Protective Effect of Ellagic Acid on Paraquat-induced Kidney Hazards in Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Paraquat is a commonly used highly toxic herbicide. Despite many studies on detoxification of paraquat, an efficient and safe antidote has not been introduced for toxic cases in human being. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ellagic acid (EA) on paraquat-induced kidney hazards in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty rats were randomly assigned as controls and 5 treatment groups (n = 10 each) receiving EA only, paraquat at doses of 15 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg, and paraquat at the same doses plus EA. Paraquat was intraperitoneally injected and the EA was orally given. Kidney tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for histopathologic investigation. RESULTS: Pathologic scoring showed that paraquat at the higher dose was associated with higher scores than the in the controls, EA group, and the high-dose paraquat group with EA treatment (P < .001 for all comparisons).  It was noted that paraquat caused a serious damage in the kidney and the EA treatment significantly reduced the extent of the damage. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the protective effects of EA against paraquat-induced nephrotoxicity histologically. Ellagic acid provided significant improvement in glomerular and tubular structure.

Investigation of the protective effect of erdosteine against cyclosporine-induced injury in rat liver with histological and biochemical methods.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In the present study, the protective effect of erdosteine against cyclosporine-induced injury in rat liver was investigated with histological and biochemical methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (n = 8), cyclosporine (n = 8, 20 mg kg(-1) day(-1) i.p.), cyclosporine + erdosteine (n = 8, erdosteine 12 mg kg(-1) day(-1) orally), and erdosteine (n = 8). At the end of day 12, liver tissues were removed for histological and biochemical analysis. After liver tissues were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, routine histological processes were applied and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and elastic fiber stain methods. One hundred lobules of liver were examined for each group and evaluated statistically. The levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, were determined. RESULTS: The cyclosporine group showed significant histopathological changes compared to the control. In the cyclosporine + erdosteine group, histopathological changes of hepatic damage were markedly reduced. Histological findings were supported by biochemical results. CONCLUSION: Erdosteine could attenuate cyclosporine-induced liver injury.

The effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury in hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury in hypertensive rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into 4 groups (n=29): Control group (n=8), L-NNA (NG-Nitro-L-arginine) group (n=8), L-NNA+ISO (L-NNA+isoproterenol) group (n=7) and L-NNA+ISO+CAPE (L-NNA+ISO + caffeic acid phenethyl ester) group (n=6). ISO (150 mg/kg/day) was given intraperitoneally (i.p.) once a day for 2 consecutive days (at the 12th and 13th days of L-NNA treatment). NG-Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) was given orally (25 mg/kg/day) in drinking water for 14 days. CAPE (10 µmol/kg/day) was given (i.p.) for 7 days after the first week. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was evaluated by the tail-cuff method and biochemical analysis were performed using an autoanalyzer and a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: SBP in all L-NNA-treated groups was found to be increased at seventh day. AST and LDH levels in LNNA+ISO group were significantly increased compared to control (AST: 125±5 vs. 105±2; LDH: 861±154 vs. 571±46 U/L respectively) (p<0.05). Also, ISO caused to extensive necrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration in hypertensive rat myocardium. CAPE application reversed the enhanced AST and LDH levels as well as the extensive necrosis and the mononuclear cell infiltration in LNNA+ISO+CAPE group compared LNNA+ISO. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, it might be suggested that CAPE may be a favorable agent to protect the hypertensive myocardium from the injury induced by isoproterenol via mechanisms such as the induction of the antioxidant enzymes and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Effect of Thymoquinone on Oxidative Stress in Escherichia coli-Induced Pyelonephritis in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent urinary tract infections are important in children and adults with diabetes mellitus and/or incontinence due to risk of pyelonephritis (PYN) and renal damage. There is a positive correlation released free radicals during PYN and renal damage. Experimental studies showed that antioxidant agents improve renal damage when used immediately after bacterial inoculation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether treatment by thymoquinone (TQ) before or during Escherichia coli inoculation prevents oxidative damage in acute pyelonephritis (PYN) in an ascending obstructive rat model. METHODS: In this study, 42 Wistar rats were grouped as follows: control, PYN (24, 48, and 72 hours), and TQ-PYN (24, 48, and 72 hours). E. coli (1 ×10(9) colony forming units) was inoculated into the bladder via urethral catheterization in both the PYN and TQ groups. TQ injections were performed 24 hours before bacteria inoculation and repeated at 24-hour intervals during the indicated time at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally in TQ groups. RESULTS: Superoxide dismutase activity was statistically lower in the TQ-PYN-48 and -72 groups than the PYN-48 and -72 groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.004, respectively). Catalase activity was significantly higher in PYN-24, -48, and -72 groups than the control group (P < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant difference between the TQ-PYN-24, -48, and -72 groups and PYN groups in terms of glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.001, P = 0.026, P = 0.046, respectively). When the TQ-PYN-72 group was compared with the PYN-72 group, malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the TQ-PYN-72 group than in the PYN-72 group (P = 0.033). A histologic examination also confirmed the protective effect of TQ. In statistical analysis of histopathologic findings, there were significant differences between the PYN-24 and TQ-PYN-24, PYN-48 and TQ-PYN-48, and PYN-72 and TQ-PYN-72 groups (P = 0.008, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that TQ administration attenuated the oxidative damage that occurred in PYN and, therefore, could be used as a supportive agent to protect the kidneys from oxidative damage caused by PYN.

Phagotrophic protozoa: A new weapon against pathogens?

Immune suppression is one of the most important factors contributing mortality in systemic diseases like HIV, cancer or diabetes. Moreover, in autoimmune diseases immune suppression itself becomes the only choice of therapy. Finally, fatal bacterial infections occur. As antibiotics get stronger, severity of their side effects increase and more resistant organisms develop. The war between antibiotics and pathogens becomes a never ending story while human body gets weaker day by day. Therefore we should develop new methods against bacterial infections. We have suggested that the protists controlling the bacterial growth effectively in aquatic environments could be used in the human body to cope with human pathogens. Million years of a balanced aquatic ecosystem could be a clue for us to search for better and more natural fighting methods against human infectious agents.