Ayse Tansu Koparal

Bromochloroacetonitrile (BCAN) is a halogenated nitrogenous disinfection byproduct (N-DBP) frequently detected in chlorinated swimming pools. While its cytotoxicity has been established in various mammalian cells, its dermal and vascular impacts remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the cytotoxic, oxidative, and regenerative responses of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) to BCAN exposure in vitro. BCAN significantly reduced HaCaT viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, with an IC₅₀ of ∼42 μM at 48 h. Increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation confirmed membrane damage and oxidative stress. In contrast, HUVECs maintained viability and membrane integrity at all concentrations except 80 μM, indicating higher cellular resilience. Representative scratch and tube formation assays suggested that keratinocyte migration and endothelial angiogenic behavior were largely preserved, with only moderate impairment at cytotoxic concentrations. These findings highlight the selective sensitivity of skin cells to BCAN and suggest that short-term BCAN exposure may have limited effects on wound closure- and angiogenesis-related responses under the present experimental conditions. The results underscore the importance of evaluating regenerative end points in the risk assessment of unregulated DBPs in recreational waters.

Introduction: Sodium Selenite (NaSe) is a molecule with various biological activities. Bone fractures and osteoporotic diseases are increasingly common health issues, prompting the search for alternative treatments. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the antioxidant and osteogenic properties of NaSe. Methods: The experiments were conducted using the hFOB1.19 osteoblast cell line. The MTT assay was used to assess the effects of NaSe on cell viability, while cytotoxicity was evaluated with Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by alizarin red staining, and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity and intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels were also analyzed. Results: The results showed that NaSe significantly enhanced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner at low doses (0.01-1μM), with the most effective dose being 1μM (p<0.05). LDH activity remained similar to the control within the 0.01-1μM range but increased significantly at higher concentrations (5-50 μM) in both 24- and 48-hour experiments (p<0.05). NaSe reduced intracellular ROS levels significantly between 0.01-1 μM, with 1 μM being the most effective concentration (p<0.05). The highest ALP activity was observed at 0.1 μM NaSe (p < 0.05), and calcium deposition increased in a concentration- dependent manner (p<0.05). The most effective dose for enhancing mineralization was 0.1 μM (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that NaSe has antioxidant and osteogenic effects at low doses in hFOB cells. These positive effects suggest that NaSe could be a promising candidate for in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical trials, providing hope for new treatments for bone diseases.

To investigate the antiproliferative properties of exopolysaccharides (EPS) on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2) and the regulation of MUC5AC gene expression, the antiproliferative effect of EPS isolated from D36 strain was determined by MTT test and the regulation of MUC5AC gene expression was examined using Real-Time PCR. Enterococcus faecium D36 (E. faecium D36) were characterized by Ribotyping analysis. Some biochemical methodologies were preliminarily used to characterize the probiotic potential of E. faecium D36, including morphological, cultural, and physiological characteristics. EPS isolated from E. faecium D36 strain has an antiproliferative effect on Caco-2 cell line, and mucin gene (MUC5AC) expression levels decreased. These results suggest that EPS isolated from E. faecium D36 strain might be a source for a novel anticancer agent. Based on our results, it is believed that EPS obtained from E. faecium D36 can be used as a protective and therapeutic substance during the early stages of cancer, especially colon cancer. EPS affects colon cancer by reducing the invasion ability of cancer by decreasing MUC5AC expression. These findings are thought to shed light on future in vivo studies.

Osteoporosis and resulting fractures affect a significant group of people in the world. It has been shown in many studies that selenium has positive effects on bone metabolism. Based on this information, the aim of this study is to investigate whether bone differentiation will start in a shorter time by applying selenomethionine (SeMet) to hFOB cells. First, hFOB 1.19 cells were cultured. Safe doses of SeMet were determined by MTT and LDH tests. Ossification levels were determined by alizarin red staining and measurement of alkaline phosphatase enzyme levels. The results were analyzed with statistical tests. It was observed that SeMet increased cell viability at concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 µM in 24 h. At these concentrations, cell viability increased above the control, the viabilities were as follows: 109.4%, 104.9%, 104.3%, 103.15%, and 100.27%. High doses of SeMet significantly reduce cell viability. According to Alizarin red staining, SeMet increases the amount of calcium deposits in hFOB cells in a dose-dependent manner. In the experimental groups, the highest ALP enzyme was determined in the 7-day SeMet application. The most effective dose was measured as 15 µM. It was determined that SeMet, which is found as a trace element in living things in nature, increases the viability of hFOB cells, which are osteoblast cell precursors, and increases osteoblastic differentiation and osteoblastic activity in these cells. Our results are at a level that sheds light on an important problem in public health.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of gilaburu juice on cell viability (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, MTT) and angiogenesis (tube formation assay) using different cell lines (human cancer cell lines A549, Caco-2, HeLa and normal cell lines MDCK and HUVEC) in vitro. In addition, the genotoxic effects of gilaburu juice is evaluated using COMET assay on HUVEC cells. Our results demonstrate that gilaburu juice could inhibit the growth of Caco-2 and HeLa cancer cell lines, but could not significantly inhibit normal cell lines and A549 cancer cell lines. It disrupted tube formation of HUVEC cells. Gilaburu juice appears to have no genotoxic potential to the DNA of HUVEC cells. The results obtained in this study confirm the potential application of commercial gilaburu juice as a functional food in prevention of cancer.

Cotton, a staple fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plants (Gossypium), is produced throughout the world, and its by products, such as cotton fibers, cotton-seed oil, and cottonseed proteins, have a variety of applications. Cotton-seed contains gossypol, a natural phenol compound. (±)-Gossypol is a yellowish polyphenol that is derived from different parts of the cotton plant and contains potent anticancer properties. Tumor growth and metastasis are mainly related to angiogenesis; therefore, anti-angiogenic therapy targets the new blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to actively proliferating tumor cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-angiogenic potential of (±)-gossypol in vitro. (±)-Gossypol has anti-proliferative effects on cancer cell lines; however, its anti-angiogenic effects on normal cells have not been studied. Anti-proliferative activities of gossypol assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, anti-angiogenic activities using tube formation assay, and cell migration inhibition capability using a wound-healing assay on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were revealed. (±)-Gossypol displayed the following potent anti-angiogenic activities in vitro: it inhibited the cell viability of HUVECs, it inhibited the migration of HUVECs, and disrupted endothelial tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the anti-angiogenic effects of (±)-gossypol were investigated in ovo in a model using a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Decreases in capillary density were assessed and scored. (±)-Gossypol showed dose-dependent anti-angiogenic effects on CAM. These findings suggest that (±)-gossypol can be used as a new anti-angiogenic agent.