Zeliha Selamoglu Talas

Effects of various propolis concentrations on biochemical and hematological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Biochemical and hematological parameters in blood of rainbow trout treated to various concentrations of propolis for 96 h were determined. Total leukocyte count and granulocytes values increased (p<0.05) in 0.02 and 0.03 g/L propolis groups. There was a decrease in agranulocytes (p<0.05) erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit values for fish exposed to 0.02 and 0.03 g/L propolis. MCV and MCH values (p<0.05) were significantly increased; 0.02 and 0.03 g/L propolis caused an increase (p<0.05) in the levels of glucose, blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride, total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, amylase and gamma glutamyltransferase. There was a decrease in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Hematological and biochemical protective effects of 0.01 g/L propolis were investigated. Dose-dependent effects of propolis on blood of fish can be favorable, opening new perspectives of investigation on their biological properties and utilization.

The investigation of the antioxidative properties of the novel synthetic organoselenium compounds in some rat tissues.

DMBA (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) known to cause tumors in rats. Selenium is an essential element with physiological non-enzymatic antioxidant properties. Because of the health problems induced by many environmental pollutants, many efforts have been undertaken in evaluating the relative antioxidant potential of selenium and synthetic organoselenium compounds. In this study, adult female Wistar rats were treated with DMBA and the novel organoselenium compounds (1-isopropyl-3-methylbenzimidazole-2-selenone [SeI] and 1,3-di-p-methoxybenzylpyrimidine-2-selenone [SeII]) in the determined doses. The protective effects of novel synthetic organoselenium compounds (SeI and SeII) against DMBA-induced changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities and total glutathione (GSH) and malone-dialdehyde (MDA) levels of rat heart and brain were investigated. It was determined that SeI and SeII fully or partially restored enzyme activity. It was also found that lipid peroxidation was also decreased in SeI and SeII treated groups. Consequently, it was determined that novel synthetic organoselenium compounds (SeI and SeII) provided protection of antioxidant activity, and protection against lipid peroxidation measured as MDA in SeI and SeII treated groups was provided by novel synthesized organoselenium compounds. The ability of the organoselenium compounds to prevent oxidative damage induced by DMBA in rats was rationalized.

Role of Propolis on Tyrosine Hydroxylase Activity and Blood Pressure in Nitric Oxide Synthase-Inhibited Hypertensive Rats

Reduction in the synthesis or bioavailability of nitric oxide plays a significant role in the development of hypertension. Propolis is a resinous product collected by honeybees from various plant sources. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of propolis on blood pressure (BP), TH, and total RNA levels in the adrenal medulla, heart, and hypothalamus tissues in chronic nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-inhibited rats by Nw-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Rats received NOS inhibitor (L-NAME) for 15 days to produce hypertension and propolis for the last 5 days. TH activity and total RNA levels significantly increased in adrenal medulla, heart, and hypothalamus tissues in L-NAME-treated groups (P < .05). TH activity and total RNA levels of L-NAME+propolis-treated rats reduced (P < .05) compared with L-NAME-treated groups. TH activity in propolis-treated rats was reduced to the control values. L-NAME led to a significant increase in BP compared with the control group. Propolis administration to L-NAME-treated rats reduced BP but this was not statistically significant compared to L-NAME-treated groups. These results suggest that propolis decreases TH activity in NOS-inhibited hypertensive rats and thereby may modulate the synthesis of catecholamine and BP.

Antioxidative effects of novel synthetic organoselenium compound in rat lung and kidney

The effects of environmental chemicals, drugs, and physical agents on the developing lung and kidney are influenced by the state of development and maturation. Selenium is an essential element with physiological nonenzymatic antioxidant properties. Therefore, we undertook the present study to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the novel synthetic organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II). In this study, adult female Wistar rats were treated with DMBA and the novel organoselenium compounds [1-isopropyl-3-methylbenzimidazole-2-selenone (Se I) and 1,3-di-p-methoxybenzylpyrimidine-2-selenone (Se II)] in the determined doses. The protective effects of novel synthetic organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II) against DMBA-induced changes in levels of some [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities and total glutathione (GSH), malonedialdehyde (MDA)] parameters in rat lung and kidney were investigated. As a result, it was found that both Se I and Se II had provided the antioxidant effects against DMBA-induced oxidative stress in rat lung and kidney and lipid peroxidation had also been decreased by these organoselenium compounds.

Role of Synthesized Organoselenium Compounds on Protection of Rat Erythrocytes from DMBA-Induced Oxidative Stress

Formation of free radicals is not limited to normal cellular process but also occur upon exposure to certain chemicals (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, cadmium, lead, etc.), cigarette smoke, radiation, and high-fat diet. Free-radical damage is an important factor in many pathological and toxicological processes. Selenium, an essential micronutrient, is a associated with antioxidant functions, physiological defense mechanisms against different diseases including several types of cancers. Search for new selenium compounds with more chemopreventive activities and less toxicities are in progress. In addition, there has been a growing interest in the synthesis of organoselenium compounds with respect to their use in enzymology and bioorganic chemistry. In the present study, adult female Wistar rats were treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and the organoselenium compounds [1-isopropyl-3-methylbenzimidazole-2-selenone (Se I) and 1, 3-di-p-methoxybenzylpyrimidine-2-selenone (Se II)] in determined doses. The protective effects of synthetic organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II) against DMBA-induced changes in antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR)) activities, total GSH, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of rat erythrocyte were investigated. The DMBA-treated group exhibited significant decreases in the levels of erythrocyte GSH-Px, CAT, and GR activities, an increase in MDA levels, and a decrease in total GSH level compared to the control. Se I and Se II fully or partially restored enzyme activity. Lipid peroxidation was also decreased in Se-I- and Se-II-treated groups.

Role of selenium compounds on tyrosine hydroxylase activity, adrenomedullin and total RNA levels in hearts of rats

Synthetic organoselenium compounds can be tailored to achieve greater chemopreventive efficacy with minimal toxic side effects by structural modifications. Two organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II) were synthesized and evaluated for their antihypertensive and therapeutic properties by adrenomedullin (ADM) levels and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity assays in rat heart tissue. 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) is known to generate DNA-reactive species during their metabolism, which may enhance oxidative stress in cells. TH is thought to be a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines. ADM, a potent endogenous vasodilating and natriuretic peptide, may play an important role in the pathophysiology of chronic heart failure. The effects of Se I and Se II were investigated on TH activity, ADM and total RNA levels in the hearts of albino Wistar rats. TH activity was found to be increased significantly by the effect of DMBA (P<0.05). This increase was restricted in the Se I and Se II treated groups. ADM level was found to be decreased insignificantly by the effect of DMBA (P>0.05). Total RNA level was found to be decreased significantly by the effect of DMBA (P<0.05). This study demonstrates that synthetic organoselenium compounds can regulate DMBA-induced stress related changes in rat heart.

Role of propolis on biochemical parameters in kidney and heart tissues against L-NAME induced oxidative injury in rats.

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO), produced by endothelial NO synthase, is recognised as a central antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic principle in the vasculature. Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated that a growing list of natural products, as components of the daily diet or phytomedical preparations, may improve vascular function by enhancing NO bioavailability. In this article, we investigated antioxidant effects of propolis on biochemical parameters in kidney and heart tissues of acute NO synthase inhibited rats by Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME). There was increase (p < 0.001) in the activities of catalase and malondialdehyde levels in the l-NAME treatment groups when compared with control rats, but NO levels were decreased in both kidney and heart tissues. There were statistically significant changes (p < 0.001) in these parameters of l-NAME + propolis treated rats as compared with l-NAME-treated group. In summary, propolis may influence endothelial NO production.

Propolis reduces oxidative stress in l-NAME-induced hypertension rats

The inhibition in the synthesis or bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) has an important role in progress of hypertension. The blocking of nitric oxide synthase activity may cause vasoconstriction with the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honey bees from various plants. Propolis has biological and pharmacological properties. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of propolis on catalase (CAT) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO levels in the testis tissues of hypertensive rats by Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME).

Antioxidant effects of propolis on carp Cyprinus carpio exposed to arsenic: biochemical and histopathologic findings

Propolis, a resinous material produced by worker bees from the leaf buds and exudates of plants, is reported to possess various therapeutic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of propolis on biochemical parameters and histopathologic findings in carp Cyprinus carpio L. exposed to arsenic. A sublethal concentration of arsenic (0.01 mg l-1) and/or 10 mg l-1 propolis were administered to fish for 1 wk. Catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in liver, gill and muscle tissues in control, arsenic only, propolis only and arsenic+propolis treatment groups. Results showed that CAT activity decreased in the arsenic group compared to the control and propolis groups. CAT activity in the arsenic+propolis group was significantly higher compared to the arsenic group. MDA levels in fish exposed to 0.01 mg l-1 arsenic significantly increased compared to the control group. However, MDA levels in the arsenic+propolis group were significantly lower compared to the arsenic group. Histopathological changes in the liver, gill and muscle tissues of carp were examined by light microscopy: various changes were observed in all tissues of fish in the arsenic group. Propolis showed important antioxidant effects against arsenic toxicity in all fish tissues.

Modulating effects of selenium in adrenal medulla of rats exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene:

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemopreventive potential of organoselenium compounds (Se I and Se II) in the well-established rat model treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), by monitoring the extent of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity, adrenomedullin (ADM) level and total RNA level in adrenal medulla. Organic pollutants are the most important environmental factor for the biologic systems. DMBA exposure appears to be associated with a number of physiological disease processes. Methods: The effects of Se I and Se II compounds were investigated on TH activity, ADM and total RNA levels in adrenal medulla of rats exposed to DMBA. Results: TH activity, ADM and total RNA levels were found to be increased significantly due to the effect of DMBA (p < 0.05). This increase was restricted in the Se I- and Se II-treated groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present data showed that the organoselenium compounds may have important effects in the maintainance of homeostasis against stress induced by DMBA.