Recurrent implantation failure is associated with increased levels of fetuin-A/alpha2-Heremans-Schmid-glycoprotein.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent implantation failure is defined as the absence of implantation, after two or three consecutive cycles of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection or frozen embryo replacement. Human fetuin-A/alpha2-Heremans-Schmid-glycoprotein is a plasma protein secreted by the liver that modulates insulin action in adipocytes. Increased fetuin-A promotes adipocyte dysfunction which results in decreased adiponectin and increased fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines. Fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines were previously reported in implantation failure. Also, fetuin-A inhibits receptor tyrosine kinase activity in trophoblast growth factors which decrease trophoblast viability and invasion. In this study, we aimed to find the association between fetuin-A and implantation failure. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 78 women were included in this case-control study. Serum fetuin-A concentrations were measured in 42 women with recurrent IVF failure and 36 healthy women with regular cycles. RESULTS: The mean serum fetuin-A levels of implantation failure and control women were 257.77 ± 32.18 and 219.59 ± 48.86 respectively with a p-value <0.001 (independent samples t-test). Our results showed a statistically significant difference between serum fetuin-A levels of implantation failure women and controls. CONCLUSION: So far reasons for implantation failure are only partially understood. The current study reveals the association between implantation failure and fetuin-A. Further studies with large population sizes are needed to investigate whether fetuin-A can be used as a marker before controlled ovarian stimulation began or regulation of fetuin-A levels with treatment or lifestyle interventions can improve implantation success.

The effects of walnut supplementation on hippocampal NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B of rats.

OBJECTIVES: Walnuts contain numerous selected dietary factors that have an impact on brain functions, especially learning and memory formation in the hippocampus. Hippocampal N-methyl d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are involved in the formation of cognitive functions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular effects of walnut supplementation on the hippocampal expressions of NMDARs involved in cognitive functions and lipid peroxidation levels in rats. METHODS: The male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 months old, n = 24) were fed with a walnut-supplemented diet (6% walnut diet, n = 12) and a control diet (rat food, n = 12) as ad libitum for 8 weeks. At the end of this period, NMDAR subunits NR2A and NR2B in the hippocampi were assayed by western blotting. Lipid peroxidation levels were measured using the thiobarbituric acid. RESULTS: The expression of NR2A and NR2B was elevated in the walnut-supplemented rats compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the levels of lipid peroxidation in the walnut-supplemented group were significantly decreased compared with the control group. DISCUSSION: We suggested that walnut supplementation may have protective effects against the decline of cognitive functions by regulating NMDAR and lipid peroxidation levels in the hippocampus. The study provides evidence that selected dietary factors (polyunsaturated fatty acids, melatonin, vitamin E, and flavonoids) within walnut may help to trigger hippocampal neuronal signal transduction for the formation of learning and memory.

Greater Efficiency Observed 12 Months Post-Implementation of an Automatic Tube Sorting and Registration System in a Core Laboratory.

BACKGROUND: Sample classification and registration have been recognized as important and time-consuming processes in laboratories. There is increasing pressure on laboratories to automate processes due to intense workload and reduce manual procedures and errors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the positive effects of an automatic tube registration and sorting system on specimen processing. METHODS: An automatic tube registration and sorting system (HCTS2000 MK2, m-u-t AG, Wedel, Germany) was evaluated. Turnaround time (TAT), rate of sample rejection and unrealized tests were examined 12 months pre- and post-implementation of the automatic tube sorting and registration system. RESULTS: The mean TAT of routine chemistry immunoassay, complete blood cell count (CBC) and coagulation samples were significantly improved (P<0.001). The number of rejected samples and unrealized tests was insignificantly decreased post-implementation of the system (0.4% to 0.2% and 4.5% to 1.4%, respectively) (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: By reducing delays and errors in the preanalytical processing and sorting of samples, significant improvements in specimen processing were observed after implementation of the system. These results suggest that an automatic tube registration and sorting system may also be used to improve specimen processing in a higher-volume core laboratory.

Vitamin E modulates lung oxidative stress, serum copper, zinc, and iron levels in rats with pulmonary contusion.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the effects of oxidant/antioxidant mechanisms and levels of trace elements on trauma-stimulated moderate pulmonary contusions after vitamin E administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three male Sprague Dawley rats were used. Animals were studied in 4 groups. Vitamin E (150 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min after trauma and on the first and second days. Blood samples were obtained for nitric oxide (NO) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. Zinc (Zn+2), copper (Cu+2), and iron (Fe+3) were measured in serum. RESULTS: Lung contusion increased serum and tissue NO levels and SOD activities and decreased GSH-Px activities (P < 0.05). Vitamin E significantly (P < 0.05) decreased NO levels and SOD activities and increased GSH-Px. Serum Zn+2, Cu+2, and Fe+3 levels were statistically significantly influenced by the administration of vitamin E (P < 0.05). Group 4 had lower scores compared to Group 3 (P < 0.05) and no difference compared to Group 1 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that treatment with vitamin E reduces lung oxidative stress and related mechanisms in isolated lung contusion as demonstrated by an experimental rat model.

Plasma 8-isoPGF2α and serum melatonin levels in patients with minimal cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: F2α-isoprostane is accepted as an oxidative stress indicator and melatonin shows neuroprotective effects by antioxidative and antiamyloidogenic influences. By measuring these in patients diagnosed with minimal cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer-type dementia, we intended to demonstrate whether the measurement of these markers contributes to early diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) in the MCI stage or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups (n = 63) were created: the AD group, MCI group, and control group. Serum melatonin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay method, and plasma total 8-isoPGF2α levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay method. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the melatonin levels between the MCI group and AD group (P = 0.009), and in 8-isoPGF2α levels between the AD group and control group (P = 0.022). A negative correlation between mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores and 8-isoPGF2a levels (r = -0.459, P < 0.001) and positive correlation between MMSE scores and melatonin levels (r = 0.317, P = 0.011) were found. CONCLUSION: Although the plasma 8-isoPGF2α and serum melatonin levels in MCI were not found to be good early diagnostic markers to indicate risk of AD, results were found to support the role of oxidative stress in AD.

Evaluation of Cardiac Markers in Children Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Early life-threatening cardiotoxicity and cardiac death have been reported after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate cardiac toxicity of conventional chemotherapy followed by HSCT with cardiac markers: heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), glycogen phosphorylase BB (GPBB), high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) cardiac troponin I, (cTnI), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB mass) and myoglobin. METHODS: A total of 20 children who underwent HSCT for malignant and non-malignant diseases were included in this study. Blood samples were collected from all patients in 0th, 7th and 21st day for evaluating these cardiac biomarkers. The patients' echocardiography was assessment before and after one-month of HSCT. RESULTS: Serum 21st H-FABP level was significantly higher when compared with the 0th day H-FABP level (P < 0.05) . 7th day hsCRP level was significantly higher than 0th and 21st day levels (P < 0.05). Interestingly, 7th day GPBB level was significantly lower than 0th and 21st day levels (P < 0.05). Myoglobin, CK-MB mass and cTnI biomarkers remained within the reference range in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that H-FABP and hsCRP both seem to be promising markers for evaluation of cardiotoxicity in HSCT process and probably superior to GPBB, cTnI, CK-MB mass and myoglobin.

Decreased serum vitamin D levels are associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a rural area of Turkey.

Data examining the association between vitamin D and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are limited. This study investigated the serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in diabetics in the Yozgat region of Turkey, and assessed their relationships with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 69 diabetic patients and 49 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in this clinical prospective study. All the diabetics underwent conventional sensory and motor nerve conduction studies, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy was confirmed or ruled out according to the electromyography findings and Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions. Serum vitamin D, VDBP and VDR levels were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The serum vitamin D levels (p = 0.001) were significantly lower, while the VDR levels (p = 0.003) were higher, in diabetics than in controls. The serum VDBP levels were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). The serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in diabetics with diabetic peripheral neuropathy than in those without (p = 0.032), whereas the serum VDBP and VDR levels were similar in these two groups (p > 0.05). The lower serum vitamin D levels in diabetics, especially in those with peripheral neuropathy, may suggest a neurotrophic effect of vitamin D.

The effect of adenotonsilectomy on ghrelin, leptin, IGF-1 levels and growth parameters in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to search for the effects of adenotonsillectomy (A&T) on height, weight, and body mass index (BMI), as well as changes in ghrelin, leptin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH)-related sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). METHODS: A study cohort of 39 children clinically diagnosed with ATH-related SDB was included in this study. Twenty-three healthy children were included as controls. Height and weight standard deviation scores (SDS) and ghrelin, leptin, and IGF-1 levels of the controls were determined once; in the study group, they were determined preoperatively and in the third month postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative IGF-1 (ng/mL) and ghrelin (pg/mL) levels were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls (322.51±113.10 vs. 256.96±176.73, p<0.05 and 106.08±9.75 vs. 80.11±28.50, p<0.001, respectively). The preoperative height and weight SDS values of the patients were lower than those of the controls (-0.67±1.36 vs. 0.13±1.13, p<0.05 and -0.38±1.35 vs. -0.20±1.29, respectively). The patients' postoperative height and weight SDS values were significantly higher than their preoperative values (-0.05±1.08 vs. -0.67±1.36, p<0.0001 and 0.00±1.28 vs. -0.38±1.35, p<0.0001, respectively). The mean postoperative IGF-1 levels also were significantly higher than preoperative levels (386.05±130.06 vs. 322.51±113.10, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Plasma IGF-1 levels are lower in malnourished children, and plasma ghrelin levels are decreased after acute oral food intake and are increased in cachexia and fasting. Therefore, increased serum IGF-1 levels, height and weight SDS values, and decreased ghrelin levels detected postoperatively are useful parameters that help to monitor the development of children with adequate oral intakes.

The correlation of serum levels of leptin, leptin receptor and NO x (NO 2 (-) and NO 3 (-)) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relations between nitric oxide (NO) and leptin levels in a cohort of untreated adult Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. Between June 1, 2012, and January 1, 2013, we evaluated a total of 58 subjects including 36 OSAS patients and 22 healthy controls, both polysomnographically confirmed. Following the completion of polysomnographic evaluation, serum samples were taken at 08:00. Leptin, leptin receptor, NO2 (-) and NO3 (-) levels were analyzed by commercial ELISA kits. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). There was no statistically significant difference between the OSAS patients and control groups with relation to the demographic parameters and body mass index (p > 0.05). Significantly higher serum leptin and plasma NO levels were found in OSAS patients compared to the controls (p < 0.001). In this study, higher leptin levels which were positively correlated with NO levels in OSAS group may indicate a possible link with increased incidence of airway pathologies in these patients.

Vitamin C as an antioxidant: evaluation of its role on pulmonary contusion experimental model.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To analyze the protective activity of vitamin C on the lungs by assessing biochemical and histopathological analysi after performing an experimental isolated lung contusion model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. The rats were randomly separated into 4 groups Vitamin C (200 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min after trauma. Blood samples were obtained for myeloperoxidase (MPO) glutirthione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels Blood gas analysis and bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. The lung tissue was also extracted for histopathological examination. RESULTS: The lung contusion enhanced MDA, SOD, CAT, and MPO and diminished GSH-Px. Vitamin C administration after th pulmonary contusion was found to diminish the level of MDA and the activities of SOD, CAT, and MPO and to enhance the level of GSH-Px (P < 0.05). Contusion-induced disrupted gas analysis and leukocyte infiltration were both resolved by the vitamin C. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that vitamin C administration attenuated the oxidative damage and morphological change induced by pulmonary contusion in an experimental rat study.

Effect of atorvastatin on atherosclerotic plaque formation and platelet activation in hypercholesterolemic rats.

We aimed to investigate whether atorvastatin influenced the CD40-CD40L pathway in atherosclerosis formation in rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided among 4 groups as follows: control (C), statin (S), 5% cholesterol fed (HC), and statin-administered hypercholesterolemic (HCS). Serum levels of lipids, soluble CD40L, platelet factor 4, and interleukin-6 were assayed with commercial kits. The number of platelets expressing surface P-selectin, CD40, and CD40L were determined by flow cytometry. Aortas were examined for fatty streaks. In the HC group, we observed a significant increase in serum lipid levels and platelet activation markers compared with the control group. Rats in the HCS group had a significant decrease in lipid levels and downregulation in the number of platelets expressing surface P-selectin, CD40, and CD40L compared with the HC group. We observed decreased fatty streak formations in aortas in HCS rats. A positive correlation was found for platelet activation markers and atherosclerotic fatty streak formations. Regression analysis revealed that the predictor of atherosclerosis was CD40L. Our study suggests that in a rat hypercholesterolemic model, statin treatment may influence the CD40-CD40L dyad, and that this effect is parallelled by a suppression of progression of atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Non-invasive tests in prediction of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and comparison with post-antiviral treatment results.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the performance of a series of non-invasive tests to detect fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients with CHB, whose blood samples were collected and biopsies were done on the same day, were included in this study. Pre-treatment calculations of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), Forn's index, FIB-4, S-index, Shanghai Liver Fibrosis Group's index (SLFG) and Hepascore(®) were done and relations with mild and advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis were assessed. Post-treatment values of APRI, Forn's index, FIB-4, S-index with oral antiviral agents were also investigated. RESULTS: APRI, S-index, SLFG, FIB-4, Forn's index and Hepascore(®) had 0.669, 0.669, 0.739, 0.741, 0.753, 0.780; retrospectively Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC) for significant fibrosis. APRI, Forn's index, S-index, FIB-4, SLFG, and Hepascore(®) had 0.681, 0.714, 0.715, 0.738, 0.747, 0.777 retrospectively AUROC for advanced fibrosis. APRI, SLFG, FIB-4, Forn's index, S-index, and Hepascore(®) had 0.741, 0.742, 0.768, 0.779, 0.792, 0.824 retrospectively AUROC for cirrhosis. APRI, Forn's index, FIB-4 and S-index were significantly lower in post-treatment group compared with pre-treatment group (P-values: <0.05, 0.001, 0.003, 0.018; respectively). CONCLUSION: Hepascore(®) showed the best performance to predict significant fibrosis. Our study also suggests that the use of non-invasive test to predict fibrosis in patients with CHB may reduce the need for liver biopsy and may help to monitor the efficacy of treatment.

Comparative analysis of the protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on pulmonary contusion lung oxidative stress and serum copper and zinc levels in experimental rat model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in the lungs by biochemical and histopathological analyses in an experimental isolated lung contusion model. Eighty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The animals were divided randomly into four groups: group 1 (n = 9) was defined as without contusion and without CAPE injection. Group 2 (n = 9) was defined as CAPE 10 µmol/kg injection without lung contusion. Group 3 (n = 36) was defined as contusion without CAPE-administrated group which consisted of four subgroups that were created according to analysis between days 0, 1, 2, and 3. Group 4 (n = 27) was defined as CAPE 10 µmol/kg administrated after contusion group divided into three subgroups according to analysis on days 1, 2, and 3. CAPE 10 µmol/kg was injected intraperitoneally 30 min after trauma and on days 1 and 2. Blood samples were obtained to measure catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and for blood gas analysis. Trace elements such as zinc and copper were measured in serum. The lung tissue was also removed for histopathological examination. Isolated lung contusion increased serum and tissue SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels (p < 0.05). Both serum and tissue SOD, MDA, and CAT levels on day 3 were lower in group 4 compared to group 3 (p < 0.05). Further, the levels of SOD, MDA, and CAT in group 4 were similar compared to group 1 (p > 0.05). CAPE also had a significant beneficial effect on blood gases (p < 0.05). Both serum zinc and copper levels were (p < 0.05) influenced by the administration of CAPE. Histopathological examination revealed lower scores in group 4 compared to group 3 (p < 0.05) and no significant differences compared to group 1 (p > 0.05). CAPE appears to be effective in protecting against severe oxidative stress and tissue damage caused by pulmonary contusion in an experimental setting. Therefore, we conclude that administration of CAPE may be used for a variety of conditions associated with pulmonary contusion. Clinical use of CAPE may have the advantage of prevention of pulmonary contusion.

Effects of Subchronic Treatment with Ibuprofen and Nimesulide on Spatial Memory and NMDAR Subunits Expression in Aged Rats.

Several studies point to an important function of cyclooxygenase (COX) and prostaglandin signaling in models of synaptic plasticity which is associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). Cyclooxygenase gene is suggested to be an immediate early gene that is tightly regulated in neurons by NMDA dependent synaptic activity. Nonsteroid Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) exert their antiinflammatory effect by the inhibion of COX have controversial effects on learning and memory. We administered ibuprofen as a non-selective COX-2 inhibitor and nimesulide as a selective COX-2 inhibitor for 8 weeks for determining the cognitive impact of subchronic administration of NSAIDs to aged rats. Wistar albino rats (16 mo, n = 30) were separated into control (n = 10), ibuprofen (n = 10) and nimesulide (n = 10) treated groups. First we evaluated hippocampus-dependent spatial memory in the radial arm maze (RAM) and than we evaluated the expression of the NMDAR subunits, NR2A and NR2B by western blotting to see if their expressions are effected by subchronic administration with these drugs. Ibuprofen and nimesulide treated rats completed the task in a statistically significant shorter time when compared with control group (p < 0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference between groups about choice accuracy data in RAM. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was detected for the protein expressions of NR2A and NR2B of the subjects. Oral administration of ibuprofen and nimesulide for 8 weeks showed no impairment but partly improved spatial memory.

Effects of chronic scopolamine administration on spatial working memory and hippocampal receptors related to learning.

Scopolamine has been used in neuropsychopharmacology as a standard drug that leads to symptoms mimicking cognitive deficits seen during the aging process in healthy humans and animals. Scopolamine is known to be a nonselective muscarinic receptor blocker, but its chronic effect on the expression of certain hippocampal receptors is not clear. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of chronic scopolamine administration on hippocampal receptor expression and spatial working memory in two different learning tasks, the water maze and the eight-arm radial maze. Male rats (8-12 months) were trained in both tasks. Subsequently, different groups received physiological saline or 0.1, 0.8, or 2 mg/kg scopolamine hydrobromide, respectively, for 15 days. After drug administration, the rats were retested for both tasks, and hippocampal expressions of NR2A, NR2B, nAChRα7, and mAChRM1 receptors were assessed by western blotting analysis. In both tasks, the spatial working memory was decreased dose dependently in all groups compared with the control group. In terms of receptor expressions, 0.8 and 2 mg/kg scopolamine administration significantly decreased NR2A protein expression, which corroborates suggestions of an interaction between cholinergic and glutamatergic receptors in the hippocampus.

Effects of lisinopril on NMDA receptor subunits 2A and 2B levels in the hippocampus of rats with L-NAME-induced hypertension.

Hypertension is major risk factor leading to cerebrovascular pathologies. N-methyl D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and renin-angiotensin system are involved in neuronal plasticity, as well as cognitive functions in the hippocampus. In this study, we examined the effects of lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, on the levels of hippocampal NMDAR subunits; NR2A and NR2B in L-NAME (N(ε)-nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester)-induced hypertensive rats. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured as a marker for lipid peroxidation. Compared with the control group, the MDA level was significantly increased after 8 weeks in the L-NAME-treated group. Rats treated with lisinopril and L-NAME plus lisinopril were found to have significantly decreased hippocampal MDA levels. Regarding the hippocampal concentrations of NR2A and NR2B, there were no statistically significant differences between groups. We demonstrated that lisinopril treatment has no direct regulatory effect on the levels of NR2A and NR2B in the rat hippocampus. Our results showed that Lisinopril could act as an antioxidant agent against hypertension-induced oxidative stress in rat hippocampus. The findings support that the use of lisinopril may offer a good alternative in the treatment of hypertension by reducing not only blood pressure but also prevent hypertensive complications in the brain.

Serum vitronectin levels in patients with Behçet's disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine serum vitronectin levels in Behçet patients with and without ocular involvement, and to evaluate the relationship between vitronectin concentrations and clinical manifestations of Behçet's disease (BD). METHODS: Sixty-five patients with BD and 21 control subjects were included. All patients were queried for the clinical manifestations of BD. Serum vitronectin concentrations were determined by using in vitro enzyme immunoassay kits. RESULTS: Serum vitronectin levels between the patients and the control subjects were not different. There was no statistically significant difference between vitronectin levels in Behçet patients with and without ocular involvement. No correlation was found between vitronectin concentrations and clinical manifestations. CONCLUSION: This is the first study evaluating vitronectin levels in Behçet patients. Further studies involving larger numbers of subjects would be useful to improve our understanding of the functions of vitronectin in BD.

The protective effect of adrenomedullin on renal injury, in a model of abdominal aorta cross-clamping.

Renal injury induced by aortic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is an important factor in the development of postoperative acute renal failure following abdominal aortic surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of adrenomedullin (AM) on kidney injury induced by infrarenal abdominal aortic IR in rats. Thirty-two Wistar Albino rats were randomized into four groups (eight per group) as follows: Control group, IR group (120-minute ischemia and 120-minute reperfusion), IR + AM group (a bolus intravenously of 0.05 µg/kg/min AM), and control + AM group. At the end of the experiment, blood and kidney tissue specimens were obtained for biochemical analysis. Immunohistological evaluation of the rat kidney tissues was also done. IR significantly increased (p < 0.05 vs control group) and AM significantly decreased (p < 0.05 vs. IR group) all of the biochemical parameters. Immunohistological evaluation showed that AM attenuated morphological changes as apoptosis associated with kidney injury. The results of this study indicate that AM attenuates both biochemically and immunohistopathologically kidney injury induced by aortic IR in rats.

The effect of cadmium toxicity on renal nitric oxide synthase isoenzymes.

The aim of this study was to assess the cadmium (Cd) toxicity on renal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoenzymes. The study was carried out on 18 inbred male (Cd group: 10 and control group: 8) Wistar rats. Cd group received drinking water containing 15 mg/L Cd for 30 days; and at the end of the 30 days, plasma Cd was analysed. One kidney was snap frozen to assess the endothelial NOS (eNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) expressions by Western blot analyses, and the other kidney was preserved for histopathological examination. Plasma Cd levels were significantly elevated in the Cd group. The Western blot analyses found higher levels of eNOS, iNOS and nNOS in the Cd group but only eNOS and nNOS levels were statistically significant. There was no difference in pathological assessment of the renal tissues. Cd toxicity increases NOS isoenzyme levels and may affect renal physiology.

Calorie restriction modulates hippocampal NMDA receptors in diet-induced obese rats.

Calorie restriction (CR) has attracted increased interest since CR enhances lifespan and alters age-related decline in hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions. Obesity is associated with poor neurocognitive outcome including impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive abilities such as learning and memory. N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are linked to hippocampal-dependent learning and memory, which may be stabilized by CR. In the present study, we aimed to establish the effects of CR on NMDARs in CA1 region of hippocampus in obese and non-obese rats. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined as a marker for lipid peroxidation (LPO) in hippocampus. Four groups were constituted as control group (C, n = 9), obese group (OB, n = 10), obese calorie-restricted group (OCR, n = 9), and non-obese calorie-restricted group (NCR, n = 10). OCR and NCR were fed with a 60% CR diet for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks of CR, the MDA levels significantly decreased in the calorie-restricted groups. Obesity caused significant decreases in NR2A and NR2B subunit expressions in the hippocampus. The hippocampal NR2A and NR2B levels significantly increased in the OCR group compared with the OB group (P < 0.05). In contrast, the hippocampal NR2A and NR2B levels significantly decreased in the NCR group compared with the C group (P < 0.05). Oxidative stress can be prevented by CR, and these data may provide a molecular and cellular mechanism by which CR may regulate NMDAR-mediated response against obesity-induced changes in the hippocampus.