ABSTRACT
Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide proven to increase cellular tolerance to hypoxia and oxidative stresss and contribute angiogenesis. Despite its known therapeutic effects on myocardial, renal or spinal ischemic reperfusion injuries, its local and systemic effects on intestinal ischemic reperfusion injury still remain unknown. This study aims to demonstrate the local and systemic effects of AM on Intestinal Ischemic Reperfusion Injury (I-IRI) demonstrated in rats. Thirty male rats were randomly allocated to five groups: Control, Adrenomedullin (AM), Intestinal Ischemic Reperfusion Injury (I-IRI), Adrenomedullin and Intestinal Ischemic Reperfusion Injury (AM+I-IRI), and Intestinal Ischemic Reperfusion Injury and Adrenomedullin (I-IRI+AM). Blood and tissue samples were obtained for biochemical and histopathological evaluation. The results were expressed as mean±SEM and, P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were found to be elevated in I-IRI group and depleted in I-IRI+AM group. The biochemical and histopathological markers of injuries at the intestine and remote organs were found to be recuperated when the AM applied before the reperfusion phase. Results of this study demonstrated that the therapeutic drug adrenomedullin (AM) could reverse the intestinal and remote organ injuries related to intestinal ischemic reperfusion injury (I-IRI). These effects might be related to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities of AM.
ABSTRACT
The genus Verbascum, commonly known as mullein, traditionally used in folk medicine, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Verbascum inulifolium Hub.-Mor. (Scrophulariaceae), is an endemic species from Turkey. Here, we examined the healing effect of methanol extract of the aerial parts of V. inulifolium on incisional and excisional skin wounds in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Ointments of the extract were prepared in two concentrations (0.5 and 1% (w/w)) and applied topically on wound models once daily throughout for 7 and 14 days. During the experiments, wounds were visually observed, photographically documented and wound areas were measured. After 7 and 14 days treatments, animals were sacrificed and measurements of hydroxyproline level and biomechanical analysis were performed. Histopathology of the wound area was evaluated considering features of re-epithelialization, the granulation tissue thickness, angiogenesis, presence of inflammation, number of mast cells. Outcomes of this study revealed that the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of V. inulifolium enhances the healing process of skin tissue in both non-diabetic and diabetic wounds. The best wound healing activity was observed in incisional wound treated with 0.5% (w/w) concentrated ointment (99.7%) and in excisional wound treated with 1% (w/w) concentrated ointment (98.1%) on day 14 according to macroscopic results.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of oxidant/antioxidant status and protein oxidation in the development of age-related macular degeneration. METHOD: The activities of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the levels of serum malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, glutathione and vitamin C were measured in 25 patients with age-related macular degeneration and 25 control subjects without age-related macular degeneration. RESULT: The malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation protein product levels in the serum were significantly higher in the age-related macular degeneration patient group than in the control group (p<0.05). The superoxide dismutase activity in the serum was significantly lower in the age-related macular degeneration patient group than in the control group (p<0.05). The levels of vitamin C and glutathione and the activity of glutathione peroxidase in the serum were unchanged between groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that decreased effectiveness of the antioxidant defense system and increased oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.