Stress oxydant et vieillissement

Synthesis, characterization, and investigation of the antioxidant activity of some 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxides bearing sulfonylthioureas moieties

A series of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxides bearing a sulfonylthiourea moiety were synthesized, characterized, and screened for their antioxidant activity, using six antioxidant analytical assays comparatively to reference compounds, ascorbic acid and quercetin. The results indicated that several compounds demonstrated strong antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, and lipid peroxidation assays where some of them were either as active as or more active than reference compounds. However, all compounds were largely less active than references compounds in the reducing power assay. The results indicated that the thiourea moiety probably played a crucial role in the antioxidant activity of the target compounds, as a thiolate ion. The most favorable R1groups were the hydrogen atom and methyl group, followed by phenyl and benzyl groups, whereas the most favorable R2group was iPr, followed by the phenyl and methyl groups. The combination of benzothiadiazine ring with sulfonylthiourea moieties led to valuable new antioxidants, which could be used in the treatment or the prevention of certain diseases or in the field of cosmetics, which needs further investigations in the future.

Cognitive impairment, genomic instability and trace elements

Cognitive impairments are often related to aging and micronutrient deficiencies. Various essential micronutrients in the diet are involved in age-altered biological functions such as, zinc, copper, iron, and selenium that play pivotal roles either in maintaining and reinforcing the antioxidant performances or in affecting the complex network of genes (nutrigenomic approach) involved in encoding proteins for biological functions. Genomic stability is one of the leading causes of cognitive decline and deficiencies or excess in trace elements are two of the factors relating to it. In this review, we report and discuss the role of micronutrients in cognitive impairment in relation to genomic stability in an aging population. Telomere integrity will also be discussed in relation to aging and cognitive impairment, as well as, the micronutrients related to these events. This review will provide an understanding on how these three aspects can relate with each other and why it is important to keep a homeostasis of micronutrients in relation to healthy aging. Micronutrient deficiencies and aging process can lead to genomic instability.

Oxidative damage and alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities in the kidneys of rat exposed to trichloroacetic acid: protective role of date palm fruit

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and protective properties of date fruit aqueous extract (DFAE) on trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-induced nephrotoxicity in rat. Oral administration of TCA as drinking water (0.5 and 2 g/L) daily for 2 months caused nephrotoxicity as evident by elevated levels of plasma creatinine, urea, and uric acid. Activity of antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), was decreased, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were increased along with histopathological injuries. The oral administration of DFAE (4 mL/kg/day) to TCA-treated groups proved some significant correction by increasing the antioxidant activity of the CAT and GPx enzymes and normalizing the SOD activity and the MDA level (p < 0.05). It also protected kidney's histology and normalized the functions of this organ. It could be concluded that DFAE has a protective role against TCA-induced oxidative stress in rat, thereby protecting the renal tissue from TCA-induced damage.

Zinc intake and status in middle-aged and older European subjects: the ZENITH study

OBJECTIVE

Inadequate intakes of micronutrients in elderly negatively affect the nutritional status. Zinc is an essential micronutrient in the elderly, especially in relation to its impact on immune function, bone mass, cognitive function and oxidative stress. However, data are lacking on zinc intake and status during normal ageing. In this study, we evaluate the intake and status of zinc in late middle-aged and older free-living subjects.

DESIGN

Dietary zinc intake and zinc status in 188 middle-aged subjects from Clermont-Ferrand (Fr) and Coleraine (UK), and in 199 older subjects from Grenoble (Fr) and Roma (It) were assessed at the entry in the ZENITH study.

RESULTS

In relation to the zinc RDA for people older than 55 y, zinc intakes in most of the middle-aged and older subjects (more than 96%) in the present study were adequate. Older people had significantly lower (P < 0.01) energy intakes as compared to middle-aged. Zinc intake expressed per MJ was also significantly (P < 0.01) higher in older people compared to middle-aged. Erythrocyte and urinary zinc concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in middle-aged subjects compared to older ones. The prevalence of biological Zn deficiency in free-living ageing European people was low (<5%).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study showed a relatively low prevalence of zinc deficiencies in healthy free-living late middle-age and older subjects. These results should be useful for health professionals to have reference data on zinc intake and status for a healthy ageing.