Biofactors - Volume 26, issue 3

Authors: Milias, G.A. | Nomikos, T. | Fragopoulou, E. | Athanasopoulos, S. | Antonopoulou, S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Inflammation and oxidative stress have been implicated in the mechanism of eccentric exercise-induced muscle injury. This study examined whether baseline serum levels of selenium (Se), a trace element that participates in both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems, affects the overall response to injury. Thirteen males performed 36 maximal eccentric actions with the elbow flexors of the non-dominant arm on a motorized dynamometer. Venous blood samples were collected immediately before and after exercise at …2, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Established indicators of muscle damage such as maximum isometric torque (MIT), range of motion (ROM), relaxed arm angle (RANG), flexed arm angle (FANG), arm circumference (CIRC), muscle soreness and serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined at the same time points. Baseline serum levels of Se were also measured. Complementary data regarding assessment of Se status were retrieved by the use of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. All measures changed significantly (p<0.05) after exercise. The main finding of this study was that baseline Se serum levels were associated inversely with CK, LDH and FANG and positively with MIT and ROM (p<0.05). These data suggest that beyond overt Se deficiency, suboptimal Se status possibly worsens muscle functional decrements subsequent to eccentric muscle contractions. Show more

Keywords: Selenium, inflammation, oxidative stress, eccentric exercise-induced muscle injury, creatine kinase

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 161-170, 2006

Authors: Lee, Yong Hyuk | Hyun, Sun Hee | Choung, Se Young

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The decline of estrogen production after menopause is contributing factor to urinary incontinence (UI), and particularly stress urinary incontinence (SUI). We determined the preventive effects of herbal extract mixture (HEM) on UI in ovariectomized Sprague Dawley rats. Female 9-weeks old rats were ovariectomized and treated with HEM (2.2, 11, or 55 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. The index of urinary bladder weight to body weight in the HEM and non-ovariectomized and non-treated (SHAM) groups were …slightly higher than the ovariectomized, non-treated group (OVX). The contraction index of acetylcholine to KCl on detrusor smooth muscle strips in the HEM groups showed a dose-dependent recovery. HEM treatment also significantly improved collagen levels, as shown by Masson trichrome staining, as well as hydroxyproline levels in the urinary bladder. Serum estradiol levels in the HEM groups were higher than the OVX group. In conclusion, HEM increased estradiol levels in serum and improved factors related to urinary incontinence. The improvements in estradiol levels were related to changes in urinary incontinence. Show more

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 171-178, 2006

Authors: Kinoshita, Takashi | Lepp, Zsolt | Kawai, Yoshichika | Terao, Junji | Chuman, Hiroshi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that occur ubiquitously in foods of plant origin. Some of these molecules exhibit various physiological activities. Among existing drugs, there are a huge number of compounds bearing a flavonoid-related skeleton. Because of the relevance for pharmaceutical research, it would be beneficial to collect these compounds into a database. Recently, various databases of chemicals were compiled to help biological and/or chemical research, but no comprehensive database of flavonoids with …chemical structures and physicochemical parameters, supposedly related to their activity, is available yet. The aim of this research was to merge the information about flavonoids of plant origin and flavonoids used as medicines into a database. Moreover, predictions of activities against various targets were performed using a virtual screening procedure to demonstrate a possible application of the database for pharmaceutical research. Show more

Keywords: Database, flavonoid, lipoxygenase inhibitors, molecular structural properties, structure-activity relationship, support vector machine

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 179-188, 2006

Authors: Kuhad, Anurag | Tirkey, Naveen | Pilkhwal, Sangeeta | Chopra, Kanwaljit

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Nephrotoxicity is a major complication and a dose limiting factor for cisplatin therapy. Recent evidence suggests that enhanced oxidative stress caused by oxygen-centered free radicals may contribute to the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. 6-Gingerol is claimed to be a potent antioxidant. The present study was performed to explore the renoprotective potential of 6-gingerol on cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and renal dysfunction. Methods: 6-Gingerol in dosages of 12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg was …administered 2 days before and 3 days after cisplatin administration. Renal injury was assessed by measuring serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, urea clearance and serum nitrite levels. Renal oxidative stress was assessed by determining renal malondialdehyde levels, reduced glutathione levels and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Results: A single dose of cisplatin resulted in marked renal oxidative and nitrosative stress and significantly deranged renal functions. 6-Gingerol treatment significantly and dose-dependently restored renal functions, reduced lipid peroxidation and enhanced the levels of reduced glutathione and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the renoprotective potential of 6-gingerol against cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in rats. Hence, 6-gingerol has a potential to be used as therapeutic adjuvant in cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Show more

Keywords: Nephrotoxicity, acute renal failure, cisplatin, antioxidant, oxidative stress, ginger

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 189-200, 2006

Authors: Abdou, Adham M. | Higashiguchi, S. | Horie, K. | Kim, Mujo | Hatta, H. | Yokogoshi, H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effect of orally administrated γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) on relaxation and immunity during stress has been investigated in humans. Two studies were conducted. The first evaluated the effect of GABA intake by 13 subjects on their brain waves. Electroencephalograms (EEG) were obtained after 3 tests on each volunteer as follows: intake only water, GABA, or L-theanine. After 60 minutes of administration, GABA significantly increases alpha waves and decreases beta waves compared to water or L-theanine. These …findings denote that GABA not only induces relaxation but also reduces anxiety. The second study was conducted to see the role of relaxant and anxiolytic effects of GABA intake on immunity in stressed volunteers. Eight acrophobic subjects were divided into 2 groups (placebo and GABA). All subjects were crossing a suspended bridge as a stressful stimulus. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in their saliva were monitored during bridge crossing. Placebo group showed marked decrease of their IgA levels, while GABA group showed significantly higher levels. In conclusion, GABA could work effectively as a natural relaxant and its effects could be seen within 1 hour of its administration to induce relaxation and diminish anxiety. Moreover, GABA administration could enhance immunity under stress conditions. Show more

Keywords: γ-Aminobutyric acid, brain waves, relaxation, stress, immunity, IgA

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 201-208, 2006

Authors: Kim, Sung Hee | Hyun, Sun Hee | Choung, Se Young

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Both Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts are used as anti-diabetic folk medicines. Recently, increased oxidative stress was shown to play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications. This study was designed to examine the effects of Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts on blood glucose, lipid peroxidation, the level of reduced glutathione and its related enzymes (glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase), and the activity of the …antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) in the liver of db/db mice. Diabetic C57BL/Ks db/db mice were used as experimental models. Mice were divided into control (n=10), Cinnamomi cassiae (200 mg/kg/day, n=10), and Rhodiola rosea (200 mg/kg/day, n=10) treated groups for 12 weeks of treatment. These type II diabetic mice were used to investigate the effects of Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea on blood glucose, reduced glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, lipid peroxidation, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts significantly decreased on blood glucose, increased levels of reduced glutathione and the activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in the liver. Extract treatment also significantly decreased lipid peroxidation. Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts may be effective for correcting hyperglycemia and preventing diabetic complications. Show more

Keywords: Cinnamomi cassiae, Rhodiola rosea, diabetes, blood glucose level, antioxidant enzymes

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 209-219, 2006