Immunostimulatory potential of Nigella sativa seeds extract on chicken macrophage function

In present study, the effect of Nigella sativa seeds extract on the chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was investigated. The chicken PBMCs were stimulated with two different doses (125?g/ml; 250?g/ml) of Nigella sativa seeds extract and the cells were harvested at different time points till 48h post-stimulation for analysis of iNOS gene expression by quantitative PCR and nitric oxide (NO) estimation at 24 and 48h post-stimulation. High dose (250?g/ml) of Nigella sativa seed extract showed remarkable induction of iNOS transcripts expression and NO production at 48h post-stimulation, which were 12.8040±1.03347 folds and 5.7089±.64535µM respectively. The results indicated the immunostimulatory potential of the Nigella sativa seed extract on the chicken PBMCs.

Effect of nori, a combination of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and gotu kola (Centella Asiatica) on blood pressure, modulation of ACE, eNOS and iNOS gene expression in hypertensive rats

Hypertension is a major risk factor for causing life-threatening cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, coronary heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke. Its cases continue to increase worldwide and it is estimated that 1.56 billion adults would live with the condition in 2025. Therefore, this study aims to examine the antihypertensive effect of nori supplement prepared with a combination of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and gotu kola (Centella Asiatica) on L-NAME-induced and non-induced rats. It was conducted for 28 days on 25 wistar rats that were randomly assigned to the negative, positive, comparison, supplement, and test control groups. CODA was then used in measuring the blood pressure of the rats, while ECG and PPG sensors were utilized for arterial stiffness assessment, as well as for spatial QRS-T and heart rate analysis. Additionally, serum NO levels were measured using griess reagents by spectrophotometric λ540 nm. At the same time, the gel-based PCR semi-quantitative method was used in assessing the activity of ACE, including eNOS and iNOS gene expression. The results showed that nori preparations which contained a combination of 5% turmeric and gotu kola in a feed mixture, had an antihypertensive effect. The effect was characterized by a decrease in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure, as well as heart rate, arterial stiffness, and spatial QRS-T. Additionally, it occurred due to increased NO availability, which resulted from eNOS expression as well as a decrease in iNOS and ACE expression.

Impacts of garlic extract on testicular oxidative stress and sperm characteristics in type 1 and 2 diabetic rats: An experimental study

Background: Hyperglycemia damages various tissues such as the testes through oxidative stress and inflammation, which can eventually lead to infertility. Objective: Garlic extract effects on the testicular tissue of diabetic rats were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats (8-wk old, weighing 230-300 gr) were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 6/each) including; C: control rats, G: received 0.4 gr of garlic extract/100 gr body weight, D1: Streptozotocin-induced-diabetic rats or type 1, D1+G: D1 rats that were treated with garlic, D2: Streptozotocin + nicotinamide-induced-diabetic rats or type 2, D2+G: D2 rats treated with garlic. At the end of the study, serum testosterone was assayed by ELISA. Also, sperm quality and quantity were evaluated. For determination of oxidative stress status, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidative status, lipid peroxidation, and thiol groups were assayed in the testis tissues of the rats by colorimetric methods. Also, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression and the protein level of interleukin-1-1β (IL-1β) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: In diabetic rats, glucose, total oxidative status and lipid peroxidation, iNOS gene expression, and IL-1β were higher than in non-diabetic rats, whereas testosterone, total antioxidant capacity and thiol groups, and sperm quality were significantly lower compared with control rats. These alterations were normalized by garlic intervention. Conclusion: In diabetic rats, garlic was associated with reduced glucose, oxidative stress, IL-1β, and iNOS gene expression and increased testosterone and sperm quality. So, the results suggest that garlic can reduce the severity of damage in testicular tissues of diabetic rats through its hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, Garlic, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Testis.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (Cultivar Okhwang 1) Callus through Inhibition of PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Macrophages

One of the Korean endemic plants, Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (Oleaceae), contains acteoside, which is a glycoside exhibiting neuroprotective, anti-inflammation effects and antibacterial capacities. We conducted an investigation on the effects of the callus of A. distichum (cultivar Okhwang 1, CAO) on pro-inflammatory mediators released following nuclear factor-кB (NF-кB), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K-Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal activation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Immunoblotting was employed to find out the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), and activation of MAPK molecules, NF-κB and Akt. Cytokines, COX-2, and iNOS gene expression were assessed using polymerase chain reaction techniques. Cytokines, COX-2, and iNOS gene expression were assessed using polymerase chain reaction techniques. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that CAO was rich in acteoside and isoacteoside. As a result, CAO inhibited the generation of NO, cytokines, COX-2, and iNOS expression. Further, translocation to the nuclear of NF-κB p65 and degradation of the inhibitor of NF-кB (IкB) were alleviated by suppressing phosphorylation. Additionally, CAO significantly impacted MAPK pathway activation by potentially reducing phosphorylation of MAPKs. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of CAO is mediated via the inhibition of MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB signaling pathways, probably via glycosides, phenolics, and flavonoids bioactivity derived from plants. CAO can serve as a potential anti-inflammatory agent, which alleviates inflammation factors and act through specific cell signaling pathways.

Uric acid‐induced pancreatic β-cell dysfunction

Hyperuricemia is associated with insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and consequently with development of type 2 diabetes. Although a direct relationship between high levels of uric acid (UA) and the development of diabetes is still a controversial issue, there is some evidence that strongly points to pancreatic β-cells damage as a result of high serum UA levels. Here, the mechanisms underlying UA-induced β-cell damage are discussed. Available literature indicates that UA can decrease glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and cause β-cell death. The mechanisms underlying these effects are UA-induced oxidative stress and inflammation within the β-cells. UA also stimulates inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) gene expression leading to NO-induced β-cell dysfunction. Thus hyperuricemia may potentially cause β-cell dysfunction, leading to diabetes. It may be hypothesized that in hyperuricemic subjects, UA-lowering drugs may be beneficial in preventing diabetes.

Essential amino acid tryptophan inhibits induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression in interleukin-1β stimulated hepatocytes

Background/objective: Tryptophan exerts protective effects against a variety of organ inflammation and injury, including liver. However, there are few scientific reports about the mechanisms involved in the action. Pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β stimulates the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO production in cultured hepatocytes (“in vitro liver injury model”), and the prevention of iNOS expression and NO production is considered to be an indicator of liver protection. This study aimed to examine whether tryptophan influences the induction of iNOS gene expression and the mechanisms.Methods: Tryptophan was added into primary cultures of rat hepatocytes stimulated by IL-1β. The iNOS induction, NO production and its signaling pathway were analyzed.Results: IL-1β induced iNOS gene expression, which was followed by iNOS expression and NO production. Tryptophan inhibited the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein, and decreased the production of NO. Transfection experiments with iNOS promoter-luciferase constructs revealed that tryptophan reduced the activities of iNOS mRNA synthesis and its stability. Tryptophan blocked two essential signaling pathways, the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and upregulation of type I IL-1receptor (IL-1RI).Conclusions: Results indicate that tryptophan can prevent the NO production by the inhibition of iNOS gene expression, in part through NF-κB activation and IL-1RI upregulation, in inflamed hepatocytes. Tryptophan may be a potential therapeutic treatment in injured organs, including liver.Key words: tryptophan, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, cultured hepatocytes, nuclear factor-κB, type I interleukin-1 receptor

Pulmonary hypertensive response of broiler chickens to arginine and guanidinoacetic acid under high-altitude hypoxia

This study assessed the preventive effects of arginine (ARG) and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on the incidence of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) in broiler chickens. Four isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets were prepared, including: (i) the control, (ii) the control supplemented with 1 g/kg ARG, (iii) the control supplemented with 1 g/kg GAA, and (iv) the control supplemented with 1.5 g/kg GAA. These diets were fed to broilers (Ross 308) from day 1 to 42 post-hatch. Criteria evaluated in the experiment were growth performance, carcass characteristics, serum and blood variables, lead-II electrocardiogram, and ET-1 and iNOS gene expression in heart and lungs. Mortality from PHS was recorded daily. The results showed that ARG and GAA supplements improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control (P < 0.05). Supplementation of ARG and GAA significantly (P < 0.05) increased serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration. ARG and GAA supplementation significantly reduced the haematocrit value and the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in the blood. A significant (P < 0.05) decline in S-wave amplitude of the lead-II electrocardiogram, right to total ventricular weight ratio (RV:TV) and ascites mortality was observed by supplementing ARG or 1.5 g/kg GAA. Addition of ARG and GAA supplements did not significantly change ET-1 and iNOS gene expression in the heart and lung relative to the control. In conclusion, GAA supplementation at 1.5 g/kg had a potential to improve growth performance and could prevent PHS.