Assessment of mutagenic,hematological and oxidative stress biomarkers in liver of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in response to sublethal verapamil exposure

The influx of pharmaceutical drugs and their metabolites have been reported to cause negative impact on aquatic biota. In this study, effects of long-term exposure of verapamil on mutagenic, hematological parameters and activities of the oxidative enzymes of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus were investigated for 60 days exposure at the concentrations of 0.29, 0.58 and 1.15?mg L^?1 in the fish liver. The exposure resulted in significantly high (p??1. Compared with the control, there was significant increase (p?+?-K⁺- ATPase) in the tissue was significantly inhibited (p??1. The study demonstrated that prolonged exposure to verapamil at sublethal concentration can result in mutagenic effects and oxidative dysfunctions in O. niloticus.     

Effect of a human pharmaceutical carbamazepine on antioxidant responses in brain of a model teleost in vitro: an efficient approach to biomonitoring

Residual pharmaceuticals are generally recognized as relevant sources of aquatic environmental pollutants. In this study, the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) on the antioxidant defense system in the brain of rainbow trout in vitro were studied. The brain homogenates were incubated with various concentrations of CBZ (1.0 µg l^?1, 0.2 mg l^?1 or 2.0 mg l^?1) for 0, 60, 120 min. After incubation, oxidative stress indices (lipid peroxidation and carbonyl protein), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase) and nonenzymatic antioxidant (reduced glutathione) in each samples were measured. Based on the results, the brain homogenates performed adaptive responses to CBZ‐induced stress at environmental concentration (1.0 µg l^?1). With increased CBZ concentrations (0.2 or 2.0 mg l^?1), oxidative stress was apparent as reflected by the significant higher levels of oxidative indices, together with the significant inhibition of all antioxidant enzymes activities and reduced glutathione content. Compared with previous studies in vivo, the brain homogenates showed more sensitive antioxidant responses to CBZ stress. In conclusion, the brain homogenates of rainbow trout could be used as an efficient model system in aquatic risk assessment, but more detailed laboratory studies are needed before these findings could be established as special biomarkers for monitoring residual pharmaceuticals in aquatic environment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Genotoxicity assessment and oxidative stress responses in freshwater African catfish Clarias gariepinus exposed to fenthion formulations

Fenthion is one of the most widely used organophosphate insecticides for the control of many varieties of pests in Nigeria. The genotoxic effect of the pesticide was evaluated in the blood erythrocytes of Clarias gariepinus using the micronucleus (MN) test. The oxidative stress parameters were also studied in the liver and gill tissues. Fish were exposed to 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0?mgL^?1 of fenthion and sampling was done on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and after 7-day recovery. Micronuclei induction was highest (7.55) on day 14 at all concentrations in the peripheral blood cells. Oxidative stress was evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation (LPO). Maximum LPO values of 62.47% and 71.17% were observed in the gill and liver tissues respectively in C. gariepinus exposed to 8.0?mgL^?1 concentration of fenthion. There were alterations in the values of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) during the exposure and recovery periods. The 7-day recovery period was not adequate to eliminate fenthion-induced changes as LPO, CAT, and GR activity remain elevated. However, MN frequency and activity of SOD, GSH, and GPx (except at 8.0?mgL^?1) recovered. The present findings give further credence on the integrated use of MN test and oxidative stress parameters in risk assessment of pollutants in aquatic ecosystem.     

A major release of urban untreated wastewaters in the St. Lawrence River (Quebec,Canada) altered growth,reproduction, and redox status in experimentally exposed Daphnia magna

In 2015, five billion liters of untreated urban wastewater (UWW) were released into the St. Lawrence River (Quebec, Canada) over the course of four days in order to repair the Montreal’s sewer interceptor network related to the city’s primary wastewater treatment plant. The UWW discharge originated mainly from household, industrial, and hospital sources. The objective of this study was to investigate the toxicological effects of this unprecedented punctual UWW release on aquatic invertebrates to gather information that could help understand the potential impacts to the receiving environment of overflow episodes occurring during heavy rain events. Water samples were collected at four impacted and non-impacted sites during and four weeks after the release. The freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna were experimentally exposed to surface water collected from UWW-impacted sites for 13 days and analyzed for life-history endpoints and suitable biomarkers related to oxidative stress (i.e., catalase, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione-s-transferase) and reproduction (chitinase). Results indicated that D. magna growth and reproduction were significantly increased by exposure to UWWs. These effects were correlated with an increase in chitinase activity, which is primarily controlled by reproductive hormones and involved in growth, suggesting potential impacts on these processes. Results also indicated that some UWW samples might have caused oxidative stress during the release but that it was overcome by antioxidant defenses and did not lead to cellular damage. Overall, current results contribute to a better understanding of the biological impacts of UWW to aquatic invertebrates for a better stormwater management.

     

Effects of tetrabrombisphenol A on DNA integrity,oxidative stress,and sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) spermatozoa quality variables

The sperm of sterlet (Acispenser ruthenus) was used to investigate the effect of the xenobiotic tetrabrombisphenol A (TBBPA) on sperm quality variables (ATP content, spermatozoa motility, and velocity), DNA integrity, and oxidative stress indices. Sperm was diluted to obtain a spermatozoa density of 5 × 10⁸ cells/mL and exposed for 2 h to final concentrations of TBBPA (0.5, 1.75, 2.5, 5, and 10 μg/L). The oxidative stress indices, including lipid peroxidation, carbonyl derivatives of proteins, and antioxidant activity were significantly higher with increased concentrations of TBBPA. There was significantly less intracellular ATP in sperm samples at TBBPA concentrations of 2.5 μg/L and above. Spermatozoa velocity and percent motile sperm were significantly lower at each sampling time post‐activation compared to controls. DNA damage expressed as percent DNA in Tail and Olive Tail moment was significantly higher with exposures ≥2.5 μg/L TBBPA. The results demonstrated that TBBPA and other xenobiotics can induce reactive oxygen species stress in fish spermatozoa, which could impair the sperm quality, DNA integrity, ATP content, and the antioxidant defense system. This study confirmed that fish spermatozoa can be used in in vitro assays for monitoring residual pollution in aquatic environments. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 735–745, 2015.     

Influence of hardness on the bioavailability of silver to a freshwater snail after waterborne exposure to silver nitrate and silver nanoparticles

Abstract

The release of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) into the aquatic environment is likely, but the influence of water chemistry on their impacts and fate remains unclear. Here, we characterize the bioavailability of Ag from AgNO₃ and from AgNPs capped with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP AgNP) and thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG AgNP) in the freshwater snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, after short waterborne exposures. Results showed that water hardness, AgNP capping agents, and metal speciation affected the uptake rate of Ag from AgNPs. Comparison of the results from organisms of similar weight showed that water hardness affected the uptake of Ag from AgNPs, but not that from AgNO₃. Transformation (dissolution and aggregation) of the AgNPs was also influenced by water hardness and the capping agent. Bioavailability of Ag from AgNPs was, in turn, correlated to these physical changes. Water hardness increased the aggregation of AgNPs, especially for PEG AgNPs, reducing the bioavailability of Ag from PEG AgNPs to a greater degree than from PVP AgNPs. Higher dissolved Ag concentrations were measured for the PVP AgNPs (15%) compared to PEG AgNPs (3%) in moderately hard water, enhancing Ag bioavailability of the former. Multiple drivers of bioavailability yielded differences in Ag influx between very hard and deionized water where the uptake rate constants (k_uw, l?g^?1?d^?1?±?SE) varied from 3.1?±?0.7 to 0.2?±?0.01 for PEG AgNPs and from 2.3?±?0.02 to 1.3?±?0.01 for PVP AgNPs. Modeling bioavailability of Ag from NPs revealed that Ag influx into L. stagnalis comprised uptake from the NPs themselves and from newly dissolved Ag.     

Sublethal toxicity of quinalphos on oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in a freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio

Extensive use of quinalphos, an organophosphorus pesticide, is likely to reach the aquatic environment and thereby posing a health concern for aquatic organisms. Oxidative stress and antioxidant responses may be good indicators of pesticide contamination in aquatic organisms. The data on quinalphos induced oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in carps are scanty. This study is aimed to assess the two sublethal concentrations of quinalphos (1.09 and 2.18 μL L^?1) on oxidative stress and antioxidant responses of Cyprinus carpio for a period of 20 days. In liver, the malondialdehyde level was found to be significantly increased in both the concentrations. The results of the antioxidant parameters obtained show a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione‐S‐transferase activity in liver of fish. These results demonstrate that environmentally relevant levels of the insecticide quinalphos can cause oxidative damage and increase the antioxidant scavenging capacity in C. carpio. This may reflect the potential role of these parameters as useful biomarkers for the assessment of pesticide contamination. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1399–1406, 2016.     

Neuroprotective activity of Matricaria recutita against fluoride-induced stress in rats

Context:?Oxidative stress plays a key role in pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and so on. Although Matricaria recutita L. (Asteraceae), German chamomile, is traditionally used for central nervous system (CNS)-related diseases, its antistress properties have received little attention.

Objective:?The present study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of German chamomile against aluminium fluoride (AlF₄^?)-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Materials and methods:?The Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex (200–250?g) were selected and grouped as: group I received normal saline; group II received AlF₄^? (negative control); groups III, IV, and V received 100, 200, and 300?mg/kg, orally, German chamomile methanol extract (GCME) along with AlF₄^?; and group VI received quercetin (25?mg/kg, i.p.) + AlF₄^?, respectively. After 10 days treatment with GCME, oxidative stress was induced by administering AlF₄^? through drinking water for 7 days. Then, the protective antioxidant enzyme levels were measured and the histopathological studies were carried out.

Results:?The GCME showed dose-dependent neuroprotective activity by significant decrease in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and total thiol levels in extract-treated animals as compared with negative control group (P?<?0.001). The histopathological studies also revealed the potent neuroprotective action of German chamomile against oxidative brain damage.

Conclusion:?The present study for the first time shows potent neuroprotective activity of the methanol extract of German chamomile against AlF₄^?-induced oxidative stress in rats.     

Levels of heavy metals in biota from the la plata river

In this study levels of five heavy metals—Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn—were quantified in selected tissues of aquatic organisms and in sediments from the La Plata River. Fishes (Odontesthes bonariensis and Pimelodus clarias), snails (Ampullaria insularum), and bivalve molluscs (Neocorbicula limosa) were collected from a Recreational Fishing Association, nearby Buenos Aires harbor, during 1988 and 1989. Samples of snail hepatopancreas showed higher levels of metal concentrations than samples of fish livers, regarding the five metals quantified. In general, lower levels of heavy metals were observed in whole body samples of bivalves, with or without the gut contents, except for Cd. Both species of macroinvertebrates have demonstrated a great ability to bioaccumulate Cd. Many physical, chemical, and biological factors regulate the intake and accumulation of heavy metals by aquatic organisms. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the extent of pollution in biota from the La Plata River by direct comparisons with data previously reported in the literature. However, our results may be useful as reference levels of heavy metal contamination in selected organisms from this particular aquatic system. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Hyparrhenia hirta: A potential protective agent against hematotoxicity and genotoxicity of sodium nitrate in adult rats

The present study was carried out to examine the adverse hematotoxic and genotoxic effects of water nitrate pollution on male adult rats and the use of hyparrhenia hirta methanolic extract in alleviating these effects. Sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) was administered to adult rats by oral gavage at a dose of 400 mg kg^?1 bw daily for 50 days, while hyparrhenia hirta methanolic extract was given by drinking water at a dose of 1.5 mg mL^?1 (200 mg kg^?1 bw). The NaNO₃‐treated group showed a significant decrease in red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit and a significant increase in total white blood cell, in neutrophil and eosinophil counts. Platelet count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration remained unchanged in treated groups compared to those of controls. Meanwhile, the results showed a marked reduction in the antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, along with an elevation in the level of lipid peroxidation and a reduction in the total glutathione content, indicating the induction of oxidative stress in the erythrocytes of NaNO₃‐treated group. Interestingly, NaNO₃ treatment showed a significant increase in the frequencies of total chromosomal aberrations, aberrant metaphases and micronucleus in bone‐marrow cells. The oxidative stress induced by nitrate treatment might be the major cause for chromosomal rearrangements as free radicals leading to DNA damage. Hyparrhenia hirta methanolic extract appeared to be effective against hematotoxic and genotoxic changes induced by nitrate, as evidenced by the improvement of the markers cited above. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1275–1284, 2015.     

Sodium fluoride generates ROS and alters transcription of genes for xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) liver: expression pattern of Nrf2/Keap1 (INrf2)

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities have resulted in an increase in the level of fluoride (F), a natural pollutant in water, causing great threat to the aquatic organisms including fishes. Earlier we reported that sodium fluoride (NaF) exposure alters histological ultrastructure in zebrafish (Danio rerio) liver evidenced by hyperplasia, cytoplasmic degeneration, heteropycnosis etc. In this study, zebrafish were exposed to 7.5, 15 and 30?mg NaF l^?1 for 30 days as well as to 15?mg NaF l^?1 for 90 days. In NaF treated fish, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), depletion of glutathione (GSH) and increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content along with enhanced activities of oxyradical-scavenging enzymes like catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were recorded. Activity of GSH-metabolizing enzyme, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was also enhanced. The mRNA levels of genes for xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) like cytochrome P450 1A (Cyp1A), NADPH Q Oxidase 1 (Nqo1) and Heme Oxygenase 1 (Ho-1) increased along with nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) whereas Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) decreased in the treated groups in comparison to their controls. The increase in Nrf2 protein levels in NaF treated fish confirmed its key regulatory role in F-induced oxidative stress. Chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentations were evidenced in NaF-treated groups indicating possible induction of apoptosis. The modulation of these toxicological parameters at genetic and biochemical levels may be used as an early warning for the environmental risk assessment of F^? toxicity to aquatic organisms including fishes.     

Induction of reactive oxygen species and algal growth inhibition by tritiated water with or without copper

Tritium (³H) is a radioactive element of ecological concern because of its release into aquatic ecosystems from nuclear power plants. However, the acute and chronic effects of tritiated water (HTO) on aquatic organisms are poorly documented, as are its effects on oxidative stress. In addition, the effects of HTO in combination with other contaminants remain largely unexamined. Herein, we document the effect of HTO on a primary aquatic producer (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) by measuring growth and oxidative stress using fluorimetric (H₂DCF‐DA) determination of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production. The maximum cell density of the alga (1.65 × 10⁶ cells mL^‐1) was reduced by 23% (1.27 × 10⁶ cells mL^‐1) at the highest exposure tested (59 MBq mL^‐1 HTO), whereas cells exposed to 0.9 MBq mL^‐1 showed a significantly enhanced maximum cell density of 1.90 × 10⁶ cells mL^‐1, an increase of 15%. With regard to oxidative stress, exposure to HTO (0.04, 0.16, and 2.8 MBq mL^‐1) induced an early dose‐dependent peak in ROS production after 14–15 min of exposure, followed by a slow decrease in ROS which stabilized after 60 min. Moreover, this study showed that the presence of HTO may influence the impact of other conventional, nonradioactive contaminants, such as copper, a well known oxidizing trace metal for aquatic organisms. A significant synergic effect of copper and HTO on ROS production was observed. This synergic effect on oxidative stress was shown to be linked to an enhanced copper uptake rate measured in the presence of HTO (> 4 times). We conclude that HTO should be considered as a sensitizer when in a mixture with other contaminants, especially through interactions on the antioxidant system of algae. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2012.     

Evaluation of softwood and hardwood sawmill wastes impact on the common carp "Cyprinus carpio" and its aquatic environment: An oxidative stress study

The aquatic pollution due to sawmill wood wastes constitutes a major threat to hydro-chemical and fauna characteristics of the aquatic ecosystems. When this kind of organics wastes enter aquatic environment it can be taken up by aquatic organisms through respiration and/or through their diet. This could concurrently result in oxidative stress and later having adverse effect on physiological and biochemical function. The importance of fish in the society cannot be over emphasized, hence there is the need to know the influence of sawmill wood wastes on the water quality and fish.Therefore, this work aims to study the impact of five species of wood wastes on a type of fish named common carp (Cyprinus carpio) known as the most widely cultured fish species in the world and on its aquatic environment. The monitoring of water parameters showed deterioration in water quality. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were investigated to evaluate the degree of oxidative stress. According to t-student, there was a significant difference compared to control (P < 0.05) in the level of SOD, CAT, GPx and MDA activities in fish exposed to 5 g·l⁻¹ of each sawdust except for GPx, a non-significant difference (p > 0.05) was noted in the case of Beech and Dibetou. When the dispersed amount was about 0.375 g·l⁻¹ we noted a significant difference in the level of SOD and GPx, except for GPx a non-significant difference was detected in the case of Cedar. The level of CAT was significantly difference just in the case of Cedar and Dibetou and that of MDA was significantly difference just in the case of Beech and Mahogany.We conclude therefore that sawmill wood waste not only impact the water quality adversely but also alters the levels of different enzymes activities in Cyprinus Carpio fish by the inhibition of SOD, CAT and GPx activities and by the production of MDA, which reflects response to oxidative stress. This study provides a rational use of these enzymes as suitable biomarkers with different degrees of specificity and as important tool for environmental monitoring.     

Low concentrations of sodium arsenite induce hepatotoxicity in prepubertal male rats

Arsenic (As) can contaminate air, soil, water, and organisms through mobilization of natural mineralogical deposits or anthropogenic actions. Inorganic‐As compounds are more toxic and widely available in aquatic environments, including drinking water reservoir catchments. Since little is known about its effects on prepubertal mammals, the present study focused on it. Hence, As was administered through drinking water to male Wistar rats from postnatal day 23 to 53. Negative control group received vehicle only (filtered water); As 1 group received AsNaO2 at 0.01 mg L^?1 and As2 group received AsNaO2 at 10 mg L^?1. It was investigated hepatic and renal toxicity of AsNaO2 (ie, histopathology and apoptosis analysis), as well as its mutagenicity (ie, micronucleus test in liver and bone marrow), cytotoxicity (ie, frequency and type of erythrocytes in blood), and genotoxicity (ie, comet assay in blood). Also, As determination was performed in hepatic and renal tissues. Data obtained revealed that immature organisms present a pattern of arsenic accumulation similar to that observed in adults, suggesting similarity in metabolic processes. In addition, liver showed to be an important target tissue for As toxicity in these experimental conditions, exhibiting infiltrate of defense cells, DNA damages, and increased apoptosis rates.     

Acute effects of diclofenac on zebrafish: Indications of oxidative effects and damages at environmentally realistic levels of exposure

With the increasing awareness about the contamination of the aquatic environment by pharmaceuticals, there is a growing need to study their adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), whose wide use contributes for its presence in freshwater ecosystems, increasing the probability of causing deleterious changes in aquatic biota. This study evaluated possible oxidative stress effects in Danio rerio embryos and larvae when exposed to a range of ecologically relevant concentrations of diclofenac. It was possible to conclude that diclofenac caused a scenario of oxidative stress, since all tested toxicological parameters were responsive to the drug. In general, diclofenac caused not only significant anti-oxidant adaptive responses for most levels of exposure, but also peroxidative damage. This work evidenced the responsiveness of D. rerio towards diclofenac in environmentally relevant concentrations, which shows that these organisms might face a scenario of oxidative stress in their natural habitat.     

Effect of chronic arsenic exposure under environmental conditions on bioaccumulation,oxidative stress,and antioxidant enzymatic defenses in wild trout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo trutta</Emphasis> (Pisces,Teleostei)

The present study evaluates the relation between chronic arsenic (As) exposure in the natural distribution area of wild brown trout (Salmo trutta), oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymatic defenses. Two rivers of the same watershed were evaluated to highlight the correlation between As accumulation and the resulting stress: (i) the Presa River, which has high chronic As levels (2281.66?µg/L) due to past mining activity, and (ii) the Bravona River (control river). This metalloid was measured in main fish tissues (gills, kidney, liver, muscle, gonads and fins) and water. As organotropism in S. trutta was kidney?>?liver?>?gill?>?fin?>?gonad?>?muscle. The HepatoSomatic Index (HSI) and somatic condition (CF) were used to compare fish population conditions from both sites. Arsenic can be absorbed by the gills and can induce oxidative stress and disturb antioxidant defenses. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress response by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymatic defenses (Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase CAT, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)), in the main tissues of control and exposed trout. The highest MDA content was found in the kidney and liver of exposed trout. SOD and CAT activities in exposed livers and kidneys were considerably increased while a significant rise of GPx activity was observed only in the liver. GST activity was found to be significantly induced in the liver of exposed trout. The results demonstrate that arsenic bioaccumulation can induce lipid peroxidation and substantial modifications in antioxidant enzymatic defenses in main wild trout tissues.     

Profiling of rutin‐mediated alleviation of cadmium‐induced oxidative stress in Zygophyllum fabago

Zygophyllum fabago grows in arid, saline soil, or disturbed sites, such as former industrial or mining areas. This species is able to grow in coarse mineral substrates contaminated with heavy metals. To investigate the effects of the flavonoid rutin (Rtn) on certain heavy metal stress responses such as antioxidant defense systems and water status, seedlings were subjected to 100 and 200 μM CdCl₂ treatment without or with 0.25 and 1 mM Rtn for 7 and 14 d (days). Cd stress decreased growth (RGR), water content (RWC), leaf osmotic potential (Ψ_Π), and chlorophyll fluorescence, all of which could be partly alleviated by addition of Rtn. Activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase increased within the first 7 d after exposure to Cd. However, failure of antioxidant defense in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evidenced by an abnormal rise in superoxide anion radical ( ${\mathrm{O}}_2^{??}$) and hydrogen peroxide contents and a decline in hydroxyl radical (OH^?) scavenging activity, resulting in enhancement of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) as a marker of Cd‐induced oxidative stress. However, exogenously applied Rtn considerably improved the stress tolerance of plants via a reduction in Cd accumulation, modulation of POX activity, increase of proline (Pro) content, decrease in TBARS and ROS content and consequent lowering of oxidative damage of membrane. Overall, 0.25 and 1 mM Rtn could protect Z. fabago from the harmful effects of 100 μM Cd‐induced oxidative stress throughout the experiment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 816–835, 2015.     

Effect of pre- and postnatal exposure to urban air pollution on myocardial lipid peroxidation levels in adult mice

Exposure to air pollution can elicit cardiovascular health effects. Children and unborn fetuses appear to be particularly vulnerable. However, the mechanisms involved in cardiovascular damage are poorly understood. It has been suggested that the oxidative stress generated by air pollution exposure triggers tissue injury. To investigate whether prenatal exposure can enhance oxidative stress in myocardium of adult animals, mice were placed in a clean chamber (CC, filtered urban air) and in a polluted chamber (PC, São Paulo city) during the gestational period and/or for 3?mo after birth, according to 4 protocols: control group—prenatal and postnatal life in CC; prenatal group—prenatal in PC and postnatal life in CC; postnatal group—prenatal in CC and postnatal life in PC; and pre–post group—prenatal and postnatal life in PC. As an indicator of oxidative stress, levels of lipid peroxidation in hearts were measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) quantification and by quantification of the myocardial immunoreactivity for 15-F2t-isoprostane. Ultrastructural studies were performed to detect cellular alterations related to oxidative stress. Concentration of MDA was significantly increased in postnatal (2.45?±?0.84?nmol/mg) and pre–post groups (3.84?±?1.39?nmol/mg) compared to the control group (0.31?±?0.10?nmol/mg) (p?<?.01). MDA values in the pre–post group were significantly increased compared to the prenatal group (0.71?±?0.15?nmol/mg) (p?=?.017). Myocardial isoprostane area fraction in the pre–post group was increased compared to other groups (p?≤?.01). Results show that ambient levels of air pollution elicit cardiac oxidative stress in adult mice, and that gestational exposure may enhance this effect.     

Antioxidant,antihemolytic, and inhibitory activities of endemic Primula heterochroma against Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in rat brain in vitro

Context: The genus Primula (Primulaceae) has been used in traditional medicine to treat convulsion and microbial or viral infections.

Objective: In the present study, we evaluate antioxidant, antihemolytic, and protective effects of flavonoid-rich fractions of endemic Primula heterochroma Stapf. (Primulaceae) against Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in rat brain in vitro.

Materials and methods: Aerial parts of plant were defatted and extracted with 60% acetone. Then, 60% acetone extract was fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water. Antioxidant activity of fractions was evaluated by employing six different assays, i.e., 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging, metal chelating and reducing power activities and hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid system and Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in rat brain. Also, its antihemolytic activity was determined using 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride-induced hemolysis in rat erythrocyts.

Results: Among the flavonoid-rich fractions of Primula heterochroma, aqueous fraction demonstrated the most protective effect through decreasing brain thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels at a dose 200?μg mL^?1 (40%, p < 0.001 versus iron group). Also, the aqueous fraction showed better activity in Fe²⁺ chelating (89 ± 3.8 μg mL^?1) and DPPH radical scavenging (394.4 ± 18.4 μg mL^?1) models than other fractions. The probable protective mechanism of flavonoid-rich fractions may be attributed to their Fe²⁺ chelating, DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power activities. Also, the n-hexane fraction demonstrated a higher protective effect in the hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid system and 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride-induced hemolysis (67 ± 2.6 μg mL^?1).

Discussion and conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate Primula heterochroma is a rich source of natural antioxidant compounds.