Lycopene: Multitargeted Applications in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth and division of cells, leading to significant morbidity and mortality and economic burden to the society. Natural products as anticancer molecules have drawn the attention of researchers and have resulted in the development of many successful anticancer drugs, which include camptothecins, epipodophyllotoxins, vinca alkaloids, and taxanes. Another group of compounds with anti-cancer effects include botanicals (phytochemicals) found in the diet. In recent years, a tomato carotenoid lycopene (LYC) has gained attention for its potential health benefits, especially in prevention and treatment of cancer. The studies suggest that the consumption LYC in food or by itself may reduce cancer risk. However, there are insufficient clinical trial data to support the hypothesis. LYC may play a preventive role in a variety of cancers, especially in prostate cancer. It acts by multiple mechanisms including the regulation of growth factor signalling, cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis induction, metastasis and angiogenesis, as well as by modulating the anti-inflammatory and phase II detoxification enzymes activities. The effects can be attributed to the unique chemical structure of the carotenoid which confers it a strong antioxidant property. In this chapter, we discuss the chemopreventive and anti-cancer properties of LYC, a dietary carotenoid.

Yield stability and agronomic performance of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes in the Central Black Sea Region in Turkey

Grain yield and yield stability of genotypes are of great importance in wheat genetics and breeding programs. Yield stability can be used to select promising and stable wheat genotypes across environments. It can also represent good adaptation ability of high-yielding genotypes across environments. This study was conducted in 7 environments in the Central Black Sea Region in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 growing seasons. Twenty-three bread wheat cultivars and advanced lines were tested in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Data were recorded for grain yield, plant height, hectolitre weight, thousand kernel weight and SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) sedimentation volume. Parametric and nonparametric methods were used to determine the stable genotypes for grain yield. Mean grain yields of genotypes ranged from 5742 to 3262 kg ha-1. The highest mean values for thousand kernel weight, hectolitre weight and SDS sedimentation were obtained from Samsun/Bafra location in 2008-2009 with 46.4 g, Samsun/Bafra location in 2008-2009 with 81.2 kg, and Samsun/Karakoy location with 38.2 ml, respectively. While the genotypes G11 and G22 were most stable by all stability parameters except for the TOP statistic, the genotype G6 was the most stable by all stability parameters except for ASV statistic. The genotypes G6, G11 and G22 will be tested for release procedure and the genotypes with good yield potential and acceptable end-use quality will be used as elite genetic material for future breeding activities in the Central Black Sea Region

Clinicopathologic Results of the Surgical Management of Thyroid Gland Pathologies

Objective: The aim of this study is to share our surgical approach and results in patients with benign and malignant thyroid diseases.Methods: All patients who underwent thyroid gland surgery at our University Hospital Ear, Nose, and Throat Department between 2012 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The study included 293 patients.Results: Of the 293 patients included in the study, 76 (25.9%) were male and 217 (74.1%) were female. Mean follow-up period was 47.1 months. Patients’ ages ranged from 4 to 77 years. In terms of the pathology, 160 patients had benign and 133 had neoplastic thyroid diseases. None of the patients who underwent thyroid surgery due to benign diseases required revision surgery. Recurrence occurred in 15 out of the 116 patients that were operated on for well-differentiated thyroid cancer. Out of these 15 patients with disease recurrence, 11 had biochemically incomplete responses and four had structurally recurrent diseases.Conclusion: Thyroidectomy, when performed safely and correctly, is a very effective way of treating both benign and malignant thyroid diseases. Total thyroidectomy or total lobectomy and isthmectomy are the gold-standard surgical approaches to prevent recurrence. A national form is needed regarding thyroid surgery for following up on patients and for the regular and systematic collection of data

Cinnamon Polyphenol Extract Inhibits Hyperlipidemia and Inflammation by Modulation of Transcription Factors in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

We evaluated the effects of cinnamon polyphenol extract on hepatic transcription factors expressions including SREBP-1c and LXR-α in rats fed high fat diet (HFD). Twenty-eight Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: (i) normal control: animals fed with normal chow; (ii) cinnamon: animals supplemented with cinnamon polyphenol; (iii) HFD: animals fed a high-fat diet; and (iv) HFD + cinnamon: animals fed a high-fat diet and treated with cinnamon polyphenol. Obesity was linked to hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress as imitated by elevated serum glucose, lipid profile, and serum and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Cinnamon polyphenol decreased body weight, visceral fat, liver weight and serum glucose and insulin concentrations, liver antioxidant enzymes, and lipid profile (P<0.05) and reduced serum and liver MDA concentration compared to HFD rats (P<0.05). Cinnamon polyphenol also suppressed the hepatic SREBP-1c, LXR-α, ACLY, FAS, and NF-κB p65 expressions and enhanced the PPAR-α, IRS-1, Nrf2, and HO-1 expressions in the HFD rat livers (P<0.05). In conclusion, cinnamon polyphenol reduces the hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress through activating transcription factors and antioxidative defense signaling pathway in HFD rat liver

Bis[bis­(diphenyl­thio­phosphin­yl)amido-κ2 S,S′]platinum(II)

In the title compound, [Pt(C24H20NP2S2)2], the Pt atom is in a distorted square-planar environment and contains two six-membered carbon-free chelate rings, one in twist-boat and the other in a half-chair conformation. Two phenyl groups are disordered over two set of sites in ratios of 0.721 (13):0.279 (13) and 0.71 (7):0.29 (7)

Protective Role of Genistein in Acute Liver Damage Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride

Aim. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of genistein in experimental acute liver damage induced by CCl4. Method. Forty rats were equally allocated to 5 groups. The first group was designated as the control group (group 1). The second group was injected with intraperitoneal CCl4 for 3 days (group 2). The third group was injected with subcutaneous 1 mg/kg genistein for 4 days starting one day before CCl4 injection. The fourth group was injected with intraperitoneal CCl4 for 7 days. The fifth group was injected with subcutaneous 1 mg/kg genistein for 8 days starting one day before CCl4 injection. Plasma and liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver glutathione levels, as well as AST and ALT levels were studied. A histopathological examination was conducted. Results. Liver tissue MDA levels were found significantly lower in group 3, in comparison to group 2 (P < .05). Liver tissue MDA level in group 5 was significantly lower than that in group 4 (P < .001). Liver tissue glutathione levels were higher in group 5 and 3, relative to groups 4 and 2, respectively (P > .05 for each). Inflammation and focal necrosis decreased in group 3, in comparison to group 2 (P < .001 for each). Inflammation and focal necrosis in group 5 was lower than that in group 4 (P < .001). Actin expression decreased significantly in group 5, relative to group 4 (P < .05). Conclusion. Genistein has anti-inflammatory and antinecrotic effects on experimental liver damage caused by CCl4. Genistein reduces liver damage by preventing lipid peroxidation and strengthening antioxidant systems

The effects of L-Carnitinine on oxidative stress and glucose transporters in running rats

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on the level of oxidative stress, glucose transport, and serum biochemical parameters were investigated in exercised rats. METHODS: Six groups (Control, L-Carnitine, Exercise, Exercise + L-Carnitine, Acute Exercise and Acute Exercise + L-Carnitine) 7 including a total of 42 8-week-old male Wistar albino rats have been used. Rats were initially started to run 10 m / min. At the end of 2-weeks run period, 30 m / min, 0% grade, 30 minutes of jogging protocol has been applied with a controlled rise. After using L-Carnitine dietary, rats were subjected to a 5 days per week for 6 weeks of exercise and the last day of exercise protocol (rats running in the treadmill until exhaustion) was applied. Data was assessed using ANOVA procedure on the package of IBM SPSS (version 22). Comparisons between groups were analyzed by the Tukey post hoc test. Data group average and standard error of mean (SEM) were calculated. For statistical significance, the probability values have been identified as significant for values that are less than 0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: L-Carnitine did not effect on liver and kidney functions, glucose which is on cardio metabolic biochemical parameters but it has been shown to decrease the cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Acute exercise increases oxidative stress, and however, chronic exercise and L-Carnitin reduced the level of lipid peroxidation. It also showed the effects of PPAR-γ and by regulating the glucose transporters. In addition, PPAR-γ carnitine consumption in rats showed the effect of increasing the level of GLUT-2 and GLUT-4. Meanwhile chronic exercise and carnitine showed a synergistic effect has been found to reduce oxidative stress

Effects of biotin and chromium hystidine glucose metabolism on PPAR- Γ, IRS-1 VE NF-KB expression on the rats which are implemented exercise

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is that the effects of biotin and chromium hystidine glucose metabolism on PPAR- γ, IRS-1 ve NF-kB expression on the rats which are implemented exercise throughout 8 weeks. METHODS: Initially, the rats run a speed of 10m/min, and they reach a speed of 30m/min (speed can be changed) with controlled increase at the end of two weekly adaptation period. (Treadmill, MAY-TME 0804, Commat Limited, Ankara) After implementing chromium hystidine and biotin with diet to rats, they are subjected to treadmill in 5 days throughout 6 weeks, and exhaustion exercise is implemented for acute exercise in the last day. The slope of treadmill can be arranged between 0° and 15°. Treadmill test is done between 1pm and 4pm. ( For ruling out basic glucocorticoid activity ) RESULTS: As a conclusion, chronic exercise + chromium hystidine + biotin supplement decreases to triglyceride level significantly. Also, chronic exercise + chromium hystidine + biotin supplement decreases to glucose level significantly. The exercise is not affect significant on ALT and AST level in term of statistical. In addition to this, biotin supplement is shown difference by decreasing HDL level. Also, the CrHis consumption of rats which are in the control group increased PPAR-γ, IRS-1, decreased NfkB. In the exercise group, KE+CrHis+Biotin supplement increased PPAR-γ, IRS-1 level and decreased NFkB level. Biotin and chromium hystidine supplement with exercise implementation has effective on blood fats and glucose level. Data are evaluated through IBM SPSS (version 22) packaged software by using ANOVA procedure. CONCLUSIONS: With the obtained current data and results of the exercise implementation, we think that biotin and chromium hystidine supplement give an important role on the human’s health. Thus, the implementation of exercise + chromium hystidine and biotin supplement for athletes can be an implementation of performance improving and sanitation

Curcumin prevents muscle damage by regulating NF-kB and Nrf2 pathways and improves performance: an in vivo model

Purpose Exercise (Ex) increases reactive oxygen species and impairs antioxidant defense systems. Recent data suggest that curcumin (CW) possesses peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activity and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of CW supplementation on Ex performance, endurance, and changes in serum and muscle proteins in rats after exhaustive Ex. Materials and methods Twenty-eight (28) male Wistar rats (age: 8 weeks and body weight: 180±20 g) were divided into four treatment groups: 1) control (C; no Ex), 2) C + CW (no Ex + CW), 3) C + Ex, and 4) C + Ex + CW (Ex + CW). CW was administered as 100 mg/kg CurcuWin®, providing 20 mg of curcuminoids daily for 6 weeks. A motor-driven rodent treadmill was used to carry out the Ex protocols. During a 5-day period, animals in chronic Ex groups were put through different regimens: day 1, 10 m/min for 10 minutes; day 2, 20 m/min for 10 minutes; day 3, 25 m/min for 10 minutes; day 4, 25 m/min for 20 minutes; and day 5, 25 m/min for 30 minutes. Animals were exercised at 25 m/min for 45 min/d for 5 d/wk for 6 weeks. Blood and muscle samples were analyzed for muscle markers, oxidative stress, and antioxidant markers. Results Lactate and muscle malondialdehyde levels decreased in the CW-treated groups (P<0.0001). However, activities of antioxidant enzyme levels increased in the CW-treated groups. Run to exhaustion (minutes) improved in the CW-treated groups. Muscle nuclear factor-κB (P<0.05) and heat shock protein 70 (P<0.05) levels were much lowered in the CW treated group followed by Ex group. In addition, muscle inhibitors of kappa B, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, thioredoxin-1, sirtuin 1, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, and glucose transporter 4 protein levels in the Ex + CW group were higher than those in the control and Ex groups (P<0.05). Conclusion This study suggests that novel CW has the potential to help prevent muscle damage by regulating the nuclear factor-κB and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 pathways and improve the performance and nutritional values of CW