Effect of supplementation with Cu and Zn on antioxidant enzyme activity in the rat tissues

Zinc based metal organic framework with antibacterial and anti- inflammatory properties for promoting wound healing

The synergistic effect of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory is needed to overcome the problem of wound healing difficulties. Based on the favorable antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect of zinc ions (Zn²⁺) and the physicochemical properties of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), we prepared nanosized zinc-based MOF: Zn-BTC with the ability to slowly release Zn²⁺. In cellular levels, Zn-BTC possessed lower toxicity to fibroblasts and enhanced capacity of cell proliferation and migration. It also had good bactericidal effect on multiple drug-resistant bacteria by reducing 41.4% MRSA and 47.2% Escherichia coli. In addition, Zn-BTC also displayed the ability of lowering the expression of antioxidant genes: superoxide dismutase 1, superoxide dismutase 2 and interleukin 6, and enhancing the expression of wound healing genes: transforming growth factors-β and type I collagen. Finally, it also demonstrated that Zn-BTC could effectively improve the skin wound healing of SD rats and had no toxicity on major organs. The favorable biocompatibility, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Zn-BTC gave a new insight of designing novel MOFs for promoting skin wound healing.

Reactive Oxygen Species-Regulating Strategies Based on Nanomaterials for Disease Treatment

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an essential role in physiological and pathological processes. Studies on the regulation of ROS for disease treatments have caused wide concern, mainly involving the topics in ROS-regulating therapy such as antioxidant therapy triggered by ROS scavengers and ROS-induced toxic therapy mediated by ROS-elevation agents. Benefiting from the remarkable advances of nanotechnology, a large number of nanomaterials with the ROS-regulating ability are developed to seek new and effective ROS-related nanotherapeutic modalities or nanomedicines. Although considerable achievements have been made in ROS-based nanomedicines for disease treatments, some fundamental but key questions such as the rational design principle for ROS-related nanomaterials are held in low regard. Here, the design principle can serve as the initial framework for scientists and technicians to design and optimize the ROS-regulating nanomedicines, thereby minimizing the gap of nanomedicines for biomedical application during the design stage. Herein, an overview of the current progress of ROS-associated nanomedicines in disease treatments is summarized. And then, by particularly addressing these known strategies in ROS-associated therapy, several fundamental and key principles for the design of ROS-associated nanomedicines are presented. Finally, future perspectives are also discussed in depth for the development of ROS-associated nanomedicines.

Effect of Dietary Flaxseed Oil Supplementation on the Redox Status, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Horses' Blood

Simple Summary

Flaxseed oils have long been used in animal feeding and human nutrition due to the beneficial effects of their biologically active substances, especially omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the replacement of soybean oil (SO) with flaxseed oil (FO) in the horses’ diet on biochemical, haematological, and redox status parameters of the blood. We found FO contributed to an improvement of lipid profile, haematological parameters of the blood and enhanced antioxidant defence mechanisms of horses. This suggests that substitution of SO with FO in the diet of horses is beneficial for their health status.

Abstract

This study compared the effect of two dietary vegetable oils on plasma biochemical indices, haematological parameters, and redox status of horses. Forty riding horses (20 mares and 20 stallions) of the Malopolski breed were divided equally into two groups that were similar in terms of age, sex, and body weight (on average 530 ± 30 kg). The horses received soybean oil (SO) or flaxseed oil (FO) in the amount of 25 mL per 100 kg BW/day. After 60 days, blood was collected for biochemical and haematological analyses. The results show that horses receiving FO as compared to the SO group had significantly lower plasma levels of glucose, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and triacylglycerols, as well as the activities of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. In turn, %HDL-TC and lactate dehydrogenase activity were significantly higher in the FO group. The inclusion of FO in the diet contributed to an increase in antioxidant indices: creatinine, vitamin C, copper, and zinc contents and also superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The level of the end product of lipid peroxidation, i.e., malonyl dialdehyde, in the FO group as compared to the SO group was significantly lower. Moreover, FO caused an elevation in red blood cell indicators, lymphocyte count and lysozymes. In conclusion, FO exerts a beneficial effect by stimulating antioxidant defence mechanisms of horses and reducing the severity of oxidative stress. FO also improved the lipid profile and haematological parameters of the blood. The replacement of SO by FO is recommended based on these findings.

Zinc-enriched probiotics enhanced growth performance, antioxidant status, immune function, gene expression, and morphological characteristics of Wistar rats raised under high ambient temperature

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc-enriched probiotics (ZnP) on growth performance, antioxidant status, immune function, related gene expression, and morphological characteristics of Wistar rats raised under high heat stress condition during summer. 36, 6-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups; fed with basal diet (control), basal diet with probiotics (P), and basal diet with zinc-enriched probiotics supplementation (ZnP, 100 mg/L), for 40 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected through intracardiac method on the last day of experiment and tissues were collected from liver, heart, and kidneys. The results revealed that both P and ZnP significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced growth performance. However, ZnP remarkably increased glutathione content, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities but reduced malondialdehyde level in serum of the Wistar rats. The concentration of IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ was significantly (P < 0.05) increased with treatments of P and ZnP compared to control group while IL-10 was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Additionally, the expression of SOD1, SOD2, MT1, and MT2 genes was significantly (P < 0.05) up-regulated with the treatment of ZnP, but Hsp90 and Hsp70 heat shock genes were significantly (P < 0.05) down-regulated with the treatment of P and ZnP, respectively. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining showed that both P and ZnP supplementation treatments induced changes in villus height and intestinal wall thickness. In conclusion, zinc-enriched probiotics supplementation can improve the growth performance of Wistar rats under high ambient temperature through enhancing antioxidant status, immune function, related genes expression, and intestinal morphological characteristics. This product may serves as a potential nutritive supplement for Wistar rats under high heat stress conditions.

The effect of copper nanoparticles and copper (II) salt on redox reactions and epigenetic changes in a rat model

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a diet containing different levels of Cu in two different chemical forms (carbonate and nanoparticles) on redox reactions and epigenetic changes in a rat model. For 4 weeks, five experimental groups (eight rats in each) were fed diets with two dosages of added Cu (standard-6.5 mg/kg or half of the standard dosage-3.25 mg/kg, and as a negative control no additional Cu in the mineral mixture) in two forms (standard-CuCO₃ and copper nanoparticles). Addition of Cu nanoparticles resulted in higher Cp (ceruloplasmin) activity and LOOH (lipid peroxides) and MDA (malondialdehyde) content, as well as decrease the CAT (catalase) activity and level of PC (protein carbonyl), 3-NT (3-nitrotyrosine), 8-OHdG (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine), GSH + GSSG (total glutathione) and DNA methylation. Reducing the dose of copper resulted in a decrease in the level of LOOH and GSH + GSSG as well as CAT activity, but increased the level of PC and methylated DNA. Based on these evidence, we concluded that addition of copper nanoparticles in the diet reduces protein oxidation and nitration as well as DNA oxidation and methylation. Lowering the level of Cu in the diet increases the oxidation of proteins and DNA methylation.

Excess of dietary montmorillonite impairs growth performance, liver function, and antioxidant capacity in starter pigs

Montmorillonite (MMT) is widely used as a mycotoxin adsorbent in animal feeds, but its safety remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the safety of MMT supplementation in diets fed to starter pigs. A total of 120 32-d-old piglets (initial weight, 8.0 ± 0.9 kg) were randomly allotted into dietary treatments with graded MMT levels (0 [FS 0], 0.5% [FS 0.5], 1.0% [FS 1.0], 2.5% [FS 2.5], and 5.0% [FS 5.0]) with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. All diets were fed for 28 d. As the MMT level increased, ADG and G:F changed in a linear and quadratic manner, while ADFI was linearly decreased ( > 0.05). Compared with FS 0, ADG, ADFI, and G:F of pigs in FS 1.0 increased ( < 0.05). However, the ADFI in pigs of FS 5.0 was lower than that in pigs of FS 0 ( < 0.05). The relative liver weight activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) changed in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Compared with FS 0, pigs in FS 2.5 and FS 5.0 had a greater serum ALT ( < 0.05), while AST activity significantly increased in pigs of FS 5.0 ( < 0.05). Dietary MMT supplementation decreased serum Mg content in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05), while Zn and Cu contents were linearly decreased ( < 0.05). Serum Zn and Cu contents of pigs in FS 0.5, FS 2.5, and FS 5.0 groups were lower than those in the control. Pigs fed with 2.5% and 5% MMT showed hepatic histopathological changes, including swelling, granular and vesicular degeneration, and apparent vacuolar degeneration. In addition, the content of serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) decreased in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Compared to the control, 5.0% MMT significantly increased piglets' serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and decreased GSH-PX activity ( < 0.05). T-AOC concentration in the pigs fed 2.5% and 5.0% MMT was lower than that in the control group ( < 0.05). Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity changed in a quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Piglets in FS 1.0 showed a higher SOD activity when compared with the control ( < 0.05). These results indicate that supplementation of MMT higher than 1.0% can negatively affect liver structure and serum mineral content, and 5.0% MMT supplementation would also decrease feed intake, aggravate liver damage, and reduce the antioxidant capacity of starter pigs. Therefore, excess supplementation of MMT is not safe in starter pigs.

Trace Elements Analysis in Drinking Water of Meghalaya by Using Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and in relation to Environmental and Health Issues

Determination of the certain major and trace elements was carried out in drinking water supply scheme in three districts of Meghalaya. This work aims to identify trends resulting in the deterioration of drinking water which is also a potential source of environmental contaminants. About 50 samples, each from one district, were collected both from the source and various tanks and tap. The elements determined are Li, Na, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Ag, Au, Pb, Cd, Se, Ca, K, and Mg. The pH is slightly lower than neutral pH of 7 while the turbidity is very high even after treatment. The concentrations of Ca and Mg are found to be deficient. The elements Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Mo, and Pb decrease after treatment while Mn, Cu, and Cd increase slightly after treatment. Se concentration is found to be much higher than expected. The results were compared with the standard recommendation values for the quality of drinking water. This study provides a general indication of where water-quality constituent concentrations met or exceeded water-quality standards and the data presented in this report will be useful from public health point of view.

Effects of zinc glycine chelate on oxidative stress, contents of trace elements, and intestinal morphology in broilers

Three hundred and sixty healthy Ross × Ross 1-day-old broilers were used to study the effects of zinc glycine chelate (Zn-Gly) on oxidative stress, contents of trace elements, and intestinal morphology. All broilers were randomly assigned to six treatment groups, which replicates three times. Diets were as follows: (1) control (containing 29.3 mg zinc (Zn)/kg basic diet (0-21 days) and 27.8 mg Zn/kg (22-42 days)); (2) basic diet plus 30 mg Zn/kg from Zn-Gly; (3) basic diet plus 60 mg Zn/kg from Zn-Gly; (4) basic diet plus 90 mg Zn/kg from Zn-Gly; (5) basic diet plus 120 mg Zn/kg from Zn-Gly; and (6) positive control, basic diet plus 120 mg Zn/kg from zinc sulfate (ZnSO(4)). The results showed that the addition of 90 or 120 mg/kg Zn-Gly led to an improvement of activity of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and a reduction of malondialdehyde content in livers at 21 and 42 days. With 90 mg/kg Zn-Gly, the content of sera zinc increased by 17.55% (P < 0.05) in 21-day broilers and 10.77% (P > 0.05) in 42-day broilers compared with that of the control. Adding 120 mg/kg Zn-Gly or ZnSO(4) to broilers' diets greatly enhanced the content of zinc in feces at 21 days (P < 0.05) and at 42 days (P < 0.05). For 42-day chickens, increased villus height and decreased crypt depth of the jejunum could be observed in the second growth stage of broilers fed with 90 mg/kg Zn-Gly. Also, intestinal wall thickness decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, adding 90 mg/kg Zn-Gly to the diet markedly elevated villus length of duodenum and decreased crypt depth of ileum (P < 0.05) in 42-day broilers.

Effect of inorganic and organic zinc supplementation on coccidial infections in goat kids

The aim of this study was to identify the effect of zinc-enriched diet fed to goats and their kids on the number of Coccidia oocysts shed by kids, on clinical signs of coccidiosis, weight gains, and kids’ blood plasma concentration of zinc. A total of 22 goat kids were divided into 4 groups of 5 or 6 animals. Goats and kids from the control group did not receive any additional zinc, the second group was supplemented with inorganic zinc (zinc oxide), the third group was given zinc lactate, and the fourth group received chelated zinc. Samples of kids’ faeces were taken weekly from 3 to 9 weeks of their age (a total of 7 samples were taken). Samples of faeces were examined by a quantitative method to detect the number of oocysts. Kids were weighed weekly and their blood was taken in order to determine zinc concentrations in blood plasma. Animals from the group supplemented with zinc chelate and zinc lactate shed a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower number of oocysts (13.4% and 11.9%, respectively) compared to the number of oocyst shed by control and zinc oxide supplemented groups (25% and 49.7%, respectively). Shedding of oocysts was not accompanied by clinical symptoms of coccidiosis in any of the groups. Kids supplemented with zinc chelate showed significantly highest weight gains and blood plasma concentration of zinc (p ≤ 0.05) as compared to control and inorganic zinc supplemented groups. Organic zinc is to be recommended to be used as a prophylaxis against coccidiosis in goat kids.

Preparation of selenium/zinc-enriched probiotics and their effect on blood selenium and zinc concentrations, antioxidant capacities, and intestinal microflora in canine

The aim of this study was to prepare Se/Zn-enriched probiotics and investigate their effect on blood Se and Zn concentrations, blood antioxidant capacities, and intestinal microflora in canine. The preparation was performed in a single-factor experiment. The optimal culture conditions were as follows: the initial concentrations of Se(4+) and Zn(2+) were 5 and 150 µg/ml, respectively; the inoculation volume was 5%; and the liquid volume of the medium was 50 ml in a 250-ml flask. The medium was then cultured at 32°C for 36 h. The biomass of the final product was 26.83 g/l, organic Se concentration was 173.35 µg/g, organic Zn concentration was 4.38 mg/g, Candida utilis biomass was 8.69 lg colony-forming units (CFU)/ml, and Lactobacillus biomass was 9.61 lg CFU/ml. In vivo, 20 indigenous dogs were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups for a 35-day study and fed a basal diet or a diet supplemented with 2.0 g of Se/Zn-enriched probiotics. Blood and fecal samples were collected on days 0, 15, and 30 of the experiment. Compared with the control group, the blood Se concentration; the blood Zn concentration; the activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity in the blood; and the amount of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the feces increased in the supplemented group during the period of supplementation (P < 0.01), while malondialdehyde level in the blood and the amounts of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus in the feces decreased in the supplemented group (P < 0.01).

Effects of dietary zinc and L-arginine supplementation on total antioxidants capacity, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, egg weight, and blood biochemical values in Japanese quails

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of dietary zinc and L-arginine supplementation on blood total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), some blood chemistry parameters, and egg weights of laying quails. Three groups of Japanese quails were fed with a diet containing L-arginine (5 mg/kg), zinc (60 mg/kg), and normal basal diet (control) for 30 days. TAC, lipid peroxidation, and biochemical analysis were performed in the blood of animals. L-Arginine and zinc supplementation improved TAC and reduced MDA concentrations compared to the control (P<0.05). In comparison to the control, blood NO concentrations were increased by Larginine (P<0.01) and zinc treatment (P<0.05). Both zinc (P<0.001) and L-arginine (P< 0.01) supplementation significantly increased egg weight in laying quails. Some of the blood chemistry parameters were also altered by the treatment of L-arginine and zinc supplementation. No difference was found in blood albumin and creatinine levels among the groups. Blood glucose (P=0.833) and total protein (P=0.264) levels in control and Larginine-treated groups were found to be similar. Glucose and total protein levels were decreased in zinc-supplemented animals compared to the control and L-arginine groups (P< 0.05). No difference was found in triglyceride levels between control and zinc-applied groups (P=0.197). However, L-arginine treatment reduced the blood triglyceride levels compared to the control (P<0.05). In conclusion, L-arginine and zinc supplementation could be beneficial and effective for decreasing oxidative stress, boosting antioxidant capacity, and improving egg weight in the blood of the animals.

Effects of zinc on hepatic antioxidant systems and the mRNA expression levels assayed by cDNA microarrays in rats

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated effects of zinc on the hepatic lipid peroxidation, antioxidant components and mRNA expression levels in rats.

METHODS

Three diets with different Zn levels including Zn adequacy (ZA; 34.50 mg/kg, control), Zn deficiency (ZD; 3.30 mg/kg), and Zn overdose (ZO; 345.45 mg/kg) were fed to rats for 6 weeks. The mRNA expression levels were analyzed by cDNA microarrays.

RESULTS

The body weight of rats fed the ZD diet was less (p < 0.01) than that of rats fed the ZA diet. Zn overdose elevated body weight, but the increase was not detected (p > 0.05) at week 6. Although copper and iron status in serum were declined (p < 0.01), those in liver were not affected (p > 0.05) by the high intake of zinc. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) remained unchanged (p > 0.05) by zinc treatment. Rats fed the ZD diet showed reductions(p < 0.01) in the Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, and increases (p < 0.01) in the malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) contents. Rats fed the ZO diet particularly had higher Cu-Zn SOD (p < 0.01) activity. The mRNA expression levels of SOD were upregulated in the ZO group, and CAT was downregulated in the ZD group, while no changes in GPx mRNA levels were found after zinc treatment.

CONCLUSION

The study suggested that zinc deficiency largely decreased body weight; zinc overdose, however, moderately stimulated growth in the early growing phase of rats. High dietary zinc did not compete with liver copper and iron status. Although Zn deficiency impaired antioxidant functions, zinc overdose hardly enhanced the antioxidant systems of animals.

Characterization of an inducible isoform of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis

Aerobic organisms are protected against oxidative stress by antioxidant systems which mobilise enzymes such as the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) which transfers O2(.-) to H2O2. In this paper, we report the characterization of three isoforms of Cu/Zn-SOD in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis and we show that one of these isoforms is strongly inducible. Cytosolic extracts of digestive gland and gills from adult blue mussels were analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or isoelectric focusing followed by in situ staining for SOD activity. Two main bands of Cu/Zn-SOD were obtained at pI 4.7 and 4.6 corresponding to native apparent molecular weight values of 205 and 155 kDa. Blue mussels from chemically contaminated area in Le Havre harbour exhibited a third Cu/Zn-SOD isoform characterized by a more acidic isoelectric point (pI 4.55) and a native apparent molecular weight of 130 kDa. When maintained in clean marine water, mussels from this area showed a transitory decrease in total SOD activity accompanied by the disappearance of the SOD-3 band. Conversely, the exposure (4 and 8 h, and 3 and 7 days) of control blue mussels to copper (25 microg l(-1)) markedly increased SOD-3 band while the total SOD activity did not systematically change. Taken together our results suggest that the variations of SOD expression pattern in Mytihus edulis could be used as a tool for the marine environment monitoring.