Search Results (26)

We focused on evaluating oxidative stress as a major mechanism of cell damage in patients with COVID-19 infection by simultaneously assessing standard oxidative stress biomarkers in vivo—for the very first time in this specific combination—alongside typical clinical biomarkers of inflammation. Standard biomarkers were used to evaluate the oxidative stress status and antioxidant activity in the blood plasma of COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. These included TBARSs (Thiobarbituric Acid-Reactive Substances), SOD (Super Oxide Dismutase), CAT (catalase), GRA (glutathione reductase) activities, and AOC (antioxidant capacity). All clinical inflammation data confirmed a highly activated immune response in the tested COVID-19 patients: WBCs (white blood cells) were increased by nearly 100%, LYMs (lymphocytes) increased by ~30%, CRP (C-reactive protein) rose by over 2200%, and the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) increased by ~320% compared to established maximum control levels. The results confirmed that the infection involved a free-radical-mediated damage mechanism: TBARS levels increased almost 3-fold, the AOC decreased more than 4-fold, SOD was increased nearly 5-fold, CAT was increased by 1.4 times, and GRA was suppressed by 2.5 times. COVID-19 was associated with oxidative stress and suppressed antioxidant activity. All these changes contribute to the severity of the disease, complications, and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Full article

Rainbow trout fingerlings were fed, in triplicate, diets supplemented with 0 (CTL), 50 (50 TM), 100 (100 TM), 200 (200 TM), 400 (400 TM) and 800 (800 TM) mg/kg of thymol, followed by 48 h of thermal stress. Growth performance and humoral immunological parameters showed no significant responses to dietary thymol concentrations. Fish fed 50–400 mg/kg thymol diets had significantly higher survival after heat stress. Plasma cortisol, glucose, hepatic glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and erythrocyte catalase significantly increased after thermal stress, whereas total plasma antioxidant capacity, ascorbate, and hepatic/erythrocyte reduced-glutathione significantly decreased. There were significant elevations in plasma ascorbate and hepatic glutathione reductase in the 50 TM, 100 TM and 200 TM groups; plasma total antioxidant capacity in the 100 TM and 200 TM groups; hepatic glutathione peroxidase in the 200 TM group; and hepatic-reduced glutathione in the 100 TM, 200 TM and 400 TM groups, compared to CTL. The highest hepatic superoxide dismutase and lowest hepatic malondialdehyde were observed in the 100 TM group before heat stress. These parameters significantly increased after thermal stress in the treatment groups, except in the 100 TM and 200 TM groups. Hepatic catalase showed no significant difference among the treatment groups before thermal stress. Hepatic catalase significantly increased after heat stress in all treatment groups, except in the 100 TM group. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase significantly increased in the 100 TM group before heat stress, whereas erythrocyte malondialdehyde significantly decreased in the 100 TM and 200 TM groups after thermal stress. Based on the results, 100 mg/kg of thymol can promote antioxidant power and thermal stress resistance in rainbow trout. Full article

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of reductions in various body mass components on the erythrocyte oxidative status and glycemic state of people with obesity (PWO). Methods: A total of 53 PWO followed a six-month individualized low-calorie diet with exercise, during which anthropometric, biochemical, and oxidative parameters were measured. The participants were divided into groups based on weight (W), visceral fat area (VFA), total body water (TBW), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) losses, as well as normoglycemia (NG) and hyperglycemia (HG). Results: Weight reduction normalized glycemia and influenced erythrocyte enzyme activity. Regardless of the tissue type lost (VFA, TBW, or SMM), glutathione peroxidase activity decreased in all groups, accompanied by an increase in glutathione reductase activity. Lipofuscin (LPS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations decreased regardless of the type of tissue lost. The α-/γ-tocopherol ratio increased in those losing >10% body weight, >15% VFA, and >5% TBW. In the NG group, compared to the HG group, there was a decrease in glutathione peroxidase and an increase in glutathione reductase, with these changes being stronger in the HG group. The LPS and MDA concentrations decreased in both groups. Significant correlations were observed between glucose reduction and changes in catalase, retinol, and α-tocopherol, as well as between VFA reduction and changes in vitamin E, L-LPS, and the activities of L-GR and L-GST. Conclusions: This analysis highlights the complex interactions between glucose metabolism, oxidative state, and erythrocyte membrane integrity, crucial for understanding diabetes and its management. This study shows the significant metabolic adaptability of erythrocytes in response to systemic changes induced by obesity and hyperglycemia, suggesting potential therapeutic targets to improve metabolic health in obese individuals. Full article

Background and objectives: Riboflavin in the form flavin mononucleotide (FMN) acts as a cofactor for the pyridoxine phosphate oxidase required to generate pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6 in tissues. Few human studies have investigated this metabolic interaction between riboflavin and vitamin B6. The primary objective of this study was to examine the response of plasma PLP to riboflavin supplementation in individuals with the MTHFR 677TT genotype. A secondary objective was to consider whether the dose of riboflavin (1.6 mg/d vs. 10 mg/d) affects the PLP response. Methods: Data from four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of riboflavin supplementation previously conducted at this centre were accessed to identify 209 participants of 19–60 years meeting the inclusion criteria (≤60 years, MTHFR 677TT genotype, not taking a vitamin B6 supplement). In the original RCTs, participants were randomly assigned to receive a placebo (n = 85) or 1.6 mg/d of riboflavin (n = 87) for 16 weeks. In one trial only, a higher riboflavin dose, 10 mg/d (n = 37), was administered. Plasma PLP was measured via reversed phase HPLC with fluorescence detection. Riboflavin status was assessed using the functional assay, erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac). Results: riboflavin supplementation resulted in a decrease (p < 0.001) in the mean EGRac values, from 1.34 (1.32, 1.37) to 1.21 (1.19, 1.22). Correspondingly, PLP increased (p = 0.027), an effect driven by those with a sub-optimal riboflavin status at baseline (EGRac > 1.26), whereby PLP increased by 5.2 nmol/L, from 44.9 (40.3, 49.4) to 50.1 (44.6, 55.6) nmol/L (p = 0.042), while with the optimal baseline riboflavin (EGRac ≤ 1.26), there was no significant PLP response to the intervention. Although 10 mg/d vs. 1.6 mg/d of riboflavin resulted in a greater EGRac response (p = 0.012), there was no significant effect of riboflavin dose on the PLP response. Discussion: These results provide randomised trial evidence that optimising riboflavin status leads to an increase in plasma PLP, confirming the metabolic dependency of vitamin B6 on FMN. The findings indicate that riboflavin intake may need to be considered when setting dietary recommendations for vitamin B6 in adults. Further work is needed to explore the impact of the common MTHFR C677T polymorphism of the interrelationship of these B vitamins. Full article

Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is recognized as a healthy dietary pattern. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. Objectives: To assess the antioxidant status in erythrocytes, plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of NAFLD patients following a 24-month lifestyle intervention based on the MedDiet. Adult patients (n = 40; aged 40–60 years) diagnosed with NAFLD by magnetic resonance imaging were divided into two groups based on their adherence to the MedDiet. Consumption was assessed using a validated 143-item semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Anthropometrics, biochemistry parameters, intrahepatic fat contents (IFC), antioxidants, and inflammatory biomarkers were measured in plasma and erythrocytes before and after the intervention. Results: After the intervention, body mass index (BMI) and plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol), triglycerides, malondialdehyde (MDA), and cytokeratin-18 (CK18) decreased, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol) increased. Participants with high adherence to MedDiet showed lower IFC, hepatic enzyme (AST, ALT, and GGT), glycemia, oxidase LDL (oxLDL) plasma levels, and erythrocyte MDA levels. Higher antioxidant activity (erythrocyte catalase-CAT, superoxide dismutase-SOD, glutathione peroxidase-GPx, glutathione reductase-GRd, and total glutathione-GSH as well as PBMCs-CAT gene expression) was observed in these patients, along with a reduction of PBMCs reactive oxygen species production and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression. Inverse associations were observed between adherence to the MedDiet and BMI, glycemia, AST, IFC, and CK18 plasma levels and oxLDL, CAT, SOD, and GRd activities in erythrocytes. A significant linear regression was observed between adherence to the MedDiet and antioxidant score. Conclusions: Adherence to the MedDiet is associated with improved plasma and PBMC antioxidant and inflammatory biomarker profiles and high antioxidant defences in erythrocytes. Full article

Background and objectives: Immune function typically declines with age, increasing susceptibility to disease. Many factors contribute to this decline, including nutritional status. Emerging evidence shows associations of folate and related B-vitamins (B12, B6, and riboflavin) with immune health, but these interactions are complex. The aim of this study was to investigate B-vitamin biomarkers in relation to immune function in ageing. We hypothesised that the higher status of certain B-vitamins will be associated with improved inflammatory markers. Methods: The data were analysed from the Trinity-Ulster-Department of Agriculture (TUDA) study, aimed at investigating health and lifestyle factors in relation to disease, in community-dwelling older adults recruited from the island of Ireland (2008–2012). Of the 5186 TUDA participants, 2724 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the current investigation. We measured B-vitamin biomarkers, namely, red blood cell folate, serum B12, plasma pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP; B6), the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac; riboflavin), pro-inflammatory markers (interleukin IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], and c-reactive protein [CRP]), and the anti-inflammatory marker (IL-10). Results: Plasma PLP was negatively associated with CRP (β: −0.066; 95% CI: −0.005–0.000; p = 0.020), and plasma homocysteine was positively associated with CRP (β: 0.062; 95% CI: 0.003–0.066; p = 0.030) and TNF-α (β: 0.086; 95% CI: 0.023–0.124; p = 0.004). No other significant associations between B-vitamins and inflammatory markers were found. As regards general characteristics, the concentrations of IL-6 (p = 0.040) and CRP (p = 0.010) increased with age; CRP (p < 0.001); TNF-α (p = 0.024) increased with BMI; higher IL-6 (p = 0.041) was associated with living alone; and higher CRP (p < 0.001) was associated with smoking. Discussion: These preliminary findings suggest that improving vitamin B6 status and maintaining a healthy weight in older age may support a healthier immune system. Further investigation, particularly in the form of randomised controlled trials, is required to confirm the current findings and investigate the impact of B-vitamins on immune function. Full article

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease affecting millions of people worldwide, but little is known about the impact of anti-seizure medications on redox homeostasis. Methods: This study aimed to compare the effects of the long-term use of oral anti-seizure medications in monotherapy (lamotrigine, carbamazepine, and valproate) on antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, haemoglobin, and methaemoglobin content in erythrocytes, and concentrations of total proteins and thiols, nitrites, lipid peroxides and total glutathione in the plasma of epilepsy patients and drug-naïve patients. Results: The results showed that lamotrigine therapy led to lower superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.005) and lower concentrations of total thiols (p < 0.01) and lipid peroxides (p < 0.01) compared to controls. On the other hand, therapy with carbamazepine increased nitrite levels (p < 0.01) but reduced superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.005). In the valproate group, only a decrease in catalase activity was observed (p < 0.005). Canonical discriminant analysis showed that the composition of antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes was different for both the lamotrigine and carbamazepine groups, while the controls were separated from all others. Conclusions: Monotherapy with anti-seizure medications discretely alters redox homeostasis, followed by distinct relationships between antioxidant components. Full article

Clinical riboflavin deficiency is common in low- and middle-income countries, whilst sub-optimal riboflavin status may be much more prevalent globally than generally recognized, including in high-income countries. Riboflavin biomarkers are rarely assessed in humans, with most studies reliant on dietary intakes only, therefore the health consequences of riboflavin deficiency remain largely uninvestigated. Our previous trials in non-pregnant adults demonstrated that supplemental riboflavin can significantly lower blood pressure (BP), specifically among individuals homozygous (TT genotype) for the common MTHFR C677T polymorphism. Little is known about the role of riboflavin in BP during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to examine the association of riboflavin status with BP, heart rate and risk of hypertension in pregnancy (HIP) at the 12th gestational week. Observational data from healthy Irish pregnant women enrolled in the OptiPREG study were analysed (n = 2236). Riboflavin status was determined using the functional assay erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac), whereby higher values indicate lower riboflavin status. We identified a deficient riboflavin status (EGRac ≥ 1.40) in 31% of participants, despite riboflavin supplement usage reported by the majority (64%). EGRac was a significant determinant of systolic (β = 3.390, p = 0.011) and diastolic (β = 2.875, p = 0.003) BP, following adjustment for gestational age, maternal age, BMI, parity, smoking and MTHFR genotype. Riboflavin deficiency was associated with an almost three-fold greater risk of developing HIP (OR = 2.906, p = 0.041). Within quartiles of riboflavin status, ranging from best (Q1) to poorest status (Q4), there were stepwise increases in heart rate (mean ± SD, bpm; 79.9 ± 10.5 (Q1); 81.1 ± 9.7 (Q2); 81.8 ± 10.9 (Q3); 83.3 ± 11.3 (Q4), p = 0.037), following adjustment for gestational age, maternal age and BMI. The prevalence of HIP increased as riboflavin status deteriorated, with the highest prevalence observed among those with the poorest riboflavin status (4.3% (Q1); 4.9% (Q2); 6.6% (Q3); 8.0% (Q4), p = 0.039). The maintenance of an optimal riboflavin status in pregnancy, through improved diet, fortification and/or supplementation, may improve BP and heart rate, and reduce the risk of HIP. The observational findings presented here require confirmation in randomised trials with riboflavin in pregnancy, including the ongoing OptiPREG RCT. Full article

The oxidative-inflammatory theory of aging states that aging is the result of the establishment of a chronic oxidative-inflammatory stress situation in which the immune system is implicated. Among the redox parameters, those involved in the glutathione cycle have been suggested as essential in aging. Thus, the first objective of this study was to determine if several components of the glutathione cycle (glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and concentrations of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and reduced glutathione (GSH)) in leukocytes) are associated with the biological age (ImmunolAge) estimated using the Immunity Clock in 190 men and women. The second objective was to identify the best blood fraction (whole blood, blood cells, erythrocytes, or plasma) to quantify these components and correlate them with the estimated ImmunolAge. The results show that the oxidative state of peripheral leukocytes correlates with their functionality, supporting the idea that this is the basis of immunosenescence. In blood, the correlations are more significant in the fraction of blood cells with respect to ImmunolAge (positive correlations with GSSG concentration and the GSSG/GSH ratio, and negative correlations with GPx and GR activities). Therefore, blood cells are proposed as the most effective sample to estimate the biological age of individuals in clinical settings. Full article

Methemoglobinemia is an acquired or inherited condition resulting from oxidative stress or dysfunction of the NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase or associated pathways. This study describes the clinical, pathophysiological, and molecular genetic features of a cat with hereditary methemoglobinemia. Whole genome sequencing and mRNA transcript analyses were performed in affected and control cats. Co-oximetry, ektacytometry, Ellman’s assay for reduced glutathione concentrations, and CYB5R activity were assessed. A young adult European domestic shorthair cat decompensated at induction of anesthesia and was found to have persistent methemoglobinemia of 39 ± 8% (reference range < 3%) of total hemoglobin which could be reversed upon intravenous methylene blue injection. The erythrocytic CYB5R activity was 20 ± 6% of normal. Genetic analyses revealed a single homozygous base exchange at the beginning of intron 3 of the CYB5R3 gene, c.226+5G>A. Subsequent mRNA studies confirmed a splice defect and demonstrated expression of two mutant CYB5R3 transcripts. Erythrocytic glutathione levels were twice that of controls. Mild microcytosis, echinocytes, and multiple Ca²⁺-filled vesicles were found in the affected cat. Erythrocytes were unstable at high osmolarities although highly deformable as follows from the changes in elongation index and maximal-tolerated osmolarity. Clinicopathological presentation of this cat was similar to other cats with CYB5R3 deficiency. We found that methemoglobinemia is associated with an increase in red blood cell fragility and deformability, glutathione overload, and morphological alterations typical for stress erythropoiesis. Full article

Heavy metal poisoning can have serious health consequences, including damage to the brain, kidneys, and other organs. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body over time and the exposure to this element has been linked to a variety of adverse health effects. Cadmium toxicity can lead to an imbalance in the cellular redox state and be a source of oxidative stress. On the molecular level, cadmium ions negatively affect cellular metabolism, including the disruption of energy production, protein synthesis, and DNA damage. The study has been carried out on a group of 140 school-age children (8 to 14 years old) inhabiting the industrialized areas of Upper Silesia. The study population was divided into two sub-groups based on the median concentration of cadmium in blood (0.27 µg/L): Low-CdB and High-CdB. Measured traits comprised blood cadmium levels (CdB) as well as a blood count and selected oxidative stress markers. This research study aimed to demonstrate a correlation between the impact of exposure to elevated cadmium concentrations in a population of children and certain markers of oxidative stress, and 25-OH vitamin D3 concentration. A negative correlation has been found between cadmium concentration and 25-OH vitamin D3 level, protein sulfhydryl groups content in blood serum, glutathione reductase activity, and lipofuscin and malondialdehyde levels in erythrocytes. The concentration of 25-OH vitamin D₃ in the High-CdB group was decreased by 23%. The oxidative stress indices can be considered a valuable indicator of early Cd-toxicity effects to be included in the routinely-applied cadmium exposure monitoring parameters, allowing the evaluation of stress intensity to the cell metabolism. Full article

The effects of dietary glycine supplementation, 0 (control), 5 (5 GL), and 10 (10 GL) g/kg, have been investigated on growth performance, hematological parameters, erythrocyte antioxidant capacity, humoral and mucosal immunity in common carp, Cyprinus carpio. After eight weeks feeding, the 5 GL treatment exhibited significant improvement in growth performance and feed efficacy, compared to the control treatment. Red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, neutrophil and monocyte counts/percentages, RBC reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and skin mucosal alkaline phosphatase, peroxidase, protease, and lysozyme activities were similar in the glycine-treated fish and significantly higher than the control treatment. Blood lymphocyte percentage decreased in the glycine-treated fish, but lymphocyte count increased, compared to the control fish. RBC glutathione reductase activities in the glycine-treated fish were similar and significantly lower than the control treatment. The highest plasma lysozyme and alternative complement activities were observed in GL treatment. The glycine-treated fish, particularly 5 GL, exhibited significant improvement in RBC osmotic fragility resistance. Dietary glycine had no significant effects on RBC glutathione peroxidase activity, plasma immunoglobulin, eosinophil percentage/count, and hematological indices. In conclusion, most of the benefits of dietary glycine supplementation may be mediated by increased glutathione synthesis and antioxidant power. Full article

Oxidative stress plays a leading role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. However, many aspects of oxidative stress reactions in the initial stages of this disease are not fully understood. The men cohort is of particular interest because of the severe effects of diabetes on their urogenital system. The aim of this study is to assess the intensity of lipids, proteins, DNA oxidative damage, blood antioxidant defense enzymatic, and activity of non-enzymatic components in men with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis. This study included eighty-nine reproductive-age men in the initial stages of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and thirty-nine age- and sex-matched individuals not suffering from glycemic disorders. The DN patients were divided into two subgroups: stage 1 patients (urinary albumin < 30 mg/day and albumin/creatinine ratio < 3 mg/mmol (n = 45)) and stage 2 patients (urinary albumin 30–300 mg/day and albumin/creatinine ratio 3–30 mg/mmol (n = 44)). Levels of oxidative damage products (conjugated dienes (CDs), thiobarbituric acid reactants (TBARs), methylglyoxal (MGO), and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)) and antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferases π (GSTp), glutathione reductase (GR), copper and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), total antioxidant status (TAS), α-tocopherol, retinol, reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidative glutathione (GSSG)) were estimated in plasma and erythrocytes. Oxidative damage to cellular structures (higher values of median CDs (1.68 µmol/L; p = 0.003), MGO (3.38 mg/L; p < 0.001) in the stage 1 group and CDs (2.28 µmol/L; p < 0.0001), MGO (3.52 mg/L; p < 0.001), 8-OHdG (19.44 ng/mL; p = 0.010) in the stage 2 group) and changes in the antioxidant defense system (lower values of TAS (1.14 units; p = 0.011), α-tocopherol (12.17 µmol/L; p = 0.009), GPx (1099 units; p = 0.0003) and elevated levels of retinol (1.35 µmol/L; p < 0.001) in the group with stage 1; lower values of α-tocopherol (12.65 µmol/L; p = 0.033), GPx (1029.7 units; p = 0.0001) and increased levels of GR (292.75 units; p < 0.001), GSH (2.54 mmol/L; p = 0.010), GSSG (2.31 mmol/L; p < 0.0001), and retinol (0.81 µmol/L; p = 0.005) in the stage 2 group) were identified. The ROC analysis established that the following indicators have the highest diagnostic significance for stage 1 diabetic nephropathy: CDs (AUC 0.755; p < 0.0001), TBARs (AUC 0.748; p = 0.0001), MGO (AUC 0.720; p = 0.0033), retinol (AUC 0.932; p < 0.0001), GPx (AUC 0.741; p = 0.0004), α-tocopherol (AUC 0.683; p = 0.0071), and TAS (AUC 0.686; p = 0.0052) and the following for stage 2 diabetic nephropathy: CDs (AUC 0.714; p = 0.001), TBARs (AUC 0.708; p = 0.001), 8-OHdG (AUC 0.658; p = 0.0232), GSSG (AUC 0.714; p = 0.001), and GSH (AUC 0.667; p = 0.0108). We conclude that changes in indicators of damage to lipids, proteins, DNA, and the insufficiency of antioxidant defense factors already manifest in the first stage of diabetic nephropathy in men with T1DM. The ROC established which parameters have the greatest diagnostic significance for stages 1 and 2 of diabetic nephropathy, which may be utilized as additional criteria for defining men with T1DM as being in the risk group for the development of initial manifestations of the disease and thus allow for substantiating appropriate approaches to optimize preventive measures. Full article

Ionizing radiation (IR) can pass through the human body easily, potentially causing severe damage to all biocomponents, which is associated with increasing oxidative stress. IR is employed in radiotherapy; however, in order to increase safety, it is necessary to minimize side effects through the use of radioprotectors. Water-soluble derivatives of fullerene exhibit antiradical and antioxidant properties, and these compounds are regarded as potential candidates for radioprotectors. We examined the ability of fullerenol C₆₀(OH)₃₆ to protect human erythrocytes, including the protection of the erythrocytal antioxidant system against high-energy electrons. Human erythrocytes irradiated with high-energy [6 MeV] electrons were treated with C₆₀(OH)₃₆ (150 µg/mL), incubated and haemolyzed. The radioprotective properties of fullerenol were determined by examining the antioxidant enzymes activity in the hemolysate, the concentration of -SH groups, as well as by determining erythrocyte microviscosity. The irradiation of erythrocytes (650 and 1300 Gy) reduces the number of thiol groups; however, an attenuation of this harmful effect is observed (p < 0.05) in the presence of C₆₀(OH)₃₆. Although no significant effect of fullerenol was recorded on catalase activity, which was preserved in both control and test samples, a more active protection of other enzymes was evident. An irradiation-induced decrease in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase became an increase in the activity of those two enzymes in samples irradiated in the presence of C₆₀(OH)₃₆ (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). The fourth studied enzyme, glutathione transferase, decreased (p < 0.05) its activity in the irradiated hemolysate treated with C₆₀(OH)₃₆, thus, indicating a lower level of ROS in the system. However, the interaction of fullerenol with the active centre of the enzyme cannot be excluded. We also noticed that radiation caused a dose-dependent decrease in the erythrocyte microviscosity, and the presence of C₆₀(OH)₃₆ reduced this effect (p < 0.05). Overall, we point to the radioprotective effect of C₆₀(OH)₃₆ manifested as the protection of the antioxidant enzymes of human erythrocytes against IR-induced damage, which has not been the subject of intense research so far. Full article

Ibogaine induces rapid changes in cellular energetics followed by the elevation of antioxidant activities. As shown earlier in male rats, ibogaine treatment with both 1 and 20 mg/kg b.w. per os led to significant glycogenolytic activity in the liver. In this work, female rats treated with the same doses of ibogaine per os displayed lower liver glycogenolytic activity relative to males, dilatation of the central vein and branches of the portal vein, and increased concentration of thiols 6 h after treatment. These changes were followed by increased catalase activity and lipid peroxidation, and decreased xanthine oxidase activity after 24 h. In kidneys, mild histopathological changes were found in all treated animals, accompanied by a decrease of glutathione reductase (after 6 and 24 h at both doses) and an increase of catalase (6 h) and xanthine oxidase activity (6 and 24 h). Ibogaine did not affect antioxidant enzymes activity in erythrocytes. Bioavailability of ibogaine was two to three times higher in females than males, with similar kinetic profiles. Compared to previous results in males, ibogaine showed sex specific effect at the level of antioxidant cellular system. Effects of ibogaine in rats are sex- and tissue-specific, and also dose- and time-dependent. Full article