Effect of thymol on oxidative stress and reelin signaling pathway in Alzheimer's disease model.

Background/aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate how thymol affects cognitive functions and the levels of MDA, GSH, Aß1-42, ApoE, reelin, and LRP8 in an AD model induced in male Wistar albino rats with the application of D-galactose (D-gal) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3). Materials and methods: In this work, 3-month-old male Wistar albino rats were used. Group 1 served as the Control, Group 2 received 0.5 mL/day saline + 0.5 mL/day sunflower oil, Group 3 was administered 200 mg/kg/day AlCl3 + 60 mg/kg/day D-gal, Group 4 received 30 mg/kg/day thymol, and Group 5 was administered 200 mg/kg/day AlCl3 + 60 mg/kg/day D-gal + 30 mg/kg/day thymol. At the end of the 10-week experimental period, behavioral and memory tests were performed. GSH and MDA levels were measured in the obtained serum and brain tissue samples, while Aß1-42, ApoE, reelin, and LRP8 levels were measured in brain tissue samples. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA test in Graphpad Prism V8.3 program. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant in intergroup analyses. Results: When the novel object recognition test (NORT) results were evaluated, the Alzheimer + thymol (ALZ+TYM) group showed a significant increase in the recognition index (RI) and discrimination index (DI) compared to the Alzheimer (ALZ) group at the 24th hour. Thymol reduced working memory errors (WME), reference memory errors (RME), and maze completion time at 48, 72, and 96 hours when evaluated in terms of spatial memory in rats with Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, Aß1-42 and ApoE levels were increased in the ALZ group compared to the control (C), while reelin and LRP8 levels were decreased in the ALZ group compared to the C group. Conclusion: The data we obtained suggest that thymol may play an effective role in cognitive processes against AD and have an anti-Alzheimer's disease effect.

The influence of selenium on expression levels of the rbcL gene in Chlorella vulgaris.

In this study, the effects of selenium on the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris were examined. Four groups of C. vulgaris were cultivated using Bristol medium: group I (control), no sodium selenite (Se); group II, 1 µM Se; group III, 10 µM Se; and group IV, 100 µM Se. Algal biomass samples were collected for biochemical evaluation and gene expression studies on the 21st day of cultivation. The following parameters were investigated: chlorophyll a (Cla), chlorophyll b (Clb) and total carotene content, total protein, and total glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Gene expression levels of large subunits of Rubisco (rbcL) were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Total Cla and total carotene in C. vulgaris decreased in high concentrations of Se (100 µM) (around 23 and 42%, respectively) when compared to controls while, Clb content increased by about 10%. 10 µM of Se led to increased GSH levels (3.04 ± 0.02 µg GSH/mg protein) and decreased MDA levels (2.02 ± 0.1 µmol MDA/mg protein) when compared to control groups (1.18 ± 0.04 µg GSH/mg protein and 0.94 ± 0.23 µmol MDA/mg protein), while a significant decrease in GSH and an increase in MDA levels in the presence of 100 µM Se showed the opposite effect. rbcL gene expression increased 1.76 ± 1.37-fold and 0.86 ± 1.33-fold in 10 and 100 µM selenium experiments when compared to control groups. Our results suggest both pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities of Se on C. vulgaris and upregulation of the rbcL gene for the first time. Treatment with low concentrations of Se improves the antioxidant features of the microalgae, C. vulgaris.

Effects of Ankaferd BloodStopper on dermal healing in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Diabetes mellitus inhibits wound-induced angiogenesis, impairs the wound healing process, and leads to the development of chronic wounds. Ankaferd BloodStopper (ABS) is a new and promising local haemostatic agent. Although the mechanism of ABS-mediated haemostasis is well established, little is known about the associated histological and biochemical tissue reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of this new-generation local haemostatic agent on short-term soft-tissue healing in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 24 Wistar albino rats used in this study were divided into STZ-treated (STZ, n = 12) and nontreated groups (control, n = 12). Four days prior to surgery, rats in the STZ group were subcutaneously administered 60 mg/kg STZ intraperitoneally, while rats in the control group were administered 1 mL saline/kg. An incision was made in the dorsal dermal tissue of all rats, and either ABS or no haemostatic agent (NHAA) was applied to the wound before suturing. All of the rats were euthanised on postoperative day 4. Blood and skin samples were evaluated biochemically and histologically. RESULTS: The results showed that STZ treatment impaired soft-tissue healing, assessed by measuring glutathione and lipid peroxidation levels. Moreover, while good histological results were obtained in the control group treated with ABS, there were fewer benefits in the STZ-treated group. CONCLUSION: ABS's benefits in the control group seemed to lose their effectiveness under STZ medication.

Salivary total sialic acid levels increase in breast cancer patients: a preliminary study.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women living in the Western world, even though it occurs worldwide. Cancer and cancer therapy induce multiple oral complications including dental and periodontal disease. Saliva is a complex and dynamic biologic fluid, which reflects both oral and systemic changes. While saliva is easily accessible body fluid, there has been little effort to study its value in cancer diagnosis. Sialic acids (SA), the end moieties of the carbohydrate chains, are biologically important and essential for functions of glycoconjugates that are reported to be altered in both blood and saliva of various cancer patients. Increased sialylation has been shown to be a characteristic feature in cancer tissue and blood in breast cancer patients. However, there is no data about salivary SA in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary total sialic acid (TSA) levels in breast cancer patients who were under chemotheraphy. The study included 15 breast cancer patients in different stages and 10 healthy individuals as age-matched controls. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected. Salivary total protein and SA levels were determined. Flow rate was calculated from salivary volume by the time of secretion. Salivary SA was significantly higher and total protein was lower in breast cancer patients compared to controls. It is concluded that sialylation may be increased in saliva of patients with breast cancer as the same way for cancer tissue and for blood . Increased salivary SA may therefore be useful as a non-invasive predictive marker for breast cancer patients and for the prevention and management of oral complications of cancer and cancer therapy to improve oral function and quality-of-life. The effects of different types of chemotherapies and different stages of the disease on salivary SA levels and salivary sialo-glycomic are worthy of being further investigated in breast cancer patients.

Effect of sample storage on stability of salivary glutathione, lipid peroxidation levels, and tissue factor activity.

Saliva samples are often required to be stored for longer periods of time either because of the project protocol or because of lack of funding for analysis. The effects of 6 months storage (fresh, 30, 60, 90 120, 150, and 180 d) on the stability of salivary reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and 90 days of storage (fresh, 15, 30, 60, and 90 d) on the stability of salivary tissue factor (TF) activity and the stability of saliva imprint samples at -20 degrees C were evaluated in this study. Salivary GSH, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as an index of LPO, and TF activities were determined using the methods of Beutler, Yagi, and Quick, respectively. Saliva imprint samples were stained with Giemsa and microscopically examined. Salivary GSH levels and TF activities decreased, whereas MDA levels increased significantly after 6 months of storage at -20 degrees C. Leucocyte, epithelium and bacterium cell counts did not significantly change at the end of 90 d of storage. Saliva samples may be stored up to 1 month at -20 degrees C for LPO assay. For cytological examinations, saliva samples may be stored for 90 d at -20 degrees C. Further studies are needed to determine the stability of salivary GSH, and salivary TF activity stored less than 30 days at -20 degrees C. On the other hand, if saliva samples are required to be stored, to avoid the changes because of different storage periods, we recommend that they must be stored under the same circumstances and in the same time period.

Altered biochemical parameters in the saliva of patients with breast cancer.

Saliva plays an important role in the protection of oral cavity and alterations in either salivary flow rate or protein composition may have dramatic effects on oral health. Prevention and management of oral complications of cancer and cancer therapy will improve oral function and quality of life, and reduce morbidity and the cost of care. The aim of this study was to investigate the saliva of patients with breast cancer biochemically and cytologically and compare with healthy controls. Accordingly, lipid peroxidation (LPO), total protein, salivary flow rate, and pH levels were measured in the saliva samples obtained from 20 breast cancer patients and 11 healthy individuals. Tissue factor (TF) is a major regulator of normal hemostasis and thrombosis, and TF activity of saliva samples was evaluated. Under the conditions used, patients with breast cancer present a significant reduction in total protein, pH and LPO levels. Salivary TF activity was higher in breast cancer patients than that in control subjects, but the degree of increase was not statistically significant. In addition, the analysis of saliva samples by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed the retarded mobility of the 66-kDa proteins and the increased proteins of about 36 kDa in the patient group. Some patients with breast cancer had increased number of leucocytes. Importantly, dysplastic cells and yeast cells were detected only in saliva samples of cancer patients. Decreased salivary LPO may be considered as a risk factor for breast cancer.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) consumption improves glutathione and HDL-cholesterol levels in experimental diabetes.

The aim of this investigation was to assess the influence of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) consumption on oxidant-antioxidant status and lipid profile in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. 32 rats were divided into 4 groups as control, control+peanut, diabetic, diabetic+peanut. Control and diabetic groups were fed on standard rat chow whereas control+peanut and diabetic+peanut were fed on standard rat chow supplemented with 0.63 g % peanut for 12 weeks. Serum glucose levels, lipids, Glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and atherogenic index (AI) levels were determined at the end of the experiment. In the diabetic group TG (Triglyceride), TC (Total cholesterol), LDL-C (LDL-cholesterol) levels and atherogenic indexes increased significantly whereas HDL-C (HDL-cholesterol) level decreased significantly compared to the control group. The supplementation with peanut in the diabetic group led to significantly higher HDL-C levels and lower AI levels compared to diabetic group. Peanut consumption increased GSH levels significantly both in control and diabetic groups. In conclusion, this study shows that peanut consumption may improve oxidant-antioxidant status in healthy and diabetic status without increasing blood lipids. Moreover, increased HDL-C levels and decreased AI levels in diabetic rats indicate that, peanut consumption may have protective effects against cardiovascular complications of diabetes.

Peanuts improve blood glutathione, HDL-cholesterol level and change tissue factor activity in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.

BACKGROUND: The inverse association of peanut consumption and risk markers of CHD (lipids) has been reported however health professionals are still concerned whether hyperlipidemic subjects advised to eat peanuts will have increased serum lipid levels. Tissue factor (TF), the major regulator of normal haemostasis and thrombosis, plays a critical role in haemostasis in all tissues. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effects of peanut consumption on lipid profile, blood Glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), haematologic parameters and TF activities in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. METHODS: 32 Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each: 1-Control 2-Control+peanut 3-Hyperlipidemic and 4-Hyperlipidemic+peanut group. At the end of 12 weeks, blood samples were used to evaluate lipid profile, haemostatic parameters, GSH, TBARS and tissue samples were used for the determination of TF activities. RESULTS: Peanut consumption increased blood GSH both in the control and hyperlipidemic groups; increased HDL-cholesterol and decreased TBARS in the hyperlipidemic group. The addition of peanut to the diet did not change blood lipids, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time or fibrinogen levels significantly both in the control and hyperlipidemic groups. It affected TF activities differently in both groups. It decreased brain and aorta TF activity but increased spleen and kidney TF activity in the control group. It led to significant increases in the TF activity of kidney, spleen and aorta and a significant decrease in the TF activity of brain in the hyperlipidemic group. CONCLUSION: Peanut consumption improved GSH and HDL-C levels and decreased TBARS, without increasing other blood lipids in experimental hyperlipidemia. Nevertheless the mechanism of the effect of peanut consumption on the TF activity of tissues remains to be determined.

Tissue factor activities of streptozotocin induced diabetic rat tissues and the effect of peanut consumption.

BACKGROUND: Tissue factor (TF) is considered to be a major regulator of normal haemostasis and thrombosis. Circulating TF activity is suggested to be associated with diabetes mellitus. Various tissues and body fluids have TF activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the TF activity of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat tissues. Peanut consumption is reported to be associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the effect of peanut consumption on the TF activity of STZ induced diabetic rat tissues, and haemostatic parameters such as protrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen levels were determined. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 8 rats each as control, STZ-induced diabetic and diabetic + peanut group. Twelve weeks later, TF activity of liver, kidney, spleen, heart, kidney, lung, pancreas and aorta and haemostatic parameters were determined. RESULTS: In the diabetic group, TF activities of liver, kidney and spleen increased (p < 0.01) whereas the TF activity of brain decreased (p < 0.01) compared to the control group. Peanut consumption in the diabetic group decreased the TF activity of spleen and aorta (p < 0.01; p < 0.05). Haemostatic parameters did not change significantly in the groups. CONCLUSION: Elevated TF activity in diabetic rat tissues, may contribute to the increased risk of atherothrombotic disease that accompanies the diabetic complications whereas the decreased brain TF activity may be due to a different haemostatic mechanism to protect this vital organ from the diabetic status. The decreased TF activity of peanut given diabetic rat tissues might protect these tissues from the risk of thrombosis.