The Effects of Chromium Histidinate on Mineral Status of Serum and Tissue in Fat-Fed and Streptozotocin-Treated Type II Diabetic Rats

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of chromium histidinate (CrHis) against experimentally induced type II diabetes and on chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) in serum, liver, and kidney of diabetic rats. The male Wistar rats (n = 60, 8 weeks old) were divided into four groups. Group I received a standard diet (12% of calories as fat); group II were fed standard diet and received CrHis (110 mcg CrHis/kg body weight per day); group III received a high-fat diet (HFD; 40% of calories as fat) for 2 weeks and then were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) on day 14 (STZ, 40 mg/kg i.p.; HFD/STZ); group IV were treated as group III (HFD/STZ) but supplemented with 110 mcg CrHis/kg body weight per day. The mineral concentrations in the serum and tissue were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Compared to the HFD/STZ group, CrHis significantly increased body weight and reduced blood glucose in diabetic rats (p < 0.001). Concentrations of Cr, Zn, Se, and Mn in serum, liver, and kidney of the diabetic rats were significantly lower than in the control rats (p < 0.0001). In contrast, higher Fe and Cu levels were found in serum and tissues from diabetic versus the non-diabetic rats (p < 0.001). Chromium histidinate supplementation increased serum, liver, and kidney concentrations of Cr and Zn both in diabetic and non-diabetic rats (p < 0.001). Chromium supplementation increased Mn and Se levels in diabetic rats (p < 0.001); however, it decreased Cu levels in STZ-treated group (p < 0.001). Chromium histidinate supplementation did not affect Fe levels in both groups (p > 0.05). The results of the present study conclude that supplementing Cr to the diet of diabetic rats influences serum and tissue Cr, Zn, Se, Mn, and Cu concentrations.     

Effects of Acute Swimming Exercise on Some Elements in Rats

The objective of the present study is to explore the effects of acute swimming exercise on plasma levels of some elements in rats, immediately after the exercise, and 24 and 48 h later. The study included 40 adult male rats of Spraque Dawley species, which were equally allocated to four groups. Group 1: General Control Group; Group 2: Swimming Group, the group that was decapitated immediately after 30-min acute swimming exercise; Group 3: Swimming Group, the group that was decapitated 24 h after 30-min acute swimming exercise; Group 4: Swimming Group, the group that was decapitated 48 h after 30-min acute swimming exercise. Plasma copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) levels were determined according to atomic emission method in the blood samples collected from the animals by decapitation method. Measurements conducted immediately after acute swimming exercise (group 2) showed a significant decrease in Se and Zn levels (p < 0,01) and a significant increase in P levels (p < 0,01), when compared to group 1. Measurements carried out 24 h after the exercise (group 3) demonstrated a significant increase in all parameters except for Mg, in comparison to groups 1 and 2 (p < 0,01). It was seen in the measurements made 48 h after the exercise (group 4) that all parameters were restored to control values. The results of our study show that acute swimming exercise significantly changes plasma Cu, Fe, P, Se, and Zn levels.     

Testosterone Levels in Athletes at Rest and Exhaustion: Effects of Calcium Supplementation

The effects of 4 weeks of calcium supplementation on free- and total testosterone levels were established in active and sedentary adult males at rest and exhaustion. Thirty healthy male athletes were equally divided into three study groups, as follows: Group 1—non-exercising subjects receiving 35 mg calcium/kg body weight; Group 2—subjects receiving 35 mg calcium/kg body weight undergoing training routines for 90 min/day, 5 days a week and Group 3—subjects undergoing training routines for 90 min/day, 5 days a week. The testosterone levels were determined before and after supplementation, at rest and following a hard training routine. The plasma free- and total testosterone levels increased at exhaustion before and after supplementation relative to resting values (p?<?0.05). This was also true when active subjects were compared to inactive subjects (p?<?0.05). Our results show that training results in increased testosterone levels in athletes and that the increase is greater if accompanied by calcium supplementation, which may be useful for increasing overall athletic performance.     

Antibacterial activity and phytochemical evidence for the plant origin of Turkish propolis from different regions

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology -     

Modeling of biomass production by Spirulinaplatensis as function of phosphate concentrations and pH regimes

Batch cultivations were performed to evaluate the influence of phosphate concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 g L⁻¹) for pH regimes (9.5, 10.0, and 10.5) on the biomass production by Spirulina platensis. The best condition for cell growth (3.099 g L⁻¹) was found at 0.5 g L⁻¹ phosphate and pH value of 10.0. Cultivation time, phosphate, and pH caused to increase significantly (p < 0.01) in biomass production by S. platensis. Lag time was observed up to 4 h. After then, biomass production increased sharply (p < 0.01) from 0.020 g L⁻¹ to 2.063, 2.213, 1.532, and 0.797 g L⁻¹ at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 g L⁻¹ phosphate values, respectively. Modified Gompertz model could be regarded as sufficient to describe the biomass production by S. platensis with high determination coefficients and low sum of square value indicated that. Biological parameters for biomass production were successfully predicted by modified Gompertz model.     

Melanocortin-4 Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Obese Patients

Obesity is a complex disease caused by both genetics and environmental factors. Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) (MIM 155541) gene polymorphisms were reported to be the cause of monogenic obesity in humans. We studied three polymorphisms (Val50Met, Val103Ile, and Ser58Cys) and a mutation (Asn274Ser) of the MC4R gene in 203 obese patients and in 110 healthy subjects in the Turkish population. A high incidence of Val103Ile and Val50Met polymorphisms as well as the Asn274Ser mutation was found in the obese patients, whereas no significant correlation was found regarding the Ser58Cys polymorphism. We conclude that there is a concordance between the polymorphisms (Val103Ile, Val50Met, Ser58Cys) that were first studied in the Turkish population with obesity.     

Seed macro and micro morphology of the selected <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigella</Emphasis> (Ranunculaceae) taxa from Turkey and their systematic significance

Macro and micromorphological properties of intact and mature seeds of 12 taxa (species and varieties) belonging to Nigella L. (Ranunculaceae) was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Material studied covers 11 species of 15 Turkish Nigella. Studied taxa were divided into two types. Type I has ovate to orbicular seeds that includes four species. Type II has triquedrous seeds and includes seven species. Type II was subdivided into two. Type IIa has triquedrous to subpyramidal seeds (five species) and Type IIb has triquedrous to subglobose seeds (two species). Further segregation was performed micromorphologically and an identification key of studied Nigella taxa was given. Studied Nigella taxa have a diverse macro and micromorphological characters that utilize to separate them from each other to assess the systematics of Nigella.     

Identification of salivary mucin MUC7 binding proteins from Streptococcus gordonii

Background  

The salivary mucin MUC7 (previously known as MG2) can adhere to various strains of streptococci that are primary colonizers and predominant microorganisms of the oral cavity. Although there is a growing interest in interaction between oral pathogens and salivary mucins, studies reporting the specific binding sites on the bacteria are rather limited. Identification and characterization of the specific interacting proteins on the bacterial cell surface, termed adhesins, are crucial to further understand host-pathogen interactions.     

A novel promoter controls Cyp19a1 gene expression in mouse adipose tissue

Background  

Aromatase, the key enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis, is encoded by the Cyp19a1 gene. Thus far, 3 unique untranslated first exons associated with distinct promoters in the mouse Cyp19a1 gene have been described (brain, ovary, and testis-specific). It remains unknown whether aromatase is expressed in other mouse tissues via novel and tissue-specific promoters.     

Anti-tubercular activity of ruthenium (II) complexes with polypyridines

A series of nine polypyridyl-ruthenium (II) complexes (N-ligands = 2,2'-bipyridines; 2,2'-6',2'-terpyridines, di-alkyloxy-2,2'-6,2-bipyridine-3,3'-di-carboxylates), were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT). The complex (11) showed remarkable activity against MBT as compared to other complexes, (1-10). The aquo ligand of complex (11), as opposed to other chloro and acetonitrile derivatives, appears to play a key role in the antitubercular potency of this new class of metal-based compounds.