Effects of edaravone on testicular torsion-detorsion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the protective ability of edaravone on testicular torsion-detorsion injury in rats. METHODS: Eighteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham group (control, n = 6); testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D group, n = 6) and T/D+edaravone (T/D+E group, n = 6). The spermatic cords of rats of the T/D group and the T/D+E group were rotated 720° in a clockwise direction and maintained for 120 min in this torsion position. Around 90 min after the torsion, edaravone at a dose of 10 mg/kg dissolved in saline was administered IP to the T/D+E group. The testicle was counter-rotated to its normal position to allow reperfusion for 4 h. Left testes of each animal were excised 240 min after beginning of reperfusion. Oxidative stress markers (TAS, TOS, SOD, and MDA) and apoptotic pathways (Caspase 3, Caspase 8, Caspase 9, Bcl-2, and Bax,) were assessed by ELISA methods. Also, testicles were subjected to the histopathologic and ultrasound examinations. RESULTS: Ultrasound imaging showed that edaravone reduced the surface area and increased vascularization in testicles with T/D (p < 0.0001, p < 0.05, respectively). Edaravone pretreatment markedly decreased the levels of MDA, TOS, Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase 3, Caspase 8, and Caspase 9 (p < 0.0001). Also, it increased significantly TAS levels (p < 0.0001) and reduced insignificantly SOD activity. Histopathologic examinations demonstrated that edaravone significantly attenuated the histological damage caused by T/D in testicles. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the findings indicate that pretreatment of edaravone has protective effect against testicular T/D injury.

Determination of the Effects of Bee Venom on Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells in Vitro.

Honeybees provide multiple products such as bee venom (BV) which are used for various nutritional and medicinal purposes. BV has received great attention due to its wide range of bioactive components with potential anti-cancer effects on different cancers. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined as an aggressive type of breast cancer and new therapeutic targets are required for its treatment. In the current literature information is varied about the composition and quantity of BV bioactive compounds as well as the origin of BV and its significance. In this context, the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of BV with a higher rate of mellitin from Apis mellifera anatoliaca (Mugla ecotype) on MDA-MB-231 cells was evaluated, in vitro. The cytotoxic, apoptotic and morphological effects of BV were determined by WST-1, Annexin V, cell cycle analysis and Acridine Orange staining. The results showed that BV caused apoptotic cell death in TNBC cells at a lower dose (0.47 µg/mL, p<0.01). This study suggests that BV could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. However, the mechanism of BV-induced apoptosis death should be clarified at the molecular level.

Apis mellifera anatoliaca Venom Exerted Anti-Inflammatory Activity on LPS-Stimulated Mammalian Macrophages by Reducing the Production of the Inflammatory Cytokines.

Extraction and characterization of natural products provide the opportunity to expand our arsenal of drug candidates against a wide range of diseases including cancer and inflammatory disorders. Previous studies have shown bee venom to have immense potential as an anti-inflammatory drug candidate. In this study, we focused on the venom of Apis mellifera anatoliaca and characterized its content by HPLC. An in vitro inflammation model based on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mammalian macrophages was utilized to examine the venom's anti-inflammatory potential. Additionally, its antiproliferative activity was evaluated in vitro against a human glioblastoma cell line. Based on the TNF, IL6, GMCSF, and IL12p40 pro-inflammatory cytokine production level in LPS-induced macrophages, venom-treated groups showed substantial decrease in the inflammatory action compared to untreated LPS-stimulated macrophages. When the cells were analyzed for viability, the venom did not have any cytotoxic effect on the macrophages at the concentration ranges that were utilized. Moreover, IC50 value of the venom was above 60 µg/mL on glioblastoma cancer cell line. These results suggest that the Apis mellifera anatoliaca venom does not have anticancer drug candidate potential, whereas it can efficiently be used against inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. To our knowledge, this is the first study to specifically examine the effect of anti-inflammatory activity of Apis mellifera anatoliaca venom on macrophages.

Concentration of essential and non-essential elements and carcinogenic / non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of commercial bee pollens from Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Bee pollen, known as a natural super-food with valuable nutritional ingredients, is regarded as a good indicator of ecotoxic substances, such as potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Therefore, this study aims to examine the concentrations of selected PTEs (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Sr, V, Zn) in bee pollen purchased from online markets in Turkey and perform a health risk assessment to identify the potential risk to consumers. METHODS: The quantitative analyses were conducted by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). RESULTS: The mean values of essential PTEs in decreasing content order were Mg > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Ni > Se > Cr > Mo >Co = V. Regarding the results of the study, daily consumption (40 g for adult or 20 g for children) of commercial bee pollen can recompense 20-35 % of daily Cu, Mn, Se requirements for children, adults, pregnant, and breastfeeding women. The decreasing content order of non-essential elements was Al > Sn > Sr > Ba > Pb > As. Cadmium and Hg concentrations were below the detection limits in all the samples. In terms of food and public health; detection of the PTEs concentrations is necessary to assess the quality and safety of bee pollen before consumption. According to the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessments; commercial pollen consumption does not pose a health risk to either children or adults for the PTEs monitored in this study. CONCLUSION: We conclude that bee pollen is an ideal indicator for the monitoring of environmental pollution of PTEs and also a valuable source of essential elements. This study highlights the need to develop standards that regulate acceptable concentrations of PTEs.

Curcumin and carvacrol mediated photodynamic inactivation with 405†nm light emitting diodes (LEDs) on Salmonella Enteritidis.

Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) has a potential application for food preservation that can minimize food pathogens posing risks to consumer health. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of 405 nm light-emitting diodes (LEDs) illumination in the presence of carvacrol and curcumin against Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Enteritidis PT4 at different temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C and 37 °C) and time parameters (15 min, 30 min and 45 min) in the illumination system. Compared to their individual treatment, the decrease in the bacterial population was stronger in bacteria treated with LEDs + carvacrol or LEDs + curcumin. Co-application of carvacrol or curcumin with LEDs at 37 °C showed strong antibacterial activity against both bacteria depending on the application time. Co-application at 37 °C for 45 min completely inhibited the growth of S. Enteritidis. LEDs, curcumin, carvacrol applications alone or LEDs + curcumin, LEDs + carvacrol applications caused a decrease in bacterial population in proportion to the increase in the storage temperature and application times. These results showed that carvacrol or curcumin potentiates LEDs illumination therapy against both bacteria. Future studies on adapting the PDI system to control bacteria in a variety of foods may help develop novel strategies to fight against foodborne bacterial pathogens.

Lithium salts: assessment of their chronic and acute toxicities to honey bees and their anti-Varroa field efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Varroa control is essential for the maintenance of healthy honey bee colonies. Overuse of acaricides has led to the evolution of resistance to those substances. Studies of the short-term acaricidal effects and safety of various lithium (Li) salts recently have been reported. This study examined the long-term in vitro and in vivo bee toxicities, short-term motor toxicity to bees and long-term anti-Varroa field efficacy of several Li salts. RESULTS: In an in vitro chronic-toxicity assay, lithium citrate (18.8 mm) was the most toxic of the examined salts, followed by lithium lactate (29.5 mm), and lithium formate (32.5 mm). In terms of acute locomotor toxicity to bees, all of the Li salts were well-tolerated and none of the treatment groups differed from the negative control group. In an in vitro survival study, all of the Li treatments significantly reduced bee life spans by a factor of 1.8-7.2, as compared to the control. In terms of life expectancy, lithium citrate was the most toxic salt, with no significant differences noted between lithium formate and lithium lactate. In the bee-mortality field study, none of the examined treatments differed from the negative control. Amitraz and lithium formate exhibited similar acaricide effects, which were significantly different from those observed for lithium lactate and the negative control. CONCLUSION: In light of lithium formate's honey bee safety and efficacy as an acaricide, additional sublethal toxicity studies in brood, drones and queens, as well as tests aimed at the optimization of administration frequency are warranted. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Molecular typing of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: Appropriate antibiotic therapy and prevention of cross-contamination are the most important subjects in tuberculosis (TB) control. The aim of this study was to investigate the major phylogenetic clades and transmission rate of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (n = 200) from patients with TB in Sivas and Konya Provinces of Turkey. METHODS: The phylogenetic relationship among the isolates was investigated by spoligotyping method. In addition, the 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing method was used to reveal cross-contamination. RESULTS: Spoligotyping revealed 13 different spoligotypes. A total of 188 strains (94.0%) were included in the cluster. The most prominent spoligofamily was the T family (43.0% of strains), followed by LAM (26.0%), H (8.0%), X and S (both 6.0%) and U (5.0%). Also, 12 strains (6.0%) belonged to the Beijing profile. MIRU-VNTR results showed 176 (88.0%) different genotypes among the isolates. In total, 24 strains (12.0%) were in the cluster. CONCLUSIONS: According to spoligotyping, there is a heterogeneous M. tuberculosis population in Turkey. MIRU-VNTR results showed that cross-contamination observed between MDR M. tuberculosis isolates in Turkey is controllable.

Investigation of some metals in honey samples from West Mediterranean region of Turkey.

Analysis of elements content in honey is important for honey quality and safety and for monitoring of environmental pollution. The levels of 22 elements, aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), sodium (Na), lead (Pb), strontium (Sr), silver (Ag), bismuth (Bi), gallium (Ga), indium (In), lithium (Li), thallium (Tl) and zinc (Zn), were determined in 70 samples obtained from beekeepers located in the West Mediterranean region of Turkey. Determination of elements content was carried out using ICP-OES. Chromium, Co, Cd, Ag, Bi, In and Tl were not detected in any of the tested honey samples. The most abundant metal was K which has an overall average of 764.26 mg kg-1. Higher concentrations of Pb, Ni, Mg, Na, K and Mn were found in the samples obtained from Burdur compared to other provinces. The levels of Cu were statistically lower in Antalya in comparison to other regions. No significant differences were observed in Al, Zn, Fe, Sr, Ba, Ca and Ga levels between regions. The differences in the chemistry of honey samples collected from different regions may be due to geochemical soil composition and geographical differences. Their levels were below to the European limits and the honeys are safe for human consumption.

Selected persistent organic pollutants levels in the Ankara River by months.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are banned in almost all countries due to their adverse health effects while they are still present in the environment due to their persistence. As the dissipation and the emission factors of POPs change by temperature and other environmental factors current study aimed to determine selected POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in water and sediment samples collected from 12 stations located in Ankara River, Turkey, for 12 months. C-18 solid-phase extraction technique was used to extract organic pollutants and the analysis were performed using a validated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. DDE was the most frequently detected contaminant in water samples. Even though no PCB residues were present in water samples, PCB101 was the most common contaminant in sediment. Although both matrices had the least load of pollutants in winter, there was an increase in presence and concentration of pollutants from late spring to autumn.