Effects of Ganoderma on aging and learning and memory ability in senescence accelerated mice

This study aimed to assess the relationship between antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSH-R), and paraoxonase (PON1) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and investigate susceptibility to atherosclerosis with decreasing antioxidant capacity in adolescent patients with iron deficiency (ID) and irondeficiency anemia (IDA). Twenty-five patients with IDA (14.9±1.8 years; 14 female and 11 male patients), 25 patients with ID (14.1±2.24 years; 13 female and 12 male patients) and 21 healthy controls (14.04±2.01 years; 11 female and 10 male individuals) were included in the study. Serum PON1, GSH-Px, GSH-R, and CIMT were measured in all cases. After 3-month oral iron therapy for the group with IDA, the same measurements were performed again. CIMT was statistically significantly higher in patients with ID and IDA than in the control group (p<0.05). PON1, GSH-Px, and GSH-R activities decreased and were statistically significantly low in patients with IDA compared to the control group (p<0.05). Serum PON1 activity was statistically significantly lower in patients with ID than in the control group (p<0.05). Post-treatment PON1, GSH-Px, and GSH-R activities in patients with IDA got back to normal and were statistically significantly higher compared to pre-treatment values. Antioxidant capacity decreases in patients with IDA and ID, which causes atherosclerotic changes. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency must be treated without the development of iron-deficiency anemia.

Effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone on improving memory deficits in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus in rat

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the cognitive impairment and expressions of inositol-dependent kinase 1α (IRE1α)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway-related proteins in diabetic mice, so as to explore its underlying mechanism. Thirty db/db mice were randomly divided into model group (n=15) and EA group (n=15), and 15 db/m mice were chosen as the control group. EA was applied to "Baihui" (GV20) and "Shenting" (GV24), bilateral "Pishu" (BL20) and "Shenshu" (BL23), "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) for 20 min, and bilateral "Feishu" (BL13), "Hegu" (LI4) and "Taichong" (LR3) were stimulated with filiform needles, with the needles retained for 20 min, once daily, 6 days a week for 4 weeks. The daily food intake, water intake, and weekly body weight and blood glucose of the mice in each group were recorded. The learning and memory abilities were detected by Morris water maze, the morphology of hippocampal cells was observed by HE staining, and IRE1α-JNK pathway-related proteins IRE1α, JNK, anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) were detected by Western blot. Compared with the control group, the food intake, water intake, body weight, blood glucose in the mo-del group were significantly increased (P<0.01), the escape latency was significantly prolonged (P<0.05), the times of cros-sing platform were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the expression levels of IRE1α and JNK proteins were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the food and water intake in the EA group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), the body weight and blood glucose were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the escape latency was significantly shortened (P<0.05), the times of crossing platform significantly increased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of IRE1α and JNK proteins were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the Bcl-2 expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). The cells in hippocampal CA1 area of mice in the model group are in disorder, with unclear nuclei and obvious vacuoles; while the morphology of nerve cells in EA group was significantly improved. EA can improve the cognitive impairment of db/db mice, as well as regulate body weight, blood glucose, and improve the cell morphology in the hippocampus, which may be related to its function in regulating the IRE1α-JNK pathway and related proteins.

The effects of sodium overload on learning and memory parameters of model animals are disputable. Additionally, it has been proved that brain oxidative stress leads to disrupted cognitive abilities. The aim of our study was to estimate the learning abilities and the oxidative status of brain cortices of rats in a model of sodium overload. In our experimental part two groups of male Wistar albino rats, receiving standard rodent food, were used – a Control group (C) and a NaCl group (NaCl), receiving 2.5 g/kg NaCl, p.o. once daily, for one week. After developing the sodium overload model, both groups were tested for their 8-Arm Radial Maze (8-ARM) performance. All rat brain cortices were tested for activity of Xanthine oxidase and free radical accumulation, using spectrophotometric methods. The results for group NaCl were presented as percentages of the corresponding biomarkers for group C. Group C showed much less anxiety and unmotivated behavior and considerably better memory and learning abilities than group NaCl. Much higher levels of xanthine oxidase and free radical accumulation were registered in the brain cortices of group NaCl compared to the brain cortices of group C. We discuss that the sodium overload resulted in oxidative stress in the rat brain cortex, mainly due to accumulation of superoxide. This was accompanied with increased anxiety, unmotivated choices, and disrupted learning and memory abilities. We concluded that excessive dietary NaCl intake in a rat model of sodium overload is accompanied by disrupted learning and memory abilities, increased anxiety and increased oxidative stress in the brain cortex.

Ameliorative effects of lotus seedpod proanthocyanidins on cognitive deficits and oxidative damage in senescence-accelerated mice

AB0572 REDUCED ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM IN SCLEROSIS.

The behavior of the catalytic activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase was tested in rat liver and kidney homogenates stored at 4, -20 and -70 degrees C and in corresponding tissue samples stored at -70 degrees C. The stabilities of enzymes were different for various enzymes and were dependent on the organ (liver, kidney) and the storage temperature. The storage temperature of -70 degrees C guaranteed the best stability and the five enzymes investigated were sufficiently stable in preserved tissue samples or in homogenates prepared with conventional mannit/sucrose homogenization solution. Under such conditions, these enzymes were stable over at least 4 or 1 weeks, respectively.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of yam tuber material [Dioscorea alata L. var. purpurea (M.) Pouch.] on the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) accumulation, monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, cognitive ability and antioxidative defense system in senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP8). Three-month-old male mice were fed with four different diets for 12 weeks: a casein diet (control group) and a casein diet supplemented with either 100, 200 or 400 g kg−1 lyophilized yam. The results of the active shuttle avoidance test showed that the mice fed with the yam-containing diets had significantly better learning and memory ability than the control group. All yam-containing diet groups had lower Aβ levels and MAO B activities than the control, whereas the MAO A activity did not differ among the four diet groups. At the 400 g kg−1 level, the yam-containing diet group showed significantly lower concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), higher total thiol level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the hippocampus than the control, but these values were not altered by the 100 and 200 g kg−1 yam-containing diet groups. The addition of 200 or 400 g kg−1 yam also lowered the triglyceride levels but not the total cholesterol concentration. These results indicate that lyophilized yam could reduce brain Aβ accumulation, MAO B activity and cognitive deficits and promote the antioxidative defense system in SAMP8 mice. The improvements were in a dose-dependent manner, possibly because the 400 g kg−1 yam-containing diet might contain more antioxidative phytochemicals. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry

In this study, Citrobacter freundii (NRRL B-2643) bacteria were cultured in an LB medium with different cadmium (Cd) concentrations. To mitigate the deleterious impact of Cd, varying quantities of selenium (Se), renowned for its antioxidative power, were added to the cadmium-containing growth medium. Bacterial concentration, soluble protein, and activities of antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), Glutathione reductase (GSH-Red), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Catalase (CAT)) were determined by spectrophotometer. No significant microorganism growth was observed at 150 ppm and higher Cd concentrations. However, the bacterial growth was not affected up to 40 ppm Cd concentration. Bacteria were grown in media containing 0, 75, 100, and 125 ppm Cd, where the 0-ppm cadmium group served as control. The protein content of the microorganism grown in the medium containing 75, 100, and 125 ppm Cd decreased about 21, 40, and 62 percent, respectively, compared to the control. When 3.0 ppm selenium was added to the same growth medium, the percentage decrease in protein amount compared to the control was 12, 25, and 50, respectively. Compared to the control, an increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities in bacteria grown in cadmium-containing media was observed (p&lt;0.05). With the addition of 1.0 and 3.0 ppm selenium to cadmium-containing media, a decrease was observed in the activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Mice Heterozygous for a Defect in Mitochondrial Trifunctional Protein Develop Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance

Effect of Ginkgo biloba on liver injury of arsenic poisoning rats caused by corn flour baked by high-arsenic coal

To explore the relationship between alterations of neural network plasticity and spatial learning and memory functions in mouse models with depression-like behaviors. C57Thy1-YFP/GAD67-GFP mice were randomized into control group (with no treatment) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) group (n=15) subjected to CUMS for 8 weeks. Depression-like behaviors of the mice were assessed using sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swimming test, and their spatial learning and memory abilities were evaluated using Morris water maze test. The changes in the firing patterns of different neuronal subtypes were detected in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the prelimbic cortex (PrL) using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Compared with the control mice, CUMS mice showed significantly decreased sucrose preference, total distance moved, number of grid-crossings, entries into the central area, and time spent in the central area in the open field test (P < 0.01). In the forced swimming test, CUMS mice exhibited obviously shortened time of struggling, swimming, and climbing with increased immobility time. In Morris water maze test, CUMS mice showed significantly increased escape latency and path length, decreased percentage of distance and swimming time within the target quadrant, and increased first entry latency into the target zone and swimming time within the opposite quadrant. Exposure to CUMS resulted in significantly enhanced energy barrier and increased absolute refractory period and inter-spike interval of glutamatergic neurons in the CeA and GABAergic neurons in the PrL, while the opposite changes were observed in GABAergic neurons in the CeA and glutamatergic neurons in the PrL. CUMS-induced depression may lead to plastic changes in the excitatory and inhibitory neuronal networks within the CeA and PrL to cause impairment of spatial learning and memory abilities in mice.

Dietary compounds like flavonoids may offer protection against neurodegeneration. Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by symptoms like chorea and dementia. 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitor produces behavioral, biochemical and histological changes in the striatum, mimics HD in animals and humans. The present study was designed to examine the protective activity of Rutin (RT), a primary flavonoid from citrus fruits, green tea on 3-NP induced experimental model of HD in rats. Rats were pretreated with Rutin, a potent antioxidant (25 and 50mg/kg b.w.) orally prior to the intraperitoneally (i.p.) administration of 3-NP (10mg/kg b.w.) for 14days. Behavioral assessments were carried out on 5th, 10th and 15th day after 3-NP treatment. Body weight, biochemical and histological studies were analyzed on 15th day. Systemic administration of 3-NP significantly reduced the body weight, locomotor activities (Rota rod, Open field test), memory (Morris water maze) and antioxidants such as Glutathione (GSH) levels, activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Glutathione reductase (GR). 3-NP also produces striatal damage by increased the levels of lipid peroxides, nitrite, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and activity of Acetylcholine esterase (AchE). Thus, Rutin treatment of 25 and 50mg/kg b.w. has significantly restored all the biochemical, behavioral and histological alterations caused by the 3-NP through its antioxidant activity. The findings of our study indicates that Rutin may have an important role in protecting the striatum from oxidative/nitrosative insults caused by 3-NP. These results suggest that RT might be a drug of choice to treat HD.

Injury to the gastrointestinal tract by oxygen dependent processes is important in ischemia, inflammatory bowel disease, and necrotizing enterocolitis. The Caco-2 cell line is an important tool in assessing various gastrointestinal functions and offers a unique opportunity to assess gastrointestinal oxidant metabolism on a cellular level. However, some Caco-2 cell functions change with time after confluence. To determine if antioxidant enzyme activity changes during differentiation, Caco-2 cells were grown to confluence, and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase activities and specific mRNA content were quantitated. With time after confluence the enzymes demonstrated a small, but statistically significant increase in activity. Neither superoxide dismutase nor glutathione peroxidase mRNA levels correlated with enzyme activity changes. Catalase mRNA levels increased as catalase activity increased. Thus, differentiated Caco-2 cells express superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase activities and the superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase genes. Superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione peroxidase activity do not correlate with mRNA levels, and suggest that regulation may be at a level other than transcription. The correlation between catalase activity and catalase mRNA suggests differentiation may occur at transcription. If Caco-2 cells are used to elucidate oxidative metabolism, changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes as a function of cell differentiation should be considered.

Between their broad spectrum of action, vanadium compounds are shown to have insulin mimetic/enhancing effects. Increasing evidence in experimental and clinical studies suggests that oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and on the onset of diabetic complications. Thus, preventive therapy can alleviate the possible side effects of the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vanadyl sulfate supplementation on the antioxidant system in the stomach tissue of diabetic rats. Male Swiss albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control; control+vanadyl sulfate; diabetic; diabetic+vanadyl sulfate. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 65 mg/kg body weight). Vanadyl sulfate (100 mg/kg body weight) was given daily by gavage for 60 days. At the last day of the experiment, stomach tissues were taken and homogenized to make a 10% (w/v) homogenate. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), myeloperoxidase (MPO), carbonic anhydrase (CA), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were determined in the stomach tissue. CAT, SOD, GR, GPx, GST, CA, G6PD and LDH activities were increased in diabetic rats when compared to normal rats. Vanadium treatment significantly reduced the elevated activities of GR, GPx, GST compared with the diabetic group whereas the decreases in CAT, SOD, CA, G6PD and LDH activities were insignificant. No significant change was seen for MPO activity between the groups. It was concluded that vanadium could be used for its ameliorative effect against oxidative stress in diabetes.