Cigarette smoke condensate causes a decrease of the gene expression of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, Mn superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and free radical-induced cell injury in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells

Marine-Derived Natural Compounds for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, leading to the motor dysfunctions of patients. Although the etiology of PD is still unclear, the death of dopaminergic neurons during PD progress was revealed to be associated with the abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein, the elevation of oxidative stress, the dysfunction of mitochondrial functions, and the increase of neuroinflammation. However, current anti-PD therapies could only produce symptom-relieving effects, because they could not provide neuroprotective effects, stop or delay the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Marine-derived natural compounds, with their novel chemical structures and unique biological activities, may provide anti-PD neuroprotective effects. In this study, we have summarized anti-PD marine-derived natural products which have shown pharmacological activities by acting on various PD targets, such as α-synuclein, monoamine oxidase B, and reactive oxygen species. Moreover, marine-derived natural compounds currently evaluated in the clinical trials for the treatment of PD are also discussed.

Association between Genetic Polymorphisms in Superoxide Dismutase Gene Family and Risk of Gastric Cancer

To determine the association between the SOD1 (Ins/Del), SOD2 (rs2758339, rs5746136), and SOD3 (rs2536512) polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cancer the present study performed. This is a case-control study, including 159 patients with gastric cancer and 242 healthy controls. All subjects were Persian Muslims living in Shiraz (south west Iran). Frequency matching by age and gender was performed. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood. Genotypes of the study polymorphism were determined using polymerase chain reaction based methods. The SOD1 Ins/Del and SOD3 rs2536512 polymorphisms did not appear to have relationship with gastric cancer risk. Both SOD2 polymorphisms (rs2758339, rs5746136) showed significant association with the risk of gastric cancer, under assumption that the variant alleles act as dominant alleles. There was significant association between smoking habit and the risk of gastric cancer (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.61-4.02, P < 0.001). Smoker individuals having two putative high-risk genotypes showed elevated risk of gastric cancer compared with nonsmokers without high-risk genotypes, (OR = 5.75, 95% CI = 1.59-20.6, P = 0.007). Assuming that smoking habit and the genotypes are independent risk factors, there was a significant linear trend for the numbers of risk factors and gastric cancer risk (χ² = 22.9, P < 0.001). This study indicates that the SOD2 polymorphism (rs2758339, rs5746136) is associated with increased risk of gastric cancer, especially in smoker individuals.

On the Neuroprotective Role of Astaxanthin: New Perspectives?

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity produced by several freshwater and marine microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast, fungi, and microalgae. Due to its deep red-orange color it confers a reddish hue to the flesh of salmon, shrimps, lobsters, and crayfish that feed on astaxanthin-producing organisms, which helps protect their immune system and increase their fertility. From the nutritional point of view, astaxanthin is considered one of the strongest antioxidants in nature, due to its high scavenging potential of free radicals in the human body. Recently, astaxanthin is also receiving attention for its effect on the prevention or co-treatment of neurological pathologies, including Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. In this review, we focus on the neuroprotective properties of astaxanthin and explore the underlying mechanisms to counteract neurological diseases, mainly based on its capability to cross the blood-brain barrier and its oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.

Effect of Mutated Cu, Zn Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1G93A) on Modulation of Transductional Pathway Mediated by M1 Muscarinic Receptor in SK-N-BE and NSC-34 Cells

The constitutive secretion of antioxidant Cu-Zn Superoxide dismutase (SOD1) has been widely demonstrated in many cellular lines. In addition, we showed that as well as the basal SOD1 secretion, this enzyme is also exported through depolarization of excitable cells by high extracellular K concentration. Recent data showed that SOD1 was able to activate muscarinic M1 receptor producing the activation, via phospholipase C, of ERK1-2 and AKT pathways. It is also known that about 20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) is due to mutations in the gene coding for SOD1. The aim of the present research is to evaluate whether, analogously to wild type SOD1 (SOD1^wt), the mutated form of SOD1^G93A is able to activate ERK1-2 and AKT through muscarinic M1 receptor in SK-N-BE as well as in motoneuron like NSC-34. Our results demonstrated that in NSC-34 and SK-N-BE cells mutated SOD1^G93A carried out a more evident activation of ERK1-2 and AKT and a stronger increase of intracellular calcium levels compared to SOD1^WT; we also demonstrated that these effects are mediated by the M1 receptor as shown using pirenzepine, a specific M1 inhibitor and the calcium chelator BAPTA. Of note, M1 receptor pathway activation by SOD1G93A, but not by SOD1WT, is associated with both an increase of reactive oxygen species and a cytotoxic effect.

Elevation of tumour markers TGF-β, M2-PK, OV-6 and AFP in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-induced rats and their suppression by microalgae Chlorella vulgaris

Background

Chlorella vulgaris (ChV), a unicellular green algae has been reported to have anticancer and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to determine the chemopreventive effect of ChV on liver cancer induced rats by determining the level and expression of several liver tumour markers.

Methods

Male Wistar rats (200–250 g) were divided into 4 groups according to the diet given: control group (normal diet), ChV group with three different doses (50, 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight), liver cancer- induced group (choline deficient diet + 0.1% ethionine in drinking water or CDE group), and the treatment group (CDE group treated with three different doses of ChV). Rats were killed at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of experiment and blood and tissue samples were taken from all groups for the determination of tumour markers expression alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), M₂-pyruvate kinase (M₂-PK) and specific antigen for oval cells (OV-6).

Results

Serum level of TGF-β increased significantly (p < 0.05) in CDE rats. However, ChV at all doses managed to decrease (p < 0.05) its levels to control values. Expressions of liver tumour markers AFP, TGF-β, M₂-PK and OV-6 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in tissues of CDE rats when compared to control showing an increased number of cancer cells during hepatocarcinogenesis. ChV at all doses reduced their expressions significantly (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Chlorella vulgaris has chemopreventive effect by downregulating the expression of tumour markers M₂-PK, OV-6, AFP and TGF-β, in HCC-induced rats.

Effects of Tobacco on Salivary Antioxidative and Immunologic Systems

Background: Tobacco use is a harmful habit that causes adverse effects on oral health and plays a most important role in cancer development. Saliva is the first fluid that is exposed to tobacco and its antioxidant system plays an important role in anti-cancer potential; therefore, this study was designed to compare the antioxidant activity and immunologic system of saliva in tobacco users (smokers and smokeless tobacco users) and non-users. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, unstimulated saliva samples of 75 healthy individuals from three equal groups were investigated. Participants in group A had no periodontal disease and never smoked. Group B had no periodontal disease, never used smokeless tobacco, but had 3 years history of smoking at least 10 cigarettes daily. The twenty-five participants in group C had no periodontal disease and had 1 year history of chewing a 10-g tobacco packet daily. Activity of salivary superoxide dismutase (SOD), salivary glutathione peroxide, and salivary IgA concentration was evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 18) and running Kruskal-Wallis test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: There were significant differences in the activities of the two enzymes and salivary IgA levels among the three groups. Activity of glutathione peroxide was higher in smokeless tobacco users. (P<0.001) while that of superoxide dismutase was higher in non-tobacco users than users (P<0.001). Salivary IgA levels were higher among smokeless tobacco users (p=0.04). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the use of tobacco products decreases the antioxidative activity of the saliva and increases salivary IgA levels at the same time.

The Cu, Zn Superoxide Dismutase: Not Only a Dismutase Enzyme

The Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is an ubiquitary cytosolic dimeric carbohydrate free molecule, belonging to a family of isoenzymes involved in the scavenger of superoxide anions. This effect certainly represents the main and well known function ascribed to this enzyme. Here we highlight new aspects of SOD1 physiology that point out some inedited effects of this enzyme in addition to the canonic role of oxygen radical enzymatic dismutation. In the last two decades our research group produced many data obtained in in vitro studies performed in many cellular lines, mainly neuroblastoma SK-N-BE cells, indicating that this enzyme is secreted either constitutively or after depolarization induced by high extracellular K⁺ concentration. In addition, we gave many experimental evidences showing that SOD1 is able to stimulate, through muscarinic M1 receptor, pathways involving ERK1/2, and AKT activation. These effects are accompanied with an intracellular calcium increase. In the last part of this review we describe researches that link deficient extracellular secretion of mutant SOD1^G93A to its intracellular accumulation and toxicity in NSC-34 cells. Alternatively, SOD1^G93A toxicity has been attributed to a decrease of K_m for H₂O₂ with consequent OH radical formation. Interestingly, this last inedited effect of SOD1^G93A could represent a gain of function that could be involved in the pathogenesis of familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (fALS).

The IFN-β 1b effect on Cu Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in peripheral mononuclear blood cells of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and in neuroblastoma SK-N-BE cells

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease leading to axonal injury. Even if the etiology of MS is still unknown the disease begins with inflammation involving autoreactive T lymphocytes activation in genetically susceptible subjects. Interferon beta-1b (IFN β 1b) is one of the most used drug in the MS therapy. The results obtained in this study show that the concentration of SOD1 in CSF of relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) patients, evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), is decreased compared to pathological controls. Moreover, the Western blotting analysis demonstrated that SOD1 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in healthy controls was significantly higher compared to MS subjects before starting DMT therapy. In addition IFN β 1b therapy causes an increase of intracellular SOD1 protein as well as mRNA levels in PBMC. Moreover, the treatment of neuroblastoma SK-N-BE cells with IFN β 1b increased SOD1 protein and mRNA levels; these data also suggest that neuroprotective effect of this physiological molecule is, at least in part, carried out through its effect on SOD1. This study demonstrate that DMT therapy is able to increase SOD1 expression in PBMC of RR-MS patients. Therefore, the effectiveness of DMT therapy can be ascribed, at least in part, to an increased levels of this antioxidant enzyme as further confirmed by in vitro studies in SK-N-BE cells.

NOX signaling in molecular cardiovascular mechanisms involved in the blood pressure homeostasis

Blood pressure homeostasis is maintained by several mechanisms regulating cardiac output, vascular resistances, and blood volume. At cellular levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling is involved in multiple molecular mechanisms controlling blood pressure. Among ROS producing systems, NADPH oxidases (NOXs), expressed in different cells of the cardiovascular system, are the most important enzymes clearly linked to the development of hypertension. NOXs exert a central role in cardiac mechanosensing, endothelium-dependent relaxation, and Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) redox signaling regulating vascular tone. The central role of NOXs in redox-dependent cardiovascular cell functions renders these enzymes a promising pharmacological target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. The aim of the present review is to focus on the physiological role of the cardiovascular NOX-generating ROS in the molecular and cellular mechanisms affecting blood pressure.

The influence of cigarette smoking on blood and salivary super oxide dismutase enzyme levels among smokers and nonsmokers-A cross sectional study

To determine the influence of smoking on blood and salivary superoxide dismutase enzyme levels among smokers, and to demonstrate the significant alterations in the levels of superoxide dismutase in association with patient age, periodontal disease status, smoking duration, and smoking frequency. This study also aimed to evaluate the use of saliva as a biological fluid for disease diagnosis.

Ninety males aged 25–56 years were selected and included 30 smokers, 30 nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis, and 30 healthy controls. Clinical parameters such as the gingival index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment loss were recorded. Blood and saliva samples were collected and superoxide dismutase enzyme levels were analyzed using spectrophotometric assay.

Superoxide dismutase enzyme levels in the blood and saliva were significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers and the controls (p < 0.05). A significant correlation existed between superoxide dismutase levels and clinical parameters. There was also a significant positive correlation between blood and salivary superoxide dismutase levels among the three groups.

Systemic and local antioxidant status is affected by periodontal disease and by the impact of smoking. The increased blood and salivary superoxide dismutase enzyme levels in smokers may be an adaptive defense mechanism to counteract the increased reactive oxygen species production induced by smoking. This study emphasizes the importance of saliva as an easy noninvasive tool in diagnosing patients who are more prone to precancerous lesions and conditions, and its importance in patient education and motivation programs for smoking cessation.