The effect of selenium on the tissue sulfhydryl group content and lipid peroxide-destorying enzyme system in the liver, kidney and testis of rat treated with mercury was investigated. The male rats were injected s.c. with HgCl2 (10 micromoles/kg BW) and orally received Na2SeO3 (13 micromoles/kg BW) simultaneously. After 3 days, liver, kidney and testis were removed and analyzed. Mercury decreased the total sulfhydryl group content in the kidney by 25% and the total glutathione content in the kidney and testis by 50% and 36%, respectively, with no changes in other tissues. There was 12% increase in the total sulfhydryl group but not in the total glutathione content in kidney by a simul-taneous treatment of Se and Hg. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were decreased by 63% in the liver and 69% in the kidney, and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd) activity was increased in the tests by 16% by the Hg treatment with no changes in Other tissues. Hg had no effect upon glutathione-S-transferase activities in all organs examined. Simultaneous Se treatment increased GSH-Rd activity in the kidney by 23% and GSH-Px activities in liver and kidney by 24% and 21%, respectively, compared to the Hg-treated group. These data indicate that the alleviation of Hg toxicity by Se treatment is well correlated with the protein sulfhydryl group content and GSH-Px activity.
Animal ; Glutathione/metabolism* ; Glutathione Peroxidase/analysis ; Glutathione Reductase/analysis ; Male ; Mercury/toxicity* ; Rats ; Selenium/pharmacology* ; Sulfhydryl Compounds/analysis*

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation among some biochemical indexes in the fluoride workers.

METHODSThe activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and the level of calcitonin (CT), parathyroid hormone (PTH), IgG, IgA, IgM, Cu2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Se2+, F- in serum and in urine were measured in fifty male fluoride workers and fifty controls.

RESULTSThe levels of F-, CT, PTH, AKP and GSH-Px in serum and F- in urine in exposed group were significantly different from that in control group. Correlation analysis indicated that F- in urine and CAT(r = 0.3133, P < 0.05), CT and PTH(r = 0.5173, P < 0.01), Se2+ and CAT(r = 0.4354, P < 0.05) were positively correlated. There were significantly negative correlation between F- in serum and GSH-Px (r = -0.5202, P < 0.01) and positive correlation among Cu2+, Zn2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in serum.

CONCLUSION(1) Excess of fluoride may affect secretion of calcium adjusting hormone (CT, PTH); (2) Changes of AKP and GSH-Px may be regarded as health monitoring indexes; (3) The correlation of biochemical indexes plays an important role in studying the mechanism and the early prevention and treatment of industrial fluorosis.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; analysis ; Calcitonin ; analysis ; Catalase ; analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; Fluorides ; toxicity ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Parathyroid Hormone ; analysis ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis

OBJECTIVEThis paper aimed to study the dynamic changes of enzyme activities and active component contents in Lonicera japonica during different blossoming stages.

METHODThe enzyme activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and the contents of total phenol, total flavonoids, chlorogenic acid, anthocyanins in L. japonica during different blossoming stages were determined.

RESULTThe contents of total phenolics, total flavonoids, anthocyanins decreased from the Sanqing stage to Jinhua stage while the content of chlorogenic acid increased slightly in white period, and then decreased gradually. The activities of three enzymes decreased gradually from Sanqing stage, and got to a minimum value in Yinhua stage, then increased slightly until the Jinhua stage.

CONCLUSIONThe enzyme activities of PPO and POD correlated the content of phenolic substances positively before the Jinhua stage in L. japonica. In the period of maturity, the POD activity was strengthened due to the induction of respiration and became the key enzyme to control active component content during the mature stage.

Catechol Oxidase ; metabolism ; Flowers ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; enzymology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Phenols ; analysis

In order to investigate the antioxidant effect of alkylhydroxide peroxidase (ahpC) of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) 26695, an ahpC-deficient mutant (H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat) was generated. ahpC-deficient mutant was grown slowly at lower pressure of oxygen (5% oxygen) compared to the H. pylori 26695. Whole cell proteins isolated form H. pylori 26695 and H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat were analyzed by MALDI-TOF and tandem-MS. The expression of 15 proteins, including Ppa, HypB, GrpE, Elp, RecA, GroES, Mda66, RibE, NapA, GlnA, BioB, TrxB, Tsf, FumC and Icd, was more than doubled in H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat. Production of 10 proteins such as UreG, FabE, Adk, Pnp, OorC, AtpA, AtpD, Nqq3, Pfr, and TagD decreased below 50% in H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat compared to the H. pylori 26695. In microarray analysis, 9 genes including sul1, amiE, frxA, fecA, hyuA, and katA increased in transcription level in H. pylori 26695 ahpC::cat compared to H. pylori 26695. A total of 24 genes, including flaB, protein kinase C inhibitor, cag16, pabC, and sabA, reduced in transcription. 27 genes, including HP0889, showed common expression changes in ahpC, katA, and sodB-deficient mutations. As a result of this study, there were not many genes whose expression was commonly changed by the deletion of each of the three major antioxidant enzymes of H. pylori. These results showed the functions and regulation of the three antioxidant enzymes were different in H. pylori.
Antioxidants ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter ; Microarray Analysis ; Oxygen ; Peroxidase ; Protein Kinase C ; Proteome ; Ribes

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of waterlogging stress on medicinal Chrysanthemum morifolium during the seedling stage and build a reliable evaluation of flooding tolerance indicator system.

METHODThe three cultivars: C. morifolium cv. Hongxinju, C. morifolium cv. Xiaobaiju and C. morifolium cv. Changbanju were studied for the and the effect of waterlogging stress on their physiological and biochemical chracteristics.

RESULTWith the extension of waterlogging, the content of chlorophyll and relative leaf water potential were decreased, meanwhile malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and soluble sugar were increased. The catalase (CAT) of C. morifolium cv. Hongxinju rose at first and then dropped and CAT of C. morifolium cv. Xiaobailu and C. morifolium cv. Changbanju declined at first before decreased, and then dropped again. The peroxidase (POD) rose firstly before decrease and then increases again. After the waterlogging treatments which last for 4 days, the physiology and biochemistry characteristics can not restore to the comparison (CK) within 3 days.

CONCLUSIONFour days waterlogging treatment had made serious damage on medicinal Chrysanthemum. Among three cultivars, C. morifolium Ramat. cv. Hongxinju showed the highest tolerance ability, while C. morifolium cv. Changbanju was the lowest, and C. morifolium cv. Xiaobaiu was in the middle. The malonaldehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) could be the main physiological and biochemical indexes to reflect the tolerance ability against waterlogging.

Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Carbohydrates ; analysis ; Catalase ; analysis ; metabolism ; Chrysanthemum ; chemistry ; enzymology ; physiology ; Dehydration ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; analysis ; metabolism ; Seedlings ; chemistry ; enzymology ; physiology ; Water ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of establishing a mouse model of ovarian oxidative stress by intraperitoneal injections of arsenic sodium.

METHODSTwenty adult female Kunming mice were randomized equally into the normal control group and ovarian oxidative stress model group for intraperitoneal injections of 0.5 ml distilled water and 8 mg/kg arsenic sodium solution every other day, respectively. After 8 injections, the mice were sacrificed for histological observation of the ovarian sections and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of serum estradiol (E(2)) and pregnenedione (P) levels ande contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) , malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the ovary homogenate.

RESULTSNumerous atretic follicles were found in the ovaries of mice in the model group with obviously reduced growing follicles. Compared with those in the normal control group, the contents of ROS and MDA increased and SOD and GSH-Px levels in the ovarian homogenate decreased significantly in the model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONA mouse model of ovarian oxidative stress can be established by intraperitoneal injections of arsenic sodium.

Animals ; Arsenites ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; analysis ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Ovary ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; analysis ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore genetic relationships of the 39 materials in six species of Curcuma.

METHODThe peroxidase isozyme (POD) and esterase isozyme (EST) were studied using vertical slab polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique, and the zymograms were analyzed using the software of NTSYSpc2. 1.

RESULTThe interspecific zymogramatic differences were obvious. Each species possessed its own specific zymogram distinguishing form the others. In the analysis of EST isozyme, C. phaeocaulis, C. wenyujin, C. kwangsiensis and C. chuanhuangjiang had their own specific zymogram. In the analysis of POD isozyme, just C. phaeocaulis and C. kwangsiensis had their specific zymogram.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic relationships are not associated with the geographical distributions and the genetic relationship between C. longa and C. sichuanensis are very close.

Cluster Analysis ; Curcuma ; classification ; enzymology ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Esterases ; analysis ; genetics ; Isoenzymes ; analysis ; genetics ; Peroxidase ; analysis ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo examine the protective effect of ecdysterone (ECR) against beta-amyloid peptide fragment(25-35) (Abeta(25-35))-induced PC12 cells cytotoxicity, and to further explore its mechanism.

METHODSExperimental PC12 cells were divided into the Abeta group (treated by Abeta(25-35) 100 micromol/L), the blank group (untreated), the positive control group (treated by Vit E 100 micromol/L after induction) and the ECR treated groups (treated by ECR with different concentrations of 1, 50 and 100 micromol/L). The damaged and survival condition of PC12 cells in various groups was monitored by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and MTT assay. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by fluorometric assay to indicate the lipid peroxidation. And the antioxidant enzymes activities in PC12 cells, including superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), were detected respectively.

RESULTSAfter PC12 cells were treated with Abeta(25-35) (100 micromol/L) for 24 hrs, they revealed a great decrease in MTT absorbance and activity of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, CAT and GSH-Px as well as a significant increase of LDH activity and MDA content in PC12 cells (P < 0.01). When the cells was pretreated with 1-100 micromol/L ECR for 24 hrs before Abeta(25-35) treatment, the above-mentioned cytotoxic effect of Abeta(25-35) could be significantly attenuated dose-dependently, for ECR 50 micromol/L, P < 0.05 and for ECR 100 micromol/L, P < 0.01. Moreover, ECR also showed significant inhibition on the Abeta(25-35) induced decrease of SOD and GSH-Px activity, but not on that of CAT.

CONCLUSIONECR could protect PC12 cells from cytotoxicity of Abeta(25-35), and the protective mechanism might be related to the increase of SOD and GSH-Px activities and the decrease of MDA resulting from the ECR-pretreatment.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Catalase ; analysis ; Ecdysterone ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; analysis ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; analysis ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; PC12 Cells ; Peptide Fragments ; toxicity ; Rats

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to assess weather the immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line Bend.3 displays the comparative barrier characteristics as the primary brain microvascular endothelial cells (BEMC).

METHODSImmortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line, Bend.3 cells were cultured in transwell inserts and their restrictive characteristics were assessed by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) permeability assays. Western blot and direct fluorescent staining methods were used to detect the tight junction protein expression and F-actin distribution.

RESULTSThe TEER in Bend.3 cells increased with the prolonged culture time and increased to 82.3+/-6.0 Omega cm2 10 days after culture, which was significantly higher than that 3 days after culture (37.3+/-3.1 Omega cm2; P<0.05). There were significant differences in the permeability rates for HRP 3 and 10 days after culture (4.3+/-0.20)% vs (2.2+/-0.05)% (P<0.05). Western blot indicated high level expression of tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 in Bend.3 cells 10 days after culture. F-actin was visualized around the cell membrane and presented scrobiculate linear fluorescence 10 days after culture.

CONCLUSIONSBend.3 cells have similar barrier characteristics to BEMC, and their barrier function may reach to the best effect 10 days after culture.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Cell Line ; Electric Impedance ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Horseradish Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; analysis ; Mice ; Phosphoproteins ; analysis ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein

The experiment included three potassium levels (K0 0 g x kg(-1), K1 0.33 g x kg(-1), K2 0.67 g x kg(-1)) and two water gradients (well watered and drought stress), then measured growth indicators, SOD, POD, CAT activities and concents of osmotic regulation substances. To explore the effects of K fertilizer and water on growth and physiological characteristics of Isatis indigotica, providing reference for improving drought resistance of I. indigotica. The result showed drought stress inhibited the growth and decreased the biomass of I. indigotica but K fertilizer can alleviate the drought stress. Compared with K0 treatment, K1, K2 treatment increased the biomass of overground part of by 89. 13% ,60. 87% under drought stress. The corresponding increase in soluble sugar content was 16.67%, 5.00%, and in proline content was 42.41%, 65.62%, respectively. SOD,POD and CAT activities was significantly improved in K1, K2 treatment in comparison with K0 treatment under drought stress, but soluble protein content significantly reduced. The conclusion is that appropriate amount of K fertilizer can increase the activities of antioxidase and the content of osmoregulation substance under drought stress, and improve drought resistance of I. indigotica.
Fertilizers ; analysis ; Isatis ; chemistry ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Potassium ; analysis ; metabolism ; Seedlings ; chemistry ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Water ; analysis ; metabolism