Investigation of the relationship between betatrophin and certain key enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in insulin-resistant mice.

OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to examine the relationship of betatrophin with certain key enzymes, namely lactate dehydrogenase-5 (LDH5), citrate synthase (CS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 (ACC1), in insulin-resistant mice. METHODS: Eight-week-old male C57BL6/J mice were used in this study (experimental group n=10 and control group n=10). S961 was administered using an osmotic pump to induce insulin resistance in the mice. The betatrophin, LDH5, CS, and ACC1 expression levels were determined from the livers of the mice using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Moreover, biochemical parameters such as the serum betatrophin, fasting glucose, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were analyzed. RESULTS: The betatrophin expression and serum betatrophin (p=0.000), fasting glucose, insulin, triglyceride (p≤0.001), and total cholesterol (p=0.013) levels were increased in the experimental group. In addition, the CS gene expression level was statistically significantly decreased in the experimental group (p=0.01). Although strong correlation was found between the expression and serum betatrophin and triglyceride levels, no correlation was found between the betatrophin gene expression and the LDH5, ACC1, and CS gene expression levels. CONCLUSIONS: The betatrophin level appears to play an important role in the regulation of triglyceride metabolism, while insulin resistance increases both the betatrophin gene expression and serum levels and decreases the CS expression level. The findings suggest that betatrophin may not regulate carbohydrate metabolism through CS and LDH5 or lipid metabolism directly through the ACC1 enzyme.

The therapeutic effects of coenzyme Q10 on surgically induced endometriosis in Sprague Dawley rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of endometriosis rat models. Twenty seven Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups; Control Group (n = 7; Endometriosis group), Reference Group (n = 6; Endometriosis + Buserelin acetate, 20 mg/kg), CoQ10 Group-I (n = 7; Endometriosis + CoQ10, 50 mg/kg) and CoQ10 Group-II (n = 7; Endometriosis + CoQ10, 100 mg/kg). At the end of the experiment, all the rats were sacrificed, and the volume and histoarchitecture of endometrial implants were evaluated. The mast cells were determined by Toluidine blue and collagen fiber density was analysed by Masson's Trichrome staining. Tumour necrosis factor and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in peritoneal fluid and VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Terminal deoxynucleotidil transferase-mediated dUTP Nick end labelling (TUNEL) was also used for the detection of apoptotic cells. The CoQ10 treatment significantly decreased the volume of endometriotic implants, VEGF, and MMP-9 immunoreactivity and increased TUNEL-positive cells. The findings of the study suggest that CoQ10 can be used in endometriosis treatment by suppressing the endometriotic implants.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Endometriosis is a gynaecological disorder and previous studies have shown that different treatments with antioxidants cause significant regression in the endometriotic implants.What the results of this study add? In this study, CoQ10 reduced intra-abdominal adhesion scores and volume of the endometriotic implants. In addition, CoQ10 treatment affected mast cell, TNF-α, VEGF, and MMP-9.What of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? CoQ10 treatments may be possible to apply, it can contribute to science in terms of a new therapeutic treatment for endometriosis. Further studies are required to evaluate the Coenzyme Q10's effects on pain and subfertility in endometriosis.

The effect of cerium oxide on lung injury following lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats under desflurane anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of desflurane and cerium oxide (CO) on lung tissue following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). METHODS: Experiments were conducted in Gazi University Animal Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey. Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups: control (C), IRI, IRI-CO, IRI-desflurane (IRID), IRI-CO-desflurane (IRICOD). Cerium oxide was given intraperitoneally. Lower extremity IRI was induced. Desflurane was applied during IRI. Lung histopathological examinations and serum biochemical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Serum nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were higher in group IRI (p=0.006) than in group C (p=0.001). Serum MDA and NO levels were significantly lower in groups IRICO and IRICOD than in group IRI. Significantly greater alveolar wall thickening and neutrophil infiltration were recorded in group IRI than in group C. Co-administration of desflurane and CO significantly decreased alveolar wall thickening and neutrophil infiltration compared to group IRI. Total lung injury scores were significantly lower in groups IRID, IRICO, and IRICOD than in group IRI. CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal CO with desflurane, reduced oxidative stress and corrected the damage in lung. Cerium oxide given before and desflurane given during IRI have been shown to have protective effects on lung damage in rats.

The Effect of Cerium Oxide on Lung Tissue in Lower Extremity Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Sevoflurane Administered Rats.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the effects of cerium oxide, applied before the sevoflurane anesthesia, on lung tissue in rats with lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion (IR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 rats were randomly divided into five groups as; control (C), IR, cerium oxide-IR (CO-IR), IR-sevoflurane (IRS), and cerium oxide-IR-sevoflurane (CO-IRS). In the CO-IR group, 30 minutes after the injection of cerium oxide (0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p)), an atraumatic microvascular clamp was placed on the infrarenal abdominal aorta for 120 minutes. Then, the clamp was removed and reperfused for 120 minutes. Sevoflurane was applied in 100% oxygen at a rate of 2.3% at 4 L/min during IR. The blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis and the lung tissue samples were taken for histological analysis. RESULTS: Neutrophil infiltration/aggregation was significantly higher in the IR group than in the C and CO-IRS groups. The alveolar wall thickness and total lung injury scores were significantly higher in the IR group than in the C, IRS, CO-IR and CO-IRS groups. DISCUSSION: We determined that the administration of 0.5 mg/kg dose of cerium oxide with sevoflurane reduces the oxidative stress and corrects IR-related damage in lung tissue. Our results show that the administration of cerium oxide before IR and the administration of sevoflurane during IR have a protective effect in rats.

Effects of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 on the kidney tissue of rats with ureteral obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted since the effects of colloid solutions on the renal system remain controversial and need to be adequately studied in animals. We aimed to evaluate the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (Voluven) on the kidney tissue of rats with late renal failure due to ureteral obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups: Group C, control; Group HES, hydroxyethyl starch solution (HES) 130/0.4 (Voluven®); Group UUO, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO); and Group UUO-HES, UUO-HES 130/0.4 (Voluven®). In the groups with ureteral obstruction, the distal part of the right ureter was accessed and sutured through a lower abdominal incision under ketamine anesthesia. Any signs of late-stage renal failure were evaluated after three weeks. Rats in the HES group and the renal failure-HES group were administered with HES 130/0.4 as a single intravenous dose of 20 mL/kg. After a follow-up of 24 hours, intra-abdominal blood sample was collected, and the rats were sacrificed. Biochemical and histopathological parameters were then evaluated. RESULTS: Ureteral obstruction significantly increased urea and creatinine levels. In addition, when the UUO-HES and HES groups were compared, the administration of HES increased urea and creatinine levels in the UUO-HES group. Nitric oxide enzyme activity and malondialdehyde levels have significantly increased in the UUO groups. In addition, HES significantly increased nitric oxide activity and malondialdehyde levels in the UUO-HES group, in comparison with the HES group. The activity of caspases 3 and 8 was significantly increased in the UUO groups. In addition, HES significantly increased the activity of caspases 3 and 8 in the UUO-HES group, in comparison with the HES group. Light microscopy revealed significant changes in the UUO groups, especially in the obstructed kidneys. CONCLUSION: If indicated, HES should be used with caution in cases of UUO, but not in the cases of bilateral ureteral obstruction. Other aspects of these findings, including the clinical significance and practical applications, merit further experimental and clinical investigation.

Effect of picroside II on erythrocyte deformability and lipid peroxidation in rats subjected to hind limb ischemia reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia reperfusion injury (I/R) in hind limb is a frequent and important clinical phenomenon. Many structural and functional damages are observed in cells and tissues in these kinds of injuries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of picroside II on lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte deformability during I/R in rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups - each containing six animals (sham, I/R, sham + picroside II, and I/R + picroside II). The infrarenal section of the abdominal aorta was occluded with an atraumatic microvascular clamp in I/R groups. The clamp was removed after 120 minutes and reperfusion was provided for a further 120 minutes. Picroside II (10 mg·kg(-1)) was administered intraperitoneally to the animals in the appropriate groups (sham + picroside II, I/R + picroside II groups). All rats were euthanized by intraperitoneal administration of ketamine (100 mg·kg(-1)) and taking blood from the abdominal aorta. Erythrocytes were extracted from heparinized complete blood samples. Buffer (PT) and then erythrocytes (PE) were passed through the filtration system and the changes in pressure were measured to investigate the role of serum malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (NO) in lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte deformability index. RESULTS: Deformability index was significantly increased in the I/R group compared to groups sham, sham + picroside-II, and I/R + picroside-II (P<0.0001, P<0.0001, and P=0.007). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO levels were evaluated. MDA level and NO activity were also higher in the I/R group than in the other groups. Picroside II treatment before hind limb I/R prevented these changes. CONCLUSION: These results support that deformability of erythrocytes is decreased in I/R injury and picroside II plays a critical role to prevent these alterations. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to evaluate and clarify the molecular mechanisms of action and clinical importance of these findings.

Effect of nitrogen mustard, a vesicant agent, on lymphocyte energy metabolism.

BACKGROUND: The vesicant agents sulfur and nitrogen mustards, which contain chloroethyl groups, are potent inhibitors of DNA synthesis and cell growth, likely changing the utilization of anaerobic glycolysis for energy generation. METHODS: To investigate the effect of nitrogen mustard on cellular energy metabolism, lymphocytes treated with increasing doses of mechlorethamine (HN2), a nitrogen mustard and an analogue of sulfur mustard, were incubated with radiolabeled glucose. The rates of aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis were then determined. RESULTS: Glycogen consumption was significantly higher in cells treated with HN2 in a dose-dependent manner compared to untreated cells. Similarly, the amount of end-product lactate was increased, but CO2 was reduced in HN2-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphocytes normally use aerobic glycolysis under aerobic conditions, but energy metabolism predominantly involved anaerobic glycolysis after severe intoxication with mustard agent.

Urinary neopterin levels in the different stages of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Neopterin is a biochemical marker of activated cell-mediated immune response which increases in pathological conditions associated with cellular immune activation as well as in pregnancy where cellular immune response is predominant. The aim of this study was to determine the urinary neopterin level in each trimester of pregnancy and to determine if it can be used as a marker. METHODS: 104 healthy pregnant women (mean age 22.10 +/- 4.39 years; 36 in the first, 30 in the second and 38 in the third trimester) and 16 non-pregnant healthy women (mean age 20.94 +/- 4.48 year) were included. RESULTS: The mean urinary neopterin concentration of all pregnant women was higher than that of non-pregnant women (166.4 +/- 31.7 and 103.1 +/- 27.5 micromol/mol creatinine respectively, p < 0.01). The mean urinary neopterin levels in each trimester and non-pregnant women were 139.8 +/- 49.6, 131 +/- 40.2, 227.9 +/- 86.5 and 103.1 +/- 27.5 micromol/mol creatinine, respectively. Urinary neopterin levels were not significantly different between non-pregnant, first and second trimester groups, but were significantly higher in the third trimester than each of these groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01 respectively). CONCLUSION: Urinary neopterin levels increase significantly in the third trimester probably due to more predominated cellular immunity. The pathologies causing cellular immune activation, especially in the first two trimesters can be predicted with urinary neopterin levels.

Fungal growth inside saline-filled implants and the role of injection ports in fungal translocation: in vitro study.

Infection is a serious complication of breast augmentation and tissue expansion with inflatable devices. Several reports have shown that fungi may be able to survive, colonize, and even cause infection in saline-filled devices. The mechanism of how they penetrate, spread, and colonize inside the inflatable implants is not exactly understood. The authors assessed both the expander membrane and the port in terms of leakage and penetration of Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger in an in vitro model. Thirty saline-filled expanders connected to the injection port were placed in sterile containers filled with tryptic soy broth culture medium to simulate the clinical situation in phases I and II. Intact and multipunctured ports were used in the first and second phases of the study, respectively. Either the container or the implant was inoculated with one of these fungi, and six implants in containers without fungal inoculation served as controls. As a third phase, intraluminal survival of fungi was investigated in saline-filled containers (n = 12) in 21 days. The silicone membrane, with its intact connecting tube and port, was impermeable to these fungi, whereas both fungi were able to diffuse inside-out or outside-in through the punctured ports. C. albicans did not survive beyond 18 days in saline, whereas A. niger continued to multiply at day 21. Chemical analyses of the implant fluids revealed that the contents of the culture medium diffused into the implants in phases I and II. The data show that an intact silicone membrane is impermeable to fungi, and punctured ports allow translocation of fungi into the implants. Fungi can grow and reproduce in a saline-only environment, and their survival periods differ among the species. Furthermore, their survival may be enhanced by the influx of substances through the implant shell.

The detection of urinal neopterin concentration increases the efficiency of cervical smear in the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the importance of urinal neopterin detection carried out together with cervical smear test, in the diagnosis of cervical cancer. METHODS: In this study, urine samples were collected from randomly selected vulvovaginitis' women who attended hospital and an independent control group. The participants were classified into two representative sample groups and a control group; 1st Group: 35 women with vulvovaginitis, whose ages varied from 21 to 42 and who had no viral infections, and chronic inflammatory diseases and no smoking habit, but had complaints of vaginal discharge. 2nd Group: 25 women aged between 38-52 with no smoking habit, who applied to hospital with complaints of vaginal discharge, and cervical cancer was diagnosed for them as the result of biopsy, but no associated treatment of cancer had been carried out yet. 3rd Group: A control group with 30 women who aged between 20 and 28, with no smoking habit, and who had not taken part in sexual activities yet. They had no complaints from any type of tumors, and viral infections or chronic inflammatory diseases. Urinalysis was carried out for each group member's urine sample in order to measure the level of neopterin. Neopterin was estimated by HPLC. Some statistical analyses were done by SPSS Windows 10.0 and were analyzed by Oneway Annova test. (p=0.000) Meaningful differences between the groups were determined by Post Hoc Tukey Test. RESULTS: The mathematical results of neopterin levels for the groups revealed that the level of Group 1 was significantly higher than the level of Group 3 (p= 0.0001). When the levels of Group 1 and 2 were compared with each other, a significant difference was determined (p=0.004). Also, the difference in the levels of Group 2 and 3 was found to be significant (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: If the results of this study were not confounded by another factor, then we can deduce that an increment in the level of neopterin may be considered as a risk factor that should warrant further investigation of cervical cancer. Then, the detection of urinal neopterin level as a noninvasive test done together with cervical smear can increase the sensitivity of smear test.

A research on the level of urine neopterin to see if it may provide a vital clue for a provisional diagnosis of breast cancer in menopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: To search the relation between the level of neopterin in urine and breast cancer developed in menopause. METHODS: In this study, urine samples were collected from randomly selected menopausal and post-menopausal women who attended hospital, and from a control group. The participants were classified into two representative sample groups and a control group; 1st group: 30 menopausal and post-menopausal women whose ages varied from 45 to 80 and who suffered from breast cancer but had no viral infections, chronic inflammatory diseases and smoking habit; 2nd group: 30 menopausal and post-menopausal women aged between 48 and 63 with no complaint of any type of tumors, viral infections or chronic inflammatory diseases and with no smoking habit; 3rd group: A control group with 20 women aged between 20 and 28, who did not take part in sexual activities yet, and had no complaint of any type of tumors, viral infections or chronic inflammatory diseases and had no smoking habit. Urinalysis was carried out for each sample in order to measure the level of neopterin. RESULTS: The mathematical results of neopterin levels for the groups showed that group I was significantly higher than group II and III (P = 0.0001 ); group II was significantly higher than group III (P = 0.003 ). CONCLUSIONS: If the results of this study were not confounded by another factor, then can we deduce that this relationship can be used as a risk factor that should warrent further investigation of breast cancer during the care and treatment of menopausal women.

Primary bilateral spermatocele.

We report the case of a bilateral, relatively huge, multilocular spermatocele diagnosed at sonography with surgical and pathological correlation. A 45-year-old man presented with bilateral, large inguinoscrotal masses. He had had the masses since his adolescence and their size gradually increased in the past 5 years. Scrotal ultrasonographic examination showed cystic fluid masses that were 65 x 45 x 50 mm in size on the right and 55 x 45 x 40 mm in size on the left side in multilocular spaces. The cystic masses were excised via bilateral inguinoscrotal incision staying near the body of the epididymis. The patient had fathered three children with no fertility problem.

Neopterin levels in nonreplicative HBV carriers.

The aim of this study was to determine the existence of immune activation by measuring neopterin in HBV (Hepatitis B virus) carriers with viral load (HBV DNA) less than 5 pg/ml. Forty-three subjects and 56 healthy controls were included in the study. Neopterin levels of were compared. ALT and ALP levels in one patient and AST levels in two patients were found minimally higher than upper limit, and GGT levels were within the reference range in all patients. Neopterin levels in the patient group and in the controls were 159.97+/-13.39 and 84.10+/-11.45 nmol/l, respectively (P<0.0001). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.0001). In conclusion, the increased neopterin levels of HBV carriers might be the indicators of the effect of cellular immunity. This increase might also implicate a background inflammation based on mainly cellular immunity that exists within the liver.