Rebaudioside A inhibits pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions in rats

AbstractThe safety of patients with epilepsy consuming sweetening agents, which is becoming increasingly prevalent for various reasons, is a topic that should be emphasized as sensitively as it is for other diseases. Patients with epilepsy consume sweetening agents for different reasons such being diabetic or overweight. They can occasionally be exposed to sweetening agents unrestrainedly through consuming convenience food, primarily beverages. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rebaudioside A (Reb-A), which is a steviol glycoside produced from the herb Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni), on epileptic seizures and convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Forty-eight male rats were used. Twenty-four rats were administered 35 mg/kg PTZ to trigger epileptiform activity; the remaining 24 rats were administered 70 mg/kg PTZ to trigger the convulsion model. The epileptiform activity was evaluated by spike percentage, whereas convulsion was evaluated by Racine's Convulsion Scale and the onset time of the first myoclonic jerk. Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in the Racine's Convulsion Scale score and increase in the latency of first myoclonic jerk in a dose-dependent manner for the rat groups in which PTZ epilepsy had been induced and Reb-A had been administered. For the groups that were administered Reb-A, the spike decrease was apparent in a dose-dependent manner, based on the spike percentage calculation. These results indicated that Reb-A has positive effects on PTZ-induced convulsions

The Relationship of Body Mass Index with Insulin Resistance, hs-CRP, and Lp(a) Levels in Female Gender

Background and Aim:Chronic obesity causes adipose tissue to produce mediators that promote atherogenesis and vascular inflammation, contributing to hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in females.Materials and Methods:One hundred thirty-one females participated in the study: 46 morbidly obese, 38 obese, 25 overweight, and 22 normal BMI. To determine insulin resistance, all participants had their HOMA-IR values assessed. As an inflammatory marker, hs-CRP and as a lipid biomarker, Lp(a) were checked.Results:A significant difference in the HOMA-IR was found between the normal and the obese (P = 0.001) and morbidly obese (P = 0.0001) participants. There was also a significant difference in terms of HOMA-IR between the overweight and morbidly obese (P = 0.001) groups. In paired-group comparisons, hs-CRP was found to be significantly different between the normal group and obese (P = 0.001) and morbidly obese (P = 0.0001). Additionally, a significant difference in terms of hs-CRP between the overweight and morbidly obese participants (P = 0.003) was found. When Lp(a) values were compared, there was a significant difference between the normal group and those who were overweight (P = 0.0001), obese (P = 0.0001), and morbidly obese (P = 0.0001). A significant positive correlation of BMI was shown with HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, and Lp(a) levels.Conclusion:Elevated BMI in females is related to insulin resistance, elevated hs-CRP, and Lp(a), which confer a residual risk for CVD

The effect of organic fertilization on olive sapling cultivation: Vermicompost as an example

Olive sapling nursery is a growing agricultural activity in our country in the recent years. There is not an easily accessible resource about the most suitable fertilizer in sustainable agriculture of these saplings. Moreover, studies on effects of the applied fertilizers on leaves, stem and root development of olive saplings will guide the farmers who handle nursery. In this study Gemlik olive variety saplings were grown using different doses of vermicompost (0, 5, 10,20, and 40%) as the organic fertilizer added to the production material used in traditional olive sapling nursery, and one dose of chemical fertilizer (100% production material + chemical fertilizer) that has been used commonly by the producers. The nutritional elements in the leaves, stem and root of the grown saplings were analyzed. The results of the analysis of leaves, stem and roots of saplings at the 3rd and 6th months of the research were found to statistically significant. The results of totally 6 months of experiment revealed significant effects of different production materials on the analyzed parameters. In general, vermicompost usage can be avowable in terms of both to increase production material quality and development of saplings in olive sapling nursery. © 2020 Parlar Scientific Publications. All rights reserved

THE EFFECT OF ORGANIC FERTILIZATION ON OLIVE SAPLING CULTIVATION: VERMICOMPOST AS AN EXAMPLE

Olive sapling nursery is a growing agicultural activity in our country in the recent years. There is not an easily accessible resource about the most suitable fertilizer in sustainable agriculture of these saplings. Moreover, studies on effects of the applied fertilizers on leaves, stem and root development of olive saplings will guide the farmers who handle nursery. In this study Gemlik olive variety saplings were grown using different doses of vermicompost (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40%) as the organic fertilizer added to the production material used in traditional olive sapling nursery, and one dose of chemical fertilizer (100% production material + chemical fertilizer) that has been used commonly by the producers. The nutritional elements in the leaves, stem and root of the grown saplings were analyzed. The results of the analysis of leaves, stem and roots of saplings at the 3rd and 6th months of the research were found to statistically significant. The results of totally 6 months of experiment revealed significant effects of different production materials on the analyzed parameters. In general, vermicompost usage can be avowable in terms of both to increase production material quality and development of saplings in olive sapling nursery.Research Fund of the Tckirdag Namtk Kemal University [NKUBAP.03]This work was supported by Research Fund of the Tckirdag Namtk Kemal University. Project Number: NKUBAP.03.G A,16,036