Oxidative stress and motility impairment in the semen of fertile males.

The aim of the study was to determine the total oxidant status (TOS) and evaluate the influence of oxidative stress on sperm quality in fertile males. The study population consisted of 55 fertile males. Based on the seminal plasma TOS value, the study subjects were divided into the two subgroups: a group with a low (TOS-L) and a high (TOS-H) value. Comparing the TOS-H group with the TOS-L group, we found poorer sperm motility in the TOS-H group. We found lower total antioxidant capacity values and lower activity levels in the majority of the determined superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Further, we found higher levels of copper and iron as well as lower levels of zinc in the TOS-H group. We observed lower medians of IL-2, 4, 6, 8 and INF-γ in the TOS-H group compared with the TOS-L group, whereas the medians of IL-1ß, IL-10 and IL-12 were significantly higher. In fertile males, higher oxidative stress intensity was associated with poorer semen quality and decreased antioxidant capacity in semen. These negative effects might be a result of decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes and altered levels of trace metals and cytokines.

Effect of selected dietary compounds on extracellular superoxide dismutase in the vitreous of chinchillas.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet on the extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) activity in the vitreous of chinchillas. METHODS: Seventy-eight male chinchillas were randomly divided into 7 subgroups: controls, receiving a standard basal diet, and 6 experimental groups additionally receiving 10% nonoxidized and 10% oxidized olive oil, a garlic extract and lipoic acid in their diet. The activities of EC-SOD were measured. RESULTS: The highest EC-SOD activity was similar in the controls [2.17 ± 0.27 nitric units (NU)/mg protein] and in rabbits fed oxidized olive oil (2.29 ± 0.31 NU/mg protein; p = 0.519). Nonoxidized olive oil appeared to be the strongest antioxidant component of diet (1.58 ± 0.20 NU/mg protein) as compared with the subgroups above (p = 0.008 and p = 0.012, respectively). Administration of garlic and lipoic acid decreased the SOD activity only in the groups fed oxidized olive oil (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The SOD activity in laboratory animals is possibly modulated by diet. Work will be continued to extrapolate these results to humans.

Function of the liver and bile ducts in humans exposed to lead.

Lead is very common in the environment, and it is therefore important to characterize its possible adverse health effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of lead exposure on selected functions of the liver and bile ducts in people who are chronically exposed to the metal because of their occupations. To provide this information, the activity of specific enzymes and the bilirubin concentration were determined in blood serum, and morphological parameters of the liver and bile ducts were evaluated using the ultrasonic imaging method. Healthy male employees of a lead-zinc processing facility (n = 145) who were occupationally exposed to lead were divided into two subgroups as a function of the lead concentrations in blood (PbB): low lead exposure (PbB = 20-35 µg/dl; n = 57) and high lead exposure (PbB = 35-60 µg/dl; n = 88). Human exposure to lead compounds was found to cause liver enlargement and to activate inflammatory reactions with the characteristics of moderate cholestasis within the bile ducts, while no characteristics of necrotic damage of hepatic cells were noted. It seems that lipid peroxidation can be one of the toxic mechanisms of lead which induce moderate cholestasis. The effects depend on the extent of the lead exposure and were greater in subjects with higher exposure levels, particularly subjects with PbB values greater than 35 µg/dl.

The effect of antioxidative vitamins A and E and coenzyme Q on the morphological picture of the lungs and pancreata of rats intoxicated with sodium fluoride.

Fluorides, when taken in amounts exceeding the standard therapeutic dosage, are regarded as toxic substances. Recent studies show that fluorides may affect the oxidoreductive processes of cells. The aim of the following study is to investigate the effect of antioxidative vitamins A and E and coenzyme Q on the morphological picture of the lungs and pancreata of rats exposed to high doses of sodium fluoride. The study was performed on 18 female rats, which were divided into 3 groups: a control group and 2 experimental groups. The control group received distilled water and standard fodder. Experimental groups I and II both received sodium fluoride (2.5mg/rat/24h). In addition, animals in group II received vitamin A (250 IU/rat/24h), vitamin E (3mg/rat/24h), and coenzyme Q (200 microg/rat/24h). The experiment was conducted for a period of 35 days. Upon dissection, lungs and pancreata were taken for histopathological examination. Pathomorphological evaluations of the removed organs were performed using paraffin preparations, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The aldolase activity in the pancreata was measured using colorimetric methods and the protein concentration by the Lowry method. In the case of group I, pathomorphological examinations of the lungs revealed the appearance of erythrorrhagia, hyperaemia, necrosis of epithelium cells, numerous macrophages in interalveolar septa, infiltrations in the area of blood vessels and emphysematous blebs. Focal vacuolar degeneration cells and inflammatory infiltrations appeared only in pancreata. The results confirmed that the administration of vitamins A and E and coenzyme Q has a counteracting influence upon the degenerative changes seen in the examined organs.

Antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde concentration in the plasma and erythrocytes of patients with urticaria induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that oxidative stress is a crucial event in some forms of urticaria. AIM: To evaluate the blood oxidant/antioxidant profile of patients suffering from urticaria induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). METHODS: We measured the activity of the antioxidant enzymes copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT), and the levels of malondialdehyde (a marker of lipid peroxidation) in the plasma and erythrocytes of 12 females with NSAID-induced urticaria and in 19 healthy controls. RESULTS: The enzyme activity in plasma (CuZn/SOD) and in erythrocytes (CuZn/SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) did not differ significantly between urticaria patients and controls. Moreover, the levels of malondialdehyde in plasma and erythrocytes did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that processes associated with urticaria induced by NSAIDs may not modify antioxidant enzyme activity and may not enhance lipid peroxidation in peripheral blood.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in synovial fluid of patients with primary and secondary osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis of the knee (KOA) is a common, age-related, joint disorder associated with loss of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation, sub-chodral bone change and synovitis. Recent studies have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may participate in the initiation and progression of KOA. This study examines potential changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, both isoenzymes zinc-copper superoxide dismutase and manganese superoxide dismutase) and glutathione transformation enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase) in synovial fluid of KOA patients, and estimates their relationship to the degree of lipid peroxidation in synovial fluid evaluated by malondialdehyde concentration, synovial fluid viscosity, type and duration of KOA. DESIGN: Synovial fluid samples obtained by transdermal arthrocentesis from 41 patients with KOA (23 had primary KOA and 18 had secondary KOA) and 22 control subjects were analyzed. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were analysed with the use of kinetic method, MDA concentration was measured fluorometrically by the Ohkawa method, and synovial fluid viscosity was measured using a cone-late viscometer Brookfield DV-II+ and a test by Ropes. RESULTS: Patients with KOA had significantly increased activities of all enzymes when compared to the control subjects for both KOA subgroups. The synovial fluid viscosity was significantly decreased and the synovial fluid test by Ropes was abnormal in KOA patients, mainly in the secondary KOA subgroup. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes were significantly negatively correlated with synovial fluid viscosity and duration of KOA. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with KOA display abnormal antioxidant status of synovial fluid with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and decreased synovial fluid viscosity. Furthermore, synovial fluid viscosity, and activity of GR can be used to distinguish the primary from the secondary type of KOA.

Metabolic and antioxidative changes in liver steatosis induced by high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet in rabbits.

Significantly decreased amounts of carbohydrates and increase of fat in diet (Atkins' diet, Jan Kwasniewski's diet) may interfere with liver metabolism because main source of liver energy are carbohydrates. Large amount of fatty acid in diet may induce overproduction of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria because of increased oxidation and may cause steatosis. The influence of high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet (contained 14 g% protein, 25 g% fat, 8 g% carbohydrate) and compared to usual habitual diet (13 g% protein, 3 g% fat, 28 g% carbohydrate) as a control on liver function was examined in adult male rabbits. Fodder and water was ad libitum. The experiment lasted 24 weeks. At the beginning and every six weeks rabbits were weighed and blood was taken. Plasma glucose and cholesterol concentration, activity of glutamate dehydrogenase, alanine and aspartate in plasma and liver did not change. Concentrations of triacylglycerols (TG) in plasma were lower in the study group. Activity of aldolase increased in plasma and in liver in the study group while activity of sorbite dehydrogenase decreased in plasma at the end of the experiment. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration increased in aorta with no changes in liver and erythrocytes. Activity of glutathione peroxidase increased in erythrocytes and liver while total SOD increased only in the liver. High-fat, low-carbohydrate diet despite the lack of growth of the body mass, modifies significantly the homeostasis of carbohydrates and antioxidants in liver and enhanced production of TG in this organ, resulting in its steatosis.

Influence of melatonin on cell proliferation, antioxidative enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes--an in vitro study.

Melatonin, acting via MT1, MT2 and MT3 membrane receptors, influences central and peripheral regulatory mechanisms of energy homeostasis in mammals. In peripheral tissues, it evokes the pro-proliferative effect in a number of normal cells. Moreover, this hormone inhibits lipolysis in subcutaneous adipocytes in vitro and reduces free oxygen metabolites-induced damage acting directly, as a free radical scavenger, and indirectly, by stimulation of antioxidative enzyme activities. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of melatonin on cell proliferation, antioxidative enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell culture. We found that melatonin (10(-3) and 10(-6) M/L) stimulated cell proliferation in dose- and time-depending manner, and this effect was inhibited by a relatively selective MT2 receptor antagonist - luzindole (10(-4) M/L). Melatonin, increased activities of manganese containing and copper-zinc containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD) isoenzymes, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase after 24 h of incubation. In contrast, after 48 h of incubation, activities of all studied enzymes were lower than in the control group. There were no changes in MDA concentrations after 24 h of incubation, whereas, in melatonin-treated media, after 48 h of the experiment, MDA level was significantly decreased. Our results demonstrate that melatonin, acting via MT2 receptors, stimulates proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and this action could be due to the enhancement in antioxidative enzyme activities and attenuation of lipid peroxidation by this indole.

Effect of extremely low frequency of electromagnetic fields on cell proliferation, antioxidative enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes--an in vitro study.

The exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-MF, frequencies less than 200-300 Hz) can alter the transcription and translation of genes, influence the cell proliferation rate and affect enzyme activities. Moreover, the hypothesis that ELF-MF increases free oxygen metabolites generation has been proposed. Since recent in vivo studies suggest that electric and magnetic fields are able to affect adipose cells metabolism. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of ELF-MF (frequency of basic impulse 180-195 Hz, induction 120 microT) on cell proliferation, antioxidative enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell culture. We found that ELF-MF application lasting 36 minutes daily failed to influence cell count after 24h and 48 h of incubation. After 24 h, in the ELF-MF treated group, manganese- and copper-zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD) isoenzymes media activities were decreased, catalase activity was increased, whereas there were no significant differences in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-Rd) activities in comparison to the control. After 48 h of incubation, all enzyme activities were reduced, except for GSSG-Rd, in which no changes were noticed. MDA concentration at 24 h after incubation with the exposure to ELF-MF was significantly higher in comparison to the control, without ELF-MF. After 48 h of incubation, MDA levels were significantly lower in both groups with no differences between the groups without and with ELF-MF. We conclude that ELF-MF influences antioxidative enzyme activities and increases lipid peroxidation in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cultures.

Influence of extremely-low-frequency magnetic field on antioxidative melatonin properties in AT478 murine squamous cell carcinoma culture.

Effects of melatonin, extremely-low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF), and their combination on AT478 murine squamous cell carcinoma line were studied. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were used as markers of cells antioxidative status, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level was used as a marker of lipid peroxidation. After melatonin treatment, antioxidative enzyme activities were increased and MDA level was decreased. Application of ELF-MF on treated cells caused an increase of both superoxide dismutases activity and MDA level, but influence of ELF-MF on GSH-Px activity was negligible. All enzyme activity in culture medium containing melatonin (10(-3), 10(-4), 10(-5) M) after exposure to ELF-MF were significantly diminished compared to cells treated only with melatonin. Also MDA levels after combined treatment with melatonin and ELF-MF were significantly decreased. Observed changes were statistically significant (p<0.05). These results strongly suggest that ELF-MF attenuates antioxidative actions of melatonin on cellular level.

Influence of thyroxine on serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha levels in thyroid disorders.

BACKGROUND: Activation of cell-mediated immunity by soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (sIL-2Ralpha) release is well documented. The aim of this study was to measure serum concentrations of sIL-2Ralpha in patients with autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroid disorders in different stages of thyroid function, before and after administration of l-thyroxine (l-T4) and its discontinuation as well as before and during methimazole administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 80 females: 16 with Graves' disease, 15 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and subclinical hypothyroidism, 14 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis with fibrosis and clinical hypothyroidism, 20 after subtotal thyroidectomy following nodular non-toxic goitre and 15 healthy controls. Patients were examined at two different time points. Serum concentrations of sIL-2Ralpha were measured with the use of enzyme immunoassay technique. RESULTS: Souble IL-2Ralpha serum concentration increased in patients with untreated Graves' disease and decreased after methimazole treatment. In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the sIL-2Ralpha level was within the normal range, in Hashimoto's thyroiditis with clinical hypothyreosis it was low and after l-T4 administration it increased in both patient groups. After thyroidectomy, patients treated with l-T4, had increased levels of sIL-2Ralpha which decreased after discontinuation of therapy. There were a significant positive correlation between sIL-2Ralpha and free thyroxine in patients with (i). Graves' disease both before and after methimazole administration, (ii). Hashimoto's thyroiditis (with subclinical hypothyroidism) both before and after l-T4 therapy, (iii). Hashimoto's thyroiditis with fibrosis and (iv). overt hypothyroidism before l-T4 administration and in individuals during long-term l-T4 treatment (after subtotal thyroidectomy). CONCLUSION: Serum sIL-2Ralpha concentration in autoimmune thyroid diseases depends on thyroid function. In both autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroid diseases, thyroxine stimulates the release of sIL-2Ralpha.

Selectin-P and interleukin-8 plasma levels in coronary heart disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Alterations of the immune system are now believed to play crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was analysis of soluble forms of selectin-P and interleukin-8 levels in patients with different form of coronary heart disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study took part 18 patients with stable coronary heart disease, 20 patients with unstable coronary heart disease and 15 healthy persons from control group. Soluble selectin-P and interleukin-8 levels were measured in EDTA plasma with the use of enzyme immunoassay ELISA. RESULTS: The level of soluble selectin-P was significantly higher in unstable coronary heart disease patients in comparison to the stable coronary heart disease patients (P < or = 0.01) and nonsignificantly higher in comparison to the control group. The level of interleukin-8 were significantly higher in unstable coronary heart disease patients in comparison to the stable coronary heart disease patients (P < or = 0.01) and in comparison to the control group (P < or = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that soluble form of selectin-P and interleukin-8 may be useful clinical predictors of unstable coronary heart disease. The assessment of the risk for the development of coronary heart disease requires further serial investigation.