Life Sciences Commons^™

Oxidative Stress And Ion Channels In Neurodegenerative Diseases, Razan Orfali, Adnan Z. Alwatban, Rawan S. Orfali, Liz Lau, Noble Chea, Abdullah M. Alotaibi, Young-Woo Nam, Miao Zhang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Numerous neurodegenerative diseases result from altered ion channel function and mutations. The intracellular redox status can significantly alter the gating characteristics of ion channels. Abundant neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress have been documented, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species compounds trigger posttranslational alterations that target specific sites within the subunits responsible for channel assembly. These alterations include the adjustment of cysteine residues through redox reactions induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitration, and S-nitrosylation assisted by nitric oxide of tyrosine residues through peroxynitrite. Several ion channels have been directly …

Melatonin Application Suppresses Oxidative Stress And Maintains Fruit Quality Of Cold Stored ‘Esperanza’ Raspberries By Regulating Antioxidant System, Hafiz M. S. Shah, Zora Singh, Mahmood Ul Hasan, Jashanpreet Kaur, Eben Afrifa-Yamoah, Andrew Woodward

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Raspberries are highly perishable and have a short storage life. To extend its storage life, we evaluated the impact of preharvest melatonin (MEL) application (0, 50, 100, 200 mol L−1), three days before harvest, on the activities of oxidative and antioxidative enzymes and quality attributes in ‘Esperanza’ raspberries up to 10 d cold storage. The 200 mol L−1 MEL-treated raspberries exhibited a significant reduction in disease incidence while maintaining higher marketable fruit and activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase as compared to control. Additionally, it reduced activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and …

Variables Affecting The Extraction Of Antioxidants In Cold And Hot Brew Coffee: A Review, Brian Yust, Frank Wilkinson, Niny Rao

College of Life Sciences Faculty Papers

Coffee beans are a readily available, abundant source of antioxidants used worldwide. With the increasing interest in and consumption of coffee beverages globally, research into the production, preparation, and chemical profile of coffee has also increased in recent years. A wide range of variables such as roasting temperature, coffee grind size, brewing temperature, and brewing duration can have a significant impact on the extractable antioxidant content of coffee products. While there is no single standard method for measuring all of the antioxidants found in coffee, multiple methods which introduce the coffee product to a target molecule or reagent can be …

How Can Consuming A Plant-Based Diet Reduce The Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease In Postmenopausal Women?, Rebecca Stack

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Despite the fact that women suffer higher rates of cardiovascular events after menopause, there exists a significant underrepresentation of women—especially postmenopausal women—in cardiovascular clinical trials to date. Fortunately, current evidence reveals that cardiovascular events in the general population are largely preventable through modifiable lifestyle factors, with dietary intervention being one of the most important (Amiri et al., 2022). As the impact of whole-diet interventions on cardiovascular risk factors is further explored, it has been determined that a plant-based dietary pattern may favorably influence the prevention of cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women (Barańska et al., 2021). Evidence also reveals that certain …

Essential Oils Composition And Biological Activity Of Chamaecyparis Obtusa, Chrysopogon Nigritanus And Lavandula Coronopifolia Grown Wild In Sudan, Loai M H Eltayeb, Sakina Yagi, Hanan M M Mohamed, Gokhan Zengin, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Maksim Rebezov, Abdullah Ibrahim Uba, Jose Manuel Lorenzo

Faculty Scholarship for the College of Science & Mathematics

Generally, there are scant data about the constituents and eventually the biological activity of essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants that grow naturally in Sudan. The present study aimed to determine the chemical composition, and antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of EO extracted from the fruit of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold and Zucc.) Endl. (family Cupressaceae), root of Chrysopogon nigritanus (Benth.) Veldkampis (family Poaceae) and aerial part of Lavandula coronopifolia Poir (family Lamiaceae). The fruit of C. obtusa contained only monoterpenes, mainly hydrogenated ones, with α-pinene (69.07%) as the major component. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes comprised the highest content of the C. nigritanus …

Comparison Of An Antioxidant Source And Antioxidant Plus Bcaa On Athletic Performance And Post Exercise Recovery Of Horses, Emily Kent, Stephen J. Coloman, Jason E. Bruemmer, Renan Regatieri Casagrande, Christine Levihn, Grace Romo, Kevin Herkelman, Tanja Hess

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Antioxidant supplementation decreases postexercise oxidative stress but could also decrease muscle pro- tein synthesis. This study compared the effects of three diets: low antioxidant (control, CON), high an- tioxidant (AO), and branched-chain amino acid high antioxidant (BCAO) supplementation on postexercise protein synthesis and oxidative stress. We hypothesized that supplementing antioxidants with branched- chain amino acids(BCAA) would reduce oxidative stress without hindering muscle protein synthesis. Eigh- teen mixed-breed polo horses (11 mares and 7 geldings, with age range between 5 and 18 years, were on CON diet for 30 days (from day -45 until day 0) and then were assigned to …

Physicochemical Analysis Of Cold Brew And Hot Brew Peaberry Coffee, Evan T. Schwarzmann, Marlena P. Washington, Niny Z. Rao

College of Life Sciences Faculty Papers

Peaberry coffee is the result of a natural mutation of coffee beans, and they make up only about 5–7% of coffee crops. A typical coffee cherry contains two seeds that are developed against each other, resulting in the distinctive half-rounded shape of coffee beans. However, failing to fertilize both ovules of one of the seeds or failure in endosperm development can cause only one of the seeds to develop, resulting in smaller, denser beans with a more domed shape. Peaberry coffees are said to be sweeter, lighter, and more flavorful since the peaberry beans receive all nutrients from the coffee …

Quantification Of Spent Coffee Ground Extracts By Roast And Brew Method, And Their Utility In A Green Synthesis Of Gold And Silver Nanoparticles, Brian G Yust, Niny Z Rao, Evan T Schwarzmann, Madisyn H Peoples

College of Life Sciences Faculty Papers

Nanotechnology has become increasingly important in modern society, and nanoparticles are routinely used in many areas of technology, industry, and commercial products. Many species of nanoparticle (NP) are typically synthesized using toxic or hazardous chemicals, making these methods less environmentally friendly. Consequently, there has been growing interest in green synthesis methods, which avoid unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals and reduce harmful waste. Synthesis methods which utilize food waste products are particularly attractive because they add value and a secondary use for material which would otherwise be disposed of. Here, we show that spent coffee grounds (SCGs) that have already been …

How Birds During Migration Maintain (Oxidative) Balance, Scott R. Mcwilliams, Wales A. Carter, Clara Cooper-Mullin, Kristen J. Demoranville, Abigail E. Frawley, Barbara J. Pierce, Megan Skrip

Biology Faculty Publications

Animals dynamically adjust their physiology and behavior to survive in changing environments, and seasonal migration is one life stage that demonstrates these dynamic adjustments. As birds migrate between breeding and wintering areas, they incur physiological demands that challenge their antioxidant system. Migrating birds presumably respond to these oxidative challenges by up-regulating protective endogenous systems or accumulating dietary antioxidants at stopover sites, although our understanding of the pre-migration preparations and mid-migration responses of birds to such oxidative challenges is as yet incomplete. Here we review evidence from field and captive-bird studies that address the following questions: (1) Do migratory birds build …

Comparative Analysis Of Longevity And Stress Resiliency Benefits Of Supplementation With High-Antioxidative Capacity Juices In Organisms That Are Representative Of Humans, Meghan Long

Honors Scholar Theses

Neurodegenerative disease presents itself in a complex array of illnesses that is increasingly affecting the geriatric population. There has not been research on a common cause since there are a culmination of reasons that are probable ranging from genetic to environmental factors. Antioxidants have been known to prevent and protect against the damage that is otherwise caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, high-capacity antioxidant juices supplemented into the diet of animal models such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, rats, and humans will allow for the study of the possible benefits.

Although a conclusion and common causation on the usage …

Recent Advances In Understanding Tick And Rickettsiae Interactions, Shahid Karim, Deepak Kumar, Khemraj Budachetri

Faculty Publications

Ticks are haematophagous arthropods with unique molecular mechanisms for digesting host blood meal while acting as vectors for various pathogens of public health significance. The tick's pharmacologically active saliva plays a fundamental role in modulating the host's immune system for several days to weeks, depending on the tick species. The vector tick has also developed sophisticated molecular mechanisms to serve as a competent vector for pathogens, including the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Evidence is still inadequate concerning tick–rickettsiae–host interactions and saliva-assisted transmission of the pathogen to the mammalian host. Rickettsia parkeri, of the SFG rickettsia, can cause a …

Effects Of Environmental Factors On Sensitivity Of Cryptococcus Neoformans To Fluconazole And Amphotericin B, Tyler Carlson, Emily Lupinacci, Katie Moseley, Srikripa Chandrasekaran

Open Access Fund Publications

Cryptococcus neoformans is a leading cause of fungal meningitis in immunocompromized populations. Amphotericin B (AMB) and fluconazole (FLC) are common anticryptococcal agents. AMB treatment leads to severe side-effects. In contrast, FLC-based therapy is relatively safe, although C. neoformans often develops resistance to this drug. C. neoformans must adapt to the challenging environment of the human host. Environmental effects on potency of AMB and FLC and development of drug resistance remain poorly characterized. Here, the effects of nutrients, temperature and antioxidants on susceptibility of C. neoformans towards FLC and AMB were investigated. Limited nutrients led to a decrease and an increase …

Nutrition And Chronic Pain, Elise Withers, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Riley Samples, Maren Wright Voss

All Current Publications

The internet is full of information about anti-inflammatory diets, foods, and supplements claiming to prevent or alleviate chronic pain. For those who struggle with chronic pain, sound dietary advice is essential to improve intake and ultimately decrease pain (Arranz et al., 2010). However, it’s important to note that research showing the impact of specific foods on health and the immune system is currently limited; therefore, these claims should be interpreted with caution (Elma et al., 2020; Harvard Health, 2018). This fact sheet will cover (1) how inflammation affects chronic pain and (2) how eating a well-balanced diet may help reduce …

Animal And Plant Protein Oxidation: Chemical And Functional Property Significance, Youling L. Xiong, Anqi Guo

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Protein oxidation, a phenomenon that was not well recognized previously but now better understood, is a complex chemical process occurring ubiquitously in food systems and can be induced by processing treatments as well. While early research concentrated on muscle protein oxidation, later investigations included plant, milk, and egg proteins. The process of protein oxidation involves both radicals and nonradicals, and amino acid side chain groups are usually the site of initial oxidant attack which generates protein carbonyls, disulfide, dityrosine, and protein radicals. The ensuing alteration of protein conformational structures and formation of protein polymers and aggregates can result in significant …

Flight And Dietary Antioxidants Influence Antioxidant Expression And Activity In A Migratory Bird, Kristen J. Demoranville, Wales A. Carter, Barbara J. Pierce, Scott R. Mcwilliams

Biology Faculty Publications

Ecologically-relevant factors such as exercise and diet quality can directly influence how physiological systems work including those involved in maintaining oxidative balance; however, to our knowledge, no studies to date have focused on how such factors directly affect expression of key components of the endogenous antioxidant system (i.e., transcription factors, select antioxidant genes, and corresponding antioxidant enzymes) in several metabolically active tissues of a migratory songbird. We conducted a 3-factor experiment that tested the following hypotheses: (H1) Daily flying over several weeks increases the expression of transcription factors NRF2 and PPARs as well as endogenous antioxidant genes (i.e., CAT, SOD1, …

Biofortification Of Sodium Selenate Improves Dietary Mineral Contents And Antioxidant Capacity Of Culinary Herb Microgreens, Rachel Newman G. Newman, Youyoun Moon, Carl E. Sams, Janet C. Tou, Nicole L. Waterland

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Selenium biofortification of plants has been suggested as a method of enhancing dietary seleniumintake to prevent deficiency and chronic disease in humans, while avoiding toxic levels of intake. Popular herbs such as basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.), and scallions (Allium fistulosum L.) present an opportunity for biofortification as these plants are used for added flavors to meals and are available as microgreens, young plants with increasing popularity in the consumer marketplace. In this study, basil, cilantro, and scallion microgreens were biofortified with sodium selenate under hydroponic conditions at various selenium concentrations to investigate the effects on yield, …

Health Benefits Of Berries, Luke Howard

Diet, Food, Exercise, and Nutrition (D-FEND)

Berry phytonutrients

Free radicals and antioxidants

Health benefits beyond antioxidant activity

Bioavailability of phytonutrients

Gaba Metabolism Is Crucial For Long-Term Survival Of Anoxia In Annual Killifish Embryos, Daniel E. Zajic, Jason Podrabsky

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

In most vertebrates, a lack of oxygen quickly leads to irreparable damages to vital organs, such as the brain and heart. However, there are some vertebrates that have evolved mechanisms to survive periods of no oxygen (anoxia). The annual killifish (Austrofundulus limnaeus) survives in ephemeral ponds in the coastal deserts of Venezuela and their embryos have the remarkable ability to tolerate anoxia for months. When exposed to anoxia, embryos of A. limnaeus respond by producing significant amounts of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This study aims to understand the role of GABA in supporting the metabolic response to anoxia. To explore this, …

Dietary Antioxidants Impact Ddt Resistance In Drosophila Melanogaster, Gamal A. M. Abdu-Allah, Keon-Mook Seong, Omprakash Mittapalli, James Adebayo Ojo, Weilin Sun, Omar Posos-Parra, David Mota-Sanchez, John M. Clark, Barry R. Pittendrigh

Entomology Faculty Publications

Insects experience a diversity of subtoxic and/or toxic xenobiotics through exposure to pesticides and, in the case of herbivorous insects, through plant defensive compounds in their diets. Many insects are also concurrently exposed to antioxidants in their diets. The impact of dietary antioxidants on the toxicity of xenobiotics in insects is not well understood, in part due to the challenge of developing appropriate systems in which doses and exposure times (of both the antioxidants and the xenobiotics) can be controlled and outcomes can be easily measured. However, in Drosophila melanogaster, a well-established insect model system, both dietary factors and …

Metabolomics Analysis Of Annual Killifish (Austrofundulus Limnaeus) Embryos During Aerial Dehydration Stress, Daniel Zajic, Jason Podrabsky

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The annual killifish, Austrofundulus limnaeus, survives in ephemeral ponds in the coastal deserts of Venezuela. Persistence through the dry season is dependent on drought-resistant eggs embedded in the pond sediments during the rainy season. The ability of these embryos to enter drastic metabolic dormancy (diapause) during normal development enables A. limnaeus to survive conditions lethal to most other aquatic vertebrates; critical to the survival of the species is the ability of embryos to survive months and perhaps years without access to liquid water. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms that aid in survival of the dry season. This study …

Combined Anthocyanins And Bromelain Supplement Improves Endothelial Function And Skeletal Muscle Oxygenation Status In Adults: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomised Crossover Clinical Trial, Elizabeth J. Pekas, Jaehyun Shin, Ronald Headid Iii, Won-Mok Son, Gwenael Layec, Santosh K. Yadav, Steven D. Scott, Song-Young Park

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Anthocyanins and bromelain have gained significant attention due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Both have been shown to improve endothelial function, blood pressure (BP) and oxygen utility capacity in humans; however, the combination of these two and the impacts on endothelial function, BP, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and oxygen utility capacity have not been previously investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of a combined anthocyanins and bromelain supplement (BE) on endothelial function, BP, TAC, oxygen utility capacity and fatigability in healthy adults. Healthy adults (n 18, age 24 (SD 4) years) received BE or …

Effects Of Temperature And Antioxidants On The Oxidation Of Biodiesel Derived From Waste Vegetable Oil, Randy L. Maglinao, Torrey J. Wagner, Keegan Duff

Faculty Publications

Biodiesel offers several environmental benefits and improvements to some fuel performance properties, but its poor oxidative stability has been a major concern. Currently, the accepted practice to improve biodiesel oxidative stability is the addition of antioxidants; numerous antioxidants have been studied but their effectiveness in inhibiting biodiesel oxidation is difficult to predict due to variation with resonance stability, solubility, reactivity, and volatility. To improve prediction efforts, this study explored the Rapid Small-Scale Oxidation Test (RSSOT) as a means to investigate how biodiesel oxidation is affected by antioxidant concentration and temperature, and compared its results with the oxidative stability index test. …

Determinations Of The Peroxidative Susceptibilities Of Cod Liver Oils By A Newly-Developed 1h Nmr-Based Method: Resistance Of An Antioxidant-Fortified Product Isolated From Pre-Fermented Sources, B. C. Percival, R. Zbasnik, V. Schlegel, M. Edgar, J. Zhang, M. Grootveld

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Objective: To explore the molecular composition and antioxidant status of four natural (unrefined) cod liver oil (CLO) products, three of which (Products 1–3) were non-fermented, whilst one (Product 4) was isolated from pre-fermented cod livers, and hence was naturally antioxidant-fortified. Potential antioxidants and aldehyde-scavenging agents were determined by recommended and/or 1H NMR methods; peroxyl radical-specific oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values were measured fluorimetrically. The activities of such antioxidants were also investigated by assessing the susceptibilities/resistivities of these CLOs to thermo-oxidation by 1H NMR analysis, which monitored the time-dependent evolution of aldehydic lipid oxidation products at 180 °C.

Results: Product …

The Effects Of Dietary Linoleic Acid And Hydrophilic Antioxidants On Basal, Peak, And Sustained Metabolism In Flight‐Trained European Starlings, Wales A. Carter, Kristen J. Demoranville, Barbara J. Pierce, Scott R. Mcwilliams

Biology Faculty Publications

Dietary micronutrients have the ability to strongly influence animal physiology and ecology. For songbirds, dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and antioxidants are hypothesized to be particularly important micronutrients because of their influence on an individual's capacity for aerobic metabolism and recovery from extended bouts of exercise. However, the influence of specific fatty acids and hydrophilic antioxidants on whole‐animal performance remains largely untested. We used diet manipulations to directly test the effects of dietary PUFA, specifically linoleic acid (18:2n6), and anthocyanins, a hydrophilic antioxidant, on basal metabolic rate (BMR), peak metabolic rate (PMR), and rates of fat catabolism, lean catabolism, and …

Exploring The Potential Of Nitric Oxide And Hydrogen Sulfide (Nosh)-Releasing Synthetic Compounds As Novel Priming Agents Against Drought Stress In Medicago Sativa Plants, Chrystalla Antoniou, Rafaella Xenofontos, Giannis Chatzimichail, Anastasis Christou, Khosrow Kashfi, Vasileios Fotopoulos

Publications and Research

Land plants are continuously exposed to multiple abiotic stress factors like drought, heat, and salinity. Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are two well-examined signaling molecules that act as priming agents, regulating the response of plants to stressful conditions. Several chemical donors exist that provide plants with NO and H2S separately. NOSH is a remarkable novel donor as it can donate NO and H2S simultaneously to plants, while NOSH-aspirin additionally provides the pharmaceutical molecule acetylsalicylic acid. The current study aimed to investigate the potential synergistic effect of these molecules in drought-stressed Medicago sativa L. plants by following a pharmacological …

Dietary Antioxidants Attenuate The Endocrine Stress Response During Long-Duration Flight Of A Migratory Bird, Stefania Casagrande, Kristen J. Demoranville, Lisa Trost, Barbara J. Pierce, Amadeusz Bryła, Maciej Dzialo, Edyta T. Sadowska, Ulf Bauchinger, Scott R. Mcwilliams

Biology Faculty Publications

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are metabolic hormones that promote catabolic processes, which release stored energy and support high metabolic demands such as during prolonged flights of migrating birds. Dietary antioxidants (e.g. anthocyanins) support metabolism by quenching excess reactive oxygen species produced during aerobic metabolism and also by activating specific metabolic pathways. For example, similar to GCs’ function, anthocyanins promote the release of stored energy, although the extent of complementarity between GCs and dietary antioxidants is not well known. If anthocyanins complement GCs functions, birds consuming anthocyanin-rich food can be expected to limit the secretion of GCs when coping with a metabolically challenging …

Muscular Apoptosis But Not Oxidative Stress Increases With Old Age In A Long-Lived Diver, The Weddell Seal, Kaitlin N. Allen, Jose Pablo Vazquez-Medina, John M. Lawler, Jo-Ann E. Mellish, Markus Horning, Allyson G. Hindle

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Seals experience repeated bouts of ischemia–reperfusion while diving, potentially exposing their tissues to increased oxidant generation and thus oxidative damage and accelerated aging. We contrasted markers of oxidative damage with antioxidant profiles across age and sex for propulsive (longissismus dorsi) and maneuvering (pectoralis) muscles of Weddell seals to determine whether previously observed morphological senescence is associated with oxidative stress. In longissismus dorsi, old (age 17–26 years) seals exhibited a nearly 2-fold increase in apoptosis over young (age 9–16 years) seals. There was no evidence of age-associated changes in lipid peroxidation or enzymatic antioxidant profiles. In pectoralis, 4-hydroxynonenal-Lys (4-HNE-Lys) levels increased …

Phytoene Accumulation In The Novel Microalga Chlorococcum Sp. Using The Pigment Synthesis Inhibitor Fluridone, Kelly Laje, Mark Seger, Barry Dungan, Peter Cooke, Juergen Polle, F. Omar Holguin

Publications and Research

Carotenoids are lipophilic pigments found in plants and algae, as well as some bacteria, archaea, and fungi that serve two functions—(1) as light harvesting molecules—primary carotenoids, and (2) as antioxidants, acting against reactive oxygen species–secondary carotenoids. Because of their strong antioxidant properties, they are also valuable for the development of anti-aging and photo-protective cosmetic applications. Of particular interest is the carotenoid phytoene, for its colorless and UV absorption characteristics. In this study, we targeted a reduction of phytoene desaturase (PDS) activity with the pigment-inhibiting herbicide 1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridin-4-one (fluridone), which leads to the over-accumulation of phytoene in the recently characterized microalgal …

Increased Sod2 In The Diaphragm Contributes To Exercise-Induced Protection Against Ventilator-Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction, Stephanie E. Hall

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a life-saving intervention for many critically ill patients. Unfortunately, prolonged MV results in rapid diaphragmatic atrophy and contractile dysfunction, collectively termed ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD). Recent evidence reveals that endurance exercise training, performed prior to MV, protects the diaphragm against VIDD. While the mechanism(s) responsible for this exercise-induced protection against VIDD remain unknown, increased diaphragm antioxidant expression may be required. To investigate the role that increased antioxidants play in this protection, we tested the hypothesis that elevated levels of the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) is required to achieve exercise-induced protection against VIDD. Cause …

Metformin, Oxidative Stress, And Infertility: A Way Forward, Rehana Rehman, Syed Hani Abidi, Faiza Alam

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.