Dilek Ulker Cakir

Effect of 900 MHz Radio Frequency Radiation on Beta Amyloid Protein, Protein Carbonyl, and Malondialdehyde in the Brain

Recently, many studies have been carried out in relation to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (RF) emitted from a mobile phone on the brain. However, there is little data concerning possible mechanisms between long-term exposure of RF radiation and biomolecules in brain. Therefore, we aimed to investigate long-term effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation on beta amyloid protein, protein carbonyl, and malondialdehyde in the rat brain. The study was carried out on 17 Wistar Albino adult male rats. The rat heads in a carousel were exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from a generator, simulating mobile phones. For the study group (n: 10), rats were exposed to the radiation 2 h per day (7 days a week) for 10 months. For the sham group (n: 7), rats were placed into the carousel and the same procedure was applied except that the generator was turned off. In this study, rats were euthanized after 10 months of exposure and their brains were removed. Beta amyloid protein, protein carbonyl, and malondialdehyde levels were found to be higher in the brain of rats exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation. However, only the increase of protein carbonyl in the brain of rats exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). In conclusion, 900 MHz radiation emitted from mobile/cellular phones can be an agent to alter some biomolecules such as protein. However, further studies are necessary.

Alterations of Hematological Variations in Rats Exposed to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields (50 Hz)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of in vivo exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on whole blood parameters (hematological parameters) in rats. METHODS Forty eight female Wistar rats, obtained from the Medical Science Application and Research Center, Dicle University, Turkey in 2004 were divided into four separate groups: two exposed groups (0.97 mT, 50 and 100 days, 3h/day) and two controls (sham). RESULTS Eosinophil, hemoglobin and MPV levels significantly decreased in rats that were exposed to EMF for 50 days. When the data for rats exposed for 50 days and 100 days were compared, it was found that MPV levels in rats exposed for 100 days were significantly lower. There was no significant difference in total leukocyte, neutrofil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts, or in erythrocyte, Hct, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT and PDW levels between the exposed and sham-exposed groups. ELF-EMF exposure had no effect on body weight. Also, liver weight did not show any significant difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the applied ELF-EMF exposure may induce slight but statistically significant alterations in some hematological parameters of rats, within the physiological range.

Capsaicin inhibits cell proliferation by cytochrome c release in gastric cancer cells.

Capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is the principal pungent component in hot peppers. The role of capsaicin in carcinogenesis is quite controversial. Although some investigators suspect that capsaicin is a carcinogen, co-carcinogen, or tumor promoter, others have reported that it has chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and chemosensitizing activities of capsaicin alone and on 5-flourouracil (5-FU)-treated gastric cancer cells. In this study, the gastric cancer cell line HGC-27 was used and capsaicin used as a chemosensitizer and 5-flourouracil (5-FU) was used as chemotherapeutic. Cytotoxicity and chemosensitizing activities were analyzed with MTT assay; supernatant levels of LDH and glucose were detected as biochemical markers of cell viability; cytochrome c and AIF were evaluated with western blot; and additionally, wound-healing assays were employed. Results suggested that capsaicin had significant anticancer abilities; such capsaicin were capable of causing multifold decreases in the half maximal inhibitory concentration IC50 value of 5-FU. The continuing controversy surrounding consumption or topical application of capsaicin clearly suggests that more well-controlled epidemiologic studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of capsaicin use. In summary, the present study demonstrated that capsaicin has the potential to be used for treating gastric carcinoma with 5-FU in vitro.

Do 100- and 500-μT ELF magnetic fields alter beta-amyloid protein, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde in rat brains?

Several studies still state that presently accepted safety standards for extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) do not provide adequate protection, and therefore the standards are still open to question. To help resolve this question, the aim of this study was to illuminate the interaction between biomolecules and ELF-MFs by investigating the effect of ELF-MFs on beta-amyloid protein (BAP), protein carbonyl (PC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat brain. For this study, 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used, which were divided into two experimental groups and a sham exposed group. Rats in two experimental groups were exposed to 100- and 500-μT ELF-MFs (50 Hz) for 2 h/day for 10 months, which are the generally accepted safety standards for public and occupational exposures. The same procedures were applied to the rats in the sham group, but with the generator turned off. The results of this study showed that neither ELF-MFs used in this study altered BAP level significantly (p>0.05). However, PC and MDA levels were increased by the exposure to 100- and 500-μT ELF-MFs (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, both PC and MDA levels were altered by long-term exposure to either 100 or 500 μT ELF-MF. However, many further and more comprehensive studies will be required to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between ELF-MFs exposure and living organisms.

Protective effect of syringic acid on kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury

Abstract The objective of the present study was to determine whether preischemic administration of syringic acid (SA) would attenuate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Rats were divided into three groups: Sham group; IR group; and IR + SA group. The effects of SA were examined using biochemical parameters including serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The apoptosis status and histopathological changes were evaluated. After calculating the score for each histopathological change, the total score was obtained by summing all the scores. In the SA group, MDA, IMA, TOS, and OSI decreased significantly compared to the IR group. After SA administration, the increase in GPx activity was found to be significant. Apoptosis decreased significantly in the SA group compared with the IR group. The total score significantly decreased after administration of SA. Taken together, our findings suggest that SA preconditioning is effective in reducing tissue damage induced in kidney IRI. Renal histology also showed convincing evidence regarding the protective nature of SA.

Myelin basic protein and ischemia modified albumin levels in acute ischemic stroke cases.

Objective: To investigate early diagnostic effects of serum myelin basic protein (MBP) and ischemic modified albumin (IMA) levels in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: Fifty patients who presented to an emergency service with acute ischemic stroke between June 2013 to March 2014 were evaluated with the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirty four healthy cases were included as control group. All patients’ serum IMA and MBP level were assessed. Results: Mean IMA value was 0.52±0.25 cases with acute ischemic stroke and serum IMA levels were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.01). No statistical significance was observed between acute ischemic stroke group and control group related to the MBP serum levels (P>0.05). Statistically significant correlation was detected between the volumes of diffusion restriction on MRI and NIHSS score (P=0.002, r=0.43) and IMA (P=0.015, r=0.344) levels. Conclusions: We have found that serum IMA levels are elevated in acute ischemic stroke cases and these levels are correlated with the ischemic tissue volume. MBP levels do not increase in early period of stroke cases.

Correlation of ischemia-modified albumin levels and histopathologic findings in experimental ovarian torsion

Objectives Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels significantly increased and may be used as a diagnostic marker in ovarian torsion. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there was any correlation between IMA levels and histopathologic changes in experimental ovarian torsion. Material and methods Fourteen Sprague-Dawley rats, each weighing 220–250 g were divided randomly into 2 groups; in Group 1, the control group (n = 7), only laparotomy was performed and in Group 2, the experimental group (n = 7), ovarian torsion was performed. Ischemia was performed for 3 h; following the ischemia period, the torsion was relieved by detwisting the adnexa and then the ovarian I/R protocol was applied for 3 h. Blood samples were taken from all of the rats to measure the IMA levels and the ovaries were surgically removed for histologic examination. A blinded pathologist examined and scored the samples. Results The median (minimum–maximum) IMA values were 921.00 (870.00–966.00) ABSUs in the ovarian torsion group and 853.00 (782.00–869.00) ABSUs in the control group. The difference was statistically significant. In the correlation analysis, a significant and strong correlation was found between IMA levels and histopathologic changes (Spearmans rho = +0.987, p < 0.001). Conclusion Positive correlation was found between the IMA levels and the histopathologic severity of the disease. This finding is important for both diagnosis of the disease and patient follow-up. As a new marker in ovarian torsion, IMA may also indicate the severity of the ovarian histopathology.

Association between serum inhibin-B levels and coronary artery disease in aging males

Introduction Atherosclerosis is a systemic disorder. It is a frequent leading cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). Similarly, atherosclerotic vascular alterations could lead to testicular arterial blood flow reduction and impairment of testicular function with age. Inhibin-B has been validated as a valuable serum marker of testicular functions and its correlation with testicular volume was shown in some studies done before. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between serum inhibin-B levels and CAD in elderly men. Material and methods Between March 2009 and March 2010, fifty-two 50-80-year-old consecutive patients with Gensini score over 20 and ejection fraction (EF) > 50% were included in the study as the CAD group. Fifty healthy men without any cardiac disease history were recruited as the control group. All patients in the CAD group who had indications for coronary artery angiography underwent selective coronary artery angiography. Results Inhibin-B, total testosterone and testicular volume levels were found to be significantly lower in the CAD group in comparison with the control group (p = 0.004, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.001 respectively). Conclusions In this study, although no correlation was found in CAD patients between Gensini score and inhibin-B or testicular volume, inhibin-B levels and testicular volume were significantly lower in patients with CAD than in healthy men. In order to fully assess the relationship between serum inhibin-B levels and CAD, multi-centered prospective and longitudinal studies must be done in elderly male patients.

The correlation between the psoriasis area severity index and ischemia-modified albumin, mean platelet volume levels in patients with psoriasis

Introduction Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), a novel ischemia marker, and mean platelet volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet activation, have been reported as elevated markers in cardiovascular risk factors such as atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and dyslipidemia. As psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease having comorbidities, IMA and MPV can help determine the risk factors for psoriasis. Aim To investigate the correlation between the psoriasis area severity index (PASI), IMA and MPV levels in patients with psoriasis. Material and methods This cross-sectional, case-control study was performed between January 2014 and December 2014 at the University hospital in Çanakkale, Turkey. Forty-five patients with psoriasis and 44 healthy volunteers over 18 years of age were included in the study. In the psoriasis patient group, clinical features and PASI scores were recorded. Serum IMA and MPV concentrations were evaluated in both groups. Results The mean IMA values were 0.85 ±0.15 and 0.79 ±0.09 (in the psoriasis patients and control groups, respectively), and there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.048). Ischemia-modified albumin levels were not correlated with PASI scores (r = 0.024; p = 0.889) but were correlated with disease duration (r = 0.323; p = 0.048). There was no statistically significant difference between the MPV values of the two groups (8.98 ±1.14 and 9.19 ±1.28 in the psoriasis patients and control groups, respectively) (p = 0.435). Conclusions Ischemia-modified albumin may be used as a marker for detecting oxidative stress in patients with psoriasis, especially those with a long disease duration.

Abstract 2177: Rutin enhances the antiproliferative effect of 5-FU and oxaliplatin in colon cancer cells

Background: Rutin is a strong antioxidant molecule and it has advantageous over other flavonoids due to it is a nontoxic and nonoxidizable molecule. The concept of dual therapy of anti-cancer drugs with natural compounds has become a very promising approach in new strategy to treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of rutin flavonoids and its efficacy in enhancing the anticancer effects of 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) and oxaliplatin against colon cancer cells. Material and Methods: Caco-2 human colon cancer cells were treated with rutin and/or anticancer drugs (5-FU and oxaliplatin), cell viability and apoptotic parameters were examined. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Apoptotic markers (cleaved caspase 3, cleaved PARP and phosphor-Bad) were determined using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Caspase-8 and caspase-9 were analyzed by colorimetric activity assay kit. DNA fragmentation was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The exposure Caco-2 human colon cancer cells to rutin, 5-FU and oxaliplatin resulted growth inhibition in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell viability assay shows that rutin inhibiting growth of Caco-2 cells at high concentrations (over 1000 μM). Combination with rutin markedly enhanced 5-FU and oxaliplatin growth inhibiting effects on Caco-2 cells. Results suggested that rutin had significant anticancer abilities; such rutin were capable of causing multifold decreases in the half maximal inhibitory concentration IC50 value of 5-FU and oxaliplatin. This flavonoid increased the levels of proteins associated with apoptotic cell death (phospho-Bad, cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP) alone and combination. The activities of caspase 8 and caspase 9 were stimulated by the combination treatment of rutin and oxaliplatin then alone. DNA fragmentation was observed only on combination treatment. Conclusions: Combined treatment with rutin and anticancer drugs (5-FU and/or oxaliplatin) is more effective than the individual treatments of drugs at inhibiting growth of Caco-2 cells. The use of lower 5-FU and oxaliplatin doses, with similar effects, could be also useful to reduce possible adverse effects of these drugs. However, further studies at molecular level are required to elucidate chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects of rutin on colon cancer. Citation Format: Farnoud Nasiri, Gorkem Kismali, Merve Alpay, Funda Kosova, Dilek Ulker Cakir, Tevhide Sel. Rutin enhances the antiproliferative effect of 5-FU and oxaliplatin in colon cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2177.