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Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease

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A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2021) | Viewed by 32126

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Cinzia Signorini

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Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Interests: isoprostanes; neuroprostanes; markers of oxidative stress; oxidative stress in human diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jetty Chung-Yung Lee

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School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: lipid oxidation biomarkers; antioxidant and oxidative stress in human nutrition; short chain fatty acid; fatty acid metabolites; targeted lipidomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Lucia Micheli

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Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
Interests: antioxidants; glutathione; stress oxidative; anticancer; male infertility

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress is typically defined as a condition in which the oxidative activity of radical species overcomes the action of enzymatic or non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses. In addition to free radicals and antioxidants, oxidative stress is modulated by molecular signaling pathways that involve several mediators, which also underly cellular adaptation mechanisms.

Many biological processes are regulated by the mechanisms of oxidative stress, so much that it is necessary to enact cellular defenses. However, persistent or high levels of oxidative stress can lead to what is defined as oxidative stress pathologies.

In this Special Issue, we will collect advances in life science research to define the oxidative stress mechanisms involved in pathological processes in order to also understand the adaptative and degenerative cellular response set in motion by oxidative stress.

Dr. Cinzia Signorini
Dr. Jetty Chung-Yung Lee
Dr. Lucia Micheli
Guest Editors

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Keywords

oxidative stress pathology in diseases
cell response to oxidative stress
oxidative damage
molecular signaling
cellular antioxidant response

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Parameters of Oxidative Stress Depending on the Metabolic and Anthropometric Status Indicators in Women with PCOS

by Jolanta Nawrocka-Rutkowska, Iwona Szydłowska, Katarzyna Jakubowska, Maria Olszewska, Dariusz Chlubek, Aleksandra Rył, Małgorzata Szczuko and Andrzej Starczewski

Life 2022, 12(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12020225 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3490

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in females of reproductive age. In women with PCOS, metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance (IR), hyperinsulinemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and other elements of metabolic syndrome are likely to occur. Studies have shown an increase in the concentration and activity of oxidative stress (OS) markers in patients with PCOS, compared to that in unaffected women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the parameters of OS in PCOS and their activity in relation to women without menstrual disorders with a normal body weight. Then, we compared malonodialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), including overweight and obesity, hyperandrogenemia, and IR in the PCOS group. The study included 35 women aged 18–46, hospitalized for menstrual disorders in the form of infrequent menstruation. In 26 women, PCOS was diagnosed on the basis of the Rotterdam Criteria; these patients qualified for the study group. The control group (n = 21) consisted of patients without menstrual disorders and without PCOS in an ultrasound examination. Patients were diagnosed between the 2nd and 5th day of the cycle. The parameters of OS were analyzed and compared with the anthropometric parameters and the lipid profile of the patients. Enzymatic activity of GPx, CAT, SOD, and MDA levels was determined in both groups. MDA levels and CAT activity differed significantly between the groups. There was a decrease in MDA levels in the IR group and the involvement of GPx in the excess weight and obesity and IR group accompanied by an increase in hip circumference. It therefore seems that IR may be the main risk factor to exposure to OS in patients with PCOS, independent from obesity. In addition, GPx is involved in every step in the development of the pathological condition in PCOS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease)

16 pages, 4642 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Apoptotic, and Antioxidant Effects of a Pomegranate-Peel Extract against Acrylamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

by Samy Sayed, Saqer S. Alotaibi, Ahmed M. El-Shehawi, Mohamed M. Hassan, Mustafa Shukry, Mohamed Alkafafy and Mohamed Mohamed Soliman

Life 2022, 12(2), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12020224 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 3888

Abstract

The Acrylamide is a toxic compound generated under oxidative stress arising from intracellular ROS production and induced toxicity. It is frequently used in industry and generated through the heating of tobacco and foods high in carbohydrates. The exact mechanism of its toxicity is still unclear. In this study, an extract of the peels of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a nutritious and visually appealing fruit with a diverse bioactive profile, was examined for its potential anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups of 10 rats each: Group 1 was a negative-control group (CNT) and received normal saline; Group 2 was a positive-control acrylamide group and received acrylamide orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg/bw; in Group 3, the rats were supplemented with pomegranate-peel extract (P.P; 150 mg/kg/bw) orally on a daily basis for 3 weeks, administered simultaneously with the acrylamide treatment described for Group 2; Group 4 was a protective group, and the animals received the pomegranate-peel extract and acrylamide as stated for Groups 2 and 3, with the pomegranate-peel extract (P.P. extract) administered 1 week earlier than the acrylamide. The results indicate that acrylamide exposure increased the serum levels of AST, ALT, creatinine, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 in an extraordinary manner. In addition, it increased the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and simultaneously weakened antioxidant biomarker activities (SOD, GSH, and catalase) and reduced the levels of interleukin-10. The pomegranate-peel extract was shown to reduce the inflammatory blood markers of interleukin-1 beta and IL-6. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and interleukin-10 were all significantly elevated in comparison to the acrylamide-treatment group as a result of the significant reduction in MDA levels induced by the P.P extract. In addition, the pomegranate-peel extract normalized the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), and caspase-3 levels, with a significant upregulation of the mRNA expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2), and Bcl-2. Therefore, these data reveal that pomegranate peel has anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, free-radical-scavenging, and powerful antioxidant activity that protects against acrylamide toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease)

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22 pages, 7930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deep Sea Water-Dissolved Organic Matter Intake Improves Hyperlipidemia and Inhibits Thrombus Formation and Vascular Inflammation in High-Fat Diet Hamsters

by Chia-Chun Wu, Yu-Hsuan Cheng, Kuo-Hsin Chen and Chiang-Ting Chien

Life 2022, 12(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12010082 - 7 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2615

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease caused by oxidative stress, inflammation and lipid deposition within liver cells, and is subsequently contributing to cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Deep sea water (DSW) is characterized by its clearance and abundant nutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity to confer therapeutic potential. We aimed to explore the therapeutic capability of our prepared multi-filtration DSW-dissolved organic matter (DSW-DOM) on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia and endothelial dysfunction in hamsters. A high-fat/high-cholesterol diet led to increased oxidative stress, including blood reactive oxygen species (ROS), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and hepatic CYP2E1 expression; an increased hyperlipidemic profile and SREBP 1-mediated fatty liver; promoted NFκB p65-mediated hepatic inflammation; triggered PARP-mediated hepatic apoptosis; and enhanced endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and von Willebrand factor (VWF)-mediated atherosclerosis associated with the depressed hepatic antioxidant Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) expression. The DSW-DOM-enriched 1295 fraction, with strong H₂O₂ scavenging activity, efficiently reduced several oxidative stress parameters, the lipid profile, inflammation, and apoptosis, possibly through the PON1-mediated antioxidant capability. Furthermore, DSW-DOM treatment significantly decreased the endothelial ICAM-1 and VWF expression, subsequently leading to the elongation of time to occlusion of FeCl₃-induced arterial thrombosis and to the inhibition of FeCl₃-induced fluorescent platelet adhesion to mesentery arterioles in the high-fat diet. Based on the above results, our data suggest that DSW-DOM intake via antioxidant defense mechanisms confers protective effects against high-fat diet-enhanced, oxidative stress-mediated hyperlipidemia, and endothelial dysfunction evoked atherosclerosis by downregulating oxidative injury, lipogenesis, inflammation and apoptosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease)

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13 pages, 2008 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Peripheral Neuropathy Presents Similar Symptoms and Pathological Changes in Both High-Fat Diet and Pharmacologically Induced Pre- and Diabetic Mouse Models

by Julia Jaroslawska, Agnieszka Korytko, Kamila Zglejc-Waszak, Tomasz Antonowski, Andrzej S. Pomianowski, Krzysztof Wasowicz, Joanna Wojtkiewicz and Judyta K. Juranek

Life 2021, 11(11), 1267; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11111267 - 19 Nov 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2684

Abstract

The objective of the study was to compare the effects of experimentally induced type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1D or T2D) on the functional, structural and biochemical properties of mouse peripheral nerves. Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into three groups, including the control (CTRL, chow-fed), STZ (streptozotocin (STZ)-injected), and HFD (high-fat diet (HFD)-fed) group. After 18-weeks of experimental treatment, HFD mice had higher body weights and elevated levels of plasma lipids, while STZ mice developed hyperglycemia. STZ-treated mice, after an extended period of untreated diabetes, developed motor and sensory nerve conduction-velocity deficits. Moreover, relative to control fibers, pre- and diabetic axons were lower in number and irregular in shape. Animals from both treatment groups manifested a pronounced overexpression of nNOS and a reduced expression of SOD1 proteins in the sciatic nerve, indicating oxidative–nitrosative stress and ineffective antioxidant protection in the peripheral nervous system of these mice. Collectively, STZ- and HFD-treated mice revealed similar characteristics of peripheral nerve damage, including a number of morphological and electrophysiological pathologies in the sciatic nerve. While hyperglycemia is a large component of diabetic neuropathy pathogenesis, the non-hyperglycemic effects of diabetes, including dyslipidemia, may also be of importance in the development of this condition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease)

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12 pages, 956 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Seminal Isoprostanes Have a Role in Assisted Reproduction Outcome?

by Giulia Collodel, Daria Noto, Cinzia Signorini, Laura Gambera, Anita Stendardi, Amra Mahmutbegovic, Lucia Micheli, Andrea Menchiari and Elena Moretti

Life 2021, 11(7), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11070675 - 10 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1992

Abstract

F₂-isoprostanes (F₂-IsoPs), stereoisomers of prostaglandin F2α generated by the free radical-induced oxidation of arachidonic acid, have been associated with different male infertility conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the role of seminal isoprostane levels and sperm characteristics in the reproductive outcome and embryo quality of 49 infertile couples. Semen analysis was performed following WHO guidelines. Sperm chromatin maturity was detected using an aniline blue (AB) assay, and DNA integrity was assessed using the acridine orange (AO) test. Seminal F₂-IsoP levels were quantified by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (GC/NICI–MS/MS) analysis. Correlations among variables and their impact on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome were investigated. F₂-IsoP levels are positively correlated with double-stranded DNA sperm (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with mature sperm chromatin (p < 0.001). Patients with positive outcomes had an increased percentage of sperm with double-stranded DNA, as did patients producing high-quality embryo, who showed higher F₂-IsoP levels compared to those detected in the low-quality embryo group. An intriguing relationship between a mild increase in F₂-IsoP levels, DNA integrity, and embryo quality seems to indicate that the non-enzymatic oxidation of arachidonic acid can be also a marker of metabolic activity in human semen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease)

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12 pages, 406 KiB

Open AccessArticle

F₄-Neuroprostanes: A Role in Sperm Capacitation

by Cinzia Signorini, Elena Moretti, Daria Noto, Simona Mattioli, Cesare Castellini, Nicola Antonio Pascarelli, Thierry Durand, Camille Oger, Jean-Marie Galano, Claudio De Felice, Jetty Chung-Yung Lee and Giulia Collodel

Life 2021, 11(7), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11070655 - 5 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2531

Abstract

F₄-neuroprostanes (F₄-NeuroPs), derived from the oxidative metabolization of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are considered biomarkers of oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases. Neurons and spermatozoa display a high DHA content. NeuroPs might possess biological activities. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the biological effects of chemically synthetized 4-F_4t-NeuroP and 10-F_4t-NeuroP in human sperm. Total progressive sperm motility (p < 0.05) and linearity (p = 0.016), evaluated by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer, were significantly increased in samples incubated with 7 ng F₄-NeuroPs compared to non-supplemented controls. Sperm capacitation was tested in rabbit and swim-up-selected human sperm by chlortetracycline fluorescence assay. A higher percentage of capacitated sperm (p < 0.01) was observed in samples incubated in F₄-NeuroPs than in the controls. However, the percentage of capacitated sperm was not different in F₄-NeuroPs and calcium ionophore treatments at 2 h incubation. The phosphorylated form of AMPKα was detected by immunofluorescence analysis; after 2 h F₄-NeuroP incubation, a dotted signal appeared in the entire sperm tail, and in controls, sperm were labeled in the mid-piece. A defined level of seminal F₄-NeuroPs (7 ng) showed a biological activity in sperm function; its addition in sperm suspensions stimulated capacitation, increasing the number of sperm able to fertilize. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease)

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17 pages, 2888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats: Ameliorated by Otostegia fruticosa

by Mohd Nazam Ansari, Najeeb Ur Rehman, Aman Karim, Gamal A. Soliman, Majid A. Ganaie, Mohammad Raish and Abubaker M. Hamad

Life 2021, 11(3), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11030195 - 3 Mar 2021

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 3379

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes irritation, inflammation, and ulceration in the linings of the colon and rectum. Otostegia fruticosa is traditionally used to treat various disorders in different parts of the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. In the present study, we evaluated the ameliorative effects of crude leaves extract of O. fruticosa (OF.Cr) on acetic acid (AA)-induced UC model in Wistar albino rats. Wistar rats were administered orally with either vehicle (10 mL/kg), OF.Cr (200 and 400 mg/kg), or prednisolone (2 mg/kg) once a day for 6 days. On day 6, UC was induced in rats by intrarectal administration of a single dose of 5% AA (1.0 mL). Disease activity index (DAI) was recorded after one day of colitis induction by assessing the symptoms of colitis and then the rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation, and colon tissues were isolated for the histopathological examination and biochemical analysis of oxidative stress parameters and cytokines (Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α). OF.Cr pretreatment exhibits significant prevention against UC, as confirmed by a significant decrease of DAI, colonic ulceration, and reduced inflammatory score as compared to the AA-induced colitis rats. Depletion of total glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT) activities in the colitis group was significantly restored in the OF.Cr treated groups, while increased lipid peroxidation in the colon tissues was significantly reduced. OF.Cr prevented the activation of the IL-6 and TNF-α pathways in the colonic tissues, which were clearly observed by the decreased levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the OF.Cr treated animals. Hence, OF.Cr could be developed in the future for the treatment of UC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease)

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20 pages, 2846 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Loganic Acid, an Iridoid Glycoside Extracted from Cornus mas L. Fruits, Reduces of Carbonyl/Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Plasma and Restores Antioxidant Balance in Leukocytes of Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus

by Olha Dzydzan, Iryna Brodyak, Anna Sokół-Łętowska, Alicja Z. Kucharska and Natalia Sybirna

Life 2020, 10(12), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/life10120349 - 15 Dec 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3774

Abstract

The various complications related to diabetes are due to the alteration in plasma components and functional activity of blood cells, hence the search for preventive remedies that would ameliorate the clinical condition of patients is a relevant problem today. The main aim of the present study was to examine the antidiabetic potency and antioxidant effects of loganic acid (LA) in blood of diabetic rats. LA showed a restoration of balance between functioning of antioxidant defense system and oxidative stress in leukocytes without notable effects on blood glucose levels when administered orally to rats (20 mg/kg b.w./day) for 14 days. LA ameliorated antioxidant status in leukocytes, as indicated by increasing the content of reduced glutathione and activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase along with decreasing levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species. In addition, we observed the ability of LA to protect against formation and accumulation of glycation and oxidation protein products and malondialdehyde derivates in plasma. Therefore, LA showed antioxidant properties that may have beneficial effects under diabetes. Such results may represent LA as one of the plant components in the development of new drugs that will correct metabolic and functional disorders in leukocytes under diabetes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease)

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Review

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16 pages, 1429 KiB

Open AccessReview

Vitamin E: Where Are We Now in Vascular Diseases?

by Anahita Garg and Jetty Chung-Yung Lee

Life 2022, 12(2), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12020310 - 18 Feb 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6569

Abstract

Vitamin E is one of the most popular fat-soluble vitamins in pathological research and has been under scrutiny since the 1980s as a vital dietary component of food. The antioxidant effect of vitamin E has been widely studied due to its benefits in the prevention of various cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, alternative effects of vitamin E, in terms of anti-inflammatory pathways and gene regulation, have also been of interest to researchers. This review examines the role of dietary vitamin E (α-tocopherol) as an antioxidant and bioactive molecule in promoting vascular health. While the antioxidant effect of vitamin E is well established, knowledge about its capacity as a promising regulatory molecule in the control of the vascular system is limited. The aim of this review is to discuss some of these mechanisms and summarize their role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Here, we also briefly discuss foods rich in vitamin E, and deliberate some potential toxicological effects of excessive supplemental vitamin E in the body. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Its Implication in the Biological Mechanisms of Disease)

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