Beneficial effects of intraperitoneally administered alpha-tocopheryl acetate on the levels of lipid peroxide and activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in skin, blood and liver of thermally injured guinea pigs

Is 4-Hydroxynonenal a Predictive Parameter for the Development of Joint Erosion in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate serum 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels and its clinical and radiological significance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients and methods

The study included 40 patients (8 males, 32 females; mean age 51.4±11.2 years; range 24 to 72 years) with RA and 30 healthy controls (8 males, 32 females; mean age 53.0±11.7 years; range 24 to 72 years. Serum 4-HNE levels were measured using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Patients with disease activity score 28 ≤3.2 and >3.2 were allocated into low and high/moderate disease activity groups, respectively. Additionally, patients were divided into two groups as early RA (disease duration ≤2 years) and established RA (disease duration ≥2 years). Functional disability was evaluated using health assessment questionnaire. Radiographs were scored using the modified Larsen scoring.

Results

Serum 4-HNE levels in patients with RA were significantly higher than controls (p=0.001). Serum 4-HNE levels did not correlate with laboratory or clinical parameters of disease activity including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, disease activity score 28, and health assessment questionnaire. Serum 4-HNE levels were higher in patients with established RA than patients with early RA (r=0.487, p=0.001). Besides, modified Larsen score which indicates structural damage correlated significantly with serum 4-HNE levels (p=0.001).

Conclusion

These results indicate that serum 4-HNE levels may be used as an indicator for structural damage such as erosions in the early stage of RA; however, they are not efficient to monitor disease activity.

Topically applied metal chelator reduces thermal injury progression in a rat model of brass comb burn

Oxidative stress may be involved in the cellular damage and tissue destruction as burn wounds continues to progress after abatement of the initial insult. Since iron and calcium ions play key roles in oxidative stress, this study tested whether topical application of Livionex formulation (LF) lotion, that contains disodium EDTA as a metal chelator and methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) as a permeability enhancer, would prevent or reduce burns.

METHODS

We used an established brass comb burn model with some modifications. Topical application of LF lotion was started 5 min post-burn, and repeated every 8 h for 3 consecutive days. Rats were euthanized and skin harvested for histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Formation of protein adducts of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), malonadialdehyde (MDA) and acrolein (ACR) and expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozymes, ALDH1 and ALDH2 were assessed.

RESULTS

LF lotion-treated burn sites and interspaces showed mild morphological improvement compared to untreated burn sites. Furthermore, the lotion significantly decreased the immunostaining of lipid aldehyde-protein adducts including protein -HNE, -MDA and -ACR adducts, and restored the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes in the unburned interspaces.

CONCLUSION

This data, for the first time, demonstrates that a topically applied EDTA-containing lotion protects burns progression with a concomitant decrease in the accumulation of reactive lipid aldehydes and protection of aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes. Present studies are suggestive of therapeutic intervention of burns by this novel lotion.

Micronutrients after burn injury: a review

Supplementation of micronutrients after burn injury is common practice in order to fight oxidative stress, support the immune system, and optimize wound healing. Assessing micronutrient status after burn injury is difficult because of hemodilution in the resuscitation phase, redistribution of nutrients from the serum to other organs, and decreases in carrier proteins such as albumin. Although there are many preclinical data, there are limited studies in burn patients. Promising research is being conducted on combinations of micronutrients, especially via the intravenous route.

Silymarin, the antioxidant component of Silybum marianum, protects against burn-induced oxidative skin injury

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances, severe burn is one of the most common problems faced in the emergency room. Major thermal injury induces the activation of an inflammatory cascade resulting in local tissue damage, to contribute to the development of subsequent damage of multiple organs distant from the original burn wound.

OBJECTIVE

Silymarin, the major component of milk thistle has been shown to have antioxidant properties. In the present study, we investigated the putative antioxidant effect of local or systemic silymarin treatment on burn-induced oxidative tissue injury.

METHODS

Wistar albino rats were exposed to 90 degrees C bath for 10 s to induce burn. Silymarin either locally (30 mg/kg) applied on 4 cm(2) area or locally+systemically (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered after the burn and repeated twice daily. Rats were decapitated 48 h after injury and blood was collected for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. In skin tissue samples malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and luminol-lucigenin chemiluminescense (CL) were measured in addition to the histological evaluation.

RESULTS

Burn caused a significant increase in TNF-alpha and LDH levels. MDA levels were increased and GSH levels were decreased in the skin at 48 h after-burn. Both local and systemic silymarin treatments significantly reversed these parameters. The raised MPO activity and luminol-lucigenin CL were also significantly decreased.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate that both systemic and local administration of silymarin was effective against burn-induced oxidative damage and morphological alterations in rat skin. Therefore, silymarin merits consideration as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of burns.

Effect of pre-treatment of almond oil on ultraviolet B?induced cutaneous photoaging in mice

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been implicated in photoaging and various types of skin carcinomas. Although the human skin has evolved several defense mechanisms to survive the insults of actinic damage like keratinization, melanin pigmentation, etc., it is still subjected to the harmful effects of sunlight.

AIMS

In this study, the role of almond oil in reducing the degradative changes induced in skin upon exposure to UV radiation was investigated.

METHODS

Mice were divided in four groups of 20 animals. Group I was the control group. Group II was negative control, which received almond oil treatment alone. Group III was exposed to UV radiation only and Group IV received both UV treatment and almond oil treatment. Visible skin grading assessed the changes based on a rating scale, biochemical tests (glutathione estimation and lipid peroxidation), and histopathologic studies.

RESULTS

Upon exposure of mice to UV radiation, it was found that pronounced visible skin changes were seen after 12 weeks of exposure. The results of the biochemical tests, glutathione estimation, and lipid peroxidation showed that almond oil reduced the effect of UV light-induced photoaging on the skin. Histopathologic studies also indicated a photoprotective effect of almond oil on the skin after UV exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that topical almond oil is capable of preventing the structural damage caused by UV irradiation and it was also found useful in decelerating the photoaging process.

The protective effects of melatonin and Vitamin E on antioxidant enzyme activities and epididymal sperm characteristics of homocysteine treated male rats

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of homocysteine (Hcy) on epididymal sperm characteristics, plasma testosterone level and biochemical changes related to oxidative stress and to examine the effects of melatonin (Mlt) or Vitamin E (VE) administration on these parameters in Hcy-treated male rats. In this study, 32 adult male albino rats of Wistar strain were used. The rats were randomly divided into four groups. The first group of rats received only Hcy (0.71 mg/kg/day) intraperitonially (ip) for 6 weeks. The second group of rats was given Hcy along with simultaneous administration of Mlt (1mg/kg/day) subcutaneously. The third group of rats received Hcy along with simultaneous administration of VE (125 mg/kg/day, ip). The fourth group of rats served as control during 6 weeks and was daily given 0.1 mL of physiological saline (NaCl, 0.9%) ip. While the plasma malondialdehyde level significantly (p<0.05) increased, the plasma superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities significantly (p<0.05) decreased in Hcy-treated rats when compared to control rats. Furthermore, the epididymal sperm concentration, the percentage of progressive sperm motility and plasma testosterone level were significantly (p<0.05) lower in Hcy-treated rats than those of the control rats. The simultaneous administration of Mlt or VE to Hcy-treated animals impeded the decrease in the plasma antioxidant enzyme activities, testosterone level, the epididymal sperm concentration and motility. In conclusion, this study indicates that chronic administration of Hcy has the harmful effect on the epididymal sperm characteristics of male rats. The administration of Mlt or VE can prevent adverse effects of Hcy on the plasma antioxidant enzyme activities, testosterone level, epididymal sperm count and motility in male rats.

The effects of ellagic acid and vitamin E succinate on antioxidant enzymes activities and glutathione levels in different brain regions of rats after subchronic exposure to TCDD

Ellagic acid (EA) and vitamin E succinate (VES) were previously shown to protect against 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction in certain brain regions of rats after subchronic exposure. The current study was designed to assess the modulation of antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione (GSH) levels as protective measures for VES and EA against TCDD-induced ROS overproduction in four regions of rat brain. TCDD was administered to groups of rats at a daily dose of 46 ng/kg for 90 d. EA and VES were administered to some other groups of rats either alone or simultaneously with TCDD, every other day for 90 d. At the end of the treatment period, animals were sacrificed and brain regions were dissected, including cerebral cortex (Cc), hippocampus (H), cerebellum (C), and brainstem (Bs), for assay of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, as well as GSH levels. While treatment of rats with VES alone or in combination with TCDD resulted in significant increases in SOD and CAT activities in different brain regions, treatment with EA resulted in a significant rise in total GSH levels and GSH-Px activity in those regions. Results may suggest antioxidant modulation by VES and EA as a mechanism for the previously observed protection by these compounds against TCDD-induced ROS overproduction in brain. Data also indicate there are two different pathways in the protection provided by the two antioxidants.

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on blood antioxidants levels in patients with Behçet's disease

Behçet's disease (BD) is known for many years, yet its etiology remains unknown. In BD, the increased production of reactive oxygen species from activated neutrophils may reduce concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes in plasma and red blood cells (RBC). Vitamin E is an important fat soluble antioxidant and its role on antioxidant parameters of BD is unclear. The study was undertaken to evaluate the role of vitamin E on lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels, antioxidant vitamin and enzyme concentrations in plasma and RBC in patients with BD. There were three groups i.e., control, patient and treatment groups with twenty-five subjects in each. Nonsmoking patients with BD, patient group, was compared with an equal number of healthy control subjects (control group). Blood samples were taken from both control and patient groups and then oral vitamin E was daily supplemented to the patients with BD for six weeks (treated group). At the end of six weeks, blood was taken from the treated group once more. RBC and plasma MDA levels, serum neopterin, complement system (C(3) and C(4)), ASO, CRP, rheumatoid factor, plasma lipoprotein (a), total cholesterol concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were higher in the patient group than in the control group, but they were lower in the treatment group than in the patient group. While vitamins A, E and beta-carotene concentrations in plasma, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities and reduced glutathione levels in RBC and plasma were lower in patient group than in the controls, they were found to be higher in the treatment group than in the patient group. These results provide some evidence for a potential role of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants in BD by its inflammatory character and vitamin E which may strengthen the antioxidant defense system, and may contribute to the treatment of BD.