Burhan Ates

Potent protective effect of apricot and β-carotene on methotrexate-induced intestinal oxidative damage in rats

Several studies have well confirmed the contribution of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of methotrexate (MTX)-induced damage in the small intestine. Many agents have been tried experimentally to reduce or inhibit the oxidative stress. To our knowledge, there is no study about apricot consumption on the MTX-induced damage in the small intestine. The aim of this study was to determine the possible protective effects of apricot and beta-carotene on MTX-induced intestinal damage in rats. The rats were randomly divided into seven groups as follows; I-control group; II-apricot group; III-beta-carotene group; IV-MTX group; V-apricot+MTX group; VI-beta-carotene+MTX group and VII-apricot+beta-carotene+MTX group. In the MTX group; fusion and shortening in the villus, epithelial desquamation, crypt loss, inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria, goblet cell depletion and microvillar damage were observed in the small intestine. Parallel to histological results, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were found to be increased, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GP-x) activities and glutathione (GSH) content were decreased in the MTX group. However, single or combined application of apricot and beta-carotene ameliorated all of these hazardous effects in antioxidant system in MTX-treated groups. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that apricot and/or beta-carotene treatment may protect the impairment of oxidative stress and ameliorate MTX-induced intestine damage at biochemical and histological levels.

Antiapoptotic and antioxidant effects of β-carotene against methotrexate-induced testicular injury

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of beta-carotene against testicular injury induced by methotrexate (MTX). DESIGN Experimental study. SETTING Animal and histology laboratory at Inonu University. ANIMAL(S) Twenty-eight Wistar male rats. INTERVENTION(S) Twenty-eight rats were separated into four groups: control, beta-carotene, MTX, and beta-carotene + MTX. At the end of the treatment, the animals were killed, and tissue samples were examined via histologic and biochemical methods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) In each group, 100 tubules were classified as intact, sloughing, atrophic, and degenerated. Caspase-3, a universal effector of apoptosis, was evaluated according to staining in place of coloring as weak, mild, and strong. RESULT(S) In the MTX group, 58.5 + 3.7% of tubules were sloughing, 10.8 + 2.1% of tubules were atrophic, and 2.0 + 0.6% of tubules were degenerative. In the beta-carotene + MTX group, the affected tubule number was statistically significantly lower than in the MTX group. The distribution of caspase-3 in the MTX group showed a statistically significant increase, but it decreased in the beta-carotene + MTX group. The enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GP-x) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased and decreased in parallel. CONCLUSION(S) Our results indicate that beta-carotene may be useful in decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy, including apoptotic cell death.

Ultrastructural clues for the protective effect of melatonin against oxidative damage in cerulein‐induced pancreatitis

Abstract:  The role of oxidative stress has been evaluated in experimental models of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of melatonin on the ultrastructural changes in cerulein‐induced AP in rats. Acute pancreatitis was induced by two i.p. injections of cerulein at 2‐hr intervals (50 μg/kg BW). One group received additionally melatonin (20 mg/kg BW) i.p. before each injection of cerulein. The rats were sacrificed 12 hr after the last injection. Pancreatic oxidative stress markers were evaluated by changes in the amount of lipid peroxides and changes in the antioxidant enzyme levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total glutathione (GSH) levels. Ultrastructural examination was performed using a transmission electron microscope. Formation of numerous, large autophagosomes, mitochondrial damage, dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi apparatus, margination and clumping of nuclear chromatin were the major ultrastructural alterations observed in the AP group. Melatonin administration prevented mitochondrial and nuclear changes and dilatation of RER and Golgi apparatus. Rare, small autophagosomes were present within the cytoplasm of some of the acinar cells. Pancreatic damage was accompanied by a significant increase in tissue MDA levels (P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in CAT, SOD, GPx activities and GSH levels (P < 0.005). Melatonin administration significantly reduced MDA levels but increased CAT, SOD, GPx activities and GSH levels (P < 0.005). Melatonin also reduced serum amylase and lipase activities, which were significantly elevated in AP (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005 respectively). These results suggest that oxidative injury is important in the pathogenesis of AP. Melatonin is potentially capable of limiting pancreatic damage produced during AP by protecting the fine structure of acinar cells and tissue antioxidant enzyme activities.

Protective role of caffeic acid phenethyl ester in the liver of rats exposed to cold stress

Cold exposure can induce a form of environmental stress. Cold stress (CS) alters homeostasis, results in the creation of reactive oxygen species and leads to alterations in the antioxidant defense system. The caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, has an antioxidant capacity. We investigated the effect of CS on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system and the possible protective effect of CAPE in rat liver tissue. Twenty‐four female Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups: Control, CAPE‐treated, CS, and CAPE‐treated CS (CS + CAPE) group. Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and total glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. In addition, histological changes in liver tissue were examined by light microscopy. SOD, CAT and GSH‐Px activities and total GSH level were significantly declined in the CS group. In the CS + CAPE group, the activities of these three enzymes and GSH level significantly raised with regard to the CS group. MDA levels increased in the CS group and decreased in the CS + CAPE group. The tissues of the CS group showed some histopathological changes such as necrosis, hepatocyte degeneration, sinusoidal dilatation, hemorrhage and vascular congestion and dilatation. In the CS + CAPE group, the histopathological evidence of hepatic damage was markedly reduced. Histological parameters were consistent with biochemical parameters. In this study, CS increased oxidative stress in liver tissue. CAPE regulated antioxidant enzymes, inhibited lipid peroxidation and reduced hepatic damage.

Amelioration of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy by melatonin, quercetin, and resveratrol in rats.

The role of oxygen radicals are known for the pathogenesis of kidney damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidative effects of melatonin, quercetin, and resveratrol on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats. A total of 35 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: control, diabetes mellitus (DM), DM + melatonin, DM + quercetin, and DM + resveratrol. All the injections started on the same day of single-dose STZ injection and continued for 30 days. At the end of this period, kidneys were removed and processed for routine histological procedures. Biochemical parameters and morphological changes were examined. In DM group, blood glucose levels were significantly increased, whereas body weights were decreased compared with the control group. Significant increases in blood urea nitrogen and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreases in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were detected in DM group. Administration of melatonin, quercetin, and resveratrol significantly reduced these values. Melatonin was more efficient in reducing MDA levels than other antioxidants (p < 0.05). STZ-induced histopathological alterations including epithelial desquamation, swelling, intracytoplasmic vacuolization, brush border loss and peritubular infiltration. Additionally, basement membrane thickening and sclerotic changes were observed in glomerulus. Transforming growth factor-β1 positive cells were also increased. Melatonin, quercetin, and resveratrol significantly reduced these histopathological changes. Our results indicate that melatonin, quercetin, and resveratrol might be helpful in reducing diabetes-induced renal damage

Protective effects of ascorbic acid on hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by carbon tetrachloride in the liver of Wistar rats

This study was planned to investigate the protective effect of l(+)‐ascorbic acid (Vit C) on CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in the liver of Wistar rats (Rattus Norvegicus, strain Wistar). Twenty‐four adult male Wistar rats were fed with standard rat chow diet for 10 days and randomly were divided into four groups of six each as follows: (1) control, (2) CCl4, (3) “CCl4 + Vit C”, (4) Vit C groups. CCl4 was applied to rats belonging to CCl4 and “CCl4 + Vit C” groups subcutaneously at 1 mg kg−1 dose CCl4 for 3 days. Vit C applied to “CCl4 + Vit C” and “Vit C” group rats intraperitoneally at 300 mg kg−1 dose for 3 days. All rats were sacrificed and livers were quickly removed on the fourth day of the experiment. MDA, total glutathione (T.GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) activities were measured in the liver of all groups of rats and also serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) activities were detected to determine liver functions in all groups of rats. Histopathological changes were evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopes. In “CCl4 + Vit C” group, MDA level was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) and SOD, CAT, GSH‐PX activities were significantly increased (p < 0.005, 0.01, 0.05) respectively, T.GSH level was significantly increased (p < 0.005) and serum ALT and AST activities were significantly decreased (p < 0.01, 0.05), respectively, when compared with CCl4 group. These results show that Vit C has a highly protective effect on hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by CCl4. Copyright

Protective effect of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) on hepatic steatosis and damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in Wistar rats.

The present study was planned to investigate the protective effect of 10 % and 20 % apricot-containing feed on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic steatosis and damage. Adult male Wistar rats (n 42) were divided into six groups of seven each, as follows: control group; CCl4 group; CCl4+10 % apricot group; CCl4+20 % apricot group; 10 % apricot group; 20 % apricot group. All apricot groups were fed with 10 % or 20 % apricot-containing feed for 5 months. CCl4 injections were applied to the CCl4 groups at the dose of 1 mg/kg for 3 d at the end of 5 months. In the CCl4 group, vacuolated hepatocytes and hepatic necrosis were seen, especially in the centrilobular area. Hepatocytes showed an oedematous cytoplasmic matrix, large lipid globules and degenerated organelles. The area of liver injury was found significantly decreased with apricot feeding. Malondialdehyde and total glutathione levels and catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly changed in the CCl4 group and indicated increased oxidative stress. Apricot feeding decreased this oxidative stress and ameliorated histological damage. We concluded that apricot feeding had beneficial effects on CCl4-induced liver steatosis and damage probably due to its antioxidant nutrient (beta-carotene and vitamin) contents and high radical-scavenging capacity. Dietary intake of apricot can reduce the risk of liver steatosis and damage caused by free radicals.

Ultrastructural Clues for the Protective Effect of Ascorbic Acid and N-Acetylcysteine against Oxidative Damage on Caerulein-Induced Pancreatitis

Background: Oxygen free radicals (OFR) have been implicated in the induction of acute pancreatitis (AP). Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ascorbic acid and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), potent antioxidants, against oxidative stress in AP. Methods: AP was induced by two i.p. injections of caerulein at 2-hour intervals (50 µg/kg BW). One group received additionally an antioxidant mixture composed of L(+)-ascorbic acid (14.3 mg/kg BW) and NAC (181 mg/kg BW) i.p. The rats were sacrificed 12 h after the last injection. Oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Light-microscopic and ultrastructural examination was performed. Results: Formation of vacuoles, mitochondrial damage, and dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, margination and clumping of chromatin were major ultrastructural alterations in AP group. Ascorbic acid + NAC prevented these changes. Small vacuoles were present within the cytoplasm of some of the acinar cells. Pancreas damage was accompanied by an increase in tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.05), whereas a decrease was seen in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and total glutathione (GSH) levels (p < 0.005). Ascorbic acid + NAC decreased MDA levels but increased CAT, SOD, GPx activities and GSH levels (p < 0.005). Conclusion: These results suggest that ascorbic acid + NAC is potentially capable of limiting pancreatic damage produced during AP via protecting fine structure of acinar cells and tissue antioxidant enzyme activities.

Pressurized liquid extraction of phenolic compounds from Anatolia propolis and their radical scavenging capacities.

Propolis samples from important honey producing locations of Anatolia namely; Bingol (BG), Rize (RZ), Tekirdag (TK) and Van (VN), were evaluated for their antiradical capacities, total phenolic contents and individual phenolic compounds which was recovered by means of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). Several extraction parameters of PLE such as; temperature, pressure, solvent type, extraction time and cell size were investigated for their effects on the extraction performances. The results showed that, 40 °C, 1500 psi, Ethanol:water:HCl; (70:25:5, v/v/v) containing 0.1% tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) as solvent, three extraction cycles within 15 min, and a cell size of 11 mL was the most favorable PLE operating conditions. Results of the tests performed to designate the success of the polyphenol analysis showed that the recovery was in the range of 97.2% and 99.7%. Major phenolic compounds in all samples were found to be gallocatechin (GCT), catechin (CT), epicatechin gallate (ECTG), caffeic acid (CA), chlorogenic acid (ChA), and myricetin (Myr). ChA level of BG propolis was 4.5, 3 and 23 times higher than that of RZ, TK and VN region, respectively. Antiradical tests showed that all propolis samples have superior antiradical capacities up to 500 mg Trolox equivalent activity per gram of extract.

The protective effects of Prunus armeniaca L (apricot) against methotrexate-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in rat kidney

This study was conducted to evaluate a possible protective role of apricot in apoptotic cell death induced by methotrexate (MTX) and renal damage by different histological and biochemical parameters. Twenty-eight rats were divided into four groups, control, apricot, methotrexate, and apricot + methotrexate. Methotrexate induced renal failure, as shown by significant serum creatinine and urea elevation. Additionally, the results indicated that methotrexate significantly induced lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant activities in rats. In contrast, apricot significantly prevented toxic effects of methotrexate via increased catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels but decreased formation of malondialdehyde. Also, it was determined that exposure to methotrexate leads to significant histological damage in kidney tissue such as glomerulosclerosis and apoptosis. On the other hand, these effects can be eliminated with apricot diet. These data indicate that apricot may be useful in preventing undesirable effects of MTX such as nephrotoxicity.