Effect of leucine on NF-κB pathway in liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats, as determined by miniarray analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although some amino acids are recognized to have favorable effects on the liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH), molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are barely known. OBJECTIVE: Our study was aimed to investigate the effects of valine, glutamine, and leucine amino acids on PH-induced NF-κB signal pathway. The research team studied Leucine in a rat model in vivo. The study took place in the medical and surgical experimental research center at the Eskisehir Osmangazi University in Eskisehir, Turkey. The animals were Wistar albino male rats. RESULTS: Group I, the sham group, was administered phosphate buffered saline (PBS) after laparotomy. After 70 % PH procedure, group II, III, IV, and V received single intraperitoneal doses of PBS, valine, glutamine, and leucine amino acids, respectively. At hour 6 after PH, expressions of 88 genes involving in NF-κB signal pathway were examined by RT-PCR mini array method in the liver tissue specimen. Fold values below 0.5 and above 2 were regarded as significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that valine, glutamine, and leucine amino acids may alter expressions of the genes of NF-κB signal pathway. In addition, among these amino acids, glutamine and valine proved to be much more effective on NF-κB signal pathway after the PH (Tab. 1, Ref. 41).

Apoptosis induced by boric anhydrite (B2O3) after partial hepatectomy in rat liver.

Boron is one of the important elements that have a cell-growth suppressing effect. The apoptotic effects of B(2)O(3) that were investigated in rats on liver regeneration following 70 % partial hepatectomy (PH). Wistar albino male rats were used and divided into 4 groups (n = 7). The Saline control groups were given only a single dose of saline; the B(2)O(3)-treated groups that were only given a single dose of 1800 mg.kg(-1) B(2)O(3) by means of intraperitoneal injections following hepatectomy. Three and 6 hours after surgical procedures, all the groups were dissected and liver tissue samples were taken from the groups for NF-κB for caspase-3 gene and protein levels investigation by RT-PCR and TaqMan Protein Assay and histological analyses by TUNEL assay. B(2)O(3)-treated animals were examined and it was observed that NF-κB levels were decreased; however, caspase-3 gene expression and protein levels were increased significantly. This study demonstrated that B(2)O(3) induces caspase-3 and inhibits NF-κB at the early stage of liver regeneration (Fig. 4, Ref. 26).

The examination of protective effects of gallic acid against damage of oxidative stress during induced-experimental renal ischemia-reperfusion in experiment.

AIM: In this study, probable effects of gallic acid were investigated in experimentally induced renal I/R injury in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this purpose, each group consisted of 7 Spraque dawley male albino rats. Groups were defined as follows; Group I: control group; Group II: I/R group; Group III, IV and V: I/R+Gallic acid (50, 100 and 200 mg.kg-1 respectively-i.p.). Left kidney was removed by nephrectomy except for Group I. I/R was induced in the other kidney. Gallic acid was given 15 mins before ischemia induction. SOD, CAT and Gpx activities were determined by electrophoresis. MDA, MPO levels were determined spectrophotometrically. Histopathological investigations were also performed in kidney tissues. BUN and Creatinine levels in serum were determined. RESULTS: BUN, Creatinine and MDA levels were statistically significant but MPO level was not statistically significantly increased in Group II. For SOD, CAT, Gpx activities in Group II, an increase was determined with respect to Group I. Histopathological investigations revealed widespread hyperemia in glomerulus, expansion of the structure between tubules and cell disruptions in Group II. In Group V (200 mg.kg-1 gallic acid), in terms of biochemical parameters, in spite of the significant decrease in BUN, Creatinine and MDA levels; a decrease was determined in SOD, CAT and Gpx isoenzyme activities. Group V showed histologically that I/R injury had been prevented to a greater extent and appearances were close to the control. CONCLUSION: As a result, in terms of our study, evaluations regarding kidney functions and histopathology have shown that gallic acid has protective effects in renal I/R injury (Tab. 2, Fig. 5, Ref. 36).