Green tea extract exerts anabolic effects on extracellular matrix of the skin

An in vitro trial was carried out to reveal the effects of an extract of Camellia sinensis (green tea extract) on the major extracellular matrix components of human skin. After preparing the green tea extract its phytochemical contents were analysed and its effects on gene expression of hyaluronan synthase 2, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and elastase in a human dermal fibroblast cell line were determined. Cell proliferation assay was performed using XTT reagent. Ribonucleic acid isolations were realized by using TRI reagent. Expressions of the relevant enzymes and a control enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were determined using RT-qPCR analysis. Green tea extract caused statistically significant upregulation of hyaluronan synthase-2 gene expression compared to untreated control cells. Also, as a positive outcome, the treatment resulted in significant downregulations of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and elastase gene expressions. Green tea extract was found to have substantial anabolic effects on hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin. The results obtained in this study might partially explain the molecular basis of the health benefits and antiaging effects of Camellia sinensis on skin

Minoxidil acts as an antiandrogen: a study of 5α-reductase zype 2 gene expression in a human keratinocyte cell line

Although more than three decades have passed since the first useof minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia (AGA), its mechanisms of action havestill not been comprehensively understood. 5α-reductase (5α-R) has an activerole as the predominant enzyme in both AGA and female pattern hair loss(FPHL), which are also the main therapeutic indications of topical minoxidil.But there is insufficient literature data regarding the interaction of minoxidiland the enzyme 5α-R. Herein, we studied the in vitro expression levels of 5α-Rtype 2 (5α-R2) in a minoxidil-treated human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) inorder to elucidate the relation of these two parameters. Cell proliferation assaywas performed by a XTT reagent (a yellow tetrazolium salt). After determinationof non-cytotoxic concentration, HaCaT cells were treated with minoxidil.Ribonucleic acid (RNA) isolations were carried out from both non-treated andtreated cell groups using a TRI reagent (an RNA, DNA, and protein isolationreagent). Gene expressions of 5α-R2 as study material and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as the control were determined by realtime-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. Results wererepresented as 5α-R2 / GAPDH fold change. Minoxidil treatment resulted in a0.22 fold change for 5α-R2 (p &lt; 0.0001). This antiandrogenic effect of minoxidil,shown by significant downregulation of 5α-R2 gene expression in HaCaT cells,may be one of its mechanisms of action in alopecia.</p

Evidence of Leishmania spp. antibodies and DNA in dogs in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey

The World Health Organization considers leishmaniasis to be one of the most important zoonotic diseases with approximately 350 million people in 98 countries at risk of contracting the disease. The leishmaniasis also remains a severe public health problem in Turkey. It is important to evaluate the prevalence of Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) for designing control policies. In the present study, we report for the first time the occurrence of Leishmania infection in dogs living in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey. For the diagnosis of the infection parasitological (direct microscopic examination of lymph nodes), serological (ELISA) and molecular (kDNA-PCR) methods were performed using blood samples obtained from 240 dogs. Sand flies were also collected using CDC miniature light traps from the same locations for testing Leishmania presence by kDNA-PCR. Only one (0.41%) dog out of 240 was found to be positive by both tests. Amastigotes of Leishmania spp. were detected in the same animal lymph node aspirate sample. A total of 18 sand flies were collected and no Leishmania was detected Phlebotomus spp. sample pool. Our results showed that CanL could have public health implications and future screening studies are needed in this region of Turkey

Evaluation of serum cystatinC concentrations in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis

To assess glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in dogs naturally infected by D. immitis new renal marker serum cystatinC (sCysC) was measured with canine CysC ELISA kit. Twenty infected microfilaremic-seropositive and 20 amicrofilaremic and seronegative dogs evaluated in the study. Serum urea and creatinine (sCre) concentrations were measured in both groups. Mean sCysC concentrations in infected dogs were detected as 2.40 mg/L and 2.30 mg/L in controls. Mean serum urea 9.97 mmol/L and sCre 116.24 mu mol/L concentrations in infected and in the uninfected group detected as 11.92 mmol/L and 128.62 mu mol/L, respectively. Including mean sCysC and sCre concentrations with mean serum Urea:Cre ratio were not statistically differed between the groups. On the other hand, serum urea concentrations were statistically differed between groups. Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that, sCysC concentrations seemed to be not altered in dogs with D. immitis infection

Efectos de amitraz más Parapoxvirus ovis sobre EGF, VEGF, IGF-1 e IGF-2 en la demodicosis generalizada canina

Objective. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of treatment with amitraz plus-Parapoxvirus ovis (IPPVO) on serum concentrations and skin expressions of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and -2, epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in dogs suffering from generalised demodicosis (GD). Materials and Methods. Generalised demodicosis affected dogs were injected 1 ml IPPVO on days 0, 2 and 9 subcutaneously in addition to amitraz (0.025 %) treatment twice weekly for 80 days. IGF-1, IGF-2, EGF and VEGF concentrations in blood serum were measured by canine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.  EGF, VEGF, IGF-1, and IGF-2 expressions in skin biopsy specimens were examined immunohistochemically. Results. After the treatment of the dogs with amitraz plus-IPPVO in GD, we demonstrated a significant reduction in both circulating concentrations and skin expressions of EGF, VEGF, IGF-1, and IGF-2, which have a role in preserving skin integrity and wound healing. Conclusions. Results of this study suggest that IGF-1, IGF-2 EGF, and VEGF have a crucial role in the progression of GD in dogs. It is believed that the findings from this study will contribute to the development of new strategies for the treatment of GD, which is an important health problem for dogs.Objetivo. El propósito del estudio es investigar el efecto del tratamiento con amitraz más-Parapoxvirus ovis (IPPVO) sobre las concentraciones séricas y las expresiones cutáneas del factor de crecimiento insulínico (IGF) -1 y -2, factor de crecimiento epidérmico (EGF), vascular factor de crecimiento endotelial (VEGF), en perros que padecen demodicosis generalizada (GD). Materiales y métodos. A los perros afectados por GD se les inyectó 1 mL de IPPVO los días 0, 2 y 9 por vía subcutánea además del tratamiento con amitraz (0,025%) dos veces por semana durante 80 días. Las concentraciones de IGF-1, IGF-2, EGF y VEGF en suero sanguíneo se midieron mediante un kit de ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas específico para caninos. Las expresiones de EGF, VEGF, IGF-1 e IGF-2 en muestras de biopsia de piel se examinaron inmunohistoquímicamente. Resultados. Después del tratamiento de los perros con amitraz más-IPPVO en GD, demostramos una reducción significativa tanto en las concentraciones circulantes como en las expresiones cutáneas de EGF, VEGF, IGF-1 e IGF-2, que tienen un papel en la preservación de la integridad de la piel y la herida. curación. Conclusiones. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que IGF-1, IGF-2 EGF y VEGF tienen un papel crucial en la progresión de la GD en perros. Se cree que los hallazgos de este estudio contribuirán al desarrollo de nuevas estrategias para el tratamiento de la GD, que es un problema de salud importante para los perros

Surgical treatment of thoracic disc disease via minimally invasive lateral transthoracic trans/retropleural approach: analysis of 33 patients

Thoracic disc herniations are associated with serious neurological consequences if not treated appropriately. Although a number of techniques have been described, there is no consensus about the best surgical approach. In this study, the authors report their experience in the operative management of patients with thoracic disc herniations using minimally invasive lateral transthoracic trans/retropleural approach. A series of 33 consecutive patients with thoracic disc herniations who underwent anterior spinal cord decompression followed by instrumented fusion through lateral approach is being reported. Demographic and radiographic data, perioperative complications, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Forty disc levels in 33 patients (18F/15M; mean age, 52.9) were treated. Twenty-three patients presented with myelopathy (69 %), 31 had radiculopathy (94 %), and 31 had axial pain (94 %). Among patients with myelopathy, 14 (42.4 %) had bladder and/or bowel dysfunction. In the last eight cases (24 %), the approach was retropleural instead of transpleural. Patients were followed up for 18.2 months on average. The mean length of hospital stay was 5 days. None of the patients developed neurological deterioration postoperatively. Among 23 patients who had myelopathy signs, 21 (91 %) had improved postoperatively. The mean preoperative visual analog scale pain score, Oswestry Disability Index score, SF-36 PCS, and mental component summary scores were 7.5, 42.4, 29.6, and 37.5 which improved to 3.5, 33.2, 35.5, and 52.6, respectively. Perioperative complications occurred in six patients (18.1 %), all of which resolved uneventfully. Minimally invasive lateral transthoracic trans/retropleural approach is a safe and efficacious technique for achieving adequate decompression in thoracic disc herniations in a less invasive manner than conventional approaches