Modification of oxidative stress by pioglitazone in the heart of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits

Summary The study was undertaken to analyze the effect of pioglitazone on superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA), lipid peroxidation products (LPO) and protein carbonyl groups (PCG) in the heart of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits after 4 and 8 weeks of pioglitazone treatment. In diabetic animals, Cu, Zn-SOD and CAT were elevated by 60 and 55%, and 90 and 77% as compared to controls at 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. GSH-Px, GSSG-R and GSH were diminished by 11, 14 and 33% as compared to controls at 4 or 8 weeks. AA was diminished by 52 and 41%. At P <0.05, pioglitazone normalized the activities of Cu, Zn-SOD, GSH-Px and GSSG-R. The activity of CAT was modified as compared to diabetic non-treated rabbits. After pioglitazone treatment, GSH and AA were increased as compared to diabetic non-treated animals. In diabetic rabbits, LPO was elevated by 52 and 111% and normalized by pioglitazone treatment. PCG was elevated by 72 and 133% and diminished as compared to diabetic non-treated animals at 8 weeks. The study shows that pioglitazone reduces oxidative stress in the heart of diabetic rabbits. In therapy, similar action can improve the cardiovascular system of diabetic patients.     

Influences of Different Stress Models on the Antioxidant Status and Lipid Peroxidation in Rat Erythrocytes

The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of different stress models on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in erythrocytes of rats. Swiss-Albino female rats (3 months old) were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into the following four groups; control group (C), cold stress group (CS), immobilization stress group (IS) and cold+immobilization stress group (CS+IS). Control group was kept in an animal laboratory (22 &#45 2°C). Rats in CS group were placed in cold room (5°C) for 15 min/day for 15 days. Rats in IS group were immobilized for 180 min/day for 15 days. Rats in CS+IS group were exposed to both cold and immobilization stresses for 15 days. At the end of experimental periods, the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. LPO was determined by measuring the contents of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Cu,Zn-SOD activity and TBARS concentration were increased after cold and immobilization stresses, but CAT and GSH-Px activities and GSH levels were decreased. Immobilization stress decreased the activity of G-6-PD. The activities of G-6-PD, CAT and GSH-Px, and the level of GSH were lower in CS+IS group than in the control group. Cu,Zn-SOD activity and TBARS levels were increased in CS+IS group when compared with the control group. From these findings, three stress models are thought to cause oxidative stress.     

Influences of different stress models on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in rat erythrocytes

The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of different stress models on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in erythrocytes of rats. Swiss-Albino female rats (3 months old) were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into the following four groups; control group (C), cold stress group (CS), immobilization stress group (IS) and cold+immobilization stress group (CS+IS). Control group was kept in an animal laboratory (22 ±2°C). Rats in CS group were placed in cold room (5°C) for 15 min/day for 15 days. Rats in IS group were immobilized for 180 min/day for 15 days. Rats in CS+IS group were exposed to both cold and immobilization stresses for 15 days. At the end of experimental periods, the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. LPO was determined by measuring the contents of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Cu,Zn-SOD activity and TBARS concentration were increased after cold and immobilization stresses, but CAT and GSH-Px activities and GSH levels were decreased. Immobilization stress decreased the activity of G-6-PD. The activities of G-6-PD, CAT and GSH-Px, and the level of GSH were lower in CS+IS group than in the control group. Cu,Zn-SOD activity and TBARS levels were increased in CS+IS group when compared with the control group. From these findings, three stress models are thought to cause oxidative stress.     

Age-related changes of antioxidant enzyme activities, glutathione status and lipid peroxidation in rat erythrocytes after heat stress

The aim of this study was to determine whether exposure to heat stress would lead to oxidative stress and whether this effect varied with different exposure periods. We kept 1-, 6- and 12-month-old male Wistar rats at an ambient temperature of either 22 degrees C or 40 degrees C for 3 and 7 days and measured glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in erythrocytes and determined GSH/GSSG ratio, total glutathione and the redox index. G-6-PD and CAT activities were found to be significantly increased in 1- and 6-month-old rats after 3 and 7 days of heat stress, but G-6-PD activities decreased in 12-month-old rats. Cu, Zn-SOD activity decreased in 1-month-old rats after heat stress, whereas it increased in 6- and 12-month-old rats. GST activity increased in all groups. GSH and total GSH levels and GSH/GSSG ratios decreased in 1- and 6-month-old rats but they increased in 12-month-old rats after heat stress. GSSG levels increased in 1- and 6-month-old rats but decreased in 12-month-old rats after heat stress. TBARS levels increased in all groups. Seven days of stress is more effective in altering enzyme activities and levels of GSH, GSSG and TBARS. When the effects of both heat stress and aging were examined together, it was interesting to note that they mostly influenced G-6-PD activity.     

Modification of cardiac oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits with repaglinide treatment

The aim of this study was to analyze the antioxidative effect of repaglinide in the heart of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. The activities of superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA), products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl groups (PCG) were estimated after 4 and 8 weeks of repaglinide treatment (1 mg daily). At significance level p<0.05, in diabetic heart the activities of Cu,Zn-SOD and CAT were elevated as compared to control values (by 60.7% and 55.3% for Cu,Zn-SOD, and by 89.7% and 77.4% for CAT after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively). The level of AA was diminished by 52.5% and 41.5% while GSH-Px and GSSG-R activities were decreased after 4 weeks of experiment (by 11.5% and 14.4%, respectively). GSH level was diminished by 33.2% after 8 weeks. Simultaneously, in diabetic heart the levels of LPO and PCG were elevated as compared to control values (by 51.6% and 111.3% for LPO, and by 72.0% and 132.9% for PCG after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively). In diabetic animals, repaglinide normalized GSH-Px activity and GSH level. It modified the activities of Cu,Zn-SOD, CAT and AA as compared to diabetic non-treated animals. In diabetic-treated rabbits the level of LPO was diminished as compared to diabetic non-treated animals, while the level of PCG was not affected. In the present study, repaglinide did not affect blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations in diabetic rabbits. Nevertheless, the drug showed some beneficial antioxidative properties in the heart tissue.     

Alterations in Protective Enzymes Against Peroxidation in the Central and Peripheral Nervous System of Control and Dysmyelinating Mutant Mice

The activities of peroxide-detoxifying enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase were measured in the nervous system of neurological dysmyelinating mutants: quaking (Qk), shiverer (Shi), and trembler (Tr) mice. Cu/Zn-SOD activity was higher in the cerebellum of Qk and Shi mice (by 53% and 106%, respectively) in comparison with controls, but it was the same in the cerebellum of Tr mice and their corresponding controls. In contrast, there was no difference in the level of Cu/Zn-SOD activity in the cerebrum of Qk, Shi, and Tr mice and their respective controls. Mn-SOD activity was the same among all the mutants compared to control animals in both cerebrum and cerebellum. In Shi cerebellum, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities were slightly decreased (a 21.6% and a 13.2% diminution, respectively), whereas catalase activity in cerebrum and cerebellum was the same among mutants and control mice. In the sciatic nerve from Tr mice, all the enzymatic activities were enhanced: sixfold increase for total SOD, and 2.4-fold, 3.5-fold, and 1.8-fold increase for glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase, respectively.     

贝类毒素大田软海绵酸OA对小鼠肝脏还原型谷胱甘肽GSH、过氧化氢酶CAT、超氧化物岐化酶SOD的影响

为了探究腹腔注射贝类毒素OA对小鼠肝脏还原性谷胱甘肽（GSH）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的影响,采用对一月龄的小鼠腹腔注射不同浓度的OA,24h后取其小鼠肝脏测定还原性谷胱甘肽（GSH）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）各项指标。结果表明,测定注射OA毒素各剂量组的超氧化物歧化酶（GSH）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）3项指标均显著低于对照组。其中,GSH高剂量组和中剂量组差异性不显著。CAT高剂量组（96μg/h）、中剂量组（48μg／kg）、低剂量组（24μg/kg）各组变化显著,呈现一定的剂量-效应关系,SOD高中低各组差异性不显著。因此,在小鼠染毒OA24h后,还原性谷胱甘肽（GSH）,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）,过氧化氢酶（CAT）这3项指标均受到了显著性抑制作用,说明这3项指标对毒素OA较为敏感,其中CAT呈现了显著的剂量一效应关系。     

氯化钠胁迫下嫁接黄瓜叶片SOD和CAT mRNA基因表达及其活性

研究了NaCl胁迫下嫁接和自根黄瓜叶片Cu/Zn-SOD、Mn-SOD和CAT mRNA的表达与其酶活性变化及其MDA含量和电解质渗漏率变化.结果表明：在NaCl胁迫条件下,嫁接黄瓜叶片Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA、Mn-SOD mRNA和CAT mRNA的相对表达量均高于自根黄瓜,SOD、Cu/Zn-SOD、Mn-SOD和CAT活性也均高于自根黄瓜,说明与自根黄瓜相比,嫁接黄瓜叶片较高的Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA、Mn-SOD mRNA和CAT mRNA相对表达量是其维持较高Cu/Zn-SOD、Mn-SOD和CAT活性的重要原因;随着NaCl胁迫时间的延长,嫁接和自根黄瓜叶片Cu/Zn-SOD- mRNA、Mn-SOD mRNA和CAT mRNA的相对表达量均呈上升趋势,但其酶活性变化并不完全一致,说明还有其他因素参与相关酶活性的调控;嫁接黄瓜叶片MDA含量和电解质渗漏率均低于自根黄瓜,说明嫁接黄瓜具有较高的活性氧清除系统,可以减少活性氧物质的危害,提高其耐盐性.     

Increased level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in larvae of Chironomus ramosus (Diptera: Chironomidae) subjected to ionizing radiation

A battery of enzymes from the eukaryotic antioxidant defense system was measured in salivary gland and in whole body extract of fourth instar larvae of Chironomus ramosus with an objective of finding any clue for the dipteran insect's capacity to tolerate heavy doses of ionizing radiation. Levels of activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were quantified in 30 days old larvae exposed to LD₂₀ dose of gamma radiation. Compared to controls, activity of Cu,Zn-SOD increased 3 to 4 fold and catalase 2 fold in response to ionizing radiation stress, while activities of GR and GSH-Px enzymes were decreased. Among the other SOD isoenzymes, our results showed comparable levels of Mn-SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD activity in control and irradiated groups of larvae. The increase in levels of the Cu,Zn-SOD isoenzyme was also confirmed by Western blot and zymography supported by densitometric quantification. No evidence of Fe-SOD was found in C. ramosus larvae. These findings could help to explain the persistence of natural populations of Chironomus in radioactively contaminated regions.     

Effects of Cadmium on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Sugar Cane

Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L. cv. Copersucar SP80-3280) seedlings were grown in nutrient solution with varying concentrations (0, 2 and 5 mM) of cadmium chloride for 96 h. Leaves were analysed for catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Although a clear effect of CdCl₂ on plant growth was observed, the activity of SOD was not altered significantly. However, the CAT activity decreased as the concentration of CdCl₂ increased. GR exhibits a significant increase in activity at 2 and 5 mM CdCl₂. CAT and SOD isoenzymes were further characterised by analysis in non-denaturing PAGE. Activity staining for SOD revealed up to seven isoenzymes in untreated control and 2 mM CdCl₂ treated plants, corresponding to Cu/Zn-SOD isoenzymes. At 5 mM CdCl₂, only six Cu/Zn-SOD isoenzymes were observed. No Fe-SOD and Mn-SOD isoenzymes were detected. For CAT, one band of activity was observed.     

Effects of fluoride on hepatic antioxidant system and transcription of Cu/Zn SOD gene in young pigs

Thirty-two barrows (Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire) were randomly divided into four groups, each of which included eight pigs. The groups received the same basal diet supplemented with 0, 100, 250 and 400mg/kg fluoride, respectively. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, antioxidant enzymes activities and zinc/copper superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) mRNA content in the liver were determined to evaluate the fluoride hepatic intoxication. Results showed the increased lipid peroxides (LPO) level and the reduced GSH content, along with a concomitant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Moreover, the level of hepatic Cu/Zn SOD mRNA was also significantly reduced. We suggest the mechanism of fluoride injuring the liver as follows: fluoride causes a decrease in Cu/Zn SOD mRNA and the reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes, leads to the declined ability of scavenging free radicals with excessive production of LPO, which seriously damages the hepatic structure and function.     

Expression of antioxidant enzymes in human inflammatory cells

Because antioxidant enzymesmay have an important role in the oxidant resistance ofinflammatory cells, we investigated the mRNA levels and specificactivities of manganese and copper-zinc superoxide dismutases (Mn SODand Cu,Zn SOD), catalase (Cat), and glutathione peroxidase, as well asthe concentrations of glutathione (GSH) in human neutrophils,monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, and alveolar macrophages.Levels of GSH and glutathione peroxidase activity in monocytes werethree times higher than in neutrophils, whereas the mRNA of Cat was50-fold and its specific activity 4-fold higher in neutrophils.Although Mn SOD mRNA levels were higher in neutrophils, enzymeactivities, as well as those of Cu,Zn SOD, were similar in allphagocytic cells. Neutrophils lost their viability, assessed by adeninenucleotide depletion, within 24 h ex vivo and more rapidly if GSH wasdepleted. However, neutrophils were the most resistant cell type toexogenousH₂O₂.In conclusion, high Cat activity of neutrophils appears to explaintheir high resistance against exogenousH₂O₂,whereas low GSH content and GSH-related enzymes seem to account for thepoor survival of human neutrophils.

     

低氧-复氧胁迫对鲢抗氧化酶活性及Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达的影响

为探究低氧-复氧胁迫对鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)抗氧化酶活性及Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达的影响, 对鲢进行急性低氧、持续低氧及复氧实验, 进而分析血清、心脏和肝脏中不同抗氧化酶和SODs基因表达的变化特征。结果表明: 在急性低氧胁迫后, 血清中总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性随着氧浓度的降低均呈上升趋势, 但超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性呈先升后降的趋势。在持续低氧胁迫后, 血清中T-AOC和GSH-PX活性随着低氧胁迫时间的增加显著升高(P<0.05); 心脏中SOD活性显著高于常氧水平(P<0.05), 但Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达在低氧胁迫24h时显著低于常氧水平(P<0.05); 肝脏中SOD活性在低氧胁迫24h时显著高于常氧水平(P<0.05), 且Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达在低氧胁迫24h时也显著高于常氧水平(P<0.05)。复氧后, 血清、心脏和肝脏中T-AOC、SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性均能恢复至常氧水平, 且心脏和肝脏中Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达的也能恢复至常氧水平, 但肝脏中Mn-SOD基因表达恢复至常氧水平较在心脏中所需时间更少。因而, 鲢可以通过调节抗氧化酶的活性来保护自身免受氧化应激造成的损伤。研究为解析低氧胁迫下鲢抗氧化应激机制提供了基础。     

Oxidative stress in the testis of hyperglycemic rabbits treated with repaglinide

In the present study, the induction of oxidative stress was examined in the testis of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. In addition, the protective effect of repaglinide, an oral anti-diabetic, at a dose of 1 mg daily was studied after four and eight weeks of the treatment. For these purposes, the levels of superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA), lipid peroxidation products (LPO) and protein carbonyl groups (PCG) were quantified. Hyperglycemia resulted in significant increases in the antioxidative enzymes, Cu, Zn-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GSSG-R after four and eight weeks, respectively. There was also an increase in GSH level, and a decrease in the level of AA. These effects were accompanied by an elevation in testicular LPO levels and PCG levels. Repaglinide was found to normalize the activity of GSSG-R and levels of GSH and AA, and blunted the increased lipid peroxidation, however no decrease in PCG levels were observed. In conclusion, some oxidative changes provoked in the testis of rabbits by hyperglycemia, were found to be reduced with repaglinide treatment at therapeutic dose.     

Scavenger Enzyme Activities in Subcellular Fractions of White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) under PEG-induced Water Stress

Scavenger enzyme activities in subcellular fractions under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced water stress in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) were studied. Water stress decreased ascorbic acid (AA) content and catalase (CAT) activity and increased the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (measure of lipid peroxidation), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), its various isozymes, ascorbate peroxidase (APOX), and glutathione reductase (GR) in cellular cytosol, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and peroxisomes of Trifolium repens leaves. In both the PEG-treated plants and the control, chloroplastic fractions showed the highest total SOD, APOX, and GR activities, followed by mitochondrial fractions in the case of total SOD and GR activities, whereas cytosolic fractions had the second greatest APOX activity. However, CAT activity was the highest in peroxisomes, followed by the cytosol, mitochondria, and chloroplasts in decreasing order. Although Mn-SOD activity was highest in mitochondrial fractions, residual activity was also observed in cytosolic fractions. Cu/Zn-SOD and Fe-SOD were observed in all subcellular fractions; however, the activities were the highest in chloroplastic fractions for both isoforms. Total Cu/Zn-SOD activity, the sum of activities observed in all fractions, was higher than other SOD isoforms. These results suggest that cytosolic and chloroplastic APOX, chloroplastic and mitochondrial GR, mitochondrial Mn-SOD, cytosolic and chloroplastic Cu/Zn-SOD, and chloroplastic Fe-SOD are the major scavenger enzymes, whereas cellular CAT may play a minor role in scavenging of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ produced under PEG-induced water stress in Trifolium repens.     

低温胁迫下嫁接对黄瓜叶片SOD和CAT基因表达与活性变化的影响

研究了低温胁迫下嫁接和自根黄瓜叶片Mn-SOD、Cu/Zn-SOD和CAT mRNA基因表达和酶活性变化及其与抗冷性的关系.结果表明:低温胁迫下,嫁接与自根黄瓜叶片Cu/Zn-SOD、Mn-SOD mRNA基因相对表达量变化分别与其Cu/Zn-SOD、Mn-SOD活性变化相吻合,而CATmRNA相对表达量变化与其CAT活性变化并不一致;嫁接黄瓜叶片Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD mRNA相对表达量及SOD、Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD活性均高于自根黄瓜,MDA含量和电解质渗漏率均低于自根黄瓜,嫁接黄瓜较高的SOD基因表达量调控的较高SOD活性是其抗冷性强于自根黄瓜的主要因素;嫁接黄瓜的功能叶CAT mRNA相对表达量略高于自根黄瓜,而幼叶CAT mRNA相对表达量低于后者,但两者CAT活性差异不大,说明低温胁迫对嫁接黄瓜叶片CAT mRNA相对表达量及CAT活性的影响不大.     

Diethyldithiocarbamate inhibits in vivo Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and perturbs free radical processes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells

Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) and manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in some model experiments in vitro demonstrated antioxidant as well as pro-oxidant properties. In the present study, yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking Mn-SOD were studied using Cu,Zn-SOD inhibitor N-N'-diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) as a model system to study the physiological role of the yeast Cu,Zn-SOD. Yeast treatment by DDC caused dose-dependent inhibition of SOD in vivo, with 75% inhibition at 10mM DDC. The inhibition of SOD by DDC resulted in modification of carbonylprotein levels, indicated by a bell-shaped curve. The activity of glutathione reductase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (enzymes associated with antioxidant) increased, demonstrating a compensatory effect in response to SOD inhibition by different concentrations of DDC. A strong positive correlation (R2=0.97) was found between SOD and catalase activities that may be explained by the protective role of SOD for catalase. All observed effects were absent in the isogenic SOD-deficient strain that excluded direct DDC influence. The results are discussed from the point of view that in vivo Cu,Zn-SOD of S. cerevisiae can demonstrate both anti- and pro-oxidant properties.     

Antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation induced by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in PC12 cells

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is one of the major dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and induces apoptosis in several cancer cells. In this study, the EPA induced lipid peroxidation and response of antioxidative enzymes have been investigated in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells to elucidate the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by the polyunsaturated fatty acid EPA. We have analyzed superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and glutathione (GSH) contents in PC12 cells after exposure to different concentrations of EPA. Lipid peroxidation was shown to increase in the presence of EPA as an indication of the oxidative damage. Lipid peroxidation was enhanced by EPA in a dose-dependent manner, and the loss of cell viability was partially reversed by vitamin E. In the case of antioxidant enzyme activities, SOD and GPX activities and GSH contents increased significantly at 50 μmol/L EPA and were respectively 2.41-fold (p < 0.01), 3.49-fold (p < 0.05), and 1.43-fold (p < 0.05) higher than controls. The CAT activity at 10 μmol/L had the highest value and was increased by 25.83% (p < 0.05) compared to control. The results suggest that in PC12 cells the mechanism of apoptosis induced by EPA may be partly due to lipid peroxidation.     

Can we reduce oxidative stress with liver transplantation?

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the blood serum of patients with cirrhosis and liver transplantation.MethodsIn this study, serum malondialdehyde acid (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured spectrophotometrically and compared to the results of the healthy control group.ResultsSOD, CAT and GSH activities were significantly decreased in the patient groups compared to the healthy control group (p<0.05). MDA levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the healthy control group (p <0.05).ConclusionsIn conclusion, this study demonstrated that oxidative stress may play an important role in the development of liver cirrhosis and in liver transplantation. This study is the first one to show how MDA, SOD, CAT and GSH levels change in liver cirrhosis and liver transplantation, while further studies are essential to investigate antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress status in patients with cirrhosis and liver transplantation.     

Comparison between the effects of normoxia and hypoxia on antioxidant enzymes and glutathione redox state in ex vivo culture of CD34(+) cells

Hypoxia maintained biological characteristics of CD34(+) cells through keeping lower intracellular reactive oxygen specials (ROS) levels. The effects of normoxia and hypoxia on antioxidant enzymes and glutathione redox state were compared in this study. Hypoxia decreased the mRNA expression of both catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), but not affected mRNAs expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD). While the cellular GPX activities under hypoxia were apparently less than those under normoxia, neither SOD activities nor CAT activities were affected by hypoxia. The analysis of glutathione redox status and ROS products showed the lower oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, the higher reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, the higher GSH/GSSG ratios, and the less O(2)- and H(2)O(2) generation under hypoxia (versus normoxia). Meanwhile more primary CD34(+)CD38(-) cells were obtained when cultivation was performed under hypoxia or with N-acetyl cysteine (the precursor of GSH) under normoxia. These results demonstrated the different responses of anti-oxidative mechanism between normoxia and hypoxia. Additionally, the present study suggested that the GSH-GPX antioxidant system played an important role in HSPCs preservation by reducing peroxidation.