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Radiotherapy affects not only malignant, but also a healthy tissue adjacent to tumor by increasing reactive oxygen species generation, with consequent damage to biomolecules, such as the oxidation of membrane lipids, known as lipid peroxidation. The end product of lipid peroxidation is malondialdehyde. Radioprotectors are compounds that could significantly protect normal cells from radiation, without changing the tumor cell radiosensitivity. Synthetic radioprotectors usually have side effects and are toxic. Natural radioprotectors exert protection without adverse effects. In this study, we examined the radioprotective ability of linden honey in rat blood, by detecting alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde concentration after the exposure to a therapeutic dose of gamma rays. Sixteen rats were randomly divided into Control and Honey groups. Honey group received honey (1.5 mL(kgd-1)) orally for four weeks, while at the same time Control group were given distilled water. After four weeks, blood was sampled from all animals. Samples were halved, and one series of samples were gamma irradiated (2 Gy). Radiation induced decreased glutathione peroxidase activity and increased malondialdehyde level, while honey treatment attenuated those alterations, keeping glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde at physiological levels. These findings confirm radioprotective properties of linden honey.

Linden honey represents a unique honey variety valued for its nutritional benefits, distinctive taste and aroma. Phenols, polyphenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and phenolic acids in honey have antioxidant activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of linden honey on the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as on the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in individually housed animals. The investigated parameters were quantified using spectrophotometric method for determination of enzyme activities and MDA concentration in the blood. We found that treatment with linden honey in the socially isolated animals significantly increased the enzyme activities of CAT and GPx, and significantly decreased the concentration of MDA. The modulation of CAT and GPx activities in socially isolated animals treated with linden honey may be very important for understanding the role of honey in the capacity of antioxidant defense system to increase and maintain its stability in psychosocial stress conditions. Our results may be important in biomedical research for understanding the role of honey in the amelioration of oxidative stress.

The aim of this study was to examine whether there are differences in adrenomedullary function in respect to the left and right sides in chronic stress conditions. We investigated how chronic stress isolation (CSI 12 weeks) affected the protein levels of key enzymes involved in adrenaline (A) synthesis (phenyl ethanolamine N-methyltransferase -PNMT), storage (vesicular monoamine transporters 2 - VMAT2) and degradation (catechol-O-methyltransferase - COMT), as well as the concentrations of A as an index for adrenomedullary function in the left and right adrenal medulla. Also, we examined the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein levels of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and activity of catalase (CAT) in the left and right adrenal medulla. The investigated parameters were quantified by Western blot analysis, assay of enzymatic activity, and CAT Research ELISA kits. We found that CSI pro duced significantly increased levels of PNMT protein, and VMAT2 protein, as well as increased concentrations of A in the right adrenal medulla. However, we recorded that CSI increased protein levels of COMT and NF-κB, as well as the concentrations of MDA in the left adrenal medulla. Also, CSI decreased the activity of CAT only in the left adrenal medulla. Based on these results, it may be concluded that adrenomedullary function is different in respect to the left and right sides in chronic stress conditions.

Nowadays, the transformations of metropolises into smart cities is a crucial factor in improving the living conditions of the inhabitants. The goal of the smart city concept is modern urban management using technical tools that offer state-of-the-art technologies, considering the applicable ecological standards while saving resources and achieving the expected results. The purpose of this article is to identify the areas of research analysed in the international literature in the field of smart cities. The bibliometric analysis was carried out to achieve the purpose. The analysis covered publications on smart cities published in Scopus and Web of Science databases from January 2009 to May 2019. Based on the bibliometric analysis, a bibliometric map was developed using the mapping technique VOS — the visualisation of similarities. Original clusters were created using the VOSviewer software. The bibliometric map visualises the results of the analysis that targeted the word coexistence.

Introduction/Objective. We determined the impact of antioxidant supplementation by GE132R on sports performance, oxidative stress markers, and muscle enzymes activities in professional female basketball players. Methods. Repetitive strength, explosive power, anaerobic endurance, and agility performance were measured before/after the 45-day supplementation period. The FORT (Free Oxygen Radicals Test) and FORD analysis (Free Oxygen Radical Defense) were assessed before/after basketball specific exercise bout, at the beginning/end of observational period. The grade of muscle damage was evaluated by aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Results. After supplementation period, significant difference was not recorded regarding the basic motor skills tests. Basketball specific exercise bout induced significant increase in FORT (p < 0.05) only at the beginning of supplementation period. Both FORT and FORD significantly decreased over the observational period (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). CK and LDH were remarkably lower at the end of observational period (p < 0.05), compared to the baseline. Conclusion. Exogenous supplementation with protective nutraceuticals such as those found in GE132R, could reduce acute/chronic oxidative stress and muscle damage, but had no effect on sport performance in basketball players. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III 46001 and Grant no. III41027]

This study examined the effects of chronic restraint stress (CRS: 2 hours × 14 days) on gene expression of three antioxidant enzymes, copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD 1), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD 2) and catalase (CAT) in the rat hippocampus. Also, we examined changes in the activities of SOD 1, SOD 2 and CAT in the hippocampus of chronically stressed rats. Investigated parameters were quantifi ed by using real-time RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and assay of enzymatic activity. We found that CRS did not change mRNA and protein levels of SOD 1 and CAT, but increased mRNA and protein levels of SOD 2. However, CRS treatment increased the enzyme activities of SOD 1, SOD 2 and CAT. Our fi ndings indicate that the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD 1, SOD 2 and CAT) in the hippocampus may be an important adaptive phenomenon of the antioxidant defense system in chronically stressed rats.

The radioactive iodine (131I) ablation is a well-accepted treatment modality for differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Unfortunately, the radiation induces the oxidative stress and damages cells and tissues, simultaneously activating the mechanisms of antioxidative defense. Since the mechanisms of those processes are not completely known, we wanted to examine the changes in the most important reactive oxygen species and antioxidative components, as well as their correlation and significance for lipid peroxidation. Our results showed that the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was increased during the first 30 days after the radiotherapy. Among antioxidant components, superoxide dismutase was increased in the 3rd and 30th day; catalase in 7th and reduced glutathione in 3rd and 7th day after the radiotherapy. As regards the prooxidants, the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was recorded in 7th and 30th day, and superoxide anion radical (O×-) was unchanged after the exposure to 131I. These results indicate that differentiated thyroid cancer patients are under constant oxidative stress despite the observed increase in antioxidative and reduction in prooxidative parameters. The understanding of these early processes is important since their progress determines the latter effects of 131I therapy. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III41007 and Grant no. 175007]

In this paper, the analysis was carried out for the purpose of understanding the process of development of theory by interpreting data gathered by empirical research so that we could determine the extent to which the grounded theory was objective and reliable, and what are the potential difficulties researcher may face in the application of this approach. Starting from the analysis of the basic sociological dichotomies theoryempiria, induction-deduction, quantitative and qualitative research we tried to recap the basic principles of grounded theory, putting the special emphasis on the problems of uncertainty in the process of grounded theory development and contextual causality of the theory, the theoretical sensitivity, time complexity, theoretical saturation, the question of consideration and evaluation of theory and research and researcher bias, and all in order to discover the cognitive potential of this methodological approach. Besides the analysis of reliability and objectivity of the grounded theory, the attention was also devoted to the possibilities of application of this research strategy to sociological research and its importance for sociology. The analysis showed that despite many shortcomings grounded theory is in all its varieties fruitful research strategy that should occupy the attention of sociologists.

The aim of this study was to examine how acute immobilization stress affects the concentrations of catecholamines in the plasma and the expression of the splenic catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-Я-hydroxylase (DBH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) in chronically socially isolated rats. We found that acute immobilization increases the plasma catecholamine levels and splenic PNMT protein levels in chronically socially isolated rats. These results show that acute stress of chronically stressed animals activates the sympatho-adrenomedullary system and increases synthesis of splenic PNMT by 37%, both of which can modulate the immune function. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 41027, br. III 41022 and br. ON 173044]

Two, so far unknown, spolia with carved interlace ornaments, built into the wall of the Church of St. Nicholas in Nikoljac are analyzed. These spolia are a part of the collection of fragments discovered earlier in the Church of St. Peter in Bijelo Polje. A comparative analysis was performed on a multitude of pre-Romanic material, in order to determine the time when they were made and whether they originated from any specific circle of stonemasons, and also to identify the initial position of the fragments in the liturgical church furniture for which they had been carved. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 177036]

In this study we examined how chronic forced running (CFR) affects the expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes and cAMP response element-binding (CREB) in the adrenal medulla and the weight of adrenal glands of rats. Also, we examined how CFR and additional acute immobilization stress affect the expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in the adrenal medulla and the concentration of catecholamines and corticosterone (CORT) in the blood plasma. In this experiment we used as a model forced exercise in rats (treadmill running). We used the most advanced method for determining the level of gene expression, Real-time PCR with TaqMan probes, as well as Western blot analysis (ECL). We found that CFR decreases tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) mRNA and protein levels in the adrenal medulla. The decreased TH and DBH mRNA levels coincide with the reduced expression of CREB in the adrenal medulla and with the reduced plasma CORT level. Additionally, CFR reduces the level of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) mRNA, but elevates its protein level in the adrenal medulla and increases the concentration of adrenaline (A) in the plasma. Reduced level of PNMT mRNA in the adrenal medulla coincides with reduced plasma CORT level. The additional acute immobilization stress increases gene expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in the adrenal medulla, as well as catecholamines and CORT levels in the plasma. The increased synthesis of PNMT enzyme in the adrenal medulla may result in an increased biosynthesis of A under chronic stress conditions. Additionally, increased level of catecholamines in the plasma after chronic physical stress is the allostatic load that may induce numerous diseases and pathological conditions.

In this study we investigated the effects of breast cancer radiotherapy on the antioxidant (AO) enzyme activities of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as on the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxides (LP) in blood of patients aged 45-58 years and older than 60 years. The results show that in blood of patients aged 45-58 years, radiotherapy increased the activities of CuZnSOD, CAT, and GR, as well as the concentration of GSH, without affecting the activity of GPx and concentration of LP. In patients older than 60 years, radiotherapy increased the activities of CuZnSOD and CAT, lowered the activity of GPx and concentration of GSH, and increased the concentration of LP. Our results indicate that the response to radiotherapy involves age-related impairment of AO capacity for elimination of H2O2, causing oxidative damage to blood cells. This suggests that cytotoxic effects of radiation on healthy tissues might be more pronounced during the aging of breast cancer patients, and should be considered in the further development of individualization protocols in cancer radiotherapy.

Ionizing radiation increases intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ros), which can damage cell structure and function. The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative injury, and in an area-dependent manner. In order to elucidate differences in enzymatic antioxidative responses of the rat hippocampus and cortex, we measured the activities of cytosol superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and catalase (CAT) in those two brain regions, isolated 1 h and 24 h after exposure to 2 Gy of γ-rays. Our results indicate that the lower MnSOD activity and inducibility found in the hippocampus are probably among the main reasons for particularly great oxidative vulnerability of this brain region.

Background: The goal of this study was to introduce a new predictive biomarker assay that might improve a clinical irradiation treatment of malignant diseases. Methods: Thirty-two peripheral blood samples obtained from breast cancer patients were analyzed for superoxide dismutase (SOD) after irradiation with gamma rays (60 Co). SOD was measured in subcellular fractions prepared from unirradiated and irradiated blood samples (McCord and Fridovich). The activity of SOD was measured by the method of Misra and Fridovich and protein concentration by the method of Lowry et al. Results Antioxidant radiation response of patients' blood cells was very variable and specific for each individual. The results indicated that the radiation response during radiotherapy directly depends on the initial state of antioxidant activity in the blood of cancer patients. In the blood samples with high level of SOD activity the irradiation decreased enzymatic activity while in the samples with medium or low level of SOD, the SOD activity was preserved or increased by irradiation with 2 Gy of gamma rays. Conclusion We showed that the modulation of SOD activity in blood cells after irradiation in vitro might be used as predictive biomarker in individualization of therapy protocols.

Abstract Background Oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant system have been proposed as a potential factors involved in the pathophysiology of diverse disease states, including carcinogenesis. In this study, we explored the lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in women diagnosed with different forms of gynecological diseases in order to evaluate the antioxidant status in endometrium of such patients. Methods Endometrial tissues of gynecological patients with different diagnoses were collected and subjected to assays for superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and lipid hydroperoxides. Results Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly decreased (50% in average) in hyperplastic and adenocarcinoma patients. Activities of both glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were increased 60% and 100% on average, in hyperplastic patients, while in adenocarcinoma patients only glutathione reductase activity was elevated 100%. Catalase activity was significantly decreased in adenocarcinoma patients (47%). Lipid hydroperoxides level was negatively correlated to superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and positively correlated to glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities. Conclusions This study provided the first comparison of antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in endometrial tissues of patients with polyps, myoma, hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma. The results showed that patients with premalignant (hyperplastic) and malignant (adenocarcinoma) lesions had enhanced lipid peroxidation and altered uterine antioxidant enzyme activities than patients with benign uterine diseases, polyps and myoma, although the extent of disturbance varied with the diagnosis. Further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanisms responsible for the observed alterations and whether lipid hydroperoxide levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in uterus of gynecological patients might be used as additional parameter in clinical evaluation of gynecological disorders.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of linden honey in maintaining the stability of peripheral serotonergic system in the psychosocially stressed rats. In this experiment we examined concentration of serotonin (5-HT) in Serbian linden honey, as well as concentrations of 5-HT and MAO A activity in the blood of chronically stressed rats treated with linden honey. The investigated parameters were quantified using HPLC method with electrochemical detector, HPLC method with a fluorescent detector, and assay of enzyme activities. An important result of this study is that using analytical chemistry methods we have detected 5-HT in linden honey from Serbia for the first time. Also, we found that treatment with linden honey in the socially isolated animals increased concentration of 5-HT and decreased MAO A activity. Our results may by important in the research of the role of linden honey in maintaining stability of peripheral serotonergic system in stress condition.

(1) Background: Physical activity may cause an imbalance in the major functions of the human body. This study aimed to investigate the effects of endurance running training on the parameters of the antioxidant defense system (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GSH), LPO (malondialdehyde, MDA), and stress hormones (A, NA) in young healthy, previously untrained men. (2) Methods: The training program was as follows: 8 weeks of running, three times per week; the duration of a single session was 30-70 min, the intensity was twice a week in the so-called extensive endurance zone, and once a week in the anaerobic threshold zone. Blood samples were collected from the subjects, before and after the running program. (3) Results: The training program resulted in a significant increase in maximal oxygen consumption ( p < 0.001). The activities of SOD, GPx, and GR also increased significantly ( p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively), while CAT activity and GSH and MDA concentrations remained unchanged. The concentration of A decreased ( p < 0.05), while the NA concentration increased significantly ( p < 0.05). SOD, GPx, GR, and NA positively correlated with VO 2 max ( p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively), while a negative correlation was detected between A and VO 2 max ( p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: These results indicate that there is no persistent oxidative stress in response to the applied 8-week running program, probably due to exercise-induced protective alterations in the antioxidant defense system. Furthermore, adaptations occurred at the hormonal level, making the organism more ready for a new challenge.

Nanoparticles (NPs), a distinct class of particles ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm, are one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century, and titanium dioxide NPs (TiO 2 NPs) are among the most widely produced and used NPs globally. The increased application of TiO 2 NPs raises concerns regarding their global safety and risks of exposure. Many animal studies have reported the accumulation of TiO 2 NPs in female reproductive organs; however, evidence of the resultant toxicity remains ambiguous. Since the surface area and chemical modifications of NPs can significantly change their cytotoxicity, we aimed to compare the toxic effects of pristine TiO 2 powder with surface-modified TiO 2 powders with salicylic acid (TiO 2 /SA) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (TiO 2 /5-ASA) on the ovaries, oviducts, and uterus on the 14th day following acute oral treatment. The results, based on alterations in food and water intake, body mass, organ-to-body mass ratio, hormonal status, histological features of tissues of interest, and antioxidant parameters, suggest that the modification with 5-ASA can mitigate some of the observed toxic effects of TiO 2 powder and encourage future investigations to create NPs that can potentially reduce the harmful effects of TiO 2 NPs while preserving their positive impacts.

The careful monitoring of patients with mild/moderate COVID-19 is of particular importance because of the rapid progression of complications associated with COVID-19. For prognostic reasons and for the economic management of health care resources, additional biomarkers need to be identified, and their monitoring can conceivably be performed in the early stages of the disease. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we found that serum concentrations of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), at the time of hospital admission, could be useful biomarkers for COVID-19 management. The study included 160 randomly selected recovered patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 on admission. Compared with healthy controls, serum HMGB1 and HO-1 levels increased by 487.6 pg/mL versus 43.1 pg/mL and 1497.7 pg/mL versus 756.1 pg/mL, respectively. Serum HO-1 correlated significantly with serum HMGB1, oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde (MDA), the phosphatidylcholine/lysophosphatidylcholine ratio (PC/LPC), the ratio of reduced and oxidative glutathione (GSH/GSSG)), and anti-inflammatory acute phase proteins (ferritin, haptoglobin). Increased heme catabolism/hemolysis were not detected. We hypothesize that the increase in HO-1 in the early phase of COVID-19 disease is likely to have a survival benefit by providing protection against oxidative stress and inflammation, whereas the level of HMGB1 increase reflects the activity of the innate immune system and represents levels within which the disease can be kept under control.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of lithium treatment on gene expression and activity of the prefrontal antioxidant enzymes: copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), manganes superoxide dismutase (SOD2), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in animals exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS)., Methods: The investigated parameters were quantified using real-time RT-PCR, Western blot analyses, and assays of enzyme activities., Results: We found that lithium treatment decreased gene expression of SOD2, as well as the activities of SOD1 and SOD2 in chronically stressed rats to the levels found in unstressed animals. However, lithium treatment in animals exposed to CRS increased prefrontal GPx activity to the levels found in unstressed animals., Conclusions: These findings confirm that treatment with lithium induced the modulation of prefrontal antioxidant status in chronically stressed rats. Our results may be very important in biomedical research for understanding the role of lithium in maintaining the stability of prefrontal antioxidant defense system in neuropsychiatric disorders caused by chronic stress., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2022 Gavrilović et al.)

A dysregulated and overwhelming response to an infection accompanied by the exaggerated pro-inflammatory state and metabolism disturbance leads to the fatal outcome in sepsis. Previously we showed that meldonium, an anti-ischemic drug clinically used to treat myocardial and cerebral ischemia, strongly increases mortality in faecal-induced peritonitis (FIP) in rats. We postulated that the same mechanism that is responsible for the otherwise strong anti-inflammatory effects of meldonium could be the culprit of the increased mortality. In the present study, we applied the LPS-induced model of sepsis to explore the presence of any differences from and/or similarities to the FIP model. When it comes to energy production, despite some shared similarities, it is evident that LPS and FIP models of sepsis differ greatly. A different profile of sympathoadrenal activation may account for this observation, as it was lacking in the FIP model, whereas in the LPS model it was strong enough to overcome the effects of meldonium. Therefore, choosing the appropriate model of sepsis induction is of great importance, especially if energy homeostasis is the main focus of the study. Even when differences in the experimental design of the two models are acknowledged, the role of different patterns of energy production cannot be excluded. On that account, our results draw attention to the importance of uninterrupted energy production in sepsis but also call for much-needed revisions of the current recommendations for its treatment.

Objective: Data about the dynamics of noradrenaline (NA) transmission, storage and degradation may be very important for understanding the reduction of functional deficiency of NA and maintaining the stability of NA levels in animals with depressive-like behavior treated with lithium. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mood stabilizer lithium on concentrations of NA in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), as well as behavior rats exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS). In addition, this study examined the effects of lithium on protein levels of noradrenaline transporter (NET), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), as well as the enzyme activity of monoamine oxidase A (MOA) in the PFC of chronically stressed rats., Methods: The investigated parameters were quantified by Western blot analysis, CAT Research ELISA kits, and an assay of enzyme activity. Also, the forced swim test (FST) was used to assess the behavior of animals., Results: We found that lithium treatment decreased high protein levels of NET and VMAT2, as well as the enzyme activity of MOA in chronically stressed rats to the levels found in unstressed animals. In addition, lithium treatment decreased the concentration of NA (24%) and immobility in animals exposed to CRS., Conclusion: Our data confirm that lithium-induced modulation of prefrontal noradrenergic turnover and stabilized the behavior of chronically stressed rats.

Thioacetamide (TAA) is widely used to study liver toxicity accompanied by oxidative stress, inflammation, cell necrosis, fibrosis, cholestasis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. As an efficient free radical's scavenger, C60 fullerene is considered a potential liver-protective agent in chemically-induced liver injury. In the present work, we examined the hepatoprotective effects of two C60 doses dissolved in virgin olive oil against TAA-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. We showed that TAA-induced increase in liver oxidative stress, judged by the changes in the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST, the content of GSH and 4-HNE, and expression of HO-1, MnSOD, and CuZnSOD, was more effectively ameliorated with a lower C60 dose. Improvement in liver antioxidative status caused by C60 was accompanied by a decrease in liver HMGB1 expression and an increase in nuclear Nrf2/NF-κB p65 ratio, suggesting a reduction in inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis. These results were in accordance with liver histology analysis, liver comet assay, and changes in serum levels of ALT, AST, and AP. The changes observed in gut microbiome support detrimental effects of TAA and hepatoprotective effects of low C60 dose. Less protective effects of a higher C60 dose could be a consequence of its enhanced aggregation and related pro-oxidant role.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a serious health burden. It has diverse clinical presentations that can escalate to acute liver failure. The worldwide increase in the use of psychotropic drugs, their long-term use on a daily basis, common comorbidities of psychiatric and metabolic disorders, and polypharmacy in psychiatric patients increase the incidence of psychotropics-induced DILI. During the last 2 decades, hepatotoxicity of various antidepressants (ADs) and antipsychotics (APs) received much attention. Comprehensive review and discussion of accumulated literature data concerning this issue are performed in this study, as hepatotoxic effects of most commonly prescribed ADs and APs are classified, described, and discussed. The review focuses on ADs and APs characterized by the risk of causing liver damage and highlights the ones found to cause life-threatening or severe DILI cases. In parallel, an overview of hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation, and steatosis underlying DILI is provided, followed by extensive review and discussion of the pathophysiology of AD- and AP-induced DILI revealed in case reports, and animal and in vitro studies. The consequences of some ADs and APs ability to affect drug-metabolizing enzymes and therefore provoke drug-drug interactions are also addressed. Continuous collecting of data on drugs, mechanisms, and risk factors for DILI, as well as critical data reviewing, is crucial for easier DILI diagnosis and more efficient risk assessment of AD- and AP-induced DILI. Higher awareness of ADs and APs hepatotoxicity is the prerequisite for their safe use and optimal dosing.

The effects of twelve weeks of supplementation with fullerene C 60 olive/coconut oil solution on a broad spectrum of parameters in rats were examined. The tissue bioaccumulation of C 60 was shown to be tissue-specific, with the liver, heart, and adrenal glands being the organs of the greatest, and the kidney, brain, and spleen being the organs of the smallest accumulation. C 60 did not change aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase serum activities level, nor the damage of liver cells DNA. There were no effects of fullerene on prooxidant-antioxidant balance in the liver, kidney, spleen, heart, and brain, nor any visible harmful effects on the liver, heart, aorta, spleen, kidney, and small intestine histology. Fullerene changed the gut microbiota structure towards the bacteria that ameliorate lipid homeostasis, causing a serum triglycerides concentration decrease. However, C 60 significantly increased the insulin resistance, serum ascorbate oxidation, and brain malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation protein products level. The deteriorative effects of C 60 on the brain and serum could be attributed to the specific physicochemical composition of these tissues, potentiating the C 60 aggregation or biotransformation as the key element of its pro-oxidative action., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Rationale: Changes in lipid composition might be associated with the onset and progression of various neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we investigated the changes in the plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC)/lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) ratios in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) in comparison with healthy subjects and their correlation with clinico-pathological features., Methods: The study included 10 controls and 25 patients with PD. All patients were assigned to groups based on clinico-pathological characteristics (gender, age at examination, duration of disease and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage). The analysis of the PC/LPC intensity ratios in plasma lipid extracts was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry., Results: PD patients exhibited an increased PC/LPC intensity ratio in comparison with the control group of healthy subjects. Furthermore, the investigated ratio was shown to be correlated with clinico-pathological parameters, in particular with H&Y stage and disease duration. The PC/LPC intensity ratio in plasma samples of PD patients was found to be elevated in all examined H&Y stages and throughout the disease duration., Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the PC/LPC ratios in plasma of patients with PD and illustrating their correlation with clinico-pathological features. Although the presented results may be considered as preliminary due to the limited number of participants, the observed alterations of PC/LPC ratios in plasma might be a first step in the characterization of plasma lipid changes in PD patients and an indicator of lipid reconfiguration., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Introduction: The oxidative stress contributes to all three phases of carcinogenesis and represents a concomitant condition in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). RCC is the most common type of neoplasm of the kidney, and despite numerous studies the set of predictive and prognostic markers of survival are still unknown. The aim of our study was to examine the relation between antioxidant (AO) status and overall survival (OS) in RCC patients., Material and Methods: Our study included 95 patients with RCC, who underwent radical nephrectomy. We analysed the prognostic role of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione, and malondialdehyde) and other clinicopathological factors (size, grade, stage, and histological subtype) on the OS of RCC patients., Results: The 5-year OS was 54.6%. The survival analysis related to AO parameters showed no significant difference in survival of RCC patients. The concentration of malondialdehyde, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, also had no significant effect on the survival rate of RCC patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed the significance of clinicopathological parameters (size, p < 0.001; Fuhrman grade, p = 0.001, and stage, p < 0.001) for patients' survival., Conclusions: In our cohort of patients, different antioxidant parameters were not found to be predictors for OS of patients with RCC, who underwent radical nephrectomy., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 Termedia & Banach.)

We previously found that compared to patients with benign uterine diseases (polyps, myomas), patients with premalignant (hyperplasia simplex and complex) and malignant (adenocarcinoma) lesions had enhanced lipid peroxidation and altered uterine antioxidant enzyme (AOE) activities. To further elucidate the mechanism of the observed changes, we examined protein and mRNA levels of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and transcription factor Nrf2. We also examined correlations of AOE expression with AOE activity, lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) level, and level of Nrf2. Our results showed decreased CuZnSOD, CAT, and Nrf2 levels, and increased GPx and GR levels in hyperplasias, while in patients with adenocarcinoma, the level of CAT was decreased and GR was increased, compared to benign groups. Similar changes in mRNA levels were also detected, indicating predominantly translational control of the AOE expression. The positive correlation of enzyme expression/activity was recorded for CuZnSOD, GPx, and GR, but only among groups with benign diseases. Only GR and GPx expressions were positively correlated with LOOH. Nrf2 protein was positively correlated with mRNA levels of CuZnSOD and GR. Observed results indicate involvement of diverse redox mechanisms in etiopathogenesis of different gynecological diseases, and may improve redox-based approaches in current clinical practice.