Evaluation of oxidative/nitrosative stress biomarkers and DNA damage in buffaloes naturally infected with Theileria annulata

Case-Control Study: Endogenous Procalcitonin and Protein Carbonylated Content as a Potential Biomarker of Subclinical Mastitis in Dairy Cows

Procalcitonin (PCT) and protein carbonylated content (PCC) are promising biomarkers for bacterial infection and inflammation in veterinary medicine. This study examined plasma PCT and PCC levels in healthy cows (H) and cows with subclinical mastitis (SCM). A total of 130 cows (65 H and 65 SCM) were included in this study. Blood samples were collected, and plasma was frozen at -80 °C. PCT levels were determined using a bovine procalcitonin ELISA kit, while PCC was measured following the methodology of Levine et al. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in PCT levels between H (75.4 pg/mL) and SCM (107.3 pg/mL) cows (p < 0.001) and significantly lower concentrations of PCC in the SCM group (H: 0.102 nmol/mL/mg, SCM: 0.046 nmol/mL/mg; p < 0.001). The PCT cut-off value for distinguishing healthy and subclinical mastitis animals was >89.8 pg/mL (AUC 0.695), with a sensitivity of 66.2% and specificity of 69.2%. PCT showed potential value as a diagnostic tool to help in decision making for subclinical mastitis cases, while PCC requires further studies to investigate the trend of this biomarker during localized pathology.

Host oxidative stress in piroplasmosis: A review in domestic animals

Piroplasmida is an order of economically important blood parasites, including Babesia, Theileria, and Cytauxzoon, transmitted to mammals by ticks. Oxidative stress is a state in which the balance between oxidants and antioxidants is disturbed so that antioxidants cannot compensate for the harmful effects of oxidants. Due to the high concentration of oxygen and hemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs), these are among the first cells exposed to oxidative damage. When RBCs are exposed to oxidative stress, their hemoglobin is oxidized, and lipid peroxidation leads to membrane instability, deformation, hemolysis, and anemia. Oxidative stress has a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of these parasites. In the present review article, we collected studies on the oxidative stress caused by Piroplasmida in domestic animals. What is obtained from the total review of studies conducted on piroplasmosis revealed that in these infections, the host faces oxidative stress, and the resultant oxidative injury plays a fundamental role in their pathogenicity. Further studies are needed to be carried out on the more precise role of oxidative stress, the use of more sensitive diagnostic biomarkers, and the possible therapeutic role of antioxidant agents in piroplasmosis.

Naturally occurring Anaplasma marginale infection in cattle: Molecular prevalence and associated risk factors, haemato-biochemical alterations, oxidant/antioxidant status and serum trace mineral levels

The present investigation was undertaken to map the distribution of Anapalsma species infection in cattle from the Aizawl region of Mizoram, India, in relation to various risk factors, and to study the haemato-biochemical alterations, oxidant/antioxidant status and serum trace mineral levels in cattle with naturally occurring Anapalsma marginale infection. The study was carried out over 31 months from June 2019 to December 2021. A total of 401 cattle blood samples were collected and screened for the presence of Anaplasma spp. by microscopic examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Non-infected clinically healthy cattle (n = 21) served as control. Blood samples were collected to study the haemogram and serum samples were used for the evaluation of biochemical parameters, oxidative stress indices and trace minerals. During the study period, an overall prevalence of 15.71% was recorded for A. marginale infection in cattle. The prevalence of A. marginale infection was highly associated with age, sex, breed and tick infestation status of animals, floor system and management of farms, and season. The mean values of total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total platelet count, total protein, albumin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower, whereas the mean values of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cattle infected with A. marginale. A negative correlation of TEC with LPO, and a positive correlation with SOD, GSH, TAC, Cu and Zn suggest a possible link between oxidative stress and the haemolytic crisis noticed in bovine anaplasmosis. Incorporation of antioxidants and organ protective drugs as an adjunct therapy may result in better prognosis.

Activation of ATM/Chk2 by Zanthoxylum armatum DC extract induces DNA damage and G1/S phase arrest in BRL 3A cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zanthoxylum armatum DC is a traditional medicinal plant. It is widely used in clinical treatment and disease prevention in China, India and other regions. Modern studies have reported the phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity and the animal toxicity of Zanthoxylum armatum DC, and the damage of genetic material has been observed in plants, but the detailed mechanism has not been explored. Besides, the toxicity of normal mammalian cells has not been evaluated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the effects and underlying mechanism of genetic material damage in BRL 3A cells induced by Zanthoxylum armatum DC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry was used for identification of compounds in methanol extract of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. BRL 3A cells were incubated with different concentrations of methanol extract of Zanthoxylum armatum DC (24 h). The cytotoxicity of extract was assessed with cell viability, LDH release rate, and ROS production. The damage of genetic material was assessed with OTM value of comet cells, cell cycle and the expression levels of p-ATM, p- Chk2, Cdc25A, and CDK2.

RESULTS

Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry investigation revealed the presence of compounds belonging to flavonoid, fatty acid and alkaloid groups. The viability of BRL 3A cells was reduced in a time-dose dependent manner treated by methanol extract of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. It increased LDH release rate and ROS production, activated the DNA double strand damage marker of γH2AX and produced comet cells. In addition, methanol extract of Zanthoxylum armatum DC caused ATM-mediated DNA damage, further phosphorylated Chk2, inhibited cell cycle related proteins, and arrested the G1/S cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

Methanol extract of Zanthoxylum armatum DC induces DNA damage and further leads G1/S cell cycle arrest by triggering oxidative stress in the BRL 3A cells. This study provides some useful evidences for its development as an antitumor drug via activation of ATM/Chk2.

Exploring the Role of the NO-Detoxifying Enzyme HmpA in the Evolution of Domesticated Alfalfa Rhizobia

We have previously shown the extensive loss of genes during the domestication of alfalfa rhizobia and the high nitrous oxide emission associated with the extreme genomic instability of commercial inoculants. In the present note, we describe the molecular mechanism involved in the evolution of alfalfa rhizobia. Genomic analysis showed that most of the gene losses in inoculants are due to large genomic deletions rather than to small deletions or point mutations, a fact consistent with recurrent DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) at numerous locations throughout the microbial genome. Genetic analysis showed that the loss of the NO-detoxifying enzyme HmpA in inoculants results in growth inhibition and high DSB levels under nitrosative stress, and large genomic deletions in planta but not in the soil. Therefore, besides its known function in the effective establishment of the symbiosis, HmpA can play a critical role in the preservation of the genomic integrity of alfalfa rhizobia under host-derived nitrosative stress.

Oxidative stress mitigation by antioxidants - An overview on their chemistry and influences on health status

The present review paper focuses on the chemistry of oxidative stress mitigation by antioxidants. Oxidative stress is understood as a lack of balance between the pro-oxidant and the antioxidant species. Reactive oxygen species in limited amounts are necessary for cell homeostasis and redox signaling. Excessive reactive oxygenated/nitrogenated species production, which counteracts the organism's defense systems, is known as oxidative stress. Sustained attack of endogenous and exogenous ROS results in conformational and oxidative alterations in key biomolecules. Chronic oxidative stress is associated with oxidative modifications occurring in key biomolecules: lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, carbonyl (aldehyde/ketone) adduct formation, nitration, sulfoxidation, DNA impairment such strand breaks or nucleobase oxidation. Oxidative stress is tightly linked to the development of cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, eye disease. The deleterious action of reactive oxygenated species and their role in the onset and progression of pathologies are discussed. The results of oxidative attack become themselves sources of oxidative stress, becoming part of a vicious cycle that amplifies oxidative impairment. The term antioxidant refers to a compound that is able to impede or retard oxidation, acting at a lower concentration compared to that of the protected substrate. Antioxidant intervention against the radicalic lipid peroxidation can involve different mechanisms. Chain breaking antioxidants are called primary antioxidants, acting by scavenging radical species, converting them into more stable radicals or non-radical species. Secondary antioxidants quench singlet oxygen, decompose peroxides, chelate prooxidative metal ions, inhibit oxidative enzymes. Moreover, four reactivity-based lines of defense have been identified: preventative antioxidants, radical scavengers, repair antioxidants, and those relying on adaptation mechanisms. The specific mechanism of a series of endogenous and exogenous antioxidants in particular aspects of oxidative stress, is detailed. The final section resumes critical conclusions regarding antioxidant supplementation.

Status of oxidative stress, trace elements, sialic acid and cholinesterase activity in cattle naturally infected with Babesia bigemina

Babesia bigemina infection (also known as Texas fever) is reported as the most prevalent and main causative agent of bovine babesiosis, worldwide. The current study was undertaken to assess indicators of oxidative stress including activities of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidation status of biomolecules and serum levels of trace elements as well as indicators of inflammation including sialic acid (SA) contents and cholinesterase activity in cattle naturally infected with B. bigemina. An infected group comprised of 20 crossbred Holstein cattle (3-4 years old) were diagnosed to be positive by both microscopy and nested PCR assay. The infected animals were subdivided into two groups according to their parasitemia rates (<20 % and>20 %). Furthermore, 10 healthy cattle were included as the control. The infection caused severe anemia in a parasitemia-burden dependent fashion. The activities of catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as well as the levels of TAC, zinc, selenium, copper and manganese were significantly decreased as the parasitemia increased, accordingly. However, the activity of superoxide dismutase as well as the levels of malondialdehyde, protein carbonylation, DNA damage and iron, were significantly elevated in a parasitemeia-burden dependent manner. Additionally, glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly elevated with the lower rate of parasitemia, but the higher rate had no significant effect as compared to control. Moreover, total, protein and lipid binding SA contents were significantly increased but the activities of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase were significantly reduced, parasitemia dependently. Conclusively, the infection was remarkably associated with the induction of anemia, oxidative stress and inflammation.