The effects of copper, zinc and bicarbonate in blood, kidney and liver in rats under intermittent hypobaric hypoxia.

Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia is defined as to be below the normal values of partial oxygen pressure at tissue due to hypoxia periods. It can lead to increased reactive oxygen species which causes oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins. The effect of antioxidant defense mechanism varies from tissue to tissue under hypoxic conditions. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of bicarbonate, copper and zinc on antioxidant statue in blood, liver and kidney tissues under hypoxia. Forty adult male Sprague Dawley rats randomly divided into five groups (Control, Hypoxia, H+Zn, H+Cu and H+HCO3). Rats were exposed hypoxia a daily 8 h for 5 days/week until completing 3 weeks in hypoxia cabin at a simulated pressure of 400-500 mmHg. The animals of H+Zn, H+Cu and H+HCO3 experimental groups received through drinking water 30 mg/kg Zn, 7 mg/kg Cu and 3 mmol/kg NaHCO3, respectively. At the samples of blood, liver and kidney taken from rats at the end of experiment were measured the concentrations of Zn and Cu by ICP-OES device. The values of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and the bicarbonate concentration were also obtained spectrophotometer and ABL800 devices, respectively. According to statistical evaluated, the kidney GSH values showed a significant increase in all experimental groups (p < 0.01). Increase in the plasma GSH values is also due to kidney cells. As a result of our investigation it is seen that the antioxidant response of kidney cells to hypoxia are more effective than applied dose levels of zinc, copper and bicarbonate ions at the study.

The Association Between Trace Elements and Osmolality in Plasma and Aqueous Humor Fluid in Diabetic Rabbits.

Trace element metabolism plays an important role in the formation of diabetes and complications of diabetes. Although trace elements changes in lenses in diabetic cataract and glaucoma formation have been investigated, there were few studies evaluating trace elements levels in plasma and aqueous humor fluid in diabetic and non-diabetic conditions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr) levels in plasma and aqueous humor fluids of rabbits in the diabetic rabbit model. New Zealand male rabbits were divided into two groups as control (n = 8), and diabetes (n = 8) induced by alloxane. At the end of the experimental period, the osmolality in blood, plasma, and aqueous humor fluids from rabbits were measured by osmometer and Zn, Cu, and Cr levels in plasma and aqueous humor fluid were measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES). The osmolality in blood, plasma, and aqueous humor fluid of the diabetic group was significantly increased compared to the control group (respectively p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). It was analyzed that plasma Zn and Cu levels of diabetic rabbits increased significantly (respectively, p < 0.01; p < 0.001), whereas Cr level significantly decreased according to the control group (p < 0.01). It was observed that Cr and Zn levels in aqueous humor fluid in diabetes group decreased (respectively p < 0.001 and p < 0.01), and a significantly increased in Cu level (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Related with these changes that may occur in the eye due to the measured parameters, we consider that comparative studies of these types of diabetic animal models would be useful in the evaluation of diabetes and its complications.

The potential protective roles of zinc, selenium and glutathione on hypoxia-induced TRPM2 channel activation in transfected HEK293 cells.

Hypoxia induces cell death through excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium (Ca2+) influx in cells and TRPM2 cation channel is activated by oxidative stress. Zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and glutathione (GSH) have antioxidant properties in several cells and hypoxia-induced TRPM2 channel activity, ROS and cell death may be inhibited by the Zn, Se, and GSH treatments. We investigated effects of Zn, Se, and GSH on lipid peroxidation (LPO), cell cytotoxicity and death through inhibition of TRPM2 channel activity in transfected HEK293 cells exposed to hypoxia defined as oxygen deficiency.We induced four groups as normoxia 30 and 60 min evaluated as control groups, hypoxia 30 and 60 min in the HEK293 cells. The cells were separately pre-incubated with extracellular Zn (100 µM), Se (150 nM) and GSH (5 mM). Cytotoxicity was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and the LDH and LPO levels were significantly higher in the hypoxia-30 and 60 min-exposed cells according to normoxia 30 and 60 min groups. Furthermore, we found that the LPO and LDH were decreased in the hypoxia-exposed cells after being treated with Zn, Se, and GSH according to the hypoxia groups. Compared to the normoxia groups, the current densities of TRPM2 channel were increased in the hypoxia-exposed cells by the hypoxia applications, while the same values were decreased in the treatment of Zn, Se, and GSH according to hypoxia group. In conclusion, hypoxia-induced TRPM2 channel activity, ROS and cell death were recovered by the Se, Zn and GSH treatments.

The relationship of acute myocardial infarction with or without ST-segment elevation and viscosity.

We compared hemorheological parameters in 42 male patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with (n = 22) or without (n = 20) ST-segment elevation and in 20 controls. Plasma and blood viscosity (cP), plasma protein (g/dL) and fibrinogen (mg/dL) concentrations, red (10(6)/µL) and white (10(3)/µL) blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration (g/dL), and hematocrit (%) were compared. Plasma viscosity was significantly higher in patients with AMI with (P = .012) and without (P = .046) ST-segment elevation than in controls. Patients with AMI with and without ST-segment elevation had significantly lower albumin (P = .002 and P = .009) and globulin (P = .001 and P = .007) concentrations, red blood cell counts (P = .0001 and P = .004), and hematocrit (P = .014 and P = .040) and significantly higher fibrinogen concentrations (P = .0001 and P = .001) than controls. These findings suggest that AMI in males is associated with increased plasma viscosity and fibrinogen concentrations and with decreased albumin and globulin concentrations, erythrocyte count, and hematocrit, regardless of ST-segment elevation.

Electrical skin resistance and thermal findings in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

The purpose of this study is to analyze two methods, skin temperature and electrical skin resistance, to evaluate the sympathetic dysfunction in patients with lumbar disc herniation, aiming to determine their accuracy and clinical correlation. Fifteen voluntary patients with lumbar disc herniation were included in this study. Affected dermatome was determined, and skin temperature and electrical skin resistance were recorded from this dermatome and the symmetric healthy dermatome. Results were documented and statistically analyzed. The mean skin temperature of the affected and symmetric healthy dermatome was found to be 32.13 degrees C (+/-1.93) and 32.68 degrees C (+/-1.67), respectively. The difference was found not to be significant (P > 0.05). However, the mean electrical skin resistance recorded from the affected and the symmetric healthy dermatome was found to be 163.39 (+/-8) and 147.05 (+/-9) kOmega, respectively. The difference between these values was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). Electrical skin resistance is more sensitive and early in detecting sympathetic dysfunction in patients with lumbar disc herniation than skin temperature. Also, this test is cheap, easy for both the patient and the physician to be performed, and helpful in the follow-up of patients with lumbar disc herniation, after physical therapy and/or surgery.

Role of +(-)catechin against cadmium toxicity in the rat testes.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE; Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic and carcinogenic heavy metals to organisms. Exposure to the metal occurs mainly through environmental pollution and its wide range of uses in industrial fields. Cadmium performs its effect on living organisms by accumulating in various tissues and affecting tissue antioxidant enzyme systems. The testes are critical target organs following cadmium exposure. This study aimed to determine the possible effects of cadmium on zinc concentration and the role of +(-)catechin against the toxic effects of cadmium in rat testis tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control, cadmium and cadmium+catechin-receiving groups. The experimental groups received cadmium chloride and +(-)catechin via their drinking water for 30 days. Cadmium and zinc concentrations were measured in testis tissue of rats. Lipid peroxidation measurements were also taken in the tissue. RESULTS: Accumulation of cadmium was observed in testis tissue during the experimental period. Increased lipid peroxidation was observed in the tissues of the cadmium and cadmium+catechin groups. The cadmium and zinc concentrations in the +(-)catechin group were not found significant differences with controls. CONCLUSION: [CE1]The data suggest that lipid peroxidation was associated with cadmium toxicity in testes and +(-)catechin does not seem to be helpful against cadmium toxicity.

Apoptotic rate and metallothionein levels in the tissues of cadmium- and copper-exposed rats.

It is well known that cadmium (Cd) has toxic and carcinogenic effects in rodents and humans, but the effects of Cd on apoptosis are still not clear. Although some studies have shown that Cd has apoptotic potential, other studies have shown that Cd can be antiapoptotic. Parameters such as sensitivity of the exposed organism or cells and the exposure conditions should be important in delineating the effect of Cd on apoptosis. In the present study, we aimed to determine the apoptotic index (AI) of Sprague-Dawley rat tissues that are loaded at a lower Cd concentration than the critical concentration (50 microg/g) for its toxic effects. Metallothionein (MT) levels of tissues were also determined and the experiments repeated with copper (Cu)-exposed rats. We detected decreases in the apoptotic index in liver and lung tissues of Cd-exposed groups accompanied with an increase in MT levels. Also, decreases of AI were detected in the liver tissues of Cu-exposed groups. These findings indicate that Cd can suppress apoptosis in vivo. The possible role of MT expression on the suppression of apoptosis and the importance of free-Cd ion concentration on switching antiapoptotic effects to proapoptotic effects are also discussed.