Gul Fatma Yarim

Cytokine and chemokine levels in radicular and residual cyst fluids.

BACKGROUND Cytokines were thought to play an important role for the expansion of odontogenic cysts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytokine and chemokine levels of radicular and residual cyst fluids. METHODS Cyst fluids were aspirated from 21 patients (11 radicular and 10 residual cysts) and the levels of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1alpha), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) were determined by ELISA using commercially available kits. RESULTS Both radicular and residual cyst fluids contained IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha, MCP-1, and RANTES, concentrations of which were significantly higher in the radicular cyst fluids than those in the residual cysts (P < 0.001 for IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha, and RANTES; P < 0.01 for MCP-1). Compared to the other mediators, the concentration of IL-1alpha was found to be highest in both of the cyst fluids. In addition, positive correlations were found between IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha, MCP-1, and RANTES in radicular and residual cyst fluids. CONCLUSION If the radicular cyst is inadvertently left behind following tooth extraction, some degree of inflammation may carry on. Residual cysts, although to a lesser extend than radicular cysts, have the potential to expand.

Therapeutic role of curcumin in oxidative DNA damage caused by formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a common environmental contaminant that causes oxidative DNA damage in cells by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to investigate the amount of 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OhdG), tumor protein 53(TP53), beta‐amyloid[Aß(1‐42), Aß (1‐40)], total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the therapeutic role of curcumin in rat cells with oxidative DNA damage caused by formaldehyde. Method: The control group was given physiological saline for 15 days (ip) and the second group was given 37% formaldehyde (ip) at a dose of 9 mg/kg group every other day. The third group was given 9 mg/kg formaldehyde (ip) every other day and treated therapeutically with 100 mg/kg curcumin every day by gavage. At the end of the trial period, urine, blood, and brain tissue was collected from the rats. Results: The levels of MDA in sera were increased and the TAC, TP53, and Aß (1−40) levels were reduced in the formaldehyde‐treated group with respect to the control group (p<0.005). After treatment with curcumin, the levels of sera MDA were significantly reduced, the TAC, TP53, and Aß (1‐40) levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The levels of whole brain Aß (1‐42) and 8‐OhdG were increased in the formaldehyde‐treated group and reduced after treatment with curcumin (P < 0.05). Urinary 8‐OhdG excretion increased in the formaldehyde‐treated group (P < 0.05) and decreased after treatment with curcumin (P > 0.05).

Elevated Plasma Levels of Interleukin 1β, Tumour Necrosis Factor α and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 Are Associated with Pregnancy Toxaemia in Ewes

Pregnancy toxaemia is a metabolic disorder that results from an inadequate energy supply to the growing maternal–fetal unit. The mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of the syndrome has not been fully clarified; however, a key role for cytokines and chemokines including interleukin 1 β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) has been indicated in women and experimental animals. However, information on the maternal plasma levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1 in ewes with pregnancy toxaemia is limited. Thus, the present study was designed to determine plasma IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1 concentrations in ewes with severe (n = 6) and mild (n = 4) naturally occurring pregnancy toxaemia and in uncomplicated pregnant ewes (n = 10) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All ewes with pregnancy toxaemia had significantly lower body temperature and respiratory rate than uncomplicated pregnant ewes (p < 0.05). With the highest concentrations in severe cases, heart rate, proteinuria and serum uric acid levels as well as plasma IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1 were significantly different among all three groups (p < 0.05). The plasma concentrations of IL-1β in control ewes and ewes with mild and severe toxaemia were 15.81 ± 3.90 pg/ml, 23.83 ± 2.42 pg/ml and 34.55 ± 8.03 pg/ml, respectively. The plasma concentrations of TNF-α in control ewes and ewes with mild and severe toxaemia were 7.71 ± 1.61 pg/ml, 16.13 ± 3.63 pg/ml, and 22.85 ± 3.64 pg/ml, respectively. The plasma concentrations of MCP-1 in control ewes and ewes with mild and severe toxaemia were 101.70 ± 9.86 pg/ml, 134.75 ± 6.24 pg/ml, and 157.67 ± 9.69 pg/ml, respectively. Moreover, plasma IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1 levels were positively correlated with clinical and well-establish biochemical parameters of pregnancy toxaemia, serum uric acid and proteinuria (p < 0.01). Concomitant increase of plasma IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1 concentrations along with serum uric acid, proteinuria, and worsening of the clinical signs indicates that such cytokines are involved in the aetiopathogenesis and in perpetuation of the local and systemic inflammatory reactions in pregnancy toxaemia in ewes. Hence, plasma IL-1β, TNF-α and MCP-1 may potentially serve as markers to monitor prognosis of pregnancy toxaemia in ewes.

Effects of trichophytosis on serum zinc levels in calves

The purpose of this study was to determine the zinc levels in calves with trichophytosis and to research the importance of zinc for fungi. The sera of 20 calves with trichophytosis and 10 healthy calves were used in this study. Zinc levels of the sera were measured by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer method. Serum zinc levels of diseased and healthy animals were found to be 42.0±16.6 μg/dL and 75.8±5.9 μg/dL, respectively. Serum zinc levels of diseased calves were lower than healthy ones and this difference were found to be important statistically (p<0.001), whereas there is no statistical difference on the levels of lymphocyte, monocyte, granulocyte, erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume between groups. These parameters were not influenced by low zinc levels.

Repeated-dose 14-day dermal toxicity of different combinations of some synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, piperonyl butoxide, and tetramethrin in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeated-dose 14-day dermal toxicity of different combinations of some synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, piperonyl butoxide, and tetramethrin in rats. A total of 70 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 (6 experimental and 1 control) groups. Different combinations of insecticides were dermally applied to the rats in the experimental groups for 14 days. Clinical observations were performed daily; hematologic and biochemical parameters were also determined. Gross necropsy and histopathologic examinations were performed systematically, and organ weights were recorded. Although the administered doses of the insecticides were relatively lower than their acute dermal toxicity values, a high mortality rate (27 of 60 experimental animals, 45%) was observed. Furthermore, the insecticide combinations caused decreased body weights and feed consumptions, increased organ weights, and hematologic, biochemical, and common histopathologic changes. As a result, the findings showed that although pyrethroids are considered to be of low acute toxicity, they become more toxic when combined with piperonyl butoxide or tetramethrin in certain doses.

Serum protein alterations in dogs naturally infected with Toxoplasma gondii

We conducted this study to describe the serum electrophoretic pattern in dogs associated with the infection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The serum protein pattern of 25 dogs with confirmed T. gondii infection and 15 clinically healthy dogs were evaluated using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Albumin, alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin, beta globulin, and gamma globulin bands were seen from the serum electrophoresis of infected and healthy dogs. Compared to the control group, significant decreases in the mean percentages of albumin (from 46.1 ± 7.2 to 40.8 ± 4.5%, P < 0.05), alpha-1 globulin (from 3.9 ± 0.4 to 0.8 ± 0.2%, P < 0.001), alpha-2 globulin (from 9.0 ± 0.4 to 8.3 ± 0.8%, P < 0.01), and beta globulin (from 18.4 ± 1.2 to 12.1 ± 0.6%, P < 0.001) in the infected group were determined. In contrast, gamma globulin fraction was significantly higher in infected dogs (38.1 ± 4.6%) than in control dogs (22.7 ± 7.2%; P < 0.001). Moreover, significant correlations were determined between the percentages of the albumin and gamma globulin fractions and liver enzyme tests including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in infected dogs; however, no correlation was observed for the other protein fractions. In conclusion, marked alterations in serum protein pattern associated with strong modifications of serum protein concentrations are in accordance with the hepatic injury as affirmed by liver enzyme tests that were demonstrated in the canine toxoplasmosis. These findings showed that serum protein electrophoresis can be used in the diagnosis and prognosis of canine toxoplasmosis as a supplementary analysis in combination with serological, clinical, and laboratory findings of this disease.

Evaluation of IGF-I levels and serum protein profiles of diabetic cats and dogs.

In this study, we measured the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I levels and evaluated the serum protein profiles of diabetic, insulin-treated, and healthy cats and dogs. The total IGF-I concentrations were 33.74 ± 3.4 ng/mL for normal, 25.8 ± 4.5 ng/mL for diabetic, and 180.4 ± 31.4 ng/mL for insulin-treated cats. IGF-I concentrations were 46.4 ± 6.6 ng/mL for normal, 25.1 ± 4.1 ng/mL for diabetic, and 303.0 ± 61.3 ng/mL for insulin-treated dogs. Total serum protein profiles were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Fourteen bands ranging from 25 to 240 kDa in size were observed for cats, and 17 bands ranging from 25 to 289 kDa were observed for dogs. The densities of the bands differed among control, diabetic, and insulin-treated animals. In conclusion, we found that serum protein profiles and IGF-I concentrations were altered in both diabetic and insulin-treated animals. When judiciously interpreted in the light of other clinical and laboratory data, the techniques used in our study provide a valuable modality for measuring the severity of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats.

Neuroprotective effects of acetyl-l-carnitine on lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation in mice: Involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Neuroinflammation is the inflammation of nervous tissue that can lead to neurodegeneration. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin which affects growth, function and survival of neurons, enhances the stabilization of synapses, regulates synaptic function and branching of dendrites and axons. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is believed to be involved in the pathophysiology of central nervous system (CNS) diseases associated with neuroinflamation. The aim of this study was to investigate new protective and therapeutic effect of acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) in neuroinflammation. Acetyl-l-carnitine was administered into Swiss Albino mice as 100mg/kg/day and 300mg/kg/day for 5days. Neuroinflammation was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Histopathological findings associated with ALCAR administration on neuroinflammation in the brain were determined. Moreover, the effects of ALCAR on BDNF concentration in the brain tissue was evaluated. The LPS administration showed higher microglial activation in the brain of LPS, 100A+LPS and 300A+LPS groups compared to that in the control (p<0.05). In the 100A+LPS group, microglial activation was lower and BDNF concentration was higher than in the 300A+LPS group (p>0.05). The findings suggest that the dose of ALCAR at 100mg/kg/day i.p. may have a beneficial effect on LPS-induced neuroinflammation in mice. As a conclusion, ALCAR may be used as an optional neuroprotective and therapeutic agent to attenuate inflammatory damage in the CNS regarding BDNF, in a dose dependent manner.

The effects of aging on the central nervous system steroid profiles and myelin basic protein in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aging on the central nervous system steroid and myelin basic protein (MBP) profiles. Forty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats (newborn, 1, 6, 12 and 24-monthsold) were studied. Tissues were obtained from the cerebellum and parietal, frontal, temporal cortex of the central nervous system of the rats for steroid extraction. The estradiol, progesteron, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The average levels of estradiol (pg/g), progesteron (ng/g), DHEA (ng/g) and testosterone (ng/g) in the brain tissues were respectively 24.29, 4.59, 0.27, 0.92 in the newborn-rats; 4.18±1.10, 1.54±0.30, 0.28±0.01, 0.57±0.10 in the 1 month-old-rats; 11.02±1.10, 2.96±0.30, 0.27±0.01, 0.61±0.10 in the 6 month-old-rats; 15.80±1.10, 4.80±0.30, 0.28±0.10, 0.67±0.10 in the 12 monthold-rats; 20.07±1.10, 4.12±0.30, 0.28±0.01, 0.55±0.10 in the 24 month-old-rats. The myelin basic protein levels were determined by immunohistochemical staining and an elevation was observed in conjunction with the aging process. The results of the study indicate that the alterations in MBP, DHEA, progesterone, testosterone and estrodiol concentrations in the central nervous system of the rats during aging can be considered fundamental for future animal and human studies.

Investigation of the effect of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit extract against cisplatin-induced renal cell injury in vitro

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of cornelian cherry fruit extract against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vitro. Materials and methods: African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero) were incubated with 100 mg/mL of cornelian cherry fruit extract, 50 μmol/L of cisplatin or 50 μmol/L of cisplatin plus 100 mg/mL of cornelian cherry fruit extract for 4 h. The wells containing cells without any supplementation served as control. Cell viability was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide assay. Culture mediums were collected, centrifuged and analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Results: The cell viability was 59% in cells co-treated with cisplatin and cornelian cherry fruit extract simultaneously and 42% in cisplatin treated cells. The cellular damage ratio was elevated in cells treated with cisplatin. However, when cisplatin combined with cornelian cherry fruit extract the deleterious effects of cisplatin were significantly decreased. The MDA concentration was significantly higher (p<0.05), GSH concentration and GPx and SOD activities were significantly lower (p<0.05) in cisplatin treated group when compared with control group, cornelian cherry group, and cisplatin+cornelian cherry group. Conclusion: The present study indicated that cornelian cherry fruit extract exert protective effects on oxidative damage in vitro induced by cisplatin.