The mechanism of the enhanced antioxidant effects against superoxide anion radicals of reduced water produced by electrolysis

Antioxidant Activity Enhancement Effect of Silver-Ionized Water: Silver Cation Prepared by Electrolysis

In the present study, tap water, alkaline electrolyzed water (AlEW) and tourmaline water (TMW) were used as the electrolytes to generated the silver-ionized water (SIW), AlEW-SIW and TMW-SIW, respectively. The antioxidant properties of the samples containing ascorbic acid (AsA) were investigated by WST-kit method. The results showed that the SOD activity of AsA (2 mmol/L) dissolved in SIW (66.0%) was enhanced by about 8% compared to that of the tap water (57.9%). The SOD activity of the AlEW-SIW solution (77.3%), which was higher than that of the SIW solution, and lower than that of the AlEW solution (83.6%). The SOD activity of the TMW-SIW solution (83.0%) was similar to that of the TMW solution (82.5%). Furthermore, to classify the sample solutions, discriminant analyses were performed based on near infrared (NIR) spectral data, which was consistent with the results of the WST-kit method. The SOD activity of the AlEW-SIW and TMW-SIW solutions decreased slowly with storage time, and their SOD activities were higher than that of AlEW, TMW and the tap water solutions at storage time of 14 days. In summary, AlEW-SIW and TMW-SIW showed similar antioxidant activity enhancement as AlEW and TMW, and they also maintained the stability of the antioxidant activity of AsA during storage.

Electrolyzed-Reduced Water: Review I. Molecular Hydrogen Is the Exclusive Agent Responsible for the Therapeutic Effects

Numerous benefits have been attributed to alkaline-electrolyzed-reduced water (ERW). Sometimes these claims are associated with easily debunked concepts. The observed benefits have been conjectured to be due to the intrinsic properties of ERW (e.g., negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), alkaline pH, H₂ gas), as well enigmatic characteristics (e.g., altered water structure, microclusters, free electrons, active hydrogen, mineral hydrides). The associated pseudoscientific marketing has contributed to the reluctance of mainstream science to accept ERW as having biological effects. Finally, through many in vitro and in vivo studies, each one of these propositions was examined and refuted one-by-one until it was conclusively demonstrated that H₂ was the exclusive agent responsible for both the negative ORP and the observed therapeutic effects of ERW. This article briefly apprised the history of ERW and comprehensively reviewed the sequential research demonstrating the importance of H₂. We illustrated that the effects of ERW could be readily explained by the known biological effects of H₂ and by utilizing conventional chemistry without requiring any metaphysical conjecture (e.g., microclustering, free electrons, etc.) or reliance on implausible notions (e.g., alkaline water neutralizes acidic waste). The H₂ concentration of ERW should be measured to ensure it is comparable to those used in clinical studies.

Effect of Functional Water on the Antioxidant Property of Concentrated Reconstituted Juice

People often consume juice to easily ingest antioxidants, which can scavenge free radicals and reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. In this study, the SOD assay kit-WST method was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of two types of functional water, alkaline electrolyzed water (AlEW) and tourmaline water (TMW), reconstituted commercially available (Tropicana) and freshly squeezed concentrated juices and the effect of functional waters on physicochemical parameters and sensory evaluation of reconstituted juices was also analyzed. The reconstituted juice exhibited the highest antioxidant activity when the electrolysis current of AlEW was 8A or the tourmaline stone treatment temperature of TMW was 75 °C. Compared with the control group (69.4%), SOD activity of the reconstituted orange juice in the 8A-AlEW (77.2%) and 75 °C-TMW (84.5%) groups increased by 7.8 and 15.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the color and pH of the functional water reconstituted juice were not significantly different from the juice before concentration, and the taste was better. In summary, functional water could enhance the antioxidant activity of concentrated juice as a formula which could provide novel ideas for the development of functional beverages with antioxidant properties.

Effects of Alkaline-Reduced Water on Gastrointestinal Diseases

Living a healthy lifestyle is the most important need in the world today. However, oxidative stress (OS) is caused by several stress-inducing factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, chronic diseases, and inflammatory responses, oxygen-free radicals are produced in excess and can damage major organs in the body. This phenomenon has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, including gastritis, constipation, and inflammatory bowel diseases, which include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, functional dyspepsia, acid reflux, diverticular disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. In this review article, we provide a brief overview of the role of OS in the pathogenesis of GI disorders. Additionally, we discuss the therapeutic role of alkaline-reduced water (ARW) on GI diseases and existing studies on ARW related to GI diseases. Furthermore, we believe that findings from this review article will enhance the knowledge of the readers on the role of ARW on OS and inflammation-based GI diseases.

The electro-Fenton regeneration of Granular Activated Carbons: Degradation of organic contaminants and the relationship to the carbon surface

Electrochemical regeneration of Granular Activated Carbon is an emerging treatment option to restore adsorption capacity in systems designed to remove organic contaminants from aqueous solutions. The electro-Fenton process is one such electrochemical process and it is reviewed along with other members of its family including Photoelectro-Fenton and Heterogeneous electro-Fenton and electro-Fenton like reactions, for its ability to regenerate Granular Activated Carbons contaminated with organics. The behaviour of critical operating parameter such as pH, current, catalyst concentration and initial contaminant concentration are reviewed to find optimal operating conditions. The relationship between electro-Fenton regeneration and the chemical and physical surface of the carbon is also explored. Understanding regeneration mechanisms and the optimal operating conditions enables these technologies to be used commercially and to be scaled-up and treat contaminated waters more efficiently.

Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water Modulates the Immune Response in BALB/c Mice Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

Chagas disease is a major public health problem in Latin America. The mixed Th1/Th2 immune response is required against Trypanosoma cruzi. Electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) has been shown to have germicidal efficacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the EOW effectiveness in T. cruzi-infected BALB/c mice clinically, immunologically, and histologically. The severity of the infection was assessed by parasitaemia, general health condition, mortality, mega syndromes, and histological lesions. IgG, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-1 beta levels were quantified. The EOW administration showed a beneficial effect on parasitaemia, general physical condition, and mortality. High levels of IgG1 at 50 days postinfection were observed. Prophylactic EOW treatment was able to induce a predominantly TH1 immune response based on an IgG2a levels increase at the late acute phase, and a 10-fold increase of INF-gamma in whole acute phase. EOW was able to control the acute phase infection as effectively as benznidazole. Splenomegaly was caused by EOW treatment and lymphadenopathy was stimulated by T. cruzi infection in all groups. Severe tissue damage was not prevented by EOW treatments. Moderate efficacy may be due to immunomodulatory properties and not to a direct toxic effect on the parasite.

Influence of Cathodic Water Invigoration on the Emergence and Subsequent Growth of Controlled Deteriorated Pea and Pumpkin Seeds

The quality of seeds in gene banks gradually deteriorates during long-term storage, which is probably, at least in part, a result of the progressive development of oxidative stress. Here, we report a greenhouse study that was carried out to test whether a novel approach of seed invigoration using priming with cathodic water (cathodic portion of an electrolysed calcium magnesium solution) could improve seedling emergence and growth in two deteriorated crop seeds. Fresh seeds of Pisum sativum and Cucurbita pepo were subjected to controlled deterioration to 50% viability at 14% seed moisture content (fresh weight basis), 40 °C and 100% relative humidity. The deteriorated seeds were thereafter primed with cathodic water, calcium magnesium solution and deionized water. In addition, to study the mechanism of the impacts of invigoration, the effects of such priming on the lipid peroxidation products malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase were also determined in the fresh and deteriorated seeds. All priming treatments improved seed emergence parameters, subsequent seedling photosynthesis and growth relative to the unprimed seeds. In general, cathodic water was most effective at invigorating deteriorated seeds. Analysis of the lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant enzyme activities in invigorated seeds provided support for the hypothesis that the effectiveness of cathodic water in invigoration of debilitated orthodox seeds in general and of pea and pumpkin seeds in particular derive from its ability to act as an antioxidant.

Outcomes Assessment of Sustainable and Innovatively Simple Lifestyle Modification at the Workplace - Drinking Electrolyzed-Reduced Water (OASIS-ERW): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Oxidative stress has been associated with many diseases as well as aging. Electrolyzed-reduced water (ERW) has been suggested to reduce oxidative stress and improve antioxidant potential. This study investigated the effects of drinking ERW on biomarkers of oxidative stress and health-related indices in healthy adults. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 65 participants, who were allocated into two groups. Of these, 61 received intervention (32 with ERW and 29 MW [mineral water]). All participants were instructed to drink 1.5 L/day of ERW or MW for eight weeks. Biomarkers of oxidative stress and health-related indices were assessed at baseline as well as after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of intervention. Of the primary outcome variables assessed, diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential showed a significant interaction between the groups and time, with d-ROMs levels significantly decreased at 8 weeks in ERW compared to those in MW. Among the secondary outcome variables, total, visceral, and subcutaneous fat mass significantly changed over time, with a significant association observed between the groups and time. Thus, daily ERW consumption may be a potential consideration for a sustainable and innovatively simple lifestyle modification at the workplace to reduce oxidative stress, increase antioxidant potential, and decrease fat mass.

A three-dimensional electrode bioelectrochemical system for the advanced oxidation of p-nitrophenol in an aqueous solution

Three-dimensional electrodes serve as more efficient cathodes for the in situ generation of H₂O₂ in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) than two-dimensional electrodes and possess significant electric potentials in the advanced oxidation of organics. In this study, we investigated the performance of a three-dimensional MFC-Fenton system in degrading p-nitrophenol (PNP) in an aqueous solution with the objective of optimizing the operating parameters, including the initial pH, iron dosage, and loading resistance. A corresponding reaction pathway for PNP in the system was also proposed. The results showed that the three-dimensional electrode bioelectrochemical system efficiently oxidized PNP and removed total organic carbon over a short period (64 h). In addition, experiments showed that a lower initial pH enhanced the removal of PNP by the system. The highest removal efficiency of PNP was achieved with an initial iron concentration of 0.025 mol L⁻¹, and a lower or higher iron concentration resulted in decreased PNP degradation. Furthermore, the treatment capacity of the system was remarkably enhanced at a low loading resistance of 20 Ω. Under optimal conditions, the three-dimensional MFC-Fenton system achieved 95.7% PNP removal (within 8 h). Furthermore, the system showed a stable high treatment efficiency of approximately 90% for low PNP concentrations in wastewater over as long as 96 h.

PNP absorbed in and surrounded by GPEs has kinetic favorability in the degradation process by a three-dimensional electrode MFC-Fenton system.

Electromagnetic field in human sperm cryopreservation improves fertilizing potential of thawed sperm through physicochemical modification of water molecules in freezing medium

Physicochemical properties of water molecules as the main compositions of the freezing media can be affected by the electromagnetic fled. The purpose of this study was to apply extremely low repetition rate electromagnetic fields (ELEFs) to change the molecular network of water molecules existing in freezing media used for human sperm cryopreservation. First, different time periods and pulsed electromagnetic fields were used to evaluate the physiochemical properties of water. The lowest rate of cluster size, surface tension, viscosity, and density was observed for water samples exposed to 1000 Hz ELEF for 60 min (P < 0.05) that could be results in small ice crystal formation. Therefore, this treatment was selected for further evaluations in human sperm freezing because there was minimal probability of amorphous ice crystallization in this group. To assess fertilizing potential, human semen samples were subjected to ELEF (1000 Hz) water-made freezing medium and cryopreserved. The highest percentage of total motility, progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA integrity, and TAC were obtained in frozen ELEF as compared to other groups. The percentage of viable spermatozoa (Annexin V-/PI-) in frozen ELEF was significantly higher than in frozen control. The level of ROS was significantly lower in frozen ELEF when compared to frozen control. It can be concluded that the modification of physicochemical properties of water existing in cryopreservation media by ELEF is a suitable strategy to improve the outcome of cryopreservation.

The Application of Ultrasonic Vibration in Human Sperm Cryopreservation as a Novel Method for the Modification of Physicochemical Characteristics of Freezing Media

The application of ultrasonic vibration was performed to modify the water molecules as the main compositions of the freezing medium used for human sperm cryopreservation. Different time periods of ultrasonic vibration (ULV) at the frequency of 28 kHz were applied for the evaluation of physicochemical properties of the water molecules. The most significant bubble size, zeta potential, and pH were obtained for the water molecules exposed to ultrasonic vibrations for 18 minutes and this time period was selected for further experiments due to the optimum results. In the next stage, semen samples were diluted with freezing medium containing ULV-exposed water and then cryopreserved. All the semen parameters were significantly reduced in cryopreserved groups as compared with the fresh control group. The highest percentage of total and progressive motility, viability, membrane and DNA integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential were observed in frozen ULV compared with the frozen control. The rate of apoptosis in frozen ULV was significantly lower than that of in the frozen control. Furthermore, the gene expression ratios of α- and β-tubulins were significantly increased during cryopreservation, while the expression ratio of the tubulin polymerization promoting protein (TPPP) gene was decreased. Similar results were also observed when the protein levels of the genes mentioned earlier were evaluated by the ELISA method. Therefore, the changes in physicochemical properties of the freezing medium of human sperm cryopreservation using ULV can improve the quality of frozen products.

Sperm quality characteristics and fertilization capacity after cryopreservation of rooster semen in extender exposed to a magnetic field

There has not been as much success in the effectiveness of avian semen cryopreservation as that of mammalian semen cryopreservation. This has been attributed to the unique characteristics of poultry sperm. In the area of mammalian semen, the use of magnetized extenders has enhanced the cryo-resistance of sperm in some species. The applicability of this strategy to avian semen has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects on sperm quality and fertility after magnetization of extenders and use of these extenders for cryopreservation of rooster semen. Extenders were passed between two neodymium magnets that produced different magnetic induction values (0, 2000, 4000 and 6000 G). Physicochemical properties of the extenders were assessed and then semen samples were cryopreserved in the magnetized extenders. The smallest cluster sizes and zeta potentials in the extenders were observed in the extender magnetized at 2000 gauss (G). There were greater percentages of sperm total motility, viability and mitochondrial membrane potential in semen treated with the extender magnetized at 2000 G A greater percentage of sperm with enhanced membrane functionality was observed when sperm were stored in extenders magnetized with 2000 G and 4000 G. In a field trial, there were greater percentages of fertility and hatching rates of eggs using semen treated with extenders magnetized at 2000 G and 4000 G. Cryopreservation of rooster semen with magnetized extenders at 2000-4000 G resulted in enhanced quality indices of thawed sperm as well as the fertility capacity of the cryopreserved semen.

Proteomic analysis and microtubule dynamicity of human sperm in electromagnetic cryopreservation

The proteomic changes, microtubule dynamicity, and quality parameters of human sperm were investigated during cryopreservation in an extremely low electromagnetic field (ELEF) condition. Semen samples were obtained from 210 healthy individuals with normospermia and then were divided into three experimental groups: fresh control, frozen control, and frozen ELEF group. Shotgun proteomics was performed to assess the identification of microtubule proteins of the sperm in experimental groups. Microtubule dynamicity, secondary, and tertiary structure modifications of tubulins, characteristics of transmission electron microscopy of sperm as well as sperm quality parameters were evaluated. The expression ratios of α- and β-tubulins were significantly increased after cryopreservation compared with fresh control while this ratio was not significantly different in frozen ELEF group. The expression ratio of tubulin polymerization-promoting protein was significantly decreased after cryopreservation compared with fresh control. The length, width, and the activity of microtubule, secondary, and tertiary structures of tubulins, motility, and the viability of the sperm were decreased in frozen control as compared with fresh control. The microtubule activity, secondary, and tertiary structures of sperm tubulin in frozen ELEF group were higher than frozen control. Transmission electron microscopy of microtubules showed that the size of the width and length of the microtubules in frozen ELEF group were greater than frozen control. Motility, viability, and reactive oxygen species levels were improved in frozen ELEF group when compared with frozen control. While the microtubule dynamicity of the sperm was affected by the cryopreservation, this trait was improved during the electromagnetic cryopreservation resulted in better motility and viability.

Modulation of the oxidative plasmatic state in gastroesophageal reflux disease with the addition of rich water molecular hydrogen: A new biological vision

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a clinical condition characterized by reflux of gastroduodenal contents in the oesophagus, has proved to demonstrate a strong link between oxidative stress and the development of GERD. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been universally accepted as first-line therapy for management of GERD. The potential benefits of electrolysed reduced water (ERW), rich in molecular hydrogen, in improving symptoms and systemic oxidative stress associated with GERD was assessed. The study was performed on 84 GERD patients undergoing control treatment (PPI + tap water) or experimental treatment (PPI + ERW) for 3 months. These patients were subjected to the GERD-Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire as well as derivatives reactive oxigen metabolites (d-ROMs) test, biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test, superoxide anion, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde assays, which were all performed as a proxy for the oxidative/nitrosative stress and the antioxidant potential status. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between scores and laboratory parameters. Overall results demonstrated that an optimal oxidative balance can be restored and GERD symptoms can be reduced rapidly via the integration of ERW in GERD patients. The relative variation of heartburn and regurgitation score was significantly correlated with laboratory parameters. Thus, in the selected patients, combination treatment with PPI and ERW improves the cellular redox state leading to the improvement of the quality of life as demonstrated by the correlation analysis between laboratory parameters and GERD symptoms.

Alkaline Water and Longevity: A Murine Study

The biological effect of alkaline water consumption is object of controversy. The present paper presents a 3-year survival study on a population of 150 mice, and the data were analyzed with accelerated failure time (AFT) model. Starting from the second year of life, nonparametric survival plots suggest that mice watered with alkaline water showed a better survival than control mice. Interestingly, statistical analysis revealed that alkaline water provides higher longevity in terms of “deceleration aging factor” as it increases the survival functions when compared with control group; namely, animals belonging to the population treated with alkaline water resulted in a longer lifespan. Histological examination of mice kidneys, intestine, heart, liver, and brain revealed that no significant differences emerged among the three groups indicating that no specific pathology resulted correlated with the consumption of alkaline water. These results provide an informative and quantitative summary of survival data as a function of watering with alkaline water of long-lived mouse models.

Design of a neutral three-dimensional electro-Fenton system with foam nickel as particle electrodes for wastewater treatment

In this work, we demonstrate a novel three-dimensional electro-Fenton system (3D-E-Fenton) for wastewater treatment with foam nickel, activated carbon fiber and Ti/RuO(2)-IrO(2) as the particle electrodes, the cathode, and the anode respectively. This 3D-E-Fenton system could exhibit much higher rhodamine B removal efficiency (99%) than the counterpart three-dimensional electrochemical system (33%) and E-Fenton system (19%) at neutral pH in 30 min. The degradation efficiency enhancement was attributed to much more hydroxyl radicals generated in the 3D-E-Fenton system because foam nickel particle electrodes could activate molecular oxygen to produce O(2)(-) via a single-electron transfer pathway to subsequently generate more H(2)O(2) and hydroxyl radicals. This is the first observation of molecular oxygen activation over the particle electrodes in the three-dimensional electrochemical system. These interesting findings could provide some new insight on the development of high efficient E-Fenton system for wastewater treatment at neutral pH.

Histological study on the effect of electrolyzed reduced water-bathing on UVB radiation-induced skin injury in hairless mice

Electrolyzed reduced water (ERW), functional water, has various beneficial effects via antioxidant mechanism in vivo and in vitro. However there is no study about beneficial effects of ERW bathing. This study aimed to determine the effect of ERW bathing on the UVB-induced skin injury in hairless mice. For this purpose, mice were irradiated with UVB to cause skin injury, followed by individually taken a bath in ERW (ERW-bathing) and tap water (TW-bathing) for 21 d. We examined cytokines profile in acute period, and histological and ultrastructural observation of skin in chronic period. We found that UVB-mediated skin injury of ERW-bathing group was significantly low compared to TW control group in the early stage of experiment. Consistently, epidermal thickening as well as the number of dermal mast cell was significantly lowered in ERW-bathing group. Defection of corneocytes under the scanning electron microscope was less observed in ERW-bathing group than in TW-bathing group. Further, the level of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-12p70 in ERW group decreased whereas those of IL-10 increased. Collectively, our data indicate that ERW-bathing significantly reduces UVB-induced skin damage through influencing pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine balance in hairless mice. This suggests that ERW-bathing has a positive effect on acute UVB-mediated skin disorders. This is the first report on bathing effects of ERW in UVB-induced skin injury.

Design of a neutral electro-Fenton system with Fe@Fe(2)O(3)/ACF composite cathode for wastewater treatment

The narrow pH range limits the wide application of Fenton reaction in the wastewater treatment. It is of great importance to widen working pH range of Fenton reaction from strong acidic condition to neutral, even basic ones. In this study, for the first time nanostructured Fe@Fe(2)O(3) was loaded on active carbon fiber (ACF) as an oxygen diffusion cathode to be used in a heterogeneous electro-Fenton (E-Fenton) oxidation system. This novel Fe@Fe(2)O(3)/ACF composite cathode was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and element mapping. On the degradation of dye pollutant rhodamine B in water, this heterogeneous E-Fenton system with the Fe@Fe(2)O(3)/ACF cathode showed much higher activity than other E-Fenton systems with commercial zero valent iron powders (Fe(0)) and ferrous ions (Fe(2+)) under neutral pH. On the basis of experimental results, we proposed a possible pathway of rhodamine B degradation in this heterogeneous Fe@Fe(2)O(3)/ACF E-Fenton process. This heterogeneous E-Fenton system is very promising to remove organic pollutants in water at neutral pH.

Minus charge stimulation prevents LPS-induced liver injury by reduction of nitric oxide

The liver is one of the major target organs affected in sepsis that are usually accompanied with free radical formation. The use of minus charge for the prevention and cure of various radical related diseases is gaining wide importance in the medicinal field. Here, we investigate whether minus charge stimulation (MCS) inhibits nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the mice liver. The survival rate was compared in LPS-treated group with MCS group. The liver NO radical was measured using electron spin resonance technique. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) was estimated for liver injury. MCS significantly improved the survival rate of LPS-treated mice and inhibited increase of ALT in serum levels. MCS also reduced NO radical production significantly in the LPS-treated mice liver tissue. In conclusion, our results indicate that MCS prevents LPS-induced liver injury, which may be through the inhibition of liver NO radical production.

Inhibitory effect of electrolyzed reduced water on tumor angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key mediator of tumor angiogenesis. Tumor cells are exposed to higher oxidative stress compared to normal cells. Numerous reports have demonstrated that the intracellular redox (oxidation/reduction) state is closely associated with the pattern of VEGF expression. Electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) produced near the cathode during the electrolysis of water scavenged intracellular H(2)O(2) and decreased the release of H(2)O(2) from a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, A549, and down-regulated both VEGF transcription and protein secretion in a time-dependent manner. To investigate the signal transduction pathway involved in regulating VEGF expression, mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) specific inhibitors, SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) and JNKi (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase inhibitor) were applied. The results showed that only PD98059 blocks VEGF expression, suggesting an important role for ERK1/2 in regulating VEGF expression in A549 cells. As well, ERW inhibited the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in a time-dependent manner. Co-culture experiments to analyze in vitro tubule formation assay revealed that A549 cell-derived conditioned medium significantly stimulated the formation of vascular tubules in all analyzed parameters; tubule total area, tubule junction, number of tubules, and total tubule length. ERW counteracted the effect of A549 cell-conditioned medium and decreased total tube length (p<0.01). The present study demonstrated that ERW down-regulated VEGF gene transcription and protein secretion through inactivation of ERK.

Structural, energetic, and spectroscopic features of lower energy complexes of superoxide hydrates O2(-)(H2O)(1-4)

The lower-energy portions of the potential energy surfaces of superoxide hydrates O2(-)(H2O)(1< or = n < or = 4) are thoroughly investigated at high computational levels. The structural, energetic and spectroscopic features of the stable superoxide hydrates on these potential energy surfaces are discussed, focusing in particular on some implications to their infrared spectra and the hydrogen bond trends. The present work reports the transition-state linkers between the most stable superoxide hydrates which are useful to understand the energetics of their mutual interconversions.