Determination of the effects of sunset yellow on mouse liver and pancreas using histological methods.

Background: Sunset Yellow (SY) is an azo synthetic food dye. Although the amount of SY consumed varies in different periods of life, it increases especially in children and adolescents. It may cause pathologic effects in organs at early ages. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of SY on the liver and pancreas of mice of different age groups using histological methods. Methods: The study included Swiss albino mice that were divided into three treatment groups and three control groups based on age (4, 8, and 10 weeks old), with six mice in each group (n = 6/group). SY was administered at 30 mg/kg/bw/week orally for 28 days to treatment groups. The liver and pancreas tissues were kept in 10% formaldehyde, then passed through alcohol and xylene series and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin. Results: They were evaluated using light and electron microscopy. In SY groups, the mean body weight (p: 0.026) and the mean liver weight (p: 0.013) of the mice increased, and their mean pancreas weight decreased (p: 0.045).The numbers of degenerative cells in the liver tissues of the mice in the SY groups were high. Severe dilation in the sinusoids and haemorrhages focused around the Vena Cava were detected. In the pancreatic tissues of the SY groups, increases in fibroblasts and lymphocytic infiltration were observed. Conclusions: Pathologies interpreted as chronic pancreatitis were more intense in the weaning group (4 weeks old). SY may be more harmful at an early age, and it may be beneficial to limit its use during this period.

Determination of the Effects of Ankaferd Wound Dressing on the Wound Healing Process in Rats.

Objectives: The effects of a composite nanofiber wound dressing material consisting of a polyvinylidene alcohol and polyvinylidene pyrrolidone polymer mixture with a hemostatic agent doped with Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) on the healing of experimentally induced dermal wounds in rats were examined. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into 4 groups (n= 6). Histological material was examined on tissues taken from the wound site, whereas total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) analyses were performed on blood samples taken from the cardia. The material that was produced had hydrophilic properties, and both the ABS-doped and-undoped forms of the material positively affected wound healing. Results: In the histopathological examinations, macroscopic evaluations revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of wound diameter, reepithelialization, and inflammation formation (p= 0.019). In parallel with wound healing and histological outcomes, TAS values increased in the ABS-doped groups, and TOS and OSI values decreased in the wound dressing groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the ABS-dopped dressing did not have a negative effect on wound healing, it accelerated healing, and it could be used effectively and safely to treat skin injuries. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical and histopathological benefits and potential adverse effects of wound dressings produced using ABS-doped polymers on wound healing.

Determination of the effect of sunset yellow on the morphological parameters of male mice during the development period.

Sunset Yellow (SY), an azo synthetic food dye, is widely used in the food industry. Although there are different opinions on its effect on people, its use is regulated in the European Union. If the Acceptable Daily Intake of 2.5 mg/kg/bw is exceeded, it may have pathological and biochemical effects on organs. There are not enough studies on the effects of SY on growth and development in mammals. This study was conducted to determine the effect of SY on the morphological parameters of mice at different ages (four, eight, and ten weeks old). The treatment and control groups were created with Swiss Albino mice (n: 6). SY was administered orally for 28 days (30 mg/kg/bw/week). On the last day of the study, the mice were weighed, and tail, temporal region, femur, and crown-rubmp-length values were measured using a digital caliper. A statistical difference in average body weight was observed in the SY groups (p < 0.05). SY administration during childhood caused retardation in growth and development parameters. Therefore, SY may cause weight gain and affect morphological parameters. Additional studies are required to investigate the effects of SY at different doses and durations.

Is Turkish coffee protects Drosophila melanogaster on cadmium acetate toxicity by promoting antioxidant enzymes?

With their increasing use in today's industry, heavy metals cause biochemical and biophysical changes by affecting the control and regulatory systems of living things. Cadmium (Cd), a heavy metal, spreads to the environment through both natural sources and industrial activities. It is taken into the organism through water, food, skin contact or smoke. Systems and organs of living things are directly or indirectly affected by Cd toxicity. Besides their recreational usage, herbal products such as coffee are preferred in alternative medicine because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidiabetic effects. Turkish coffee (TK) is a drink rich in flavorings, phenolic compounds and antioxidant compounds. The study evaluated the possible antioxidant role of TK against oxidative stress induced by Cadmium acetate (CdA) in the fat tissues of old-young female individuals of Drosophila melanogaster. The female flies were fed with either a standard diet, or CdA (10-30 mg), or TK (2%), or both (CdA + TK) for 3 and 10 days. Following the completion of the feeding period, the amounts of fatbody and oxidative stress markers (oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde), activities of antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione-S-transferase, Catalase, and Superoxide dismutase) and their levels were measured. Fat body lipid droplets were high in the individuals exposed to high concentrations of CdA. It was determined that lipid droplets decreased but did not significantly alter oxidative stress in the individuals treated with TK (p = 0.05). This article may be of help in terms of the use of TK compounds as antioxidants to evaluate their effects in preventing heavy metal accumulation and stress in the aging process.

Determination of the changes on the small intestine of pregnant mice by histological, enzyme histochemical, and immunohistochemical methods.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the present study was to determine the changes on the small intestine in mice during pregnancy using histological, enzyme histochemical, and immunohistochemical methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 Swiss albino female mice were divided as non-pregnant/control, first week, second week, and third week of pregnancy (n=6). Tissue samples obtained from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were processed by means of routine histological techniques and stained with Crossmon's triple staining. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was demonstrated with the simultaneous azo-coupling method. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was demonstrated with the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The numerical data of the parameters were obtained and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Villus height, villus width, and the rate of villus height/crypt depth were decreased in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum in the last week of pregnancy compared with the control group. Changes in the crypt depth of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum in pregnancy were found. The muscle width increased in pregnancy. It was identified that the ALP reactivity statistically significantly increased in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum in pregnancy. The percentage of PCNA-positive cells in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum increased in the first and second weeks of pregnancy, whereas it decreased in the third week of pregnancy compared with non-pregnant control animals. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, villus parameters, ALP reactivity, and percentage of PCNA-positive cells in the small intestine were affected during pregnancy.