Browsing by Author "Cetinkaya Karabekir, Seda"

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Citation - WoS: 3
Citation - Scopus: 3
Effect of Carvacrol on Diabetes-Induced Oxidative Stress, Fibrosis and Apoptosis in Testicular Tissues of Adult Rats
(Acad Sciences Czech Republic, Inst Physiology, 2025) Gultekin, Burcu; Cetinkaya Karabekir, Seda; Cinar Ayan, Ilknur; Savas, Hasan Basri; Cuce, Gokhan; Kalkan, Sabiha Serpil
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic and widespread disease that negatively affects the male reproductive system. Carvacrol (CAR), a naturally occurring flavonoid in plants, exhibits various biological and pharmacological activities, including antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of CAR on testicular tissue damage induced by diabetes, which was modeled by Streptozotocin (STZ) administration. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Group 1: Control (n=8), Group 2: DM (n=8), Group 3: DM+DMSO (0.1 % dimethyl sulfoxide) (n=8), and Group 4: DM+CAR (20 mg/kg) (n=8). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal STZ injection (50 mg/kg). Histological changes were assessed using Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining and the Johnsen scoring system. Apoptosis was evaluated through immunohistochemical staining for the mitochondrial apoptosis markers Bax and Bcl-2, as well as RT-qPCR analysis of their gene expression levels. Fibrosis assessment involved Masson-Trichrome staining and RT-qPCR analysis of mRNA levels for the COL1A1 and COL3A1 genes. Additionally, Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Oxidative Stress Index (OSI), and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels were measured in testicular tissue. CAR treatment significantly improved histological alterations associated with diabetes-induced testicular damage. DM was found to increase Bax levels while reducing Bcl-2 levels, whereas CAR reduced Bax levels and increased Bcl-2 gene and protein expression. TOS and OSI levels were elevated in the DM group, whereas TAS levels increased in the DM+CAR group. No significant differences in CRP levels were observed between the groups. These findings suggest that CAR may be effective in mitigating diabetes-induced testicular damage.
Effects of Carvacrol on Aortic Damage in a Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetic Rat Model
(MDPI, 2026) Gultekin, Burcu; Cetinkaya Karabekir, Seda; Savas, Hasan Basri; Cuce, Gokhan; Kalkan, Serpil
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with vascular complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Natural antioxidants play a vital role in reducing diabetes-related damage. This study investigated the protective effects of the phenolic monoterpene carvacrol (CAR) against diabetic complications. Thirty-two male Wistar Albino rats (4 months, 250-300 g) were divided into four groups: control, DM, DM + DMSO, and DM + CAR. Type 1 diabetes was induced via intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). The DM + CAR group received 20 mg/kg CAR daily for four weeks. Body weight and blood glucose levels were regularly monitored. At the end of the study, aortic tissues were examined using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Verhoeff-Van Gieson, and immunohistochemical staining, while cardiac tissues were analyzed with H&E and Masson's trichrome. Serum levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured. In the DM group, IMA and CHOL levels were increased (p = 0.0208 and p = 0.0207, respectively), apoptosis was elevated (caspase-3 expression, p = 0.0001), and marked tissue damage was observed. In contrast, in the DM + CAR group, IMA levels (p = 0.0228) and caspase-3 expression (p = 0.0457) were reduced, and notable improvements were detected in vascular and cardiac tissues. These results suggest that CAR protects against diabetic complications by modulating oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, and preventing tissue injury.