Whey protein supplementation reduced the liver damage scores of rats fed with a high fat-high fructose diet

Different functional foods with bioactive nutrients are being explored for the management of NAFLD. Whey proteins are rich in bioactive peptides and are suggested to show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We aim to test the hypothesis that the whey protein supplementation following a high fat-high fructose (HFHF) diet would protect against liver damage, inflammation, endotoxemia and steatosis in male Wistar rats. 36 rats were randomized into four groups for 8 weeks as the HFHF diet group, HFHF diet and whey protein isolate (WPI-200mg/kg/day) group (HFHF+WPI), control (C) group, and C+WPI (200mg/kg/day) group. Rats fed with a HFHF diet had higher final body weight compared to C and C+WPI groups (p = 0.002). Thus, WPI showed no significant effects for the body weight of rats with a HFHF diet. On the other hand, the HFHF+WPI group had significantly lower abdominal circumference when compared with the HFHF group (p<0,001). Higher serum CRP levels were observed in the groups with a HFHF diet (p<0,001) and WPI supplementation showed no effects on CRP levels. Whey protein supplementation resulted with lower total liver damage score in HFHF+WPI group compared with the HFHF diet group (p<0,001). Conversely, higher liver damage scores were observed with the C+WPI group compared to C group (p<0,001). HFHF diet resulted with higher expression of TLR-4 in the liver meanwhile WPI supplementation showed no effects on liver TLR-4 expression. We observed higher colon Occludin expression in HFHF+WPI and C+WPI groups compared with HFHF and C groups (p<0,001). Our results showed that, whey protein supplementation might help improve liver damage associated with a high fat-high fructose diet and increase the expression of Occludin in the small intestine and colon.

Protective effect of juglone on electric field-induced apoptosis and inflammation in liver and kidney tissue in rats

Electric field (EF) has been shown to cause tissue damage mainly through oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Thus, juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) (JUG), which has antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties, is thought to be effective against electric field-induced damage. We aimed to investigate whether 50 Hz alternating current (AC) triggers inflammation and apoptosis in rat liver and kidney tissues and evaluate the JUG supplement's estimated protective effect. Twenty-four adult male wistar albino rats were divided into control, EF and EF + JUG groups, each containing eight rats. The EF and EF + JUG groups were exposed to EF while no EF exposure and JUG were applied to the control group. At the end of the experiment, liver and kidney tissues were collected for histological (H&E, caspase-3 and TNF-α for immunohistochemical staining), and genetics (SOCS, caspase-3 and TNF-α, PCR analyses). After routine histological procedures, sections stained with H&E showed significant changes in liver and kidney tissues in the EF group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Significant protective effects were observed in the building volumes and histopathology in the EF + JUG group (p < 0.05). Our gene expression results increased the expression of caspase-3 and TNF-α in the EF group (p < 0.001). Juglone increased SOCS expression (p < 0.001). These findings were consistent with the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of JUG treatment. We reasoned that exposure to EF damaged rat liver and kidney tissues and administration of JUG alleviated the complications caused by 50 Hz EF.

The protective role of 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone against the harmful effects of 50 Hz electric field in rat lung tissue

There is strong scientific evidence that the electric field is harmful to life. Exposure to an electric field (EF) can cause lung toxicity and respiratory disorders. In addition, the electric field has been shown to cause tissue damage through inflammation and apoptosis. Juglone (JUG) is one of the powerful antioxidants with anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory, various pharmacological properties in the biological system. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of JUG against the potential adverse effects of electric field on the lung. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups; control group (Cont), EF group, and EF exposure+JUG-treated group (EJUG). After routine histological procedures, sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) showed significant changes in lung tissues in the EF group compared to the Cont group. Significant protective effects were observed in the building volumes and histopathology in the EJUG group. Our immunohistochemical and gene expression results increased the expression of caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the EF group (p < 0.05). Juglon increased cytokine signal suppressor (SOCS) expression (p < 0.001). These findings were consistent with the antioxidant effect of JUG treatment. We reasoned that exposure to EF damaged rat lung tissues and administration of JUG alleviated the complications caused by 50 Hz EF.

Is Quercetin Beneficial for Colon Cancer? A Cell Culture Study, Using the Apoptosis Pathways

BACKGROUND

Quercetin (QCT) is a dietary flavonoid with many beneficial effects (e.g., antioxidant, antiaging, antidiabetic, antifungal effects, regulation of gastrointestinal motor activity in humans); furthermore, it induces apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and differentiation.

OBJECTIVE

The apoptotic effects of OCT were investigated on SW480 human colon cancer cell lines in monolayer and spheroid cultures.

METHODS

Quercetin (40-200 μM) was applied, and inhibitory concentration (IC50) doses were determined for three-time intervals (24, 48, and 72 h). The effective dose was determined and applied for analyses, including staining with BrdU to investigate cell proliferation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick, and labeling (TUNEL) to investigate apoptosis, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and Caspase-3 to investigate caspase-dependent or independent apoptotic pathways.

RESULTS

The effective dose of QCT was determined to be 200 μM and was found to induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation at 24, 48, and 72 h, both in 2D and 3D cultures. Significant increases were observed in both caspase-3 and AIF staining, but cells showed greater caspase-3 staining compared with AIF staining at all time intervals (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The QCT treatment groups showed more cell death and less cell growth than the untreated control groups in both 2D and 3D cultures of SW480 cell lines. The results suggest that quercetin induces apoptosis, inhibits cell proliferation, and has a protective role against colon cancer. However, further studies are needed to clarify its mechanism of action.

Investigation of apoptotic effect of juglone on CCL-228-SW 480 colon cancer cell line

Background

Colon cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Juglone is a natural compound which has been isolated from Juglans mandshurica Maxim, and it has various pharmacological effects such as antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of juglone on CCL-228-SW 480 colon carcinoma cell line in monolayer and spheroid culture medium.

Materials and Methods

The CCL-228-SW 480 cell lines were cultured in both monolayer and spheroid cultures. Cells were treated with juglone at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. ID50 inhibition was determined on the dose for juglone and after it was found 20 μM was applied to the cells to examine the effect of juglone on CCL-228-SW 480 colon carcinoma cell line. After Juglone was applied the BrdU marking index, Transferase dUTP Nick ends Labeling (TUNEL) assay, active caspase-3 assay, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) assay were determined by immunohistochemistry in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures.

Results

The control group had a healthy pattern of S-phase fraction, and many of the CCL-228-SW 480 cells nuclei were observed to be positive for BrdU. Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl TUNEL-positive cells, active Caspase-3, and AIF were detected after treatment with juglone in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures.

Conclusions

The dead cell count was higher in the CCL-228-SW 480 cell lines with juglone applied than in the controls. Juglone significantly inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of CCL-228-SW 480 cells in vitro.