Protective effect of sulfurous water in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Alzheimer's disease patients.

AIMS: One of the main features of sulfurous water (SW) is the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which confers its antioxidant activity. Since oxidative stress plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) we hypothesize that SW could have a protective effect in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A therapeutic in vitro approach of SW was performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AD patients and in age-matched healthy non-demented controls using one modification of the comet assay (to measure oxidative DNA damage) and the MTT assay (as an indicator of cell viability). Hydrogen peroxide and homocysteine were used to induce oxidative DNA damage, and vitamin C, Trolox and N-acetyl-cysteine were selected as antioxidants of reference to compare SW treatment results. KEY FINDINGS: SW did not increase per se the oxidative DNA damage of PBMC. Furthermore, SW protected them against enhanced oxidative stress in AD and control populations after pro-oxidant stimuli, with similar results to those observed when using the antioxidants of reference. Nevertheless, SW was the only treatment that could avoid the loss of viability of PBMC for all pro-oxidant stimuli in both populations, suggesting that H2S could confer to SW a more antioxidant capacity than other known antioxidants. SIGNIFICANCE: The protective effect of SW was proved for the first time not only in DNA stability but also in cell viability preservation in AD, indicating that further research in other in vitro and in vivo models could lead to include SW as a possible therapy for AD.

Antioxidant enzymes, occupational stress and burnout in workers of a prehospitalary emergency service.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in many diseases and aging. Scavenging enzymes represent one of several natural defence mechanisms against ROS-induced damage. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase are enzymes that are involved in antioxidant defence. Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. OBJECTIVES: To determine the activity of two antioxidant enzymes, SOD and catalase, and their variation according to demographic and occupational variables in workers of a prehospitalary emergency service, and to analyse the relationship between antioxidant enzyme activities and burnout 111 healthy workers of a prehospitalary emergency service were surveyed. METHODS: SOD activity was analysed by the Minami and Yoshikawa method. Catalase activity was measured by the method of Aebi. To measure burnout, the Maslach Burnout Inventory was used. RESULTS: No significant variations with respect to sex were detected in SOD and catalase activities and levels of burnout. Significant differences in SOD activity between the control group and workers of a prehospitalary emergency service (P<0.001) were found. SOD activity was higher in workers on night and evening shifts (P<0.001). These workers also obtained higher scores in burnout subscales, but without statistical significance.