The present review discusses the impact of heavy metals on the growth of plants at different concentrations, paying particular attention to the hormesis effect. Within the past decade, study of the ...hormesis phenomenon has generated considerable interest because it was considered not only in the framework of plant growth stimulation but also as an adaptive response of plants to a low level of stress which in turn can play an important role in their responses to other stress factors. In this review, we focused on the defence mechanisms of plants as a response to different metal ion doses and during the crosstalk between metal ions and biotic stressors such as insects and pathogenic fungi. Issues relating to metal ion acquisition and ion homeostasis that may be essential for the survival of plants, pathogens and herbivores competing in the same environment were highlighted. Besides, the influence of heavy metals on insects, especially aphids and pathogenic fungi, was shown. Our intention was also to shed light on the relationship between heavy metals deposition in the environment and ecological communities formed under a strong selective pressure.
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are the compounds used in the industry in order to decrease flammability of various everyday products. The use of BFRs leads to migration of these substances into ...the environment, which results in the exposure of humans to their action. Although BFRs are widespread in human surrounding, the effect of these compounds on human body has been very poorly assessed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cytotoxic effects as well as oxidative potential of selected bromophenolic flame retardants such as tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS), 2,4,6-tribromophenol (2,4,6-TBP) and pentabromophenol (PBP) on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that are crucial for proper functioning of the immune system. The cells were treated with the substances studied in the concentrations ranging from 0.0001 to 100 μg/mL for 1 h or 24 h. The results have shown that the compounds examined reduced PBMCs viability and ATP level as well as increased reactive oxygen species (including hydroxyl radical) formation. Moreover, the substances tested induced lipid peroxidation and caused oxidative damage to proteins in the incubated cells. It has also been noticed that the greatest changes were provoked by tetrabromobisphenol A, while the weakest by TBBPS, which is used as a substitute of TBBPA in the manufacture.
•Cytotoxic and oxidative effects of selected bromophenolic FRs on human PBMCs were studied.•TBBPA, TBBPS, 2,4,6-TBP and PBP exhibited cytotoxic and oxidative potential in PBMCs.•BFRs examined decreased cell viability and depleted intracellular ATP level.•BFRs studied increased ROS level and caused damage to lipids and proteins in PBMCs.•The greatest changes were noted for TBBPA, whereas the weakest for TBBPS.
Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events can be prevented, or treated, using statin therapy, either alone or in combination with ezetimibe. Chronic inflammation, vascular proliferation, and the ...development of atherosclerosis are also influenced by 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC). The aim of the study was to compare the direct pleiotropic effects of two commonly-used statins (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin), ezetimibe, and their combinations, on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory IL1β, IL-18 and IL-23 and anti-inflammatory TGFβ, IL-35 (EBI3, IL-12 subunits), IL-10 and IL-37, in endothelial cells damaged by 25-OHC. It also analyzed IL-35 expression at the protein level. HUVECs were stimulated with atorvastatin (5 μM), rosuvastatin (10 μM), ezetimibe (1.22 μM), atorvastatin-ezetimibe (5 μM + 1.22 μM) or rosuvastatin-ezetimibe (10 μM + 1.22 μM), with or without pre-incubation with 10 μg/mL 25-OHC. mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time PCR. The protein level of IL-35 was analyzed by ELISA. In the pre-stimulated HUVECs, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin decreased mRNA expression of IL1β, IL-18, IL-23, TGFβ, IL35 and increased mRNA expression of IL-10 and IL-37 compared to 25-OHC. Furthermore, only incubation with rosuvastatin and rosuvastatin-ezetimibe decreased IL-35 mRNA and protein levels. Ezetimibe down-regulated only IL1β. Treatment with rosuvastatin-ezetimibe and atorvastatin-ezetimibe reversed the effect of 25-OHC in IL1β, IL-18 and IL-35 mRNA expression. In conclusion, rosuvastatin has the strongest anti-inflammatory effects and is the best at reducing the effect of oxysterols. Both statins exert a greater anti-inflammatory effect than ezetimibe. The anti-inflammatory effect of the combination therapies appears to be based on the effects of the statins alone and not their combination with ezetimibe.
Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a common autosomal-dominant inherited disorder associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). HeFH subjects have a higher ...lipoprotein(a), i.e. Lp(a), concentration than the general population. Patients with FH are exposed to elevated levels of LDL from birth and ox-LDL may induce other oxidation pathways. The aim of the study was to determine the levels of markers of oxidative stress and DNA damage in patients with HeFH and describe the effect of Lp(a) on the resulting damage. Higher DNA damage was identified in patients with HeFH compared to the normolipidemic ones, and ASCVD was associated with greater damage. Oxidative stress markers were elevated in HeFH patients; however, only ox-LDL was higher in the ASCVD group and its level correlated with DNA damage. A positive correlation was found between DNA damage and Lp(a) concentration in the HeFH patients. Higher levels of Lp(a) were associated with greater DNA damage, especially in patients with HeFH and ASCVD. In HeFH patients, the optimal Lp(a) cut-off point associated with ASCVD is > 23.45 nmol/L, i.e. much lower than for the general population; however this cut-off point needs validation in a larger group of HeFH patients.
Bromophenolic flame retardants (BFRs) are a large group of synthetic substances used in the industry in order to reduce the flammability of synthetic materials used in electrical and electronic ...devices, textiles, furniture and other everyday products. The presence of BFRs has been documented in the environment, food, drinking water, inhaled dust and the human body. Due to the widespread exposure of the general population to BFRs and insufficient knowledge on their toxic action, including genotoxic potential, we have compared the effect of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS), 2,4,6,-tribromophenol (2,4,6-TBP) and pentabromophenol (PBP) on DNA damage in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (playing a crucial role in the immune system) as well as examined underlying mechanism of action of these substances. The cells were incubated for 24 h with studied compounds in the concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10 µg/mL. The study has shown that examined BFRs induced single and, to a lesser extent, double strand-breaks formation and caused oxidative damage to pyrimidines, and particularly to purines in the incubated cells. PBMCs efficiently repaired the DNA strand-breaks induced by BFRs, but they were unable to remove completely damaged DNA (except cells treated with TBBPS). The greatest changes in the above-mentioned parameters were observed in cells incubated with TBBPA, while the smallest in PBMCs treated with TBBPS. The results have also revealed that tested compounds do not form adducts with DNA in PBMCs, while the observed changes were the most probably induced by indirect DNA-damaging agents, such as ROS and other reactive species.
Triterpenoids present in grape cuticular waxes are of interest due to their potential role in protection against biotic stresses, their impact on the mechanical toughness of the fruit surface, and ...the potential industrial application of these biologically active compounds from grape pomace. The determination of the triterpenoid profile of cuticular waxes reported here supplements existing knowledge of the chemical diversity of grape, with some compounds reported in this species for the first time. Common compounds identified in eight examined cultivars grown in the Upper Rhine Valley include oleanolic acid, oleanolic and ursolic acid methyl esters, oleanolic aldehyde, α-amyrin, α-amyrenone, β-amyrin, cycloartanol, 24-methylenecycloartanol, erythrodiol, germanicol, lupeol accompanied by lupeol acetate, campesterol, cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and stigmasta-3,5-dien-7-one, whereas 3,12-oleandione was specific for the Muscat d’Alsace cultivar. Changes in the triterpenoid content of cuticular waxes were determined at three different phenological stages: young grapes, grapes at véraison (the onset of ripening), and mature grapes. The results reveal a characteristic evolution of triterpenoid content during fruit development, with a high level of total triterpenoids in young grapes that gradually decreases with a slight increase in the level of neutral triterpenoids. This phenomenon may partially explain changes in the mechanical properties of the cuticle and possible modulations in the susceptibility to pathogens of mature grapes.
The solubility of three isomers of isobutoxyphenylboronic acid in several organic solvents (chloroform, 3-pentanone, acetone, dipropyl ether, and methylcyclohexane) has been determined experimentally ...by a dynamic method, in which the disappearance of turbidity was determined by light intensity measurements using a luminance probe. The solubility of the ortho-isobutoxyphenylboronic acid is significantly higher than that of other isomers for all of the tested solvents. It can be explained by the differences in the structures of ortho compared with meta and para isomers. Introduction of the isobutoxy group into the phenylboronic acid ring generally increases the solubility in most solvents: it is higher for all of the investigated compounds in comparison with phenylboronic acid for all investigated solvents, except dipropyl ether. Experimental data were correlated by the λh-equation, which gave better results than other models.
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in research showing positive results in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and laser therapy (LT) in dentistry. The authors of this review ...tried to answer the question: “Is the effectiveness of lasers and aPDT in the elimination of intraoral halitosis possible?” For this purpose, the electronic database of PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched until September 2021 using a combination of different keywords: (bad breath OR fetor ex ore OR halitosis OR oral malodor) AND (laser OR PDT OR PACT OR photodynamic inactivation OR photodynamic therapy OR photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy). Initially, 83 studies were identified. A total of 9 articles were qualified after the application of the eligibility criteria. Eight works concerned aPDT treatment, and only one dedicated to the Er,Cr:YSGG laser. A significant reduction in halitosis occurred immediately after both LT and aPDT. The review found the confirmation of the effectiveness of laser therapy in reducing the number of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) and the amount of anaerobic bacteria responsible for VSC formation. In most studies, a positive effect was observed for a 1-week follow-up. Laser therapy (aPDT, Er,Cr:YSGG) effectively eliminates microorganisms that produce volatile compounds and can effectively eliminate bad breath for the longer period of time than traditional methods of combatting this ailment.
Atherosclerotic plaque instability increases the risk of stroke. As such, determining the nature of an instability atherosclerotic plaque may speed up qualification for carotid endarterectomy (CEA), ...thus reducing the risk of acute vascular events. The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of oxidized LDL cholesterol (ox‐LDL), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) in serum as a prognostic markers of instability atherosclerotic plaques. Serum was collected from 67 patients who underwent CEA in accordance with the qualification criteria. The levels of ox‐LDL, MMP‐9 and 8‐OHdG were assessed by ELISA. The predictive value of the markers was determined based on an ROC curve, and the cut‐off points with the highest sensitivity and specificity were determined. Patients with unstable atherosclerotic plaque had significantly higher serum ox‐LDL, MMP‐9 and 8‐OHdG values. It was found that in patients before CEA, ox‐LDL >31.4 ng/mL was associated with an 82.5% probability of unstable atherosclerotic plaque, MMP‐9 >113.1 ng/mL with 78.6%, and 8‐OHdG >2.15 ng/mL with 64.7%. Multivariate regression analysis found ox‐LDL to be an independent factor associated with plaque instability. Patients with unstable plaques tend to have higher serum levels of ox‐LDL, MMP‐9 and 8‐OHdG compared to those with stable plaques. The optimal cut‐off point for ox‐LDL (AUC 0.86, p <0.0001) was 31.14 ng/mL, with 91.18% sensitivity and 78.79% specificity. The high sensitivity and specificity of ox‐LDL suggests that it can be used as an independent marker of plaque instability.
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