Combined effects of polyethylene terephthalate and abamectin on enzymatic activity and histopathology response in juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio).

One of the most pressing global environmental issues is the widespread abundance and distribution of microplastics (MPs). MPs can act as vectors for other contaminants in the environment making these small plastic particles hazardous for ecosystems. The presence of MPs in aquatic environments may pose threats to aquatic organisms that ingest them. This study examined effects of abamectin (ABM) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MP fragments on histopathological and enzymatic biomarkers in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish were exposed for 96 h to pristine PET-MPs at concentrations of 5 mg/L and 10 mg/L, ABM alone at 0.006 mg/L, and the same concentration of ABM in the presence of PET-MPs in aquaria. Histopathological analysis revealed tissue content changes in liver and kidney in the presence of ABM individually and in combination with MPs. Results of enzymatic analysis showed that MPs increased the bioavailability and toxicity of pesticides due to inhibition of catalase (CAT) and acid phosphatase (ACP) enzymes. However, MPs did not affect the toxicity of ABM for glutathione s-transferase (GST) enzyme. Despite the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in MPs or ABM treatments, and some neurotoxicity, no change in activity of this enzyme and neurotoxicity was observed in the combined MPs and ABM treatments, although toxicity effects of MPs and ABM on zebrafish require more detailed studies.

Astaxanthin-loaded alginate-chitosan gel beads activate Nrf2 and pro-apoptotic signalling pathways against oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a crucial role in disease development. Astaxanthin (ATX), a valuable natural compound, may reduce OS and serve as a treatment for diseases like neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulates antioxidant enzymes and OS management. We evaluated ATX's antioxidant activity via Alg-CS/ATX gel beads in vitro. ATX-encapsulated alginate-chitosan (Alg-CS/ATX) gel beads were synthesized and structurally/morphologically characterized by SEM, FT-IR, and XRD. Their biological effects were examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with H2O2 through MTT assay, Annexin V/PI, cell cycle studies, and western blotting. Alg-CS effectively carried ATX, with high capacity and reduced pore size. Alg-CS/ATX displayed an 84% encapsulation efficiency, maintaining stability for 30 days. In vitro studies showed a 1.4-fold faster release at pH 5.4 than at neutral pH, improving ATX's therapeutic potential. HUVECs treated with Alg-CS/ATX showed enhanced viability via increased Nrf2 expression. Alg-CS gel beads exhibit significant potential as a biocompatible vehicle for delivering ATX to combat OS with considerable opportunity for clinical applications.

Using physicochemical and biological parameters for the evaluation of water quality and environmental conditions in international wetlands on the southern part of Lake Urmia, Iran.

The Kani Barazan and Yadegarlou wetlands in the southern part of Lake Urmia (Iran) have been substantially modified due to human activities and anthropogenic use. In recent years, freshwater-based eco-biological studies to recognize the quality of water resources have been greatly expanded. Microalgae and Cyanophyta are considered important bioindicators for the evaluation of water quality and wetland health worldwide. Herein, 22 microalgae and 5 Cyanophyta genera were identified in both wetlands, in which Cyanophyta has mainly caused blooms. Principal components analysis (PCA) was carried out based on links between the distribution of microalgae and Cyanophyta with physical and chemical parameters. The data showed that depth, turbidity, and the temperature had a significant influence on the microalga and Cyanophyta communities in both wetlands. Based on the biological properties, it seems that the Kani Barazan and Yadegarlou international wetlands experience meso-eutrophic conditions. The integration of the physical, chemical and biological parameters with the water quality index (WQI) revealed that both wetlands were polluted as a consequence of human activities. Moreover, a close relationship between WQI and the biological parameters was documented. Thus, we concluded that microalgae and Cyanophyta communities, their abundance patterns, and water quality changes could provide valuable data for the conservation of the Kani Barazan and Yadegarlou international wetlands.

Impacts of oxidants and antioxidants on the emergence and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

The brain shows a high sensitivity to oxidative stress (OS). Thus, the maintenance and homeostasis of the brain, in particular neural cells, regarding the reduction-oxidation (redox) situation is crucial for the regular function of the central nervous systems (CNS). The imbalance between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the cellular mechanism(s) might lead to the emergence of OS, resulting in possible cell death and tissue damages, and initiating neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Characterized by the cytoplasmic growth of neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular ß-amyloid plaques, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex NDD that causes dementia in adult life with severe manifestations. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a key transcription factor that regulates the functional expression of OS-related genes and the functionality of endogenous antioxidants in response to ROS. In the case of oxidative damage, NRF2 is transferred to the nucleus and attached to the antioxidant response element (ARE), which can subsequently enhance the functional expression of the cell-protecting genes. In this review, we impart on the key mechanisms engaged in the generation of active and reactive species of endogenous and exogenous oxidants and discuss the antioxidants as the defense system of neural cells regarding the NRF2-ARE signaling path in the CNS.