The protection afforded by kefir against cyclophosphamide induced testicular toxicity in rats by oxidant antioxidant and histopathological evaluations

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is the most commonly used effective alkylating drug in cancer treatment, but its use is restricted because its toxic side effect causes testicular toxicity. CTX disrupts the tissue redox and antioxidant balance and the resulting tissue damage causes oxidative stress. In our study based on this problem, kefir against CTX-induced oxidative stress and testicular toxicity were investigated. Rats were divided into 6 groups: control, 150 mg/kg CTX, 5 and 10 mg/kg kefir, 5 and 10 mg/kg kefir + 150 CTX. While the fermented kefirs were mixed and given to the rats for 12 days, CTX was given as a single dose on the 12th day of the experiment. Testis was scored according to spermatid density, giant cell formation, cells shed into tubules, maturation disorder, and atrophy. According to our biochemical findings, the high levels of total oxidant status (TOS), and the low levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) in the CTX group, which are oxidative stress markers, indicate the toxic effect of CTX, while the decrease in TOS levels and the increase in TAS levels in the kefir groups indicate the protective effect of kefir. In the CTX-administered group, tubules with impaired maturation and no spermatids were observed in the transverse section of the testicle, while in the kefir groups, the presence of near-normal tubule structures and tubule lumens despite CTX showed the protective effect of kefir. In our study, it was observed that kefir had a protective and curative effect on CTX-induced toxicity and oxidative stress and could be a strong protector.

In Vitro Antitumor and Antioxidant Capacity as well as Ameliorative Effects of Fermented Kefir on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Toxicity on Cardiac and Hepatic Tissues in Rats

Fermented prebiotic and probiotic products with kefir are very important to slow down and prevent the growth of tumors and to treat cancer by stimulating the immune response against tumor cells. Cyclophosphamide (CPx) is widely preferred in cancer treatment but its effectiveness in high doses is restricted because of its side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of kefir against CPx-induced heart and liver toxicity. In an experiment, 42 Wistar albino rats were divided into six treatment groups: the control (Group 1), the group receiving 150 mg/kg CPx (Group 2), the groups receiving 5 and 10 mg/kg kefir (Groups 3 and 4) and the groups receiving 5 and 10 mg/kg kefir + CPx (Group 5 and 6). Fermented kefirs obtained on different days by traditional methods were mixed and given by gavage for 12 days, while a single dose of CPx was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) on the 12th day of the experiment. It was observed that alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB), ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and Troponin I values, which indicate oxidative stress, increased in the CPx-administered group, and this level approached that of the control in the CPx + kefir groups. Likewise, as a result of the kefir, the rats' CPx-induced histopathological symptoms were reduced, and their heart and liver tissue were significantly improved. In conclusion, it was observed that kefir had a cytoprotective effect against CPx-induced oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, bringing their biochemical parameters closer to those of the control by suppressing oxidative stress and reducing tissue damage.

Examination of the effects of kefir on healing factors in a mice burn model infected with E.coli, S.aureus and P.aeruginosa using qRT-PCR

Burn areas are susceptible to bacterial growth and infections, particularly in cases with lengthy periods of hospital stay. Burn wound healing, which involves various molecular and cellular mechanisms, continues to be a significant problem. Growth factors and cytokines play an active and vital role in wound healing. In the present study, the effects of kefir on wound healing in a 2nd-degree mouse burn model infected with e.coli, s.aureus and p.aeruginosa were investigated in vitro. In order to clarify the effects of kefir in the wound healing process, the macroscopic changes in kefir-applied scar tissue as well as wound depth and width were examined and IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α, VEGF, TGF-β protein levels were determined using the qRT-PCR method. The findings of the present study show that kefir has a positive impact on the factors playing a role in wound healing and accelerates the healing process.