The Distribution of Foxp3 and CD68 in Preeclamptic and Healthy Placentas: A Histomorphological Evaluation.

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that affects 3-5% of pregnancies and is one of the major causes of maternal/neonatal mortality and morbidities worldwide. We aimed to investigate the distribution of Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells and CD68+ Hofbauer cells in the placenta of preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women with a special focus on correlating these findings with placental histology. Decidua and chorionic villi of the placenta obtained from healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies were evaluated in full-thickness sections. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome and immunostained for Foxp3 and CD68 for histological analyses. The total histomorphological score for placentas was found to be higher in preeclamptic placentas than that in the controls. The CD68 immunoreactivity was higher in the chorionic villi of preeclamptic placentas than that in the controls. The immunoreactivity of Foxp3 was found widely distributed within the decidua in both the groups and did not differ significantly. Interestingly, Foxp3 immunoreactivity in the chorionic villi was found mainly in the villous core and, to a lesser extent, in the syncytiotrophoblasts. We found no significant relation between Foxp3 expressions and morphological changes observed in preeclamptic placentas. Although extensive research is being carried out regarding the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, the findings are still controversial.

The Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid on the Recovery of Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the regenerative effects of alpha lipoic acid on the recovery of sciatic nerve crush injury (SNCI) in rats. DESIGN: This was a randomized, experimental, and sham-controlled study. The sciatic nerves of 28 rats in four groups were traumatized for 60 secs: G1, sham operated + saline; G2, SNCI + saline; G3, SNCI + alpha lipoic acid 50 mg/kg/day; and G4, SNCI + alpha lipoic acid 100 mg/kg/day. Sciatic functional index values were measured on day 0, 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Sciatic nerve stimulation threshold values were recorded on day 1, 14, and 28. End-point histopathologic evaluation was conducted. RESULTS: The mean sciatic functional index value of G2 but not G3/G4 on day 7 was significantly lower than on day 0 (P = 0.035, P = 0.447/P = 0.800). The mean sciatic functional index value of G2 but not G3/G4 increased significantly between day 7 and 14 (P = 0.035, P = 0.447/P = 0.438). The day 14 mean sciatic nerve stimulation threshold values of G3/G4 but not G2 were decreased significantly compared with those on day 1 (P = 0.022/P = 0.022, P = 0.933). The mean sciatic nerve stimulation threshold values of G3/G4 on day 14 were similar to those on day 0 (P = 0.106/P = 0.418). Regeneration in muscle and nerve connective tissues and nerve structures was observed in G3/G4. Inflammation in the muscle and nerve tissues of G4 was suppressed down to similar levels of G1. Myelinated nerve fibers were less degenerated in G3/G4. CONCLUSION: Alpha lipoic acid has the potential to accelerate the process of nerve healing in the context of SNCI in rats.

Alterations of IL-1 and VEGF After Ischemia-Reperfusion Injured Uterus and Ovary in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia/reperfusion injury causes parenchymal and endothelial cell damage as a result of inflammation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressed in every kind of tissue in human body has important roles in migration, proliferation, endothelial cell permeability, angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. IL-1 is a one of the cytokine family members, and plays important roles in hematopoiesis, inflammatory reactions and immune system regulation. Furthermore, auto-inflammatory diseases are treated by IL-1 as therapeutic agent. The aim of this study is to observe changes of VEGF and IL-1 immunreactivity in ischemia/reperfused rat uterus and ovary. METHOD: Rats were separated into two groups. Control group and ischemia/reperfusion group which rats were subjected to 45 min ischemia/45 min reperfusion. Samples from uterus and ovary were fixed with 10% neutral formaldehyde and stained with H&E. VEGF and IL-1 immunohistochemistry was applied. RESULTS: Histopathological results showed severe degeneration of endometrium in uterus and ovarian follicles in ischemia/reperfusion group. VEGF and IL-1 immunoreactivity increased in uteruses and ovaries of ischemia/reperfusion group when compared to control group. CONCLUSION: In consequence, the present results suggest that VEGF and IL-1 may be potential detection marker for ischemia/reperfusion injured uterus and ovary. Moreover, VEGF and IL-1 might be in relation with each other to regenerate uterus and ovary.

Comparison of heat monitoring-based myocardial protection strategy with classic myocardial protection method in isolated coronary artery bypass surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to compare patients who have a myocardial protection strategy based on myocardial temperature monitorization with those who had myocardial protection with conventional intermittent cardioplegia. METHODS: Twenty-six patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were included into the study. Patients were prospectively grouped into two; myocardial protection based on temperature monitoring (group 1, n = 11) and those who had cardioplegia every 20 min (group 2, n = 15) during aortic cross-clamping. In all patients, cold blood cardioplegia was used. Coronary sinus blood sampling was performed immediately before aortic cross-clamping, after 2, 20, and 40 min of aortic clamping and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, malondialdehyde, creatinine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme (MB), troponin I, lactate, and pH were studied. In addition, myocardial biopsy was taken before and immediately after cross-clamping to evaluate cardiomyocyte apoptosis with caspase-3 tunnel immunostaining. RESULTS: There were no differences in clinical parameters like early mortality, extubation time, inotropic requirements, postoperative drainage, intensive care unit, and hospitalization time between two groups. In addition, blood and blood products were similar in two groups. In group 2, after cross-clamping, troponin I and creatinine kinase-MB values were significantly higher than the other group. In myocardial biopsies, the caspase immunostaining score, before removal of aortic cross-clamp was significantly higher in group 2 than the samples taken before aortic clamping. CONCLUSION: Our results show that there is no difference between temperature-based myocardial protection strategy with conventional intermittent cardioplegia delivery. We think that the number of patients in our study is less and that the patient population is not a homogeneous structure is the most important limiting factor of our study. Increasing the number of patients, with particularly those who have myocardial dysfunction would help augment the possible different effects of two cardioplegic techniques on myocardial protection.

Effects of pentoxifylline and platelet activating factor on sperm DNA damage.

OBJECTIVE: Pentoxifylline and platelet-activating factor (PAF) have been used to increase sperm motility in embryology laboratories. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether these agents pose sperm DNA damage using DNA sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assay. STUDY DESIGN: Following application of pentoxifylline and PAF, sperm samples of 50 individuals with different sperm parameters were compared to baseline in terms of DNA damage using SCD assay. Furthermore, the relationship between DNA damage and sperm parameters in predicting DNA damage was assessed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Significant increase in DNA damage was observed following application of PAF and pentoxifylline. Furthermore, DNA damage was significantly increased with application of pentoxifylline compared to PAF. Sperm motility was observed to be a statistically significant indicator in predicting alterations in DNA damage in baseline and subsequent to application of PAF and pentoxifylline independent of sperm concentration and morphology. Increased DNA damage was observed in both groups following application of pentoxifylline and PAF. Furthermore, the increase in DNA damage was higher in samples treated with pentoxifylline compared to samples treated with PAF. Thus, PAF seems to be more innocent in choosing viable sperm cells and in achieving sperm motility in the in vitro fertilization laboratory.

The impact of vessel clamps on endothelial integrity and function of saphenous vein grafts.

BACKGROUND: Saphenous vein graft (SVG) failure can be associated with endothelial damage during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Endothelial damage may develop after application of occlusive vessel clamps on SVGs. This study was designed to investigate the effect of plastic and metal clamps on the endothelial integrity and function of SVGs. METHODS: Saphenous vein samples were obtained from 10 consecutive patients, who underwent an elective CABG using SVG. Plastic (group 1) and metal (group 2) clamps were sequentially applied on the vein. Each set of clamps (1 plastic and 1 metal) was removed and sampled at 5, 15, and 30 min, respectively. A short SVG segment was removed as control. The samples were fixed for histopathologic study using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunostaining for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. In each group, endothelial, elastic tissue, muscular layer, and adventitial changes were investigated under light microscope and compared using a histologic scoring system. The intensity of eNOS expression was assessed using histochemical scoring system. RESULTS: In both groups, histopathologic examinations showed progressive endothelial damage in the zones of clamp application, compared with the control group (P<0.001). Histopathologic changes were more favorable with the metal clamps, compared with the plastic clamps, at 5 and 15 min. No significant increase in endothelial damage occurred after 15 min. The eNOS immunoreactivity of SVGs significantly decreased in the damaged areas of the endothelium (P<0.05). In metal clamps, the intensity of eNOS immunostaining was significantly high at 5 min, compared with plastic clamps (P<0.05). However, the intensity of eNOS expression in metal clamps was significantly lower than plastic clamps at 15 min (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups at 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: The endothelial cells can be better preserved with short-term application of SVGs with metal clamps rather than plastic clamps. These findings suggest that temporary use of metal clamps can be preferred without major effects on vascular integrity and function.

Distribution of Zonula Occludens-1 and Occludin and alterations of testicular morphology after in utero radiation and postnatal hyperthermia in rats.

In utero irradiation (IR) and postnatal hyperthermia (HT) exposure cause infertility by decreasing spermatogenic colony growth and the number of sperm in rats. Four groups were used: (i) Control group, (ii) HT group (rats exposed to hyperthermia on the 10th postnatal day), (iii) IR group (rats exposed to IR on the 17th gestational day) and (iv) IR + HT group. Three and six months after the procedures testes were examined by light and electron microscopy. Some degenerated tubules in the HT group, many vacuoles in spermatogenic cells and degenerated tight junctions in the IR group, atrophic tubules and severe degeneration of tight junctions in the IR + HT group were observed. ZO-1 and occludin immunoreactivity were decreased and disorganized in the HT and IR groups and absent in the IR + HT group. The increase in the number of apoptotic cells was accompanied by a time-dependent decrease in haploid, diploid and tetraploid cells in all groups. Degenerative findings were severe after 6 months in all groups. The double-hit model may represent a Sertoli cell only model of infertility due to a decrease in spermatogenic cell and alterated blood-testis barrier proteins in rat.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity in the mossy fiber terminals of the hippocampus of genetic absence epileptic rats.

AIM: Genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) provide a model of absence epilepsy. Although excessive GABA mediation within the thalamo-cortico-thalamic circuit has been shown to play a role in absence epilepsy, neuronal networks of hippocampus have recently received attention. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) was previously shown to be increased after convulsive seizures in the mossy fiber terminals (MFTs) of hippocampus. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the change in the level of this enzyme in convulsive seizures is also observed in rats having genetic absence epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hippocampal CA3 and dentate regions were processed for transmission electron microscopic evaluations. Thin sections were incubated with anti-GAD65/67 antibody. The NIH Image Analysis program was used for the quantitative analysis. RESULTS: It was observed that GAD65/67 immunoreactivity was positive in CA3 and dentate gyrus MFTs of both groups and the difference in the density of immunolabeling between the groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that GABA synthesizing enzyme, GAD, is found in MFTs of Wistar and GAERS hippocampus and this enzyme does not show an increase in these terminals in absence epilepsy, in contrast to convulsive seizures.

Leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist montelukast alleviates protamine sulphate-induced changes in rat urinary bladder.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The mastocytosis in detrusor muscle and the leaky epithelium in interstitial cystitis were the most studied features. In this study the leaky epithelium was shown using the ruthenium red staining in electron microscopy and uroplakin distribution in light microscopy besides the mast cell concentration in detrusor muscle using tryptase immunohistochemistry. OBJECTIVE: • To study the effects of montelukast (ML), a leukotriene receptor antagonist which has been shown to be effective in inhibiting the action of cysteinyl-containing leukotrienes, on protamine sulphate (PS)-induced changes in rat urinary bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: • Wistar female rats were catheterized and intravesically infused with PBS (control group) or PS (PS group) dissolved in PBS twice in 24 h. • In the PS-applied and ML-treated group (PS + ML group) after the 10 mg/kg PS instillation, ML was injected i.p. twice daily for 3 days. • The urinary bladder was investigated for general morphology under a light microscope. • Tryptase immunohistochemistry was used to observe mast cell distribution and activation. Uroplakin distribution was also identified with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: • Alterations of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and urothelial permeability were seen with ruthenium red (RR) staining techniques under a transmission electron microscope, and topographical changes of luminal urothelial structure were seen with a scanning electron microscope. • Biochemically malondialdehyde (MDA) and gluthatione (GSH) concentrations were analysed. In the PS group, there was degenerated urothelium with irregular uroplakin distribution, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, increased number of both granulated and activated mast cells, irregularity of GAG and penetration of RR into the intercellular spaces and dilated tight junctions. • In PS + ML group, there was relatively regular uroplakin distribution, a decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration, a decreased number of both activated and granulated mast cells in the mucosa, regular GAG and no penetration of RR into the intercellular areas, and regular tight junctions in most regions. • The significant decrease in MDA and the increased GSH concentrations in the PS + ML group was in accordance with the histological findings. CONCLUSION: • Montelukast appears to have a protective function in the bladder injury model via the anti-inflammatory effects of this leukotriene receptor antagonist.