Effect of L-arginine on cadmium induced oxidative stress in the liver of rats with different resistance to hypoxia

The goal of the study was to estimate the effect of L-arginine, a nitric oxide precursor, on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase SOD, catalase CAT, glutathione peroxidase GPx, glutathione reductase GR), and the levels of lipid peroxidation processes in the liver of male rats with different resistance to hypoxia under cadmium (II) chloride intoxication.Mateusz Labudd

Biochemical changes in the brain of rats with different resistance to hypoxia exposed to cadmium toxicity

The goal of the study was to estimate the effect of cadmium (II) chloride intoxication, on the activity of some metabolic enzymes (alanine transaminase ALT, aspartate transaminase AST, lactate dehydrogenase LDH and succinate dehydrogenase SDH), and the levels of lipid and protein oxidation processes in the brain of male rats with different resistance to hypoxia.Mateusz Labudd

Enzymatic activity and arginase gene expression in Arabidopsis plants infected with a cyst-forming nematode

The nematode Heterodera schachtii is a sedentary endoparasite of sugar beet and many Brassicaceous plants. Its second-stage juveniles penetrate host roots and induce permanent feeding site (a syncytium) being the sole source of nutrients for the developing nematode. Increased contents of many amino acids (including proline) in syncytia induced in Arabidopsis thaliana roots were found. Proline and polyamines are important for cell protection and repair processes. They are synthesized from ornithine, the product of arginase-catalyzed reaction. Arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) is an important enzyme for nitrogen metabolism as it produces urea aside from ornithine. Recently, the role of arginase in plant defense has attracted attention, as the arginase gene expression is induced as a result of viral or microorganism infections, as well as after wounding. Because our experiments have shown an elevated activity of arginase in shoots of A. thaliana infected with H. schachtii , we studied arginase gene expression in syncytia, roots and shoots of the nematode-infected plants. Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR we showed the presence of arginase1 and arginase2 RNAs in shoots of A. thaliana, whereas only arginase 1 was expressed in roots. In plants collected on the third and seventh day after infection, expression of arginase1 both in roots and shoots was lower than in uninfected plants. Similarly, the arginase2 expression was strongly inhibited in shoots on the seventh day after nematode infection. However, fifteen days after infection, a higher expression of arginase1 was found in infected plants than in appropriate control shoots. Thus, we infer that cell wall damage and/or metabolic changes caused by invading nematodes influence the profile of arginase expression in H. schachtii -infected Arabidopsis plants.Mateusz Labudd

Lipid Peroxidation as a Biochemical Marker for Oxidative Stress During Drought. An Effective Tool for Plant Breeding

Oxidative stress can be induced by a wide range of environmental factors, including drought. One of the main cellular components susceptible to damage by reactive oxygen species are lipids (by peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in biological membranes). The assay of Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) is a well–established method for monitoring lipid peroxidation. This relatively simple analytical protocol facilitates extensive screening research in plant breeding.Mateusz Labudd

Lead hepatotoxicity: Selected aspects of pathobiochemistry

Lead (Pb) that belongs to heavy metals is one of the major pollution components of the environment. Occupational and environmental exposure to lead can cause its absorption by the body and consequently exert toxic effects in the liver. In this paper biochemical determinants of hepatotoxicity caused by lead are presented. Generation of reactive oxygen species, disturbances in the cellular antioxidant system, lipid peroxidation, inhibition of enzymatic proteins and intercellular signaling are also discussed. Med Pr 2013;64(4):565–56

Biochemical mechanisms of neurotoxicity caused by cadmium

Cadmium (Cd), which belongs to the heavy metals, is one of the major polluting component of human and animal environment. Exposure to cadmium can lead to absorption of the compounds to the organism and consequently, the toxic effects in the nervous system. The paper presents various views on the biochemical mechanisms of neurotoxicity caused by cadmium. This paper describes the disturbances in the cellular antioxidant system, generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, changes in energy production in the metabolic pathways, changes in the metabolism of biogenic amines, neurotransmitter amino acids and calcium ions and inhibition of enzymatic proteins.Mateusz Labudd

Dual Role of Metallic Trace Elements in Stress Biology—From Negative to Beneficial Impact on Plants

Heavy metals are an interesting group of trace elements (TEs). Some of them are minutely required for normal plant growth and development, while others have unknown biological actions. They may cause injury when they are applied in an elevated concentration, regardless of the importance for the plant functioning. On the other hand, their application may help to alleviate various abiotic stresses. In this review, both the deleterious and beneficial effects of metallic trace elements from their uptake by roots and leaves, through toxicity, up to the regulation of physiological and molecular mechanisms that are associated with plant protection against stress conditions have been briefly discussed. We have highlighted the involvement of metallic ions in mitigating oxidative stress by the activation of various antioxidant enzymes and emphasized the phenomenon of low-dose stimulation that is caused by non-essential, potentially poisonous elements called hormesis, which is recently one of the most studied issues. Finally, we have described the evolutionary consequences of long-term exposure to metallic elements, resulting in the development of unique assemblages of vegetation, classified as metallophytes, which constitute excellent model systems for research on metal accumulation and tolerance. Taken together, the paper can provide a novel insight into the toxicity concept, since both dose- and genotype-dependent response to the presence of metallic trace elements has been comprehensively explained

Dual Role of Metallic Trace Elements in Stress Biology—From Negative to Beneficial Impact on Plants

Heavy metals are an interesting group of trace elements (TEs). Some of them are minutely required for normal plant growth and development, while others have unknown biological actions. They may cause injury when they are applied in an elevated concentration, regardless of the importance for the plant functioning. On the other hand, their application may help to alleviate various abiotic stresses. In this review, both the deleterious and beneficial effects of metallic trace elements from their uptake by roots and leaves, through toxicity, up to the regulation of physiological and molecular mechanisms that are associated with plant protection against stress conditions have been briefly discussed. We have highlighted the involvement of metallic ions in mitigating oxidative stress by the activation of various antioxidant enzymes and emphasized the phenomenon of low-dose stimulation that is caused by non-essential, potentially poisonous elements called hormesis, which is recently one of the most studied issues. Finally, we have described the evolutionary consequences of long-term exposure to metallic elements, resulting in the development of unique assemblages of vegetation, classified as metallophytes, which constitute excellent model systems for research on metal accumulation and tolerance. Taken together, the paper can provide a novel insight into the toxicity concept, since both dose- and genotype-dependent response to the presence of metallic trace elements has been comprehensively explained.</jats:p