Cholinesterases as markers of the inflammatory process associated oxidative stress in cattle infected by Babesia bigemina

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of an asymptomatic experimental infection by Babesia bigemina on cholinesterase’s as markers of the inflammatory process and biomarkers of oxidative imbalance. For this purpose, eight naive animals were used, as follows: four as controls or uninfected; and four infected with an attenuated strain of B. bigemina. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 7 and 11 post-inoculation (PI). Parasitemia was determined by blood smear evaluation, showing that the infection by B. bigemina resulted in mean 0.725 and 0.025% on day 7 and 11 PI, respectively, as well as mild anemia. The activities of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and catalase were lower, while levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and superoxide dismutase activity were higher in infected animals, when compared with the control group. This attenuated strain of B. bigemina induced an oxidative stress condition, as well as it reduces the cholinesterasés activity in infected and asymptomatic cattle. Therefore, this decrease of cholinesterase in infection by B. bigemina purpose is to inhibit inflammation, for thereby increasing acetylcholine levels, potent anti-inflammatory molecules.     

Improving the reproductive,immunity and health status of rabbit does using honey bee venom

The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effect of using bee venom (BV) on the reproductive performance, immune, and health status of rabbit does and its effect on their litters. Sixty mature does, from Spanish V-line rabbit stock, were randomly assigned to four homogeneous groups with 15 does each. The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd groups were injected twice weekly under the neck skin with 0.1 ml solution contains 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg BV/rabbit respectively. The 4^th group served as a control group. From the results, litter size at birth, litter weight and survival rate at weaning age as well as milk yield were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased in BV groups than in the control group. Serum estradiol 17-β (E2) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher (15%) in the rabbit does treated with BV compared to the control group. The treated does with BV at any study doses showed a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease (12%) in serum progesterone levels (P4) compared to the control. They also showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase in conception (17%) and fertility rates (10%) compared to the control does. Treatment of rabbit does with BV caused a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (16%) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (37%) liver enzyme activities. Additionally, results have shown that BV resulted in a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), antioxidative enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels with significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in BV groups compared to the control group. Results suggest that BV can be used in rabbit farming as an effective and safe alternative to artificial chemical drugs (sexual-stimulants) to improve certain reproductive traits, immune response and health.     

Effect of biologically active substances present in water extracts of white mustard and coriander on antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation of mouse C2C12 skeletal muscle cells

Coriander and white mustard, an annual plants originated in the Mediterranean region, have been cultivated and used as spices for a long time. Recent studies have shown that they may constitute a potential source of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of polyphenols in coriander and white mustard water extracts and to investigate their antioxidant activity in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells, which serve as a good model of cells with intensive metabolism. HPLC analysis showed that polyphenols were able to permeate from the water extracts of studied plants into the undifferentiated myoblasts as well as myocytes undergoing differentiation, increasing the concentration of reduced glutathione and upregulating glutathione reductase and peroxidase activity. White mustard and coriander extracts also decreased the levels of oxysterols and sum of tiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in both: myoblasts and differentiating myocytes, demonstrating protective effect on cell membranes. The obtained results indicate that polyphenols synthesized by both herbs may have beneficial effects on muscle tissue.     

Response of Rice Seedlings to Copper Toxicity and Acidity

Metal toxicity and soil acidity affect plant growth. A hydroponic experiment was conducted to simulate effects of pH and copper concentration [Cu] on early growth and biomass production of high-yielding rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L. cv. ‘NIAB 6’). The rice seedlings were allowed to grow in Yoshida nutrient solution with 1 (control), 8, 16, and 32 μM Cu at buffered pH levels of 4.5, 5.0, and 5.5, respectively. Shoot and root growth, leaf chlorophyll content, and root lipid peroxidation and K⁺ leakage of 15-day-old rice seedlings were determined. Results show that [Cu] had significant adverse effects on rice seedlings. Shoot height and root length were reduced by 18%–60% and 7%–69%, respectively, compared with the control, and shoot and root weight decreased by 26%–56%, and 25%, respectively, in response to progressive increases in [Cu]. Similarly, leaf chlorophyll content decreased by 150%–245% compared with the control treatment. Rice seedling roots suffered from significant increases in lipid peroxidation followed by K⁺ leakage (> 8–23 times) in response to increasing [Cu]. Averaged across [Cu], seedling growth and biomass were greater at pH 5.5 than at other pH treatments. In some instances, increasing pH minimized the adverse effects of Cu at low concentrations on rice seedlings.     

壳聚糖涂膜处理对冷藏砂糖橘冷害和品质影响

为探究壳聚糖对砂糖橘果实冷害的影响,以1℃贮藏的砂糖橘为对象,对果实进行1.0%壳聚糖涂膜处理,以未涂膜的果实作为对照,研究了壳聚糖涂膜处理对果实贮藏品质和膜脂过氧化作用的影响。结果表明,1℃条件下采用1.0%壳聚糖处理砂糖橘可延缓果实冷害的发生,显著提高果实的好果率,同时可以抑制TSS、TA、Vc含量的下降;1.0%壳聚糖处理砂糖橘果实在低温下保持了较高的POD、CAT和SOD活性,壳聚糖处理抑制了果实MDA含量的上升。由此可见,1.0%壳聚糖处理可以降低砂糖橘果实由于1℃不适宜低温造成的膜脂过氧化,保持果实贮藏品质,减轻果实的冷害症状。本研究结果为减缓砂糖橘果实冷害提供了一定的理论依据。     

种植密度对雪茄烟膜脂过氧化特性及烟叶质量的影响

为探究不同种植密度对雪茄烟叶生理生化特性和品质的影响,确定四川雪茄烟适宜的种植密度,以德雪一号为供试材料,测定了成熟期田间微气候、烟叶膜脂过氧化程度、抗氧化酶活性和烟叶产质量等指标。结果表明,随着种植密度的增大,烟田温湿度增大,烟叶所受光照强度降低。成熟期温度与烟叶膜脂过氧化程度呈显著正相关关系,相关系数在0.52~0.85之间。同一时期内烟叶丙二醛（MDA）含量随种植密度增大呈先降后升趋势,抗氧化酶活性呈先升后降趋势。种植密度为21 000株/hm²时抗氧化酶活性最高,过氧化物酶和过氧化氢酶活性在打顶后28d达到最高,分别为61.6U/(gFW·min)和123.0U/(mg·min),超氧化物歧化酶活性在打顶后21d达到最高,为755.8U/g,打顶后35d MDA含量为25.3mmol/g,膜脂过氧化程度最低。调制后烟叶总糖含量增至1.86%,烟碱含量为3.02%,钾氯比高达9.21,化学成分较为协调,感官评吸得分最高,烟叶产值与茄衣烟比例较常规种植密度24 000株/hm²分别提升了0.9万元/hm²和7%。综上所述,21 000株/hm²为四川省雪茄烟适宜的种植密度。     

Bioaccumulation of cadmium and its biochemical effect on selected tissues of the catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis>)

The present study examines the pattern of accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and its biochemical effects on selected tissues of a variety of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), after exposure to various doses of Cd. The results obtained indicate that at the end of 21 days of exposure, the total tissue organ cadmium concentration followed the pattern kidney > gill > liver > muscle for each of the exposure concentrations. The levels of Cd in these organs were higher than those in ambient water. Moreover, while the rate of uptake of Cd increased with time in the kidney, liver and muscle, it decreased in the gill. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly elevated only in the kidney of catfish treated with 0.2 and 0.4 ppm of Cd for 7 days compared with the control. Conversely, gill SOD was significantly decreased in the same concentrations of Cd-treated catfish relative to the control. Statistically similar levels of SOD were observed in the liver, brain and muscle with all the treatments after the same duration of treatment. In the fish exposed for 21 days, SOD activity was significantly decreased in the kidney with a corresponding increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO), but it manifested only with the 0.2- and 0.4-ppm Cd treatment relative to the control. In the liver, however, Cd exposure significantly increased SOD in the 0.2- and 0.4-ppm treatments of the same duration. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the accumulation of Cd and its effect on SOD and LPO in C. gariepinus is dependent on concentration, tissue and time     

Protective mechanism of metallothionein on cultivated rat cardiomyocytes in hypoxic preconditioning

AIM: Studying the mechanism of protective role of metallothionein(MT) in hypoxic preconditioning(HPC) of cultivated rat cardiomyocytes. METHODS:Using the model of hypoxia/reoxygenation of cultivated rat cardiomyocytes. Determining the contents of MT, malonyldialdehyde (MDA)-metabolism product of lipid peroxidation and the activities of Na⁺-K⁺ATPase, Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺ATPase of cardiomyocytes 24h after HPC, also determining the relevant changes after using MT antibody. RESULTS: After 24 h in HPC, the contents of MT and activities of Na⁺-K⁺ATPase, Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺ATPase were obviously higher than those in the control and hypoxia/reoxygenation(P＜0.05), and the contents of MDA were decreased remarkedly (P＜0.01). Then after using MT antibody, the activities of two enzyme were progressively decreased and the contents of MDA were significantly higher than those in the control and MT antibody-free groups(P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: HPC may induce excessive synthesis of MT, and MT can protect myocardial reoxygenation injury by eliminating lipid peroxidation and rising the activities of Na⁺-K⁺ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺ATPase.     

低温贮藏对控制菠萝黑心病和保持品质的影响

为了控制黑心病的发生、保持鲜食菠萝的品质,考察了低温贮藏对主栽品种“巴厘”菠萝黑心病和主要品质指标的影响及其相关机理。将菠萝分别贮藏于(8±1)℃和(12±1)℃,以室温（26～30℃）为对照。与常温贮藏相比,在23 d贮藏期内,2种低温贮藏均显著降低了菠萝黑心病的发病程度,减少了菠萝果实的质量损失,提高了菠萝果实的维生素C（Vc）和可滴定酸（TA）含量,延缓菠萝果实的可溶性固形物（TSS）含量的下降。以(8±1)℃贮藏效果较好。低温贮藏还降低了贮藏期间超氧阴离子（O2－）产生速率,抑制菠萝果实中脂氧合酶（LOX）活性的升高和丙二醛（MDA）的积累。这些结果表明,低温贮藏抑制菠萝黑心病、保持果实品质与降低膜脂过氧化程度及延缓衰老有关。     

Effect of tanshinone ⅡA on liver lipid deposition and ferroptosis-related protein expression in ApoE-/- mice

AIM To observe the effect of tanshinone ⅡA on liver lipid deposition and ferroptosis-related protein expression in ApoE^-/- mice. METHODS Thirty-two ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into model group, high-dose (60 mg/kg) tanshinone ⅡA group, low-dose (30 mg/kg) tanshinone ⅡA group and simvastatin group, and C57BL/6J mice (n=8) were used as normal control group. The mice in normal control group were given the basic feeding, while the others were given high-fat diet. The mice in tanshinone ⅡA groups and simvastatin group were given corresponding drugs. The mice in normal control group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with equal volume of saline. Eight weeks later, the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were tested by automatic biochemistry analyzer. The liver tissues were stained with HE and oil red O. The contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues of the mice were measured by commercially available kits. The liver glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and p53 were detected by immunohistochemical method. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related factors GPX4, xCT/SLC7A11, p53 and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) were determined by Wes automatic Western blot quantitative analysis system and RT-qPCR. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C in model group were increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and HDL-C did not change significantly. The fat vacuoles were clearly visible in liver tissue. The content of ROS in liver tissue was increased significantly,and GSH was decreased significantly (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of p53 were increased significantly, and GPX4, xCT/SLC7A11 and FTH1 were decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with model group, tanshinone ⅡA significantly decreased the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and HDL-C did not change significantly. High-dose and low-dose tanshinoneⅡA also significantly decreased the degree of steatosis, and the size of lipid droplets. The content of ROS in liver tissues was decreased significantly, and GSH was increased significantly (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of GPX4, xCT/SLC7A11 and FTH1 were increased significantly, and p53 were decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Tanshinone ⅡA reduces liver lipid deposition and lipid peroxidation damage in ApoE^-/- mice, which may be related to the intervention of ferroptosis-related proteins in the liver cells.