We have shown that lithium treatment improves motor coordination in a spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) disease mouse model (Sca1(154Q/+)). To learn more about disease pathogenesis and molecular contributions to the neuroprotective effects of lithium, we investigated metabolomic profiles of cerebellar tissue and plasma from SCA1-model treated and untreated mice. Metabolomic analyses of wild-...

PURPOSE To determine whether UVA-excited human lens chromophores can cause the oxidation of ascorbic acid in the absence of oxygen, and whether these oxidation products are capable of glycating lens proteins. METHODS The oxidation of ascorbic acid, mediated by UVA irradiation in the presence of aged human lens proteins, was measured in the absence of oxygen by the decrease in absorbance at 26...

Vascular leakage in multiple organs is a characteristic pathological change in sepsis. Our recent study revealed that ascorbate protects endothelial barrier function in microvascular endothelial cell monolayers through inhibiting serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activation (Han M, Pendem S, Teh SL, Sukumaran DK, Wu F, Wilson JX. Free Radic Biol Med 48: 128-135, 2010). The present ...

To elucidate how physiological and biochemical mechanisms of chilling stress are regulated by abscisic acid (ABA) pretreatment, pepper variety (cv. 'P70') seedlings were pretreated with 0.57 mM ABA for 72 h and then subjected to chilling stress at 10°/6°C (day/night). Chilling stress caused severe necrotic lesions on the leaves and increased malondialdehyde and H(2)O(2) levels. Activities of mo...

This study explored the role of exogenous ?-Toc (0.5 mM) and Asc (1 in alleviating damaging effects salt stress rapeseed plants (Brassica campestris cv. BARI Sarisha-17). Exposure 21-day-old to different levels (75 mM 150 NaCl) resulted higher accumulation sodium ions (Na+), reduced potassium ion (K+) levels, lower K+/Na+ ratio, increased oxidative damage, chlorophyll (Chl) breakdown, disrupted...

Astrocytes are central to iron and ascorbate homoeostasis within the brain. Although NTBI (non-transferrin-bound iron) may be a major form of iron imported by astrocytes in vivo, the mechanisms responsible remain unclear. The present study examines NTBI uptake by cultured astrocytes and the involvement of ascorbate and DMT1 (divalent metal transporter 1). We demonstrate that iron accumulation b...

Ascorbate, as a strong and active antioxidant, plays an important role in keeping human health. It helps promote iron absorption, increase antibody concentration and improve human immunity. Ascorbate is used to regenerate a-tocopherol (vitamin E), and remove radicals which could induce cancer and senescence. Ascorbate is beneficial to strengthen blood vessel and decrease cholesterol concentrati...

Ascorbate, as a strong and active antioxidant, plays an important role in keeping human health. It helps promote iron absorption, increase antibody concentration and improve human immunity. Ascorbate is used to regenerate a-tocopherol (vitamin E), and remove radicals which could induce cancer and senescence. Ascorbate is beneficial to strengthen blood vessel and decrease cholesterol concentrati...

The high concentration of ascorbate in leucocytes and its rapid expenditure during infection and phagocytosis suggests a role for the vitamin in the immune process. Evidence published to date shows an involvement in the migration and phagocytosis by macrophages and leucocytes, as well as the induction and expression of delayed hypersensitivity. Its effect on antibody production and complement l...

Ascorbate peroxidases are haem proteins that efficiently scavenge H2O2 in the cytosol and chloroplasts of plants. Database analyses retrieved 52 expressed sequence tags coding for Arabidopsis thaliana ascorbate peroxidases. Complete sequencing of non-redundant clones revealed three novel types in addition to the two cytosol types described previously in Arabidopsis. Analysis of sequence data av...