OBJECTIVE: To study the association of the level of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) in seminal plasma with teratospermia and the outcome parameters of fertilization (IVF). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 272 male patients receiving assisted reproduction treatment in the Center for Reproductive Medicine of our hospital between October, 2018 and March, 2019. The levels of seminal AOPPs and reactive oxygen species (ROS), demographic data, sperm parameters and IVF outcome parameters were analyzed for all the patients. According to the percentage of sperms with normal morphology, the patients were divided before IVF into teratozoospermia group and normal sperm morphology group, and those in teratozoospermia group were further divided into 3 subgroups with mild, moderate and severe teratozoospermia. The patients were also divided on the day oocyte retrieval into 2 groups with fertilizing rates lower (group Ⅰ) and higher (group Ⅱ) than the median rate. RESULTS: We found a significant negative correlation of seminal AOPP level before treatment with the percentage of normal sperm morphology (=0.003) and seminal ROS level (=0.013). The seminal levels of AOPPs (= 0.027) and ROS (=0.036) were significantly elevated in patients with teratospermia, and seminal AOPP level was significantly higher in severe teratospermia group than in mild (=0.019) and moderate (=0.015) teratospermia groups. The seminal levels of AOPPs (=0.003) and ROS (=0.017) on the day of oocyte retrieval were negatively correlated with the fertilization rate in IVF cycles, and the levels of AOPPs (=0.049) and ROS (=0.036) were significantly higher in group Ⅰ than in group Ⅱ. CONCLUSIONS An elevated level of seminal AOPPs may indicate an increased risk of severe teratospermia and a lower fertilization rate in IVF.
Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; Spermatozoa ; Teratozoospermia

OBJECTIVE: Prompt diagnosis and management are essential for saving the adnexal organs from infarction in cases of ovarian torsion (OT). This study aimed to determine the diagnostic significance of signal peptide, complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1 (CUB), and epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing protein-1 (SCUBE-1) levels in cases of OT, an emergent ischemic condition, and the relationship of SCUBE-1 with oxidative stress parameters. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted among 15 OT patients and 20 age- and gravidity-matched healthy women. SCUBE-1 serum concentrations were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In addition, oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and glutathione (GSH). RESULTS: The SCUBE-1 titers were significantly higher in the patients with OT than in the controls (p=0.008). In addition, serum FRAP and GSH levels were significantly lower in the OT patients than in the controls (p < 0.001 for both). Serum AOPP levels were higher in the OT patients, but this trend was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Furthermore, there were no correlations between SCUBE-1 levels and age, gravidity, parity, cyst size, and AOPP, FRAP, or GSH levels (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We believe that SCUBE-1 may be a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis of OT.
Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; Complement System Proteins ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Glutathione ; Gravidity ; Humans ; Infarction ; Ischemia ; Oxidative Stress ; Parity ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; Protein Sorting Signals

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of arctiin on advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tubular cells and explore the mechanisms underlying this effect.

METHODSHuman proximal tubular cells (HK-2 cells) were treated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or AOPPs in the presence or absence of arctiin. The expressions of E-cadherin, vimentin, and GRP78 at the protein and mRNA levels in the cells were examined using Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by flow cytometry with DCFH-DA as the fluorescent probe.

RESULTSCompared with BSA-treated cells, the cells treated with AOPPs showed decreased expression of epithelial cell marker E-cadherin and overexpression of mesenchymal marker vimentin and endoplasmic reticulum stress marker GRP78 with an increased ROS level. These changes induced by AOPPs were partly inhibited by arctiin.

CONCLUSIONArctiin can ameliorate AOPP-induced EMT in tubular cells by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress, and oxidative stress response may participate in this process.

Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; adverse effects ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Furans ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism

To observe the influence of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), CD47, L-selectin and advanced oxidation proteinproducts (AOPP) in osteoarthritis and the intervention of curcumin.A total of 20 male C57BL/6 mice (10.05-15.00 g) were randomly divided into control group, OA group, Cur25 group and Cur50 group (intraperitoneal injected 25 μmol/L or 50 μmol/L of curcumin everyday after modeling). After 4 weeks treatment, we observed the morphological changes of the gross specimen by immunohistochemical method, and observed the ultrastructure of cartilage tissue under electron microscope. The expression of MMP-2, MCP-1 and CD47 were detected by western blotting, and L-selectin and AOPP were detected by ELISA and spectrophotometer, respectively.In the cartilage tissue morphology, the chondrocytes of OA group showed obvious change, while Cur25 and Cur50 groups maintained the good cartilage cell membrane intact. Compared with control group, the expressions of MMP-2, MCP-1, L-selectin and AOPP in OA group, Cur25 group and Cur50 group were increased (all<0.05), while CD47 levels were decreased (all<0.05). Compared with OA group, the expressions of MMP-2, MCP-1, L-selectin and AOPP in Cur25 group and Cur50 group were decreased (all<0.05), while CD47 levels were increased (all<0.05), and such changes were more significant in Cur50 group (all<0.05).The MMP-2, MCP-1, CD47, L-selectin and AOPP are closely associated with the pathology course of OA. Curcumin has protection effect on cartilage, which can relieve joint cartilage degeneration, reduce cartilage inflammation and increase the metabolic activity of chondrocytes.
Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; CD47 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cartilage ; chemistry ; drug effects ; pathology ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Chondrocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cytokines ; L-Selectin ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Osteoarthritis ; genetics ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Oxidative Stress

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a chronic, common disease of unknown etiology, and oxidative stress is suggested to have a role in its etiopathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were evaluated regarding their role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo as well as their relationship with clinical presentation and disease severity, and these parameters were compared with those of healthy controls. METHODS: The study included 53 patients with vitiligo and 20 healthy volunteers as the control group. AOPP level, PAB, and FRAP were determined by colorimetric methods. RESULTS: PAB and FRAP level were significantly higher in patients with vitiligo than in healthy controls (p<0.001). The AOPP levels in vitiligo patients were not statistically significantly higher than those in healthy controls. The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index positively correlated with disease duration (r(s): 0.531, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of AOPP and PAB status in vitiligo. PAB may be used as an indicator for oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo. Our results show that these parameters may play a major role in the melanocyte damage observed in vitiligo. Further studies are required to confirm the mechanisms underlying this effect.
Advanced Oxidation Protein Products* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Melanocytes ; Oxidative Stress ; Vitiligo*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the serum of rats fed with Shenkang pill in regulating monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) expression induced by advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in mouse podocyte clone 5 (MPC5) and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODSMPC5 cultured in vitro were incubated for different time lengths in the presence of different concentrations of serum of rats medicated with Shenkang pill, and the cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay. In MPC5 treated with AOPP prior to exposure to the rat serum, the changes in the protein expressions of p38MAPK and IκBα were examined with Western blotting, NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation was analyzed with immunofluorescence assay, and MCP-1 expression in the supernatant was determined using ELISA kits.

RESULTSThe medicated rat serum time- and concentration-dependently promoted the proliferation of MPC5, with the optimal serum concentration of 5% and incubation time of 24 h. AOPP significantly increased MCP-1 expression in the cell supernatant in a time-and concentration-dependent manner; pretreatment with SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor) or parthenolide (a NF-κB inhibitor) significantly decreased MCP-1 expression, and treatment with the medicated serum significantly decreased AOPP-induced MCP-1 expression. AOPP concentration-dependently increased the protein expression of P-p38 but decreased that of IκBα. Both the medicated serum and SB203580 increased IκBα protein in AOPP-induced cells, but the effect was more obvious with the medicated serum. The medicated serum also decreased NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation in AOPP-induced MPC5.

CONCLUSIONShenkang pill-medicated serum can decrease AOPP-induced expression of MPC-1 in MPC5 by regulating p38MAPK/NF-κB to mediate its anti-inflammatory effect. This finding provides a new theoretical basis for the application of Shenkang pill to treat diabetic nephropathy.

Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Imidazoles ; Mice ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Pyridines ; Rats ; Serum ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) and explore the mechanism.

METHODSHK-2 cells treated with 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/ml AOPP or 50 µg/m bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 24 h, or with 200 µg/ml AOPP for 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h were examined for the protein expression of α-SMA and E-cadherin. In cells pretreated with diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) or cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (C-SOD), the effects of 50 µg/ml BSA and 200 µg/ml AOPP were assessed on the expressions of α-SMA and E-cadherin, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity.

RESULTSAOPP treatment up-regulated α-SMA expression and down-regulated E-cadherin expression in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. AOPP exposure of the cells resulted in increased MDA level and lowered activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX. DPI and C-SOD partially attenuated the effects of AOPP on α-SMA, E-cadherin, MDA, SOD, CAT and GSH-px.

CONCLUSIONAOPP can induce EMT in cultured HK-2 cells via oxidative stress, and this effect can be attenuated by inhibiting the activation of NADPH oxidase and using antioxidants to delay the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; NADPH Oxidases ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) on expressions of stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) in ECV304 cells and the signal pathway that mediated the effects.

METHODSAOPP-BSA was made from bovine serum albumin (BSA) and sodium hypochlorite. After treated with AOPP-BSA of different concentrations (50, 100, 200 micromol/L), the expressions of SDF-1alpha mRNA in ECV304 cells were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the expressions of SDF-1alpha protein and the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in ECV304 cells were analyzed by Western blot. In inhibition test, U0126, the special inhibitor of ERK of different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 rmol/L) were added into ECV304 cells culture media for 1 hour, then the cells were treated with AOPP-BSA for 24 hours, at last the protein levels in supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSAOPP-BSA obviously promoted the expressions of SDF-1alpha mRNA and increased the levels of SDF-1beta protein of ECV304 cells in dose-dependent manner (all P < 0.01), after 15 minutes treated with 200 micromol/L AOPP-BSA, the levels of phosphorylated ERK of ECV304 cells increased significantly (P < 0.01). When the ERK pathway was blocked by U0126, the promoting effects of AOPP-BSA on expressions of SDF-la protein in ECV304 cells were significantly inhibited in dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAOPP induced the expression of SDF-la of ECV304 cells, ERK signal pathway is an important pathway that mediated the effects.

Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Oxidative Stress ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) on proliferation, differentiation, and oxidative stress in rat osteoblasts.

METHODSThe cell proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts isolated from neonatal SD rat skull were evaluated following treatment with different concentrations (50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/ml) of AOPP using CCK-8 kit and ALP assay kit, respectively. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the treated cells were analyzed using 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, and the transcription levels of ALP, collagen I and RAGE were assessed using real-time PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, AOPP-treated osteoblasts showed obviously inhibited proliferation and differentiation with down-regulated expressions of ALP and collagen I and increased ROS production and RAGE expression.

CONCLUSIONAOPP can inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts partially by up-regulating RAGE and inducing ROS production.

Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; pharmacology ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) exert various toxic effects through the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). Soluble RAGE (sRAGE) is a naturally occurring inhibitor of AGE-RAGE. Recent studies have suggested that inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) reduces the accumulation of AGEs in diabetes partly by increasing the production and secretion of sRAGE into the plasma. This report describes the relationship between sRAGE and ACE polymorphism in maintenance hemodialysis patients. METHODS: The levels of sRAGE and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and ACE polymorphism was detected by PCR amplification. RESULTS: The distributions of ACE genotypes in 105 hemodialysis patients were as follows: II, 56 (35.9%); ID, 29 (18.6%); and DD, 20 (12.8%). According to the ACE genotypes, the study group consisted of II (n = 56) and ID + DD group (n = 49). sRAGE was correlated with age (r = -0.24; p = 0.013). There were significant differences in sRAGE, AOPP, age, duration of dialysis, C-reactive protein, or 24-h urine volume between two genotype groups. There were no significant differences in sRAGE levels, even though the effect of age was treated as a covariate. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that sRAGE may be affected only by age, and not by ACE polymorphism in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; C-Reactive Protein ; Dialysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Genotype ; Humans ; Plasma ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rage ; Renal Dialysis* ; Urine