• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2003

Pycnogenol (PYC) is believed to have potential as a therapeutic agent against free radical-mediated oxidative stress. It is important, therefore, to understand the interactions between PYC and cellular defenses against oxidative stress. Toward this end, we analyzed the survival rates on the gene expression responses of E. coli sod katG mutants to PYC after pre-treatment of PQ or H$_2$O$_2$-mediated stress under aerobic conditions. We identified SOD induced by PYC, but not HP1 in sod hate mutants. A striking result was the PYC induction of SOD with antioxidant property in single katG mutant cells, particularly MnSOD and CuZnSOD. These inductions were further increased with oxidative stress, while HP1 was not induced in these conditions. The effects of pycnogenol treatment on these cells depend in part on its concentration on the stress response. Protective effects of PYC exposure which affected gene expression in cells were consistent with cell survival rates. Our results demonstrate that pycnogenol may alter the stress response gene expression in a specific manner such as SOXRS because PYC induction of single mutant only worked under increased PQ stress. All together our data indicate that SOD activity is essential for the cellular defense against PQ-mediated oxidative stress, suggesting that PYC may not be effective as an antioxidant in only oxidative stress conditions. On the other hand, it was expected that PYC may play a role as a pro-oxidant and if it is available for use, it should be evaluated carefully.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.141-148
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• 2021

Microplastic contamination in waterbodies is a growing source of concern for researchers and other stakeholders. We investigated oxidative stress and toxicity in goldfish (Carassius auratus) in response to exposure to 1-㎛ diameter micro-polystyrene (MP) at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 beads/mL (MP 0, MP 10, MP 100, and MP 1000 groups) for 7 d (at day 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7). We analyzed the survival rates; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) mRNA expression levels in the liver; SOD and CAT activity in the plasma; caspase-3 mRNA expression in the liver; and the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in plasma. Terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were also conducted to determine apoptosis levels in the liver. All fish in the MP 1000 group died by day 7 and the MP 100 group had a lower survival rate than the MP 10 and MP 0 groups. The mRNA expression as well as SOD, CAT, and caspase-3 activity levels were increased significantly with increases in MP concentration and exposure time. Finally, according to the TUNEL assay, more apoptosis was observed in the MP 1000 group at day 5 than in other groups. In summary, MP concentrations above 100 beads/mL caused death and oxidative stress to goldfish. We conclude that MP can cause oxidative stress and apoptosis in goldfish, which leads to death.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.46-61
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: An increasing life expectancy in society has burdened healthcare systems substantially because of the rising prevalence of age-related metabolic diseases. This study compared the effects of animal protein hydrolysate (APH) and casein on metabolic diseases using aged mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Eight-week-old and 50-week-old C57BL/6J mice were used as the non-aged (YC group) and aged controls (NC group), respectively. The aged mice were divided randomly into 3 groups (NC, low-APH [LP], and high-APH [HP] and fed each experimental diet for 12 weeks. In the LP and HP groups, casein in the AIN-93G diet was substituted with 16 kcal% and 24 kcal% APH, respectively. The mice were sacrificed when they were 63-week-old, and plasma and hepatic lipid, white adipose tissue weight, hepatic glucose, lipid, and antioxidant enzyme activities, immunohistochemistry staining, and mRNA expression related to the glucose metabolism on liver and muscle were analyzed. RESULTS: Supplementation of APH in aging mice resulted in a significant decrease in visceral fat (epididymal, perirenal, retroperitoneal, and mesenteric fat) compared to the negative control (NC) group. The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and area under the curve analysis revealed insulin resistance in the NC group, which was alleviated by APH supplementation. APH supplementation reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis and increased glucose utilization in the liver and muscle. Furthermore, APH supplementation improved hepatic steatosis by reducing the hepatic fatty acid and phosphatidate phosphatase activity while increasing the hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity. Furthermore, in the APH supplementation groups, the red blood cell (RBC) thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hepatic H₂O₂ levels decreased, and the RBC glutathione, hepatic catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities increased. CONCLUSIONS: APH supplementation reduced visceral fat accumulation and alleviated obesity-related metabolic diseases, including insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, in aged mice. Therefore, high-quality animal protein APH that reduces the molecular weight and enhances the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score has potential as a dietary supplement for healthy aging.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 1988

The effect of antioxidants on the myocardial cellular damage which occurs during reoxygenation of hypoxic myocardium was examined in isolated rat hearts. The roles of oxygen free radical and lipid peroxidation in reoxygenation injury of myocardium were also investigated. In Langenorff preparation of isolated rat heart, which was made hypoxic by perfusion with the substrate free, hypoxic cardioplegic solution ($37^{\circ}C$, 90 min), the release of cytosolic enzymes (creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase) and a lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde into the coronary effluent were abruptly increased by reoxygenation. The release of enzymes was closely parallel to that of MDA. These increases of enzymes and lipid peroxidation product were suppressed to various degrees in the presence of scavengers of superoxide anion (superoxide dismutase, 10,000 U), hydrogen peroxide (catalase, 25,000 U) and hydroxyl radical (dimethyl sulfoxide, 10%). A natural antioxidant, ${\alpha}-tocopherol$(4.5 uM) and a synthetic one, butylated hydroxytoluene (2 uM) suppressed the release of cytosolic enzymes with the concomittent reduction of lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde release into the coronary effluent. These effects of antioxidants were dose dependent, and were more pronounced when the antioxidants were administered throughout hypoxic and reoxygenation periods than given during reoxygenation period only. These results suggest that cytotoxic oxygen free radicals produced in the myocardium during reoxygenation may be responsible fur the myocardial cellular injury by enhancing the lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes. Furthermore, the antioxidants may exert protective effect against reoxygenation damage of hypoxic myocardium through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation reaction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.1487-1492
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• 2012

Antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects of extracts from Cichorium endivia L. (CEL) on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in neuronal cells were investigated. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the water and ethanolic extracts from CEL were $36.2{\pm}0.99$, $37.2{\pm}3.76$ mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, and $46.9{\pm}5.22$, $53.86{\pm}5.09$ mg catechin equivalent/g extract, respectively. In addition, antioxidant activities of the extracts were also determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and reducing power. In an MTT assay on the neuronal cells, the extracts showed a protective effect by increasing cell viability on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in neuronal cells. Antioxidative enzyme (superoxide dismutase: SOD, catalase: CAT) levels in cultured neuronal cells were increased in the presence of extracts from CEL. It was found that CEL extracts inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced Bcl-2 and Bax expression in neuronal cells. These results indicate that the CEL extracts possess an antioxidant activity.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2001

Oxidative stress and defense system of SD-rats were studied with an edible Nigerian mushroom, namely, Lentinus tuber-regium (Fries) Singer. Experimental diets prepared with Lentinus tuber-regium (LTR) instead of carbohydrates were fed to SD rats for 6 weeks. Hydrolxyl radical $({\cdot}OH)$ formations were significantly inhibited (21.7% and 16.4%, respectively). In LTR-50 and LTR-100 groups used instead of carbohydrates, and hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide (NO) were also significantly inhibited by 10%, and $6{\sim}10%$, respectively compared with control group, but there was no significant changes in superoxide radical $({O_2}^-)$ formations in these groups. Lipid peroxide (LPO) and oxidized protein (OP) levels as an oxidative stress were desirably inhibited ($6{\sim}12%\;and\;5{\sim}13%$, respectively) in these LTR groups compared with control group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly increased ($15{\sim}50%,\;10{\sim}25%\;and\;60{\sim}90%$, respectively) in these LTR groups. These results suggest that an edible mushroom, Lentinus tuber-regium may inhibit an oxygen radicals and oxidative stresses, but may also effectively modulate an aging processes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.281-287
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• 2006

Cigarette smoke causes atypical structure of pulmonary and oxidative damage. Therefore, we carried out to determine if exposure to cigarette smoke alters pulmonary structure and anti-oxidant related enzyme in a animal model, when natural product extracts using by Nebulizer. The rat were divided into four groups: $H_2O-treated$ (Control), natural product (Camellia sinensis) extracts-treated (CS), natural product extracts-treated with cigarette smoke-exposed (CS+SM) and cigarette smoke-expose (SM). All groups are similar to Control group in weight, but SM group is lower than the other groups. Microscopic image of the pulmonary structure in SM group showed deleterious alterations in the morphology, but the other groups are maintained in normal structure. In anti-oxidant related enzymes, SOD (superoxide dismutase) and catalase, SM group represents the lowest enzyme activity among all groups. But G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and LPO (lipid peroxidation) is SM group represents the highest enzyme activity among all groups. These result indicate that the natural product extracts is an efficient tissue protective substance against smoke-induced lung injury.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2014

Red yeast rice (RYR) has been known to exhibit various biological effects, including anti-hyperlipidemia, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammtory activities. Oxidative stress is a main risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect of RYR on rats fed a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with either 0.2%, 1%, or 5% RYR for 4 weeks. We measured lipid profiles in the plasma and liver, antioxidant enzyme activities in plasma and erythrocyte, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in the liver, and oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes. The group supplemented with 0.2% RYR had total cholesterol level in plasma decreased by 24%, while the group supplemented with 5% RYR had high-density cholesterol increased by 20% compared to the control. The antioxidant enzyme activities were also affected by RYR supplementation. Total superoxide dismutase activities in plasma significantly decreased by 11% in the 1% RYR group, while these activities in the liver significantly decreased by 16% and 21% in the 1% and 5% supplemented group compared to the control, respectively. Glutathione peroxidase activities in plasma and erythrocytes increased 13% and 48% in the 1% RYR group, respectively. Catalase (CAT) activity in erythrocytes significantly increased by 49% and 68% in the 1% and 5% RYR group compared to the control, respectively. The gene expression of CAT was up-regulated 7.9 fold compared to the control in the 5% RYR supplemented group. These results suggest that RYR can control hyperlipidemia by improving the lipid profile and modulating oxidative stress.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.549-564
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between harmful free radicals and antioxidants. Long-term oxidative stress can lead to an "exhausted" status of antioxidant defense system triggering development of metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation. Green perilla (Perilla frutescens) is commonly used in Asian cuisines and traditional medicine in southeast Asia. Green perilla possesses numerous beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. To investigate the potentials of green perilla leaf extract (PE) on oxidative stress, we induced oxidative stress by high-fat diet (HFD) in aging mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6J male mice were fed HFD continuously for 53 weeks. Then, mice were divided into three groups for 12 weeks: a normal diet fed reference group (NDcon), high-fat diet fed group (HDcon), and high-fat diet PE treated group (HDPE, 400 mg/kg of body weight). Biochemical analyses of serum and liver tissues were performed to assess metabolic and inflammatory damage and oxidative status. Hepatic gene expression of oxidative stress and inflammation related enzymes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: PE improved hepatopathology. PE also improved the lipid profiles and antioxidant enzymes, including hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver. Hepatic gene expressions of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory related enzymes, such as SOD-1, CAT, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) were significantly enhanced by PE. PE also reduced the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and liver; moreover, PE suppressed hepatic gene expression involved in pro-inflammatory response; Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). CONCLUSIONS: This research opens opportunities for further investigations of PE as a functional food and possible anti-aging agent due to its attenuative effects against oxidative stress, resulting from HFD and aging in the future.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.7-18
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• 2015

Objectives: Lawsone (1,4 naphthoquinone) is a non redox cycling compound that can be catalyzed by DT diaphorase (DTD) into 1,2,4-trihydroxynaphthalene (THN), which can generate reactive oxygen species by auto oxidation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of the phytomarker 1,4 naphthoquinone and its metabolite THN by using the molecular docking program AutoDock 4. Methods: The 3D structure of ligands such as hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) were drawn using hyperchem drawing tools and minimizing the energy of all pdb files with the help of hyperchem by $MM^+$ followed by a semi-empirical (PM3) method. The docking process was studied with ligand molecules to identify suitable dockings at protein binding sites through annealing and genetic simulation algorithms. The program auto dock tools (ADT) was released as an extension suite to the python molecular viewer used to prepare proteins and ligands. Grids centered on active sites were obtained with spacings of $54{\times}55{\times}56$, and a grid spacing of 0.503 was calculated. Comparisons of Global and Local Search Methods in Drug Docking were adopted to determine parameters; a maximum number of 250,000 energy evaluations, a maximum number of generations of 27,000, and mutation and crossover rates of 0.02 and 0.8 were used. The number of docking runs was set to 10. Results: Lawsone and THN can be considered to efficiently bind with NOS, CAT, GSH, GR, G6PDH and NADPH, which has been confirmed through hydrogen bond affinity with the respective amino acids. Conclusion: Naphthoquinone derivatives of lawsone, which can be metabolized into THN by a catalyst DTD, were examined. Lawsone and THN were found to be identically potent molecules for their affinities for selected proteins.