Understanding Vitamin C: Comprehensive Examination of Its Biological Significance and Antioxidant Properties

Vitamin C, an essential water-soluble vitamin, is known for its pivotal role in various biological functions. This chapter provides an overview of vitamin C, focusing on its chemical structure and synthesis, its multifaceted biological functions within the body, and its remarkable role as a powerful antioxidant. The significance of vitamin C in maintaining immune function, its contributions to collagen synthesis, and its involvement in cognitive health are explored. Moreover, the dual nature of vitamin C as both a pro-oxidant and an antioxidant is highlighted, emphasizing its broad impact on health and well-being. This comprehensive examination of vitamin C underscores its critical role in safeguarding against oxidative damage-related diseases and supporting overall health

Paraoxonase 1 in Cattle Health and Disease

Paraoxonase is a family of enzymes with diverse biological functions. This study investigates the role and effects of the paraoxonase enzyme, particularly in relation to cattle health and disease. The findings reveal that the paraoxonase enzyme mitigates oxidative stress, regulates the immune system, preserves liver function, and exerts other biological effects in cattle. Moreover, certain genetic variations associated with the paraoxonase enzyme may be linked to health issues, such as cattle diseases. Therefore, further research aimed at comprehending the relationship between the paraoxonase enzyme and cattle health may assist in the development of novel treatment and prevention strategies in future cattle breeding and veterinary applications

Clinical Use of Progesterone and Its Relation to Oxidative Stress in Ruminants

Studies to determine the physiological effects and functions of progesterone started in the twentieth century. Progesterone is a steroid-structured hormone with 21 carbon atoms originating from cholesterol. The corpus luteum, formed after ovulation in ruminants, secretes progesterone, which plays a role in the continuity of the pregnancy. Progestagens can be used for estrus synchronization in cows and heifers. Similarly, they are used for estrus synchronization during the breeding season or outside the breeding season by taking advantage of the negative feedback effect of progesterone in small ruminants. It is applied for the treatment of embryonic deaths due to luteal insufficiency in cows with high milk yield. In anovulatory anestrus, exogenous progesterone applications can be very useful. Progesterone treatment contributes to the resolution of the anestrus by rearranging hypothalamic functions in cattle with follicular cysts. The oxidative stress index in the luteal phase, when progesterone is high in ruminants, is higher than in the follicular phase. In the critical period of pregnancy, a high index of oxidative stress-induced progesterone causes embryonic death. Factors that cause stress in high milk-yielding cows can affect the amount of progesterone synthesis by inhibiting luteal cell function due to excessive free radical production

The Use of Astaxanthin as a Natural Antioxidant on Ovarian Damage

The ovaries are defined as the organs that secrete sex hormones and ensure the formation of the ovum in females. The proper functioning of the physiological functions of the ovaries is very important for the health of both the body and the female reproductive system. Reactive oxygen species are produced as byproducts of the normal physiological metabolism of the ovary. Antioxidants are among the factors that work to maintain the balance between the production and excretion of reactive oxygen species. Since the deterioration in the antioxidant system can cause pathological results, antioxidant supplementation is considered a possible strategy for the treatment of reproductive diseases by keeping oxidative stress under control. This chapter provides information about the use of astaxanthin as a natural antioxidant against ovarian damage

Role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Various Disease Processes: An Overview

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a physiological system that plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and body water-electrolyte balance, in which the kidney, liver and lungs play a role in its activation. This system comes into play in various diseases such as the cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary and nervous system where blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte balance may change. The purpose of this study, which is presented in line with this information, is to explain the working principle of this system, how this system is activated, how it comes into play in the mentioned diseases, and what kind of results occur

An Overview of Effects on Reproductive Physiology of Melatonin

Melatonin is a neurotransmitter released from the pineal gland. The presence of receptor sites in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, and testicles and secretion of pituitary hormones (FSH and LH) are some of the effects of this hormone on reproduction. In addition to its systemic effect, it also showed an effect on ovarian physiology with the detection of high levels in the follicular fluid and the presence of melatonin receptors in the ovarian cells. In addition, it has been determined that melatonin affects follicular growth, oocyte maturation, ovulation, and luteal function. It has been stated that the effects of melatonin on the male reproductive system are indirectly effective through the gonads and indirectly by affecting the hormones. Again, some studies have expressed that melatonin has strong antioxidant properties and affects reproductive physiology due to this effect. This section discusses the effect of melatonin on male and female reproductive physiology

Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4) and their Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Thyroid hormones (thyroxine, triiodothyronine) have a metabolic effect on many tissues and systems in the organism. Therefore, in case of deficiency or excess of these hormones, some problems arise. The decrease in the effect of these hormones in the peripheral target tissue is called hypothyroidism, the picture characterized by excessive secretion of the thyroid gland or being of non-thyroid origin is called hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormone disorders are common in the world. Knowing the functions of thyroid hormones, which have such important effects on the organism, is important in developing treatment options for the problems to be encountered. In the literature reviews, it has been stated that thyroid hormones have some effects such as heart rate, myocyte contraction, blood pressure, plasma lipid level, and thrombogenesis. In line with this information, the presented section has tried to explain how the mechanism of the effects of thyroid hormones on the cardiovascular system

Synthesis and Types of Selenoproteins and Their Role in Regulating Inflammation and ER Stress Signaling Pathways: Overview

Selenium (Se) is one of the trace elements that play an important role in many biological processes in the living body. Selenium acts in the body mainly in its forms called selenoprotein. Selenoproteins play a role in various events such as oxidative stress, immunity, cancer, inflammation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In selenium deficiency, the expression of selenoproteins and thus their activity decrease. In this case, some reactions such as increased oxidative stress, weakened immunity, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation cannot be prevented. The main source of selenium is food, and a diet poor in selenium causes selenium and therefore selenoprotein deficiency. This chapter will present information about the synthesis of selenoproteins and their role, especially in inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress response

Kisspeptin: Role in Female Infertility

Kisspeptin is a neuropeptide encoded by the kisspeptin gene (Kiss1) and located in different brain regions, primarily in the hypothalamus. Kisspeptin and its receptor G-protein-coupled receptor-54 (GPR54), are also found in behavioural brain regions such as the hippocampus and cortex. Kisspeptin, a very powerful neuropeptide that stimulates the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary, does this by increasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) levels. In recent studies, it has been noted that kisspeptin is effective on reproductive functions. Globally 8 to 12% of couples have infertility problems, and the majority are residents of developing countries. Approximately 70% of infertility cases are caused by fertility problems in women. The frequency of infertility in women continues to increase every year and the underlying factors require further research. Bearing this problem in mind, this review examines the possible role of kisspeptin in female infertility. In doing so, it aims to find out how future application of kisspeptin may potentially unravel the neural reproductive disorder