The effects of lycopene on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

There is a very little information about the protective effect of lycopene (LYC) against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present study was designed to examine the possible protective effect of the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, LYC, on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. For this purpose, rats were subjected to 45 min of hepatic ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion period. LYC at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg body weight (bw) were injected intraperitoneally, 60 min prior to ischemia. Upon sacrification, hepatic tissue samples were used for the measurement of catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Also, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assayed in serum samples. As a result of the use of LYC at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg bw; while improvements of the ALT, AST, LDH and MDA values were partial and dose-dependent, the improvement of CAT activity was total and dose-independent (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that LYC has a protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion injury on the liver

The ameliorative effect of Cetraria islandica against diabetes-induced genetic and oxidative damage in human blood

Context: The aqueous extracts of Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. (Parmeliaceae) is traditionally used in many countries against a number of conditions, including inflammatory conditions. Objective: The present study aimed to assess, for the first time, the effectiveness of C. islandica in cultured primary blood cells of Type 1 diabetes subjects. Materials and methods: Diabetic and control blood samples were treated with or without aqueous lichen extract (5 and 10 mu g mL(-1)) for 48 h. The activity of antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes and also malondialdehyde levels in plasma were determined to evaluate the oxidative status. DNA damages were analyzed by SCE, MN and comet assays in cultured human lymphocytes. Additionally, proliferation index (PI) was evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Results: There were significant increases in observed total DNA damage (comet assay) (240.2%) and SCE (168.8%), but not in MN frequencies of cultures with diabetes as compared (p>0.05) to controls. Whereas, the significant reductions of total DNA damage (69.2 and 65.3%) and SCE frequencies (17.7 and 12.3%) were determined when the 5 and 10 mg mL(-1) lichen extract was added to the cell culture medium, respectively. However, lichen extract did not completely inhibit the induction of SCEs in lymphocytes of patients with diabetes. C. islandica extract was also useful on PI rates. Discussion: In conclusion, the antioxidant role of C. islandica in alleviating diabetes-induced genomic instability and for increasing cell viability was firstly indicated in the present study.This investigation was supported by Ataturk University (BAP-2004/172 and 2008/76)

The hepatoprotective effects of Hypericum perforatum L. on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Little is known about the effective role of Hypericum perforatum on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Hence, albino rats were subjected to 45 min of hepatic ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion period. Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE) at the dose of 50 mg/kg body weight (HPE50) was intraperitonally injected as a single dose, 15 min prior to ischemia. Rats were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion period and then, biochemical investigations were made in serum and liver tissue. Liver tissue homogenates were used for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. At the same time alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assayed in serum samples and compared statistically. While the ALT, AST, LDH activities and MDA levels were significantly increased, CAT and GPx activities significantly decreased in only I/R-induced control rats compared to normal control rats (p < 0.05). Treatment with HPE50 significantly decreased the ALT, AST, LDH activities and MDA levels, and markedly increased activities of CAT and GPx in tissue homogenates compared to I/R-induced rats without treatment-control group (p < 0.05). In oxidative stress generated by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion, H. perforatum L. as an antioxidant agent contributes an alteration in the delicate balance between the scavenging capacity of antioxidant defence systems and free radicals in favour of the antioxidant defence systems in the body

The carvacrol ameliorates acute pancreatitis-induced liver injury via antioxidant response

Acute pancreatitis (AP) may cause significant persistent multi-organ dysfunction. Carvacrol (CAR) possesses a variety of biological and pharmacological properties. The aim of the present study was to analyze the hepatic protection of CAR on AP induced by cerulein and to explore the underlying mechanism using in vivo studies. The rats were randomized into groups to receive (1) no therapy; (2) 50 A mu g/kg cerulein at 1-h intervals by four intraperitoneal injection (i.p.); (3) 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg CAR by one i.p.; and (4) cerulein + CAR after 2 h of cerulein injection. 12 h later, serum was provided to assess the blood AST, ALT and LDH values. Also, liver tissues were obtained for histological and biochemical measurements. Liver oxidative stress markers were evaluated by changes in the amount of lipid peroxides measured as MDA and changes in tissue antioxidant enzyme levels, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px. Histopathological examination was performed using scoring systems. Oxidative damage to DNA was quantitated in studied tissues of experimental animals by measuring the increase in 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) formations. We found that the increasing doses of CAR decreased pancreatitis-induced MDA and 8-OH-dG levels. Moreover, the liver SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities in the AP + CAR group were higher than that of the rats in the AP group. In the treatment groups, AST, ALT and LDH were reduced. Besides, necrosis, coagulation and inflammation in the liver were alleviated (p < 0.05). We suggest that CAR could be a safe and potent new drug candidate for treating AP through its antioxidative mechanism of action for the treatment of a wide range of disorders related to hepatic dysfunction

Liken ekstrelerinin sağlıklı ratlar üzerindeki etkileri ve bu ekstrelerin diyabete bağli çoklu organ yetmezliğinin önlenmesinde medikal kullanımı

In the present study, we firstly assessed Cetraria islandica and Pseudevernia furfuracae to avoid detrimental effects on multiple tissues of rats. Diabetes mellitus (DM) with the subsequent generation of oxidative stress represents a major risk factor for organs. The second aim of this study is to investigate whether administration of both lichens could prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D)-induced organ dysfunctions. During two weeks, both control and diabetic rats were treated with aqueous lichen extracts. The metabolic changes were determined. On day 14, after animals were decapitated, required samples for biochemical and genetic analysis were collected. Oxidative damage of DNA was estimated by measuring the increase in 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine formation. Biochemical parameters were used to observe and evaluate the functional changes in tissues. Experimental data showed that the increasing doses of lichens alone have not any detrimental effect on above parameters. Moreover, C. islandica decreased the diabetes-induced glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Thus, it seemed that the antioxidant treatment has an important effect on the organ failure in ill rats. However, the protective effect of C. islandica was inadequate on diabetes-induced disorders and DNA damages. Lichens are a safe in the studied dose range but the power of C. islandica is limited because of intensive oxidative stress in essential organs of T1D rats

Hepatoprotective effects of B-1,3-(D)-Glucan on bortezomib-induced liver damage in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of beta -1,3-(D)-glucan as an antioxidant and tissue protective agent and study the biochemical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical effects of first therapeutic proteasome inhibitor bortezomib on the liver for treating relapsed multiple myeloma. The experiment included 36 adult male rats, which were divided into four treatment groups: control (healthy); bortezomib-treated; beta-1,3-D-glucan-treated; and bortezomib + beta-1,3-(D)-glucan-treated. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups based on time of sacrifice (48 or 72 h). After the experiments, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxidation (LPO) amounts were determined, and immunohistochemical and histopathological changes were examined in all rat liver tissues. beta -1,3-(D)-Glucan treatment normalized changes of LPO and stimulated an over activity of endogenous SOD. The results of the histopathologic parameters showed that treatment with beta -1,3-(D)-Glucan in the bortezomib group ameliorated the development of non-specific reactive hepatitis (NSRH) and Kupffer cell activation via NF-kB. Administration of beta -1,3-(D)-Glucan is effective in reversing tissue damage induced by bortezomib in rat livers.Bu çalışmanın amacı, relaps multiple miyelom tedavi etmek için kullanılan ilk terapötik proteazom inhibitörü olan bortezomibin karaciğer üzerine immunohistokimyasal, histopatolojik ve biyokimyasal etkilerini araştırmak ve bir antioksidant ve doku koruyucu ajan olarak B-1,3-(D)-glukanın etkilerini değerlendirmekdi. Deney; kontrol (sağlıklı), bortezomib ile tedavi, B-1,3-(D)-glukan ile tedavi ve bortezomib + B-1,3-(D)-glukan ile tedavi olmak üzere dört tedavi grubuna bölünen 36 yetişkin erkek sıçan içerdi. Her bir grup sakrifikasyon zamanına (48 veya 72 saat) göre iki alt gruba ayrıldı. Deneylerin bitiminden sonra, süperoksit dismutaz (SOD) aktivitesi ve lipid peroksidasyon (LPO) miktarları ölçüldü ve tüm sıçan karaciğer dokularında immünohistokimyasal ve histopatolojik değişiklikler incelendi. B-1,3-(D)-glukan ile tedavi LPO değişikliğini normalize etti ve endojen SOD aktivitesi aşırı uyardı. Histopatolojik parametrelerin sonuçları, bortezomib grubunda B-1,3-(D)-glukan ile tedavi NF-kB yoluyla Kupffer hücre aktivasyonunu ve non-spesifik reaktif hepatit (NSRH) gelişimini regüle ettiğini gösterdi. B-1,3-(D)-glukan uygulaması, sıçan karaciğerinde bortezomibin neden olduğu geri döndürülebilir doku hasarında efektifdir

Evaluating the toxic and beneficial effects of lichen extracts in normal and diabetic rats

Lichens can be used as a novel bioresource for natural antioxidants. However, there is need for further investigations to validate the lichens used in medicinal remedies. In this study, the effects of Cetraria islandica and Pseudevernia furfuracae lichen species in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were evaluated. Diabetic rats were treated with aqueous lichen extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks starting at 72 h after STZ injection. On the 14th day, animals were anesthetized, and then metabolic and biochemical parameters were evaluated between control and treatment groups. Pancreatic histology and -cell mass were examined by hematoxylin and eosin and insulin immunohistochemistry stainings. Our findings revealed that these lichen species could be used safely in this dose range. In addition, C. islandica extracts showed prominent results compared to the doses of P. furfuracae extract for antioxidant capacity. However, the protectivity of C. islandica extract was inadequate against diabetes-induced pancreatic damages via forming oxidative stress. In conclusion, the usage of C. islandica might serve for early intervening in the risk reduction of type 1 diabetes.This work was supported by Ataturk University Research Foundation

Effects of lichen extracts on haematological parameters of rats with experimental insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the world is steadily increasing. Oxidative stress contributes to the development of diabetic complications, including diabetic haematological changes. Lichens are used as food supplements and are also used as possible natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agents. We hypothesized that antioxidant activity of lichens may decrease hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress and prevent the development of diabetic complications, including abnormality in haematological condition. Therefore, the effects of Cetraria islandica water extract (CIWE) and Pseudevernia furfuracea water extract (PFWE) on the haematological parameters of rats with type 1 DM were investigated for the first time in the present study. Control Sprague-Dawley or streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were either untreated or treated with water lichen extracts (5-500mg/kg body weight (bw)/day) for 2weeks, starting at 72h after STZ injection. On day 14, animals were anaesthetized and haematological and metabolic parameters were determined between control and experimental groups. In addition, the total oxidative stress (TOS), a specific indicator of oxidative stress, and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured by biochemical studies. In diabetic rats, CIWE of 250-500mg/kg bw dose showed more prominent results when compared with doses of PFWE for TAC. The results obtained in the present study suggested that the antioxidant activities of lichens might be the possible reason behind the observed antihaematological status. However, the protective effect of lichen extracts were inadequate on diabetes-induced microcytic hypochromic anaemia. In addition, the extracts have no effect on metabolic complications. Our experimental data showed that high doses of CIWE and PFWE alone have no detrimental effect on blood cells and TOS status of plasma. Hence, they are safe and suitable for different administration routes.This investigation was supported by Ataturk University (grant number: 2010/273)

Determination of Nuclear Abnormalities in Peripheral Erythrocytes of the Frog Pelophylax ridibundus (Anura: Ranidae) sampled from Karasu River Basin (Turkey) for Pollution Impacts

Karasu River, which is the only river in the Erzurum plain, is the source of the river Euphrates (Eastern Anatolia of Turkey). The river is in a serious environmental situation as a result of pollution by agricultural and industrial sewage and domestic discharges. The present study aims to evaluate genotoxic effects of toxic metals in marsh frog, Pelophylax ridibundus collected from two contaminated wetlands environments of the Karasu River Basin, in comparison with frogs from one non-polluted reference site. Heavy metal concentrations in surface water of the river were determined. Genotoxicity assays such as micronucleus (MN) and other nuclear abnormalities (NA) were carried out on the frogs studied. MN and NA (kidney-shaped nucleus, notched nucleus and lobed nucleus) were assessed in peripheral blood erythrocytes of the frog. A significant elevation in MN and NA frequencies was observed in frog collected from the polluted sites compared with those from the reference site. Results of the current study suggest that there is a close realtion between increasing of erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities and environmental contamination. High concentrations of heavy metals have a potential genotoxic effects, and the toxicity is possibly related to industrial, agricultural and domestic activities