Methylnitrosourea, dimethylbenzanthracene and benzoapyrene differentially affect redox pathways, apoptosis and immunity in zebrafish

Cancer continues to be a major cause of mortality globally. Zebrafish present suitable models for studying the mechanisms of genotoxic carcinogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between oxidant-antioxidant status, apoptosis and immunity in zebrafish that were exposed to three different genotoxic carcinogens methylnitrosourea, dimethylbenzanthracene, benzoapyrene and methylnitrosourea + dimethylbenzanthracene starting from early embryogenesis for 30 days. Lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide levels, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities and mRNA levels of apoptosis genes p53, bax, casp3a, casp2 and immunity genes fas, tnfα and ifnγ1 were evaluated. The disruption of the oxidant-antioxidant balance accompanied by altered expressions of apoptotic and immunity related genes were observed in different levels according to the carcinogen applied. Noteworthy, ifnγ expressions decreased in all carcinogen-exposed groups. Our results will provide basic data for further carcinogenesis research in zebrafish models.

Edaravone ameliorates the adverse effects of valproic acid toxicity in small intestine

Valproic acid (VPA) is a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy, bipolar psychiatric disorders, and migraine. Previous studies have reported an increased generation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in the toxic mechanism of VPA. Edaravone, a free radical scavenger for clinical use, can quench free radical reaction by trapping a variety of free radical species. In this study, effect of edaravone on some small intestine biochemical parameters in VPA-induced toxicity was investigated. Thirty seven Sprague Dawley female rats were randomly divided into four groups. The groups include control group, edaravone (30 mg–1 kg–1 day–1) given group, VPA (0.5 g–1 kg–1 day–1) given group, VPA + edaravone (in same dose) given group. Edaravone and VPA were given intraperitoneally for 7 days. Biochemical parameters such as malondialdehyde, as an index of lipid peroxidation(LPO), sialic acid (SA), glutathione levels and glutathione peroxidase, glutathione- S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and tissue factor (TF) activities were determined in small intestine samples by colorimetric methods. Decreased small intestine antioxidant enzyme activities, increased LPO and SA levels, and increased activities of ALP and TF were detected in the VPA group. Based on our results edaravone may be suggested to reverse the oxidative stress and inflammation due to VPA-induced small intestine toxicity.

Consumption of pistachio nuts beneficially affected blood lipids and total antioxidant activity in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

Although nuts are typically high in dietary fat, novel studies have shown that regular consumption of these heart-healthy foods might confer a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease risk. In the present study, we aimed to analyse the effects of pistachio consumption on blood lipids, antioxidant activity, oxidative stress and sialic acid levels in high-fat-fed rats for 8 weeks. The oxidant-antioxidant status was evaluated by the determination of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances), total antioxidant activity, reduced glutathione content, activity of superoxide dismutase and total thiol levels. Furthermore, tissue damage was evaluated by total sialic acid levels in serum. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, sialic acid and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances significantly increased whereas total antioxidant activity, reduced glutathione, total thiol levels significantly decreased in the hyperlipidaemic group compared to the control group. Pistachio consumption significantly decreased triglycerides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels and significantly increased total antioxidant activity in the hyperlipidaemic group. In conclusion, pistachio supplementation may improve blood lipids and ameliorate oxidative stress in experimental hyperlipidaemia, which may have beneficial applications in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, its antioxidant mechanisms remain to be investigated.