Hydrogen peroxide produced by superoxide dismutase SOD-2 activates sperm in Caenorhabditis elegans

The role of polydatin in inhibiting oxidative stress through SIRT1 activation: A comprehensive review of molecular targets

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Reynoutria japonica Houtt is a medicinal plant renowned for its diverse pharmacological properties, including heat-clearing, toxin-removing, blood circulation promotion, blood stasis removal, diuretic action, and pain relief. The plant is commonly utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and its major bioactive constituents consist of polydatin (PD) and resveratrol (RES).

AIM OF THE STUDY

To summarize the relevant targets of PD in various oxidative stress-related diseases through the activation of Silence information regulator1 (SIRT1). Furthermore, elucidating the pharmacological effects and signaling mechanisms to establish the basis for PD's secure clinical implementation and expanded range of application.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature published before November 2023 on the structural analysis and pharmacological activities of PD was collected using online databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science. The keywords were "polydatin", "SIRT1" and "oxidative stress". The inclusion criteria were research articles published in English, including in vivo and in vitro experiments and clinical studies. Non-research articles such as reviews, meta-analyses, and letters were excluded.

RESULTS

PD has been found to have significantly protective and curative effects on diseases associated with oxidative stress by regulating SIRT1-related targets including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), p38/p53, as well as endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOs), among others. Strong evidence suggests that PD is an effective natural product for treating diseases related to oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

PD holds promise as an effective treatment for a wide range of diseases, with SIRT1-mediated oxidative stress as its potential pathway.

Mild hyperhomocysteinemia alters oxidative stress profile via Nrf2, inflammation and cholinesterases in cardiovascular system of aged male rats

Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, whose mechanisms are poorly understood. We aimed to explore mild hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) effects on oxidative status, inflammatory, and cholinesterase parameters in aged male Wistar rats (365 days old). Rats received subcutaneous Hcy (0.03 μmol/g body weight) twice daily for 30 days, followed by euthanasia, blood collection and heart dissection 12 h after the last injection. Results revealed increased dichlorofluorescein (DCF) levels in the heart and serum, alongside decreased antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and diminished acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the heart. Serum butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) levels also decreased. Furthermore, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein content decreased in both cytosolic and nuclear fractions, while cytosolic nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) p65 increased in the heart. Additionally, interleukins IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 showed elevated expression levels in the heart. These findings could suggest a connection between aging and HHcy in CVD. Reduced Nrf2 protein content and impaired antioxidant defenses, combined with inflammatory factors and altered cholinesterases activity, may contribute to understanding the impact of Hcy on cardiovascular dynamics. This study sheds light on the complex interplay between HHcy, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cholinesterases in CVD, providing valuable insights for future research.

Sulforaphane Exposure Prevents Cadmium-Induced Toxicity and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans by Regulating the Insulin/Insulin-like Growth Factor Signaling (IIS) Pathway

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans and animals. Its adverse effects have been widely associated with mitochondrial alterations. However, there are not many treatments that target mitochondria. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of sulforaphane (SFN) pre-exposure against cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced toxicity and mitochondrial alterations in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), by exploring the role of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS). The results revealed that prior exposure to SFN protected against CdCl2-induced mortality and increased lifespan, body length, and mobility while reducing lipofuscin levels. Furthermore, SFN prevented mitochondrial alterations by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and restoring mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, thereby decreasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The improvement in mitochondrial function was associated with increased mitochondrial mass and the involvement of the daf-16 and skn-1c genes of the IIS signaling pathway. In conclusion, exposure to SFN before exposure to CdCl2 mitigates toxic effects and mitochondrial alterations, possibly by increasing mitochondrial mass, which may be related to the regulation of the IIS pathway. These discoveries open new possibilities for developing therapies to reduce the damage caused by Cd toxicity and oxidative stress in biological systems, highlighting antioxidants with mitochondrial action as promising tools.

Neonatal vitamin A supplementation improves sheep fertility potential

This study aimed to explore the effects of neonatal vitamin A (VA) supplementation on testis development and spermatogenesis. A total of 32 newborn lambs were intramuscularly injected with corn oil (control group) or corn oil + 2500 IU/kg BW VA (VA group). They were slaughtered and sampled at 3 weeks and 8 months of age to analyze spermatogenesis, cell proliferation, hormone secretion, antioxidant status of the testis, and adult sheep sperm parameters. Compared with the control group, the expression of spermatogonial differentiation-related genes in VA group was up-regulated (P < 0.05). Testis weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, number of spermatogonium and spermatocyte, and sperm density increased significantly in VA group at 8 months of age (P < 0.05). Neonatal VA injection upregulated the expression of the cell proliferation marker PCNA and cell cycle-related genes in the testis (P < 0.05). VA increased the concentrations of testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the serum and upregulated steroidogenesis-related genes in the testis (P < 0.05). The antioxidant levels in the VA group were maintained at high levels. The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), antioxidant enzyme content and antioxidant-related genes were increased in the testis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, neonatal VA injection activated retinoic acid (RA) signaling to maintain the blood-testosterone barrier (BTB) in the testis of 3-week-old sheep. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase B (AKT) signaling were also modulated in the sheep testis (P < 0.05). Taken together, VA supplementation in newborn rams promotes testis development and spermatogenesis to improve fertility.

Redox homeostasis in cardiac fibrosis: Focus on metal ion metabolism

Cardiac fibrosis is a major public health problem worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality, affecting almost all patients with heart disease worldwide. It is characterized by fibroblast activation, abnormal proliferation, excessive deposition, and abnormal distribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The maladaptive process of cardiac fibrosis is complex and often involves multiple mechanisms. With the increasing research on cardiac fibrosis, redox has been recognized as an important part of cardiac remodeling, and an imbalance in redox homeostasis can adversely affect the function and structure of the heart. The metabolism of metal ions is essential for life, and abnormal metabolism of metal ions in cells can impair a variety of biochemical processes, especially redox. However, current research on metal ion metabolism is still very limited. This review comprehensively examines the effects of metal ion (iron, copper, calcium, and zinc) metabolism-mediated redox homeostasis on cardiac fibrosis, outlines possible therapeutic interventions, and addresses ongoing challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

Elevated ROS Levels Caused by Reductions in GSH and AsA Contents Lead to Grain Yield Reduction in Qingke under Continuous Cropping

Continuous spring cropping of Qingke (Hordeum viilgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.) results in a reduction in grain yield in the Xizang autonomous region. However, knowledge on the influence of continuous cropping on grain yield caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced stress remains scarce. A systematic comparison of the antioxidant defensive profile at seedling, tillering, jointing, flowering, and filling stages (T1 to T5) of Qingke was conducted based on a field experiment including 23-year continuous cropping (23y-CC) and control (the first year planted) treatments. The results reveal that the grain yield and superoxide anion (SOA) level under 23y-CC were significantly decreased (by 38.67% and 36.47%), when compared to the control. The hydrogen peroxide content under 23y-CC was 8.69% higher on average than under the control in the early growth stages. The higher ROS level under 23y-CC resulted in membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) and accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) at later stages, with an average increment of 29.67% and 3.77 times higher than that in control plants. Qingke plants accumulated more hydrogen peroxide at early developmental stages due to the partial conversion of SOA by glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other production pathways, such as the glucose oxidase (GOD) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) pathways. The reduced regeneration ability due to the high oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to GSH ratio resulted in GSH deficiency while the reduction in L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH) activity in the AsA biosynthesis pathway, higher enzymatic activities (including ascorbate peroxidase, APX; and ascorbate oxidase, AAO), and lower activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) all led to a lower AsA content under continuous cropping. The lower antioxidant capacity due to lower contents of antioxidants such as flavonoids and tannins, detected through both physiological measurement and metabolomics analysis, further deteriorated the growth of Qingke through ROS stress under continuous cropping. Our results provide new insights into the manner in which ROS stress regulates grain yield in the context of continuous Qingke cropping.

A network pharmacology method explores the molecular mechanism of Coptis chinensis for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

To predict the molecular mechanisms of action of Coptis chinensis in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease using network pharmacology. The active ingredients and targets of Coptis chinensis were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database. Target information for Alzheimer's disease was screened using the GeneCard and OMIM databases. The Venn diagram tool was used to identify the intersecting targets of Coptis chinensis and Alzheimer's disease. The obtained target information was entered into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction network. The R language was used to perform Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses of significant targets. Auto Dock Vina software was used for molecular docking. Fourteen effective active ingredients and 158 key targets associated with Coptis chinensis were identified. There were 1113 targets related to Alzheimer's disease genes. A drug-component-disease-target network was constructed and 84 key targets were identified for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by Coptis chinensis. The main signaling pathways were the PI3K-Akt, AGE-RAGE, MAPK, HIF-1, TNF, and relaxin signaling pathways. The molecular docking results showed that berberine has a high affinity for Alzheimer's Disease. Coptis chinensis could play a multi-target and multi-pathway role against Alzheimer's disease, which has guiding significance for clinical research.

Effect of feeding corn silage on semen quality and spermatogenesis of bulls

Bovine reproduction, including male fertility traits like semen quality, are influenced by a variety of different factors like breed, nutrition, environment, and feeding management. Diet in a crucial determinant, and in this regard although corn silage is generally considered to be a favorable roughage for fattening meat type breeds, it tends to have a negative impact on semen quality. In the current study, alfalfa hay was substituted by corn silage as a roughage source in the diet of bulls to investigate its effects on the fertility of breeding bulls. A feeding trail spanning 140 days was conducted, with semen collection occurring twice a week commencing 60 days after the start of trial. Semen quality parameters, serum antioxidant indexes, sex hormone content in semen, rumen microflora, and sperm transcriptome were characterized. Feeding corn silage enhanced host antioxidant capacity, significantly decreased spermatozoal motility and increased sperm deformity rate in bulls. Furthermore, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) content in semen were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the inhibin B (INHB) content was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Feeding corn silage led to significant changes in the diversity of rumen microbiota of cattle at the phylum and genus levels, some of which were significantly correlated with semen quality. Subsequent RNA sequencing indicated that DHH and PITHD1, two genes related to sperm and reproductive development, were differentially expressed, and enrichment analysis also identified several pathways and biological functions relevant to sperm development and reproduction. These results indicate that feeding corn silage modulates semen quality via different pathways. Firstly, corn silage metabolites likely affect the secretion of INHB through the testicular capillaries, which affects semen quality by regulating genes involved in spermatogenesis. Secondly, low lignin content in silage corn appears to reduce abundance of rumen flora that are positively correlated with semen quality. Overall, results indicate that feeding bulls corn silage as the primary source of forage could negatively impact semen quality and may not be appropriate as the primary roughage of forage for breeding bulls.

Small noncoding RNAs and sperm nuclear basic proteins reflect the environmental impact on germ cells

BACKGROUND

Molecular techniques can complement conventional spermiogram analyses to provide new information on the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa and to identify early alterations due to environmental pollution.

METHODS

Here, we present a multilevel molecular profiling by small RNA sequencing and sperm nuclear basic protein analysis of male germ cells from 33 healthy young subjects residing in low and high-polluted areas.

RESULTS

Although sperm motility and sperm concentration were comparable between samples from the two sites, those from the high-pollution area had a higher concentration of immature/immune cells, a lower protamine/histone ratio, a reduced ability of sperm nuclear basic proteins to protect DNA from oxidative damage, and an altered copper/zinc ratio in sperm. Sperm levels of 32 microRNAs involved in intraflagellar transport, oxidative stress response, and spermatogenesis were different between the two areas. In parallel, a decrease of Piwi-interacting RNA levels was observed in samples from the high-polluted area.

CONCLUSIONS

This comprehensive analysis provides new insights into pollution-driven epigenetic alterations in sperm not detectable by spermiogram.

Inhibition of FSP1 impairs early embryo developmental competence in pigs

Ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) is a glutathione-independent ferroptosis inhibitory factor. FSP1 has been found to play a crucial role in the regulation of mitochondrial function and ferroptosis. However, its function in porcine early embryonic development remains unknown. In the present research, we found that FSP1 was expressed at different stages during porcine early embryo development. Compared with the control condition, inhibition of FSP1 reduced the cleavage rate at 24 h and 48 h and the blastocyst rate at 144 h. In addition, inhibiting FSP1 reduced the blastocyst diameter, total cell number, and proliferation capacity. Further analysis showed that inhibition of FSP1 significantly increased the levels of ferrous ions (Fe2+) and MDA but not GPX4. We also found that inhibition of FSP1 significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels, which in turn caused excessive accumulation of ROS and decreased the levels of GSH and the activity of the intracellular antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT in embryos. In conclusion, FSP1, an important regulator, participates in regulating the development and quality of porcine early embryos. Inhibition of FSP1 impairs blastocyst formation, induces glutathione-independent ferroptosis, and further leads to oxidative stress due to mitochondrial dysfunction, ultimately affecting the developmental competence and impairing the quality of porcine early embryos.

Association Study between Antioxidant Nutrient Intake and Low Bone Mineral Density with Oxidative Stress-Single Nucleotide Variants: GPX1 (rs1050450 and rs17650792), SOD2 (rs4880) and CAT (rs769217) in Mexican Women

Oxidative stress is essential in developing multiple bone metabolism diseases, including osteoporosis. Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been associated with oxidative stress, promoting an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the ability to neutralize them, and it has been reported that antioxidant nutrient intake can influence bone mineral density (BMD). This work reports the association between oxidative stress-related SNVs (GPX1-rs1050450, rs17650792, SOD2-rs4880, and CAT-rs769217), BMD, and antioxidant nutrient intake. The study included 1269 Mexican women from the Health Workers Cohort Study. Genotyping was performed using predesigned TaqMan assays. Dietary data were collected using a 116-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A dietary antioxidant quality score (DAQS) was used to estimate antioxidant-nutrient intake. Association analysis was estimated via linear, logistic, or quantile regression models. The results showed an association of the rs1050450-A and rs17650792-A alleles with femoral neck BMD (p = 0.038 and p = 0.017, respectively) and the SNV rs4880-A allele with total hip BMD (p = 0.026) in respondents aged 45 years or older. In addition, antioxidant-nutrient intake was associated with the rs4880-GG genotype, being significant for fiber (p = 0.007), riboflavin (p = 0.005), vitamin B6 (p = 0.034), and vitamin D (p = 0.002). The study showed an association between oxidative stress-related SNVs, BMD, and antioxidant-nutrient intake in Mexican women. Therefore, treatments for low BMD could be developed based on antioxidant supplementation.

Ginsenoside Rg3 improves microcystin-induced cardiotoxicity through the miR-128-3p/MDM4 axis

Microcystin (MC) is the byproduct of cyanobacteria metabolism that is associated with oxidative stress and heart damage. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on MC-induced cardiotoxicity. A mouse model of myocardial infarction was constructed by oral MC administration. H9C2 cells were used for in vitro analysis. Cellular oxidative stress, apoptosis, and the relationship between miR-128-3p and double minute 4 protein (MDM4) were analyzed. MiR-128-3p expression was upregulated in vitro and in vivo after MC treatment, which was downregulated after Rg3 treatment. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) were increased and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was decreased after Rg3 treatment. Moreover, Rg3 alleviated MC-induced pathological changes and apoptosis in myocardial tissues. Meanwhile, Rg3 treatment decreased the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and inhabited cell apoptosis and oxidative stress in MC-treated myocardial cells. MiR-128-3p overexpression attenuated the protective effect of Rg3 on MC-induced cardiotoxicity. MiR-128-3p negatively regulated MDM4 expression. This study revealed that Rg3 alleviated MC-induced cardiotoxicity through the miR-128-3p/MDM4 axis, which emphasized the potential of Rg3 as a therapeutic agent for MC-induced cardiotoxicity, and miR-128-3p as a target for the Rg3 therapy.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide improves mitochondrial metabolism of osteoarthritis chondrocytes through PPARγ/SOD2/ROS pathways

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease, which is characterized by wear of articular cartilage and narrow joint space, resulting in joint movement disorder. At present, accurate molecular mechanisms and effective interventions are still being explored. Here, we propose that angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) alleviates OA progression by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Therapeutic effect of ASP improving mitochondrial metabolism of OA chondrocytes was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, respectively. During cell experiments, the concentration and time response of tert butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and ASP were determined by cell viability. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial metabolism was detected by reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), release of cytochrome C, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) activity. Expressions of Aggrecan, collagen type II (Col2a1), PPARγ, and SOD2 were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. In animal experiments, we detected cell apoptosis and target protein expression separately through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining and immunohistochemistry. Pretreatment of ASP significantly activated PPARγ and SOD2 in rat chondrocytes incubated with TBHP, cleared ROS, improved mitochondrial metabolism, increased chondrocytes viability, and alleviated chondrocytes apoptosis. In vivo, the administration of ASP could effectively ameliorate cartilage degeneration in OA rats, promote extracellular matrix synthesis, and decelerate the progress of OA. Our research identifies the role of ASP in mitochondrial metabolism of OA chondrocytes through PPARγ/SOD2/ROS pathways, which provides a new idea for the treatment of OA.

Mitochondrial Calcium Overload Plays a Causal Role in Oxidative Stress in the Failing Heart

Heart failure is a serious global health challenge, affecting more than 6.2 million people in the United States and is projected to reach over 8 million by 2030. Independent of etiology, failing hearts share common features, including defective calcium (Ca2+) handling, mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, and oxidative stress. In cardiomyocytes, Ca2+ not only regulates excitation-contraction coupling, but also mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress signaling, thereby controlling the function and actual destiny of the cell. Understanding the mechanisms of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and the molecular pathways involved in the regulation of increased mitochondrial Ca2+ influx is an ongoing challenge in order to identify novel therapeutic targets to alleviate the burden of heart failure. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms underlying altered mitochondrial Ca2+ handling in heart failure and the potential therapeutic strategies.

Deciphering the mechanism of jujube vinegar on hyperlipoidemia through gut microbiome based on 16S rRNA, BugBase analysis, and the stamp analysis of KEEG

Background

Growing data indicate that the gut microbiome may contribute to the rising incidence of hyperlipoidemia. Jujube vinegar lowers lipids, protects the liver, and reduces oxidant capacity, however, it is unknown whether this is due to the gut flora. To further research the role of the gut microbiome in treating hyperlipidemia with jujube vinegar, we looked into whether the action of jujube vinegar is related to the regulation of the gut microbiome.

Method

Thirty male ICR mice were used. The control group (CON), the high-fat diet (HFD) group, and the vinegar group (VIN) each consisted of ten female ICR mice fed consistently for eight weeks. For each treatment, we kept track of body mass, liver index, blood lipid levels, and oxidative stress state. We also analyzed mouse feces using high-throughput 16srRNA sequencing to examine the relationship between jujube vinegar's hypolipidemic effect and antioxidant activity and how it affects the gut microbiome.

Results

Jujube vinegar reduced body weight by 19.92%, serum TC, TG, and LDL-C by 25.09%, 26.83%, and 11.66%, and increased HDL-C by 1.44 times, serum AST and ALT decreased by 26.36% and 34.87% respectively, the blood levels of SOD and GSH-Px increased 1.35-fold and 1.60-fold, respectively. While blood MDA decreased 33.21%, the liver's SOD and GSH-Px increased 1.32-fold and 1.60-fold, respectively, and the liver's MDA decreased 48.96% in HFD mice. The gut microbiome analysis revealed that jujube vinegar increased the intestinal microbial ASV count by 13.46%, and the F/B (Firmicutes/Bacteroidota) ratio by 2.08-fold in high-fat diet mice, and the proportion was significantly inversely correlated with TC, TG, and LDL-C and positively correlated with HDL-C. Biomarker bacteria in the vinegar group included Lactobacillaceae and Lactobacillus, which correlated favorably with HDL-C, SOD, and GSH-Px and negatively with LDL-C, TC, and TG. Jujube vinegar increased the abundance of the Aerobic, Contains Mobile Elements, and Facultative Aerobic by 2.84 times, 1.45 times, and 2.40 times, while decreased the abundance of Potential pathogens by 44.72%, according to the BugBase study. The KEGG analysis showed that jujube vinegar was predominantly reflected in the biological process of gene function and related to signal transduction pathways, including glucagon signaling system, HIF-1 signaling pathway, adipocytokine signaling pathway, amino sugar, and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and so forth.

Conclusion

Based on these findings, jujube vinegar may reduce hyperlipoidemia by controlling the gut microbiome and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

Exocarpium Citri Grandis alleviates the aggravation of NAFLD by mitigating lipid accumulation and iron metabolism disorders

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Exocarpium Citri grandis (ECG, Huajuhong in Chinese), the epicarp of C. grandis 'Tomentosa', has been used for hundreds of years as an anti-inflammatory, expectorant, hypoglycemic, and lipid-lowering medication in China. Nevertheless, there have been few papers that have explored the mechanism behind ECG's hypolipidemic characteristics from the perspective of treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

AIM OF STUDY

The purpose of our study was to confirm the therapeutic and preventative effects of ECG in NAFLD by regulating lipid accumulation and iron metabolism, and to explore the specific mechanism of ECG in enhancing hepatic iron transport and excretion capabilities.

STUDY DESIGN

We constructed a NAFLD model by feeding male C57BL/6 J mice with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Mice were gavaged with ECG beginning in the seventh week of modeling, and three dosage gradients were established: low dose group (2.5 g/kg/d), medium dose group (5 g/kg/d) y, and high dose group (10 g/kg/d) until the end of model construction in week 12.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used network pharmacology to analyze the relationship between ECG and NAFLD. In addition, we constructed a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease model by feeding male C57BL/6 J mice a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Finally, lipid accumulation, iron accumulation, inflammation and oxidative stress were evaluated by serological index detection, histological detection, immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical staining, and western blotting.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology confirmed the treatment effect of ECG in NAFLD. Three active components of ECG, including Naringenin, Naringin and Neohesperidin, were detected by UHPLC-HRMS analysis. The results of serum TC, TG, LDL concentration, HE staining, Oil red staining and Nile red staining demonstrated that ECG could improve lipid metabolism disorders. The results of serum iron concentration, liver tissue iron concentration, iron metabolism-related proteins Ferritin light chain, Ferroportin1, Transferrin receptor, and Transferrin demonstrated that ECG improved the iron transport and storage capacities of hepatic cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that ECG relieved liver injury by inhibiting lipid accumulation and iron accumulation in NAFLD.

The role of mitochondrial dynamics imbalance in hexavalent chromium-induced apoptosis and autophagy in rat testis

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant that can cause reproductive toxicity. However, the exact mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced testis toxicity remains largely elusive. This study aims to explore the possible molecular mechanism of Cr(VI)-provoked testicular toxicity. Male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with 0, 2, 4, or 6 mg/kg body weight/day of potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇), respectively, for 5 weeks. The results revealed that Cr(VI)-treated rat testis presented varying degrees of damage in a dose-dependent manner. Concretely, Cr(VI) administration suppressed Sirtuin 1/Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α pathway and led to mitochondrial dynamics disorder, along with the elevation of mitochondrial division and the repression of mitochondrial fusion. Meanwhile, the downstream effector of Sirt1, nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), was downregulated, and correspondingly exacerbated oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dynamics disorder and Nrf2 inhibition collectively contribute to abnormal mitochondrial dynamics in testis, which further promotes apoptosis and autophagy, evidenced by dose-dependently increasing the protein levels and gene expressions of apoptosis-related (including Bcl-2-associated X protein, cytochrome c, and cleaved-caspase 3) and autophagy-related (Beclin-1, ATG4B, and ATG5). Collectively, our results demonstrate that Cr(VI) exposure induced testis apoptosis and autophagy by disrupting the balance of mitochondrial dynamics and the oxidation-reduction process in rats.

Novel Antioxidant Peptides Identified from Arthrospira platensis Hydrolysates Prepared by a Marine Bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. JS4-1 Extracellular Protease

Crude enzymes produced by a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. JS4-1 were used to hydrolyze phycobiliprotein. Enzymatic productions showed good performance on DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities (45.14 ± 0.43% and 65.11 ± 2.64%, respectively), especially small peptides with MWCO <3 kDa. Small peptides were fractioned to four fractions using size-exclusion chromatography and the second fraction (F2) had the highest activity in hydroxyl radical scavenging ability (62.61 ± 5.80%). The fraction F1 and F2 both exhibited good antioxidant activities in oxidative stress models in HUVECs and HaCaT cells. Among them, F2 could upregulate the activities of SOD and GSH-Px and reduce the lipid peroxidation degree to scavenge the ROS to protect Caenorhabditis elegans under adversity. Then, 25 peptides total were identified from F2 by LC-MS/MS, and the peptide with the new sequence of INSSDVQGKY as the most significant component was synthetized and the ORAC assay and cellular ROS scavenging assay both illustrated its excellent antioxidant property.

The relationship between cognitive impairment and superoxide dismutase activity in untreated first-episode patients with schizophrenia

Objectives: Cognitive decline is an essential characteristic of schizophrenia and may be due to the disturbance between reactive oxygen species generation and antioxidant capacity. The study aimed to explore the association between cognitive deficits and antioxidant defence parameters in untreated first-episode patients with schizophrenia.Methods: We determined important antioxidant enzymes, total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and manganese SOD (MnSOD), and their relationship with cognitive impairment in 168 untreated patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 168 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The evaluation of psychopathological symptoms of all patients was based on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). We measured cognitive function by the Repeated Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and activities of total SOD and MnSOD in all participants.Results: The results showed that untreated patients with first-episode schizophrenia had deficient cognitive functioning in four RBANS indices and total scores, except for the visuospatial/constructional index, as well as higher plasma total SOD activity compared with the control subjects. In addition, significant negative correlations were identified between MnSOD activity and attention index or RBANS total score in patients.Conclusions: Our results suggest that oxidative stress may be partly responsible for cognitive dysfunction in the early course of schizophrenia.

A review of plants formaldehyde metabolism: Implications for hazardous emissions and phytoremediation

The wide use of hazardous formaldehyde (CH₂O) in disinfections, adhesives and wood-based furniture leads to undesirable emissions to indoor environments. This is highly problematic as formaldehyde is a highly hazardous and toxic compound present in both liquid and gaseous form. The majority of gaseous and atmospheric formaldehyde derive from microbial and plant decomposition. However, plants also reversibly absorb formaldehyde released from for example indoor structural materials in such as furniture, thus offering beneficial phytoremediation properties. Here we provide the first comprehensive review of plant formaldehyde metabolism, physiology and remediation focusing on release and absorption including species-specific differences for maintaining indoor environmental air quality standards. Phytoremediation depends on rhizosphere, temperature, humidity and season and future indoor formaldehyde remediation therefore need to take these biological factors into account including the balance between emission and phytoremediation. This would pave the road for remediation of formaldehyde air pollution and improve planetary health through several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Clinical Research Progress of Small Molecule Compounds Targeting Nrf2 for Treating Inflammation-Related Diseases

Studies have found that inflammation is a symptom of various diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA); it is also the source of other diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), lupus erythematosus (LE), and liver damage. Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is an important multifunctional transcription factor in cells and plays a central regulatory role in cellular defense mechanisms. In recent years, several studies have found a strong association between the activation of Nrf2 and the fight against inflammation-related diseases. A number of small molecule compounds targeting Nrf2 have entered clinical research. This article reviews the research status of small molecule compounds that are in clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, lupus erythematosus, and liver injury.

Serum superoxide dismutase level is a potential biomarker of disease prognosis in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by the Hantaan virus

Background

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a disease with increased systemic inflammation and a high fatality rate. Oxidative stress is crucial for inflammation in the pathogeneses of various diseases. We aimed to identify biomarkers of oxidative stress that may assess the severity and disease outcomes of patients with HFRS.

Methods

Between January 2015 and September 2018, we analyzed a retrospective cohort of 149 HFRS patients and 30 healthy individuals. Serum levels of SOD were measured using an ELISA commercial kit, and survival analysis was carried out using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Patients with HFRS had significantly lower serum SOD levels compared with healthy controls (108.40 ± 2.47 U/mL vs 164.23 ± 3.82 U/mL, P < 0.01). SOD levels in patients were lower at acute than at convalescent stage (108.40 ± 2.47 U/mL vs 138.27 ± 2.87 U/mL, P < 0.01), and in severe and critical patients than in moderate and mild patients (89.63 ± 2.38 U/mL vs 122.53 ± 3.18 U/mL, P < 0.01). A serum level of SOD < 88.6 U/mL at admission was associated with a significant increase in mortality risk in HFRS patients.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that serum levels of SOD measured at admission can be used to assess disease severity and assign patients into high- and low-risk groups. SOD can be considered a novel biomarker of severity and outcomes in patients with HFRS.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07394-3.

Mitigation of DSS-Induced Colitis Potentially via Th1/Th2 Cytokine and Immunological Function Balance Induced by Phenolic-Enriched Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) Bee Pollen Extract

Colitis is an inflammatory disease that results from the overactivation of effector immune cells, producing a high quantity of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our study aimed to explore whether buckwheat (F. esculentum) bee pollen extract (FBPE) could inhibit the progression of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis via regulating immune function. We isolated and identified six main phenolic compounds of FBPE such as luteolin (9.46 mg/g) by column chromatography, HPLC-DAD, ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy, then assessed their effects on colonic mucosal injury by clinical symptoms, histomorphology and immunohistochemistry examinations. The results showed that FBPE at 25.2 g/kg body weight (g/kg BW) changed the clinical symptoms of colitis, the ICAM-1 expression in colon, the activity of related inflammatory mediators in colon tissue and helped restore the immune system. Compared with the model group (40.28%), the CD4 positivity was significantly reduced in the HD (High-dose group: 25.2 g FBPE/kg BW/day) group (20.45%). Administration of 25.2 g/kg BW of FBPE decreased the IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-4 levels, while enhancing the IL-10 level, and significantly inhibited the abnormally decreased IgG (Model: 13.25 mg/mL, HD: 14.06 mg/mL), showing a reversal effect on the Th1/Th2 levels in colitis. These findings suggested that FBPE at 25.2 g/kg BW had the effects of alleviating colitis and immunomodulation, which can help in the development of safe and effective immune therapy.

Oxidative stress is involved in the activation of NF-κB signal pathway and immune inflammatory response in grass carp gill induced by cypermethrin and/or sulfamethoxazole

At present, the concentration of environmental pollutants, such as pesticides and antibiotics exposed in environment, especially in aquatic environment is increasing. Research on environmental pollutants has exploded in the last few years. However, studies on the combined effects of pesticides and antibiotics on fish are rare, especially the toxic damage to gill tissue is vague. In this paper, cypermethrin (CMN) and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) were analyzed and found that there was a strong correlation between the pathways affected by the first 30 genes regulated by CMN and SMZ, respectively. Therefore, the toxic effects of CMN (0.651 μg L^-1) and/or SMZ (0.3 μg L^-1) on grass carp gill were studied in this paper. Histopathology, quantitative real-time PCR, and other methods were used to detect the tissue morphology, oxidative stress level, inflammation, and apoptosis-related indicators of the fish gills after exposure of 42 days. It was found that compared with the single exposure (CMN/SMZ) group, the combined exposure (MIX) group had a more pronounced oxidative stress index imbalance. At the same time, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signal pathway was activated and immuno-inflammatory reaction appeared in MIX group. The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in the rising range is 2.94 times that of the C group, while the expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8) is as high as 32.67 times. This study reveals the harm of CMN and SMZ to fish, and provides a reference and basis for the rational use of pesticides and antibiotics.

Cyclosporine A Induces Cardiac Developmental Toxicity in Zebrafish by Up-Regulation of Wnt Signaling and Oxidative Stress

Due to the widely application of Cyclosporine A (CsA) as an immunosuppressant in clinic, it is necessary to study its potential toxicity. Therefore, we used zebrafish as a model animal to evaluate the toxicity of CsA on embryonic development. Exposure of zebrafish embryos to CsA at concentrations of 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L, and 15 mg/L from 12 hpf to 72 hpf resulted in abnormal embryonic development, including cardiac malformation, pericardial edema, decreased heart rate, decreased blood flow velocity, deposition at yolk sac, shortened body length, and increased distance between venous sinus and arterial bulb (SV-BA). The expression of genes related to cardiac development was disordered, and the apoptotic genes were up-regulated. Oxidative stress level was up-regulated and accumulated in pericardium in a dose-dependent manner. Astaxanthin (ATX) treatment could significantly alleviate zebrafish heart defects. CsA induced up-regulation of Wnt signaling in zebrafish, and IWR-1, an inhibitor of Wnt signaling pathway, could effectively rescue the heart defects induced by CsA. Together, our study indicated that CsA induced cardiac developmental toxicity in zebrafish larvae through up-regulating oxidative stress and Wnt signaling, contributing to a more comprehensive evaluation of the safety of the drug.

Circulatory antioxidant and oxidative stress markers are in correlation with demographics but not cognitive functions in multiple sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common non-traumatic cause of disability in younger adults. MS can be presented with a wide range of symptoms such as cognitive impairment (CI). Oxidative stress (OXS) is a major basis of the pathogenesis of MS. There is a positive correlation between OXS factors and the progression of the disease in MS patients. There are limited studies regarding the role of OXS in MS-related CI. In this study, as an exploratory analysis, we assess the role of endogenous antioxidants and OXS factors in cognitive function, the severity of disability due to MS, and demographic findings in a sample of MS patients.

METHODS

Adult (>18 years old) patients with a definite diagnosis of MS based on 2017 revised MacDonald criteria were included in this study. The neurophysiological assessment was conducted, using the validated Persian version of minimal assessment of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (MACFIMS) battery, which is composed of seven different tests. Based on the structure of the battery, CI was defined as a failure in at least two different components of the MACFIMS battery. The patients were separated into two groups of CI and non-CI. Examined antioxidant factors included catalase Activity (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase 1 (GPX1), Glutathione Peroxidase 2 (GPX2), Reduced Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Malondialdehyde (MDA) was also measured as an OXS marker.

RESULTS

71 patients were involved in this study. The type of MS was relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) in 80.28% of the participants. Disease duration (P<0.01), type of MS (p<0.01), and EDSS score (p<0.01) were different between CI and non-CI groups, but there were not any significant differences in CAT (p = 0.80), GPX1 (p = 0.71), GPX2 (p = 0.41), GSH (p = 0.96), TAC (p = 0.13), SOD (p = 0.37), and MDA (p = 0.82). A significant difference between RRMS and progressive MS (PMS) patients in the levels of GPX1 (p = 0.01), GPX2 (p = 0.01), and SOD (p = 0.01) was observed. Also, we found higher circulatory levels of CAT (p = 0.02) and TAC (p<0.01) in male MS patients. We found significant correlations between aging and CAT (R = 0.28; p = 0.01), GPX1 (R = 0.36; p<0.01), GPX2 (R = 0.34; p<0.01), and SOD (R = 0.40; p<0.01). EDSS, the duration of the disease, relapse rate, and the number of impaired cognitive tasks were not correlated with any of investigated OXS or antioxidant factors (p>0.05). In terms of a detailed investigation of associations between MACFIMS battery components and levels of OXS and antioxidant factors, there were no significant relations in this regard (p>0.05). Based on the logistic regression multivariate analysis, only disease duration (p = 0.03) and GPX1 (p = 0.01) were independently associated with CI in MS patients in our sample.

CONCLUSION

The circulatory levels of GPX1, GPX2, and SOD are significantly different between RRMS and PMS patients. Neither endogenous antioxidants nor MDA, as an OXS biomarker, are associated with the cognitive function or level of physical disability in MS patients. Limitations of this study suggest a need for future studies in a larger sample of MS patients.

Bitter Gourd Honey Ameliorates Hepatic and Renal Diabetic Complications on Type 2 Diabetes Rat Models by Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms

Honey has several pharmacological effects, including anti-diabetic activity. However, the effectiveness of bitter gourd honey (BGH) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties of BGH on the kidney and liver of a streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat model.

METHODS

A single dose (nicotinamide 110 mg/kg, streptozotocin (STZ) 55 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) was used to induce DM in male rats. For 28 days, normal or diabetic rats were administered 1 g/kg/day and 2 g/kg/day of BGH orally. After the treatment, blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected and analysed for biochemical, histological, and molecular parameters. In addition, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to identify the major bioactive components in BGH.

RESULTS

The administration of BGH to diabetic rats resulted in significant reductions in alanine transaminase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and urea levels. Diabetic rats treated with BGH showed lesser pathophysiological alterations in the liver and kidney as compared to non-treated control rats. BGH-treated diabetic rats exhibited reduced levels of oxidative stress (MDA levels), inflammatory (MYD88, NFKB, p-NFKB, IKKβ), and apoptotic (caspase-3) markers, as well as higher levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) in the liver and kidney. BGH contains many bioactive compounds that may have antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects.

CONCLUSION

BGH protected the liver and kidney in diabetic rats by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis-induced damage. As a result, BGH can be used as a potential therapy to ameliorate diabetic complications.

Long-term seasonal and temporal changes of hydrogen peroxide from cyanobacterial blooms in fresh waters

In water, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is produced through abiotic and biotic reactions with organic matter, including algal cells. The production of H₂O₂ is influenced by harmful algal cell communities and toxicity. However, only a few studies have been conducted on H₂O₂ concentrations in natural water. Particularly, the seasonal and temporal patterns of H₂O₂ concentration suggest that H₂O₂ generation from aquatic microorganisms could be identified to compare of photochemical production from dissolved organic matter. Study area is a source of raw water and is a large artificial lake located near a metropolitan city. Due to various environmental conditions, harmful algal blooms frequently occur in summer. The purpose of this study was to trace the H₂O₂ concentration and water quality parameters of study area where algal bloom occurs and what factors directly affect the H₂O₂ concentration. Experiments were performed on the influencing factors via water samples from study area and lab-scale culture tank. The lake produces an average of 553 nM H₂O₂, which increases by more than three times (1460 nM) in summer compared the winter. The lake (18.6-23.8 nMh^-1) produced more H₂O₂ than streams (7.4-9.0 nMh^-1) during daylight hours. All water sites presented the lowest production rates in dark conditions (1.1-1.5 nMh^-1). Daytime environment increased the generation rate more than the nighttime. The trend of H₂O₂ produced by algal cells was similar to that of the growth of algal cells. The exposure to external substances (heavy metals and antibiotics) increased the incidence by approximately five times; antibiotics were more influential than heavy metals.

Zinc is an intracellular signal during sperm activation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Sperm activation is a rapid and dramatic cell differentiation event that does not involve changes in transcription, and the signaling cascades that mediate this process have not been fully defined. zipt-7.1 encodes a zinc transporter, and zipt-7.1(lf) mutants display sperm-activation defects, leading to the hypothesis that zinc signaling mediates sperm activation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we describe the development of a method for dynamic imaging of labile zinc during sperm activation using the zinc-specific fluorescence probe FluoZin-3 AM and time-lapse confocal imaging. Two phases of dynamic changes in labile zinc levels were observed during sperm activation. Forced zinc entry using the zinc ionophore pyrithione activated sperm in vitro, and it suppressed the defects of zipt-7.1(lf) mutants, indicating that high levels of cytosolic zinc are sufficient for sperm activation. We compared activation by zinc pyrithione to activation by extracellular zinc, the Na+/H+ antiporter monensin and the protease cocktail pronase in multiple mutant backgrounds. These results indicate that the protease pathway does not require zinc signaling, suggesting that zinc signaling is sufficient to activate sperm but is not always necessary.

L. reuteri ZJ617 inhibits inflammatory and autophagy signaling pathways in gut-liver axis in piglet induced by lipopolysaccharide

Background

This study investigated the protective effects of L. reuteri ZJ617 on intestinal and liver injury and the underlying mechanisms in modulating inflammatory, autophagy, and apoptosis signaling pathways in a piglet challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods

Duroc × Landrace × Large White piglets were assigned to 3 groups (n = 6/group): control (CON) and LPS groups received oral phosphate-buffered saline for 2 weeks before intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of physiological saline or LPS (25 μg/kg body weight), respectively, while the ZJ617 + LPS group was orally inoculated with ZJ617 for 2 weeks before i.p. of LPS. Piglets were sacrificed 4 h after LPS injection to determine intestinal integrity, serum biochemical parameters, inflammatory signaling involved in molecular and liver injury pathways.

Results

Compared with controls, LPS stimulation significantly increased intestinal phosphorylated-p38 MAPK, phosphorylated-ERK and JNK protein levels and decreased IκBα protein expression, while serum LPS, TNF-α, and IL-6 concentrations (P < 0.05) increased. ZJ617 pretreatment significantly countered the effects induced by LPS alone, with the exception of p-JNK protein levels. Compared with controls, LPS stimulation significantly increased LC3, Atg5, and Beclin-1 protein expression (P < 0.05) but decreased ZO-1, claudin-3, and occludin protein expression (P < 0.05) and increased serum DAO and D-xylose levels, effects that were all countered by ZJ617 pretreatment. LPS induced significantly higher hepatic LC3, Atg5, Beclin-1, SOD-2, and Bax protein expression (P < 0.05) and lower hepatic total bile acid (TBA) levels (P < 0.05) compared with controls. ZJ617 pretreatment significantly decreased hepatic Beclin-1, SOD2, and Bax protein expression (P < 0.05) and showed a tendency to decrease hepatic TBA (P = 0.0743) induced by LPS treatment. Pretreatment of ZJ617 before LPS injection induced the production of 5 significant metabolites in the intestinal contents: capric acid, isoleucine 1TMS, glycerol-1-phosphate byproduct, linoleic acid, alanine-alanine (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that ZJ617 pretreatment alleviated LPS-induced intestinal tight junction protein destruction, and intestinal and hepatic inflammatory and autophagy signal activation in the piglets.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-021-00624-9.

Mitoquinone does not improve sperm cryo-resistance in bulls

Oxidative stress is associated with impaired post‐thaw sperm quality. As mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in sperm, the goal of this study was to evaluate effects of the mitochondria‐targeting antioxidant Mitoquinone (MitoQ) during cryopreservation of bull sperm. Semen was collected from 11 Simmental bulls (two ejaculates per bull) and diluted in Triladyl^® supplemented with various concentrations of MitoQ (0, 0.2, 2, and 20 nM) to a final concentration of 65 × 10⁶ sperm/ml. After thawing (0 and 3 hr), we assessed the following sperm traits: sperm motility by computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA), DNA fragmentation index by SCSA^® and plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, intracellular calcium concentration, esterase activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and synthesis of ROS using two multicolour flow cytometric assays. After 3 hr of incubation, 20 nM MitoQ increased (p < .05) sperm ROS synthesis compared to Control, whereas none of the other quality parameters were altered (p > .05). Therefore, we concluded that addition of MitoQ to semen extender before cryopreservation of bull sperm was unable to improve post‐thaw sperm quality. Furthermore, 20 nM of MitoQ increased frozen‐thawed sperm ROS synthesis, without apparent negative effects on the evaluated sperm traits.

The characterization, expression and activity analysis of three superoxide dismutases in Eriocheir hepuensis under azadirachtin stress

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) can effectively eliminate of excess ROS, which causes oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. In this study, we cloned the CuZn-SOD, cMn-SOD1, and cMn-SOD2 genes in Eriocheir hepuensis, and found that the coding sequence (CDS) lengths were 627 bp, 861 bp and 1062 bp, which encoded 208, 286, and 353 amino acids, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all SOD genes were evolutionarily conserved, while cMn-SOD2 had an extra gap (67 amino acids) in the conserved domain compared with cMn-SOD1 without huge changes in the tertiary structure of the conserved domain, suggesting that cMn-SOD2 may be a duplicate of cMn-SOD1. qRT-PCR showed that the three SOD genes were widely expressed in all the tested tissues, CuZn-SOD and cMn-SOD1 were mostly expressed in the hepatopancreas, while cMn-SOD2 was mostly expressed in thoracic ganglia. Under azadirachtin stress, the oxidation index of surviving individuals, including the T-AOC, SOD activity, and MDA contents increased in the early stage and then remained steady except for a decrease in MDA contents in the later stage. qRT-PCR showed that the three SOD genes displayed the same trends as SOD activity in surviving individuals, and the highest expressions of CuZn-SOD in the hepatopancreas, heart, and gill were 14.16, 1.41, and 30.87 times that of the corresponding control group, respectively. The changes were 1.35, 5.77 and 3.33 fold for cMn-SOD1 and 1.62, 1.71 and 1.79 fold for cMn-SOD2, respectively. However, the activity and expression of SOD genes in dead individuals were lower than that observed in surviving individuals. These results reveal that SOD plays a significant role in the defence against azadirachtin-induced oxidative stress.

In-gel SOD assay reveals SOD-2 is the single active, water-soluble SOD enzyme in C. elegans

The nematode C. elegans has a contingent of five sod genes, one of the largest among aerobic organisms. Earlier studies revealed each of the five sod genes is capable of making perfectly active SOD proteins in heterologous expression systems therefore none appears to be a pseudogene. Yet deletion of the entire contingent of sod genes fails to impose any effect on the survival of C. elegans except these animals appear more sensitive to extraneously applied oxidative stress conditions. We asked how many of the five sod genes are actually making active SOD enzymes in C. elegans through the usage of in-gel SOD activity analysis and by using KCN as a selective inhibitor against Cu-ZnSOD enzyme(s). Here we provide evidence that out of the five SOD proteins only the mitochondrial SOD is active in the water-soluble fraction of C. elegans extracts albeit at an apparently much lower activity than the multiple active SODs in D. melanogaster and E. coli. We had no opportunity to test the activity of Sod-4a isoform which is possibly a membrane-bound form of SOD. The mutant analysis further confirmed that among the two mitochondrial SOD proteins, SOD-2 is the only naturally active SOD in C. elegans.

OsLEA1a overexpression enhances tolerance to diverse abiotic stresses by inhibiting cell membrane damage and enhancing ROS scavenging capacity in transgenic rice

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are involved in diverse abiotic stresses tolerance in many different organisms. Our previous studies have shown that the heterologous expression of OsLEA1a interfered with the resistance of Escherichia coli to abiotic stresses. However, in the present study, based on growth status and physiological indices of rice plant, the overexpression of OsLEA1a in rice conferred increased resistance to abiotic stresses compared with the wild-type (WT) plants. Before applying abiotic stresses, there were no significant differences in physiological indices of rice seedlings. After NaCl, sorbitol, CuSO4 and H2O2 stresses, the transgenic lines had lower relative electrical conductivity, malondialdehyde and lipid peroxidation, greater the contents of proline, soluble sugar and glutathione, and higher the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase than the WT plants. The results indicate that the OsLEA1a gene is involved in the protective response of plants to various abiotic stresses by inhibiting cell membrane damage and enhancing reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity. It was speculated that post-translational modification causes OsLEA1a functional differences in E. coli and rice. The present study shows that OsLEA1a could be a useful candidate gene for engineering abiotic stress tolerance in cultivated plants.

AQP3-mediated H2 O2 uptake inhibits LUAD autophagy by inactivating PTEN

It is widely accepted that redox reprogramming participates in malignant transformation of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the source of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the downstream signaling regulatory mechanism are complicated and unintelligible. In the current study, we newly identified the aquaporin 3 (AQP3) as a LUAD oncogenic factor with capacity to transport exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) and increase intracellular ROS levels. Subsequently, we demonstrated that AQP3 was necessary for the facilitated diffusion of exogenous H₂ O₂ in LUAD cells and that the AQP3-dependent transport of H₂ O₂ accelerated cell growth and inhibited rapamycin-induced autophagy. Mechanistically, AQP3-mediated H₂ O₂ uptake increased intracellular ROS levels to inactivate PTEN and activate the AKT/mTOR pathway to subsequently inhibit autophagy and promote proliferation in LUAD cells. Finally, we suggested that AQP3 depletion retarded subcutaneous tumorigenesis in vivo and simultaneously decreased ROS levels and promoted autophagy. These findings underscore the importance of AQP3-induced oxidative stress in malignant transformation and suggest a therapeutic target for LUAD.

SOD2 Alleviates Hearing Loss Induced by Noise and Kanamycin in Mitochondrial DNA4834-deficient Rats by Regulating PI3K/MAPK Signaling

Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2)-mediated gene therapy has significant protective effects against kanamycin-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss in the inner ear, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Herein, an in vivo aging model of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)4834 deletion mutation was established using D-galactose, and the effects of noise or kanamycin on inner ear injury was investigated. Rats subjected to mtDNA4834 mutation via D-galactose administration showed hearing loss characterized by the disruption of inner ear structure (abnormal cell morphology, hair cell lysis, and the absence of the organ of Corti), increased SOD2 promoter methylation, and an increase in the degree of apoptosis. Exposure to noise or kanamycin further contributed to the effects of D-galactose. SOD2 overexpression induced by viral injection accordingly counteracted the effects of noise and kanamycin and ameliorated the symptoms of hearing loss, suggesting the critical involvement of SOD2 in preventing deafness and hearing-related conditions. The PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways were also regulated by noise/kanamycin exposure and/or SOD2 overexpression, indicating that they may be involved in the therapeutic effect of SOD2 against age-related hearing loss.

Sex differences in the association between symptoms and superoxide dismutase in patients with never-treated first-episode schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES

Considering the sex differences and oxidative stress in the pathophysiological mechanism of schizophrenia (SCZ), we explored the sex differences in clinical characteristics and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as their relationship in never-treated first-episode (NTFE) patients with SCZ in the Han Chinese population, which has not been reported yet.

METHODS

Total SOD and manganese SOD (MnSOD) activities were examined in 165 NTFE patients with SCZ (male/female = 98/67) and 133 healthy controls (male/female =70/63). Psychopathological symptoms were evaluated by a five-factor model of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).

RESULTS

SCZ patients had higher plasma total SOD activity than healthy controls (p < .01). In healthy controls, the total SOD activity was significantly higher in males than that in females (p < .001), but not in patients group (p > .05). Further, Multiple regression analysis revealed that in male patients, the PANSS depressive factor was independently positively correlated with MnSOD or total SOD activity (both p < .01), while in female patients, the MnSOD activity was positively related to the PANSS positive symptom score (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate sex differences in the relationship between SOD activities and psychopathological symptoms in the early stage of SCZ.

Heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) regulates Golgi stress and attenuates endotoxin-induced acute lung injury through hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/HO-1 signaling pathway

Sepsis caused acute lung injury (ALI) is a kind of serious disease in critically ill patients with very high morbidity and mortality. Recently, it has been demonstrated that Golgi is involved in the process of oxidative stress. However, whether Golgi stress is associated with oxidative stress in septic induced acute lung injury has not been elucidated. In this research, we found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation and Golgi morphology changes in acute lung injury both in vivo and in vitro. The knockout of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) aggravated oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and reduced the expression of Golgi matrix protein 130 (GM130), mannosidase Ⅱ, Golgi-associated protein golgin A1 (Golgin 97), and increased the expression of Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3), which caused the fragmentation of Golgi. Furtherly, the activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/HO-1 pathway, attenuates Golgi stress and oxidative stress by increasing the levels of GM130, mannosidase Ⅱ, Golgin 97, and decreasing the expression of GOLPH3 both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, the activation of HO-1 plays a crucial role in alleviating sepsis-induced acute lung injury by regulating Golgi stress, oxidative stress, which may provide a therapeutic target for the treatment of acute lung injury.

Incomplete proline catabolism drives premature sperm aging

Infertility is an increasingly common health issue, with rising prevalence in advanced parental age. Environmental stress has established negative effects on reproductive health, however, the impact of altering cellular metabolism and its endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) on fertility remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate the loss of proline dehydrogenase, the first committed step in proline catabolism, is relatively benign. In contrast, disruption of alh-6, which facilitates the second step of proline catabolism by converting 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) to glutamate, results in premature reproductive senescence, specifically in males. The premature reproductive senescence in alh-6 mutant males is caused by aberrant ROS homeostasis, which can be countered by genetically limiting the first committed step of proline catabolism that functions upstream of ALH-6 or by pharmacological treatment with antioxidants. Taken together, our work uncovers proline metabolism as a critical component of normal sperm function that can alter the rate of aging in the male reproductive system.

Effects of electrotactic exercise and antioxidant EUK-134 on oxidative stress relief in Caenorhabditis elegans

Antioxidant uptake and regular exercise are two well-acknowledged measures used for rejuvenation and oxidative stress elimination. Previous studies have revealed that moderate exercise mildly increases intracellular signaling oxidant levels and strengthens the ability of an organism to deal with escalating oxidative stress by upregulating antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase. Antioxidant supplementation directly scavenges intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) to reduce oxidative stress. However, research to understand the impacts of these enzymes on mitigating oxidative stress from the perspective of simple animals is limited. Herein, we show that exercise combined with antioxidant supplementation ameliorates the physiological phenotypes and markers of aging in wild-type and SOD/CAT-deficient Caenorhabditis elegans. We discovered that treated wild-type and gene-deficient worms show better survivorship, reproduction, and motility compared with their control counterparts. Assays of biochemical indices revealed that variations in sod-3 expression under different stress levels imply an inducible enzyme response resulting from exercise training and antioxidant supplementation. In addition, induced ROS resistance obtained from any type of treatment could persist for several days even after treatment cessation, thus suggesting a potential long-term antioxidative stress effect. Our findings confirm that exercise, antioxidant supplementation, and their combination could significantly improve the ability of C. elegans to withstand adverse stress. Our observations provide promising insights into future therapies of anti-oxidative stress in higher animals.

Neuroprotective effect of Allium hookeri against H2O2-induced PC12 cell cytotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress

In this study, the anti-oxidative and neuro-protective effects of ethanolic extracts of the dried roots of Allium hookeri were investigated. Total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents of A. hookeri extract depended on the ethanol concentrations used (50, 70 and 95%). In order to evaluate radical scavenging activity, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays and ferric reducing powers were evaluated. The results showed the 95% ethanol extract of A. hookeri (95AH) had higher phenolic and flavonoid contents, and greater radical scavenging activities than 50 or 70% ethanol extracts of A. hookeri. The neuro-protective effects of 95AH were evaluated using H₂O₂-treated PC12 neuronal cells. Treatment of 95AH increased cell viability and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, reduced lactate dehydrogenate release, reduced reactive oxygen species production, and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio. HPLC revealed 95AH was rich in phenolics, especially catechin. These results demonstrate 95AH has substantial anti-oxidative and neuro-protective effects against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress.

Protective effects of Lizhong decoction on ulcerative colitis in mice by suppressing inflammation and ameliorating gut barrier

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lizhong Decoction (LZD) is a classical prescription firstly recorded in "Shanghan Lun". It has been used to clinically treat ulcerative colitis (UC) for thousands of years. However, its mechanism is not clear up to now.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The goal of this study was to assess the amelioration of LZD on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and further clarify its mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ulcerative colitis model induced by DSS was successfully established and applied to evaluate the intervention effect after oral administration of LZD. Furthermore, the expression of key targets in inflammatory signaling pathways and intestinal tight junction proteins were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that all doses of LZD could notably improve DSS-induced colon lesions, reduce histological scores, prolong colon length and increase body weight. Colonic inflammation in UC mice was significantly alleviated by inhibiting the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), reducing the yield of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and along with promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) after LZD treatment. Furthermore, LZD remarkably down-regulated the level of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA and up-regulated the expression of tight junction proteins (zonula occluden-1, occludin and claudin-1) in UC mice.

CONCLUSION

In summary, this study indicated that LZD could notably improve UC symptoms by suppressing inflammation and ameliorating gut barrier, which provided scientific basis for its clinical application in the future.

Effect of acute exposure of saxitoxin on development of zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio)

As a type of cyanobacterial toxins, saxitoxin (STX) is receiving great interest due to its increasing presence in waterbodies. However, the underlying mechanism of STX-induced adverse effect is poorly understood. Here, we examined the developmental toxicity and molecular mechanism induced by STX using zebrafish embryos as an animal model. The embryonic toxicity induced by STX was demonstrated by inhibition of embryo hatching, increase in mortality rate, abnormal heart rate, abnormalities in embryo morphology as well as defects in angiogenesis and common cardinal vein remodeling. STX induced embryonic DNA damage and cell apoptosis, which would be alleviated by antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Additionally, STX significantly increased reactive oxygen species level, catalase activity and malondialdehyde content and decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione content. STX also promoted the expression of vascular development-related genes DLL4 and VEGFC, and inhibited VEGFA expression. Furthermore, STX altered the transcriptional regulation of apoptosis-related genes (BAX, BCL-2, P53 and CASPASE 3). Taken together, STX induced adverse effect on development of zebrafish embryos, which might be associated with oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.

Mitochondria-Derived H2O2 Promotes Symmetry Breaking of the C. elegans Zygote

Symmetry breaking is an essential step in cell differentiation and early embryonic development. However, the molecular cues that trigger symmetry breaking remain largely unknown. Here, we show that mitochondrial H₂O₂ acts as a symmetry-breaking cue in the C. elegans zygote. We find that symmetry breaking is marked by a local H₂O₂ increase and coincides with a relocation of mitochondria to the cell cortex. Lowering endogenous H₂O₂ levels delays the onset of symmetry breaking, while artificially targeting mitochondria to the cellular cortex using a light-induced heterodimerization technique is sufficient to initiate symmetry breaking in a H₂O₂-dependent manner. In wild-type development, both sperm and maternal mitochondria contribute to symmetry breaking. Our findings reveal that mitochondrial H₂O₂-signaling promotes the onset of polarization, a fundamental process in development and cell differentiation, and this is achieved by both mitochondrial redistribution and differential H₂O₂-production.

The Effects of Amoxicillin, Cefazolin, and Gentamicin Antibiotics on the Antioxidant System in Mouse Heart Tissues

BACKGROUND

Free radicals lead to destruction in various organs of the organism. The improper use of antibiotics increases the formation of free radicals and causes oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of gentamicin, amoxicillin, and cefazolin antibiotics on the mouse heart.

METHODS

20 male mice were divided into 4 groups (1st control, 2nd amoxicillin, 3rd cefazolin, and 4th gentamicin groups). The mice in the experimental groups were administered antibiotics intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg / kg for 6 days. The control group received normal saline in the same way. The gene expression levels and enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST, and G6PD antioxidant enzymes were investigated.

RESULTS

GSH levels decreased in both the amoxicillin and cefazolin groups, while GR, CAT, and SOD enzyme activities increased. In the amoxicillin group, Gr, Gst, Cat, and Sod gene expression levels increased.

CONCLUSION

As a result, it was concluded that amoxicillin and cefazolin caused oxidative stress in the heart, however, gentamicin did not cause any effects.