Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effects of Tempol, Methotrexate, and Their Combinations on the MCF7 Breast Cancer Cell Line.

Breast cancer holds the top position among the cancers occurring in women. Despite the utilization of surgical removal, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, there is currently no conclusive treatment available to prevent breast cancer. New treatment approaches are being studied since traditional chemotherapeutics also damage healthy cells. Tempol (TPL) is a potent antioxidant agent that has been shown to exhibit anticancer activity. The objective of this research was to examine the impacts on cell proliferation and apoptosis by using methotrexate (MTX) and TPL individually and in combination on MCF7 breast cancer cells. MCF7 cells were exposed to TPL, MTX, and MTX + TPL for 48 h. The effects of the administered drugs on cell viability were determined using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis was conducted to assess the levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and the activity of caspase-3 in MCF7 cells. Increasing concentrations of TPL and MTX significantly decreased the proliferation in MCF7 cells in both solo and combined use. Solo and combined use of TPL and MTX significantly increased caspase-3 activity and Bax levels and significantly decreased Bcl-2 levels in the cells. This study revealed that the solo use of TPL and MTX inhibited proliferation and increased apoptotic activity in the cells. In addition, TPL increased the antiproliferative and apoptosis efficiency of MTX on cancer cells as a result of the combined use of these drugs.

Ornidazole suppresses CD133+ melanoma stem cells via inhibiting hedgehog signaling pathway and inducing multiple death pathways in a mouse model.

AIM: To evaluate the inhibitory effects of ornidazole on the proliferation and migration of metastatic melanoma cell line (B16F10) in vitro and its anti-cancer effects in vivo using a melanoma mouse model. METHODS: We investigated the effects of ornidazole on cell viability (Crystal Violet and MTT assay) and migration ability (wound-healing assay) of B16F10 melanoma cells, and its ability to trigger DNA damage (Comet assay) in vitro. We also sorted CD133+ and CD133- cells from B16F10 melanoma cell line and injected them subcutaneously into Swiss albino mice to induce tumor formation. Tumor-bearing mice were divided into control and treatment groups. Treatment group received intraperitoneal ornidazole injections. Tumors were resected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression of genes involved into Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway, stemness, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, ER stress-mediated apoptosis, and autophagy. Shh signaling pathway-related proteins and CD133 protein were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: Ornidazole effectively induced DNA damage in CD133+ melanoma cells and reduced their viability and migration ability in vitro. Moreover, it significantly suppressed tumor growth in melanoma mouse model seemingly by inhibiting the Shh signaling pathway and ER-stress mediated autophagy, as well as by activating multiple apoptosis pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Our preclinical findings suggest the therapeutic potential of ornidazole in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However, larger and more comprehensive studies are required to validate our results and to further explore the safety and clinical effectiveness of ornidazole.

Protective effect of dapagliflozin against cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity.

This study aimed to reveal the possible protective effect of dapagliflozin (DAPA) against acute kidney damage due to cyclosporine A (CsA). Thirty-two mice with an eight-week-old Balb\c albino strain were divided into four groups: control group, CsA group, DAPA group, and CsA + DAPA group. On day 9 of treatment, the animals were decapitated, and bilateral nephrectomy was performed. Oxidative stress and apoptosis were evaluated with caspase-3 activity, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the right kidney resection material. The left kidney resection material was evaluated histopathologically. CsA increased caspase-3 activity, Bax, TOS, MDA, TAS, and MPO levels, and the administration of DAPA with CsA significantly reduced this increase in levels (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CsA decreased Bcl-2 levels, and administration of CsA + DAPA significantly increased Bcl-2 levels compared with only CsA administration (p < 0.001). Additionally, administration of DAPA significantly reduced the histopathological findings (parenchymal inflammation, hyaline cast formation, vacuolization, and lysis of renal tubular cells) caused by CsA. DAPA reduces oxidative stress, apoptosis, and histopathological damage caused by CsA in renal tissue.

Protective effect of naringin in rat model of renal ischemia reperfusion injury / Efecto protector de la naringina en modelo de rata con lesión por reperfusión de isquemia renal

ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to research that naringin whether protects from renal ischemia/reperfusion induced renal damage in rats. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar albino female rats randomly were divided into three groups: 1) control group, in which the rats were only performed right nephrectomy; 2) a second group received right nephrectomy and left kidney ischemia (1 h) and reperfusion (24 h) group ischemia/reperfusion (I/R); 3) a third group received 50 mg/kg naringin orally once a day for two weeks before ischemia/reperfusion (I/R/N). Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated x protein (Bax), serum creatinine (Cr), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Naringin-treated rats that performed renal ischemia/reperfusion demonstrated significant decrease in Cr, IL-6 and TNF-α levels when compared to the only renal ischemia/reperfusion performed rats. While renal ischemia/reperfusion caused a decrease of bcl-2 (1.72 ± 0.20 pg/ml) levels, while an increase of COX-2 (11882 ± 642 pg/ml), cPLA2 (2448 ± 139 pg/ml), iNOS (4331 ± 438 IU/ml), cleaved caspase-3 (7.33 ± 0.76 ng/ml) and Bax (2.33 ± 0.44 ng/ml) levels. The treatment of naringin reversed these kidney effects (7.47 ± 60.35 pg/ml; 9299 ± 327 pg/ml; 2001 ± 78 pg/ml; 3112 ± 220 IU/ml; 3.38 ± 0.54 ng/ml; 2.33 ± 0.44 ng/ml, respectively) (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that naringin treatment attenuated renal damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo fue investigar si la naringina protege del daño en los riñones provocado por isquemia-reperfusión renal en ratas. Material y métodos: De forma aleatoria, dividimos 24 ratas albinas Wistar hembras en tres grupos: 1) grupo control, en el que solo se les realizó a las ratas una nefrectomía derecha; 2) un segundo grupo isquemia-reperfusión, con nefrectomía derecha e isquemia de riñón izquierdo (1 h) y reperfusión (24 h); 3) un tercer grupo al que se le administró 50 mg/kg de naringina por vía oral una vez al día durante dos semanas antes de la isquemia-reperfusión. Por medio de un ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas (ELISA), se midieron las siguientes expresiones: ciclooxigenasa-2 (COX-2), fosfolipasa citosólica A2 (cPLA2), óxido nítrico sintetasa inducible (ONSi), caspasa-3, linfoma de células B2 (Bcl-2), proteína X asociada a Bcl-2 (Bax), creatinina sérica (Cr), factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (FNT-α) e interleucina 6 (IL-6). Resultados: Las ratas tratadas con naringina por isquemia-reperfusión renal mostraron un descenso significativo en los niveles de Cr, IL-6 y FNT-α en comparación con las ratas a las que se les indujo isquemia-reperfusión renal pero que no se les suministró naringina. La isquemia-reperfusión renal provocó un descenso de los niveles de Bcl-2 (1,72 ± 0,20 pg/ml) y un ascenso en los niveles de COX-2 (11882 ± 642 pg/ml), cPLA2 (2448 ± 139 pg/ml), ONSi (4331 ± 438 UI/ml), caspasa-3 escindida (7,33 ± 0,76 ng/ml) y Bax (2,33 ± 0.,44 ng/ml). El tratamiento con naringina diminuyó estos efectos en el riñón (7,47 ± 60,35 pg/ml; 9299 ± 327 pg/ml; 2001 ± 78 pg/ml; 3112 ± 220 UI/ml; 3.38 ± 0.54 ng/ml; 2.33 ± 0,44 ng/ml, respectivamente) (p <0,05). Conclusión: En este estudio se demostró que el tratamiento con naringina atenuó el daño renal producido por isquemia-reperfusión en ratas.

Possible role of the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in the clinical course of prostate neoplasia in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: The expression of the cognate receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in malignant tissues of patients with type 2 diabetes has been suggested as a co-factor determining the clinical course and prognosis. We aimed to investigate the relationship between RAGE expression and clinicopathological features of prostate neoplasia. METHODS: Tissue samples of 197 patients, 64 (24 patients with type 2 diabetes and 40 controls) with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 133 (71 patients with type 2 diabetes and 62 controls) with localised or metastatic prostate cancer (LPCa/MetPCa) were included in the study. The expression of RAGE in prostate specimens was studied immunohistochemically. RAGE scores were determined according to the extent of immunoreactivity and staining intensity. RESULTS: RAGE expression in BPH group (patients with type 2 diabetes and controls) was negative. Patients with both LPCa and MetPCa had significantly higher scores than those with BPH (P < .001). The mean RAGE scores of patients with type 2 diabetes LPCa and MetPCa were 4.71 ± 3.14 and 4.97 ± 3.69. The mean scores of control LPCa and MetPCa were 1.52 ± 1.87 and 1.69 ± 1.58, respectively. The scores of patients with type 2 diabetes LPCa and MetPCa were significantly higher than those of control LPCa and MetPCa (P = .01 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: We found higher RAGE expression levels in malignant prostate neoplasia than in BPH. As expected, patients with diabetes had higher scores than control patients. Disease progression and survival parameters were worse in patients with high RAGE levels. RAGE expression may be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer.

Protective effect of Alpha-Linolenic acid on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Orchitis in mice.

Previous studies have demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anti-inflammatory effects. One specific PUFA, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), shows both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In the testes, inflammatory mediators are known to increase when orchitis is induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This study aimed to determine whether the anti-inflammatory properties of ALA could have a protective effect against LPS-induced orchitis in mice. The mice were divided into untreated control, orchitis and ALA-treated orchitis groups. Orchitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The ALA-treated group was administered ALA by gavage three days before intraperitoneal LPS injection. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzymes and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the testes, as well as serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. LPS administration increased the expression of several inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB, as well as the COX-2, cPLA2 and iNOS enzymes. ALA administration significantly prevented the LPS-induced increases in these inflammatory mediators and enzymes (p < .05). The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ALA may make it a useful candidate for the treatment of orchitis caused by bacterial LPS.

The effects of daylight exposure on melatonin levels, Kiss1 expression, and melanoma formation in mice.

AIM: To determine how daylight exposure in mice affects melatonin protein expression in blood and Kiss1 gene expression in the hypothalamus. The second aim was to assess the relationship between skin cancer formation, daylight exposure, melatonin blood level, and kisspeptin gene expression level. METHODS: New-born mice (n=96) were assigned into the blind group or daylight group. The blind group was raised in the dark and the daylight group was raised under 12 hours light/12 hours dark cycle for 17 weeks. At the end of the 11th week, melanoma cell line was inoculated to mice, and tumor growth was observed for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, melatonin level was measured from blood serum and Kiss1 expression from the hypothalamus. RESULTS: The blind group had significantly higher melatonin and lower Kiss1 expression levels than the daylight group. Tumor volume was inversely proportional to melatonin levels and directly proportional to Kiss1 expression levels. Tumor growth speed was lower in the blind than in the daylight group. CONCLUSION: Melatonin and Kiss1 were shown to be nvolved in tumor suppression. They were affected by daylight and were mutually affected by each other.

Alpha-linolenic acid confers protection on mice renal cells against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of various types of solid tumors. Despite the dose-dependency of its antineoplastic effect, the high risk for nephrotoxicity frequently precludes the use of higher doses. α-Linolenic acid (ALA), a carboxylic acid having three cis double bonds, is an essential fatty acid required for health and can be acquired via foods that contain ALA or supplementation of foods high in ALA. Previous studies have shown that ALA demonstrates anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects. In this study, we show the protective effect of ALA on cisplatin-induced renal toxicity associated with oxidative stress in mice using biochemical parameters. The mice were randomly assigned into four experimental groups. Group 1 (control group) were administered physiological saline solution for 9 days; group 2 (ALA group) received 200 mg/kg alpha-linolenic acid via gavage for 9 days; group 3 (CIS group) received 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) CIS for 9 days; and group 4 (ALA + CIS group) received 100 mg/kg i.p. CIS and followed by ALA 200 mg/kg via gavage for 9 days. Alpha-linolenic acid significantly reduced the expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the ALA + CIS group compared to the CIS group. Furthermore, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) quantities were significantly elevated in the ALA + CIS group when compared to the CIS group. ALA significantly decreased the levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, while significantly increasing the level of bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, in the ALA + CIS group than in the CIS group. Finally, histopathological examination in renal tissue showed that the significant edematous damage induced by CIS administration alone was reduced in ALA + CIS group. In conclusion, our findings show that ALA is beneficial to CIS-induced nephrotoxicity in mice via its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.

Molecular basis of vascular damage caused by cigarette smoke exposure and a new approach to the treatment: Alpha-linolenic acid.

Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) causes vessel damage and mechanism of this damage has not yet been clearly identified. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate whether vessel damage due to the CS exposure will be prevented by the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) or not which has anti-inflammatory effect in mice. For this reason, mice were grouped as controls (with and without CS) and ALA (with and without CS). The CS application continued 5 days a week for two months. At the end of two months, the mice were killed by cervical dislocation and their blood and thoracic aortas were isolated. ALA Treatment increased acetylcholine relaxations. CS decreased acetylcholine relaxation. CS with ALA treatment increased acetylcholine relaxations versus just CS treatment. CS caused rising in cyclooxigenase-2 and phospholipase A2 levels. This rise is inhibited with ALA treatment. CS decreased eNOS levels. But this result was not statistically significant. Furthermore, according to electron microscopic study CS damaged both smooth muscle and endothelium. While ALA treatment prevented smooth muscle damage it didn't prevent endothelial damage. Using cigarette and CS exposure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Our study showed that this disease.

Effects of chronic Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol treatment on Rho/Rho-kinase signalization pathway in mouse brain.

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) shows its effects by activating cannabinoid receptors which are on some tissues and neurons. Cannabinoid systems have role on cell proliferation and development of neurons. Furthermore, it is interesting that cannabinoid system and rho/rho-kinase signalization pathway, which have important role on cell development and proliferation, may have role on neuron proliferation and development together. Thus, a study is planned to investigate rhoA and rho-kinase enzyme expressions and their activities in the brain of chronic Δ9-THC treated mice. One group of mice are treated with Δ9-THC once to see effects of acute treatment. Another group of mice are treated with Δ9-THC three times per day for one month. After this period, rhoA and rho-kinase enzyme expressions and their activities in mice brains are analyzed by ELISA method. Chronic administration of Δ9-THC decreased the expression of rhoA while acute treatment has no meaningful effect on it. Administration of Δ9-THC did not affect expression of rho-kinase on both chronic and acute treatment. Administration of Δ9-THC increased rho-kinase activity on both chronic and acute treatment, however, chronic treatment decreased its activity with respect to acute treatment. This study showed that chronic Δ9-THC treatment down-regulated rhoA expression and did not change the expression level of rho-kinase which is downstream effector of rhoA. However, it elevated the rho-kinase activity. Δ9-THC induced down-regulation of rhoA may cause elevation of cypin expression and may have benefit on cypin related diseases. Furthermore, use of rho-kinase inhibitors and Δ9-THC together can be useful on rho-kinase related diseases.

Protective effect of alpha-linolenic acid on gentamicin-induced ototoxicity in mice.

Alpha-linolenic acid is one of the fatty acids known as omega 3. Previous studies have shown the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of alpha-linolenic acid, which prevented cell damage by inhibiting apoptotic pathway. Also, it is known that gentamicin activates apoptotic mediators and causes necrosis in the kidney. Due to this reason, we planned a study to evaluate the protective effects of alpha-linolenic acid on gentamicin induced ototoxicity by evaluating inflammation and apoptotic mediators. For this purpose, 100 mg/kg gentamicin (i.p; intraperitoneally) and 200 mg/kg alpha-linolenic acid (gavage) are administered to mice for 9 days. On 9th and 10th days, rotarod performance was assessed to test the effect of gentamicin and alpha-linolenic acid treatment on the motor coordination of mice. Gentamicin treatment decreased fall latency of mice and gentamicin treatment together with alpha-linolenic acid increased fall latency of mice. Gentamicin treatment also increased expression of phospholipase A2(plA2), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide syntheses (iNOS). Furthermore, it increased Bax and caspase-3, which are proapoptotic proteins and decreased bcl-2 that is an antiapoptotic protein. Gentamicin treatment together alpha-linolenic acid recovered the change of expression of these enzymes. In conclusion, this study showed that alpha-linolenic acid will be useful to prevent gentamicin-induced ototoxicity by inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation.

Molecular mechanism of vasorelaxant and antiatherogenic effects of the statins in the human saphenous vein graft.

In this study we aimed to investigate the vasorelaxant and antiatherogenic effects of the statins (fluvastatin and pravastatin) in the human saphenous vein grafts at the molecular level by using histopathologic, pharmacological and immunochemical techniques. The saphenous vein grafts evaluated histopathologically displayed a loss in their endothelium up to a ratio of 30% and set forth indications of functional deterioration. The pharmacological evaluations proved that the relaxation responses induced by fluvastatin and pravastatin were significantly inhibited by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine, and cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, while these responses were significantly increased by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril and enalapril, and rho kinase inhibitor, Y27632. The results of immunochemical studies are in accordance with the results of the pharmacological studies that the related statins increased the levels of nitric oxide, phospholipase A(2) and they decreased the levels of angiotensin II and active rho kinase. On the other hand mevalonolactone, a substrate of lipid metabolism, failed to change the effects of fluvastatin and pravastatin in the related tissue. The experimental results indicate that activation of nitric oxide synthase and phospholipase A(2)-cyclooxygenase pathway and inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme and rho kinase may have a role on the effects of fluvastatin and pravastatin in the human saphenous vein grafts. It seems that the vasorelaxant and antiatherogenic effects of the related statins are independent of their lipid lowering mechanism.