Redox Modulation, Antioxidants, and Metabolites in Animals Through the One Health Concept

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The One Health concept is a holistic approach to health that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being.

According to this perspective, a well-functioning redox system—capable of mounting appropriate responses to various environmental challenges—can help maintain the health of all life forms across soil, water, and atmosphere.

Our aim is to deepen the understanding of the redox system as a cross-cutting adaptive biochemical network present in all living organisms, with the goal of effectively modulating it in the presence of disease.

By studying redox modulation and antioxidants within the One Health framework, we can gain in-sight into how these systems intersect and influence one another.

Understanding redox balance through antioxidants in this context offers great potential for improved disease prevention and for fostering healthier ecosystems—benefiting humans, animals, and the environment alike.

We therefore welcome the submission of original research articles, short communications, reviews, mini-reviews, commentaries, and other contributions addressing studies related to this important topic.

Prof. Dr. Francesca Ciani
Prof. Dr. Simona Tafuri
Prof. Dr. Immaculata De Vivo
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Animals animals	2.7	5.2	2011	17.1 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Antioxidants antioxidants	6.6	12.4	2012	18.7 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Metabolites metabolites	3.7	6.9	2011	16.7 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Physiologia physiologia	2.3	-	2021	23.3 Days	CHF 1200	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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All Animals Antioxidants Metabolites Physiologia

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17 pages, 2508 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Melatonin Enhances Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and Improves Antioxidant Defense in Cryopreserved Ovarian Transplants: A Rat Model Study

by Karla Krislane Alves Costa Monteiro, Luciana Lamarão Damous, Marcos Eiji Shiroma, José Antonio Orellana Turri, Ricardo dos Santos Simões, Manuel de Jesus Simões, José Cipolla-Neto, Lara Termini, Rinaldo Florencio-Silva, Peter Chedraui, Russel J. Reiter, Edmund Chada Baracat and Jose Maria Soares Junior

Antioxidants 2026, 15(5), 551; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15050551 - 26 Apr 2026

Viewed by 296

Abstract

Background: Although ovarian cryopreservation is an essential strategy for fertility preservation, ischemia–reperfusion injury and oxidative stress can significantly compromise graft viability after transplantation. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant capable of modulating redox homeostasis and tissue repair; however, its effects on the ovarian microenvironment [...] Read more.

Background: Although ovarian cryopreservation is an essential strategy for fertility preservation, ischemia–reperfusion injury and oxidative stress can significantly compromise graft viability after transplantation. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant capable of modulating redox homeostasis and tissue repair; however, its effects on the ovarian microenvironment after cryopreservation are not fully understood. Objective: To investigate whether melatonin supplementation during ovarian cryopreservation enhances GPx1/2-mediated antioxidant defense, preserves follicular integrity, and modulates the angiogenic balance (assessed via VEGF-A expression) after autologous ovarian transplantation in rats. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were ovariectomized and divided into control (standard cryopreservation) and melatonin-treated (0.1 μM melatonin) groups. Ovaries were cryopreserved, thawed, and autotransplanted. After 30 days, the grafts were analyzed for GPx1/2 expression (immunohistochemistry), VEGF-A levels (ELISA), biochemical markers, and follicular integrity (histomorphometry) Results: The melatonin treatment significantly increased GPx1/2 expression in the corpus luteum (p = 0.002), theca interna (p = 0.007), and interstitium (p = 0.012), and reduced the number of degenerated follicles (p = 0.03). Although absolute VEGF-A levels did not differ between groups, melatonin-treated animals showed higher VEGF/FSH ratios (p = 0.0007) and VEGF/LH (p = 0.0494) ratios. Positive correlations were observed between GPx1/2 expression and VEGF-A expression. Conclusions: Melatonin increases antioxidant defenses in cryopreserved ovarian grafts through the upregulation of GPx1/2 and preservation of follicular morphology. Instead of directly increasing VEGF-A levels, melatonin appears to modulate angiogenic signaling, contributing to a more stable microenvironment for ovarian graft survival. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Redox Modulation, Antioxidants, and Metabolites in Animals Through the One Health Concept)

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19 pages, 1860 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Supplementation with Dimethylglycine Sodium Salt on Immunity, Intestinal Tissue Morphology, and Antioxidant Function in IUGR Lambs

by Yuwei Wang, Mengfei Li, Lin Ma, Yurong Lin, Cheng Zhang, Zhiqiang Cheng, Yong Chen and Changjiang Zang

Animals 2026, 16(8), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16081258 - 20 Apr 2026

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Abstract

This study investigates the regulatory effects of dietary supplementation with DMG-Na on growth performance, immunity, and intestinal development in IUGR lambs. A total of 45 lambs were used: thirty IUGR (3.10 ± 0.16 kg) lambs were randomly assigned to IUGR or IUGR + [...] Read more.

This study investigates the regulatory effects of dietary supplementation with DMG-Na on growth performance, immunity, and intestinal development in IUGR lambs. A total of 45 lambs were used: thirty IUGR (3.10 ± 0.16 kg) lambs were randomly assigned to IUGR or IUGR + DMG-Na (0.1% in milk replacer from days 7–56) groups, with fifteen normal birth weight lambs as CON (4.32 ± 0.17 kg). At 56 days of age, eight lambs per group were slaughtered for sample collection. Compared to CON, IUGR lambs showed a significantly lower final body weight and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.01); IUGR also severely compromised intestinal structure, markedly decreasing villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio across all small intestinal segments (p < 0.01); immune function was impaired, with highly significantly lower jejunal secretory IgA (sIgA) (p < 0.01); and antioxidant capacity was diminished, evidenced by reduced jejunal GSH, catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities (p < 0.05) and increased jejunal MDA content (p < 0.01). Compared to IUGR, IUGR + DMG-Na group had highly significant increased final body weight and significant increased ADG (p < 0.01); it enhanced intestinal morphology, notably increasing villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.01); immune markers improved, with elevated jejunal sIgA (p < 0.05); and antioxidant status was restored, demonstrated by increased jejunal GSH and CAT activities (p < 0.05) and decreased jejunal MDA content (p < 0.01). In conclusion, DMG-Na effectively counteracted IUGR-induced deficits by promoting intestinal development, immunity, and antioxidant capacity, ultimately improving growth performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Redox Modulation, Antioxidants, and Metabolites in Animals Through the One Health Concept)

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19 pages, 14248 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Proteomic Identification of PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 Associated with Coenzyme Metabolism and Redox Imbalance in Dairy Cows with Clinical Mastitis

by Xing Yu, Bohao Zhang, Yumeng Gao, Zhen Yang, Weitao Dong, Yong Zhang, Xingxu Zhao and Quanwei Zhang

Antioxidants 2026, 15(2), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15020240 - 12 Feb 2026

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Abstract

In this study, we identified a number of biological processes, pathways, and key protein targets associated with coenzyme metabolism in bovine clinical mastitis (CM). The expression patterns and subcellular localization of key proteins were examined to characterize their potential association with oxidative stress [...] Read more.

In this study, we identified a number of biological processes, pathways, and key protein targets associated with coenzyme metabolism in bovine clinical mastitis (CM). The expression patterns and subcellular localization of key proteins were examined to characterize their potential association with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in mammary gland tissues. The CM group exhibited collapsed and atrophied mammary acini, inflammatory cell infiltration, increased reactive oxygen species fluorescence signals, and a significant reduction in glutathione content. Levels of key coenzymes, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide, decreased significantly. Bioinformatic analysis identified four biological processes related to coenzyme metabolism and 20 key differentially expressed proteins associated with the glycolysis pathway. Among them, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) and PFKFB4 were identified as key hub proteins involved in fructose and mannose metabolism and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways. PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 were primarily localized in the cytoplasm of mammary epithelial cells, and the CM group showed significantly upregulated and downregulated expression at both the gene and protein levels. Molecular mechanism analysis based on pathway enrichment suggested a putative regulatory network in which pathogen-induced inflammation may be associated with ROS–AMPK-related signaling, potentially contributing to dysregulated PFKFB3/PFKFB4 expression, glycolytic imbalance, impaired coenzyme metabolism, and mammary epithelial cell injury. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Redox Modulation, Antioxidants, and Metabolites in Animals Through the One Health Concept)

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21 pages, 3615 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Improves Porcine Oocyte Cytoplasmic Maturation and Developmental Competence via Antioxidant and Mitochondrial Regulatory Mechanisms

by Yibo Sun, Xinyu Li, Chunyu Jiang, Guian Huang, Junjie Wang, Yu Tian, Lin Jiang, Xueping Shi, Jianguo Zhao and Jiaojiao Huang

Antioxidants 2026, 15(1), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15010137 - 21 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 675

Abstract

Oocytes cultured in vitro are exposed to high oxygen tension and lack follicular antioxidants, leading to redox imbalance. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a marine long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, possesses strong antioxidant activity. Here, using pigs as a model, we examined the effects of [...] Read more.

Oocytes cultured in vitro are exposed to high oxygen tension and lack follicular antioxidants, leading to redox imbalance. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a marine long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, possesses strong antioxidant activity. Here, using pigs as a model, we examined the effects of EPA on oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent developmental competence. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were cultured with EPA, followed by assessment of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation and embryonic development; transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were conducted to explore underlying mechanisms. Supplementation with 10 µM EPA significantly improved maturation and blastocyst rates by reducing spindle defects, facilitating a more uniform organization of cortical granules and mitochondria. EPA increased resolvin E1 accumulation and reduced cumulus-cell apoptosis through downregulation of TNF-α and BAX and upregulation of BCL2. In MII oocytes, EPA lowered apoptosis, DNA damage, and ROS levels while enhancing SOD2 and GPX4 expression. Mitochondrial quality and turnover were improved via upregulation of PPARGC1A, NDUFS2, PINK1, LC3, FIS1, MUL1, and OPA1, alongside strengthened ER–mitochondria contacts. These findings demonstrate that EPA alleviates oxidative stress, optimizes mitochondrial function, and enhances porcine oocyte maturation and developmental competence in a parthenogenetic model, highlighting its potential as a marine-derived functional additive for reproductive biotechnology. Future studies will be required to validate these effects under fertilization-based embryo production systems and to further refine dose–response relationships using expanded embryo-quality endpoints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Redox Modulation, Antioxidants, and Metabolites in Animals Through the One Health Concept)

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10 pages, 212 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Variations in Diacron-Reactive Oxygen Metabolites and Biological Antioxidant Potential Across Reproductive Phases and Parities in Sows Reared Under Different Production Systems

by Shoichi Okada, Michiko Noguchi, Yosuke Sasaki and Reiichiro Sato

Animals 2025, 15(18), 2638; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15182638 - 9 Sep 2025

Viewed by 981

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a detrimental factor affecting pig reproductive performance but has rarely been evaluated in clinical fields. We evaluated the potential of diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) as stable markers for assessing oxidative stress in breeding sows. The [...] Read more.

Oxidative stress is a detrimental factor affecting pig reproductive performance but has rarely been evaluated in clinical fields. We evaluated the potential of diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) as stable markers for assessing oxidative stress in breeding sows. The 28 sows were categorized into a low-parity group (n = 18, parity 1–2) and a high-parity group (n = 10, parity 4–6) at two commercial farms. Blood samples were collected at three stages: farrowing, weaning, and early pregnancy. At each stage, the levels of oxidative stress markers and reproductive performance parameters were statistically analyzed. The findings revealed that heightened levels of oxidative stress in sows at farrowing have negative effects on the total number of piglets at subsequent farrowing. Moreover, the farm employing a group management system demonstrated a superior total number of piglets on subsequent farrowing compared with the farm utilizing individual stall-based management. This study shows that oxidative stress can be evaluated using d-ROMs and BAP, which are associated with reproductive score. Using these parameters, the current oxidative status of sows can be evaluated, allowing for the development of countermeasures to reduce oxidative stress, which in turn may contribute to improved productivity in swine production systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Redox Modulation, Antioxidants, and Metabolites in Animals Through the One Health Concept)

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