Volume 41, Issue 5

Objective: Tea (Camellia sinensis), has been used for health field in thousands of years. Caffeine is one of the key component in tea and investigation of caffeine is a popular working subject among the researches. The novelty of this study is not only the determination of the caffeine contents of the teas, but also how addition of lemon and carbonate effects the caffeine contents. Another aim of the study is the investigation of the daily caffeine intakes from teas. Methods: Tea infusions were prepared and caffeine contents were extracted by using chloroform and determined by UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. For lemon and carbonate addition experiments, lemon was added before the caffeine analysis and carbonate was added at the beginning. Results: Maximum caffeine contents from highest to lowest were seen in black, earl grey and green in classic teas; fennel, mint and sage in herbal teas; lemon, apple and rosehip in fruit teas. With lemon addition caffeine contents were increased except green tea and with carbonate addition caffeine contents were decreased except black and fennel tea. Daily caffeine intakes are found between 32.10% (green tea with carbonate) - 77.20% (black tea with lemon), 1.85% (sage tea with carbonate) - 4.05% (fennel tea with lemon) and 2.10% (rosehip with carbonate) - 4.00% (lemon tea with lemon) in classic, herbal and fruit teas, respectively. Conclusion: The significance of this study indicates that herbal and fruit teas contain caffeine, which is assumed zero in literature. The caffeine amount of herbal teas (20.79±0.36-30.68±0.63 ppm) were found barely higher than the fruit teas (22.87±0.54-28.54±0.75 ppm) but daily maximum caffeine intakes were found less than 5%. The daily maximum caffeine intakes were found in the teas as 525.36±2.84-20.79±0.36 ppm, where lemon addition increased to 617.90±3.54-22.97±0.58 ppm and carbonate addition decreased to 488.54±2.05-16.84±0.28 ppm.

Objective: Sepsis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced excessive immune response is associated with multi-organ damage in sepsis. Excessive immune response causes multi-organ damage by increasing oxidative stress. Studies on the antioxidant effects of vitamin D demonstrated its protective role. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D on free radical metabolism in LPS injected rats. Methods: Twenty four wistar albino rats were separated into control, sepsis, sepsis+vitamin D and vitamin D groups. Sepsis was induced with single injection of LPS Esherichia coli (O111-b4) 16 mg/kg. Vitamin D was given 2 mg/kg 25 (OH) single dose via gavage for 3 days. Renal function tests were analyzed in serum. Tissue catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were analyzed, and rat renal tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Results: SOD and GSH-Px activities were not significantly different between the groups. CAT activities were significantly decreased in all groups compared to control, this suppression was seen in the sepsis+vitamin D group versus sepsis group. GST activities were significantly decreased in sepsis and sepsis+vitamin D group compared to control, but GST activities were significantly elevated vitamin D group compare to sepsis and sepsis+vitamin D group. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were significantly elevated in sepsis and sepsis+vitamin D group. Inflammation, expansion in bowman capsule were detected in sepsis and sepsis+vitamin D groups. Conclusion: Vitamin D treatment does not seem to have protective role against renal toxicity in sepsis.Nutrition with vitamin D in sepsis may have suppressive effect on antioxidant enzymes such as CAT and GST due to reduced substrat level which use hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and GSH as a substrate.

Objective: The relationship between exercise and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, insulin resistance, and obesity is a new field of research. To our knowledge, there are no studies examining the effects of walking exercises on ER stress related markers and insulin resistance in pre-menopausal women. To examine the effect of two different eight-week walking programs on the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Fetuin-A (α2 - Heremans Schmid glycoprotein), c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK-1) and retinol- binding protein-4 (RBP-4), the related markers of ER stress and insulin resistance in pre-menopausal women. Methods: Exercise groups (moderate tempo walking group; MTWG; n=11; brisk walking group BWG; n=12) walked five days a week, starting from 30 minutes, gradually increasing up to 51 minutes. BWG walked at ~70-75% and MTWG at ~50-55 of HRRmax. Body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (%), VO 2max , serum TNF-α, Fetuin-A, JNK-1, RPB-4, blood lipids, and insulin resistance levels were determined before and after the intervention. Results: VO 2max increased in both exercise groups favoring BWG; RBP-4 decreased in both exercise groups (p<0.05). Serum TNF-α and, TG (p<0.05), BMI and percent body fat (p<0.01), and insulin levels reduced significantly in BWG (p<0.05). The reductions observed in both exercise groups in insulin resistance, and the increases determined in the negative levels of JNK-1 in BWG may be clinically important. Conclusion: Both type of walking resulted in similar positive effects on RBP-4. The reduction observed in TNF-α, RBP-4, and the increases in the negative levels of JNK-1 in BWG show the positive effects of brisk walking on ER stress. The reduction in insulin resistance in relation to the possible reductions in ER stress and apoptosis in BWG may be more effective to prevent metabolic diseases.

Objective: Major nutritional components of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) seeds were compared with main grain crops to study their nutritional and utilization value. Methods: Older P. edulis seeds were harvested in autumn 2012 and stored at 4°C for 2 years, while fresh seeds were collected in autumn 2014. Starch, protein and fat contents of both old and fresh seeds were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometer, Kjeldahl method, and acid hydrolysis method, respectively. The amino acid and fatty acid components of the old and fresh seeds were also analyzed with an auto-amino acid analyzer and a gas chromatograph, respectively. In addition, activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase in both old and fresh seeds were measured. Results: Starch was the main content of P. edulis seeds. Activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase in fresh P. edulis seeds were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those that had been stored at 4°C for two years. Similar decline was also observed in the nutritional content of seeds upon two years of storage. Conclusion: The seeds are starchy, containing high levels of protein, moderate fat levels and a wide range of amino acids. Notably, P. edulis seeds contain high levels of essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids and have great value for human nutrition and health. Its protein and essential amino acids contents were higher than that of main grain crops, while the fat content was low. Storage effect of two years on seeds and fresh grain was significant.

Objective: Biosurfactants are surface-active substances produced by microorganisms. The growth of microorganism supports biosurfactant production on hydrocarbon polluted environments. In this study, the capacity of biosurfactant production of Georgenia daeguensis (accession number, KP798810) isolated from hydrocarbon- contaminated soil was studied. Methods: The components of biosurfactant production medium were investigated through Plackett-Burman methodology. By using Placket-Burman based on statistical screening, six of the eleven factors of production medium were found to be critically effective on the biosurfactant production. Results: The significant factors were KCl, ZnSO 4 .7H 2 O, CaCl 2 .2H 2 O, KH 2 PO 4 , MgSO 4 .7H 2 O and glucose. Among of these, KCl had the highest effect contribution with 55.22%. After the optimization by such design, critical micelle concentration value was reached to 2.2 g L -1 . When antibacterial activity of biosurfactant was screened, it showed antibacterial effect against to Klebsiella pneumoniae. Besides, the biosurfactant was characterized by FT-IR, critic micelle concentration and zeta analysis. Conclusion: This study reported that Georgenia daeguensis is able to produce effective biosurfactant exhibiting antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to enhance nutritional qualities of various agricultural byproducts such as wheat bran, rice bran and rice polish through co-culture solid state fermentation (SSF) using Candida utilis and Rhizopus oligosporus for their better exploitation as feed ingredients. Methods: Co-culture solid state fermentation (SSF) was carried at 30oC for 48 h by employing Candida utilis and Rhizopus oligosporus on various agricultural byproducts like wheat bran, rice bran and rice polish. After that the fermented agricultural byproducts were dried in hot air oven at 80oC and analyzed to compare with unfermented byproducts. Results: The results of the proximate analysis showed that crude protein contents increased significantly (p≤0.05) in all the fermented substrates with concurrent decrease in nitrogen free extract (NFE) contents. A significant reduction in anti nutritional content (phytic acid) was also observed in fermented products whereas values of mineral contents [calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P)] were found high. Resultantly, high mineral contents improved Ca: P ratio in the fermented products. Shelf life study showed that the fermented substrates were nutritionally stable and no significant changes in nutritional values were observed up to 90 days. Conclusion: All these results showed that the fermented substrates are nutritionally better and can be successfully exploited as animal feed for better growth of livestock.

Objective: A classic physiologic response to systemic hypoxia is the increase in red blood cell production. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) orchestrate oxygen-sensing machinery and hypoxic cell metabolism. Recent works suggest that mutation of the HIF oxygen-sensing pathway plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the erythrocytosis. In the present study, the probable role of the polymorphic HIF-1α variants, C1772T (P582S) (rs11549465) and G1790A (A588T) (rs115494657), which are known to enhance transcriptional activity, were evaluated in the etiology of the polycythemia. Methods: A total of 284 subjects 97 with normal levels of hemoglobin (Hgb) 157 with high levels of Hgb, and 30 with polycythemia vera (PV)) were recruited for this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes of all subjects. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was performed for HIF-1α C1772T and G1790A single nucletide polymorphisms (SNP). A complete blood count was performed for all subjects. Results: There was a significant decrease in the frequency of the HIF-1α C1772T allele T in subjects with PV compared with those in the normal level Hgb group (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.75−0.95; p=0.03). High level Hgb subjects had a significantly higher frequency of the HIF-1α G1790A allele A (OR 10.79; 95% CI 0.62-; 187.96; p=0.027) than the subjects in the normal level Hgb group. A significant difference was observed in genotype distribution of GG and combined GA+AA genotypes of HIF-1α G1790A in PV and normal Hgb level subjects (OR 17.11; 95% CI 0.80−366,61; p>0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the HIF-1α C1772T and G1790A polymorphisms may be associated with PV in the study population.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible roles of fetal hemoglobin levels on bone parameters in sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients. Methods: Blood samples taken from 56 SS and 47 control totally 103 subjects were included in this research work according to their fetal hemoglobin levels. Fetal hemoglobin, bone mineral density, bone specific alkaline phosphatase, calcium, osteocalcin, 25-OH vitamin D and hematological parameters were measured and analyzed in the study. Results: Statistical analysis showed that, lower bone mineral density and biochemical bone parameters significantly correlated with low fetal hemoglobin levels at SCA patients. Conclusion: It was concluded that fetal hemoglobin level is a good index for bone status in sickle cell anemia patients.

Celiac Disease (CD) is a gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and an autoimmune disorder involving an innate and adaptive immune response that occurs in genetically predisposed patients who are exposed to gluten-containing foods and other environmental factors. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in preventing complications of the disease. Symptoms may appear both in childhood or adulthood by the ingestion of gluten and are usually characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms; however, the diagnosis may be delayed because of various extraintestinal manifestations, such as iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, or non-specific skin lesions in adult patients. Although CD has been shown to have an increased risk of all malignancies, plasma dyscrasias, especially multiple myeloma (MM) associations, are rare and reported to be seen in elderly patients. The current report presents a 42-year-old female patient with a recent dysphagia after a hot food ingestion with no other complaints. Laboratory investigations revealed a mild anemia and high serum protein levels. CD was diagnosed after a small bowel biopsy and MM was diagnosed after a serum protein electrophoresis with immunotyping studies (IgA lambda as the monoclonal protein) and bone marrow biopsy. In the laboratory, Immunotyping studies of monoclonal protein included two alternative methods; Immunofixation electrophoresis and immunosubtraction method with capillary electrophoresis. Our patient, is young to have MM, since the median age at diagnosis of MM is 66 years and only 2% of patients are younger than 50 years. We believe that celiac disease played a significant role in the development of MM in this particular patient with IgA monoclonality and conclude that CD patients, even if they are young, must be monitored for plasma dyscrasias in addition to other malignancies.