Effects of different wall-breaking methods on the nutrient release of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder during in vitro digestion.

BACKGROUND: The hard double-walled structure of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder (GLSP) is difficult for the human body to digest, so it is very important to break the wall of GLSP. In this study, the wall of GLSP was broken by mechanical milling at room temperature (MM-R) and ultra-fine grinding at low temperature (UFG-L), respectively. RESULTS: Compared with MM-R, UFG-L could better retain the sporangium powder's morphological and structural integrity. During in vitro digestion, compared with unbroken GLSP, the released amounts of polysaccharides and triterpenes from broken GLSP were significantly increased, and they increased with the increase of specific surface area. The bioaccessibility of polysaccharide and triterpene from unbroken GLSP after the intestinal stage were 29.52% and 5.37%, respectively. The bioaccessibility of polysaccharides and triterpene from broken GLSP by MM-R after the intestinal phase were 39.73-72.45% and 16.44-24.97%, while those by UFG-L were 44.53-104.18% and 12.96-32.90%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The active ingredients of broken GLSP showed better digestion and absorption abilities than unbroken GLSP. Moreover, the specific surface area of GLSP by UFG-L was lower than that by MM-R, and the bioaccessibility of GLSP by UFG-L was higher than that by MM-R. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The role of mitochondrial dynamics in disease.

Mitochondria are multifaceted and dynamic organelles regulating various important cellular processes from signal transduction to determining cell fate. As dynamic properties of mitochondria, fusion and fission accompanied with mitophagy, undergo constant changes in number and morphology to sustain mitochondrial homeostasis in response to cell context changes. Thus, the dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy is unsurprisingly related with various diseases, but the unclear underlying mechanism hinders their clinical application. In this review, we summarize the recent developments in the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, particularly the different roles of key components in mitochondrial dynamics in different context. We also summarize the roles of mitochondrial dynamics and target treatment in diseases related to the cardiovascular system, nervous system, respiratory system, and tumor cell metabolism demanding high-energy. In these diseases, it is common that excessive mitochondrial fission is dominant and accompanied by impaired fusion and mitophagy. But there have been many conflicting findings about them recently, which are specifically highlighted in this view. We look forward that these findings will help broaden our understanding of the roles of the mitochondrial dynamics in diseases and will be beneficial to the discovery of novel selective therapeutic targets.

Novel Characterization of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Tumor Microenvironment.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of cells generated in various pathologic conditions, which have been known to be key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) involving in tumor immune tolerance. So MDSCs have been extensively researched recently. As its name suggests, immunosuppression is the widely accepted function of MDSCs. Aside from suppressing antitumor immune responses, MDSCs in the TME also stimulate tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, thereby promoting tumor growth and development. Therefore, altering the recruitment, expansion, activation, and immunosuppression of MDSCs could partially restore antitumor immunity. So, this view focused on the favorable TME conditions that promote the immunosuppressive effects of MDSCs and contribute to targeted therapies with increased precision for MDSCs.

Targeting Signaling Pathway Networks in Several Malignant Tumors: Progresses and Challenges.

Malignant tumors remain the health problem of highest concern among people worldwide due to its high mortality and recurrence. Lung, gastric, liver, colon, and breast cancers are among the top five malignant tumors in terms of morbidity and mortality. In cancer biology, aberrant signaling pathway regulation is a prevalent theme that drives the generation, metastasis, invasion, and other processes of all malignant tumors. The Wnt/ß-catenin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Notch and NF-kB pathways are widely concerned and signal crosstalks exist in the five solid tumors. This review provides an innovative summary of the recent progress in research on these signaling pathways, the underlying mechanism of the molecules involved in these pathways, and the important role of some miRNAs in tumor-related signaling pathways. It also presents a brief review of the antitumor molecular drugs that target these signaling pathways. This review may provide a theoretical basis for the study of the molecular biological mechanism of malignant tumors and vital information for the development of new treatment strategies with a focus on efficacy and the reduction of side effects.

Intercalation of nanostructured CeO2 in MgAl2O4 spinel illustrates the critical interaction between metal oxides and oxides.

Heterogeneous catalytic oxidation arises from the prerequisite oxygen activation and transfer ability of metal oxide catalysts. Thus, engineering intercalated nanounits and heterophase metal oxide structures, and forming interstitial catalyst supports at the nanoscale level can drastically alter the catalytic performances of metal oxides. This is particularly important for ceria-based nanomaterial catalysts, where the interactions of reducible ceria (CeO2) and nonreducible oxides are fundamental for the preparation of enhanced catalysts for oxygen-involved reactions. Herein, we intercalated nanostructured CeO2 in the bulk phase of magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl2O4, referred to as MgAl), produced the interstitial effect between CeO2 nanoparticles and MgAl crystallites, thus boosting their oxygen transfer and activation capability. This nanoscaled intercalation engineering significantly enhanced the number and quality of tight contact points between the nanostructured CeO2 and MgAl units. Therefore, the oxygen storage/release capability (OSC) is exceptionally improved as revealed by various characterizations and catalytic carbon oxidation reaction. A mechanism similar to the Mars-van Krevelen process at the nanoscale level was invoked to explain the catalytic oxidation mechanisms. The reactive oxygen species of gaseous O2 originate formed the bulk of the as-obtained nanomaterial, where strong interactions between the CeO2 and MgAl components occured, which were subsequently released and diffused to the catalyst-interface at elevated temperatures. Silver supported on Ce-MgAl produced an approximately 4-fold higher concentration of active oxygen species than Ag/MgAl, and gives the optimum low-temperature oxidation at 229 °C. This study verifies the importance of the redox performance of ceria-spinel with enhanced OSC, which validates that the arrangement of contacts at the nanoscale can substantially boost the catalytic reactivity without varying the microscale structure and properties of spinel.

Effects of therapeutic mild hypothermia on patients with severe traumatic brain injury after craniotomy.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of therapeutic mild hypothermia on patients with severe traumatic brain injury after craniotomy (TBI). METHODS: Eighty patients with severe TBI after unilateral craniotomy were randomized into a therapeutic hypothermia group with the brain temperature maintained at 33 degrees C to 35 degrees C for 4 days, and a normothermia control group in the intensive care unit. Vital signs, intracranial pressure, serum superoxide dismutase level, Glasgow Outcome Scale scores, and complications were prospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean intracranial pressure values of the therapeutic hypothermia group at 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury were much lower than those of the control group (23.49 +/- 2.38, 24.68 +/- 1.71, and 22.51 +/- 2.44 vs 25.87 +/- 2.18, 25.90 +/- 1.86, and 24.57 +/- 3.95 mm Hg; P = .000, .000, and .003, respectively). The mean serum superoxide dismutase levels of the therapeutic hypothermia group at days 3 and 7 were much higher than those of the control group at the same time point (533.0 +/- 103.4 and 600.5 +/- 82.9 vs 458.7 +/- 68.1 and 497.0 +/- 57.3 mug/L, respectively; P = .000). The percentage of favorable neurologic outcome 1 year after injury was 70.0% and 47.5%, respectively (P = .041). Complications, including pulmonary infections (57.5% in the therapeutic hypothermia group vs 32.5% in the control group; P = .025) were managed without severe sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic mild hypothermia provides a promising way in the intensive care unit for patients with severe TBI after craniotomy.

Overweight and obesity-induced oxidative stress in children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether overweight and obesity might cause oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in overweight and obese children, and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: Eighty-five overweight and obese children (OOC), and eighty-five age-matched healthy children (HC) were recruited in this case-control study. The present study analyzed spectrophotometrically vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE), and 3-carotene (P-CAR) in plasma, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in erythrocytes. RESULTS: Compared with those of VC, VE, P-CAR, SOD, CAT and MDA in the HC group, the average values of VC, VE, 3-CAR, SOD, and CAT in the OOC group were significantly decreased (P<0.001), while the average value of MDA in the OOC group was significantly increased (P<0.001). The regression analysis demonstrated that VC, VE, P-CAR, SOD, and CAT were negatively correlated (P<0.05-0.01), and MDA was positively correlated with BMI (P<0.05). Fitting to the model of multiple stepwise regression of BMI on VC, VE, P-CAR, SOD, CAT, and MDA in 85 OOC was Y= 27.0041 + 0.2541MDA - 2.1448beta-CAR - 0.0090CAT, where F= 43.8088, P<0.001, r = 0.7866, r(2)= 0.6187, adjusted r(2)= 0.6046. The findings from the reliability analysis for VC, VE, P-CAR, SOD, CAT, and MDA used to reflect increased oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the OOC showed that the reliability coefficients (alpha, 6 items) = 0.7231, P<0.0001, and that the standardized item alpha = 0.9207, P<0.0001. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that there exists an increased oxidative stress in overweight and obese children.

Imbalanced free radicals and antioxidant defense systems in schizophrenia: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes of blood oxidative-antiovidative level in schizophrenic patients and its relationship with clinical symptoms. METHODS: Forty-six Chinese patients met DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV) criteria for schizophrenia and fifty age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the present study. Baseline psychiatric symptom severity was assessed with brief psychiatric rating scale, positive and negative syndrome scale on the blood draw day. Fresh blood samples were collected to measure levels of nitric oxide and lipid peroxide in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in red blood cells by spectrophotometric assays simultaneously. RESULTS: Comparison of the biochemical parameters indicated that the level of nitric oxide and lipid peroxide increased in patient group, which represented a positive correlation with positive scale scores; while the activities of three critical enzymes decreased and showed a negative linear correlation. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there are dysregulation of free radical metabolism and poor activities of the antioxidant defense systems in schizophrenic patients. Excess free radicals formation may play a critical role in the etiology of schizophrenia. Using antioxidants might be an effective therapeutic approach to partially alleviate or prevent the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Increased oxidative stress and oxidative damage associated with chronic bacterial prostatitis.

AIM: To investigate whether chronic bacterial prostatitis might increase oxidative stress and oxidative damage in chronic bacterial prostatitis patients (CBPP), and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: Enrolled in a case-control study were 70 randomly sampled CBPP and 70 randomly sampled healthy adult volunteers (HAV), on whom plasma nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) level, erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) level, as well as erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities were determined by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Compared with the HAV group, values of plasma NO and erythrocyte MDA in the CBPP group were significantly increased (P < 0.001); those of plasma VC, VE and beta-CAR as well as erythrocyte SOD, CAT and GPX activities in the CBPP group were significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Findings from partial correlation for the 70 CBPP showed that with prolonged course of disease, values of NO and MDA were gradually increased (P < 0.001), and those of VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX were gradually decreased (P < 0.05-0.001). The findings from stepwise regression for the 70 CBPP suggested that the model was Y = -13.2077 + 0.1894MDA + 0.0415NO - 0.1999GPX, F = 18.2047, P < 0.001, r = 0.6729, P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that there exist increased oxidative stress and oxidative damage induced by chronic bacterial prostatitis in the patients, and such phenomenon was closely related to the course of disease.

Increased oxidative stress and damage in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) increases oxidative stress and damage in patients with CBP, and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: Eighty patients with CBP and 80 healthy adults as controls were enrolled in a case-control study, in which levels of nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), and vitamin E (VE) in plasma, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Compared with the average values of NO, VC, VE, MDA, SOD, and CAT in the healthy control group, those of plasma NO and erythrocyte MDA in the CBP group were significantly increased (P < 0.001), and those of plasma VC and VE as well as erythrocyte SOD and CAT in the CBP group were significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Findings from partial correlation analysis for course of the disease and NO, VC, VE, MDA, SOD, and CAT in 80 patients with CBP, adjusted for age, suggested that with prolonged course of the disease, values of NO and MDA were gradually increased (P < 0.001), and those of VC, VE, SOD, and CAT were gradually decreased (P < 0.05-0.001). The findings from stepwise regression analysis for course of the disease and NO, VC, VE, MDA, SOD, and CAT in CBP group suggested that the model of stepwise regression was Y = -19.1160 + 0.3112MDA + 0.0337NO, F = 22.1734, P < 0.001, r = 0.6045, P < 0.001. The findings from the reliability analysis for VC, VE, SOD, CAT, NO, and MDA in the CBP group showed that the reliability coefficients' alpha (6 items) was 0.7195, P < 0.0001, and the standardized item alpha was 0.9307, P < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: There exist increased oxidative stress and damage induced by chronic bacterial prostatitis in patients, and such a phenomenon is closely related to the course of disease.

[Clinical study on Zhuyu Tongfu serial recipe combined with acupuncture and massotherapy in treating hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Zhuyu Tongfu (ZYTF) Serial Recipe combined with acupuncture and massotherapy in treating hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage (HCH). METHODS: One hundred and eighteen patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, on the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment, were randomly divided into ZYTF combined with acupuncture and massotherapy group (treated group) and simple Western medicine group (control group); the clinical efficacy, neurofunction deficit scoring (NDS) alterations and hematoma absorption rate of both groups were observed, and also the plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, plasma lipid peroxidase (LPO) content, erythrocyte glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, hematocrit (Ht) and the whole blood viscosity (Va) change were also observed. RESULTS: In the treated group, the clinical efficacy, NDS improvement and hematoma absorption rate were superior to that of the control group; comparison between the two groups after treatment showed that plasma SOD activity and GSH-Px activity got more elevated and plasma LPO content, Ht and Va more lowered in the the treated group than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: ZYTF combined with acupuncture and massotherapy has better effect, its therapeutic mechanism was possibly correlated to the elevation of plasma SOD activity, GSH-Px activity and lowering of plasma LPO content, Ht and Va.

Effects of simvastatin on oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: a role for glomeruli protection.

AIMS: To study the effects of simvastatin on oxidative stress in rats with early stage diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control group (CN), streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats group (DM) and STZ-induced diabetic rats group treated with simvastatin (DM+S). The following parameters were measured at weeks 6 and 12 in similar rats chosen randomly from each group: body and kidney weight, 24-hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE), biochemical indexes including blood glucose (GLU), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), serum creatinine (SCr), antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) in plasma, lipid peroxidation production as malondialdehyde in plasma (MDAp) and erythrocytes (MDAe), morphology parameters such as glomerular volume (GV) and mesangial area/total glomerular area (M/T). RESULTS: At weeks 6 and 12, GLU and kidney weight to body weight ratio were notably increased in both of the diabetic groups compared with those in the CN group without significant differences between the two diabetic groups. There were no significant differences of SCr, LDL, HDL and TG among all groups within all the experimental time. MDAp and MDAe were significantly increased in both of the diabetic groups, especially at week 12, while SOD, GST and CAT were significantly decreased compared with those in the CN group. At week 12, GV, M/T and UAE were also increased in the two diabetic groups. However, in the DM+S group, changes of lipid peroxidation production, antioxidant enzymes, UAE and GV were less pronounced than those in the DM group. Pearson's correlation analysis and regression analysis shown that MDAp was increased while SOD, GST and CAT in plasma were decreased with elevation of UAE, GV and M/T. CONCLUSION: Increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzymes in plasma may play a role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Simvastatin may ameliorate these changes to protect kidney from oxidative lesion in diabetes even in the absence of lipid abnormalities.

Potential oxidative stress in children with chronic constipation.

AIM: To investigate the potential oxidative stress in children with chronic constipation and to explore its mechanisms. METHODS: Seventy children with chronic constipation and 70 age- and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled in a randomized controlled study. Plasma levels of vitamins C and E, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and lipoperoxide level in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Compared with healthy children whose vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipoperoxide were 58.35+/-14.42 micromol/L, 27.15+/-6.55 micromol/L, 2 206+/-171 U/(g.Hb), 327.3+/-82.2 K/(g.Hb) and 19.18+/-4.27 nmol/(g.Hb) respectively, the levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, the activity of superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the children with chronic constipation significantly decreased [46.59+/-11.51 micromol/L, 20.65+/-4.80 micromol/L, 1943+/-147 U/(g.Hb) and 269.3+/-67.8 K/(g.Hb), respectively P<0.01], while the lipoperoxide significantly increased [25.22+/-5.01 nmol/(g.Hb), P<0.01]. With a prolonged course of disease, the levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the children with chronic constipation gradually decreased, while the level of lipoperoxide gradually increased. CONCLUSION: Chronic constipation can cause potential oxidative stress in children.

Increased oxidative stress in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) may increase oxidative stress in women with PIH, and to explore the mechanisms by which PIH may increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage. METHODS: Seventy women with PIH and seventy women with uncomplicated normotensive pregnancy (UNP) whose age, nutritional conditions, levels of hemoglobin and albumin were all matched, were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Their plasma concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE), and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) as well as their erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were determined by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Compared with average values of the above experimental parameters in the women with UNP, the average value of erythrocyte MDA in the women with PIH significantly increased (P<0.0001), while the average values of plasma NO, VC, VE, and beta-CAR as well as those of erythrocyte SOD, CAT, and GPX in the women with PIH significantly decreased (P<0.0005-0.0001). The findings from partial correlation analysis (controlling for age) for 70 women with PIH showed that with elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), MDA value gradually increased (P<0.001), and NO, VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT, and GPX values gradually decreased (P<0.02-0.001). The findings from reliability analysis for NO, VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT, GPX, and MDA values used to reflect increased oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with PIH showed that the reliability coefficients (alpha, 8 items) = 0.7062, P<0.0001, and the standardized item alpha = 0.9116, P<0.0001. CONCLUSION: The findings in the present research suggest that pregnancy-induced hypertension can increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Oxidative stress and damage induced by abnormal free radical reactions and IgA nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the oxidative stress and oxidative damage induced by abnormal free radical reactions in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients' bodies. METHODS: Seventy-two IgA N patients (IgANP) and 72 healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a random control study design, in which the levels of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxide (LPO) in plasma and in erythrocytes, and vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined with spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: Compared with the HAV group, the averages of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocytes in the IgANP group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of VC, VE and beta-CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the IgANP group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Linear correlation analysis showed that with the increase of the values of NO, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocytes, and with the decrease of those of VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX in the IgAN patients, the degree of histological damage of tubulointerstitial regions was increased gradually (P<0.0001); and that with the prolongation of the duration of disease the values of NO, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes were increased gradually, while those of VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX were decreased gradually (P<0.005). The discriminatory correct rates of the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative damage of the IgAN patients were 73.8%-92.5%, and the correct rates for the HAV were 70.0%-91.3% when independent discriminant analysis was used; and the correct rate for the IgAN patients was increased to 98.8%, the correct rate for the HAV was increased to 100% when stepwise discriminant analysis was used. The above biochemical parameters' reliability coefficient (alpha) were used to estimate the oxidative damage of the IgAN patients as 0.8145, the standardized item alpha=0.9730, F=53273.5681, P<0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: A series of free radical chain reactions caused serious pathological aggravation in the IgANP' bodies, thus resulting in oxidative damage in their bodies. In treating IgANP, therefore, it is necessary that suitable dose antioxidants should be supplemented to them so as to alleviate the oxidative damage in their bodies.

May chronic childhood constipation cause oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to children?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether chronic childhood constipation (CCC) may cause oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to children, and to explore the mechanisms by which CCC may cause oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to chronic constipation patients (CCPs). METHODS: Sixty CCPs and sixty healthy child volunteers (HCVs) whose ages, gender and others were matched for the CCPs were enrolled in a randomized controlled study, in which levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric analytical methods. RESULTS: Compared with average values of the above biochemical parameters in the HCVs group, the average values of VC and VE in plasma as well as those of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes in the CCPs group were significantly decreased (P < 0.0001). Linear regression and bivariate correlation analysis showed that with prolonged course of the CCPs, the levels of VC and VE in plasma as well as the activities of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes in the CCPs were decreased gradually (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The findings in the present study suggest that chronic childhood constipation causes oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to children with chronic constipation.

[Relationship between acute dipterex poisoning and oxidative stress and free radical damage].

OBJECTIVE: To study relationship between acute dipterex poisoning and oxidative stress and free radical damage. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with acute dipterex poisoning (ADPP) and ninety-two healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in the study with randomized controlled trial design. Plasma levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE), as well as level of lipoperoxide (LPO) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the red blood cells (RBC), were determined by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Levels of VC and VE, and activities of SOD and AChE were (37.35 +/- 9.98) micromol/L, (16.57 +/- 4.54) micromol/L, (1 785 +/- 154) U/g Hb and (213.1 +/- 57.6) U/g Hb, respectively, in the ADPP group, significantly lower than those in the HAV group, (55.34 +/- 15.98) micromol/L, (25.66 +/- 7.24) micromol/L, (2 124 +/- 185) U/g Hb and (305.3 +/- 83.6) U/g Hb, respectively. Plasma level of LPO was (35.20 +/- 5.29) nmol/g Hb in the ADPP group, significantly higher than that in the HAV group, (27.87 +/- 4.66) nmol/g Hb. Partial correlation analysis suggested that there existed negative correlation between activity of AChE in the RBC and plasma level of LPO (r = -0.274, P = 0.013) and positive correlation between activity of AChE in the RBC and plasma levels of VC and VE, and activity of SOD in the RBC (r = 0.333, P = 0.002, r = 0.269, P = 0.015 and r = 0.248, P = 0.026, respectively) in the ADPP, adjusted for age. Coefficient of reliability alpha was 0.682 (P < 0.001), with a standardized alpha of 0.868 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There exist severe oxidative stress and free radical damage in patients with acute dipterex poisoning.

Oxidative stress and free radical damage in patients with acute dipterex poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether acute dipterex poisoning (ADP) may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage in the bodies of acute dipterex poisoning patients (ADPPs), and to explore the mechanisms by which ADP may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage. METHODS: Fifty ADPPs and fifty healthy adult volunteers (HAVs) whose ages, gender and others were matched with the ADPPs were enrolled in a randomized controlled study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) in plasma as well as concentration of lipoperoxide (LPO), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric analytical methods. RESULTS: Compared with the average values of experimental parameters in the HAVs group, the average values of plasma NO and erythrocyte LPO in the ADPPs group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of plasma VC, VE and beta-CAR as well as erythrocyte SOD, CAT, GPX and AChE in the ADPPs group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Bivariate correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis suggested that when NO and LPO values were increased, and VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX values were decreased in the ADPPs, AChE value was decreased gradually in the ADPPs (P<0.001-0.0001). Reliability analysis of experimental parameters reflecting oxidative stress and free radical damage in the ADPPs showed that the reliability coefficient (8 items) alpha=0.6909, and the standardized item alpha=0.8574. CONCLUSION: The findings in the present study suggest that ADP can cause oxidative stress and free radical damage, and inhibit markedly erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity in ADPPs.

Potential oxidative stress in the bodies of electric arc welding operators: effect of photochemical smog.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether photochemical smog emitted during the process of electric arc welding might cause oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of welding operators. METHODS: Seventy electric arc welding operators (WOs) and 70 healthy volunteers (HVs) were enrolled in a randomized controlled study design, in which the levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and the level of lipoperoxide (LPO) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Compared with the average values of the above experimental parameters in the HVs group, the average values of VC and VE in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the WOs group were significantly decreased (P < 0.005-0.0001), while the average value of LPO in erythrocytes in the WOs group was significantly increased (P < 0.0001). The findings from the partial correlation analysis on the controlling of age suggested that with a prolonged duration of exposure to photochemical smog the values of VC, VE, SOD, and GPX, except for CAT, in the WOs were decreased gradually (P < 0.05-0.005), the value of LPO in the WOs was increased gradually (P < 0.001), and that with the ozone dose increased in the air in each worksite VC, VE, SOD, CAT and GPX decreased (P < 0.005-0.001), but LPO increased (P < 0.001). The findings from the reliability analysis for the VC, VE, SOD, CAT, GPX, and LPO values which were used to reflect oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the WOs showed that the reliability coefficients' alpha (6 items) was 0.8021, P < 0.0001, and that the standardized item alpha was 0.9577, P < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: Findings in the present study suggest that there exists an oxidative stress induced by long-term exposure to photochemical smog in the bodies of WOs, thereby causing potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.

Changes of expressions of VEGF, bFGF, and angiogenesis, and effect of benazepril, bFGF on angiogenesis in acute myocardial infarction model of the rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and angiogenesis, and the effects of bFGF, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibiter(ACEI) benazepril on the angiogenesis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model of rabbits, and to provide a probable evidence for the treatment of AMI. METHODS: AMI model was established by ligating anterior descending branch of coronary artery of Japan-Sino hybridization white rabbits. The postoperative rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups and each group was treated with different drugs. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with normal saline (NS) for 28 and 14 days (d), group 3 and 4 with bFGF for 28 and 14 d, groups 5 with benazepril for 14 d, and group 6 with benazepril and bFGF for 14 d respectively. The rabbits were killed on the 14th or 28th d and their hearts were excised, sectioned and stained with HE, Masson trichrome to observe VEGF, bFGF and CD(34) under a microscope, which were quantified with a computer-assisted morphometry. RESULTS: Compared with group 1, the granulation tissue of infarction zone (IZ) in group 2 freshened up, and the capillary density (CD) in IZ was increased (P = 0.002). The CD in the IZ as well as VEGF and bFGF in groups 3 and 4 were increased respectively (P = 0.011-0.037). In group 5 the changes of VEGF and bFGF were not found in the IZ and the border zone (BZ) while CD was significantly increased (35.4% and 25.6%, P = 0.036 and 0.037). Compared with group 2, the CD in the IZ and BZ of group 6 was significantly increased (63.4% and 44.3% P = 0.007 and 0.007), meanwhile VEGF and bFGF were increased. Compared with group 5, only VEGF was increased. CONCLUSION: Intravenous bFGF may increase VEGF and bFGF significantly, thus promoting the angiogenesis in the IZ and BZ in cardiac infarction as VEGF and bFGF are the potent angiogenic growth factors. Benazepril may promote angiogenesis in the IZ and BZ in cardiac infarction, but its mechanism is irrelative to the expression of VEGF and bFGF. The combination of benazepril and bFGF may promote, to some extent, the expression of VEGF and bFGF, but their effect on angiogenesis has not been found.