Browsing by Author "Tufan, Elif"

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Citation - Scopus: 1
The Effect of Whey Proteins on the Brain and Small Intestine Nitric Oxide Levels: Protein Profiles in Methotrexate-Induced Oxidative Stress
(Istanbul Univ, 2022) Yilmaz, Sumeyye; Tufan, Elif; Sivas, Guzin Goksun; Gokmen, Begum Gurel; Dursun, Ercan; Ozbeyli, Dilek; Tunali-Akbay, Tugba; Eczane Hizmetleri Bölümü
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of whey proteins on methotrexate (MTX)-induced brain and small intestine damage. Materials and Methods: 30 Sprague Dawley rats (200-300 g) were divided into four groups: Control, control + whey, MTX, and MTX+whey. MTX was administered at 20 mg/kg (single dose) intraperitoneally to the MTX group rats, and 2 mg/kg of whey protein were administered by oral gavage for 10 days to the whey groups. Lipid peroxidation, glutathione, and nitric oxide (NO) levels, as well as glutathione-Stransferase and superoxide dismutase activities were measured in the brain and small intestine. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the brain and intestine tissues were also carried out. Results: While MTX treatment caused oxidative damage in the brain and small intestine, whey protein administration ameliorated MTXinduced oxidative stress. MTX administration did not change the brain's NO level, while an increase in intestinal NO level was detected. Conclusion: MTX induced oxidative stress in the brain and small intestine changed the protein metabolism in these tissues regardless of reduced food intake. Consecutive 10-day administration of whey proteins has shown its therapeutic effect on MTX-induced brain and small intestine oxidative damage.
Gold Nanoparticle/Silk Fibroin-Based Nanofiber Enhances Skin Regeneration
(Oxford University Press, 2025) Özcan, Ozan; Tufan, Elif; Muhan, Aleyna Tanrıverdi; Çalişkan-Ak, Esin; Şener, Göksel; Tunalı-Akbay, Tuǧba; Eczacılık Meslek Bilimleri Bölümü
Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the wound-healing potential of gold nanoparticles and silk fibroin-based nanofiber produced by green chemistry. Methods The electrospinning method was used to prepare the nanofiber. Twenty rats were exposed to a 7-day treatment period and another 20 rats were exposed to a 21-day treatment period. Rat groups were control, silver, silk fibroin, and silk + gold nanoparticle groups for each period. The effect of the gold nanoparticle/silk fibroin-based nanofiber was examined in skin samples by using biochemical and histological analysis. In biochemical analysis, skin oxidant and antioxidant parameters were determined. Key findings Parameters indicating skin damage returned to their previous levels 7 and 21 days after the wound formation using gold nanoparticle/silk fibroin-based nanofiber. Gold nanoparticle/silk fibroin-based nanofiber initiated hair follicle formation at the wound site and accelerated the re-epithelialization process. Conclusions It was found that the nanofiber prepared by adding gold nanoparticles to silk fibroin had better wound-healing properties than silk fibroin nanofibers without gold nanoparticles. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Citation - WoS: 5
Citation - Scopus: 4
Inhibitory Effect of Whey Protein Concentrate on Sars-Cov Furin Activity and Spike Protein-Ace2 Binding in Methotrexate-Induced Lung Damage
(Wiley-hindawi, 2022) Tufan, Elif; Sivas, Guzin Goksun; Gurel-Gokmen, Begum; Yilmaz-Karaoglu, Sumeyye; Ercan, Dursun; Ozbeyli, Dilek; Tunali-Akbay, Tugba; Eczane Hizmetleri Bölümü
This study aims to investigate the effects of whey proteins on SARS CoV-2 in methotrexate-induced lung tissue damage in rats. To determine the possible effects, rats were divided into four groups as control, control + whey, methotrexate (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and methotrexate + whey. Whey protein concentrate (2 g/kg, oral gavage) was administered for 10 days. Cytokine levels were measured and protein electrophoresis was carried out in serum samples. Lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and glutathione level, and superoxide dismutase and glutathione S transferase activities were determined in lung samples. Inhibition of SARS CoV-2-targeted lung furin activity and SARS CoV-2 spike protein-angiotensin converting enzyme binding with whey protein concentrate were also measured in each group. In conclusion, whey protein concentrate improved methotrexate-induced lung damage and inhibited lung furin activity targeting SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 site cleavage and SARS CoV-2 spike protein-angiotensin converting enzyme binding. Whey proteins are potential protective candidates that inhibit SARS CoV-2-related interactions, even in methotrexate-induced lung injury. Practical applications Whey proteins have anticarcinogenic, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and immunomodulating properties due to the protein, bioactive peptide, and essential amino acid content. Methotrexate is a folate antagonist and inhibits cell proliferation and purine synthesis. The combined use of whey protein concentrate and methotrexate may be an alternative in the development of new strategies to the treatment approaches against COVID-19. In addition, according to the results of this study, it is thought that the protective effect of whey proteins in healthy conditions before encountering the SARS CoV-2 may be higher than those who have never used it.
Synergistic Effects of Amniotic Membrane and Human Milk Exosomes on Burn Wound Healing
(Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2025) Isik, Ferda; Tufan, Elif; Sivas, Guzin Goksun; Ak, Esin; Muhan, Aleyna; Sener, Goksel; Tunali-Akbay, Tugba; Eczacılık Meslek Bilimleri Bölümü
Background: Thermal burns are one of the most common burns. Studies are ongoing to develop synthetic or biological wound dressings to ensure painless and scarless healing of burn wounds. Objectives: This study aimed to combine the human amniotic membrane with breast milk-based exosomes and investigate their effects on burn wound healing. Methods: 24 Wistar Albino rats weighing 200-250 g and of both genders were used. Rats were divided into control, burn, burn+human amniotic membrane (hAM) and burn+hAM+Exosomes (hAM+Exo) groups. Burn injury was induced by exposing the back of rats to 90 degrees C water for 10 s. Rats were treated with hAM and hAM+ Exo for seven days after injury. At the end of the 7th day, the skin samples were taken and analyzed biochemically and histologically. TNF-alpha, IL-1(i, type III collagen, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), total protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and tissue factor (TF) activity were determined in skin samples. Results: In the burn group, skin TNF-alpha levels increased, IL-1(i and type III collagen levels decreased. Wound healing therapy reversed these results. In the hAM+Exo group, the TNF-alpha level was lower, and IL-1 beta and type III collagen levels were higher than in the hAM group. MDA and total protein levels increased, and GSH, tissue factor, and SOD activities decreased in the burn group. In hAM and hAM+Exo groups, MDA levels decreased, and GSH and SOD activity increased compared to the burn group. The GSH levels were significantly higher in the hAM+Exo group compared to the hAM group. Conclusion: In conclusion, combining exosomes and amniotic membrane induced changes consistent with better wound healing than amniotic membrane alone.
Citation - WoS: 2
Citation - Scopus: 2
Whey Protein Concentrate Ameliorates the Methotrexate-Induced Liver and Kidney Damage
(Cambridge Univ Press, 2023) Tufan, Elif; Sivas, Guezin Goksun; Gurel-Gokmen, Begum; Yilmaz-Karaoglu, Suemeyye; Dursun, Ercan; Caliskan-Ak, Esin; Tunali-Akbay, Tugba; Eczane Hizmetleri Bölümü
Methotrexate (MTX) is a cytotoxic immunosuppressant that is widely used in the treatment of tumours, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. This study aims to evaluate the effects of whey proteins on MTX-induced liver and kidney damage by focusing on oxidant-antioxidant systems and eating habits. The study was conducted in four groups of thirty Sprague-Dawley rats (control, control + whey protein concentrate (WPC), MTX, MTX + WPC). A single dose of 20 mg/kg MTX was administered intraperitoneally to the MTX groups. Control and MTX groups were given 2 g/kg WPC by oral gavage every day for 10 d. At the end of day 10, blood samples were drawn and liver and kidney tissues were removed. MTX administration increased the lipid peroxidation level and decreased glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in the liver and kidney. Administration of WPC significantly reduced the damage caused by MTX in the liver and kidney. While a decrease in serum urea level and an increase in serum creatinine level were detected in the MTX group, WPC administration reversed these results up to control group levels. Administration of WPC to the MTX group significantly reversed the histopathological damage scores of the liver and kidney. WPC administration ameliorated the MTX-induced oxidative damage in the liver and kidney tissues due to its antioxidant properties. Liver and kidney damage can be prevented by using whey proteins as a nutraceutical in MTX therapy. In conclusion, whey proteins demonstrated a protective effect against MTX-induced liver and kidney damage.