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Objective: The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of apocynin (APO) on the factors involved in obesity-related endothelial dysfunction (ED) and atherosclerosis (AS). Materials and Methods: Male Wistar albino rats were divided into control (CNT), high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD+APO groups. HFD and HFD+APO groups were fed HFD for sixteen weeks. APO (25 mg/kg) was administered to the HFD+APO group for the last four weeks. The effects of APO on: AS-related metabolic parameters (triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, insulin and leptin), oxidative stress (OS), [ malondialdehyde, glutathione, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase-2, oxidised-low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine], low-density lipoprotein and ox-LDL uptake potential (activin receptor-like kinase-1 and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1, respectively), tissue inflammation (myeloperoxidase, monocyte-chemoattractant-protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha), ED (endothelial-nitric oxide synthase, inducible-nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide), programmed cell death (terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-dUTP-nick-end labeling, cleaved-poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase, gasdermin-D N-terminal fragment, caspase-1), smooth muscle cell transformation (alpha-smooth muscle actin), histology and ultrastructure of thoracic aorta were evaluated. Results: In obesity, APO had an ameliorative effect on metabolic parameters, OS, inflammation, ED, programmed cell death and ox-LDL uptake potential, but not on foam cell formation and LDL uptake potential. Conclusion: Apocynin may improve ED and AS in obesity by suppressing OS-linked factors involved in the early stage of AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methotrexate (MTX) is a cytotoxic immunosuppressant that is widely used in the treatment of tumours, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. This study aims to evaluate the effects of whey proteins on MTX-induced liver and kidney damage by focusing on oxidant–antioxidant systems and eating habits. The study was conducted in four groups of thirty Sprague–Dawley rats (control, control + whey protein concentrate (WPC), MTX, MTX + WPC). A single dose of 20 mg/kg MTX was administered intraperitoneally to the MTX groups. Control and MTX groups were given 2 g/kg WPC by oral gavage every day for 10 d. At the end of day 10, blood samples were drawn and liver and kidney tissues were removed. MTX administration increased the lipid peroxidation level and decreased glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in the liver and kidney. Administration of WPC significantly reduced the damage caused by MTX in the liver and kidney. While a decrease in serum urea level and an increase in serum creatinine level were detected in the MTX group, WPC administration reversed these results up to control group levels. Administration of WPC to the MTX group significantly reversed the histopathological damage scores of the liver and kidney. WPC administration ameliorated the MTX-induced oxidative damage in the liver and kidney tissues due to its antioxidant properties. Liver and kidney damage can be prevented by using whey proteins as a nutraceutical in MTX therapy. In conclusion, whey proteins demonstrated a protective effect against MTX-induced liver and kidney damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the possible protective and therapeutic effects of Myrtus communis subsp. communis ethanol extract (MC) in aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and D-galactose (D-Gal) induced Alzheimer's disease in rats. MC was orally given to rats as a protective treatment for 90 days and, in other two groups starting from the 60th day MC (100-200 mg/kg) was administered, concomitantly with AlCl3 and D-Gal. Learning and memory functions were evaluated by the behavioral tests. Biological activities of MC treatment were examined in hippocampal tissues by ELISA tests. D-Gal and AlCl3-treated rats showed increased amyloid beta (Aβ) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8- OHdG) levels, acetylcholinesterase activity and decreased neprilysin, Na+-K+ATPase and SOD levels in parallel with a decrease in Novel Object Recognition Test, Morris Water Maze and Passive Avoidance Test scores. On the other hand, MC administration reversed the behavioral impairments and improved learning and memory. Moreover, MC treatment decreased Aβ and 8-OHdG levels and acetylcholinesterase activity and increased neprilysin levels, Na+-K+ATPase and SOD levels. Our results suggest that MC has beneficial effects on cognitive and neuronal functions through its anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Nutritional obesity causes oxidant damage in the body and cataract formation in the lenses by increasing the formation of free radicals. Myrtus communis leaf extracts (Myr) have antioxidant properties, and apocynin (Apo) is an effective NADPH-oxidase inhibitor. The data on tissue boron levels are quite lacking. The aim of this novel study was to investigate the effects of Myr and Apo treatment on boron levels and oxidative lens damage in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Materials and Methods: Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, HFD group, HFD + Myr group, and HFD + Apo group. Body weight and blood lipids were determined before and after the experiment. After decapitating the rats, the lenses were removed and homogenized. Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and boron, malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the lens homogenates were determined. Results: The HFD increased serum triglyceride (p<0.05), total cholesterol level (p<0.001), body weight (p<0.001), and lens MDA levels (p<0.01) and decreased lens GSH (p<0.05) and boron level (p<0.01), SOD (p<0.001), and CAT activity (p<0.001). However, Myr and Apo treatment reduced the rats' body weight (p<0.001), serum triglyceride (p<0.05), and total cholesterol level (p<0.001) and increased lens boron (p<0.01; p<0.001), GSH levels (p<0.05; p<0.01), and CAT activity (p<0.001). Conclusion: Both Myr and Apo may be able to reduce oxidative stress in the lenses of obese rats caused by HFD by increasing boron levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease is a challenging disease for patients due to progressive loss of cognition and behavioral disorders. Disruption of cholinergic transmission and neuroinflammation are the most important mechanisms underlying cognitive damage. Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla (BV) has been reported to have various pharmacological effects associated with its rich antioxidant content. In addition, anticholinesterase and antiinflammatory activities of BV have been demonstrated in vitro. The aim of this study is to elucidate the therapeutic effect of BV against cognitive impairment, reduction in cholinergic transmission and neuroinflammation caused by intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of streptozotocin (STZ). STZ was administered bilaterally at a dose of 3 mg/kg via ICV to rats, and BV treatment at a dose of 2 g/kg for 21 days was administered orally to STZ-induced animals. After behavioral tests, AChE activity, TNF-α and IL-1β levels were measured in hippocampus and cortex tissues excised from decapitated animals. Novel object recognition and passive avoidance test showed that the treatment of BV reverted the ICV-STZ induced memory dysfunctions in rats. Furthermore, increased AChE levels in the hippocampal and cortical tissues of STZ-induced rats were significantly reduced with 21 days of BV treatment. In conclusion, these results confirm that STZ administration caused cholinergic hypofunction, neuronal inflammation and cognitive dysfunction in rats, and BV therapy significantly inhibited these changes with its potential neuroprotective activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]