Preventive supplementation with fresh and preserved peach attenuates CCl4-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and tissue damage

Strawberry and Drupe Fruit Wines Antioxidant Activity and Protective Effect Against Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Synaptosomes

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity of fruit wines and their protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in rat synaptosomes in vitro. The wines were produced from strawberries and drupe fruits (i.e., plum, sweet cherry, peach, and apricot) through microvinification with a pure S. cerevisiae yeast culture. Fruit wines were produced with and without added sugar before the start of fermentation, whereas subvariants with and without pits were only applied to drupe fruit wines. First, synaptosomes were treated with the wines, while oxidative stress was induced with H2O2. Subsequently, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of membrane injury, were determined. In addition, the Briggs-Rauscher reaction (BR) was used to evaluate the inhibition capacity against free radicals. All investigated fruit wines increased the activity of the studied antioxidant enzymes and decreased MDA content compared to the corresponding controls (synaptosomes treated with H2O2). After synaptosomal treatment with plum wine, the highest activities were observed for SOD (5.57 U/mg protein) and GPx (0.015 U/mg protein). Strawberry wine induced the highest CAT activity (0.047 U/mg protein) and showed the best ability to reduce lipid peroxidation, yielding the lowest MDA level (2.68 nmol/mg). Strawberry, plum, and sweet cherry wines were identified as samples with higher antioxidant activity in both principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Finally, plum wine exhibited the highest inhibitory activity in the BR reaction (397 s). The results suggest that fruit wines could be considered potential functional food due to their protective effects against oxidative stress.

Identifying atheroprotective fruits and vegetables by Mendelian Randomization analysis

Background

Fruits and vegetables (FVs) are widely believed to mitigate the risk of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the causal relationships between specific FVs and AS risk factors remain unclear.

Methods

This study performed two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to infer the causality of the intake of 28 kinds of FVs with AS, as well as its risk factors including blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and C-reactive protein (CRP). GWAS genetic data for these exposures and outcomes were extracted from the IEU open GWAS project. Heterogeneity was evaluated using both Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) and MR-Egger methods. MR-Egger regression was specifically deployed to detect potential pleiotropy. Furthermore, a "leave-one-out" sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the impact of each individual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the combined outcome.

Results

The analysis confirms a causal relationship between total fruit consumption and reduced levels of LDL-C (OR = 0.911, p = 0.007) and CRP (OR = 0.868, p = 0.008). Similarly, total vegetable intake is also causally associated with a reduction in CRP levels (OR = 0.858, p = 0.018). Specifically, garlic intake exhibits the most significant causal relationship with reduced risk of AS (OR = 0.985, p = 0.036) and also causally associated with lower levels of LDL-C and TG. Berry (OR = 0.929, p = 0.010) and potato (OR = 0.957, p = 0.020) intake both display a significant causal negative association with TG levels, while peach/nectarine consumption is significantly associated with reduced CRP levels (OR = 0.913, p = 0.010).

Conclusion

This is the first MR study that systemically examined the causality between commonly consumed FVs and AS. Our findings highlight the atheroprotective effects of various FVs, particularly garlic, on cardiovascular health and the importance of tailored nutritional recommendations to prevent AS.

Carbon sufficiency boosts phenylpropanoid biosynthesis early in peach fruit development priming superior fruit quality

Manipulating the crop load in peach trees determines carbon supply and optimum balance between fruit yield and quality potentials. The impact of carbon supply on peach fruit quality was assessed in three development stages (S2, S3, S4) on fruit of equal maturity from trees that were carbon (C) starved (unthinned) and sufficient (thinned). Previous studies determined that primary metabolites of peach fruit mesocarp are mainly linked with developmental processes, thus, the secondary metabolite profile was assessed using non-targeted liquid chromatography mass-spectrometry (LC-MS). Carbon sufficient (C-sufficient) fruit demonstrated superior quality attributes as compared to C-starved fruit. Early metabolic shifts in the secondary metabolome appear to prime quality at harvest. Enhanced C-availability facilitated the increased and consistent synthesis of flavonoids, like catechin, epicatechin and eriodyctiol, via the phenylpropanoid pathway, providing a link between the metabolome and fruit quality, and serving as signatures of C-sufficiency during peach fruit development.

Natural and Synthetic Agents Targeting Reactive Carbonyl Species against Metabolic Syndrome

Reactive carbonyl species (RCS) may originate from the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and sugar in conditions of pathology. They are known to have high reactivity towards DNA as well as nucleophilic sites of proteins, resulting in cellular dysfunction. It has been considered that various pathological conditions are associated with an increased level of RCS and their reaction products. Thus, regulating the levels of RCS may be associated with the mitigation of various metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. In order to perform a comprehensive review, various literature databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, along with Google Scholar, were utilized to obtain relevant articles. The voluminous review concluded that various synthetic and natural agents are available or in pipeline research that hold tremendous potential to be used as a drug of choice in the therapeutic management of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and diabetes-associated complications of atherosclerosis, neuropathy, and nephropathy. From the available data, it may be emphasized that various synthetic agents, such as carnosine and simvastatin, and natural agents, such as polyphenols and terpenoids, can become a drug of choice in the therapeutic management for combating metabolic syndromes that involve RCS in their pathophysiology. Since the RCS are known to regulate the biological processes, future research warrants detailed investigations to decipher the precise mechanism.

Atriplex halimus aqueous extract abrogates carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity by modulating biochemical and histological changes in rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of Atriplex halimus aqueous leaves extract (AHAE) against acute carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced oxidative stress in rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: group (C) served as a control treated with 1 ml/(kg bw) of olive oil, and group (CCl₄) was treated with 1 ml CCl₄/(kg bw) dissolved in olive oil administered by intraperitoneal way. Rats of group (CCl₄+AHAE) have received CCl₄ and treated with 200 mg AHAE/(kg bw). Animals of group (AHAE) were treated with 200 mg/(kg bw) of AHAE. A significant increase in malondialdehyde levels in liver associated with a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced glutathione content was observed in CCl₄ group compared to controls. The administration of AHAE to CCl₄+AHAE group improved all parameters studied. We conclude that CCl₄ induces oxidative stress and modifies biochemical parameters and histological aspects of liver. Administration of AHAE alleviates the toxicity induced by this organic compound.

Preparation and antagonistic effect of ACE inhibitory peptide from cashew

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides were found to alleviate acute hepatitis significantly. In this study, we purified and identified ACE inhibitory peptide from cashew to evaluate its protective role on alcohol-induced acute hepatitis in mice.

RESULTS

The ACE inhibitory peptides were purified by using consecutive chromatographic techniques. One of these peptides (FETISFK) exhibited the highest ACE inhibition rate (91.04 ± 0.31%). In vivo, the results showed that ACE inhibitory peptide decreased levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) caused by alcohol exposure. Moreover, it could increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), and decrease the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). It was also found to down-regulate markedly the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). It could also decrease the expression of ACE, angiotensin II (AngII) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT₁ R).

CONCLUSION

These findings support the view that the ACE inhibitory peptide alleviated acute hepatitis by down-regulating the ACE-AngII-AT₁ R axis, broadening the research approach to prevent acute hepatitis, and providing experimental data for the development and utilization of cashews. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of infliximab against carbon tetrachloride-induced intestinal injury via lipid peroxidation and apoptosis

Carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄) is often employed in the production of chlorofluorocarbons, petroleum refining, oil and rubber processing, and laboratory applications. Oral, subcutaneous, and inhalation exposure to CCL₄ in animal studies have been shown to be capable of leading to various types of cancer (benign and malignant, liver, breast, and adrenal gland tumors). The present study also evaluated the protective role of infliximab (INF) against the deleterious effects of CCL₄ on the intestinal system. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups, control (n = 8), CCL₄ (n = 8), and CCL₄ + INF (n = 8). The control group received 1 mL isotonic saline solution only via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. The CCL₄ group received a single i.p. dose of 2 mL/kg CCL₄. The CCL₄ + INF group received a single i.p. dose of 7 mg/kg INF followed 24 h later by a single dose of 2 mL/kg CCL₄. All rats were euthanized 2 days following drug administration. CCL₄ group samples also exhibited diffuse loss of enterocytes, vascular congestion, neutrophil infiltration, an extension of the subepithelial space and significant epithelial lifting along the length of the villi with a few denuded villous tips. In addition, CCL₄ treatment increased intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA) level and caspase-3 positivity. On the other hand, INF decreased MDA levels, caspase-3 positivity, and loss of villous. Our findings suggest that CCL₄ appears to exert a highly deleterious effect on the intestinal mucosa. On the other hand, INF is effective in preventing this CCL₄-induced intestinal injury by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Protective Effects of Lemon Juice on Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Chronic excessive alcohol consumption (more than 40–80 g/day for males and more than 20–40 g/day for females) could induce serious liver injury. In this study, effects of lemon juice on chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in mice were evaluated. The serum biochemical profiles and hepatic lipid peroxidation levels, triacylglycerol (TG) contents, antioxidant enzyme activities, and histopathological changes were examined for evaluating the hepatoprotective effects of lemon juice in mice. In addition, the in vitro antioxidant capacities of lemon juice were determined. The results showed that lemon juice significantly inhibited alcohol-induced increase of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), hepatic TG, and lipid peroxidation levels in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological changes induced by alcohol were also remarkably improved by lemon juice treatment. These findings suggest that lemon juice has protective effects on alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. The protective effects might be related to the antioxidant capacity of lemon juice because lemon juice showed in vitro antioxidant capacity.

Inulin-type fructan and infusion of Artemisia vulgaris protect the liver against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury

BACKGROUND

Infusions of aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris L. (Asteraceae) are used in herbal medicine to treat several disorders, including hepatosis.

PURPOSE

Evaluation of in vivo hepatoprotective effects of A. vulgaris infusion (VI) and inulin (VPI; i.e., the major polysaccharide of VI).

STUDY DESIGN

The hepatoprotective effect of A. vulgaris extracts on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity and the probable mechanism involved in this protection were investigated in mice.

METHODS

A. vulgaris infusion (VI) was prepared according to folk medicine using the aerial parts of the plant. Carbohydrate, protein, and total phenolic content was determined in VI, and its phenolic profile was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Male Swiss mice were orally pretreated for 7 days with VI or VPI (once per day). On days 6 and 7 of treatment, the mice were intraperitoneally challenged with CCl₄. Liver and blood were collected and markers of hepatic damage in plasma and oxidative stress in the liver were analyzed. Hepatic histology and inflammatory parameters were also studied in the liver. The scavenging activity of VI and VPI were evaluated in vitro using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

RESULTS

VI contained 40% carbohydrates, 2.9% proteins and 9.8% phenolic compounds. The HPLC fingerprint analysis of VI revealed chlorogenic, caffeic and dicaffeoylquinic acids as major low-molar-mass constituents. Oral pretreatment with VI and VPI significantly attenuated CCl₄-induced liver damage, reduced the activity of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in plasma, and prevented reactive oxygen species accumulation and lipid peroxidation in the liver. Comparisons with the CCl₄-treated group showed that VI and VPI completely prevented necrosis, increased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), and reduced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level in the liver. VI and VPI also exhibited high radical scavenging activity in vitro.

CONCLUSION

VI and VPI had remarkable hepatoprotective effects in vivo, which were likely attributable to antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. The present findings support the traditional use of A. vulgaris infusion for the treatment of hepatic disorders.

The protective effect of infliximab against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute lung injury

OBJECTIVES

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) causes pulmonary toxicity. Infliximab (Ib) is a potent inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). We aimed to investigate whether Ib has a protective effect on CCl4 induced lung injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were divided into control, CCl4, and CCl4+Ib groups. A single dose of 2 ml/kg CCI4 was administered to CCI4 group and a single dose of 7 mg/kg Ib was given to CCl4+Ib group 24 hr before applying CCI4.

RESULTS

TNF-α, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and caspase-3 levels of the CCl4 group were markedly higher than both the control and CCl4+Ib groups. The CCI4+Ib group had lower histopathological injury than the CCl4 group.

CONCLUSION

Ib as a strong TNF-α blocker decreases the production of proinflammatory cytokines, MDA, and oxidative stress leading to a protective effect against CCl4 induced lung tissue injury.

Targeting Reactive Carbonyl Species with Natural Sequestering Agents

Reactive carbonyl species generated by the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and sugars are highly reactive due to their electrophilic nature, and are able to easily react with the nucleophilic sites of proteins as well as DNA causing cellular dysfunction. Levels of reactive carbonyl species and their reaction products have been reported to be elevated in various chronic diseases, including metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. In an effort to identify sequestering agents for reactive carbonyl species, various analytical techniques such as spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography, western blot, and mass spectrometry have been utilized. In particular, recent advances using a novel high resolution mass spectrometry approach allows screening of complex mixtures such as natural products for their sequestering ability of reactive carbonyl species. To overcome the limited bioavailability and bioefficacy of natural products, new techniques using nanoparticles and nanocarriers may offer a new attractive strategy for increased in vivo utilization and targeted delivery of bioactives.

Role of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in liver disease

Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) belongs to a immunoglobulin superfamily of cell surface molecules that could bind to a number of ligands such as advanced glycation end products, high-mobility group protein box-1, S-100 calcium-binding protein, and amyloid-β-protein, inducing a series of signal transduction cascades, and being involved in a variety of cellular function, including inflammation, proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, migration, and fibrosis. RAGE is expressed in hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes and hepatoma cells. There is accumulating evidence that engagement of RAGE with various ligands elicits oxidative stress generation and subsequently activates the RAGE downstream pathway in the liver, thereby contributing to the development and progression of numerous types of hepatic disorders. These observations suggest that inhibition of the RAGE signaling pathway could be a novel therapeutic target for liver diseases. This article summarizes the pathological role of RAGE in hepatic insulin resistance, steatosis and fibrosis, ischemic and non-ischemic liver injury, and hepatocellular carcinoma growth and metastasis and its therapeutic interventions for these devastating disorders.