Protection with thymoquinone against formaldehyde-induced neurotoxicity in the rats.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the neurotoxic damage of formaldehyde (FA), which is commonly used in medicine and industrial fields, for the hippocampus of rats and the protective role of thymoquinone (TQ) against this neurotoxicity. METHODS: There were five groups with eight rats in each. Two control groups were formed, in one of them physiological saline was applied and in the other one corn oil was applied. FA was injected in Group 3. Group 4 was exposed to FA and TQ simultaneously. Group 5 received TQ only. At the end of the experiment animals were sacrificed and brain tissues were removed for biochemical and histopathological investigation. RESULTS: catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), all known as enzymes with antioxidant activities, were increased in FA and TQ simultaneously administered group. FA caused prominent subarachnoidal hemorrhage and vacuolization. Vacuolization was not observed but occasional subarachnoidal hemorrhage was detected in the FA+TQ group. CONCLUSION: Neurotoxic damage in hippocampus induced by FA was reverted by administration of TQ (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 26).

Effects of beta-glucan on protection of young and aged rats from renal ischemia and reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is one of the leading causes of acute renal failure which is a common clinical event leading to development of chronic kidney disease and a high mortality; especially in elderly people. ß-glucans are glucose polymer groups with free-radical scavenger, macrophage activator, and immune defense inducer functions. We designed this study to determine the possible protective effects of ß-glucan against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury comparatively in young and aged rats. METHODS: Rats were assigned to the following groups: Young and aged sham, young and aged ischemia-reperfusion, young and aged ß-glucan, young and aged ischemia-reperfusion+ß-glucan. At the end of the experiment, following collection of blood samples, rats were sacrificed and kidneys were removed for histopathological and biochemical examination. RESULTS: Mean tissue histopathological damage scores of young ß-glucan group was lower than that of young ischemia-reperfusion group, and of aged ß-glucan group was lower than that of aged ischemia-reperfusion group. Urea and creatinine levels of young and aged of sham group and ß-glucan administered groups were all lower than those of ischemia-reperfusion and ß-glucan+ischemia-reperfusion groups. Oxidative stress indexes of ischemia-reperfusion groups were increased however ; oxidative stress indexes of ß-glucan administered to young and aged rats were lower than those of ischemia-reperfusion groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ß-glucan is effective to protect kidneys from ischemia-reperfusion-induced oxidative damage, especially in young rats (Fig. 6, Ref. 45).

Decreased serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in patients with rosacea.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that oxidative stress may be an important phenomenon in the pathophysiology of rosacea. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an antioxidant enzyme with three activities: paraoxonase, arylesterase and dyazoxonase. In this study, we evaluated serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and serum lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels in patients with rosacea in comparison to healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 39 rosacea patients and healthy controls, consisting of 40 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured using paraoxon and phenylacetate substrates. Serum LOOH levels were measured with the ferrous ion oxidation-xylenol orange assay. RESULTS: In rosacea group mean serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were 74.54 ± 38.30 U L(-1) and 141.29 ± 22.27 kU L(-1) respectively, which were significantly lower than controls (P = 0.010, 0.005; respectively). Mean serum LOOH level of rosacea group was 8.17 ± 1.91 µmol L(-1) which was significantly higher than controls (P = 0.009). There were no statistically significant differences between the clinical subtypes of the disease, menopause situation or ocular involvement with the respect to the serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and LOOH levels (all; P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum PON1 enzyme activities have decreased significantly in rosacea. These findings support that decreased PON1 activity and increased oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of rosacea. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of PON1 activity in the pathophysiology of rosacea.

Oxidative stress index may play a key role in patients with pemphigus vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation are seen in many dermatologic disorders, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, acne vulgaris, pemphigus vulgaris (PV), lichen planus and alopecia areata. In PV, the increased production of ROS from activated neutrophils reduces the concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to determine the oxidative stress index (OSI) by studying serum total oxidant capacity (TOC), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in PV patients. METHODS: The study included 27 PV patients and a control group consisting of 24 healthy volunteers. Serum TOC, LOOH and TAC levels were examined and OSI was measured in the PV patients and the control group. RESULTS: TOC (P = 0.001) and LOOH (P = 0.001) levels as well as OSI (P = 0.001) were found higher in the PV patients, relative to the control group. Serum TAS (P = 0.221) did not differ between groups. Serum TOC, LOOH and TAC levels and OSI in PV patients with mucosal involvement were not different than those in mucocutaneous PV patients. CONCLUSION: Serum TOC and LOOH levels and OSI were higher in the PV patients, in comparison with the control group. Serum TAC level was not different.

Oxidative and antioxidative balance in patients of migraine.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is characterized by multiple attacks of severe headaches often unilateral. The molecular mechanisms of migraine have not yet been clearly defined. Disorders of oxidant-antioxidant balance are observed in a number of acute and chronic diseases of the central nervous system. Oxidative stress is also believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating oxidant and antioxidant status of patients having migraine without aura (MWoA) and comparing them with those of age and sex matched healthy controls (CG). METHODS: We evaluated the Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and Total Oxidant Status (TOS) of the plasma and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) using a recently measurement method developed by Erel. RESULTS: Seventy five patients (55 Female, 20 Male) having MWoA who are free of attacks and 65 healthy volunteers (41 Female, 24 Male) (CG) were enrolled in this research. Mean age of the patients with MWoA and the control group were calculated (30.94 +/- 10.37 vs 31.0 +/- 9.46 years respectively; p > 0.05). Serum TAS levels of patients with MWoA were significantly lower than those of healthy controls (0.72 +/- 0.008 vs. 0.80 +/- 0.179 micromol Trolox equivalent/L; p < 0.001). Conversely, serum TOS values were significantly higher in patients with MWoA than in CG (15.39 +/- 0.770 vs.13.01 +/- 0.471 pmol H2O2 equivalent/L; P < 0.001). The mean values of OSI were greater in patients than in controls (1.75 +/- 0.59 vs. 1.56 +/- 0.57, p < 0.023). Total SH levels were significantly higher in the control group (MWoA: 0.24 +/- 0.005; CONTROLS: 0.28 +/- 0.005, p = 0.001). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between the levels of Total SH and the duration of the headaches (r: -0.426, p < 0.001). Likewise; there was a positive correlation between OSI and the frequency of the headaches (r: 0.123, p < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrated that the levels of total antioxidants were decreased and the levels of total oxidants and the oxidative stress index were increased in patients with MWoA. These findings may be an evidence of exposure to potent oxidative stress in MWoA patients. Further investigations are required to clarify the role of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of MWoA.

Improvement of restless legs syndrome and trichotillomania with aripiprazole.

The case report describes a 39-year-old woman with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and trichotillomania (TTM). She was treated with venlafaxine and clonazepam with partial remission of RLS and no response for TTM. When aripiprazole was added to the clonazepam both RLS and TTM fully remitted. We suggest that aripiprazole might be worth investigating for treatment of these disorders.

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and thymoquinone on toluene induced liver toxicity.

Toluene is an organic solvent that is toxic to humans. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and thymoquinone (TQ) exhibit antioxidant and antitoxic effects. We investigated the protective effects of CAPE and TQ on toluene induced hepatotoxicity. Wistar albino rats were divided into seven groups of eight. The animals were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.1 ml/10 g/day corn oil (control I), 0.1 ml/10 g/day corn oil + 2 ml/kg/day 10% ethanol (control II), 20 mg/kg/day TQ dissolved in 0.1 ml/10 g corn oil (TQ), 10 µmol/kg/day CAPE dissolved in 10% ethanol (CAPE), 500 mg/kg/day toluene (T), toluene and TQ together (T + TQ), or toluene and CAPE together (T + CAPE). All rats were sacrificed on day 15. Liver samples were obtained for histological analysis. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured to evaluate liver function. Liver sections from the control I and TQ groups exhibited normal histology. Sections from the T group exhibited sinusoid dilation, hemorrhage, vacuolization and necrosis. TQ and CAPE protected against toluene induced histopathological changes. AST and ALT levels were increased significantly in T group compared to both control groups. CAPE decreased significantly the toluene induced increase in AST and ALT levels, while TQ did not. CAPE and TQ exhibited some antitoxic and hepato-protective effects on toluene induced liver damage.

Effects of Oenothera biennis L. and Hypericum perforatum L. extracts on some central nervous system myelin proteins, brain histopathology and oxidative stress in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

We investigated the effects of Oenothera biennis L. and Hypericum perforatum L. extracts on brain tissue histopathology, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), myelin basic protein (MBP), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Forty-seven C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following groups: multiple sclerosis (MS), control (healthy mice), MS + H. perforatum treated (MS + HP), MS + O. biennis treated (MS + OB). All groups except the control group were immunized by EAE methods. Two weeks after the immunization, the mice in the MS + HP group were fed normal food containing 18 - 21 g/kg H. perforatum extract, the mice in MS + OB group were fed normal food containing 18 - 21 g/kg O. biennis extract, and the mice in control and MS groups were fed normal food for six weeks. Brain tissue samples were collected from all mice for histopathological and biochemical analysis. Clinical signs of the disease were scored using functional systems scores (FSS) daily. The H. perforatum and O. biennis extracts ameliorated the increased brain tissue MOG and MBP values for animals with MS. H. perforatum and O. biennis extract decreased the TOS and OSI values for brain tissue and increased TAS levels in brain tissue of animals with MS. In addition, H. perforatum and O. biennis extracts decreased the clinical signs at the end of the experiment compared to the beginning of extract administration. We found that myelin was lost in MS group vs. control group. H. perforatum and O. biennis extract treatments decreased the amount of myelin loss in the MS + HP and MS + OB groups. We also observed amyloid deposition on vascular walls, in the cytoplasm of the neurons and in the intercellular space in the MS group. O. biennis and H. perforatum treated groups exhibited neither abnormal amyloid deposition nor obvious cell infiltration. The beneficial effects of O. biennis and H. perforatum for attenuating myelin loss and amyloid deposition suggest their therapeutic utility for treatment of MS.

Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities for the evaluation of patients with chronic hepatitis.

The sensitivity of standard biochemical tests for liver function is low and insufficient for a reliable determination of the presence or absence of liver disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels, and to find out that whether the measurement of serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities would be useful as an index of liver function status in chronic hepatitis (CH). Fourty-four patients with CH (24 CHB and 20 CHC) and 38 controls were enrolled. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were detected spectrophotometrically. LOOH levels were measured by the FOX-2 assay. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in patients with CH than controls (p < 0.001 for both), while LOOH levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001). Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were inversely correlated with LOOH levels (r = -0.394, p < 0.05; r =-0.362, p < 0.05, respectively). Fibrosis scores of CH patients were significantly correlated with paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and LOOH levels (r =-0.276, p < 0.05; r = -0.583, p < 0.001 and r = 0.562, p < 0.001, respectively). Our results indicated that decrease in the activities paraoxonase and arylesterase may play a role in the pathogenesis of CH. In addition, serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities measurement may add a significant contribution to the liver function tests.

The importance of paraoxonase 1 activity, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation in hepatosteatosis.

This study evaluated the changes in oxidative status in hepatosteatosis patients in terms of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity. A total of 49 patients with hepatosteatosis (29 males and 20 females, mean age 47.2 +/- 3.6 years) and 25 healthy subjects (15 males and 10 females, mean age 46.1 +/- 3.2 years) were enrolled in the study. Serum PON1 was measured spectrophotometrically, malondialdehyde (MDA), an end-product of lipid peroxidation, was determined using the thiobarbituric acid method, and NO was assessed using the Griess reaction. Lipid and other biochemical parameters were determined by routine laboratory methods. PON1 activity and NO levels were significantly decreased and MDA levels significantly increased in hepatosteatosis patients compared with healthy subjects. PON1 activity was correlated with MDA level and NO level. In conclusion, oxidative stress seems significantly to suppress PON1 synthesis in hepatosteatosis patients. In addition, oxidative stress and oxidant-antioxidant imbalance may be part of the cytotoxic mechanisms leading to liver cell injury.

Total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index in the men exposed to 1.5 T static magnetic field.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high-strength magnetic field produced by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus on oxidative stress. The effects of a 1.5 T static magnetic field on the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in male subjects were investigated. In this study, 33 male volunteers were exposed to a 1.5 T static magnetic field for a short time and the TAC, TOS and OSI of each subject were determined. Magnetic field exposure was provided using a magnetic resonance apparatus; radiofrequency was not applied. Blood samples were taken from subjects and TAC, TOS and OSI values were measured using the methods of Erel. TAC showed a significant increase in post-exposures compared to pre-exposures to the magnetic field (p < 0.05). OSI and TOS showed a significant decrease in post-exposures compared to pre-exposures to a 1.5 T magnetic field (for each of two, p < 0.01). The 1.5 T static magnetic field used in the MRI apparatus did not yield a negative effect; on the contrary, it produced the positive effect of decreasing oxidative stress in men following short-term exposure.

Comparison of oxidative/antioxidative status of penile corpus cavernosum blood and peripheral venous blood.

The aim of the study is to determine and to compare the oxidative and antioxidative status of penile corpus cavernosum and peripheral venous blood. A total of 28 adult healthy males were included in the study. Whole blood was simultaneously withdrawn from penile corpus cavernosum and the cubital vein and their plasma separated. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), vitamin C, total protein, albumin, uric acid, bilirubin and total peroxide (TP) levels of both plasma samples were measured and compared. While TAC, total protein, albumin, bilirubin and uric acid levels were higher, vitamin C levels were lower in cavernosal blood than that of peripheral blood. On the other hand, TP level was found to be higher in penile blood samples than that of peripheral blood. We thought that the normal erectile process of the penile cavernosal body leads to increased production of oxidants as in the mechanism of ischaemia-reperfusion; however, the increase of TAC can prevent development of oxidative injury.

An evaluation of neuropeptide Y status in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the neuropeptide Y values of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 38 patients diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis at our clinic, who were being routinely followed-up, together with a control group of 36. Using the Risk and Haddad classification for clinical staging, 16 patients were determined as Stage II and 22 patients as Stage III. Neuropeptide Y values were measured by Enzyme Immunoassay methods. RESULTS: The neuropeptide Y values of the all patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis were found to be significantly high compared to the control group (p<0.01). The neuropeptide Y values of the Stage III group were found to be significantly high compared to the Stage II and control groups (p<0.05). The neuropeptide Y values of the Stage II group were not determined to be significant compared to the control group (p≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Neuropeptide Y can be considered a useful parameter to confirm diagnosis at advanced stages and to establish differences between stages in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

The preoperative and postoperative oxidative status of children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative oxidative status of children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 25 patients with indications for tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy following a diagnosis of chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy and 25 age-gender matched control patients were included to the study. Blood samples were taken from the patients preoperatively and at four weeks postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative serum total oxidant (TOS) and total antioxidant (TAS) levels were measured and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. RESULTS: The serum total oxidant level and oxidant stress index values in the preoperative and postoperative periods of the patients were found to be significantly high compared to those of the control group. While the preoperative serum total oxidant level values were found to be significantly high compared to the postoperative values, no statistical significance was found between the total antioxidant and oxidative stress index values. CONCLUSION: The development of chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy plays a role in oxidative status and therefore, to neutralize high levels of oxidants in patients, the use of antioxidants for a period preoperatively and postoperatively is thought to be necessary.

Association of paraoxonase activity and atherosclerosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: The hepatitis B virus is a significant pathogen that causes cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer as a result of the damage it causes to liver cells. Its infection affects more than 400 million people globally. Although there is an effective vaccine and treatment methods, almost 1, 000, 000 people die every year. OBJECTIVE: To investigate paraoxonase and arylesterase activities along with oxidative status parameters and serum lipid levels, and to find out if there is any increased susceptibility to atherogenesis. METHODS: Thirty-four subjects with chronic hepatitis B and 39 healthy subjects as control were enrolled in the study. Age, body mass index and gender, Serum Triglycerides (TG), High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-Density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, serum paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase activities were determined. Oxidative and antioxidative statuses were evaluated by measuring serum-free sulfhydryl groups, lipid hydroperoxide levels, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index. RESULTS: Serum TG and LDL levels were higher while serum HDL levels were lower in patients with chronic hepatitis B than in controls but the differences did not reach statistical significance. Serum paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase activities, plasma free sulfhydryl groups, and total antioxidant capacity were significantly lower in patients than in controls (p=0.018, p=0.005, p<0.001, p=0.037 respectively), while lipid hydroperoxide, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index were significantly higher (for all p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The diminution in the paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase activities could contribute to the accelerated development of atherosclerosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

DNA damage in metabolic syndrome and its association with antioxidative and oxidative measurements.

The purpose of this study was to assess DNA damage levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Sixty-five subjects with MetS and 65 controls were enrolled in this study. Levels of DNA damage, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total peroxide and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured. We found that DNA damage levels were significantly increased [155.5 (60-264) vs. 93.2 (0-208) arbitrary units; p < 0.001] and TAC levels were significantly decreased in MetS than in control (1.34 +/- 0.27 vs. 55 +/- 0.33 mmol Trolox equivalent/l; p < 0.001). A significant falling trend in TAC levels and a significant rising trend in DNA damage values with the increase in the number of metabolic disturbances (anova p < 0.001 for both) were observed. Total peroxide (30.9 +/- 4.9 vs. 21.3 +/- 2.5 micromol H2O2/l; p < 0.001) and OSI levels [2.4 (1.3-3.8) vs. 1.4 (0.7-2.3) arbitrary units; p < 0.001] were significantly higher in the subjects with MetS than in controls. We found significant negative correlation between DNA damage and TAC levels in MetS (r = -0.656, p < 0.001) and in control (r = -0.546, p < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, age, body mass index, presence of MetS and number of the components of MetS were independent predictors of log-transformed DNA damage (p < 0.05, for all). DNA damage is increased in patients with MetS. The increase in DNA damage might be occur because of the increase in the imbalance between the production of oxidants and antioxidant defences in subjects with MetS.

Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Paraoxonase-1 is an enzyme with three activities which are inversely related to cardiovascular diseases. Accordingly, the aim of the study was to investigate the paraoxonase, arylesterase activities and oxidative/anti-oxidative status in coronary artery disease (CAD) and their correlation with the extent of CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study populations of 193 patients with angiographically documented CAD, 83 patients with normal coronary angiograms (NCAD) and 55 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The patients with CAD were divided into three categories according to the number of diseased coronaries. Also, a Gensini score was calculated for each patient. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Oxidative and anti-oxidative status was evaluated by measuring serum lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), total anti-oxidant status (TAS) and free sulfhydryl groups (-SH = total thiol). Lipid parameters were determined by routine laboratory methods. RESULTS: Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, TAS and -SH levels were lower in the CAD group compared with the NCAD group and control group (P < 0.05, all). Serum LOOH levels of the CAD group were greater than those in both the control and NCAD groups (P < 0.05). The major decreases in paraoxonase, arylesterase activities, -SH and TAS levels and the major increase in LOOH levels were observed in the 3-vessels disease group. In multiple linear regression analysis, the Gensini score was independently correlated with paraoxonase activity (beta = -0.469, P < 0.001), -SH levels (beta = -0.232, P < 0.001), HDL levels and history of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Both paraoxonase activity and -SH levels are independently associated with the presence and extent of CAD. Reduced paraoxonase activity and -SH levels may play a role in the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.