This study aims to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) on learning and memory abilities and antioxidant capacity of D-galactose-induced aging mice. Kunming mice (37.1 +/- 0.62) g were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and FGF-21 high, medium and low dose groups (n = 8). Each group was injected in cervical part subcutaneously with D-galactose 180 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) once a day for 8 weeks. At the same time, FGF-21-treated mice were administered with FGF-21 by giving subcutaneous injection in cervical part at the daily doses of 5, 2 and 1 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). The normal control group was given with normal saline by subcutaneous injection in cervical part. At seventh week of the experiment, the learning and memory abilities of mice were determined by water maze and jumping stand tests. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed and the cells damage of hippocampus was observed by HE staining in each group. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the brain of mice were determined. The results showed that different doses of FGF-21 could reduce the time reaching the end (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and the number of touching blind side (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) in the water maze comparing with the model group. It could also prolong the latency time (P < 0.05) and decrease the number of errors (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) in the step down test. The result of HE staining showed that FGF-21 could significantly reduce brain cell damage in the hippocampus. The ROS and MDA levels of three different doses FGF-21 treatment group reduced significantly than that of the model group [(5.58 +/- 1.07), (7.78 +/- 1.92), (9.03 +/- 1.77) vs (12.75 +/- 2.02) pmol (DCF) x min(-1) x mg(-1), P < 0.01 or P < 0.05], [(2.92 +/- 0.71), (4.21 +/- 0.81), (4.41 +/- 0.97) vs (5.62 +/- 0.63) nmol x mg(-1) (protein), P < 0.01]. Comparing with the model group, the activities of SOD, GPx, CAT and T-AOC of the three different doses FGF-21 treatment groups were also improved in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrates that FGF-21 can ameliorate learning and memory abilities of D-galactose induced aging mice, improve the antioxidant abilities in brain tissue and delay brain aging. This finding provides a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF-21 as a novel therapeutics for preventing aging.
Aging ; drug effects ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Brain ; drug effects ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Galactose ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cytotoxicity and oxidative damage on NIH/3T3 cells induced by nickel smelting fume.

METHODSNIH/3T3 cells were treated with nickel smelting fume collected from a nickel smelting factory in China with doses of 0, 6.25, 12.50, 25.00, 50.00, and 100.00 µg/ml for 6 h. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity in cells were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), natural red uptake assay, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assay, and the level of oxidative damage was assessed based on the activity of catalase (CAT), percentage inhibition of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and content of malonaldehyde (MDA).

RESULTSThe relative survival of NIH/3T3 cells decreased with the increase in the dose of nickel smelting fume. In the CCK-8 assay, the group with 100 µg/ml nickel smelting fume showed a cell growth inhibition rate of 86%, with a significant difference compared with the control group (P < 0.05). LDH activity increased with increasing dose of nickel smelting fume: the groups of 12.50, 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml nickel smelting fume all showed increased LDH activities as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The activities of CAT were significantly reduced in groups of 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml nickel smelting fume as compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). As the dose of nickel smelting fume increased, the percentage inhibition of SOD and the content of MDA increased, with significant differences compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOxidative damage may be induced in NIH/3T3 cells after 6 h of exposure to nickel smelting fume, which leads to cell death.

Animals ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Dust ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Metallurgy ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Nickel ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the toxicity on rats by hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and to explore the role of oxidative stress in the mechanism of HCB intoxication.

METHODSSD female rats were fed on a powdered diet containing 0.25 per thousand or 2.00 per thousand HCB for 14 days. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of total-superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, liver tissue and serum were determined. Eleven biochemical indicators including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were surveyed.

RESULTS(1) MDA levels in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, liver and serum of the high dosage group rats and that in hippocampus and serum of the low dosage group were significantly higher than that of the control group. (2) The activity of T-SOD was increased in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the rats in both groups (P < 0.01), but decreased in the serum of the high dosage group (P < 0.01). (3) The activity of CAT was also increased in the hippocampus of rats in the high dosage group. (4) In cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the rats in the high dosage group and in the hippocampus of the rats in the low dosage group, the activity of GSH-PX was significantly higher compared with the control group. However, in liver of both dosage groups, the activity of GSH-PX was decreased (P < 0.01). (5) The activity of serum alkaline phosphatase of both dosage groups was also decreased, but the contents of both serum albumin and total cholesterol were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHCB can induce enhanced lipid peroxidation on SD rats, and the oxidative stress plays an important role in the mechanism of neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hexachlorobenzene ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect and mechanism of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) on cardiomyocytes induced by hydrogen dioxide.

METHODSMale guinea pigs were divided randomly into two groups (n = 10): intermittent hypoxia group (IHH), and control group (non-IHH). The IHH guinea pigs were exposed to a simulated 5,000 m high altitude and hypoxia in hypobaric chamber for 28 d, 6 h/d. The control guinea pigs were kept in the same environment as IHH except hypoxia exposure. Cardiomyocytes were enzymatically isolated from left ventricle of non-CIHH or CIHH guinea pigs. The contractile was assessed in guinea pigs by a video-based motion edge-detection system. The contents and activities of malondialdehyde(MDA), lactate hydrogenase(LDH) and antioxidant enzymes were evaluated by using biochemical methods.

RESULTS1. Hydrogen peroxide could induce contractile and diastole dysfunction, the latent period was longer in IHH cardiac myocytes. 2. After hydrogen peroxide(300 micromol/L, 10 min) perfusion, LDH and MDA contents in supernatant increased significantly in non-IHH and CIHH cardiomyocytes (P < 0.01), Whereas the contents of MDA and LDH in IHH cardiomyocytes were lower than those in non-IHH cardiomyocytes (P < 0.01). 3. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly increased in the myocardium of IHH guinea pigs, after hydrogen peroxide (300 micromol/L, 10 min) perfusion, SOD and CAT activities decreased significantly in non-IHH and CIHH cardiomyocytes (P < 0.01), whereas the activities of SOD and CAT in CIHH cardiomyocytes were still higher than those in non-IHH cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSIONIHH had a protective effect on cardiomyocytes injury induced by hydrogen peroxide, which might relate with its antioxidation effects.

Altitude ; Animals ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Guinea Pigs ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate how acetamiprid, a new insecticide, affects the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ATPase and the SOD isozyme patterns in two G bacteria, E. coli K12 and Pse.FH2, and one G+ bacterum, B. subtilis.

METHODSThe SOD, CAT, and ATPase specific activities of cell lysates were determined spectrophotometrically at 550 nm, 240 nm, and 660 nm, respectively, with kits A001, A016, and A007. SOD isozyme patterns were detected by native PAGE analysis.

RESULTSSOD and CAT activities in the tested bacteria increased significantly in a concentration-dependent manner after different concentrations of acetamiprid were applied. The activity of SOD in B. subtilis and Pse.FH2 was stimulated and reached the highest level after treatment with 100 mg/L acetamiprid for 0.5 h. For Pse.FH2, there was another stimulation of SOD activity after acetamiprid application for about 8.0 h and the second stimulation was stronger than the first. The stimulation by acetamiprid showed a relative lag for E. coli K12. Acetamiprid seemed to exhibit a similar effect on CAT activity of the two G bacteria and had an evident influence on ATPase activity in the three bacteria within a relatively short period. Only one SOD isozyme was detectable in Pse.FH2 and B. subtilis, while different isozyme compositions in E. coli could be detected by native PAGE analysis.

CONCLUSIONAcetamiprid causes a certain oxidative stress on the three bacteria which may not only elevate SOD and CAT activities but also generate new SOD isozymes to antagonize oxidative stress. However, this oxidative stress lasts for a relatively short time and does not cause a long-term damage.

Adenosine Triphosphatases ; metabolism ; Bacillus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Insecticides ; pharmacology ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Neonicotinoids ; Pseudomonas ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the protective effect of diallyl sulfide (DAS), a constituent of garlic, against testosterone-induced oxidative stress in male Swiss albino mice.

METHODSThe animals were given low (250 mg/animal) and high dose (500 mg/animal) of DAS in corn oil for 7 days along with testosterone (5 mg/kg body weight, i.p.). At the end of the study period, the prostate and the liver were dissected to determine various antioxidant enzyme levels (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-s-transferase) and lipid peroxidation.

RESULTSIn testosterone treated mice, depleted antioxidant enzyme level was accompanied with enhancement in lipid peroxidation in prostate and liver. DAS significantly restored the testosterone-induced antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in the both organs. These changes appear to be mediated by the antioxidant-enhancing effects of DAS.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study suggest that DAS is effective in exerting antioxidant effects by inhibiting testosterone-induced oxidative stress and might be helpful in preventing prostate cancer.

Allyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Glutathione Reductase ; metabolism ; Glutathione Transferase ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Prostate ; drug effects ; Sulfides ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; antagonists & inhibitors

In order to search for a new pathway to improve the yield of ginseng through growing at the full sun shine accompanied by salicylic acid (SA), the net photosynthetic rate (P(n)), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), malondialdehyde (MDA) in Panax ginseng leaves, and the content of ginsenosides in roots were compared under various concentrations of SA and full sun shine with the traditional shade shed. Under the full sun shine, 0.05, 0.2 mmol x L(-1) SA increased net photosynthetic rate to a great extent. Under the cloudy day, the average net photosynthetic rate increased by 127.8% and 155.0% over the traditional shade shed, 13.9% and 27.5% over the treatment without SA respectively; under the clear day, 23.5% and 30.4% over the traditional shade shed, 8.6% and 14.6% over the treatment without SA, particularly obvious in the morning and late afternoon. With such concentration, SA increased activities of SOD, CAT, POD, and decreased the contents of the MDA. This difference resulted from different light intensity, rise of light saturation point, and fall of compensation point. Full sun shine decreased ginsenosides contents, but with SA, the ginsenosides regained, the content of Rg1 and Re, Rb1, total six types of ginsenosides in SA 0.2 mmol x L(-1) group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05) and other groups. The application of 0.2 mmol x L(-1) SA under full sun shine during a short time has little threat to the P. ginseng in spring, and could enhance the resistance to the adversity, which would improve the yield of ginseng heavily.
Catalase ; analysis ; metabolism ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; metabolism ; Light ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; metabolism ; Panax ; chemistry ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Peroxidases ; analysis ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; drug effects ; Plant Proteins ; analysis ; metabolism ; Salicylic Acid ; pharmacology ; Seasons ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEIn order to find a method for improving the salt resistance of seeds and seedlings for Perilla frutescens under NaCl stress, seed germination and physiological characteristics of P. frutescens seedlings were studied.

METHODSeveral physiological indexes of P. frutescens seeds treated by Ca2+ and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) under NaCl stress like the germination vigor, germination rate, germination index and vigor index were measured. And other indexes like the biomass of the seedlings, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in leaves, the activities of superoxide (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) were also measured.

RESULTThe germination of P. frutescens seeds under NaCl stress was inhibited obviously. But after the treatment with Ca2+ and SNP, all of the germination indexes increased. And the seeds that treated with SNP + Ca2+ had the most significantly increase in all indexes. The germination vigor was 65.1%, the germination rate was 89.3%, the germination index and vigor index were 13.9 and 0.1109, respectively. The content of MDA decreased after the treatment. The activities of three enzymes include SOD, POD and CAT were increased by the treatment and get the maximin 0.84, 5.71 and 4.92 U x mg(-1) respectively. And the EGTA showed an obvious inhibition to the effect of SNP on P. frutescens.

CONCLUSIONSNP (0.1 mmol x L(-1)) and Ca2+ (10 mmol x L(-1)) could significantly alleviate the damages to the seeds and seedlings of P. frutescens under NaCl stress, and promote the salt resistance of the seeds and seedlings. These results might suggest that exogenous NO might enhance P. frutescens salt resistance and alleviate salt injury possible by enhancing Ca2+ influx by activating Ca2+ channels and improving concentration of Ca2+ of P. frutescens seedlings.

Calcium ; pharmacology ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Germination ; drug effects ; Nitroprusside ; pharmacokinetics ; Perilla ; drug effects ; enzymology ; physiology ; Peroxidases ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Seedlings ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sodium Chloride ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological

AIMTo evaluate the protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) against cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in rats and to study the mechanisms underlying these effects.

METHODSEthanol extracts of H.sabdariffa or Z.officinale (1g/kg x day) were given p.o. to male albino rats for 26 days, which began 21 days before a single cisplatin i.p. injection (10 mg/kg body weight).

RESULTSExtracts of H.sabdariffa and Z.officinale reduced the extent of cisplatin-induced sperm abnormality and enhanced sperm motility. Both extracts restored the control level of malondialdehyde (MDA) (lipid peroxidation marker) in the cisplatin-treated testis. The cisplatin injection induced decline in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) were significantly reversed to control levels in groups where cisplatin was preceded by the administration of either H.sabdariffa or Z.officinale.

CONCLUSIONBoth H.sabdariffa and Z.officinale treatment increased the activities of testicular antioxidant enzymes and restored sperm motility of cisplatin-treated rats. The protective effects of tested plants are, therefore, suggested to be mediated by their potent antioxidant activities.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cisplatin ; toxicity ; Ginger ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Hibiscus ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

The loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with aging is related to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced cell death in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, ARPE-19. Hydrogen peroxide was added at different concentrations to ARPE-19 cells and cultured. The cytotoxicity was assayed by mitochondrial function using 3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) testing. The patterns of cell damage were assessed using an acridine orange-ethidium bromide differential staining method, in situ end labeling (ISEL) assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Catalase, a major antioxidant, was used to prevent cell death. The cleavage of procaspase 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was determined by western blot analysis. Hydrogen peroxide significantly induced cell death in ARPE-19 cells, whereas pretreatment of the cells with catalase prevented cell death. Application of the ISEL assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining demonstrated that the H2O2-induced cell death occurred by an apoptotic mechanism at lower concentrations of H2O2 (400, 500, 600 microM), whereas higher concentrations of H2O2 induced necrosis rather than apoptosis. Caspase 3 was associated with the apoptotic pathway in human RPE cell death. Western blot analysis confirmed caspase 3 activation and cleavage of substrate proteins in ARPE-19 cells treated with an H2O2 concentration of 600 microM. These results indicate that treatment with H2O2 induces apoptotic and necrotic cell death in ARPE-19, and that caspase 3 is associated with apoptotic cell death. Therefore, H2O2 may induce the destruction of RPE cells in AMD by the combined effects of apoptosis and necrosis.
Apoptosis ; Caspases/metabolism ; Catalase/pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Enzyme Activation ; Human ; Hydrogen Peroxide/*pharmacology ; Necrosis ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye/*drug effects/enzymology/pathology/*physiology