Search results for "upe"

2017

Sepsis causes severe dysregulation of organ functions, via the development of oxidative stress and inflammation. These pathophysiological mechanisms are mimicked in mice injected with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here, protective properties of argan oil against LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammation are explored in the murine model. Mice received standard chow, supplemented with argan oil (AO) or olive oil (OO) for 25 days, before septic shock was provoked with a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS, 16 hours prior to animal sacrifice. In addition to a rise in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, injected LPS also caused hepatotoxicity, accompanied by hyperglycemia, h…

TNFSF14 (LIGHT) Exhibits Inflammatory Activities in Lung Fibroblasts Complementary to IL-13 and TGF-β

2018

The cytokine TNFSF14 [homologous to Lymphotoxin, exhibits Inducible expression and competes with HSV Glycoprotein D for binding to HVEM, a receptor expressed on T lymphocytes (LIGHT)] has been shown in mouse models to be important for development of lung tissue remodeling that is characteristic of asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, its cellular targets are not fully delineated. In the present report, we show that LTβR and HVEM, the receptors for LIGHT, are constitutively expressed in primary human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). We asked whether LIGHT could promote inflammatory and remodeling-relevant activity in HLFs and how this was similar to, or…

New Laboratory Protocol to Determine the Oxidative Stress Profile of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells Using Flow Cytometry

2021

Several studies have shown the importance of oxidative stress (OS) in respiratory disease pathogenesis. It has been reported that the nasal epithelium may act as a surrogate for the bronchial epithelium in several respiratory diseases involving OS. However, the sample yields obtained from nasal biopsies are modest, limiting the number of parameters that can be determined. Flow cytometry has been widely used to evaluate cellular OS profiles. It has the advantage that analyses can be performed using a small amount of sample. Therefore, we aimed to set up a new method based on flow cytometry to assess the oxidative profile of human nasal epithelial cells which could be used in research on resp…

“Out of the can”: a draft genome assembly, liver transcriptome, and nutrigenomics of the european sardine, sardina pilchardus

2018

Clupeiformes, such as sardines and herrings, represent an important share of worldwide fisheries. Among those, the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walbaum 1792) exhibits significant commercial relevance. While the last decade showed a steady and sharp decline in capture levels, recent advances in culture husbandry represent promising research avenues. Yet, the complete absence of genomic resources from sardine imposes a severe bottleneck to understand its physiological and ecological requirements. We generated 69 Gbp of paired-end reads using Illumina HiSeq X Ten and assembled a draft genome assembly with an N50 scaffold length of 25,579 bp and BUSCO completeness of 82.1% (Actinoptery…

Magnetite Nanoparticles Prepared By Spark Erosion

2016

Abstract In the present research, we study a possibility of using the electric spark erosion method as an alternative to the method of chemical co-precipitation for preparation of magnetic nanoparticles. Initiation of high frequency electric discharge between coarse iron particles under a layer of distilled water allows obtaining pure magnetite nanoparticles.

Evaluating ancient Egyptian prescriptions today: Anti-inflammatory activity of Ziziphus spina-christi.

2015

Abstract Background Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. (Christ's Thorn Jujube) is a wild tree today found in Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and some parts of Africa, which was already in use as a medicinal plant in Ancient Egypt. In ancient Egyptian prescriptions, it was used in remedies against swellings, pain, and heat, and thus should have anti-inflammatory effects. Nowadays, Z. spina-christi, is used in Egypt (by Bedouins, and Nubians), the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Iraq, and Morocco against a wide range of illnesses, most of them associated with inflammation. Pharmacological research undertaken to date suggests that it possesses anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypotensive and anti-microbial e…

Takotsubo Syndrome: Impact of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress

2021

Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) is characterized by a transient left ventricular dysfunction recovering spontaneously within days or weeks. Although the pathophysiology of TTS remains obscure, there is growing evidence suggesting TTS to be associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may be involved in causing transient coronary and peripheral endothelial dysfunction leading to a transient impairment of myocardial contraction due to stunning (apical ballooning). Endothelial dysfunction is mainly caused by decreased vascular and myocardial nitric oxide bioavailability in response to increased ROS production. Accordingly, studies in humans and animal models demonstrat…

Uncoupling of eNOS in Cardiovascular Disease

2017

Abstract Under physiological conditions, nitric oxide (NO) produced by the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) represents a key vasoprotective factor. Under conditions of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, eNOS may become uncoupled. Uncoupled eNOS generates superoxide at the expense of NO and contributes significantly to endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. Major mechanisms of eNOS uncoupling include depletion of tetrahydrobiopterin, an essential cofactor for the eNOS enzyme, and deficiency of l -arginine, the eNOS substrate, and/or eNOS S-glutathionylation. Reversal of eNOS uncoupling may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention …

Protective effects of bezafibrate against elaidic acid-induced accumulation of lipid droplets in monocytic cells

2016

Some factors related to diet, such as trans fatty acids (TFA), are known to be involved in the progression of atherosclerosis in humans. Thus, the aim of our study was (i) to evaluate the effects of three dietary free fatty acids (FFA) (elaidic (EA), oleic (OA) and palmitic acid (PA)) on U937 human monocytes, and (ii) to study the eventual benefits of bezafibrate (BZF), a pan-agonist for PPAR isoforms (α, γ and δ) in U937 cells treated with FFA. Morphologic and functional changes were investigated by microscopic and flow cytometric methods. Cellular lipid content, lipid droplets and FA composition were identified and studied. All analyses were also realized in association with or without BZ…

Effect of Roux-en-Y Bariatric Bypass Surgery on Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Oxidative Stress Markers in Leukocytes of Obese Patients: A One-Year …

2020

Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effect of Roux en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether weight loss associated with RYGB improves the oxidative status of leukocytes and ameliorates subclinical atherosclerotic markers. This is an interventional study of 57 obese subjects who underwent RYGB surgery. We determined biochemical parameters and qualitative analysis of cholesterol, leukocyte and systemic oxidative stress markers &mdash