open access

Vol 54, No 1 (2016)
Original paper
Submitted: 2015-10-02
Accepted: 2016-03-23
Published online: 2016-05-10
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Anti-inflammatory and ultrastructural effects of Turkish propolis in a rat model of endotoxin-induced uveitis

Salime Pelin Ertürküner, Elif Yaprak Saraç, Semil Selcen Göçmez, Hakan Ekmekçi, Zeynep Banu Öztürk, İsmail Seçkin, Özkan Sever, Kadircan Keskinbora
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.a2016.0004
·
Pubmed: 27094636
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2016;54(1):49-57.

open access

Vol 54, No 1 (2016)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2015-10-02
Accepted: 2016-03-23
Published online: 2016-05-10

Abstract

Introduction. Experimental animal models of acute uveitis, an inflammatory eye disease, can be established via endotoxin-induced inflammation. Propolis, a natural substance collected by honeybees from buds and tree exudates, has antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the effects of propolis, obtained from the Sakarya province of Turkey, on endotoxin-induced uveitis using immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and biochemical approaches.

Material and methods. Male Wistar albino rats (n = 6/group) received intraperitoneal (ip) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin (150 μg/kg) followed by aqueous extract of propolis (50 mg/kg ip) or vehicle; two additional groups received either saline (control) or propolis only. After 24 h, aqueous humor (AH) was collected from both eyes of each animal for analysis of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Right eyeballs were paraffin-embedded for immunohistochemical staining of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/p65 and left eyeballs were araldite-embedded for ultrastructural analysis.

Results. Treatment of LPS-induced uveitis with propolis significantly reduced ciliary body NF-κB/p65 immunoreactivity and AH levels of HIF-1α and TNF-α. Ultrastructural analysis showed fewer vacuoles and reduced mitochondrial degeneration in the retinal pigment epithelium, as compared to the uveitis group. The intercellular spaces of the inner nuclear layer and outer limiting membrane were comparable with those of the control group; no polymorphonuclear cells or stasis was observed in intravascular or extravascular spaces.

Conclusions. This is the first report demonstrating an anti-inflammatory effect of Turkish propolis in a rat model of LPS-induced acute uveitis, suggesting a therapeutic potential of propolis for the treatment of inflammatory ophthalmic diseases.

Abstract

Introduction. Experimental animal models of acute uveitis, an inflammatory eye disease, can be established via endotoxin-induced inflammation. Propolis, a natural substance collected by honeybees from buds and tree exudates, has antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the effects of propolis, obtained from the Sakarya province of Turkey, on endotoxin-induced uveitis using immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and biochemical approaches.

Material and methods. Male Wistar albino rats (n = 6/group) received intraperitoneal (ip) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin (150 μg/kg) followed by aqueous extract of propolis (50 mg/kg ip) or vehicle; two additional groups received either saline (control) or propolis only. After 24 h, aqueous humor (AH) was collected from both eyes of each animal for analysis of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Right eyeballs were paraffin-embedded for immunohistochemical staining of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/p65 and left eyeballs were araldite-embedded for ultrastructural analysis.

Results. Treatment of LPS-induced uveitis with propolis significantly reduced ciliary body NF-κB/p65 immunoreactivity and AH levels of HIF-1α and TNF-α. Ultrastructural analysis showed fewer vacuoles and reduced mitochondrial degeneration in the retinal pigment epithelium, as compared to the uveitis group. The intercellular spaces of the inner nuclear layer and outer limiting membrane were comparable with those of the control group; no polymorphonuclear cells or stasis was observed in intravascular or extravascular spaces.

Conclusions. This is the first report demonstrating an anti-inflammatory effect of Turkish propolis in a rat model of LPS-induced acute uveitis, suggesting a therapeutic potential of propolis for the treatment of inflammatory ophthalmic diseases.

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Keywords

acute uveitis; propolis; lipopolysaccharide; HIF-1α; TNF-α; IHC; electron microscopy; rat

About this article
Title

Anti-inflammatory and ultrastructural effects of Turkish propolis in a rat model of endotoxin-induced uveitis

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 54, No 1 (2016)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

49-57

Published online

2016-05-10

Page views

2357

Article views/downloads

2523

DOI

10.5603/FHC.a2016.0004

Pubmed

27094636

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2016;54(1):49-57.

Keywords

acute uveitis
propolis
lipopolysaccharide
HIF-1α
TNF-α
IHC
electron microscopy
rat

Authors

Salime Pelin Ertürküner
Elif Yaprak Saraç
Semil Selcen Göçmez
Hakan Ekmekçi
Zeynep Banu Öztürk
İsmail Seçkin
Özkan Sever
Kadircan Keskinbora

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