Kazım Şahin

Antioxidant effect of zinc picolinate in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

An imbalance between oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, studies in regard to stable COPD patients and effect of zinc supplementation are lacking. We investigated the effects of zinc picolinate supplementation on the oxidant stress, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of patients with stable COPD. Thirty patients with COPD, and 15 healthy non-smokers who were matched for age and sex were included in the study. Their baseline spirometry, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and zinc levels were measured. All parameters were repeated after 8 weeks of supplementation with 22 mg of zinc picolinate daily. The mean MDA levels in the COPD group at baseline were higher than controls (0.51+/-0.15 vs 0.39+/-0.15 nmol/mL, p=0.037), while SOD (0.16+/-0.022 vs 0.20+/-0.04 U/mL, p=0.000), CAT (14.79+/-3.03 vs 17.37+/-2.60k/mL, p=0.008) and zinc levels (77.33+/-4.29 vs 91.45+/-3.95 mg/dL, p=0.000) were lower in the patients compared to controls. Eight weeks of zinc supplementation produced significant increase in mean SOD (p=0.029) and zinc levels (p<0.001). However, no significant change in mean MDA, CAT levels and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (% predicted), and FEV1/FVC (%) parameters was observed after zinc supplementation. The Pearsons coefficients of correlation between MDA, SOD, CAT, Zn levels and spirometric measurements were not significant on either day 1 nor 8 weeks of zinc supplementation. In conclusion, the results indicate that zinc supplementation may have favorable effects on oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with COPD. The lack of an effect on PFT may be due to the short duration of the supplementation. Longer duration of zinc supplementation may be necessary to see clinical benefit.

A Schiff base derivative for effective treatment of diethylnitrosamine-induced liver cancer in vivo.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most prevalent cancers, with a high morbidity rate, even in developed countries. In the present study, the curative effect of the Schiff base (SB) heterodinuclear copper(II)Mn(II) complex on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver carcinoma was investigated. Hepatocarcinoma was initiated by an injection of DEN and promoted by phenobarbital (0.05%) in the diet. In addition, the potential nephrotoxicity of SB was evaluated in a cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity model. Rats were administered the SB complex (1 and 2 mg/kg body weight/day) for 24 weeks, and cancer progression was investigated by macroscopic, histopathological, and western blot examinations. The administration of SB decreased the incidence and the number of hepatic nodules in a dose-dependent manner by regulating inflammation response and the apoptotic pathway. Western blot analyses from the livers of rats treated with SB after DEN induction showed significantly enhanced Bax and caspase-3 levels, with a marked decrease in the levels of Bcl-2, NF-&kgr;B p65 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Results from the nephrotoxicity study showed that, whereas cisplatin increased serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, no increase in serum biochemical parameters was detected in SB-treated animals. Moreover, protein levels of NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 were lower, whereas nuclear factor-&kgr;B (NF-&kgr;B p65) and activator protein-1 levels were higher in the kidneys of cisplatin-treated animals compared with that of the SB groups. Therefore, the SB complex could be an alternative chemotherapeutic option for liver cancer treatment once its safety in clinical applications has been examined.

Combined oral supplementation of chromium picolinate, docosahexaenoic acid, and boron enhances neuroprotection in rats fed a high-fat diet

Background/aim: A novel complex of a nutritional supplement (CDB) contains chromium picolinate (CrPic), phosphatidylserine (PS), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and boron (B). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of CDB on the metabolic profile and memory acquisition in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups and received either a regular diet or HFD supplemented with or without different levels of CDB (0, 11, or 22 mg/kg BW). Results: Rats fed the HFD had greater glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and serum malondialdehyde concentrations, but lower serotonin and tryptophan in the serum and brain and lower Cr concentrations in serum, kidney, brain, and liver (P < 0.0001). CDB complex supplementation reversed all the effects, and the reversal effect was more pronounced with HFD for some parameters. Latency was less (P < 0.05) but probe was greater (P < 0.0001) for rats fed a regular diet. Increasing CDB complex levels in the diets resulted in a linear decrease in latency (P < 0.0002) but a linear increase in probe (P < 0.0002). Conclusion: Findings of the present work indicate that the CDB complex could be considered as an alternative treatment for preventing certain metabolic diseases and improving neurological functions, such as learning and memory.

Schiff Base-Poloxamer P85 Combination Prevents Prostate Cancer Progression in C57/Bl6 Mice.

Prostate cancer which is the second most common cause of death among men has a high incidence in recent years. Current therapeutic regimens should be improved to overcome drug resistance. At the metastatic stage, tumors become refractory to established chemotherapeutic treatments and cause serious problems at the clinics. Development of new drug molecules that are able to transport through the membrane easily and kill tumor cells rapidly is of great interest.

Effects of diode laser application on inflammation and mpo in periodontal tissues in a rat model

Abstract Objective In this study, we aimed to histologically and immunologically evaluate the effect of diode laser treatment when applied adjunctive to scaling and root planing (SRP) in an experimental periodontitis model. Materials and methods We used Wistar-Albino rats (n=60) with average weight of 230 g. Experimental periodontitis was induced by ligature at the right and left first mandibular molar teeth in all rats. After 11 days, the ligature was removed and rats were divided into two groups. The control group (n=30) received only SRP treatment, while the laser group (n=30) received a diode laser (GaAlAs, 810 nm, 1 W, 10 J, 20 s) treatment adjunctive to SRP. Ten rats in each group were sacrificed after 7, 15, and 30 days. Histopathological examination was performed in the left mandible of rats. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) was evaluated by western blot in the gingival specimens from the right mandible. Results MPO levels in the laser group were statistically significantly lower compared with the control group (p≤0.05). There was no statistically significance at any time between MPO levels in the control group (p>0.05). MPO levels in the laser group at the 7th day were statistically significantly higher compared to the 15th (p≤0.05) and the 30th day (p≤0.05). Inflammatory cell infiltration decreased over time in both groups and was statistically significantly lower in the laser group than in the control group at all times (p≤0.01). Conclusions Within the limits of this study, we suggest that diode laser application is an adjunctive treatment because it reduced inflammation and MPO when applied in addition to SRP. On the other hand, more studies are needed for the assessment of the effects of diode laser application to periodontal tissues.

Sorafenib Reveals Anti-Arthritic Potentials in Collagen Induced Experimental Arthritis Model

Objectives This study aims to examine the effects of sorafenib on a collagen-induced arthritis model. Materials and methods The study included 50 randomly selected female Wistar-albino rats (8-10-week-old, weighing between 200 g to 250 g). The rats were divided into five equal groups as control, arthritis, etanercept, sorafenib high-dose, and sorafenib low-dose groups, respectively. Arthritis was induced by injecting mixed intradermal chicken type II collagen and incomplete Freunds adjuvant. Twenty-four hours after the advent of arthritis; rats in group 3 were injected subcutaneous etanercept (6 mg/kg/week), while those in groups 4 and 5 were given sorafenib (10 or 30 mg/ kg/day) orally until they were sacrificed on the 34th day. The rat claws and trunk bloods were carefully examined to note perisynovial inflammation and cartilage/bone injury through histopathology. Tissue vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor levels were carefully checked using western blot analysis. Results Analysis of the experimental data showed that collagen-induced arthritis decreased in treatments groups after 12-13 days and 34th day in contrast with the arthritis group. Histopathological examination revealed broad perisynovial inflammation and cartilage/bone break down in the arthritis group. Compared to the control group, tissue VEGF and VEGF receptor levels increased in the arthritis group. Sorafenib and etanercept decreased tissue VEGF and VEGF receptor levels, perisynovial inflammation, damage of cartilage/bone. Conclusion Our findings indicate that sorafenib treatment ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis with anti-VEGF effectiveness.

Antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects of gemcitabinein collagen-induced arthritis model

BACKGROUND/AIM Gemcitabine (GEM) has antiproliferative effects on lymphocytes, which are potent pathogenic actors of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of GEM on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Arthritis was induced by the intradermal injection of chicken type II collagen with incomplete Freunds adjuvant into albino Wistar rats. Doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg GEM were administered twice a week after the 14th day, which marked the onset the arthritis. Serum IL-17, TNF-α, malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels and tissue heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels were analyzed. RESULTS Histopathologically prevalent inflammation and cartilage/bone destruction were observed in the arthritis group. Moreover, in the arthritis group serum IL-17, TNF-α, and malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased while catalase, SOD, GPx, HO-1, and Nrf2 levels were significantly decreased. However, in the GEM-treated groups, decreased TNF-α, IL-17, and malondialdehyde levels; increased SOD, catalase, GPx, Nrf2, and HO-1 levels; and ameliorated perisynovial inflammation and cartilage/bone destruction were observed. CONCLUSION GEM suppresses cytokine levels and enhances antioxidant activity. It also prevents cartilage/bone destruction in the CIA model. GEM may be a viable candidate for research into the treatment of RA.

Combinatorial effect of zoledronic acid and irradiation on the prevention of DMBA-induced precancerogenic changes in the mammary tissues of rats

BACKGROUND At present, the rates of breast cancer are continuously increasing, with over a million new cases being diagnosed worldwide each year. Hence, the development of new breast cancer chemopreventive drugs with acceptable efficacy and toxicity that are suitable for use for a protracted period of time is urgently needed. The present study investigated the potential preventive effects of zoledronic acid [ZOL] and radiotherapy [RT], both alone and in combination, on precancerogenic changes on the breast tissues of females. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wistar rats were treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene [DMBA] at the acute phase. Fifty female rats were divided into seven groups: Control group [I]; ZOL, group [II]; RT, group [III]; DMBA, group [IV]; DMBA + RT, group [V]; DMBA + ZOL, group [VI]; and DMBA + ZOL + RT, group [VII]. RESULTS The treatment of DMBA-exposed rats with ZOL and RT, both alone and in combination, successfully upregulates the transcriptional levels of Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, p21, and BRCA 1 in mammary tissues, which may account for the elevated apoptotic activities observed and the eventual inhibition of tumor growth. The administration of RT and ZOL both alone and in combination was found to be effective for inhibiting the DMBA-induced precancerogenic changes on breast tissues and modulating the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins in the acute phase. CONCLUSIONS The combination of RT and ZOL was more effective than either agent alone. Our results suggest that the administration of ZOL and irradiation in combination can offer maximal protection against DMBA-induced mammary precancerogenic changes.