The Effect of Boron-Containing Nano-Hydroxyapatite on Bone Cells

Biological Trace Element Research - Metabolic diseases or injuries damage bone structure and self-renewal capacity. Trace elements and hydroxyapatite crystals are important in the development of...     

Synthesis of novel acridine and bis acridine sulfonamides with effective inhibitory activity against the cytosolic carbonic anhydrase isoforms II and VII

4-Amino-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)benzamide was synthesized by reduction of 4-nitro-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)benzamide and used to synthesize novel acridine sulfonamide compounds, by a coupling reaction with cyclic-1,3-diketones and aromatic aldehydes. The new compounds were investigated as inhibitors of the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), and more precisely the cytosolic isoforms hCA I, II and VII. hCA I was inhibited in the micromolar range by the new compounds (K_Is of 0.16–9.64 μM) whereas hCA II and VII showed higher affinity for these compounds, with K_Is in the range of 15–96 nM for hCA II, and of 4–498 nM for hCA VII. The structure–activity relationships for the inhibition of these isoforms with the acridine–sulfonamides reported here were also elucidated.     

The effects of Nigella sativa on bile duct ligation induced‐liver injury in rats

Nigella sativa (NS) has been shown to have antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities in different conditions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of NS on cholestatic liver injury in rats. Thirty rats were recruited in the study as follows: Group 1, Bile duct ligation (BDL) (n = 10); Group 2, BDL plus NS (n = 10); and Group 3, Sham (n = 10). Bile duct ligated group received 0.2 mL kg^?1 dose of NS intraperitoneally daily throughout 14 days. Liver damage and cholestasis were determined by the biochemical and the pathologic examination. Data showed a decrease in gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities of the NS treated rats when compared with BDL group (p < 0.001 for GGT and p < 0.05 for others). The NS treated rats' tissue levels of total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were significantly lower than that of the BDL group (p < 0.01 for all). Increases in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase (CAT) levels were statistically significant in the NS treated rats compared to BDL group (p < 0.01 for both). On the other hand, administration of NS in the rats with biliary obstruction resulted in inhibition of necro‐inflammation. These results indicate that NS exerts a therapeutic effect on cholestatic liver injury in bile duct ligated rats possibly through attenuation of enhanced neutrophil infiltration and oxidative stress in the liver tissue. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and analysis of expressed resistance gene sequences in wheat

Forty-eight resistance (R) genes conferring resistance to various types of pests have been cloned from 12 plant species. Irrespective of the host or the pest type, most R genes share a strong protein sequence similarity especially for domains and motifs. The objective of this study was to identify expressed R genes of wheat, the fraction of which is expected to be very low in the genome. Using modified RNA fingerprinting and data mining approaches we identified 220 expressed R-gene candidates. Of these, 125 sequences structurally resembled known R genes. In addition to 25-87% protein sequence similarity with the known R genes, the sequence, order, and distribution of the domains and motifs were also the same. Among the remaining 95, 17 were probable R-related, 21 were a new class of nucleotide-binding kinases, 21 were probable kinases, and 36 were p-loop-containing unknown sequences. About 76% were rare including 73 novel sequences. Three new R-gene specific motifs were also identified. Physical mapping of the 164 best R-gene candidates on 339 deletion lines localized 121 mappable R-gene candidates to 26 small chromosomal regions encompassing about 16% of the genome. About 90 of the 110 phenotypically characterized wheat R genes corresponding to 18 different pests also mapped in these regions.     

Protective Effects of Selenium and Vitamin E Combination on Experimental Colitis in Blood Plasma and Colon of Rats

Ulcerative colitis increases oxidative damage accompanied by production of free oxygen radicals. Selenium (Se) and vitamin E are two natural antioxidants. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protective role of Se and vitamin E combination in experimental colitis induced by acetic acid (AA) in rats. This study was carried out on three groups, namely the first (control), the second (experimental colitis group, 2 ml 5% acetic acid), and the third groups (2 ml 5% acetic acid, vitamin E (100 mg/kg body weight (bw)) plus Se (0.2 mg/kg bw)). The activities of catalase (CAT), prolidase (PRS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), total thiol (T-SH) were determined in plasma and colon samples. Macroscopic and microscopic damages in colon were increased by AA treatment (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively), whereas they were decreased by selenium and vitamin E treatment (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The activities of CAT and PRS in the plasma and colon were significantly affected (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) by treatment of AA, Se, and vitamin E. MPO activity in colon was increased (p < 0.01) by AA treatment and decreased (p < 0.05) by Se and vitamin E administration. The values of TOS and OSI in plasma were increased (p < 0.5) by AA. The TAC and T-SH in colon were decreased (p < 0.05) by AA and increased (p < 0.05) by Se and vitamin E. Based upon these results, Se and vitamin E may play an important role in preventive indication of the oxidative damage associated by acetic acid caused inflammation.     

The determination of the relationship between p97/VCP,small VCP-interacting protein,two ERAD proteins and steroidogenesis in Leydig cell lines

Background

In recent studies, it was shown that Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) is regulated by androgens and small VCP-interacting protein (SVIP) is an ERAD inhibitor. There is no data available about the interactions of ERAD proteins with proteins involved in steroidogenesis. The aim of the study was to investigate the expressions of SVIP, p97/VCP, StAR, CYP17A1 and 3β-HSD in human and mouse.

Methods and results

HLC, TM3 and MA-10 Leydig cell lines were used to determine roles of ERAD proteins in steroidogenesis based on immunofluorescence, Western blot, qRT-PCR, ELISA. Findings showed that StAR, CYP17A1 and 3β-HSD were colocalized with SVIP and p97/VCP in Leydig cells. A decrease in CYP17A1, 3β-HSD and StAR expressions was observed as a result of suppression of SVIP siRNAs and p97/VCP siRNAs expressions in MA10, TM3 and HLC. When siSVIP transfected cells were compared with siSVIP transfected with hCG-exposed cells, SVIP protein expression was significantly increased as compared to the SVIP transfected group in human Leydig cells.

Conclusion

We suggest that the suppression of protein expressions by p97/VCP and SVIP siRNAs in Leydig cells, the effects of proteins involved in steroidogenesis (StAR, CYP17A1 and 3β-HSD) have proven to be originating from p97/VCP and SVIP which were playing a role in the steroidogenesis process. Additionally, it was demonstrated that testosterone levels decreased after transfection with p97/VCP siRNA and SVIP siRNA, p97/VCP and SVIP created an effect on testosterone synthesis while taking place in the steps of testosterone synthesis. Further, it was determined in the study that the SVIP was affected by hCG stimulations.

     

Optimization of α-amylase production by Bacillus subtilis RSKK96: using the Taguchi experimental design approach

In this study, the Taguchi experimental design was applied to optimize the conditions for α-amylase production by Bacillus subtilis RSKK96, which was purchased from Refik Saydam Hifzissihha Industry (RSHM). Four factors, namely, carbon source, nitrogen source, amino acid, and fermentation time, each at four levels, were selected, and an orthogonal array layout of L(16) (4(5)) was performed. The model equation obtained was validated experimentally at maximum casein (1%), corn meal (1%), and glutamic acid (0.01%) concentrations with incubation time to 72 h in the presence of 1% inoculum density. Point prediction of the design showed that maximum α-amylase production of 503.26 U/mg was achieved under optimal experimental conditions.     

Protective agent, erdosteine, against cisplatin-induced hepatic oxidant injury in rats

Cisplatin, one of the most active cytotoxic agents against cancer, has several toxicities. Hepatotoxicity is one of them occurred during high doses treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of erdosteine against cisplatin-induced liver injury through tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters and light microscopic evaluation. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (n=5), cisplatin (10 mg/kg, n=6) and cisplatin+erdosteine (50 mg/kg/day oral erdosteine, n=8) groups. The rats were sacrificed at the 5th day of cisplatin treatment. The liver tissues were examined with light microscopy and oxidant/antioxidant biochemical parameters. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were increased in the cisplatin group in comparison with the control and cisplatin+erdosteine groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in MDA and NO levels between control and cisplatin+erdosteine groups. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were higher in cisplatin+erdosteine group than cisplatin group (p<0.05). However, the CAT and GSH-Px activities were significantly lower in cisplatin group than in control group (p<0.05). The light microscopic examination revealed that cytoplasmic changes especially around cells of central vein were observed in cisplatin group. Hepatocellular vacuolization was seen in these cells. In the cisplatin plus erdosteine group, a decrease in cytoplasmic changes with the hepatocytes and sinusoidal dilatations around cells of central vein were noticed in as compared to cisplatin group. In the light of microscopic and biochemical results, it was concluded that cisplatin-induced liver damage in high dose and erdosteine prevented this toxic side effect by the way of its antioxidant and radical scavenging effects. (Mol Cell Biochem 278: 79–84, 2005)     

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on amikacin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Amikacin (AK) has nephrotoxic side effects. AK-induced nephrotoxicity may be the consequence of oxidative stress and so anti-oxidant agents could be useful in reducing AK toxicity. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) was recently shown to have free radical scavenging ability and it reduces lipid peroxidation. For this purpose, the rats were distributed into three groups: (I) injected with vehicle (control); (II) injected (i.p.) with 1.2 g kg(-1) AK at a single dose; (III) injected (i.p.) with AK plus 10 micromol kg(-1) CAPE. Renal morphology was investigated by light microscopy. Tissue samples and trunk blood were also obtained to determine renal malondialdehyde (MDA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels. MDA production was found to be higher in rats given AK than among control rats. CAPE administration before AK injection caused a significant decrease in MDA production. Morphological tubule damage in rats given AK was severe in the renal cortex, whereas in rats given AK plus CAPE, no histological changes occurred. It is concluded that CAPE could be useful for reducing the nephrotoxic effects of AK. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling of Scenedesmus obliquus; function of nutrients with modified Gompertz model

This study attempted to investigate variation in biovolume of Scenedesmus obliquus, in the modified Johnson medium at 20+/-2 degrees C, under 16kergcm(-2)s(-1) continuous illumination. The experiments were carried out at four nitrate (8, 12, 16, and 20mM) and four phosphate (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7mM) concentrations at pH 7 and 8. The best response for algal growth was found at 0.3mM phosphate and 12mM nitrate at pH 7, as it was obtained from weight averaging method. Besides, optimum phosphate and nitrate concentrations significantly distinguished (p<0.01) from other concentrations according to Turkey's HSD test. Key features of the growth of S. obliquus under phosphate and nitrate influenced batch culture was successfully predicted by modified Gompertz model. Through the cultivations, specific growth rate (mu) ranged from 0.30 to 1.02 day(-1), while biovolume doubling time (td) varied from 0.68 to 2.30 days. There were important differences (p<0.05) for both mu and td among response variables. Both nutrients displayed noteworthy effect (p<0.01) on the algal biovolume.