Superoxide Dismutases (SODs) and SOD Mimetics

Exogenous application of 5-azacitidin, royal jelly and folic acid regulate plant redox state, expression level of DNA methyltransferases and alleviate adverse effects of salinity stress on Vicia faba L. plants

DNA methylation is one of induced changes under salinity stress causing reduction in the expression of several crucial genes required for normal plant's operation. Potential use of royal jelly (RJ), folic acid (FA) and 5-azacitidine (5-AZA) on two Egyptian faba bean varieties (Sakha-3 and Giza-716) grown under saline conditions was investigated. Salinity stress affects negatively on seeds germination (G %), mitotic index, membrane stability and induced a significant increase in chromosomal abnormalities (CAs). DNA methyltransferases genes (MT1 and MT2) were highly up-regulated (∼23 and 8 folds for MT1 and MT2 in shoots of Giza-716 stressed plants). On the other hand, down regulation of other studied stress related genes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), heat shock protein (HSP-17.9) and proline-rich protein (GPRP) were detected in stressed plants of both studied varieties. Treating plants with RJ and FA increase G%, chlorophyll content, improves membrane properties and reduces CAs compared to non-treated stressed plants. Exogenous application of 5-AZA, RJ and FA on salinity stressed plants was associated with a significant reduction in the transcription of MT1 and MT2 which was associated with significant up regulation in the expression of Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT, GR, GPRP and HSP-17.9 encoding genes. The Lowest expression of MT1 and MT2 were induced with 5-AZA treatment in both studied varieties. Exogenous application of the FA, RJ and 5-AZA modified the methylation state of stressed plants by regulation the expression of DNA methyltransferases, subsequently, modulated the expression of studied genes and could be proposed as a promising treatment to ameliorate hazardous effects of salt stress on different plants.

Construction and analysis of the immune effect of two different vaccine types based on Vibrio harveyi VgrG

Vibrio harveyi poses a significant threat to fish and invertebrates in mariculture, resulting in substantial financial repercussions for the aquaculture sector. Valine-glycine repeat protein G (VgrG) is essential for the type VI secretion system's (T6SS) assembly and secretion. VgrG from V. harveyi QT520 was cloned and analyzed in this study. The localization of VgrG was determined by Western blot, which revealed that it was located in the cytoplasm, secreted extracellularly, and attached to the membrane. The effectiveness of two vaccinations against V. harveyi infection-a subunit vaccine (rVgrG) and a DNA vaccine (pCNVgrG) prepared with VgrG was evaluated. The findings indicated that both vaccines provided a degree of protection against V. harveyi challenge. At 4 weeks post-vaccination (p.v.), the rVgrG and pCNVgrG exhibited relative percent survival rates (RPS) of 71.43% and 76.19%, respectively. At 8 weeks p.v., the RPS for rVgrG and pCNVgrG were 68.21% and 72.71%, respectively. While both rVgrG and pCNVgrG elicited serum antibody production, the subunit vaccinated fish demonstrated significantly higher levels of serum anti-VgrG specific antibodies than the DNA vaccine group. The result of qRT-PCR demonstrated that the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Iα, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon γ (IFNγ), and cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) were up-regulated by both rVgrG and pCNVgrG. Fish vaccinated with rVgrG and pCNVgrG exhibited increased activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase, and lysozyme. These findings suggest that VgrG from V. harveyi holds potential for application in vaccination.

Litchi Pericarp Extract Treats Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Regulating Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Response, and Energy Metabolism

Litchi pericarp is rich in polyphenols, and demonstrates significant biological activity. This study assessed the therapeutic effects of litchi pericarp extract (LPE) on type 2 diabetes mellitus in db/db mice. The results showed that LPE ameliorated symptoms of glucose metabolism disorder, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and insulin resistance in db/db mice. The mechanistic studies indicated that LPE activates adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and suppresses the protein expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), thereby reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis. Additionally, LPE facilitates the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) into the cell nucleus, initiating the transcription of antioxidant factors superoxide dismutase (SOD) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), which alleviate oxidative stress and reduce oxidative damage. Furthermore, LPE blocks nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation and subsequent inflammatory response initiation, thereby reducing inflammation. These findings indicate that LPE addresses type 2 diabetes mellitus by activating the AMPK energy metabolic pathway and regulating the Nrf2 oxidative stress and NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathways.

Exploration of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and wound healing activities of Bletilla Striata polysaccharide

Bletilla Striata (BS) Polysaccharide (BSP) is one of the main components of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Bletilla striata Rchb. F. BSP has been widely used in antimicrobial and hemostasis treatments in clinics. Despite its use in skin disease treatment and cosmetology, the effects of BSP on wound healing remain unclear. Here we investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects of BSP and explored its impact on morphological changes and inflammatory mediators during wound healing. A carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema model was established to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of BSP. Antioxidant indicators, including NO, SOD, and MDA, were measured in the blood and liver. The increased pain threshold induced by BSP was also determined using the hot plate test. A mouse excisional wound model was applied to evaluate the wound healing rate, and HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect tissue structure changes. In addition, ELISA was employed to detect the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum. BSP significantly decreased the concentration of NO and MDA in serum and liver while increasing SOD activity. It exhibited a notable improvement in mouse paw edema induced by carrageenan. BSP dose-dependently delayed the appearance of licking behavior in mice, indicating its analgesic effect. Compared to the control group, the wound healing rate was significantly improved in the BSP treatment group. HE and Masson staining results showed that the BSP and 'Jingwanhong' ointment groups had slightly milder inflammatory responses and significantly promoted more new granulation tissue formation. The levels of serum inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were reduced to varying degrees. The results demonstrated that BSP possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and wound healing properties, and it may promote wound healing through inhibition of inflammatory cytokine synthesis and release.

Sijunzi decoction ameliorates gastric precancerous lesions via regulating oxidative phosphorylation based on proteomics and metabolomics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sijunzi decoction (SJZD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). However, the mechanism of gastric protection is not fully understood.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy of SJZD in blocking the development of GPL and to reveal the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

First, we established a rat model of GPL, which was induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) combined with an irregular diet and 40% ethanol. The efficacy of SJZD was evaluated based on pathological sections and serum biochemical indices. Then, the pharmacodynamic mechanism of SJZD was revealed by quantitative proteomics based on stable isotope dimethyl labeling. At the same time, the pharmacodynamic mechanism was verified by quantitative metabolomics. In addition, the anti-gastritis effect of SJZD was confirmed by a serum pharmacology method in a cell model, and the functional mechanism was further verified.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that SJZD could block the development of GPL in the animal model. Proteomics and metabolomics revealed that SJZD blocks GPL development by regulating oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). In addition, the serum pharmacology results showed that SJZD-containing serum (SJZD-CS) could inhibit apoptosis in MNNG-induced GES-1 cells. OXPHOS inhibitors could significantly reduce the protective effect of SJZD-CS.

CONCLUSION

SJZD effectively ameliorates GPL, and proteomics and metabolomics revealed that its protective effects are closely related to OXPHOS.

The dysfunction in intestinal microorganisms and enzyme activity as significant contributors to diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome

Object

To investigate the pathogenesis of diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome by examining characteristic changes in intestinal microorganisms, enzyme activities, oxidative stress, and metabolism indices.

Methods

Twenty mice were randomly and equally divided into control group (NC) and model group (NM). Mice in NM group received adenine suspension at a dosage of 50 mg/(kg⋅day) by gavage, 0.4 mL/time, once a day for 14 days, and Folium sennae decoction at a dosage of 10 g/(kg⋅day) by gavage, 0.4 mL/time, once a day for 7 days, starting on 8th day. Mice in NC group were administered an equivalent amount of sterile water by gavage once a day for 7 days, and twice a day from the 8th day. After modeling, assessments encompassed microbial culture, organ index calculation, microbial and enzyme activity detection, malondialdehyde (MDA) content determination, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, blood biochemical tests, and observation of kidney tissue pathological changes.

Results

The results showed that in NM group, a reduction in the number of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria was noted, accompanied by an increase in the number of bacteria and E. coli. Xylanase activity in the intestinal contents and mucosa, protease activity in the intestinal mucosa, and intestinal mucosa microbial activity were diminished. Conversely, the activities of amylase, sucrase, and lactase increased in intestinal mucosa. Additionally, there was an elevation in the level of MDA. Renal tubular dilatation and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the renal interstitium.

Conclusion

These dysfunctions in intestinal microorganisms and enzyme activities suggest potential involvement in diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome.

Preparation and characterization of lotus root starch based bioactive edible film containing quercetin-encapsulated nanoparticle and its effect on grape preservation

The present work aimed to develop a novel bioactive edible film prepared by adding quercetin-encapsulated carboxymethyl lotus root starch nanoparticles (QNPs)，gellan gum and lotus root starch. The physicochemical characteristics, preservation effect and mechanism on grapes of the prepared film were investigated. SEM results showed that QNPs (5 %) were dispersed uniformly within lotus root starch matrix, indicating the formation of a stable composite nanoparticle film. In addition, the incorporation of QNPs (5 %) effectively improved the mechanical strength, thermal stability, barrier property and antioxidant activity of QNPs/starch film. Moreover, compared with the control, the QNPs/starch (5 %) film showed effective preservation effect on grapes during 21 days of storage at room temperature, based on the characterization by grape appearance, weight loss, firmness, and titratable acidity. Further studies found that QNPs/starch (5 %) film could exhibit enhanced antioxidant activity and potent anti-fungal ability against Botrytis cinerea, thus extending grape shelf life. In conclusion, the obtained QNPs/starch (5 %) film presented a promising application as an edible packing material for fruit preservation by antioxidant and preventing Botrytis cinerea contamination.

Ceria-Based Nanozymes in Point-of-Care Diagnosis: An Emerging Futuristic Approach for Biosensing

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in interest surrounding nanozymes due to their ability to imitate the functions and address the limitations of natural enzymes. The scientific community has been greatly intrigued by the study of nanoceria, primarily because of their distinctive physicochemical characteristics, which include a variety of enzyme-like activities, affordability, exceptional stability, and the ability to easily modify their surfaces. Consequently, nanoceria have found extensive use in various biosensing applications. However, the impact of its redox activity on the enzymatic catalytic mechanism remains a subject of debate, as conflicting findings in the literature have presented both pro-oxidant and antioxidant effects. Herein, we creatively propose a seesaw model to clarify the regulatory mechanism on redox balance and survey possible mechanisms of multienzyme mimetic properties of nanoceria. In addition, this review aims to showcase the latest advancements in this field by systematically discussing over 180 research articles elucidating the significance of ceria-based nanozymes in enhancing, downsizing, and enhancing the efficacy of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. These advancements align with the ASSURED criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, this review also examines potential constraints in order to offer readers a concise overview of the emerging role of nanoceria in the advancement of POC diagnostic systems for future biosensing applications.

Qi-Shen-Tang alleviates retinitis pigmentosa by inhibiting ferroptotic features via the NRF2/GPX4 signaling pathway

Ferroptosis has been observed during retinal photoreceptor cell death, suggesting that it plays a role in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) pathogenesis. Qi-Shen-Tang (QST) is a combination of two traditional Chinese medicines used for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases; however, its mechanism of action in RP and ferroptosis remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect and potential molecular mechanisms of QST on RP. QST significantly improved tissue morphology and function of the retina in the RP model mice. A significant increase in retinal blood flow and normalization of the fundus structure were observed in mice in the treatment group. After QST treatment, the level of iron and the production of malondialdehyde decreased significantly; the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione increased significantly; and the protein expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), glutathione synthetase, solute carrier family 7 member 11, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) increased significantly. The molecular docking results demonstrated potential interactions between the small molecules of QST and the key proteins of NRF2/GPX4 signaling pathway. Our results indicate that QST may inhibit ferroptosis by inhibiting the NRF2/GPX4 signaling pathway, thereby reducing RP-induced damage to retinal tissue.

Saponins of Tomato Extract Improve Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Oxidative Stress and Lipid Homeostasis

The present study investigated the impact of saponins of tomato extract (STE) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The findings demonstrated that introducing STE in NAFLD mice revealed promising results in ameliorating symptoms of oxidative stress, lipid metabolism disorders, visceral fat deposition and fatty liver disease. Moreover, the mechanistic studies have demonstrated that STE delivers its effects by activating adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), thereby suppressing downstream protein expression associated with fatty acid synthesis. In such conditions, lipid metabolism can be improved. Simultaneously, STE enhanced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and entry into the nucleus and initiated the transcription of downstream antioxidant factors, thereby relieving oxidative stress induced by a high-fat diet and lowering oxidative damage to the liver. Such results imply that the administration of STE can be regarded as a viable treatment option for NAFLD, providing a mechanism that can regulate the AMPK and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Optimal extraction of polysaccharides from Stevia rebaudiana roots for protection against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in RAW264.7 cells

Stevia rebaudiana boasts a wide range of medical and food applications and contains polysaccharides that exert beneficial effects against oxidative stress. In this study, we optimised the extraction of a polysaccharide (SRRP) from S. rebaudiana roots by employing a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: 93.57 min, 71.67 °C, and a water-to-raw material ratio of 21.40 mL/g. Under these conditions, 14.00 ± 0.35% of crude polysaccharide was obtained. Treatment of RAW264.7 cells with SRRP prior to the addition of H2O2, a major contributor to oxidative damage, significantly increased cell viability. In addition, SRRP increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde in RAW264.7 cells. Therefore, SRRP can provide effective protection against H2O2-induced oxidative damage. These findings indicate the potential of SRRP as a natural antioxidant in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The potential mechanism of Choulingdan mixture in improving acute lung injury based on HPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology and in vivo experiments

Choulingdan mixture (CLDM) is an empirical clinical prescription for the adjuvant treatment of acute lung injury (ALI). CLDM has been used for almost 30 years in the clinic. However, its mechanism for improving ALI still needs to be investigated. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was applied to characterize the overall chemical composition of CLDM. A total of 93 ingredients were characterized, including 25 flavonoids, 20 organic acids, 11 saponins, nine terpenoids, seven tannins and 21 other compounds. Then network pharmacology was applied to predict the potential bioactive components, target genes and signaling pathways of CLDM in improving ALI. Additionally, molecular docking was performed to demonstrate the interaction between the active ingredients and the disease targets. Finally, animal experiments further confirmed that CLDM significantly inhibits pulmonary inflammation, pulmonary edema and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide-induced ALI mice by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. This study enhanced the amount and accuracy of compounds of CLDM and provided new insights into CLDM preventing and treating ALI.

Relationship of Gene-Structure-Antioxidant Ability of Exopolysaccharides Derived from Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Review

Polysaccharides derived from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have widespread industrial applications owing to their excellent safety profile and numerous biological properties. The antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharides (EPS) offers defense against disease conditions caused by oxidative stress. Several genes and gene clusters are involved in the biosynthesis of EPS and the determination of their structures, which play an important role in modulating their antioxidant ability. Under conditions of oxidative stress, EPS are involved in the activation of the nonenzyme (Keap1-Nrf2-ARE) response pathway and enzyme antioxidant system. The antioxidant activity of EPS is further enhanced by the targeted alteration of their structures, as well as by chemical methods. Enzymatic modification is the most commonly used method, though physical and biomolecular methods are also frequently used. A detailed summary of the biosynthetic processes, antioxidant mechanisms, and modifications of LAB-derived EPS is presented in this paper, and their gene-structure-function relationship has also been explored.

The relationship between serum superoxide dismutase and thyroid function in obese patients after Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

To investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal correlation between serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and thyroid function with obesity before and after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Patients with morbid obesity (n = 219, 112 males and 107 females) who underwent LSG were selected and they were subdivided into normal levels of SOD (NSOD, n = 112) and high levels of SOD (HSOD, n = 107) according to the median value of SOD levels (183 U/mL). SOD and thyroid hormones were measured and compared at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months after LSG. The HSOD group had lower body mass index (BMI), total thyroxine (TT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) than the NSOD group (p < 0.001, p = 0.031, p < 0.001, respectively). However, they had higher free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) (p = 0.019 and p = 0.017, respectively). SOD was significantly negatively associated with TSH and positively associated with FT4. Of all the patients, 22.31% (NSOD: 66.67%; HSOD: 33.33%) had subclinical hypothyroidism (SH), and there were lower SOD levels in the SH group. Preoperative SOD was a protective factor for SH. After LSG, SOD and FT4 levels were increased at 12 months after LSG, however, TSH, FT3, total triiodothyronine (TT3) and TT4 levels decreased compared to the preoperative levels at 3, 6, and 12 months in the SH group. Postoperative changes in FT4 and TT4 levels correlated with changes in SOD levels. SOD, which is correlated with thyroid hormones, protects against SH in patients with obesity. The improvement in thyroid function with SH after LSG may be related to increased SOD levels.

Molecular mechanism of plant elicitor daphnetin-carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles against Ralstonia solanacearum by activating plant system resistance

The exploration of biopolymer-based materials to avoid hazardous chemicals in agriculture has gained enormous importance for sustainable crop protection. Due to its good biocompatibility and water solubility, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) has been widely applied as a pesticide carrier biomaterial. However, the mechanism by which carboxymethyl chitosan-grafted natural product nanoparticles induce tobacco systemic resistance against bacterial wilt remains largely unknown. In this study, water-soluble CMCS-grafted daphnetin (DA) nanoparticles (DA@CMCS-NPs) were successfully synthesized, characterized, and assessed for the first time. The grafting rate of DA in CMCS was 10.05 %, and the water solubility was increased. In addition, DA@CMCS-NPs significantly increased the activities of CAT, PPO and SOD defense enzymes, activated the expression of PR1 and NPR1, and suppressed the expression of JAZ3. DA@CMCS-NPs could induce immune responses against R. solanacearum in tobacco, including increases in defense enzymes and overexpression of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. The application of DA@CMCS-NPs effectively suppressed the development of tobacco bacterial wilt in pot experiments, and the control efficiency was as high as 74.23 %, 67.80 %, 61.67 % at 8, 10, and 12 days after inoculation. Additionally, DA@CMCS-NPs has excellent biosafety. Therefore, this study highlighted the application of DA@CMCS-NPs in manipulating tobacco to generate defense responses against R. solanacearum, which can be attributed to systemic resistance.

Combination of hyperspectral imaging and entropy weight method for the comprehensive assessment of antioxidant enzyme activity in Tan mutton

The antioxidant enzymes play the crucial role in inhibiting mutton spoilage. In this study, visible near-infrared (Vis-NIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) combined with entropy weight method (EWM) was developed for the first time to evaluate the antioxidant properties of Tan mutton. The comprehensive index of antioxidant enzymes (AECI) consisting of peroxidase (49.34%), catalase (37.97%) and superoxidase (12.69%) was constructed by the EWM. Partial least squares regression, least squares support vector machine and artificial neural networks (ANN) were developed based on characteristic wavelengths extracted by successful projections algorithm, uninformative variable selection, iteratively retains informative variables (IRIV), regression coefficient and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS). The textural features (TF) were extracted by the gray level co-occurrence matrix and fused with the spectral data to establish models. Visualization of the changes in antioxidant enzyme activity was constructed from the optimal model. In addition, two-dimensional correlation spectra (2D-COS) with AECI as a perturbation variable was used to identify spectral features, revealing chemical bond changes order under the characteristic peaks at 612-799-473-708-559 nm. The results showed that the IRIV-CARS-TF-ANN model performed the best, with prediction set coefficient of determination (R_P²) of 0.8813, which improved 2.12%, 1.11% and 2.77% over the R_P² of full band, IRIV and IRIV-CARS, respectively. It was suggested that fusion data of HSI may effectively predict the activity of antioxidant enzymes in Tan mutton.

Phenolic Acids and Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids Profiles in Leucojum aestivum L. In Vitro Plants Grown under Different Light Conditions

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have emerged as efficient light sources for promoting in vitro plant growth and primary and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. This study investigated the effects of blue, red, and white-red LED lights on plant biomass growth, photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, phenolic compounds, the production of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in Leucojum aestivum L. cultures. A white fluorescent light was used as a control. The plants that were grown under white-red and red light showed the highest fresh biomass increments. The blue light stimulated chlorophyll a, carotenoid, and flavonoid production. The white-red and blue lights were favourable for phenolic acid biosynthesis. Chlorogenic, p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, and benzoic acids were identified in plant materials, with ferulic acid dominating. The blue light had a significant beneficial effect both on galanthamine (4.67 µg/g of dry weight (DW)) and lycorine (115 µg/g DW) biosynthesis. Red light treatment increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and high catalase activity was also observed in plants treated with white-red and blue light. This is the first report to provide evidence of the effects of LED light on the biosynthesis of phenolic acid and Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in L. aestivum cultures, which is of pharmacological importance and can propose new strategies for their production.

Potential Role of Superoxide Dismutase 3 (SOD3) in Resistance to Influenza A Virus Infection

Influenza A virus infection induces the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overproduction of ROS can overwhelm the antioxidant defense system, leading to increasing intensive oxidative stress. However, antioxidant defense against oxidative damage induced by influenza A virus infection, and in particular the significance of the SOD3 response in the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection, has not been well characterized. Here, we investigated the potential role of SOD3 in resistance to influenza A virus infection. In this study, SOD3, as an important antioxidant enzyme, was shown to be highly elevated in A549 cells following influenza A virus infection. Furthermore, inhibition of SOD3 impacted viral replication and virulence. We found that SOD3 disrupts IAV replication by impairing the synthesis of vRNA, whereas it did not affect viral ribonucleoprotein nuclear export. In addition, overexpression of SOD3 greatly reduced the levels of ROS caused by influenza A virus infection, regulated the inflammatory response to virus infection by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p65 of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and inhibited virus-induced apoptosis to a certain extent. Taken together, these findings indicate that SOD3 is actively involved in influenza A virus replication. Pharmacological modulation or targeting of SOD3 may pave the way for a novel therapeutic approach to combating influenza A virus infection.

A high-efficient and stable artificial superoxide dismutase based on functionalized melanin nanoparticles from cuttlefish ink for food preservation

Natural superoxide dismutase (SOD), consisting of proteins and metal cofactors, is widely used in food preservation because of its good antioxidant activity. However, due to the poor stability of SOD enzyme, its activity was reduced in the process of moving into the film, resulting in limited application. Based on the structure of the active site of the natural enzyme, Cu²⁺ was used to functionalize the melanin nanoparticles (NMPs) in ink of cuttlefish, and an SOD-like nanozyme (Cu-NMPs) with high stability, high activity and strong free radical scavenging capacity was constructed. In order to apply the constructed simulated enzyme to food preservation, the simulated enzyme was embedded into carrageenan (Carr) films to prepare the composite film for food packaging. The results showed that when the concentration of Cu-NMPs was 10 μg/mL, the ·O₂^- rate could reach more than 80 %, the activity exceeded that of 60 U/mL natural SOD. In addition, the fresh-keeping test of cherry tomatoes showed that Carr/Cu-NMPs composite film extended the storage time of cherry tomatoes by more 3 days. Therefore, the present work showed that nanozymes with advanced catalytic capabilities can be constructed by metal ions and NMPs, thus successfully combined with food packaging for food preservation.

Review of the toxicity and potential molecular mechanisms of parental or successive exposure to environmental pollutants in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans

Environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, nano/microparticles, and organic compounds have been detected in a wide range of environmental media, causing long-term exposure in various organisms and even humans through breathing, contacting, ingestion, and other routes. Long-term exposure to environmental pollutants in organisms or humans promotes exposure of offspring to parental and environmental pollutants, and subsequently results in multiple biological defects in the offspring. This review dialectically summarizes and discusses the existing studies using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism to explore the multi/transgenerational toxicity and potential underlying molecular mechanisms induced by environmental pollutants following parental or successive exposure patterns. Parental and successive exposure to environmental pollutants induces various biological defects in C. elegans across multiple generations, including multi/transgenerational developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and metabolic disturbances, which may be transmitted to progeny through reactive oxygen species-induced damage, epigenetic mechanisms, insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway. This review aims to arouse researchers' interest in the multi/transgenerational toxicity of pollutants and hopes to explore the possible long-term effects of environmental pollutants on organisms and even humans, as well as to provide constructive suggestions for the safety and management of emerging alternatives.

Antitoxic Effects of Curcumin against Obesity-Induced Multi-Organs' Biochemical and Histopathological Abnormalities in an Animal Model

Background

Obesity is a significant public health problem that is characterized by an increase in oxidative stress and enhanced inflammatory responses associated with immune cell invasion of adipose tissues. This study assessed several biochemical abnormalities, apoptosis, oxidative stress status, and associated histological changes in the liver, duodenum, and heart brought on by high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats. It also assessed the mechanistic benefits of curcumin in reversing these inflammatory, metabolic, and histological impairments.

Methods

Rats were assigned into three groups each including ten rats: the control group (CD), the high-fat diet group (HFD), and the high-fat diet + curcumin (HFDC) group. Serum glucose, insulin, and triglycerides (TAGs) were observed. In addition, apoptosis (indicated by hepatic DNA fragmentation) and oxidative stress status (indicated by hepatic MPO, GSH, and SOD) were assessed. Histopathological examinations included the GIT (liver and duodenum) and heart in addition to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays of the adipose tissue genetic expressions for inflammatory signaling pathways (TLR4, IL-6, and TNF-α).

Results

The overall findings showed that the HFD group exhibited significantly higher levels of glucose, TAGs, and insulin than the control group (P < 0.01). The histological abnormalities of the studied organs in the HFD group were paralleled by these biochemical abnormalities, which were strongly associated with increased apoptosis, increased oxidative stress, and increased expression of the inflammatory signaling markers. There were significant improvements in the HFDC group in terms of biochemical, inflammatory, and histological investigations.

Conclusions

This study's findings concluded that obesity is significantly associated with biochemical and microscopic alterations in many organs. Curcumin exerted potent antitoxic, antioxidant, tissue-protective, and antiobesity effects. Curcumin is recommended to be added to various dietary regimens to prevent or delay the organs' dysfunction among obese people.

Physicochemical characterization of a fern polysaccharide from Alsophila spinulosa leaf and its anti-aging activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Alsophila spinulosa , as a rare tree fern with potential medicinal value, has attracted extensive attention. Herein, the physicochemical properties, antioxidant and anti-aging activities of polysaccharide from A. spinulosa leaf (ALP) were investigated. ALP was composed of galactose, arabinose, glucose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, mannose, and fucose. (1→), (1→6), and (1→2) bond types were the primary glycosidic bond in ALP. Surprisingly, ALP displayed the wonderful activity of antioxidant and anti-aging, including excellent scavenging ability against DPPH and ABTS radicals in vitro ; prolonging the life span, improving activity of antioxidative enzymes (SOD and CAT), and decreasing the level of ROS, MDA in Caenorhabditis elegans . Meanwhile, ALP promoted DAF-16 to move into the nuclear. Overall, our results illustrated that ALP could be further developed as a functional food ingredient.

Comparison enteral superoxide dismutase 1 IU and 5 IU from Cucumis melo L.C extract combined with gliadin as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in LPS-Induced sepsis model rats

Sepsis is a major cause of death in intensive care units whose development is supported by an imbalance of oxidative stress and antioxidant. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a primer endogen antioxidant that prevents reactive oxygen species (ROS). Extensive studies on animals and humans have examined Cucumis melo L.C, a cantaloupe rich in SOD, and its combination with gliadin. The studies aimed to determine the effect of enteral administration of Cucumis melo L.C. gliadin (CME-gliadin) 28 days before inducing sepsis in rats. This experimental study aimed to compare four groups of male Wistar rats, including negative and positive control rats and those supplemented with SOD CME-gliadin 1 IU/day and SOD CME-gliadin 5 IU/day. All rats were given the same standard, except the supplementation for 28 days. Sepsis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS 10 mg/kg. Enteral administration of SOD – gliadin extract of CME-gliadin for 28 days was used as antioxidant prophylaxis against oxidative stress due to sepsis. The results showed that enteral administration of CME-gliadin of 1 IU/day and 5 IU/day significantly increased SOD levels based on examination after 14 and 28 days. Also, it significantly decreased MDA (p < 0.001), TNF-α (p < 0.001), and lactate levels in rats induced by sepsis. However, the increase in lactate levels was above >1.64 mmol/l, indicating a high mortality rate. There was no significant difference in SOD, MDA, TNF-α, and Lactate levels between SOD 1 IU and SOD 5 IU. This descriptive data show that SOD 5 IU has a better result in MDA, TNF-α, and Lactate levels than SOD 1 IU.

Characterization of the pathogenesis and immune response to a highly virulent Edwardsiella tarda strain responsible for mass mortality in the hybrid snakehead (Channa maculate ♀ × Channa argus ♂)

Edwardsiella tarda is reported as the causative agent of the systemic disease Edwardsiellosis in fish, which lead to huge economic losses in aquaculture. The pathogenicity and immune response to a highly virulent E. tarda isolate responsible for mass mortality in hybrid snakehead were performed. After species identification, morphology and virulence gene detection of Edwardsiella isolated from hybrid snakehead, the pathogenicity of the strain and histopathological changes in infected fish were analyzed. The infected fish exhibited typical acute hemorrhagic symptoms and enlarged internal organs. Histopathology revealed that the liver, spleen, kidney and intestinal tissues of diseased fish exhibited marked inflammatory with vacuolar degeneration and cell necrosis. Subsequently, humoral immune factors such as superoxide dismutase, lysozyme and acid phosphatase activities were detected as serum indicators, and real-time quantitative PCR was used to investigate immune-related genes (STAT1, HSP70, IgM, IL-6, IL-8, TRAF2, CD40, HLA-DMA and LCK) expression patterns in liver, spleen and head kidney. The results showed that these enzyme activity indicators and immune-related gene expression were significantly activated compared with healthy fish. These data provide insight into the pathogenic mechanisms and host immune responses of E. tarda, which could be useful for the future prevention and treatment of Edwardsiellosis in fish.

Vanadium nitride@carbon nanofiber composite: Synthesis, cascade enzyme mimics and its sensitive and selective colorimetric sensing of superoxide anion

Nanozymes featuring with favorable activity, good stability and easy scale-up production, are promising to replace natural enzymes for various applications. However, it remains a challenge to explore the cascade reactions of multi-enzyme mimics, aiming at synergistic catalysis for various applications. Herein, vanadium nitride nanoparticles deposited on carbon nanofibers (VN@CNFs) composite was facilely prepared by typical electrospinning route with subsequently ammonia reduction process. The nanocomposite showed excellent peroxidase (POD)-like and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities. Additionally, their catalytic mechanisms were systematically researched. Coupling of SOD-like with POD-like as cascade enzyme, a selective and sensitive colorimetric detection of superoxide anion (O₂^•-) was explored, which has two linear parts, 0.05-30 μM and 30-250 μM O₂^•- with the LOD of 0.0167 μM (S/N = 3). The as-proposed method was applicable to practical samples detection with satisfactory accuracy and recovery. Therefore, the VN@CNFs composite shows great prospect in biosensing, superoxide anion removal and biocatalysis.

Effects of Compound Elicitors on the Biosynthesis of Triterpenoids and Activity of Defense Enzymes from Inonotus hispidus (Basidiomycetes)

Inonotus hispidus has various health-promoting activities, such as anticancer effects and immune-stimulating activity. The commercialization of valuable plant triterpenoids faces major challenges, including low abundance in natural hosts and costly downstream purification procedures. In this work, orthogonal design was used to compound methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), oleic acid, and Cu²⁺, and the effects of combinations on the total triterpenes biosynthesized were studied. The optimal combination was screened out and its effect on the activity of PAL, CAT, and SOD was studied. The optimal concentration of oleic acid was 2% when MeJA was 100 mol/L, and the total triterpenoid content and mycelia production were 3.918 g and 85.17 mg/g, respectively. MeJA treatment induced oxidative stress, and at the same time increased the activity of related defense enzymes. Oleic acid is thought to regulate cell permeability by recombining cell membranes. It promotes the material exchange process between cells and the environment without affecting cell growth. When oleic acid was used in combination with MeJA, a synergistic effect on triterpene production was observed. In conclusion, our findings provide a strategy for triterpenoid enrichment of I. hispidus.

Colorimetric detection of ATP by inhibiting the Peroxidase-like activity of carbon dots

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the main energy currency for cells and an important biomolecule involved in cellular reactions, whose abnormal levels are closely related to physical disease, thus it is extremely important to establish a convenient, fast and simple ATP monitoring method. Toward this end, we developed a facile method for colorimetric detection of ATP on the basis of the inhibiting effect of ATP on the peroxidase-like activity of carbon dots (CDs). The detection principle of this method was utilizing the peroxidase-like activity of CDs, which catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H₂O₂ to generate blue products. However, the introduction of ATP in the system can inhibit the generation of blue products, so ATP can be colorimetric detected. This method exhibited high sensitivity with a detection limit of 34 nM and a wide linear range (0.050-2.0 μM). The as-proposed colorimetric ATP sensor was capable of detecting ATP in real samples accurately.

Metal-free colorimetric detection of pyrophosphate ions by the peroxidase-like activity of ATP

Pyrophosphate (P₂O₇^4-, PPi) plays a vital role in ecological environment. Its elevated levels in water bodies can lead to eutrophication. Hence, its detection is extremely significant. Whereas most of the existing methods for the actual detection of PPi may cause environmental pollution or suffer from operational complexity. In this study, we introduced a sensitive and selective method for detecting PPi based on the fact that PPi can inhibit the peroxidase-like activity of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). This strategy not only eliminated the complexity of material preparation (ATP is commercialized), but also addressed the general need for metal ions in detecting PPi. The dynamic range of PPi detection was 1.0-200 μM and the detection limit was 74 nM. In addition, this strategy had been successfully applied to the determination of PPi in tap water and lake water. This work extends the application of natural biological small molecule ATP in the analysis and provides an innovative thought for the metal-free detection of PPi.

Novel Millet-Based Flavored Yogurt Enriched With Superoxide Dismutase

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an important antioxidant enzyme with different physiological functions, which can be used as a nutritional fortifier in food. Cereal-based fermented products are becoming popular worldwide. In this study, novel millet-based flavored yogurt enriched with SOD was developed. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum was screened, which manufactured SOD activity of 2476.21 ± 1.52 U g^-1. The SOD content of millet yogurt was 19.827 ± 0.323 U mL^-1, which was 63.01, 50.11, and 146.79% higher than that of Bright Dairy Yogurt 1911, Junlebao and Nanjing Weigang, respectively. Fifty-four volatile flavor substances and 22,571 non-volatile flavor substances were found in yogurt. Compared to traditional fermented yogurt, 37 non-volatile metabolites in yogurt with millet enzymatic fermentation broth were significantly upregulated, including 2-phenyl ethanol, hesperidin, N-acetylornithine and L-methionine, which were upregulated by 3169.6, 228.36, 271.22, and 55.67 times, respectively, thereby enriching the sensory and nutritional value of yogurt. Moreover, the manufacture of unpleasant volatile flavor substances was masked, making the product more compatible with consumers' tastes.

The Impact of Fullerenes as Doxorubicin Nano-Transporters on Metallothionein and Superoxide Dismutase Status in MCF-10A Cells

This study aimed to synthesise C₆₀–DOX complexes followed by the analysis of their effect on the concentration of metallothionein (MT) as a non-enzymatic antioxidant and on the concentration and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as an antioxidant enzyme in healthy human mammary MCF-10A cells. Dynamic light scattering and electrophoretic light scattering were used to establish the size and zeta potential of the complexes. The MT and SOD concentrations were determined using the ELISA method; SOD activity was determined by tetrazolium salt reduction inhibition. Lower MT concentration following exposure of cells to both DOX and C₆₀ fullerene compared to the control sample was found. However, the concentration of this protein increased as a consequence of the C₆₀–DOX complexes action on MCF-10A cells compared to the control. C₆₀ used alone did not affect the concentration and activity of SOD in MCF-10A cells. Application of free DOX did not activate cellular antioxidant defence in the form of an increase in SOD concentration or its activity. In contrast treatment of cells with the C₆₀–DOX complex resulted in a decrease in SOD1 concentration and a significant increase in SOD activity compared to cells treated with free DOX, C₆₀ and control. Thus, it was found that C₆₀–DOX complexes showed potential for protective effects against DOX-induced toxicity to MCF-10A cells.

Metal Complexes or Chelators with ROS Regulation Capacity: Promising Candidates for Cancer Treatment

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are rapidly eliminated and reproduced in organisms, and they always play important roles in various biological functions and abnormal pathological processes. Evaluated ROS have frequently been observed in various cancers to activate multiple pro-tumorigenic signaling pathways and induce the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion (O₂^•-) are the most important redox signaling agents in cancer cells, the homeostasis of which is maintained by dozens of growth factors, cytokines, and antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, antioxidant enzymes tend to have higher activity levels to maintain the homeostasis of ROS in cancer cells. Effective intervention in the ROS homeostasis of cancer cells by chelating agents or metal complexes has already developed into an important anti-cancer strategy. We can inhibit the activity of antioxidant enzymes using chelators or metal complexes; on the other hand, we can also use metal complexes to directly regulate the level of ROS in cancer cells via mitochondria. In this review, metal complexes or chelators with ROS regulation capacity and with anti-cancer applications are collectively and comprehensively analyzed, which is beneficial for the development of the next generation of inorganic anti-cancer drugs based on ROS regulation. We expect that this review will provide a new perspective to develop novel inorganic reagents for killing cancer cells and, further, as candidates or clinical drugs.

Vitamin D and COVID-19: A review on the role of vitamin D in preventing and reducing the severity of COVID-19 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a pathogenic coronavirus causing COVID‐19 infection. The interaction between the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein and the human receptor angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2, both of which contain several cysteine residues, is impacted by the disulfide‐thiol balance in the host cell. The host cell redox status is affected by oxidative stress due to the imbalance between the reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and antioxidants. Recent studies have shown that Vitamin D supplementation could reduce oxidative stress. It has also been proposed that vitamin D at physiological concentration has preventive effects on many viral infections, including COVID‐19. However, the molecular‐level picture of the interplay of vitamin D deficiency, oxidative stress, and the severity of COVID‐19 has remained unclear. Herein, we present a thorough review focusing on the possible molecular mechanism by which vitamin D could alter host cell redox status and block viral entry, thereby preventing COVID‐19 infection or reducing the severity of the disease.

iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of rice formyl tetrahydrofolate deformylase in salt response

A new molecular mechanism of tetrahydrofolate deformylase involved in the salt response presumably affects mitochondrial and chloroplast function by regulating energy metabolism and accumulation of reactive oxygen species. High salinity severely restrains plant growth and development, consequently leading to a reduction in grain yield. It is therefore critical to identify the components involved in plant salt resistance. In our previous study, we identified a rice leaf early-senescence mutant hpa1, which encodes a formyl tetrahydrofolate deformylase (Xiong et al. in Sci China Life Sci 64(5):720-738, 2021). Here, we report that HPA1 also plays a role in the salt response. To explore the molecular mechanism of HPA1 in salt resistance, we attempted to identify the differentially expressed proteins between wild type and hpa1 mutant for salinity treatment using an iTRAQ-based comparative protein quantification approach. A total of 4598 proteins were identified, of which 279 were significantly altered, including 177 up- and 102 down-regulated proteins. A functional analysis suggested that the 279 differentially expressed proteins are involved mainly in the regulation of oxidative phosphorylation, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis, posttranslational modifications, protein turnover and energy metabolism. Moreover, a deficiency in HPA1 impaired chlorophyll metabolism and photosynthesis in chloroplasts and affected the electron flow of the electron transport chain in mitochondria. These changes led to abnormal energy metabolism and accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which may affect the permeability and integrity of cell membranes, leading to cell death. In addition, the results were verified by transcriptional or physiological experiments. Our results provide an insight into a new molecular mechanism of the tetrahydrofolate cycle protein formyl tetrahydrofolate deformylase, which is involved in the salt response, presumably by affecting mitochondrial and chloroplast function regulating energy metabolism and accumulation of reactive oxygen species under salt stress.

Quercetin Prevents Oxidative Stress-Induced Injury of Periodontal Ligament Cells and Alveolar Bone Loss in Periodontitis

Purpose

Emerging evidence has indicated that oxidative stress (OS) contributes to periodontitis. Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) are important for the regeneration of periodontal tissue. Quercetin, which is extracted from fruits and vegetables, has strong antioxidant capabilities. However, whether and how quercetin affects oxidative damage in PDLCs during periodontitis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of quercetin on oxidative damage in PDLCs and alveolar bone loss in periodontitis and underlying mechanisms.

Materials and Methods

The tissue block culture method was used to extract human PDLCs (hPDLCs). First, a cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was used to identify the optimal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and quercetin. Subsequently, a 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe, RT-qPCR, Western blotting and other methods were used to explore the effects of quercetin on OS in hPDLCs and the underlying mechanism. Finally, quercetin was administered to mice with periodontitis through gavage, and the effect of quercetin on the level of OS and alveolar bone resorption in these mice was observed by immunofluorescence, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) staining and so on.

Results

Quercetin at 5 μM strongly activated NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling, alleviated oxidative damage and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of hPDLCs. In addition, quercetin reduced cellular senescence and protected the osteogenic ability of hPDLCs. Finally, quercetin activated NRF2 signaling in the periodontal ligaments, reduced the OS level of mice with periodontitis, and slowed the absorption of alveolar bone in vivo.

Conclusion

Quercetin can increase the antioxidant capacity of PDLCs and reduce OS damage by activating the NRF2 signaling pathway, which alleviates alveolar bone loss in periodontitis.

Detection of Oxidative Stress Induced by Nanomaterials in Cells-The Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species and Glutathione

The potential of nanomaterials use is huge, especially in fields such as medicine or industry. Due to widespread use of nanomaterials, their cytotoxicity and involvement in cellular pathways ought to be evaluated in detail. Nanomaterials can induce the production of a number of substances in cells, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), participating in physiological and pathological cellular processes. These highly reactive substances include: superoxide, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide. For overall assessment, there are a number of fluorescent probes in particular that are very specific and selective for given ROS. In addition, due to the involvement of ROS in a number of cellular signaling pathways, understanding the principle of ROS production induced by nanomaterials is very important. For defense, the cells have a number of reparative and especially antioxidant mechanisms. One of the most potent antioxidants is a tripeptide glutathione. Thus, the glutathione depletion can be a characteristic manifestation of harmful effects caused by the prooxidative-acting of nanomaterials in cells. For these reasons, here we would like to provide a review on the current knowledge of ROS-mediated cellular nanotoxicity manifesting as glutathione depletion, including an overview of approaches for the detection of ROS levels in cells.

Effects of radiation and role of plants in radioprotection: A critical review

Radiation can be lethal at high doses, whereas controlled doses are useful in medical applications. Other applications include power generation, agriculture sterilization, nuclear weapons, and archeology. Radiation damages genetic material, which is reflected in genotoxicity and can cause hereditary damage. In the medical field, it is essential to avoid the harmful effects of radiation. Radiation countermeasures and the need for radioprotective agents have been explored in recent years. Considering plants that evolve in radiative conditions, their ability to protect organisms against radiation has been studied and demonstrated. Crude extracts, fractioned extracts, isolated phytocompounds, and plant polysaccharides from various plants have been used in radioprotection studies, and their efficiency has been proven in various in vitro and in vivo experimental models. It is important to identify the mechanism of action to develop a potent plant-based radioprotective agent. To identify this protective mechanism, it is necessary to understand the damage caused by radiation in biological systems. This review intends to discuss the effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems and evaluate plant-based radioprotectants that have tested thus far as well as their mechanism of action in protecting against the toxic effects of radiation. From the review, the mechanism of radioprotection exhibited by the plant-based products could be understood. Meanwhile, we strongly suggest that the potential products identified so far should undergo clinical trials for critically evaluating their effects and for developing an ideal and compatible radioprotectant with no side-effects.

Atypical Antipsychotic Lumateperone Effects on the Adrenal Gland With Possible Beneficial Effect of Quercetin Co-administration

Schizophrenia remains one of the most chronic and highly disabling mental disorders. Lumateperone is a recent FDA-approved atypical antipsychotic drug for the treatment of schizophrenia. However, the internal FDA pathologist raised concerns regarding pigment deposition associated with degeneration in different tissue in animal studies with lumateperone treatment. The adrenal gland may be implicated in lumateperone side effects, and quercetin may have the ability to fulfill this treatment gap. To prove this hypothesis, 40 male guinea pigs were used and divided into four groups; control, quercetin-treated, lumateperone-treated, and quercetin/lumateperone cotreated orally for 28 consecutive days. Behavioral forced swim (FST) and open field (OF) tests were done at the end of treatment. Retro-orbital blood samples were taken to assess hormones: adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone acetate (DHEA), and aldosterone, along with an assessment of oxidative stress parameters: malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Adrenal glands were extracted for histopathological assessment with H&E, Mallory trichome staining, immunostaining, and electron microscopy studies. Lumateperone-treated group showed a significant reduction in the activity in FST and OF with histopathological deterioration in adrenal secretory function and structure and increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), CASPASE-3, collagen deposition, and decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Cytoplasmic vacuolation, pyknosis of the nuclei, increase in the lysosome, lipofuscin pigment, and cellular infiltration with diminishing in the number of secretory granules could all be observed in lumateperone-treated group. Coadministration of quercetin and lumateperone showed improvement of the previously deteriorated parameters. Quercetin had a prophylactic effect against lumateperone depressive-like effect on animal behavior and its possible adrenal damage.

Graphical Abstract

The Analysis of Oxidative Stress Markers May Increase the Accuracy of the Differential Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease with and without Depression

Introduction

The aim of work is to assess the usefulness of oxidative stress parameters in the differential diagnosis of dementia of the Alzheimer’s type and dementia of the Alzheimer’s type with coexisting depression.

Methods

The study involved three groups of people: patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (AD; N=27), patients with Alzheimer’s disease and depression (D) (AD+D; N=30), and a control group that consisted of people without dementia and without depression (C; N=24). The assessment of cognitive functioning was carried out using among alia, Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Verbal Fluency Test. Furthermore, we determined the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and superoxide anion radical.

Results

Multiple models with different combinations of independent variables showed that SOD together with Rey delayed recall were the best significant predictors of AD with the area under curve (AUC) of 0.893 (p = 0.001) and superoxide anion radical (O2^•−) together with verbal fluency – sharp objects were the best significant predictors of AD +D diagnosis with the AUC of 0.689 (p = 0.034).

Conclusion

This study confirmed the value of neuropsychological diagnosis and analysis of oxidative stress markers in the diagnosis of AD and major depressive disorder (MDD) in the course of AD. The combination of the use of biochemical markers and neuropsychological tests seems particularly important for differential diagnosis.

Bioactive compounds and hepatoprotective effect of Hancornia speciosa gomes fruit juice on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo

Hancornia speciosa Gomes (HS) is a Brazilian fruit tree used in inflammatory disorders by folk medicine. Here we sought to investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of HS fruit juice in acetaminophen-induced hepatoxicity model in rats, as well as to perform a comprehensive chemical characterization of phenolics and metals by mass spectrometry. HS showed hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity by decreasing MDA and liver injury markers at healthy control levels. In addition, liver histopathological analysis revealed that HS decreases hepatocellular degeneration. Chemical characterization revealed 16 different phenolics, being chlorogenic acid (150 ± 5 µg/g) and rutin (120 ± 8 µg/g) the major phenolics in HS. Among the 14 micronutrients we identified, zinc and boron were the most abundant metals detected in HS. In line with previous studies involving liver diseases, our data supports evidence that such phenolics and metals present in HS may prevent liver injury induced by acetaminophen.

Identification and verification of key genes in varicocele rats through high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis

Varicocele (VC) is the most common treatable cause of infertility, but it is difficult to distinguish fertile from infertile VC populations because the pathogenesis is unclear. In order to study the related mechanism of VC causing male sterility, we made VC rat model by surgery, analysed the rat epididymal spermatozoa and used the transcriptome sequencing to compare all the mRNA expression differences in testicular tissue between VC rats and control rats. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of testicular tissue were also screened by the limma package in R software (version 3.6.1). The 273 DEGs were identified from the four profile data sets including 124 up-regulated genes and 149 down-regulated genes in the VC group compared to control group. We found that Sod1, Casp9, Atg7, Casp3 and Sirt1 in module 1 had higher degrees of connectivity in the first 10 hub genes. Gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that Sod1, Casp9, Atg7, Casp3 and Sirt1 are enriched in regulation of oxidative stress-induced cell death (GO:1,903,201) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (KEGG:05,014). From the above evidence, we speculate that hypoxia plays an important role in the occurrence and development of VC, and it induced the abnormal expression of autophagy and apoptosis-related proteins may involve in the development of VC-associated infertility. Sod1, Casp9, Atg7, Casp3 and Sirt1 as well as their module are hub genes for VC, which will have attractive applications to provide new treatment targets for VC.

1,4-Dioxane exposure induces kidney damage in mice by perturbing specific renal metabolic pathways: An integrated omics insight into the underlying mechanisms

1,4-Dioxane (dioxane), an industrial solvent widely detected in environmental and biological matrices, has potential nephrotoxicity. However, the underlying mechanism by which dioxane induces kidney damage remains unclear. In this study, we used an integrated approach, combining kidney transcriptomics and urine metabolomics, to explore the mechanism for the toxic effects of dioxane on the mouse kidney. Transcriptomics profiling showed that exposure to 0.5 mg/L dioxane induced perturbations of multiple signaling pathways in kidneys, such as MAPK and Wnt, although no changes in oxidative stress indicators or anatomical pathology were observed. Exposure to 500 mg/L dioxane significantly disrupted various metabolic pathways, concomitantly with observed renal tissue damage and stimulated oxidant defense system. Urine metabolomic analysis using NMR indicated that exposure to dioxane gradually altered the metabolic profile of urine. Within the full range of altered metabolites, the metabolic pathway containing glycine, serine and threonine was the most significantly altered pathway at the early stage of exposure (3 weeks) in both 0.5 and 500 mg/L dioxane-treated groups. However, with prolonged exposure (9 and 12 weeks), the level of taurine significantly decreased after treatment of 0.5 mg/L dioxane, while exposure to 500 mg/L dioxane significantly increased glutathione levels in urine and decreased arginine metabolism. Furthermore, integrated omics analysis showed that 500 mg/L dioxane exposure induced arginine deficiency by perturbing several genes involved in renal arginine metabolism. Shortage of arginine coupled with increased oxidative stress could lead to renal dysfunction. These findings offer novel insights into the toxicity of dioxane.