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ABSTRACT Background: Oxidative stress and antioxidative status caused by hepatitis C therapy plays a significant role in aggravating the disease. A number of reactive oxygen species are responsible for the damaging of cell machinery and ultimately disturbing the homeostasis of the cell. Objectives: To assess enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidants and circulating biomarkers in HCV patients receiving interferon therapy. Methods: Study subjects were divided into two groups; patients and controls. The levels of the Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, as a marker of lipid peroxidation), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation product (MDA) in the serum were estimated. Results: There was statistically difference between patients and healthy controls in levels of CAT(p< 0.000**), SOD( p< 0.000**), GSH (p< 0.000**)and MDA(p< 0.000**). Similarly, the levels of ALT (p< 0.048*), AST (p< 0.005*) and ALP (p< 0.000**) were also statistically different between two groups. 1 Arif Malik Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore. 2 Muhammad Saeed Qureshi Department of Biochemistry, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. 3 Abdul Manan Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore. 4 Saadia Saleem Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore. 5 Mamoona Munir Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore. 6 Atiya Fatima Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore. 7 Mahwish Arooj Center for Research in Molecular Medicine, University of Lahore. 8 Muhammad Husain Qazi Center for Research in Molecular Medicine, University of Lahore. Corresponding Author Arif Malik Conclusion: Imbalanced levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, MDA and serum enzymes (e.g. ALT, AST, ALP) revealed that interferon itself play a crucial rule in disturbing oxidative vs. antioxidative status which ultimately results in tissue damaging. Increased levels of MDA have a significant correlation with disease development during the course of therapy. KEY WORDS: ALT, AST ALP, Antioxidants, MDA (Malonyldialdehyde) Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Reduced Glutathione.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been extensively explored as biomaterial for various biomedical applications owing to its non-toxic nature and unique structural morphology and impressive physico-chemical and mechanical properties. However, its high production cost and lack of antimicrobial activity have restricted its large-scale production and therapeutic applications. Therefore, the current study is aimed to devise a strategy for low-cost BC production and develop its composite with bioactive materials to bless it with antimicrobial activity. Herein, 5 mm thick reticulated fibrous and highly porous BC was produced by utilizing the wasted rotten tomatoes as the production medium. The produced bacterial cellulose waste (BCW) (i.e., produced from wastes) was ex-situ modified with bioactive plant extract (PE) obtained from Euclea schimperi, and the bactericidal activity of the developed BCW/PE was evaluated against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli through disc diffusion and colony forming unit (CFU) count methods. The BCW/PE composite showed high bactericidal activities against S. aureus and produced clear inhibition zone whereas negligible activity was observed against E. coli, indicating its bactericidal activity mainly against the Gram-positive bacterium. Overall, this study illustrates that there is a huge potential for developing valuable biomaterials from food wastes and utilizing their liquid holding capabilities for value-added applications in medical and pharmaceutical fields.