The protective effect of lycopene against oxidative kidney damage associated with combined use of isoniazid and rifampicin in rats

It is known that the combined use of antibiotics, such as isoniazid and rifampicin, in the treatment of tuberculosis causes oxidative kidney damage. The aim of this study was to biochemically and histopathologically investigate the effect of lycopene on oxidative kidney damage due to the administration of isoniazid and rifampicin in albino Wistar male rats. Lycopene at a dose of 5 mg/kg was orally administered to lycopene+isoniazid+rifampicin (LIR) rats, and normal sunflower oil (0.5 mL) was orally administered to isoniazid+rifampicin (IR) and healthy control (HG) rats as vehicle by gavage. One hour after the administration of lycopene and vehicle, 50 mg/kg isoniazid and rifampicin were given orally to the LIR and IR groups. This procedure was performed once a day for 28 days. Rats were sacrificed by a high dose of anesthesia at the end of this period, and oxidant-antioxidant parameters were measured in the removed kidney tissues. Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured in blood samples, and kidney tissues were also evaluated histopathologically. The combined administration of isoniazid and rifampicin changed the oxidant-antioxidant balance in favor of oxidants, and it increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, which are indicators of kidney function. Co-administration of isoniazid and rifampicin also caused oxidative kidney damage. Lycopene biochemically and histopathologically decreased oxidative kidney damage induced by isoniazid and rifampicin administration. These results suggested that lycopene may be beneficial in the treatment of nephrotoxicity due to isoniazid and rifampicin administration.

Molecular cloning and characterisation of scavenger receptor class B in pearl oyster Pinctada fuctada martensii

Background: Molluscs can accumulate carotenoids in their body tissues by predominantly feeding on aquatic plant sources. Carotenoid transport and absorption are determined by the regulation of various proteins such as Scavenger receptor class B(SR-BI). We report the identification and characterisation of pearl oyster Pinctada fuctada martensii SR-BI (PmSR-BI). The correlation between total carotenoid content (TCC) and gene expression was also estimated. Results: The full-length cDNA of PmSR-BI was 1828 bp, including an open-reading frame encoding of 1518 bp with a pI value of 5.83. PmSR-BI protein contains a hydrophobic CD36 domain and four centrally clustered cysteine residues for the arrangement of disulphide bridges. The deduced amino acid sequence had an identity of 30% to 60% with the SR-B of other organisms. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that mRNA transcripts were expressed in multiple tissues of adult pearl oyster. A higher expression of PmSR-BI gene was observed in the hepatopancreas than in the adductor muscle, gill and mantle. The TCC and gene expression of PmSR-BI were significantly correlated (P b 0.05), with a correlation coefficient of 0.978. Conclusions: The results suggested that PmSR-BI is involved in the absorption of carotenoids in the pearl oyster P. fuctada martensii.

Enhancement of pigment extraction from B. braunii pretreated using CO2 rapid depressurization

Abstract Extraction of compounds from microalgae requires cell disruption as a pretreatment to increase extraction yield. Botryococcus braunii is a microalga with a significant content of carotenoids and other antioxidant compounds, such as chlorophylls. Cell disruption of B. braunii using CO2 rapid depressurization was studied as a pretreatment for the extraction of carotenoid and chlorophyll pigments. We studied the effect of temperature (21–49 °C) and pressure (6–13 MPa) during static compression on pigment recovery with supercritical CO2 at 40 °C, 30 MPa and solvent flow of 4.7 L NPT/min. Within the experimental region, the extraction yield of carotenoids and chlorophylls increased by 2.4- and 2.2-fold respectively. Static compression conditions of high pressure and low temperature increased the extraction of carotenoids and especially chlorophylls. We selected 21 °C and 13 MPa as the cell disruption condition, which produced 1.91 g/kg d.s. of carotenoids and 14.03 mg/kg d.s. of chlorophylls. Pretreated microalga gave a 10-fold higher chlorophyll extraction yield compared to the untreated sample. While for carotenoids and tocopherols were 1.25 and 1.14-fold higher, respectively. Additionally, antioxidant activity of pretreated microalga (33.22 mmol TE/kg oil) was significantly higher than the value for the untreated samples (29.11 mmol TE/kg oil) (p ≤ 0.05). Confocal microscopy images showed morphological differences between micro-colonies with and without disruption treatment, suggesting that partial cell disruption by rapid depressurization improved the extraction of microalga compounds.

El consumo elevado de licopeno sumado a una ingestión reducida de carnes rojas aumenta el poder antioxidante total

Los sistemas antioxidantes del cuerpo humano son capaces de remover a los radicales libres, protegiendo así al organismo del daño que estos pueden ocasionar, y pueden ser valorados en conjunto mediante la determinación del poder antioxidante total (TAS, por sus siglas en inglés). Este biomarcador es modulado por la alimentación mediante la incorporación de sustancias con propiedades antioxidantes o prooxidantes. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estimar la ingestión de nutrientes antioxidantes y grupos específicos de alimentos y correlacionarla con el TAS. Fueron seleccionados al azar 45 sujetos de sexo masculino, entre 50 y 75 años, de una consulta médica de rutina. El trabajo consistió en una evaluación de TAS mediante técnica ABTS más una entrevista nutricional donde se evaluó la composición corporal mediante antropometría y la ingestión habitual de nutrientes y grupos específicos de alimentos mediante un recordatorio de 24 h y un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos validado para tal fin. El análisis estadístico se realizó mediante Coeficiente de Correlación de Pearson o Spearman según la normalidad de la muestra (p<0,05). El TAS se correlacionó positivamente con el consumo de licopeno (r=0,295; p=0,049) y negativamente con la ingestión de carnes rojas (r= -0,403; p=0,007). Los demás nutrientes o alimentos no se correlacionaron con el TAS. Por lo tanto, una ingestión elevada de licopeno y un consumo reducido de carnes rojas ayudarían a mejorar el sistema antioxidante del organismo.

High intake of lycopene together with low intake of red meat increases the total antioxidant status. The body's antioxidant systems are able to remove free radicals, thus protecting the body from the damage they may cause. They can be estimated, as a whole, through the determination of total antioxidant status (TAS). This biomarker can be modulated by dietary factors through the incorporation of substances with antioxidant or prooxidant properties. The aim of this study was to estimate the intake of antioxidant nutrients and specific food groups, and its correlation with TAS. Fortyfive male volunteers between 50 and 75 years were randomly selected from a medical consultation. The study included a TAS determination by ABTS and a nutritional interview where corporal composition was studied through anthropometry and the habitual consumption of nutrients was estimated by means of 24 hour diary and food consumption frequency questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by using Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient (p <0.05). TAS was positively correlated with lycopene consumption (r=0,295; p=0,049), and negatively with red meat intake (r= -0,403; p= 0,007), while intake of other studied antioxidant nutrients did not correlate significantly with TAS. In conclusion, high intake of lycopene and reduced red meat consumption increase TAS.

Ontogenetic changes in foliar features and psoralen content of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. exposed to SO2 stress.

Field-grown Psoralea corylifolia plants were exposed to 0.5 ppm and 1.0 ppm concentrations of sulphur dioxide gas and sampled for observation at the pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering stages of plant ontogeny. One ppm SO2 concentration caused a significant decline in leaf number and leaf area per plant, total leaf dry weight, and the size and amount of midrib vasculature. The density and size of stomata decreased and many stomata were damaged. Interestingly new epidermis developed oversome of the damaged leaf stomata, thus showing a unique defence strategy against SO2 stress through dedifferentiation of the epidermal cells. Decline in the concentrations of leafchlorophylls and carotenoids in treated plants were up to 20% and 29% respectively. Stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 content and net photosynthetic rate lowered byover 52%, 20% and 35%, respectively under the SO2 stress. Concentration of psoralen, a basic linear furanocoumarin known for its use in the treatment of dermal diseases, was highest (5.32%) in seeds and lowest (0.28%) in roots. It was heavily reduced in SO2 treated plants, the maximum decline occurring in seeds (86.70%) and leaves (56.27%). In the roots and shoots of the treated plants, it was low in pre-flowering stage, compared with the control, but showed a recovery during the post-flowering phase of plant growth.

Growth of Avicennia marina and Ceriops decandra seedlings inoculated with halophilic azotobacters.

Inoculation of azotobacter has significant positive effects on the growth characteristics and pigments in mangrove seedlings of Avicennia marina and Ceriops decandra. The bacterial inoculation significantly increased the root dry biomass at the maximum of 75.8% at 30 gl(-1) salinity in Ceriops decandra. But in Avicennia marina, the shoot dry biomass was increased significantly at the maximum of 56.12% at 30 gl(-1) salinity in general, the Azotobacter beijerinkii improved the growth characteristics better in both species of mangroves preferably at higher salinity levels in A. marina and at a range of salinity in C. decandra. The results recommend this forraising vigorous seedlings under nursery conditions.

Morphology and cultural behavior of Botryococcus protuberans with notes on the genus.

The green alga Botryococcus protuberans was isolated from its natural environment and its morphology under different cultural conditions was examined. The alga was characterized by a high starch content and reddish oil drops as the assimilatory products. Photosynthetic pigments, Chl a, Chl b, carotenoids and xanthophylls are present. Modification of environmental conditions in modified Chu-10 medium resulted in optimum growth of the alga. Fatty acid composition revealed palmitic acid being the major component, while lauric acid, myristic acid and stearic acid were found in less quantity.

Leaf biochemistry of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. at different stages of plant development as affected by mercury treatment.

The effect of mercury (Hg) on the biochemical parameters of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill leaf was studied. Application of mercuric chloride in varying concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM HgCl2 kg(-1) sand) caused significant reduction that went up to 89% and 72% chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents respectively (at flowering stage), 69% in carotenoid content, 64% in total soluble protein content and 91% in nitrate reductase activity (all at post-flowering stage). The amounts of nitrate and proline increased maximally (151% and 143% respectively) at the flowering stage, whereas total soluble sugar enhanced by 57% at the post-flowering stage. Changes observed in most of the parameters, were concentration dependent. Such studies seem to be able to discover suitable bioindicators of heavy metal pollution.

Screening of wheat varieties and associated bacterial population in old alluvial soil of Burdwan, West Bengal.

In order to screen out the best variety of wheat (Triticum aestivum) out of eight varieties (viz., HP 1633, BW 11, NW 1014, Sonalika, HUW 468, K 9107, HP 1731 and HUW 234), a field experiment was conducted (from Dec. 2002 to April 2003) in a randomized block design replicated thrice at Crop Research and Seed Multiplication Farm, Burdwan University, West Bengal, India. Various morpho physiological parameters viz., plant population, length of shoot and root, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area ratio (LAR), leaf area duration (LAD), net assimilation rate (NAR), yield attributes viz., length of panicles, number of grains per panicle, grain yield, straw yield, pigment content in flag leaf (chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll and carotenoid content) were estimated and analyzed statistically Soil bacterial populations were also estimated in the fallow land before sowing of seeds and after harvesting of crop. The HUW 468 variety records higher grain yield, maximum panicle length and maximum chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content.

El consumo de Lycopersicum esculentum podría aumentar lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL) y disminuir el estrés oxidativo a corto plazo / Short-term Lycopersicum esculentum consumption may increase plasma high density lipoproteins and decrease oxidative stress

Background: Tomato has a high antioxidant capacity due to its high content of vitamin C, vitamin E and lycopene that is a powerful free radical scavenger. However, the effects of tomato on plasma lipoproteins is not well known, and there is little evidence about the relationship between tomato consumption and oxidative state changes in humans. Aim: To assess in vivo the effects of dietary supplementation with pure concentrated tomato juice on short term changes in oxidative state and plasma lipoproteins in healthy volunteers. Subjects and methods: Seventeen healthy volunteers were studied. They received a supplement of pure tomato juice during 7 days. At baseline, at the end of the supplementarion period and eight days after the end of the supplementation, a blood sample was drawn to measure total antioxidant capacity (TRAP), enzymatic antioxidants (catalase and superoxide dismutase), non-enzimatic antioxidants (lycopene and a-tocopherol) and plasma lipoproteins. Results: Lycopene level increased early and significantly in comparison with basal levels (48%; p <0.05). TRAP, catalase and superoxide dismutase did not change significantly. HDL cholesterol increased significantly in 5.6±4.3 mg/dL (p <0.002) on the second sampling period, improving the ratio cholesterol/HDL. It returned to baseline in the third period. Conclusions: Dietary supplementation of concentrated tomato juice significantly increases lycopene levels and HDL cholesterol. Non significant changes observed in TRAP, catalase and superoxide dismutase were observed during the supplementation period.

Influência da adição de fontes marinhas de carotenóides à dieta de galinhas poedeiras na pigmentação da gema do ovo / Influence of sea sources of carotenoids added to the diet of laying hens on the egg yolk pigmentation

A presente pesquisa foi realizada a fim de estudar os efeitos da suplementação de duas fontes marinhas de carotenóides em concentrações crescentes na dieta sobre a pigmentação da gema de ovos de galinhas poedeiras. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado e utilizou 288 galinhas poedeiras com 32 semanas de idade distribuídas em 12 tratamentos, sendo cada unidade experimental constituída de 3 repetições de 8 aves. As concentrações empregadas de óleo de salmão (Salmo salar) foram de 0,80%; 1,20%; 1,60%; 2,00%; e 2,40% e de alga marinha (Schizochytrium sp) de 0,50%; 0,75%; 1,00%; 1,25%; 1,50%; e 1,75%. A dieta basal foi isocalórica e isoprotéica e constituída à base de milho e soja. Quanto à pigmentação da gema, os valores dos equivalentes em β-caroteno obtidos para as aves que receberam óleo de salmão na dieta variaram significativamente (P<0,05) de 27,04 μg/g a 45,96 μg/g de gema, respectivamente, para 0,80% e 2,40% deste óleo. Para as aves alimentadas com alga, as médias oscilaram de 33,04 μg/g a 72,66 μg/g gema para as dietas apresentando, respectivamente, de 0,50% a 1,75% de alga. O escore visual (leque colorimétrico Roche) das gemas mostrou diferenças significativas (P<0,05) entre as médias dos tratamentos que oscilaram de 4,75 (0,80% de óleo de salmão) a 8,17 (2,40% do mesmo óleo). Para as dietas enriquecidas com alga os valores observados foram de 5,92 a 11,58, respectivamente, para percentuais de 0,50% e 1,75% desta fonte alimentar. O parâmetro de qualidade do albúmen, medido em unidades Haugh, mostrou diferenças significativas (P<0,05) para as médias dos tratamentos em relação ao grupo controle. Os coeficientes de correlação e de determinação observados entre os percentuais de óleo de salmão ou de alga na dieta e os teores de equivalentes β-caroteno na gema (μg/g) evidenciaram a existência de linearidade significativa (P<0,05) entre estas variáveis.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the utilization of two sources of marine carotenoids added to the diet on the egg yolk pigmentation of laying hens. A completely randomized design using 288 laying hens with 32 weeks of age assigned in 12 treatments, with 3 repetitions of 8 layers each was used. The hens were fed a corn soybean basal diet supplemented with 0.80%; 1.20%; 1.60%; 2.00%; 2.40% salmon oil (Salmo salar) or 0.50%; 0.75%; 1.00%; 1.25%; 1.50%; and 1.75 % of marine algae (Schizochytrium sp). The diets were isocaloric and isoproteic. The yolk values of β-carotene equivalents (μg/g egg yolk) for the laying hens fed salmon oil diet ranged significantly (P<0.05) from 27.04 μg/g to 45.96 μg/g, respectively, for 0.80% and 2.40% salmon oil. Laying hens fed marine algae showed β-carotene equivalent means ranging from 33.04 μg/g to 72.66 μg /g egg yolk, respectively, for 0.50% and 1.75% of marine algae diets. Visual score for the egg yolk pigmentation at the eighth week of experiment showed significance (P<0.05) among means ranging from 4.75 to 8.17 for 0.80% and 2.40% salmon oil diets, respectively. The yolk pigmentation measured by visual score (colorimetric fan) of eggs from hens fed diets enriched with marine algae ranged from 5.92 (0.50% algae) to 11.58 (1.75% algae). Haugh units were significantly (P<0.05) improved when marine algae was added to the basal diet. The significant (P<0.05) correlation and determination coefficients observed between the percentages of salmon oil or marine algae in the diet and the β-carotene equivalents found into the yolk (μg/g) showed a strong positive linearity between these variables.

Heavy metals alter photosynthetic pigment profiles as well as activities of chlorophyllase and 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) in Amaranthus lividus seedlings.

Varied concentrations of PbCl2 and CdCl2 in the germinating media reduced the total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in primary leaves of Amaranthus lividus seedlings (168 h old). When chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents were measured separately, greater loss of chl b than chl a under the identical conditions of heavy metal treatment was observed In addition, the loss of total chlorophyll was more than carotenoids under the same magnitude of heavy metal treatment. The effect of heavy metal treatment at germination stage was further studied on chlorophyll accumulation in primary leaves in relation to the activities of 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and chlorophyllase. The activities of ALAD gradually diminished in response to both the heavy metals in a concentration-guided manner, while the activities of chlorophyllase did not exhibit any significant change.

Effect of photoinhibition and temperature on carotenoids in sorghum leaves.

Changes in carotenoid composition, CO2 assimilation and chlorophyll fluorescence due to photoinhibition at 5 degrees C and 20 degrees C were studied in 12 day and 30 day old sorghum leaves. The old leaves had a higher violaxanthin (V) content and less beta-carotene. Photoinhibition at both temperatures caused significant increases in zeaxanthin (Z) and decreases in violaxanthin. However, in young leaves the increase in zeaxanthin was greater than the decrease in violaxanthin. In young leaves the V + A + Z pool size (A = antheraxanthin) almost doubled under photoinhibitory conditions (compared to controls) while in old leaves the V + A + Z pool remained approximately constant. After photoinhibition treatment changes in the levels of the xanthophylls were restored during a recovery period both in young and old leaves. When rephotoinhibited after a 48 hr recovery period, the young plants showed better protection against photoinhibition. We suggest that in young leaves zeaxanthin is newly synthesized under photoinhibitory conditions besides being de-epoxidized from violaxanthin and that the synthesis of V + A + Z pool is higher at 20 degrees C than at 5 degrees C in both young and old leaves.

Efecto de la calidad y cantidad de proteina dietaria en la tasa de depleción de vitamina A, y disponibilidad biologica de precursores de vitamina A1 / Effect of the quality and quantity of dietary proteins on vitamin A depletion rate, and biological availability of vitamina A precursors

Se evaluó el efecto de la calidad y cantidad de proteína dietética sobre la tasa de depleción de vitamina A, a través de cambios en los niveles séricos y en las reservas hepáticas de retinol en ratas adultas de ambos sexos, de la raza Wistar. Un total de 64 ratas fueron distribuidas en cuatro grupos, las que fueron alimentadas ad libitum con dietas adecuadas en todos los nutrientes, salvo en vitamina A. Las dietas fueron: A (91% de maíz común); B (91% de maíz Opaco-2); C (64% maís común más 27% de harina precocida de frijol), y D (64% maíz Opaco-2, más 27% de harina de frijol). El período de depleción duró 60 días. A los 15, 30 y 60 días se sacrificaron cuatro ratas de cada grupo para comparar la concentración del retinol sérico y hepático con el dato basal. Las 16 ratas restantes se utilizaron para evaluar la biodisponibilidad de los carotenos en la zanahoria. Durante los primeros 15 días, la mayor tasa de depleción en las reservas hepáticas se observó con la dieta a base de maíz Opaco-2 y frijol (Dieta D) que, a su vez, mostró la mayor ganancia de peso. La menor tasa de depleción y menor ganancia ponderal se observó con la dieta a base de maíz común (Dieta A). La dietas B (Opaco2-maíz) y C indujeron valores intermedios, siendo la primera más efectiva que la segunda, a pesar de su menor contenido proteínico. A partir de los 30 días se produjeron cambios en las reservas hepáticas en función de dietas, y al final del período de depleción todas las dietas produjeron valores estadísticamente iguales. A partir de los resultados obtenidos, concluimos que la concentración y calidad proteínica de la dieta influencian positivamente la movilización de reservas hepáticas de retinol, y que la calidad proteínica influencia independientemente la cantidad de retinol movilizado. La capacidad biológica de la harina de zanahoria en suplir vitamina A fue evaluada en 16 ratas adultas que habían sido depletadas durante 60 días...