The effect of aminoguanidine, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, on AlCl3 toxicity in the rat hippocampus

Can nonalcoholic beer, silicon and hops reduce the brain damage and behavioral changes induced by aluminum nitrate in young male Wistar rats?

Aluminum consumption has been associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies suggest that regular beer intake reverses the pro-oxidant and inflammatory statuses induced by aluminum nitrate intoxication. This paper aims to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant capacity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of non-alcoholic beer (NABeer), silicon or hops, as well as their effect on animal behavior (e.g. curiosity, immobilization, rearing, grooming, swimming) and brain antioxidant enzyme (activity and gene expression) and anti-inflammatory status in aluminum nitrate intoxicated rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: 1) Control, 2) Aluminum nitrate (450 μg/kg/day), 3) Aluminum nitrate plus NABeer, 4) Aluminum nitrate plus hops, and 5) Aluminum nitrate plus silicon. Hops showed the highest in vitro antioxidant capacity and silicon the highest anticholinesterase activity. In the Aluminum group the brain aluminum/silicon ratio increased with impairment of brain antioxidant and inflammatory statuses. NABeer, silicon and hops block the negative effect on the in vivo antioxidant and inflammatory statuses induced by Aluminum nitrate and improve swimming and rearing behavioral tests. The various positive results suggest that NABeer is useful as a functional multi-target drink in the prevention of some neurodegenerative events caused by aluminum intoxication. More studies are required to conclude present results.

Monitoring trace elements generated by automobiles: air pollutants with possible health impacts

Major transformations in the environmental composition are principally attributable to the combustion of fuels by automobiles. Motorized gasoline-powered two-stroke auto-rickshaws (TSA) and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered four-stroke auto-rickshaws (FSA) are potential source of air pollution in south Asia and produce toxic amount of particulate matter (PM) to the environment. In this study, we attempted to characterize elemental pollutants from the PM of TSA and FSA using proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis. The observations of the existing investigation recognized significant increase in Al (P < 0.05), P (P < 0.01), and Zn (P < 0.01) from the PM samples of FSA. In addition, the concentrations of Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na and S were also observed exceeding the recommended National Institute for Environmental Studies limits. On the contrary, increased concentration of Sr and V were observed in the PM samples from TSA. It is generally believed that FSA generates smaller amount of PM but data obtained from FSA are clearly describing that emissions from FSA comprised potentially more toxic substances than TSA. The current research is specific to metropolitan population and has evidently revealed an inconsistent burden of exposure to air pollutants engendered by FSA in urban communities, which could lead to the disruption of several biological activities and may cause severe damage to entire ecological system.

Reactive oxygen species and inhibitors of inflammatory enzymes, NADPH oxidase, and iNOS in experimental models of Parkinson's disease

Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are emerging as important players in the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD). Out of several ROS-generating systems, the inflammatory enzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were believed to play major roles. Mounting evidence suggests that activation of NADPH oxidase and the expression of iNOS are directly linked to the generation of highly reactive ROS which affects various cellular components and preferentially damage midbrain dopaminergic neurons in PD. Therefore, appropriate management or inhibition of ROS generated by these enzymes may represent a therapeutic target to reduce neuronal degeneration seen in PD. Here, we have summarized recently developed agents and patents claimed as inhibitors of NADPH oxidase and iNOS enzymes in experimental models of PD.