Aerobic degradation of 2-picolinic acid by a nitrobenzene-assimilating strain: Streptomyces sp. Z2

Streptomyces sp. Z2 was isolated from nitrobenzene contaminated activated sludge, which utilized nitrobenzene as a sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy under aerobic condition. It was found that besides nitrobenzene strain Z2 can degrade 2-picolinic acid. Strain Z2 completely degraded 2-picolinic acid with initial concentration of 500 mg/L, 1000 mg/L, 1500 mg/L, 2000 mg/L, 2500 mg/L, and 3000 mg/L within 36 h, 50 h, 72 h, 100 h, 136 h, and 180 h, respectively. Kinetics of 2-picolinic acid degradation was described using the Andrews equation. The kinetic parameters were as follows: q_max = 3.81 h^?1, K_s = 83.10 mg/L, and K_i = 252.11 mg/L. During the biodegradation process, Z2 transformed 2-picolinic acid into a product which was identified as 6-hydroxy picolinic acid by UV–vis spectrometry, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. 6-Hydroxy picolinic acid was then cleaved and mineralized with release of ammonia.     

Genotoxicity evaluation of the insecticide imidacloprid on circulating blood cells of Montevideo tree frog Hypsiboas pulchellus tadpoles (Anura,Hylidae) by comet and micronucleus bioassays

Acute toxicity and genotoxicity of imidacloprid (IMI) was evaluated on Hypsiboas pulchellus (Anura: Hylidae) tadpoles exposed under laboratory conditions. A lethal effect was used as the end point for lethality, whereas the frequency of micronuclei (MNs) and DNA single-strand breaks evaluated by the single cell gel electrophoresis assay were employed as end points for genotoxicity. Experiments were performed on tadpoles at stage 36 (range, 35–37) according to the classification proposed by Gosner. Mortality studies revealed an LC₅₀ (96 h) value of 84.91 mg/L IMI (95% confidence limits, 77.20–93.04). While increased frequency of MNs was observed when 15 and 30 mg/L were assayed for 48 h, only 15 mg/L increased the frequency of MNs in tadpoles exposed for 96 h. Furthermore, other nuclear abnormalities, i.e., binucleated cells and blebbed and notched nuclei, were induced in tadpoles exposed for both 48 h when treated with 15 mg/L and 96 h when treated with 15 and 30 mg/L. An increase in the genetic damage index was observed in tadpoles treated with 30 mg/L for 48 and 96 h. This study represents the first evidence of acute lethal and sublethal effects exerted by IMI on tadpoles of an amphibian species native to Argentina. Finally, our findings highlight the hazardous properties of this insecticide for nontarget living species exposed to this agrochemical.     

Feruloyl esterase production by Aspergillus terreus CECT 2808 and subsequent application to enzymatic hydrolysis

Ferulic acid esterases (FAE) were produced by Aspergillus terreus CECT 2808 from vine trimming shoots (VTS) and corn cob. Later, the fungal extracts thus obtained were used to enzymatically release ferulic acid (FA) from both substrates. Our findings showed a higher FAE activity in the enzymatic extracts produced on corn cob (0.070 ± 0.004 U/mL). Nevertheless, the enzymatic extracts produced on VTS demonstrated a better performance for FA release from both corn cob (2.05 ± 0.01 mg/g) and VTS (0.19 ± 0.003 mg/g). This result was probably because of the higher xylanase/FAE ratio determined in VTS extract. Therefore, an additional assay was carried out by supplementing corn cob extract with a commercial xylanase to test the influence of FAE/xylanase ratio in FA release. The results revealed the relevance of the FAE/xylanase ratio for an optimal FA release.     

Enhanced cephalotaxine production in Cephalotaxus mannii suspension cultures by combining glycometabolic regulation and elicitation

To study the combination effects of glycometabolic regulator NaF and elicitor methyl jasmonate (MJ) on cephalotaxine production in Cephalotaxus mannii suspension cultures, NaF of 10 mg/L, MJ of 100 μmol/L or both of them (NaF + MJ for short below) were added to the shake-flask cultures of C. mannii cell. It was found that NaF increased the activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), but had no significant effects on phenylalanine ammonium-lyase (PAL) activity and phenols formation. In contrast, MJ could activate PAL activity and led to phenols accumulation, but had no significant effects on G6PDH activity. To explore the effects of NaF and MJ on cephalotaxine biosynthesis, harringtonine and homoharringtonine, the two cephalotaxines, were analyzed in this work. The results obtained indicated that NaF + MJ treatment showed the strongest promotion of production in all tests. Harringtonine yield in NaF + MJ treated cells (7.245 mg/L) was 4.8-fold higher than that in control cells (1.506 mg/L), 1.7-fold that in NaF-treated cells (4.12 mg/L) and 1.6-fold that in MJ-treated cells (4.458 mg/L), respectively. No homoharringtonine was found besides in NaF + MJ treated cells (0.491 mg/L). With respect of the product release rates, they were 0%, 78%, 24% and 62% in control, NaF, MJ and NaF + MJ treatment, respectively. These results suggest that the combination of NaF and MJ had contributed to the synthesis and secretion of cephalotaxine in C. mannii cells.     

Juvenile hormone-mediated reproduction induced by a sublethal concentration of imidacloprid in Cyrtorhinus lividipennis (Hemiptera: Miridae)

The Hemipteran predator, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, feeds on the eggs and nymphs of rice planthoppers and leafhoppers. We previously demonstrated that sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid stimulated the reproduction of C. lividipennis. Considering the essential roles of juvenile hormone (JH) in insect reproduction, we speculated that sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid may stimulate the reproduction of C. lividipennis by regulating JH level. To test this, we cloned C. lividipennis JH acid methyl transferase (ClJHAMT) and JH esterase (ClJHE), which are responsible for JH biosynthesis and degradation genes, respectively. We then knocked down ClJHAMT by injecting dsRNA into C. lividipennis nymphs and found that emerging female adults exhibited 88.8% lower expression of the vitellogenin gene (ClVg) and the number of eggs was reduced by 41.5% as compared with controls. Silencing ClJHE increased ClVg mRNA expression by 275.0% but did not affect fecundity. A sublethal concentration of imidacloprid (LC₂₀) increased the JH titer in females by 35.3% and 60.6% at 24 and 48 h post-emergence, respectively. In treatments containing both imidacloprid and dsJHAMT, the silencing of CLJHAMT reduced the number of eggs produced by adult females by 21.4% as compared to the control (imidacloprid + dsGFP). Our results indicated that sublethal concentration of imidacloprid may induce C. lividipennis reproduction by upregulating JH level via JHAMT. The finding could provide valuable information for improved integration of C. lividipennis and insecticides in pest management.     

Stabilization of d-amino acid oxidase from Rhodosporidium toruloides by encapsulation in polyallylamine-mediated biomimetic silica

d-Amino acid oxidase from Rhodosporidium toruloides (RtDAO) and Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were encapsulated simultaneously within biomimetic silica, as mediated by polyallylamine. The capacity for this enzyme reached 193 mg/g of biomimetic silica when 15 mg/ml RtDAO was used during encapsulation; the average encapsulation efficiency was approximately 74%. The T_m value (the temperature at which 50% of the initial activity was retained after 1 h of incubation) was increased from 44.3 °C of the free RtDAO to 57.7 °C, clearly indicating the thermal stability was improved by encapsulation. In the presence of 50 mM hydrogen peroxide, encapsulated RtDAO had a half-life of 148 min, an approximately 2-fold increase in resistance to hydrogen peroxide as compared to 78-min half-life of the free form. The encapsulation process is simple and can be completed within minutes; besides, the resultant enzymes can be recovered easily under magnetic field. Such preparation of encapsulated d-amino acid oxidase could be exploited for many potential applications.     

Influence of the oxidative stress induced by the organophosphate pesticide bromopropylate on the mitochondrial respiratory chain in Trichoderma harzianum

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of bromopropylate on its own transport rate, glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolite levels, adenine nucleotides, and membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) as well as the activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) enzymes in eukaryotic Trichoderma harzianum. The transport rate of bromopropylate reached a maximum level within the first 24 h of incubation for all studied concentrations. The succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activities reached their maxima at 72 h for 2.5 and 10 mg/L of bromopropylate, respectively. In addition, the intracellular pyruvate levels increased for bromopropylate concentrations up to 2.5 mg/L. The maximum intracellular α-ketoglutarate level was determined at 5 mg/L, while the intracellular fumarate and citrate levels reached their maximums at 7.5 mg/L of bromopropylate. The variations in the adenine nucleotide levels showed a positive correlation with both α-ketoglutarate and fumarate levels. Nevertheless, the LPO levels increased with increasing bromopropylate concentrations. These results may indicate that the membrane becomes more damaged from an impaired respiratory chain, which may then cause an increase in electron leakage.     

Optimization of a biotransformation process to produce 4-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine-1)-4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin

The developed tandem biotransformation process for the directional biosynthesis of a designed compound 4-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine-1)-4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin (4-TMP-DMEP) by Alternaria alternata S-f6 was systematically optimized. 28 °C of culture temperature and 120 rpm of rotary shaker speed were suitable for the accumulation of 4-TMP-DMEP. The production (i.e., 11.1 ± 1.4 mg/L) of 4-TMP-DMEP was remarkably improved by using an initial yeast extract concentration of 2.5 g/L. 2.0 g/L of Span 80 was beneficial for the 4-TMP-DMEP production (i.e., 25.0 ± 1.5 mg/L). Furthermore, the 4-TMP-DMEP production was remarkably improved by one pulse feeding of 50 mg/L of DMEP on day 6 and two pulse feedings of 40 mg/L of TMP on days 8 and 14 when its residual level was below 50 mg/L and 10 mg/L, respectively. The 4-TMP-DMEP production of 45.1 ± 1.6 mg/L was obtained in the fed-batch biotransformation process, which was enhanced by 726% and 256%, comparing to that (i.e., 5.4 ± 0.4 mg/L and 0.9 mg/L/day) obtained in the batch biotransformation before optimization.     

Differential sensitivity of honey bees and bumble bees to a dietary insecticide (imidacloprid)

Currently, there is concern about declining bee populations and the sustainability of pollination services. One potential threat to bees is the unintended impact of systemic insecticides, which are ingested by bees in the nectar and pollen from flowers of treated crops. To establish whether imidacloprid, a systemic neonicotinoid and insect neurotoxin, harms individual bees when ingested at environmentally realistic levels, we exposed adult worker bumble bees, Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and honey bees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), to dietary imidacloprid in feeder syrup at dosages between 0.08 and 125 μg l^?1. Honey bees showed no response to dietary imidacloprid on any variable that we measured (feeding, locomotion and longevity). In contrast, bumble bees progressively developed over time a dose-dependent reduction in feeding rate with declines of 10–30% in the environmentally relevant range of up to 10 μg l^?1, but neither their locomotory activity nor longevity varied with diet. To explain their differential sensitivity, we speculate that honey bees are better pre-adapted than bumble bees to feed on nectars containing synthetic alkaloids, such as imidacloprid, by virtue of their ancestral adaptation to tropical nectars in which natural alkaloids are prevalent. We emphasise that our study does not suggest that honey bee colonies are invulnerable to dietary imidacloprid under field conditions, but our findings do raise new concern about the impact of agricultural neonicotinoids on wild bumble bee populations.     

Expression of core-binding factor α1 and osteocalcin in fluoride-treated fibroblasts and osteoblasts

To study the effects and importance of fluoride on FBs in the development of extraperiosteal calcification and the ossification of skeletal fluorosis, the presence of the osteogenic phenotype, which is indicated by the expression of core-binding factor α1 (Cbfa1) and osteocalcin (OCN), in an FB cell line (L929) and in osteoblasts (OBs) exposed to fluoride was determined. Fibroblasts and osteoblasts were exposed to different concentrations of fluoride (0, 0.0001, 0.001, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/L F⁻). By using RT-PCR and ELISA, the mRNA levels of Cbfa1 and OCN were measured at 48 h, and the protein levels of Cbfa1 and OCN were measured at 2, 4, 24, 48 and 72 h. The data demonstrated the following: (1) The Cbfa1 protein level in fluoride-treated fibroblasts clearly increased at 48 h in the groups treated with 0.0001, 0.001, 0.1, 1.0 and 20.0 mg/L F⁻. The Cbfa1 protein level of the group treated with 10 mg/L F⁻ at 72 h was higher than that of the control group. The level of Cbfa1 mRNA in the fibroblasts was much higher at 48 h in the group treated with 10.0 mg/L F⁻ than in the control group. (2) The OCN protein level in fluoride-treated fibroblasts was significantly higher than that of the control group in the 0.0001, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/L F⁻ groups at 2 h, and in the 0.001 and 0.1 F⁻ groups at 4 h. A slightly higher level of OCN mRNA in fluoride-treated fibroblasts was also found in the 1.0 and 20.0 mg/L F⁻ groups compared to the control group. (3) The expressions of Cbfa1 and OCN in osteoblasts treated with the same experimental conditions as the fibroblasts were up-regulated by fluoride following the same trend as in the fibroblasts. Our results showed an increase in the expression of Cbfa1 and OCN in fibroblasts and osteoblasts exposed to fluoride and suggested that the osteogenic function of fibroblasts induced by fluoride could play an important role in the development of extraperiosteal ossification during skeletal fluorosis.     

Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on rapid micropropagation of beach plum (Prunus maritima)

In this research, electromagnetic fields of strength gradient 48–115 kA/m were applied, and it was found that the increase in the field strength stimulated the regeneration and growth in the explants. The effect of a 10-min treatment of explants with a strength of 97 kA/m on the regeneration and growth was highest, and the number of the sprouts induced (17.2 ± 1.74) was 2.3 times greater than that in the control group (7.40 ± 0.51). The fresh weight, dry weight and height of the sprouts from the explants treated with a strength of 97 kA/m, in culture medium 2 (MS + 2.0 mg/L ZT + 0.2 mg/L IBA + 30 mg/L Vc), were higher than those in culture medium 1 (MS + 2.0 mg/L ZT + 0.2 mg/L NAA + 30 mg/L Vc) and the control group, and the mean number of the sprouts in culture medium 2 increased 5.2 times, but 3.1 times in culture medium 1. Root length of plantlets from explants treated with a strength of 97 kA/m and optimized rooting medium 1/2MS + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 0.1 mg/L IBA + 30 mg/L bovine serum albumin (BSA) was significantly larger, compared with the control. The average root length was 5.39 ± 0.68 cm. It was concluded that the optimization of culture medium and treatment of explants with a certain magnetic field strength could increase the number of regeneration sprouts and growth.     

Mycophenolic acid production in solid-state fermentation using a packed-bed bioreactor

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) was produced from Penicillium brevicompactum by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using pearl barley, and submerged fermentation (SmF) using mannitol. It was found that SSF was superior to SmF in terms of MPA concentration (1219 mg/L vs. 60 mg/L after 144 h fermentation), and the product yields were 6.1 mg/g pearl barley for SSF and 1.2 mg/g mannitol for SmF. The volumetric productivities were 8.5 and 0.42 mg/L h for SSF and SmF, respectively.The optimum solid substrate of SSF for MPA production was pearl barley, producing 5470 mg/kg compared with wheat bran (1601 mg/kg), oat (3717 mg/kg) and rice (2597 mg/kg). The optimum moisture content, incubation time and inoculum concentrations were 70%, 144 h and 6%, respectively. Neither the addition of mannitol or (NH4)₂HPO₄ nor adjustment of media pH within the range of 3–7 significantly enhanced MPA production.MPA production by SSF using a packed-bed bioreactor was performed and an increased maximum production of MPA 6.9 mg/g was achieved at 168 h incubation time. The higher volumetric productivity and concentrations makes SSF an attractive alternative to SmF for MPA production.     

An air-lift biofilm reactor for the production of γ-decalactones by Yarrowia lipolytica

Decalactones are interesting flavouring compounds that can be produced from ricinoleic acid. In this study, the production of lactones in biofilms using Yarrowia lipolytica is investigated. The hydrophobia of cells increased for increased aeration rates resulting in higher adhesion when the reactor wall was hydrophobic (plastic). To increase adhesion, sheets of methyl-polymethacrylate (PMMA) were added in the reactor and the production of lactones increased with the surface of plastic added, reaching 850 mg/L of 3-hydroxy-γ-decalactone for 60 cm². In an Airlift bioreactor made of PMMA, biofilms were present at the top of the reactor for increased aeration. In the meantime, a metabolic shift occurred resulting in high amounts of 3-hydroxy-γ-decalactone. At 0.493 vvm and 61 h of culture, the dissolved oxygen ratio was of 28.6% and cells grew to only 1.29 × 10⁶ cells/mL in the liquid medium but 3-hydroxy-γ-decalactone accumulated to 1.7 g/L instead of less than 0.3 mg/L for lower aeration. Adhering cells had a particular elongated shape intermediate between the yeast and the pseudofilamentous forms. It is concluded that adhering Y. lipolytica cells are in a specific physiological state changing their structure but also their metabolic properties and these properties make them good candidate for simple immobilisation process.     

Prefermentation to overcome nutrient limitations in food processing wastewater: Comparison of pilot- and bench-scale systems

A bench- and a pilot-scale anaerobic/aerobic system were evaluated for the treatment of high strength tomato-processing wastewater. The pilot-scale anaerobic tank achieved better prefermentation of organic carbon and nitrogen than the bench-scale system, although overall system performance was comparable with more than 99% SBOD removal and 97% SCOD removal. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) and temperature effects were studied in the bench-scale system. Increase of anaerobic HRT from 0.25 day to 0.5 day favored prefermentation and a better effluent quality was achieved, as demonstrated by reduction in TSS concentrations from 66 mg/L to 24 mg/L, SCOD from 103 mg/L to 78 mg/L and SBOD from 8 mg/L to 6 mg/L, respectively. Specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) increased from 0.15–0.23 mg O₂/mg VSS day at 25 °C to 0.67–1.24 mg O₂/mg VSS day at 32 °C. Settling characteristics deteriorated from sludge volume index (SVI) of 24–131 mL/g at 25 °C to 115–173 mL/g at 32 °C. Sludge yield decreased from 0.14 g VSS/g COD at 25 °C to 0.098 g VSS/g COD at 32 °C.     

Effect of amino acids addition and feedback control strategies on the high-cell-density cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for glutathione production

Controlling glucose feeding rate, according to the change of ethanol concentration and respiratory quotient (RQ), has been studied in high-cell-density cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for glutathione (GSH). GSH yield and dry cell weight reached 1620 mg/L and 140 g/L, respectively, after 52 h of cultivation. In addition, optimized single shot addition of precursor amino acids (performed in both flask and fermentor experiments) at 32 h could result in the GSH yield reached 2020 mg/L after 38 h of cultivation. The yield and productivity of GSH increased 25% and 70%, respectively. Moreover, cultivation time was reduced to 38 h, compared with results without adding the precursor amino acids.     

Changes of ginsenosides in Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum M1

To obtain microorganisms for the microbial conversion of ginsenosides in red ginseng powder (RGP), Lactobacillus species (M1–M4 and P1–P4) were isolated from commercial ginseng products. Strain M1 was determined to be L. plantarum by 16S rRNA sequencing. Red ginseng powder (RGP) fermented by L. plantarum M1 had a high total content of ginsenosides (142.4 mg/g) as compared to the control (121.8 mg/g). In particular, the ginsenoside metabolites Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Compound K (CK), Rh1, and Rg2 showed a high level in the fermented RGP (65.5 mg/g) compared to the control (32.7 mg/g). During fermentation for 7 days, total sugar content decreased from 8.55 mg/g to 4 mg/g, uronic acid content reached its maximum (53.43 μg/g) at 3 days, and total ginsenoside content increased to 176.8 mg/g at 4 days. In addition, ginsenoside metabolites increased from 38.0 mg/g to 83.4 mg/g at 4 days of fermentation. Using everted instestinal sacs of rats, the fermented red ginseng showed a high transport level (10.3 mg of polyphenols/g sac) compared to non-fermented red ginseng (6.67 mg of polyphenols/g sac) after 1 h. These results confirm that fermentation with L. plantarum M1 is very useful for preparing minor ginsenoside metabolites while being safe for foods.     

Application of anaerobic–aerobic sequential treatment system to real textile wastewater for color and COD removal

A sequential anaerobic packed column reactor and an activated sludge unit was operated continuously for treatment of a textile industry wastewater, in Izmir, Turkey. Metal sponges were used as support material in anaerobic unit and pre-activated textile dyestuff biodegrading PDW facultative anaerobic bacterial culture was immobilized on the support particles. Effects of hydraulic retention times in anaerobic unit (θ_H anaerobic = 12–72 h) and initial COD concentration (COD₀ = 3000 ± 200 mg/L and 800 ± 100 mg/L) at θ_H anaerobic = 24 h on color and COD removal performance of the system were investigated. The results indicated that over 85% decolorization and about 90% COD removal efficiency can be obtained up to θ_H anaerobic = 48 h but higher retention times causes decreasing in decolorization efficiency. Operating the system with real wastewater without adding any nutrients at θ_H anaerobic = 24 h resulted in over 60% improvement in color removal in studied wastewater compared to existing treatment plant.     

Efficacy of biogenic selenium nanoparticles against Leishmania major: In vitro and in vivo studies

Project: This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo effectiveness of biogenic selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs), biosynthesized by Bacillus sp. MSh-1, against Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER). Procedure: The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiozol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity effects of the biogenic Se NPs against both promastigote and amastigote forms of L. major. In a separate in vivo experiment, we also determined the preventive and therapeutic effects of biogenic Se NPs in BALB/c mice following subcutaneous infected with L. major. Results: The MTT assays showed that the highest toxicity occurred after 72 h against both promastigote and amastigote forms of L. major. The cytotoxicity of Se NPs was higher at all incubation times (24, 48, and 72 h) against the promastigote than the amastigote form (p < 0.05). The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of the Se NPs were 1.62 ± 0.6 and 4.4 ± 0.6 μg ml^?1 against the promastigote and amastigote forms, respectively, after a 72-h incubation period. Apoptosis assays showed DNA fragmentation in promastigotes treated with Se NPs. In an animal challenge, prophylactic doses of biogenic Se NPs delayed the development of localized cutaneous lesions. Moreover, daily administration of Se NPs (5 or 10 mg kg^?1 day^?1) in similarly infected BALB/c mice that had not received prophylactic doses of Se NPs also abolished the localized lesions after 14 days. Conclusion: Based on these in vitro and in vivo studies, biogenic Se NPs can be considered as a novel therapeutic agent for treatment of the localized lesions typical of cutaneous leishmaniasis.     

Evaluation of uncertainty of measurement from method validation data: An application to the simultaneous determination of retinol and α-tocopherol in human serum by HPLC

An isocratic RP-HPLC method for the determination of retinol and α-tocopherol in serum, with fluorescence and UV/VIS detection, respectively, was developed and validated according to international guidelines. Detection (retinol 0.015 mg/L, α-tocopherol 0.29 mg/L) and quantification (retinol 0.05 mg/L, α-tocopherol 0.95 mg/L) limits were determined. Repeatability was <3.3% and <2.9% and intermediate precision was <4.6% and <3.2%, for retinol and α-tocopherol, respectively. Certified reference materials were utilised to assess bias and guarantee traceability to SI units. Expanded uncertainties (retinol 8.9%; α-tocopherol 7.9%), estimated according to the EURACHEM/CITAC guide from method validation data, satisfied fit-for-purpose requirements based on biological variability.     

An association among iron,copper, zinc,and selenium,and antioxidative status in dyslipidemic pediatric patients with glycogen storage disease types IA and III

Dyslipidemia in patients with glycogen storage disease types Ia (GSD Ia) and III (GSD III) does not lead to premature atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association among serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and selenium (Se) concentrations, and their carrier proteins: ceruloplasmin, albumin, and related antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), paraoxonase (PON), and arylesterase (ARYL)] in 20 GSD Ia and 14 III patients compared to age and sex matched 20 healthy subjects. Erythrocyte oxidative stress was measured by erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (eTBARSs). Hypertriglyceridemia [333 (36–890) mg/dL] in GSD Ia and hypercholesterolemia with elevated LDL-cholesterol [188 (91–313) mg/dL] and decreased HDL-cholesterol [32(23–58) mg/dL] levels in GSD III were found. Serum Cu, Fe, and Zn showed no significant differences between groups. However, Se 60 (54–94), 81 (57–127) μg/L, ceruloplasmin 21 (10–90), 27 (23–65) μg/L, and albumin 2.4 (1.7–5.1), 2.8 (1.8–4.06) g/dL levels were decreased in GSD Ia and III groups, respectively, in comparison with the controls [Se 110 (60–136) μg/L, ceruloplasmin 72 (32–94) μg/L, and albumin 4.4 (4–4.8) g/dL)]. In spite of high oxidative stress in erythrocyte detected by elevated eTBARS/Hb levels in GSD group [674.8 (454.6–948.2) for GSD Ia, 636.3 (460.9–842.1) for GSD III, and 525.6 (449.2–612.6)], the activities of CAT, SOD, ARYL, and PON in GSD patients were not different from the controls. GPx activity was decreased in GSD Ia [3.7 (1.8–7.1) U/mL] and GSD III [4.2 (2.2–8.6) U/mL] compared with healthy controls [7.1 (2.9–16.2) U/mL].In conclusion, this study supplied the data for trace elements, their carrier, and antioxidative enzymes in the patients with GSD Ia and III. The trace elements and anti-oxidative enzyme levels in GSD patients failed to explain the atherosclerotic escape phenomenon reported in these patients.