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Background: Preeclampsia is a multifactorial hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with multisystem involvement. Recent studies have demonstrated that preeclampsia is associated with increased placental oxidative stress at the cellular level. The nuclear factor erythroid-2-like 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) signaling is an antioxidant pathway that plays an important role in protecting cells against oxidative stress. Here, we aimed to determine the possible association between the Keap1 variants and genetic susceptibility to preeclampsia. Methods: In a case-control study, 150 preeclampsia patients and 150 women with normal pregnancy from Northern Iran were selected to evaluate the genotypes of Keap1 (rs11085735) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Results: A significant association between genotypes of Keap1 rs11085735 polymorphism with the renal function biomarkers and the risk of preeclampsia was not found. However, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was higher in the presence of the Keap1 AA genotype compared to AC and CC genotypes. We found a significantly higher prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in mild- and severe- preeclampsia and also hypothyroidism in severe preeclampsia compared to controls. Conclusions: We found an association between preeclampsia with GDM and hypothyroidism. Our findings suggest that the Keap1rs11085735 polymorphism may not be a risk factor for susceptibility to preeclampsia in our studied population; however, this polymorphism could affect the activity of AST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in various applications including industrial, agriculture, and medicine has raised concerns about their potential risks to human health. Various nanotoxicity researches have been done on the assessment of SiNPs' toxic effects; however, a few in vivo investigations exist. In this investigation, an in vivo study was done in order to evaluate the oral toxicity of SiNPs. The biochemical levels of 19 different serum parameters were assessed. Moreover, the histopathological changes have been examined as well. We showed that SiNPs with diameters of 10-15 nm in size can cause significant changes in albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, urea, HDL, and LDL as well as in alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activity. In addition, histopathological examinations demonstrated that SiNPs have toxic effects on various tissues including liver, kidney, lung, and testis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preeclampsia as a multifactor hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is associated with enhanced placental oxidative stress. The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway protects cells against oxidative stress. We examined the possible association between the Nrf2 variants in relation to oxidative stress parameters with the risk of preeclampsia. We studied 150 preeclampsia women and 150 women with a normal pregnancy to find the frequency of Nrf2 rs6721961 genotypes using the PCR-RFLP method. Also, an association between the Nrf2 genotypes with the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was analyzed. Significantly lower TAC and higher MDA levels were found in preeclampsia patients compared to controls (P<0.0001). For the first time, we report an association between the Nrf2 rs6721961 polymorphism and preeclampsia risk. The present study indicated that the GT genotype and the T allele of the Nrf2 rs6721961 increased the risk of preeclampsia by 2.81 and 2.39 times, respectively. Also, the Nrf2 TT genotype was associated with a 3.9-fold increased risk of early-onset preeclampsia. We detected a positive association between the levels of body mass index, MDA, and the Nrf2 polymorphism with the risk of preeclampsia and a negative correlation between the level of TAC with the preeclampsia risk. Also, an association between the rs6721961 TT genotype with higher serum MDA levels was found. Our study suggests oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and the Nrf2 rs6721961 polymorphism through alteration in the levels of oxidative stress parameters might increase the risk of preeclampsia and early-onset preeclampsia.

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common inflammatory ulcerative condition of oral cavity. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of the salivary Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and blood parameter in RAS versus healthy controls., Methods: This case-control study consisted of 28 patients with RAS and 28 age and sex -matched control without RAS. Cell blood count was assessed by sysmex system, serum iron and total iron binding capacity was measured by standard laboratory kit and for ferritin ELISA kit was utilized. Salivary TAC and MDA level determined using FRAP and TBARS method respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 21, chi-square test was used to compare proportions, and student's t-test and Mann Whitney U-test were used for the comparison of quantitative variables., Results: Salivary MDA level was significantly higher (p<0.001) and TAC level was significantly lower (p<0.042) in RAS as compared with the control group. Also, serum ferritin level was significantly higher in RAS patients (p<0.008)., Conclusion: These findings indicate the alteration of oxidant/antioxidant status was observed in recurrent aphthous stomatitis, may be also associated with changing several hematinic parameters in this study. The finding maybe helpful to clarify the etiologies of RAS and possibely to improve the management or preventive options.

Background: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressant drug with therapeutic and toxic actions. The use of CsA is limited by its toxicity. Several researchers had proposed that oxidative stress could play an important role in CsA-induced toxicity. Arbutin has recently been shown to possess antioxidative and free radical scavenging abilities. The present study was designed to investigate the in vivo effects of arbutin on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in the serum of cyclosporine treated rats., Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=8/group): (I) control (no CsA and arbutin administration), (II and III) were treated subcutaneously (Sc) with arbutin (50,100 mg/kg/bw), respectively, (IV) administered CsA (25 mg/kg/bw) intraperitoneally (IP), (V and VI) received the combination of CsA (25 mg/kg/bw) i.p and arbutin (50,100 mg/kg/bw) Sc daily, respectively. At the end of the treatment (after3 weeks), serum lipid peroxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) and serum total antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP]) was assayed based on spectrophotometric method., Results: TBARS had been significantly increased by CsA administration compared with control rats. Arbutin (50mg/kg/bw) completely prevented this effect, but arbutin (100 mg/kg/bw) alone or in combination with CsA significantly increased lipid peroxidation compared with controls., Conclusion: Our data indicate that arbutin (50mg/kg/bw) had protective effect in the CsA-induced toxicity but high concentration of arbutin (100mg/kg/bw) showed meaningful oxidative and lipoperoxidative effects.

Background: The mechanism of hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of Pyrus biossieriana Buhse leaf extract (PbBLE) and its phytochemical component arbutin, have not been well determined. The present study was performed to understand the hypoglycemic activity mechanisms of pbBLE and arbutin more clearly., Methods: In vitro enzymatic carbohydrate digestion with PbBLE and arbutin was assessed using α-amylase and α-glucosidase powders. The enzyme solutions were premixed with PbBLE and arbutin at different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 and 100 mg/ml). Substrate solutions and colorimetric reagents were added to the reaction. The release of glucose was determined by spectrophotometric method. Acarbose was used as the positive control., Results: The extract (10, 100 mg/ ml) completely inhibit α- amylase and α- glucosidase activities. The extract produced higher reduction of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity than arbutin. Inhibition at various concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 100 mg/ml) were significantly different (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Our results exhibited that both the extract and arbutin were able to suppress the enzymes strongly.