Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Melatonin in Rats with Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Insulin resistance is associated with a pro-inflammatory state increasing the risk for complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition to its chronobi-otic effects, the pineal hormone melatonin is known to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ef-fects. Melatonin was also suggested to affect insulin secretion. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of melatonin on inflammation in diabetic rats and to study the possible involvement of the melatonin receptor, MT2. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n = 10 per group): (1) control, (2) strepto-zotocin/nicotinamide induced diabetes type 2 (T2DM), (3) T2DM treated with melatonin (500 µg/kg/day), and (4) T2DM treated with melatonin (500 µg/kg/day for 6 weeks) and the selective MT2 receptor antagonist luzindole (0.25 g/kg/day for 6 weeks). Blood samples were taken for biochemical parameters and various tissue samples (liver, adipose tissue, brain) were removed for im-munohistochemistry (IHC), Western blot (WB), and Q-PCR analyses, respectively. Results: Melato-nin significantly reduced increased blood levels of liver transaminases (AST, ALT), blood urea ni-trogen (BUN), triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and cholesterol in diabetic rats with luzindole treatment partly reversing this effect regarding the lipids. Furthermore, the liver and adipose tissues of T2DM rats treated with melatonin showed lower expression of the inflammatory markers IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB as compared to the T2DM group without melatonin. The results also showed that the MT2 receptor is at least partly involved in the protective effects of mel-atonin. Conclusions: Our results suggest that melatonin exerts relevant anti-inflammatory effects on various tissues in type 2 diabetic rats. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Clinical Significance of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung cancer

Objective: Due to poor prognosis in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), new markers and more effective treatment methods are needed in the monitoring of the disease. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with advanced NSCLC on prognosis and survival.Materials and method: Sixty seven patients (62 men and 5 women) and 20 healthy volunteers (16 men and 4 women) were included in our study. The demographic and laboratory data and serum VEGF levels of two groups were compared.Results: A statistically significantly high level of VEGF (p=0.0001) was detected in patients compared to the control group. The high level of serum VEGF has a statistically significant relationship with the short disease-free survival time (p=0.05). While the median progression free survival (PFS) time in patients with high VEGF levels was 157 days, the median PFS time in those with normal VEGF levels reached up to 340 days. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). When overall survival (OS) times was evaluated, it was 472 days in patients with low VEGF levels and 180 days in those with high levels and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.001).Conclusion: In our study, the serum VEGF levels were determined to be statistically significant increased in the NSCLC patient group compared to the control group. In addition, a significant inverse relationship was discovered between the serum VEGF level and all survival times in the NSCLC patient group

Utjecaji dodatka kulture kvasaca (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) u obroke anatolijskih vodenih bivolica na sastav mlijeka i broj somatskih stanica

This study was carried out to determine the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) addition to dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell count in Anatolian water buffalo diets (AWB). The SC-treated groups (n = 5 buffalo cow/group) received 30.0 g of SC per buffalo cow per day. Compared to the control group, the SC-treated group consumed more total dry matter (P<0.05; 14.27 vs. 13.50 kg/day) and produced more milk/day (P<0.01; 7.13 vs. 6.22 kg/day). Dietary yeast inclusion significantly increased alfalfa dry matter intake during a 28-day lactation period (P<0.01; 10.41 vs. 9.81 kg/day) compared with the control diet. Yeast application significantly reduced the somatic cell count (SCC) in milk (P<0.05; 3.33 and 1.08 SCC (log 10/mL) for control and SC-treated groups, respectively). The fat (58.40 and 59.00 g/kg), non-fat solids (120.00 and 122.80 g/kg), protein (46.40 and 46.26. g/kg) and lactose components of milk (37.72 and 38.90 g/kg) were similar for both groups. The response of the AWB to supplemental yeast addition improved forage intake and daily milk production but did not affect milk composition. In conclusion; it has been thought that farmers with AWB can benefit from the use of yeast cultures in early lactation diets.Istraživanje je provedeno kako bi se utvrdio utjecaj dodatka Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) na unos suhe tvari obroka, količinu i sastav mlijeka te broj somatskih stanica u mlijeku anatolijskih vodenih bivolica (AWB). Pokusna skupina SC (n = 5 krava/ skupini) dobila je 30,0 g SC po kravi na dan. U usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom, SC- skupina konzumirala je više ukupne suhe tvari (P<0,05; 14,27 : 13,50 kg/dan), i proizvela veću dnevnu količinu mlijeka (P<0,01; 7,13 : 6,22 kg/dan). Uključivanje konzumnog kvasca u obrok značajno je povećalo unos suhe tvari lucerne tijekom 28-dnevnog razdoblja laktacije (P<0,01; 10,41 : 9,81 kg/dan) u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom. Primjena kvasca značajno je smanjila broj somatskih stanica (SCC) u mlijeku (P<0,05; kontrolna 3,33 : pokusna SC 1,08 SCC (log10/mL). Količine masti (58,40 i 59,00 g/kg), bezmasne suhe tvari (120,00 i 122,80 g/kg), proteina (46,40 i 46,26 g/kg) i laktoze (37,72 i 38,90 g/kg) bile su slične za obje skupine. Odgovor AWB na dopunu obroka kvascem bilo je povećanje unosa krme i dnevne proizvodnje mlijeka, ali nije utjecalo na sastav mlijeka. Stoga, proizvođači mlijeka koji drže AWB mogu imati koristi od korištenja kulture kvasaca SC u obrocima tijekom rane laktacije

Phenolic content, antioxidant activities and stimulatory roles of citrus fruits on some lactic acid bacteria

In this study, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities in citrus fruits and their peels were determined, and their stimulatory roles on some lactic acid bacteria were investigated. Phenolic compounds in citrus fruits such as mandarin, lemon, orange and grapefruit were determined either in the juices or in the peel extracts. Total phenolic content was determined in a spectrophotometer at 685 nm using the adapted Folin-Ciocalteu method. Total flavonoid content was measured using LC/MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). The effects of the fruit juices and peel extracts on the selected lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus delbrueckii NRRL B5448, Lb. casei NRRL B1922, Lb. acidophilus NRRL B4495) were investigated. The tested lactic acid bacteria were significantly affected by chlorogenic acid, hesperidin, naringin and caffeic acid compared to the control samples (P≤0.05). Antioxidant properties of fruit samples were also measured using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. The phenolics positively affected the metabolism of bacteria, with the stimulatory effects of the assayed samples being influenced by the phenolic profile

Effects of cord blood vitamin D levels on the risk of neonatal sepsis in premature infants

PurposeVitamin D plays a key role in immune function. Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of infections, and low levels of circulating vitamin D are strongly associated with infectious diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of low vitamin D levels in cord blood on neonatal sepsis in preterm infants.MethodsOne hundred seventeen premature infants with gestational age of <37 weeks were enrolled. In the present study, severe vitamin D deficiency (group 1) was defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <5 ng/mL; vitamin D insufficiency (group 2), 25(OH)D concentration ≥5 ng/mL and <15 ng/mL; and vitamin D sufficiency (group 3), 25(OH)D concentration ≥15 ng/mL.ResultsSixty-three percent of the infants had deficient levels of cord blood vitamin D (group 1), 24% had insufficient levels (group 2), and 13% were found to have sufficient levels (group 3). The rate of neonatal sepsis was higher in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3.ConclusionThere was no significant relationship between the cord blood vitamin D levels and the risk of neonatal sepsis in premature infants

Utjecaj dodatka srebrne pokožice zrna kave na in-vitro preživljavanje kefirne kulture tijekom skladištenja

Probiotic dairy products must contain a certain level of live probiotic microorganisms at the time of consumption. The number of live microorganisms in kefir culture, which is a mixture of different microorganisms, may change during storage due to various factors. In this study, the effects of adding a novel ingredient coffee bean membrane (CSS-coffee silverskin), on the viability of microorganisms contained in kefir culture were investigated. For this purpose, CSS obtained from 2 different coffee varieties (Arabica and Robusta) was added to kefir samples at 3 different concentrations (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 %) at the beginning of fermentation. It was observed that especially the addition of CSS belonging to the Robusta variety significantly increased the viability of lactic acid bacteria (lactobacilli and lactococci) which accounted for 88-94.10 % and 82.37-92.44 % respectively. During the storage period of 28 days at 4 °C; it could be observed that kefir enrichment with CSS of both coffee varieties increased the viability of lactobacilli and lactococci after in-vitro digestion, depending on the rate of supplementation. Number of yeasts was decreased during the storage.Probiotički mliječni proizvodi moraju u trenutku konzumacije sadržavati određenu količinu živih probitičkih bakterija. Kefirna kultura sadrži različite vrste mikroorganizama čiji se broj, ovisno o brojnim čimbenicima, može mijenjati tijekom skladištenja. U ovom je istraživanju ispitivan utjecaj dodatka novog tipa funkcionalnog sastojka - srebrne pokožice zrna kave (eng. CSS, coffee silverskin) na raspoloživost mikroorganizama koji čine kefirnu kulturu. U tu svrhu je CSS dobiven iz dvije vrste kave (Arabica i Robusta) dodavan uzorcima kefira u tri različite koncentracije (0,5, 0,75 i 1,0 %) na početku procesa fermentacije. Utvrđeno je kako je prije svega dodatak CSS dobivenog od Robusta vrste značajno utjecao na preživljavanje bakterija mliječne kiseline (laktobacila i laktokoka) koja je iznosila 88,00-94.10 %, odnosno 82,37-92,44 %. Tijekom 28 dana skladištenja na 4 °C utvrđeno je kako obogaćivanje kefira s CSS dobivenim iz obje vrste kave povećava preživljavanje laktobacila i laktokoka u uvjetima in vitro probave, što je uvjetovano količinom dodatka. Također, broj plijesni padao je tijekom skladištenja

The effects of supraphysiological oestrogen levels on ventricular repolarisation parameters

Background: The frequency of arrhythmic death developing without a structural cardiac disease is higher in women. Also, female sex is an independent risk factor regarding development of torsades de pointes. Several studies have been conducted on the physiological and therapeutic effects of sex hormones on the cardiac conduction system. Aim: In this study we aim to examine the effect of hormonal changes, especially supraphysiological E2 level changes occurring during in vitro fertilisation treatment, on ventricular repolarisation parameters. Methods: The study included female patients aged between 23 and 39 years, who were administered controlled ovarian hyperstimulation treatment. Patients’ electrocardiograms and blood samples were obtained and analysed before and after the ovarian hyperstimulation treatment. Results: Mean QTc intervals before ovarian hyperstimulation were 411.9 ± 23.7 ms. Measurements during oestradiol peak were calculated as 420.7 ± 23.3 ms, and the QTc interval increase was significant (p = 0.007). Corrected QT dispersion averages were not significant before or after hyperstimulation (53 ± 17 ms vs. 54.5 ± 18.2 ms, respectively, p &gt; 0.05). Tp-e, J-T peak, and PR dispersion changes were not significant after the ovarian hyperstimulation therapy. Conclusions: Supraphysiological oestradiol levels that occur during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cause prolongation of QTc intervals, but not to a pathological level. Although this prolongation is not significant in healthy individuals, it might increase ventricular arrhythmia risk in patients with congenital long QT syndrome and in patients taking medication that prolongs QT

Relationship between Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Aim. Studies have suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum BDNF levels and various metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods. The study included 88 T2DM patients and 33 healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were obtained from the patients and the control group. The serum levels of BDNF were measured with an ELISA kit. The current paper introduces a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) generalization curve to identify cut-off for the BDNF values in type 2 diabetes patients. Results. The serum levels of BDNF were significantly higher in T2DM patients than in the healthy controls (206.81 ± 107.32 pg/mL versus 130.84 ± 59.81 pg/mL; P<0.001). They showed a positive correlation with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r=0.28; P<0.05), the triglyceride level (r=0.265; P<0.05), and white blood cell (WBC) count (r=0.35; P<0.001). In logistic regression analysis, age (P<0.05), body mass index (BMI) (P<0.05), C-reactive protein (CRP) (P<0.05), and BDNF (P<0.01) were independently associated with T2DM. In ROC curve analysis, BDNF cut-off was 137. Conclusion. The serum BDNF level was higher in patients with T2DM. The BDNF had a cut-off value of 137. The findings suggest that BDNF may contribute to glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation

Other-Sex Friendships in Late Adolescence: Risky Associations for Substance Use and Sexual Debut?

Adolescents’ friendships with other-sex peers serve important developmental functions, but they may also facilitate engagement in problem behavior. This study examines the unique contributions of other-sex friendships and friends’ behavior to alcohol use, smoking, and initiation of sexual intercourse among late adolescent girls and boys. A total of 320 adolescents (53% girls; 33% racial/ethnic minorities) provided sociometric nominations of friendships annually in grades 10–12. Friendship networks were derived using social network analysis in each grade. Adolescents and their friends also reported on their alcohol use, smoking, and sexual debut at each assessment. After controlling for demographics, previous problem behavior, and friends’ behavior, other-sex friendships in 10th grade were associated with initiation of smoking among girls over the following year, and other-sex friendships in 11th grade were linked with lower levels of subsequent alcohol use among boys. Additionally, friends’ smoking and sexual experience in 10th grade predicted the same behaviors for all adolescents over the following year. Other-sex friendships thus appear to serve as a risk context for adolescent girls’ smoking and a protective context for adolescent boys’ drinking. Promoting mixed-gender activities and friendships among older high school students may be helpful in reducing males’ alcohol use, but may need to incorporate additional components to prevent increases in females’ smoking