The evaluation of protective and mitigating effects of vitamin C against side effects induced by radioiodine therapy

The goal of this study was to evaluate the protective and mitigative effect of vitamin C on oxidative stress in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients ablated with radioiodine. 58 DTC patients selected for radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) with 5550 MBq ¹³¹Iodine were divided into four groups. Group 1 (control group) consisted of patients who underwent RAIT routinely. Other patients received 1500 mg vitamin C daily 2 days after (group 2), 2 days before to 2 days after (group 3) and 2 days before RAIT (group 4). Serum oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured immediately before and 2 days after RAIT. A significant increase in MDA after RAIT was observed in all groups (p?<?0.05). The concentrations of MDA were significantly higher in the control group compared to the intervention groups (p?<?0.05). A significant decrease in the control group (p?<?0.05) and increase in group 4 (p?<?0.05) were observed in GSH level after RAIT (p?<?0.05). Mean variation of GSH was significant between control group with groups 3 (p?<?0.01) and 4 (p?<?0.01). The results indicate that activity of SOD remained unchanged in all groups (p?>?0.05). A significant increase was observed in CAT activity after RAIT in all groups (p?<?0.05), which was higher in control group than intervention groups. In groups 3 (p?<?0.05) and 4 (p?<?0.05), this increase in CAT activity was significantly lower than the control group. RAIT causes serum oxidative stress, which can be ameliorated using vitamin C as an antioxidant. These results indicate that radioprotective effect of vitamin C is preferable to its mitigative effect.     

Lignin analysis using microwave digestion

Lignin quantification in apple pomace residues was carried out using a microwave oven to replace traditional refluxing during the mild acidolysis step to augment the selectivity of this step towards cleavage of lignin–carbohydrate bonds and to reduce the time needed to quantify lignin. The pressure, temperature and time were optimized by response surface methodology and the results were compared to the Klason lignin methodology. Temperature and pressure had a significant positive effect (p?<?0.05) on the determination of lignin. However, the time was also significant (p?<?0.05) on lignin quantification. The optimal conditions of digestion were: 30?bar, 170?°C for 15?min. The digestion using microwave (lignin content?=?33?% w/w) was more accurate (p?<?0.05) than the the traditional refluxing (lignin content?=?27?% w/w).     

Skeletal muscle post-conditioning by diazoxide, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic mechanisms

Pretreatment with diazoxide, K_ATP channel opener, increases tissue tolerance against ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. In clinical settings pretreatment is rarely an option therefore we evaluated the effect of post-ischemic treatment with diazoxide on skeletal muscle IR injury. Rats were treated with either saline, diazoxide (K_ATP opener; 40?mg/kg) or 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD; mitochondrial K_ATP inhibitor; 40?mg/kg) after skeletal muscle ischemia (3?h) and reperfusion (6, 24 or 48?h). Tissue contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression and muscle histology were determined. Apoptosis was examined (24 and 48?h) after ischemia. IR induced severe histological damage, increased MDA content and Bax expression (24 and 48?h; p?<?0.01) and decreased CAT and SOD activities (6 and 24?h, p?<?0.01 and 48?h, p?<?0.05), with no significant effect on Bcl-2 expression. Diazoxide reversed IR effects on MDA (6 and 24?h; p?<?0.05), SOD (6 and 24?h; p?<?0.01) and CAT (6 and 48?h, p?<?0.05 and 24?h p?<?0.01) and tissue damage. Diazoxide also decreased Bax (24 and 48?h; p?<?0.05) and increased Bcl-2 protein expression (24 and 48?h; p?<?0.01). Post-ischemic treatment with 5-HD had no significant effect on IR injury. Number of apoptotic nuclei in IR and 5-HD treated groups significantly increased (p?<?0.001) while diazoxide decreased apoptosis (p?<?0.01). The results suggested that post-ischemic treatment with diazoxide decrease oxidative stress in acute phase which modulates expression of apoptotic proteins in the late phase of reperfusion injury. Involvement of KATP channels in this effect require further evaluations.     

Heat acclimation increases mitochondrial respiration capacity of C2C12 myotubes and protects against LPS-mediated energy deficit

This work investigated the effect of a 6-day heat acclimation (HA) protocol on myotube metabolic responses at baseline and in response to a subsequent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. C2C12 myotubes were incubated for 2 h/day at 40 °C for 6 days (HA) or maintained at 37 °C (C). Following 24-h recovery, myotubes were challenged with 500 ng/ml LPS for 2 h, then collected for analysis of protein markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and macronutrient storage. Functional significance of these changes was confirmed with mitochondrial respiration and glycolytic measurements on a Seahorse XF-96 analyzer. HA stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis and increased indicators of mitochondrial content [SIRT1 (+?62%); PGC-1α (+?57%); NRF-1 (+?40%); TFAM (+?141%); CS (+?25%); CytC (+?38%); all p?<?0.05]. Altered lipid biosynthesis enzymes [p-ACCa:ACC (+?59%; p?=?0.04) and FAS (??86%; p?<?0.01)] suggest fatty acid generation may have been downregulated, whereas increased GLUT4 (+?69%; p?<?0.01) and LDH-B (+?366%; p?<?0.01) suggest aerobic glycolytic capacity may have been improved. Mitochondrial biogenesis signaling in HA myotubes was suppressed by 500 ng/ml LPS (PGC-1α, NRF-1, TFAM; all p?> 0.05) but increased LDH-B (+?30%; p?=?0.02) and CPT-1 (+?55%; p?<?0.01) suggesting improved catabolic function. Basal respiration was increased in HA myotubes (+?8%; p?<?0.01) and HA myotubes maintained elevated basal respiration during LPS challenge (+?8%; p?<?0.01). LPS reduced peak respiration in C myotubes (??6%; p?<?0.01) but did not impair peak respiration in HA myotubes (p?>?0.05). Oxidative reliance was elevated in HA over that in control (+?25%; p?<?0.01) and in HA?+?LPS over C?+?LPS (+?30%; p?<?0.01). In summary, HA stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis in C2C12 myotubes. HA myotubes exhibited (1) elevated basal/peak mitochondrial respiration capacities; (2) greater oxidative reliance; and (3) protection against LPS-mediated respiration impairment. Collectively, these data suggest HA may improve aerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle and protect against LPS-mediated energy deficit.     

Leptin restores markers of female fertility in lipodystrophy

Objectives

Female reproductive dysfunction occurs in patients with pathological loss of adipose tissue, i.e. lipodystrophy (LD). However, mechanisms remain largely unclear and treatment effects of adipocyte-derived leptin have not been assessed in LD animals.

Manganese Alters Rat Brain Amino Acids Levels

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element and it acts as a cofactor for a number of enzymatic reactions, including those involved in amino acid, lipid, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism. Excessive exposure to Mn can lead to poisoning, characterized by psychiatric disturbances and an extrapyramidal disorder. Mn-induced neuronal degeneration is associated with alterations in amino acids metabolism. In the present study, we analyzed whole rat brain amino acid content subsequent to four or eight intraperitoneal injections, with 25?mg MnCl₂/kg/day, at 48-h intervals. We noted a significant increase in glycine brain levels after four or eight Mn injections (p?<?0.05 and p?<?0.01, respectively) and arginine also after four or eight injections (p?<?0.001). Significant increases were also noted in brain proline (p?<?0.01), cysteine (p?<?0.05), phenylalanine (p?<?0.01), and tyrosine (p?<?0.01) levels after eight Mn injections vs. the control group. These findings suggest that Mn-induced alterations in amino acid levels secondary to Mn affect the neurochemical milieu.     

Comparative Analysis of the Protective Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) on Pulmonary Contusion Lung Oxidative Stress and Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Experimental Rat Model

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in the lungs by biochemical and histopathological analyses in an experimental isolated lung contusion model. Eighty-one male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. The animals were divided randomly into four groups: group 1 (n?=?9) was defined as without contusion and without CAPE injection. Group 2 (n?=?9) was defined as CAPE 10 μmol/kg injection without lung contusion. Group 3 (n?=?36) was defined as contusion without CAPE-administrated group which consisted of four subgroups that were created according to analysis between days?0, 1, 2, and 3. Group 4 (n?=?27) was defined as CAPE 10 μmol/kg administrated after contusion group divided into three subgroups according to analysis on days?1, 2, and 3. CAPE 10 μmol/kg was injected intraperitoneally 30 min after trauma and on days?1 and 2. Blood samples were obtained to measure catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and for blood gas analysis. Trace elements such as zinc and copper were measured in serum. The lung tissue was also removed for histopathological examination. Isolated lung contusion increased serum and tissue SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels (p?<?0.05). Both serum and tissue SOD, MDA, and CAT levels on day?3 were lower in group 4 compared to group 3 (p?<?0.05). Further, the levels of SOD, MDA, and CAT in group 4 were similar compared to group 1 (p?>?0.05). CAPE also had a significant beneficial effect on blood gases (p?<?0.05). Both serum zinc and copper levels were (p?<?0.05) influenced by the administration of CAPE. Histopathological examination revealed lower scores in group 4 compared to group 3 (p?<?0.05) and no significant differences compared to group 1 (p?>?0.05). CAPE appears to be effective in protecting against severe oxidative stress and tissue damage caused by pulmonary contusion in an experimental setting. Therefore, we conclude that administration of CAPE may be used for a variety of conditions associated with pulmonary contusion. Clinical use of CAPE may have the advantage of prevention of pulmonary contusion.     

Interleukin-6 and Lipopolysaccharide Modulate Hepcidin mRNA Expression by Hepg2 Cells

Iron homeostasis is controlled by hepcidin (Hpc) as well as other ways. Hpc expression is regulated by iron (Fe) storage and by inflammation, but the joint effect of both stimuli remains unclear. We studied the modulatory role of inflammatory agents (IL6 and LPS) over Hpc and DMT1 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells preloaded with Fe. HepG2 cells were preloaded with different Fe concentrations (holo-Tf or Fe-NTA) and then incubated with IL6 or LPS. We measured intracellular Fe levels by AAS with graphite furnace, transferrin receptor (TfR) by ELISA and mRNA relative abundance of Hpc and DMT1 by qRT-PCR. The maximum effect on Fe uptake was observed in cells incubated with 30?ng/ml IL6 (p?<?0.01) and 500?ng/ml LPS (p?<?0.05). In HepG2 cells preloaded with holo-Tf or Fe-NTA and challenged with IL6 and LPS, we observed a decreased: (a) Hpc mRNA relative abundance (two-way ANOVA: p?<?0.05 and p?<?0.001, respectively), (b) DMT1 mRNA relative abundance and TfR1 protein levels (two-way ANOVA: p?<?0.001), and (c) intracellular Fe concentration (two-way ANOVA: p?<?0.001 and p?<?0.01, respectively) compared to control cells incubated only with Fe (holo-Tf or Fe-NTA). Our results support the idea that Fe storage and inflammation act together to regulate Fe homeostasis and suggest a negative regulation in this hepatic cellular model to prevent excessive increases in Hpc.     

A comparison of the effect of genetic improvement, seed source and seedling seed orchard variables on progeny growth in Eucalyptus nitens in South Africa

Eucalyptus nitens is an important forestry species grown for pulp and paper production in the temperate, summer-rainfall regions of South Africa. A tree improvement programme has been ongoing at the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research for two decades, but genetic improvement in the species has been slow due to delayed and infrequent flowering and seed production. Three trials were established, firstly, to quantify the gains that have been made in the first generation of improvement in the breeding programme and, secondly, to establish whether a number of seed source and orchard variables influence the performance of the progeny. These variables were the amount of flowering trees in the seed orchard, year of seed collection, seed orchard origin and composition of seed orchard bulks. Diameter at breast height and tree heights were measured in the trials at between 87 and 97 months after establishment, and timber volumes and survival were calculated. Improved seed orchard bulks performed significantly better (p?<?0.01) than unimproved controls in the field trials. Genetic gains ranging from 23.2 to 164.8 m³?ha^?1 were observed over the unimproved commercial seed. There were significant differences (p?<?0.01) in progeny growth between the levels of seed orchard flowering, with higher levels of flowering (≥40 %) producing substantially greater progeny growth than lower flowering levels (≤20 %). The seed orchard had no effect on progeny growth in this trial series. This suggests that seed collected from any of the four seed orchards tested will produce trees with significant improvement in growth.     

The impact of HLA-C matching depends on the C1/C2 KIR ligand status in unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

It was previously shown that chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients transplanted with peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) from HLA-C allele-matched donors had better clinical outcome when lacking the HLA-C-encoded KIR epitope C2. We investigated whether this holds true in other diseases and in HLA-C allele-mismatched patients. Twenty-four myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 39 acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/CML, and 34 acute lymphoblastic leukemia/non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients received unrelated unmanipulated PBPC. HLA matching was analyzed retrospectively (including DNA-based direct sequencing of HLA-C). Only in AML/CML, the C2 ligand was associated with impaired overall survival (OS, p?<?0.05). We next calculated the impact of donor/recipient HLA-C allele matching within the C1 and C2 groups. Surprisingly, AML/CML and MDS patients with C2 ligands profited from HLA-C allele mismatching (OS, p?<?0.01), whereas in the C1 group, allele matching was beneficial (p?<?0.05). HLA-C allele mismatching in the C2 KIR ligand group was associated with lower TRM (OR 0.48, p?<?0.009) and lower relapse rate (OR 2.7 p?<?0.1) when compared to allele-matched C2 patients. Thus, patients could be assigned to a low- and a high-risk group according to their C1/C2 ligand status and the HLA-C allele matching degree. These data suggest that four-digit allele matching of HLA-C has differential effects dependent on the presence of C1 and C2 KIR epitopes in the patient.     

A Comparative Study of the Oxidative Profile in Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and Papillary Thyroid Cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the oxidative profiles of three thyroid disorders: Graves’ disease (GD), Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT), and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Malondialdehyde levels (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were examined in the plasma of 52 patients (29 untreated HT, 16 untreated GD, and 7 PTC who underwent surgical therapy). Results were compared with those of 30 healthy controls and among the three groups of patients. The GD, HT, and PTC patients exhibited increased plasma MDA levels and SOD activities compared with the controls (p?<?0.05, p?<?0.05, and p?<?0.001, respectively). CAT activities significantly increased only for the PTC and HT patients (p?<?0.001 and p?<?0.05, respectively), whereas GPx activities significantly decreased only in the GD and PTC (p?<?0.05 and p?<?0.01, respectively). The comparison among the three groups of patients has shown increased MDA level and SOD activity for the PTC patients as compared to the GD patients (p?<?0.01 and p?<?0.001, respectively). Compared with HT, PTC patients exhibited significant higher MDA level, SOD, and CAT activities and a significant lower GPx activity (p?<?0.01, p?<?0.001, p?<?0.05, and p?<?0.05, respectively). No significant discrepancies were noted between the GD and HT patients. Our results have clearly shown an oxidative profile that is highly disturbed for the PTC patients as compared to those of autoimmune disorders. Future studies are needed to determine whether or not the oxidative stress has a prognostic value in this pathology.     

Tobacco Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy Increases Maternal Blood Lead Levels Affecting Neonate Birth Weight

To assess the effect of lead exposure from cigarette smoke on fetal growth, blood lead concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in 150 healthy pregnant women. Mean lead concentrations in plasma and whole blood were significantly higher in the smoking group compared with the nonsmoking group in each trimester of pregnancy (p?<?0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed the highest impact of the number of cigarettes smoked per day for serum lead concentration (β?=?0.238; p?<?0.05), while in whole blood, it was duration of smoking before conception (β?=?0.297; p?<?0.001). Birth weight of the smoking mothers' infants was significantly lower (mean?±?SEM, 3,192?±?50.8 and 3,569?±?49.6 g, respectively; p?<?0.001) and negatively correlated with lead levels in plasma (r?=??0.38; p?<?0.001) and in whole blood (r?=??0.27; p?<?0.001). Therefore, it is suggested that smoking during pregnancy increases lead concentrations in maternal blood. Fetal exposure to low doses of lead in utero may be a serious risk factor causing lower birth weight.     

Osmotic dehydration of Kappaphycus alvarezii

The red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii has been reported to be a potential raw material for functional food due to its high content of soluble dietary fibre, mineral, omega-3 fatty acids as well as a substantial amount of essential amino acids. In order to benefit from these excellent nutritional properties, this project aimed to develop a high-value dehydrated snack from K. alvarezii using osmotic dehydration (OD) treatment prior to hot air-drying. A 3?×?3 factorial design with 50°, 60° and 70°Brix sucrose concentration as well as treatment temperatures of 30, 35 and 40 °C were used. In general, an increase in sucrose concentration and temperature promoted mass transfer. OD treatment using 70°Brix sucrose concentration at 40 °C caused case hardening of the seaweed that reduced the solid gain (p?<?0.05). Firmness of the seaweed increased with sucrose concentration and was not altered by temperature (p?<?0.05). The colour of the seaweed was not affected by OD treatment (p?>?0.05), but dehydrated seaweed became darker at high sugar concentration. Interaction effect between sucrose concentration and temperature was found to affect the water loss and solid gain of the OD treatment (p?<?0.05). The best sensory acceptable dehydrated seaweed was successfully identified. The final product contained high dietary fibre and very low Na/K ratio.     

Extraction protocols for the quantification of phycobilins in aqueous phytoplankton extracts

Phycobiliproteins are light harvesting pigments in cryptophytes, cyanobacteria, and rhodophytes that allow these organisms to absorb light in the green and orange regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike chlorophylls and carotenoids, however, phycobilins are rarely quantified as part of routine photobiological studies because they require different extraction protocols. The objectives of this study were (1) to compare 10 existing methods to determine that with the highest extraction efficiency and (2) to determine the maximum time limit for the storage of phycobilins before degradation. Cells of the cryptophyte Rhodomonas salina and the cyanobacterium Synechococcus bacillaris were harvested either by centrifugation or filtration and then subjected to lyophilization, mechanical disruption, or freeze?Cthaw techniques. The extraction efficiency for pigments in cells collected on glass fiber filters was always <32?±?5% and thus always significantly lower than in samples harvested by centrifugation, which had extraction efficiencies of 53?±?6?C98?±?11%. Disruption of cells by freezing?Cthawing and sonication both resulted in significantly higher (ANOVA, p?<?0.01) extraction efficiencies than disruption with a tissue grinder. Storage of samples at ?80°C showed no significant pigment degradation over the course of 24 weeks.     

The Effects of Dietary Chromium(III) Picolinate on Growth Performance, Vital Signs, and Blood Measurements of Pigs During Immune Stress

This experiment used 24 pigs (26.0 kg) to investigate the effects of dietary chromium (Cr) on pigs challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Following 35 days of diet exposure, the immune stress treatments were: (1) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injection and no Cr, (2) LPS injection and no Cr, (3) LPS injection and Cr 1,000 ppb, and (4) LPS injection and Cr 2,000 ppb. At 0 h, PBS or LPS was injected intraperitoneally in each pig. During the first 12 h post-injection, pigs challenged with LPS lost 951 g, while the PBS group gained 170 g (p?<?0.001). Compared with the PBS group, LPS-challenged pigs consumed less feed (p?<?0.01) during the first 24 h. The LPS group had higher rectal temperature at 2 and 4 h and higher respiratory rate at 1.3 and 8.5 h than the PBS group (p?<?0.05). Plasma collected at 3 h had higher cortisol (p?<?0.001) and lower glucose (p?<?0.05) concentrations in the LPS group than the PBS group. However, supplemental Cr did not affect the response variables. Overall, the LPS challenge affects growth performance, vital signs, and plasma variables, but dietary Cr is unable to moderate stress-related effects associated with an LPS challenge.     

Lead Accumulation as Possible Risk Factor for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between preeclampsia and iodine levels and magnesium concentration in the blood of subjects in the northeast Anatolia region where iodine deficiency is common. Blood specimens were obtained from 24 preeclamptic and 16 healthy pregnant women. Iodine levels in blood were determined by the Foss method based on the Sandell–Kolthoff reaction. Serum protein-bound iodine (PBI) levels and magnesium concentration in maternal blood were lower in patients with severe preeclampsia compared to normal pregnant women (8.46?±?1.22 vs. 11.46?±?1.71 μg/dL, p?<?0.001, 1.63?±?0.05 vs. 1.86?±?0.05 mg/dL, p?<?0.001, respectively). Serum PBI levels and magnesium concentration in umbilical cord blood were higher in patients with severe preeclampsia than in normal pregnant women (8.84?±?1.9 vs. 7.33?±?1.07 μg/dL, p?<?0.05, 2.48?±?0.03 vs. 2.02?±?0.01 mg/dL, p?<?0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the serum PBI levels in maternal blood and magnesium concentration in maternal blood in patients with severe preeclampsia (r?=?0.41, p?<?0.05). Thus, iodine may be one factor contributing to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Iodine supplementation may be effective therapy in preeclamptic in pregnant women.     

Spatial distribution pattern of soil seed bank in canopy gaps of various sizes in temperate secondary forests, Northeast China

To promote the natural regeneration of secondary forests under gap disturbance is one of important approaches for realizing their restoration and sustainable management. However, soil seed bank, one of regeneration strategies, is poorly understood in gaps of secondary forests. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the effects of sizes of experimentally created gaps on seed distribution in soil, and of seed banks on vegetation recovery at early formation stage of gaps in temperate secondary forests, Northeast China. It was found that with increasing gap size, species richness in the seed bank significantly increased (r?=?0.691, P?<?0.05, n?=?10), but correspondence in species-composition of seed reservoir between gaps and canopies adjacent to gaps decreased (r?=??0.83, P?<?0.01, n?=?10). Gap size and soil depth and their two-way interactions had significant differences on the distribution of seed bank density (F?=?4.101, P?<?0.05; F?=?34.483, P?<?0.01; F?=?5.232, P?<?0.01, respectively). The Sokal and Sneath similarity indices in species-composition between extant and potential (seed bank) vegetation were generally low, ranging from 0.06 (interior of large gaps) to 0.24 (canopies adjacent to large gaps). From the view of seed bank to restore temperate secondary forests, establishment of medium-sized artificial gaps (i.e., gap size with 500–150 m²) could be more feasible for seed invasion. To conclude, the regeneration potential out of soil seed banks is limited, and the restoration of gaps at early formation stage may be mostly dependent on other reproductive strategies (e.g., vegetative propagation of species).     

Stimulation and inhibition effects of algae-lytic products from Bacillus cereus strain L7 on Anabaena flos-aquae

Alga-bacterium relationships between a Bacillus cereus strain L7 and Anabaena flos-aquae were studied based on the effects of the algicidal substances on algal growth indicators such as enzyme activity and membrane lipid peroxidation. When exposed to algae-lytic products at a concentration of 0.05?mg?mL^?1, chlorophyll a (Chla), protein and phycobiliprotein contents increased significantly (p?<?0.05); superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations increased slightly to stimulate the algae growth. When exposed to algae-lytic products at a concentration of 0.5?mg?mL^?1, algae growth and composition were inhibited. Chla, protein and phycobiliprotein concentrations decreased significantly (p?<?0.05 for protein, p?<?0.01 for Chla and phycobiliprotein). MDA concentrations increased significantly (p?<?0.05). POD and CAT activities increased by approximately six and three times, respectively, in 24?h compared with the control, then decreased to the initial level in 4?days. Algae-lytic products have not only inhibition but also stimulation effects on A. flos-aquae. Such effects are associated with antioxidative/oxidative reactions as indicated by the biomarkers SOD, POD, CAT, and MDA.     

Effects of Selenium and L-Carnitine on Oxidative Stress in Blood of Rat Induced by 2.45-GHz Radiation from Wireless Devices

The levels of blood lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and vitamin C were used to follow the level of oxidative damage caused by 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation in rats. The possible protective effects of selenium and L-carnitine were also tested and compared to untreated controls. Thirty male Wistar Albino rats were equally divided into five groups, namely Groups A₁ and A₂: controls and sham controls, respectively; Group B: EMR; Group C: EMR + selenium, Group D: EMR + L-carnitine. Groups B–D were exposed to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation during 60 min/day for 28 days. The lipid peroxidation levels in plasma and erythrocytes were significantly higher in group B than in groups A₁ and A₂ (p?<?0.05), although the reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase values were slightly lower in erythrocytes of group B compared to groups A₁ and A₂. The plasma lipid peroxidation level in group A₂ was significantly lower than in group B (p?<?0.05). Erythrocyte reduced glutathione levels (p?<?0.01) in group B; erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in group A₂ (p?<?0.05), group B (p?<?0.001), and group C (p?<?0.05) were found to be lower than in group D. In conclusion, 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation caused oxidative stress in blood of rat. L-carnitine seems to have protective effects on the 2.45-GHz-induced blood toxicity by inhibiting free radical supporting antioxidant redox system although selenium has no effect on the investigated values.