Assessment of the effect of sodium tetraborate on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in lead-induced nephrotoxicity.

Exposure to Pb, a toxic heavy metal, is a risk factor for renal damage. Borax, an essential trace element in cellular metabolism, is a naturally occurring compound found in many foods. This study investigated the effects of sodium tetraborate (ST), a source of borax, on renal oxidative stress and inflammation in rats exposed to Pb. Wistar Albino rats (n = 24) were divided into four groups: Control (0.5 mL, i.p. isotonic), Pb (50 mg/kg/day/i.p.), ST (4.0 mg/kg/day/oral), and Pb + ST groups. At the end of the five-day experimental period, kidney tissue samples were obtained and analyzed. Histopathologically, the Pb-induced damage observed in the Pb group improved in the Pb + ST group. Immunohistochemically, Pb administration increased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and caspase-3. When evaluated biochemically, Pb application inhibited catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and activated superoxide dismutase enzyme activity. An increase in malondialdehyde levels was considered an indicator of damage. ST application increases glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and decreased malondialdehyde levels. These results indicate that ST might play a protective role against Pb-induced renal damage via the upregulation of renal tissue antioxidants and cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and caspase-3 immunoexpression.

The protective effect of arbutin against potassium bromate-induced oxidative damage in the rat brain.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of arbutin (ARB) against brain injury induced in rats with potassium bromate (KBrO3 ). The rats were divided into four groups as Group 1: Control (0.9% NaCl ml/kg/day p.), Group 2: KBrO3 (100 mg/kg (gavage), Group 3: ARB (50 mg/kg/day p.), and Group 4: KBrO3 + ARB (100 mg/kg (gavage) + 50 mg/kg/day p.). At the end of the fifth day of the study, the rats in all groups were killed, and their brain tissues were collected. In the collected brain tissues, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were measured, and routine histopathological examinations were made. The MDA levels in the group that was exposed to KBrO3 were significantly higher than those in the control group (p ˂ 0.001). In comparison to the KBrO3 group, the MDA levels in the KBrO3 + ARB group were significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001). It was observed that SOD and CAT enzyme activity levels were significantly lower in the KBrO3 group compared to the control group (p ˂ 0.001), while these levels were significantly higher in the KBrO3 + ARB group than in the KBrO3 group (p ˂ 0.001). Additionally, the group that was subjected to KBrO3 toxicity, as well as ARB administration, had much lower levels of histopathologic signs than the group that was subjected to KBrO3 toxicity only. Consequently, it was found that KBrO3 exposure led to injury in the brain tissues of the rats, and using ARB was effective in preventing this injury.

Effects of morning and nocturnal soccer matches on levels of some trace elements in young trained males.

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate effect of morning and nocturnal soccer matches induced metabolic stress on plasma levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Twenty male footballers performed two soccer matches in morning and at night on different days. Blood samples were taken before and after match. The levels of Fe, Zn and Cu were measured through an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Metabolic stress was evaluated by altered malondialdehyde (MDA) levels that measured using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. In morning and at nocturnal soccer matches, levels of MDA (36% and 27%), Fe (37.4% and 38.9%) and Cu (34.8% and 26.8%) were all increased in all subjects, respectively. However, Zn level decreased -4.5 % in morning (n=10 subjects) and -9.4% at nocturnal (n=12 subjects) soccer matches. In addition, Cu/Zn ratio increased significantly 46.6% in morning and 36.6% at nocturnal soccer matches. Soccer match has significant effects on levels of MDA, Fe and Cu but not Zn levels. The results of this study showed that morning soccer match significantly alters levels of MDA and Cu and Cu/Zn ratio compared to nocturnal soccer match.

Effect of astaxanthin and aluminum chloride on erythrocyte G6PD and 6PGD enzyme activities in vivo and on erythrocyte G6PD in vitro in rats.

In this study, we investigated the effect of astaxanthin (Ast) and aluminum (Al) on the erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) enzymes activities in vivo and on G6PD enzyme in vitro in rats. For in vitro studies, G6PD enzyme was purified from rat erythrocyte by using 2',5'-ADP-Sepharose 4B affinity gel. The effects of Ast and Al3+ ion were investigated on the purified enzyme. It was determined that Ast increased the enzyme activity, whereas Al3+ inhibited the enzyme activity noncompetitively (IC50 values; 0.679 mM, Ki values 1.32 mM). For in vivo studies, the rats were divided into the groups: control (Cont.), Al, Ast, and Al + Ast. The last three groups were compared with the control group. In Al group, a significant degree of inhibition was observed in the activity of G6PD and 6PGD enzymes when compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas there was an increase in the activities of G6PD and 6PGD enzymes in Ast and Al + Ast groups (P < 0.05).

Ameliorative effects of astaxanthin against copper(II) ion-induced alteration of pentose phosphate pathway and antioxidant system enzymes in rats.

Copper (Cu) is one of the toxic elements that cause environmental pollution. As a result of excessive accumulation of copper in the organism, it causes damage in various organs and tissues and hemolysis in erythrocytes. Astaxanthin (ATX) is a pigment belonging to the xanthophyll family, which is an oxygenated derivative of carotenoids. Thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties, ATX has an extraordinary potential to protect the organism against various diseases, especially cancer. The main objective of this study was to investigate the toxic effect of copper ions on the glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phospho-gluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) enzymes and the role of astaxanthin in reducing this effect. In in vivo study, Wistar Albino male rats (n=28) were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, copper (Cu2+) group, astaxanthin (ATX) group, and copper + astaxanthin (Cu2++ATX) group. The results show that G6PD enzyme activity in Cu2+ group was strongly inhibited (p ˂ 0.05), while in other groups, there were no significant effects compared to the control group (p ⩾ 0.05). 6PGD enzyme activity was significantly reduced in Cu2+ group compared to that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05), and GR enzyme activity was lower in Cu2+ group compared to that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05). Similarly, when GST enzyme activity was evaluated, a strong decrease was observed in the Cu2+ group compared to that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05), while the enzyme activity in the Cu2++ATX group approached the control group (p ⩾ 0.05). When TrxR enzyme activity level was examined, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the Cu2+ and Cu2++ATX groups (p ˂ 0.05), and the enzyme activity in the ATX group was found to be close to that in the control group. When in vitro results were evaluated, it was observed that copper ions inhibited G6PD enzyme purified from rat erythrocyte tissues with IC50=1.90 µM value and Ki = 0.97 µM ± 0.082 value and the inhibition was non-competitive. From the results, it can be concluded that Cu2+ ions have an inhibitory effect on rat erythrocyte pentose phosphate pathway and antioxidant system enzymes both in vivo and in vitro, and astaxanthin reduces this effect.

Protective Effects of Chrysin Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Lead Acetate in Rat Kidneys: a Biochemical and Histopathological Approach.

In this study, the protective effects of chrysin (CR) on lead acetate (PbAc)-induced renal toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated with biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical methods. In the study, rats were given orally at 30 mg/kg/body weight (BW) PbAc after CR of 25 and 50 mg/kg/BW was administered to them orally (a total of 7 administrations for 7 days). The results showed that CR reduced urea and creatinine levels by alleviating PbAc-induced kidney damage. It was determined that CR decreases PbAc-induced lipid peroxidation due to its antioxidant properties and increases catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and glutathione (GSH) levels. It was also detected that CR protects DNA from the toxic effects of PbAc and reduces 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. Biochemical and immunohistochemical findings demonstrated that CR had anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects and reduced nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), interleukin-33 (IL-33), prostaglandin-E2 (PGE-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), p53 levels, and the activities of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which were increased with PbAc administration. Moreover, CR was found to increase the levels of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and nephrine in PbAc-induced kidney tissue. CR decreased the contents of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), sodium (Na), and copper (Cu) and increased those of potassium (K) calcium (Ca) in renal tissue. These results indicated that CR considerably alleviates kidney toxicity caused by PbAc.

Neuroprotective Effects of Lacosamide in Experimental Peripheral Nerve Injury in Rats : A Prospective Randomized and Placebo-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of lacosamide after experimental peripheral nerve injury in rats. METHODS: A total of 28 male wistar albino rats weighing 300-350 g were divided into four groups. In group I, the sciatic nerve exposed and the surgical wound was closed without injury; in group II, peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) was performed after dissection of the nerve; in group III, PNI was performed after dissection and lacosamide was administered, and in group IV, PNI was performed after dissection and physiological saline solution was administered. At 7 days after the injury all animals were sacrificed after walking track analysis. A 5 mL blood sample was drawn for biochemical analysis, and sciatic nerve tissues were removed for histopathological examination. RESULTS: There is low tissue damage in lacosamide treated group and antioxidant anzymes and malondialdehyde levels were higher than non-treated and placebo treated group. However there was no improvement on clinical assessment. CONCLUSION: The biochemical and histological analyses revealed that lacosamide has neuroprotective effect in PNI in rats. This neuroprotective capacity depends on its scavenger role for free oxygen radicals by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity.

Neuroprotective Effects of Lacosamide in Experimental Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Rats.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of lacosamide on traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 28 male Wistar albino rats, each weighing 300-350 g, were included. They were randomly assigned to four groups. In Group 1, only a laminectomy was performed; in Group 2, SCI was performed after laminectomy; in Group 3, SCI was performed after laminectomy followed by lacosamide administration, and in Group 4, SCI was performed after laminectomy followed by physiological saline administration. After 48 hours, all animals were sacrificed, blood samples were drawn, and their spinal cords were removed. The serum levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured, and the spinal cord specimens were examined for neuronal degeneration (PND). RESULTS: The MDA level was the lowest and the antioxidant enzyme levels were the highest in Group 3. There were statistically significant differences between Group 3 and the others in their PND score, serum MDA, SOD, GPX and catalase levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lacosamide has a neuroprotective effect in SCI in rats that is related to its ability to decrease the production of reactive oxygen species by increasing antioxidant enzyme expression, inhibit lipid peroxidation and attenuate glial cell activation.

Bio-oil production via catalytic pyrolysis of Anchusa azurea: Effects of operating conditions on product yields and chromatographic characterization.

Pyrolysis of Anchusa azurea, a lignocellulosic gramineous plant, was carried out in a tubular, fixed-bed reactor in the presence of four catalysts (Ca(OH)2, Na2CO3, ZnCl2, Al2O3). The influences of pyrolysis parameters such as catalyst and temperature on the yields of products were studied. It was found that higher temperature resulted in lower liquid (bio-oil) and solid (bio-char) yields and higher gas yields. Catalysts effected the yields of products differently and the composition of bio-oils. Liquid yields were increased in the presence of Na2CO3, ZnCl2 and Al2O3 and decreased with Ca(OH)2. The highest bio-oil yield (34.05%) by weight including aqueous phase was produced with Na2CO3 catalyst at 450°C. The yields of products (bio-char, bio-oil and gas) and the compositions of the resulting bio-oils were determined by GC-MS, FT-IR and elemental analysis. GC-MS identified 124 and 164 different compounds in the bio-oils obtained at 350 and 550°C respectively.