Selenium exerts protective effects on inflammatory cardiovascular damage: molecular aspects via SIRT1/p53 and Cyt-c/Cas-3 pathways

The Impact of the High-Fructose Corn Syrup on Cardiac Damage via SIRT1/PGC1-α Pathway: Potential Ameliorative Effect of Selenium

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been a subject of intense debate due to its association with cardiovascular risks. This study investigates the potential protective effects of selenium (Se) supplementation against cardiac damage induced by HFCS. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups: control, CS (20%-HFCS), CS with Se (20%-HFCS, 0.3 mg/kg-Se), and Se (0.3 mg/kg-Se) only. After a 6-week period, heart and aorta tissues were collected for histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and genetic analyses. HFCS consumption led to severe cardiac pathologies, increased oxidative stress, and altered gene expressions associated with inflammation, apoptosis, and antioxidant defenses. In the CS group, pronounced oxidative stress within the cardiac tissue was concomitant with elevated Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) expression and diminished expressions of B-cell-lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1-α), and silenced information regulator 1 (SIRT1). Se supplementation mitigated these effects, showing protective properties. Immunohistochemical analysis supported these findings, demonstrating decreased expressions of caspase-3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-1β, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the CS + Se group compared to the CS group. The study suggests that Se supplementation exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects, potentially attenuating HFCS-induced cardiovascular toxicity. These findings highlight the importance of dietary considerations and selenium supplementation in mitigating cardiovascular risks associated with HFCS consumption.

The protective role of selenium against high-fructose corn syrup-induced kidney damage: a histopathological and molecular analysis

With the growth of the food industry, fructose, the intake of which increases with food, causes obesity and metabolic syndrome. Kidney damage may develop from metabolic syndrome. Selenium (Se) participates in the structure of antioxidant enzymes and has a medicinal effect. In this work, the protective impact of Se on kidney damage produced by high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was examined. The study comprised four groups, each consisting of ten experimental animals: control, HFCS (20%-HFCS), HFCS (20%-HFCS), + Se (0.3 mg/kg/day/po), and Se (0.3 mg/kg/day/po) alone. The duration of the experiment was 6 weeks. Kidney tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to assess TNF-α and caspase-3 levels. The spectrophotometric evaluation was performed to measure TOS (total oxidant status), TAS (total antioxidant status), and OSI (oxidative stress index) levels. The PERK, ATF4, CHOP, BCL-2, and caspase-9 gene expression levels were assessed by the RT-qPCR method. After Se treatment, histopathological abnormalities and TNF-α and caspase-3 levels in the HFCS+Se group decreased (p < 0.001). While TOS and OSI levels increased dramatically in the HFCS group, TAS values decreased significantly but improved after Se application (p < 0.001). The expression levels of the genes PERK, ATF4, CHOP, and caspase-9 were significantly lower in the HFCS group when compared to the HFCS+Se group (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that Se may protect against ER stress, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and kidney damage caused by high-dose fructose consumption.

Dietary Selenium Insufficiency Induces Cardiac Inflammatory Injury in Chicks

BACKGROUND

Laying hens undergo intensive metabolism and are vulnerable to cardiac insults. Previous research demonstrated overt heart disorders of broiler chickens induced by dietary Se deficiency.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to reveal effects and mechanism of dietary Se insufficiency on cardiac injuries of egg-type chicks in their early life.

METHODS

White Leghorn chicks (0-d-old, female) were fed a corn-soy, Se-insufficient basal diet (BD, 0.05 mg Se/kg; n = 11) or the BD supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg (as sodium selenite; n = 8) for 35 d. Cardiac tissues were collected at the end of study for histology and to determine its relationship with heart Se contents, selenoprotein expression profiles, antioxidant and inflammatory status, and the Toll-like receptor 4/extracellular signal-regulated kinases/p38 map kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (TLR4/ERK/P38/JNK) pathway.

RESULTS

Compared with those fed 0.35 mg Se/kg, chicks fed BD had significantly lower body weights and average daily gain, and 28% lower heart Se, and developed cardiac mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration, along with elevated (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of creatine kinase, aldolase, and interleukin-1 (IL-1). The BD decreased (P < 0.05) body weight and heart glutathione contents and expression of selenoproteins but increased (P < 0.05) heart concentrations of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species. These changes were associated with increased (P < 0.05) mRNA and/or protein concentrations of cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenase-12, cytokines (IL-1β), nuclear factor (NF) κB subunit, chemokines, and receptors (CCL20, CXCR1, and CXCLI2) and increased (P < 0.1) TLR4/ERK /P38/JNK in the heart of Se-insufficient chicks.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary Se insufficiency induces infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the heart of egg-type chicks. This cardiac injury was mediated by decreased functional expressions of selenoproteins, which resulted in apparent elevated oxidative stress and subsequent activations of the TLR4 pathway and NF κB.

Constructing network structures to enhance stability and target deposition of selenium nanoparticles via amphiphilic sodium alginate and alkyl glycosides

Dietary selenium (Se) supplementation has recently received increasing attention; however, Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) exhibit poor stability and tend to aggregate in aqueous solution. Therefore, enhancing the stability of SeNPs and their effective delivery to plants remain challenging. In this study, sodium alginate (SA) and lysozyme (LZ) were reacted via the wet-heat Maillard reaction (MR) to obtain amphiphilic alginate-based polymers (SA-LZ). Alkyl glycosides (APG) were introduced into SA-LZ to enhance the deposition of SeNPs in leaves. Thus, a renewable and degradable polysaccharide-based material (SA-LZ/APG) loaded with Se formed an amphiphilic alginate-based-based shell with a Se core. Notably, the encapsulation of SeNPs into a polysaccharide base (SA-LZ/APG) increased the stabilization of SeNPs and resulted in orange-red, zero-valent, monoclinic and spherical SeNPs with a mean diameter of approximately 43.0 nm. In addition, SA-LZ/APG-SeNPs reduced the interfacial tension of plant leaves and increased the Se content of plants compared to the blank group. In vitro studies have reported that SA-LZ/APG-SeNPs and SA-LZ-SeNPs have significantly better clearance of DDPH and ABTS than that of APG-SeNPs. Thus, we believe that SA-LZ/APG is a promising smart delivery system that can synergistically enhance the stability of SeNPs in aqueous solutions and improve the bioavailability of Se nutrient solutions.

Low-frequency noise aggravates the toxicity of cadmium in sea slug Onchdium reevesii

Industrial development not only triggers heavy metal pollution but also introduces a less easily discernible disturbance: low-frequency noise pollution. Low-frequency noise can disrupt wildlife behavior, potentially exerting complex effects through interacting with heavy metals. Nevertheless, the cumulative impacts of low-frequency noise and cadmium (Cd) pollution on marine organisms remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the immune defense response of sea slugs (Onchdium reevesii) exposed to Cd (1.32 mg/L) and low-frequency noise (500 Hz, 1000 Hz). Our results show that Cd exposure results in Cd2+ accumulation in the sea slug's hepatopancreas, leading to a decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and a significant increase in enzyme activities, including glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and aspartate transferase (AST). Additionally, there is a substantial upregulation in the expression of genes related to tumor protein p53 (p53), Cytochrome C (CytC), Caspase 3, and Caspase 9, as well as metallothionein (MT) and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) genes. Concurrently, an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs in the hemocytes, resulting in apoptosis and subsequent diminished cell viability, with these effects positively correlating with the exposure duration. Furthermore, when sea slugs were exposed to both Cd and low-frequency noise, there was a decrease in the hepatopancreas's antioxidant capacity and an enhancement in hemocytes immune responses, which positively correlated with low-frequency noise frequency. The comprehensive assessment of biomarker responses highlights that low-frequency noise has the potential to amplify the deleterious effects of Cd on sea slug physiology, with this negative impact positively linked to noise frequency. Consequently, our study underscores that the combined influence of low-frequency noise and Cd pollution magnifies the effects on sea slug health. This could potentially disrupt the population stability of this species within its natural habitat, providing fresh insights into the evaluation of cumulative environmental pollution risks.

The cardiomyopathy of cystic fibrosis: a modern form of Keshan disease

Introduction

We conducted a study to determine the prevalence of structural heart disease in patients with CF, the characteristics of a cardiomyopathy not previously described in this population, and its possible relationship with nutritional deficiencies in CF.

Methods

We studied 3 CMP CF patients referred for heart-lung transplantation and a prospective series of 120 adult CF patients. All patients underwent a clinical examination, blood tests including levels of vitamins and trace elements, and echocardiography with evaluation of myocardial strain. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was performed in patients with CMP and in a control group. Histopathological study was performed on hearts obtained in transplant or necropsy.

Results

We found a prevalence of 10% (CI 4.6%-15.4%) of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in the prospective cohort. Myocardial strain parameters were already altered in CF patients with otherwise normal hearts. Histopathological examination of 4 hearts from CF CMP patients showed a unique histological pattern of multifocal myocardial fibrosis similar to Keshan disease. Four of the five CF CMP patients undergoing CMR showed late gadolinium uptake, with a characteristic patchy pattern in 3 cases (p < 0.001 vs. CF controls). Selenium deficiency (Se < 60 µg/L) was associated with more severe LV dysfunction, higher prevalence of CF CMP, higher NTproBNP levels, and more severe pulmonary and digestive involvement.

Conclusion

10% of adults with CF showed significant cardiac involvement, with histological and imaging features resembling Keshan disease. Selenium deficiency was associated with the presence and severity of LV dysfunction in these patients.

Randomized Clinical Trial of Antioxidant Therapy Patients with Septic Shock and Organ Dysfunction in the ICU: SOFA Score Reduction by Improvement of the Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant System

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Here, we assess the effect of adjuvant antioxidant therapies in septic shock patients with organ dysfunction and their effect on the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems.

METHODS

Randomized clinical trial run between 2018 and 2022. One hundred and thirty-one patients with septic shock were included in five groups with 25, 27, 24, 26 and 29 patients each. Group 1 received vitamin C (Vit C), Group 2 vitamin E (Vit E), Group 3 n-acetylcysteine (NAC), Group 4 melatonin (MT) and group 5 no treatment. All antioxidants were administered orally or through a nasogastric tube for 5 days as an adjuvant to standard therapy.

RESULTS

All patients had multiple organ failure (MOF) and low Vit C levels. Vit C therapy decreased CRP, PCT and NO₃^-/NO₂^- but increased Vit C levels. The SOFA score decreased with MT in 75%, Vit C 63% and NAC 50% vs. controls 33% (p = 0.0001, p = 0.03 and p = 0.001 respectively). MT diminished lipid peroxidation (LPO) (p = 0.01) and improved total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (p = 0.04). Vit E increased thiol levels (p = 0.02) and tended to decrease LPO (p = 0.06). Selenium levels were decreased in the control group (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Antioxidants used as an adjuvant therapy in the standard treatment of septic shock decrease MOF and oxidative stress markers. They increase the TAC and thiols, and maintain selenium levels.