Aurelia Magdalena Pisoschi

The role of antioxidants in the chemistry of oxidative stress: A review

This Review Article is focused on the action of the reactive oxygenated species in inducing oxidative injury of the lipid membrane components, as well as on the ability of antioxidants (of different structures and sources, and following different mechanisms of action) in fighting against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is defined as an excessive production of reactive oxygenated species that cannot be counteracted by the action of antioxidants, but also as a perturbation of cell redox balance. Reactive oxygenated/nitrogenated species are represented by superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl, alkoxyl and lipid peroxyl radicals, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. Oxidative stress determines structure modifications and function modulation in nucleic acids, lipids and proteins. Oxidative degradation of lipids yields malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal, but also isoprostanes, from unsaturated fatty acids. Protein damage may occur with thiol oxidation, carbonylation, side-chain oxidation, fragmentation, unfolding and misfolding, resulting activity loss. 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine is an index of DNA damage. The involvement of the reactive oxygenated/nitrogenated species in disease occurrence is described. The unbalance between the oxidant species and the antioxidant defense system may trigger specific factors responsible for oxidative damage in the cell: over-expression of oncogene genes, generation of mutagen compounds, promotion of atherogenic activity, senile plaque occurrence or inflammation. This leads to cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, kidney diseases. The concept of antioxidant is defined, along with a discussion of the existent classification criteria: enzymatic and non-enzymatic, preventative or repair-systems, endogenous and exogenous, primary and secondary, hydrosoluble and liposoluble, natural or synthetic. Primary antioxidants are mainly chain breakers, able to scavenge radical species by hydrogen donation. Secondary antioxidants are singlet oxygen quenchers, peroxide decomposers, metal chelators, oxidative enzyme inhibitors or UV radiation absorbers. The specific mechanism of action of the most important representatives of each antioxidant class (endogenous and exogenous) in preventing or inhibiting particular factors leading to oxidative injury in the cell, is then reviewed. Mutual influences, including synergistic effects are presented and discussed. Prooxidative influences likely to occur, as for instance in the presence of transition metal ions, are also reminded.

Methods for Total Antioxidant Activity Determination: A Review

Endogenous antioxidants are enzymes, like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase or nonenzymatic compounds, such as uric acid, bilirubin, albumin, metallothioneins. When endogenous factors cannot ensure a rigurous control and a complete protection of the organism against the reactive oxygen species, the need for exogenous antioxidants arises, as nutritional supplements or pharmaceutical products, which contain as active principle an antioxidant compound. Amongst the most important exogenous antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, vitamin E, flavonoids, mineral Se are well

Determination of Ascorbic Acid Content of Some Fruit Juices and Wine by Voltammetry Performed at Pt and Carbon Paste Electrodes

A method was developed for assessing ascorbic acid concentration in fruit juices and wine by differential pulse voltammetry. The oxidation peak for ascorbic acid occurs at about 530 mV (versus SCE) on a Pt strip working electrode and at about 470 mV on a carbon paste working electrode. The influence of the operational parameters like the pulse amplitude and the pulse period on the analytical signal was investigated. The obtained calibration graph shows a linear dependence between the peak height and ascorbic acid concentration within the range 0.31-20 mM with a Pt working electrode, and within the range 0.07-20 mM with a carbon paste working electrode. The equation of the calibration graph was y = 21.839x + 35.726, r2 = 0.9940, when a Pt strip electrode was used (where y represents the value of the current intensity measured for the peak height, expressed as µA and x the analyte concentration, as mM). R.S.D. = 2.09%, n = 10, Cascorbic acid = 2.5 mM. The equation of the calibration graph was y = 3.4429x + 5.7334, r2 = 0.9971, when a carbon paste electrode was used (where y represents the value of intensity measured for the peak height, expressed as µA and x the analyte concentration, as mM). R.S.D. = 2.35%, n = 10, Cascorbic acid = 2.5 mM. The developed method was applied to ascorbic acid assessment in fruit juices and wine. The ascorbic acid content determined ranged between 6.83 mg/100 mL juice for soft drinks (Fanta Madness) and 54.74 mg/100 mL for citrus (lemon) juices obtained by squeezing fruit. Different ascorbic acid concentrations (from standard solutions) were added to the analysed samples, the degree of recovery being comprised between 94.74 and 104.97%. The results of ascorbic acid assessment by differential pulse voltammetry were compared with those obtained by cyclic voltammetry. The results obtained by the two methods were in good agreement.

Electrochemical Methods for Total AntioxidantCapacity and its Main Contributors Determination:A review

Abstract Backround: The present review focuses on electrochemical methods for antioxidant capacity and its main contributors assessment. The main reactive oxygen species, responsible for low density lipoprotein oxidation, and their reactivity are reminded. The role of antioxidants in counteracting the factors leading to oxidative stress-related degenerative diseases occurence, is then discussed. Antioxidants can scavenge free radicals, can chelate pro-oxidative metal ions, or quench singlet oxygen. When endogenous factors (uric acid, bilirubin, albumin, metallothioneins, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase) cannot accomplish their protective role against reactive oxygen species, the intervention of exogenous antioxidants (vitamin C, tocopherols, flavonoids, carotenoids etc) is required, as intake from food, as nutritional supplements or as pharmaceutical products. Literature study: The main advantages of electrochemical methods with respect to traditional, more laborious instrumental techniques are described: sensitivity, rapidity, simplicity of the applied analytical procedure which does not require complicated sample pre-treatment etc. The paper reviews minutiously the voltammetric, amperometric, biamperometric, potentiometric and coulometric methods for total antioxidant capacity estimation. For each method presented, the electroactivity and the mechanism of electro-oxidation of antioxidant molecules at various electrodes, as well as the influences on the electroactive properties are discussed. The characteristics of the developed methods are viewed from the perspective of the antioxidant molecule structure influence, as well as from the importance of electrode material and/or surface groups standpoint. The antioxidant molecule-electrode surface interaction, the detection system chosen, the use of modifiers, as well as the nature of the analysed matrix are the factors discussed, which influence the performances of the studied electrochemical techniques. Conclusions: The electrochemical methods reviewed in this paper allow the successful determination of the total antioxidant capacity and of its main contributors in various media: foodstuffs and beverages, biological fluids, pharmaceuticals. The advantages and disadvantages of the electrochemical methods applied to antioxidant content and antioxidant activity assay are treated and interpreted, in the case of various analysed matrixes. Combining advanced materials with classical electrode construction, provides viable results and can constitute an alternative for the future. Graphical Abstract

Is open access the solution to increase the impact of scientific journals

The very nature of scientific activity and information, which are meant to be shared, is the starting point in defining a scientific journal, and the criteria according to which its value and role are determined. The authors aim at analysing some criteria that define the quality of scientific journals considering their visibility and impact. The concept of open access for journals is analysed in point of its advantages and disadvantages, since it differs greatly from the subscription-based access, whether we talk about institutional or individual subscriptions. The authors are in favour of the concept of public access, considering that it gives a journal more visibility, on the condition that article processing charges are reduced. The essential condition for a journal to become renowned is to be as visible as possible. The concept of open access is beneficial, supports instruction through and for scientific research, regardless of educational level. The aim of this paper is to emphasise the modalities, specificities and bibliometric performances (percent of citable documents, impact factor and immediacy index) of open access versus subscription-based access, as well as to investigate whether the use of open access concept determines an increase of the journals’ quality, study applied to the analysis of Hindawi Publishing Company journals and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) journals.

Studies on Biochemical Processes for Elucidation of Disease Mechanisms and Ensuring Food Security

The approached themes by Research articles, Reviews and Editorials were various, the main focus being the concern for human health: the fight against oxidative-stress related pathologies like cancer, diabetes or cardio-vascular diseases, or against various pathogens, the gene-expression profiling for enhancing the understanding of disease mechanisms, as well as the preoccupation for food safety problems.

Comparative Assessment of the Analytical Parameters in Ascorbic Acid and Sulphite Assay at a Spectrographic Carbon Working Electrode

Abstract The aim of this study is the comparative investigation of spectrographic carbon electrode’s viability as working electrode, in ascorbic acid and sulphite asssessment. Cyclic voltammetry involves a linear sweeping of the potential, the analytical signal being represented by the anodic oxidation /cathodic reduction peak of the analyte. For both analytes, the electro-oxidation resulted in an anodic peak, correlable with ascorbic acid / sulphite concentration. The analytical range of linear response corresponded to 0.07 - 10 mM for ascorbic acid and to 15.5 mg/L - 4 g/L for sulphite. The relative standard deviation RSD (%) was 2.71 % for ascorbic acid and 2.88 % for sulphite. The sensitivities, given by the slopes of the calibration graphs were 88.88 μA/mmole/L for ascorbic acid and 477.37 μA/g/L for sulphite.

Nanoencapsulation techniques for compounds and products with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity - A critical view

Oxidative decay and microbial spoilage are issues of concern, as they constitute threats to human health. Natural antioxidants and antimicrobials hamper the negative impact of synthetic compounds and they need appropriate delivery systems. Different nanostructures can be developed: association colloids-based nanostructures, nanoemulsions, nanoliposomes, nanolaminates, nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, nanocomposites. The main nanoencapsulation techniques applied to antioxidants and antimicrobials are described: association colloid-based nanoincorporation, lipid-based nanoencapsulation techniques, encapsulation techniques based on biologically-derived polymeric nanocarriers, encapsulation techniques based on non-biological polymeric nanocarriers, cyclodextrin incorporation, electrospraying and electrospinning, carbon nanotubes and nanocomposite encapsulation. Several nanoencapsulation methods can be followed by freeze-drying or spray-drying. Protection of bioactive compounds and controlled release are achieved, but the impact of the nanomaterials on human health and on the environment should be considered. The influence of the nanoencapsulation techniques on the antioxidant/antimicrobial activity is discussed. The choice of the appropriate encapsulation method is vital. Bioactivity increase, preservation or decrease, depend on the interactions established between the functional groups of encapsulated compound and the encapsulating nanomaterial.

Impact of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing signaling molecules on adhesion and inflammatory markers in endothelial cells

Pseudomonas aeruginosa relies on the quorum sensing (QS) signaling system as a central regulator mechanism of virulence expression that contributes to the formation and maintenance of biofilms and tolerance to conventional antimicrobials. QS Signaling molecules (QSSMs) may be recognized and may function also within the host cells, being potentially involved in the progression of the infectious process. In this study we evaluate the expression of adhesion and inflammatory molecules in endothelial cells treated with P. aeruginosa QSSMs, in order to bring new insights on the mechanisms involved in the interaction of P. aeruginosa with host cells during the infectious process. Endothelial cells were stimulated with 20 µM of main P. aeruginosa QSSMs (OdDHL = N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone, C4HSL = N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone, PQS = 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone and HHQ = 2-heptyl-4-quinolone). Adherence to endothelial cells, inert substratum and biofilm formation was evaluated. The expression of adhesion molecules (VE-cadherin, PECAM-1, ICAM-1, and P-selectin) and inflammatory response molecules (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, TGFβ, and eNOS) was assessed by qRT-PCR and flow cytometry. Our results showed that bacterial adherence to inert substratum and biofilm were decreased in the presence of all tested QSSMs. The adherence index of PAO1 laboratory strain to host cells was decreased between 10–40% in the presence of QSSMs, as compared to untreated control. Expression of eukaryotic cells adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and P-selectin was stimulated by QSSMs, whereas VE-cadherin and PECAM-1 levels were increased only by C4HSL. The inflammatory response of endothelial cells was also modulated, as observed by the modified expression of IL-1β (for C4HSL, PQS and HHQ), IL-6 (for C4HSL and HHQ), TNFα (for C4HSL and HHQ), TGFβ, and eNOS factors. Our results demonstrate that the main pseudomonadal QSSMs differentially modulate endothelial cells adhesion and proinflammatory cytokine expression. These observations provide new insights in the mechanisms by which different QSSMs activate endothelial cells and modulate the infectious process, and support the importance of recent studies aiming to develop anti-QS therapeutic strategies to fight against P. aeruginosa infections.

Biamperometric Applications to Antioxidant Content and Total AntioxidantCapacity Assessment: An Editorial

Oxidative stress can be regarded as the lack of balance between the reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (hydrogen peroxide H2O2, superoxide radical anion O2 −âi?½i?½, singlet oxygen O2, hydroxyl radical HOâi?½i?½, hydroperoxyl radical HO2âi?½i?½, hypochlorous acid HOCl, nitric oxide NO, peroxynitrite ONOO_) production and the organism’s defense ability exerted by the antioxidant system. Reactive oxygen species can promote structure alterations in all classes of biomolecules. Lipids are the most prone to oxidation: polyunsaturated fatty acids oxidation implies formation of carbonylated final products, such as malonyl dialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal. The backbone and the side chain of proteins can be attacked by reactive oxygen species, and alteration in purine and pyridine bases structure results in DNA mutations. Moreover, oxidative stress has been viewed as more complex than mere radical overproduction, being reconsidered as a perturbation of redox signaling pathways in the cell