Geraniol attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced liver fatty acid alterations in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an oxidant agent and this molecule naturally occurs in the body as a product of aerobic metabolism. Geraniol is a plant-derived natural antioxidant. The aim of this study was to determine the role of geraniol on hepatic fatty acids alterations following H2O2-induced oxidative stress in male rats. METHODS: After randomization, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 7 each group). Geraniol (50 mg/kg, dissolved in corn oil) and H2O2 (16 mg/kg, dissolved in distilled water) were administered by an intraperitoneal injection. Administrations were performed during 30 days with 1-day interval. RESULTS: Administration of H2O2 resulted with a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) peroxidase glutathione level; geraniol restored its effects on liver. However, hepatic catalase (CAT) activities were significantly higher in H2O2, geraniol, and geraniol+H2O2 groups than control group. The ratio of hepatic total saturated fatty acids increased in H2O2-treated animals compared with control. In addition, hepatic total unsaturated fatty acids reduced in H2O2 group compared with control. The percentages of both hepatic total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were not different between geraniol+H2O2 and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: H2O2-induced oxidative stress may affect fatty acid composition in liver and body. Geraniol can partly restore oxidative hepatic damage because it cannot completely reverse the H2O2-induced increase in hepatic CAT activities. Moreover, this natural compound can regulate hepatic total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids percentages against H2O2-induced alterations.

The investigation of some bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna subsp. monogyna Jacq).

AIM: The antioxidant and pharmacological effects of hawthorn have mainly been attributed to the polyphenolic contents. The aim of this research is to determine some bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of hawthorn aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves, flowers, and ripened fruits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, antioxidant activities of extracts were assessed on DPPH•, ABTS•+, superoxide scavenging, reducing power and ferrous metal chelating activity assays and phenolic content of extracts was determined by Folin-Cioacalteu's reagent. RESULTS: The flavonoids including rutin, apigenin, myricetin, quercetin, naringenin and kaempferol, were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography in the hawthorn extract. CONCLUSION: It was observed the aqueous and ethanol extracts of Crataegus monogyna subsp. monogyna fruits showed the highest activity in reducing power and metal chelating activity assays. In addition, it was determined that the aqueous flower extract showed higher flavonoid content than aqueous leaves extract. The antioxidant and pharmacological effects of hawthorn have mainly been attributed to the polyphenolic contents.

Total phenolic contents and free-radical scavenging activities of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) and grape products.

Grape is one of the world's largest fruit crops, with an approximate annual production of 58 million metric tons, and it is well known that the grape skins, seeds and stems, waste products generated during wine and grape juice processing, are rich sources of polyphenols. It contains flavonoids, phenolic acids and stilbenes. In this study, we tried to determine antioxidant properties and phenolic contents of grape and grape products (fresh fruit, seed, dried fruit, molasses, pestil, vinegar) of ethanol and water extracts. Antioxidant properties of extracts were investigated by DPPH(√), ABTS(√+), superoxide, H(2)O(2) scavenging, reducing power, metal chelating activity and determination of total phenolic contents. The seed extracts revealed highest ABTS(√+), DPPH(√), H(2)O(2) scavenging and reducing power activities. Furthermore, these extracts showed higher total phenolic contents than other grape product extracts.

Effects of intraperitoneally administered ubiquinone on the level of total lipid and fatty acids in rat liver.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q-10) on total lipid and fatty acid composition of liver tissues in rats. Twenty male wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was used as a control. The second group received ubiquinone (8 mg/every other day) intraperitoneally. This administration was done for a period of 38 days. Body weight increases in animals fed diets for 38 days were on average 35 g in control group (C), and only 11 g in the ubiquinone group. Total lipid content of liver tissues in the ubiquinone group (UB) decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) compared to the control group (C). The ratio of 22:6 and total omega3 fatty acid in the UB increased (p < 0.01) compared to C. While the level of oleic acid (18:1), palmitoleic acid (16:1) and total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) in UB significantly decreased (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), the level of stearic acid (18:0) in liver tissue increased (p < 0.05) in the same group when compared to C. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is the rate-limiting enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acid mainly oleate (18:1). We speculate that ubiquinone inhibits SCD activity. SCD is an important metabolic control point in body weight regulation. Our results indicate that ubiquinone supplementation may have an inhibitory effect on obesity and it seems that the level of 22:6 in liver increased due to ubiquinone.

A combination of alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C and N-acetyl cysteine increases unsaturated fatty acid levels in hydrogen peroxide-induced Candida tropicalis (ATCC 13803).

This research was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant effects of combinations of alpha lipoic acid (LA), vitamin C (VC), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and alpha-tocopherol (TOC) on lipid level and fatty acid composition of C. tropicalis (ATCC 13803) against hydrogen peroxide toxicity. According to the experimental results, the cell density of C. tropicalis increased significantly in NAC+LA+H2O2, NAC+TOC+ H2O2 and NAC+VC+H2O2 groups (p<0.001) at the end of 48 and 72 h incubation times. The total lipid level in H2O2 and H2O2 + antioxidant-supplemented groups was lower than that of the control group. In the fatty acid composition of C. tropicalis, the palmitic acid level was raised in the NAC group (p<0.05), whereas its level was reduced in the other supplemented groups. While the oleic acid level increased in NAC+TOC+H2O2 and NAC+VC+H2O2 (p<0.001) groups, its level slightly decreased in the H2O2 group. The linolenic acid level was low in all the supplemented groups, but linoleic acid and total mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) levels were high in these groups compared with the control group. Total polyunsaturated fatty acid level (PUFA) decreased in NAC and H2O2 groups (p<0.01), but its level increased in NAC+LA+H2O2 and NAC+TOC+H2O2 groups (respectively, p<0.01, p<0.001). Total saturated fatty acid level decreased significantly in NAC+TOC+H2O2, NAC+H2O2 and NAC+VC+H2O2 (p<0.001) groups (p<0.01), whereas total unsaturated fatty acid level increased in NAC, NAC+H2O2, NAC+LA+H2O2, NAC+TOC+H2O2 and NAC+VC+H2O2 groups. In conclusion, our data showed that the levels of total unsaturated fatty acid, MUFA and PUFA were raised with the combinations of NAC and TOC, LA and VC in C. tropicalis cells subjected to hydrogen peroxide toxicity.

Effects of intraperitoneally administered lipoic acid, vitamin E, and linalool on the level of total lipid and fatty acids in guinea pig brain with oxidative stress induced by H2O2.

The aim of our study was to investigate the protective effects of intraperitoneally-administrated vitamin E, dlalpha lipoic acid, and linalool on the level of total lipid and fatty acid in guinea pig brains with oxidative stress that was induced by H2O2. The total brain lipid content in the H2O2 group decreased when compared to the H2O2 + vitamin E (p<0.05), H2O2+ linalool (p<0.05), ALA (p<0.05), control (p<0.01), linalool (p<0.01), and vitamin E (p<0.01) groups. While the proportion of total saturated fatty acid ( infinity SFA) in the H2O2 group significantly increased (p<0.005) when compared to the vitamin E group, it only slightly increased (p<0.01) when compared to the control and H2O2 + vitamin E groups. The ratio of the total unsaturated fatty acid (infinity USFA) in the H2O2 groups was lower (p<0.05) than the control, vitamin E, and H2O2+ vitamin E groups. The level of the total polyunsaturated fatty acid (infinity USFA) in the H2O2 group decreased in when compared to the control, vitamin E, and H2O2+vitamin E groups. While the proportion of the total w3 (omega 3), w6 (omega 6), and PUFA were found to be lowest in the H2O2 group, they were slightly increased (p<0.05) in the lipoic acid group when compared to the control and H2O2 + lipoic acid groups. However, the level of infinity SFA in the H2O2 group was highest; the level of infinity USFA in same group was lowest. As the proportion of infinity USFA and infinity PUFA were found to be highest in the linalool group, they were decreased in the H2O2 group when compared to the control group. Our results show that linalool has antioxidant properties, much the same as vitamin E and lipoic acid, to prevent lipid peroxidation. Additionally, vitamin E, lipoic acid, and linalool could lead to therapeutic approaches for limiting damage from oxidation reaction in unsaturated fatty acids, as well as for complementing existing therapy for the treatment of complications of oxidative damage.

Effects of certain micronutrients and melatonin on plasma lipid, lipid peroxidation, and homocysteine levels in rats.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies suggest an association between high intake of antioxidant vitamins and fish oil and reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Hyperhomocysteinemia has also been identified as an independent risk factor for arteriosclerosis. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin C 6 palmitate (VC6P), lipoic acid, fish oil, and melatonin supplementation on lipid peroxidation, plasma lipid, and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in rats. METHODS: Animals were divided into seven groups: one was used as control and each remaining group was supplemented with one substance for 6 weeks. All substances were dissolved in olive oil and injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with the exception of vitamin C, which was dissolved in drinking water. Plasma Hcy, lipid peroxidation, and lipids were determined. RESULTS: Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased significantly in melatonin (p <0.01), lipoic acid (p <0.01), and vitamin E (p <0.05) groups. On the other hand, supplementation with vitamin C and VC6OP lowered MDA levels moderately but not significantly (p >0.05). Fish oil supplementation caused a slight but insignificant increase in plasma MDA levels (p >0.05). Plasma lipid levels in animals treated with melatonin, vitamin E, vitamin C, lipoic acid, and fish oil were significantly lower than those of controls; however, treatment of rats with VC6P has no significant effect on plasma lipid level. Melatonin and fish oil administration significantly lowered plasma Hcy levels, whereas VC6P elevated its level. There was no significant effect of vitamin E, vitamin C, and lipoic acid on levels of plasma Hcy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that supplementation with antioxidants appears to be hypolipidemic. In addition to these beneficial effects, administration of melatonin and fish oil deserves careful consideration as a measure to lower plasma Hcy levels and reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Influence of vitamin E on the levels of fatty acids and MDA in some tissues of diabetic rats.

This study was performed to determine whether vitamin E supplementation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with insulin could affect the levels of fatty acid composition and malondialdehyde (MDA) of brain, liver and muscle tissues. Thirty Wistar albino rats were used during the experiments. They were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of six individuals. The first group was diabetic, the second was control, and the third was diabetic but fed vitamin E. The level of stearic acid in brain tissues decreased (p<0.05) in the second and the third groups as compared to the first group. The percentage of arachidonic and polyunsaturated fatty acids slightly decreased (p<0.05) in the diabetic group in comparison to the second and third groups. The proportion of docosahexaenoic acid significantly increased (p<0.01) in the second and third groups in contrast to the first group. The level of docosatrienoic was slightly higher (p<0.05) in the third group than in other groups. In the liver tissues, the proportion of stearic, oleic and total monounsaturated fatty acids was slightly higher (p<0.05) in the first group than in the other groups. The level of arachidonic, docosahexaenoic, unsaturated and total polyunsaturated fatty acid slightly increased (p<0.05) in the second and third groups as compared to the first group. The level of myristic and stearic acids in muscle tissue slightly increased (p<0.05) in the first group as compared to the second and third groups. The proportion of arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and unsaturated fatty acids slightly increased (p<0.05) in the second and third groups relative to the first group. The amount of MDA was slightly higher in the diabetic group than in the other groups in all tissues. The results indicate that vitamin E supplementation, in experimental diabetes could play a role in controlling the oxidative status and altered fatty acid metabolism in tissues, thereby maintaining favourable fatty acid distribution in the tissues affected by diabetic complications.