Whey protein supplementation reduced the liver damage scores of rats fed with a high fat-high fructose diet.

Different functional foods with bioactive nutrients are being explored for the management of NAFLD. Whey proteins are rich in bioactive peptides and are suggested to show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We aim to test the hypothesis that the whey protein supplementation following a high fat-high fructose (HFHF) diet would protect against liver damage, inflammation, endotoxemia and steatosis in male Wistar rats. 36 rats were randomized into four groups for 8 weeks as the HFHF diet group, HFHF diet and whey protein isolate (WPI-200mg/kg/day) group (HFHF+WPI), control (C) group, and C+WPI (200mg/kg/day) group. Rats fed with a HFHF diet had higher final body weight compared to C and C+WPI groups (p = 0.002). Thus, WPI showed no significant effects for the body weight of rats with a HFHF diet. On the other hand, the HFHF+WPI group had significantly lower abdominal circumference when compared with the HFHF group (p<0,001). Higher serum CRP levels were observed in the groups with a HFHF diet (p<0,001) and WPI supplementation showed no effects on CRP levels. Whey protein supplementation resulted with lower total liver damage score in HFHF+WPI group compared with the HFHF diet group (p<0,001). Conversely, higher liver damage scores were observed with the C+WPI group compared to C group (p<0,001). HFHF diet resulted with higher expression of TLR-4 in the liver meanwhile WPI supplementation showed no effects on liver TLR-4 expression. We observed higher colon Occludin expression in HFHF+WPI and C+WPI groups compared with HFHF and C groups (p<0,001). Our results showed that, whey protein supplementation might help improve liver damage associated with a high fat-high fructose diet and increase the expression of Occludin in the small intestine and colon.

The protective role of 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone against the harmful effects of 50 Hz electric field in rat lung tissue.

There is strong scientific evidence that the electric field is harmful to life. Exposure to an electric field (EF) can cause lung toxicity and respiratory disorders. In addition, the electric field has been shown to cause tissue damage through inflammation and apoptosis. Juglone (JUG) is one of the powerful antioxidants with anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory, various pharmacological properties in the biological system. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of JUG against the potential adverse effects of electric field on the lung. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups; control group (Cont), EF group, and EF exposure+JUG-treated group (EJUG). After routine histological procedures, sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) showed significant changes in lung tissues in the EF group compared to the Cont group. Significant protective effects were observed in the building volumes and histopathology in the EJUG group. Our immunohistochemical and gene expression results increased the expression of caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the EF group (p < 0.05). Juglon increased cytokine signal suppressor (SOCS) expression (p < 0.001). These findings were consistent with the antioxidant effect of JUG treatment. We reasoned that exposure to EF damaged rat lung tissues and administration of JUG alleviated the complications caused by 50 Hz EF.

Depending on technological developments, the use of electric devices and equipment is increasing day by day. During the transmission and use of electrical energy, electric and magnetic fields occurs. This forces can affect the environment and people. 50 Hz electric fields damage the cells and tissues of exposed living things in many ways. In our study, we examined the hypothesis that juglone, a natural antioxidant, can reduce the damage caused by the 50 Hz electric field that we are exposed to for a long time in our daily lives. In our study, it was shown by histological and genetic approaches that juglone, which has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects, may be protective against lung damage due to electric field exposure on experimental animals. According to our study results, for increased electric field exposure as a consequence of developing technology, juglone could be an important supportive treatment option.

Protective effect of juglone on electric field-induced apoptosis and inflammation in liver and kidney tissue in rats.

Electric field (EF) has been shown to cause tissue damage mainly through oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Thus, juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) (JUG), which has antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties, is thought to be effective against electric field-induced damage. We aimed to investigate whether 50 Hz alternating current (AC) triggers inflammation and apoptosis in rat liver and kidney tissues and evaluate the JUG supplement's estimated protective effect. Twenty-four adult male wistar albino rats were divided into control, EF and EF + JUG groups, each containing eight rats. The EF and EF + JUG groups were exposed to EF while no EF exposure and JUG were applied to the control group. At the end of the experiment, liver and kidney tissues were collected for histological (H&E, caspase-3 and TNF-α for immunohistochemical staining), and genetics (SOCS, caspase-3 and TNF-α, PCR analyses). After routine histological procedures, sections stained with H&E showed significant changes in liver and kidney tissues in the EF group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Significant protective effects were observed in the building volumes and histopathology in the EF + JUG group (p < 0.05). Our gene expression results increased the expression of caspase-3 and TNF-α in the EF group (p < 0.001). Juglone increased SOCS expression (p < 0.001). These findings were consistent with the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of JUG treatment. We reasoned that exposure to EF damaged rat liver and kidney tissues and administration of JUG alleviated the complications caused by 50 Hz EF.

Is Quercetin Beneficial for Colon Cancer? A Cell Culture Study, Using the Apoptosis Pathways.

BACKGROUND: Quercetin (QCT) is a dietary flavonoid with many beneficial effects (e.g., antioxidant, antiaging, antidiabetic, antifungal effects, and regulation of gastrointestinal motor activity in human); furthermore, it induces apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and differentiation. OBJECTIVE: The apoptotic effects of OCT were investigated on SW480 human colon cancer cell lines in monolayer and spheroid cultures. METHODS: Quercetin (40-200 µM) was applied, and Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) doses were determined for three time intervals (24, 48, and 72 h). The effective dose was determined and applied for analyses, including staining with BrdU to investigate cell proliferation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) to investigate apoptosis, and caspase-3 and Apoptosis Inducing Factor (AIF) to investigate caspase-dependent or independent apoptotic pathways. RESULTS: The effective dose of QCT was determined to be 200 µM and was found to induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation at 24, 48, and 72 h,both in 2D and 3D cultures. Significant increases were observed in both caspase-3 and AIF staining, but cells showed greater caspase-3 staining compared with AIF staining at all time intervals (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The QCT treatment groups showed more cell death and less cell growth compared with the untreated control groups in both 2D and 3D cultures of SW480 cell lines. The results suggest that quercetin induces apoptosis, inhibits cell proliferation, and has a protective role against colon cancer. However, further studies are needed to clarify its mechanism of action.

Protective Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid against Liver Damage Induced by Cigarette Smoke: An in vivo Study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term cigarette smoking damages the liver tissue. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is used as a therapeutic agent in a number of conditions and is known to have ameliorative effects against oxidative stress in the liver. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ameliorative effects of ALA on cigarette smoke (CS)-induced oxidative liver damage by examining histopathological, immunohistopathological changes and biochemical parameters in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. In the control group (n = 8), rats were exposed to fresh air twice a day and given 0.1 ml of saline by gavage once a day for 8 weeks. In the smoking group (n = 10), rats were exposed to CS for 1 h in the morning and afternoon and given 0.1 ml of saline by gavage once a day for 8 weeks. In the smoking + ALA group (n = 10), CS exposure was same as the smoking group in addition to 100 mg/kg of ALA per day for 8 weeks through gavage. Oxidative damage in the liver tissue was determined by evaluating malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin and total bilirubin levels were measured in the blood. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. RESULTS: MDA (P = 0.011), AST (P = 0.018) and total bilirubin levels (P < 0.001) were increased, while CAT activity (P = 0.009) and the efficiency of SOD (P = 0.010) were decreased in the smoking group compared with the control group. CAT activity was increased (P = 0.017) and AST (P = 0.018) and total bilirubin levels (P < 0.001) were decreased in ALA-treated group compared with the smoking group. We observed vascular dilatation and hemorrhagic areas in the smoking group. TNF-α expression was increased in the smoking group compared with the control group. However, TNF-α expression was high in some preparations in the ALA-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: ALA can enhance antioxidant activity, but studies with different doses of ALA are required to determine the extent of its hepatoprotective effect.

Investigation of apoptotic effect of juglone on CCL-228-SW 480 colon cancer cell line.

BACKGROUND: Colon cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Juglone is a natural compound which has been isolated from Juglans mandshurica Maxim, and it has various pharmacological effects such as antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of juglone on CCL-228-SW 480 colon carcinoma cell line in monolayer and spheroid culture medium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CCL-228-SW 480 cell lines were cultured in both monolayer and spheroid cultures. Cells were treated with juglone at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. ID50 inhibition was determined on the dose for juglone and after it was found 20 µM was applied to the cells to examine the effect of juglone on CCL-228-SW 480 colon carcinoma cell line. After Juglone was applied the BrdU marking index, Transferase dUTP Nick ends Labeling (TUNEL) assay, active caspase-3 assay, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) assay were determined by immunohistochemistry in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures. RESULTS: The control group had a healthy pattern of S-phase fraction, and many of the CCL-228-SW 480 cells nuclei were observed to be positive for BrdU. Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl TUNEL-positive cells, active Caspase-3, and AIF were detected after treatment with juglone in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures. CONCLUSIONS: The dead cell count was higher in the CCL-228-SW 480 cell lines with juglone applied than in the controls. Juglone significantly inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of CCL-228-SW 480 cells in vitro.

Determination of Apoptotic Effect of Juglone on Human Bladder Cancer TCC-SUP and RT-4 Cells: An In Vitro Study.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of juglone on the human bladder carcinoma cell lines TCC-SUB and RT-4 in monolayer and spheroid cultures. Cells were treated with juglone at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. The activity of caspase-3 was detected in vitro using a caspase-3 colorimetric assay kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. The bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index was used to determine the cells of the synthesis phase. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay was used to determine the death of cells in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures. The control group had a large S-phase fraction and many of the TCC-SUB and RT-4 cells nuclei were observed to be positive for BrdU. The dead cell count was higher in the TCC-SUB and RT-4 cell lines with juglone applied than in the controls. We conclude that juglone significantly inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of TCC-SUB and RT-4 cells in vitro.

Effects of a specially pulsed electric field on an animal model of wound healing.

The possible beneficial effects of a specially pulsed electric field (PEF) on wound healing were investigated in this study. We made a pair of triangular, full-thickness, dorsal incisions in the skin of 32 healthy male mice (one control group and three exposure groups). The treatment groups were kept between parallel plates in a partially insulated exposed environment. Group I was exposed to an electric field intensity of 10 kV/m, group II was exposed to 1.9 kV/m, and group III was exposed to 0.9 kV/m. PEFs were applied to the subjects for 20-22 h and 8 consecutive days. We determined the differences in wound recovery between the groups based on the following parameters: collagen fiber density, inflammatory infiltration density, capillary proliferation, and existence of exudates. We found that a 0.9 kV/m-1.9 kV/m chopped direct current (DC) electric field with a 30 micros repetition time favorably affected collagen synthesis and wound recovery. Despite the intensity of 0.9-1.9 kV/m, PEF accelerated healing, but 10 kV/m decelerated this recovery process.

Immunohistochemical study on distribution of endocrine cells in gastrointestinal tract of flower fish (Pseudophoxinus antalyae).

AIM: To detect distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells in gastrointestinal tract of flower fish (Pseudophoxinus antalyae). METHODS: The intestinal tract of flower fish was divided into four portions from proximal to distal; the enlarged area after oesophagus and anterior, middle and posterior intestine. Immunohistochemical method using the peroxidase anti-peroxidase complex was employed. All antisera between four portions of flower fish were compared using ANOVA. RESULTS: Eleven types of gut endocrine cells were determined; they were immunoreactive for calcitonin gene related peptide, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide, bombesin, somatostatin-14, secretin, TrkA, TrkB, TrkC, neurotensin, neuropeptide Y, which were found in almost all portions of the gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSION: The regional distribution and relative frequency of immunoreactive cells in the flower fish, Pseudophoxinus antalyae, are essentially similar to those of other fish.