Effect of Laurus nobilis on bacteria and human transforming growth factor-ß1.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to determine the phenolic compounds, the antibacterial activity of extract from Laurus nobilis leaves, and its possible effect on transforming growth factor-ß1 expression level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. METHODS: The phenolic components of Laurus nobilis were identified by the high-performance liquid chromatography method. The antibacterial activity of this extract was determined by disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The transforming growth factor-ß1 expression was analyzed using the RT-qPCR method. RESULTS: Epicatechin was found in the highest amount and o-coumaric acid in the lowest amount. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined to be 55.17 µg/mL. The zones of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 15, 14, and 8 mm and 125, 250, and 1000 µg/mL, respectively. The change in transforming growth factor-ß1 expression levels was found to be statistically significant compared with the control groups (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Laurus nobilis extract was found to be effective against bacteria and altered the expression level of transforming growth factor-ß1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Cannabidiol Mitigates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Pancreatic Pathology: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy.

Background: Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are a component of certain types of bacteria and can induce an inflammatory response in the body, including in the pancreas. Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive compound found in cannabis, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and may offer potential therapeutic benefits for conditions involving inflammation and damage. The aim of this study was to investigate any potential preventative effects of CBD on experimental LPS-induced pancreatic pathology in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups as control, LPS (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]), LPS+CBD, and CBD (5 mg/kg, i.p.) groups. Six hours after administering LPS, the rats were euthanized, and blood and pancreatic tissue samples were taken for biochemical, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations. Results: The results indicated that LPS decreased serum glucose levels and increased lipase levels. It also caused severe hyperemia, increased vacuolization in endocrine cells, edema, and slight inflammatory cell infiltrations at the histopathological examination. Insulin and amylin expressions decreased during immunohistochemical analyses. At the PCR analysis, Silent Information Regulator 2 homolog 1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha expressions decreased and tumor protein p53 expressions increased in the LPS group. CBD improved the biochemical, PCR, histopathological, and immunohistochemical results. Conclusions: The findings of the current investigation demonstrated that LPS damages both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. However, CBD demonstrated marked ameliorative effects in the pancreas in LPS induced rat model pancreatitis.

Investigation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 disease, which spreads worldwide, is a disease characterized by widespread inflammation and affects many organs, especially the lungs. The resulting inflammation can lead to reactive oxygen radicals, leading to oxidative DNA damage. The pneumonia severity of 95 hospitalized patients with positive RT-PCR test was determined and divided into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe/critical. Inflammation markers (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, serum reactive protein, procalcitonin, etc.) were determined, and IL-10 and IFN-γ measurements were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. In evaluating oxidative damage, total thiol, native thiol, disulfide, and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels were determined by measuring spectrophotometrically. The comet assay method's percentage of tail DNA obtained was used to determine oxidative DNA damage. As a result, when the mild and severe/critical groups were compared, we found that total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide levels decreased significantly in the severe/critical group due to the increase in inflammation markers and cytokine levels (p < 0.05). We could not detect any significance in IMA levels between the groups (p > 0.05). At the same time, we determined an increase in the tail DNA percent level, that is, DNA damage, due to the increased oxidative effect. As a result, we determined that inflammation and oxidative stress increased in patients with severe pneumonia, and there was DNA damage in these patients.

Determination of miRNA expression profile in patients with prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: It is a known fact that the role of microRNAs (miRNA) has a very important place in cancer development and progression. miRNAs target a significant part of pathways as well as genes. This study aimed to compare the differential expression profiles of miRNAs in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tissue samples were collected from prostate cancer (PCa) (n: 20) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n: 20) patients. Total RNA isolation was performed. As a result of the RNA concentration and purity measurement, each patient group was pooled, and the miRNAs profiles comparison was performed with the Affymetrix Microarray System. RESULTS: In tissue samples, 37 different expressed miRNAs were identified in PCa patients compared to BPH patients. In PBMCs samples, 27 different expressed miRNAs were identified in PCa patients compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. As a result of the comparison of tissue and PBMCs samples, it was determined that down regülated hsa-miR-494-3p, hsa-miR-3128, hsa-miR-8084 were common miRNAs. 3 (HIF1A, NHS,INSL4) targets identified for hsa-miR-494-3p, 2 (HIF1A, AVRP1A) for hsa-miR-3128, 3 (AVRP1A, NHS, INSL4) for hsa-miR-8084. DISCUSSION: Our results suggested that determined common hsa-miR-494-3p, hsa-miR-3128, hsa-miR-8084 and their target HIF1A, AVRP1A, NHS, INSL4 may play a crucial role in therapeutic and early diagnostic strategies for prostate cancer. The present study may represent the first in-depth analysis of PBMCs and tissue samples miRNA profiles.

The association between age-related infertility and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity parameters of granulosa cells and lymphocytes.

This study aimed to investigate the association between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity parameters and advanced maternal age (AMA)-related infertility. The granulosa cells and the lymphocytes obtained from 119 infertile women were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups: the AMA group (≥35 years, n = 26) and the non-AMA group (<35 years, n = 93). The tail length, tail moment and tail DNA percentage were evaluated as the DNA integrity parameters using comet assay. Infertility duration (p=.001), luteinising hormone (p=.01) and progesterone levels (p<.0001) were higher and smoking was more prevalent in the AMA group (p=.001). AMA group was stimulated with higher gonadotropin doses (p=.04) and had decreased anti-mullerian hormone levels (p<.0001). All of DNA integrity parameters were distributed homogenously between the groups; however, the tail length of lymphocytes was higher (p=.02) in the AMA group. Fertilisation was lower (p=.02), oocyte quality was tended to be poor (p=.03) and blastocyst transfer was lower in the AMA group (p=.03). Embryo quality was distributed homogenously between the groups. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were similar between the groups. Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Advanced maternal age (AMA)-related infertility is associated with diminished ovarian reserve and alteration in follicular environment resulting in poor oocyte quality; however, the exact pathophysiologic mechanism is not clear.What do the results of this study add? Tail length, tail deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) percentage, tail moment of granulosa cells were nonsignificantly higher in the AMA group compared to younger patients. All of the DNA integrity parameters of lymphocytes were nonsignificantly higher; however, only tail length of lymphocytes was statistically higher in the AMA group than the non-AMA group. A positive correlation was observed between DNA integrity parameters of lymphocytes and body mass index. There were no correlations between DNA integrity parameters of granulosa cells and lymphocyte and infertility duration, gonadotropin dose, duration of ovarian stimulation, oocyte score, embryo score, basal hormone levels and anti-mullerian hormone levels.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our findings offer new insight for further understanding the role of granulosa cells in mediating the poor reproductive outcome of ageing patients. Understanding the mechanisms of ovarian ageing and poor oocyte quality in women with AMA may help to identify specific targets for improving oocyte quality with ageing.

Comparison of DNA damage and proliferative capacities in smear samples of HPV positive and negative patients by micronucleus counting and AgNOR staining.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is believed to cause cervical cancer. Thousands of women develop cancer and other diseases caused by HPV each year. HPV 16 and 18 types are found in approximately 70% of cervical cancers. Micronuclei are small chromosomal fragments that are considered indicators of DNA damage. AgNOR positive dots are useful for assessing proliferation. We investigated the relation between HPV-DNA, micronuclei and AgNOR in smear samples. Three groups were defined: HPV negative, 16/18 positive and other high-risk groups (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 66 and 68) (HR). After typing, micronuclei were identified by Papanicolaou staining and AgNOR regions were detected by silver staining. Serum reactive protein (CRP) also was measured. We found that the average age of HPV negative patients was significantly greater than for the HPV positive groups. We also found that CRP levels were significantly higher in the HPV 16/18 positive group than HPV negative and other HPV group. We found that the number of micronuclei in the HPV 16/18 group was significantly greater than for the HPV negative group. Also, we found that AgNOR staining for the HPV 16/18 group was significantly greater than for the HPV negative group. We found that CRP level, cell proliferation and genome instability were increased in HPV positive patients. The AgNOR and micronucleus tests were useful for evaluating cell proliferation and DNA damage.

Effect of DNA damage of cumulus oophorus cells and lymphocytes analyzed by alkaline comet assay on oocyte quality and intracytoplasmic sperm injection success among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: Cumulus oophorus cells (COC) exhibit a close relationship with the oocytes. We aimed to determine the role of the DNA integrity of COC and lymphocytes on the oocyte and embryo quality and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) success. METHODS: The COC obtained with the mechanical denudation of each oocyte and the lymphocytes obtained on oocyte retrieval day from 69 infertile polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients were used. The tail length, tail moment and tail DNA percentage were evaluated using an alkaline comet assay. The oocytes and embryos were graded. Clinical pregnancy was defined as the presence of a gestational sac with a beating heart. RESULTS: All of the DNA integrity parameters of the COC and lymphocytes were similar between the good and poor quality oocytes and between the good and poor quality embryos. There was no relationship between the DNA damage parameters and the fertilization and clinical pregnancy. The day 2 hormone levels, body mass index and age were negatively correlated with the DNA integrity parameters. No links were found between the embryo and oocyte scores and the DNA damage parameters. CONCLUSION: The DNA integrity of the COC and lymphocytes did not seem to be related to the oocyte and embryo quality and ICSI success.

HLA-DRB1 allele frequency and immunological response in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Turkish population.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a complex, polygenic and multifactorial disease. The relationship between Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) polymorphisms and sleep disturbances has been established, but the relationship with HLA alleles has not been fully clarified. In addition, sleep deprivation in OSAS patients can cause changes that affect the components and responses of the immune system. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study has assessed the effect of HLA-DRB1 alleles on OSAS disease and the changes occurring in immune response cells in Turkish population. METHOD: OSAS was diagnosed by polysomnography and severity was determined. PCR SSP and flow cytometry methods were used. RESULTS: We found that DRB1*07 and DRB1*11 were significantly increased in the control group and DRB1*03 and DRB1*08 alleles in the patient group in our study (P = 0.048, P = 0.005, P = 0.012 and P = 0.030, respectively). DRB1*08 was significantly increased in patients with severe OSAS (P = 0.002). When the immunological response was examined in OSAS patients, there was a decrease in CD4, an increase in HLA DR, CD8 and NK cells (P = 0.002, P = 0.00, P = 0.020, P = 0.040, respectively). We also found that CD19 was reduced in severe OSAS (P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the DRB1*03 allele may play a predisposing role in OSAS disease and that the DRB1*08 allele may be related to the severity of the disease. In addition, the decrease in CD4, CD8, NK and HLA DR increase in this disease suggests that the disease causes impairment of the immunological system and may be associated with autoimmunity.