Search

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) encompasses the processes of organ function damage and oxidative injury depending on the successive blood flow obstruction and removal of the obstruction. Known as a vitamin, riboflavin (Rb) is known to be protective against tissue damage with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Rb treatment on bladder contraction dysfunction and tissue damage due to IR. The study was conducted with forty Sprague-Dawley rats. The abdominal aorta of anaesthetized rats was occluded to induce ischemia (60 min) and then allowed reperfusion (60 min). Rb (25 mg/kg), n-acetylcysteine NAC (100 mg/kg) or saline was administered orally 15 min before the IR model immediately. The bladder was assessed by biochemical and histological analysis, and the contractility of the I/R-related bladder was detected by organ bath. Compared to the control group, MDA, MPO and caspase-3 activities increased in the IR group, while GSH levels decreased. MDA, GSH and caspase-3 activities were reversed with Rb treatment, but there was no change in MPO level. Healing of IR-induced edema and oxidant damage with Rb and NAC treatment resulted in improvement of the thinning of the bladder wall. According to these results, it can be said that Rb therapy can regulate IR-induced bladder dysfunction by improving antioxidant properties and tissue damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is an attempt to examine the tactical urbanization approach in meeting urban needs emerging from urbanization; to evaluate the shift in spatial perception due to collective production, and to provide input to the literature on the implementation of the approach in urban open spaces. In the study, how tactical urbanization affects urban open spaces, the differences of Kartal Square Park compared to other open spaces, and whether tactical urbanization can be a solution to the existing problems of the area have been examined. The principles of society-city-environment relations and the transformation of urban open spaces into common spaces are questioned through the determined basic parameters. The employed method is to define the criteria according to the literature and to evaluate the selected area with respect to physical size, spatial analysis, human dimension's qualitative observations, and the analysis of tactical urbanization examples for permanent commoning of the space according to common area categories. This study provides inputs to the use of tactical urbanization as a tool in the planning of urban open spaces, the open space approach to design more livable spaces, and the understanding of the common space impact in the creation of social awareness and consciousness. [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]

The aim of this study is to determine whether Platanus orientalis (PO) which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and diuretic properties and used in the treatment of kidney stones as traditional folk medicine, will reduce or prevent the stone formation in the urinary system. To simulate the urolithiasis model 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1% ammonium chloride (AC) were applied to Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into four groups (n=8). The control group was given standard drinking water for 5 weeks. EG group received 0.75% EG in their drinking water containing 0.75% EG and 1% AC. PO extract (100 mg/kg) was given orally for 5 weeks to the preventive group and for last 2 weeks to the therapeutic group, respectively. At the end of experiment, 24-hour urine and kidney samples were obtained. In urine samples, calcium and citrate levels were decreased and oxalate level was increased in the EG group. In kidney samples myeloperoxidase, caspase-3, N-acetyl-ß-glycosaminidase (NAG) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-1ß levels were increased while superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels were decreased in the EG group. These biochemical parameters returned to control levels in both PO treatment groups. Histological findings also correlate with these results. Our findings are suggested that PO treatments is effective in both preventive and therapeutic groups. [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]

Obesity causes cognitive weakening and increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Myrtus communis extract (MC) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effects of Myrtus communis on oxidative brain damage caused by a high-fat diet (HFD), using behavioral and biochemical parameters. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats (200-250 g) were divided into three groups. The control group (C) received a standard diet, while HFD groups were received HFD for 16 weeks. MC (100 mg/kg, oral) was given to the HFD + MC group for the last 4 weeks. At the end of the study, the novel object recognition test (NORT) was performed and the hippocampus and blood samples were collected. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na+/K+- ATPase activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in the hippocampal samples and cholesterol levels were analyzed in sera. Findings have shown that NORT performance of the HFD group was reduced, while administration of MC prevents this reduction and in parallel, increased AChE and decreased Na+/K+ -ATPase activities were ameliorated by administration of MC. Increased MDA and 8-OHdG levels observed in the HFD group, were decreased in the MC treated HFD group. Our results point out that MC has ameliorative effects on hippocampal oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in high fat nutritioninduced obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephrolithiasis is common urological problem and stone formation has multiple underlying pathogenetic factors. We investigated the possible preventive and therapeutic effects of Urtica dioica ethanol extract (UD) on ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis model in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). The control group was given normal drinking water for 8 weeks and was administered vehicle by gastric gavage. Stone formation was induced by adding 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) to their drinking water. UD (700 mg/kg) was given orally for 8 weeks to the preventive group and for last 4 weeks to the treatment group, respectively. At the end of the experiment, urine, blood samples and kidney tissues were obtained. In 24-hour urine samples, calcium and citrate levels were decreased and oxalate levels were increased in EG group whereas UD treatment groups reversed these parameters back to control levels. In addition, serum levels of creatinine and urea were increased in EG group, while UD significantly reduced these parameters. Malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and tumor necrosis alpha levels, and caspase- 3 and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activities were elevated in EG group and showed a decrease in UD treated groups. Glutathione level was decreased in EG group, whereas it was increased in UD preventive group. Histological examination showed an improvement in UD treated groups. Our results suggest that UD is effective both in prevention and treatment for kidney stones. The mechanism underlying this effect may be the antioxidant effect of UD and the effect on the concentration of stone-forming components in the urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Oncology / Türk Onkoloji Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Oncology / Türk Onkoloji Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Oncology / Türk Onkoloji Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In renovascular hypertension (RVH), oxidative stress and inflammation due to high blood pressure and elevated levels of angiotensin 2 are mainly responsible of cerebrovascular complications and impaired cognitive functions. Since the nicorandil has been shown to exert neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, we investigated the effect of nicorandil against vascular dementia and blood brain barrier damage in a rat model of angiotensin-dependent hypertension. Wistar albino rats, were divided as sham-operated control, renovascular hypertension (RVH) and Nicorandil-treated RVH groups. Silver clip was implanted onto the left renal artery. Using the tail-cuff method, blood pressure of rats was measured before the surgery and at the end of the post-surgical 3rd and 12th weeks. Nicorandil (4mg/kg, orally) or vehicle was administered for 9 weeks. Twelve weeks after RVH surgery, a new object recognition test was performed. Following the determination of blood brain barrier integrity, serum samples were taken for the evaluation of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL- 1β). Levels of sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+-ATPase), as a marker of endothelial damage, were evaluated in the hippocampal tissues. RVH resulted in significant increases in TNF-α and IL-1β levels and decreases in Na+/K+-ATPase levels, along with impairment in blood brain barrier integrity and memory performance. In the nicorandil treatment group, these indices were reversed back to control levels. The present data demonstrated that nicorandil attenuates RVH-induced memory impairment and blood brain barrier damage in rats with RVH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen metabolites play important roles in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in several organ systems. Riboflavin has been shown to exert antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory activities in several experimental models. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of riboflavin against I/R injury in the rat kidney. Wistar albino rats 200-300 g weighing were divided into 3 groups. One week after unilateral nephrectomy, the IR procedure was applied to the rats. To induce I/R injury renal pedicle was clamped for 45 minutes and then rats were allowed reperfusion for 6 hours. Riboflavin (25 mg/kg, orally) or vehicle was administered for one week as pretreatment. After decapitation, kidney tissue samples were taken for the evaluation of malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation; glutathione (GSH), a key antioxidant; and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a specific marker of oxidative DNA damage. Furthermore, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and caspase-3 activities were also examined together with histological analysis. Ischemia/reperfusion induced significant increases in MDA and 8-OHdG levels and MPO and caspase- 3 activities, and decrese in GSH levels. In the riboflavin treatment these indices were found to be reversed back to control levels. The present data demonstrated that riboflavin, through its antioxidant effect, attenuates I/R induced acute renal injury in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riboflavin (RF) has been found to be a promising antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory agent in several studies. However, the effect of RF against acetic acid (AA)-induced colonic injury is currently unknown. This study aimed to investigate the potential antioxidant and protective effects of RF in a rat model of ulcerative colitis. Starting immediately after the colitis induction (AA+RF group) or 1 week before the colitis induction (RF+AA+RF group), the rats were treated with RF (25 mg/kg per day; p.o.) for 3 days. The control and AA groups received saline (1 mL; p.o.) whereas AA+SS group (positive control) received sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg per day; p.o.) for 3 days. Colonic samples were taken for the biochemical and histological assessments on the third day. High damage scores, elevated tissue wet weight index (WI), tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels and chemiluminescence values, and a pronounced decrease in antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels of the AA group were all reversed by RF pretreatment (RF+AA+RF group) and SS treatment (AA+SS group) (P < .05-. 001). Tissue WI, MPO activity and GSH levels were not statistically changed in the AA+RF group. Western blot analysis revealed that the decreased protein expressions of tissue collagen (COL) 1A1, COL3A1 and transforming growth factor-ß1 in the AA group were elevated in all the treatment groups (P < .05-.001). In conclusion, RF exerts both the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against AA-induced colonic inflammation by suppressing neutrophil accumulation, inhibiting reactive oxidant generation, preserving endogenous glutathione, improving oxidative DNA damage and regulating inflammatory mediators, suggesting a future potential role in the treatment and prevention of ulcerative colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing common health problem with increasing age. Evidences show that the key symptoms of AD are mainly caused by cholinergic system dysfunction which has a role in cognitive disorders. Cholinergic pathways especially muscarinic receptors like M 1 subtype also have a major role in learning, memory, cognitive functions and emotional state. There is no available permanent treatment currently to cure AD or to change its progression. This study was designed to investigate the factors that play important role in pathogenesis of AD and to compare the effects of Galantamine treatment with effects of Myrtus communis treatment. The expression level of M 1 , ACh, BDNF; AChE activity, GSH level, MDA and MPO activity and AChE gene expression were investigated in scopolamine-induced rat model. Results showed that, administration of MC significantly improves the SCOP-induced reduction of latency and object recognition time; increasing BDNF, M 1 and ACh receptor expression levels in the different brain regions. Additionally, MC showed an increased in AChE by enhancing GSH activity and reducing MDA level and MPO activity. In conclusion MC considered as a possible novel therapeutic approach that can be a valuable alternative way in the prevention and treatment of AD. Highlights • Myrtus communis treatment ameliorated short and long term memory in SCOP model. • Myrtus communis possibly be helpful for preventing oxidative stress in brain tissue. • Myrtus communis treatment may be used as effective as the Galantamine. • Myrtus communis treatment reduced acetylcholinesterase activity in brain. • Myrtus communis treatment was ideal in recovering the reduced M 1 and BDNF levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Myrtus communis subsp. communis showed beneficial effects against the disturbances of cognitive functions in Alzheimer-disease-like pathologies. • Myrtus communis subsp. communis has anticholinesterase and hypoglycemic effects. • MC may be useful as a supportive agent for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, by enhancing cholinergic transmission and neurogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effects of Myrtus communis subsp. communis (MC) on cognitive impairment in ovariectomized diabetic rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups consisting of 15 rats each; Control (C), Diabetes (D), Ovariectomy and diabetes (OVX + D), Ovariectomy, diabetes and donepezil (OVX + D + Don), Ovariectomy, diabetes and Myrtus communis subsp. communis (OVX + D + MC). Blood glucose measurements were made at the beginning and end of the experiments. The animals underwent the novel object recognition test (NORT) and their performance was evaluated. In hippocampal tissues; amyloid beta (Aβ) and neprilysin levels, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities, polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), α7 subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expressions were examined. Animals with ovariectomy and diabetes showed increased levels of blood glucose, AChE activity and Aβ levels, and decreased neprilysin levels, ChAT activity, α7-nAChR, PSA-NCAM and BDNF gene expressions in parallel with a decrease in NORT performance score. On the other hand, in the MC-treated OVX + D group, there was a significant decrease observed in blood glucose levels and AChE activities while there was improvement in NORT performances and an increase in hippocampal ChAT activity, neprilysin levels, α7-nAChR, PSA-NCAM and BDNF expressions. These results suggest that MC extract could improve cognitive and neuronal functions with its anticholinesterase and antihyperglycemic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]