The Beneficial Impact of the Black Chokeberry Extract against the Oxidative Stress in the Sublingual Salivary Gland of Rats Intoxicated with Cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most harmful xenobiotics to which humans are exposed, mainly by the oral route, throughout life. Preventive strategies are searched as low intoxication with this element, among others due to its prooxidative properties, can be deleterious to health and the exposure to it is continuously increasing. Recently, interest has been paid to plant raw materials with a high antioxidative potential to oppose the prooxidative properties of cadmium, such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L. fruit), which is rich in polyphenolic compounds. The study was aimed at assessing whether the chokeberry extract may counteract the prooxidative impact of low-level and moderate repeated intoxication with cadmium on the sublingual salivary gland. The investigation was performed on 96 Wistar rats (females), which were treated with a 0.1% aqueous extract from chokeberries or/and a diet containing 1 or 5 mg Cd/kg for 3 and 10 months, and control animals. The intoxication with cadmium, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, attenuated the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidative potential and increased the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and total oxidative status of the sublingual salivary gland resulting in an occurrence of oxidative stress, enhancement of lipid peroxidation, and oxidative injuries of proteins in this salivary gland. The treatment with the black chokeberry extract during the intoxication with cadmium prevented this xenobiotic-caused oxidative/reductive imbalance and oxidative modifications of proteins and lipids in the salivary gland. The above results allow the conclusion that the consumption of black chokeberry products during intoxication with cadmium can prevent oxidative stress and its consequences in the sublingual salivary gland and thus counteract the unfavourable impact of this xenobiotic on the oral cavity.

Impacts of garlic extract on testicular oxidative stress and sperm characteristics in type 1 and 2 diabetic rats: An experimental study

Background: Hyperglycemia damages various tissues such as the testes through oxidative stress and inflammation, which can eventually lead to infertility. Objective: Garlic extract effects on the testicular tissue of diabetic rats were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats (8-wk old, weighing 230-300 gr) were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 6/each) including; C: control rats, G: received 0.4 gr of garlic extract/100 gr body weight, D1: Streptozotocin-induced-diabetic rats or type 1, D1+G: D1 rats that were treated with garlic, D2: Streptozotocin + nicotinamide-induced-diabetic rats or type 2, D2+G: D2 rats treated with garlic. At the end of the study, serum testosterone was assayed by ELISA. Also, sperm quality and quantity were evaluated. For determination of oxidative stress status, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidative status, lipid peroxidation, and thiol groups were assayed in the testis tissues of the rats by colorimetric methods. Also, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression and the protein level of interleukin-1-1β (IL-1β) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: In diabetic rats, glucose, total oxidative status and lipid peroxidation, iNOS gene expression, and IL-1β were higher than in non-diabetic rats, whereas testosterone, total antioxidant capacity and thiol groups, and sperm quality were significantly lower compared with control rats. These alterations were normalized by garlic intervention. Conclusion: In diabetic rats, garlic was associated with reduced glucose, oxidative stress, IL-1β, and iNOS gene expression and increased testosterone and sperm quality. So, the results suggest that garlic can reduce the severity of damage in testicular tissues of diabetic rats through its hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, Garlic, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Testis.

PSIV-13 Effects of oral administration of vitamin E and selenium on stress indicators and oxidative biomarkers in road- transported pregnant Holstein heifer

We investigated the effects of oral administration of vitamin E and selenium (ESe) on oxidative stress biomarkers in road-transported pregnant heifers. Thirty-six pregnant Holstein heifers (body weight 515 ± 48.3 kg and age 524 ± 42.4 days) were assigned to four treatments: no transportation with no administration of ESe (NTR-NESe, n = 10); no transportation with oral administration of ESe (70 IU DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg of DM and 0.3 mg sodium selenite/kg of DM; NTR-ESe, n = 10); transportation with no administration (TR-NESe, n = 8); transportation with oral administration of ESe (TR-ESe, n = 8). Two trucks (8 heifers/truck) were used for the 200 km transportation. Blood was collected h 1 before, immediately after transportation (h 0), h 6, h 24 and h 48 after transportation. The TR × time and ESe × time effects were observed (P < 0.01) for plasma cortisol concentration, indicating that TR heifers had higher plasma cortisol concentrations than NTR heifers and that ESe-administrated heifers had lower plasma cortisol concentrations than NESe heifers at h 0 after transportation. The TR and ESe effects were observed (P < 0.01) for plasma haptoglobin (Hp) concentration. The TR increased Hp concentration at h 6 and h 24 after transportation, and ESe decreased Hp concentration in the transported heifers. The ESe (P = 0.02) and ESe × time interaction (P < 0.01) effects were observed for plasma total oxidative status (TOS) concentrations. The TR increased plasma TOS concentrations at h 0, and the ESe decreased plasma TOS concentrations in transported heifers. In contrast, the TR decreased (P < 0.05) plasma TAS concentrations at h 6 and h 24 after transportation, and the ESe increased (P < 0.05) plasma TAS concentrations in the transported heifers. These results suggest that transportation induces oxidative stress and the ESe may alleviate oxidative stress in the transported heifers.

Enhanced Zinc Intake Protects against Oxidative Stress and Its Consequences in the Brain: A Study in an In Vivo Rat Model of Cadmium Exposure

We examined, in a rat model of moderate environmental human exposure to cadmium (Cd), whether the enhanced intake of zinc (Zn) may protect against Cd-caused destroying the oxidative/antioxidative balance and its consequences in the brain. The intoxication with Cd (5 mg/L, 6 months) weakened the enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase) and non-enzymatic (total thiol groups, reduced glutathione) antioxidative barrier decreasing the total antioxidative status and increased the concentrations of pro-oxidants (hydrogen peroxide, myeloperoxidase) in this organ and its total oxidative status. These resulted in the development of oxidative stress and oxidative modifications of lipids and proteins. The co-administration of Zn (30 and 60 mg/L enhancing this element intake by 79% and 151%, respectively) importantly protected against Cd accumulation in the brain tissue and this xenobiotic-induced development of oxidative stress and oxidative damage to lipids and proteins. Moreover, this bioelement also prevented Cd-mediated oxidative stress evaluated in the serum. The favorable effect of Zn was caused by its independent action and interaction with Cd. Concluding, the enhancement of Zn intake under oral exposure to Cd may prevent the oxidative/antioxidative imbalance and oxidative stress in the brain and thus protect against injury of cellular macromolecules in the nervous system.

Glycyl-L-Prolyl-L-Glutamate Pseudotripeptides for Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

So far, there is no effective disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in clinical practice. In this context, glycine-L-proline-L-glutamate (GPE) and its analogs may open the way for developing a novel molecule for treating neurodegenerative disorders, including AD. In turn, this study was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective potentials exerted by three novel GPE peptidomimetics (GPE1, GPE2, and GPE3) using an in vitro AD model. Anti-Alzheimer potentials were determined using a wide array of techniques, such as measurements of mitochondrial viability (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, determination of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-secretase and β-secretase activities, comparisons of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative status (TOS) levels, flow cytometric and microscopic detection of apoptotic and necrotic neuronal death, and investigating gene expression responses via PCR arrays involving 64 critical genes related to 10 different pathways. Our analysis showed that GPE peptidomimetics modulate oxidative stress, ACh depletion, α-secretase inactivation, apoptotic, and necrotic cell death. In vitro results suggested that treatments with novel GPE analogs might be promising therapeutic agents for treatment and/or or prevention of AD.

In vitro risk assessment of Padina pavonica (Linnaeus) (Brown algae)

Padina pavonica (Linnaeus) Thivy 1960 is a brown algae that is antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects and is generally used in soup, salad, and other dishes. However, no studies have been reported on safe consumption in humans to date. For this purpose, this study was conducted to determine the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of P. pavonica on lymphocytes cultured from human blood. The water extract of P. pavonica was added into culture tubes at various concentrations (0.5-1000 μg/mL). Cytotoxic effects were determined by MTT assay. Antioxidant/oxidant status was evaluated by total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative status (TOS) assays. Genotoxic effects were investigated by sister chromatid exchanges and micronucleus assays. Our results showed that P. pavonica had no genotoxic effects, even at higher concentrations. 1000 μg/mL concentration of P. pavonica caused an increase (P<0.05) TOS levels while significantly reducing cell viability. However, low concentrations (50 and 100 μg/mL) significantly increased (P<0.05) TAC levels. In conclusion, P. pavonica can be safely consumed with its non-genotoxic and antioxidant properties in a manner dose-dependent.

Comparison of transradial versus transfemoral diagnostic coronary angiography in terms of oxidative stress: Which option is more physiological?

In this randomized, single-center, clinical study we aimed to compare the oxidative stress response in patients undergoing diagnostic transradial or transfemoral elective coronary angiography. Sixty patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing elective coronary angiography to either transradial ( n = 30) or transfemoral ( n = 30) approach were included. The levels of plasma total oxidative status (TOS) were measured and compared just before and immediately after the procedure in both groups. The clinical and laboratory findings were compatible between the two groups. Although the levels of plasma total oxidative status after coronary angiography were increased in both groups (TF pTOS 20. ± :3; 34 ± 3 vs TR pTOS 18 ± 2; 23 ± 4), this was more pronounced in the transfemoral group as compared with the transradial group (ΔpTOS: 11 ± 4 vs 4 ± 3, p < 0.001) In correlation analysis, TOS levels and white blood cell counts ( r = 0.25, p = 0.042), total cholesterol levels ( r = 0.267, p = 0.041), triglyceride levels ( r = 0.253, p = 0.049), serum creatinine levels ( r = 0.260, p = 0.043) were found to be moderately positively correlated. This study showed that oxidative stress response associated with heart catheterization is more evident in patients undergoing transfemoral coronary angiography versus transradial coronary angiography.

Examination of some toxicological parameters of dimethylamylamine when consumed alone or with caffeine

Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) is a bodybuilding supplement with fat-burner or performance-enhancing properties. DMAA is often combined with caffeine to enhance its effectiveness and this can have serious adverse effects on health. In this study, we examined for the first time the cytotoxic, oxidative and genotoxic effects of DMAA in the presence or absence of caffeine in lymphocytes cultured from human blood, and its vascular irritant effects in a hen's chorioallantoic membrane egg test. Cytotoxic effects were observed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH), which serves as a measure of cell membrane damage, changes in the mitotic index (MI) and proliferative rate index (PRI) assays. Oxidative changes were evaluated by the total antioxidant activity and the total oxidative status assay. Genotoxic damage was analyzed by chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assays. DMAA and its combination with caffeine (cDMAA) had no genotoxic effects. DMAA (1000 mg/L) and cDMAA (500 and 1000 mg/L) decreased cell viability while significantly increasing LDH activity, MI and the oxidative level. DMAA and cDMAA caused weak and moderate vascular irritant effects, respectively. In conclusion, DMAA exhibits cytotoxic effects via membrane dysfunction and mitotic disturbance following increased oxidative stress in a dose- and caffeine-dependent manner.

Allium sativum Extract Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Antifungal Effect against Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Causing Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a major health problem due to its chronicity and resistance to therapy. Because some cases associate paronychia, any therapy must target the fungus and the inflammation. Medicinal plants represent an alternative for onychomycosis control. In the present work the antifungal and antioxidant activities of Alium sativum extract against Meyerozyma guilliermondii (Wick.) Kurtzman & M. Suzuki and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (A. Jörg.) F.C. Harrison, isolated for the first time from a toenail onychomycosis case, were investigated. The fungal species were confirmed by DNA molecular analysis. A. sativum minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and ultrastructural effects were examined. At the MIC concentration (120 mg/mL) the micrographs indicated severe structural alterations with cell death. The antioxidant properties of the A. sativum extract were evaluated is a rat turpentine oil induced inflammation, and compared to an anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac, and the main compound from the extract, allicin. A. sativum reduced serum total oxidative status, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide production, and increased total thiols. The effects were comparable to those of allicin and diclofenac. In conclusion, the garlic extract had antifungal effects against M. guilliermondii and R. mucilaginosa, and antioxidant effect in turpentine-induced inflammation. Together, the antifungal and antioxidant activities support that A. sativum is a potential alternative treatment in onychomycosis.