Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and oxidative stress in cells. On the other hand, modulation of the cellular antioxidant defense system by changes in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content is largely unknown. To determine the relationship between the cellular mtDNA content and defense system against oxidative stress, this study examined a set of myoblasts containing a depleted or reverted mtDNA content. A change in the cellular mtDNA content modulated the expression of antioxidant enzymes in myoblasts. In particular, the expression and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase were inversely correlated with the mtDNA content in myoblasts. The depletion of mtDNA decreased both the reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) slightly, whereas the cellular redox status, as assessed by the GSH/GSSG ratio, was similar to that of the control. Interestingly, the steady-state level of the intracellular ROS, which depends on the reciprocal actions between ROS generation and detoxification, was reduced significantly and the lethality induced by H₂O₂ was alleviated by mtDNA depletion in myoblasts. Therefore, these results suggest that the ROS homeostasis and antioxidant enzymes are modulated by the cellular mtDNA content and that the increased expression and activity of GPx and catalase through the depletion of mtDNA are closely associated with an alleviation of the oxidative stress in myoblasts.
Catalase ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Hand ; Homeostasis ; Myoblasts ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species

Objective: To investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) on antioxidant enzymes in testis of mice and the protective effect of vitamin C (VC). Methods: A total of 72 male Kunming mice of clean grade were divided into four groups (n=18): the control group, the Cd group (CdCl₂ 3 mg/kg), the VC group (200 mg/kg), and the VC (200 mg/kg) +Cd group (CdCl₂ 3 mg/kg). Mice were poisoned once a day, exposed for 1 and 3 days and were treated with VC at the same time. Twenty-four hours after exposure on the 1st and 3rd day, half of the mice in each group were weighed, the serum and testis tissues were collected. Testicular organ coefficient, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum and testis tissues, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and total glutathione (T-GSH) in testis tissues were detected. Results: Compared with the control group, the body weight and testicle organ coefficient of mice in the Cd group were decreased on the 1st and 3rd day; after 3 days of exposure, the serum SOD in the Cd group was decreased significantly and MDA was increased significantly (P＜0.05); the levels of SOD, GSH-Px, T-GSH and GSH/GSSG of testis in the Cd group were increased significantly on the 1st day (P＜0.05), while all the above indexes were decreased significantly on the 3rd day (P＜0.05), and the content of MDA was increased significantly on the 1st and 3rd days in the Cd group (P＜0.05); after VC treatment, the degree of reduction was decreased. Compared with the Cd group, the serum SOD and MDA levels in the VC+ Cd group were significantly different after 3 days of exposure (P＜0.05); the changes of SOD, GSH-Px, T-GSH and GSH/GSSG levels of the testis in the VC+ Cd group were significantly different on the 1st and 3rd day of exposure (P＜0.05), and the MDA level of the testis in the VC+ Cd group was decreased significantly on the 3rd day of exposure (P＜0.05). Compared with the Cd group for 1 day, the level of serum SOD exposed for 3 days was decreased significantly (P＜0.05), and the changes of testis indexes were also significantly different (P＜0.05). Conclusion: VC treatment can improve the antioxidant function of cadmium-loaded mice to some extent, and has protective effect on oxidative damage of testis.
Animals ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Ascorbic Acid/pharmacology* ; Cadmium/toxicity* ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide/pharmacology* ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Male ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Testis

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the effects of pelvic radiotherapy on biologic markers of oxidative stress and plasma endotoxin levels, and to assess the relationship between the changes of such factors and radiotherapy-related complications. METHODS: Twelve gynecologic cancer patients who were treated via pelvic radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Biologic markers of oxidative stress, such as glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), as well as endotoxin levels, were measured weekly during treatment. Subjective symptoms were assessed using the Korean version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 at the baseline and on the 5th week of radiotherapy. RESULTS: No changes were noted in the level of GSH in whole blood, but the GSH/GSSG ratio was reduced dramatically after the initiation of radiotherapy. The mean plasma endotoxin for all patients tended to increase and persisted during radiotherapy, and the number of patients who evidenced clinically significant endotoxin levels (defined as >0.005 EU/mL) also increased. Nausea/vomiting and diarrhea were significantly changed (p=0.019 and p<0.001, respectively). A significant relationship was noted to exist between the changes in the endotoxin level and nausea/vomiting (p=0.001). However, such symptoms did not correlate with the changes of oxidative stress markers. CONCLUSION: Pelvic radiotherapy oxidized the GSH redox system and increased plasma endotoxin. Further investigations containing interventional and longitudinal studies will be required to assess the effects of the changes in oxidative stress markers and endotoxin on radiotherapy-related adverse events.
Biomarkers ; Diarrhea ; Endotoxins ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Pilot Projects ; Plasma

This study was performed to investigate the effect of kimchi intake on free radical and oxidative substance production in young adults and the elderly. Daily kimchi intake by people in their twenties (n = 93, 20 to 29 years old) and over sixty-five (n = 143, over 65 years old) in M city were surveyed and blood was drawn to analyze the free radicals in their plasma. The average amount of kimchi intake by the subjects was 115.8 +/- 91.7 g. The amount of kimchi intake of those in their twenties (106.1 +/- 80.6 g) was significantly lower than that of those over sixty-five (125.5 +/- 102.9 g, p<0.05). Concentrations of total free radicals and OH radicals were 27 and 33% greater respectively, in those over sixty-five than in those in their twenties, indicating that more free radicals were produced by the older group. The concentration of GSH was not signiacantly different in the two groups, but that of GSSG in the over sixty-five age group was 53% greater than in the twenties group, which resulted in a 35% reduction in GSH/GSSG in the elderly group. TBARS concentration in the over sixty-five group was 26% greater than that of the twenties group. In order to see the effect of kimchi intake on free radical production, subjects in same age group were divided into two sub groups-the mean over and the mean under groups-according to the average amount of kimchi intake, which was 115.8 g. The total free radicals, the OH radicals, the GSH, the GSSG, and the GSH/GSSG in the twenties group were not significantly different in the two kimchi intake groups. However, those in the over sixty-five group were significantly different. The concentration of total free radicals and OH radicals of the mean over group were 21 and 26% lower respectively, than those of the mean ova. group (p<0.05). The GSH and GSH/GSSG of the mean ova. groups were higher by 8 and 12%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between the kimchi intake and the total free radicals was -0.1862 (p<0.05) and that for GSH/GSSG was 0.1861 (p<0.05). In conclusion, the production of free radicals and oxidative substances increased with age, and kimchi seemed to retard this phenomena.
Aged* ; Free Radicals ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Humans ; Ovum ; Plasma ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Young Adult*

Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutathione ; blood ; Glutathione Disulfide ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxidation-Reduction

Makgeolli, also known as Takju, is a non-filtered traditional Korean alcoholic beverage that contains various floating matter, including yeast cells, which contributes to its high physiological functionality. In the present study, we assessed the levels of beta-glucan and glutathione in various yeast strains isolated from traditional Korean Nuruk and selected a beta-glucan- and glutathione-rich yeast strain to add value to Makgeolli by enhancing its physiological functionality through increased levels of these compounds. Yeast beta-glucan levels ranged from 6.26% to 32.69% (dry basis) and were strongly species-dependent. Dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from Nuruk contained 25.53 microg/mg glutathione, 0.70 microg/mg oxidized glutathione, and 11.69 microg/g and 47.85 microg/g spermidine and L-ornithine monohydrochloride, respectively. To produce functional Makgeolli, a beta-glucan- and glutathione-rich yeast strain was selected in a screening analysis. Makgeolli fermented with the selected yeast strain contained higher beta-glucan and glutathione levels than commercial Makgeolli. Using the selected yeast strain to produce Makgeolli with high beta-glucan and glutathione content may enable the production of functional Makgeolli.
Alcoholic Beverages ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Glutathione* ; Mass Screening ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; Spermidine ; Yeasts*

The effects of grape seeds extract and grape peels extract prepared from grape pomace on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, degree of lipid peroxidation in serum and liver tissue were investigated in rabbits fed on high cholesterol diet. New Zealand white rabbits were divided as follows ; 1) NOR (normal group); 2) CHOL (cholesterol group); 3) GSH (cholesterol + grape seed extract group); 4) GPE (cholesterol + grape peel extract); 5) GSP (cholesterol + grape seed powder); 6) GPP (cholesterol + grape peel powder); 7) GE (cholesterol + grape seed and peel extract); 8) GP (cholesterol + grape seed and peel powder). Eight groups of rabbits were studied for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, rabbits were sacrificed and the liver tissue were removed. Then, GSH, GPx, GST, CAT and MDA in the liver were measured. In liver tissues, total glutathione contents (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activity, which was significantly higher by grape seed extract supplementation. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was lower in the serum of rabbits fed grape seed extract or grape peel powder plus cholesterol than in the serum of rabbits fed cholesterol alone. It is therefore likely that grape seed extract prepared from grape pomace functioned as antioxidants in vivo, negating the effects of the oxidative stress induced by 1% cholesterol diet. The grape seed extract was found effective in converting the oxidized glutathione into reduced glutathione, and in removing H2O2 that is created by oxidative stress. The grape peel powder was found to have small influence on reduced glutathione content, CAT and GPX activity, but it increased GST activity in liver tissues, resulting in promoting the combination of lipid peroxide and glutathione (GSH), and further, lowering the formation of lipid peroxide in the serum. Therefore, grape pomace (grape seed extract and grape peel powder) supplementation is considered to activate the antioxidant enzyme system and prevent damage with hypercholesterolemia.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Catalase ; Cats ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Grape Seed Extract ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidative Stress ; Rabbits ; Seeds ; Vitis

This study was performed to investigate the effect of Puerariae radix-ethanol extracts rich in isoflavone on the antioxidative system of rats. For this purpose, first, Puerariae radix was extracted with ethanol, and its total isoflavone and puerarin contents were analysed. Second, female Sprague Dawley rats were fed for 6 weeks with four diets which were based on AIN96G diet and supplemented with Puerariae radix-ethanol extracts to contain isoflavone. The isoflavone contents of four experimental diets were 0 mg, 500 mg, 1,000 mg, 2,000 mg per kg diet, respectively (control, P0.05%, P0.1%, P0.2%). Liver and erythrocyte activities of antioxidative enzyme such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) were measured. Also, plasma and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, liver glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentrations were measured. The total isoflavone content of Puerariae radix-ethanol extract was 3067.6 mg per 100 g extract and the content of puerarin was 2557.4 mg per 100 g extract. The erythrocyte activities of GSH-Px and catalase were higher in group P0.1% and P0.2%. But SOD activity of erythocyte did not show any difference by the Puerariae radix-ethanol extract supplementation in diet. The activity of SOD in liver increased significantly by the supplementation of extract, showing highest level in P0.1% group. The liver GSH concentration increased significantly in group of P0.05%, P0.1%, and P0.2% compared with control group (p < 0.05). The GSSG concentration in liver showed no difference by the supplementation of Puerariae radix extract from the control group, except P0.2% group. The plasma MDA concentration did not show any significant differences by the extract supplementation. But the liver MDA concentration decreased by the extract supplementation, showing the lowest level in P0.1% diet group. These results suggest that the supplementation of Puerariae radix-ethanol extract can inhibit lipid peroxidation in liver and enhance the antioxidative defense competence of rats.
Animals ; Catalase ; Diet ; Erythrocytes ; Ethanol* ; Female ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Malondialdehyde ; Mental Competency ; Plasma ; Pueraria* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of exercise therapy on serum lipid levels and antioxidants of obese and normal college female students. The subject group composed of ten normal-weight students(below 30% body fat ratio) and ten obese students(above 30% body fat ratio). After a pilot test, the subjects were given an eight-weeks exercise program. Before and after the exercise program, the subjects were given test for serum lipid and antioxidants were analyzed. The SAS program was used in the data analysis. The statistical measurements employed here were T-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test. The results of this research are as follows. 1) The effects of exercise therapy on serum lipid levels; Before the exercise therapy, the levels of Total-cholesterol, Triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol of the obese group were higher than those of the normal-weight group. However, the HDL-cholesterol levels were higher in the normal-weight group than in the obese group, but these differences were not significant. With the exercise therapy, the levels of Total-cholesterol increased gradually. The HDL-cholesterol increased gradually, the LDL-cholesterol level decreased in both groups, However, the Triglyceride level decreased in the obese group and increased in normal group, but the difference was not significant. 2) The effects of the exercise therapy on serum antioxidants; Before exercise therapy, the serum FR and GSSG levels of the obese group were significantly higher than those if the normal-weight group(p=0.00, p=0.04). The serum GSH level of the normal-weight group was higher than that of the obese group, and the serum MDA level of the obese group was higher than that of the normal-weight group. Again these differences were not significant. With exercise therapy, serum FR level was reduced and serum GSSG level significantly increased in both group(obese group p=0.01, normal-weight group p=0.01), The serum GSH level of the obese group significantly increased(p=0.01), and serum MDA level significantly increase in the obese group(p=0.01), but the difference in the normal-weight group was not significant. These results show that regular exercise therapy reduces serum FR levels and activation of antioxidant systems, and suppress oxidative stress. These effects were slightly higher in the obese group than in the normal-weight group. The regular exercise therapy decrease the serum Triglyceride levels more in the obese group than in the normal-weight group. However the improvement of the serum lipid profile may require a longer exercise period than eight weeks. The results show that the exercise therapy was overall more effective in the obese group than the normal-weight group.
Adipose Tissue ; Antioxidants* ; Exercise Therapy* ; Female* ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Humans ; Oxidative Stress ; Statistics as Topic ; Triglycerides

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; enzymology ; pathology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Thioredoxin-Disulfide Reductase