Oral administration of nano-tyrosol reversed the diabetes-induced liver damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of Tyrosol and Nano-tyrosol on the cellular arrangement, collagen disposition, protein level of insulin receptor (INSR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in both control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). Experimental rats were administered Tyrosol and Nano-tyrosol 1 ml intra-gastrically at a dose of 20 mg/kg once a day for 30 days. Then, rats were sacrificed according to ethical principles. Livers were removed and processed for histological studies using the paraffin technique. Furthermore, non-paraffin sections were used for the INSR-1 western blot technique. Results: At the end of the experiments, the rats in diabetic control and plain niosome groups exhibited a significant increase in collagen disposition (p < 0.001), and apoptotic cells (p < 0.001), as well as decreased total protein levels of INSR (p < 0.001), and SOD activity (p < 0.001) in the hepatic cells. Oral administration of Tyrosol and Nano-tyrosol to diabetic rats reversed all the above-mentioned parameters to near normal levels (p < 0.001). Nano-tyrosol showed the highest significant effect rather than Tyrosol. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested the beneficial effects of Tyrosol and especially Nano-tyrosol on decreasing the adverse effects of diabetes.

Variations in oxidative stress and antioxidant defense level during different phases of hibernation in common Asian toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus.

To assess redox status during hibernation with metabolic depression, oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant defense were assessed during different phases of hibernation including active period, hibernation, arousal, and post-arousal period, in the liver and brain tissues of Duttaphrynus melanostictus. We hypothesized low levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense during the hibernation period in comparison to the summer active period, due to hypometabolism and their subsequent increase during the arousal period following an increase in body temperature and metabolism. Contrary to our hypothesis, increased oxidative stress with significantly higher lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, oxidized glutathione (GSSG): glutathione (GSH) ratio, and elevated antioxidants defense consisting of higher catalase activity and high ascorbic acid content to control oxidative stress were found during hibernation. However, GSH and uric acid levels were found low with super oxide dismutase (SOD) activities at a steady level during hibernation. Supporting our hypothesis, increased oxidative stress with high lipid peroxidation and GSSG:GSH ratio were found during arousal from hibernation owing to increased oxygen consumption and rewarming. Augmented catalase and SOD activities and nonenzymatic antioxidants (GSH, ascorbic acid, and uric acid) level were found to counteract oxidative stress during arousal periods as it was expected. A steady level of protein carbonylation, indicating no oxidative damage during arousal from hibernation due to elevated antioxidant defense, shows the significance of hibernation to overcome food and water scarcity and cold climatic condition. Decrease in antioxidants levels accompanying coming down of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and GSSG:GSH ratio to their lower levels during the post-arousal period showing normalcy in redox status as it was during active period indicates controllability of oxidative stress in hibernating toads.

Balangu (Lallemantia sp.) growth and physiology under field drought conditions affecting plant medicinal content.

Drought stress is one of the most important stresses adversely affecting plant growth and yield production. Due to the importance of global warming, the investigation of drought effects on the growth and quality of medical plants is of vital importance. Accordingly, a two-year field experiment was conducted in 2013-2014 to determine the effects of drought levels and plant species on Balangu (Lallemantia sp.) growth and physiological properties including medicinal content. The experiment was a split plot in which the drought levels (main plots) including control (D1, moisture field capacity, water potential at, 0.5 atm), moderate stress (D2, 6.5 atm) and severe stress (D3, 9.5 atm), and the Balangu species (sub plots) including Lallemantia royleana (Benth) (L1) and L. iberica (L2) were tested as the experimental treatments. Plant yield, oil content and the biochemical properties (i.e. medicinal content) including phenolic compounds, proline, carotenoids, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes including peroxidase (EC 1.11.1), super oxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1)) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) were determined. Drought stress significantly decreased crop yield and oil content. However, the production of phenolic compounds and proline as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes, SOD and APX increased under stress. The species L2 was the more tolerant species under drought stress. The interesting point about this research work is the increased production of secondary metabolites (i.e. phenolic compounds) under stress, affecting both Balangu response and medicinal properties. Accordingly, it may be possible to regulate the production of secondary metabolites (medicinal contents) in Balangu species by adjusting the irrigating practices.

The Proteins from Sika deer antler as potential modulators on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in human embryonic kidney 293 cells.

Our study aimed to investigate the protective role of SDAPR on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and its' possible mechanism in HEK293 cells. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Oxidative stress (SOD, GSH, LDH and MDA), inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) and apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2) expression were measured. The apoptotic cells were observed by TUNEL staining. Our study results indicated that non-cytotoxic levels of SDAPR significantly increased viability rate (LD50 value of cisplatin is 20 µM), which improved antioxidant defence, attenuated apoptosis by decreasing expression levels of cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax, increasing Bcl-2 expression and inhibiting apoptotic positive cells in HEK 293 cells. In addition, SDAPR treatment markedly inhibited the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. In conclusion, Sika deer antler protein, a potential modulator, could alleviate cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in HEK 293 cells.

Omeprazole preserves the RER in chief cells and enhances re-epithelialization of parietal cells with SOD and AQP-4 up-regulation in ethanol-induced gastritis rats.

Gastric mucosal cells, particularly parietal and chief cells, are usually affected by exogenous, and endogenous stimuli-induced gastritis. The integrity of these cells and their alterations are involved in the pathogenesis of numerous gastric disorders. Omeprazole, a gastric acid secretion blocker, is commonly used for gastrointestinal diseases due to its antioxidative stress and anti-inflammatory properties. Little is known regarding how omeprazole modulates the re-epithelialized effect on gastric mucosal cells associated with gastrointestinal disorders. The present study aimed to determine whether omeprazole attenuates parietal and chief cell damage in association with its antioxidative property. An in vivo ethanol-induced gastritis rat model was used. Histopathological, scanning and transmission electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical studies were performed. The results revealed that omeprazole improved the gastric mucosal surface, and reduced the severity of mucosal inflammation and hemorrhaging. Notably, ethanol-induced gastritis caused dysmorphic rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) in chief cells, which was accompanied by mitochondrial swelling. This alteration was modulated by omeprazole due to its antioxidant effect characterized by upregulation of superoxide dismutase in gastric mucosal cells. In addition, expression of aquaporin-4 was increased in the omeprazole treatment group, which may be due to the expansion of regenerative parietal cells and acid suppression. The results of the present study suggest that omeprazole preserves the RER in chief cells and enhances parietal cell regeneration through its antioxidative property by exerting anti-inflammatory effects.

Endothelial Dysfunction in Obesity.

Chronic inflammatory state in obesity causes dysregulation of the endocrine and paracrine actions of adipocyte-derived factors, which disrupt vascular homeostasis and contribute to endothelial vasodilator dysfunction and subsequent hypertension. While normal healthy perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) ensures the dilation of blood vessels, obesity-associated PVAT leads to a change in profile of the released adipo-cytokines, resulting in a decreased vasorelaxing effect. Adipose tissue inflammation, nitric oxide (NO)-bioavailability, insulin resistance and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) are main participating factors in endothelial dysfunction of obesity. In this chapter, disruption of inter-endothelial junctions between endothelial cells, significant increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammation mediators, which are originated from inflamed endothelial cells, the balance between NO synthesis and ROS , insulin signaling and NO production, and decrease in L-arginine/endogenous asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) ratio are discussed in connection with endothelial dysfunction in obesity.

Changes in reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α levels in missed abortion.

This study aimed to investigate changes in the expression levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in the trophoblasts of patients who had experienced missed abortions. The missed abortion group included 28 patients with missed abortions. The control group was comprised of 35 women who had elected to undergo surgically induced abortion in their first trimester, and whose embryos were confirmed to be alive before surgery. No woman in either group had any known causative factor for missed or spontaneous abortion. As soon as the diagnosis of "missed abortion" was definitively made, the chorionic trophoblast was obtained by induced abortion operation. The same method was used for individuals in the control group, who were at 7-10 weeks of pregnancy. Levels of ROS, SOD, and HIF-1α in the chorionic trophoblasts from women in both groups were examined within 1 hour by fluorescent staining, chemiluminometry, and enzyme immunoassay methods. The SOD and HIF-1α levels were lower and the ROS level was higher in the trophoblasts from women in the missed abortion group compared to levels in the control group (P < 0.05). ROS, SOD and HIF-1α levels in the chorionic trophoblasts from patients with missed abortion are altered compared to levels in control patients. Changes in these factors should be evaluated further for their potential role in missed abortion.

Hormonal and metabolic effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3) on polycystic ovary syndrome induced rats under diet.

OBJECTIVE(S): PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) produces symptoms in approximately 5% to 10% of women of reproductive age (12-45 years old). It is thought to be one of the leading causes of female subfertility. This study aimed to confirm the role of nutrition containing omega-3 (polyunsaturated fatty acid) on control of experimental PCO induced by estradiol-valerat in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Wistar female rats (n=40) were allocated into control (n=10) and test groups (n= 30), test group was subdivided into 3 groups: G1, received omega-3 (240 mg/kg/orally/daily); G2 and G3 groups were induced PCO by single injection of estradiol-valerate (16 mg/kg/IM). Group 3 received omega-3 (240 mg/kg/orally/daily) and low carbohydrate feeding for 60 subsequent days; on sixtieth day 5 ml blood samples and ovarian tissues of all rats in the group were removed and prepared for biochemical and hormonal analysis. RESULTS:  Catalase, GPX (Glutathione peroxidase), SOD (Superoxide dismutase) in groups that received omega-3 showed higher levels, but MDA (malondialdehyde) level was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in comparison with other experimental groups. Ovarian weights in both experimental and control groups were similar (P<0.05). Level of serum FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) was decreased, but level of testosterone was significantly increased (P<0.05) in PCO group in comparison with control and omega-3 groups. CONCLUSION: RESULTS revealed that administration of omega-3 plus lower carbohydrate food significantly controlled   PCO syndrome and balanced FSH and testosterone.