The tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate inhibits NF-κB-mediated transcriptional activation by covalent modification.

Potential health benefits of consuming tea are thought to include anti-inflammatory actions of its constituent flavonoids including catechins, which are well-recognized antioxidants. We analyzed and discovered a novel mechanism by which epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol in tea and a putative health-promoting constituent, inhibits activation of the nuclear transcription factor NF-κB, which mediates inflammatory responses to cytokines and other agents. We found that EGCG inhibits NF-κB-p65 transcriptional activity, by preventing NF-κB-p65 binding to κBs in normal human bronchial epithelial cells.

Epigallocatechin gallate diminishes cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Cigarette smoke (CS), the major risk factor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), contains numerous free radicals that can cause oxidative stress and exaggerated inflammatory responses in the respiratory system. Lipid peroxidation which is oxidative degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and results in cell damage has also been associated with COPD pathogenesis. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation as well as its end product 4-hydroxynonenal have indeed been detected in COPD patients.

Epigallocatechin gallate suppresses inflammation in human coronary artery endothelial cells by inhibiting NF-κB.

The endothelium is a critical regulator of vascular homeostasis, controlling vascular tone and permeability as well as interactions of leukocytes and platelets with blood vessel walls. Consequently, endothelial dysfunction featuring inflammation and reduced vasodilation are considered central to cardiovascular disease (CVD) pathogenesis and have become a therapeutic area of focus. Type II endothelial cell (EC) activation by stress-related stimuli such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) initiates the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, a master regulator of inflammatory responses.

Association between alcohol-induced oxidative stress and membrane properties in synaptosomes: A protective role of vitamin E.

Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption leads to various neurological diseases. Synaptosomes are ideal organelles to study the functional properties of the brain in alcoholism. This study focuses on the association between oxidative stress and synaptosomal membrane properties in alcohol treated rats.

Influence of Altered Hormonal Status on Platelet 5-HT and MAO-B Activity in Cigarette Smokers.

The present study was designed to understand the cigarette smoking-induced alterations in hormones and the resulting changes in platelet serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) activity in chronic smokers. Human male volunteers aged 35 ± 8 years, were divided into two groups, namely controls and smokers (12 ± 2 cigarettes per day for 7-10 years). Results showed that cigarette smoking significantly (p < 0.

Alcohol-induced oxidative stress in rat liver microsomes: Protective effect of Emblica officinalis.

The protective effect of Emblica officinalis fruit extract (EFE) against alcohol-induced oxidative damage in liver microsomes was investigated in rats. EFE (250mg/kg b.wt/day) and alcohol (5g/kg b.

Gender differences in alcohol-induced oxidative stress and altered membrane properties in erythrocytes of rats.

Alcohol-induced oxidative stress leads to imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant defense system, resulting in oxidative damage to membrane components such as lipids and proteins, ultimately altering membrane properties. In this study, we assessed oxidative stress status and alterations in erythrocyte membrane properties in alcohol-administered rats with respect to gender difference. Alcohol (20% v/v) administered rats of both genders showed significant changes in plasma lipid profile with elevated nitrite/nitrate levels.

Oxidative stress in streptozocin-diabetic rats: Amelioration by mulberry (Morus Indica L.) leaves.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate amelioration of oxidative stress by mulberry (Morus indica L.) leaves in streptozocin (STZ)-diabetic rats, as the leaves of mulberry (Morus indica L.) of Moraceae, are reported to be rich in a number of bioactive principles, i.

Alcohol-induced oxidative/nitrosative stress alters brain mitochondrial membrane properties.

Chronic alcohol consumption causes numerous biochemical and biophysical changes in the central nervous system, in which mitochondria is the primary organelle affected. In the present study, we hypothesized that alcohol alters the mitochondrial membrane properties and leads to mitochondrial dysfunction via mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Alcohol-induced hypoxia further enhances these effects.

Protective Effect of Emblica officinalis Against Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Injury by Ameliorating Oxidative Stress in Rats.

The effect of Emblica officinalis fruit extract (EFE) against alcohol-induced hepatic damage in rats was investigated in the present study. In vitro studies showed that EFE possesses antioxidant as well nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity. In vivo administration of alcohol (5 g/kg b.

Ethanol induced adaptive changes in blood for the pathological and toxicological effects of chronic ethanol consumption in humans.

Alcohol consumption is associated with a number of toxicological changes in blood and the oxidant-antioxidant system. The present study was performed to investigate the alcohol induced toxicological, pathological changes in blood and an adaptive role of erythrocyte antioxidant system in chronic alcoholics. Human male volunteers aged 44±6 years with similar dietary habits were divided into two groups, namely non-alcoholic controls and chronic alcoholics.

Increased erythrocyte antioxidant status protects against smoking induced hemolysis in moderate smokers.

Cigarette smoking is common in societies worldwide and has been identified as injurious to human health. Human red blood cells are important targets for electrophilic and oxidant foreign compounds. In the present study, the possible role of antioxidant status on smoking-induced erythrocyte hemolysis of smokers was studied.

Emblica officinalis ameliorates alcohol-induced brain mitochondrial dysfunction in rats.

The fruit of Emblica officinalis has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of different ailments and is also an ingredient of various traditional medicinal herbal formulations in India and other countries. To investigate the protective effect of Emblica officinalis fruit extract (EFE) against alcohol-induced brain mitochondrial dysfunction, male Wistar rats were orally administered 20% alcohol (5 g/kg of body weight/day) and EFE (250 mg/kg of body weight/day) for 60 days. Alcohol-treated rats showed significantly lowered activities of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and reduced glutathione compared with those of experimental control rats.

Amelioration of alcohol-induced oxidative stress by Emblica officinalis (amla) in rats.

The present study was aimed at investigating the ameliorative effect of Emblica (Phyllanthus Emblica L) fruit extract (EFE) against alcohol-induced oxidative changes in plasma biochemical profile in rats. Alcohol administration (5 g/kg body wt/day) for 60 days resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher levels of plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx), total bilirubin, creatinine, and abnormalities in lipid and lipoproteins.

Chronic cigarette smoking alters erythrocyte membrane lipid composition and properties in male human volunteers.

Cigarette smoking is a major lifestyle factor influencing the health of human beings. The present study investigates smoking induced alterations on the erythrocyte membrane lipid composition, fluidity and the role of nitric oxide. Thirty experimental and control subjects (age 35+/-8) were selected for the study.

Lipid abnormalities in streptozotocin-diabetes: Amelioration by Morus indica L. cv Suguna leaves.

Aim: To observe the influence of mulberry (Morus indica L. cv Suguna) leaves on lipid abnormalities in STZ-diabetic rats.

Materials And Methods: Treatment with dried mulberry leaf powder for a period of 8 weeks in hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic STZ-diabetic rats.

Smoking-induced alterations in platelet membrane fluidity and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity in chronic cigarette smokers.

Aim: Cigarette smoking is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Platelet adhesiveness and aggregation increases as a result of smoking. Cigarette smoking modifies haemostatic parameters via thrombosis with a consequently higher rate of cardiovascular events, but smoking-induced alterations of platelet membrane fluidity and other changes have not been studied.

Emblica officinalis protects against alcohol-induced liver mitochondrial dysfunction in rats.

The protective effect of Emblica officinalis, a commonly used botanical in many Ayurvedic preparations, was investigated for its effects on liver mitochondria of ethanol-administered rats. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species-mediated toxicity are considered two of the key underlying mechanisms responsible for alcohol-induced liver injury and mitochondrial dysfunction. Alcohol-administered rats showed a significant elevation of plasma transaminases (aspartate and alanine aminotransferases), alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase compared to control rats.

Modulatory role of Emblica officinalis against alcohol induced biochemical and biophysical changes in rat erythrocyte membranes.

This study investigated the protective effect of Emblica officinalis against alcohol-induced biochemical and biophysical changes in rat erythrocyte membranes. Thirty-two male rats were divided into four groups (n=8 in each group): control (C), alcohol (A), alcohol plus Emblica fruit extract (A+EFE) and Emblica fruit extract (EFE) alone. Administration of twenty percent alcohol (5 g/kg body weight) to rats significantly increased cholesterol/phospholipid (C/P) ratio, lipid peroxidation and the activities of Na(+)/K(+) and Mg(2+) ATPases in erythrocyte membranes as well as augmented nitric oxide (NO) levels.

Bidis--hand-rolled, Indian cigarettes: induced biochemical changes in plasma and red cell membranes of human male volunteers.

Objective: To investigate the effect of bidi smoking on erythrocyte antioxidant status, membrane fluidity.

Design And Methods: Thirty experimental and control subjects (mean age 35+/-5) were selected for the study. Experimental subjects smoke 22+/-4 bidis per day for 8-10 years.

Chronic exposure to pyrethroid-based allethrin and prallethrin mosquito repellents alters plasma biochemical profile.

Continuous exposure of humans to pyrethroid-based mosquito repellents for longer durations may lead to adverse health effects. No information is available on long-term use of these mosquito repellents pertaining to the biochemical changes in human subjects. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to evaluate the status of health in human volunteers exposed to two commercially available mosquito repellent pyrethroids, allethrin and prallethrin, in terms of changes in plasma biochemical profile.

Role of nitric oxide in alcohol-induced changes in lipid profile of moderate and heavy alcoholics.

Biochemical changes in plasma and red cell membrane in moderate and heavy alcoholics were investigated to compare them with teetotalers in the present study. Significant changes in lipid, lipoprotein profile, and lipid peroxidation were evident from the study suggesting the cardioprotective effect in moderate alcoholics, and adverse changes leading to cardiovascular risk in heavy alcoholics. Both nitrite and nitrate levels in plasma of moderate alcoholics increased significantly when compared with teetotalers and the increase is more pronounced in heavy alcoholics.

Gluconeogenic substrates and hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: effect of mulberry (Morus indica L.) leaves.

Mulberry (Morus indica L.) leaves, the sole food of the silk worm, were evaluated for antidiabetic effects in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Treatment with dried mulberry leaf powder at 25% of the diet for a period of 8 weeks was found to be remarkably beneficial to STZ-diabetic rats as evidenced by controlled hyperglycemia and glycosuria.

Prallethrin induced biochemical changes in erythrocyte membrane and red cell osmotic haemolysis in human volunteers.

Changes in biochemical composition in erythrocyte membrane, erythrocytic osmotic haemolysis, and nitrite and nitrate levels in plasma were analyzed in 12 human volunteers who were exposed regularly to prallethrin, a type I pyrethroid mosquito repellent. The results revealed a decrease in cholesterol (C) and phospholipid (P) moieties in erythrocyte membrane with no consequent change in C:P ratio. Further, a significant decrease in the content of phosphatidyl serine suggested that PS is a sensitive phospholipid species to the pyrethroid action.