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Objective: This study aimed to test the toxicity of silk fibroin (SF) / gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-based nanofiber by using zebrafish embryos as an alternative animal model. Materials and Methods: Nanofiber was fabricated via electrospinning. The zebrafish embryos were divided into four groups as control, 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA) treated, one day SF/AuNPs treated (1D), and seven days SF/AuNPs treated (7D) group. The SF/AuNPs nanofiber was incubated in the medium for one day and seven days. Following incubation, the embryos were placed in the mediums and their development was monitored 72 hours post-fertilization. In the zebrafish embryos, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were detected. Results: Compared to the control group, there was no change in the hatching and mortality rates in the 1D and 7D groups. In the DCA group, the mortality rate was higher than the controls. In the 1D and 7D groups, MDA and NO were higher than the control but lower than the DCA group. SOD and GST activities decreased compared to the control. Conclusion: SF/AuNPs-based nanofiber did not affect the hatchability and mortality of embryos but increased oxidant damage, therefore it is thought that this oxidant effect of SF/AuNPs-based nanofibers may provide antibacterial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of whey proteins on methotrexate (MTX)-induced brain and small intestine damage. Materials and Methods: 30 Sprague Dawley rats (200-300 g) were divided into four groups: Control, control + whey, MTX, and MTX+whey. MTX was administered at 20 mg/kg (single dose) intraperitoneally to the MTX group rats, and 2 mg/kg of whey protein were administered by oral gavage for 10 days to the whey groups. Lipid peroxidation, glutathione, and nitric oxide (NO) levels, as well as glutathione-Stransferase and superoxide dismutase activities were measured in the brain and small intestine. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the brain and intestine tissues were also carried out. Results: While MTX treatment caused oxidative damage in the brain and small intestine, whey protein administration ameliorated MTXinduced oxidative stress. MTX administration did not change the brain’s NO level, while an increase in intestinal NO level was detected. Conclusion: MTX induced oxidative stress in the brain and small intestine changed the protein metabolism in these tissues regardless of reduced food intake. Consecutive 10-day administration of whey proteins has shown its therapeutic effect on MTX-induced brain and small intestine oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]