Markers of Oxidative Stress in Generalized Anxiety Psychiatric Disorder: Therapeutic Implications

There is growing evidence that oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. Our aim was to measure oxidative stress in anxiety disorders subjects, and assesses the potential confounding influences of anti anxiety therapy. Serum malondialdehyde and antioxidant levels were estimated in patients at the time of presentation and also after anti- anxiety therapy for 3 months. During the period of study no antioxidant/s was given to the patients and control subjects. Serum malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the anxiety disorders patients in comparison to control cases. Also, the antioxidant activity of enzymes super oxide dismutase, glutathione and non enzymatic antioxidant levels of vitamins E and C were significantly lower in patients compared to controls at the initial presentation. After 3 months of anti anxiety treatment all the above parameters showed reversal in the respective levels of serum malondialdehyde and antioxidant activity. Anti anxiety medications results in reduced oxidative stress which indicates that oxidative stress is not the cause, but rather a consequence, of anxiety disorders

The Organic Market in Switzerland and the EU - Overview and market access information for producers and international trading companies

The organic market is highly diverse. Production standards and certification and trade rules place considerable demands upon market participants. At the same time, this market holds out excellent opportunities for creative and circumspect producers, processors and traders. To operate successfully in organic import and export business alike, it is crucial to have accurate information on the potential of the specific organic market and on the conditions governing market access. The attractively designed handbook offers the very latest market information for producers an international trading companies, organized both by product group an by country on 80 pages. This second edition is updated in all chapters and has in addition three new markets: Austria, Italy and Sweden. In addition, the handbook provides an easily accessible overview of the - in some instances - quite complicates - import requirements applicable in Switzerland and the EU. In a further 50-page appendix, the handbook contains an extensive collection of addresses (trading companies, authorities, certification bodies, organizations etc.) and Internet Websites. The second edition of this handbook has been produced in English

Protein Damage and Antioxidant Status Alterations Caused by Oxidative Injury in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Objective: To evaluate the oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative disorder associated with a characteristic chromosomal translocation called the Philadelphia chromosome. Reactive oxygen species and other free radicals mediate phenotypic and genotypic changes leading from mutation to neoplasia in all cancers, including chronic myeloid leukemia. We evaluated patients with chronic myeloid leukemia by observing their oxidative status and antioxidant defense.Methods: Using serum from 40 clinically diagnosed cases of chronic myeloid leukemia as well as 40 healthy controls, we measured the concentration of thiobarbituric acid, levels of protein carbonylation, total antioxidant status, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, vitamins A and E, and the trace elements zinc, magnesium, and selenium. Results: We found significantly increased levels of serum malonyldialdehyde and protein carbonyl in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in comparison to healthy individuals, and significantly decreased levels of the antioxidants and micronutrients thiobarbituric acid, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, vitamins A and E, zinc, magnesium, and selenium. These data suggest cellular damage occurring at the level of lipids and proteins.Conclusion: These findings indicate a link between low levels of antioxidants and cellular damage in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, supporting the idea that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in Relation to Oxidative Damage and Antioxidant Status in Patients with Breast Cancer

Purpose: Oxidative stress and angiogenesis are important elements in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most potent angiogenic cytokines and is up-regulated by conditions associated with the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen intermediates. In this study, we investigated the association between oxidative stress and serum VEGF status in patients with breast cancer. Methods: Forty patients with breast carcinoma, of which 21 were stage II and 19 were stage III, along with 40 ageand gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Oxidative stress, total antioxidant status, and VEGF levels in serum were evaluated by spectrophotometric procedures. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured and antioxidant status was assessed by measuring total antioxidant status (TAS) to assess oxidative damage. Results: VEGF and MDA levels were significantly higher i

Lipid Lowering Activity of Anthocephalus indicus Root in Hyperlipidemic Rats

The lipid lowering activity of Anthocephalus indicus (family Rubiaceae; Hindi name Kadamba) root extract has been studied in triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidemia in rats. In this model, feeding with root extract (500 mg kg−1 b.w.) lowered plasma lipids and reactivated post-heparin lipolytic activity in hyperlipidemic rats. Furthermore, the root extract (50–500 μM) inhibited the generation of superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, in both enzymic and non-enzymic systems, in vitro. The results of the present study demonstrated both lipid lowering and antioxidant activities in root extract of A. indicus, which could help prevention of hyperlipidemia and related diseases

A novel approach to study oxidative stress in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome of the neonate (neonatal RDS) is still an important problem in treatment of preterm infants. It is accompanied by inflammatory processes with free radical generation and oxidative stress. The aim of study was to determine the role of oxidative stress in the development of neonatal RDS. Methods: Markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity in umbilical cord blood were studied in infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome with reference to healthy newborns. Results: Status of markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine) showed a significant increase with depleted levels of total antioxidant capacity in neonatal RDS when compared to healthy newborns. Conclusion: The study provides convincing evidence of oxidative damage and diminished antioxidant defenses in newborns with RDS. Neonatal RDS is characterized by damage of lipid, protein and DNA, which indicates the augmentation of oxidative stress. General significance: The identification of the potential biomarker of oxidative stress consists of a promising strategy to study the pathophysiology of neonatal RDS

Design and Synthesis of 2‑Pyridone Based Flexible Dimers and Their Conformational Study through X‑ray Diffraction and Density Functional Theory: Perspective of Cyclooxygenase‑2 Inhibition

This paper describes the results of X-ray crystallography of 4-methyl-2-oxo-6-phenyl-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile (<b>1</b>) and its propylene bridged dimers <b>2</b> and <b>3</b>. Influence of inter- and intramolecular interactions on the conformation of propylene linker have been studied through single crystal X-ray crystallography and density functional theory studies. Hirshfeld surface analysis has been employed for the study of intermolecular interactions. However, differential scanning calorimetry analysis of compounds <b>2</b> and <b>3</b>, and thermogravimetric analysis of compound <b>3</b> has been performed to determine the thermal stability. Along with molecular packing and thermal analysis, molecular docking has also been performed in the catalytic site of cyclooxygenase-2 to identify the potential anti-inflammatory activity of dimer <b>2</b> and <b>3</b>. The above results suggest that the supramolecular aggregate structures which are formed in solution are of lowest energy. However, cyclooxygenase-2 active site prefers the higher energy conformers