Search Results (157)

Skin is constantly exposed to UV radiation. While topical sunscreens are the main preventative measure, oral photoprotective agents are emerging as promising systemic adjuncts, offering uniform, continuous protection. This study presents the results of two clinical trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of supplementation with a standardized coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seed oil (CSO) in mitigating UV-induced skin damage, in comparison with a placebo. The first trial investigated the effects of CSO supplementation on women with reactive skin, assessing UVA+B-induced skin erythema and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) release. The second trial included women of all skin types and, in addition to the outcomes mentioned above, examined UVA-induced lipoperoxidation. Measurements were taken before and after 56 days of supplementation. CSO supplementation led to a significant reduction in UV-induced skin erythema and associated TNF-α levels in both cohorts, with decreases of 11.8% and 24.1% in the reactive skin group and 18.1% and 18.7% in the cohort with all skin types, respectively. In women of all skin types, UV-induced skin lipoperoxidation was reduced by 31.9% at 4 h and by 69.9% at 24 h post-exposure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the photoprotective efficacy of CSO. This finding is attributed to CSO’s high petroselinic acid content and its known anti-inflammatory properties. Full article

Adipose tissue is an organ with a high metabolic rate, functioning as a storage site for potential energy derived from food. It is a heterogeneous tissue composed of various cell types that respond differently to stimuli. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are lipids characterized by the presence of multiple double bonds in their molecular structure. These fatty acids are particularly vulnerable to oxidation by Reactive Oxygen Species, a process known as lipoperoxidation. While the oxidized lipids can serve important physiological roles within adipose tissue, they can also enter the bloodstream, where they associate with lipoproteins, leading to cellular damage and increased systemic oxidative stress. In cases of obesity, adipose tissue displays an exaggerated inflammatory and immune response that can affect multiple body systems, contributing to the onset of chronic degenerative diseases. Therefore, adipose tissue is a complex organ in which metabolic, endocrine, and immune response processes are intricately regulated and coordinated. This paper explains the role of alterations in redox balance, lipogenic, and inflammatory functions in adipose tissue as important risk factors for the development of chronic degenerative diseases, including those affecting the central nervous system. For this study, we searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and Medscape, from 2015 to the present. Full article

Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder in which oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) signaling have been implicated. Natural compounds such as Punica granatum have shown potential antidepressant effects, but their mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of an aqueous extract of P. granatum in male Swiss Webster mice and to explore the possible involvement of NO-related system. Acute administration of P. granatum (0.25–2 mg/kg, i.p.) was tested in the forced swim and tail suspension tests. The interaction with NO signaling was examined through co-administration with an NO donor (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) and NOS inhibitors (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME and 7-nitroindazole, 7-NI). Biochemical markers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation and GSH/GSSG ratio) were also assessed. P. granatum significantly reduced immobility and increased swimming behavior, consistent with an antidepressant-like effect. SNP, L-NAME, and 7-NI induced pro-depressant effects, which were prevented by P. granatum co-administration. Treatment also attenuated oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These findings suggest that the antidepressant-like effects of P. granatum may involve interactions with NO signaling, although this interpretation remains indirect, as specific NO pathway indices were not measured. Acute P. granatum administration exerts antidepressant-like and antioxidant effects in male mice. The results support its potential as a natural candidate for depression treatment, particularly in conditions associated with oxidative imbalance and possible NO dysregulation. Future studies should confirm these mechanisms using direct molecular assessments and include female cohorts. Full article

This study evaluated the repeatability of selected sperm parameters in Salernitano stallions housed on the same farm. Semen was collected weekly for four weeks, and sperm kinetics, mitochondrial activity, and oxidative/nitrosative status were assessed before and after freezing the sperm with HF-20 and INRA Freeze. Pre-freezing, significant individual variability was observed, with low repeatability for semen volume (r = 0.32), total motility (r = 0.38), curvilinear velocity (r = 0.32), and lipoperoxidation (r = 0.36). Post-thaw, sperm frozen with INRA Freeze showed significant inter-stallion differences and low-to-moderate repeatability across kinematic parameters, mitochondrial membrane potential, nitric oxide, and lipoperoxidation, whereas those frozen with HF-20 showed repeatability only for progressive motility and intracellular H₂O₂. An assessment of freezability revealed significant inter-stallion variability and low-to-moderate repeatability for most kinematic traits in sperm frozen with INRA Freeze. Age influenced specific parameters in both fresh and frozen–thawed semen. Kinematic traits were strongly intercorrelated and associated with mitochondrial activity, as well as with lipoperoxidation, the latter being significantly related to H₂O₂ and nitric oxide levels. Although the overall post-thaw differences between extenders were not statistically significant, INRA Freeze enabled clearer discrimination among stallions. The generally low-to-moderate repeatability observed in this study suggests that extender choice can influence cryopreservation outcomes, and supports the need for tailored protocols. Full article

The pathogenesis of Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) remains poorly understood. The most important event is the deficiency of frataxin, a protein related to iron metabolism and, therefore, involved in oxidative stress. Studies on oxidative stress markers and gene expression in FRDA patients have yielded inconclusive results. This is largely due to the limited number of studies, small sample sizes, and methodological differences. A notable finding is the decreased activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II, and III, as well as aconitase, in endomyocardial tissue. In contrast, numerous studies in experimental models of FRDA (characterized by frataxin deficiency) have shown evidence of the involvement of oxidative stress in cellular degeneration. These findings include increased iron concentration, mitochondrial dysfunction (with reduced respiratory chain complex activity and membrane potential), and decreased aconitase activity. Additionally, there is the induction of antioxidant enzymes, reduced glutathione levels, elevated markers of lipoperoxidation, and DNA and carbonyl protein oxidation. The expression of NRF2 is decreased, along with the downregulation of PGC-1α. Therefore, it is plausible that antioxidant treatment may help improve symptoms and slow the progression of FRDA. Among the antioxidant treatments tested in FRDA patients, only omaveloxolone and, to a lesser extent, idebenone (particularly for cardiac hypertrophy) have shown some efficacy. However, many antioxidant drugs have shown the ability to reduce oxidative stress in experimental models of FRDA. Therefore, these drugs may be useful in treating FRDA and are likely candidates for future clinical trials. Future studies investigating oxidative stress and antioxidant therapies in FRDA should adopt a prospective, multicenter, long-term, double-blind design. Full article

Interactions between protamines and DNA are essential for the correct structure of human sperm chromatin. Reproductive health can be adversely affected by environmental pollutants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We previously reported that exposure to PFAS in the Veneto region causes alterations in sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBP), along with reduced seminal antioxidant activity and increased lipoperoxides. This study analysed the protamine-to-histone ratio in SNBP and quantified the extent of DNA damage induced by SNBP in subjects in Veneto with serum perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels above the reference threshold. We found that all individuals with serum PFOA above the threshold exhibited grade three DNA damage, regardless of the protamine–histone ratio, which was generally altered but consistently shifted toward protamines. This indicate that exposure to PFAS can alter the protamine–histone ratio in these subjects. Moreover, SNBPs from these individuals showed reduced DNA-protective capacity under pro-oxidant conditions, suggesting a role in oxidative damage. To rationalize these effects, in this cross sectional study, we investigated the potential interactions between PFAS and human protamines by molecular docking analyses which showed that PFAS can form stable complexes with DNA through hydrophobic and polar interactions, especially with thymine pyrimidine rings. Further, docking analyses revealed that fluorine atoms in PFAS may interact with guanidinium groups in protamine P1 via electrostatic and van der Waals forces, competing with DNA for binding sites and potentially disrupting chromatin organisation. A ternary PFAS–DNA–protamine adduct may underpin the observed DNA damage. These results suggest that PFAS induce oxidative stress, which could affect male fertility. Full article

Background/Objectives: There is evidence concerning herbal medicines and plant-based compounds, including Lamiaceae species, as putative senolytic agents; however, there are only a few reports on Ocimum americanum properties using rat models. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects and potential modes of action of Ocimum americanum L. using ex vivo and in vivo assays to assess the effects of OAEE on hippocampal tissue from young adult and late middle-aged Wistar rats, with a focus on oxidative stress, cholinesterase activity, and neuroinflammatory markers. Methods: Ocimum americanum ethanol extract (OAEE) was incubated with hippocampal slices of young adult and late middle-aged male Wistar rats exposed to H₂O₂; an acute treatment with OAEE was evaluated in aversive memory performance and neurochemical parameters, such as hippocampal cellular oxidative state, and anticholinesterase activity, and a diet supplementation of OAEE were evaluated on several hippocampal biochemical parameters, such as oxidative state, anticholinesterase activity, and neuroinflammatory parameters in young adult and late middle-aged male rats. Results: OAEE reversed the H₂O₂-induced impaired cellular viability in hippocampal slices from young adult rats, as well as protected hippocampal slices against H₂O₂-induced damage in both young adult and late middle-aged Wistar rats, indicating its neuroprotective action. Chronic dietary OAEE supplementation reduced aging-induced increases in reactive species and lipid peroxidation levels in the hippocampus. Indeed, this supplementation reduced the TNF-α content in hippocampus from both ages, and IL-1β levels in young adult rats. Conclusions: The antioxidant actions of OAEE here observed, preventing the lipoperoxidation, as well as its anti-neuroinflammatory effect, might be related to neuroprotective effect. Our findings add evidence to support the idea of the potential use of Ocimum americanum as a nutraceutical or functional food in the aging process. Full article

In the last decades, there has been huge interest in Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) worldwide because of the toxic effects on humans. In 2013, a large-scale contamination of PFASs in the Veneto region was caused by a fluorochemical plant in Vicenza. About 130,000 inhabitants were exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. To date, relatively few studies have investigated the associations between blood serum PFAS concentrations and oxidative stress in semen. This study compared the antioxidant activity, lipoperoxide levels and protection or induction of oxidative DNA damage by sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBP) in subjects living in Veneto exposed to PFAS (VNT) with those living in a non-PFAS contaminated area (VSL). Although the semen parameters were within the WHO range, the VNT semen samples showed higher levels of lipoperoxides and lower antioxidant activity compared to the VSL samples. These differences were statistically significant. We also examined DNA damage following SNBP addition under pro-oxidative conditions, finding a significantly different distribution of DNA damage types between the two groups, where 0 means no damage and 1 to 3 means increasing damage with 3 indicating maximum damage. SNBP of VNT subjects showed a reduced ability to protect DNA from oxidative damage. In the VSL group, damage 0 was found in 56% of subjects, 35% of the VNT group show damage 1, 36% damage 2 and 18% damage 3, while only 11% of VNT subjects show damage 0. Additionally, VNT with 0-grade DNA oxidative damage also exhibited reduced antioxidant activity and higher levels of lipoperoxides, in contrast to VSL. The results of this study indicate that exposure to PFAS produces oxidative stress in the semen of VNT subjects, who were also found to have blood serum perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels above the threshold. This suggests the possibility of infertility issues and emphasises the necessity for additional research into the long-term consequences of oxidative stress on male fertility and the health of offspring. Full article

Previous studies have shown mouse antigenotoxic and chemopreventive potential with the administration of Citrus paradisi juice (GJ). To evaluate another activity, the aim of the present report was to determine the beneficial effect of GJ on male mouse reproductive damage induced by cadmium chloride (CC). Seven groups of mice were intragastrically (IG) administered for 11 days. A control group was administered purified water daily, three groups were administered GJ daily (4.1, 16.6, and 33.2 µL/g), plus a single administration of CC (3 mg/kg) on the fifth day of the assay, another group was treated daily with 33.2 µL/g GJ, and a positive control group was treated with 3 mg/kg of CC on day 5 of the experiment. The results with the high GJ dose on the CC-treated mice showed a mean reduction of 88% in sperm quality endpoints (viability, motility, malformations) and a 94% sperm concentration increase. With the same dose, we also determined an 81% reduction in the DNA breaking potential and in the number of micronuclei in the spermatids. We also found an 87% decrease in lipoperoxidation and a 68% decrease in protein oxidation with respect to the CC damage, and a strong DPPH scavenging ability. Our results suggest the potential involvement of the GJ antioxidant in the observed effect. Full article

B-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. Despite significant advancements in treatment, chemotherapy resistance and relapse remain major challenges to be overcome. Oxidative stress markers, including lipoperoxides, have emerged as potential biomarkers in B-ALL patients under treatment. This study evaluated lipoperoxide levels in the peripheral blood of pediatric B-ALL patients during the induction phase of chemotherapy using high-sensitivity chemiluminescence and analyzed their association with clinical prognostic factors and patient outcomes, including definitive hospital discharge, disease relapse, and patient death. Lower lipoperoxide levels were observed in patients over 10 years old, those who achieved remission and were discharged from the hospital, and those with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. In contrast, significantly higher lipoperoxide levels were found in patients who relapsed, died, or had platelet counts exceeding 50,000/mm³. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggests that lipoperoxides may serve as potential biomarkers during the induction phase of chemotherapy, distinguishing B-ALL patients undergoing treatment from those not in treatment (sensitivity: 92.31%; specificity: 71.43%). These findings highlight the potential utility of lipoperoxides as prognostic biomarkers in B-ALL patients. Full article

Malaria, the deadliest parasitic disease in the world, is sexually dimorphic, inflammatory, and oxidative. Males experience more severe symptoms and mortality than females do; therefore, the roles of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in this phenomenon have been studied. Both hormones affect oxidative stress, the primary mechanism of Plasmodium elimination. Estradiol has antioxidant activity, but the role of testosterone is controversial. Testosterone increases oxidative stress by reducing superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities, which increase lipoperoxidation in the testis. However, the antioxidant properties of testosterone in prostate and nervous tissue have also been reported. The discrepancies are probably because when testosterone levels increase, the aromatase enzyme transforms testosterone into estrogens that possess antioxidant activity, which masks the results. Therefore, it is unknown whether testosterone is involved in the sexual dimorphism that occurs in oxidative stress in malaria. In this work, we administered testosterone and simultaneously inhibited aromatase with letrozole to evaluate the role of testosterone in the sexually dimorphic pattern of oxidative stress that occurs in the blood, spleen, and brain of male and female CBA/Ca mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (P. berghei ANKA). Testosterone triggers parasitemia in males, who also display more oxidative stress than females in the absence of infection, leading to sexually dimorphic patterns. Interestingly, increasing testosterone levels in infected mice reduced oxidative stress in males and increased oxidative stress in females, reversing or eliminating the dimorphic patterns observed. Oxidative stress varies in each tissue; the brain was the most protected, while the blood was the greatest damaged. Our findings highlight the role of testosterone as a regulator of oxidative stress in a tissue and sex-specific manner; therefore, understanding the role of testosterone in malaria may contribute to the development of sex-specific personalized antimalarial therapies. Full article

This study analyzed the performance, antioxidant status, hepatopancreatic lipoperoxidation, and proximate composition of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles fed diets supplemented with clove basil (Ocimum gratissimum) essential oil (EO-OG). A total of 360 M. rosenbergii (initial weight 0.028 g ± 0.004) were randomly divided into four experimental groups with six replications each (n = 6). The prawns were fed diets with different EO-OG inclusion levels: 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g kg⁻¹ EO-OG. After a 42-day feeding trial, dietary EO-OG showed no significant effect on prawn performance or carcass proximate composition, except on final antenna length. Prawns fed 3.0 g kg⁻¹ EO-OG displayed a 1.2- to 1.3-fold longer final antenna length than prawns from all other experimental groups. Likewise, prawns fed 3.0 g kg⁻¹ EO-OG presented a 2.6- to 3.2-fold higher catalase activity than prawns from all other experimental groups. Prawns fed EO-OG, regardless of the inclusion level, showed a 1.6- to 1.7-fold decreased hepatopancreatic lipoperoxidation compared to the control group. Therefore, EO-OG has been demonstrated to be a potential management tool as a non-nutritional dietary immunostimulant and animal welfare promoter for freshwater prawn farming, without affecting animal performance. This study recommends the dietary inclusion level of 3.0 g kg⁻¹ EO-OG for M. rosenbergii juveniles. Full article

Selenium (Se) has important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, plays an important role in the immune system through redox balance, and is part of selenoproteins. In patients who are critically ill, Se supplementation causes alterations in inflammatory markers such as procalcitonin, leukocyte count, albumin, prealbumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), inflammatory cytokines, and cholesterol. The decrease in Se levels leads to a reduction in the levels of various selenoenzymes, in particular glutathione peroxidase and selenoprotein P. These antioxidant selenoproteins play a protective role against the lipoperoxidation of cell membranes and also participate in the process of regulating the inflammatory response. Currently, there are no conclusive data that allow us to affirm the existence of a significant reduction in mortality with the use of Se in intensive care. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) can be used as dietary supplements or therapeutic agents due to their low toxicity and better bioavailability compared to traditional Se supplementation. In this review, we focus on the current state of research on SeNPs and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as a therapy for patients who are seriously ill, without the toxic effects of other Se species. Full article

Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAP) and Fe₃O₄ NPs (Fe₃O₄ NPs) offer effective and economical approaches for reducing Cd toxicity, which presents considerable risks to both environmental and human health. We examined the mechanisms through which these NPs mitigate Cd toxicity in bamboo, Pleioblastus pygmaeus. The plants were exposed to Cd (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L⁻¹) and received foliar sprays of 100 mg L⁻¹ n-HAP, 100 mg L⁻¹ Fe₃O₄ NPs, and a combination of both treatments. The findings indicated that Cd exposure led to oxidized molecules in bamboo, as evidenced by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipoperoxidation. Foliar treatments utilizing n-HAP and Fe₃O₄ NPs markedly diminished these effects. H₂O₂, O₂•−, malondialdehyde (MDA), and electrolyte leakage (EL) levels decreased by 56%, 71%, 65%, and 72%, respectively, compared to the controls. The application of n-HAP and Fe₃O₄ NPs significantly enhanced the enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), with increases observed between 28% and 56%. Furthermore, there was an enhancement in proline accumulation, total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), nitric oxide levels, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll concentration, and photosynthetic parameters. The combination of n-HAP and Fe₃O₄ NPs was most effective in improving bamboo tolerance to Cd, especially at moderate Cd concentrations of 50 and 80 mg L⁻¹. The results indicate that n-HAP and Fe₃O₄ NPs, particularly in combination, may mitigate Cd toxicity by decreasing Cd uptake, improving antioxidant capacity, and preserving plant water balance. Full article