Browsing by Author "Gultekin, Burcu"

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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.
Citation - WoS: 12
Citation - Scopus: 12
Protective Effect of Astaxanthin on Histopathologic Changes Induced by Bisphenol a in the Liver of Rats
(Univ Agriculture, Fac veterinary Science, 2024) Karabekir, Seda Cetinkaya; Gultekin, Burcu; Ayan, Ilknur Cinar; Savas, Hasan Basri; Cuce, Gokhan; Kalkan, Serpil
Bisphenol A (BPA) has several potential uses, including in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which could expose humans to it. Recognized for its hepatotoxicity and ability to accumulate in organs. We prompted this study to explore the hepatoprotective potential of astaxanthin (ASTX), an antioxidant against BPA toxicity. We used 32 male Wistar Albino rats and randomly assigned them as: Control, Sham (olive oil), BPA, and BPA+ASTX. At the end of the experiment, Native Thiol, Total Thiol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in serum samples. Histopathological scoring was performed to evaluate the changes caused by ASTX in the liver. Caspase 3 and caspase 9 expression in liver tissues was demonstrated immunohistochemically and by PCR. Collagen I (COL1A1) and collagen III (COL3A1) mRNA levels were measured by PCR in the tissue samples. The BPA group showed elevated AST and ALT with decreased Thiol levels. ASTX administration reversed these changes as observed by reduced AST and ALT levels and increased Thiol levels. Histopathology indicated increased liver damage and fibrosis in the BPA group which were alleviated in the BPA+ASTX group. Gene expression analyses revealed upregulated COL1A1 and COL3A1 in BPA, which was downregulated with ASTX. Immunohistochemistry and PCR confirmed BPA-induced caspase 3 and caspase 9 expression, which were attenuated by ASTX. This study underscores ASTX's hepatoprotective efficacy against BPA-induced hepatotoxicity which ultimately attributed to its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. Consequently, ASTX emerges as a promising therapeutic agent for preventing and treating BPA-related liver diseases.
Protective Role of Astaxanthin Against Bisphenol A Induced Biochemical and Histopathological Alterations in Rat Kidneys
(Mashhad Univ Med Sciences, 2025) Gultekin, Burcu; Karabekir, Seda Cetinkaya; Ayan, Ilknur Cinar; Sava, Hasan Basri; Kalkan, Serpil
Objective(s): This study investigates the ability of astaxanthin (ASTX), a powerful anti-oxidant, to protect kidney tissue from oxidative and cellular damage resulting from bisphenol A (BPA) toxicity, a widespread global toxin associated with chronic kidney disease. Materials and Methods: We used 32 male Wistar Albino rats, 16 weeks old, and weighing 250-300 g. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, Sham, BPA, and BPA+ASTX. Following the experiment, serum samples were assessed for Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), Arylesterase (ARE), urea, and creatinine levels. Changes in kidney tissue induced by BPA were examined using histopathological methods. Also, the levels of apoptosis and collagen content were evaluated. Results: ASTX treatment reversed the BPA-induced inhibition of PON1 and ARE levels, restoring them to control levels, and reduced the BPA-induced increase in urea levels. Creatinine levels showed no significant differences across the groups. BPA exposure in kidney tissue caused vacuolization, congestion, tubular dilatation, desquamation, infiltration, and increased collagen around glomeruli and blood vessels. However, ASTX treatment significantly improved these pathological findings. While BPA induced apoptosis as indicated by Bax and Bcl-2 analysis, ASTX treatment partially inhibited this process. Conclusion: These findings indicate that ASTX may protect against BPA-induced renal injury. However, the study's limitations include the use of a single dose and a focus solely on kidney tissue. Additionally, the lack of dose-response data and evaluations of other organs or long-term effects are significant drawbacks. Future research should explore multiple doses and longer observation periods for a better understanding of ASTX's protective efficacy.