Highly deformable and strongly magnetic semi-interpenetrating hydrogels based on alginate or cellulose.

The effective implementation of many of the applications of magnetic hydrogels requires the development of innovative systems capable of withstanding a substantial load of magnetic particles to ensure exceptional responsiveness, without compromising their reliability and stability. To address this challenge, double-network hydrogels have emerged as a promising foundation, thanks to their extraordinary mechanical deformability and toughness. Here, we report a semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs) approach to create diverse magnetic SIPNs hydrogels based on alginate or cellulose, exhibiting remarkable deformability under certain stresses. Achieving strong responsiveness to magnetic fields is a key objective, and this characteristic is realized by the incorporation of highly magnetic iron microparticles at moderately large concentrations into the polymer network. Remarkably, the SIPNs hydrogels developed in this research accommodate high loadings of magnetic particles without significantly compromising their physical properties. This feature is essential for their use in applications that demand robust responsiveness to applied magnetic fields and overall stability, such as a hydrogel luminescent oxygen sensor controlled by magnetic fields that we designed and tested as proof-of-concept. These findings underscore the potential and versatility of magnetic SIPNs hydrogels based on carbohydrate biopolymers as fundamental components in driving the progress of advanced hydrogels for diverse practical implementations.

Protein carbonylation associated to high-fat, high-sucrose diet and its metabolic effects.

The present research draws a map of the characteristic carbonylation of proteins in rats fed high-caloric diets with the aim of providing a new insight of the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases derived from the high consumption of fat and refined carbohydrates. Protein carbonylation was analyzed in plasma, liver and skeletal muscle of Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet by a proteomics approach based on carbonyl-specific fluorescence-labeling, gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Oxidized proteins along with specific sites of oxidative damage were identified and discussed to illustrate the consequences of protein oxidation. The results indicated that long-term HFHS consumption increased protein oxidation in plasma and liver; meanwhile, protein carbonyls from skeletal muscle did not change. The increment of carbonylation by HFHS diet was singularly selective on specific target proteins: albumin from plasma and liver, and hepatic proteins such as mitochondrial carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (ammonia), mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, argininosuccinate synthetase, regucalcin, mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate synthase subunit beta, actin cytoplasmic 1 and mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase 1. The possible consequences that these specific protein carbonylations have on the excessive weight gain, insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease resulting from HFHS diet consumption are discussed.

Protective effect of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: Eicosapentaenoic acid/Docosahexaenoic acid 1:1 ratio on cardiovascular disease risk markers in rats.

BACKGROUND: High consumption of fish carries a lower risk of cardiovascular disease as a consequence of dietary omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA; especially EPA and DHA) content. A controversy exists about the component/s responsible of these beneficial effects and, in consequence, which is the best proportion between both fatty acids. We sought to determine, in healthy Wistar rats, the proportions of EPA and DHA that would induce beneficial effects on biomarkers of oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease risk. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were fed for 13 weeks with 5 different dietary supplements of oils; 3 derived from fish (EPA/DHA ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 1:2) plus soybean and linseed as controls. The activities of major antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPX, and GR) were determined in erythrocytes and liver, and the ORAC test was used to determine the antioxidant capacity in plasma. Also measured were: C reactive protein (CRP), endothelial dysfunction (sVCAM and sICAM), prothrombotic activity (PAI-1), lipid profile (triglycerides, cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc, Apo-A1, and Apo-B100), glycated haemoglobin and lipid peroxidation (LDL-ox and MDA values). RESULTS: After three months of nutritional intervention, we observed statistically significant differences in the ApoB100/ApoA1 ratio, glycated haemoglobin, VCAM-1, SOD and GPx in erythrocytes, ORAC values and LDL-ox. Supplementation with fish oil derived omega-3 PUFA increased VCAM-1, LDL-ox and plasma antioxidant capacity (ORAC). Conversely, the ApoB100/ApoA1 ratio and percentage glycated haemoglobin decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that a diet of a 1:1 ratio of EPA/DHA improved many of the oxidative stress parameters (SOD and GPx in erythrocytes), plasma antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and cardiovascular risk factors (glycated haemoglobin) relative to the other diets.

Evaluation of oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with chronic renal failure: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is related to several diseases, including chronic renal insufficiency. The disequilibrium in the oxidant-antioxidant balance is the result of several metabolic changes. The majority of studies to-date have evaluated the grade of oxidative stress with a single biomarker, or a very limited number of them. FINDINGS: The present study used several important biomarkers to establish a score relating to oxidative stress status (glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, reduced and oxidized glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hemolysis test). The score of oxidative stress (SOS) was then applied to a group of patients with renal insufficiency not on hemodialysis, and compared to healthy control individuals.The score for patients with chronic renal insufficiency was significantly different from that of the healthy control group (0.62 +/- 1.41 vs. -0.05 +/- 0.94; p < 0.001). The comparison between patients with chronic renal insufficiency and control individuals showed significant differences with respect to changes in the enzymatic antioxidant systems (glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase), non-enzymatic antioxidant system (oxidized glutathione) and oxidizability (hemolysis test) indicating significant oxidative stress associated with chronic renal insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic renal insufficiency not on hemodialysis are susceptible to oxidative stress. The mechanisms that underlie this status are the consequence of changes in glutathione and related enzymes. The SOS scoring system is a useful biochemical parameter to evaluate the influence of oxidative stress on the clinical status of these patients.

Melatonin reduces oxidative stress in erythrocytes and plasma of senescence-accelerated mice.

It has been suggested that oxidative stress is a feature of aging. The goal of the present study was to assess the oxidant effects related to aging and the protective role of exogenous melatonin in senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP8). Two groups of SAMP8 mice (males and females) were compared with their respective control groups of SAMR1 mice (senescence-resistant inbred strain) to determine their oxidative status without melatonin treatment. Four other groups of the same characteristics were treated with melatonin (10 mg/kg/day) in their drinking water. The melatonin concentration in the feeding bottles was titrated according to water consumption and body weight (i.e. 0.06 mg/mL for 30 g of body weight and 5 mL/day of water consumption). The treatment began when animals were 1-month old and continued for 9 months. When mice were 10-month old, they were anesthetized and blood was obtained. Plasma and erythrocytes were processed to examine oxidative stress markers: reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and hemolysis. The results showed greater oxidative stress in SAMP8 than in SAMR1, largely because of a decrease in GSH levels and to an increase in GSSG and TBARS with the subsequent induction of the antioxidant enzymes GPX and GR. Melatonin, as an antioxidant molecule, improved the glutathione-related parameters, prevented the induction of GPX in senescent groups, and promoted a decrease in SOD and TBARS in almost all the groups.