Band 50, Heft 1

Introduction Bone-degenerative conditions, including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis, are major public health concerns worldwide, associated with oxidative stress and iron overload that disrupts bone homeostasis. Ferroptosis, an iron-mediated form of cell death, has emerged as a critical factor in bone degeneration, necessitating a comprehensive review of its role in these conditions. Content This review comprehensively examined the latest research on oxidative stress, iron metabolism, and ferroptosis related to bone biology and degeneration, focusing on their interconnections and potential therapeutic implications. The review revealed that oxidative stress affects various bone cell types, including osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes, contributing to bone loss and cartilage degradation. Iron homeostasis was found to be crucial for bone cell function, with both iron overload and deficiency potentially leading to pathological conditions. Ferroptosis regulation involves a complex interplay between iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant systems, including the SLC7A11-GSH-GPX4 network and the FSP1-CoQ10H2 pathway. Different bone cell lineages, including mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and chondrocytes, exhibit varied responses to ferroptosis induction and regulation. Summary Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis regulation in bone cells offers promising avenues for developing targeted therapies for bone-degenerative conditions. Outlook Future research should focus on elucidating the specific roles of ferroptosis in different bone disorders and exploring potential therapeutic interventions targeting oxidative stress, iron overload, and ferroptosis pathways to improve the management of these debilitating conditions.

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of medical biochemistry professionals in Türkiye regarding green and sustainable medical laboratory (GSML) practices. It also seeks to identify the most common and challenging barriers to adopting GSML practices. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 130 medical biochemistry professionals, including academicians, specialists, and residents, across various hospital types in Türkiye. The survey, distributed via Google Forms, consisted of 29 questions divided into five sections covering participant characteristics, knowledge about GSML, individual attitudes, laboratory practices, and awareness of EFLM guidelines. Data were analyzed using Excel and SPSS. Results The survey revealed that only 10.8 % of participants received education on sustainability during their specialty training. Despite this, 76.2 % had heard of the concept of sustainability, although 74.6 % were unaware of green chemistry principles. Individual environmental practices were generally positive, with 96 % of participants turning off lights and equipment when not in use. However, significant gaps were found in laboratory GSML practices, particularly in energy (only 44 % of laboratories regularly defrost refrigerators and freezers) and water management (only 40.8 % perform regular maintenance). The most common barriers to GSML implementation were identified as education and awareness (46.2 %), sustainability (24.6 %), cost (15.4 %), motivation (8.5 %), and communication (2.3 %). Conclusions There is a critical need for enhanced education and awareness of GSML practices. While individual environmental behaviors are positive, systemic changes in laboratory practices are necessary. Addressing the identified barriers, particularly through targeted educational initiatives, is essential for promoting sustainable practices in medical laboratories.

Objectives Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a family of rare inherited metabolic disorders. This study aimed to examine the carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) screening results of 1,328 patients with suspected CDG by using transferrin-high pressure liquid chromatography (Tf-HPLC) method and to evaluate the performance of the method as a reference diagnostic tool. Methods Relative CDT levels (CDT concentrations expressed as percent of total transferrin) were determined in serum samples by HPLC. The method sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were further calculated. Results Abnormal transferrin isoform profile consistent with CDG Type-I and CDG Type-II were determined in 50 cases; in 44 cases asiolo-Tf (7.63 ± 5.44 %) and disialo-Tf (36.29 ± 9.04 %), in six cases monosialo-Tf (3.95 ± 0.95 %) and trisialo-Tf (25.05 ± 4.46 %) were determined and decreased tetrasialo-Tf (49.75 ± 11.59 %) was identified in all cases. Two cases having abnormal CDT pattern were molecularly diagnosed with hereditary fructose intolerance and galactosemia and 11 cases diagnosed with CDG based on clinical and molecular analysis showed a normal pattern. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values of Tf-HPLC method were 81.96 %, 99% and 96 %, respectively. Conclusions Tf-HPLC is a useful, highly sensitive, cost-advantageous and reliable method for the detection and preliminary diagnosis of CDG for laboratories working with large sample series.

Objectives The literature about atypical cells in automated urine analyzers begins with the introduction of Sysmex UN. While modern urinalysis instruments report various kinds of epithelial cells, presence of atypical cells has not been considered. This study aims to observe the efficiency of the atypical cells parameter on Sysmex UN Automated Urine Analyzer with respect to customary manual urine cytology. Methods The patients with any indication for a cystoscopy examination were enrolled for the study between March 2022 and October 2022. Voided urine samples were gathered before the cystoscopy and bladder washing sampling was performed afterwards. Bladder washing samples were divided into two; one part was sent for urine cytology and the other was sent for urinalysis. Bladder biopsy was performed if cystoscopy evaluation was suspicious for malignancy. Results Thirty three patients (4 females and 29 males) underwent cystoscopy examination for suspicious bladder lesions and 15 of these patients were diagnosed as bladder cancer: nine were high-grade and six were low-grade bladder cancer due to their pathologic test results. Cytology examination results were negative for all patients. Using follow-up histologic diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma as a reference standard, the sensitivity of the atypical cells parameter on Sysmex UN was 27 %, specificity 78 %, positive predictive value 50 %, negative predictive value 56 %. Conclusions The results of this study confirmed the ability of Sysmex UN on detecting atypical cells in urine. Yet, the performance of the instrument needs to be improved before the parameter is presented for routine application.

Objectives Allergy is an important public health problem that affects children and adults, its prevalence potentially differs across cultures with the change of several factors in recent years. However, scarcity of reliable data on allergy prevalence does not exist in Turkey. We aimed to assess IgE-mediated allergy prevalence an automated multiple allergen simultaneous tests (MAST) analyzer. Methods Open-population samples were obtained from patients from all over the country for the diagnosis of their allergic diseases and tested for SpIgE Allergy Panel. Results The study included 100 patients. As we grouped the patients according to the classification of their allergy level, we did not find any allergen in 62 patients, which means they were in Class 0. The rest (n=38) of the patients were positive for at least one or more sIgE allergens. Overall, 478 SpIgE-positive allergen types were obtained from one hundred patients. The highest value was observed at Common Allergen Group, with a ratio of 36.8 % and the lowest value was at animals materials (0.60 %). We found that D.farinea was the most (28 %) allergen. Among participants who were allergic to at least one or more sIgE allergens, 100 % stated that they were the most allergic to grass mix, Timothy grass, beef, and fish (shell) mix. Conclusions This MAST assay for detecting sIgE might be a reliable and cost-effective alternative to a component-resolved diagnosis of allergic patients. The study was a great ranged retrospective analysis of the characteristics of IgE allergies for the entire country of Turkey.

Objectives Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or free β-HCG, and unconjugated estriol (uE3) concentrations are used to screen trisomy 21 in the second trimester. The performance of different analytical platforms has an impact on individual risk estimates. The aim of this study is to compare the multiple of median (MoM) values and risk estimates generated by Maglumi X3 analyzer/Preaccu software with the Immulite 2000 XPi device/Prisca software. Methods A total of 164 pregnant women (including 20 pregnants with risk estimates above ≥1 in 250 for trisomy 21) analyzed with both platforms. Results Passing–Bablok indicated proportional bias (0.75 [95 % CI 0.70 to 0.82]) between AFP MoMs and both systematic (−0.20 [95 % CI –0.33 to −0.05]) and proportional (1.25 [95 % CI 1.06 to 1.44]) differences between the HCG/free β-HCG MoMs, respectively. No significant differences (p=0.070) were present between calculated individual risks by both of the programmes (estimated median risk with Immulite/Prisca system was 1 in 1890 and 1 in 1220 with Maglumi X3/Preaccu system). The triple test result for three pregnant women was negative with the Prisca program, it was positive with the Preaccu. Conclusions Second trimester screening performance of Maglumi X3/Preaccu system achieves comparable performance. Determining regional median values before using will provide more accurate and reliable results.

Objectives Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is the most common congenital hemolytic anemia in Northern Europe and North America. Damaged or deficient proteins in the erythrocyte membrane cause the condition, leading to a decrease in the surface area and volume of erythrocytes. Specialists traditionally use the osmotic fragility test (C-OF) for diagnosis. Researchers have developed new methods for flow cytometry-based tests that are the eosin-5-maleimide binding (EMA) and osmotic fragility (FC-OF) tests. In this study, we aimed to determine and compare the power of discrimination of FC-OF, EMA, and C-OF tests. Another purpose is to investigate the effect of incubation. Methods We performed both real-time and incubated C-OF, EMA, and FC-OF on 20 patients diagnosed with HS and 30 healthy controls. We diagnosed HS based on family history, spherocytes, and clinical and lab findings. Results We found that the success of all tests in the classification was statistically significant (p<0.001). The discriminatory power of C-OF was not different from that of EMA and FC-OF. FC-OF discriminated better than EMA. Incubation increased C-OF performance and decreased EMA and FC-OF performance. Conclusions We think FC-OF should be preferred. Because it has higher discrimination power, specificity, and sensitivity. It gives faster results, costs less, and needs less labor. The lack of flow cytometer devices in every center is the biggest handicap of FC-OF and EMA. But we think that the FC-OF method can be adapted to hemogram devices available in every center in the future.

Objectives Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a severe blood cancer with less than 50 % long-term survival. Despite advancements in treatment options, relapse is still the major obstacle. The main reason of this problem is ineffective targeting of leukemic stem cells (LSCs), which play an important role in tumor development and relapse. In our previous studies, we found that casticin, the major polyphenolic component of Vitex trifolia ’s fruit, targets both leukemic cells and LSCs without affecting healthy tissues. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of casticin-mediated cell death in relation to the LSCs-favored survival pathways at gene and protein expression levels using in vitro LSC-like and parental leukemic cell models. Methods We validated the LSC character of KG1a and KG1 cells (84.55 % CD34+, CD38- and 93.55 % CD34+, CD38+, respectively) by flow cytometry. For the investigation of casticin’s mechanism of action, we employed real time-PCR, western blotting and bioinformatics analyses. Results Our results showed an increase in cleaved PARP/β-actin ratio but no change in LC3BI/II and SQSTM/β-actin ratios. Our gene expression, bioinformatics and immunoblotting analyses represented significant decrease in Shh, Gli and Wnt levels. We also elucidated a possible crosstalk between Hedgehog and other oncogenic cascades via the Gli, Notch, YAP, p38, Mcl-1, and Myc proteins in casticin mediated anti-leukemic effect. Conclusions In conclusion, we found that casticin induces apoptosis in both LSC-like and parental leukemia cells mainly by suppressing Shh signaling, which is crucial for LSC survival and AML relapse.

Objectives The aims of the study were to assess the levels of serum TMAO, S-equol, and indoxyl sulfate in subjects with ocular active Behçet’s disease (OABD) and ocular inactive Behçet’s disease (OIBD). Methods The study involved 22 patients with OABD, 22 patients with OIBD, and thwentythree control participants. 5 mL venous blood was taken from the participants. The TMAO, S-equol, and indoxyl sulfate in the serum were measured using the ELISA method. Results When compared to the TMAO levels of the control group, the TMAO levels of the participants with OABD and OIBD were considerably greater (p<0.05). Similarly, when compared to the S-equol levels of the control group, the S-equol levels of the participants with OABD and OIBD were significantly higher (p<0.05). Additionally, when compared to the indoxyl sulfate of the control group, the indoxyl sulfate amounts of the participants OABD and OIBD were significantly higher (p<0.05). Conclusions It was first time shown that microbiota molecules could have an impact on Behçet’s disease (BD) pathogenesis. Additionally, measuring these molecules in addition to the BD Ocular Attack Score 24 (BOS24) might offer advice to medical professionals regarding the diagnosis and treatment of the illness.

Objectives Comorbidities, especially diabetes, significantly contribute to the mortality and morbidity of COVID-19. Studies indicate higher rates of mortality and morbidity among diabetic COVID-19 patients compared to the general population. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this immune response remain incompletely understood. Our study aimed to explore potential disparities in COVID-19 prognosis among type 2 diabetic patients and investigate the genomic-level relationship between key proteins of the interferon signaling pathway: IFNAR1, IFNAR2, IRF3 , and IRF7. Methods Mutation/polymorphism analysis was conducted to identify potential mutations and polymorphisms in the study group. Predictive assessments of mutation pathogenicity were performed using the PolyPhen-2 bioinformatics tool, while STRING network analysis enhanced our understanding of functional protein relationships in cellular processes. Results We detected 10 mutations (3 missense, 2 intronic, 2 indel, 1 nonsense, 1 regulatory, and 1 frameshift mutation), all documented in the Human Gene Mutation Database. PolyPhen2 analysis flagged three missense and 1 nonsense mutations as potential pathogens. The study found no consistent trend in mutation rates across all genes. However, mutation rates in the IFNAR2 and IRF7 genes decreased as disease severity lessened in both patient and control groups. Diabetic and Covid-19 patients exhibited higher mutation rates in the IFNAR2, IRF3, and IRF7 genes compared to non-diabetic controls, suggesting that Type 2 diabetic patients might be more susceptible to genetic mutations when infected with COVID-19. Conclusions Understanding these genetic profiles could improve disease severity assessments, enhance preventive measures, and aid in developing effective treatment strategies for coronaviral syndromes and severe acute respiratory infections.

Objectives Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed male cancer and the fifth highest cause of cancer mortality in men. CDR1as has played an essential role in the growth of several malignancies. However, its significance in the progression of prostate cancer has not been investigated. We aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of CDR1as in the development of prostate cancer and identify a new target for diagnostics and treatment. Methods CDR1as siRNA and miR-7-5p mimic were transfected into PC3 and DU145 PCa cell lines and their effects on cellular processes were investigated. Cell viability was measured by WST-8 assay. The role of CDR1as and/or miR-7-5p on PCa cell migration was detected using the scratch-wound assay. The apoptotic capacity of the cells was evaluated using the Caspase-3 kit. The potential targets of miR-7-5p were defined via in silico tools. mRNA and protein expression levels of IGF1R and EIF4E were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot assays, respectively. The matching between miR-7-5p and IGF1R was defined via luciferase reporter assay. Results Inhibiting CDR1as or restoring miR-7-5p reduced prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration while increasing apoptosis. Silencing CDR1as elevated the expression of miR-7-5p while decreasing IGF1R. Conclusions CDR1as functions as a miR-7-5p sponge, increasing IGF1R expression and promoting tumor development.

Objectives Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe viral illness with a high fatality rate. The interferon response plays a crucial role in the antiviral defense against the CCHF virus (CCHFV). Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are essential for initiating and amplifying the interferon response. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the IRF response in CCHF patients for the first time. Methods This study investigated the expression levels of various IRFs (IRF-1, 2, 3, 4, and 7) in CCHF patients and evaluated their potential association with disease prognosis. The research encompassed a cohort of 60 CCHF patients and 30 healthy volunteers. CCHF was diagnosed with CCHFV positivity using PCR method and/or IgM detection using ELISA method. The quantitative sandwich ELISA technique was employed to determine the levels of serum IRF-1, IRF-2, IRF-3, IRF-4, IRF-7, interferon (IFN)-alpha, and IFN-beta. Results There were statistically significant differences in the levels of serum IRF-1, IRF-2, IRF-3, IRF-4, IRF-7, IFN-alpha, and IFN-beta between the patient and healthy control groups. Patients showed elevated levels in all these factors except for IRF-1. However, no statistically significant differences were found in IRF-1, IRF-2, IRF-3, IRF-4, IRF-7, IFN-alpha, and IFN-beta levels between patients who survived and those who died. Conclusions IFN-alpha and beta likely contribute to the immune response in CCHF. IRF-2, 3, 4, and 7 play crucial roles in IFN-alpha and beta expression, pivotal for the antiviral response in CCHF. Targeted interventions to modulate IRF-1 could alleviate disease severity and overall impact.

Objectives In this study, we aimed to evaluate the change in taurine levels in two diseases [Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)], which have a significant impact on public health as they frequently cause mortality and morbidity. Methods This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted between September 15, 2023, and November 30, 2023, at the Emergency Department, Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine. There were three groups in our study. These groups were 35 COVID-19 patients with confirmed diagnosis, 35 CCHF patients, and a control group consisting of 35 healthy volunteers who were similar to these patient groups in terms of age and gender. Plasma amino acid levels of taurine, β-alanine, arginine, carnosine, cystine, histidine, lysine, and methionine were measured and compared in these three groups. Results In the pairwise comparison of the groups, the increase in taurine plasma levels in CCHF (p<0.001) and COVID-19 (p=0.002) patients compared to the control group was statistically significant, whereas the difference between CCHF and COVID-19 patient groups was not significant (p=0.303). Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that taurine, β-alanine, arginine, and lysine levels were significant predictors in differentiating patients with CCHF and COVID-19 from healthy individuals. Conclusions We concluded that it may be important to determine taurine levels during the treatment and observation processes of these two diseases, which seriously affect public health. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the CCHF and COVID-19 diseases.

Objectives Glucosamine (GlcN) is an important bioactive substance that is widely used in medicine, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and other fields. The traditional method of producing GlcN is mainly through chitosan hydrolysis catalyzed by strong acid, but this process is usually accompanied by environmental pollution and high energy consumption. Therefore, the development of green and efficient production methods of glucosamine has become the focus of current research. Methods In this study, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) was used as the substrate to facilitate the enzymatic synthesis of GlcN by deacetylase. Four deacetylases ( Tk DAc, Pk DAc, Pp DAc and Ab DAc) were selected from marine thermophilic microorganisms, and Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) was used as the host for recombinant expression. Results The soluble expression of Pp DAc was poor, so several groups of solubilizing labels were tried, and the results showed that the soluble expression of recombinant plasmid ArsC- Pp DAc carrying pro-solubilization labels was greatly improved. Conclusions The effects of temperature and pH on enzyme activity were investigated by single factor analysis. Kinetic parameters further revealed that ArsC-PpDAc exhibited the highest catalytic activity, with a Kcat/Km value of 7.29, and achieved a conversion rate of over 95 %. The condition of ArsC- Pp DAc was optimized, and the results showed that ArsC- Pp DAc showed good tolerance to organic solvents, and its catalytic activity was not significantly affected.

Objectives Growth hormone (GH) exhibits various essential physiological functions, which are exerted by its binding to growth hormone receptor (GHR). Ethanol has been demonstrated to have an impact on GH’s biological activity. Nevertheless, mechanism underlying the regulation of the biological activity of GH by ethanol have yet to be fully elucidated. Methods This study utilized an indirect immunofluorescence assay to identify GHR expression in mouse hepatocytes. Western blot was used to determine the impact of ethanol on GH-induced intracellular signalling. Indirect immunofluorescence and colocalization experiments were used to determine the effect of ethanol on GH-GHR’s nuclear localization and endocytosis. Results GHR was primarily localized in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. The phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT1/3/5 were markedly lowered after treatment with ethanol. On this basis, we further explored the mechanism underlying the regulation of GH biological activity by ethanol from the perspective of cell internalization. We found that the nuclear translocation of GH-GHR was inhibited when treated with ethanol. In addition, the results of colocalization analyses revealed that ethanol inhibited GHR-mediated nuclear translocation may mainly by inhibiting caveolin-dependent endocytosis. Conclusions Our study showed that ethanol inhibits GH signaling ability in a time-dependent manner. Ethanol could inhibit the nuclear localization of GH-GHR, which may be linked to the inhibition of the interaction between GHR and caveolin. The combined effect of these factors downregulated the GH-GHR signal. This study laid a foundation for further exploring the mechanism that the effects of ethanol on GH biological activity.

Objectives Melanoma is a highly malignant and serious form of skin cancer. In addition to the standard treatments, complementary approaches, including phytotherapy, are also used to alleviate symptoms and improve patient well-being. This study aims to investigate the anticancer effects of Gypsophila eriocalyx (GE), an endemic species from Türkiye, on melanoma cells. We set out to determine the efficacy of GE in inhibiting melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and growth, and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Methods We examined the impact of GE on the proliferation of two melanoma cell lines, Malme-3M and SK-MEL-28, and assessed its developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos. Next, we evaluated GE’s influence on colony formation and wound healing in melanoma cells, as well as its ability to induce apoptosis and affect the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, by measuring pathway reporter activity and target gene expression. Results GE inhibited cell proliferation in melanoma cell lines at concentrations 104 to 488 times lower than those required for normal non-malignant L929 fibroblast cells. In zebrafish embryos, GE demonstrated developmental toxicity only at concentrations above 50 μg/mL. GE treatment significantly impaired the colony formation and wound healing abilities of melanoma cells, indicating reduced proliferation and migration. Moreover, GE induced apoptosis in melanoma cells and inhibited the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, as evidenced by decreased pathway reporter activity and target gene expression. Conclusions This study highlights the potential of GE as a novel therapeutic agent in melanoma treatment by demonstrating its ability to inhibit tumor growth and progression.

Objectives Psoriasis is a widespread immunological disease characterised by inflammation and primarily associated with skin and joint symptoms. The kynurenine pathway significantly influences inflammation and immune system activity. The aim of this study is to determine serum concentrations of kynurenine metabolites in patients with psoriasis and investigate their correlation with disease severity. Methods This study included 30 participants with psoriasis and 30 individuals without the disease as healthy controls. Serum levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, 3-OH anthranilic acid, quinolinic acid, 3-OH kynurenine, and kynurenic acid were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results Serum levels of kynurenic acid (p<0.001), tryptophan (p<0.001) and the tryptophan/kynurenine ratio (TKR) (p<0.001) were statistically significantly lower in psoriasis patients than in healthy controls, while levels of quinolinic acid (p=0.007) and kynurenine (p=0.001) were significantly higher. The psoriasis area severity index (PASI) correlated positively with 3-hydroxykynurenine and kynurenic acid. Conclusions Kynurenine metabolites are associated with the pathophysiology of psoriasis and could serve as valuable candidate markers for monitoring inflammation.

Objectives This study aims to investigate the effect of smoking on the metabolism of kynurenine and thus contribute to the elucidation of the potential mechanism of cigarette smoking. Methods The study included 82 smokers and 63 nonsmokers who applied to the Family Medicine Polyclinic for routine check-ups. Sociodemographic data, routine laboratory results, Framingham risk scores (FRS), and Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Test (FTND) were recorded. Serum tryptophan, kynurenine, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and quinolinic acid concentrations were measured with tandem mass spectrometry. Results Serum tryptophan levels (p=0.040) were statistically significantly lower in smokers, and the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio and serum kynurenine, kynurenic acid, quinolinic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid levels were higher (p<0.001). The correlation analysis in the smoker group showed a positive correlation between serum kynurenic acid levels and FTDN. The serum kynurenine levels were positively correlated with the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and FRS. There was a positive correlation between serum quinolinic acid levels and participants’ systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Conclusions Our findings showed that tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway was induced in smokers.

Objectives Valosin-containing protein (p97/VCP) and its cofactor, small p97/VCP-interacting protein (SVIP), are involved in the endoplasmic reticulum - associated degradation pathway (ERAD). We investigated the cellular localization of vitamin D receptor (VDR), ERAD, and autophagic proteins (LC3B and p62) in rat brain tissue. Methods There were four groups consisting of 24 Wistar albino rats: control and treatment groups for vitamin D, omega-3, and both vitamin D and omega-3. Brain tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, azan trichrome, and toluidine blue for histopathological evaluation. The immunohistochemistry assay was performed for VDR, p97/VCP, SVIP, LC3B, and p62 in rat brain sections. Results The immunoexpression of VDR and p97/VCP was significantly increased in hippocampus and cortex of brain tissue from the vitamin D-supplemented group. Furthermore, the protein expression level of SVIP reached the highest level in vitamin D-treated group. LC3B and p62 revealed reduced expressions in vitamin D-treated group in rat brain and hippocampus, in contrast to p97/VCP, SVIP, and VDR. Conclusions Vitamin D and omega-3 supplementations had no negative effects at a cellular level on hippocampus and cortex of the brain tissue. Vitamin D increased the expression of the proteins that are related to the ERAD pathway, whereas it reduced the expression of the proteins in the autophagy pathway. Also, in this study, SVIP expressions were shown in rat hippocampus and cortex of the brain tissue.