beta-carotene and titanium-dioxide

Commercial, titanium dioxide (TiO

Topics: beta Carotene; Biological Availability; Emulsions; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Titanium

In this study, the effects of beta-carotene (BC) on testicular germ cell apoptosis arising from titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NTiO2 ) have been evaluated. In NTiO2 -treated mice, expression of apoptotic related genes including Bid, FasL, caspase-3 and p38MAPK was significantly increased. Measurement apoptosis using TUNEL method showed significant increase in apoptotic index of germ cells in NTiO2 -treated mice (P < 0.05). TUNEL assessments showed that the increase of apoptotic index of testicular germ cells in NTiO2 -treated mice was reversed by BC. Beta-carotene pre-treatment could also effectively attenuate the expression of apoptotic related genes. The application of BC may serve as a beneficial medication to protect germ cells against apoptosis induced by nanoparticles and be helpful for male fertility.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; beta Carotene; Gene Expression; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Male; Metal Nanoparticles; Mice; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Testis; Titanium

This study evaluated the protective effect of beta-carotene (BC) on titanium oxide nanoparticle (TNP) induced spermatogenesis defects in mice.. Thirty-two NMRI mice were randomly divided into four groups. BC group received 10 mg/kg of BC for 35 days. TNP group received 300 mg/kg TNP for 35 days. TNP+BC group initially received 10 mg/kg BC for 10 days and was followed by concomitant administration of 300 mg/kg TNP for 35 days. Control group received only normal saline for 35 days. Epididymal sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, spermatogenesis assessments and testosterone assay were performed for evaluation of the TNP and BC effects on testis.. Serum testosterone levels were markedly decreased in TNP-intoxicated mice. Epididymal sperm parameters including sperm number, motility and percentage of abnormality were significantly changed in TNP-intoxicated mice (p < 0.01). Histopathological criteria such as epithelial vacuolization, sloughing of germ cells and detachment were significantly increased in TNP-intoxicated mice (p < 0.001). BC+TNP treatment significantly prevented these changes (p < 0.05). BC also significantly elevates testosterone levels in BC+TNP group compared to TNP-treated mice (p < 0.01).. The results of this study demonstrated that BC improved the spermatogenesis defects in TNP-treated mice. BC had a potent protective effect against the testicular toxicity and might be clinically useful.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Male; Mice, Inbred Strains; Nanoparticles; Organ Size; Protective Agents; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Spermatogenesis; Testis; Testosterone; Titanium

Beta-carotene was inserted into single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by using the encapsulation method in a solution phase, and the energy transfer process was studied under irradiation of visible light. The encapsulation of beta-carotene inside SWCNTs was confirmed by ultraviolet (UV)/visible (Vis) and near-IR (N-IR) spectroscopy, and the stability of encapsulated beta-carotene was also confirmed by a UV irradiation experiment. The N-IR absorption spectrum revealed that the beta-carotene donated electrons to the SWCNTs upon encapsulation. We measured current flow through SWCNT bundles by using conducting probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM) while the samples were irradiated by green light (532 nm) and red light (650 nm). The current changed with the irradiation of 532 nm light, where the beta-carotene has its own absorption, but not with the irradiation of 650 nm light. From these results, we concluded that the encapsulated beta-carotene inside SWCNTs efficiently absorbed 532 nm light and excited electrons of beta-carotene might be transferred to the SWCNTs like an energy transfer process. Our conclusion was consistent with a previously suggested energy transfer theory between beta-carotene and SWCNTs.

Topics: beta Carotene; Electric Conductivity; Materials Testing; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Nanostructures; Nanotubes, Carbon; Particle Size; Titanium

Natural dyes extracted from fruits of ivy gourd and flowers of red frangipani were used as sensitizers to fabricate dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) studies indicated the presence of β-carotene in the fruits of ivy gourd and anthocyanins in the flowers of red frangipani. The extract of the flowers of red frangipani exhibits higher photosensitized performance compared to the fruits of ivy gourd and this is due to the better charge transfer between the dyes of flowers of red frangipani and the TiO(2) photoanode surface.

Topics: Adsorption; Anthocyanins; Apocynaceae; beta Carotene; Chromatography, Liquid; Coloring Agents; Cucurbitaceae; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes; Flowers; Fruit; Mass Spectrometry; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Photochemistry; Plant Extracts; Solar Energy; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Surface Properties; Titanium

The interdisciplinary projects in bioinorganic and bioorganic chemistry of the Department of Chemistry, University of Basel led to the preparation of new systems that mimic biologically important processes and to the discovery of compounds from natural sources which are very promising with respect to medical applications. The advances in these areas are reported here.

Topics: Animals; Avidin; beta Carotene; Biochemistry; Biomimetics; Chemistry, Organic; Cyanobacteria; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Electrons; Heme; Humans; Iron; Models, Chemical; Porphyrins; Ruthenium; Streptavidin; Titanium; Water

Phototoxicity of titanium dioxide modified with platinum(IV)-chloride complexes, [TiO2/PtCl4], irradiated with visible light was tested on murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) in vitro. Presence of antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol or beta-carotene during photodynamic treatment significantly increased cells viability. Our results indicate that observed cell death induced by [TiO2/PtCl4] was due to photogeneration of reactive species.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; beta Carotene; Cell Line; Light; Macrophages; Mice; Photochemistry; Platinum Compounds; Titanium