Effect of dietary zinc or copper deficiency on catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in rat heart

Effects of Zinc Status on Expression of Zinc Transporters, Redox-Related Enzymes and Insulin-like Growth Factor in Asian Sea Bass Cells

Since Asian sea bass is one of the economically most important fish, aquaculture conditions are constantly optimized. Evidence from feeding studies combined with the current understanding of the importance of zinc for growth and immune defense suggest that zinc supplementation may be a possible approach to optimize aquacultures of Asian sea bass. To investigate the effects of zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation, cells from Asian sea bass were incubated in culture medium with different zinc contents. The expression of genes, important for zinc homeostasis, redox metabolism, and growth hormones was analyzed using RT-PCR. Zinc deficiency induced the expression of certain zinc transporters (ZIP14, ZIP10, ZIP6, ZIP4, ZnT4, ZnT9) as well as of SOD1, IGF I and IGF II, while expression of ZnT1 and metallothionein (MT) was reduced. Zinc supplementation decreased the expression of ZIP10, while expression of ZnT1 and MT were elevated. No differences in the effects of zinc supplementation with zinc sulfate compared to supplementation with zinc amino acid complexes were observed. Thus, extracellular zinc conditions may govern the cellular zinc homeostasis, the redox metabolism and growth hormone expression in cells from Asian sea bass as reported for other fish species. Our data indicate that supplementing aquacultures with zinc may be recommended to avoid detriments of zinc deficiency.

Association between dietary intake of some antioxidant micronutrients with some inflammatory and antioxidant markers in active Rheumatoid Arthritis patients

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. Antioxidants intake and body antioxidants status are important in patients with RA. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary intake of some antioxidant micronutrients with some inflammatory and antioxidant markers in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and comparison with Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, eighty-seven patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were included. Dietary antioxidants intake was measured using 24-hour recall questionnaire and food record (3 days). Blood levels of inflammatory and antioxidant markers were determined by laboratory tests. The association between intake of antioxidants with inflammatory and antioxidant markers, and also with RDA were determined using Paired-Samples t-test and Pearson correlation by SPSS software. Results: The findings showed that intakes of vitamin E, zinc, and magnesium in patients were significantly lower and intakes of copper and selenium were significantly higher than RDA (P < 0.05). Significant negative correlations were observed between vitamin A intake with PGE2 [R = -0.31], vitamin C intake with IL-1β [R = -0.25], zinc intake with PGE2 [R = -0.30], IL-2 [R = -0.23], and the activity of glutathione reductase enzyme [R = -0.21], magnesium intake with PGE2 [R = -0.24], IL-1β [R = -0.23] and IL-2 [R = -0.25], and selenium intake with PGE2 [R = -0.21] (P < 0.05). Also, significant positive correlations were observed between intakes of vitamin E and copper with catalase enzyme activity [R = 0.22 and R = 0.21 respectively] (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Some of the antioxidant micronutrients play important roles in the reduction of inflammatory conditions and improve the function of antioxidant enzymes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Influence of dietary carbohydrate on zinc-deficiency-induced changes in oxidative defense mechanisms and tissue oxidative damage in rats

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary carbohydrate type on the expression of zinc (Zn) deficiency in rats with respect to tissue oxidative damage and defense mechanisms. Rats were fed diets containing adequate (+Zn) or low concentrations (-Zn) of Zn. Both fructose- and glucose-based diets were tested. Pair-fed controls were also studied to evaluate changes in the oxidative defense system which are secondary to Zn-deficiency-induced anorexia. Plasma and liver Zn concentrations and CuZn superoxide dismutase activities were lower in the -Zn rats than in the +Zn rats. Liver glutathione (GSH) and disulfide glutathione concentrations were higher in the -Zn rats than in the +Zn rats; this difference was most pronounced in the fructose groups. Liver and heart selenium glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px) activities were lower in the -Zn-fructose group than in the +Zn-fructose group. Liver Se-GSH-Px activity was higher in the fructose groups than in the glucose groups. Liver GSH reductase (GSH-Red) activity was lower in the -Zn-fructose group than in its control group. Liver glutamine synthetase activity was lower in the -Zn-glucose group and in the fructose groups than in the glucose control group. Liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) production was similar among the groups. Collectively, these results support the concept that Zn deficiency can result in an impaired oxidant defense system. Based on the observation that pair-fed control animals also showed evidence of oxidative damage, we suggest that one factor that contributes to the effect of Zn deficiency is the reduction in caloric intake that occurs in these animals. Fructose feeding resulted in increased activities of several of the oxidant defense enzymes. Protein oxidative damage assessed by glutamine synthetase activity was increased by both Zn deficiency and fructose feeding.

Cardiovascular effects of dietary copper deficiency

Dietary copper deficiency may impair cardiovascular health by contributing to high blood pressure, enhancement of inflammation, anemia, reduced blood clotting and arteriosclerosis. The purpose of this review is to compile information on the numerous changes of the heart, blood and blood vessels that may contribute to these cardiovascular defects. These alterations include weakened structural integrity of the heart and blood vessels, impairment of the use of energy by the heart, reduced ability of the heart to contract, altered ability of blood vessels to control their diameter and to grow, and altered structure and function of circulating blood cells. The fundamental causes of these changes rest largely on reduced effectiveness of enzymes that depend on copper for their activity.

Effect of dietary caffeine and zinc on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, zinc, and copper concentration of the heart and liver in fast-growing rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between concentrations of Zn and Cu and the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the heart and liver of young rat pups whose dams were fed a diet supplemented with caffeine and/or Zn. Four groups of dams with their newborn pups were fed one of the following diets for 22 d: 20% protein basal diet; the basal diet supplemented with caffeine (2 mg/100 body wt); the basal diet supplemented with Zn (300 mg/kg diet); or the basal diet supplemented with caffeine plus Zn. The Cu levels in the livers of the pups were decreased by maternal intake of the caffeine and Zn diet. The maternal intake of the caffeine diet increased Mn-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity and Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,ZnSOD) in the heart of the pups. On the other hand, the activity of Cu,ZnSOD was significantly reduced in the liver of pups whose dams consumed a caffeine, Zn, or caffeine plus Zn diet. Cu,ZnSOD activity in the liver of the pups seems to be correlated with Cu levels in the tissue. Selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the heart and liver showed no difference among the groups. The effect of dietary caffeine and/or Zn on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the heart and liver were different in young rats. The activities of these enzymes in the heart were lower than in the liver of 22-d-old rats. Our experiments indicate that the heart has limited defenses against the toxic effects of peroxides when compared to the liver.

Effects of chronic caffeine feeding on the activities of oxygen free radical defense enzymes in the growing rat heart and liver

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between concentration of Zn, Cu and Fe, and the catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in the heart and liver of newborn rats whose dams were fed a diet supplemented with caffeine. Heart Zn levels of the 22- and 30-day-old rats of the caffeine group showed a decrease, whereas liver Zn levels showed an increase compared to the control. Cu levels in the liver at day 22 in the caffeine group were less than in the control. Cu- and Zn-containing superoxide dismutase activities showed an increase in the hearts of the caffeine group compared to the control. The activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase showed no difference in the heart and liver between the groups. The present study suggests the possible involvement of superoxide dismutase enzyme in the impairment of heart formation as a result of chronic caffeine intake in the early growing period.

Localization of metallothionein in aged human brain

The localization of metallothionein (MT), a small molecular weight heavy metal binding protein in aged human brain, was investigated by immunohistochemical techniques. The amount of MT and heavy metals (Zn, Cu) were also assayed by radioimmunoassay and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. Immunohistochemically, MT was found in the pia mater, ependymal cells, protoplasmic astrocytes nand glial processes neuropil of the gray matter and fibrous astrocytes of the white matter of the telencephalon, whereas oligodendroglia and microglia did not show any positive immunostaining for MT. Cytoplasm, glial processes and some nuclei of protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes showed strong MT immunostaining. Vascular feet and adventitia were also positive for MT immunostaining. Moreover, the pia mater, astrocytes and ependyma in the diencephalon, mesencephalon, pons, medulla oblongata and spinal cord showed the same positive immunostaining for MT as the telencephalon. In the cerebellum, Bergmann's glia, protoplasmic astrocytes of the granular layer and fibrous astrocytes of the white matter showed strongly positive immunostaining for MT. According to the radioimmunoassay, the amount of MT in the brain was relatively high at about 39.3 +/- 9.5 micrograms/g wet weight; of the heavy metals in the brain, zinc and copper were detected.

The physiological role of zinc as an antioxidant

The purpose of this review is to consider whether an essential biochemical function of zinc (Zn) is to serve as an antioxidant. Zn has been shown to have an antioxidant role(s) in defined chemical systems. Two mechanisms have been elucidated; the protection of sulfhydryl groups against oxidation and the inhibition of the production of reactive oxygens by transition metals. Supraphysiological concentrations of Zn have antioxidant-like effects in organelle-based systems and isolated cell-based systems in vitro. Administration of pharmacological doses of Zn in vivo has a protective effect against general and liver-specific prooxidants. Dietary Zn deficiency causes increased susceptibility to oxidative damage in membrane fractions from some tissues suggesting that increased oxidative stress may be a small but significant component of the pathology observed in dietary Zn deficiency. However, the biochemical basis for Zn deficiency pathology remains unelucidated; critical antioxidant functions for Zn may still be uncovered.