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Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) mediate several physiological activities, and alterations in PDE expressions might cause conflicts between functional and clinical effects. This study clarifies the eventual relationship between the hepatic insulin resistance-associated signaling elements and PDEs together with inflammatory markers and investigates the role of kefir in the treatment.

Vitiligo is a multifactorial disorder commonly associated with hypo-/depigmentation in the skin and may influence both children and adults psychologically because of the notable leopard-skin-like appearance. This study was designed to investigate the thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with generalized vitiligo and to determine its relationship with some of the demographical characteristics. Seventy-six generalized vitiligo patients and 67 healthy individuals were included in the study. Blood serum native thiol, disulfide and total thiol concentrations, together with some hematological parameters, were determined. Results demonstrated that native and total thiol contents, and their ratios, were significantly lower in vitiligo patients. Disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios were significantly higher in the patient group. Progressivity of the disease strongly regulated the thiol/disulfide homeostasis in such a way that active vitiligo patients had reduced native and total thiol levels but increased disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios. Moreover, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between both duration of the vitiligo and native and total thiol contents. As these results clearly demonstrated that thiol/disulfide homeostasis was shifted toward disulfide formation in patients with generalized vitiligo, determining the dynamic nature of thiol/disulfide homeostasis can be used to monitor disease progression.

High dietary fructose intake causes a metabolic disorder and augments the risk of chronic kidney disease most likely due to oxidative stress. Probiotics could have antioxidant, antiinflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. The present study examined the influence of Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation on dietary fructose-induced metabolic changes and renal antioxidant/oxidant status of rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups as follows: control; fructose; fructose plus L. helveticus; fructose plus L. plantarum. Fructose was given to the rats as a 20% solution in drinking water for 15 weeks. The probiotic supplementation was applied by gastric gavage once a day for six weeks. Several metabolic parameters in the plasma, gene and protein expressions of the main antioxidant enzymes in renal tissues of rats were measured. Dietary fructose-induced elevations in plasma insulin, triglyceride, VLDL, creatinine as well as renal urea levels were alleviated after treatment with L. helveticus and L. plantarum. Moreover, L. helveticus and L. plantarum supplementation recovered the changes in renal protein expression level of SOD1, SOD2 and CAT. In conclusion, supplementation with L. helveticus and L. plantarum has an improving effect on specific metabolic parameters and renal antioxidative enzymes in a fructose-induced metabolic disorder.

Phase I-II detoxification and antioxidant enzymes are responsible for the detoxification and elimination of activated carcinogens, acting as important biomarkers for chemoprevention. Among them, cytochrome P450s plays a prominent role in the metabolic activation of xenobiotics. The herb Salicornia freitagii (SF) (Amaranthaceae) is known for its anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic and antiinflammatory activities. In this study, we determined the bioactive phenolics in the SF methanol extract and investigated its antiproliferative potential in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. We also investigated the modulation of some phase I and II enzyme (CYP 1A1, 1A2, 2E1, GSTP1 and GPx) mRNA expression and enzymatic activities by the SF extract and its major bioactive phenolic compounds. LC/MS-MS analysis showed that the main phenolic compounds of the methanolic SF extract are vanillic acid (48 μg/100g) and p-coumaric acid (10.8 μg/100g). SF extract, vanillic acid and p-coumaric acid exhibited high antiproliferative activities in HT-29 cells, with IC50 values of 81.79μg/mL, 98.8 μM and 221.6 μM, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 were decreased, while those of GSTP1 and GPx in HT-29 cells were increased after application of either the SF extract or vanillic acid. The SF extract by itself also increased the activities of GPx and GSTP1 enzymes 1.68- and 1.49-fold, respectively. Our data indicate that the SF extract and its major bioactive compound, vanillic acid, could exert a modulatory effect on the expression of enzymes that are involved in xenobiotic activation and detoxification pathways in the gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, SF can be considered as a natural source of chemopreventive agents.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by high blood glucose levels due to the absence of secretion of insulin or its inefficient use in the body. In this study, we investigated how resveratrol administration affects the renal functions and pro-inflammatory signaling pathway components in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control/vehicle; (2) control/20 mg/kg resveratrol; (3) diabetic/vehicle; and (4) diabetic/20 mg/kg resveratrol. In addition to renal glucose, lipid, angiopoietin-1 (ANG-1), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), erythropoietin (EPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) content, the gene expressions of pro-inflammatory markers, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) like-2 (Nrf2), and the protein contents of interleukins-1β,6,8 (IL-1β,6,8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were analyzed using qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The rats in the diabetes group demonstrated significantly lower terminal body weight and renal ANG-1, but significantly higher renal glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, ADMA and MDA concentrations. Diabetes triggered inflammation in kidney tissues, reflected as an increase in NGAL level. The renal inflammation observed in the diabetes group was associated with significant upregulation of components of the pro-inflammatory pathway, iNOS, NF-κB, Nrf2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. To some extent, resveratrol administration reversed the diabetes-induced changes in renal tissues, suggesting that resveratrol partially protected from diabetes-induced renal failure due to its restorative activities in tissue inflammation.

Background and Objectives: Hyperglycemia is known to undermine the osteointegration process of implants. In this study, the effects of mangiferin (MF) on the post-implant osteointegration process in a type-II diabetes model were investigated molecularly and morphologically. Materials and Methods: Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into three groups: control, diabetes, and diabetes + MF. All animals were implanted in their tibia bones on day 0. At the end of the 3-month experimental period, the animals' blood and the implant area were isolated. Biochemical measurements were performed on blood samples and micro-CT, qRT-PCR, histological, and immunohistochemical measurements were performed on tibia samples. Results: MF significantly improved the increased glucose, triglyceride-VLDL levels, and liver enzymes due to diabetes. By administering MF to diabetic rats, the osteointegration percentage and bone volume increased while porosity decreased. DKK1 and BMP-2 mRNA expressions and OPN, OCN, and OSN mRNA–protein expressions increased by MF administration in diabetic rats. Additionally, while osteoblast and osteoid surface areas increased with MF, osteoclast and eroded surface areas decreased. Conclusions: The findings of our study indicate that MF will be beneficial to the bone-repairing process and osteointegration, which are impaired by type-II diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: PIN1 is overexpressed in several human cancers, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, and oral squamous carcinomas. Juglone (J), derived from walnut, was reported to selectively inhibit PIN1 by modifying its sulfhydryl groups. In this study, the potential effects of juglone, also known as PIN1 inhibitor, on oral cancer and carcinogenesis were investigated at the molecular level. Materials and Methods: 4-Nitroquinoline N-oxide (4-NQO) was used to create an oral cancer model in animals. Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Control, NQO, Juglone, NQO+J, and NQO+J*. The control group received the basal diet and tap water throughout the experiment. The NQO group received 4-NQO for 8 weeks in drinking water only. The Juglone group was administered intraperitoneally in a juglone solution for 10 weeks (1 mg/kg/day). The NQO+J group received 4-NQO in drinking water for 8 weeks, starting 1 week after the cessation of 4-NQO treatment. They were then administered intraperitoneally in a juglone solution for 10 weeks. (1 mg/kg/day). NQO+J* group: received 4 NQO for 8 weeks in drinking water and administered intraperitoneally in a juglone solution for 10 weeks (1 mg/kg/day). They were sacrificed at the end of the 22-week experimental period. The tongue tissues of the rats were isolated after the experiment, morphological changes were investigated by histological examinations, and the molecular apoptotic process was investigated by rt-qPCR and western blot. Results: Histological results indicate that tumors are formed in the tongue tissue with 4-NQO, and juglone treatment largely corrects the epithelial changes that developed with 4-NQO. It has been determined that apoptotic factors p53, Bax, and caspases are induced by the effect of juglone, while antiapoptotic factors such as Bcl-2 are suppressed. However, it was observed that the positive effects were more pronounced in rats given juglone together with 4-NQO. Conclusions: The use of PIN1 inhibitors such as juglone in place of existing therapeutic approaches might be a promising and novel approach to the preservation and treatment of oral cancer and carcinogenesis. However, further research is required to investigate the practical application of such inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the autoantibody-mediated destruction of platelets. The treatment of ITP aims to maintain a sufficient platelet count to prevent bleeding. First-line treatment options include corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), while second-line treatments include splenectomy, rituximab and other immunosuppressive agents, and thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonists. This study aims to discuss the treatment methods and results from 100 patients with ITP at the Muğla Training and Research Hospital through a pharmacological approach. Materials and Methods: Demographic characteristics, clinical findings, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy results, and treatments and treatment responses at the time of diagnosis of the 100 patients with ITP who were treated and followed up in the period 2015–2023 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: In the third month after treatment, the overall response percentage was 100% in patients who received steroids only and 88% in patients who received IVIg treatment alone or in combination with steroids (p > 0.05). The most preferred second-line treatments were splenectomy (41%), eltrombopag (26%), and rituximab (10%). Bone marrow biopsy was performed in 54% of patients, where 35.1% showed increased megakaryocytes, 44.4% adequate megakaryocytes, and 14.8% decreased megakaryocytes. It is noted that eltrombopag and rituximab, in particular, yield higher complete remission rates than immunosuppressive drugs. Conclusions: Considering the side effects of immunosuppressive medications, IVIg, splenectomy, and steroid therapy, the use of new agents such as eltrombopag, which are easily tolerated and have a lower risk of side effects, is expected to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the diet is a causal factor in the development of abdominal obesity; however, the molecular mechanism behind this association is still up for debate. This study evaluated the metabolic disturbances that are caused by HFCS on adipose tissue as well as the possibility of kefir as a therapy to prevent these metabolic disturbances. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, kefir, HFCS, and HFCS+kefir. HFCS (20%, w/v) was given in drinking water and kefir (1 mL/100 g body weight) by gastric gavage daily for 8 weeks. Levels of insulin signaling, inflammation, and apoptosis-associated proteins of adipose tissues were determined with Western blot and immunohistochemical techniques. Gene expressions were evaluated with semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The indirect terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to assess changes in apoptotic cells, and hematoxylin/eosin staining to determine adipocyte number and diameter. Accordingly, HFCS boosted protein kinase B (Akt) and p-Akt while reducing nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) levels and kefir treatment restored Akt induction in HFCS-treated rats despite raising NF-κB, and TNFa. Increased expression of Akt and B-cell lymphoma-2 gene (Bcl2) was contrasted with decreased expression of Nfkb, Tnfa, tumor protein 53 gene (p53), and caspase-8 gene (Casp8). Furthermore, while there was a marked reduction in TUNEL-positive cells in the HFCS group, the number of such cells was greater in the HFCS+kefir group. These results show that HFCS intake suppresses apoptosis in adipose tissues, which may be responsible for tissue development and abdominal obesity and may be reversed with kefir administration due to the activation of apoptosis-associated genes and proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitiligo is a disease characterized by acquired depigmentation, white macules, and patches on the skin due to the dysfunction of epidermal melanocytes. In this study, we attempt to profile the microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns and predict the potential targets, assessing the biological functions of differentially expressed miRNAs in the blood of generalized vitiligo patients. Peripheral blood samples were taken from all participants, and the expression levels of 89 identified miRNAs were analyzed with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results indicated significant upregulation of six miRNAs and downregulation of 19 miRNAs in the plasma of vitiligo patients. The top three upregulated miRNAs were hsa-miR-451a, hsa-miR-25-3p, and hsa-miR-19a-3p, and the top three downregulated miRNAs were hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-940, and hsa-miR-142-3p. Moreover, the miRNA expression profiles of patients with Type 3 and Type 4 phototypes were substantially different in such a way that the patients with Type 3 phototype would be more prone to the emergence of melanoma and cancer. While significant variations in the expression patterns of miRNAs in male and female vitiligo patients were demonstrated, miR-let-7i-5p, miR-19a-3p, miR-25-3p, and miR-451a were commonly upregulated, and miR-142-3p and miR-146a-5p were commonly repressed in both sexes. This study may shed light on the roles of differentially expressed miRNAs in vitiligo patients by examining the miRNA expression patterns and the combined effects of miRNA and their predicted targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we investigated the influence of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus helveticus supplementation on lipogenesis, insulin signalling and glucose transporters in liver of high-fructose-fed rats. Fructose was given to the rats as a 20% solution in drinking water for 15 weeks. Lactobacillus plantarum and L. helveticus supplementations were performed by gastric gavage once a day during final 6 weeks. Dietary high-fructose increased hepatic weight, lipid accumulation and FASN expression as well as caused a significant reduction in IRS-1 expression, pAKT/total AKT and peNOS/total eNOS ratios, but an elevation in GLUT2 and GLUT5 mRNAs in the liver. Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation decreased hepatic weight, triglyceride content and FASN expression as well as improved IRS-1/AKT/eNOS pathway and GLUT2 expression in the liver of high-fructose-fed rats. However, L. helveticus supplementation exerted a restoring effect on lipid accumulation by decreasing FASN expression, and regulating effect on IRS-1 and GLUT2 expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether high‐fructose corn syrup (HFCS) intake (20% beverages) impacts antioxidative structures and inflammation in the gingival tissue and masseter muscle of rats. Kefir was tested for its potential utility on changes induced by HFCS. Animals were randomly divided into four groups as control, kefir, HFCS, and HFCS plus kefir. HFCS was given as 20% solutions in drinking water while kefir supplementations were given by gastric gavage for 8 weeks. It has been clearly determined that the HFCS diet increased expressions of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor‐α proinflammatory structures via lymphocyte infiltration by suppressing antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in both tissues. Kefir improved these undesirable changes in rats fed with HFCS. The results of this current study, the first investigation to examine the effects of kefir on masseter muscle and gingival tissue, may provide new access to the restorative effects of kefir consumption on oral health disorders caused by high fructose in the diet. Practical applications: In this study, at an early age, the effects of kefir on improving inflammation via antioxidation in the masseter muscle and gingival tissue were investigated for the first time. We showed that kefir feeding ameliorates lymphocyte infiltration on the high‐fructose corn syrup (HFCS)‐induced masseter muscle and gingival tissue inflammation in rats. The mRNA expressions of inflammatory parameters measured in the study were supported by protein measurements via ELISA or immunohistochemistry. In the present study, kefir may play an important role in the antioxidation and inflammation process on the masseter muscle and gingival tissue against HFCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, cytotoxic (apoptotic and necrotic), antioxidant, prooxidant, genotoxic, and apoptosis-related genes expression modulatory effects of physodic acid (PA) isolated from Pseudevernia furfuracea on cancerous (HepG2) and healthy (THLE2) human liver cells were evaluated. Cytotoxic effects PA obtained from P. furfuracea on HepG2 and THLE2 cells were tested via MTT and LDH analyses. In order to determine genotoxic effect of PA, 8-OH-dG levels in the cells were measured. In addition, apoptotic or necrotic effects of PA on the hepatic cells were determined by qRT-PCR analysis. Cytotoxicity analyses revealed the cytotoxic effect of PA on HepG2 cells, which is much higher than THLE2 cells. Gene expression studies demonstrated the apoptotic effects of PA on HepG2 cells through both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. PA increased the antioxidant capacity of THLE2 cells with increasing concentrations, which describes its antioxidant power. Additionally, none of the tested levels of PA caused oxidative DNA damage on THLE2 cells, but its high concentration increased genetic damages on HepG2. Taken together, P. furfuracea lichen and its metabolite, PA, would be a promising alternative for complementary treatments against liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing selective, precise, and rapid determination methods for Cu2+ sensing is of great significance for biological systems, public health, and environmental protection. Hence, a new coumarin‐based fluorescent chemosensor 3‐((E)‐(((E)‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazono) methyl)‐7‐(diethylamino)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one (HBAC) for Cu2+ sensing in MeOH:H2O (80 : 20, v:v, pH=7 PBS buffer) media has been constructed. HBAC responded to Cu2+ with high selectivity and exhibited a relatively low LOD of 7.0 nM and ∼22‐fold fluorescent enhancement at 461 nm with the addition of Cu2+ (0.0‐5.0 μM). The reaction mechanism of the HBAC‐Cu2+ system has been fully examined by MALDI‐TOF‐MS, FT‐IR, and time dependent‐density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations. The sensing mechanism was occurred due to the chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) and inhibition of PET phenomena. Furthermore, the chemosensor HBAC for Cu2+ sensing in living systems and natural spring water samples has been successfully utilized, suggesting that the prepared HBAC is an appropriate chemosensor for examining Cu2+ in biological and environmental systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]