Alleviating Effects of Black Soybean Peptide on Oxidative Stress Injury Induced by Lead in PC12 Cells via Keap1/Nrf2/TXNIP Signaling Pathway

Black soybean peptide mediates the AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway to alleviate Alzheimer's-related neuroinflammation in lead-exposed HT22 cells

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by hyperphosphorylation of tau, neuroinflammation, and amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques. Lead (Pb) exposure has been linked to an increased risk of AD and neuroinflammation. The purpose of this study is to determine if black soybean peptide (BSP1) may reduce neuroinflammation caused by Pb and associated AD-like pathology. Pb exposure was given to mouse hippocampus HT22 cells in the presence or absence of BSP1, positive control resveratrol (Rsv), or the SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527. Our findings suggest that BSP1 downregulates the expression of beta-secretase (BACE1) and amyloid precursor protein (APP), inhibits tau phosphorylation, and reduces Aβ1-42 deposition. In addition, BSP1 effectively alleviated Pb-induced neuroinflammation by reducing the phosphorylation of NF-κB and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, NLRP3, and IL-18). BSP1 provides neuroprotective effect via phosphorylating LKB1 and AMPK, inhibiting mTOR signaling, and activating the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. These results suggest that BSP1 may be therapeutically beneficial for preventing or treating AD by reducing Pb-induced neuroinflammation.

Cooking Alters the Metabolites of Onions and Their Ability to Protect Nerve Cells from Lead Damage

Onions (Allium cepa L.) are nutritious vegetables; however, variations in processing methods can influence their chemical composition and functional properties. Raw processing and cooking are the two main food-processing methods for onions, but it is not clear what kind of changes these two methods cause. In the present study, ultrahigh-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was utilized to observe the changes in onion composition during cooking and to investigate the protective effects of raw and cooked onion extracts against lead damage in vitro and at the cellular level. Many compounds were identified, including amino acids, nucleosides, flavonoids, and organosulfur compounds. Cooking causes changes in the content of numerous amino acids (e.g., DL-glutamine) in onions and increases nucleoside content (e.g., 5'-S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine, adenine). Both raw and cooked onion extracts can reduce neuronal cell damage caused by lead exposure, but cooking increased the free radical scavenging (e.g., DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radicals) and chelating of lead ions (up to about 25%) of the onion extracts. In conclusion, cooking can cause changes in the chemical composition of onions and increase their antioxidant and lead chelating capacity.

Alleviating effect of chlorogenic acid on oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide in bovine intestinal epithelial cells

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a polyphenol substance contained in many plants, which has good antioxidant activity. This experiment aimed to explore the protective effects of CGA on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced inflammatory response, apoptosis, and antioxidant capacity of bovine intestinal epithelial cells (BIECs-21) under oxidative stress and its mechanism. The results showed that compared with cells treated with H2O2 alone, CGA pretreatment could improve the viability of BIECs-21. Importantly, Chlorogenic acid pretreatment significantly reduced the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA), lowered reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) (P<0.05). In addition, CGA can also improve the intestinal barrier by increasing the abundance of tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin. Meanwhile, CGA can reduce the gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8), increase the expression of anti-inflammatory factor Interleukin-10 (IL-10), promote the expression of the nuclear factor-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, enhance cell antioxidant capacity, and inhibit Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) the activation of the signaling pathway reducing the inflammatory response, thereby alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress damage.

The Effect of Protein Nutritional Support on Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Potential Mechanisms

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a complex chronic inflammatory bowel disorder that includes Crohn's disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), has become a globally increasing health concern. Nutrition, as an important factor influencing the occurrence and development of IBD, has attracted more and more attention. As the most important nutrient, protein can not only provide energy and nutrition required by patients, but also help repair damaged intestinal tissue, enhance immunity, and thus alleviate inflammation. Numerous studies have shown that protein nutritional support plays a significant role in the treatment and remission of IBD. This article presents a comprehensive review of the pathogenesis of IBD and analyzes and summarizes the potential mechanisms of protein nutritional support in IBD. Additionally, it provides an overview of the clinical effects of protein nutritional support in IBD and its impact on clinical complications. Research findings reveal that protein nutritional support demonstrates significant benefits in improving clinical symptoms, reducing the risk of complications, and improving quality of life in IBD patients. Therefore, protein nutritional support is expected to provide a new approach for the treatment of IBD.

Insights into the mechanism of transcription factors in Pb2+-induced apoptosis

The health risks associated with exposure to heavy metals, such as Pb2+, are increasingly concerning the public. Pb2+ can cause significant harm to the human body through oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and DNA damage, disrupting cellular homeostasis and ultimately leading to cell death. Among these mechanisms, apoptosis is considered crucial. It has been confirmed that transcription factors play a central role as mediators during the apoptosis process. Interestingly, these transcription factors have different effects on apoptosis depending on the concentration and duration of Pb2+ exposure. In this article, we systematically summarize the significant roles of several transcription factors in Pb2+-induced apoptosis. This information provides insights into therapeutic strategies and prognostic biomarkers for diseases related to Pb2+ exposure.

Antioxidant Capacity and Protective Effects on H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage in PC12 Cells of the Active Fraction of Brassica rapa L

Brassica rapa L. (BR), a traditional biennial herb belonging to the Brassica species of Brassicaceae, has been widely used for functions of anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidation, antiaging, and regulation of immunity. In this study, antioxidant activity and protective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells of the active fractions of BR were investigated in vitro. Among all active fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract from BR (BREE-Ea) showed the strongest antioxidant activity. Additionally, it was noted that BREE-Ea and n-butyl alcohol fraction of ethanol extract from BR (BREE-Ba) both have protective effects in oxidatively damaged PC12 cells, while BREE-Ea displayed the best protective effect in all determined experimental doses. Furthermore, flow cytometry (DCFH-DA staining) analysis indicated that BREE-Ea could reduce the H2O2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by reducing the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Moreover, BREE-Ea could decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reduce the release of extracellular lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) from H2O2-induced PC12 cells. All these results demonstrate that BREE-Ea has a good antioxidant capacity and protective effect on PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by H2O2 and that it can be used as a good edible antioxidant to improve the body's endogenous antioxidant defense.

Effects of folic acid on oxidative damage of kidney in lead-exposed rats

INTRODUCTION

Lead (Pb) has many applications in daily life, but in recent years, various problems caused by lead exposure have aroused people's concern. Folic acid is widely found in fruits and has received more attention for its antioxidant function. However, the role of folic acid in lead-induced kidney injury in rats is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of folic acid on oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the kidney of rats caused by lead exposure.

METHODS

Forty specific pathogen-free male Rattus norvegicus rats were randomly divided into control, lead, intervention, and folic acid groups. The levels of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and MDA were measured by biochemical kits. The protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, CHOP, and GRP78 were measured by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

This study showed that lead exposure increased the blood levels of lead in mice. However, the intervention of folic acid decreased the levels of lead, but the difference was not statistically significant. Lead exposure causes oxidative stress by decreasing kidney SOD, GSH-Px, and GSH levels and increasing MDA levels. However, folic acid alleviated the oxidative damage caused by lead exposure by increasing the levels of GSH-Px and GSH and decreasing the levels of MDA. Immunofluorescence results showed that folic acid intervention downregulated the upregulation of kidney Nrf2, HO-1, GRP78, and CHOP expression caused by lead exposure.

DISCUSSION

Overall, folic acid alleviates kidney oxidative stress induced by lead exposure by regulating Nrf2 and HO-1, while regulating CHOP and GRP78 to mitigate apoptosis caused by excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Mechanism of mitigating effect of wheat germ peptides on lead-induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells

It is well known that lead-induced neurotoxicity is closely related to oxidative stress. According to previous reports, wheat germ peptides (WGPs) isolated from wheat germ have been shown to have potent antioxidant capacity. This study hypothesized that WGPs could protect PC12 cells from lead-induced oxidative stress. Here, the protecting-efficacies of WGPs were investigated in PC12 cells that were pretreated with WGPs (200 μM, 4 h) and exposed to lead (10 μM, 24 h). The antioxidant capacity was assessed by cell viability, ROS, MDA, SOD, CAT, GR, GPx, GSH, and GSSG. The experimental results showed that WGP3, WGP8, and WGP9 could reverse the reduction of cell viability caused by lead exposure. Lead exposure causes oxidative stress by increasing the levels of ROS and MDA. Moreover, the decrease in the levels of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, and GSH/GSSG could be observed. However, WGP3, WGP8, and WGP9 can protect PC12 cells against lead-induced oxidative stress by reversing these phenomena. The protein expression of TXNIP, Keap1, and Nrf2 was characterized by western blotting, and the results illustrated that lead exposure up-regulated the expression of TXNIP and Keap1 and down-regulated the expression of Nrf2, and WGP3, WGP8, and WGP9 could improve the antioxidant capacity of PC12 cells by reversing this phenomenon. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that WGP3, WGP8, and WGP9 may protect against lead-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells by regulating the TXNIP/Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.