The effect of Bongardia Chrysogonum on prostate tissue in a rat model of STZ-induced diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Bongardia chrysogonum is widely used in Turkey for treating urinary tract infections and prostate hypertrophy, and it also has potent hypoglycemic effects and aids glucose homeostasis. Because of the inflammatory conditions in diabetes mellitus (DM), the prostate tissue of men with diabetes is particularly susceptible to developing hypoplasia, and DM produces characteristic pathological changes in prostate tissue. Here, we examined the effects of B. chrysogonum on the prostate tissue of rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. RESULTS: The glucose levels were statistically significantly higher in the diabetic rats than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Further, they were significantly lower in the healthy and diabetic rats administered B. chrysogonum than in the untreated diabetic rats (P < 0.001 and 0.05, respectively). The total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the healthy rats administered B. chrysogonum than the healthy controls (P < 0.05) and diabetic rats (P < 0.01). They were also significantly lower in the diabetic rats administered B. chrysogonum than those that were left untreated (P < 0.05). The testosterone levels were significantly lower in the untreated diabetic rats than in the controls (untreated ones and those administered B. chrysogonum) and diabetic rats administered the herb (P < 0.001, 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). The oxidative stress index was significantly higher in the untreated diabetic rats than the healthy controls (P < 0.05). It was also significantly lower in the healthy and diabetic groups treated with B. chrysogonum than the untreated diabetic rats (P < 0.05). Histological examination showed no changes in the prostate tissue of the non-diabetic rats. In the diabetic group, the glandular lumens were filled with cellular debris and leucocytic infiltrate, and the glandular epithelium was degenerated and thickened. In the diabetic group treated with B. chrysogonum, the epithelium was better preserved and less debris was seen in the glandular lumen. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to histologically prove the effects of B. chrysogonum on prostate tissue in diabetes. Our findings may be useful in developing B. chrysogonum into a therapeutic agent against diabetes and benign prostate hyperplasia.

Investigation of the protective effect of erdosteine against cyclosporine-induced injury in rat liver with histological and biochemical methods.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In the present study, the protective effect of erdosteine against cyclosporine-induced injury in rat liver was investigated with histological and biochemical methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (n = 8), cyclosporine (n = 8, 20 mg kg(-1) day(-1) i.p.), cyclosporine + erdosteine (n = 8, erdosteine 12 mg kg(-1) day(-1) orally), and erdosteine (n = 8). At the end of day 12, liver tissues were removed for histological and biochemical analysis. After liver tissues were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, routine histological processes were applied and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and elastic fiber stain methods. One hundred lobules of liver were examined for each group and evaluated statistically. The levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, were determined. RESULTS: The cyclosporine group showed significant histopathological changes compared to the control. In the cyclosporine + erdosteine group, histopathological changes of hepatic damage were markedly reduced. Histological findings were supported by biochemical results. CONCLUSION: Erdosteine could attenuate cyclosporine-induced liver injury.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) protects against acute urogenital injury following pneumoperitoneum in the rat.

PURPOSE: Our aim is to determine the biochemical and histologic changes induced in the kidneys, testis and prostate on possible ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury caused by pneumoperitoneum (PNP) in a rat model and to evaluate the ability of protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). METHODS: Twenty-eight adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided to one of three treatment groups, with seven animals in each group. Sham, laparoscopy (L), and laparoscopy plus CAPE (L + C) group were subjected to 60 min of PNP with 15 mmHg one hour before the desufflation period. Total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were determined in kidney, testis, and prostate. Kidney and testis tissues were removed to obtain a histologic score. Also, Johnsen scoring system was used for testicular tissue analysis. RESULTS: L group had significantly higher TOS and lower TAS levels on kidney and testis compared to the other groups. In prostate biochemical analysis, there was not any difference between groups. No difference was found between groups according to kidney and testis tissues' histologic evaluation. In evaluation of Johnsen scoring, L group showed significant lower score compared to the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Increased intraabdominal pressure (IAP) had an oxidative effect on kidney and testis but not on prostate in rats. Moreover, it could affect the testicular Johnsen score. All these adverse effects of IAP on both kidney and testis could be prevented by CAPE administration.