Acute Bisphenol-A exposure triggers superoxide-nitric oxide imbalance and immunocompetence impairment of Eisenia fetida earthworm

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting molecule associated with the risk of several non-transmissible chronic diseases. We postulated that BPA triggers oxidative alterations, altering immunocompetence and contributing to physiological dysfunction. To evaluate the effects of BPA on the oxidative and immune system, Californian earthworms were reared in a culture medium containing different BPA concentrations for 24 and 72 h. Coelomocytes were used to evaluate the effects of BPA on oxidative markers, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis, and immunocompetence effects were investigated by yeast-exposure assay and the modulation of genes related to immune response. Low BPA concentrations induced coelomocyte proliferation, imbalanced superoxide/NO levels, higher micronucleus frequency, and apoptosis. BPA also induced Amp1 gene overexpression and a low efficiency of dead yeast capture. The association between DNA damage and changes in innate immune metabolism could be related to the action of BPA, which is associated with the risk of physiological disturbances and non-transmissible chronic diseases

High-Fat Diet Induces Oxidative Stress and MPK2 and HSP83 Gene Expression in Drosophila melanogaster

The consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) causes alteration in normal metabolism affecting lifespan of flies; however molecular mechanism associated with this damage in flies is not well known. This study evaluates the effects of ingestion of a diet supplemented with 10% and 20% of coconut oil, which is rich in saturated fatty acids, on oxidative stress and cells stress signaling pathways. After exposure to the diet for seven days, cellular and mitochondrial viability, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT activity, and mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes HSP83 and MPK2 were analyzed. To confirm the damage effect of diet on flies, survival and lifespan were investigated. The results revealed that the HFD augmented the rate of lipid peroxidation and SOD and CAT activity and induced a higher expression of HSP83 and MPK2 mRNA. In parallel, levels of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism (ACSL1 and ACeCS1) were increased. Our data demonstrate that association among metabolic changes, oxidative stress, and protein signalization might be involved in shortening the lifespan of flies fed with a HFD

Combined selection for grain yield, cooking quality and minerals in the common bean

Combined selection for grain yield, cooking and nutritional quality is important in the improvement of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L). The objectives of this study therefore were to evaluate the genetic variability of the common bean lines as to grain yield, cooking time and the minerals concentration in the grains, to study the linear association between these characteristics and use the index to select those advanced lines which are superior in most of these characteristics. To do this, 16 common bean lines were evaluated in two growing seasons. The data were subjected to variance analysis and the Pearson correlation, and the index was then estimated. The lines presented genetic variability for grain yield, cooking time and calcium and iron concentrations in the grains. Low values for the correlation estimates were found between grain yield and concentrations of potassium (r = -0.3497), zinc (r = 0.3486) and copper (r = 0.2729). The Gen Pr 14-2-3 line presents the highest index for grain yield, cooking time and concentrations of potassium, iron, zinc and copper in the grains, being recommended for controlled hybridization in common bean breeding programs for biofortification

Evaluation of special grains bean lines for grain yield, cooking time and mineral concentrations

Genetic variability of 32 inbred special grains bean lines was investigated for grain yield, mass of 100 grains, cooking time, and mineral concentrations in grains, and Z index was used for selection of superior lines in most of the characters. IAC Centauro, IAC Galante, Xamego, Ouro Branco, Montcalm, and Hooter lines presented high yield grain, short cooking time (less than 24 min), and high potassium (>14 g kg-1dry matter [DM]), calcium (>1.42 g kg-1DM), iron (>97.60 mg kg-1DM), zinc (>29.05 mg kg-1DM) and copper (>8.67 mg kg-1DM) concentrations, and their dietary use is therefore recommended. Cal-96 line presents higher Z index for grain yield and for the most of the minerals, and its use is recommended for crosses for the development of superior lines

Hypolipidemic action of chrysin on Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in female C57BL/6 mice

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid, natural component of traditional medicinal herbs, present in honey, propolis and many plant extracts. The objective of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic properties of chrysin on Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in female C57BL/6 mice. Triton WR-1339 was administered intraperitoneally (400 mg/kg) to overnight-fasted mice to develop acute hyperlipidemia. Chrysin was administered orally (10 mg/kg) 30 min before Triton WR-1339. At 24 h after Triton WR-1339 injection, blood samples were collected to measure plasma lipid levels. The hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl content, non-protein sulfhydryl (NPSH) and ascorbic acid (AA) levels, as well as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were recorded. Chrysin administration significantly decreased total cholesterol levels. In addition, it partially decreased non-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides levels in plasma of hyperlipidaemic mice. In addition chrysin administration prevented the increase on TBARS levels and prevented the decrease in SOD activity induced by Triton WR-1339. These findings indicated that chrysin was able to decrease plasma lipids concentration and that its antioxidant properties was, at least in part, involved in the hypolipidaemic action of chrysin

Selenofuranoside Ameliorates Memory Loss in Alzheimer-Like Sporadic Dementia: AChE Activity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation Involvement

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is becoming more common due to the increase in life expectancy. This study evaluated the effect of selenofuranoside (Se) in an Alzheimer-like sporadic dementia animal model. Male mice were divided into 4 groups: control, Aβ, Se, and Aβ + Se. Single administration of Aβ peptide (fragments 25–35; 3 nmol/3 μL) or distilled water was administered via intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. Selenofuranoside (5 mg/kg) or vehicle (canola oil) was administered orally 30 min before Aβ and for 7 subsequent days. Memory was tested through the Morris water maze (MWM) and step-down passive-avoidance (SDPA) tests. Antioxidant defenses along with reactive species (RS) were assessed. Inflammatory cytokines levels and AChE activity were measured. SOD activity was inhibited in the Aβ group whereas RS were increased. AChE activity, GSH, and IL-6 levels were increased in the Aβ group. These changes were reflected in impaired cognition and memory loss, observed in both behavioral tests. Se compound was able to protect against memory loss in mice in both behavioral tests. SOD and AChE activities as well as RS and IL-6 levels were also protected by Se administration. Therefore, Se is promising for further studies

Evaluation of oxidative stress level: reactive oxygen species, reduced glutathione, and D-dimer in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19

ABSTRACTElevated D-dimer levels at hospital admission may also indicate a higher likelihood of progressing to a severe or critical state. This study aimed to assess reactive oxygen species (ROS), non-enzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH), and D-dimer levels in COVID-19 patients upon admission, examining their association with mortality outcomes. Data was collected from the medical records of 170 patients hospitalized in a referral hospital unit between March 2020 and December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: the ward bed group (n = 87), comprising 51% with moderate clinical conditions, and the intensive care unit (ICU) group (n = 83), comprising 49% with severe conditions. The mean age was 59.4 years, with a male predominance of 52.4%. The overall death rate was 43%, with 30.6% in the moderate group and 69.4% in the severe group. The average time from symptom onset to hospitalization was 6.42 days. Results showed that non-survivors had high D-dimer and ROS counts, longer ICU stays, and worse saturation levels at admission. In conclusion, elevated ROS and D-dimer levels may contribute to worse outcomes in critically ill patients, potentially serving as specific and sensitive predictors of poor outcomes upon admission