Pregabalin administration and withdrawal affect testicular structure and functions in rats.

The aim of this prospective experimental study was to investigate the effects of pregabalin (PG) administration and withdrawal on testicular structures and functions in rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into two groups (n = 12 each): a control group received normal saline, and PG-treated group received 62 mg kg-1  day-1 PG for 2 months. Half the animals of each group were sacrificed for the collection of blood and testicular samples. The remaining animals were bred for another 2 months without treatment before collection of blood and testicular samples. PG administration decreased testosterone and increased luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels versus controls. PG withdrawal led to a decrease in both FSH and LH and an increase in testosterone levels versus saline withdrawal. Compared to controls, PG administration caused degeneration of seminiferous tubules and decreased the number of spermatogenic but increased the number of Leydig cells. After PG withdrawal, these cells showed a rebound reverse. Reduced glutathione levels increased with PG administration while PG withdrawal increased malondialdehyde levels. Conclusion: PG administration affected testicular morphometry, gonadotrophic and sex hormones; however, there was a rebound reversal in all these parameters and a significant oxidative stress in PG withdrawal.

Punch graft versus follicular hair transplantation in the treatment of stable vitiligo.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of follicular hair transplantation and mini punch graft in the treatment of stable vitiligo. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with stable vitiligo were included in this comparative study. A single patch from each patient was divided into two halves: one half was treated by punch graft, while the other half was treated by follicular hair transplantation followed by excimer light twice weekly, and the outcome was assessed at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months post operatively by photography and quartile scale. RESULTS: At the final visit, the percentage of improvement of vitiligo in punch graft-treated side was significantly higher than that in follicular hair transplantation-treated side (p < 0.05). Also, repigmentation after punch grafting occurred after a mean period of 2.5 ± 0.5 weeks (range, 2-3 weeks), while after follicular hair transplantation, repigmentation occurred after 5.2 ± 1.9 weeks (range, 5-8 weeks) (p < 0.05). Cobblestone appearance was the most common complication after punch graft; it occurred in 29 patients (90%), while no reported side effects occurred after follicular graft technique. CONCLUSION: Punch grafting is more effective than follicular grafting in the treatment of stable vitiligo; however, follicular hair transplantation is cosmetically better, so we recommend it in exposed areas as face.