Nurhan Gümral

Antioxidant enzymes and melatonin levels in patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during stable and exacerbation periods.

An imbalance between oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity may play an important role in the development and progression of bronchial asthma (BA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We carried out a study to assess the systemic oxidant–antioxidant status during the exacerbation and the stable period in patients with BA and COPD. A total of 33 patients, 16 with BA and 17 with COPD were included in the study. During the exacerbation and the stable periods, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), glutathione reductase (GRd), and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes and serum melatonin concentrations were investigated. Blood counts, respiratory functions, and blood gases of the patients were also performed. During an exacerbation period of BA, despite the decreases in GSH‐Px, GRd and melatonin levels, MDA and CAT levels, and the white blood cell count, the percentage of eosinophils were significantly higher than in the stable period. Also, it was found that FEV1/L (where FEV1 is the forced expiratory volume in 1 s), FVC/L (where FVC is forced vital capacity), PEF/L/s (where PEF is peak expiratory flow), pO2 (where pO2 is oxygen pressure) levels increased during the stable period in patients with BA. MDA and SOD values were higher in the exacerbation period than in the stable period although GSH‐Px, GRd, melatonin, pH, and pO2 values were lower in the exacerbation period than in the stable period. The blood counts and the respiratory function tests did not change between the exacerbation and the stable period of patients with COPD significantly. In conclusion, we observed that oxidative stress in the exacerbation period of patients with BA and COPD increased whereas the antioxidant enzymes and melatonin values reduced. The episodes of BA or COPD might be associated with elevated levels of oxidative stress. Copyright

Modulator effects of L-carnitine and selenium on wireless devices (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative stress and electroencephalography records in brain of rat.

Purpose: Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from wireless devices may affect biological systems by increasing free radicals. The present study was designed to determine the effects of 2.45 GHz EMR on the brain antioxidant redox system and electroencephalography (EEG) records in rat. The possible protective effects of selenium and L-carnitine were also tested and compared to untreated controls. Materials and methods: Thirty rats were equally divided into five different groups, namely Group A1: Cage control, Group A2: Sham control, group B: 2.45 GHz EMR, group C: 2.45 GHz EMR + selenium, group D: 2.45 GHz EMR + L-carnitine. Groups B, C and D were exposed to 2.45 GHz EMR during 60 min/day for 28 days. End of the experiments, EEG records and the brain cortex samples were taken. Results: The cortex brain vitamin A (p < 0.05), vitamin C (p < 0.01) and vitamin E (p < 0.05) concentrations values were lower in group B than in group A1 and A2 although their concentrations were increased by selenium and L-carnitine supplementation. Lipid peroxidation, levels were lower in group C (p < 0.05) and D (p < 0.01) than in group B where as reduced glutathione levels were higher in group C (p < 0.05) than in group A1, A2 and B. However, B-carotene levels did not change in the five groups. Conclusions: L-carnitine and selenium seem to have protective effects on the 2.45 GHz-induced decrease of the vitamins by supporting antioxidant redox system. L-carnitine on the vitamin concentrations seems to more protective affect than in selenium.

Testicular apoptosis and histopathological changes induced by a 2.45 GHz electromagnetic field

There is a growing public concern about the potential human health hazard caused by exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of 2450 mhz electromagnetic field on apoptosis and histopathological changes on rat testis tissue. Twelve-week-old male Wistar Albino rats were used in this study. Eighteen rats equally divided into three different groups which were named group I, II and III. Cage control (group I), sham control (group II) and 2.45 GHz EMR (group III) groups were formed. Group III were exposed to 2.45 GHz EMR, at 3.21 W/kg specific absorption rate for 60 minutes/ day for 28 days. There was no difference among the groups for the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, pyknotic, karyolectic and karyotic cells. However, the number of Leydig cells of testis tissue of the rats in group III was significantly reduced comparing with the group I (p < 0.05). Estimation of spermatogenesis using the Johnsen testicular biopsy score revealed that the difference between groups is statistically significant. The level of TNF-α, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were compared, and no significant difference was found between the groups. When Bax apoptosis genes and Caspase-8 apoptosis enzyme were compared, there were significant differences between the groups (p < 0.05). Electromagnetic field affects spermatogenesis and causes to apoptosis due to the heat and other stress-related events in testis tissue.

Melatonin levels and enzymatic antioxidant defense system decrease in blood of patients with bronchial asthma.

The etiology of bronchial asthma (BA) is not clearly understood. In recent years, a few studies have investigated the possible role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the etiology of BA. There are some defense mechanisms in the organism to avoid the harmful effects of ROS. Melatonin (MEL) is synthesized by the pineal gland at night and exhibits antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate serum MEL levels, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the association of the respiratory function tests, namely dynamic lung volumes; the forced vital capacity (FVC/L, FVC%), the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1/L, FEV1%), and peak expiratory flow (PEF/L/s, PEF%) in 30 patients with BA and 30 age-matched healthy controls. The levels of serum MEL, the activities of erythrocyte SOD, and the values of FVC/L, FVC%, FEV1/L, and FEV1% were significantly lower in the patients with BA than in control group. The positive correlations were observed between FVC% with erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px, FEV1/L as well as FEV1% with erythrocyte SOD, whereas negative correlation was observed between PEF/L/s with levels of serum MEL. In conclusion, these results provide some evidence for a potential role of decreased antioxidant enzymes, MEL, and respiratory function test values in BA.

Juniperus communis Linn oil decreases oxidative stress and increases antioxidant enzymes in the heart of rats administered a diet rich in cholesterol

It has been asserted that consumption of dietary cholesterol (Chol) raises atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and that Chol causes an increase in free radical production. Hypercholesterolemic diet has also been reported to cause changes in the antioxidant system. In our study, different doses of Juniperus communis Linn (JCL) oil, a tree species growing in Mediterranean and Isparta regions and having aromatic characteristics, were administered to rats; and the levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay (TBARS) were examined in the heart tissue of rats. In this study, 35 Wistar Albino male adult rats weighing approximately 250–300 g were used. The rats were divided into five groups of seven each. The control group was administered normal pellet chow, and the Chol group was administered pellet chow including 2% Chol, while 50 JCL, 100 JCL, and 200 JCL groups were administered 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg JCL oil dissolved in 0.5% sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, respectively, in addition to the pellet chow containing 2% Chol, by gavage. After 30 days, the experiment was terminated and the antioxidant enzyme activities were examined in the heart tissue of rats. While consumption of dietary Chol decreases the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT in heart tissue of rats (not significant), administeration of 200 mg/kg JCL oil in addition to Chol led to a significant increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Administering Chol led to a significant increase in TBARS level. Administering 100 and 200 mg/kg JCL oil together with Chol prevented significantly the increase in lipid peroxides. As a result of the study, JCL oil showed oxidant–antioxidant effect in the heart tissue of rats.

The impact of methotrexate on lung inflammatory and apoptotic pathway biomarkers—The role of gallic acid

BACKGROUNDS The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of methotrexate (MTX) on the lung via inflammatory and apoptotic pathway biomarkers and the role of gallic acid (GA). METHODS In this study, twenty four male Wistar-Albino rats weighing 300-350g were divided into 3 groups as follows; Control group (0.1ml/oral saline, for 7 days+2nd day i.p.). MTX group (20mg/kg, single dose, on 2nd day). MTX+GA group (15mg/kg, orally, for 7 days). Comet analysis, oxidant-antioxidant status, IMA were conducted. Histopathological analyses were evaluated. RESULTS Comet assay on the blood, TOS and OSI values in the lung were increased in the group II compared with the control group (p<0.05). GA significantly reduced the comet score and IMA levels in the blood, TOS and OSI values in the lung tissue in group III compared with group II (p<0.05). Immunohistochemically PGE2, TNF-α, CRP, serum SAA, Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 expressions significantly increased in group II compared with the control group (p<0.001) and GA treatment ameliorated these parameters significantly in group III compared with group II (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS MTX caused oxidative stress and DNA damage in the blood tissue and caused oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis in the lung tissue.

Impact of caffeic acid phenethyl ester treatment on vancomycin-induced pancreatic damage in rats

This study investigates the preventive effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on pancreatic damage induced by vancomycin (VCM) in rats. Rats were equally divided into three groups: group I (control), group II (only VCM-treated group) and group III (VCM + CAPE-treated groups). VCM was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 200 mg kg−1twice daily for 7 days. CAPE was administered orally at 10 µM mL−1 kg−1 dose once daily for 7 days. The first dose of CAPE administration was performed 24 h prior to VCM injection. Blood and pancreas tissue samples were removed and collected after the study. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and lipase activities were determined. Pancreas tissue samples were evaluated with the light microscope. Group II significantly increased serum ALP, amylase, GGT and lipase activities when compared with the control group. Group III significantly decreased serum ALP, amylase, GGT and lipase activities when compared with group II. In histopathological examination, it has been observed that there was a significant pancreatic damage in group II. CAPE exerted prominent structural protection against VCM-induced pancreatic damage and this effect was statistically significant. CAPE caused a marked reduction in the extent of pancreatic damage. We have concluded that it may play an important role in the VCM-induced pancreatic damage and reduce the pancreatic damage both at the biochemical and histopathological aspects.

2450 MHz Elektromanyetik Alanın Sıçan Tiroid dokusuna etkisi; Selenyum ve L-Karnitinin koruyucu rolü

Aim: In this study, protective effects of selenium (SE) and L-Karnitin (L-Kar) on electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by local area networks (WLAN, Wireless) 2450 MHz frequency in thyroid tissue were explored. Material and methods: In study 6 rats each group to total of 30 male Wistar Albino rats were used and divided into 5 groups:1- Control group (no application has been made); 2-Sham group (intraperitoneal (i.p) 0.5ml per day saline); 3- EMF ; 4- EMF+Se (1,5 mg/kg/every other day i.p ) ; 5- EMF+L-Kar (100mg/kg/day i.p). EMF applications of 2450 MHz frequency band was applied as specific absorption rate (SAR) of 54 mW/kg for 28 days to 1 hours per day. At the end of the experiment, blood samples analyzed biochemically and thyroid tissues analyzed histopathologically. Results: As a result of biochemical examination, T3 and T4 levels of the samples taken from the rats applied 2450 MHz EMF group were decreased significantly compared to the sham group (p=0,039 ve p=0,019; respectively) and only T4 hormone levels were decreased significantly compared to control group (p=0,042). In EMF group thyroid follicule degeneration, fibrosis, vascular congestion and mononuclear cell infiltration increased significantly from control and sham groups (p=0,000 ve p=0,002; respectively). In L-carnitine and selenium used groups, we observed the histopathological data of thyroid tissues (P=0,004 ve 0,026; respectively) had recovery and increase in hormone level s(P>0,05). Conclusion: 2450 MHz EMF rats brought negative biochemical and histopathological changes occur in the thyroid gland and it was observed that the protective effect of selenium and L-carnitine against this damage. Thereby, to solve the problems created by exposure of electromagnetic fields according to increasing technological developments, Selenium and L-Carnitine will be useful in nutritional products as a preservative

Bronşial astımlı hastalarda lateralite ile antioksidanlar arasındaki ilişkilerin araştırılması

SuleymanDemirel Universitesi TIP FAKULTESI DERGISI: 2006 Haziran; 13(2) Bronsial astimli hastalarda lateralite ile antioksidanlar arasindaki iliskilerin arastirilmasi Nurhan G. Yildirim, Sadettin Caliskan, Mehmet Akdogan, M.Fehmi Ozguner, Ahmet Akkaya, Serpil Şen Ozbas, Ahmet Koyu Ozet Bu calisma, bronsial astimli hastalarda ve saglikli kisilerde lateralite ile antioksidanlar arasindaki iliskilerin arastirilmasi amaciyla yapildi. Bronsial astimli 30 hasta ve 30 saglikli birey olmak uzere 60 olguda, arastirma icin ilgili etik kuruldan izin alinarak eritrositer superoksit dismutaz, glutatyon peroksidaz ve serum melatonin duzeylerinin tayinleri yapildi. Ayrica herbir olguya el tercihi anketinin modifiye sekli Geschwind Skoru uygulandi. Bronsial astimli hastalarda sag el tercihi yuksek olup; eritrositer superoksit dismutaz, serum melatonin duzeyleri kontrol grubuna gore anlamli olarak dusuk bulundu. Eritrositer glutatyon peroksidaz duzeyleri bronsial astimli hastalarda dusuk olmakla beraber iki grup arasinda anlamli bir fark saptanamadi. Lateralite ile superoksit dismutaz duzeyi arasinda negatif bir korelasyon gozlendi. Calismamizda, bronsial astim hastaligi ile bireylerin sol el tercihi arasinda bir iliskinin olmadigi fakat antioksidan savunma sisteminin bu hastalarda zayifladigi sonucuna varildi. Anahtar kelimeler: Bronsial astim, superoksit dismutaz, glutatyon peroksidaz, melatonin, lateralite Abstract Investigation of the relationships between laterality and antioxidants in bronchial asthmatic patients The aim of this study was to investigate of the relationships between laterality and antioxidants in the patients with bronchial asthma. For this study permission was taken from etic comitee. In 60 facts, which are 30 patients who has bronchial asthma and 30 healthy individuals, the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase in erytrocyte and serum melatonin have been determined. Morever, modifiye form of Geschwind Score, of handedness questionnaire has been applied for each fact. Right handedness is dominant in bronchial asthmatic patients, the levels of superoxide dismutase in erytrocyte, serum melatonin has been found meaningfully low according to control group. However, the levels of glutathione peroxidase in erytrocyte is low in bronchial asthmatic patients, no meaningful difference between two groups has been determined. A negative corelation has been observed between lateralite and the level of superoxide dismutase. In our study, the result, that there was no relationship between bronchial asthma and left handedness but antioxidant defence system was weakened asthmatic patients. Key words: Bronchial asthma, superoksit dismutaz, glutatyon peroksidaz, melatonin, lateralite