Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel (E/L), a commonly used hormonal oral contraceptive among women of childbearing age, has been linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Oxidative stress and inflammation collectively contribute to the initiation and progression of CVDs. This study investigated the impact of E/L on the expression of oxidative stress- and inflammation-associated genes (PON2, TNF-α, and IL-1α). Thirty-two female albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=8 each): Group A (control) received DMSO and distilled water, while Groups B, C, and D were administered graded E/L dosages of 0.015, 0.03, and 0.060 mg/kg body weight, respectively. At the end of the experiment, tissues including the brain, liver, and kidney were harvested for total RNA extraction and purification. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR using specific primers. Notably, PON2 was significantly upregulated in the brain but downregulated in the liver and kidney of all E/L-treated animals. Conversely, TNF-α and IL-1α were significantly upregulated in all organs except the liver. Collectively, this study provides preliminary evidence that E/L administration modulates the expression of key genes involved in oxidative stress and inflammation in a tissue-specific manner. These findings underscore the need for further research to elucidate the functional consequences of these changes and their relevance to cardiovascular health.
Background: Nitrocellulose thinner, a commonly used industrial solvent mixture, contains aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known to have toxicological effects. Objective: There is a dearth of information on haematological effects due to subchronic exposure and the extent of recovery following withdrawal. In this study, the effects of subchronic inhalation of nitrocellulose thinner vapour (NCTV) and its withdrawal on haematological parameters in male Wistar rats were evaluated. Methods: Twenty-four male rats divided into 3 groups (n=8) were used for the study. Group I (control, no exposure), Group II (90-day NCTV exposure), Group III (90-day exposure with 90-day withdrawal). Haematological indices (white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), platelet (PLT) counts, haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), and erythrocyte indices (MCH and MCHC) were evaluated using automated haematological analysis. Results: Exposure to NCTV led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in WBC count (19.85 ± 7.64). Following withdrawal, WBC levels reduced (13.56 ± 4.30). In contrast, there was no significant (p < 0.05) change in RBC and PLT counts due to exposure, but withdrawal led to a significant (p < 0.05) decline in both parameters. Also, MCH and MCHC were not significantly affected due to exposure, but withdrawal led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in both parameters. Conclusion: Subchronic NCTV exposure induces a biphasic haematological response characterised by transient inflammation and delayed suppression of erythropoiesis and thrombopoiesis. These findings highlight the persistence of toxic effects beyond exposure and underscore the importance of post-exposure monitoring in solvent-exposed populations.
Kidney transplantation remains the best method for kidney failure. However, ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) is one of the main problems in graft survival. The University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, which made history with great hope, has shown its protective effect, but coping with oxidative stress is not easy. Ozone, which is frequently used in alternative medicine, has been studied as a potential adjunctive strategy in solid organ transplantation, particularly to improve organ preservation and reduce ischemia-induced damage. This review summarizes the current experimental and translational evidence regarding the potential role of ozone therapy in organ protection, organ transplantation, and the regulation of oxidative stress. Examples of transplantation and clinical applications are provided, highlighting the effects of ozone.
The present study was conducted during the period 2020–2023 under the agroecological conditions of the Troyan plum-growing region, with the aim of assessing the susceptibility of plum cultivar–rootstock combinations to three economically important fungal diseases: rust (Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae), shot hole disease (Stigmina carpophila), and red leaf spot (Polystigma rubrum). Four widely grown plum cultivars (Сacanska Lepotica, Hanita, Jojo, and Stanley), grafted onto six rootstocks (Brompton, GF 655-2, SJ A, Wavit, Wangenheim, and Prunus cerasifera), were evaluated under natural infection conditions. Climatic parameters were recorded annually to determine their influence on pathogen development. Significant differences in disease severity were observed among cultivars and rootstocks. The highest incidence of shot hole disease was recorded in the Hanita/Wavit combination (44.66% in 2022), while the cultivar Stanley showed pronounced susceptibility to rust when grafted on Brompton and Wavit rootstocks (31-37%). In contrast, combinations Cacanska Lepotica involving GF 655-2 and Wavit rootstocks exhibited the lowest overall disease susceptibility. These results highlight the critical role of rootstock selection in reducing disease pressure and improving the resilience and sustainability of plum orchards under changing climatic conditions. Highlights This study presents a comprehensive multi-year evaluation of the response of plum cultivar–rootstock combinations to major fungal diseases under variable climatic conditions. Rootstock selection significantly influenced disease severity and yield stability across all studied cultivars. Integration of long-term climatic data with disease assessments provides new insights for climate-resilient plum production.
Medicinal plants are recognized as rich sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential, particularly due to their antioxidant properties, which are important in combating oxidative stress. Corchorus olitorius L., commonly known as jute mallow, is widely consumed as a vegetable and traditional remedy because of its high antioxidant content. This study investigated the in vitro antioxidant activity of C. olitoriusstored under refrigeration (4 °C) for 3, 6, and 9 days. Standard assays, including total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were used to evaluate antioxidant and polyphenol content. The results showed a gradual, time-dependent increase in antioxidant activity and polyphenol content during storage, highlighting the impact of short-term refrigeration on the bioactive properties of C. olitorius. These findings suggest that refrigerated C. olitoriusmay serve as a valuable source of natural antioxidant compounds with potential applications in functional foods, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical formulations.
