• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.93-98
• /
• 2000

This study was designed to investigate the effect of silkworm powder on oxygen radicals and their scavenger enzymes in brain membrances of SD rats. Hydroxyl radical (OH) levels resulted in a considerable decreases in brain mitochondria fraction. Superoxide radical (O$_2$) levels were a slightly decreased in brain cytosol fraction. Lipid peroxide (LPO) and Oxidized protein (OP) levels were significantly decreased in brain mitochondria and microsomes fraction. Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was remarkably increased in the mitochondria fraction. Cu and Zn-SOD activities were effectively increased in brain cytosol fraction. GSHPx activity was considerably increased in brain cytosol fraction. These results suggest that anti-aging effect of silkworm plays an effective role in attenuating an oxidative stress and increasing a scravenger enzyme activity in brain membranes.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.159-162
• /
• 2001

Plant stress incurred by flooding was studied in terms of oxidative stress, using greened rice seedlings subjected to a complete submergence followed by re-exposure to air under illumination ($30W/m^2$). It appeared that shoot tissues of the seedlings suffered oxygen deficiency during the flooding treatment, pertinent to the general concept. Interestingly enough, however, membrane peroxidation in shoots was enhanced by the submergence, as assessed by the content of 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and the re-aeration resulted in a rapid reduction of TBARS content. Such pattern of response was also seen in the change in the steady state level of $H_2O_2$. In contrast, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase that are involved in the detoxifying processes of superoxide in plant cells were significantly activated only during the re-aeration. These results allowed us to suggest the followings as a working hypothesis. Photorespiration-linked production of $H_2O_2$ may largely contribute to the increase in $H_2O_2$ level as well as TBARS production in shoots during the submergence. An abrupt re-supply of $CO_2$ by the re-aeration brings the photosynthetic apparatus back to full operation, suppressing photorespiration and probably causing a momentary, excess formation of superoxide and its dismutation product through side reaction, which gives rise to activating substrate-inducible antioxidative enzymes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.494-500
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether Padina arborescens extract (PAE) protects INS-1 pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells against glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis. MATERIALS/METHODS: Assays, including cell viability, lipid peroxidation, generation of intracellular ROS, NO production, antioxidant enzyme activity and insulin secretion, were conducted. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 proteins in INS-1 cells were evaluated by western blot analysis, and apoptosis/necrosis induced by high glucose was determined by analysis of FITC-Annexin V/PI staining. RESULTS: Treatment with high concentrations of glucose induced INS-1 cell death, but PAE at concentrations of 25, 50 or $100{\mu}g/ml$ significantly increased cell viability. The treatment with PAE dose dependently reduced the lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes reduced by 30 mM glucose, while intracellular ROS levels increased under conditions of 30 mM glucose. PAE treatment improved the secretory responsiveness following stimulation with glucose. The results also demonstrated that glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis is associated with modulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. When INS-1 cells were stained with Annexin V/PI, we found that PAE reduced apoptosis by glucotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the present study indicates that PAE protects against high glucose-induced apoptosis in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells by reducing oxidative stress.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.43-46
• /
• 2001

$\alpha$-Phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone (PBN) is one of the most widely used spin-trapping compounds for investigating the existence of free radicals in biological systems. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the antioxidant nature of PBN on degenerative diseases, presumably related to oxidative stress. In the present study, the protective effect of PBN on the HepG2 cell line under oxidative stress was investigated. When the HepG2 cells were exposed to oxidant, such as hydrogen peroxide, menadione, or ethanol, the protective role of PBN was manifested as a reduction in trypan blue uptake and a decrease in the endogenous production of oxidants, as measured by the oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin. The modulation of activity of major antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, was not significantly different either in the presence or in the absence of PBN. This indicates that PBN acts as a direct scavenger of reactive oxygen species.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.91-96
• /
• 2017

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) provides a cellular defense against oxidative stress by inducing the expression of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes. The calcium antagonist, verapamil, is an FDA-approved drug prescribed for the treatment of hypertension. Here, we show that verapamil acts as a potent Nrf2 activator without causing cytotoxicity, through degradation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), a Nrf2 repressor. Furthermore, verapamil-induced Keap1 degradation is prominently mediated by a p62-dependent autophagic pathway. Correspondingly, verapamil protects cells from acetaminophen-induced oxidative damage through Nrf2 activation. These results demonstrated the underlying mechanisms for the protective role of verapamil against acetaminophen-induced cytotoxicity.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.29
• /
• pp.1.1-1.7
• /
• 2014

Objectives The present subacute study was designed to evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) in the 28 days aroclor 1254 exposure induced oxidative stress in mice brain. Methods Biochemical estimations of brain lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), and histopathological investigations of brain tissue were carried out. Results Oral exposure of aroclor 1254 (5 mg/kg) led to significant decrease in levels of GSH, and activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, and AChE, and increase in LPO. These aberrations were restored by CoQ10 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection [IP]). This protection offered was comparable to that of L-deprenyl (1 mg/kg, IP) which served as a reference standard. Conclusions Aroclor 1254 exposure hampers the activities of various antioxidant enzymes and induces oxidative stress in the brains of Swiss albino mice. Supplementation of CoQ10 abrogates these deleterious effects of aroclor 1254. CoQ10 also apparently enhanced acetyl cholinesterase activity which reflects its influence on the cholinergic system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.2563-2569
• /
• 2012

Oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing to initiation and progression of hepatic damage in a variety of liver disorders. Hence there is a great demand for the development of agents with potent antioxidant effect. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the efficacy of Moringa oleifera as a hepatoprotective and an antioxidant against 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced hepatocellular damage. Single oral administration of DMBA (15 mg/kg) to mice resulted in significantly (p<0.001) depleted levels of xenobiotic enzymes like, cytochrome P450 and b5. DMBA induced oxidative stress was confirmed by decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the liver tissue. The status of hepatic aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) which is indicative of hepatocellular damage were also found to be decreased in DMBA administered mice. Pretreatment with the Moringa oleifera (200 and 400 mg/kg) orally for 14 days significantly reversed the DMBA induced alterations in the liver tissue and offered almost complete protection. The results from the present study indicate that Moringa oleifera exhibits good hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential against DMBA induced hepatocellular damage in mice that might be due to decreased free radical generation.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.297-301
• /
• 2002

Membrane lipid peroxidation processes yield products that may react with DNA and proteins to cause oxidative modifications. The oxyR gene product regulates the expression of enzymes and proteins that are needed for cellular protection against oxidative stress. Upon exposure to tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH) and 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH), which induce lipid peroxidation in membranes, the Escherichia coli oxyR overexpression mutant was much more resistant to lipid peroxidation-mediated cellular damage, when compared to the oxyR deletion mutant in regard to growth kinetics, viability, and DNA damage. The deletion of the oxyR gene in E. coli also resulted in increased susceptibility of superoxide dismutase to lipid peroxidation-mediated inactivation. The results indicate that the peroxidation of lipid is probably one of the important intermediary events in free radical-induced cellular damage. Also, the oxyR regulon plays an important protective role in lipid peroxidation-mediated cellular damage.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.12
• /
• pp.1295-1309
• /
• 2005

Nowadays, the nutritional deficits are rarely seen in Korea. However, an increased availability of the highly palatable energy dense, nutrient-poor foods increases the risks of obesity and deficits of vitamins and minerals in the general population. Also, optimum intake of vitamins and minerals, which varies with age and genetic back ground, might not suffice the poor, young, obese, and elderly people. Young girls and individuals participating in weight reductions and aesthetic components are prone to micronutrient deficiencies because they restrict food intake and specific micronutrient rich foods. An inadequate intake of vitamins or minerals is associated with reduced physical performance and exercise capacity, increased obesity, decreased cognitive function, increased DNA damages such as single- and double-stranded breaks or oxidative DNA lesions, and accelerated aging process and increased neuronal damages with mitochondrial oxidative decay. Most of these deleterious effects of the deficit could be prevented by a one tablet of multivitamins with a good balanced diet. High dose B vitamins are frequently administered to overcome the metabolic inadequacy to the people with the less functional enzymes with increased Km values for their coenzymes due to the single gene mutation or due to the single nucleotide polymorphisms. And some certain antioxidant vitamins are also used in large quantities to overcome the oxidative stress and to repair the damages. In this review, new nutritional concepts of some vitamins and minerals, which are widely used and useful for the children, will be discussed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.417-424
• /
• 2011

Ketoconazole (KET) is an antifungal drug with a broad spectrum of activity that also induces reproductive toxicity in humans and animals. KET inhibits C17-20 lyase which blocks the conversion of 17 ${\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone to androstenedione. The effect of Cuscutae semen(CS) extract against KET-induced testicular damage was evaluated in male rats. CS extract was administered orally (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 26 days. Three weeks after CS extract administration, KET was CS-administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg/kg once a day for 5 days. KET-induced reproductive toxicity was associated with clear reductions of the weights of testes and epididymides, sperm indices and serum testosterone levels. In addition, marked oxidative damage to testicular lipids and alterations of natural antioxidant enzymes were reported in association with KET toxicity. Most of the KET-induced effects were greatly decreased with the concomitant application of CS extract. This study suggests a protective role of Cuscutae semen extract that could be attributed to its antioxidant properties.