Transcriptome Analysis of Beta-Catenin-Related Genes in CD34+ Haematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells from Patients with AML.

Background: Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a disease of the haematopoietic stem cells(HSCs) that is characterised by the uncontrolled proliferation and impaired differentiation of normal haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Several pathways that control the proliferation and differentiation of HSCs are impaired in AML. Activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway has been shown in AML and beta-catenin, which is thought to be the key element of this pathway, has been frequently highlighted. The present study was designed to determine beta-catenin expression levels and beta-catenin-related genes in AML. Methods: In this study, beta-catenin gene expression levels were determined in 19 AML patients and 3 controls by qRT-PCR. Transcriptome analysis was performed on AML grouped according to beta-catenin expression levels. Differentially expressed genes(DEGs) were investigated in detail using the Database for Annotation Visualisation and Integrated Discovery(DAVID), Gene Ontology(GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), STRING online tools. Results: The transcriptome profiles of our AML samples showed different molecular signature profiles according to their beta-catenin levels(high-low). A total of 20 genes have been identified as hub genes. Among these, TTK, HJURP, KIF14, BTF3, RPL17 and RSL1D1 were found to be associated with beta-catenin and poor survival in AML. Furthermore, for the first time in our study, the ELOV6 gene, which is the most highly up-regulated gene in human AML samples, was correlated with a poor prognosis via high beta-catenin levels. Conclusion: It is suggested that the identification of beta-catenin-related gene profiles in AML may help to select new therapeutic targets for the treatment of AML.

Evaluating the effect of sleep quality and chronotype differences on erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to an inability to achieve or maintain a firm penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Insufficient, irregular sleep and sleep disorders adversely affect human health, including sexual function. Significant differences between biological rhythms (chronotypes) have been reported. In the present study we examine the effect of sleep quality and chronotype differences on ED patients and a control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 69 patients who presented with ED and 64 healthy controls. The respondents completed a sociodemographic data form, and disease severity in the ED group was measured using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The participants were further administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), and the scale scores were compared statistically between the patient and control groups. RESULTS: There was no difference in the age, body mass index (BMI), alcohol use and smoking of the ED and healthy control groups, while the IIEF score was significantly lower in the ED group than in the control group. The PSQI subscale scores other than for sleep duration subscale, the PSQI global score and the HADS score were higher in the ED group than in the control group, while there was no difference between the groups in the MEQ and ISI scores. The IIEF score was correlated with the PSQI and HADS scores, and the PSQI score with the ISI and HADS scores. CONCLUSIONS: It would be useful to evaluate sleep quality in addition to anxiety and depression while evaluating patients with ED. Our study found no relationship between chronotype differences and ED.

Protective Effects of Curcumin Against Formaldehyde-induced Renal Toxicity in Rats

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the protective effects of curcumin against renal injury induced by formaldehyde in rats. Methods: A total of 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were included. The animals were divided into three groups. The control group received 10 ml/kg of physiological saline intragastrically and intraperitoneally on a daily basis. The formaldehyde group were given 10 ml/kg of physiological saline intragastrically plus 10 mg/kg of formaldehyde intraperitoneally. The formaldehyde + curcumin group received 10 mg/kg of intraperitoneal formaldehyde daily as well as 100 mg/kg of curcumin intragastrically. After the completion of 14 days, the kidneys were removed. Tissue microscopic examination was performed with haematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining. Also, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured in tissue samples. Results: Formaldehyde induced renal injury. The degenerative tissue changes in the formal-dehyde + curcumin group seemed to regress, exhibiting similar characteristics to those of the controls. MDA, XO and NO were significantly higher in formaldehyde group than in controls, while a significant reduction occurred in SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities in the formaldehyde group. Also, renal tissue MDA, XO and NO were significantly lower in the formaldehyde + curcumin group than in the formaldehyde group, while tissue SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities were significantly higher. Conclusion: Curcumin improved the formaldehyde-induced renal degeneration. Also, curcumin was found to prevent the reduction in SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities, while preventing MDA, XO and NO levels, exhibiting a protective effect against the formaldehyde-induced oxidative renal injury.

Phylogeny and evolution of infectious bursal disease virus circulating in Turkish broiler flocks.

The emergence of new infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) variants can threaten poultry health and production all over the world causing significant economic losses. Therefore, this study was performed to determine IBDV molecular epidemilogy, VP2 gene variation, and corresponding pathological lesions in IBDV infected chickens in Turkey. For this, 1855 bursa of Fabricius samples were collected from 371 vaccinated broiler flocks. Atrophia and haemorrhages were seen in the bursa Fabricius of very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) infected chickens. Partial VP2 gene was sequenced and phylogenetic, recombination, and evolutionary analyses were performed. 1548 (83.5%) out of 1855 of bursa of Fabricius samples were IBDV positive and 1525 of those could be sequenced. The recombination analysis did not detect occurrence of any recombination event among the Turkish strains. Among 1525 sequenced samples, 1380 of them were found to be classical strains. Among 1380 classical strains, 1317 were similar to IBDV 2512, 11 to Faragher 52/70, 40 to 228 E, and 12 to Lukert strain. Out of 1525 reverse transcriptase ploymerase chain reaction positive samples, 144 of them were found to be similar to vvIBDV-VP2 gene reported to GenBank previously. The phylogenetic tree performed on a broad sequence dataset demonstrated grouping of vvIBDV Turkish strains in three different clusters, including sequences collected also from Iraq and Kuwait (Cluster 1), Indian (Cluster 2), and a distinct Turkish-only cluster (Cluster 3). The evolutionary rate estimation on branches/clades including Turkish strain mirrored the expected one for RNA viruses and no significant differences were found among different considered branches. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that vvIBDV strains similar to those circulating in various countries in the Middle East are present and undergoing evolution in chickens from Turkish broiler flocks. This point needs to be taken into account in planning adequate control strategies.

Serum YKL-40 level is correlated with apnea hypopnea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea sindrome.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has been associated with elevated biochemical markers of inflammation. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, both sleep deprivation and hypoxemia are believed to be important causative factors. YKL-40, also known as chitinase-like protein, has been shown to be related to various inflammatory conditions including atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, and asthma. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between YKL-40 levels and the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the Sleep Unit of the Namik Kemal University Research Center. From January 2013 to December 2013, 120 patients diagnosed with OSAS by polysomnography and 40 subjects without OSAS were recruited. Patients in both groups were matched by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). They were further divided into groups of mild, moderate and severe OSAS based on their AHI value. Serum YKL-40 concentrations were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: OSAS patients showed significantly elevated YKL-40 levels compared to the control group; 102,05 (23.14) pg/ml in the control group vs. 144.81 (65.53) pg/ml in the OSAS group. A Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum YKL-40 levels were significantly and positively correlated with AHI (r = 0.434, p < 0.001) and oxygen desaturation index (r = 0.374, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that high serum YKL-40 levels correlated with the severity of OSAS and might serve as a nonspecific biomarker for prediction and progression of the disease.

To compare aneuploidy rates between ICSI and IVF Cases.

INTRODUCTION: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) currently helps many couples with male infertility. However, ICSI procedure may cause asynchronous sperm decondensation. This could introduce a risk for aneuploidy. The ICSI technique also could cause damage to the second meiotic spindle during injection and cause significantly abnormal pairing of chromosomes when compared with In vitro fertilization (IVF). In this study, we have examined whether ICSI has a higher incidence of aneuploidy when compared with IVF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 36 individuals. Common numbers of chromosome abnormalities were detected using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH). Seven probes were used to detect chromosome X, Y, 13, 16, 18, 21, and 22. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis and presented as odd ratios with confidence intervals. RESULTS: The age range was 26 through 44 (mean age 35.5) for IVF and 25 through 46 (mean age 35.8) for ICSI. From the 36 egg retrievals, 57 embryos were obtained from nine individuals using IVF and 183 embryos were obtained from 27 individuals using ICSI. For the IVF group, 37 of the 57 examined embryos were abnormal (65%), whereas 128 of 183 examined embryos were abnormal for the ICSI group (69.9%). Among the 57 embryos from the IVF cases, the number of absolute abnormal chromosomes were as follows: X&Y chromosomes: 4 (12.9%), chromosome 13: 9 (29%), chromosome 16: 7 (22.5%), chromosome 18: 6 (19.3%), chromosome 21: 8 (25.8%), chromosome 22: 10 (32.2%). For the ICSI embryos: X and Y chromosomes: 18 (14%), chromosome 13: 34 (26.5%), chromosome 16: 23 (18%), chromosome 18: 23 (18%), chromosome 21: 26 (20.3%), chromosome 22: 31 (24.2%). The odds ratios for the difference between IVF and ICSI for each chromosome were as follows: X&Y chromosomes: 1.53 (0.598-3.916), chromosome 13: 0.969 (0.443-2.122), chromosome 16: 0.709 (0.307-1.639), chromosome 18: 1.650 (0.650-4.188), chromosome 21: 0.777 (0.350-1.724), chromosome 22: 0.647 (0.311-1.348). Overall no significant difference between two insemination procedures was seen 0.948 (0.678-1.324). CONCLUSIONS: As a result; ICSI does not create a significantly higher aneuploidy number when compared with IVF as examined by FISH analysis of seven chromosome pairs.

Protective effects of Urtica dioica L. on experimental testicular ischaemia reperfusion injury in rats.

In this study, it was aimed to examine the effects of Urtica dioica L. (UD) that has antioxidant feature in the experimental testicular I/R model in rats in terms of anti-apoptotic and antioxidative effects. In our study, 24 male rats were divided into three groups: control group, I/R group and I/R + UD (2 mg kg-1 ) group. Seminiferous tubule calibre measurement, Johnson score, haematoxylin-eosin staining, proliferative cell nucleus antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL as histopathological have been conducted. The structural deterioration in the testicular on I/R group has reduced after the treatment of UD. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL), and there was a rise in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in testis tissues of UD-treated rats in the I/R group. The I/R + UD group showed a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and an increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in comparison with the I/R group. It could be concluded that protective effects of UD on the I/R testicles are via reduction of histological damage, apoptosis, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.

Protective effects of thymoquinone on experimental testicular ischaemia-reperfusion injury: an apoptotic, proliferative and biochemical study.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of thymoquinone (TQ), which has antioxidant properties in the experimental testicular I/R model in rats in terms of its anti-apoptotic, proliferative and biochemical attributes. In our study, 24 male rats were divided into three groups: control group, I/R group and I/R+TQ group. Testicular torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction. The ischaemia period was 4 h, and an orchiectomy was performed after 4 h of detorsion. Spermatogenesis and the mean seminiferous tubule diameter were significantly decreased in the I/R groups compared to the control group. Furthermore, TQ-treated animals displayed an improved histological appearance in the I/R group. It was also observed that treatment with TQ increased the activity of PCNA, which decreased as a result of I/R, and this treatment also reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells. The I/R+TQ group showed a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and an increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in comparison with the I/R group. It could be concluded that cytoprotective effects of TQ on the I/R testicles are via reduction of apoptosis, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.

Comparison of colorectal neoplastic polyps and adenocarcinoma with regard to NLR and PLR.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer-related inflammation affects many aspects of malignancy, including proliferation and survival of malignant cells, angiogenesis, and therapeutic response. Some biomarkers representing the degree of systemic inflammation, such as the Glasgow prognostic score, NLR and PLR, have been shown to have prognostic value in many kinds of cancer patients. Aim of this study to investigate to compare neutrophil/leukocyte (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte (PLR) ratios of the patients with colorectal neoplastic polyps and colorectal cancer (CRC) and tried to determine whether this could be used as a biomarker in follow up of the patients with neoplastic polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 colorectal polyps, 113 colorectal cancers and 124 healthy controls were included in the study. Exculusion criteria were endocrinologic or metabolic diseases, acute or chronic diseases, hypertension and atherosclerotic heart diseases, renal diseases. Blood count parameters of the patients were measured. The NLR was calculated as a simple ratio between the absolute neutrophil and the absolute lymphocyte counts. The PLR was defined as the platelet counts to lymphocyte ratio. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was not detected between Group A and C with regard to NLR and PLR. NLR and PLR were found statistically significantly high in Group B (CRC), Group A (colorectal polyp) and Group C (healthy individuals) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Our study showed that the optimum NLR cut-off point for neoplastic polyps was 2.28 (sensitivity: 68.7%, specificity: 42.3%). When the sensitivity and specificity levels of the PLR were assessed, they were 68.7% and 46.5% for neoplastic polyps, 80% and 68.9% for colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: NLR and PLR may be used for follow up conversion of colonic and rectal neoplastic polyps to invasive tumor.

The serum copeptin levels in obstructive sleep apnea patients with prehypertensive.

OBJECTIVE: Copeptin is a precursor of AVP, an antidiuretic hormone, plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is related to cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the serum copeptin levels in newly diagnosed prehypertensive patients with OSAS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four prehypertensive patients were evaluated using polysomnography and were divided into two groups, an OSAS (n = 41) group and a control (n = 43) group. Serum copeptin levels were measured using the ELISA method. RESULTS: Copeptin levels were significantly higher in the OSAS group compared to the control group (146 [93-739] pg/ml vs. 111 [33-253] pg/ml, respectively, p < 0.001). A regression analysis revealed that the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and the lowest SpO2 were related to serum copeptin levels (unstandardized ß = 1.02 ± 0.40, p = 0.014 and unstandardized ß = -3.1 ± 0.9, p = 0.048 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of our study, serum copeptin levels are higher in the prehypertensive patients with OSAS compared to those in the control group. Therefore, in assessing the severity of OSAS, serum copeptin levels can be a candidate for a biochemical marker in addition to polysomnographic findings.

Measurement of C-reactive protein and prostaglandin F2α metabolite concentrations in differentiation of canine pyometra and cystic endometrial hyperplasia/mucometra.

Canine pyometra is a dioestrus period disease in which systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common outcome due to the response of the body to the bacterial infection. The purpose of this study was i) to differentiate canine pyometra and cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH)/mucometra by measuring serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and prostaglandin F2α metabolite (PGFM) concentrations in blood and ii) to compare serum concentrations of CRP and PGFM in bitches with a pathological uterus (pyometra or CEH/mucometra) to concentrations in bitches with a healthy uterus. Mean CRP concentrations were found significantly higher (p < 0.001) in dogs with pyometra compared to those with CEH/mucometra or healthy uterus. However, no statistical difference could be detected between the groups for mean PGFM concentrations. Mean white blood cell count (WBC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein concentrations were found significantly higher (p < 0.001) in dogs with pyometra. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated microorganism from dogs with pyometra (64.3%). Edwardsiella spp. was detected in a single case of pyometra for the first time. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that serum CRP concentrations were increased in dogs with pyometra and thus we conclude that serum CRP concentration but not PGFM might be useful as a marker to differentiate a case of CEH/mucometra from pyometra in female dogs. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in which Edwardsiella spp. has been isolated in the canine uterus.

The anticancer mechanism of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE): review of melanomas, lung and prostate cancers.

BACKGROUND: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis extract, specifically inhibits NF-κB. It exhibits antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, cytostatic, and most importantly, antineoplastic properties. AIM: The aim of the present mini-review is to summarize and evaluate the anticancer mechanism of CAPE with examples of several cancer types. RESULTS: In view of the mechanisms and findings in our laboratory and those of others in literature, we suggest that CAPE possess anticancer and apoptosis inducing activities. CONCLUSIONS: Further researches are needed regarding the anticancer basis of CAPE in all disciplines of medicine. Also, clinical potential toxicities of CAPE should be revealed if it is going to be used as an anticancer agent.

Immunocytochemical detection of Rhodococcus equi in tracheal washes of foals.

The aim of the present study was to develop an immunocytochemical procedure for the early detection and demonstration of Rhodococcus equi in smears of tracheal aspirates taken from live foals in field conditions. Tracheal wash samples were collected from thoroughbred foals, aged 1-5 months and located in studs around Bursa and Istanbul, Turkey. Some foals were suspected of having R. equi infection on the basis of clinical examination (n=56) and others were unaffected control animals (n=54). Serum samples were also collected from each foal for testing for the presence of R. equi-specific antibody by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thirty-six of the control foals (66.7%) and 37 of the affected foals (66.1%) were seropositive for R. equi. Immunocytochemical labelling was detected in the smears from 73.2% of the affected foals and 70.4% of the control foals. For both ELISA and immunocytochemistry (ICC), there was no significant difference between the affected and control foals (P>0.05) and there was no significant difference between the two test modalities (P>0.05). ICC may therefore have similar diagnostic utility when compared with ELISA. There is no clear relationship between clinical signs and ELISA or ICC positivity.

Protein carbonyl levels in the aqueous humour and serum of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: Protein oxidation is an oxidative stress marker and the oxidation of proteins is analysed by measuring the carbonyl groups. Protein oxidation can have a role in the physiopathology of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the protein oxidation in the aqueous humour and serum of cataract patients with and without PEX. METHODS: A multicenter study was carried out. Aqueous humour and serum samples were collected from patients who underwent routine cataract surgery. Patients were divided into PEX (n=29) and control (n=27) groups. Patients had no elevated intraocular pressure or glaucoma. Spectrophotometer was used to measure protein carbonyl (PC) levels in the samples. RESULTS: Mean PC concentration in the PEX aqueous (2.18+/-1.51 nmol/l) and serum (119.62+/-13.2 nmol/l) samples was significantly higher than that measured in the control aqueous (1.31+/-0.47 nmol/l) and serum (105.85+/-11.76 nmol/l) samples, respectively (P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: The increased PC levels in the aqueous humour and serum of PEX patients suggest that protein oxidation may play a role in the physiopathology of PEX.

Purine catabolic enzymes and nitric oxide in patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) is one of the most common oral mucosal disorders found in humans. Although the exact etiology of RAU is unkown, local and systemic conditions, and genetic, immunologic, and infectious factors all have been identified as potential etiopathogenic agents. The aim of our study was to compare serum xanthine oxidase (XO) and adenosine deaminase (AD) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and uric acid (UA) levels in a group of patients affected by RAU and in a group of healthy controls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 26 patients with minor RAU were included in the study. Twenty-six healthy volunteers were selected to form the control group. AD and XO activities, and UA, NO, and MDA levels were studied in the serum samples of all patients and controls. RESULTS: Serum XO and AD activities, and MDA, NO, and UA levels were significantly higher in RAU patients than in controls. CONCLUSION: Increased XO and AD activities, NO and UA levels and lipid peroxidation were thought to take part in the pathogenesis of RAU. Hence the effects of XO inhibitors in the treatment of RAU should be evaluated in future studies.

An abattoir survey on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to investigate Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Turkish cattle in the Marmara region which borders the European Union (EU). For this, cattle brought to abattoirs in Istanbul were analysed. The high risk group were selected and therefore 384 cattle above 2 years old were included in the study. They were primarily examined for the presence of any clinical signs of nervous system and also other clinical disorders. The whole brains were taken and analysed for the presence of vacuolar degeneration and prion protein by PLATELIA BSE test kit. Only 5 cattle were found to be nervous and showed aggressive behaviour. There were no cattle showing incoordination or other neurological disorders. Cysts were observed in 3 brains. Histopathologically, no vacuolar degeneration indicative of BSE was found in any cattle examined. However, in 8 brains, few vacuoles were observed in neurons in sections taken from the brain, cerebellum, medulla oblongata and medulla spinalis. Slight mononuclear cell infiltration in 9 brain, intensed mononuclear cell infiltration in 1 brain, haemorrhages in 5 brains and gliosis in 11 brains were also found. No infective prion was detected by ELISA in samples taken from 384 cattle brain.

Effects of curcumin on tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in the late phase of experimental acute pancreatitis.

Summary Inflammatory cytokines have been demonstrated to play an important role in the induction and severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the recent studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 in the late phase of AP. The study was conducted on 40 male Wistar Albino rats. The animals were divided randomly into four equal groups. AP was induced by the infusion of 3% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct (in groups I and II). Starting on day 20 prior to the induction of AP, rats in group I received daily dose of 100 mg/kg of curcumin, dissolved in 9% ethanol via an intragastric tube. The same procedure was repeated for 6 days following the onset of AP. Group III was infused only on saline solution. Group IV (curcumin control group) received 9% ethanol via an intragastric tube, during the experimental period (totally 26 days). All the animals were sacrificed on day 6 after the collection of blood samples and serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were determined. Tissue samples were taken from pancreas, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, lungs, spleen and the kidneys for histopathological evaluation. Serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the group, which received curcumin (group I), were determined to be significantly lower than those of the untreated group (group II) (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected in terms of total histopathological scores in the treatment group versus untreated group. Curcumin has been shown to markedly reduce serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the late phase of AP, but failed in the prevention of tissue injury.

Neurotoxicity with single dose intrathecal midazolam administration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to investigate the electron microscopic changes in the medulla of the spinal cord that occur with intrathecal midazolam administration. METHODS: Twenty-eight albino rabbits of New Zealand type were randomized into two groups. Following anaesthesia, 16 rabbits were given 300 microg of midazolam (Group M) and 12 rabbits were given 0.3 mL of normal saline solution (Group C) intrathecally. Eight rabbits from Group M (Group M1) and 6 rabbits from Group C (Group C1) were sacrificed 24 h after the anaesthesia and 8 rabbits from Group M (Group M2) and 6 rabbits from Group C (Group C2) were sacrificed 6 days after the anaesthesia. The lumbosacral portion was removed by laminectomy and thin sections were examined microscopically. RESULTS: Severe separation in myelin lamella of the large axons, honeycomb appearance, slight separation in myelin lamella of small to moderately large axons, degenerate vacuoles in the cytoplasm and nuclear membrane irregularity were observed in neurons of Groups M1 and M2. Myelin lamella and nuclear membranes were found to be regular, vacuoles and oedema were observed in the neurons in the Groups C1 and C2. CONCLUSION: Midazolam administered at single dose by the intrathecal route may have neurotoxic effects on the neurons and myelinated axons at 24 h and 6 days following administration.

Effects of whole-body hypoxic preconditioning on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced intestinal injury in newborn rats.

PURPOSE: The precise cause of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is elusive. Ischemia and reperfusion injury of the intestine has been considered to be a major contributing factor for NEC. Ischemic preconditioning is defined as one or more brief periods of ischemia with intermittent reperfusion that protects tissues against a sustained period of subsequent ischemia. Contribution of preconditioning to hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced intestinal injury in newborn rats has not been evaluated previously. METHODS: The study was carried out on 1-day-old Wistar albino rat pups. Whole-body hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) was achieved by 10 min hypoxia using 95 % N (2) + 5 % CO (2) followed by 10 min reoxygenation with 100 % oxygen. Whole body hypoxic preconditioning (HP) cycles were performed with 3 min hypoxia and 5 min reoxygenation. Thirty-three pups were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Group 1 served as untreated controls. The pups in group 2 were subjected to H/R only. In groups 3 and 4, 1 cycle and 3 cycles of HP were performed prior to H/R, respectively. Animals were killed at the end of the protocols. Intestine specimens were obtained to determine the histological changes, as well as to measure the tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, and xanthine oxidase (XO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities. RESULTS: The microscopic lesions in H/R rat pups were virtually the same as those seen in neonatal NEC, with severe destruction of villi and crypts, in some cases extending to the muscularis. In both HP groups, the lesions were found to be milder. H/R resulted in a marked elevation in MDA and NO levels, and XO and MPO activities compared to the untreated controls. Both 1 cycle and 3 cycles of HP prior to H/R resulted in an obvious decrease in all biochemical parameters. Differences of the biochemical results between both HP groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that whole-body hypoxic preconditioning is beneficial for hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced intestinal injury in newborn rats.

Vitamin E protects against acetone-induced oxidative stress in rat red blood cells.

Acetone may induce oxidative stress leading to disturbance of the biochemical and physiological functions of red blood cells (RBCs) thereby affecting membrane integrity. Vitamin E (vit E) is believed to function as an antioxidant in vivo protecting membranes from lipid peroxidation. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible protective effects of vit E treatment against acetone-induced oxidative stress in rat RBCs. Thirty healthy male Wistar albino rats, weighing 200-230 g and averaging 12 weeks old were randomly allotted into one of three experimental groups: Control (A), acetone-treated (B) and acetone + vit E-treated groups (C), each containing ten animals. Group A received only drinking water. Acetone, 5% (v/v), was given with drinking water to B and C groups. In addition, C group received vit E dose of 200 mg/kg/day i.m. The experiment continued for 10 days. At the end of the 10th day, the blood samples were obtained for biochemical and morphological investigation. Acetone treatment resulted in RBC membrane destruction and hemolysis, increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels in plasma and RBC, and decreased RBC vit E levels. Vit E treatment decreased elevated TBARS levels in plasma and RBC and also increased reduced RBC vit E levels, and prevented RBC membrane destruction and hemolysis. In conclusion, vit E treatment appears to be beneficial in preventing acetone-induced oxidative RBC damage, and therefore, it can improve RBC rheology.