The effects of acute melatonin and ethanol treatment on antioxidant enzyme activities in rat testes

The pineal hormone melatonin (N-acetyl, 5-methoxytryptamine) was recently accepted to act as an antioxidant under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. In this study, we examined the possible preventive effect of melatonin on ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation in rat testes. Thirty-seven male Wistar albino rats, 5.5-6 months old, were randomly divided into four groups (9-10 animals in each). The first group (control animals) received 4% ethanol at similar intervals to the experimental groups to equalize the stress effect. The second group received only melatonin i.p. 7 mg kg(-1) bw three times over 1.5 h intervals. The third group received only 30% alcohol 3 g kg(-1) bw twice daily. The fourth group were treated with melatonin and ethanol according to the above protocole, melatonin injections preceeding ethanol treatments. The product of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) were measured in the post-mitochondrial fraction of the testes. MDA levels were significantly increased due to acute ethanol intoxication. GPx activity was higher in the three experimental groups than the control levels. The activity of CAT was increased significantly in the melatonin plus ethanol-treated group but the other groups appeared not to be influenced by acute ethanol treatment. Cu-Zn SOD activity remained unaltered. These results suggest that antioxidants may be a protective agent for the testicular injury caused by ethanol consumption. (C) 2001 Academic Press

Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Nitric Oxide Levels in Obese Postmenopausal Women

WOS: 000291110400005PubMed ID: 21567464Background: It has been reported that estrogen deficiency after menopause might cause a decrement in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability by increasing the level of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a major endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, thus leading to abnormalities in endothelial function. Because NO plays an important role on feeding behavior, ADMA may be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity, too. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relations of ADMA and NO with the obesity-linked peptides, such as ghrelin, leptin, and adiponectin in postmenopausal women free of hormone replacement therapy. Methods: Adiponectin, ghrelin, leptin, ADMA, and NO(x) (total nitrite/nitrate) were measured in 22 obese (BMI: 30-47 kg/m(2)) and 19 normal weight (BMI: 21.5-26 kg/m(2)) postmenopausal women. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist, and hip circumferences) were recorded. Statistics were made by the Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: Ghrelin and adiponectin levels were significantly lower (P<0.001), whereas ADMA and leptin levels were higher in obese women than in normal weight controls (P<0.01 and 0.001, respectively). BMI was correlated negatively with adiponectin and ghrelin and positively with ADMA and leptin levels. No correlation existed between ADMA and NO. Conclusion: Estrogen deficiency alone may not cause an increase in ADMA levels unless the women are prone to disturbances in energy homeostasis. In spite of the high ADMA levels, the unaltered NO levels in plasma may be owing to ongoing inflammatory conditions. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 25:174-178, 2011. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Istanbul University [UDP-1771/23112007, BYP-881/06012006]Grant sponsor: Istanbul University; Grant numbers: UDP-1771/23112007; BYP-881/06012006

Serum chymase levels in obese individuals: the relationship with inflammation and hypertension

WOS: 000582566800010Background: Inflammation related hypertension is reported in obesity due to synthesis of angiotensinII (Ang-II) and proinflammatory compounds in obese adipose tissue. Mast cell chymase (MC) also stimulate Ang-II synthesis, and activate transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). the aim of our study is to evaluate the relation of serum chymase levels, a serine protease enzyme secreted from mast cells, in obese patients with hypertension and cytokines that lead to cell damage. Materials and methods: Three study groups are composed of individuals aged between 19 and 63 with following characteristics; (1) control (n=30): healthy subjects with body mass index (BMI) 30; (3) obese+ HT (n=20): patients BMI >30 and hypertension. Serum Ang-II, MC, TGF-beta 1 and MMP-9 are determined by commercial ELISA. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity is determined with enzymatic colorimetric assay. Results: Serum chymase levels did not vary between groups. Chymase levels showed significant negative correlation with ACE activity (r = -0.278, p= 0.013) and positive correlation with Ang-II levels (r=0.251, p=0.024). No correlation was evident between chymase levels and hsCRP, TGF-beta 1 and MMP-9. Conclusion: Serum chymase, Ang-II, TGF-beta 1 and MMP-9 levels did not change in obese and hypertensive-obese patients despite evident hyperinsulinemia, increased insulin resistance and elevated hsCRP levels.Research Fund of Istanbul UniversityIstanbul University [21867]This work was supported by the Research Fund of Istanbul University; Project Number: 21867. This study originates of master of science thesis of the corresponding author, Erdal Topparmak. Patients are recruited and ELISA tests are run by Kocak, TanrikuluKucuk and Topparmak while other tests are run in Istanbul University by Oner-Iyidogan and Topparmak. the address of the corresponding author has changed since the conduction of the study, and the current address is Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University, Avcilar, Istanbul

Coadministration of melatonin and estradiol in rats: Effects on oxidant status

This study was designed to investigate the effects of melatonin and estradiol (E2) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense enzymes in blood and liver tissue when administered in vivo. Wistar albino rats were divided into three experimental groups and treated with either estradiol (25 mg/kg bw, s.c.), melatonin (i. p.), or melatonin plus E2, whereas control animals had diluent injections only. Melatonin was given 10 mg/kg bw x 2 intraperitoneally 30 min before and 60 min after E2 treatment to the melatonin plus E2 group. Animals were sacrificed three hours after the estradiol injection, and their blood and liver tissues were prepared for biochemical analyses. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidant enzyme activities superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) - were determined in the postmitochondrial fraction, and the results were compared. Estradiol injection caused significant increases in both MDA levels and GPx activity in liver. When melatonin was administered in combination with E2, the effect of estradiol on MDA levels was abolished. A significant decrement in SOD activity occurred in melatonin-treated animals. GPx activity in the blood of E2 plus melatonin-injected animals was significantly higher than those in control animals. Melatonin-treated animals exhibited relatively lower levels of SOD activity than those from the control and E2 plus melatonin groups. This indicates that estradiol could exert oxidant action resulting in an increment in tissue malondialdehyde levels. Enhanced activity of GPx in both liver and blood following melatonin injection may indicate the contribution of this neurohormone on the antioxidant defense

Indices of oxidative stress in eutopic and ectopic endometria of women with endometriosis

This study was designed to determine the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and some of the lipid peroxidation indices (malondialdehyde and total sulfhydryl groups) in eutopic and ectopic endometria of patients with endometriosis. Ectopic endometrial tissues (ovarian cysts; n=22) were obtained laparoscopically during the preovulatory period. Statistical analyses were made using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The levels of malondialdehyde and total sulfhydryl groups were similar in the eutopic and ectopic endometria, whereas the superoxide dismutase activity was found to be significantly higher in the latter (1,893+/-780 vs. 3,512+/-1,502 U/g protein; p=0.002). Although the glutathione peroxidase activity was slightly lower in the ectopic than in the eutopic tissues, the difference was not found to be statistically significant. The malondialdehyde levels were positively correlated with the plasma 17beta- estradiol concentrations in the ectopic endometria (r=0.683, p=0.001). No such correlation was seen in the eutopic tissue. It is suggested that various factors, such as cytokines released by activated macrophages in the peritoneal fluid and 17beta- estradiol itself synthesized by the ovaries, may locally affect the oxidant status of ectopic endometria. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Appetite-regulating Hormones in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

WOS: 000291719600007PubMed ID: 21193324Objective: Inflammation and loss of appetite is the most common problem in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This comparative cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the changes in circulating levels of ghrelin, obestatin, leptin, all of which have an effect on food intake, and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with CKD who were undergoing different treatments. Design and Setting: Study participants included 36 patients who had undergone hemodialysis (body mass index [BMI]: 22.3 +/- 4.17 kg/m(2)); 41 who had undergone peritoneal dialysis (BMI: 23.5 +/- 3.10 kg/m(2)), 30 with early stage CKD (BMI: 24.4 +/- 3.32 kg/m(2)), and 31 healthy subjects (24.3 +/- 2.14 kg/m(2)). The patients with CKD were kept under a standard diet with restricted salt, potassium, and protein intake. Intervention: Levels of leptin, acylated ghrelin, obestatin, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 were measured by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Total nitrite/nitrate was analyzed using colorimetric assay kit. Results: Significantly high leptin levels, accompanied by low acylated ghrelin levels, were observed in patients with CKD. Maintenance dialysis did not affect these levels. TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CKD patients than in healthy subjects, the highest being in dialysis patients. Obestatin levels were relatively low in patients who had undergone hemodialysis. Conclusion: Low acyl-ghrelin levels, accompanied with high levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 may be involved in the loss of appetite and poor nutritional status in CKD patients. (C) 2011 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.Istanbul University [508/05052006, BYP-1789]This work was supported by the Research Fund of Istanbul University; project numbers 508/05052006 and BYP-1789

Ligand binding and activation of the CGRP receptor

İstanbul Bilim Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi.Objective: Malnutrition and loss of appetite remain a frequent problem in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). These patients have inflammation accompanied by high levels of plasma leptin, an appetite-modulating hormone. A newly described hormone ghrelin is also involved in regulation food intake and energy balance. In patients with end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis, high plasma ghrelin concentration has been reported, but the metabolic impact of ghrelin in CKD is unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the changes in circulating levels of ghrelin, obestatin, leptin, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) at different stages of CKD

Urinary nerve growth factor in children with overactive bladder: A promising, noninvasive and objective biomarker

WOS: 000324027200016PubMed ID: 22789557Objective: This prospective study was designed to determine urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in children with overactive bladder (OAB), and to evaluate whether this factor can be used as a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring treatment outcome. Patients and methods: Urinary NGF levels were determined in 40 children with OAB and in a control group of 20 children with no urinary symptoms. Urine samples were collected from the patients prior to and at 3 and 6 months after the beginning of treatment. The total NGF levels (pg/mL) were further normalized to the concentration of urinary creatinine (NGF/Cr level). Results: Overall, both NGF and NGF/Cr levels were significantly higher at the beginning of the study. Mean NGF levels were 30.75 +/- 8.35 and 9.75 +/- 2.11 pg/ml (p=0.023) and mean NGF/Cr levels were 0.53 +/- 0.14 and 0.16 +/- 0.04 (p = 0.022) in patients and controls, respectively. After 6 months of therapy, the NGF/Cr level was significantly reduced to almost control levels (0.16 +/- 0.02, p = 0.047). Conclusion: NGF and NGF/Cr levels were significantly higher in children with OAB than controls at initial evaluation. Furthermore, the NGF/Cr level was significantly reduced following 6 months of therapy. NGF and NGF/Cr levels show promise as reliable biomarkers for OAB diagnosis and to monitor therapy in the pediatric age group. (C) 2012 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Serum fetuin-A and arginase-1 in human obesity model: Is there any interaction between inflammatory status and arginine metabolism?

WOS: 000353654200004PubMed ID: 25723054Obesity is a major risk factor for many chronic metabolic diseases such as inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) and fatty liver injury. It was reported that obesity causes some variations on the serum levels of fetuin-A and is associated with arginine metabolism, especially arginase-1 levels. The aim of our study was to evaluate, the interaction and possible changes of these liver over produced proteins, fetuin-A and arginase-1 levels in obesity-related inflammatory status. Study groups were composed of individuals aged between 19 and 63 (n = 62). The control group included healthy subjects with BMI 30 and with no other chronic disease. Biochemical markers were determined by an auto-analyzer. Adiponectin, fetuin-A, arginase-1, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), arginine, Hexanoyllysine (HEL) and leptin levels were measured with commercial ELISA immunoassay kits. Nitrite and nitrate were determined with colorimetric assay kit in serum samples. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels and liver function enzymes activities were higher in the obese group in respect to the control group. Serum fetuin-A, arginase-1 and leptin levels were increased but adiponectin levels were decreased in obese subjects. Fetuin-A levels showed significant correlations with arginase-1 and HOMA-IR. Consequently, we carried out an investigation about higher serum fetuin-A and arginase-1 levels may have an important role in obesity and obesity-related liver damage.Research Funds of Istanbul Bilim University [201301-11]This study was supported by the Research Funds of Istanbul Bilim University (201301-11). The authors thank Omer Uysal, PhD, Department of Public Health, for his contribution to the statistical analyses