Superoxide dismutase ameliorates TNBS-induced colitis by reducing oxidative stress, adhesion molecule expression, and leukocyte recruitment into the inflamed intestine

Effect of Curcumin Plus Piperine on Redox Imbalance, Fecal Calprotectin and Cytokine Levels in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

The development and course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are significantly influenced by inflammation and oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy is a promising therapeutic option to enhance the clinical results of these individuals in this particular scenario. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of curcumin, with or without piperine, on cytokines, fecal calprotectin (CalF), and oxidative stress enzymatic and non-enzymatic indicators in patients with IBD.

METHODS

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) who were at least 18 years old and had intact liver and kidney function participated in this randomized, double-blind trial (trial registration: ensaiosclinicos.gov.br as RBR-89q4ydz). For 12 weeks, participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: placebo, curcumin (1000 mg/day), or curcumin plus piperine (1000 mg + 10 mg/day). In order to examine oxidative stress indicators, CalF, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, blood and fecal samples were obtained, both prior to and following the intervention time.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age, sex, and type of IBD, the curcumin plus piperine group had substantially higher serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) than the placebo group (4346.9 ± 879.0 vs. 3614.5 ± 731.5; p = 0.041). There were no discernible variations between the groups in CalF, inflammatory markers, or other indicators of oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), our study indicates that a 12-week curcumin plus piperine treatment effectively increases enzymatic antioxidant defense, especially SOD. These results demonstrate the potential therapeutic benefits of managing redox imbalance in individuals with IBD.

Colonic Dysregulation of Major Metabolic Pathways in Experimental Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting patients' quality of life profoundly. The incidence of IBD has been on the rise globally for the last two decades. Because the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease remain not well understood, therapeutic development is significantly impeded. Metabolism is a crucial cellular process to generate the energy needed for an inflammatory response and tissue repair. Comprehensive understanding of the metabolic pathways in IBD would help to unravel the disease pathogenesis/progression and facilitate therapeutic discoveries. Here, we investigated four metabolic pathways altered in experimental colitis. C57BL/6J mice were treated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days to induce experimental ulcerative colitis (UC). We conducted proteomics analysis for the colon samples using LC/MS, to profile key metabolic intermediates. Our findings revealed significant alterations in four major metabolic pathways: antioxidative defense, β-oxidation, glycolysis, and TCA cycle pathways. The energy metabolism by β-oxidation, glycolysis, and TCA cycle pathways were downregulated under UC, together with reduced antioxidative defense pathways. These results reveal metabolic re-programming in intestinal cells under UC, showing dysregulation in all four major metabolic pathways. Our study underscores the importance of metabolic drivers in the pathogenesis of IBD and suggests that the modification of metabolism may serve as a novel diagnostic/therapeutic approach for IBD.

Protective effects of topiramate on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats through the inhibition of oxidative stress

Ulcerative colitis is an intestinal inflammatory condition characterized by a rise in inflammatory mediator production and oxidative stress. Topiramate is an anticonvulsant agent with effectiveness on a wide range of seizures, which is anti-oxidative. This study aims to examine the protective effects of topiramate on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control, acetic acid, acetic acid + topiramate, and acetic acid + dexamethasone groups. Topiramate (100 mg/kg/day) or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg/day) was administered for six consecutive days, and ulcerative colitis was induced on the first day of the study by transrectal administration of 4% acetic acid. Four hours after the last dose of treatments, animals of each group were sacrificed, and colon tissues were removed for further macroscopic, histopathologic, and biochemical analyses. Treatment with topiramate markedly decreased colonic lesions and macroscopic scores as well as the improvement of histopathologic changes. Topiramate also effectively decreased the levels of malondialdehyde and upregulated the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Our results reveal that the administration of topiramate ameliorates acetic acid-induced colitis in rats via anti-oxidative properties, and further studies may introduce it as an effective therapeutic candidate to decrease ulcerative colitis severity.

Exploring the potential function of trace elements in human health: a therapeutic perspective

A trace element, known as a minor element, is a chemical element whose concentration is very low. They are divided into essential and non-essential classes. Numerous physiological and metabolic processes in both plants and animals require essential trace elements. These essential trace elements are so directly related to the metabolic and physiologic processes of the organism that either their excess or deficiency can result in severe bodily malfunction or, in the worst situations, death. Elements can be found in nature in various forms and are essential for the body to carry out its varied functions. Trace elements are crucial for biological, chemical, and molecular cell activity. Nutritional deficits can lead to weakened immunity, increased susceptibility to oral and systemic infections, delayed physical and mental development, and lower productivity. Trace element enzymes are involved in many biological and chemical processes. These compounds act as co-factors for a number of enzymes and serve as centers for stabilizing the structures of proteins and enzymes, allowing them to mediate crucial biological processes. Some trace elements control vital biological processes by attaching to molecules on the cell membrane's receptor site or altering the structure of the membrane to prevent specific molecules from entering the cell. Some trace elements are engaged in redox reactions. Trace elements have two purposes. They are required for the regular stability of cellular structures, but when lacking, they might activate alternate routes and induce disorders. Therefore, thoroughly understanding these trace elements is essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing disease.

Protective Effects of H2S Donor Treatment in Experimental Colitis: A Focus on Antioxidants

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic, inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, which have become a global disease over the past few decades. It has become increasingly clear that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of IBD. Even though several effective therapies exist against IBD, these might have serious side effects. It has been proposed that hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), as a novel gasotransmitter, has several physiological and pathological effects on the body. Our present study aimed to investigate the effects of H₂S administration on antioxidant molecules in experimental rat colitis. As a model of IBD, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) was used intracolonically (i.c.) to induce colitis in male Wistar-Hannover rats. Animals were orally treated (2 times/day) with H₂S donor Lawesson's reagent (LR). Our results showed that H₂S administration significantly decreased the severity of inflammation in the colons. Furthermore, LR significantly suppressed the level of oxidative stress marker 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and caused a significant elevation in the levels of antioxidant GSH, Prdx1, Prdx6, and the activity of SOD compared to TNBS. In conclusion, our results suggest that these antioxidants may offer potential therapeutic targets and H₂S treatment through the activation of antioxidant defense mechanisms and may provide a promising strategy against IBD.

Donepezil halts acetic acid-induced experimental colitis in rats and its associated cognitive impairment through regulating inflammatory/oxidative/apoptotic cascades: An add-on to its anti-dementia activity

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is regarded as a risk factor for cognitive impairment. Donepezil (DON), a centrally acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI), is approved for the management of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to scrutinize the impact of DON on acetic acid (AA)-induced UC in rats and to evaluate its ability to attenuate inflammatory response, oxidative strain, and apoptosis in this model and its associated cognitive deficits. Rats were categorized into: normal, DON, AA, and AA + DON groups. DON (5 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for 14 days either alone or beginning with the day of UC induction. Colitis was evoked by a single transrectal injection of 1 ml of 4 % acetic acid. Results revealed that DON significantly improved the behavioral abnormalities with the mitigation of inflammation, apoptosis, and histopathological changes in the hippocampi of the colitis group. Moreover, DON significantly alleviated the macroscopic and microscopic changes associated with colitis. Interestingly, DON inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines via suppression of AA-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in the colon, along with serum IL-1β. DON inhibited colon lipid peroxidation, restored the antioxidants with a significant amelioration of the degree of neutrophil infiltration, and repressed colitis-induced matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) production. Furthermore, DON decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 protein expressions. Eventually, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, DON suppressed nitric oxide (NO) release, demonstrating the ability of DON to significantly curtail inflammation in immune cells. Taken together, DON ameliorated experimental colitis and its linked cognitive dysfunction, possibly via its antioxidant effect and modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis. Thereby, DON could be a therapeutic nominee for UC and associated neurological disorders.

Impact of Plasticizer on the Intestinal Epithelial Integrity and Tissue-Repairing Ability within Cells in the Proximity of the Human Gut Microbiome

Toxicological research into the impact of plasticizer on different organs has been reported in the past few decades, while their effects on shifting the gut microbiota and immune cells homeostasis in zebrafish were only studied recently. However, studies on the impact of plasticizer on human gut microbiota are scarce. In this study, we co-incubated healthy human fecal microbiota with different concentrations of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-iso-nonyl phthalate (DINP), analyzed microbial composition by 16S rDNA sequencing, and compared the influence of their derived microbiomes on the human enterocyte (HT-29) and murine macrophage (RAW264.7) cell lines. Microbial diversity is reduced by DEHP treatment in a dose-dependent manner. DEHP treatment reduced the phyla Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, while DINP treatment promoted Proteobacteria. Expressions of tight/adherens junction genes in HT-29 and anti-inflammatory genes in RAW264.7 were down-regulated by plasticizer-co-incubated microbiota derived metabolites. Overall, it is observed that selected plasticizers at high dosages can induce compositional changes in human microbiota. Metabolites from such altered microbiota could affect the tight junction integrity of the intestinal epithelium and upset macrophage differentiation homeostasis in proximity. Chronic exposure to these plasticizers may promote risks of dysbiosis, leaky gut or the exacerbation of intestinal inflammation.

Liver protection and hemostatic effects of medicinal plant Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I.M.Johnst extract in a rat model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I.M.Johnst. (AE) is a Chinese medicinal herb that is traditionally used to treat various circulatory diseases. It exhibits certain effects, such as the promotion of blood circulation and cooling, rash clearance, and detoxification.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was designed to explore the hepatoprotective and hemostatic effects of the ethyl acetate extract of AE in rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar rats were treated via oral gavage with different doses of the ethyl acetate extract of AE (3.5, 7, or 14 g kg^-1·day^-1) for 14 consecutive days, following which hemostatic and liver function tests were conducted. For the hemostatic tests, the platelet count, blood platelet aggregation, blood platelet adhesion to fibrinogen, platelet factor 4 (PF-4) secretion from blood platelets, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen levels were measured at the end of the treatment period. For the liver function tests, 0.25 mL/200 g (1.25 mL kg^-1·day^-1) of olive oil was injected into the abdominal cavity of the control rats, whereas 15% CCl₄ plus olive oil (prescription: 7.5 mL CCl₄ + 42.5 olive oil) was injected into that of the treated rats at 1 h after extract administration on day 6, 13, and 20. Additionally, food and water were withheld from all the animals. On the following day, the rats were anesthetized and their albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured. Glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels among the groups were determined using a one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

The platelet count and blood platelet aggregation, blood platelet adhesion to fibrinogen and PF-4 secretion levels were significantly increased in the (3.5 g kg^-1 day^-1) AE group as compared to those in the control group (all p < 0.001; for the 7 and 14 g kg^-1 day^-1 AE groups, all p > 0.05, respectively). Although the PT and aPTT were not affected by the AE extract (all p > 0.05), the TT was reduced and the FIB levels were significantly increased in all AE groups (p < 0.05). Liver function tests showed that CCl₄ caused significant liver damage, thereby decreasing the albumin, SOD, CAT, GSH, GST, GR, and GPx levels, while increasing the AST, ALT, ALP, SGOT, SGPT, GGT, LDH, ROS, and MDA levels (all p < 0.001). By contrast, treatment with the different doses of AE extract reversed the CCl₄ effects on all these parameters. Compared with the levels in the CCl₄ group, the GSH and GR levels in the three AE groups (3.5, 7, and 14 g kg^-1·day^-1) were significantly higher (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.001, respectively), whereas the differences in the other parameters for these three groups were all at the significance levels of p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

AE extracts administered orally exhibited hepatoprotective activity by affecting platelet production and blood coagulation and ameliorating liver function-damaging modifications. Specifically, a dosage of 3.5 g kg^-1·day^-1 resulted in the most optimal effects.

Cloning and expression of recombinant human superoxide dismutase 1 (hSOD1) in Bacillus subtilis 1012

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to clone and express the human Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (hSOD1) in Bacillus subtilis 1012. Also, we investigated the expression level of hSOD1 under different induction conditions.

RESULT

As an essential member of the antioxidant defense system in vivo, hSOD1 has become a therapeutic agent against host diseases, such as oxygen toxicity, acute inflammation, and radiation injury. The recombinant hSOD1 was successfully secreted extracellularly into B. subtilis 1012. The expression conditions were optimized, including inoculum size, different media, temperatures, and inducer concentrations. Finally, the highest level of hSOD1 was produced as a soluble form in Super rich medium by 2% inoculum with 0.2 mM of IPTG at 37 °C after the induction for 24 h. Besides, 20 g/L of lactose also displayed the same inductive effect on hSOD1 expression as that of IPTG (0.2 mM). Finally, the specific activity of purified hSOD1 was determined to be 1625 U/mg in the presence of 800 μM of Cu²⁺ and 20 μM of Zn²⁺.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that the B. subtilis 1012-hSOD1 strain system has great potential in future industrial applications.

Emerging Nanotechnologies and Microbiome Engineering for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by the chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and impacts almost 7 million people across the globe. Current therapeutics are effective in treating the symptoms, but they often do not address the root cause or selectively target areas of inflammation. Notably, self-assembled nanoparticles show great promise as drug delivery systems for the treatment of IBD. Nanoparticles can be designed to survive the harsh gastric conditions and reach inflamed areas of the gastrointestinal tract. Oral drug delivery with nanoparticles can localize drugs to the impacted inflamed region using active and/or passive targeting and promote a high rate of drug dispersion in local tissues, thus reducing potential off-target toxicities. Since a dysregulated gut microbiome is implicated in the development and progression of IBD, it is also important to develop nanoparticles and biomaterials that can restore symbiotic microbes while reducing the proliferation of harmful microbes. In this review, we highlight recent advances in self-assembled nanosystems designed for addressing inflammation and dysregulated gut microbiomes as potential treatments for IBD. Nanoparticles have a promising future in improving the delivery of current therapeutics, increasing patient compliance by providing an oral method of medication, and reducing side effects. However, remaining challenges include scale-up synthesis of nanoparticles, potential side effects, and financial obstacles of clinical trials. It would be in the patients' best interest to continue research on nanoparticles in the pursuit of more effective therapeutics for the treatment of IBD.

Diosmetin attenuate experimental ulcerative colitis in rats via suppression of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 signalling pathways correlated with down-regulation of apoptotic events

Introduction

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of colon in which the innermost tissue of colon and rectum develops deep-rooted inflammation. Diosmetin is the aglycone of the flavonoid glycoside diosmin, commonly found in citrus fruits. Therapeutically diosmetin is indicated to demonstrate anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, oestrogenic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Methods

In this research, we studied the action of diosmetin on TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid)-induced UC in rats. Male Wister rats were anesthetised with pentobarbital and TNBS introduced by performing an enema. Diosmetin treatment was provided through oral gavage for the next 28 days. Animals were sacrificed on the 29th day and colon tissues were collected for further examinations.

Results

Diosmetin treatment decreased colonic ulceration dramatically and decreased the percentage of inflammation in the colonic mucosa. Depletion of the TNBS assisted of superoxide dismutase and catalase was substantially restricted, while lipid peroxidation was recorded in the colonic tissue as malondialdehyde content was also decreased. After treatment with diosmetin, the occurrence of TNF-α, IL-6and NF-κB was considerably lowered and the number of apoptotic cells observed was significantly reduced.

Conclusion

Taken together, these observations demonstrated the potential of diosmetin against ulcer formation and development.

Zinc and Selenium in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Trace Elements with Key Roles?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that may emerge at a young age and often lasts for life. It often goes through phases of recurrence and remission and has a devastating effect on quality of life. The exact etiology of the disease is still unclear, but it appears that an inappropriate immune response to intestinal flora bacteria in people with a genetic predisposition may cause the disease. Managing inflammatory bowel disease is still a serious challenge. Oxidative stress and free radicals appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease, and a number of studies have suggested the use of antioxidants as a therapeutic approach. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of some trace elements have led some of the research to focus on studying these trace elements in inflammatory bowel disease. Zinc and selenium are among the most important trace elements that have significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some studies have shown the importance of these trace elements in inflammatory bowel disease. In this review, we have attempted to provide a comprehensive overview of the findings of these studies and to gather current knowledge about the association of these trace elements with the inflammatory process and inflammatory bowel disease.

Hair EDX Analysis-A Promising Tool for Micronutrient Status Evaluation of Patients with IBD?

Micronutrient deficiencies can arise in various conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and diagnosing these deficiencies can be challenging in the absence of specific clinical signs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of various trace elements hair concentration in IBD patients compared to a healthy control group and to identify potential correlations between the micronutrient status and relevant parameters related to disease activity. The concentrations of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and sulfur in the hair of 37 IBD patients with prior diagnosed IBD (12 Crohn's disease and 25 ulcerative colitis) and 31 healthy controls were evaluated by Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX). Significant differences in hair concentration profile of studied trace elements were identified for IBD patients compared to healthy controls. A significantly decreased hair concentration of iron, magnesium, calcium and selenium and a significantly increased sulfur hair concentration were observed in IBD patients at the time of evaluation. A decreased hair calcium concentration (r = -0.772, p = 0.003) and an increased sulfur concentration (r = 0.585, p = 0.046) were significantly correlated with disease activity. Conclusion: Hair mineral and trace elements evaluation may contribute to a proper evaluation of their status in IBD patients and improving the management of nutritional status of IBD patients.

Superoxide dismutase: an updated review on its health benefits and industrial applications

Many short-lived and highly reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide anion (O₂^-) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), are toxic or can create oxidative stress in cells, a response involved in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases depending on their concentration, location, and cellular conditions. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities as an endogenous and exogenous cell defense mechanism include the potential use in treating various diseases, improving the potential use in treating various diseases, and improving food-stuffs preparation dietary supplements human nutrition. Published work indicates that SOD regulates oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidation in cells. It can prevent lipid peroxidation, the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein in macrophages, lipid droplets' formation, and the adhesion of inflammatory cells into endothelial monolayers. It also expresses antioxidant effects in numerous cancer-related processes. Additionally, different forms of SOD may also augment food processing and pharmaceutical applications, exhibit anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, and prevent arterial problems by protecting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Many investigations in this review have reported the therapeutic ability and physiological importance of SOD. Because of their antioxidative effects, SODs are of great potential in the medicinal, cosmetic, food, farming and chemical industries. This review discusses the findings of human and animal studies that support the advantages of SOD enzyme regulations to reduce the formation of oxidative stress in various ways.

A SH3_5 Cell Anchoring Domain for Non-recombinant Surface Display on Lactic Acid Bacteria

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a group of gut commensals increasingly recognized for their potential to deliver bioactive molecules in vivo. The delivery of therapeutic proteins, in particular, can be achieved by anchoring them to the bacterial surface, and various anchoring domains have been described for this application. Here, we investigated a new cell anchoring domain (CAD4a) isolated from a Lactobacillus protein, containing repeats of a SH3_5 motif that binds non-covalently to peptidoglycan in the LAB cell wall. Using a fluorescent reporter, we showed that C-terminal CAD4a bound Lactobacillus fermentum selectively out of a panel of LAB strains, and cell anchoring was uniform across the cell surface. Conditions affecting CAD4a anchoring were studied, including temperature, pH, salt concentration, and bacterial growth phase. Quantitative analysis showed that CAD4a allowed display of 10⁵ molecules of monomeric protein per cell. We demonstrated the surface display of a functional protein with superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme potentially useful for treating gut inflammation. SOD displayed on cells could be protected from gastric digestion using a polymer matrix. Taken together, our results show the feasibility of using CAD4a as a novel cell anchor for protein surface display on LAB.

Temporal Effects of Different Vehicles on Wound Healing Potentials of Quercetin: Biochemical, Molecular, and Histopathological Approaches

Development of novel drugs or formulations to accelerate the wound healing process is the need of current era. Quercetin (Q), a bioflavonoid, at 0.3% concentration has showed some wound healing potential in our preliminary studies. The present study was aimed to explore the wound healing potential of 0.3% quercetin formulated in 3 different vehicles, that is, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; 10%), ointment base, and corn oil. Ninety experimentally wounded rats were grouped in 6 groups. The 0.3% quercetin mixed with DMSO, ointment base, and corn oil was topically applied once daily for 21 days on the wounds of groups 2, 4, and 6, respectively. DMSO, ointment base, and corn oil alone was applied similarly in groups 1, 3, and 5, respectively. Gross evaluation and wound contraction results revealed accelerated wound closure in all quercetin-treated groups. The mRNA expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-β₁, and interluekin-10 were markedly upregulated in healing tissues of quercetin-treated groups. Tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression and protein levels were lowered by quercetin treatment. Quercetin-treated groups also showed increased activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and catalase, and levels of total thiols in wound tissues on day 7. Levels of superoxide anion radicals and malondialdehyde were markedly lower in quercetin-treated groups. Histologically, wound sections of quercetin-treated groups showed early dominance of fibroblasts, increased blood vessels, marked collagen deposition, and regenerated epithelial layer. The significant effects were more pronounced in ointment + Q group among all the quercetin-treated groups. In conclusion, 0.3% quercetin mixed in ointment base produced the fastest and better wound healing in rats.

New Insights of Oral Colonic Drug Delivery Systems for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy

Colonic Drug Delivery Systems (CDDS) are especially advantageous for local treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Site-targeted drug release allows to obtain a high drug concentration in injured tissues and less systemic adverse effects, as consequence of less/null drug absorption in small intestine. This review focused on the reported contributions in the last four years to improve the effectiveness of treatments of inflammatory bowel diseases. The work concludes that there has been an increase in the development of CDDS in which pH, specific enzymes, reactive oxygen species (ROS), or a combination of all of these triggers the release. These delivery systems demonstrated a therapeutic improvement with fewer adverse effects. Future perspectives to the treatment of this disease include the elucidation of molecular basis of IBD diseases in order to design more specific treatments, and the performance of more in vivo assays to validate the specificity and stability of the obtained systems.

The Dual Role of Reactive Oxygen Species-Generating Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidases in Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Therapeutic Perspectives

Significance: Despite their intrinsic cytotoxic properties, mounting evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) physiologically produced by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOXs) of epithelial cells (NOX1, dual oxidase [DUOX]2) and phagocytes (NOX2) are critical for innate immune response and homeostasis of the intestinal mucosa. However, dysregulated ROS production could be a driving factor in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Recent Advances: In addition to NOX2, recent studies have demonstrated that NOX1- and DUOX2-derived ROS can regulate intestinal innate immune defense and homeostasis by impacting many processes, including bacterial virulence, expression of bacteriostatic proteins, epithelial renewal and restitution, and microbiota composition. Moreover, the antibacterial role of DUOX2 is a function conserved in evolution as it has been described in invertebrates, and lower and higher vertebrates. In humans, variants of the NOX2, NOX1, and DUOX2 genes, which are associated with impaired ROS production, have been identified in very early onset IBD, but overexpression of NOX/DUOX, especially DUOX2, has also been described in IBD, suggesting that loss-of-function or excessive activity of the ROS-generating enzymes could contribute to disease progression. Critical Issues: Therapeutic perspectives aiming at targeting NOX/DUOX in IBD should take into account the two sides of NOX/DUOX-derived ROS in intestinal inflammation. Hence, NOX/DUOX inhibitors or ROS inducers should be considered as a function of the disease context. Future Directions: A thorough understanding of the physiological and pathological regulation of NOX/DUOX in the gastrointestinal tract is an absolute pre-requisite for the development of therapeutic strategies that can modulate ROS levels in space and time.

Dietary Fiber Pectin Ameliorates Experimental Colitis in a Neutral Sugar Side Chain-Dependent Manner

Dietary fiber, with intake of soluble fibers in particular, has been reported to lower the risk for developing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). This is at least partly attributable to the fermentation of dietary fiber by the colonic microbiota to produce short chain fatty acids. Pectin, a widely consumed soluble fiber, is known to exert a protective effect in murine models of IBD, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Apart from having a prebiotic effect, it has been suggested that pectin direct influences host cells by modulating the inflammatory response in a manner dependent on its neutral sugar side chains. Here we examined the effect of the side chain content of pectin on the pathogenesis of experimental colitis in mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a pectin-free diet, or a diet supplemented with characteristically high (5% orange pectin) or low (5% citrus pectin) side chain content for 10-14 days, and then administered 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid or dextran sulfate sodium to induce colitis. We found that the clinical symptoms and tissue damage in the colon were ameliorated in mice that were pre-fed with orange pectin, but not in those pre-fed with citrus pectin. Although the population of CD4⁺Foxp⁺ regulatory T cells and CD4⁺RORγt⁺ inflammatory T cells in the colon were comparable between citrus and orange pectin-fed mice, colonic interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 levels in orange pectin-fed mice were significantly decreased. The fecal concentration of propionic acid in orange pectin-fed mice was slightly but significantly higher than that in control and citrus pectin-fed mice but the cecal concentration of propionic acid after the induction of TNBS colitis was comparable between orange and citrus pectin-fed mice. Furthermore, the protective effect of orange pectin against colitis was observed even in mice treated with antibiotics. IL-6 production from RAW264.7 cells stimulated with the toll-like receptor agonist Pam3CSK4 or lipopolysaccharide was suppressed by pre-treatment with orange pectin in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that the side chains of pectin not only augment prebiotic effects but also directly regulate IL-6 production from intestinal host cells in a microbiota-independent fashion to attenuate colitis.

Chemopreventive Activity of Red Ginseng Oil in a Mouse Model of Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Inflammation-Associated Colon Carcinogenesis

Our previous studies have demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of red ginseng oil (RGO). However, the role of RGO in models of intestinal inflammation has not been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the chemopreventive effect of RGO in a mouse model of azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)-induced colitis and explored its underlying mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of AOM (10 mg/kg), followed by 1.5% DSS in drinking water for 7 days to produce colon carcinogenesis. RGO at 10 or 100 mg/kg was orally given for 17 weeks. RGO supplementation reduced the plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentration as well as lipid peroxidation and inhibited the production of proinflammatory factors such as inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin 1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the mouse colitis tissue. Increased phosphorylation levels of p65 and IκB by AOM/DSS exposure were attenuated by the presence of RGO. In addition, RGO supplementation induced the activity of primary antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-mediated antioxidant enzyme hemeoxygenase-1 in the colons of AOM/DSS-treated mice. These findings indicate that RGO may be a potent natural chemopreventive agent for ameliorating inflammatory bowel diseases.

The copper-zinc superoxide dismutase activity in selected diseases

Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) plays a protective role in various types of tissue protecting them from oxidative damage. Alterations in Cu,Zn-SOD (SOD1 and SOD3) activity and its expression have been observed in pathological occurrences most prevalent in modern society, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and its implications-diabetes and hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Moreover, several SOD1 and SOD3 gene polymorphisms have been associated with the risk of developing a particular type of disease, or its exacerbation. This article features recent observations in this topic, aiming to show the importance of proper gene sequence and activity of Cu,Zn-SOD in the aforementioned diseases.

New Insights into the Role of Trace Elements in IBD

Micronutrient deficiencies are common in inflammatory bowel disease and have clinical impact, being both a sign of complicated disease and a cause of morbidity. The involved systemic inflammatory response is responsible for altering the concentration of a wide range of trace elements in the serum, including zinc and selenium. This review summarizes recent advances and evidence-based knowledge regarding the impact of selenium and zinc on oxidative stress and microbiota changes in IBD patients. Getting new insight into the impact of malnutrition, particularly on the micronutrients' impact on the development, composition, and metabolism of microbiota, as well as the influence of oxidative stress and the mucosal immune response, could help in implementing new management strategies for IBD patients, with focus on a more integrated approach.

Role of soybean-derived bioactive compounds in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with IBD present with debilitating symptoms that alter the quality of life and can develop into severe complications requiring surgery. Epidemiological evidence indicates Westernized societies have an elevated IBD burden when compared with Asian societies. Considering the stark contrast between the typical Western and Eastern dietary patterns, it is postulated that differences in food and lifestyle contribute to lower IBD incidence in Asian countries. Soybeans (Glycine max), which are consumed in high quantities and as various preparations in Eastern societies, contain a wealth of natural, biologically active compounds that include isoflavones, bioactive peptides, protease inhibitors, and phytosterols, among many others. These compounds have been shown to improve human health, and preclinical evidence suggests they have potential to improve the prognosis of IBD. This review summarizes the current state of evidence regarding the effects and the mechanisms of action of these soybean-derived bioactive compounds in experimental models of IBD.

Anti-ageing skin effects of Korean bamboo salt on SKH1 hairless mice

Bamboo salt is generated by baking bamboo and sea salt and is used as a traditional food or medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-ageing skin effects of Korean bamboo salt and to compare the antioxidant, anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory effects of various salts, including purified salt, solar salt, bath solar salt, Masada solar salt, 1-time baked bamboo salt (1× bamboo salt), and 9-times baked bamboo salt (9× bamboo salt). Based on the content of mineral elements, pH, OH groups and redox potential amperometric analysis, the 9× bamboo salt showed the most antioxidant components and characteristics compared to the other salts. The in vitro results showed that the 9× bamboo salt could inhibit oxidative damage by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment in HaCaT keratinocytes, and its effect was better than that of the other salts. In an in vivo experiment, SHK-1 hairless mice were treated with UV (ultraviolet) radiation to induce ageing. The epidermal thickness and epidermal structures were then assessed by phenotypic and histological analyses. The 0.2% 9× bamboo salt- and 1× bamboo salt-treated mice had a thinner epidermis than the control mice, and the sebaceous glands were almost intact with a regular arrangement that was similar to those in the normal group. Compared with the UV-treated group (control group) and other salt-treated groups, the 9× bamboo salt- and 1× bamboo salt-treated groups had higher dermal collagen and elastic fibre content. Fewer mast cells were observed in the 9× bamboo salt- and 1× bamboo salt-treated groups than in the control group. The activities of the skin antioxidant-related enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the 9× bamboo salt- and 1× bamboo salt-treated groups were higher than those in other groups and similar to those in the normal group, but lipid peroxide (LPO) activity and carbonylated protein levels showed the opposite trends. Furthermore, the 9× bamboo salt- and 1× bamboo salt-treated groups had protein contents similar to those of the normal group. In addition, the 9× bamboo salt and 1× bamboo salt effectively down-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and up-regulated the expression of tissue inhibitor expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), SOD and CAT compared to the other salts at a concentration of 0.2% (p < 0.05). These results suggest that at appropriate concentrations, bamboo salt could prevent skin ageing induced by ultraviolet radiation b (UVB) photodamage.

Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Targets

Inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic inflammatory conditions involving primarily the gastrointestinal tract. However, they may be also associated with systemic manifestations and comorbidities. The relationship between chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction has been extensively demonstrated. Mucosal immunity and gastrointestinal physiology are modified in inflammatory bowel diseases, and these modifications are mainly sustained by alterations of endothelial function. The key elements involved in this process are cytokines, inflammatory cells, growth factors, nitric oxide, endothelial adhesion molecules, and coagulation cascade factors. In this review, we discuss available data in literature concerning endothelial dysfunction in patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease and we focus our attention on both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic targets.

Oral engineered Bifidobacterium longum expressing rhMnSOD to suppress experimental colitis

In recent years, using genetic engineering and bioengineering techniques, Bifidobacterium as a carrier to express specific functions of the protein or polypeptide, has become a new treatment for disease. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Although the cause of this inflammatory disorder is still unknown, a large amount of evidence suggests that ulcerative colitis is associated with increased activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a kind of superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been demonstrated to play a key role in the pathophysiology of colitis. Here, we explored the Bifidobacterium as a drug delivery system to orally deliver a potent anti-inflammatory but poor penetration and stability antioxidant enzymes human MnSOD, transported into cells by a penetratin PEP-1. We constructed an expression vector expressing PEP-1-hMnSOD fusion protein, and successfully expressed hMnSOD fusion protein in engineered Bifidobacterium. Then we identified the bioactivity of engineered Bifidobacterium in LPS-induced inflammatory cell model. Finally, we used Bifidobacterium expressing PEP-1-hMnSOD fusion protein against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mice. B. longum-PEP-1-rhMnSOD can successfully express rhMnSOD in the colon. We found that levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 as well as histological damage in colonic tissues showed that engineered Bifidobacterium effectively reduced dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis, we also tested the MPO, verified the above conclusions. These results suggest that oral Bifidobacterium expressing PEP-1-hMnSOD fusion protein can be treated as a new method of UC treatment.

Preparation and Characterization of Nanoparticles Made from Co-Incubation of SOD and Glucose

The attractive potential of natural superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the fields of medicine and functional food is limited by its short half-life in circulation and poor permeability across the cell membrane. The nanoparticle form of SOD might overcome these limitations. However, most preparative methods have disadvantages, such as complicated operation, a variety of reagents-some of them even highly toxic-and low encapsulation efficiency or low release rate. The aim of this study is to present a simple and green approach for the preparation of SOD nanoparticles (NPs) by means of co-incubation of Cu/Zn SOD with glucose. This method was designed to prepare nanoscale aggregates based on the possible inhibitory effect of Maillard reaction on heating-induced aggregation during the co-incubation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) results indicated that the Maillard reaction occurred during the co-incubation process. It was found that enzymatically active NPs of Cu/Zn SOD were simultaneously generated during the reaction, with an average particle size of 175.86 ± 0.71 nm, and a Zeta potential of -17.27 ± 0.59 mV, as established by the measurement of enzymatic activity, observations using field emission scanning electron microscope, and analysis of dynamic light scattering, respectively. The preparative conditions for the SOD NPs were optimized by response surface design to increase SOD activity 20.43 fold. These SOD NPs showed storage stability for 25 days and better cell uptake efficacy than natural SOD. Therefore, these NPs of SOD are expected to be a potential drug candidate or functional food factor. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the preparation of nanoparticles possessing the bioactivity of the graft component protein, using the simple and green approach of co-incubation with glucose, which occurs frequently in the food industry during thermal processing.

Evidence for a Role of Nerve Injury in Painful Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: A Cross-Sectional Proteomic Analysis of Human Cerebrospinal Fluid

Intervertebral disc degeneration (DD) is a cause of low back pain (LBP) in some individuals. However, although >30% of adults have DD, LBP only develops in a subset of individuals. To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying nonpainful versus painful DD, human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was examined using differential expression shotgun proteomic techniques comparing healthy control participants, subjects with nonpainful DD, and patients with painful DD scheduled for spinal fusion surgery. Eighty-eight proteins were detected, 27 of which were differentially expressed. Proteins associated with DD tended to be related to inflammation (eg, cystatin C) regardless of pain status. In contrast, most differentially expressed proteins in DD-associated chronic LBP patients were linked to nerve injury (eg, hemopexin). Cystatin C and hemopexin were selected for further examination using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a larger cohort. While cystatin C correlated with DD severity but not pain or disability, hemopexin correlated with pain intensity, physical disability, and DD severity. This study shows that CSF can be used to study mechanisms underlying painful DD in humans, and suggests that while painful DD is associated with nerve injury, inflammation itself is not sufficient to develop LBP.

PERSPECTIVE

CSF was examined for differential protein expression in healthy control participants, pain-free adults with asymptomatic intervertebral DD, and LBP patients with painful intervertebral DD. While DD was related to inflammation regardless of pain status, painful degeneration was associated with markers linked to nerve injury.

Evaluation of Serum Trace Element Levels and Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Translating Basic Research into Clinical Application

The relationship of minerals and trace elements with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex. Alterations in their metabolism can be induced by the diseases and their complications. To study the role of trace elements in IBD patients' serum zinc and copper and their related enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), activity were measured in patients with IBD patients as well as in healthy subjects. In addition, the correlation between serum trace element levels, albumin, total protein, urea level, copper/zinc ratio, and disease activity (DA) was determined in these subjects. Serum samples were obtained from 35 patients (19 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 16 Crohn's disease (CD)) in the active phase of the disease and 30 healthy control subjects. Serum levels of zinc, copper, SOD activity, albumin, total protein, and urea were measured. The results were compared between the two groups using independent Student's t test in statistical analysis. Serum levels of zinc, SOD activity, albumin, and total protein were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients than controls, while serum urea level was significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Copper concentrations did not differ between patients with IBD (mean ± SD, 58.8 ± 20.7 μg/d) and controls (55.57 ± 12.6 μg/d). Decreased levels of zinc and SOD activity are associated with increased inflammatory processes indicating inappropriate antioxidant system in patients with IBD. Additionally, lower levels of albumin and total protein with higher level of urea reflect metabolic problems in liver system.

Antioxidant Properties of Probiotic Bacteria

Oxidative stress defines a condition in which the prooxidant-antioxidant balance in the cell is disturbed, resulting in DNA hydroxylation, protein denaturation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis, ultimately compromising cells' viability. Probiotics have been known for many beneficial health effects, and the consumption of probiotics alone or in food shows that strain-specific probiotics can present antioxidant activity and reduce damages caused by oxidation. However, the oxidation-resistant ability of probiotics, especially the underling mechanisms, is not properly understood. In this view, there is interest to figure out the antioxidant property of probiotics and summarize the mode of action of probiotic bacteria in antioxidation. Therefore, in the present paper, the antioxidant mechanisms of probiotics have been reviewed in terms of their ability to improve the antioxidant system and their ability to decrease radical generation. Since in recent years, oxidative stress has been associated with an altered gut microbiota, the effects of probiotics on intestinal flora composition are also elaborated.

The nitric oxide synthase 2 pathway is targeted by both pro- and anti-inflammatory treatments in the immature human intestine

BACKGROUND AND AIM

NO synthase 2 (NOS2) was recently identified as one the most overexpressed genes in intestinal samples of premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). NOS2 is widely implicated in the processes of epithelial cell injury/apoptosis and host immune defense but its specific role in inflammation of the immature human intestinal mucosa remains unclear. Interestingly, factors that prevent NEC such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) attenuate the inflammatory response in the mid-gestation human small intestine using serum-free organ culture while drugs that are associated with NEC occurrence such as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin (INDO), exert multiple detrimental effects on the immature human intestine. In this study we investigate the potential role of NOS2 in modulating the gut inflammatory response under protective and stressful conditions by determining the expression profile of NOS2 and its downstream pathways in the immature intestine.

METHODS

Gene expression profiles of cultured mid-gestation human intestinal explants were investigated in the absence or presence of a physiological concentration of EGF (50 ng/ml) or 1 μM INDO for 48 h using Illumina whole genome microarrays, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software and quantitative PCR to investigate the expression of NOS2 and NOS2-pathway related genes.

RESULTS

In the immature intestine, NOS2 expression was found to be increased by EGF and repressed by INDO. Bioinformatic analysis identified differentially regulated pathways where NOS2 is known to play an important role including citrulline/arginine metabolism, epithelial cell junctions and oxidative stress. At the individual gene level, we identified many differentially expressed genes of the citrulline/arginine metabolism pathway such as ARG1, ARG2, GLS, OAT and OTC in response to EGF and INDO. Gene expression of tight junction components such as CLDN1, CLDN2, CLDN7 and OCN and of antioxidant markers such as DUOX2, GPX2, SOD2 were also found to be differentially modulated by EGF and INDO.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the protective effect of EGF and the deleterious influence of INDO on the immature intestine could be mediated via regulation of NOS2. Pathways downstream of NOS2 involved with these effects include metabolism linked to NO production, epithelial barrier permeability and antioxidant expression. These results suggest that NOS2 is a likely regulator of the inflammatory response in the immature human gut and may provide a mechanistic basis for the protective effect of EGF and the deleterious effects of INDO.

Effect of karanjin on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis in Balb/c mice

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to evaluate the beneficial effect of karanjin for the treatment of experimental colitis.

METHODS

Colitis was induced in the Balb/c mice by rectal administration of 2% solution of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in 50% methanol. Karanjin (>98% pure) was administered in two different concentrations 100 and 200 mg/kg and sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg) as reference for 7 consecutive days to colitic mice. On the 8 day, mice were euthanized and degree of inflammation was assessed by macroscopic, microscopic, histology and biochemical estimation of myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) level were measured.

RESULTS

Karanjin significantly and dose dependently ameliorate the macroscopic damage, histological changes such as cellular infiltration, tissue necrosis, mucosal and submucosal damage as compared to the TNBS control group. Karanjin reduces the activity of MPO, depressed MDA, and NO level and helps in restoring the level of CAT, SOD, and GSH to normal when compared to the TNBS colitis group.

CONCLUSION

Result of the present study indicates that karanjin has the potential to cure colitis induced by intracolonic administration of TNBS.

A Cell-Penetrant Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) Mimic Is Able To Complement MnSOD and Exerts an Antiinflammatory Effect on Cellular and Animal Models of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inorganic complexes are increasingly used for biological and medicinal applications, and the question of the cell penetration and distribution of metallodrugs is key to understanding their biological activity. Oxidative stress is known to be involved in inflammation and in inflammatory bowel diseases for which antioxidative defenses are weakened. We report here the study of the manganese complex Mn1 mimicking superoxide dismutase (SOD), a protein involved in cell protection against oxidative stress, using an approach in inorganic cellular chemistry combining the investigation of Mn1 intracellular speciation using mass spectrometry and of its quantification and distribution using electron paramagnetic resonance and spatially resolved X-ray fluorescence with evaluation of its biological activity. More precisely, we have looked for and found the MS signature of Mn1 in cell lysates and quantified the overall manganese content. Intestinal epithelial cells activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide were taken as a cellular model of oxidative stress and inflammation. DNBS-induced colitis in mice was used to investigate Mn1 activity in vivo. Mn1 exerts an intracellular antiinflammatory activity, remains at least partially coordinated, with diffuse distribution over the whole cell, and functionally complements mitochondrial MnSOD.

The Dual Role of Neutrophils in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are characterised by aberrant immunological responses leading to chronic inflammation without tissue regeneration. These two diseases are considered distinct entities, and there is some evidence that neutrophil behaviour, above all other aspects of immunity, clearly separate them. Neutrophils are the first immune cells recruited to the site of inflammation, and their action is crucial to limit invasion by microorganisms. Furthermore, they play an essential role in proper resolution of inflammation. When these processes are not tightly regulated, they can trigger positive feedback amplification loops that promote neutrophil activation, leading to significant tissue damage and evolution toward chronic disease. Defective chemotaxis, as observed in Crohn’s disease, can also contribute to the disease through impaired microbe elimination. In addition, through NET production, neutrophils may be involved in thrombo-embolic events frequently observed in IBD patients. While the role of neutrophils has been studied in different animal models of IBD for many years, their contribution to the pathogenesis of IBD remains poorly understood, and no molecules targeting neutrophils are used and validated for the treatment of these pathologies. Therefore, it is crucial to improve our understanding of their mode of action in these particular conditions in order to provide new therapeutic avenues for IBD.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Haematological and Oxidative Stress Levels in Commercial Photocopier Operators In Lagos, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Human exposure to hazardous substances in the environment has been known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of some diseases. Photocopying machines have become a cheap source of self-employment in Nigeria. For obvious reasons the highest level of patronage is encountered in the campuses of educational institutions. However, the persons who operate the machines are always exposed to possible hazards associated with the job without protective devices.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the levels of oxidative stress, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and haematological parameters in blood samples of photocopier operators.

METHODS

The experimental procedure involved 50 consented subjects selected based on some criteria. The haematological parameters, oxidative stress and PAH levels were determined using standard methods.

RESULTS

The results showed no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) in the haematological parameters between the test subjects and the controls. However, there were duration on the job (yrs) dependent significant decrease in the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the photocopier operators compared with the controls (> 5 years p≤ 0.0001; 4-5 years p≤0.001). The level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was significantly decreased across all lengths of duration on the job compared with the controls.

CONCLUSION

The findings in this study revealed increased level of oxidative stress in photocopier operators with no significant change in haematological parameters. The health implication of operating photocopiers call for quick health education and intervention tailored to monitoring and guiding the photocopier operators. This will help to prevent or manage continuous exposure to the hazards of photocopying machines.

Detection of putative virulence genes of Lactococcus garvieae

Lactococcus garvieae is the causative agent of lactococcosis and has been isolated from a wide variety of animals. In the present study, 34 strains of L. garvieae isolated from fish from different sources and locations were tested for the presence or absence of the following putative virulence genes: a capsule gene cluster (CGC), hemolysins 1, 2, and 3 (hly1, -2, -3), NADH oxidase, superoxide dismutase (sod), phosphoglucomutase (pgm), adhesin Pav (adhPav), adhesin PsaA (adhPsaA), enolase (eno), LPxTG-containing surface proteins 1, 2, 3, and 4 (LPxTG-1, LPxTG-2, LPxTG-3, LPxTG-4; where LPxTG means Leu-Pro-any-Thr-Gly), adhesin clusters 1 and 2 (adhCI, adhCII), and adhesin (adh). To determine the presence of the CGC, we developed a multiplex PCR. All strains of L. garvieae had the hly1, -2, -3, NADH oxidase, pgm, adhPav, LPxTG-2, LPxTG-3, sod, eno, adhPsaA, adhCII, and adhCII genes, while only the Lg2 strain contained the CGC. The virulent Lg2 strain contained all 17 virulent genes. All Turkish, Spanish, Italian, and French strains did not contain the CGC. The multiplex PCR assay was useful for the detection of the CGC genes. In conclusion, the CGC is not the only virulent factor in L. garvieae because strains that lack the CGC are virulent to rainbow trout. Single genes also might not be responsible for the virulence of L. garvieae.

Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-γ Coactivator 1-α (PGC1α) Protects against Experimental Murine Colitis

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α (PGC1α) is the primary regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and was recently found to be highly expressed within the intestinal epithelium. PGC1α is decreased in the intestinal epithelium of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, but its role in pathogenesis is uncertain. We now hypothesize that PGC1α protects against the development of colitis and helps to maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier. We selectively deleted PGC1α from the intestinal epithelium of mice by breeding a PGC1α(loxP/loxP) mouse with a villin-cre mouse. Their progeny (PGC1α(ΔIEC) mice) were subjected to 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis for 7 days. The SIRT1 agonist SRT1720 was used to enhance PGC1α activation in wild-type mice during DSS exposure. Mice lacking PGC1α within the intestinal epithelium were more susceptible to DSS colitis than their wild-type littermates. Pharmacologic activation of PGC1α successfully ameliorated disease and restored mitochondrial integrity. These findings suggest that a depletion of PGC1α in the intestinal epithelium contributes to inflammatory changes through a failure of mitochondrial structure and function as well as a breakdown of the intestinal barrier, which leads to increased bacterial translocation. PGC1α induction helps to maintain mitochondrial integrity, enhance intestinal barrier function, and decrease inflammation.

Blockade of monocyte-endothelial trafficking by transduced Tat-superoxide dismutase protein

It has previously been suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, which entails the initial activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines to facilitate leukocyte transmigration. The present study investigated whether intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) suppressed monocyte endothelial trafficking and transmigration. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and THP-1 monocytes were activated by the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the absence and presence of cell-permeable transactivator of transcription (Tat)-SOD protein. External stimulation with SOD was conducted using endothelial cells and monocytes. Purified cell-permeable Tat-SOD, but not non-targeted SOD, at 1-3 µM was transduced into endothelial cells in a time‑ and dose-dependent manner. Non-toxic Tat-SOD at ≤0.5 µM, but not 1 µM SOD, blocked the monocyte-endothelium interactions by inhibiting the TNF-α-induced stimulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in HUVECs and integrin β1 in THP-1 cells. Endothelial VCAM-1 induction by TNF-α was responsible for superoxide anion production being quenched by N-acetyl-cysteine and Tat-SOD. SOD treatment markedly inhibited superoxide anion production induced by TNF-α, but no inhibition of endothelial transmigration was noted. Tat-SOD prevented transendothelial monocyte migration by firmly localizing occludin-1, platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule‑1 (PECAM-1) and vascular endothelial‑cadherin present in paracellular junctions and inhibiting endothelial induction and activation of matrix-degrading membrane type-1 (MT-1) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), MMP-2 and MMP-9. By contrast, treatment with 1 µM SOD did not have such effects. Furthermore, transduced Tat-SOD hindered nuclear transactivation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), modulating the induction of paracellular junction proteins and matrix‑degrading MMP in TNF-α‑stimulated HUVECs. Transduced Tat-SOD, but not external SOD, impeded cytokine-induced endothelial adhesion and the transmigration of monocytes. Thus, we suggest that transduced Tat-SOD qualifies as an atheroprotective agent against oxidation-driven and inflammation-associated atherosclerosis.

Botanical Drugs as an Emerging Strategy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Review

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common categories of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which are characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestine that comprises the patients' life quality and requires sustained pharmacological and surgical treatments. Since their aetiology is not completely understood, nonfully efficient drugs have been developed and those that show effectiveness are not devoid of quite important adverse effects that impair their long-term use. Therefore, many patients try with some botanical drugs, which are safe and efficient after many years of use. However, it is necessary to properly evaluate these therapies to consider a new strategy for human IBD. In this report we have reviewed the main botanical drugs that have been assessed in clinical trials in human IBD and the mechanisms and the active compounds proposed for their beneficial effects.

Host lysozyme-mediated lysis of Lactococcus lactis facilitates delivery of colitis-attenuating superoxide dismutase to inflamed colons

Beneficial microbes that target molecules and pathways, such as oxidative stress, which can negatively affect both host and microbiota, may hold promise as an inflammatory bowel disease therapy. Prior work showed that a five-strain fermented milk product (FMP) improved colitis in T-bet(-/-) Rag2(-/-) mice. By varying the number of strains used in the FMP, we found that Lactococcus lactis I-1631 was sufficient to ameliorate colitis. Using comparative genomic analyses, we identified genes unique to L. lactis I-1631 involved in oxygen respiration. Respiration of oxygen results in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Also, ROS are produced at high levels during intestinal inflammation and cause tissue damage. L. lactis I-1631 possesses genes encoding enzymes that detoxify ROS, such as superoxide dismutase (SodA). Thus, we hypothesized that lactococcal SodA played a role in attenuating colitis. Inactivation of the sodA gene abolished L. lactis I-1631's beneficial effect in the T-bet(-/-) Rag2(-/-) model. Similar effects were obtained in two additional colonic inflammation models, Il10(-/-) mice and dextran sulfate sodium-treated mice. Efforts to understand how a lipophobic superoxide anion (O2 (-)) can be detoxified by cytoplasmic lactoccocal SodA led to the finding that host antimicrobial-mediated lysis is a prerequisite for SodA release and SodA's extracytoplasmic O2 (-) scavenging. L. lactis I-1631 may represent a promising vehicle to deliver antioxidant, colitis-attenuating SodA to the inflamed intestinal mucosa, and host antimicrobials may play a critical role in mediating SodA's bioaccessibility.

Neutrophils and inflammatory metabolism in antimicrobial functions of the mucosa

In this mini-review, we will discuss recent findings that implicate neutrophil infiltration and function in establishing a metabolic environment to facilitate efficient pathogen clearance. For decades, neutrophils have been regarded as short lived, nonspecific granulocytes, equipped with toxic antimicrobial factors and a respiratory burst generating ROS. Recent findings demonstrate the importance of HIF signaling in leukocytes and surrounding tissues during inflammation. Here, we will review the potential mechanisms and outcomes of HIF stabilization within the intestinal mucosa.

Alleviation of antioxidant defense system by ozonized olive oil in DNBS-induced colitis in rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of ozonized olive oil (OZO) in 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulphuric acid (DNBS) induced colitis in rats and to elucidate the role of some antioxidant defense system (superoxide dismutase "SOD," glutathione peroxidase "GSH-Px," and catalase "CAT") in these effects. The physicochemical parameters including viscosity, peroxide, and acid values of olive oil and OZO were evaluated. The animals were divided into several groups and the colitis was induced in the rats by intracolonic instillation of DNBS at dose of 15 mg/rat. Olive oil (OO) at dose of 6 mg/kg and OZO at doses of 3 and 6 mg/kg was administered orally for 7 days, starting the day before induction of colitis. Our results showed that macroscopic and microscopic damage scores were significantly reduced in a dose response manner in rats pretreated with OZO only. In contrast, CAT, GSH-Px, and SOD activities were significantly increased in the distal colon of inflamed animals pretreated with OZO with respect to control group dose dependently. Results demonstrate that OZO pretreatment exerts protective effects in DNBS induced colitis in rats and provide evidence that the protective effects of OZO are mediated by stimulation of some antioxidant enzymes.

Antioxidant potential of bilirubin-accelerated wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Oxidative injury is markedly responsible for wound complications in diabetes mellitus. The biological actions of bilirubin may be relevant to prevent oxidant-mediated cell death, as bilirubin application at a low concentration scavenges reactive oxygen species. Hence, we hypothesized that topical bilirubin application might improve wound healing in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in adult male Wistar rats, which were divided into two groups, i.e., diabetic control and diabetic treated. Non-diabetic healthy rats were also taken as healthy control group. Wound area was measured on days 3, 7, 14, and 19 post-wounding. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were estimated in the granulation tissue. There was a significant increase in percent wound closure in healthy control and diabetic treated rats on days 7, 14, and 19, as compared to diabetic control rats on days 7, 14, and 19. There was significant decrease in MDA levels on days 7, 14, and 19 in diabetic treated rats, as compared to diabetic control rats. Levels of GSH were significantly increased on days 3, 7, 14, and 19 in diabetic treated rats, as compared to diabetic control rats. GPx, SOD, and CAT activities were significantly higher on days 3, 7, and 14 in diabetic treated rats, as compared to diabetic control rats. The findings indicate that bilirubin is effective in reducing the oxidant status in wounds of diabetic rats which might have accelerated wound healing in these rats.

Superoxide dismutase recombinant Lactobacillus fermentum ameliorates intestinal oxidative stress through inhibiting NF-κB activation in a trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid-induced colitis mouse model

AIMS

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) can prevent and cure inflammatory bowel diseases by decreasing the amount of reactive oxygen species. Unfortunately, short half-life of SOD in the gastrointestinal tract limited its application in the intestinal tract. This study aimed to investigate the treatment effects of recombinant SOD Lactobacillus fermentum in a colitis mouse model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we expressed the sodA gene in Lact. fermentum I5007 to obtain the SOD recombinant strain. Then, we determined the therapeutic effects of this SOD recombinant strain in a trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis mouse model. We found that SOD activity in the recombinant Lact. fermentum was increased by almost eightfold compared with that in the wild type. Additionally, both the wild type and the recombinant Lact. fermentum increased the numbers of lactobacilli in the colon of mice (P < 0·05). Colitis mice treated with recombinant Lact. fermentum showed a higher survival rate and lower disease activity index (P < 0·05). Recombinant Lact. fermentum significantly decreased colonic mucosa histological scoring for infiltration of inflammatory cells, lipid peroxidation, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and myeloperoxidase (P < 0·05) and inhibited NF-κB activity in colitis mice (P < 0·05).

CONCLUSIONS

SOD recombinant Lact. fermentum significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation through inhibiting NF-κB activation in the TNBS-induced colitis model.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides insights into the anti-inflammatory effects of SOD recombinant Lact. fermentum, indicating the potential therapeutic effects in preventing and curing intestinal bowel diseases.

Protective effect of marine mangrove Rhizophora apiculata on acetic acid induced experimental colitis by regulating anti-oxidant enzymes, inflammatory mediators and nuclear factor-kappa B subunits

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and ulcer in the lining of the large intestine. In this study we investigate the effect of Rhizophora apiculata (R. apiculata) on acetic acid induced colitis in mouse model. Experimental animals were randomized into four groups: normal untreated, colitis control, R. apiculata treated group and sulfasalazine treated group. R. apiculata significantly (p<0.01) decreased macroscopic score and wet weight of damaged colon compared to colitis control. This effect was confirmed biochemically by significant (p<0.01) reduction of colitis associated increase in myeloperoxidase activity. R. apiculata significantly (p<0.05) increased anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels compared to colitis control. R. apiculata significantly (p<0.01) reduced lipid peroxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory mediators such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expressions compared to colitis control. R. apiculata treatment significantly (p<0.01) inhibits the translocation of NF-kB p65 and p50 subunits. Taken together these findings suggest that R. apiculata prevents acetic acid induced colitis in experimental mouse model and may serve as an excellent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that could potentially be useful as a (natural) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).