The influence of lithium and/or selenium on plasma amino acids profile in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Selenium belongs to essential microelements and is used in agriculture. Lithium is used in medicine and the possibility of its exposure by environmental pollution has been reported. Both elements have been found to be connected with amino acids metabolism. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of lithium and selenium on plasma amino acids in rats, and to evaluate the influence of selenium in organisms exposed to lithium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effect of selenium (0.5 mg/kg b.w., orally as Na2SeO3) and/or lithium (2.7 mg/kg b.w., orally as Li2CO3) given for 6 weeks on the plasma profile of selected amino acids in rats was studied. The concentrations of amino acids were determined using ion exchange chromatography with the aid of an amino acids analyzer AAA400. RESULTS: A significant effect of lithium on plasma amino acids profile was found in rats, much greater than for selenium. Selenium treatment slightly increased Tau, Phe, Tyr, Ala, Trp, Ser and Gln, while Lys and Orn were enhanced in a significant way. In contrast, Li-treatment caused a well-marked increase in Phe, Orn, Ala, His, Trp, Asp and Gln, whereas all the others were only slightly increased. Co-treatment resulted in a significant increase in Orn and Trp, a slight enhancement of Phe, Lys and His, while the rest remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: A significant effect of lithium alone on plasma amino acids profile in animals was demonstrated, with a much less influence of selenium alone. Co-treatment generally resulted in a slight or no effect. The slight selenium influence seems important regarding its agricultural application and the growing interest in its supplementation. Results concerning lithium could contribute to the research regarding the mechanism of Li action.

Intense remodeling of extracellular matrix within the varicose vein: the role of gelatinases and vascular endothelial growth factor.

BACKGROUND: Increased blood pressure in the varicose veins (VV) can contribute to the overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), affecting the endothelium, smooth muscle, and extracellular matrix of the vein wall. Gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), hypoxia, and inflammation occurring in the VV wall contribute to the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). AIMS: Our objective was to analyze the concentration of gelatinases and VEGF in the great saphenous VV wall and plasma of patients. METHODS: In total, 65 patients (2nd degree according to clinical state classification, etiology, anatomy, and pathophysiology-CEAP classification) aged 22 to 70 were enrolled. Control veins (n = 10) were collected from the patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Control plasma (n = 20) was obtained from healthy individuals. Gelatinases and VEGF levels were measured with the usage of ELISA method. RESULTS: A significant increase in MMP-9 (11.2 vs. 9.98 ng/mg of protein) and VEGF (41.06 vs. 26 ng/g of protein) concentration in VV wall compared with control veins was observed. A positive correlation between VEGF versus MMP-2 (p = 0.03, r = 0.27) was found in the VV wall. However, no correlation was found between the concentration of VEGF and MMP-9 (p = 0.4, r = 0.11) in the VV wall. In addition, no statistical differences between MMP-9, MMP-2, and VEGF levels in plasma of VV patients compared with controls were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study confirm that VV's patients have altered expression of MMPs and VEGF. Overexpression of MMP-9 and VEGF in the VV wall may contribute to the spreading of inflammatory process and suggests the intense remodeling of extracellular tissue within the VV wall.

The Great Healing Potential Hidden in Plant Preparations of Antioxidant Properties: A Return to Nature?

The application of chemicals in industry and agriculture has contributed to environmental pollution and exposure of living organisms to harmful factors. The development of new pharmaceutical agents enabled successful therapy of various diseases, but their administration may be connected with side effects. Oxidative stress has been found to be involved into etiology of numerous diseases as well as harmful action of drugs and chemicals. For some time, plant origin substances have been studied as potential protective agents alleviating toxicity of various substances and symptoms of diseases. The aim of the current review was to present the diversity of the research performed during the last five years on animal models. The outcomes showed a huge protective potential inherent in plant preparations, including alleviating prooxidative processes, strengthening antioxidant defence, ameliorating immune parameters, and reversing histopathological changes. In many cases, plant origin substances were proved to be comparable or even better than standard drugs. Such findings let us suggest that in the future the plant preparations could make adjuvants or a replacement for pharmaceutical agents. However, the detailed research regarding dose and way of administration as well as the per se effects needs to be performed. In many studies, the last issue was not studied, and in some cases, the deleterious effects have been observed.

Selenium prevents lithium accumulation and does not disturb basic microelement homeostasis in liver and kidney of rats exposed to lithium.

INTRODUCTION: Lithium has been used in medicine for almost seventy years. Besides beneficial effects, its therapy may cause serious side-effects, with kidney and liver being the organs most vulnerable to its harmful influence. Therefore, research on protective agents against lithium toxicity has been continuing for some time. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of additional selenium supplementation on lithium content, as well as homeostasis of the essential microelements iron, zinc, copper and manganese in kidney and liver of rats undergoing lithium exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 4 groups of male Wistar rats (6 animals each) treated with: control - saline; Li-group - Li2CO3 at a dose of 2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.; Se-group - Na2SeO3 at a dose of 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.; Li+Se-group - both Li2CO3 and Na2SeO3 at doses of 2.7 mg Li/kg b.w. and of 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w., respectively, in the form of water solutions by stomach tube, once a day for 3 weeks. The content of the studied elements in the organ samples was determined using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). RESULTS: Lithium administered alone caused a significant increase in its content in liver and kidney. Additional supplementation with selenium reversed these effects, and did not markedly affect other studied microelements compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results suggest that selenium could be regarded as an adjuvant into lithium therapy. However, considering the limitations of the present study (the short duration, using only one dose and form of selenium) the continuation of the research seems to be necessary to clarify the influence of selenium supplementation on basic microelements and lithium accumulation in organs during lithium exposure.

Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) in Oropharyngeal Cancer Associated with EBV Infection.

A growing number of studies reveal that oxidative stress is associated with viral infections or cancer development. However, there are few reports assessing the relationships between oxidative stress, viral infection, and carcinogenesis. The present study analyzed the level of total antioxidant status (TAS) as well as the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in patients with oropharyngeal cancer both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive and EBV-negative in comparison with the control group. The correlations between these parameters and EBV type (wild-type LMP1 (wt-LMP1) or LMP1 with deletion (del-LMP1)), level of antibodies against EBV, the degree of tumor differentiation, and TNM classification were also investigated. Fresh frozen tumor tissue samples collected from 66 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were tested using nested PCR assay for EBV DNA detection. Spectrophotometric methods were used to measure TAS values as well as SOD and GPx activities in homogenates of tissue, using diagnostic kits produced by Randox Laboratories. Sera from all individuals were investigated using ELISA method to detect the presence of Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen (EBVCA) IgM and IgG, Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA) IgG, and early antigen (EA) IgG antibodies. The level of TAS and activities of antioxidant enzymes (GPx and SOD) were significantly decreased in tissues with oropharyngeal cancer, particularly in EBV-positive cases. In 82.3% of patients, wt-LMP1 was detected. Significantly lower TAS, GPx, and SOD values were stated in patients infected with wild-type EBV. The presence of antibodies against early antigen (anti-EA) was detected in over 80% of patients, which suggests reactivation of EBV infection. The correlation between the degree of tumor differentiation and TN classification, especially in EBV-positive patients, was also observed. Determination of these parameters may be useful in evaluating tumor burden in patients with various stages of oropharyngeal cancer and could be an important prognostic factor. Future studies are needed to understand the role of EBV lytic reactivation induced by oxidative stress.

The Oxidative Stress in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients. An Attempt of Evaluation of Possible Compensatory Effects Occurring in the Disease Development.

Background and Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disorder of the musculoskeletal system resulting in worsening of life condition. The research revealed the involvement of oxidative stress into both OA pathogenesis and the effects of therapeutic agents applied in OA cases. The activities of the most important antioxidant enzymes, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant status (TAS), in blood of the knee OA patients were studied, with the aim of clarifying which enzymatic antioxidants are involved into osteoarthritis (OA)-related oxidative stress and whether any compensatory effects occur. The results were additionally analyzed with regard to gender. Methods: Whole blood SOD (U/mL), plasma GPx (U/L) and CAT (U/mL) activities as well as plasma TAS (mmol/L)) in knee OA patients were investigated. Sixty-seven patients (49 females and 18 males) with primary knee OA were enrolled. The control comprised 21 subjects (10 females and 11 males) free of osteoarthritis or inflammation. Results: TAS was decreased in OA subjects (4.39 0.53 vs. 4.70 0.60), with this effect being more significant in OA females (4.31 0.51 vs. 5.02 0.54). GPx was depressed in all OA patients (518 176 vs. 675 149). In both genders, GPx was decreased, significantly in males (482 185 vs. 715 105). SOD was decreased in all OA patients (109 32 vs. 127 42). CAT showed no difference in all OA subjects vs. control, while in OA females it was depleted (20.2 (11.6-31.6) vs. 38.5 (27.9-46.6)) and in OA men it increased (26.9 (23.3-46.5) vs. 14.0 (7.0-18.6)). Conclusions: The obtained results suggest that in men some compensatory mechanisms towards OA-related oxidative stress occurred. Based on the obtained data, the introduction of antioxidant supplements into OA therapy could be suggested with further research concerning the choice of agents.

Correlations among plasma silicon, magnesium and calcium in patients with knee osteoarthritis - analysis in consideration of gender.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthrits (OA) is a complex, chronic disorder of cartilage and bone, related to homeostasis of bioelements. The current study aimed at evaluation of correlations between plasma silicon, magnesium and ionized calcium in OA patients in consideration to gender. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 59 patients aged 69.5±9.0 years (18 males aged 66.8±9.2; 41 females aged 70.7±8.8), admitted to the Trauma and Orthopaedic Ward of the Independent Public Health Care Centre in Leczna, Poland, due to OA and qualified to surgery. Control group consisted of 19 subjects without OA (54.5±8.6 years; 10 males aged 41.3±9.3; 9 females aged 69.1±14.9). Plasma concentrations of silicon and magnesium (spectrophotometric methods) and ionized calcium (potentiometric method) were determined. RESULTS: Silicon in OA patients was significantly increased vs. control. In OA males and OA females, silicon was enhanced vs. the respective controls, but it was statistically significant only in males. Magnesium in OA patients was not significantly different from control group. In females, a significant decrease vs. the respective control was observed. No significant differences were observed in the case of ionized calcium. Positive correlations between silicon and magnesium in healthy control, both in the whole group and in male and female subgroups, were noted, while no such effect was observed in OA subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The results might suggest some connection between higher OA incidence in women and the depleted magnesium in the organism. Silicon increase in OA patients, especially in men, may indicate its intense metabolism during the articular inflammatory process, likely dependent on sex hormones. It remains open whether the plasma Si increase is the effect or cause of OA.

Lithium disturbs homeostasis of essential microelements in erythrocytes of rats: Selenium as a protective agent?

BACKGROUND: Selenium is an essential element which shows protective properties against diverse harmful factors. Lithium compounds are widely used in medicine, but, in spite of undoubted beneficial effects, treatment with these compounds may lead to severe side effects, including renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, endocrine and metabolic disorders. This study was aimed at evaluating the influence of selenium and/or lithium on lithium, iron, zinc and copper content in rats' erythrocytes as well as estimate the action of additional selenium on lithium exposure effects. METHODS: The experiment was performed on four groups of rats (six animals each): control - received saline; Li - received 2.7mg Li/kg b.w. as lithium carbonate; Se - received 0.5mg Se/kg b.w. as sodium selenite; Se+Li - received simultaneously 0.5mg Se/kg b.w. and 2.7mg Li/kg b.w. (sodium selenite and lithium carbonate). The administration was performed for three weeks, once a day by stomach tube, in form of water solutions. In erythrocytes the content of lithium, iron, zinc and copper was determined using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS: Lithium treatment insignificantly disturbed iron and zinc homeostasis as well as markedly increased lithium accumulation and copper content in rat erythrocytes. Selenium coadministration reversed those effects. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effect of selenium on disturbances of studied microelements homeostasis as well as on preventing lithium accumulation in erythrocytes in Li receiving animals allows suggesting that further research on selenium application as an adjuvant in lithium therapy is worth carrying on.

Antioxidant Potential of Propolis, Bee Pollen, and Royal Jelly: Possible Medical Application.

Honeybees products comprise of numerous substances, including propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly, which have long been known for their medicinal and health-promoting properties. Their wide biological effects have been known and used since antiquity. Bee products are considered to be a potential source of natural antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, or terpenoids. Nowadays, the still growing concern in natural substances capable of counteracting the effects of oxidative stress underlying the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, as well as negative effects of different harmful factors and drugs, is being observed. Having regarded the importance of acquiring drugs from natural sources, this review is aimed at updating the current state of knowledge of antioxidant capacity of selected bee products, namely, propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly, and of their potential antioxidant-related therapeutic applications. Moreover, the particular attention has been attributed to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying antioxidant properties of bee products. The influence of bee species, plant origin, geographic location, and seasonality as well as type of extraction solutions on the composition of bee products extracts were also discussed.

Selenium - a fascinating antioxidant of protective properties.

Selenium is a trace element which fulfils important functions in the organism. Its deficit may cause acute disorders, but an overdose can also lead to severe consequences. The functions of selenium in the organism are mainly connected with its antioxidant properties, as it is an essential part of important antioxidant enzymes. Disturbances of oxidant balance have been found to be involved in the activity of numerous harmful factors as well as in the pathogenesis of diverse illnesses. Selenium administration has proved to be effective against the toxicity of many agents and the side effects of drugs. However, the narrow range between therapeutic and toxic doses of selenium, as well as the dependence of its effect on the applied form, dose and method of treatment, makes the choice of the most effective supplement a very complex issue. Divergent forms of selenium are still being studied, including both inorganic and organic compounds as well as Se-enriched natural products. The newest research has also involved selenium nanoparticles. The aim of this review is to present the great potential of selenium for protecting the organism against a wide variety of environmental pollutants, drugs and physical factors.

Antioxidative mechanism in the course of varicose veins.

Objective Our objective was to evaluate the state of oxidative stress in the great saphenous varicose vein wall and blood of varicose vein patients taken from the antecubital vein. Methods The superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant status were measured with commercially available colorimetric kits in erythrocytes, plasma and varicose vein wall of 65 patients (second degree of clinical state classification, etiology, anatomy and pathophysiology) aged 22-70 (49 women, 16 men) in comparison to normal great saphenous vein walls collected from 10 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft and blood collected from 20 healthy individuals. Results A statistically significant decrease (p < 0.001) in superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocytes and the increase (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase activity in varicose vein has been observed. There have been no significant changes in the concentration of GSH in plasma and in varicose vein. The decreased concentration of total antioxidant status in plasma (p < 0.001) and in varicose vein wall (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control has been noticed. Conclusion The varicose vein patients are affected by oxidative stress. Our results indicate impaired antioxidant defense mechanism in the blood of varicose vein patients. In contrast to the blood, an increased process of antioxidant defense in the varicose vein wall was noticed.

Adipokine Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Depends on Degree of Obesity.

BACKGROUND The fast pace of life, promoting fast food consumption and low physical activity, has resulted in obesity and/or diabetes as being serious social problems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate concentrations of selected adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin) and to assess the leptin/adiponectin ratio in plasma of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients in relation to degree of obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study comprised 92 T2D subjects divided into 4 groups according to BMI value - I (normal body weight), II (overweight), III (obesity), and IV (severe obesity) - and 20 healthy volunteers (control group). Each group was divided into male and female subgroups. Plasma concentrations of adipokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS In women, leptin concentration was significantly higher in group IV, whereas in men it was higher in groups III and IV than in the control group and groups I and II. Irrespective of sex, a significant decrease in adiponectin level was observed in group III vs. CONTROL: There was no significant difference in resistin levels. In women visfatin was markedly enhanced in group III, whereas in men in groups II, III and IV vs. CONTROL: Leptin/adiponectin ratio was increased in groups III and IV vs. control in women, whereas in men vs. both control and group I. CONCLUSIONS The obese type 2 diabetic patients presented a disturbed adipokine profile, which seems to be an important link between obesity and T2D. The future studies concerning the question if regulating of adipokines' concentrations could be a promising approach for managing metabolic disorders seem to be well-grounded.

Lithium as a prooxidant? A possible protective role of selenium - in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Lithium is used in medicine but its application may cause diverse side effects. Selenium has been found to show protective properties against negative influence of different harmful factors. This study was aimed at evaluating the influence of non-toxic dose of lithium on antioxidant parameters in FaDu (ATCC HTB-43) and Vero (ECACC No. 84113001) cell lines as well as the possible protective effect of non-toxic concentration of sodium selenite. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cells were subjected to 0.17 mmol/L of Li2CO3 and/or 2.9 µmol/L of Na2SeO3 · 5H2O for Vero as well as 0.47 mmol/L of Li2CO3 and/or 3.0 µmol/L of Na2SeO3 · 5H2O for FaDu cells. The incubation was continued for the subsequent 72 h. In the cells total antioxidant status (TAS) values, activities of antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as the reduced glutathione concentration (GSH) were determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In Vero cells lithium decreased all studied parameters, particularly GPx. Selenium co-treatment showed a distinct protective effect. In FaDu cells the similar effect was observed only in case of GSH. The results point to differences in action of lithium and selenium in physiological and pathological state. As long-term lithium therapy is applied in psychiatric patients the results regarding Vero line let suggest that selenium might be considered as an adjuvant alleviating side effects of Li-treatment.

Does Vitamin C Influence Neurodegenerative Diseases and Psychiatric Disorders?

Vitamin C (Vit C) is considered to be a vital antioxidant molecule in the brain. Intracellular Vit C helps maintain integrity and function of several processes in the central nervous system (CNS), including neuronal maturation and differentiation, myelin formation, synthesis of catecholamine, modulation of neurotransmission and antioxidant protection. The importance of Vit C for CNS function has been proven by the fact that targeted deletion of the sodium-vitamin C co-transporter in mice results in widespread cerebral hemorrhage and death on post-natal day one. Since neurological diseases are characterized by increased free radical generation and the highest concentrations of Vit C in the body are found in the brain and neuroendocrine tissues, it is suggested that Vit C may change the course of neurological diseases and display potential therapeutic roles. The aim of this review is to update the current state of knowledge of the role of vitamin C on neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic sclerosis, as well as psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. The particular attention is attributed to understanding of the mechanisms underlying possible therapeutic properties of ascorbic acid in the presented disorders.

Is There Any Relationship between Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3, Adipokine Profiles and Excessive Body Weight in Type 2 Diabetic Patients?

A growing interest in the role of vitamin D in metabolic diseases led us to study the relationships between 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) and the profiles of selected adipokines in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients. The study comprised 92 type 2 diabetics divided into quartiles regarding 25(OH)D3 concentration. Each group was divided into male and female subgroups. All the studied patients had their anthropometric and biochemical parameters determined. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration was determined by HPLC, while the selected adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin and visfatin) by ELISA methods. The ratio of leptin to adiponectin (L/A) was calculated for all the patients. In 85.3% of diabetics a full (<20 ng/mL) or moderate (20-30 ng/mL) vitamin D deficit was found. Irrespective of sex, plasma leptin concentration decreased across increasing quartiles of 25(OH)D3 level. In women, 25(OH)D3 was negatively correlated with BMI, leptin level as well as L/A ratio, and positively with adiponectin concentration. In men, 25(OH)D3 was positively correlated with HDL and negatively with systolic blood pressure (SBP), leptin level and L/A ratio. Considering all the patients, there ocurred a significant negative correlation between 25(OH)D3 and SBP, BMI, WHR, TG, leptin and L/A ratio and positive ones between 25(OH)D3 and both adiponectin and HDL. The results of the study support the existence of the relationship among vitamin D, obesity and leptin in type 2 diabetic patients.

The Influence of Lithium and/or Selenium Treatment on Homeostasis of Chosen Bioelements in Rats.

Lithium is widely used in medicine and the therapy is often long term. Apart from beneficial effects, its application can cause diverse side effects. The current study was performed with the aim of the evaluation of the effect of lithium and/or selenium administration on magnesium, calcium and silicon levels in rats. The study was performed on rats divided into four groups (six animals each): control-received saline, Li-received Li2CO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.), Se-received Na2SeO3·H2O (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.), and Li+Se-received simultaneously Li2CO3 and Na2SeO3·H2O (2.7 and 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.). The administration was performed in form of water solutions by a stomach tube once a day for 6 weeks. In the organs (liver, kidney, brain, spleen, heart, lung and femoral muscle), the concentrations of magnesium, calcium and silicon were determined. Lithium significantly increased Ca in the kidney, brain and spleen. Coadministration of selenium reversed this effect. No changes of magnesium in organs were observed. Silicon was affected only in spleen-an increase vs. control was observed in all studied groups. The beneficial influence of coadministration of selenium in case of calcium lets us suggest that an issue of its possible use as an adjuvant alleviating side effects in lithium-treated subjects is worth being continued.

Homeostasis of chosen bioelements in organs of rats receiving lithium and/or selenium.

Lithium is an essential trace element, widely used in medicine and its application is often long-term. Despite beneficial effects, its administration can lead to severe side effects including hyperparathyroidism, renal and thyroid disorders. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the influence of lithium and/or selenium treatment on magnesium, calcium and silicon levels in rats' organs as well as the possibility of using selenium as an adjuvant in lithium therapy. The study was performed on rats divided into four groups (six animals each): control-treated with saline; Li-treated with Li2CO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.); Se-treated with Na2SeO3·H2O (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.); Se + Li-treated simultaneously with Li2CO3 and Na2SeO3·H2O (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w. and of 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w., respectively). The administration was performed in form of water solutions by stomach tube once a day for 3 weeks. In the organs (liver, kidney, brain, spleen, heart, lung and femoral muscle) the concentrations of magnesium, calcium and silicon were determined. Magnesium was increased in liver of Se and Se + Li given rats. Lithium decreased tissue Ca and co-administration of selenium reversed this effect. Silicon was not affected by any treatment. The beneficial effect of selenium on disturbances of calcium homeostasis let suggest that further research on selenium application as an adjuvant in lithium therapy is worth being performed.

Effect of sodium selenite on chosen anti- and pro-oxidative parameters in rats treated with lithium: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Selenium is an essential element of antioxidant properties. Lithium is widely used in medicine but its administration can cause numerous side effects including oxidative stress. The present study aimed at evaluating if sodium selenite could influence chosen anti- and pro-oxidant parameters in rats treated with lithium. METHODS: The experiment was performed on four groups of Wistar rats: I (control) - treated with saline; II (Li) - treated with lithium (2.7 mgLi/kg b.w. as Li2CO3), III (Se) - treated with selenium (0.5 mgSe/kg b.w. as Na2SeO3), IV (Li+Se) - treated with Li2CO3 and Na2SeO3 together at the same doses as in group II and III, respectively. All treatments were performed by stomach tube for three weeks in form of water solutions. The following anti- and pro-oxidant parameters: total antioxidant status (TAS) value, catalase (CAT) activity, concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in plasma as well as whole blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured. RESULTS: Selenium given alone markedly enhanced whole blood GPx and diminished plasma CAT vs. CONTROL: Lithium significantly decreased plasma CAT and slightly increased AA vs. CONTROL: Selenium co-administration restored these parameters to the values observed in control animals. Furthermore, selenium co-administration significantly increased GPx in Li-treated rats. All other parameters (TAS, SOD and MDA) were not affected by lithium and/or selenium. CONCLUSION: Further research seems to be warranted to decide if application of selenium as an adjuvant in lithium therapy is worth considering.

The investigation of the possible protective influence of selenium on antioxidant barrier in heart of rats exposed to lithium.

AIMS: Selenium is an essential element possessing antioxidant properties and the treatment with it has displayed protective effects against toxicity of different substances occurring in the environment and food as well as against the side effects of some drugs. Lithium is used in medicine although numerous side effects can occur during therapy, including disturbances of the heart. For these reasons studies to find protective adjuvants have been performed. In the current study the possibility of selenium (as sodium selenite) application as a protective adjuvant in lithium treatment was studied. MAIN METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated: control - with saline; Li-group - with Li2CO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.); Se-group - with Na2SeO3 (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.); Li+Se-group simultaneously with Li2CO3 and Na2SeO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w. and 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w., respectively) by a stomach tube for a period of three weeks, once a day. In heart homogenate activities of antioxidant enzymes - catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), concentrations of low-molecular-weight antioxidants - ascorbic acid (AA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as total antioxidant status (TAS) values were determined. GPx/SOD and CAT/SOD ratios were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: In comparison with control selenium caused no significant changes of the studied parameters except for GPx, whereas lithium slightly disturbed TAS and markedly GPx, CAT and CAT/SOD ratio. In Li-treated rats co-administration of selenium displayed tendency towards restoring the impaired parameters. SIGNIFICANCE: The results suggest that research on selenium application as an adjuvant in lithium therapy is worthy to be continued.

Effects of imperatorin on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in mice.

RATIONALE: Imperatorin, a naturally occurring furanocoumarin, inactivates gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase and inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our experiment was to examine the influence of imperatorin on cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in the brain induced by scopolamine in male Swiss mice. METHODS: In the present studies, we used scopolamine-invoke memory deficit measured in passive avoidance (PA) paradigm as an animal model of Alzheimer disease (AD). RESULTS: Our finding revealed that imperatorin administered acutely at the doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg prior to the injection of scopolamine (1 mg/kg) improved memory acquisition and consolidation impaired by scopolamine. Furthermore, repeatable (7 days, twice daily) administration of the highest dose of imperatorin (10 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the effects of scopolamine on memory acquisition, whereas the doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg of this furanocoumarin were effective when memory consolidation was measured. Imperatorin, administered with scopolamine, increased antioxidant enzymes activity and decreased concentration of malondiamide, an indicator of lipid peroxidation level. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that imperatorin may offer protection against scopolamine-induced memory impairments and possesses antioxidant properties, thus after further preclinical and clinical studies this compound may provide an interesting approach in pharmacotherapy, as well as prophylactics of AD.