Background and Objectives. Neuroprotection agents may help improve the outcomes of large vessel ischemic stroke. This study aims to explore the role of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), with its well-documented anti-oxidant properties, in neuroprotection after transient occlusion of the extracranial internal carotid artery in a rat model of stroke. Methods. Twenty-three Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into two groups: 1) control group (n=11) given distilled water, and 2) treatment group (n=12) given virgin coconut oil at 5.15 ml/kg body weight for seven days. Subsequently, the rats underwent transient right extracranial internal carotid artery occlusion (EICAO) for 5 minutes using non-traumatic aneurysm clips. At 4 and 24 hours after EICAO, the animals were examined for neurologic deficits by an observer blinded to treatment groups, then sacrificed. Eight brain specimens (4 from each group) were subjected to histopathologic examination (H & E staining) while the rest of the specimens were processed using triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining to determine infarct size and area of hemispheric edema. Results. VCO treatment significantly improved the severity of neurologic deficit (1.42 ± 2.31) compared to the control distilled water group (4.09 ± 2.59) 24 hours after EICAO. Whereas, infarct size and percent hemispheric edema did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusion. Prophylactic treatment of VCO is protective against EICAO-induced neurologic deficits in a rat model. VCO shows great potential as a neuroprotective agent for large vessel ischemic stroke. However, more studies are necessary to elucidate the neuroprotective mechanisms of VCO therapy in ischemic stroke.
Coconut Oil ; Oxidants ; Antioxidants ; Neuroprotection ; Ischemia ; Stroke

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms underlying ozone-induced inactivation of poliovirus type 1 (PV1). METHODS: We used cell culture, long-overlapping RT-PCR, and spot hybridization assays to verify and accurately locate the sites of action of ozone that cause PV1 inactivation. We also employed recombinant viral genome RNA infection models to confirm our observations. RESULTS: Our results indicated that ozone inactivated PV1 primarily by disrupting the 5'-non-coding region (5'-NCR) of the PV1 genome. Further study revealed that ozone specifically damaged the 80-124 nucleotide (nt) region in the 5'-NCR. Recombinant viral genome RNA infection models confirmed that PV1 lacking this region was non-infectious. CONCLUSION In this study, we not only elucidated the mechanisms by which ozone induces PV1 inactivation but also determined that the 80-124 nt region in the 5'-NCR is targeted by ozone to achieve this inactivation.
5' Untranslated Regions ; Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Genome, Viral ; drug effects ; Oxidants, Photochemical ; pharmacology ; Ozone ; pharmacology ; Poliovirus ; drug effects ; Vero Cells ; Virus Inactivation

Despite advances in the field of male reproductive health, idiopathic male infertility, in which a man has altered semen characteristics without an identifiable cause and there is no female factor infertility, remains a challenging condition to diagnose and manage. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress (OS) plays an independent role in the etiology of male infertility, with 30% to 80% of infertile men having elevated seminal reactive oxygen species levels. OS can negatively affect fertility via a number of pathways, including interference with capacitation and possible damage to sperm membrane and DNA, which may impair the sperm's potential to fertilize an egg and develop into a healthy embryo. Adequate evaluation of male reproductive potential should therefore include an assessment of sperm OS. We propose the term Male Oxidative Stress Infertility, or MOSI, as a novel descriptor for infertile men with abnormal semen characteristics and OS, including many patients who were previously classified as having idiopathic male infertility. Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) can be a useful clinical biomarker for the classification of MOSI, as it takes into account the levels of both oxidants and reductants (antioxidants). Current treatment protocols for OS, including the use of antioxidants, are not evidence-based and have the potential for complications and increased healthcare-related expenditures. Utilizing an easy, reproducible, and cost-effective test to measure ORP may provide a more targeted, reliable approach for administering antioxidant therapy while minimizing the risk of antioxidant overdose. With the increasing awareness and understanding of MOSI as a distinct male infertility diagnosis, future research endeavors can facilitate the development of evidence-based treatments that target its underlying cause.
Antioxidants ; Classification ; Clinical Protocols ; Diagnosis ; DNA ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fertility ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Membranes ; Ovum ; Oxidants ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Reducing Agents ; Reproductive Health ; Semen ; Spermatozoa ; Subject Headings

BACKGROUND: Microvascular anastomosis patency is adversely affected by local and systemic factors. Impaired intimal recovery and endothelial mechanisms promoting thrombus formation at the anastomotic site are common etiological factors of reduced anastomosis patency. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a catechin derivative belonging to the flavonoid subgroup and is present in green tea (Camellia sinensis). This study investigated the effects of EGCG on the structure of vessel tips used in microvascular anastomoses and evaluated its effects on thrombus formation at an anastomotic site. METHODS: Thirty-six adult male Wistar albino rats were used in the study. The right femoral artery was cut and reanastomosed. The rats were divided into two groups (18 per group) and were systemically administered either EGCG or saline. Each group were then subdivided into three groups, each with six rats. Axial histological sections were taken from segments 1 cm proximal and 1 cm distal to the microvascular anastomosis site on days 5, 10, and 14. RESULTS: Thrombus formation was significantly different between the EGCG and control groups on day 5 (P=0.015) but not on days 10 or 14. The mean luminal diameter was significantly greater in the EGCG group on days 5 (P=0.002), 10 (P=0.026), and 14 (P=0.002). Intimal thickening was significantly higher on days 5 (P=0.041) and 10 (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: EGCG showed vasodilatory effects and led to reduced early thrombus formation after microvascular repair. Similar studies on venous anastomoses and random or axial pedunculated skin flaps would also contribute valuable findings relevant to this topic.
Adult ; Animals ; Catechin ; Femoral Artery ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Oxidants ; Phenobarbital ; Rats ; Skin ; Tea ; Thrombosis ; Vasodilation

Glutathione (GSH) is a major antioxidant in cells, and plays vital roles in the cellular defense against oxidants and in the regulation of redox signals. In a previous report, we demonstrated that stem cell function is critically affected by heterogeneity and dynamic changes in cellular GSH concentration. Here, we present a detailed protocol for the monitoring of GSH concentration in living stem cells using FreSHtracer, a real-time GSH probe. We describe the steps involved in monitoring GSH concentration in single living stem cells using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. These methods are simple, rapid, and quantitative, and able to demonstrate intracellular GSH concentration changes in real time. We also describe the application of FreSHtracer to the sorting of stem cells according to their GSH content using flow cytometry. Typically, microscopic or flow cytometric analyses of FreSHtracer and MitoFreSHtracer signals in living stem cells take ~2~3 h, and the fractionation of stem cells into subpopulations on the basis of cellular GSH levels takes 3~4.5 h. This method could be applied to almost every kind of mammalian cell with minor modifications to the protocol described here.
Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Glutathione ; Methods ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Oxidants ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Population Characteristics ; Stem Cells

Previous studies suggest that air pollution has a negative effect on semen quality. However, most studies are cross-sectional and the results are controversial. This study investigated the associations between air pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃) and semen quality among sperm donation candidates, especially when the air pollution was artificially controlled in Beijing, China. We analyzed 8945 semen samples in the human sperm bank of Peking University Third Hospital (Beijing, China) from October 2015 to May 2018. Air pollution data during the entire period (0-90 days prior) and key stages (0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days prior) of sperm development were collected from the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre. The association between air pollutants and semen parameters (sperm concentration and progressive motility) was analyzed by a mixed model adjusted for age, abstinence duration, month, and average ambient temperature. Only O₃during key stages of 0-9 days and 10-14 days and the entire period was negatively associated with sperm concentration between 2015 and 2018 (P < 0.01). During the period of air pollution control from November 2017 to January 2018, except for the increase in O₃concentration, other five pollutants' concentrations decreased compared to those in previous years. In this period, the sperm concentration decreased (P < 0.001). During the pollution-control period, O₃exposure 10-14 days prior was negatively associated with sperm concentration (95% CI: -0.399--0.111; P < 0.001). No significant association was found between the other five pollutants and semen quality during that period. Our study suggested that only O₃exposure was harmful to semen quality. Therefore, O₃should not be neglected during pollution control operation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Beijing ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Middle Aged ; Oxidants, Photochemical/adverse effects* ; Ozone/adverse effects* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Young Adult

In-depth knowledge of disinfection and sterilization is a key component of infection control. Sterilization completely removes a spore, whereas disinfection cannot. Disinfectants are classified as oxidants and non-oxidants. The decision regarding which method to apply is based on Spaulding's classification. In this article, disinfection and sterilization are thoroughly reviewed, and extensive information from basic to practical points is discussed.
Classification ; Disinfectants ; Disinfection* ; Infection Control ; Methods ; Oxidants ; Spores ; Sterilization*

In-depth knowledge of disinfection and sterilization is a key component of infection control. Sterilization completely removes a spore, whereas disinfection cannot. Disinfectants are classified as oxidants and non-oxidants. The decision regarding which method to apply is based on Spaulding's classification. In this article, disinfection and sterilization are thoroughly reviewed, and extensive information from basic to practical points is discussed.
Classification ; Disinfectants ; Disinfection* ; Infection Control ; Methods ; Oxidants ; Spores ; Sterilization*

OBJECTIVE: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mood disorder characterized by recurrent episodes that has a lifetime prevalence of 0.4–5.5%. The neurochemical mechanism of BD is not fully understood. Oxidative stress in neurons causes lipid peroxidation in proteins associated with neuronal membranes and intracellular enzymes and it may lead to dysfunction in neurotransmitter reuptake and enzyme activities. These pathological processes are thought to occur in brain regions associated with affective functions and emotions in BD. The relationship between the number of manic episodes and total oxidant-antioxidant capacity was investigated in this study. METHODS: Eighty-two BD patients hospitalized due to manic symptoms and with no episodes of depression were enrolled in the study. Thirty of the 82 patients had had their first episode of mania, and the other 52 patients had had two or more manic episodes. The control group included 45 socio-demographically matched healthy individuals. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant capacity (TOC) measurements of the participants were performed. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated by TOC/TAC. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in OSI scores between BD patients with first-episode mania and BD patients with more than one manic episode. However, OSI scores in both groups were significantly higher than in the control group. TOC levels of BD patients with first-episode mania were found to be significantly higher than TOC levels of BD patients with more than one manic episode and healthy controls. There were no significant differences in TAC levels between BD patients with first-episode mania and BD patients with more than one manic episode. TAC levels in both groups were significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Significant changes in oxidative stress indicators were observed in this study, confirming previous studies. Increased levels of oxidants were shown with increased disease severity rather than with the number of manic episodes. Systematic studies, including of each period of the disorder, are needed for using the findings indicating deterioration of oxidative parameters.
Bipolar Disorder* ; Brain ; Depression ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Membranes ; Mood Disorders ; Neurons ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Oxidants ; Oxidative Stress* ; Pathologic Processes ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVE: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common anxiety disorder. Although lots of research done to reveal neurobiological basis of GAD, it is still unclear. Diagnosis of GAD depends on subjective complaints of patients, thus the need for a biological marker is constantly emerging. In this study, we aimed to investigate diagnostic value of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in GAD. METHODS: We evaluated MDA, SOD, and CAT levels in peripheral blood of 46 patients and 45 controls. MDA was measured with Ohkawa’s methods, SOD was measured with Fridovich method, and CAT was measured with Beutler’s method. RESULTS: MDA was significantly increased in patients than controls, medians 4.05 nmol/mg and 1.71 nmol/mg respectively, p < 0.001; SOD and CAT activity was significantly decreased in patients than controls, medians of SOD were 159.07 U/mg and 301.87 U/mg, p < 0.001 respectively, medians for CAT were 138.47 U/mg and 160.60 U/mg respectively. We found high correlation between Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and SOD, MDA r values were 0.723 and 0.715 respectively, p < 0.001 for both. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed high diagnostic performance for MDA and SOD, low diagnostic performance for CAT, areas under curve were 1.0, 1.0, and 0.648 respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results reveal possible diagnostic value of MDA, less likely of SOD but not CAT. Future studies should investigate diagnostic value of oxidants and antioxidantn enzymes in larger samples and include diagnostic value of these parameters.
Animals ; Anxiety Disorders ; Anxiety ; Biomarkers ; Catalase ; Cats ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; Methods ; Oxidants ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides