Cahit Bagci

Effect of pistachio diet on lipid parameters, endothelial function, inflammation, and oxidative status: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE Recent studies have suggested that nuts have favorable effects beyond lipid lowering. We aimed to investigate effect of the Antep pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) on blood glucose, lipid parameters, endothelial function, inflammation, and oxidation in healthy young men living in a controlled environment. METHODS A Mediterranean diet was administered to normolipidemic 32 healthy young men (mean age 22 y, range 21-24) for 4 wk. After 4 wk, participants continued to receive the Mediterranean diet but pistachio was added for 4 wk by replacing the monounsaturated fat content constituting approximately 20% of daily caloric intake. Fasting blood samples and brachial endothelial function measurements were performed at baseline and after each diet. RESULTS Compared with the Mediterranean diet, the pistachio diet decreased glucose (P<0.001, -8.8+/-8.5%), low-density lipoprotein (P<0.001, -23.2+/-11.9%), total cholesterol (P<0.001, -21.2+/-9.9%), and triacylglycerol (P=0.008, -13.8+/-33.8%) significantly and high-density lipoprotein (P=0.069, -3.1+/-11.7%) non-significantly. Total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratios decreased significantly (P<0.001 for both). The pistachio diet significantly improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation (P=0.002, 30% relative increase), decreased serum interleukin-6, total oxidant status, lipid hydroperoxide, and malondialdehyde and increased superoxide dismutase (P<0.001 for all), whereas there was no significant change in C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. CONCLUSION In this trial, we demonstrated that a pistachio diet improved blood glucose level, endothelial function, and some indices of inflammation and oxidative status in healthy young men. These findings are in accordance with the idea that nuts, in particular pistachio nuts, have favorable effects beyond lipid lowering that deserve to be evaluated with prospective follow-up studies.

Tumor‐specific mutation and downregulation of ING5 detected in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Our previous study showed high frequency of allelic loss at chromosome 2q37 region in oral cancer. This location contains several candidate tumor suppressor genes such as PPP1R7, ILKAP, DTYMK and ING5. We previously showed 3 members of inhibitor of growth (ING) family, ING1, ING3 and ING4 as tumor suppressor gene in head and neck cancer. As ING5 shows high homology with other members of ING genes including highly conserved carboxy‐terminal plant homeodomain and nuclear localization signal, we first picked up ING5 and examined it as a possible tumor suppressor in oral cancer. For this aim, mutation and mRNA expression status of ING5 in paired normal and oral squamous cell carcinoma samples were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and sequencing. Three missense mutations located within leucine zipper like (LZL) finger and novel conserved region (NCR) domains in ING5 protein were detected, probably abrogating its normal function. We also found 5 different alternative splicing variants of ING5. Then, we examined mRNA level of ING5 by quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analysis, which demonstrated decreased expression of ING5 mRNA in 61% of the primary tumors as compared to the matched normal samples. In conclusion, tumor‐specific mutation and downregulation of ING5 mRNA suggested it as a tumor suppressor gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Effect of Vitamin A against Methotrexate-Induced Damage to the Small Intestine in Rats

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine whether or not the administration of vitamin A (VA) protects against methotrexate (MTX)-induced damage to small intestinal epithelium. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three male Wistar albino rats, 10–12 weeks old, weighing 240–280 g, were divided into three groups: (1) controls, (2) rats receiving MTX treatment alone, and (3) rats receiving MTX plus VA treatment. A single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg MTX in 20 ml vehicle) was administered to the rats intraperitoneally. For MTX plus VA treated groups, retinol palmitate (VA) 5,000 IU/kg dissolved in 0.5 ml sunflower oil was administered by intragastric tube 3 days prior to MTX treatment and continued till the rats were sacrificed. The control group was treated with vehicle. Both control and MTX-alone groups were also treated with sunflower oil as a placebo. The rats were sacrificed on the 2nd, 4th and 6th day after MTX treatment. Tissue samples from the jejunum were taken for histopathological analysis. Results: MTX treatment induced villus shortening and fusion, epithelial atrophy, crypt loss, inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria, and goblet cell depletion. The pre- and post-treatment administration of VA decreased the severity of jejunal damage caused by MTX treatment. Conclusion: Our results confirmed that administration of VA decreased the MTX-induced damage to the small intestine. This protective effect of VA may have clinical applications in cancer chemotherapy.

Temporary stretch of the testicular pedicle may damage the vas deferens and the testis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE The authors aimed to investigate the effects of temporary stretching of the spermatic cord, a commonly performed manipulation during inguinal surgery, on the vas deferens and the testis. METHODS Forty adult male Wistar-Albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups. The right spermatic cord and testis were exposed via a transverse suprascrotal incision. In the study groups, a continuous horizontal stretch force was applied to the vas deferens and vessels in a distal direction for 60 seconds. In group 1 (G1) a 1.25-Newton (N), and in group 2 (G2) a 0.75-N stretch force was applied. Group 3 (G3) and group 4 (G4) served as sham and control groups, respectively. The animals were killed 28 days later. Sections of the vas deferens were examined histologically and their dimensions measured. Both testes were excised, weighed, and examined microscopically. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare means in the different groups. RESULTS The mean wall thickness of the vas deferens was 378 +/- 133 mum in G1 and was significantly diminished compared to G2, G3, and G4, in which the mean wall thickness was 497 +/- 142 mum, 500 +/- 10 mum and 521 +/- 95 mum, respectively (P <.05). The mean right testicular weights were 1.18 +/- 0.10 g and 1.23 +/- 0.17 g in G1 and G2, respectively, and each was significantly lower than in G3 (1.23 +/- 0.09 g) and G4 (1.25 +/- 0.08 g; P <.05). The mean right testicular weights showed no difference between G1 and G2 (P >.05). Necrosis was seen in the right testes in 50.0% and 42.9% of the animals in G1 and G2, respectively. No histopathologic alterations were observed in the vas deferens in all groups. Microscopic examination of the left testes was normal. CONCLUSIONS In an experimental animal model, temporary stretching of the spermatic cord resulted in significant thinning of the smooth muscle layer of the vas deferens and testicular atrophy.

Occupational lead exposure effect on liver functions and biochemical parameters

The effect of occupational lead exposure on the liver function and on the blood biochemical parameters among the battery workers and the muffler repair workers was studied. The study included 22 battery and 38 muffler repair workers. Whole blood lead levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometers. Total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were determined in the serum by spectrophotometry. The blood lead levels of the battery workers, muffler repair workers, and the controls were found to be 36.83 +/- 8.13 microg/dL, 26.99 +/- 9.42 microg/dL, and 14.81 +/- 3.01 microg/dL, respectively. Blood lead levels of the workers were significantly higher than those of controls (p < 0.001). The lead level of the battery workers was also significantly higher than that of muffler repair workers (p < 0.001). Although, statisticly significant, higher blood lead levels are not related to toxicity for battery and muffler repair workers. Total protein, globulin, cholesterol, LDH, and ALP levels were within normal levels, however, they were slightly higher than the control levels. Increased LDH among the workers seems to be related rather to other causes than to the liver injury.

Effects of Early Phase of Preconditioning on Rat Testicular Ischemia

Introduction: Brief episodes of ischemia followed by periods of reperfusion generate a powerful protective mechanism in cell, tissue or organ, which increase the resistance to further ischemic damage. This is known as ischemic preconditioning, and has not been investigated in testis. The present experiments were undertaken to determine whether early phase of ischemic preconditioning is evident in rat testis. Materials and Methods: Surgery was conducted under thiopental (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) anesthesia in male Wistar rats. Surgical procedures were performed through a midline incision. Group 1 was designed as a sham group. In group 2, which served as the ischemia group, the animals were subjected to unilateral testicular torsion by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction. Then, this testis was maintained in the torsion position by fixing with a silk suture to the scrotal wall for 90 min. In groups 3 and 4, 5 or 10 min ischemia followed by 10 min reperfusion was introduced, respectively, to induce single cycle ischemic preconditioning. In group 5, which served as the multiple cycle preconditioning group, 3 cycles of 10 min ischemia and 10 min reperfusion were applied prior to 90 min ischemia. Both ipsilateral and contralateral testes were removed from the rats at the end of the experimental periods, and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels, xanthine oxidase (XO), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured. Both testes were also evaluated histologically, assessing interstitial edema, congestion, hemorrhages, rupture of tubules and Leydig cell proliferation. Results: 90 min ischemia produced a marked increase in MDA level in left testis. However, all ischemic preconditioning protocols used in this study did not show any significant modification in MDA, NO levels or XO, MPO and SOD activities. Histological grading scale was also similar in ischemia and preconditioning groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that there are no protective effects with ischemic preconditioning in rat testis as showed by biochemical analysis and histological examinations.

The effects of Nigella sativa oil, thymoquinone, propolis, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester on radiation-induced cataract

SummaryBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and radioprotective effects of propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), Nigella sativa oil (NSO), and thymoquinone (TQ) against ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in lens after total cranium irradiation of rats with single dose of 5-Gy cobalt-60 gamma rays.MethodsA total of 74 Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups to test the radioprotective effectiveness of Nigella sativa oil, thymoquine, propolis, or caffeic acid phenethyl ester administered by either orogastric tube or intraperitoneal injection. Appropriate control groups were also studied.ResultsChylack’s cataract classification was used in the study. At the end of the tenth day, cataracts developed in 80 % of the rats in the radiotherapy group. After irradiation, cataract rate dropped to 20 % in NSO, 30 % in propolis, 40 % in CAPE, and 50 % in TQ groups and was limited to grade 1 and grade 2. Cataract formation was observed the least in NSO group and the most in TQ group. In the irradiated (IR) group, superoxide dismutase activity was lower, while glutathione peroxidase and xanthine oxidase activities and malondialdehyde level were higher compared with the other groups. Total superoxide scavenger activity and nonenzymatic superoxide scavenger activity were not statistically significant in IR group compared with the other groups.ConclusionsThe findings obtained in the study might suggest that propolis, CAPE, NSO, and TQ could prevent cataractogenesis in ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in the lenses of rats, wherein propolis and NSO were found to be more potent.

Investigation of the Rho-kinase 2 gene Thr431Asn polymorphism in migraine

BACKGROUND Migraine has a complex etiology determined by genetic and environmental factors, but the molecular mechanisms and genetics of this disease have not yet been fully clarified. AIM This case/control study was designed to analyze the genotype distributions and allele frequencies for the Rho-kinase 2 (ROCK2) gene Thr431Asn polymorphism among the migraine patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 155 migraine patients and 155 healthy age and sex matched controls were included in this study. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid from migraine patients and controls was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Neither genotype distributions nor the allele frequencies for the Thr431Asn polymorphism showed a significant difference between the groups. In addition, there were no marked differences in genotype and allele frequencies for the migraine without aura and migraine with aura subgroups when compared with control group. CONCLUSION This is the first study to show that the ROCK2 gene Thr431Asn polymorphism is not a risk factor for the migraine in the Turkish population.

Effectiveness of Palosuran in Bleomycin-Induced Experimental Scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease characterized by skin and internal organ involvement. There is progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix components in the skin and involved organs. Tissue fibrosis is the prominent reason for mortality, and still, there is no satisfactory treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of urotensin-II (U-II) antagonist palosuran in an animal model of scleroderma. We also planned to measure U-II, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels, as well as the association of these levels with dermal thickness. Twenty-four male mice were included in this study and they were divided into three groups—group 1: control group, group 2: fibrosis group, and group 3: fibrosis + palosuran treatment group. Fibrosis + palosuran treatment in group 3 reduced ET-1, U-II, and TGF-β1 levels. In total, the diminished values were statistically significant in the ET-1 and TGF-β1 levels (p < 0.05). Dermal thickness was higher in the fibrosis group, when compared with the other groups. There was no significant relationship between dermal thickness and ET-1, U-II, or TGF-β1 levels (p > 0.05). It is believed that U-II is an important mediator in SSc, and its antagonism with palosuran could be a new treatment choice in SSc.

THE EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE ON TOTAL BRAIN TISSUE SIALIC ACID LEVELS IN EXPERIMENTAL EPILEPSY

Epilepsy, the most common neurological disorder worldwide, changing cellular interactions and connectivity may have effects on sialic acid levels. A total of 80 mice were separated into 8 groups: the sham, control, pentylentetrazole (PTZ), PTZ plus progesterone, five dose progesterone, single dose progesterone, kindling, and kindling plus progesterone groups. Brains of each mice were extracted and were divided into five parts. The sialic acid levels were significantly different between the groups and also in the subgroups. The results suggested that progesterone may have an anti-seizure effect by decreasing sialic acid levels in mice. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of progesterone on sialic acid levels and its role in the epilepsy pathogenesis.