Effect of Blueberry and Raspberry on Activin-AB and Oxidative Stress Levels in Mice Given Azoxymethane and Dextran Sulfate Sodium

There are insufficient clear studies on activin-AB (act-AB) as one of the isomers of activins that plays role in development of cancer. In this study aimed to investigate the effect of azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) as chemical agents on the act-AB level of colon tissue with oxidative stress and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. A comparison of the effects of blueberries and blackberries was also planned. It was formed six equal groups of mice. Only intraperitoneal (ip) physiological serum was administered to control group (CNT). The second group (AOMD) received ip AOM/DSS combination. Third and fourth groups received oral aqueous raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extracts (RAE and VAE) in drinking water, respectively. Others received VAE and RAE plus AOM/DSS. While enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for act-AB and TNF-α measurements, spectrophotometric methods were used for analyses of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathion (GSH). AOMD act-AB levels were lower than other groups but significantly higher in VAE (p0.05). MDA levels of AOMD were significantly higher than CNT, RAE and VAE while MDA levels of AOMD+VAE were lower than AOMD. Plasma GSH levels were higher in VAE compared to AOMD (p0.01). TNF-α levels were lower in VAE (p0.01) and AOMD+VAE groups. As a result, it was determined that VAE may normalize act-AB level in AOMD group. VAE was also found to be more effective than RAE for anti-inflammatory response associated with oxidative stress and TNF-α level during AOM and DSS application.