Cholecalciferol (vitamin D 3) improves cognitive dysfunction and reduces inflammation in a rat fatty liver model of metabolic syndrome

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cholecalciferol on systemic inflammation and memory in the setting of fatty liver disease in rats.

Materials and methods

To induce the development of fatty liver disease, the rats were fed a 35% fructose solution over 8 weeks. Group I (n = 6) was designated as the control group and fed with standard rat chow. Group II (n = 6) was provided with, standard rat chow, and 0.3 μg/kg/day of oral cholecalciferol over a duration of 2 weeks. In addition to standard rat chow, group III (n = 6) and group IV (n = 6) were given 4 mL of the 35% fructose solution per day via oral gavage for 8 weeks. However, group IV was also given 0.3 μg/kg/day of oral cholecalciferol over 2 weeks. After the treatment period, passive avoidance tasks were performed by all groups. The liver and brain were harvested for subsequent biochemical and histopathologic analyses.

Key findings

The development of fatty liver extends the memory latency period of passively avoiding tasks after 1 trial. Moreover, there were increases in brain TNF-α and plasma MDA levels according to two-way analysis of variance. Cholecalciferol supplementation decreased the latency period of passively avoiding tasks in rats with hepatosteatosis, and also significantly reduced brain TNF-α and plasma MDA levels.

Significance

Fatty liver may contribute to the development of systemic inflammation, which affects cognition and causes deficits in memory; however, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of vitamin D may improve the cognitive function of rats with hepatosteatosis.     

Massive Localized Lymphedema in an Unreported Location (Retroperitoneum)

Background

Massive localized lymphedema (MLL) is a non-neoplastic benign soft tissue lesion that may be confused with sarcomas or other neoplastic proliferations both clinically and morphologically. Most occur in morbidly obese adults on the lower extremities. The objective of this article is to document a case of MLL in the retroperitoneal cavity which is a previously unreported site for this lesion, and to highlight its unusual clinical features.

Case presentation

The patient was a non-obese male who had undergone major abdominal surgery due to bladder extrophy 17?years ago. Abdominal ultrasonography detected a large incidental mass in the right renal sinus during his investigation for nephrolithiasis. The lesion extending from renal pelvis down to pelvis was resected and its histopathological findings were compatible with massive localized lymphedema.

Conclusions

Retroperitoneum has to be added to the list of locations that MLL can be found. Liposarcoma will be a challenging differential diagnosis when the lesion is encountered in an unusual site.

     

Cross-linked stabilization of Escherichia coli penicillin G acylase against pH by dextran-dialdehyde polymers

The inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli penicillin G acylase (PGA), and cross-linked stabilization of the enzyme by dextran-dialdehyde derivatives of molecular weights of 11500, 37000 and 71000, were similar from pH 2 to pH 10. Inactivation of the native and modified PGA obeyed first order kinetics. The lowest inactivation rate constants for native and dextran-11500-dialdehyde modified PGA were 9.0310 and 1.5310 min respectively at pH 7.0. The highest pH stabilization (nearly ten-fold) was obtained at pH 7.0.     

Biochemical characterization of the phospholipase A2 purified from the venom of the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum horridum Wiegmann)

A phospholipase A2 was isolated from the venom of the mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum horridum) by phenyl-Sepharose chromatography followed by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration and two additional steps on ion exchange resins (DE-32 cellulose). The affinity chromatographic method (PC-Sepharose 4B) reported for the isolation of other phospholipases [Rock, Ch. O., & Snyder, F. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 2564-2566; King, T. P., Alagon, A. C., Kwan, J., Sobotka, A. K., & Lichteinstein, L. M. (1983) Mol. Immunol. 20, 297-308; King, T. P., Kochoumian, L., & Joslyn, A. (1984) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 230, 1-12] was uneffective for the separation of this enzyme. The monomeric form of the Heloderma phospholipase has an apparent Mr of 18 000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 19 060 as calculated from amino acid analysis. It also contains on the order of 7% carbohydrates per mole of enzyme. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was shown to be very different from that of phospholipases isolated from mammalian pancreas and crotalids and elapids snake venoms. The first 39 amino acid residues at the N-terminal region have 56% homology with bee venom phospholipase but differ from the bee phospholipase in that its isoelectric point is acidic (pI = 4.5), instead of basic, and it has approximately 50 amino acid residues more in the molecule. The specificity of the enzyme is mainly A2 type with possible residual B-type activity. The enzymatic activity is Ca2+-dependent. Half-cystine alignment of the Heloderma phospholipase sequence with those of other known phospholipases shows the lack of an octadecapeptide at the N-terminal region, the existence of an extra hexapeptide at positions 42-47, and an exact correspondence of Heloderma Gly-12, Gly-14, His-36, and Asp-37 with Gly-30, Gly-32, His-48, and Asp-49 from other phospholipases shown to be important for Ca2+ binding (( Dijkstra, B. W., Drenth, J., Kalk, K. H., & Vandermaalen, P. J. (1978) J. Mol. Biol. 124, 53-60 )).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Novel polymeric microspheres: Synthesis,enzyme immobilization,antimutagenic activity,and antimicrobial evaluation against pathogenic microorganisms

New polymeric microspheres containing azomethine ( 1a ‐ 1c and 2a ‐ 2c ) were synthesized by condensation to compare the enzymatic properties of the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) and to investigate antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities. The polymeric microspheres were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra (FT‐IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The catalytic activity of the glucose oxidase enzyme follows Michaelis‐Menten kinetics. Influence of temperature, reusability, and storage capacity of the free and immobilized glucose oxidase enzyme were investigated. It is determined that immobilized enzymes exhibit good storage stability and reusability. After immobilization of GOx in polymeric supports, the thermal stability of the enzyme increased and the maximum reaction rate (V_max) decreased. The activity of the immobilized enzymes was preserved even after 5 months. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the polymeric microspheres were evaluated by well‐diffusion method against some selected pathogenic microorganisms. The antimutagenic properties of all compounds were also examined against sodium azide in human lymphocyte cells by micronuclei and sister chromatid exchange tests.     

Potential cytotoxic effect of Anilofos by using Allium cepa assay

Cytogenetic effects of Anilofos which was widely used in agriculture, was evaluated in Allium cepa root meristematic cells. In the Allium root growth inhibition test EC₅₀ value was determined 50 ppm and 1/2× EC₅₀ (25 ppm), EC₅₀ (50 ppm) and 2 × EC₅₀ (100 ppm) concentrations of Anilofos were applied to onion roots. A negative and positive control were used in the experiment in parallel. According to results mitotic index decreased with increasing the Anilofos concentrations in all application groups and each exposure time, while disturbed anaphase–telophase, choromosome laggard(s), stickiness and anaphase bridge(s) were observed. In anaphase–telophase cells, c-metaphase, disturbed nucleus and binuclear cells were observed in other anomalies. The results were also analyzed statistically by using Dunnett t test (2-tailed) and all concentrations of Anilofos were found significant.     

Are we aware how contaminated our mobile phones with nosocomial pathogens?

Vibrio spp. is a pathogen rarely isolated in cancer patients, and in most cases it is associated with haematological diseases. Cutaneous manifestations of this organism are even rarer. We report a case of Non-O1 Vibrio cholerae inguinal skin and soft tissue infection presenting bullous skin lesions in a young type II diabetic patient with a penis squamous cell carcinoma having a seawater exposure history.     

Effect of Putrescine on Low-Temperature Acclimation in <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i>

Putrescine is reported to be necessary for cold acclimation under low-temperature stress. In this study, the effect of low-temperature on some physiological and biochemical parameters has been investigated using the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The lipid peroxidation rate, amount of Rubisco protein, activities of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression of polyamine biosynthesis (odc2, and spd1), heat shock proteins (hsp70c, hsp90a, and hsp90c), and PSII repair mechanisms (psba, rep27, and tba1) were determined to understand the low-temperature response. Exogenous putrescine application significantly increased Rubisco protein concentration and catalase enzyme activities under low-temperature stress. Moreover, real-time RT-PCR results and gene expression analysis showed that polyamine metabolism induced gene expression at low-temperatures in the first 24 h. In the same way, the gene expression of heat shock proteins (hsp70c, hsp90a, and hsp90c) decreased under low-temperature treatment for 72 h; however, application of putrescine enhanced the gene expression in the first 24 h. The results obtained indicated that molecular response in the first 24 h could be important for cold acclimation. The psba and tba1 expressions were reduced under low-temperatures depending on the exposure time. In contrast, the exogenous putrescine enhanced the expression level of the psba response to low-temperature at 24 and 72 h. The results obtained in this study indicate that putrescine could play a role in the PS II repair mechanisms under low-temperature stress.     

Investigation of extracellular medium osmolality depending on zinc application and incubation time on A549 cancer cells

Changes in the osmolality of the extracellular medium (ECM) affect cell volume and cellular processes such as cell migration and proliferation. Not only may high concentrations of zinc (Zn) lead to cell death by apoptosis, but Zn is also a physiological suppressor of apoptosis. The aim of our study was to examine whether Zn and regulation of extracellular osmolality had an effect on the lung cancer cell line (A549) and how to be changed in ECM according to elements and osmolality depending on incubation time and Zn application. Our study consisted of four groups: cell-free medium, ECM of cancer cell after 24 h incubation (24hECM), ECM of cancer cell after 48 h incubation (48hECM), and ECM of cancer cell after 48 h incubation with ZnCl₂ (48hECM?+?Zn). ECM osmolality was measured by using osmometer, and the levels of chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and magnesium (Mg) elements were analyzed using ICP-OES device for all groups. According to the result of the analysis, a statistically significant difference was found when osmolality and element values of ECM of 24hECM and 48hECM groups were compared with the values of the 48hECM?+?Zn group. It was observed that there was a decrease in the levels of Cr, Fe, and Mg with Zn application and incubation period in ECM. The regulation of ECM osmolality is a promising method due to biophysical effects on cancer cells. In our study, we speculated that the understanding of the effects of Zn and osmolality with the relationship between ECM and cancer cell might lead to the discovery of biophysical approaches as a novel therapeutic strategy.

     

The influence of continuous exposure to 50 Hz electric field on nerve regeneration in a rat peroneal nerve crush injury model

The effect of power frequency electric field (EF) on nerve regeneration was investigated on a rat peroneal nerve crush injury model. The animals were assigned to three groups: 50 Hz EF and Static EF groups were exposed at 10 kV/m. The sham group was kept in the same setting without any EF applications. EF was uninterruptedly applied for 21 days postoperatively. Repeated measures analysis of daily walking tracks during EF exposure demonstrated lower toe spread recovery (TSR) in the 50 Hz EF group. Significant difference across the groups was found only at days 7, 8, 12, 16, 17, 20, and 21 when TSR was analyzed for each measurement time. Print length recovery and peroneal function index did not differ across the groups. Walking track parameters were found to recover to their baseline values by day 28 in all groups. Day 14 but not day 21 measurements revealed smaller nerve cross-sectional area, lower total regenerating axon area, and higher mean myelin debris area in 50 Hz EF group. Both day 14 and 21 measurements revealed higher total myelin debris area, lower EDL muscle weight, and lack of significant enlargement in nerve cross-section distal to the injury, compared to the normal counterpart in 50 Hz EF group. All differences were in keeping with lower rates of Wallerian degeneration and nerve regeneration in 50 Hz EF group. When walking track, histomorphometry and muscle weight are considered individually, their differences across the groups may appear to be subtle to derive a conclusion for a 50 Hz EF effect. However, their concordance with each other in direction of effect suggests that continuous 50 Hz EF exposure has a weak effect that is detrimental mostly to the rate of early nerve regeneration in this axonotmetic injury model. Recovery of walking tracks was not different between Static EF and Sham groups. This suggests that the surface charges that may indirectly affect walking behaviors of the rats, do not account for the lower recovery of TSR in 50 Hz EF group. Differences in nerve regeneration between 50 Hz EF and Static EF groups suggests that electric induction may be required for pure EF effects even though the estimated density of induced fields is not above the endogenous background level for the 50 Hz EF exposure in this study.