Silicon-Carbohydrate Reactions

Silicon in the form of orthosilicic acid reacts with carbohydrates (sugars) through the formation of stable, soluble silicate complexes.

Formation of Sugar Silicates: Certain sugars, such as ribose, xylose, fructose, and sorbose, readily react with basic silicic acid to form 2:1 (sugar:silicic acid) soluble complexes.

Chelation Mechanism: The reaction involves the formation of five-membered diolato rings, typically involving the anomeric hydroxy group (C1 in aldoses, C2 in ketoses).

Selectivity: The reaction is highly selective; only sugars that can form stable furanose rings with cis-diols (ribose, fructose) are highly reactive, while pyranose sugars (glucose, galactose) and all glycosides fail to react under these conditions.

Biological Significance: In plants, orthosilicic acid interacts with cell wall carbohydrates to form a rigid silica-cellulose membrane. Silicon also acts as a bridge, forming covalent silanolate bonds with carbohydrates, glycosaminoglycans, and polyuronides.

Stabilization of Orthosilicic Acid: Carbohydrates, such as glucose and glucosamine, can be used to stabilize ortho-silicic acid in solutions, preventing its polymerization into silica gel.

Impact on Metabolism: Silicon supplementation has been shown to modulate carbohydrate metabolism enzymes in plants, affecting soluble sugar and starch content in leaves and roots.

Silicon-Carbon Interactions

Silicon Carbide (SiC): At high temperatures, silicon reacts with carbon to produce silicon carbide, a very hard industrial abrasive.

Silicification: In plants, amorphous silica is deposited in and around carbon-based macromolecules (carbohydrates) in the cell wall, providing structural rigidity.

Carbon Sequestration: Silicon-accumulating plants (like bamboo) form phytoliths that encapsulate carbon, contributing to long-term carbon storage and potentially sequestering a significant percentage of atmospheric CO2.

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Orthosilicic Acid, Water Solubility, and Aquaporins

Definition and Solubility: Orthosilicic acid is the simplest form of soluble silica, usually stable in water at concentrations below 100 ppm (approx. 1 mM).

Role in Plant Water Transport (Aquaporins): Silicon, in the form of orthosilicic acid, enhances the production and activity of aquaporins—channel proteins responsible for moving water in roots and leaves. This helps plants maintain hydration and turgor during drought or osmotic stress.

Mechanism of Uptake: Plant roots absorb orthosilicic acid through specialized transporters known as NIPs (Nodulin 26-like Intrinsic Proteins), which are a type of aquaporin channel.

Health and Bioavailability: In humans, orthosilicic acid is the most significant bioavailable form of silicon, contributing to collagen synthesis and strengthening of connective tissues.

Aquaporin-1 Expression: Studies suggest that silicic acid supplementation in water can increase the expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1), which is involved in vascular health and nitric oxide transport.

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Key Aspects of Orthosilicic Acid and Water Management:

Orthosilicic acid, the bioavailable form of silicon dioxide, plays a significant role in managing water retention, collagen synthesis, and reversing cellular dehydration in biological systems. Clay, often containing silica, acts as a source of this acid, which helps cells retain moisture.

Cellular Hydration & Structure: Orthosilicic acid is essential for forming connective tissues, collagen, elastin, and keratin, which are necessary for retaining moisture in skin and hair. It improves skin elasticity and reverses dryness by supporting the structural integrity of cells.

Dehydration Prevention: Silica helps reduce evaporation and transpiration, thus conserving water in biological tissues.

Silicon Dioxide in Clay: Hydrated silica is found in materials like clay and diatoms. When in contact with water, these materials release orthosilicic acid.

Mechanism of Action: Orthosilicic acid increases the hydration of tissues and, in plants, aids in drought resistance by regulating transpiration.

Biological Benefits: Beyond hydration, it stimulates collagen type 1 synthesis, enhancing bone density and supporting skin health.

Increased Water Retention/Hydration: It acts as a structural component for connective tissues, allowing them to hold more moisture.

Clay/Silicon Dioxide
Source of Orthosilicic Acid: Provides the necessary silicon to combat dehydration.

Dehydration Reduced by Silica: Silica's role in creating rigid, healthy cell walls reduces water loss.

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Orthosilicic acid (OSA) acts as an indirect antioxidant by mitigating oxidative stress and reducing lipid peroxidation (the oxidative degradation of lipids). It plays a role in protecting cell membranes by reducing the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), a key marker of lipid peroxidation.

Key Findings on Orthosilicic Acid and Lipid Peroxidation: Mechanism: OSA reduces lipid peroxidation, often by lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide and by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Protective Effects: Studies indicate that silicon (as silicic acid or in silicon-containing water) can reduce lipid peroxidation in various contexts, including protecting against aluminum-induced oxidative stress in brain tissue.

Biological Activity: In studies involving injured or burnt skin, orthosilicic acid has been shown to interact with the lipid bands of cell membrane phospholipids.

Plant Defense: In plants, silicon supplied as OSA is known to alleviate lipid peroxidation in plants under salt stress.

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Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) and ROS/RNS

Orthosilicic acid, diatomaceous earth (DE), and specific clay minerals interact with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) primarily by acting as inorganic scavengers, reducing agent buffers, or, in certain cases, stimulating cellular antioxidant responses to mitigate oxidative stress. While amorphous silica (like food-grade DE) is often considered biologically inert, it and its soluble form, orthosilicic acid, can influence redox homeostasis and alleviate ROS/RNS-induced cellular damage.

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Orthosilicic Acid Diatomaceous Earth Vinegar Sugar Polymerization Polysilicic

Diatomaceous earth serves as a slow-release source of silicon. In soil, it breaks down to form monosilicic acid, particularly in alkaline soils or acidic environments where it is highly soluble.

Vinegar (Acetic Acid) and Carboxylic Acids
Effect on Polymerization:
Weak carboxylic acids (like acetic or citric acid) can be used to control the polymerization rate or catalyze reactions without drastically dropping the pH.

Stabilization role: In some formulations, organic carboxylic acids act as chelating agents, helping to temporarily stabilize monomeric silica and prevent immediate, uncontrolled polymerization.

Sugar (Glucose)
Interaction: Sugars and sugar acids contain carboxyl-containing chains that can interact with silica surfaces via hydrogen bonding.

Stabilization: Similar to other organic compounds, glucose can aid in stabilizing orthosilicic acid by creating a protective environment, reducing the rate of autopolycondensation.

Stabilization/Binding: Organic acids and sugars create complexes that prevent rapid condensation.

It is generally unstable in high concentrations, undergoing rapid autopolycondensation to form polysilicic acid and eventually insoluble silica gel.

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How Orthosilicic Acid May Affect Diabetes:

Orthosilicic acid (OSA), the bioavailable form of silicon, shows promise in diabetes research by potentially improving insulin sensitivity, enhancing glucose uptake, promoting angiogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, and aiding wound healing in high-glucose conditions, possibly by acting through pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR.

Improves Insulin Sensitivity & Glucose Uptake: Silicon compounds, including OSA, can enhance insulin signaling, improving glucose uptake by cells, which helps lower blood sugar (hypoglycemic effects).

Promotes Angiogenesis: In diabetic conditions, OSA helps repair damaged blood vessels (endothelial cells) and promotes new blood vessel formation, crucial for healing diabetic wounds, via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Reduces Oxidative Stress: OSA may protect cells from damage caused by high glucose and oxidative stress, a key factor in diabetes.

Supports Pancreatic Health: Certain silicon sources have shown protective effects on pancreatic beta-cells, which produce insulin.

Aids Wound Healing: By improving cell proliferation and migration, OSA aids the delayed healing of diabetic wounds.

Orthosilicic acid (OSA) (related to silica) and other Nrf2 activators protect pancreatic beta-cells from damage caused by Streptozotocin (STZ), a compound that induces diabetes by destroying these cells, largely by activating the antioxidant Nrf2 pathway, reducing oxidative stress (ROS), preventing cell death (apoptosis), and improving metabolic conditions in STZ-induced diabetic models. STZ enters beta-cells (mimicking glucose) and causes oxidative stress, while Nrf2 activation enhances cellular defense, leading to better glucose control.

Protective Effects of Nrf2 Activation:

Reduces Apoptosis: Nrf2 activation helps prevent STZ-induced beta-cell apoptosis (programmed cell death).

Decreases ROS: It suppresses the accumulation of intracellular ROS and lowers nitrotyrosine levels (markers of oxidative damage).

Improves Diabetes: Activating Nrf2 in STZ models lowers blood glucose, restores insulin levels, and alleviates general metabolic dysfunction.

Diabetic Nephropathy: Nrf2 also protects against kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) caused by STZ-induced diabetes.

Orthosilicic Acid Connection:

Compounds like silicic acid (SF) or chrysanthemic acid (CA), which are Nrf2 activators, have shown therapeutic potential in STZ-induced diabetes, highlighting how Nrf2 activation counteracts STZ's harmful effects.

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Immobilization and stabilization of metabolic enzymes like aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and catalase can be achieved using silica-based materials, including orthosilicic acid and its polymerized forms (silica/silicic acid gels). These materials provide a biocompatible, high-surface-area matrix that protects enzymes from degradation and allows for reusability.

Key Findings on Enzyme Immobilization in Silica:

Stabilization Mechanisms: Silica supports, particularly mesoporous silica (MSU-H, MSU-F), provide a protective microenvironment that increases thermal stability and operational lifespan of enzymes.

ALDH Stabilization: Aldehyde dehydrogenase (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been successfully immobilized on mesoporous siliceous materials, retaining significant activity over multiple reaction cycles.

Catalase Stabilization: Catalase and other oxidoreductases have been co-immobilized in silica-calcium-alginate hydrogels, improving their durability.

Orthosilicic Acid & Biosilica: Orthosilicic acid can be hydrolyzed to form solid biosilica, which is used to entrap enzymes (butyrylcholinesterase) while maintaining high catalytic activity.

Improved Reusability: Immobilized ALDH/ADH systems on silica have shown high residual activity (>20%) even after five or more reaction cycles, with some systems exhibiting no decrease in activity after 120 hours at 50 °C.

Benefits of Silica/Silicic Acid Immobilization:

Enhanced Stability: Protection against high acidity/alkalinity and organic solvents.

Controlled Environment: Biomimetic silica supports (R5 peptide) offer a gentle environment that keeps enzymes active.

High Loading Capacity: Silica gels can accommodate high enzyme concentrations, sometimes up to 20% (w/w). These techniques are highly relevant for applications in industrial biocatalysis, such as breaking down toxic acetaldehyde or managing oxidative stress.

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Silica Gel
Insecticide

Silica Gel: A synthetically produced, amorphous silicon dioxide that is highly effective and often used in professional pest control (e.g., CimeXa). It works faster than DE.

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Orthosilicic acid (OSA) acts as a modulator of magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) in biological systems, primarily by influencing their absorption, bioavailability, and physiological balance.

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Microplastic Removal: An environmentally friendly gel composed of carbon and silica has been developed to remove 85% to 90% of microplastics from drinking water.

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Broad Metal Support: Research suggests that orthosilicic acid can aid in the excretion of various toxic metals, including aluminum, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, lead, tin, and nickel, without negatively impacting essential electrolyte balance.

Effect on Essential Metals: Research indicates that while assisting in the removal of toxic metals, orthosilicic acid does not adversely affect the excretion of essential metals like iron and copper.

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Orthosilicic acid is the bioavailable form of silicon, essential for connective tissue health by acting as a cross-linking agent in the structural organization of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. These components, which are vital for extracellular matrix integrity and strength, rely on this silicon-mediated stabilization.

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Orthosilicic acid (OSA)—the bioavailable, soluble form of silicon—has been shown to play a beneficial role in lipid metabolism, particularly by improving blood lipid profiles (lowering LDL, raising HDL) and assisting in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Research indicates that silicon supplementation can reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides, and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, while potentially increasing High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in both animal models and humans.

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Orthosilicic Acid
Silicon
Bamboo
Grasses

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Orthosilicic acid (OSA) acts as a crucial cofactor for the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase, which is essential for stabilizing the collagen triple helix structure, thereby enhancing type 1 collagen synthesis in fibroblasts and osteoblasts. Studies show OSA stimulates collagen production in skin and bone cells, improving skin elasticity, hair/nail strength, and bone mineral density.

Acts as a key nutrient that stimulates collagen synthesis by increasing the activity of prolyl hydroxylase, a crucial enzyme in type 1 collagen maturation. Prolyl hydroxylase, specifically collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase 1 (C-P4H1 or P4HA1), is responsible for the post-translational modification of proline residues in procollagen.

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Silica is essential for the health of tendons, cartilage, and connective tissues. In the eye, these tissues support the structural integrity of the cornea and sclera.

"Ortho" Eye Products: Many search results for "ortho eyes" actually refer to N-acetyl-carnosine eye drops. These drops are used to improve visual acuity and flexibility of the lens, particularly in age-related conditions like cataracts.

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orthosilicic acid
pregnancy
womb placenta
stem cells
osteogenesis
mesenchymal stem cells
MSCs
osteoblasts
fetal amniotic fluids regenerative

Orthosilicic acid (OSA) is a highly bioavailable form of dietary silicon, an element that plays a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of connective tissue, collagen, and bone development.

During pregnancy, silicon is essential for the developing fetus, with studies indicating a positive gradient where serum silicon levels are higher in the fetus/newborn than in the mother.

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Orthosilicic acid (OSA) acts as a potent stimulator of osteogenesis by driving the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts. This process is largely mediated by the upregulation of RUNX2, the master transcription factor for bone formation.