Serap Yalin

Objectives: This study examined whether extracts obtained from Ocimum basilicum using ethanol or methanol influence endothelial inflammatory responses and selected miRNAs associated with atherosclerotic processes in an oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-based in vitro model. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to oxLDL and subsequently treated with different concentrations of basil extracts. Messenger RNA levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin, together with expression of miR-21-5p and miR-31-5p, were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Corresponding protein concentrations of VCAM-1 and E-selectin were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: OxLDL exposure was associated with increased expression of adhesion molecules and miR-31-5p, consistent with an inflammatory endothelial response. Treatment with basil extracts led to reduced E-selectin expression at both transcriptional and protein levels and was accompanied by lower miR-31-5p expression in several treatment conditions. Decreases in VCAM-1 mRNA were observed in selected groups, whereas VCAM-1 protein concentrations did not show significant variation. miR-21-5p expression remained largely unchanged across experimental conditions. Conclusions: Basil extracts influenced molecular changes related to oxLDL-induced endothelial inflammatory activation, particularly through effects on E-selectin expression and miR-31-5p regulation. These observations suggest that phytochemical-rich plant extracts may contribute to modulation of early endothelial alterations linked to vascular inflammatory processes.

1. 1.1. Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health challenge and a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide.[1,2] Recent global estimates indicate that CRC is th...

Purpose: This study investigated whether urolithin A inhibits pre-adipocyte differentiation via adipogenic, lipogenic, energy metabolism, and lipolytic pathways.Materials and Methods: Fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were exposed to a range of concentrations (0–500 µM), followed by assessment of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) enzymatic activity, lipid accumulation via Oil Red O staining, intracellular triglyceride content, free glycerol release, and transcriptional changes in genes associated with adipogenesis, lipid synthesis, energy metabolism, and lipolysis.Results: Urolithin A did not exhibit significant cytotoxicity (1.8–8.2%) at concentrations of 10–50 µM. IC50 value of urolithin A on 3T3-L1 cells was determined to be 563.82 µM. Treatment with urolithin A resulted in a 18.4–29.3% decrease in adipocyte lipid content and a 11.23–39.56% increase in free glycerol release. Urolithin A, particularly at 25 and 50 µM, markedly reduced the expression of adipogenic, lipogenic, energy metabolism, and lipolytic genes.Conclusion: Urolithin A demonstrated potential anti-adipogenic effects, evidenced by reduced terminal differentiation and lipid accumulation along with increased free glycerol release. These effects were associated with the suppression of adipogenic, lipogenic, energy metabolism, and lipolytic factors. The findings suggest that consuming foods containing ellagic acid and ellagitannins, which are the precursors of urolithin A, may help to prevent obesity.

Obesity and obesity-related dyslipidaemia are major contributors to global cardiometabolic risk. Polyphenol-rich functional foods have gained attention as supportive strategies for the regulation of lipid metabolism and adipose tissue function. Among these, Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) is a rich source of anthocyanins and other bioactive polyphenols with potent antioxidant and metabolic properties. This review evaluates current experimental and clinical evidence on the effects of Aronia melanocarpa on obesity and lipid metabolism. Available data indicate that chokeberry polyphenols may improve lipid homeostasis by modulating adipogenesis, regulating key metabolic pathways, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and influencing gut microbiota. However, clinical findings remain heterogeneous due to variations in study design, dosage, and phytochemical composition, as well as the limited bioavailability of anthocyanins. Overall, Aronia melanocarpa appears to be a promising natural agent for the management of obesity and dyslipidaemia, however, further well-designed clinical studies using standardized preparations are required to confirm its therapeutic potential.

Amaç: Melatonin, sirkadiyen ritmin temel düzenleyicilerinden biri olup psikiyatrik bozukluklarla ilişkili olabileceği düşünülmektedir. Yaygın Anksiyete Bozukluğu (YAB) ile melatonin arasındaki ilişkiye dair bulgular sınırlı ve yöntemsel olarak heterojendir. Bu çalışmada, YAB hastaları ile sağlıklı kontrollerde sabah ve akşam serum melatonin düzeylerinin karşılaştırılması amaçlandı.Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu kesitsel, gözlemsel hasta–kontrol çalışmasına DSM-5-TR tanı kriterlerine göre YAB tanısı alan 35 hasta ve 50 sağlıklı birey dahil edildi. Venöz kan örnekleri sabah saat 10:00 ve akşam saat 22:00’de farklı katılımcı gruplarından elde edildi. Serum melatonin düzeyleri ELISA yöntemi ile ölçüldü. Gruplar arası karşılaştırmalarda Welch düzeltmeli bağımsız örneklem t-testi kullanıldı.Bulgular: Sabah melatonin düzeyleri açısından gruplar arasında anlamlı fark saptanmadı (p=0,183). Akşam ölçümlerinde gruplar arasında fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı değildi (p=0,053). Kontrol grubunda sabah–akşam farkı anlamlı iken (p=0,01), YAB grubunda anlamlı bulunmadı (p=0,71). Gruplar arasında Δ değerleri açısından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark saptandı (p=0,03).Sonuç: YAB hastalarında mutlak serum melatonin düzeyleri sağlıklı bireylerden farklı bulunmamıştır. Bununla birlikte kontrol grubunda gözlenen fizyolojik akşam artışının YAB grubunda belirgin olmaması, sirkadiyen melatonin organizasyonunda olası bir farklılığa işaret edebilir. Bu bulgunun birey içi tekrarlı ölçümler ve çok zamanlı örnekleme içeren ileri çalışmalarla doğrulanması gerekmektedir.

In our study, the aim was to investigate the protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester, which has a wide spectrum of activity, against testicular damage caused by fluoxetine hydrochloride. In our study, 25 male Wistar Albino rats were used, and the rats were divided into five groups with an equal number of rats in each group: control 1 (saline), control 2 (dimethyl sulfoxide—DMSO), fluoxetine group (FLX), caffeic acid phenethyl ester group (CAPE), and fluoxetine + caffeic acid phenethyl ester group (FLX + CAPE). After a 4-week experiment, blood samples were collected, and testicular tissues were excised. For light microscopic evaluation, hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and toluidine blue (TB) staining were performed. Immunohistochemical examinations were carried out with caspase-3, Bcl-2, and PCNA immunostaining. As a result of statistical evaluation of the morphologic and immunohistochemical examinations, it was determined tubule diameter (p < 0.001, η² = 0.798), germinal epithelium thickness (p = 0.0001, η² = 0.573), and Johnsen score (p < 0.001, η² = 0.928) decreased in the FLX group compared to all groups, while these valuesincreased in the FLX + CAPE group compared to the FLX group. Similarly, body weight and right testicular weight too. Caspase-3 expression in Leydig cells and Bcl-2 expression in seminiferous tubules were increased in FLX group compared to SF, DMSO, and CAPE groups, while they were decreased in FLX + CAPE group compared to FLX group. PCNA index was decreased in FLX group compared to SF, DMSO, and CAPE groups, while it was increased in FLX + CAPE group compared to FLX group. In biochemical analyses, MDA level was increased in the FLX group, while this value was decreased in the FLX + CAPE group. No apparent change was observed in SOD and CAT levels. Our findings showed that FLX induced apoptosis by causing structural damage in the testis through oxidative effects, while CAPE, with its antioxidant effect, repaired this damage, reducing lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. Graphical Abstract

Free radicals and nitric oxide play an important role in the pathogenesis of Myoglobinuric Acute Renal Failure (mARF). Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of Ferula elaeochytris on the oxidative-antioxidant system and nitrosative stress in experimental mARF. In our study, 56 Sprague-Dawley rats, equally divided in seven groups, were used as model organisms of experimentally induced mARF. A disease model of mARF was established with 50% glycerol in all groups except one. Moreover, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of F. elaeochytris root extract were administered intragastrically before and after model creation. The following were investgated in the kidney tissue: serum urea nitrogen, urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium levels of rats in all groups; urinary urea and creatinine levels; MDA, SOD, GPx, CAT, NO and nitrotyrosine parameters. In addition, histological changes in the kidney were recorder with electron microscopy. Significant changes were observed in the CAT, GPx and MDA values of all groups compared to the control group. Electron microscopy observations also supported these findings. Herein, we provide evidence regarding the limited protective and curative effects of Ferula elaeochytris on mARF through reduction of the oxidant/nitrosative stress.