Effects of garlic oil (allium sativum) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats: Garlic oil and experimental colitis.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an important health problem. The most important hypotheses for the pathogenesis of this disease are the deterioration of immune responses and loss of tolerance against bacteria in the enteric flora. Although IBD has been widely investigated, its treatment remains difficult. This study aims to investigate the effects of garlic oil (GO) on an experimental colitis model. METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into four equal groups as follows: group 1 (sham), group 2 (control), group 3 (topical treatment) and group 4 (topical and systemic treatment). An acetic acid-induced colitis model was produced in groups 2, 3 and 4 and was administered normal saline, topical GO and topical and systemic GO, respectively. RESULTS: Hydroxyproline levels were lower in the treatment groups than in the control group. TNF-α levels were significantly lower in group 3 than in group 2. Macroscopic scores were significantly lower in group 4 than in group 2. Significant differences were observed between the treatment and control groups according to their epithelial loss. CONCLUSION: GO can reduce colonic damage and inflammation in the acetic acid-induced colitis model, with effects on both local and systemic treatments, but with a more pronounced effect in local treatment.

Selenium, copper, zinc, iron levels and mortality in patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in Western Black Sea Region, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changing levels of selenium, copper, zinc and iron in patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome and their influence on mortality. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care university hospital in Zonguldak city in the western Black Sea region of Turkey from January 2012 to December 2013, and comprised patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Blood samples were taken on 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days to measure serum selenium, copper, zinc and iron levels. Patients' demographic data, presence of additional diseases and mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 57 patients, 28(49.1%) were female and 29(50.9%) were male, with an overall mean age of 60.3±19.4 years, mean height of 166.1±11.4cm, mean weight of 76.5±17.5kg. Copper and zinc levels were in the normal range, while selenium and iron levels were lower than the limit values at all measuring periods. There was no significant difference between first and other days in accordance with element levels (p>0.05). Baseline copper levels in patients with malignancy were lower than patients without malignancy (p< 0.05). In hypertensive patients, baseline copper levels were higher and 7th day levels were lower than non-hypertensive (p< 0.05). Baseline selenium levels of those who died were lower than the other patients (p< 0.05). Selenium and iron levels were decreased in patients with sepsis-systemic inflammatory response syndrome and copper levels were lower in patients with malignancy, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p< 0.05). There was no change in zinc levels of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced basal selenium levels of patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome were associated with mortality.

Effects of various anesthesia maintenance on serum levels of selenium, copper, zinc, iron and antioxidant capacity / Efeitos da manutenção de várias anestesias sobre os níveis séricos de selênio, cobre, zinco e ferro e a capacidade antioxidante / Efectos del mantenimiento de varias anestesias sobre los niveles séricos de selenio, cobre, cinc y hierro y la capacidad antioxidante

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of sevoflurane, desflurane and propofol maintenances on serum levels of selenium, copper, zinc, iron, malondialdehyde, and glutathion peroxidase measurements, and antioxidant capacity. METHODS: 60 patients scheduled for unilateral lower extremity surgery which would be performed with tourniquet under general anesthesia were divided into three groups. Blood samples were collected to determine the baseline serum levels of selenium, copper, zinc, iron, malondialdehyde and glutathion peroxidase. Anesthesia was induced using 2-2.5 mg kg-1 propofol, 1 mg kg-1 lidocaine and 0.6 mg kg-1 rocuronium. In the maintenance of anesthesia, under carrier gas of 50:50% O2:N2O 4 L min-1, 1 MAC sevoflorane was administered to Group S and 1 MAC desflurane to Group D; and under carrier gas of 50:50% O2:air 4 L min-1 6 mg kg h-1 propofol and 1 µg kg h-1 fentanyl infusion were administered to Group P. At postoperative blood specimens were collected again. RESULTS: It was observed that only in Group S and P, levels of MDA decreased at postoperative 48th hour; levels of glutathion peroxidase increased in comparison to the baseline values. Selenium levels decreased in Group S and Group P, zinc levels decreased in Group P, and iron levels decreased in all three groups, and copper levels did not change in any groups in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: According to the markers of malondialdehyde and glutathion peroxidase, it was concluded that maintenance of general anesthesia using propofol and sevoflurane activated the antioxidant system against oxidative stress and using desflurane had no effects on oxidative stress and antioxidant system. .

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Investigar os efeitos da manutenção de sevoflurano, desflurano e propofol sobre nos níveis séricos de selênio, cobre, zinco, ferro e malondialdeído, as mensurações de glutationa peroxidase e a capacidade antioxidante. MÉTODOS: Foram alocados em três grupos 60 pacientes agendados para cirurgia unilateral de membros inferiores, feita com torniquete sob anestesia geral. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para determinar os níveis séricos basais de selênio, cobre, zinco, ferro, malondialdeído e glutationa peroxidase. A anestesia foi induzida com 2-2,5 mg kg-1 de propofol, 1 mg kg-1 de lidocaína e 0,6 mg kg-1 de rocurônio. Na manutenção da anestesia, sob gás de transporte de 50% O2 e 50% N2O (4 L min-1), sevoflurano a 1 CAM foi administrado ao Grupo S e desflurano a 1 CAM ao Grupo D e, sob gás de transporte em mistura de 50% O2 e 50% ar (4 L min-1), 6 mg kg h-1 de propofol e 1 mg kg h-1 de fentanil foram administrados ao Grupo P. No pós-operatório, amostras de sangue foram novamente coletadas. RESULTADOS: Apenas nos grupos S e P os níveis de MDA diminuíram em 48 horas de pós-operatório; os níveis de glutationa peroxidase aumentaram em comparação com os valores basais. Os níveis de selênio diminuíram no Grupo S e no Grupo P, os níveis de zinco diminuíram no Grupo P, os níveis de ferro diminuíram em todos os grupos e não houve alteração nos níveis de cobre em nenhum grupo no período pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: De acordo com os marcadores de malondialdeído e glutationa peroxidase, concluímos que a manutenção da anestesia geral com propofol e sevoflurano ativou o sistema antioxidante contra o estresse oxidativo e o uso de desflurano não teve efeitos sobre o estresse oxidativo e o sistema antioxidante. .

JUSTIFICACIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: Investigar los efectos del mantenimiento de sevoflurano, desflurano y propofol sobre los niveles séricos de selenio, cobre, cinc, hierro y malondialdehído, las medidas de glutatión peroxidasa y la capacidad antioxidante. MÉTODOS: Fueron ubicados en 3 grupos 60 pacientes programados para cirugía unilateral de miembros inferiores, realizada con torniquete bajo anestesia general. Fueron recogidas muestras de sangre para determinar los niveles séricos basales de selenio, cobre, cinc, hierro, malondialdehído y glutatión peroxidasa. La anestesia fue inducida con 2-2,5 mg/kg-1 de propofol, 1 mg/kg-1 de lidocaína y 0,6 mg/kg-1 de rocuronio. En el mantenimiento de la anestesia, bajo gas portador de 50% de O2 y 50% de N2O (4 L/min-1), sevoflurano a 1 CAM fue administrado al grupo S; y desflurano a 1 CAM al grupo D y bajo gas portador en mezcla de 50% O2 y 50% aire (4 L/min-1), 6 mg/kg/h-1 de propofol y 1 µg/kg/h-1 de fentanilo fueron administrados al grupo P. En el postoperatorio se recogieron de nuevo muestras de sangre. RESULTADOS: Solamente en los grupos S y P los niveles de malondialdehído disminuyeron en las 48 h del postoperatorio; los niveles de glutatión peroxidasa aumentaron en comparación con los valores basales. Los niveles de selenio disminuyeron en el grupo S y en el grupo P, los niveles de cinc disminuyeron en el grupo P, los de hierro disminuyeron en todos los grupos y no hubo alteración en los niveles de cobre en ningún grupo en el período postoperatorio. CONCLUSIÓN: De acuerdo con los marcadores de malondialdehído y glutatión peroxidasa, llegamos a la conclusión de que el mantenimiento de la anestesia general con propofol y sevoflurano activó el sistema antioxidante contra el estrés oxidativo y el uso de desflurano no tuvo efectos sobre el estrés oxidativo y el sistema antioxidante. .

The protective effect of Echinacea spp. (Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea) in a rat colitis model induced by acetic acid.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease that causes an inflammatory condition in the colon. Several cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) are crucial components of these inflammatory pathways. New therapeutic strategies are needed for improved clinical outcomes in UC and with less adverse effects. That is why alternative therapies such as herbal remedies are increasingly being used with favorable effects in the treatment of UC. Hence, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Echinacea spp in an experimental rat colitis model induced by acetic acid (AA). Acetic acid was given via a rectal route to induce acute colitis in rats. Rats were placed in four groups: control, Echinacea, Echinacea-colitis and colitis. Tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1ß and TGF-ß levels were measured. Histopathological comparison of the groups was also performed. The disease activity index (DAI) was significantly higher in the colitis group compared to the control, Echinacea and Echinacea-colitis groups (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the DAI of control, Echinacea and Echinacea-colitis groups (p>0.07). The inflammatory mediators IL-1ß and TNF-α were significantly elevated in the colitis group compared to the other groups (p<0.007, <0.001 respectively). Therefore, Echinacea spp. may likely have some therapeutic favorable effects in the management of UC.

Garlic supplemented diet attenuates gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the effect of a 4% pulverized garlic supplemented diet on the nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four healthy male Wistar rats, weighing between 220 - 260 grams, were divided into three groups. The rats were randomly assigned to either the gentamicin injection without garlic supplementation group (Group I, n = 8), gentamicin injection with garlic supplementation group (Group II, n = 8), and control group (Group III, n = 8). Urine from the rats was collected and the volume (mL), microalbumin (mg/L), creatinine (mg/dL), Na (mmol/L), K (mmol/L), Cl (mmol/L), P (mg/dL), N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) (U/L) and pH values were measured. Then urea (mg/dL), creatinine (mg/dL), total protein (g/dL) and cystatin (mg/L) values were measured for the blood samples obtained from tail veins. RESULTS: The median NAG value for the control group (52.050 U/L) was similar to value for Group II (56.400 U/L), which received gentamicin and the garlic diet. However, the median NAG value for Group I (77.030 U/L), which received gentamicin without garlic supplementation, was determined to be statistically significantly higher (p = 0.010) than the value for the control group. In addition, the mean cystatin value for Group II (1.360 U/L) was found to be statistically significantly lower than the value for the Group I (2.240 U/L) (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: In this study we showed the effect of 4% pulverized garlic supplemented diet for preventing nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin in rats by using as parameters NAG in urine samples and cystatin C in serum samples.

Garlic supplemented diet attenuates gentamicin nephrotoxicity ın rats

Purpose To demonstrate the effect of a 4% pulverized garlic supplemented diet on the nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin in rats. Materials and Methods Twenty four healthy male Wistar rats, weighing between 220 - 260grams, were divided into three groups. The rats were randomly assigned to either the gentamicin injection without garlic supplementation group (Group I, n = 8), gentamicin injection with garlic supplementation group (Group II, n = 8), and control group (Group III, n = 8). Urine from the rats was collected and the volume (mL), microalbumin (mg/L), creatinine (mg/dL), Na (mmol/L), K (mmol/L), Cl (mmol/L), P (mg/dL), N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) (U/L) and pH values were measured. Then urea (mg/dL), creatinine (mg/dL), total protein (g/dL) and cystatin (mg/L) values were measured for the blood samples obtained from tail veins. Results The median NAG value for the control group (52.050 U/L) was similar to value for Group II (56.400 U/L), which received gentamicin and the garlic diet. However, the median NAG value for Group I (77.030 U/L), which received gentamicin without garlic supplementation, was determined to be statistically significantly higher (p = 0.010) than the value for the control group. In addition, the mean cystatin value for Group II (1.360 U/L) was found to be statistically significantly lower than the value for the Group I (2.240 U/L) (p = 0.015). Conclusions In this study we showed the effect of 4% pulverized garlic supplemented diet for preventing nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin in rats by using as parameters NAG in urine samples and cystatin C in serum samples. .

Anti-inflammatory efficiency of Ankaferd blood stopper in experimental distal colitis model.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) is a herbal extract that enhances mucosal healing. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficiency of ABS in the treatment of experimental distal colitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty one male albino rats were divided into three groups: Sham control (Group 1), colitis induced by acetic acid and treated with saline (Group 2), colitis induced by acetic acid and treated with ABS (Group 3). At end of the 7 th day of induction, all the rats were lightly anesthetized with intramuscular ketamine (8 mg/kg) and thereafter laparotomy and total colectomy were performed. The distal colon segment was assessed macroscopically and microscopically. In addition malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) levels of the colonic tissue and changes in body weight were measured. RESULTS: The MDA and NO levels of the colonic tissues and weight loss were significantly higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 and Group 3. Microscopic and macroscopic damage scores were significantly higher in Group 2 and Group 3 than Group 1 (P: 0.001, P: 0.004, respectively). Although the microscopic and macroscopic damage scores in Group 3 were slightly lower than Group 2, the difference was not statistically significant. The SOD levels of the colonic tissues were not different between the three groups. CONCLUSION: Weight alterations and high-levels of the colonic tissue MDA and NO suggested that ABS might have anti-inflammatory effects on experimental distal colitis. However, this suggestion was not supported by histopathological findings.

Serum prolidase activity in psoriasis patients.

This study aimed to evaluate serum prolidase activity and the effects of gender, body mass index (BMI), disease severity and duration, and therapy type on prolidase activity in patients with psoriatic as well as the relationship between serum NO· and prolidase levels in these patients. The study included 29 clinically documented plaque patients with psoriasis and 24 healthy volunteers. Data such as age, sex, BMI, duration and severity of disease, and type of therapy were assessed. NO· levels were determined by the Griess reaction. Serum prolidase assay is based on a colorimetric determination of proline by Chinard's reagent. We did not determine any difference in serum NO· levels of psoriatic patients when compared to controls. Serum prolidase levels in psoriasis patients were significantly higher than those in controls. There was no significant difference in prolidase activity between male and female. No statistically significant correlations were found between serum prolidase levels and BMI, PASI and disease duration. When compared between topical treatment group and systemic treatment group, there was no significant difference in serum prolidase activity. In conclusion, patients with psoriasis exhibit higher serum prolidase activity independent of gender, BMI, disease severity or duration, type of treatments or NO· level. However, further studies are needed to verify these findings as well as altered collagen synthesis in patients with psoriasis.

Effects of ozone oxidative preconditioning on radiation-induced organ damage in rats.

Because radiation-induced cellular damage is attributed primarily to harmful effects of free radicals, molecules with direct free radical scavenging properties are particularly promising as radioprotectors. It has been demonstrated that controlled ozone administration may promote an adaptation to oxidative stress, preventing the damage induced by reactive oxygen species. Thus, we hypothesized that ozone would ameliorate oxidative damage caused by total body irradiation (TBI) with a single dose of 6 Gy in rat liver and ileum tissues. Rats were randomly divided into groups as follows: control group; saline-treated and irradiated (IR) groups; and ozone oxidative preconditioning (OOP) and IR groups. Animals were exposed to TBI after a 5-day intraperitoneal pretreatment with either saline or ozone (1 mg/kg/day). They were decapitated at either 6 h or 72 h after TBI. Plasma, liver and ileum samples were obtained. Serum AST, ALT and TNF-α levels were elevated in the IR groups compared with the control group and were decreased after treatment with OOP. TBI resulted in a significant increase in the levels of MDA in the liver and ileal tissues and a decrease of SOD activities. The results demonstrated that the levels of MDA liver and ileal tissues in irradiated rats that were pretreated with ozone were significantly decreased, while SOD activities were significantly increased. OOP reversed all histopathological alterations induced by irradiation. In conclusion, data obtained from this study indicated that ozone could increase the endogenous antioxidant defense mechanism in rats and there by protect the animals from radiation-induced organ toxicity.

The effect of the doxycycline-rifampicin and levamisole combination on lymphocyte subgroups and functions of phagocytic cells in patients with chronic brucellosis.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is one of the important health problems for both humans and animals in Turkey since agriculture and stock raising appears to be the most important means of subsistence. Investigations on the pathogenesis of brucellosis reveal that the etiologic agent can survive in phagocytic cells, and cell-mediated immunity plays an important role in immunity against bacteria. METHODS: In this study, we investigated whether supplementation of levamisole, a well-known antihelminthic agent with immune-stimulating activity to conventional antibiotic therapy, would improve the anergy against Brucella. RESULTS: The results of our study reveal that a 6-week course of levamisole as a supplement to conventional antibiotic therapy in chronic brucellosis is not superior to conventional antibiotic treatment alone with respect to lymphocyte subgroup ratios and phagocytic function. CONCLUSION: In chronic brucellosis, levamisole administered as a supplement concomitantly with conventional antibiotic therapy has no immunostimulating effect on the basis of the lymphocyte subgroups ratios measured and the ability of phagocytosis in the present study. Further large clinical and laboratory trials are necessary to investigate the immunological and physiological effects of levamisole on T(H1) subtypes and cytokine secretion.