Boldine provides protective effect against nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin in Wistar rats: Role of oxidative stress,inflammation and caspase-3

Side effects of cisplatin, especially dose-dependent nephrotoxicity, are major factors limiting its use in cancer. Boldine ((S)-2, 9-dihydroxy-1, 10-dimethoxy-aporphine) is a natural alkaloid known for its strong antioxidant activity present in leaves/bark of boldo tree (Peumus boldus Molina), a native tree in Chile. Here, we aimed to investigate the nephroprotective effect of boldine and its underlying mechanisms on cisplatin-induced rat renal injury. Thirty Wistar albino rats divided into 5 groups (Control, Cis, Bold.40, Cis + Bold.20, Cis + Bold.40 groups) were used. Rats received boldine (20 or 40 mg/kg/day), or vehicle (saline) intraperitoneal for 14 days and a single dose cisplatin (7 mg/kg, ip) was applied on the 10th day to induce nephrotoxicity. Rats and kidney tissue were weighed to determine kidney index. Blood urea nitrojen (BUN) and creatinine levels, the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, an index of lipid peroxidation), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured and histopathologic examination was performed. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and caspase-3 expressions were detected immunohistochemically. Nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin was apparent by elevated levels of BUN, creatinine, kidney index, TBARS and TNF-α, and decreased body weight, SOD and GPx enzyme levels. Pretreatment with boldine protected the renal function at both boldine doses by fixing the renal damage markers, oxidative stress, caspase-3 and iNOS expression. Histopathological findings supported biochemical findings. Taken together these findings indicate that boldine has promising protective effect against cisplatin nephrotoxicity by improving oxidative stress, inflammation, histopathological alterations and by alleviating caspase 3 expression.     

DETERMINING THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CHERRY TOMATO VARIETIES FOR HANDLING

Tomatoes, like other vegetables, are susceptible to different kinds of damage during and after harvest. Such damage is a major cause of quality loss in fruit. In order to reduce these losses, it is necessary to know the mechanical properties of the fruit. These mechanical properties of tomato were determined in terms of average rupture force, deformation energy, specific deformation and modulus of elasticity. Variance analysis was carried out on three tomato varieties, and the difference between the mean values was investigated by the least significant difference test. Mean values were represented with the standard error.
The results provide useful data to be used by engineers in the design of sorting, grading and packing machines, equipment for loading and unloading, storage structures, drying equipment, (all postharvest operations), harvesting machines and conveyors.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Our aim for this research is to get useful data for engineers in the design of sorting, grading and packing machines, equipment for loading and unloading, storage structures, drying equipment, harvesting machines and conveyors.     

Controlling exit site infections: Does it decrease the incidence of catheter‐related bacteremia in children on chronic hemodialysis?

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether the application of a chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing (Biopatch^®) at the exit site of tunneled-cuffed hemodialysis catheters has any effect on the incidence and etiology of catheter-related bacteremia (CRB). This study was carried out over a 5-year period in a single center, where, in the first 2½ years, the exit sites were cleansed with betadine at every hemodialysis session and then covered with a transparent dressing (pre-Biopatch^® Era). During the next 2½ years, Biopatch^® was applied to the exit site once a week after cleansing with betadine, and then covered with a transparent dressing (Biopatch^® Era). The application of Biopatch^® significantly decreased the incidence of exit site infections (ESI) (P<0.05). However, there was no difference in the incidence of CRBs or their microbiological distribution. The improved ESI rate had no effect on the overall catheter survival time. The antimicrobial sensitivities of the Gram-positive microorganisms were statistically different for the 2 different types of infections (P<0.05). In conclusion, even though Biopatch^® is effective in decreasing the incidence of ESI, it has no effect on the incidence of CRB, the etiology of CRB, or the overall catheter survival time. The distinct difference between the antimicrobial sensitivities of the ESI and CRB suggests that they are not a spectrum of the same pathogenesis. These preliminary data support the intraluminal pathogenesis of CRB, rather than the exit site as a possible entry point for the extraluminal route.