Tijen Tanyalcin

EFFECTS OF TRIMETAZIDINE ON OXIDANT/ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN TRINITROBENZENESULFONIC ACID-INDUCED CHRONIC COLITIS

Trimetazidine (TMZ), an anti-ischemic agent with proposed antioxidant properties, was used in a chronic colitis model in order to evaluate its effectiveness as a therapeutic agent in chronic colitis. Treatment of male Swiss Albino rats with ethanol (50%) and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) (30 mg/kg) produced colitis as evidenced by histopathologic damage and inflammatory alterations, lipid peroxidation [increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels], and enhanced neutrophil infiltration [increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity] without marked change in glutathione status. Administration of TMZ (5 mg/kg) to TNBS-treated rats failed to affect the TNBS-induced changes in histopathology and MPO activities. Unexpectedly, intrarectal (ir) administration of TMZ significantly elevated colonic MDA levels to a greater extent than TNBS alone. Intraperitoneal (ip) TMZ treatment seemed to increase total glutathione (tGSH), GSH, and GSH/GSSG values. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that (a) ir administration of ethanol and TNBS is an effective way of inducing a chronic colitis model, (b) inflammation and lipid peroxidation augment tissue damage in the chronic colitis model, (c) ip TMZ treatment significantly inhibits MDA production in the chronic colitis model, (d) TMZ treatment is more effective via the ip compared to ir route, and (e) TMZ seems to show its antioxidant effect via preserving the tissues GSH/GSSG ratios.Trimetazidine (TMZ), an anti-ischemic agent with proposed antioxidant properties, was used in a chronic colitis model in order to evaluate its effectiveness as a therapeutic agent in chronic colitis. Treatment of male Swiss Albino rats with ethanol (50%) and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) (30 mg/kg) produced colitis as evidenced by histopathologic damage and inflammatory alterations, lipid peroxidation [increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels], and enhanced neutrophil infiltration [increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity] without marked change in glutathione status. Administration of TMZ (5 mg/kg) to TNBS-treated rats failed to affect the TNBS-induced changes in histopathology and MPO activities. Unexpectedly, intrarectal (i.r.) administration of TMZ significantly elevated colonic MDA levels to a greater extent than TNBS alone. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) TMZ treatment seemed to increase total glutathione (tGSH), GSH, and GSH/GSSG values. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that (a) i.r. administration of ethanol and TNBS is an effective way of inducing a chronic colitis model, (b) inflammation and lipid peroxidation augment tissue damage in the chronic colitis model, (c) i.p. TMZ treatment significantly inhibits MDA production in the chronic colitis model, (d) TMZ treatment is more effective via the i.p. compared to i.r. route, and (e) TMZ seems to show its antioxidant effect via preserving the tissues GSH/GSSG ratios.

The Effects of Melatonin on the Antioxidant Systems in Experimental Spinal Injury

Melatonin has been recently shown by various in-vivo and in-vitro studies to exert potent neutralising effects on hydroxyl radicals, stimulate glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and protect catalase (CAT) from the destructive activity of hydroxyl radicals in neural tissue. We aimed to investigate the possible effects of pharmacological dose of melatonin on some of the antioxidant defence systems in an in-vivo study of experimental spinal injury. Seven groups of adult male Sprague Dawley rats were used in the following scheme: Group I: Naïve (n = 6), Group II: Lesion (n = 8), Group III: Melatonin (n = 5), Group IV: Melatonin + Lesion (n = 8), Group V: Placebo + Lesion (n = 5), Group VI: Sham operation (n = 5), and Group VII: Placebo (n = 5). Experimental spinal injury was induced at level T7-T8 by 5 sec compression of the total cord with an aneurism clip on anaesthetised and laminectomized animals. The total 10mg/kg dose of melatonin (Sigma) dissolved in alcohol-water was administered i.p. four times in 2.5 mg/kg doses, at 20min pre-, at the time of and at 1h and 2h post-compression. At 24±2h post-injury, the rats were euthanized and the lesioned segments of cord were dissected and homogenised with special care taken to distribute equal amount of injured tissue in each sample for analysis of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and CAT activity. Compression injury decreased GSH/GSSG ratio significantly (p <. 0001). Melatonin, by itself, significantly decreased GSSG content (p <. 05) and increased CAT activity (p <. 05) in the naive rats. Melatonin treatment decreased GSSG activity, thus elevating GSH/GSSG ratio, and also increased SOD and CAT activity without reaching statistical significance in the lesioned animals. In conclusion, pharmacological dose of systemically applied melatonin seemed to support some features of the antioxidant defence systems in our hands.

Paraoxonase and acetylcholinesterase activities in humans exposed to organophosphorous compounds.

Different kinds of organophosphorous compounds (OP) are used as pesticides in Turkish agriculture. Suicidal, accidental, or occupational exposure may occur in developing countries. OP inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities; on the other hand, serum paraoxonase (PON1) hydrolyzes the toxic metabolites of a variety of OP. In recent years, some studies have shown that PON1 activity is an important marker in individuals who are exposed to OP. Both serum cholinesterase and PON1 activities were measured spectrophotometrically from 18 male agricultural workers who were chronically exposed to azinphos methyl, chlorpyriphos, or malathion and other pesticides during cereal spraying, transportation, and storage. The individuals were classified according to PON1 phenotypes using the antimode 60% stimulation method to determine the dividing point between non-salt-stimulated, A type (homozygotes for the low-activity allele), and salt-stimulated AB (heterozygotes) and B types (homozygotes for the high-activity allele). A positive correlation was found between AChE activities and percent of PON1 stimulation. The individuals with phenotype A had the lowest enzyme activities. This study suggests that individuals with phenotype A might be more sensitive to OP-induced toxicity.

Ethanol induced oxidative stress and membrane injury in rat erythrocytes.

The aim of this study was to observe membrane injury and to investigate the mechanism of antioxidant defence systems against acute ethanol toxicity. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and Na+, K(+)-ATPase activities were significantly decreased and catalase levels were significantly increased one hour after ethanol intoxication of male swiss albino rats. These data demonstrated that superoxide dismutase and catalase are susceptible to lipid peroxidation and that these enzymes protect tissues from free radicals. The possible mechanism involved in Na+, K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibition are discussed in relation to the development of ethanol toxicity and the role of lipid peroxidative processes.

The effects of chronic hepatitis C and B virus infections on liver reduced and oxidized glutathione concentrations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hepatitis B and C virus infections on liver glutathione status. Reduced and oxidized glutathione levels were determined in liver biopsy specimens obtained from patients with chronic liver disease including chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. In patients with hepatitis B virus infections, GSH and GSH/GSSG levels were significantly low compared with those in controls (P<0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between histological activity indices (HAI) and hepatic GSSG levels only in patients with chronic HCV infection (P<0.01; r=-0.895). In addition to this, we also found a positive correlation between indices (HAI) and GSH/GSSG of the same group (r=0.915; P<0.05). These observations suggest that HBV and HCV infections have different effects on liver glutathione status based on diverse mechanisms.

Increased excretions of glycosaminoglycans and heparan sulfate in lupus nephritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and heparan sulfate (HS) are considered to be markers of early renal involvement. This study was undertaken to demonstrate their excretion patterns in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without arthritis. Serum creatinine and urinary GAG, HS, microalbumin, and creatinine measurements were made in 51 biopsy-proven lupus nephritis (LN) cases, 12 RA patients, and 21 healthy controls. Urinary GAG and HS levels were higher in the LN and RA groups than in controls. Heparan sulfate excretions and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores were no different between SLE patients with classes 1 and 2 (group A) and those with classes 3, 4, and 5 (group B) renal involvement. However, GAG and microalbumin excretions were significantly high in the latter. There were no differences in GAG and HS excretions between normoalbuminuric, microalbuminuric, and macroproteinuric SLE patients or between those with and without arthritis. In conclusion, urinary GAG and HS, being unrelated to the presence of arthritis, are independent markers of LN. Extrarenal causes or subclinical renal involvement may be responsible in RA due to their increased excretion in these patients.

Cytoprotective effects of trimetazidine in carmustine cholestasis

Carmustine [1 ,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosurea (BCNU)] is an antitumour agent, however, its usefulness has been limited by a side effect; which involves pericholangitis and intrahepatic cholestasis. The primary effects of cholestasis is well known; bile flow retention, intracellular Ca++ accumulation and acidosis although it may lead to hepatotoxicity by dose-dependent manner. Recent studies provide evidence that lipoperoxidation (LPO) and alterations in the antioxidant system may significantly contribute to BCNU induced hepatotoxicity. Trimetazidine, (1-[2,3,4-Trimethoxy-benzyl] piperazine HCl; TMZ) introduced as an antianginal compound, is found to exhibit various cytoprotective features by preserving cellular ATP levels, limiting intracellular acidosis and inorganic phosphate as well as Na+ and Ca++ accumulation in ischemic cardiac injury. No study was undertaken to investigate the cytoprotective role of TMZ in cholestatic injury till today; therefore we initiated this study to investigate if its cytoprotective features also exhibit in the liver and to characterize further the cholestatic response to BCNU administration. Male rats were randomly seperated to control (CONT) (n = 15), BCNU administered (BCNU) (n = 16) and BCNU+TMZ administered (BCNU+TMZ) (n = 12) groups. The control rats received a single dosage of 2 ml/kg of corn oil (i.p.) while the BCNU group received a single dosage of BCNU (20 mg/kg, i.p.) in corn oil. In the BCNU + TMZ group 2,5 mg/kg/day (i.p.) of TMZ was administered for three days. This group also received BCNU (20 mg/kg, i.p.) in corn oil, 12 hours after the initial dose of TMZ. The cholestatic effect of BCNU was monitored by stasis markers such as ALP, GGT and total bilirubin levels. Hepatic TBARS analysis was determined with the modified method of OKHAWA et al. based on the reaction of lipid peroxides with thiobarbituric acid. Oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) glutathione levels were measured by the modified enzymatic recycling method of TEARE et al. Statistical tests were performed using Kruskal Wallis one-way Anova test and posthoc analysis by Newman-Keuls test. The BCNU group and the BCNU + TMZ group showed significant increases (p = 0.029) in hepatic TBARS levels compared to the CONT group; however the difference between the BCNU and BCNU + TMZ groups in regard to TBARS was not significant. BCNU and BCNU + TMZ groups manifested a significant decrease (p = 0.0005) in GSH levels as compared to controls. GSH/GSSG ratios in the BCNU and BCNU + TMZ group also manifested a significant decrease (p = 0.0013) as compared to the CONT group. TMZ administration caused a significant increase in total GSH levels (p = 0.0026) in BCNU + TMZ group when compared to the BCNU group. Our results support the hypothesis that BCNU induced cholestasis partly involves LPO revealed by the distinct increase in the content of TBARS in the liver after BCNU administration. BCNU is a potent inhibitor of GSSG reductase altering the preservation of the thiol redox balance in the system. As a result, supranormal concentrations of intracellular GSSG would accumulate in the hepatocyte and the extrusion of this oxidized compound would require active transport leading to ATP hydrolysis. This would deplete the energy stores of the cell which would accelerate further the possible prooxidant status. Although administration of TMZ did not provoke any significant alterations in LPO, it preserved the total GSH levels of the cell probably by improving the energy status of the cell by protection of ATP-producing processes at the mitochondrial level and provision of the necessary substrates for GSH synthesis. This protective role in the antioxidant system normalizes the altered GSH levels by BCNU and hence proposes TMZ to be a promising agent in the cholestatic injury.

Does tibolone affect serum leptin levels and body weight in postmenopausal women

ObjectivesLeptin has a significant role in body weight regulation and energy balance. We examined the effect of tibolone on the body weight and serum leptin levels in postmenopausal women.Study designTwenty women (aged 43–60 years) participated in this prospective study. All women in this study protocol received 2.5 mg/day of tibolone. Absolute and body mass index (BMI)-corrected serum leptin concentrations and BMI values were measured at baseline, after 3 months, and after 6 months of the tibolone therapy.ResultsTibolone did not affect absolute and BMI-corrected serum leptin levels, and BMI values during the treatment. A significant linear correlation between BMI values and serum leptin levels was observed (p<0.05, r=0.67).ConclusionsTibolone seems not to affect serum leptin levels, body weight and BMI values of postmenopausal women. There is a significant correlation between serum leptin levels and BMI values.

The Urinary Excretion of Glycosaminoglycans and Heparan Sulphate in Lupus Nephritis

Abstract Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects the disease outcome. In order to advance the diagnosis and the initiation of therapy, non-invasive diagnostic techniques are required. In this study, urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and heparan sulphate (HS) were measured in 26 patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis and compared to 16 healthy controls. Uronic acid as a representative of GAGs in urine was determined spectrophotometrically with the meta-hydroxydiphenyl, following acid treatment. HS was determined as hexosamine by the method of Smith and Gilkerson. The median values of GAG (3.99 mg/g crea./day) and HS (2.41 mg/g crea./day) in patients were significantly (P= 0.001) higher than in the control group (1.98 and 0.87, respectively). There was a positive correlation between GAG and HS values (P= 0.000, r= 0.924) in SLE patients. There were no differences in HS excretion, microalbuminuria and SLE-DAI scores between different classes of lupus nephritis. However, GAG values in class 3 nephritis were significantly (P= 0.033) higher than from both class 2 and class 4 lupus nephritis. There were no differences in all the measured parameters between normoalbuminuric, microalbuminuric and macroproteinuric patients. Furthermore, there were no correlations between GAG, HS excretions and SLE-DAI scores or microalbuminuria. These results suggest that urinary GAG and HS may serve as useful, independent and non-invasive markers of lupus nephritis.

The Endogenous Scavengers in Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis

Studies in animal models suggest that oxygen radicals are important in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Cerulein, a decapeptide isolated from the skin of the frog, Hyla caerula, is closely related to the C-terminus of cholecystokinin and it is a potent stimulant of pancreatic exocrine secretion. The aim of the present study was to measure the activity of endogenous scavengers, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione levels in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. We found that the plasma amylase and ribonuclease levels in the pancreatitis group were both significantly high (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively) when compared with the control group. Although superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels of pancreatic tissue were decreased significantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 respectively), we observed a significant increase (p < 0.01) in catalase activity in the cerulein treated group compared to the control group. Therefore, we concluded that the profound alteration of the activities of endogenous scavengers (superoxide dismutase, catalase) and glutathione depletion occurring after cerulein-induced pancreatitis seemed to be important in tissue injury and may provide the basis for successful therapy of the disease.