Oxidative Effects in Early Stages of Embryo Development Due to Alcohol Consumption.

Alcohol, a widely consumed drug, exerts significant toxic effects on the human organism. This review focuses on its impact during fetal development, when it leads to a spectrum of disorders collectively termed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Children afflicted by FASD exhibit distinct clinical manifestations, including facial dysmorphism, delayed growth, and neurological and behavioral disorders. These behavioral issues encompass diminished intellectual capacity, memory impairment, and heightened impulsiveness. While the precise mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced fetal damage remain incompletely understood, research indicates a pivotal role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are released during alcohol metabolism, inciting inflammation at the cerebral level. Ethanol metabolism amplifies the generation of oxidant molecules, inducing through alterations in enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems responsible for cellular homeostasis. Alcohol consumption disrupts endogenous enzyme activity and fosters lipid peroxidation in consumers, potentially affecting the developing fetus. Addressing this concern, administration of metformin during the prenatal period, corresponding to the third trimester of human pregnancy, emerges as a potential therapeutic intervention for mitigating FASD. This proposed approach holds promise for ameliorating the adverse effects of alcohol exposure on fetal development and warrants further investigation.

Antioxidant potential of nanomaterials.

Background/aim: The novel field of nanomaterials allows infinite possibilities in order to create antioxidant therapies. The present review is aimed to describe the state of art concerning on nanomaterials and their effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. A wide range of nanoparticles has been designed for this purpose, and each one possesses some particular characteristics which allow these significant antioxidant results. Several in vivo and in vitro works state the ability of these nanoparticles to mimic the redox systems of the cells, and thus, the potential role of nanoparticles as antioxidant treatment for several diseases. Materials and methods: This paper was written after a review of the articles published on the field, using the "PubMed" and "Research Gate" databases. Results: The main types of nanoparticles are listed and explained below, offering a global vision of the field with great interest for research. Antitumor chemo- and radiotherapies have been found to improve efficacy by enhancing the selectivity of cytocidal effects and minimizing systemic adverse effects when such materials are used. Furthermore, catalytic nanomaterials can execute energy-free antioxidant cycles that scavenge the most harmful reactive oxygen species via SOD- and catalase-like activities. Conclusion: This unique method is projected to result in significant gains in the long run. However, due to a lack of understanding of potential adverse body reactions to these novel strategies, caution must be exercised. Analyzing the biocompatibility of these nanomaterials carefully, particularly in terms of biokinetics and the problems that could arise from long-term retention of nonbiodegradable inorganic nanomaterials, is required.

Melatonin as a Coadjuvant in the Treatment of Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic widespread pain syndrome that is accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, lack of concentration, and neurocognitive impairment. As the currently available drugs are not completely successful against these symptoms and frequently have several side effects, many scientists have taken on the task of looking for nonpharmacological remedies. Many of the FMS-related symptoms have been suggested to be associated with an altered pattern of endogenous melatonin. Melatonin is involved in the regulation of several physiological processes, including circadian rhythms, pain, mood, and oxidative as well as immunomodulatory balance. Preliminary clinical studies have propounded that the administration of different doses of melatonin to patients with FMS can reduce pain levels and ameliorate mood and sleep disturbances. Moreover, the total antioxidant capacity, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and urinary cortisol levels, and other biological parameters improve after the ingestion of melatonin. Recent investigations have proposed a pathophysiological relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and FMS by looking at certain proteins involved in mitochondrial homeostasis according to the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome. These improvements exert positive effects on the quality of life of FMS patients, suggesting that the use of melatonin as a coadjuvant may be a successful strategy for the management of this syndrome.

[Standardized mortality with PIM2 score in a pediatric intensive care unit in Morelos, Mexico]. / Mortalidad estandarizada mediante la escala PIM2 en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos en Morelos, México.

BACKGROUND: Mortality in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) is elevated, with limited information generated from Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To identify the standardized mortality (SM) at the Hospital del Niño Morelense's (HNM) (Child from Morelos' Hospital) PICU. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Electronic records of seriously ill patients admitted at the HNM's PICU during 2014 (n = 130) were used. SM was calculated using the observed mortality and the probability of death by PIM2. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to identify the discriminatory capacity of PIM2, and the Hosmer Lemeshow (HL) test to calibrate it. By using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), risk factors of mortality were identified. RESULTS: There were no differences between observed mortality and expected mortality with PIM2 (17.7%; HL p = 0.17), resulting in a SM of 1. The AUC of PIM2 was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.68 0.83). Risk factors associated to mortality were: admission due to medical diagnosis (OR 3.22; 95% CI, 1.08 10.76), absence of pupillary light reflex (OR 7.36; 95% CI, 1.81 29.68), high risk diagnosis according to PIM2 (OR 3.85; 95% CI, 1.16 12.03), and coming from the Emergency Room showed a borderline result (OR 2.80; 95% CI, 0.98 8.69; chi-squared, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality observed in the HNM's PICU during 2014 was elevated, but similar to predicted mortality by PIM2 score, with a SM of 1. PIM2 is a validated score used all over the world, which is useful to predict the expected mortality in PICUs.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la mortalidad en las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP) es elevada, con escasa información generada en México. OBJETIVO: identificar la mortalidad estandarizada (ME) en la UCIP del Hospital del Niño Morelense (HNM). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se usaron los expedientes electrónicos de enfermos críticos admitidos en la UCIP del HNM durante 2014 (n = 130). Se calculó la ME empleando la mortalidad observada y la probabilidad de muerte mediante PIM2. Se empleó el área bajo la curva ROC (ABC ROC) para identificar la capacidad discriminatoria de PIM2, y la prueba de Hosmer Lemeshow (HL) para calibrarla. Mediante razón de momios (RM) e intervalo de confianza al 95% (IC 95%) se identificaron los factores de riesgo de mortalidad. RESULTADOS: no hubo diferencias entre la mortalidad observada y la esperada con PIM2 (17.7%; HL p = 0.17), lo cual generó una ME de 1. El ABC ROC de PIM2 fue 0.76 (IC 95% 0.68 0.83). Los factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad fueron: ingreso por diagnóstico médico (RM 3.22; IC 95% 1.08 10.76), ausencia de reflejo pupilar (RM 7.36; IC 95% 1.81 29.68), diagnóstico de alto riesgo según PIM2 (RM 3.85; IC 95% 1.16 12.03) y proceder de Urgencias fue limítrofe (RM 2.80; IC 95% 0.98 8.69; chi cuadrada p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONES: la mortalidad observada en la UCIP del HNM durante 2014 fue elevada, pero igual que la predicha por la escala PIM2, con ME de 1. La escala PIM2 es una escala internacional validada que es útil para predecir la posibilidad de muerte en las UCIP.

Nanoceria protects from alterations in oxidative metabolism and calcium overloads induced by TNFα and cycloheximide in U937 cells: pharmacological potential of nanoparticles.

The present study is aimed to determine the protective effect of a novel nanoparticle with antioxidant properties, nanoceria, on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and calcium signaling evoked by the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) in combination with cycloheximide (CHX) on apoptosis in the human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U937. Our results show that treatment of U937 cells with 10 ng/mL TNFα in combination with 1 µg/mL CHX led to several Ca(2+) alterations. These stimulatory effects on calcium signals were followed by intracellular ROS production and mitochondria membrane depolarization, as well as a time-dependent increase in caspase-8 and -9 activities. Our results show that the pretreatment with well known antioxidants such as trolox and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) partially reduced the apoptotic effects due to the administration of TNFα plus cycloheximide. Furthermore, nanoceria had a stronger protective effect than trolox or NAC. Our findings also suggest that TNFα plus cycloheximide-induced apoptosis is dependent on alterations in cytosolic concentration of calcium [Ca(2+)]c and ROS generation in human histiocytic U937 cells.

A lycopene-enriched virgin olive oil enhances antioxidant status in humans.

BACKGROUND: Lycopene, a bioactive red pigment, represents the most potent in vitro antioxidant among carotenoids. Virgin olive oil contains trace amounts of a wide variety of phytochemicals, which have proven to exert beneficial effects on oxidative stress. Since the ingestion of lycopene together with oil reportedly increases its bioavailability, we evaluated urinary antioxidant capacity after the consumption of a lycopene-enriched virgin olive oil (7 mg lycopene day(-1)) compared with the antioxidant effect produced after the ingestion of a virgin olive oil and a sunflower oil during 5 days, in young (25-30 years of age), middle-aged (35-55 years of age) and elderly (65-85 years of age) subjects. RESULTS: The results showed that the consumption of virgin olive oil increased urinary antioxidant capacity in middle-aged and elderly volunteers, whereas the administration of a lycopene-enriched virgin olive oil produced higher antioxidant effects in all of the three age groups assayed. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of the lycopene-enriched virgin olive oil into the diet may enhance the health-promoting effects of the virgin olive oil, contributing as a functional tool against several disorders where oxidative stress plays an important role.

Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and total antioxidant capacity increase after the intake of a grape juice cv. Tempranillo stabilized with HHP.

Red grapes contain elevated amounts of antioxidant compounds (polyphenols) that may potentially prevent cell aging, cardiovascular disease and oxidation-related disorders. Since functional drinks are presently one of the most dynamic sectors of the market, the present work was aimed at evaluating the possible antioxidant effect of an experimental grape juice in terms of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6-s) and total antioxidant capacity in young (20 ± 10 yr-old), middle-aged (45 ± 10 yr-old) and elderly (75 ± 10 yr-old) individuals. Grapes (Vitis vinifera cv. Tempranillo) were de-stemmed, racked and pressed. The juice was subsequently stabilized by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). Participants consumed 200 mL of grape juice twice a day (as the lunch and dinner desserts) for 5 days. First-void morning urines were collected before treatment (basal values), the day immediately after the last ingestion of juice (assay), and one day afterwards (post-assay). aMT6-s and total antioxidant capacity were quantified using commercial ELISA and colorimetric assay kits, respectively. The intake of grape juice cv. Tempranillo induced a significant increase of urinary aMT6-s and total antioxidant capacity in the three groups of age analyzed as compared to their corresponding basal and post-assay values. These functional/nutraceutical properties may be of interest for a prospective commercialization of the grape juice. The novel technology used for juice stabilization may be suitable for introducing into the market a product with high sensory and nutritional quality, as it has been shown in this study.

Role of Calcium Signals on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Apoptosis in Human Myeloid HL-60 Cells.

The present study is aimed to determine the role of calcium signaling evoked by the oxygen radical, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the specific inhibitor of calcium reuptake thapsigargin on apoptosis in the human leukemia cell line HL-60. Our results show that treatment of HL-60 cells with 100 µM H2O2 and 1 µM thapsigargin induced a transient increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]c) due to calcium release from internal stores. These stimulatory effects on calcium signals were followed by activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), as well as a time-dependent increase in caspase-9 and -3 activities. Our results also show that H2O2 and thapsigargin were able to increase the relative content of fragmented DNA and phosphatidylserine externalization, as detected by double-staining with propidium iodide (PI) and annexin-V-FITC, respectively. Treatment of cells with H2O2 or thapsigargin resulted in activation of the proapoptotic protein Bid. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed active Bax was bound to Bid, which regulates Bid activity and promotes apoptosis. Our findings suggest that H2O2(-) and thapsigargin-induced apoptosis is dependent on rises in [Ca(2+)]c in human myeloid HL-60 cells.