西方蜜蜂对氟吡呋喃酮和吡虫啉胁迫的响应

因新烟碱类农药对蜜蜂高毒,作为其潜在替代品的氟吡呋喃酮（Flupyradifurone,FPF）受到广泛关注。由于FPF被认为对“蜜蜂安全”,可在作物开花期使用,因而蜜蜂可能存在长期接触FPF的现象。农药胁迫下蜜蜂机体生理指标的响应是解析农药慢性毒性的基础。本文比较了FPF和吡虫啉（Imidacloprid,IMI）对蜜蜂存活率、解毒和氧化应激相关酶类以及免疫和凋亡相关基因表达的影响,结果表明,两种农药对哺育蜂的慢性经口毒性相近,均显著降低存活率,导致中肠组织损伤和细胞死亡,并且引起氧化应激、解毒和免疫反应。此外,幸存蜜蜂可能通过抑制过氧化物酶活性和下调细胞凋亡基因表达耐受农药胁迫。以上结果为解析两种农药慢性毒性和抗农药蜂种选育提供一定的理论依据。     

氟西汀对慢性不可预见应激模型大鼠海马磷脂酰乙醇胺的影响

摘要 目的：探讨氟西汀对慢性不可预见应激（Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress,CUS）模型大鼠海马内磷脂酰乙醇胺（phosphatidylethanolamine,PE）组成的影响。方法：（1）将24只SD大鼠随机分为对照组（Sham）、模型组（CUS）和氟西汀组（Flx）。CUS组和Flx组均接受CUS造模,并且在造模后接受生理盐水（1 mL/kg）或氟西汀（10 mg/kg）腹腔注射,连续14天;Sham不进行CUS造模,但是每天接受腹腔注射生理盐水。随后处死大鼠,取海马进行脂质组学分析,比较各处理组海马总的PE和PE小分子相对丰度、不同碳链长度和含不同不饱和键PE的相对丰度差异。结果：（1）与CUS组相比,Sham组PE相对丰度明显减低,而Flx组明显增高（P<0.05）;（2）与Sham组相比,CUS组9个PE小分子相对丰度发生变化,PE（34:1e）、PE（36:1p）、PE（36:2）、PE（36:2p）、PE（36:4）、PE（38:2）、PE（38:4）和PE（40:7）共8个上调（P<0.05或0.01）,PE（34:0p）下调（P<0.05）,CUS组碳链长度为36的PE丰度上升（P<0.05）,碳链长度为38的PE丰度下降（P<0.01）,CUS组含0个不饱和键、4个不饱和键的PE丰度下调（P<0.01, P<0.05）,而1个不饱和键的PE丰度上升（P<0.05）;（3）与CUS组相比,Flx组6个PE分子相对丰度减少,包括PE（34:1e）、PE（36:2）、PE（36:4）、PE（38:1p）、PE（38:6e）和PE（40:5p）（P<0.05或0.01）,Flx组碳链长度为34的PE丰度下降（P<0.05）,碳链长度为36的PE水平升高（P<0.05）,Flx组含1个不饱和键的PE丰度下调（P<0.05）,差异具有统计学意义。结论：氟西汀可以调节CUS模型大鼠海马的PE水平。     

水分胁迫下山黧豆多胺代谢与 β-N-草酰-L-α ,β-二氨基丙酸积累相关性的研究

为了研究水分胁迫下山黧豆 (LathyrussativusL .)叶片中多胺代谢与 β_N_草酰_L_α,β_二氨基丙酸 (ODAP)积累的相关关系 ,利用聚乙二醇 (PEG)对山黧豆幼苗进行水分胁迫处理 ,同时加入腐胺 (Put) ,α_二氟甲基精氨酸(DFMA)和Put DFMA。实验结果表明 ,随PEG处理时间的延长 ,山黧豆幼苗叶片中Put、亚精胺 (Spd)和精胺 (Spm)含量逐渐增加 ,特别是Spm含量增加显著 ,同时ODAP逐渐积累 ;在PEG处理的同时 ,加入Put使得Put、Spd含量显著增加 ,但对Spm影响不大 ,同样对ODAP含量影响也较小 ;加入DFMA可显著抑制Put、Spd、Spm的积累 ,同时也抑制了ODAP的积累 ;加入Put DFMA ,Put可以部分地减缓DFMA对两种内源多胺 (Put和Spd)合成的抑制作用 ,但对Spm所受DFMA的抑制作用影响不大 ,这时ODAP的积累也受到抑制。由此可见 ,水分胁迫对山黧豆幼苗叶片中多胺特别是Spm含量的增加与ODAP的积累密切相关。     

芹菜素对大鼠睾丸标志酶及氧化还原平衡的影响

本文主要探究芹菜素对雄性大鼠睾丸标志酶活力及氧化还原平衡的影响,并探讨其作用机制。通过将48只雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组,分别灌胃给予生理盐水(NS)10 mL/kg、芹菜素(AP)234、468、936 mg/kg 35 d,末次灌胃24 h后,测定大鼠睾丸标志酶及氧化还原平衡相关指标。结果发现,大鼠睾丸ACP、AKP、LDH活力及GSH含量显著降低(P0.05),Ca2+Mg2+-ATP升高(P0.05)。低剂量组SOD/(GSH-Px+CAT)降低,T-AOC升高,MDA降低(P0.05),中剂量组SOD/(GSH-Px+CAT)升高,T-AOC升高(P0.05),高剂量组SOD/(GSH-Px+CAT)升高,T-AOC降低(P0.05)。结果表明芹菜素具有抗氧化和促氧化的双重作用。本实验中AP 234、468 mg/kg主要表现为抗氧化作用,936 mg/kg表现出促氧化作用。此外,AP 234、468、936 mg/kg能降低睾丸标志酶活力。     

氟吡呋喃酮对蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂生物学及温室种群动态的影响

氟吡呋喃酮和蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂Eretmocerus mundus均是控制烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci的有效作用因子,明确氟吡呋喃酮对蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂的作用对协调应用化学农药和生防天敌绿色防控烟粉虱有重要意义。本研究首先在室内测定了氟吡呋喃酮对蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂的亚致死浓度（LC15）和致死中浓度（LC50）,并研究了氟吡呋喃酮亚致死剂量对蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂的寿命、寄生率、发育历期和羽化率等生物学指标的影响,进一步在温室内研究了氟吡呋喃酮推荐浓度对蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂种群动态的影响。结果表明,氟吡呋喃酮对蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂亚致死浓度（LC15）和致死中浓度（LC50）分别为4.397 mg ai/L和35.1 mg ai/L,与对照相比,在两种浓度处理下蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂的寿命分别缩短39.3%和59%,发育历期分别延长5.9%和39.3%,寄生率分别减少22.5%和23.5%,羽化率分别减少4.43%和8.36%。温室试验表明,随用药时间的延长,蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂数量降低。药后3~15 d蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂种群数量减少21.7%~62.9%,显著低于对照,但用药18 d后种群下降趋势逐渐平缓,与对照处理相比差异不显著。该研究结果为协调应用氟吡呋喃酮和桨角蚜小蜂绿色防控烟粉虱提供了依据。     

七氟醚预处理对缺血再灌注损伤大鼠的神经保护作用及机制研究

目的:探讨七氟醚对大鼠缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法:选取48只体重260 g±10 g的健康雄性SD大鼠,随机分为假手术组、损伤组及七氟醚组。假手术组大鼠分离右侧颈总动脉及颈外动脉结扎,不进入颅内置入线栓。损伤组吸入100%纯氧60min之后对右颈内动脉采用尼龙线线栓法制备大脑中动脉阻闭模型(MCAO),七氟醚组吸入2.5%七氟醚(2.5%七氟醚及97.5%氧气)60 min后再行MCAO模型制备。3组大鼠缺血2 h后,进行再灌注24 h。观察三组大鼠的神经功能评分及脑组织TNF-α和IL-1β蛋白水平。结果:假手术组大鼠神经功能评分中位数为18分;损伤组评分中位数为7分;七氟醚组大鼠评分中位数为13分,三组大鼠的评分分布差异具有统计学意义(x2=35.784,P=0.000)。各组大鼠脑组织TNF-α和IL-1β蛋白总体水平差异具有统计学意义(F=15.201,P=0.00;F=26.879,P=0.000)。进一步两两比较后,损伤组TNF-α和IL-1β蛋白水平高于七氟醚组及假手术组,七氟醚组高于假手术组,但远低于损伤组水平,P=0.000。结论:七氟醚对大鼠神经功能有一定保护作用,其机制可能与其影响大鼠脑组织TNF-α及IL-1β蛋白水平,减轻脑缺血再灌注后组织炎症反应有关。     

邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯对睾丸的毒性作用及机制

邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯（DEHP）是目前使用最广泛的增塑剂之一,DEHP具有毒性,长期暴露会对机体的多个系统产生损害,特别是对雄性生殖系统的毒性作用更为明显。DEHP通过诱导氧化应激、调控细胞自噬,促进生精细胞和睾丸间质细胞凋亡、抑制睾酮合成、破坏血-睾屏障、诱导睾丸支持细胞铁死亡以及影响子代雄性的表观遗传等,造成生殖器官的病理损伤。本文就DEHP对睾丸的毒性作用及机制进行综述,拟为男性生殖障碍的防治研究提供新思路。     

氟对大鼠肝组织细胞凋亡与DNA损伤的影响

目的研究大鼠染氟后肝组织细胞凋亡及DNA损伤情况。方法 SD大鼠随机分为对照组、低氟组、中氟组、高氟组,每组12只,分别饮用含氟化钠为0、50、100、200 mg/L的去离子水,均饲标准营养大鼠饲料,染氟120 d。肉眼观察牙齿的变化,采用氟离子选择电极法测定大鼠尿氟,HE染色观察组织病理学变化,彗星实验检测细胞DNA损伤,流式细胞术检测肝脏组织细胞凋亡率。结果低氟组、中氟组、高氟组大鼠尿氟分别为（23.52±2.91）、（30.16±4.78）、（61.23±3.98）mg/L,均显著高于对照组（0.07±0.02）mg/L,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。不同剂量染氟大鼠肝组织细胞呈现不同程度肿胀,肝组织内出现多种灶状病变。各染氟组大鼠肝细胞拖尾率及拖尾长度与相应的对照组相比,差异均有统计学意义,并且肝细胞拖尾率及拖尾长度随染氟剂量的加大而增大。不同剂量染氟组细胞凋亡率与对照组相比,均明显增高,而且高、中氟组肝细胞凋亡率显著高于低氟组（P〈0.01）。结论氟化物可导致大鼠肝细胞DNA损伤,诱导细胞凋亡,一定浓度的氟化物诱导大鼠肝细胞凋亡与DNA损伤之间存在着相关性。     

外泌体对睾丸微环境调控机制研究及应用进展

外泌体（exsomes）是一类具有生物活性的双层脂质组成的小囊泡,可携带不同类型的信息物质与受体细胞结合,通过信息传递与物质交换,促发受体细胞的表型发生变化。本文总结了在睾丸微环境中,外泌体通过调节细胞因子促进睾丸微环境中细胞增殖、调节细胞免疫维持睾丸免疫环境、调节氧化应激修复受体细胞功能、调节细胞自噬改善生精能力、调节细胞凋亡改善精子发生、调节细胞因子影响睾酮分泌等机制维持睾丸微环境稳态,并对外泌体在男科相关疾病预防、诊断、治疗中的作用进行归纳,外泌体在男性不育、勃起功能障碍、精索静脉曲张、性腺功能减退、前列腺癌等疾病诊疗中具备明显优势。外泌体作为一种新兴的应用物质,随着外泌体工程和提取工艺的不断优化,以及相关机制研究的不断深入,外泌体在男科疾病中的临床运用成为可能,有望成为治疗男科疾病的新手段。     

姜黄素及其类似物J7对2型糖尿病大鼠睾丸氧化应激损伤的干预作用*

目的: 研究姜黄素(CUR)及其类似物J7对糖尿病大鼠睾丸氧化应激损伤的干预作用。方法: 60只SD大鼠随机分组,其中10只作为正常(NC)组,余50只通过高脂饮食和腹腔注射链脲佐菌素诱导建立糖尿病大鼠模型,造模成功后将其再分为4组:糖尿病(DM,n=12)组、姜黄素治疗(CUR,n=10)组、J7高剂量治疗(J+,n=10)组、J7低剂量治疗(J-,n=10)组。CUR组大鼠每天予以姜黄素20 mg/kg灌胃治疗,J+及J-组分别予以J7 20 mg/kg、10 mg/kg灌胃治疗,8周后处死大鼠,测量各组大鼠体重、空腹血糖,羟胺法和硫代巴比妥酸法分别检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量,Western blot法检测tNrf2、pNrf2、CAT、NQO1蛋白表达水平,qRT-PCR检测CAT、NQO1、HO1 mRNA表达水平,光镜下观察大鼠睾丸形态学改变,免疫组化检测Nrf2及CAT蛋白表达情况。结果: DM组血糖、MDA水平升高(P＜0.05),体重、SOD活性、pNrf2/tNrf2、CAT、NQO1蛋白及CAT、NQO1、HO1 mRNA水平均有下降(P＜0.05);光镜下见睾丸各级生精细胞减少、排列紊乱;免疫组化显示Nrf2蛋白核周表达量下降,CAT蛋白表达水平降低。经姜黄素及J7治疗后,三个治疗组的MDA水平均下降(P＜0.05),SOD活性、pNrf2/tNrf2、CAT、NQO1蛋白及NQO1、HO1 mRNA水平均上升(P＜0.05),J+及J-组血糖显著下降(P＜0.05),J+组CAT mRNA水平显著上升(P＜0.05);J+组pNrf2/tNrf2比值明显高于CUR组及J-组(P＜0.05),J+组CAT蛋白水平也明显高于J-组(P＜0.05),其余指标在三个治疗组间不具有显著性差异。光镜下见三个治疗组睾丸形态学病变减轻;免疫组化显示Nrf2蛋白核周表达量上升,CAT蛋白表达水平升高。提示高剂量J7抗糖尿病大鼠睾丸的氧化应激损伤的能力较强。结论: 姜黄素及J7可在一定程度上对抗糖尿病大鼠睾丸的氧化应激损伤,其机制可能与Nrf2-ARE信号通路的激活相关。     

西洛他唑对大鼠颈总动脉球囊损伤后内膜增生及氧化应激的影响

目的:探讨西洛他唑对大鼠颈总动脉球囊损伤后内膜增生的抑制作用和血管壁氧化应激的影响。方法:SD大鼠24只,随机分组:假手术组、损伤组及西洛他唑治疗组。采用球囊损伤大鼠左侧颈总动脉,于术后2周处死大鼠,取损伤血管标本,进行HE染色、免疫组化染色及原位DHE染色,检测内膜增生、平滑肌细胞增殖及血管壁局部ROS水平。结果:球囊损伤2周后,血管壁内膜显著增生,西洛他唑治疗后内膜增生显著抑制,两组相比P<0.05。PCNA免疫组化染色:假手术组未见PCNA阳性细胞,损伤组PCNA阳性细胞面积百分比明显高于西洛他唑组,主要分布于新生内膜和内弹力膜区域(P<0.05)。原位DHE染色:球囊损伤后局部ROS水平显著升高,较假手术组差异显著P<0.05,西洛他唑干预后局部ROS水平显著降低(P<0.05)。结论:新型抗血小板制剂西洛他唑可显著抑制大鼠颈总动脉球囊损伤后内膜增生及局部氧化应激,抑制局部氧化应激可能是西洛他唑抑制内膜增生的机制之一。     

Cellular Mechanisms of Resistance to Chronic Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is implicated in several pathologies such as AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as in normal aging. As a model system to study the response of cells to oxidative insults, glutamate toxicity on a mouse nerve cell line, HT-22, was examined. Glutamate exposure kills HT-22 via a nonreceptor-mediated oxidative pathway by blocking cystine uptake and causing depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH), leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and, ultimately, apoptotic cell death. Several HT-22 subclones that are 10-fold resistant to exogenous glutamate were isolated and the mechanisms involved in resistance characterized. The expression levels of neither heat shock proteins nor apoptosis-related proteins are changed in the resistant cells. In contrast, the antioxidant enzyme catalase, but not glutathione peroxidase nor superoxide dismutase, is more highly expressed in the resistant than in the parental cells. In addition, the resistant cells have enhanced rates of GSH regeneration due to higher activities of the GSH metabolic enzymes γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase and GSH reductase, and GSH S-transferases activities are also elevated. As a consequence of these alterations, the glutamate resistant cells are also more resistant to organic hydroperoxides and anticancer drugs that affect these GSH enzymes. These results indicate that resistance to apoptotic oxidative stress may be acquired by coordinated changes in multiple antioxidant pathways.     

TLR2促进大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤中的炎症反应和氧化应激

目的:探究肾缺血再灌注损伤对Toll样受体2(Toll-like receptors 2, TLR2)信号路径的影响,以及TLR2在肾缺血灌注中的作用。方法:将21只Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham)、肾缺血再灌注模型组(I/R)和T2.5处理组(T2.5)。缺血再灌注24小时后,采集心脏血和左肾组织。对肾组织进行病理学分析,采用试剂盒检测血清肌酐(Cr)和血尿素氮(BUN)水平,采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)和免疫印迹分析(Western blot)检测肾组织炎症和氧化应激变化。结果:与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠肾组织出现明显损伤,T2.5处理能有效改善肾组织损伤,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠血清Cr、BUN水平显著上升,而T2.5能显著抑制血清Cr、BUN升高、减轻肾损伤(P0.05)。与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠肾组织TLR2、TLR4相对表达量显著上升,T2.5能显著抑制肾组织TLR2、TLR4的升高,调节TLR信号通路(P0.05)。与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠的NF-k B表达及磷酸化水平显著上升(P0.05),T2.5能够显著下调I/R大鼠的NF-kB磷酸化水平(P0.05),对NF-kB的表达则无明显影响(P0.05)。与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠肾组织中促炎因子IL-6、IL-1β和TNF-α的浓度均显著上升(P0.05),T2.5能通过显著下调IL-6和IL-1β水平来改善I/R大鼠的炎症水平(P0.05),但对TNF-α的水平无明显影响(P0.05)。与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠的SOD活力显著下降,T2.5能显著逆转该下降趋势(P0.05);而模型组大鼠的MDA活力显著上升(P0.05),T2.5处理对I/R大鼠的MDA活力无明显影响(P0.05)。结论:TLR2在缺血再灌注损伤中促进了炎症反应和氧化应激,其机制与激活TLR信号路径,促进NF-kB磷酸化,进一步调节促炎因子的释放和抗氧化酶的活性有关。     

Venlafaxine Modulates Depression-Induced Oxidative Stress in Brain and Medulla of Rat

Venlafaxine is an approved antidepressant that is an inhibitor of both serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. Medical treatment with oral venlafaxine can be beneficial to depression due to reducing free radical production in the brain and medulla of depression- induced rats because oxidative stress may a play role in some depression. We investigated the effect of venlafaxine administration and experimental depression on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in cortex brain, medulla and erythrocytes of rats. Thirty male wistar rats were used and were randomly divided into three groups. Venlafaxine (20 mg/kg) was orally supplemented to depression-induced rats constituting the first group for four week. Second group was depression-induced group although third group was used as control. Depressions in the first and second groups were induced on day zero of the study by chronic mild stress. Brain, medulla and erythrocytes samples were taken from all animals on day 28. Depression resulted in significant decrease in the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and vitamin C concentrations of cortex brain, glutathione (GSH) value of medulla although their levels were increased by venlafaxine administration to the animals of depression group. The lipid peroxidation levels in the three tissues and nitric oxide value in cortex brain elevated although their levels were decreased by venlafaxine administration. There were no significant changes in cortex brain vitamin A, erythrocytes vitamin C, GSH-Px and GSH, medulla vitamin A, GSH and GSH-Px values. In conclusion, cortex brain within the three tissues was most affected by oxidative stress although there was the beneficial effect of venlafaxine in the brain of depression-induced rats on investigated antioxidant defenses in the rat model. The treatment of depression by venlafaxine may also play a role in preventing oxidative stress. Abstract of the paper was submitted in 1st Ion Channels and Oxidative Stress Congress, 14–16 September 2006, Isparta, Turkey.     

Age-related Oxidative Modifications of Proteins and Lipids in Rat Brain

Oxidants have been shown to play a major role in ageing and ageing-related neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ageing on oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in brain homogenate, mitochondria and synaptosomes of adult (6-month-old), old (15-month-old), and senescent (26-month-old) Wistar rats. There was a significant increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and conjugated dienes in homogenates, which indicate increased lipid peroxidation (LPO). Oxidative modifications of homogenate proteins were demonstrated by a loss of sulfhydryl content, accumulation of dityrosines and formation of protein conjugates with LPO-end products. Increase in protein conjugates with LPO-end products and a decrease in SH groups were observed also in mitochondria and synaptosomes, but dityrosine content was elevated only in synaptosomes. Protein surface hydrophobicity, measured by fluorescent probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), was increased only in homogenate. These results suggest that besides mitochondria and synaptosomes other cellular compartments are oxidatively modified during brain ageing.     

Acidosis Potentiates Oxidative Neuronal Death by Multiple Mechanisms

Both acidosis and oxidative stress contribute to ischemic brain injury. The present study examines interactions between acidosis and oxidative stress in murine cortical cultures. Acidosis (pH 6.2) was found to potentiate markedly neuronal death induced by H2O2 exposure. To determine if this effect was mediated by decreased antioxidant capacity at low pH, the activities of several antioxidant enzymes were measured. Acidosis was found to reduce the activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase by 50-60% (p < 0.001) and the activity of glutathione reductase by 20% (p < 0.01) in lysates of the cortical cultures. Like acidosis, direct inhibition of glutathione peroxidase with mercaptosuccinate also potentiated H2O2 toxicity. Because acidosis may accelerate hydroxyl radical production by the Fenton reaction, the effect of iron chelators was also examined. Both desferrioxamine and N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine, two structurally different iron chelators, significantly reduced H2O2-induced neuronal death under both pH 7.2 and pH 6.2 conditions. These results suggest that the increased cell death produced by severe acidosis during cerebral ischemia may result in part from exacerbation of oxidative injury. This exacerbation may result from both impaired antioxidant enzyme functions and increased intracellular free iron levels.     

Effect of Chronic N-Acetyl Cysteine Administration on Oxidative Status in the Presence and Absence of Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Striatum

Antioxidants have possible therapeutic value in neurodegenerative disorders, although they may have pro-oxidant effects under certain conditions. Glutathione (GSH) is a key free radical scavenger. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) bolsters GSH and intracellular cysteine and also has effective free radical scavenger properties. The effects of chronic NAC administration (50 mg/kg/day, 500 mg/kg/day, 1500 mg/kg/day × 21 days) on cellular markers of oxidative status was studied in striatum of healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats as well as in animals with apparent striatal oxidative stress following chronic haloperidol treatment (1.5 mg/kg/day × 3 weeks). In non-haloperidol treated animals, NAC 50 and 500 mg/kg did not affect oxidative status, although NAC 1,500 mg/kg significantly increased striatal superoxide levels, decreased lipid peroxidation and increased consumption of reduced glutathione (GSH). Haloperidol alone evoked a significant increase in superoxide and lipid peroxidation. All NAC doses blocked haloperidol induced increases in superoxide levels, while NAC 500 mg/kg and 1,500 mg/kg prevented haloperidol-associated lipid peroxidation levels and also increased the GSSG/GSH ratio. NAC may protect against conditions of striatal oxidative stress, although possible pro-oxidative actions at high doses in otherwise healthy individuals, e.g. to offset worsening of neurodegenerative illness, should be viewed with caution.     

The Effects of Triiodothyronine on Rat Testis: A Morphometric and Immunohistochemical Study

The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine (T₃) on rat testis both morphometrically and immunohistochemically with determining of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) expression. Adult male Wistar-albino rats used in the study were divided into two groups; control and T₃-treated groups. After T₃ treatment there was observed to be a decrease in testicular weights, diameters of seminiferous tubules and the number of sertoli cells, and an increase in the number of leydig cells (P<0.05). Some of the seminiferous tubule lumens of T₃ administrated rats had cellular debris. IGF-I was localized in sertoli cells, late spermatids and leydig cells of all groups. IGF-I immunoreactivity in T₃ treated rats was higher than in controls in all stages of the cycle of rat seminiferous epithelium, but the staining intensity of leydig cells were similar in both groups. In conclusion, the present results suggest that T₃ may modulate the testicular function by affecting IGF-I activity at the gonadal level.     

Role of Synthesized Organoselenium Compounds on Protection of Rat Erythrocytes from DMBA-Induced Oxidative Stress

Formation of free radicals is not limited to normal cellular process but also occur upon exposure to certain chemicals (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, cadmium, lead, etc.), cigarette smoke, radiation, and high-fat diet. Free-radical damage is an important factor in many pathological and toxicological processes. Selenium, an essential micronutrient, is a associated with antioxidant functions, physiological defense mechanisms against different diseases including several types of cancers. Search for new selenium compounds with more chemopreventive activities and less toxicities are in progress. In addition, there has been a growing interest in the synthesis of organoselenium compounds with respect to their use in enzymology and bioorganic chemistry. In the present study, adult female Wistar rats were treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and the organoselenium compounds [1-isopropyl-3-methylbenzimidazole-2-selenone (Se I) and 1, 3-di-p-methoxybenzylpyrimidine-2-selenone (Se II)] in determined doses. The protective effects of synthetic organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II) against DMBA-induced changes in antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR)) activities, total GSH, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of rat erythrocyte were investigated. The DMBA-treated group exhibited significant decreases in the levels of erythrocyte GSH-Px, CAT, and GR activities, an increase in MDA levels, and a decrease in total GSH level compared to the control. Se I and Se II fully or partially restored enzyme activity. Lipid peroxidation was also decreased in Se-I- and Se-II-treated groups.     

New Molecular Mechanisms on the Activation of TRPM2 Channels by Oxidative Stress and ADP-Ribose

The Na⁺ and Ca²⁺-permeable melastatin related transient receptor potential (TRPM2) cation channels can be gated either by ADP-ribose (ADPR) in concert with Ca²⁺ or by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), an experimental model for oxidative stress, and binding to the channel’s enzymatic Nudix domain. Since the mechanisms that lead to TRPM2 inhibiting in response to ADPR and H₂O₂ are not understood, I reviewed the effects of various inhibitors such as flufenamic acid and PARP inhibitors on ADPR, NAD⁺ and H₂O₂-induced TRPM2 currents. In our experimental study, TRPM2 cation channels in chinese hamster ovary transected cells were gated both by ADPR and NAD⁺. In addition, H₂O₂ seems to activate TRPM2 by changing to the hydroxyl radical in the intracellular space after passing the plasma membrane. Experimental studies with respect to patch-clamp and Ca²⁺ imaging, inhibitor roles of antioxidants are also summarized in the review.