The ameliorative effect of protein hydrolysate on the imazamox-damaged young wheat plants

The plant biostimulants (PBs) are a wide range of microbial and/or organic compounds applied to crops to improve the physiological processes such as nutrition efficiency, plant development and abiotic stress tolerance. Imazamox is a herbicide characterised with a wide spectrum of weed control, low application rates and low mammalian toxicity, but also with a high soil persistence. Therefore, the residual amounts of imazamox may negatively affect subsequent sensitive crops in the crop rotation. In the current study we investigated the effect of a single and combined treatment with imazamox and a plant biostimulant (protein hydrolisate) on the antioxidative defense system and the detoxification metabolism of wheat young plants. The result showed that the seed imbibition with 10 μM imazamox inhibits the growth of the young wheat plants. A slight improvement was found due to the additional treatment with protein hydrolysate of the wheat plants damaged by imazamox herbicide. According to the results, this improving effect on the growth does not ameliorate the plant detoxification metabolism such as glutathione S-transferases or antioxidative defense. However, the improving effect is low and insufficient to restore the plant growth and functioning and its effects on wheat production are not studied yet.

Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidative Defense in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The respiratory system is continuously exposed to endogenous and exogenous oxidants. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to the destruction of lung parenchyma (emphysema) and declining pulmonary function. It is increasingly obvious that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) contribute to the progression and amplification of the inflammatory responses related to this disease. First, we described the association between cigarette smoking, the most representative exogenous oxidant, and COPD and then presented the multiple pathophysiological aspects of ROS and antioxidative defense systems in the development and progression of COPD. Second, the relationship between nitric oxide system (endothelial) dysfunction and oxidative stress has been discussed. Third, we have provided data on the use of these biomarkers in the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in COPD and its progression and presented an overview of oxidative stress biomarkers having clinical applications in respiratory medicine, including those in exhaled breath, as per recent observations. Finally, we explained the findings of recent clinical and experimental studies evaluating the efficacy of antioxidative interventions for COPD. Future breakthroughs in antioxidative therapy may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of COPD.

Growth Hormone-like Activities of Organophosphorus Flame Retardants (OPFRs) in growth of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

To identify the toxic effect of Organophosphorus Flame Retardants (OPFRs) on plants, six different OPFRs involved in three concentrations (50 µg/L, 100 µg/L and 200 µg/L) were selected to estimate their toxicity to rice growth. The seed germination, seedling growth, OPFRs accumulation and antioxidative defense system were investigated in rice. The results showed that all of OPFRs inhibited the germination of seeds. OPFRs were accumulated in roots and shoots, and the accumulations of OPFRs in roots were higher than in shoots. However, the hormone-like effect of all six OPFRs was found on plants. The growth of seedlings was irrigated by 50 µg/L, 100 µg/L and 200 µg/L OPFRs in our experiment according to fresh weights and lengths of seedlings. And then malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidative defense system were impressed after OPFRs exposed 21 d. According to gene expressions of seven antioxidative enzymes at 14 d, most of enzyme expressions were updated to alleviated reactive oxygen species (ROS) by OPFRs exposure. Tris (1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) showed the strongest oxidative toxicity to plants among all of OPFRs. During the early 14 d period, the antioxidant enzymes could play important role in detoxification process. And after 21 d, antioxidants ascorbate (AsA) in roots and glutathione (GSH) in shoots could take over antioxidant enzymes against to OPFRs toxicity.