Potential of rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis L.) diterpenes in preventing lipid hydroperoxide-mediated oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells

The effects of 24 h supplementation of Caco-2 cells with carnosic acid and carnosol, and their activities against 5 microM oleic acid hydroperoxide (OAHPx)-mediated oxidative stress, were investigated. At 24 h of incubation, under nonstressed and stressed conditions, both compounds at 25, 50, and 100 microM supplement concentrations reduced catalase activity, whereas changes in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities varied depending upon the concentrations. Relative to control cultures, carnosic acid and carnosol reduced membrane damage by 40-50% when stressed by OAHPx. Carnosic acid and carnosol inhibited lipid peroxidation by 88-100% and 38-89%, respectively, under oxidative stress conditions. Both compounds significantly lowered DNA damage induced by OAHPx. Results of this study suggest that antioxidant activities of carnosic acid and carnosol could be partly due to their ability to increase or maintain glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities.     

Hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress damage and antioxidant enzyme response in Caco-2 human colon cells

Studies were conducted to evaluate the cell damage caused by exposing human colon carcinoma cells, Caco-2, to hydrogen peroxide at concentrations varying from 0 to 250 microM for 30 min. Evaluation of cell viability, as measured by trypan blue dye exclusion test, showed that the loss of viability was < 5% at concentrations up to 250 microM hydrogen peroxide. Cell membrane damage and DNA damage as measured by the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and the comet assay, respectively, were significantly high at concentrations >100 microM hydrogen peroxide compared to those of the control. Antioxidant mechanisms in Caco-2 cells were evaluated by measuring catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities. Catalase activities remained constant in cells treated with 50-250 microM hydrogen peroxide. Superoxide dismutase activity decreased, whereas glutathione peroxidase activity increased in cells treated with H(2)O(2) concentrations of >50 microM. This study showed that with increasing hydrogen peroxide concentration, cell membrane leakage and DNA damage increased, whereas the three antioxidant enzymes responded differently, as shown by mathematical models.     

Soy isoflavones protect the intestine from lipid hydroperoxide mediated oxidative damage

The effects of 24 h supplementation of human colon carcinoma cells (Caco-2) with isoflavones, genistein, and daidzein and their activities against oleic acid hydroperoxide mediated oxidative stress were investigated. Genistein, at 25, 50, and 100 microM, and daidzein, at 25 and 50 microM, did not induce cell injury to Caco-2 cells. Both compounds reduced cell injury and DNA damage mediated by 5 microM oleic acid hydroperoxides in Caco-2 cells. The effects of genistein and daidzein on antioxidant enzymes were dependent upon the compound and its concentration.     

小麦幼苗对氧乐果胁迫的生理学响应

通过溶液培养研究了不同浓度(0、0.1、1.0、5.0和10.0 g/L)氧乐果处理后小麦幼苗叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量、可溶性糖含量及保护酶活性的动态变化。结果表明:在氧乐果胁迫下,高浓度的氧乐果(5.0和10.0 g/L)处理显著降低了小麦幼苗的叶绿素含量和类胡萝卜素含量,且随着处理时间的延长其差异尤为显著;小麦叶片中可溶性糖含量随着氧乐果浓度和处理天数的增加而显著增加。超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性均先上升后下降;抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性在0.1 g/L氧乐果处理的第1d时略有上升,然后下降。小麦响应氧乐果胁迫并上调SOD、POD、CAT等保护酶的活性和可溶性糖的含量,降低叶片光合作用,籍此维持小麦免受低浓度氧乐果的胁迫以维持小麦的正常生长;但高浓度氧乐果处理对小麦根系产生了明显的毒害作用,致使5.0 g/L氧乐果胁迫的小麦根系SOD、POD、CAT活性显著下降。APX和GR可能在低浓度氧乐果处理初期起主要保护作用,而在高浓度氧乐果胁迫下则受到明显抑制作用。     

Oxidative Status of Stressed Caenorhabditis elegans Treated with Epicatechin

The aim of this work was to examine the mechanisms involved in the in vivo antioxidant effects of epicatechin (EC), a major flavonoid in the human diet. The influence of EC in different oxidative biomarkers (reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, intracellular glutathione, activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) was studied in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans . Under thermal stress condition, exposure of the worms (wild type N2 strains) to EC (200 μM) significantly reduced ROS levels (up to 28%) and enhanced the production of reduced glutathione (GSH). However, no significant changes were appreciated in the activities of GPx, CAT, and SOD, suggesting that further activation of these antioxidant enzymes was not required once the concentration of ROS in the EC-treated worms was restored to what could be considered physiological levels.     

Oxymyoglobin oxidation and membrane lipid peroxidation initiated by iron redox cycle: prevention of oxidation by enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants.

The red color of muscle is principally due to the presence of oxymyoglobin. Oxidation of heme iron from the ferrous to the ferric state produces a brownish color, which consumers find undesirable. The aim of this study was to use enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants to simulate in situ muscle antioxidation reactions in order to understand better the mechanism by which the iron redox cycle catalyzes membrane lipid peroxidation and oxymyoglobin oxidation. The inclusion of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the model system decreased oxymyoglobin oxidation by 10% without affecting lipid peroxidation. Addition of catalase decreased oxymyoglobin oxidation by approximately 40% but not lipid peroxidation. Increasing the ceruloplasmin concentration inhibited lipid peroxidation but increased oxymyoglobin oxidation, which was inhibited by SOD and catalase. Conalbumin (50 microM), a specific iron chelator, inhibited peroxidation and oxymyoglobin oxidation by almost 50%. The addition of the antioxidant catechin (500 microM) decreased lipid peroxidation by 90% but oxymyoglobin oxidation by only 50%. Feeding turkeys with vitamin E at several levels significantly increased the alpha-tocopherol level of membranes, thus preventing oxymyoglobin and lipid oxidation. In conclusion, oxymyoglobin stability in the model system was affected by two pathways: (a) oxygen active species, such as O(2)*(-), H(2)O(2), HO*, and ferryl, generated during autoxidation of myoglobin and oxidation of ferrous ions and ascorbic acid; and (b) lipid radicals, such as ROO*, RO*, and hydroperoxides, generated during lipid peroxidation. Maximum inhibition could be achieved only by introducing inhibitors of both pathways into the system.     

湿地匍灯藓（Plagiomnium acutum）对Pb胁迫的生物标志物响应

采用浸没培养实验研究了不同浓度Pb胁迫下湿地匍灯藓（Plagiomniumacutum）的总叶绿素、丙二醛、可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸含量以及抗氧化酶活性等生理生化生物标志物的变化,以探讨Pb胁迫下湿地匍灯藓的受损和耐受机理。结果表明,湿地匍灯藓外表伤害症状与Pb胁迫浓度存在明显的剂量-效应关系;低浓度（20mg·L-1）Pb胁迫可以显著地促进湿地匍灯藓的总叶绿素含量增加,而中、高浓度（50mg·L-1）Pb胁迫则导致总叶绿素含量显著降低。湿地匍灯藓对Pb具有较强的生物富集能力,且藓体Pb的累积量与环境Pb浓度呈显著正相关。湿地匍灯藓体内MDA和游离脯氨酸含量随Pb胁迫浓度的增加表现为显著升高。可溶性糖含量仅在高浓度Pb胁迫下显著升高。可溶性蛋白含量、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性均随Pb胁迫浓度的增加而显著下降,其中CAT活性的降幅最大,SOD活性随Pb胁迫浓度的增加逐渐显著增加。在高浓度Pb胁迫下,由于细胞膜脂过氧化和蛋白质变性失活所导致的膜保护体系损伤可能是湿地匍灯藓Pb中毒的主要原因,而渗透调节可能是其缓解Pb毒害的一种主要方式,SOD则在清除Pb胁迫产生的活性氧自由基过程中起重要作用。总叶绿素、丙二醛、游离脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白、CAT和SOD可以作为湿地匍灯藓受Pb胁迫的敏感生物标志物。     

Variation of Antioxidant Activity in Dreissena polymorpha Specimens Exposed to 2,2′,4,4′,5,6′-Hexa BDE (BDE-154)

We evaluated the imbalance of the oxidative status in zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) specimens exposed for 96?h to environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1???g/L) of the 2,2??,4,4??,5,6??-hexa BDE (BDE-154). The activities of three antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the phase II detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), were measured in the cytosolic fraction from a pool of zebra mussels. Significant variations in the activity of each single enzyme were noticed at each treatment, indicating that exposure to BDE-154 was able to impair the oxidative status of treated bivalves through the increase of reactive oxygen species. In detail, SOD and GPx were significantly induced, while CAT and GST were depressed with respect to the baseline levels. These data have confirmed that the raise of oxidative stress is the main cause of the BDE-154-induced genetic damage observed in a previous study on the zebra mussel.     

Effect of aqueous and lipophilic mullet (Mugil cephalus) Bottarga extracts on the growth and lipid profile of intestinal Caco-2 cells

The importance of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) intake has long been recognized in human nutrition. Although health benefits, n-3 PUFA are subject to rapid and/or extensive oxidation during processing and storage, resulting in potential alteration in nutritional composition and quality of food. Bottarga, a salted and semi-dried mullet ( Mugil cephalus ) ovary product, is proposed as an important source of n-3 PUFA, having high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In this work, we investigated the extent of lipid oxidation of grated bottarga samples during 7 months of storage at -20 °C and room temperature under light exposure. Cell viability, lipid composition, and lipid peroxidation were measured in intestinal differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers after 6-48 h of incubation with lipid and hydrophilic extracts obtained from bottarga samples at different storage conditions. The storage of bottarga did not affect the n-3 PUFA level, but differences were observed in hydroperoxide levels in samples from different storage conditions. All tested bottarga extracts did not show a toxic effect on cell viability of differentiated Caco-2 cells. Epithelial cells incubated with bottarga oil had significant changes in fatty acid composition but not in cholesterol levels with an accumulation of EPA, DHA, and 22:5. Cell hydroperoxides were higher in treated cells, in relation to the oxidative status of bottarga oil. Moreover, the bottarga lipid extract showed an in vitro inhibitory effect on the growth of a colon cancer cell line (undifferentiated Caco-2 cells).     

Biphasic effect of falcarinol on caco-2 cell proliferation, DNA damage, and apoptosis

The polyacetylene falcarinol, isolated from carrots, has been shown to be protective against chemically induced colon cancer development in rats, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study CaCo-2 cells were exposed to falcarinol (0.5-100 microM) and the effects on proliferation, DNA damage, and apoptosis investigated. Low-dose falcarinol exposure (0.5-10 microM) decreased expression of the apoptosis indicator caspase-3 concomitantly with decreased basal DNA strand breakage. Cell proliferation was increased (1-10 microM), whereas cellular attachment was unaffected by <10 microM falcarinol. At concentrations above 20 microM falcarinol, proliferation of CaCo-2 cells decreased and the number of cells expressing active caspase-3 increased simultaneously with increased cell detachment. Furthermore, DNA single-strand breakage was significantly increased at concentrations above 10 microM falcarinol. Thus, the effects of falcarinol on CaCo-2 cells appear to be biphasic, inducing pro-proliferative and apoptotic characteristics at low and high concentrations of falcarinol, respectively.     

Selenium supplementation can protect cultured rat cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation damage

The possibility of enhancing glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and cytosolic total antioxidant activity (TAA) in normoxia and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) by the supplementation of different concentrations of sodium selenite (SS) or selenomethionine (SM) was investigated in cultured rat cardiomyocytes. To assess the entity of oxidative stress due to H/R, levels of conjugated dienes containing lipids were determined. In normoxia, GPx activity and TAA increased in parallel with the increase in SS and SM supplementation. H/R did not influence GPx activity but lowered TAA; both SS and SM supplementations were effective in increasing GPx activity, the most effective concentration being 1 microM. At this SS and SM concentration, TAA returned to a normoxic value. Conjugated diene production, increased by H/R, was reduced by SS and SM supplementation, the 1 microM concentration appearing to be the most effective one. According to these data Se supplementation represents another possibility to counteract oxidative damage in the myocardium.     

锌铬复合污染对水稻根系抗氧化酶活性的影响

为了研究水稻在金属复合污染条件下的适应过程,该文就成都平原两种常见的重金属污染元素(锌、铬)对土壤复合处理后,进行水稻盆栽试验.结果表明,锌铬复合污染条件下,在水稻不同生育期,水稻根系3种抗氧化酶(SOD,POD和CAT)活性随锌、铬浓度的增加而表现出不同的变化趋势.在水稻分蘖期,随铬浓度的增加,水稻根系SOD活性和POD活性呈先降后升的变化趋势;随锌浓度的增加,水稻根系SOD活性和POD活性呈升高的趋势;而水稻根系CAT活性则随锌、铬浓度的增加呈一定的降低趋势.在水稻孕穗期,随锌、铬浓度的增加,水稻根系SOD活性呈先降后升的变化趋势,POD活性及CAT活性则呈降低的趋势.在水稻灌浆结实期,水稻根系SOD、POD及CAT活性均呈一定的降低趋势.水稻籽粒产量随锌、铬浓度的增加呈降低的趋势.锌、铬浓度对水稻籽粒产量产生了复合效应,并与水稻籽粒产量有极显著的线性回归关系.这表明水稻通过调节自身的生理代谢能提高对锌铬复合污染的生态适应性,这能为培育适合重金属污染地区生长的水稻品种提供理论基础.     

Effect of ascorbic acid on iron release from the emulsifier interface and on the oxidative flavor deterioration in fish oil enriched mayonnaise

This research examines the effect of ascorbic acid (0-800 ppm) on the sensory perception of mayonnaises containing 16% fish oil and on the levels of iron and copper in the aqueous phase. Ascorbic acid increased the formation of fishy off-flavors in fresh mayonnaise. Simultaneously, the iron concentration increased from below the detection limit (1.8 microM) to 34 microM in the aqueous phase of mayonnaises. Model mayonnaises with various concentrations of egg yolk (1-7% w/w) and ascorbic acid (0-8000 ppm) were prepared. Iron concentrations in the aqueous phase increased with increasing ascorbic acid levels, whereas iron concentrations in the assumed interfacial layer decreased. It is proposed that ascorbic acid is able to complex and reduce Fe(3+) to Fe(2+) from phosvitin in the egg yolk, whereby iron is released from the interface. The ascorbic acid-iron complex subsequently reacts with lipid hydroperoxides, resulting in increased lipid oxidation and in the immediate formation of rancid and fishy off-flavors.     

Analgesic effects and mechanisms of anti-inflammation of taraxeren-3-one from Diospyros maritima in mice

This study investigated the analgesic effects of taraxeren-3-one, which is an ingredient from Diospyros maritima (DM), using the models of acetic acid-induced writhing response and the formalin test, and its anti-inflammatory effects using the model of λ-carrageenan (Carr)-induced paw edema. Treatment of male ICR mice with taraxeren-3-one inhibited the numbers of writhing response and formalin-induced pain in the late phase, significantly. In the anti-inflammatory test, taraxeren-3-one decreased paw edema at 4 and 5 h after Carr administration and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH) in the liver tissue at 5 h after Carr injection. Taraxeren-3-one affects malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels from both the edema paw and serum at 5 h after Carr injection. Western blotting revealed that taraxeren-3-one decreased Carr-induced inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions. These anti-inflammatory mechanisms of taraxeren-3-one might be related to the decrease in the level of MDA in the edema paw via increasing the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH in the liver. Also, taraxeren-3-one could affect the production of NO and TNF-α and, therefore, affect the anti-inflammatory effects.     

铜胁迫对弯囊苔草（ Carex dispalata）生长和生理特性的影响

用水培方法研究了弯囊苔草在不同Cu^2＋浓度（1、5、25 mg·L^-1）胁迫下的生长特性和部分生理生化指标的变化。结果表明,不同Cu^2＋浓度胁迫下,弯囊苔草正常生长,但其生长特性表现出高浓度抑制的相关性, 高浓度下没有新生根。弯囊苔草叶片3种抗氧化酶活性都随胁迫时间的延长呈先上升再下降趋势。SOD在处理的第4 d达到峰值,且活性一直显著高于对照（P＜0.05）,3种Cu^2＋浓度处理下的峰值大小顺序为5 mg·L^-1＞25 mg·L^-1＞1 mg·L^-1。POD和CAT活性在处理第7 d达到峰值,POD活性峰值大小顺序为5 mg·L^-1＞1 mg·L^-1＞25 mg·L^-1;CAT活性峰值大小顺序为25 mg·L^-1＞5 mg·L^-1＞1 mg·L^-1。丙二醛（MDA）和可溶性糖含量都是随着胁迫时间的延长而上升,处理结束时的丙二醛（MDA）（r=0.988 0）和可溶性糖含量（r=0.951 2）与Cu^2＋浓度表现出正相关性。脯氨酸（Pro）含量随胁迫时间的延长也呈先上升后下降趋势,1 mg· L^-1和5 mg·L^-1 Cu^2＋浓度处理下脯氨酸（Pro）含量在处理第4 d达到最大值,25 mg·L^-1高浓度处理下脯氨酸（Pro）含量在处理第7 d达到最大值。叶绿素在5、25 mg·L^-1 Cu^2＋浓度处理下随胁迫时间的延长呈先上升后下降的趋势,1mg·L^-1Cu^2＋处理下的叶绿素含量不断上升,实验结束时各处理下叶片的叶绿素含量与处理浓度呈负相关。结果表明弯囊苔草能通过调节体内抗氧化酶活性来增强其抗氧化胁迫能力,这为其作为铜污染水体的修复植物提供了可能。     

Silicon Increases Tolerance to Boron Toxicity and Reduces Oxidative Damage in Barley

ABSTRACT

Silicon (Si) protects plants from multiple abiotic and biotic stresses The effect of exogenous Si levels (50, 75, and 100 mg kg^?1) on the growth, boron (B) and Si uptake, lipid peroxidation (MDA), lipoxygenase activity (LOX; EC 1.13.11.12), proline, and H₂O₂ accumulation, non-enzymatic antioxidant activity (AA) and the activities of major antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD, EC 1.15.1.1; catalase, CAT, EC 1.11.1.6 and ascorbate peroxidase, APX, EC 1.11.1.11) of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were investigated under glasshouse conditions. Increasing levels of Si supplied to the soil with 20 mg kg^?1 B counteracted the deleterious effects of B on shoot growth. Application of B significantly increased the B concentration in barley plants. However, Si application decreased B concentrations. Increasing application of Si increased the Si concentration in barley plants. The concentration of H₂O₂ was increased by B toxicity but decreased by Si supply. Boron toxicity decreased proline concentrations and increased lipid peroxidation (MDA content) and LOX activity of barley. Compared with control plants, the activities of AA, SOD, CAT, and APX in B stressed plants grown without Si decreased, and application of Si increased their activities under toxic B conditions. The LOX activity was decreased by Si. Based on the present work, it can be concluded that Si alleviates B toxicity by possibly preventing oxidative membrane damage, both through lowering the uptake of B and by increasing tolerance to excess B within the tissues.     

不同铵硝配比对低温胁迫棉花幼苗生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响

【目的】新疆春季的“倒春寒”是严重阻碍棉花前期的生长发育,影响产量及品质的主要非生物限制因子之一,而氮素供应及氮素形态对棉花 (Gossypium hirsutum) 的生长发育具有显著影响。研究低温胁迫下不同铵硝配比对棉花幼苗抗氧化酶活性及质膜脂质过氧化伤害的影响,为通过调节氮素供应提高棉花抗寒性提供理论依据。 【方法】以‘新陆早 13 号’为供试棉花品种,在人工气候室内采用营养液水培法调节铵硝营养配比,研究了常温和低温条件下,不同铵硝配比对低温胁迫下棉花幼苗电解质渗出率、丙二醛 (MDA)、游离脯氨酸 (Pro)、可溶性蛋白质 (SP) 含量及抗氧化酶活性的影响。 【结果】常温条件 (25℃) 下,铵硝混合营养较单纯铵态氮或硝态氮营养对棉苗各器官生物量均有显著的提高 (P < 0.05),地上部分和根系干物质重量在 NH₄+/NO₃– 比为 50/50 处理时最大,纯铵营养处理时最小;对棉苗生物量的影响效果表现出铵硝混合营养处理优于纯铵或纯硝营养处理。低温胁迫 (15℃) 后棉苗各器官生物量明显减小 (P < 0.05)。低温胁迫下棉花幼苗电解质渗出率、MDA、Pro 含量显著增加 (P < 0.01),SP 含量差异不大 (P > 0.05),超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、过氧化物酶 (POD)、过氧化氢酶 (CAT) 活性显著降低 (P < 0.01),抑制了棉花幼苗的生长发育。相同温度条件下,棉花幼苗电解质渗出率和 MDA 含量均随营养液中铵营养比例的增加而呈现出先减小后增大的变化趋势,在营养液中 NH₄+-N/ NO₃–-N 比例为 50/50 处理时达到最小,纯硝营养处理次之,纯铵营养处理最大;而同温下 SP、Pro 含量先增加后减少,NH₄+-N/NO₃–-N 为 25/75 最大。增铵营养明显增强了 SOD、CAT 活性 (P < 0.01),POD 活性则随着 NH₄+-N/NO₃–-N 比例增加表现出先降低后升高的趋势。 【结论】低温胁迫下,铵硝混合营养降低了棉花幼苗电解质渗出率和 MDA 含量,增加了渗透调节物质积累,提高了抗氧化酶活性,降低了脂质过氧化伤害,增强棉花幼苗对低温的抗性,尤其 NH₄+-N/NO₃–-N 比例为 50/50 的营养液效果更明显。     

Neuroprotective effects of the citrus flavanones against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells

The citrus flavanones hesperidin, hesperetin, and neohesperidin are known to exhibit antioxidant activities and could traverse the blood-brain barrier. H2O2 formation induces cellular oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, protective effects of pretreatments (6 h) with hesperidin, hesperetin, and neohesperidin (0.8, 4, 20, and 50 microM) on H2O2-induced (400 microM, 16 h) neurotoxicity in PC12 cells were evaluated. The results showed that hesperetin, hesperidin, and neohesperidin, at all test concentrations, significantly ( p < 0.05) inhibited the decrease of cell viability (MTT reduction), prevented membrane damage (LDH release), scavenged ROS formation, increased catalase activity, and attenuated the elevation of intracellular free Ca2+, the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential (except those of 0.8 microM neohesperidin-treated cells) and the increase of caspase-3 activity in H2O2-induced PC12 cells. Meanwhile, hesperidin and hesperetin attenuated decreases of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities and decreased DNA damage in H2O2-induced PC12 cells. These results first demonstrate that the citrus flavanones hesperidin, hesperetin, and neohesperidin, even at physiological concentrations, have neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. These dietary antioxidants are potential candidates for use in the intervention for neurodegenerative diseases.     

Alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers show protective effects against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells

Alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers (methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl ethers) have been synthesized from hydroxytyrosol (HTy) in response to the increasing food industry demand of new lipophilic antioxidants. Having confirmed that these compounds reach portal blood partially unconjugated and thus are effectively absorbed, their potential antioxidant activity was evaluated in the human hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2). The effects of 0.5-10 μM alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers on HepG2 cell integrity and redox status were assessed as well as the protective effect against oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH). Cell viability (Crystal violet) and cell proliferation (BrdU assay) were measured as markers of cell integrity, concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) as markers of redox status and determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Direct treatment of HepG2 with alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers induced slight changes in cellular intrinsic antioxidants status, reducing ROS generation and inducing changes in GPx and GR activities. Pretreatment of HepG2 cells with alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers counteracted cell damage induced by t-BOOH, partially after 2 h and completely after 20 h, by increasing GSH and decreasing ROS generation, MDA levels, and antioxidant enzyme (GPx and GR) activity. According to these results the alkyl hydroxytyrosyl ethers show clear protective effects against oxidative stress, related to their lipophilic nature, that are similar to or even higher than those of their precursor, HTy.     

Influence of Silicon on Sunflower Cultivars under Drought Stress,I: Growth,Antioxidant Mechanisms,and Lipid Peroxidation

Abstract: Understanding plant responses to drought stress is essential, and there is a need to know possible physiological mechanisms of damage and drought avoidance for the genetic improvement of crops. Therefore, we investigated the effects of silicon (Si) on shoot and root growth, leaf relative water content (RWC), stomatal resistance (SR), lipid peroxidation (MDA), membrane permeability (MP), proline and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, nonenzymatic antioxidant activity, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) of 12 sunflower cultivars grown under drought conditions. Silicon applied to the soil counteracted the deleterious effects of drought in 6 of the 12 sunflower cultivars. In general, SR and H₂O₂, proline, and MDA content were increased in all the cultivars under drought stress. However, application of Si decreased their levels and alleviated membrane damage (MP) significantly by increasing leaf RWC. The CAT activity was significantly decreased by drought stress, but supplemental Si increased it. In general, SOD and APX activities of the cultivars were increased by drought and decreased by application of Si. The nonenzymatic antioxidant activity of the cultivars was significantly increased by Si under drought stress. Based on the present work, it can be concluded that applied Si alleviates drought stress in sunflower cultivars by preventing membrane damage, although the cultivars showed genotypic variation in response to applied Si.