scholarly journals In Vitro Study of the Toxicity Mechanisms of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron (nZVI) and Released Iron Ions Using Earthworm Cells

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2189
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Semerad ◽  
Natividad Isabel Navarro Pacheco ◽  
Alena Grasserova ◽  
Petra Prochazkova ◽  
Martin Pivokonsky ◽  
...  

During the last two decades, nanomaterials based on nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) have ranked among the most utilized remediation technologies for soil and groundwater cleanup. The high reduction capacity of elemental iron (Fe0) allows for the rapid and cost-efficient degradation or transformation of many organic and inorganic pollutants. Although worldwide real and pilot applications show promising results, the effects of nZVI on exposed living organisms are still not well explored. The majority of the recent studies examined toxicity to microbes and to a lesser extent to other organisms that could also be exposed to nZVI via nanoremediation applications. In this work, a novel approach using amoebocytes, the immune effector cells of the earthworm Eisenia andrei, was applied to study the toxicity mechanisms of nZVI. The toxicity of the dissolved iron released during exposure was studied to evaluate the effect of nZVI aging with regard to toxicity and to assess the true environmental risks. The impact of nZVI and associated iron ions was studied in vitro on the subcellular level using different toxicological approaches, such as short-term immunological responses and oxidative stress. The results revealed an increase in reactive oxygen species production following nZVI exposure, as well as a dose-dependent increase in lipid peroxidation. Programmed cell death (apoptosis) and necrosis were detected upon exposure to ferric and ferrous ions, although no lethal effects were observed at environmentally relevant nZVI concentrations. The decreased phagocytic activity further confirmed sublethal adverse effects, even after short-term exposure to ferric and ferrous iron. Detection of sublethal effects, including changes in oxidative stress-related markers such as reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde production revealed that nZVI had minimal impacts on exposed earthworm cells. In comparison to other works, this study provides more details regarding the effects of the individual iron forms associated with nZVI aging and the cell toxicity effects on the specific earthworms’ immune cells that represent a suitable model for nanomaterial testing.

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (18) ◽  
pp. 3582-3590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alawiah Alhebshi ◽  
Theodora C. Sideri ◽  
Sara L. Holland ◽  
Simon V. Avery

Oxidative stress mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is linked to degenerative conditions in humans and damage to an array of cellular components. However, it is unclear which molecular target(s) may be the primary “Achilles’ heel” of organisms, accounting for the inhibitory action of ROS. Rli1p (ABCE1) is an essential and highly conserved protein of eukaryotes and archaea that requires notoriously ROS-labile cofactors (Fe-S clusters) for its functions in protein synthesis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ROS toxicity is caused by Rli1p dysfunction. In addition to being essential, Rli1p activity (in nuclear ribosomal-subunit export) was shown to be impaired by mild oxidative stress in yeast. Furthermore, prooxidant resistance was decreased by RLI1 repression and increased by RLI1 overexpression. This Rlip1 dependency was abolished during anaerobicity and accentuated in cells expressing a FeS cluster–defective Rli1p construct. The protein's FeS clusters appeared ROS labile during in vitro incubations, but less so in vivo. Instead, it was primarily55FeS-cluster supply to Rli1p that was defective in prooxidant-exposed cells. The data indicate that, owing to its essential nature but dependency on ROS-labile FeS clusters, Rli1p function is a primary target of ROS action. Such insight could help inform new approaches for combating oxidative stress–related disease.


Author(s):  
Mariachiara Buccarelli ◽  
Quintino Giorgio D’Alessandris ◽  
Paola Matarrese ◽  
Cristiana Mollinari ◽  
Michele Signore ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults, characterized by a poor prognosis mainly due to recurrence and therapeutic resistance. It has been widely demonstrated that glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), a subpopulation of tumor cells endowed with stem-like properties is responsible for tumor maintenance and progression. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that GSCs contribute to GBM-associated neovascularization processes, through different mechanisms including the transdifferentiation into GSC-derived endothelial cells (GdECs). Methods In order to identify druggable cancer-related pathways in GBM, we assessed the effect of a selection of 349 compounds on both GSCs and GdECs and we selected elesclomol (STA-4783) as the most effective agent in inducing cell death on both GSC and GdEC lines tested. Results Elesclomol has been already described to be a potent oxidative stress inducer. In depth investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying GSC and GdEC response to elesclomol, confirmed that this compound induces a strong increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both GSCs and GdECs ultimately leading to a non-apoptotic copper-dependent cell death. Moreover, combined in vitro treatment with elesclomol and the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) enhanced the cytotoxicity compared to TMZ alone. Finally, we used our experimental model of mouse brain xenografts to test the combination of elesclomol and TMZ and confirmed their efficacy in vivo. Conclusions Our results support further evaluation of therapeutics targeting oxidative stress such as elesclomol with the aim of satisfying the high unmet medical need in the management of GBM.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Gandhi ◽  
Andrey Y. Abramov

Biological tissues require oxygen to meet their energetic demands. However, the consumption of oxygen also results in the generation of free radicals that may have damaging effects on cells. The brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of reactive oxygen species due to its high demand for oxygen, and its abundance of highly peroxidisable substrates. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance in the redox state of the cell, either by overproduction of reactive oxygen species, or by dysfunction of the antioxidant systems. Oxidative stress has been detected in a range of neurodegenerative disease, and emerging evidence from in vitro and in vivo disease models suggests that oxidative stress may play a role in disease pathogenesis. However, the promise of antioxidants as novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases has not been borne out in clinical studies. In this review, we critically assess the hypothesis that oxidative stress is a crucial player in common neurodegenerative disease and discuss the source of free radicals in such diseases. Furthermore, we examine the issues surrounding the failure to translate this hypothesis into an effective clinical treatment.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Clementina Sansone ◽  
Christian Galasso ◽  
Marco Lo Martire ◽  
Tomás Vega Fernández ◽  
Luigi Musco ◽  
...  

Marine organisms with fast growth rates and great biological adaptive capacity might have biotechnological interests, since ecological competitiveness might rely on enhanced physiological or biochemical processes’ capability promoting protection, defense, or repair intracellular damages. The invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea, a non-indigenous species widespread in the Mediterranean Sea, belongs to this category. This is the premise to investigate the biotechnological interest of this species. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity in vitro, both in scavenging reactive oxygen species and in repairing damages from oxidative stress on the fibroblast human cell line WI-38. Together with the biochemical analysis, the antioxidant activity was characterized by the study of the expression of oxidative stress gene in WI-38 cells in presence or absence of the H. stipulacea extract. Concomitantly, the pigment pool of the extracts, as well as their macromolecular composition was characterized. This study was done separately on mature and young leaves. Results indicated that mature leaves exerted a great activity in scavenging reactive oxygen species and repairing damages from oxidative stress in the WI-38 cell line. This activity was paralleled to an enhanced carotenoids content in the mature leaf extracts and a higher carbohydrate contribution to organic matter. Our results suggest a potential of the old leaves of H. stipulacea as oxidative stress damage protecting or repair agents in fibroblast cell lines. This study paves the way to transmute the invasive H. stipulacea environmental threat in goods for human health.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096032712110361
Author(s):  
Marzieh Farahani-Zangaraki ◽  
Azade Taheri ◽  
Mahmoud Etebari

Introduction: Hyperinsulinemia occurs in type 2 diabetic patients with insulin resistance. This increase in insulin levels in the blood increases reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress, resulting in DNA damage. Carvedilol (CRV) is a non-selective beta-blocker, and research has shown that this compound and its metabolites have anti-oxidative properties. Carvedilol can, directly and indirectly, reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and has a protective effect on DNA damage from oxidative stress. Given the insolubility of CRV in water, finding new methods to increase its solubility can be an essential step in research. This study aimed to determine whether carvedilol could have a protective effect on insulin-induced genomic damage. Methods: We treated cells with insulin alone, amorphous-CRV alone, and amorphous-CRV and niosomal-CRV with insulin and DNA damage were investigated using the comet method to achieve this goal. Results: Our results showed that insulin in the studied concentration has a significant genotoxic effect and non-cytotoxic at higher concentrations. CRV, both in amorphous and niosome form, reduced insulin-induced DNA damage by reducing ROS production. The comet assay results demonstrate that treating HUVEC cells in pretreatment condition with amorphous-CRV and niosome-CRV significantly reduces DNA damage of insulin.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (05) ◽  
pp. 1113-1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Ying Peng ◽  
Lin An ◽  
Ning-Yuan Sun ◽  
Yi Ma ◽  
Xiao-Wei Zhang ◽  
...  

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is characterized by myofibroblast activation, which can be triggered by oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the antifibrotic effect of the ethyl acetate extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza (EASM) on PF and examined the underlying molecular mechanism. EASM suppressed myofibroblast activation with reduced extracellular matrix deposition in the lungs of mice subjected to bleomycin (BLM) challenge, demonstrating the inhibitory effects on PF. EASM positively alleviated oxidative stress by upregulating nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and concomitantly downregulating NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) in the lungs of BLM-treated mice. This effect was also observed in an in vitro model of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-[Formula: see text]1)-stimulated fibroblast activation. EASM reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in fibroblasts by stabilizing Nrf2 protein with promoting kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) degradation. Nrf2 knockdown in the lungs of BLM-treated mice diminished the inhibitory effects of EASM on fibrosis, providing evidence in vivo to address the unique role of Nrf2. Additionally, EASM inhibited TGF-[Formula: see text]1/Smad3 signaling by downregulating protein kinase C delta (PKC-[Formula: see text] and Smad3 phosphorylation (p-Smad3), which led to suppression of the TGF-[Formula: see text]1-induced fibrogenic response. These results indicate that EASM exhibits potent antifibrotic activity in vitro and in vivo, which might be associated with activation of Nrf2 pathway and inhibition of TGF-[Formula: see text]1/Smad3 pathway. Our findings support that EASM may act as an effective antifibrotic remedy for PF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 7342-7355

The present study focuses on exploring the antilithiatic potential of Didymocarpus pedicellata, which is valuable in managing renal disorders. Urolithiasis is an idiopathic disorder with a high recurrence and an incidence rate and is of major concern worldwide due to partial and unsatisfactory relief. Calcium oxalate crystals in contact with renal epithelial cells (HK2), causing reactive oxygen species overproduction, oxidative stress, apoptosis resulting in crystal adhesion and internalization. Crystals were modulated by cotreatment with ethanolic extract of D. pedicellata. Cell toxicity assay was assessed using flow cytometry. Cell-crystal interaction, adhesion, and internalization were visualized through Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The lithogenic induction caused impairment of renal function due to oxidative stress, measured by ROS levels. Cell death assays were detected by dual staining methods. Fluorimeter evaluation pointed to active caspase 3 mediated cell death (apoptotic) in oxalate injured cells was attenuated by Didymocarpus pedicellata extract. Alterations in cell adhesion were observed by immunocytochemistry. The current study revealed that the Didymocarpus pedicellata was endowed with antiurolithiatic activity as it displayed increased viability, reduced oxidative stress due to lowered production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreased apoptosis when oxalate injured HK2 cells were cotreated with the extract.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 4560-4568
Author(s):  
Sunita S Patil ◽  
Vaishali S Patil ◽  
Arvind Gulbake

Throughout several regular cell cycles, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role. When ROS values are high, and when the defence mechanism (antioxidants) cannot neutralise, they harm and modify the part of biological molecules. They also act as signalling molecules which generate a spectrum of disease.In this study, we reviewed existing oxidants, oxidative stress, and their relationship with infection by human immunodeficiency virus in patients, and the effects of oxidative stress in patients with HIV.Our prospect is to do a clinical study on HIV patients and estimate oxidative parameters like nitric oxide, total antioxidant level and correlate them with CD4 count and viral load which may be helpful during monitoring and giving efficient ART to the HIV patients. And also the importance of ROS in infection has been established through clinical and in vitro studies. Here we review the role of oxidative stress in HIV pathogenesis, the impact of ROS on immune responses in HIV patients, and ROS-mediated regulation of HIV infection. Future studies on the interplay between ROS and HIV infection may offer a new strategy for prevention and treatment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document