The effect of Trifolium, Raphanus, and Cistus pollen grains on some blood parameters and mesentery mast cells

Three kinds of pollen taxa belonging to 3 families (Fabaceae--Trifolium spp., Brassicaceae--Raphanus spp. and Cistaceae--Cistus spp.) and commonly collected by honeybees were fed to mature male rats separately, in the form of 60 mg/animal/day for a 30-day period. The objective of this study was to investigate any positive effects or possible side effects of the use of pollen on the immune system. This was achieved through blood analysis and cell count on blood, hemoglobin, erythrocyte and immune system cells. The cell concentration of mast cells, degranulization and cell localization were investigated in prepared mesentery tissue samples. Histological investigations of the stomach and duedenum sections of pollen-fed rats were carried out to learn the reason for eosinophil gastroenteritis in the alimentary canal. The eosinophil and lymphocyte levels of rats fed with pollen of Trifolium spp., Raphanus spp., and Cistus spp. were observed to have increased blood cell counts, while neutrophil and monocyte levels decreased; different values were found in basophil leucocytes between the pollen groups. Differing reductions in mesentery mast cell concentration, degranulization and cell localization were found. Within the three separate pollens, the rats having been fed with Cistus spp. pollen were observed to have higher blood lymphocyte, eosinophil, hemoglobin and hematocrit values than those fed with the others, as well as low mesentery mast cell concentration. Hemoglobin values were determined to increase at a proportion of between 10.0-11.3%. No difference was found in other blood parameters. The fat proportion of the male rats fed with the three taxa was between 4.03-8.75%, while that for protein proportion was between 16.11-24.25%. Male rats receiving these taxa did not experience allergic reactions and it is possible to argue that the low protein and fat content of these pollens have a strengthening effect on the immune systems by the increase in lymphocyte content and the amount of hemoglobin leads to an increase of oxygen transport capacity in the tissues.     

Biodegradation of Cyanide by a White Rot Fungus, Trametes versicolor

The cyanide degradation abilities of three white rot fungi, Trametes versicolor ATCC 200801, Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME 496 and Pleurotus sajor-caju, were examined. T. versicolor was the most effective with 0.35 g dry cell/100 ml degrading 2 mm KCN (130 mg/l) over 42 h, at 30°C, pH 10.5 with stirring at 150 rpm.     

The effect of ammonia treatment on the solubilization of straw and the growth of cellulolytic rumen bacteria

Pre-treatment of straw with anhydrous ammonia increased its susceptibility to solubilization by the predominant cellulolytic bacteria from the rumen, Bacteroides succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus and R. flavefaciens. Ammonia treatment also increased the production of microbial protein and fermentation products by all three species. Scanning electron microscope observations of straw during digestion suggested that the attack of straw by these bacteria was accompanied by the formation of substantial numbers of adherent microcolonies.     

Carvacrol partially reverses symptoms of diabetes in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Little is known about the protective effects of carvacrol on the symptoms of streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. Hence, this present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of the strong antioxidant, carvacrol, on the symptoms of streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. Carvacrol at the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight were orally administered to diabetic rats for a period of 7 days after the onset of diabetes. Food-water intake and body weight changes were daily recorded. Biochemical parameters such as serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were measured. Although treatment of diabetic rats with oral administration of carvacrol resulted in a slight reduction in serum glucose level and significant reduction in serum total cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase in comparison with diabetic control rats, there were no significant differences in serum insulin levels, food-water intake values and body weight changes. Despite the inadequacy of carvacrol on diabetes treatments, it was determined to have at least a partially protective role on liver enzymes.     

Reaction kinetics for laccase-catalyzed polymerization of 1-naphthol

Laccase-catalyzed oxidative polymerization of 1-naphthol was carried out in a closed system containing acetone and sodium acetate buffer. The effects of initial 1-naphthol and dissolved oxygen concentrations on the initial reaction rate were investigated. A multiplicative mathematical model, using a function of 1-naphthol and dissolved oxygen concentrations, was developed for enzymatic polymerization and the corresponding biokinetic parameters have been evaluated for the first time. The activation energy and reaction rate constant of the laccase-catalyzed 1-naphthol polymerization were calculated as 57 kJ/mol and 311 l/s, respectively. The activation energy calculated was in the typical range of 30-60 kJ/mol and rate constant was of the order of magnitude of previously reported values for laccase-catalyzed reactions with different monomers.     

Characterization of type I,III and V collagens in high-density cultured tenocytes by triple-immunofluorescence technique

The purpose of this study is to examine the intracellular distribution of collagen types I, III and V in tenocytes using triple-label immunofluorescence staining technique in high-density tenocyte culture on Filter Well Inserts (FWI). The tenocytes were incubated for 4 weeks under monolayer conditions and for 3 weeks on FWI. At the end of the third week of high-density culture, we observed tenocyte aggregation followed by macromass cluster formation. Immunofluorescence labeling with anti-collagen type I antibody revealed that the presence of collagen type I was mostly around the nucleus. Type III collagen was more diffused in the cytoplasm. Type V collagen was detected in fibrillar and vesicular forms in the cytoplasm. We conclude that, the high-density culture on FWI is an appropriate method for the production of tenocytes without loosing specialized processes such as the synthesis of different collagen molecules. We consider that the high-density culture system is suitable for in vitro applications which affect tendon biology and will improve our understanding of the biological behavior of tenocytes in view of adequate matrix structure synthesis. Such high-density cultures may serve as a model system to provide sufficient quantities of tenocytes to prepare tenocyte-polymer constructs for tissue engineering applications in tendon repair.