Enhanced Zinc Intake Protects against Oxidative Stress and Its Consequences in the Brain: A Study in an In Vivo Rat Model of Cadmium Exposure

We examined, in a rat model of moderate environmental human exposure to cadmium (Cd), whether the enhanced intake of zinc (Zn) may protect against Cd-caused destroying the oxidative/antioxidative balance and its consequences in the brain. The intoxication with Cd (5 mg/L, 6 months) weakened the enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase) and non-enzymatic (total thiol groups, reduced glutathione) antioxidative barrier decreasing the total antioxidative status and increased the concentrations of pro-oxidants (hydrogen peroxide, myeloperoxidase) in this organ and its total oxidative status. These resulted in the development of oxidative stress and oxidative modifications of lipids and proteins. The co-administration of Zn (30 and 60 mg/L enhancing this element intake by 79% and 151%, respectively) importantly protected against Cd accumulation in the brain tissue and this xenobiotic-induced development of oxidative stress and oxidative damage to lipids and proteins. Moreover, this bioelement also prevented Cd-mediated oxidative stress evaluated in the serum. The favorable effect of Zn was caused by its independent action and interaction with Cd. Concluding, the enhancement of Zn intake under oral exposure to Cd may prevent the oxidative/antioxidative imbalance and oxidative stress in the brain and thus protect against injury of cellular macromolecules in the nervous system.

Oxidative/Antioxidative Status in Patients after Myocardial Infarction and in Those without Cardiovascular Event Depending on Anthropometric Factors Defining Body Weight

Obesity is one of the factors leading to the development of atherosclerosis. This metabolic disorder is associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species, which affect the oxidative stress levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative/antioxidative status and to investigate the correlation between redox markers and anthropometric parameters and body composition in adult patients after myocardial infarction and in individuals without a cardiovascular event in the past. Descriptive data on socio-demographic, clinical, and anthropometric features and blood samples were collected and categorized into two equal groups: after myocardial infarction (study group (SG), n = 80) and without a cardiovascular event (control group (CG), n = 80). The oxidative/antioxidative status was assessed in plasma on the basis of total oxidative/capacitive status (PerOx), total antioxidative status/capacity (ImAnOx), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). The oxLDL was significantly higher in the CG group compared to the SG group (p = 0.02). No significant differences were found with regard to PerOx and ImAnOx values between the groups studied. A significant positive correlation between PerOx and percentage of adipose tissue (FM%) and body adiposity index (BAI) was found in the two studied groups. ImAnOx significantly positively correlated with visceral adiposity indexes(VAIs) in SG and FM% in CG. OxLDL negatively correlated with body mass index and waist to hip circumference ratio in CG. The total oxidative/antioxidative status is related to the amount of adipose tissue and the BAIs of the subjects. It was observed that it correlates more frequently with the visceral distribution of body fat.

Oxidative/Antioxidative Status in Patients after Myocardial Infarction and in Those without Cardiovascular Event Depending on Anthropometric Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity

Obesity is one of the factors leading to the development of atherosclerosis. This metabolic disorder is associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species, which affect the oxidative stress level. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative/antioxidative status and to investigate the correlation between redox markers and anthropometric parameters and body composition in adult patients after myocardial infarction and in individuals without a cardiovascular event in the past. Descriptive data on socio-demographic, clinical, and anthropometric features and blood samples were collected and categorized into two equal groups: after myocardial infarction (study group (SG), n = 80) and without a cardiovascular event (control group (CG), n = 80). The oxidative/antioxidative status was assessed in plasma on the basis of total oxidative/capacitive status (PerOx), total antioxidative status/capacity (ImAnOx), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). OxLDL was significantly higher in the CG group compared to the SG group (p = 0.02). No significant differences were found with regard to PerOx and ImAnOx values between the studied groups. Significant positive correlation between PerOx and percentage of adipose tissue (FM [%]) and body adiposity index (BAI) was found in the two studied groups. ImAnOx significantly positively correlated with VAI in SG and FM% in CG. OxLDL negatively correlated with body mass index and waist to hip circumference ratio in CG. The total oxidative/antioxidative status is related to the amount of adipose tissue and the BAI of the subjects. It was observed that it correlates more frequently with the visceral distribution of body fat.

Extract from Aronia melanocarpa L. Berries Prevents Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Liver: A Study in A Rat Model of Low-Level and Moderate Lifetime Human Exposure to this Toxic Metal

The study investigated, in a rat model of low-level and moderate environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd; 1 or 5 mg Cd/kg diet, respectively, for 3 to 24 months), whether the co-administration of 0.1% extract from Aronia melanocarpa L. berries (AE) may protect against oxidative stress in the liver and in this way mediate this organ status. The intoxication with Cd, dose- and duration-dependently, weakened the enzymatic antioxidative barrier, decreased the concentrations of reduced glutathione and total thiol groups, and increased the concentrations of oxidized glutathione, hydrogen peroxide, xanthine oxidase, and myeloperoxidase in this organ. These resulted in a decrease in the total antioxidative status, increase in the total oxidative status and development of oxidative stress (increased oxidative stress index and malondialdehyde concentration) and histopathological changes in the liver. The administration of AE at both levels of Cd treatment significantly improved the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidative barrier, decreased pro-oxidant concentration, and protected from the development of oxidative stress in the liver and changes in its morphology, as well as normalized the serum activities of liver enzymes markers. In conclusion, consumption of aronia products may prevent Cd-induced destroying the oxidative/antioxidative balance and development of oxidative stress in the liver protecting against this organ damage.

Extract from Aronia melanocarpa L. Berries Prevents Cadmium-induced Oxidative Stress in the Liver: a Study in a Rat Model of Low-level and Moderate Lifetime Human Exposure to this Toxic Metal

The study investigated, in a rat model of low-level and moderate environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd; 1 or 5 mg Cd/kg diet, respectively, for 3-24 months), whether the co-administration of 0.1% extract from Aronia melanocarpa L. berries (AE) may protect against oxidative stress in the liver. The intoxication with Cd, dose- and duration-dependently, weakened the enzymatic antioxidative barrier (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase), decreased the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione and total thiol groups), and increased the concentrations of oxidized glutathione, hydrogen peroxide, xanthine oxidase, and myeloperoxidase in this organ. These resulted in a decrease in the total antioxidative status (TAS), an increase in the total oxidative status (TOS), and development of oxidative stress in the liver (evaluated based on the index of oxidative stress calculated as the ratio of TOS and TAS). The administration of AE at both levels of Cd treatment significantly improved the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative barrier, decreased the concentration of pro-oxidants, and protected from the development of oxidative stress in the liver. In conclusion, consumption of aronia products may prevent Cd-induced destroying the oxidative/antioxidative balance and development of oxidative stress in the liver protecting against this organ damage.

High-level of circulating progranulin and its relationship with plasma glycosaminoglycans, as biochemical indicators of proteolytic and oxidative aggrecan modification, in the course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Aim: Progranulin (PGRN) plays an important role in cartilage metabolism. The disturbed interaction between PGRN and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), as biochemical indicators of aggrecan modification, may contribute to articular damage observed in the course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Hence, the aim of this study was to assess quantitatively the level of progranulin in children with JIA as well as to evaluate the correlation between PGRN and GAGs, MMP-3 (matrix metalloproteinase 3), ADAMTS-4 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4) as well as the total oxidative status (TOS) and the total antioxidative status (TAS). We have also evaluated interactions between PGRN and inflammatory and anemia indicators, i.e. C-reactive protein (CRP), and hemoglobin (Hb), respectively. Material/Methods: The PRGN level was measured using the immunoenzymatic method, in blind tested coded plasma samples, obtained from both JIA patients before and after treatment and from healthy children. Results: Increased (p<0.001) plasma progranulin in JIA patients before treatment was observed. Therapy resulted in a decrease in the PRGN level. However, the plasma PRGN level still remained higher (p<0.05) than in the controls. In both groups of patients, we have revealed an insignificant correlation between plasma PGRN and GAGs levels. Moreover, a significant correlation between plasma PGRN level and MMP-3, ADAMTS-4, TOS, TAS, CRP and Hb levels, was stated in untreated JIA patients. Conclusions: The obtained results may indicate that PGRN has antioxidative properties in the course of JIA, but do not confirm the protective roles of this glycoprotein in respect to the destructive effects of proteolytic factors.

Oxidative stress induced by chlorpromazine in patients treated and acutely poisoned with the drug

Background/Aim. Although chlorpromazine (CPZ) is an antipsychotic drug widely used in clinical practice for a long time, its mechanism of action has not been entirely defined. An extremely difficult managing of patients acutely poisoned with CPZ is additional reason for detailed studying its toxicity mechanisms. In this clinical study, we investigated whether the oxidative stress (OS) mediates CPZ toxic effects in the exposed patients. Methods. The patients were organized into 3 groups: the T-group - hospitalized patients receiving therapeutic doses of 75-150 mg CPZ/day; the overdosed group, divided into two subgroups: the group M and the group S - mildly (CPZ serum concentration: 0.21 ? 0.05 mg/L) and severely (CPZ serum concentration: 2.66 ? 0.25 mg/L) poisoned patients, respectively, and the group C (control group of healthy volunteers). Oxidative stress parameters [total antioxidative status (TAS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma)] and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in erythrocytes were measured spectrophotometrically, and CPZ concentrations in serum were monitored chromatographically. One set of measurements was performed in the group C and T, whereas two sets of measurements (after 24 hours and 48 hours) were done in the poisoned patients, groups M and S. Results. A decrease of TAS and increase of SOD activity were obtained in both subgroups of the poisoned patients, compared to the controls and the group receiving therapeutic doses of CPZ. A significant increase of MDA was achieved in severely poisoned patients, compared to all other groups. Conclusion. Changed oxidative stress parameters in patients poisoned with chlorpromazine indicate involvement of oxidative stress in the toxicity mechanism(s) of chlorpromazine.

Effect of different fat supplements on the antioxidant capacity of cow’s milk

This study examined the effect of different fat supplements on the antioxidants of cow’s milk. Thirty five Polish Holstein Friesian cows at 180±20 day of lactation and averaging 17.71±2.26 kg/d of milk were divided into five equal groups. There were five treatments groups: 300 g/d of fish oil, 500 g/d of Opal linseed, 500 g/d of Szafir linseed, 150 g/d of fish oil + 250 g/d of Opal linseed, 150 g/d of fish oil + 250 g/d Szafir linseed. Milk samples were collected five times during the 21 day of supplementation period: at the 1st, 14th and 21th day of the experimental period, and also at the 14th and 21st day after the supplement withdrawal. Diet supplementation with the Szafir linseed improved the chemical composition and milk yield at the 21st day of experiment. The highest level of malondialdehyde was recorded in fish oil, Opal linseed, fish oil + Opal linseed, and fish oil + Szafir linseed groups, and the lowest in the Szafir linseed group. After the 21st day of supplementation the concentration of α-retinol was significantly increased in all groups by 23 to 183 %. The highest level of α-tocopherol was found in fish oil + Opal linseed group at the 21st day of supplementation. Total antioxidative status increased in all experimental groups; however, the highest peak was recorded in fish oil + Szafir linseed and Szafir linseed group. The experiment confirmed that manipulation in cows’ diet may improve antioxidative capacity of milk.

Changes in the Antioxidative System of the Red Mason Bee (Osmia Rufa) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) Induced by Artificially Elongated Diapause

Changes in the Antioxidative System of the Red Mason Bee (Osmia Rufa) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) Induced by Artificially Elongated Diapause Osmia rufa as a polylectic insect is used in the pollination of numerous plants. The usefulness of this insect for plant breeders is considerably limited because of the short flight periods of the insects in the natural environment. In order to break this limitation, the wintering period of the insects in cocoons is elongated. The temperature is maintained at 4°C up to the time of plant blooming. This treatment does shortens the lifetime of the insects which may be the result of oxidative stress. Such results led to the examination of the selected components of antioxidative system. These components are: total antioxidative status, content of glutathione and activity of peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase in O. rufa emerged in spring, according to their biological clock, and emerged in summer - after elongated diapause. It was observed that diapause elongation unprofitably influenced the antioxidative system of a bee. A statistically significant decrease in total antioxidative status, and activity of both antioixidative enzymes - peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase, was noted. The changes in the glutathione level in turn, were insignificant. In our opinion, the lower efficiency of antioxidative systems of the red mason bee emerged in summer, may limit their response ability to endo- and exogenous factors influencing oxidative stress. The results of our study are the first publication concerning an antioxidative system in mason bees.