Murat Kızıl

Malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) levels as biomarkers of oxidative stress in subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia

OBJECTIVE Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is clinically characterized by elevated total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in plasma, which has high risk for developing atherosclerosis. Increased oxidative stress (OS) and FH have been related to atherosclerosis. The study aims to evaluate oxidative stress in patients with hypercholesterolemia by measuring lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl (PCO) levels in these patients. PCO in these patients may provide a new diagnostic biomarker for oxidative damage in atherosclerosis. DESIGN AND METHOD Total cholesterol (Tc), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), lipoprotein(a) (Lp-a) levels and carotid intima-media thickness were measured to evaluate characteristics of patients (11 homozygous and 25 heterozygous) with FH. 25 age-gender-BMI matched healthy control subjects were included in the study for comparison. RESULTS MDA and PCO levels were significantly higher in homozygous patients compared with those of heterozygous and controls and it was found that they are positively correlated with LDL-c, Tc, Lp-a and IMT while negatively correlated with HDL-c. The heterozygous group also had significantly higher MDA and PCO levels compared with controls. CONCLUSION The data obtained could be important for understanding the alterations presented by FH and could be related to their increased risk of developing atherosclerosis. To our knowledge, measurements of PCO in patients with FH are not recorded before and this may be used as a biomarker for protein oxidation, which may play a role in the increased cardiovascular risk of patients with FH.

Antioxidant Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Hypericum triquetrifolium. and Hypericum scabroides.

Abstract The antioxidative potential of ethanol extracts of Hypericum triquetrifolium. Turra (Hypericaceae) and Hypericum scabroides. Robson & Poulter (Hypericaceae) were investigated for the first time using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), metal chelating, reducing power, hydroxyl radical, total antioxidant activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. Both extracts tested were found to be highly active in the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The IC50 values of H. triquetrifolium. (HT) and H. scabroides. (HS) in the DPPH radical scavenging assay were 39.0 and 33.8 μ g/mL, respectively. The amounts of total phenolic compounds were also determined, and total phenolic content of 1 mg H. triquetrifolium. and H. scabroides. ethanol extracts were equivalent to 267 and 333 μ g gallic acid. Metal chelating ability was found to be low compared with EDTA. Both ethanol extracts of Hypericum. species exhibited a high reducing power, suggesting that extracts had strong electron-donating capacity. The degradation of deoxyribose by hydroxyl radicals was shown to be inhibited by Hypericum. extracts, acting mainly by scavenging hydroxyl radicals rather than as chelators of iron ions. Total antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts of HT and HS were tested by using ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods. Antioxidative activities of both extracts were found to be comparable with vitamin E. Moreover, both extracts showed notable capacity to suppress Fe2 +-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate. The results obtained in the current study indicate that ethanol extracts of HS and HT are a potential source of natural antioxidants.

Protective effect of Diyarbakır watermelon juice on carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Diyarbakır watermelon (Citrullus lanatus cv. Sürme) juice on lipid peroxidation states in rat liver, kidney and brain. In vivo administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) once a week for 28 days caused a significant elevation of serum markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TB) and decrease in albumin when compared to the control group. However, administration of carbon tetrachloride along with watermelon juice or ursodeoxycolic acid (UDCA) significantly reduces these changes. Increased lipid peroxide (LPO) level was observed in the liver, kidney and brain tissues after CCl(4) administration. However, watermelon juice and UDCA treatment prevented the increase in LPO. The results indicated that watermelon juice protects the liver, kidney and brain tissues from experimental CCl(4) toxicity in rats and that the protective effect of watermelon juice may be due to its antioxidant activity and inhibition of lipid peroxide formation. In conclusion, present study reveals biological evidence that supports the use of watermelon juice in the treatment of chemical-induced hepatotoxicity.

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.

In Vitro Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Ethanol Extract of Three Hypericum and Three Achillea Species From Turkey

The present study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of Hypericum scabrum L (HSm), Hypericum lysimachioides var. lysimachioides (HL), and Hypericum retusum Aucher (HR) and ethanol extracts of Achillea aleppica D.C. subsp. aleppica (AA), Achillea aleppica D.C. subsp. zederbaueri (Hayek) Hub.-Mor (AZ), and Achillea biebersteinii Afan. (AB). The antioxidant properties of extracts were evaluated using different antioxidants tests, including reducing power, free radical scavenging, deoxyribose assay, metal chelating activities and determination of total phenolic compounds. The extracts obtained from Hypericum and Achillea species showed high antioxidant properties. The protective effects of plant extracts were compared with a well known antioxidant, Butilated Hydroxytoluen (BHT) and α-tocopherol. Total antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts of plants were also tested by using ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods. Antioxidative activities of plant extracts were found to be comparable with Vitamin E. The results showed that the ethanol extracts of all tested plant exhibited different activity against tested microorganisms. Since most of the studied extracts have good antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, it might be possible to use them as natural food additives that act both as antioxidants and as spices.

Antimicrobial activity of the resins obtained from the roots and stems of Cedrus libani and Abies cilicica.

The antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of resins obtained from the roots and stems of Cedrus libani and Abies cilicia has been studied, using the disc diffusion method. The results obtained indicate that crude extracts of the resins of both plants are highly efficient in preventing the growth of microorganisms.

Comparison of the effects of maternal protein malnutrition and intrauterine growth restriction on redox state of central nervous system in offspring rats

Both maternal protein malnutrition and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have deleterious effects on brain development, but a comparison of these effects has not been previously reported. The objectives of this study were to investigate and compare the effects of both factors on the oxidative status of the central nervous system (CNS), including the spinal cord, in offspring rats. We evaluated various parameters of oxidative status and antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT) in different regions of the CNS from 60-day-old rats subjected to prenatal and postnatal protein restrictions [middle protein restriction 12%, severe protein restriction (SPR) 4%] or IUGR produced by uterine artery ligation. Furthermore, we compared these study groups to each other and to control rats fed an isocaloric 24% protein diet. Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukeys post hoc test. Both protein restrictions and IUGR altered various parameters of oxidative status. In all evaluated structures, protein restrictions resulted in increases in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances level and index of lipid peroxidation (P<0.001), and in decreases in antioxidant enzyme activities (P<0.005). IUGR also increased lipid peroxidation levels in the blood samples (P<0.04) and protein oxidative damage in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex (P<0.005); however, no effects were detected on the spinal cord. The greatest decrease in CAT activity was in the cerebellum of rats fed with SPR diet (P<0.001). This study suggests that not only severe but also middle protein malnutrition have deleterious effects on CNS structures, including the spinal cord. Protein restriction has a greater effect on the redox state of the CNS than IUGR.

The protective role of pomegranate juice against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in rats

Most pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn., Punicaceae) fruit parts are known to possess enormous antioxidant activity. The present study was carried out to determine the phenolic and flavonoid contents of Derik pomegranate juice and determine its effect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced toxicity in rats. Animals were divided into four groups (n = 6): group I: control, group II: CCl4 (1 ml/kg), group III: CCl4 + pomegranate juice and group IV: CCl4 + ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Treatment duration was 4 weeks, and the dose of CCl4 was administered once a week to groups II, III and IV during the experimental period. CCl4-treated rats caused a significant increase in serum enzyme levels, such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin, and decrease in albumin, when compared with control. Administration of CCl4 along with pomegranate juice or UDCA significantly reduces these changes. Analysis of lipid peroxide (LPO) levels by thiobarbutiric acid reaction showed a significant increase in liver, kidney and brain tissues of CCl4-treated rats. However, both pomegranate juice and UDCA prevented the increase in LPO level. Histopathological reports also revealed that there is a regenerative activity in the liver and kidney cells. Derik pomegranate juice showed to be hepatoprotective against CCl4-induced hepatic injury. In conclusion, present study reveals a biological evidence that supports the use of pomegranate juice in the treatment of chemical-induced hepatotoxicity.

Protective effect of Öküzgözü (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) grape juice against carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative stress in rats

The consumption of fruits plays an important role as a health protecting factor. Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) are believed to have health benefits due to their antioxidant activity. Öküzgözü is the largest among the grape varieties grown in Turkey. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) causes free radical generation in many tissues such as the liver, kidney, heart, lung, testis, brain and blood. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the only drug to treat primary biliary cirrhosis, but the effects remain controversial. The aim of the present study is to investigate the protective effect of Öküzgözü grape juice or UDCA against tissue damage induced by CCl₄ in rats. The amount of total phenolics and flavonoids were found to be 1208.00 +/- 43.00 μg ml⁻¹ as the gallic acid equivalent and 5.2 +/- 0.19 μg ml⁻¹ as the quercitin equivalent in Öküzgözü grape juice, respectively. In vivo administration of CCl₄ caused a significant increase of various biochemical parameters such as alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), total bilirubin (TB) and a decrease in albumin (ALB) levels in serum or an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the tissues when compared to a control. Administration of CCl₄ along with Öküzgözü grape juice or ursodeoxycolic acid (UDCA) significantly reduces these changes. Histopathalogical studies also support the protective effect of the extract. This study demonstrates the protective activity of Öküzgözü grape juice and thus scientifically supports the usage of this fruit in various traditional medicines for the treatment of tissue disorders. The effect of Öküzgözü grape juice was comparable with that of UDCA.

Protective Ability of Ethanol Extracts of Hypericum Scabrum L. and Hypericum Retusum Aucher Against the Protein Oxidation and DNA Damage

Inhibition of protein oxidation and DNA damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) would confer benefit to living organisms exposed to oxidative stress, because oxidized proteins are associated with many diseases and can propagate ROS-induced damage. In this study, the ability of the ethanol extracts of Hypericum retusum Aucher (HR) and Hypericum scabrum L (HSm) to protect bovine serum albumin (BSA) from oxidation and DNA damage by hydroxyl radical derived from the Fenton system (Fe3+/H2O2/ascorbic acid) were measured. The ethanol extracts of HR and HSm at different concentrations (50–1000 μg/mL) efficiently prevented protein oxidation induced by hydroxyl radicals as assayed by protein oxidation markers, including protein carbonyl formation (PCO) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The effect of ethanol extracts of HR and HSm on DNA cleavage induced by UV-photholysis of H2O2 using pBluescript M13+ plasmid DNA were also investigated. These extracts significantly inhibited DNA damage induced by ROS. Therefore, Hypericum retusum, and Hypericum scabrum extracts may be useful in the food industry as effective synthetic antioxidants.