Search Results (3,512)

Global warming-induced heat stress causes oxidative imbalance and reduced productivity in livestock. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Piper sarmentosum Roxb. extract (PSE) on antioxidant capacity, lipid metabolism, and flavor formation in goats under heat stress. Thirty-six healthy 3-month-old male Hainan black goat kids were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg PSE (dry-matter basis) for 105 days. Specifically, PSE significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity, as indicated by increased total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity, along with reduced malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05). These changes were accompanied by a decrease in n-6 polyunsaturated free fatty acids and a relative increase in saturated fatty acids (p < 0.05), suggesting a potential improvement in lipid oxidative stability. Further flavoromics analysis revealed a marked shift in meat volatile profiles, characterized by increased esters associated with fruity and waxy notes and decreased aldehydes and alcohols contributing to green and herbal odors. Muscle transcriptomic results further indicated enrichment of redox-related pathways, including oxidoreductase activity and reactive oxygen species metabolism. Overall, PSE, particularly at 600 mg/kg, enhanced antioxidant capacity and regulated redox status and lipid metabolism under heat stress, potentially contributing to improved meat oxidative stability and altered flavor compound formation. Full article

Allergic diseases are complex conditions in which oxidative stress contributes to pathogenesis, yet the metabolic mechanisms linking oxidative stress to immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated responses remain unclear. This study analyzed 124 children at an 8-year follow-up, identifying those with eczema, rhinitis, and asthma. Oxidative stress markers and ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) blood metabolomic profiles were assessed to determine associations between metabolic pathways and atopic indices. Results showed that glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was significantly lower in seafood-sensitized children, while FeNO and mite-specific IgE were elevated in children with rhinitis (p < 0.01). Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) correlated positively with allergen-specific IgE and negatively with 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) (p < 0.01) and rhinitis-related methionine. Furthermore, seafood-specific IgE showed negative correlations with glucose and threonine (p < 0.01). Among 22 metabolites linked to atopy, threonine correlated positively with GPx (p < 0.01), while serine and mannose were associated with total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Pathway analysis revealed that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) and glycine-serine-threonine metabolism intersected significantly with oxidative stress and atopic indices. In conclusion, a metabolomics-based approach highlights that oxidative stress-related BCAA and threonine pathways are central to the metabolic signature of childhood allergies, providing potential targets for future therapeutic interventions. Full article

Niacin contents vary significantly among fresh-cut potato cultivars with different browning sensitivities, whereas its role as a browning inhibitor for fresh-cut produce has not been previously reported. In this study, potato slices were soaked in distilled water (control) or 1% food-grade niacin solution for 5 min, then stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 8 days with sampling every 2 days for physiological and molecular analyses. In particular, the optimal niacin (1%) treatment showed higher brightness and lower color change than the control. The activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and phenol content were reduced. Higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and greater glutathione accumulation, were observed following niacin treatment. Meanwhile, lower levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lower nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) activity, indicated lower oxidant damage. The contents of NADP and NAD, and activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide kinase (NADK) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were improved. Furthermore, the gene expression patterns of StRBOH, StPPO, and StG6PDH also supported the hypothesis that niacin regulates pyridine nucleotide and ROS homeostasis. Full article

Background: Dietary protein optimization is an important nutritional strategy for improving growth and physiological responses, and antioxidant homeostasis in fish. Methods: In this study, 540 black carp (initial body weight: 10.50 ± 1.00 g) were randomly assigned into recirculating tanks (500 L) fed with six dietary protein levels (30–44% crude protein) for an 8-week feeding trial with triplicates per treatment and 30 fish per replicate. After the trial, fish body, blood, hepatopancreas, and intestinal samples were collected for body composition, serum biochemical parameters, metabolism, and antioxidant indices’ analyses. Results: Results showed fish fed 38% protein (PT38) exhibited the highest weight gain (p < 0.05), with no further improvement at higher protein levels. Compared with PT30 group, PT38 group significantly promoted protein deposition by upregulating transcript levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) via activating mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. PT38 could improve fatty acid oxidation by heightening levels of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1α (CPT1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and PPARδ. Meanwhile, PT38-PT41 significantly inhibit expression of fatty acid synthesis and lipid droplet deposition-related genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and perilipin 2 (p < 0.05). PT38 significantly enhanced antioxidant homeostasis by increasing levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) via activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. Conclusions: Overall, Under the current experimental conditions, 38% dietary protein is suitable for promoting growth performance, improving protein and lipid metabolism, and enhancing antioxidant homeostasis in black carp. Full article

Drought stress is a major constraint on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production. Screening for drought tolerance at the seedling stage can accelerate the identification of resilient germplasm. In this study, six alfalfa cultivars were selected and subjected to drought stress at the seedling stage. Morphological traits (stem diameter, plant height, biomass, and root–shoot ratio) and oxidative/antioxidant indicators (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide (O₂•⁻), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity) were quantified in leaves and roots. Drought stress significantly reduced plant height (by up to 42.4% in ZL2) and biomass (by up to 30% in some cultivars), but increased the root–shoot ratio (by 50–166%). MDA and O₂•⁻ levels increased by 10–174% in leaves and 8–65% in roots across cultivars. Antioxidant enzyme activities rose markedly: SOD by 23–125% in leaves and 2–100% in roots; POD by 47–240% (leaves) and 38–166% (roots); CAT by 9–129% (leaves) and 30–227% (roots); GR by 35–107% (leaves) and 23–172% (roots); APX by 8–175% (leaves) and 3–89% (roots), indicating a coordinated leaf–root antioxidant defense. Transcriptome analysis of the tolerant cultivar ZM3 revealed 853 differentially expressed genes, which were enriched in pathways such as the non-homologous end-joining DNA repair pathway. Multivariate assessment of seedling-stage performance identified ZM3 and ZL2 as the most drought-tolerant cultivars. Collectively, these findings provide germplasm leads and empirical evidence for coordinated leaf–root antioxidant strategies in alfalfa, informing the selection and improvement of drought-tolerant cultivars. Full article

Phellinus igniarius is a medicinal fungus rich in terpenoids with potential biological activities. In this study, the P. igniarius terpenoid-enriched extract (PITT) was optimized using single-factor experiments combined with response surface methodology based on a Box–Behnken design. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as extraction temperature 64 °C, extraction time 21 min, ethanol concentration 78%, and liquid-to-solid ratio 20 mL/g, yielding a total terpenoid content of 7.078 mg/g. The chemical profile of PITT was characterized by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), revealing the presence of multiple putative terpenoid compounds, including betulin, curdione, and several sesquiterpenoids. The antioxidant activity of PITT was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, showing dose-dependent effects. Furthermore, an H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress model in RAW 264.7 cells was employed to assess cellular antioxidant activity. Pretreatment with PITT significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, enhanced the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. These results indicate that PITT exhibits notable antioxidant activity and may serve as a potential natural antioxidant source for further development. However, further studies are required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of partially replacing inorganic copper, zinc, and manganese with hydroxychloride or methionine-bound organic sources on growth performance, antioxidant status, serum mineral concentrations, and mineral utilization in finishing Baluchi lambs. Twenty male ram lambs were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments for 60 days: a control group without supplemental minerals (CTR), a sulfate group receiving 100% of supplemental minerals as sulfates (SULF), a hydroxy group receiving 70% sulfates and 30% hydroxychloride sources (HYDRO), and an organic group receiving 70% sulfates and 30% methionine-complexed minerals (ORG). All supplemented diets were formulated to provide similar total concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mn in accordance with NRC requirements. Growth performance and feed intake did not differ significantly among treatments (p > 0.05). Serum mineral concentrations were affected by dietary treatments (p < 0.0001), with lower Zn and Cu concentrations observed in the ORG. Urinary Mn excretion was higher in ORG (p = 0.007), whereas Zn and Cu excretion were not significantly affected. Apparent mineral absorption was not significantly different among treatments, although numerical variation was observed. Antioxidant parameters were influenced by mineral source, with higher glutathione peroxidase activity and total antioxidant capacity in ORG and HYDRO groups (p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that partial replacement of inorganic trace minerals with hydroxychloride or organic sources can modulate antioxidant status and mineral metabolism without affecting growth performance, highlighting the potential of mixed-source supplementation strategies in practical feeding systems. Full article

This study investigated the synergistic potential of mulberry leaf extract and Trolox against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells. Cells were treated with the combination for 24 h prior to exposure to 200 µM H₂O₂. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while oxidative status was evaluated through measurements of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and apoptosis-related proteins, including p53, cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), were determined by Western blot analysis. The combination treatment markedly upregulated SIRT1 expression, which was associated with increased CREB and Bcl-2 expression alongside reduced p53 and Bax levels. Increased SIRT1 expression was also accompanied by significant reductions in ROS and MDA levels and restoration of antioxidant enzyme activities. Collectively, these effects contributed to attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis, resulting in improved cell viability. These findings may support the formulation as a promising functional food-based strategy against oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage. However, these results are based on an in vitro SH-SY5Y cell model and represent preliminary evidence, warranting further in vivo and clinical studies to confirm their translational potential. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), in which oxidative stress, inflammation and angiogenic pathways are associated with the development and progression beyond glycemic control. Serum trace element levels (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cr, Mn, Cd, and Se), antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)) were measured in patients with T2DM, with and without DR, as well as in healthy controls, and their associations with the presence and severity of DR were evaluated. Methods: 61 T2DM patients, 27 healthy controls. Patients with T2DM were classified into T2DM without DR (n = 30) and T2DM with DR (n = 31). Non-proliferative DR (NPDR, n = 19) and proliferative DR (PDR, n = 12) were classified as the T2DM with DR group. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify serum trace elements. SOD and GSH-Px activities were measured using colorimetric assays. Results: Significant differences were observed in trace element levels and antioxidant enzyme activities among the study groups (p < 0.001 to 0.05). The DR subgroup had lower levels of Cr, Cu and Se compared to the T2DM without DR group; Cd, Zn and Mn were also higher in the T2DM with DR than in the T2DM without DR group. Fe levels were significantly higher in the PDR subgroup than in the T2DM without DR group (p < 0.001). The PDR group showed greater declines of Cr, Cu and GSH-Px compared to NPDR while higher values for Mn, Fe, and Zn were obtained (p < 0.001). Several biomarkers remained significantly associated with DR after adjustment for metabolic variables. Correlation analysis between trace elements, and antioxidant enzymes showed significant associations. Conclusions: Trace element imbalance, and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities may contribute to the development and progression of DR in T2DM. These findings suggest that oxidative stress and micronutrient imbalance may be linked to DR-related biochemical alterations. Full article

Cryptocaryon irritans, a ciliated protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of marine white spot disease and results in significant economic losses in mariculture. In this study, golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) were challenged with C. irritans at different infection doses (2000, 4000, and 8000 theronts per fish) for 48 h to evaluate histopathological, oxidative stress, immune, and intestinal microbiota responses. Histopathological analysis revealed pronounced tissue damage in the gills, skin, intestine, and liver, with severity positively correlated with infection intensity. Typical lesions included intestinal mucosal damage, hepatic vacuolation, gill epithelial hyperplasia, and skin epidermal thickening. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased significantly with infection intensity, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) showed non-linear activation patterns. Catalase (CAT), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities were consistently suppressed. Immune-related gene expression exhibited tissue-specific regulation, with myd88 downregulated in gills but upregulated in skin, while pro-inflammatory cytokines (il-1β and il-8) and il-10 were significantly elevated. Infection also altered intestinal microbiota composition, reducing beneficial bacteria (e.g., Photobacterium) and increasing opportunistic pathogens such as Vibrio. These findings provide insights into host–parasite–microbiota interactions in T. ovatus and improve our understanding of the physiological and immune responses of fish to C. irritans infection. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different selenium sources on hematological parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in weaned piglets. Two hundred crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets were divided into four groups (n = 50) supplemented with different forms of selenium: control group (K; standard diet without selenium supplementation), organic selenium (P1), selenium from biofortified feeds (P2), and nano-selenium (P3). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 22, and 45 post-weaning. A significant effect of selenium supplementation was found for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.029) and platelet count (p = 0.049). Selenium source affected glutathione peroxidase in plasma (p = 0.003) and erythrocytes (p = 0.001), as well as carbonyl proteins (p = 0.001). At the same time, treatment × sampling time interactions were significant for glutathione peroxidase in plasma (p = 0.001) and carbonyl proteins (p = 0.001). Nano-selenium showed relatively consistent antioxidant enzyme activity over time. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values in different muscles increased significantly after 7 days in all analyzed muscles. A treatment effect was observed only in m. triceps femoris (p = 0.048), while a significant treatment × storage interaction was detected in m. intercostales sternales (p = 0.022). Although the time after weaning had a strong influence on the hematological parameters, selenium supplementation mainly modulated antioxidant parameters, while its effect on lipid oxidation was muscle-dependent. Full article

Under intensive farming conditions, a decline in feed intake after weaning in suckling piglets often results in reduced body weight or diarrhea. We hypothesized that a sow–piglet co-feeding strategy during the suckling period—in which piglets participate in the sow’s feeding process and consume both lactating sow feed and creep feed—could alleviate certain aspects of weaning stress. To test this hypothesis, 102 newborn piglets (Large White × Duroc × Min Pig) were selected and divided into a co-feeding group (CF) and a non-co-feeding group (NCF), based on whether they had access to the sow’s feed during lactation. The study investigated the effects of the two feeding strategies on piglet growth performance, diarrhea incidence, behavior, and post-weaning immune status, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the CF group had significantly higher body weight at the end of the nursery period (p < 0.05) and a significantly lower post-weaning observed fecal staining rate (p < 0.05). At 16–17 days post-weaning, piglets in the CF group exhibited a significant increase in feeding behavior (p < 0.05). Compared with the NCF group, the CF group showed highly significant reductions in serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (p < 0.01), as well as significantly increased intestinal superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p < 0.05). In terms of intestinal morphology, the CF group had a highly significant increase in the villus-to-crypt ratio in the jejunum (p < 0.01) and a highly significant reduction in crypt depth (p < 0.05), while villus length did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). Overall, in the present study, sow–piglet co-feeding during the suckling period effectively alleviated weaning stress and reduced the incidence of diarrhea. These beneficial effects appear to be associated with reduced inflammatory responses, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and improved intestinal morphology. It should be noted that the relatively late weaning age used in this study likely facilitated the piglets’ ability to efficiently utilize solid feed and derive benefits from the co-feeding strategy. Therefore, caution should be exercised when extrapolating these findings to earlier weaning ages, at which the digestive tract is less mature. Full article

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major constraint on crop productivity, and rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is particularly sensitive to low phosphorus (LP) stress, yet the role of salicylic acid (SA) in alleviating LP stress in this crop remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated how exogenous SA alleviates LP stress in rapeseed seedlings. SA was applied at 0.1 mM and 0.2 mM under LP conditions, and its effects on plant growth, physiological traits, and transcriptomic responses were evaluated. SA treatment significantly ameliorated LP-induced growth inhibition, increased chlorophyll content and peroxidase activity, and reduced superoxide anion accumulation. RNA-seq analysis revealed that SA up-regulated the expression of phosphate transporter (PHT) family genes and activated genes involved in nitric oxide biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism. These findings indicate that SA enhances LP tolerance in rapeseed through coordinated regulation of phosphorus acquisition, antioxidant defense, and key metabolic pathways, highlighting the potential of exogenous SA as an approach that could be further explored to improve phosphorus use efficiency under phosphorus-limited conditions in controlled environments, with field validation still needed. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by impaired neurotrophic support, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction. Using the intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV-STZ) rat model of sporadic AD, we investigated whether vitamin D₃ (VitD₃) and dimethyl fumarate (DMF), administered alone or in combination, modulate hippocampal neurotrophin-related signaling and redox balance. Animals were assigned to SHAM, STZ, VITD, DMF, and COMBO groups, representing control, ICV-STZ, VitD₃-treated ICV-STZ, DMF-treated ICV-STZ, and combined VitD₃ + DMF-treated ICV-STZ animals, respectively. Hippocampal neurotrophin processing (proBDNF and mature BDNF), downstream signaling (Akt and pAkt), IGF-1 content, mitochondrial oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) content, citrate synthase (CS) activity, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were assessed. STZ administration showed a trend toward reduced mature BDNF content compared with the SHAM group (p = 0.07), whereas combined VitD₃ and DMF treatment significantly increased mature BDNF content compared with the STZ group. The mature BDNF/proBDNF ratio was reduced in the STZ group compared with the SHAM group and tended to be higher in the COMBO group compared with the STZ group (p = 0.09). proBDNF content remained unchanged. IGF-1, pTrkB, total Akt, and pAkt content did not differ significantly between groups. The pAkt/Akt ratio showed a trend toward reduction in the STZ group compared with SHAM group (p = 0.09). GPx activity increased in the STZ group, while CS activity and OGDH content were not significantly altered. These findings indicate that STZ-induced neurodegeneration is characterized by redox-associated uncoupling of neurotrophic signaling rather than mitochondrial disruption. Combined VitD₃ and DMF treatment partially modulated neurotrophic signaling, supporting a limited but measurable neuroprotective effect. Full article

Intestinal oxidative imbalance, inflammatory activation, and microbial dysbiosis are increasingly recognized as major factors affecting the health status of intensively cultured largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a plant-derived polyphenolic compound that is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although its inclusion as a dietary supplement in aquafeeds has garnered increasing interest, its effects on intestinal health in largemouth bass under normal rearing conditions remain largely unknown. Hence, the present investigation was designed to elucidate how incrementally elevated dietary CGA concentrations modulate oxidative capacity, inflammatory gene expression, mucosal histological features, and enteric microbiota structure in juvenile largemouth bass. In this study, largemouth bass were fed diets containing 0, 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg CGA for 70 days, and we evaluated intestinal antioxidant capacity, inflammation-related transcriptional responses, histomorphology, and gut microbiota were assessed. The results demonstrated that CGA supplementation significantly raised intestinal total antioxidant capacity as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, while substantially decreasing malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05). The transcription levels of cat, gsh-px, gst, sod, nrf2, and ucp2 were markedly upregulated, whereas keap1 expression was downregulated (p < 0.05). CGA supplementation also reduced the transcription levels of several proinflammatory genes, including il-1β, il-6, il-8, tnf-α, nf-κb, p50, map3k, jak2, as well as stat3, while significantly elevating il-10 expression, in the 200 and 400 mg/kg groups, tgf-β expression was also lowered (p < 0.05). Histological examination revealed that CGA supplementation influenced intestinal morphology in a dose-dependent manner; the most consistent improvements in villus length, villus width, and muscularis thickness occurred at the 400 mg/kg level, whereas the 600 mg/kg level showed weaker effects in several parameters compared with the control. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that CGA altered microbial diversity, community structure, and predicted functional profiles in the intestine. In summary, dietary CGA supplementation was associated with enhanced intestinal antioxidant capacity, modified inflammation-related transcriptional responses, changes in intestinal morphology, and shifts in the gut microbial community of largemouth bass. Within the tested dose range, the 400 mg/kg group exhibited relatively favorable responses in several measured indicators under the present experimental conditions. Full article