The effect of octreotide, an analog of somatostatin, on bleomycin-induced interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

In this study, octreotide (OCT), a synthetic somatostatin analog, was tested for its beneficial effects in the prevention of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) induced by bleomycin (BLM) in rats by histological examination and by evaluating tissue OH-proline levels. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups: group I: intratracheal (i.t.) BLM (7.5 mg/kg, single dose) + saline solution [0.9% NaCl, subcutaneously (s.c.), once-daily for 7 days]; group II: i.t. BLM (7.5 mg/kg, single dose) + OCT acetate (82.5 µg/kg, s.c., once-daily for 7 days); and the control group. At the end of the 7 days, lung tissues were excised and examined by histopathological methods. Levels of tissue hydroxyproline (OH-proline) were determined. BLM administration resulted in prominent histopathologic findings, such as diffuse alveolar damage and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, as well as a significant increase in OH-proline level, as compared to controls. OCT application explicitly attenuated the histopathologic changes to a significant extent. OCT decreased paranchymal fibrosis and structural deformities in BLM-induced lung fibrosis. These results suggest that OCT administration to rats with BLM-induced IPF has a protective effect. Further studies are necessary to reveal the molecular mechanism(s) of OCT-induced protective effect.

Element and Water-Soluble Vitamins Profile of Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) Grown in Different Regions.

In this study, the amounts of some elements and water-soluble vitamins in Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) samples grown in different regions were analyzed by ICP-OES and HPLC, respectively. The maximum amount of Na, K, Mg, and P was determined in the sumac samples of Kadana, Sheladize, Maras, and Derishke regions, respectively. The richest regions in terms of trace elements such as Zn, Cu, Fe, Se, Mn, Cr, Mo, Ni, and B were Charput, Derishke, Ranya, Charput, Ranya, Derishke, Elazig, Derishke, and Kadana, respectively. The highest amount of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in sumac samples were determined in Kadana, Kadana, Trawanish, and Charput regions, respectively, while the lowest amounts were determined in Maras, Sheladize, Elazig, and Trawanish regions sumac samples. Since target hazard coefficient (THQ) and total target hazard coefficient (TTHQ) values calculated for minor, toxic and heavy metals investigated in sumac samples are well below one; therefore, they do not pose a health risk. From the result obtained, sumac is a good food additive spice in terms of water-soluble vitamins except ascorbic acid. The amounts of ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, nicotine amide, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folic acid, and cyanocobalamin in sumac samples varied between 78.90-36.57, 173.57-61.11, 518.4-182.3, 314.0-105.6, 1292.1-788.7, 779.2-301.7, 385.8-133.4, 826.2-473.1, and 192.6-73.9 µg/g dw, respectively. Differences in the amount of elements and water-soluble vitamins among sumac samples from different regions may be due to geographical and ecological reasons.

Investigation of Amounts of Vitamins, Lycopene, and Elements in the Fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica Subjected to Different Pretreatments.

In this study, Opuntia ficus-indica fruit was examined in fresh, frozen, sun-dried, and microwave-dried. Analysis of the vitamins in the samples was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The amount of selenium in the fruits was determined by fluorescence spectrophotometer, while copper, iron, manganese, and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Amount of vitamins in the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica were decreased (p < 0.005) in sun- and microwave-dried samples in comparison with fresh sample. Decrease of vitamins in frozen fruits was statistically insignificant compared with fresh fruit (p > 0.05). The amounts of selenium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc in Opuntia ficus-indica fruit were found to be 0.38 ± 0.03, 23.84 ± 1.82, 94.32 ± 7.04, 13.68 ± 0.88, and 188.44 ± 15.16 µg/g dw, respectively. It can be concluded that the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica is rich in vitamin E, lycopene, ascorbic acid, nicotine amide, folic acid, iron, and zinc. The most suitable preservation techniques for Opuntia ficus-indica fruits are freezing to consume it in all season.

Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels in serum and saliva of epileptic patients: hormonal changes can have a major effect on seizure disorders.

Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin are the two recently discovered peptide hormones involved in the control of appetite. Besides its main appetite-control function, ghrelin also has anticonvulsant effects, while nesfatin-1 causes depolarization in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The aims of this study, therefore, were to investigate: (i) whether there are differences in the concentrations of nesfatin-1 and ghrelin in saliva and serum samples between eplilepsy patients and normal controls and (ii) whether salivary glands produce nesfatin-1. The study included a total of 73 subjects: 8 patients who were newly diagnosed with primary generalized seizures and had recently started antiepileptic drug therapy; 21 who had primary generalized seizures and were continuing with established antiepileptic drug therapy; 24 who had partial seizures (simple: n = 12 or complex: n = 12) and were continuing with established antiepileptic drug therapy; and 20 controls. Salivary gland tissue samples were analyzed for nesfatin-1 expression by immunochemistry and ELISA. Saliva and serum ghrelin levels were measured by ELISA and RIA, and nesfatin-1 levels by ELISA. Nesfatin-1 immunoreactivity was detected in the striated and interlobular parts of the salivary glands and the ducts. The nesfatin-1 level in the brain was around 12 times higher than in the salivary gland. Before antiepileptic treatment, both saliva and serum nesfatin-1 levels were around 160-fold higher in patients who are newly diagnosed with primary generalized epilepsy (PGE) than in controls; these levels decreased with treatment but remained about 10 times higher than the control values. Saliva and serum nesfatin-1 levels from patients with PGE and partial epilepsies who were continuing antiepileptic drugs were also 10-fold higher than control values. Serum and saliva ghrelin levels were significantly (twofold) lower in epileptic patients before treatment than in controls; they recovered somewhat with treatment but remained below the control values. These results suggest that the low ghrelin and especially the dramatically elevated nesfatin-1 levels might contribute to the pathophyisology of epilepsy. Therefore, serum and saliva ghrelin and especially the remarkably increased nesfatin-1 might be candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of epilepsy and for monitoring the response to anti-epileptic treatment.

Simultaneous quantification of acylated and desacylated ghrelin in biological fluids.

This study reports simultaneous quantification of both acylated and desacylated forms of ghrelin in biological samples, utilizing a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. The HPLC assay was also compared with RIA assays in use. Biological samples (serum, saliva, urine, milk) known for the presence of ghrelin were collected from a total of eight post-partum women and eight male volunteers. Analysis of ghrelin with HPLC was also validated for linearity, precision, detection limit and accuracy. An elution time of 6 min was observed for pure (commercial) desacylated human ghrelin and for the same form of the hormone from all body fluids studied. The elution time for acylated pure human ghrelin and that in body fluids, however, was around 16 min. The mean recovery rate was over 90% for both forms with no significant interference. The lowest detectable levels for acylated and desacylated ghrelin with the method used here were 11 (+/-2) and 14 (+/-3) pg mL(-1), respectively. Given its simplicity, accuracy, time and cost-effectiveness, the HPLC method described here for determination of two forms of ghrelin (active and inactive) might prove useful for certain diagnostic purposes.

Milk and blood ghrelin level in diabetics.

OBJECTIVE: Besides its presence in various tissues, ghrelin has recently been shown to be present in blood and breast milk. No previous studies, however, have evaluated the level of this hormone under the condition of pregestational and gestational diabetes mellitus (P-GDM and GDM, respectively). This study was undertaken to show whether a relation exists between serum and milk ghrelin levels in lactating mothers with and without diabetes. METHODS: Venous blood was obtained from four groups of women (age range 22-37 y): GDM lactating (n = 12), P-GM lactating (n = 3), healthy non-diabetic lactating (n = 14), and healthy non-lactating (n = 14). Colostrum and mature milk samples were collected just before suckling. The ghrelin level was determined by radioimmunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Radioimmunoassay results showed that women with GDM and P-GDM had greater than two-fold lower colostrum and serum levels of ghrelin than did lactating women with no GDM at 2 d after parturition. The GDM and non-diabetic groups at 15 d after delivery, however, showed similar levels of ghrelin in mature milk and serum. High-performance liquid chromatographic results indicated that in serum the deacylated form of ghrelin was 18-fold higher than the acylated form. Furthermore, in milk the acylated form of ghrelin was 24-fold that of the active form. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that mothers with GDM have a substantial (greater than two-fold) decrease in their serum and colostral ghrelin levels. This is, however, a temporary effect lasting only up to early postparturition (2 d after delivery). This peptide hormone restores to completely normal levels at day 15 of parturition, but not P-GDM. The significance of these results in terms of the health of the mother and her newborn, however, has yet to be determined.

Effects of selenium and vitamin E, in addition to melatonin, against oxidative stress caused by cadmium in rats.

The present study was carried to evaluate the protective effects of melatonin alone and vitamin E with selenium combination against high dose cadmium-induced oxidative stress in rats. The control group received subcutaneous physiological saline. The first study group administered cadmium chloride (CdCl2) by subcutaneous injection of dose of 1 mg/kg. The second study group administered cadmium plus vitamin E with selenium (1 mg/kg sodium selenite with 60 mg/kg vitamin E); the third study group administered cadmium plus 10 mg/kg melatonin (MLT); the fourth study group administered CdCl2 plus a combination of melatonin in addition to vitamin E and selenium for a month. Determination levels of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), blood superoxide dismutase (SOD), creatinine alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and urea were measured in serum. In only CdCl2 administered group, the MDA, creatinine, ALT, AST, ALP, and urea levels in the serum were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Whereas in all other groups, this values were significantly lower than the only CdCl2 administered group (p < 0.05). Erythrocytes GSH-Px, serum SOD activities of only CdCl2 received group were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, vitamin E + Se, melatonin and vitamin E, and Se, in addition to MLT combinations, had protective effects against high dose cadmium-induced oxidative damage.

Ghrelin in plants: what is the function of an appetite hormone in plants?

In the present work, we provide compelling evidence for the expression of a ghrelin-like peptide hormone that has only been associated with animals, in various plant tissues. Ghrelin, the appetite stimulating hormone, has been identified from a number of different species including humans, rat, pig, mouse, gerbil, eel, goldfish, bullfrog and chicken. The study here was conducted using an immunohistochemistry assay to screen whether plants have any ghrelin immunoreactivity. In this respect, Prunus x domestica L. and Marus alba were examined. Immunohistochemistry results showed that there is a strong human ghrelin immunoreactivity substance in the parenchyma cells of these plants. This was entirely unexpected since this hormone was considered to be present solely in animals. Thus, this study is the first to report the presence of a peptide with ghrelin-like activity in plants, a finding that has only been observed in the animal kingdom. RIA analysis confirmed that these plants contain significant amounts of this substance. Furthermore, reverse-phase HPLC analyses of plant extracts showed an elution characteristic of the peptide identical to that of human ghrelin. In general, fruit from both plants had higher levels of the peptide than the vegetative parts.

Synthesis and oxidant properties of novel (5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)(3-methyl-3-mesitylcyclobutyl)ketonethiosemicarbazone.

The reaction of 5-bromosalicylaldehyde with 1-mesityl-1-methyl-3-(2-chloro-1-oxoethyl)cyclobutane (1) and potassium carbonate was used to prepare (5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)(3-methyl-3-mesitylcyclobutyl)methanone (2) for the starting reagent purposes. (5-Bromobenzofuran-2-yl)(3-methyl-3-mesitylcyclobutyl)ketonethiosemicarbazone (3) was synthesized from the reaction of the compound (2) with thiosemicarbazide. In the present study, it was aimed to examine the influence of synthetic (5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)(3-methyl-3-mesityl cyclobutyl)ketonethiosemicarbazone on levels of vitamins (A, E, C), selenium and malondialdehyde in rats. A total of 42 rats were used and the animals were divided into two groups in the study. Only a subcutaneous injection of 250 microl of 75% ethanol was given to the control group every other day. A subcutaneous injection of this compound (25 mg kg-1, dissolved in 250 microl of 75% ethanol) was administered to the other group of rats. After the application of (5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)(3-methyl-3-mesitylcyclobutyl)ketonethiosemicarbazone for 20 days, the serum vitamins (A, E, C) and malondialdehyde levels were determined with high performance liquid chromatography, the serum selenium level was determined by using fluorescence spectrophotometer. The serum vitamin A, E, C and selenium levels were significantly decreased compared to control group (P<0.005), whereas serum malondialdehyde levels were higher than control group levels (P<0.005). As a result, it could be suggested that this compound induced a severe stress, and also increased the amount of free radicals depending on the stress.

Determination of Glutathione, Selenium, and Malondialdehyde in Different Edible Mushroom Species.

In this study, the amount of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and selenium was determined by using the fluorescence spectrophotometer in eight different species of edible mushrooms. Brittlegill mushroom (Russula delica), meadow mushroom (Agaricus campestris), dryad's saddle mushroom (Polyporus squamosus), white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), Pleurotus spp., ink mushroom (Coprinus atramentarius), ebekari mushroom (slimy) (Elazig local) and çasir mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) (Tunceli local) were used for analysis. The amounts of GSH, GSSG, Se, and MDA with GSH/GSSG ratio in the eight different species of edible mushrooms were observed in between 269.10 ± 16.94-1554.83 ± 58.12 µg/g; 23.55 ± 1.89-841.90 ± 20.03 µg/g; 15.06 ± 1.56-82.10 ± 3.84 µg/g; 5.46 ± 0.50-27.45 ± 2.58 µg/g wet weight and 0.32-41.35, respectively. There is a weak correlation (R 2 = 0.389) between MDA and Se, on the other hand, the correlation (R 2 = 0.831) between GSH/GSSG ratio and selenium in mushrooms are reasonable well. In a similar manner, there is a weak correlation (R 2 = 0551) between GSH/GSSG and MDA ratios in mushrooms. It was found that these edible mushroom species are good source of glutathione (GSH, GSSG), and selenium (Se) in terms of quantities obtained; therefore, it can be said that mushrooms are a rich source of antioxidants.

Effects of exogenous metallothionein on acute cadmium toxicity in rats.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of exogenously administered metallothionein (MT) to rats exposed to high cadmium levels. A total of 72 rats were used in the study. The animals were divided into three groups: controls, Cd administered, and Cd+MT. Cadmium was administered by subcutaneous injection of cadmium(II) chloride at a dose of 3.5 mg/kg for 7 d. In addition to CdCl2, 30 micromol/kg MT was administered to the second group of rats (group II). Control rats received 0.5 mL physiologic serum via subcutaneous injection. Eight rats from each group were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day after administration of the compounds. Liver, kidney, and blood samples were harvested. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), serum ALT, AST, BUN, ALP, creatinine, and urea were measured. MDA levels in group I were observed to increase starting from d 1 compared to group II (p<0.05). Although MDA levels in group II were higher than controls (p<0.05), they were lower, especially in liver and blood, compared to group II. Erythrocyte GSH-Px activity levels were determined to decrease starting from d 1 in both groups (p<0.05). Decreases in GSH-Px activity levels in group II were less than group I. Serum creatinine levels in both groups were increased significantly compared to controls (p<0.05); the increase in group I was higher than group II. Serum ALT, AST, and ALP levels in group I increased to very high levels compared to controls, whereas increases in group II were at moderate levels (p<0.05). Although serum BUN levels were determined to be reduced, there was no significant change among the groups. Serum urea levels in both groups were higher than controls. Based on our results, it is possible to postulate that exogenous MT can act as antioxidant against Cd toxicity and lipid peroxidation.

Antioxidant vitamin levels in term and preterm infants and their relation to maternal vitamin status.

BACKGROUND: Lipid peroxidation plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of many neonatal complications. Preterm babies are especially predisposed to lung diseases and retinopathy, probably due to a deficiency in their antioxidant systems. Vitamins E, A, and C are part of the natural antioxidant defense systems. We aimed to determine the levels of vitamins E, A, and C in maternal and cord blood plasma of term and preterm infants and to investigate the relationships between these levels. METHODS: In the present study we determined vitamin E, A, and C levels in the umbilical cord blood of term (n = 30) and preterm (n = 22) infants and their mothers by HPLC. Blood samples were taken during delivery. RESULTS: Levels of lipid soluble antioxidant vitamin E and A in cord blood were lower than maternal values (p <0.01, p <0.05, respectively). Conversely, the level of water-soluble vitamin C was higher in cord blood than in maternal level (p <0.05). Significantly higher levels of vitamins E, A, and C were found in term babies as compared with those born preterm (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a positive correlation between maternal and cord blood levels of vitamins E and A (r = 0.775, r = 0.725, respectively). In conclusion, preterm babies have fewer lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamins in their serum compared to term infants. Therefore, it is possible to postulate that preterm infants are more susceptible to oxidative stress.

Protective effect of octreotide on intra-tracheal bleomycin-induced oxidative damage in rats.

The present study is aimed at determining the effect of parenteral octreotide against oxidative damage caused by intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLM) administration. A total of 30 male Wistar rats randomly divided into three groups (control, bleomycin alone, and bleomycin and octreotide) were used in the study. A group of animals received a single dose of intra-tracheal bleomycin (7.5mg/kg). Animals in another group, which also received intra-tracheal bleomycin, were given 82.5 microg/kg octreotide via i.m. injection for a week. Animals in the control group received neither bleomycin nor octreotide. All animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. Serum levels of malondialdehyde, vitamins A, E, and C, selenium levels were determined. In addition, glutathion peroxidase activity levels in erythrocytes were also determined. Malondialdehyde levels and glutathion peroxidase activity were increased whereas antioxidant vitamin levels were decreased significantly in animals that received only bleomycin compared to control animals (p<0.05). The values in rats that received bleomycin and octreotide were found to be closer to the control group (p<0.05). Selenium levels in animals that received only bleomycin were determined to be reduced compared to controls (p<0.05). On the other hand, selenium levels in bleomycin and octreotide groups were similar to control values in (p<0.05). In conclusion, bleomycin induces a severe stress and more importantly increases the amount of free radicals whereas octreotide administration reduces this oxidative damage significantly.

Effect of 3-(1H-Pyrrol-2-yl)-1H-indazole on the antioxidant status of rats.

The influence of injection periods of 3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1H-indazole regarding vitamins A, E, C, selenium (Se), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in rats has been investigated. The substance was given by subcutaneous injection at 20 mg/kg every other day for a total of 15 injections. At the end of the treatment, Se levels in serum were determined by fluorimetry, and those of vitamins A, E, C, and malondialdehyde in serum, liver, and kidney were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. GSH-Px activities in erythrocytes were determined spectrophotometrically. Vitamins A, E, C, and Se levels were generally lower than in the controls, while GSH-Px activity at the third injection period was maximally increased, with the activities after the other injection periods being higher than in the control group. In addition, vitamins A, E, and C levels were generally lower than the control groups, while serum, liver, and kidney MDA levels gradually increased depending on injection periods. On the other hand, GSH-Px activity was higher than in the control group. Thus, the results show that while vitamins A, E, C, and Se levels decreased, MDA levels and GSH-Px activities increased after administration of 3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1H-indazole to the rats. These findings might be related to the increased amount of free radicals caused by 3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1H-indazole injection.

Comparison of plasma malondialdehyde, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, hydroxyproline and selenium levels in patients with vitiligo and healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: The etiology and pathophysiologic mechanism of vitiligo are still unclear. The relationship between increased oxidative stress due to the accumulation of radicals and reactive oxygen species and the associated changes in blood and epidermal component of vitiliginous skin have been reported many times. We investigated the possible changes of plasma malondialdehyde, glutathione, selenium, hydroxyproline and glutathione peroxidase activity levels in patients with vitiligo in order to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and etiopathogenesis of vitiligo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma malondialdehyde, glutathione, hydroxyproline and glutathione peroxidase activity levels were measured by spectrophotometric methods, and HPLC was used for measurement of selenium concentrations. RESULTS: Our results showed increased malondialdehyde, hydroxyproline and glutathione peroxidase activity levels in plasma of vitiligo group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Support of antioxidant system via nonenzymatic antioxidant compounds and antioxidant enzymes may be useful to prevent of melanocyte degeneration which occur due to oxidative damage in vitiligo.

Investigation of oxidative status of the 2-furan-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole in rats.

We investigated the influence of 2-furan-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole regarding vitamins A, E, C, selenium (Se), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels on rats. 2-Furan-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole was given to rats by subcutaneous injection every other day for a total of 22 injections. At the end of the experiment, Se levels were determined by using a fluorimetric method. Serum levels of vitamins A, E, C, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels of erythrocytes were spectrophotometrically determined. Our experimental results showed that vitamins A, E, C, and Se levels were found generally lower than the control groups, while serum MDA level and GSH-Px activity flexibly increased, which is dependent on injection days. The observed decreases in vitamins A, E, C, and Se levels in the blood might be causally related to the increased amount of free radicals that are generated with 2-furan-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole injection. However, further investigations are needed to clarify the significance of this observation in respect with the 2-furan-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole injection.

Antioxidant, pro-oxidant effect of the thiosemicarbazone derivative Schiff base (4-(1-phenylmethylcyclobutane-3-yl)-2-(2-hydroxybenzylidenehydrazino) thiazole) and its metal complexes on rats.

Adverse biological activities of thiosemicarbazone (TSC) and Schiff base (SB) derivatives have been widely studied in rats and in other animal species using different doses, times and routes of administration. However, there are few studies describing changes in some biochemical parameters in vivo which are indicative of oxidative stress in biological systems and of morphological changes of tissues. In this study, the rats were injected subcutaneously with a new thiosemicarbazone thiazole ring containing a Schiff base (LH) and its Cu(L)2 and Zn(L)2 complexes (25 mg kg(-1) body weight) and then sacrificed after 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 days. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the new compounds on the serum antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C), selenium (Se), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, erythrocyte GSH-Px enzyme activity and morphological changes in the liver, kidney and adrenal gland tissues. It was observed that erythrocyte GSH-Px activity, serum MDA and vitamins A, E concentrations were statistically changed (p < 0.02), but serum levels of selenium, and vitamin C were not changed. In conclusion, the parameters measured show that Cu(L)2 caused considerable oxidative stress and Zn(L)2 behaved as an antioxidant. No oxidative stress in LH was observed compared to the control group.

Comparison of the concentration of trace metals (Ni, Zn, Co, Cu and Se), Fe, vitamins A, C and E, and lipid peroxidation in patients with prostate cancer.

The anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties of vitamins A, C, E and pro- or antioxidant properties of trace metals have recently attracted increased attention. We examined the levels of antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E), selenium and malondialdehyde (MDA), and trace metals (Fe, Ni, Zn, Co and Cu) in patients with prostate cancer. In total, 41 subjects (21 controls and 20 prostate cancer patients) were included in the study. The levels of trace elements and Fe in whole blood were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum levels of Se were determined using a fluorimetric method, while a HPLC method was used for serum levels of vitamins and MDA. The levels of vitamins A and E were significantly lower and MDA levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with prostate cancer compared to controls. Serum vitamin C was significantly lower in patients with prostate cancer when compared to controls (p<0.01). Moreover, Se and Zn levels were also significantly lower, and levels of Ni, Co, and Cu were higher (p<0.001) in patients with prostate cancer than in controls. Fe levels were not significantly different in patients compared to controls (p>0.05). Our findings, together with the results of previous animal studies, suggest that the administration of vitamins A, C, and E, and Se and Zn may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of human prostate cancer.

Exercise training as an adjunct to orlistat therapy reduces oxidative stress in obese subjects.

The anti-obesity drug orlistat promotes weight loss and improves obesity-related risk factors, but its effect on oxidative stress is not clear yet. Orlistat reduces dietary fat absorption, which may have effects on fat soluble vitamins especially the antioxidant vitamins A and E. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the effects of weight loss achieved by orlistat therapy and a combination of orlistat with aerobic exercise training on lipid peroxidation and antioxidative defense in obese subjects. Total of 24 obese subjects were randomly assigned to receive 12-week treatment with hypocaloric diet-orlistat (120 mg three times daily) (DO group) or diet-orlistat-exercise (DOE group). Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker for lipid peroxidation, and vitamins A and E were measured by high performance liquid chromatography at baseline and at the end of the treatment. Body weight and fat mass were significantly reduced in the two groups (p < 0.001). In the DO group, the MDA levels remained unchanged (p = 0.59), while vitamins A (p < 0.01) and E (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased. In contrast, the subjects treated with DOE exhibited marked decreases in MDA (p = 0.002) and a small but significant decrease in vitamins A (p = 0.003) and E (p = 0.003). Thus, orlistat therapy alone caused a significant reduction in antioxidative capacity without affecting oxidative stress, whereas orlistat in combination with exercise training provided a significant decrease in MDA levels. The beneficial effect of aerobic exercise as an adjunct to the orlistat therapy is of importance with regard to the obesity-associated risk factors.

Assessment of salivary and serum antioxidant vitamins and lipid peroxidation in patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration.

Recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) is a common oral mucosal disorder characterized by recurrent, painful oral aphthae. Although the exact cause of RAU is not known, local trauma, microorganisms, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, genetics, and immunological factors have been suggested to contribute to its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the level of lipid peroxidation and status of antioxidant vitamins in patients with RAU. Thirty patients with RAU and 20 healthy controls were recruited. Vitamins A, E, and C and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in both serum and saliva of patients with RAU and control subjects by high performance liquid chromatography. Levels of vitamins A, E and C in both fluids were significantly lower (p < 0.05 for vitamins A and E, and p < 0.005 for vitamin C, respectively) in patients with RAU than in healthy control subjects. Conversely, the levels of MDA in serum and saliva were significantly higher (p < 0.005) in patients with RAU than in the control group. Furthermore, strong and highly significant correlation was found between serum and salivary levels of vitamins A, E and C, and MDA in patients with RAU (r > or = 0.90, p < 0.0001). The present study demonstrates that the serum and saliva levels of selected antioxidant vitamins are lower, while the degree of lipid peroxidation, as judged by the MDA levels, is higher in patients with RAU than in the control subjects. This is the first to measure specific antioxidant levels in both saliva and blood in the same patients, and indicates that the non-enzymatic anti-oxidant ability is impaired in patients with RAU.