Exposure to Pb, a toxic heavy metal, is a risk factor for renal damage. Borax, an essential trace element in cellular metabolism, is a naturally occurring compound found in many foods. This study investigated the effects of sodium tetraborate (ST), a source of borax, on renal oxidative stress and inflammation in rats exposed to Pb. Wistar Albino rats (n = 24) were divided into four groups: Control (0.5 mL, i.p. isotonic), Pb (50 mg/kg/day/i.p.), ST (4.0 mg/kg/day/oral), and Pb + ST groups. At the end of the five-day experimental period, kidney tissue samples were obtained and analyzed. Histopathologically, the Pb-induced damage observed in the Pb group improved in the Pb + ST group. Immunohistochemically, Pb administration increased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and caspase-3. When evaluated biochemically, Pb application inhibited catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and activated superoxide dismutase enzyme activity. An increase in malondialdehyde levels was considered an indicator of damage. ST application increases glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and decreased malondialdehyde levels. These results indicate that ST might play a protective role against Pb-induced renal damage via the upregulation of renal tissue antioxidants and cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and caspase-3 immunoexpression.

Diabetes is one of the most important chronic and metabolic health problems seen as an epidemic of the 21st century. The incidence of diabetes is gradually increasing, and different methods are used to treat it. Apitherapy products such as honey, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom can be used as an alternative to treat diabetes and reduce symptoms. One of these apitherapy products is Apilarnil, which has not yet become popular. The hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, androgenic, anabolic, and immune system enhancing properties of Apilarnil indicate that it may be effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes or in reducing the symptoms. The study aimed to determine the therapeutic effect of Apilarnil on insulin resistance and the possible underlying mechanism. In the study, 40 8 week-old male Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were divided into 5 groups as Control, Diabetes, Diabetes + Api1 (125 mg/kg/day lyophilized Apilarnil), Diabetes + Api2 (250 mg/kg/day lyophilized Apilarnil) and Diabetes + Api3 (500 mg/kg/day lyophilized Apilarnil). Each group consisted of 8 rats. Apilarnil doses were administered by oral gavage with 1 mL of distilled water, 5 days in a week, during the last 6 weeks. The levels of Nrf2, NF-κB, TNF-α, total IRS-1, p-IRS-1, PI3K p85, total Akt, p-Akt, IL-1B, and GLUT4 proteins were determined in target tissues by Western blotting. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels were detected in the serum. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), and insulin levels were determined by the ELISA method. According to the data obtained in the study, the application of Apilarnil, compared to the diabetes group, balanced some findings, but did not demonstrate a fully antidiabetic effect.

The study aimed to examine the in vivo inhibition effect of cobalt ion and silibinin on metabolic enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and their in vitro inhibition effect on 6PGD. Twenty-four Wistar Albino rats weighing approximately 250-300 g were used in the study. The rats were divided into 4 groups as group 1 (control): isotonic serum (0.5 mL i.p), group 2 (cobalt): (150 mg kg/day cobalt), group 3 (silibinin): (100 mg/kg/day silibinin), group 4 (cobalt + silibinin). As a result of the in vivo applications, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the activities of G6PD (p < 0.05), 6PGD (p < 0.05), GR (p < 0.05), and GST (p < 0.05) enzymes in the groups that were administered cobalt compared to the control group. It was also found that the activities of G6PD (p < 0.05), 6PGD (p > 0.05), GR (p > 0.05), and GST (p > 0.05) enzymes increased in groups that were administered cobalt + silibinin compared to the group that was administered cobalt. As for in vitro applications, it was found that different Co2+ ions inhibited 6PGD enzyme which was obtained as a result of purification with IC50 = 346.6 mu M value, while silibinin increased 6PGD enzyme activity within the concentration range of 100-750 mu M by 40%. As a result, it was found that cobalt ions had an inhibition effect on G6PD, GR, and GST enzymes, which are vitally important for living metabolism, in vitro and in vivo and inhibited 6PGD enzyme activity in vitro, and silibinin increased these enzyme activities in vivo and 6PGD enzyme activity both in vivo and in vitro and decreased the inhibition effect.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Momordica charantia on hepatorenal toxicity caused by potassium bromate (KBrO3) in rats. Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups as control, KBrO3, bitter melon (MC), and KBrO3+MC. Examining the antioxidant enzyme grade of the kidney tissues, it was found that the enzyme activities of catalase (CAT) (P<0.05), glutathione peroxidase (GSH–Px) (P<0.01), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P<0.01) decreased in the KBrO3 group in comparison to the control. There was a significant decrease (P<0.001) in glutathione (GSH) levels and an increase (P<0.01) in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the KBrO3 group in comparison to the control. Examining the antioxidant enzyme activities in liver tissue, it was determined that CAT, GSH–Px, and SOD enzymes reduced significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01, and P<0.001, respectively) in the KBrO3 group in comparison to the control, and the enzyme activity of decreased CAT, GSH–Px, and SOD enzymes significantly elevated (P<0.01) in the MC group. There was a reduction in GSH level in the KBrO3 group in comparison to the control (P<0.01), while an increase was recorded in the KBrO3+MC group (P<0.05). MDA level in liver tissue increased in KBrO3 group in comparison to the control (P<0.01) and MC decreased the MDA level. Histopathological analysis results indicate severe degenerative and necrotic lesions in hepatorenal histoarchitecture of KBrO3 rats in comparison to the control. However, application of MC+KBrO3 significantly reduced the induced hepatorenal injury with a concomitant increase in histopathological lesions. From the immunohistochemical aspect, MC revealed apoptosis concomitant with the suppression of necrosis in the KBrO3-treated rats as demonstrated by the caspase-3 activity.

The present study investigated the protective effects of lithium borate (LTB) against lung injury secondary to intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were allocated to four groups: control, I/R, LTB, and I/R+LTB. Intestinal ischemia was induced by superior mesenteric artery occlusion for 45 min, followed by 3 h of reperfusion. The LTB group received 15 mg/kg oral LTB for 5 days; the I/R+LTB group underwent I/R following the same LTB protocol. At the end of the experiment, lung tissue samples were taken from the rats and subjected to biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Biochemical results showed an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, a reduction in catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, a reduction in glutathione (GSH) levels, and an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the I/R group. LTB treatment reduced oxidative stress by bringing these parameters to values close to those of the control group. Histopathological examination revealed edema, hemorrhage, thickening of the interalveolar septa, and marked inflammatory cell infiltration in the I/R group, which were substantially attenuated in the I/R+LTB group. Immunohistochemical analyses showed increased Bcl-2 and caspase-3 expression in the I/R group, whereas LTB treatment was associated with reduced caspase-3 expression and modulation of Bcl-2 immunoreactivity. In conclusion, LTB attenuates oxidative stress, reduces histopathological lung damage, and suppresses apoptosis following intestinal I/R injury, suggesting its potential protective role against remote lung injury.

Corn silage is a cornerstone of roughage in the Turkish dairy industry; however, comprehensive data on the nutritional consistency and fermentation quality under local commercial conditions remain scarce. This study evaluated the nutrient composition and fermentation quality of corn silages from 20 commercial dairy enterprises in the Kiraz district of İzmir. Samples were subjected to qualitative physical examination and chemical analyses (dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude ash, and crude cellulose), and fermentation parameters (pH and Flieg scores). The results indicated significant heterogeneity across the surveyed farms. Dry matter (DM) averaged 26.26% (range: 19.80-32.14%), reflecting a lack of standardization in harvest maturity. Chemical analyses revealed mean values of 4.07% crude protein, 1.04% ether extract, and 32.06% crude cellulose on a dry-matter basis. Notably, elevated crude ash levels (up to 7.53%) in several samples may indicate possible soil contamination. Regarding fermentation, pH values averaged 4.00 (range: 3.52-6.76). According to Flieg scores, 45% of the samples were classified as "Good" and 55% as "Medium," with none achieving "Excellent" status. These findings underscore critical management deficiencies in harvest timing, machinery hygiene, and sealing protocols. To enhance regional feed efficiency and economic sustainability, extension efforts must prioritize optimizing harvest maturity and ensuring rigorous air exclusion during ensiling.