European contribution to the study of ROS: A summary of the findings and prospects for the future from the COST action BM1203 (EU-ROS)

Abstract

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) provides an ideal framework to establish multi-disciplinary research networks. COST Action BM1203 (EU-ROS) represents a consortium of researchers from different disciplines who are dedicated to providing new insights and tools for better understanding redox biology and medicine and, in the long run, to finding new therapeutic strategies to target dysregulated redox processes in various diseases. This report highlights the major achievements of EU-ROS as well as research updates and new perspectives arising from its members. The EU-ROS consortium comprised more than 140 active members who worked together for four years on the topics briefly described below. The formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is an established hallmark of our aerobic environment and metabolism but RONS also act as messengers via redox regulation of essential cellular processes. The fact that many diseases have been found to be associated with oxidative stress established the theory of oxidative stress as a trigger of diseases that can be corrected by antioxidant therapy. However, while experimental studies support this thesis, clinical studies still generate controversial results, due to complex pathophysiology of oxidative stress in humans. For future improvement of antioxidant therapy and better understanding of redox-associated disease progression detailed knowledge on the sources and targets of RONS formation and discrimination of their detrimental or beneficial roles is required. In order to advance this important area of biology and medicine, highly synergistic approaches combining a variety of diverse and contrasting disciplines are needed.

The investigation of immunomodulatory activities of Gloeostereum�incaratum polysaccharides in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression mice

“…All the data obtained in our present experiment further confirmed the immunoregulation activities of GIPS in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice. On the other hand, ooxidative stress is identified as one of the pathogenic factor of the immune system in inflammatory diseases (40), which has an effect on human T cell differentiation and polarization (41). The immune cell functions are mainly associated with the imbalance of the antioxidant/oxidant, especially the over-generation of ROS (42).…”

The mechanism(s) of action of antioxidants: From scavenging reactive oxygen/nitrogen species to redox signaling and the generation of bioactive secondary metabolites

“…The biotransformation of curcuminoids is known to involve reduction (a major metabolic step by gut microbiota 62,63 and by the liver 64,65 ), demethylation and/or further hydroxylation, cyclization (by gut microbiota 62 ), and the formation of glucuronide and/or sulfate conjugates primarily at phenolic OH groups (accordingly, 1d is a minor metabolite). [64][65][66][67][68] Sulfate conjugation of curcumin (1) was recently also demonstrated to take place in breast cancer cells, and rapid excretion of its conjugates took place through a yet unidentified efflux transporter, possibly ABCG2. 69 As previously mentioned, free, unchanged curcumin appears to be scarcely present in the peripheral blood and tissues after oral ingestion.…”

“…The field of antioxidants undoubtedly lives its renaissance, largely due to the fact that oxidative stress is closely connected to the development of many chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, various aging related and central nerve system (CNS) disorders, etc . Oxidative stress, a term coined by Helmut Sies, has recently been redefined as “a disruption of redox signaling and control” , emphasizing the importance of a dynamic but fine‐tuned redox balance in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis .…”

“…36 Antioxidant enzymes counterbalance the potentially harmful effects of RONS. These can exert their function directly, such as for example superoxide dismutases (SODs), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), or indirectly, such as for example glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), UDP-glucuronosyl transferases, and NADP HUNYADI | 2507 F I G U R E 1 (A) Metabolites of curcuminoids (1)(2)(3) identified from in vivo, ex vivo and microbial fermentation studies. Bioactivity of these metabolites is discussed in Section 3.1.…”

Targeting reactive oxygen species for respiratory infection: Fact or fancy?

“…Despite the huge body of evidence demonstrating that excessive ROS are associated with many diseases including respiratory-related pathologies, clinical evidence is still lacking. 1 For example, oral therapy with antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, failed to prevent the development or progression of cardiovascular disease. Several large-scale antioxidant clinical trials yielded disappointing results regarding all-cause mortality and, in some cases, oral antioxidants had detrimental effects.…”