• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.8-15
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• 2021

[Purpose] Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by prolonged high-intensity exercise can cause structural and functional damage. Antioxidant polyphenol supplementation, which reduces ROS levels, may improve high-intensity exercise performance. We evaluated the effect of lychee fruit extract, which contains high levels of low-molecular-weight oligomerized polyphenols, on high-intensity exercise performance. [Methods] Ten male athletes were included in an open-label trial that consisted of control and intervention phases, with a 7-day washout period between phases. The participants were administered oligomerized lychee fruit extract for seven days, whereas no intervention was given in the control phase. High-intensity intermittent exercise and the Wingate test were performed. The power output, blood lactate levels, reactive oxygen metabolite levels, biological antioxidant potential, heart rate, and rate of perceived exertion were measured. [Results] The average power output was significantly higher in the intervention phase than in the control phase (P < 0.01), while the change in blood lactate levels was significantly lower in the intervention phase than in the control phase (P < 0.05). The average heart rate was significantly higher in the intervention phase than in the control phase (P < 0.05), without changing the rate of perceived exertion. Although there was no difference in reactive oxygen metabolite levels between the phase, the change in biological antioxidant potential was larger in the intervention phase than in the control phase (P = 0.06). The Wingate test showed no significant differences between the phase. [Conclusion] Short-term loading with oligomerized lychee fruit extract may increase performance during high-intensity intermittent exercise by improving metabolism.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 2007

Hydroquinone is a toxic compound and a major benzene metabolite. We report that it strongly inhibits the activation of macrophages and associated cells. Thus, it suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-3, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-23], secretion of toxic molecules [nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)] and the activation and expression of CD29 as judged by cell-cell adhesion and surface staining experiments. The inhibition was due to the induction of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in LPS-activated macrophages, since blocking HO-1 activity with ZnPP, an HO-1 specific inhibitor, abolished hydroquinone's NO inhibitory activity. In addition, hydroquinone and inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway had very similar inhibitory effects on LPS-induced and CD29-mediated macrophage responses, including the phoshorylation of Akt. Therefore, our data suggest that hydroquinone inhibits macrophage-mediated immune responses by modulating intracellular signaling and protective mechanisms.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress causes cell damage and death, which contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Urolithin A (UA), a gut microbial-derived metabolite of ellagitannins and ellagic acid, has high bioavailability and various health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is unknown whether it has protective effects against oxidative stress-induced cell death. We investigated whether UA ameliorates H₂O₂-induced neuronal cell death. MATERIALS/METHODS: We induced oxidative damage with 300 μM H₂O₂ after UA pretreatment at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM in SK-N-MC cells. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were determined using the CCK-8 assay. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using a 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. Hoechst 33342 staining was used to characterize morphological changes in apoptotic cells. The expressions of apoptosis proteins were measured using Western blotting. RESULTS: UA significantly increased cell viability and decreased intracellular ROS production in a dose-dependent manner in SK-N-MC cells. It also decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the expressions of cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP. In addition, it suppressed the phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. CONCLUSIONS: UA attenuates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via inhibiting the mitochondrial-related apoptosis pathway and modulating the p38 MAPK pathway, suggesting that it may be an effective neuroprotective agent.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2017

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a highly reactive metabolite of glucose which is known to cause damage and induce apoptosis in endothelial cells. Endothelial cell damage is implicated in the progression of diabetes-associated complications and atherosclerosis. Hypericin, a naphthodianthrone isolated from Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort), is a potent and selective inhibitor of protein kinase C and is reported to reduce neuropathic pain. In this work, we investigated the protective effect of hypericin on MGO-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Hypericin showed significant anti-apoptotic activity in MGO-treated HUVECs. Pretreatment with hypericin significantly inhibited MGO-induced changes in cell morphology, cell death, and production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Hypericin prevented MGO-induced apoptosis in HUVECs by increasing Bcl-2 expression and decreasing Bax expression. MGO was found to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Pretreatment with hypericin strongly inhibited the activation of MAPKs, including P38, JNK, and ERK1/2. Interestingly, hypericin also inhibited the formation of AGEs. These findings suggest that hypericin may be an effective regulator of MGO-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, hypericin downregulated the formation of AGEs and ameliorated MGO-induced dysfunction in human endothelial cells.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.279-288
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• 2002

According to the epidemiological studies in chromium workers, hexavalent chromium is associated with the risk of lung cancer. Cellular oxidative damages by reactive oxygen species produced by hexavalent chromium exposure may play an important role in the carcinogenesis process. We investigated the availabilities of malondialdehyde measurement for the assessments of oxidative damages from chromium exposure with an experimental inhalation study in vivo. Lipid peroxidation, one kind of cellular oxidative damage, was measured in blood plasma of the rats which inhaled the hexavalent chromium mist for 1, 2 and 3 weeks. The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), the metabolite of lipid peroxidation, in all exposed groups were higher than those of controls with dose-dependant manner. The levels of MDA were also correlated with urine chromium levels of the rats. Therefore, MDA as an indicator of lipid peroxidation could be proper biologic marker for the assessment of the oxidative damage from chromium exposure, which might be involved in carcinogenesis.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2002

Fructose 1,6-diphosphate(FDP), a glycolytic metabolite, is reported to ameliorate inflammation and inhibit the nitric oxide production in murine macrophages stimulated with endotoxin. It is also reported that FDP has cytoprotective effects against hypoxia or ischemia/reperfusion injury in brain and heart, and may play a protective role in ultraviolet B (UVB, 280~320 nm)-injured keratinocyte by attenuating prostaglandin (PG)-E$_2$production and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression, which are possibly through blocking the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Therefore FDP is considered to act as a potent antioxidant especially in the skin. We conducted the several safety tests (single-dose toxicity, primary skin irritation test, eye irritation test, skin sensitization test, phototoxicity test, photosenitization test and human patch test) to see if FDP is safe in case used for the skin application. Our data obtained hitherto suggest that FDP is very safe if applied to the skin.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.225-229
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• 2013

Methylglyoxal (MG) is an endogenous metabolite which is present in increased concentrations in diabetics and reacts with amino acids to form advanced glycation end products. In this study, we investigated whether ferritin enhances DNA cleavage by the reaction of MG with lysine. When plasmid DNA was incubated with MG and lysine in the presence of ferritin, DNA strand breakage was increased in a dose-dependent manner. The ferritin/MG/lysine system-mediated DNA cleavage was significantly inhibited by reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers. These results indicated that ROS might participate in the ferritin/MG/lysine system-mediated DNA cleavage. Incubation of ferritin with MG and lysine resulted in a time-dependent release of iron ions from the protein molecules. Our data suggest that DNA cleavage caused by the ferritin/MG/lysine system via the generation of ROS by the Fenton-like reaction of free iron ions released from oxidatively damaged ferritin.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2000

The mechanisms of benzene toxicity is not fully elucidated, although the metabolism of benzene is very well understood. In order to study the mechanism of benzene toxicity, we investigated DNA damage induced by benzene metabolite, 1,2,4-benzenetriol (BT) in HL-60 cells by alkaline comet assay. To investigate the mechanism of cellular DNA damage induced by BT, the cells were treated with antioxidant such as vitamin C, SOD, catalase, and chelating agent such as deferoxamine (DFO), bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCDS). BT induced DNA damage in dose-dependent manner at concentration between 10$\mu\textrm{m}$ and 100$\mu\textrm{m}$. The antioxidant vitamin C itself induced DNA damage at higher concentration. The DNA damage induced by BT in HL-60 cells was protected at low concentraiton of vitamin C whereas no protective effect was found at high concentration. In hibitory effect of SOD on DNA damage by BT was observed and this suggested that BT produce superoxide anion (O2-) causing DNA damage. Catalase protected BT-induced DNA damage suggesting that BT produce H2O2 during autooxidation of BT. Both Fe(II)-specific cheiating agent, deferoxamine (DFO) and Cu(I)-specific chelating agent, bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCDS) inhibited BT0induced DNA damage. This suggested that DNA damage was caused by active species which was produced DAN damage. This suggested that DNA damage was caused by active species which was produced by the autooxidation of BT in the presence of Cu(II) and Fe(III). These findings suggest that reactive oxygen species play an important role in the mechanism of toxicity induced by benzene metabolites.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-59
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• 2008

Objectives : Buplueri Radix (BR), used medical plant in Korea traditional medicine, contains various compounds, including a series of triterpene saponins known as saikosaponins. We performed this study for the protective effect of BR against oxidative damage induced by 1,2,4-benzentriol(BT) in human lymphocytes. Methods : In order to investigate the protective effect of BR against carcinogens, genotoxicity induced by benzene metabolite, BT were performed using cytokinesis-block micronucleus(CBMN) assay and comet assay. Results : The frequency of micronucleus at 25, 50 and $100{\mu}M$ concentration of BT were $8{\pm}2.36$, $23{\pm}2.31$, $35{\pm}4.17$ respectively. In addition of BR with concentration of 25 and $50{\mu}g/mL$, MN frequencies were significantly decreased. According to comet assay, BT induced DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner at concentration of 10 and 50 while BT with BR treatment decreased DNA breakage. No genotoxicity was observed by BR($25{\sim}50{\mu}g/mL$) treatment alone on DNA breakage. Since BT can induce DNA damage through the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS), we examined the level of ROS in human lymphocytes treated with BT and/or BR using DCF-DA, ROS-sensitive probe. The generation of ROS in BT-treated cells was also observed, and BR addition inhibited the level of BT-induced DNA damage. Conclusions : From above results it is suggested that BR could protect the cell and DNA from pro-oxidant effect by ROS by BT

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 1991

The present study was conducted to assess the possible contribution of arachidonic acid to generation of reactive oxygen metabolites and myocardial damage in ischemic-reperfused heart. Langendorff preparations of isolated rat heart were made ischemic by hypoperfusion (0.5 ml/min) for 45 min, and then followed by normal oxygenated reperfusion (7 ml/min). The generation of superoxide anion was estimated by measuring the SOD-inhibitable ferricytochrome C reduction. The myocardial cellular damage was observed by measuring LDH released into the coronary effluent. Oxygenated reperfusion following a period of ischemia produced superoxide anion, which was inhibited by both indomethacin (60 nmole/ml) and ibuprofen $(30\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Sodium arachidonate $(10^{-7}-10^{-2}{\mu}g/ml)$ administered during the period of oxygenated reperfusion stimulated superoxide anion production dose-dependently. The rate of arachidonate-induced superoxide generation was markedly inhibited by indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor; nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lipoxygenase inhibitor, and by eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), a substrate inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism. The release of LDH was increased by Na arachidonate and was inhibited by superoxide dismutase. The release of LDH induced by arachidonic acid was also inhibited by indomethacin, NDGA and ETYA. In conclusion, the present result suggests that arachidonic acid metabolism is involved in the production of reactive oxygen metabolite and plays a contributory role in the genesis of reperfusion injuy of myocardium.