25 research outputs found
Biochemical and behavioral consequences of ethanol intake in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome
Ethanol abuse is a common issue in individuals with sedentary lifestyles, unbalanced diets,
and metabolic syndrome. Both ethanol abuse and metabolic syndrome have negative impacts on
the central nervous system, with effects including cognitive impairment and brain oxidative status
deterioration. The combined effects of ethanol abuse and metabolic syndrome at a central level have
not yet been elucidated in detail. Thus, this work aims to determine the effects of ethanol intake on a
mouse model of metabolic syndrome at the behavioral and biochemical levels. Seven-week-old male
control (B6.V-Lep ob/+JRj) and leptin-deficient (metabolic syndrome) (B6.V-Lep ob/obJRj) mice were
used in the study. Animals were divided into four groups: control, ethanol, obese, and obeseâethanol.
Ethanol consumption was monitored for 6 weeks. Basal glycemia, insulin, and glucose overload
tests were performed. To assess short- and long-term memory, an object recognition test was used.
In order to assess oxidative status in mouse brain samples, antioxidant enzyme activity was analyzed
with regard to glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione, glutathione disulfide,
lipid peroxidation products, and malondialdehyde. Ethanol intake modulated the insulin response
and impaired the oxidative status in the ob mouse brain
Role of hippocampal NF-ÎșB and GluN2B in the memory acquisition impairment of experiences gathered prior to cocaine administration in rats
Cocaine can induce severe neurobehavioral changes, among others, the ones involved in learning and memory processes. It is known that during drug consumption, cocaine-associated memory and learning processes take place. However, much less is known about the effects of this drug upon the mechanisms involved in forgetting.The present report focuses on the mechanisms by which cocaine affects memory consolidation of experiences acquired prior to drug administration. We also study the involvement of hippocampus in these processes, with special interest on the role of Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ÎșB), N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor 2B (GluN2B), and their relationship with other proteins, such as cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB). For this purpose, we developed a rat experimental model of chronic cocaine administration in which spatial memory and the expression or activity of several proteins in the hippocampus were assessed after 36 days of drug administration. We report an impairment in memory acquisition of experiences gathered prior to cocaine administration, associated to an increase in GluN2B expression in the hippocampus. We also demonstrate a decrease in NF-ÎșB activity, as well as in the expression of the active form of CREB, confirming the role of these transcription factors in the cocaine-induced memory impairment
Naltrexone Reverses Ethanol-Induced Rat Hippocampal and Serum Oxidative Damage
Naltrexone, an antagonist of ïżœ-opioid receptors, is clinically used as adjuvant therapy of alcohol dishabituation. The aim of
the present work was to test the effect of 1 mg/kg body weight of naltrexone to revert oxidative stress-related biochemical
alterations, in the hippocampus and serum of chronic alcoholic adult rats. Malondialdehyde concentration was increased and
glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased in hippocampus and serum of alcohol-treated rats. Naltrexone treatment restored
these alterations. The in vitro antioxidant ability of Ntx could not justify these effects considering the doses used. Thus this apparent
protective effect of Ntx can only be attributed to its pharmacological effects, as herein discussed.Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia
SAF2010-21317
Universidad Catolica de Valencia "San Vicente Martir"
2012-029-001
Plan Nacional sobre Drogas
2010/059
AI/ICB-Santander
07/1
Impact of Plasma Oxidative Stress Markers on Post-race Recovery in Ultramarathon Runners: A Sex and Age Perspective Overview
Oxidative stress has been widely studied in association to ultra-endurance sports. Although it is clearly demonstrated the increase in reactive oxygen species and free radicals after these extreme endurance exercises, the effects on the antioxidant defenses and the oxidative damage to macromolecules, remain to be fully clarified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of an ultramarathon race on the plasma markers of oxidative stress of 32 runners and their post-race recovery, with especial focused on sex and age effect. For this purpose, the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activity, as well as the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and the carbonyl groups (CG) content were measured before the race, in the finish line and 24 and 48 h after the race. We have reported an increase of the oxidative damage to lipids and proteins (MDA and CG) after the race and 48 h later. Moreover, there was an increase of the GR activity after the race. No changes were observed in runnersâ plasma GPx activity throughout the study. Finally, we have observed sex and age differences regarding damage to macromolecules, but no differences were found regarding the antioxidant enzymes measured. Our results suggest that several basal plasma markers of oxidative stress might be related to the extent of muscle damage after an ultraendurance race and also might affect the muscle strength evolution
Human Milk Antioxidative Modifications in Mastitis: Further Beneficial Effects of Cranberry Supplementation
Mastitis is the inflammation of one or several mammal lobes which can be accompanied by a
mammary gland infection, and is the leading cause of undesired early weaning in humans. However,
little information exists regarding the changes that this disease may induce in the biochemical
composition of human milk, especially in terms of oxidative status. Given that newborns are
subject to a significant increase in total ROS burden in their transition to neonatal life and that
their antioxidant defense system is not completely developed, the aim of this study was to evaluate
antioxidant defense (glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), total polyphenol
content (TPP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) in milk samples from mothers suffering from
mastitis and controls. We also measured the oxidative damage to lipids (malondyaldehyde (MDA))
and proteins (carbonyl group content (CGC)) in these samples. Finally, we tested whether dietary
supplementation with cranberries (a product rich in antioxidants) in these breastfeeding mothers
during 21 days could improve the oxidative status of milk. GPx activity, TPP, and TAC were increased
in milk samples from mastitis-affected women, providing a protective mechanism to the newborn
drinking mastitis milk. MDA concentrations were diminished in the mastitis group, confirming this
proposal. Some oxidative damage might occur in the mammary gland since the CGC was increased
in mastitis milk. Cranberries supplementation seems to strengthen the antioxidant system, further
improving the antioxidative state of milk
Influence of Female Sex Hormones on Ultra-Running Performance and Post-Race Recovery: Role of Testosterone
In recent years, increasing numbers of women have participated in extremely long races. In
adult males, there is a clear association between physiological levels of endogenous sex hormones and
physical performance. However, the influence of plasmatic sex hormones and the effects of different
types of hormonal contraception (HC) on the modulation of physical performance in adult females
remain to be fully clarified. Eighteen female ultra-endurance athletes were recruited to participate in
the study. Different variables were studied, including hematological parameters, body mass index,
and body composition. Strength measurements were obtained using the squat-jump and hand-grip
test. A repeated-measures analysis demonstrated significant differences in hematological values of CK
and LDH pre-race as compared to immediately post-race and after 24/48 h. Furthermore, statistical
differences were found in squat-jump and hand-grip test results after the ultramarathon. Testosterone,
estradiol, and the testosterone/estrogen ratio were significantly correlated with muscle fatigue and
were found to be indirect markers of muscle damage. A multivariate analysis demonstrated the
protective role of testosterone against muscle damage and severe fatigue. Fluctuations in endogenous
testosterone levels were correlated with greater fatigability and muscle damage after the competition.
Adjusting the menstrual cycle with HC would not provide any further benefit to the athleteâs
competitive capacit
Unlocking the in vitroanti- inflammatory and antidiabetic potential of Polygonum maritimum
Context: Several Polygonum species (Polygonaceae) are used in traditional medicine in Asia, Europe and Africa to treat inflammation and diabetes. Objective: Evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic potential of methanol and dichloromethane extracts of leaves and roots of the halophyte Polygonum maritimum L. Material and methods: Antioxidant activity was determined (up to 1mg/mL) as radical-scavenging activity (RSA) of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), copper (CCA) and iron (ICA) chelating activities and iron reducing power (FRAP). NO production was measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages for 24 h at concentrations up to 100 mu g/mL and antidiabetic potential was assessed by alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition (up to 10 g/mL) assays. The phytochemical composition of the extracts was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: The methanol leaf extract had the highest activity against DPPH center dot (IC50 = 26 mu g/mL) and ABTS1(+)center dot (IC50 = 140 mu g FRAP (IC50 = 48 mu g/mL) and CCA (IC50 = 770 mu g/mL). Only the dichloromethane leaf extract (LDCM) showed anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 = 48 mu g/mL). The methanol root (IC50 = 19 mu g/mL) and leaf (IC50 = 29 mu g/mL) extracts strongly inhibited baker's yeast alpha-glucosidase, but LDCM had higher rat's alpha-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 = 2527 mu g/mL) than acarbose (IC50 = 4638 mu g/mL). GC-MS analysis identified beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, 1-octacosanol and linolenic acid as possible molecules responsible for the observed bioactivities. Conclusions: Our findings suggest P. maritimum as a source of high-value health promoting commodities for alleviating symptoms associated with oxidative and inflammatory diseases, including diabetes.XtremeBio project - Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [PTDC/MAR-EST/4346/2012]; Portuguese National Budget; FCT [CCMAR/Multi/04326/ 2013, IF/00049/2012, SFRH/BPD/86071/2012, UID/Multi/00612/2013
Complementing the European earth observation and geographic information body of knowledge with a businessâoriented perspective
A body of knowledge (BoK) is an inventory of knowledge or concepts of a domain that serves as a reference vocabulary for various purposes, such as the development of curricula, the preparation of job descriptions, and the description of occupational profiles. To fulfill its purpose, a BoK needs to be upâtoâdate and ideally widely accepted by academia as well as the private and public sectors. This article presents the initiative taken in the Earth observation and geographic information (EO*GI) domain to provide a current, comprehensive educationâ and businessâoriented EO*GI BoK called EO4GEO BoK. In particular, an approach to strengthen the businessâoriented perspective in the EO4GEO BoK is presented. This approach is based on the analysis of professional tasks and the mapping of these tasks to concepts and skills contained in the BoK. A critical reflection of the proposed approach that is based on the experiences gained during a workshop complements this article
Updating and using the EO4GEO Body of Knowledge for (AI) concept annotation
The EO4GEO Body of Knowledge (BoK) serves as a vocabulary for the domain of geoinformation and earth observation, supporting the annotation of online resources. This paper presents how the BoK is designed, maintained and improved. We discuss how the BoK content can be extended, using the example of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and show how annotation is done by adding persistent concept identifiers in the metadata of training materials. This platform allows us to share online information with clarified semantics. A prolonged use necessitates the incentivisation of an active expert community and a further adoption of infrastructure standards
Role of retinal pigment epithelium-derived exosomes and autophagy in new blood vessel formation
Autophagy and exosome secretion play important roles in a variety of physiological and disease states, including the development of ageârelated macular degeneration. Previous studies have demonstrated that these cellular mechanisms share common pathways of activation. Low oxidative damage in ARPEâ19 cells, alters both autophagy and exosome biogenesis. Moreover, oxidative stress modifies the protein and genetic cargo of exosomes, possibly affecting the fate of surrounding cells. In order to understand the connection between these two mechanisms and their impact on angiogenesis, stressed ARPEâ19 cells were treated with a siRNAâtargeting Atg7, a key protein for the formation of autophagosomes. Subsequently, we observed the formation of multivesicular bodies and the release of exosomes. Released exosomes contained VEGFR2 as part of their cargo. This receptor for VEGFâwhich is critical for the development of new blood vesselsâwas higher in exosome populations released from stressed ARPEâ19. While stressed exosomes enhanced tube formation, exosomes became ineffective after silencing VEGFR2 in ARPEâ19 cells and were, consequently, unable to influence angiogenesis. Moreover, vessel sprouting in the presence of stressed exosomes seems to follow a VEGFâindependent pathway. We propose that abnormal vessel growth correlates with VEGFR2âexpressing exosomes release from stressed ARPEâ19 cells, and is directly linked to autophagy