The Effects of Babesiosis on Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Anatolian Black Goats Naturally Infected with Babesia ovis.

BACKGROUND: A reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediate produced during an inflammatory response is the important part of host-defense strategies of organisms to kill the parasite. However, it is not well known whether these intermediates cause DNA damage and oxidative stress in goats infected with Babesia ovis. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of babesiosis on basal levels of DNA damage and oxidative status of goats naturally infected with B.ovis. METHODS: DNA damage and antioxidant parameters were determined in B. ovis infected goats. Ten infected Anatolian Black Goats with B. ovis diagnosed via clinical signs and microscopic findings and ten healthy were used in the study. RESULTS: The Babesia infection increased the levels of DNA damage, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl content (PCO) and plasma concentration of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), and decreased total antioxidant activities (AOA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). A significant positive correlation between DNA damage, MDA, PCO, and NOx concentrations was found in the infected goats. DNA damage showed a negative association with AOA and GSH concentrations in the infected goats. CONCLUSION: The Babesia infection increases oxidative stress markers and DNA damage and decreases AOA in goats. These results suggest that the increases in the production of free radicals due to Babesia infection not only contribute to host-defense strategies of organisms to kill the parasite but also induce oxidative damage in other cells.

Evaluation of antibacterial, antioxidant and DNA protective capacity of Chenopodium album's ethanolic leaf extract.

We have investigated the antibacterial effects of Chenopodium album's ethanolic leaf extract (CAE) on all the Gram (+) and Gram (-) microorganisms and evaluated the protective effects of CAE on both yeast and human mononuclear leukocytes' genomic DNA upon oxidative shock. Antibacterial activity was recorded on Bacillus subtilis with 13 mm of inhibition zone. Total oxidative status (TOS) and the total antioxidative status (TAS) levels were determined to evaluate the antioxidant activity of CAE. Results indicated that there was a good correlation between dose of CAE and TAS levels. We also observed that CAE protect the DNA of both yeast and mononuclear leukocytes against the damaging effect of hydrogen peroxide. The comet assay, applied on both Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741 (MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0) and human leukocytes, results suggested that there was statistically significant correlation between CAE dilutions and antigenotoxic activity.

Increased DNA damage and oxidative stress in chickens with natural Marek's disease.

Oxidative stress contributes to the accumulation of genomic abnormalities, prevents cellular apoptosis, and also mediates immunosuppression resulting in tumor formation. Marek's Disease provides excellent opportunities for the study of herpesvirus-induced tumors both in experimental- and natural conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Marek's Disease (MD) on basal levels of DNA strand breaks and on the oxidative-antioxidative status of chickens with MD. White-Lohmann hens-fifteen infected with Marek's Disease Virus (MDV) and fifteen healthy-of same age and sex were included in this study. MD infection was diagnosed via clinical signs, gross- and micro-pathological findings and also by detection of viral antigens in feather follicle epithelium by the indirect immunoperoxidase method. Compared with healthy controls, DNA damage was greater and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma protein carbonyl (PCO), and plasma concentration of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) higher in the MD group. Furthermore, total antioxidant activities (AOAs) were found lowered and glutathione (GSH) levels reduced in the MD group compared to the control group. Significantly positive correlation was found between DNA damage, MDA, PCO, and NOx in the MD group. DNA strand breaks were found negatively associated with AOA and GSH concentrations in the MD group. Our results demonstrated that oxidative stress markers and DNA damage substantially increased in chickens with MD, which indicated that increased DNA damage levels might be related to the increased oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant activity.

delta-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase of Haloarcula argentinensis isolated from Tuz Lake in Turkey.

The delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) enzyme of a novel record for Turkish microbial flora was studied. The isolate I-113 was obtained from Tuz Lake in Turkey and identified as Haloarcula argentinensis. The ALAD enzyme of the isolate was assayed in order to determine its requirements and to be used as biomarker for lead pollution in it's ambient. In enzymic studies, the effects of various metals (Cd, Co, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), pH (3-11), temperatures (25-55 degrees C), and salinity (15-25%) conditions have been examined. The data obtained from the studies were analyzed statistically by using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, correlation, regression, variance analysis, and significance tests were performed by using SPSS 10.0 for Windows. Although its optimum pH was determined as 7, it was still active at pH 3-11. The optimal temperature for the enzyme was observed to be 30 degrees C. Mn and Pb inhibited its activity significantly (p < 0.05) while Zn increased it slightly. The ALAD enzyme in H. argentinensis could be used as a biomarker for Pb contamination.

The protective potential of Yucca schidigera (Sarsaponin 30) against nitrite-induced oxidative stress in rats.

The present study was designed to determine the protective effects of Yucca schidigera (Ys) against oxidative damage induced by acute nitrite intoxication as well as the histopathological evaluation of Ys in rats. The rats were divided into three groups each containing 12 rats: control (C); nitrite intoxication (N); Ys + nitrite intoxication (NY). C and N groups were fed standard rat feed (SRF). The NY group was fed SRF + 100 ppm Ys powder for 4 weeks. Acute nitrite intoxication was induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of sodium nitrite (60 mg/kg) 1 day after the feeding period. Fifty minutes after sodium nitrite administration, blood samples and tissues including lung, liver, and kidney were collected for clinical biochemistry and histopathological investigations. Ys treatment was found to decrease methemoglobin, blood and tissue malondialdehyde, and tissue nitric oxide concentrations, and to increase the glutathione in blood and various tissues. However, plasma nitric oxide, total antioxidant activity, beta-carotene, and vitamin A did not differ between N and NY groups. While the N group rats showed distinct pathology in various tissues (compared with controls), the NY group had similar lung and liver pathology to the control. Only moderate or mild hemorrhage and hyperemia were seen in kidneys of NY group rats. Consequently, the natural compounds found in Ys, such as polyphenols, steroidal saponins, and other phytonutrients, could be used to substantially protect the organism from nitrite-induced oxidative damage and its complications.

Comparison of ALAD activities of Citrobacter and Pseudomonas strains and their usage as biomarker for Pb contamination.

Delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD) activity has been used in prokaryotes and eukaryotes as a biomarker for environmental lead (Pb) exposure and toxicity. Microorganisms are sensitive indicators of toxicity at the fundamental level of ecological organization, but bacterial biomarker studies are focused on the Pseudomonas strains in Group I and E coli. The objectives of the present work were to determine if Burkholderia gladioli belonging to group II, due to its 16SrRNA similarity, can be used as biomarker in metal contamination and compare its possible usage with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Citrobacter freundii (previously known as Esherichia freundii) and Bacterium freundii which are classified in Group I. In this study, ALAD activity in an environmental strains of Burkholderia gladioli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii were investigated to evaluate potential inhibition by Pb and other toxic metals. When the ALAD activity of Burkholderia gladioli was tested, Co and Pb decreased activity by 27 and 71%, respectively. In addition to these findings, Zn increased the activity up to 26%. These effects were found to be statistically meaningful (p < 0.05). It was determined that the increase of lead concentration inhibites the ALAD activity at each of the three strains. There was a statistically significant dose-response relationship between ALAD activity in cells of Burkholderia gladioli and Pb (Pearson correlation coefficent = -0.665; r(2) = 0.665, and p < 0.001). The strongest ALAD inhibition which was measured was 90% at Burkholderia gladioli when protein extracts were incubated with 750 muM of Pb. The relationship between Pb and ALAD activity was statistically described by [ALAD Activity] = 0.476-0.000597 x [Pb]. According to the obtained results, we suggest that the ALAD of Burkholderia gladioli can be used as a biomarker for lead contamination in the environment.

Determination of some heavy metal levels and oxidative status in Carassius carassius L., 1758 from Eber Lake.

In this study, the levels of some heavy metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in muscle, gill, and liver of Carassius carassius and in the water samples from Eber Lake (Afyonkarahisar, Turkey) have been investigated. Additionally, one of the lipid peroxidation markers, malondialdehide (MDA) and glutathion (GSH) levels were investigated. All the metal analysis was performed by using ICP-AES. According to results obtained, it was observed that heavy metals were accummulated in liver in the highest degree and lowest one in the muscle tissues. MDA and GSH levels varied in the seasons but their winter levels were found to be statistically meaningful when compared with other seasons. The obtained data of metals from the study were compared with the acceptable levels of Turkish governmental regulation and they were found not to be harmful for human health. On the other hand, it was suggested that oxidative stress markers should be checked regularly in order to get important data for continuous life of aquatic organisms.

Screening of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase from Pseudomonas strains as biosensor for lead and some other metals contamination.

delta-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD; E.C. 4.2.1.24) is a metalloprotein and plays a crucial role in heme synthesis. Its sensitivity to toxic metals depends on the metallic co-factors. In this study the effects of some heavy metals on ALADs activity of five Pseudomonas isolates from Akarçay stream (Afyonkarahisar) have been studied in order to determine whether their ALADs could be used as biosensor for lead and other heavy metals contamination. The data obtained from the study were analysed statistically by using SPSS 10.0 software for Windows. According to the results, Ni(II) increased the ALAD activity of Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Pseudomonas aureginosa ATTC 27853. Mn(II) also increased the enzymic activity in all strains examined except P. pseudoalcaligenes. These were found not to be statistically meaningful. P. aeruginosa 2's enzymic activity was inhibited by Mg(II) and Zn(II), significantly (p < 0.05). There was a statistically meaningful relation between enzymic activity of both P. pseudoalcaligenes, P. putida and increasing Pb(II) concentration (p < 0.05). In addition, a formula was also deviced in order to determine the doses of metals in the environment of the organisms. As a result of the study, we can suggest that Pseudomonas ALADs can be used as a biosensor for lead and some other heavy metal exposure in aquatic environments.