Özgür K. Tunçel

Oxidative stress induced by 1.8 GHz radio frequency electromagnetic radiation and effects of garlic extract in rats.

Abstract Purpose: We aimed to study the oxidative damage induced by radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted by mobile telephones and the protective effect of garlic extract used as an anti-oxidant against this damage. Materials and methods: A total of 66 albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The first group of rats was given 1.8 GHz, 0.4 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) for 1 h a day for three weeks. The second group was given 500 mg/kg garlic extract in addition to RF-EMR. The third group of rats was used as the control group. At the end of the study, blood and brain tissue samples were collected from the rats. Results: After the RF-EMR exposed, the advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels of brain tissue increased compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Garlic administration accompanying the RF-EMR, on the other hand, significantly reduced AOPP levels in brain tissue (p < 0.001). The serum nitric oxide (NO) levels significantly increased both in the first and second group (p < 0.001). However, in the group for which garlic administration accompanied that of RF-EMR, there was no difference in serum NO levels compared with the RF-EMR exposed group (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference among the groups with respect to malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in brain tissue and blood samples (p > 0.05). Similarly, no difference was detected among the groups regarding serum paroxonase (PON) levels (p > 0.05). We did not detect any PON levels in the brain tissue. Conclusions: The exposure of RF-EMR similar to 1.8 GHz Global system for mobile communication (GSM) leads to protein oxidation in brain tissue and an increase in serum NO. We observed that garlic administration reduced protein oxidation in brain tissue and that it did not have any effects on serum NO levels.

Alcohol-induced oxidative stress and reduction in oxidation by ascorbate/L-cys/ L-met in the testis, ovary, kidney, and lung of rat

Chronic exposure to high doses of alcohol results in many pathophysiologic changes in cellular function caused by the alcohol itself and the effects of its metabolism (ie, generation of acetaldehyde, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide [NADH], free radicals, and oxidative stress). However, the role of each of these effects on the testis, ovary, kidney, and lung in chronic alcoholism must be investigated. It is hypothesized that cysteine-methionine and vitamin C might neutralize harmful compounds and potentiate the antioxidant capacity of the cell or tissue. In this study, rats were fed regular diets and were maintained in the following groups for 90 days: control group; alcoholic group (2.5 g of 50% ethanol/kg body wt administered intragastrically every other day); and alcoholic with antioxidant supplement group (2.5 g of 50% ethanol plus a solution containing 200 mg vitamin C, 100 mg cysteine, and 100 mg methionine/kg body wt administered intragastrically every other day). After treatment had been completed, rat blood, testis, ovary, kidney, and lung were taken for biochemical analysis. Mean alcohol level in the alcoholic group was raised (by 40%) compared with that in the control group, but it was lower (by 30%) in the antioxidantsupplemented group than in the alcoholic group. In accordance with the levels of alcohol, oxidized protein and lipid content in the testis, ovary, kidney, and lung were low in the control group, higher in the antioxidant-supplemented group, and highest in the alcoholic group. It is interesting to note that levels of glutathione in the testis and lung of the alcoholic group were lower than those in both the control and antioxidant-supplemented groups. In conclusion, chronic alcohol administration led to a significant increase in the level of protein oxidation in the ovary and kidney of rats. Simultaneous intake of ascorbate/l-cys/l-met, along with ethanol, partly attenuated the amount of lipid and protein oxidation that occurred in tissues with oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption.

Effect of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation on oxidative stress in rat brain and serum.

The increasing use of mobile telephones raises the question of possible adverse effects of the electromagnetic fields (EMF) that these phones produce. In this study, we examined the oxidative stress in the brain tissue and serum of rats that resulted from exposure to a 900-MHz EMF at a whole body average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.08 W/kg for 1 h/day for 3 weeks. We also examined the antioxidant effect of garlic powder (500 mg/kg/day) given orally to EMF-exposed rats. We found that malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.001) and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) (p < 0.05) increased in rat brain tissue exposed to the EMF and that garlic reduced these effects (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the nitric oxide (NO) levels in the brain. Paraoxonase (PON) was not detected in the brain. There was a significant increase in the levels of NO (p < 0.001) detected in the serum after EMF exposure, and garlic intake did not affect this increase in NO. Our results suggest that there is a significant increase in brain lipid and protein oxidation after electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure and that garlic has a protective effect against this oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress in bipolar and schizophrenia patients

Oxidative stress has an important place in studies investigating the pathophysiology of psychiatric diseases. In spite of this fact, longitudinal studies are required to clarify the subject. Therefore, in this study, we examined lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, total oxidized guanine species, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total glutathione (GSH) levels in blood collected from adult bipolar patients (n=18) during manic and euthymic episodes, schizophrenic patients (n=18) during acute psychotic attack and remission phases and the control group (n=18). There was a significant increase in the level of lipid peroxidation in the bipolar disorder manic episode group (BD-ME) compared to control group. The level of protein oxidation was significantly higher in the schizophrenia acute psychotic attack group (SZ-APA) compared to the control group. The level of total oxidized guanine species was statistically higher in all psychiatric groups compared to the control group. There was no significant difference among the groups with regard to SOD and GSH. Consequently, we believe that lipid peroxidation may be effective in the pathogenesis of bipolar patients; that protein oxidation may be of importance in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and that total oxidized guanine species may be crucial in the pathogeneses of both psychiatric disorders.

Decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels in adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder after single sexual trauma

Background: Recent evidence shows that the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis can be dysregulated in chronic sexual abuse victims with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We hypothesized that PTSD in adolescents exposed to a single sexual trauma may function as a chronic stressor leading to HPA-axis dysregulation. Aims: The objective of this study was to assess dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) and cortisol levels in female adolescents |with single sexual trauma-related PTSD compared to healthy controls. Method: We assessed 20 female adolescent (age 12–18) single sexual trauma victims with PTSD from the Ondokuz Mayis University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry between December 2013 and December 2014. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) and Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPSRI). Blood cortisol and DHEA-S were measured in 20 female adolescent sexual abuse victims with PTSD and 20 healthy adolescents after 12-h fasting using the chemiluminescence method. Results: Compared to age-matched controls, female adolescent sexual abuse victims with PTSD had significantly lower DHEA-S levels (U = 70.00, Z = − 3.517, p = 0.01, r = 0.55). There was also a significant negative correlation between DHEA-S and CDI scores (Spearman r = − 0.522, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Decreased DHEA-S levels and correlation with depressive symptoms are evidence for a dysregulated HPA-axis in female adolescent single sexual trauma victims with PTSD. Further research is now recommended with large patient groups in order to maximize generalizations.

Evaluation of body weight, insulin resistance, leptin and adiponectin levels in premenopausal women with hyperprolactinemia

The effects of hyperprolactinemia on metabolic parameters are not clear and a few data evaluating adiponectin levels in prolactinoma and idiopathic hyperprolactinemia exist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hyperprolactinemia on body weight, insulin resistance, beta cell function, and leptin and adiponectin levels in premenopausal women with hyperprolactinemia. Forty premenopausal women with prolactinoma or idiopathic hyperprolactinemia were compared to 41 age-matched healthy premenopausal women with regard to body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, waist to hip ratio, fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels, insulin resistance measured by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-insulin resistance index, beta cell function measured by HOMA-β index, leptin and adiponectin levels. Plasma insulin levels and HOMA indexes (both insulin resistance and beta indexes) were significantly higher in hyperprolactinemic women. The other parameters were similar between both groups. There was a positive correlation between prolactin levels and fasting plasma glucose in hyperprolactinemic women. The results of this study showed that high prolactin levels may be associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in premenopausal women. This effect seems to be independent of body weight, leptin and adiponectin levels. High prolactin levels may directly stimulate insulin secretion from pancreas and directly cause hepatic and whole-body insulin resistance.

Influence of α-tocopherol and α-lipoic acid on bisphenol-A-induced oxidative damage in liver and ovarian tissue of rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly used material in daily life, and it is argued to cause oxidative stress in liver and ovarian tissue. α-Lipoic acid (ALA) and α-tocopherol (ATF), two of the most effective antioxidants, may play a role in preventing the toxic effect. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the beneficial effects of ALA, ATF, and that of ALA + ATF combination on oxidative damage induced by BPA. Female Wistar rats were divided into five groups (control, BPA, BPA + ALA, BPA + ATF, and BPA + ALA + ATF). BPA (25 mg/kg/day), ALA (100 mg/kg/day), and ATF (20 mg/kg/day) were administered for 30 days.  The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), liver malondialdehyde (L-MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (L-GPx), and ovarian malondialdehyde (Ov-MDA) and nitric oxide (Ov-NO) were significantly higher in the BPA-treated groups compared with the control group. The levels of AST and ALT decreased in the BPA + ALA, BPA + ATF, and BPA + ALA + ATF groups compared with the BPA group. Similarly, BPA + ALA or BPA + ATF led to decreases in L-MDA and Ov-MDA levels compared with the BPA group. However, the BPA + ALA + ATF group showed a significant decrease in L-MDA levels compared with the BPA + ALA group and the BPA + ATF group. The levels of L-GPx decreased in the BPA + ATF and the BPA + ALA + ATF groups compared with the BPA group. The administration of ATF and ALA + ATF significantly decreased the Ov-NO levels.  This study demonstrates that BPA causes oxidative damage in liver and ovarian tissues. ALA, ATF, or their combination were found to be beneficial in preventing BPA-induced oxidative stress.

Adipocytokines and ghrelin level of bipolar patients from manic episode to euthymic episode

Abstract Purpose: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MeS) are more frequently observed in bipolar patients than the general population. This may result from the differences of adipocytokines and ghrelin levels in bipolar disorder. Material and methods: We evaluated the leptin, adiponectin, resistin and ghrelin levels in bipolar patients (n = 30) in manic episode and in a control group (n = 30). After treatment, the same patients were evaluated again during the euthymic episode. We also measured the insulin, glucose, insulin resistance (HOMA), trygliceride (TG), total cholesterol (TCHOL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) in relation to the (MeS). Results: When controlling for age, BMI and glucose, leptin levels were higher in the bipolar disorder manic episode group (BD-ME) and bipolar euthymic episode group (BD-EE) than the control group; resistin levels were higher in the BD-ME compared to the control group and it had a positive correlation with Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). After treatment, ghrelin levels were higher in the BD-EE compared to the BD-ME group. There was no difference among the groups with respect to adiponectin. Conclusions: The present results point that high leptin, resistin and ghrelin levels may be involved in the early pathophysiological process which can lead to later obesity and MeS in patients with bipolar disorder.

Effect of bisphosphonate as an adjunct treatment for chronic periodontitis on gingival crevicuar fluid levels of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and periodontal disease are linked by an altered receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand and osteoprotegerin ratio (RANKL/OPG), and medical treatment with bisphosphonate (BP) may help control these molecules. The effect of BP on clinical findings and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) values of RANKL and OPG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays was evaluated in postmenopausal women; 13 patients with both chronic periodontitis and osteoporosis (group A), 12 systemically healthy patients with chronic periodontitis (group B), 12 periodontally healthy patients with osteoporosis (group C), and 10 systemically and periodontally healthy individuals (group D). Recordings were repeated at the end of months 1, 6, and 12 in groups A, B, and C. At the baseline, groups A and B exhibited the lowest OPG values (P < 0.05). After periodontal treatment, OPG values were markedly increased at the end of 6th month in group A and 12th month in group B (P < 0.008). There was no significant difference in GCF RANKL values among groups (P > 0.05) or during the observation period (P > 0.008). The use of BP may be effective in preventing periodontal breakdown by controlling the levels of these markers in osteoporosis as an adjunct to periodontal treatment.

The comparison of the intestinal adaptation effects of subcutaneous and oral insulin in a rats with short bowel syndrome.

Aim: Insulin has been reported to have positive effects on intestinal adaptation after short bowel syndrome when applicated oral or subcutaneously. The purpose of this study is to compare the intestinal adaptation effects of subcutaneous and oral routes of insulin in rats with short bowel syndrome. Materials and Methods: The short bowel syndrome (SBS) was performed through 70-75% of small intestinal resection and an end-to-end anastomosis. The control group rats underwent SBS only. In the second group, oral insulin (1 U/ml) was administrated twice-daily. In the last group, the insulin was administrated subcutaneously (1 U/kg) as in the control group. All rats were killed on day 15. Outcome parameters were weight of small intestine, the crypt length, villous depth, the blood levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and granolocyt-monocyst colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF). Results: Intestinal weight was significantly more in oral insulin group and subcutaneous insulin group than in the control group (72.6 ± 4.3, 78.6 ± 4.8 and 59.7 ± 4.8) (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups according to villus length, crypt depth, and villous/crypt ratio both in proximal and distal parts of the resected bowel (P > 0.05). VEGF values were not statistically significant between the groups (200.3 ± 41.6, 178.9 ± 30.7 and 184.3 ± 52.2) (P > 0.05). GMCSF was statistically higher in the control group than in other groups (3.34 ± 1.34, 1.56 ± 0.44 and 1.56 ± 0.44) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Insulin has positive effects on intestinal adaptation in short bowel syndrome. Subcutaneous administration is slightly more effective than the oral route.