Use of Ozone Therapy and Thymoquinone in the Prevention of Formaldehyde Toxicity by Inhalation: An Experimental Study.

INTRODUCTION: The study determined the damage caused by formaldehyde (FA) exposure in blood and liver samples using biochemical markers. Histopathological analysis was performed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and measurement of CD68 cell density. To what extent the antioxidant molecules thymoquinone (TQ) and ozone (O3) reversed the damage caused by FA exposure was investigated, both when used alone and combined. METHODS: Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats of eight to ten weeks of age were used in the experiment. The rats were divided into eight groups, with seven rats in each group: the untreated control group, the group treated with TQ (10 mg/kg/day), the group treated with O3 (150 µg/kg/day), the group treated with TQ+O3, the group exposed to FA (10 ppm 8 h/day), the group receiving FA+TQ, the group receiving FA+O3, and the group receiving FA+TQ+O3. Serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total antioxidant (TAS, U/mL), and total oxidant (TOS, nmol/mL) levels were analyzed. TAS and TOS levels, CD68 cell density, and apoptotic cells were determined in liver tissues. RESULTS: FA exposure caused an increase in serum AST and ALT levels of (p<0.05) experimental animals, a decrease in TAS levels in serum (p=0.03) and liver (p>0.05) and an increase in TOS levels (p>0.05), TUNEL positivity (p<0.001), and CD68 cell density (p=0.004). Administration of TQ and O3 as antioxidants significantly reversed biochemical and histopathological alterations in the serum and liver. CONCLUSION: TQ and ozone therapy suppressed oxidative stress caused by FA exposure and reversed the emerging histopathological deteriorations. Ozone therapy did not suppress the effects of TQ. Therefore, ozone therapy can be given as a supportive therapy along with the main therapeutic agents. We think TQ and ozone therapy may be useful to protect individuals exposed to FA.

Immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety of CoronaVac and Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccines in patients with psoriasis receiving systemic therapies: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence of immune response to COVID-19 vaccine in psoriasis patients on biological agents is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels following vaccination with CoronaVac or Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA in patients using biological agents or methotrexate, high-titer antibody levels achievement rate, and impact of medications on immunogenicity. METHODS: This noninterventional, prospective cohort study included 89 patients and 40 controls vaccinated with two doses of inactivated (CoronaVac) or Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccines. Anti-spike and neutralising antibodies were analysed before and three to six weeks after the second dose. Adverse effects and symptomatic COVID-19 were assessed. RESULTS: Median anti-spike and neutralising antibody titers after CoronaVac were significantly lower in patients than controls (57.92 U/mL vs 125.4 U/mL, and 1/6 vs 1/32, respectively, p < 0.05). Patients were less likely to achieve high-titer anti-spike antibody levels (25.6 % vs 50 %). Infliximab was associated with attenuated vaccine response. Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine induced comparable median anti-spike (2,080 U/mL vs 2,976.5 U/mL,) and neutralising antibody levels (1/96 vs 1/160) in patients and controls, respectively (p > 0.05). High-titer anti-spike and neutralising antibodies development rates were comparable among patients and controls (95.2 % vs 100 %, and 30.4 % vs 50.0 %, respectively, p > 0.05). Nine (10.1 %) COVID-19 cases- all mild - were identified. Psoriasis flare was seen in 6.74 %, mostly after Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. CONCLUSION: Psoriasis patients treated with biological agents and methotrexate developed similar response to mRNA vaccine but weaker response to inactivated vaccine. Infliximab reduced response to the inactivated vaccine. Adverse effects were more frequent with mRNA vaccine, but none was severe.

Comparison of different neuromuscular facilitation techniques and conventional physiotherapy in knee osteoarthritis

Background/aim: This study was conducted to compare the effects of conventional physiotherapy and two different 'proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation' (PNF) techniques on knee muscle strength, knee muscular endurance, and proprioception in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Materials and methods: The study included 35 patients between the ages of 47 and 62 who were diagnosed with stage 1-2 KOA. The patients were divided into three groups with block randomization method as Repeated Stretching Group (N = 12) With Repeated Stretching Technique, Combined Isotonic Contraction Group (N = 11) With Combined Isotonic Contractions (CIC) Technique, And Conventional Physiotherapy Group (n = 12). PNF was applied to all patterns of the lower extremity in full pattern and patients in all groups were treated for 6 weeks, 3 days a week. Muscle strength, muscle endurance, and proprioception were evaluated with Biodex System Pro3 (Biodex Corp. Shirley NY, USA). Results: Knee extensor muscle strength showed more improvement at CIC group than the other groups, and CIC group showed more improvement compared to the conventional physiotherapy in terms of knee joint position sensation evaluated at 60° (p < 0.05). Conclusion: All methods were effective in patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis; however, the most effective results were obtained by PNF using CIC technique.

The effect of lycopene on hepatotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 in rats.

Oxidative damage caused by aflatoxin (AF) in rat liver tissue and the inhibition effect of lycopene against this injury was investigated. Groups were formed as; control group (not treated), lycopene group (5 mg/kg/day, gavage for 15 days), AFB1 group (0.5 mg/kg/day, gavage for 7 days) and AFB1 + lycopene group. Lycopene administered simultaneously with AFB1. It was observed significant increase in malondialdehyde level, decrease in glutathione level, antioxidant enzyme activities in liver tissue of AFB1 group when compared with control group. It was determined to significantly increase in plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase activities in AFB1 group when compared with control group. It was determined significant decrease in malondialdehyde level, plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase activities and increase in glutathione level, antioxidant enzyme activities in AFB1 + lycopene group when compared with AFB1 group. This study suggests that lycopene which has antioxidant properties can be prevented from AFB1 induced hepatotoxicity.

Do Plantar Pressure and Loading Patterns Vary with Joint Hypermobility in Young Females?

BACKGROUND: Joint hypermobility is a connective tissue disorder that increases joint range of motion. Plantar pressure and foot loading patterns may change with joint hypermobility. We aimed to analyze static plantar pressure in young females with and without joint hypermobility. METHODS: Joint laxity in 27 young females was assessed cross sectionally using the Beighton and Horan Joint Mobility Index. Participants were divided into the hypermobility (score, 4-9) and no hypermobility (score, 0-3) groups according to their scores. Static plantar pressure and forces were recorded using a pedobarographic mat system. RESULTS: Higher peak pressures (P = .01) and peak pressure gradients (P = .025) were observed in the nondominant foot in the hypermobility group. According to the comparison of dominant and nondominant feet in each group, the hypermobility group showed significantly higher peak pressures (P = .046), peak pressure gradients (P = .041), and total force values (P = .028) in the nondominant foot. CONCLUSIONS: The plantar pressure and loading patterns vary in young females with joint hypermobility. Evaluation of plantar loading as an injury prevention tool in individuals with joint hypermobility syndrome can be suggested.

Protective Role of Propolis on Low and High Dose Furan-induced Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Rats.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate potential protective effects of propolis on furan-induced hepatic damage by assessing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH), antioxidant enzyme activities, and histopathological changes in the liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups: a control, propolis-treated (100 mg/kg b.w./day), low-dose furan-treated (furan-L group; 2 mg/kg b.w./day), high-dose furan-treated (furan-H group; 16 mg/kg b.w./day), furan-L+propolis treated, and furan-H+propolis treated group. Propolis and furan were applied by gavage; propolis for 8 days, and furan for 20 days in furan-L groups and 10 days in furan-H groups. RESULTS: While MDA levels were elevated in furan-treated groups, levels of GSH and activities of antioxidant enzymes decreased (p < 0.001). The levels of MDA and GSH and activities of antioxidant enzymes were normal in the furan+propolis groups, especially in the furan-L+propolis group (p < 0.001). While the aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate pdehydrogenase activities were elevated in the furan-H treated group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), they were unchanged in the furan-L treated group. Histopathologically, several lesions were observed in the liver tissues of the furan-treated groups, especially in the higher-dose group. It was determined that these changes were milder in both of the furan+propolis groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that propolis exhibits good hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential against furan-induced hepatocellular damage in rats.

Grape seed extract supplement increases bone callus formation and mechanical strength: an animal study.

BACKGROUND: The positive effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on bone health, which is a potent antioxidant, are known but its effects on fracture healing are not sufficiently covered in the literature. This study aims to investigate the effects of GSPE on fracture healing and biomechanics of healing bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four adult Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into 8 groups of 8 animals in each group. Osteotomy was performed to the right femurs of all groups except the negative control (G1) and positive control (G2) groups, and intramedullary Kirchner wire was used for fixation. GSPE was given to half of the rats (G2-G4-G6-G8) 100 mg/kg/day by oral gavage. The rats were sacrificed on the tenth (G3-G4), twentieth (G5-G6), and thirtieth (G1-G2-G7-G8) days, respectively, and histopathological, radiological, and biomechanical examinations were performed. RESULTS: Histopathological examination of the specimens from the callus tissues revealed that bone healing was more prominent in the groups supplemented with GSPE (G4, G6, G8). There was a statistically significant improvement in radiological recovery scores and callus volumes in groups with GSPE. When biomechanical strengths were evaluated, it was found that GSPE increased bone strength not only in fracture groups but also in the positive control group (G2). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, this study showed that GSPE, a potent anti-oxidant, had a positive effect on bone healing and improved mechanical strength of the healing bone.

Evaluation of ameliorating effect of lycopene against testicular toxicity due to diethylnitrosamine using biochemical, spermatological and histopathological data.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible therapeutic or protective effects of lycopene on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced testicular lipid peroxidation and on the associated changes in spermatological parameters and histopathological architecture of rat testis. DEN is a carcinogenic substance that can be derived from chemicals used in agriculture, such as insecticides and nitrate. The rats were assigned to control, lycopene, DEN(1), DEN(2), lycopene + DEN(1), lycopene + DEN(2), DEN(1) + lycopene and DEN(2) + lycopene groups. During the study, lycopene was administered by oral gavage at a dose of 10 mg kg-1  bw-1 every other day for 10 days and DEN was administered at a dose of 200 mg  kg-1  bw-1 as a single dose intraperitoneally. DEN was applied for 30 days in group DEN(1) and for 90 days in group DEN(2). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, antioxidant enzymes activities, spermatological parameters, the weight of the reproductive organs (v. seminalis, prostate, testis and epididymis) and the histopathological structure were determined. MDA levels significantly increased, while GSH and antioxidant enzymes' activities decreased in DEN groups (p < 0.001). There was an increase in the rate of abnormal spermatozoa and a decrease in sperm density and motility, and reproductive organ weight (the weight of the right and left testis) in both DEN groups. Lycopene has normalised biochemical and spermatological parameters and reproductive organ weight. The histopathological examination of testicular tissue showed that the most significant histopathological change in DEN groups was the seminiferous tubule dilatation. These results suggest that besides the protective effects, the therapeutic effect of lycopene is possibly due to its antioxidant effects on DEN-induced testicular toxicity.

Aflatoxin B1 induced renal and cardiac damage in rats: Protective effect of lycopene.

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of lycopene against the toxic effects of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure in kidney and heart of rat by evaluating antioxidant defense systems and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Forty-two healthy three-month-old male Wistar-Albino rats were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into six experimental groups including 7 rats in each. These groups were arranged as follows: control group, lycopene (5 mg/kg/day, orally for 15 days) group, AFB1 (0.5 mg/kg/day, orally for 7 days) group, AFB1 (1.5 mg/kg/day, orally for 3 days) group, AFB1 (0.5 mg/kg/day, orally for 7 days) + lycopene (5 mg/kg/day, orally for 15 days) group and AFB1 (1.5 mg/kg/day, orally for 3 days) + lycopene (5 mg/kg/day, orally for 15 days) group. The animals were sacrificed at the end of applications. In this study, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased; while reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities decreased in kidney and heart tissues. The significant reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidant system in AF treated rats as compared to the control group could be responsible for increased MDA levels observed during AF induced kidney and heart damage. The results showed increased urea, creatinine levels, as well as reduction sodium concentrations in plasma of AFB1 treated rats. There was lycopene showed protection against AF induced nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity.

Comparison of Median Nerve Mechanosensitivity and Pressure Pain Threshold in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain and Asymptomatic Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of median nerve mechanosensitivity by comparing median nerve neurodynamic test results of patients with nonspecific neck pain (NNP) and asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: A total of 40 patients (30 women, 10 men) with NNP between the ages of 21 and 62 years (39.53 ± 10.18 years) and 38 asymptomatic individuals (23 women, 15 men) between the ages of 18 and 60 years (37.13 ± 9.64 years) participated in the study. Pressure pain threshold was assessed with digital pressure algometer, cervical joint range of motion was assessed with a universal goniometer, and median nerve mechanosensitivity was assessed with Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 (ULNT1). The test step where the first sensory response was given, the location and character of the sensory response, and the final elbow extension angle were recorded during ULNT1. RESULTS: Patients with NNP had significantly decreased pressure pain threshold (P < .001), decreased range of motion of cervical flexion (P < .001), and decreased cervical lateral flexion (P = .001) compared with asymptomatic individuals, whereas no change was identified in range of motion of rotation (P = .100). In ULNT1, 45% of patients with NNP reported pain and 40% of them reported stretch. A total of 65% of asymptomatic individuals reported stretch, and 13% of them reported pain. It was identified in ULNT1 that final elbow extension angle was lower in the NNP group compared with asymptomatic individuals (P = .008). CONCLUSION: Median nerve mechanosensitivity increased, pressure pain threshold decreased, and active neck motion was limited in individuals with NNP compared with asymptomatic individuals.

The possible protective effects of vitamin E and selenium administration in oxidative stress caused by high doses of glucocorticoid administration in the brain of rats.

Acute exposure to high doses of glucocorticoids (GCs) may potentially increase the basal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by altering the defence capacity against oxidative damage. Also, antioxidants may affect the oxidative breakdown of tissues. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the effects of dietary intake vitamin E and selenium (Se) on lipid peroxidation (LPO) as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and on the antioxidative defence mechanisms in the brain of rats treated with high doses of prednisolone. Two hundred and fifty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. The rats were fed a normal diet, but groups 3, 4, and 5 received a daily supplement in their drinking water of 20mg vitamin E, 0.3mg Se, and a combination of vitamin E and Se, respectively, for 30days. For 3days subsequently, the control (group 1) was treated with a placebo, and the remaining 4 groups were injected intramuscularly with 100mg/kg body weight (bw) prednisolone. After the last administration of prednisolone, 10 rats from each group were killed at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48h and the activities of enzymes selenium-glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), and the levels of reduced glutathione (reduced GSH) and TBARS in their brains were measured. Se-GSH-Px and CAT enzyme activities, and reduced GSH levels in the prednisolone treatment group (group 2) began to decrease gradually at 4h (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively), falling respectively to 60, 50, and 40% of the control levels by 24h (p<0.001, p<0.01), and recovering to the control levels at 48h. In contrast, prednisolone administration caused an increase in the brain TBARS, reaching up to six times the level of the control at 24h (p<0.001). However, supplementation with vitamin E and Se had a preventive effect on the elevation of the brain TBARS and improved the diminished activities of antioxidative enzymes and the levels of reduced GSH. Therefore, the present study attempts to determine the sequence of cellular membrane damage in the brain of the rats after high doses GC administration and the possible roles in vivo of vitamin E and Se, and their combination.

Treatment of vinegar industry wastewater by electrocoagulation with monopolar aluminum and iron electrodes and toxicity evaluation.

We present electrocoagulation (EC) treatment results of vinegar industry wastewater (VIW) using parallel plate aluminum and iron electrodes, and analyze the toxicity of the treatment processes. Due to the chemical complexity of vinegar production wastewater, several parameters are expected to alter the treatment efficiency. Particularly, current density, initial pH, Na2SO4 as support electrolyte, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and kerafloc are investigated for their effects on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. Following several treatment experiments with real wastewater samples, aluminum-plate electrodes were able to reach to a removal efficiency of 90.91% at pH 4, 10 mg/L PAC and an electrical current density of 20.00 mA/cm2, whereas iron-plate electrodes reached to a removal efficiency of 93.60% at pH 9, 22.50 mA/cm2 current density. Although EC processes reduce COD, the usefulness of the system may not be assessed without considering the resultant toxicity. For this purpose, microtox toxicity tests were carried out for the highest COD removal case. It was observed that the process reduces toxicity, as well as the COD. Consequently, it is concluded that EC with aluminum and iron electrodes is COD removal-wise and toxicity reduction-wise a plausible method for treatment of VIW, which has high organic pollutants.

Vitamin E (α tocopherol) attenuates toxicity and oxidative stress induced by aflatoxin in rats.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and are classified as group I carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible preventive role of vitamin E (Vit E) on aflatoxin (AF) induced toxicity by using biochemical and histopathological approaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar-Albino rats were divided into 4 groups as follows: control group, Vit E group (Vit E was administered), AFB1 group (a single dose of AFB1 was administered), AF + Vit E group (AF and Vit E were administered). The effects of Vit E on AFB1 induced tissue toxicity were evaluated by using malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, and histopathological examination in tissues. RESULTS: AF caused the oxidative stress by the increased MDA level and the reduced GSH level, glutathioneS-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities in tissues. Plasma aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, creatinine, and urea concentrations significantly increased; whereas, chloride, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations were insignificantly affected. Plasma glucose, protein and sodium concentrations significantly decreased. Administration of AF caused hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. As far as histopathological changes are concerned, a statistically significant difference was found in AFB1 group compared to the control group. Vit E considerably reduced plasma AST, ALT, ALP, LDH activities, and urea concentration and ameliorated the deleterious effects of AF on oxidative stress markers and pathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: This data indicated that the natural antioxidant Vit E might have a protective effect against AF-induced toxicity and oxidative stress.

Shear Wave Elastography Is a Reliable and Repeatable Method for Measuring the Elastic Modulus of the Rectus Femoris Muscle and Patellar Tendon.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine intraobserver, interobserver, and inter-day reliability levels for stiffness measurements of the patellar tendon and rectus femoris muscle using shear wave elastography (SWE). METHODS: This study was conducted on 12 healthy male individuals. Two examiners measured mean shear wave velocity values of the patellar tendons and rectus femoris muscles of both extremities using a 9L4 (4-9 MHz) transducer and an Acuson S3000 ultrasound system (Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA). The elasticity images were acquired by the Virtual Touch tissue imaging quantification technique (Siemens Medical Solutions). Measurements were repeated 20 minutes and 1 week after the first measurements. The reliability of SWE measurements was assessed by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The 12 participants ranged in age from 19 to 33 years (mean age ± SD, 25.33 ± 4.56 years). For the patellar tendon stiffness measurements with SWE, it was found that intraobserver reliability (ICC, 0.91-0.92) and interday reliability (ICC, 0.81-0.83) were excellent, and interobserver reliability (ICC, 0.71) was good. For the rectus femoris muscle stiffness measurements with SWE, it was found that the intraobserver reliability (ICC, 0.93-0.94), interday reliability (ICC, 0.81-0.91), and interobserver reliability (ICC, 0.95) were perfect. CONCLUSIONS: Shear wave elastography using the Virtual Touch tissue imaging quantification technique is a reliable and repeatable technique for patellar tendon and rectus femoris stiffness measurements according to intraobserver, interday, and interobserver ICC values.

Patellar tendon mechanical properties change with gender, body mass index and quadriceps femoris muscle strength.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the effect and correlation of gender, body mass index (BMI) and quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle strength on patellar tendon (PT) thickness and stiffness in healthy sedentary individuals. METHODS: This study was carried out with 67 (36 female, 31 male) healthy sedentary individuals between the ages of 18-44 (28.0 ± 7.5 years). The individuals included in the study were divided into two groups according to their gender and BMI (18.5

Modulatory effects of lycopene and ellagic acid on reproductive dysfunction induced by polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1254) in male rats.

The present study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene (LP) and ellagic acid (EA) on aroclor (AR) 1254-induced testicular and spermatozoal toxicity associated with the oxidative stress and apoptosis in male rats. The control group was treated with placebo. LP (10 mg/kg/every other day), EA (2 mg/kg/every other day) and AR (2 mg/kg/day) groups were given alone LP, EA and AR respectively. One of the last two groups received AR + LP, and the other treated with AR + EA. Body and reproductive organ weights, epididymal sperm characteristics, testicular tissue lipid peroxidation levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, histopathological changes and apoptosis via Bax and Bcl-2 genes were investigated. AR administration caused statistically significant decreases in body-weight, epididymal sperm concentration, testicular superoxide dismutase activity, diameters of seminiferous tubules, germinal cell layer thickness and Johnsen's testicular score, and increases in relative weights of testis, epidydimis and seminal vesicles, rates of abnormal sperm and apoptotic cell expression along with degeneration, desquamation and disorganization in spermatogenic cells, and interstitial oedema and congestion in testicular tissue. LP and EA treatments to AR-treated rats markedly decreased abnormal sperm rates, testicular thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level, and increased the glutathione (GSH) level, GSH-peroxidase, catalase activities and epidiymal sperm concentration as compared with the alone AR group. Additionally, the AR-induced histopathological damages were totally or partially recovered by LP or EA administrations respectively. AR damages the testicular tissue and spermatozoa by impairing the oxidant/antioxidant balance and by increasing the apoptotic spermatogenic cell rates. However, both LP and EA have modulator effects on AR-induced reproductive dysfunction in male rats.

Effects of febrile and afebrile seizures on oxidant state in children.

No comparative studies have addressed the oxidant and antioxidant states of blood and cerebrospinal fluid. To reveal this differential state, the study was designed to identify the seizure type with the worse prognosis by determining erythrocyte arginase and erythrocyte catalase, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid malondialdehyde, and plasma and cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide levels. Study groups were classified as febrile (group 1, n = 21), afebrile (group 2, n = 21), and control (group 3, n = 41, subdivided as 3a, febris positive, convulsion negative, and 3b, febris negative, convulsion negative). Levels of erythrocyte arginase, erythrocyte catalase, plasma malondialdehyde, cerebrospinal fluid malondialdehyde, plasma nitric oxide, and cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide levels were determined for all groups. A difference was detected between the control and febrile seizure groups with respect to erythrocyte catalase and plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of nitric oxide (P < 0.05). Both febrile states and convulsions influence oxidative mechanism. Oxidative stress-generating potential differs for febrile and afebrile seizures. In afebrile seizures, greater levels of oxidative stress might affect prognosis adversely. This phenomenon can be interpreted in terms of fever as a protective factor against possible neurological damage during convulsive seizures.

Lycopene, a carotenoid, attenuates cyclosporine-induced renal dysfunction and oxidative stress in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of antioxidant treatment with lycopene on cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity using biochemical and histopatological approaches. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received physiological saline; animals in the lycopene group received only lycopene (10 mg/kg); animals in the cyclosporine A group received only cyclosporine A (15 mg/kg) and animals in cyclosporine plus lycopene group received cyclosporine and lycopene for 21 days. The effects of lycopene on cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity were evaluated by plasma creatinine, urea, sodium and calcium concentrations; kidney tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive species, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase activities and histopatological examinations. Administration of cyclosporine A to rats induced a marked renal failure, characterized with a significant increase in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations. Cyclosporine A also induced oxidative stress as indicated by increased kidney tissue concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive species and GSH, and reduced activities of GSH-Px and catalase. Moreover, the kidneys of cyclosporine A-treated rats showed tubular necrosis, degeneration, dilatation, thickened basement membranes, luminal cast formation and inter-tubular fibrosis. Lycopene markedly reduced elevated plasma creatinine, urea levels and counteracted the deleterious effects of cyclosporine A on oxidative stress markers. In addition, lycopene ameliorated cyclosporine A-induced pathological changes including tubular necrosis, degeneration, thickened basement membranes and inter-tubular fibrosis when compared to the alone cyclosporine A group. These data indicate that the natural antioxidant lycopene might have protective effect against cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat.

Remote organ injury induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion on reproductive organs, and protective effect of melatonin in male rats.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (MI-R) leads to remote organ injury associated with oxidative stress. Melatonin is a well-known antioxidant and free-radical scavenger. This study was conducted to examine whether MI-R causes damage in the testes and sperm quality, and to investigate the possible protective effect of exogenous melatonin on these parameters in an in vivo rat model. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Experimental Research Center, Firat University Medical School, Elazig, Turkey. PATIENT(S): Eight-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 18). INTERVENTION(S): To produce MI-R, a branch of the descending left coronary artery was occluded for 30 minutes, followed by 120-minute reperfusion. Melatonin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle was given 10 minutes before ischemia via the jugular vein. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Reproductive organ weights and epididymal sperm concentration, sperm motility, abnormal sperm rate, and testicular-tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were examined after reperfusion. RESULT(S): MI-R significantly decreased epididymal sperm motility, and increased the testes-tissue level of MDA, compared to the control group. Administration of melatonin reversed the harmful effects of MI-R significantly. However, MI-R did not change sperm concentration, GSH levels, and reproductive organ weights. CONCLUSION(S): These findings indicate that MI-R leads to damage of testis tissue and sperm motility, and melatonin protects against MI-R-induced reproductive-organ injury. These results may also encourage the use of antioxidants to reduce remote organ injury in the testis after MI-R.

Chemoprotective effect of melatonin against cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

In this study, we investigated the effect of melatonin on cisplatin-induced spermiotoxicity using quantitative, biochemical and histopathological approaches. Cisplatin (CP, 7 mg/kg) and melatonin (10 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected. The rats were decapitated on 5th (short-term group) or 50th day (long-term group) after CP injection. Traits of reproductive organs, sperm characteristics, testicular histological findings, and the lipid peroxidation in the testicular tissue were determined. Melatonin mitigated CP-induced reductions in testes, epididymis and accessory gland weights in rats decapitated on day 5. Both short- and long-term CP treatment decreased sperm concentration, sperm motility and increased abnormal sperm rates compared with the control. But the reduction of sperm concentration in long-term CP treatment was insignificant. Although treatment with melatonin provided moderately normalization with respect to sperm concentration in short-term treatment group, melatonin caused a marked normalization of sperm motility in both CP + melatonin groups. Both groups treated with the melatonin showed decreases in abnormal sperm rates compared with alone CP. While testicular malondialdehyde levels were elevated after CP treatment, glutathione peroxidase activity decreased significantly in both groups. Glutathione levels reduced after long-term treatment, but not in short-term group by CP administration. Treatment with CP plus melatonin provided significant amelioration of oxidative stress parameters. Histopathological findings of testes in both short- and long-term treatment groups paralleled the biochemical and spermatogenic results. This study clearly indicates that CP-treatment impaired markedly testicular function and combined treatment with melatonin prevented much of the toxicity in rats.