Jeju ground water containing vanadium induced immune activation on splenocytes of low dose γ-rays-irradiated mice

Radio-protective effects of Thymus quinquecostatus Celak extract in mice

Thymus quinquecostatus Celak (TQC) is an aromatic herb, that possesses a wide range of biological properties. In the present study, we investigated the radio-protective effect of TQC water extract (TQCW) in gamma ray-exposed splenocytes, a peripheral immune cell and mice. Our results showed that the treatment with TQCW dose-dependently increased the viability of splenocytes. TQCW significantly increased the proliferation of splenocytes by reducing the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in 2 Gy-exposed splenocytes. Moreover, TQCW enhanced the hemopoietic system as increasing the number of endogenous spleen colony-forming units, and the number and the proliferation of splenocytes in 7 Gy-exposed mice. These results suggest that TQCW protects mice by enhancing the splenocytes proliferation and hemopoietic systems following exposure to gamma rays.

Prenatal and postnatal exposure to vanadium and the immune function of children

BACKGROUND

The immunotoxicity induced by vanadium exposure have been reported in some toxicology researches. However, evidence from population-based epidemiological studies was lacking.

METHODS

This study was conducted to assess the associations between prenatal and postnatal exposure to vanadium and immune function of children. A total of 407 pre-school aged children were followed, whose peripheral blood was collected for T lymphocyte subsets and inflammatory cytokines analysis, as well as vanadium concentration measurement. Maternal urine samples were also collected to measure vanadium concentration. We used generalized linear models to evaluate the associations of maternal and children vanadium concentration with children's immune function. Stratification analysis was further conducted to explore the potential gender-specific effects.

RESULTS

The geometric means of vanadium concentration in maternal urine and children plasma were 0.85 and 1.12 μg/L, respectively. Maternal urinary vanadium was inversely associated with the percentage of CD3⁺CD4⁺ cells [-5.53 % (-10.38 %, -0.41 %)] and absolute counts of CD3⁺ cells [-2.43 % (-5.05 %, 0.25 %)], and we only observed significant negative associations in males when stratifying by fetal gender. Children plasma vanadium was also associated with reduced absolute counts of CD3⁺ cells [-5.25 % (-9.57 %, -0.73 %)], but gender-specific effects were not observed. No significant associations of vanadium exposure with cytokines were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal and postnatal exposure to vanadium had suppressive impacts on childhood cellular immune. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Investigations on Modulating Effect of Vanadium Supplementation on Growth and Metabolism Through Improved Immune Response, Antioxidative Profile and Endocrine Variables in Hariana heifers

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of vanadium (V) supplementation on growth, metabolism, antioxidant, and immunological and endocrine variables in Hariana heifers. Eighteen indigenous Hariana heifers (body weight 130.0 ± 3.0 kg; age 10.0 ± 2.0 months) were randomly blocked into three groups, each comprising of six animals. All the animals were on same dietary plan except that the respective groups were additionally supplemented with 0.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg of V/kg dry matter (DM), during the experimental period of 90 days. There was a linear increase (p < 0.05) in mean DMI and ADG in 5.0 mg of V/kg DM-supplemented group. However, the feed efficiency remained unaffected. Although no effects (p > 0.05) of V supplementation were observed on hemato-biochemical attributes, the mean plasma V concentration showed dose-dependent increase (p < 0.001) on V supplementation. The activity of SOD was significantly higher (p < 0.001), whereas mean values of LPO decreased linearly (p < 0.05) in V-supplemented groups. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) also increased linearly (p < 0.05) in V-supplemented groups. Plasma IgG levels increased linearly (p < 0.05). Plasma IGF-1 concentrations showed significant effect (p < 0.05) of V supplementation. Plasma T4 concentration increased linearly (p < 0.05). The results suggest that V supplementation may play a role in modulating the immunity and antioxidant status of growing Hariana heifers. Graphical Abstract.

The Evolution of Catalysis for Alkyd Coatings: Responding to Impending Cobalt Reclassification with Very Active Iron and Manganese Catalysts, Using Polydentate Nitrogen Donor Ligands

Autoxidation processes to achieve curing of alkyd resins in paints, inks, and coatings are ubiquitous in many applications. Cobalt soaps have been employed for these applications for many decades and most of the paint and ink alkyd resin formulations have been optimized to achieve optimal benefits of the cobalt soaps. However, cobalt soaps are under increased scrutiny because of likely reclassification as carcinogenic under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restrictions of Chemicals) legislation in Europe. This is critical, since such coatings are available for regular human contact. Alternative manganese- and iron-based siccatives have been developed to address this need for over a decade. They often show very high curing activity depending on the organic ligands bound to the metal centers. Recently, new classes of catalysts and modes of application have been published or patented to create safe paints, whilst delivering performance benefits via their unique reaction mechanisms. Besides the use of well-defined, preformed catalysts, paint formulations have also been developed with mixtures of metal soaps and ligands that form active species in-situ. The change from Co-soaps to Mn- and Fe-based siccatives meant that important coating issues related to radical-based curing, such as skinning, had to be rethought. In this paper we will review the new catalyst technologies and their performance and modes of action, as well as new compounds developed to provide anti-skinning benefits.

Jeju ground water containing vanadium induces normal T cell development and immune activation in chronically stressed mice

Containing high concentration of vanadium served by the volcanic bedrock, Jeju ground water has long been known for various implicit health benefits including immune-promotion. Exposure to stress has been reported to be associated with immunosuppression such as reducing lymphocyte population or antibody production due to stress hormones. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the effects of Jeju ground water on chronically stressed mice. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to various stressors such as restraint stress, water swimming stress, heat stress, acoustic stress, and Jeju ground water was supplied for 28 days with two different concentrations, S1 (vanadium 15-20 μg/l, pH 8.3) and S2 (vanadium 20-25 μg/l, pH 8.5). Treatment with Jeju ground water increased CD4⁺CD8^- or CD4^-CD8⁺ single-positive thymocytes. It also increased the proliferation of splenocytes and the populations of CD4⁺ T cells, CD45R/B220⁺ B cells, CD11b⁺ macrophages or Gr-1⁺ granulocytes in spleen. In addition, the production of IgG was increased in chronically stressed mice by treatment with Jeju ground water. These results suggest vanadium-rich Jeju ground water may be helpful in T cell development in thymus and immune cell proliferation and its function in spleen against chronic stress.

Vanadium in Biosphere and Its Role in Biological Processes

Ultra-trace elements or occasionally beneficial elements (OBE) are the new categories of minerals including vanadium (V). The importance of V is attributed due to its multifaceted biological roles, i.e., glucose and lipid metabolism as an insulin-mimetic, antilipemic and a potent stress alleviating agent in diabetes when vanadium is administered at lower doses. It competes with iron for transferrin (binding site for transportation) and with lactoferrin as it is secreted in milk also. The intracellular enzyme protein tyrosine phosphatase, causing the dephosphorylation at beta subunit of the insulin receptor, is inhibited by vanadium, thus facilitating the uptake of glucose inside the cell but only in the presence of insulin. Vanadium could be useful as a potential immune-stimulating agent and also as an antiinflammatory therapeutic metallodrug targeting various diseases. Physiological state and dose of vanadium compounds hold importance in causing toxicity also. Research has been carried out mostly on laboratory animals but evidence for vanadium importance as a therapeutic agent are available in humans and large animals also. This review examines the potential biochemical and molecular role, possible kinetics and distribution, essentiality, immunity, and toxicity-related study of vanadium in a biological system.

Inorganic Vanadium Supplementation in Crossbred Calves: Effects on Antioxidant Status, Immune Response and Haemato-Biochemical Attributes

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of inorganic vanadium (V) supplementation on antioxidant enzymes, immune status, and haemato-biochemical attributes of growing crossbred calves. Twenty-four male Karan Fries calves (Tharparkar × Holstein Friesian) (initial body mass 72.83 ± 2.5 kg; age 3-9 month) were randomly allocated to four groups: the control (received basal diet devoid of supplemental V), the 3 ppm (received basal diet with 3 mg/kg V), the 6 ppm (received basal diet with 6 mg/kg V) and the 9 ppm group (received basal diet with 9 mg/kg V). All the calves were fed for 150 days as per ICAR (2013) feeding standards to meet their nutrient requirements for 500 g growth rate/day. Peripheral blood samples were collected at the start of experiment and subsequently at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days post-V supplementation for determination of antioxidant enzyme activity, immunological parameters and haemato-biochemical attributes. Results indicated that dietary supplementation of V did not affect daily gain, feed intake and haematological parameters. Crossbred calves fed with 9 mg V/kg diet showed reduced (P < 0.05) plasma total cholesterol concentration; however, plasma total protein and glucose concentration remained unaltered. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity as well as immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in group supplemented with 9 mg V/kg DM; however, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activity and total plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration were similar in all experimental group. Dietary V supplementation showed a negative relation with plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration, whereas non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration remained unaltered among all groups. Plasma V level increased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary V levels without affecting levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn. In conclusion, a dietary addition of 9 mg V/kg DM reduced cholesterol content and improved antioxidant and immune response in growing crossbred calves.

Comparison of distribution and toxicity following repeated oral dosing of different vanadium oxide nanoparticles in mice

Vanadium is an important ultra-trace element derived from fuel product combustion. With the development of nanotechnology, vanadium oxide nanoparticles (VO NPs) have been considered for application in various fields, thus the possibility of release into the environment and human exposure is also increasing. Considering that verification of bioaccumulation and relevant biological responses are essential for safe application of products, in this study, we aimed to identify the physicochemical properties that determine their health effects by comparing the biological effects and tissue distribution of different types of VO NPs in mice. For this, we prepared five types of VO NPs, commercial (C)-VO2 and -V2O5 NPs and synthetic (S)-VO2, -V2O3, and -V2O5 NPs. While the hydrodynamic diameter of the two types of C-VO NPs was irregular and impossible to measure, those of the three types of S-VO NPs was in the range of 125-170nm. The S- and C-V2O5 NPs showed higher dissolution rates compared to other VO NPs. We orally dosed the five types of VO NPs (70 and 210μg/mouse, approximately 2 and 6mg/kg) to mice for 28 days and compared their biodistribution and toxic effects. We found that S-V2O5 and S-V2O3 NPs more accumulated in tissues compared to other three types of VO NPs, and the accumulated level was in order of heart>liver>kidney>spleen. Additionally, tissue levels of redox reaction-related elements and electrolytes (Na(+), K(+), and Ca(2+)) were most clearly altered in the heart of treated mice. Notably, all S- and C-VO NPs decreased the number of WBCs at the higher dose, while total protein and albumin levels were reduced at the higher dose of S-V2O5 and S-V2O3 NPs. Taken together, we conclude that the biodistribution and toxic effects of VO NPs depend on their dissolution rates and size (surface area). Additionally, we suggest that further studies are needed to clarify effects of VO NPs on functions of the heart and the immune system.

Role of Vanadium in Cellular and Molecular Immunology: Association with Immune-Related Inflammation and Pharmacotoxicology Mechanisms

Over the last decade, a diverse spectrum of vanadium compounds has arisen as anti-inflammatory therapeutic metallodrugs targeting various diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that select well-defined vanadium species are involved in many immune-driven molecular mechanisms that regulate and influence immune responses. In addition, advances in cell immunotherapy have relied on the use of metallodrugs to create a "safe," highly regulated, environment for optimal control of immune response. Emerging findings include optimal regulation of B/T cell signaling and expression of immune suppressive or anti-inflammatory cytokines, critical for immune cell effector functions. Furthermore, in-depth perusals have explored NF-κB and Toll-like receptor signaling mechanisms in order to enhance adaptive immune responses and promote recruitment or conversion of inflammatory cells to immunodeficient tissues. Consequently, well-defined vanadium metallodrugs, poised to access and resensitize the immune microenvironment, interact with various biomolecular targets, such as B cells, T cells, interleukin markers, and transcription factors, thereby influencing and affecting immune signaling. A synthetically formulated and structure-based (bio)chemical reactivity account of vanadoforms emerges as a plausible strategy for designing drugs characterized by selectivity and specificity, with respect to the cellular molecular targets intimately linked to immune responses, thereby giving rise to a challenging field linked to the development of immune system vanadodrugs.

Vanadium(III)-L-cysteine protects cisplatin-induced nephropathy through activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the first-line anticancer drugs; however, the major limitation of CDDP therapy is development of nephrotoxicity (25-35% cases), whose precise mechanism mainly involves oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death. Therefore, in search of a potential chemoprotectant, an organovanadium complex, viz., vanadium(III)-L-cysteine (VC-III) was evaluated against CDDP-induced nephropathy in mice. CDDP was administered intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg b.w.) and VC-III was given by oral gavage (1 mg/kg b.w.) in concomitant and pre-treatment schedule. The results showed that VC-III administration reduced (p < 0.001) serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, suggesting amelioration of renal dysfunction. VC-III treatment also significantly (p < 0.001) prevented CDDP-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and onset of lipid peroxidation in kidney tissues of the experimental mice. In addition, VC-III also substantially (p < 0.001) restored CDDP-induced depleted activities of the renal antioxidant enzymes such as, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione (reduced) level. Furthermore, histopathological study also confirmed the renoprotective efficacy of VC-III. Western blotting analysis appended by immunohistochemical data showed that VC-III treatment quite effectively reduced the expression of proinflammatory mediators such as, NFκβ, COX-2 and IL-6. VC-III administration also stimulated Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense system by promotion of downstream antioxidant enzymes, such as HO-1. Moreover, treatment with VC-III significantly (p < 0.001) enhanced CDDP-mediated cytotoxicity in MCF-7 and NCI-H520 human cancer cell lines. Thus, VC-III can serve as a suitable chemoprotectant and increase the therapeutic window of CDDP in cancer patients.

Synthesis, characterization and anti-diabetic therapeutic potential of novel aminophenol-derivatized nitrilotriacetic acid vanadyl complexes

In the present work, we synthesized three novel aminophenol-derivatized nitrilotriacetic acid vanadyl complexes (VOohpada, VOmhpada, VOphpada) using the strategy of rational incorporation of antioxidant groups in ligand in order to balance the side effects with the therapeutic properties. The complexes were characterized by IR, UV-VIS, ESI-MS and elemental analysis. The biological evaluations in vitro revealed that the position of the hydroxyl group of aminophenol moiety regulated the antioxidant activity of the complexes as well as the cytotoxicity on HK-2 cells. The vanadyl complex of p-hydroxyl aminophenol derivative (VOphpada) exhibited better antioxidant activity and lower cytotoxicity than other analogs. In type II diabetic db/db mice, VOphpada (0.1 mmol/kg/day) effectively reduced blood glucose level, improved glucose tolerance, and alleviated stresses induced by hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. VOphpada treatment significantly increased expression of PPARα and γ, activated Akt, and inactivated JNK in muscle and adipose tissues. The insulin enhancement effects of VOphpada were observed more potent than BMOV. Moreover, VOphpada decreased the level of kidney injury molecule-1 marker (KIM-1), suggesting a potentially lower renal toxicity. In overall, the present results suggest VOphpada as a novel hypoglycemic agent with improved efficacy-over-toxicity index.