Whortleberry protects kidney against the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity: an experimental study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the antioxidant effects of whortleberry against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 48 female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 263.68 ± 8.29 g. The rats were divided into the following six groups, with eight rats in each group: control, ethanol control, whortleberry control, cisplatin control, 16 mg/kg cisplatin +100 mg/kg whortleberry, and 16 mg/kg cisplatin +200 mg/kg whortleberry groups. Biochemical analysis was performed by measuring total oxidant status and total antioxidant status, histopathological analysis was performed by calculating proximal and distal tubule areas (µm2), and immunohistochemical analysis was performed by determining anti-Caspase-3 immunostaining. Differences among the groups were examined using one-way analysis of variance, and p < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Cisplatin treatment decreased the total antioxidant status and increased the total oxidant status and Caspase-3 level. Moreover, it resulted in the dilatation, vacuolization and loss of tubular epithelial cells; and glomerular degeneration and edema in the kidney tissues (p < .05). Treatment with 100 and 200 mg whortleberries increased the total antioxidant status; decreased the total oxidant status and Caspase-3 level and ameliorated distal and proximal tubule degeneration, glomerular degeneration and edema in the kidney tissues (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the antioxidant effects of the whortleberry decrease cisplatin-associated nephrotoxicity.

Comparison of the Effects and Mechanism of the Curcumin with Different Drugs in Experimental Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

AIM: Cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is the most important complication that effects the mortality and morbidity of patients with intracranial aneurysm. Today, the mechanisms of vasospasm are not understood in spite of experimental and clinical researches. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on vasospasm following SAH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 64 rats (200-250 g weight) were divided into 7 groups. Group 1: having no treatment after SAH; Group 2: treatment with nimodipine after SAH; Group 3: treatment with nicorandil after SAH; Group 4: treatment with sildenafil citrate after SAH; Group 5: treatment with 150 mg/kg curcumin after SAH; Group 6: treatment with 300 mg/kg curcumin after SAH, Group 7: treatment with 600 mg/kg curcumin after SAH. The experimental SAH was induced by injection of autologous blood into the cisterna magna. After medical treatment, in the first hour, blood was taken for quantified the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6. Then, cerebrum and cerebellum were removed for analysis. Basilar artery luminal diameter was measured and apoptotic cell count was performed with tissue samples. RESULTS: Histopathological findings showed that, in sufficient dose, curcumin dilated the basilar artery beside anti-oxidant effect. CONCLUSION: Curcumin can be used for the treatment of vasospasm as a new medical drug.

Hepatoprotective properties for Salvia cryptantha extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury.

The present study was designed to determine the possible hepatoprotective effects of Salvia cryptantha (black weed) plant extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic injury in rats. Animals were grouped as follows: control group (Group I), CCl4 group (Group II), olive oil group (Group III), CCl4 + S. cryphantha 200 mg/kg group (Group IV), and CCl4 + S. cryptantha 400mg/kg group (Group V). Rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 diluted in olive oil (50% v/v) at a dose of 1ml/kg body weight.  Bax and Caspase3 were determined by immunohistochemical staining, while apoptotic index was evaluated using TUNEL assay. Total mRNA was isolated from liver tissues, and the levels of BCL2, Caspase3, SOD, CAT, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined by using PCR, while MDA level were determined using a colorimetric assay. The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic gene transcripts were decreased in all of the control and treatment groups, while Caspase3 levels were not statistically different. The S. cryptantha plant extract treatment was also found to improve SOD, GPx, and catalase levels, while reducing the serum levels of MDA. The extract of S. cryptantha supplementation had a protective effect against CCl4-induced liver damage. S. cryptantha extract as a supplement may be useful as a hepato-protective agent to combat the toxic effects caused by CCl4 and other chemicals.

Treatment of a major depression episode suppresses markers of bone turnover in premenopausal women.

UNLABELLED: Both decrease in bone mineral density and increase in bone turnover had been reported in patients with major depression compared to healthy controls. But the effect of antidepressant treatment on markers of bone turnover is not studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treatment of a major depressive episode with an SSRI antidepressant on bone turnover in premenopausal women. METHODS: Fifty premenopausal female patients with newly diagnosed major depression according to DSM IV-R criteria were included into the study. Before starting antidepressant therapy (escitalopram 10 mg/day) and three months later, blood samples were collected for the measurement of serum calcium, phosphorus, osteocalcin, ß-CTX and iPTH. Depressive status was determined with Hamilton Depression Scale. RESULTS: Treatment of depression did not create any change in laboratory levels of either calcium or phosphorus. Basal iPTH level was significantly decreased with the treatment. Treatment resulted in an increase in serum osteocalcin and decrease in ß-CTX levels. HAMD score was significantly correlated with both osteocalcin and ß-CTX. The decrease in ß-CTX and increase in osteocalcin levels were more prominent in patients with a HAMD score that remained below 15 than above 15 at the end of the study period. In conclusion, this study shows that with the treatment of depression bone formation increases and bone resorption decreases in premenopausal women with major depression.

Short-term oral magnesium supplementation suppresses bone turnover in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Magnesium has been shown to increase bone mineral density when used in the treatment of osteoporosis, yet its mechanism of action is obscure. In this study, the effects of daily oral magnesium supplementation on biochemical markers of bone turnover were investigated. Twenty postmenopausal women have been divided into two groups. Ten patients were given magnesium citrate (1,830 mg/day) orally for 30 days. Ten postmenopausal women of matching age, menopause duration, and BMI were recruited as the control group and followed without any medication. Fasting blood and first-void urine samples were collected on days 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30, respectively. Total magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iPTH and osteocalcin were determined in blood samples. Deoxypyridinoline levels adjusted for creatinine were measured in urine samples. Thirty consecutive days of oral magnesium supplementation caused significantly decrease in serum iPTH levels in the Mg-supplemented group (p < 0.05). Serum osteocalcin levels were significantly increased (p < 0.001) and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels were decreased (p < 0.001) in the Mg-supplemented group. This study has demonstrated that oral magnesium supplementation in postmenopausal osteoporotic women suppresses bone turnover.