflammatory response and pyroptosis in macrophages. However, whether piperine could protect the mice against DOX-related cardiac injury remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether piperine inhibited DOX-related cardiac injury in mice. Methods. To induce DOX-related acute cardiac injury, mice in DOX group were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of DOX (15 mg/kg). To investigate the protective effects of piperine, mice were orally treated for 3 weeks with piperine (50 mg/kg, 18:00 every day) beginning two weeks before DOX injection. Results. Piperine treatment significantly alleviated DOX-induced cardiac injury, and improved cardiac function. Piperine also reduced myocardial oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in mice with DOX injection. Piperine also improved cell viability, and reduced oxidative damage and inflammatory factors in cardiomyocytes. We also found that piperine activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), and the protective effects of piperine were abolished by the treatment of the PPAR-γ antagonist in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions. Piperine could suppress DOX-related cardiac injury via activation of PPAR-γ in mice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Zwolak

Vanadium (V) in its inorganic forms is a toxic metal and a potent environmental and occupational pollutant and has been reported to induce toxic effects in animals and people. In vivo and in vitro data show that high levels of reactive oxygen species are often implicated in vanadium deleterious effects. Since many dietary (exogenous) antioxidants are known to upregulate the intrinsic antioxidant system and ameliorate oxidative stress-related disorders, this review evaluates their effectiveness in the treatment of vanadium-induced toxicity. Collected data, mostly from animal studies, suggest that dietary antioxidants including ascorbic acid, vitamin E, polyphenols, phytosterols, and extracts from medicinal plants can bring a beneficial effect in vanadium toxicity. These findings show potential preventive effects of dietary antioxidants on vanadium-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, neurotoxicity, testicular toxicity, and kidney damage. The relevant mechanistic insights of these events are discussed. In summary, the results of studies on the role of dietary antioxidants in vanadium toxicology appear encouraging enough to merit further investigations.


Author(s):  
Paolo Mannella ◽  
Tommaso Simoncini ◽  
Andrea Riccardo Genazzani

AbstractSex steroids are known to regulate brain function and their role is so important that several diseases are strictly correlated with the onset of menopause when estrogen-progesterone deficiency makes neural cells much more vulnerable to toxic stimuli. Although in the past years several scientists have focused their studies on in vitro and in vivo effects of sex steroids on the brain, we are still far from complete knowledge. Indeed, contrasting results from large clinical trials have made the entire issue much more complicated. Currently we know that protective effects exerted by sex steroids depend on several factors among which the dose, the health of the cells and the type of molecule being used. In this review, we present an overview of the direct and indirect effects of estrogen and progesterone on the brain with specific focus on the molecular mechanisms by which these molecules act on neural cells.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana L. Colín-González ◽  
Ricardo A. Santana ◽  
Carlos A. Silva-Islas ◽  
Maria E. Chánez-Cárdenas ◽  
Abel Santamaría ◽  
...  

Aged garlic extract (AGE) is an odorless garlic preparation containing S-allylcysteine (SAC) as its most abundant compound. A large number of studies have demonstrated the antioxidant activity of AGE and SAC in bothin vivo—in diverse experimental animal models associated to oxidative stress—andin vitroconditions—using several methods to scavenge reactive oxygen species or to induce oxidative damage. Derived from these experiments, the protective effects of AGE and SAC have been associated with the prevention or amelioration of oxidative stress. In this work, we reviewed different antioxidant mechanisms (scavenging of free radicals and prooxidant species, induction of antioxidant enzymes, activation of Nrf2 factor, inhibition of prooxidant enzymes, and chelating effects) involved in the protective actions of AGE and SAC, thereby emphasizing their potential use as therapeutic agents. In addition, we highlight the ability of SAC to activate Nrf2 factor—a master regulator of the cellular redox state. Here, we include original data showing the ability of SAC to activate Nrf2 factor in cerebral cortex. Therefore, we conclude that the therapeutic properties of these molecules comprise cellular and molecular mechanisms at different levels.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document