Effect of bromelain on periodontal destruction and alveolar bone in rats with experimental periodontitis.

PURPOSE: Several substances that have anti-inflammatory, antiproteinase, and anti-infective properties have been evaluated as modulators of the inflammatory response in periodontal disease. However, evidence for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of bromelain is limited. This study evaluated the impact of systemically administered bromelain on the progression of experimental periodontitis. METHODS: Four equal groups of 32 Wistar albino rats were created as follows (n = 8): control, periodontitis + saline, periodontitis + 5 mg/kg/day bromelain, and periodontitis + 10 mg/kg/day bromelain. To quantify the resorption of bone and bone volume/tissue volume, bone surface / bone volume, and connectivity, lower jawbones were fixed and then scanned using microcomputed tomography (micro CT). Blood samples were taken to measure the macrophage colony-stimulating factor(M-CSF) concentrations, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), interleukin-6(IL-6), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathological assessments were made to examine the tissue. RESULTS: Treatment with bromelain improved the healing of the periodontium by decreasing the number of leukocytes and ligament deterioration in the gingival connective tissue and by supporting reintegration with alveolar bone. Bromelain used in ligature-induced periodontitis reduced alveolar bone (AB) resorption as measured by microCT; reduced inflammatory parameters such as IL-6 and TNF-α; regulated oxidative-antioxidative processes by increasing GPx and SOD and reducing MDA levels; and regulated AB modeling by decreasing M-CSF, RANKL, and MMP-8 and increasing OPG levels. CONCLUSION: Bromelain may be an option in periodontal therapy by regulating cytokine levels, improving the healing process, and reducing bone resorption and oxidative stress.

Protective Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid against 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Gastrointestinal Mucositis in Rats.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is extensively utilized in multivitamin formulas and anti-aging products. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential protective benefits of ALA on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced gastrointestinal mucositis in Wistar albino rats. Tissues from the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine were excised, and blood sera were obtained to identify biochemical indices such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, MDA, GPx, SOD, MMP-1, -2, -8, and TIMP-1. A histopathological study was also performed. The results revealed mucositis-elevated TNF-, IL-1, MDA, MMP-1, -2, -8, and TIMP-1 levels in both tissues and sera, and these values dropped dramatically following ALA treatment. Reduced SOD and GPx activities in mucositis groups were reversed in ALA-treated groups. The damage produced by mucositis in the stomach and small intestine regressed in the ALA-treated group, according to histopathological evaluation. Consequently, the implementation of ALA supplementation in 5-FU therapy may act as a protective intervention for cancer patients with gastrointestinal mucositis. In light of the findings, ALA, a food-derived antioxidant with pleiotropic properties, may be an effective treatment for 5-FU-induced gastrointestinal mucositus, and prevent oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage in cancer patients receiving 5-FU therapy.

Melatonin and REGN-CoV2 combination as a vaccine adjuvant for Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

The omicron variant (B.529) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in late 2021, caused panic worldwide due to its contagiousness and multiple mutations in the spike protein compared to the Delta variant (B.617.2). There is currently no specific antiviral available to treat Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, studies on neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) developed to fight COVID-19 are growing and gaining traction. REGN-COV2 (Regeneron or imdevimab-casirivimab combination), which has been shown in recent studies to be less affected by Omicron's RBD (receptor binding domain) mutations among other mAb cocktails, plays an important role in adjuvant therapy against COVID-19. On the other hand, it is known that melatonin, which has antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects, can prevent a possible cytokine storm, and other severe symptoms that may develop in the event of viral invasion. Along with all these findings, we believe it is crucial to evaluate the use of melatonin with REGN-COV2, a cocktail of mAbs, as an adjuvant in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19, particularly in immunocompromised and elderly patients.

Protective effect of bromelain on corrosive burn in rats.

INTRODUCTION: In some cases, the tongue and oesophagus tissues are damaged by the corrosive burn. Surgical interventions may cause scar formation, and severe burns treatment methods are limited. This study aims to investigate bromelain, a phytotherapeutic product, on the corrosive burn as a non-surgical option and as an adjunctive therapy, insofar as the treatment of corrosive wounds is not limited only to the treatment of oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. METHODS: On the tongues of Wistar albino rats, chemically produced oral ulcers were created by topical application of NaOH (40%) solution, and in the distal oesophagus same mixture was applied to produce a corrosive oesophageal burn. For a week, they were treated orally by bromelain (100 mg/kg/day) or saline solution. At the end of seven days, animals were decapitated to remove the tongue and oesophagus, and blood samples were collected to obtain serum. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations were measured in serum, and luminol and lucigenin chemiluminescence (CL) were measured in tissue samples. RESULTS: MDA and CL values were significantly increased, and GSH levels in tissue significantly decreased due to the corrosive burns. Saline treated corrosive burn group measured higher in the serum cytokines in according to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Bromelain administration decreased oxidant and inflammatory parameters and increased antioxidant levels in NaOH-induced corrosive burns. Thus, we concluded that bromelain may protect the tongue and oesophagus tissues with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Role of melatonin in the treatment of COVID-19; as an adjuvant through cluster differentiation 147 (CD147).

COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak quickly has turned into a pandemic. However, no specific antiviral agent is yet available. In this communication, we aimed to evaluate the significance of CD147 protein and the potential protective effect of melatonin that is mediated by this protein in COVID-19. CD147 is a glycoprotein that is responsible for the cytokine storm in the lungs through the mediation of viral invasion. Melatonin use previously was shown to reduce cardiac damage by blocking the CD147 activity. Hence, melatonin, a safe drug, may prevent severe symptoms, reduce symptom severity and the adverse effects of the other antiviral drugs in COVID-19 patients. In conclusion, the use of melatonin, which is reduced in the elderly and immune-compromised patients, should be considered as an adjuvant through its CD147 suppressor and immunomodulatory effect.

Vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium status of heifers grazing in Northern Cyprus.

Vitamin A, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) are essential components for the health and reproductive yield of dairy cows. In this study, it is aimed to profile the calcium, phosphorus and magnesium elements together with vitamin A, which are important components in cattle bred and reared in Northern Cyprus. To analyse these parameters, 260 clinically healthy animals, at least 30 from each region, were blood sampled from eight different regions (Nicosia, Gecitkale, Vadili, Famagusta, Iskele, Ziyamet, Morphou and Kyrenia) during both summer and winter seasons. Vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus concentrations were measured from blood samples. Vitamin A levels increased significantly only in Nicosia and Ziyamet regions during the winter season, while there was no seasonal difference from the other regions. Calcium and phosphorus levels were higher in summer when compared with winter. Magnesium levels were significantly higher in winter than in summer. In the comparison between regions in summer and winter, the change in P and Mg values was significant, whereas Ca only showed inter-regional differences during winter. In conclusion, all the parameters found were within the expected ranges but affected by seasonal changes. Therefore, we think that calcium and phosphorus supplementation in winter and vitamin A and magnesium supplementation in summer will provide positive results on cattle.