Diet‐Derived Antioxidants Do Not Decrease Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study in 1 Million People

Background Dietary intake and blood concentrations of vitamins E and C, lycopene, and carotenoids have been associated with a lower risk of incident (ischemic) stroke. However, causality cannot be inferred from these associations. Here, we investigated causality by analyzing the associations between genetically influenced antioxidant levels in blood and ischemic stroke using Mendelian randomization. Methods and Results For each circulating antioxidant (vitamins E and C, lycopene, β‐carotene, and retinol), which were assessed as either absolute blood levels and/or high‐throughput metabolite levels, independent genetic instrumental variables were selected from earlier genome‐wide association studies ( P <5×10 −8 ). We used summary statistics for single‐nucleotide polymorphisms–stroke associations from 3 European‐ancestry cohorts (cases/controls): MEGASTROKE (60 341/454 450), UK Biobank (2404/368 771), and the FinnGen study (8046/164 286). Mendelian randomization analyses were performed on each exposure per outcome cohort using inverse variance–weighted analyses and subsequently meta‐analyzed. In a combined sample of 1 058 298 individuals (70 791 cases), none of the genetically influenced absolute antioxidants or antioxidant metabolite concentrations were causally associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke. For absolute antioxidants levels, the odds ratios (ORs) ranged between 0.94 (95% CI, 0.85–1.05) for vitamin C and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.99–1.08) for lycopene. For metabolites, ORs ranged between 1.01 (95% CI, 0.98–1.03) for retinol and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.88–1.42) for vitamin E. Conclusions This study did not provide evidence for a causal association between dietary‐derived antioxidant levels and ischemic stroke. Therefore, antioxidant supplements to increase circulating levels are unlikely to be of clinical benefit to prevent ischemic stroke.

Biochemical criteria for the development mechanisms of various reproduction disorders in dairy cows

Ventsova I, Safonov V. 2021. Biochemical criteria for the development mechanisms of various reproduction disorders in dairy cows. Biodiversitas 22: 4997-5002. The article presents the evaluation of peroxide, antioxidant, and hormonal conditions of high-producing red-and-white dairy cows in the physiological and pathological course of pregnancy and the postpartum period. The blood concentration of malonic dialdehyde, stable nitric oxide metabolites, S-nitrosothiols, vitamins E and C, carotin, gonadal, corticosteroid, and thyroid hormones, as well as activity of GPx, GR, SOD, catalase, and ceruloplasmin, were estimated to define major disorder-provoking factors. Analysis of the data shows that ketosis-gestosis syndrome during pregnancy, postpartum metritis, and gonadal dysfunction occur mainly because of oxidative stress in the context of unbalanced peroxide responses and antioxidant protection. Levels of malonic dialdehyde compared to healthy animals increased by 42.3%, 75%, 56.6%, respectively, as also enzyme activities of GR by 26%, 68.1%, 30.1% and catalase by 17.3%, 45.1%, and 23.9%, correspondingly. The endocrine status indicators in the animals with ketosis-gestosis syndrome changed as follows: progesterone levels were 29.5% lower in cows, 17?-estradiol and cortisol were 20.8% and 14.7% lower, respectively. In animals with inflammatory uterine diseases and depressing reproductive glands, progesterone level was 2 and 3 times lower than in healthy animals, the content of cortisol was 17.6% and 25.1% lower, and testosterone decreased by 21.4% and 75.1%, respectively.

Vitamins E and C attenuates liver injury induced by copper nanoparticle in Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Nanoparticles are widely used in many different fields, and production. However, the ingestion of nanoparticles from environmental pollution may have significant health impacts, which are currently poorly understood. In this study we aimed to investigate the cellular toxicity of copper nanoparticles on liver tissue of Rat, and also investigate the role of vitamin E and C, separately or together, in reducing the cellular damage that may be caused by copper nanoparticles. In this study 56 (5–6) weeks old rats with a weight of 120 ± 10 grams were divided into seven groups, treated with copper nanoparticles for four weeks, then treated with vitamins, either alone or together, for another four weeks where is control. Rats were treated with copper nanoparticles showed changes in the ultrastructure of the liver tissue, in which there was a clear decrease in the number of cellular organelles in hepatocytes. Which show small in their size, and had irregular nuclear envelopes, swelling of the mitochondria, shortening of their cristae and effects on their matrix, an increase in the size of lysosomes, an increase in the number of lipid droplets, and an expansion of the Disse spaces. The treatment with vitamins C or E or both, marked improvement was found in the size and number of organelles. The cells returned to almost their normal state. We concluded that vitamins C and E have a positive role in reducing the toxic effects of copper nanoparticles. We recommended their use in doses of 250 mg/kg/day.

Effects of dietary supplementation of Vitamins E and C on oxidative stress induced by a Nigerian velogenic strain of the Newcastle disease virus (KUDU 113) in the brain and bursa of Fabricius of broiler chickens

Background and Aim: Newcastle disease (ND) is widely recognized as an extremely harmful and contagious disease of birds. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of oxidative stress induced by the virulent ND virus (NDV) (KUDU 113) on the plasma, brain, bursa of Fabricius, NDV antibody response, and hematology as well as the ameliorative effect of the individual or combined use of Vitamins E and C on the clinical signs of NDV-infected chickens. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 150 broiler chickens were included and divided into five groups: Group 1, nonsupplemented and unchallenged chickens (UCC); Group 2, nonsupplemented and challenged chickens (ICC); Group 3, Vitamin C-supplemented + challenged chickens; Group 4, Vitamin E-supplemented + challenged chickens; and Group 5, Vitamins E and C-supplemented + challenged chickens. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were supplemented with Vitamins E and C (33 and 400 mg/kg/day, respectively). Virus challenge was done with 0.1 ml of KUDU 113 7 days after the start of vitamin inclusion in their diet. Concentrations of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were analyzed in the plasma, brain, and bursa on days 0, 3, and 7 post-infection (pi) using the biochemical method. The blood samples were randomly collected from five chickens in each group for antibody response and hematological analyses on day 0 previtamin treatment and at 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days pi (dpi). Results: A significant increase in the concentrations of MDA and NO in the NDV-challenged chickens was observed when compared with the UCCs. Moreover, a significant decrease in GSH concentration was observed in the NDV-challenged chickens when compared with the UCCs. The activities of CAT and SOD were reduced markedly in the NDV-challenged chickens. Increases in the mean antibody titers were observed in the NDV-challenged group when compared with the UCCs from days 3 to 21 pi. The mortality rates of groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 0%, 30%, 3.3%, 3.3%, and 26.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that KUDU 113 causes oxidative stress in the brain and bursa of Fabricius of chickens. Individual supplementation with Vitamin E or C was found to be more effective in ameliorating oxidative stress, improving the immune response, and reducing mortality in KUDU 113 infections than the combined supplementation of Vitamins C and E.

Complex treatment of acute respiratory viral infections with bacterial exacerbation in preschool children

Представлены результаты проспективного сравнительного клинического исследования эффективности и безопасности применения ректальных суппозиториев, содержащих рекомбинантный интерферон альфа-2b в сочетании с антиоксидантами – витаминами Е и С, в комплексной терапии острых респираторных вирусных инфекций среднетяжелого и тяжелого течения с бактериальными осложнениями (пневмония, бронхит, синусит, отит, фаринготонзиллит). Обследованы 60 детей от 1 месяца до 6 лет из II-IV групп здоровья, которые были госпитализированы не позднее третьих (80%) и пятых-шестых (20% больных) суток с момента начала острой респираторно-вирусной инфекции. Из них пациенты с патологией нижних дыхательных путей составили 68,3%; внебольничная пневмония, ассоциированная с ОРВИ, в половине случаев (55,6% и 66,6% соответственно) протекала с синдромом бронхиальной обструкции. Терапевтическая эффективность применения рекомбинантного интерферона альфа-2b в сочетании с антиоксидантами – витаминами Е и С по 150 000 МЕ 2 раза в сутки с интервалом 12 часов в течение 5 дней на фоне стандартной терапии основного заболевания у детей с бактериальными осложнениями острой респираторно-вирусной инфекции проявлялась в виде значимых различий по показателю синдрома бронхиальной обструкции начиная с первого дня терапии и значимого уменьшения симптома кашля и суммарного балла основных клинических симптомов заболевания к четвертому дню терапии по сравнению с группой пациентов, получавших только стандартную терапию респираторного заболевания. В связи с тем, что средняя длительность острой респираторно-вирусной инфекции с осложнениями составила 8 койко-дней (7,8 ± 2,37 и 8,77 ± 2,6 койко-дня соответственно), получение значимо лучших результатов в группе пациентов, применявших рекомбинантный интерферон альфа-2b в сочетании с антиоксидантами – витаминами Е и С, доказывает эффективность данной лечебной схемы терапии. The article presents the results of a prospective comparative clinical study of the efficacy and safety of rectal suppositories containing recombinant interferon alfa-2b in combination with antioxidants vitamins E and C in the complex therapy of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) with moderate and severe course with bacterial complications (pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngotonsillitis). The research examined 60 children at the age of 1 month to 6 years from II-IV health status groups, which were hospitalized not later than 3 days after coming down with ARVI (80% of patients) or 5-6 days after coming down with ARVI (20% of patients). 68,3% of patients came with lower respiratory tract impairment; the ARVI-associated community-acquired pneumonia in half the cases (55,6% and 66,6%, respectively) proceeded with bronchial obstruction syndrome. Results: the therapeutic efficacy of recombinant interferon alfa-2b in combination with antioxidants E and C 150 000 ME administration 2 times a day with an interval of 12 hours for 5 days, with underlying routine treatment of primary disease in children with bacterial exacerbation of ARVI, manifested itself in significant difference in bronchial obstruction syndrome indicator starting from the 1st day of treatment, and in significant decrease of cough syndrome and main clinical syndromes total score by the 4th day of treatment, compared to the group of patients treated with a standard ARVI therapy. Due to the fact that the average duration of ARVI disease with complications was 8 bed days (7,80 + 2,37 bed days and 8,77 + 2,60, respectively), the presence of significantly better results in the group of patients who used recombinant interferon alpha-2b in combination with antioxidants vitamins E and C shows the effectiveness of this treatment regimen.

Role of Antioxidants in Cooled Liquid Storage of Mammal Spermatozoa

Cooled preservation of semen is usually associated with artificial insemination and genetic improvement programs in livestock species. Several studies have reported an increase in reactive oxidative species and a decrease in antioxidant substances and sperm quality parameters during long-term semen storage at refrigerated temperatures. The supplementation of antioxidants in extenders before refrigeration could reduce this detrimental effect. Various antioxidants have been tested, both enzymatic, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, and non-enzymatic, such as reduced glutathione, vitamins E and C and melatonin. However, the problem of oxidative stress in semen storage has not been fully resolved. The effects of antioxidants for semen-cooled storage have not been reviewed in depth. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to review the efficiency of the supplementation of antioxidants in the extender during cooled storage of semen in livestock species

Effects of Eight Weeks of Combined Training with Antioxidant Vitamins E and C on Glutathione, Glutathione Peroxidase, and Superoxide Dismutase in the Heart Tissue of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Diabetes leads to metabolic disorders in the heart by creating free radicals and compromising the antioxidant defense system. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of combined training and supplementation with antioxidant vitamins E and C on the antioxidant capacity of heart tissue in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats (weight: 280 ± 20 g; age: 2-3.5 months) were randomly divided into five groups as follows: (1) healthy control, (2) diabetic control, (3) diabetic + combined training, (4) diabetic + supplementation, and (5) diabetic + combined training + supplementation. The combined training protocol included incremental resistance training of 5 - 45% of rat weight on the ladder, and incremental endurance training was performed for 10 - 30 minutes at an intensity of 40 - 75% of maximum speed on the treadmill during eight weeks. The heart tissue was extracted and antioxidant enzymes were measured by lab spectroscopy 48 hours after the last training session. Data was analyzed using independent samples t-test, two-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni test (P ≤ 0.05). Results: The induction of diabetes significantly reduced glutathione (GSH; P = 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GPx; P = 0.004), and superoxide dismutase (SOD; P = 0.001). In the treatment groups, a significant increase in the effect size of GSH (in the training and supplementation group: 6.45, training group: 3.18, and supplementation group: 2.92), GPX (in the training and supplementation group: 0.03, supplementation group: 0.023, and training group: 0.021), and SOD (in the training and supplementation group: 556.68, training group: 405.70, and supplementation group: 401.46 nmol / mL) was observed. Conclusions: Antioxidant supplementation and training by reducing the harmful effects of hyperglycemia strengthen the antioxidant defense system of heart tissue, and the combination of the two interventions is more effective than either alone.

Antidiabetic effect of hydro-methanol extract of Prunus cerasus L fruits and identification of its bioactive compounds

Purpose: To investigate the antidiabetic effect of hydro-methanol extract of Prunus cerasus fruit extract. Methods: The antidiabetic activity was assessed in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The effect of P. cerasus fruit extract on plasma fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, C-peptide, total protein, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total hemoglobin, reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamins E and C, ceruloplasmin, lipid profile, histology of the pancreas, and expression of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT-4) were determined using standard procedures. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for phytochemical analysis. Results: Alloxan-induced diabetes significantly reduced plasma levels of insulin, C-peptide, total hemoglobin and total protein, and significantly increased FBG and HbA1c levels (p < 0.05). However, after treatment with the extract, changes in the levels of these parameters were significantly and dosedependently reversed (p < 0.05). The extract also increased the levels of GSH, vitamins E and C, and. Alloxan-induced DM significantly increased the levels of triacylglycerols (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and significantly reduced the level of total cholesterol (TC) at different time points (p < 0.05). However, after treatment, the levels of TG, LDL-C and HDL-C declined but TC level was significantly elevated time- and dose-dependently by the extract (p< 0.05). The extract upregulated the expression of GLUT-4 mRNA in soleus muscle and adipose tissue. LC-MS analysis revealed that the extract contained chlorogenic acid, rutin, diadzin, amygdalin, quercetin and naringenin. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study have shown that hydromethanol extract of P. cerasus fruits exhibits remarkable antidiabetic effects.

Impact of Processing Technology on Macro- and Micronutrient Profile of Protein-Enriched Products from Fish Backbones

Impacts of processing technology (mechanical separation and pH-shift processing) on protein recovery from salmon, herring and cod backbones and the content of macro- and micronutrients in the recovered protein enriched products were investigated. Mechanical separation led to higher protein recovery compared with the pH-shift process and using both techniques, recovery ranked the species as herring > salmon > cod. However, the pH-shift process up-concentrated protein from herring and salmon backbones more efficiently than mechanical separation by removing more fat and ash. This consequently reduced n-3 PUFA and vitamin D content in their protein isolates compared with the backbones and mechanically separated meat (MSM). Cod protein isolate, however, contained higher levels of these nutrients compared with MSM. Mechanical separation concentrated vitamins E and C in salmon MSM but not for cod and herring. Opposite, pH-shift processing reduced levels of these two vitamins for cod and herring backbones, while vitamins D and C were reduced for salmon. For minerals, selenium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium were lower in protein isolates than MSM, while copper, zinc, iron and manganese were similar or higher. Overall, there is a major potential for upcycling of fish backbones to food ingredients, but processing technology should be carefully balanced against the desired nutrient profile and final application area.