Ercüment Ölmez

Olive Leaf Extract Improves the Atherogenic Lipid Profile in Rats Fed a High Cholesterol Diet

Coronary heart disease because of atherosclerosis is still the most common cause of mortality. Elevated levels of low‐density lipoprotein and total cholesterol are major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the olive leaf extract on serum lipid profile, early changes of atherosclerosis and endothelium‐dependent relaxations in cholesterol‐fed rats. For this purpose, rats were fed by 2% cholesterol‐enriched or standard chow for 8 weeks. Some rats in each group were also fed orally by olive leaf extract at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg/day. Atorvastatin at dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight daily was also given as positive control. After 8 weeks, lipid profiles of rat serums were analyzed. Antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and degree of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels) were also measured in the hearts isolated from rats. In addition, expression of adhesion molecules and endothelium‐dependent relaxations of isolated thoracic aortas of rats were evaluated. Total cholesterol and LDL‐cholesterol levels were found to be increased in cholesterol‐fed rats, and both doses of olive leaf extract and atorvastatin significantly decreased those levels. In conclusion, because the olive leaf extract attenuates the increased cholesterol levels, it may have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. Copyright

Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on matrix molecules and angiogenetic and anti-angiogenetic factors in gastric cancer cells cultured on different substrates.

Migration, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis associated with cancer depend on the surrounding microenvironment. Angiogenesis, the growth of new capillaries, is a regulator of cancer growth and a useful target for cancer therapy. We examined matrix protein interactions in a gastric cancer cell culture that was treated with different doses of caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) phenethyl ester (CAPE). We also investigated the relations among the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), endostatin (ES) and trombospondin-1 (TSP-1). Cytotoxity of CAPE was measured using the 3-(4,5-dmethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. We examined the behavior of cells on laminin and collagen I coated surfaces in response to the angiogenic effect of these matrix molecules. We examined the protein alterations of these matrix molecules immunohistochemically and measured the levels of VEGF, MMP-9, ES and TSP-1 using the ELISA test. We showed that application of CAPE to the gastric cancer cell line on tissue culture plastic, laminin and collagen I significantly decreased the VEGF and MMP-9 protein levels. We found that TSP-1 levels were increased significantly in the gastric cancer cells after application of CAPE. The protein levels of gastric cancer cells also were increased significantly when tissue was cultured on laminin and collagen I. Application of CAPE to cells on laminin or collagen I coated surfaces significantly increased all of the proteins except ES. ES levels were increased on the collagen I covered surfaces, but the laminin surface decreased the levels of ES significantly. We demonstrated the beneficial effect of CAPE on a gastric cancer cell line including inhibition of proliferation and induction of some proteins that might be related to decreased angiogenesis.

Melatonin attenuates α-adrenergic-induced contractions by increasing the release of vasoactive intestinal peptide in isolated rat penile bulb

The effects of melatonin on α-adrenergic-induced contractions caused by electrical field stimulation (EFS) or the α1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (Phe) were investigated in isolated rat penile bulb. Melatonin as well as melatonin receptor agonists N-acetylserotonin and 2-iodomelatonin and melatonin antagonist luzindole attenuated the EFS-induced contractions and the concentration-response curve to Phe. The effect of melatonin on Phe-induced contractions was completely reversed by treatment with tetrodotoxin, guanethidine or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) antagonist. On the other hand, pretreatment with N-methyl-l-arginine, atropine, and luzindole did not reverse the effect of melatonin. Thus, we demonstrated that melatonin at nanomolar concentrations inhibits the α-adrenergic responses in isolated rat penile bulb. Since α-adrenoceptor blocking agents are known to interfere with detumescence of the erect penis, serum levels or administration of this pineal hormone may affect erectile function. This effect of melatonin may be the result of its allosteric interaction with the presynaptic receptors on VIPergic neurons, which are affected by sympathetic transmission, and then an increase in VIP release from these neurons.

Pregnancy outcomes following the use of thiocolchicoside.

Thiocolchicoside is a commonly used muscle relaxant in orthopedic, rheumatologic or musculoskeletal disorders to treat painful muscle spasms. It is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation. There is no previously published experience with thiocolchicoside exposure during pregnancy. In this observational study, we collected and evaluated 18 pregnancy outcomes of the women referred to our prenatal consultation service for thiocolchicoside exposure between 2007-2012, and offspring were followed up until 2 years of age. There were 16 live births, 1 spontaneous abortion and 1 elective termination of pregnancy. No major birth defect was observed. The mothers and their babies were free of perinatal complications. No growth or developmental abnormalities were found during follow-up period. Our findings add information on inadvertent use of thiocolchicoside in pregnancy. Further large prospective cohort studies are required to investigate this issue.

Abstract 2184: The effects of specific heterocyclic compounds on angiogenesis and apoptosis factors in cancer cells

Introduction: Benzoxazole have received considerable attention during last few decades as they are endowed with variety of biological activities and have wide range of therapeutic properties. The present study aimed to evaluate cytotoxic and antiapoptotic activities of new synthesize benzoxazole derivative in breast cancer cell lines. Material and Method: In this study, the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB and MCF-7 were used. Cytotoxic activities of novel benzoxazole-derived compound were analyzed with MTT assay. Additionally, the level of its effects on NF-κB and apoptosis-related proteins were examined by the western blot. Immunohistochemical stainings were done for VEGF, eNOS proteins and Tunnel assay was performed to show DNA damage. Results: The structure of the compound synthesized in our study 5-amino-2-(p-bromophenyl)-benzoxazole was proved by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy analysis methods. Novel benzoxazole analogue detected cytotoxic on breast cancer cells dose dependent manner, MCF-7 cells were found more sensitive by MTT assay. When the protein was examined in immunohistochemistry with regard to VEGF, eNOS and TUNEL, it was observed that it caused a reduction in VEGF and an increase in eNOS and TUNEL. We observed that it wasn9t between groups in Apaf-1 and BCL-2 levels, but down regulation was observed in caspase 3 and Nfkβ levels compared to control group. Novel benzoxazole compound increased Cytochrome C level in treated cells compared to the control group in MDA-MB cells but not in the MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: In summary, It is felt that this newly synthesized heterocyclic compound increases apoptozis by reducing the activation of Nfkβ, and in this way has shown an effect of inhibiting tumor growth in cancer treatment. Key Words: Heterocyclic Compounds, NF-κB, APAF-1, Cytochrome C, Caspase-3, bcl-2 Citation Format: Funda Kosova, Ozlem Temiz-Arpaci, Ibrahim TUĞLU, Ercument OLMEZ, Feyzan OZDAL KURT, Gorkem KISMALI, Zeki Ari, Mustafa ARISOY. The effects of specific heterocyclic compounds on angiogenesis and apoptosis factors in 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 2184.

Morphological Changes and Vascular Reactivity of Rat Thoracic Aorta Twelve Months After Pinealectomy

ABS TRACT Objective: Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, has been suggested to protect against development of hypertension and atherosclerosis. In this study, the effects of longterm melatonin deficiency for twelve months after pinealectomy on the α-adrenergic-contractions induced by phenylephrine, endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine and the morphological changes in the rat thoracic aorta were studied. Material and Metods: Rats were pinealectomized twelve months before the beginning of the vasomotor studies. Rings of arteries were mounted in isolated tissue baths for the measurements of isometric contractile force. The contractile responses to phenylephrine and endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine in the vessels were evaluated. Endothelial function was evaluated by vascular relaxation to acetylcholine. Histological examinations demonstrated the alterations of tunica media in the vessels of pinealectomized rats. Results: Thick and thin areas were observed in the transverse sections of vessels and the ratio of the widest media thickness to the narrowest was found significantly increased in pinealectomized group (2.85 ± 0.56) when compared to the control group (1.65 ± 0.10). In addition, α-smooth muscle actin and elastic lamellae staining of the media were attenuated in pinealectomized rats. Although contractile responses of vessels to phenylephrine in pinealectomized rats were lower than control group, significant difference was found for only one concentration (3x 10-8 mol l-1) of phenylephrine. There was no difference between the relaxation responses to acetylcholine in pinealectomized and control groups. Conclusion: These results show that long-term melatonin deficiency may cause some morphological changes in the tunica media of vessels. However, the function of endothelium and vascular responsiveness to ∝-adrenergic stimulus seem to be mostly protected.