Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been reported to cause oxidative stress in metabolic processes. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), in the atmosphere and oxidative stress levels in the human body. This study included 44 Korean adults who lived in Cheongju, Republic of Korea. Atmospheric BaP and 1-NP concentrations and urinary 6-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene (6-OHNP), N-acetyl-1-aminopyrene (1-NAAP), and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) concentrations were measured. The oxidative stress level was assessed by measuring urinary thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations. Urinary TBARS and 6-OHNP concentrations significantly differed between winter and summer. BaP exposure was significantly associated with urinary 8-OHdG concentrations in summer. However, atmospheric 1-NP did not show a significant correlation with oxidative stress marker concentrations. Urinary 1-NAAP concentration was a significant determinant for urinary 8-OHdG concentration in summer. Oxidative stress in the body increases in proportion to inhalation exposure to BaP, and more 8-OHdG is produced in the body as the amount of 1-NP, which is metabolized to 1-AP or 1-NAAP, increases.

The oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and the adverse transformation of pigments from meat and spices are the primary causes of chemical degradation in processed meat products. Thymol is found in a variety of plant extracts that have been proven to effectively inhibit or slow down oxidative processes. The objective of our study was to determine whether thymol treatment of the surface of sliced paprika salami could be applied to inhibit lipid oxidation and color change during refrigerated storage. During eight weeks of storage, the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the ratios of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and n6/n3 in thymol-treated salami remained unchanged (p ≥ 0.05), whereas in the controls, the MDA levels increased by approximately twelvefold and the ratio of SFAs in the lipid fraction increased (p < 0.001), while the ratio of PUFAs decreased (p < 0.001). The application of thymol prevented decrease in yellowness (b*) of the slices and reduced decreases in redness (a*) and brightness (chroma).

Oxidative stress plays an important role in cancer pathogenesis, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance level (TBARS)—a parameter of lipid peroxidation—has prognostic significance in chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). However, the effect of cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemotherapy on oxidative stress, coenzyme Q10, and antioxidants remains unknown. The objective of this prospective study was to determine possible changes in the CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10)/lipids ratio, antioxidants (α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, β-carotene, CoQ10), total antioxidant status (TAS), and TBARS in plasma at baseline and during first-line chemotherapy based on CDDP in mUC subjects. In this prospective study, 63 consecutive patients were enrolled. The median age was 66 years (range 39−84), performance status according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) was 2 in 7 subjects (11.1%), and visceral metastases were present in 31 (49.2%) patients. Plasma antioxidants were determined by HPLC and TAS and TBARS spectrophotometrically. After two courses of chemotherapy, we recorded significant enhancements compared to baseline for total cholesterol (p < 0.0216), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (p < 0.002), triacylglycerols (p < 0.0083), α-tocopherol (p < 0.0044), and coenzyme Q10-TOTAL (p < 0.0001). Ratios of CoQ10/total cholesterol, CoQ10/HDL-cholesterol, and CoQ10/LDL-cholesterol increased during chemotherapy vs. baseline (p < 0.0048, p < 0.0101, p < 0.0032, respectively), while plasma TBARS declined (p < 0.0004). The stimulation of antioxidants could be part of the defense mechanism during CDDP treatment. The increased index of CoQ10-TOTAL/lipids could reflect the effect of CDDP protecting lipoproteins from peroxidation.

UNASSIGNED: The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress in plasma in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) before and after full-mouth disinfection.
UNASSIGNED: Twenty-five healthy controls and 25 participants with aggressive periodontal were assessed for plaque index, probing pocket depth, papillary bleeding index, and clinical attachment level. Periodontal bone support was assessed by taking full mouth periapical radiographs. Full-mouth disinfection of the patient was done within 24 h of clinical assessment of AgP. These parameters were assessed at the baseline and after 8 weeks of initial periodontal therapy. Plasma samples were taken and evaluated for various oxidative stress markers.
UNASSIGNED: Strong positive correlation was observed among periodontal parameters and levels of enzymatic/nonenzymatic biomarkers for oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS], glutathione peroxidase [GPX], and catalase [CAT]) (P < 0.05), before and after periodontal management. The patients with AgP had high levels of TBARS, GPX, and CAT levels in the plasma matched to the healthy individuals (P < 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: Enzymatic and nonenzymatic oxidative stress may have a role in the pathogenesis AP. Initial periodontal treatment can lead to the reduction of these stresses.

BACKGROUND: respiratory complications are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). We examined the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in patients with acute cervical SCI.
METHODS: this prospective trial enrolled 44 adults with acute cervical SCI, of which twenty received RMT and twenty-four did not receive RMT. Respiratory function, cardiovascular autonomic function, and reactive oxidative species (ROS) were compared. The experimental group received 40-min high-intensity home-based RMT 7 days per week for 10 weeks. The control group received a sham intervention for a similar period. The primary outcomes were the effects of RMT on pulmonary and cardiovascular autonomic function, and ROS production in individuals with acute cervical SCI.
RESULTS: significant differences between the two groups in cardiovascular autonomic function and the heart rate response to deep breathing (p = 0.017) were found at the 6-month follow-up. After RMT, the maximal inspiratory pressure (p = 0.042) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) (p = 0.006) improved significantly, while there was no significant difference in the maximal expiratory pressure. Significant differences between the two groups in tidal volume (p = 0.005) and the rapid shallow breathing index (p = 0.031) were found at 6 months. Notably, the SF-36 (both the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries) in the RMT group had decreased significantly at the 6-month follow-up, whereas the clinical scores did not differ significantly (p = 0.333) after RMT therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: High-intensity home-based RMT can improve pulmonary function and endurance and reduce breathing difficulties in patients with respiratory muscle weakness after injury. It is recommended for rehabilitation after spinal cord injury.

Early cardiovascular disease (CVD) onset can be inflicted by familial cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors. We aimed to compare phenotypic characteristics and explore associations between oxidative stress and vascular function in boys stratified by maternal cardiovascular and lifestyle risk. We included 40 Black and 41 White boys (ages 6-8 years), along with the biological mother of each child. The study population was divided into two groups (nonmaternal risk vs. maternal risk) according to maternal risk predetermined by their selfreported cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured at various sites and blood pressures were recorded. Urine samples were collected for analyses of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), albumin, and creatinine. Higher levels of urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (uACR) were found in the maternal risk group compared to the nonmaternal risk group (p = .038). Multiple regression analysis in the maternal risk group revealed diastolic blood pressure (R2 = 0.159; β = 0.293; p = .050), carotid femoral PWV (R2 = 0.158; β = 0.297; p = .038) and carotid dorsalis pedis PWV (adj R2 = 0.322; β = 0.505; p < .001) to be positively associated with TBARS, while an inverse association of uACR (R2 = 0.161; β = -0.261; p = .046) with TBARS was observed. Also, in the maternal risk group, independent associations of DBP (R2 = 0.273; β = 0.289; p = .040) and uACR (R2 = 0.283; β = 0.268; p = .027) with 8-OHdG were indicated. In boys, as young as 6 years of age, oxidative stress related to arterial stiffness and diastolic blood pressure was observed. This association was only evident in boys with linked maternal lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting potential family-related early onset of cardiovascular risk.

The maintaining of the epididymis at lower temperatures during storage and transport improves sperm quality. Our study aimed to test whether epididymis storage temperature (post-mortem) and sperm cryopreservation affect sperm kinetics, membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential and fertility capacity. Thirty-six epididymides were collected from 18 bulls after slaughter and divided into two groups: at 4 or 34°C for 2-3 hr. The sperm was collected from the epididymis cauda. The evaluation consisted of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), SYBR14/PI/JC1 to evaluate membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and measurement of lipid peroxidation (TBARS). The sperm was then frozen using an automatic device. After thawing, sperm samples were evaluated by the same variables and further in vitro fertilization rates. Cryopreservation negatively affected sperm motility in samples stored at 4 and 34°C. Nevertheless, the 4°C samples yielded higher rates of blastocyst formation. Pre-freeze sperm motility, progressive motility and velocity were higher in sperm from epididymis stored at 4°C while post-thaw sperm motility, progressive motility and velocity remained the same among samples from epididymis stored at 4 or 34°C. However, with regard to the kinetic patterns, samples collected from epididymis stored at 34°C had lower values when compared to those stored at 4°C prior the cryopreservation process. Our results indicate that epididymis handling conditions after cryopreservation may affect sperm quality after thawing, especially due to compromised MMP in sperm collected from epididymis stored at higher temperatures.

Vulnerability of the fetus upon maternal obesity can potentially occur during all developmental phases. We aimed at elaborating longer-term health outcomes of fetal overnutrition during the earliest stages of development. We utilized Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice to induce pre-conceptional and gestational obesity and followed offspring outcomes in the absence of any postnatal obesogenic influences. Male adult offspring developed overweight, insulin resistance, hyperleptinemia, hyperuricemia and hepatic steatosis; all these features were not observed in females. Instead, they showed impaired fasting glucose and a reduced fat mass and adipocyte size. Influences of the interaction of maternal diet∗sex concerned offspring genes involved in fatty liver disease, lipid droplet size regulation and fat mass expansion. These data suggest that a peri-conceptional obesogenic exposure is sufficient to shape offspring gene expression patterns and health outcomes in a sex- and organ-specific manner, indicating varying developmental vulnerabilities between sexes towards metabolic disease in response to maternal overnutrition.

The inactivation of the chloroplast ascorbate peroxidases (chlAPXs) has been thought to limit the efficiency of the water-water cycle and photo-oxidative protection under stress conditions. In this study, we have generated double knockdown rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants in both OsAPX7 (sAPX) and OsAPX8 (tAPX) genes, which encode chloroplastic APXs (chlAPXs). By employing an integrated approach involving gene expression, proteomics, biochemical and physiological analyses of photosynthesis, we have assessed the role of chlAPXs in the regulation of the protection of the photosystem II (PSII) activity and CO2 assimilation in rice plants exposed to high light (HL) and methyl violagen (MV). The chlAPX knockdown plants were affected more severely than the non-transformed (NT) plants in the activity and structure of PSII and CO2 assimilation in the presence of MV. Although MV induced significant increases in pigment content in the knockdown plants, the increases were apparently not sufficient for protection. Treatment with HL also caused generalized damage in PSII in both types of plants. The knockdown and NT plants exhibited differences in photosynthetic parameters related to efficiency of utilization of light and CO2. The knockdown plants overexpressed other antioxidant enzymes in response to the stresses and increased the GPX activity in the chloroplast-enriched fraction. Our data suggest that a partial deficiency of chlAPX expression modulate the PSII activity and integrity, reflecting the overall photosynthesis when rice plants are subjected to acute oxidative stress. However, under normal growth conditions, the knockdown plants exhibit normal phenotype, biochemical and physiological performance.

The physiological responses of C4 species to simultaneous water deficit and low substrate temperature are poorly understood, as well as the recovery capacity. This study investigated whether the effect of these abiotic stressors is cultivar-dependent. The differential responses of drought-resistant (IACSP94-2094) and drought-sensitive (IACSP97-7065) sugarcane cultivars were characterized to assess the relationship between photosynthesis and antioxidant protection by APX and SOD isoforms under stress conditions. Our results show that drought alone or combined with low root temperature led to excessive energetic pressure at the PSII level. Heat dissipation was increased in both genotypes, but the high antioxidant capacity due to higher SOD and APX activities was genotype-dependent and it operated better in the drought-resistant genotype. High SOD and APX activities were associated with a rapid recovery of photosynthesis in IACSP94-2094 plants after drought and low substrate temperature alone or simultaneously.