No abstract

Mycotoxins exposed through food can lead to organ dysfunction and even failure. The number of studies on renal failure induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is limited. This trial aimed to examine the effect of AFB1 on the kidney and whether curcumin, a traditionally used and economical antioxidant, could prevent its possible harmful effect. Thirty-eight rats were divided into five groups; group I represented the control, while the others were named D, Cur, AF, and AF + Cur, respectively. Plasma samples were taken from each group after 60 days. Then, BUN, uric acid, and creatinine levels were determined by the ELISA method. Statistical analysis has done with obtained data. Bodyweight gain at the end of the study was the least in the group administered AFB1. Also, BUN, uric acid, and creatinine levels were higher in this group than in the other groups. Concomitant administration of AFB1 and curcumin improved body weight gain and BUN, uric acid, and creatinine levels. Therefore, curcumin can be considered a low-cost, high efficacy renal protective agent in preventing renal failure caused by mycotoxins, especially AFB1.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of melatonin application in experimentally induced diabetes. For this purpose, thirty two adult male Wistar Albino rats were used. Animals in control group were not any treatment. Melatonin group animals received 50 mg/kg melatonin intraperitoneally in daily for eight weeks. Diabetes was induced by subcutaneous injections of streptozotocin at dose of 40 mg/kg for two days as a single dose per day in diabetes group animals. Animals in Diabetes+Melatonin group were made diabetic by streptozotocin in the same way and then these animals received 50 mg/kg melatonin intraperitoneally in daily for eight weeks. In blood samples taken from all animals, insulin, glucose, HbA1c, MDA, GSH, SOD were determined. The insulin level in diabetes group was lower than control group, while blood glucose level was higher (p<0.05). Melatonin treatment to diabetic animals resulted in significantly differences in these parameters compared to diabetes group (p<0.05). HbA1c in diabetes group was higher than control group (p<0.05). Melatonin application to diabetic animals significantly decreased HbA1c compared to diabetes group (p<0.05). In diabetes group, GSH and SOD levels were found to be lower than control group, whereas MDA level were high (p<0.05). The changes in GSH and SOD levels with melatonin application to diabetic animals were not important compared to diabetes group, while MDA level was significantly reduced (p<0.05). As a result, we concluded that the melatonin treatment to experimentally induced diabetic rats obviously improved the some negative changes in metabolic parameters resulting from diabetes.

Heavy metal toxicity and bioaccumulation caused severe damage to soil, water and environment as a result of industrialization/urbanization activities in developing and developed countries. This damage has affected different trophic levels including plants, animals and humans and has become a global concern. The use of various phytonutrients such as Quercetin (QE) has increased in recent years to avoid toxicity caused by heavy metals. Among different heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) toxicity is a major issue in the countries. Cd is a toxic heavy metal that can damage the kidneys and cause dysregulation in many lipid metabolic pathways. However, the number of studies on renal dysfunction and dyslipidemia caused by Cd is limited. We found that Cd causes renal dysfunction and dyslipidemia, and QE ameliorates these Cd-induced damages. Our results showed that Cd increased urea, uric acid, creatnine, alkene phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL) levels compared to the control group, while QE improved other parameters except TBIL. In addition, our findings showed that Cd increased total glyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. It was noted that QE tended to improve this dyslipidemia picture. The data presented here demonstrated that QE has a clear protective role against dyslipidemia and renal function against Cd toxicity through its hypolipidemic and antioxidative action.

This study was designed to investigate the possible protective efficacy of Nigella sativa essential oil against acrylamide induced liver toxicity. Four groups of 32 male Wistar albino rats were formed. Control group was used as a control. acrylamide was administered to the rats in Group AA by gavage at a daily dose of 40 mg/kg. 10mg/kg dose of Nigella sativa essential oil was administered intraperitoneally to the rats in Group NS. In Group AA+NS, daily acrylamide and Nigella sativa essential oil applications were carried out simultaneously as mentioned above. The trial period lasted 15 days. While acrylamide increased malondialdehyde levels in liver tissue, it decreased glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels. In addition, liver pro-inflammatory cytokine levels increased due to acrylamide administration, while anti-inflammatory cytokine levels decreased due to acrylamide administration.: Concomitant administration of Nigella sativa essential oil with acrylamide significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in liver tissues. In conclusion, our findings emphasized that Nigella sativa essential oil has a potential therapeutic role to prevent acrylamide-induced hepatotoxicity.