Erythrocytic Antioxidant Enzymes, Plasma Malondialdehyde and Haemoglobin Levels in Plasmodium Falciparum Infected Malaria Patients in Lagos, Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of malaria parasitaemia on Plasmodium falciparum infected human erythrocytes oxidative stress biomarkers and haemoglobin levels. Seventy (70) human subjects of fifty (50) P. falciparum positive and twenty (20) control subjects between the ages of 10-60 years were selected for this study. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and microscopy were used to identify P. falciparum. The samples were matched based on age, sex and level of parasitaemia. Samples of blood were collected for the determination of P. falciparum, level of parasitaemia, anti-oxidant assay and haemoglobin levels; to assess the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), total protein (PRO), reduced glutathione (GSH), haemoglobin and Parasite density. Haemoglobin level was determined using a Coulter A-T Pierce haematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Inc. Fullerton, CA, USA). This study showed that the mean level of PRO, CAT, MDA and SOD was significantly higher among the P. falciparum positive patients to those in the control while GPx level was lower, also, the mean level of HGB was significantly lower in the P. falciparum positive patients to those in the control. MDA, SOD, GSH and PRO level were higher among age group (10-20) in the P. falciparum infected patients and lower in the control subjects when compared to other age groups. MDA, SOD and PRO level were higher in the males than the females in both the malaria positive and controls. This study indicates that high parasitaemic patients are at greater risk of anaemia and oxidative stress compared to low parasitaemic ones.

COFFEE CONSUMPTION MAY DECREASE THE SERUM CREATININE AND PLASMA MALONDIALDEHYDE LEVELS IN RATS WITH HYPERURICEMIA INDUCED BY A HIGH PURINE DIET

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of coffee on creatinine and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level in rats fed on high purine diet. A total of 24 male Wistar rats divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Beef broth were given to 3 groups (K1, P1, P2) for thirty days. Beef broth administration were followed by giving coffee (caffeinated= P1 or by a decaffeinated= P2, 144 mg/200 g BW). Serum creatinine levels and plasma MDA were examined periodically on day 0, 15, and 30. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance or MANOVA test (CI= 95%, P0.05). Coffee administration (caffeinated and decaffeinated) may decrease the serum creatinine (day-30, K1= 3.17+ 0.69; P1= 1.63+0.11; P2= 1.14+0.08) and MDA levels (day-30, K1= 9.8+0.28; P1= 5.80+0.55, P2= 3.87+3.26) after 30 days of treatment (P= 0.000 for creatinine and MDA levels in K1, P1, P2 groups). A lower serum creatinine and MDA levels can be found in decaffeinated coffee grup. Coffee consumption for 30 days (especially decaffeinated) may decrease serum creatinine and plasma MDA in rat induced by a high purine diet.

Hydrogen Sulfide Restored the Diurnal Variation in Cardiac Function of Aging Mice

The present study was performed to investigate whether H2S could restore the diurnal variation in cardiac function of aging mice and explore the potential mechanisms. We found that ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) in 3-month-old mice exhibited diurnal variations over a 24-hour period. However, the diurnal variations were disrupted in 18-month-old mice, and there was a decline in EF and FS. In addition, the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased, and H2S concentrations and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were decreased in 18-month-old mice. Then, CSE KO mice were used to determine if there was a relationship between endogenous H2S and diurnal variations in EF and FS. There was no difference in 12-hour averaged EF and FS between dark and light periods in CSE KO mice accompanying increased MDA levels and decreased SOD activities in plasma, indicating that deficiency of endogenous H2S blunted diurnal variations of cardiac function. To determine whether oxidative stress disrupted the diurnal variations in cardiac function, D-galactose-induced subacute aging mice were employed. After 3-month D-gal treatment, both 12-hour averaged EF and FS in dark or light periods were decreased; meanwhile, there was no difference in 12-hour averaged EF and FS between dark and light periods. After 3-month NaHS treatment in the D-gal group, the plasma MDA levels were decreased and SOD activities were increased. The EF and FS were lower during the 12-hour light period than those during the 12-hour dark period which was fit to sine curves in the D-gal+NaHS group. Identical findings were also observed in 18-month-old mice. In conclusion, our studies revealed that the disrupted diurnal variation in cardiac function was associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased H2S levels in aging mice. H2S could restore the diurnal variation in cardiac function of aging mice by reducing oxidative stress.

Investigation of DNA damage and protein damage caused by oxidative stress in canine visceral leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis, considered by the World Health Organization as one of the most important zoonotic diseases, causes death when it is not treated in its self-healing skin form. The aim of this study was to investigate DNA damage and oxidative protein damage that occurs in dogs infected with Leishmania infantum. The study group consisted of 25 dogs, including 10 clinically healthy dogs aged 2 to 6 years and 15 dogs infected with Leishmania infantum diagnosed by means of the rk39 dipstick test and the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The effects of oxidative stress on protein were evaluated in the dogs infected with Leishmania infantum by determining plasma malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl groups, nitrotyrosine, and total antioxidant capacity in blood. DNA damage, on the other hand, was determined by the COMET method. Plasma protein carbonyl content (PCO) and nitrotyrosine (NT) levels, which are considered as indicators of protein damage, were found to be higher in the dogs infected with Leishmania infantum compared to the control group, but the difference in both values was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was significantly higher in the dogs infected with Leishmania infantum than in the control group. TAC levels, however, were lower in the leishmanial dogs (p < 0.05). According to the results of the COMET assay, lymphocyte cells were damaged in the leishmanial dogs, and both tail intensity (TI) and tail moment (TM) values were higher in those dogs than they were in the control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The parasites caused oxidative stress through protein and DNA damage in the host and decreased the antioxidant capacity concentration that prevents destructive effects.

The effects of nanofatty acids on the nervous system

To investigate the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (nanofatty acids) on the nervous system, 90 clean female mice aged 3?5 weeks old were randomly divided into two groups (n = 45). The experimental group was injected with nanofatty acids once every other day for a total of three times, while the control group was injected with the same volume of normal saline. The behavior, weight, plasma, malondialdehyde content in the brain homogenate, and total superoxide disodium alcohol were assessed after the treatments. Mice treated with nanofatty acid were easily provoked, hyperactive, and had significantly reduced body weight as compared to the control mice (P <0.05). These findings suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acid can reduce the levels of lipid peroxidation and the activity of total superoxide dismutase in mice. Our results suggest that nanofatty acid exposure has a protect effect on the nervous system.

Effects of Cyclic High Ambient Temperature and Dietary Supplementation of Orotic Acid, a Pyrimidine Precursor, on Plasma and Muscle Metabolites in Broiler Chickens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high ambient temperature (HT) and orotic acid supplementation on the plasma and muscle metabolomic profiles in broiler chickens. Thirty-two 14-day-old broiler chickens were divided into four treatment groups that were fed diets with or without 0.7% orotic acid under thermoneutral (25 ± 1 °C) or cyclic HT (35 ± 1 °C for 8 h/day) conditions for 2 weeks. The chickens exposed to HT had higher plasma malondialdehyde concentrations, suggesting an increase in lipid peroxidation, which is alleviated by orotic acid supplementation. The HT environment also affected the serine, glutamine, and tyrosine plasma concentrations, while orotic acid supplementation affected the aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and tyrosine plasma concentrations. Untargeted gas chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)-based metabolomics analysis identified that the HT affected the plasma levels of metabolites involved in purine metabolism, ammonia recycling, pyrimidine metabolism, homocysteine degradation, glutamate metabolism, urea cycle, β-alanine metabolism, glycine and serine metabolism, and aspartate metabolism, while orotic acid supplementation affected metabolites involved in pyrimidine metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, the malate–aspartate shuttle, and aspartate metabolism. Our results suggest that cyclic HT affects various metabolic processes in broiler chickens, and that orotic acid supplementation ameliorates HT-induced increases in lipid peroxidation.

Hematoprotective and Gastroprotective Effects of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Linn)-Supplemented Diet in Male Wistar Rats

Aims: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (CA) is a plant known to possess very high phenolic compound. The study evaluated hematological indices, anti-oxidative properties and gastroprotective potentials of CA leaf-supplemented diet. Methodology: Male Wistar rats weighing between 80-100 g were divided into 5 groups of n=18. Group 1 animals were fed with normal diet and groups 2-5 were fed with diets supplemented with 1%, 2.5%, 5% and 10% of C. aconitifolius powdered leaves continuously for 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Hematological indices were examined in the whole blood plasma Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH), Catalase (CAT) were investigated, and changes in stomach architecture were also examined via histology. Results: There was a progressive increase in weight gain at different weeks of feeding with Cnidoscolus aconitifolius-supplemented diet (CAD). Malondialdehyde level decreased (p<0.05) significantly in 1% CAD at 8 weeks of feeding when compared to normal diet group. Glutathione at the 8th and 12th weeks of feeding with 1% CAD and 10% CAD significantly (p<0.05) decreased when compared to the group fed normal diet. Catalase activity increased (p<0.05) significantly in 1%, 2.5% and 5% CAD groups when compared to the group fed normal diet at 4 weeks of feeding. There was increase in haematological indices across all the groups during the weeks of feeding. The microscopic examination of the stomach epithelial layer reveals improvement with no serious damage across all the groups. Conclusion: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius-supplemented diet moderately improves blood anti-oxidant against oxidative stress and the hematological indices with time. The diet also maintains the structural integrity of the stomach wall without causing any damage.

Effect of Aqueous Extract and Polyphenol Fraction Derived from Thymus atlanticus Leaves on Acute Hyperlipidemia in the Syrian Golden Hamsters

Thymus atlanticus, an endemic plant of Morocco, is traditionally used as a liniment or a drink to treat various diseases. However, there are few available scientific data regarding its biological effects. In this connection, the present study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of aqueous extract and polyphenol fraction of Thymus atlanticus in Syrian golden hamsters treated with Triton WR-1339 (triton, 20 mg/100 g body weight). The hamsters orally received the extracts (400 mg/kg), and blood samples were collected after 24 h of treatment to determine plasma lipid, insulin, and fasting blood glucose levels. Plasma malondialdehyde level and plasma total antioxidant (TAS) were also evaluated. The T. atlanticus extracts significantly decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL-C, and LDL-C and increased HDL-C when compared with the hyperlipidemic group. Both extracts suppressed the effect of the triton injection on TAS and reduced the level of plasma malondialdehyde. The extracts produced no significant change in the blood glucose level but effectively prevented the mild hyperinsulinemia induced by triton. These findings suggest that T. atlanticus may be a useful alternative treatment for the control of hyperlipidemia and its related diseases.

Relationship between parasympathetic reactivity and oxidative stress in Polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common reproductive hormone disorder. Altered cardiovagal autonomic modulation and oxidative stress may predispose PCOS patients to increased cardiovascular morbidity. Objective: To assess the relationship between parasympathetic reactivity and oxidative stress in patients with PCOS. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbagh, Dhaka from September 2018 to August 2019 on 35 newly diagnosed obese (BMI ≥25kg/m2) PCOS patients aged 20-35 years. Age and BMI matched 35 apparently healthy women were also enrolled as control. Three noninvasive conventional autonomic function tests, such as heart rate response to deep breathing, standing and the Valsalva maneuver, were used for evaluation of parasympathetic reactivity. For assessment of oxidative stress, plasma malondialdehyde level (oxidant) and plasma catalase level(antioxidant) were measured in all subjects by spectrophotometry. Data were expressed as mean± SD. For statistical analysis Independent sample “t” test, Pearson’s correlation test and multiple regression analysis were done as applicable. Results: In this study PCOS patients had significantly higher (p<0.01)resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure than that of healthy control. But Expiration: Inspiration ratio, Expiration:Inspiration difference and 30:15 ratio during standing were significantly lower (p<0.001, p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively) in PCOS compared to control. In addition, plasma catalase level was significantly lower (p<0.01)and plasma malondialdehyde level significantly higher (p<0.001) in PCOS in comparison to healthy control. Multiple regression analysis showed plasma catalase as a significant positive predictor (p<0.05) of the Valsalva ratio in PCOS. Also, Valsalva ratio showed significant negative association (p<0.05) with plasma malondialdehyde (p<0.01)in PCOS. Conclusion: Based on these results it is concluded that impaired parasympathetic reactivity showed inverse relationship with oxidative stress in PCOS. J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2019, December; 14(2): 48-55