The Protective Effect of N-Acetylcysteine Amide Against Paraquat-Induced Neurotoxicity

N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) is a new antioxidant molecule with powerful radical scavenging properties. The aim of this study was to investigate neuroprotective effects of NACA against paraquat (PQ) toxicity in the midbrains of rats by using motor coordination tests and biochemical and histological analysis. Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Group 1: control (n = 10), Group 2: PQ (10 mg/kg) (n = 10), and Group 3: PQ (10 mg/kg) + NACA (100 mg/kg) (n = 10). NACA was administrated intraperitoneally 30 min before PQ injection. Performance was measured for a period of 28 days. The rotarod and accelerod tests were performed prior to and after the experimental period. After the experimental period, rats were sacrificed and midbrain tissues were removed. According to biochemical data, malondialdehyde levels exhibited a significant increase (P \u3c 0.05) when the PQ group was compared to the control group, whereas the NACA-treated group showed a significant decline (P \u3c 0.05). The total glutathione levels (P \u3c 0.01) and the glutathione peroxidase and butyrylcholinesterase activities (P \u3c 0.05) in the NACA treatment group were significantly raised compared with the PQ group. The main finding in the rotarod and accelerod tests was that the PQ+NACA group had improved motor coordination functions, whereas the PQ group had lost motor coordination (P \u3c 0.05). Our histological data were also outstanding and were consistent with biochemical and motor coordination results in terms of the protective role of NACA against PQ-induced neurotoxicity

Chemistry, structures, and advanced applications of nanocomposites from biorenewable resources

Researchers have recently focused on the advancement of new materials from biorenewable and sustainable sources because of great concerns about the environment, waste accumulation and destruction, and the inevitable depletion of fossil resources. Biorenewable materials have been extensively used as a matrix or reinforcement in many applications. In the development of innovative methods and materials, composites offer important advantages because of their excellent properties such as ease of fabrication, higher mechanical properties, high thermal stability, and many more. Especially, nanocomposites (obtained by using biorenewable sources) have significant advantages when compared to conventional composites. Nanocomposites have been utilized in many applications including food, biomedical, electroanalysis, energy storage, wastewater treatment, automotive, etc. This comprehensive review provides chemistry, structures, advanced applications, and recent developments about nanocomposites obtained from biorenewable sources

Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of N-acetylcysteine Amide (NACA) and Comparison with N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

The antioxidant potential of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA), also known as AD4, was assessed by employing different in vitro assays. These included reducing power, free radical scavenging capacities, peroxidation inhibiting activity through linoleic acid emulsion system and metal chelating capacity, as compared to NAC and three widely used antioxidants, agr-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). of the antioxidant properties that were investigated, NACA was shown to possess higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging ability and reducing power than NAC, at all the concentrations, whereas the scavenging ability of H2O2 differed with concentration. While NACA had greater H2O2 scavenging capacity at the highest concentration, NAC was better than NACA at lower concentrations. NAC and NACA had a 60% and 55% higher ability to prevent β-carotene bleaching, respectively, as compared to control. the chelating activity of NACA was more than 50% that of the metal chelating capacity of EDTA and four and nine times that of BHT and agr-tocopherol, respectively. when compared to NACA and NAC; agr-tocopherol had higher DPPH scavenging abilities and BHT and agr-tocopherol had better β-carotene bleaching power. These findings provide evidence that the novel antioxidant, NACA, has indeed enhanced the antioxidant properties of NAC

Investigation of Mineral Components and Antioxidant Properties of a Healthy Red Fruit: Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.)

The mineral components of the foodstuff consumed by an individual are important in the growth and development of a human being. In recent years red fruits, because of their potential beneficial health effects, are getting attention of both consumers and manufacturers. One of the red fruits, Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.), was investigated in terms of both mineral components and antioxidant properties. The mineral components include calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn) in this fruit were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The antioxidant activity tests were applied to the extracts obtained using different solvents to examine the antioxidant properties of this fruit. Statistical analysis indicated that while the best results were obtained from acetone extracts, the lowest results were obtained from water extracts for all antioxidant activity tests (p<0.05). The best average values for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity, reducing power, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content in acetone extracts were found to be 1053.72±38.12 mg TEAC/100 g FW and 2907.34±152.05 mg TEAC/100 g FW, 5894.99±251.05 mg TEAC/100 g FW, 2979.25±69.40 mg GAE/100 g FW and 255.75±14.92 mg QE/100 g FW, respectively

Maltose Functionalized Magnetic Core/Shell Fe3O4@Au Nanoparticles for An Efficient L-Asparaginase Immobilization

In this study, maltose-functionalized magnetic core/shell nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Au NPs) as a promising carrier matrix for a simple and effective immobilization of L-asparaginase (L ASNase) were prepared and characterized using imaging techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results indicate that the NPs are monodispersed with an average diameter of 10 nm and magnetization of 9.0 emu g-1. Under the optimal conditions, 77.2 ± 2.3% of the total L-ASNase was immobilized. It was found that the acid-base tolerance and thermal stability of immobilized L-ASNase were significantly improved in comparison to the free form of the enzyme in solution. For instance, while only 10% of the immobilized enzyme was lost its activity, the free form was lost its activity more than 50% after 3 h incubation at 55 oC. After 13 times recycling, the immobilized L-ASNase retained about 50% of its initial activity. Moreover, the free and immobilized L-ASNase maintained their initial activities about 25 and 64% after 28 days storage at 25 °C, respectively. Km value of immobilized L-ASNase decreased to 1.59 from 2.95 mM as an indication of increased enzyme affinity for the substrate. The results of this study suggest that the maltose-coated magnetic nanoparticles are excellent nanovehicles to carry enzymes for a range of industrial applications

Role of selenium compounds on tyrosine hydroxylase activity, adrenomedullin and total RNA levels in hearts of rats

WOS: 000273920500021PubMed ID: 19706312Synthetic organoselenium compounds can be tailored to achieve greater chemopreventive efficacy with minimal toxic side effects by structural modifications. Two organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II) were synthesized and evaluated for their antihypertensive and therapeutic properties by adrenomedullin (ADM) levels and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity assays in rat heart tissue. 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) is known to generate DNA-reactive species during their metabolism, which may enhance oxidative stress in cells. TH is thought to be a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines. ADM, a potent endogenous vasodilating and natriuretic peptide, may play an important role in the pathophysiology of chronic heart failure. The effects of Se I and Se II were investigated on TH activity, ADM and total RNA levels in the hearts of albino Wistar rats. TH activity was found to be increased significantly by the effect of DMBA (P 0.05). Total RNA level was found to be decreased significantly by the effect of DMBA (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that synthetic organoselenium compounds can regulate DMBA-induced stress related changes in rat heart. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Inonu University [BAP 2005/60]Inonu University Research Fund (BAP 2005/60) is gratefully acknowledged for support of this work

CHANGES IN TYROSINE HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY, ADRENOMEDULLIN (ADM) AND TOTAL RNA LEVELS BY TREATMENT OF ORGANOSELENIUM COMPOUNDS IN RAT HYPOTHALAMUS EXPOSED TO 7,12-DIMETHYLBENZANTHRACENE (DMBA)

WOS: 000279807100007The effects of synthetic organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II) on the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis as well as adrenomedullin (ADM) and total RNA levels were determined in the hypothalamus of adult rats exposed to DMBA (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene). DMBA, an organic environmental pollutant, is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that can induce a range of toxic effects and stress in rats. Selenium is an essential trace element, which interacts with antioxidants, and has anticancer and antihypertensive properties. TH is an aromatic amino acid hydroxylase whose activity is elevated in response to a range of stress inducers. TH activity is normally regulated by negative feedback in catecholamine biosynthesis. ADM is an abundantly present peptide in a broad range of normal tissues including adrenal medulla, lungs, kidneys and brain. Plasma ADM levels are elevated in a number of diseases including essential hyptertension and chronic renal failure. The antioxidant properties of ADM offer protection against organ damage induced by high blood pressure, ischemia and aging. DMBA treatment increased the TH activity and ADM level in the hypothalamus. These increases were found to be inhibited by Se I and Se II treatments. These studies demonstrate that synthetic organoselenium compounds can suppress DMBA-induced stress-related changes in the rat hypothalamus. Therefore, the antioxidant and antihypertensive effects of Se I and Se II may have important effects in the maintainance of homeostasis.Inonu University [BAP 2005/60]Inonu University Research Fund (BAP 2005/60) is gratefully acknowledged for support of this work

Modulating effects of selenium in adrenal medulla of rats exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

WOS: 000317523000007PubMed ID: 22287620Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemopreventive potential of organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II) in the well-established rat model treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), by monitoring the extent of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity, adrenomedullin (ADM) level and total RNA level in adrenal medulla. Organic pollutants are the most important environmental factor for the biologic systems. DMBA exposure appears to be associated with a number of physiological disease processes. Methods: The effects of Se I and Se II compounds were investigated on TH activity, ADM and total RNA levels in adrenal medulla of rats exposed to DMBA. Results: TH activity, ADM and total RNA levels were found to be increased significantly due to the effect of DMBA (p < 0.05). This increase was restricted in the Se I-and Se II-treated groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present data showed that the organoselenium compounds may have important effects in the maintainance of homeostasis against stress induced by DMBA.Inonu University [BAP 2005/60]This work was supported by Inonu University Research Fund (BAP 2005/60)