Antifibrotic Effect of Lactulose on a Methotrexate-Induced Liver Injury Model

The most severe side effect of prolonged MTX treatment is hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of lactulose treatment on MTX-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model. Twenty-four male rats were included in the study. Sixteen rats were given a single dose of 20 mg/kg MTX to induce liver injury. Eight rats were given no drugs. 16 MTX-given rats were divided into two equal groups. Group 1 subjects were given lactulose 5 g/kg/day, and group 2 subjects were given saline 1 ml/kg/day for 10 days. The rats were then sacrificed to harvest blood and liver tissue samples in order to determine blood and tissue MDA, serum ALT, plasma TNF-α, TGF-β, and PTX3 levels. Histological specimens were examined via light microscopy. Exposure to MTX caused structural and functional hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by relatively worse histopathological scores and increased biochemical marker levels. Lactulose treatment significantly reduced the liver enzyme ALT, plasma TNF-α, TGF-β, PTX3, and MDA levels and also decreased histological changes in the liver tissue with MTX-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat model. We suggest that lactulose has anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects on an MTX-induced liver injury model. These effects can be due to the impact of intestinal microbiome

Ege denizinden alınan sünger örneklerindeki mikrobiyal çeşitliliğin metagenomik yöntemlerle belirlenmesi

Çevremizdeki mikroorganizmaların % 98' inden fazlası kültüre edilememektedir. Bu durum temel ve biyoteknolojik araştırmalar ile çalışılmamış birçok mikroorganizmanın varlığını göstermektedir. Bu zorluğun üstesinden gelmek amacıyla mikrobiyal komünitelerin kültürden bağımsız genomik analizlerini sağlayan "Metagenomik yaklaşımlar" geliştirilmiştir. Deniz süngerlerinin özel mikrobiyal komüniteler ile birlikte yaşadığı varsayılmaktadır. Fakat bu mikroorganizmaların süngerlere özgül olduğu veya rastgele dağılım gösterdiği kesin olarak bilinmemektedir. Bu bilinmezliğe cevap olarak çalışmamızda, Ege Denizinden alınan iki sünger örneğindeki bakteriyel ve fungal çeşitlilik incelenmiştir. Her iki süngerde bulunan dominant bakteri-fungus çeşitliliği ve komünite yapısının ortaya çıkarılmasında metagenomik 16S rDNA ve ITS DGGE parmakizi ve filogenetik analizler kullanılmıştır. Sünger total komünite DNA' sı kollajenaz kullanan indirekt DNA izolasyon metodu ile elde edilmiş ardından 16S rDNA ve ITS amplifikasyonunu izleyen 16S rDNA ve ITS DGGE profillemesi gerçekleştirilmiştir. 16S rDNA-V3 ve ITS1 fragmentlerinden elde edilen sırasıyla 11 ve 22 DGGE bandının DNA dizi analizi gerçekleştirilerek GenBank veribankasındaki bakteri ve funguslarla karşılaştırılmıştır. Aynı bölgelerden alınan iki sünger örneğinin farklı bakteri ve fungus çeşitliliği göstermesinden dolayı mikrobiotanın sünger spesifik olduğu düşünülmektedir. Protobacteria (α- ve γ-) ve Clostridia altfilumları süngerlerde simbiyotik olarak yaşadığı tahmin edilen dominant bakterilerin çoğunluğunu oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmamızda Petrosia ficiformis' in bakteriyel çeşitliliğinin Sarcotragus sp.'den daha yüksek olduğu saptanmıştır. Sarcotragus sp.' nin fungal çeşitliliği ise Petrosia ficiformis' ten yüksektir. Her iki süngerdeki bakteriyel ve fungal çeşitliliğe bakıldığında fungal çeşitliliğin bakteriyal çeşitliliğe göre önemli derecede yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Mikrobiyal çeşitlilik ve komünite analizlerinde doğru sonuçların gözlenmesi amacıyla DGGE parmak izi analizleri, DGGE bantı dizi analizi ve filogenetik analizler gibi moleküler yöntemler bir arada kullanılmalıdır

Therapeutic effects of vitamin D on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats

Purpose: To analyze the effect of calcitriol treatment on acute colitis in an experimental rat model. Methods: A total of 24 adult Sprague Dawley albino rats were randomly separated into 3 equal groups: control group (n:8), colitis group (n:8), calcitriol administered group (n:8). A single dose of acetic acid (1 ml of 4% solution) was administered intrarectally to induce colitis. Group 1 was given 1 ml/kg 0.9% NaCl intraperitoneally; rats belonging to Group 2 were administered calcitriol 1 mu g/kg for 5 days. Results: Plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha, Pentraxin 3, and malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the calcitriol administered colitis group than in the standard colitis group (p<0.01). In the Calcitriol group, there was a significant histological improvement in hyperemia, hemorrhage and necrotic areas in the epithelium compared to the placebo group (p<0.000). Conclusion: The findings suggest that calcitriol may be an agent that could be used in acute colitis treatment

Investigation of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome in İzmir Province, Turkey

Background/aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains originating from diarrheagenic patients. Materials and methods: A total of 102 patients with diarrhea between October 2012 and January 2013 were enrolled in this study. Multiplex and standard polymerase chain reactions were performed to detect and distinguish STEC and EPEC strains. O serotyping of EPEC was carried out by monovalent antisera. The O and H serotyping of STEC strains was performed at the Refik Saydam Institute, Ankara. Results: A total of 5 (3.42%) strains were identified as STEC, and 3 strains (2.05%) were atypical EPEC. One of the STEC serotypes was O157:H7 carrying VT1, Stx1A, and escv genes. The other STEC strain was identified as O174:H21, which is associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome and consists of VT2 and Stx2A genes. One of the EPEC and three of the STEC serotypes were nontypeable. The serotypes of the atypical EPEC strains were identified as O114 and O26. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of O174:H21 from the İzmir region that was shown to be a Shiga toxinproducing non-O157 serotype of STEC.Background/aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains originating from diarrheagenic patients. Materials and methods: A total of 102 patients with diarrhea between October 2012 and January 2013 were enrolled in this study. Multiplex and standard polymerase chain reactions were performed to detect and distinguish STEC and EPEC strains. O serotyping of EPEC was carried out by monovalent antisera. The O and H serotyping of STEC strains was performed at the Refik Saydam Institute, Ankara. Results: A total of 5 (3.42%) strains were identified as STEC, and 3 strains (2.05%) were atypical EPEC. One of the STEC serotypes was O157:H7 carrying VT1, Stx1A, and escv genes. The other STEC strain was identified as O174:H21, which is associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome and consists of VT2 and Stx2A genes. One of the EPEC and three of the STEC serotypes were nontypeable. The serotypes of the atypical EPEC strains were identified as O114 and O26. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of O174:H21 from the İzmir region that was shown to be a Shiga toxinproducing non-O157 serotype of STEC

Specific binding of D-Amino neuraminic acid to ganglioside studied in prostate cancer cells

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular binding site of human D-Amino Neuraminic Acid (KDN, 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nononic acid). The KDN molecule is a member of the sialic acid family, and its expression increases in cancer cells. KDN has been shown to bind to Monosialodihexosyl Ganglioside (GM3) in trout sperm. Materials and Methods: In this study, a prostate cancer cell line (DU145) was used. Each experimental group was divided into 3 groups: Control, Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) enzyme inhibitor Genz-123346-treated, and GM3 synthesis inhibitor Triptolide-treated. Each group was stained using the immunocytochemical method for GM3, Disialosyllactosylceramide (GD3) and KDN. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy analysis was performed to elucidate the cellular changes after treatment. Results: The group of non-treated number 1 cells stained positive with GM3, GD3 and KDN, and the GCS enzyme was blocked with the Genz-123346 group of number 2 cells stained positive only with KDN. Furthermore, the group of GD3 synthase inhibitor Triptolide treated number 3 cells stained positive with GM3 and KDN. FTIR measurements showed apoptotic characteristics with Triptolide, while Genz-123346 did not have a negative effect on cell viability. There was a reduction in sugar structures and the results obtained with immunocytochemical staining were reinforced with FTIR. Conclusions: Determining the location of the bound KDN is important for the selection of new targets for cancer treatment research. KDN has been shown to be not inhibited by GM3 inhibition and GD3 inhibition. KDN can be on GM3 as well as connected to different places or can be free. In this study, it was demonstrated that it would not bind to any of the gangliosides in the pure GM or GD series

The Protective Role of Resveratrol on Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Streptozocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol on diabetic cardiomyopathy in streptozocininduced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were injected with streptozocin to establish diabetes model. After four weeks, heart tissues were collected for histopathological examination and immunoexpression of nitric oxide synthases-2 (NOS-2) and transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?1). Lipid peroxidation was evaluated. Results: in diabetic rats, cardiac muscle cell thickness (hypertrophy), TGF-?1 and NOS-2 expression were increased significantly when compared to control group. Administration of resveratrol in diabetic rats causes a significant reduction both in cardiac muscle cell thickness, TGF-?1 and NOS-2 expression in these rats. Blood glucose levels were significantly increased in diabetic rats expectedly, but there was no important difference between diabetic rats and resveratrol administrated diabetic rats in terms of blood glucose levels. Conclusion: We showed protective effects of resveratrol on dilated cardiomyopathy on diabetic rats by reducing oxidative stress. As the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing, resveratrol supplementation could help preventing diabetic cardiomyopathy