Browsing by Author "Kara, A."

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The Effect of Royal Jelly on Cd3+, Cd5+, Cd45+ T-Cell and Cd68+ Cell Distribution in the Colon of Rats With Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis
(Elsevier Espana Slu, 2012) Karaca, T.; Simsek, N.; Uslu, S.; Kalkan, Y.; Can, I.; Kara, A.; Yoruk, M.
Background: Traditional medicines and health supplements have historically been used to treat many illnesses but most of them have not been evaluated objectively to prove their efficacy. We have been investigating the effects of royal jelly (RJ) supplements on acetic acid-induced colitis on the distribution of CD3(+), CD5(+), CD45(+) T-cell and CD68(+) cells in rats. Methods: The rats were divided into four equal groups: control group, royal jelly-treated (RJ - 150 mg kg(-1) body weight), acetic acid-treated (colitis) and acetic acid-treated (colitis) + royal jelly (CRJ - 150 mg kg(-1) body weight). Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 4% acetic acid; the control group received physiological saline (10 mL kg(-1)). Colon samples were obtained under deep anaesthesia from animals in four groups. Tissues were fixed in 10% formalin neutral buffer solution for 24 h and embedded in paraffin. Results: The proliferative response of CD3(+) and CD45(+) T cells stimulated with colitis was affected by colitis treated with RJ. No differences were found in CD5(+) T cells and CD68(+) macrophages in the colitis treated with RJ. Conclusions: This study has shown that RJ has anti-inflammatory and cell regeneration effect in the colon of rats with acetic acid induced colitis. (c) 2011 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.
Role of Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Substance Abuse in Humans and Its Effect on Dopamine Levels
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2025) Gurbuz, E.; Kara, A.; Yurekturk, S.; Saygin, M.; Aydemir, S.; Ekici, A.
Background:Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasitic infection agent that, in its chronic phase, forms persistent tissue cysts in neuronal cells, potentially leading to neurological and behavioral alterations.Aim:To investigate the role of chronic toxoplasmosis in human substance abuse and investigate its effect on dopamine levels, which is associated with substance abuse.Materials and Methods:The study was designed with a substance abuse group comprising 90 patients with substance addiction and a control group consisting of 75 individuals without substance addiction. The substance abuse group consisted of patients who were addicted to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, or amphetamines. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and dopamine levels in the blood sera and anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in the blood samples taken from the participants were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:T. gondii IgG was detected in 52 (57.8%) of 90 patients in the substance abuse group and 22 (29.3%) of 75 patients in the control group. There was a statistically significant relationship between T. gondii positivity and substance addiction (P = 0.001). However, no correlation was found between T. gondii positivity and the subgroups for the addiction type, criminal offense, imprisonment, or suicide attempt. Dopamine levels were statistically different between the groups. In the pairwise comparison of the groups, the dopamine levels in the T. gondii-positive substance abuse group were lower than in the other three groups, and this was statistically significant.Conclusion:In conclusion, the prevalence of T. gondii was higher in those with substance addiction than in those without. The fact that T. gondii alters dopamine levels was among the results. Since T. gondii can affect some behaviors of the host through changes in neurotransmitter levels, it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between T. gondii infection and substance abuse.