Red-cell GSH regeneration and glutathione reductase activity in G6PD variants in the Ferrara area

Cilostazol attenuates oxidative stress and apoptosis in the quadriceps muscle of the dystrophic mouse experimental model

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most severe and frequent form of muscular dystrophy. The mdx mouse is one of the most widely used experimental models to understand aspects of the biology of dystrophic skeletal muscles and the mechanisms of DMD. Oxidative stress and apoptosis are present in early stages of the disease in mdx mice. The high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes activation of apoptotic death regulatory proteins due to DNA damage and breakdown of nuclear and mitochondrial membranes. The quadriceps (QUA) muscle of the mdx mouse is a good tool to study oxidative events. Previous studies have demonstrated that cilostazol exerts an anti-oxidant effect by decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of cilostazol to modulate oxidative stress and apoptosis in the QUA muscle of mdx mice. Fourteen-day-old mdx mice received cilostazol or saline for 14 days. C57BL/10 mice were used as a control. In the QUA muscle of mdx mice, cilostazol treatment decreased ROS production (-74%), the number of lipofuscin granules (-47%), lipid peroxidation (-11%), and the number of apoptotic cells (-66%). Thus cilostazol showed anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic action in the QUA muscle of mdx mice.

Anti-stroke profile of thiazolidin-4-one derivatives in focal cerebral ischemia model in rat

Recently, some PPARγ agonists like pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, and other newer thiazolidine-2, 4-dione (TZD) derivatives have been shown to be neuroprotective in experimental model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Replacement of active pharmacophore viz: thiazolidine-2,4-dione of these PPARγ agonists with biologically privileged scaffold thiazolidin-4-one derivatives have been synthesized and bioevaluated in focal cerebral ischemia model in rats with an aim to ameliorate cerebral ischemic damage. Of 20 synthesized molecules, three of the substituted compounds (2, 6 and 18) have shown significant (p < 0.001) neuroprotection even much better than rosiglitazone at same dose, when administered 1 h prior to 2/24hrI/R cerebral injury in rats, whereas compounds 10, 15, and 17 also showed significant but moderate effect on most of the parameters used in the study. Moreover, compound 2 and 6 also showed curative potential after 6 h post I/R treatment. The compound 2 has also shown significant effect on glutamate uptake by perhaps enhancing the GLT-1 activity. Thus, the present study indicates that some of the synthesized thiazolidin-4-one substituted PPARγ agonists exhibit better neuroprotection and have potential to ameliorate the ischemic damage. Therefore, this novel class of compounds could be further suitably modified to obtain potent anti-ischemic agents, warranting clinical exploitation.

α-Tocopherol supplementation restores the reduction of erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity induced by forced training

BACKGROUND

Erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity is closely related to free radical production. alpha-Tocopherol (alpha-T) is implicated with the reduction of lipid peroxidation.

AIM

To investigate the effect of training and alpha-T supplementation on the erythrocyte G6PD activity.

METHODS

Blood was obtained from 10 basketball players pre-game (group A), post-game (group B) and after 30 days on alpha-T (dl-alpha-tocopheryl-acetate, 200mg 24h(-1) orally) supplementation pre- (group C) and post-training (group D). alpha-T and catecholamines were evaluated with HPLC methods and creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, total antioxidant status (TAS) and G6PD activity with commercial kits.

RESULTS

TAS was increased in the groups with alpha-T addition (groups C and D). Post-exercise, TAS and G6PD activity were remarkably higher (2.10+/-0.13mmoll(-1), 7.92+/-1.5Ug(-1)Hb, respectively) in group D than those in group B (0.92+/-0.10mmoll(-1), 4.8+/-1.4Ug(-1)Hb, p<0.01, respectively). G6PD activity positively correlated with TAS (r=0.64, p<0.001) in all the studied groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation with alpha-T may protect G6PD activity from reduction induced by forced training.

L-cysteine supplementation protects the erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity from reduction induced by forced training

BACKGROUND

L-cysteine (L-cys) is implicated in the reduction of free radical production.

AIM

To investigate the effect of training and L-cys supplementation on the erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity.

METHODS

Blood was obtained from 10 basketball players pre-game (group A), post-game (group B) and after 1 week on L-cys (0.5 g/24 h orally) supplementation pre- (group C) and post-training (group D). Total antioxidant status (TAS) and G6PD activity were evaluated with commercial kits.

RESULTS

TAS increased in the groups with l-cys addition (group C and group D). Post-exercise, TAS and G6PD activity were remarkably higher (1.48+/-0.12 mmol/L, 8.9+/-1.7 U/g Hb, respectively) in group D than those in group B (0.92+/-0.10 mmol/L, 4.8+/-1.6 U/g Hb, p<0.01). G6PD activity positively correlated with TAS (r=0.70, p<0.001 pre- and r=0.61, p<0.001 post-training) in all the studied groups.

CONCLUSIONS

G6PD activity is lowered by training probably due to free radical action. L-cys supplementation may protect G6PD activity from reduction by increasing total antioxidant capacity and glutathione production. G6PD activity should be evaluated in the blood of athletes of Mediterranean origin and female G6PD-deficient heterozygotes.

Withania somnifera (ASHWAGANDHA) ATTENUATES ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE IN AGED SPINAL CORD AND INHIBITS COPPER INDUCED LIPID PEROXIDATION AND PROTEIN OXIDATIVE MODIFICATIONS

Withania somnifera is classified in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, as a rasayana, a group of plant-derived drugs which promote physical and mental health, augment resistance of the body against disease and diverse adverse environmental factors, revitalize the body in debilitated conditions and increase longevity. We investigated the effects of Withania somnifera on copper-induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in aging spinal cord of Wistar rats. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased significantly in the spinal cord from adult to aged mice. Treatment with Withania somnifera successfully attenuated GPx activity and inhibited lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner. Withania somnifera inhibited both the lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modification induced by copper. These effects were similar to those of superoxide dismutase and mannitol. The results indicate the therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera in aging and copper-induced pathophysiological conditions.

Genetic and other influences on red-cell flavin enzymes, pyridoxine phosphate oxidase and glutathione reductase in families with beta-thalassaemia

In 18 beta-thalassaemia families from the Ferrara area the incidence of an inherited low flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-dependent pyridoxine phosphate (PNP) oxidase activity, a sensitive indicator of red-cell FMN deficiency, is higher in related members in these families than in the unrelated spouses and controls subjects without family history of thalassaemia. This suggests slower red-cell riboflavin metabolism in thalassaemia families, which may have resulted from selection in combination with thalassaemia by malaria. However, there was a markedly higher incidence of red-cell flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) deficiency in thalassaemia heterozygotes than in their normal relatives. This was indicated by higher stimulation of FAD-dependent glutathione reductase (GR) activity by FAD and lower GR activity per red cell, and suggests a marked additive effect by thalassaemia on the red cell FAD deficiency that results from the inherited slow riboflavin metabolism. There is evidence that diversion of FAD to other FAD-dependent enzymes might be an important factor.