The Level of Isoprostanes as a Non-invasive Marker for in vivo Lipid Peroxidation in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

This article is published with open access at Springerlink.comOxidative stress leads to lipid peroxidation and may contribute to the pathogenesis of lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory as well as degenerative phenomena. Isoprostanes are prostaglandin-like compounds which are formed by free radical catalysed peroxidation of arachidonic acid esterified in membrane phospholipids. They are a new class of sensitive specific markers for in vivo lipid peroxidation. In this study 26 patients (15 females and 11 males; mean age 48.2 ± 15.2 year; mean disease duration 10.0 ± 6.5 year) with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and 12 healthy controls were enrolled. In patients with multiple sclerosis the lipid peroxidation as the level of urine isoprostanes and the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) in plasma were estimated. Moreover, we estimated the total antioxidative status (TAS) in plasma. It was found that the urine isoprostanes level was over 6-fold elevated in patients with SPMS than in control (P\0.001). In SPMS patients TBARS level was also statistically higher than in controls (P\0.01).However, we did not observed any difference of TAS level in serum between SPMS patients and controls (P[0.05). In patients with SPMS the lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress measured as the increased level of isoprostanes was observed. Thus, we suggest that the level of isoprostanes may be used as non-invasive marker for a determination of oxidative stress what in turn, together with clinical symptoms, may determine an specific antioxidative therapy in SPMS patients

How to synthesise high purity, crystalline D-glucaric acid selectively

Glucaric acid has potential applications in food, pharmaceutical and polymer industries yet no methodology exists within the public domain for isolation of this key bio-derived platform molecule as a pure, crystalline solid. Here we demonstrate the difficulties, which arise in doing so and report development of a process for derivation of free-glucaric acid from its Ca2+/K+ glucarate salts, which are both commercially available. Employing Amberlyst-15 (H+) exchange resin and azeotrope drying, powdered glucaric acid is prepared at > 99.96 % purity in 98.7 % dry yield

The Level of Isoprostanes as a Non-invasive Marker for in vivo Lipid Peroxidation in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Oxidative stress leads to lipid peroxidation and may contribute to the pathogenesis of lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory as well as degenerative phenomena. Isoprostanes are prostaglandin-like compounds which are formed by free radical catalysed peroxidation of arachidonic acid esterified in membrane phospholipids. They are a new class of sensitive specific markers for in vivo lipid peroxidation. In this study 26 patients (15 females and 11 males; mean age 48.2 ± 15.2 year; mean disease duration 10.0 ± 6.5 year) with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and 12 healthy controls were enrolled. In patients with multiple sclerosis the lipid peroxidation as the level of urine isoprostanes and the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) in plasma were estimated. Moreover, we estimated the total antioxidative status (TAS) in plasma. It was found that the urine isoprostanes level was over 6-fold elevated in patients with SPMS than in control (P < 0.001). In SPMS patients TBARS level was also statistically higher than in controls (P < 0.01). However, we did not observed any difference of TAS level in serum between SPMS patients and controls (P > 0.05). In patients with SPMS the lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress measured as the increased level of isoprostanes was observed. Thus, we suggest that the level of isoprostanes may be used as non-invasive marker for a determination of oxidative stress what in turn, together with clinical symptoms, may determine an specific antioxidative therapy in SPMS patients

Thrombin inhibitory activity of some polyphenolic compounds

Thrombin, also known as an active plasma coagulation factor II, belongs to the family of serine proteases and plays a crucial role in blood coagulation process. The process of thrombin generation is the central event of the hemostatic process and regulates blood coagulant activity. For this reason, thrombin inhibition is key to successful novel antithrombotic pharmacotherapy. The aim of our present study was to examine the effects of the well-known polyphenolic compounds on the activity of thrombin, by characterization of its interaction with selected polyphenols using different biochemical methods and biosensor BIAcore analyses. Only six compounds, cyanidin, quercetin, silybin, cyanin, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin, of all examined in this study polyphenols caused the inhibition of thrombin amidolytic activity. But only three of the six compounds (cyanidin, quercetin and silybin) changed thrombin proteolytic activity. BIAcore analyses demonstrated that cyanidin and quercetin caused a strong response in the interaction with immobilized thrombin, while cyanin and (−)-epicatechin induced a low response. Lineweaver–Burk curves show that used polyphenol aglycones act as competitive thrombin inhibitors. Our results suggest that polyphenolic compounds might be potential structural bases and source to find and project nature-based, safe, orally bioavailable direct thrombin inhibitors.This work was supported by Grant 545/485 and Grant 506/810 from the University of Lodz

β-Glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae - the natural stimulator of immune system

In resent years, increased attention has been paid to b-glucans isolated from the cell walls of fungi that act as nonspecific modulators of immune system. b-glucan, a cell wall polysaccharide in many microorganism, fungi and algae, is a well- known biological response modifier (BRM). The cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae consists of approximately 29-64% b-glucans. b-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses the strong positive influence on the immune system, resulting in antibacterial, wound-healing and antitumor activities. It is known that the immunomodulatory effects of b-glucans are influenced by their degree of branching, polymer lengths and tertiary structure. Most fungal b-glucans exhibit immunomodulatory activity when administered intravenously or intraperitoneally. b-glucan may directly activate cells, stimulating their phagocytic and antimicrobial activities, including the production of reactive intermediates and proinflammatory mediators, cytokines and chemokines. b-glucan receptor activity has subsequently been reported on a variety of other leukocytes, including macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils and NK cells, as well as on nonimmune cells including endothelial cells, alveoral epithelial cells and fibroblasts. In addition to these, b-glucan also exhibits antioxidative capabilities. It is one of natural substances, known as antioxidants, which are able to protect living organisms from the attack of reactive radical species and in this way to decrease the risk of several diseases

The biological activity of bacterial lipopolisaccharide

The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the structure and biological activity of bacterial endotoxin. Endotoxin or lipopolisaccharide (LPS) is the major component of the ou ter membranes of the cell walls of Gramm-negative bacteria. LPS consists of two parts: the hydrophobic lipid A and hydrophylic polysaccharide with contrasting chemical and physical properties. The toxic activity is principally due to its lipid A moiety. LPS is capable of inducing stimulation of immunological system acting on monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, platelets and endothelial cells leading to the release of inflammatory mediators: eicosanoids, cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, reactive free radicals, platelet activating factor (PAF) and NO'. In the circulation LPS may bind to plasme components such as high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or LPS binding protein (LBP). This complex interacts with a high affinity receptor CD14 expressed on leukocytes, monocytes and macrophages resulting in activation of these cells and inducing pathophysiological effects such as inflammation, septic shock and death. The consequences for the host of all these events are dependent on the extent of LPS exposure and the status of the host defense mechanisms.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Functional food - a role of nutraceuticals in cardiovascular disease prevention

The primary role of diet is to provide sufficient nutrients to meet the nutritional requirements of an individual, but there is now increasing scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that some food components have beneficial effects over and above the provision of the basic nutrients. Foods with the plant origin, besides of numerous nutrients contain many non-nutritive compounds, which may prevent many diet-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases or cancers. Plants produce a large number of phenolic compounds as secondary metabolites that may play a role in reducing the risk of disease or in improving the health. Many traditional food products including fruits, vegetables, soya, whole grains and milk have been found to contain components with potential health benefits beyond basic nutritive value. Additionally, new foods are being developed to enhance or incorporate these beneficial components for their health benefits or desirable physiological effects. Rapid advances in food science and technology and consumer interest in functional foods has increased during the late twentieth century. The concept of functional foods was born in Japan and then the concepts of foods, developed specifically to promote health or reduce the risk of disease were introduced in Europe. Generally, functional foods are considered as those intended to be consumed as a part of the normal diet and contain biologically active components, and offer the potential enhancement of health or reduced risk of disease. Functional foods include products that contain specific minerals, vitamins, fatty acids or dietary fibre, foods with added biologically active substances such as phytochemicals or other antioxidants and probiotics with the live beneficial cultures. A variety of functional foods have been found to be potentially beneficial in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, which is the main cause of mortality in the world. These foods administered in adequate amounts may result in the decrease of cardiovascular diseases risk, at least by several potential mechanisms: lowering blood lipid levels, improving arterial compliance, reducing low-density lipoprotein oxidation, decreasing plaque formation, scavenging free radicals, and inhibiting platelet aggregation

P-selectin expression on blood platelets induced by endotoxin Proteus mirabilis

P-selectin is stored in the a granules of blood platelets. Following platelet activation by different agonists, P-selectin is expressed on the cell surface where it mediates adhesion primarily to leucocytes.The aim of the study was to evaluate the direct effect of Proteus mirabilis lipopolysaccharides on the P-selectin expression on the platelet surface measured by cytometric method. The obtained results showed that LPS in vitro induced the expression of P-selectin (CD62) on platelets. It indicates that endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria can activate blood platelets.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę