Plasma S-Adenosylmethionine Is Associated with Lung Injury in COVID-19

Objective. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) are indicators of global transmethylation and may play an important role as markers of severity of COVID-19. Methods. The levels of plasma SAM and SAH were determined in patients admitted with COVID-19 ( n = 56 , mean age = 61 ). Lung injury was identified by computed tomography (CT) in accordance with the CT0-4 classification. Results. SAM was found to be a potential marker of lung damage risk in COVID-19 patients ( SAM > 80 nM ; CT3,4 vs. CT 0-2: relative ratio (RR) was 3.0; p = 0.0029 ). SAM / SAH > 6.0 was also found to be a marker of lung injury (CT2-4 vs. CT0,1: RR = 3.47 , p = 0.0004 ). There was a negative association between SAM and glutathione level ( ρ = − 0.343 , p = 0.011 ). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were associated with SAM ( ρ = 0.44 , p = 0.01 ) and SAH ( ρ = 0.534 , p = 0.001 ) levels. Conclusions. A high SAM level and high methylation index are associated with the risk of lung injury in patients with COVID-19. The association of SAM with IL-6 and glutathione indicates an important role of transmethylation in the development of cytokine imbalance and oxidative stress in patients with COVID-19.

Potential Novel Therapies for Neurodevelopmental Diseases Targeting Oxidative Stress

Neurodevelopmental disorders are a category of diseases that is not yet fully understood. Due to their common traits and pathways, often it is difficult to differentiate between them based on their symptoms only. A series of hypotheses are trying to define their etiology, such as neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and immunology, but none have managed to explain their multifactorial manifestation. One feature that may link all theories is that of oxidative stress, with a redox imbalance as well as several other markers of oxidative damage (on lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) being observed in both postmortem samples of the brain of patients with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. However, the implication of oxidative stress in pathology is still distrustfully looked upon. For this purpose, in the current paper, we were interested in reviewing the implications of oxidative stress in these disorders as well as the impact of N-acetylcysteine on the oxidative status with a focus on the glutathione level and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. We were also interested in finding papers targeting the use of antioxidant properties of different plant extracts.

P–596 Association of oleic acid production in cumulus-granulosa cells with glutathione of in vitro matured oocytes

Study question Does oleic acid production in cumulus-granulosa cells affect glutathione levels of in vitro matured oocytes? Summary answer Oleic acid availability in cumulus-granulosa cells is associated with a higher glutathione level in in vitro matured oocytes. What is known already The monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid is de novo synthesized by desaturation of stearic acid and can promote steroidogenesis and oocyte development in vitro. The endogenous antioxidant glutathione content in metaphase II oocyte is significantly higher than immature stages and is related to the normal oocyte maturation. Study design, size, duration Mouse germinal vesicles were co-cultured for 24 hours, during in vitro maturation, with granulosa cells treated with a specific inhibitor of oleic acid synthesis alone or in combination with oleic acid. Participants/materials, setting, methods Fluorescence staining was used to assess the glutathione content of mouse metaphase II oocytes following in vitro maturation as an indicator of cytoplasmic maturation. Glutathione was stained using Cell Tracker Blue –CMAC for 30 min at 37 °C. After being washed in fresh media, stained oocytes were photographed by a fluorescence microscope. Cell area and associated fluorescence were quantified in 20 metaphase II mouse oocytes randomly chosen from in vitro matured oocytes for each condition. Main results and the role of chance The intracellular glutathione content was profoundly lower in metaphase II oocytes obtained from co-cultures with inhibitor-treated cumulus-granulosa cells than with the control cumulus cells (–50%, p < 0.01). Oleic acid effectively recovered the negative effect of inhibitor on glutathione level nearly up to the level of the mock-treated cells. Limitations, reasons for caution The findings are limited to metaphase II. Measurement at more advanced stages of oocyte development is of interest. Inhibition of cellular fatty acid synthesis was performed solely with a specific chemical. Wider implications of the findings: Involvement of the oleic acid availability for cumulus-granulosa cells in normal oocyte maturation may be of relevance in reproductive disorders, particularly in the pathological mechanism of impaired oogenesis. Trial registration number 400/3226

Traditional Uses, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Ficus auriculata: A Review

Ficus auriculata belongs to family Moraceae. It is also known as Elephant earfig tree because of its large leaves. In India it is commonly known as Timla, Gular , Tirmal, Timal, Timbal, Tremal, Trimmal.. The plants are mainly distributed in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions of about 1800–2600 m altitude. It is native to Asia, especially in India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia.The plants have great ethnomedicinal importance and are used in traditional folk medicine for curing many ailments in humans. The plants rich in Phytoconstituent e.g. alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, glycosides, phytosterols, resins, phenols, tannins, diterpenes, flavonoids, proteins, and amino acids which are present in barks, leaves and fruit extract. The review reveals that huge numbers of phytochemicals which was isolated from the plant possesses the biological and pharmacological properties are shown by the bark, leaves and fruits extract of Ficus auriculata i.e antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, histopathological studies, toxicity activity, anticancerous, antidiabatic, hyperlipidemic, hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory. Leaf extract has also an important role in Glutathione level in cardiac and also used as fodder for farming system, for medicinal properties and for further commercial purpose. Keywords: Ficus auriculata, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activity, Herbal Medicine

Saponins from the roots of Chenopodium bonus-henricus L. with neuroprotective and anti-α-glucosidase activities

Six saponins of phytolaccagenin, bayogenin, medicagenic acid, 2β-hydroxygypsogenin, and 2β-hydroxyoleanoic acid from the roots of Chenopodium bonus-henricus L. were investigated for neuroprotective and anti-α-glucosidase activities. All tested saponins (10 µM) showed statistically significant neuroprotective activities on isolated rat brain synaptosomes using a 6-hydroxydopamine in vitro model. They preserved synaptosome viability as well as the reduced glutathione level. The bayogenin glycoside (Chbhs-05) possessed the most prominent neuroprotective effect. The anti-α-glucosidase activity of the tested saponins was established by measuring the levels of the released 4-nitrophenol using LC-MS. Bonushenricoside B (Chbhs-07) showed the highest inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase (44.1%) compared to the positive control acarbose (36.3%) at a concentration of 625 µM.

The Effect of Plant Extracts Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Aloe arborescens on the Metabolism of Human Multiple Myeloma Cells

The effect of plant extracts Kalanchoe daigremontiana, and Aloe arborescens on human multiple myeloma cells' viability was investigated. It was shown that plant extracts of kalanchoe and aloe reduced tumor cells' viability by 13 and 46%, respectively. The combination of plant extracts with doxorubicin showed an additive synergism of action, enhancing the antitumor effect. Treatment of multiple myeloma cells with plant extracts led to a decrease in intracellular reduced glutathione level. The intracellular glutathione level decreased by 25% under the action of kalanchoe extract and by 63% under the action of aloe extract. Extracts from kalanchoe and aloe decreased mitochondrial membrane potential by 19 and 53%, respectively. The results of the study showed that kalanchoe extract increased ATPase activity, but aloe extract did not affect the level of ATPase activity. The results showed that plant extracts of kalanchoe and aloe affect tumor cells' metabolism and contribute to their death. It was concluded that herbal extracts Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Aloe arborescens have antitumor activity, and aloe extract is more effective than kalanchoe.

PREVENTIVE EFFECT OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS SEED COATS ON PENTYLENETETRAZOLE (PTZ) INDUCED KINDLING AND BEHAVIORAL COMORBIDITIES

Introduction: To investigate the preventive effect of Phaseolus vulgaris seed coats on pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling and behavioral comorbidities. Material and Methods: Thirty Wistar albino rats were categorized into five groups. The first group received regular saline (0.9 % w/v NaCl) p.o.; the second group received PTZ (35 mg/kg b.w.) i.p.; the third group received valproic acid (200 mg/kg b.w.) p.o.; the fourth group received P. vulgaris extract (100 mg/kg b.w.) p.o.; the fifth group received P. vulgaris extract (200 mg/kg b.w.) p.o. on an alternate day for 21 days. PTZ improved lipid peroxidase levels, decreased Glutathione level, decreased superoxide dismutase activity, increased Nitric Oxide level. Result: This study revealed that P. vulgaris (Hydroalcoholic extract) increased the anti-oxidant level of both 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg compared to the PTZ category. Histopathological findings revealed that the hippocampal section of the brain of rats receiving P. vulgaris extract had improved relative to the receiving PTZ group. Conclusion: Based on the result, it is proposed that Phaseolus vulgaris has anti-oxidant properties. This is useful for the treatment of epilepsy.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with acute ischemiс stroke is associated with a decrease in plasma glutathione levels

Ischemic stroke (IS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus are factors that affect the homeostasis of low-molecularweight aminothiols (cysteine, homocysteine, glutathione etc.). It has already been shown that IS in the acute period led to a decrease a level of reduced forms of aminothiols, but it is not clear whether type 2 diabetes mellitus has a noticeable effect there. Objective: to reveal the features of homeostasis of aminothiols in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in acute IS. Material and methods. The study involved 76 patients with primary middle cerebral artery IS in the first 10–24 hours after development of neurological symptoms. Group 1 included 15 patients with IS and type 2 diabetes mellitus, group 2 — 61 patients with IS and stress hyperglycemia. Their total plasma levels of cysteine, homocysteine, and glutathione, their reduced forms, and redox status were determined at admission (in the first 24 hours after IS). Results. There was a decrease in the level of total glutathione level (1.27 vs. 1.65 μM, p = 0.021), as well as its reduced form (0.03 vs. 0.04 μM, p = 0.007) in patients with IS and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had a low redox status of homocysteine (0.65–1.2%) and glutathione (0.7–2.0%) were also characterized by a decrease in total glutathione level (p = 0.02; p = 0.03). Conclusion. Thus, type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with a decrease in the level of total glutathione in acute IS. Probably, type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a particular relationship between the metabolism of homocysteine, glutathione and glucose. Therefore, the search for homocysteine-dependent approaches to correct glutathione metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus may be of interest as an adjuvant therapy for IS.