Derviş Özçelik

Copper-mediated oxidative stress in rat liver

Copper is an essential trace element with various biological functions. Excess copper, however, is extremely toxic, leading to many pathological conditions that are consistent with oxidative damage to membranes and molecules. Exposure to high levels of copper results in various changes in the tissues. In liver, hypertrophy of hepatocytes, hepatitis, hepatocellular necrosis, and hepatocellular death are the results. Lipid peroxidation causes dysfunction in the cell membrane, decreased fluidity, inactivation of receptors and enzymes, and changes ion permeability. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of copper on oxidative and antioxidative substances in plasma and liver tissue in a rat model.Sixteen male Sprague—Dawley rats were divided into two groups: Group 1 rats included control rats given tap water. Group 2 rats were given water containing copper in a dose of 100 µg/mL. All rats were sacrificed at 4 wk under ether anesthesia. Plasma and liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, plasma and liver MDA (malondialdehyde) levels, and liver glutathione (GSH) levels were studied. Plasma and liver SOD activities were found to be higher in group 2 than those in group 1. Although plasma MDA levels were higher in group 2, MDA levels in liver tissues were comparable. Liver tissue glutathione levels were lower in group 2. It was concluded that although copper is needed in trace amounts, an excess amount is toxic for the organism. It increases lipid peroxidation and depletes GSH reserves, which makes the organism more vulnerable to other oxidative challenges.

Kangal Hot Spring with Fish and Psoriais Treatment

The effect of “Kangal Hot Spring with Fish” in the treatment of psoriasis is investigated. The study was carried out on 87 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and the patients were evaluated by a dermatologist for 21 days. The evaluation of the disease was performed using PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) scores. Recurrences were investigated in the patient population, who had been previously treated in the same hot spring. The first examination scores were significantly higher than the scores of the 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 21 days after treatment (p<0.01). Longer remission periods, when compared to the topical corticosteroid treatment, expressed by the 35 patients previously treated in hot spring (p<0.01). Spa therapy under observation of a dermatologist may be effective and useful for psoriasis vulgaris patients.

Evaluation of trace elements and oxidative stress levels in the liver and kidney of streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetic rat model.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship among trace elements (Cu, Fe, Zn and Mg) on oxidative and anti-oxidative substances in liver and kidneys tissues in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rat model. The mean levels of Fe and Cu were found significantly higher in the liver and kidneys of the diabetic rats, in comparison to the control rats. On the other hand, the mean levels of Zn and Mg in the liver and kidneys of the diabetic rats were significantly lower than in the control rats. The liver and kidneys malonaldehyde (MDA) levels of the experimental group were found to be higher than in the control group (p < 0.001; p < 0.01, respectively) after 4 weeks of the experimental period. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and glutathione (GSH) levels in the liver tissue of STZ-induced diabetic rats were found to be lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.01). SOD activity and GSH concentration in kidneys of the diabetic rats were significantly diminished with respect to the control group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the present results indicate that the increase of Fe and Cu together with decreas of Zn and Mg concentration in liver and kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats may be involved in disturbances of oxidative balance in both the tissues. Therefore, these findings may contribute to explain the role of impaired ion metabolism of some elements in the progression of diabetic oxidative complications.

Screening for Iron Overload in the Turkish Population

Background/Aims: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), the most common autosomal recessive disease in the white population, is characterized by excessive gastrointestinal absorption of iron and loading of parenchymal organs. HFE mutations of C282Y and H63D are largely responsible for HH in populations of Celtic ancestry. Although many screening studies related to HH have been done in Northern Europe, the USA and Australia, as yet, no such study has been published on Turkey. In this study we aimed to screen the Turkish population for iron overload. Methods: Random samples were obtained from 4,633 healthy adults (3,827 male, 806 female, mean age ± SD 35 ± 8 years, range 14–76) for the measurement of transferrin saturation (TS). Measurements were repeated after an overnight fast in the subjects whose initial TS was ≧50%. Serum ferritin levels and C282Y and H63D gene mutations were studied in cases when fasting TS was ≧50%. In cases where the serum ferritin level was >200 ng/ml with or without HFE mutations, liver biopsy was performed for histological evaluation and determination of iron content. Results: In 158 subjects, TS was ≧50% in the non-fasting state. A second determination of TS after an overnight fast was performed in 135 subjects. In 26 subjects, the TS was ≧50% in the fasting state. HFE mutation and serum ferritin levels were measured in these 26 subjects. Eleven subject (10 male, 1 female) were heterozygote and 1 male subject was homozygote in reference to H63D. C282Y mutation was not found. Four of these 26 subjects (all males, aged 23, 24, 40, 49) had increased serum ferritin levels and liver biopsy was performed. In 1 male (aged 49) who was heterozygote for H63D genotype with a serum ferritin level of 645 ng/ml, iron overload in liver tissue was shown by histology as well as atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Conclusion: The prevalence of hemochromatosis in the Turkish population is much lower in comparison to populations of Celtic ancestry and C282Y mutation is non-existent.

The Effects of Lithium Administration on Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Rats: Biochemical and Histomorphological Evaluations

Present study was planned to determine possible dose-dependent effects of lithium (Li) on oxidant-antioxidant status and histomorphological changes in liver and kidney tissues. For this purpose, twenty-four Wistar male rats were equally divided into three groups: the rats in group I served as controls, drinking tap water without lithium. Groups II and III received 0.1 and 0.2 % lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) through their drinking water, respectively, for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, lithium concentrations, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured in considered tissues. Histomorphological study was also performed on liver and kidney tissues. Compared to controls, MDA was significantly higher but GSH level lower in groups II and III. SOD activity was higher in group III, but no difference was determined in group II in liver tissue. In kidney tissue, there was no difference determined in MDA and GSH levels between control and experimental groups but SOD activity in groups II and III was significantly higher. In histologic sections of both experimental liver and kidney tissues, specific degenerations were observed. The results of the present study show that treatment with lithium carbonate may result in liver and kidney tissue abnormalities and oxidative damage.

Apoptotic rate and metallothionein levels in the tissues of cadmium-and copper-exposed rats

It is well known that cadmium (Cd) has toxic and carcinogenic effects in rodents and humans, but the effects of Cd on apoptosis are still not clear. Although some studies have shown that Cd has apoptotic potential, other studies have shown that Cd can be antiapoptotic. Parameters such as sensitivity of the exposed organism or cells and the exposure conditions should be important in delineating the effect of Cd on apoptosis. In the present study, we aimed to determine the apoptotic index (AI) of Sprague-Dawley rat tissues that are loaded at a lower Cd concentration than the critical concentration (50 μg/g) for its toxic effects. Metallothionein (MT) levels of tissues were also determined and the experiments repeated with copper (Cu)-exposed rats. We detected decreases in the apoptotic index in liver and lung tissues of Cd-exposed groups accompanied with an increase in MT levels. Also, decreases of AI were detected in the liver tissues of Cu-exposed groups. These findings indicate that Cd can suppress apoptosis in vivo. The possible role of MT expression on the suppression of apoptosis and the importance of free-Cd ion concentration on switching antiapoptotic effects to proapoptotic effects are also discussed.

Effects of excessive copper intake on hematological and hemorheological parameters.

Copper plays an important role in the structure and function of metalloproteins and in the absorption of iron. The present study deals with the effects of excessive copper intake on hematological and hemorheological parameters.Drinking water containing 250 µg/mL copper for a period of 9 wk, Wistar albino rats showed increased erythrocyte count, blood viscosity, and hematocrit values (p<0.05) and lower hemoglobin (p<0.05) than controls fed a normal diet. The two groups also had differences in the erythrocyte deformability index.The results suggest that excessive copper intake results in hematological and hemorheological changes affecting both the protein content of the erythrocyte membrane and heme synthesis.

SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION AMELIORATES ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN THE HEK293 CELLS

There is a widespread use of 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiation emitting devices especially in communication and education. Recent studies show the adverse effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) such as oxidative stress, cellular damage and apoptosis on tissues. Selenium (Se) has an antioxidant properties by inhibiting oxidative damage being within the structure of antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and it has also regulatory function for cell cycle and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Se on 2.4 GHz frequency EMF exposed human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) by means of alterations in apoptotic and oxidative stress parameters. Our study was planned as control, EMF, 100 nM Se + EMF, 200 nM Se + EMF groups. EMF groups were exposed to 2.4 GHz EMF for 1 h, element groups were incubated with two different doses of Se added cell culture medium for 48 h before EMF exposure. MDA levels were significantly higher whereas SOD and GSH-Px activities were significantly lower in EMF compared to control. 100 and 200 nM Se + EMF application decreased MDA levels, increased SOD and GSH-Px activities than EMF. Apoptosis and caspase-3 were statistically significantly higher but bcl-2 was lower in EMF than control. Apoptosis and caspase-3 were lower in 100 and 200 nM Se + EMF, although bcl-2 were higher than EMF. In conclusion, Se has protective effects against 2.4 GHz EMF-induced oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation, regulating SOD and GSH-Px activity. Also, Se has inhibitory effect on 2.4 GHz EMF induced apoptosis by increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 and suppressing apoptosis regulatory protein caspase-3.

RAŞİTİZM GÖRÜLEN TAYLARDA SERUM ALP, LDH, Ca, P, Fe, Cu ve Zn DÜZEYLERİ

Ozet Bu calismada, klinik ve radyolojik olarak rasitizm teshisi konan taylardaki bazi serum parametrelerindeki (ALP. LDH, Ca. P. Fe. Cu ve Zn) degisimlerin belirlenmesi ve ozellikle konkurpik amacli yetistirilen hayvanlara bu iz elementler acisindan eklemeler yapi Imasinin yararli olup olmadiginin belirlenmesi amaclanmistir. Klinik olarak rasitizm tanisi konulan ve konkurpik amacli yetistirilen 16 tay «zerinde yapilan laboratuvar muayeneleri sonucunda, serum ALP ve Zn duzeylerinde istatistiki bakimdan anlamsiz artis. Ca, P ve Fe duzeylerinde istatistiksel bakimdan anlamsiz azalma gozlenirken. LDH vc Cu duzeylerinde istatistiki olarak anlamli (p<0.05) azalma saptandi. Hastalarin radyolojik muayenesinde, uzun kemiklerde kortikaI incelme ve demineralizasyon gibi degisiklikler saptandi. Sonuc olarak rasitizm saptanan taylarda, mineral noksanliklarin gorulmesi, gerek gebelik gerekse yetisme doneminden itibaren uygun beslenme ve vitamin-mineral madde takviye programlarinin uygulanmasinin yararli olacagi kanisina varildi. Anahtar Sozcukler: Rasitizm, tay, mineral. SERUM ALP, LDH, Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn LEVELS IN RACHITISM OBSERVED FOALS Abstract In this study, we aimed to determine the changes in some blood parameters (ALP, LDH, Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn) in clinically and radiologically rachitism detected foals and also to determine ihe neceserity of these trace elements in the specially growing khoncurpic foals. Laboratory examinations in 16 foals with clinically determined rachitism growed khoncurpic. it was determined that; serum ALP and Zn levels were increased at a level of statistically unimportant and Ca. P and Fe levels were decreased at a level of statistically unimportant, but LDH and Cu levels were decreased at a level of statistically significant (p<0.05). At the radiological examinations of the patients, cortical thickness and demineraiizaiion were determined in the long bones. Finally, in the rachitism observed foals, because of the mineral deficiency, it was believed (hat, suitable nutritiancy and vitamin-mineral requirement programs must be apply in the pregnancy and growing periods. Key Words: Rachitism. foal, mineral.

Study on relation between fibrinolytic activity and different dose lithium applications

Introduction and purpose: Lithium is an element that has been widely used in therapy of mental diseases. In different studies it has been shown that it interacts with enzymes and alters the function of proteins in organisms. On the other hand fibrinogen is one of the plasma proteins that can interact with euglobulin which is the tissue plasminogen activator indicator. Present study was planned to assess the effect of lithium on alteration of function of proteins that play a role in the fibrinolytic system in blood. Materials and methods: Control group of rats was fed a normal diet whereas pharmacological and toxic groups received 0.4 mmolLi/kg/day and 6.6 mmolLi/ kg/day for 2 weeks, respectively. Blood samples were drawn from animals and fibrinolytic activity was measured by Coppley method, which is based on the euglobulin lysis time (ELT). Fibrinogen concentration determinations were performed by Ratnoff and Menzie method. Results and conclusion: After evaluation of fibrinolytic activity rates that belong to both groups, it has been observed that lithium altered the activities of proteins that are responsible for fibrinolysis. Fibrinogen concentrations of both experimental groups were found to be lower than that of control group values (p < 0,05 in pharmacological group, p < 0.001 in the toxic group). On the other hand ELT values in the toxic dose lithium administered group was significantly shortened than control group values (p < 0.001).