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The Role of Oxidative Stress in Human and Animal Health

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2025) | Viewed by 8010

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. International Observatory of Oxidative Stress, 84127 Salerno, Italy
2. Campus Uberlândia, Universidade de Uberaba (UNIUBE), Uberlândia 38055-500, Brazil
Interests: redox systems; oxidative stress; free radicals; antioxidants; redoxomics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress has long been defined as the breakdown of the equilibrium between the (increased) production of reactive oxidant species (ROS) and their (reduced) elimination by antioxidant species. It has now been recognized that the maintenance of a physiological level of oxidant challenge, termed oxidative “eu-stress”, is essential for governing life processes through redox signaling, whereas excessive oxidant challenge causes damage to biomolecules, termed oxidative “di-stress”. In light of more recent evidence, oxidative stress should be now considered as the expression of an ancestral adaptive response, essential for survival, common to all living organisms, from bacteria to humans, passing through plants and animals, managing a ubiquitous, interspecies, highly conserved biochemical system, i.e., the redox system.

The redox system machinery is based on the exchange of single reducing equivalents (electrons alone or in the form of hydrogen atoms) between a reactive oxidizing species, a molecular target, and a reducing, improperly identified “antioxidant” species. This exchange is ingeniously exploited mainly for signaling or defense purposes. If the adaptive response of the redox system is successful, a condition of “oxidative eu-stress” occurs, a phenomenon to be supported or, at least, not to be countered. If, on the other hand, the adaptive response fails, we must mark that as “oxidative di-stress”. Oxidative di-stress (often associated with chronic silent inflammation, in the so-called “oxi-inflammation”) should be prevented or treated as a sneaky, asymptomatic, and emerging risk factor for premature aging and several chronic and degenerative illnesses, including, in humans and diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Growing evidence also documents an increasingly important role of redox processes in the veterinary field; conditions of oxidative di-stress, in fact, can compromise the well-being of both companion animals (pets) and farm animals (i.e., intended for human consumption); furthermore, the progress of knowledge in the field of redox biology is linked to the reliability of animal models, and this broadens the range of interest of redox phenomena in research animals, especially rodents.

Based on these facts, the real challenges of redox biology in human health are as follows:

  • Understanding the structure (reactive oxidant species, antioxidants, and related molecular targets), the physiological role and the modulation (e.g., by transcriptional factors) of the redox system in specific contexts (e.g., cell, tissue, extracellular fluids), in different evolutionary stages, in basal conditions, after stimulus, etc.
  • Identifying the mechanisms through which the redox system modulates signaling and defenses and other processes.
  • Defining the reciprocal interactions among oxidative stress, inflammation, (epi)genetic changes, microbiome, and other biological processes.
  • Developing more suitable models of study or improving those currently available in the field of redox biology in a targeted manner.
  • Developing more suitable quantitative methodologies to evaluate redox phenomena and monitor their changes over time (interactomics, redoxomics, metabolomics, functional imaging, in vivo redox imaging).
  • Developing suitable strategies to support oxidative eu-stress and prevent oxidative di-stress (lifestyle changes, supplements/nutraceutics, targeted-drugs).

We strongly solicit and encourage contributions on these issues, which we believe to be crucial in understanding the real biological role of redox processes in humans and animals in order to drive their health towards successful aging.

Dr. Eugenio Luigi Iorio
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • free radicals

  • reactive oxygen species
  • antioxidants
  • oxidative stress
  • redoxomics
  • mitochondria
  • inflammation
  • chronic diseases
  • degenerative diseases
  • aging, diet
  • exercise
  • lifestyle
  • supplements

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2936 KiB  
Article
The Modulatory Effect of Selol (Se IV) on Pro-Inflammatory Pathways in RAW 264.7 Macrophages
by Gwan Yong Lim, Emilia Grosicka-Maciąg, Maria Szumiło, Daniel Graska, Iwonna Rahden-Staroń and Dagmara Kurpios-Piec
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(2), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020559 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 972
Abstract
Selol is a semi-synthetic mixture of selenized triglycerides. The results of biological studies revealed that Selol exhibits several anticancer effects. However, studies on its potential anti-inflammatory activity are scarce, and underlying signaling pathways are unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate [...] Read more.
Selol is a semi-synthetic mixture of selenized triglycerides. The results of biological studies revealed that Selol exhibits several anticancer effects. However, studies on its potential anti-inflammatory activity are scarce, and underlying signaling pathways are unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate the ability of Selol to exert anti-inflammatory effects in a RAW 264.7 cell line model of LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced inflammation. Cells were treated either with Selol 5% (4 or 8 µg Se/mL) or LPS (1 µg/mL) alone or with Selol given concomitantly with LPS. The parameters studied were reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glutathione and thioredoxin (Txn) levels, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation, as well as nitric oxide/prostaglandin E2 (NO/PGE2) production. The presented research also included the effect of Selol and/or LPS on glucose (Glc) catabolism; for this purpose, the levels of key enzymes of the glycolysis pathway were determined. The results showed that Selol exhibited pro-oxidative properties. It induced ROS generation with a significant increase in the level of Txn; however, it did not affect the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio. Selol moderately activated NF-κB but failed to affect NO/PGE2 production. The effect of Selol on glucose catabolism was not significant. However, the simultaneous administration of Selol with LPS exerted a statistically significant anti-inflammatory effect via a decrease in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and NF-κB activation. Our study also showed that as a result of LPS action in cells, the anaerobic glycolysis activity was increased, and incubation with Selol caused a partial reprogramming of Glc metabolism towards aerobic metabolism. This may indicate different pharmacological and molecular effects of Selol action in physiological and pathological conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Oxidative Stress in Human and Animal Health)
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14 pages, 1615 KiB  
Article
The Impact of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Supplementation on Redox Balance and Aerobic Capacity
by Norio Saga, Ailing Hu, Takuji Yamaguchi, Yuna Naraoka and Hiroyuki Kobayashi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25020988 - 12 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2607
Abstract
We examined the impact of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and sodium-ferrous-citrate supplementation on aerobic capacity and redox balance through a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Fourteen healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to Pla + ALA (4-week placebo followed by 4-week 5-ALA supplementation) or ALA + Pla [...] Read more.
We examined the impact of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and sodium-ferrous-citrate supplementation on aerobic capacity and redox balance through a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Fourteen healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to Pla + ALA (4-week placebo followed by 4-week 5-ALA supplementation) or ALA + Pla (4-week 5-ALA supplement followed by a 4-week placebo) group and administered 5-ALA (25 mg/day) or placebo once daily. The participants underwent submaximal incremental cycling tests at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. In the cycling test at week 0, individual load-intensity stages required for blood lactate levels >2 mmol/L (lactate threshold, LT) and 4 mmol/L (onset of blood lactate accumulation, OBLA) were determined. The heart rate (HR), blood lactate (La), and oxidative stress markers (diacron reactive oxygen metabolite, d-ROMs; biological antioxidant potential, BAP) were measured at resting, LT, and OBLA states in each cycling test. Marker values were not significantly different between the groups. HR, La, and d-ROMs at resting, LT, and OBLA states were not significantly different among the conditions. BAP and BAP/d-ROMs ratios were significantly different in the OBLA state at week 4 of the 5-ALA group compared with that of the placebo group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 5-ALA supplementation might improve redox balance during high-intensity aerobic exercise. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Oxidative Stress in Human and Animal Health)
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16 pages, 4658 KiB  
Article
Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Diabetes Mellitus with Diabetic Nephropathy Complications
by Petya Goycheva, Kamelia Petkova-Parlapanska, Ekaterina Georgieva, Yanka Karamalakova and Galina Nikolova
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713541 - 31 Aug 2023
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3068
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate and compare biomarkers of oxidative stress and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the plasma of patients with different stages of diabetic nephropathy. For this purpose, we studied (1) the levels of reactive oxygen species and reactive [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to investigate and compare biomarkers of oxidative stress and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the plasma of patients with different stages of diabetic nephropathy. For this purpose, we studied (1) the levels of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species as oxidative stress parameters, (2) lipid and protein oxidation, (3) the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and (4) cytokine production. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into three groups according to the loss of renal function: patients with compensated diabetes mellitus with normal renal function DMT2N0 measured as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, a group with decompensated diabetes mellitus with complication diabetic nephropathy and mild-to-moderate loss of renal function DMT2N1 (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2: 59–45 mL/min/1.73 m2), and a decompensated diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy group with moderate-to-severe loss of renal function DMT2N2 (eGFR > 30 mL/min/1.73 m2: 30–44 mL/min/1.73 m2). All results were compared with healthy volunteers. The results showed that patients with diabetic nephropathy had significantly higher levels of ROS, cytokine production, and end products of lipid and protein oxidation compared to healthy volunteers. Furthermore, patients with diabetic nephropathy had depleted levels of nitric oxide (NO), an impaired NO synthase (NOS) system, and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that patients with impaired renal function are unable to compensate for oxidative stress. The decreased levels of NO radicals in patients with advanced renal complications may be attributed to damage NO availability in plasma. The study highlights the compromised oxidative status as a contributing factor to impaired renal function in patients with decompensated type 2 diabetes mellitus. The findings of this study have implications for understanding the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and the role of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in its development. The assessment of oxidative stress levels and inflammatory biomarkers may aid in the early detection and prediction of diabetic complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Oxidative Stress in Human and Animal Health)
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