Adile Ferda Dagli

Protective Role of Genistein in Acute Liver Damage Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride

Aim. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of genistein in experimental acute liver damage induced by CCl4. Method. Forty rats were equally allocated to 5 groups. The first group was designated as the control group (group 1). The second group was injected with intraperitoneal CCl4 for 3 days (group 2). The third group was injected with subcutaneous 1 mg/kg genistein for 4 days starting one day before CCl4 injection. The fourth group was injected with intraperitoneal CCl4 for 7 days. The fifth group was injected with subcutaneous 1 mg/kg genistein for 8 days starting one day before CCl4 injection. Plasma and liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver glutathione levels, as well as AST and ALT levels were studied. A histopathological examination was conducted. Results. Liver tissue MDA levels were found significantly lower in group 3, in comparison to group 2 (P < .05). Liver tissue MDA level in group 5 was significantly lower than that in group 4 (P < .001). Liver tissue glutathione levels were higher in group 5 and 3, relative to groups 4 and 2, respectively (P > .05 for each). Inflammation and focal necrosis decreased in group 3, in comparison to group 2 (P < .001 for each). Inflammation and focal necrosis in group 5 was lower than that in group 4 (P < .001). Actin expression decreased significantly in group 5, relative to group 4 (P < .05). Conclusion. Genistein has anti-inflammatory and antinecrotic effects on experimental liver damage caused by CCl4. Genistein reduces liver damage by preventing lipid peroxidation and strengthening antioxidant systems.

Epigallocatechin gallate attenuates experimental non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by high fat diet.

Background and Aim:  In the present study, we examined the preventive role of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in an experimental non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis model induced by a high fat diet.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa (inlet patch): endoscopic prevalence, histopathological, demographical and clinical characteristics

Objective:  Heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) is found in the cervical oesophagus, just below the upper oesophageal sphincter, and has generally been overlooked by endoscopists. The objective of the present study is to determine endoscopic prevalence and histopathological and clinical characteristics of HGM and to classify patients according to their clinicopathological features.

Ghrelin expression in normal kidney tissue and renal carcinomas

Ghrelin expression in cancers is either reduced/absent or increased depending on the organs involved. The aims of this study were to investigate: (i) whether there are differences in ghrelin peptide expression between kidney tissues from a series of renal cell carcinoma cases, oncocytomas, and normal controls; (ii) whether there are correlations between tissue ghrelin levels in a series of renal carcinoma cases and normal controls; and (iii) how normal is kidney ghrelin expression per mg tissue as compared with the normal stomach tissue ghrelin level. We studied 7 normal stomach and 7 normal kidney samples, 21 clear cell renal carcinomas, 7 chromophobe type renal cell carcinomas (RCC), 7 papillary type RCC, and 7 oncocytoma samples. Tissue ghrelin expression was measured by RIA and immunohistochemistry. Grades 1-3 clear renal cell carcinomas, chromophobe type RCC, papillary type RCC, and oncocytomas expressed 88%, 94%, 95%, 51%, 75%, and 48% less ghrelin than the normal kidney, respectively. Overall, we concluded that ghrelin expression in renal cell carcinoma tissues is always lower than that in normal kidney or is absent. This low level or lack of ghrelin may play a role in the etiopathogenesis and progression of cancer.

Alteration in chromogranin A, obestatin and total ghrelin levels of saliva and serum in epilepsy cases☆

This study was designed to measure the levels of chromogranin A (CgA), ghrelin and obestatin in serum and saliva (including CgA expression in healthy tissue) in epileptic patients to determine any significant differences between these patients and healthy controls. Samples were obtained from a total of 91 subjects: 10 newly-diagnosed primary generalized epilepsy (PGE) patients who had started treatment with valproic acid and phenytoin for seizure control; 18 PGE patients who were previously and currently receiving treatment with valproic acid and phenytoin for seizure control; 37 patients with partial epilepsy (PE) (simple, n=17 or complex, n=20) who had been and were still being treated with carbazebime for seizures; and 26 healthy controls. CgA immunoreactivity in healthy salivary gland was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. The levels of CgA, total ghrelin and obestatin in serum and saliva were measured by ELISA. The results revealed that normal salivary gland produces its own CgA. Before treatment, CgA levels in saliva and serum were significantly greater in patients newly-diagnosed with PGE than controls. Ghrelin and CgA concentrations were also greater in PGE patients previously or currently treated with drugs, and in patients with simple or complex partial epilepsy (PE) previously or currently treated with drugs, than in healthy normal controls. In conclusion, salivary concentrations of CgA, ghrelin and obestatin were similar to their serum levels, so saliva might be a desirable alternative to serum for measuring these hormones because it is easy and painless to collect.

The bioactive peptides salusins and apelin-36 are produced in human arterial and venous tissues and the changes of their levels during cardiopulmonary bypass

This study aimed to examine the effects of CPB on salusin-α, salusin-β and apelin-36 bioactive peptides in people who are planned to undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation due to coronary artery disease and to explore whether these peptides are produced in human aortic, saphenous and arterial tissues. The study included age and BMI matched 15 patients who underwent CABG operation by CPB. In order to determine salusin-α, salusin-β and apelin-36 levels, venous blood samples were collected before induction of anesthesia (T1), before CPB (T2), 5 min before the removal of cross-clamp (T3), 5 min after the removal of cross-clamp (T4), upon arrival in the intensive care (T5), at postoperative 24th hour (T6) and 72nd hour (T7). Salusin and apelin expressions of the tissues were shown by immunohistochemical method. Peptide amounts of sera and tissues were measured using ELISA. Salusins production by vessels occurs in fibroblast cells of the media in the aorta and smooth muscle cells of the media in the LIMA and saphena. Apelin is produced by endothelial cells of the intima and fibroblast cells of the media in the aorta and by smooth muscle cells of the media in the LIMA and saphena. Changes in the levels of salusin-β and apelin-36 were significant during CPB. Salusin-α, salusin-β and apelin-36 are locally synthesized in the arteries and veins. Salusins and apelin-36 might be important markers in the CPB, and also that salusin-β was more specific in comparison to salusin-α.

Regulatory neuropeptides (ghrelin, obestatin and nesfatin-1) levels in serum and reproductive tissues of female and male rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

Although, the exact mechanisms underlying the development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are not still completely understood, obesity, circulated peptide hormone levels and their interaction with genetic factors are considered largely responsible. The purpose of this study is to explore how the levels of ghrelin, obestatin (OBS) and NUCB2/nesfatin-1 (NES)/NUCB2 change in serum and the reproductive tissues of female and male rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome, and whether the levels of each hormone is correlated with the hormones involved with fertility. Experiments were conducted on 5-week-old Sprague-Dawley male and female rats assigned to either a control group or a MetS group. Controls were fed standard rat food and water ad libitum, while the MetS group was fed standard food with 10% (v/v) fructose solution added to their drinking water for 12 weeks with a 12/12h photoperiod circle. Then, all animals were sacrificed after a one night fast. Peptides levels in the serum and reproductive tissues of rats were studied using the ELISA method while the immunoreactivity of reproductive system peptide hormones were shown by immunohistochemical staining method. Furthermore, the other biochemical parameters were measured using Konelab-60 equipment and infertility hormones were measured with Immulite2000. Fasting serum insulin, glucose, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC) levels were statistically significantly higher, and the amount of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lower, in the MetS groups. Serum and tissue supernatant NES levels were significantly higher in the rats with MetS than the control group. Ghrelin, OBS and NES were expressed in the cytoplasm, concentrated around the apical parts of the epithelial cells in the reproductive tissues of the rats. The amounts of ghrelin were lower in the reproductive tissues of the animals with MetS, while NES levels in the same tissues increased. Obestatin also decreased, though not in the seminal glands.

Ghrelin and obestatin expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical and biochemical study.

The underlying molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is poorly understood and appears to be controlled on many genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Obestatin and ghrelin, two recently discovered hormones, are co-expressed in endocrine cells. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the immunohistochemical features of OSCCs in relation to the tissue concentration of ghrelin and obestatin. The association between OSCC and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) status was also explored. The expression of ghrelin and obestatin was examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoassay in oral biopsy specimens: 10 benign squamous epithelial cell samples, 10 microinvasive squamous cell carcinomas, and seven well-differentiated and seven poorly differentiated OSCCs. The presence of EBV was evaluated in these samples using immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of ghrelin and obestatin in tissue homogenates were measured by RIA and ELISA, respectively. Squamous cell carcinomas and benign tissue samples were positive for anti-EBV antibody, and obestatin and ghrelin were shown to be co-expressed in all stratified squamous epithelium samples. Expression of ghrelin and obestatin was decreased or absent in OSCCs in relation to the invasiveness of the carcinoma; ghrelin and obestatin levels in cancerous tissue homogenates were lower than in benign tissue homogenates. These results indicate that the concentrations and distribution of immunoreactive obestatin and ghrelin might be helpful in distinguishing OSCC from benign tumors. Maintaining normal levels of these hormones might be required for regulation of normal cell division. However, detailed studies will be required for better understanding of the complex mechanism of carcinogenesis relating to OSCCs.

Hydatid cyst of the breast mimicking inflammatory carcinoma and mastitis

Hydatid cysts are caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus. Humans are accidental intermediate hosts of this organism. Although most prevalent in sheep-raising countries, hydatid cysts have a worldwide distribution. They can develop in almost all organs of the body. 1-7 Because they are very uncommon in the breast, differential diagnosis is not usually considered until histopathologic diagnosis. 8 In this report, a hydatid cyst located primarily in the breast, which caused difficulty in differential diagnosis, is discussed in light of data in the literature.

Does hepcidin play a role in the pathogenesis of aphthae in Behçet's disease and recurrent aphthous stomatitis?

Aphthae constitute one of the major signs in Behçets disease (BD) and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). No scientific study has yet explored the relationship of hepcidins, which have antimicrobial effects, with RAS and BD.