Effect of combination treatment of protocatechuic acid with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin on colon cancer Caco-2 cell line

151-158Among the most common antitumor drugs used in the treatment of colon cancer are 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (5-FU and OXA). However, both these drugs have many side effects, and hence there is a need for new treatment\approach to reduce the side effects aas well as drug concentration. In this context, here, we investigated the effect of addition of protocatechuic acid (PCA) onto either monotherapies or combination therapies of 5-FU and OXA on the human colon cancer (Caco-2) cell line. In addition, we did evaluate the synergistic effect of PCA with 5-FU and OXA. Further, we determined the suppressive effects of different doses of PCA alone or in combination with 5-FU/OXA on cell proliferation after 24 and 48 hours. We identified a suppressive effect of PCA on cell viability at 48 h starting from the dose of 50 μM Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 gene expression levels and apoptotic effects showed significant increases and decreases depending on the dose and time applied in the experimental groups. The highest synergistic activity was seen at 2:1 concentration of 5-FU+ PCA. Our findings indicate the presence of the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of PCA in Caco-2 cells at 48 h, increasing with a dose- and time-dependent manner

Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan Hastalarda Öğrenme ve Hafıza Bozukluklarının NEURL1 ve RGS14 Genleri ile İlişkisi

Aim:&nbsp;We aimed to evaluate the relationship between learning-memory difficulties and NEURL1 and RGS14 genes in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).Method:&nbsp;Forty children with ASD (20 ASD, 20 high functioning autism (HFA)) and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. NEURL1 and RGS14 gene expressions in blood samples of volunteers were assessed by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR). The clinical and demographical findings in patients were determined and examined in relation to the gene expressions.Results:&nbsp;According to our findings, NEURL1 gene expression was decreased in both patient groups compared to the control (p&lt;0.05). No significant difference between the groups in terms of the RGS14 gene (p&gt;0.05). A statistically significant correlation was found between learning and memory difficulties and RGS14 gene expression in HFA patients (p=0.045). A positive correlation was observed between NEURL1 and RGS14 gene expressions of ASD patients (p=0.032, r=0,59).Conclusion:&nbsp;In this study, we showed that the NEURL1 gene may affect learning and memory difficulties in ASD patients. Nonetheless, we recommend that both genes be studied with more patients and preferably with brain tissues. These genes were evaluated for the first time in a clinical study on autism, and we believe that they will contribute to the literature in this respect.</p

Gut barrier protein levels in serial blood samples from critically ill trauma patients during and after intensive care unit stay

Purpose In an efort to better manage critically ill patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU) after experiencing multiple traumas, the present study aimed to assess whether plasma levels of intestinal epithelial cell barrier proteins, including occludin, claudin-1, junctional adhesion molecule (JAM-1), tricellulin and zonulin, could be used as novel biomarkers. Additional potential markers such as intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), d-lactate, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and citrulline were also evaluated. We also aimed to determine the possible relationships between the clinical, laboratory, and nutritional status of patients and the measured marker levels. Methods Plasma samples from 29 patients (frst, second, ffth and tenth days in the ICU and on days 7, 30 and 60 after hospital discharge) and 23 controls were subjected to commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. Results On frst day (admission) and on the second day, plasma I-FABP, d-lactate, citrulline, occludin, claudin-1, tricellulin and zonulin levels were high in trauma patients and positively correlated with lactate, C-reactive protein (CRP), number of days of ICU hospitalisation, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and daily Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (P<0.05–P<0.01). Conclusion The results of the present study showed that occludin, claudin-1, tricellulin and zonulin proteins, as well as I-FABP, d-lactate and citrulline, may be used as promising biomarkers for the evaluation of disease severity in critically ill trauma patients, despite the complexity of the analysis of various barrier markers. However, our results should be supported by future studies