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Introduction: Although ash has been used for treatment and cleaning among the people since Avicenna, its use for therapeutic purposes is not common in modern medicine. The main ingredient of ash is potassium hydroxide (KOH).Methods: In this paper, the antiviral properties of KOH were studied in vivo and in vitro conditions in mucolytic, alkaline and enveloped viruses that cause respiratory tract disease. For this purpose, a 6-stage study was planned. The physicochemical properties of the highest dose of KOH, whose caustic properties are well known, that can be used orally in humans, and the changes in the structure of mucus were investigated. Then, interactions of KOH with the membrane phospholipid bilayer complex, mucin 5AC, corona viruses spike glycoprotein, TMPRSS2 and human ACE2 (hACE2) receptors, and neuraminidase active site in influenza virus were investigated in silico, and the toxicity and beneficial properties of KOH in cells, both in vitro and in vivo, were evaluated.Results: It has been shown that at the applied doses, KOH has a mucolytic effect and increases the pH of the environment in mucus. It has been shown to prolong life span in cell culture and have no toxicity, and in the in silico study it binds to the hydrophilic part of the cell membrane, corona virus spike glycoprotein, TMPRSS2 hACE2 receptor and neuraminidase active site in influenza virus. Oral use of KOH in the form of a spray in mice had no toxic effects on the mucosa and the inhaler application has a mucolytic effect by decreasing the viscosity of mucus in the respiratory tract.Conclusion: In light of these findings, KOH can be mucolytic, alkaline, and antiviral for enveloped viruses in the respiratory tract.

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Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes increased morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries. With recent advancements in technology, alternative treatment methods have begun to be investigated in the world. This study aims to evaluate the effect of pulsed magnetic field (PMF) on vascular complications and contractile activities of aortic rings along with Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 subunit expressions of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K ) in aortas of controlled-diabetic and non-controlled diabetic rats. Controlled-diabetic and non-controlled diabetic adult male Wistar rats were exposed to PMF for a period of 6 weeks according to the PMF application protocol (1 h/day; intensity: 1.5 mT; consecutive frequency: 1, 10, 20, and 40 Hz). After PMF exposure, body weight and blood glucose levels were measured. Then, thoracic aorta tissue was extracted for relaxation-contraction and Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 expression experiments. Blood plasma glucose levels, body weight, and aortic ring contraction percentage decreased in controlled-diabetic rats but increased in non-controlled diabetic rats. PMF therapy repressed Kir6.1 mRNA expression in non-controlled diabetic rats but not in controlled diabetic rats. Conversely, Kir6.2 mRNA expressions were repressed both in controlled diabetic and non-controlled diabetic rats by PMF. Our findings suggest that the positive therapeutic effects of PMF may act through (K ) subunits and may frequently occur in insulin-free conditions. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:299-311, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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In this study, the effect of high-calorie feeding and aerobic exercise on skeletal and cardiac muscle citrate synthase (CS), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-I), and -II (CPT-II) mRNA expressions were evaluated. Genetically non-obese rats were grouped as normal-high calorie and sedentary-exercising. Gastrocnemius-soleus and heart muscles' CS, CPT-I, and CPT-II expressions and skeletal muscles' histopathological characteristics were evaluated. High-fat diet had increased body weight by 10% and aerobic exercise did not make any difference. Skeletal muscle CS expression was increased significantly in normal-calorie exercising group. Exercise and high-fat diet did not change CPT-I and CPT-II expressions in both heart and skeletal muscle. Histopathological evaluations demonstrated increased cytoplasmic lipid droplets in high-calorie fed sedentary rats, and exercise had reduced lipid droplets in skeletal muscle. Also, both mitochondria and nuclei distribution were impaired in high-calorie groups. In conclusion, aerobic exercise without food restriction was not enough to make significant changes in fat transportation mechanism into skeletal and heart muscle.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the mRNA expression level of p16, CDK4, CDK6, Cyclin D, RB1, and E2F genes in preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) cases and their roles in etiopathogenesis of PPROM. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one pregnancies with PPROM before 34th gestational weeks (study group) were compared with twenty pregnancies with no complication, who gave birth after 37th gestational-week (control group). Both groups chorioamniotic membranes were compared for mRNA expression of p16, cyclin D, CDK4, CDK6, RB1 and E2F genes. Results: The mRNA expression levels of p16, cyclin D, CDK4, CDK6, RB1and E2F genes decreased in the PPROM group compared to control group at a statistically significant level. Conclusion: Our findings have shown that oxidative stress may not act on the p16 pathway in these cases. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of PPROM, biomarkers of oxidative stress and aging should be evaluated together with other pathways related to aging and oxidative stress in future studies.