Chitosan and blueberry treatment induces arginase activity and inhibits nitric oxide production during acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity

Background: Liver diseases have become a major problem of the worldwide. More than 50% of all cases of liver failure can be attributed to drugs. Among these, acetaminophen is the most common cause. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the the hepatoprotective effects of blueberry and chitosan on tissue arginase activity, ornithine and nitric oxide levels during the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Acetaminophen (250 mg/kg body weight per day), blueberry (60 mg/kg body weight per day) and, chitosan (200 mg/kg body weight per day) were administered to the rats by oral gavage during the experimental period. Results: Blueberry and chitosan significantly decreased liver arginase activity and ornithine levelsand and increased nitric oxide levels. Glutathione levels were remarkably increased by chitosan and blueberry treatments. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that blueberry and chitosan effectively protected against the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotective effect afforded by blueberry and chitosan can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and susceptibility to lung cancer: a population genetics perspective

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the polymorphism frequency of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (rs1799889) 4G/5G in patients with lung cancer. Methods: In this study, 286 genomic DNAs (154 lung cancer patients + 132 subjects without lung cancer) were analyzed. Polymorphisms were determined by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, with 4G and 5G allele-specific primers. PCR products were assessed by a charge-coupled device camera and exposed to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The frequencies of the PAI-1 gene 4G/5G genotypes were found to be 21% 4G/4G, 16% 4G/5G, and 62% 5G/5G in the control group and 31.4% 4G/4G, 30.8% 4G/5G, and 37.8% 5G/5G in the patient group. It was determined that the 5G/5G genotype frequency was high in patients in comparison with other genotypes. Conclusions: This study found a statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to genotype distribution. Consequently, we can say that the PAI-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphism is associated with lung cancer in Turkey.Artvin Coruh University: 2011.M80.02.0

The effect of sulforaphane on oxidative stress and inflammation in rats with toxic hepatitis induced by acetaminophene

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to reveal the possible effect of sulforaphane on oxidative stress and inflammation in rats liver with toxic hepatitis induced by acetaminophene. BACKGROUND: Sulforaphane is a compound with high antioxidant properties. Acetaminophen, which is a para-aminophenol derivative, can lead to fatal hepatic necrosis with direct hepatotoxic effects at high doses. METHODS: Thirty six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Control group (n = 9) was fed with standard rat chow and water for 3 days. Group APAP (n = 9) received a single dose acetaminophen 1 g/kg by oral gavage in addition to standard chow and water. Group SFN (n = 9) received sulforaphane 500 mu g/kg by oral gavage in addition to standard chow and water for 3 days. Group APAP+SFN (n = 9) received sulforaphane 500 mu g/kg and a single dose acetaminophen 1 g/kg by oral gavage in addition to standard chow and water. Acetaminophen was administered three hours after SFN administration. RESULTS: Neopterin, MDA, AST, ALT and CRP levels of group APAP were significantly increased compared to control group. GSH level of group APAP was significantly lower than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Sulforaphane is a protective agent against acetaminophen-induced liver damage and it can be added in the treatment protocol (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 51). Text in PDF www.elis.sk

Optic Nerve Head Parameters in a Turkish Population Over Forty Years of Age

Objectives: To evaluate the optic disc area and cup area in a normal population over 40 years of age. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was performed in Eskişehir. Fundus photographs were obtained using a nonmydriatic fundus camera. Planimetric measurements of the optic disc and cup area were performed with VK-2 digital imaging software. Optic nerve parameters were then compared between sex and age groups. Results: A total of 3,038 subjects were evaluated. Mean age was 56.6±10.4 years (range 40-91 years). The median disc area of the subjects was 2.87 (2.53-3.23) mm2 in the right eyes and 2.89 (2.55-3.25) mm2 in the left eyes (p0.05). Conclusion: We report the normal distribution of disc area and cup area measurements and their association with age and sex

Prevention of oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) using Catechine in rats

Bu çalışmada deneysel olarak, sıçanlarda oksidatif stres oluşturan kimyasal madde karbon tetraklorit (CCl4)’e karşı, antioksidan özelliği bilinen kateşinin ne derece koruyucu etkisi olduğu araştırıldı. Çalışmada üç aylık otuz iki adet Spraque Dawley soyu erkek sıçan kullanıldı. Sıçanlar eşit sayıda dört gruba ayrıldı. İlk on günlük uygulamada, sadece IV.gruba kateşin (50 mg/kg/gün) intragastrik (i.g) olarak verildi. İkinci on günlük uygulamada ise, I.gruba (kontrol) sıvı yağ (0.2 ml/kg/gün) intraperitoneal (i.p) ve (i.g), II.gruba CCl4 (0.2 ml/kg/gün) (i.p), III.gruba kateşin (50 mg/kg/gün) (i.g), IV.gruba kateşin+CCl4 belirtilen dozlarda ve aynı saatlerde günde iki uygulama ile verildi. Madde uygulaması sona erdikten sonraki 24.saatte, eter anestezisi altında uygun teknikler kullanılarak karaciğer doku örnekleri alındı. Bu örneklerden hazırlanan homojenatta malondialdehit (MDA) düzeyi, katalaz (CAT) ve glutatyon peroksidaz (GPx) aktiviteleri tayin edildi. Histolojik çalışmalar için alınan karaciğer doku örnekleri %10 nötral formalinde tespit edildi. Rutin takip sonrası kesitler H&E ile boyandı ve ışık mikroskobunda incelendi. Çalışma sonunda, kateşinin tek başına beklenildiği gibi kontrole benzer değerler verdiği görüldü. CCl4 verilen grupta ise, CCl4 metabolizmasına bağlı olarak, oluşan serbest radikallerin MDA düzeyini artırdığı, böylece oksidatif hasarın oluştuğu tespit edildi. IV.grupta bu hasarın, kateşin tarafından aktiviteleri artırı- lan ve serbest radikal süpürücüleri olarak kabul edilen CAT ve GPx tarafından, nispeten düzeltilerek kontrol de- ğerlere yaklaştığı görüldü. Histolojik sonuçlarında kimyasal sonuçları desteklediği tespit edildi.In this study, the antioxidants catechin was investigated experimentally with respect to its protective effect against CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rats. Three months old and thirty-two Spraque Dawley male rats were used in the study. The rats were assigned to four groups in equal numbers. Group four received catechin (50 mg/kg/day) intragastrically (i.g) for a ten days period as pretreatments. In the second ten days period, group one received liquid oil (0.2 ml/kg/day) intraperitoneally (i.p), group two received CCl4 (0.2 ml/kg/day) (i.p) group three received catechin (50 mg/kg/day, i.g). In this period the previously treated group four received at the same doses catechin plus CCl4 daily in two divided doses. Within 24 hours of the last dose, liver tissue samples for homogenate were collected from the rats using appropriate techniques under ether anesthesia. Malondialdehide (MDA) levels were measured and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined in the samples. Tissue samples were fixed in 10% neutral formalin to be used in histological studies. Slices were stained with H&E and examined under a light microscobe. Results have shown that the values obtained in only catechin treatment groups were close to values in control group, as expected. In the CCl4 treated group, free radical formation secondary to CCl4 metabolism resulted in increased MDA levels and led to oxidative damage. This damage was corrected to levels almost comparable to that of control by the free radical scavengers CAT and GPx, the activities of which were increased secondary to catechin treatments. Finally, histological studies supported that our chemical results

Prevention of oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) using Catechine in rats

Bu çalışmada deneysel olarak, sıçanlarda oksidatif stres oluşturan kimyasal madde karbon tetraklorit (CCl4)’e karşı, antioksidan özelliği bilinen kateşinin ne derece koruyucu etkisi olduğu araştırıldı. Çalışmada üç aylık otuz iki adet Spraque Dawley soyu erkek sıçan kullanıldı. Sıçanlar eşit sayıda dört gruba ayrıldı. İlk on günlük uygulamada, sadece IV.gruba kateşin (50 mg/kg/gün) intragastrik (i.g) olarak verildi. İkinci on günlük uygulamada ise, I.gruba (kontrol) sıvı yağ (0.2 ml/kg/gün) intraperitoneal (i.p) ve (i.g), II.gruba CCl4 (0.2 ml/kg/gün) (i.p), III.gruba kateşin (50 mg/kg/gün) (i.g), IV.gruba kateşin+CCl4 belirtilen dozlarda ve aynı saatlerde günde iki uygulama ile verildi. Madde uygulaması sona erdikten sonraki 24.saatte, eter anestezisi altında uygun teknikler kullanılarak karaciğer doku örnekleri alındı. Bu örneklerden hazırlanan homojenatta malondialdehit (MDA) düzeyi, katalaz (CAT) ve glutatyon peroksidaz (GPx) aktiviteleri tayin edildi. Histolojik çalışmalar için alınan karaciğer doku örnekleri %10 nötral formalinde tespit edildi. Rutin takip sonrası kesitler H&E ile boyandı ve ışık mikroskobunda incelendi. Çalışma sonunda, kateşinin tek başına beklenildiği gibi kontrole benzer değerler verdiği görüldü. CCl4 verilen grupta ise, CCl4 metabolizmasına bağlı olarak, oluşan serbest radikallerin MDA düzeyini artırdığı, böylece oksidatif hasarın oluştuğu tespit edildi. IV.grupta bu hasarın, kateşin tarafından aktiviteleri artırı- lan ve serbest radikal süpürücüleri olarak kabul edilen CAT ve GPx tarafından, nispeten düzeltilerek kontrol de- ğerlere yaklaştığı görüldü. Histolojik sonuçlarında kimyasal sonuçları desteklediği tespit edildi.In this study, the antioxidants catechin was investigated experimentally with respect to its protective effect against CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rats. Three months old and thirty-two Spraque Dawley male rats were used in the study. The rats were assigned to four groups in equal numbers. Group four received catechin (50 mg/kg/day) intragastrically (i.g) for a ten days period as pretreatments. In the second ten days period, group one received liquid oil (0.2 ml/kg/day) intraperitoneally (i.p), group two received CCl4 (0.2 ml/kg/day) (i.p) group three received catechin (50 mg/kg/day, i.g). In this period the previously treated group four received at the same doses catechin plus CCl4 daily in two divided doses. Within 24 hours of the last dose, liver tissue samples for homogenate were collected from the rats using appropriate techniques under ether anesthesia. Malondialdehide (MDA) levels were measured and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined in the samples. Tissue samples were fixed in 10% neutral formalin to be used in histological studies. Slices were stained with H&E and examined under a light microscobe. Results have shown that the values obtained in only catechin treatment groups were close to values in control group, as expected. In the CCl4 treated group, free radical formation secondary to CCl4 metabolism resulted in increased MDA levels and led to oxidative damage. This damage was corrected to levels almost comparable to that of control by the free radical scavengers CAT and GPx, the activities of which were increased secondary to catechin treatments. Finally, histological studies supported that our chemical results

Ultrasound detection of sciatic nerve movements with ankle dorsiflexion/plantar flexion: Prospective comparative study of a novel method to locate the sciatic nerve

Objectives: It is possible to observe the in-vivo movements of nerves using real-time ultrasound. In this study, we aimed to visualize the movements of the sciatic nerve as a guide to identify the sciatic nerve to distinguish from surrounding tissue