Age-related changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in lungs of control and sulfur dioxide exposed rats

Antioxidant defenses within the lung are pivotal in preventing damage from oxidative toxicants. There have also been several reports with conflicting results on the antioxidant system during aging. In this study, we attempted to investigate age-related alterations in both antioxidant enzyme activities and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), a product of lipid peroxidation, in the whole lung of control and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposed rats of different age groups (3-, 12-, and 24-months-old). Swiss-Albino Male rats were exposed to 10 ppm SO₂ 1 hr/day, 7 days/week for 6 weeks. The antioxidant enzymes examined include Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). A mixed pattern of age-associated alterations in antioxidant activities was observed. SOD, GSH-Px and GST activities were increased with age, but CAT activity was decreased. Lung SOD, GSH-Px and GST activities were also increased in response to SO₂. The level of TBARS was increased with age. SO₂ exposure stimulated lipid peroxide formation in the lung as indicated by an increase in the level of TBARS. These findings suggest that both aging and SO₂ exposure may impose an oxidative stress to the body. We conclude that the increase in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes of the lung during aging, could be interpreted as a positive feedback mechanism in response to rising lipid peroxidation.     

Effect of cigarette smoke on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in albino rat

Effect of cigarette smoke on lipid peroxidation (LPX) and antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in various organs like brain, heart, lung, liver and kidney of the albino rats exposed to cigarette smoke for 30 min/day for a period of 30 days were assayed. It was observed that the lipid peroxide levels in liver, lung and kidney were enhanced in case of animals exposed to cigarette smoke, whereas brain and heart did not show any change as compared to control animals. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes was also elevated in liver, lung and kidney of the test animals whereas, brain and heart did not show any change in the activities of all of these antioxidant enzymes except glutathione-s-transferase which was increased in brain also. The level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was lowered in liver, lung and kidney of the tested animals when compared with the control animals but there was no significant change in brain and heart. The results of our study suggest that cigarette smoke induces lipid peroxidation in liver, lung and kidney, and the antioxidant enzymes levels were enhanced in order to protect these tissues against the deleterious effect of the oxygen derived free radicals. The depletion of reduced glutathione in these organs could be due to it's utilization by the tissues to mop off the free radicals.     

Modulatory influence of dietary resveratrol during different phases of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced mucosal lipid-peroxidation, antioxidant status and aberrant crypt foci development in rat colon carcinogenesis

To shed light on the association of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status with the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), we studied the modulatory influence of resveratrol, supplemented in three dietary regimens (initiation, post-initiation and entire period) on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis. Rats were administered DMH (20 mg/kg body weight, s.c.) for 15 weeks and were supplemented with resveratrol (8 mg/kg body weight, p.o. everyday) in three dietary regimens. Intestines and colons were analyzed for the levels of diene conjugates (DC), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione peroxidase, GPX; glutathione S-transferase, GST; and glutathione reductase, GR) and non-enzymic reserve (reduced glutathione, GSH; ascorbate; and alpha-tocopherol) were also assessed in the intestine and colon. Unsupplemented DMH exposed rats showed significantly decreased levels/activities of tissue DC, LOOHs, TBARS, SOD, CAT, GSH, GR and significantly elevated (P<0.05) GPX, GST, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbate as compared to control rats. Resveratrol supplementation during the entire period of the study resulted in significant (P<0.01) modulation of lipid peroxidation markers and antioxidants status, which were paralleled with ACF suppression, as compared to DMH-alone treated rats. These results indicate that resveratrol effectively inhibits DMH-induced ACF and colonic tumor development.     

Diminution of tissue lipid peroxidation in rats is related to the in vitro antioxidant capacity of wine

Wine polyphenols could reinforce the endogenous antioxidant system, thereby diminishing oxidative damage. Studies in chronic models to understand the relationship between the bioavailability of polyphenols and their biological effects are still lacking. The aim of the present study was to prove the hypothesis that the antioxidant capacity of wines in vitro is positively correlated with the antioxidant capacity of plasma and negatively correlated with tissue lipid peroxidation, after chronic wine consumption. Adult rats received: water (control group), wine having variable phenolic content, ethanol (12.5% v/v) or alcohol-free red wine, for 4 weeks. The antioxidant capacity of wines in vitro and that of plasma induced in vivo were assessed through the reduction of ferric iron (FRAP, ferric reducing ability of plasma). Lipid peroxidation (production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS), and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), were determined in kidney, liver and lung. The phenolic content of wines was positively correlated with their FRAP values in vitro (r=0.407, p <0.002). Also, the relationship between wine FRAP in vitro to its respective plasma value in vivo showed a positive correlation (r=0.433, p <0.005). Phenolic concentration of wine did not influence the activity of CAT, SOD and GSH-Px of the three organs studied, but it was negatively correlated with their production of TBARS (r=-0.852, -0.891 and -0.790 for kidney, liver and lung, respectively, p <0.001). The present data provide evidence that the antioxidant capacity of wine in vitro implicates a homologous effect in vivo, thus helping to modulate tissue lipid peroxidation.     

Antioxidant enzymes in the liver of Chelidonichthys obscurus from the Montenegrin coastline

The activities of antioxidant defence enzymes — total, manganese and copper zinc containing superoxide dismutase (Tot SOD, Mn SOD, CuZn SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and biotransformation phase II enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) — in the liver of longfin gurnard (Chelidonichthys obscurus) from the Montenegrin coastline (Adriatic sea) were investigated. The specimens were collected in winter (February) and late spring (May) at two localities: Platamuni (PL, potentially unpolluted) and the Estuary of the River Bojana (EB, potentially polluted). The obtained results show that the activities of Mn SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and GST in winter were significantly lower at EB than at PL. In spring, the activities of CAT and GST were decreased, while GR activity was increased at EB in comparison to PL. The activities of Mn SOD and GST at PL were decreased and GSH-Px, GR and GST activities at EB were increased in spring compared to winter. Our work represents the first study of liver antioxidant enzymes of longfin gurnard from the Montenegrin coastline and reveals that locality, as a variable, has a greater influence on antioxidant enzymes and biotransformation phase II enzyme GST activities compared to season.     

The oxidative stress caused by salinity in two barley cultivars is mitigated by elevated CO2

Changes in antioxidant metabolism because of the effect of salinity stress (0, 80, 160 or 240 m M NaCl) on protective enzyme activities under ambient (350 μmol mol⁻¹) and elevated (700 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂ concentrations were investigated in two barley cultivars ( Hordeum vulgare L., cvs Alpha and Iranis). Electrolyte leakage, peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), EC 1.15.1.1; ascorbate peroxidase (APX), EC 1.11.1.11; catalase (CAT), EC 1.11.1.6; dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), EC 1.8.5.1; monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), EC 1.6.5.4; glutathione reductase (GR), EC 1.6.4.2] and their isoenzymatic profiles were determined. Under salinity and ambient CO₂, upregulation of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, APX, CAT, DHAR and GR occurred. However, this upregulation was not enough to counteract all ROS formation as both ion leakage and lipid peroxidation came into play. The higher constitutive SOD and CAT activities together with a higher contribution of Cu,Zn-SOD 1 detected in Iranis might possibly contribute and make this cultivar more salt-tolerant than Alpha. Elevated CO₂ alone had no effect on the constitutive levels of antioxidant enzymes in Iranis, whereas in Alpha it induced an increase in SOD, CAT and MDHAR together with a decrease of DHAR and GR. Under combined conditions of elevated CO₂ and salinity the oxidative damage recorded was lower, above all in Alpha, together with a lower upregulation of the antioxidant system. So it can be concluded that elevated CO₂ mitigates the oxidative stress caused by salinity, involving lower ROS generation and a better maintenance of redox homeostasis as a consequence of higher assimilation rates and lower photorespiration, being the response dependent on the cultivar analysed.     

Triphlorethol-A from Ecklonia cava protects V79-4 lung fibroblast against hydrogen peroxide induced cell damage

In the present study, triphlorethol-A, a phlorotannin, was isolated from Ecklonia cava and its antioxidant properties were investigated. Triphlorethol-A was found to scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and thus prevented lipid peroxidation. The radical scavenging activity of triphlorethol-A protected the Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) against cell death, via the activation of ERK protein. Furthermore, triphlorethol-A reduced the apoptotic cells formation induced by H₂O₂. Triphlorethol-A increased the activities of cellular antioxidant enzymes like, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Hence, from the present study, it is suggestive that triphlorethol-A protects V79-4 cells against H₂O₂ damage by enhancing the cellular antioxidative activity.     

Effect of MPTP and l-Deprenyl on Antioxidant Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation Levels in Mouse Brain

Abstract: Excessive free radical formation or antioxidant enzyme deficiency can result in oxidative stress, a mechanism proposed in the toxicity of MPTP and in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it is unclear if altered antioxidant enzyme activity is sufficient to increase lipid peroxidation in PD. We therefore investigated if MPTP can alter the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and the level of lipid peroxidation. l -Deprenyl, prior to MPTP administration, is used to inhibit MPP⁺ formation and its subsequent effect on antioxidant enzymes. MPTP induced a threefold increase in SOD activity in the striatum of C57BL/6 mice. No parallel increase in GSH-PX or CAT activities was observed, while striatal lipid peroxidation decreased. At the level of the substantia nigra (SN), even though increases in CAT activity and reduction in SOD and GSH-PX activities were detected, lipid peroxidation was not altered. Interestingly, l -deprenyl induced similar changes in antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation levels, as did MPTP. Taken together, these results suggest that an alteration in SOD activity, without compensatory increases in CAT or GSH-PX activities, is not sufficient to induce lipid peroxidation.     

24-hour rhythms in oxidative stress during hepatocarcinogenesis in rats: effect of melatonin or alpha-ketoglutarate

To compare the effects of alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG) and melatonin on 24-h rhythmicity of oxidative stress in N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-injected Wistar male rats, melatonin (5 mg/kg i.p.) or alpha-KG (2 g/kg through an intragastric tube) was given daily for 20 weeks. In blood collected at 6 time points during a 24-h period, serum activity of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) and the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP) were measured as markers of liver function. To assess lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant status, plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and of reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured, together with the activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). NDEA augmented mesor and amplitude of rhythms in AST and ALT activity and plasma alpha-FP levels and mesor values of plasma TBARS, while decreasing mesor values of plasma GSH and erythrocyte SOD, CAT, GPx and GST. Acrophases were delayed by NDEA in all cases except for alpha-FP rhythm, which became phase-advanced. Co-administration of melatonin or alpha-KG partially counteracted the effects of NDEA. Melatonin decreased mesor of plasma TBARS and augmented mesor of SOD activity. The results indicate that melatonin and alpha-KG are effective in protecting from NDEA-induced perturbation of 24-h rhythms in oxidative stress. Melatonin augmented antioxidant defense in rats.     

Preventive effect of safranal against oxidative damage in aged male rat brain

An imbalance between production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and its elimination by antioxidant defense system in the body has been implicated for causes of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. This study was design to assess the changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase), lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the brain of 2, 10 and 20 month old rats, and to determine the effect of safranal on the status of selected oxidative stress indices in the 10 and 20 month old rats. The aged rats (10 and 20 months) were given intraperitoneal injections of safranal (0.5 mg/kg day) daily for one month. The results of this study demonstrated that aging caused significant increase in the level of lipid peroxidation as well decrease in the GSH level and activities of SOD and GST in the brain of aging rats. The results of this study showed that safranal ameliorated the increased lipid peroxidation level as well as decreased GSH content of the brain of 10 and 20 month old rats. In addition, safranal treatment to the 20 month old rats, which restored the SOD and GST activities. In conclusion, safranal can be effective to protect susceptible aged brain from oxidative damage by increasing antioxidant defenses.     

The effect of one year's swimming exercise on oxidant stress and antioxidant capacity in aged rats

The effect of exercise on oxidant stress and on alterations in antioxidant defense in elderly has been investigated extensively. However, the impact of regularly performed long-term physical activity starting from adulthood and prolonged up to the old age is not yet clear. We have investigated the changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) - and lipid peroxidation in various tissues of rats which had performed (old-trained) or had not performed (old-control) regular swimming exercise for one year. These animals were compared with young-sedentary rats. Increased lipid peroxidation was observed with ageing in all tissues (heart, liver, kidney, striated muscle) and swimming had no additional effect on this elevation of lipid peroxidation. Heart and striated muscle SOD activites, and striated muscle CAT activity increased as a consequence of ageing, whereas kidney and liver CAT activities, as well as GPx activities in kidney, liver, lung and heart were significantly decreased compared to young controls. Lung and heart SOD, liver CAT activities as well as GPx activities in liver, lung and heart were increased significantly in rats which performed exercise during ageing, compared to the old-control group. These findings suggest that lifelong exercise can improve the antioxidant defense in many tissues without constituting any additional oxidant stress.     

Age-related changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in the small intestine and liver from Wistar rats.

The present study was designed to determine age-related changes in intestinal and hepatic antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and lipid peroxidation in male Wistar rats (n = 8) aged 2 wk, 2.5 mon, 5 mon, 10 mon, and 23 mon. In the small intestine, cytosolic SOD, GSH-PX activities and lipid peroxidation were not affected by age, but intestinal GST activity was noticeably enhanced as age increased. In particular, intestinal GST activity in 23 mon old rats was 3 times as strong as that in 2 wk old rats. In the liver, the activity of hepatic cytosolic SOD was not affected by age, whereas GSH-PX and GST activities in rats aged 10 mon and 23 mon were much stronger than those in rats aged 2 wk, 2.5 mon, and 5 mon. The increased lipid peroxidation in 2.5 mon and 5 mon old rats was observed when compared with that of other groups. It is therefore concluded from the results presented here that age greatly increases GST activity in the small intestinal mucosae and increasing GSH-PX, GST activities and lipid peroxidation in the liver from male Wistar rats.     

Cytoprotective effects of carvedilol against oxygen free radical generation in rat liver

The protective effects of carvedilol, an antihypertensive agent, against oxidative injury caused by acetaminophen were studied in rat liver. Male Wistar rats (250 +/- 30 g) were pre-treated with carvedilol (3.6 mg/kg, p.o.) for 10 days and on the 11th day received an overdose of acetaminophen (800 mg/kg, p.o.). Four hours after acetaminophen administration, blood was collected to determine serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). After that, rats were killed and the livers were excised to determine reduced glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and carbonyl protein contents, and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), and also the DNA damage index. Acetaminophen significantly increased the levels of TBARS, the DNA damage and SOD, AST and ALT activities. Carvedilol was able to prevent lipid peroxidation, protein carbonilation and DNA fragmentation caused by acetaminophen. Moreover, this drug prevented increases in SOD, AST and ALT activities. These results show that carvedilol exerts cytoprotective effects against oxidative injury caused by acetaminophen in rat liver. These effects are probably related to the O2*- scavenging property of carvedilol or its metabolites.     

饲喂不同浓度黄曲霉毒素B1饲料对花鳗鲡幼鱼生长、抗氧化能力和毒素积累的影响

以含不同浓度黄曲霉毒素B₁(AFB₁) (0、10、100和1000 μg/kg饲料)的4种饲料饲喂平均初始体重为(6.41±0.10) g的花鳗鲡(Anguilla marmorata)幼鱼56d, 探讨AFB₁对花鳗鲡幼鱼生长性能、抗氧化能力、肝脏组织结构及鱼体肌肉中的毒素积累的影响。结果表明, 各实验组幼鱼均未表现出行为及体色的异常。1000 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼的存活率、终末体重、摄食率、特定生长率和饲料效率显著低于对照组, 10 μg/kg毒素组和100 μg/kg毒素组与对照组无显著差异。10 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量与对照组无显著差异。饲料AFB₁含量≥100 μg/kg显著影响花鳗鲡幼鱼肝脏的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)活性。对照组和10 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼肝脏组织学观察未发现明显病理变化。1000 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼的肝脏细胞表现出严重的空泡化。随着饲料AFB₁水平的升高, 幼鱼肝脏和肌肉中AFB₁积累量均显著升高。1000 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼肝脏和肌肉中AFB₁积累量分别为17.75和5.98 μg/kg, 均超过FDA食品安全限定标准(5 μg/kg)。由此可见, 饲料中AFB₁≤10 μg/kg对花鳗鲡幼鱼是相对安全的浓度。     

Lipid peroxidation and activity of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats

We hypothesized that oxygen free radicals (OFRs) may be involved in pathogenesis of diabetic complications. We therefore investigated the levels of lipid peroxidation by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and activity of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT)] in tissues and blood of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The animals were divided into two groups: control and diabetic. After 10 weeks (wks) of diabetes the animals were sacrificed and liver, heart, pancreas, kidney and blood were collected for measurement of various biochemical parameters. Diabetes was associated with a significant increase in TBARS in pancreas, heart and blood. The activity of CAT increased in liver, heart and blood but decreased in kidney. GSH-Px activity increased in pancreas and kidney while SOD activity increased in liver, heart and pancreas. Our findings suggest that oxidative stress occurs in diabetic state and that oxidative damage to tissues may be a contributory factor in complications associated with diabetes.     

Toxicity of Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids on Physa Acuta and the Snail Antioxidant Stress Response

In the present study, the acute and developmental toxicities of imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) with different alkyl chain lengths, as well as the antioxidant response and lipid peroxidation levels were evaluated in the snail, Physa acuta. Longer alkyl chains corresponded to increased IL toxicity in snails. Long‐term IL exposure at lower concentrations inhibited snail growth and reproduction. We also found that IL inhibited the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST), promoted the activity of catalase (CAT), and increased the glutathione content. However, SOD, GST, and CAT activities returned to control levels after 96 h of recovery. In addition, malondialdehyde levels were increased in treatment groups compared with the control and did not return to control levels even after a recovery period, indicating that ILs induced lipid peroxidation in snail viscera. These results suggest that oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation may be involved in the mechanism of toxicity for ILs.     

Protection Against Adriamycin-Induced Cardiomyopathy by Carnosine in Rats: Role of Endogenous Antioxidants

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carnosine, a biological antioxidant, on the acute cardiac damage induced by a single dose of adriamycin in rats. The experimental design consisted of four groups: Control (saline, i.p.); carnosine (CAR; 10 mg/kg/day, i.p.); adriamycin (ADR; 16 mg/kg on the 14th day, i.p.); carnosine with adriamycin. Carnosine was given 2 weeks before and following adriamycin treatment. Blood samples were collected for analysis of plasma creatine kinase (CK) and plasma antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). The rats were then sacrificed, and the hearts were autopsied for hemodynamic study, ECG, and histopathological examination. Results showed that adriamycin produced evident cardiac damage revealed by hemodynamic change, histological alterations, decreased plasma antioxidant enzymes activities, and increased lipid peroxidation to the control value. Carnosine treatment led to significant attenuation of adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy revealed by normalization of the LVDP, ST interval, CK, SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and lipid peroxidation. An increase in oxidative stress and inactivation of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT by a single dose of adriamycin were prevented when carnosine was given 2 weeks before and on the same day adriamycin treatment was administered.     

Species variation in lung antioxidant enzyme activities

Exposure of several different animal models to O2-induced lung injury has revealed marked differences in sensitivity of various species to O2 damage. These differences may be due in part to variation of cellular antioxidant defenses. To characterize lung antioxidant enzyme activities in different species, we measured lung activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GSH S-trans) in rat, hamster, baboon, and human lung. Soluble lung fractions were also fractionated on Sephadex G-150-S columns and GSH-Px activity was measured using both cumene hydroperoxide and H2O2. This was done to evaluate non-Se-dependent GSH-Px activity in these lung samples. Human lung was obtained at surgery from patients undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy for localized lung tumors. SOD activity was similar for all four groups. GSH-Px activity was higher in rat lung than baboon or hamster lung. Lung CAT activity was variable with the highest activity present in the baboon which revealed a lung CAT activity 10 times higher than activity present in the rat. Lung GSH S-trans activities were higher in hamster, baboon, and human lung than in rat lung. Non-Se-dependent GSH-Px was present in rat lung but absent in hamster, baboon, and human lung. We conclude that the hamster was the best model of the animals studied for mimicking human lung antioxidant enzyme activities. Rat lung antioxidant enzyme activities were markedly different from any of the other species examined.     

Antioxidant response and oxidative stress levels in Macrobrachium borellii (Crustacea: Palaemonidae) exposed to the water-soluble fraction of petroleum

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of the water soluble fraction of hydrocarbons (WSF) on the antioxidant status of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium borellii. First, seasonal variations were studied in a non-polluted area. Hepatopancreas and gills showed season-related fluctuations in catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and in lipid peroxidation levels (LPO), but not in superoxide dismutase (SOD). Then, adults were exposed semi-statically to sublethal doses for 7days. CAT, SOD, GST, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and LPO, reduced glutathione (GSH) and protein oxidation (PO) levels were determined. Exposed individuals showed significant increases in CAT, SOD, and GST activities in hepatopancreas and CAT activity in gills. GPx activity did not vary in either tissues. While LPO levels increased, GSH levels decreased significantly in hepatopancreas of exposed animals, but PO levels showed no variation. Induction of SOD was also assessed by Real-time PCR mRNA expression in hepatopancreas. The non-enzymatic antioxidant activity was also tested; ABTS 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) was higher in hemolymph of treated-prawns compared to controls, but ferric reducing activity of plasma assay (FRAP) values did not change. Taken together, the present results indicated that the antioxidant defenses of M. borellii, mainly in hepatopancreas, were significantly affected by aquatic hydrocarbon contamination, regardless of the season.     

Modulatory effect of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) leaf extract on biotransformation enzyme systems, antioxidant enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation in mice.

The effects of two doses (50 and 100 mg/kg body wt given orally for 14 days) of an ethanol-water (80%-20%) extract of Urtica dioica L. and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were investigated, for phase I and phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, lipid peroxidation and sulfhydryl groups in the liver of Swiss albino mice (8-9 weeks old). A modulatory effect of two doses and BHA was also observed for the activities of glutathione S-transferase, DT-diaphorase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the kidney, lung and forestomach, as compared with the control group. The activities of cytochrome b5 (cyt b5), NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (cyt b5 R), glutathione S-transferase (GST), DT-diaphorase (DTD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) showed a significant increase in the liver at both dose levels of extract. Both extract-treated showed significantly lower activity of cytochrome P450 (cyt P450), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (cyt P450 R), total sulfhydryl groups (T-SH), nonprotein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH) and protein-bound sulfhydryl groups (PB-SH). BHA-treated Swiss albino mice showed a notable increase in levels of cyt b5, DTD, T-SH, PB-SH, GPx, GR, and SOD in the liver while, LDH, cyt P450, cyt P450 R, Cyt b5 R, GST, NP-SH, and CAT levels were reduced significantly as compared to control values. The extract was effective in inducing GST, DTD, SOD and CAT activity in the forestomach and SOD and CAT activity in the lung at both dose levels. BHA-treated Swiss albino mice induced DTD, GST and all antioxidative parameters in the kidney, lung and forestomach.