BiometalsPub Date : 2025-04-16DOI: 10.1007/s10534-025-00685-7
Igor Kučera, Vojtěch Sedláček
{"title":"Flavin-dependent enzymatic and photochemical interconversions between phenylarsonic and phenylarsonous acids.","authors":"Igor Kučera, Vojtěch Sedláček","doi":"10.1007/s10534-025-00685-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-025-00685-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Phenylarsonic acid is the parent compound of a group of derivatives that occur as anthropogenic environmental contaminants in both less toxic As(V) and much more toxic As(III) redox states. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying their enzymatic redox conversions, the activities of two flavin reductases, ArsH and FerA, from the soil bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans were compared. The stopped-flow data demonstrated that PhAs(V) oxidized dihydroflavin mononucleotide bound to ArsH, but not to FerA. This result proves that ArsH has some substrate specificity for organoarsenic compounds. Under aerobic conditions, both enzymes accelerated the oxidation of PhAs(III) in a catalase-sensitive manner, indicating that hydrogen peroxide acts as an intermediate. H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> was shown to react with PhAs(III) in a bimolecular (1:1) irreversible reaction. When exposed to blue light, flavin alone mediated rapid oxidation of PhAs(III) by O<sub>2</sub>. Photooxidation by flavin acted in concert with chemical oxidation by transiently accumulating H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>. The described processes may be relevant in the context of arsenic ecotoxicology and remediation.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143955451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Associated effects of blood metal(loid) exposure and impaired glucose metabolism in patients with gastric precancerous lesions or gastric cancer.","authors":"Yuting Zhu, Xiao Lin, Tingting Wang, Sheng Wang, Wuqi Wang, Mengran Ke, Yan Zhu, Bowen Zhang, Princess Ofosuhemaa, Yalei Wang, Mingjun Hu, Wanshui Yang, Anla Hu, Fen Huang, Qihong Zhao","doi":"10.1007/s10534-025-00684-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-025-00684-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Exposure to metal(loid)s and glucose metabolism may influence the progression of gastric precancerous lesions (GPLs) or gastric cancer (GC), but their combined effects remain unclear. Our study aimed to elucidate the combined impact of metal (including metalloid and trace element) exposure and disturbances in glucose metabolism on the progression of GPLs and GC. From a prospective observational cohort of 1829 individuals, their metal(loid) levels and blood metabolism were analysed via inductively coupled plasma‒mass spectrometry and targeted metabolomics gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry, respectively. From healthy normal controls (NC) or GPLs to GC, we observed that the aluminum and arsenic levels decreased, whereas the vanadium, titanium and rubidium levels increased, but the iron, copper, zinc and barium levels initially decreased but then increased; these changes were not obvious from the NC to GPL group. With respect to glucose homeostasis, most metabolites decreased, except for phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), which increased. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that titanium and phosphoenolpyruvate might be risk factors for GPLs, that barium is a protective factor for GC, and that D-glucaric acid might be a protective factor for GPLs and GC. Selenium, vanadium, titanium, succinate, maleate, isocitrate, PEP, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) had good predictive potential for GPL and GC. Additionally, metal(loid)s such as arsenic, titanium, barium, aluminum, and vanadium were significantly correlated with multiple glucose metabolites involved in the TCA cycle in the GPL and GC groups. Our findings imply that metal(loid) exposure disrupts glucose metabolism, jointly influencing GPL and GC progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143952654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel native probiotics with protective effects against nickel-induced kidney injury: a strategy for heavy metal toxicity.","authors":"Shokufeh Beglari, Niloofar Rezaie, Fatemeh Haririzadeh Jouriani, Elham Haj Agha Gholizadeh Khiavi, Shadi Aghamohammad, Mahdi Rohani","doi":"10.1007/s10534-025-00681-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-025-00681-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent studies have shown that exposure to heavy metals, particularly Nickel, and exacerbates kidney diseases by increasing oxidative stress. Probiotics, recognized for their antioxidant properties, may provide a beneficial approach to mitigate this oxidative damage. This research aims to explore the efficacy of native probiotics in reducing oxidative stress in kidney tissues, potentially leading to improved protective strategies against the toxicity caused by heavy metals. In this study, forty male NMRI mice were exposed to Nickel to induce oxidative stress, followed by probiotic treatment to evaluate its potential protective effects. The impact of these interventions on the antioxidant system was assessed through Real-Time PCR analysis, which measured gene expression profiles in the kidney tissue of the mice. The study demonstrated that native probiotic strains effectively upregulated the expression of genes related to Nrf2 signaling pathway before exposing to oxidant agents. Despite the suppressive effects of Nickel exposure on these gene expressions, the subsequent administration of probiotics after Nickel resulted in a significant increase and enhancement of expression levels. This research underscores the detrimental effects of Nickel, a heavy metal, on kidney health while exploring the protective properties of probiotics, particularly their anti-oxidative effects. Given the substantial risks linked to heavy metal exposure, the integration of probiotics presents a promising strategy to alleviate oxidative stress, thereby potentially preventing various kidney disorders associated with this condition. The findings advocate for a dual approach of addressing heavy metal toxicity and enhancing kidney resilience through probiotic intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143787665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiometalsPub Date : 2025-04-04DOI: 10.1007/s10534-025-00680-y
Irshad Ahamad, Tasneem Fatma
{"title":"Investigation of antifungal and antibiofilm activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles against Candida glabrata.","authors":"Irshad Ahamad, Tasneem Fatma","doi":"10.1007/s10534-025-00680-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-025-00680-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Candida glabrata is an important human fungal pathogen known to cause life-threatening infections in people with impaired immune systems. In the mouth cavities, trachea, and catheters, Candida glabrata biofilm grows unhindered and is the primary etiological factor in the pathophysiology of candidiasis, in the worst cases, this leads to systemic infections. Therefore, developing novel biofilm preventative and therapeutic agents is urgently required. Here, in the present study, an effort was made to monitor the function of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) generated from a cyanobacterium (Anabaena variabilis) as a novel antibiofilm agent focusing on candidiasis. Anabaena variabilis cell extract was used to synthesize AgNPs, characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNPs was observed at 25 µg/mL in Candida glabrata. At the concentration of 2MIC of AgNPs (50 µg/mL), 67 ± 0.84% membrane permeability was noticed at the same concentration the viable cells were found at only 2.8 ± 2.0%; while in the early phase of apoptosis, were found at 15.5 ± 1.5%; and in the late phase of apoptosis, were found at 81.8 ± 4.2%, thus confirming the cell's death. Additionally, a cell-cycle study also declared the halted cycle in the S phase by increasing the number of cells. The growth inhibition assay shows that the test organism's growth steadily decreased in comparison to the control with increasing AgNPs concentrations. Additionally, in the scanning electron microscopic pictures of Candida glabrata treated with AgNPs, which exhibited deep wrinkles and deformity, confirming the cells death. At the concentrations of 2MIC of AgNPs (50 µg/mL) showed 72 ± 0.86% of biofilm inhibition and 80 ± 1.3% degradation during the biofilm study. In conclusion, all results demonstrate that AgNPs have great antifungal potential; therefore, AgNPs could be used to control biofilm produced by emerging multidrug-resistant Candida glabrata.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143787608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiometalsPub Date : 2025-03-31DOI: 10.1007/s10534-025-00678-6
Bahgat Fayed, Hoda S El-Sayed, Shanshan Luo, Aisha E Reda
{"title":"Comparative evaluation of biologically and chemically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles for preventing Candida auris biofilm.","authors":"Bahgat Fayed, Hoda S El-Sayed, Shanshan Luo, Aisha E Reda","doi":"10.1007/s10534-025-00678-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-025-00678-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris) is a multidrug-resistant yeast that poses a significant global health threat due to its ability to form biofilms and resist various antifungal treatments. This study evaluates and compares the antifungal efficacy of biologically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP-B) and chemically synthesized ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NP-C1 and ZnO-NP-C2), developed using the dry-wet chemical method and sol-gel method, respectively. ZnO-NP-B was synthesized using Lactobacillus gasseri. The nanoparticles were characterized for size, charge, and morphology using Particle Size Analyzer, photon correlation spectroscopy with a 90 Plus Zetasizer, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The antifungal activity was assessed through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC<sub>50</sub>) determination, biofilm inhibition assays by XTT assay, and gene expression analysis. ZnO-NP-C1 exhibited the highest antifungal activity against C. auris planktonic cells, with a MIC<sub>50</sub> value of 61.9 ± 3.3 µg/ml, followed by ZnO-NP-C2 (151 ± 7.83 µg/ml), whereas ZnO-NP-B showed limited efficacy (MIC<sub>50</sub> = 1 mg/ml). Chemically synthesized ZnO-NPs, particularly ZnO-NP-C2, did not induce overexpression of resistance genes (CDR1, MDR1, ERG2, ERG11, FKS1, CHS1), whereas ZnO-NP-B triggered their upregulation, potentially promoting resistance. ZnO-NP-C1 was the most effective in preventing biofilm formation, reducing C. auris adhesion by 67.9 ± 2.35% at 150 µg/ml, while ZnO-NP-B exhibited negligible inhibition. Gene expression analysis further confirmed that ZnO-NP-C1 significantly downregulated adhesive genes (ALS5, IFF4, CSA1) by up to 0.37 ± 0.006, 0.043 ± 0.002, and 0.06 ± 0.0004, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of ZnO-NP-C1 as a promising antifungal agent for preventing C. auris biofilms, emphasizing the critical role of synthesis methods in optimizing nanoparticle properties for antifungal applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143750577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trace elements and cognitions in elderly population: a case-control study.","authors":"Anil Kumar Maurya, Mona Srivastava, Ashish Ashish, Nitish Kumar Singh, Abhay Kumar Yadav, Shani Vishwakarma, Royana Singh","doi":"10.1007/s10534-025-00679-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-025-00679-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There have been almost no studies with trace elements and psychological battery in cognitively impaired elderly individuals. Such research is crucial to enhance diagnostic accuracy. We aim to identify significant differences in blood serum concentration levels of trace elements, Hindi Mini-Mental State Examination (HMMSE), and psychological battery as Hindi Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (HMDRS) scores between case and control groups in the elderly. A cross-sectional research design was conducted with a total of 240 subjects, comprising 120 each from the case and control groups. Trace elements were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. HMMSE and HMDRS tests were administered to assess cognition scores. The chi-square test, t-test, and appropriate statistics were utilized. Our findings indicate significant differences in demographic factors (age, gender, education level) and clinical levels (p < .001), while caste, habitat, and marital status were not significant (p < .05). Concentration levels of Iron (Fe) and Copper (Cu) was higher, Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr), and Selenium (Se) were lower, significantly different (p < .001), but Magnesium (Mg) was not (p < .05). Additionally, third HMMSE and HMDRS were significant (p < .001) between the case and control groups in the elderly. The study suggested that higher levels of Fe and Cu, while lower Zn, Cr, and Se blood serum concentrations increased the risk of cognitive impairments in the elderly population, demonstrated by the HMMSE and HMDRS test scores which were lower in the case group.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiometalsPub Date : 2025-03-21DOI: 10.1007/s10534-025-00672-y
D. B. León-Flores, L. I. Siañez-Estada, B. F. Iglesias-Figueroa, T. S. Siqueiros-Cendón, E. A. Espinoza-Sánchez, A. Varela-Ramírez, R. J. Aguilera, Q. Rascón-Cruz
{"title":"Anticancer potential of lactoferrin: effects, drug synergy and molecular interactions","authors":"D. B. León-Flores, L. I. Siañez-Estada, B. F. Iglesias-Figueroa, T. S. Siqueiros-Cendón, E. A. Espinoza-Sánchez, A. Varela-Ramírez, R. J. Aguilera, Q. Rascón-Cruz","doi":"10.1007/s10534-025-00672-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-025-00672-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cancer treatment is among today’s most active and challenging research fields. In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing new cancer therapies, including nutraceuticals and natural compounds with anticancer properties. Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein present in mammals, is of significant interest due to its pleiotropic behavior, demonstrating a broad spectrum of biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. In this review, we examine the current knowledge of Lf's role in cancer. In addition, it exhibits a synergistic effect along with conventional drugs, potentially enhancing their efficacy and, at the same time, reducing the side effects associated with most traditional therapies. However, it is essential to consider the precise molecular mechanism by which Lf exerts its antitumor activity. Searching interactions with several molecules can provide insight into this mechanism. Additionally, finding lactoferrin receptors can improve the strategies for the specific release of the conjugates. For all these reasons, Lactoferrin becomes a potential therapeutic agent that should be examined in depth.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":"38 2","pages":"465 - 484"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143673119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiometalsPub Date : 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1007/s10534-025-00676-8
Ella O'Sullivan, Denis O'Shea, Michael Devereux, Orla Howe
{"title":"Apoptotic cell death induced by copper (II), manganese (II) and silver (I) complexes containing bridging dicarboxylate and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands: one of the multi-modes of anticancer activity?","authors":"Ella O'Sullivan, Denis O'Shea, Michael Devereux, Orla Howe","doi":"10.1007/s10534-025-00676-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-025-00676-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cu(II), Mn(II) and Ag(I) complexes incorporating bridging dicarboxylate and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands have exhibited anti-cancer potential with significant in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic efficacies. Our study focuses on regulated cell death process of apoptosis as a mode of action of the anti-cancer activity by the complexes. Cytotoxicity screening of the complexes demonstrated all the metal-dicarboxylate-phenanthroline complexes exhibit superior activity compared to their non-phenanthroline containing precursors, in addition to cisplatin. The Cu(II) and Mn(II) complexes were shown to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) but this was not observed for the Ag(I) analogues. Furthermore, apoptosis was found to be induced by all the metal-phenanthroline complexes to varying degrees contingent on the type of metal centre in the complex. Apoptotic gene expression analysis established the predominant activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, with co-stimulation of the extrinsic pathway observed in some cases. The mechanistic data provided within this study highlights the multi-modal activity of the metal-phenanthroline complexes contingent on the type of metal present, warranting continued investigation of their biological modes of action beyond apoptosis induction.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143646770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiometalsPub Date : 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1007/s10534-025-00668-8
Luan Viana Faria, Maria Eduarda Scordamaia Lopes, Diego Pedreira de Oliveira, Fernando Santos da Silva, Cecilio Sadao Fugivara, Andressa Vilas Boas Nogueira, James Deschner, Joni Augusto Cirelli
{"title":"Sustained release of Sr and Ca from a micronanotopographic titanium surface improves osteoblast function","authors":"Luan Viana Faria, Maria Eduarda Scordamaia Lopes, Diego Pedreira de Oliveira, Fernando Santos da Silva, Cecilio Sadao Fugivara, Andressa Vilas Boas Nogueira, James Deschner, Joni Augusto Cirelli","doi":"10.1007/s10534-025-00668-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-025-00668-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The surface chemistry and topographical features of dental implants play a crucial role in influencing the osseointegration process. Alkaline earth elements such as strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) exert beneficial effects in promoting bone formation. This study aimed to evaluate micronanotopographic cpTi substrates that doped these elements, Sr and Ca. The composition and morphology were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Wettability assays, Sr and Ca release tests, and electrochemical behavior were also conducted. Proliferation, adhesion, and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells on this surface were evaluated in vitro. Direct fluorescence assays and SEM, cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and mineralization nodule formation were performed. The biological results showed the absence of cytotoxicity after the treatments, increased cell spreading on the micronanotopographic substrates, and greater mineralization nodule formation on surfaces doped with Sr and Sr/Ca. Gene and protein expression of osteoblastic markers were assessed through PCR and ELISA, and some genes were regulated on the doped surfaces at three and seven days of cell culture, like <i>Bglap</i><i>, </i><i>Ibsp</i><i>, </i><i>Spp, Col1a1,</i> and <i>Runx2</i>. The micronanotopographic substrates modified the physicochemical properties and morphology of the pre-osteoblasts. The results indicate that the biological effect of implants treated with Sr and Sr/Ca was significantly superior to that of polished surfaces and undoped micronanotopographic implants. Furthermore, the addition of Sr alone was sufficient to improve events related to osseointegration.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":"38 2","pages":"623 - 646"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143646772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}