Showing papers by "Saleh A. Al-Farraj published in 2019"

Protective effects of hesperidin and diosmin against acrylamide-induced liver, kidney, and brain oxidative damage in rats

Abstract: Acrylamide (AA) is a heat-induced toxin formed during thermal processing of many commonly consumed foods, including meat products, French fries, potato crisps, bread, cereals, cookies, and coffee. There is thus potentially high dietary exposure of humans to AA, which can induce significant oxidative stress. Hesperidin (HS) and diosmin (DS) are flavone glycosides that have antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of HS and DS against AA toxicity. Fifty-six adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into seven groups. The first group was orally administered 0.5% (w/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and considered as the control group. The second and third groups were orally administered 10 mg/kg/day of HS or DS, respectively. The fourth group received 20 mg/kg/day of AA orally for 14 days. The fifth and sixth groups were given 10 mg/kg/day of HS or DS, respectively, followed by AA. The seventh group was given both HS and DS after AA administration. AA intoxication significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased serum levels of liver function enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), kidney function products (urea and creatinine), oxidative DNA damage marker (OHdG), proinflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde), and nitric oxide (NO). On the other hand, it significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver, kidney, and brain. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the liver, kidney, and brain tissues were also reduced. HS and DS supplementation prevented lipid peroxidation, normalized the serum parameters altered by AA, and enhanced the tissue concentrations and activities of antioxidant biomarkers. It could be concluded that HS and DS have potent protective effects against oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage induced by AA toxicity in rats.

Optimization of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in the date palm Phoenix dactylifera during acclimation to heat and drought.

Abstract: We studied acclimation of leaf gas exchange to differing seasonal climate and soil water availability in slow-growing date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seedlings. We used an extended Arrhenius equation to describe instantaneous temperature responses of leaf net photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (G), and derived physiological parameters suitable for characterization of acclimation (Topt , Aopt and Tequ ). Optimum temperature of A (Topt ) ranged between 20-33°C in winter and 28-45°C in summer. Growth temperature (Tgrowth ) explained c. 50% of the variation in Topt , which additionally depended on leaf water status at the time of measurement. During water stress, light-saturated rates of A at Topt (i.e. Aopt ) were reduced to 30-80% of control levels, albeit not limited by CO2 supply per se. Equilibrium temperature (Tequ ), around which A/G and substomatal [CO2 ] are constant, remained tightly coupled with Topt . Our results suggest that acclimatory shifts in Topt and Aopt reflect a balance between maximization of photosynthesis and minimization of the risk of metabolic perturbations caused by imbalances in cellular [CO2 ]. This novel perspective on acclimation of leaf gas exchange is compatible with optimization theory, and might help to elucidate other acclimation and growth strategies in species adapted to differing climates.

Further analyses on the evolutionary “key‐protist” Halteria (Protista, Ciliophora) based on transcriptomic data

Abstract: Considerable discordance between morphologies and molecules, which can be caused by convergent morphologies, cryptic species or plastic phenotypes, has been frequently detected, especially in microbes. One of the best examples could be the well‐known halteriid ciliates, whose systematic position remains highly unresolved, because it resembles oligotrichs in terms of morphology while associates with hypotrichs in phylogeny based on maker genes. In the present work, we report the deep sequencing and analyses of RNA‐seq data from the representative halteriid, Halteria grandinella. The results indicate that: 1) the transcriptome includes 92,114 genes (aa ≥ 50) with the N50 of 957 bp, which is much better than the single‐cell transcriptome; 2) H. grandinella shares more homologous genes in higher sequence identity with hypotrichous oxytrichids than with oligotrichs; 3) the codon usage bias of H. grandinella is much more similar with that of oligotrich Strombidium sulcatum, and UAA and UAG are reassigned to encode glutamine, which is a common feature of oligotrichs and hypotrichs; and 4) phylogenomic analyses based on 132 orthologs and 47,263 amino acid sites place H. grandinella as a sister to hypotrichs while other oligotrichs cluster together. Based on all the information so far available, we thus suggest that H. grandinella could be an extremely specialized “oligotrich‐like” hypotrich. The similar morphology between halteriids and oligotrichs results from convergent evolution to adapt to the planktonic lifestyle. We hypothesize the evolutionary relationship of the core spirotrichs that halteriids and oxytrichids share the most common ancestor, followed successively by other hypotrichs, oligotrichs/choreotrichs, and euplotids.

Morphology, morphogenesis, and molecular phylogeny of a soil ciliate, Gonostomum kuehnelti Foissner, 1987 (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia), from northwestern China.

Abstract: The morphology and morphogenesis of the hypotrichous soil ciliate Gonostomum kuehnelti Foissner, 1987, isolated from northwestern China, was investigated based on observations of live and p...

Chronic exposure to 35% carbamide peroxide tooth bleaching agent induces histological and hematological alterations, oxidative stress, and inflammation in mice.

Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated the side effects of tooth whiteners on the gastric mucosa. However, the impact of dental bleaching products on the liver, kidney, and heart remains obscure. The present study investigated the toxic potential of 35% carbamide peroxide (CPO) containing tooth whitening product (TWP) on the liver, kidney, heart, and stomach of mice, pointing to the role of oxidative stress and inflammation. Mice received 250 or 500 mg/kg body weight CPO-TWP orally for 3 weeks and samples were collected for analyses. Both doses of CPO-TWP induced a significant increase in circulating liver, kidney, and heart function markers. CPO-TWP-administered mice showed several histological alterations and a significant increase in liver, kidney, heart, and stomach lipid peroxidation levels along with diminished glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. In addition, administration of CPO-TWP provoked anemia, leukocytosis, and a significant increase in circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, exposure to 35% CPO-TWP induced functional, histological, and hematological alterations, oxidative stress, and inflammation in mice. Therefore, the frequent use of tooth bleaching agents should be monitored very carefully to avoid the application of excess amounts as well as the intake.

Molecular phylogeny and Ultrastructure of a new population of Urostyla grandis (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida) from Harbin, China

Abstract: A new population of Urostyla grandis, collected from a freshwater pond of northeastern China was investigated by living observation, silver impregnation, and molecular phylogeny based on small subunit ribosomal rRNA (SSU rRNA). Besides, its ultrastructural characteristics were investigated carefully by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. Complementary descriptions of some inner ultrastructures were provided and some new organelles were also found. Especially, the oral inner microtubule system was illustrated by SEM and TEM for the first time and a new type extrusome was reported. These results may supply complement taxonomic data and ingestion mechanism on ciliates in genus Urostyla.