Effects of ukrain in rats with intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential protective effect of the ukrain on ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rat intestine, which has not previously been studied. METHODS: Thirty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups, each consisting of eight rats as follows: (1) a sham group (S) (laparotomy, but no IR injury); (2) ukrain group (U) (no IR, and ukrain was administered intraperitoneally 1 h before laparotomy); (3) intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (II/R) group (30-min occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery then 2-h reperfusion); and (4) ukrain + II/R group (U + II/R) (30-min occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery then 2-h reperfusion; ukrain was administered intraperitoneally 1 h before IR). RESULTS: Serum total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured using Erel method. Oxidative stress index was calculated using the TOS/TAS ratio. TAS levels increased and TOS serum levels were also significantly decreased in the ukrain + IR group compared with the IR group (P = 0.000 and P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrated for the first time in literature that ukrain helps to prevent intestinal tissue breakdown against II/R injury and that this effect can be achieved by antioxidant activities.

The effect of chronic peripheral nesfatin-1 application on blood pressure in normal and chronic restraint stressed rats: related with circulating level of blood pressure regulators.

Nesfatin is a peptide secreted by peripheral tissues, central and peripheral nervous system. It is involved in the regulation of homeostasis. Although the effects of nesfatin-1 on nutrition have been studied widely in the literature, the mechanisms of nesfatin-1 action and also relations with other physiological parameters are still not clarified well. We aimed to investigate the effect of peripheral chronic nesfatin-1 application on blood pressure regulation in normal and in rats exposed to restraint immobilization stress. In our study, three month-old male Wistar rats were used. Rats were divided into 4 groups as Control, Stress, Control+Nesfatin-1, Nesfatin-1+Stress. Angiotensinogen, angiotensin converting enzyme 2, angiotensin II, endothelin-1, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, aldosterone, cortisol, nesfatin-1 levels were determined in plasma samples by ELISA. Our results have shown that chronic peripheral nesfatin-1 administration increases blood pressure in normal and in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress. Effect of nesfatin-1 on circulating level of angiotensinogen, angiotensin converting enzyme 2, angiotensin II, endothelin-1, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, aldosterone and cortisol has been identified. We can conclude that elevated high blood pressure after chronic peripheral nesfatin-1 administration in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress may be related to decreased plasma level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase concentration.

Apelin effects on blood pressure and RAS in DOCA-salt-induced hypertensive rats.

Apelin, a novel multifunctional peptide implicated in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, including blood pressure and cardiac function control, has been postulated to be involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension and hypertensive heart disease. The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, whether the effects of apelin's chronic application might be involved in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced hypertensive rats (DOCA-salt rats). In this study, 8-10-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, control + apelin, DOCA-salt rats, DOCA-salt rats + apelin. Deoxycorticosterone Acetate (25 mg/kg of body weight) was injected subcutaneously, twice a week for 4 weeks. These rats received NaCl 1% instead of tap water for drinking during the experimental period. Later, rats were randomly treated with pyroglutamylated apelin-13 (200 µg. kg(-1). day(-1) intraperitonealy) for 17 days. The concentrations of apelin, endothelin-1, angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensinogen, and angiotensin II were analyzed in the plasma. The mRNA level of apelin and apelin receptor were determined in the heart and aorta tissue by real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. It was found that apelin reduces blood pressure in DOCA-salt rats. Apelin can be used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of hypertension in the future.

The growth hormone receptor polymorphism in patients with acromegaly: relationship to BMI and glucose metabolism.

The aim of this study was to investigate association between the frequencies of Growth Hormone receptor (d3GHR) gene polymorphisms and some clinical parameters of acromegalic patients. Total of 35 acromegalic patients were enrolled to study. The d3GHR polymorphism was identified by using polymerase chain reaction from peripheral blood samples. The levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, IGF-I, GH, IGFBP3, triglyceride, HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations were evaluated. The frequencies of d3GHR genotypes were found as follows; 5 (14.3%) subjects had d3/d3, 11 (31.4%) had d3/fl and 19 (54.3%) had fl/fl in patients. The prevalence of the d3 and fl alleles was 30 and 70%, respectively. Systolic blood pressure, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR was found significantly increased in homozygote d3GHR genotype group compared to d3/fl subjects (P < 0.05). In addition, BMI was observed significantly different among three genotypes (P = 0.007) and in the subjects with d3/d3 genotype, BMI was found significantly higher than d3/fl and fl/fl genotypes groups. As well as, no significant difference was found between the d3 and fl alleles group in terms of the clinical parameters except for BMI (P = 0.002). It can be said that the d3GHR gene polymorphism may affect BMI, systolic blood pressure and insulin regulation. At the same time we can say homozygote d3GHR genotype and d3 allele carriers may have more risk than other genotypes for high BMI.

Angiotensin converting enzyme I/D, angiotensinogen M235T and AT1-R A/C1166 gene polymorphisms in patients with acromegaly.

Acromegaly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular disease. Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular risk factors in acromegalic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate association between the frequencies of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) I/D, angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) A/C1166 gene polymorphisms and some clinical parameters of acromegalic patients. Total of 33 acromegalic patients and 63 controls were enrolled to study. We determined the ACE I/D, AGT M235T and AT1-R A/C1166 gene polymorphisms. Serum insulin, glucose, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, growth hormone and Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels of subjects were analyzed. The frequencies of ACE and M235T AGT genotype were not significantly different between control and patients. The distribution of AT1R A/C1166 genotypes was significantly different between patients and control subjects (P=0.016). None of the three ACE genotypes, DD, ID and II displayed significant difference in acromegalic patients. A significant difference in systolic blood pressure and the serum IGF-I levels among the three AGT genotype, MM, MT and TT genotypes was found in patient group. Individuals with MT genotypes had significantly higher serum IGF-I levels and systolic blood pressure than MM and TT genotype subjects, P<0.05. In addition, serum triglyceride and HDL levels differed significantly between MM and MT genotypes, P<0.05. However, systolic blood pressure of patients with CC genotypes was found to be significantly higher than AA genotypes individuals in acromegaly group, P<0.05. It can be said that the angiotensinogen MT and AT1R CC1166 genotype carriers may have more risk than other genotypes in the development of hypertension in acromegaly.

The effects of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and exercise on growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I serum levels during chronic hypoxia in rats.

BACKGROUND: In this study we examined the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in response to chronic hypoxia and exercise training in hypoxic conditions. METHODS: Thirty-five rats were divided into five groups; control group (C), hypoxia group (H), hypoxia-exercise group (HE), hypoxia-docosahexaenoic acid group (HD), hypoxia-exercise-docosahexaenoic acid group (HED). A treadmill exercise was performed as 30 m/min for 20 min/day, 5 days per week for 28 days at level grade for the exercising groups (HE and HED). DHA was given to the HD and HED groups every day orally (36 mg/kg). The animals, except for the C group, were exposed to hypoxia for 28 days. RESULTS: Serum levels of GH and IGF-I in the H group decreased after chronic hypoxia (p<0.001). GH and IGF-I in the HD group also decreased compared with the C group (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). GH in C group did not show significant difference compared with the HE and HED groups. Decreased serum level of IGF-I was observed for the HED group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, chronic hypoxia exposure decreases serum levels of GH, and IGF-I and exercise training have a slightly positive effect on GH/IGF-I axis during hypoxia. In addition, DHA supplementation slightly increases GH and IGF-I serum levels in hypoxic conditions. However, this effect on GH/IGF-I axis during hypoxia is not strong compared with exercise. Therefore, we concluded that exercise and/or DHA supplementation does not have additional positive effect on these hormones in hypoxic conditions.

Balanced oxidative status by nesfatin-1 in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia causes reversible or irreversible cell or tissue damage and reperfusion can exaggerate cellular damage. Microvascular dysfunction is induced and causes enhanced fluid filtration in capillaries. At the acute phase of reperfusion more oxygen radicals are activated. Nesfatin-1 protects brain against oxidative damage and heart against ischemia/reperfusion damage. In our study, we aimed to investigate the acute effect of chronic peripheral nesfatin-1 administration in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion created rats. METHOD: Two-months-old, 28 Wistar Albino male rats, weighing an average of 200-250 g, were used and randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=7) as; Laparotomy, Ischemia/Reperfusion, Nesfatin-1+Laparotomy, Nesfatin-1+Ischemia/Reperfusion. Serum levels of total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined by colorimetric measurement method. The plasma levels of endotelin-1 and endothelial nitric oxide syntheses (eNOS) were analyzed by rat ELISA assay kits. RESULTS: Plasma levels of endothelin-1 significantly increased, plasma level of eNOS, serum levels of TOS and TAS significantly decreased in nesfatin-1 applied groups. Additionally, The oxidative stress index (OSI) parameters decreased significantly in three groups compared to laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Chronic peripheral nesfatin-1 administration can decrease eNOS level and OSI at the acute phase of ischemia/reperfusion. We suppose that it can be protective for ischemia/reperfusion injury by balancing oxidant capacity. On the other hand, this effect of nesfatin-1 is not related with micro-circular compensation and increases anti-oxidant capacity.

The effects of apelin treatment on a rat model of type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE: Apelin is an adipokine that plays a role in the regulation of many biological functions in mammals including the neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, immune systems, glucose homeostasis and obesity. It can act via autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, and exocrine signaling. We aimed to identify the role of apelin pathophysiology of diabetes. MATERIAL/METHODS: 37 male Wistar Albino rats aged 8-10 weeks were divided in four experimental groups as: control group (C) control+apelin group (C+A), diabetic group (D) diabetic+apelin group (D+A). Apelin and apelin receptor mRNA gene expressions in heart and aorta tissue were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The plasma levels of insulin and plasma apelin were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Plasma levels of insulin, glucose, blood pressure levels were significantly lower in D+A group. There was no statistically significant difference for level of apelin between diabetic groups. On the other hand, differences for apelin and APJ mRNA expression in heart and vascular tissue were found significant between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Apelin can be used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of type II diabetes in the future.

Visfatin and ghrelin: can they be forthcoming biomarkers or new drug targets for asthma?

BACKGROUND & AIM: Asthma represents chronic inflammation of the airways and is associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. A novel adipokine visfatin and an appetite-modulating hormone ghrelin play a role in several diseases related with inflammation. Although visfatin is a pro-inflammatory adipokine, ghrelin mainly exerts anti-inflammatory effects. However, very little is known about the role of visfatin and ghrelin in asthma. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of visfatin and ghrelin in asthma by evaluating their serum levels in asthmatic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 27 asthma and 23 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected in tubes without EDTA. Serum levels of visfatin and ghrelin were measured by human ELISA assay kits. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 16.0 package program and differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Serum levels of visfatin and ghrelin were significantly higher in asthma group (respectively; p = 0.001, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: While visfatin has a pro-inflammatory role, ghrelin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in asthma. Therefore, visfatin can be a forthcoming biomarker and ghrelin may be a new anti-inflammatory drug target to diagnose and treat asthmatic patients.

Evaluation of multidrug resistance-1 gene C>T polymorphism frequency in patients with asthma.

OBJECTIVES: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airflow obstruction. Genetic and oxidative stress factors, in addition to pulmonary and systemic inflammatory processes, play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The products of the multidrug resistance-1 gene protect lung tissue from oxidative stress. Here, we aimed to evaluate the association between the multidrug resistance-1 gene C>T polymorphism and asthma with regard to oxidative stress-related parameters of asthmatic patients. METHODS: Forty-five patients with asthma and 27 healthy age-matched controls were included in this study. Blood samples were collected in tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. DNA was extracted from the blood samples. The multidrug resistance-1 gene polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction and a subsequent enzyme digestion technique. The serum levels of total oxidant status and total antioxidant status were determined by the colorimetric measurement method. RESULTS: The heterozygous polymorphic genotype was the most frequent in both groups. A significant difference in the multidrug resistance-1 genotype frequencies between groups indicated an association of asthma with the TT genotype. A significant difference between groups was found for wild type homozygous participants and carriers of polymorphic allele participants. The frequency of the T allele was significantly higher in asthmatic patients. The increase in the oxidative stress index parameter was significant in the asthma group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The multidrug resistance-1 gene C/T polymorphism may be an underlying genetic risk factor for the development of asthma via oxidant-antioxidant imbalance, leading to increased oxidative stress.

Angiotensinogen gene M235T and angiotensin II-type 1 receptor gene A/C1166 polymorphisms in chronic obtructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occurs irreversibly and is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction. Renin angiotensin system (RAS) has many different key enzymes and receptors that have a role for different systemic processes. We aimed to determine genotype and allele frequencies of angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T and angiotensin II-type 1 receptor (AT1-R) A/C1166 polymorphisms in patients with COPD. This study was performed on 56 unrelated COPD patients and 29 healthy subjects. DNA samples for each individual were isolated from peripheral blood by phenol/chloroform method, analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and enzymatic digestion methodologies. The distribution for each of AGT genotypes were 23.2% for MM (13), 75.0% for MT (42) and 1.8% for TT (1) in the COPD group; 37.9% for MM (11), 34.5% for MT (10) and 27.6% for TT (8) in the control group. The distribution of AGT genotypes was found significantly different between groups (X(2) = 18.604; df = 2; P = 0.000). The frequencies for each of the AT1-R genotypes were found as 53.6% for AA (30), 42.9% for AC (24), 3.6% for CC (2) in the COPD group; 55.2% for AA (16), 41.4% for AC (12) and 3.4% for CC (1) in the control group. The distribution of AT1-R genotypes did not change significantly between groups. Allele frequencies of interested genes were not significantly different between groups. We suggest that AGT polymorphism may play a role for the development of COPD. We believe these data can be served for large scale population genetics research, considering the frequency of AGT and AT1-R genes and alleles in COPD patients in the Turkish population.

MDR-1 gene C/T polymorphism in COPD: data from Aegean part of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Genetic factors, in addition to oxidative stress factors, have been implicated in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Multi-drug resistant-1 (MDR-1) is a gene located on chromosome 7 and the products of this gene protect lung tissue from oxidative stress. We searched the frequency of MDR-1 gene C/T polymorphism in patients with COPD and aimed to explain the association between MDR-1 gene and COPD development. METHODS: 47 patients with COPD and 64 healthy control participants were placed in this study. DNAs were extracted from blood samples and MDR-1 amplification of DNA was performed using polymerase chain reaction and enzyme digestion techniques. RESULTS: The frequencies of MDR-1 genotypes were found 17.0% for CC, 51.1% for CT and 31.9% for TT in the COPD group and 39.1% for CC, 53.1% for CT and 7.8% for TT in the control group. The distribution of MDR-1 gene C alleles were found 32.3% in COPD group and 67.7% in control group; T alleles were found 55.1% in COPD group and 44.9% in control group. There was statistically significant difference between the groups for genotype and allele frequency of MDR-1 gene (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: TT genotype of MDR-1 gene was significantly more frequent in COPD patients. MDR-1 gene C/T polymorphism may play a role in COPD development.

Insulin-like growth factor I (Igf-1) gene polymorphism in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer.

We aimed to assess the association between IGF-I gene (CA repeats) polymorphism in breast cancer patients and their clinicopathological features, as well as disease recurrence and survival. Seventy-six non-metastatic breast cancer patients were enrolled in the present study. The IGF-I (CA) repeats were studied with polymerase chain reaction by using proper primers belonging to these gene areas from DNA samples. Results show that the non 19- non 19 homozygote were more common in patients without lymph node involvement (p=0.04), with low histological grade (p=0.04), with positive hormone receptor status (p=0.01), and in patients without recurrence (p=0.06). These results suggest that the non 19-non 19 carriers have some favorable prognostic factors, and IGF-I gene polymorphism (CA repeats) may affect disease recurrence and overall survival.

MDR1 single nucleotide polymorphism C3435T in Turkish patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

We assessed whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MDR1 gene C3435T predicted the outcome of platinum-based chemotherapies and survival in our non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. A total of 79 non-small cell lung cancer patients were enrolled to study. We determined the MDR1 C3435T single nucleotide gene polymorphisms. Median age was 60years: 91.7% male, 8.9% female. We found that CC, CT, TT genotype and T, C allele frequencies in lung cancer patients as 24.1%, 62%, 13.9% and 44.3%, 55.7%, respectively. Patients with CT genotype had a higher response rate (11.4%) than the other genotypes. However, this difference is not statistically significant (p=0.743). Cox regression analysis for overall survival showed that ECOG PS status 0 (HR PS 1 vs. 0, 5.68 p=0.002; HR of PS 2 vs. 0 is 21.579, p=0.001; HR of PS 3 vs. 0 is 35.35, p=0.001), stage ≤II (HR of stage III vs. I+II is 17.77; p=0.016, HR of stage IV vs. I+II is 26.97, p=0.006), and albumin level ≥3g/dl (HR of albumin <3g/dl vs. ≥3g/dl is 2.46, p=0.044) were the most important prognostic factors (also, time to progression was related to these factors). There was no significant association between the genotypes and clinicopathologic parameters; however, good performance status, early stage and ≥3g/dl albumin level were found to be the most important prognostic factors for overall survival and progression-free survival.

Relation between 3435C>T multidrug resistance 1 gene polymorphism with high dose methylprednisolone treatment of childhood acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

UNLABELLED: The current study was conducted to assess 3435C>T multidrug resistance 1 gene polymorphism and the efficacy of high dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) in childhood acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients. METHODS: A total of 31 childhood acute Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients (17 females, 14 males) between the ages of 2 and 16 years of age were included in the study. High-dose methylprednisolone was given at a dose of 30mg/kg/day for 3 days and 20mg/kg/day for 4 days, consecutively and intravenously. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for the detection of C3435T single nucleotide polymorphism. Fragments obtained were 238bp to T/T genotype, 172bp and 60bp fragments to the C/C genotype, and 238bp, 172bp and 60bp to the C/T genotype. RESULTS: The distribution of CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 19.0%, 61.3%, and 19.4%, respectively. Both allele frequencies of C and T were the same - 50%. There was no significant difference in genotype and allele distribution between the patients with ITP and the control group (χ(2)=0.84 p=0.65, χ(2)=0.2 p=0.63, respectively). There were no significant differences in age, gender, and pre- and post-treatment platelet counts between CC, CT, and TT genotypes of the MDR gene. Response to treatment shows no significant difference between genotype and allele groups. CONCLUSION: In our study, there was no difference in the HDMP treatment response between MDR1 gene genotypes. However, it should be noted that this study includes a small group of patients. Our data should therefore be considered preliminary, awaiting further confirmatory studies on an expanded patient base.

Evaluation of multidrug resistance-1 gene C>T polymorphism frequency in patients with asthma

OBJECTIVES:Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airflow obstruction. Genetic and oxidative stress factors, in addition to pulmonary and systemic inflammatory processes, play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The products of the multidrug resistance-1 gene protect lung tissue from oxidative stress. Here, we aimed to evaluate the association between the multidrug resistance-1 gene C>T polymorphism and asthma with regard to oxidative stress-related parameters of asthmatic patients.METHODS:Forty-five patients with asthma and 27 healthy age-matched controls were included in this study. Blood samples were collected in tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. DNA was extracted from the blood samples. The multidrug resistance-1 gene polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction and a subsequent enzyme digestion technique. The serum levels of total oxidant status and total antioxidant status were determined by the colorimetric measurement method.RESULTS:The heterozygous polymorphic genotype was the most frequent in both groups. A significant difference in the multidrug resistance-1 genotype frequencies between groups indicated an association of asthma with the TT genotype. A significant difference between groups was found for wild type homozygous participants and carriers of polymorphic allele participants. The frequency of the T allele was significantly higher in asthmatic patients. The increase in the oxidative stress index parameter was significant in the asthma group compared with the control group.CONCLUSIONS:The multidrug resistance-1 gene C/T polymorphism may be an underlying genetic risk factor for the development of asthma via oxidant-antioxidant imbalance, leading to increased oxidative stress.