Effect of curcumin extract against oxidative stress on both structure and deformation capability of red blood cell

Mechanism of hypoxia-induced damage to the mechanical property in human erythrocytes-band 3 phosphorylation and sulfhydryl oxidation of membrane proteins

Introduction: The integrity of the erythrocyte membrane cytoskeletal network controls the morphology, specific surface area, material exchange, and state of erythrocytes in the blood circulation. The antioxidant properties of resveratrol have been reported, but studies on the effect of resveratrol on the hypoxia-induced mechanical properties of erythrocytes are rare. Methods: In this study, the effects of different concentrations of resveratrol on the protection of red blood cell mor-phology and changes in intracellular redox levels were examined to select an appropriate concentration for further study. The Young's modulus and surface roughness of the red blood cells and blood viscosity were measured via atomic force microsco-py and a blood rheometer, respectively. Flow cytometry, free hemoglobin levels, and membrane lipid peroxidation levels were used to characterize cell membrane damage in the presence and absence of resveratrol after hypoxia. The effects of oxida-tive stress on the erythrocyte membrane proteins band 3 and spectrin were further investigated by immunofluorescent label-ing and Western blotting. Results and discussion: Resveratrol changed the surface roughness and Young's modulus of the erythrocyte mem-brane, reduced the rate of eryptosis in erythrocytes after hypoxia, and stabilized the intracellular redox level. Further data showed that resveratrol protected the erythrocyte membrane proteins band 3 and spectrin. Moreover, resistance to band 3 pro-tein tyrosine phosphorylation and sulfhydryl oxidation can protect the stability of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton net-work, thereby protecting erythrocyte deformability under hypoxia. The results of the present study may provide new insights into the roles of resveratrol in the prevention of hypoxia and as an antioxidant.

The potential of Curcuma extract to alleviate muscle damage in amateur soccer players

Compounds with high bioactive are commonly used as a nutritional approach for accelerating muscle damage recovery after strenuous exercise. There are still inconsistent results of post-exercise antioxidant supplementation on the circulating muscle damage biomarker. This study aimed to examine the effect of post-exercise Curcuma extract supplementation in ice cream on muscle damage and inflammatory markers in amateur soccer players. Male amateur soccer athletes (aged 14 – 18 years) participated in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study under two conditions: control group (n = 10) and treatment group (n = 10). The treatment group was treated with Curcuma extract ice cream (250 mg/100 g) for 21 days. Blood samples were drawn before training, considered baseline, and 3 h after training on day 21. The level of creatine kinase, IL-6, haemoglobin (Hb), and lactic acid were quantified. There was a significant decrease in creatine kinase change in the treatment group compared to the control group (p <0.05). No change in IL-6 and Hb levels in the treatment group. Lactic acid decreased by 16.3% from baseline in the treatment group (p <0.05). Curcuma extract ice cream potentiates to ameliorate exercise-induced muscle damage.

Ambient particulate air pollution, blood cell parameters, and effect modification by psychosocial stress: Findings from two studies in three major Chinese cities

The associations between particulate matter (PM) exposure, psychosocial stress and blood cell parameters are bringing novel insights to characterize the early damage of multiple diseases. Based on two studies conducted in three Chinses cities using cross-sectional (Beijing, 425 participants) and panel study (Tianjin and Shanghai, 92 participants with 361 repeated measurements) designs, this study explored the associations between short-term exposure to ambient PM and blood cell parameters, and the effect modification by psychosocial stress. Increasing PM_2.5 exposure was significantly associated with decreases in red blood cell (RBC) count and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and increases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV), platelets count (PLT) and platelet hematocrit (PCT) in both studies. For instance, a 10 μg/m³ increment in PM_2.5 concentration was associated with a 1.04% (95%CI: 0.16%, 1.92%) increase in PLT (4-d) and a 1.09% (95%CI: 0.31%, 1.87%) increase in PCT (4-d) in the cross-sectional study, and a 0.64% (95%CI: 0.06%, 1.22%) increase in PLT (1-d) and a 0.72% (95%CI: 0.33%, 1.11%) increase in PCT (1-d) in the panel study, respectively. In addition, stronger increases in MCV, PLT, and PCT associated with PM_2.5 exposure were found in higher psychosocial stress group compared to lower psychosocial stress group (p for interaction <0.10), indicating that blood cell parameters of individuals with higher psychosocial stress might be more susceptible to the early damages of PM_2.5 exposure.

Curcumin activation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 gene (Nrf2): Prophylactic and therapeutic effect in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

BACKGROUNDS

Modern dietary habits have been associated with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Curcumin is a natural herbal found to suppress cellular oxidative states and could be beneficial in NASH. This study investigates the effect of curcumin in an animal model of NASH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty rats were allocated into five groups. Control, High Fat Diet (HFD), curcumin prophylactic (CP) and therapeutic (CT) groups. HFD regimen was given for 16 weeks. Curcumin was given along with HFD (prophylactic) or after establishment of the model for two weeks (therapeutic). Livers and blood samples were harvested for histological, biochemical, and molecular studies.

KEY FINDINGS

Livers from HFD groups showed vascular, inflammatory, cellular degenerative and fibrotic changes. The hepatic damage was reflected by the increased serum liver enzymes. HFD groups showed excessive fibrotic change. Interestingly, curcumin administration as prophylactic or therapeutic significantly preserved and/or restored liver structure. This was evidenced by the normalization of the liver enzymes, preservation and/or reversibility of cellular changes and the decrease of the stage of fibrosis. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 gene (Nrf2) expression showed no changes in the HFD groups, however it showed upregulation in curcumin treated groups. Thus, the protective and therapeutic effect of curcumin could be induced through upregulation of the Nrf2 gene. Curcumin has a beneficial prophylactic and therapeutic effect that could hinder the development and/or treat NASH in susceptible livers.

SIGNIFICANCE

Curcumin has a beneficial prophylactic and therapeutic effect that could hinder the development and/or treat NASH in susceptible livers.

Erythrocyte Deformability and Na,K-ATPase Activity in Various Pathophysiological Situations and Their Protection by Selected Nutritional Antioxidants in Humans

The physicochemical and functional properties of erythrocytes are worsened in a variety of diseases. Erythrocyte deformability refers to their ability to adjust their shape according to external forces exerted against them in the circulation. It is influenced by the functionality of the Na,K-ATPase enzyme, which is localized in their membranes. The proposed review is focused on knowledge regarding changes in erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase activity, and their impact on erythrocyte deformability in various pathophysiological situations observed exclusively in human studies, as well as on the potential erytroprotective effects of selected natural nutritional antioxidants. A clear link between the erythrocyte properties and the parameters of oxidative stress was observed. The undesirable consequences of oxidative stress on erythrocyte quality and hemorheology could be at least partially prevented by intake of diverse antioxidants occurring naturally in foodstuffs. Despite intensive research concerning the effect of antioxidants, only a small number of investigations on erythrocyte properties in humans is available in databases. It is worth shifting attention from animal and in vitro experiments and focusing more on antioxidant administration in human studies in order to establish what type of antioxidant, in what concentration, and in which individuals it may provide a beneficial effect on the human organism, by protecting erythrocyte properties.

Evaluation of Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Aqueous Extracts from Eight Medicinal Plants from Reunion Island: Protection against Oxidative Stress in Red Blood Cells and Preadipocytes

Background—Medicinal plants are traditionally used as infusions or decoctions for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic properties. Purpose—The aim of the study was to define the polyphenol composition and to assess the antioxidant capacity of eight medicinal plants from Reunion Island referred to in the French Pharmacopeia, namely Aphloia theiformis, Ayapana triplinervis, Dodonaea viscosa, Hubertia ambavilla, Hypericum lanceolatum, Pelargonium x graveolens, Psiloxylon mauritianum and Syzygium cumini. Methods—Polyphenol content was assessed by biochemical assay and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Antioxidant capacity was assessed by measuring DPPH reduction and studying the protective effects of herbal preparation on red blood cells or preadipocytes exposed to oxidative stress. Results—Polyphenol content ranged from 25 to 143 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/L for infusions and 35 to 205 mg GAE/L for decoctions. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of major bioactive polyphenols, such as quercetin, chlorogenic acid, procyanidin and mangiferin. Antioxidant capacity assessed by different tests, including DPPH and Human red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis of herbal preparations, demonstrated a dose-dependent effect whatever the extraction procedure. Our data suggest that decoction slightly improved polyphenol extraction as well as antioxidant capacity relative to the infusion mode of extraction (DPPH test). However, infusions displayed a better protective effect against oxidative stress-induced RBC hemolysis. Conclusion—Traditional preparations of medicinal plant aqueous extracts (infusions and decoctions) display antioxidant properties that limit oxidative stress in preadipocytes and red blood cells, supporting their use in the context of metabolic disease prevention and treatment.