Karaarslan, T; Bolat, M; Bolat, İ; Orhan, B; Senocak, EA; Tekin, S; Lacin, BB; Golgeli, A; Atasever, A

Karaarslan, Tuba; Bolat, Merve; Bolat, İsmail; Orhan, Betul; Senocak, Esra Aktas; Tekin, Samet; Lacin, Burak Batuhan; Golgeli, Ayse; Atasever, Aslıhan

This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) against lead acetate (PbAc)-induced neurotoxicity in rats by focusing on oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and neuronal plasticity. 35 male rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Control, p-CA (100 mg/kg), PbAc (30 mg/kg), PbAc + p-CA (50 mg/kg), and PbAc + p-CA (100 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 14 days. Behavioral performance was assessed using the open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM). Biochemical analyses of brain tissue included the measurement of MDA, GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx levels. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein expression levels of inflammatory, glial, and synaptic markers, including NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, Iba-1, GFAP, PSD-95, and AChE. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, MAP-2, NeuN, and GAP-43. Histological evaluations included hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining for neuronal morphology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for 8-OHdG, GABA, and GFAP, and immunofluorescence (IF) staining for BDNF expression. PbAc exposure caused marked oxidative damage, neuroinflammatory activation, enhanced apoptotic signaling, and impaired neuronal plasticity, accompanied by reduced antioxidant defenses and altered expression of plasticity-related markers. Co-treatment with p-CA significantly ameliorated these biochemical, molecular, and histopathological alterations in a dose-dependent manner. The 100 mg/kg dose of p-CA showed the strongest neuroprotective effect, restoring many parameters close to control levels. Overall, these findings suggest that p-coumaric acid exerts neuroprotective effects against PbAc-induced brain injury by attenuating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis while supporting neuronal plasticity. Therefore, p-CA may represent a promising natural compound for further investigation in heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity models. However, further studies are required to clarify the upstream molecular signaling pathways involved and to determine whether these protective effects can be maintained under long-term exposure conditions.

Aygörmez, Serpil; Makav, Mustafa; Karadağ Sarı, Ebru; Dalkılınç, Elif; Uslu, Hamit; Maraşlı, Şaban

The aim of this research was to examine the potential ameliorative effects of chrysin (CHR) against mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced testicular damage in rats. For this purpose, rats were divided into four groups: Control, CHR, HgCl2 and HgCl2 + CHR. HgCl2 was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 1.23 mg/kg, and CHR was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 7 days. Biochemical, molecular and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to determine the effect of treatment-mediated changes in the testicular tissue. Based on the results obtained in testicular tissue, administration of HgCl2 was observed to lower antioxidant markers, elevate malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increase inflammatory marker expression in rat testicular tissue. It also led to reduced testosterone levels. Additionally, there was a decrease in the expression of antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) an apoptosis marker while the levels of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were found to be higher. The endoplasmic reticulum stress marker protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK) and the autophagy marker Beclin-1 showed strong immunoreactivity. Additionally, HgCl2 + CHR treatment were found to significantly reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy processes in testicular tissue. In conclusion, HgCl2 administration to rats caused testicular tissue damage compared to the other groups, but CHR treatment alleviated this damage. Overall, this demonstrates the potential ameliorative mechanisms of CHR as a possible agent for HgCl2-induced testicular damage.

Akman, Tugrul Cagri; Yazici, Mustafa; Atila, Alptug; Mertoglu, Cuma

Isotretinoin is an effective treatment against acne vulgaris, but it also causes many side effects during and after the treatment. The relationship between the changes in the levels of plasma trace elements of patients with AV after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment and the side effects was investigated in the study. Plasma samples of 35 patients were collected before and after isotretinoin treatment. Samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometer. After treatment, the levels of phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc in plasma increased statistically, while the level of potassium decreased (p < 0.05). The treatment had differing effects on zinc levels based on the gender of the individuals. With treatment, the levels of zinc in the plasma of men showed a greater increase compared to women (p = 7.3e-04). Additionally, the correlation matrix analysis revealed a strong correlation (R > 0.8) between magnesium and calcium. According to the study results, the change in phosphorus and potassium levels shows that isotretinoin affects kidney functions. The results suggest that phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc are associated with fatigue, dry skin and chapped lips, hair loss, and sebum secretion, respectively. Consequently, the study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive pre-treatment assessment, including monitoring of liver and kidney function as well as the levels of phosphorus and potassium in patients.

Tanoğlu, Oğuzhan; Say, Ferhat; Yücens, Mehmet; Alemdaroğlu, Kadir Bahadır; İltar, Serkan; Aydoğan, Nevres Hürriyet

Titanium alloy implants are the most used materials for the fixation of lower extremity fractures. Although these implants were thought to be inert materials in vitro, several studies have shown increased serum and remote tissue metal ion levels due to wear of implants and friction of the bone-implant interface in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the alteration of serum metal ion levels that are released from intramedullary nails and plates used for the fixation of lower extremity fractures, within the fracture healing period. The study included 20 adult patients, who were treated with intramedullary nail or plate osteosynthesis due to closed lower extremity fractures. Alterations of serum titanium, aluminum, molybdenum, and vanadium levels were evaluated at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks postoperatively. A statistically significant increase was determined in serum titanium, aluminum, molybdenum, and vanadium ion levels in the intramedullary nail and plate groups at the end of the follow-up period. Pairwise comparisons of metal ion levels between implant groups revealed no significant difference during a 24-week follow-up period. Compared to the control group, statistically significant increased levels of serum titanium, aluminum, vanadium, and molybdenum ions were determined in the implant groups used for the fixation of lower extremity fractures at the end of 24 weeks. In the current literature, the potential toxic effects of prolonged exposure to low levels of these metal ions are still unknown. It can be predicted that long-term metal ion exposure could result in vivo pathological processes in the future.

Geyikoglu, Fatime; Koc, Kubra; Colak, Suat; Erol, Huseyin Serkan; Cerig, Salim; Yardimci, Berna Kavakcioglu; Cakmak, Ozge; Dortbudak, Muhammed Bahaeddin; Eser, Gizem; Aysin, Ferhunde

Ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury which causes kidney dysfunction is one of the most studied diseases directly linked to oxidative stress. In this regard, it is important to protect cells against damage by inducing antioxidant response. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic roles and possible mechanisms of propolis and boric acid in kidney I/R injury based on relevant basic research and clinical studies. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 50 min of ischemia followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Animals were randomly divided into a control group (the abdominal wall was just opened and closed), an I/R injury group, the propolis intervention group (200 mg/kg, intragastric administration, 1 h before ischemia), boric acid intervention group (14 mg/kg, intragastric administration 1 h before ischemia), and the propolis + boric acid intervention group (intragastric administration 1 h before ischemia). Kidney function, the antioxidant defensive system, and renal damage were assessed. In addition, the oxidative stress and inflammatory status were estimated in renal tissue. Furthermore, DNA damageand apoptosis were detected by immunohistochemistry. When compared with I/R group, propolis alone and especially propolis + boric acid groups significantly improved functional parameters. While the antioxidant response was increased, renal injury size and apoptosis were significantly decreased in both groups. Also, the MDA and TNF-α levels besides the 8-OHdG formation were downregulated. According to these outcomes, it can be said that especially propolis together with boric acid ameliorates kidney injury caused by I/R through acting as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic agent. In conclusion, propolis alone and its combination with boric acid could be developed as therapeutic agents against serious renal I/R injuries.