The ameliorative effect of Primula vulgaris on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and quantification of its phenolic components using LC-ESI-MS/MS

Cisplatin (CDDP) is an important chemotherapeutic agent, accumulation of which in kidney tissue causes nephrotoxicity and renal failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time in the literature, the protective effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extract of Primula vulgaris leaf (PVE) against CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The PVE content was characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nephrotoxicity was induced with a single dose of CDDP (7.5 mg/kg). Thirty female Wistar-Albino rats were divided into five groups (control, DMSO, CDDP (7.5 mg/kg), CDDP + PVE (25 mg/kg), and CDDP + PVE (50 mg/kg)). Biochemical and histopathological analyses were then performed. Rutin, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid and protocatechuic acid were identified as major components of PVE. Total antioxidant status and glutathione (GSH) values increased significantly in the serum samples from the treatment group compared to the CDDP group, while blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), total oxidant status, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) values decreased significantly. GSH levels increased significantly in the treatment group compared to the CDDP group, while TNF-α, caspase-3, 8-OHdG, MDA levels and damage scores decreased significantly. In conclusion, PVE exhibited strong protective effects through its anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities against nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage caused by CDDP in rats.

Interleukin -17 and oxidative stress in children with immunoglobulin A vasculitis

Objective: We aimed to investigate levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and oxidative stress in the active phase of immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) and determine whether a relationship exists among IL-17, oxidative stress, and system involvement.Method: Patients diagnosed with IgAV, who were not given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or steroidal drugs within a month, were enrolled. Blood samples were taken in the active and remission phases of the disease. Malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation marker), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (DNA oxidation marker), total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels for oxidative stress, and IL-17 levels were measured.Results: Forty-four patients aged 1.91-15.41 years were enrolled. IL-17 and TAS levels were significantly higher in the active phase of the disease than in the remission phase. 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels were higher in patients with gastrointestinal involvement than in patients without involvement in the active phase of the disease. A moderate positive correlation was observed between IL-17 and TAS in both active and remission phases.Conclusion: Our results showed increased DNA oxidation in patients with gastrointestinal involvement in the active phase of IgAV, for the first time. Higher IL-17 and TAS levels in the active phase of the disease and positive correlations of TAS and IL-17 in both active and remission phases suggest that IL-17 and oxidative stress may be related.

Circulating serum miR-200c and miR-34a-5p as diagnostic biomarkers for endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

Endometriosis is defined by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma grow in areas outside the uterus. A simple blood test for endometriosis-specific biomarkers would offer a more timely accurate diagnosis of the disease and could lead to earlier treatment intervention. Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) levels in blood may reflect changes during normal physiologic processes and have been related to several pathologic conditions, including gynecologic diseases. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the level of serum miR-34a-5p and miR-200c from women with and without endometriosis, and to explore the potential of miRNAs as reliable non-invasive biomarkers in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

METHODS

Expression levels of miRNAs were performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels were analyzed by autoanalyzer.

RESULTS

miR-34a-5p expression levels were decreased and miR-200c expression levels were increased in the endometriosis patients compared to the control group. According to the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) values, miR-200c and miR-34a-5p may serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of endometriosis. Serum miR-34a-5p and miR-200c had a sensitivity of 78.95 % and 100 % and a specificity of 49.12 % and 100 %, respectively, for the detection of endometriosis.

CONCLUSION

Serum miRNAs may provide a promising opportunity for diagnosis of endometriosis. Understanding the role of circulating miRNAs will serve a better comprehension of the systemic effects of endometriosis and offer options for new treatments. It is clear that more work is needed in this area.

Effect of Turkish Propolis on miRNA Expression, Cell Cycle, and Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells

Enriched in flavonoid compounds, phenol acids, and terpene derivatives, propolis has been shown to regulate apoptosis signaling pathways and alter the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). In the present study, it has been aimed to examine the effects of Turkish propolis on miRNA levels of breast cancer (MCF-7) cells, and its relationship with cell proliferation and apoptosis. Cytotoxic activity of ethanolic propolis extract (EEP) was evaluated using MTT assay. Mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic action of Turkish propolis in MCF-7 cells were investigated with regard to apoptosis and cell cycle using flow cytometry and western blot. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated by spectrofluorometric method. miRNA levels were detected by qRT-PCR method. EEP exhibited selective toxicity against MCF-7 cells compared to normal fibroblast cells. EEP increased the cell cycle arrest at the G₁ phase. EEP elevated the apoptotic cell death through increasing pro-apoptotic protein levels (p21, Bax, p53, p53-Ser46, and p53-Ser15), decreasing MMP and altering the expression levels of specific tumor suppressors (miR-34, miR-15a, and miR-16-5p) and oncogenic (miR-21) miRNAs. These data support that Turkish propolis may be evaluated as a potential natural agent for new anticancer drugs in future.

Oxidative stress markers are not valuable markers in lean and early age of polycystic ovary syndrome patients

BACKGROUND

Early atherosclerosis and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been reported in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Oxidative stress is an accepted risk factor for the development of CVD.

AIM

To evaluate the association between oxidative stress markers [ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) levels], carotid intima- media thickness (CIMT), endocrine and metabolic parameters in patients with PCOS. MATERIALS, SUBJECTS, AND METHODS: We studied 52 patients with PCOS and 36 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. The diagnosis of PCOS was made according to the Rotterdam criteria. Metabolic, hormonal parameter and IMA, TAS, TOS levels were measured.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was determined in relation to age, BMI and waist-hip ratio, IMA, TAS, and TOS levels between groups. Mean IMA level was higher in PCOS patients, however, statistical significant difference was not observed. Mean CIMT and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance levels were significantly higher in patients with PCOS than in control subjects.

CONCLUSION

Our study has shown that although CIMT levels, showing CVD risk, were higher in PCOS patients, TAS and TOS oxidative stress markers were found to be similar between groups, IMA was higher in PCOS patients however the difference was not reach statistical significant. The present results suggest that CIMT increases before the state of ischemia and shows preischemic state of vasculature, while oxidative stress markers are considered to be indicators of ischemia and reperfusion injury in progressive vascular disease. Further studies are needed to show the association between oxidative stress markers, CVD and PCOS.

Low dose dopamine prevents end organ damage in experimentally induced pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

End organ damage due to microcirculatory failure plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to investigate whether dopamine, a vasoactive agent, is beneficial in the prevention of local and systemic injury in acute pancreatitis.

METHODOLOGY

Pancreatitis was induced in rats with 5% Na-taurocolic acid infusion into the pancreatic duct. Rats were resuscitated for four hours with saline in the pancreatitis group (P), lactated ringer's (LR) solution in the LR group and low dose dopamine (5 microg/kg/min) + LR in the D-LR group. The sham group (S) underwent pancreatic duct cannulation only. Rectal temperature (RT) and meanarterial pressure (MAP) were monitored throughout the experiment. Blood samples for amylase, lipase, WBC and blood gas analysis were taken at baseline and at the end of the study. All rats were sacrificed at the 4th hour and pancreatic and lung tissues were removed for histopathological examination and tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.

RESULTS

MAP was lower in the P and LRgroups than the sham and the D-LR groups. RT was higher in P and LR groups than the sham and the D-LR groups. Base deficit was higher in the P group than the sham and the D-LR groups. The lung MPO activity was higher in the P group than all the others. Lung MPO activity that is closest to the sham was that of D-LR group's. The pancreatic MPO activity was found to be increased in the P and decreased in the LR groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this experimental model for AP, low dose dopamine + LR resuscitation attenuates the lung injury but not the local pancreatic injury.

Plasma soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (slL-2R) was measured in the plasma of 31 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and 22 normal controls. When thrombocytopenia persisted longer than 6 months, the diagnosis of chronic ITP was made. Twenty patients had acute ITP, 11 patients had chronic ITP, and all patients received high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) (30 mg/kg/d for 3 days, 20 mg/kg/d for 4 days). The sIL-2R levels of the patients were determined before being giving HDMP and 14 days after the end of HDMP therapy. Platelet counts were determined before administration of HDMP, one day after the end of HDMP therapy, and once every 28 days for 7 months thereafter. There was not a significant difference between the mean pre-treatment plasma sIL-2R levels of both acute and chronic ITP groups (P > 0.05), and these were higher than that of the control group (P < 0.001). The mean post-treatment sIL-2R level of the chronic ITP group was significantly higher than those of both the control and post-treatment acute ITP groups (P < 0.001). There were negative correlations between the plasma sIL-2R levels and platelet counts of both group patients in the pre-treatment period and between post-treatment sIL-2R levels and platelet counts in chronic ITP group (P < 0.05). We think that there was a good correlation between prognosis of ITP and sIL-2R levels after HDMP therapy, and platelet counts in patients with ITP are linked to sIL-2R levels.