The effect of L-Carnitine on SOD, GSH and MDA following experimental spinal cord injury in rats

31st Congress of the Federation-of-European-Biochemical-Societies (FEBS) -- JUN 24-29, 2006 -- Istanbul, TURKEYWOS: 000238914001430…Federat European Biochem So

Determination of risk factors in diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of oxidative stress - antioxidant balance disruption and Hepatocyte Growth Factor activity on the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Methods: 96 diabetic patients of different stages of the disease were evaluated in 3 groups: patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, each group consisting of 32. Fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, glutathione which is an enzyme substrate that prevents oxidation, plasma malonedialdehyde and serum hepatocyte growth factor levels were measured. Results: Average levels of malonedialdehyde and hepatocyte growth factor were found to be significantly higher in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy group than the nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and the control groups (p0.05). Reduced glutathione levels were significantly higher in the nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy group, when compared with the proliferative diabetic retinopathy and the control groups (p0.05). Positive correlation was found between hepatocyte growth factor and malonedialdehyde, HbA1c, and the duration of diabetes. Besides, malonedialdehyde was found to be correlated with fasting blood glucose. Conclusion: High hepatocyte growth factor levels are the indicator of oxidative stress in diabetic retinopathy and this is very closely related with proliferation

The effect of different treatment modalities on oxidative stress in COPD

PubMedID: 18592146Introduction: Oxidant/antioxidant interactions are known to be important processes in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to evaluate the effects of corticosteroids (CS), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on plasma oxidant/antioxidant levels in patients with COPD. Methods: This study utilised a single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group methodology. We enrolled 58 patients with stable COPD and 30 healthy controls with similar demographic profiles. The patients with COPD were randomly divided into three treatment groups. Group 1 received basal treatment (regular ipratropium bromide and beta-2 agonist as needed), placebo CS and placebo NAC. In addition to basal treatment, group 2 received oral CS (methylprednisolone 40 mg/day) and placebo NAC. Group 3 received basal treatment plus NAC (600 mg/day) and placebo CS. Each group received treatment for 15 days. We measured plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) at the start and the end of study. Results: Post-treatment plasma MDA levels were significantly lowered only in group 2 (P=0.004). No significant differences were found with respect to erythrocyte SOD levels. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that oral CS, by aiding the oxidant/antioxidant system, may offer a new therapeutic option in COPD treatment.The page charges for this article were funded by Sanofi Pasteur Turkey, Acetelion Turkey, Novartis Turkey, and the authors

Effects of L-carnitine and niacin supplied by drinking water on fattening performance, carcass quality and plasma L-carnitine concentration of broiler chicks

PubMedID: 12866783The present study was initiated to determine whether dietary supplemental L-carnitine and niacin affect growth performance, carcass yield, abdominal fat and plasma L-carnitine concentration of broiler chicks. One-day-old broiler chicks (COB500) were used in the experiment. A two by two factorial arrangement was employed with two levels (0 and 50 mg/l) of supplemental L-carnitine and two levels (0 or 50 mg/l) of supplemental niacin in drinking water as main effects. Body weight gain was significantly improved by L-carnitine, or L-carnitine + niacin supplementation during the first 3 weeks. However, supplemental L-carnitine and niacin did not change body weight gain during the last 3 weeks of the experimental period. Supplemental L-carnitine significantly improved feed intake during the first 3 weeks. Supplemental L-carnitine or niacin did not influence carcass weight, carcass yield and abdominal fat weight. L-carnitine content in the plasma was significantly higher in the groups receiving supplemental L-carnitine and L-carnitine + niacin. It is concluded that dietary supplemental L-carnitine or L-carnitine + niacin could have positive effects on body weight gain and feed intake during the early stages of growing. However, supplemental L-carnitine or L-carnitine + niacin were not of benefit regarding the complete growth period.The authors would like to acknowledge the grant support provided by C¸ ukurova University of Research Fund. L-carnitine analysis in feed was determined by Lohmann Animal Health, Cuxhaven, Germany. Special thanks are due to Dr. S. Jacobs, Prof. Dr. H. Krog, Dr. Ö. Yücelt for their financial support

The Oxidant-Antioxidant Balance in Mild Asthmatic Patients

PubMedID: 14749939We investigated the oxidant-antioxidant balance and the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on this balance in mild stable asthmatics. Included in the study were 30 mild asthmatic patients (11 male, 19 female, mean age (year) ± SD: 35.1 ± 9.7) and 26 healthy adults (7 male, 19 female, mean age (year) ± SD: 40.8 ± 13.3). In all study groups, the peripheral venous blood samples were taken for plasma malonyldialdehyde (MDA), a parameter of lipid peroxidation caused by the oxidants, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme. The mean plasma MDA level was lower in the asthmatic group (5.7 ± 1.2 nmol/ml) than in the healthy group (6.3 ± 1.7 nmol/ml); and the mean erythrocyte SOD level was higher in asthmatic group (1086.4 ± 247.4 U/gHb) than in the healthy group (1028.0 ± 230.0 U/gHb). However, there were no significant differences in measurements of both plasma MDA levels and erythrocyte SOD enzyme activities between the groups (respectively, p = 0.1 and p = 0.4). When asthmatic patients were divided into subgroups as "inhaled steroid user" and "no inhaled steroid user", no significant differences were observed in the measurements of either plasma MDA level or erythrocyte SOD enzyme activity between the mentioned subgroups. According to the results of our study, we can say that oxidant-antioxidant balance is not significantly affected in mild asthmatics or measurement of plasma level of MDA and erythrocyte SOD enzyme activity is not sensitive to the oxidant-antioxidant balance in mild asthmatics

Allopurinol's effect on caspase-3 and caspase-8 activity in hypoxic-ischemic newborn rats [Allopürinolün hipoksik-iskemik beyin hasarı oluşturulan yenidogan sıçanlarda kaspaz-3 ve kaspaz-8 aktivitesi üzerine etkisi]

Aim: During reperfusion period of hypoxia-ischemia, cyclooxygenase and xanthine oxidase pathways are induced. A xanthine oxidase inhibitor, allopurinol has been shown to be neuroprotective in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Caspase-8 and caspase-3 have a key role in neuronal apoptosis. We aimed to test repeated doses of allopurinol's effect on caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities in newborn rats with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Material and Method: Seven days old newborn rats were taken and there were 10 rats in each group. After Ethical Committee was approved (TIBDAM-25), rats were subjected to left carotid artery ligation and hypoxia (8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen) for two and half hours. Hypoxic ischemic rats treated with 24 mg/kg allopurinol 30 minutes and 12 hours (AL48 group), and 30 minutes, 12 and 24 hours (AL72 group) after hypoxic- ischemic insult. Twenty four hours after last dose, rats were decapitated. The others groups were sham and saline-treated hypoxic- ischemic (H-I) group. Caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities were measured in both hemispheres. Results: There was no difference in caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities between right and left brain hemispheres in each group (p>0.05). Caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities were significantly lower in sham group when compared to H-I group, AL48 and AL72 groups (all of it, p=0.0001). Even though there were no difference activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 between H-I group and AL48 group (p>0.05), activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 in AL72 group were significantly lower than H-I group and AL48 group (respectively p= 0.0001, p=0.001). Conclusions: Decreased activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 in AL72 group may suggest that totally dosage of 72 mg/kg allopurinol may be effective for reducing neuronal apoptosis in newborn rats with hypoxic-ischemic insult

Oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with COPD

PubMedID: 16622773The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of oxidant-antioxidant balance in the pathogenesis of COPD. We included 30 healthy nonsmokers [24 male, 6 female; mean age (yr) ± SD: 62.4 ± 9.3], 30 healthy smokers [27 male, 3 female; mean age (yr) ± SD: 58.7 ± 6.0], 71 patients with stable COPD [68 male, 3 female; mean age (yr) ± SD: 63.5 ± 7.9], and 31 patients with COPD exacerbation [30 male, 1 female; mean age (yr) ± SD: 64.2 ± 7.3]. In all study groups the peripheral venous blood samples were taken for plasma malonyldialdehyde (MDA), a parameter of lipid peroxidation caused by the oxidants, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme. The mean plasma MDA level was higher in healthy smokers and in patients with COPD than in healthy nonsmokers (p < 0.05), and erythrocyte SOD enzyme activity in patients with COPD exacerbation (1048.2 ± 226.5 Ug/Hb) was significantly higher than in healthy nonsmokers (947.9 ± 198.0 Ug/Hb) (p < 0.05). Although mean erythrocyte SOD enzyme activity in healthy smokers and patients with stable COPD was higher than in healthy nonsmokers, the difference was not statistically significant. We found that healthy smokers and stable and exacerbated COPD patients had an impairment in oxidant-antioxidant balance. We suggested that new therapeutic interventions, which may repair the impaired oxidant-antioxidant balance in COPD, are needed to prevent the development of COPD. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2006

Oxidative-antioxidative system in peripartum acute renal failure and preeclampsia-eclampsia

PubMedID: 15600253Background: Preeclampsia-eclampsia and acute renal failure in peripartum women can be the cause of mortality and morbidity. There are many different reports about oxidative-antioxidative systems in preeclampsia-eclampsia. Until now, products of activated oxidative-antioxidative systems were not evaluated in peripartum women with acute renal failure. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the oxidative-antioxidative systems in peripartum women with acute renal failure and/or preeclampsia-eclampsia. Methods: The study groups consisted of 17 peripartum women (first week of delivery) with acute renal failure (G I), 11 preeclamptic (G II), 11 healthy pregnancy (? 30 weeks of pregnancy) (G III), and 11 healthy women (G IV) aged between 18-38 years. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) in erythrocytes, and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in all groups. SOD, GSHPx, and MDA levels were also measured at the onset of acute renal failure (G IA), regression of renal dysfunction (G IB) and recovery of renal functions (G IC). Results: MDA levels were 11.95 ± 4.25, 9.22 ± 3.62, 5.10 ± 3.65, 3.40 ± 1.27, 4.91 ± 2.06, 4.24 ± 1.67 mmol/mL in G IA, G IB, G IC, G II, G III, and G IV, respectively. SOD activity in erythrocyte were 3269.23 ± 1437.83, 2641.35 ± 1411.13, 2056.35 ± 1143.11, 924 ± 160.04, 1057.91 ± 257.03, 861.63 ± 243.28 Ug/Hb in G IA, G IB, G IC, G II, G III, and G IV, respectively. GSHPx activity in erythrocyte was 70.17 ± 23.52, 58.27 ± 23.75, 45.44 ± 17.60, 24.48 ± 6.77, 26.28 ± 7.27, 32.95 ± 8.24 Ug/Hb in G IA, G IB, G IC, G II, G III, and G IV, respectively. MDA levels and activities of SOD, GSHPx in erythrocytes were highest in GIA The values of MDA, SOD, and GSH-Px in G IA, G IB, and G IC were significantly different from each other and decreased while regaining of renal functions. Preeclampsia-eclampsia or normal pregnancy did not cause elevation of plasma MDA levels and GSHPx, SOD in erythrocyte. Conclusion: Although SOD and GSHPx in erythrocytes and plasma MDA level were found to be similar in healthy women, pregnant women, and preeclamptic women; SOD, GSHPx, and MDA increased at the beginning and decreased during recovery of renal functions in peripartum women with acute renal failure

The effects of methyl methacrylate on nasal cavity, lung, and antioxidant system (An experimental inhalation study)

WOS: 000175953700008PubMed ID: 12051552Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a monomer, commonly used in neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and in dental clinics. The adverse effects of this monomer are well described in the literature. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of MMA on nasal cavity, lung, and antioxidant status. For this purpose, two experimental groups of rats were exposed to MMA (at 1000 ppm, 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks) by inhalation under poor (group A, n = 12) and normal ventilation (group B, n = 11) conditions. A control group (group C, n = 10) received normal air. Degeneration of olfactory epithelium, bronchopneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, hemorrhage, atelectasis, edema, emphysema, and bronchial epithelial hyperplasia were observed in groups A and B. Emphysema was the most common lesion. Bronchopneumonia with abscesses was only observed in group A. Glutathione levels were significantly decreased and malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased in group A. No significant difference was observed in superoxide dismutase levels between the groups. The data presented indicate that before using MMA, adequate protection systems should be in place to prevent occupationally related MMA respiratory-tract injuries

The effect of human growth hormone on superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione and malondialdehyde levels of hypoxic-ischemic newborn rat brain

PubMedID: 16636532Objectives: We investigated the effect of human growth hormone (GH) on newborn rat brain superoxide dismutase, glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) newborn rats. Methods: Fourty-eight 7 days old newborn rats were randomized to a healthy (n: 15), H-I (n: 18) and GH administered H-I (GH-H-I, n: 15) group. Permanent, left common carotid ligation was performed in the H-I groups. In the GH-H-I group, 50 mg/kg human GH (Norditropin Simplex, Novo Nordisk A/S) was administered subcutaneously just before carotid artery ligation. Two hours after ligation, rats were subjected to 2 h of hypoxemia and then were decapitated. Right and left cerebral hemispheres (CHs) and cerebellum-brain stem (C-BS) were separated. Results: Glutathione levels of each region were not statistically different from each other in and between the groups. Superoxide dismutase levels were higher in C-BSs compared to CHs (for each comparison p 0.05). Conclusion: Although we have not evaluated the effect of GH histopathologically, increased lipid peroxidation especially in the H-I (left) hemisphere of the GH treated rats might suggest that GH treatment may be harmful in H-I encephalopathy. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG