Discrimination and numerical analysis of human pathogenic Candida albicans strains based on SDS-PAGE protein profiles

In the present study, 21 Candida albicans strains were investigated using the commercial kit API 20C AUX system and the numerical analysis of whole-cell protein profiles. The results of the commercial kit confirmed that the all the strains belonged to C. albicans species. However, the research indicated that SDS-PAGE of polypeptides of whole-cell extracts can provide more valuable taxonomic information than conventional yeast test kits at the subspecies level. Despite the fact that C. albicans subtypes isolated from different anatomical sites had similar protein profiles, there were some distinctive protein bands. Numerical analysis of whole-cell protein profiles of all strains revealed 2 major clusters at similarity degrees of between 46.26 and 100%. Moreover, the results of numerical analysis confirmed that each cluster had characteristic and distinctive protein profiles. The research showed that, the morphological examination of yeast isolates remains essential to obtaining a correct identification, both the commercial yeast kit system and the numerical analysis of whole-cell protein patterns can be useful for the more reliable identification of C. albicans strains

Vitamin D and Its Importance for the Metabolism

Steroid bir hormon olarak kabul edilen D vitamini bitkisel kökenli ergosterol (vit- D2) ve hayvansal kökenli olup deride 7 - dehidrokolesterolden türeyen kolekalsiferol (vit- D3) şeklinde sınıflandırılır. D vitaminleri kalsiferoller olarak ta adlandırılırlar. D2 ve D3 vitaminleri aynı yolla metabolize edilirler ve öncelikle karaciğerde 25- (OH) D3’e çevrilir, ardından böbreğe taşınarak D vitaminin aktif formu olan 1,25- (OH)2 D3’e dönüştürülürler. D vitamini, metabolizmada başta kemik ve iskelet sistemi olmak üzere birçok önemli fonksiyona sahiptir. Kalsiyum ve fosfor metabolizmasında rol alarak, kalsiyum ve fosforun bağırsaklardan emilimini sağlar. D vitamini aynı zamanda parathormonun salınımını önler. Yine D vitamini birçok hastalık ve kanser türüne karşı koruyucu etkilere sahiptir. Genel olarak D vitamini yetersizliği metabolizmada kemik ve iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıkları olarak kendini gösterir. Özellikle insan ve hayvanların yavrularında gözlemlenen rikets ve onun erişkinlerdeki şekli olan osteomalasi D vitamini yetersizliğinde en sık görülen hastalıklardır. D vitamini yetersizliğinin en önemli sebepleri arasında güneş ışığına yeteri kadar maruz kalmama yer alır. D vitamininin fazla miktarlarda alınması da metabolizmada toksik etkiye yol açarak, dönüşümü olmayan problemlere sebebiyet verir.Vitamin D, accept as a steroid hormone, is an ergosterol (vit- D 2 ) of plant and animal origin. It is classified as cholecalciferol (vit- D 3 ) derived from 7- dehydrocholesterol in the skin. Vitamins D are also called as calciferols. Vitamins D2 and D3 are metabolised in the same way, and at first, they are converted to 25- (OH) D3 in the liver, then they are migrated to kidney and converted to 1,25- (OH)2 D 3 is an active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D has many functions in metabolism, particularly in osseous and skeletal system. By having a part in calcium and phosphor metabolisms, it enables them to be absorbed in the intestines. It has also protective effects against a number of diseases and cancer types. Hypovitaminosis D manifests itself generally as bone and skeletal system disorders in metabolism. The most frequently observed diseases related to hypovitaminosis D are mainly the rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Limited exposure to the sunlight is among the most important reasons lying behind hypovitaminosis D. Further, the excessive intake of vitamin D leads to toxic effects and irreversible problems in the metabolism

Antioxidant properties of Ferulago angulata and its hepatoprotective effect against N-nitrosodimethylamine-induced oxidative stress in rats

Context: Ferulago angulata (Schlecht.) Boiss. (Apiaceae) (FASB) is used to treat liver diseases and has been used both as food and therapeutics by many cultures for thousands of years because of the natural antioxidant compounds. Objective: This study determines antioxidant properties of FASB flowers, the levels of minerals and vitamins, and also, evaluates the hepatoprotective effect of flowers against N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) induced on liver tissue by assessing antioxidant enzymes and histopathological parameters in Wistar albino rats. Materials and methods: In the study, the rats were divided into six groups of ten. Control, untreated animals were given 0.9% NaCl. Rats were intraperitoneally given NDMA (10 mg/kg) for the first 7 days. FASB methanol extract (150 and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally for 21 days. Results: α-Tocopherol, retinol, ascorbic acid, total antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents of FASB were 0.70 ± 0.13, 0.29 ± 0.03 μg/g, 139.32 ± 7.06 μg/100 g, 171.61 ± 6.05 mM ascorbic acid/g, 90.47 ± 4.11 mg GA/g and 37.39 ± 2.85 mg QE/g. DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was obtained IC50 67.34 ± 4.14 and 64.87 ± 4.68 μg/mL, respectively. Discussion and conclusion: The results of the study indicated that FASB flowers contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, total antioxidant activity, phenolics and flavonoids. Due to the positive effect on significant changes in antioxidant enzymes of liver tissue and histopathological examination, it is thought that the plant could be used as a hepatoprotective

Theophylline attenuates bleomycin-induced oxidative stress in rats: The role of IL-6, NF-κB, and antioxidant enzymes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antifibrotic and antioxidant roles of theophylline (Theo), a bioactive compound, in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in Wistar albino rats. Assigned into 4 groups were 32 Wistar albino rats, comprising the control group (administered 0.9% isotonic saline), BLM group (treated with BLM at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg), BLM+Theo group (treated with Theo at a dose of 75 mg/kg + BLM at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg), and Theo group (treated with Theo at a dose of 75 mg/kg). In the BLM group, a significant decrease was observed in the catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05, p< 0.05, p< 0.001, respectively), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p< 0.001) were significantly elevated when compared to the control group. However, the MDA levels in the BLM+Theo group were also significantly higher than in the control group (p< 0.01). Similarly, the GSH levels were significantly higher in the BLM+Theo group than in the BLM group (p< 0.05). The results indicated that Theo reduced the BLM-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, together with significant amelioration of the immunohistochemical and histopathological architecture in the lung tissues. It was concluded that the administration of Theo had a positive effect on the GSH level, and activation of NF-κB and IL-6 expression, which were significant proinflammatory markers in the BLM-treated rats