The Use of Astaxanthin as a Natural Antioxidant on Ovarian Damage

The ovaries are defined as the organs that secrete sex hormones and ensure the formation of the ovum in females. The proper functioning of the physiological functions of the ovaries is very important for the health of both the body and the female reproductive system. Reactive oxygen species are produced as byproducts of the normal physiological metabolism of the ovary. Antioxidants are among the factors that work to maintain the balance between the production and excretion of reactive oxygen species. Since the deterioration in the antioxidant system can cause pathological results, antioxidant supplementation is considered a possible strategy for the treatment of reproductive diseases by keeping oxidative stress under control. This chapter provides information about the use of astaxanthin as a natural antioxidant against ovarian damage

Kisspeptin: Role in Female Infertility

Kisspeptin is a neuropeptide encoded by the kisspeptin gene (Kiss1) and located in different brain regions, primarily in the hypothalamus. Kisspeptin and its receptor G-protein-coupled receptor-54 (GPR54), are also found in behavioural brain regions such as the hippocampus and cortex. Kisspeptin, a very powerful neuropeptide that stimulates the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary, does this by increasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) levels. In recent studies, it has been noted that kisspeptin is effective on reproductive functions. Globally 8 to 12% of couples have infertility problems, and the majority are residents of developing countries. Approximately 70% of infertility cases are caused by fertility problems in women. The frequency of infertility in women continues to increase every year and the underlying factors require further research. Bearing this problem in mind, this review examines the possible role of kisspeptin in female infertility. In doing so, it aims to find out how future application of kisspeptin may potentially unravel the neural reproductive disorder

Can Polyphenols be Used as Anti-Inflammatory Agents against Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2)-Induced Inflammation?

Covid-19 is the causative agent of a beta coronavirus that causes severe inflammatory pneumonia, so excessive inflammation is considered a risk factor for the disease. In Covid-19 disease, an inflammatory response develops in the body. It has been reported as a result of various studies that this response causes damage to various organs and tissues, especially the lungs. According to reports, cytokine storms are largely responsible for death in such patients. Some of the consequences of severe inflammation and cytokine storms include acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute lung injury, and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes. Many studies are showing that there may be various agents to prevent or treat these effects of Covid-19 disease. Some of these agents are phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds are the most abundant substances in vegetables and fruits. Inflammasomes, their function. It has been stated that phenolic compounds inhibit inflammation by inhibiting cytosolic multiprotein complexes that assemble in response to cytosolic pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to form active forms of IL-1β and IL-18. It suggested that Apigenin, Resveratrol, Morin, and Silymarin an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-viral, and anti-microbial compound could be a potential therapeutic agent for severe inflammation from Covid-19

Thiols: Role in Oxidative Stress-Related Disorders

The effects of oxidative stress occur as a result of peroxidative damage of the macromolecule and membranes of the cells and with the disruption of metabolic activities in the components of the cells in living organisms. Organ and tissue pathologies are known to occur when oxidative stress is excessive in the body. It is known that thiols are one of the main protective mechanisms of the body against oxidative stress. Thiols have been shown to play important roles in enzymatic reactions, apoptosis, detoxification and antioxidant protection in the body. Many studies have shown changes in thiol status and thiol/disulphide homeostasis in various diseases such as digestive system, respiratory system, reproductive system, urinary system, metabolic diseases and cancer. This also shows that the thiol state is very important in the pathogenesis of oxidative stress-mediated diseases. Therefore, it is thought that interventions that can improve thiol status may contribute to the prevention or treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases

An Overview of the Biochemical and Histopathological Effects of Insecticides

The number of studies on insecticides, which constitute an important class of pesticides, is increasing day by day. These chemicals used in the fight against pests in the field of agriculture; It is also used to fight mosquitoes and insects in homes, gardens and rural areas. Excessive use of insecticides has adversely affected many beneficial organisms besides target organisms. As a result of the negative effects of insecticides on non-target organisms, the normal balance of nature has been disturbed and this has led to the decline of some living species in the world. In many studies from the past to the present, it has been shown that these insecticides have negative effects on the environment, human and animal health. Some of these chemicals, which have many benefits in the fight against agricultural pests, have been banned due to their harmful effects on non-target organisms as a result of excessive use. Today, however, these chemicals are still used intensively against agricultural pests, threatening non-target organisms and human health. For this reason, in this book chapter we have prepared, the negative effects of insecticides on living things are examined by reviewing biochemical and histopathological studies

Siraz Balığı (Capoeta capoeta [Guldenstaedt, 1773]) Plazma Nitrik Oksit, Malondialdehit ve Total Sialik Asit Düzeyleri Üzerinde Çinko Sülfatın Etkileri

The aim of this study was to investigate plasma total sialic acid (TSA), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in response to different doses of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) in Capoeta capoeta. The fishes were kept in tanks for 15 days for adaptation. Three groups of fish (control, 1st, and 2nd), each containing 9 fishes, were placed in separate tanks containing no, 5 and 10 mg/L ZnSO4, respectively for 10 days. At the end of the study, blood samples were taken, and plasma TSA, NO and MDA levels were analyzed. An increase in plasma TSA and MDA levels were found along with increasing ZnSO4 amounts, and a decrease in NO levels was observed. In conclusion, it was determined that levels of TSA, MDA and NO were altered depending on ZnSO4 doses applied in C. capoeta.Bu çalışmada farklı dozlarda çinko sülfat uygulanan Capoeta capoeta’larda plazma total sialik asit (TSA), nitrik oksit (NO) ve malondialdehit (MDA) düzeylerinin belirlenmesi amaçlandı. Balıkların 15 gün süre ile laboratuvar ortamına adaptasyonları sağlandıktan sonra 9’ar adet üç grup oluşturuldu. Grup I’de bulunan balıklar normal su ortamında, grup II ve III ise sırasıyla 5 ve 10 mg/L ZnSO4 eklenen tanklarda 10 gün süre ile bekletildi. Balıklardan kan örnekleri alındıktan sonra plazma TSA, NO ve MDA seviyeleri analiz edildi. Artan ZnSO4 miktarlarına göre plazma TSA ve MDA seviyelerinde artış olduğu belirlenirken, NO seviyelerinde düşüş olduğu gözlendi. Sonuç olarak, ZnSO4 uygulanan C. capoeta’da plazma TSA, MDA ve NO seviyelerinde doza bağlı değişiklikler tespit edildi

Investigation of Protective Effect of L-Carnitine on L-Asparaginase-Induced Acute Pancreatic Injury in Male Balb/c Mice

Introduction The present analysis deals with the biochemical and histopathological effects of L-carnitine in mice with L-asparaginase (ASNase)-induced experimental acute pancreatic injury (API)

EFFECT OF SINGLE DOSE DEXAMETHASONE ADMINISTRATION ON METABOLISM RELATED PARAMETERS IN LACTATING FAT TAILED SHEEP

This study was designed to investigate the effect of a single dose glucocorticoid administration on the parameters related to energy metabolism in sheep. Forty healthy lactating fat tailed ewes, 2-3 years old, were obtained from the Farm of the University of Kafkas. The animals were divided into control (n=20) and treated group (n=20). Ewes in the treatment group (n=20) was parenterally given a single dose of 0.025 mg/kg dexamethasone (Deksavet %0.4 enj.(R), Interhas, Istanbul-Turkey) at the beginning of the study. Ewes in the control group (n=20) were parenterally given the same dose of placebo at the beginning of the study. All animals were blood sampled before the drug administration and on the 1(st), 2(nd), 3(rd), 4(th), 5(th) and 7(th) day of injection. Sera samples were analysed for the determination of concentrations of insulin, beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), non esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin and phosphorus. Cholesterol, glucose (P < 0.001) and insulin (P < 0.05) concentration obtained on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 were significantly higher than the baseline values on day 0. Concentrations of cholesterol and glucose peaked on day 7 and 3, respectively. NEFA concentration was significantly lower during the experiment except for day 7 when it peaked (P < 0.05). Other examined parameters did not significantly change when compared to the baseline values. Comparison of the control and the treated group revealed a statistically significant increase in the concentrations of glucose on day 2, 3, and 4, cholesterol on day 3, 4, 5, and 7, insulin on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 while concentrations of NEFA decreased on day 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 and phosphorus concentrations decreased on day 4

Dose-dependent effects of L-carnitine on blood sialic acid, MDA and GSH concentrations in BALB/c mice

L-carnitine is an essential quarternary amine having an important role in the P-oxidation of fatty acids. Although L-carnitine was shown to be protective against toxic effects of some chemicals the dose-effect relationship with respect to its antioxidant action and protection from lipid peroxidation is unknown. To evaluate the dose-response profile of L-carnitine on blood sialic acid, glutathione and malondialdehyde concentrations, 40 mice were randomly allocated to 4 groups. Experimental mice were treated with intraperitoneal saline for 5 days (Group 1), L-carnitine at 100 mg/kg for 5 days (Group 2), L-carnitine at 250 mg/kg for 5 days (Group 3), L-carnitine at 500 mg/kg for 5 days (Group 4). Following the treatments, blood samples were collected, and blood glutathione, malondialdehyde and sialic acid concentrations were determined. L-carnitine provided an antioxidant action at doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg with the strongest antioxidant action observed at 500 mg/kg dose. There was a significant increase in malondialdehyde and sialic acid concentrations at all doses of L-carnitine with the highest effect seen at 500 mg/kg dose. In addition, L-carnitine caused a dose-dependent elevation in glutathione level