Resveratrol can prevent CCl4-induced liver injury by inhibiting Notch signaling pathway.

We investigated whether Notch signaling was increased in an experimental liver fibrosis model and examined the effects of resveratrol on Notch expression. Rats were divided into four groups: the control group, injected with physiological saline; the CCl4 group; the CCl4 plus resveratrol group; and the resveratrol group. After treatment, immunostaining was performed to detect Notch1, Notch3, Notch4, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and TUNEL assays were performed to evaluate apoptosis. Sirius red staining was used to detect fibrosis. Samples were also biochemically evaluated for glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation. GSH, GPx, and catalase activities were significantly decreased (p⟨0.001) in the CCl4 group. Distinct collagen accumulation was detected around the central vein and portal areas, and numbers of Notch1-, Notch3-, and Notch4-positive cells were significantly increased (p⟨0.001) in fibrotic areas in the CCl4 group. Increased expression of Notch proteins in fibrotic areas may support the role of Notch in mediating signaling associated with liver fibrosis through activation of hepatic stellate and progenitor cells. In contrast, resveratrol prevented liver fibrosis by decreasing lipid peroxidation and may be effective for inhibiting Notch signaling.

Notch signaling pathway in cumulus cells can be a novel marker to identify poor and normal responder IVF patients.

PURPOSE: To identify expression of Notch signaling proteins and its ligands in human cumulus cells which were obtained by follicle aspiration and to compare the differences of this protein expression between the normal and poor responder patients. METHODS: 47 patients who applied to the assisted reproductive treatments with various infertility problems were included to the study. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was performed by using GnRH agonist and gonadotropins. Serum hormon levels were measured by using Chemilluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay method for each patient. After ultrasonographic ovarian follicle screening, oocytes were retrievaled. Cumulus cells obtained from the follicles were cultured for 72 h and immunuhistochemistry were performed for Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, Notch4, Jagged1 and Jagged2 proteins. Histological score (HSCORE) were applied to all of the samples. The association between Notch and its ligands protein expressions and the oocyte-embryo quality and fertilization rates were investigated. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the mean values of age, AMH and FSH in the 2 groups, respectively (p < 0.05). However, the mean female infertility duration and total gonadotropin dose did not differ significantly between normal and poor responder groups. All the patients cumulus cells expressed Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, Notch4, Jagged1 and Jagged2. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) only for Notch2 between the 2 groups and a positive correlation between Notch2 and Notch3 (r = 547, p = 0.00) expressions were noted. Furthermore, no correlations were observed between the following: Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, Notch4, Jagged1, and Jagged2 expression; mature oocyte number; fertilization rates, and embryo quality percentage in both of the groups. CONCLUSION: Notch signalling proteins can be an indicator for understanding the ovarian response in ovulation induction.

Effects of nimodipine and pentoxyfylline in prevention of hepatic ischemic damage in rats at normal and hypothermic conditions.

Hepatic ischemia should be considered in serious liver injury, liver tumor resection and liver transplantation. There are other conditions that decrease hepatic blood flow and cause hepatic ischemia, such as hemorrhagic shock, sepsis, hepatic artery ligation, trauma, and certain vascular lesions. In this study, effects of nimodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and pentoxyfylline (a derivative of methylxanthine) on duration and degree of hepatic ischemia in rats at normothermic and hypothermic conditions are investigated. This study was performed on 6 groups of Wistar Albino type rats, each group consisting of 7 rats. Groups were separated into normothermic (A) and hypothermic (B) conditions AI-Control group, AII-Nimodipine group and AIII-Pentoxyfylline group, B IV-Control group, BV-Nimodipine group and BVI-Pentoxyfylline group respectively. After hepatic pedicle occlusion lasting 45 min, blood samples were drawn from the rats for evaluation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values. Moreover, hepatic biopsies were taken to assess pathological changes under electron microscopy. These changes were evaluated through a grading system. As a result; it has been shown that both nimodipine and pentoxyfylline delayed effects of hepatic ischemia in a statistically significant manner in comparison with the control group and these effects were found to be more significant in hypothermic conditions.