Effects of Raising or Lowering Molybdenum Status on Outcome of Acute Infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in Mature Rats.

Molybdate (Mo+) supplements can suppress or enhance nematode infections in ruminants, depending on exposure level, but there have been no investigations in non-ruminants. Three groups of 16 mature rats were each fed a commercial diet and given Mo+ (10 mg Mo/l), tungstate (a molybdenum [Mo] antagonist) (MoO4, 350 mg W/l) or no supplement (C) via drinking water for 40 days before acute infection with 3,600 Nippostrongylus brasiliensis larvae. Group Mo- also received allopurinol (1 g/l), a molybdenoenzyme inhibitor, from 4 days post infection (dpi). Subgroups of four rats from each group were killed at 7-14 dpi. A group of six rats was left untreated and uninfected and subgroups killed 10 or 12 dpi. Infection reduced intakes of food and water but impacts were greatest in group Mo-. Median worm counts in groups C, Mo- and Mo+ were 900, 941 and 510, respectively, at 7 dpi and 9, 40 and 0 (P = 0.05) at 10 dpi. Median faecal egg counts were consistently lowest in group Mo+. Worm weight was reduced (P <0.05), worm tissue protease increased and superoxide dismutase activities increased in worm (P < 0.01) and host duodenal homogenates (P < 0.01) from group Mo+. In group Mo-, liver Mo concentration decreased, duodenal xanthine oxidoreductase activity (DXOR) became totally inhibited and plasma uric acid was barely detectable at 10 dpi. Plasma mast cell protease activity and duodenal malonyldialdehyde concentrations, markers of inflammation, were increased by nematode infection (P <0.001) but unaffected by water treatments. Liver Mo, liver copper (Cu) and plasma Cu concentrations were increased in group Mo+ and plasma Cu concentration was increased in group Mo- suggesting systemic exposure to partially thiolated MoO4 and WO4. Supplementary MoO4 impaired larval establishment and changed parasite biochemistry without affecting the inflammatory response to infection but may have required partial thiolation to do so. Rats did not rely on DXOR activity to expel N. brasiliensis.

Salivary oxidative stress level among tobacco chewers and smokers: A comparative Study.

Tobacco contains various toxic contents which produce oxygen-free radicals that damage oral tissues. Since saliva encounters tobacco, it has antioxidant defense system and also can serve as a biomarker for oral diseases. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate salivary oxidative stress levels among smokers and chewers. Unstimulated saliva from 240 males who visited tobacco cessation clinic for the first time was collected. Standard protocol was followed to collect saliva and assess salivary antioxidant levels from 80 participants with the habit of smoking, smokeless, and both (smoking and smokeless) tobacco users. The collected data were statistically analyzed. The mean salivary superoxide dismutase and malonyldialdehyde levels were significantly high for participants with both habits (P < 0.000). There was a significant high reduction of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in participants with both habits (P < 0.000). Both smoking and smokeless tobacco modify salivary antioxidant activity. The estimation of salivary oxidative stress can serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for oral tissue damage and dysplasia. Furthermore, they can function as early biomarkers in preventing dysplastic changes in the oral cavity.

Levels of Biological Markers of Nitric Oxide in Serum of Patients with Mandible Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide is a small gaseous molecule with significant bioactivity. It has been observed that NO may have a dual role dependent on its production and concentrations in the bone microenvironment. The objective of the study was to assess the concentration of total nitric oxide malonyldialdehyde, nitrotyrosine, and asymmetric dimethylarginine in the serum of patients with mandibular fractures and to understand the relationship between these compounds, in order to expand the knowledge base of the role of nitric oxide and its activity indicators in the process of bone fracture healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 20 patients with mandibular fractures who were undergoing inpatient and outpatient treatments and a control group of 15 healthy people. Results were analyzed with respect to the measurement time. Total nitric oxide concentration in the blood serum was determined according to the Griess reaction, while the concentration of malonyldialdehyde, nitrotyrosine, and asymmetric dimethylarginine was estimated using the immunoenzymatic method (i.e., enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). RESULTS: Before the procedure, as well as on the first day and 2 and 6 weeks after the procedure, higher concentrations of total nitric oxide and lower concentrations of malonyldialdehyde were observed in the blood serum of patients with mandibular fractures compared to the control group. No statistically significant differences were found in nitrotyrosine concentrations in the blood serum of patients throughout the measurement period. However, a significantly higher asymmetric dimethylarginine concentration was observed in the patient serum before the procedure and on the first day of operation as compared with the control group. Analysis of the results observed in patient serum with respect to the number of fractures within the mandible demonstrated the same trend of concentrations for the tested compounds for the entire study group. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our results revealed that the intensity of local processes resulting from mandibular fractures is associated with the concentration of nitric oxide, confirming its significant role, as well as that of its indicators, in the process of bone fracture healing in this patient population.

The Imbalance among Oxidative Biomarkers and Antioxidant Defense Systems in Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Winiwarter-Buerger Disease).

(1) Background: Thromboangiitis obliterans or Winiwarter-Buerger disease (WBD), is an inflammatory, thrombotic occlusive, peripheral vascular disease, usually occurring in young smokers. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disease are not clearly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants occurring in these patients. (2) Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 22 male patients with WBD and 20 healthy male smoking habit matched control group were included. To evaluate the possible sources of oxidative stress, the antioxidant biomarkers, and the markers of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, serum samples were analyzed for total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), myeloperoxidase (MPO), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PC) activity and/or content. (3) Results: The circulating levels of TOS, TAC, and CoQ10 were significantly higher in WBD patients, with respect to healthy smokers as controls. No significant difference was found among the serum level of PC, total cholesterol, MPO, and GR activity in WBD patients and healthy smoker controls. The activity of SOD and the mean serum level of MDA were significantly lower in WBD patients, with respect to healthy smoker controls. (4) Conclusion: Considerably high levels of oxidative stress were detected in WBD patients, which were greater than the antioxidant capacity. The low level of MDA may be associated with the enzymatic degradation of lipid peroxidation products. High levels of CoQ10 and low levels of SOD may be related to a harmful oxidative cooperation, leading to the vasoconstriction of WBD, representing a promising tool to discern possible different clinical risks of this poorly understood peripheral occlusive disease.

Endothelial Progenitor Cells Correlated with Oxidative Stress after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

PURPOSE: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a key role in tissue repair and regeneration. Previous studies have shown that infusion of human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial colony-forming cells improves outcomes in mice subjected to experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the efficiency of cell transplantation is not satisfactory. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the survival of transplanted cells following ischemic reperfusion injury. This observational clinical study investigated the correlation between the number of circulating EPCs and plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 patients with mild TBI at day-1, day-2, day-3, day-4, and day-7 post TBI. The number of circulating EPCs and the plasma levels of SOD and MDA were measured. RESULTS: The average of circulating EPCs in TBI patients decreased initially, but increased thereafter, compared with healthy controls. Plasma levels of SOD in TBI patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls at day-4 post-TBI. MDA levels showed no difference between the two groups. Furthermore, when assessed on day-7 post-TBI, the circulating EPC number were correlated with the plasma levels of SOD and MDA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the number of circulating EPCs is weakly to moderately correlated with plasma levels of SOD and MDA at day-7 post-TBI, which may offer a novel antioxidant strategy for EPCs transplantation after TBI.

Docking Studies, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of ß-aryl-ß-hydroxy Propanoic Acids for Anti-inflammatory Activity.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are numerous and widely used for more than 60 years, but there is still a strong need for developing novel selective NSAIDs. The need is justified by the fact that nonselective NSAIDs can produce serious gastric side effects and that some of the selective NSAID are withdrawn due to their cardiotoxic side effects. METHODS: Eight ß-hydroxy-ß-arylpropanoic acids, which belong to the arylpropanoic acid class of compounds, structurally similar to some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), were docked into 3D catalytic site of both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Seven out of those eight acids were synthesized using already published modification of Reformatsky reaction additionally optimized by increasing temperature. Synthesized compounds were tested in vivo in order to elucidate anti-inflammatory activity, gastric tolerability and impact on liver function of rats. RESULTS: Results of docking studies have indicated that all compounds have potential to selectively inhibit COX-2 isoform, but that the compounds containing polar substituents on phenyl ring are better inhibitors. Results of carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test have shown that all compounds exhibit dose dependence and good gastric tolerability and none of the tested compounds have shown negative effect on liver function compared to ibuprofen. CONCLUSION: The compound containing polar nitro group in para position has shown the best docking results, anti-inflammatory activity, low hepatotoxicity and good gastric tolerability.

Endothelial Progenitor Cells Correlated with Oxidative Stress after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

PURPOSE: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a key role in tissue repair and regeneration. Previous studies have shown that infusion of human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial colony-forming cells improves outcomes in mice subjected to experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the efficiency of cell transplantation is not satisfactory. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the survival of transplanted cells following ischemic reperfusion injury. This observational clinical study investigated the correlation between the number of circulating EPCs and plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 patients with mild TBI at day-1, day-2, day-3, day-4, and day-7 post TBI. The number of circulating EPCs and the plasma levels of SOD and MDA were measured. RESULTS: The average of circulating EPCs in TBI patients decreased initially, but increased thereafter, compared with healthy controls. Plasma levels of SOD in TBI patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls at day-4 post-TBI. MDA levels showed no difference between the two groups. Furthermore, when assessed on day-7 post-TBI, the circulating EPC number were correlated with the plasma levels of SOD and MDA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the number of circulating EPCs is weakly to moderately correlated with plasma levels of SOD and MDA at day-7 post-TBI, which may offer a novel antioxidant strategy for EPCs transplantation after TBI.

DNA Damage Analysis in Children with Non-syndromic Developmental Delay by Comet Assay.

INTRODUCTION: Majority of the developmental delays in children are non-syndromic and they are believed to have an underlying DNA damage, though not well substantiated. Hence the present study was carried out to find out if there is any increased DNA damage in children with non-syndromic developmental delay by using the comet assay. AIM: The present case-control study was undertaken to assess the level of DNA damage in children with non syndromic developmental delay and compare the same with that of age and sex matched controls using submarine gel electrophoresis (Comet Assay). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The blood from clinically diagnosed children with non syndromic developmental delay and controls were subjected for alkaline version of comet assay - Single cell gel electrophoresis using lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood. The comets were observed under a bright field microscope; photocaptured and scored using the Image J image quantification software. Comet parameters were compared between the cases and controls and statistical analysis and interpretation of results was done using the statistical software SPSS version 20. RESULTS: The mean comet tail length in cases and control was 20.77+7.659µm and 08.97+4.398µm respectively which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Other comet parameters like total comet length and % DNA in tail also showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between cases and controls. CONCLUSION: The current investigation unraveled increased levels of DNA damage in children with non syndromic developmental delay when compared to the controls.

Interaction between blood selenium concentration and a levels of oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity in healthy children.

The study aimed at defining the relationship between blood selenium concentration (Se-B) and levels of oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity in healthy children. The studies were conducted on 337 children (mean age: 8.53±1.92 years). The groups of individuals with Se-B <1st quartile (group I, Se-B<70µg/L), with Se-B fitting the range of 1st quartile and median (group II, Se-B: 70-76.9µg/L), with Se-B between the median and 3rd quartile (group III, Se-B: 77-83.9µg/L) and those with Se-B above the 3rd quartile (group IV, Se-B≥84µg/L) were distinguished. Level of oxidative stress was defined using determination of urine malonyldialdehyde concentration (MDA) and urine 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine concentration (8-OHdg). Urine total antioxidant status (TAS) was determined. In group IV TAS was significantly higher than in groups I-III. A positive correlation was detected between Se-B and TAS. In healthy children an appropriately high Se-B seems to ensure higher total antioxidative status.

Evaluation of inflammatory biomarkers as helping diagnostic tool in patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-18, NO and MDA, in patients with breast cancer and to assess their clinical significance as a novel diagnostic markers in breast carcinoma. METHODS: We examined IFN-γ, IL-18, NO and MDA in 18 healthy volunteers, 38 patients with primary invasive breast cancer, and 18 patients with distant metastatic breast cancer. Serum levels of NO were measured by the Griess method. Serum concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-18 were analyzed with ELISA assays. Concentration of MDA in serum was measured by a thiobarbituric acid assay. The diagnostic value of inflammatory biomarkers was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) and logistic regression models. RESULTS: ROC curve analyses demonstrated that only IFN-γ has the ability to distinguish either presence of breast cancer or breast cancer in localized or metastatic form, whereas IL-18 and NO can detect only metastasis. Using a logistic regression model with IL-18 and MDA we obtained a higher sensitivity and specificity regardless of disease status. A panel combining four markers, at least one "rule", achieved the highest sensitivity of 95% and 100% for localized and metastatic cancer, respectively, and high specificity of 80%. CONCLUSION: The combination of four inflammatory biomarkers could be a novel panel of diagnostic markers in patients with breast cancer.

Effects of Selol 5% supplementation on the activity or concentration of antioxidants and malondialdehyde level in the blood of healthy mice.

BACKGROUND: Selol is a novel organoselenium Se(IV) compound. It reveals lower potential of toxicity than sodium selenite and does not exhibit mutagenic activity. Its antioxidant and anticancer properties including overcoming cancer cell resistance to standard therapy of the drug were proven. This is the first publication describing the influence of Selol 5% on the activity of blood antioxidant status in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the influence of Selol 5% short-term (24h) and long-term (28 days) administration on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including the main selenoenzymes, in healthy mice plasma and erythrocytes. Plasma oxygen radical absorbance capacity value (ORAC) and the concentration of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in plasma as a biomarker of oxidative stress as well as the value of selenium (Se) concentration in erythrocytes were shown. RESULTS: A significant increase of the selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSHPx) activity in plasma and erythrocytes, plasma selenoprotein P concentration, ORAC values, and Se concentration were observed during long-term supplementation as well as after Selol 5% single-dose administration, with two distinct increases of activity a few hours after the beginning of the experiment and before its end. We found a decreased thioredoxin reductase (THRR) activity and an increased MDA level during Selol 5% long-term supplementation. Glutathione S-transferase activity (GST) remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Selol 5% supplementation in vivo affects the selenoenzymes activities as well as the antioxidant status of plasma and erythrocytes. Selol 5% is an inhibitor of thioredoxin reductase activity, which can be important in anticancer therapy.

Progression of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) from Stable Angina (SA) Towards Myocardial Infarction (MI): Role of Oxidative Stress.

INTRODUCTION: There is now a consensus that atherosclerosis represents a state of heightened oxidative stress which is characterized by lipid and protein oxidation in the vascular wall. Inspite of many efforts which were made to explain the role of oxidative stress in progression of CAD (Coronary Artery Disease), its predictive role is still not clear. In order to fill these lacunae and to establish the utility of antioxidant vitamins in delaying the progression of CAD from stable angina (SA) towards myocardial Infarction (MI), the present study was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we compared the lipid profile and oxidant antioxidant status in 50 patients of CAD and 50 controls. The 50 patients of CAD were further grouped into those with SA, unstable angina (USA) and MI and the values of blood reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation marker Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were studied and compared in these three subgroups of CAD. RESULTS: The values of MDA were significantly increased in patients of CAD as compared to those in controls. Plasma MDA values of patients who presented with unstable angina and acute MI were significantly higher than those in patients who presented with SA and in controls, whereas there was no significant difference between values in those with unstable angina and non Q wave MI. The values of GSH showed a significant depletion in patients of CAD as compared to those in controls. A clearly significant depletion in GSH levels was observed in SA patients as compared to those in unstable angina and MI. But no such variations were observed between unstable angina and MI patients. CONCLUSION: From the present study, it was concluded that there was a significant negative correlation between blood glutathione and serum MDA. This may have occurred due to utilization of GSH in quenching free radicals and still persisting oxidative stress, which may have caused an increase in MDA levels due to increased lipid peroxidation. Further, the enhanced depletion of GSH and the increase in the levels of MDA in patients of USA and MI as compared to those in SA patients confirms the role of oxidative stress in progression of CAD from SA through USA to MI.

Role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of vitiligo with special emphasis on the antioxidant action of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and the effect of narrowband (NB) ultraviolet (UV) B phototherapy on oxidative stress markers. METHODS: Patients with vitiligo and healthy control subjects were included in the study. Patients in the vitiligo group were treated with an NB-UVB regimen (3 × weekly for 6 months). Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), erythrocyte malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px) levels were assessed in all participants at baseline, and after NB-UVB phototherapy in patients with vitiligo. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients with vitiligo and 27 control subjects were included in the study. Before treatment, erythrocyte MDA levels were significantly higher, and SOD and GSH-Px levels were significantly lower, in patients with vitiligo compared with controls. NB-UVB phototherapy was associated with a significant reduction in MDA levels and a significant increase in GSH-Px levels, compared with baseline, in patients with vitiligo. CONCLUSION: NB-UVB phototherapy may relieve oxidative stress in patients with vitiligo by reversing the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance that is considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Lutein extends the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster.

Lutein is one of the major carotenoids in most fruits and vegetables. The effect of lutein on the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster was investigated. Results revealed that 0.1mg lutein/ml diet could prolong their mean lifespan from 49.0 to 54.6 days. This was consistent with a significant reduction in malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level and increase in antioxidant enzyme activities of the flies fed with lutein-treated diet compared with those fed with basal diet. Paraquat (PQ) and H2O2 treatment tests demonstrated that lutein could prolong the survival time of the flies. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated the gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD; SOD1 and SOD2), and catalase (CAT) in the lutein-treated group was up-regulated relative to that of the control group. It was concluded that the lifespan-prolonging activity of lutein was partially by up-regulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes.

Isolation and characterization of a buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) dehydration responsive element binding transcription factor, BdDREB2.

Dehydration responsive element binding (DREB) transcription factors play an important role in the regulation of stress-related genes. These factors contribute to resistance to different abiotic stresses. In the present study, a novel DREB transcription factor, BdDREB2, isolated from Buchloe dactyloides, was cloned and characterized. The BdDREB2 protein was estimated to have a molecular weight of 28.36kDa, a pI of 5.53 and a typical AP2/ERF domain. The expression of BdDREB2 was involved in responses to drought and salt stresses. Overexpression of BdDREB2 in tobacco showed higher relative water and proline content, and was associated with lower MDA content under drought stress, suggesting that the transgenic tobacco may tolerate drought stress better. Results demonstrate that BdDREB2 may play an important role in the regulation of abiotic stress responses, and mediate many physiological pathways that enhance stress tolerance in plants.

Effects of safflower injection on serum superoxide dismntase and malonyldialdehyde with sudden deafness / 实用医学杂志

Objective To explore the treatment mechanism of safflower injection on sudden deafness through the changes of the hearing threshold, serum superoxide dismntase (SOD) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) before and after treatment. Methods 40 cases of sudden deafness were divided into two groups: groupⅠ(group with safflower) and groupⅡ (group without safflower). The concentrations of serum MDA and SOD and hearing threshold were detected before and after treatment. 25 cases of normal hearing as the control group. Results (1) The total efficiency in the group Ⅰwas higher than the group Ⅱ (P0.05). Conclusion Safflower injection could scavenge oxygen free radical and improve the quality of hearing recovery.

Pitfalls of assays devoted to evaluation of oxidative stress induced by inorganic nanoparticles.

During the last years, there has been a remarkable increase in the use of inorganic nanoparticles (NP) in different applications, including consumer and medical products. Despite these promising applications, the extremely small size of NP allows them to penetrate cells, in which they can interact with intracellular structures causing serious side effects. A number of studies showed that NP cause adverse effects predominantly via induction of an oxidative stress - an imbalance between damaging oxidants and protective antioxidants - resulting in inflammation, immune response, cell damages, genotoxicity, etc … Most of the in vitro methods used for measurement of oxidative stress biomarkers were designed and standardized for conventional organic, inorganic and biochemical compounds. More recently, these methods have been adapted to studies related to various nanomaterials. Thus, this review is an attempt to highlight some current methods employed in and to provide a critical analysis of the major challenges and issues faced in this emerging field.

Neuroprotective effects of madecassoside in early stage of Parkinson's disease induced by MPTP in rats.

In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of madecassoside, isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Centella asiatica, in the rat model of early phase of parkinsonism. During intragastric administrations of madecassoside for 7 days, the rats were injected with MPTP on the 7th day. And for the following 14 days, madecassoside were also administered. On the 14th day, the behavioral tests were assessed after 1h of administration. And then, the rats were sacrificed, substantia nigra and striatum were dissected. The content of DA, MDA, GSH, and Bcl-2/Bax gene expression levels and BDNF protein level was determined. Treatment with madecassoside was found to improve locomotor dysfunction and to protect dopaminergic neuron by antagonizing MPTP induced neurotoxicity. Madecassoside significantly attenuated the MPTP-induced reduction of dopamine in the striatum. The MDA contents were significantly decreased while the GSH levels, Bcl-2/Bax ratio and protein expression of BDNF were significantly increased in madecassoside treated groups. These results indicated that madecassoside was effective in recovering MPTP-induced early signs of parkinsonism via its neuroprotective effects including reversing the depletion of DA, antioxidant activity, increasing ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, increasing protein expression of BDNF.

Free radicals, antioxidant defense systems, and schizophrenia.

The etiopathogenic mechanisms of schizophrenia are to date unknown, although several hypotheses have been suggested. Accumulating evidence suggests that excessive free radical production or oxidative stress may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia as evidenced by increased production of reactive oxygen or decreased antioxidant protection in schizophrenic patients. This review aims to summarize the basic molecular mechanisms of free radical metabolism, the impaired antioxidant defense system and membrane pathology in schizophrenia, their interrelationships with the characteristic clinical symptoms and the implications for antipsychotic treatments. In schizophrenia, there is accumulating evidence of altered antioxidant enzyme activities and increased levels of lipid peroxidation, as well as altered levels of plasma antioxidants. Moreover, free radical-mediated abnormalities may contribute to specific aspects of schizophrenic symptomatology and complications of its treatment with antipsychotic drugs, as well as the development of tardive dyskinesia (TD). Finally, the potential therapeutic strategies implicated by the accumulating data on oxidative stress mechanisms for the treatment of schizophrenia are discussed.

Effects of dietary vitamin E on mucosal maltase and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities and on the amount of mucosal malonyldialdehyde in broiler chickens.

The effects of dietary vitamin E levels on mucosal maltase and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activities and on the amount of mucosal malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in broiler chickens were studied in the present study. One hundred and eighty of male day old broiler chicks (Ross 308 strain) were randomly assigned into five groups, each with three replicates and 12 chicks in each replicate. Chickens in group A were fed corn-soy- based diet, while those in groups B, C, D and E were fed the same diet with 20, 60, 180, and 540 mg kg(-1) vitamin E supplement (d-alpha tocopherol), respectively. Six birds were randomly chosen from each group, and were euthanized on days 10, 21, 32, and 42 of age. One segment of small intestine outset was homogenized and mucosal ALP and maltase activity were measured. Moreover, mucosal lipid peroxidate amount was measured to reveal the impact of vitamin E on oxidative stress. Maltase activity was increased with the increase of vitamin E up to 60 mg kg(-1) of diet while with further levels, it was decreased. Addition of 60 mg kg(-1) of vitamin E to the diet significantly increased ALP enzyme activity (p ≤ 0.001). Addition of 540 mg kg(-1) of vitamin E supplement to the diet led to the minimum amount of MDA at 32 days of age. It may be concluded that supplementation of broiler's diet with 60 mg kg(-1) of vitamin E can increase mucosal maltase and ALP enzyme activity.