Protective effects of esculetin against ovary ischemia-reperfusion injury model in rats.

AIMS: Ovarian ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a phenomenon that necessitates urgent intervention, which occurs as a result of ovarian torsion, and it is frequently seen in young women. A large amount of free radical and oxidative damage as a result of I/R plays a role in the cause of the incident. Antioxidant agents are thought to be beneficial in preventing this damage, and the potential protective effects of esculetin, which had not been tested previously, were investigated in this study. STUDY DESIGN: The rats in the study were divided into five groups at random: control, sham, esculetin, I/R, and treatment. Oxidative stress parameters, proinflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2)/nuclear factor-kß (NF-κß) pathway, and histopathological analyses were evaluated at the end of the study. KEY FINDINGS: After I/R, malondialdehyde levels, proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß levels and NF-κß expressions were increased, Nrf-2 expression and glutathione level decreased and the histopathologic picture deteriorated. However, as a result of the esculetin treatment, ameliorative effects in the aforementioned parameters were determined, and it was ensured that they returned to normal levels. CONCLUSION: According to these findings, esculetin has protective effects on I/R damage by lowering lipid peroxidation and having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results proved the protective effect of esculetin against ovarian IR injury in rats and this may be attributed to Nrf-2/NF-κß axis which showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, esculetin can be used in the future for preventive effects to ovarian IR injury.

Carvacrol showed a curative effect on reproductive toxicity caused by Bisphenol AF via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.

Bisphenol AF (BPAF) is an endocrine disruptor, and human exposure to these chemicals is growing in industrialized nations. BPAF has been demonstrated in studies to have toxic effects on reproductive health. This study examined the effects of oral exposure to BPAF on the reproductive system and the protective effects of carvacrol in rats. From 32 Wistar albino rats, four separate groups were set up for this purpose. Carvacrol 75 mg/kg and BPAF 200 mg/kg were administered by oral gavage method. Rat sperm parameters and serum testosterone levels were measured after 28 days of administration. The study looked at the MDA in the testis tissues, as well as CAT, GPx, and GSH as antioxidants parameters, NF-κB and TNF-α as inflammatory markers, caspase-3 and Bcl-2 as apoptosis parameters, and PCNA as cell proliferation markers. In addition, testis tissues underwent histological evaluation. As a result, in rats exposed to only BPAF, sperm counts declined, testosterone levels reduced, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis increased, and cell proliferation decreased. Furthermore, severe disruptions in tissue architecture and decreased spermatogenesis were reported. In contrast, sperm parameters improved, testosterone levels increased, oxidative stress and inflammation decreased, and apoptosis was prevented in the carvacrol-treated group compared to the BPAF-only group. It was also found that spermatogenesis was maintained, and structural abnormalities in testicular tissue were mostly avoided with an increase in PCNA expression. According to the findings, despite BPAF-induced testicular and reproductive toxicity, carvacrol had therapeutic potential due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cell proliferation-increasing, and anti-apoptotic activities.

Effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seed on growth performance, blood parameters, liver oxidant/anti-oxidant levels and fatty liver syndrome in quails.

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seed (BCS) on growth performance, blood parameters, liver oxidant/anti-oxidant levels and fatty liver syndrome in quails. Four hundred and thirty-two unsexed (male and female) three-day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks were divided into four treatment groups (108 chicks per group) with six replicates (18 chicks per replicate). Control and experimental groups were fed for 35 days with basal quail feed including 0.00, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00% BCS supplement, respectively. At the end, a total of 96 quails, 24 from each group (12 females and 12 males) were slaughtered. The BCS-addition did not affect the growth performance in the experimental groups compared to the control group. Addition of BCS to the diet significantly decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and urea amounts compared to the controls. Whereas, cholesterol decreased significantly with the addition of only 1.00% and low-density lipoprotein with the addition of 0.50 and 1.00% BCS compared to the controls. Liver glutathione levels significantly elevated in 0.50 and 1.00% BCS fed groups; while, glutathione peroxidase levels significantly decreased in 1.00 and 2.00% BCS fed groups. Adding 1.00 and 2.00% BCS to the feed reduced fatty liver incidence in male quails. It is concluded that adding 0.50 and 1.00% BCS positively affects the blood and liver parameters; therefore, BCS may be suggested as an anti-oxidant source to help protect hepatocytes against tissue damage as it has a significant effect on maintaining oxidant and anti-oxidant balance.

Serum antimüllerian hormone concentrations in female cats. Relation with ovarian remnant syndrome, ovarian cysts and gonadectomy status.

The aim of this study was to reveal (1) the determination of the serum antimüllerian hormone concentrations in cats with ovarian remnant syndrome and ovarian cyst, (2) the effectiveness of the serum antimüllerian hormone concentrations in detecting gonadectomy status, and (3) ovarian expression of the antimüllerian hormone in the ovarian cysts and ovarian remnant tissue. For this purpose, a total of 31 domestic cats older than 1 year, including ORS (n = 9), OC (n = 3), spayed (n = 8), and intact (n = 11), were used in the study. Serum and intrafollicular AMH concentrations were determined by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and expression of the AMH was determined by the immunohistochemical method. The serum AMH concentration in the ORS group was 1.49 ± 1.24 ng/ml (0.10-3.63 ng/ml) whereas it was 1.78 ± 0.92 ng/ml (0.8-2.63 ng/ml) in the OC group. AMH concentration in the intrafollicular fluid was determined as 0.023 ng/ml in a cat with an ovarian cyst. While the serum AMH concentration was below 0.01 ng/ml in spayed cats, it was 5.80 ± 3.30 ng/ml (1.88-11.86 ng/ml) in the intact cats. There was a significant difference between the spayed and intact groups in terms of serum AMH concentration (p < 0.05). Moreover, in cats with ovarian cyst and ovarian remnant syndrome, no difference was found between the groups in terms of serum AMH concentration (p > 0.05). No difference was found between the ovarian remnant syndrome and intact cats in terms of serum AMH concentration (p > 0.05). In immunohistochemical staining, ovarian cysts were found to be negative for AMH while a moderate (+2) AMH positivity was observed in other follicles. Furthermore, in cats with ovarian remnant syndrome, severe (+3) AMH positivity was observed. As a result, it was determined that gonadectomy status can be accurately diagnosed by the AMH measurement. Ovarian remnant syndrome cannot be diagnosed accurately by AMH measurement. In addition, it was found that AMH did not seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of ovarian cysts in cats.

Effects of carvacrol on experimental nephrolithiasis in female rats.

We induced experimental nephrolithiasis in female rats using ethylene glycol (EG) and ammonium chloride (AC). We investigated the effects of carvacrol, an essential oil with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, on nephrolithiasis using histopathology, immunohistochemistry and biochemistry. We used 40 female rats divided into four equal groups: control group, administered olive oil; carvacrol group, administered carvacrol in olive oil; nephrolithiasis group, administered EG and AC to induce experimental nephrolithiasis; treatment group with induced nephrolithiasis and administered carvacrol in olive oil. We observed no significant difference in crystal accumulation in the treatment group compared to the nephrolithiasis group. We found a significant reduction in hydropic degeneration of tubules and degree of inflammatory cell infiltration of intertubule areas. We also found a significant reduction in immunohistochemical staining of macrophage- and monocyte-specific antigens. Carvacrol treatment reversed the induced nephrolithiasis, increased malondialdehyde and urea, and decreased levels of glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Although carvacrol did not decrease crystal accumulation, it reduced pathological and biochemical damage, and improved kidney function by lowering the serum urea level.

The Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor Batimastat Reduces Epidural Fibrosis After Laminectomy in Rats.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of locally applied batimastat after laminectomy in preventing postoperative epidural fibrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats weighing 200?250 g were used. The rats were assigned to four different groups (I-Control group, II-sham group, III-Laminectomy+Batimastat group, and IV-Laminectomy+SpongostanTM group). The rats were euthanized 28 days after surgery before TNF-?, IL6, IL-1?, IL10, TGF-?1, and MMP9 gene expression levels of tissue in the surgical area were determined with qPCR. TNF-?, IL6, and IL10 protein levels were also measured in both tissue and plasma. In addition, the surgical area was evaluated by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: TNF-?, IL6, and IL-1? gene expression levels were higher in the batimastat group than in the control group. Whereas IL10 gene expression levels increased about two-fold in the sham and SpongostanTM groups, in the batimastat group, it was similar to that in the control group. TGF-?1 gene expression was three-fold higher in the sham group but was similar to that in the control group in both batimastat and SpongostanTM groups. MMP9 gene expression levels significantly decreased only in the batimastat group. In addition, fibrosis score, fibroblast cell count, inflammatory cell count, and CD105 expression decreased in the batimastat group relative to the control. CONCLUSION: Molecular and pathological examination results suggested that batimastat is an effective agent in reducing the occurrence of epidural fibrosis after laminectomy.

Investigation of the effects of safranal on the experimentally created rheumatoid arthritis model in rats.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic disease characterized by inflammation and synovitis. More effective treatment methods with less side effects need to be developed. In this context, current study investigated the therapeutic effects of safranal in a model of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced RA. The control group was given 1 ml of saline orally starting from the 8th day, and 0.2 ml of CFA was given to the RA, RA + Safranal and RA + Methotrexate (MTX) groups on the 0th day of the experiment. Starting from the 8th day of the experiment, 1 ml of saline was given to the RA group, safranal was given at 200 mg/kg of body weight to the RA + MTX group, and 3 mg/kg of MTX to the RA + MTX group twice a week. The results showed that weight gain decreased in the RA group compared to the control group while arthritis index score, thymus index, and planter temperature were found to be increased. Additionally, a deterioration in blood parameters, an increase in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein, and malondialdehyde levels, and a decrease in reduced glutathione levels and glutathione peroxidase and catalase (CAT) activities were seen while tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor kappa B levels were found to be increased. However, the safranal had a regulatory effect on all the values, except IL-6 and CAT, and blood parameters. Moreover, histopathological examination revealed that safranal reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and edema.

Effects of incubator oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations on hatchability of fertile eggs, some blood parameters, and histopathological changes of broilers with different parental stock ages in high altitude.

The effects of incubator carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) concentrations with parental stock age (PSA) on embryonic deaths (ED), hatchability of fertile eggs (HFE), some blood parameters, and the tissue development of broilers were investigated. Four consecutive repetitions following the similar materials and methods were carried. From 3 different aged ROSS 308 broiler parental flocks 7,680 hatching eggs were obtained and classified as young (Y; 29 wk), middle (M; 37 wk) and old (O; 55 wk) as regards PSA, and randomly distributed. Four different incubator ventilation programs (IVP) as control (C; 0.67% CO2 and 20.33% O2), high CO2 (HC; 1.57% CO2 and 20.26% O2), high O2 (HO; 0.50% CO2 and 21.16% O2), and high CO2 + O2 (HCO; 1.17% CO2 21.03% O2) were applied with oxygen concentrator, and ED and HFE were investigated. Lung and heart tissues, hemoglobin value, packed cell volume, and red blood cell count, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) values of the chicks were analyzed. It was found that IVP affected ED and HFE. Higher rate of early ED (EED) was obtained from the HC than HCO, and higher middle+late stage+pipped but unhatched ED (MLPED) with a lower rate of HFE was observed in the C group than HO and HCO (P < 0.05). Association was found between PSA and IVP (P < 0.05), being more evident in EED for young PSA, in MLPED with HFE for Y and O PSA. From hematological values, no statistical difference in RBC, PCV, and Hb values were found among the treatment groups, ACTH concentration known as a response to stress was found to be higher than C in all groups, triiodothyronine concentration was higher in the HO group than C. In the histopathological examination, used IVPs were found to have negative effects on the lung and heart such as vacuolization, hemorrhage in all PSA groups except for C. Conclusively, PSA and IVP affected some hatching, blood and tissue development parameters of the broiler chicks.

Tyrosol retards induction of fibrosis in rats.

Liver fibrosis, which still does not have a standard treatment due to its complex pathogenesis, is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. In this study, it was aimed to examine the possible protective and antifibrotic effects of tyrosol on the liver through histopathologic, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular methods in rats with chronic liver damage induced by thioacetamide (TAA). The study was carried out in four groups with eight rats in each group. Created groups are, respectively, control, TAA, tyrosol and TAA +tyrosol. Chronic liver damage was induced in the TAA and TAA +tyrosol groups by the addition of TAA (200 mg/L) to drinking water. Tyrosol (20 mg/kg/b.w./daily) was administered by oral gavage to tyrosol and TAA +tyrosol groups for 10 weeks. The results of this study demonstrate that the consumption of tyrosol alleviated the histopathologic changes such as inflammation, degeneration, and especially fibrosis induced by TAA in the liver. In addition, administration of tyrosol significantly attenuated alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and apoptosis expression. Biochemically, it was determined that tyrosol increased glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione peroxidase (GSH.Px), and catalase (CAT) activities and showed antioxidant efficacy by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Moreover, it reduced inflammation and fibrosis by decreasing gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß1). Western blot analysis also revealed similar results in TGF-ß1 expression. As a result, tyrosol suppressed fibrogenesis thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects and showed an antifibrotic effect in the liver. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: It is stated that tyrosol, a natural phenolic antioxidant found in olive oil, has neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. In this study, tyrosol suppressed fibrogenesis thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects and showed an antifibrotic effect in the liver. Olive oil has an important place in the Mediterranean diet, which reduces the incidence of chronic diseases. It is thought that the anti-fibrotic effect of tyrosol plays a role in this feature. As a result, it is thought that tyrosol can be used to prevent or slow down chronic liver diseases.

Comparison of renal lesions in cats and dogs using pathomorphological and immunohistochemical methods.

We investigated the pathogenesis of chronic renal fibrosis in cats and dogs using immunohistochemistry. We used the avidin-biotin complex peroxidase (ABC-P) method with antibodies against transforming growth factor-ß1, cytokeratin, E-cadherin, S100A4, alpha-smooth muscle actin, vimentin and nestin to determine whether tubule epithelial cells had undergone epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) that resulted in loss of epithelial cells and an increased number of mesenchymal cells. Although nephrosis was more common in dogs, nephritis was more common in cats; these pathologies developed in both kidneys. We found that EMT participated in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis in both dogs and cats.