Effects of acute exposure to environmentally realistic tebuconazole concentrations on stress responses of kidney and digestive gland of Lymnaea stagnalis

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 24 and 72 h exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of tebuconazole (TEB) (10, 100 and 500 µg/L) fungicide on the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis. The focus was induction of oxidative stress, alteration of gene expressions and histopathological changes in the kidney and digestive gland. TEB treatment induced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, while the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was decreased. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) also increased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in both tissues. TEB exposure significantly increased the mRNA levels of CAT, GPx, GR, heat shock proteins HSP40 and HSP70. Histological analysis revealed nephrocyte degeneration and disrupted digestive cells. The study concludes that acute exposure to TEB induces oxidative stress, alters antioxidant defense mechanisms, and leads to histopathological changes in L. stagnalis.

Bioevaluation of Spiro N-Propargylic β-Enaminones as Anti-Breast Cancer Agents: In Vitro and Molecular Docking Studies

The study aimed to investigate the in vitro inhibitory activities of spiro N-propargylic β-enaminones, SPEs 1-31, against BCa cells, to perform in silico molecular docking studies to understand the nature of the interaction between the compounds and the ERα, PR, EGFR, and Her2, and to determine the ADMET and drug-likeness properties. Cytotoxic activity was investigated via MTT assay. DNA fragmentation was evaluated via ELISA assay. Cell cycle distributions were investigated by flow cytometry. Expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, p21 and Cyclin D1 were measured by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Molecular docking was done using Autodock/vina software. ADMET analysis was calculated using the ADMETlab 2.0 tool. SPEs 1, 22, and 28 showed selective cytotoxic activity against all BCa cells with SI values >2. SPEs induced apoptosis and caused significant changes in Bcl-2 and Bax levels. The cell cycle was arrested at the S phase and levels of p21 and Cyclin D1 were induced in all BCa cells. Molecular docking analysis revealed that SPE1, SPE22, and SPE28 showed high binding affinities with ERα, PR, EGFR, and Her2. ADMET analysis revealed that SPEs are drug-like compounds as they obey the five rules of Lipinsky and are not toxic. Therefore, these potential anticancer compounds should be further validated by in vivo studies for their appropriate function in human health with a safety profile, and a comprehensive drug interaction study should be performed.

The effect of preemptive magnesium sulfate on postoperative pain in patients undergoing mastectomy: a clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

The effects of preemptive magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) infusion on perioperative hemodynamics and postoperative analgesia in female patients who underwent mastectomy were evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II female patients aged 18 years and over who underwent mastectomy were randomized into 2 groups, including 34 individuals each. The study group (Group I) was given 50 mg/kg MgSO4 in 250 ml isotonic 30 minutes before the induction, and the control group (Group II) was given 250 ml of normal isotonic solution. Standardized anesthesia was applied. Perioperative oxygen saturation, mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse (HR), sedation scores (ss) in the recovery unit, Verbal Numeric Rating Scale (VNRS), need for rescuer fentanyl, and analgesic needs in the surgical period were evaluated.

RESULTS

Demographic variables were similar. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of the MAP, HR, and oxygen saturation values measured at entry, post-intubation, 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th minutes, and after extubation. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of VNRS scores in the recovery unit and at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 12th hours during the postoperative surgical period (p=0.0001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.004, 0.021, respectively). The need for rescue analgesics in the first 2 hours of recovery was found to be lower in the study group (p=0.005). The need for postoperative analgesics in the surgical period was not statistically significant (p=0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Preemptive use of MgSO4 reduces postoperative VNRS scores without affecting hemodynamic parameters during induction and maintenance of general anesthesia.

Design and synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives as apoptosis-inducing agents by targeting Bcl-2 protein

Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, is a well-known and appealing cancer therapy target. Novel series of benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized and tested for their activity as Bcl-2 inhibitors on T98G glioblastoma, PC3 prostate, MCF-7 breast, and H69AR lung cancer cells. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect. PI Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit was used to detect apoptosis. Expression levels of the Bcl-2 protein were examined by the Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR. All synthesized benzimidazole derivatives exhibited a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells with IC50 values in the range of 25.2-88.2 µg/mL. Among all derivatives, compounds C1 and D1 demonstrated a higher cytotoxic effect on cancer cells with IC50 values < 50 µg/mL, while a lower cytotoxic effect against human embryonic kidney cells with IC50 values of > 100 µg/mL. C1 and D1 caused a significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells in all types of cancer cell cells and both Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced. These results suggest that the novel benzimidazole derivatives may be candidates for apoptosis-inducing agents in cancer treatment by targeting anti-Bcl-2 proteins in cancer cells.

N-Propargylic β-enaminones in breast cancer cells: Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle analyses

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and the discovery of new cytotoxic agents is needed. Enaminones are regarded to be a significant structural motif that is found in a variety of pharmacologically active compounds however the number of studies investigating the anticancer activities of N-propargylic β-enaminones (NPEs) is limited. Herein we investigated the potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of 23 different NPEs (1-23) on human breast cancer cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated via MTT assay. Apoptotic cell death and cell cycle distributions were investigated by flow cytometry. CM-H2DCFDA dye was used to evaluate cellular ROS levels. Expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, p21, and Cyclin D1 were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. ADME properties were calculated using the ADMET 2.0 tool. NPEs 4, 9, 16, and 21 showed selective cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cells with SI values >2. NPEs induced apoptosis and caused significant changes in Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA levels. The cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 phase and levels of p21 and Cyclin D1 were upregulated in both breast cancer cells. ROS levels were significantly increased by NPEs, suggesting that the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of NPEs were mediated by ROS. ADME analysis revealed that NPEs showed favorable distributions in both breast cancer cell lines, meaning good lipophilicity values, low unfractionated values, and high bioavailability. Therefore, these potential anticancer compounds should be further validated by in vivo studies for their appropriate function in human health with a safety profile, and a comprehensive drug interaction study should be performed.

Trabectedin (ET-743) in prostate cancer: Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptotic effect

Trabectedin is a chemotherapy agent originating from a tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata. In this study, DNA-independent action mechanisms of trabectedin are investigated in prostate cancer (PCa) cells. Cell viability was assessed via XTT assay. Apoptosis was evaluated via flow cytometry. Tetramethylrodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) dye was utilized to determine mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Cell cycle distribution was investigated via flow cytometric analysis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were monitored using fluorescence CM-H2DCFDA dye. Changes in CHOP, p-eIF2α, GRP78 and p-PERK which are endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-involved proteins were investigated via western blot. Trabectedin induced cytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Trabectedin decreased MMP via ROS generation in PCa cells. ER stress-related proteins CHOP, p-eIF2α, GRP78 and p-PERK were also elevated by trabectedin treatment indicating the induction of ER stress-induced apoptosis. The results of this study show that trabectedin may be an effective chemotherapeutic for PCa.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptotic Effects of Novel 1-Pyrroline (3,4-Dihydro-2H-pyrrole) Derivatives on Breast Cancer Cells

Heterocyclic compounds have emerged as promising and appealing scaffolds for developing effective antitumor agents. Here, the effects of synthesized 24 different 1-pyrroline derivatives (PDs) containing substituted aryl sulfide moiety were investigated on human breast cancer cell lines. The viability of cells was assessed via MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was analyzed via fluorescent dye CM-H2DCFDA. Apoptotic cells were determined via flow cytometry. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated protein levels were analyzed via western blot analysis. Four of the PDs (PD-12, -14, -16 and -17) had great cytotoxic selectivity against breast cancer cells. Apoptotic cell death was induced by PDs via the generation of ROS. PDs significantly increased the GRP78, p-PEAK, p-eIF2α, and CHOP protein levels indicating ER stress in breast cancer cells. These results imply that newly synthesized PDs may be potential anticancer agents as they selectively inhibit breast cancer cells.

Drug delivery systems for cancer treatment: a review of marine-derived polysaccharides

Abstract:

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation and the spread of cells to other tissues and remains one of the worldwide problems waiting to be solved. There are various treatment strategies for cancer, such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, although it varies according to its type and stage. Many chemotherapeutic agents have limited clinical use due to lack of efficacy, off-target toxicity, metabolic instability, or poor pharmacokinetics. One possible solution to this high rate of clinical failure is to design drug delivery systems that deliver drugs in a controlled and specific manner and are not toxic to normal cells. Marine systems contain biodiversity, including components and materials that can be used in biomedical applications and therapy. Biomaterials such as chitin, chitosan, alginate, carrageenan, fucoidan, hyaluronan, agarose, and ulvan obtained from marine organisms have found use in DDSs today. These polysaccharides are biocompatible, non-toxic, biodegradable, and cost-effective, making them ideal raw materials for increasingly complex DDSs with a potentially regulated release. In this review, the contributions of polysaccharides from the marine environment to the development of anticancer drugs in DDSs will be discussed.

Newly synthesized benzimidazoles inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 levels in prostate cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Investigating the effects of newly synthesized agents on various molecular mechanisms to understand their mechanism of action is an important step of pre-clinical screening. Benzimidazoles are composed of a unique fused benzene and imidazole ring and have attracted great attention due to their broad bioactivities, including antitumor.

OBJECTIVE

In the current study, we reported the synthesis of novel benzimidazole derivatives and investigated the possible cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects on human prostate cancer and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODS

MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. A scratch assay was conducted to monitor the migration of cells. mRNA expression levels of VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were evaluated using qPCR. Changes in protein levels were evaluated by western blotting.

RESULTS

Compound G1, having a chlorine moiety, showed a potent cytotoxic activity on both prostate cancer cells and HUVECs, and inhibited cell migration via decreasing the mRNA and protein levels of key angiogenesis-related molecules such as VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that newly synthesized G1 may be a novel anti-angiogenic agent for prostate cancer treatment.

4-Propargyl-substituted 1H-pyrroles induce apoptosis and autophagy via extracellular signal-regulated signaling pathway in breast cancer

Novel pyrrole derivatives (PDs) with propargyl units (1-7) were investigated for their anticancer activity on breast cancer cells. The MTT assay was used to assess the cell viability. Morphological changes in human breast cancer cells were visualized under a phase-contrast microscope. Apoptosis and autophagy were detected using the DNA fragmentation assay and staining by autophagic vacuoles, respectively. The levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins such as cytochrome c, Bcl-2, LC3-I/II were investigated by Western blot analysis. The effect of PDs on the ERK1/2 signaling pathway was investigated using specific inhibitors. All the tested PDs were found to be active in the range of 36.7 ± 0.2 to 459.7 ± 4.2 µM. Compounds 3 and 4 showed cytotoxic activity in breast cancer cells, but were found to be safer with lower cytotoxicity on human nontumorigenic epithelial breast cells. Compound 4 induced apoptosis, whereas compound 3 induced autophagy. Both compounds inhibited the ERK signaling pathway in breast cancer cells. The present study revealed that both synthesized PDs induced different programmed cell death types by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway in two genotypically different breast cancer cells. Therefore, novel PDs might be promising anticancer agents for breast cancer therapy and further structural modifications of PDs may yield promising anticancer agents.

Population structure and gene flow of the syntopic turtles Emys and Mauremys from coastal and inland regions of Anatolia (Turkey): results from mitochondrial and microsatellite data

Revealing the genetic basis of the existence of different species living together in different geographic regions provides clarification of this phylogeographic differentiation. In this study, we investigated the population genetics and evaluated the level of genetic variation of inland and coastal populations of Mauremys and Emys in Turkey. Tissue samples of 196 terrapins were studied which were collected from syntopic coastal (Gölbent-Söke/Aydın; M. rivulata and E. orbicularis) and inland populations (Bahçesaray/Aksaray; M. caspica and E. orbicularis). DNA was isolated using the InnuPREP DNA Mini Kit. Mitochondrial DNA sequences and allelic variation at 13 microsatellite loci for Mauremys and 12 microsatellite loci for Emys were examined.  Three haplotypes were found for Emys orbicularis (Im, Ip and Iw) collected from the coastal region and two haplotypes for Emys orbicularis (Ig and Im) collected from inland. Two haplotypes were identified for M. caspica (Cmt8 and Cmt9) and three haplotypes were identified for M. rivulata (Rmt3, Rmt24 and Rmt26). Using microsatellites and the software STRUCTURE the most probable value for K was revealed as two 2 for both species. The F_ST value between M. rivulata and M. caspica was 0.39, and between the coastal and inland populations of E. orbicularis 0.09. It can be concluded that Emys populations tend to evolve by somehow preserving the allelic richness they have and Mauremys populations continue to differentiate so that new species emerge in the evolutionary process to reach the ideal allelic structure.

Serum and follicular fluid irisin levels in poor and high responder women undergoing IVF/ICSI

OBJECTIVE

We examined the follicular fluid (FF) and serum levels of irisin in high and poor responders undergoing IVF/ICSI to test whether irisin has a role in the metabolic regulation of energy homeostasis in growing follicle.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty infertile women with PCOS and 20 poor responder participants undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with GnRH antagonist protocol for IVF/ICSI treatment were allocated. Blood was obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval. The follicular fluid content of mature follicles was collected from both high and poor responder women. Irisin levels were measured by using EIA.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between serum and FF-irisin levels in women with PCOS. (11.18 ± 5.14 µg/mL vs. 11.06 ± 4.93 µg/mL, p < 0.96). In contrast, serum levels of irisin in poor responders were significantly higher than in the FF-irisin levels (13.13 ± 4.27 µg/mL vs. 10.09 ± 4.14 µg/mL, p < 0.01). FF-irisin levels of PCOS subjects were positively and significantly correlated with serum levels of irisin (r: 0.81, p < 0.00). Serum irisin was positively associated with serum levels of total testosterone but was negatively associated with HOMA-IR in the overall patient population. FF-irisin levels were also noted to be negatively correlated with HOMA-IR. Although there is no correlation between serum irisin and AMH levels, FF irisin levels were negatively correlated with serum AMH levels in PCOS subjects. Contrary to PCOS group there were no significant correlation between serum and FF-irisin levels in poor responder group (r: 0.21; p < 0.35).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study is the first attempt to explore the role of irisin in oocyte development by measuring FF and serum levels of this molecules in patients with poor and high responders undergoing IVF/ICSI.

Contribution of trehalose biosynthetic pathway to drought stress tolerance of Capparis ovata Desf

Trehalose and the trehalose biosynthetic pathway are important contributors and regulators of stress responses in plants. Among recent findings for trehalose and its metabolism, the role of signalling in the regulation of growth and development and its potential for use as a storage energy source can be listed. The xerophytic plant Capparis ovata (caper) is well adapted to drought and high temperature stress in arid and semi-arid regions of the Mediterranean. The contribution of trehalose and the trehalose biosynthetic pathway to drought stress responses and tolerance in C. ovata are not known. We investigated the effects of PEG-mediated drought stress in caper plants and analysed physiological parameters and trehalose biosynthetic pathway components, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS), trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP), trehalase activity, trehalose and proline content in drought stress-treated and untreated plants. Our results indicated that trehalose and the trehalose biosynthetic pathway contributed to drought stress tolerance of C. ovata. Overall growth and leaf water status were not dramatically affected by drought, as both high relative growth rate and relative water content were recorded even after 14 days of drought stress. Trehalose accumulation increased in parallel to induced TPS and TPP activities and decreased trehalase activity in caper plants on day 14. Constitutive trehalose levels were 28.75 to 74.75 μg·g·FW(-1) , and drought stress significantly induced trehalose accumulation (385.25 μg·g·FW(-1) on day 14) in leaves of caper. On day 14 of drought, proline levels were lower than on day 7. Under drought stress the discrepancy between trehalose and proline accumulation trends might result from the mode of action of these osmoprotectant molecules in C. ovata.

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on iron-induced liver damage in rats

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural product with potent anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant activities, and attenuates inflammation and lipid peroxidation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAPE on iron-induced liver damage. Rats were divided into four groups and treated for 7 days with saline (control group), 10 micromol kg CAPE/day s.c. (CAPE group), 50 mg iron-dextran/kg i.p. (IRON group) and CAPE and iron at the same time (IRON+CAPE group). Seven days later, rats were killed and the livers were excised for biochemical analysis. The administration of IRON alone resulted in higher myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and lipid peroxidation than in the control and CAPE treatment prevented the increase in MPO activity and malondialdeyde (MDA) level. No differences were observed in all four groups with regards to superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities. Our results collectively suggest that CAPE may be an available agent to protect the liver from injury via inhibition of MPO activity.