The Effect of Passive Smoking on Total Antioxidant Capacity of Serum and Saliva in Rats

Objective: Active and passive smoking lead to the production of a number of oxidants and antioxidants with various adverse health effects compromising the immune system. Tobacco use increases the production of free radicals as well. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of passive smoking on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of serum and saliva in rats.Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 18 rats with an age range of 7-11 weeks weighing 160-200 g; 9 of them were exposed to cigarette smoke 3 times daily for 8 minutes. The 9 controls were not exposed to cigarette smoke. After injection of 0.2 mg/kg midazolam and 0.5  mg/kg pilocarpine, serum and saliva samples were taken from subjects in the exposure and control groups at 0, 15 and 30 days. Serum cotinine was measured using ELISA kit. TAC of saliva and serum was measured using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. TAC values at different time points were statistically analyzed in each group using Repeated Measures ANOVA and compared between the two groups using t-test.Results: At baseline, no significant difference existed between the two groups in terms of serum cotinine concentration but at days 15 and 30, cotinine serum concentration significantly increased in the exposure group. At baseline and 30 days, no significant difference existed between the two groups of passive smoker and non-smoker in terms of serum TAC values but at day 15, serum TAC values were significantly higher in the exposure group. Also, TAC of salivawas significantly higher in the passive smoker group at baseline and at day 15 but at day 30, the difference in this respect between the two groups was not statistically significant.Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, changes in TAC of serum and saliva in rats due to exposure to cigarette smoke were compensated by their immune system activity. However, further investigations are still required in this respect

First report of the exotic weevil Stenopelmus rufinasus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) occurrence in Iran

The water fern weevil, Stenopelmus rufinasus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is considered as the most important biological control agent of Azolla spp. in the world. Azolla spp. was introduced in Iran in 1986. In August 2017, two specimens of S. rufinasus were collected on Azolla spp. in waterways near Anzali lagoon and Rice Research Institute of Iran (RRII) in Guilan province for the first time. Identification was based on molecular sequencing. This is the first record of S. rufinasus from Iran

Clinical and biochemical effects of dark chocolate in moderate chronic periodontitis

Introduction: Antioxidant agents such as cocoa could have some benefits in treatment of inflammation including periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cocoa consumption on moderate chronic periodontitis. Materials &Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed on 40 subjects who were randomly divided into two groups. Treatment group received 30 gr dark chocolate (78% cocoa) and control group received 22.5 gr white chocolate three times a day for 4 weeks. Saliva samples were collected from patients at baseline and twenty-eight days after eating chocolate. Probing pocket depth (PPD), Gingival index (GI, Silness and Loe), Modified papillary bleeding index (MPBI, Barnett), Clinical attachment loss (CAL) were recorded at baseline and 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th weeks later in ramfjord teeth. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation of saliva were estimated by Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Tiuborbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) methods. Data of clinical parameters were analyzed using t-test and repeated measures test. Biochemical parameters were analyzed using t-test. Results: Intra-group comparison of clinical parameters demonstrated significant decrease in both groups (p<0.0001) and inter-group comparison showed significant decrease of MPBI in treatment group, (p<0.03). MPBI and GI were significantly decreased in treatment group compared to the control in the weeks of 4th, 6th and 8th, according t-test (GI4, P=0.008-GI6, P=0.008-GI8, P=0.009), (MPBI4, MPBI6, MPBI8, P<0.0001). Treatment group showed the increase in FRAP, (p<0.00001) and decrease in TBARS, (P<0.015) which were statically significant in compare with control group. Conclusion: Consuming dark chocolate could increase TAC and decrease lipid peroxidation, gingival bleeding and inflammation

Arbutin attenuates nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin

Objective: In this study, the impact of arbutin was examined in a gentamicin (GM)-induced nephrotoxicity model. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups including control group; GM group, and three groups of GM+arbutin (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg). One day after the last injection of GM, creatinine, urea, carbonyl, thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance (TBARs), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 8-hydroxyguanosine levels were assessed in serum samples. Left and right kidneys were used for biochemical assays and histological evaluation, respectively. Results: Our data showed that the FRAP level (p<0.05), urea (p<0.001), creatinine (p<0.001), and 8-hydroxyguanosine (p<0.001) levels of serum samples, were increased in GM-treated rats compared to the controls. The serum levels of TBARS (p<0.001) and carbonyl increased in serum and renal tissue (p<0.001) of GM-treated animals. Conversely, arbutin attenuated serum creatinine, urea and 8-hydroxyguanosine, and TBARS (p<0.001). Administration of arbutin significantly decreased carbonyl levels in serum and renal tissue samples (p<0.001). Furthermore, the levels of FRAP increased in the serum (p<0.01) and renal tissue samples (p<0.001) of arbutin-treated animals. Histological staining showed that arbutin significantly inhibits kidney damages. Conclusion: Our data suggest that arbutin attenuates GM-induced nephrotoxicity through its free radicals-scavenging activity

Arbutin attenuates behavioral impairment and oxidative stress in an animal model of Parkinson's disease

Objective: Arbutin has been shown to have antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of arbutin administration on behavioral impairment, and oxidative and nitrosative stress in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced animal model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Materials and Methods: PD model was developed by 4 intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of MPTP (20 mg/kg) with 2 h intervals in mice. Experimental groups received once daily injection of saline as vehicle (control group) or arbutin (50 mg/kg, i.p.) one week before MPTP injections and this protocol was continued seven days post lesion. Behavioral deficits were evaluated using locomotion test, hanging wire test and forepaw stride length. Parameters indicating the oxidation levels including lipid peroxidation marker (TBARS), nitrite, protein carbonyl levels and antioxidant activity including ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were assessed in serum and midbrain samples. Results: Treatment with arbutin improved motor functions in an MPTP-induced PD model compared to control group (

Improving Chilling Tolerance of Maize Seedlings under Cold Conditions by Spermine Application

Low temperature is an important abiotic stress which reduces crops growth and productivity and causes physiological damages to cellular structures. The aim of this study was to investigate the probability of spermine application to improve chilling tolerance of maize under stress conditions. The treatments were included seed priming with spermine (30, 60 and 90 mg/l solutions) and normal and stress condition. Seed emergence was improved by spermine priming on both conditions and mean emergence time (MET) was also decreased with priming. Shoot and root length was highly reduced under stress conditions, but the treated seeds were improved along with increased spermine concentration. Seedling dry weight was also affected by priming and reduced weight of stressful seedlings was alleviated by spermine priming. Decreased relative water content on seedlings under stress was elevated by the treatments and significantly increased. Electrolyte leakage was also recovered by applied treatments while it was adversely decreased on cold conditions. Antioxidative system was highly responded to spermine application. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased on both normal and stress conditions, but a little decrease was observed on seedlings treated with 90 ppm level and under chilling conditions. Catalase activity was also amplified by spermine treatments. Priming had a great effect on ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity on both stressful and normal seedlings and increased it compare with non treated seedlings. It is also important to note that with increasing spermine concentration to 90 ppm, no considerable differences were observed. Thus, 60 ppm concentration could be proposed as the appropriate level of spermine in order to improve chilling tolerance of maize seedlings

Effects of Fenton Reaction on Human Serum Albumin: An In Vitro Study

Introduction: Human serum albumin (HSA) is a critical protein in human blood plasma, which can be highly damaged by oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to analyze modifications of this protein after oxidation using a Fenton system. Methods: In this 2015 experiment, different ratios of Fenton reagent (Fe2+/H2O2) was incubated with one concentration of human serum albumin (1mg/ml). Hence, HSA was incubated 30 min with various combinations of a Fenton system and quantified oxidation products such as carbonyl groups, fragmentations, degradations, and oxidized free thiol group using reliable techniques. Image and data analysis were carried out using ImageJ software and Excel (version 2007), respectively. Results: An SDS-PAGE profile showed no cross link and aggregation. However, protein band intensity has decreased to 50% in the highest ratio of H2O2/Fe. Carbonylation assay indicated carbonyl/protein (molc/molp) ratio increased linearly in lower ratios and the values plateau at higher levels of H2O2/Fe 2+. The only free sulfhydryl group on HSA was oxidized in all ratios of the Fenton system. Conclusion: To sum, the structure of HSA has been changed following treatment with Hydroxyl Radical as the main product of Fenton reaction. These data confirm the antioxidant activity of HS

A Study of arbutin protective effect on cyclosporin A-induced oxidative damage

Background: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressant drug with therapeutic and toxic actions. The use of CsA is limited by its toxicity. Several researchers had proposed that oxidative stress could play an important role in CsA-induced toxicity. Arbutin has recently been shown to possess antioxidative and free radical scavenging abilities.The present study was designed to investigate the in vivo effects of arbutin on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in the serum of cyclosporine treated rats.  Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=8/group): (I) control (no CsA and arbutin administration), (II and III) were treated subcutaneously (Sc) with arbutin (50,100 mg/kg/bw), respectively, (IV) administered CsA (25 mg/kg/bw) intraperitoneally (IP), (V and VI) received the combination of CsA (25 mg/kg/bw) i.p and arbutin (50,100 mg/kg/bw) Sc daily, respectively. At the end of the treatment (after3 weeks), serum lipid peroxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) and serum total antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP]) was assayed based on spectrophotometric method.  Results: TBARS had been significantly increased by CsA administration compared with control rats. Arbutin (50mg/kg/bw) completely prevented this effect, but arbutin (100 mg/kg/bw) alone or in combination with CsA significantly increased lipid peroxidation compared with controls.  Conclusion: Our data indicate that arbutin (50mg/kg/bw) had protective effect in the CsA-induced toxicity but high concentration of arbutin (100mg/kg/bw) showed meaningful oxidative and lipoperoxidative effects

Protective effect of lycopene on oral mucositis and antioxidant capacity of blood plasma in the rat exposed to gamma radiation

Background: Nowadays, radiotherapy is used effectively for treatment of head and neck cancers. Mucositis is one of the most important side effects of radiotherapy. Radio-protective agents protect tissues and cells against the adverse effects due to ionizing radiation and cleave radiation-induced free radicals. Lycopene as a potent antioxidant protects cells against oxidative damage by free radical&#8211;scavenging. &#160;The present study investigated the antioxidant effect of lycopene on oral mucosa of irradiated rats. Methods: In this experimental animal study, 28 rats were placed in four groups as follows: treated with 50 mg /kg of lycopene (L50), solvent+irradiation (SR), 25 mg / kg of lycopene+irradiation (LR25), and 50 mg / kg of lycopene+irradiation (LR50). The rats received lycopene intraperitoneally. On the irradiation day (day 0) and tenth day of radiation, blood samples were taken from the animals for FRAP and TBARS tests. Results: The results showed that the LR50 group didn&#8217;t show mucositis higher than Grade 2. There was a significant difference (p &#60;0.05) between SR and the L50 regarding the severity of mucositis. In addition, L50 showed higher antioxidant activity and lower peroxidation than SR. Conclusion: The lycopene reduced the severity of mucositis. Therefore, it can be used as a potential and promising nutritional substance to prevent radiotherapy complications, especially in the treatment of head and neck cancers. However, further research is necessary to confirm these results. &#160

Salivary oxidant/ antioxidant status and hematological parameters in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common inflammatory ulcerative condition of oral cavity. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of the salivary Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and blood parameter in RAS versus healthy controls. Methods: This case-control study consisted of 28 patients with RAS and 28 age and sex -matched control without RAS. Cell blood count was assessed by sysmex system, serum iron and total iron binding capacity was measured by standard laboratory kit and for ferritin ELISA kit was utilized. Salivary TAC and MDA level determined using FRAP and TBARS method respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 21, chi-square test was used to compare proportions, and student&rsquo;s t-test and Mann Whitney U-test were used for the comparison of quantitative variables Results: Salivary MDA level was significantly higher (p<0.001) and TAC level was significantly lower (p<0.042) in RAS as compared with the control group. Also, serum ferritin level was significantly higher in RAS patients (p<0.008). Conclusion: These findings indicate the alteration of oxidant/antioxidant status was observed in recurrent aphthous stomatitis, may be also associated with changing several hematinic parameters in this study. The finding maybe helpful to clarify the etiologies of RAS and possibely to improve the management or preventive options